A Gurdwara in the US state of California has organised an open house and welcomed hundreds of people in a bid to spread awareness about the religion, weeks after it was defaced with a swastika graffiti in an apparent hate crime. On January 13, the priest of Guru Maneyo Granth Gurdwara Sahib in Orangevale saw words "White Power" and a swastika graffitied onto the sign out front and informed police. On Saturday, members of the minority community welcomed hundreds of people from different backgrounds, religions and races to an open house and lunch to reject the hate-fuelled message, The Sacramento Bee website reported. "To see everyone come here in solidarity, shoulder to shoulder, is very uplifting. It's very encouraging. We are one," a community member, Jashan Singh, told the people. Donning turban, the community members welcomed people and served them vegetarian food including Chana Sabji (gram gravy) and Daal (lentil). In California, there are about 300,000 Sikhs, according to the local temple, and about 40,000 in the Sacramento Valley alone, the report said. The open house was organised to educate people about Sikhism and their religious practices. Open house organiser Dimple Bhullar said: "We just want to make sure everyone knows who we are welcoming them and educating them". Bhullar said the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department and the FBI are investigating the case of vandalism. Indian-American Congressman Ami Bara had criticised the vandalism, saying "I strongly condemn the racist graffiti spray painted at a Sikh house of worship in Orangevale". In a statement, Sikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund, the oldest Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organisation, had condemned the hate speech that defaced the Guru Maneyo Granth Gurdwara Sahib in Orangevale. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Not sure what to do in your free time these coming weeks? Weve got you covered by exploring the cultural agenda youd be surprised at how much Luxembourg has to offer. Trees Encounters with Nature is a highly recommendable photo exhibiton for anyone that has felt a bit out of touch with Mother Earth. In his third solo exhibition, Rudolf Rademacher captures his personal encounters with bizarre natural phenomena. From intertwining branches to nestling pine trunks, he perfectly portrays the miracles of nature that we often leave unnoticed. You can visit the exhibition at the regional cultural centre Aalt Stadhaus of Differdange until 1 February. For the third time now, the Rotondes have organised another Fabula Rasa event. In addition to Fabula Rasa Telling stories differently, an excellent exhibition on all things storytelling was added and directly adds to the performance (AB Augmented Books). Visitors can explore the many ways of storytelling through modern tales and virtual works until 2 February. The next exhibition differs slightly from the rest in the sense that there is a lot of merging. In By the Edges of our Absence, two artists combine their interest in the concept of time and fabrication of histories. Opposing themes such as presence and absence are joined through corporal and spatial subjects, making it an exhibition that cannot be missed. It will be displayed in Casino until 16 February. Displayed on the ground floor of the Centre Neimenster until 25 February, neimensteXr takes the cultural centre into the digital age. What makes this exhibition so interesting is its successful attempt at reliving hallucinatory voyages using ancestral spiritual practices you might want to see this for yourself to understand the very concept of this virtual experience. Christophe Van Biesen Especially appealing to anyone who loves travel, Home and Away by Belgian photographer Christophe Van Biesen features Mother Earth in all its shapes. From Luxembourgs forests to international megacities to waterfalls, this exhibition invites everyone to appreciate the many forms our planet comes in. The exhibition is freely accessible to anyone at the Contemporary Art Gallery Am Tunnel until 19 April. This permanent exhibition at the Kulturhuef in Grevenmacher is extremely exciting for history buffs, as it dives into the history of the modern printing press! Gutenberg Revisited was recently re-imagined and extended, enabling a more detailed peek into what print was like before Gutenberg made his technological breakthrough. A number of printing presses are on display, and visitors are invited to experience printing and pressing as well! Using the theme of movement, MUDAM brings together artists from different decades in Worlds in Motion. Photography, animated film, rotoscopy (a fancy cinematographic technqiue used in the late 19th century) and animated sculptures are combined for visitors to explore the concept of movement for themselves. The exhibiton is on display at MUDAM until 13 April. As an alternative to its usual exhibitions, MUDAM is offering a programme for those wishing to learn more about the history of modern art. As a series of ten lectures, Mudam Akademie began in October and will continue to take place every Wednesday (in French or Luxembourgish) exploring a wide variety of themes in modern art. Musee national dhistoire naturelle For a less artistic exhibition and something easier to grasp, head to the National Natural History Museum (MNHN) and let yourself be impressed by its massive collection of birds in the Geckeg Vullen exhibition. Until 7 June, you can learn about birds anatomy and physiology or just look at 3,500 different specimens The MHNA is home to a permanent exhibition that never ceases to amaze, From Mansfeld to Design 1500-2014. Exploring the evolution of lifestyles in Luxembourg from the 15th century onwards, the collection of ancient furniture and decor gives a very unique insight into Luxembourgish decorative arts and how it may have been influenced from abroad. With 200 items on display ranging from the Renaissance to the early 2000s, this exhibition surely will inspire you to redecorate your entire home Tours to China halted amid deadly virus outbreak ROC Central News Agency 01/25/2020 02:09 PM Taipei, Jan. 25 (CNA) Taiwan's Tourism Bureau has notified travel agencies to suspend their tours to China after Beijing ordered a halt to inbound and outbound group tours amid the outbreak of a deadly respiratory virus in that country. The bureau issued the notice to tour operators Friday to suspend all tours to China from Saturday to Jan. 31 and provide refunds based on the provisions of the standard contract, the Travel Agent Association of R.O.C. Taiwan said in a statement. That came after China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism ordered travel agencies and tourism companies to suspend operations and stop selling tour packages beginning Friday, Tourism Bureau Director-General Chou Yung-hui () said on the bureau's Facebook page. Harula Tour Travel Service said it did not have any tours scheduled for Saturday but will cancel a two-week tour to China starting Sunday. Harula Chairman Ringo Lee () said his company had already begun handling requests for cancellations or refunds for tour packages to China. Lion Travel Service Co. indicated it will call off tours to China scheduled for between Sunday and Feb. 3, while Cola Tours said it will halt all China tours before the end of February. In a related measure, Taiwan announced Friday a month-long ban on the export of two types of surgical masks -- those designed to filter out 95 percent of small particles, commonly known as N95 masks, and other masks made of fiber. With that measure in place, Taiwan's supply of face masks will be sufficient, said Premier Su Tseng-chang (). The death toll from the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December, reached 41 in China as of Friday, 39 of which were in Hubei province. More than 1,300 people have been infected globally, including 1,287 in China. Doctor Liang Wudong () of Hubei Xinhua Hospital in Wuhan became the first Chinese medical specialist to succumb to the infectious disease when he died of the virus on Saturday, according to a report by online media ThePaper.cn. Liang sought medical attention at Hubei's Jinyintan hospital on Jan. 18 after contracting the virus a few days earlier, the report said, citing a staffer at Xinhua hospital. (By Wang Shu-fen and Evelyn Kao) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Flash Turkey is welcoming Chinese visitors for the Lunar New Year holiday, with different regions and institutions making efforts to offer them a safe and pleasant stay. In the new airport of Istanbul, Turkey's biggest city and economic-cultural hub, many shops have placed big banners in Chinese to welcome arriving Chinese tourists, offering them discounts and holiday bargains. The week-long Chinese holiday started on Friday, groups of visitors have flocked to the airport where many were picked up by travel agencies. "Our clients mainly go to Cappadocia (central Anatolia), the ancient city of Ephesus (western Turkey) or stay in Istanbul to visit many historic landmarks of the city," Irfan Karsli, head of Ligarba Turizm Travel, told Xinhua. He explained that compared to previous years, Turkey's Tourism Ministry and private institutions have created a more friendly atmosphere to draw more tourists from China. This year, the Istanbul municipality erected posters and signs in Chinese across touristic places. "We see that there is real intent to be more prepared and focused on the need of the Chinese visitors, for example, in regard of the Chinese payment systems and Chinese-speaking guides and airport staff," noted Karsli, who has been exploring the Chinese market for over two decades. "We have arranged Chinese language courses for the airport staff to offer a smooth experience for our Chinese guests," Karsli said. In December 2019, Turkey's Isbank, which has the country's largest network for overseas payments, further expanded cooperation with Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba's payment platform Alipay, a move hailed by travel agencies working with Chinese clients. The new deal between Isbank and Alipay will make the latter accessible on the bank's point of sale (POS) devices in addition to the already existing cooperation on e-transactions. Moreover, Turkish Airline has announced the addition of Xi'an, the Chinese city with 3,000 years of history, to its flight network. Xi'an has become the flag carrier's fourth destination on the Chinese mainland and the 318th in the world. Ali Can Aksu, head of the Turkish Hotel Managers Association, noted that the occupancy of the hotels in destinations popular for Chinese tourists has seen an over 28 percent year-on-year increase. The number of Chinese tourists visiting Turkey has gone up, with a 9 percent increase in the first 11 months of 2019, reaching 403,739, according to official data. However, there is still room for improvement to reach the 1 million tourists target agreed upon by both Beijing and Ankara. In one of Turkey's leading tourist attractions, Pamukkale, located in the central Aegean province of Denizli, globally famed for its unique travertine terraces and healing waters, a hotel manager told Xinhua that they are doing their upmost to make Chinese visitors feel at home. "We have this year several staff who followed Chinese language courses and are at the disposal of our guests. We are also offering them exemplars of Turkish gastronomic delights more up to their palates," indicated Murat Eroglu. The site has welcomed some 2.6 million local and foreign visitors throughout 2019. In central Anatolian Cappadocia, another favorite destination of Chinese visitors, famous for its unique landscape and underground ancient cities, hot air balloon rides have become a must to admire from above the "fairy chimney" rock formations. Cappadocia is the most popular location in the world for hot air ballooning. Last year, nearly half of the world's balloon trips took place in the region, with more than half a million people taking to the blue skies, among whom were many Chinese visitors. Iran cancels travel ban on common borders CSTO defense ministers council special session to be held Thursday Dollar loses value in Armenia Which NGOs, extra-parliamentary forces to be included in Armenia Constitutional Reform Council? 4,391 foreign nationals visit Artsakh in 2021 China calls on US to immediately close Guantanamo prison State Department says more progress must be made to salvage nuclear deal Measure ensuring implementation of law on addendum to law on Armenia state border is approved Davit Minasyan is sworn in as new mayor of Armenias Parakar enlarged community World Bank: Armenia economic growth expected to be 4.8% in 2022 and 5.4% in 2023 Azerbaijani Defense Minister receives new commander of Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh Biden names Kamala Harris as US president during Atlanta speech Ombudsman: Azerbaijan is launching provocations in Armenia territories where it earlier invaded Russia-NATO Council meeting kicks off in Brussels Serdar Kilic is appointed Turkey special representative for Armenia Armenia ambassador to Georgia informs Switzerland envoy about Azerbaijan's gross ceasefire violation Economy minister: Armenia government was guided by political considerations when lifting sanctions on Turkey goods Turkey defense minister expresses support for Azerbaijan in another military aggression against Armenia Pashinyan, Putin discuss Karabakh, Kazakhstan Toivo Klaar: Deeply worried by reports of renewed incidents and casualties on Armenia-Azerbaijan Germany: A record 80,430 COVID-19 cases detected per day 3 more persons die of coronavirus in Artsakh Criminal case launched into 3 Armenia soldiers killing by Azerbaijan shootings Copper rises in price One of main tasks of Armenia peacekeepers in Kazakhstans Almaty is to prevent water supply system poisoning About 80 Americans cannot fly from Afghanistan Turkey parliament ex-deputy speaker: Armenia must fulfill 4 preconditions Border situation in Armenias Gegharkunik Province was calm at night French FM says talks on Iranian nuclear deal are progressing slowly 289 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Gold slightly rises in price North Korea says it successfully tested another hypersonic missile OSCE calls on Azerbaijan, Armenia to refrain from the use of force Oil is trading without a single dynamic US State Department welcomes announcement on CSTO forces withdrawal from Kazakhstan Newspaper: Ex-ministers are summoned to Hayastan All Armenian Fund parliamentary inquiry committee MOD: Armenia soldiers dead body found at midnight after Azerbaijan provocation Newspaper: Casualties of Armenia PM Pashinyan's 'era of peace' US concerned about EastMed natural gas pipeline project Giant fish sold at auction for over 16 million yen German Marshall Fund: It Is not too early to think about political change in Turkey Armenian Foreign Ministry: We call on Azerbaijani authorities to refrain from provocations Armenia's Geghamasar community head: The situation is stable now Queen Elizabeth II's favorite fast food revealed Human Rights Defender: Azerbaijani troops open fire on Armenian sovereign territory World Economic Forum: Cybersecurity and space pose new risks to the global economy Defense Ministry confirms Armenian side has 2 victims Satanovsky on sending Armenian servicemen to Kazakhstan Unofficial data: 2 servicemen killed as a result of Azerbaijan provocation CSTO and Kazakh Defense Ministry developing plan WHO thinks it's too early to consider COVID-19 pandemic European Commission to require Poland to pay fine of nearly EUR 70 million White House announces $308 million humanitarian aid for Afghanistan Erdogan angry at minister after efforts to strengthen lira failed Armenian FM has phone call with US Assistant Secretary of State India imposes one-week quarantine even for vaccinated tourists Armenian ex-president expresses condolences on poet Razmik Davoyan's death Traction Programme to showcase 8 startups during the Digital Demo Day Azerbaijan uses artillery and UAVs, 3 Armenian soldiers wounded NEWS.am daily digest: 11.01.22 Austrian Chancellor confirms plan for mandatory COVID-19 vaccination in February Armen Sarkissian and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev discuss situation in Kazakhstan Gulf, Iran and Turkey FMs to visit China 20 pregnant women with COVID-19 die in Azerbaijan in year Armenia hands over wanted US citizen to United States Economy ministry: Organizing of accommodation and public catering increased by 61.1% in Armenia Armenia parliament speaker expresses condolences on European Parliament President death Azerbaijan opens fire toward Armenia village sector, one soldier wounded Shoigu: CSTO peacekeepers deployed in Kazakhstan thanks to Syrian and Karabakh experience Azerbaijan official pledges to remove Armenian toponyms from Google Maps UN offers two plans to help Afghans totaling $ 5 billion in 2022 Armenia attorney general travels to Moscow on working visit Azerbaijan MOD blames Armenian side for soldiers death Dollar drops in Armenia Shirak Province captives families hold protest outside Armenia government building Rolls-Royce sales rise to record high in 2021 Ombudsman: Azerbaijanis directed gun at Armenia residents car in which his wife, 3-year-old child were ANCA urges President Biden and Congress to hold Azerbaijan and Turkey accountable for war crimes Serbia's Orthodox Patriarch tests positive for COVID-19 Brothers, sisters of 2020 Artsakh war military casualties to get compensation in lieu of their deceased parents Turkish authorities sanction arrest of 33 suspected FETO ties Copper rises in price Erdogan's spokesman, Biden's adviser discuss Armenian-Turkish relations Armenia deputy defense minister: No one can rule out border tension at any moment New commander elected of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia official: Those 100 soldiers absence will not assume any change in terms of border tension Millionaire Robert Durst dies aged 78 Reuters: Over 1.13 million cases of COVID-19 detected in US per day Great Armenian poet Razmik Davoyan dies 2 new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Deputy PM Matevosyan: About 1,190 subvention programs implemented in Armenia from 2018 to 2021 243 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia MP: It would be right to put pressure on Azerbaijanis to remove their firing positions Oil is getting more expensive Nearly 10,000 people detained in Kazakhstan in connection with riots Tokayev: CSTO peacekeepers will pull out from Kazakhstan within 10 days Newspaper: Armenia businessmen pay customs duties to Azerbaijanis to go to Iran European Parliament speaker David Sassoli dies Alikhan Smailov appointed Kazakhstan Prime Minister Newspaper: Health minister makes decision full of contradictions in terms of Covid-related restrictions in Armenia It's official: Murray State becomes member of Missouri Valley Conference Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-27 03:42:45|Editor: yan Video Player Close ALGIERS, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Algeria on Sunday "strongly condemned the "terrorist attack that targeted the Sokolo military camp in central Mali." "Algeria is confident that Mali will continue to relentlessly fight terror," Abdelaziz Benali Cherif, the spokesman for the Algerian foreign ministry, said in statements to APS news agency. Cherif noted that his country highly esteems the "sacrifice of the Malian soldiers who died in the service of their homeland and people." A total of 19 soldiers were killed and five others injured early in the morning on Sunday in a terrorist attack on an army camp in central Mali, local media reported quoting statements by the Malian army. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 12:05:18|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from heavy rains in Belo Horizonte in the southeastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais has risen to 14, the state civil defense department said on Saturday. The 14 victims were found in Belo Horizonte city and the metropolitan areas of Ibirite and Betim, Rodrigo Rodrigues, head of the fire department, told local news channel TV Globo. In addition to the deaths, seven people were injured, 2,590 were forced to evacuate, and 911 were sheltered, Rodrigues said. According to Brazil's National Institute of Meteorology, Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais state, registered 171.8 mm of rainfall over the course of 24 hours on Friday, the highest recorded precipitation in the area in 110 years. A line formed for lunch at a restaurant in Barkers Corner, north of Covington. Every Thursday, the special is chicken and dumplings at A Lil Tasta Cajun restaurant, and there is one customer who rarely misses it. Like clockwork, 110-year-old Philip Sharp walked in the front door on a recent Thursday and stood in line with everyone else, waiting to place his order. The weekly special is reminiscent of the times Sharp grew up in when people raised cows for milk and butter to help feed their families, as well as chickens for eggs and a meal with dumplings. Sharp is one of the oldest men living in the United States and until this summer, he would drive his truck to the restaurant from his nearby farm just north of Covington. The truck now sits under his carport, and he uses a walker since a fall in July. And since then, his daughter and son-in-law, Shirley and George McLain, both in their 80s, take Sharp in for his special Thursday lunches. In the restaurant, a steady stream of people regularly come up to greet Sharp and shake his hand, making it clear that Sharp is revered, not just as a centenarian, but for having been what one family friend calls a real cowboy someone who made his living and livelihood on the back of a horse. The son of Robert and Della Sharp, he was the second of five brothers and five sisters. In the 1940 census, Sharp is listed as the head of household, age 30, living on "Farm to Market Road, St. Tammany, Louisiana" with his wife, Beatrice, 28, and daughter Shirley, 2. It was about the time electricity came to the area after the Washington St. Tammany Electric was formed in 1938. The electric co-op cites Sharp as one of its oldest living members who, well into his hundreds, would attend the annual meetings. Sharp turned 110 on Dec, 21, and about 100 people showed up for the celebration held at New Zion Baptist Church, according to his nephew Donald Sharp. At his farm, Sharp sees the fruits of a long life made living off the land. "I was raised on a farm right there, across that creek, Sharp said, gesturing toward the tree line where, on the other side, he grew up with his nine siblings. As a young man, Sharp bought an adjacent 70 acres on which to raise his own family and still lives on that land today. After his fall over the summer, Sharp relocated from his house to the nearby home his daughter and son-in-law built on the farm. I went to Middle Road School. It was a two-room schoolhouse, and I went through the seventh grade, he said. People ask what bus I rode. Well, I didnt. I walked 3 miles. Sharp is proud of the years he worked for the Tung oil company that operated in the '30s in St. Tammany Parish. I was a saddle herder, Sharp said. They stocked it (the land) with cattle, and on the date they wanted to take inventory, there was 2,021 head. I rode a horse whenever I was working cattle. Id saddle up every morning and went out into the fields, he recalled. I had some good cattle horses. He still keeps the roping saddle he bought for the job in the tack room behind the house. Its a high back saddle with a 13-inch seat made by Hermann H. Heiser Saddlery Company in Denver. He ran his hand along where his boot had worn the stirrups while working the cows. St. Tammany top stories in your inbox A weekly guide to the biggest news in St. Tammany. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up When he gave up raising his own cattle in 1995, he was happy with his inventory. I sold 50 cows and 51 calves because one cow had twins, he said. Over the years, he also raised sheep, hogs and mules on the farm. His grandson, Kevin McLain, now raises cows on the same land. Its unique to have a grandfather whos 110, Kevin McLain said. Its nice to have him around. He still gives me advice. Kevin said there are five generations in his family. Sharp had one daughter, Kevins mother, Shirley. Kevin has one daughter, who recently had a son, Sharps first great-great-grandchild. He said every year he is contacted by the Gerontology Wiki that tracks the oldest living people. He said Sharp is listed as the third oldest man living in the United States. Sharpe said he grew up planting corn and whatever would grow, including sweet potatoes and sugar cane to make syrup. They plowed the farm with a horse or mule before there were tractors. He still has the short plow he cut down to work between rows of corn "so it doesn't break it down," and the hay rake he would pull behind a horse still sits under the tree that blew down during a recent storm. Nearby is the cast iron wash pot the family used to boil water to wash clothes or scald hogs. The got water from a board well with a rope and bucket until they later had a hand pump. The smoker he built still stands where for decades he used hickory and oak to make bacon, ham and sausage. We made it all right here. Sharp remembers the first time he saw an airplane, an event that barely interrupted the daily work required on the farm. We were working in the field, hoeing cotton, and it came over, he recalled. We were hoeing cotton when the first plane came over. And when it passed, we were (still) hoeing cotton. We didnt have stores like we do now, Shirley remembers from her childhood. We went to Covington with a mule or horse and wagon for supplies. Roads were not like they are now. We had to make our own roads. We ate what meat we killed, she said, and her mother knew how to cure meats to preserve them for food. They ate most of what they raised except for the occasional cow they would sell on the hoof. The cotton, they ginned and sold. Shirley and George have been married for 62 years, but shes known her husband all her life. George grew up down the road from the Sharp family, and both went to Lee Road School through ninth grade and then Covington High. All our families were born and raised here. Our grandparents on both sides had known each other, George McClain said. Sharp agreed. When I started school, there was one house here and about two miles from here, another house, and another house down yonder. If you seen somebody coming, you probably knew them. A brand new virus has emerged in China and appears to be spreading to other countries. As scientists, we find this kind of thing fascinating. What is it? Where did it come from? Is it dangerous? This can be the stuff of horror movies: Hollywood loves a good virus, as we saw in Outbreak starring Dustin Hoffman. But in this case there's nothing to be too frightened of (yet) but we do need to keep an eye on it. As of yesterday, it had killed at least 42 people in China and infected more than 1,400. What is it? It's in the same family of viruses as SARS and MERS which arose a few years ago. It has no name yet but it emerged in Wuhan. SARS stands for ''Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome'' while MERS stand for ''Middle East Respiratory Syndrome'' so the name might be WURS - ''Wuhan Respiratory Syndrome'', though the Chinese might not like how that would affect tourism in Wuhan. The name being used at the moment is ''2019-nCoV''. The "nCoV" stands for ''New Corona Virus'', as it belongs to the Corona virus family, so called because down a microscope (viruses are on average 40 times smaller than a bacteria) it looks like a crown. SARS and MERS are also coronaviruses. They cause a disease similar to flu, although the flu virus is in a different family. Like SARS and MERS it came from animals, possibly seafood, bats or snakes. Viruses can live anywhere. It's not known how the virus evolved, but from its DNA sequence it's likely to be a descendant of SARS. If it's a bad descendant, in that it might cause worse disease, that will worry people -though so far that doesn't seem to be the case. The first to be infected worked in a market in Wuhan so the virus probably arose from a creature being sold at the market, where black market wild animal meats were said to be also available. The first cases of SARS itself were in China in late 2002. The authorities played them down and were subsequently criticised because the virus spread virtually unchecked to 37 countries, causing global panic, infecting more than 8,000 people and killing more than 750 including an outbreak in Toronto which killed 69 people, many of whom picked it up in hospitals. MERS appears to be less easily passed from human to human, but has greater lethality, killing 35pc of about 2,500 people who have been infected since 2012. It may have come from camels or, more likely, bats. How dangerous is it? The virus causes pneumonia. Those who become sick have a cough, fever and breathing difficulties. As this is viral pneumonia, antibiotics are of no use. Antiviral drugs may be used, but usually only lessen the severity of symptoms. If people are admitted to hospital, they may get breathing support as well as fluids. Recovery will depend on the strength of their immune system. Those who have died were already in poor health. Concern about the virus ramped up when human to human transmission was confirmed in Guangdong province by China's National Health Commission, though it does not appear to be happening easily, as was the case with SARS. So far 14 medical personnel helping with coronavirus patients have also been infected. One doctor has died. The Chinese are worried that the virus might spread more widely during the Chinese new year holidays which began this weekend, when millions usually travel home to celebrate. It's a recipe for spreading the virus far and wide within China, but also in airports - leading to worldwide spread. At the moment, it appears that people in poor health are at greatest risk. But the authorities will be keen to stop the spread and will be watching carefully to see if the virus becomes more potent than so far appears. Wuhan had planned to go ahead with 41 large-scale events - but last week it announced they were all "postponed." Schools and universities are on break for Spring Festival, but more than 100 extracurricular "cram" schools in Wuhan have cancelled classes. Travel restrictions have been imposed on 59million people across the country. What might happen next? So far, it doesn't seem as dangerous as SARS (which was more dangerous than flu) or to be spread as easily between humans which is good. SARS and MERS were eventually contained by case detection, isolation, quarantine and with contact tracing (which means finding and isolating the people who came into contact with someone infected). These measures broke the chain of transmission and will be adopted to control 2019-nCoV. The virus will end up with nowhere to hide, at least in humans. It will instead hide in its other hosts - be it seafood or bats. In the US, travellers from Wuhan have been routed to five airports where Centres for Disease Control and Prevention are screening passengers. Screening comprises looking out for travellers arriving who have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing. With careful monitoring and isolation of people with the virus the prospects of limiting the outbreak are good. Another concern is if a ''super spreader'' emerges. These are carriers who infect a disproportionately high number of people. A "super spreader" is thought to have passed the virus on to 15 medical workers at a Wuhan hospital. When it comes to viruses we can't be too careful. As more people get infected, some might be found who are especially vulnerable. Because our immune systems haven't seen it before, we have limited protection and this in turn might give rise to worse symptoms. It also might mutate and become more dangerous although that is impossible to predict and is deemed highly unlikely. Watch this space however, as every five minutes we are getting more updates on the spread of the virus. Luke O'Neill FRS is professor of biochemistry in the School of Biochemistry and Immunology at Trinity College Dublin A former Pennsylvania governor, who first met Harrisburgs mayor for life when he was campaigning in the 1990s, remembered Stephen R. Reed fondly as a dedicated public servant who put the city before himself. Former Gov. Tom Ridge, who took office 25 years ago, issued a statement about Reed, the former long-serving mayor who died Saturday at the age of 70. I was sad to learn of Steve Reeds passing today, Ridge said in his statement. I first got to know Steve during my campaign for governor in the mid-90s. By then Mayor Reed had already initiated a dramatic transformation of Pennsylvanias capital city forged out of sheer will and moxie. Together we worked on a number of initiatives, and I found Steve to be a dedicated public servant known for his single-minded determination to improve his beloved Harrisburg. One could argue that zeal went too far. But I always thought Steve put Harrisburg before himself, and that his actions were motivated by a love for public service and for making his city a better place to live, work and play. Thats how Ill choose to remember Steve Reed. Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. HSC-5 Returns from Deployment Navy News Service Story Number: NNS200125-02 Release Date: 1/25/2020 12:00:00 PM By Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Public Affairs NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Five (HSC-5) the "Nightdippers" returned from deployment on Jan. 24 following their nearly ten-month deployment as part of Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) assigned aboard the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). While deployed, HSC-5 provided sustained rotary wing operations in the U.S. 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility and the North Arabia Sea, ultimately returning to 2nd Fleet in late January after navigating around the world during the deployment. HSC-5 flew more than 4,000 hours of dedicated operational tasking around the world. HSC-5 embarked six combat ready MH-60S Seahawk helicopters on board USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), and two MH-60S on board the USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8) with a Combat Logistics Force (CLF) detachment in support of Carrier Strike Group Twelve (CSG-12) operations. HSC-5 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Matthew Wright discussed his squadron's accomplishments while deployed stating that the Nightdippers' accomplishments truly lived up to their mission statement of "Rescue, Protect, Deliver". "They set the standard for operational mission execution and combat readiness among HSC squadrons over the past year," said Wright. "I'm extremely proud of my 245 service members and the work they accomplished for the entire team." Wright also thanked the extended Nightdipper family and friends for their support during the deployment. "I am thankful for our families and friends, whether it was babysitting or mowing the lawn, I am extremely grateful for their continued support over the past ten months," said Wright. CVW-7 Carrier Air Wing Commander (CAG), Capt. William Reed, who returned to Norfolk Naval Station with Airborne Early Warning Squadron 121 (VAW-121) on Jan. 19 was on hand to welcome the last squadron who deployed with the air wing to return from their deployment. "It's great to have everyone back," said Reed. "Really proud of their accomplishments and their support to the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group." On Jan. 19, Airborne Early Warning Squadron 121 (VAW-121) assigned U.S. Navy aviators returned to Norfolk Naval Station; as well as Strike Fighter Squadron 103 (VFA-103) the "Jolly Rogers" and VFA-143, the "World Famous Pukin' Dogs" returned to Naval Air Station Oceana flying F/A-18E "Super Hornets." The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group team executed over 1,285 sorties totaling 28,437 hours, to include 392 combat sorties encompassing 1,140 combat flight hours in direct support of friendly forces in Afghanistan and Syria. The air wing successfully employed 42 precision-guided munitions with a combined weight of over 70,000 pounds, destroying enemy targets and fighting positions in direct defense of coalition forces on the ground. While deployed, the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group also participated in numerous interoperability and partnership-building exercises with sister services and allied navies in both the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleets, demonstrating the U.S. Navy's capability to rapidly aggregate power across combatant commands to meet emerging missions and contingencies. As it transited through U.S. 7th Fleet, the strike group also conducted flight operations in the South China Sea in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Proper structures must be instituted to ... Local News, Community, Charity & Cause By Ls Cohen Published: January 26 2020 Joined by multiple faith based groups and local officials. Over 2,500 Long Islanders marched against Anti-Semitism on Sunday, January 13th in response to horrific attacks in Brookyn, Monsey, and Jersey City, as well as incidents of Anti-Semitic graffiti at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County. Leaders of religious communities, advocates and elected officials marches and spoke in support of the Jewish community. According to a statement released by Nassau County, both Nassau and Suffolk Counties had formed a bi-county coalition that will identify and develop a plan of action to combat and report acts of hate and bias incidents on Long Island. Photo: Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone's Facebook page. The march took place in Mineola and marked one of the task forces inaugural initiatives. We organized this march to send a clear message in one voice: Long Islanders of all faiths and backgrounds stand united with our Jewish community and against Anti-Semitism, said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. Suffolk County Executive called the uptick in hate crimes "vile and reprehensible." T he UK leaves the European Union on January 31, but that will not mean the end of the Brexit saga. Boris Johnson unveiled plans to celebrate the fruition of his "get Brexit done" pledge as Britain departs the EU. He signed the withdrawal agreement on Friday after the Queen gave royal assent and the presidents of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, formally signed it in Brussels. The prime minister has spoke of his desire to "look ahead with confidence" next Friday, when Britain formally departs the bloc. Prime Minister Boris Johnson signed the agreement ahead of the UK's exit from the European Union on January 31 / Twitter/@borisjohnson Here's everything you need to know about what happens next? What happens on January 31? At 11pm in the UK - midnight in Brussels - Brexit finally happens. The UK leaves the European Union and, under the terms of the deal negotiated with Brussels, enters a transition period. The terms of the deal are aimed at ensuring there is no sudden cliff-edge change for businesses and citizens, and life will continue largely unchanged. What happens after Brexit? President of the European Council, Charles Michel (right) and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signing the Agreement on the Withdrawal of the UK from the EU, watched by EU Chief Brexit Negotiator Michel Barnier, in Brussels, Belgium / PA January 31 is not the end of the Brexit process. It may only mark the end of the beginning. The transition period which runs until the end of 2020 is aimed at giving time for the Government and Brussels to thrash out the future relationship between the UK and EU. Although both sides agreed to the timetable, the EU has already suggested that it would be impossible for the kind of trade deal Boris Johnson wants, where the UK would be free to diverge significantly from Brussels' rules. The Prime Minister has said it is "epically likely" that a deal will be agreed in time. When will talks start? Downing Street has said the UK is prepared to sit down at the negotiating table on February 1. But the EU side may not be ready until March as all 27 members have to sign up to a joint position - something that will further eat into the tight timetable. The transition period could be extended by up to two years. The Brexit commemorative 50p coin / HM TREASURY/AFP via Getty Images But the Government is keen to avoid another cycle of brinkmanship over Brexit deadlines and has put a measure banning ministers from agreeing an extension into legislation. What will the trade deal look like? The Government has said it will "no longer be a rule-taker" from the EU, signalling that the UK will diverge away from Brussels' regulations under a Canada-style free trade agreement. This could benefit some business areas but damage others, such as manufacturers with close ties to EU markets or suppliers. "There will be an impact on business one way or the other, some will benefit, some won't," Chancellor Sajid Javid admitted. The Withdrawal Agreement / PA European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the less the UK abides by the rules of the single market "the more distant they will be, the more difficult it will be to have access". What else could happen? One of the big benefits the Government hopes will come from Brexit is a trade deal with the US. After January 31, the UK will be able to start negotiating deals and both sides have talked up the prospect of a transatlantic deal. The Indian flag was unfurled by the protestors at Shaheen Bagh in the capital on the occasion of 71st Republic Day here on Sunday. In the wee hours today, protestors demonstrating against the amended citizenship law sung the anthem and read the preamble of the Constitution. Protests have been going on at Shaheen Bagh in New Delhi for over a month against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC). Meanwhile, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court last week seeking appropriate directions to the police to open Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh stretch, which has been closed since December 15 due to ongoing protests against the CAA. Protests are going on across the country against CAA which grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Security forces in Iraq have raided Baghdad's main anti-government protest site and fired tear gas and bullets to disperse the protesters on January 25, as per reports. It resulted in killing of four people and wounded dozens more, according to the police and medical sources. Populist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who has millions of followers in the city said that he would stop getting involved in the anti-government unrest to end the demonstrations and restore order. The clashes between the police and demonstrators took place after authorities began removing concrete barriers near Tahrir Square, which is the main centre of the protest where demonstrators have camped out for months. According to the onlookers, riot police also set fire to a number of protest tents on the nearby Sinak Bridge, as per the reports. READ: Iraqi Security Forces Raid Main Protest Camp In Baghdad, Shoot At Demonstrators Clash between police and protesters The sudden flurry of activity according to reports appear to be an attempt to fully clear out anti-government sit-ins and to finally end popular demonstrations that have been going on for months. The demonstrations were calling for the removal of Iraq's ruling elite. The raids by the security forces came just a few hours after populist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr declared that he would halt the involvement of his supporters in the anti-government movement. On Tuesday, Iraqi security forces and anti-government protesters clashed at the Mohammed al-Qassim highway in central Baghdad. READ: Iraq Protest Tents Set Ablaze After Cleric Withdraws Support Security forces fired tear gas Iraqi security forces fired tear gas and live rounds during the clashes while protesters threw Molotov bombs at them. The uprising began on October 1st last year when thousands of Iraqis took to the streets to decry rampant government corruption, poor public services and a scarcity of jobs. The anti-government movement had scored several successes before the US strike diverted public attention. In December, pressure from demonstrations led Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq's most revered Shiite cleric, to withdraw support for the government of Adel Abdul-Mahdi, prompting the prime minister's resignation. READ: Iran Uses Violence, Politics To Try To Push US Out Of Iraq READ: Iraq: At Least 10 Killed, 138 Injured In Two Days Of Violent Protests The Progressive Governors Forum says community policing initiated by some state governments will complement the efforts of the federal government in tackling insecurity in the country. The Governor of Plateau, Simon Lalong, said this on Friday while briefing newsmen at the end of the first quarterly meeting of the forums Governance Programme Steering Committee Meeting in Abuja. Mr Lalong said the forum believes in community policing that operates within the ambit of the law. Mr Lalong, who is the co-chair of the committee, said the committee was preparing a framework to enhance good governance and address insecurity in the All Progressives Congress (APC) controlled States. Here, we are not talking about Amotekun, we are talking about general insecurity, and once we lay the foundation for the APC states and it is approved, then we will begin to talk about implementation. What we are laying down now in the framework is general on insecurity, because we are not unmindful of the situation in the country. That is, for every year, we make a framework and tell them these are things that are current and these are things that APC governors should adopt in terms of preparing their budget and also in governance in their states. In general term, what we did after presentations from security agencies is, all of us appear to be talking about community policing. That one we are all agreed on. So, we dont want a situation where you start doing something and the federal government will say you are doing it outside the law just like what they said about Amotekun. He said that the committees mandate was to design policies for implementation for good governance in APC states. As we pointed out during the inaugural meeting of this Steering Committee, from 2019-2023, we will want the work of the PGF Governance Programme Steering Committee to focus more on strengthening the capacity of our states to have increased commitment to implement approved initiatives. Mr Lalong condemned the killing of students and religious leaders by the Boko Haram, urging Nigerians to be united in fighting insurgency. Also, Co-Chairman of the committee and Governor of Jigawa, Abubakar Badaru, said that the progressive governors believed that each state knew what would work for it in protecting lives and property, depending on its peculiarity. On Operation Amotekun, I believe the Federal Government and the South West region can find some solutions. They are engaging in dialogue and I believe they will resolve it. I believe security situation is peculiar to each state, it depends on each state what they think will work for them. Some will want Amotekun, some dialogue, some may not need any. Mr Badaru said that the APC administration was working had to tackle insecurity and corruption in the country. Above all the government is looking at social security to see how we can address insecurity and unemployment. PV: 0 Legazpi City (CNN Philippines, January 26) A facility cleaner at the Legazpi City airport returned a bag left by a passenger containing around 150,000 in cash. Rommel Nanio, found the bag containing 25 $100 bills, 25,868 and other important documents from the airports pre-departure area last Friday, January 24. The bag belongs to a Manila-bound passenger Cesar Ballano who reportedly displaced the bag. Shortly after Nanio reported finding the misplaced bag, it was examined by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Security and Intelligence Service to verify its contents. The bag and its contents are now with Philippine Airlines for turnover to its owner. Nanio expected nothing in return for his deed. He is being acclaimed for his integrity and honesty. Picture the scene: a bulldozer is clearing vegetation in dense jungle somewhere in Asia. The machine disturbs a bat feeding in a banana tree causing it to flee. The bat flies over a pig pen, dropping a piece of the fruit which is gobbled up by a hungry piglet. That piglet is destined for a restaurant in Macau where its carcass is prepared for cooking by the chef. Called from the kitchen to meet a customer, he fails to wash his hands and greets the unfortunate woman with a friendly handshake. Viruses that jump from animals to humans are called zoonoses and were the cause of the worlds three biggest known pandemics the Black Death, Spanish flu and HIV. Members of a military medical team are pictured heading for a hospital in the city And so she becomes Patient Zero, the first person to be infected with a lethal new virus caused by the spontaneous merging of genes from pig and bat viruses. Within weeks the virus has infected half the world and 25million people are dead including Gwyneth Paltrow, the unfortunate Patient Zero and Kate Winslet, playing an epidemiologist, whose corpse is buried in a mass grave. The US President, meanwhile, has been dispatched to a secret underground bunker. That global pandemic was, of course, the stuff of science fiction as envisaged in the 2011 film Contagion. Yet the deeply worrying events in China suggest that this plotline may be uncomfortably close to the truth. Our two most recent coronavirus pandemics were also the result of host animals becoming the stepping stones from bats to people. A performer is pictured wearing a face mask during celebrations for Chinese New Year in London The Wuhan novel coronavirus, which has placed 56million people in 18 cities on lockdown and triggered a worldwide health crisis, may owe its existence to a single horseshoe bat which lived in a cave in the lush forests of the Hubei province in central China. Scientists believe the creature, which is barely the size of a mans hand, was eaten by a Chinese krait a highly poisonous snake. That was then netted by a hunter and brought to the huge live animal market in Wuhan city, where freshly-slaughtered reptiles along with wolf cubs, donkeys, badgers, hedgehogs, porcupines, camels and even koalas are highly prized as delicacies. But when that krait was cooked and eaten by a local family, the world suddenly became a more perilous place. For the tiny horseshoe bat carried a virus which jumped the species barrier into humans, for whom it can be fatal. With the help of its new human hosts and planes, trains and automobiles coronavirus is now spreading across the planet. Scientists are still fathoming just how the Wuhan coronavirus emerged, but this model of transmission from bat to snake to dining table is supported by two Chinese-born professors of microbiology and molecular genetics at Pittsburgh University. Genetic analysis of the virus also known as 2019-nCoV shows mutations suggesting the virus evolved to infect bats first, and subsequently snakes. In the 1930s, scientists in Trinidad showed that vampire bats can transmit rabies to humans. Since then more than 60 bat-borne viruses have been found that can also infect us. Picture the scene: a bulldozer is clearing vegetation in dense jungle somewhere in Asia. The machine disturbs a bat feeding in a banana tree causing it to flee. The bat flies over a pig pen, dropping a piece of the fruit which is gobbled up by a hungry piglet [File photo] These include Ebola which, between 2013 and 2016, killed more than 11,000 people in six countries in West Africa. Ebola-infected bats first passed the virus to African apes probably via droppings and then to humans after hunters ate the apes as bushmeat. Our two most recent coronavirus pandemics were also the result of host animals becoming the stepping stones from bats to people. Studies show bats to be the original source of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) which killed 774 people in the early 2000s. It is widely believed that SARS jumped from bats into Asian palm civets in China. In November 2002, the virus first appeared amongst people working at a live animal market in the southern Guangdong province, where civets were being sold for food. Similarly the World Health Organisation says that MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome), which has claimed 850 lives since 2012, originated in dromedary camels. Viruses that jump from animals to humans are called zoonoses and were the cause of the worlds three biggest known pandemics the Black Death, Spanish flu and HIV. When an animal virus infects a human, it mixes with other established viruses and can acquire genes that facilitate better human-to-human transmission, increasing its infectivity spreading by a cough or sneeze and thus ensuring its survival by finding new hosts. Alarmingly, this appears to be happening with Wuhan coronavirus. The risk of the rapid spread of such contagions from animals has been boosted by our relentless encroachment into the worlds forests and jungles, where we increasingly come into contact for the first time with unknown viral killers that have been evolving and incubating in wild creatures for millennia. With the help of its new human hosts and planes, trains and automobiles coronavirus is now spreading across the planet. Residents are pictured above wearing masks to buy vegetables at a market in the Chinese city Climate change, too, is a factor as it forces some creatures to find and adapt to new habitats, perhaps closer to humans. There are plenty of other new viral candidates waiting in the wings, guts, breath and blood of animals around us, and any one of these infections, along with countless as-yet-unknown zoonoses, could cause a global disaster beyond the worst nightmares of Hollywood. Our hopes must lie, as ever, in science. In the short term this means quickly developing vaccines against the latest Wuhan coronavirus and the other viruses that will inevitably follow. In the longer term, we must establish how creatures such as bats can harbour deadly infections but not be killed by them. That secret, once unlocked, might save humankind from the greatest threat it faces a pandemic caused by a highly contagious and lethal mystery virus. Lets just pray it isnt this one. On a cold Chicago morning last month, Gary Marx, a veteran investigative reporter, took his dog for a walk and then strolled over to the affluent Lincoln Park neighborhood. After being buzzed into the courtyard of a large house, he hand-delivered a letter urging the intended recipient to buy or at least invest in Mr. Marxs journalistic home of more than three decades, The Chicago Tribune. Its one thing to put your name on a museum, Mr. Marx said, summarizing the contents of the letter in an interview, but this is to save an institution that really safeguards this city. Along with a Tribune colleague, the investigative reporter David Jackson, Mr. Marx undertook his unorthodox campaign after it was disclosed in November that Alden Global Capital, a New York hedge fund, had acquired a large stake in Tribune Publishing, the parent company of Chicagos biggest daily. Journalists are wary of Alden because of its cut-to-the-bone management strategy. In 2018, a group of writers and editors at the Alden-owned Denver Post published a special package devoted to attacking the company, which had enacted deep staff cuts at the paper. The lead article blasted Alden executives as vulture capitalists. YEREVAN. The issue raised is being discussed comprehensively to exclude any violation of rights, or discriminatory attitude. Artsrun Hovhannisyan, Spokesperson of the Defense Minister of Armenia, wrote this on Facebook, referring to yesterdays protest by the officers who were left out of the qualification courses. "At the same time, we urge officers to refrain from attempts to defend their rights through blackmail or other unlawful means, and from the illusions to change by such means the legitimate decisions that were made," he added. "Servicemen showing such an approach will be punished with all the rigor of the law." One of the aforesaid officers had told Armenian News-NEWS.am they had been protesting at Vazgen Sargsyan Military University demanding that they be reinstated to the qualification courses so that they could be promoted in their positions. The Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan and TAPP-500 Power Transmission Line FZE company signed an agreement in Ashgabat on cooperation in construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan power transmission line. Under the document, the first stage of the project provides for construction of a 220 kW power transmission line to the Turkmen-Afghan border along the route from the Mary Hydropower station to the Afghan city of Herat. The implementation of this agreement will increase exports of Turkmen electricity and create prerequisites for establishment of the power engineering industry in Afghanistan. TAPP-500 Power Transmission Line FZE is a subsidiary of Calyk Holding, which is a long-standing partner of Turkmenistan in developing its power engineering industry. TURKMENISTAN.RU, 2022 A medical staff member, wearing protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus that began in the city, boards an ambulance at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital in Wuhan on Jan. 25, 2020. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images) US, Other Countries Scramble to Evacuate Citizens From Wuhan, Center of Viral Outbreak The U.S. government will be sending a charter flight to evacuate American citizens and consular personnel out of Wuhan, the now-locked-down Chinese city where the deadly coronavirus outbreak first began, the State Department confirmed on Sunday. A limited number of private citizens will be able to board a single flight on a reimbursable basis on Jan. 28 to leave Wuhan Tianhe International Airport for San Francisco, according to latest health alert update from the U.S. embassy website dated Jan. 26. Those interested can contact the U.S. embassy in Beijing with their personal information. This capacity is extremely limited and if there is insufficient ability to transport everyone who expresses interest, priority will be given to individuals at greater risk from coronavirus, the statement read. In China, thousands have been infected. The virus has since spread to more than 12 countries and regions outside of China, causing two Americans to fall ill in Seattle and Chicago. The World Health Organization said it assesses the risk of this event to be very high in China, high at the regional level and moderate at the global level. Wuhan, home to 11 million people including around 1,000 U.S. citizens, was the first of 16 cities in Chinas central Hubei province that has effectively come under quarantine. Currently, no buses, trains, or planes are going in or out of the city. Chinese health workers wait to check the temperature of travelers entering a subway station during the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival in Beijing, China, on Jan. 25, 2020. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) Photos circulating on Chinese social media showed Chinese officials inside Hubei and in nearby cities setting up roadblocks with bricks, rocks, and sand to prevent traffic flow. Excavators were mobilized on occasions to assist the effort. In one of them, a residential house in an unidentified village was sealed off with ropes. The red banner on the door read: This household has migrants who came back from Wuhan, please dont exchange visits. Charter Flight The United States has contracted a private transporter and the consulate is reaching out to all it knows in order to fly them out, The Wall Street Journal reported. The plane can take about 230 people each time. The State Department has ordered all non-emergency personnel and family members to leave as of Jan. 23, according to its website. Details of the evacuation are still being finalized and are subject to change. A spokesperson for the State Department told The Epoch Times on Saturday that the health and safety of U.S. citizens, including U.S. consulate workers in Wuhan, is its top priority. There are currently limited emergency services available to U.S. citizens across Hubei province. The full range of consular services, such as visa applications, remain available at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and U.S. consulates in Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Shenyang, according to the spokesperson. The spokesperson said they strongly encourage U.S. citizens in China to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive notifications on any health and security alerts or government plans. The State Department has updated the travel alert to level 4, warning citizens not to travel to Hubei, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended travelers to exercise caution when visiting other parts of China. At least 67 people from 22 U.S. states have been isolated for suspected pneumonia symptoms, including four in New York. A Jan. 24 study by UK and U.S. researchers said the coronavirus could infect as many as 250,000 in the Chinese city of Wuhan alone in less than two weeks time. Other Countries Meanwhile, the Russian Embassy is also working with Chinese authorities on moving their citizens from Wuhan and from Hubei Province, Georgy Egorov, a press officer for the Russian Embassy in China, told Russian media RIA Novosti. He noted that there are no infections among Russian citizens. Singapores Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday said they were in contact with 35 Singaporeans living in Wuhan city, and so far, no one has reported illness. The countrys health officials have identified four cases of infection. French automaker PSA, which manufactures Peugeot and Citroen brands, said on Saturday that it will expatriate 38 employees from Wuhan. The foreign ministry of France has set up an emergency phone line for its nationals in China. The French foreign minister said on Jan. 25 that they are working with the Chinese side to set up a bus service allowing French citizens to leave Wuhan. Two of three Chinese nationals carrying the coronavirus arrived in France without showing any immediate symptoms, according to officials. Jordans King Abdullah II has also directed the evacuation of Jordanians from Wuhan as soon as possible, according to Jordans Petra state news agency. A plane is being organized for their extraction. The Australian government has also said it is in discussions with the Chinese authorities to extract citizens from coronavirus-affected areas, local media reported. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged people to make efforts for water conservation and share the stories of their efforts through pictures and videos with the hashtag '#jalshakti4India' in order to inspire others. "Today, the entire nation is eager to listen to the tales of our Jal Shakti champions. I request you to share your efforts or of those around you towards water conservation, through stories, pictures and videos with #jalshakti4India," the Prime Minister said in this year's first episode of his monthly radio address 'Mann ki Baat'. "The ethos of public participation in the area of sanitation is rising rapidly on another front - water conservation. For water conversation, several innovative methods are being employed throughout the country. It gives me immense pleasure to note that 'Jal Shakti Abhiyaan', which began last monsoon season, is now becoming a major success through public participation," Modi said. The Prime Minister noted with joy that ponds and tanks have been constructed in a big way and the best part was that people from all sections of society have contributed towards this endevour. He later went on to give examples of Rajasthan's Jalore district where two historic baolis (stepwell), which had become heavily polluted due to the dumping of garbage, were revived by the locals. "Under the Jal Shakti Abhiyaan, people of Bhadrajun and Thanawala villages took upon themselves to rejuvenate these water bodies... With these efforts, the two baolis have now got a fresh lease of life," Modi said. Similar is the story of Sarahi Lake in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, he said. "The lake was on the verge of extinction. However, the villagers through their strong resolve gave it a new lease of life. Another such example of people's participation is from the Suniakot village on the Almora-Haldwani Highway in Uttarakhand. From Tamil Nadu has emerged an innovative idea of rainwater harvesting through borewells. There are countless such stories of water conservation giving strength to the resolve of New India," Prime Minister Modi said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Starzplay, a leading subscription video on demand (SVOD) service, has partnered with Finyal Media, a regional production business specialised in podcast creation, to produce an Arabic podcast Series. The announcement follows Starzplays increasing focus on Arabic content production on multiple digital mediums, having also announced its first original content series earlier this month. Starzplay will collaborate with Finyal to produce a series of 12 episodes to be released around the same time as the historical drama series Vikings- the critically acclaimed series from creator and sole writer Michael Hirst depicting the remarkable tales of the lives and epic adventures of raiders and explorers of the Dark Ages. Titled Vikings - The Nine Realms, the podcasts storyline revolves around the Norse Mythology of Vikings and will feature two weekly episodes. Nadim Dada, director of Content Acquisition, Starzplay, said: With the growing quality of Arabic audio content on podcast channels in the region, Starzplay is pleased to partner with Finyal Media to create the story of The Nine Realms. This podcast greatly complements Starzplay's existing and ever-popular Viking themed content, allowing fans to go beyond the movies and series and learn about the history and mythology of their favourite characters. The partnership further underlines our commitment and focus towards Arabic content production as we continue to offer unmatched content to our customers on multiple fronts. Leila Alanani, CEO of Finyal Media, said: Podcasts are an incredible storytelling medium and we strongly believe that Arabic language podcasts are a great way to help young people reconnect with the Arab world. We are excited to partner with Starzplay to offer unique content for our Arab listeners. Starzplay is available in 20 countries across Mena and Pakistan, with more than 10,000 hours of content including premium movies, exclusive and Arabic series. TradeArabia News Service The latest outbreak the scope of which is still unfolding has led to calls inside and outside of China for better regulations or even an end to this kind of culinary adventurism. While turtle and boar meat are not uncommon in Chinese restaurants, game meats such as civet cats, snakes or pangolins tend to be considered specialties only in some regions. Their consumption is driven as much by the desire to flaunt wealth as by a mix of superstition and belief about the health benefits of wildlife. New Delhi: India on Sunday celebrated its 71st Republic Day with a grand display of military prowess, vibrant cultural diversity and socio-economic progress on the majestic Rajpath where thousands of people, besides the country's top political and military leadership and foreign dignitaries witnessed the annual parade. Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro, who was the chief guest for this year's ceremony, watched the dazzling parade at the historic avenue in the national capital as President Ram Nath Kovind took the salute, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and a host of other leaders in attendance. There were several firsts in the celebrations this year, including the prime minister paying homage at the National War Memorial and the tri-service formation. Anti-satellite weapon system developed under Mission Shakti, newly-inducted stealth attack helicopter Apache and transport chopper Chinook, and artillery gun system 'Dhanush' were among the key military assets exhibited for the first time. The 90-minute extravaganza, symbolic of national pride, left the spectators transfixed as soldiers from the three services, paramilitary and others marched down the central boulevard on a sunny winter morning. The military band played the national anthem with a 21-gun salute in the background as President Kovind unfurled the tricolour at the Rajpath before the start of parade, which also included mechanised columns, gravity-defying formations by CRPF's all-women motorcycle team, multi-hued floats, cultural performances by school students and a flypast in which around 40 aircraft took part. From depicting Goa's 'Save the frog' campaign and 'Back to village' programme of Jammu and Kashmir, which participated in the parade for the first time as a Union Territory, to Kullu Dusshera festival in Himachal Pradesh, Rath Yatra in Odisha and Iyyanar deity statue in Tamil Nadu, 22 tableaux with varied themes rolled down the Rajpath in coruscating colours. Forty-nine children 18 girls and 31 boys honoured with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puruskar for their exceptional achievement were greeted with applause as they were driven in decorated jeeps. Students from different schools presented performances that showed the positive effects of Yoga, the different influences that have shaped Garba, the most popular folk dance of Gujarat, the culture of "Bauls", a group of mystic minstrels from Bengal comprising of both Vaishnava-Hindu and Sufi Muslims, and Rajasthan folk dance. Another attraction was the bedecked camel contingent of the Border Security Force. Along with it was the camel-mounted band, one of its kind in the world. Women power too was on full display during the celebrations. Captain Tania Sher Gill, a fourth generation Army officer, led an all-men marching contingent of the Corps of Signals. Women personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) performed jaw-dropping stunts as their motorbikes raced down the Rajpath. "I am so moved, inspired.... I am preparing for exams to join Haryana Police, but this has changed my mind. I will join CRPF now," said Diksha Chaudhary, 19, as she stood atop her chair, clapped and saluted the soldiers. Several Union ministers, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, senior BJP leader L K Advani, BJP president J P Nadda, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Chief Justice of India S A Bobde and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were among those present. The grand finale of the parade was a spectacular flypast which commenced with the 'Trishul' formation, comprising three ALH helicopters in 'Vic' formation. This is for the first time that a "tri-service formation" took part in the Republic Day. The next formation comprising three Chinook helicopter flew in 'Vic' formation at a speed of 180 kilometres per hour and a height of 100 metres, followed by five Apache attack helicopters. Besides this, three Dornier aircraft, C-130J Super Hercules, three C-17 Globemaster 'Netra' and the "Eye in the Sky", airborne early warning and control systems on Brazil-built Embraer, were part of the flypast. Fighter jets Jaguars and Sukhois were also part of the flypast. In the mechanized colums, three indigenously-developed battle tank T-90 Bhishma, three Ballaway Machine Pikate, three K-9 Vajra gun system, two transportable satellite terminal (TST) and two Akash surface-to-air-missiles, were also showcased. The Indian Air Force tableau showcased scaled down models of Tejas aircraft, the Light Combat Helicopter, Akash Missiles System, and Astra missiles. The Navy's tableau displayed models of Kolkata-class stealth destroyer, a Kalvari-class submarine and the country's first indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant with MiG-29K aircraft. Several ministers were on their feet cheering for their respective states and departments as the tableaux came up. The Ministry of Jal Shakti showcased on its float the government's new initiative "Jal Jeevan Mission" aimed at providing functional tap connection to every rural household by 2024. The National Disaster Response Force tableau featured cutting-edge technology and instruments used by the NDRF during rescue operations in flood-hit areas and Delhi's Anaj Mandi inferno last year. Jammu and Kashmir had the "Back to Village'' programme as its theme. The programme launched last year is a first-of-its-kind initiative to reach out to the people at the grassroots level. The tableau of Punjab depicted the 550th anniversary of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak. Modi was seen explaining the tableau to the Brazilian president when it rolled down in front of the saluting dias. Another tableau was based on the undaunting spirit and desire of military veterans to contribute to the nation. Several gallantry award winners, including Param Vir Charka recipients Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Bana Singh (retired), Subedar Yogendra Singh Yadav and Subedar Sanjay Kumar, were part of the parade Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi took to Twitter to extend his greetings. "Wishing everyone a happy #RepublicDay. Jai Hind," he tweeted. Continuing his tradition of donning colourful turbans on Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations, the prime minister sported a saffron 'bandhej' headgear this year. Modi paid tributes to martyrs by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the three service chiefs and the first Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat. In the past, the ceremony was held at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate. After the Republic Day parade, Modi waved at the cheering crowd while walking down the Rajpath, even as his carcade followed him slowly. The entire national capital had been put under a multi-layered, ground-to-air security cover with thousands of armed personnel keeping a tight vigil, aided by drones, CCTV cameras and facial recognition devices. Anti-aircraft guns had been deployed on the ground. Brazilian President Bolsonaro was the third leader from the country to attend the parade as the chief guest. The last time a Brazilian President was the chief guest was in 2004 when Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was invited. Last year, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, while in 2018, leaders of all 10 ASEAN countries attended the Republic Day celebrations. That Varalaxmis life and career have been a carousel of red-carpet appearances and trying lows is a given. But through many experiences of love, laughter, success, sadness, betrayal and trauma,the young actress has emerged a tough cookie, giving not a hoot to naysayers. I have built my career on courage and conviction, she says. standing firmly by her belief that no one can gift you a career or snatch it away from you. Its your work, your attitude and of course luck that define your space in the industry. On completing 25 films, the young lady wrote a heartfelt note of gratitude to those whod made her what she is. What stood out was her mention of Ramesh Anna, her long-standing personal makeup artiste. Unlike some stars who refuse to acknowledge their back-up teams Varalaxmi didnt curry favour with or show undue subservience to the Whos Who of the industry. Instead, she gave credit where credit was due. I can never forget those who stood by me and nurtured me as an individual, she says, and adds, Its not always just family that makes you the person you are. My personal staff have taught me so much about loyalty, values of decency and dignity. Having worked in unique roles and with maverick filmmakers like Bala, Varalaxmi has carved a niche for herself as a performer who can carry a role with or without makeup and props. She has come to be the life of awards functions with her spontaneous humour and heart-touching warmth. For the actress, who started a movement called Save Shakthi,the campaign to protect and empower the girl child is something thats very close to her heart. She says, Womens issues are no longer just about equality or dignity. We are a part of this nations growth agenda and policies must be gender-just. Women must reach out to each other and stand up for each other. I for one will continue to give my voice, time and effort to preventing abuse of little girls. She has also ensured that she is part of no camp in Ktown. Despite her father Sarathkumar being active in politics and from time to time making statements on other politicians, Varalaxmi has managed to win the hearts of Jayalalithaa, Karunanidhi and all other politicians she has met. She has never taken a political stance but continues to work with filmmakers who have a political agenda or bent of mind. I am good to everyone and engage only professionally, she smiles. Politicians have always spoken about my craft and I have always thanked them for their generosity. Ive never gone to them for favours or made any statements on politics. I believe all of them are working towards public welfare and I applaud them for their mental strength. One of the central points of Varalaxmis life is her mother Chaya. Speaking emotionally of her, Varalaxmi says, She needed no godfather or hero for her to craft her space. My mother singlehandedly raised me and my sister to be independent and understand the world we are going to live in. Love, loyalty, relationships and good deeds were all a part of dinner table conversations. We hold no grudges or bitterness and we are thankful for the experiences. As three strong women, weve weathered many a storm and only enjoyed the milestones weve crossed. My mother is a dog-lover and does so much inspiring work in rescuing them. She is also someone who is fiercely loyal and stands by people in tough times. Im who I am because of her, she concludes A retired Army officer was felicitated at a Republic Day function in Thane district in Maharashtra for asking people to donate to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund and raising Rs 7 lakh in a single day at a marriage reception. Since 1949, Armed Forces Flag Day is observed across India on December 7 to honour martyrs and serving personnel. Major Pranjal Jadhav (retd), who is also the Thane District Army Welfare Officer, had asked people to contribute to the AFFDF, and a woman donated Rs 7 lakh, collected as gifts at her wedding reception. The details of the woman or when the wedding reception took place were not revealed by district officials. Jadhav was felicitated at a function at Police Grounds on Sunday by Thane district guardian minister Eknath Shinde for collecting the maximum amount in the region for the AFFDF. The AFFDF has been constituted by the Union government for the welfare and rehabilitation of the ex-servicemen (ESM) community. There are more than 30 lakh ESM including 6.5 lakh widows nationwide, and around 60,000 ESM are added every year due to early superannuation. The fund is used to provide facilities to the ESM community through a medium of welfare schemes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sorry! This content is not available in your region WASHINGTON Hoping to snag a coveted and potentially game-changing endorsement from the states largest labor group, the top-tier of the crowded field of Democrats vying to challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn made a rare appearance in one place on Saturday, pitching themselves as the most union-friendly candidates in the race. An endorsement from the Texas AFL-CIO which has some 240,000 members across the state could be huge as polling has so far shown voters are largely unfamiliar with the dozen candidates in the race. And its an active bloc. The labor group says 65 percent of its members turned out to vote in 2018, compared to the statewide turnout rate of 53 percent. Six Democrats took the stage at the Texas AFL-CIOs annual convention in Austin: former Air Force pilot MJ Hegar, state Sen. Royce West, former Houston council member Amanda Edwards, former Houston congressman Chris Bell, longtime Austin labor organizer Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez and environmental activist Sema Hernandez, who ran against Beto ORourke in 2018. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox The candidates showed only a few distinctions in policy visions as they debated immigration, education, trade and more. And Cornyn remained the groups biggest target, though there was some sniping among the candidates, especially during a heated exchange between Hernandez and Bell. None, however, took the chance to go after Hegar, who has raised the most of any candidate and drawn the backing of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, setting her up as the establishments choice. Probably the biggest differences were on health care and energy. Some candidates, including Hernandez and Tzintzun Ramirez, boasted support for Medicare for All and the Green New Deal the progressive flagpoles on health care and the environment while others cautioned those proposals are too extreme. For my union brothers and sisters, who have negotiated for the best quality health care every American should have that, Tzintzun Ramirez said. Lets steep our progressivism in common sense, said Bell, who said prefers offering a buy-in for Medicare and keeping private insurance, as well. For subscribers: Some Democrats swear off oil and gas money, risking third rail of Texas politics One of the most heated moments came after Hernandez briefly blanked on the name of the agency she believes should handle immigration issues the Justice Department, which she quickly summoned. Bell told Hernandez to say oops when she forgets the name of an agency, playing on former Gov. Rick Perrys famous oops moment during a 2011 presidential debate when he could not recall the Energy Department as he ticked off his list of three unnecessary bureaucracies. Hegar later asked moderator to give Hernandez a chance to respond to Bells mansplaining, and Hernandez said Im constantly being told my place and Im really getting sick of it, really. Hernandez later took a shot at Tzintzun Ramirez, saying Hernandez and others in the room are just as Mexican as Tzintzun Ramirez, calling back to Tzintzun Ramirez earlier this month saying her last name was "more Mexican" than names like Garcia or Lopez. Tzintzun Ramirez has said she was joking and apologized for the comment. The moderator quickly moved the discussion along, however, saying I dont think we need to get into that at this point. Candidates spent much of the hour-and-a-half debate, however, touting their labor-friendly bona fides. For subscribers: Beto ORourke casts long shadow over 2020 Senate race in Texas We all know in this room too many times Democratic politicians have told people in the labor movement to settle. They told yall that you ask for too much, said Tzintzun Ramirez, who spent more than a decade at the Workers Defense Project, a group she co-founded and turned into one of the states most effective advocates for workers and immigrants. I am not that candidate. West told the crowd that hes a 26-year veteran of working with labor on all fronts and promised to bring labor to the table on all policy discussions. Bell touted a 100 percent pro-labor voting record during his one term in Congress and said Ill never turn my back on labor going forward. Edwards vowed to be an amplifier of the concerns of labor. Hernandez touted her work organizing with the Poor Peoples Campaign, a national social justice movement. I will continue fighting for the workers of this country, she said. Hegar, meanwhile, reminded the labor group that it backed her when she ran for Congress in 2018 against U.S. Rep. John Carter, coming within three percentage points of flipping the district that Carter previously held by double digits. We doubled the turnout in that district, she said. Were going to do that statewide. Were going to set turnout records. For subscribers: Emboldened Democrats say its a myth progressives cant take Texas Cornyns campaign in the days leading up to the debate said the candidates there were competing to prove who is the most Californian of all. Even though union membership has been on the decline for several decades, the endorsement of the AFL-CIO is still a prized badge of honor for Bernie-style Liberals, Krista Piferrer, a spokeswoman for John Cornyns campaign, said in a statement calling Tzintzun Ramirez the odds on favorite. The AFL-CIO endorsement, however, will likely be a hard one to snag for any of the candidates. The convention members have to approve endorsements by a two-thirds majority something that will likely to be hard to achieve with such a large field of candidates, said Ed Sills, an AFL-CIO spokesman. Any endorsement would be made on Sunday. While the group carries more sway in a Democratic primary, Sills said its members have been energized in recent years and vote at high rates. They could be a boon for whichever Democrat emerges to face Cornyn as the party seeks to build on ORourkes narrow loss to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018. We think Texas is changing and that we are part of that change, he said. We do politics the old-fashioned way. We knock on doors. We do everything our power to turn out our membership, our retirees, our friends for any election. ben.wermund@chron.com Environmental activist group Extinction Rebellion is taking its message to the doors during the General Election campaign. The climate canvassers went door-to-door on Sunday, highlighting to the public the urgency of the climate crisis and the need to make climate action a key election issue, a statement said. They argue that this election is pivotal in ensuring that Irish political leaders take the actions necessary to reach the targets set out by leading climate scientists. Extinction Rebellion, which says it is a strictly non-partisan movement, is not canvassing on behalf of any political party or candidate, and has been hitting the doors nationwide since November last year. Volunteers took to the streets on Sunday in Dublin 8, around Christchurch, and Extinction Rebellion member Annette Jogensen says the group received a warm reception. When we get to the door, were quick to say were canvassing but not for any political party or candidate, she said. After that people completely change mood, theyre very guarded at first, but they get really open and curious when we tell them why were there, thats a lovely way in. We say that were canvassing on behalf of climate and 90% of people are supportive and interested. Today we had one out of about 50 houses that said it was nonsense, but the vast majority of people are concerned. Its right across the board, I spoke with one woman in her sixties minding her grandchildren talking about how worried she was for their future, and everyones seen the news in Australia, so that came up an awful lot. At the same time, all the young people we speak to are straight away on top of it, and knowledgeable. Although not backing any particular candidates, the group says it asks the public to raise the issue of climate when politicians come knocking on their doors. Were doing deep canvassing but listening as well, allowing them talk themselves into realising the issue is so big, Annette added. We ask them to raise the issue with candidates that come to their door, we ask them to ask about the 8% reduction in greenhouse gas target, for instance. Climate can get very abstract so we ask people to raise these issues and we ask people to consider the politicians responses too when thinking about to vote. Often people ask us who to vote for, but we just tell them we cant tell them. Were really encouraged and heartened, people really care about it, and this election is reflecting that. The group, which rose to prominence in Ireland last year after a number of traffic-halting protests in Dublin city centre, with elaborate dramatics, costumes and music, as well as a sleep-in in Merrion Square Park, says it is attracting new members all the time. Its hard to count how many official members we have, because of the structure, were made up of affinity groups, not one general membership organisation, Annette said. Its hard to calculate, we have over 1,000 people in the social media threads we use to communicate, but those who are very involved, canvassers for instance, we would have a couple of hundred. Manish Anand By NEW DELHI: Union Minister Amit Shah has only this week passed the baton of BJP chief to J P Nadda, yet he is leading the charge against the incumbent Aam Admi Party in Delhi. Barring the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Shahs micro-management in Delhi has a parallel with the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The saffron outfit is drawing confidence from his track record of wresting power from Opposition parties. Taking dinner at a party workers house to late-night strategy meetings at the ward level, Shahs high stake in Delhi polls is much visible, bringing Union ministers and campaigners from other states in hordes. With Shah leading the charge, the BJP workers base and the Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh (RSS) cadre are knocking at the doors of the people, engaging them in conversations, armed with statistics prepared by the BJP think tank Public Policy Research Centre (PPRC) under the watch of the vice president of the outfit Vinay Sahasrabuddhe. With the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the sharp opposition to the newly enacted law provide the BJP leaders context to engage the audience, Shahs management of the partys electioneering is seen within the outfit as blanking out scope for faction-fighting in the ranks, which has been attributed for losses in 2008, 2013 and 2015 Assembly elections. The 2017 UP Assembly elections too was a daunting task for the Shah led BJP in the face of the Samajwadi Party and Congress alliance. The BJP has in last week been able to become a challenger to the incumbent AAP on the back of sharp mobilisation of the party workers, who are exploiting the discomforts in the ranks of AAP on the debate around CAA, said a senior BJP functionary. Shah has unleashed hundreds of BJP leaders, Union Ministers, who have been slotted at the level of polling booths to swing away the fence sitters and disenchanted voters of AAP in 2015. Besides, close door meetings with influential people at the polling booth levels are being held beyond the scheduled campaign hours, which are being taken by senior leaders and even Shah attending a few of them. Shahs task, sources said, is clear to cap the decline of the BJPs vote share in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections of 56 per cent to the minimum, with the assessment that if the saffron outfit polls anything around 40 per cent, power in Delhi will be within the reach. Representative image Pakistan's external affairs would remain challenging throughout 2020, having serious implications on economy and security, including tense relations with India, a Pakistani think-tank said on Sunday. Tense relations with India would continue to consume much of Pakistan's strategic and diplomatic bandwidth, Islamabad Policy Institute said in its report 'Pakistan Outlook 2020: Politics, Economy & Security'. Also, the peace process in Afghanistan would in near future continue to be marred by uncertainty, Dawn news quoted the report as saying. "Pakistan's external environment will remain challenging throughout 2020 which will have serious implications for its economy, security and internal stability," said the report. The situation in Kashmir and plight of the Muslims in India will guide Pakistan's engagement with Delhi. Chances of limited conflict between India and Pakistan would remain high, added. Tensions between India and Pakistan have spiked since India abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August last year. India's decision evoked strong reactions from Pakistan, which downgraded diplomatic ties and expelled the Indian envoy. India has categorically told the international community that the scrapping of Article 370 was its internal matter. It also advised Pakistan to accept the reality and stop all anti-India propaganda. The report by Islamabad Policy Institute was reviewed after analysing the current trends in external environment, economy, political stability, and security and on the basis of that made short-term projections in these areas. In the report, the Foreign policy aspect has been analysed by former foreign secretary Salman Bashir, while the military dimension has been dealt with by former defence secretary retired Lt Gen Asif Yasin Malik. Economist Syed Hussain Haider evaluated the economic situation and Farhan Bokhari assessed the prospects of political stability, the paper reported. "The foremost threat to Pakistan's security from India has become dire with transformation of India as a Hindu state under the Bharatiya Janata Party," Bashir in the report alleged. "US support for India, while ignoring Delhi's reckless behaviour was in violation of all norms of civility, international norms and principles," he said in the report. The report also highlighted that navigating China-US competition will test craft of Pakistani policy-makers in near term. "This would, moreover, strain Pakistan-US ties while complicating regional environment from Pakistan's perspective," it said. About ties with the US, it said, it is a near certainty that bilateral engagement will remain limited to the minimum agenda of Afghanistan for foreseeable future and transactional nature of the relationship will continue," the paper reported. On the economic front, the report projected that Pakistan's GDP growth would remain close to 2.5 per cent because of slowdown specifically in large scale manufacturing and agriculture sectors. Economist Bokhari believes that as long as party structures remain weak and led by families where highest offices have passed on in a hereditary manner, political parties will remain inherently weak and unable to meaningfully contribute to the discourse on key policy issues. World leaders offer best wishes, greetings to Chinese people for Chinese new year From:Xinhua | 2020-01-26 10:36 Best wishes and greetings to the Chinese people have been flowing in around the advent of the Spring Festival on Saturday, along with calls for closer cooperation with the Asian country. In a video message on Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent his Chinese Lunar New Year greetings, opening with "Chun Jie Kuai Le," or Happy Spring Festival in Chinese. He stressed that 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and the beginning of a decade of action for the Sustainable Development Goals. "At this time of turmoil and divisions, we must work together to find solutions to global challenges and to build a better future for all," Guterres said, while thanking China and the Chinese people for their support to the UN and multilateralism. In a statement on Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump said he and First Lady Melania were "sending our warmest greetings to people in the United States and throughout the world celebrating the Lunar New Year." "On this occasion, we join millions around the globe in welcoming the Year of the Rat and embracing a new year filled with opportunities to make a positive impact in the lives of others," he added. In separate phone calls with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel both extended their greetings, wishing the Chinese people good luck and happiness. In Cambodia, Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and other government officials have extended best wishes to the Chinese people and Cambodians of Chinese descent on different occasions. In a new year message, Hun Sen wished the Chinese expatriates and Chinese-Cambodians good luck, happiness and brisk business. "In the capacity of the prime minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, I would like to join the celebrations with all brothers and sisters who have always lived and shared happy and difficult times with us since ancient times," he said in the message to the Association of Khmer-Chinese in the southeastern Asian country. In Copenhagen, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen conveyed Chinese Lunar New Year greetings in a signed letter to Xinhua. As 2020 marks the 70th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, she said, "In 2020 we will launch a new ambitious Joint Work Program for the coming years under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership." "I look forward to strengthening our trade relations, people-to-people ties, and cooperation on creating a more green and sustainable world," said the Danish prime minister. In Zambia, the governing Patriotic Front of Zambia said in a message on Friday that "on this occasion of the Chinese New Year, we are grateful to the Chinese people for the support they have rendered to us in various areas and we wish them well and a prosperous New Year." Around the world, Spring Festival celebrations, such as traditional Chinese lion dances, festive Chinese foods and lantern shows, have also become an opportunity to boost local cultural diversity, tourism and business. For example, the 13th edition of Dublin Chinese New Year Festival opened on Thursday night in the Irish capital "to embrace key values shared by our two nations and to celebrate our differences through cultural exchange." In Bangkok, a renowned Chinese disabled people's performing art troupe staged an inspiring, special dance show for more than 200 Thai disabled children. At the Kalemegdan fortress in Belgrade, a Festival of Lights will last through Feb. 16 with flowers, flamingos, lanterns and light sculptures among others. Serbian Energy Minister Aleksandar Antic, who is also Serbia's coordinator for cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries, wished the Chinese people prosperity, success and family happiness. No case of the novel SARS-like coronavirus has been reported yet in India so far, said the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare while adding that a total of 4,359 passengers arriving from 22 flights were screened for the illness on Sunday. Last week, the Civil Aviation Ministry had initiated the thermal health screening of passengers arriving from China including Hong Kong at seven Indian airports under the directions of the Union Health Ministry. These airports include Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. This is being done as a preventive measure against the outbreak of the deadly Novel Corona Virus Disease (nCoV) outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei province of China. All seven identified airports have airport signage displayed boldly at the strategic locations. The Union Health Ministry today also confirmed that 29,707 passengers from 137 flights have been screened so far. The novel virus has killed nearly 56 people in China so far and has infected at least 1,975 more. These cases have been reported in 14 provinces including Taiwan and municipalities as well. The Union Health Ministry has directed travellers to China, in particular, Wuhan city, to monitor their health closely. Travellers have been asked to follow simple public health measures and a good standard of hygiene. According to WHO, the situation is still evolving and preliminary investigations suggest a link to the seafood market. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, which cause illnesses to people and also circulate in animals including camels, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can also evolve and infect people. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Leah Sharibu, the Christian girl among 112 students kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Yobe, has given birth in captivity. In a t... Leah Sharibu, the Christian girl among 112 students kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Yobe, has given birth in captivity. In a tweet confirming the development, Ahmad Salkida, journalist with access to the insurgents, said Sharibu is now a mother, but that he was yet to know the gender of the baby. Why, I wonder, do we pretend that leaving Leah behind wont result in pregnancy? Since the terror group announced condemning her to slavery, is there any step or collective focus on preventing similar occurrences? Shes a mother, but I dont know about the gender of the baby, Salkida tweeted on Sunday. Why, I wonder, do we pretend that leaving Leah behind won't result in pregnancy? Since the terror group announced condemning her to slavery, is there any step or collective focus on preventing similar occurrences? She's a mother, but I don't know about the gender of the baby. Ahmad Salkida (@A_Salkida) January 26, 2020 A source who also confirmed the development said Sharibu was impregnated by one of the commanders of the sect, and she was delivered of a baby four days ago. In other reports credited to Sahara Reporters and Daily Trust, the girl who was 16 years old at the time she was captured along with 110 of her schoolmates, was impregnated by a Boko Haram top commander. Sahara Reporters did not indicate when exactly she gave birth. It said she gave birth a few weeks ago. Daily Trust, however, said she gave birth in Niger Republic on Saturday 25 January. According to the reports, Leah was forced to convert to Islam before being given away to the Boko Haram commander, who also was not mentioned, but who Daily Trust said operates from Niger Republic. The Daily Trust also reported that the insurgents had wanted to release Leah a few months ago but couldnt because she was pregnant. It is not clear whether Leah will be allowed to go by the terrorists having delivered a child for their commander. The report will definitely exacerbate the worsening relations between the Buhari administration and the Christian leaders, who have mounted a local and international campaign for the release of Leah. Sharibu was abducted alongside other girls from Girls Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe state, on February 19, 2018. The girls who were captured were subsequently released, except five who reportedly died in captivity, but Sharibu was held back for refusing to renounce her faith. In August 2018, a recording of Sharibu was obtained where she begged the president to come to her rescue and reunite her with her family. She had said: I am Leah Sharibu, the girl that was abducted in GGSS Dapchi. I am calling on the government and people of goodwill to intervene to get me out of my current situation. I also plead to the members of the public to help my mother, my father, my younger brother and relatives. Kindly help me out of my predicament. I am begging you to treat me with compassion, I am calling on the government, particularly, the president to pity me and get me out of this serious situation. Thank you. Last week, one of the aid workers freed by Boko Haram, Jennifer Ukambong Samuel, said Leah Sharibu was alive. Jennifer who was working for Action for International Medical Alliance when she was captured in December last year, said she met another abductee of the organization who claimed that Leah was alive and hidden in an undisclosed location. 'Central Vista stretch required for Republic Day parade will be ready in time, some facilities later' #GoBackBolsonaro trends on Twitter after a red carpet welcome for Brazil Prez Bolsonaro India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Jan 26: India celebrated 71st Republic Day 2020 with Jair Bolsonaro as the guest of honour. Jair Messias Bolsonaro is the President of Brazil. The politician, known as Brazil's Donald Trump, was sworn in on New Year's Day 2019. However, invitation to President Bolsonaro had drawn criticism from certain quarters with questions raised over a 'controversial' figure like him being chosen to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade. When asked about this issue, Secretary (East) Vijay Thakur Singh had said last week that he is an elected leader in a democratic country which is an emerging power in the region and one with which India has strong and substantive relations. In Pics: Grand 71st Republic Day 2020 parade celebrations at Rajpath Born of mixed Italian and German ancestry, Bolsonaro is notorious for making racist, sexist and homophobic comments, and is pro-gun. 71st Republic Day: PM Modi continues with 'Safa' tradition, Chinook & Apache make debut He had hit international headlines in 2014 for his sexist remark made in Brazil's parliament during a debate. Bolsonaro had told Brazil's opposition's Maria do Rosario, "I wouldn't rape you because you're not worthy of it." His misogyny did not spare his own children. Delivering a speech in 2017, Bolsonaro described how he got five children. He said, "I have five children. Four are men, and then in a moment of weakness the fifth came out a girl." Earlier in the day, Bolsonaro joined a select group of world leaders to have graced India's Republic Day celebrations in the past few decades. Bolsonaro, as the chief guest at the 71st Republic Day celebrations, watched the colourful parade at the majestic Rajpath along with President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a host of other leaders. This is the third time that a Brazilian President was the chief guest at the Republic Day. The last time a Brazilian President was the chief guest was in 2004 when Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attended the parade. Earlier on Saturday, President Bolsonaro held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday after which India and Brazil inked 15 agreements to ramp up cooperation in a wide range of areas, including oil and gas, and unveiled an action plan to further broadbase their strategic ties. This is the first visit of President Bolsonaro to India after he assumed office on January 1, 2019. Meanwhile, #GoBackBolsonaro was seen trending on Twitter with some 24,00 tweets. Check out some of the tweets: One can understand why Modi likes Bolsonaro! #GoBackBolsonaro https://t.co/Vn1DyInMk5 nikhil wagle (@waglenikhil) January 26, 2020 You homophobic, rascist, sexist, fascist monster. We already have one to deal with, you are not welcome here #GoBackBolsonaro https://t.co/WpfMpSTU0t Cornbrad Potato (@pepsiwithastraw) January 26, 2020 He is the man who calls tribal women prostitutes, our prime minister making him guest of honour on this #RepublicDay2020 . This is very embarrassing moment for our country. #GoBackBolsonaro @ihansraj pic.twitter.com/xFr8vx1TWQ Raj Simant (@rajsimantvikas) January 26, 2020 Anti minorities. Check Anti women. Check Anti environment. Check Pro bigotry. Check. Pro corporate loot. Check. Ideal guest for @narendramodi actually. #GoBackBolsonaro Preeti Sharma Menon (@PreetiSMenon) January 26, 2020 @ihansraj Brazil President @jairbolsonaro who adheres to a far right-wing ideology, kingpin of the destruction & exploitation of the Amazon forests for corporate loot, mastermind behind curbing the rights of the workers of Brazil is not welcome in India. #GoBackBolsonaro pic.twitter.com/FXQkKZmgo0 (@CEOofMMES) January 26, 2020 Anti tribal mentally ill person invited by Mr. @narendramodi as a guest on Republic Day. #GoBackBolsonaro pic.twitter.com/JaSkjxUY14 Hansraj Meena (@ihansraj) January 26, 2020 For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, January 26, 2020, 15:00 [IST] London: The UK will release about 3 million Brexit coins on Friday when the country officially leaves the European Union, marking the third version of the commemorative currency after the departure date was twice delayed. The seven-sided 50 pence coin is embossed with the January 31 date and "Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations." The Brexit coin, a 50 pence piece, bears the inscription "Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations" and the date the UK leaves the EU. Credit:The Royal Mint Last year, then Chancellor Philip Hammond planned a batch to commemorate the original March 29 Brexit day. When the UK's exit was delayed, his successor Sajid Javid produced about a million of the coins stamped with the October 31 departure date. But those had to be melted down when Brexit was put off once more. 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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Tonnes of plastic waste, particularly discarded plastic bags threaten our planet with environmental pollution, and by now almost everybody knows it. However, knowing what the problem is and solving it are two different things. Luckily, a group of students have found their own way to cut waste and protect the environment. The five students from the University of Transport and Communications in Hanoi have created a mixture of materials with plastic bags as a component to produce bricks that can be used to pave streets. The idea first sounded strange as materials like asphalt, concrete, stone and sands are more commonly used in the road building industry. However, the traditional way may have to change as the students have proved plastic can be used to make bricks. In their research, instead of using concrete as the major material, they used plastic bags. Their project recently won an outstanding and first prize at the universitys yearly contest for students in scientific research. It is now competing at a national contest on environmental protection and has been tipped for success. As part of their research, the team had to experiment on more than 50 samples to find the right ratio between stone, sand and plastic at an adaptable temperature. One brick needs 0.9kg of plastic bags to make, so 100 bricks will need about 90kg of plastic bags. If concrete is replaced by nylon bags, large amounts of plastic waste which are released into the environment every day would be consumed, said one of the group. Tran The Anh, the group's leader from the Bridge, Road and Airport Faculty, said there was no optimal solution to completely solve the issue of pollution due to huge amount of plastic bags being discharged into the environment. So, instead of burying them or waiting for years for them to decompose, we should recycle them into new products. We came up with a plan to recycle them by reproducing them into a useful and safe material, Anh said. Plastic bags are originally made from polymer granules. Based on the knowledge we learned at the universitys Building Materials and Polymer Concrete Faculty, we thought, 'Why not replace the binder of concrete with the polymer from the plastic bags?'" The group embarked on research in November last year and started experiments this February. It took two days for them to collect dozens of kilos of plastic waste from a landfill in Hanois Soc Son district. The landfill is the gathering place for many different types of waste so we had to dig it all up to find the plastic bags. It took us two days to collect more than 20kg of them, said Pham Van Duc, another member of the group. By using what they have learnt, the group then tried making construction materials from sand, gravel and plastic bags. The bags were washed, cleaned and dried then heated up to a certain temperature. It sounds simple but to complete a product, we had to try many times to find a golden ratio between the aggregates: 50-60 per cent of stone, 20-25 per cent of yellow sand, 5-10 per cent of stone powder and 25 per cent of plastic bags, Anh explained. As it was run by students, the project had financial support of a mere 600,000 VND (26 USD). Experts have said bricks made with plastic material at an appropriate ratio could be used for paving roads as they are highly durable, can be easily used for paving and can partly help solve the issue of plastic waste. A brick is about 3.7kg weight and it needs 0.9kg of plastic bags to produce. Viphavady Inthapatha, a student from Laos, who is also a member of the group, has strong memories about the time he joined the group to collect plastic bags in the landfill. We travelled by motorbikes to Soc Son landfill which looks like a mountain of rubbish. Wearing gloves and masks, we started to pick up each plastic bag from the pile, said Inthapatha. According to Duc, during the experiments, their biggest challenge was finding the appropriate mixing ratio between the materials. The group first wasted a lot of time cutting plastic bags into small pieces for testing because they thought the whole bags, when heated, would burn and mix unevenly. However, when they cut them into small sizes, the plastic immediately shrunk and clumped without cohesion. They had to redo it again and again until they found that keeping the original size of the bags and reheating them would create an adhesive material that helps increase the product's durability. We had to test more than 50 different samples over and over to find the standard mixing ratio between stone, sand and plastic. Stone acts as a material with high strength, sand helps fill the voids between stones and plastic acts as a binder, Duc said. The materials were mixed and heated together at about 180-220 degrees Celsius. During the heating process, the mixture is constantly and evenly stirred so that melted plastic can flow and stick together to the aggregate particles. The mixture will be immediately poured into a mould and compacted by machines, hammer or compactor to make the final products. Although they faced many difficulties during the process, the students stuck to their task and spent most of their spare time on experiments. The students received support from their teacher, Prof Pham Huy Khang who provided them with space and equipment for their experiments at the university, including mixing and pressing machines and a compactor. Their product is very feasible, applicable and practical to reality as it will help solve part of the problem of plastic waste pollution in our country. This product, if further improved, can be put into application for paving streets," Khang said. "Production costs will certainly not be more expensive than existing products in the market. But if you take into account the environmental value, the efficiency should not be counted by money. VNA Click here to read the full article. The title of Dick Johnson Is Dead doesnt lie, but its not exactly truthful, either. Dick Johnson dies many times in his daughter Kirstens poignant and personal documentary, starting with the opening credits. And yet hes very much alive the whole time, playacting in an elaborate form of cinematic therapy with his filmmaker offspring as she wrestles with the anxiety of losing him. That concept could easily devolve into a navel-gazing exercise, but Kirsten Johnson the veteran nonfiction cinematographer who directed 2016s wondrous collage film Cameraperson enacts . Oscillating from intimate father-daughter exchanges to surreal meta-fictional tangents, the movie lives within its riveting paradox, reflecting the queasy uncertainty surrounding its subjects fate. More from IndieWire It helps that Dick makes quite the centerpiece. Ive always wanted to be in the movies! he cries in the opening moments, toying around with Kirstens two young children, before tumbling over in the midst of a play session that gets a touch too rough. Dicks fine, but a little winded, and its the first indication that this bubbly, affectionate grandpa has been showing his age. Many will follow. Entering his mid-80s with decades as a successful psychiatrist behind him, Dick has been flying solo in the seven years since his wifes death from Alzheimers and not eager to give up his individuality. But as Johnson narrates, Dick has grown forgetful to a point that mandates he close up shop out west and move in with his daughter in New York. While that premise could fuel a zillion overwrought family dramedies, Dick Johnson Is Dead takes the form of an elaborate essay film, as Johnsons narration sets the scene and the movie careens off on several unexpected tangents. The filmmaker credits her father with the idea for Dick Johnson Is Dead, and within the opening minutes, fulfills the promise of the title an air conditioner crashes down on poor Dicks head as he wanders the streets, leaving him motionless in a pile of blood. Minutes later, he meets the same fate at the bottom of a staircase, and an even gorier fate awaits him later on. Time and again, Johnson reveals the behind-the-scenes process, as stuntmen and effects artists assemble to give the gimmick a convincing edge. Its a savvy means of inviting viewers into the queasy nightmares playing out in her head. Story continues Johnson takes the device one step further with the movies most ambitious feat, following Dick to heaven itself for a slo-mo Fellini-esque tableaux of chocolate and popcorn, where Jesus heals the deformed toes plaguing Dick since birth. But as Johnson returns again and again to the set, recalling her upbringing as a Seventh Day Adventist where Heaven waits for no one until the Second Coming, the absurdity of the concept takes on its own complex connotations: Is Johnson using the filmmaking process to make peace with her fathers inevitable death, or as a quirky excuse to avoid that very confrontation? Johnsons too savvy a director to ask these questions outright, though its fascinating to watch her tackle the challenge of injecting herself into the center of the story. In Cameraperson, Johnsons presence was felt but never seen, as she lingered outside the frame observing dozens of subjects in a freewheeling collection of moments. However, that movie turned toward similar questions of mortality and what it means to capture reality before it changes for good, and its later passages included footage of Johnsons mother during the final stages of her life. As the filmmaker reveals in Dick Johnson Is Dead, she never captured her mother during her healthier, pre-Alzheimers phase; to that end, her new project is a quasi-sequel determined to avoid her past mistakes. Despite its melancholic underpinnings as Dicks mental state deteriorates, Johnsons restless style works well as a means of keeping the material entertaining, from the moment her slumbering dad suddenly begins to levitate to the playful scene transitions an airplane message announcing one passage of time, and another written out in alphabet soup that make it clear shes always controlling of every second of the frame. At the same time, Dick Johnson Is Dead belongs to that familiar brand of personal documentary storytelling where the shaky camera ventures alongside the director for various confrontational scenes, and sometimes doesnt end up in the most elegant of places. On more than one occasion, the camera ends up on the floor as the pair engage in tearful exchanges just outside the frame. In some situations, this might interfere with the emotions on display, but Johnsons self-aware approach benefits from constant reminders of the camera and its limited ability to take charge of the situation no matter how much she tries to change that. As Johnsons father follows her to New York, his situation grows more precarious, and the movie goes there with him. Johnson lives next door to her childrens two dads (including the filmmaker Ira Sachs) but the movie doesnt explore the unique nature of her setup so much as the way bringing her dad closer to her world falls short of ameliorating her fears. While the recurring fantasy sequences run dangerously close to devolving into a prolonged music video, Dick Johnsons face becomes the movies greatest special effect: As Kirsten drives her father to the doctor, her camera rests on his face as he professes an ability to live in the moment. The movie lingers on what that means at such an advanced stage of life. Dick Johnson Is Dead gets darker as it moves along, with a nightmarish Halloween sequence signaling the possible beginning of the end for Dick in ways no measure of movie magic can control. But Dicks daughter remains in charge, and her ability to find new methods of rescuing her father become a recurring punchline rich with feeling. As much as Im trying to kill you off, she says, Im not trying to get rid of you. The movies final moments bring that observation into its most advanced stage, with a shocking emergency from last summer that gives way to a sophisticated twist at once beautiful and morbid in its implications. Johnson cant save her father for good, but by preserving him in the most powerful medium at her disposal, shes found the next best thing: Nobody lives forever, but the movies are a different story. Grade: A- Dick Johnson Is Dead premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival in its U.S. Premieres section. Netflix releases it later this year. Best of IndieWire Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A pole-dancing schoolgirl has hit back at bullies who called her a 'stripper' and said she wants to breakdown misconceptions around the sport. Elise Fawcett, 14, from Bradford, West Yorkshire, first started pole dancing when she was just 10 and said she quickly fell in love with the activity because of the way it made her feel. She now teaches pole dancing at a studio in nearby Bolton, and has even won awards for her acrobatic skills. Elise Fawcett, 14, from Bradford, West Yorkshire first started pole dancing when she was just 10 and said she quickly fell in love with the activity because of the way it made her feel She now teaches pole dancing at a studio in nearby Bolton, and has even won awards for her acrobatic skills. But the talented young star said she has faced backlash from bullies who have called her a 'stripper' because of her pole dancing. She said: 'I instantly fell in love with pole dancing from the first moment I tried it out and haven't looked back. 'I loved how hands on it was and how it made me feel so fit and strong. It is also loads of fun. 'There is definitely a big misunderstanding about pole dancing for fitness. 'I've had negative comments, and people have called me a stripper and things like that. But I've never let it get to me because I love what I do. Elise (pictured with her mum) said: 'I instantly fell in love with pole dancing from the first moment I tried it out and haven't looked back. 'It never bothers me because it's my life and I'm so passionate about it. I just ignore them and don't think of it. 'I understand where they're coming from, because from an outside perspective there is an association with pole dancing and stripping. 'But once people give it a go and understand it more, they see that it's really similar to gymnastics, and the pole is just an apparatus. The teen has won eight awards after competing in pole dancing competitions around the UK and said she believes that the sport will soon be recognised in the Olympics. 'I see it as pole fitness not pole dancing as it's classed as a sport. 'I have been told what I wear is revealing. But the reason I wear minimal clothing is because I need as many contact points to the pole as I can. 'You'd never be able to do it covered head to toe in clothing. You would slip off.' The teen has won eight awards after competing in pole dancing competitions around the UK and said she believes that the sport will soon be recognised in the Olympics. The teen has won eight awards after competing in pole dancing competitions around the UK and said she believes that the sport will soon be recognised in the Olympics Elise, pictured when she was younger, added: 'I've had negative comments, and people have called me a stripper and things like that. But I've never let it get to me because I love what I do. Elise added that she hopes to one day own her very own pole dancing studio so that she can pass on her skills and knowledge of the sport to others who are eager to try it out. She said: 'Pole dancing is growing massively, and I do think one day it will be in the Olympics. 'The thing I love most about pole is how it builds up your strength and fitness. It has built up my self-confidence so much. Elise, pictured with her Dad, added that she hopes to one day own her very own pole dancing studio so that she can pass on her skills and knowledge of the sport to others who are eager to try it out. 'I used to be so shy before I started this, but now I feel more confident and self-aware. 'It is massively empowering for women. I'm so strong now and I've made so much progress. 'I love teaching pole dancing. The ages range from kids to women in their sixties. 'My dream is to own my own pole dancing studio eventually, that would be amazing.' 'It is massively empowering for women. I'm so strong now and I've made so much progress' Elise, pictured with her mum, added Her mum Sinead, 39, has supported her daughter from day one and said she could not be prouder of how far she has come with pole dancing. And although she too has faced some harsh backlash from adults who she said have judged her for letting Elise do pole dancing, Sinead said she has never let it get to her and will continue to support her daughter's dreams. The business owner said: 'When she started pole dancing, there were very few children that did it. She was in a mix-aged class with people from all walks of life and it's made her far more mature and open-minded. 'When Elise first started doing it at 10, I always felt the need to explain it to people even when they didn't ask me to. Elise's Sinead, 39, (pictured together) has supported her daughter from day one and said she could not be prouder of how far she has come with pole dancing 'I used to feel judged. I think more than anyone saying something straight to my face about Elise's pole dancing, I've had them roll their eyes and raise eyebrows about it. 'I'd be lying if I said I found it easy to deal with people judging but I don't let it get to me and I don't try and justify what Elise does anymore. 'I try not to get too annoyed, as I can understand. If someone's only idea of pole dancing is from movies or television where a girl is dancing on a pole and earning money in a club, that's all they've known. 'People have commented online about the leotards and costumes that she wears, but I just ignore them. With any sport, you have to wear the best uniform to do a good job. Proud mum Sinead is now helping her daughter break down negative stereotypes about pole dancing and added that she would recommend it to anyone wanting to try a new sport. 'I'm sure she'd much rather do pole in a onesie. The pole is an apparatus for Elise to do her sport on - that's it.' Proud mum Sinead is now helping her daughter break down negative stereotypes about pole dancing and added that she would recommend it to anyone wanting to try a new sport. She said: 'I love what pole dancing has done for Elise. It has boosted her self-confidence, motivation and fitness so much. 'Elise (pictured) feels strong, healthy, motivated and passionate about it. Her confidence and self-love has soared, which is all you could want for your child' her mother said 'At the end of the day, Elise isn't stuck in her bedroom, she isn't wandering the streets getting into trouble. 'I know where she is and I know what she's doing, there are far worse things that your teenager could be up to. 'I'd recommend pole dancing to anyone thinking of giving it go. 'Elise feels strong, healthy, motivated and passionate about it. Her confidence and self-love has soared, which is all you could want for your child. 'As a parent of a teenage girl, it's lovely to have a daughter that feels good about herself.' With the 71st celebrations set to begin here shortly, the entire capital has been put under a multi-layered, ground-to-air security cover with thousands of armed personnel keeping a tight vigil over it, including the celebration venue Rajpath. Aided by dozens of drones in the air and hundreds of CCTV cameras and facial recognition devices, besides several anti-aircraft guns on the ground, the security personnel are keeping a hawk-eye over Rajpath, where President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be celebrating the occasion along with chief guest, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and other dignitaries, besides thousands of citizens. Over ten thousand security personnel have been deployed to keep vigil over the celebrations on Sunday, said officials. Sharpshooters and snipers have been deployed atop high-rise buildings to keep watch on the eight-km-long parade route from Rajpath to the Red Fort, they said. The celebration venue Rajpath will remain inaccessible to general traffic till 12 noon, till when the entry and exit gates of the Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan, Patel Chowk and Lok Kalyan Marg metro stations too will remain closed, beginning from 8.45 am. The Delhi police has also installed its facial recognition devices at all entry gates of the R-Day celebration venue to identify miscreants and suspects, said officials. Special security arrangements have been made for Brazilian President Bolsonaro, who is the chief guest for the parade, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Eish Singhal had said earlier. More than 2,000 Traffic Police personnel have been deployed to ensure smooth flow of the traffic and facilitate spectators reach the venue. Hundreds of CCTV cameras too have been installed as part of the security arrangements, including at least 150 cameras in areas covering the Red Fort, Chandni Chowk and Yamuna Khadar, they said. "We have a four-layered security arrangement. Inner, middle, outer and one along the border areas across the capital," said Singhal, adding drones have also been deployed to aid and assist security personnel on the ground and give feed to them on the general and security scenario around them. "Around 5,000 to 6,000 Delhi police personnel have been deployed in the New Delhi district along with 50 companies of paramilitary forces," he added. With the Republic Day celebration being held within a fortnight of the upcoming Delhi assembly elections, the police personnel have even otherwise been on alert, the official said. The police have already been undertaking various security measures, including the anti-terror ones, like checking people and vehicles entering Delhi, intensified patrolling of malls and markets and enhancing security cover of vital installations, besides intensifying the regular verifications of tenant and servants, the officials said. The police have also asked hotels, taxi and auto drivers to remain alert. In view of the heightened security, patrolling in public places has been intensified. "We have intensified patrolling in public places. Group patrolling and vehicle checking is being carried out with the help of Central Armed Police Forces. Frisking at metro stations, railway stations, airport and bus terminals has also been intensified," a senior police official said. Apart from securing the celebration venue Rajpath, adequate security and traffic arrangements for the 'At Home' function at Rashtrapati Bhavan too have been made. The security personnel have identified vulnerable spots such as crowded markets, railway stations, bus stands and other high-value establishments, where extra police personnel have been deployed. A traffic advisory has also been issued about the elaborate arrangement route diversions on Sunday, as per which no traffic was allowed on Rajpath from Vijay Chowk to India Gate since 6 pm on Saturday, the officials said, adding the ban will continue till the parade gets over on Sunday. Flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para-gliders, para-motors, unmanned aerial vehicles, microlight aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, small-size powered aircraft, quadcopters or para jumping from aircraft have been prohibited over the jurisdiction of the city till February 15, according to an advisory. It has also asked people to report to the nearest police station in case they see any unidentified object or suspicious person. Photo: Joyce W./Yelp Hungry? A new neighborhood New American spot has you covered. The new arrival, called Harbor, is located at 1312 S. Wabash Ave. Harbor has "high-quality interpretations of classic dishes focusing on locally-sourced ingredients, paying homage to the Great Lakes region," according to the website. On the menu, look for soup, salads, pizza, strip steak and more. With a 4.5-star rating out of ten reviews on Yelp so far, Harbor has been warmly received by patrons. Agusta O., who was among the first Yelpers to review the new spot on Jan. 19, wrote, "The place is very elegant and cozy friendly and warm environment on this freezing January evening. I had mussels that I shared as an appetizer [with] my two friends. It was absolutely delicious!" Yelper Susan W. added, I'm so pleased we now have a grown-up place to grab a drink before, during or after dinner! Swing on by to take a peek for yourself: Harbor is open from 410 p.m. on Monday-Thursday and Sunday and 411 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Want to keep your finger on the pulse of new businesses in Chicago? Here's what else opened recently near you. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message. People wear masks at the international terminal of the Toronto Pearson International Airport in Toronto Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020. (AP) US consulate to evacuate staff from epidemic-stricken city BEIJING: The U.S. Consulate in Wuhan will evacuate its personnel and some private citizens aboard a charter flight Tuesday. A notice Sunday from the embassy in Beijing said there would be limited capacity to transport U.S. citizens on the flight that will proceed directly to San Francisco. It said that in the event there are not enough seats, priority will be given to individuals at greater risk from coronavirus." Hong Kong Disneyland says closing over China virus fears HONG KONG: A day after Hong Kong declared an emergency over the coronavirus breakout, its Disneyland announced it was shutting its doors on Sunday until further notice. The park said it was taking the step to protect "the health and safety of our guests and cast members" and said refunds would be given. Ocean Park, a rival amusement park on Hong Kong's main island, said it was also closing its doors. The emergency move came as city leader Carrie Lam faced criticism in some quarters over her administration's response to the crisis, including calls to halt, or limit, arrivals from the Chinese mainland where the epidemic began. French carmaker to evacuate expats from Wuhan PARIS: French carmaker PSA said it would repatriate its expat staff from Wuhan as fears grew that more cases of coronavirus would be found in France. Three cases of the virus have been confirmed in France while Chinese authorities. The French firm, which makes Peugeot and Citroen, said in a statement the evacuation was being "implemented in full cooperation with the Chinese authorities and French consulate general" and involved 38 people made up of staff members and their families working in the Wuhan region. Third Chinese city to ban long-distance buses BEIJING: A third major city in China will ban long-distance buses, authorities said Sunday. From 6 pm (1000 GMT) Sunday, Xi'an will suspend long-distance buses and tourist chartered buses entering the city of 10 million people, local officials said on the Twitter-like Weibo platform, following the announcement of similar measures in Tianjin and Beijing. Inter-city taxis will be suspended, except those from the city's airport, the statement said. This browser is no longer supported at MarketWatch. For the best MarketWatch.com experience, please update to a modern browser. People wearing facemasks to help stop the spread of a deadly virus which began in the city, wait for medical attention at Wuhan Red Cross Hospital in Wuhan, China, on Jan. 25, 2020. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images) California Patient Is 3rd US Case of New Virus From China SANTA ANA, Calif.A patient in Southern California is the third person in the United States to be diagnosed with the new pneumonia-like virus from China, health officials said. The Centers for Disease Control confirmed a traveler from the Chinese city of Wuhanthe epicenter of the outbreaktested positive for the virus, the Orange County Health Care Agency announced just before midnight Saturday. The patient is in isolation at a hospital and in good condition, a release from the agency said. The virus can cause fever, coughing, wheezing and pneumonia. It is a member of the coronavirus family thats a close cousin to the deadly SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past. The first known case in California comes on the heels of diagnoses in Washington state, on Jan. 21, and Chicago, on Jan. 24. Both patientsin Washington, a man in his 30s, and in Chicago, a woman in her 60shad also traveled to China. The death toll from the virus in China is rising. The Chinese regime has issued massive travel bans in hard-hit sections of that country to try to stem spread of the virus, and the U.S. Consulate in Wuhan announced Sunday that it would evacuate its personnel and some private citizens aboard a charter flight. Medical staff wearing clothing to protect against a previously unknown virus walk outside a hospital in Wuhan on Jan. 26, 2020. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images) The CDC expects more Americans to be diagnosed with the newly discovered virus, which is believed to have an incubation period of about two weeks. The CDC is screening passengers on direct and connecting flights from Wuhan at five major airports in Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The Orange County patient had contacted local health officials, who provided guidance to reduce exposure to the public while awaiting laboratory confirmation from the CDC. The Orange County agency has consulted with the CDC and the California Department of Health and will follow up with people who have had close contact with the patient. Guidance from the CDC advises that people who have had casual contact with the patient are at minimal risk for developing infection. Theres no evidence that person-to-person transmission occurred in Orange County, and the risk of local transmission remains low, the release said. Further details about the case werent released. The CDC hadnt added the Southern California case to its summary of U.S. cases as of early Sunday. Passengers wear masks to protect against the spread of the Coronavirus as they arrive at the Los Angeles International Airport, Calif., on Jan. 22, 2020. (Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images) Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken several steps to catapult India to the status of "Vishwa Guru" (world leader), Uttar Pradesh minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary said on Sunday. "Let us pledge to strengthen the hands of the prime minister, who has gone ahead to elevate India to the status of a world leader, as it would be a fitting tribute to those who laid down their lives for the country," the minister for dairy, fisheries and animal husbandry said while addressing police personnel and civilians at the Police Lines here, after unfurling the national flag. Quoting Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he said the former prime minister had said if the word "mata" (mother) was taken out of "Bharat Mata", India too would become an ordinary piece of land. Recalling the contributions of freedom fighter Roshan Singh, who hailed from Shahjahanpur district, Chaudhary said prior to the execution of his death sentence, when his mother expressed regret that his son was not even married, Singh had said the next day he would be married to the guillotine. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Afghanistan forces launched multiple airstrikes and ground attacks against the Taliban which resulted in the killing of 51 fighters in the last 24 hours, international media has reported. The attacks come amid escalation between the two signalling in a deadlock in peace talks. Read: New Zealand, Afghanistan, Pakistan Enter U-19 World Cup Quarters Pledged fact-finding mission Local officials in Northern Province of Balkh reportedly said that at least three women and four children were killed in the attack leading to protest in front of Governors office. Meanwhile, on Sunday, the Afghan Defence ministry admitted that the government forces have conducted three ground offensives and 12 airstrikes in nine provinces. The Ministry further added that 51 terrorists had been killed, 13 wounded, and six were arrested. The government has also pledged to send a fact-finding mission to the affected areas to investigate into civilian deaths. Read: Afghan Official Says Taliban Killed Intel Officer In Helmand On the other hand, the Taliban has announced two more attacks over the weekend in retaliation of last weeks' sporadic assaults. In a separate statement, the Taliban said that it had ambushed an Afghan forces patrol in Balkh killing eight security personnel. Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, in a statement claimed that the militant organisation had killed 10 members of security forces and wounded three after it attacked Afghan security forces in Kunduz on Saturday. On January 23, the Taliban ambushed and killed an Afghan intelligence official in southern Helmand province as he was walking home from work, an official said. It was the latest deadly attack by insurgents even as they hold peace talks with a U.S. envoy. The officer, who headed the intelligence department's press office for the province, was ambushed late on Wednesday, according to the Helmand police chiefs spokesman Zaman Hamdard. Another member of the intelligence department was wounded in the attack, the spokesman said. An investigation was underway to find the perpetrators, Hamdard added. Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi claimed responsibility for the attack. Read: Trump Wants 'significant' Drop In Taliban Violence For Afghan Talks Read: Afghan Officials Say Taliban Kill 6 Members Of Same Family (With inputs from Agencies) Published on 2020/01/26 | Source The government of the Philippines is sending back another 5,100 tons of trash that was illegally exported there in 2018. Advertisement A Korean trading company conspired with an importer in the Philippines and doctored shipping documents to make it appear as if the trash was recyclable plastic. When the fraud came to light, environmental activists in the Philippines protested in front of the Korean Embassy in Manila demanding that Korea take the trash back. The Environment Ministry said Monday that around 800 tons of the trash are being taken back to Korea now, while the rest will be brought back later this year. The government of the Philippines is handling the transport cost to port, but the Korean government will shoulder the cost of shipping and incinerating it here. Another 1,400 tons was already returned last year, but that was easier because it was still in the original shipping containers. But the remaining 5,100 tons had already been dumped on private land in Mindanao, making it more difficult to bring back. OTTAWAThe regional Metis presidents of Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan are calling for reform of the Metis National Council, raising serious concerns about dysfunction and about a lack of transparency on the national bodys finances and administration. Metis National Council vice-president David Chartrand rejects the allegations, saying the real issue involves concerns about the way the Ontario Metis government defines people as Metis, and the national body has told the Ontario body its membership in the governance institutions of the Metis Nation is suspended. This is about the very essence of protecting our nation, Chartrand said. Last week, the presidents of the Metis Nation of Ontario, the Metis Nation-Saskatchewan and the Metis Nation of Alberta three of the national bodys five components, along with a similar group in British Columbia and one Manitoba, which Chartrand leads met for two days to discuss ways to co-operate and to negotiate more directly with the federal government, circumventing the national council. Last June, these same three regions each signed self-governing agreements with Ottawa. Thats the first time the federal government has signed such arrangements with Metis groups following recent Supreme Court of Canada decisions formally recognizing Metis rights and that theyre part of federal financial responsibilities. The Metis Nation of Ontarios president Margaret Froh said the meeting was positive, aimed at building on those agreements by working together and sharing ideas to help their communities. There was incredible goodwill, it was a respectful environment. We had an opportunity to talk about things like our registries, to talk about all the work thats gone into our history, our governance, how it is that we manage our registry, the programs and services that were offering, Froh said. But the three leaders also discussed concerns they share about governance at the Metis National Council (MNC). They issued a declaration that the MNC has become increasingly dysfunctional and unaccountable to its governing members and the Metis citizens. They point to the fact the national council has not held a board of governors meeting in over 14 months, despite repeated requests for one. Despite this, MNC president Clement Chartier sent a letter to Froh earlier this week advising her the Metis Nation of Ontario is suspended and no longer eligible to participate in the governance of the national council. Alberta president Audrey Poitras said the MNC doesnt have the authority to do this. A suspension can only be imposed by members at a general assembly meeting, she said, and she absolutely doesnt accept that Ontario has been suspended. The concerns about Ontario involve its citizenship registry. In August 2017, the provincial government and the Metis Nation of Ontario held a joint announcement outlining work by historians that had identified six new Metis communities in the province. This sparked concerns in the national leadership that Ontario is allowing people who may not be Metis into its registry, and in doing so, is violating an agreement struck in 2002 among all the regional governments on an official citizenship definition. The question of Metis identity is delicate, and fundamental. The Metis are descended from European fur traders and First Nations people, who intermingled beginning in the 18th century. But its only in the 1980s that the Canadian government recognized the Metis as an Indigenous People with rights under Canadian law. And only in 2003 did the Supreme Court of Canada rule that the Metis are a nation distinct from other Indigenous people with rights protected by the Constitution. Chartrand does not believe the new communities are legitimate. They are not part of us, never were. There is no connection historically in any way or fashion that they can use as even an argument to say that they are part of our nation, Chartrand said. He believes allowing these new communities to become part of the Metis Nation could undermine its integrity by flooding the Metis nations with hundreds of thousands, potentially millions, of people into our nation that arent us, Chartrand said. Its something we must clearly be fearful of as a people, because we cannot allow anybody to try to water down and create a special interest group of a nation, instead of a citizen of a nation. In November 2018 Chartrand brought these concerns to a general assembly and a resolution was passed that placed Ontario on probation. It called for an external committee to review Ontarios membership registry. But Ontario has refused to allow it. Froh said the registry belongs to her government and contains a large amount of sensitive, personal information. The Ontario nation hired a historical expert to conduct its own review of the files, which Froh believes should help satisfy the concerns raised by Chartrand and others. She also called Chartrands concerns about thousands or millions of new citizens being added by Ontario absurd, noting her provinces registry has only about 20,000 members. What we have said is, we have and will complete this independent review ... and well be in a position to be able to talk about it, but were not prepared to simply open up our registry and all of that personal information to outsiders, she said. Poitras, the Albera leader, said she doesnt have a problem with Ontarios registry and doesnt understand Chartrands concerns. She continues to call for a board meeting to discuss them. What we want is transparency and accountability, and if somebody is doing something wrong, lets talk about what that wrong is and lets fix it. The tri-council also raised questions about the finances and governance of the MNC in its resolution last week, including calls for more transparency about financial audits, and limits on amounts spent on consultants. The three leaders called for a working group to discuss reforming the MNC or the creation of a new national structure to better represent the interests of Metis governments. Their resolution also says they will continue to work through the MNC on funding negotiations until after the 2020 federal budget is released, as those talks are already underway. But theyre asking to negotiate directly with Ottawa in the future on program and service funding and to ensure money goes to Metis citizens and governments without allocations to the MNC. Chartrand brushed aside the tri-councils concerns, calling them smoke and mirrors designed to distract from a backroom deal brokered among the leaders. Froh said she hopes the politics involved in these issues doesnt overshadow the progress that has been achieved when it comes to Metis governments finally getting recognition by the federal government. I dont want people to lose track of the amazing thing that happened last week in that we, as Metis governments, came together, recognizing each other. That is what being self-determining is about, thats what leadership is about: coming together to work together to move the yardstick forward to advance true reconciliation. MELBOURNE, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Australia declared on Saturday its first confirmed case of the Wuhan coronavirus in the state of Victoria, with the patient hospitalized in a stable condition in a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria health officials said on Saturday. The Chinese national, in his 50s, arrived from China on Jan. 19 on a flight from Guangzhou, Victoria Health Minister Jenny Mikakos told journalists. "It is important to stress that there is no cause for alarm to the community," Mikakos said. "The patient is isolated and is undergoing treatment and we do not have any further suspected cases at this stage." (Reporting by Lidia Kelly; Editing by Sandra Maler) A new poll shows that younger voters are flocking to Sinn Fein ahead of the Irish general election, and are at times neck-and-neck with Fine Gael. The RED C poll, paid for by the Business Post newspaper, shows Sinn Fein at 19%. It will be a boost to the party, who have been polling strongly throughout the campaign. If this polling is reflected on February 8, Sinn Fein could be part of a governing coalition, despite both Mr Martin and Fine Gael's Leo Varadkar ruling out any deal with Mary Lou McDonald's party. It comes as Fianna Fail remain in the lead to be the majority partner in the next government, polling at 26% (+2), followed by Fine Gael down seven points to 23% and then Sinn Fein up by eight at their current position. Independent candidates are under pressure due to Sinn Fein's popularity and have been pushed down two points to 14%. The poll carries a margin of error of 3%, having been carried out before the first TV debate on Wednesday. It sampled 1,000 people from January 16 and January 22. The major issues are health and housing, with 12% of voters saying they trust Fine Gael to manage housing effectively. In health, 16% said they trusted Sinn Fein to fix the system, compared with 24% trusting Fianna Fail and 14% saying they felt they could rely on Fine Gael to address the issue. Housing has been seen to be the most important aspect among voters at this election, and Sinn Fein is seen to be the party by young voters that has the best policies to solve the housing crisis in the next five years, Richard Colwell, Red C Researchs chief executive, said. Ahead of the February 8 election, the poll means Sinn Fein could find themselves in a position to form part of a governing coalition, although the leader of Fine Gael Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin have both ruled out a deal with Mary Lou McDonald's party. Although Sinn Fein's result has fallen short of its rating in opinion polls in previous general elections, the latest result by RED C shows it has a higher percentage of committed voters than Fine Gael. Around 17% of voters said they would definitely vote for the party, while the same percentage said they would definitely vote for Fianna Fail. Just 14% said they would definitely vote for Fine Gael of an overall support level of 23%. On Sunday, Fine Gael said they would continue to rule out a coalition with Sinn Fein ahead of the election. "The reason we have ruled out working with Sinn Fein is a point of principle," said Leo Varadkar. "Key policy decisions made by Sinn Fein are taken not by elected representatives but an Ard Comhairle, and we just don't think that's proper in a democratic society, and we also have a big problem with their stance on the Special Criminal Court (which Sinn Fein have previously opposed but now say needs reform)." Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the two man parties "don't want a republican about the place", because it would challenge the status quo. Her party has taken legal advice over their absence from the RTE leaders debate on February 4. The party said its polling position means it has as much right as Fine Gael to be included in what will be the second televised debate between Mr Martin and Mr Varadkar. One year on, Brazil town remembers 270 killed in dam breach Brumadinho, Brazil, Jan 26 (AFP) Jan 26, 2020 Residents of Brumadinho in southeastern Brazil paid homage on Saturday to the 270 people killed one year ago when a nearby dam burst, spewing millions of tons of mining waste over homes and farmland in one of the country's worst industrial accidents. Still in mourning for the people swept away by the tsunami of sludge, some 300 people -- friends and relatives of the victims as well as emergency personnel and local authorities -- held an event to place the first stone in a monument to honor the victims. "I hope that those who are really to blame will be punished, because you don't play with people's lives," Minas Gerais Governor Romeu Zema said at the event. At 12:28 pm, the exact time the dam owned by Brazilian mining giant Vale burst one year ago unleashing some 12 million cubic meters of mining tailings, a much larger crowd gathered at the Brumadinho town entrance to hold a minute of silence in memory of the victims. Page-sized photographs of the victims in clear plastic sleeves were placed on the ground and strung up on cables at the outdoor memorial. Organizers released hundreds of white balloons, followed later by mourners releasing red balloons. Earlier a group of people went to the same site and hung a large sign that read "365 Days of Suffering and Impunity." The official death toll is 259, but firefighters are still picking through the dried mud for the bodies of 11 people listed as missing but certainly dead. Pope Francis also weighed in, asking the faithful via his social media accounts to pray for the "brothers and sisters who were buried" in the mudslide. He also lamented "the polluting of the whole river basin." - 'Deep scars' - Brumadinho residents who were left homeless by the disaster were not the only victims: farmers and fishermen in the basin of the Paraopeba and Alto San Francisco rivers, where the sludge flowed to on its meandering trip to the Atlantic Ocean, saw their livelihoods destroyed by widespread pollution. Those rivers still show "deep scars" from the disaster, according to a report released Thursday by the Brazilian environmental NGO SOS Mata Atlantica. The water quality is "bad or awful" in 20 of the 21 points on the rivers that were studied, the NGO said. Brumadinho, with a population of some 40,000, will never be the same, despite nearly two billion reais (about $480 million) in compensation that Vale was forced to pay. On Tuesday, state prosecutors charged the ex-boss of Vale Fabio Schvartsman and 15 others with intentional homicide in the dam collapse. Vale and its German auditor TUV SUD, which had certified the dam's stability, have been accused of environmental crimes. Both Vale and Minas Gerais officials have since tightened security measures for mining and implemented emergency evacuation plans in areas near the dams that are considered "at risk." The dam breach was caused by an accumulation of water and a lack of drainage, according to a report commissioned by Vale and published last month. Fashion retailer Express plans to close around 100 stores by 2022, the company announced this week. That includes nine stores that closed last year along with 31 stores the retailer plans to shutter by the end of January and another 35 stores it plans to close by the end of January 2021. Two stores in Texas one at Rice Village in Houston and the other at Valle Vista in Harlingen are among the stores closing this month, said spokesperson Alysa Spittle. Spittle said she could only confirm this months closures. In most cases, the future stores have not yet been determined, she said. There are five Express stores in the San Antonio area, including two outlet stores. What retailers are expanding to San Antonio? Fleet Feet, a running store chain headquartered in Carrboro, N.C., is opening two new locations in Texas. The business franchises locally owned and operated running stores. The first store will open at the Forum shopping center in March and will be Fleet Feets third store in the area. The other is opening in Plano in April. Little Land Play Gym is opening a location at 8116 Tezel Road, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. It will include a gym, party rooms, a lobby and other features. Work is expected to wrap up in July, the filing indicates. Painted Tree Marketplace is opening a location in the former Sears store across from North Star Mall, according to a Facebook post. The business features products from local artisans, decorators and boutiques. Improvements to the stores future home are expected to finish in May, according to a TDLR filing. Liquor Bueno is planning to open a store at 2538 Marshall Road, another filing indicates. Nibbles news Busted Sandal Brewing Co. is opening a second tap room in the area, Staff Writer Chuck Blount reports. The new location at 14743 Old Bandera Road opens Jan. 31. Busted Sandals brewery near Fredericksburg Road and Loop 410 opened in 2013. Local chef Andrew Weissman has shuttered The Luxury bar and grill on the River Walk, Staff Writer Mike Sutter reports. Weissman sold the property to entrepreneurs Terrin Fuhrmann and Nolan Ellis, who plan to open a new bar and kitchen there. Weissman is moving The Luxury to San Antonio International Airport this summer. After closing its Five Points location in September, barbecue spot Burnwood 68 has reopened at 18745 Redland Road on the North Side, Blount reports. Popular Austin chain P. Terrys Burger Stand is expanding to San Antonio, Sutter reports. The restaurant, which the company says is the first of several, is headed to 8539 Fredericksburg Road. A taco stall is moving into The Good Kinds old spot at the Pearls food hall, Editor Emily Spicer reports. Humble House Foods, a local hot sauce maker, plans to open SayTown Tacos by the end of next month. madison.iszler@express-news.net Consuming natural yoghurt on a daily basis may reduce the risk of breast cancer, according to a new study which says the probiotic supplement may help replace harmful inflammation-causing bacteria with beneficial microbes present in the food. Researchers, including those from Lancaster University in the UK, said their idea -- as yet unproven -- is supported by the available evidence that bacterial induced inflammation is linked to cancer. According to the study, published in the journal Medical Hypothesis, bacteria induced inflammation in breast ducts disturbs undeveloped cells, or stem cells, waiting to mature into specialised ones, and may be a cause of breast cancer. "There is a simple, inexpensive potential preventive remedy, which is for women to consume natural yoghurt on a daily basis," said study co-author Auday Marwaha from Lancaster University. According to the research team, the lactose fermenting beneficial bacteria, or microflora, commonly found in yoghurt, is similar to those found in the breasts of mothers who have breastfed. "We now know that breast milk is not sterile and that lactation alters the microflora of the breast," said Rachael Rigby, study co-author from Lancaster University. "Lactose fermenting bacteria are commonly found in milk and are likely to occupy the breast ducts of women during lactation and for an unknown period after lactation," she added. The researchers believe these bacteria in the breast may be protective since earlier studies had reported that each year of breast feeding reduced the risk of breast cancer by nearly 5 per cent. A similar effect seen in yoghurt, the scientists said, may be due to the displacement of harmful bacteria by beneficial bacteria. "The stem cells which divide to replenish the lining of the breast ducts are influenced by the microflora, and certain components of the microflora have been shown in other organs, such as the colon and stomach, to increase the risk of cancer development," the researchers noted. "Therefore a similar scenario is likely to be occurring in the breast, whereby resident microflora impact on stem cell division and influence cancer risk," they concluded. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hapur : , Jan 26 (IANS) Police in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday claimed that it has solved the case of the murder of businessman Gaurav Chandel following the arrest of a sharp-shooter of the notorious Mirchi gang operating in the western region of state. Chandel was killed on January 6 in the Greater Noida area. Police said that the alleged sharp-shooter -- Umesh -- has been arrested. A pistol was seized from him. Hapur Police are looking for his associate -- Aashu -- who is absconding. "The Hapur Superintendent of Police will later hold a press conference to provide details on the case," a police spokesperson told IANS. The car that was stolen after killing Gaurav Chandel was found abandoned in Ghaziabad district eight days after the incident. The interrogation of Umesh revealed that the Mirchi gang was also involved in the murder of a BJP leader some time ago, police said. (Sanjeev Kumar Singh Chauhan can be contacted at sanjeev.c@ians.in) Westerly, RI (02891) Today Partly cloudy. High around 40F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low 27F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. L aura Whitmore has hit back at claims she is contributing to the climate crisis by jetting back and forth to Cape Town for Love Island. The TV presenter is in South Africa for some episodes of the ITV2 show, but hosts the series spin-off AfterSun from the UK. She also hosts a Sunday morning BBC Radio 5 Live show. After a fan questioned why she did not broadcast from Cape Town, Whitmore said she only travelled to South Africa for certain parts of Love Island and said she was also an advocate of offsetting your carbon footprint. The Twitter user posted the message this weekend, asking why Whitmore was "flying from South Africa every weekend to do her Sunday morning radio show then back to SA to present Love Island". Laura Whitmore has hit back at claims she is contributing to the climate crisis / ITV Adding the hashtag "#ClimateCrisis", the person added: "Surely there are studios she could broadcast from in SA?" However, Whitmore replied: "Hi Jane, love island aftersun is filmed in London - as all the guests are based in the UK. "I'm only in cape town for the finale, public voting etc." "And I'm an advocate of offsetting carbon footprint you'll notice on my Twitter," she added. Just days before, Whitmore tweeted about offsetting your carbon footprint. She wrote: "There's some amazing projects out there that you can use to offset your carbon footprint. Delhi Police have booked Sharjeel Imam, one of the organisers of the anti-citizenship act protests in the citys Shaheen Bagh, for his alleged remarks threatening to cut-off Assam from the rest of India, news agency ANI reported on Sunday. The police in Assam have already registered a first information report (FIR) under the anti-terror Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against Imam in Guwahati. According to Asian News International, the crime branch of Delhi Police has registered an FIR under section 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the former student of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). A video featuring Imam had gone viral on social media on Saturday. If we have 500,000 organised people then we can permanently cut the northeast from India or at least for one month It is our responsibility to isolate Assam from India, then only they will listen to us, Imam is heard saying in the video. HT could not independently check the veracity of the video clip. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday hit out at each other over the video clip. As the BJP targeted the ruling party in Delhi on its stand over the protest, the AAP questioned why the government has not taken any action in the matter. The protesters of Shaheen Bagh disassociated themselves from Imams comments and said the speech was not given in Shaheen Bagh. It warrants repetition that neither the contentious statement in question not the speech were ever delivered at or around Shaheen Bagh, they said in a statement read. We disassociate ourselves from any such narratives and establish yet again that there is no organizing committee at Shaheen Bagh, no leader, nor any one particular organizer, they said. At least 500 protesters, mostly women, have been protesting in Shaheen Bagh against the citizenship act and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) for the last 40 days. They have said they will call off the agitation only when the amended act is withdrawn. Parts of north India shivered under cold conditions on Sunday with the department issuing a warning for heavy rain and snowfall in Himachal Pradesh even as there was some respite for Kashmir where the mercury continued its upward trend. The minimum temperature in Delhi recorded a rise of around two notches from that on Saturday, settling at 6.9 degrees Celsius while the maximum was recorded at 22.7 degrees Celsius. The relative humidity oscillated between 100 per cent and 59 per cent. Cold conditions persisted in Himachal Pradesh with the meteorological department issuing a yellow warning for heavy rain and snowfall in the state for Tuesday. The office issues colour-coded warnings to alert people ahead of severe or hazardous weather that has the potential to cause "damage, widespread disruption or danger to life". Yellow, the least dangerous of all the weather warnings, indicates possibility of a severe weather. Tribal district Lahaul-Spiti's administrative centre Keylong recorded the lowest temperature in the state at minus 9.3 degrees Celsius. Kinnaur's Kalpa recorded a low of minus 5.6 degree Celsius and the minimum temperature in both Manali and Kufri was minus 0.8 degrees Celsius, he said, adding the minimum temperatures in Dalhousie and Shimla was 1.5 degrees Celsius and 3.8 degrees Celsius respectively. Una recorded the highest maximum temperature in the state at 23 degrees Celsius, Singh said. The weatherman has forecast rain and snowfall in middle and high hills of the state from January 27 to 29 and on January 31. It issued the yellow warning of heavy rain, snowfall for January 28 only. However, residents of Kashmir Valley got respite from intense cold wave conditions, with the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir recording a minimum temperature of minus 0.2 degrees Celsius as against the previous night's minus 3 degrees Celsius. Qazigund, the gateway town to the Valley in south Kashmir, settled at a low of minus 0.7 degrees Celsius, an increase of nearly six notches from the previous night's minus 6.4 degrees Celsius. The night temperature in Pahalgam settled at a low of minus 3 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature in Kokernag was 2 degrees Celsius. The Valley might witness light rains or snow over the next three days. A thick blanket of fog enveloped several places in Punjab and Haryana over which numbing cold maintained its grip, with Chandigarh, the joint capital of the two states, recording a minimum temperature of 7.1 degrees Celsius. Adampur in Punjab was the coldest place in both the states as it registered its low at 2.3 degrees Celsius. Both Amritsar and Ludhiana shivered at 5.1 degrees Celsius while Patiala recorded a low of 5.5 degrees Celsius. Pathankot, Halwara, Bathinda, Faridkot and Gurdaspur registered minimum temperatures at 6.5 degrees Celsius, 3.2 degrees Celsius, 3.6 degrees Celsius, 4.6 degrees Celsius and 7.3 degrees Celsius. In Haryana, Ambala, Hisar and Karnal recorded cold weather conditions at 5.2 degrees Celsius, 4.8 degrees Celsius and 5.4 degrees Celsius respectively, up to three degrees below normal. Dense fog was also witnessed in parts of Uttar Pradesh where Bahraich was the coldest place with the mercury dipping to 4.4 degrees Celsius. Lucknow recorded a minimum temperature of 7.8 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 21 degrees Celsius. The meteorological department has forecast rains and thundershowers at many places in the state on Monday and Tuesday. Rajasthan's Sikar shivered at 4.5 degrees Celsius, followed by Sriganganagar 6.5 degrees Celsius and Churu 6.8 degrees Celsius. The weatherman has predicted light rainfall in Jaipur and Bikaner divisions till tomorrow. A cyclonic circulation over parts of Rajasthan and south Gujarat may cause light, unseasonal rains in Saurashtra region and in Vadodara district which may lead to rise in maximum temperatures by 2-3 degrees, followed by a gradual fall in minimum temperatures over another two days. Naliya in Kutch district recorded the lowest minimum temperature in Gujarat at 10 degrees Celsius while Gandhinagar registered a low of 11 degrees Celsius, Keshod 11.6 degrees Celsius, Deesa 11.4 degrees Celsius and Ahmedabad 12.9 degrees Celsius. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police are hunting the 'cowardly' raider who killed a 79-year-old woman in her own home. Margaret Grant was found seriously injured in her home in Restalrig Circus, Edinburgh, on Friday evening after emergency services were called to reports of a disturbance. Ms Grant was taken by ambulance to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where she died that night. Police are hunting the 'cowardly' raider who killed a 79-year-old woman in her own home in Restalrig Circus, Edinburgh. Pictured: Police at the scene Police say they believe Ms Grant was targeted by a suspected robber, who entered her house to steal from her. Officers say that the man responsible may have known his victim and targeted her deliberately. The suspect, who fled on foot and is still on the run, is described as being white with a Scottish accent, aged between 20 and 30, with combed-back dark hair and approximately five-foot six-inches tall. Margaret Grant was found seriously injured on Friday evening after emergency services were called to reports of a disturbance. Pictured: Restalrig Circus At the time of the incident, he was wearing dark clothing, although his top may have been white on the lower part of his sleeves. Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Houliston, from the Major Investigation Team, said: 'This was a cowardly and despicable attack on an elderly woman within her home. 'It is imperative anyone with any information about what happened makes contact with us so we can find the man responsible. Ms Grant was taken by ambulance to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary (pictured) where she died that night 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Margaret at this difficult time.' Speaking on Saturday afternoon, Chief Inspector David Happs, the local area commander, added: 'Our inquiries into this incident are at an early stage and ongoing. 'The local community will see an increased police presence in the area over the coming days. 'Our thoughts at this time are with the family and friends of the woman who has died and specialist officers are providing her next of kin with the necessary support.' Police Scotland is appealing for anyone who was in the Restalrig Circus area on Friday evening, or who recognises the description of the man police are searching for, to get in touch with officers as soon as possible. New Delhi: Reluctance among Indian traders to ship premium basmati rice to Iran as U.S. sanctions hobble its ability to pay has contributed to a sharp drop in overall exports from the worlds biggest supplier of the grain, trade and government sources said. Rice shipments from India slipped by more than a quarter to 5.5 million tonnes between April and November 2019 the first eight months of the fiscal year from 7.5 million tonnes in the year-ago period, the sources said. In terms of value, exports dropped 19% to $3.8 billion from $4.7 billion. The grain is Indias biggest foreign exchange earning farm commodity, with shipments worth $7.75 billion in the 2018/19 fiscal year. Basmati rice exports to Iran, New Delhis top buyer of the aromatic grain, dropped to 6,00,000 tonnes in the eight months from 900,000 tonnes a year earlier, but traders, worried about delayed payments, have not signed any new contracts with Tehran in the past five days, the sources said. Shipments are not expected to significantly pick up, with buyers in Iran owing a record 20 billion rupees ($281.41 million) to India as U.S.- imposed sanctions make it hard to pay for imported commodities, they added. We are in a precarious situation, Nathi Ram Gupta, president of the All India Rice Exporters Association, told Reuters. We have urged the Indian government to step in to ensure that our dues are cleared by Iran. Reuters was unable to contact traders in Iran for comment. Iranian buyers paid some of the money they owed in November, the sources said, encouraging Indian traders to sign new contracts and ultimately pushing dues to an all-time high. Of the 4.4 million tonnes of basmati rice shipped by India in the 2018/19 fiscal year, Iran accounted for 1.4 million tonnes. Our exports to Iran will definitely fall this year and that is going to drag down both the countrys basmati and non-basmati rice exports. Were worried on two counts of Indias falling rice exports and our mounting dues, said Vijay Setia, former president of the All India Rice Exporters Association. Beside the drop in exports to Iran, non-basmati rice exports to Europe have also fallen, with trade and industry officials citing higher pesticide residues in shipments from India as a factor behind reduced purchases from the European Union. Higher benchmark prices in Thailand, the worlds second-biggest rice exporter, have however prompted some buyers to opt for Indian rice, pushing rates for the Indian variety to their highest in nearly three months despite the fall in exports. Indias 5% broken parboiled variety rose to around $366-$371 per tonne from last weeks $364-$368, the highest since Oct. 31. Domestic prices have also risen on fresh orders from Africa, traders said. Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai on Sunday said Mizoram has been witnessing "remarkable" economic progress in recent years with the state having registered 14.82 per cent growth last year, which is "one of the best" in the country. If this "momentum of growth" continued for the next ten years, it would be possible for the state to eradicate poverty, ensure all round development of people and become self-sufficient, the governor said in his speech at the Republic Day function at Assam Rifles ground here. He attributed the growth to the states flagship programme, Socio-Economic Development Policy (SEDP)', that aims at accelerating progress in key sectors and transforming Mizoram into a welfare state. Pillai hailed the state government for its achievements in all vital sectors and taking up a slew of initiatives on various fronts to build a strong and self- reliant state. Mentioning that priority was being accorded to agriculture and allied sectors, he said, "The government has taken a number of steps to alleviate the problems faced by farmers and one such initiative was setting up of state to district-level co-ordination committee for doubling farmers' income by 2020." In collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the state government has implemented a project called 'Capacity Enhancement for Sustainable Agriculture and Irrigation Development in Mizoram', he said. The government is also making massive efforts to improve basic infrastructure in rural areas by implementing various schemes, he said. Efforts are being made to improve tourism, education, sports, horticulture, among others, he added. The governor also emphasised the importance of peace and development and appealed to people to make concerted efforts towards this end. "Bharat that is India has been and will always be a place where there is unity and tolerance for all kinds of religions," he said. He also hailed the recent quadripartite agreement to end the two-decade-old Bru imbroglio and thanked all stakeholders for the historic event. Seeking to put an end to the 23-year-old Bru-Reang refugee crisis, the agreement was signed among the Centre, state governments of Tripura and Mizoram and Bru-Reang representatives to facilitate permanent settlement of Bru refugees in Tripura. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Wuhan pneumonia a wake-up call for basic Chinese research People's Daily Online (Global Times) 16:04, January 25, 2020 Science magazine published an article entitled "China's Missed Chance" in July 2003, arguing China lost an opportunity to show "growing scientific prowess" due to the lack of swift medical measures to bring SARS under control. Some 17 years later, does China have enough scientific strength to cope with the Wuhan pneumonia confidently and efficiently? The WHO noted on January 12 that "China shared the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus." One day later, the organization published a report on diagnostic detection of the virus, delivered by a group of German researchers, who later reportedly "have developed the first diagnostic test" for the Wuhan virus. Almost at the same time, China also developed a diagnostic testing device. Its speed can be argued as much faster compared to the SARS outbreak in 2003. However, China, where both SARS and the Wuhan virus first emerged, failed to be the first in relevant diagnostic research and development (R&D) in both cases. China has seen a sharp rise in cases of the new coronavirus over the past two days. What caused the escalation? Some say this is because China has developed and implemented testing devices which can raise the effectiveness of relevant inspections. However, the first known patient with related symptoms surfaced on December 8, 2019. Yet until January 11, it had been called as "pneumonia with an unknown cause." There had been no research to unlock the mysterious virus in more than a month. Isn't that a major cause for the disease's quick spread? China must have started relevant research and analysis as soon as the new virus was detected. Yet speed plays a crucial role in preventing and controlling the epidemic. Sample collection and research take time, yet in an epidemic outbreak like this, people would only hope authorities could respond faster. Behind the fight against infections is the development and competition in technologies and R&D. China's technological strength is growing, which is proven by the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, 5G technology, Chang'e-5 lunar lander and deep-sea submersible Jiaolong. Nevertheless, the country is still not able to produce certain high-purity chemicals or high-end analytical instruments. Only one Chinese scientist, Tu Youyou, was awarded the Nobel Prize, where scientists from certain Western countries, including Japan, can win the prize in consecutive years. China's basic research, or fundamental scientific research, to improve scientific theories still lags behind. Reports have shown that China's investment in basic research only accounts for 5 percent of the country's total investment in R&D. Yet in developed countries, the proportion ranges from 15 to 20 percent. Time is needed for basic research. But times waits for no one. Any attempt to seek quick success and instant benefits must be avoided. However, it is time for China to increase investment, focus on talent training, team building and policy adjustments in this field. In the end, solid scientific support is a crucial factor in maintaining the stable development of the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 He made the statement while attending a session of Egypt's House of Representatives on Sunday Related Egypt's tax authority denies 30% increase in car taxes Egypt's Finance Minister Mohamed Maait has announced that all tax measures will be automated by the end of 2020 in order to increase tax revenues and prevent tax evasion. He made the statement while attending a session of Egypt's House of Representatives on Sunday to discuss a governmental bill to end tax disputes. Maait also noted that the ministry had submitted a new draft law on unified tax procedures that implements modern, easy mechanisms to collect tax. During the session, House of Representatives Speaker Ali Abdel-Aal called for offering incentives for taxpayers, to attract more revenues and prevent tax evasion. Abdel-Aal said that some employees at the countrys tax authority are highly competent, a matter that drives some taxpayers to evade. "There is an appreciated effort exerted by some authority' employees, but the situation requires further effort to collect as much as possible of the states tax dues, which are a main source of the state's resources," the speaker added. Search Keywords: Short link: NEW HARTFORD Northwest Community Bank recently contributed $10,000 to Project Playground New Hartford, a fundrasing effort of the New Hartford Public Schools PTO. The campaign has been launched to replace aging, outdated playgrounds at both Bakerville and New Hartford Elementary Schools. Northwest Community Banks President and CEO Stephen Reilly said,We are pleased to support the committed volunteers working to make playground improvements that are age-appropriate, handicap accessibleand both fun and safe for children. Breunich named to Swanepoel Power 200 STAMFORD William Pitt-Julia B. Fee Sothebys International Realty recently announced that president and CEO Paul Breunich was named on the 2020 Swanepoel Power 200, according to a statement. Breunich ranked No. 102 on the annual national list of the most powerful people in the residential real estate brokerage industry. Realogy Holdings Corp., which is the leading and most integrated provider of residential real estate services in the U.S., delivering its services through well-known industry brands including Sothebys International Realty, dominated the definitive industry ranking. The organization had 29 employees, affiliated brokers and independent sales associates on the list. Notably, Realogy leaders also accounted for nearly 20% of the Top 20 Most Powerful Women Executives. Briglia named COO at Thomaston Savings Bank THOMASTON - Rosemary Briglia was named Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer of Thomaston Savings Bank following the retirement of former COO, Jim Nichol. Briglia joined Thomaston Savings Bank 15 years ago and has worked in the banking industry for more than 30 years. Most recently she served as the banks Senior Vice President, Senior Retail Banking Officer responsible for the oversight of Retail, Marketing and Operations. In her new role, Briglia assists the Banks President in bank-wide strategies and the development of corporate operations, personnel, core values/culture, financial performance and growth. Additionally, she plans, organizes, and directs the activities of the Banks Operations, Human Resources, Marketing, Retail Branch and Lending Origination divisions. Rosemary is the ideal candidate to succeed Jim. She has been a key member of our Executive team and has proven herself, time and time again, to be a great leader at our Bank. She will undoubtedly thrive in her new role as COO, said Stephen Lewis, Thomaston Savings Bank President and Chief Executive Officer. Briglia earned her Bachelors degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Providence College and her MBA from the University of New Haven. She is a graduate of the Connecticut School of Finance and Management and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking. She stays involved in her community by volunteering with the United Way of Greater Waterbury and serving as a Committee Member for the Greater Waterbury Campership Fund. She resides in Middlebury with her husband, Larry Natale. Klemm Real Estate ends year on high note WASHINGTON Klemm Real Estate ended 2019 with #1 market share in the million dollar plus market in Litchfield County Connecticut. Klemm handled the top six sales in Litchfield County and the top five sales in Washington. The highest sale county-wide was listed and sold by Klemm for $6.250,000 in Washington, according to a statement. Additionally, Klemm sold the two highest sales 2019 in Sharon and the top five sales in Warren. Klemm also handled the highest sales in Roxbury, Warren, Sharon, Washington and Southbury. Klemm also handled the top four sales on Lake Waramaug in 2019. Co-owner of Klemm Real Estate, Peter Klemm, who is ranked as the #1 Agent in Connecticut for 2018 based on his annual sales volume, has once again sold more real estate than any other agent statewide for 2019. He sold more than $90,000,000 worth of real estate and also brought more million -dollar-plus buyers to Litchfield County than any other agent during 2019, according to a statement. Klemm Real Estate has offices located in Washington Depot, Woodbury, Litchfield, Roxbury, Lakeville/ Salisbury and Sharon, which are staffed by 40 associates serving Litchfield County for nearly 35 years. For more information contact Graham Klemm, 860-488-6635, g@klemmrealestate.com; or www.klemmrealestate.com. All data sourced from SmartMLS & Klemm Private Sales, Jan. 1, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2019. Financial advisor attends partners meeting THOMASTON James Zeller, an Edward Jones financial advisor in Thomaston, recently traveled to St. Louis to attend the firm's Annual Partners' Meeting. Zeller was named a principal with the firm's holding company, the Jones Financial Cos., in 2020, according to a statement. Of the more than 43,000 Edward Jones associates across the globe, there are more than 450 principals in the firm. Edward Jones is the last of the large securities firms operating as a partnership. Among the criteria for being invited into the firm's partnership are production, office profitability, leadership in assisting and training other associates and recruiting. Attending the Annual Partners' Meeting enables Zeller to voice opinions on Edward Jones' direction and policies. Zeller said attending the meeting was not only an honor but also a chance to discuss ideas for enhancing client service. "Any time you have a chance to spend time with accomplished colleagues and Edward Jones' visionaries, you leave with new ideas and higher expectations for yourself," said Zeller. "I look forward to putting this renewed energy and enthusiasm to work for my clients." Zeller's office is located at 131 Main St. He and Branch Office Administrators Amanda Ryan and Julie Lopez can be reached at 860-283-5063, or visit https://www.edwardjones.com Fifteen ITBP officials were awarded the police service medal. IAFs air defence missile had shot down Mi-17 helicopter in Budgam in the Kashmir Valley minutes after Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft had entered Indian air space on February 27, 2019, a day after pre-emptive strike by Indian Air Force at terrorists camp at Balakot. (Photo: AP/File) New Delhi: Squadron leader Ninad Anil Mandavgane and Squadron leader Siddharth Vashisht, pilots of the Mi-17 helicopter which was brought down by friendly fire on February 27 last year, have been bestowed posthumously with Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry). The other four IAF personnel, Sergeant Vikrant Sahrawat, Sergeant Vishal Kumar Pandey, Corporal Pankaj Kumar, Corporal Deepak Pandey who also died during the chopper crash have been Mention-in-Despatches. Instituted on November 25, 1950 for distinguished and meritorious service in operational areas and acts of gallantry which are not of a sufficiently high order to warrant the grant of gallantry awards, said Indian Air Force website on Mention-in-Despatches. IAFs air defence missile had shot down Mi-17 helicopter in Budgam in the Kashmir Valley minutes after Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft had entered Indian air space on February 27, 2019, a day after pre-emptive strike by Indian Air Force at terrorists camp at Balakot. President on Saturday approved awards of 409 gallantry and other defence decorations to armed forces and others on the eve of 71st Republic Day celebrations. Six soldiers from Indian Army have been awarded the Shaurya Chakra, including one posthumously, for displaying gallantry during anti-militancy and anti-insurgency operations. Lt. Col. Jyoti Lama, Major Konjengbham Bijendra Singh, Naib Subedhar Narender Singh and Naik Naresh Kumar are among the recipients of the award. Naib Subedar Sombir was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra. Naib Subedar Sombir was part of the assault team of a Rashtriya Rifles which planned and executed an operation in which three hard-core terrorists were eliminated in J&K. A BSF officer, Dipak Kumar Mondal, who was killed by cattle smugglers along the Indo-Bangla border in Tripura in 2017 and troops who thwarted infiltration bids and unprovoked firing attempts from Pakistan have been decorated with police gallantry medals on the eve of the 71st Republic Day. A total of nine personnel, with six posthumous, have been awarded the Police Medal for Gallantry. Fifteen ITBP officials were awarded the police service medal. Second-in-command-rank officer Ratan Singh Sonal, Section Officer C. Durai Raj and deputy inspector generals A.S. Rawat and Nishith Chandra were among the officials decorated with the distinguished and meritorious medal. While cordoning the target house, Naib Subedar Sombir deployed himself and his buddy to cover the most likely escape route of terrorists. One of the terrorist tried to break the cordon by firing indiscriminately and lobbing grenades on them, which resulted in grievous injuries to his buddy. Seeing his buddy in danger and not caring about personal safety, Naib Subedar Sombir seized the initiative and engaged the terrorist. In close quarter battle, Naib Subedar Sombir killed the foreign terrorist. During his extremely courageous act, Naib Subedar Sombir received grievous Gun Shot Wounds to his chest and neck due to which he later succumbed. Lt. Col. Jyoti Lama created a vibrant intelligence network in Manipur and after meticulous planning relentlessly led his Company in apprehending fourteen hardcore terrorists. On 23 July 2019, he based on a specific input regarding move of two terrorists laid an ambush in a village and eliminated them. On challenging the terrorists to drop their weapons and surrender, Lieutenant Lama drew heavy fire and exhibiting raw courage engaged the terrorist in an intense firefight and eliminated a hardcore terrorist. The other terrorist trying to escape fired indiscriminately towards him. "The officer unmindful of his personal safety and exhibiting nerves of steel, once again retaliated with effective fire, thereby eliminating the second hardcore terrorist," reads the citation. By Associated Press BEIJING: The coronavirus outbreak, watched with a wary eye around the globe, accelerated its spread in China on Sunday with 56 deaths so far, while the US Consulate in the city at the epicentre announced it will evacuate its personnel and some private citizens aboard a charter flight. China's health minister said the country was entering a crucial stage" as it seems like the ability of the virus to spread is getting stronger." Ma Xiaowei declined to estimate how long it would take to bring the situation under control, but said travel restrictions and other strict measures should bring results at the lowest cost and fastest speed. ALSO READ | India 'requests' China to permit students stuck in Wuhan to return President Xi Jinping on Saturday called the outbreak a grave situation and said the government was stepping up efforts to restrict travel and public gatherings while rushing medical staff and supplies to the city at the centre of the crisis, Wuhan, which remains on lockdown with no flights, trains or buses in or out. The epidemic has revived memories of the SARS outbreak that originated in China and killed nearly 800 as it spread around the world in 2002 and 2003. Its spread has come amid China's busiest travel period of the year, when millions crisscross the country or head abroad for the Lunar New Year holiday. The latest figures reported Sunday morning cover the previous 24 hours and mark an increase of 15 deaths and 688 cases for a total of 1,975 infections. The government also reported five cases in Hong Kong, two in Macao and three in Taiwan. Small numbers of cases have been found in Thailand, Japan, South Korea, the US , Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, France and Australia. The US has confirmed cases in Washington state, Chicago, and most recently Southern California. The latest patient announced Saturday night traveled from Wuhan and is in isolation at a hospital and in good condition. Canada said it discovered its first case, a man in his 50s who was in Wuhan before flying to Toronto. Singapore and South Korea each reported one new case Sunday, while Thailand reported three new cases. A notice from the US Embassy in Beijing said there would be limited capacity to transport US citizens on a Tuesday flight from Wuhan that will proceed directly to San Francisco. It said that in the event there are not enough seats, priority will be given to to individuals at greater risk from coronavirus." The French Consulate also was considering an evacuation of its nationals from the city. It said it's working on arranging a bus service to help French citizens leave Wuhan. French automaker PSA Group said it will evacuate its employees from Wuhan, quarantine them and then bring them to France. Japan was also making preparations to fly its nationals out of Wuhan. Chinese travel agencies have been told to halt all group tours, and concern is growing over the potential impact of millions of people traveling back to the cities after the Lunar New Year holiday ends on Thursday. China's National Health Commission said anyone traveling from Wuhan is now required to register with community health stations and quarantine themselves at home for 14 days the virus' maximum incubation period. Beijing has decided to delay the start of classes after the Lunar New Year holiday ends, the official Beijing Daily reported on its website. That will extend to all schools in the capital from kindergartens to universities. Hong Kong announced similar measures on Saturday and on Sunday two of that territory's biggest attractions, Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park, announced they were closing for the time being. ALSO READ | Third US citizen diagnosed with coronavirus in southern California In the heart of the outbreak where 11 million residents are already on lockdown, Wuhan banned most vehicle use, including private cars, in downtown areas starting Sunday. The city will assign 6,000 taxis to neighborhoods to help people get around if they need to. China cut off trains, planes and other links to the city Jan' 22, and has steadily expanded the lockdown to 16 surrounding cities with a combined population of more than 50 million greater than that of New York, London, Paris and Moscow combined. Wuhan is building two makeshift hospitals with about 1,000 beds each to handle the growing number of patients. The city has said the first is expected to be completed Feb. 3. Medical workers in Wuhan have been among those infected and local media reported a doctor died on Saturday morning. The 62-year-old physician was hospitalized on Jan. 18 and died a week later. Xinhua also said medical supplies are being rushed to the city, including 14,000 protective suits, 110,000 pairs of gloves and masks and goggles. Videos have circulated online showing throngs of frantic people in masks lined up for examinations and there have been complaints that family members had been turned away at hospitals that were at capacity. A thermal screeening device checks passengers | AP The National Health Commission said it is bringing in medical teams to help handle the outbreak and the Chinese military dispatched 450 medical staff, some with experience in past outbreaks, including SARS and Ebola, Xinhua reported. The new virus comes from a large family of what are known as coronaviruses, some causing nothing worse than a cold. It causes cold- and flu-like symptoms, including cough and fever, and in more severe cases, shortness of breath. It can worsen to pneumonia, which can be fatal. First detected last month, the virus is believed to have originated in a type of wild animal sold at a Wuhan market to be consumed as food. Chinese authorities announced a temporary ban on the trade of wild animals Sunday, saying they will severely investigate and punish violators. They also called on the public to refrain from eating wild animal meat. ALSO READ | China says virus situation 'grave' as Lunar New Year curtailed Investigators are closely observing whether the virus was mutating, but thus far found no obvious signs," that it is doing so, head of the Chinese Center for Disease Control, Gao Fu, told reporters. That could make it easier to develop vaccines against the virus, something the center is already working on. Xinhua quoted center official Xu Wenbo as saying the they had isolated the virus and were identifying seed strain. The rapid increase in reported deaths and illnesses does not necessarily mean the crisis is getting worse but could reflect better monitoring and reporting of the virus. Those killed by the virus have mostly been middle-aged or elderly people, sometimes suffering from other conditions that weaken their ability to fight back. It is not clear how lethal the new coronavirus is or even whether it is as dangerous as the ordinary flu, which kills tens of thousands of people every year in the US alone. BRIDGEPORT City officials have proposed a minor settlement to put to rest an excessive force lawsuit from a three-year-old police arrest. Victor Vizcarrondo, according to documents filed in Bridgeport Superior Court, blamed two officers Juan Esquilin and an unidentified colleague for a Dec. 7, 2016 incident that left the plaintiff with a broken nose and covered in dog excrement. According to the lawsuit, Vizcarrondo received a phone call from his boyfriend that the latter had been pulled over by police near their home for running a stop sign. Vizcarrondo walked to the scene and witnessed his boyfriend in handcuffs being placed in the back of a police cruiser. Suddenly, based on the legal filing, the situation escalated for no clear reason. After identifying himself to police Vizcarrondo alleged that he was confronted and tackled by Esquilin, who held him down and continually struck Vizcarrondos head and face. After being handcuffed, Vizcarrondo realized that he was smeared with dog feces. While being treated at Bridgeport Hospital for a broken and bleeding nose, Vizcarrondo alleged that an Officer John Doe ... was laughing at him. That same unidentified officer then, Vizcarrondo claimed, transported him to police headquarters for booking all the while driving recklessly. After arriving at police headquarters the plaintiff was processed and then placed in a cell and held overnight without being allowed to clean the dog feces off of him, stated the lawsuit. While the settlement amount which has been forwarded to the City Council for consideration was not publicly released by the city, Vizcarrondos lawsuit said he was seeking greater than $15,000. The Connecticut Post requested a copy of the police report. However, Rowena White, Mayor Joe Ganims communications director, said that information was no longer available because Vizcarrondos case had been nolled meaning Vizcarrondo ultimately was not prosecuted. It is very unfortunate that we are legally bound and unable to provide the documents that would better explain this incident in its entirety, White said in a statement. The city denies the sum and substance of the allegations provided in this complaint. This case resulted in a minor settlement to avoid the risks, costs and sometimes unpredictable results of litigation. Vizcarrondo is currently facing charges in an unrelated case in Torrington. State judicial records show he was charged in June with operating a motor vehicle without registration and with a suspended license, and for interfering with/resisting a police officer. Vizcarrondo pleaded not guilty. Esquilin is still an active member of the Bridgeport police force. Chris DeMarco, Vizcarrondos New Haven-based attorney, declined to comment for this story. DeMarco in 2017 successfully represented another client, Anibal Diaz, in a locally high-profile excessive force case. A jury awarded Diaz $323,000 after concluding that four city police officers had used excessive force when they arrested Diaz in May 2013. Diaz suffered a black eye and spent two days in jail. - Kongowea market is one of the biggest markets in East Africa - Fire started during the wee hours of Sunday, January 26 - Red Cross has sent an emergency team to help in rescue mission - Cause of the inferno is yet to be determined - The market has in the past also experienced several cases of fire Traders at Mombasa based Kongowea market are counting loss after fire razed down stores at the business centre. TUKO.co.ke has gathered that the fire, whose cause is yet to be determined, started during the wee hours of Sunday, January 26. READ ALSO: Moses Kuria says he was red carded at BBI event for not standing when Raila entered venue Cause of the inferno is yet to be determined. Photo: UGC. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Murkomen aongoza Tangatanga kuimba wimbo wa 'Baba' na BBI Mombasa In a statement, Red Cross said it had dispatched a team of rescuers at the scene to help in extinguishing the inferno. "Kenya Red Cross Society. Fire incident reported at Kongowea Market, Mombasa.Response teams en route to the scene," the statement read. READ ALSO: Two Nairobi women in court for beating lady who stole their husband Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly. Kenyan woman forces traffic police officer out of her car | Tuko TV. Source: TUKO.co.ke Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 23:04:21|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak, presides over a meeting to make work plans to control the novel coronavirus outbreak in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 26, 2020. Wang Huning, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and deputy head of the group, attended the meeting. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) BEIJING, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities on Sunday announced plans to extend the Lunar New Year holiday originally set to end on Jan. 30 "to a proper extent" as a key measure to control the novel coronavirus outbreak. The holiday started on Jan. 24. The decision was disclosed in a statement issued after the leading group of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak held a meeting Sunday to make work plans. The meeting was presided over by Premier Li Keqiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the group. Wang Huning, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and deputy head of the group, attended the meeting. The meeting stressed that the country is at a crucial time in the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak, urging Party committees and governments at all levels to take more "decisive, powerful and orderly, scientific and well-planned" measures to effective curb the spread. The meeting stressed the need to focus and strengthen prevention work in Hubei Province and Wuhan City. The following points were made. -- Send groups to Hubei to direct work on the ground. -- Coordinate resources across the country to prioritize supply of medical personnel and medical goods such as protective clothing and face masks which are badly needed for the prevention work in Hubei and Wuhan, as well as daily necessities for the general public. -- Open "green passages" to ensure smooth transport of the supplies. -- Speed up the building of hospitals designated to treat infected patients and transform some hotels into quarantine areas. -- Ensure timely diagnosis and treatment of patients with a fever. -- Step up staff rotation and protection of the medical personnel and take measures to relieve their physical and psychological stresses. -- Toughen restriction on the flows of people across rural areas, cities and regions. On the work of other localities, the meeting made the following requirements. -- Leading groups must be set up and leading officials must stand at the frontline. -- Strengthen surveillance, strictly quarantine patients confirmed to have been infected, and apply isolation and examination measures on suspected cases and close contacts. -- Speed up designating hospitals, beds and quarantine areas for coronavirus outbreak prevention and control in cities that have relatively large numbers of cases. -- Postpone and reduce meetings and mass gatherings. -- Strengthen virus prevention work in rural areas. -- Make arrangements for prevention work after the Lunar New Year holiday. -- Take measures to reduce population flows such as extending the Lunar New Year holiday, adjusting the starting dates of schools, supporting people to work from home by working online. -- Crack down on hoarding of the prevention work supplies. The meeting also underlined strengthening the treatment of patients to minimize death rates, training more medical professionals, and pool resources to make an early breakthrough in vaccine research and development. The meeting further demanded severe punishment for people who deliberately withhold information. Three Doctors Infected With New Coronavirus in Beijing Reports Sputnik News 23:15 GMT 25.01.2020(updated 01:20 GMT 26.01.2020) MOSCOW (Sputnik) Three medics in Beijing have been diagnosed with the new coronavirus strain, as the number of confirmed cases in China continues to rise, the Chinese People's Daily (Renmin Ribao) newspaper reports. On Saturday morning, the first death from the new coronavirus among doctors was reported in China. "Three Chinese doctors are confirmed infected with the new coronavirus in Beijing. Two of them went to Wuhan for business. All of them and people [who] had close contacts with them are in quarantine," the People's Daily said on its Twitter account late on Saturday. Chinese media reported on Saturday that the number of medics infected with the new coronavirus in China is a lot higher than official figures. China's National Health Committee said on Saturday that it had sent 1,230 doctors to help contain the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, the city where the current outbreak started in December and also the current epicentre of the disease. At least 450 military doctors, including physicians who have experience in fighting the SARS and Ebola epidemics, have also been reportedly sent to Wuhan. China's National Health Commission said on Saturday that the total number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in China currently stands at 1,287. At least 41 people have died from the virus in China. Confirmed cases of the new coronavirus have also been recorded in Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, Nepal, France, the United States and Australia. Two Russian universities are currently working on the development of a vaccine for the new coronavirus strain, according to Anna Popova, head of the Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor). Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A Virginia police officer who grew up in New Hampshire has been killed in the line of duty. Officer Katie Thyne was killed Thursday night during a traffic stop. Police said a driver accelerated after an encounter with Thyne, dragging her. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she died of her injuries. The driver fled the scene before crashing a short time later. He was taken into custody, police said. "I came into my office and closed the door, and I cried," said former Alvirne High School assistant principal Abbey Sloper. "Just devastated." Sloper keeps a picture in her office of Thyne that was taken with her during the 2013 Alvirne High School senior prom. Thyne graduated from the school that year. "To be so young and have so much potential and to give back to her country, to her community, and as a mom, it just breaks my heart," Sloper said. "I don't have the words. It just makes you put things into perspective." Bill Hughen was Thyne's guidance counselor at Alvirne. He remembered a young woman he described as feisty. "I could see inside of her a drive," Hughen said. "She had a little spice to her but was super kind." After serving in the Navy, Thyne joined the Newport News police last year. Her brother, Tim Thyne, said his sister and her partner got engaged last week. Her daughter, Raegan, turned 2 years old this week. "She always said she was going to be a cop," Tim Thyne said. "That was just her plan from 15. That's, like, what she did." Along with her daughter, Thyne leaves behind her partner, her mother, brother and stepfather. State policymakers are looking at ways to help stem Illinois population loss. U.S. Census data show Illinois led the nation in the past decade in terms of population decline, losing nearly 160,000 in just six years. Treasurer Michael Frerichs understands people want security and a plan to stabilize the states finances moving forward. In the treasurers office were looking for ways to grow our economy, to create opportunities, Frerichs said. If people have good jobs here, they want to stay. Its clear that we have high property taxes and we should do something about that, but people should also be aware that Illinois has had population decline and weve lost congressman ever since the 1920s. Because of Illinois population decline, demographers have projected the state will lose at least one seat in Congress in the next reapportionment after the 2020 Census. Frerichs said the states cold winters dont help make Illinois a more attractive destination. State Sen. Neil Anderson, R-Andalusia, said it was clear that Illinois policies have hindered job growth. As for his Democratic colleagues, he said: Behind closed doors a lot of them understand it, but other places I think they just bury their heads in the sand and hope that it all goes away. Its not going away, Anderson said. The only thing thats going away is people. Comptroller Susana Mendoza said taxes arent the only issue. So theres a lot that we can do, Mendoza said. I dont think its all about taxes. I think the quality of life and the ability to have good schools and give people who are graduating from our colleges an incentive to stay in Illinois with good-paying jobs. Those are all part of the equation. Its not like one thing will solve this issue. State Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, agreed that taxes were not the only area where Illinois was an outlier. Theres a litany of them, Plummer said. Tort reform, workers compensation reform, tax rates, tax structures, until we really address those issues were not going to fix the state of Illinois. Lawmakers return to Springfield for the spring legislative session next week. NEWSALERT-NATO-RUSSIA-TALKS NATO chief says the military alliance and Russia agree to try hold more meetings despite tensions over Ukraine. (AP) RSNATO chief says the military alliance and Russia agree to try hold more meetings despite tensions over Ukraine. (AP) RS RS Hayden Cross was reported to be the UKs first pregnant man and gave birth in 2017. Researchers intend to study the practices, experiences, and healthcare needs of men who may seek to, or become, pregnant and give birth after gender transition More than 500,000 of taxpayers money is being spent on helping health chiefs improve the treatment of pregnant men. Many trans men those born female but who now identify as male do not undergo surgery to remove their female reproductive organs. By retaining their womb and ovaries, some are still able to conceive and carry a child. Researchers intend to study the practices, experiences, and healthcare needs of men who may seek to, or become, pregnant and give birth after gender transition. They say it will benefit the public by increasing awareness of the issue. However, news of the study last night provoked a furious response from campaigners. Stephanie Davies-Arai, of Transgender Trend, said: Its an absolute waste of public money, a misappropriation of public funds, not just because the research is worthless, but its harmful in the message it sends. Men cannot get pregnant. News of the funding comes at a time when there is fierce competition for grants to carry out medical research. The 502,251 of taxpayers money comes from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), part of the Government-funded quango UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Many trans men those born female but who now identify as male do not undergo surgery to remove their female reproductive organs. By retaining their womb and ovaries, some are still able to conceive and carry a child [File photo] Its website provides details of the project, led by Leeds University, under the heading Pregnant Men: An International Exploration Of Trans Male Experiences And Practices Of Reproduction. It says: Many male transgender people (hereafter termed trans men) transition without undergoing surgery to remove their reproductive organs or reconstruct their genitals. Gender transition from female to male, then, does not necessarily take away the ability or, importantly, the desire to reproduce. The overall aim of this project is to gain an in-depth understanding of the practices, experiences, and healthcare needs of the growing number of men who may seek to, or become, pregnant and give birth after gender transition. It adds: We aim to explore the feelings, experiences and healthcare needs of transmasculine people (including trans men and non- binary individuals) who wish to or become pregnant. Wyley Simpson, 28, is pictured above with his baby bump. The transgender man gave birth to a baby boy. While there have been high-profile cases of trans men giving birth, the number who have done so is unclear Sam Packer, of the TaxPayers Alliance, said: This would be a joke if it were not for the massive amount of taxpayers cash being lavished upon this ridiculous project. This quango should be focusing its spending on potentially vital innovation, not frittering it away on fashionable projects. A Leeds University spokesman said the projects lead researcher, Professor Sally Hines, was now working for Sheffield University and declined to comment further. UKRI said: Applicants to the ESRCs research grants are free to research any topic within ESRCs remit. The process is highly competitive and the decision to fund this research on trans male experiences was made via a rigorous peer review process based on excellence. While there have been high-profile cases of trans men giving birth, the number who have done so is unclear. In 2017, Hayden Cross was reported to be the UKs first pregnant man. Tributes came in late Friday and on into Saturday to former U.S. Rep. Fortney "Pete" Stark, who died Friday at his home in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. "Congressman Stark dedicated his life to defending every American's right to quality, affordable health care," said U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, in a statement Friday. "Personally and professionally, I was proud to work with Pete to pass the Affordable Care Act, which stands as a pillar of health and economic security in America today." Stark, 88, was a Congressman from 1973 until January 2013, and represented Alameda, Union City, Hayward, Newark, San Leandro, San Lorenzo and Fremont, plus parts of Oakland and Pleasanton at the time he was succeeded by Eric Swalwell. Swalwell weighed in Friday night on Stark's death. "Pete Stark gave the East Bay decades of public service as a voice in Congress for working people," Swalwell said on Twitter. "His knowledge of policy, particularly health care, and his opposition to unnecessary wars demonstrated his deep care and spirit. Our community mourns his loss." Born Nov. 11, 1931 in Milwaukee, Wis., Stark served in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 to 1957 and earned a master's degree from the UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business in 1960. In 1963 he founded Security National Bank in Walnut Creek, which eventually had branches in several cities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties and still exists today. Originally a Republican, Stark - a strident opponent of the Vietnam War -- became a Democrat. As a Congressman, he was often blunt, and made controversial and sometimes indelicate statements. But his fellow electeds said he always put his constituents first. "Congressman Stark dedicated his life to expanding access to quality, affordable health care for all. His tireless work as a leader of the critical Health Subcommittee on the Ways and Means Committee helped safeguard the Affordable Care Act and Medicare from partisan attacks," U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, said in a statement Saturday. "He made a difference in the lives of millions of people across the country, guaranteeing that everyone had access to health care when they needed it - whether through COBRA or ensuring that hospitals treat people seeking emergency care, regardless of insurance coverage." A former president also praised Stark. "Pete believed in the power of government to make a real difference in people's lives. And he proved it for 40 years," former President Bill Clinton said in a statement Saturday. "In the White House, I saw firsthand how he worked for an inclusive, peace-loving America, and how his deep policy knowledge and lawmaking skills helped millions of people - providing health care to workers after they leave a job, ensuring no one can be denied care at an emergency room, and giving coverage to millions of uninsured children and ultimately 20 million of his fellow Americans through the Affordable Care Act. " Stark is survived by his wife Deborah, seven children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Ankara: Working against the clock in freezing temperatures, Turkish rescue teams pulled more survivors from collapsed buildings on Sunday, days after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake hit the country's east. Turkish authorities said the death toll had risen to at least 38 following Friday night's quake. Rescue workers search for earthquake survivors in the Turkish city of Elazig on Sunday. Credit:Getty Images Turkish television showed Ayse Yildiz, 35, and her two-year-old daughter Yusra being dragged out of the rubble of a collapsed apartment building in the city of Elazig. They had been trapped for 28 hours. The quake injured more than 1600 people, but at least 45 survivors have been pulled alive from the rubble so far, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a news conference in Istanbul on Sunday. Levi Bellfield has been stripped of his prison privileges while serving his life term at HMP Frankland, County Durham Serial killer Levi Bellfield has been stripped of his right to watch TV after getting into a fight with two inmates who were 'taunting him about his past'. Bellfield, 51, was put into lock down and also denied the prison privilege of wearing his own clothes at HMP Frankland, County Durham. He 'gets a lot of grief because he's so notorious', a source said. They added: 'It erupted into a fight pretty quickly and Bellfield got the better of it. 'He was saying they were stupid to pick on him and got what was coming.' The murderer, who now calls himself Yusuf Rahim and has converted to Islam, allegedly told friends that the inmates had chosen 'the wrong bloke to have a go at', according to the Sun. One of the inmates was treated in the prison's healthcare wing. It comes just three months after Bellfield was found 'minutes from death' and seriously hurt in his prison cell. He was put on suicide watch. The murderer has been denied his right to watch TV and wear his own clothes at the prison (pictured) following a fight with two inmates. They were 'taunting him about his past' and Bellfield 'got the better' of it Bellfield is serving a life sentence for the murder of Milly Dowler, 13, Marsha McDonnell, 19, and Amelie Delagrange, 22. He is also suspected of other killings. He murdered Dowler after abducting her in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, in 2002. He denied claims that he confessed to the killings of Lin and Megan Russell in Chillenden in 2001. He is serving a life sentence after being convicted of the killing of Milly Dowler (pictured) in 2002. Bellfield was also found guilty of the murders of Marsha McDonnell, 19, and Amelie Delagrange, 22 The murder of Surrey school-girl Dowler occurred six years after the attack on the Russells which saw Michael Stone convicted. A Scotland Yard spokesman said an investigation into Bellfield's other suspected crimes was closed in 2016 'as there was no evidence'. The triple killer is serving the life sentence at Frankland, where fellow inmates include Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe and Soham murderer Ian Huntley. County lines gangs are using caravans as drug-dealing bases to prepare 10 bags of cocaine and heroin. Dealers buy or rent the mobile homes through internet sites such as Gumtree which allow them to 'come and go' as they please. One dealer in Liverpool hired a caravan with an accomplice and parked in north Wales to serve addicts in the seaside resort. He said they travel to Rhyl, Prestatyn, Mold, Colwyn Bay, where there is a captive market for addicts. One dealer (pictured) in Liverpool hired a caravan with an accomplice and parked in north Wales to serve addicts in the seaside resort 'The good thing about caravans is that you can come and go when you like, you don't look out of place,' the drugs boss said according to the Daily Star. He added how it was a lot harder for people to monitor what is going on if you are always on the move. The dealer said: 'There's big money to be made. We'll bag up the bobby [heroin] and put it out on the streets at 10 a bag.' He added how cocaine, known as 'beak', is turned into crack and is also sold in 10 bags. The production method echoes TV series Breaking Bad where characters Walter White (pictured) and Jesse Pinkman use a 1986 Fleetwood Bounder motorhome as a laboratory to produce methamphetamine To distribute the drugs, youngsters take the bags to the customers or sometimes the dealers do it themselves. 'You only need to sell 40 a day and you've got yourself two grand in a week, bare minimum,' the dealer said. The production method echoes TV series Breaking Bad where characters Walter White and Jesse Pinkman use a 1986 Fleetwood Bounder motorhome as a laboratory to produce methamphetamine. The 1986 Fleetwood Bounder motorhome as a laboratory to produce methamphetamine While spooning the white powder onto the scales, the dealer explained the substance was 'lethal' at a purity level of 87 per cent. He explained how the substance will be bagged and taken to Rhyl, on the north-east coast of Wales, as they 'love it there'. Dealer Gerard Derby, 28, hired a caravan for two weeks on Golden Sands Caravan Park, Kinmel Bay. Derby used the caravan as a base for dealing with an associate and he was jailed before Christmas. The National Crime Agency has said there are more than 100 gangs working in Wales run by bosses in London, Liverpool and Birmingham. And cocaine deaths in Wales are four times higher than five years ago with 31 killed last year. A new study out of the University of Windsor says that because of receding ice in the Arctic, there's more underwater noise by shipping traffic. Because of that, Arctic cod's habits are being affected. Silviya Ivanova, lead author of the study and Ph.D. student at the University of Windsor, said the study was first started after Inuit in the area were complaining about the noise scaring away wildlife. "All this noise is making them leave the area," said Ivanova. "They like a quiet area. We don't know yet what the actual repercussions [are]." Researchers have said Arctic cod are the "most important" link in Arctic marine ecosystems, so disturbing their habits can impact food availability for other marine wildlife and for native Arctic communities. Ivanova and the research team used hydrophones to record the noise transmitted by ships. They also recorded one day where no ships went through to get a baseline reading for no noise. Researchers spent five weeks for two summers in a row to acquire the data needed for the study. "Our results identify yet another stresser to consider in the rapidly changing Arctic ecosystem," said Aaron Fisk, professor at the University of Windsor, Canada Research Chair and Pew Marine Fellow. "The noise associated with increasing ship traffic needs to be considered in management and conservation efforts." The study noted that it's unclear if Arctic cod will aclimatize to the noise or if it will be a long-term problem. Cruise ship traffic in the Arctic has doubled in the last 20 years, with ice coverage reducing by about half from 2000-2012. The data showed this has resulted in a 10-12 decibel increase in noise levels. Advertisement She's been at the centre of headlines ever since her role as James Bond's 'new replacement' was unveiled in the first full trailer for No Time To Die last month. And Lashana Lynch proved there's no rest for the wicked as she was pictured filming scenes for a 007-inspired Nokia advert in London on Saturday morning. The screen star, 32, wrapped up in a cream padded coat as she prepared to jump off a building, before her adventurous stunt double Marie Mouroum stepped in to take on the more death-defying scenes for the commercial, directed by filmmaker Amma Asante. Keeping the Bond Girl persona going: Lashana Lynch proved there's no rest for the wicked as she was pictured filming scenes for a 007-inspired Nokia advert in London on Saturday morning, alongside her stunt double Marie Mouroum Keeping warm in between takes, the thespian teamed her comfy outerwear with navy blue overalls as she prepared to take on her mission. The Brotherhood star appeared in great spirits as she shot scenes for the famous melecommunications company off the back of her role in the spy franchise. Ensuring she looked as radiant as ever, make-up artist and hairstylist were on board to highlight the thespian's naturally stunning features. As Lashana looked as if she was due to jump off a rooftop, her stunt double jumped into frame to complete the scenes, including leaping off buildings and riding across the streets of the English capital on a motorcycle. On the run: Keeping warm in between takes, the thespian teamed her comfy outerwear with navy blue overalls as she prepared to take on her mission Cheery: The Brotherhood star appeared in great spirits as she shot scenes for the famous melecommunications company off the back of her role in the spy franchise, directed by award-winning filmmaker Amma Asante (pictured right) All eyes on her: Ensuring she looked as radiant as ever, make-up artist and hairstylist were on board to highlight the thespian's naturally stunning features Follow my lead: As Lashana looked as if she was due to jump off a rooftop, her stunt double Marie jumped into frame to complete the scenes Short: The brunette took a brief break from filming as she chatted to one of her pals on the phone She's not afraid: Moments later, The 7.39 star put on a daring display as she appeared to smash a mobile device while attached to a harness Dare to be bold: The TV and film star's companion was every inch the daredevil as she leapt across the set Lashana is joined by her James Bond castmates Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Lea Seydoux and Ana de Armas in the upcoming installment of James Bond, directed by Cary Fukunaga. The no-holds-barred teaser is typically dramatic with Bond involved a high-speed chase through the narrow, winding streets of traditionally peaceful Matera alongside his panic-stricken love Madeleine Swann, played by Lea. He also comes face to face with straight-talking Nomi, played by Lashana - rumoured to be the first female 007. When Bond asks if she is a double 0, her character confirms she has been for two years - suggesting she capably filled his shoes. No Time To Die is released in UK cinemas on April 2, 2020 and in the US on April 8, 2020. Ahead of the release, the London native discussed her forthcoming stints in 007's 25th installment, alongside Cuban actress Ana, 31. On a mission: Marie later rode across the streets of the English capital on a motorcycle in a bid to complete Lashana's mission The pair detailed their experiences with modernising the Bond film in a #MeToo era, going against the stereotypical 'sexualised' heroine, and working with the much-praised co-writer of the film, Phoebe Waller-Bridge. On the film being fronted by Lashana - who is of Jamaican heritage - War Dogs actress Ana said of her co-star: 'It's pretty obvious that there is an evolution in the fact that Lashana is one of the main characters in the film and wears the pants literally.' Lashana enthused the production team took her preferences for her character Nomi on board, and has described the next 007 as someone 'who was rough around the edges' and has tackled both relationship and body image issues - in a bid to make her portrayal more relatable to the average viewer. As part of The Hollywood Reporter's Next Gen Talent list, the Still Star-Crossed actress told the publication: 'You're given a fresh perspective on a brand-new black woman in the Bond world.' What's inside? An actor held onto a suitcase as he strolled along the banks of the Thames What's going on? A series of men later joined the actor, who prepared to open the prop Sharing the goodies: Greeting a scary-looking man, the trench-wearing actor presented him with what appeared to be computer hard drives What are they looking at? The group appeared angry as they looked into the distance When news of Lashana taking over the role as 007 from Daniel Craig first emerged, the reports were met with mixed reviews, with former Bond girl Trina Parks even claiming the iconic code name was meant for a man. On the backlash, the media personality defiantly said: 'It doesn't dishearten me. It makes me feel quite sad for some people because their opinions are from a sad place. People are reacting to an idea, which has nothing to do with my life.' Meanwhile, Ana - who is set to play Bond Girl Paloma in the film - teased details about her character, revealing she 'helps Bond navigate through certain things that he wouldn't be able to do alone' but is 'very irresponsible'. Earlier this year, Killing Eve writer and creator Phoebe, 34, was enlisted to polish the script for the film. On joining forces with the Emmy Award-winning actress and writer, Ana admitted she blushes whenever she comes face-to-face with the star, while a 'squealing' Lashana is proud to be working with a 'British girl just like me', and knew Phoebe would ensure the film will move with the times. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 05:44:51|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close NEW YORK, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Some 85,000 artifacts from the Museum of Chinese in America are in jeopardy after a fire struck a Chinatown building in New York City (NYC). The fire on Thursday night struck a building at 70 Mulberry Street that housed the historic and artistic items the museum had carefully preserved and protected for 40 years, the museum said. Museum officials told The New York Times that one hundred percent of the museum's collection, other than what is on view, was stored at the place and all of them could be destroyed. Edward Cheng, director of external relations at the museum, told Xinhua that the situation is fluid minute by minute but "the outpouring of support from the NYC administration, museums, conservators and the community have been very encouraging." The museum has set up a web page to receive donations, with more than 33,000 U.S. dollars received in less than 24 hours. Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister, on Saturday mocked President Muhammadu Buhari for assuring Nigerians that he would defeat ... Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister, on Saturday mocked President Muhammadu Buhari for assuring Nigerians that he would defeat Boko Haram. Fani-Kayode said Buhari cant defeat Boko Haram because insurgents brought him into power. His remark was coming at a time Buhari said though it might take a bit longer, the nation will surely put the issues associated with the troubles in the Northeast in order and move ahead. Buhari had said if Nigeria could fight a 30-month civil war and be reorganized again, then insurgents will be defeated. The president had made the remark while receiving Janez Lenarcic, the European Union (EU) Commissioner for Crisis Management in State House. However, Fani-Kayode in a tweet wrote: Buhari saying, We will defeat Boko Haram is like Hitler saying we will defeat the Nazis. You cannot defeat yourself. You cannot defeat what you created. You cannot defeat what brought you to power. You cannot defeat those whose sinister and nefarious objectives you share. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have paid tribute to Australia's 'strength of spirit and generosity of community' as the country continues to grapple with the bushfire crisis. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared a series of heroic tales on Australia Day, praising people coming together in the wake of the deadly fire season. 'Today, on Australia Day, we recognise the strength of spirit and generosity of the community Down Under,' they wrote on Instagram. 'Sharing above a selection of stories of how you've come together in the face of such adversity. You are an inspiration to us all.' Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (pictured together) have paid tribute to Australian heroes who were able to overcome adversity in the wake of devastating bushfires Taking to Instagram, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared a string of stories of individuals and groups who had made an impact on the bushfire crisis In the post, Prince Harry and Meghan mentioned six-year-old Owen Colley from Hingham, Massachusetts, who raised more than $277,000 for Wildlife Rescue South Coast. Owen was 'devastated' to hear of the bushfire crisis in Australia, where his father is from, so he began making clay koalas that would be sent to every person who donated $50 or more. 'Like so many of us, Owen was devastated when he heard of the Australian bushfires, so we wanted to provide an outlet for him to feel like he could do something to help,' Owen's parents wrote on a GoFundMe page. 'He's a huge animal lover and has been making clay characters for a while, so together we thought up the clay koala and offered it to friends and family as a 'thank you' for donations for bushfire-affected animals.' The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also mentioned the efforts of Australians to knit mittens for koalas which had been badly burnt in the fires. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) launched a public appeal in a bid to get cotton-made mittens which help protect their wounds. The injured animals typically come into care with severe burns, especially on their paws, caused by contact with burning trees or from fleeing across fire grounds. A koala is being treated at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital after suffering severe burns from fires On top of this, $7million has been donated through a GoFundMe page to help the animals on behalf of the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. Prince Harry and Meghan also paid tribute to Australian aircraft that dropped food and water to starving livestock. The New South Wales government started doing food-drops earlier this month, trickling thousands of kilograms of carrots and sweet potato from above to feed the state's colonies of brush-trailed rock wallabies. Charity Animals Australia was also using aircraft to drop food off to wildlife in fire ravaged areas in regional Victoria. Pictured: The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service delivering vegetables to starving livestock A young woman who started the brand, Find A Bed was also mentioned in the Instagram post. New South Wales woman, Erin Riley, set up the foundation that connects people who have been displaced due to bushfires to others that have a spare bed or room in their home - at no cost. The post also shared the story of Raj Gupta, who runs a pharmacy in New South Wales' South Coast. A rock wallaby is seen eating a carrot that had been dropped by aircraft Mr Gupta lost his own home due to bushfires but refused to close his store in Malua Bay. He allowed his patients to access their medication despite having no money to pay as the community faced massive power outages. He said he trusted the community to pay when they could. The Queen and Prince William also referenced the country's bushfire crisis and praised Australians for how they were handling it. 'Wishing you all a happy Australia Day! This Australia Day, we commend the incredible resilience and strength of the Australian people,' The Queen's read. Her statement included a collage of four photos from her royal visits to Australia over the years. Kensington Palace, which provides statements from Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, was along the same lines. 'This year we pay tribute to the incredible strength and resilience of all the Australian people and communities who have been impacted by the devastating bushfires,' it read. Fires have torn through Australia over the summer season with the death toll standing at 33. More than 12 million hectares have been burnt while more than one billion animals have reportedly perished in the blazes. RFS firefighters extinguish a fire on a property in Moruya in NSW's South Coast The Bench, Supreme Court Judges with Chief Justice Vincent Lunabek and President Obed Moses Tallis (both in centre) with Magistrates sitting in front below during the official opening of the Courts yesterday. Toronto mourned Safiullah Khosrawi this past week. He was shot to death on Monday afternoon while walking home from Woburn Collegiate Institute in Scarborough. He was in Grade 10, and he was 15 years old. Police have arrested a suspect in the shooting. Hes 15, too. It gets worse. In Hamilton, by the end of the week, police were investigating the shooting of another boy. He was badly injured when someone shot into his home. Hes 7. It shouldnt have to be said, but lets say it anyway: 15-year-olds shouldnt have to fear deadly violence just going about their day in Canadas biggest city. And children should be safe inside their own homes everywhere. These incidents would be shocking enough if they were isolated. But theyre not. Theres an epidemic of gun violence in Toronto, the Greater Toronto region and much of the rest of the country. The city recorded a record 490 shootings last year, and things arent getting better in the first weeks of 2020. Which makes it all the more disappointing that the Trudeau government is showing little sign of taking quick action on the plague of handguns as it gets down to business in its new mandate. At a cabinet retreat in Winnipeg this past week, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair laid out the governments plans on gun violence. He made it clear the priority is a ban on the sale of military-style assault rifles, with a buy-back program to follow. Far back in the line is action to curb the availability of handguns. This is getting things exactly backwards. Banning assault rifles is a fine idea, and the government is right to propose it. But Canadas gun problem is overwhelmingly not about the kind of multi-shot, rapid-fire weapons that are so often the instrument of death in the mass shootings that take so many lives in the United States. Mercifully, those incidents are very rare in this country, although the spillover effect of massive publicity south of the border may make it seem that assault rifles are the weapon of choice here as well. Theyre not. The shootings that have become all too common in Toronto and other Canadian cities are perpetrated, almost all of them, by people wielding handguns. If the government wants to limit gun violence in this country, it will have to tackle the issue of proliferating handguns, as politically difficult as that may seem. Unfortunately, while Blair has been leading the charge on this issue, the Liberals seem to have slipped back on the urgency of tackling handguns. When Blair was appointed to cabinet in August, 2018, as minister of border security and organized crime reduction, his mandate letter from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tasked him with leading an examination of a full ban on handguns and assault weapons. Yet in December, when he became public safety minister, his mandate letter included banning assault rifles only. On handguns, it speaks only of working with provinces and territories to give municipalities the ability to further restrict or ban handguns the position the Liberals campaigned on last year. This is an unworkable and ineffective idea. The idea that individual cities can usefully impose bans on handguns defies logic. Even aside from the fact that Toronto, the city hardest hit by gun violence, would need permission from the Ford government, which says its against any such ban. Fighting the type of violence that took the life of young Safiullah Khosrawi will, of course, take much more than gun control. Governments must address the underlying causes of gang shootings, poverty and inequality. But neither should they kick meaningful gun control so far down the road that it disappears from view. The Trudeau government should step up the urgency on halting the spread of the weapons that wreak so much havoc in this country: handguns. DURHAM, N.C. (AP) Jibri Blount poured in 33 points, matching his career high, and grabbed 10 rebounds as North Carolina Central rolled to a 72-45 victory over Delaware State on Saturday. Blount buried 11 of 15 shots from the floor, including both his 3-point tries, and hit 9 of 13 free throws in notching his eighth double-double of the season for the Eagles (8-12, 4-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference). He also had five steals. Evan Clayborne added 12 points and six rebounds off the bench, while Deven Palmer scored 11. Ameer Bennett totaled 13 points, five rebounds and four steals to lead the Hornets (2-16, 1-3). John Crosby had 11 points, six boards and five assists, but he also had six of Delaware State's 23 turnovers. Delaware State shot a dismal 28% from the floor (17 of 61) and made just 3 of 23 from distance (13%). NC Central shot 47% overall, but just 25% from beyond the arc (5 of 20). ___ For more AP college basketball coverage: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and http://twitter.com/AP_Top25 Congratulations, newsbutton.in got a very good Social Media Impact Score! Show it by adding this HTML code on your site: Newsbutton.in scored 83 Social Media Impact. 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Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. The type of Facebook page. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK FOUND TWITTER PAGE twitter.com/#!/Newsbuttondotin DESCRIPTION Newsbutton.in brings the Latest & Top Breaking News on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World ACCOUNT CREATED ON 04 Aug 2013 LOCATION New Delhi TWEETS 196 FOLLOWERS 17 LISTED 0 New Delhi [India], Jan 26 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari at later's residence here on Sunday. Nadda, in a tweet, said: "Met Nitin Gadkari Ji at his residence today. It was for the first time in Nitin Ji's presidential tenure that I received the opportunity to work as the National General Secretary." He added, "Nitin Ji's attitude towards organization and workers is exemplary." Nadda was unanimously elected national president of the party at the culmination of the party's organisational poll process on Monday. (ANI) Ginger McCalls parting gift to Oregon was a crash course in the importance of independence. McCall, Oregons first public records advocate, resigned last year after just 18 months on the job, citing pressure from the governors general counsel to adopt stances that supported the governors agenda not the public interest as her offices name would suggest. Her courageous decision, delivered with the records to back up her claims, motivated the public records advisory council on which McCall served to make the offices independence a top priority. Unfortunately, not everyone on the committee absorbed the lesson. The committee passed recommendations for a draft bill that legislators will consider next month. But one committee member, who dissented from the group, is seeking an amendment that would eviscerate the bill, cutting the reforms sought by the committee, including establishing independence for the public records advocate. The member, Oregon League of Cities lobbyist Scott Winkels, urged that legislators hold off on decoupling the position from the governors office, questioning whether the change would mean a lack of accountability for the advocate. His worries, however, are obscenely misplaced. Oregonians shouldnt worry about a lack of accountability for an independent advocate, who would still report to the 13-member public records council of governmental representatives, journalists and non-voting legislators. Rather, the real problem lies with state and local agencies that have routinely escaped accountability for refusing to share records of government business with the public. As The Oregonian/OregonLive, other media organizations and many members of the public have shown ad nauseum, governmental bodies routinely drag out their responses to requests. They often demand thousands of dollars before releasing documents that they have decided are sensitive whether or not they actually are. And some governmental bodies have even sued when ordered by the state attorney general or a district attorney to turn over documents. Oregonian editorials Editorials reflect the collective opinion of The Oregonian/OregonLive editorial board, which operates independently of the newsroom. Members of the editorial board are Therese Bottomly, Laura Gunderson, Helen Jung, John Maher and Amy Wang. Members of the board meet regularly to determine our institutional stance on issues of the day. We publish editorials when we believe our unique perspective can lend clarity and influence an upcoming decision of great public interest. Editorials are opinion pieces and therefore different from news articles. To respond to this editorial, submit an OpEd or a letter to the editor If you have questions about the opinion section, email Helen Jung , opinion editor, or call 503-294-7621. Yet those records, once received, often yield news stories and investigations that unquestionably serve the public. For example, after The Oregonian/OregonLive exposed Portland Public Schools decades of mishandling of sexual misconduct allegations against a longtime educator, the district revised its policies, adopted new training and advocated for state-level changes to make sure such failures dont occur again. These are the kinds of benefits and reforms that get lost when agencies can evade scrutiny. Independence is critical for an advocate to be able to fearlessly lobby for proposals that can change Oregons secretive culture. An advocate who serves the public, rather than an elected official, can more fairly mediate disputes between agencies and requestors over release of a record. And a strong vote in favor of independence will help Oregon recruit the next good-governance champion that Oregonians need. Oregon has already lost a dedicated public servant with McCalls resignation, though she remains invested in these reforms. She telephonically attended a meeting last week of the public records council, encouraging members to stay the course on the changes they are seeking. When legislators take up the legislation put forward by the council, they should think about the example that McCall set. They should recall that Gov. Kate Brown, after McCalls resignation, now supports separating the position from her offices supervision. They should remember the support that Oregonians throughout the state showed McCall and the cause of independence. But most of all, they should recognize that the status quo doesnt serve the public. Legislators must demonstrate that they do. Every so often, you come across a bar or restaurant within the admittedly crowded landscape of Manhattan that just gets you. The Riddler, a newly opened champagne bar in the West Village, is one such place that makes you want to become a regular immediately. First off, if you dont like Champagne, this is probably not the place for you. But if you do, Insiders, you will feel like youve walked into a city-dweller's version of the perfect bar. For the record, the bar does offer a couple of still wines and exactly one beer on the drinks menu, but lets be real - youre here for the champagne. From the outside, The Riddler is the type of place youd expect to find in a chic, cozy neighborhood like the West Village. The decor is peak Instagram but there's also plenty of substance beneath the facade. The Riddler New York The bar feels elegant, chic and somehow completely unpretentious, just like you're enjoying a glass of bubbly in your friends scrupulously decorated, Pinterest-perfect apartment. (The Riddler New York) The Bar itself is an import from San Franciscos Hayes Valley (which this writer has been to as well, and its just as cute), founded by CEO Jen Pelka, and female funded as well. A rarity in the food and restaurant world, its apparent in the care that's taken with the entire experience. The servers talk about different types of champagne like as if they were old friends, and the food options are the perfect mix of instagram-friendly and seriously delicious. (The Riddler New York) Everyone loves a good raw bar and dozen oysters, but the Kaluga Caviar on Lays potato chips is a stand-out. Other honorable mentions go the very good burger and white truffle risotto - both of which are excellent reasons to throw your new years resolutions out the window because you will not regret ordering them. The Riddler New York Insiders know to ask for the off-menu chambong (which is exactly what it sounds like, a bong for your champagne which is quite a different delivery system) if youre ready to take your girls' night to a whole new level. (The Riddler New York) It's the ideal place to pretend you're a modern-day Jacqueline Bisset (shes something of a muse for Team Riddler) sipping champagne and living your absolute best life in 2020. Weapons are pouring into Libya in violation of an arms embargo and despite commitments made last week by world powers, the United Nations mission to the North African country has said. World leaders met in Berlin last weekend and committed to ending all foreign meddling in Libya and to upholding the 2011 UN Security Council weapons embargo as part of a broader plan to end the country's conflict. They also agreed to a permanent ceasefire and steps to dismantle numerous militias and armed groups, as well as a political process under the auspices of the UN. The UN mission in Libya, UNSMIL, said in a statement late Saturday it "deeply regrets the continued blatant violations of the arms embargo in Libya". "Over the last 10 days, numerous cargo and other flights have been observed landing at Libyan airports in the western and eastern parts of the country providing the parties with advanced weapons, armoured vehicles, advisers and fighters," UNSMIL said. Libya has been mired in chaos since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising that killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with two rival administrations vying for power. The conflict deepened last year when military strongman Khalifa Hafter, who controls much of the south and east of Libya, launched an assault in April to seize Tripoli, base of the UN-recognised Government of National Accord. Haftar has the backing of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Russia while the GNA is supported by Qatar and Turkey. On Sunday Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in the Algerian capital to discuss the crisis in Libya, where a ceasefire went into effect on January 12 at the initiative of Moscow and Ankara. UNSMIL said the ceasefire , which had provided much-needed respite for civilians in Tripoli, was now at risk of collapse. "This fragile truce is now threatened by the ongoing transfer of foreign fighters, weapons, ammunition and advanced systems to the parties by member states, including several who participated in the Berlin conference," it said. Haftar launched the assault to seize Tripoli in April last year. The UN says the fighting has killed more than 280 civilians and over 2,000 combatants, while thousands have been wounded on both sides. More than 170,000 Tripoli residents have been displaced. Renewed clashes around Tripoli on Saturday killed at least one civilian -- a Moroccan national -- and wounded seven others, GNA health ministry spokesperson Amin al-Hashemi told AFP Sunday. "The mission condemns these ongoing violations, which risk plunging the country into a renewed and intensified round of fighting," UNSMIL said. The UN is hoping to hold inter-Libyan talks in Geneva to consolidate the truce. A military commission established at the Berlin summit -- comprising five GNA loyalists and five Haftar delegates -- has been tasked to define ways of making the truce hold. Erdogan's visit to Algiers came after Libya's neighbours met for talks in the Algerian capital on Thursday. Ankara dispatched troops -- in a training capacity, it said -- to support the GNA earlier this month in a move criticised by European powers and US President Donald Trump. Erdogan has warned Europe it could face new threats from terrorist organisations if the GNA in Tripoli were to fall. Western powers are keen to stabilise Libya -- home to Africa's largest proven crude reserves -- because of concerns Islamist militants and migrant smugglers, already active, will take advantage of the chaos. The National Oil Corporation said Saturday that Libya's oil production had plunged by around three-quarters since pro-Haftar forces launched a blockade the day before the Berlin summit, causing estimated losses of USD 256 million. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Crime scene tape stretches in front of Mac's Lounge, the scene of an early morning bar shooting, , in Hartsville, S.C., on Jan. 26, 2020. (Sean Rayford/AP Photo) Coroner: 2 Dead, 7 Injured in South Carolina Bar Shooting HARTSVILLE, S.C.Two people were killed and seven people were injured early Sunday in a shooting at a bar in South Carolina, officials said. The shooting took place at Macs Lounge in Hartsville, Darlington County Coroner Todd Hardee told news outlets. The conditions of those injured werent immediately clear. No further details, including what led to the shooting, were immediately released. More information will be released later Sunday, he said. A man cleans up in front of Macs Lounge, the scene of an early morning bar shooting, in Hartsville, S.C., on Jan. 26, 2020. (Sean Rayford/AP Photo) The coroner said the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division would help process the scene. According to its Facebook page, Macs Lounge also serves as a music venue. Hartsville is about 25 miles northwest of Florence, South Carolina, and about 40 miles south of the North Carolina state line. Crime scene tape stretches in front of Macs Lounge, the scene of an early morning bar shooting, in Hartsville, S.C., on Jan. 26, 2020. (Sean Rayford/AP Photo) Senate Bill 6077 would make it illegal to purchase, possess Gun control supporters and opponents packed a Senate committee hearing Thursday as members took up a bill that bans magazines of more than 10 rounds. OLYMPIA -- Ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds would be illegal to purchase or posses in Washington under a proposed law moving through the state Senate. Supporters cite safety concerns, while opponents argue the measure, which cleared the Senate Committee on Law and Justice on Thursday, Jan. 23, would place new restrictions on residents' constitutional right to bear arms. Senate Bill 6077, sponsored by 14 Democrats, would define 10-plus-round magazines as "high capacity" and make them illegal to possess or use. Current owners would be exempt from prosecution for continuing t... New Delhi/Kabul, Jan 26 : The negotiations for an Afghanistan peace deal between the US and the Taliban are ensnarled over their disagreement on the definition of "reduction in violence". A few weeks ago, the US and Taliban representatives resumed the stalled negotiations, which President Donald Trump had called off in September last year. The two sides have been holding closed-door parleys in Qatar to finalize the peace deal and gradual withdrawal of the US and NATO forces which launched a war against terror in Afghanistan 18 years ago. Top officials told IANS that Washington has been feeling frustrated that even as the Taliban had offered to reduce attacks for up to ten days during the drawdown of the US forces from Afghanistan, violence remained high. As per the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP) data, 54 civilians, 32 security forces and 232 militants have been killed since the beginning of this year alone. Last year, 817 civilians, 728 security forces and 10634 militants were killed in the country. "The deal is continually running into the bottleneck of defining "reduction in violence". Both the sides have a different measure for it," an official source said. "Due to the high level of violence while the negotiations are on, there is tremendous distrust in each other," he added. While the US has been demanding a considerable drop in militant violence against the forces before signing a deal, the Taliban have been arguing that a longer and wider ceasefire with the security forces can only be part of the intra-Afghan negotiations over power-sharing at a later stage. "The Taliban, which has refused to hold direct talks with the Afghanistan government, don't want to give up their leverage, which essentially comes from violence," said a Pashtun source near the Durand Line, that separates Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Taliban's offer of limited reduction in violence, given to the US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, didn't draw any support from the Afghanistan government either. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has rejected their offer arguing that his government would participate in negotiations with Taliban over power-sharing only once a substantial ceasefire was in place. Interestingly, the Taliban on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of a nationwide ceasefire until the US signed the deal on the troop withdrawal. The US has around 11,000 troops in Afghanistan and has been gradually withdrawing forces even though the two sides have not signed a deal yet. The Trump administration intends to draw down another 4,000 troops before they sign a peace pact with the Taliban. Accusing the US of "wasting time", the Taliban on Thursday, said the talks with Zalmay Khalilzad were stuck over a definition of "reduction of violence." Dear reader, Head north on I-81 in Hampden Township, and its hard to miss our production plant that big building with the slanted roof and THE PATRIOT-NEWS sign on the side. As many a confused visitor could tell you, the facility housing PA Media Groups presses is often mistaken for our newsroom and business offices. Those currently sit in a building a stones throw away on Technology Parkway. That wont be a problem any longer, beginning next week. An 18,000-square-foot, four-month renovation project has paved the way for editorial, marketing and advertising departments to join the rest of our company in the production building. The two halves of PA Media Groups operations have been split since 2000, when the 142,000-square-foot press plant opened. Business and editorial offices stayed 10 miles away in Harrisburg until 2010. That year, news and advertising moved next door to the press operation in the Cumberland Tech Park. Our new digs featured open office space, several teleconferencing rooms and a small video studio. The cavernous three-story Market Street building, which dated back to 1953, was sold to the Public School Employees Retirement System and torn down last year. While many of us like to wax nostalgic about the drafty old downtown newsroom, our offices in the Cumberland Tech Park were a much better fit as we transitioned to a forward-looking digital company. Were expanding on that vision with next weeks move. The press plant renovations allow for the modern, open layout we now enjoy, while taking advantage of the industrial setting. The space offers inside views of our eight massive four-story press towers while double-paned windows and quiet doors to the press hall will help tamp down their rumble. One of the biggest benefits of the move will be a lot more room for Penn Studios. It reflects the increasing importance were placing on commercial and editorial video and podcast production. More than 2,300 square feet have been renovated to make way for a 600-square-foot video studio with 28-foot-long infinity green screen and state-of-the-art lighting, a dedicated sound-proof audio studio for podcasts, editing stations, conference areas and microfilm library. In addition to the work Penn Studios will produce there, the studios facilities will be available for rent. The extra space in the 1900 Patriot Way building will also better accommodate the many requests we get from community and business groups for meeting space. Best of all, newsroom and sales folks will return to working side by side with production, circulation. human resources and our business staff. Were very excited to be reuniting PA Media Group. And were hoping youll help us celebrate at an open house later this spring. Please come visit, Cate Barron President, PennLive & The Patriot-News Instead of going to the terminal, pets shipped via cargo in a CarePod or in another carrier must be dropped off at a Delta Cargo location at least three hours before departure, and must be picked up at a cargo location. Pet travel in a CarePod can be booked between three and 13 days before departure. Kazakhstans Prime Minister Askar Mamin has ordered his government to take measures on suspending 72-hour visa-free entry for Chinese transit passengers amid pneumonia outbreak caused by novel coronavirus, the prime ministers press service said on Sunday, Trend reports citing TASS. The prime minister also ordered to stop business trips to China and recommended refraining from private and tourist trips. In addition, the head of government instructed medical facilities to prepare for providing assistance in case of deteriorating situation. Other measures include intensified sanitary and epidemiological and migration control at checkpoints on the state border, at the facilities of air, automobile and railroad transport and medical monitoring over all persons arriving in China, the decree reads. The prime minister also called for providing consular and any other assistance to Kazak nationals currently staying in China. If needed, Kazakh students and other nationals residing in Wuhan should be immediately evacuated, he noted. The outbreak of pneumonia caused by novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV was registered in late December last year in a big central Chinese city of Wuhan. Now the number of confirmed cases of disease has reached 2,027 and the death toll has hit 57. The coronavirus has been registered in nearly all Chinese regions, including in Beijing and Shanghai. Coronavirus cases have also been reported in Australia, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, the United States, Thailand, France and Japan. The World Health Organization has recognized the virus outbreak as a national emergency for China but has so far refrained from declaring it a global health emergency. Gov. Noem lauds state economy, but big legislative fights are coming Noems speech flowed between business and economic development, lifestyle issues and social issues that were united by their conservative themes. Four Texas A&M University students earned second place last week at the 29th annual Walt Disney Imagineering Imaginations Design Competition, a national event at which student teams were tasked with designing an iconic installation at the contestants own campus or city that served as an inspiration, honored the past and was a vision of the future. A&Ms competitors students Abby Henning, Abby Zuber, Cecilia Gonzalez and Kennedy Behling comprised one of six finalist teams that were chosen to travel to Disneys corporate headquarters in Glendale, Calif., which is just north of downtown Los Angeles. The Aggie team created and designed a concept they titled Here, which they described as a year-round Aggie Muster, referring to the annual tradition at which Aggies remember those who have died. The team referred to their concept as a place at which current, former and future students would gather to relax, reflect and remember the Aggies who came before them. For the first time in the history of armed forces, personnel from Army, Navy and Air Force were awarded the Chief of Defence Staff Commendation cards for their achievements in their respective forces. Defence officials said that just before the Republic Day, the Chief of Defence Staff Commendation cards were awarded to the personnel from three services. The post of Chief of Defence Staff was created last month and General Bipin Rawat took over the post on December 31 soon after relinquishing his Chief of Army Staff office. Prior to the appointment, the Integrated Defence Staff Chief would issue his commendation cards for the personnel. The CDS also took part in the Republic Day parade for the first time where he was standing along with the three services chiefs at the War Memorial as well as the Rajpath to receive the Prime Minister. Among the services personnel, General Bipin Rawat was the first one to have received the Prime Minister followed by the three services and the Defence Secretary. The CDS is also the Secretary to the Government of India as he heads the Department of Military Affairs under the Defence Ministry. He is also a member of the Nuclear Command Authority and has been given two Joint Secretaries along with a big secretariat staff to carry out his duties. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Abraham Lincoln closed the Gettysburg Address on a hopeful note, promising a new birth of freedom so that government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth. As the Democrats push their partisan impeachment forward in the Senate chamber, the sentiments expressed so eloquently by a beleaguered president in the midst of the Civil War are worth remembering. Its worth remembering that a government of the people must, by definition, be formed by the people. Impeachment, as the framers saw it, was a constitutional necessity to protect the country from presidential corruption, but it was also meant to be a rare avenue for Congress to embark on, and in only the most dire of circumstances, because impeachment is, de facto, the overturning of a national election. These same Founding Fathers also understood that there is an alternative to impeachment, and its called an election. Thomas Jefferson said, Should things go wrong at any time, the people will set them to rights by the peaceable exercise of their elective rights. Its a truth Democrats have decided to ignore in their loathing of this president and rush to placate their angry base. Speaker Nancy Pelosi tried to excuse the Democrats decision to move forward without the bipartisan support she had insisted was essential to a successful impeachment. In floor remarks in December to open the debate on impeachment, she said, Today we are here to defend democracy for the people. A month after the vote, Pelosi said in a statement that the House upheld its Constitutional duty to defend democracy For The People. When naming the House impeachment managers, she claimed Democrats were defending the Constitution as they sought the truth for the American people. As we make that history, we will be making progress for the American people, Pelosi said, having lost the solemn and prayerful tone of earlier statements. The Oct. 31-Nov.2 Winning the Issues survey looked into the issue of impeachment through a slightly different lens. In most polls, people are given only two options: favor or oppose impeachment, with some surveys including removal from office. Winning the Issues gave them an option that we hoped would give us some insight into how people value their right to vote and what impact impeachment would have on that vote. The findings in early November didnt represent good news for Democrats by a 49% to 39% margin, respondents supported letting the voters decide. But the latest Dec. 28-30 survey ought to give Democrats serious pause. By a larger margin, voters believed the election should decide Trumps future 55% to 35%. Despite high viewership of the House impeachment hearings and Democrats almost total control of the political narrative, this 10-point shift from November shows that voters believe they should be the ones to decide, not partisan politicians. This inherent belief in the validity of the ballot over a political impeachment process crossed many key voter groups. Most important, the survey found independents, the majority makers, favored letting voters decide by a huge 23-point margin, 53% to 30%. The numbers dont mean the electorates concerns over the impeachment allegations have disappeared. But with the election just over nine months away, Democrats argument for it is steadily losing standing with voters at exactly the wrong time for them. The impeachment effort will only be successful if they win the argument that continuing the Trump presidency is so detrimental to the country that people are willing to give up their vote. During Watergate, the people eventually came to that conclusion. In the Clinton impeachment, they did not. Nancy Pelosi and her impeachment caucus have spent months wrapping themselves in the Constitution and portraying themselves as protectors of democracy always for the people. Unless something dramatic happens during the Senate trial to change their minds, the people would rather Democrats left the decision to them. Winston is the president of The Winston Group and a longtime adviser to congressional Republicans. His column first appeared in CQ-Roll Call. Love 3 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 An Army reservist was killed Friday in Syria when his vehicle had a rollover accident, officials announced Saturday. Spc. Antonio I. Moore, 22, from Wilmington, N.C., died in the accident in Deir ez Zor province, in central-Eastern Syria, while conducting route-clearing operations, according to a Pentagon release. The incident is now under investigation. About 500 U.S. troops remain in Syria following orders to pull the bulk of forces out of the country in November. Most are located in the Deir ez Zor region and tasked in part with guarding oil fields there. Moore was attached to 363rd Engineer Battalion, 411th Engineer Brigade, out of Knightdale, N.C. The Reserve unit is fairly new, having activated in December 2015, and includes roughly 100 service members. According to information provided by 412th Theater Engineer Command, Moore had been on his first combat deployment. He enlisted in 2017 as a combat engineer. "The 363rd Engineer Battalion is deeply saddened at the loss of Spec. Antonio Moore," Lt. Col. Ian Doiron, 363rd Engineer Battalion commander, said in a statement. "Antonio was one of the best in our formation. He will be missed by all who served with him. We will now focus on supporting his family and honoring his legacy and sacrifice." Moore is survived by his mother and stepfather as well as a sister and three brothers. -- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck. Some students see political unrest as a learning opportunity. Rohit Seth, a 19-year-old sophomore at American University, said he wants a chance to understand, firsthand, the tension between pro-Brexit and pro-European Union voters in London. Hundreds of thousands of protesters filled the streets of London in October to decry the Brexit referendum authorizing the United Kingdom to withdraw from the E.U. Pope asks Catholics to say 'Never Again' to the Holocaust A frozen rose is seen at the Gleis 17 (Platform 17) memorial at Berlin-Grunewald train station in Berlin By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Sunday asked the world's 1.3 billion Catholics to stop for a moment of prayer and reflection on the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz and say "Never Again". The pope mentioned Monday's anniversary during his weekly noon address and blessing to tens of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square. "Indifference is inadmissible before this enormous tragedy, this atrocity, and memory is a duty. Tomorrow, we are all invited to stop for a moment of prayer and reflection, each one of us saying in our own heart: 'never again, never again,'" he said. More than one million people, most of them Jews, were killed at the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp during World War Two. Overall, some six million Jews died in the Holocaust. At Francis' orders, the Vatican in March will open its secret archives on the wartime pontificate of Pope Pius XII, a historic move that Jews have sought for decades. Some Jews say Pius, who reigned from 1939 to 1958, did not do enough to help those facing persecution by Nazi Germany and turned a blind eye to the Holocaust. The Vatican maintains that Pius chose to work behind the scenes. The pope's appeal to his own flock on Sunday comes amid a backdrop of rising anti-Semitism in Europe and the United States. Last week, Francis called the rise a "barbaric resurgence". On Friday, anti-Semitic graffiti was found scrawled on the door of the home of a son of a Holocaust survivor in northern Italy. The words "Juden Hier" (Jews Here) were written above a Star of David on the door, recalling the signs put on buildings in Nazi Germany to mark the homes and businesses of Jews. Last month in eastern France, scores of Jewish graves were found desecrated in a cemetery, hours before lawmakers adopted a resolution equating anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism. France has Europes biggest Jewish community - around 550,000 - and anti-Semitic attacks are common, with more than 500 alone in 2018. Story continues A global survey https://global100.adl.org/about/2019 by the U.S.-based Anti-Defamation League in November found that anti-Semitic attitudes had increased in many places around the world and significantly in Eastern and Central Europe. It also found that large percentages of people in Eastern and Western European countries think Jews talk too much about the Holocaust. Before he became pope and was still archbishop of his native Buenos Aires, Francis co-authored a book with his friend, Argentine rabbi Abraham Skorka. In 2016, Francis visited Rome's main synagogue, in the former ghetto established by his predecessor Pope Paul IV in 1555 and where Jews were confined until the 19th century. (Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Frances Kerry) Chinese healthcare workers are wearing adult diapers because they do not have time to go to the bathroom, it has been reported. Wuhan in the Hubei province has been on lockdown since Thursday after it was believed the deadly coronavirus originated at a meat market in December. It is a city of 11 million people and hospitals around the virus epicentre are struggling to deal with the outbreak. There are not enough hospitals, beds, doctors, nurses or even essential medical supplies such as rubber gloves and face masks. In response to the epidemic, the Peoples Republic has begun construction of two hospitals. The first has a 1,000 person capacity and is to be completed within days - by the 3rd of February. The second, which is designed to have 1,300 beds, is due to be finished in three weeks. Meanwhile, hospitals are at breaking point with one doctor even reportedly dying in the line of duty. Some workers are wearing diapers because they do not have time to go to the toilet, while others wear them so they dont have to remove their protective suits and potentially rip them, The Washington Post reports. Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Show all 154 1 /154 Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Paramedics wearing personal protective equipment carry patient on a stretcher on to an ambulance in North Point district in Hong Kong, China Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker wearing protective gear takes a rest as he waits for ambulances carrying patients infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus at an entrance of a hospital in Daegu, South Korea YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker sprays disinfectant on an ambulance after carrying a patient infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Daegu YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People wearing protective face masks shop at a supermarket in Casalpusterlengo, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown due to the new coronavirus outbreak EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A trolley bus is disinfected amid fears over the spread of the novel coronavirus in Pyongyang, North Korea REUTERS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers wearing protective gear spray disinfectant as a precaution against the COVID-19 coronavirus in a local market in Daegu, South Korea AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a protective facemask walks outside a nearly empty shopping mall at lunch time in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing protective facemask and gloves puts a drawing made by a girl living in the area asking residents to wear protective gear, next to a quarantine notice for people who have travelled and a notice asking people to register outside a residential compound in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman is taken into an ambulance amid a coronavirus outbreak in northern Italy REUTERS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ambulances and health workers are seen outside the Padua's hospital, northern Italy EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers in coaches leave MoD Boscombe Down in Wiltshire after being repatriated to the UK from a cruise ship hit by the coronavirus in Yokohama, Japan and head to Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside PA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People rest in a temporary hospital situated in the Tazihu Gymnasium in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Buddhist monks wearing protective face masks pray during a blessing ceremony for the people affected by the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, at a temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia REUTERS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers wearing protective gears carry a patient infecting with a new coronavirus to a hospital in Chuncheon, South Korea AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Soldiers in hazmat suits sanitize cargo from a China Airlines plane at the Taoyuan International Airport in Taoyuan City, Taiwan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Barricades are seen to block the entrance a the gate of a local mall in a nearly empty area in Beijing, China Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A vendor wearing a protective facemask waits for customers at a shop in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The body temperature of an Iraqi child returning from Iran is measured upon her arrival at the Najaf International Airport AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Volunteers hand out free facemasks at a shopping district in Quezon city, Metro Manila, Philippines Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers wearing protective gears carry a patient suspected of contracting the new coronavirus toward an ambulance at Daenam Hospital in Cheongdo, South Korea AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A worker disinfects a shop at a market in Shanghai AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A restaurant worker wearing protective clothing as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus passing a bag of food to a customer on the street outside their restaurant in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A recovered patient is discharged from Leishenshan Hospital, the newly-built makeshift hospital for novel coronavirus patients, in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Volunteers in protective suits disinfect a factory with sanitising equipment in Huzhou, China China Daily via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers in protective suits attend to a patient inside an isolated ward of Wuhan Red Cross Hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A drone operated by the Suwon municipal government flies around Changyong Middle School spraying disinfectant, in Suwon, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers transfer medical waste at Leishenshan Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a protective mask rides a bicycle with his children in Guangzhou, China EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Volunteers in protective suits disinfect a railway station as the country is hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus, in Changsha, Hunan province, China cnsphoto via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman repatriated from Wuhan carries a child as she walks upon her arrival at the Van Don airport in Vietnam's Quang Ninh province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff checking the body temperature of a patient who has displayed mild symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus, at an exhibition centre converted into a hospital in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker in protective suit transports oxygen tanks at Wuhan Red Cross Hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Boys wearing protection masks, gloves and modified water bottles sit on a cart at the airport arrival terminal in Guangzhou EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Employees work on a production line manufacturing protective suits at a clothing factory in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province cnsphoto via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers in protective suits move a patient at an isolated ward of a hospital in Caidian district following an outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan China Daily via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A worker in protective clothing, including face mask and gloves, carries a bucket as he works inside of The County Oak Medical Centre in Brighton, southern England, after it closed for "urgent operational health and safety reasons", following reports a member of staff was infected with the strain of the novel coronavirus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers of the ecology and environment bureau collect samples from the sewage system of a hospital in Xinle, Hebei province China Daily via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man in protective clothing cleaning the County Oak Medical Centre GP practice The British government warned the outbreak of novel coronavirus was a "serious and imminent threat" and reported four new cases that brought the total recorded in the country to eight. Two hospitals The Royal Free and Guys and St Thomas', have both been designated as "isolation" facilities, with both currently housing Britons who have returned from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak PA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to the newly completed Huoshenshan temporary field Hospital in Wuhan. The global coronavirus death toll rose again with Hong Kong announcing its first death from the outbreak on 4 February EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of staff wait as coaches carrying Coronavirus evacuees arrive at Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre, in Milton Keynes, after being repatriated to the UK from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan PA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A crew member of the cruise ship Diamond Princess talks to a worker wearing protective gear standing near the vessel, where dozens of passengers were tested positive for coronavirus, at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Doctors scan a patient's lungs at Huoshenshan temporary hospital built for patients diagnosed with coronavirus in Wuhan Xinhua News Agency/AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People wearing protective suits walk from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, with around 3,600 people quarantined onboard due to fears of the new coronavirus, at the Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Indonesians who arrived from Wuhan are sprayed with antiseptic at Hang Nadim Airport in Batam. People evacuated from the Chinese city at the centre of a deadly virus outbreak, were transported to a quarantine zone on a remote island at the edge of the South China Sea, shortly after landing Indonesian Foreign Ministry via AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman wears a protective mask as she shops in a market in Beijing Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members hugging each other in an isolation ward at a hospital in Zouping in China's easter Shandong province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A portrait of Dr Li Wenliang is left at Li's hospital in Wuhan. He is regarded a whistleblower on the outbreak and died of the coronavirus which triggered wide-spread mourning on Chinese media Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Officers in protective gear enter the cruise ship Diamond Princess, where people tested positive for coronavirus, after the ship arrived at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, south of Tokyo Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Firefighters and personnel from the health ministry participate in a drill to prepare for the potential arrival of passengers infected with the coronavirus at the Viru Viru International Airport, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Scientists are at work in the VirPath university laboratory as they try to find an effective treatment against the new Sars-like coronavirus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers in protective suits attend to patients at the Wuhan International Conference and Exhibition Center, which has been converted into a makeshift hospital to receive patients with mild symptoms caused by the virus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A girl wears a mask as a preventive measure against the coronavirus outbreak, in Bangkok, Thailand Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man is transferred from the World Dream cruise ship to an ambulance at the Kai Tak cruise terminal in Hong Kong as health officials conduct inspections AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers from a disinfection service company enter Lotte Department Store in central Seoul, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man who arrived from Hubei province talks with police at a checkpoint at the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor holds a handheld digital thermometer near health officials preparing a health check for arriving passengers from China at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A resident walks across an empty track in Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A scientific staff member works in a secure laboratory, researching the coronavirus, at the Pasteur Institute in Dakar AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members preparing equipment to meet passengers of a military plane, which evacuated citizens of Russia and ex-Soviet countries from China's Wuhan province Vsluh.ru via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff wearing protective suits as they prepare to disinfect a Vietnam Airlines plane at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi Vietnam Airlines/AFP/Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A South Korean person, who was evacuated from Wuhan, arrives at the National Medical Center after showing suspected symptoms of novel coronavirus, in Seoul EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Officers in protective gear escort a person (under the blue sheet) who was on board cruise ship Diamond Princess and was tested positive for coronavirus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor being disinfected by his colleague at a quarantine zone in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Buses carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan, arrive at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Indonesian health officials conduct an exercise drill in transporting a patient requiring isolation at the Belawan port in Medan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The Pasteur Institute in Dakar, designated by the African Union as one of the two reference centres in Africa for the detection of the new coronavirus that appeared in China, is hosting experts from 15 countries on the continent this weekend to prepare them to deal with the disease AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A government worker disinfects a co-worker after visiting a quarantined woman's home in Qingdao EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An aerial view of the deserted roads and bridges in Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers hold a strike outside the Hospital Authority as they demand for Hong Kong to close its border with China to reduce the coronavirus spreading Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A person has their tempriture checked in Qingdao, China EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. Note the spikes that adorn the outer surface of the virus, which impart the look of a corona surrounding the virion, when viewed electron microscopically Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Malaysian nationals being directed from a bus by health officials in protective suits as they arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, after being evacuated from Wuhan Malaysia's Ministry of Health/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People hoping to buy face masks crowd outside a medical supply shop that was raided by police for allegedly hoarding and overpricing the masks, as public fear over China's Wuhan Coronavirus grow in Manila, Philippines. The Philippine government has been heavily criticized after failing to immediately implement travel restrictions from China, the source of a deadly coronavirus that has now killed hundreds and infected thousands more Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Residents wearing masks and raincoats volunteer to take temperature of passengers following the outbreak of a new coronavirus at a bus stop at Tin Shui Wai, a border town in Hong Kong Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Italian citizens repatriated from Wuhan going though a health control zone after landing at the Mario De Bernardi military airport in Pratica di Mare, south of Rome, prior to be placed in quarantine Italian Defence Ministry/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers arrange beds in a 2,000-bed mobile hospital, set up in an exhibition center, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor checks conditions of occupants in a hotel accommodating isolated people in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members wearing protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus which began in the city of Wuhan, arrive with a patient at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital. The Chinese army deployed medical specialists to the epicentre of the spiralling viral outbreak that has killed and spread around the world AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A baby wearing a protective face mask is pushed by a woman as they arrive from Shenzhen to Hong Kong at Lo Wu MTR station AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A health worker checks the temperature of a woman entering a subway station in Beijing Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A young child wears a protective mask and is covered in plastic while waiting to check in to a flight at Beijing Capital Airport The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday declared the coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ambulance crews arrive at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, as it prepares for a return flight from Wuhan, China. Eighty-three Britons and 27 foreign nationals who were trapped in Wuhan are being flown back to the UK Tom Maddick / SWNS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman carries a baby wearing a protective mask as they exit the arrival hall at Hong Kong High Speed Rail Station Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Camp beds at a Medical Assessment Center set up at the airport in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on the eve of the arrival of German citizens evacuated from Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Funeral parlour staff members in protective suits help a colleague with disinfection after they transferred a body at a hospital in Wuhan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Muslims wearing masks pray for the victims of coronavirus at a mosque in Ahmedabad, India Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical officials waiting for people who wants to check the novel coronavirus at Myeongdong shopping district Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Children wear plastic bottles as makeshift homemade protection and protective masks while waiting to check in to a flight at Beijing Capital Airport Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A patient assisted by medical staff gets off an ambulance in Wuhan AFP/Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People line up to buy face masks from a medical supply company in Nanning, southern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Countries began evacuating their citizens from the Chinese city hardest-hit by a new virus that has now infected more people in China than were sickened in the country by SARS Chinatopix via AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Millions spent their normally festive Lunar New Year holiday under lockdown Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Children with face masks wash their hands before prayer at Erawan shrine in Bangkok. Thailand has detected eight Coronavirus cases so far AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An Indonesian health officer points at the screen of a thermal scanner for passengers China confirmed that the deadly Wuhan coronavirus virus can be transmitted between humans AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Hospital workers wearing protective eyewear and masks examine an Indonesian student who returned from China in quarantine at a hospital in Banda Aceh AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ambulance staff dispose of an outfit at the hospital in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A person checks the temperature of a passenger to help stop the spread of a deadly virus as he arrives at the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International airport in Palembang AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Nepali students, wearing face masks, attend a class at Matribhumi School in Bhaktapur, on the outskirts of Kathmandu AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Two Buddhist monks wear face masks while walking along a street in Yangon AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff disinfecting a residential area in Ruichang, part of Jiujiang in China's central Jiangxi province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers are seen at the construction site of a new hospital being built to treat patients from a deadly virus outbreak in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 27, 2020. - China is rushing to build a new hospital in a staggering 10 days to treat patients at the epicentre of a deadly virus outbreak that has stricken thousands of people, state media reported on January 24. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images) HECTOR RETAMAL AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Vapor blurs the goggles of an ambulance driver while they work, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers producing facemasks at a factory in Yangzhou AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff getting on an ambulance in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A vendor of traditional masks wears a facial mask at his shop in Thamel EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An airport official checks the temperature of a passenger upon his arrival at the Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members arrive with a patient at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An ambulance driver talking with medical staff in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Wuhan Hygiene Emergency Response Team leave the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market The new coronavirus appears to have its origins in a seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, a popular transport hub AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers produce protective suits at a factory in Nantong AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers scanned by thermal imaging for body temperature as they go through health measures and procedures after they landed at Rome's Fiumicino airport on a southern airlines flight from Wuhan Aeroporto Di Roma/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A Thai royal guard wears a mask while on duty at the Grand Palace in Bangkok EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a face mask rides a nearly empty subway train in Beijing AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A shopper wearing goggles with a face mask and gloves uses a self checkout machine at a supermarket in Wuhan AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jinyintan hospital EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of the Italian Red Cross putting on protective gear, getting ready to give health checks to passengers that landed at Rome's Fiumicino airport on a southern airlines flight from Wuhan Aeroporto Di Roma/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A member of the Hong Kong government's Civil Aid Service gestures at the entrance to the Lady MacLehose Holiday Village which is being used as one of two quarantine centres for people who have been in close proximity with suspected cases of a SARS-type virus. Hong Kong will turn two holiday camps, including a former military barracks, into quarantine zones for people who may have come into contact with carriers of the Wuhan virus, officials announced AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff wearing protective suits at the Zhongnan hospital in Wuhan STR/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A Malaysia Health official checks passengers going through a thermal scanner upon their arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff disinfecting Yingtan North Railway Station, China China banned trains and planes from leaving the major city at the centre of a virus outbreak on January 23, seeking to seal off its 11 million people to contain the contagious disease that has claimed lives and spread to other countries AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A passenger walks past a quarantine control station at Narita airport, Japan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Patients queue up to seek treatment in Wuhan Tongji Hospital Fever Clinic, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Quarantine workers spray disinfectant at Incheon International Airport, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A member of staff checks the temperature of a guest entering the casino of the New Orient Landmark hotel in Macau, after it reported its first case of the new SARS-like virus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jin Yintan hospital Little is known about the new disease which, if confirmed, would be only the seventh coronavirus known to science that can infect humans Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of the Three Gorges Medical Laboratory offering free masks to the public in Yichang, China AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Gabriel Leung, right, chair professor of public health medicine at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong, speaks about the extent of the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak in China AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of staff of the Wuhan Hygiene Emergency Response Team conducting searches on the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A quarantine officer at Incheon International Airport, South Korea, uses an electronic thermometer to check the temperature of passengers arriving by plane from Wuhan The virus causes symptoms of viral pneumonia, and has already led to several deaths EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A screen shows cancelled flights at Tianhe airport in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jinyintan hospital EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Health officials hand out information about the current coronavirus at Kuala Lumpur International Airport AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A store owner argues with security guards as he attempts to enter the closed Huanan wholesale seafood market AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers producing facemasks at a factory in Handan, China's northern Hebei province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff and security personnel stop patients' family members from being too close to the Jinyintan hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus maya-goodfellowAn airport staff member uses a temperature gun to check people leaving Wuhan Tianhe International Airport AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A rescue worker walks past a notice about new coronavirus that has broken out in China Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Health officials wear face masks at an inspection site at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members carry a patient into the Jinyintan hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A staff member checks body temperature of a child after a train from Wuhan arrived at Hangzhou Railway Station in Hangzhou AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A quarantine station measures passenger body temperatures at Narita Airport JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers walk past a notice displayed near a quarantine control station at Narita airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers walk past a poster alerting on coronavirus screening ahead upon their arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An employee sprays disinfectant on a train, as a precaution against coronavirus, at Suseo Station in Seoul EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Kazakh sanitary-epidemiological service worker uses a thermal scanner to detect travellers from China who may have symptoms possibly connected with the previously unknown coronavirus, at Almaty International Airport, Kazakhstan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Pharmacist Liu Zhuzhen stands near a sign reading "face masks are sold out" at her pharmacy in Shanghai AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A worker in a protective suit at the closed seafood market in Wuhan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers wear protective face masks at the departure hall of a high speed train station in Hong Kong AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A notice for passengers from Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wears a mask while riding on mobike past the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market Getty Writing on Weibo, a Wuhan doctor wrote: We know that the protective suit we wear could be the last one we have, and we cant afford to waste anything. The Chinese Centre for Disease Control said 15 hospital staff members in Wuhan have caught the virus while treating patients. According to The Post, 14 of them were infected by just one patient. The latest figures reported Sunday morning cover the previous 24 hours and mark an increase of 15 deaths and 688 cases for a total of 1,975 infections. China has also reported five cases in Hong Kong, two in Macao and three in Taiwan. Small numbers of cases have been found in Thailand, Japan, South Korea, the US, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, France and Australia. The US has confirmed cases in Washington state, Chicago, and most recently Southern California. The latest patient announced Saturday night travelled from Wuhan and is in isolation at a hospital and in good condition. Canada said it discovered its first case, a man in his 50s who was in Wuhan before flying to Toronto. Recommended Coronavirus outbreak sparks renewed calls to end wildlife trade This latest virus comes from a large family of what are known as coronaviruses, some causing nothing worse than a cold. It causes cold- and flu-like symptoms, including cough and fever, and in more severe cases, shortness of breath. It can worsen to pneumonia, which can be fatal. It is not clear how lethal the new coronavirus is or even whether it is as dangerous as the ordinary flu, which kills tens of thousands of people every year in the US alone. First detected last month, the virus is believed to have originated in a type of wild animal sold at a Wuhan market to be consumed as food. Additional reporting by agencies (Newser) A sheriff's deputy responding to a burglary call in South Carolina was forced to settle a beef between his K9 and a spooked cow by using a stun gun, the AP reports. Georgetown County sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the Pleasant Hill community on Wednesday when a K9 that was brought to the scene reportedly became "distracted" and bit a cow belonging to the property owners, a statement from the agency said. The officer was forced to stun the dog to prevent the cow from being seriously injured, the office said. Reacting to the bite, the cow charged at the deputy and property owner, hitting them and causing minor injuries. story continues below After taking stock of the situation, the deputy placed the dog in his cruiser. None of the people or animals involved appeared to be seriously hurt, the Greenville News reported. At the end of it all, the sheriff's office determined the original burglary call was unfounded. Pleasant Hill is about 43 miles west of Myrtle Beach. (Read more K-9 stories.) India is preparing to celebrate its 71st Republic Day on January 26, 2020. Following the tradition, India has invited Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro as the Republic Day guest. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has arrived in India on a four-day visit beginning on Friday with an aim to "re-energise" the bilateral strategic partnership by boosting trade and investment, and deepening cooperation in key sectors such as agriculture, defence and energy. Reportedly, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold talks with Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro in New Delhi, on January 25, 2020. It is also reported that several agreements will be signed after the talks. READ | Karnataka Boy To Be Awarded On Republic Day For Guiding Ambulance During Floods Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed the Brazilian President. He also said in a tweet that the visit will add strength to India-Brazil relations. Reportedly in a statement, Mr Bolsonaro has expressed confidence that bilateral trade flows between the two nations will be boosted following this visit. He also added that he is happy to be the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade. A warm welcome to President @jairbolsonaro! We are delighted to host him and we look forward to his taking part in our Republic Day celebrations. His visit will add strength to India-Brazil relations. pic.twitter.com/Ir5xqBbeSe Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 24, 2020 READ | Responsibility Of Protecting Constitution Lies With Citizens: Kejriwal At Republic Day Event Here is everything you need to know about the Republic Day Cheif Guest Jair Bolsonaro Jair Bolsonaro is the 38th President of Brazil since January 1, 2019. Before joining politics, he served as an army man and retired as an army captain after serving for almost seventeen years. He won 55 percent of the votes in a runoff against Fernando Haddad of the leftist Workers' Party (PT) in Brazil elections. Reportedly, the Republic Day guest President Jair Bolsonaro is a powerful supporter of agribusiness. He was also honoured with several Brazilian national awards. READ | Facial Recognition, Drones & 4-layer Security: Delhi Police Gears Up For Republic Day READ | CPI MP Declines Republic Day Invite, Says Bolsonaro's Actions Against Constitution's Ethos Australia Day 2020: Message from the Ambassador Today, all Australians celebrate their national holiday, Australia Day. To mark the occasion, Australian Ambassador to Thailand Allan McKinnon PSM has provided a special message to all Aussies with a special connection to Phuket. culturetourismeconomicsenvironmentnatural-resourcescharitypolitics By The Phuket News Sunday 26 January 2020, 10:00AM Allan McKinnon PSM, Australian Ambassador to Thailand. Sawasdee krub! On the occasion of Australias National Day, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to the Kingdom of Thailand and the Thai people. This years Australia Day comes after months of bushfires, which have devastated our land, wildlife and people. As Australias Ambassador, I have been overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of support and assistance from the Thai community, and the Australians living in Thailand. This generosity reflects the warm bonds between Australians and Thais, nurtured over many decades of exchanges and cooperation. I would particularly like to say a big Thank You! to the people of Phuket for their support. Khun Bhummikitti, President of the Phuket Tourist Association, visited my residence on Thursday, 23 January to present a cheque of almost a million baht for bushfire relief activities. This money was raised by the recent fun run and other fundraising in Phuket. Phuket people have a big heart! Khun Bhummikitti also presented me with Nong Joong, the Phuket mascot. With Australias national bushfire recovery efforts well underway, I urge the Thai people to continue visiting, studying, travelling and investing in our beautiful country. Australians are resilient people, and with the support of friends like Thailand, we will recover and rebound. Our people-to-people links are strong and enduring. 800,000 Australians visit Thailand every year, while there are almost 20,000 Thai students enrolled in Australian education facilities. Under Australias flagship New Colombo Plan, over 1,300 Australian students have studied in Thai universities, forging special connections between the next generation of Australians and Thais. In 2019, Australia and Thailands relationship grew across trade and investment, defence and security, education, agriculture, migration and law enforcement. Thailands investment in Australia has grown to almost AUS$7 billion, funding new projects in energy, sugar, hotels and other areas. And there are more than 200 Australian companies in Thailand. We expanded cooperation on important security issues, including the launch of the ASEAN-Australia Counter-Trafficking Initiative, and the signing of the Australia-Thailand Memorandum of Understanding on Cyber and Digital Economy Cooperation. We increased the number of Working Holiday Maker visas available to Thais from 500 to 2,000 per year. Australia congratulates Thailand on a successful year as ASEAN Chair in 2019. Thailands legacy will be the adoption of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, whose vision for a peaceful region Australia shares, and the finalisation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which will enhance regional economic integration and openness. A range of high-level visits in 2019 underscored the momentum in the Australia-Thailand relationship, including visits by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Marise Payne and Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Simon Birmingham. In 2019, Australia was honoured to host visits by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn. In 2020, Australia looks forward to visits by Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Army General Apirat and Chief of Defence Forces General Ponpipaat. When our two Prime Ministers met in November, they indicated their intent to elevate our already rich relationship to a Strategic Partnership, which will see greater political oversight and even stronger levels of cooperation. I look forward to working with our friends and colleagues in Thailand to elevate our already rich relationship to an even higher plane in 2020. I wish everyone a happy Australia Day. Allan McKinnon PSM Australian Ambassador to Thailand Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 26) Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said ending the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the country and the United States would mean the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) more difficult to implement. In a statement released Sunday, del Rosario mentioned "several valid reasons" why the agreement should stay, among them, "Without the VFA, making the MDT work would be more challenging, especially since we now have specific external threats as well as more devastating natural calamities." Del Rosario specifically pointed out how swiftly the US was able to send help to the areas devastated by Supertyphoon Yolanda in 2013, adding it was possible because of the VFA. "Other countries wanted to immediately respond but were constrained by their lack of legal arrangements for their troops to enter the Philippines," he said, He recognized the VFA was "imperfect," but also said doing away with it would "interrupt the benefits of the MDT" especially concerning the "joint training and exercises, the pursuit of modernization" of military forces. Del Rosario also said that ending the VFA would "serve to actualize our pivot towards China against the strong and vehement objections of our people." READ: Trust in China among Filipinos tumbles further in Q3 In a June 2019 interview on CNN Philippines' The Source, del Rosario said there have been many times that China showed that it could not be trusted. Del Rosario's statement comes in the wake of President Rodrigo Duterte's threat to terminate the VFA, should the US fail to reverse its cancellation of Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa's visa. Following the President's speech, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the government was now working on the process of the VFA's termination. Malacanang has not issued a response to del Rosario's statement. RELATED: Duterte to soon receive DOJ memo on how to terminate VFA The 1998 VFA is the first of two agreements between Washington and Manila about the treatment of their troops when they are in the US or the Philippines. Under the agreement, US troops are not subject to passport and visa regulations when entering and leaving the Philippines. Their US driving permits and licenses are also considered to be valid in the Philippines. The US also has the right to retain its jurisdiction over its military personnel when they commit crimes in the Philippines, unless they committed a crime which is punishable in the Philippines but not in US, or if they commit a crime which is related to the security of the Philippines. The US also keeps jurisdiction over its military personnel in the event of a criminal prosecution, unless the Philippines convinces it to turn over its personnel. The US will make its personnel available for all investigative and judicial proceedings for just one year, after which the US is no longer obliged to do this. The VFA can be terminated by either the Philippines or the US, by writing to the other party that they want to end the agreement. Whether the Senate needs to concur with the termination of the treaty is still unclear, as the Constitution only says the upper chamber's nod is needed for a treaty to come into force. This same question is the subject of petitions before the Supreme Court, assailing Duterte's withdrawal of the Philippines from the International Criminal Court. CNN Philippines' Xave Gregorio and Pia Garcia contributed to this story Flash The Syrian army seems determined to capture rebel-held areas in Idlib and Aleppo provinces in northern Syria, with two official statements released Saturday regarding such intention. The Syrian army said in a statement on Saturday evening that it's determined to put an end to the "violations" of the rebels of the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front and allied militant groups in Aleppo and Idlib. It charged that the Nusra Front and like-minded groups are targeting residential areas in Aleppo and de-escalation zones in Idlib, noting that the Syrian military assault will not stop at responding to the attacks and violations, but it will continue until fully eradicating the terrorist groups. The rebels' attacks are spreading "death, destruction and fear" among civilians, "which is not allowed to continue," the statement read. "The lives of the innocent civilians are trusted to the Syrian army, which is determined to put a final end to the repeated violations of the rebels that are hindering the return of normal life to areas in Aleppo and Idlib," the statement added. Earlier in the day, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said that the military operation of the Syrian army will continue in rebel-held areas in the countryside of Aleppo and Idlib provinces in northern Syria. The military operation against the rebels in Aleppo and Idlib comes as part of the Syrian forces' retaliation against the shelling of the rebels on residential areas, including that in Aleppo where 23 people have been killed over a week, said the ministry. The ministry said the Syrian military campaign is "precise and studied" and comes to respond to the "calls of the civilians" who are being struck by the rebels in Aleppo and Idlib. It said the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front is still preventing civilians from leaving through the three humanitarian corridors set up by the Russian and Syrian forces in Aleppo and Idlib recently. Earlier in the day, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said intense battles are taking place in the countryside of Idlib province in northwestern Syria and the countryside of Aleppo province in the north. The battles are part of the offensive launched by the Syrian army in the southern and southeastern countryside of Idlib and the western countryside of Aleppo, according to the observatory. The UK-based watchdog said the Syrian army advanced toward the city of Maarat al-Numan in southern Idlib amid airstrikes and shelling on rebel positions. The army forces are three kilometers away from the city, which is crucial in securing the stretch of the main road between Hama and Aleppo through Idlib. The progress on Saturday comes two days after the rebels in Idlib launched a massive counter-offensive against the government forces in southern Idlib, during which they reportedly captured several points and pushed the army to redeploy. Meanwhile, the observatory said that civilians continued to leave their areas in the western and southwestern countryside of Aleppo as a result of the military showdown. It noted that more than 90,000 people have so far left their areas in western Aleppo over the past 11 days amid the escalation in the military campaign. The Syrian army has been prioritizing capturing areas in Aleppo and Idlib as part of the effort to secure the entire road connecting the capital Damascus in the south with Aleppo in the north. A doctor treating patients infected with the deadly coronavirus became the first medical worker to die from the disease yesterday as China intensified efforts to stop its spread. Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, said said China was facing a "grave situation" as the spread of the virus appeared to be accelerating, with authorities racing to scale up emergency measures. And work began on a second new hospital to be built within 14 days in Wuhan, the seat of the outbreak, as more than 1,400 cases were confirmed and the death toll rose to 42. Most of China's provinces and cities have activated their highest public alert, which would allow placing people in quarantine, state media reported. Travel restrictions were extended to 59 million people yesterday. Wuhan, where the disease is thought to have broken out at a wholesale seafood and meat market, and its surrounding area are home to about 800 cases alone - though disease modelling experts estimate thousands more could be affected. Following France reporting Europe's first cases last Friday, Australia yesterday confirmed its first four cases, and Malaysia confirmed four, as health authorities globally scrambled to prevent a pandemic. Nepal reported its first infection and Japan added a second person to its list of confirmed infections. Liang Wudong, 62, the doctor who died yesterday morning, had come out of retirement to assist in the emergency response. Healthcare workers were particularly at risk as they were dealing with the most severely affected. Local health officials also identified the youngest patient to date - a two-year-old girl named Zhong. She was put into isolation at hospital. Local Chinese authorities have cancelled several public Chinese New Year events and shut popular tourist sites. In Hebei province, non-essential vehicles were this morning due to be banned in Wuhan. Starbucks joined McDonalds in shutting all its stores in the city and suspended delivery for a week. Public areas, including elevators and railway stations, were being disinfected regularly in cities across the country of 1.4 billion people. Those venturing outdoors donned face masks. Chinese authorities said they would build a 1,300-bed hospital within two weeks, dedicated to treating coronavirus patients in Wuhan, where workers had already started work on a 1,000-bed makeshift hospital, due for completion by next Monday. Hong Kong yesterday declared a state of emergency and announced plans to limit rail and air links to mainland China. Schools there remain closed until February 17, and universities were asked to extend leave for students beyond the Chinese New Year break. Five cases were confirmed in Hong Kong, with another 120 people suspected of having the disease. Experts believe controlling the outbreak may be more challenging than initially thought. A study in The Lancet suggests people could be spreading the virus without even knowing they have been infected. Prof Kwok-Yung Yuen who led the research, said: "Asymptomatic infection appears possible." That means it would be harder for doctors and nurses to detect potentially affected individuals. He added: "With severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), people were presenting with a high fever, so it was quite easy to detect and isolate people when they were most at risk to others. If we haven't got those markers to identify people infected with the novel coronavirus, it makes it much more challenging to control." Xi held a politburo meeting yesterday on measures to fight the "accelerating" outbreak, state television reported. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said the country would halt all group tours, at home and abroad, from tomorrow. The World Health Organisation last week stopped short of calling the outbreak a global health emergency. But the words represent a fine line. A report by infectious disease specialists at Imperial College, London said that despite this, the epidemic "represents a clear and ongoing global health threat". Telegraph When speaking recently, since the election began, Leo Varadkar said that Ireland is a safe place effectively claiming that the drug pushers are not taking over. Immediately I heard people saying that Leo was telling blatant lies. I dont believe that. Leo Varadkar does not tell substantive lies, deliberately. The fact is, Leo doesnt know much about rural Ireland. He doesnt identify with it, cannot fully fathom whats the issue. Rural Ireland is being threatened, as is every corner of the state right now. An epidemic has been allowed to gradually grow, to where we are right now. Pushers and runners have been patiently sourced, and are currently active, in every village. The drugs trade began in Dublin, and then, like all cancerous intrusions it expanded into other cities as people became lulled into a state of reserved tolerance, when they still believed nothing much was taking place. Nowadays drug trading has not only reached provincial towns, it's finally in the villages. Even the smallest, quietest village has its problems. The gradual and carefully monitored expansion has now made its presence felt in every quiet village in Ireland. It has been for a few years, but confidence grows with the pushers as time goes on, an inevitable evolution. Soon comes violence. Also read: Rise above the election spin, waffle and noise I live in a quiet village. In villages, everyone is talking quietly about whats happening, but nobody dares to take the conversation too far. The national scandal of closing Garda stations, denied the force of valuable, and critical intelligence. Rural people usually know every move that is made around any village, its one thing we havent lost as a country, but regrettably nobody can talk to anyone anymore. Okay, someone could go to Longford garda station, or indeed Granard, but that is not how rural Ireland thinks, or works. Villagers are quick to spot a guard who can be told in confidence. Rural people, like the vast majority of the population, are not prepared to talk to a distant member, when they need a garda nearby. Restoration of garda stations would be the start of tackling rural Irelands curse of drugs, or at worst containing their distribution. Information is power. Also read: Longford Leader columnist Mattie Fox reflects on passing of close friends in 2019 By ANI NEW DELHI: The Indian national flag was unfurled by the protestors at Shaheen Bagh in the national capital on the occasion of 71st Republic Day here on Sunday. In the wee hours today, protestors demonstrating against the amended citizenship law sung the national anthem and read the preamble of the Constitution. Protests have been going on at Shaheen Bagh in New Delhi for over a month against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC). Meanwhile, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court last week seeking appropriate directions to the police to open Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh stretch, which has been closed since December 15 due to ongoing protests against the CAA. Protests are going on across the country against CAA which grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. Jacqueline Jossa reunites with Caitlyn Jenner. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Mike's Hard Sparkling Water) Queen of the Jungle Jacqueline Jossa beamed as she reunited with her former I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! campmate Caitlyn Jenner for a sweet snap. The pair, who got along famously during their time in the competition, posed together for a selfie posted to Jossa's Instagram. As both the women sported glamorous make-up, Jossa wrote: "Reunited with bae @caitlynjenner." Read more: Caitlyn Jenner rules out finding love again after three failed marriages The two met up as US star Jenner, 70, hosted Q&A events in the UK on Saturday which were hosted by another of her jungle contemporaries, Roman Kemp. Mother-of-two Jossa took to her Instagram stories on Sunday morning to reflect on her "crazy life" between running her acting school, the Jac Jossa Academy in Bexleyheath, and hobnobbing with Jenner. "My life is crazy, I go from working at my academy (my fave place) to meeting up with Caitlyn Jenner within hours!" The 27-year-old wrote. "Couldn't be happier to have accidentally won a celeb based show and not feel like a proper celeb! I'm embracing this crazy journey and love everyone so much. "The best [part about] it all is I have a family business that I love and I get to change people's lives through performance and leaning at my academy and take my family with me to meet Caitlyn Jenner." The two have already had contact since leaving the jungle as Jossa revealed last month that she had received an "incredible" congratulatory message from Jenner's daughter Kylie. Meanwhile, Jenner shared a photo of herself on stage alongside Kemp on Saturday, captioning the picture: "First stop...Wales!! Of course, with my buddy @romankemp." The former Olympic athlete, who is based in Los Angeles, was in Newport, Wales to give the first of two seminars on Saturday 25 January with the second being held in Brighton. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-27 05:32:54|Editor: yan Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Sunday said that a total of 78 illegal immigrants have been rescued by the Libyan navy off western Libyan coast. "Last night, 49 migrants were returned to Libya by the coast guard and disembarked in Tripoli. IOM staff were there to provide medical screenings and emergency assistance. Migrants were all released after disembarkation," IOM tweeted. "A group of 29 migrants, among them women and children, were returned today to Zwara, Libya, by the coast guard," IOM added. Libya has become a preferred point of departure for thousands of illegal immigrants, mostly Africans, wanting to cross the Mediterranean Sea towards European shores, due to the insecurity and chaos that have plagued Libya since the 2011 uprising that toppled the late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime. According to IOM, more than 110,000 illegal immigrants made their way to Europe through the Mediterranean in 2019, while 1,283 died on the way. IOM has repeatedly stressed that Libya is not a safe port for disembarkation of immigrants, due to the deteriorating security conditions in the country. Hong Kong leader declares virus emergency, halts official visits to mainland China Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam speaks during a news conference in Hong Kong By Felix Tam and Jessie Pang HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam declared a virus emergency on Saturday, announcing measures to limit links with mainland China and prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. Flights and high speed rail trips between Hong Kong and Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, will be halted. Schools that are currently on Lunar New Year holidays will remain closed until Feb. 17 and education authorities have asked universities to extend leave for students. Hong Kong's health authorities have confirmed 5 coronavirus cases, all linked to Wuhan, with a further 122 people being treated as suspected of having the disease. Lam said all official visits to the mainland and official Lunar New Year celebrations would be scrapped immediately. But she rejected calls for a temporary ban on all arrivals from the mainland and said it would be impractical to shut down all border crossings with the mainland. Lam also said she had sought assistance from China's State Council to ensure there were adequate supplies of masks. Lam is dealing with the health issue as she faces broader tensions after seven months of sometimes violent anti-government protests. "I hereby urge all citizens stay united to fight against the epidemic to protect all Hong Kong people's health and safety," she said. The demonstrations have centred on Hong Kong's relationship with mainland China: some protesters have railed against growing interference from Beijing while others have expressed concern over greater integration with the mainland. Beijing denies meddling and blames the West for stirring trouble in the former British colony. Lam, speaking hours after returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, insisted Saturday's announcement was not delayed due to her trip, saying she had stayed in close touch with officials while in Switzerland. The first case in Hong Kong of the new coronavirus was confirmed on Wednesday, a 39-year-old man visiting from Wuhan who crossed by high-speed rail from neighbouring Shenzhen. Story continues The condition of one of the people confirmed with the virus deteriorated on Saturday and the patient was now on a respirator, Hong Kong's government funded broadcaster RTHK reported. Hong Kong earlier deployed temperature screening equipment at the airport and the high-speed rail station. Air and train passengers are required to fill in health declaration forms at the border while isolation wards have been set-up in hospitals. Many people are using masks in offices and on public transport, a reflection of the city's strong memories of an earlier coronavirus crisis. Gabriel Leung, the dean of the medical school of Hong Kong University, urged the public to increase its already-substantial wearing of glasses. The short-sighted rate in Hong Kong is the highest in the world. So, mostly everyone has small protection - glasses," he said, urging others to wear glasses too. "This is not a perfect measure, but can let you prevent from the droplet transmission to a certain extent," Leung said. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses named because of crown-like spikes on their surfaces. The viruses cause respiratory illnesses ranging from the common cold to the deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Hong Kong was badly hit by the SARS virus in 2003 and has had many episodes of H5N1 bird flu for more than a decade. According to WHO figures, 1,755 people in Hong Kong contracted the SARS virus at the time and 299 died. (Reporting By Felix Tam, Jessie Pang, Scott Murdoch and Marius Zaharia; Writing by Greg Torode; Editing by Michael Perry and Frances Kerry) Funny Money Or Savvy Investing? Critics Want Answers About Source Of Russian PM's Wealth By Todd Prince January 25, 2020 It is a notorious Russian comedy that has been playing now for decades. A career government official and his wife and other relatives are found to possess assets worth far more than what his state salary could justify. If he responds at all, the official answers the uncomfortable questions with claims of his relatives' business or investment acumen despite their notable lack of prior experience. The curtains on that play seemed to be rising once again last week when activists zeroed in on the wealth surrounding new Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who was appointed on January 15 by President Vladimir Putin in a major government shakeup. Mishustin and his wife, Vladlena Mishustina, claimed total income over the past decade of slightly more than 1 billion rubles ($16 million), including 213 million and 789 million rubles, respectively, according to public disclosure filings that are mandatory for high-ranking officials. The income comes from various sources -- Mishustin's salary as head of the tax service, profits from investments, and the sale of a business and other assets, according to the daily Kommersant. Mishustin's declared income over the period in question consists nearly entirely of his government salary, Kommersant reported. The couple's real-estate assets have raised further questions. The couple owns a house in a luxurious Moscow suburb valued at nearly $10 million, according to the online investigative site Proekt, as well as an apartment near the center of Moscow. The opposition media organization Open Media, which is funded by former oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky, reported that at least two of Mishustin's sons studied at Institut Le Rosey, an elite boarding school in Switzerland, a luxury that costs about $100,000 a year. Then there is his sister, Natalia Stenina-Mishustina. She owns three residential properties -- including a 750-square-meter suburban villa next to her brother -- and a stake in Moscow commercial property, according to the BBC, citing in part nonpublic data it received from a whistle-blower in the Federal Tax Service. Her real-estate assets total more than $16 million, the BBC said. Wealthy Russian politicians often disguise their wealth by registering assets in the names of their close relatives, including parents, children, and siblings. Stenina-Mishustina worked for Aeroflot early in her career, according to various Russian media outlets, but it is unknown if she has been employed anywhere thereafter. She co-invested in a loss-making Moscow restaurant with Aleksandr Udodov, who is considered by Russian media to be a member of Mishustin's inner circle. According to the state property register, Udodov -- whose biography on his own website lists no employment until 2010, when he was 41 years old -- gave Stenina-Mishustina the 750-square-meter home as a gift in 2009, the BBC reported. Kommersant reported in 2011 that investigators sought to search Udodov's apartment in Moscow in connection with an illegal attempt by a shell company to receive a sales-tax refund totaling 1.87 billion rubles, which at the time was equivalent to $60 million. Kommersant described Udovov at the time as "officially unemployed, but able to resolve many things in the tax sphere." Itera Group, a real-estate firm, issued a press release a few days later stating that Udovov worked there as a vice president and was not a suspect in any cases. Mishustin has not commented on any of these reports. Private-Sector Claims However, unlike the typical storyline of Russian government officials and their enormous wealth, Mishustin's script has a bit of a twist that blurs the play's conclusion. Mishustin worked in the private sector in the 1990s and from 2008 until 2010 in hot sectors where people were making money hand over fist -- in some cases, nearly overnight. Exactly how much Mishustin made during his years in business is unclear, though a 2010 statement by the tax service shows he earned a few million in at least one year. Kommersant, which is owned by an oligarch close to the Kremlin, recently published a scenario that justifies how the Mishustins -- excluding his sister -- could legally possess so much wealth. The article was later cited by state media to dispel any rumors, while critics trashed it as a disguised press release by the family. Kommersant claims -- without citing anyone -- that Mishustin transferred assets acquired during his business career, including a stake in an unnamed company, to Vladlena Mishustina upon returning to government service in 2010. Mishustina sold the stake over two years and reinvested the money in "conservative" income-generating bank deposits, the paper reported, citing unspecified "media reports." One-year Russian-ruble deposits paid on average around 6.5 percent over 2017-18, while dollar deposits at Russian banks paid around 2 percent, according to Russian central bank data. An equal mix of dollar and ruble deposits would imply that the Mishustins have as much as $20 million in the bank, based on Mishustina's investment income over the past two years. Kommersant claims Mishustin bought the elite home in the Moscow suburbs in 2000 with the salary from his first private-sector job. The home purchase would have cost a small fraction of its current value. Russia defaulted on its debt in August 1998, sending the economy and real-estate prices crashing. The apartment near the city center was given to the Mishustins in the early 2000s by the government as compensation for his low government salary, Kommersant reported, saying it was a common practice at the time. "It is just a press release by Vladlena Mishustina signed by [the Kommersant author], with zero sources and evidence," said Leonid Volkov, an aide to popular opposition figure Aleksei Navalny. 'Dot.Ru' Boom The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the launch of market reforms opened the door to massive wealth for the select few who had the connections, the brains, or the moxie to meet the massive Russian demand for consumer and commercial goods. Entrepreneur Oleg Tinkov was typical of that group, importing foreign electronics such as calculators and televisions for resale to domestic customers at prices far exceeding their cost. Tinkov eventually opened an electronics chain store and sold the business a few years later, making millions. In 2019, Forbes ranked him the 47th richest businessperson in Russia with a fortune estimated at $2.2 billion. Mikhail Khodorkovsky, once Russia's richest man before his 2003 arrest on tax-fraud charges that he called politically motivated, got his start in business in the 1980s during perestroika by importing computers. He parlayed the money from that business into a bank that would scoop up shares of Russian companies during the era of privatization in the 1990s. The market for personal computers and software -- which had already taken off in the West and parts of Asia -- was nearly nonexistent in Russia when the Soviet Union collapsed. Profits from reselling imported "second-grade" computers in Russia were as high as 300 percent during perestroika, Kommersant reported in 1994. Levon Amdilyan -- an economist who studied at Moscow State University alongside Yegor Gaidar, the future acting prime minister under Boris Yeltsin -- spearheaded the creation of a noncommercial organization in December 1988 called the International Computer Club (MKK). Its goal was to establish contacts between Soviet and foreign technology specialists and to attract foreign technology, including computer hardware and software, into the country. The club held an annual computer trade show in Moscow from 1990 through the mid-1990s, attracting the likes of Apple, IBM and other top U.S. technology companies, according to contemporary articles. The forum, however, was intended for a "narrow circle" of people that included top brass at technology companies on the one hand and large customers on the other, namely government agencies and banks. Senior Russian government officials "authorized to make buying decisions" were among the visitors, and they purchased "a lot, willingly, from everybody," Kommersant reported in 1994. Amdilyan sometimes traveled with government officials to foreign technology trade shows, underscoring his influence with agencies at the time, according to Kommersant. Mishustin, a friend of Amdilyan, was involved in the club from an early stage. During a rainy November day, as Amdilyan drove his daughter to school in 1989, he discussed the idea of holding a computer trade show in Russia with Mishustin. "Over the course of two hours, we discussed and developed plans for the forum and picked a date: June 17, 1990. Now I can hardly believe that it was possible," the club's website quotes Mishustin as saying. Thus, Mishustin would have been at the center of the burgeoning Russian computer hardware and software market, interacting with the biggest names in the industry at home and abroad. MKK However, the market was rife with illegal practices, with the Business Software Alliance estimating in 1995 that 94 percent of all business software in Russia was pirated. After the Soviet Union collapsed, Amdilyan transformed MKK into a private joint-stock company owned 50-50 by him and Mishustin, according to registration documents. Mishustin's stake was eventually transferred to his wife. Wholesale trade and consulting were among its listed activities, though it is unclear what the company exactly did aside from hosting the trade show and, then later, an elite conference in Sochi. Mishustin would eventually become board chairman of MKK before leaving the private sector in 1998 to join the tax service, where he initially served as assistant to its chief, Boris Fyodorov, overseeing information technology. Neither Amdilyan nor Mishustin have said how much MKK earned during the 1990s. Amdilyan would go on to invest in technology companies such as Takskom, which would become one of five data operators to receive a license from Mishustin's tax agency for a new service, the Russian online publication Republic reported. The annual market for that service was estimated at $100 million, Republic said. Back In Business Mishustin would work the next decade in government, first moving up the chain at the tax service to deputy minister and then moving over to lead the federal agencies for the real-estate register and special economic zones. When Mishustin left government service in early 2008 to join UFG Asset Management, an investment firm co-founded by his former tax boss Fyodorov, Russia was nearly as hot a market as China. Russia's economy had been surging for about eight years amid high oil prices, and its stock market was the world's best performer over that period. Amid the gold rush, Moscow-based investment firms were paying top dollar for executives, with multimillion-dollar annual salaries for top brass that could deliver deals not unheard of. The industry riches were attracting some government officials like Mishustin into the private sector, where they could potentially leverage their connections to boost business. For instance, Troika Dialog, a Moscow-based investment bank, in 2007 hired former Deputy Economy Minister Andrei Sharonov as a managing director. Mishustin received 79 million rubles, or about $2.5 million, in 2009. The tax service he ran told the daily Vedomosti in April 2010 that the amount comprised his UFG salary and consulting fees for the firm. Two former executives active in the Russian asset-management business in the 2000s and speaking on conditions of anonymity said $2.5 million seemed "rich" and "generous." Mishustin, they said, would have had to bring "serious" business to justify such a payout. Whatever the truth about the current source of Mishustin's money, the end result is likely to follow the usual script. Mishustin will not respond to the reports. He will not be investigated. The majority of Russians, getting their information from state-controlled television, will never know about the matter. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/critics-want- answers-about-source-of-russian- pm-mishustin-wealth/30396742.html Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address By Karapatan Rights Group THE murder of Gen. Qasem Soleimani of Iran, on Iraq soil, does not only contravene international law; it also directly and violently attacks the rights of Iranians whose country has been kept in imperialist war and plunder by the US for the extraction of its natural resources. It has become a prime target of the US war machines for how many years, to secure its control over the Middle East as it intensifies its imperialist plunder and to secure strategic locations for its economic and political domination. Aside from the shameless act of using unilateral military power, the US has already subjected the Iranian people to abject poverty through interventionist actions and economic sanctions. Such hegemonic tactics have been also faced by other countries standing up for self-determination and sovereignty and against US imperialism, such as Venezuela, Cuba, and the Philippines which, until today, still suffer from US economic, military, and cultural dictates. Karapatan stands in solidarity with the peoples of the world, especially of the Middle East, particularly of Iran and Iraq, who are fearlessly marching in the war-torn streets to protest for their rights. Ondo State Governor, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, on Saturday charged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to retain him as its candidate in next years governorship election if it desires to continue ruling the state. The governor told journalists in Abuja that he is the only person with the pedigree and charisma to secure huge votes for the party in the election. Akeredolu said people of Ondo State would always stand with him because of his achievements, adding that people persuaded him to become the governor of the state in 2017. He said: I didnt ask to become governor of Ondo State; the people sought me out to be their leader. As far as I am concerned power belongs to God and not to any man or leader. It is God who gives power and not any human being. That was why I ran and won the primary of the last governorship election in Ondo State without paying people money as other contestants did. I can tell you that there is no threat or panic whatsoever to my second term election. What I do know for sure is that if APC goes ahead to pick another person as their governorship candidate for Ondo State the party would lose the state. But with me on the ballot, we will win a landslide for APC in Ondo State. That is certain because Gods hands are with me and I cannot fail in my second term bid. My trust is in God and not in any man with clay feet. Akeredolu, who became governor of Ondo State in 2017, was suspended alongside four others by the party in 2019 for alleged anti-party activities. The APC National Working Committee (NWC) in December same year lifted the suspension as part of the ongoing reconciliatory process in the party. PV: 0 AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver said the "underutilisation" rate was now a "chronic problem" for Australia that was much greater than in other developed economies and twice the rate of the United States. "It has been trending up this year and has been high for a while now, since the global financial crisis," he said. "It's indicative of a greater level of hardship for some workers. "It means we need to run the economy harder and we need more growth to use the excess capacity in the labour force." The ABS defines underutilisation as those who are unemployed, underemployed or marginally attached to the labour force. Someone who works only one hour a week would not show up in the unemployment rate but would be considered underemployed and therefore show up in the underutilisation rate. The national underutilisation rate rose to 13.8 per cent in October owing to an increase in underemployment to 8.5 per cent from 8.3 per cent. But the figures vary markedly by region, with underutilisation hitting 16.1 per cent in south-east Melbourne, 18.1 per cent in the mid-north-coast of NSW, 15.5 per cent in and around Coffs Harbour and Grafton, 15.5 per cent on the Gold Coast, and 18.6 per cent in the northern area of Moreton Bay near Brisbane. The rate rose in these regions and others over the six years to August 2019, according to the data gathered by the Parliamentary Library at the request of Labor frontbencher Clare O'Neil and fellow MP Daniel Mulino. Ms O'Neil, the Labor spokeswoman on innovation and the future of work, declared the headline unemployment rate of 5.2 per cent was "highly deceptive" because it did not show the workers who could not get enough work. "Today, almost a third of all Australian workers are part-time. And, for the first time ever we are working in an economy where we have on-demand work through companies like Uber or Airtasker," Ms O'Neil said in a speech late last year. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has defended the government's economic record by pointing to the creation of more than 1.2 million jobs since the Coalition took office in 2013. "Here in Australia the most recent economic data for the November period showed that unemployment had fallen to 5.2 per cent and 40,000 new jobs were created," Mr Frydenberg said last week. The regional results show a big improvement in underutilisation in some parts of the country, with the rate falling from 21.2 per cent to 18 per cent in the NSW Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven district over six years, from 16.1 per cent to 14.3 per cent in the NSW New England region and from 16.7 per cent to 13.8 per cent around Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. Loading The underutilisation rate fell from 13.3 per cent to 11 per cent in Warrnambool and south-west Victoria, from 16.3 per cent to 11.1 per cent in Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley and from 17.7 per cent to 10.3 per cent in Bendigo. Dr Oliver said the trend in underutilisation was reflected in the relatively low increases in wages and salaries. "I'd say it's the single biggest explanation for low wages growth," he said. "Obviously there is a changing nature to the labour market that has contributed to the underutilisation rate but underlying it all is the weakness in the economy." Australian National University professor Peter Whiteford said the underutilisation rate had grown to one of the highest levels among developed economies and would weaken consumer confidence. If you have uncertainty about your hours and your pay, it affects consumer confidence. ANU professor Peter Whiteford "If you have uncertainty about your hours and your pay, it affects consumer confidence," he said. "So I think there are potentially a lot of broader social and economic complications from this." Professor Whiteford said an effect over time could be lower tax revenue and higher social security costs from the changing nature of the workforce. "A possible solution is greater market regulation to give people greater ability to move from casual jobs to permanent jobs," he said. In fire-affected areas, Mr Rawnsley said encouraging those doing rebuilding work to live locally would help to ensure money stayed in the local community, helping others to keep or increase their employment. If tradespeople working on rebuilding stayed, "their families might go down there as well, so you capture their expenditure as an additional stimulus for these communities", Mr Rawnsley said. Loading Dr Mulino, who was an economist before entering Parliament this year as the Labor member for Fraser in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, said the higher underutilisation rates revealed the communities where the "talents and energies" of workers were being wasted. "What matters for people isn't only whether they can get a job, but whether they can get enough hours to pay the bills and provide for their families," he said. "When people can't find enough work, they're forced to cut back to make ends meet. Several hundred feminist activists warmed up with chants next to a monument to murdered women in Mexico City on Saturday, before marching through the Mexican capital. It was the latest in a series of all-female protests that have flooded central avenues since August when thousands of women rallied in anger over the alleged rape of a teenager by city police and rampant violence against women. Now, the feminists themselves feel like targets, after two of their fellow activists were murdered this month in different parts of the country. At one point during the protest, mothers and sisters of murdered women took turns at a microphone to describe how their loved ones were murdered, and how, years later, the perpetrators remain free. Many family members receive death threats for their pursuit of justice.In August, female protesters shocked Mexico by trashing a bus station, police precinct and spray-painting messages like rape state onto the base of the Angel of Independence, a major monument in the capital. Defacing monuments along the city's stately Reforma Avenue has since become a priority for some, who wear masks to conceal their identities. Lines of female police in riot helmets stood shoulder to shoulder in an effort to protect the monuments on Saturday. The protesters shouted traitor! at the female officers, who pursed their lips and resisted fighting back, despite being splattered with paint at one point. The demonstrators shifted directions at several points, resulting in an elaborate game of cat and mouse that blocked traffic on key arteries for several hours. On average, 10 women are murdered every day in Mexico, making it one of the most dangerous countries in the world for women. Only one of every 10 reported crimes in Mexico results in jail time. (Image Credit: AP) High temperatures and strong winds have increased fire activity across southern NSW, forcing investigators to delay the investigation of the air tanker crash site on Sunday. The NSW Rural Fire Service on Sunday afternoon said the winds forecast in the afternoon could push fires towards rural properties. Forensic staff recover the black box flight recorder from the Coulson Aviation aircraft crash wreckage in Peak View on Saturday. Credit:Gerard Frawley/ATSB "Fire activity has increased on a number firegrounds in the state's south. Increased winds this afternoon continue to push fires towards a number of isolated rural properties," the RFS tweeted. An emergency warning was issued in the Snowy Monaro region for the Creewah Road blaze which is burning in the Glen Allen area. The Princes Highway in Bodalla on the South Coast has reopened with a police escort after earlier closures. Kangana Ranaut and Karan Johar were announced as the recipients of the prestigious Padma Shri, Indias fourth-highest civilian honour, on Saturday night. While there is no love lost between them, Kangana put aside the animosity and congratulated Karan for the award. In an interview with India Today Television, the actor said, I heartily congratulate him. I think he totally deserves this award. As a producer, the kind of films he backs, whether it is Kesari or Good Newwz, are commendable, as is the position he has worked to achieve. Even though his father gave him a head start, he has risen to the top because of his own efforts and merits. She added, I started my journey from a small village in Himachal Pradesh, and for me to be in the same league as these bigwigs we have grown up watching, whether it is Karans films or Ekta Kapoors serials... We knew these people, growing up. And who has not heard Adnan Sami jis songs? For a girl like me, to get a Padma Shri alongside them is a matter of pride. ALSO WATCH | Kangana Ranaut & Karan Johars reaction to Padma Shri honour Earlier, Karan and Kangana were involved in a bitter exchange, after she called him the flag-bearer of nepotism on his show Koffee With Karan. Soon after, at an event in London, Karan said that he was tired of Kangana always playing the woman card and the victim card. She retorted saying that she used the badass card on his show. Also read | Padma Shri awards: Kangana Ranaut dedicates it to every woman who dreams, Karan Johar is at loss for words Kangana, who has received three National Awards, said that the Padma Shri is the most special honour for her. She said, I have always been honoured as an artiste but this time, I have also been recognised as a citizen and for my awareness towards the country. This is special for me because you know that the industry always points fingers at me (laughs). This is also special for my family, because they feel that I am always targeted in the film industry, slapped with legal cases and involved in fights. My family is extremely happy. Meanwhile, Karan was overjoyed to find out that he was named as the recipient of the Padma Shri this year. In a statement shared on his social media accounts, he wrote, Its not very often that Im at a loss for words, but this is one such occasion. The Padma Shri... such an honour to receive one of the highest civilian awards in the country. Overwhelmed by so many emotions right now. Humbled, elated and also thankful for the opportunity to live my dream every day, to create and to entertain. I know my father would be proud and I wish he was here to share this moment with me. Follow @htshowbiz for more Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli on Sunday extended his wishes to his Indian counterpart Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occassion of the 71st Republic Day. He called India as Nepal's 'largest friend'. In a statement, the Nepal PM said, "I am pleased to know that the Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NICCI) is celebrating the 71st Republic Day of India on 26th January 2020. It is my pleasure, on this historic occasion, to congratulate and extend best wishes, on behalf of the Government of Nepal and on my own behalf, to Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, and the Government and the friendly people of India across the globe for their good health, happiness and continued prosperity." 'Largest friend' According to the Nepal Prime Minister, the relationship between India and Nepal is "bonded by a glorious common religion, culture, and tradition and has remained exemplary since time immemorial." He added that India is Nepal's largest friend in terms of trade, transit, investment, infrastructure, technology, energy, education, healthcare and so on. He added, "We believe that the high-level visits from both sides in the recent few years have further reinforced the age-old cordial relations between the two countries with the pursuit of bilateral cooperation even in the fields of agriculture, railway, and waterway connectivity, infrastructure, energy, and others." Read: Republic Day: Congress sends a copy of the Constitution to PM Modi through Amazon India gifts ambulances, buses to Nepal India gifted 30 ambulances and six buses to various hospitals, non-profit charitable organizations and educational institutions of Nepal, on the occassion of the Republic Day. As per reports, the ambulance and buses were gifted in order to reaffirm India's commitment in partnering with Nepal towards socio-economic development. Read: Former President Pranab Mukherjee says we should celebrate our 'ethos' on Republic Day The Indian Embassy released a statement that read: "The Embassy also gifted 30 ambulances and 6 buses to various hospitals, non-profit charitable organizations and educational institutions of Nepal thereby reaffirming Government of India's commitment to partner with Nepal in its journey towards socio-economic development." Earlier, the Indian government had gifted over 700 ambulances and over 100 buses to Nepal, in order to expand healthcare access to the people of Nepal. Read: Why the Indian Air Force's 5-component 'Cutting Edge' Republic Day float is a gamechanger Read: PM Modi thanks Sri Lankan counterpart Rajapaksa for Republic Day greetings (WITH ANI INPUTS) A cat and a meerkat struck up an unlikely friendship - and became social media stars thanks to their adorable snaps. Owner Ekaterina Kuraeva, 45, of St Petersburg, adopted Surya the meerkat from Moscow Zoo six years ago because she didn't feel it was getting the care it needed. Originally from the deserts of Africa, Russia is certainly a different environment for Surya, but he made a comfortable home for himself with Ekaterina and her cat, Nice. The animals immediately hit it off and have become firm friends in the years since. The pair have different personalities, with Nice being calm and Surya loving nothing more than playing with his furry friend. The pair can be seen cuddling, playing and eating together on an Instagram account set up by Ekaterina, which has more than 39,400 followers. 'It is fortunate that they have become friends and are so affectionate to each other,' Ekaterina told BoredPanda. Here, a few of their adorable snaps... Best friends! A meerkat named Surya became the best of friends with and a cat named Nice after he was adopted from Moscow Zoo by owner Ekaterina Kuraeva, 45, from St Petersburgh Time for a clean! The pair of unlikely besties play, cuddle, nap and eat together. They've met six year ago when Ekaterina brought Surya home. Pictured, affectionate Nice licking Surya Peekaboo! Surya and Nice peek out at Ekaterina from under a paper bag at home Cuddle! Nice and Surya spend every waking minute together in their St Petersburg home Nap time! Surya and Nice relax together on the floor of the St Petersburg home Chilling out: The dynamic duo often nap together around the house after a busy day Inseparable: Even when they're feeling sleepy (pictured) the pair stick together Who are you looking at? Little Surya is very sociable but adapted to life as a house pet Patient: Nice lets his playful friend get close for cuddles, even though he's more relaxed Tender: The two pets snapped in an embrace, with Surya curling into a ball and holding Nice Camera ready! A closer look at Surya the meerkat, who was adopted from the Moscow Zoo Unlikely pair! Even though their friendship might be surprising, the pair are really close Hanging out in the kitchen: Surya joined Ekaterina's house as a baby and loves Nice Cosy: Even though Meerkats populate Africa, Ekaterina looks after Surya in Moscow The suspect turned out to be the director of Ukrainian SkyAviaTrans company Reuters One of the dead passengers in a plane crash in Iran is suspected of a secret supply of weapons to Libya. It is reported by CNN. The suspect turned out to be the director of the Ukrainian SkyAviaTrans company. UN experts investigated the attack on a SkyAviaTrans IL-76TD cargo plane, which was destroyed in Libya during the shelling in August 2019. According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, this plane was transporting humanitarian aid. The Libyan general stated that the downed aircraft was delivering military equipment to the government which is supported by the UN. It is reported that from May to August 2019 the IL-76TD made more than 30 flights between Ukraine, Turkey, and Libya. Related: Iranian medics identified 169 of 176 victims of PS752 plane crash The man whose actions led to the fact that the Iranian armed forces accidentally shot down a Ukrainian plane on January 8 is in prison. This was announced on Saturday by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, ISNA reports. "The man who accidentally shot down a Ukrainian plane in Iran is in prison today," Zarif said. As we reported, On January 8, Boeing 737 of Ukraine's International Airlines, flight PS752 with 176 passengers aboard crashed in Tehran, not far from Imam Khomeini airport. 11 citizens of Ukraine died in the crash of Boeing 737 of Ukraine's International Airlines (PS 752 flight). President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky reported that the passenger plane crash in the Iranian capital left no survivors. On January 19, the bodies of the Ukrainians, who died in a plane crash in Iran, were delivered to Ukraine. The farewell ceremony took place at Boryspil Airport. As of January 21, Irans Civil Aviation Organization stated in the second preliminary investigation report that PS752 was downed by two short-range surface-to-air missiles DES MOINES The Des Moines Register endorsed Senator Elizabeth Warren for the Democratic presidential nomination on Saturday night, calling her the best leader for these times. The newspaper, Iowas largest and most influential, gave Ms. Warren a boost just over a week before the caucuses on Feb. 3, when Iowans will take part in the first nominating contest of the primary cycle. In its editorial, the Register praised Ms. Warren as a thinker, a policy wonk and a hard worker. Warrens competence, respect for others and status as the nations first female president would be a fitting response to the ignorance, sexism and xenophobia of the Trump Oval Office, the editorial stated. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court doesn't have a public comment line for its own work, much less the Senate's. That hasn't stopped a fair number of social media users from urging people to call Chief Justice John Roberts at the Supreme Court and demand a fair trial or ask for witnesses or tell him to control the Senate. The court is receiving a higher than usual number of public calls," Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said. The messages seem to be mainly from people who support the impeachment and removal from office of President Donald Trump. Roberts is presiding over the Senate impeachment trial. Note to America: It might feel good to give that message to a real person who answers the telephone in the court's public information office, but it probably won't get you anywhere. The court does have an opinion line the public can call, but it's for alerting people that the justices are expected to release their own opinions in cases, not listen to yours. People can write the court, of course, and callers are being given the address, Arberg said. The public information office also is suggesting that people contact their elected representatives if their call regards the trial rules and procedures set by the Senate," Arberg said. In the past two years, Oregon's statewide high school graduation rate has risen a bit more than 3 percentage points, hitting 80 percent in 2019. It was a significant improvement for Oregon, which has had one of the lowest graduation rates in the nation. Here are the 15 high schools that had the highest graduation rates in the state in 2019. (Note: Magnet schools and schools with fewer than 100 students in the class of 2019 are not included on the list.) Read more analysis from The Oregonian/OregonLive here. Betsy Hammond contributed reporting. 1. West Linn High School. 99% Don't Edit Sam Caravana West Linn High School Graduation Seniors at West Linn High School graduating in 2015. The school had the highest graduation rate in the state in 2019. Sam Caravana/Staff Don't Edit 2 (tie). West Albany High School. 98% Don't Edit Laura Frazier West Albany High School's graduation rate was 98% in 2019. Don't Edit 2 (tie). Henley High School, Klamath County. 98% Don't Edit Don't Edit Carlos Becerra Students at a Henley High School assembly. The school's graduation rate was 98% in 2019. Don't Edit 2 (tie). Sherwood High School Don't Edit Laura Frazier The Sherwood High School entryway. The school's graduation rate was 98% in 2019. Don't Edit 5. Lakeridge High School, Lake Oswego 96% Don't Edit Sean Meagher Lakeridge High School Lakeridge High School in Lake Oswego had a 96% graduation rate in 2019. Don't Edit Don't Edit 6 (tie). Wilsonville High School. 95% Don't Edit File/The Oregonian Wilsonville High had a 95% graduation rate in 2019. Don't Edit 6 (tie.) Crook County High School. 95% Don't Edit Lon Austin/Central Oregonian Ashlyn Hacker, left, and Daisy Forseth, right, take a selfie during Crook County High's 2019 graduation ceremony. The school had a 95% graduation rate in 2019. Don't Edit 6 (tie). Scappoose High. 95% Don't Edit Don't Edit Brent Wojahn Students at Scappoose High School. The school had a 95% graduation rate in 2019. Don't Edit 9 (tie). Tualatin High 94% Don't Edit Randy L. Rasmussen The marching band from Tualatin High School. The school had a 94% graduation rate in 2019. Don't Edit 9 (tie). Cascade High, Turner. 94% Don't Edit The Cascade High School logo. The school had a 94% graduation rate in 2019. Don't Edit Don't Edit 9 (tie). Grant High School, Portland. 94% Don't Edit Grant High School in Portland. The school had a 94% graduation rate in 2019, the highest among Portland Public Schools. Don't Edit 9 (tie). Clackamas High School. 94% Don't Edit Randy L. Rasmussen Clackamas High School had a 94% graduation rate in 2019. Don't Edit 9 (tie). Lake Oswego High School. 94% Don't Edit Don't Edit Randy L. Rasmussen A scene from a Lake Oswego High School Lakers game. Lake Oswego had a 94% graduation rate in 2019. Don't Edit 14. Lincoln High School, Portland. 93% Don't Edit Lincoln High School in Portland had the school district's second-highest graduation rate. In 2019, its graduation rate was 93%. Don't Edit 14. Sprague High School, Salem. 93% Don't Edit Miles Vance A Sprague softball player. The Salem high school had a 93% graduation rate in 2019. Don't Edit Most of Hong Kong's banking and finance companies say they will give their staff lai see as a token of appreciation for their dedication and hard work even after business took a hit last year because of the economic slowdown and social unrest. HSBC and Bank of China Hong Kong, the two of three note-issuing banks in the city, along with dozens of other financial firms will be handing out red paper packets or digitally transferring "lucky money" to their employees, which can range anywhere between HK$50 (US$6.4) and HK$500. It is a tradition in Hong Kong for companies to give their staff lai see on their first day back at work after the extended Lunar New Year holiday. The upcoming Year of the Rat begins on January 25, but most employees will return on January 29 when they will be handed the festive red packets. HSBC will be paying its nearly 20,000 staff HK$500 each, the highest among 10 banks and insurance companies, the South China Morning Post has found. The tradition will cost the city's biggest bank some HK$10 million. Bank of China Hong Kong plans to give its staff lai see of HK$200 each. Photo: Reuters alt=Bank of China Hong Kong plans to give its staff lai see of HK$200 each. Photo: Reuters "We believe lai see is an appropriate channel to express our gratitude to staff for their hard work throughout the year," Diana Cesar, head of HSBC's Hong Kong office, said in an email to the bank's employees. HSBC, however, has done away with the traditional red packets and instead an electronic red packet of HK$500 will be deposited to the payroll account of each of the bank's employees. Its subsidiary Hang Seng Bank, which employs about 11,000 people, will also give lai see. While the bank did not disclose the amount, it said it would be the same as last year. BOCHK plans to give its staff HK$200 each, which will be transferred electronically to their accounts, a spokesman said. The bank has not changed the amount for two years now. Story continues Bank of East Asia said it would give HK$50 lai see to staff this year. FWD Group, the insurance arm of Richard Li Tzar-kai, the younger son of Hong Kong's richest man Li Ka-shing, is sticking to the traditional red packets to give to its 4,800 staff and agents. Richard Li Tzar-kai's FWD Group will give its 4,800 staff and agents traditional lai see packets. Photo: Felix Wong alt=Richard Li Tzar-kai's FWD Group will give its 4,800 staff and agents traditional lai see packets. Photo: Felix Wong The company said that to celebrate the Year of the Rat, all employees and agents will receive their "official company lai see" to kick start the new year. They will also get a "bonus lai see" from Hong Kong chief executive Ken Lau, who will randomly draw from a bunch of lai sees containing different amounts. Even overseas firms such as US investment Franklin Templeton are taking part in the Hong Kong tradition. "Recent social unrest and economic downturn in Hong Kong has not impacted the way Franklin Templeton celebrates Chinese New Year with our local staff. The company will provide the same amount of return to work lai see as last year and there will be an annual celebratory gathering for all employees," a spokesman said, without disclosing the lucky money sum. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2020 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2020. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Since the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Bill, the Congress has accused the BJP-led Central government of subverting the Constitution. Union home minister Amit Shah, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and other dignitaries during the 71st Republic Day Parade in New Delhi on Sunday. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: Stepping up the attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of the 71st Republic Day, the Congress sent a copy of the Constitution to him and took a dig saying, when you get time off from dividing the country, please do read it. Dear PM, the Constitution is reaching you soon. When you get time off from dividing the country, please do read it. Regards, Congress, the party tweeted along with a snapshot of an Amazon receipt which stated that the copy of the Constitution was being dispatched to the Central Secretariat. The Congress also tweeted the videos of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, former party chief Rahul Gandhi and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reading the Preamble from a protest assembly at Rajghat recently. In another tweet, the Congress said a lesson the BJP has failed to understand is that all persons no matter creed, caste or gender are guaranteed equality before the law under Article 14 of the Constitution. It is this article that is completely violated by the governments Citizenship Amendment Act, the party said It is important to remember that it is enshrined in our Constitution that all persons are protected from discrimination of any form. Therefore, any attempt to draft laws based on discrimination are unconstitutional, it said. Since the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Bill, the Congress has accused the BJP-led Central government of subverting the Constitution. Several Congress governments in the states have made the reading of the Preamble of the Constitution mandatory in schools. These include the government of Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Yale Drops Introductory Art History Course as Overwhelmingly White In a victory for the forces of political correctness, Yale Universitys undergraduate school will stop teaching a widely acclaimed introductory survey course in art history because the artists studied are overwhelmingly white, straight, European and male. The move goes against the longstanding advice of the National Association of Scholars, a group that challenges political correctness in the academy. All who care about the life of the mind should study the history of Western civilization, its achievements and failures, and its artistic and cultural legacy. State and federal policy should encourage K-12 and college students to study the West, including how its ideals of liberty underpin the structure of our republic. Under pressure from activists in 2017, Yale dropped its requirement that English majors study the works of William Shakespeare and Geoffrey Chaucer, two longtime staples of English literature, The College Fix reported at the time. The move came after a petition circulated calling on Yale to decolonize the English department by moving away from the study of white male writers. The course now headed to the chopping block, Introduction to Art History: Renaissance to the Present, which at one time was taught by the legendary American art historian Vincent Scully, was regarded as one of Yale Colleges quintessential classes, The Yale Daily News reports. But student unease over an idealized Western canon a product of an overwhelmingly white, straight, European and male cadre of artists, forced the cancellation of the course. Maria Bass, the director of undergraduate studies at Yale University, said introductory survey courses should be designed in recognition of an essential truth: that there has never been just one story of the history of art, according to The Daily Wire. Similarly, Art History department chairman and the courses instructor, Tim Barringer, said there is more to the history of art than Western art. When there are so many other regions, traditions, and genres to look at, all of which are equally deserving of study, placing European art on a pedestal is problematic, he said. I believe that every object I discuss in [the course] is of profound cultural value, Barringer told the student newspaper. I want all Yale students to have access to and to feel confident analyzing and enjoying the core works of the Western tradition. But I dont mistake a history of European painting for the history of all art in all places. In the future, emphasis will be placed on questions of gender, class and race and arts connection to Western capitalism and climate change, Barringer wrote in a syllabus online. Barringers department plans to replace the course with a multitude of other course offerings that de-emphasize the contributions of Western civilization, including Art and Politics, Global Craft, The Silk Road, and Sacred Places. In two or three years, he told the student newspaper, the department will offer a new Introduction to Art History course, but it will be a course equal in status to the other 100-level courses, not the introduction to our discipline claiming to be the mainstream with everything else pushed to the margins. Not all Yale students are keen on the change. My biggest critique of the decision is that its a disservice to undergrads, the school newspaper quoted undergraduate student Mahlon Sorensen as saying. If you get rid of that one, all-encompassing course, then to understand the Western canon of art, students are going to have to take multiple art history courses. Which is all well and good for the art history major, but it sucks for the rest of us, which, I would say, make up the vast majority of the people who are taking [the course]. Japanese investment in Vietnam has strongly developed in both quality and quantity as investors are applying the most advanced technologies in production, experts have said. Japanese investment in Vietnam has strongly developed in both quality and quantity as investors are applying the most advanced technologies in production, experts have said. The investment trend will be essential as the 4.0 industrial era continues to developwell in Vietnam, with both domestic and foreign companies increasingly using advanced technologies including Big Data, the cloud, and AI (Artificial Intelligence) in their production. Because of US-China tradetensions, many Japanese companies want to set upmanufacturing in Vietnam, experts have said. Moreover,the companies also see great potential inthe Vietnamese market with its young population, cheap labour,and preferential policies from the Government. Speaking about Japaneseinvestment in 2019, Hirai Shinji, chief representative of JETRO Ho Chi MinhCity (Japan External Trade Organisation), said: There is now a greaterdiversity of investments, but manufacturing is still by far the largest interms of money invested. Japan's Daikin Vietnamfactory, for example, illustrates the trend in which the Japanese are investingmore in highly advanced technology in Vietnam. Daikin, which has been inoperation since May 2018, is expected to contribute to energy conservationand public health, such as energy-saving air conditioners and air purification,as more people in Vietnam are buying air cleaners, according to Shinji. Compared to factories of DaikinGlobal, the factory in Vietnam has the mostadvanced technologies as it is the first factory to useAGV, an automatic machine that delivers supply componentsto production lines. In other factories, employees working on production lineshave to manually pick up components. The facility in Vietnam isalso Daikin's first factory to use IoT (Internet of Things)technology in production systems. Other factories around the world are juststarting to use this technology. In addition to using sensors,Daikin Vietnam uses many other technologies such as FDI technology (asingle approach to device integration) and cameras from whichthe company can obtain inspection data and production data. Based on the data in theIoT system, the company's data managers candetermine which additional devices should be installedon production lines and which machines are needed to helpobtain data. Citing other examples ofincreased Japanese investment in Vietnam, Shinji said: Sumitomo Corporation isworking on doing the same in Hanoi, with plans to introduce 5G as well asface-recognition systems and blockchain technologies. In addition, Japanesecompany Sharp has announced a plan to invest in Binh Duong provinceto produce air cleaners, displays, and other electronic devices, accordingto Shinji. And,automaker Toyota has opened a new dealership in An Giang province, basedon the belief that residents in provinces like An Giang can afford thecars. According to JETRO, as of Aprillast year, about 2,000 companies had registered with theJapanese Chamber of Commerce. In 2018, the manufacturing sector made up 25percent of Japanese investment, making it the largest sector. HCM City hasattracted the largest number of investment projects with 1,247, makingup more than one-third of the total, and Hanoiis second with 1,081. But in terms of money invested,Thanh Hoa province has attracted the largest amount, with Nghi Son Refinery(9 billion USD), the largest project in the country. The province is followedby Hanoi, Binh Duong province, Hai Phong, and HCM City. Im sure that the number ofJapanese companies coming to Vietnam will increase, especially across sectorssuch as consulting, IT, retail, and distribution," Shinji said. "Idont expect any rapid or big changes from 2018 to 2020. But I think themanufacturing sector is strong, with relatively high levels ofinvestment." In 2019, the number ofinvestment projects from Japan was 655, with total value at 2.89billion USD./.VNA Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal In case you missed it, the City Different didnt make the cut for the 2020 Levitt Foundation AMP grant awards. The $25,000 grant helped nonprofit AMP Concerts bring music to the Santa Fe Railyard for three consecutive years ending in 2019. But dont hit the panic button just yet. Jamie Lenfestey, director of AMP Santa Fe, has a few tricks up his sleeve. Lenfestey, who has been a fixture on the Santa Fe music scene since 1991, plans to stage a crowdfunding effort on the gofundme.com platform to make up the shortfall. If 2,500 people each put in $10, well be right where we were before, he said. The concert promoter was as surprised as anyone when Santa Fe didnt qualify for the grant, which will help fund free public music in 20 underserved cities across the country during 2020. Weve been fortunate to be part of the Levitt Foundations program for the past three years. We were looking forward to being a fourth-time winner, Lenfestey said in a telephone interview. We got the votes. We finished in the top 10 in voting and, in the past, everyone whos been in the top 10 has gotten money, to the best of my knowledge. But when the 20 cities that will receive Levitt AMP grants were announced, it was Gallup representing New Mexico on the list, not Santa Fe. Other award-winners include such cities as Berea, Kentucky; Fort Smith, Arkansas; Utica, New York; and Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Still, Lenfestey doesnt begrudge Gallup its win. This is a placemaking grant to bring music to underserved cities. This wasnt a competition between Gallup and Santa Fe, he said. We helped Gallup with the voting. Lenfestey noted that, as professional concert promoters with a presence in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos, AMP is different from the community organizations that typically receive Levitt grants. What the Levitt grant gave AMP in Santa Fe was consistency, Lenfestey noted. The terms of the grant required AMP to produce 10 free music concerts that had to be on the same day, which Lenfestey decided would be Saturday. In some years, there were as many as 13 music events in a season. There were also free movie screenings, but thats a different story. Assuming all the financing falls into place, AMPs Railyard summer concert series will be held on Fridays in 2020. Lenfestey thinks the 2020 openings of Rio Rancho-based Bosque Brewing Co., Nuckolls Brewing and a distillery will bring younger patrons to the Railyard. Based on his experience in the music business, Lenfestey thinks the younger crowd prefers to party on Friday. Older folks like Saturdays better because they need Friday to recuperate from their workweek. Can the Railyard support four craft beer emporiums? The new arrivals will join existing Railyard tenants Second Street Brewing and Violet Crown Cinema, which has an extensive selection of craft beers. Lenfestey notes there are streets in Colorado tourist towns that have six craft breweries. This argument is ironic, given that Lenfesteys email signature is a quote from New Mexico Territorial Governor Lee Wallace, who served from 1878-81: All calculations based on experiences elsewhere fail in New Mexico. Asked to explain why he uses that quote, Lenfestey said, Agents are always comparing us to Austin and Denver. Those are two of the strongest concert markets in America, if not the world. The financial model is totally different here. While the Lensic Performing Arts Center and the Santa Fe Opera are world-class venues in the City Different, Lenfestey notes that the Denver-Boulder market has enormous numbers of top-notch performance spaces. Lenfestey, who joined forces in 2015 with AMP Concerts executive director Neal Copperman in Albuquerque, knows of what he speaks. He was the first promoter to bring outside musical acts to the Santa Fe Opera and was on hand for the re-opening of the historic Lensic theater in 2001. His Railyard music and movie credentials are unrivaled. It was Lenfestey who produced the first concert to celebrate the grand opening of the reclaimed space 12 years ago. As part of the crowdfunding appeal for the 2020 Railyard summer concert series, AMP plans to offer donors such perks as T-shirts, VIP parking and restaurant gift certificates. In addition to moving the summer music series from Saturday nights, AMP and other Railyard tenants are working together to create a market for vendors in the Santa Fe Farmers Market building on Friday nights to attract more traffic to the area. Stepping into help as the presenting sponsor for the Railyard summer music series is Falling Colors, a health care data company that was a sponsor last year. There is a big collaborative push, Lenfestey said. The Santa Fe Interplanetary Festival is going to host eight different lectures. Friday nights are when movies open, so people might come down to Violet Crown for an early show before the concert. The Railyard is set to come into full bloom in the summer of 2020. Those who want to learn more about when the crowdfunding appeal will go live on gofundme.com should check in periodically at ampconcerts.org or visit the nonprofits Facebook page, Lenfestey said. (Natural News) The overwhelming numbers of armed patriots at the pro-2A rally in Richmond, Virginia has apparently caused Antifa terrorists and deep state operatives to back down from their plans to instigate staged violence for CNNs cameras. While an estimated tens of thousands of armed patriots peacefully demonstrated at the Virginia capitol today, there were no reports of Antifa terrorists on the scene. Antifa simply could not be found. Its clear they decided to back down. Remember that over the last several days, patriots have been urged to roll their cameras at all times in order to document the scene and catch Antifa terrorists or deep state operatives trying to instigate violence. Patriots have also arrived armed, carrying literally thousands of rifles and pistols, sending a message to the deep state and its Antifa terrorism wing that violence will not be tolerated at this rally, despite the wishes of the radical Left and its anti-America media mouthpieces like NBC News or CNN. Greg Reese, reporting for InfoWars.com, also said that he cant even find any anti-gunners at the rally. Reporting from inside the FEMA cage that baby-killing Gov. Northam set up around the capitol grounds, Reese said the entire scene was dominated by pro-2A, peaceful protesters. "I love this country." "It's about the #2ndAmendment It's not only a constitutional right issue, but it's also a civil right issue." "As an African American on #MLKDay, it's critically important that we preserve the ability to defend ourselves" pic.twitter.com/CX5LPX9kUd Trump War Room Text LIFE to 88022 (@TrumpWarRoom) January 20, 2020 Northam and the deep state failed miserably It totally blew up in their face, Alex Jones said today. The police are now estimating 50,000 people came in they told companies to close all the parking garages so that people couldnt find parking, but there were at least 50,000 people standing room only. It was massive, and the real issue here is that everything Northam tried blew up in his face. Jones goes on to report: They tried to create a stampede, tried to engineer something, it failed. They choked. They backed down. And now everybodys going home with a major victory, and Northam has egg all over his face. Listen to my podcast to understand the full details of how Leftists and deep state actors run false flag psyops on the American people: Brighteon.com/e9834ffe-6eca-48ab-9a41-c23e89c5413d So far, it looks like theyve failed on this attempt, which shows the power of patriots showing up in huge numbers, armed with both rifles and cameras that are recording everything. When the radical Left cant carry out their schemes in secret when they are forced to operate in broad daylight while tens of thousands of people are watching and recording video they are unable to pull off their false flag operations. And thats a huge victory for America, for liberty and for all of humanity. A Polish prisoner carefully checks there are no guards around before he enters one of the SS cloakrooms in Auschwitz. He takes out a hidden vial and quickly sprinkles its contents on the collars of those hated uniforms, before slipping out again. Within two weeks some of the Germans had come down with the typhoid that was wiping out so many of the prisoners. That vial had contained a batch of infected lice, and the plan to deliver it was hatched under the direction of the subject of this biography. Few people outside his native Poland have heard of Witold Pilecki, but perhaps over time his name will be spoken of in the same sentences as Anne Frank, or Primo Levi, or the other chroniclers of the darkest days of the 20th century. He was the Catholic farmer who purposely got himself arrested by the Germans in 1940 so he could be sent to Auschwitz. The resistance movement he was part of knew little about the camp other than its high death rate, so this father of two took on the mission to gather intelligence from within, and possibly organise a breakout. He couldn't have imagined what he was letting himself in for. Even without the gas chambers and the 'Final Solution' (decided on in 1942), early Auschwitz was a brutal place. Prisoners were almost casually clubbed to death, with Jews singled out for particularly harsh treatment alongside lawyers, doctors, and other professionals. Hard labour and starvation rations added to the appalling conditions. The death rates meant a lot of bodies to be disposed of, and the ever-practical Germans had built an onsite crematorium for just such a purpose. As Jack Fairweather's gripping account shows, none of this deflected Witold from his mission. Taken from Pilecki's own memoirs and accounts by those who knew him, a picture emerges of an incredible individual. A born leader with an eye for the greater good, in a place where prisoners were understandably prone to turning on each other, he weaponised kindness by helping to foster a culture of solidarity, working towards a more even distribution of food, and care for the weak. Even after a year in that awful place, he worried that his family would find a way to get him out. As early as October 1940, he was able to get a reports about the camp to the resistance in Warsaw, who forwarded it to London. Pilecki was convinced that when those on the outside realised what was going on, an attack on Auschwitz would become a priority. He never knew why it didn't, and after two-and-a-half years, finally decided to break out and relate in person a story that now had additional chapters about huge numbers of Jews including many children being gassed. Again, for all sorts of reasons, and to his extreme frustration, nobody acted. Myriad other war priorities, logistical difficulties, worries about anti-semitism in their own countries, and British attempts to keep a lid on the situation in Palestine, are among the reasons Fairweather gives for the Allies' lack of action on Auschwitz. We also see how, at several stages in the evolution of Auschwitz, there seems to have been a failure to comprehend what was going on there. Even now, given all we know, the Nazis' actions are scarcely believable. Extreme brutality is one thing, but the type of carefully-planned, industrial genocide that went on at the death camp is still almost beyond our ken. After his escape, Pilecki continued to resist, fighting in the Warsaw uprising, and after 'liberation' from the Germans, he switched to documenting atrocities by Stalin's forces. His luck eventually ran out and he was executed in Warsaw in 1948. His showtrial was even overseen by a fellow-Polish survivor of Auschwitz, who now sided with the communists. In his wartime accounts hidden by Poland's communist government until 1989 Pilecki wrote of being with many of his friends as they faced death, as they spoke of their regrets about not doing more for other people in their lives. The only thing that remained after them on Earth, the only thing that was positive and had a lasting value, was what they could give of themselves to others. Hopefully, Wiltold Pilecki went to his end knowing he had more than given enough. Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations. A tight cordon of security by Scotland Yard around the Indian high commission prevented recurrence of violence on Sunday as demonstrators raised anti-India slogans and separatist demands related to Khalistan and Kashmir. Indias diplomatic pressure described as relentless ensured that British authorities took adequate measures, including mounted police and cameras to record and identify protestors. Unlike the hype before Sunday, the protest attracted less than 1,000 people. The mission had been the target of violence on August 15 and September 3 last year, which spiralled into a diplomatic row between New Delhi and London. British authorities could not allow third countries to play their games in the UK, they were told. Stringent measures were in place during subsequent protests, including one on Diwali, when protestors were not allowed near India House. Sundays protest was preceded by a series of engagements by diplomats with home secretary Priti Patel, among others. Groups involved in the Sunday protest included Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK and the Kashmir Solidarity Movement, besides Sikh separatist outfits. The protestors were confined to the road opposite the mission, with all access points effectively blocked by the police. It seems some delay in giving police permission to the protest ensured that not many turned up, while fatigue is also setting in, as things have moved on in Jammu and Kashmir since Article 370 was revoked, a senior community leader insisting on anonymity said. Protests were also held on Saturday on the eve of the Republic Day against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), when students, activists and others gathered opposite Downing Street. The organisers included the South Asia Solidarity Group, CasteWatch UK, SOAS India Society, Tamil People in the UK, Indian Workers Association (GB), Indian Muslim Federation (UK), Federation of Redbridge Muslim Organisations, Kashmir Solidarity Movement, South Asian Students Against Fascism, Newham Muslim Alliance; Ghadar International. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Alexander Spatari/Getty There are more than a half-dozen self-titled Little Viennas in Europe, preening for the honor of second place. Fewer cities compete for the diminutive Little Paris Grand Prix but there are some. The former were almost entirely within Austria-Hungary for decades or centuries, and accordingly their Habsburg yellow Baroque buildings, mini-Ringstrasses and similar trappings are all easy to explain. Little Parises are different; they tend to be much farther away and were never subject to rule by real Paris. Theyre enthusiasts rather than offspring, such as the German city of Leipzig and Plovdiv in Bulgaria but the unquestionable and implausible best of the lot is Bucharest. Among the very numerous attractions of the Romanian capital is a stock of French Renaissance Revival, neoclassical, and Beaux-Arts buildings to put almost any city outside of the French capital to shame, all the more interesting because they arent sited in any coherent sequence of a national vernacular but are located more than 1,000 miles from France amidst a cityscape of older Byzantine and Ottoman-styled buildings, later Byzantine Revivalism, and an excellent collection of interwar modern and Art Deco buildings. It doesnt make sense but the result is brilliant. Take a stroll down the Calea Victoriei, the principal thoroughfare of Bucharests Old Town and youll find French-styled architecture on nearly every block. Bucharest doubles as Paris not infrequently in media, from Killing Eve to an early 1990s Michael Gambon Maigret series. Trademarks of Beaux-Arts architecture are everywhere, and these generally arent even knockoffs by any standard. Several were built by French architects; most were built by Romanian architects, but generally ones educated at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris during its prime decades. How does one explain it? The rise of Romanian nationalism over the earlier decades of the 19th century found unique inspiration in (and concrete help from) France. Romania, which in the pre-national form of the provinces of Wallachia and Moldavia had been an autonomous portion of the Ottoman Empire for centuries, was actively interested in turning away from the traditions of its Ottoman overlords. Russia, which eyed it hungrily, occupying its territories twice and seeking to conquer it in the Crimean War was obviously not an example it sought to emulate. Nearby Austria-Hungary was viewed warily as well, as another possible conqueror of a neighbor already ruling over several million ethnic Romanians in Transylvania. Story continues A particularly vital interest of Romanian nationalists was stressing the Latinity of their civilization, the westernmost Romance language group amidst Slavs, Turks, and Greeks. Not unsurprisingly, commemorative links to Ancient Rome became ubiquitous (there seems to be a commemoration of Roman Emperor Trajan in every Romanian city) but Italy was a geographic expression, France was a great state, and the worthy focus of aspirations. France was also quite politically helpful. Ironically, it was Russian occupation that provided broader exposure to the French language. Emanuela Constantini explains in Dismantling the Ottoman Heritage? The Evolution of Bucharest in the Nineteenth Century, The Russian aristocracy, to which the officers of the Tsarist army belonged, used French as a common language. During the Russian occupation of Wallachia in 1806-1812 and again in 1829-1834, the local nobility came into contact with Russian officers, and French literature, dances and traditions began to circulate. William O'Connor/The Daily Beast Romanian enthusiasm for France took on numerous aspects: it imported a huge number of loanwords from French beginning in the 19th century. Estimates vary but roughly 20 percent of the entire Romanian lexicon consists of French loanwords (considerably more than it imported from other Romance languages, from any Slavic neighbors, or from Turkish). The French imprint on the language is unmistakable. You arrive at the Aeroportul, or the Gara de Nord, drive in on a Bulevardul (which were often inspired by Haussmans Paris from the start). Informal thanks is easy as mersi. The military police are Jandarmeria. The airport is named after Henri Coanda, an aviator who spent extensive time in France. Paris seemed an obligatory stop for generations of Romanian artists in countless fields. George Enescu, Constantin Brancusi, Victor Brauner, Tristan Tzara, Emil Ciroan, Eugen Ionescu, Theodore Pallady, and Nicolae Grigorescu. And of course a huge number of Romanian architects studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts: when Romanian architecture schools were founded they were heavily influenced by the Beaux-Arts model. Go for a flanerie through the old town for a more than mildly surreal sense of dislocation from whatever geographic architectural moorings youve acquired. Theres something Gare de Lyon-like about the French Renaissance Palace of Justice just south of the Old Town, which was the work of Albert Ballu (and eminent Romanian architect Ion Mincu, Beaux-Arts educated, naturellement), who designed the Palais de Justice in Charleroi in Belgium, along with the train station and cathedral in Oran. Venture north on the Calea Victoriei and youll find Alexandru Savulescus Beaux-Arts Romanian National History Museum, formerly the Central Post Office, reportedly inspired by the main Geneva post office, and bearing more than a mild resemblance to the Natural History Museum at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris, although it boasts grander features than either, wonderful cupolas, and an excellent collection. William O'Connor/The Daily Beast Across the street is one of Bucharests most ravishing buildings, the CEC Savings and Deposit Bank Palace (designed by Paul Gottereau of Perpignan and the Ecole Des Beaux-Arts). It bears a resemblance to the Petit Palais in Paris but is far more ornate and frankly interesting, boasting one of the most brash and beautiful archways in the Beaux-Arts corpus and an array of solid and glass Renaissance domes bringing internal order. Its now a banking museum but theres nothing dry about its majestic interior, featuring a range of murals and resplendent light. A little north, and somewhat concealed, is the wonderful Macca-Vilacrosse Arcade, designed by another Frenchman, Felix Xenopol. This obvious nod to Parisian passages couverts actually consists of three short arcaded glass-roofed streets that meet under a grand dome of green and yellow glassits odd shape, and current charm, the result of a hotel that refused to relocate. Slightly north is the Military Circle, featuring the neoclassical Military Circle Palace (currently swathed for construction) and not one but two French neoclassical-styled hotels, Arghir Culinas Hotel Capitol (formerly the Magasin de Luvru, you can guess the palace they had in mind) and Alexandru Orascus Grand Hotel du Boulevard (not Bulevardul, to be clear) whose marbled interiors are also very elegant. Soon youll arrive at a series of grand Piatas (an Italian loanword here), fronted by Paul Gottereaus Carol I University Central University Library building, which resembles the Pantheon Sorbonne in configuration, across the street from the National Museum of Art of Romania, located in the former Royal Palace. Inside there are works by Pissaro, Signac, Courbet, Boudin, Monet, and Camille Claudel, but more importantly a superb collection of Romanian artists you likely havent seen, including Nicolae Gregorescu, another Beaux-Arts grad, Romanias greatest Courbet disciple, plein air painter, and Impressionist, but an excellent range of artists from the 1850s to 1980s, including Theodore Aman, Gheorgae Petrascu, Max Hermann Maxy, Nicolae Tonitza, Marcel Iancu, Victor Brauner, Corneliu Baba, and of course Brancusi. The remainder of the European collection is also great, including Tintoretto, Bronzino, multiple El Grecos and Rembrandts, and Brueghel the Youngers Seasons series. The neoclassical Romanian Athenaeum concert hall a little farther up was designed by Albert Galleron on the recommendation of Charles Garnier, architect of the Opera Garnier in Paris. The Lipscani (Romanian for Leipzig, that littler Little Paris, need I remind you) district east of Calea Victoriei features Bucharests mercifully small concentration of tourist-oriented dreck amidst many more lovely blocks and buildings such as the National Bank of Romania by Bernard and Galleron, and Alexandru Orascus neoclassical main Bucharest University Building. Admire more of the lovely Beaux-Arts in the obstreperously arched and Renaissance-domed Strada Doamnei 11 and go inside for the similarly appealing antiques market. The Ministry of Agriculture a bit to the east seems a chateau amidst the city, a more conscious older revivalism than much of the citys other Francophilia, this designed by Geneva-born Louis Blanc. Ramble on Strada Biserica Amzei and Strada Henri Coanda both of which contain all sorts of fine things. The Vasile Parvan Institute of Archeology by Jean Berthet on the latter is particularly nice. You will find quite a lot that isnt Parisian along this stretch: if what you want is Paris, just go there. Its the contrast between these French-styled buildings and their very different physical and cultural surroundings that makes for the magic of Bucharest. The Kretzulescu, Zlatari, and Biserica Doamnei churches along the Calea, generally small but splendid Byzantine-styled churches are but a handful of the dozens of historic churches in this overwhelmingly Romanian Orthodox country. Their exteriors are often relatively simple but interiors are full fresco iconography over every internal inch. The Lipscani District holds a number of relics of older Bucharest: The Stavrapoleus Monastery, architectural remnants of the former princely court, and excellent Romanian Revival architecture of the period just after Francophilia such as the Marmorsch Bank and the Chrissevoloni Bank. All this visual splendor wont sustain life, and another layer of the immense charm of Bucharest is its curious cuisine, perched between Central European elements like Ciorba sour soups, Sarmale stuffed cabbage rolls, sausages and cutlets and middle dips such as Zacusca (an eggplant and pepper dip), chopped salads, and a sybaritic range of cheeses and pastries. There are a few Italianate items such as Mamaliga, a frequently superb polenta, and white bean dishes. Beyond this there are very affordable wines and tuica plum brandy. This is all exceptionally affordable by European standards as well, with the lei-dollar rate enabling temporarily princely indulgences. William O'Connor/The Daily Beast Be sure to walk east to experience the vital contrast of the Bulevardul Magheru, one of the worlds great showplace Art Deco avenues, deserving a place with diverse company such as Ocean Drive in Miami, Marine Drive in Bombay, the Grand Concourse in the Bronx, and all sorts of locations in Tel Aviv. Youll see Culinas Hotel Ambassador, Horia Creangas ARO building, the Mining Credit Block at Bulevardul Nicolae Balcescu 2 and much more. You will have noticed the splendid Adriatica Building back on Calea Victoriei, and nearby the one American design contribution to the city, the Telephones Company by Walter Froy, Louis Weeks. Follow Magheru this just a bit north to the Bulevardul Lascar Catargiu and youre back in maybe-Paris again, with this street lined with many well-preserved villas. The nearby Scientists Club by I.D. Berindey (Beaux-Arts alum of course!) is excellent at 9 Lahovari. A bit north of the city is the sumptuous French Baroque-Art Nouveau Enescu National Museum housed in the Cantecuzino Palace designed by I.D. Berindey. The museums collection isnt especially great unless you happen to be an Enescu fanatic but the interiors are worth the exceptionally modest price of admission. And nearby theres another excellent large gallery , the Art Collections Museum, featuring mainly Romanian work, especially those of the Francis Bacon of Romania, Corneliu Baba. I havent mentioned the affliction that is Ceaucescus New City, a chunk of Pyongyang which obliterated a sixth of the old city. Its theoretically pedestrian-friendly but in much the same way that the mall parking lot is: the scale is oppressive, every block and building too long and every bulevardul too wide, a combination thats exceptionally monotonous, worth a walk mainly to breathe a sigh of relief in returning to the old city. The Parliamentary Palace features some grandiose chambers and quality art but it is a work of rank gigantism, wearying to walk around and more intimidating than impressive from exterior angles. Ceaucescus own villa north of the city in Dorobanti is worth a metro trip. Its not really the festival of kitsch that photos of its golden bathroom would have you think, and mainly reflects the sort of fairly conservative petit bourgeois taste oddly typical of Eastern Bloc dictators. As usual its a traditional charming villa neighborhood for the leader, New Pyongyang or worse for the rest. Garnished by gifts from Mao, the Shah of Iran, and all sorts of others its interesting and all peripherally ghastly in the context of his deeds, but the pool is fantastic. There are risks even with Ceaucescu gone. You dont have to venture very far at all from the center of the city to encounter buildings in disrepair: the city has an air of dilapidation thats charming in milder forms but somewhat alarming in its more intense forms: Bucharest was included on the 2016 listing of the World Monuments Fund Watch. That entry pointed out that A built environment of great historical, social, and symbolic significance is threatened by abandonment and demolition of historic buildings, uncontrolled development, and inappropriate rehabilitation. Go, and perhaps it will encourage a different trend. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. At a January 21 trial in Kazakhstans eastern town of Zaysan, a court found Kaster Musahanuly and Murager Alimuly guilty of illegally crossing into Kazakhstan from China. They were sentenced to one year in prison, though the court took time already served in detention into account, so the two former residents of Chinas western Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region will be freed from custody in less than six months. More importantly, they will not be sent back to China, where more than 1 million Muslims -- Uyghurs, Kyrgyz, Kazakhs, and others -- are confined in so-called reeducation camps, but it is unclear what will happen after they are out of prison. On this week's Majlis podcast, RFE/RL's media-relations manager, Muhammad Tahir, moderates a discussion on what has been happening to ethnic Kazakhs from Xinjiang when they illegally cross the border and reach Kazakhstan. From Kazakhstan, Serikzhan Bilash, a Kazakh from Xinjiang who obtained Kazakh citizenship and founded the Kazakhstan-based Atajurt movement that has shed so much light on what is happening in Xinjiang, participates in the discussion. Daniyar Kossenov, a co-founder of the Kazakh rights group Qaharman, takes part. And we are also joined from Kazakhstan by Aigerim Toleukhan, an old Majlis friend who now works for RFE/RLs Kazakh Service, known locally as Azattyq. And I pitch in a remark of two. Listen to the podcast above or subscribe to the Majlis on iTunes or on Google Podcasts. National security planners on Sunday deployed anti-drone weapons to secure VVIPs during the Republic Day parade - the first instance of India attempting to neutralise the growing threat from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) -- according to people familiar with the matter. While security agencies are tight-lipped on the details of its classified action, HT has learnt that anti-drone weapons, including those indigenously manufactured by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), were deployed at Janpath to protect high-value targets at the parade. The decision to deploy anti-drone weapons was taken by Union home minister Amit Shah after intelligence agencies reported the possibility of terrorists using UAVs to target VVIPs in a bid to embarrass the Narendra Modi government on the global stage. Though Indias anti-drone capability is limited, DRDO and security forces responded by setting up a platform. DRDO uses electro-optical laser pulses and radars to track hostile drones, and then either jams the radio frequency between the machine and the operator or destroys UAVs using laser technology. Interestingly, the classified drone weapon was on the day DRDO showcased its anti-satellite weapon at the parade. Indian security agencies are concerned about the growing threat from drones, with the Pakistani deep state using Chinese-made UAVs to deliver weapons payloads across the Punjab border and the Line of Control (LoC) in recent months. At least four Chinese drones have been recovered by Punjab Police since August 2019. They were used to drop assault rifles, satellite phones, grenades and pistols to terror operatives in Punjab. Security officials said the same modus operandi is used to drop weapons in Jammu & Kashmir. They added that the threat is even more serious with China developing armed drones, which fire missiles to destroy high-value targets. Rather than sending a human across the LoC, drone provides a cheap and effective way to stockpile weapons in J&K by Pakistan-based jihadist groups. Even if the drone gets shot down, there is total deniability, and handlers dont have to pay huge sums of money to the family of the weapon courier if he gets killed by Indian security forces, said a senior official who asked not to be named. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) in a high-level meeting of a committee under BCAS director general Rakesh Asthana last week -- finalised specifications for a system to counter rogue drones at Indian civilian airports. The specifications have now been sent to the civil aviation minister for approval. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON See for yourself how and where vaccinations are ramping up, plus how COVID-19 infections and deaths still persist in most states. A man who was wrongfully arrested and sent to prison while awaiting trial has been given 100,000 in compensation. Gary Webb, from Gatehouse of Fleet in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, spent one night in police custody and three nights in prison in 2015. The 60-year-old was later released after police officers realised they had arrested the wrong man - but he said that his life had been 'trashed' by the experience. Gary Webb, (pictured) from Gatehouse of Fleet in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, spent one night in police custody and three nights in prison in 2015 Mr Webb, who has no criminal convictions, was arrested at his home by officers who had a warrant for a different person. It is not clear what the charge was. The former timber yard manager claims that he tried to prove that it was a case of mistaken identity by showing officers his passport, driving licence and photographs from around his home. But he was put in handcuffs and escorted to the police station. Speaking about the ordeal to The Sunday Post, Mr Webb said: 'I was at home with my wife then being held in cuffs with no-one believing who I was and facing the worst kind of criminal charges imaginable. 'I thought I was going insane. How could no-one believe I was me?' Mr Webb was taken to court before then spending three nights on remand in a cell at Addiewell Prison in West Lothian - more than 100 miles away from his home. He claims that he did not receive an explanation or apology by the officers even after he was eventually released. Mr Webb made a formal complaint for wrongful arrest soon after but this was rejected after two years of deliberation and was instead attributed to a 'quality of service issue'. The 60-year-old was later released after police officers realised they had arrested the wrong man - but he said that his life had been 'trashed' by the experience. Pictured: HMP Addiewell He went on to contact the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner who ordered that five officers who had been involved were arrested and reported over allegations of criminal neglect of duty and attempting to pervert the course of justice to the Crown Office. But after a further two-year investigation it was decided that none of those involved would be prosecuted. Three of the officers have now retired and it is unclear whether any have faced - or will face - disciplinary action. It is now thought that one of the officers is in fact suing the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner over his arrest by investigators. Mr Webb claims that he had to leave his job after his mental health deteriorated as a result of the arrest. He has now been awarded 100,000 in compensation but said: 'My life has been trashed after this. Completely trashed... 'Police Scotland and its behaviour has been utterly despicable. 'They clearly know of wrongdoing or they wouldn't have paid damages.' Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs, of Police Scotland, said: 'We recognise the significant impact this incident and our poor initial response had on Mr Webb and, following the conclusion of legal proceedings, will seek to discuss these matters with him and offer an unreserved apology. 'The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service instructed the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner to investigate the circumstances and the COPFS has instructed there should be no criminal proceedings. 'Our officers and staff work with commitment and professionalism day in, day out, to provide a high quality policing service for the public. 'When learning opportunities are identified, Police Scotland is committed to supporting officers and staff who have acted in good faith, however we will not comment on internal misconduct matters.' D onald Trump has been accused of asking how long Ukraine can resist Russia without help from the US, as fresh details have emerged from a tape provided to congressional investigators. It comes amid the US president's trial in the Senate, after the House accused him of abusing his office by asking Ukraine to probe Joe Biden while withholding military aid the nation. The recording was provided to congressional investigators by Lev Parnas, an associate of Mr Trumps personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Mr Trump can reportedly be heard enquiring how long Ukraine would be able to resist Russian aggression without assistance during a 2018 meeting with donors. Donald Trump walks to Air Force One to depart for travel to Florida / REUTERS "How long would they last in a fight with Russia?" Mr Trump is heard asking in the audio portion of a video recording, moments before he calls for the firing of US Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch. She was removed a year later after a campaign to discredit her by Mr Giuliani and others, an action that is part of Democrats' case arguing for the removal of the president in his Senate impeachment trial. A video recording of the entire 80-minute dinner at the Trump Hotel in Washington was obtained Saturday by The Associated Press. Excerpts were first published Friday by ABC News. People can be seen in only some portions of the recording. It comes amid Donald Trump's impeachment hearing / Getty Images The recording contradicts the president's statements that he did not know the Giuliani associates Lev Parnas or Igor Fruman, key figures in the investigation who were indicted last year on campaign finance charges. It came to light as Democrats continued to press for witnesses and other evidence to be considered during the impeachment trial. On the recording, a voice that appears to be Mr Parnas' can be heard saying: "The biggest problem there, I think where we need to start is we got to get rid of the ambassador." He later can be heard telling Mr Trump: "She's basically walking around telling everybody, 'Wait, he's gonna get impeached. Just wait."' Mr Trump responds: "Get rid of her! Get her out tomorrow. I don't care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. OK? Do it." Ukraine came up during the dinner in the context of a discussion of energy markets, with the voice appearing to be Mr Parnas' describing his involvement in the purchase of a Ukrainian energy company. The group then praises Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to which the president says: "Pompeo's going to be good. He's doing a good job. Already he's doing a good job." At the beginning of the video, Mr Trump is seen posing for photos before entering the blue-walled dining room. After decades of toil, there are days when I think it'd be nice to retire. Many people beyond the first flush of youth have felt the same way from time to time. Some feel it all the time. But retiring early is not really an option for most people. And it is becoming even less of an option, as evidenced by the fact that more older people (both under 65 and over) are working than ever before. This is mostly a good news story. Ireland is among the developed countries that have seen the biggest gains in longevity in recent decades. Just 30 years ago, the average Irish lifespan was 75. Now it is up to 82 - and it continues to rise, unlike a good number of peer countries in which the long trend toward longer life has come to an abrupt halt over the past few years. Ever-lengthening lives in Ireland is to be celebrated. Life is precious. Having more of it is good, even if there are consequences which need adjusting to. Among these adjustments is the abolition of employment contracts which stipulate that employees must stop working at 65. Another adjustment is that we accept longer lives do not costlessly lead to more years without work. The reluctance to face the consequences of the greying of the population in many countries has led to well-founded fears of a ticking "pensions time bomb". If and when it goes off, those who are young now will be affected most - there will be insufficient resources to pay them pensions in later life and they will have to eke out a living into their 70s and beyond. The demographics of all of this are not in dispute. The number of 20- to 64-year-olds relative to those aged 65+ is falling. It will likely continue to fall for decades, because people are living longer and also because Ireland's birth rate is now at an all-time low and still falling (the economic upturn has not generated a baby boom, as past periods of good times did). This means the cost of funding ever larger pension outlays will fall on an ever shrinking group. The good news is that defusing the pensions time bomb is not rocket science. There are three ways of dealing with it: save more during your working life; take a smaller pension after retirement; and/or retire later so that you delay taking from the pot. Ireland's political system is not always far-seeing in addressing urgent challenges. But the decision, taken in 2011, to increase the age of retirement gradually to 68 by the end of the current decade, was just that. Despite this, the retirement age has emerged as an election campaign issue. The debate around it suggests a lot of people don't accept that reverting to a retirement age of 65 will not lead to a shift in resources to one generation from others. Time and again over the past week it has been claimed that it is unfair to ask people to work beyond the traditional retirement age of 65. There is now an active campaign to bring the retirement age back to 65 for everyone. This is in effect to ask younger generations to pay for pensions that they, in all likelihood, will not receive. If the political system caves in to arguments cloaked in the language of fairness when they are anything but, it will be a retrograde step. ******* The issue of fairness arose in an entirely different context last week. Why is Ireland so unequal when it comes to how much people earn compared with other developed countries? This is a big question. Until last week, nobody had tried to answer it in a systematic way. A paper presented last week by ESRI economist Barra Roantree has brought some clarity. He has crunched a lot of data to find the reasons why Irish people's incomes before tax and welfare payments are the most unequal in Europe. He discounts one possibility, raised in this column two months ago, that a widening wage gap could explain it. The study finds that above-average growth in both high-paying jobs, such as those in multinational companies, and low-paying jobs - in the hospitality sector, for instance - is not a significant factor in earnings inequality. "Wage polarisation" may be an issue to watch for a number of reasons, but it not the cause of Ireland's extreme pre-tax and welfare income inequality. So what is the cause? The answer may be a little counter-intuitive, so consider the following illustration. Put two people in a room. One has a minimum wage job. The other person is unemployed and his income comes entirely from welfare benefits. The difference between the person with no earned income and the person on the minimum wage is - without exaggeration - infinitesimal. The point of this example is that if you have a lot of people in a country who have no earned income, you will have a high level of income inequality before taxes are redistributed. The most important finding of last week's ESRI paper is that Ireland's unusually high share of adults whose only income comes from redistributed taxes is the reason for high pre-redistribution inequality. There are two main reasons that Ireland has such a high proportion of population dependent on welfare, despite having one of the strongest economies in Europe. The first is the number of jobless lone parents. Ireland also has more lone parent households as a share of all households than any other of the 28 that are members of the EU. This is curious. With a low divorce rate and a socially conservative society until recently, it is not clear why lone parenting is much more common in Ireland. Another unusual aspect of Ireland's lone-parenting phenomenon is less surprising, and that is the high cost of childcare. For many lone parents, the cost of having someone mind their kids is more than they can earn, or close to it. There is an entirely separate reason Ireland has a high share of its population whose only income comes from welfare benefits. Among single people, Ireland has the highest share of people in the EU who cannot work for reasons of illness and disability. In the decade up to the property crash, the numbers rose by tens of thousands. It was during this period that Ireland moved out of line with other countries, despite no evidence to suggest the general health of the population had declined (quite the opposite in fact). There is no stronger reason to have a welfare state than the help and security it gives to those who are sick and disabled. But if the system is classifying people who are going through a rough patch as ill and disabled, it risks detaching those people from the world of work, leading to long-term welfare dependency. That has happened in Ireland. It is a nettle that the next government, regardless of its composition, will need to grasp. A Florida man who became an online sensation last year after fighting while dressed as the Easter Bunny has been arrested for a hit-and-run where he allegedly tried to use his costume to avoid capture. Antoine McDonald, 21, hopped into overnight fame last year when a video went viral of him getting into a brawl with a man in Orlando while wearing his bunny costume on Easter Sunday. Now, authorities said they arrested McDonald after he was involved in a hit-and-run last week. The self-proclaimed 'Orlando Easter Bunny' was driving a motorcycle through Orlando on January 16, when he allegedly ran a stop sign and crashed into a carport. Antoine McDonald, 21, (above) was arrested after he was involved in a hit-and-run last week and tried to use his Easter Bunny costume to avoid capture McDonald hopped into overnight fame when a video went viral of him getting into a brawl with a man in Orlando while wearing his bunny costume on Easter Sunday McDonald then fled the scene, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The carport collapsed on top of a car in the driveway and the motorcycle hit a fence and flipped over, the Orlando Sentinel reported. When officers went to McDonald's address to arrest him, they found him hiding in the backseat of a car that was being driven down the street by his cousin. McDonald was wearing the same Easter Bunny costume in an attempt to avoid detection and told officers to 'Google' him, police said. 'I wasn't in any crash. I'm the Orlando Easter bunny, Google it,' he said. McDonald also claimed he had already returned the motorcycle to the dealer because he would not give him a new tag, according to an arrest report. When police went to arrest him for the hit-and-run on January 16, McDonald (above) was wearing the same Easter Bunny costume in an attempt to avoid detection and told officers to 'Google' him In the report, officers said '[t]he bunny appeared to be alive'. Police asked McDonald to remove his costume before they arrested him. It's a far cry from the 'vigilante' behavior the Orlando Easter Bunny became known for last year. Footage of McDonald, dressed as the Easter Bunny, throwing punches outside of the SAK Comedy Lab in downtown Orlando in April went viral. The bizarre brawl allegedly broke out after a man bumped into a woman and the two began to fight. McDonald, dressed in the bunny costume, insisted he had no choice but to come to the woman's aid after seeing her getting punched. Witness Lindsey Edwards said he saw the man spit on the woman just before they began scuffling and McDonald rushed to her defense, according to WESH 2 News. The Bunny was filmed dragging the man and punching him repeatedly in the back in the 2019 fight (above) McDonald said he was out 'bar hopping' in the bunny suit with his cousin and his girlfriend when he saw the pair fighting on the ground. As he tried to break up the fight the alleged attacker was able to get on top of the woman. Eventually a passer-by and a police officer intervened and broke up the brawl. McDonald said the officer who broke up the scuffle was 'confused' by the situation. He told TMZ: 'I saw him [the attacker] spit on her and I saw a fight breaking out, I just ran over there, I didn't have time to ask anyone like, ''yo unzip me from the suit''. 'I didn't even check for cars, I just ran across the street. At first I was just trying to break it up, but then my attempt to break it up lead to the aggressor getting on top of her. 'So then, I don't know if I got a little upset, but I had to start punching him to get off of her. Antoine McDonald was unmasked as the 'heroic bunny' after the clip was posted on Instagram and he was interviewed on TV stations (above) Hopping in! After seeing the altercation between the man and woman, the Easter Bunny joins in, siding with the woman and attacking the man Antoine McDonald (second right) holding his bunny suit with some of his friends who were with him the night he broke up the fight between a man and a woman in Florida on Easter Sunday 'Honestly I didn't know I was wearing the suit until afterwards, I was just ready to go. I'm pretty sure the cop was a little confused, like he didn't know how to fill out the paperwork. 'His words to me were, ''if I catch you in that suit fighting again I'm going to arrest you and that damn bunny''. 'You never know if I see something like that happen again and I'm wearing the suit, I'm gonna be a vigilante.' Days later footage of the fight boasted more than a million views. After the video went viral McDonald set up an Instagram account documenting his media interviews and adventures, with the caption, 'Bad Bunny', 'Hero Bunny' and 'Protecting the People'. Following the latest escapades of the Orlando Easter Bunny, McDonald was taken to AdventHealth Altamonte Springs for leg and rib injuries sustained in the crash. He is charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage, driving with a suspended license and operating a motorcycle without a license. Senate impeachment trial: Trumps legal team mounts his defense originally appeared on abcnews.go.com President Donald Trump's defense team makes first day of opening arguments Trump's lawyers argue the charges are not impeachable, raise the Bidens Trump has called the Saturday trial session "Death Valley in T.V." President Donald Trump's legal team Saturday took to the Senate floor to argue against the case made by the House impeachment managers over the past three days. The presidents lawyers also will have 24 hours over three days to persuade senators that the articles of impeachment charged -- abuse of power and obstruction of Congress -- do not amount to impeachable offenses. PHOTO: President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Jay Sekulow speaks to the press during a recess in the impeachment trial at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 24, 2020, in Washington. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) As Jay Sekulow, the president's personal attorney, predicted, they briefly brought up former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, after Democrats raised them repeatedly in an effort to preempt the expected White House defense. They have argued that the president was justified in seeking an investigation into the Bidens by Ukraine because of a history of corruption involving the Ukrainian energy company Burisma. Sekulow has said his team plans to save the bulk of their defense for their second day of arguments on Monday. He was accompanied by White House counsel Pat Cipollone and other White House lawyers on Saturday in an abbreviated session that lasted only about two hours. Next week is when youll see the full presentation, Sekulow told reporters Friday. MORE: 66% call for witnesses in Trump's impeachment trial: Poll Sekulow's comment came on the heels of a tweet by Trump equating Saturdays to Death Valley in T.V., signaling that he doesn't want his lawyers to deliver the case on Saturday when fewer people might be watching. Before Saturday's session began, Trump tweeted how Americans could watch his lawyers defend him. Our case against lyin, cheatin, liddle Adam Shifty Schiff, Cryin Chuck Schumer, Nervous Nancy Pelosi, their leader, dumb as a rock AOC, & the entire Radical Left, Do Nothing Democrat Party, starts today at 10:00 A.M. on @FoxNews, @OANN or Fake News @CNN or Fake News MSDNC! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2020 Here is how the day unfolded. Story continues 12:01 p.m. Saturday session ends after about two hours Just before Cipollone ends the Trump team presentation for the day, he once again targets Schiff by recalling that Independent Counsel Ken Starr testified before the House during the Clinton impeachment. "Do you know who else didn't show up in the Judiciary Committee to answer questions about his report in the way Ken Starr did in the Clinton impeachment? Ken Starr was subjected to cross-examination by the president's counsel," Cipollone says. "Do you know who didn't show up in the Judiciary Committee? Chairman Schiff." "Now, they've come here today and they basically said let's cancel an election over a meeting with the Ukraine, with Ukraine," Cipollone says. "And as my colleagues have shown, they failed to give you key facts about the meeting and lots of other evidence that they produced themselves." "Impeachment shouldn't be a shell game," Cipollone says. "They should give you the facts." White House counsel Pat Cipollone makes closing comments as Senate adjourns until Monday, saying removing Trump from office would be an "abuse of power" and the people should "decide for themselves." https://t.co/83SgyyHt79 pic.twitter.com/YT34e4hWtH ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 25, 2020 In his closing remarks, Sekulow says,"Impeachment shouldn't be a shell game. We ask you, out of respect, to think about whether what you've heard would really suggest to anybody anything other that would be completely irresponsible abuse of power to do what they're asking you to do. To stop an election, to interfere in an election, and remove the President of the United States from the ballot? Let the people decide for themselves. That's what the founders wanted. That's what we should all want," he says. 11:40 a.m. Trump team says Pelosi had no authority to begin impeachment inquiry without full House vote Deputy White House counsel Patrick Philbin begins by talking about "issues related to obstruction and due process," outlining what he says are errors with the process in which the House handled the impeachment inquiry. He says House Speaker Nancy Pelosi didn't have the authority to begin impeaching the president without a full vote of the House. "House Democrats skipped over that step completely. What they had instead was simply a press conference from Speaker Pelosi announcing that she was directing committees to proceed with an impeachment inquiry against the President of the United States. Speaker Pelosi didn't have the authority to delegate the power of the house to those committees on her own," he says. "All of those subpoenas were invalid. And that is what the Trump administration pointed out specifically to the house. That was the reason for not responding to them because under long-settled precedent, there had to be a vote from the House to give authority." PHOTO: In this image from video, White House deputy counsel Patrick Philbin speaks during the impeachment trial against Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 25, 2020. (Senate Television via AP) Philbin says the idea that President Trump was offered due process is "simply inaccurate" and claims that 78 days in the House is the fastest impeachment inquiry in U.S. history. "The president was given a choice of participating in a process that was going to already have the outcome determined. The speaker had already said articles of impeachment we going to be drafted. And there were no plans to hear from any fact witnesses. That's not due process. And that's why the president declined to participate in that process because the Judiciary Committee had already decided they were going to accept an ex parte record developed in manager Schiff's process, and there was no point in participating in that." "They really weren't really interested in getting at the facts and the truth. They had a timetable to meet. They wanted to have impeachment done by Christmas, and that's what they were striving to do," he adds. MORE: Trump impeachment trial: Democrats make case for 'obstruction of Congress' Philbin criticizes that the whistleblower complaint has not been made public, an attack that many Republicans have echoed throughout the investigation. We know from a letter that the inspector general of the intelligence community sent that he thought that the whistleblower had political bias, Philbin says. 11:12 a.m. Inside the chamber: Both sides paying close attention ABC News Senior Congressional Correspondent Mary Bruce reports from inside the Senate Chamber: What a difference a day makes. The Chamber appears to have woken up. Both sides are paying very close attention. From my vantage point, I didn't see a single empty chair. PHOTO: In this image from video, personal attorney to President Donald Trump, Jay Sekulow, hold a copy of the Mueller Report as speaks during Trump's impeachment trial in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 25, 2020. (ABC News) There's a lot more note-taking all around, but I am struck by how closely Democrats are paying attention today, especially compared to days past. Many more of them are taking detailed notes. And we know they have already begun submitting questions for the 16 hours of questioning that comes next. On the Republican side, the president's allies look quite pleased. Lots of nodding and a few smirks Sens. Graham and Ernst. Sen. Wicker laughed out loud when (Trump lawyer Mike) Purpura alleged it was a "quid pro quo without a quo." The standouts continue to be Sens. Collins, Murkowski and Romney who appear to be paying the closest attention on the GOP side. One other big difference -- the public seats are packed today. Americans of all ages, intently listening as they observe history unfolding on the floor. PHOTO: In this image from video, personal attorney to President Donald Trump, Jay Sekulow, speaks in defense of President Trump during his impeachment trial in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 25, 2020. (ABC News ) 11:02 a.m. Sekulow asks senators to put themselves in President Trump's shoes "Let me begin by saying that you cannot simply decide this case in a vacuum. Mr. Schiff said yesterday -- I believe it was his father who said -- you should put yourself in someone else's shoes. Let's for a moment put ourselves in the shoes of the President of the United States right now," Jay Sekulow says. Disagreeing with the president's decision on foreign policy matters or whose advice he's going to take is in no way an impeachable offense, Sekulow says. Sekulow says that Democrats base their quid pro quo argument off the basis that a White House meeting between Trump and Zelenskiy did not happen. "As if an article of impeachment could be based upon a meeting not taking place in the White House, but taking place someplace else like the United Nations General Assembly where it, in fact, did take place," he says. Trump attorney Jay Sekulow holds up a copy of the Mueller report in his opening argument, arguing that House impeachment managers are now trying to "relitigate the Mueller case." https://t.co/IdMXVhZlMN pic.twitter.com/jQHIBFEnES ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 25, 2020 Sekulow also walks through President Trump's foreign policy toward other countries, attempting to show Ukraine was not treated any differently from others under Trump's foreign policy focused on "burden-sharing." Sekulow argues that eliminating corruption in Ukraine was a central goal in U.S. policy in Ukraine to explain Trump's motives. "I am not going to continue to go over and over and over again the evidence that they did not put before you because we would be here for a lot longer than 24 hours. But to say that the president of the United States did not -- was not concerned about burden sharing, that he was not concerned about corruption in Ukraine, the facts from their hearing, the facts from their hearing, establish exactly the opposite," Sekulow says. Jay Sekulow: "This case is really not about presidential wrongdoing. This entire impeachment process is about the House managers' insistence that they are able to read everybody's thoughts, they can read everybody's intention." https://t.co/K35AcwXdS9 pic.twitter.com/rL0W26gDr6 ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 25, 2020 10:45 a.m. Trump lawyer argues no mention of withholding aid on July 25 call "As everyone knows by now, President Trump asked President Zelenskiy to do 'us' a favor," Purpura says. "And he made clear that 'us' referred to our country, and not himself," he says, repeated a claim Trump had made himself in a tweet that Democrats dispute. "There was no mention of the paused security assistance on the call and certainly not from President Trump," he says. Purpura homes in on comments made by Timothy Morrison, the former National Security Council Russia Director Republicans called to testify in the House Intelligence Committee's impeachment inquiry. "Mr. Morrison further testified that there was nothing improper and nothing illegal about anything that was said on the call. In fact, Mr. Morrison repeatedly testified that he disagreed with Lieutenant Colonel Vindman's assessment that President Trump made demands of President Zelenskiy or that he said anything improper at all," Purpura says, before playing a clip from Morrison's testimony. Purpura argues there was "no quid pro quo on the call" because Ukrainians weren't aware of the paused security assistance until Politico reported on it in August. "There were numerous high-level diplomatic meetings between senior Ukrainian and U.S. officials during the summer after the review on the security assistance began, but before President Zelenskiy learned of the hold through the Politico article. If the Ukrainians had known about the hold, they would have raised it in one of those meetings, yet the Ukrainians didn't say anything about the hold at a single one of those meeting," Purpura says. "As soon as Ukrainians learned about the hold, they asked about it." (Democrats have pointed to testimony from two House witnesses to indicate that Ukraine was aware of the hold before the August article.) The Democrats entire quid pro quo theory is based on nothing more than the initial speculation of one person. Ambassador Sondland. That speculation is wrong, Purpura says, referring to the U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland who has testified he was in direct contact with President Trump about the Ukraine aid matter. (The person who actually directed the White House Office of Management and Budget to withhold the military aid to Ukraine -- acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney -- explicitly acknowledged the quid pro quo in the White House briefing room on Oct. 17, 2019.) "The House managers are aware that the Ukrainians lack of knowledge on the hold is fatal to their case, so they desperately tried to muddy the water," he says. Purpura argues that none of the witnesses called to testify in the House inquiry could say definitively whether the withheld security aid was tied to investigations into the Bidens. 10:24 a.m. Republicans attack Schiff's credibility using videos as Democrats did Another member of the president's legal team, Mike Purpura, opens his presentation with a video from November of lead House impeachment manager Adam Schiff in which he reads a parody version of the July 25 phone call transcript, comparing it to an organized crime "shakedown." MORE: Democrat Schiff's 'head on a pike' comment draws outrage from GOP senators (Schiff, before speaking, said he was summarizing the "essence" of Trump's comments "shorn of its rambling character," Schiff said.) Ukraine didn't know about the aid, he said, playing Volker and Taylor's testimony about Ukrainians questioning them about the hold following the August Politico article. (Democrats have pointed to testimony from two House witnesses Cooper and Croft to indicate that Ukraine was aware of the hold before the August article.)The Democrats entire quid pro quo theory is based on nothing more than the initial speculation of one person. Ambassador Sondland. That speculation is wrong, he said. [10:55:08 AM] PHOTO: In this screengrab, Deputy White House Counsel Mike Purpura speaks in the Senate Chamber at the U.S. Capitol during President Trump's impeachment trial on Jan. 25, 2020 in Washington. (ABC News) "Once you sweep away all of the bluster and innuendo, the selective leaks, the closed-door examinations of the Democrats' hand-picked witnesses, the staged public hearings, what we're left with are six key facts that have not and will not change," Purpura says. He then lays out what he calls the "six key facts." "First, the transcript shows that the president did not condition either security assistance or a meeting on anything. Second, President Zelenskiy and other Ukrainian officials repeatedly have said there was no quid pro quo and no pressure on them to review anything. Third, President Zelenskiy and high-ranking Ukrainian officials did not even know -- did not even know -- the security assistance was paused until the end of August. Over a month after the July 25 call. Fourth, not a single witness testified that the president himself said that there was any connection between any investigations in security assistance, a presidential meeting or anything else. Fifth, the security assistance flowed on September 11th, and a presidential meeting took place on September 25 without the Ukrainian government announcing any investigations. MORE: 3 things to know as Democrats wrap Senate trial arguments, hand floor to Trump's lawyers "Finally, the Democrats' blind drive to impeach the president does not and cannot change the fact as attested to by the Democrats' own witnesses that President Trump has been a better friend and stronger supporter of Ukraine than his predecessor," he says. "When it comes to sending U.S. taxpayer money overseas, the president is focused on burden-sharing, and corruption," he argues. "There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking a foreign leader to help get to the bottom of our forms of foreign interference in American presidential election." 10:14 a.m. Cipollone says Democrats 'hid evidence' Cipollone says "they hid evidence from you." He says the president's team will show evidence that House managers "decided over their three days and 24 hours that they didn't have enough time -- or made a decision not -- to show you. And every time you see one of these pieces of evidence, ask yourself, 'why didn't I see that in the first 3 days.' Cipollone cites a transcript of July 25, phone call between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy -- saying Democrats did not mention how they discussed that European nations were not doing enough to support Ukraine. "They come here to the Senate and they ask you, remove a president, tear up the ballots in all of your states, and they don't bother to read the key evidence of the discussion of burden-sharing that's in the call itself. Now, that's emblematic of their entire presentation," Cipollone says. "They have the burden of proof. And they have not come close to meeting it." PHOTO: In this screengrab, White House Counsel Pat Cipollone speaks in the Senate Chamber in defense of President Trump during his impeachment trial at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 25, 2020, in Washington. (ABC News) 10:05 a.m. Senate trial resumes with Trump's lawyers taking the floor "We are going to be very respectful of your time..." says White House counsel Pat Cipollone as he begins what he says will be a limited presentation. "You heard the House managers speak for nearly 24 hours over three days," he says. "We don't anticipate using that much time." MORE: Lawmakers react to apparent recording of Trump saying Yovanovitch should be fired Then he comes out swinging against the House managers' arguments. "We don't believe that they have come anywhere close to meeting their burden for what they're asking you to do," he tells senators. "They're asking you not only to overturn the results of the last election, but as I've said before, they're asking you to remove President Trump from the ballot in an election that's occurring in approximately nine months," he says. "They're asking to you do something that no senate has ever done. And they're asking to you do it with no evidence." "The American people decide elections," Cipollone adds. "They have that coming up in nine months." "So we will be very efficient. We will begin our presentation today. We will show you a lot of evidence that they should have showed you, and we will finish efficiently and quickly so that we can all go have an election," he says. JUST IN: White House counsel Pat Cipollone begins opening arguments in President Trump's defense: "We believe that when you hear the facts and that's what we intend to cover today the facts you will find that the president did absolutely nothing wrong." https://t.co/IdMXVhZlMN pic.twitter.com/pO5U3CW23I ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 25, 2020 ABC News' Benjamin Siegel reports, in a call with reporters earlier this morning, House Democrats said they expect the arguments from Trumps legal team to be a master class in distraction and a distortion of truth." PHOTO: House Democratic impeachment manager and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler arrives at the Senate with carts of documents as work resumes in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 25, 2020. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP) Just before the trial resumes, House manager Jerry Nadler and House staffers brought over carts of documents and legal files. With Iranian parliamentary elections just a month away, there are increasing signs that the vote will be a case of the conservatives battling hard-liners, in what analysts describe as an attempt by the clerical establishment to consolidate power. The hard-line Guardians Council, which vets all election candidates, has disqualified some 9,000 of the 14,000 who registered to run in the elections, including 90 current lawmakers. A reformist political activist said this week that 90 percent of the reformist candidates throughout the country have been barred from running in the February 21 elections. Hamid Saberian, a political deputy to the head of the reformist Consultative Party, said on January 20 that the upcoming elections will be an intra-factional vote due to a mass disqualification of pro-reform candidates. "Principalists will be competing against each other," Saberian said. Saedi Golkar, a political science professor and senior fellow for Iran policy at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, says the mass disqualification is part of a big plan to consolidate power for conservatives before the likely succession of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, an octogenarian who has undergone surgery in recent years amid long-standing rumors he has prostate cancer. Day by day, we get closer to the time which the regime should choose another leader. [And to] be prepared for that, Khamenei and his wing want to make sure the parliament and the next president are on the same page with the office of the [supreme] leader, and the [Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps], Golkar told RFE/RL. Exiled political activist Taghi Rahmani told RFE/RLs Radio Farda that the 12-member Guardians Council, six of whom are directly appointed by Khamenei, is acting based on "Khameneis views and the kind of parliament [the Iranian leader] envisions." Golkar says the hard-liners are planning to roll out a new generation of supporters and put them in power throughout the government. "The most critical crisis the regime faces is competency, which the system tries to solve by homogenization of the state branches: judiciary, legislative, and executive," he added. "One has been done, and two should be achieved to not only strengthen the regime's internal cohesion but to make it more efficient and ready for the succession." Abbas Ali Khadkhodayi, the spokesman for the Guardians Council, which has a record of disqualifying candidates deemed not sufficiently loyal to the clerical establishment, claimed last week that financial abuse and financial crimes are the main reasons for the disqualification of sitting parliamentarians, many of whom are reportedly reformists. But some of the affected lawmakers have said a lack of commitment to Islam or "lack of commitment to the establishment have been cited as reasons for their disqualification. Rejected candidates can appeal decisions by the Guardians Council. In the past, only a few of those rejected have been allowed to run. Speaking on January 15, Iranian President Hassan Rohani criticized the massive disqualifications and said it is not possible to run the country with only one political faction. Its like you put 2,000 pieces of the same item in a shop...it's the same item, he said, adding that "people want diversity." "Allow all parties and groups to run for office," Rohani, a self-proclaimed moderate, said. But Khadkhodayi has dismissed the criticism and claimed the elections will be competitive, with more than 5,000 vetted candidates running, and noted that there will be some 17 people on average competing for each of parliaments 290 seats. Among those who have been banned from running is reformist lawmaker Mahmud Sadeghi, who said earlier this week that one faction has not been able to agree on lists due to an abundance of candidates, while another faction has had so many candidates disqualified that it is struggling to come up with lists for the ballot. "What glorious elections these will be!" the outspoken Sadeghi said sarcastically on Twitter on January 19. Shahindokht Molaverdi, who served as Rohanis vice president for family affairs, said efforts are being made to uniformize the parliament. Molaverdi warned that the Guardians Councils decision will alienate Iranians at a time when the country faces external and internal pressures. Given the recent events and the worrying consequences of [U.S.] sanctions, it was expected that members of the Guardians Council would demonstrate a [different] approach, she said. Iran has faced several rounds of anti-establishment protests in past months, including in November in more than 100 cities during which several hundred protesters were killed. The January 8 downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) that killed 176 people has also led to angry protests and calls for Khamenei to resign. Reports suggest many Iranians have been disillusioned with the reformists due to their failure to bring meaningful changes to society. Some have said on social media that voting doesnt make sense. The popular news site Asriran.com said earlier this week that the election atmosphere in the country is even colder than the snowy winter days that Tehran and other cities have been experiencing. Asriran said a widespread hopelessness and the single-faction election are the reasons for a lack of enthusiasm for the upcoming vote. The current situation, the news site said, is not what Iranians who took part in the 1979 Islamic Revolution wanted. The peoples vote was supposed to count, not the vote of a group of people, it added. As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ An elderly man and some children. One of the posters on the wall is an advertisement for Lion Toothpaste. The Bozoky Dezso Exhibit at the Seoul Museum of History Museum. Robert Neff, November 2019. By Robert Neff Many years ago, when I first arrived in Korea as a young soldier, I was warned by one of my superiors to be careful when trying to buy toothpaste in the Korean village near our base. He warned me that the Korean word for toothpaste sounds very similar to the word for rat poison and any mistake in pronunciation could be fatal. I have never forgotten his warning and am, even now, kind of leery about trying to ask for toothpaste in Korean. This is not the only connection to teeth. Horace N. Allen described rats as being "nimble little thieves [that] will take almost anything moveable." He recalled the tale of an American missionary in Korea who went to Japan to have some false teeth made. While returning to Korea on a steamship, he removed his teeth so he could go to sleep. In the morning, when he woke, he was alarmed to discover his teeth were gone. The shocked missionary summoned the steward and, after an exhaustive search, the missing dentures were discovered in a rat's nest inside the walls of his cabin. Perhaps an even more alarming anecdote involving rats and teeth was told by Dr. David E. Hahn, an American dentist in Seoul in the early 1900s. According to Hahn, rats were part of Korean folk dentistry. "The rat is covered with salt and when anyone suffers from a toothache, salt is taken from the rat and rubbed on the affected member," Hahn said. The Year of the Rat has begun, so take good care of your teeth, or you might lose them. Iraqi protesters with makeshift protective gear walk by following clashes with security forces during an anti-government demonstration in Al-Khilani square in the capital Baghdad, on Jan. 26, 2020. (AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images) Killing Trump, and Other Iranian Ambitions Commentary From Adam Kredo of the Washington Free Beacon: Following Irans announcement of a three million dollar bounty for the assassination of President Donald Trump, U.S. officials and terrorism experts are warning that Tehran has significantly expanded its terror capabilities in America, potentially allowing the Islamic Republic to conduct a domestic attack. Iran has expanded its capacity to strike at the United States and Israel, and the risk of an Iranian attack on both countries has substantially increased. Although the Iranians have repeatedly failed to pull off armed attacks against these countries, they keep on trying, and they only have to get lucky once. Meanwhile, jail sentences mount up over the various failed schemes of Iranians in both countries, from blowing up cars and trucks in Times Square, to smuggling bombs onto trains between Canada and the United States, to setting off explosives in front of a posh Italian restaurant in downtown Washington. Iran will certainly get other opportunities. They have created Hezbollah cells throughout the Western hemisphere, from Canada on down to South America. There is a particularly strong concentration of the Hezbollahi around Venezuela, which became Irans major base in this hemisphere. It was from there that Iran supported the bombing of the Jewish center for social services in Buenos Aires. Israelis and Americans continue to strike down would-be attackers. Abdolhossein Mojaddami was shot and killed by two masked gunmen on a motorcycle in front of his home in Irans Khuzestan Province. Mojaddami led a branch of the Basij forces, a branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps responsible for maintaining public order. He was a close working associate of Gen. Qasem Soleimani and was responsible for the deaths of many protestors. Nobody knows who killed him, but in the past, many such killings have been blamed on Israeli agents. Israel has accounted for many blows against the Iranians in the past year. The chief of Israels domestic security force, Nadav Argaman, announced that Shin Bet had thwarted more than 560 significant attacks in 2019. Then, three Syrian members of al-Qaeda, pretending to be Colombians, were arrested in Dallas after their phony passports were discovered. They are about to be indicted for their membership in the terrorist network. The U.S. Department of Defense, exercising caution, held back a press release that would have announced the death of Asim Umar, the emir of al-Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent, because it would complicate future negotiations with the Taliban, military officials told the Foundation for Defense of Democracies Long War Journal. Still looking for an agreement with the Taliban that the Afghanis would cut its ties with al-Qaeda (as Zalmay Khalilzad, our chief negotiator in these matters, has claimed would be the case for a long time), the Pentagon feared that Umars presence with the Taliban would bring an end to these efforts. The Long War Journal stated: The U.S. military killed Umar in the Taliban stronghold of Musa Qala in Helmand province, Afghanistan on Sept. 23, 2019. Umar was killed just two weeks after President Donald Trump canceled a possible deal between the U.S. and the Taliban. As part of that accord, the U.S. was willing to accept the Talibans supposed counterterrorism assurances. The Sept. 23 raid exposed the ongoing ties between the Taliban and al Qaedas branch in South Asia. Among the 17 people killed was Haji Mahmood, the Talibans military commander for the neighboring district of Naw Zad, which is also controlled by the Taliban. It is likely that U.S. intelligence brought confirmation of the al-Qaeda presence in the Taliban forces, and led the president to call a halt to the doomed negotiations. And back in Iran, 139 movie personalities are boycotting the Tehran Film Festival. In the past, movie stars, directors, and producers have tended to take the regimes money for their films, but their patience has run out. As the Iranian regime continues to seek ways to stay on top of the ongoing protests throughout the country and neighboring Iraq, the men in charge of the nuclear weapons program have announced that the development of enriched uranium surges ahead. They claim to have enough low-enriched uranium to produce one atomic bomb. Is it true? It may be, but even so, the mullahs would require a year to make such a weapon, and the regime leaders penchant for exaggeration is well known. As we go to press, there are reports of ongoing protests in Iraq, and a claim that demonstrators have taken control of Nasiriyah, where Iranian-supported militias were attempting to assert hegemony. At a minimum, that suggests the Iranian efforts have failed. It certainly looks like a failed state. Michael Ledeen is a freedom scholar at Foundation for Defense of Democracies. He has served as a consultant to the National Security Council and the departments of State and Defense, and as a special adviser to the secretary of state. He is the author of 35 books, most recently Field of Fight: How to Win the War Against Radical Islam and Its Allies, co-authored with retired Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Sunday said that since agriculture is the foundation of the state's economy, the government is trying to make farmers "stress-free and debt-free". Giving his Republic Day speech in Marathi at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, he said that Maharashtra is an industrially advanced state and the government will give priority to solving the problems faced by the industry. Koshyari also said that the state has made remarkable progress in agriculture, education and employment in the past 60 years, and the government intends to bring about a radical change in all these fields through the contribution of entrepreneurs. He lauded the Marathi theatre movement for completing 175 years and announced that a museum would be set up in Mumbai to commemorate its glorious history. The museum will allow the world to see a united spectacle of the theatre movement, he said. "Maharashtra is an industrially advanced state. In the coming time, the government will give priority to quickly resolve the problems faced by the industry," he said. "Agriculture is the foundation of the state's economy and progress would only happen if farmers are happy and competent," the governor said. "The government is trying to make them stress-free and debt-free. Effective implementation of crop insurance schemes in the state is necessary. The state has already formed a cabinet sub-committee on this," he said. The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government headed by Uddhav Thackeray has brought Mahatma Jyotirao Phule loan waiver scheme of upto Rs two lakh for farmers, with a cut off date of September 30, 2019. Koshyari said the state government is committed to speeding up work on the memorials of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, off the coast of Mumbai, and Babasaheb Ambedkar in Dadar's Indu Mill compound. The Ambedkar memorial will inspire the world to fight against injustice and inequality, he said. "The Rs 10 per meal Shivbhojan Yojana of the state government, which was launched on Sunday, was an innovative initiative to provide affordable food and will be of great help to the poor," he said. Though available only at district headquarters and cities currently, it will be implemented in other parts of the state in a phased manner, Koshyari added. The governor said there are 8 lakh self help groups (SHGs) in the state and the government is committed to strengthening them. He said a statewide integrated plan was being prepared to rid cities of solid waste, and ensure complete segregation of garbage. The Maharashtra government will provide affordable medical care to the people, the governor said. He said a joint committee of the Tourism Development Corporation and Forest Development Corporation has been formed for promotion of forest tourism in the state, which in turn will create jobs in the sector. Importance will be given to increasing forest cover in the state, and protection of mangroves, Koshyari added. Sports academies will be set up in phases in tribal areas of Nashik, Thane, Amravati and Nagpur, he said. The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) will speed up public transport in the region, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tim Martin can barely disguise his horror at the thought of giving up drinking for an entire month. And certainly not this month, that's for sure. I only have to mention the words 'Dry January' and the Brexiteer business tycoon is having none of it. 'Each to their own,' the JD Wetherspoon founder and chairman says. 'It's a bit radical for me.' In fact, Martin is immensely looking forward to a tipple on Friday, when he will toast Britain's exit from the EU with a pub crawl of 'five or six' of his chain's Central London pubs. Tonic: Wetherspoons founder Tim Martin is convinced that Brexit will provide a massive boost to Britain's economy despite what the doom-mongers proclaim Suitably refreshed, he will then speak at an evening Parliament Square rally organised by Brexit Party chairman Richard Tice. His 870 Wetherspoon pubs across the UK and Ireland will cut the price of ten drinks including Spain's Estrella Galicia and a bottle of German lager Beck's for as little as 1.49 to help Brexit supporters celebrate and Remainers drown their sorrows. 'How do you come up with a celebration for a divided country?' ponders Martin, who has ambitiously called his Brexit-themed drinks promotion 'Let's Stay Friends'. 'It'll take more than a few drinks in Wetherspoons to unite Remainers and Brexiteers,' he concedes. 'But since we selected some drinks of EU origin, at least it's a gesture.' Martin, 64, is the City's most outspoken critic of the EU and has donated 224,000 to the Brexit Party. Only last week, he told the CBI and the Food and Drink Federation trade bodies to 'take a wise-up pill' and accept the result of the referendum as he blasted them for 'doubling down on Project Fear stories' about job losses and rising food prices after Brexit day on January 31. He's speaking to the MoS from holiday, where he is enjoying balmy 25- degree temperatures. But being away from Britain hasn't diverted his attention from Brexit, which he is convinced will be a 'massive boost for Britain's economy' in spite of what the doom-mongers proclaim. If people want pubs to survive tax must be fair Giving just one example, he expects leaving the EU to boost profits at his FTSE 250-listed pubs chain because the Government will be able to eliminate the 'incomprehensible' tariffs on around 13,000 imports, including food and drink products sold by Wetherspoons such as its New Zealand Chardonnay. Martin also hopes Brexit will help revitalise the UK's coastal towns, which will in turn boost Wetherspoon's seaside watering holes such as the Royal Victoria Pavilion in Ramsgate, Kent. 'Coastal communities will benefit from regaining control of fishing waters,' Martin says. 'The more prosperous communities are, the better pubs will do.' Martin donated 50,000 to Boris Johnson's Election campaign, when the Tories pledged to keep pubs open in neglected towns and villages outside London. He says Boris is 'right to be concerned about pub closures'. But the real threat hanging over the pub trade is the tax inequality between pubs and supermarkets, he says, which has meant supermarkets have been able to undercut pub prices 'by a tremendous amount'. Pubs pay 20 per cent VAT on food sales and the equivalent of 20p per pint in business rates, while grocers pay zero VAT on food and business rates of 2p per pint. 'If people want pubs to survive, particularly in small towns, there has to be tax equality or they'll just get clobbered by supermarkets,' Martin says. 'The principle of tax is, it should be fair.' Martin met Johnson during his leadership campaign and reports that the Prime Minister 'does a good act of being a semi-comedian but is actually quite a hard worker'. The same could be said of Martin, a trained barrister who was called to the Bar in 1979 but jokes that he quit law to make his 560million fortune propping up the bar instead. Beneath the Brexit bluster and pub banter is the shrewd founder of a 1.6billion pub and hotels group whose shares have gone up around 300 per cent over the past decade. JD Wetherspoon's sales for the year to July 26 are forecast to rise to 1.9billion, up from 1.8billion, with pre-tax profits broadly flat at around 100million. Asked why Wetherspoons has succeeded in such a tough market, Martin quotes business guru Julian Richer, who recommends the Japanese principle of 'kaizen', or continuous improvement. He has focused on being something to everyone and is proud that his pubs can appeal to City stockbrokers, students, pensioners and families with children at the same time. Tim Martin, 64: No drinks before 6pm Family: Married to Felicity since 1982 with four children, aged between 28 and mid-30s. His father worked for Guinness and his grandfather for Allied Breweries. Martin named the company after his primary school teacher then added 'JD' because it was the nickname for Boss Hogg (pictured) Career: Qualified as a barrister in 1979 but took over his local North London pub six weeks before being called to the Bar and founded Wetherspoons. Martin named the company after his primary school teacher then added 'JD' because it was the nickname for Boss Hogg, above, (Jefferson Davis Hogg) in the American TV series The Dukes Of Hazzard. Pub session: Two pints of either Abbot Ale or Adnams Broadside and two glasses of Merlot. Beer o'clock is 6pm. 'No lunchtime boozing even on holiday.' Favourite Wetherspoons pub: 'It's like asking Tiger Woods to choose his favourite woman; there are so many.' Hobbies: Surfing he spent part of his childhood in New Zealand. Each week, Martin invites around 20 Wetherspoons managers to a meeting in Watford to discuss ideas for improving the business that are 'from the shop floor, rather than the board'. He also visits around 15 Wetherspoons pubs each week he spent Christmas Day at two of his Devon pubs and incentivises staff by paying out half the company's post-tax profits as a monthly bonus. Last year, his 40,000 employees split a bonus pot of around 50million. He has also handed free shares in the company to around 10,000 staff since he founded Wetherspoons 41 years ago, and pays pub staff on average ten per cent more than the minimum wage. In the 1980s, after 'about three pints of Adnams Broadside', Martin decided his pubs should have 'Moon' in the title The Moon Under Water (named after George Orwell's vision of the ideal pub), The Harvest Moon, The Moon And Sixpence, and so on. 'That was too much moon branding for some people,' he says with a chuckle. Since then, all his pubs have been given individual names, their own interior design and their own distinctive patterned carpets, which inspired a tribute Tumblr blog. Many Wetherspoons are in historic buildings and the group will spend 80million this year on buying new pubs and extending existing ones. 'A lot of people in the pub industry have tried to create what the Americans call a cookie-cutter it's a Litten Tree or a Bar Med or a Barracuda,' Martin says. 'But we have understood pubs aren't a brand. That has given our pubs a bit of soul; they fit with their local area.' With one exception. Martin admits The Hope and Champion in the Beaconsfield service station by the M40 controversially Britain's first motorway pub when it opened in 2014 is struggling. 'It hasn't been a great success, but we're trying to make it work,' says Martin. Dropping his usual swagger, he admits: 'We still get a lot of things wrong.' On Friday night, with the Abbot Ale flowing, Martin could be forgiven for being a little less self-deprecating about something he believes 17.4million of his fellow Britons got absolutely right. A woman who planned to visit Wuhan earlier this month has thanked her dog for chewing up her passport and scuppering her trip to the coronavirus-hit city. The owner from Taiwan shared a pictured of her tattered passport which her pooch Kimi had bitten chunks from. On January 13 when the hungry hound destroyed the travel document, the disgruntled woman wrote on Facebook: 'I got back to the room and found this scene!' This meant she was unable to book flights to the Hubei province and was forced to scrap plans for her trip. Since then, Wuhan has been placed on lock-down following the spread of the deadly coronavirus which spawned in the city. A woman who planned to visit Wuhan earlier this month has thanked her dog for chewing up her passport and scuppering her trip to the coronavirus-hit city The owner from Taiwan shared a pictured of her tattered passport which her pooch Kimi had bitten chunks from This map shows all the areas where coronavirus has been identified so far, including Canada As of Sunday, it had infected over 2,000 and killed 56 in China. The scale of the outbreak prompted the woman to row back on her annoyance with her dog and she has now pivoted to praise it. As Wuhan remained under quarantine, she posted: Do you guys remember the passport? Throwback: this kid is really protecting me. 'After my passport was torn apart, the virus began to go where I originally planned to go. 'I think about it now, and it's very touching. Fortunately, you blocked our trip.' She added: 'Thanks for you protect me again. I'm so lucky to meet you in my life. Love you more my baby girl.' Those stranded in Wuhan were dealt a further blow today after the city's mayor said they were bracing for a further 1,000 coronavirus patient. The shredded passport meant the woman was unable to book flights to the Hubei province and was forced to scrap plans for her trip A woman wearing a protective facemask returns from a market in Wuhan which is on lock-down following the spread of cornnavirus Zhou Xianwan said officials are stepping up construction of specialised hospitals to deal with infection victims. It came after Beijing's health minister assured face-masked reporters that authorities have cranked up efforts to stop the spread of disease after conceding their knowledge of how it mutates is limited. Ma Xiaowei said 'it seems like the ability of the virus to spread is getting stronger' and added that the administration will continue to curb transport links and scrap planned public gatherings. More than 2,000 people have now been infected worldwide and 56 have been killed in China, sparking President Xi Jinping to yesterday issue an unprecedented warning of a 'grave situation'. Medical staff wearing clothing to protect against the coronavirus walk outside a hospital in Wuhan, which was where the infection broke out Yet top health official Gao Fu said the coronavirus was 'not as powerful' as the SARS outbreak which rocked China in 2003, although it is becoming more contagious. While SARS-infected people were only contagious when their symptoms were showing, coronavirus victims can infect others during their incubation period which can be up to 14 days. Casting a large shadow over this morning's press conference was a video of nurse battling the outbreak who claimed the government is playing down the volume of the infections and said the true figure is 90,000. But regime authorities batted back accusations of a cover-up and insisted it had 'followed the principles of openness and transparency' since the coronavirus broke out in Wuhan, Hubei province. Eric Adams, holding a picture of his late mother, is sworn in as New York mayor during the New Years celebration in Times Square. (Reuters) In his first 10 days, Eric Adams has veered between swagger and tragedy, praise and criticism, as he begins leading the nations largest city. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Josa Lukman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, January 27 2020 Colorful: Chinese New Year ornaments decorate the Ciputra Mall shopping center in Central Jakarta to welcome the Year of the Metal Rat. (JP/Dionnasius Aditya) As the Year of the Metal Rat is set to roll around, feng shui experts say the year will be filled with uncertainty, but advise seeing the glass as half full. Yulius Fang, a feng shui expert from Feng Shui Consulting Indonesia, said the answers to the question of whether the new year would be better than the last may vary, as both positive and negative energy will come. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Internet service is temporarily restored in Kashmir: Limited mobile data and Internet services will be temporarily restored in Jammu and Kashmir, ending a nearly six-month-long communications lockdown. Access will be limited to about 300 "whitelisted" websites and Internet speed will remain low, the local Jammu and Kashmir government said in a notice. However, social media applications that allow "peer to peer" communication will continue to be banned. The decision will be reviewed on Friday. The move to restore the services comes days after India's top court ordered the curbs to be reversed, saying that freedom of Internet access is a fundamental right. Avani Hotels & Resorts said it is expanding into East Africa with the signing of the first Avani property in Kenya. The Avani Nairobi Suites is currently under development by Fedha Group, one of Kenyas leading real estate developers. Scheduled to open by the end of 2020, the new-build 15-storey property will further strengthen the Avani brands presence in Africa, alongside its existing properties in Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Mozambique, and Lesotho. The all-suite property will be located in the heart of Westlands, a prime business and leisure district of Nairobi, with direct access to an array of multi-national corporations, restaurants, and bars all just a 40-minute drive from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Avani Nairobi Suites will offer 120 keys, comprising of 90 one-bedroom, 20 two-bedroom, and ten three-bedroom serviced apartments. Designed by Beglin Woods Architects, the suites will offer floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces boasting cityscape views. Sizes will range from 100 sq m for the one-bedroom, up to 200 sq m for the duplex three-bedroom units and will perfectly cater to a mix of leisure, corporate, and extended stay guests. Long and short-stay guests at Avani Nairobi Suites will be able to enjoy evening drinks at the rooftop bar overlooking the city skyline, as well as international dining at the restaurant. For guests looking for a balanced lifestyle, AvaniFit will offer contemporary gym facilities as well as an indoor heated swimming pool. This fantastic expansion opportunity will mark the debut of Avani into East Africa reflecting the growing international demand for the brand, said Javier Pardo, vice president Avani Hotels & Resorts. With Avani already present with six properties in Southern Africa in addition to a very successful resort in Seychelles, this is a significant strategic step for the brand to debut in Kenya. Ramine Behnam, vice president Development EMEA Minor Hotels, also commented, We are thrilled to partner with Fedha Group for this new property in Nairobi's strategic Westlands district, introducing the Avani brand in Kenya and bridging with our strong existing leisure offering across East Africa. We are very proud to add to our hospitality portfolio with this property, which has already been internationally recognized for its design. Minor Hotels are exactly the growing and forward-thinking hotel group that we are proud to partner with - Nairobi is again deservedly in the news with a new facility worthy of its International City status, said Dhruv Pandit, CEO of Fedha Group. The Avani brand is part of Minor Hotels, with sister brands including Anantara and Elewana, both also with properties in Africa. Avani currently operates 31 properties in the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, and Europe, most recently debuting in Cambodia, South Korea, and Krabi in southern Thailand. The brand has a strong pipeline of new properties under development, including in new destinations such as the Maldives and Oman. Avani currently has six properties in Africa in addition to one in Seychelles. TradeArabia News Service The requested page is currently unavailable on this server. Back to [RTHK News Homepage] The UK Government has relaxed its travel advisory for Pakistan, citing improving security situation in the country, albeit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has, at the same time, advised against travelling in various areas of the country, including most of Balochistan. In a statement on Friday, the British High Commission in Islamabad said that the UK had changed its travel advice to reflect the improved security situation in Pakistan. This is the first major update in the travel advisory since 2015. Pakistan immediately welcomed the decision, with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi calling the move "encouraging" and one that will "further strengthen Pak-UK relations". "Pakistan, land of peace and progress with incredible natural beauty, warmth, and hospitality. This change in travel advice is encouraging, the first major update to the UK's travel advisory to Pakistan since 2015. This will further strengthen Pak-UK relations. Welcome to Pakistan," Qureshi tweeted. READ | AAPs Sisodia Challenges BJP 'Arrest Sharjeel Imam Within 24 Hrs' Over 'Assam Cutoff' Call UK's Foreign & Commonwealth Office The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides travel advice based on objective information to help British nationals make better-informed decisions about foreign travel. The new travel advice for Pakistan reduces the section of the Karakoram Highway where the FCO advises against all travel to the area between Mansehra and Chilas alone. The previous travel advisory covered the full route from Islamabad to Gilgit. The FCO no longer advises against all but essential travel to the Kalesh and Bamboret valleys. It still advises against travel to most of Balochistan, including the city of Quetta. For the southern coast of Balochistan, the FCO advises against all but essential travel. Like all FCO travel advice, these changes are based on security assessments, which are kept under constant review. In 2018, there were an estimated 484,000 visits by British nationals to Pakistan. There are 22 weekly direct flights to the UK, the BHC said in the statement. The FCO has further advised against all travel to the areas in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province, formerly known as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. This includes the districts of Charsadda, Kohat, Tank, Bannu, Lakki, Dera Ismail Khan, Swat, Buner and Lower Dir in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa; the city of Peshawar and districts south of the city, including travel on the Peshawar to Chitral road via the Lowari Pass; Balochistan province including the city of Quetta but excluding the southern coast of Balochistan; the section of the Karakoram Highway (also known as Kara Karam Highway or KKH) from Mansehra to Chilas, via Battagram, Besham City, Dasu and Sazin; and the immediate vicinity of the Line of Control. Furthermore, it advises against all but essential travel to Arandu town and the road between Mirkhana and Arandu in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province; the southern coast of Balochistan, defined as the area south of (and including) the N10 motorway as well as the section of the N25 which runs from N10/N25 intersection to the Balochistan/Sindh border, including the port city of Gwadar; areas of Sindh Province north of, and including, the city of Nawabshah. READ | Padma Awards: Kangana Ranaut, Adnan Sami And Others Receive Top Honors, Full List Here Pak welcomes decision In recent years, the security situation in Pakistan has improved considerably following action by the Pakistan government and security forces. Following a terrorist attack in Pulwama on 14 February 2019, tensions between India and Pakistan have heightened, particularly across the Line of Control. Certain flight routes or airports continue to experience restrictions. Pakistan's High Commissioner Mohammad Nafees Zakaria welcomed the decision of the UK government's revival of travel advisory for Pakistan and said that the news would help bring people of the two friendly countries more closer to each other, besides boosting tourism and British investments for the development of Pakistan. In a hurriedly called press briefing at the High Commission on Friday afternoon, he said: "We welcome and appreciate this decision of the UK government which would help further strengthen the bilateral cordial relations between the two friendly countries in diverse fields, besides increasing tourism and investments in Pakistan for the prosperity of the country and its people." "UK is an important country in the world and this decision would definitely put a positive impact on other countries especially in Europe and their people would also visit Pakistan and explore the adventure and beauty of our country to promote tourism and also help bring investments in the country," he remarked. READ | Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu Calls PM Modi To Convey Wishes On India's 71st Republic Day Zakaria recalled that due to the improved security situation in Pakistan, the UK Government also allowed British Airways to resume its flights and services to Pakistan in June last year, while the visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in October last year also reflected the improved security situation in the country. He said that other international airlines have also started their flight operations to Pakistan. He said that due to prudent economic and tourism policies and an investment-friendly environment initiated by the incumbent Pakistan government, the image of the country has started improving. READ | Bhima Koregaon: Rahul Gandhi Slams Case Transfer, Says 'NIA Can't Erase Resistance' (with ANI inputs) (image: AP) Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Twenty-five students at Curtis High School, St. George, are getting an inside look at what it would be like to go to law school. Charles Packowski, who teaches in the law enforcement academy at the high school, applied for an early outreach initiative at Georgetown University Law Center, also called the Project 1000 program. Curtis High School was one of 40 high schools in the country accepted in the program that aims to diversify student applications to the prestigious law schools. We got accepted into the program and the program has four stages, said Packowski. The stage that you [see on Twitter], the pictures of, was the dean of admissions, Andrew Cornblatt. He visited all 40 schools, basically giving the kids an overview of the program." Packowski continued: He spoke to them about what you study in year one, year two, year three of law school. He spoke to them about how you would apply and how it would be financially feasible to do it even though it costs $75,000 a year. The estimated cost of attendance at Georgetown Law for a full-time student pursuing a Juris Doctor law degree -- including room and board, books, personal expenses, transportation -- is approximately $94,500, according to Georgetown Law. You can view the post that Packowski shared on Twitter below of Cornblatts visit to Curtis High School this month. The Curtis HS Law Enforcement Academy is excited to be part of Project 1000 - An early outreach initiative partnership with Georgetown Law School. Andrew Cornblatt - Dean of Admissions visited Curtis HS today to start this awesome experience for our law seniors. pic.twitter.com/mPk6KNnSRG Charles Packowski (@Coachp5121) January 8, 2020 Packowski said Cornblatt engaged students for more than an hour during his visit in stage one. Stage two, which will take place in February, will have five Georgetown University Law Center students visit Curtis High School to speak to students about what its like to attend a law school. Students will then visit the law school in April to mirror a law student. They will visit a law firm in Washington, D.C. to meet with Georgetown alumni before visiting the U.S. Capitol to speak with lawyers working for members of Congress. According to Packowski, stage four will involve Georgetown alumni who currently work in the New York City area that will mentor five Curtis students during their undergraduate studies as they prepare to attend law school. The program was first introduced in February 2019 to introduce young people to law school while they are still in high school to allow teens from all backgrounds to see what is possible, according to a Georgetown news release. Georgetown Law is currently working towards its goal of fostering a diverse student body. As socio-economic barriers prevent many students from pursuing law school, Georgetown said its faculty, administrators and staff are determined to reduce the obstacles -- through financial aid, loan forgiveness and now, early outreach. FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. They seem to be little more than scribbles in a letter home from the trenches, an attempt to cheer up two children who desperately missed their father in the First World War. Yet the charming cartoon animals shown here for the first time dancing ring-a-ring-o-roses and wearing top hats inspired one soldier to create one of the most memorable characters in fiction. The artist was Hugh Lofting, who was serving in the trenches of Flanders. Today he is known worldwide as the writer of the Dr Dolittle stories, featuring a physician who can talk to the animals. First made into a film starring Rex Harrison in 1967, and then with Eddie Murphy in 1998, it returns to the big screen next month with Robert Downey Jr. Charming: Hugh Lofting sent pictures from the Front of animals to his children Hugh Lofting (pictured) drew the drawings in Flanders in order to escape from the war, his son told the Mail on Sunday But behind the heartwarming stories lay personal suffering. Not only was Dr Dolittle dreamt up amid the horrors of the Western Front, but Lofting would later be plagued by alcohol problems. His son Christopher, 83, told The Mail on Sunday: My father took pleasure in writing these letters from the Front because they gave him a certain amount of escapism from the horrors of war. They were addressed to Christophers older siblings, Colin and Elizabeth, who were five and four at the time. Apparently Lofting was inspired to name his central character Dolittle after Colin, who he often teased for being lazy. Lofting was encouraged by his first wife to turn his ideas into childrens fiction. The first book, The Story of Dr Dolittle, was published 100 years ago. Christopher believes his father spent much of his life in conflict with himself. Despite living most of his time in America, Lofting remained proudly British and never took American citizenship. The drawings led to the world famous Dr Dolittle stories, about a physician who can talk to animals. Pictured above is an animal wearing a hat It was his peaceful nature, Christopher believes, that is key to understanding Dr Dolittle. Hes the improbable hero and ultimately the animals and doctor survive by working together. His message was one of pacifism and equality. It was the plight of animals on the Western Front that gave Lofting the idea of making them the central characters in his letters home. Christopher remembers a father who could not abide cruelty to animals and would unleash his Irish temper on anyone who mistreated them. By Trend The OPEC cuts didnt fully solve the problem instead they offer a light bandage to get through the first quarter of 2020, Trend reports with reference to Rystad Energy, the independent energy research and consulting firm headquartered in Norway. "But after that, we believe the market will begin to realize the looming over-supply reflected in our balances and call-on-OPEC," says Bjrnar Tonhaugen, head of oil market research at Rystad Energy. The conclusion that deeper cuts are needed is driven by Rystad Energys bottom-up supply analysis, which points to a surplus of oil barrels sloshing around despite the most recent OPEC+ policy. In our revised supply forecast in the upcoming release of our OilMarketCube database, we incorporate the new OPEC+ agreement assuming full compliance with the new targets by core OPEC members Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and UAE. We find that OPEC production is likely to average 29.3 million bpd for the first quarter of 2020, which compares to our call-on-OPEC of 29.0 million bpd. Rystad Energy expects the oil market balance outlook to be further challenged later in the year, after the initial effect of the new IMO 2020 marine fuel regulations wears off and demand fears creep back into the market. We therefore see our call-on-OPEC at an average of 28.9 million bpd for the subsequent three quarters. "As long as OPEC sticks to production pledges and Saudi Arabia cuts an additional voluntary 400,000 barrels as promised, the implied production target for OPEC is 29.2 million bpd above our call-on-OPEC and thus likely to result in stock builds and downward pressure on oil prices," says Tonhaugen. The market looks nearly balanced for 1Q20 with 0.3 million bpd of implied stock builds, and if we include a positive effect from IMO 2020 on crude demand to the tune of 0.3 million bpd in 1Q20, the market balances in the first months of 2020. Come March, however, OPEC+ may be forced to cut even deeper to balance the market for 2020 as a whole. "Worryingly, for the last three quarters of 2020, the call-on-OPEC is forecast to average 28.9 million bpd on the assumption of a positive IMO effect, but only 28.3 million bpd without our expected 0.6 million bpd IMO effect on crude demand. In other words, the implied production target for OPEC of 29.2 million bpd is likely not low enough to avoid stock builds and downward pressure on oil prices, putting the $60 Brent oil price environment in jeopardy in 2020," Tonhaugen cautions. "OPEC seemingly heeded our warning call that deeper production cuts are needed to sustain $60 Brent prices in 2020, but more is needed the current price floor is fragile beyond 1Q20," Tonhaugen concluded. The 7th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting, held in December 2019, decided for an additional adjustment of 500 tb/d to the adjustment levels as agreed at the 175th Meeting of the OPEC Conference and 5th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting. These would lead to total adjustments of 1.7 mb/d. In addition, several participating countries, mainly Saudi Arabia, will continue their additional voluntary contributions, leading to adjustments of more than 2.1 mb. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Payout for Musk as Tesla value tops $100 bn Washington (AFP) Jan 22, 2020 Tesla's market value hit $100 billion for the first time Wednesday, triggering a payout plan that could be worth billions for Elon Musk, founder and chief of the electric carmaker. Shares in Tesla rose some six percent in early trade to lift the value of the fast-growing maker of electric vehicles to around $105 billion. Under a compensation plan approved by Telsa's board in 2018, Musk is to be paid in stock awards based on the performance of the company - a payout which could be worth as much ... read more Flint Journal file art You're going to need a bigger scraper. Don't Edit By Tanda Gmiter | MLive Don't Edit Even though it's been more than 40 years, the monster Blizzard of 1978 is still a vivid winter memory for many Michiganders. Over the course of three days - Jan. 25-27 - the Great Lakes were in the grip of a powerful snow-maker. MLive Meteorologist Mark Torregrossa has described how two storm systems - one swooping down from Canada, and the other barreling up from the Gulf of Mexico - converged just east of the Mitten State to wreak havoc. As far as massive, deadly storms go, the Blizzard of 1978's only rival maybe be the Great White Hurricane of 1913, weather experts say. During the '78 event, the National Weather Service said snowfall amounts included 30 inches in Muskegon (hello, lake effect) and just over 19 inches in Grand Rapids and Lansing. Flint had 9.9 inches and Detroit had 8.2. Southeast Michigan saw lower snowfall amounts because it had rain instead of snow for some of the storm window. The NWS had this to stay about this historic storm: "The most extensive and very nearly the most severe blizzard in Michigan history raged throughout Thursday January 26, 1978 and into part of Friday January 27. About 20 people died as a direct or indirect result of the storm, most due to heart attacks or traffic accidents. At least one person died of exposure in a stranded automobile. Many were hospitalized for exposure, mostly from homes that lost power and heat. About 100,000 cars were abandoned on Michigan highways, most of them in the southeast part of the state." To mark this anniversary, we pulled together photos from across the state and both peninsulas to show how Michiganders weathered the storm. Don't Edit Bay City Times file art A man helps the driver of a sedan free his vehicle from a snow bank on Smith Street in Bay City on Jan. 26, 1978. Don't Edit Grand Rapids Press file art Sasha the dog and Ann Crans return from Kroger on Lake Michigan Drive in Grand Rapids, with Dan Crans behind them on Jan. 29, 1978. Don't Edit Don't Edit Bay City Times file art Don't Edit Bay City Times file photo Customers check out with a stockpile of food and groceries as they weather a winter storm in Bay City on Jan. 26, 1978. Don't Edit Grand Rapids Press file art Not even the old gray mare could make it through the drifts at the corner Meinert and Chase Roads in the northwest corner of Muskegon County, so Dan Fraser and his horse, Misty, returned to the barn in the Blizzard of 1978. Don't Edit Grand Rapids Press file art Karen Hammer, Jamie Var, Mary Miles pull a sled full of groceries on Gold Avenue in Grand Rapids on Jan. 30, 1978. Don't Edit Flint Journal file art A child and dog outside a Flint apartment building. Don't Edit Don't Edit Kalamazoo Gazette file art Mike Herbert found empty shelves during the snowstorm of January 1978. Don't Edit Photo courtesy of the Michigan Technological University Archives In this Upper Peninsula photo from Jan. 24, 1978, Houghton's extra snow is being dropped on the shores of Portage Lake at the Copper Range Railroad property, just east of the bridge. Don't Edit Kalamazoo Gazette file art In January 1978, a Kalamazoo Gazette reporter climbs over the top of a drift on the Kalamazoo Mall that partially covered the entrance to the stores after a fierce winter storm swept through the area. Don't Edit Jackson Citizen Patriot file art. These vehicles failed to make the South Street exit off of U.S. 127 South during the Blizzard of 1978. They had to be towed before plows could clear the ramp. Don't Edit Jackson Citizen Patriot file art Employees of O'Harrow Construction Co., 4575 Ann Arbor Road, remove snow and debris from the inside of Summit Lanes' bowling alley, 1256 McDevitt Ave. The roof was a victim of the Blizzard of 1978. Don't Edit Don't Edit Jackson Citizen Patriot file art Volunteer Ed Johnson scaled snow drifts during the Blizzard of 1978 to deliver medicine on West Michigan Avenue. Don't Edit Jackson Citizen Patriot file art Residents of Chelsea found snowmobiles to be the ideal vehicles while traveling down Main Street during the Blizzard of 1978 Don't Edit Grand Rapids Press file art Tim McCaffery leads the way for his dogsled, with sons Brian and Sean tucked in tightly. Mary McCaffery brings up the rear in the Blizzard of 1978. Don't Edit Grand Rapids Press file art Shovelers clear a road after the Blizzard of 1978. Don't Edit Grand Rapids Press file art Shovelers play after the Blizzard of 1978. Don't Edit Don't Edit Grand Rapids Press file art Joe, 11, left, and Russell, 13, Sherwood went out on business in the Blizzard of 1978, and sold candy bars to finance a class trip. Don't Edit Grand Rapids Press file photo Don't Edit Grand Rapids Press file photo According to Grand Rapids Press archives, by the morning of Jan. 26, 1978, Grand Rapids police cruisers were ordered off the roads unless necessary, and ambulances got stuck in snow drifts while trying to reach people in need of emergency help. Don't Edit Grand Rapids Press file photo A firefighter inspects damage done when piled up snow collapsed a part of the roof at the former Joshua Doore warehouse, 640 44th St. SW in Grand Rapids and broke open a water pipe on Jan. 26, 1978. Don't Edit Grand Rapids Press file photo Don't Edit Don't Edit Grand Rapids Press file photo A truck drives on a snowy road from Jan. 30, 1978. Don't Edit Grand Rapids Press file photo Don't Edit Grand Rapids Press file photo To prevent Katherine Zant's roof from collapsing, at 1911 Newark Ave. SE, firefighter Jim Potter used a shovel in the Blizzard of 1978. Don't Edit Grand Rapids Press file photo Don't Edit Image courtesy of the National Weather Service Day 1: Two Storms Converging Brings Monster Blizzard Don't Edit Don't Edit Image courtesy of the National Weather Service Day 2: It Snowed for 48+ Hours in Michigan Don't Edit Jackson Citizen Patriot file art A couple walks south on Jackson Street during the Blizzard of 1978. Don't Edit Jackson Citizen Patriot file art Midnight on W. Michigan Avenue at Progress Place Mall during the Blizzard of 1978. Don't Edit Jackson Citizen Patriot file art Snow from the Blizzard of 1978 caved in the roof at Jackson Door and Trim, 2410 E. Michigan Ave., the former Palace Bowling Alley. A nearby truck from Aalen Aides Inc. was inundated with bricks and blocks. Don't Edit Jackson Citizen Patriot file art Jan. 26 during the Blizzard of 1978. Don't Edit Don't Edit Jackson Citizen Patriot file art A city of Jackson salt truck, which was trying to clear roads, was knocked on its side near the intersection of Jackson and Cortland streets on Jan. 27 Don't Edit Jackson Citizen Patriot file art Residents of 20th Street, between Washington Avenue and Franklin Street, got together on Jan. 28, 1978 and spent five hours clearing their street and residents' driveways after the Blizzard of 1978. Don't Edit Jackson Citizen Patriot file art During the Blizzard of 1978, the best way to navigate through downtown Jackson was on skis. The story dumped 23 inches of snow on the area. Don't Edit Jackson Citizen Patriot file art Heavy snow during the Blizzard of 1978 caved in the roof over the cafeteria at Concord High School. Don't Edit Jackson Citizen Patriot file art This photo from W. Wilkins St. on Jan. 26, 1978 was typical of any side street in town after the blizzard hit. Don't Edit Don't Edit Jackson Citizen Patriot file art Private contractors hired by the city removed snow from downtown Jackson during the Blizzard of 1978. James Ferguson uses a front-end loader to put snow on a truck. A parking ban on downtown streets was in effect during the clean up from the storm. Don't Edit Jackson Citizen Patriot file art Approximately 23 inches of snow fell on Jackson during the Blizzard of 1978, burying mailboxes. Don't Edit Jackson Citizen Patriot file art John Martin of Jackson, pictured here in January 1978, helped people dig out their cars. Don't Edit Jackson Citizen Patriot file art Cars, like this one on Mechanic Street, were stuck in huge drifts during the Blizzard of 1978. Don't Edit Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Want to Read More About Great Lakes Winter Weather History? Here are a few other Great Lakes stories you might enjoy: Why the "White Hurricane" of November 1913 was the Great Lakes' worst disaster in history Daring rescue saved sailors entombed for days in ice-covered White Hurricane shipwreck This Great Lakes shipwreck left sailors encased in ice until spring. Lighthouse Mystery: Air Force pilot crashes, leaves heartbreaking note before vanishing Mystery surrounds old Lake Michigan shipwreck, woman left tied to the mast. Don't Edit Don't Edit A fifth person in Australia has potentially contracted the new coronavirus as the nation's Chief Medical Officer says more cases are "highly likely" to emerge. Preliminary test results for one person being investigated by NSW Health have come back positive for the deadly coronavirus, with confirmation expected on Monday. Four other people tested negative. Passengers arrive at Sydney Airport wearing masks. Credit:Janie Barrett In Victoria, health authorities said 11 more people were waiting for test results, while in Queensland six people tested negative on Sunday afternoon. A Chinese man in his 50s was the first person to test positive for the virus in Australia, and he remains in quarantine at the Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne. LISBON, Portugal (AP) A Portuguese banker named in a major Angolan money-laundering and corruption scandal has died in an apparent suicide at his home, police said Thursday. Nuno Ribeiro da Cunha, named as a suspect by Angolan authorities in an investigation targeting the billionaire daughter of Angolas former longtime leader, appeared to have hanged himself in the garage of his Lisbon apartment building late Wednesday, a police statement said. Ribeiro da Cunha was the head of private banking at Lisbon-based EuroBic where Isabel dos Santos, reputedly Africas richest woman, holds a majority 42.5% stake. The bank says she now intends to sell her stake. Angolan authorities suspect Dos Santos embezzled millions of dollars from the countrys state oil company and laundered it through foreign banks. Ribeiro da Cunha's death occurred hours after Angolas attorney general, Helder Pitta Gros, speaking in the country's capital Luanda, named him and Dos Santos among five suspects in the investigation. All the suspects are living outside Angola and have business links with Dos Santos, Pitta Gros said. Pitta Gros arrived Thursday in Portugal to ask his countrys former colonial ruler for help investigating the case which spans several countries in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Angolan authorities suspect that Dos Santos embezzled from the state oil company Sonangol, which she once headed. She is suspected of mismanagement at Sonangol and misappropriation of company money. Four others, all believed to be close to Dos Santos and including , are suspects in the investigation, which was started after Dos Santos' successor at Sonangol alerted authorities. All the suspects are living outside Angola, Pitta Gros said. One of them, Mario Silva, a Portuguese businessman thought to be Dos Santos' right-hand man, stepped down Thursday as chairman of the board of Banco de Fomento Angola, the Luanda-based bank announced on its website. Story continues Dos Santos has denied any wrongdoing. She has numerous business interests in Portugal, including stakes in telecoms and energy companies. Senior Angolan officials have long made major investments in Portuguese real estate and companies. Pitta Gros told Portuguese public broadcaster RTP at Lisbon airport he planned to meet with his Portuguese counterpart Lucilia Gago. He said he had traveled to Lisbon to ask for a lot of things, but he didn't elaborate. Portuguese officials didn't confirm the meeting. Chief detective of the Portuguese police, Luis Neves, said preliminary reports indicated Ribeiro da Cunhas death was suicide and that nobody else was involved. He told reporters his staff are prepared to help with the Angolan investigation whenever a formal request is made. Last December, a Luanda court froze Dos Santos' major assets, which include banks and a telecom company. The government says it is trying to recover $1.1 billion it says the country is owed by Dos Santos, her husband and a close associate of the couple. Dos Santos was appointed head of Sonangol by her father, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, before he stepped down in 2017 after 38 years in power. Human rights groups long accused Jose Eduardo dos Santos of heading a kleptocracy which left most people in the oil- and diamond-rich country living in poverty. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists earlier this week accused Isabel dos Santos of using unscrupulous deals to build her fortune, estimated at $2 billion. The allegations were based on more than 715,000 confidential financial and business records provided by the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa, an advocacy group based in Paris, as well as hundreds of interviews. The cache of documents is known as the Luanda Leaks. The Republic Day is a time to take stock of our nation, to assess its democratic credentials, and to evaluate whether we have stood up to the expectations of our founding fathers who fought the freedom movement and gave us one of the most comprehensive and foresighted Constitutions. This Republic Day has dawned in the midst of a nationwide agitation against the CAA-NPR-NRC combine. The right to peaceful protest is guaranteed by the Constitution, which believes that dissent is an essential part of a vibrant democracy. Such protests are meant to convey to the government of the day that there are issues on which people have misgivings. A sensitive government, on its part, takes on board this discontent and seeks to find solutions that address it. However, it is surprising that Amit Shah, the all-knowing and all-powerful home minister of the country, has said that he cares nothing for the ongoing protests, and that the divisive CAA will be implemented come what may. The statement displays a degree of hubris and arrogance that is truly astonishing. Democratic governments cannot say that they will not listen to the voice of the people or assert that the views of the people do not matter. Dismissive statements of this nature point to an authoritarian streak that is particularly unfortunate as the worlds largest democracy celebrates its Republic Day. Besides, this display of undemocratic authoritarianism has little, legally, to justify it. The argument that because the CAA is a law legitimately passed by Parliament, and that, therefore, no one has the right to question it, carries little merit. For example, the infamous Emergency imposed by then PM Indira Gandhi in 1975 was also done legally. An article of the Constitution was invoked to promulgate it, and it had received, as per prescribed procedure, the sanction of the President of India. Did that mean that, since it was a legal step taken in accordance with the Constitution, the people of India could not protest against it, or even worse, that the government of the day could ignore or dismiss the nationwide and deep resentment it generated? In fact, the Jan Sangh the BJPs earlier avatar and the RSS were in the forefront in fighting the Emergency, even when, from a techo-legal angle, it was a valid law. If that could be the position of the current dispensation, then why should it be so dismissive now of democratic protest against the CAA? The truth is that Amit Shah and PM Narendra Modi best exemplify a verifiable tendency in the ruling dispensation to intolerantly dismiss anyone who does not endorse what they are doing. Only such an attitude can explain Mr Shahs statement, and the manner in which the government has sided completely with the law enforcing authorities and their excesses with no empathy whatsoever for the lakhs of students protesting the CAA. Young India is sending an emphatic message that the attempt to divide and rule on the basis of religion is no longer acceptable. They are asking the government to focus on real governance priorities, such as the disastrous state of the economy and the lack of jobs, and give up this divisive attempt to create endemic social turmoil and subvert the social harmony and peace of the nation. This Republic Day there is also a challenge to the federal nature of the Constitution, which the nation will need to resolve in a sane and enlightened way. The government claims that since the CAA is a law validly passed by Parliament, the states have no option but to implement it. Many states have, however, said that they will not implement the CAA, and its mandatory accessories as reiterated by the government itself on multiple occasions the NPR and the NRC. Wherein lies the solution? The present situation presents a challenge to Centre-state relations of an unprecedented nature. The Centre has its rights. But so do the states. In their own territory, they are largely sovereign, and represent the will of the people. The Centre may have the law, but it needs the states to implement it. There is an interdependence in the situation that cannot be resolved by force, or by resort to authoritarian means that abuse the spirit of the Constitution. Statesmanship is required here through a mature, consultative process where there is dialogue, give and take, and a willingness to be accommodative. However, it is a moot point whether the current government can provide this statesmanship. This Republic Day must also reinforce our commitment to preserve and strengthen secularism. The word secularism is not liked by some people anymore, but no sane person, in his own self-interest, can be against the principle of respect for all faiths. India is a plural and composite nation where different faiths have lived for centuries together. Any attempt to subvert this basic fabric of our nation will create social discord and turbulence, and create unwarranted insecurity in the lives of ordinary citizens, thus deflecting attention from far more important governance priorities. This secular harmony is the calling card of India to the world. It is guaranteed by our Constitution, whose adoption we celebrate today. There is little point in celebrating Republic Day if our actions militate against the pivotal vision of our founding fathers and the drafters of our Constitution, of a vibrant India, at peace within itself, where all its people, irrespective of their faiths, can live with dignity, respect and security. The meeting comes weeks after Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan reached a preliminary consensus on the operations of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has travelled to Washington to participate in a final round of talks with the foreign and irrigation ministers of Sudan and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), in a last bid to secure an agreement on the dam which has stirred months of conflict and an impasse in negotiations between Cairo and Addis Ababa. The talks, slated for Tuesday and Wednesday, will be held in the presence of US Treasury and World Bank officials and aim to reach a consensus between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan over the filling and operations of GERD. The meeting comes weeks after Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan reached a preliminary consensus in a round held earlier this month in Washington ahead of a critical deadline to finalise an agreement on the disputed dam. Last week, Khartoum hosted a consultative meeting of the technical and legal delegations from Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia on GERD, where they determined some elements and key terms regarding a final agreement on the dam's operations, as well as the measures to be followed during times of drought, so as not to harm Egypt's water quotas. Tensions have been building up between Egypt and Ethiopia in recent months after talks on the technical details governing the operation of the dam failed to make progress. Ethiopia hopes that the $4.8 billion GERD project on the Blue Nile, which has been under construction since 2011, will allow it to become Africas largest power exporter. Egypt, however, fears that the Ethiopian dam, which is 70 percent complete and set to be fully operational by 2022, will diminish its share of Nile water, which comprises 85 percent of the countrys water resources. Search Keywords: Short link: When Thomas Gonzales heard his former workplace had burst into a fiery explosion, killing two and damaging over 200 homes, he wasnt surprised. That place is very dangerous, said Gonzales, who worked Watson Grinding and Manufacturing for a year and filed a formal safety complaint against the company with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in 2006. In the complaint, Gonzales described equipment not securely fastened to the floor and employees working with grinders and tungsten carbide spray without dust masks or gloves. Tungsten carbide can cause a skin allergy, lung allergy or lung scarring, according to the New Jersey Department of Health. OSHA responded to Gonzales by recommending citations for several of his complaints, according to a letter from the agency included in a worker compensation suit he filed in 2007. In the suit, he alleged he had injured his back tripping over extension cords left on the floor. A judge dismissed the case. Over the years, OSHA has also cited the family-owned machining company, which makes and services parts for everything from the oil and gas to aerospace industries, for safety violations and workplace injuries. In 2013, OSHA issued a fine initially assessed at $13,400 for failing to protect workers from machines. Two years later, a worker lost an index finger to a lathe at the facility. Last year, an employee was crushed when an 831-pound metal shaft tipped over. Watson Grinding and Manufacturing was started by James Watson and is now owned and headed by his son, John M. Watson, who could not be reached for comment. The company started small in 1960 and has grown over the years to more than 100 employees. Public records suggest the business grew to be a financial success. Watsons former house has been listed at $4.1 million, and he took out a $2 million loan for a 6,400 square-foot modernist home west of River Oaks. Texas Parks and Wildlife lists him as the owner of a 56-foot yacht. Jordan Blum contributed to this report. rebecca.schuetz@chron.com; twitter.com/raschuetz Protesters from UK-based separatist and pro-Pakistani outfits assembled near the Indian High Commission in London on Sunday to observe a so-called Black Day on India's Republic Day. The protesters were kept away from getting too close to the High Commission building by a strong police presence, including mounted officers on patrol. Hundreds waved flags and placards calling for "Khalistan 2020 Referendum" and Free Kashmir as they chanted slogans against the Indian government and the Indian Army. The organisers, including Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK and Kashmir Solidarity Movement joined by some Sikh separatist outfits, gathered behind barricades set up opposite India House in Aldwych. As a result of safety concerns raised by Indian High Commissioner Ruchi Ghanashyam with UK Home Secretary Priti Patel and London Mayor Sadiq Khan's pledge to provide a robust policing plan, a large number of Metropolitan Police officers were on the scene to secure a parameter away from India House and prevent any violence. A proportionate policing plan is in place, Metropolitan Police said in a statement. A similar so-called Free Kashmir march was banned from assembly outside the High Commission building on Diwali last October following an intervention from the UK Home Office, in the wake of violent clashes during protests to coincide with Indian Independence Day on August 15 last year. Diaspora groups had been lobbying with the Met Police and London Mayor Sadiq Khan to avert a repeat of similar violent scenes. I understand why many British Indians are so deeply concerned about a repeat of those awful scenes. Many have felt deeply threatened and worried, and I would like to assure all Londoners that anyone who acts unlawfully on Sunday will be held fully accountable by the police, said Sadiq Khan. The right to protest is an important and valued part of our democracy, but it must always be done peacefully and within the boundaries of the law, he said. Later on Sunday evening, the Indian Workers' Association Great Britain (IWA-GB), an 80-year-old diaspora group, has called a Defend the Constitution Republic Day meeting at Southall in west London to hold a discussion on the implications of CAA and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A charter bus carrying students from a Catholic high school collided with a car Saturday morning in northern Kentucky, killing the car's driver, police said. The crash on the AA Highway in Campbell County happened around 7.20am as the bus was bringing Covington Catholic High School students back from the March for Life rally in Washington, DC, according to WLWT-TV. The driver of the car, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was not immediately identified by Campbell County police. Witnesses at the scene said the driver who was traveling southbound, entered the northbound lanes of the highway, hitting the charter bus head-on. A charter bus carrying students from a Catholic high school collided with a car Saturday morning in northern Kentucky, killing the car's driver, police said The crash on the AA Highway in Campbell County happened around 7.20am as the bus was bringing Covington Catholic High School students back from the March for Life rally in Washington, DC The driver of the car (pictured) was not immediately identified by Campbell County police Two people on the bus were taken to hospitals for treatment, and others suffered minor injuries. Photos of the bus showed severe damage to the front passenger side of the bus. Students onboard the bus had to use emergency exit windows to escape. The Archdiocese of Covington said that the bus was carrying students and chaperones back from the rally. The bus was one of four traveling with about 200 passengers. According to WLWT, a priest with the Diocese of Covington performed a final blessing over the driver of the car killed in the crash. Covington Catholic High School wrote in a Facebook post on Saturday: 'God is our refuge and strength. Thank you for prayers for our school and community.' A priest with the Diocese of Covington performed a final blessing over the driver of the car killed in the crash Photos of the bus showed severe damage to the front passenger side of the bus. Students onboard the bus had to use emergency exit windows to escape Last year a group of students from Covington Catholic attending the same annual anti-abortion rally drew national attention for an encounter with a Native American man. Widely-shared video of the encounter showed one of the students, Nicholas Sandmann, and Nathan Phillips standing close to each other, with the young student staring and at times smiling at Phillips as he sang and played a drum. Media commentary in the aftermath depicted the students as racially insensitive. Sandmann and Phillips later said they were both trying to defuse tensions among conflicting groups converging at the Lincoln Memorial. Earlier this month, CNN agreed to settle a lawsuit brought against them by Sandmann who claimed he was vilified and bullied by the news network in his stand-off with a native American protester last year. Sandmann had been seeking $275million in damages from CNN over their coverage of the confrontation he had with Phillips. In the suit, filed in March 2019, Sandmann's attorney claimed that 'CNN brought down the full force of its corporate power, influence, and wealth on Nicholas by falsely attacking, vilifying, and bullying him despite the fact that he was a minor child'. CNN agreed to settle the suit during a hearing at the federal courthouse in Covington; however, the settlement amount was not made public Sandmann and his family still have lawsuits pending against NBC Universal and the Washington post regarding their coverage of the incident, seeking combined damages of more than $525million. New Delhi: A volley of rockets landed near the US embassy in the Iraqi capital Baghdad Sunday evening, two security sources told news agency AFP, in the latest unclaimed attack on American installations in the country. AFP reporters heard loud thuds emanating from the western bank of the Tigris, where most foreign embassies are located. One security source said three Katyusha rockets hit near the high-security compound while another said as many as five struck the area. There was no immediate word on casualties. The country's security services also found one fully loaded launcher. The green zone occasionally suffers from rocket attacks on account of it being the location where government facilities and foreign embassies are situated. The rockets were fired days after Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles targeting US troops in Iraq, without causing serious injuries, in retaliation to the killing of General Qassem Soleimani in a US airstrike in Baghdad. As Iran's Revolutionary Guard braced for an American counterattack that never came, it mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian jetliner shortly after it took off from Tehran's international airport, killing all 176 passengers on board, mostly Iranians. Authorities concealed their role in the tragedy for three days, initially blaming the crash on a technical problem. Their admission of responsibility triggered days of street protests, which security forces dispersed with live ammunition and tear gas. Tensions between Iran and the United States have steadily escalated since President Donald Trump withdrew the US from Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, which had imposed restrictions on its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. The White House has since imposed crippling sanctions on Iran, including its vital oil and gas industry, pushing the country into an economic crisis that has ignited several waves of sporadic, leaderless protests. Trump has openly encouraged the protesters -- even tweeting in Farsi -- hoping that the protests and the sanctions will bring about fundamental change in a longtime adversary. After Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike in Baghdad, Iran announced it would no longer be bound by the limitations in the nuclear agreement. European countries who have been trying to salvage the deal responded earlier this week by invoking a dispute mechanism that is aimed at bringing Iran back into compliance and could result in even more sanctions. (With agencies inputs) For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Kitty Greens film about a day in the life of a young woman at a Weinstein-like company is a spare, searing story of abuse and complicity. Photo: Courtesy of Sundance Institute Whenever Jane (Julia Garner) has to write an apology email to her boss, the other assistants in the room reflexively come up behind her to suggest wording. Its not my place to question your decisions, they murmur over her shoulder as she types, Im grateful for the continued opportunity. Its a ritual of abasement to which theyve obviously become accustomed. Jane, on the other hand, is still learning the ropes at the New York film company at which The Assistant is set. She occupies the lowest rung on the ladder, which is why she has to arrive first, in the pre-dawn darkness, to open up the office. Its also why she puts on gloves and cleans up whatever new stains have been deposited on the couch in the chairmans office. The expression on her face when she does this is the same as the one thats there when she washes the dishes left in the kitchen by co-workers who dont even seem to see her. Its the tight, pallid look of someone trying to get through things without thinking too hard about what shes doing. That the man Jane is working under in The Assistant is a stand-in for Harvey Weinstein is understood. Hes never named and he never appears onscreen, an approach that echoes how filmmaker and former Weinstein assistant Leslye Headland wrote about her old workplace in her 2008 play Assistance. The Assistant shares an understanding that the man himself is less psychologically interesting than the people around him, and how theyve learned to tolerate, accommodate, rationalize away, or internalize his behavior. What makes the film such a spare but searingly insightful treatment of the issues at the core of Me Too is the way it refuses to separate its unseen executives sexual predation from the larger structures that enable it. The environment revolves around certain unspoken but understood rules of abuse namely, that abuse is something that you have to put up with until youre powerful enough to be amused by or dismissive of it when its directed at others. And here its women, especially women that the chairman finds desirable, who receive a disproportionate amount of it. The Assistant is the first scripted feature from writer-director Kitty Green. For her last film, the 2017 documentary Casting JonBenet, Green put out a call to Colorado-based actors to try out for the major roles in the unsolved 1996 child murder, and, while they were there, to offer up their own theories and recollections. It was an excavation of our true-crime obsession that was illuminating, chilly, and occasionally cruel in its pitiless use of its eager-to-please interviewees. That same sense of distance is there in The Assistant, but it serves the new film far better. The Assistant observes its main character, a recent college grad who has theoretically landed her dream job, with a detached interest, taking in her struggles and her complicity while offering her neither sympathy nor castigation. The camera pays closer attention to Jane than the people in her professional life, most of whom treat her as ranking somewhere above office furniture but not quite at the level of actual human. In one sequence, she shares an elevator with Patrick Wilson, apparently playing himself, and the way they awkwardly attempt to exit at the same time suggests he hadnt even realized shed been standing next to him. The Assistant takes place over the course of a grueling but typical day for Jane an airless trudge through phone calls and photocopies that deviates from the norm only when she decides to stop by human resources to file a complaint. She does this not on her own behalf, but because of the new assistant the chairman has decided to add to the pool a painfully young and pretty former waitress from Idaho (Kristine Froseth) that he met at a conference and offered a job to. Its hard to tell whether Jane is moved to action because she sees herself in the new girl, whom she nevertheless escorts to her boss hotel of choice. It seems just as possible that she acts because she doesnt see any of herself in the new girl; the hiring lays bare how arbitrary their employment is. Its not work or experience that matters, its the demanded displays of loyalty and subservience and in that light, fielding calls from your boss angry wife and (maybe) trading sexual favors with him are all regarded as the same thing. The scene in HR that follows, and that involves Matthew Macfadyen, with a smile full of razors, makes the dilemma of Janes position apparent. He suggests shes jealous, that shes overreacting, that shes denying the agency of grown women, and thats she throwing away a prime opportunity for the sake of a whim. And once hes worn her down to a nub, he assures her, I dont think you have anything to worry about. Youre not his type. Theres nothing about Jane, whom Garner plays with a rabbity air of uncertainty, that suggests shell ever speak up again. Shes a girl from a nice home who went to a good school, and shes doing what shes been told she ought to in order to rise through the ranks. When her boss gives her the verbal equivalent of a pat on the head after one of his outbursts Im tough on you because Im gonna make you great its easy to imagine Jane as one of the few older women executives in the office, who roll their eyes at everything she struggles to bear witness to, having long ago accepted that its all part of the business. For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME. Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest warscreating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire. Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. Learn about the formation of the North America transportation control grid, which will end U.S. sovereignty forever. Discover how the practitioners of the pseudo-science eugenics have taken control of governments worldwide as a means to carry out depopulation. View the progress of the coming collapse of the United States and the formation of the North American Union. Never before has a documentary assembled all the pieces of the globalists' dark agenda. Endgame's compelling look at past atrocities committed by those attempting to steer the future delivers information that the controlling media has meticulously censored for over 60 years. It fully reveals the elite's program to dominate the earth and carry out the wicked plan in all of human history. Endgame is not conspiracy theory, it is documented fact in the elite's own words. A young man is fighting for life after an alleged one-punch attack in Sydney's CBD on Saturday night. The 22-year-old suffered a fractured skull and serious brain injuries after he was allegedly punched, causing him to fall to the ground and slam his head on concrete. Harrison Hronopoulos, 20, from Beacon Hill in the city's northern beaches, was released on bail on Sunday after being charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm. Harrison Hrnopoulos (above) has been charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm after allegedly punching a 22-year-old man Hronopoulos appeared via video link at Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday, sitting silently in a blue shirt with his hands handcuffed in his lap, The Daily Telegraph reported. The court heard police were called to the fight in Sydney Square, close to Sydney Town Hall, at about 8.30pm. The fight allegedly broke out when the accused's girlfriend was refused entry to a nightclub. Police documents allege a fight broke out between Hronopoulos and the victim, who was with a friend at the time. 'The accused struck the victim to the jaw, who lost consciousness,' the magistrate read from the documents. Due to Hronopoulos having no previous offences and his intoxication at the time of the incident, prosecutors did not oppose bail. The Magistrate said: 'It's a prevalent occurrence that a person, affected by too much alcohol, is involved in acts of violence on the streets.' Hronopoulos' bail conditions included that he remains living in his family home at Beacon Hill, surrenders his passport and reports to police each day and night. He is banned from consuming alcohol and drugs while on bail. Hronopoulos is set to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on February 11. Well before World Health Organization or US Center For Disease Control made it official that a deadly coronavirus outbreak had gripped China, and posed danger to the whole world, a Canada-based AI startup knew that the 'Wuhan virus' cases were multiplying in China. wuhan corona virus The startup called Bluedot knew this by analyzing foreign language data points flooding the internet in 2019, which is pretty astounding because the Wuhan Coronavirus news became public just over a week ago by Chinese and global health agencies. Bluedot is a Toronto-based startup whose AI-powered health monitoring platform analyzes billions of data points online and crunches them to make public health threat assessments. The five-year-old startup knew something was up in China and sent an alert to all their clients about the Wuhan coronoavirus outbreak on Dec. 31, much before the WHO, US CDC or even Chinese health agencies officially acknowledged the pandemic flu. How did Bluedot get ahead of the curve? Even in the past SARS virus outbreak, and now with Wuhan coronavirus, China wasn't immediately forthcoming in alerting the world with respect to what it was dealing with internally. According to a press release, Bluedot "uses big data analytics to track and anticipate the spread of the worlds most dangerous infectious diseases." The AI-driven startup does this by using natural-language processing and machine-learning techniques to filter through worldwide news reports, data from airlines, and reports of animal disease outbreaks, according to a Wired report. Bluedot's internal team of epidemiologists then take a look at the automatically generated data and insights to see if they see a pattern of disease outbreak, and if they're confident about it the company sends an alert to its clients worldwide on the potential risks and safety measures. The virus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan, already on lockdown, will ban most vehicles including private cars from the downtown area in a further bid to limit the spread of a new disease that has infected more than 1,000 people and killed 41. It is in these instances, where you're dealing with the threat of a global pandemic, that a service like Bluedot would've been useful. Already reports are emerging that the Chinese Wuhan coronavirus has spread to countries like Australia, US, Japan, Thailand, and more. If we have the tools to potentially identify these risks in advance thanks to AI, it's high time we started making better use of them. Because it always comes down to time, and how quickly you can contain and eliminate the disease -- and the easiest time to do this is at the very beginning. As House Democrats wrapped up their 24 hours of opening statements in the impeachment trial of President Trump on Friday, one thing members of both parties acknowledged albeit somewhat grudgingly on the Republican side was that Rep. Adam Schiff had done about as good a job as he could in arguing the Democrats case. Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, was the lead impeachment manager for the Democrats, speaking on his feet for hours at a time with fluency, eloquence and command of the facts. Hes well-spoken, Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., told reporters on Thursday. Earlier he had complimented Schiff in person for his impassioned presentation. Schiff did a good job of creating a tapestry. Taking bits and pieces of evidence and emails and giving a rhetorical flourish. Making the email come alive sometimes effectively, sometimes a little over the top, Graham said. Lead House impeachment manager Adam Schiff. (Photo: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., also praised Schiffs presentation following Thursdays plea to the Senate jury to remove Trump from office. I thought he was passionate and his case has been well articulated, Thune said, adding that in the end its all going to come down to the facts, the law and what people think is the threshold for whats an impeachable offense. To be sure, many Republicans were unmoved by Schiffs performance, including members of the presidents family. Schiff is truly one of the least likable & inspiring people I have ever watched on TV. Aside from being boring, he looks pompous, smug and angry. Keep it up - everyone in America reads through your desperate sham. Eric Trump (@EricTrump) January 23, 2020 To the president, who has taken to calling him Shifty Schiff on Twitter, as well as Little Adam Schitt, the California Democrat has long been a nemesis, and Trumps most ardent surrogates, like Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, have been making the rounds on Fox News to press their view that Schiff has no credibility. Story continues Yet while most Americans even counting some members of the Senate did not sit through all 24 hours of the Democrats case against the president (Trumps lawyers get their chance starting Saturday), highlights of Schiffs remarks flooded social media and were rebroadcast on television news programs. Here are some of the standout moments. Wednesday On the first day Democrats were given to make their case against the president, Schiff praised the members of the Trump administration who had risked their careers by honoring subpoenas to testify before the House Judiciary Committee. Why is it that they were willing to stick their neck out and answer lawful subpoenas when their bosses wouldnt, Schiff said, adding, If they can show the courage, so can we. Americans know about Trump's Ukraine scheme because people with a sense of duty were willing to step forward and speak out. People like Ambassadors Yovanovitch and Taylor, Lt. Col. Vindman, Dr. Hill. They were willing to risk their careers. Can Members of Congress do the same? pic.twitter.com/ac3WvdYULR Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) January 23, 2020 Thursday The most retweeted portion of Schiffs remarks came at the end of Thursdays proceedings, when he argued that Trumps guilt was plain to see. If right doesnt matter, were lost, Schiff said. If the truth doesnt matter, were lost. Every American should watch @RepAdamSchiffs closing at Thursdays session. pic.twitter.com/N5ulp0bL7Y Justin Amash (@justinamash) January 24, 2020 Schiff also argued that to fail to hold Trump accountable in the Ukraine affair would permanently alter the balance of power between the branches of government. The President's misconduct cannot be decided at the ballot box, for we cannot be assured that the vote will be fairly won, lead impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff says during his opening statement at the Senate impeachment trial. https://t.co/14mXcvjVzh pic.twitter.com/F2OZhLYx7v CNN Newsroom (@CNNnewsroom) January 22, 2020 When Schiff noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin was a beneficiary of Trumps decision to withhold U.S. military aid to Ukraine, he delivered one of his more memorable lines: You gotta give Donald Trump credit for this; he made a religious man out of Vladimir Putin. .@RepAdamSchiff: "You gotta give Donald Trump credit for this; he has made a religious man out of Vladimir Putin. I don't think we really want Vladimir Putin, our adversary to be thanking God for the President of the United States. Because they don't wish us well. pic.twitter.com/kYHzvKymgx CSPAN (@cspan) January 23, 2020 Friday Armed, as he was in the previous days, with video clips and charts, Schiff made the case Friday that there was an unmistakable pattern to Trumps deference to Putin. Schiff deftly traced a timeline that began with Trumps plea to the Russians to find Hillary Clintons deleted emails during the 2016 campaign, to his Helsinki press conference with Putin at which he accepted the Russian presidents denials of interference in the 2016 election, to his own debunked conspiracy theory that Ukraine had meddled on behalf of the Democrats. Rep. Adam Schiff calls Pres. Trump's bilateral press conference in Helsinki with Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin a "breathtaking success of Russian intelligence." "Whatever profile Russia did of our president, boy did they have him spot on." https://t.co/IDEbzhKdJX pic.twitter.com/C9YTcFFcGP ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 24, 2020 Schiff then invoked the memory of John McCain, recalling the late senators words to draw a distinction with Trumps actions. The late Sen. John McCain made an appearance in the impeachment trial of President Trump, via video played by Adam Schiff. More live updates: https://t.co/THcxsiym2C pic.twitter.com/K66fyL06ON POLITICO (@politico) January 24, 2020 Taking direct aim at his Republican colleagues, Schiff asked point-blank whether any of them could be confident that Trump wouldnt someday turn on them. Adam Schiff: "Do you think for a moment that any of you, no matter what your relationship with this president, no matter how close you are to this president, do you think for a moment that if he felt it was in his interest, he wouldnt ask you to be investigated?" pic.twitter.com/mEJfkl7lPo Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) January 24, 2020 _____ Read more from Yahoo News: YEREVAN. Steps are being taken to exclude the penetration of coronavirus into Armenia, and to raise awareness about it in the country. This was reported by the Health and Labor Inspectorate Body (HLIB) of Armenia. The respective note states, in particular, that the HLIB border control checkpoints are in constant surveillance of those arriving in Armenia by carrying out automatic outpatient fever measurement and external inspection. The HLIB, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, has also launched awareness campaigns. In particular, posters were placed at border medical and sanitary checkpoints whereby informing about this new virus, and the necessary steps to prevent it from entering Armenia. The Young Explorers Club met Saturday in the Parker Science Building at Illinois College. Professor Lawrence Zettler and five of his students instructed some 17 Young Explorers Club students on how to use microscopes to observe microscopic life in local lake water. They observed roundworms, amoebas and other items. GRAPHIC WARNING: This story contains details which may be disturbing for some readers. The word "liberation" sounds so positive, like a celebration. But Eva Slonim says that when Russian soldiers "liberated" her from Auschwitz concentration camp in January 1945, she was starving and seriously ill. Eva Slonim, nee Weiss, third from right, front row, in white head scarf, on liberation from Auschwitz concentration camp in January 1945. Her sister Marta is looking over her shoulder, at left. Credit:Jewish Holocaust Centre In a photo displayed at Melbournes Jewish Holocaust Centre, the-then Eva Weiss and her sister Marta look emaciated and older than their ages 13 and 10. They didnt know whether their parents or siblings were alive. "When I see the photo, I dont rejoice," Mrs Slonim says. "We did not celebrate liberation." (Newser) Senate Republicans are considering holding a vote to acquit President Trump in his impeachment trial as soon as Friday, and Democrats are plotting their response. If the Senate votes against bringing in documents or witnesses, the rules would allow Democrats to offer new motions, Politico reports. The Republican majority could then move to end debate and vote on whether to acquit. "The question is going to come to 'Have you heard enough to make a decision or do you want witnesses?'" says Sen. John Barrasso. "If people say, 'We're ready to vote,' we're going to vote right then." story continues below Chuck Schumer, the minority leader, declined to say what the Democratic strategy would be in that case. "I think we are exploring what our options would be if we lost that witness vote, says Sen. Chris Murphy. "The rules dont provide for anything." It's possible that some GOP senators would oppose a move to end the trial that soon; a couple of them have resisted a fast pace. Among Republican strategies is to encourage voters to not pay attention to the trial, possibly helping to mute a public outcry at ending the trial quickly. "I would suggest that the American people, if they could turn their channel and watch something else, that is what they are doing," said Sen. Mark Meadows, per the Hill. Democrats disagree. "This is not a television show, and it shouldnt be thought of, or judged, based on the standard of what is entertaining television," Sen. Kamala Harris said. (Read more Trump impeachment stories.) New Delhi: Uttar Pradeh Police has finally made its first arrest in the Gaurav Chandel murder case in Greater Noida. According to initial reports, a joint team of Noida and Hapur police arrested the accused from Hapur on Sunday- some twenty days after he was found murdered near Gaur Chowk. Gaurav Chandel, a resident of Gaur City in Greater Noida, was robbed and murdered on January 6. Chandel had gone missing while returning from his office in Gurugram. He was later found murdered at Gaur Chowk - just 5-minutes drive from his home. Nearly 8 days after his death, UP police had recovered his car from Akash Nagar colony in Ghaziabad. The car was 'locked' at the time of recovery. This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available. Please refresh the page for the updated version. Keep reading News Nation for all latest updates. For other stories, click on english.newsnationtv.com For all the Latest Crime News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Priti Patel has reiterated her plans for an overhaul of the immigration system after Brexit, vowing to clamp down on low-skilled migration. The home secretary said UK businesses would have to change their approach to building their workforce when free movement ends, saying they had become far too reliant on cheap labour from the EU. She was speaking days before a government commissioned report by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is to set out proposals for the post-Brexit immigration system, including a review of the proposed 30,000 minimum salary threshold for migrant workers. Ministers have already signalled they are ready to drop the threshold on the new immigration system, following concern among business leaders that it would prevent workers needed to support the economy from entering the UK. Boris Johnson has repeatedly said he would introduce an Australian-style points system after Brexit, based on applicants skills and qualifications and the UKs labour shortages. He has said migrants will be sorted into three categories: exceptionally talented people such as nuclear physicists, who would be granted free entry; skilled workers, who could settle if they had a job; and unskilled workers who would only be granted short-term visas in sectors with skills shortages. The new rules are expected to be imposed by 2021, two years earlier than promised by Theresa May, giving businesses and workers less than a year to prepare for a major overhaul of the immigration system. The proposals have been attacked by business chiefs, who warned the limits would create a shortage of staff in sectors such as hospitality, construction and agriculture, while Labour warned the NHS would not survive. Despite the concerns, Ms Patel reportedly confirmed this week that no workers would be exempt from new immigration rules after Brexit despite staff shortages. Ministers have said, however, the government could be prepared to scrap the 30,000 minimum salary threshold in an attempt to ensure the UK can attract the brightest and the best after concerns were raised by businesses. When asked whether the 30,000 threshold would be scrapped during an interview with Sky News on Sunday, Ms Patel said the government would follow the guidance from the MAC report once it is published. Labour warns NHS would 'not survive' Boris Johnson's immigration plan She added: We have been abundantly clear ... that we are absolutely determined to change the immigration system, end the complexity of the system, have simpler rules, have a points based system, where we can have people that bring the right skills for our labour market. The fact of the matter is that were leaving the EU which means free movement will end and it means we will be able to control the level of unskilled migration. The home secretary went on to say the new rules would allow government to control levels of unskilled migration, and encouraged British businesses to invest more in the British public rather than being reliant on low-skilled and cheap labour from the EU. By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/25/2020 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Did Anna and Mursel's relationship really end at that point, or is the couple somehow still together now? ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. has shown Mursel Mistanoglu appearing to return to Turkey and end his relationship Anna Campisi -- but did their relationship really end at that point, or did they reconcile? And if so, are they still together now?Anna, a 38-year-old mother of three from Bellevue, NE, is currently starring on 's seventh season with Mursel, a 38-year-old from Antalya, Turkey.Prior to meeting Mursel on Facebook, Anna had a relationship that ended badly with a "controlling" man -- the father of her three sons: Joey, 15, Gino, 14, and Leo, 6.Mursel seemed "kind and sweet" compared to her ex, and he and Anna bonded over their shared passion for beekeeping.The couple therefore continued talking and sending photos to each other despite the language barrier between them and cultural differences.Mursel, for example, is Muslim and doesn't drink, but she had faith things would work out.Anna's first meeting with Mursel in Turkey surpassed her expectations, and so she returned to America and applied for his K-1 visa, which was later approved.Anna acknowledged flying Mursel to America was a huge risk and might flip her family's lives upside down, but she was optimistic her family would come together.But when Mursel met the boys, it was a little awkward for everyone involved.A couple of Mursel's comments led the boys to believe he was going to view everything in the United States inferior to what he was used to in Turkey.Mursel's meeting with Anna's sons "didn't go well," according to Anna, and then he had to meet her mother, Charlene, who didn't like the idea of Mursel being in control of her daughter's household.Charlene also learned Mursel was keeping Anna's three children a secret from his parents in Turkey."That's messed up," Gino said, who was with Charlene and his mom when Mursel came clean.Mursel explained he loved Anna so much and felt guilty about the secret, but he knew his family would disapprove of him marrying a wife with kids -- and he didn't want to disobey his parents.Best case scenario, Mursel hoped to tell his parents about Anna's kids in about 10 years.Mursel said his parents would forgive his sins during their last moments on earth and that is the time to be totally honest and forthcoming about things.Anna was starting to realize she might have to choose between the love of her life and her boys.Once Mursel had been in America for about a month, he and Anna began planning their wedding. Anna put together little honey favors, while Mursel was constructing a "honeycomb altar" made of wood.But as time progressed, the pair struggled with communication issues, and Anna worried Mursel was using their language barrier as an excuse to not talk about their problems and reach solutions.Anna didn't feel heard or understood by Mursel, and she was tired of receiving "yes" or "no" answers from him.Anna, however, continued with the wedding planning, which included picking out a wedding dress."He's The One. It just seems like nothing is going right... [but] we'll get it all figured out," Anna cried when trying on the perfect dress.While trying on tuxedos and suits with Mursel later on, Joey made it known he didn't want his mother to get married."Your situation does not make me happy," Mursel told Joey while they were being fitted for their wedding tuxedos. "You never give me good energy. You don't try to be nice. If you don't want me, I can go.""It's that easy?!" Joey asked his mom. "Okay, situation solved!"Mursel started questioning why he should stay in the United States if Anna's kids didn't want him around, but Anna was certain they could get through this."The boys mean everything to me. My life revolves around them, but I don't think they appreciate everything I've given and sacrificed for them. And at some point, I want to be happy too," Anna said in a confessional.However, Mursel keeping Anna's kids a secret from his loved ones continued eating away at her, so she decided to give Mursel an ultimatum.Anna told Mursel to tell his parents about her kids or else she wouldn't marry him."If I had known Anna was going to make me tell my family about her kids, I would not have come [to the United States]," Mursel confessed to the cameras.As expected, Mursel's parents seemed outraged by the news when Mursel told them about Anna's sons via video chat."She took you for a fool!" Mursel's father said, before his mother scolded him as well and demanded he return to Turkey and find a nice girl in his home country.Mursel said his parents perceived Anna as an "incredibly bad" woman, and Anna was devastated to hear her parents would not accept her.Mursel then decided to return to Turkey in order to please his parents, and Charlene accused Mursel of breaking her daughter's heart. Charlene had predicted her daughter's relationship would "end up in tragedy," and she just wanted Mursel to get "the hell out of" America.Anna's two youngest boys, Leo and Gino, were also pretty upset by the news because they had just started to welcome Mursel into their lives and appreciate him being around.Anna was disappointed that age 38, Mursel wasn't willing to stand up to his parents and just marry her for the sake of their love and happiness.As for Joey, he was happy about the news and accused his mother of never thinking things through or considering all possible outcomes. Joey was disappointed in his mom for putting the family through all this.In the days leading up to Mursel's flight back to Turkey, Anna forced him to stay in a hotel. She cried constantly and called him "weak." She ignored his phone calls and texts unless she watched to yell at him."If we really cannot be together, I want you gone," Anna told Mursel via text.Mursel said he felt lonely in a foreign land and wished he could spend his final days in America with Anna, but Anna insisted she no longer liked him and they were finished."I want to kiss her because I love her. I couldn't sleep at all. All the time I am thinking about this," Mursel vented in a confessional.Anna couldn't believe that Mursel wasn't choosing her and putting her first.Anna then reluctantly decided to drive Mursel to the airport with false hope he would come around and decide to stay at the last minute."He tells me he loves me, but he can't man up and prove it," Anna said in a confessional.Mursel told Anna he would love her "for a lifetime," but she didn't want to hear it. Anna just sobbed and sobbed."I want to punch you," Anna said, wiping the tears from her face.Mursel told a producer his relationship was over."The K-1 visa is a one-entry visa, so once you leave, you cannot come back into the United States. So, once he leaves, that's it. He's not coming back," Anna explained to the cameras.At the airport, Mursel confessed he was scared to lose Anna, and the pair got extremely emotional when saying goodbye."Please, Mursel, don't go!" Anna said."I love you," Mursel replied.Mursel then walked away with his ticket, but he didn't leave until running back to Anna again for another hug."I had good dreams coming to America from Turkey. If I knew this was going to be the case, I wouldn't have come," Mursel said in a confessional."If I could turn back time, I wish I had told my parents about the kids before. I am really regretting that right now."Mursel repeated how he loved Anna so much, but Anna ran out of the airport quickly."I never thought we'd be here. He's broken my heart and I'm not going to go back from this. I don't think I can," Anna told the cameras.Anna confirmed on Instagram in November 2019 that she and Mursel got engaged on September 8, 2018.Anna announced the news as part of her explanation as to why she and Mursel appear to wear wedding rings on 's seventh season."I finally got the ok! I've gotten a lot of questions about the rings Mursel and I wear. In Turkey it is customary to have an Engagement ceremony. This involves exchanging rings," Anna captioned a series of photos of the couple celebrating at a fancy event."A red ribbon is tied to both rings and the Elder of the family says a prayer and some words to bless the Engagement and the ribbon is then cut. Then the couple goes around and kisses the hands of the Elders. It is also customary for the guests to pin money on the newly Engaged couple."Anna concluded, "We didn't go through the whole engagement custom which would also involve both families meeting and getting a blessing due to my family not being in Turkey. We were engaged September 8 2018! Hopefully this clears some questions."In shocking news, Anna and Mursel worked things out at one point and reportedly got married a year after their engagement!Anna and Mursel tied the knot in Nebraska on September 8, 2019, according to court records obtained by Starcasm.The couple has refrained from sharing photos or writing messages about each other on social media, but Mursel changed his home state to Nebraska on his Facebook late last year.But Anna revealed how to say the word "turkey" in Turkish in honor of Thanksgiving, suggesting she's still together with Mursel. She apparently continues to learn the language and appreciate Mursel's culture.Anna also hinted she and Mursel are still a couple when she wrote his name as a hashtag in a mid-December 2019 post on Instagram."We need more days till Christmas! #notready, #90dayfiance, #oldestboy, #mursel," Anna captioned a photo with her son.Early this month, however, Anna revealed on Instagram she had a health scare in which doctors discovered blood clots in her leg and both of her lungs.Anna did not mention whether Mursel was around to support her or help her in the recovery process."I'm now on bed rest for the next few days. This is the scariest thing I've gone through. Everything I've read... is really scary," Anna revealed in her Instagram Stories."It could happen to anyone. If you feel like something isn't right...Take time to get it looked at. It could save your life."Anna owns Beauty and the Bees Honey, a business which sells honey and a wide array of bees wax products.Mursel studied at California State University, Northridge, according to Starcasm, but it's unclear whether Mursel came to America for the program or participated in online courses.Want spoilers? Click here to visit our Spoilers webpage! The divide in the Ummah dates back to the times immediately after the Holy Prophet and to the principle of successorship afforded on Ali ibn Abi Talib by a group of adherents called the Shiatu Aliy (adherents of Ali), as opposed to a larger group who believe that the Holy Prophet did not appoint a successor and instead regarded Abu Bakr as the rightful caliph after the Holy Prophet. The larger group, i.e. Sunnis, prevailed and appointed the initial caliphs amongst whom two were murdered Ali was ultimately chosen as the fourth caliph, but he too was assassinated. Later, Alis son, Hussein, led the Shias into an unequal battle with the caliphs forces and were brutally massacred. The symbolism of this Battle of Karbala where Hussein was martyred and beheaded is known as Ashura (the tenth day of Muharram, a day of mourning), which is deeply ingrained, subliminal and spiritual in the Shia psyche, that has developed since. The difference between the two sects got further ruptured with the 12th Shite imam who is believed to have gone into occultation and hiding with God and will come back at the end of time (known as Mahdi or the Messiah). The latest population estimate of the Ummah is approximately two billion, divided into two broad denominations (with multiple offshoots): the smaller sect is Shia with 15-20 per cent and the Sunnis with 80-85 per cent of the total Muslim population. There are historically irreconcilable differences between the Shias and Sunnis that have simmered and enflamed from time to time for over 14 centuries. The advent of modern sovereign states with two major countries in the region composed on a majority sectarian basis, i.e. the essentially Sunni Saudi Arabia and the essentially Shia Iran, has fueled further economic, political and geostrategic one-upmanship through the prism of a sectarian lens. Both countries envisage a fraternal global role of sectarian guardianship that invariably cross-pitches interests against each other. The concept of martyrdom is integral to sovereign Irans Shite philosophy and the same has been practiced by Tehran to invoke the martyrs of the bloody Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s who dominate public spaces and imagination in the Iranian state as revered figures. The Battle of Karbala is frequently posited in a modern political context to stir passions and galvanise support, as was done in the Iran-Iraq war and even in the pre-1979 Iranian Revolution struggle by Ayatollah Khomeini. Yet, unlike the puritanism and extreme intolerance of the Wahhabi moorings in the Saudi Arabian narrative, the Shite experience in Iran has been relatively more inclusive. The leitmotif of martyrdom is extended to soldiers like Mehrdad Nahravand (a Parsi Air Force pilot in the Iran-Iraq war) who famously crashed his F-4 fighter jet into Iraqi tanks after being shot down, or even little known outside of Iran, the dignity afforded to 13 Iranian Jewish soldiers by a memorial service in their honour, by no less than the Iranian Revolutionary Guards themselves. The collective consciousness of Shia identity subsumes persecution and suffering as integral to its identity, rituals and symbols and it was reinforced in modern times by the state of international isolation that it felt in the Iran-Iraq war, when Saddam Hussein was supported by the West and the Gulf states. In recent times, this sense of being wronged was justifiably felt on the Iranian streets as the United States had unilaterally reneged on its commitments towards the Iranian Nuclear Deal (to the discomfiture to all other signatories and multilateral institutions) and re-slapped the crippling economic sanctions. The accompanying backdrop of the yeoman role played by the Iranian state in taking down the most debasing and inhumane infrastructure of the ISIL terror organisation led by its interventionist Quds Force and its reticent leader, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Thereafter, the killing of Soleimani by the United States in a targeted drone attack only perpetuated and deepened that sense of persecution and hurt that was manifest in the Iranian media, hailing the martyr as Malik Al-Ashtar, a reference to the most loyal companion of the first imam, Ali. The publicly restrained, loyal and fearless (invariably on the frontline and never photographed wearing a flak jacket) Maj. Gen. Soleimani spearheaded the coordination of the Iranian Quds Force along with a host of Shite militias in the battlegrounds of Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. The recent success garnered by the Shiite forces in controlling the Iraqi-Syrian swathes and in the other flaring battlegrounds of Yemen where the minority Shia-Houthi militia was repeatedly inflicting damage on the numerically, materially and financially superior and combined forces of the Sheikhdoms and the United States. The embarrassing portents of the Shia Crescent as feared by Jordanian King Abdullah was indeed fructifying as the Shiite forces were holding sway from the Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthis in Yemen, the Assad-backed forces in Syria, Iraq and Iran something had to be done, and Maj. Gen. Soleimani paid the price in perhaps the last presidential hurrah by Donald Trump, as he unconvincingly portrayed the slain general as a monster. Now, Mr Trump has ensured Soleimanis place in the soul of the hurt nation, as unprecedented outpourings of emotions, symbolism and calls for revenge by the Iranian nation have been unleashed. Cries of martyrs blood will not be forgotten rant the multi-city mourning processions and the obviously choked voice of the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei, added poignancy and personal wound to the moment of collective grief. Soleimani had famously called out the United States by stating earlier: You started it, we will end it, and had on multiple occasions sought his own end as a martyr will now continue defining the battle in the region, even after his death. The emblematic red flag over the Jamkaran mosque and in other commemorative processions following Soleimanis killing with the phrase Ya la-Tharat al-Hussein, (O ye avengers of Hussein) is telling of the times to come. Iran has promised reciprocal hard revenge and the familiar emotion of victimhood looms large in a civilisation that dates back to 7000 BC. The writer is a retired lieutenant-general and a former lieutenant-governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Puducherry. A new powerful documentary series is set to stun viewers as it marks the 75-year anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Auschwitz Untold: In Colour is a two part series which is shot from the perspective of Holocaust survivors, with the archive footage used from the concentration camp in Poland having been restored to full colour. It is set to feature testimonies from survivors which have never been shared before and is narrated by Sir Ben Kingsley. One female survivor recounts arriving at the camp saying: 'Once we entered there, we thought we'd entered hell.' Images from the new documentary show what the prisoners actually looked like when they arrived The image above shows the prisoners in blue and white striped pyjamas while others are in the clothes they came in isitors at the former Auschwitz concentration camp operated by Nazi Germany during WWII Another said it took them '60 years to be able to talk about what happened there'. A male survivor also talks about how he was 11-years-old when he went to the camp and that he 'didn't know what he was getting in for'. Others said they did 'everything in their power to stay alive'. Speaking about the fact the new documentary being restored, one survivor said: 'We were wearing colours, we were not all in grey'. Another added: 'Colourisation couldn't get the image closer to what it actually was'. Other images sowed women wearing hats and carrying their coats as they walked through the camp Women and children are seen walking through the camp in the footage which has been restored 15 Holocaust survivors appear on the film, with one being that of a Romani Holocaust survivor and a member of the Jewish underground who took part in armed resistance against the Nazis as her entire family was being murdered in a death camp. Now in their 80s and 90s, they are able to provide first-hand accounts of the camp and the Final Solution. The series dives deep into the history of the camp, revealing Nazi plans for genocide against Jewish and Romani people. For the first time viewers will be able to see the colourisation of black and white archive footage. Survivors took part in the documentary in order to tell their stories about their time in the camp The series is being produced and directed by BAFTA winner David Shulman, development producer Sheldon Lazarus, and executive produced by Leo Pearlman and BAFTA winner Neil Grant. The two episodes will be broadcast on More4 in the UK followed by a 90-minute special airing on Channel 4 as part of the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. David Shulman, Producer/Director of Auschwitz Untold: In Colour said: 'My ambition in making Auschwitz Untold was to have as much contemporary resonance as possible. The colourisation of black and white archive is one aspect of making this history more accessible to a younger audience and giving greater humanity to the people seen in the footage. Powerful images from inside the bunks of the cap show how cramped condition were. The images above are what the footage looked like before being restored Prisoners are pictured near the barbed wire on the edges of the camp. This is a grab from the footage before it was restored 'Also, by including a Jewish resistance fighter from Vilna and a Roma holocaust survivor from France I think AuschwitzUntold In Colour adds unique perspectives typically overlooked by most documentaries about the Holocaust.' Holocaust Memorial Day is a national commemoration day in the United Kingdom dedicated to the remembrance of those who suffered in The Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution. It also marks subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. The commemorations were first held on January 2001 and have been on the same day ever since. It marks the day that Auschwitz was liberated by the Soviet Union in 1945. Auschwitz Untold: In Colour airs Sunday 26th and Monday 27th January at 9pm on More4 followed by a 90-minute special Wednesday 29th January at 10:30pm on Channel 4. SHELTON, CONNECTICUT / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2020 / NanoViricides, Inc. (NYSE American:NNVC) (the "Company") a global leader in the development of highly effective antiviral therapies based on a novel nanomedicines platform, today announced that it has completed an underwritten public offering (the "Offering") with gross proceeds of $8.625 million before deducting underwriting discounts and other estimated offering expenses. The Offering included 2.5 million shares of the Company's common stock, and 375,000 additional shares from the exercise of the underwriter's option to purchase to cover over-allotments at the public offering price of $3.00 per share. Aegis Capital Corp. acted as sole bookrunner for the offering. The net proceeds to the Company after underwriter's commission and agreed upon customary fees and expenses were approximately $7.78 million, before deducting the Company's legal and accounting expenses related to the Offering. The Company intends to use the net proceeds to fund general corporate purposes and to fund ongoing operations and to repay certain accounts payable to related parties. This Offering was made pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-235306) previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and declared effective by the SEC on January 09, 2020. A final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus describing the terms of the proposed offering have been filed with the SEC and are available on the SEC's website located at http://www.sec.gov. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. The Company believes this financing provides valuable capital to help the Company advance its drug pipeline into human clinical trials. The Company anticipates filing an IND with the US FDA to advance NV-HHV-101 into human clinical trials for topical dermal treatment of the shingles rash as the initial indication. Story continues The market size for the treatment of shingles is estimated at approximately one billion dollars by various estimates. These estimates take into account the Shingrix vaccine as well as existing vaccines. About 500,000 to 1million cases of shingles occur in the USA alone every year. The market size for our immediate target drugs in the HerpeCide program is variously estimated at billions to tens of billions of dollars. The Company believes that its dermal topical cream for the treatment of shingles rash will be its first drug heading into clinical trials. The Company believes that additional topical treatment candidates in the HerpeCide program, namely, HSV-1 "cold sores" treatment, and HSV-2 "genital ulcers" treatment are expected to follow the shingles candidate into IND-enabling development and then into human clinical trials. These additional candidates are based on NV-HHV-101, thereby maximizing return on investments and shareholder value. The Company develops its class of drugs, that we call nanoviricides, using a platform technology. This approach enables rapid development of new drugs against a number of different viruses. A nanoviricide is a "biomimetic" - it is designed to "look like" the cell surface to the virus. The nanoviricide technology enables direct attacks at multiple points on a virus particle. It is believed that such attacks would lead to the virus particle becoming ineffective at infecting cells. Antibodies in contrast attack a virus particle at only a maximum of two attachment points per antibody. In addition, the nanoviricide technology also simultaneously enables attacking the rapid intracellular reproduction of the virus by incorporating one or more active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) within the core of the nanoviricide. The nanoviricide technology is the only technology in the world, to the best of our knowledge, that is capable of both (a) attacking extracellular virus, thereby breaking the reinfection cycle, and simultaneously (b) disrupting intracellular production of the virus, thereby enabling complete control of a virus infection. About NanoViricides NanoViricides, Inc. (www.nanoviricides.com) is a development stage company that is creating special purpose nanomaterials for antiviral therapy. The Company's novel nanoviricide class of drug candidates are designed to specifically attack enveloped virus particles and to dismantle them. Our lead drug candidate is NV-HHV-101 with its first indication as dermal topical cream for the treatment of shingles rash. The Company is also developing drugs against a number of viral diseases including oral and genital Herpes, viral diseases of the eye including EKC and herpes keratitis, H1N1 swine flu, H5N1 bird flu, seasonal Influenza, HIV, Hepatitis C, Rabies, Dengue fever, and Ebola virus, among others. The Company has previously worked on developing drug candidates against the MERS coronavirus. The Company's technology is based on broad, exclusive, sub-licensable, field licenses to drugs developed in these areas from TheraCour Pharma, Inc. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this press release are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the company's proposed follow-on offering. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that the company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs, including the expectation that the offering will be successfully completed. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. The company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the company's expectations include, but are not limited to, those factors that are disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in documents filed by the company from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities. Although it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors, they may include the following: demonstration and proof of principle in preclinical trials that a nanoviricide is safe and effective; successful development of our product candidates; our ability to seek and obtain regulatory approvals, including with respect to the indications we are seeking; the successful commercialization of our product candidates; and market acceptance of our products. FDA refers to US Food and Drug Administration. IND application refers to Investigational New Drug application. Contact: NanoViricides, Inc. info@nanoviricides.com Public Relations Contact: MJ Clyburn TraDigital IR clyburn@tradigitalir.com SOURCE: NanoViricides, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/574107/NanoViricides-Closes-on-8625-Million-Underwritten-Public-Offering-of-Common-Stock News Washington, DC - Maria Christina Meta Ullings, the former senior vice president of cargo sales and marketing for Martinair N.V. (Martinair Cargo) and a Dutch national, pleaded guilty for her role in a long-running air cargo price-fixing conspiracy, the Department of Justice announced. Ullings extradition is the second extradition on an antitrust charge. A fugitive for almost 10 years, Ullings was apprehended by Italian authorities in July 2019 while visiting Sicily. Ullings initially contested extradition in the Italian courts, but after the Court of Appeals of Palermo ruled that she be extradited, she waived her appeal. She arrived in Atlanta on Jan. 10, 2020, and made her initial appearance on Jan. 13 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. Ullings was sentenced to 14 months in prison with credit for the time she was held in the custody of the Italian government pending her extradition. She has also been sentenced to pay a $20,000 criminal fine. Todays guilty plea demonstrates the Antitrust Divisions commitment to bringing those who violate the antitrust laws wherever located to justice, said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Department of Justices Antitrust Division. The Antitrust Division and its partners are committed to rooting out international price-fixing cartels that cheat American consumers and producers. The ultimate loser in price fixing schemes is the American consumer, said Special Agent in Charge Chris Hacker of the FBIs Atlanta Field Office. Individuals and companies that feel like they dont need to follow the rules should understand the FBI and our federal law enforcement partners will pursue anyone who threatens our economy and our citizens. We are committed to exposing these cases of corruption in the United States and around the world. Ullings pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to suppress and eliminate competition by fixing and coordinating certain surcharges, including fuel surcharges, charged to customers located in the United States and elsewhere for air cargo shipments. These air cargo shipments included heavy equipment, perishable commodities, and consumer goods destined for American consumers and shipped by American producers. Ullings participated in the conspiracy from at least as early as January 2001 until at least February 2006. Including Ullings, a total of 22 airlines and 21 executives have been charged in the Justice Departments investigation into price fixing in the air transportation industry. To date, more than $1.8 billion in criminal fines have been imposed and eight executives have been sentenced to serve prison time. The investigation into the air transportation industry has been conducted by the Antitrust Division, the FBI, the Department of Transportations Office of the Inspector General, and the U.S. Postal Services Office of the Inspector General. Assistance with the extradition was provided by the Department of Justice Criminal Divisions Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Marshals Service. A group of protesters set alight the lobby of a newly built residential building in Hong Kong that authorities planned to use as a quarantine facility, as public fears in the financial hub about the coronavirus outbreak intensified. A Reuters witness saw several masked protesters, clad in black, rush into the public housing block in Hong Kong's Fanling district near to the border with China, and set alight a Molotov cocktail before running out. Black smoke could be seen pouring out of the building to the sound of fire alarms. Windows were smashed. Earlier in the afternoon, hundreds of regular Hong Kong citizens had blocked roads leading to the building with bricks and other debris, as anger grew towards government plans to convert the building into a quarantine zone as the number of confirmed cases in the city climbed to six on Sunday. A local resident struggles with riot police at the Fai Ming Estate in Fanling district of Hong Kong Jan 26 2020, after the Hong Kong government announced it would requisition an unoccupied housing project to house quarantined patients (AP) We are dissatisfied with the government selecting this housing estate as a (quarantine) separation village as it's very close to a residential area and a primary school, said a 28-year-old resident surnamed Tsang. Public calls have also grown for the Hong Kong government to block the financial hub's border with mainland China to further minimise the risk of infection. First aid volunteers try to extinguish a fire set by local residents at a building of the Fai Ming Estate, in Fanling district of Hong Kong Sunday Jan. 26 2020 (AP) Earlier on Sunday, Hong Kong authorities said they would convert Fai Ming Estate, an unoccupied public estate in Fanling, into temporary flats for quarantine and observation of close contact persons without symptoms if needed. Recommended Hong Kong issues emergency response as mystery China disease spreads Health authorities in the afternoon said 107 people were now under quarantine, and there were 77 suspected cases. The ability of the new coronavirus to spread is strengthening and infections could continue to rise, China's National Health Commission said on Sunday, with nearly 2,000 people in China infected and 56 killed by the disease. A handful of cases have been reported outside China, including in Thailand, Australia, the United States and France, with health authorities around the world racing to prevent a pandemic. Reuters A non-profit organisation, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has threatened to sue Cross River government and the state governor, Ben Ayade, over the continuous detention of a Nigerian journalist, Agba Jalingo. Mr Jalingo, the publisher of CrossRiverWatch, is facing treason charges. He was arrested on August 22 over a report alleging that Mr Ayade diverted N500 million belonging to the state. Were suing Cross River State government, @senatorbenayade & @OfficialPDPNig if journalist Agba Jalingo is not unconditionally released by Tuesday 28, Jan. 2020, SERAP said in a message posted on Twitter on Friday. Rights to freedom of expression & the media must be upheld. Impunity for attacks on journalists must end, it added. Mr Jalingos trial was in November listed among 10 most urgent cases of threats to press freedom around the world. Amnesty International and several other organisations have been calling for Mr Jalingos release from prison. Nigerians have been putting pressure on Mr Ayades party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to speak up against Mr Jalingos incarceration. The pressure on the PDP became pronounced after the release of SaharaReporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, and a former national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki, from detention in December. Some Nigerians, using Governor Ayade and the Jalingos case as a reference, have questioned the integrity of the PDP as an opposition party in Nigeria. Going by what is playing out with Agba Jalingo and the way @OfficialPDPNig has not intervened to ensure Ben Ayade drops all charges, Nigerians should not trust them with any position anymore, especially at the center, a Twitter user, @Intergrity56, said in December. If they are against tyranny, they would have stopped Ayade, he added. The former Vice President of Nigeria and the 2019 PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, while responding to SERAPs request for his intervention, said in December that he was working with all parties to get a resolution in the journalists trial. As soon as the court is back from its recess, the matter will come to a much more desirable outcome, Mr Abubakar said through his media office. The Agba Jalingo case is most embarrassing and extremely regrettable, he added. Please be assured that everything is being done. Intimidation and harassment of any Nigerian, let alone a journalist is unacceptable. Another critic of Governor Ayade, Joseph Odok, who had been detained in Calabar prison, was freed on bail on January 21. Mr Odok, a Nigerian lawyer, was charged with terrorism for criticising the governor. I am yet to appreciate those who stood up for my release and feel first thing I should do is to ask for the immediate release of an innocent man and my friend, Agba Jalingo, Mr Odok wrote on his Facebook page on Thursday. We got so close as cell mates in prison and would have felt better if we were both released together but as fate made it, I was granted bail before him not for any reason but for what only God knows why. Agba Jalingo is innocent and the prison should never be his home. I join all lovers of democracy to call on the CRS government to immediately release Agba Jalingo, the lawyer said. Fifteen members of Mali's security forces died in a jihadist assault on Sunday at a camp in the centre of the country, military and local sources said. "At least 15 Malian military were killed Sunday in the Sokolo military camp during an attack by terrorists," a Malian military source told AFP. "The military killed were all gendarmes," a local lawmaker said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three years after Yayha Jammeh fled, victims of abuse under the former regime say justice is too slow to come. A new documentary I Cannot Bury My Father from The Gambia addresses the alleged torture and murder of opponents by the government of former leader Yayha Jammeh. Victims families say they are still waiting for justice. Al Jazeeras Nicolas Haque reports from neighbouring Dakar, Senegal. D onald Trump blasted the man leading his impeachment as a sick man after video emerged which appears to capture him ordering the removal of a US envoy to the Ukraine. In a twitter storm, in which he posted 12 updates on Saturday morning, the US president said: "Shifty Adam Schiff is a CORRUPT POLITICIAN, and probably a very sick man. He has not paid the price, yet, for what he has done to our Country!" Mr Schiff, the Intelligence committee chairman is spearheading Mr Trumps impeachment trial in the Senate which began on Tuesday, where he is accused of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. It came as a tape from April 2018 surfaced on Saturday purporting to show the president saying get rid of her, in a discussion with Washington donors about the former US ambassador to Ukraine Mario Yovanovitch. Adam Schiff was the focus of a Trump Twitter storm over impeachment proceedings / Getty Images The content had previously been reported and the footage was leaked by an attorney of Lev Parnas, a US businessman present at the dinner. Mr Trump claims he has never met Mr Parnas, who worked for his personal lawyer Rudolph Giuliani. The president has not yet commented on the footage, which has fuelled his opponents who cite the mystery around her dismissal as ambassador to Kyiv in May 2019. A new video claims to show Mr Trump ordering Mario Yovanovitch be fired as Ukraine ambassador / Getty Images On Sunday he attacked Democrat Mr Schiff over him misquoting a phone exchange between the US and Ukranian leaders on July 25, which is central to efforts to remove Mr Trump from office. The Impeachment Hoax is a massive election interference the likes of which has never been seen before, he said in another tweet. In just two hours the Radical Left, Do Nothing Democrats have seen their phony case absolutely shredded. Shifty is now exposed for illegally making up my phone call, & more! Mr Trumps lawyers began their defence in the Senate impeachment trial on Saturday, claiming that the Democrats are attempting to derail his 2020 election effort. 2020 candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar was endorsed for the Democratic presidential nomination by the New Hampshire Union Leader's editorial board on Saturday night. Why it matters: The endorsement by New Hampshire's biggest paper comes ahead of the Feb. 7 Democratic presidential debate in the state and the New Hampshire caucuses four days later. A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted. [C]an a woman be elected President? We say of course, the right woman can and should be." What they're saying: The Manchester daily said each of the four top-tier candidates former Vice President Joe Biden, Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, and former Southbend Mayor Pete Buttigieg has "weaknesses, whether of age, inexperience or a far-left agenda that thrills some liberals but is ripe for exploitation in a mainstream general election." "Sen. Klobuchar has none of those weaknesses and the incumbent needs to be presented a challenger who is not easily dismissed," the editorial said. "Her work in Washington has led to the passage of an impressive number of substantive bills, even as the partisan divide has deepened. In 2018 she won reelection, taking back dozens of conservative-leaning counties that had gone for [President] Trump two years earlier, when Hillary Clinton barely beat him in Minnesota. In fact, Sen. Klobuchar, a former prosecutor, has never lost an election." The big picture: The paper's support for Klobuchar comes after she was endorsed last Sunday by the New York Times, along with Warren, whom the Des Moines Register backed for president earlier Saturday. Go deeper: New York Times endorses Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar for president Bauman said the most consistent finding in her research is that involvement in cyberbullying is associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, suicidal behaviors and somatic symptoms such as consistent headaches and nausea. As a young college student, Jared said this was one of the most difficult parts of her experience with cyberbullying. Shes started seeing a therapist on campus. She spent her summer sleeping in the same room as her mother because she was afraid. I totally lost my mind sometimes, she said. Were Catholic, like I do believe God has a plan and all that, but why would he put me through all this? I shouldnt have to question my faith. Now Jared is looking forward. She and her boyfriend have since broken up. Shes now focused on her future in her last year of college. She has plans to become an educational psychologist and hopes to help young adults deal with cyberbullying. She also dealt with bullying as a teenager and was inspired by her high school counselor. I just kind of want to help people in the same way that she helped me, she said. Her mom is more focused on changing legislation. The laws have not kept up with social media. That has to be addressed, Van Buren said. I feel like something has to come from this. Something good has to come from this. Contact reporter Justin Sayers at jsayers1@tucson.com or 573-4192. Twitter: @JustinSayers. Facebook: JustinSSayers. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Justin Sayers Reporter Justin, a two-time University of Arizona graduate, covers local government, focusing on the City of Tucson. He previously worked at the Louisville Courier Journal, Arizona Republic and Hartford Courant and has received several journalism awards. Domestic abuse by women has more than trebled in a decade as females carry out nearly a third of attacks, police data reveals. Attacks by women on family members jumped three-fold from 27,762 in 2009 to 92,409 in 2018, with a ninth of all incidents being recorded in West Yorkshire alone. Experts have repeatedly called for men to be recognised as victims of domestic abuse, alongside women, fearing that cases are going unreported. It comes as police forces reportedly rush to attend more than 2,000 domestic abuse cases across the UK every day. Domestic abuse by women has more than trebled in a decade, police figures show. (stock) A ten per cent rise in the number of attacks carried out by women, jumping from 19 per cent in 2009 to 28 per cent in 2018, was also recorded in the figures, reports The Sunday Telegraph. They likely provide just a snapshot of the situation in the UK, as many cases are still believed to be going un-reported. Domestic abuse service Calan, based in Llandarcy, Wales, warned last year that many men are fearful of coming forward. 'There's very much a belief that domestic abuse only happens to women, and that prevents men coming forward.' the charity's project manager Michael Dix-Williams told the BBC. 'It feeds into this fear they're not going to be believed.' Raymond Reddy, pictured, was stabbed by his wife of 20 years at home in Ashton-under-Lyme, Greater Manchester, during a row about their divorce. Embittered Joanne Reddy, 51, also shouted at him and kicked him in the ribs She was sentenced to four years in jail at Manchester Crown court (pictured) for her actions Charity Mankind spokesman Mark Brooks told The Sun: 'We're seeking more men to come forward all the time to get help. 'But far too many stay silent. We need to do more because there is help out there.' Carol Robinson, 57, stabbed her husband of 40 years with a potato peeler during a furious row over a new set of blinds, Hull Crown court heard this month. They had moved to Bridlington on the coast together, but their seaside dream quickly turned into a nightmare. Embittered housewife Joanne Reddy, 51, was jailed for four years in November 2019 after stabbing her ex-husband Raymond during a row about their divorce and screamed 'die you b******'. Carol Robinson, 57, stabbed her husband of 40 years with a potato peeler during a furious row over a new set of blinds at their home in Bridlington, Hull Crown court heard She then kicked him in the ribs at their home in Ashton-under-Lyme, Manchester Crown Court heard. An estimated 1.6 million women, aged between 16 to 74, experience some form of domestic abuse every year. Around one quarter of all victims are men. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Riza Roidila Mufti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, January 27 2020 Indonesia and Hungary are in talks to build a multilane free flow (MLFF) e-toll system that allows payments without gates while cars are moving. The technology is estimated to cost US$90 million. Hungarys Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Thursday that the e-toll technology the country was offering uses a global navigation satellite sytem (GNSS). The technology has been used in several eastern European countries, including Hungary. With GNSS, motorists no longer need to tap electronic money cards as vehicles would be charged tolls through sensors installed inside vehicles that identify their locations based on satellite connections. Installation of the GNSS e-toll system is projected to cost $90 million, Szijjarto said. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login P ost-mortem examinations have been completed on three young siblings found dead in a Co Dublin house on Friday night. Conor, Darragh and Carla McGinleys autopsies were completed by Assistant State Pathologist Margot Bolster at the Dublin City Morgue on Saturday evening. Interim post-mortem results are not being released for operational reasons and more toxicology reports are expected. The children, aged nine, seven and three, were found at a house in Parsons Court, Newcastle, a small housing development to the south-west of Dublin city, which remains cordoned off by police. The bodies of the three children, all aged under ten, were taken away by ambulance / PA Their bodies were removed from the semi-detached home by ambulance at around 10am on Saturday. The Garda Technical Bureau, which is still carrying out examinations in the house, said a family liaison officer was in contact with their father Andrew McGinley and relatives. A woman in her 40s, thought to be the childrens mother, is still being treated at Tallaght University Hospital. Police have launched an investigation and no arrests have been made. It is understood officers are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident. Police are still carrying out examinations in the house / PA Local councillor Emer Higgins described the events as an unimaginable tragedy. Councillor for the area Emer Higgins described the events as an unimaginable tragedy. My thoughts are with everybody impacted, said the Fine Gael representative. This is a really tight-knit community, its a small area, its a quiet area, and its just unthinkable that something like this could be happening on our doorstep. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Gilang Kembara (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, January 27 2020 In hot water: A flotilla of vessels belonging to the Maritime Security Agency takes part in a sail pass in the waters off the Natuna Islands in Riau Islands. Indonesia is stepping up patrols in the waters following a series of incidents involving Chinese fishing vessels. (Antara/M. Risyal Hidayat) As the worlds largest archipelagic state, Indonesia is in an ironic position in that it doesnt have a national coast guard to help enforce the law in our maritime territory. Nevertheless, this is expected to change in the near future as Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan recently told the press that the government would merge all maritime security agencies into the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) as the sole national coast guard. Furthermore, Mahfud MD, the coordinating political, legal and security affairs minister, has begun discussions about drafting an umbrella law, or omnibus law, on maritime security. Mahfud claimed that, despite skirmishes mainly with Chinese vessels in what we call the North Natuna Sea, President Joko Jokowi Widodo has instructed his administration to reorient maritime law enforcement. Mahfud later highlighted overlapping jurisdictions the various agencies have on our waters, and ongoing problems. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login As experts tell people not to panic about the unfamiliar coronavirus, several governments are taking steps to limit its spread. A second case of the respiratory virus that originated in Wuhan, China, leaving more than 40 people dead and causing quarantines and transit closures throughout China, has been confirmed in the United States. Officials said Friday that a Chicago woman in her 60s has been diagnosed with the virus, and they're monitoring 63 other possible cases across 22 U.S. states. The Chicago patient, who last week returned home from Wuhan, is reportedly isolated in the hospital, and officials say she's doing well and has had limited contact with others. The U.S. is reportedly planning to evacuate its citizens and diplomats from Wuhan on Sunday via a chartered plane any additional seats may be offered to non-U.S. citizens. Elsewhere, Hong Kong, where there's five confirmed cases, on Saturday declared the outbreak "an emergency," scrapping Lunar New Year celebrations, restricting links to the mainland, and keeping schools closed. Australia, Malaysia, and France also reported cases Friday. More than 1,300 have been infected across the globe, mostly in China. Read more at The Wall Street Journal and Reuters. More stories from theweek.com Trump to discuss Mideast peace with Netanyahu, Gantz Trump and Rudy Giuliani slam Bolton, question his manhood after book excerpt report Coronavirus panic spreads as death toll rises New Delhi on Sunday gifted 30 ambulances and six buses to various hospitals, non-profit charitable organizations and educational institutions of Nepal on the occasion of India's 71st Republic Day. Republic Day of India was celebrated at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu today. The celebrations began with the hoisting of the Indian national flag by Charge d' Affaires Ajay Kumar who then read out the message of President Ram Nath Kovind for the occasion. The ambulance and buses were gifted to reaffirm India's commitment to partner with Nepal in its journey towards socio-economic development. "The Embassy also gifted 30 ambulances and 06 buses to various hospitals, non-profit charitable organizations and educational institutions of Nepal thereby reaffirming Government of India's commitment to partner with Nepal in its journey towards socio-economic development," said Indian Embassy here in a statement. The Indian government has so far gifted 782 ambulances and 154 buses to various hospitals, non-profit charitable organizations and educational institutions of 77 districts in Nepal, expanding healthcare access for thousands of Nepali people and serving to the educational needs of the thousands of students. Kumar felicitated a veer nari (widow of army personnel), eight widows and five next of kins of deceased soldiers by disbursing their dues worth 5.97 crore Nepali rupees and a blanket to each. The embassy gifted books to 51 libraries and educational institutions spread across all the provinces of Nepal. The Republic Day celebrations were attended by members of the Indian community in Nepal and friends of India apart from embassy officials and their families. The celebrations witnessed the rendition of patriotic songs by students of Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Kathmandu, Kendriya Vidyalaya and Modem Indian School. The ceremony concluded with a mesmerizing performance by the Nepal Army Band. Later in the day, Kumar hosted a reception at India House. Nepal Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun graced the occasion as the chief guest. The event was attended by more than 1500 dignitaries, including senior political leaders 85 public personalities. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The deadly coronavirus has potentially infected a fifth person in Australia after a woman fell ill in Sydney. The 21-year-old woman tested positive to 'probable' coronavirus after initial swabs, with results to be confirmed on Monday. 'Public health follow-up of this probable case is being undertaken in accordance with the national guidelines and the patient remains in isolation,' NSW Health said on Sunday. It comes after three men in New South Wales, aged 43, 53 and 35, and one Victorian man aged in his 50s, caught the deadly disease. The virus, which experts fear will 'highly likely' continue to spread in Australia, has so far killed 56 people in China and infected 2,000 people worldwide. Since the outbreak at the end of December, Chinese authorities have placed 56 million people in lockdown - including more than 100 Australian children aged between six months and 16 years old, the ABC reported. Scroll down for video A 21-year-old woman has been taken to hospital after fears she may have contracted the deadly coronavirus The 21-year-old suspected of having the virus remains in isolation. Photos taken outside Westmead Hospital on Sunday show a woman wearing a face mask being moved by paramedics with protective gloves, masks and clothing. Authorities are contacting anyone who has come into contact with her. Australia's Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy said there would likely be more cases in the country. 'There is no cause for general concern,' Prof Murphy said in Melbourne on Sunday. 'I would not be surprised if there are some more cases... it's highly likely that we may see some more. 'We are incredibly well prepared to isolate and deal with that.' Emma Wei, from Melbourne, is trapped in Wuhan with her two children amid China's lockdown Medical staff are seen wearing protective clothing outside a hospital in Wuhan after the coronavirus outbreak CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA NEW SOUTH WALES: 4 Four people in NSW have been diagnosed with coronavirus, including three men and one woman. January 25 Three men aged 43, 53, and 35 who had recently travelled to China are confirmed to have contracted the disease. Two flew in from Wuhan while the other arrived in Sydney from Shenzhen, south China. They are being treated in isolation at Westmead Hospital and are in stable condition. January 27 A 21-year-old woman is identified as the fourth person to test positive for the illness in NSW. The woman, a student at UNSW, flew into Sydney International Airport on flight MU749 on January 23 and presented to the emergency department 24 hours later after developing flu-like symptoms. She is being treated in isolation at Westmead Hospital. VICTORIA: 4 January 25 A Chinese national aged in his 50s becomes the first confirmed case of the coronavirus in Australia. The man flew to Melbourne on China Southern flight CZ321 from Wuhan via Guangzhou on January 19. He is now in quarantined isolation at Monash Hospital in Clayton in Melbourne's east. January 29 A Victorian man in his 60s is diagnosed with the coronavirus. He became unwell on January 23 - two days after returning from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak. The man was confirmed as positive on January 29 and was subsequently seen by doctors at the Monash Medical Centre. He was assessed as being well enough to stay at home. January 30 A woman in her 40s falls ill with the coronavirus. She was visiting from China and mostly spent time with her family. She is being treated at Royal Melbourne Hospital. February 1 A Melbourne woman aged in her 20s is at home recovering. She returned from Wuhan on January 25 and fell ill two days later. She was not infectious on the flight, and has remained in isolation since being tested. QUEENSLAND: 2 January 29 Queensland confirms its first case after a 44-year-old Chinese national wass diagnosed with the virus. He is being treated at Gold Coast University Hospital. January 30 A 42-year-old Chinese woman who was travelling in the same Wuhan tour group as the 44-year-old man tests positive. She is in Gold Coast University Hospital in stable condition. SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 2 February 1 A Chinese couple were placed in isolation in a public hospital. The man and a woman both aged 60, were from Wuhan and visiting relatives in South Australia. SA Health said the pair isolated themselves at home when they developed symptoms and awaited the results of the coronavirus test. Australia has raised the travel alert level to 'do not travel' for the city of Wuhan - the epicentre of the outbreak - and for the entire Hubei province. Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy says unless people have contact with someone who is unwell and has come from that part of China, there is no need for current concern. Advertisement In the wake of the rapid spread, Chinese-Australian parents are now desperate for their children to get out of Wuhan in China's Hubei province. Yi Xu is demanding his six-month-old daughter be brought home to Australia. 'The Australian Government needs to follow what the US is doing [and] to charter a plane to evacuate its citizens for emergency,' Mr Xu told the ABC after reports the U.S was using a plane to evacuate Americans from the area. A father from Melbourne, Nathan Wang, said his 11-month-old daughter is stuck in Wuhan with his wife and other child. Mr Wang said his family was struggling to access medical resources. 'I can't even fall asleep. As a father, I was very desperate. I am guilty that all of the risks and pressure were put on my wife alone,' he said. Another Chinese-Australian man said the children who were left stranded in the areas were being cared for by their grandparents. 'They are desperate to get out, because there starts to see a shortage of face masks and other protective supplies,' the man who only wanted to be referred to as John told The Australian. 'Many children are running out of baby formula powders soon,' he said. The Australian government is now considering options to allow Australians in the infected areas to travel. A China Eastern Flight from Wuhan arrives at Sydney International Airport on Thursday where health authorities were screening passengers for coronavirus 'The Government acknowledges the concerns of Australians who are in Hubei Province in China and the concerns of their families and friends,' Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement on Sunday. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF THE CORONAVIRUS? Once someone has caught the virus it may take between two and 14 days for them to show any symptoms. If and when they do, typical signs include: a runny nose a cough sore throat fever (high temperature) The vast majority of patients at least 97 per cent, based on available data will recover from these without any issues or medical help. In a small group of patients, who seem mainly to be the elderly or those with long-term illnesses, it can lead to pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection in which the insides of the lungs swell up and fill with fluid. It makes it increasingly difficult to breathe and, if left untreated, can be fatal and suffocate people. Advertisement 'The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is working closely with Chinese authorities and international partners to consider possible assistance with travel for Australians from areas that are affected by Chinese travel restrictions. 'Given the circumstances of the spread of the Coronavirus, Chinese authorities are currently imposing very tight restrictions on all travel from Hubei. We are seeking advice from the Chinese authorities on these restrictions and whether any options are available to international travellers. 'Our Embassy in Beijing and our Consulate in Shanghai are also working with international partners and the Chinese government to determine what support can be given to Australians on the ground.' Authorities are urging anyone who has travelled to the Wuhan region and experienced flu-like symptoms to contact their GP or local emergency department. The patient in Victoria is a Chinese national aged in his 50s who flew to Melbourne on China Southern flight CZ321 from Wuhan via Guangzhou on January 19 on an A380 plane, which can can carry 500 passengers. A passenger wearing a protective mask (pictured) is seen at Sydney Airport on Thursday, as a man in Melbourne is confirmed as the first Australian case of coronavirus He became the first confirmed case of coronavirus in Australia on Saturday morning and is now in quarantined isolation at Monash Hospital in Clayton in Melbourne's east. Earlier on Saturday a baby was rushed from Sydney Airport to hospital for testing and was later discharged cleared of the virus. A Hobart man has tested negative for coronavirus on Sunday after he was admitted to the Royal Hobart Hospital on Saturday with mild respiratory symptoms. The man in his 30s had travelled to China earlier this month and spent time Wuhan, where the coronavirus outbreak began. He contacted a general practitioner with respiratory problems and was admitted into an isolation room in hospital while tests were conducted to rule out the infection. Public Health services identified the man's contacts since returning to Hobart in case he had been identified as carrying the virus. The man has been discharged from hospital after his results showed he was not infected. WASHINGTON Attorneys for President Trump opened their defense in his Senate impeachment trial Saturday morning by charging that the case presented by House Democrats was full of bluster and innuendo, and that devastating evidence would lead to the inevitable conclusion that the two articles of impeachment now being considered have no merit. The president did absolutely nothing wrong, said White House counsel Pat Cipollone, who is leading Trumps defense. That was a recurring theme of the session, which followed three days of presentations by House Democratic impeachment managers, and took up just two hours of the eight that Senate rules allowed. The trial will resume Monday at 1 p.m. The other key point, made by Cipollone and others, was that Trump acted in our national interest by withholding $250 million in military aid from Ukraine for several months in the spring and summer of 2019. In marked contrast to the sometimes impassioned rhetoric of the lead impeachment manager, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the defense presentation was notably low key, devoting considerable time to the seemingly tangential issue of how much European allies contributed to Ukraines defense and whether Trump was genuinely concerned about the relative dearth of those contributions. The Democratic case is that Trump withheld aid to Ukraine to pressure new Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky to announce (though not actually conduct) two investigations meant to help his personal political situation: one into purported Ukrainian efforts to help Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, and another into former Vice President Joe Bidens son Hunter, who was a member of the board of directors of Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company. The previous evening, members of the presidents legal team told reporters on a conference call that the Biden name would come up frequently in their arguments. But that presumably will be put off until subsequent sessions; the session on Saturday, a time Trump has disparaged as Death Valley for television ratings, was devoted to attacks on the Democratic case by Cipollone, Jay Sekulow and other attorneys. Cipollone said that that weakness was a result of Democrats blind drive to impeach the president. Story continues White House counsel Pat Cipollone speaks during impeachment proceedings against President Trump in the Senate on Jan. 25. (Screengrab: Senate TV via Yahoo News) A recurring theme of the lawyers presentation was that evidence had been hidden or withheld by the Democrats. Some of the evidence Republicans said the Senate hadnt seen included documents or testimony the House had sought in its inquiry, but was withheld by the White House. Sekulow opened his own remarks by holding up a printed copy of special counsel Robert Muellers 400-page report into Russian electoral interference. This cost $32 million, he said, a frequent Republican talking point in service of the argument that Democrats had sought to remove Trump from office over his dealings with Russia, and failing that were now attempting to do the very same over Ukraine. Sekulow then proceeded to delve deeper into the 2016 election, including a discussion of the FBI investigation into the Trump campaign, known as Operation Crossfire Hurricane. At this point, Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., could be seen suppressing a yawn, then, moments later, attempting to do so again. And just as Democrats have argued that Trump was trying to help his own reelection prospects by having Zelensky announce an investigation that could damage Joe Biden, so did Cipollone argue that the presidents opponents were attempting to overcome the results of the last election and hoping to influence the next one, seeking to tear up all of the ballots across this country. Near the end of his remarks, Cipollone went so far as to charge that Democrats were here to partake in the most massive interference in an election in American history. The intelligence community uniformly believed that ignominious distinction in fact belongs to the Kremlin, which dispatched an online army both human and robot to harm Hillary Clintons prospects in 2016. Cipollone insisted Trump was the real victim. To defend Trump, he seemed to say, was to defend American democracy itself. The members of the Senate could not have been especially happy to be forced into work on a Saturday morning, a fact the presidents attorneys plainly recognized. They promised that the day and, in fact, their entire case would move along efficiently and quickly, as opposed to what they described as a tedious and repetitive Democratic argument, which, they frequently mentioned, lasted for 23 of the 24 hours they were allotted. White House counsel Jay Sekulow makes arguments against the removal from office of President Trump during the impeachment trial in the Senate on Jan. 25. (Screengrab: Senate TV via Yahoo News) Impeachment trial rules have left the senators without recourse to smartphones, or even coffee, and there was therefore little to do but listen. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who could be one of the centrists to decide Trumps fate, took notes. Next to her, fellow moderate Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, sat still and looked gravely at whoever was speaking. Murkowskis posture was perfect, while Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, slumped in his chair. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, criticized for falling asleep on an earlier day of the trial, reclined as much as he could in his heavy wooden chair. In the front row, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sat with his chair pushed back. His binder was unopened, his water glass untouched. In the very back of the chamber, Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, sat with a wry, skeptical smile on his face. Cipollone and other attorneys on Trumps defense team argued that the president withheld the congressionally appropriated funds from Ukraine because he was irritated at the lack of burden-sharing on the part of Western European allies. Even more than the United States, those allies will benefit from bolstering nations like Ukraine that sit on the border with an increasingly bellicose Russia. Burden-sharing was a recurring theme for Cipollone and his team; as supporting evidence, they referenced the July 25 phone call between Zelensky and Trump that forms the basis of the impeachment inquiry. Germany does almost nothing for you, Trump complained to Zelensky during that conversation, adding that a lot of the European countries are the same way. In addition, the defense implied that Trump is generally hostile to foreign aid, whether that aid is intended for Ukraine, Pakistan or El Salvador. A list of foreign aid packages Trump has halted or canceled seemed to bolster that Trump was acting not to extort Zelensky, but out of a broader isolationist impulse. (It went unmentioned that Trump tried to stop the aid to Ukraine after it had been appropriated, and that he did so by directing the White House budget office to issue a series of nine footnotes throughout the summer of 2019. A recent report by the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office determined that Trump had no authority to keep the funds from being released.) Trumps attorneys also argued that the Ukrainians did not know that the funds were being held up until Politico reported on the hold in the last days of August. However, as Yahoo News previously reported, the Department of Defense had pushed all summer for the release of the funds, and that by August both legislators and military contractors had grown irritated by the delay as well. Other outlets have reported that the Ukrainians knew about the hold well before the news was made public. Trumps team also tried to show that the president was genuinely concerned with corruption, which is endemic to many post-Soviet nations. Zelensky came into office as a good-government reformer but, as Sekulow argued, an untested president could not be expected to clean the Augean stables in a matter of two or three months. Were acting as if there was a magic wand. House impeachment managers Adam Schiff, Jerry Nadler and Zoe Lofgren, rear, deliver new documents to the Senate floor on Jan. 25. (Photo: Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Corruption was a real concern in Ukraine, which was why Congress required that the Pentagon certify that the aid would not be misused or stolen. The Defense Department did so in May. The facts also undercut another assertion made by Trumps lawyers: that he could not have possibly engaged in extortion of Zelensky because Trump told Gordon Sondland, U.S. ambassador to the European Union, that he wanted no quid pro quo and urged that Zelensky do the right thing, according to Sondlands testimony to the impeachment inquiry in November. But that conversation between Sondland and Trump took place after a whistleblower complaint about his July 25 call had already been made. House Democratic managers have argued that Trumps statements to Sondland were intended as a retroactive cover-up for the Zelensky pressure campaign. The presidents attorneys also pointed out that the aid to Ukraine was, in fact, released. They didnt mention that this took place on Sept. 11, two days after the inspector general of intelligence community notified Congress of the complaint in a letter. Unwilling to merely play a spectators passive role, the Democrats had their own agenda on Saturday, beginning the day by delivering 28,578 pages packed neatly into boxes that were the full record of their impeachment inquiry. And after the defense finished its remarks, the impeachment managers held a press conference of their own. In rebutting the presidents case, Schiff noted that the White House meeting sought by Zelensky and which, like the military aid, was conditioned on his announcing investigations had still not taken place. The president is more than willing to meet with Putin at any time, but not with our ally, apparently, Schiff said. Suggestions that he is somehow beholden to Russian leader Vladimir Putin for his 2016 electoral victory are known to enrage Trump. Another impeachment manager, Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, addressed a lengthy argument by deputy White House counsel Patrick Philbin regarding witness subpoenas issued by the Democrats. Philbin charged that those subpoenas had not been legitimate because they had not been properly voted upon by the House. Thats simply wrong, Nadler said, and out of the power of the president to defy the House because he thinks the House didnt follow its own procedures. The House can make its own procedures and follow it to its hearts content, or not. Its none of his business, frankly. By the time that Nadler had rendered his fiery verdict, many senators had departed Capitol Hill. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer at a media briefing after the impeachment trial of President Trump ended for the day on Jan. 25. (Photo: Joshua Roberts/Reuters) Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who is running for president, briskly hurried out of the chamber, presumably on her way to campaign in Iowa. While others did stop to entertain the press, she walked too fast for most reporters to catch up with her. I thought they did a good job, said Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., who slipped out of the building alone. That appears to be the widespread sentiment among Republicans. Speaking to a small scrum of reporters, Sen. Brown of Ohio speculated that the desire of Mitch McConnell is to get this trial as quick as possible, to get it done as quickly as possible, and with absolute least attention from the American public. Thats how he operates: He operates in secret and Republicans blindly follow him. He added that McConnell was a lapdog of the president. Brown was then confronted by a reporter for the conservative Washington Examiner, who began to argue with Brown about the impeachment inquiry, which she appeared to suggest had been unfair to President Trump. Brown began to argue back, only to be pushed toward the doors by his wife, the journalist and Twitter personality Connie Schultz. They had a flight to catch, she explained. And, in any case, there will be plenty of time for argument next week. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: A luxury cruise ship with more than 5000 people on board was quarantined after it reached the port of Shenzhen in south China on Sunday morning as it was carrying nearly 150 people with a history of visiting the central Chinese province of Hubei, at the centre of the ongoing novel Coronavirus outbreak. 13 persons on the ship were found to have symptoms of fever and their reports have been sent for evaluation, said authorities. At least 148 tourists on the ship, Costa Venezia, had visited Wuhan, local media reported, adding that all the passengers were individually checked for the infection. An inter-department team from the Shenzhen government was waiting for the ship when it arrived at the port this morning. The authorities decided that instead of allowing the passengers and staff to disembark, the medical team would board the vessel to check them. As soon as it arrived, several doctors and medical workers wearing protective suits boarded the ship. Reports said the luxury liner had around 5260 people including the ship staff onboard. The ship has more than 2000 rooms, has several decks and is said to be themed on Venice. The luxury liner sector in China has taken a hit because of the outbreak. According to Shine news, a news website, all luxury cruise liners operating in Shanghai suspended operations on Sunday, offering refunds or rescheduling, due to the coronavirus outbreak. The European Parliament is set to debate and vote on a resolution tabled by some of its members against India's Citizenship Amendment Act, which it says marks a dangerous shift in the country's citizenship regime. The resolution, tabled by the European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) Group in the Parliament earlier this week, is set to be debated next Wednesday and voted on the day after. It makes a reference to the Charter of the United Nations, Article 15 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as well as the India-EU Strategic Partnership Joint Action Plan signed in November 2005, and to the EU-India Thematic Dialogue on Human Rights as it urges the Indian authorities to "engage constructively" with those protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and consider their demands to repeal the "discriminatory CAA". "The CAA marks a dangerous shift in the way citizenship will be determined in India and is set to create the largest statelessness crisis in the world and cause immense human suffering," it notes. "Instead of addressing the concerns, offering corrective action, calling for security forces to act with restraint and ensuring accountability, many government leaders have been engaging in efforts to discredit, rebuke and threaten the protesters," the resolution states. The CAA came into force in India last December amid protests in India and around the world. The Indian government has stressed that the new Act does not deny any citizenship rights but has been brought in to protect the oppressed minorities of neighbouring countries and provide them citizenship. As background, the resolution sets out that since the May 2019 election, the government of India has reinforced its nationalistic orientation as it also makes a reference to the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, which removed the special constitutional status of the region. The draft resolution, which falls under the category of Resolutions on topical subjects, expresses deep concern that India has created the legal grounds to strip millions of Muslims of the fundamental right of equal access to citizenship and that the CAA could be used, along with the National Register of Citizens, to render many Muslim citizens stateless. It seeks to remind the Indian government of its obligations under the 1992 UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, which establishes the obligation of countries to protect the existence and identity of religious minorities within their territories and to adopt appropriate measures to ensure that this is achieved. Such a resolution, which has been characterised under the Relations with Asian countries section by the economic bloc, are used as a basis for engagement of EU member countries with specific nations. If it is passed next week, it will be formally sent to the Indian government and Parliament as well as to the European Commission chiefs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Its been almost 22 years since Saturday Night Live last found itself satirizing a presidential impeachment proceeding, but as the show turned its attention to President Trumps trial in the Senate, it quickly reverted to its tried-and-true formula: a smidgen of factual detail, a dollop of celebrity cameos and a whole bunch of cultural references that may or may not be germane to the topic. This weekends broadcast, hosted by Adam Driver and featuring the musical guest Halsey, began with a sketch set on Capitol Hill, where Susan Collins (played by Cecily Strong) and Mitch McConnell (Beck Bennett) reflected on the trial to date. We all know this impeachment proceeding is a sham and a hoax, Bennett said. Republicans are simply requesting a fair trial no witnesses, no evidence. That way we can acquit President Trump and focus on the real criminals in this country: teenagers who try marijuana. Strong said, The evidence against Trump is pretty damning so Im still on the fence, then made an exaggerated wink. A Willagee man is due to face court on charges of armed robbery and reckless driving after two separate incidents on the morning of Australia Day. Police allege the man entered a liquor store on Lefroy Road in Beaconsfield just after 10am on Sunday holding what looked like a rifle by his side, before making off with a bottle of alcohol and fleeing in a Subaru sedan. Detectives were called to the store, but while investigating were alerted to a crash in North Coogee involving a sedan similar to the one the man had allegedly driven off in after stealing from the bottle shop. The sedan had been seen driving erratically about 11.45am before hitting four parked cars on Shoalwater Street and after arriving at the scene police confirmed it was the same car and man wanted over the alleged armed robbery in Beaconsfield. Palestinian officials threatened Sunday to withdraw from key provisions of the Oslo Accords, which define relations with Israel, if US President Donald Trump announces his Middle East peace plan next week. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told AFP that the Palestine Liberation Organisation reserved the right "to withdraw from the interim agreement" if Trump unveils his plan. The Trump initiative will turn Israel's "temporary occupation (of Palestinian territory) into a permanent occupation", Erekat said. The Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement, signed in Washington in 1995, sought to put into practice the first Oslo peace deal agreed two years earlier. Sometimes called Oslo II, the interim agreement set out the scope of Palestinian autonomy in the West Bank and Gaza. The interim pact was only supposed to last five years while a permanent agreement was finalised but it has tacitly been rolled over for more than two decades. Erekat's comment came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was headed to Washington, where Trump was expected to release the plan before Tuesday. The Palestinian leadership was not invited and has already rejected Trump's initiative amid tense relations with the US president over his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's undivided capital. The Palestinians see east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state and believe Trump's plan buries the two-state solution that has been for decades the cornerstone of international Middle East diplomacy. World powers have long agreed that Jerusalem's fate should be settled through negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. "Trump's plan is the plot of the century to liquidate the Palestinian cause," the Palestinian foreign ministry said in a statement sent to AFP on Sunday. TruNews, which Mr. Wiles founded as an online radio program in 1999 called Americas Hope, has a history of spreading conspiracy theories and proclaiming an imminent apocalypse. It drew more scrutiny in November after Mr. Wiles, in an online video, accused Jews of orchestrating Mr. Trumps impeachment. Thats the way Jews work, Mr. Wiles said. They are deceivers. They plot, they lie, they do whatever they have to do to accomplish their political agenda. This Impeach Trump movement is a Jew coup, and the American people better wake up to it really fast. Mr. Wiles also warned his listeners that when Jews take over a country, they kill millions of Christians. Afterward, Representatives Ted Deutch of Florida and Elaine Luria of Virginia, wrote to the White House asking why TruNews had been allowed to attend presidential events. They did not receive a response. The White House declined to comment for this article. In the past, the administration has faced lawsuits after revoking press credentials from reporters from CNN and Playboy. On the phone from Switzerland, Mr. Wiles explained how his Davos trip had come about. Were on a list of media organizations at the White House and from time to time they send out notices that there are events taking place, Mr. Wiles said, adding that his team had also covered Mr. Trumps visits to NATO summits and Group of 20 gatherings. He said that he received an email from the White House about the Davos trip and that his request to attend was approved. The team from TruNews three correspondents and a two-person production crew stayed at a hotel where the White House had reserved a block of rooms for the use of American journalists. (As with a wedding block, those who used the rooms paid the hotel directly.) Reporters spotted Mr. Wiles at the breakfast buffet at the hotel, the Priva Alpine Lodge. Our Divisions Copyright 2021-22 DB Corp ltd., All Rights Reserved This website follows the DNPA Code of Ethics. Imperial Valley News Center President Trump to the Nations Mayors on Transforming Americas Communities Washington, DC - Remarks by President Trump to the Nations Mayors on Transforming Americas Communities: THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Please, sit down. Please. (Applause.) It is a great place, isnt it? Its the White House. Its a great place. And its my pleasure to welcome our nations mayors to the White House. We are here today to strengthen the bonds of cooperation between the federal and local governments so that we can deliver great jobs, excellent schools, affordable healthcare, and safe communities for all of our people. We are honored to be joined by Secretary Alex Azar Alex, thank you very much. Secretary Ben Carson, whos done a wonderful job and deals with the mayors a lot. Right, Ben? Really great. Administrator Jovita Carranza thank you very much. Thank you, Jovita. And Acting Secretary Chad Wolf and your numbers are great. I just looked at your numbers. Theyre great, (inaudible). (Laughter.) Were thank you very much, Chad. Its a lot of progress on the border. He among many other things, including Coast Guard, he controls the border, and hes doing a good job. I also want to thank Mayor Bryan Barnett and for helping to organize todays meeting. Its been a tremendous success that so many people accepted; few people didnt accept, actually. And I want to thank you all very much. All across America, cities are being lifted up by our booming economy. America is now the hottest economy anywhere in the world. Weve created over 7 million jobs since the election a number that would be unthought of. If I ever said that during the campaign you know the feeling they would have gone after me very strongly, huh? Huh? (Laughter and applause.) The unemployment rate is the lowest in more than half a century. African American, Hispanic American, Asian American unemployment have reached the lowest levels ever recorded in the history of our country. African American, Hispanic American poverty rates are at record lows. Great. (Applause.) Thats great. More than 2 million millennials have gotten jobs, and their wages have grown by nearly 5 percent every year which is another record. We doubled the child tax credit, benefitting 40 million American families. And weve lifted 650,000 single mothers and 1.4 million children out of poverty. (Applause.) True. Ten million people have been lifted off of welfare in less than three years. Earnings for the bottom 10 percent are rising faster than earnings for the top 10 percent. You dont hear that too often, but its been incredible, actually. For the first time in nearly 30 years, every single metro area in the United States has seen incomes rise. Median household income is at the highest level ever recorded. And, speaking of that, in terms of dollars: Under President Bush, it was a $450 increase over eight years; under President Obama, it was a $975 increase over eight years; and under your favorite President, President Trump (laughter) it was almost a $10,000 increase over less than three years. So we did it, as of less than three. (Applause.) Weve been here now just three, as of a few days ago. Time flies. But $10,000. So thats in a three-year period. So thats something really special. And theyve never seen growth like that. Were delivering for Americans and were doing it for every race and color, religion and creed, creating not only the most prosperous, but also the most inclusive economy anywhere in the world. I believe that. Its the most inclusive economy anywhere in the world. Thats a great thing. To create jobs and opportunity, we designated nearly 9,000 Opportunity Zones in distressed communities where capital gains on long-term investments are now taxed at zero. Opportunity Zones have been incredible. Tim Scott, the senator great senator from South Carolina, came to me two years ago, and he had this idea. And nobody knew it was going to work out the way it has, but billions and billions of dollars are pouring into the communities. Part of it also is the fact that were doing so well, as an economy, that people have the money to put in. But its theres probably never been anything like this. Tremendous wealth is now pouring into areas that, for 100 years, saw nothing no dollars, nothing. The 35 million Americans who live in these areas have already seen their home values rise by $25 billion over the country. My administration also understands that, for our cities to thrive, our citizens must be safe and they must be secure. And thats why we are working with state and local governments through the revitalized Project Safe Neighborhoods you know that program: Project Safe Neighborhoods to adopt the most proven and effective crime-fighting techniques. Were also enacting landmark criminal justice reform to improve reentry programs and reduce all of the things that we try and strive so hard to take care of. If you look at our prisons now, we have people coming out, and theyre able to get jobs more than at any time ever in the history of our country. Thats because the economy is so good, and weve given incentives, and its been an incredible success. Employers are really, really happy. And people arent going back to jail at anywhere near the clip. Its been something thats been incredible criminal justice reform. I was asked by a group of people that were on the very liberal side of things, and we got a group of people that were on the very conservative side of things, and we got it done. Nobody was able to get it done. We got it done. Criminal justice reform. And thats something were very proud of. Its really working fantastically well, as a lot of you as a lot of you know. (Applause.) Before my election, violent crime was on the rise, and America saw the steepest two-year consecutive increase in murders in nearly half a century. It was in bad, bad condition. In just a short time, weve reduced the number of murders in Americas major cities by more than 10 percent. And were getting tremendous numbers coming out now, much better than even that. The nationwide violent crime rate has declined for two straight years. And, working with many leaders in this room, we have boldly tackled the opioid crisis. Weve really made tremendous progress. In some cases, down 21 percent. Now, 21 percent is not much, when you think of the problem, but we have a lot of things happening. And fentanyl I spoke with President Xi of China, and theyre coming down very hard on fentanyl. We made our deal with China, as part of it just in terms of relationship. I said, Really, you have to do something. And theyve put in very strong penalties, and their penalties are really strong. You want to talk about penalties? Those are strict. (Laughter.) And their court cases go slightly quicker than ours. (Laughter.) Like like one day. One day. They call them quick trials. They go quick. (Laughter.) They go so quick, you dont know what happened. (Laughter.) Ours take 15 years; theirs takes one day. But he was hes been terrific on that. And were seeing a tremendous a tremendous difference in the fentanyl. Drug overdose deaths declined for the first time in nearly 30 years. The Department of Homeland Security is also working directly with many of the mayors in the cities, really, represented so brilliantly in this room, to remove dangerous criminals from your communities. We have ICE is taking out MS-13 gang members by the thousands by the thousands. And were bringing them back to where they came from. And weve had great cooperation from those countries Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico. Mexico has been terrific. Mexico has given us 27,000 soldiers at our southern border. And were working really well with Mexico best weve ever worked with Mexico. When local police arrest a criminal, they run them through a federal database. If the criminal is found to be here illegally, ICE issues a detainer request. Honoring these detainers is vital to public safety, and we work with the mayors on that. And we have some sanctuary cities represented also in the room. But its been its been a very tough thing, working with the sanctuary cities. But sanctuary city policies that order police to ignore these federal detainers and release criminal aliens to the public thats really a tremendous risk. The public is you see the statistics; you see the numbers. And its just One recent example: New York City arrested a criminal alien on assault charges. But, under city policy, they defied ICEs detainer request and released the violent criminal. After being freed by the city, the same criminal alien allegedly raped, brutalized, and murdered a 92-year-old woman on the streets of New York. This horrible crime and theres so many others was 100 percent preventable. They wanted to take this person Im being nice take this person and bring them out and couldnt get them. I urge all of you here today to cooperate fully with the federal enforcement. Were all on the same team. I think thats the biggest point is were all on the same team. We want to have safety. And you some have sanctuary cities, but even if you have sanctuary cities, we want to be able to work together because tremendous differences in crime numbers can happen. And its been happening. And with some of the mayors in the room and Im friends with a lot of you; I know a lot of you weve had incredible success. To further ensure that every child can access the American Dream, weve made education a top priority. Thats why we strongly support charter schools and the right of parents to send their kids to the school of their choice. We want choice. At the same time and again, youre going to have to do whats good for your community, and we work with you. But we found that choice is something thats so popular the people love it. The so many different groups of people from different areas, they love choice. We want to ensure that the students and workers alike are able to take advantage of every opportunity in our soaring economy and soaring it is. In the history of our country, we now have the best economy. Through our Pledge to the American Workers, more than 400 companies have committed to providing nearly 15 million new job and training opportunities. All Americans, no matter their age or background, should have access to cutting-edge programs that prepare them for the exciting jobs of tomorrow. We have many, many companies moving into the United States. They want to be where the action is. Theyre coming back car companies; many, many forms of companies. And were making it a priority to have those companies train people. And theyre doing that now. Were up to 15 million people. Its really been incredible. My daughter Ivanka has worked very hard on that program. She wanted to do 500,000, two years ago, and were going to be hitting, very shortly, 15 million. So, she did a great job. (Applause.) Great job. But families are at the center of our national agenda. Weve made charitable and child- really, looking at it looking it, weve made such progress with childcare, and more affordable and increased childcare funding for low-income parents. And we enacted paid family leave for government employees a model for the entire community. Millions of families are benefitting from our ambitious campaign to lower the cost of prescription drugs which is something youre all working on and to hold big pharma accountable. One of things were doing with Ron DeSantis in Florida is were going to were very close to getting it done, I believe. Right, Mr. Secretary? Because of, really, some terrible laws that, if we worked together, if we were able to get the Democrats to go along, we could lower prescription prices tremendously. But what were doing is were going to allow our mayors, our governors to go out and make deals to buy it from Canada and, it could be, some other countries where the prices are much lower. In fact, I think youll probably save 50 percent five-oh. Thatll be a number that nobody has ever even heard of. Can you imagine that? (Applause.) So, youll end up saving youll end up saving 50 percent by buying it. Same pills, same box, same manufacturer in the manufacturing plant, and you save 50 percent, which tells you that we can do a lot of great things here. Why should that happen? But were going to be buying a lot of things from Canada. Canada is very happy and they have much lower drug prices. Can you imagine if you went back and your programs your prescription drugs were 50 percent lower? And were going to be able to do that. So we have that in a number of states. And Ron is one of the leaders of it. As city leaders, you also know firsthand the vital importance of infrastructure and the painful delays imposed by meddlesome bureaucracy. Earlier this month, we issued a proposed new rule to reduce the permitting time by over 50 percent for building new roads, highways, bridges, and all of the different things that you have to build infrastructure in your communities. We have highways that were taking 21 years to get approved. And by the time they got there, they cost 20 times more. They cost millions hundreds of millions of dollars. And we had one in a certain state it took 17 years and it cost, I think, 41 times more expensive than they originally had approved. And it was instead of a straight line, it was like this. In other words, not even a small drink if you were going to be a driver on that road because it was (laughter) what a mess. And 21 years it took, and it cost many, many times. And the road was a lot longer than it should have been, too, because of the twists and turns, which creates danger. And we have that down to two years now. And we think well have it down to one year. And you may get rejected, but its going to go quickly. Its going to go quickly. (Applause.) And you know, we have we have things out there for 20 years highways - that should not be complicated and they cant get them approved. And in many cases, they go 20 years and then they get rejected. How would you like to work on that? You work half of your adult life - half of your working life on one road or highway and at the end of it, they raise it and you lose three to two, and thats the end of the project. So for 20 years, you wasted half of your life. My administration stands ready to work with each one of you to make our cities safer and stronger and more vibrant than ever before. As part of this commitment, last year my administration launched an initiative to cut federal, state, and local regulations to reduce the cost of housing. We also hosted a White House summit last month on mental health a really critical issue confronting many cities and states. Finally, in the face of attacks on synagogues, mosques, and churches in our community something that is just so horrible we must work together to reject the monstrous evils of anti-Semitism and anti-religious bigotry. (Applause.) And in a few moments, its - thank you for that. Thats thats incredible enthusiasm for that. Incredible, because its just - its crazy; whats going on is crazy. In a few moments, I will sign legislation authorizing $375 million for federal grants to help houses of worship and other faith-based and non-profit organizations defend against violence. (Applause.) We are committed to building a nation where every community is secure, every family is safe, and every child can grow up in dignity and in peace. I want to again thank all of these mayors - theyre such great mayors, at least some of you. I know a couple (laughter). But thats okay. Youre here. Maybe - maybe Im wrong about that, right? (Laughter.) But I do, I know so many that have done such a great job in this room. Friends of mine. They love their job, they love what theyre doing, and theres nobody in the world that can do it better. So I really appreciate you being here. Working together, were making our cities into thriving and dynamic centers of culture and creativity, innovation, and commerce. And were building a future where all of our citizens can achieve their own beautiful American Dream. And I just tell you, our country has never done better than its doing right now. Were the envy of the world. Our economy is the strongest. We are doing deals like the great China deal. Well be taking in $250 billion. Thats tremendous. Theyll be buying $250 [billion] $50 billion from the farmers. And it could even go more. I mean, it could go higher. I dont know that they can even produce that much. The fact is: We love our farmers, but they were doing the maximum they ever did was $16 billion in one year to China. And they had a deal that was done. It was at $20 [billion]. And I said, Make it $50 [billion]. And everyone said, Well, you cant. I said, Make it $50 [billion]. They said, You cant make that much. I said, Thats okay, right. Well buy larger tractors. (Laughter.) Guess you have to buy a little more land too, but theyll do it. You know, the farmers never let you down. The farmers are going to do it. Its to their benefit. But so were going really right in the other direction. We are going to have numbers. Weve made a deal with Japan $40 billion. A lot of that goes to farmers and manufacturers. And weve created 700,000 manufacturing jobs, which we were told by past administrations but one, in particular that you would never have manufacturing jobs. I would say, you have to be I mean, how can you not have manufacturing jobs? So were at 700,000 manufacturing jobs. Id like to (applause). Yeah. And these are great jobs, too. These are great jobs, skilled jobs, high-paying jobs. Id like to now invite the mayors, community leaders, and members of my administration to join me on stage as I sign this incredible piece of legislation. It took a long time to get it here, but this is something thats very, very special and very, very great for you, as mayors. And again, keep up the good work. Youve done an incredible job. Thank you. (Applause.) (The legislation is signed.) Fyoder Dostoevsky may have died nearly two centuries ago, but the peerless Russian literary titan's powerful words continue to revitalise and help bring back to life even those having a close shave with death. Supermodel-actor Lisa Ray is a case in point. The Indian-Canadian actor was diagnosed in 2009 with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the white blood cells, which is considered incurable and fatal. A year later, the 47-year-old actor declared she was free from the deadly disease. Books have played a very big role in bringing me out of the darkest period of my life, she said in response to a question on what helped her overcome the disease. I read copiously and indiscriminately. I read Russian writers like Dostoevsky. I also read a lot of Salman Rushdie and Margaret Atwood, Ray told PTI on the sidelines of the Jaipur Literature Festival on Friday. She said the 19th century Russian writers continued to inspire and enlighten generations and remain relevant even today because their work deals with universal themes. Ray said when she was at the height of her desirability and fame in India, she cut herself off from the outside world in order to read. I actually disappeared, stopped taking calls, stopped accepting modelling offers and cocooned myself in my house and I read and it's a true story. I spent three to four months locked inside my house with a pile of books, she said. For me books are borderless, transcendental. The best author to me is one who writes about things which we have experienced but may not have expressed, she said. The actor also talked about her book titled "Close to the Bone", which chronicles her fight against cancer. Ray said she would like to describe her book not as a memoir, but as a travelogue with a soul. Deliberating on her fight against cancer, she said it taught her a lot about the meaning of success. There is absolutely no use in money and fame when you are suffering inside and are broken, you are experiencing trauma and not heading towards healing. That was the biggest lesson I learnt, she said. I also learnt an interesting word that I never came across, it's called coddiwomple. It essentially means a purposeful travel towards a yet unforeseen and unknown destination. This word describes me, my book and my life. I love it and think I have coddiwompled my entire life, she said. Ray also said she had signed a three-book deal with her publisher and will write more. Writing is the most important thing in my life, she said. Earlier, speaking at a session on her book, the actor said she only wanted to be a writer and that is the reason she wrote "Close to the Bone". I wanted to tell my story on my own terms. There are certain aspects of my life which are unusual, she said. I owe my literary compulsions and passion to my Bengali bloodline. We can't help it. It's in the blood. My father is a Bengali and my mother is a Polish," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In the debate over whether Donald Trump deserves impeachment, a curious partisan reversal has taken place. Trumps opponents are suddenly constitutional originalists, seeking to ground their case for impeachment in 18th-century history and founding-era rhetoric. Meanwhile, his most persuasive defenders are more likely to invoke a kind of living constitutionalism, in which the limited, sporadic way that impeachment has been actually used over the centuries matters more than what the founders contemplated. Thus the House Democrats brief for impeachment is studded with 18th-century quotes to prove that high crimes and misdemeanors covers all manner of corrupt uses of official power, easily encompassing Trumps sordid behavior with Ukraine. And legal scholars have rushed to point out that in the English tradition the founders drew upon, the impeachment power was used for what the legal historian Frank O. Bowman III calls a striking array of abuses of office, not just a few specific crimes. Skeptics of the impeachment push, meanwhile, have pointed to the striking absence of presidential impeachments across the Republics subsequent history. Did James Madison favor an expansive understanding of the impeachment clause? Maybe so, but as an editor of his papers pointed out in The Washington Post, as president, Madison engaged in a dodgy, Trumpian scheme to use State Department money to buy documents purporting to prove his Federalist opponents were conniving with London; the Federalists cried foul, but there wasnt even the beginning of an impeachment proceeding. [Listen to The Argument podcast every Thursday morning, with Ross Douthat, Michelle Goldberg and David Leonhardt.] Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The Construction sites have been bustling, especially in the second half of 2019 with a number of big transport projects either kicked off or resumed. What are the key project highlights for the next 12 months? The transport sector entered the 2016-2020 period at a time when almost all big projects were about to be completed, while new ones were in the process of crafting investment proposals. Some of these projects had their plans approved, but had yet to get their hands on official development assistance funding due to concerns over the public debt ceiling, or facing difficulties in credit access. Therefore, they had to alter their forms of investment. These are the reasons why in the first two or three years of this period, few major transport infrastructure projects got underway. In 2019, the Ministry of Transport (MoT) began construction on a number of important ventures after preparations were sped up and financial sources ensured. They include the two subprojects of the Eastern Cluster of the North-South Expressway using public investment during 2017-2020. This year, the ministry plans to kick off 18 transport projects with the total investment capital of around VND92.38 trillion ($4 million). They will include the aforementioned expressway project, and railway schemes subject to VND15 trillion ($652 million) worth of 2016-2020 public investment, as well as Terminal 3 of Tan Son Nhat International Airport. I believe that 2020 will be not only an eventful year in construction sites, but also a promising year of improvements in funding mobilisation and disbursement in transport infrastructure projects. The possibilities of arranging more public investment for the transport sector in 2020 is currently not that high. Amid state budget constraints, what possible solutions are there to attract investment for projects? State funding for the transport sector is always lower than expected, and in 2020 there is a low possibility that it will receive more. Plus, state funding is even lower in the next period. We are working with relevant ministries and agencies, especially the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) on the draft Law on Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) so that the government can introduce it soon. We hope that with the many new regulations including the risk allocation and guarantee for investors, the new law on PPP will help the transport sector mobilise more financial resources, including investment from businesses and people via the construction bonds channel. We are paying special attention to improving the quality of the road network, including expressways. By the end of last year, the country had nearly 25,000 kilometres of national highways. However, the road network is being urbanised because of a big density of roadside houses, thus limiting the maximally-acceptable speed, and peoples travelling, and thus causing risks to traffic safety. We have made a list of expressway projects calling for private investment, and are preparing sufficient state funding to join with private investors in these projects. The MoT is planning to make this list available and launch investment promotional programmes to select investors in a transparent and fair manner. This is an optimal solution to increase efficiency of calling for private investment in transport projects, including the development of expressways. Disbursement of public investment in transport infrastructure projects remained sluggish in 2019 with the disbursement rate just equal to that of the countrys average, while the transport sector gets the highest public investment. How can the transport sector improve the situation in the last year of the 2016-2020 period? So far, we have had many gatherings to review the reasons and to sum up our experiences, as well as deployed a number of bold measures to speed up the disbursement of public investment in projects to serve social demands. Leaders of the MoT consider public investment disbursement as a key task, and for project management boards this is the No. 1 task. If they fail to meet the disbursement plan, the MoT will the punish leaders of these units. In 2020, I think that the transport sector will have more advantages, especially when the policy and regulations on capital construction investment are significantly improved. An example of stagnancy is Tan Son Nhats third terminal an urgent project slowed due to legal barriers on investor selection is proving how important clearing those barriers is to any venture. Therefore, the first important task in 2020 is to work closely with relevant ministries and agencies, especially the MPI, on the legislation. The other important factor for the MoT is that in early 2020, the revised Law on Public Investment will take effect. This year, we will receive about VND35 trillion ($1.52 billion) worth of public investment in capital construction. With the new regulations, the MoT will have the right to adjust and allocate the capital to projects with good implementation progress. Projects will have their capital cut or they will be allocated to more preferable investors if they see sluggish development. This mechanism will create a big breakthrough to not only help speed up disbursement rates but also improve the development process and efficiency of capital use in these initiatives. The potential investors for the Long Thanh International Airport project and the eight PPP sections of the Eastern Cluster of the North-South Expressway are receiving strong attention from the business community. Will the selected investors be announced this year, and what are the opportunities for private investors? The prime minister and his deputies are giving directions on this issue. At present, we have reported to the prime minister the detailed development plan of the Long Thanh International Airport project, in which the investor will be selected in the coming months. This is one of the most important steps for the initiative because without the selected investor, there will be no-one to prepare functions such as bidding documents or carry out procurement organisation to select consultants for technical design documents and estimations. At the same time, we will closely co-operate with the MPI and the National Appraisal Council to accelerate the approval process in line with the National Assemblys resolution, while working with Dong Nai Peoples Committee to complete site clearance. This year, we need about 1,810 hectares for the first phase to kick off the project in 2021. Regarding the Eastern Cluster of the North-South Expressway, after the short-list result, the MoT plans to issue bidding documents in February and in this roadmap, the investor will be selected in May. We are giving opportunities to join the eight PPP subprojects to domestic investors with strong financial capacity and experience meeting all the bidding criteria. However, authorised state agencies also have contingency plans in case we cannot select capable investors for this. In particular, if no investor is shortlisted, we will report to the prime minister to ensure a plan to work with the National Assembly Standing Committee on two schemes. The first is to continue the tender to select the investor under the PPP format (although the process would be sluggish), and propose that the committee allows the use of state budget to invest in these subprojects, and then sell toll collection rights to businesses to get proceeds for future ventures. The second scheme under consideration is to issue government bonds or construction bonds to develop the subprojects which fail to get an investor. The Eastern Cluster of the North-South Expressway is a key national project therefore, we pay great attention to the project quality. All of the 11 subprojects, including the eight in the PPP model, will be carried out in the proper manner and with quality ensured. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday visited the house of Praveen Krishnan Nair and Saranya Sasi, who were among the eight Malayalis who lost their lives due to asphyxiation due to gas leak at a resort in Nepal recently. Vijayan reached the ancestral house at Chenkottukonam and met the parents of Praveen Krishnan Nair and Prasanna and offered his condolences. Praveen and his family had gone to Nepal on a trip along with friends last Saturday where they died of carbon monoxide gas leak from a heater in their room at a mountainous resort in Nepal, reported Gulf News. The dead bodies were brought to their ancestral house on January 24 and MPs and MLAs of many political parties among other people arrived to pay their respects with wreaths and flowers. Local Police of Nepal had said that the deceased were part of a group of 15 people who arrived on a trip to Nepal and made a stop-over at Daman in Makwanpur district. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police have arrested a 22-year-old Nigerian man from Koparkhairane in Navi Mumbai and seized cocaine worth over Rs three lakh from him, an official said on Sunday. The arrest was made on Friday evening, he said. "Based on a tip-off, Navi Mumbai Police kept a vigil in Koparkhairne and nabbed the accused, identified as Ikkechukku Precious Onedikachi. Cocaine weighing 26 gms and valued at Rs 3.13 lakh was recovered from him," DCP Pankaj Dahane (Zone I) of Navi Mumbai said in a statement. "The accused was going towards a food joint to sell the cocaine, when he was caught," the official said. An offence was registered against him at Koparkhairane police station under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Investigation into the case is on, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An unusual church-themed gourmet burger restaurant is the latest venture set to launch at Bell Court. The Burger Priest will occupy the unit opposite Veeno, joining oriental restaurant Kung Fu in recently signing a contract at the site. Operating on a franchise model, The Burger Priest has two other UK restaurants in Swindon and Harlow and Stratfords will feature outdoor seating and room for around 40 diners. At other Burger Priest restaurants seating is provided in the form of church pews and diners select their meal choices from hymn board menus. A spokesperson for The Burger Priest, said: We at The Burger Priest are very excited to be opening the next restaurant in our planned expansion for 2020 at Bell Court, Stratford -upon Avon. The new development is of very high quality and is a perfect fit for a new growing brand such as ours. Its a unique offer for the people of Stratford and the many visitors to the area, the provenance of our meat is fully traceable as we only use Aberdeen Angus beef in our burgers. The burgers are preservative free and they are served on buns sourced from a specialist supplier. We will also offer a number of plant based burgers and other vegetarian options. The restaurant is not the only new arrival to Bell Court though, with Black Sheep Barbers recently opening on the approach from Wood Street and MOR Bakery and Kitchen also expected to welcome customers soon. John Stacey, UK real estate director at Blue Coast Capital, the owners of Bell Court, said: Were extremely pleased to announce the imminent arrival of MOR Bakery & Kitchen, Black Sheep Barbers and The Burger Priest. All three offerings, opening soon, will be fantastic additions to Bell Court and Stratford. We have always strived to deliver a well-rounded and varied mix of national, regional and independent retailers to Stratford through Bell Court and look forward to welcoming our new tenants in the coming months. H arry Dunns parents are set to meet Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, ahead of the US secretary of states visit to the UK. The parents of the teenage motorcyclist, who died in a hit-and-run last August, said they are hopeful the vitally important meeting will be constructive and productive. The 19-year-olds father Tim and mother, Charlotte Charles, are locked in a row with the Foreign Office over their claim that suspect Anne Sacoolas had diplomatic immunity. It comes as Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, plans to meet Boris Johnson on Wednesday. Mr Dunn was killed when his motorbike crashed into a car alleged to be driving on the wrong side of the road outside RAF Croughton, a US military base in Northamptonshire. Harry Dunn's family have been campaigning for Anne Sacoolas to be returned to theUK / AP The US rejected an extradition request from the Home Office on Thursday, despite the Crown Prosecution Service charging the 42-year-old with causing death by dangerous driving. A spokesman for the US State Department said if the extradition request was granted, it would render the invocation of diplomatic immunity a practical nullity and would set an extraordinarily troubling precedent. Mr Dunns parents have said they expect the foreign secretary to make it clear in the meeting there will be severe consequences if the US government continues to refuse to return Mrs Sacoolas after their meeting on Monday. Dominic Raab will meet the US secretary of state on Wednesday / Getty Images Radd Seiger, spokesman for the Dunn family, told the PA news agency: Harrys parents are very much looking forward to meeting with Dominic Raab tomorrow. This is a vitally important meeting for the government and ourselves. We have not always been on the same page but it is more important now than ever that we are. On Sunday, Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay continued to assert the governments position that they would not give up on getting Mrs Sacoolas extradited. We continue to work on that because we feel it is denying the family justice for her not to return to answer the questions that they have, he told the BBC. https://www.aish.com/jw/s/King-Saul-King-of-Poland-for-a-Day.html The incredible story of Saul Wahl Katzenellenbogen, who briefly occupied the throne of Poland in 1587. When I was a teenager, my grandfather, the late Mr. Herman Landau of Toronto, mailed me a copy of our family tree. Remarkably, he had been able to fill in all of the generations between him and King David. Initially, I was struck by the realization that I was descended from the Davidic dynasty. One line from the document jumped out at me. It said (in the original German), Saul Wahl, King of Poland for a day. Who was this Saul Wahl? And why did his monarchy last for just a day? Further research yielded a fascinating story that has been passed down through the generations, perhaps more folklore than documented history. In the late 1500s there lived a Polish-Lithuanian nobleman by the name of Nicholas Radziwill, who had lived a less-than-moral lifestyle and in his later years he was filled with remorse. To assuage his conscience, he travelled to Rome to consult with the Pope as to how to do penance. The Pope advised him to separate himself from his royal entourage, disguise himself as a beggar, and wander from place to place for a period of time. At the conclusion of his wandering, Radziwill found himself in Padua, Italy, destitute and penniless. Desperate to get back to Poland and his royal post, he appealed to local authorities, persons of power and prestige, but he was rebuffed nobody believed his story. Only one kind individual, a man by the name of Samuel Judah Katzenellenbogen, the Rabbi of Padua, had mercy on him and provided the resources for him to return to home. When the time came to bid farewell, Radziwill asked the rabbi how he could ever repay him. The rabbi asked him to try to locate his son Saul, who had travelled to Lithuania a number of years earlier to study Torah. The rabbi had not heard from his son and wanted to make sure that he was well. Upon his return, Nicholas Radziwill finally located Saul in the town of Brisk. He met the young scholar and was extremely impressed by his brilliance, refined character and integrity. Eventually, he offered Saul the opportunity to board at his own royal castle while he pursued his studies. Thus began Saul Wahls rise to widespread fame among the Polish-Lithuanian nobility. When King Stephen Bathory of Poland died in August of 1586, a schism immediately arose concerning which branch of the Polish royal family was the true successor to the throne. Polish law mandated that the throne could not remain vacant for even a short period of time and required that, in the event of a feud, a rex pro tempore temporary king be elected. Nicholas Radziwill was by that time a very powerful force in the government and recommended that the impartial and very reputable Saul Wahl be crowned king. Saul was quickly approved and became King of Poland for a day! Torah scroll dedicated to Saul Wahl, Photo by Hanan Cohen, the National Library of Israel Tradition has it that in his very short reign, he successfully overturned many anti-Semitic laws and ordinances and initiated a period of respite from persecution for Polands Jews. Fascinatingly, Israels National Library possesses a small and rare Torah scroll, shorter than 10 centimeters, dedicated to one Saul Wahl, the crowned Jewish King of Poland for just one day. Its exciting to be descended from royalty. But as a student in yeshiva, my rabbis used to chide us that ones lineage is likened to a bunch of zeros, and unless one places a one in front of those zeroes, by personally living an exemplary life, the value of one's lineage remains at zero. The Talmud teaches that all of Israel are the sons of royalty. So in truth, we all have a bunch of zeros in our genes, and by proudly and devotedly carrying on our heritage, we can add value to our ancestry by placing our own personal number one in front of all of those zeros. Give the people back their power, the House minority leader, Kevin McCarthy, implored a few months ago, arguing against impeachment itself. Referring to the presidents transgression and the November 2020 election, McConnell said, The American people, if they think this is a very significant episode, can take it into account. Sen. Lindsey Graham chimed in: I really do believe that the best person group of people to pick a president are the voters, not a bunch of partisan politicians. Pat Cipollone, one of the presidents lawyers, added: No one ever thought that it would be a good idea for our country for our children, for our grandchildren to try to remove a president from a ballot, to deny the American people the right to vote. Industry Update Appointment 26 January 2020 Lawrence Tuck Appointed Hotel Manager At Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi Lawrence joins Fairmont Maldives from Pueblo Bonito Pacifica in Cabo San Lucas Mexico, with over 15 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry. From Four Seasons and Intercontinental to Fairmont properties in Canada and Mexico, Lawrence has worked as an Executive Chef, Director of Food and Beverage and General Manager, bringing a breadth of experience across key departments to his role as Fairmont Maldives' Hotel Manager. Accor Accor is a world-leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,000 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries. The group has one of the industrys most diverse and fully-integrated hospitality ecosystems encompassing luxury and premium brands, midscale and economy offerings, unique lifestyle concepts, entertainment and nightlife venues, restaurants and bars, branded private residences, shared accommodation properties, concierge services, co-working spaces and more. more information Recent Appointments at Accor Jill OHare - Director of Sales and Marketing 12 January 2022 Raffles Hotels & Resorts and partners are delighted to announce the appointment of Jill O'Hare as Director of Sales and Marketing at Raffles London at The OWO. O'Hare brings with her over 25 years' international luxury brand experience, most recently as Director of Sales and Marketing at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London, a position she has held since 2015. read more Aline Ibrahim - Director of Marketing, PR and Communications 30 December 2021 A passionate hotelier with a penchant for effective communication, Ibrahim spearheads Sofitel Dubai Downtown's marketing department. Her responsibilities include driving all brand exposure activities, conceptualising and leading promotions, and serving as a trusted brand advisor. read more Representative Image Force Motors, the market leader in inter-city commuter vans, has lined up Rs 600 crore in fresh investment to develop two new models over the next two years. The proposed new models in the shared mobility space will come out from its soon-to-be-launched premium platform, code-named T1N, an export-focused premium van developed with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore and is getting ready for commercial production by the end of the year. "We have lined up Rs 600 crore in fresh capital investment to develop two new models for the next two years. These new vehicles will come out from our next generation monocoque platform coming up at our Pithampur, Indore, works for T1N," Prasan Firodia, managing director, Force Motors, told PTI. Last week, the company, the largest van maker in the country with a market share of over 68 per cent, unveiled the van 'T1N', which will be mostly exported. The BSVI-compliant vehicle will also be available in electric and CNG versions and has been developed over the past four years at an investment of Rs 1,000 crore. The company is building an entirely new bodyshop with robotic and laser-welding facilities with an installed capacity of 35,000 units for T1N, which will be an 18-seater van that boasts of 25 industry-first features. The new premium van will be export-focused and the Firodias, who were the pioneers of autorickshaws in the 1950s, will begin shipping the van to the Gulf markets first followed by North Africa, South Africa, the Asean, South America and the Saarc regions, Firodia said. On the rationale for launching a premium commuter van, Firodia said they want to use this van to be the springboard to become a global automotive company. The Pune-based company, which sells two commuter vans Trax and Traveller, nets almost 50 per cent of its income from its engine supply business with Mercedes and BMW now. It is also entering into an agreement with Rolls Royce to supply engines. In the quarter to September, Force had reported an 84 per cent plunge in net income to Rs 4.2 crore on a revenue of Rs 818 crore, which was down 5.6 per cent. Its association with Mercedes dates back to 1997, when Daimler AG decided to manufacture Mercs in the country. To date, it has supplied over 1,15,000 engines to Mercedes Benz India from its state-of-the-art dedicated facility at Chakan near Pune. Similarly, in 2015, BMW assigned Force to produce and test the engines for all cars and SUVs to be made in the country. Accordingly, it has built a dedicated factory closer to the BMW plant in Chennai and has supplied over 45,000 engines to the German luxury car maker. In March 2018, Force Motors entered into a joint venture (JV) with Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG to manufacture and supply worldwide, the 10- and 12-cylinder, series 1,600 engines for power generation and under-floor rail applications. The JV is slated to take off from April. President Ram Nath Kovind unfurled the Flag and received the customary 21-gun salute on the 71st Republic Day at Rajpath on Sunday. The salute was presented by 2233 Field Battery under the command of Lieutenant Colonel C Sandeep. The gun position officer was Naib Subedar Anil Chand. The 21 Gun Salute is presented during the Republic Day, Independence Day and during visits of foreign heads of state. As per the tradition, the Flag was unfurled followed by the anthem with a booming 21-Gun Salute. That is performed by the firing of cannons or artillery as a military honor. 21 cannons are fired at interval of 2.25 seconds, precisely, to cover entire National Anthem of 52 seconds in 3 successive rounds of 7 cannons each. The spectacular parade commenced with President Kovind taking the salute. Chief Guest of this year's Republic Day Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro. Earlier Kovind and the Bolsonaro were escorted by the President's Bodyguard - the oldest surviving mounted unit with a 245-year legacy. The regiment earned their first Battle Honour 'Java' in 1811 India is celebrating its 71st Republic Day today, honouring the historic date when the country completed its transition towards becoming an independent republic after its constitution came into effect. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) For New Yorkers and world-travelers alike, Manhattanhenge is a big deal. Just ask actor and comedian Ellie Kemper, who, for the very first time this week, braved throngs of photographers, tourists, and astrophysics fans to catch a rare glimpse of the sun rising perfectly between the skyscrapers of Midtown Manhattan. The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt star was able to tick the experience off on her bucket list thanks to Tropicana, which held an early morning Manhattanhenge viewing party in honor of their new Sip Your Sunshine campaign, and dubbed Ellie arguably the human embodiment of sunshine host of the whole shebang. Between sips of Tropicanas Pure Premium orange juice and reveling over the breathtaking natural phenomenon, Travel + Leisure caught up with the funny woman about her first Manhattanhenge experience, the unexpected item she never travels without, and the destinations she dreams of exploring. Travel + Leisure: Today started before sunrise. How do you get going on super early days like today? Ellie Kemper: Luckily Im a morning person. Thats why I was so thrilled when Tropicana came to me with this idea, because I love the mornings. So, greeting something as special as Manhattanhenge at sunrise was like a dream come true to me. To get going, I always feel like you have to take a moment just to clear your brain and think of nothing, and just accept what the days going to be like. That energizes me for the rest of the day. Its just finding 60 seconds here or there just to focus for the day. And on a day like today, I always have coffee. I must start things off with that. Can you describe your first-ever Manhattanhenge experience? "Today was the first time I experienced it! It was on my bucket list forever. Ive lived in New York on and off for 15 years, but Ive only ever heard the tales of Manhattanhenge. So now I got to witness it for the first time. It was really magical. Do you think its on par with other major New York events tourists travel to the city for, like New Years Eve in Times Square or the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting? Story continues Oh, absolutely. In fact, I would put this above even the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting, because this was nature! It was really powerful. There was not a cloud in the sky, and it was just a gorgeous moment reminding us all that mother natures in charge. It was also just a really beautiful moment of brightness that I think everyone can use a little bit more of in their lives. Especially in New York City, right? Thats the thing. In a city where youre on the go, everyones in a hurry, you just have to pause, take this moment, and celebrate the sunshine. It was literal sunshine, and it was beautiful. As a New Yorker yourself, what are your favorite things to do, see, or eat? I love Central Park. I, luckily, live very close, so I love going for a run in Central Park, I love taking my son to Central Park. My favorite things to eat are honestly those nuts from the cart, the mixed nuts. They smell so good, they taste so good, theyre delicious! That remains one of my favorite New York City treats. I also love a Levain cookie any variety. Theyre so big, I feel like youre supposed to eat them in several increments, but I always eat them in one. Whats one overrated New York tourist trap you think people can skip on a trip to the city? Im not sure everybody has to go up the Empire State Building. Can I say it? I dont know if that is necessary. I dont want to deter people from doing that if thats what you want to do, but theres a lot more interesting things, I think, that you can explore on foot. I feel like a Grinch go up the Empire State Building if its your thing! Outside of New York, what are your top travel destinations? You know what? I love London. I used to live right outside London. I lived there for a year, and I loved going into the city. I think Londons a pretty dynamic, vibrant, awesome place. Another one of my favorite places in the world that I visited was Japan. I loved Tokyo. Is there anywhere you havent traveled to but dream of visiting? Im trying to think of just one I would love to visit Copenhagen. Ive never been and I think that would be a really stunning place to visit that Ive only read about and seen pictures of. What something you never travel without that would surprise people? This is embarrassing Waldo, my stuffed walrus I grew up with! Technically Ive given him to my son James now, but I do take him on trips. Im not sure if its for security for me or for [James], but I take him with me still. Hes a beat up little walrus and hes going on, like, 35 years old, but hes still pluggin away! Hes cute. He has a little sailors hat. I promise Im a well-adjusted adult. If you could spend the day exploring one of these towns related to some of your most memorable roles, which would you choose: New York City (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt); Scranton, Pennsylvania (The Office); or Milwaukee ("Bridesmaids)? I would spend the day exploring Scranton, I think. I got to go there once at the end of The Office. There was a parade, the whole cast was there. Scranton was so welcoming, the residents were awesome. It was just a really beautiful weekend. I would love to go and spend a normal, non-Office-related day there just to see what its like. I always see signs for it when Im driving, and Im like, should I just veer off and go visit? It was the people that made the difference. Any final Manhattanhenge thoughts? I think that in general, especially these days, its so important to find moments for yourself, and find those moments of brightness. I think that can keep you going through the day, so Im just really happy to be a part of this moment of brightness today. I think I wanna leave with that message, which is just that its important to take a moment, take a deep breath, and realize whats bright in your life. Successes such as those at VinFast are being acheived through policy reforms. Photo: Le Toan Early this year, the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) is expected to take a delegation of American businesses operating in various sectors to Vietnam to work with the government, ministries, and localities, talking about their investment plans in the country. It will not be the first time just a few weeks ago, US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) chairman Keith Williams did the same with a delegation of about 30 US corporates operating in the sectors of aviation, heavy industry, agriculture, healthcare, IT, and energy. It capped a year in which USABC took many US delegations to Vietnam in search of investment and business opportunities. We are optimistic about Vietnams growth potential and exports, fuelled by the governments great efforts in creating a more business-friendly climate, Williams told Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the meeting. The USABC highly values Vietnams successes in foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction and wants to contribute to boosting balanced trade between the two nations. According to the USABC, one of the key reasons for the American business hunt in Vietnam is that the government is creating greater confidence for international investors, via its strong commitment to improving the countrys investment climate. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently praised Vietnams positive changes and great potential. In the past two decades, our bilateral trade has grown an incredible 7,000 per cent. Vietnam is now one of the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia, lifting millions out of poverty, Pompeo stated. American companies are helping by pouring billions of dollars in investment into the country. I saw this firsthand when I visited Vietnam and heard from both American and Vietnamese business leaders. They talk often about the co-operation taking place. Enabling and responsive Along with his meeting with US companies and others with enterprises from around the world, PM Phuc reaffirmed that the government is strongly boosting reforms to create a level playing field for enterprises and investors from all sectors. The PM listed actions the Vietnamese government would have to implement to help ensure a fair environment for all businesses. He reiterated the states protection of the legitimate rights of enterprises and investors, emphasising that Vietnam will do the best what it can. Businesses can also have equal access to capital, land, markets, and natural resources. The government will also refrain from ad hoc policy change in order to increase predictability and transparency. Besides that, business conditions will be quantified so that investors can control costs and avoid business and investment risks. We have to build a more open, enabling, and responsive government. With a spirit of reform and renewal, we have to create all the best conditions for citizens and the business community. All impediments to development have to be removed, PM Phuc stressed at a government-led conference with localities in December in Hanoi. PM Phuc ordered deputy prime ministers, other ministers, and leaders of localities to review all policies in a manner that obstructions have to be removed as soon as possible. The government stands ready for open and straightforward dialogues to seek the most appropriate and effective solutions for the country to achieve fast, sustainable, and harmonious development, the PM said. With a positive growth rate of 7.02 in 2019, Vietnam currently has about 760,000 operational businesses. 2019 was the first year when the country witnessed a record number of over 138,100 newly-established businesses meaning an average of 378 founded per day. We will also have to make maximise our efforts to increase Vietnams business climate quality and competitiveness indexes to the average level of the ASEAN-4 countries of Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Brunei, PM Phuc stressed. Wide applause A few weeks ago, the World Bank released its biannual economic report on Vietnam, emphasising the resilience of the Vietnamese economy. GDP growth has continued to be driven by a strong external sector with exports expanding by about 8 per cent in 2019 nearly four times faster than the worlds average. The country has also remained an attractive destination for foreign investors, with FDI inflows averaging over $3 billion per month. Specifically, total newly-registered, newly-added, and stake-acquisition foreign capital hit $38 billion, up 7.2 per cent on-year. The total disbursed FDI hit $20.4 billion, up 6.7 per cent on-year. In addition, private consumption has emerged as an important contributor to GDP growth as the result of an expanding middle-income class and rising wages. Private businesses also increased investment by 17 per cent during the same period. All these achievements have been made largely by improvements in the governments policy reforms in order to create a more business-friendly climate, said Ousmane Dione, country director for the World Bank in Vietnam. Also last month, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) released its update on Vietnams economy, projecting that the countrys GDP is expected to grow 6.8 per cent in 2020. Last year saw a bumper crop for Vietnam, and we see that the country has been performing well, far better than many regional nations, an ADB economist told VIR. According to the ADB, this 6.8 per cent forecast is far higher than that of almost all regional nations, including Myanmar (6.6 per cent), Laos (6.2 per cent), the Philippines (6 per cent), Indonesia (5.1 per cent), Malaysia (4.5 per cent), Thailand (2.6 per cent), Brunei (1 per cent), and Singapore (0.6 per cent). Per capita GDP growth of Vietnam is also projected to increase by 5.8 per cent this year, the highest growth in Southeast Asia. Suggestions According to the IMF in Vietnam, extensive market-oriented and outward-looking economic policies have helped Vietnam achieve sustained and inclusive economic growth. To maintain growth and raise its quality, as well as attract more investment, Vietnam needs to modernise economic institutions, especially in terms of fiscal and monetary management, and continue with market-oriented and outward-looking reforms. Continued tightening of credit policies, developing capital markets, and building a modern market infrastructure with adequate tools for financial system supervisors and regulators would help enhance the financial sectors ability to support sustainable growth, the IMF said. In recent years, Vietnam has managed to halt the increase in public debt and create some fiscal space. The more favourable fiscal position provides the authorities with the means to step in should downside risks materialise. The IMF also urged Vietnam to boost reform programmes such as state-owned enterprise (SOE) equitisation and increasing the role of the private sector. According to the Ministry of Finance, under the prime ministers order, 128 SOEs have to be equitised during the 2017-2020 period. Last year, nine SOEs had their equitisation plans approved, but only three were equitised. In the 2016-2019 period, 168 SOEs got plans adopted, with a total corporate value of $19.26 billion, of which state-owned capital was nearly $9 billion. Adam Sitkoff, executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi told VIR that US investors are interested in SOE equitisation in Vietnam in many sectors. However, continued regulatory reforms and ensuring stability for existing investors is also important to the US business community here. Regulatory reform is the most cost-efficient method for stimulating and sustaining economic growth, and it is entirely within Vietnams control, independent of external market forces, Sitkoff said. The prime ministers Council on Administrative Procedural Reform is a significant step towards reduction of the regulatory burden on businesses that will save time and reduce avenues for corruption. At the same time, frequent regulatory changes often affect current business activities. In some cases, due to a new regulation, investors have been requested to stop activities that they have been licensed for. In a thrilling encounter, Hobart Hurricanes secured a 10-run victory over Adelaide Strikers in ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) here on Sunday. Chasing 218, Strikers suffered an early blow as Jake Weatherald (2) was dismissed by Clive Rose in the second over of the innings. Travis Head then joined Philip Salt at the crease. The duo looked impressive and kept the team ahead of the asking rate. Both brought up fifty runs stand between them in the 7th over. Wade went smashed his fifty off 24 balls in the seventh over. However, in the 10th over Scott Boland dismissed Salt (66), breaking the 79 runs stand. Head and Alex Carey kept the run-chase alive and took the score past the 140-run mark in 14th over. Scott Boland dismissed Head in the 15th over, reducing the side to 142-3. Head played an innings of 47 runs off 37 balls. Strikers lost a flurry of wickets and side at one point was on 191-6. Carey got out after playing an aggressive knock of 39 runs off 24 balls, with 27 runs left to be chased in 10 balls. The striker failed to chase to target and were bundled out on 206. Earlier opting to bat first, Hurricanes had a splendid start as both openers Matthew Wade and D'Arcy Short took the side to fifty runs mark in just five overs. Wade and Short smashed bowlers out of the part as the team racked up 100 runs mark in ninth over of the innings. The duo was in sublime touch as they brought up their individual half-centuries. The 32-year-old Wade continued to dominate the Strikers and smashed his maiden T20I hundred in 48 balls in the 16th over of the innings. The 203 runs stand for the first wicket was broken by Michael Neser in the 19th overs as he dismissed Short (72). Ben McDermott then joined Wade and powered the side to a huge score of 217 runs in 20 overs. Matthew Wade, who played a knock of 130 runs, was adjudged as the player of the match. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) British Home Secretary Priti Patel reportedly said that there were no confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United Kingdom and the tests on 31 people also came out as negative. While speaking to an international media outlet, she further added that the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab is also considering the evacuation of more than 200 British citizens trapped in Wuhan. She also insisted that the government was taking all the precautions and right measures while working with the World Health Organisation and Public health England. Amid the deadly coronavirus outbreak, the United States government is also sending a charter flight to the Chinese city of Wuhan in an effort to evacuate its citizens and diplomats. According to international media reports, the plane, with approximately 230 people, will carry diplomats from the US consulates as well as US citizens and their families. Following the negotiations in recent days, the US was also given approval for the operation from China's Foreign Ministry and other government agencies. READ: China Puts Temporary Ban On All Wild Animal Trade As Coronavirus Continues To Spread The deadly SARS-like virus which has already infected thousands and reportedly killed 56 people, however, still does not constitute as a global emergency as of yet as per the health experts. While speaking to an international media outlet, WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the organisation is not declaring it a public health emergency of international concern siting that while it is an emergency in China, it is yet to become a global health emergency. READ: Georgia Working To Prevent Spread Of Coronavirus To State Precautionary measures In a bid to take precautionary measures, China has also locked down 10 cities, including Wuhan, Huanggang, Ezhou, Zhejiang, Qianjiang, suspending all public transport to contain the deadly virus. Wuhan, where the deadly virus surfaced, has further reportedly announced to restrict car traffic in the city from January 26. The mayor of the city of Wuhan has reportedly urged citizens not to travel outside China and the authorities have further issued a travel advisory warning the backlash of coronavirus. Hong Kong on January 25 also declared the virus as an emergency and further upgraded the Hong Kong Disease contingency plan from 'serious' to 'emergency' level. Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam, while addressing a press conference, further announced that the schools in the city to be suspended until February 17. According to reports, flights are also being stopped across China to try and limit the spread of the virus. READ: Paris Celebrates Lunar New Year At The Eiffel Tower Amid Coronavirus Outbreak READ: Chinese Wet Markets Under Scrutiny Once Again As Coronavirus Spreads The R1-billion Yekani Manufacturing factory in East London is shutting down because it reportedly refused to sell a controlling stake to the husband of communications minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams. This is according to a report in the Sunday Times. The report stated that Siphiwe Cele, Yekanis owner, was introduced to Thato Abrahams by the IDC as a potential investor who would buy a majority stake in the business for R1 billion. Cele reportedly refused the offer, after which his business started to suffer. He approached the government for help to save the company, but received none. According to the report, minister Ndabeni-Abrahams said she only learnt about the investor meeting two weeks ago. It went on to state that Cele, Abrahams, and the IDC arranged a meeting to discuss the possible investment in April 2018. Ndabeni-Abrahams was deputy communications minister at the time. Cele claimed that the investment depended on Abrahams being appointed CEO of Yekani and being allowed to choose his own chief financial officer. Yekani declined the offer. Cele said that after Yekani turned down the overture from Abrahams, the Eastern Cape government failed to provide the financial help he requested, states the Sunday Times. The ministers spokesperson told the Sunday Times it was disingenuous to blame the ministers husband for the challenges faced by Yekani. Abrahams has also denied wanting to buy a stake in Yekani. The big launch Yekanis electronics factory was opened by former Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies in the citys Developmental Zone in June 2018. The 28,000 square-metre facility was set to produce a number of electronic products, including mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and decoders. In January 2020, however, reports surfaced that the company was in big financial trouble. Liquidation processes had been initiated after Yekani was unable to make payments to Standard Bank for a large loan. Workers at the factory had not been paid in five months, either, and the facility did not resume operations this year. In the event that Yekani is put under final liquidation, approximately 500 direct jobs will be lost, the company told MyBroadband. It did not detail the issues which led to the situation, but claimed it had made huge efforts to reach a positive outcome to the financial challenges. Phones and laptops While Yekani reportedly assembled TV decoders as part of its operations, it is unclear if the company ever sold any of the smart devices it was meant to produce. This includes its Trend and Balance smartphones and a range of laptops. When it launched in 2018, the company said it aimed to be the largest smartphone company in South Africa, with Yekani-branded mobile phones. However, when MyBroadband asked South Africas leading technology retailers whether they had ever sold or stocked Yekani laptops or smartphones, these retailers said they had not. Takealot, Incredible Connection, and Massmart Game, Makro, Dion Wired were among the companies contacted. Following the questions, Yekani sent out a statement claiming that as its liquidation matter is sub-judice, it is unable to provide further details or comment on any media reports as it runs the risk of prejudicing or interfering with the pending court proceedings and its outcome. The Sunday Times report stated that not only is Yekani facing a claim from Standard Bank, but that suppliers to Yekani have not been paid for months. SA Post Office contract The report added that to save the company, Cele is now looking for investors from Nigeria and Canada to provide funding. Additionally, Yekani has reportedly secured a R700-million contract with the SA Post Office to produce set-top boxes. It also has a contract with Swiss company Landis+Gyr, which makes smart meters, said Cele. Due to the provisional liquidation order, all work for Landis+Gyr has ceased, he said. Now read: Tech jobs bloodbath in South Africa By Express News Service BENGALURU: Even though the law makes any form of manual scavenging a crime, on Saturday, Bengaluru saw a young mans life snuffed out because of the long-standing failure to enforce the law. The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers (and their Rehabilitation) Act 2013 makes the handling of human excreta in any form manually a punishable offence and mandates that governments rehabilitate people engaged in such work. However, after the rehabilitation of 74 people in 1993- 94 under an earlier law, there has been no progress in eliminating human intervention in the disposal and management of human excreta. The government of Karnataka has identified 2,497 people engaged in manual scavenging of which 302 are in Bengaluru Urban and 474 in Bengaluru Rural districts. Let alone rehabilitation, the government has not yet even begun the process of approaching them. The Karnataka State Safai Karmachari Development Corporation was formed in 2017-18 to rehabilitate such people, managing director P Nagesh told The New Sunday Express. He said that in the next 10 days, online applications would be made available, urging people to apply for rehabilitation, a livelihood of their choice. Subsidies of up to Rs 10 lakh would be offered to set up businesses, Nagesh said. Bezwada Wilson, National Convenor of Safai Karmachari Andolan told TNSE that the death of one more person is a major shock. There are jetting and sucking machines, but still these people risk their lives to earn a living. It is not just them, but also supervisors, those who hire them, and the government who are at fault. Last year 118 manual scavengers died. This year, in January alone, 7 people have died in India. This shows the apathy of the government, he said. The state government did not have data on the total number of jetting and sucking machines in Bengaluru. The state has 500 machines of which a majority have been sanctioned for Bengaluru, they said. According to the law, entering a septic tank, clearing, cleaning, carrying or disposing of human excreta in any manner by a human, is an offence. It is only in case of an emergency can one enter, but with special safety equipment such as oxygen cylinders, masks, protective clothes, gum boots etc, which is absent in all cases where deaths occur, Wilson said. The deaths clearly indicate that the machines are not being utilised, he added. Lakshman Reddy, Joint Director, Social Welfare Department, Bengaluru Urban District said that this state of affairs was not acceptable. FIRs are being filed and strict action will be taken against all those who are responsible. Manual scavenging is banned and despite that a person has died. All those responsible will be dealt with, he said. The aunt of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un has been seen in public for the first time since the execution of her husband in 2013. Kim Kyong Hui is the daughter of North Korea's founder, Kim ll-sung, and sister to former leader Kim Jong-il. She had largely disappeared from public view since 2013, after Kim Jong-Un ordered the execution of her husband, Jang Song Thaek, seen as the second most powerful man in the North at the time. On Sunday, state media showed Kim Kyong Hui sitting near Kim Jong-Un at a performance celebrating the Lunar New Year in Pyongyang. On Sunday, state media showed Kim Kyong Hui (right) sitting near Kim Jong-Un at a performance celebrating the Lunar New Year in Pyongyang North Korea's main newspaper also released a photo showing Kim Kyong Hui sitting near Kim Jong-Un and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, at the Samjiyon Theater. Oliver Hotham, managing editor of NK News, a Seoul-based organisation that monitors North Korea said: 'Many North Korea watchers had assumed that Kim Kyong Hui had gone into exile or had even been killed in the wake of her husband's death, so to see her pop up by the leader's side some six years later is certainly a surprise.' Kim Kyong Hui and her husband were major players within the North Korean state at the time of their nephew's ascension to power nearly a decade ago. She had largely disappeared from public view since 2013, after Kim Jong-Un ordered the execution of her husband, Jang Song Thaek (pictured), seen as the second most powerful man in the North at the time Kim Jong-Un succeeded his father as leader in 2011, and it was widely believed that Mr Jang was one of his mentors during the transition. Two years into the new leader's rule, Mr Jang was removed from a meeting by armed guards. Official statements claimed he had confessed to plotting to overthrow the state, and that he had been immediately executed. Many observers of the North Korean state believe he may have been considered a threat to the young leader, and killed as part of a purge. Some North Korean monitoring groups in Seoul and foreign media outlets had speculated Kim Jong-Un (pictured) had his aunt also executed or purged, or that she died of health problems Kim Kyong Hui's reappearance in a position of prominence suggests she has retained, or at least regained an influential position behind the scenes, Hotham said, noting that state media listed her after North Korea's nominal No. 2, Choe Ryong Hae. 'The fact that she's sitting right next to the leader and is listed second after Choe Ryong Hae suggests she might have been granted a significant new position, potentially advising Kim Jong-Un on economic or political issues,' he said. Kim Kyong-hui (pictured in 2010) is the daughter of North Korea's founder, Kim ll-sung, and sister to former leader Kim Jong-il 'It's also a reminder of how weird and brutal North Korea is, after all she's sitting next to the man who ordered her husband's execution.' Kim Kyong Hui held a slew of top posts such as a four-star army general and a ruling Workers' Party departmental director. She was also believed to have played a key role in grooming Kim Jong-Un as the next leader after Kim Jong-il suffered a stroke in 2008. Some North Korean monitoring groups in Seoul and foreign media outlets had speculated Kim Jong-Un had his aunt also executed or purged, or that she died of health problems. Outside experts said Kim Kyong Hui had long suffered from liver and heart problems and high blood pressure. Kim Jong-Un is facing a year of sensitive international and domestic politics, as denuclearisation talks with the United States remain stalled and international sanctions restrict North Korea's economy. This is an opinion column. Jeff Coleman says he wants to keep the campaign positive. The Republican candidate, whos running to replace Rep. Martha Roby, has said, at forums and in TV interviews, that he isnt in the race to tear anyone down. Coleman says hes here to build people up. The funny thing is, whether he wanted a positive campaign wasnt the question. And Colemans answers arent answers, but awkward pivots away from questions he doesnt want to answer: Whats the deal with a federal fraud lawsuit Colemans company settled in 2015. Coleman, the presumptive frontrunner and the CEO of Coleman Worldwide Moving, has been asked to explain whether his companies ripped off the federal government by reporters, forum moderators and other candidates in the GOP primary. And now, one of his primary opponents, Jessica Taylor, has demanded Coleman release all documents related to the case, including depositions and evidence still under seal by the court. I believe we need a fiscal conservative to go represent us, somebody who can cut that fraud, waste and abuse, not somebody who commits fraud, waste and abuse Taylor said at a candidate forum Monday, where she challenged Coleman to sign a waiver to unseal those documents. So far, Colemans response has been to put on a happy face and try to change the subject. Placing blame Last week, I reported that Colemans companies dozens of affiliated trucking and storage companies had been accused of defrauding the federal government of $723 million. Colemans companies settled that lawsuit in 2015 for $5 million and admitted no wrongdoing. According to federal prosecutors in a 2012 lawsuit, Colemans companies received as much as 95 percent of their business from moving military families, expenses mostly covered by the federal government. That lawsuit accused Colemans companies of regularly inflating shipping weights to fraudulently increase billings to the Department of Defense. Coleman has said the fraud was the work of one bad actor a former warehouse manager in Augusta, who was indicted and convicted of fraud but witnesses in the civil case gave sworn depositions describing a much wider scheme. That lawsuit began with the testimony of two company whistleblowers who worked at Colemans Augusta, Ga., warehouse. They testified under oath that they had been asked by their managers to falsify shipping weights. Additionally, multiple former employees and contractors said in depositions that they were aware of weight bumping at other Coleman facilities around the country. A U.S. military shipping and receiving office at Pearl Harbor reweighed Coleman shipments after it became suspicious and found Colemans companies consistently overbilled the United States by approximately 9-10% of the actual weight of the shipment. Further, federal investigators found hundreds more incidents of overbilling in federal databases. Coleman has blamed a zealous, business-crushing Obama Justice Department for bringing what he called a frivolous lawsuit, and through a spokeswoman, his campaign said Colemans settled the lawsuit to avoid further legal costs. Sign on the line Former Alabama Attorney General Troy King, whos running for the same seat, told Alabama Political Reporter that Coleman had put profits ahead of patriotism and had too many business conflicts of interest to represent a district that depends on the military. Taylor says Coleman owes Republican voters not only a fuller explanation but also all the documents related to the case, so they can determine the truth for themselves. I think the people of this district deserve to know what happened. Weve been told by the candidate that he didnt do anything wrong and that it was Obamas fault, Taylor said. I wouldnt accept that answer from my children. At a Republican candidate forum in Ozark, Taylor challenged Coleman to sign a waiver giving his consent to unseal and make available documents in the lawsuits documents which include the full depositions of employees and whistleblowers, in addition to other terms of the settlement. Taylor walked the waiver over to Coleman, who awkwardly laughed as she laid it in front of him to sign. We all just want the truth, Jeff, Taylor said. Youll get the truth, Coleman said, chuckling again. I promise you. But he didnt sign it. Kyle Whitmire is the state political columnist for the Alabama Media Group. You can follow him on Twitter or through his Facebook page, The War on Dumb. The War on Dumb is a thing on Facebook now, too. Expect better, demand better, come help Alabama do better. https://t.co/B2JeYkFWSf pic.twitter.com/GugqXDdsMC Kyle Whitmire (@WarOnDumb) December 18, 2019 More columns by Kyle Whitmire Private equity firms are circling the company behind Poundland after its South African owner decided to offload it through a flotation or sale. Advent International, which recently bought defence firm Cobham for 4billion, and Switzerland-based Partners Group Holding has approached Steinhoff International about buying its European retail division, called Pepco, which includes Poundland. The South African group is looking for between 3.5billion and 4billion from the flotation or sale of Pepco, which has around 2,700 stores across the UK and more than ten countries in Eastern Europe. Steinhoff International is looking to sell its European retail division, called Pepco, which includes Poundland Steinhoff International bought Poundland in 2016 for just over 600million. However, Steinhoff found itself mired in an accounting scandal little more than a year later, leading to its near-collapse. It has since sold Harveys and Bensons for Beds to turnaround investor Alteri. Pepco declined to comment. Anti-CAA protesters in Lucknow's Ghantaghar area on Sunday celebrated the Republic Day by hoisting the Tricolour and reading out the preamble to the Constitution. Meraj Haider, a protester, said,"The day started with the hoisting of the flag at Ghantaghar (Clock Tower), which was followed by the rendering of songs by those gathered there. The preamble to the Constitution was also read out." He said it was a unique day as people from different walks of life gathered at Ghantaghar in large numbers to protest the CAA and the NRC. Rajiv Yadav, a member of the Rihai Manch that backed the protest, said the agitation against the CAA-NRC-NPR at the Ghantaghar have assumed an artistic dimension. "Seven girls made a banner, which shows footsteps in different colours converging on the centre in protest against the CAA-NRC-NPR," he said. On Saturday, the Uttar Pradesh Police had arrested 10 people, including a woman, from Ghantaghar. The anti-CAA stir at the site is on since January 17 even as over 100 women protesters have been booked for violating prohibitory orders. "Apart from this, eight persons have been arrested. They are Puja Shukla and seven male volunteers," Thakurganj police station SHO Pramod Mishra had said on Saturday. Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) prevents the assembly of five or more people at one spot. The dharna at Lucknow's Ghantaghar was on the lines of Delhi's Shaheen Bagh protest against the amended citizenship act and the National Register of Citizens. Women protesters have said that their stir will continue until the Centre scraps the CAA and the NRC. Nearly 20 people were killed in the state after violence erupted during anti-CAA protests last month. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ever since Brazil opposed Indias move in 1961 to liberate Goa from Portuguese rule, the relationship between the two nations have been lukewarm at best and frosty at worst. Editor's Note: This article was first published on 24 January 2020. It is being republished in view of the 71st Republic Day parade, where Brazilian President Jair Bolsanaro is in attendance as the chief guest. A resource-rich Brazil and an energy-hungry India, with no major dissonances in their worldview, congruity in middle-power status and facing similar challenges in their development curve, should be much more than just strategic partners locked in a buyer-seller relationship. That they aren't owed as much to baggage of history as lack of imagination from leadership. Click here to follow LIVE updates on Republic Day 2020 Ever since Brazil opposed Indias move in 1961 to liberate Goa from Portuguese rule, the relationship between the two nations have been lukewarm at best and frosty at worst. Things didnt change much even though trade relationship eventually developed, and diplomacy intensified. Ties still remained hostage to history even as both nations became members of plurilateral fora such as BRICS, IBSA, G-20 and in multilateral bodies such as the United Nations. Theres a chance to reset that relationship and introduce a new dynamic as Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro arrives in India as the chief guest for Republic Day on a four-day tour from 24 to 27 January. The moment is opportune. Prime minister Narendra Modi and Bolsonaro are strong leaders propelled by massive mandates. They are not bound by traditional thinking. Both are adept at risk-taking and spending political capital on issues that they reckon are central to their nations interests. This indicates that both are decisive leaders unafraid to take big, bold decisions. In Indias case, the leadership has shown the imagination to match its ambition. To project power and safeguard Indias interests, India is finally showing a willingness to work hard and break old dogmas. Indias foreign policy has become more proactive while not deviating from the central, autonomous tenet. As Foreign Minister Subramanyam Jaishankar said during a recent occasion stressing on the need for greater engagement with the world: I just came from Serbia, and I was honestly embarrassed to learn that I was the first foreign minister who had ever visited Serbia after it broke away from Yugoslavia. I hear this story over and over again The first (task) is to be visible, to be active, to engage, to be able to hear, smell, touch the world for yourself. If you dont do that your instincts are not going to be good, they are not going to be sound. This greater engagement leads to greater confidence. Matched with a growing economy, India finally has the confidence to shape outcomes in international relations instead of being defensive. We see a reflection of this mindset in Indias willingness to step up the relationship with Brazil and vitalize ties. Announcing Bolsonaros visit, a statement from Indias ministry of external affairs lays out the fulcrum of greater engagement: India and Brazil share a close and multifaceted relationship. Our bilateral relations are based on a common global vision, shared democratic values, and a commitment to foster economic growth of both countries. Both nations understand that they have a dovetailing of interests. What kind of dovetailing? While Brazil which has seen ties with neighbouring Argentina deteriorate looks to upgrade its trade partnership with India and tap its rapidly growing market, New Delhi is keen to exploit possibilities in resource-rich Latin America. Plus, theres oil. Reports indicate that Bolsonaro will bring with him a delegation comprising seven ministers and 62 businessmen, including 12 defence industry leaders. Both nations may sign over 20 agreements in defence, energy, agriculture, healthcare and mineral sectors. The defence sector, claims a report in Economic Times, may witness joint production and industrial collaboration. India, one of the worlds biggest oil importers, needs to diversify its energy needs from the Gulf. Iraq remains its top supplier but in recent times India has started importing more crude from the US (a 72 percent jump in first five months of 2019). The instability in Gulf, US-Iran confrontation and threats of secondary sanctions from the US may drive India further away from middle east. This is where Brazil, one of worlds top 10 oil exporters, sees a big opportunity. Both nations may also sign a Bilateral Investment Treaty (a priority for the Modi government) and allow investments in each others pension funds, to help business processes and encourage the flow of investments. The visit will also provide opportunity for greater intra-BRICS synergy, a non-western grouping that allows a platform for countries such as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to adhere to multi-polarity as opposed to multilateralism. Despite the inherent difficulties of BRICS including clashing ideology and interests of member nations, flexibility and room for autonomous stance has helped sustain the platform. Bolsonaros visit may not only enhance bilateral trade that stands at a meagre $8.2 in 2018-19, greater intra-BRICS cooperation will be an area of priority for both leaders. Despite its many disappointments, as former foreign secretary Krishnan Srinivasan writes in The Hindu, BRICS has delivered the New Development Bank that has so far financed over 40 projects at a cost of $12 billion. The BRICS countries are also developing a joint payments mechanism to reduce foreign trade settlements in US dollars. As the Brazilian president arrives in India on maiden visit and attends the Republic Day parade, he will get an opportunity to brush up his personal association with Modi. Both leaders accord importance to personal chemistry in bilateral ties, and share similar notions about their nations having a greater say in global commons and reformation of global institutions such as United Nations or International Monetary Fund. The Bolsonaro-Modi association has also been much talked-about in western media. Both are polarising figures and favourite whipping boys of liberal western media that see in their rise a threat to liberal democracy , even though both leaders have been chosen by their people and have reposed faith in democratic institutions. While Modi remains western medias favourite villain, Bolsonaros landslide win in 2018 has been blamed, among other things, on fake news and WhatsApp. Both leaders think little of such criticism, and it could be one of the reasons why Modi extended an invitation to Bolsonaro. With such synergy in interests, the stage is set for India and Brazil to stitch a stronger, more multifaceted relationship. Julian Assange 25.01.2020 LISTEN It is being increasingly larded with heavy twists and turns, a form of state oppression in slow motion, but the Julian Assange extradition case now looks like it may well move into the middle of the year, dragged out, ironically enough, by the prosecution. Curiously, this is a point that both the prosecutors, fronted by the US imperium, and the WikiLeaks defence team, seem to have found some inadvertent agreement with. This is the biggest case of its kind, and will determine, for an era, how journalism and the publication of nationally classified information is treated. Neither wish to misstep in this regard. The last procedural hearing ahead of the full extradition trial of Assange over 17 counts of espionage and one of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion was trained on the issue of logistics. The prosecutors seemed to be bellyaching in their discontent, lamenting matters of availability for their staff. One striking example concerned the US governments chief barrister, James Lewis, who would be taken up with a trial in Northern Ireland of a great deal of substance and importance. This would make him unavailable for up to three months after the commencement of the extradition case. Clair Dobbin, representing the US, was the first to make an application that the substantive hearing be split. Various legal rulings, she argued, would have to be made subsequent to the full February proceedings, including the ticklish issue of whether certain witnesses were to remain anonymous or not. WikiLeaks wishes that they remain so; the prosecution would like that cloak removed. Despite already furnishing the court with a meaty affidavit, Dobbin claimed that more needed to be done in responding to the defence evidence. (Good of them to give a sense of formality that are doing so.) Besides all that, experts sought by the prosecution were extremely busy practitioners and academics with very full diaries, many still chewing over the issue of where Assange fitted in the security paradigm. This statement of itself is odd, as is so much of the entire effort against the WikiLeaks publisher. Procedural dragging was also a matter of importance for the Assange team. Despite working with manic dedication over Christmas, the issue of access remains crippling for the defence. We simply cannot get in as we require to see Mr Assange and to take his instruction, argued one of Assanges lawyers, Edward Fitzgerald. Frankly, we require more time before calling the main body of our evidence. The point of journalism, and its legitimate pursuit in this nasty, brutish and rather long encounter, lies at the heart of the battle. The framing of the US indictment purports to negate journalism as a factor in the case, with the prosecutors honing in on the issue of espionage and hacking. Spies cannot be journalists, so goes the claim; espionage and publication should not be seen as comparable or even linked matters. This very claim suggests that any form of national security journalism, the sort that exposes abuses of power, is illegal. This round of submissions merely confirmed the point, though it is one sharpened to specifically exclude foreigners. In other words, press protections enshrined by the First Amendment of the US Constitution cannot apply to non-US nationals, a daringly dangerous assertion. As WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson crisply put it, We have now learned from submissions and affidavits presented by the United States to the court that they do not consider foreign nationals to have a first amendment protection. To the AAP, he surmised that the US had also decided that they can go after journalists wherever they are residing in the world, they have universal jurisdiction, and demand extradition like they are doing by trying to get an Australian national from the UK from publishing that took place outside US borders. The US case also insists that, should the extradition be successful, Assange will be subject to that troubling euphemism of special administrative measures. Even in a bureaucratic penal system, such language entails a formal and legal disappearance of the subject. Italian journalist Stefania Maurizi suggests with understandable gloominess that Pandoras box will open if the prosecutors make their case fly in court. The extradition of an Australian or Italian journalist by the US would just as easily justify the same action by Saudi Arabia and Russia. This terrifying precedent is reiterated as a distinct possibility across the spectrum of commentary, an extra-territorial extension of US power to punish the worlds scribblers, bloggers and publishers. The outcome of this set of stuttered proceedings seemed to irritate District Judge Vanessa Baraitser, who conceded to the split, but sternly spoke of disfavour regarding any other requests for moving dates. She did relent to another case management hearing scheduled for February 19. The full extradition hearing is now set to open on February 24 at Londons Woolwich Crown Court, adjourning after one week, then continuing in May 18 with a three-week hearing. The chess pieces in this critical encounter have again been moved. In this dark turn, a smattering of light seemed to shine through. Having been held in withering solitary confinement in the prison medical wing of Belmarsh, news came that Assange will be moved to an area with other inmates. Joseph Farrell of WikiLeaks described it as a dramatic climbdown, a huge victory for Assanges legal team and for campaigners, who have been insisting for weeks that the prison authorities end the punitive treatment of Assange. The same could not be said about legal and medical access, both of which have been sorely lacking. The decision to initiate the move seems to have sprung from prisoners within Belmarsh itself. The prison governor has been petitioned on no less than three occasions by a group of convicts insisting that the treatment being afforded Assange smacked of injustice. Human rights activist Craig Murray subsequently reflected on this small victory for basic humanity and it took criminals to teach it to the British state. Such victories in penal terms do tend to be mixed. Assange will hope that those inmates he keeps company remain sympathetic to his cause. The new quarters will house some 40 of them, and the risks to his being remain. Even in prison, Assanges case and plight never ceases to astonish. Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He lectures at RMIT University, Melbourne. Email: [email protected] Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Julie Steenhuysen and Kate Kelland (Reuters) Chicago/London Sun, January 26, 2020 08:08 717 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2060f7f49 2 Health coronavirus,wuhan,Wuhan-coronavirus,health,vaccine,China,outbreak Free When a newly organized vaccine research group at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) met for the first time this week, its members had expected to be able to ease into their work. But their mandate is to conduct human trials for emerging health threats - and their first assignment came at shocking speed. In just three months time, they likely will be testing the first of a number of potential experimental vaccines against the new SARS-like coronavirus that is spreading in China and beyond. "I told them, 'you are going to have your baptism of fire, folks'," Anthony Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases within NIH, said of his inaugural address to the group this week. Three months from gene sequence to initial human testing would be the fastest the agency has ever gotten such a vaccine off the ground, Fauci said. The outbreak, which began in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December, as of Friday had infected more than 800 people in China and killed 26. Cases have also been confirmed in Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Nepal and the United States. Chinese scientists were able to quickly identify the genetic sequence of the new coronavirus and officials posted it publicly within a few days, allowing scientific research teams to get to work right away. With the genetic code in hand, scientists can start vaccine development work without needing a sample of the virus. During the deadly 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak, it took US scientists 20 months to go from genetic sequence to the first phase of human trials. By that time, the outbreak was under control. This time, research groups worldwide are already executing plans to test vaccines, treatments and other countermeasures to stop the newly identified virus from spreading globally. Read also: Studies suggest role of bats, snakes in outbreak of coronavirus Multi-pronged approached They are attacking from several angles, with global health and epidemic response agencies hoping at least one treatment will be in human trials within a few months. Fauci's agency is partnering with US biotech Moderna Inc , which specializes in vaccines based on ribonucleic acid (RNA) - a chemical messenger that contains instructions for making proteins. That team hopes to make an RNA vaccine based on one of the crown-like spikes on the surface of the coronavirus that gives the family of viruses their name, an approach that, unlike many vaccines, would not expose people to the virus. At the University of Queensland in Australia, scientists backed by the global health emergency group the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) said they are working on what they describe as a "molecular clamp" vaccine approach. The technology adds a gene to viral proteins to stabilize them and trick the body into thinking it is seeing a live virus and create antibodies against it. Keith Chappell, an expert in the University's school of chemistry and molecular biosciences, said the technology is designed as "a platform approach to generate vaccines against a range of human and animal viruses." It has already shown promising results in lab tests on other dangerous viruses such as Ebola and the coronavirus that causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)- a cousin of SARS and the Wuhan virus. Novavax, which already has a vaccine in development against MERS, says it is now working on one for the Wuhan coronavirus. Scientists also are turning to infection-fighting proteins known as monoclonal antibodies, or mAbs, that were developed against the SARS and MERS coronaviruses. The hope is that similarities with the Wuhan virus will offer enough overlap in the antibodies to help people infected in the China outbreak. Vir Biotechnology Chief Scientific Officer Herbert Virgin said his company has a library of monoclonal antibodies that have shown some success against SARS and MERS in lab tests. Some of these antibodies have been shown to neutralize coronaviruses, Virgin said, and "may have the potential to treat and prevent (the) Wuhan coronavirus." Former Nagaland Chief Minister and Congress leader Dr SC Jamir has been conferred with the third-highest civilian award -- Padma Bhushan -- in the field of public affairs on the occasion of 71st Republic Day. Jamir, who is a prominent tribal Congress leader from the northeast, has served five terms as the Chief Minister of Nagaland between 1980 and 1990 and again between 1993 and 2003. The veteran leader, who was a signatory of the 16-point agreement which led to the creation of Nagaland, has also served as the Governor of Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Odisha from 2004 to 2018. Jamir's selection for the coveted award comes as a pleasant surprise given the fact that he has been a vocal critic of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government. The government, which has celebrated the "genius of East and Northeast" had received over 46,000 nominations this year, over 20 times increase as compared to 2014. The unsung service and excellence from every nook and corner of the country have been an important part of the awards every year, which has only got more prominent this year. There cannot be a better example of this than Jamir getting the Padma Bhushan, reinforcing the fact that the current dispensation continues to recognise all those who have contributed to the nation. BJP's Manohar Parrikar, who served as the Chief Minister of Goa and also held the Defence portfolio at the Centre, has also been awarded the Padma Bhushan posthumously. He died last year. BJP stalwarts Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, and socialist George Fernandes have been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award in the country. This year, as many as 141 Padma Awards, including 7 Padma Vibhushan, 16 Padma Bhushan and 118 Padma Shri Awards were approved for conferment by President Ram Nath Kovind. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab, Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh on Sunday joined the nation in celebrating the 71st Republic Day. Republic Day celebrations at most places in the two states were held under tight security arrangements. Police, home guards and NCC contingents took part in parades held in district headquarters in the two states and their joint capital Chandigarh. School students presented colourful dance performances at several places in the region. Punjab Governor V P Singh Badnore unfurled the national flag at the state-level function in Gurdaspur. Haryana Governor Satyadeo Narain Arya unfurled the national flag in Ambala. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh unfurled the national flag in Mohali, while Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar unfurled the tricolour in Jind, officials said. Both Singh and Khattar conveyed their greetings to people on the occasion. Various events were held in district headquarters in Punjab and Haryana, including Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Moga, Bathinda, Panchkula, Karnal and Rupnagar. Ministers of Punjab and Haryana presided over the celebrations in district headquarters. Security has been stepped up across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh in view of Republic Day programmes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An international outbreak of respiratory illness sparked by a novel coronavirus has spread from its origins in central China to at least 11 countries, with more than 1,200 confirmed cases including a presumed case in Canada and over 40 deaths. Like previous outbreaks, including the SARS virus 17 years ago, the flu-like disease poses a risk to economies around the world as fear and confusion lead to abrupt changes in behaviour, decreased economic activity and a ripple effect across sectors that threatens everything from productivity to consumer prices. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome pandemic of 2003 cost the Chinese economy up to US$20 billion, according to the Asian Development Bank, as travel warnings and transit shutdowns discouraged consumption, foreign tourists stayed away and local residents stopped going out. The travel and tourism sectors were most obviously hit, although that ripples through the entire economy, said Richard Smith, a professor of health economics at the University of Exeter Medical School. But many effects are short-lived during an outbreak as once the panic is over people go back to business as usual. Chinese authorities clamped down on mass transit during the SARS outbreak, hampering commutes, shopping runs and social outings. The national securities regulatory commission closed stock and futures markets in Shanghai and Shenzhen for two weeks to prevent viral transmission. And Beijing ordered movie theatres, internet cafes and other venues to shut down temporarily while hotels, conference centres, restaurants and galleries saw visitors almost disappear completely. Chinas response to the current crisis appears to be swifter, and the disease less virulent, but the country now boasts a far more extensive high-speed rail network than it did in 2003, and its economy is six times larger, upping the risk of transmission and the repercussions of an epidemic. China is the engine of the global economy, churning out goods, said German health economist Fred Roeder. Its critical role in international shipping may be thrown into disarray as authorities begin to hold back some ships from entering the port at Wuhan, a key hub on the Yangtze River. If they cannot leave it creates huge delays in the supply chain and value chain of businesses all across the world, Roeder said. It could actually hit the latest generation of smartphone if ports are shutting down. Manufacturing could also feel the crunch as supply chains stall, he said. Roeder has felt firsthand the disruptive power of a pandemic. In the summer of 2003 the teenage Berliner was eagerly gearing up for a United Nations youth conference that would take him to Taipei, but the event was cancelled a few days beforehand due to SARS. The epidemic also sparked layoffs and time away from work. At one point Singapore Airlines asked its 6,600 cabin crew to take unpaid leave. Children stayed home from school, prompting more parents to shirk their job duties and further reducing productivity, said AltaCorp Capital analyst Chris Murray. I was losing guys left, right and centre as people were quarantined, recalled Murray, based in Toronto the epicentre of the SARS pandemic outside of Asia. The disease infected 438 Canadians in total and caused 44 deaths in the Toronto area. The economic damage culminated with World Health Organizations one-week travel advisory for the city in April 2003, costing the Canadian economy an estimated $5.25 billion that year. The outbreak of H1N1, or swine flu, in 2009 also sparked work dislocations, Murray said. It went from, Maybe itll be okay, to sheer panic. Freelancers and gig economy workers such as musicians or ride-hail drivers may feel the pinch more acutely, since they cant rely on a steady wage when demand shrinks. Its something that unfortunately has happened before in a similar way and it tends to affect areas like retail, said Carolyn Wilkins, senior deputy governor of the Bank of Canada, said this week. People dont go out, they dont fly in planes, they dont do as much tourism to the affected areas, she said. The fallout makes workers ranging from servers to wholesale bakers to non-unionized hotel staff more vulnerable. Meanwhile spending or investment plans by larger companies may have to be delayed, said Roeder. It is not clear how lethal the new coronavirus is or even whether it is as dangerous as the ordinary flu, which kills about 3,500 people every year in Canada alone. Still, we should be extremely worried about the economic effects of this, Roeder said, calling on Chinese authorities to work transparently with Western governments and disease control experts to mitigate the crisis. At the end of the day, it hits the entire economy. No one benefits from this. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 25, 2020. Yemen-based Port of Aden has set an all-time record in 2019, witnessing the largest increase in the volume of offloaded cargo in its history, with the support of two cranes provided by Saudi Arabia. The Saudi cranes grant to the port contributed significantly to the higher volumes, both in relief aid and commercial imports. Yemen Ports Authority information director Abdullah Al-Sharafi confirmed an increase of 14 per cent in offloaded cargo over 2018 volumes, in addition to a 17 per cent increase in the number of containers handled, added the report. Al-Sharafi said that the port had unloaded more than five million tonnes of cargo at its container terminal over the course of last year. Aden port also achieved an increase of 14 per cent in dry cargo handling, registering 637,042.5 tonnes. Saudi Arabia has provided the port with two cranes, each with a capacity of 60 tonnes, as part of the support extended to Yemen under the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY). This support includes ports in a number of different Yemeni governorates. Saudi Arabia has also provided one 60-tonne-capacity crane each to Mocha and Mukalla ports, and one 30-tonne crane each to Nishtun and Socotra ports. The importance of Saudi support lies in its power to raise the capacity and efficiency of Yemeni ports in general, thus improving flows of humanitarian aid, medical materials and commercial shipments into the country. The port of Aden resumed work in 2016 after a standstill of nearly five months. Located on the Gulf of Aden on the south coast of Yemen, it is one of the largest natural ports in the world. In 1950, Aden was the second busiest harbour in the world after New York in terms of the number of vessels entering the port, it added. TradeArabia News Service Maryam Sanda, the woman who allegedly stabbed her husband to death in Abuja, will know her fate on Monday when Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court delivers judgment in her protracted trial. The Nigerian police charged her with culpable homicide in November 2017 and are seeking the death penalty in the two-count charge. The victim, Bilyaminu Bello, was the son of a former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Haliru Bello. The killing was premeditated, the police said. Court filings showed Ms Sanda stabbed her husband with a broken bottle at about 3:50 a.m. on the fateful day. The police said she did so with absolute intent to kill him. But the accused pleaded not guilty to the crime. After several attempts, Ms Sanda secured bail with the conditions including an undertaking from her father to produce her in court till the end of the trial. Charges against Maimuna Aliyu, Ms Sandas mother; Aliyu Sanda, her brother, and Sadiya Aminu, her housemaid for allegedly tampering with evidence by cleaning the blood and other proofs from the crime scene were later dropped. The trial has dragged on for almost three years due to delays, multiple adjournments and failure of witnesses to appear in court. Witness Account The storm in the marriage between Maryam and late Bilyaminu reached boiling point on the night of November 18, 2017. Multiple court testimonies, including that of the accused, indicated that the tragedy was triggered by a heated argument between the couples that ill-fated night. Ms Sanda allegedly issued many threats to her husband, including to chop off his sex organ if he declined to grant her divorce, Ibrahim Mohammed, one of the six witnesses called by the prosecution said, according to a PREMIUM TIMES report. He told the court he was with the deceased for over eight hours that night. Mr Mohammed, a friend of Bilayamin, said their argument had degenerated into a fight. Mr Mohammed said he tried disengaging Ms Sandas hand from her husbands neck before she rushed to break a bottle of groundnut on the wall and tried stabbing her husband with it. I held her hands and Bilyamin went behind her and collected the broken bottle from her. She said she would not stop until Bilyamin divorced her that night; that either he divorced her or she would cut his private part, the witness said. Mr Mohammed said Ms Sanda made bold her threat as she launched more violent attacks on the deceased before his eyes. The witness narrated that the first defendant made another attempt to stab her husband after breaking a bottle of perfume, but her husband collected the bottle. The first defendant then went to the kitchen and picked a knife with which she attempted again to stab the deceased. The witness said his late friend sustained several cuts while trying to disarm his wife. Mr Mohammed said he left the house with another friend who he had called to help separate the fight, thinking that calm had been restored only to receive news of his friends death in the morning. I went to Maitama Hospital in the morning and met Bilyaminu lying on a bed in front of the hospital. There was a hole in his chest near the heart, bite on his stomach. There was a cut on his thigh and there was a sign of stitching on him, he said. Sandas Account In her testimony before the court, Ms Sanda admitted that the two-year marriage that produced a baby girl was fraught with quarrels. She, however, denied killing her husband or nursing such intentions. The mother-of-one said trouble started after she discovered nude pictures of another woman in her late husbands phone and confronted him. Ms Sanda said she had asked for a divorce before arguments which continued late into the night snowballed into a fight. Advertisements He pushed me and as I was falling down, I mistakenly broke his Shisha bottle and the water inside spilled on the floor. He pinned me to the ground and I heard our daughter crying. I told him to leave me so that I could attend to her and he loosened up a bit and I struggled to my feet, she narrated. The accused said the deceased fell against the broken Shisha pot in an attempt to hold her down again. I saw a broken bottle pricked into his chest which I removed and covered the chest with a scarf. The young woman said she rushed her husband to Maitama General Hospital where he was confirmed dead. Sketchy Evidence Sandas relatives allegedly assisted her in cleaning up the crime scene and no autopsy was carried out to ascertain the actual cause of Mr Bellos death. Regina Okotie-Eboh, lawyer to the accused, argued that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations. She said the prosecution did not call nurses or doctors from the hospital where the deceased was taken to as witnesses. Mrs Okotie-Ebor added that they failed to tender the knife with which the defendant allegedly used to perpetrate the act. The judge in December fixed January 27 to deliver judgment. Below is a timeline of Ms Sandas trial: November, 23, 2017 The police file murder charges against Ms Sanda. November, 24, 2917 court sends the accused to prison denies her bail application. December, 7, 2017 The court again refuses an oral application for her bail and ordered her to be returned to prison pending her re-arraignment on December 14. December, 14, 2017 the court again refuses and dismisses her bail but granted bail to her three co-defendants. February, 7, 2018 The court again strikes out another bail application made on her behalf. March 7, 2018 Sanda granted bail on health grounds. March 19, 2018 A prosecution witness in the trial disappears after arriving in court. April 19, 2018 Witness narrates how Maryam Sanda allegedly made several attempts to stab her husband before his eventual murder. May 15, 2018 Sandas trial stalled. October 3, 2018 The lawyer representing Sanda, withdraws from the trial. January 23, 2019 Sanda, reveals in a statement that nude pictures on his phone led to the fight that eventually led to his killing. February 27, 2019 Court fixes date for the final address. March 26, 2019 Court fixes date to rule on no-case submission filed by the accused. April 4, 2019 You have a case to answer, court tells Sanda. October 8, 2019 Sanda to open defence on October 16. December 2, 2019 Court to deliver final judgement on January 27, 2020. NEW YORK - Michael Bloomberg on Sunday made his case for the presidency to fellow Jewish Americans, vowing not to revisit U.S. aid to Israel -- an approach that contrasts Bloomberg with several of his Democratic rivals, including his only fellow Jewish candidate in the race, Bernie Sanders. Bloomberg, at a speech announcing a coalition of Jewish American supporters in Florida, vowed he would never impose conditions on U.S. military aid to Israel if elected. Sanders and rivals Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg have all left open the option of leveraging that aid to dissuade the Israeli government from annexation and settlement expansions in the West Bank. As president, I will always have Israels back, said Bloomberg, who served three terms as mayor of New York. It wasnt the only distinction Bloomberg drew with Sanders, a U.S. senator from Vermont. In a line that drew laughs from the audience, he said he was the only Jewish candidate in the race not looking to turn America into a kibbutz, referring to communal Jewish farming co-operatives. Sanders volunteered on a leftist kibbutz in the 1960s, and has championed a democratic socialism that Bloomberg opposes. Bloombergs wide-ranging speech touched on rising acts of violence against American Jews, criticism of President Donald Trump for withdrawing from the Iranian nuclear deal, a strong defence of Israel and the importance of protecting all marginalized groups from hatred and threats. This time is a time of great anxiety in the Jewish community, both around the world, and here at home as ancient hatreds are given fresh currency with new technologies, he said. We are confronted by signs that we thought we would never see outside of old black-and-white newsreels: synagogues attacked, Jews murdered, Nazis marching brazenly and openly by torchlight. But Bloomberg made only passing reference to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying he will not wait three years to release a peace plan for the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, embattled amid an indictment on corruption charges, and his political rival Benny Gantz were set to meet with Trump in Washington this week as the U.S. administration prepares to release its long-in-the-works Middle East peace plan. Former Vice-President Joe Biden, like Bloomberg, has already ruled out the idea of leveraging U.S. military aid to Israel, which has expanded settlements in the West Bank that the Trump administration recently decided to no longer consider a violation of international law. Every Democrat vying to challenge Trump supports an eventual two-state solution that allows Israelis and Palestinians to coexist peacefully in the region. Bloombergs approach to rising anti-Semitism put him more squarely in line with the rest of the Democratic primary field. Like his rivals, the former mayor laid blame at Trumps feet for rising discriminatory episodes targeting Jews as well as other minority groups. Anti-Semitism is the original conspiracy theory, Bloomberg said. And a world in which a president traffics in conspiracy theories is a world in which Jews are not safe. Trump has faced criticism for invoking anti-Semitic tropes, such as his remark last year that Jewish Americans who voted Democratic were disloyal to their religion. Bloomberg accused Trump of trying to use Israel as a wedge issue for his own electoral purposes. But in pairing his sharp criticism of Trump with an acknowledgment that there is no single answer for a recent rise in anti-Semitism, Bloomberg outlined what he described as discrimination against Jews on both the right and the left. Trump signed an executive order last month that empowers the Education Department to pursue a broader swath of potential anti-Semitism complaints on college campuses. That order responds to concern about the discriminatory aftereffects of liberal pro-Palestinian organizing on campuses, but left-leaning Jewish American groups said it risks chilling legitimate criticism of the Israeli governments policies. Bloomberg did not address Trumps order in his speech but his campaign indicated that, despite his commitment to fighting on-campus anti-Semitism, he shares the free speech concerns of the orders critics. The former mayor said Sunday that he would expand the Education Departments anti-bullying campaign so we can put an end to harassment in schools including on college campuses. While Bloombergs speech focused on threats to American Jews, he also criticized a rising tide of hated writ large, against black, Muslim and LGBTQ Americans as well as immigrants. Leadership sets a tone. It is either inclusive or exclusive, divisive or uniting, incendiary or calming, he said. I choose inclusion. I choose tolerance. I choose America. BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao on Saturday took a jibe at Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and said that instead of visiting Ayodhya, he should book a "Hajj Yatra" along with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. "Rather than going to Ayodhya, Uddhav Thackrey should book a Hajj Yatra and go there along with Rahul Gandhi, which will suit his (Thackeray's) ongoing politics," said Rao. His statement came soon after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday asked the Maharashtra CM to take Rahul Gandhi with him to Ayodhya and Senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut counter-questioning if the BJP leaders would take former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti with them on their visit to Ayodhya? "Uddhav Thackeray is in the company of Congress and NCP. He is the Chief Minister of Maharashtra at the mercy of Congress party and Rahul Gandhi, who are openly following appeasement politics," said Rao. "By visiting Ayodhya, Thackeray is only committing a sin and is not doing any favour to anybody. We would rather want him to go with Rahul Gandhi to a place of the latter's choice because today Uddhav Thackeray does not represent the Hindutva which his father did. His party used to pursue it until a few weeks ago," he added. On Saturday, Sanjay Raut had confirmed that Uddhav Thackeray will be visiting Ayodhya on March 7 this year. Shiv Sena had earlier announced that Thackeray will visit Ayodhya to pay homage to Lord Ram on the completion of 100 days of Maha Vikas Aghadi (Shiv Sena-Congress-NCP) government. "On the completion of 100 days of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will visit Ayodhya to pay homage to Lord Ram," said Shiv Sena Spokesperson Sanjay Raut on January 22. He also said that Ministers of alliance partners (Congress, NCP) can also accompany the Chief Minister. The Maha Vikas Aghadi government was formed in November last year after the BJP failed to prove his majority in the State Assembly. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 26) The government is aiming to relocate more informal settlers living near Manila Bay as part of continuing efforts to rehabilitate the waterway. Department of Environment Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu said they plan on relocating families living in Baseco and Parola which are located near waterways that flow directly to Manila Bay within the year. Cimatu also said there are plans to transfer informal settlers living near Pasig River. He said removing informal settlers from these areas would further bring down coliform levels in Manila Bay. On the first anniversary of the launch of the Manila Bay cleanup drive, Cimatu said while government has a long way to go in rehabilitating the Bay, its water quality has greatly improved. DENR data said fecal coliform level at the Baywalk area is now at less than 100 million most probable number (MPN) per 100 milliliters Compared to 300 million last year. Meanwhile, the coliform level at Baseco is now at 53,000 MPN from one million in 2019. The safe level is 100 MPN/100 ml. Cimatu says DENR will also step up its cleanup drive of esteros and waterways leading to Manila Bay to further improve its water quality. While the biggest threat in the so-called "Battle for Manila Bay" is water pollution, it is not limited to human waste. "It's partly true that it's a lot of trash from residential houses, but believe it or not, what killed Pasig River was not plastics, it's a lot of other things. So the DENR's monitoring a lot more than just the solid waste problem. When we look at the whole Manila Bay we look at the nitrates, the phosphates, the heavy metals. And plastics as part of solid waste is only part of the problem," said Paolo Pagaduan, manager of the World Wildlife Fund's Forest for Water program. CNN Philippines correspondent Xianne Arcangel contributed to this report. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 19:36:21|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close Medical workers pose for a group photo before leaving for Hubei Province in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, on Jan. 26, 2020. A team comprised of 137 members from 37 medical institutions in Liaoning left Shenyang for Hubei Province on Sunday to aid the coronavirus control efforts there. (Xinhua/Long Lei) Using a 22-year dataset of plant-caterpillar-parasitoid interactions collected within a patch of protected Costa Rican lowland Caribbean forest, scientists report declines in caterpillar and parasitoid diversity and density that are paralleled by losses in an important ecosystem service: biocontrol of herbivores by parasitoids. The study by University of Nevada, Reno researchers, published in Scientific Reports this week, reveals distressing declines among common caterpillar genera and the ecosystem services provided by their natural enemies. "Declines in herbivore and enemy diversity, as well as parasitism frequency, are partly explained by changes in climate, including increases in extreme precipitation events and increases in mean temperatures," lead author of the study Danielle Salcido said. In 2017, the observation by Professor Lee Dyer, of the University's College of Science, that La Selva Biological Research Station, Costa Rica experienced more frequent flooding events, became the catalyst for a study led by graduate student Salcido to examine patterns in extreme precipitation events and their potential ecological impact for plant-caterpillar-parasitoid interactions in this lowland tropical forest. "La Selva is an isolated patch of forest surrounded by agriculture that is responsible for global exports of banana, pineapple and palm," Salcido said. "Habitat patches like La Selva are source populations of parasitoids that control pest populations in surrounding agriculture plantations. Reductions in parasitism by specialized parasitoids threaten this service and ultimately ecosystem health within the forest." Along with the help of coauthor and University of Nevada, Reno professor, biologist and butterfly expert Matthew Forister, these researchers found staggering declines in caterpillar and parasitoid diversity and density across the 22 years of the study. More than 40% of the 64 common caterpillar genera collected declined in frequency- a result that suggested the loss of entire groups of caterpillar. advertisement Researchers also found an ecological cost associated with the observed losses. Tandem with declines in diversity, was the reduction in parasitism across years- a natural form of biocontrol and important ecosystem service. Observed declines represented a 30% reduction in parasitism over the next 100-years. Increased precipitation variability and shifts in mean maximum and minimum temperatures were the most important climate variables associated with declines in diversity. "We show climate change partially explains the observed declines," Salcido said. "The variable with largest effect in all models was the effect of time, and indicates the role of unmeasured variables such as surrounding land-use change and pesticide use." In the decades prior to the study, much of the forest surrounding La Selva was deforested for pasture which was converted to high-yield, high input plantation farming such that pesticide use increased substantially during the years of the study. Time-lag effects of extreme climate events were a notable contributor to the reduction in parasitism. advertisement "We found floods in a given year affected parasitism in the subsequent year," she said. "Caterpillar-parasitoid interactions are intimately linked and depend on narrow windows for synchronous development. Subtle shifts in host and parasitoid population cycles due to variable lag effects can have major consequences for these highly-specialized and synched interactions." Declines in insect biodiversity reported in this study come as little surprise amidst a recognized global biodiversity crisis. This study maintains a level of urgency to the matter of insect declines and more importantly, has revealed the vulnerability of the most speciose regions and taxa even within protected habitats, and the role of extreme climate events on ecosystem function. "This dataset represents one of few of its kind and is notable for the contribution by Earthwatch community scientists," Salcido said. "Ideally results like ours provide an impetus for policy change that promotes research, conservation and management. In the least, we hope it motivates continued research related to the ecological effects of global change drivers in the tropics." The data used for this study is primarily collected by continuous teams of community scientists the scientists bring to the site each year, which highlights the importance of harnessing public participation for the success and longevity of long-term and continuous tropical collection and monitoring. The Paper in the Nature research journal Scientific Reports, "Loss of dominant caterpillar genera in a protected tropical forest," was authored by Salcido, Forister, Humberto Garcia-Lopez and Dyer. Forister and Dyer recently coauthored, with 70 other scientists from around the world, a second paper in the Nature publication Nature Ecology and Evolution titled "International scientists formulate a roadmap for insect conservation and recovery" that is testament to the call-to-action prompted from increased public awareness on insect declines. Their road map to insect conservation and recovery was published this week. China to offer assistance as US, France rush to evacuate citizens from Wuhan amid coronavirus outbreak Global Times By Zhang Hui and Chen Qingqing Source:Global Times Published: 2020/1/26 17:00:52 China will provide necessary support as countries including the US and France rush to evacuate their citizens from Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak which had killed at least 56 and infected over 2,000 people in China. The US State Department said on Sunday it will relocate personnel at its Wuhan consulate through a flight bound for San Francisco on Tuesday, Reuters reported. When asked about the US evacuation, China's foreign ministry said Sunday China is following international norms and relevant virus-preventative rules to make arrangements and provide necessary support. Gao Fei, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times that China should understand and respect the evacuation of foreign citizens from Wuhan during this unusual period, as every country is obligated to protect its citizens. According to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the receiving state should grant facilities to allow persons enjoying privileges and immunities to leave, and it must, in case of need, place at their disposal the necessary means of transport for themselves and their property. The Chinese government will offer foreign citizens possible transportation services and accommodation, and other possible assistance required by relevant countries, in accordance with the Convention, Gao said. South Korea and France are also planning to evacuate their citizens from the city. South Korea has confirmed its third case of novel coronavirus, and the country's foreign ministry has raised its travel advisory level for Wuhan and Hubei Province to a red alert, recommending that its citizens evacuate the region, according to the Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency. The French consulate in Wuhan said in a statement on its official website that it is considering establishing a bus service so that French citizens and their families can leave the city. An emergency phone line has been established. Several countries including the US and Japan are lending a helping hand. US scientists are racing to create vaccines for the new coronavirus, and Japanese residents have donated protective masks to Wuhan, according to media reports. "This again proves that we can only overcome difficulties through cooperation and unity," Gao said. Li Haidong, a professor at Institute of International Relations under the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times that China's evacuation assistance will focus on facilitating the departures of relevant individuals, particularly in terms of procedures and transportation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Dr Sushovan Banerjee, better known to the residents of West Bengal's Bolpur as 'Ek Takar Daktar' (one rupee doctor) for treating poor patients for just a rupee, on Sunday gave credit for his Padma Shri award to the people "for whom he has dedicated his life". Dr Banerjee is among the four Padma Shri awardees from West Bengal this year. "I have been treating patients for 57 years. The Padma Shri was possible only because of them. I dedicate the award to them," Dr Banerjee told PTI over the phone. The ex-Congress MLA from Birbhum district's Bolpur seat said he received a "congratulatory call" from former President Pranab Mukherjee, with whom Banerjee says he shares a cordial relation. "Mr Mukherjee sees me as his younger brother. He had called me up to congratulate me on Saturday evening. I told him that when one brother is a Bharat Ratna, then another should also get something," Dr Banerjee chuckled. The former MLA said he was surprised on knowing that he was in the list of Padma awardees this year. "I was a Congress MLA. It was surprising for me that the BJP government at the Centre chose me for this award. Nevertheless, I am grateful to them," he said. Dr Banerjee said getting selected for the Padma Shri award was the "third memorable moment of his life". "The first was when I had received a gold medal in DCP degree and second was when people of Bolpur voted me as their MLA in 1984," he said. Banerjee had graduated from RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata before completing a PG degree in Pathology from Calcutta University after which he headed to London for a diploma in Haematology. After working as a senior registrar in London for four years, Dr Banerjee chose to return to his native Bolpur to serve the needy. Apart from Dr Banerjee, the Padma Shri was conferred on three others from West Bengal -- Dr Arunoday Mondal (Medicine), Kazi Masum Akhtar (Literature and Education) and Manilal Nag (Art). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Direct flights can spur more tourist arrivals from France By Jayampathy Jayasinghe View(s): View(s): Non availability of direct flights from France to Sri Lanka has affected French tourists visiting Sri Lanka and to facilitate tourist arrivals from Paris to Colombo direct flights will be beneficial, said the Chairman of Salaun Holidays of France Michelle Salaun following the opening of a Computer Centre at the temple of Audangawa at Sigiriya, at the weekend. He said although the flow of French tourists to Sri Lanka slowed down over the years, it has been picking up gradually. Arrivals of tourists from France to Sri Lanka this year will be the same as two years ago and Salaun Holidays in France is aggressively promoting Sri Lanka as a holiday destination for the French tourists. He stressed the importance of giving adequate publicity on French newspapers and in television advertisements on Sri Lanka as a safe holiday destination. We were able to bring down French and Belgian media groups, promotin Sri Lanka as a holiday destination. A combination package tour has been arranged for French tourists to visit Dubai and Sri Lanka where they will stay for 10 days in Sri Lanka and two days in Dubai with an arrangement made with the Emirates Group. Asked whether French tourists come here seeking native health herbal care treatment, he said publicity in the French media can help promote such products. French Ambassador for Sri Lanka Eric Lavertu, also speaking at the opening of the computer centre, said that the tourist community in France and people in Sri Lanka have contributed to the setting of up of this Computer Centre as a private project to educate the youth in the area which is frequented by many tourists. Chandra Wickremasinghe, Chairman of Connaissance de Ceylan and Theme Resorts & Spas, said that they believe in sustainable tourism specially in an area such as Audangawa, Sigiriya. We built 96 rooms six years ago and today we have 420 rooms employing 850 people at the Aliya Resort & Apas at Audangawa, Sigiriya. He said that a charitable organisation that belongs to his group have set up computer centres in the island to offer free computer and English training programmes to students in those areas. This was the fourth Computer Centre set up in Audangawa area to educate students who lack such facilities in their schools .There are 2500 students at the Dambulla School nearby with only 15 computers and the school at Digampathana close by with 450 students has one computer for all the students. The projects are also funded by Salaun Holidays in France and the money spent on the building and computers is around Rs. 5 million, Mr. Wickramasinghe said. Omg.... I saw your comment first, then the post loaded and the photo popped up. My god! Reply Parent Thread Link Sort of like if James Franco, leather bag era Johnny Depp, and meth had a baby Reply Parent Thread Link Legit. Thats rough Reply Parent Thread Link he looks like a KKK member Reply Parent Thread Link He's looking like complete shit. Reply Thread Link He looks like he's slowly transforming into Jim Carrey in that close-up Reply Parent Thread Link He's very ill Edited at 2020-01-26 12:03 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link "Cried into wife Hailey Biebers neck" ...why do I feel like that's a regular activity for them Reply Thread Link Because it is Reply Parent Thread Link Well, he is a Pisces. That's their thing. Reply Parent Thread Link I take offense to this! :D I have no shoulder to try on Reply Parent Thread Link What kind of deranged person invites people over in a professional capacity and then announces that he's leaving to...go have sex???? That's so weird and gross. Reply Thread Link Oh shit, I skimmed over that. Ahahahaha oh man, if you need a whole book on how to not have affairs, you're fucking doomed. Like...don't sleep with other people! This isn't rocket science! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Me reading each sentence of this post: Reply Thread Link My butt eating Reply Parent Thread Link Oooh lmao Reply Parent Thread Link I can hear this gif Reply Parent Thread Link his and hailey's relationship seems like a mess, they obv got married too fast and are struggling (i always think of hailey doing that vogue interview like three months after they got married where she was sharing her insights on how hard marriage is). then add the extreme christianity on top of it. that book is a big yikes. what's going on with his face, i feel like he's just hiring lookalikes to walk around and pretend to be him Edited at 2020-01-25 11:58 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link Lol, on the last end of your comment. Reply Parent Thread Link Also the fact that he didnt talk to her for two years right before they got engaged. Lol I feel bad for her Reply Parent Thread Link Oh my God, those close ups of him at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He looks horrible and unhealthy as fuck. Reply Thread Link it's sad that it's so obvious he's unwell and still on this promo train.. I don't think this comeback will end well at all Reply Thread Link Yummy flopped and when the albums flops it's going to send him spiralling. He hasn't seemed stable enough to deal with that kind of thing in years. Reply Parent Thread Link Did you see all those tour dates? How is going to make it through them? Reply Parent Thread Link I do feel bad for him, that doesn't mean I'm justifying him being a shitty person but he has serious issues that could take a toll on him very soon. Reply Parent Thread Link this is......so much Reply Thread Link he looks like shit. he looks like shit. Reply Thread Link the kidz have moved onto Harry Styles and Shawn Mendes. Reply Parent Thread Link It makes me laugh that TORI KELLY is front and center in those pics whereas the few actually successful stars present (Hailee, Shawn, Sam) are pushed to the back/sides Reply Thread Link Where she belongs. Reply Parent Thread Link Tori Kelly is getting invited to things in 2020? Reply Thread Link Imagine hearing about Tori Kelly in 2020. Reply Parent Thread Link Began crying profusely and heaving sobs during his opening speech...Mocked himself for crying so much. Ive gotta get it together Im gonna go shoot myself. (He clarified he was joking) this dude is so deeply unwell. i still can't believe he's trying to do a whole album/tour circuit like it's nothing. Reply Thread Link it's just lyme disease!! Reply Parent Thread Link Yea, exactly. Didn't he cancel like half of the Purpose tour?? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link For real. I think Scooter is such a shithead because he definitely seems to push his acts when they are unstable as fuck. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I cant imagine what this was like to witness in person. Reply Parent Thread Link hailey is gonna be pregnant soon and girl, you will regret it Reply Thread Link Nah, that will make them stay together a little longer. Almost always babies will put a bandaid on the relationship temporarily. Reply Parent Thread Link LOL literally everyone I know who had a band aid baby was separated by the time the kid was 2. I think it seems to work in the short run because because people are too exhausted and in shock to be able to leave so they just silently resent the fuck out of each other until they can get enough rest to function again. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link A police team has retrieved a box containing a powdery substance from the bank locker of the man who is suspected to have planted a bomb at the airport here last week, police said on Sunday. Aditya Rao, who was taken by the team on Saturday to the bank in Udupi besides a few other places he had frequented in the past, told the police that that powder was cyanide. The probe team, led by ACP K U Belliappa, sent the box to Forensic Science Laboratory for examination, police said. The man, a native of Manipal, had the locker at Kunjibettu branch of Karnataka Bank in Udupi. A family member had reportedly mentioned to the police that the 36-year old Rao had wanted to commit suicide by consuming poison. Rao was also taken to Malpe near Udupi from where he had made the hoax call to the airport that a bomb had been placed in the IndiGo flight to Bengaluru on the same day he placed the bomb near the ticket counter of the airport. He confessed to the police of having made the bomb threat call to the terminal manager, police said. After the call, he dumped the SIM card and left for Bengaluru where he surrendered to the police on January 22. Police, however, could not retrieve the SIM card. Rao, under ten days police custody, will be taken later to Karkala where he worked in a restaurant, police said. A 'live' explosive device was found in an unattended bag near a ticket counter of the departure gate of the airport here on January 20, triggering a scare before it was defused at a nearby open ground. Police had released a picture of a man captured on CCTV camera as the suspect who placed the bomb and Rao later surrendered. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A man is recovering in the hospital after investigators say that his wife struck him with her car, and then pinned him between two vehicles in northwest Harris County. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. Sunday near the 6600 block of Breen Drive. You are here: World Flash An Iranian passenger plane made an emergency landing at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport on Saturday, semi-official Iranian Student News Agency (ISNA) reported. The flight 9716, enroute from Tehran to Istanbul, made the emergency landing when it faced a technical problem minutes after take-off, according to the report. The Airbus 306 belongs to Iran Air Tour airline, ISNA said. Parsons Court is a quiet estate of neat terraced and semi-detached houses and apartments. The homes are arranged around a large, well-maintained grassy park and a playground area tucked away to the side. It was dark last Friday evening when a woman was seen making her way past the grass park and on to the main street in Newcastle. Neighbours have reported back to gardai that she seemed distracted and upset. At some point she turned right and walked along the main street of the town for a few hundred yards. There at Newcastle Cemetery, passing motorists noticed the woman, distressed and anguished, according to garda sources. A taxi driver stopped and, although the precise circumstances are not clear, or whether he knew her, he helped her into his car and drove her the few hundred yards home. Expand Close SHOCK: Flowers left outside the house at Parsons Court. All news photos: Fergal Phillips / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp SHOCK: Flowers left outside the house at Parsons Court. All news photos: Fergal Phillips According to neighbours, the woman collapsed beside the taxi. One man stood on the balcony of his apartment, alerted by the commotion outside. The neighbour, who asked not to be named, described how he saw a woman slumped on the ground, with other people attempting to support her. He didn't know at that stage what was going on. Someone called the emergency services. An ambulance arrived at 7.45pm, just as Andrew McGinley, the children's father, drove home to his family. He turned into Parsons Court, and drove towards their terraced house with the green front door. He saw the ambulance treating a woman on the ground, the mother of his children. He went into the house, past the handwritten note, propped conspicuously against a bicycle. "Don't go upstairs. Call 999," the note instructed. Mr McGinley found his children dead. One child downstairs, the other two upstairs; Conor (9) Darragh (7) and Carla (3), three adorable blonde-haired children. They were dressed in their day clothes, according to an informed source. Gardai later established the boys had been to school that day. The two boys went to Scoil Chronain primary school in nearby Rathcoole. The older boy had been picked up earlier than usual at lunchtime that Friday. Gardai arrived a short time later and soon the family home became a crime scene. According to one source, there was no sign of force or visible injuries of any kind. But that did not detract from the horror of the scene. The children's mother, distraught and disoriented, was taken to Tallaght Hospital. The children's bodies remained in their home overnight while the specialist teams concluded their work. The children's bodies were removed from the house yesterday morning. They were placed in waiting ambulances to be taken to the City Morgue for post-mortems to establish how each of them died. A garda source said one line of inquiry being investigated by detectives is that the children may have been sedated, possibly by injection, and died of a lethal overdose or by suffocation. Newcastle has a reputation as being a good place to raise a family. The houses are a little more affordable than in Dublin city centre. Housing estates and apartments shot up during the boom, but the town still has a feel of the rural village it once was. The McGinley family were relatively recent arrivals at Parsons Court. They are believed to have moved there last year. Deirdre Morley, the children's mother, is a nurse who worked at a hospital in Dublin. "The kids were quiet little kiddies They were fabulous, just fabulous," said one neighbour. Read More Constantin, the caretaker of Parsons Court, said he saw the children playing outside the house. "I think they had a dog, a small one. I remember, because when I would brush outside of the house it would get noisy," he said. "It's a tragedy. Today, I came here to see if this is real." A few doors down from the McGinley home, a couple stood in their doorway, red-eyed and tearful, speaking with disbelief about the family they came to know and like. "This is a huge loss," said the man. "We liked them straight away. They were lovely normal people and now we just can't understand what has happened." The couple, who didn't want to be identified, have two children of their own, a boy and girl, aged 11 and nine, and Conor and Darragh often called to their home to play with them. "Conor was nine years old, almost 10, and Darragh was seven, almost eight. They were lovely boys," she said. "Their mother liked to take walks with her little girl. She was at home a lot with the children." They struggled with what to tell their children. They were using the Parsons Court WhatsApp Group to communicate and share their shock. Earlier yesterday morning, they had attended a special Mass at Saint Finian's Church, organised by co-parish priest Fr Kevin Doherty. The small old church was full and some women wept openly. In the sacristy after Mass, Fr Doherty told The Sunday Independent that when grief comes to a family or community it can "leave a calling card of darkness and disillusionment". The community of Newcastle was a larger family that had suffered a very tragic loss, he said. No words were adequate but the presence of the people together in the church was important, he said. "We pray especially for all parents and children," he said. Darkness had come "but the light is among us... each of us can be light to the other". A book of condolences lay open at the back of the church. Many of the messages were simple, direct and poignant: 'Spread your wings, Little Angels, rest in peace,' 'Rest easy, baby girl, you were always our angel,' 'God bless you, Little Angels,' and 'RIP Little Angels. You are with God now and He will look after you.' At the church gates afterwards, a 24-year-old man stood in the morning chill with his two adult sisters and a baby niece. The three had grown up in Newcastle and, although the tragic family had not lived long in the community, they wanted to show sympathy and solidarity. The young man said: "I was training with Saint Finian's GAA club last night in Abbotstown when word came that three children had been found dead. I didn't really believe it. It's hard to take in." The village is full of families, with children similar in age to Conor, Darragh and Carla. One young mother ushered her three past the entrance to Parsons Court and along the main street, her eyes filled with tears. She didn't want to give her name and she didn't know the family personally. She met someone she used to work with earlier yesterday. "She was crying, and she said, 'I thought it could be you until I saw you active on Facebook,'" she said. "It makes you feel that little bit more sick. It just hits home," she added. "I didn't sleep last night. I was thinking of the children, just thinking that at 7pm, I was sitting down watching Emmerdale, eating my dinner and there were those three babies." She placed a hand on her child's shoulder and clutched the buggy with the other. "It's terrible, unimaginable." The front of the two-storey terraced house where the children died was festooned with more than two dozen bouquets of flowers. A card on one of the colourful bunches stated simply: "Three little angels." A solitary brown teddy bear sat on the windowsill above the blossoms. At one point, three men walked up to the house carrying three bunches of flowers. They lay them beside the front door and then walked away in silence. Earlier yesterday, gardai restricted traffic from driving into the small private estate by stretching tape across the entrance road. A woman, who lives at the entrance of the estate, carried a bunch of flowers and laid them on the wall where the garda tape was tethered. Gardai gathered at Clondalkin garda station last night to consider the preliminary results of the post-mortems on the three children. The results have not been disclosed. They are expected to launch an investigation into how the three young children met their deaths at home last Friday afternoon. A man who hid nearly 1,000 pills plus other drugs up his backside to smuggle them into prison has been jailed for seven months. Dopey jailbird Liam Clarke (25) was caught with the drugs on his return to prison after being granted compassionate bail to attend a funeral. The Belfast man was on his way back to Maghaberry Prison when guards "suspected he was trafficking substances inside his person", Craigavon Crown Court was told. A jail source said staff "knew fine rightly" he had something up his backside as "he couldn't walk properly". But in court last Tuesday, prosecuting lawyer Joseph Murphy said simply that as a result of their suspicions, Clarke was put into a "dry cell for observation" on his return after Christmas 2017. It wasn't until 10 days later on January 8, 2018, that staff had anything to observe. "The cell was searched and staff found a number of items in the bedding including two large clear plastic wraps of yellow tablets and a clear bag of white powder and a brown resin substance," said Mr Murphy. Later that same day, a further plastic wrapped package of white powder was uncovered "in the chamber pot," the court heard. Clarke admitted the tablets were Diazepam, the brown resin cannabis and the white powder was pregabalin, also known as Lyrica. Mr Murphy said that in total, Clarke had managed to hide 900 diazepam tablets, eight grams of cannabis resin and 28 grams of pregabalin powder, revealing that he has some 13 previous convictions for drug offences, and was in breach of a suspended sentence at the time of the seizure. Although Clarke, from Cherry Walk in Dunmurry, declined to be interviewed by cops, he later pleaded guilty to having class C diazepam with intent to supply, simple possession of class B cannabis and having a medicinal product, namely pregabalin, with intent to supply. Mr Murphy submitted that although Clarke had admitted the offences, the fact that he "abused the compassion shown to him by the High Court and his relevant record" were aggravating features. Clarke had previously found himself in the dock alongside his own mother and another man, accused of planning a UK-wide diazepam supply network. In 2015, Belfast Crown Court heard how cops examined more than 30,000 text messages as part of an investigation into the supply of prescription drugs into Northern Ireland from mainland UK. Packages containing 30,000 pills were intercepted at a depot in Belfast in August 2014 after being sent from Stoke-on-Trent. Clarke was handed a two-year sentence while his mum, 49-year-old Kelly Clarke, from Ardoyne Road in Belfast, was given a suspended jail sentence. Last Tuesday, defence counsel Richard McConkey claimed that when he had been freed to attend the funeral, Clarke "was put under pressure" to smuggle the drugs back into the maximum security prison. "He was on remand for more serious offences but those never even got to the committal stage," revealed the lawyer. That "more serious offence" was an attempted murder charge arising from a man in his 20s being "repeatedly stabbed in the head and body" during an incident at Ballynafoy Close, just off the Ravenhill Road, in November 2017. The victim received 30 stitches for knife wounds inflicted to his temple, shoulders, back and arms but charges against Clarke of attempted murder and having a weapon were later dropped. Mr McConkey urged the judge not to send Clarke to jail for the smuggling offences, saying: "He needs guidance and support from probation, not just for his own sake but to reduce the likelihood of him coming back to court." But jailing Clarke, Judge Patrick Lynch QC said it was clear the drugs were "obviously for distribution in the prison itself" and issued a warning that "the integrity of the prison service regarding drugs of any sort cannot be tolerated." 1,230 medical workers to assist Wuhan amid coronavirus epidemic PLA Daily Source: China Daily Editor: Chen Zhuo 2020-01-25 16:34:18 The National Health Commission has set up six medical teams with a total of 1,230 personnel to assist in the response to the novel coronavirus epidemic in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province on Saturday. Three medical teams from Shanghai, South China's Guangdong and the People's Liberation Army have arrived in Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak. Six reserve medical teams are on standby. Experts in critical care medicine also have been appointed to strengthen clinical guidance for the treatment of patients. To ensure the timely treatment of suspected and confirmed cases, Wuhan, on the basis of two designated hospitals and 61 fever clinics in the epidemic's early stage, commandeered 24 local general hospitals in three batches and temporarily transformed them into hospitals for admission of fever patients, according to the requirements of infectious disease prevention and treatment institutions, as of Saturday. There are now more than 4,000 beds with another 6,000 to be available by the end of the month. The city would promptly commandeer a fourth batch of hospitals depending on how the situation develops. According to the National Health Commission, deaths from the novel coronavirus rose to 41 on the Chinese mainland as of Friday at midnight, with 1,287 confirmed cases. The commission also strengthened the nationwide work plan, revised and issued diagnosis and treatment, prevention and control plans for cases. It also improved the daily report system and the system for monitoring pneumonia with unknown causes and triage of preclinical examination for fever. Governments at all levels have published the list of designated medical institutions for fever clinics and pneumonia diagnosis and treatment. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ive never really felt homesick or lonely in fact, I made things official by becoming an Australian citizen five years ago. Its probably relatively easy for Brits to get used to the Australian way of life because were quite similar, but what I love about Australia is not only that its bright and sunny and filled with exotic animals although I do enjoy that but that its a place where it feels like anything is possible. It doesnt matter who you are or where you come from, you have as good a shot as anyone else to fulfil your ambitions. It doesnt get any better than that. Adjusting to Australian life hasnt been easy, but Im getting the hang of it. Jen Plahm, a 37-year-old PR consultant from Chicago, US, was working in Utah when she met Australian travel writer Craig Tansley. They married last July, two years after her move to Queensland. Jen Plahm and Craig Tansley. If someone had said to me that I would one day move not only to Australia, but to the Gold Coast I would have thought they were crazy. I travelled to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne each year for work, so, while the other cities werent unfamiliar, it was Melbourne that I felt connected to. With its fashion, lifestyle and weather, it reminds me of Chicago, which is another way of saying it feels a lot like home. Meeting Craig was just as surprising. Id moved to Park City in Utah for work, but it wasnt exactly noted for its dating scene for my age group lots of 24-year-old ski bros or married men. Craig arrived in 2015 as part of a group media famil [familiarisation] that I was looking after and we hit it off right away, so much so that he extended his stay after everyone else went home. For the five days I hosted him, we spent our time doing the most insanely romantic things any two people could do: hot-air ballooning, horseback riding, candlelit dinners, and by the time I dropped him off at the airport, we were both like, How can we make this work? Loading Moving to Australia was not what you would call easy. We spent time travelling before we decided to settle on the Gold Coast, where Craigs family is, but there was so much paperwork and expense. We werent in the habit of putting photos of each other on our social media accounts, so that was an issue because those things are checked, as are the dates and times of any activities youve done together, letters or emails youve written, and even shared bills. After 20 months of work, I got my de facto visa and Im waiting to receive my permanent residency. I cant become an Australian citizen because it would mean having to forfeit my US citizenship; quite an ask. Living by the ocean and the change of pace are two of the things I love most about living in Australia. Here, people are relaxed and not so caught up with what you do or where you went to school. Its more about getting to know who you are as a person and I respect that. Also, in America you get two weeks off a year, but in Australia theres a holiday every other week and thats a way of life I can really get behind! The adjustment to Australian life hasnt been as easy as I thought it would be, but Im starting to get the hang of it. At first, Craig would have to explain some of the common words that are shortened, such as Chrissie and servo, but now that Ive started asking How are you going? rather than How are you doing?, Im certain the rest will follow. It would be difficult to find anyone who loves Australia more than I do The relationship that brought her to Australia may not have worked out but Lucy Pearson, a 33-year-old book blogger at The Literary Edit, insists the best mistake I ever made led her to a love far greater. Lucy Pearson. You never expect your life to take on a different path just by catching the ferry, but sometimes it can be as simple as that. It was during a three-week holiday out here in 2015 that I raced to get onto the Manly ferry after a festival. I started talking to a guy with bare feet and a happy, relaxed attitude and when he asked me out on a date to watch the sunset over in Watsons Bay [in Sydneys eastern suburbs], I couldnt say yes fast enough; our connection was electric. I cancelled my flight to Melbourne two days later, spent six days with him, then decided to pack up my life in London to move back here to be with him. It was all based on a feeling. Youd find it difficult to find anyone who loves Sydney as much as I do now, but I was never unhappy in England. I had a great job, lived in a lovely house, earned lots of money and enjoyed the company of a wonderful group of friends and family. It was only once I arrived here that I realised what a special place Australia is. Loading As my relationship with the guy began unravelling not long after I arrived, my passion for the country and for Sydney itself intensified. I love the relaxed nature of the locals (good luck finding a guy whod want to take you to watch a sunset back in England) and the community feeling you get, but its the coastal walks, the daily ocean swims and, yes, you know Im going to say the weather. The heartache when we finally broke up was painful, but I still swear he was the best mistake Ive ever made because he led me to my true love: Australia. By IANS LUCKNOW: Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad will soon address women protesting against the amended citizenship law at the Clock Tower in Lucknow. His lawyer, Mehmood Pracha, said: "Chandra Shekhar will soon come here to address protesters. As the court has now lifted ban on his participation in any kind of protest. He can come here any day." Pracha had visited the protesters at the Clock Tower with other leaders of Bhim Army and interacted with the women protesters for nearly an hour. He said: "According to Chandra Shekhar, CAA not only exempts Muslims of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, but also Hindus living in Middle East, Europe, US and East Asian countries. "The law is selective and is not based on compassionate grounds. If a Hindu is being oppressed in any other country, what will the government do?" Pracha said Chandra Shekhar has asked women to stay courageous to win the battle. Speaking on the writ petition which he has filed in the Allahabad High Court against police and administrative officials for alleged violation of human rights of protesters during the December 19 protests, Pracha said the court has fixed January 27 as the date of hearing. Chhattisgarh Governor Anusuiya Uikey on Sunday said that Naxal violence and other crimes have declined in the state due to vigilant police force and several initiatives in justice delivery. In her Republic Day address to the state at the Police Parade grounds here, Uikey also hailed the government's three-pronged strategy of "trust, development and security" to improve the law and order situation in the state. "Vigilant police force and justice delivery initiatives have resulted in reduction of Naxal violence and other offences. The Naxal rehabilitation action plan of the state has been made more attractive," she said. "With its three-tier strategy of trust, development and security, the state government has improved the law and order situation in the state. Several steps like giving weekly offs and response allowance to police force have boosted their morale," she said. Besides, public awareness campaign is being run to prevent crimes related to chit funds, human trafficking and cyber crimes. The state has established a new paradigm of community policing through its initiatives like Janamitra, Village Defence Committees, Senior Citizen Cell, Women's Help Desk etc, she added. Lauding various schemes of the state government, the governor said, "My government has taken such a new initiative in the last one year, due to which every citizen's confidence of getting equal opportunity and justice has gone up." The state government is primarily focusedon ensuring relief to the most backward regions, weakest sections and needy people of the state. Returning acquired land of villagers in Lohandiguda (Bastar), hike in remuneration for tendu leaves collection to Rs 4000 per standard sacks,reviewing cancelled forest rights claims, withdrawing criminal cases against tribals, purchase of 22 minor forest produce on support price, nutrition campaign and many other decisions were taken in this direction, she said. The decisions of purchasing paddy at Rs 2,500 per quintal and loan waiver have also encouraged the farmers, she added. "There has been a tremendous expansion of road infrastructure in the state. In one year, construction of 28 major bridges were completed while 119 are in progress, she said. Earlier, the governor unfurled the tricolour and received the guard of honour from the joint parade of the various units of security personnel including CRPF, CISF, ITBP, Maharashtra Reserve Police Force and Chhattisgarh Armed Force, and National Cadet Corps, National Service Scheme, Scout and Guide students at the Parade Ground. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The family of a Welsh journalist who uncovered the horrific truth about a Ukranian famine claims an upcoming film's depiction of him eating the remains of a dead boy is one of 'multiple fictions' invented by the screenwriter. Gareth Jones travelled to the Soviet Union and onto Ukraine in 1933. There, he uncovered truths about the Holodomor, a horrific famine that claimed the lives of millions. The family of Welsh journalist Gareth Jones whose life story is the subject of upcoming movie have claimed the writer has 'invented multiple fictions' about his time in the Soviet Union and Ukraine The film 'Mr Jones' which is due to be released on February 7 shows Jones - played by James Norton - eating the remains of a young boy. But Jones's great-nephew Philip Colley said this is completely false. He told The Sunday Times: 'He didnt witness any dead bodies or any cannibalism, let alone take part in any. 'Theyve made Gareth a victim of the famine, rather than a witness.' The film - based on a biography of Jones called More Than a Grain of Truth - also depicts Jones trying to get an interview with Joseph Stalin, meeting George Orwell and with a love interest, all of which was untrue. The film Mr Jones which is due to be released on February 7 shows Jones (pictured) - played by James Norton - eating the remains of a young boy Jones died at the age of 29 in in 1935. His cause of death is still disputed. In Ukraine itself the Holodmor which translates to hunger extermination is often seen as the equivalent of the Holocaust, a gigantic, man-made operation to murder millions of people. The famine that struck Ukraine in late 1932 and 1933 was one of the most lethal catastrophes in European history. It saw starving children, mass graves, vigilantes, even cannibalism. A film spokesman said: 'This project is inspired by true events, and like all narrative films, it adds fictional elements to underscore themes and create a cohesive feature.' The film (pictured) - based on a biography of Jones called More Than a Grain of Truth - also depicts Jones trying to get an interview with Joseph Stalin, meeting George Orwell and with a love interest, all of which was untrue Chinas health minister has warned that the outbreak of coronavirus which has already killed 56 people worldwide appears to be getting stronger. Ma Xiaowei said that the viruss ability to spread was increasing and warned that officials were not clear about the risks of the virus mutating. Health minister Ma Xiaowei speaks at a press conference on Sunday. (Getty) He added that it was likely the number of cases would continue to rise and confirmed that there have been 2,057 cases of coronavirus globally. Chinese President Xi Jinping also warned the spread of a deadly new virus is accelerating. During a special government meeting on the Lunar New Year public holiday he told officials China is facing a grave situation. Medical staff treat a patient in the Chinese city of Wuhan. (Getty) It comes as the British government warned its nationals to leave he Chinese province at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak. The Foreign Office updated its guidance to advise against all travel to Hubei province, which has been on lockdown for several days as China seeks to contain the illness. But the guidance also added: If you are in this area and able to leave, you should do so. This is due to the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak. It came as the number of people tested for coronavirus in the UK passed 30 although there are still no confirmed cases. READ MORE FROM YAHOO NEWS UK: As of Saturday afternoon, 31 people across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland had been tested for the deadly flu-like virus, but all tests have come back negative, according to the Department of Health (DoH). There are also no confirmed diagnoses in UK citizens abroad, and the risk to the public is still classed as low. Meanwhile, health officials are continuing to track down around 2,000 people who have recently flown into the UK from Wuhan, the area of China worst affected by the outbreak. Story continues The DoH confirmed it is trying to find as many passengers as we can who arrived from the region in the past two weeks to check on their wellbeing. Englands Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said there was a fair chance cases would emerge in Britain as the overall number reported around the world climbed to around 2,000 including 56 deaths, which have all occurred in China. The professor spoke following a meeting of the Governments Cobra emergency committee in Whitehall on Friday, chaired by Health Secretary Matt Hancock. He said: I am working closely with the other UK chief medical officers. We all agree that the risk to the UK public remains low, but there may well be cases in the UK at some stage. He added: The UK has access to some of the best infectious disease and public health experts in the world. A public health hub will be set up in Heathrow from today. This consists of clinicians and other public health officials, in addition to existing port health measures. After a day of apprehension and anger, cold water was restored late Saturday night to Toronto residents of a condo tower described as the tallest in Canada. An email sent to residents at 1 a.m. Sunday by the company that manages the Aura condo tower said cold water to 995 condo units had been restored at 11 p.m. Saturday. Residents will gradually receive normal water pressure to their units. Hot water will be available shortly, the email said, adding that crews were still on site. We take this opportunity to thank all our residents for their continued patience and understanding during this frustrating work period, read the email, from ICC Property Management and the condos board of directors. We sincerely apologize for the immense inconvenience caused. Water at the Aura tower was cut off at 2 a.m. Saturday when a booster pump failed, according to the first email received early Saturday by residents from the property management company. It described the pump as unique and specially designed for the Aura building. It then added: Repair process takes at least seven weeks and urged residents to find alternatives. That sent many residents scrambling to stock up on water bottles or to seek temporary accommodation with friends or in nearby hotels. Frustrations mounted as groups of concerned residents gathered in the lobby while representatives of the management company were nowhere to be found. The building, at the corner of Yonge and Gerrard streets, has 80 storeys, according to the website of the towers builder, Canderel Residential, which calls it Canadas tallest residential condominium. Residents say the buildings 995 condos are on 79 of those storeys. They estimate the number of residents at about 2,000. In its initial email, the management company had blamed the pump failure on low water pressured caused by a broken city water main, adding it would hold the city responsible for all damages caused. It later said multiple water pumps that service the building had failed earlier in the month and ordered replacements didnt arrive before the final pump failed. City of Toronto spokesperson Brad Ross told the Star that the city had been triple-checking water pressure in the area after hearing complaints from Aura residents. We have found no issues related to pressure or water service from the citys end to the building, Ross said in an email to the Star, adding that there had been no complaints from other buildings. Earlier this week, a private contractor damaged the water main in the area, but the city took immediate steps to ensure water service was maintained while we undertook repairs, all of which are happening underground, Ross wrote. Hillary Clinton is fueling her feud with Facebook, slamming Mark Zuckerberg as 'authoritarian' and 'Trumpian' for how he runs the social media platform. The Former Secretary of State opened up on her sordid view of Facebook and how she saw the social network attack her during her 2016 presidential run. 'I didn't really know this was happening to me. We did not understand what was going on below the radar screen,' she said to The Atlantic on the misinformation campaigns that spewed on Facebook against her and in favor of getting Donald Trump into the White House. Hillary Clinton (pictured at Sundance Film Festival) is fueling her beef with Facebook, slamming Mark Zuckerberg as 'authoritarian' and 'Trumpian' for how he runs the social media platform and misinformation campaigns Despite revelations of Russian and troll misinformation campaigns online, Clinton says she's alarmed by Zuckerberg's unwillingness to have Facebook buckle down on such propaganda. Clinton noted last spring a slowed-down video of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi went viral online, distorting the speed so that she appeared to slur her words and appeared cognitively impaired. 'Google took it off YouTube...so I contacted Facebook. I said, Why are you guys keeping this up? This is blatantly false. Your competitors have taken it down, And their response was, We think our users can make up their own minds,' Clinton said. Speaking on that video back in May Clinton said: 'The big social media platforms know their systems are being manipulated by foreign and domestic actors to sow division, promote extremism and spread misinformation.' 'But they won't get serious about cleaning up their platforms unless consumers demand it And we saw why it's so important just last week, when Facebook refused to take down a fake video of Nancy Pelosi,' she continued. 'It wasn't even a close call. The video is sexist trash. And YouTube took it down but Facebook kept it up.' The deceptively edited video was altered to make Speaker Nancy Pelosi appear to be drunkenly slurring her words Facebook's stance on misinformation has been at the forefront of a fierce political debate, especially when it comes to elections. Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren ran a series of fake advertisements on Facebook in October accusing Zuckerberg of endorsing President Trump in a tactic meant to criticize Facebook's social media policy that allows politicians to make false statements in paid ads. Last year Zuckerberg said Facebook wants to moderate content as little as possible and doesn't want to censor free speech, even if it means airing paid content from politicians that aren't accurate. The CEO previously told The Atlantic then when reconciling between facts and opinions shared on Facebook, he believes users can decide for themselves what they want to believe. 'You should decide where you want to be,' he reasoned. But Clinton is calling Facebook's trade of moral accountability for commercial profitability 'Trumpian'. Hillary Clinton slammed Facebook's political advertisement policy in a tweet on Wednesday, saying it is 'appalling' that voters are being misinformed by potentially false information Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren ran a series of fake advertisements on Facebook in October accusing Zuckerberg of endorsing President Trump in a tactic meant to criticize Facebook's social media policy that allows politicians to make false statements in paid ads When asked if Zuckerberg's reasoning in taking a step back from monitoring information disseminated on Facebook, Clinton said, 'It's Trumpian. It's authoritarian.' 'I feel like youre negotiating with a foreign power sometimes,' she said on trying to speak with Facebook leaders, revealing she's had conversations 'at the highest levels' with Facebook. 'He's immensely powerful. This is a global company that has huge influence in ways that were only beginning to understand,' she added. Clinton says there's good reason to believe that Facebook is 'not just going to reelect Trump, but intend[s] to reelect Trump.' CEO Zuckerberg was caught in leaked audio airing his disapproval for presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren saying he would 'go to the mat and ... fight' her. Clinton said the Facebook boss has 'somehow persuaded that it's to his and Facebook's advantage not to cross Trump. That's what I believe. And it just gives me a pit in my stomach.' 'They have, in my view, contorted themselves into making arguments about freedom of speech and censorship which they are hanging on to because its in their commercial interests,' she said. T Muruganandham By Express News Service CHENNAI: Very rarely bureaucrats speak up their mind about developments relating to politics. On Saturday, Chief Secretary K Shanmugam, who is in his 35th year of civil service, did that.Shanmugam, who had also served as Joint Chief Electoral Officer when late TN Seshan was Chief Election Commissioner, took a dig at political consultants being engaged by parties to face elections. This assumes significance since political consultancies have worked for many political parties already. Sometimes, I get shocked on knowing that political parties are engaging consultants to face elections. This is the challenge to our democracy from those who use technology to brainwash people, he said while speaking at the National Voters Day celebrations here. I wonder how these consultants can give ideas to parties. If you want to know what the people need, you have to go to the people. Where is the need for engaging consultants from elsewhere to tell us what is to be done here? Using caste and communal feelings for gaining political mileage is a danger. But a bigger danger is the use of technology to brainwash voters with false messages through social media.Governor Banwarilal Purohit presented the National Voters Day awards. A remarkable new species of meat-eating dinosaur has been unveiled at the Natural History Museum of Utah. Paleontologists unearthed the first specimen in early 1990s in Dinosaur National Monument in northeastern Utah. The huge carnivore inhabited the flood plains of western North America during the Late Jurassic Period, between 157-152 million years ago, making it the geologically oldest species of Allosaurus, predating the more well-known state fossil of Utah, Allosaurus fragilis. The newly named dinosaur Allosaurus jimmadseni, was announced today in the open-access scientific journal PeerJ. The species belongs to the allosauroids, a group of small to large-bodied, two-legged carnivorous dinosaurs that lived during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Allosaurus jimmadseni, possesses several unique features, among them a short narrow skull with low facial crests extending from the horns in front of the eyes forward to the nose and a relatively narrow back of the skull with a flat surface to the bottom of the skull under the eyes. The skull was weaker with less of an overlapping field of vision than its younger cousin Allosaurus fragilis. Allosaurus jimmadseni evolved at least 5 million years earlier than fragilis, and was the most common and the top predator in its ecosystem. It had relatively long legs and tail, and long arms with three sharp claws. The name Allosaurus translates as "different reptile," and the second part, jimmadseni, honors Utah State Paleontologist James H. Madsen Jr. Following an initial description by Othniel C. Marsh in 1877, Allosaurus quickly became the best known -- indeed the quintessential -- Jurassic theropod. The taxonomic composition of the genus has long been a debate over the past 130 years. Paleontologists argue that there are anywhere between one and 12 species of Allosaurus in the Morrison Formation of North America. This study recognizes only two species -- A. fragilis and A. jimmadseni. "Previously, paleontologists thought there was only one species of Allosaurus in Jurassic North America, but this study shows there were two species -- the newly described Allosaurus jimmadseni evolved at least 5 million years earlier than its younger cousin, Allosaurus fragilis," said co-lead author Mark Loewen, research associate at the Natural History Museum of Utah, and associate professor in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Utah led the study. "The skull of Allosaurus jimmadseni is more lightly built than its later relative Allosaurus fragilis, suggesting a different feeding behavior between the two." George Engelmann of the University of Nebraska, Omaha initially discovered the initial skeleton of the new species within Dinosaur National Monument in 1990. In 1996, several years after the headless skeleton was collected, the radioactive skull belonging to the skeleton using a radiation detector by Ramal Jones of the University of Utah. Both skeleton and skull were excavated by teams from Dinosaur National Monument. "Big Al," another specimen belonging to the new species, was discovered in Wyoming on United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in 1991 and is housed in the collections of the Museum of The Rockies in Bozeman, Montana. Previously thought to belong to Allosaurus fragilis, "Big Al" was featured in the BBC's 2001 "Walking with Dinosaurs: Ballad of Big Al" video. Over the last 30 years, crews from various museums have collected and prepared materials of this new species. Other specimens include "Big Al Two" at the Saurier Museum Aathal in Switzerland and Allosaurus material from the Dry Mesa Quarry of Colorado at Brigham Young University. advertisement Early Morrison Formation dinosaurs were replaced by some of the most iconic dinosaurs of the Late Jurassic Allosaurus jimmadseni lived on the semi-arid Morrison Formation floodplains of the interior of western North America. The older rocks of the Morrison Formation preserve a fauna of dinosaurs distinct from the iconic younger Morrison Formation faunas that include Allosaurus fragilis, Diplodocus and Stegosaurus. Paleontologists have recently determined that specimens of this new species of dinosaur lived in several places throughout the western interior of North America (Utah, Colorado and Wyoming). Study summary Dinosaurs were the dominant members of terrestrial ecosystems during the Mesozoic. However, the pattern of evolution and turnover of ecosystems during the middle Mesozoic remains poorly understood. The authors report the discovery of the earliest member of the group of large-bodied allosauroids in the Morrison Formation ecosystem that was replaced by Allosaurus fragilis and illustrate changes acquired in the genus over time. The study includes an in-depth description of every bone of the skull and comparisons with the cranial materials of other carnivorous dinosaurs. Finally, the study recognizes just two species of Allosaurus in North America with Allosaurus fragilis replacing its earlier relative Allosaurus jimmadseni. Fact sheet: Major points of the paper A remarkable new species of meat-eating dinosaur, Allosaurus jimmadseni, is described based on two spectacularly complete skeletons. The first specimen was unearthed in Dinosaur National Monument, in northeastern Utah. Allosaurus jimmadseni is distinguished by a number of unique features, including low crests running from above the eyes to the snout and a relatively narrow back of the skull with a flat surface to the bottom of the upper skull under the eyes. The skull was weaker with less of an overlapping field of vision than its younger cousin Allosaurus fragilis. At 155 million years old, Allosaurus jimmadseni is the geologically-oldest species of Allosaurus predating the more well-known State Fossil of Utah Allosaurus fragilis. Allosaurus jimmadseni was the most common and the top predator in its ecosystem. It had relatively long legs and tail, and long arms with three sharp claws. Study design Comparison of the bones with all other known allosauroid dinosaurs indicate that the species possessed unique features of the upper jaw and cheeks (maxilla and jugal) and a decorative crest stretching from just in front of the eyes to the nose. Many of the comparisons were made with the thousands of bones of Allosaurus fragilis collected from the famous Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry administered by the Bureau of Land Management that are housed in the collections of the Natural History Museum of Utah. On the basis of these features, the scientific team named it a new genus and species of dinosaur, Allosaurus jimmadseni (translating to "Jim Madsen's different reptile"). Allosaurus jimmadseni is particularly notable for its slender, narrow skull with short sharp nasal crests compared to its close relative and successor Allosaurus fragilis. The study was funded in part by the University of Utah, the National Park Service and the National Science Foundation. advertisement New dinosaur name: Allosaurus jimmadseni The first part of the name, Allosaurus, (aluhSAWruhs) can be translated from Greek as the "other," "strange" or "different" and "lizard" or "reptile" literally to "different reptile." The second part of the name jimmadseni (gym-MAD-sehn-eye) honors the late Utah State Paleontologist James Madsen Jr. who excavated and studied tens of thousands of Allosaurus bones from the famous Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry in central Utah and contributed greatly to the knowledge of Allosaurus. Size Allosaurus jimmadseni was approximately 26 to 29 feet (8-9 meters) long. Allosaurus jimmadseni weighed around 4000 lbs. (1.8 metric tonnes). Relationships Allosaurus jimmadseni belongs to a group of carnivorous dinosaurs called "allosauroids," the same group as the famous Allosaurus fragilis. Other dinosaurs found in rocks containing Allosaurus jimmadseni include the carnivorous theropods Torvosaurus and Ceratosaurus; the long-necked sauropods Haplocanthosaurus and Supersaurus; and the plate-backed stegosaur Hesperosaurus. Allosaurus jimmadseni is closely related to the State Fossil of Utah, Allosaurus fragilis. Anatomy Allosaurus jimmadseni was a two-legged carnivore, with long forelimbs and sharp, recurved claws that were likely used for grasping prey. Like other allosauroid dinosaurs, Allosaurus jimmadseni had a large head full of 80 sharp teeth. It was also the most common carnivore in its ecosystem. Age and geography Allosaurus jimmadseni lived during the Kimmeridgian stage of the Late Jurassic period, which spanned from approximately 157 million to 152 million years ago. Allosaurus jimmadseni lived in a semi-arid inland basin filled with floodplains, braided stream systems, lakes, and seasonal mudflats along the western interior of North America. Allosaurus jimmadseni represents the earliest species of Allosaurus in the world. Discovery Allosaurus jimmadseni can be found in a geologic unit known as the Salt Wash Member of the Morrison Formation and its equivalents exposed in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah. The first specimen of Allosaurus jimmadseni was discovered in the National Park Service administered by Dinosaur National Monument in Uintah County, near Vernal, Utah. Allosaurus jimmadseni was first discovered by George Engelmann of the University of Nebraska, Omaha on July 15, 1990 during a contracted paleontological inventory of the Morrison Formation of Dinosaur National Monument. Another specimen of Allosaurus jimmadseni known as "Big Al," was found on land administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management in Wyoming. Further specimens of Allosaurus jimmadseni have been subsequently recognized in the collections of various museums. Allosaurus jimmadseni specimens are permanently housed in the collections of Dinosaur National Monument, Utah; the Museum of the Rockies, Bozeman, Montana; the Saurier Museum of Aathal, Switzerland; the South Dakota School of Mines, Rapid City, South Dakota; Brigham Young University's Museum of Paleontology, Provo, Utah; and the United States National Museum (Smithsonian) Washington D.C. These discoveries are the result of a continuing collaboration between the Natural History Museum of Utah, the National Park Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. Excavation The first skeleton of Allosaurus jimmadseni was excavated during the summers of 1990 to 1994 by staff of the National Park Service's Dinosaur National Monument. The skeleton block was so heavy it required the use of explosives to remove surrounding rock and a helicopter to fly out the 2700 kg block. The head of the skeleton was missing The first bones of Allosaurus jimmadseni discovered included toes and some tail vertebrae. Later excavation revealed most of an articulated skeleton missing the head and part of the tail. The radioactive skull of the first specimen of Allosaurus jimmadseni, which had previously eluded discovery, was found in 1996 by Ramal Jones of the University of Utah using a radiation detector. Preparation After France Truce, U.S. Faces New Tech-Tax Threat in Europe (Bloomberg) -- Terms of Trade is a daily newsletter that untangles a world embroiled in trade wars. Sign up here. Having just persuaded France to hold off on a digital tax that would hurt its biggest technology firms, the U.S. is facing a similar threat from another part of Europe. The Czech Republic is debating plans to impose one of the worlds highest levies on global internet companies -- albeit as a stop-gap measure -- brushing aside possible U.S. retaliation. The initiative comes as transatlantic trade tensions once again bubble over. Shortly after agreeing on the truce with France, President Donald Trumps tone changed as he complained that Europeans are more difficult to do business with than China. Cars are another bone of contention. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that the U.S. was still considering slapping levies on European auto imports, even as it hopes for a peaceful resolution of differences. Czech Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek said Thursday that hes aware of the risks in imposing the 7% levy, which would target local revenue because the majority of profits are booked and taxed in other jurisdictions. I understand the United States perceives this negatively, he said in televised comments. Were trying to explain that this step is only temporary until an international solution is found. Petricek met U.S. Ambassador Stephen King after the envoy wrote a newspaper opinion piece saying America may respond with proportional countermeasures against the Czech Republic. The local unit of Google last year reported a net income of 15.9 million koruna ($697,000) and paid 8.8 million koruna in tax, while the Czech arm of Amazon made a profit of 19 million koruna and paid 9.7 million koruna of tax, according to regulatory filings. Thats a fraction of the income recorded and taxes paid by the U.S. companies local competitors, which include search engine and online media group Seznam.cz and internet retailer Alza.cz. Story continues Billionaire Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis is trying to impose the digital tax alongside higher levies on gambling, alcohol and tobacco to boost public-sector wages and fund welfare spending. Hes previously enjoyed warm relations with Trump. Other European countries that have introduced a similar tax or are planning to do so include the U.K., Italy and Austria. France agreed this week to delay collecting its 3% digital levy until the end of the year to avoid the threat of higher U.S. tariffs. The two countries said theyd made progress toward a global pact on the taxation of digital services. (Updates with local internet companies in ninth paragraph.) --With assistance from Lenka Ponikelska. To contact the reporter on this story: Krystof Chamonikolas in Prague at kchamonikola@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Blaise Robinson at brobinson58@bloomberg.net, Andrew Langley, Michael Winfrey For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. (Newser) The 2020 Corvette Stingray can go 194mph, but one found on a downtown Detroit street last week was going nowhere: The test vehicle was up on blocks, its wheels missing. It was parked near GM's headquarters, the Detroit News reports. A company spokesman said a police report has been filed. story continues below The thieves might find selling the wheels difficult for a while, Motor Trend points out. There isn't much demand for replacement parts; production of the new model doesn't begin until next month. The car will sell for more than $60,000, and new tires cost about $1,000. The wheels will cost much more. Wheel locks, on the other hand, cost about $90 each, Car and Driver points out. (Two GM engineers face charges after giving the new Corvette their own test drive.) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Libyas eastern military commander Khalifa Haftar is continuing attacks with all his resources even after the ceasefire agreement. Erdogan, an ally of Libyas Government of National Accord (GNA), accused Haftar of betraying the superiors in the past and added that it is not possible to expect mercy and understanding from someone like him. Turkey has backed the UN-recognised government led by Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj and even signed a military accord recently. Speaking at Ataturk airport ahead of a visit to Algeria, Erdogan reportedly said that international support for Haftars Libyan National Army (LNA) is spoiling the military leader. Political crisis in Libya Libyan has been facing a political and humanitarian crisis after the self-styled Libyan National Army, headed by Khalifa Haftar, launched a battle against the Tripolis U.N.-recognised government. Thousands of Tripoli residents have been displaced due to the shelling that started earlier this year targeting the outskirts of the Libyan capital. But both parties came to a truce agreement on January 12 which remarked reduction of hostilities in Tripoli, providing a much-needed respite to civilians. Read: Erdogan Demands Stand Against 'blood And Chaos' In Libya However, the United Nations said that several countries have continued providing advanced weapons, armoured vehicles, violating the arms embargo agreed during an international conference in Berlin. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), in a statement, expressed regret for the continued blatant violations of the arms embargo committed during the conference on January 19. Over the last ten days, numerous cargo and other flights have been observed landing at Libyan airports in the western and eastern parts of the country providing the parties with advanced weapons, armoured vehicles, advisers and fighters, said UNSMIL. Read: Turkeys Erdogan: Europe Must Back Libyan Govt In Tripoli In November, Ghassan Salame, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UNSMIL told the Security Council that arms embargo is being breached by vested interests to support different groups in the country and are shipping war materials continuously. He informed that drone technologies have been used in support of the Libyan National Army which led to more than 800 strikes. Read: UN Calls Out Violation Of Arms Embargo Agreed By Several Countries At Libya Summit Read: Libya Says Oil Shutdown Has Caused Over $255 Million Losses (With inputs from agencies) Easter Sunday terror probe: Pujith says Salley promised to hand over Mawanella suspects By Kasun Warakapitiya View(s): View(s): Suspended Police Chief Pujith Jayasundera told a presidential commission investigating the Easter Sunday attacks that former Western Province Governor Azath Salley assured him he would take steps to hand over two suspects involved in the Mawanella Buddha statue attacks. Testifying before the commission headed by Court of Appeal judge Janak de Silva, Mr. Jayasundera said Mr Salley spoke to him on the phone regarding the vandalism that took place on December 23, 24 and 26 of 2018. He claimed that Mr. Salley told him he had some information about the suspects and would turn them over to police with the help of a religious leader and the suspects family members. But Mr. Salley failed to keep his word, he added State Counsel Suharshi Herath led evidence. He said Mr Salley was trying to be helpful and therefore he gave him the contact numbers of officers who were investigating the incidents. Mr. Jaysundera said Mr. Salley did not try to influence him and as IGP he was not a person who could be influenced. He said former Minister Kabir Hashim also had called him over the incident. He said it was not unusual for a politician to call police officers to discuss various matters. As peoples representatives, they too have a responsibility. However they have no right to influence the police, he said. He said that at a subsequent meeting with former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and himself, Mr Salley brought up the issue of extremism being preached in the Eastern Province. Mr Fernando in response had said it was not a matter of concern as Muslims held regular sermons in the area. With the commissions permission, Mr. Salley was allowed to cross examine, Mr. Jayasundera on condition that he asked only questions related to the phone conversation. Mr Salley said that by cross-questioning Mr. Jaysunedera he wanted to prove that he did not influence the police and ask him whether he said that he would hand over the suspects. Mr Jayasundera said if Mr Salley did not have information regarding the suspects he had no need to talk to him directly. He said Mr Salley gave him the impression that he would extend his help to surrender the suspects. Easter Sunday com report says attack could not be averted because politicians took decisions By Ranjith Padmasiri The Commission probing last years Easter Sunday bombings had recommended that persons with experience and competence in the relevant field be entrusted in taking decisions related to national security matters, instead of politicians deciding on them. This was among the recommendations made by the Commission in an interim report that was handed over to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa about three weeks ago, an official said. The Commission had noted that in spite of advance information being available about the attacks one of the reasons that no action was taken to avert them was because politicians took the final decisions. They said Security Council officials with professional background should have the power to make the decisions. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 26) Around 22,000 houses have been "totally damaged" by the eruption of Taal Volcano, the provincial government of Batangas bared Sunday. Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas said this was the initial estimate of authorities on shelters that will not be liveable anymore, even if residents would intend to go back to their respective areas following the lowering of the volcano's alert status to level 3. "Sa ngayon, 22,000 bahay di na mababalikan, sira na. Hindi na dapat balikan pa," he told the media during a briefing in the afternoon. [Translation: For now, 22,000 houses are not liveable anymore, because they are badly damaged. Residents should not return to these houses.] Mandanas said of this number, most are located in the Volcano Island and other villages near the danger zone. "'Yung mga nasa Volcano Island at baka ibang bahagi ng barangay, initial etimate 22,000 houses up for resettlement. Meron na tayong resettlement area, pero hindi pa tapos ang mga kalsada, kuryente, tubig. Yun ay bago matapos, 2 taon.. Dahil ang ating tunay na resettlement area, kailangan din ng hanapbuhay. Gagawa naman tayo ng lunas ngayon para sa mga naritito," he added. [Translation: Those in the Volcano Island, our initial estimate is 22,000 houses that are up for resettlement. We already have a resettlement area but the roads, electricity, and water cannot be provided for now. That will take around two years to finish. Because a true resettlement area should be able to provide means of livelihood. We wil look for solutions to help those who are here.] Mandanas noted that in order for the Taal victims to fully recover from the catastrophe, a bigger budget is needed to help them get back on their feet. "Kaya nga sinasabi ko mas malaki ang pondong kakailanganin natin ngayon kaysa sa nitong nakaraang 15 araw. Hindi lang pagpapakain, damit, personal needs. Kung di ngayon, bahay pa nila....kailangan mo na agad tulungang magkahanapbuhay. Hindi naman pwedeng aasa na lang lagi," he said. [Translation: This is why I'm saying that we need a bigger budget to help the victims compared to what we have been giving in the past 15 days. It's not just food, clothes and personal needs. Right now, we even need to provide them shelter and means of income. They can't always rely on others.] Lito Castro, who heads the Batangas provincial disaster risk reduction office, said they will conduct a rapid damage assessment to verify the number of houses and other properties totally damaged by the Taal eruption. NDRRMC executive director Ricardo Jalad said they are also coordinating with authorities to properly assess which of the houses in the villages of Agoncillo and Laurel towns are safe for occupancy. In its latest update Sunday, the NDRRMC noted total damage to agriculture and infrastructure in Batangas, Laguna and Cavite so far has reached 3.35 billion Meanwhile, Mandanas noted that the government will cover for the residents' livestock affected by the eruption to help them cope with their losses. People for the Ethical Treatment for Animals (PETA) also said Sunday that they are ready to assist a government rescue mission should it be deemed necessary. Earlier in the day, Phivolcs lowered Taal's alert status to level 3, indicating a "decreased tendency towards hazardous explosive eruption." READ: Taal status lowered to alert level 3, Agoncillo and Laurel still under lockdown The alleged 228 voters were found in an independent house located in Chandragiri Colony, behind the Road Transport Authority (RTA) Office at Trimulgherry. (Photo: Representational) Hyderabad: The BJP has claimed that there are 228 fake votes in a single house in the Secunderabad Cantonment, while it has only four persons residing there. The votes were traced through a mobile application that was made by Mr Shravan Kumar G., the BJP-backed candidate from Ward No. 4. The alleged 228 voters were found in an independent house located in Chandragiri Colony, behind the Road Transport Authority (RTA) Office at Trimulgherry. Asked about the massive number of voter registrations, the owners, said they have no idea about it. Mr Shravan Kumar, who identified the names through his app, said, We assume the bogus voters are listed in every ward of the SCB, and this may be the key strategy for some of the sitting board members for their victories though they failed to win the voters pulse. He added, We are going to initiate this kind of door-to-door voter verification programme in all wards to ensure that all bogus voters are identified and their names removed, which leads to democratic and fair elections. OTTAWA - Canada is sending a military transport plane and about 15 personnel to help fight bushfires in Australia. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/1/2020 (717 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. In this Jan. 24, 2020, photo provided by the New South Wales Police, smoke rises from an active wildfire near the crash site of a firefighting air tanker near Numeralla, south west of Sydney. Three crew from the U.S. were killed when their C-130 Hercules tanker crashed while fighting wildfires in Australia, their employer, Canada-based Coulson Aviation, said in a statement. (NSW Police via AP) OTTAWA - Canada is sending a military transport plane and about 15 personnel to help fight bushfires in Australia. The Canadian Forces say the CC-17 Globemaster is leaving Monday. The plane and crew are to transport fire retardant from the United States, free up Australian airlift capacity and take images of fires from the air to measure them and predict how they might spread. They're going as part of Operation Renaissance, a standing mission that sends military help to other countries coping with natural disasters. Canada has already sent about 100 firefighters and experts to Australia to help combat the fires that have consumed millions of hectares of bush, particularly in the southeastern part of the country. Last week a Canadian-owned air tanker crashed as it dropped a load of fire retardant in an alpine valley, killing its three American crew. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 25, 2020. Students in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway are more likely to stay within their own county to study at third level. That is according to the latest School League Table published in today's Sunday Independent. The latest data shows that many Leaving Cert students are choosing a college or university close to home. More than 90 per cent of those in Dublin stay in the capital to study while UCC and CIT account for 78 per cent of all Cork students who go on to third level. Almost three-quarters of Galways students attend NUIG or GMIT and two-thirds of Leaving Cert pupils in Limerick go on to UL or LIT. In the south-east more than half of sixth year students progressed to WIT while 23 per cent of their Kilkenny counterparts also attended the Waterford Institute. In Donegal 43% of students stayed in the county and studied at Letterkenny IT while IT Kerry took in almost a quarter of Kerry students. That figure is the same in Kildare where 24 per cent of students study in Maynooth University. Athlone IT is the most popular for people from Westmeath, Offaly and Longford. Louth pupils account for 23 per cent staying within the county to study at Dundalk IT. In the last week and half, we have all been subjected to the lecturing of "consultants" and "experts" leading the charge for Ghanas Electoral Commissions (EC) wasteful push to toss millions of dollars of barely used laptops and handheld devices in order to pave the way for the EC to spend $150 million (contingency inclusive) on a brand new system. As many as two thousand of these special laptops are stated in the EC's own budget documents as having been purchased as late as 2018. One particular gentleman, Dr. Yaw Ofori-Adjei, has been very vocal in pushing the agenda to throw away all these equipment and buy new ones. We need to get one thing straight: everything the so-called IT experts engaged by the EC says must be discounted *completely and without reservation* because they are not coming from unbiased experts proferring objective technical advice solely in the interest of Ghana or even the EC. Dr. Ofori-Adjei is a co-owner of Fairgreen Limited, an Accra based commercial equipment vendor, who has already benefitted from EC contracts as a result of the removal of the EC's previous consultants, STL. Fairgreen had sent proposals to the EC to provide technical support and maintenance in place of STL and accordingly been paid significant amounts of money to step in when the EC threw out STL. No one is a champion of STL. But STL was merely a contractor and partial integrator. Upon their removal, the EC had every opportunity to work directly with the original equipment and software makers, especially HSB and Genkey, to obtain all the requisite technical support and system replenishments. Of course, this would have made Dr. Ofori-Adjei redundant and threatened the considerable amounts of money his company stood to gain from technical services and support contracts to the EC, especially ahead of the June 2019 electoral exercises. He, understandably, cannot support anything that can put his livelihood and his company's profits at risk. Dr. Ofori-Adjei and Fairgreen's continued push for a complete replacement (note, replacement, not even overhaul) of the existing system can easily thus be seen as entirely self-serving and motivated by commercial interest. Should the "continuous upgrading and maintenance" model be used and the middlemen, including STL, removed, in favour of dealing directly with the existing system's developers or other 360 degree providers, Fairgreen's self-serving advice, which is going to see Ghana pay almost twice what countries like Zimbabwe and Nigeria are paying for the same systems we are procuring, would have been rendered useless. Dr. Ofori-Adjei's zeal for a new system ought thus to be interpreted in this light. It is in their interest to undermine the existing system so that they can be relevant in the procurement of millions of dollars worth of new equipment and continue to justify their juicy fees. Such "IT experts" have already taken $350,000 merely for priming the existing system for electoral activities in the last year, according to the EC's own public statements. Far more money is at stake now. Let us not be side-tracked by self-serving vendors. Let us, instead, focus on the essentials of the matter, and these are: 1. The biometric voter system we have in place now has, roughly speaking, seven main components, each with a different lifecycle and requiring a different type, schedule and scale of periodic maintenance: A. The databases with biometric data (fingerprints and photographs). B. The core software that checks and authenticate the biometric data to block multiple registrations and duplicates. A.k.a (ABIS). C. The laptops, cameras and scanners used to collect the biometric data. A.k.a BVRs. D. The handheld devices that authenticate voters during voting and exhibition. A.k.a BVDs. E. The administrative software that manages all of these processes. They are accessed as the administrative interface of the entire system from the EC's various offices. A.k.a VMS. F. The central datacenter in which the data and software are installed. I.e. the "server farm". G. The communications and transmissions infrastructure that the EC uses to move data around. Especially the ground satellites (VSATs). 2. To consider uprooting this whole system at once and replace everything in one go is the nearest thing to "madness" many of us have seen in the long history of wasteful conduct in the public sector. The best way to think of this biometric voter system is to think of a bank's branchless banking platform. Different companies make different parts and you will always be replacing different parts at a different pace. Rain can knock down one satellite. Someone can spill tea on a laptop. A BVD can go missing. A software driver can be corrupted. etc. *It is "madness" to argue that such a complex system can be managed in any other way apart from continuous upgrading and periodic overhauls.* 3. The EC biometric system as a whole was audited in 2016 and equipment that was not at peak performance replaced. Over $40 million has been spent since then to keep it in top notch shape. Whenever we add new districts we implement a fresh VMS and buy satellites etc to bring those EC district offices onboard the system. It is these improvements based on growing understanding as our capacity to manage the system matured that made the 2016 biometric elections so much more superior to the 2012 elections, where biometric system failures led to, for the first and only time, premature termination of the vote and postponement to a new day. 4. Repeat: we have spent over $40 million since 2016 based on the recommendations of an objectice system audit to get the existing system into top shape and the quality of the elections we have had since then can testify to that. All the CODEO and EU reports tell us that the 2016 elections and biometric operations were smoother than the 2012 version and that the 2019 district level elections and biometric operations were smoother than the 2016 version. For instance, reports indicate that 33% of polling stations recorded a failure of BVDs in 2012. This dropped to less than 7% in 2016, and went even lower to less than 5% in the December 2019 elections. This is the context in which a false rejection rate of just 0.64% was recorded in the 2019 District elections. You may compare this rate to the 3% false rejections figure recorded in a study of Indonesia eKTP, one of the world's largest and most sophisticated biometric systems. India's famed and acclaimed Aadhar system has a reported average false rejection rate as high as 5% (see: https://scroll.in/article/822764/chhattisgarhs-way-of-dealing-with-aadhaar-when-fingerprints-fail-take-photos ). So how can a system that can be shown to be objectively getting better and has proven just a month ago to be more accurate than some of the world's best, be described as "obsolete"? More worrisome than even the plain disingenuity is the recklessness. Freshly implemented biometric systems tend to have more teething problems. In many countries this pattern of brand new biometric installations facing challenges that only get fully resolved with time and maturity has been consistent. In 2011-2012 in Nigeria, the new biometric system became an embarrassing spectacle when it rejected former President Obasanjo and thousands of Nigerians in the initial phase of rollout. The recent situation in Afghanistan where the vendor, Dermalog, had to be flown in last minute to fix major glitches, with announcement of results taking more than 6 weeks, is a very cautious tale for Ghanaians. 5. We have comparable biometric systems in Ghana that have also relied on infrastructure built over a period of time, undergoing periodic upgrades when necessary to maintain peak performance. The biometric passport system is an example. It dates from 2010. At this point in 2020 a person can have a new passport issued without having their biometrics taken all over again simply because new vendors have been building on top of the existing system, upgrading and overhauling different parts of it at different times. Only a vendor with their own interest to serve will counsel throwing away $60 million worth of systems (accounting for depreciation) to start from scratch. Systems that are used so infrequently that we still have thousands of BVDs that have been used only once, and in some cases never at all. Consider the case of the 2018 BVRs that have only been used for a few weeks in 2019 during the limited registration, for example. The idea that all Ghanaians of voting age should go and queue under the hot sun at the cost of $70 million to supply their data all over again is sheer wickedness. Even more preposterous is the argument that registering only the 1.2 million voters who have recently come of age or who couldn't register in June 2019 will cost more than registering all 17 million voters afresh. How possible? We know that the EC intends to spend as much as $70 million on a fresh registration. We know that the top-up or "limited" registrations (as opposed to full registration) of 2014 and 2016 cost about $10.6 million and $20 million respectively. So where from the argument that a limited registration would cost more than a full one? 6. All the savings numbers the EC has been throwing at the public are unreliable because they come from self-interested vendors, as already explained. We have checked what other countries have been paying for similar systems and found that all the numbers given by the EC are heavily inflated. If the EC does a proper competitive tender to just replace the components that need replacing they will end up spending just $15 million this year to refresh the system. And not the nearly $150m it will cost them to replace all the physical infrastructure and to register all eligible voters all over again. For instance, whilst the EC is proposing to spend $3000 per BVR, Zimbabwe has been able to procure virtually identical systems at $1300 just last year. In fact, as far back as 2011, Nigeria was spending $1440 per device and in 2005, the DRC was paying $2500. The story of electronics is that prices tend to fall over time. 7. Let us not forget that it is the same EC IT folks being blamed for the mess Dr. Ofori-Adjei claim the existing system is currently in that are now being positioned to procure and oversee a totally new system. We are entrusting our fate into the hands of people Dr. Ofori-Adjei claims couldn't even arrange basic warranties and hoping that they can implement a brand new, superior, system, including the negotiation of new legal agreements and the fresh calibration of devices between now and April 2020. If they have bungled the management and maintenance of the existing system so badly, why do we have confidence in them to use just 3 months to replace it and do a better job on a completely different platform? As they say in Nigeria, Ghanaians must "shine their eyes". Senate Republicans on Sunday defended President Donald Trump and panned calls for witnesses to testify in the Senate impeachment trial, ahead of the start of the second week. In interviews on major networks, Republicans appeared unmoved by House Democrats opening arguments for Trumps removal and reiterated that the Senate should not seek new evidence. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a strong Trump ally, warned on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures With Maria Bartiromo that calling in witnesses would create only more havoc. What do we do? Graham said. Delay the trial so the president can go to court? Or do we as the Senate destroy the presidents ability to go to court a bad spot to be in in the Senate ... If we seek witnesses, then were going to throw the country into chaos. House impeachment managers and Senate Democrats have made repeated calls for the chamber to subpoena witnesses, including acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and Trumps former national security adviser John Bolton, as well as documents related to the administrations hold on aid to Ukraine. The White House has repeatedly blocked witnesses from testifying. But most Senate Republicans argue that they should have to evaluate only the evidence the House used to draft articles of impeachment against Trump. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), a House impeachment manager, acknowledged on CNNs State of the Union that Democrats did, to an extent, surrender to the White Houses stonewalling by not continuing the fight to force witness subpoenas in court. I guess, in that sense, we did, because, if we had waited for three or four years, the election would be over, she said. The issue would be almost moot. If he is committing a high crime and misdemeanor now, and continuing to do it, we need to act. Trump was impeached in December for pressuring the Ukrainian government to investigate his political rivals and withholding aid to the country. Story continues Monday will mark the second day for Trumps lawyers to make their opening arguments. They are not expected to use the full 24 hours theyve been given. After those arguments, senators will proceed to a 16-hour question-and-answer period before taking a contentious vote this week on whether to bring in additional witnesses. Democrats will need at least four Senate Republicans to join them in order to achieve their demands. While GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Mitt Romney of Utah and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska are among the senators who could be open to calling witnesses, Democrats appear less optimistic that they will get the votes they need. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) declined on Sunday on CBS Face the Nation to forecast whether four Republicans would call for more witnesses, but made clear where he stood. Im not going to vote to approve witnesses, because the House Democrats have had lots of witnesses, we heard from them over and over and over again this week, Cotton said. We dont need to prolong whats already taken five months of the American peoples time. One of the House impeachment managers, Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.), also declined on Sunday to predict whether the Senate would have enough votes to bring in additional witnesses. Im just not going to give up on the Senate and Im not going to draw any conclusions, although I know theres a lot of speculation about what they may do or may not do, Demings said on ABCs This Week with George Stephanopoulos. Im not going to draw any other conclusions. Senate Republican leadership is eyeing a swift vote to acquit Trump this week, should the witness vote fail. That would allow Trump to be acquitted before his State of the Union address on Feb. 4. It would also give time to the four Senate Democrats running for president to return to Iowa and make their final pitch before the states caucus on Feb. 3. Amid their calls for witnesses and documents, Democrats have also highlighted an ABC News report that captured Trump in 2018 ordering the removal of Marie Yovanovitch as U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. Lev Parnas, a former associate of Trumps personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, was at the dinner during which Trump made the remarks and has provided the recording to the House Intelligence Committee. Trump has denied knowing Parnas. When asked about Trumps denial on CNN, Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) noted that the president meets a lot of people. Cotton, meanwhile, said on Face the Nation that the recordings release hadnt influenced the votes of any senators and reminded him of Democratic attempts to block Brett Kavanaughs confirmation to the Supreme Court. He added that Trump was told Yovanovitch predicted he would be impeached. Yovanovitch has denied ever making that statement. The president has the right to remove any ambassador for any reason or no reason whatsoever, Cotton said. An ambassador badmouthing the president is a pretty sound reason to remove an ambassador. This weeks witness vote comes after Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), the lead House impeachment manager and chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, read an anonymous quote during his closing statement that threatened Republicans would have their head on a pike if they broke with Trump. Though the statement will not make or break the case against Trump, it didnt help win over senators like Collins or Murkowski who could be sympathetic to Democratic calls for witnesses. They, along with other Republican senators, have pushed back vehemently. Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., reacts to the final statement of House Democratic impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., as he speaks to the media at the end of a day of an impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Im offended only because Adam Schiff believes that the only reason that we act the way that we do is because the presidents going to put our head on a pike, Lankford said on CNN. But Schiff stood by those remarks on Sunday, and further highlighted Trumps tweet describing him hours earlier as a corrupt politician who has not paid the price, yet, for what he has done to our country. I made the argument that its going to require moral courage to stand up to this president, Schiff said on NBC's Meet the Press With Chuck Todd. This is a wrathful and vindictive president. I dont think theres any doubt about it, and if you think there is, look at the presidents tweets about me today. Rachel Griffiths has spoken about the 'great debt' she feels after being appointed a member of the Order of Australia on Australia Day. In a statement, the celebrated 51-year-old actress wrote at length: 'I feel a great debt to my nation. 'For giving me an education, a privilege that few third children of a single mother could have afforded in many countries around the world. 'I feel a great debt to my nation': Rachel Griffiths (pictured) issued a statement after being appointed a member of the Order of Australia on Australia Day 'For supporting me and my family through the safety net during hungry times; and for supporting my mother as she finished her degree with young children, which allowed her to support us through our teenage years.' Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, the actress added that she was 'humbled' and 'chuffed' by the honour. 'My grandfather, who was a doctor, was offered an MBE back in the day, and he refused it,' the director told the paper. The actress wrote at length: 'I feel a great debt to my nation. For giving me an education, a privilege that few third children of a single mother could have afforded in many countries around the world' She added: 'For supporting me and my family through the safety net during hungry times; and for supporting my mother as she finished her degree with young children, which allowed her to support us through our teenage years.' Pictured in 1999 'He said, "I don't want an award for doing my job". He was probably a far more humble and less egotistical person than I,' she added. Rachel recently made her directorial debut with the film, Ride Like A Girl. Ride Like A Girl tells the story of Michelle Payne, one of Australia's great sporting heroes, who became the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup. Success: Rachel recently made her directorial debut with the film, Ride Like A Girl 'I've lived in America for 10 years and I was on two extraordinary television shows... which I loved and I loved my cast,' she told Nine Honey last year. 'But I was always hungering to tell Australian stories' the Muriel's Wedding actress added. Rachel wanted her first outing to have heart, soul and a heaped serving of grit - and she found that with Ride Like A Girl. Female power: Rachel's directorial debut tells the story of Michelle Payne (pictured right) who became the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup back in 2015 Jerusalem, Jan 26 : Benny Gantz, the main political rival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has accepted an invitation to visit the White House and announced that he will meet US President Donald Trump in Washington to discuss a Middle East peace plan. Addressing the media on Saturday, Gantz said he will meet Trump on Monday, a day before the US President is scheduled to meet Netanyahu to discuss the same plan, reports Xinhua news agency. "The plan will be a major cornerstone that defines the way the different sides can make their way towards a historic, regional agreement," Gantz said. Initially the US invitation was for both Gantz and Netanyahu to meet Trump together. But according to sources, Gantz was reluctant to be seen at the White House alongside Netanyahu. The timing of the publication of the US peace plan, or the "Deal of the Century" as dubbed by Trump, is controversial. Israel is slated to hold general elections in March and an interim government does not have the mandate to make far-reaching decisions on matters such as the country's future borders. The Palestinians have not been part of the talks on the plan. Several Israeli commentators and politicians see the US' decision to unveil the plan in the coming days as a welcome respite for Netanyahu. The Prime Minister has been indicted on corruption charges and his request for immunity from trial is supposed to be discussed at the Israeli Parliament the same time when he is in Washington. The plan is believed to be very favourable to the right-wing Israeli government. "This is a historic opportunity that must not be missed," Netanyahu tweeted on Saturday night. UPDATE: This event has been postponed to Sept. 25-26, 2020, due to the spreading COVID-19 coronavirus. WATERLOO Cierra Newman, an attorney who works in Washington, D.C., knows that seeing someone like her a black woman working successfully in a professional field in a large American city can be a game-changer for a high school student wondering what employment opportunities are actually open to her. When I entered these halls, there were very few lawyers who looked like me, Newman said during a recent visit to Waterloo. Why not come back to the city who gave me my start? Students can see, Thats what a lawyer looks like I can do that. Thats why Newman jumped at the chance to do just that when her friend, 20 Under 40 winner Joy Briscoe, asked her to be a featured speaker at the new SHIPHT Youth Opportunity Accelerator, which will pair around 100 area high school students with dozens of mentors and local entrepreneurs for a six-week incubator program. Briscoe said it was her work as diversity program recruiter with the Cedar Rapids School District that made her aware of the disconnect between businesses who wanted talent pipelines of diverse youths, and the young people who didnt have those opportunities. You have a bunch of people who understand theres an equity problem with access, Briscoe said. People realized theres a gap and were not working to connect the careers with education. Organizations like the UNI Center for Urban Education in Waterloo, the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center at UNI and the Multicultural Small Business Institute in Cedar Rapids have jumped on board with SHIPHT (pronounced shift), as well as professionals who have worked as legislators, educators, wealth managers and for companies like AirBNB, GoDaddy and Cisco. The unique thing about Waterloo and the people (Briscoe) invited back they left, developed talents elsewhere, and theyre coming back because they realize they have a responsibility to the young people, Newman said. Its really cool. Briscoe, who has also helped organize the annual Fashion Expo, will be folding that event into the other activities for students: Pitch Camp kicks off the incubator at 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 27 at UNI-CUE, with the Fashion Expo on March 28 at Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center in Cedar Falls. From there, students will meet once per week for sessions on finance, technology and marketing, getting career guidance from mentors along the way. At the end, students will participate in a Shark Tank-style community pitch night. I think it is extremely important to be involved with things like this: One, to give back to the community that gave so much to me, (and) secondly, to inspire our youths and provide them with support and opportunities that they may have thought they couldnt access because they werent visible, said Keyah Levy, a former 20 Under 40 winner and SHIPHT mentor. It is up to us to carry the torch that was lit, and constantly engage in new, innovative initiatives that reach the youths of today. We are ready to mentor, added Newman. These will be long-lasting relationships. Love 5 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. German court convicts Tamil guerrilla for assisting in Kadirgamar killing By Chris Kamalendran View(s): View(s): A Tamil guerrilla convicted by a German court this week, for helping in the assassination of former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar was responsible for gathering information about the possibility of using firearms from a neighbouring building to carryout the crime. The Stuttgart Higher Regional Court convicted the 40-year-old suspect whose name is being withheld due to privacy laws, but only identified as Navaneethan. The accused was found guilty mainly on his own confessions made to court. He was passed on a sentence of six years and 10 months. The Court was told that the accused had gathered information until May 2005 three months prior to the assassination of Mr Kadirgamar about the possibility of using firearms from a neighbouring building and the information made a substantial contribution to the murder. Minister Kadirgamar, was killed in a sniper attack on August 12, 2005. The accused, in July 2003 had been ordered by the LTTE to provide information about the habbits, lifestyle and security arrangements of Minister Kadirgamar, the court was told. He had admitted that he was aware that the LTTE had wanted to assassinate the Minister as he was committed to getting the ban on the LTTE. The accused had entered Germany in February 2012 and he had applied for asylum on March 6, 2012, but his application for refugee status was rejected. He filed action before the Freiburg Administrative Court, which on July 5, 2017 banned his deportation, based on his arguments presented. The information from the accused before courts provided the basis for the investigation and criminal proceedings that followed. The judgment said that the allegations made by the General Prosecutors office were fully confirmed largely due to the accuseds presentation to court, which he had maintained during the hearing. He had claimed he was a member of the LTTE since August 30, 2002 and after undergoing two training sessions with the LTTE, had become a member of their military secret service and was integrated into its hierarchical structure and chain of command. At the direction of his superiors, he began collecting information relevant to the attacks on opponents. The judgment said, as part of the sentence, the Senate took into account as mitigating punishment the fact that the acts occurred long ago and that a guilty verdict would not have been possible without the information of the accused. The case had been taken up 15 times, in which 13 witnesses and three experts gave evidence. The Sunday Times learns that German authorities had sought the help of the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry through diplomatic channels to ascertain whether the accused had any previous convictions. However, no convictions had been reported. In Sri Lanka, failure to convict anyone Sri Lankan law enforcement agencies were unable to successfully prosecute any of those involved in the assassination of former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. The High Court trial against six suspects, including LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, came to an end last year after the death of the last suspect in custody. The Attorney General in March 2008 filed indictment against Velupillai Prabhakaran, LTTE Intelligence chief Pottu Amman alias Shiva Shankar, Charles alias Charlie Master, Komadee Manimekala alias Madee, Muttaiyah Sahadevan and Isithor Arokyanathan alias Babu for conspiring with another LTTE member Vinothan to assassinate Minister Kadirgamar and committing the murder as a result of a conspiracy in Killinochchi and inColombo between January 01, 2005 and August 12, 2005. In 2009, the High Court permitted the prosecution to remove the names of Prabhakaran, Pottu Amman, Charlie Master and Komadee Manimekala after the court was informed about their deaths. Isithor Arokyanathan alias Babu was acquitted of the charges and released in 2018 with no appeal preferred by the Attorney General. The last remaining suspect Muttaiyah Sahadevan died due to a kidney ailment while in custody in June last year. Sahadevan, was a resident from Kirulapone in Colombo and had worked as a labourer in the house adjoining Minister Kadirgamars residence from where the sniper had targeted the Minister. BEIJING - The Chinese government struggled Sunday to cope with a worsening coronavirus epidemic as its official number of infections soared and the death toll rose to 80, while additional cases appeared in the United States. The government in Beijing broadened an extraordinary quarantine to more than 50 million people - roughly equal to the population of Spain - enforcing a travel ban on 16 cities in central Hubei province, where the lethal virus first appeared. In the United States, health officials confirmed three new cases - one in Arizona and two in California - bringing the total to five. The patients - in Southern California, Chicago, Arizona and Washington state - had traveled from Wuhan, officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. All are hospitalized. As of midafternoon Sunday, the CDC has been investigating 100 people in 26 states, including the five who were confirmed infected. Of those, 25 people have been tested and are not infected with the virus. Health officials expect more American cases, Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told reporters. But the virus is not believed to be spreading from person to person in the United States, she said. "For this reason, we continue to believe that the immediate health risks from the 2019 coronavirus to the general American public is low at this time," Messonnier said. "But the threat is serious, and our public health response is aggressive, with the aim of helping protect Americans." Chinese officials, however, say the worst is yet to come. Health Minister Ma Xiaowei said Sunday that the virus is developing the ability to spread more easily, while the vice minister of industry, Wang Jiangping, said demand for medical supplies is overwhelming China's ability to produce them. The mayor of Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, said he expects at least 1,000 more infections to surface. Workers are racing to build at least three pop-up 1,000-bed hospitals in the city to cope with the anticipated surge. China's national health commission reported that 2,744 people across 30 provinces had been infected as of Sunday. Eighty deaths have been reported, including in major metropolitan areas such as Shanghai. Several doctors in Beijing, the capital, also reported being infected. Patients also have been confirmed in France, South Korea, Japan, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan and Australia. After a slow start, Chinese authorities have moved aggressively to combat the novel ailment. Officials indefinitely extended the annual Lunar New Year holiday beyond its scheduled Jan. 30 end and deployed more than 1,000 doctors and military personnel to Wuhan. The State Department, meanwhile, plans to evacuate diplomats posted at the U.S. Consulate in Wuhan on a charter flight on Tuesday, according to a statement posted on the website of the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. The consulate is about two miles from the Huanan Seafood Market, where the virus is believed to have first jumped from animals to humans. A "limited" number of seats on the aircraft will be available for other Americans seeking to flee the city, with priority being given to those most at risk of succumbing to the fatal illness, the statement said. Chinese authorities have banned the sale of wild animals for the duration of the crisis. The economic fallout from the epidemic also is likely to be significant. Even before the outbreak, China's economy was slowing, hampered by the trade war with the United States and government efforts to slow widespread borrowing. The galloping virus, which has crimped travel, shuttered movie theaters and idled factories, will further depress growth. That will put pressure on Chinese officials to pause their debt-reduction campaign and goose the economy with more spending. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell may address the implications for the global economy at Wednesday's scheduled meeting of the central bank's rate-setting committee, said Diane Swonk, chief economist for Grant Thornton in Chicago. The virus will also imperil China's ability to meet the targets for additional purchases of U.S. goods contained in the trade deal President Donald Trump signed this month. That "phase one" accord calls for China over the next two years to buy $200 billion worth of American goods and services beyond previous levels, a goal many analysts regarded as ambitious even before the outbreak of disease. "All of a sudden phase one looks pretty hard to reach," said Swonk. Ma, the health minister, told reporters Sunday that the virus is infectious during its incubation period, meaning that a person could spread it to others before experiencing symptoms. That's a significant difference from the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) coronavirus, which began in China in 2002 and spread globally, killing 774 people. The Chinese announcement about the new coronavirus's transmissibility could explain the soaring rate of infection in China, which registered a 50% jump in cases on Sunday. Local authorities expect a similar leap on Monday. But the CDC does not have "any clear evidence of patients being infectious before symptom onset," Messonnier said during the Sunday news conference, adding that health officials are "actively investigating" that possibility. Scientists say the virus is adapting to humans much faster than SARS. It took the SARS virus three months to mutate into a form that spread easily among humans, but the related Wuhan coronavirus took one month, George Fu, a top Chinese epidemiologist, told reporters. "Why is it transmitting so fast?" he said. "The two species are like the cartoon Tom and Jerry: Viruses are continually adapting to humans, but human also adapt, and the virus's ability to make people ill also goes down." The director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO) said he was en route to Beijing for meetings with Chinese government officials. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, named to the post in 2017, said on Twitter that the agency was "working 24/7 to support" Chinese efforts to battle the disease. The Wuhan coronavirus has caused mild to severe respiratory illness, fever, coughing and shortness of breath. The CDC believes symptoms can manifest two to 14 days after exposure. No drugs or vaccines have been recommended specifically to treat the virus. At the heart of the outbreak, in central China's Hubei province, a travel ban extended to a total of 16 cities and covered about 51 million people. Video distributed by state media showed local officials in adjacent regions taking extreme measures, including using excavators to destroy and block roads, to discourage residents from traveling to infected areas of Hubei to visit stranded relatives inside the quarantine zone. China's Center for Disease Control on Sunday found large amounts of the coronavirus from samples taken from Wuhan's South China seafood market, where wild animals, including deer and bats, were being sold. "It is highly suspected that the epidemic is related to wildlife trade," state broadcaster CCTV reported. Researchers say the related SARS coronavirus in 2002 probably originated in bats and spread to humans through civet cat, which was sold in wildlife markets and eaten as a delicacy in southern China. The spread of the virus - and travel bans extending to several major hubs in China - threatened to paralyze the country for an indefinite period. Officials in Beijing said Sunday that they "have not and will not close the city because of the epidemic" in response to online rumors suggesting an imminent lockdown of the capital, which has a population of 22 million, with a significant fraction traveling this week to visit family. Two teams of British epidemiologists released studies over the weekend estimating that each infected person was spreading the disease to two or three people. A team from Lancaster University projected that infections in Wuhan could explode to 190,000 cases by as early as next week. The Chinese central government said it is mustering manufacturers to send 100,000 hazardous-materials suits and millions of face masks to Wuhan, where hospitals reported overfilled beds and doctors collapsing from exhaustion. Videos on social media from Wuhan hospitals showed patient queues stretching around the block and nurses worrying the true number of cases - based on what they were witnessing - far exceeded what was being officially reported. Wang, the vice minister of industry, said Sunday that the country was facing a significant shortage of medical supplies, including protective suits for medical workers. Hubei province alone required 100,000 suits a day, he said, but Chinese manufacturers could only produce 30,000 a day. Michael Einhorn, president of Dealmed, an independent medical supply distributor in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, said prices of masks jumped as soon as news of the virus spread, while sales volumes tripled through retailers such as Amazon. Dealmed typically carries at least 90 days' supply but currently has only about two weeks' worth left. If demand continues, the availability of masks will be "very limited" within 10 days, Einhorn said in a statement, and if the virus continues to spread, there will be "extreme shortages" in as early as three weeks' time. Meanwhile, Chinese citizens stranded inside the vast quarantine zone, locked down by paramilitary police checkpoints for the fourth day, took to social media to describe a sense of surreal desperation during a week when families should be celebrating the new year with dumplings, fireworks and presents. One Wuhan resident described sharing the dwindling groceries she had purchased to last for three days with an elderly couple whose food supplies were exhausted. "I don't know how to solve this food problem," wrote the user, Guapidawushi. "Right now I really, really don't know what to do. I'm completely helpless." Some users shared videos of once-buzzing streets in Wuhan's historic, European-style riverside district lying empty. Others posted more lighthearted pictures of women playing Mah-jongg with masks and transparent grocery bags over their heads. The situation appeared to be more dire in the vast Hubei countryside. The Chinese magazine Caijing reported that some smaller village clinics were rationed six masks, and large hospitals were within one or two days of running out of supplies. In Jingzhou city, a short distance up the Yangtze River from Wuhan, doctors told reporters that they were wearing rain ponchos because they lacked protective suits. In Hong Kong, where a sixth case of the virus was confirmed Sunday, pressure is mounting on the government to tighten border controls with China. One hospital workers' union threatened a five-day strike if more measures weren't taken. Protesters in the evening attacked a building that has been set aside for quarantine and set its lobby alight with molotov cocktails, police reported. "We are all nervous here and everyone has begun curtailing their social lives," said Andrew Collier, managing director at Orient Capital Research. "I was planning a trip to China but will delay that until there is more information." - - - Denyer reported from Tokyo. Lynch and Shammas reported from Washington. Min Joo Kim in Seoul, Shibani Mahtani in Hong Kong, Lyric Li in Beijing, Paul Schemm in Dubai contributed to this report. (Newser) Cover my breastfeeding? OK ... I think. A Georgia woman agreed to a Chick-fil-A manager's request Mondayseems a customer had complainedbut then got upset about it, CNN reports. "As I sit there in this family friendly restaurant I start to simmer," writes Samantha McIntosh on Facebook. "I'll admit it. I got angry." Things heated up when a nearby mom supported her, the manager came back and doubled down, and soon "half the restaurant" was watching. "So I quickly packed the kids and left, all while trying to explain to my niece that I wasn't doing anything wrong by nursing and that some people dont see it for what it is (feeding a hungry baby)," the 24-year-old adds. "Needless to say I am extremely disappointed in the way Chick-fil-A management handled the situation." story continues below And she wasn't alone. With her Facebook post sparking thousands of comments, a group of moms backed McIntosh by staging a "nurse-in" at the Evans location Tuesday, WJFB reports. All those breastfeeding women seemed to influence franchise operator Jason Adams: "I am truly sorry for the experience Ms. McIntosh had in our restaurant," he said. "I have reached out to her to personally apologize. My goal is to provide a warm and welcoming environment for all of our guests." Her reaction? "I kind of told him that the only goal here is to encourage education ... have a better way to handle this in the future." And the law is on her side: Public breastfeeding is legal in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. (Read more breastfeeding stories.) It is one of the most colourful, chaotic and crowded places on Earth. But you dont have to spend weeks exploring Mumbai, Indias largest city and financial powerhouse you can get a tantalising taste of it in just 48 hours. Here is our guide to all that this extraordinary city has to offer. DAY ONE Morning Royal history: The Gateway of India built to mark George Vs visit To get your bearings, wander along the southern section of Marine Drive, a two-mile, palm-lined promenade. This is where to experience local life: families often flock here in the evenings to watch the sun set over the Arabian Sea, and once youve had your fill of views, make your way to nearby Colaba, where youll find one of the citys largest street markets. Its then just a short walk to the Gateway of India, completed in 1924 on the spot where King George V first stepped foot on Indian soil. Its alive with locals selling everything from saris to kulfi lollipops, a delicacy made with evaporated milk. For some time out, head to the adjacent Taj Mahal Palace hotel. Despite tight security (a staple of Mumbai luxury hotels), you dont have to be a guest to peek around its opulent public areas, complete with dazzling floral displays. Afternoon Mumbai is the home of Bollywood, and you can pay your respects at the National Museum of Indian Cinema Mumbai is the home of Bollywood, and you can pay your respects at the National Museum of Indian Cinema, which opened in last year at the Films Division complex on Pedder Road. Youll find thousands of artefacts, from vintage movie posters and film-making equipment to elaborate costumes. Afterwards hop in a cab to Bandra, on the other side of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link bridge (getting there will become much easier when its new metro line is finished). This seafront boulevard, known as the Bandstand Promenade, is home to lavish mansions owned by some of Bollywoods biggest names and its another great people-watching spot fans from all over the world pose outside actors homes, pulling off the signature moves of their idols. The Bandstand is within walking distance of the Church of St Andrew, built in the late 1500s. One of the oldest churches in Mumbai, it is open to the public and is famous for its extravagant Portuguese architecture and teak altar. Evening Finish the day in the Lower Parel neighbourhood. The coal-powered mills which filled this area in the early 1900s have been replaced by gleaming skyscrapers, shopping centres and the citys best restaurants and bars. Start with dinner at the antique-filled St Regis Mumbais Sahib Room & Kipling Bar, where a seat at the bar is still reserved for Rudyard Kipling. Afterwards, head to the nearby Four Seasons and its rooftop AER bar the highest in Mumbai. DAY TWO Morning Hop on a ferry to Gharapuri, an island a few miles east of the Gateway of India. It is famous for the rock-cut temples, created in about the 5th Century. The main temple, dedicated to Shiva, is a beautiful maze of courtyards and shrines. At its centre is a statue of a three-faced Shiva, representing his role as destroyer, creator and preserver. Good shoes are recommended here uneven surfaces make it easy to stumble. Back on the mainland, restore your depleted energy levels at one of Mumbais Parsi cafes, set up by Zoroastrians fleeing religious persecution in Iran (then Persia) in the 19th Century. The cafes are wonderfully inclusive, created as places where all members of society could mingle freely. Sadly, few remain, but one of the best is Britannia and Co, on Sprott Road, with its nods to the Raj, India and Persia pictures of British royalty are squeezed alongside images of Gandhi and Zoroastrian prophets. Try the brun maska the cloud-like fluffy buns covered in butter and designed to be dipped in hot chai. Afternoon Icon: A Buddha statue in Mumbais largest museum, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, in the Fort area, is the citys biggest museum. The building, which has Indian, British and Arabic architectural elements, was designed by George Wittet, the Scottish architect behind the Gateway of India. The museum is vast, so take advantage of the English-language audio guides to get the best out of your visit. Highlights include the gallery dedicated to Indian miniature painting, an art form dating from the time when religious texts were written on palm leaves, and the Himalayan art gallery, where youll find gemstone-studded statuettes of Buddhist goddesses and beautifully embroidered tapestries from the 17th Century. Evening Enjoy a relaxing drink and dinner at the nearby Leopold Cafe, just like Robert, the main character in Gregory David Robertss best-selling novel Shantaram a big hit with backpackers. Roberts used to live in the area and the historic restaurant with its whirring fans and mahogany-framed mirrors is central to his tale. The cafe has an extensive menu, although you cant beat the tandoori chicken with lemongrass rice, washed down with a bottle of Kingfisher beer. TRAVEL FACTS Virgin Atlantic has return flights from Heathrow to Mumbai from 576 (virginatlantic.com). The Sofitel Mumbai BKC has double rooms from 132 a night (sofitel-mumbai-bkc.com). Advertisement After decades of decline, Buffalo touts a 'Refugee Renaissance.' Can it last? The family of Christian teenage schoolgirl abducted by Boko Haram terrorists in 2018, Leah Sharibu, has reacted to media reports that their daughter was recently delivered of a baby boy for a Boko Haram commander. Earlier, a reliable source close to Boko Haram revealed that Leah Sharibu has given birth to a baby boy for a top Boko Haram commander whom she was forced to marry after converting her to Islam. However, the spokesperson of the family and senior lecturer at the Department of Political Science, University of Jos, Dr. Gloria Puldu described the report as a rumour. He said the only desire of the family was to have their daughter with or without a baby. I have seen reports that Leah had a baby boy. That is just a rumour as far as we are concerned. What we even desire is to see a proof of life so that we see Leah by ourselves. If they are able to have Leah safe, we will understand, Puldu said according to Punch. The most important thing is that we want her to be alive. And if she is alive, we will praise God for that. They should release her, despite whatever condition she is in. That is all; it doesnt matter whether she is pregnant or with a baby. Is it not better to have your child alive? So, it doesnt matter, all we are interested in is her life and safety. I spoke with Jennifer, who was in Boko Haram captivity, last Monday or Tuesday. I was able to speak with her one-on-one and she told us that she did not see Leah in captivity, but she was with Alison Gada, who informed her that Leah was alive, healthy and not dead, he added. Meanwhile, the President of Ekklesiyar Yanuwa a Nigeria (Church of the Brethren), Rev Joel Billi, noted a journalist who has access to Boko Haram, Ahmad Salkida, told him Leah had become a mother. Billi said he got the call from Salkida on the same day the journalist announced the execution of the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Rev Lawan Andimi, by the insurgents. Ahmed Salkida, whom I knew as a young boy when I was a pastor in Biu, called me to inform me that Andimi had been gruesomely murdered. I was also told by Ahmad Salkida that Leah Sharibu had given birth to a baby. I was devastated. I was staggering and almost fell down because I was shocked to hear that. I couldnt absorb the shock because Leah Sharibu had become a symbol of the Christian faith. I consider her Christian faith stronger than even that of many church leaders. When I heard that Leah Sharibu was now a mother, I had to ask more than three times just to be sure. Ahmad Salkida said, Leah Sharibu is now a mother. Leah was among 110 schoolgirls abducted on February 19, 2018 by Boko Haram terrorists from Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi in Yobe State. In March 2018, the Federal Government announced the insurgents had returned 106 of the kidnapped schoolchildren but that Leah was not among them. It was reported that Leah, who was 14 years old at the time she was kidnapped, was not released because she refused to convert to Islam. According to reports, Leah would have been released months ago but for her pregnancy. The federal government has said that it is making efforts to secure the release of Leah. Two women participate in a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens on January 24, 2020. (PTI Photo) DARBHANGA: A team of researchers from Lucknow were mistaken as surveyors for the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and handed over to the police here in Bihar. The superintendent of police of Darbhanga, Babu Ram said the incident took place on Friday when the team of 12 people, including four women, visited a village under the Jamalpur police station jurisdiction. The team was from a Lucknow-based research organization that was engaged by a US-based PhD scholar to carry out the survey. However, as they began visiting households and collecting information, word spread that 'NRC surveyors' were gathering information from the villagers. The local people grew furious and held them in captivity for some time before dragging them to the police station. The situation was defused at the police station after staff there verified the identities of the researchers and explained it to the villagers, who then went back satisfied, the SP said. He, however, added that similar incidents have taken place in the district in the recent past and an awareness campaign has been launched as part of which residents were being told to inform the police or local administrative officials if any surveyors in their area aroused suspicion "instead of illegally detaining them". With the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the National Population Register (NPR) spreading in different parts of Bihar, people engaged in conducting surveys for private research and marketing companies are being mistakenly targeted. Prime minister Narendra Modi and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, whose JD(U) is an ally of the BJP, have been at pains to explain that the CAA would expedite grant of citizenship to refugees from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, if they have fled religious persecution in their countries. Opposition parties have, however, accused the NDA of misleading the people on the issue and pointed out that a country-wide NRC was mentioned in the BJP's manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls. The NRC had also found mention in president Ram Nath Kovind's address to a joint session of Parliament last year apart from Union home minister Amit Shah's speech when the Citizenship Amendment Bill was being debated in the Lok Sabha, the opposition parties said. The Indonesian National Police and the Interpol announced the arrest of three Indonesian hackers who carried out Magecart attacks. The Indonesian National Police in a joint press conference with Interpol announced the result of an investigation dubbed Operation Night Fury that allowed to arrest three hackers that carried out Magecart attacks to steal payment card data. The three hackers had compromised hundreds of e-commerce websites worldwide. The Operation Night Fury was led by Interpols ASEAN Cyber Capability Desk, a joint initiative to drive intelligence -led and coordinated actions against cybercrime in ASEAN through the implementation of a harmonized regional coordination framework. The three hackers were arrested in December in Jakarta and Yogyakarta and charged with data theft, fraud, and unauthorized access to computer systems. The men face up to 10 years in prison under article 363 of the Indonesian Criminal Code. Joint press conference by Indonesian National Police & #INTERPOL on Operation Night Fury led by INTERPOLs #ASEAN Desk, sharing the successful arrest of 3 suspects involved in JS-sniffer campaign compromising e-commerce websites to steal credit card or online payment information pic.twitter.com/2C12fvZ92X INTERPOL_Cyber (@INTERPOL_Cyber) January 24, 2020 According to the authorities, the hackers had compromised at least 12 e-commerce websites, but the trio may be involved in a larger number of attacks. Researchers from Sanguine Security have tracked the activity of this group for several years and believe they have compromised than 571 e-commerce stores. The attribution of the 571 attacks to this specific group is based on an odd message that was left in all of the skimming code they used: Success gan ! translates to Success bro in Indonesian. According to the authorities, the suspects used stolen credit cards to buy electronic goods and other luxury items, and then resell on local e-commerce websites in Indonesia. The modus operandi of the suspect is to infect hundreds of e-commerce originating from various countries in the world, after getting the results in the form of thousands of payment data used for shopping payments in e-commerce, the suspects use the stolen data to spend electronic goods and other luxury goods. reads the press release published by the police. The suspects also tried to resell the goods after they received from the shipper online and through e-commerce in Indonesia at a relatively cheap price or below the market price, evidence secured by Dittipidsiber 1 laptop, 5 mobile phones of various brands, 1 unit CPU, 3 pieces of KTP on behalf of the perpetrators, 1 BCA token, and 2 ATM cards. Of the 500 data losses , the perpetrators made a profit of 300-400 million. According to the experts from Sanguine Security, this group is responsible only for 1% of overall attacks carried out by groups under the Magecart umbrella, this means that many other hackers are ready to attack e-commerce sites worldwide. This group had a serious impact on global ecommerce security in recent years, by skimming at least 571 hacked stores. concluded the experts. However, they were responsible for just 1% of all Magecart incidents since 2018 and should be considered small catch. Sanguine Security estimates that there are yet another 40 to 50 more sophisticated individuals involved in web-skimming activity. Pierluigi Paganini REM sleep is characterized by quick uncontrolled eye movements along with a decline in muscle tone. Most people experience REM sleep on a nightly basis though the amount of REM sleep differs from one individual to another although age is a significant factor. An adults REM sleep would account for just 20% of his/her total sleep time but an infant would experience REM sleep for over half of his/her total sleep time. Sleep is generally divided into two main categories: Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM or non-REM) sleep. It is easy to differentiate between these two types of sleep as each one is characterized by a distinct set of neurological and physiological features. An EEG (Electroencephalography) measures and records the electrical activity in an individuals brain through multiple electrodes that are placed on the persons scalp. This electrical activity can be divided into frequency ranges and this will determine whether the person is experiencing REM or NREM sleep. NREM Sleep In NREM sleep, there is very little or no eye movement and there is also no muscle paralysis as in REM sleep. NREM sleep constitutes 80% of a persons total sleep time and it is during the deep stages of this type of sleep that the body self-repairs and regrows tissue. Sleep Cycles When a person first settles down to go to sleep, they are still wide awake, alert and aware of their surroundings. At this point, the brain produces small and fast waves that are called beta waves but as the person starts to relax and drift off to sleep, the brain produces slower alpha waves. There are four stages of sleep and collectively they are known as a sleep cycle. Most people go through 6 to 8 sleep cycles every night with each cycle lasting anywhere from 60 to 110 minutes. These are the stages of a sleep cycle: The First Stage (NREM) Stage 1 of a sleep cycle is a transition period from wakefulness to sleep and it is a light stage of sleep. During this stage, a person gets very drowsy and their breathing slows down and their muscles relax. The Second Stage (NREM) In Stage 2 of a sleep cycle, eye movements stop and the individuals heart rate slows down. In this stage, brain waves become much slower with short bursts of rapid waves these are known as sleep spindles. There are short periods of muscle tone interspersed with periods of muscle relaxation. In this stage of sleep, a person is no longer conscious of their surroundings. The Third Stage (NREM) Stage 3 of a sleep cycle is when you experience deep sleep. It is sometimes referred to as slow wave sleep or delta sleep as this stage is characterized by the occurrence of slow brain waves called delta waves. During this stage, there is no response to external noises in the persons environment. Bed-wetting, sleepwalking and other similar sleep problems are most likely to occur at the end of the third stage of the sleep cycle. The proportion of deep sleep decreases after the initial 3 to 4 sleep cycles. The Fourth Stage (REM) Most dreaming occurs during stage 4 of a sleep cycle when the respiration rate and brain activity increases. During this time, voluntary muscles are paralysed. The proportion of REM sleep will increase in the last 2 sleep cycles before the individual wakes up. A single sleep cycle generally follows this pattern: Stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, stage 2 and then finally stage 4. While the full functions of REM sleep are not yet understood, research in the field of sleep deprivation shows that a lack of sufficient REM sleep impairs the ability to learn and remember complex tasks. Power naps vs Long sleep A power nap is a short sleep that does not last through all the stages of a sleep cycle. This short nap is generally used to revitalize a person as it supplements normal sleep time. According to a growing body of research, a midday nap will not only improve mood and temperament but can also improve performance. However, it is the duration of the nap that determines the health benefits of power naps and very long naps can have a negative effect. For instance, two independent research teams recently found that there was a relation between hypertension and regular long naps. Their evidence strongly suggests that people who nap for more than an hour on a daily basis are at an increased risk of high blood pressure problems. Similarly, a study into the effects of lengthy napping on diabetes showed that long naps are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Short power naps are effective and produce immediate improvements on cognitive performance and vigour. While a 5 minute nap has no noticeable effect, a 10 minute nap produces benefits that last for the next one and a half hours. A 20 minute nap does not have immediate benefits as these only kick in half an hour after the nap has ended. A 30 minute nap has a temporary negative effect as the individual experiences impaired alertness for a brief period but the positive effects after that can last for up to two and a half hours. Power naps at work should be approximately 20 minutes long as this will promote alertness and improve typing skills and other motor abilities while power naps for studying should be no less than 30 to 60 minutes. A nap of 30 to 60 minutes allows the student to enter into slow-wave sleep and the occurrence of deep sleep will improve memory and recall abilities. It can take a while to get used to regular power naps time your naps to make sure that you dont nap for over an hour or you will wake up groggy and sleepier than before. When it comes to naps vs coffee, although the caffeine in a cup of coffee can give you a boost, go for a short nap instead, as it will leave you more refreshed and alert. While it may seem like power naps have an obvious advantage in the contest of power naps vs sleep, it is essential that an individual experiences a certain amount of deep sleep every night. It is during deep sleep that the human growth hormone is secreted which is responsible for cell repair which is why this type of sleep is also referred to as restorative sleep. Some people make the mistake of having short power naps through the night instead of long sleep but this goes against the basic biorhythms of our bodies and can cause sleeping problems. Inadequate deep sleep will leave you fighting drowsiness throughout your day and will drastically reduce your productivity. Update - 10.15pm: The post mortem examinations on the three children whose bodies were found on Friday have been completed. Gardai said they will not be releasing the results for operational reasons. The bodies of Conor, Darragh and Carla McGinley were discovered in their home in Newcastle, Co Dublin. A book of condolences was opened in Newcastle earlier today. Update - 5.30pm: A book of condolences has been opened in Newcastle, Co Dublin for the three McGinley children found whose bodies were found at their home in the town on Friday evening. Gardai named them as Conor, aged nine, Darragh, aged seven, and three-year-old, Carla McGinley. Locals have been paying their respects at St Finian's Church, where mass was said for the children this morning. Gardai have said the results of the postmortem will not be released operational reasons and further toxicology results are still awaited. A woman in her forties who was found at the scene is still being treated at at Tallaght Hospital. It is understood the childrens father, Andrew McGinley, was not at the house at the time. The scene where two boys and a girl were found in a house at Parsons Court in Newcastle Village,northwest of Rathcoole last night.. Pic Stephen Colllins/Collins Photos. Earlier: A woman in her 40s remains in hospital where she is being treated following the discovery of the bodies of three young children in Dublin on Friday. Gardai named them as Conor, aged nine, Darragh, aged seven, and three-year-old, Carla McGinley. Their bodies were found at around 7.45pm Friday night, when gardai responded to a call at Parsons Court in Newcastle. It is understood the childrens father, Andrew McGinley, was not at the house at the time. Gardai have said the results of the postmortem will not be released operational reasons and further toxicology results are still awaited. Around 150 people, including many of the children's classmates, turned out for a special mass at St Finian's Church in Newcastle yesterday. A book of condolences also opens today in the church. Gardai have said they are liaising with the South Dublin Children and Young People's Service Committee to "ensure tailored and appropriate supports" are made available to children and families. Spain, January 26 Spanish King Felipe VI has expressed his wish to visit Nepal soon. When the newly appointed Nepali Ambassador to Spain, Dawa Futi Sherpa, presented her credentials to the monarch at the Madrid palace on Friday last week, the king expressed his desire to visit Nepal for the second time. The king said he had already visited Nepal once, though informally. On the occasion, the king also the ambassador held a brief meeting discussing various dimensions of the bilateral relations, according to the embassy. Congratulating Sherpa on her appointment, he also asked her to convey his greetings to Nepals President Bidya Devi Bhandari. He was also curious to know more about reconstruction efforts after the 2015 earthquake and the impacts of global warming on the mountains. Ambassador Sherpa during the meeting conveyed messages of President Bhandari and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to the king. In particular, she informed the royal about the governments vision of Prosperous Nepal: Happy Nepali. Sherpa thanked the king for warm hospitality in Madrid. WASHINGTON - Observe Mitch McConnell from the balcony above the Senate gallery on a given night of President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, and it's hard to tell whether the Republican majority leader from Kentucky is listening, reading, praying or deep asleep. The difference between those states approaches zero anyway, as the trial concludes its first week and heads into an interminable second. "I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted, and I can only imagine how you feel," lead impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff told the senators late Friday, effectively reading the room. His closing arguments for removing Trump from office were greeted with near-constant fidgeting, coughing, throat-clearing, dozing and open-mouth yawns among the audience of 100, who had by then sat through nearly 40 hours of proceedings in four days. Reporters in the upper galleries speculated on which lawmakers might be coming down with colds. The scribes had been forbidden from sleeping during the trial, and handwritten notes taped to their desks warned: "No leaning - AT ALL TIMES. Thanks!" A small girl in the public viewing balcony flagrantly violated both rules as Schiff pressed on into the dark hours. The president "solicited the interference of a foreign government in the 2020 election," he said, and Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, slumped sideways in his chair. "He is the state!" Schiff cried, as Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, rocked back and forth. "Are the blessings of freedom so meager we cannot endure the fatigue of a fair trial with documents and witnesses?" Schiff implored. In the front row, the limbs of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., splayed out beyond the confines of his desk like a squashed spider. Earlier in the week, several senators had been caught napping (McConnell was not among them, despite his mantis-like tranquility), and Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., handed out fidget spinners to his colleagues. Some suspect that Republican leaders designed the trial to be exhausting and boring - the better to acquit Trump of abuse of power and obstruction at its semiconscious end. "We're actually used to the long hours," Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., explained between sessions. "What we're not used to is sitting in the chairs. I always suspected those chairs would not be particularly comfortable for the long term, and they're not." Never has it been more apparent that the vaunted Senate chamber is functionally identical to a second-grade classroom: tiny desks, assigned seats, and the occupants forbidden from talking during lectures under "pain of imprisonment." It's even more grueling outside the chamber, in the labyrinthine hallways and tunnels of the Capitol complex, where aides, pages, cooks, laborers and a small army of police endure the trial's long hours, many of them chairless. Workers arrive in the frigid morning, hours before the Senate convenes for the day, and assume airport security positions beside the metal detectors. Crotches are wanded, purses are searched. On the fifth morning of the trial, a Capitol police officer guarding the main corridor said "How are you doing today?" to a passerby, then added to herself, "Oh I'm sleepy!" "The days are sort of running together," said Tona Boyd, the chief counsel for Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J. The office has been preparing for the trial since last year, and although the trial has not yet reached the phase where senators are allowed to ask questions, Boyd is subsisting on minimal sleep and her husband's spaghetti during days that can stretch from 7:45 a.m. until 2:30 the next morning. "I'd be afraid to take a nap; that just would not end," she said. "We're exhausted . . . [but] even though these are really hard and long days, you feel like you're a part of history and that sustains us." It sustains some. "I am one pooped puppy," Murkowski told The Washington Post's Paul Kane as she left the Capitol late Thursday, declaring her intention to take a bath and drink a glass of wine before returning. As one of the few Republican senators who might conceivably vote to convict Trump, Murkowski has been unable to traverse the building without a cloud of reporters and microphones accompanying her every step. As this fused organism entered the Capitol on the first day of the Trump defense team's statements on Saturday - yes, Saturday; there is no escape - a reporter at the edge of Murkowski's tornado spilled her coffee. Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., sprang forth with a wad of napkins and helped mop it up before Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., ambled past, carrying his own mug of caffeine with a paw print on the side. Probably no one will be crying for the tired senators, who get to come and go when they want and do as they please for the vast majority of American history - save these rare moments. The first presidential impeachment trial lasted more than two months. The second, Bill Clinton's, went for five weeks. McConnell is trying to wrap up Trump's in less than two weeks, but even one was enough to turn one of the world's most esteemed legislative institutions into a sleepover camp of clumsy, cranky, anxious, dozy captives of history and the Constitution. Some senators filed through the Capitol basement at the end of Saturday's proceedings, boarding congressional subway cars that whisked them toward their offices and whatever passed for a weekend. Asked what he planned to do with his day off on Sunday, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., appeared momentarily confused. "I'm going back to Connecticut," he said. "I have plans, but . . ." The train door closed in his face and he vanished down the tunnel. The trial resumes Monday, the only plan that matters. Early Childhood Ireland, the membership organisation for the early years sector, has written to general election candidates in every constituency this week, asking them to support three vital initiatives in the next Programme for Government. Now that we know who is standing for election to the Dail on February 8, Early Childhood Ireland has immediately written to candidates about the tipping point which our 3,800 members are facing as 2020 begins, said Teresa Heeney, CEO of Early Childhood Ireland. The past 10 years have seen unprecedented transformation, re-organisation and funding changes in our sector. While some of these developments have been positive and investment has increased, childcare services all over Ireland are facing into a new decade with unparalleled challenges. The three initiatives that Early Childhood Ireland is calling for are: 1. A cross-party plan and roadmap to increase investment in early years to 1% of GDP by 2025. 2. The establishment of a single early years and school age childcare agency to coordinate all existing early years functions, including inspection, funding, quality and planning. 3. Reform of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme to extend it to 52 weeks and increase capitation rates. Early years educators cannot be expected to survive on their vocational commitment, said Ms. Heeney. They deserve a comprehensive career and pay structure, which childcare providers must be able to fund. Its absence has resulted in a turnover of staff that is at an all-time high and means that many skilled people are being lost to our sector. This is an added pressure on providers who must meet adult-to-child ratios; and means that they are constantly engaged in recruitment. At the same time, many providers themselves are unable to take a regular wage and, owing to the current structure of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, thousands of educators are laid off every summer and must go on the dole. These are ongoing injustices, which can only be addressed through additional public investment. A commitment from every political party, as well as Independents, is essential, to achieve this. We look forward to receiving their support. Also read: Can you tell the difference between a real and fake 20 note? A statement posted on the website of US Embassy in China on Sunday confirmed the plan to evaculate diplomats and US citizens in Wuhan. Shanghai/Tokyo, Jan 26 (IANS) Washington and Tokyo are chalking out plans to evacuate their citizens from Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak that has claimed 56 lives so far, a media report said. The State Department is making arrangements to relocate its personnel stationed at the US Consulate General in Wuhan to the United States, it added. An evacuation flight from Wuhan Tianhe International Airport to San Francisco will depart on Tuesday, Nikkei Asian Review reported. The statement said the flight was limited to private US citizens, and that "if there is insufficient ability to transport everyone who expresses interest, priority will be given to individuals at greater risk from coronavirus." Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also said on Sunday that after his government finishes talks with Chinese authorities, it will bring back "all [Japanese citizens] that wish to return, and is looking at all possible means, such as chartered flights." Abe said that the government has been asking Japanese residents in Wuhan if they want to leave the city. More than 700 Japanese nationals reside in Wuhan, according to Japan's foreign ministry. The government is also considering evacuation by road from Hubei Province, and have Japanese nationals take flights home from other places, according to sources. The Chinese government said on Sunday the death toll in the country from the coronavirus rose to 56 from 41 a day earlier, with 1,975 cases confirmed. tsb On Jan. 24, Nicki Minaj and her husband Kenneth Petty had a heated run-in with the rappers ex-boyfriend Meek Mill. A screaming match ensued and the two men nearly came to blows. But why? Heres the reported real reason Nicki Minaj and Petty fought with Meek Mill. (L-R) Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill | Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images North America; Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images North America Nicki Minaj has a tense history with Meek Mill Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill share a long history. After meeting in the 2010s, they formed a friendship and became frequent collaborators. Meek Mill made multiple appearances on Nicki Minajs 2014 album, The Pinkprint and she returned the favor by putting down a verse on his 2015 album, Dreams Worth More Than Money. The same year, they began a romantic relationship. The pair dated for two years before announcing their breakup in January of 2017. They were fighting on and off for a little while about a few topics that upset Nicki. They had a bigger fight and then called it quits, a source told E! News at the time. Meek Mill and Nicki Minaj at a party in November 2016 | Jerritt Clark/WireImage After their breakup, Meek Mill began shading Nicki Minaj on social media. When the Super Bass artist moved on, he seemingly increased his shady antics. Nicki Minaj moved on with Kenneth Petty In December 2018, Nicki Minaj went public with her relationship with Petty. She and Petty grew up together in New York and were childhood sweethearts. Nicki and Kenneth dated when she was a teenager, before she was famous, a source previously told Us Weekly. They linked up when she handed out turkeys for Thanksgiving [2018] in her hometown. In August 2019, Meek Mill allegedly made fun of Petty on social media. After Petty shared a video of himself beating a speed bag at an event, Meek Mill posted a similar clip while listening to a Nicki Minaj song. Neither party publicly addressed the moment. Nicki Minaj and Petty went on to tie the knot in October 2019. The details of the ceremony are still limited, but the Pink Friday rapper showed off some of their wedding decorations on Instagram. Nicki Minaj and Kenneth Petty run into Meek Mill On Jan. 24, Nicki Minaj and Petty ran into Meek Mill while shopping in West Hollywood, California. Sources told TMZ that Meek Mill had been browsing through a store when the pair allegedly entered and approached him. When Petty reportedly began to call Meek Mill out, the Going Bad rapper allegedly suggested that they talk in private. But his rumored comments were ignored. Sources told The Shade Room that Petty allegedly wanted Meek Mill to keep that same energy that hed had in the past and fight him. In a video obtained by TMZ, Petty can be heard calling Mekk Mill a p***y to which the rapper called him one back. Nicki Minaj also chimed in and berated her ex, reportedly accusing him of not being over her. The Shade Room reports that security eventually got involved and broke up the squabble before things became too heated. Judging from the video, its a good thing they stepped in. Hopefully, these three can keep the peace and move on amicably. Wed hate to see it get any uglier. Toronto public health officials are tracking down almost 30 passengers who sat within a two-metre radius of a man who had coronavirus symptoms while travelling by plane to Toronto. Its just a little under 30, said Dr. Eileen de Villa, Torontos medical officer of health, when asked by the Star for the number of passengers her office is contacting. She added that some of those passengers are likely outside the city. The passengers are being contacted by phone, informed that they may have been exposed to the coronavirus, told of the symptoms to look for and advised to seek medical treatment if necessary, de Villa said in a phone interview. The 50-year-old man presumed to be infected with the coronavirus experienced dry coughing and muscle aches while on the flight from China to Pearson airport, she said. News that he had symptoms of the illness while travelling to Toronto was revealed earlier Sunday by Canadas chief public health officer. Based on the latest information, the patient had symptoms on the plane, Dr. Theresa Tam told an Ottawa news conference, which included federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu. The man arrived Wednesday on China Southern Airlines flight CZ311. He flew from Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, to Guangzhou and from there directly to Toronto. Protocols implemented at international airports in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal instruct passengers to inform border officials if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms, including fever, coughing and shortness of breath. But Dr. Rita Shahin, Torontos associate medical officer of health, told the Star the infected man arrived in Toronto the day before those protocols were implemented at Pearson. Screening was not yet in place when that flight came in, Shahin said. Screening started the following day. Asked why the screening wasnt in place earlier at the airport, Shahin said thats a question best answered by federal authorities. But neither Tam nor Hajdu seemed to realize protocols werent in place when they held their news conference Sunday morning. Tam told reporters that airport protocols were followed when the man landed. She explained that arrival screens instruct passengers to inform border service officers if theyre sick after travelling to coronavirus-affected areas. Health screening questions are also asked when travellers use electronic customs kiosks at the three airports. A passenger who reports symptoms after travelling to an infected area is quarantined and medically assessed, Tam said, adding she did not currently see the need for more extreme airport protocols. The system is working, she said, referring to the patients example. The person obviously got the information that they needed to enter the health system in a safe and responsible manner. But asked repeatedly if the man had reported to Pearson airport authorities that he was experiencing symptoms, Tam suggested she didnt know, noting the information about symptoms on the plane had been newly received Sunday morning after an interview with the patient. This patient may have had some mild symptoms, certainly not something that would have been particularly obvious, Tam said, adding her agency had received no report about the patient when he came through Pearson airport. Toronto Public Health now says the protocols werent in place, so the patient likely didnt know he had to tell border officials about his symptoms, or that he had been to Wuhan. Tam said passengers who werent within the two-metre radius with the patient on the plane should not be overly concerned. For the rest of the plane, if you dont get a call from public health authorities it means you were not right next to that two-metre radius, Tam said, adding that passengers who are not contacted should remain calm. Two metres is about the distance that infected droplets from a cough would travel. Tams deputy, Dr. Howard Njoo, said its possible some passengers who were seated close to the patient live in provinces outside of Ontario. In a statement Sunday, de Villa said passengers have been showing up at local hospital emergency departments without symptoms. While we appreciate that people may have concerns, and that people may worry about their health, we encourage people who were on this flight and who do not have signs of illness to continue with their routine activities and we ask that these people do not present to the health care system, de Villa said. After landing in Toronto, the infected man was taken from the airport in a private vehicle and authorities say he had little contact with anyone after his arrival, outside of his immediate family. The patient called 911 the day after his arrival, was taken by ambulance to hospital Thursday, and is in stable condition. De Villa said in an interview that only one member of the mans family was in close contact with him. The family member has no symptoms and is doing well. Chinas health minister, Ma Xiaowei, told reporters in Beijing Sunday that an infected person can spread the coronavirus to others before experiencing symptoms. Thats different than the SARS coronavirus, which couldnt be spread during incubation. The outbreak of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) began in China in 2002 and killed almost 800 people worldwide. The current coronavirus so far seems less dangerous than SARS. But de Villa cautioned that the virus was identified less than a month ago and the situation is evolving. Hajdu stressed that the risk is extremely low for Canadians, noting the virus is spread only through close contact. There is no need for Canadians to be alarmed, she said, adding health authorities have learned much since SARS killed 44 people in Toronto. Given global travel patterns, Tam said she expects more coronavirus cases will be imported into Canada in the near term. And she urged people participating in large public gatherings to take typical wintertime precautions wash your hands, dont cough towards someone, cough into a tissue or into your sleeve and discard the tissue properly. And stay home if youre sick. The United States government is sending a charter plane to fly its consular staff out of Wuhan. Hajdu said the Canadian government is not currently planning a similar airlift for Canadians citizens there. But the government will assist Canadians who want help leaving Wuhan if they reach out to Global Affairs, she added. The man believed to be infected was taken by ambulance to Torontos Sunnybrook hospital Thursday with a fever and cough. Tests came back positive for coronavirus on Saturday and the man is now being treated in isolation in a negative pressure room at the hospital. Dr. Jerome Leis, Sunnybrooks medical director of infection prevention and control, said Sunday the patient remains in stable condition, and will only be released when hes no longer a contagion risk. Leis said the patients presence at the hospital is not affecting care being given to other patients. Tam said she expects laboratory confirmation on the presumed coronavirus infection within 24 hours. Toronto Public Health is investigating every place the patient may have visited and any people he came in contact with, said Dr. Eileen de Villa, Torontos medical officer of health, at a separate press conference on Saturday. Health officials around the world are working to contain the coronavirus, known as 2019-nCoV, which as of late Sunday had infected more than 2,700 people and led to 80 deaths in China, where it originated. Despite its rapid spread, the virus had not been declared an international public health emergency by the World Health Organization. In central Chinas Hubei province, some 51 million in 16 cities are essentially quarantined and under a travel ban. Aside from China and Canada, cases have been reported in the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and Hong Kong. London: The heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, would like to make an official visit to Iran, he said in an interview with The Sunday Times newspaper. Charles however declined to address the tensions relating to the crisis in the British monarchy sparked by his son Prince Harry, who is stepping down from his royal role with his wife Meghan, the paper said. Britain's Prince Charles visits the Mosque of Omar in Bethlehem during a visit on Friday. Credit:AP "Yes, obviously I would like to [go to Iran]," he was quoted as saying. "I know that Iran has been such an important part of the world for so many centuries and has contributed so much to human knowledge, culture, poetry, art. I mean, really remarkable people." Republic Day 2020 Updates: The gravity-defying certical Charlie manoeuvre by the Sukhoi 30MKI brought the Republic Day parade to an end. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the crowds at Rajpath. Auto refresh feeds Tweeting in English and Hindi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the citizens of India on the 71st Republic Day. He will visit the War Memorial in New Delhi, followed by Rajpath for the Republic Day Parade. Kargil War hero Lt Gen YK Joshi, 15 Corps Commander Lt Gen KJS Dhillon, 3 Corps Commander Lt Gen Rajiv Sirohi and former 16 Corps Chief Lt Gen Paramjeet Singh will be awarded the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal. Meanwhile, four army officers will be awarded the Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry) while 104 army personnel will be given Sena Medal (Gallantry) for their respective acts of bravery, on this Republic Day. Indian Army Vice Chief Lt Gen SK Saini, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh and Adjutant General Lt Gen Arvind Dutta among 19 officers will be awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal at the Republic Day parade at Rajpath today. Central Armed Police Forces will be awarded 76 medals for gallantry. Naresh Kumar, Assistant Commandant, CRPF will receive his sixth Police Medal-Gallantry on Republic Day for neutralising three terrorists, including Lashkar-e-Taiba's top commander Shaukat Tak in Srinagar. Thirty-six-year-old Mary Kom, also a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, won a bronze medal in the 2012 London Olympics while also being crowned as world champion six times in an illustrious career. Eminent personalities, including former Union ministers Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj and George Fernandes, Olympian boxer Mary Kom, former Mauritius prime minister Anerood Jugnauth, classical singer from Varanasi Chhannulal Mishra and Sri Vishveshateertha Swamiji Sri of the Pejavara Matha in Udupi have been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan. The full route of the Republic Day parade starts from Vijay Chowk, through Rajpath, C-Hexagon, Tilak Marg, cross Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Netaji Subhash Marg and ends at Red Fort. The Vijay Chowk outside the Rashtrapati Bhavan is the starting point of the Republic Day parade, which crosses Rajpath and ends at Red Fort. Aided by dozens of drones in the air and hundreds of CCTV cameras and facial recognition devices, besides several anti-aircraft guns on the ground, the security personnel are keeping a hawk-eyed vigil over Rajpath, where President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be celebrating the occasion along with chief guest, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, and other dignitaries, besides thousands of citizens. With the 71st Republic Day celebrations set to begin here shortly, the entire national capital has been put under a multi-layered, ground-to-air security cover with thousands of armed personnel keeping a tight vigil over it, including the celebration venue Rajpath. Recently, the Delhi High Court asked the Delhi Police to look into the matter of blockage of Kalindi Kunj road blockage which was causing an inconvenience to commuters, due to the protest at Shaheen Bagh. The tricolour flag was unfurled at Shaheen Bagh in New Delhi on Sunday. Demonstrations have been ongoing in the area since 15 December 2019, and protestors have blocked Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh stretch to protest against the new citizenship law. The Delhi police has also installed its facial recognition devices at all entry gates of the R-Day celebration venue to identify miscreants and suspects, said officials. The celebration venue Rajpath will remain inaccessible to general traffic till 12 noon, till when the entry and exit gates of the Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan, Patel Chowk and Lok Kalyan Marg metro stations too will remain closed, beginning from 8.45 am. Over ten thousand security personnel have been deployed to keep vigil over the Republic Day celebrations on Sunday, said officials. Sharpshooters and snipers have been deployed atop high-rise buildings to keep watch on the eight-km-long parade route from Rajpath to the Red Fort, they said Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel celebrated Republic Day at 17,000 feet in extremely cold conditions. The temperature in Ladakh at present is minus 20 degrees Celsius. Also called Himveers, the personnel unfurled the national flag and chanted 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram'. The C-Hexagon around India Gate will remain closed from 2 am on 26 January till the end of the parade. Besides, traffic on Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and Netaji Subhash Road will not be allowed from 5 am till the parade is over, it said. The Delhi Metro schedules on Yellow Line (HUDA City Centre to Samaypur Badli), and Violet Line (Kashmere Gate to Raja Nahar Singh) have also been partially modified for Sunday. The entry and exit at Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhawan Metro stations will remain closed till 12 noon. All the Metro parking lots will remain closed till 2 pm. The Delhi Traffic Police has put in place certain restrictions on the movement of traffic in the national capital ahead of the Republic Day parade. According to the advisory, no cross-traffic will be allowed on Rajpath from 11 pm on Saturday at Rafi Marg, Janpath and Mansingh Road till the Republic Day Parade is over. The first Republic Day parade was held in 1950 and was presided over by India's first President after Independence Rajendra Prasad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays a floral wreath at the Amar Jawwan Jyoti or the eternal flame at the National War Memorial. He is flanked by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and Army Chief Gen Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh, Air Force Chief Air Marshal RKS Bhadauria. President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro will soon reach the venue to take start Republic Day celebrations. Additionally, an all-women team of CRPF will showcase their daredevil skills at Rajpath. Major Sheena Nayyar will lead a contingent of the transportable satellite terminal. The system provides the fail-safe secure communication to the forces on the move. Tania Shergill, a young Army officer who grew up in a family where for generations men had lived their life serving the nation in olive green uniform, will be leading an all-men contingent comprising 147 personnel on Republic Day. After the Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra awardees, the highest peacetime gallantry awards in India, the first contingent in the uniform of the erstwhile Gwalior Lancers is 61 Cavalry was led by Captain Deepanshu Sheoran. The 61 Cavalry is the only active serving horse cavalry regiment in the world. It was raised on 1 August, 1953 with the amalgamation of six state forces cavalry units. The 21 Gun Salute was presented by 2233 Field Battery under the command of Lieutenant Colonel C Sandeep. On Republic Day every year, a 21-gun salute is given to the National Flag and the President during the Flag Hoisting Ceremony. The marching contingent of the Corps of Signals is led by Captain Tanya Shergil, a fourth generation Army Officer. The motto of the Corps is Teevra Chaukas. The National Service Scheme (NSS) contingent comprised 148 volunteers. The National Cadet Corps (NCC) Boys Marching contingent led by Commander Junior Under-Officer Charandeep Singh Bhaduria, NCC Directorate Uttar Pradesh, while the Girls contingent will be headed by Senior Under-Officer Shreeshma Hegde, NCC Directorate, Karnataka and Goa. The Camel Contingent of Border Security Force under the command of Deputy Commandant Ghanshyam Singh. BSF's motto is Duty unto Death; There are over 75 different dress items which are necessary to ceremonially dress the camels and riders of the Force. There are over 75 different dress items which are necessary to ceremonially dress the camels and riders of the Force. Birla Balika Vidyapeeth, Pilani's band is led by Senior Under Officer Charu Surana. The school has been continuously participating in the Republic Day parade for 56 years consecutively. Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Goa are among the states whose colourful and culturaly rich tableaux are on display at the parade this year. Suspension of mobile phone and Internet services on Republic and Independence days has been part of the security drill in the valley since 2005 when militants used a mobile phone to trigger an IED blast near the venue of Independence day celebrations. Mobile phone services were snapped in Kashmir on Sunday as a precautionary measure for ensuring smooth passage of Republic Day celebrations in the valley, PTI reported. While mobile internet services were suspended hours after their restoration on Saturday, mobile phone connectivity was suspended in the early hours of Sunday. Telangana tableaux depicts Bathukamma, a floral festival of the state and tableaux of Assam depicts bamboo and cane crafts from the state. The tableau of Odisha shows the Rukuna Ratha Yatra of Lord Lingaraja. Rajasthan Meghalaya, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh were among the other states whose tableaux were at Rajpath. The tableau of Jammu and Kashmir being showcased at the Republic Day parade. Jammu and Kashmir governments Back to Village program is the theme of the union territory's tableau and focusses on education in the Union Territory, especially in parts heavily impacted by terrorism. The gun with a maximum range of 36.5 km has the capability of automatic gun alignment and positioning. The gun, which is equipped with inertial navigation system and advanced gun sighting system, has been designed to meet futuristic requirements of the Army. The 'Dhanush' gun system, commanded by Capt. Mrigank Bharadwaj, was part of the Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath for the first time. The 155mm/45 Caliber Dhanush gun system is a towed Howitzer designed indigenously by the Ordinance Factory Board. The cultural show be led by Arvind Gupta DAV Centenary Public School, Model Town, Delhi on the theme Yog Vishwa Shakti ki Ore. The Baul, a group of mystic minstrels from the historical Bengal region, is the theme of Vinay Nagar Bengali Senior Secondary School, Sarojini Nagar, Delhi. West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur presented the Garba, a folk dance of Gujarat. The children from Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya B-Block, JanakPuri, New Delhi perform on the theme Mharo Rang Rangilo Rajasthan. Inspector Seema Nag, salutes standing on top of a moving motorcycle. Head Constable Meena Chaudhary is displaying the ready position to fire two pistols in both her hands while balancing herself on the motorcycle. In a first, the daredevil stunts have been performed by an all-women contingent at the Republic Day parade. 21 women on five motorcycles make a human pyramid. Assistant Sub Inspector Anita Kumari VV leads this formation. Additionally, three Chinook helicopters took part in the Republic Day parade for the first time after being inducted last year. Trishul formation, comprising of three ALH helicopters in Vic formation. This is the first time that a tri-service formation is taking part in the Republic Day. Wing Commander SK Chauhan leads the 'Vic' formation, comprising three Dornier aircraft. The captains of the other two aircraft are Squadron Leader Vikas Kumar and Squadron Leader Abhishek Vashisht. Five Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft, in Arrowhead formation fly past at a speed of 780 kmph. The formation is led by Group Captain Parijat Saurabh. Sukhoi 30MKIs of Indian Air Force execute the 'Trishul' manoeuvre. The formation is being led by Group Captain Nishit Ohri. The captains of the other two aircraft are Wing Commander Nilesh Dixit and Wing Commander Karan Dogra. The gravity-defying manoeuvre by the aircraft brought the Republic Day parade to an end Tricolour balloons are released into the sky at the end of the parade. President Ram Nath Kovind and chief guest and Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro leave from Rajpath after the National Anthem. As the 71st Republic Day parade came to an end, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the crowds at Rajpath. The gun with a maximum range of 36.5 km has the capability of automatic gun alignment and positioning. The gun, which is equipped with inertial navigation system and advanced gun sighting system, has been designed to meet futuristic requirements of the Army. The 'Dhanush' gun system, commanded by Capt. Mrigank Bharadwaj, was part of the Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath for the first time. The 155mm/45 Caliber Dhanush gun system is a towed Howitzer designed indigenously by the Ordinance Factory Board. Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnesses Garba, the folk dance of Gujarat, being performed at Rajpath by 150 girls from different schools of the state . pic.twitter.com/ubL5dxAaaR The cultural show be led by Arvind Gupta DAV Centenary Public School, Model Town, Delhi on the theme Yog Vishwa Shakti ki Ore. The Baul, a group of mystic minstrels from the historical Bengal region, is the theme of Vinay Nagar Bengali Senior Secondary School, Sarojini Nagar, Delhi. West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur presented the Garba, a folk dance of Gujarat. The children from Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya B-Block, JanakPuri, New Delhi perform on the theme Mharo Rang Rangilo Rajasthan. Delhi: Inspector Seema Nag, salutes standing on top of a moving motorcycle. Head Constable Meena Chaudhary is displaying the ready position to fire two pistols in both her hands while balancing herself on the motorcycle. pic.twitter.com/VtqRRHgaJd Inspector Seema Nag, salutes standing on top of a moving motorcycle. Head Constable Meena Chaudhary is displaying the ready position to fire two pistols in both her hands while balancing herself on the motorcycle. In a first, the daredevil stunts have been performed by an all-women contingent at the Republic Day parade. 21 women on five motorcycles make a human pyramid. Assistant Sub Inspector Anita Kumari VV leads this formation. Republic Day parade at Rajpath, Delhi: Trishul formation, comprising of 3 ALH helicopters in Vic formation. This is 1st time that a Tri-service Formation is taking part in the Republic Day pic.twitter.com/rdgyMxlnZ2 Additionally, three Chinook helicopters took part in the Republic Day parade for the first time after being inducted last year. Trishul formation, comprising of three ALH helicopters in Vic formation. This is the first time that a tri-service formation is taking part in the Republic Day. Delhi: Wing Commander SK Chauhan leads the 'Vic' formation, comprising three Dornier aircraft. The captains of the other two aircraft are Squadron Leader Vikas Kumar and Squadron Leader Abhishek Vashisht. #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/0DIo2rlBEr Wing Commander SK Chauhan leads the 'Vic' formation, comprising three Dornier aircraft. The captains of the other two aircraft are Squadron Leader Vikas Kumar and Squadron Leader Abhishek Vashisht. Delhi: 5 Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft, in Arrowhead formation fly past at a speed of 780 kmph. The formation is led by Group Captain Parijat Saurabh. #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/RGsQwRYHlK Delhi: Su-30 MKIs of Indian Air Force execute the 'Trishul' manoeuvre. The formation is being led by Group Captain Nishit Ohri. The captains of the other two aircraft are Wing Commander Nilesh Dixit and Wing Commander Karan Dogra. pic.twitter.com/RMp1VmdHOE Five Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft, in Arrowhead formation fly past at a speed of 780 kmph. The formation is led by Group Captain Parijat Saurabh. Sukhoi 30MKIs of Indian Air Force execute the 'Trishul' manoeuvre. The formation is being led by Group Captain Nishit Ohri. The captains of the other two aircraft are Wing Commander Nilesh Dixit and Wing Commander Karan Dogra. Delhi: A lone Su-30MKI flies at a speed of 900 km/hr and splits the sky with a Vertical Charlie. The aircraft is being piloted by Wing Commander Yathartha Johri along with Flight Lieutenant S Mishra. #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/elUhceBqmW The gravity-defying manoeuvre by the aircraft brought the Republic Day parade to an end Delhi: President of India Ram Nath Kovind and President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro, leave as the #RepublicDay parade concludes pic.twitter.com/qqoaDu5PtD Tricolour balloons are released into the sky at the end of the parade. President Ram Nath Kovind and chief guest and Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro leave from Rajpath after the National Anthem. As the 71st Republic Day parade came to an end, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the crowds at Rajpath. Republic Day 2020 LATEST Updates: The gravity-defying certical Charlie manoeuvre by the Sukhoi 30MKI brought the Republic Day parade to an end. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the crowds at Rajpath. Sukhoi 30MKIs of Indian Air Force executed the 'Trishul' manoeuvre, while five Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft, in Arrowhead formation flew past at a speed of 780 kmph. Five Apache helicopters flew in the formation led by Group Captain Mannarath Shylu VM, Commanding Officer 125 Helicopter Squadron. Wing Commander SK Chauhan led the 'Vic' formation, comprising three Dornier aircraft. Trishul formation, comprising of three ALH helicopters in Vic formation. This is the first time that a tri-service formation is taking part in the Republic Day. Additionally, three Chinook helicopters took part in the Republic Day parade for the first time after being inducted last year. In a first, the daredevil stunts have been performed by an all-women contingent at the Republic Day parade. 21 women on five motorcycles make a human pyramid. Assistant Sub Inspector Anita Kumari VV leads this formation. West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur presented the Garba, a folk dance of Gujarat. The children from Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya B-Block, JanakPuri, New Delhi perform on the theme Mharo Rang Rangilo Rajasthan. The cultural show be led by Arvind Gupta DAV Centenary Public School, Model Town, Delhi on the theme Yog Vishwa Shakti ki Ore. The Baul, a group of mystic minstrels from the historical Bengal region, is the theme of Vinay Nagar Bengali Senior Secondary School, Sarojini Nagar, Delhi. The children were conferred the award for exceptional achievements in the fields of bravery, social service, art and culture, sports, innovation and scholastic. It will be followed by childrens pageant comprising over 600 participants. The tableau of Jammu and Kashmir being showcased at the Republic Day parade. Jammu and Kashmir governments Back to Village program is the theme of the union territory's tableau and focusses on education in the Union Territory, especially in parts heavily impacted by terrorism. Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Goa are among the states whose colourful and culturaly rich tableaux are on display at the parade this year. Telangana tableau depicts Bathukamma, a floral festival of the state and tableau of Assam depicts bamboo and cane crafts from the state. Birla Balika Vidyapeeth, Pilani's band is led by Senior Under Officer Charu Surana. The school has been continuously participating in the Republic Day parade for 56 years consecutively. The marching contingent of the Corps of Signals is led by Captain Tanya Shergil, a fourth generation Army Officer. The motto of the Corps is Teevra Chaukas. The Camel Contingent of Border Security Force under the command of Deputy Commandant Ghanshyam Singh. BSF's motto is Duty unto Death; There are over 75 different dress items which are necessary to ceremonially dress the camels and riders of the Force. The Indian Navy showcases its assets like Boeing P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft and the Kolkata Class Destroyer and the Kalvari Class submarine. The indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant under construction at the Cochin Shipyard. Sikh Light Infantry Regiment is led by Major Anjum Gorka of 6th Battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment. The motto of the Regiment is Deg Teg Fateh and the war cry is Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Shri Akal. After the Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra awardees, the highest peacetime gallantry awards in India, the first contingent in the uniform of the erstwhile Gwalior Lancers is 61 Cavalry was led by Captain Deepanshu Sheoran. In the high-security enclosure at Rajpath, President Ram Nath Kovind took the National Salute. Prime Minister NArendra Modi, Brazilian Presidenr Jair Bolsonaro and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also present as the National Anthem plays and the tricolour is unfurled. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays a floral wreath at the Amar Jawwan Jyoti or the eternal flame at the National War Memorial. He is flanked by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and Army Chief Gen Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh, Air Force Chief Air Marshal RKS Bhadauria. Congress president Sonia Gandhi urged people on the eve of Republic Day to rise above personal prejudices and stand united to protect the Constitution and its values, claiming that they are being attacked through a "deep-rooted" conspiracy. Aided by dozens of drones in the air and hundreds of CCTV cameras and facial recognition devices, besides several anti-aircraft guns on the ground, the security personnel are keeping a hawk-eyed vigil over Rajpath, where President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be celebrating the occasion along with chief guest, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, and other dignitaries, besides thousands of citizens. Twenty-two tableaux, 16 from States and Union Territories and six from various ministries and departments, depicting the nation's rich cultural heritage and economic progress will also roll down the Rajpath. Preparations are under full swing for the 71st Republic Day Parade which will commence at the 9 am at Delhi's Rajpath on Sunday. India's rising military might, rich cultural diversity and socio-economic progress will be on full display during the event where Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro will be the chief guest. Facial recognition software, CCTVs among security measures The National Capital has been brought under a massive ground-to-air security cover, with thousands of police and paramilitary personnel keeping a hawk-eye vigil. Facial recognition system and drones are part of the measures taken by the Delhi Police for the occasion. Sharpshooters and snipers will be deployed atop high-rise buildings to keep a watch on the eight-km-long parade route from Rajpath to the Red Fort on Sunday, officials told PTI adding that hundreds of CCTV cameras have also been installed as part of the security arrangements. Details of Republic Day Parade ceremony The Republic Day Parade ceremony will commence with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial near the India Gate. He will lead the nation in paying tributes to the martyrs by laying a wreath. This is for the first time that the prime minister will pay homage to martyrs at the National War memorial instead of Amar Jawan Jyoti. The memorial was inaugurated by Modi in February 2019. Thereafter, the prime minister and other dignitaries will head to the saluting dais at Rajpath to witness the parade. As per tradition, the national flag will be unfurled followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute. School children will convey the age-old message of yoga and spiritual values through dance and music during the parade, the defence ministry said. The parade will commence with President Ram Nath Kovind taking the salute. The parade will be commanded by Parade Commander Lt General Asit Mistry, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area. Major General Alok Kacker, Chief of Staff of Delhi Area, will be the second-in-command. Twenty-two tableaux will be on display Anti-satellite weapon Shakthi, Army's battle tank Bhishma, infantry combat vehicles and newly inducted Chinook and Apache helicopters of the Indian Air Force will be part of the grand military parade. Twenty-two tableaux 16 from States and Union Territories and six from various ministries and departments depicting the nation's rich cultural heritage and economic progress will also roll down the Rajpath. The first contingent in the uniform of the erstwhile Gwalior Lancers will be 61 Cavalry. The 61 Cavalry is the only active serving horse cavalry regiment in the world. It was raised on August 1, 1953, with the amalgamation of six state forces' cavalry units. The Indian Army will be represented by a mounted column of 61 Cavalry, eight mechanised columns, six marching contingents and fly-past by Rudra and Dhruv Advanced Light helicopters of the army aviation wing. Indigenously-developed Main Battle Tank of the Indian Army, T-90 Bhishma tank, infantry combat vehicle Ballway Machine Pikate, the K-9 Vajra and Dhanush guns, transportable satellite terminal and Akash weapon system will be the main attraction in the mechanised columns. The other marching contingents of the Army will include the Parachute regiment, the Grenadiers regiment, the Sikh Light Infantry regiment, the Kumaon regiment and the Corps of Signals. The Naval contingent will comprise of 144 young sailors led by Lieutenant Jitin Malkat. It will be followed by the Naval Tableau titled 'Indian Navy - Silent, Strong, and Swift'. The Air Force contingent, comprising of 144 air warriors, will be led by Flight Lt Shrikant Sharma. The Air Force tableau showcases scaled-down models of the Rafale aircraft, the Tejas aircraft, the Light Combat Helicopter, the Akash missiles system and the Astra missiles. Various far-reaching reforms of the government including 'Start-up India', and 'Jal Jeevan Mission' will be showcased in six tableaux from different ministries and departments. For the first time, a contingent of women bikers of CRPF will perform daredevil stunts. The contingent will be led by Inspector Seema Nag who will be seen saluting while standing atop a moving motorcycle. The grand finale and the most keenly awaited segment of the parade, the flypast will comprise of the 'Trishul' formation by three advanced light helicopters. It is for the first time that a 'tri-service formation' is taking part in the Republic Day Parade. It will be followed by the 'Vic' formation of Chinook helicopters, used for airlifting diverse loads to remote locations. Apache helicopters, Dornier aircraft, C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, an Airborne Early Warning and Control System aircraft and the 'Globe' formation comprising three C-17 Globemasters are also expected to enthral the people. Five Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft and five MiG-29 upgrade air superiority fighters in 'Arrowhead' formation will also display their aerial manoeuvre. The parade will culminate with a fleet of Sukhoi-30 MKI jets splitting the sky with a breathtaking 'Vertical Charlie' aerobatic manoeuvre. Republic Day medals, awards A total of 1,040 police personnel will be conferred President's police medal for gallantry award and distinguished service on Republic Day. The Jammu and Kashmir Police will receive the maximum number of gallantry honours with 108 medals followed by the Central Reserve Police Force (76). On the eve of the Republic Day, a total of nine personnel of the border guarding force, with six posthumous, have been awarded the Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG), a force spokesperson said. Four SSB personnel have also been awarded the police medal for gallantry (PMG) for killing a dreaded Naxal commander in Jharkhand. Twenty-nine CISF officials, as well as 15 ITBP officials, have been awarded different police medals. The President's Police Medal for Distinguished Services was awarded to Ambika Nath Mishra, the principal chief security commissioner of the Eastern Railway and Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) Commandant Bharat Singh Meena. With inputs from PTI New Delhi [India], Jan 26 (ANI): No Indian in Wuhan or the Hubei province in China has been found to be infected by the new strain of the deadly SARS-like virus that is spreading fast worldwide, the government said here on Sunday, adding that the Indian Embassy in Beijing is in constantly in touch with the Chinese authorities. The new coronavirus has claimed at least 56 lives so far. "@EOIBeijing is continuing to maintain close contact with our nationals in Wuhan city and elsewhere in Hubei, especially the student community," Ministry of External affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said on Twitter. "We are also closely coordinating with Chinese authorities. As of now, we understand that no Indian citizens have been affected by the outbreak and that food and water supplies are available to them," he added in the Twitter thread. The spokesperson further said that the Embassy in Beijing has opened three hotline numbers, operational 24x7, to respond to concerns of those affected by this situation. The numbers are +8618610952903, +8618612083629 and +8618612083617. Kumar also said that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is also closely monitoring the situation. "Our Embassy in Beijing is constantly checking on the health and well-being of the Indians in China. Please follow @EOIBeijing for more updates on the situation," Jaishankar tweeted earlier in the day. The virus that originated in Wuhan city of China in December last year and has since spread to various cities around the world. More than 50 people have died after developing pneumonia-like symptoms and around 2,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection have been reported in China. As a precautionary measure, China imposed quarantine and travel restrictions, affecting the movement of 56 million people in more than a dozen cities amid fears that the transmission rate will accelerate as hundreds of millions of Chinese travel for the Lunar New Year. Health authorities around the world are taking action to prevent a global pandemic as the virus continues to spread, with cases reported in Australia, France, the United States and seven Asian countries besides China. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has acknowledged that the respiratory illness, which has been traced to the city of Wuhan, is an emergency in China. The Indian embassy also issued an advisory for people travelling from China to India and asked people from Wuhan to monitor their health closely. In a statement, the Indian Embassy listed out health measures while travelling from China, which includes avoiding contact with live animals and consumption of raw undercooked meats and wearing a mask. (ANI) In whats becoming something of a tradition for Louisiana governors entering their second term, Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards last week weighed in on how to govern LSU, basically backing a move to upend the system put in place by his predecessor, Gov. Bobby Jindal, during the opening days of the Republicans second term. Back in 2012, just as Jindal appointees to the board became a majority, pugnacious LSU President John Lombardi was sent packing after detailing for the Legislature the problems, as he saw them, in Jindals plan for higher education. LSU Chancellor Michael Martin left soon thereafter. Idea of splitting up the LSU president-chancellor position? John Bel Edwards supports it Gov. John Bel Edwards supports splitting up the leadership at LSU into two positions--a chancellor to helm the main campus and a president to The LSU board consolidated the position of chancellor of the flagship campus in Baton Rouge with the president who ran a system that includes regional colleges, medical schools, charity hospitals, a biomedical research facility as well as the AgCenter and law school. Edwards said he didnt think the institution is better served by having one person fill both roles. You want your chancellor present at events on campus but also to do fundraising specific for the campus at A&M university, whereas the system president has to do that all across the state of Louisiana, said Edwards, whose 11 appointees now dominate the 16-member LSU Board of Supervisors. Members of the LSU board have told reporters, as Chair Mary Werner recently acknowledged to the Board of Regents, that they are considering whether to change the setup before launching a nationwide search for a new leader, or leaders, to replace F. King Alexander, who is moving to run Oregon State University in July. The current administrative system was put in place, at the urging of business leaders, to improve the flagship status of LSU Baton Rouge in the eyes of the groups that rank universities across the nation. What Jindal really was looking at was an LSU that had grown somewhat haphazardly over the years picking up stand-alone institutions that operated with their own administrators for their own goals. Citing several studies, a group of businessmen calling themselves The Flagship Coalition, pressed Jindal to move the research power of the several institutions into one entity and give LSU Baton Rouge, as the states flagship, independence to raise tuition and set its own admission requirements. Jindal and the LSU Board agreed. Should the LSU board now reverse itself, the door is open to also hire a chancellor for the Baton Rouge campus. Most institutions in America tend to hire academics who shepherd curricula and research. A system president often needs political acumen to deal with fund-holding lawmakers and many institutions go off campus to find one, according to the American Council on Education. They include outsiders like former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, president of Purdue University, and University of California President Janet Napolitano, a former Arizona governor and head of the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security under President Barack Obama. That opens the door for candidates, like Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne, who has expressed interest in the job, and others who have made their mark outside of academia. Jay Dardenne says he's 'interested in' becoming LSU's next president Frequently mentioned as LSUs next leader by internet bloggers and radio talk show hosts, Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne said fin As both system president and flagship chancellor, Alexander had some trouble playing well with others, in part because as system president, LSUs regional two-and four-year colleges competed for funding and students with the other higher education systems, while as chancellor he needed support for the flagship. On the other hand, Monte Sullivan, president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, said Alexander, as system president, was largely responsible for working out the details that allow two-year community college graduates to move to LSU Baton Rouge for a four-year degree, often with significant grants to help defray the increased expense. Back in 2012, only 50 or so students, mostly athletes, made the jump, Sullivan said. Now about 1,550 do each year. Both Sullivan and Jim Henderson, president of the University of Louisiana System, which oversees state and regional colleges and educates the most students, agree with the wisdom of the LSU board to rethinking its structure now that they are faced with replacing Alexander. Though LSU Baton Rouge has become more involved in research, the flagship really hasnt moved up much in the estimation of national rankers. Our Views: As F. King Alexander makes his LSU exit, budget politics continue to threaten higher ed As president of LSU for six years, F. King Alexander had to develop at least some sense of where the politics of the State Capitol is headed. Alignment isnt what is holding us back, Henderson said. Its a vision thing and the coordinated role each college and university plays. A decade from now robotics and technology will be ascendant, so the question is the proper role for each of higher education systems to prepare students for that reality. As flagship, LSU should drive that research and create technology. If youre going to be competitive as a state you need a nationally competitive flagship, and LSU certainly has the potential to be that, Henderson said. Presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg spoke at a Florida synagogue on Sunday afternoon about his Jewish identity as he kicked off an effort he calls "Unity for Mike," which is aimed specifically to attract Jewish voters. Days earlier, Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is near the top of the Democratic field in polling, released a four-minute video advertisement online about his own Jewish values. The race for the 2020 Democratic nomination is the first presidential campaign to include more than one Jewish contender. As both Bloomberg and Sanders, I-Vt., grow increasingly vocal about the role of their religion in their politics, the differences between the two - particularly on the subject of Israel - are apparent. Bloomberg's 20-minute speech on Sunday at Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center in Miami touched on Jewish subjects familiar to his audience in almost every sentence. The former New York mayor name-checked a bygone Florida deli and its pickles; he repeatedly cited the Torah, including a quote from the book of Leviticus, which he referred to by its Hebrew name, Vayikra. He spoke of the rising number of anti-Semitic attacks and his plans to stem them if elected: "We are confronted by signs that we thought we would never see outside of old black-and-white newsreels: synagogues attacked, Jews murdered, Nazis marching brazenly and openly by torchlight." Bloomberg tied attacks on Jews and on many other minorities to President Donald Trump, saying the president's polarizing rhetoric about who is a "real American" has emboldened extremist groups: "There is just no escaping the direct line between his conduct in office and the rise of violent attacks targeted at minority groups across the country." Sanders, who in his 2016 campaign became the first Jewish candidate in history to win a state primary or caucus, also focused heavily in his video on recent anti-Semitic attacks, particularly the 2018 killing of 11 worshipers at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue. "If there is any people on earth who understands the danger of racism and white nationalism, it is certainly the Jewish people," Sanders says. That clip, and an opening line in which Sanders proclaimed, "I'm very proud to be Jewish, and I look forward to becoming the first Jewish president," came from a speech he delivered at the national conference of J Street, a liberal lobbying group focused on Israel and Palestine. Sanders and Bloomberg differ on issues from health care (Sanders is for an all-government plan; Bloomberg sees a role for private insurance) to a carbon tax (Bloomberg endorses one; Sanders opposes one). On Sunday, Bloomberg turned those differences in to a punch line, saying: "I know I'm not the only Jewish candidate running for president. But I am the only one who doesn't want to turn America into a kibbutz" - a reference not only to Sanders' socialism, which the senator shares with the Israeli collective farm where he worked decades ago, but also to their stances on Israel. Both men have said they support a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine; both have pledged to reenter the Iran nuclear deal crafted by the Obama administration, which has major implications for Israel's security; both oppose the BDS (boycott, divest, sanction) movement that aims to punish or isolate Israel. But Sanders says he is "not a fan" of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom Bloomberg calls a friend. Sanders has criticized Israeli actions and pleaded for Americans to understand Palestinians' grievances - and has espoused the possibility of withholding America's sizeable aid to Israel if Israeli policies don't change. In Florida, Bloomberg vowed not to do that: "As president, I will always have Israel's back. I will never impose conditions on our military aid, including missile defense - no matter who is prime minister," he said. Bloomberg said "revering the miracle that is the state of Israel" is central to his conception of what Judaism is about. He discussed his many trips to the nation and its major institutions, including a hospital wing, that he has donated to and now bear his parents' names. He claimed Trump is undermining the American-Israeli relationship by turning Israel into a partisan wedge issue. "There are those who will cite moving the embassy to Jerusalem as a reason to support the president," he said to the Jewish audience. "To that I say very clearly: If I am elected, you will never have to choose between supporting Israel and supporting our values here at home. I will defend both." Jews make up 2% of the U.S. population; they lean heavily Democratic and are a reliable voting bloc for the party. Jewish support is all over the board in the Democratic primary, not clustering with the two Jewish candidates, each of whom has hired a specialist to focus on Jewish outreach for their campaigns. The Forward found in an analysis of Jewish donors that during the first half of 2019, the most money went to Pete Buttigieg, an Episcopalian who quotes the New Testament and threatens to cut aid to Israel. Neither Sanders nor Bloomberg has concentrated enthusiasm from Jews the way that 2000 Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Lieberman did when he ran 20 years ago. Rabbi Daniel Zemel, of Temple Micah in Washington, said times have changed - now that the White House regularly hosts Hanukkah parties and Passover seders, the idea of a Jew in office doesn't excite Washington Jews quite so much. In addition, neither candidate is known as much for his Judaism as Lieberman, an Orthodox Jew who work a yarmulke, kept kosher and observed Shabbat. Steven Windmueller, a professor at Hebrew Union College who studies Jewish-American political behavior, said that while Lieberman's Jewish observance drew both tremendous enthusiasm and concerns about anti-Semitism in 2000, Jewish voters today won't demand religiosity from a candidate. "There's a general acceptance of the diversity of Jewish expression and behavior," he said. He believes Jewish Democratic voters are less concerned with electing someone of their faith than with electing "anyone but Donald Trump." Zemel recalled that in 2015, Sanders skipped Rosh Hashana services at a synagogue to deliver a campaign speech at evangelical Liberty University. "He's ethnically Jewish. He could be culturally Jewish. But his religious Judaism is certainly up for questioning," Zemel said. Bloomberg belongs to the prominent Temple Emanu-El in New York, and as mayor helped a synagogue that had suffered a fire find an alternate space to host High Holy Day services. But do Jewish voters care about these religious anecdotes? "Only rabbis, maybe," Zemel said. An Indian-origin engineer has stepped down from a government-appointed fire inquiry panel over an alleged conflict of interest. Benita Mehra had been appointed recently to replace a member of the panel set up to probe the Grenfell Tower fire disaster, which claimed 72 lives when the west London housing block burst into flames in June 2017. She was selected as an expert for the second phase of the inquiry, due to begin on Monday, but was linked with the charity arm of one of the companies which supplied material for Grenfell Tower. "As you know, I had hoped to draw on my experience and knowledge of the construction industry, of community engagement and of governance within housing management to contribute to the vital work of the inquiry in discovering how and why the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower happened," Mehra said in her resignation letter to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday. "However, it is apparent that my former role as President of the Women's Engineering Society (WES), which in 2017 accepted a charitable donation from the Arconic Charitable Foundation to support the mentoring of women engineers, has caused serious concern to a number of the bereaved, survivors and resident Core Participants," she said. Victims' families had raised concerns with Downing Street about her former role as a past president of the Women's Engineering Society. Mehra said that while she recognises and respects the depth of feeling among victims' families, it was a regrettable oversight on her part to not link her former unpaid role with her current inquiry duties. Johnson accepted the resignation and thanked Mehra for her commitment and said he was "grateful for her sensitivity to the work of the inquiry". However, Downing Street maintains that there was no conflict of interest. Arconic supplied the cladding on the outside of the west London tower block, which caught fire on 14 June 2017. Families had been threatening to boycott the opening of the second phase of the Grenfell inquiry due to the alleged conflict of interest. The Grenfell United group said the resignation had helped to "lift growing anxiety ahead of phase two". It said: "The government should never have put families in this situation. "They failed to carry out basic checks and understand the importance and sensitivities around a fair and proper process". The group has called on the government to urgently find a new panellist to replace Mehra. A report which followed the first phase of the public inquiry into the fire found in October last year that the tower block's cladding did not comply with building regulations and was the "principal" reason for the fire's rapid and "profoundly shocking" spread. Arconic said a "confluence of unfortunate circumstances" rather than the "mere presence" of the panels had caused the spread of the fire. On Monday, the inquiry will switch from focusing on the night of the fire to the refurbishment of the building and its role in the blaze, as well as issues surrounding building regulations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. On This Day The Day Deng Xiaoping Arrived to Bolster Ties With Myanmar On this day in 1978, then Chinese vice-premier Deng Xiaoping arrived in Myanmar on a six-day goodwill visit as tensions rose between Moscow and Beijing. Two notable deaths in early January 2020 pushed the greater Middle East to increased tension and instability. There emerges a growing risk, as a result, of a sudden discrete action by design or by accident which could spark a major confrontation nobody really wants yet everybody dreads. First came the target killing by the US of Lt. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the revered commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGCs) Quds Force (who was promoted posthumously from major general), and several Iranian, Iraqi, and Lebanese seniors at the Baghdad airport. Then came the death from cancer of Omans Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, who for five decades was the highly respected responsible adult and voice of reason of the greater Middle East. Tehran interprets Soleimanis target killing to be a major milestone in the US determination to resist and block, by force if necessary, the Iranian surge in the region. Hence, Tehran itself resolved to accelerate the implementation of the decision, made months beforehand, to banish the US from the region even at the risk of escalation and war. Immediately after Soleimanis death, a shaken Ayatollah Ali Hoseini Khamenei, Irans Supreme Leader, instructed the Iranian High Command to minimize direct and largely symbolic retaliation and revenge. Instead, Iran would now focus on an accelerated and intensified implementation of the anti US campaign. The crux of the campaign was to make the US presence untenable through the aggregate impact of a multitude of proxy strikes on US facilities and interests, terrorism against US targets, and the destabilizing of local authorities to the point they would no longer be able or willing to host US facilities and personnel. Unfortunately for the Supreme Leader, this surge would take place without Soleimanis intimate knowledge of the regional dynamics and the tight control he exercised over Irans proxies. Hence, several players would try to exploit the uncertain times in order to push their own respective and explosive agendas, thus adding to the confusion. The main engine of escalation and exacerbation of tension would be the determination of the Middle Eastern Entente of Iran, Turkey, and Qatar, originally consolidated in March 2019, to capitalize on the current situation and circumstances in order to maximize their gains against both the Arab world and the great powers involved in the region. In early 2020, the leaders of the Middle Eastern Entente asserted their new policies. In his January 17, 2020, sermon, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei noted that God was guiding Irans ascent against the US. That a nation has the power and spirit to slap an arrogant, aggressive global power is a sign of Gods power. Therefore, that day too is a Day of Allah. Related: Oil Bears Are Back As Demand Fears Go Viral Rather than avenge Soleimanis death, he reiterated, the main punishment (for the US) will be expulsion from the region. On the same day, Turkish Pres. Recep Tayyip Erdo?ans soulmate, ?brahim Karagul, declared the arrival of a new era for Turkey. The era of defensive politics is over for Turkey! This is the rise of a superpower. ... Turkey confined to its borders cannot survive. During a recent visit to Tehran, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani concurred that unless the US demonstrated restraint in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East as a whole, drastic measures would have to be taken in order to guarantee security and stability for the entire region. The overall situation had become fraught with danger because of the concurrent passing of Sultan Qaboos. For decades, Qaboos relied on his own wisdom and knowledge, as well as Omans unique Ibadite school of Islam (neither Sunni nor Shiite, but dates to soon after the death of Prophet Mohammed), in order to become a most trusted mediator and messenger. His discreet intervention helped prevent and contain many conflicts and crises from escalating out of control because he and his judgement were trusted by all. Sultan Qaboos successor, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, is an experienced diplomat, and well respected. But it may take a long time before he can fill his cousins huge shoes regionally. In the meantime, the absence of channels of communication engenders mutual mistrust and expedites inclination to act on worst case scenarios. And all the while, the unfolding megatrends in the greater Middle East, especially in the Arab world, continue and intensify. Most important, the demise of the modern Arab nation-state now appears to have become irreversible. While governments remain in place and leaders make decisions and implement policies, the modern Arab nation-state is, in fact, no more. Ultimately, even the Arab leaders themselves are cognizant of the development as reflected in the tepid and confused reaction to the popular riots in Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan. The internal stability and working of even the most important of states are unraveling. The crux is not the riots which attract media attention. The key is the transformation of society and the economy. There is a growing disengagement of the grassroots from central governance. Instead, there emerges a growing reliance on regional, popular, and blood related frameworks: minorities, tribes, and urban extended families. Significantly, these sub state frameworks have saved the grassroots from the state level fratricidal carnage and foreign interventions of the recent decades. There is no way the grassroots could accept the dismantling of their own lifesaving socioeconomic frameworks and agree to return to dependence on, and trust in, the state level frameworks which have failed them so badly. Consequently, the quest for localized self-sufficiency both social and economic severely undermines the legitimacy and power of the modern state. Since in most areas the traditional tribal and minority habitats cross modern borders, the awakened localized entities ignore borders. The genie of secessionism and localized identities is out of the lantern, never to return back in. The most important Arab states Saudi Arabia and Egypt show major internal cracks emanating from profound perceived delegitimization and mistrust of the ruling elites by the grassroots. In Saudi Arabia, the erratic reign of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abd alAziz al Saud has united many in the region against the House of al Saud. The radicalized northwest of Saudi Arabia (as well as southern Jordan) gravitates around the leadership of Islamist clerics. The economic powerhouse of the Hijaz is wrestling Islamic leadership from the House of al Saud; the oil rich Shiite east has regional identity (jointly with the Shiite majorities in the other Gulf states) which is pronouncedly pro-Iranian; and, most important, the bedouin tribes of Nejd, long the bedrock of support of the House of al Saud, now reject their oath of allegiance and gravitate to the regional north south axis led by the Shamari Nation. While some of these entities are hostile to each other, their common quest to rid themselves of the al Saud reign is significantly stronger. In Egypt, the intensifying struggles of the rapidly growing population (which is expected to cross the 100 million mark in 2020) over scarce and dwindling vital resources basic food, Nile water, electricity, etc. have morphed into the emergence of regional powercenters defined by ethnicity (mainly in rural areas), and narrow, localized interests (mainly in urban centers). The Nubian, Beja, and Dom rural people of southern Egypt fight the encroachment of Arab farmers and reallocation of Nile water; and the Arab rural communities of the Delta fight the communities of central Egypt over the use of Nile water. There are intensifying bitter disputes between the urban clusters of Asyut, Cairo, and Alexandria over scarce electricity; disputes which stifle the economy, diminishing food supplies for the sprawling poor, who lack of housing and infrastructure, and, overall, diminishes their hopes for having families and normal life. Again, the friction and traditional mistrust of key groupings are put aside in pursuit of a common goal: namely, to undermine the power and influence of the Cairo elites. The potential collapse of Saudi Arabia and possibly Egypt removes the sole balancing element they represented for the catastrophic condition of most other Arab states: Yemen, Sudan, Libya, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and increasingly Jordan. All these states are consumed by fratricidal multielement carnage which has fractured and alienated their key population groupings to a point that reconciliation and coexistence may no longer be possible. The attempts at governance and democratic reforms, formulating constitutions and running elections, are all exercises in futility because the grassroots are adamantly against the return to the state level frameworks which have so recently betrayed them and wrought so much suffering and losses. The undermining and unraveling of the modern states are made worse by foreign interventions of the United States, which is making strenuous efforts through military and economic pressure to impose central rule over the distraught populace; and by a multitude of competing proxies, mainly Iran led, but also Turkey and Qatar led, undertaken to further their own regional interests and to take sides in the spreading fratricidal strife and carnage. Also of paramount significance are the recent demonstrations and riots in non Arab Iran. Unlike the demonstrations of the past decade, which were largely driven by economic hardships and ensuing government crackdowns, the current wave of demonstrations adds to the socioeconomic despair a distinct awakening of Irans minorities who rebel against the powers of the Persian dominated central Government. Concurrently, genuine and widespread nationalistic patriotism burst into the open in the massive funeral processions of Soleimani. As has happened throughout history, Iranians put their differences aside and rallied behind the banner to defend their motherland against external threats. This demonstration of spontaneous grassroots patriotism is not lost on the chauvinistic elements in Tehran and convinces them to focus on furthering nationalistic external initiatives in order to not only further Irans historic interests and aspirations, but to also reduce the internal discontent over the socioeconomic near collapse of Iran. For the Middle Eastern Entente of Iran, Turkey, and Qatar, these regional dynamics constitute both opportunities and threats. On the one hand, other weakened states in the region have thus far proven incapable of resisting the surge of the trio into regional preeminence. On the other hand, there rises from the ashes of the states and the plight of the fractured populace a vindictive radicalism which is a combination of militant Sunni Islamism and lust for blood revenge for all the torment of the past decade or so. Hence, the Middle Eastern Entente escalates and intensifies the drive for regional power and dominance, both together and separately. The three powers are pushing hard to transform the region irreversibly in their favor before there emerges a new Arab Sunni force to be reckoned with. A great priority of the three powers is suppressing the Fertile Crescent of Minorities (which includes Israel), because once it becomes viable, it will constitute anew the regional buffer separating between the aspirant foreign powers of Turkey and Iran and the predominantly Sunni Arab heartlands. The Middle Eastern Entente fears the ascent of the minorities as a key outcome of the prevailing collapse of the modern Arab states. Hence, the trio has resolved to move fast, push hard, and take major risks. Most important is the close cooperation with radical Islamist forces including Sunni entities on account of common foes and despite contradictory objectives. Turkey is supporting jihadist forces from Syria, Iraq, all the way to Libya, Somalia, and Yemen; Iran sponsors a multitude of Sunni jihadists in Iraq Syria, Libya, Yemen and the HAMAS Islamic Jihad; and Qatar helps with funding and equipping all of them. Indeed, during the formal introduction of the new commander of the Quds Force, Brig. Gen. Ismail Qaani, he spoke in front of a row of flags of the IRGC and their predominantly Shiite formal allies and proxies. For the first time, the HAMAS flag was prominently displayed, a testimony of HAMASs formal joining of the Iranian army of proxies under the command of the Quds Force. There is a formal division of labor between the members of the Middle Eastern Entente. Iran focuses on the on land corridor to the shores of the Mediterranean by controlling the entire territory between western Iran and the Mediterranean; on controlling both shores of the Persian Gulf by empowering the Shiite populated oil rich areas; and on dominating the key choke points of the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el Mandeb (the latter from Yemen). Turkey focuses on establishing a security zone in northern Syria and Iraq by suppressing the Kurds in Turkey, Syria, and Iraq (while Iran suppresses its own Kurds); on exploiting the plight and ambitions of Jordans Hashemites in order to dominate the Hijaz and the Red Sea (also through Turkish presence in Somalia and Sudan); on increasing presence in the Persian Gulf by building bases in Qatar; and, through the recent agreement with the Western supported jihadist propped up government in Libya, on carving the eastern Mediterranean and separating Israel, Egypt and Cyprus from the Balkans and Europe. Related: China Sees Jump In Gasoline, Jet Fuel Exports Meanwhile, in the absence of Sultan Qaboos, there are no open channels of communications between the warring sides, no attempts to reconcile and/or mediate are made, and there are no viable efforts to calm things down. Into this explosive mix enters the Israel factor. Both Turkey and Iran have declared their commitment to liberating Jerusalem and destroying Israel as an important objective in their ascent to regional and all Islamic prominence. In recent months, both Turkey and Iran made concrete contingency planning to capitalize on the growing tension between Israel and HAMAS, Islamic Jihad, HizbAllah, and the Islamist forces in Jordan and the West Bank in order to intervene directly in the fighting with the declared objective to destroy Israel. The scope of the Iranian military preparations for such a confrontation is profound. Meanwhile, Qatar keeps a door open and coordinates with Israel the support for the HAMAS controlled Gaza Strip. However, rhetoric notwithstanding, there is great apprehension about a major war with Israel. Consequently, Iran and its proxies and allies remain grudgingly inclined to absorb the damage and casualties inflicted by Israels Campaign Between Wars: the ceaseless bombings of and raids on Iranian and Iran proxy strategic facilities and storage sites in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. That said, there is strong resolve in both Tehran and Ankara to not give up on, or even alter, their ultimate strategic regional push, irrespective of the costs. There is growing willingness to intervene directly in regional conflagrations, to employ ever larger proxy forces, and, should the need arise, even national military forces. Such higher profile interventions, and thus also risk taking, are visible from Libya to Yemen, to the Persian Gulf, and particularly in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. Both Iran and Turkey continue to push hard, cognizant that they might spark an escalation of significant magnitude. The contingency plans of both countries include concrete preparations for the total destruction of the regions energy resources and infrastructure in case of a major conflict. Both countries also threaten Israeli vital interests (including Islamist takeovers of Jordan and the Sinai Peninsula) and increase the threat to the Israeli civilian rear (mainly by proxies like HizbAllah and HAMAS), cognizant that Israel is extremely sensitive to civilian casualties. Meanwhile, there is a major realignment of the great powers in the region. The US largely irrelevant, if powerful is grudgingly leaving the greater Middle East. The exit process started long before the Iranian decision to banish the US in cooperation with Turkey. The US no longer needs the regions hydrocarbons because the US is self-sufficient and exporting. The tension with Europe and East Asia reduces the US interest in guaranteeing their energy supplies. Moreover, control of the regions oil market is not sufficient to guarantee US dominance over the global energy economy on account of the Russia led camp. With lavish US military and technological supplies and aid, Israel is strong enough to defend itself and its vital interests, but not enough to start a major regional war which could ensnare the US if something went wrong. Under such conditions, the imperative for the US to remain entangled in such a volatile region has diminished. Enter the coalition of Russia and the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) which has revived the historic Silk Road system of alliances and interests throughout the Eastern Hemisphere. Their anti US strategy bolsters the standing of the Middle Eastern Entente. While both Russia and the PRC exercise strong support for vanquished state governments (mainly Syria and Iraq), theirs is a very pragmatic regional approach which accepts the collapse of the modern state system and focuses instead on reliance on the Fertile Crescent of Minorities (that includes Israel) for regional stabilization. There is a division of labor in the Middle East between the PRC and Russia with the former responsible for economic and development issues, and the latter for security matters. The PRC and its proteges do need the regions oil and gas badly, and are thus committed to preventing a conflict which would set the region literally aflame. Russias bitter historic enmity toward Iran and Turkey affects the Russian readiness to tolerate their reckless excesses. At the same time, Russia benefits from the relentless anti US drive of both Iran and Turkey. Hence, both the PRC and Russia maintain very delicate balancing with the Middle Eastern Entente. The PRC and Russia are determined to neither have a confrontation over the trios respective vital interests, nor tolerate their strategic ascent to preeminence over the entire region because this would eclipse or challenge the great power dominance by both the PRC and Russia. As well, both Russia and the PRC have excellent relations with Israel, and thus emerge as the sole viable channels between Iran and Turkey, and their pursuit of regional interests, and Israel in the hope of passing messages, defusing faceoffs and crises: thus preventing a major eruption from happening. Ultimately, the profound, if latent, conflict between Russia and the PRC on the one hand and the Middle Eastern Entente on the other over which will be the real master of the greater Middle East is bound to dominate all long term relations and add to the regional friction and instability. Thus, there is growing possibility that a miscalculated move, an operational accident, or an unintended infliction of excessive civilian casualties could spark an immediate regionwide eruption and a major explosion nobody would be able to contain. The indigenous grassroots hatreds, tensions, frustration, and despair which have been building and intensifying for close to a decade, and especially since 2016, would then burst into the open. Then, nobody would be able to do anything but wait until the carnage and flames have exhausted themselves. And so we wait ... By Yossef Bodansky via GIS/Defense & Foreign Affairs More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: By IANS NEW DELHI: In a veiled reference to the new citizenship law (CAA), former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Yashwant Sinha said in Saifai (UP) on Sunday, Mahatma Gandhi, who believed in communal peace, should not be "killed again" by creating divisions on the basis of religion. "We will not allow killing of the 'Father of Nation' again due to the actions of a few selfish politicians at the Centre," said Sinha while addressing a large gathering on the occasion of the 71st Republic Day after the 'Gandhi Shanti Yatra', led by him, reached this Etawah village from Agra. Sinha, once an integral part of the BJP think-tank, said, "We have come out with the message of peace in the form of 'Gandhi Shanti Yatra'." ALSO READ: Thousands of students, activists march against CAA on London streets The yatra, launched at the Gateway of India in Mumbai on January 9, is aimed at opposing the CAA that seeks to provide Indian citizenship to minorities coming as refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, but leaves out Muslims. Sinha also took part in the R-Day celebrations. The key highlight of the event was hoisting of the Tricolour on a 155-foot pole. Samajwadi Party president and former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and SP General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav were also present on the occasion. Sinha was presented with a shawl as the welcome gesture. ALSO READ: 'If Centre can grant citizenship to Adnan Sami then why bring CAA', asks Digvijaya Singh SP National Secretary Rajendra Chaudhary, Dharmendra Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, Dilip Yadav (MLA), Raj Kumar Raju and Anurag were present at the event, SP spokesperson I.P. Singh told IANS over phone. "Mahatma Gandhi came out of Gujarat wearing a dhoti and holding a staff. He showed the world the path of truth and non-violence. It's unfortunate to say today few leaders from the same Gujarat are creating obstacles in the path of truth and non-violence," said Akhilesh Yadav. Stating that farmers are sad, the future of the next generation is in dark, and development is blocked, the former UP Chief Minister said, "Today a battle is being fought to save the Constitution on which rests the edifice of our democratic system." The SP spokesperson said a prayer meeting would be held on Monday at the SP headquarters and after that the next plans for the 'Gandhi Shanti Yatra' would be chalked out. Heavily pregnant AFL WAG Jesinta Campbell has thrown her support behind changing the date of Australia Day and has revealed why she refuses to celebrate it on January 26. The 28-year-old penned an emotional column in Stellar magazine on Sunday, explaining her close relationship with her husband's family inspired her decision. Jesinta is married to Indigenous Swans star Lance 'Buddy' Franklin, 32, a proud Noongar man, saying his family's heartbreaking stories have had a profound effect on her. 'I have seen my husband well up': Heavily pregnant AFL WAG Jesinta Campbell (pictured) has thrown her support behind changing the date of Australia Day... and has revealed why she refuses to celebrate 'I have seen my husband well up when talking about his mum and how she used to have to run away with her siblings when they knew the government trucks were coming to take them away from their parents,' Jesinta wrote. Jesinta is referring to the stolen generation, where Aboriginal children were forcibly removed from their communities due to various government policies. Upsetting: 'I have seen my husband well up when talking about his mum and how she used to have to run away with her siblings when they knew the government trucks were coming to take them away from their parents,' Jesinta wrote. Pictured with husband Lance 'Buddy' Franklin in 2018 The former Miss Universe Australia explained she has always had an interest in Aboriginal culture, inspired by one of her primary school teachers. But, it was hearing painful stories from her husband's family which had a big impact on her, making her realise the importance of changing the date. 'While I had read and learnt about the horrors of Australia's past, it wasn't until I listened to the pain endured from someone close to me that I began to deeply feel the importance of changing the date.' Heartbreaking: She added his sisters have shared stories of their grandparents, who were 'born into a world that considered them flora and fauna' Speaking out: Jesinta joins a number of celebrities including Chris Hemsworth (pictured) along with former Bachelor Matty 'J' Johnson who have supported changing the date She added his sisters have shared stories of their grandparents, who were 'born into a world that considered them flora and fauna.' Jesinta finished by saying that the date needs to be moved to one which 'all Aussies feel celebrated', and to a date which: 'Doesn't hold so much hurt for so many people.' The pregnant model explained changing the date would hopefully heal some of the wounds still felt by Aboriginal people for future generations. Family: Jesinta and Buddy have been married since 2016 and are expecting their first child together The outspoken model joins a chorus of other celebrities who have spoken out in favour of changing the date. These celebrities include Hollywood actor Chris Hemsworth, former Bachelor Matty 'J' Johnson and indigenous actress Miranda Tapsell. Buddy has previously joined his wife in standing against the date of Australia Day, calling it 'Survival Day' in an Instagram post last year. Met Eireann has issued a Weather Advisory for the whole of Ireland including Kildare for "cold and wintry weather" which it says will develop from Sunday evening. Forecasters said: "Showers of hail, sleet and snow will occur in places. "Snow showers most frequent in Ulster and Connacht and especially so on high ground." The Weather Advisory is valid from 6pm on Sunday until 3pm on Tuesday. Weather Advisories are issued by Met Eireann up to about a week ahead to provide early information on potential hazardous weather. Met Eireann meteorologist Michelle Dillon gave more details of what to expect in her update after the RTE news on Saturday. "There is a change on the way in our weather. It is going to become cold tomorrow (Sunday) and for the early days of next week with some wintry showers starting from tomorrow evening. We'll have some frost and ice by night with some bright or sunny spells mixed in between the showers," she said. The forecaster said rain would clear on Saturday night but it would become much colder as it does. Though cold, she said Sunday would be bright and dry during daylight hours. Later on Sunday a system would move in along the west coast. "So, fairly widespread showers, longer spells of rain, hail, some sleet, the risk of thunder and some snow over higher ground in parts of Connacht and Ulster. Some frost and ice to follow into Monday morning and a blustery day with wintry showers of rain, hail and sleet again with some snow over higher ground," she said. The cold snap will be short lived as it will become milder later on on Tuesday and into the rest of the week but it will remain on unsettled. While the continued spread of the deadly coronavirus halted many festivities overseas for China, Houstonians turned out to celebrate the Lunar New Year on Saturday. Lunar New Year, also called Chinese New Year, is the festival that celebrates the beginning on the traditional lunar calendar. The festival is usually referred to as the Spring Festival in Greater China, and is a major travel period for people. A lawsuit is citing an 1855 treaty between the U.S. government, Blackfeet Nation and other tribes to argue the Indian Health Service owes reparations to three men who say they were sexually abused by a pediatrician. The treaty clearly states the U.S. government must protect Native Americans from white men like Stanley Patrick Weber, and should be interpreted as saying the government owes victims reparations, said Peter Janci, one of the attorneys who filed the lawsuit on Wednesday. Similar arguments citing other treaties including the "bad men among the whites" section of 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty have held up in courts. The lawsuit is suing the IHS by citing the treaty rather than suing Weber through traditional means in order to emphasize the importance of treaties between the U.S. government and tribes, and to highlight the culpability of the federal government in this case, Janci said. "This wasn't one guy acting alone," he said. "He had access because of his position that was given by the United States government" and was allowed to continue treating patients despite evidence he was abusing them. Weber, 70, is serving an 18-year prison sentence after a Montana jury convicted him last year of four sexual abuse crimes against two boys on the Blackfeet Reservation, where he worked at the IHS in Browning, Montana from 1992-1995. He is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 10 at the federal courthouse in Rapid City after a jury convicted him in September of eight counts of sexual abuse against four boys he treated at the Pine Ridge IHS between 1995 and 2011. Weber is also facing two new sexual abuse charges stemming from his time in Pine Ridge. Accusations about Weber sexually abusing boys circulated among his co-workers, patients and the wider community when he worked at the Pine Ridge and Browning IHS hospitals, according to a Wall Street Journal/Frontline investigation. But some complaints were ignored and not investigated, while others resulted in investigations that cleared him of any wrongdoing. The three anonymous plaintiffs are all citizens of the Blackfeet Nation who were abused by Weber when they were children in Browning, Janci said. Two of the men are now 37 years old while one is 41. Janci said one of the plaintiffs was an official victim in the Montana trial, one was a witness in the trial, while the third came forward after reading about the case in the news. The plaintiffs are asking for $3 million each after Weber caused "physical injury and pain and suffering" when he abused them numerous times in multiple locations, including in at least two offices at the Browning IHS, the complaint says. The treaty The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C., cites Articles 7 and 11 of the 1855 Treaty with the Blackfeet to argue that the U.S. government owes the plaintiffs compensation after failing to protect them from Weber. "The United States is hereby bound to protect said Indians against depredations and other unlawful acts which white men residing in or passing through their country may commit," Article 7 says. Weber is a white man who was living on the Blackfeet Reservation and working for the U.S. government when he sexually abused minors, the lawsuit says. Therefore the federal government "breached its treaty and contractual obligations to plaintiffs." Article 7 "makes it clear that the government is to protect" Native Americans but it doesn't explain what happens when it fails to do so, Janci said. Article 11 says tribes owe reparations to the U.S. government if Native Americans harm U.S. citizens (Native Americans were not counted as U.S. citizens at the time): "Tribes are hereby bound to deliver such offenders to the proper authorities for trial and punishment, and are held responsible, in their tribal capacity, to make reparation for depredations so committed." Janci says courts have ruled that because treaties were signed under unfair conditions over threat of war and the loss of land, withholding of rations, without adequate translators, etc. they must be interpreted in a way that's more favorable towards tribes. "Their choice was essentially agree to these terms or face the types of violence" being applied to tribes, Janci said of the treaties. "That's not a contract where both sides have equal bargaining power." Janci said Article 11 should therefore be interpreted to mean that the U.S. government also owes reparations for when a white man harms Native Americans. "That should apply both ways," Janci said. "The only fair way to read the contract is it provides for reparations for Native Americans when the government falls down on the job." Janci said this case is similar to Elk v. United States and Richard v. United States, two cases that ended in victory for citizens of the Oglala Sioux Tribe who cited the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty after being harmed by white men on the Pine Ridge Reservation. "If bad men among the whites, or among other people subject to the authority of the United States, shall commit any wrong upon the person or property of the Indians, the United States will reimburse the injured person for the loss sustained," the treaty says. Lavetta Elk was awarded nearly $600,000 in 2009 by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims after the 19-year-old was sexually assaulted by U.S. Army recruiter Joseph Kopf in 2003. The same court rejected the "bad men among the whites argument" made by Rapid City lawyer Jim Leach but he won on appeal in 2012. The government settled with the families of Calonnie Randall and Robert Whirlwind Horse, who were killed by Timothy Hotz in a 2008 drunken hit-and-run. Never again The plaintiffs' "primary concern is to make sure this type of thing doesn't happen again" to children at the IHS, Janci said. There are three ongoing investigations studying IHS's handling of the Weber case and how to prevent such future abuses. The IHS has also met with Blackfeet and Oglala Sioux tribal leaders, and announced in media statements that it will pay for counseling services even if they aren't at an IHS facility or with an IHS provider for Weber's victims. Victims can request this service by calling the IHS anonymous hotline at 301-443-0658. But Janci says this isn't enough, that the IHS needs to directly reach out to Weber's patients to see if there are more victims and offer them counseling since not all survivors know others have come forward or feel comfortable asking for help. "They know all the patients that were on Dr. Weber's rosters" and "if they wanted to they could reach out to those people," Janci said of the IHS. But "there has been no effort whatsoever to reach out and try to determine who the victims were and what they experienced." Weber's lawyer and the IHS did not respond to requests for comment. But the IHS previously told the Journal that it won't reach out to victims due to privacy concerns. "We recognize the strength and courage it takes for any victim to come forward. In the interest of privacy, the IHS has not reached out directly as an agency to the specific survivors in this situation," spokesman Joshua Barnett previously told the Journal. Janci and his firm Crew Janci LLC of Portland, Oregon specialize in cases involving child sexual abuse. The team helped secure a $19.9 million jury verdict in a landmark case against the Boy Scouts of America. Contact Arielle Zionts at arielle.zionts@rapidcityjournal.com. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. When Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder, was charged last year by the Trump administration in connection with the publication of secret United States government documents nearly a decade earlier, many journalists expressed deep concern about the dangerous precedent the case could set for investigative reporting in America. But few seemed to consider that the case might also serve as a model for other nations eager to clamp down on press freedom. On Tuesday, Glenn Greenwald, an American journalist living and working in Brazil, was charged, in a criminal complaint brought by Brazilian prosecutors, with cybercrimes in connection with his stories on private messages among Brazilian officials that revealed corruption and abuses at the highest levels of the government. Brazilian prosecutors asserted that Mr. Greenwald was part of a criminal organization that hacked the cellphones of government officials. He has denied the charges. (Full disclosure: Mr. Greenwald is a co-founder of The Intercept, where I work as a reporter; I also run the First Look Press Freedom Defense Fund, part of the nonprofit organization that includes The Intercept.) The case against Mr. Greenwald is eerily similar to the Trump administrations case against Mr. Assange. Last April, the Justice Department charged Mr. Assange with aiding a source, the former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning, to gain access to a United States military computer database. In May 2019, the charges against him were broadened, and he was indicted under the Espionage Act in connection with the publication of American military and diplomatic documents by WikiLeaks. The outbreak of a new virus linked to a wildlife market in central China is prompting renewed calls for enforcement of laws against the trade in and consumption of exotic species. It's also raising questions about how it could happen again after the lessons learned from the 2002-2003 outbreak of SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, which was traced to consumption of wild animals in the southern city of Guangzhou. Demand for wild animals in Asia, especially China, is hastening the extinction of many species, on top of posing a perennial health threat that authorities have failed to fully address despite growing risks of a global pandemic. In response to the crisis that has been centered in the big industrial city of Wuhan, China's Agriculture Ministry issued an order earlier this week for tightened controls on trade in wildlife. A group of 19 prominent researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the nation's top universities are calling for the government in China to crack down on wildlife markets such as the one at the centre of the Wuhan outbreak. Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Show all 154 1 /154 Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Paramedics wearing personal protective equipment carry patient on a stretcher on to an ambulance in North Point district in Hong Kong, China Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker wearing protective gear takes a rest as he waits for ambulances carrying patients infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus at an entrance of a hospital in Daegu, South Korea YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker sprays disinfectant on an ambulance after carrying a patient infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Daegu YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People wearing protective face masks shop at a supermarket in Casalpusterlengo, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown due to the new coronavirus outbreak EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A trolley bus is disinfected amid fears over the spread of the novel coronavirus in Pyongyang, North Korea REUTERS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers wearing protective gear spray disinfectant as a precaution against the COVID-19 coronavirus in a local market in Daegu, South Korea AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a protective facemask walks outside a nearly empty shopping mall at lunch time in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing protective facemask and gloves puts a drawing made by a girl living in the area asking residents to wear protective gear, next to a quarantine notice for people who have travelled and a notice asking people to register outside a residential compound in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman is taken into an ambulance amid a coronavirus outbreak in northern Italy REUTERS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ambulances and health workers are seen outside the Padua's hospital, northern Italy EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers in coaches leave MoD Boscombe Down in Wiltshire after being repatriated to the UK from a cruise ship hit by the coronavirus in Yokohama, Japan and head to Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside PA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People rest in a temporary hospital situated in the Tazihu Gymnasium in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Buddhist monks wearing protective face masks pray during a blessing ceremony for the people affected by the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, at a temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia REUTERS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers wearing protective gears carry a patient infecting with a new coronavirus to a hospital in Chuncheon, South Korea AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Soldiers in hazmat suits sanitize cargo from a China Airlines plane at the Taoyuan International Airport in Taoyuan City, Taiwan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Barricades are seen to block the entrance a the gate of a local mall in a nearly empty area in Beijing, China Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A vendor wearing a protective facemask waits for customers at a shop in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The body temperature of an Iraqi child returning from Iran is measured upon her arrival at the Najaf International Airport AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Volunteers hand out free facemasks at a shopping district in Quezon city, Metro Manila, Philippines Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers wearing protective gears carry a patient suspected of contracting the new coronavirus toward an ambulance at Daenam Hospital in Cheongdo, South Korea AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A worker disinfects a shop at a market in Shanghai AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A restaurant worker wearing protective clothing as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus passing a bag of food to a customer on the street outside their restaurant in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A recovered patient is discharged from Leishenshan Hospital, the newly-built makeshift hospital for novel coronavirus patients, in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Volunteers in protective suits disinfect a factory with sanitising equipment in Huzhou, China China Daily via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers in protective suits attend to a patient inside an isolated ward of Wuhan Red Cross Hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A drone operated by the Suwon municipal government flies around Changyong Middle School spraying disinfectant, in Suwon, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers transfer medical waste at Leishenshan Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a protective mask rides a bicycle with his children in Guangzhou, China EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Volunteers in protective suits disinfect a railway station as the country is hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus, in Changsha, Hunan province, China cnsphoto via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman repatriated from Wuhan carries a child as she walks upon her arrival at the Van Don airport in Vietnam's Quang Ninh province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff checking the body temperature of a patient who has displayed mild symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus, at an exhibition centre converted into a hospital in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker in protective suit transports oxygen tanks at Wuhan Red Cross Hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Boys wearing protection masks, gloves and modified water bottles sit on a cart at the airport arrival terminal in Guangzhou EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Employees work on a production line manufacturing protective suits at a clothing factory in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province cnsphoto via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers in protective suits move a patient at an isolated ward of a hospital in Caidian district following an outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan China Daily via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A worker in protective clothing, including face mask and gloves, carries a bucket as he works inside of The County Oak Medical Centre in Brighton, southern England, after it closed for "urgent operational health and safety reasons", following reports a member of staff was infected with the strain of the novel coronavirus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers of the ecology and environment bureau collect samples from the sewage system of a hospital in Xinle, Hebei province China Daily via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man in protective clothing cleaning the County Oak Medical Centre GP practice The British government warned the outbreak of novel coronavirus was a "serious and imminent threat" and reported four new cases that brought the total recorded in the country to eight. Two hospitals The Royal Free and Guys and St Thomas', have both been designated as "isolation" facilities, with both currently housing Britons who have returned from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak PA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to the newly completed Huoshenshan temporary field Hospital in Wuhan. The global coronavirus death toll rose again with Hong Kong announcing its first death from the outbreak on 4 February EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of staff wait as coaches carrying Coronavirus evacuees arrive at Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre, in Milton Keynes, after being repatriated to the UK from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan PA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A crew member of the cruise ship Diamond Princess talks to a worker wearing protective gear standing near the vessel, where dozens of passengers were tested positive for coronavirus, at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Doctors scan a patient's lungs at Huoshenshan temporary hospital built for patients diagnosed with coronavirus in Wuhan Xinhua News Agency/AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People wearing protective suits walk from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, with around 3,600 people quarantined onboard due to fears of the new coronavirus, at the Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Indonesians who arrived from Wuhan are sprayed with antiseptic at Hang Nadim Airport in Batam. People evacuated from the Chinese city at the centre of a deadly virus outbreak, were transported to a quarantine zone on a remote island at the edge of the South China Sea, shortly after landing Indonesian Foreign Ministry via AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman wears a protective mask as she shops in a market in Beijing Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members hugging each other in an isolation ward at a hospital in Zouping in China's easter Shandong province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A portrait of Dr Li Wenliang is left at Li's hospital in Wuhan. He is regarded a whistleblower on the outbreak and died of the coronavirus which triggered wide-spread mourning on Chinese media Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Officers in protective gear enter the cruise ship Diamond Princess, where people tested positive for coronavirus, after the ship arrived at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, south of Tokyo Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Firefighters and personnel from the health ministry participate in a drill to prepare for the potential arrival of passengers infected with the coronavirus at the Viru Viru International Airport, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Scientists are at work in the VirPath university laboratory as they try to find an effective treatment against the new Sars-like coronavirus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers in protective suits attend to patients at the Wuhan International Conference and Exhibition Center, which has been converted into a makeshift hospital to receive patients with mild symptoms caused by the virus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A girl wears a mask as a preventive measure against the coronavirus outbreak, in Bangkok, Thailand Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man is transferred from the World Dream cruise ship to an ambulance at the Kai Tak cruise terminal in Hong Kong as health officials conduct inspections AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers from a disinfection service company enter Lotte Department Store in central Seoul, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man who arrived from Hubei province talks with police at a checkpoint at the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor holds a handheld digital thermometer near health officials preparing a health check for arriving passengers from China at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A resident walks across an empty track in Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A scientific staff member works in a secure laboratory, researching the coronavirus, at the Pasteur Institute in Dakar AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members preparing equipment to meet passengers of a military plane, which evacuated citizens of Russia and ex-Soviet countries from China's Wuhan province Vsluh.ru via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff wearing protective suits as they prepare to disinfect a Vietnam Airlines plane at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi Vietnam Airlines/AFP/Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A South Korean person, who was evacuated from Wuhan, arrives at the National Medical Center after showing suspected symptoms of novel coronavirus, in Seoul EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Officers in protective gear escort a person (under the blue sheet) who was on board cruise ship Diamond Princess and was tested positive for coronavirus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor being disinfected by his colleague at a quarantine zone in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Buses carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan, arrive at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Indonesian health officials conduct an exercise drill in transporting a patient requiring isolation at the Belawan port in Medan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The Pasteur Institute in Dakar, designated by the African Union as one of the two reference centres in Africa for the detection of the new coronavirus that appeared in China, is hosting experts from 15 countries on the continent this weekend to prepare them to deal with the disease AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A government worker disinfects a co-worker after visiting a quarantined woman's home in Qingdao EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An aerial view of the deserted roads and bridges in Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers hold a strike outside the Hospital Authority as they demand for Hong Kong to close its border with China to reduce the coronavirus spreading Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A person has their tempriture checked in Qingdao, China EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. Note the spikes that adorn the outer surface of the virus, which impart the look of a corona surrounding the virion, when viewed electron microscopically Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Malaysian nationals being directed from a bus by health officials in protective suits as they arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, after being evacuated from Wuhan Malaysia's Ministry of Health/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People hoping to buy face masks crowd outside a medical supply shop that was raided by police for allegedly hoarding and overpricing the masks, as public fear over China's Wuhan Coronavirus grow in Manila, Philippines. The Philippine government has been heavily criticized after failing to immediately implement travel restrictions from China, the source of a deadly coronavirus that has now killed hundreds and infected thousands more Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Residents wearing masks and raincoats volunteer to take temperature of passengers following the outbreak of a new coronavirus at a bus stop at Tin Shui Wai, a border town in Hong Kong Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Italian citizens repatriated from Wuhan going though a health control zone after landing at the Mario De Bernardi military airport in Pratica di Mare, south of Rome, prior to be placed in quarantine Italian Defence Ministry/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers arrange beds in a 2,000-bed mobile hospital, set up in an exhibition center, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor checks conditions of occupants in a hotel accommodating isolated people in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members wearing protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus which began in the city of Wuhan, arrive with a patient at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital. The Chinese army deployed medical specialists to the epicentre of the spiralling viral outbreak that has killed and spread around the world AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A baby wearing a protective face mask is pushed by a woman as they arrive from Shenzhen to Hong Kong at Lo Wu MTR station AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A health worker checks the temperature of a woman entering a subway station in Beijing Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A young child wears a protective mask and is covered in plastic while waiting to check in to a flight at Beijing Capital Airport The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday declared the coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ambulance crews arrive at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, as it prepares for a return flight from Wuhan, China. Eighty-three Britons and 27 foreign nationals who were trapped in Wuhan are being flown back to the UK Tom Maddick / SWNS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman carries a baby wearing a protective mask as they exit the arrival hall at Hong Kong High Speed Rail Station Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Camp beds at a Medical Assessment Center set up at the airport in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on the eve of the arrival of German citizens evacuated from Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Funeral parlour staff members in protective suits help a colleague with disinfection after they transferred a body at a hospital in Wuhan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Muslims wearing masks pray for the victims of coronavirus at a mosque in Ahmedabad, India Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical officials waiting for people who wants to check the novel coronavirus at Myeongdong shopping district Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Children wear plastic bottles as makeshift homemade protection and protective masks while waiting to check in to a flight at Beijing Capital Airport Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A patient assisted by medical staff gets off an ambulance in Wuhan AFP/Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People line up to buy face masks from a medical supply company in Nanning, southern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Countries began evacuating their citizens from the Chinese city hardest-hit by a new virus that has now infected more people in China than were sickened in the country by SARS Chinatopix via AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Millions spent their normally festive Lunar New Year holiday under lockdown Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Children with face masks wash their hands before prayer at Erawan shrine in Bangkok. Thailand has detected eight Coronavirus cases so far AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An Indonesian health officer points at the screen of a thermal scanner for passengers China confirmed that the deadly Wuhan coronavirus virus can be transmitted between humans AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Hospital workers wearing protective eyewear and masks examine an Indonesian student who returned from China in quarantine at a hospital in Banda Aceh AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ambulance staff dispose of an outfit at the hospital in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A person checks the temperature of a passenger to help stop the spread of a deadly virus as he arrives at the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International airport in Palembang AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Nepali students, wearing face masks, attend a class at Matribhumi School in Bhaktapur, on the outskirts of Kathmandu AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Two Buddhist monks wear face masks while walking along a street in Yangon AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff disinfecting a residential area in Ruichang, part of Jiujiang in China's central Jiangxi province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers are seen at the construction site of a new hospital being built to treat patients from a deadly virus outbreak in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 27, 2020. - China is rushing to build a new hospital in a staggering 10 days to treat patients at the epicentre of a deadly virus outbreak that has stricken thousands of people, state media reported on January 24. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images) HECTOR RETAMAL AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Vapor blurs the goggles of an ambulance driver while they work, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers producing facemasks at a factory in Yangzhou AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff getting on an ambulance in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A vendor of traditional masks wears a facial mask at his shop in Thamel EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An airport official checks the temperature of a passenger upon his arrival at the Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members arrive with a patient at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An ambulance driver talking with medical staff in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Wuhan Hygiene Emergency Response Team leave the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market The new coronavirus appears to have its origins in a seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, a popular transport hub AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers produce protective suits at a factory in Nantong AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers scanned by thermal imaging for body temperature as they go through health measures and procedures after they landed at Rome's Fiumicino airport on a southern airlines flight from Wuhan Aeroporto Di Roma/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A Thai royal guard wears a mask while on duty at the Grand Palace in Bangkok EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a face mask rides a nearly empty subway train in Beijing AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A shopper wearing goggles with a face mask and gloves uses a self checkout machine at a supermarket in Wuhan AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jinyintan hospital EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of the Italian Red Cross putting on protective gear, getting ready to give health checks to passengers that landed at Rome's Fiumicino airport on a southern airlines flight from Wuhan Aeroporto Di Roma/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A member of the Hong Kong government's Civil Aid Service gestures at the entrance to the Lady MacLehose Holiday Village which is being used as one of two quarantine centres for people who have been in close proximity with suspected cases of a SARS-type virus. Hong Kong will turn two holiday camps, including a former military barracks, into quarantine zones for people who may have come into contact with carriers of the Wuhan virus, officials announced AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff wearing protective suits at the Zhongnan hospital in Wuhan STR/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A Malaysia Health official checks passengers going through a thermal scanner upon their arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff disinfecting Yingtan North Railway Station, China China banned trains and planes from leaving the major city at the centre of a virus outbreak on January 23, seeking to seal off its 11 million people to contain the contagious disease that has claimed lives and spread to other countries AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A passenger walks past a quarantine control station at Narita airport, Japan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Patients queue up to seek treatment in Wuhan Tongji Hospital Fever Clinic, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Quarantine workers spray disinfectant at Incheon International Airport, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A member of staff checks the temperature of a guest entering the casino of the New Orient Landmark hotel in Macau, after it reported its first case of the new SARS-like virus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jin Yintan hospital Little is known about the new disease which, if confirmed, would be only the seventh coronavirus known to science that can infect humans Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of the Three Gorges Medical Laboratory offering free masks to the public in Yichang, China AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Gabriel Leung, right, chair professor of public health medicine at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong, speaks about the extent of the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak in China AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of staff of the Wuhan Hygiene Emergency Response Team conducting searches on the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A quarantine officer at Incheon International Airport, South Korea, uses an electronic thermometer to check the temperature of passengers arriving by plane from Wuhan The virus causes symptoms of viral pneumonia, and has already led to several deaths EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A screen shows cancelled flights at Tianhe airport in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jinyintan hospital EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Health officials hand out information about the current coronavirus at Kuala Lumpur International Airport AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A store owner argues with security guards as he attempts to enter the closed Huanan wholesale seafood market AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers producing facemasks at a factory in Handan, China's northern Hebei province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff and security personnel stop patients' family members from being too close to the Jinyintan hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus maya-goodfellowAn airport staff member uses a temperature gun to check people leaving Wuhan Tianhe International Airport AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A rescue worker walks past a notice about new coronavirus that has broken out in China Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Health officials wear face masks at an inspection site at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members carry a patient into the Jinyintan hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A staff member checks body temperature of a child after a train from Wuhan arrived at Hangzhou Railway Station in Hangzhou AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A quarantine station measures passenger body temperatures at Narita Airport JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers walk past a notice displayed near a quarantine control station at Narita airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers walk past a poster alerting on coronavirus screening ahead upon their arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An employee sprays disinfectant on a train, as a precaution against coronavirus, at Suseo Station in Seoul EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Kazakh sanitary-epidemiological service worker uses a thermal scanner to detect travellers from China who may have symptoms possibly connected with the previously unknown coronavirus, at Almaty International Airport, Kazakhstan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Pharmacist Liu Zhuzhen stands near a sign reading "face masks are sold out" at her pharmacy in Shanghai AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A worker in a protective suit at the closed seafood market in Wuhan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers wear protective face masks at the departure hall of a high speed train station in Hong Kong AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A notice for passengers from Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wears a mask while riding on mobike past the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market Getty Illegal trade flourishes in loopholes of the legal wildlife trade in China and increases the probability of an outbreak, the group wrote in an open letter posted on Weibo. This is the hidden danger for the trade and consumption of wild animals, the letter read. They advocate vastly increasing on-site inspections and government oversight of all wildlife markets. The New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society, meanwhile, appealed for an end to wildlife markets everywhere, not just in China. Zoonotic diseases, or those contracted by humans that originated in other species, account for a large share of human infectious illnesses. Not all of them come from the wildlife trade: rabies is endemic across many species and one of the biggest causes of death in the developing world. But mixing species of wild animals increases the risk of diseases mutating and growing more virulent as they spread in unregulated markets, experts say. The emergence of such diseases is a numbers game, said Christian Walzer, executive director of the Wildlife Conservation Society's health program. If these markets persist, and human consumption of illegal and unregulated wildlife persists, then the public will continue to face heightened risks from emerging new viruses, potentially more lethal and the source of future pandemic spread, Mr Walzer said. These are perfect laboratories for creating opportunities for these viruses to emerge. The order issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, dated Jan 21 banned all shipments of wild animals out of Wuhan. It also called for stepped up inspections and for raising public awareness about the risks of eating them. Researchers have not yet announced a definitive source for this latest outbreak, which like many other viruses can infect multiple species. One of the first measures taken by Wuhan authorities was to close down the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, where 41 of the first cases originated. Items seized from a store suspected of selling trafficked wildlife are seen in Anji city in eastern China's Zhejiang Province (Anti-Poaching Special Squad/AP) That's the big black box right now, said Jon Epstein, an epidemiologist with the Ecohealth Alliance. He was in China following the SARS outbreak and helped the ongoing global effort over nearly two decades to find the wild source of that virus, which sickened more than 8,000 and killed less than 800. SARS has been linked to various animals, including bats and the cat-like masked palm civet. Bats are known to harbour coronaviruses, but scientists have yet to fully understand the new virus and how it leapt from animals to people. Dr Epstein said researchers suspect but haven't proven that the Wuhan virus came from bats. Before it infected humans, it likely first jumped to an as yet unidentified mammal. There's no plausible evidence to support snakes being involved with this virus, Dr Epstein said, referring to recent media speculation criticised by a recent article in Nature. Researchers don't know which species exactly were sold in the Wuhan market, but Dr Epstein said mammals commonly found in such marketssuch as ferret badgers, racoon dogs or civetsmight be involved in the transmission of the new virus to people. The crackdown on wildlife trafficking and sales persisted only about six months after the SARS outbreak faded in mid-2003, Mr Walzer said. The solution is simple, he said. In the sense that we know where the problem is. In cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, there's little sign of markets catering to gourmands seeking ye wei, or wild flavours. But in provincial cities and in some parts of Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and other Southeast Asian countries, those determined to eat such exotic dishes can find all sorts of creatures for sale: pangolins, badgers, salamanders, scorpions, hedgehogs and even wolf puppies. A photo of a menu list from a vendor in the Wuhan market called Wild Game Livestock for the Masses, circulated online, showed more than 110 species for sale. Court records show that authorities in Hubei, the province where Wuhan is located, investigated 250 cases related to wildlife trafficking and poaching in 2019 alone. According to local media reports, since 2018 an estimated 16,000 wild animals were hunted in the province of more than 60 million people. Hubei is home to Shennongjia, a UNESCO World Heritage nature reserve that is a habitat of great biodiversity with many rare species including the clouded leopard, golden snub-nosed monkey and the Chinese giant salamander. Video footage filmed by a conservation activist in eastern China's Zhejiang and Anhui provinces, which also have a long tradition of consuming wild species, showed many wild species laid out for inspection in a market. In most cases, vendors are registered to sell some unprotected species, usually a limited amount of just a few, such as hares, wild boar and muntjac, a kind of tiny deer. But enforcement is not that strict, said Tian Jiang Ming of the Anti-Poaching Squad, a group of volunteers who visit markets are report on illegal wildlife sales. The illegal offerings tend to be kept hidden away in back freezers, he said. The vendors are selling illegally poached animals with these licenses in hand, he told The Associated Press. Only in 2014 did China criminalise consumption of protected species with a law specifying a maximum three-year jail term. But it also has allowed commercial farming of certain species, including tigers a practice that conservation advocates say encourages illicit trafficking in protected species. It's difficult to secure prosecution since it's hard to prove animals have been poached, Tian Jiang Ming said. The forestry department needs to prove illegal poaching by the sellers but they don't have the investigative resources to find them, he said. Associated Press Washington Secretary of State Mike Pompeo lashed out in anger Saturday at an NPR reporter who accused him of shouting expletives at her after she asked him in an interview about Ukraine. In a personal attack, America's chief diplomat said the journalist had "lied" to him and he called her conduct "shameful." NPR stands by Mary Louise Kelly's reporting. Pompeo claimed the incident was "another example of how unhinged the media has become in its quest to hurt" President Donald Trump and his administration. Pompeo, one of Trump's closest allies in the Cabinet, asserted, "It is no wonder that the American people distrust many in the media when they so consistently demonstrate their agenda." In Friday's interview, Pompeo responded testily when Kelly asked him about Ukraine and specifically whether he defended or should have defended Marie Yovanovitch, the U.S. ambassador in Kyiv whose ouster figured in Trump's impeachment. "I have defended every State Department official," he said. "We've built a great team. The team that works here is doing amazing work around the world ... I've defended every single person on this team." As a Trump loyalist, he has been publicly silent as the president and his allies have disparaged the nonpartisan career diplomats, including Yovanovitch. Yovanovitch was told in May to return to Washington immediately for her own safety. After documents released this month from an associate of Trump's personal attorney suggested she was possibly under threat, Pompeo took three days to address this. After the interview, Kelly said she was taken to Pompeo's private living room, where he shouted at her "for about the same amount of time as the interview itself," using the "F-word" repeatedly. She said he was not happy to be questioned about Ukraine. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Pompeo, in his statement, did not deny shouting at Kelly and did not apologize. Instead, he accused her of lying to him when setting up the interview, which he apparently expected would be limited to questions about Iran. Kelly said Pompeo asked whether she thought Americans cared about Ukraine and if she could find the country on a map. "I said yes, and he called out for aides to bring us a map of the world with no writing," she said. "I pointed to Ukraine. He put the map away. He said, 'people will hear about this.'" Pompeo ended Saturday's statement by saying, "It is worth noting that Bangladesh is NOT Ukraine." Last week I spoke to a Minister who told me about the confusion and contradiction that, according to his account, is starting to spread like a political coronavirus through Boris Johnson's administration. 'I think the problem is that they had a clear plan to win the Election and get Brexit done,' he said. 'But now that's been achieved, they're struggling to define how to move forward.' Which was a polite way of saying what has seemed increasingly obvious to many in Westminster. Having secured a decisive 80-seat mandate from the electorate, Boris and his team don't know what to do with it. Last week they were pointing everyone to a half-empty Commons chamber, as Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans formally announced the passage of the Brexit Withdrawal Bill into law. Dan Hodges on why some Ministers are asking whether Boris Johnson has a clue what to do next. Boris is pictured signing the official European Union Withdrawal Agreement Act It was greeted with some choreographed cheers from the Tory benches. But no one was fooled. Brexit 'got done' by the British people on December 12. And since then, the Government has been in a state of suspended animation. No clear line on Iran. Uncertainty and continued Cabinet infighting over Huawei. Chaotic briefing and counter-briefing over HS2. Most tellingly of all, little, 45 days in, that even resembles a coherent strategy or vision for the country. Another Minister painted the following picture: 'Everything's just being left to pile up. We had no coherent Iran response for days. We've got HS2, another rail report, 5G, something on education, the Budget and nothing's being decided.' To understand why this chaos is emerging, it helps to remember something lost in the drama of Election night. Confusion has lurked amid the Johnson administration since day one. The idea of the Downing Street Grand Strategy was always a myth. Remember what we were told the masterplan was? Boris had learned the lesson of Theresa May's reckless Election gamble. What was needed was someone who would stare down Brussels, Parliament and the rest of the British Establishment, and drive Brexit through on pain of a No Deal departure. Jeremy Corbyn then committed hara-kiri by agreeing to override the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, and the rest is history What actually happened was Parliament outmanoeuvred him, the courts outfoxed him and Brussels stood firm. Boris was left with no option but throw his DUP partners out of the balloon and cut a deal with Leo Varadkar. Jeremy Corbyn then committed hara-kiri by agreeing to override the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, and the rest is history. Which doesn't mean Boris doesn't have qualities besides winning elections he has many of them. But again, we have to remember what they are. Or, more importantly, what we were told they were when he secured the leadership of his party. We were promised the antithesis of the dour administrator Theresa May. Boris was fizzing with energy and ideas. He had the hunger and charisma to drive the Government forward. Like his hero Winston Churchill, he would lead from the front, vanquish the naysayers, and march the nation heroically into the roaring 20s. Yet where are we this morning? We are told he is minded to rubber-stamp Mrs May's decision to grant Chinese access to the 5G network, despite shrill US objections. Or he may not. He may axe one of the largest infrastructure projects in British history into which billions have already been sunk. Or he may not. But in any case, according to his officials, whatever is decided, we should not expect to see too much of him over the coming months. His role is not going to be that of a traditional Prime Minister, or even a traditional Cabinet Minister, but more a chairman of the board. Ask Ministers and officials where the Government's dynamism and direction will be coming from over the next five years, and you're met with a shrug. Some point to Michael Gove and what they claim may be a formal or de-facto elevation to the role of Deputy Prime Minister. Others identify Munira Mirza, director of the No 10 policy unit, who has been framed as a firecracker of New Conservatism. But that was also her framing in advance of the publication of the Tory Election manifesto, which turned out to be notable solely for its timidity. We were promised the antithesis of the dour administrator Theresa May (pictured announcing her resignation) The name that crops up most frequently is Dominic Cummings, the PM's ragged-shirted svengali. But his obsession seems to be internal reform of Whitehall, the BBC and the parliamentary press lobby. All of which may be perfectly worthy. But when I was out on the stump in Bolsover and Bishop Auckland during the Election campaign, people seemed more concerned about crime, hospitals and schools, rather than the disparity between the number of Civil Service science and arts graduates. One striking example of the dysfunctionality this leadership vacuum is creating is provided by the current chaos over HS2. Boris, who developed a love of 'high-vis politics' during his time as London Mayor, is said to favour the project. But key members of his team don't. So Tory MPs are now receiving calls from No 10 officials ordering them to come to Downing Street to lobby against the scheme. 'It's nuts. We're being told by No 10 to demand to come into No 10 to lobby No 10,' one backbencher told me. One striking example of the dysfunctionality this leadership vacuum is creating is provided by the current chaos over HS2 Another is the confusion over the Huawei contract. 'Everyone is being told our No1 priority is securing that US trade deal,' says one Minister, 'and then we're being told to sign off on Huawei, which is going to p*** off the Americans.' Some of this turmoil is the inevitable consequence of any change of leadership mid-government. Tony Blair and David Cameron had years to map out in minute detail their first 100 days' strategy. Boris and his team had about three weeks between the disastrous local election results that sealed Theresa May's fate and the announcement of her resignation, which effectively triggered the start of the Tory leadership race. Another major factor is the identity crisis that has beset Boris since the moment he embraced Brexit and began to position himself for the leadership. As one ally said to me: 'The reality is he's a liberal, modernising, One Nation Conservative. People can try to pin whatever they want on him, but that's who he was as Mayor of London because that's who the real Boris is.' But Brexit and the destruction of Labour's Red Wall were not the product of modern liberalism they were a brutal repudiation of it. And it's clear that, unlike Thatcher or Blair, Boris has no ideological GPS to guide him. The master opportunist of British politics is being forced to make things up as he goes along. Another is the confusion over the Huawei contract. 'Everyone is being told our No1 priority is securing that US trade deal,' says one Minister, 'and then we're being told to sign off on Huawei, which is going to p*** off the Americans' Which can have its benefits. Not being weighed down by an ideological straitjacket gives more flexibility to avoid elephant traps and react to events. And as Sir Keir Starmer continues to position himself as Corbyn with a haircut, there is little evidence that Boris faces a serious challenge from Labour. But without some sort of framework for how he is to govern, he is quickly going to find himself at the mercy of events. The narrative No 10 is trying to construct is of Boris as some sort of father-of- the-nation figure, stepping in only when required to lay a calming hand on a troublesome issue, or give paternalistic guidance to wayward or squabbling Ministers. But the danger is he actually becomes the nation's Baldrick, lurching from one 'cunning plan' to another as he belatedly and desperately reacts to the latest crisis. Boris was elected by the Tory Party to win the Election and get Brexit done. He's done that brilliantly. His job now is to demonstrate he has some idea about what to do next. Iraq clears protest barriers after massive anti-US rallies Iran Press TV Saturday, 25 January 2020 11:26 AM Iraqi security forces have cleared concrete blocks from main protest sites in Baghdad and Basra, which a group of rioters had used to disrupt normal life. Security forces descended on Tayaran Square, Mohammad Qasim highway and Ahrar Bridge in Baghdad on Saturday to open them to traffic. As they began opening roads, a group of protesters reportedly attacked them, triggering clashes which left several casualties. Medics said security forces were using tear gas and live rounds to clear protest camps across the capital. The decision to open roads came a day after hundreds of thousands of Iraqis rallied in Baghdad to call for an end to US military presence in the country following high-profile assassinations and airstrikes targeting anti-terror forces. Huge crowds of men, women and children of all ages converged on the Jadriyah neighborhood near Baghdad University, with protesters carrying banners and chanting slogans calling for the expulsion of US forces. The massive rally came after influential cleric Moqtada al-Sadr called on Iraqis to stage "a million-strong, peaceful, unified demonstration to condemn the American presence and its violations". Protesters chanted "get out, get out, occupier" as they massed in the Jadiriyah district of east Baghdad. Others chanted "Death to America", while the Iraqi flag was widely flown. Around 5,200 US troops are still in Iraq. Earlier this month, the Iraqi parliament voted to expel all American forces in the country. US President Donald Trump has refused to discuss the withdrawal with Iraq's acting prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi and instead threatened to seize about $35 billion of Iraqi oil revenues held in a bank account in New York. The rally coincided with a report by the Middle East Eye that the US was seeking to carve out a "Sunni state" in Iraq's Anbar province in a bid to secure the presence of its military forces. The plan was discussed at a secret meeting nine months ago between Saudi ambassador to Jordan and a group of Iraqi politicians and businessmen from Anbar, Salah al-Din and Nineveh provinces, the report said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], Jan 26 (ANI): A man accused of raping a five-year-old girl in Matunga has been arrested by the police in Mumbai, an official said on Saturday. According to police, the accused person has been identified as Aatique Naushad. The man is accused of raping and attacking a five-year-old in Matunga last week. The victim had gone missing from Matunga on Wednesday and was found injured a few hours later. The minor girl is undergoing treatment at a hospital here. Further investigation is underway in the mater. (ANI) Published on 2020/01/26 | Source Hyundai and LG will join hands to produce batteries for electric vehicles. Advertisement "Hyundai Motor and LG Chem are collaborating to build a battery plant [for electric vehicles], but specific details, including the size of the investment and location of the plant, have not yet been decided", an industry insider said on Sunday. The companies are said to have established a 50-50 joint venture with the total investment running into the trillions of won (US$1=W1,159). A site in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province owned by Hyundai Steel is being considered for the plant, but they are also considering the option of building it overseas. Hyundai last month announced plans to invest W9.7 trillion in its electric car business by 2025 to become the world's second-largest manufacturer of EVs. Currently the carmaker uses EV batteries supplied by LG Chem and SK Innovation. As Hyundai recently signed a deal with SK Innovation to buy batteries for 500,000 EVs, SK is likely to remain a supplier for the carmaker even after the joint venture is established. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 21:29:11|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities announced Sunday that trading of wild animals will be suspended nationwide to curb the spreading of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The ban will become effective immediately and shall not be lifted until the epidemic is declared over, said a joint statement issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. The decision came after the geographical distribution of infection cases in central China's Wuhan, the center of the coronavirus outbreak, indicated a close relationship between the outbreak and illegal sales of wildlife in a market. Any form of wildlife trade will be strictly prohibited on platforms including marketplaces, supermarkets, dining places and e-commerce sites, according to the statement. Authorities ordered all sites raising wild animals to be quarantined and forbade the transportation and selling of wild animals from these sites. Any businesses and operators breaching the ban shall be shut down. And if the violations are serious enough, the suspects shall be handed over to police for criminal investigation, the statement said. Local governments should enhance supervision to prevent violations to the ban, and the public should be fully aware of the health risks in consuming wild animals, it said. Up to 1,975 confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus, including 324 in critical condition, had been reported in the country by the end of Saturday, according to Chinese health authorities. mbongeni@times.co.sz MBABANE She is lucky to be alive. Former minister of Housing and Urban Development Stella Lukhele is thanking her God after surviving an attack by two armed men on Wednesday. The former minister was stabbed in the face and robbed of E400 in cash. The erstwhile politician, who resides in the foothill of Mbikwakhe, was with a female housekeeper and her eight-year-old niece when the suspects broke into her house and committed the crime. The incident, which has left her tenants and neighbours gob-smacked, happened around 7pm. Interviewed yesterday, the 84-year-old Lukhele said she was preparing to watch the 7pm news on Eswatini TV when she suddenly saw two men inside the living room. She said she doesnt know how they broke in as no one had heard any strange noises . As soon as I saw them I asked what were they looking for and they told me that they came for money. They violently told me that I am a businesswoman, hence I must be loaded. I told them that I did not have any money and thats when trouble started, she said. She said they then demanded to know whether there was anyone else inside the house. Shocked young niece She said her shocked young niece quickly responded and told the suspects that the maid was in the bedroom. One of them, according to Lukhele, went to the bedroom for the maid. She said after holding them hostage in the living room, one of the thugs ransacked the house in search of the cash they were demanding. She said in the process they threatened to injure them using a hot iron which they had already plugged in one of the electric terminals inside the living room. They told us that if we thought they were joking they were going to kill me hence I should show them the money. I asked that they allow me to pray but instead they said I was making noise, she said. attempt to strangulate her She said one of the thugs then took a towel and attempted to strangulate her. This, she said, happened after one of the thugs had stabbed her in the face for being talkative. After stabbing me they took E400 cash from me and some money belonging to my niece. In fact, my niece, because of shock, led them to her bedroom where she was keeping her savings. Imagine a young child being that terrified she said. She said after realising that there was no more cash in the house, the two men ran out and left them there. That is when they then raised the alarm and screamed for help. She was then taken to the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) hospital where she was treated and discharged. Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, confirmed the robbery incident. She said even though no one has been arrested so far but information has surfaced that people who attacked and robbed Lukhele had earlier attacked a judicial officer. Police are tracking down three suspects who first attacked a prosecutor and forcefully took his car. They drove to Matsapha where they caused the prosecutor to withdraw some cash from the ATM. From there, they then proceeded to Lukheles home where they committed another crime, she said. Vilakati said after attacking Lukhele the suspects are said to have used the prosecutors car as a getaway and eventually dumped it in Matsapha where they had dumped the prosecutor. Police are still investigating the matter and there are no arrests for now, she said. Larry Johnson is a former CIA agent who was once a big supporter of Hillary Clinton. That was back in the George W. Bushs second term. Not only had Bush blundered into a fiasco in Iraq; his people also outed CIA agent Valerie Plame, a close friend of Johnsons from their days training together. On occasion, Johnson would be asked to advise Clinton on foreign affairs in advance of her 2008 run for the Democratic presidential nomination. I got to brief her a couple times, Johnson told me. I thought she was very intelligent and asked smart questions. That makes it difficult to explain a Clinton diatribe last week against Bernie Sanders that sounded like it came from a mean girl on a school playground. Nobody likes him, nobody wants to work with him, he got nothing done," Clinton said in a documentary about her former fellow senator. Thats not the only statement Clinton has made that makes her sound a bit unhinged. Last week Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard announced she is filing a $50 million libel suit against Clinton over her attacks on Gabbard, who is running for the Democratic presidential nomination. She's a favorite of the Russians, Clinton said on October in remarks referring to Gabbard. They have a bunch of sites and bots and other ways of supporting her so far. Clinton also said, Shes a Russian asset, although it was not clear from the context whether the she in question was Gabbard or Jill Stein, the 2016 Green Party candidate. Either way, Clinton should have known better, said Johnson. In the intelligence world, the term asset means someone who is working on behalf of a foreign country. Thats why we call the spies we recruit assets, he said. She certainly knows that. Its not as if she was new to the world of intelligence. No, its not. So just what the hecks gotten into her? Honestly, Bernie just drove me crazy, she said in that documentary. Im sure she was speaking figuratively. But to those of us who followed the 2016 campaign closely, she sounds like she was speaking literally. The real action at the Democratic convention in Philadelphia was not on the stage but in the park outside the hall where the protesters gathered. Their dispute with Clinton concerned the same issue she has been harping on of late. Thats her aggressive foreign policy. The highlight came in a speech Stein made to the crowd under a freeway overpass in a thunderstorm. Hilary is the biggest warmonger of them all! Stein said to cheers. Stein went on to collect about 1.5 million votes that might have put Clinton over the top in the race against Donald Trump. Meanwhile Sanders spent a lot of that 2016 campaign digging hard into her on foreign policy. He pointed out that she voted for the Iraq War in 2002 while he made this prescient argument against it: "Who will govern Iraq when Saddam Hussein is removed and what role will the U.S. play in (an) ensuing ... civil war? Will moderate governments in the region who have large Islamic fundamentalist populations be overthrown and replaced by extremists. A CNN article in 2016 asked whether Clinton was too hawkish for Democrats. (Heres a 2016 New York Times piece examining her hawkishness in detail.) After all, she lobbied President Barack Obama hard on military action in Libya in 2011 and wanted him to do more to back anti-regime rebels in Syria as secretary of state -- and now pushes for a no-fly zone there, a much more aggressive military posture than Sanders and even several Republican candidates, Stephen Collinson wrote. Clintons not running for president in 2020. But Joe Biden is. Now Sanders is attacking the former vice president, who served in the same administration as Clinton Joe Biden voted and helped lead the effort for the war in Iraq, the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in the modern history of this country, he said on CNN recently. Both Sanders and Trump are fond of arguing the U.S. should not be the policeman of the world. But if Clintons attacks on Gabbard are any indication, she sounds ready to restart the Cold War. I dont have a hound in the Democrats dog fight. But I find it more than a little strange how hostile they have been to Gabbard, an Iraq War veteran who knows firsthand what fiascos our wars have been. For most of my life it was the Republicans who were pro-war and anti-Russian. The Democrats were fond of pointing out that Russia has lots of nukes and it might not be wise to tangle with them on what they consider to be their turf. Johnson has another idea about whats behind Clintons attack on Gabbard. Perhaps its a secret plan for her to fund the Tulsi Gabbard campaign through the lawsuit, Johnson suggested. She will be able to funnel the judgment to Tulsi. He was kidding of course. As for Clinton, shes dead serious. And that should worry her fellow Democrats. ADD - HILLARYS ALWAYS BEEN A SORE LOSER: I was doing a search for past news about Hillary when I came across this column of mine from 2008. Id forgotten all about covering Clintons non-concession concession speech on the night she lost the Democratic primary contest to Barack Obama. This was the moment when Clinton should have congratulated the winner and made a gracious exit. Instead she was her usual bitter self. Heres what I wrote at the time: She proceeded to make it clear this evening was going to be one last attempt to pull out a win, boasting of her victory that day in South Dakota as if she believed the superdelegates were sitting by their radios waiting to hear the results out of Rapid City. She followed that up with a proclamation that she had received "more votes than any primary candidate in presidential history" -- a debatable point not worth debating by 10 p.m. Tuesday. She wrapped up her spiel by saying she had not decided whether to drop out of the race and encouraging her followers to "go to my website and share your thoughts with me." Ill share this thought: Ive never seen such a sore loser in all my years of covering politics. Read the whole thing to see the roots of her current situation - and the Democratic partys. As of this posting Keg Connection has all variations of high quality, made in Germany, assembled in the USA CMBecker Brand disconnects on sale. You can trust these are real CMBecker brand, because Keg Connection is owned by the same parent company. CM Becker QD Sale Coupon code HBF5OFF saves you 5% off EVERYTHING site wide. Stacks with all non-coupon sales. saves you 5% off EVERYTHING site wide. Stacks with all non-coupon sales. Great shipping prices Shipping is a flat $7.95 no matter how much you order to addressed in the contiguous US. Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Please note that product prices and availability are subject to change. Prices and availability were accurate at the time this this post was published; however, they may differ from those you see when you visit the product page. Check the product page for current price, description and availability Also: Kegerator Tips & Gear | Keg Repair Part #s | Recent Keg Finds Requests for assistance for airline passengers with intellectual disabilities have seen an increase of 342 per cent in Middle East and Africa, following a 10-month long campaign to raise awareness of a dedicated Special Service Request (SSR) booking code by travel technology company, Travelport. SSR codes are used in the airline industry to communicate traveller preferences or needs to airlines. They are delivered through standardised four-letter codes defined by the International Air Transport Association (Iata). The DPNA SSR code can be used by travel agents, among others, to alert airlines when a passenger has intellectual or developmental disability and needs assistance. Travelport launched its Travel Unified campaign in March 2019 after it found evidence of exceptionally low use of the code on bookings made through its global distribution system (GDS). Of the more than 250 million flight bookings made through Travelport in 2018, the DPNA code was applied to just 4,309 bookings approximately 0.0015 per cent; despite an estimated 2.6 per cent of the worlds population having an intellectual disability. A poll of travel agents and conversations with nonprofit organisations confirmed this was due to a lack of awareness. From the launch of the campaign up until the end of 2019, use of the DPNA SSR code on flights booked through Travelport in Middle East and Africa increased by 342 per cent compared to the same period in 2018. The code was used for the first time through Travelport in Oman, Kuwait, Egypt and the UAE. As part of its campaign to raise awareness of the DPNA SSR code, Travelport has shared educational sign-on alerts and graphical prompts more than 10 million times with hundreds of thousands of travel agents across the world through Travelport Smartpoint, its flagship Point of Sale solution that is used by travel agents, among others, to search and book airline seats, hotel rooms and more. The digital media used to reach travel agents is typically sold by Travelport to travel providers, like airlines and hotels, as advertising space. In addition, Emirati vlogger, Khalid Al Ameri, documented his familys positive experience travelling from the UAE to Bahrain on a flight with Etihad Airways, with the DPNA SSR code applied to the booking of his son, who is on the autism spectrum. Since the video went live on Al Ameris Facebook page on World Autism Day, it has been viewed more than 7 million times, shared more than 100,000 times and received more than 10,000 messages of support. Mark Meehan, Travelports global vice president and managing director of Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Operators, said: Its heartening to see such a significant spike in the use of the DPNA code in Middle East and Africa since we launched our Travel Unified campaign. SSR codes play an important role in helping travel agents effectively and officially communicate the needs of travelers to IATA airlines, so its important agents are aware of the codes at their disposal and the kind of support that can be requested. Meehan added: At Travelport, we believe travel should be an exciting, stress-free and dignified experience for everyone, and are committed to doing what we can to help achieve this. We look forward to taking our Travel Unified campaign to the next level in 2020. - TradeArabia News Service Sony once held some of the most valuable brand names in tech. The company practically invented the portable music player, the legendary Walkman. Also, its first digital camera came out in 1996, the Cyber-shot. However, the company didnt handle the transition to mobile phones very well. The company or rather its 50/50 partnership with Ericsson did try to adapt the Sony branding to mobile phones. This gave us handsets like the Sony Ericsson W800, which had Walkman written with large letters on its side. Not just that, it had a button with Walkman logo that launched the music player, which could handle MP3 and AAC files. This was still considered an impressive feat when the phone came out in 2005. It wasnt the only music-focused phone of that year, however. The Motorola ROKR E1, the iTunes phone, was its chief rival. Comparing the two is interesting as it shows a difference in approach. Sony (Ericsson) gave you a 512MB Memory Stick card, a USB cable and Disc2Phone software. You buy your music from the store, rip it and transfer it to the phone. The Disc2Phone software In contrast, the Motorola expected you to load tracks from your iTunes collection the iTunes Store opened its virtual doors a couple of years prior and supported the iPod. The iPod did for digital music what the Walkman did for the cassette tape. As a big name in audio hardware and owner of Sony Music (actually a 50/50 partner in Sony BMG in 2005), the Japanese giant was perfectly positioned to capture the mobile music market. Walkman phones were half of the equation, an online music store would have been the other half, but that never materialized. And ripping CDs and transferring the songs to your phone was always going to lose to digital downloads. With no cap on how many songs you could load on the phone, the W800 had a clear advantage over the Motorola (the ROKR E1 was limited to 500 tracks). The 512MB that came in the box could fit a lot of music, but you could go wild and get a 2GB Memory Stick thats over 700 songs on average (assuming 128Kbps files, which isnt unreasonable for the time). It lacked stereo speakers, though, and no standard audio jack (the Moto had a 2.5mm jack). Well also look at the Sony Ericsson K750 today. Actually, this is essentially the same phone the biggest difference between the two is the branding. Instead of focusing on music, the K750 was a cameraphone. It featured the same 2MP camera module with a slightly different setup on the back. It had a sliding cover that protected the lens and automatically launched the camera app when you slid it out of the way (the W800 had a smaller lens cover, activated with a switch on the back). The whole thing was designed to look like a Sony digital camera, though we couldnt tell you why the company missed the opportunity to use the Cyber-shot branding that would come with the successor, the K800. You only got a 64MB Memory Stick with this phone and the button above the joystick opened the multitasking menu rather than the music player. The phone did support MP3 and AAC, just like the W800. Both had a camera shutter key on the side. Why did Sony Ericsson release two nearly identical phones? Clearly, it was a marketing play the W800 appealed to Walkman owners, the K750 to those using Cyber-shot cameras (the lack of branding might have hurt it a bit, though). You would think that it would have been better to create one super phone Cyber-shot camera, Walkman music player, Trinitron display perhaps. Even Sony itself seems to agree. The latest Xperia 1 was absolutely stuffed with Sony brand names, looking at press materials youll spot everything from the consumer-facing Bravia brand to professional brands like Master reference monitors and Alpha cameras. But we were talking about the Sony Ericsson W800, K750 and the value of branding. Sony Ericssons 2005 Q4 report calls the Walkman-branded phones the highlight of the year and says the company shipped 3 million units. This includes the high end W900 with 3G connectivity, so its not just the W800. The K750 isnt even mentioned in the report. And yet, both phones went on to become best-sellers with about 15 million sold during their lifetime. It seems that branding isnt everything in the long run. The U.S. State Department said it plans to evacuate its staff and some private citizens out of the Chinese city of Wuhan the epicenter of the growing coronavirus outbreak on a flight to Ontario, California. The original plan was for the plane to land in San Francisco, but the flight will instead be routed to Southern California. State department officials said Monday in a statement that the the flight to Ontario, California, is expected to leave Wuhan on Wednesday morning local time. Priority will be given to citizens who are most at risk of contracting the virus. The flight is expected to make a refueling stop at Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage, according to Alaska health officials. About 240 Americans are expected to be aboard. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services says the passengers will be screened for the illness before they leave Wuhan by U.S. and Chinese health officials. Anyone with symptoms will not be allowed to board the aircraft. The department in a statement says they will be screened again at Anchorage. Five people in the United States two in Southern California and one each in Arizona, Washington state and Illinois have been diagnosed with the respiratory virus that has killed 81 people and sickened more than 2,700. Symptoms include mild to severe respiratory illness, including fever, cough and difficulty breathing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While there have been no cases confirmed in the Bay Area, health officials in Alameda County were testing fewer than 10 people for the potentially deadly illness. The department had no new information to report Sunday, a spokeswoman said. The CDC confirmed a traveler from Wuhan tested positive for the virus in Southern California, the Orange County Health Care Agency announced late Saturday. The patient, a man in his 50s, is in isolation at a hospital and in good condition, the agency said. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Los Angeles public health officials said Sunday that a person diagnosed and hospitalized there also was a traveler from Wuhan. The CDC has been screening airplane travelers arriving from Wuhan at five international airports in the United States: San Francisco, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicagos OHare and New Yorks John F. Kennedy. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Tatiana Sanchez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tatiana.sanchez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TatianaYSanchez lindsey graham Alex Brandon/AP House Democrats spent this week hammering President Donald Trump in his impeachment trial and laying out a mountain of "overwhelming" evidence to prove he abused his power and obstructed Congress. Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida praised Democrats' impeachment presentation and skewered Trump's defense as looking like an "eighth-grade book report" in comparison. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina congratulated lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff on his delivery and said Schiff was "well-spoken" and did "a good job." Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana told reporters during the first day of the prosecution's opening arguments that the evidence itself was news to many senators. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. House Democrats took center stage on Friday for the last portion of their opening arguments in President Donald Trump's historic impeachment trial in the Senate. Over three days, impeachment managers House lawmakers who act as prosecutors in Trump's trial laid out the president's months-long campaign to pressure Ukraine into launching politically motivated investigations targeting his rivals while withholding vital military aid and a White House meeting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky desperately wanted. In addition to detailing the president's actions at the center of the scheme, they also outlined how he, his associates, and White House lawyers tried to cover up evidence of his alleged misconduct. Trump's Republican allies in Congress maintain that he did nothing wrong and that he was justified in asking Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a 2020 Democratic frontrunner, while freezing the security assistance. But as the impeachment managers make their case against the president, even Trump's staunchest defenders have acknowledged the effectiveness of Democrats' strategy. Story continues Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida told Politico this week the impeachment managers presented their case to the public as if it were "cable news," and he praised their use of multimedia. Meanwhile, the defense team's case looked like "an eighth-grade book report," Gaetz said. "Actually, no, I take that back," he said, adding that an eighth-grader would know how to use PowerPoint and iPads. Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana told reporters during the first day of the prosecution's opening arguments that the evidence itself was news to many senators. "Nine out of 10 senators will tell you they haven't read a full transcript of the proceedings in the House," Kennedy said. "And the 10th senator who says he has is lying." Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, one of Trump's biggest defenders, praised lead House impeachment manager Adam Schiff after the first day of opening arguments. "Good job," Graham told Schiff. "You're very well-spoken." Graham also told CNN he spoke to the president that night. When CNN's Manu Raju asked Graham what Trump thought of the trial, Graham said the president told him he found it boring. "He doesn't like what they say about him," Graham said. He added that Trump also told him he thought Schiff did a bad job, but Graham pushed back and told the president, "No, I thought he actually did a pretty good job." Trump was impeached last month for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Schiff, a former prosecutor, is spearheading the Democrats' team of impeachment managers. They will finish making their opening arguments on Friday evening. Trump's lawyers will mount a defense beginning Saturday morning at 10 a.m. ET. Read the original article on Business Insider The .303 Rifle, often carried by policemen, was a magazine-fed bolt action repetitive rifle that served as the main firearm used by the military forces of the erstwhile British Empire. It could fire one shot at a time after which the barrel needs to be reloaded by pulling the bolt for the next shot. The decommissioning of the weapon marks the end of an era. Lucknow, Jan 26 (IANS) As the sun dawned on the Republic Day on Sunday, the Uttar Pradesh police bid adieu to legendry British-era .303 rifles after over 75 years of service. Former director general of police (DGP) Brij Lal said, "The .303 rifles were the workhorse of UP police, always giving the desired result, ever since they were introduced in UP Police in 1945. If there was an award for guns on the basis of their performance, the .303s or bolt action rifles would have certainly bagged one." Brij Lal said, while he was in service, he had led several operations and had neutralized dreaded dacoits and gangsters. "The main reason behind success of this weapon could be its ability to sustain UP's rough terrain and work well even in mud, water and other extreme conditions we often face," he recalled. Talking about one such incident, he said, "During my posting in Pilibhit district (1986-88) as superintendent of police (SP), we learnt that some militants associated with Harjinder Singh Jinda's group dropped their bank robbery plan when they learnt that our constables were equipped with .303 rifles." Several other retired cops said that though the .303 rifle weighed about five kgs, the weight became a part of every constable's life. Ram Kumar Upadhyaya, a constable, said that the weapon, even after 20 rounds of back-to-back firing, would remain smooth as butter. "This is, perhaps, what we often miss in the modern day weapons," he said. The accuracy and sturdiness made the .303 a favourite among constables. The .303 rifles would bow out from service after its display in the R-Day parade. The Uttar Pradesh Police will replace the age-old .303 Rifles with automatic INSAS and Self Loading Rifles (SLR). INSAS is an automatic assault rifle manufactured by Indian Ordnance Factory and is used by Army and Paramilitary forces. "Keeping in view the law and order situation, the police personnel would be equipped with 63,000 INSAS Rifles and 23,000 SLRs," said Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Awanish Kumar. He also said the decision to get automatic rifles was part of an effort to keep control over crime and for public security at large. He added that the INSAS and SLR rifles have already been provided to the police personnel. Eight thousand INSAS Rifles have been kept in 'reserve' keeping in view the upcoming recruitment to Uttar Pradesh constabulary. amita/skp/ Lucknow, Jan 26 : The 71st Republic Day was celebrated with much gaiety in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. UP Governor Anandiben Patel hoisted the tricolour in front of the Vidhan Sabha and witnessed the ceremonial parade along with chief minister Yogi Adityanath and his cabinet colleagues. Flower petals were showered from helicopters during the event. The chief minister, earlier, unfurled the national flag at his residence. At the Samajwadi Party office, party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav hoisted the national flag and asked the youth to take a pledge to fight against injustice. He said that the Republic Day was a celebration of the sacrifices made by freedom fighters. In Etawah, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav unfurled a 155-feet tall tricolour. Senior party men were present on the occasion. At the Congress state headquarters in Lucknow, UPCC president Ajay Kumar Lallu hoisted the national flag and pledged to fight for the constitutional rights of the people. - The MPs asked Uhuru to honour promise he made to Ruto about 2022 presidency - Khalwale called out Musalia and Wetang'ula for abandoning them only to attend BBI forum - The leaders also challenged politicians from the region to forge Luhya unity Western Kenya leaders affiliated to Deputy President William Ruto have accused Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula and his Amani National Congress (ANC) counterpart Musalia Mudavadi for sabotaging development of the region. The leaders including former Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, ex-Sports Cabinet secretary Rashid Echesa, Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali among others held Western Kenya Economic forum in Mumias a week after it was overshadowed by Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) rally in Bukhungu Stadium. READ ALSO: Two Nairobi women in court for beating lady who stole their husband Members of the public follow proceedings at Mumias rally. Photo: Rashid Echesa. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Raila asema hakutafuta ushauri wa DP Ruto kabla ya handisheki Khalwale blamed the two for skipping the Mumias event, only to attend the Bukhungu stadium gathering which they had earlier opposed to the surprise of their supporters. It was shameful for such powerful leaders from this region to attend BBI meetings held by Opposition leader Raila Odinga at the expense of a development oriented event here, he said. Khalwale, Rutos foe turned ally went ahead to urge President Uhuru Kenyatta not to forget the promise he made to the DP in 2022 besides urging the Luhya community to stick together in order to mount a bargain for the countrys top seat during the next polls. He argued other communities were getting sweet development deals because they were united and had a say in government decisions unlike Luhyas who were divided and feeling effects of collapsed industries like Mumias Sugar Company. Ruto made Uhuru president in 2013 and 2017 and we expect Uhuru to return the favour in 2022. He should not disown him after he completes his second term, he added. Malava MP Malulu Injendi said it was sad the BBI rally at Bukhungu stadium on Saturday, January 18, gave economic issues of the region a wide berth. Uhuru has forgotten those who voted to him and has invited those who opposed his bid to dine at his table, Injendi claimed. Matungu MP Justus Murunga challenged Mudavadi and Wetangula to turn focus from BBI rallies and work with leaders with a will to turn around Western Kenyas economic situation. We should put aside our political differences, speak with one voice and champion for our needs together if we want to get development, said Murunnga. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. I have lived without lungs for 7 years because of smoking | Tuko TV Source: TUKO.co.ke If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here The Indian High Commission here on Sunday celebrated India's 71st Republic Day with "great enthusiasm and joy". Charge d'affaires Gaurav Ahluwalia hoisted the tricolour and read out excerpts from President Ram Nath Kovind's address to the nation. "High Commission of India in Pakistan celebrated the 71st Republic Day with great enthusiasm and joy. Charge d'affaires Gaurav Ahluwalia hoisted the tricolour and read out excerpts from Hon'ble Rashtrapatiji's address to the nation," tweeted India mission in Pakistan. On this day, 70-year back, India officially adopted its Constitution. The day is being celebrated around the country with great fervour and enthusiasm. Meanwhile, the Indian mission in several countries is also celebrating the day. Republic Day of India was celebrated at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu today. The celebrations began with the hoisting of the Indian national flag by Charge d' Affaires Ajay Kumar who then read out the message of President Ram Nath Kovind for the occasion. In the national capital, the celebration was marked by a grand Republic Day parade at the Rajghat. The parade began with President Kovind unfurling the national flag with a 21-gun salute. Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro was the chief guest at the parade which showcased India's military might, cultural diversity, social and economic progress. For the first time, a contingent of women bikers of CRPF performed daredevil stunts. The Dhanush artillery was also displayed for the first time during the Republic Day parade. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Ukrainian leader says the international community should unite and prevent any manifestation of anti-Semitism, xenophobia and racism. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with former prisoners of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi concentration camp during the first day of his working visit to Poland. He attended a dinner marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the German Nazi concentration camp; the event was attended by former prisoners of the camp and their families, the Ukrainian presidential press service said. In his speech, he emphasized that it was an honor and responsibility for him to meet with those who had survived the Holocaust and concentration camp. Read alsoAnti-Semitism in Ukraine on decline, NGO notes "Probably, humanity has not yet come up with words that could describe the indestructibility and strength of your spirit," he said. Zelensky noted that the memoirs of Auschwitz prisoners, many of which are published in books, are very difficult to read because it is impossible to hold back tears. "Most of these memories share the call: "Don't be silent!". One must speak about it. The younger generation must know these stories, know about the horrors of the Holocaust in order to never allow anything like this on the planet again," he said. According to the president, even reading the memoirs of Auschwitz prisoners requires strength. Therefore, it is difficult to imagine what strength you need to have to endure the horror of the concentration camp. "You did it! You are incredible people! Very strong and very brave. You inspire to never give up. The Holocaust is called the darkest period in human history. And you are the rays of the sun that overcame the darkness," he emphasized. Zelensky noted that those memories were filled with pain, sadness, fear. At the same time struggle, endurance, hope and immense human wisdom. After all, they contain the call to eradicate hatred as the greatest destroyer of human civilization. "I am convinced that this is the number one task for every world leader today. The international community should unite and prevent any manifestation of anti-Semitism, xenophobia and racism. It must stand on the guard of humanism, tolerance and freedom. Stop evil before it becomes dangerous to humanity," he emphasized. He also stressed that the Holocaust was a terrible tragedy for the Jewish people and a tragic lesson for mankind. He called for this page of history to be remembered and never to be repeated. "This is our duty to millions of innocent victims, millions of Jews. It is our obligation to all future generations," he said. Zelensky also noted the Righteous Among the Nations. Those who were not indifferent and risked their own lives to save Jews. "I am proud that more than two and a half thousand Ukrainians have been honored with this high title," the president said. The Righteous were defined as non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. Since 1963, a commission headed by a justice of the Supreme Court of Israel has been charged with the duty of awarding the honorary title "Righteous Among the Nations." Zelensky started his two-day working visit to Poland on January 26. The agenda of the visit includes a meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda. Gov. Phil Murphy just picked a South Jerseyan to helm the one of the states line of defenses against financial impropriety with taxpayers money. Murphy nominated Kevin D. Walsh, who lives in Merchantville, as the next state comptroller. He starts Monday in an acting capacity, pending approval by the state Senate for a six-year term. Walsh is best known as a general in the fight for affordable housing in New Jersey. Hes currently the executive director of the Fair Share Housing Center, which is based in Cherry Hill. The nonprofit traces its roots to the New Jersey Supreme Courts original Mount Laurel decision, a landmark case that barred large-lot zoning as a discriminatory tool in that nearby Burlington County township. Before he joined the housing agency, the civil rights attorney was instrumental in helping get capital punishment abolished, as counsel to New Jersey Alternatives to the Death Penalty. The nominee, no doubt, aligns well with Murphys progressive agenda. He obviously can go to the mat with stubborn municipalities trying to resist low-income housing. But it could be rocky to have someone so defined by liberal advocacy heading an office that is charged with looking into dark corners evenhandedly. Past comptrollers have been more low key, but theyve produced significant work. Walsh replaces Phil Degnan, who, backed by Murphy, wrote last years report strongly critical of the low-oversight process by which the states Economic Development Authority handed out tax credits to businesses and developers. Degnan is leaving to become a Superior Court judge. Before that, and of special interest to South Jersey, previous comptroller A. Matthew Boxer under former Gov. Chris Christie issued a scathing 2012 investigative report on the Delaware River Port Authoritys politically motivated economic development grants, and insider dealings on contracts and appointments. Some Republican lawmakers have already tried to mash Walshs resume. Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi, R-Bergen, called him out for fighting to litter the state with high-density housing, and bullying and name-calling against mayors, lawmakers, local officials and even me. Indeed, the mechanism to promote new low-and-moderate income housing has been plagued by confusion and ineffectiveness. Walshs instant critics, though, should recognize that he wasnt in charge of how the state administers its rules. Walsh vowed during an introductory press conference to serve with integrity and impartiality, and a commitment to making New Jerseys agencies, counties, and municipalities more efficient, more effective and more accountable. Lets hope so. Hell be under close scrutiny, if not from minority-party Republicans, from the South Jersey political machine headed by Democratic power broker George Norcross III. Coincidentally or not, Norcross has close ties to both the DRPA board and some EDA incentives that are currently under a microscope. At least Murphys recent feud with Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, and others in the Norcross crowd seemingly ensures that Walsh is not coming in as a patsy for that geographically close group. Once settled in, Walsh would be smart to push against interference that lawmakers and the governor can run. The comptrollers EDA report, for example, is not the final word on its suspect programs. Murphy empaneled a separate task force on the issue; Sweeney set up a legislative panel in response. Come to think of it, New Jersey has a state auditor in addition to a comptroller. The auditor is appointed by the Legislature, primarily to serve its nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services, but theres some obvious overlap. Less jurisdictional confusion would be a desirable outcome. Its easier for the bad guys to get away with things when watchdogs must try so hard not to step on each others toes. Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Anti-satellite weapon 'Shakti', lethal artillery gun 'Dhanush', and newly-inducted helicopters Apache and Chinook were among the key military assets showcased by India for the first time at the Republic Day parade on Sunday. Scaled down models of IAF's Rafale aircraft and Indian Navy's Kolkata-class stealth destroyer and a Kalvari-class submarine were also displayed during the ceremonial event. A marching contingent of the Corps of Army Air Defence was also part for parade for the first time. In the mechanised columns, three indigenously-developed battle tank T-90 Bhishma, three Ballaway Machine Pikate, three K-9 Vajra gun system, two transportable satellite terminal (TST) and two Akash surface-to-air-missiles, were also showcased. The Apache and Chinook were among the main attractions as they flew across the clear blue sky, leaving the spectators spellbound. The helicopters, transport aircraft C-130J Super Hercules and C-17 Globemasters, drew loud cheers from people as they showed their aerial manoeuvres. US-made Chinook, twin-engine, tandem rotor is a multi-role, vertical-lift platform, which is used for transporting troops, artillery, equipment and fuel. Four Chinooks were inducted into the IAF in March last year. Eight US-made Apache stealth attack helicopters were inducted into the IAF in September last year, significantly boosting the force's firepower capability. The three Chinooks flew in 'vic' formation followed by the Apache, the latest attack helicopters of the Indian Air Force. Five Apache helicopters flew past the huge crowd in 'arrowhead' formation. Boeing India President Salil Gupte said it was an "incredible honour" for the US firm that three of Boeing's state-of-the-art defence platforms, the C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlifter, AH-64E Apache attack helicopter and CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopter were part of the flypast parade on India's Republic Day. "There couldn't have been a better day to showcase the might of these flying machines that help the Indian Air Force command the skies. Boeing has been a strong partner in the modernisation and enhancement of operational capabilities of India's defence forces. We remain committed to this partnership," he was quoted as saying in a statement by Boeing India. Around 40 aircraft of the IAF and four helicopters of the Army's aviation arm took part in the Republic Day flypast. After Apache came the 'Eye in the Sky- Netra' formation, comprising a single AEW&C flanked by two Su-30 MKIs. Thereafter, three C-17 Globemasters, in 'displaced trail vic' formation called 'Globe' formation flew past the dais, showcasing the IAF's heavy lift capabilities. Besides Rafale, the IAF tableau also depicted scaled-down models four other systems recently added to its inventory -- indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), surface-to-air guided weapon Aakash missile and Astra missiles. The Navy's tableau also showcased model of country's first indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant with MiG-29K aircraft and depicted the force's humanitarian assistance during the Maharashatra floods last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Responding to the greetings extended by Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked him for his Republic Day wish. Replying to Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, PM Modi said that India's close friendship with Sri Lanka holds great value to the country. Thank you PM Mahinda Rajapaksa for the #RepublicDay wishes. India cherishes the deep rooted friendship with Sri Lanka. @PresRajapaksa https://t.co/qrNKY3e4dc Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 26, 2020 READ | Republic Day Parade Firsts: PM Modi's Tribute At War Memorial, CRPF Women Bikers And More Earlier in the day, Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa participated in a cultural programme organised by the High Commission of India in Colombo, to mark the 71st Republic Day of the country. Maldives president extends greetings President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Sunday extended Republic Day wishes to his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the 'friendly people of India'. PM Modi thanked him for his warm greetings. Thank you the greetings on Indias #RepublicDay, President @ibusolih. It is a matter of immense delight that friendship between India and Maldives is getting even stronger, benefitting the people of our nations. https://t.co/uLBTDy81iM Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 26, 2020 READ | PM Modi Continues 'safa' Tradition, Sports Saffron 'bandhej' Turban On 71st Republic Day Republic Day celebrations in India The 71st Republic Day celebration commenced with Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying his respects at the National War Memorial near the India Gate. As per the tradition, the Indian National Flag was unfurled with a booming 21-gun salute followed by the National Anthem. The 90-minute long Republic Day Parade was commanded by Parade Commander Lieutenant General Asit Mistry, while Chief of Staff Major General Alok Kacker was the parade's Second-in-Command. Further, the all-men Army Signal Corps contingent was led by Captain Tanya Shergill, a unique first in Indian history. READ | Republic Day 2020 LIVE Updates: Parade Begins In Delhi, India's Military Might On Display President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the occasion along with the chief guest, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, and other dignitaries, besides thousands of citizens at Rajpath. As many as 22 tableaus of various states, union territories, and government departments also moved past India Gate. This was followed by various cultural items by school children and then a motorcycle display by an all-women team of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). READ | India Gifts 30 Ambulances & 6 Buses To Nepal On The Occasion Of 71st Republic Day (Bloomberg Opinion) -- The golden age of the spy thriller ended with the Cold War. But of late, news reports have provided enough material for a silver age to start if authors take heed. The last time a spy thriller topped the list of a years bestselling novels in the U.S., compiled by Publishers Weekly, was in 1988 or 1989 depending on whether one counts the latter years Clear and Present Danger by Tom Clancy as an espionage novel or a political one. (In 1988, another Clancy book, The Cardinal of the Kremlin, unmistakably a spy novel, was number one.) John Le Carre, who had his first book on top of the list in 1964 (The Spy Who Came in from the Cold) and was in the Top 10 a total of nine times, had his last big hit in 1989, too, with The Russia House, although he has continued to publish regularly. That year, glasnost reigned in Mikhail Gorbachevs moribund Soviet Union and the Berlin wall came down. In November, 1989, the New York Times book critic Walter Goodman wrote prophetically, as it turned out about the future of spy fiction: With ideological walls tumbling and affinities popping up, lesser practitioners find themselves in straits whose direness matches those of their heroes. An Ian Fleming might bring into play some space-age Mafia out to extort billions from both Washington and Moscow, but his books were always kid stuff. Will [Len] Deighton resort to having his creations take on Colonel Muammar Qaddafi of Libya or General Manuel Antonio Noriega of Panama, at the risk of provoking a PEN resolution against picking on little guys? And will [Le Carres] next plot find hardliners in the Pentagon and the Kremlin united against the Greens? Until new threats present themselves, addicts of the spy stuff may find themselves out in the cold. All these tacks, and countless variations, have been tried, and some novels have sold well. But its a sign of the genres decline that the current Top 10 of espionage bestsellers on Amazon.com includes in the third spot, no less Le Carres The Honorable Schoolboy, originally published in 1977. The post-Cold War offerings in the genre, or at least those of them that didnt take the reader back to the World War II and its long aftermath, suffered from a critical flaw: The absence of an underlying clash of civilizations and value systems. Not even the post-9/11 war on terror provided that missing element. Story continues In 2011, the website Salon.com collected the views of spy-novel writers and qualified readers on the genres post-Cold War development. Amid practitioners comments to the effect that spy fiction is alive and well regardless of who the adversaries of intelligence services are, the words of Tom Nichols, a professor of national security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College, stood out. Without the Soviet Union (or Nazi Germany before it) and the struggle with a titanic power, theres really not much to the genre, he said. The kind of novel where the world itself hangs in the balance, where moral choices are stark because they are moral choices thats gone now. Without such a grand conflict, according to Nichols, spy fiction became cynical, painting all governments with the same critical brush. Most importantly, the bad guys usually greedy businessmen or terrorists are now uninteresting, Nichols said. Terrorists are especially uninteresting, because for a spy novel to work, the agent needs a worthy adversary and terrorists are essentially just a bunch of petty criminals trying on a bigger hat that doesnt fit them. In short, Western spy fiction needs state actors with strong non-Western or, better, anti-Western values to become exciting again. In real life, these state actors are back, and theres a greater variety of them than during the Cold War. First, theres Russia, of course. Highly professional Russian spies, reminiscent of the Cold War crop, operate in Le Carres latest offering, last years Agent Running in the Field. But the doyen of the genre is behind the curve: Todays Russian spy thriller should, by rights, be a black comedy featuring the ham-handed operatives of the Russian military intelligence, formerly known as the GRU. The latest story providing fuel for this treatment features the two Russian plumbers with diplomatic passports discovered by the Swiss intelligence in Davos, Switzerland, apparently trying to install surveillance equipment to spy on the world leaders and billionaires who arrive there every year for the World Economic Forum. Earlier installments include the failed assassinations of three Bulgarian arms-making executives; the bungled poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, England, by two thugs who claimed to have come to look at the spire of the local cathedral; and an amateurish coup attempt in Montenegro in 2016. Then, for authors still looking for sophistication in spying, theres China, trying to make inroads into the European Union, a more welcoming playground for its state-owned businesses than the U.S. This month, the scandal making headlines in Brussels and Berlin involved a top former EU diplomat named in a Politico story on Thursday who is married to a Chinese woman and who reportedly spied for China while maintaining a network of high-powered friends. The ex-diplomat, lately employed by a lobbying firm, denies the accusations. Finally, theres the almost-unbelievable story of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans suspected hacking operation against Amazon.com Inc. founder Jeff Bezos. Heres an almost-head-of-state reportedly personally involved in spying, and in cyber-spying at that. In all three cases, stark moral choices and values clashes are evident. In all three, the Wests adversaries are foreign powers, not mere lone wolves or terrorist groups. The conflicts are quintessentially modern: Law-governed states vs. authoritarian ones; free enterprise vs. state capitalism; moxie vs. mass surveillance. In an increasingly transactional, leaderless world, its every country for itself and thats potentially more interesting than the duality of Cold War. Its not about picking on little guys, but rather a free-for-all that has come to involve smaller countries in more terrifying, and intriguing, ways than before. This is heady stuff just waiting for the literary equals of Le Carre or plot-moving geniuses of Clancys stature to turn into fiction. There are certainly lots of former spies around, bitterly disappointed by deep state narratives that devalue their work, who could try their hand at modernizing the espionage thriller. As an "addict of the spy stuff," to use Goodman's description, perhaps there's hope for me again. (This is my last column for Bloomberg Opinion. I'm moving to the news automation team at Bloomberg News to try my hand at teaching machines to help organize data into stories; I'm pretty sure they won't be writing columns anytime soon, though, so please keep reading my wonderful colleagues.) To contact the author of this story: Leonid Bershidsky at lbershidsky@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Tobin Harshaw at tharshaw@bloomberg.net This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners. Leonid Bershidsky is Bloomberg Opinion's Europe columnist. He was the founding editor of the Russian business daily Vedomosti and founded the opinion website Slon.ru. For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. Two suspected coronavirus cases at IDH: Early tests negative View(s): Two Chinese nationals were in the isolation unit of the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) at Angoda on suspicion of having contracted the coronavirus. Both tested negative so far for the disease, said Dr Jayaruwan Bandara, Director of the Medical Research Institute (MRI), last night. The Institute is sent blood samples from the patients and use a test called real-time RT-PCR to make its determination. Four hi-tech thermal scanning machines from Japan were installed at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on Tuesday night and became operational on Wednesday. They were bought on a grant and have infrared cameras to detect human skin temperature. Medical officers wearing masks are stationed at the machines watching the screens. The two-week incubation period of the coronavirus is the main challenge that authorities face in trying to prevent the disease from entering the country, said Dr S.D.A.S. Nishantha, Chief Medical Officer of the Airport and Aviation Services Ltd (AASL). Symptoms can manifest even two weeks after infection. Many workers at BIAincluding some vendors in duty free shops, cleaners and construction workers were seen wearing masks. Employees, including cabin crew, have been educated on how to pick up on symptoms. Chinese nationals were seen arriving even yesterday, many wearing masks. Their traffic has neither increased nor decreased, airport staff said. Televisions aired advertisements on the coronavirus and it symptoms. Meanwhile, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday directed the Foreign Ministry to take steps to evacuate Sri Lankan students and their family members in Wuhan, once the Chinese authorities lift travel restrictions in and out of the city. Presidential Media Director Mohan Samaranayake told the Sunday Times last night that they would be flown back at government expense, soon after access to the areas was possible. He said there are about 85 Sri Lankans in Wuhan and nearby areas. The Foreign Ministry has been directed to obtain assistance from the Sri Lankan Mission and SriLankan Airlines to evacuate the students. Washington County Public Schools asking public for input on funding Washington County Public Schools is asking the public for input on how they should spend the American Rescue Plan money from the federal government. Search and rescue efforts were underway Saturday after a powerful earthquake struck eastern Turkey Friday, killing at least 31 people and more than 1,600 others, the BBC reports. The big picture: Authorities recorded more than 400 aftershocks, and Syria, Lebanon and Iran felt tremors, per the BBC. Earthquake monitoring centers recorded varying magnitudes of Friday night's quake, from 6.5 to 6.8., AP notes. Rescue workers evacuate an injured woman from the rubble of a building in Elazg. Photo: Bulent Kilic/AFP via Getty Images A man waits for his relative to be saved. Photo: Bulent Kilic/AFP via Getty Images A rescue worker amid the rubble of a building that collapsed from the quake in Elazg. Photo: Bulent Kilic/AFP via Getty Images Now Open 26 January 2020 Ramada by Wyndham - one of the most recognised hotel brands in the world with around 870 hotels in over 60 countries - continues widening its European presence of more than 100 hotels with the opening of Ramada by Wyndham Madrid Getafe, the brand's first hotel in Spain, through collaboration with hotel management company Hotel Collection International. Ramada, one of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts' largest brands worldwide, has added the most rooms of any of Wyndham's international brands in the past year and is gaining market share in Europe. The Ramada by Wyndham Madrid Getafe joins Ramada by Wyndham hotels across various European destinations including Portugal, Italy, Turkey, Greece, Germany, Belgium, the UK and the Netherlands, amongst others. Located in Getafe, 25 minutes from Madrid's city centre and the city's international airport, the hotel features 96 stylish guest rooms, a lobby bar and restaurant serving Mediterranean delicacies. Business groups can take advantage of the hotel's three versatile meeting rooms accommodating up to 110 conference guests, and an indoor and outdoor car park. The hotel is the perfect gateway to explore Madrid's nearby popular attractions, as well as the captivating sites of Getafe including The Cerro de los Angeles, a famous hill considered to be the geographic centre of the Iberian Peninsula. Ramada by Wyndham is part of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest hotel franchising company with over 9,200 hotels across 20 brands in more than 80 countries. Ramada by Wyndham hotels around the world participate in Wyndham Rewards, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts' award-winning loyalty programme giving more than 79 million members globally a generous points-earning and redemption structure. Mississippi postal worker Sherry Ingold died on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020 after being shot. This photo is from Facebook group Sherry's Fight, where people rallied to support the postal worker. JACKSON, Miss. A Mississippi postal worker who was shot while delivering mail last week has died. Sherry Ingold died at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson on Friday night, Postal Inspector Tony Robinson said. Ingold was shot on Mississippi Highway 35 in Attala County northeast of Jackson on Jan. 16. The suspect was then shot by law enforcement. Updates about Ingold's condition and supportive messages were shared in a group on Facebook called Sherry's Fight. On Friday night, the group shared news of the postal worker's death. In a Facebook post, her daughter, Kristy Ingold, wrote, "Mama I hope you're dancing in the sky, I hope youre singing in the angels choir, I hope the angels know what they have, I bet its so nice up in heaven since you arrived." Sherry Ingold was described in other social media posts as someone who "loves to laugh" with a "contagious smile" and beautiful personality." The local community rallied around Ingold by hosting prayer vigils, dressing in purple and placing purple bows along her mail route. According to posts in Sherry's Fight, Ingold had suffered a brain injury. U.S. Postal Service spokeswoman Tracie Finley said in a statement, "The Postal Service is shocked and saddened by the events that occurred last week in the West, Mississippi area. We are especially grieving the loss of our postal family member, rural letter carrier Sherry Ingold, and we continue to keep her family in our thoughts." Ronald Dampeer, 28, has been arrested in the case, Robinson told WTVA. Dampeer is also accused of trying to kidnap a woman earlier on Jan. 16 froma grocery store near Kosciusko. That woman got away, according to Attala County Sheriff Tim Nail. Dampeer then encountered Ingold along Mississippi Highway 35, where the sheriff said she was shot. It's unclear where law enforcement shot Dampeer He was also taken to UMMC in Jackson for treatment. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation said it was looking into the officer-involved shooting. Story continues Related: Mailman Finds Decorated Mailboxes on Final Route Contributing: Sarah Fowler of the Clarion Ledger, the Associated Press; follow Alissa Zhu on Twitter @AlissaZhur. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Postal worker Sherry Ingold dies after being shot delivering mail https://www.aish.com/ho/p/Holocaust-Rescue-in-the-Philippines.html Over poker games and whiskey, a group of idealistic men hatched a plan to rescue 1,200 Jews. A group of high-level American officials and Manuel Quezon, the recently-elected President of the Philippines, used to gather after dinner to play poker and drink whiskey in the late 1930s. The group included Dwight D. Eisenhower, then a Lt. Col. in the US army; US High Commissioner in the Philippines Paul V. McNutt; and Phillip, Alex, Morris and Herbert Frieder, Jewish businessmen were brothers from Cincinnati who ran a large cigar-making business in the Philippines, producing low-cost two-for-a-nickel cigars for the American market. It was an exciting time in the Philippines. After becoming an American colony in 1898, the Philippines became a Commonwealth in 1935 with a plan to transition to independence in ten years. Philippine native Manuel Quezon was elected President, and he ruled the island nation with Paul McNutt, the US High Commissioner of the Philippines. The two were good friends, and their regular poker games were opportunities to discuss the important news of the day. One topic that came up regularly was Germanys anti-Semitism and the increasingly draconian laws and rhetoric against Jews there. Morris, Phillip, Alex and Herbert Frieder were particularly concerned. They were Jewish and as the fates of their fellow Jews in Europe became ever more precarious, they wanted to do something, anything, to help. President Manuel L. Quezon (left) in high stakes discussion with American diplomat Paul V. McNutt, 1938 The Frieder brothers had been a presence in the Philippines for many years, ever since their father Samuel - known as Pops, his great-granddaughters Barbara Sasser and Peggy Ellis recently reminisced to Aish.com in exclusive interviews - started building a cigar factory in Manila in the early 1920s. Their company, Helena Cigar Factory, produced up to 250 million two for a nickel cigars each year, under the brand names Tiona and El Toro. Each of the four Frieder brothers would take turns spending two-year stints in Manila overseeing operations. When they werent in the Philippines, the four brothers and their families lived near each other in a tightly-knit Jewish community in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1937, a small group of 28 German Jewish refugees arrived in Manila. Theyd fled Germany for Shanghai, which was a relatively easy city for Jews to flee to at the time. As fighting raged there between Chinese and Japanese troops, Germany evacuated many of its nationals from the city, bringing them by ship to Manila. Even though Jews were increasingly hated and persecuted back in Germany, the ship brought these desperate Jews with them to the Philippine's capital city. High Commissioner McNutt was a passionate advocate for Jews: the former Governor of Indiana (1935-1937) learned about the plight of German Jews from his friend Jacob Weiss, a fellow fixture in Indianas Democratic Party. McNutt had spoken out against Hitler and supported the Jewish goal of establishing a homeland in the land of Israel. When the 28 Jewish refugees arrived from Shanghai, McNutt waived their visa requirements, letting them settle in the Philippines. McNutt also encouraged Manilas tiny Jewish community form a committee to help the refugees settle. Alex and Philip stepped up, helping form the Jewish Refugee Committee in Manila, which Philip led. Now that theyd helped settle 28 Jews in the Commonwealth, the Frieder brothers realized they had the resources to help many more. In late-night card games, they floated the idea of bringing more Jews to the Philippines. They soon found welcome allies in some of the most high-profile figures in Philippine politics, including President Quezon and Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was stationed in the Philippines as an aide to Gen. Douglas MacArthur. With their well-connected friends, the Frieder brothers were in a so-called strategic position there reminisced Frank Ephraim, one of the Jewish refugees the Frieder brothers helped save, who later wrote about his experiences. Passover Seder in 1925, photo courtesy of American Jewish Historical Society In 1938, High Commissioner McNutt had a private conversation with Philip Frieder: if the Jewish community in Manila could guarantee to financially support Jewish refugees, he confided, then the Philippine government would grant them visas. Philip, his brothers, and the rest of the Refugee Committee got to work, devising a plan to recruit Jews to come to the Philippines. They came up with a list of 14 occupations to recruit, including doctors, engineers, technical specialists and rabbis. The first group of German Jews arrived in the Philippines in October 1938. Numbering over a hundred, they were given visas and provided with jobs. By then, Philip Frieder was preparing to go back to the US and Alex Frieder was about to arrive in Manila to take his turn running the family business there. Alex took a different approach, and worked to find jobs and arrange visas even for some Jews who werent on the approved list of occupations. One German Jew Philip personally intervened on behalf of was Egon Juliusberger, who arrived in Manila with his son Ernst. He brought the family to see High Commissioner McNutt, who took the highly irregular step of granting them visas. (When World War II broke out and fighting erupted in the Philippines, Ernst was later captured and tortured by the Japanese, but eventually enlisted and served in the American army.) Herb Frieder (center) with tobacco leaves, 1940 Philippine President Manuel Quezon was personally invested in the rescue work. He hatched a plan, in coordination with the Philippines Congress, to bring 10,000 Jews to the Philippines and settle them in the southern island of Mindanao. Pres. Quezon and his friends, including the Frieder brothers, McNutt and Eisenhower had a shared view of the world, they were men who understood what was happening in Europe explained Russ Hodge, who co-produced a documentary with Barbara Sasser, Alex Frieders granddaughter, titled Rescue in the Philippines. They realized the fate that could befall European Jews. Even as the United States turned Jewish refugees away and imposed a strict quota system, the poker-playing friends in the Philippines continued to plan and wonder how to save more lives. Paul McNutt worked to issue visas, while the Frieder brothers recruited Jews from Europe and worked to find them work once they were in the Philippines. Pres. Quezon lent his active support, while Dwight D. Eisenhower guaranteed the tacit support of the US military, which protected the island nation. Back in the United States, Philip Frieder continued to work to save German Jews, cooperating with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee to raise more money to settle Jewish refugees. He and his brothers also negotiated with the owners of a ranch in the Philippines to see if they could buy land on which to settle Jews. Sadly, their plans didnt have a chance to come to fruition. The outbreak of World War II made it virtually impossible for Jews to leave Europe to travel to the Philippines. After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941 and the United States entered the war, all refugee plans in the Philippines ended. By then, 1,200 Jews had travelled to the Philippines from Germany, finding relative safety there. Tragically, the Philippines saw heavy fighting later in the war. The country sustained heavy casualties; many died, including some of the Jews whod moved to the Philippines from Germany. The Frieders cigar factory was destroyed. Manuel Quezon died in 1944. Paul McNutt left the Philippines in 1939 to head Pres. Roosevelt's Federal Security Agency. Dwight D. Eisenhower was offered a job by the Frieders working to resettle Jewish refugees in the Philippines full-time; he turned them down and went on to become Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe instead. The Frieders and Pres. Quezon at Marikina Hall Dedication (1940) For years, news of the audacious plan to save Jews, hatched in late-night poker sessions in Manilla, remained unknown. None of the descendants of the rescuers knew about it, explains Peggy Ellis. Her grandfather and great-uncles never mentioned their wartime activities, despite the fact that theirs was a very close-knit family and they spent a lot of time together, both in Cincinnati and also in Deal, New Jersey where the whole Frieder family would take vacations together each summer. Peggy has spoken with Pres. Quezons daughter, who says her father might have mentioned something to her about his rescue of European Jews when she was very young but she was too young to appreciate the details. Dwight Eisenhower seems to have been the only person who told anyone about the rescue plan: his granddaughter Susan told Peggy that her father John was told the story. The big mystery is why my grandfather and none of his brothers ever mentioned a word of it, Peggy wonders. She feels that perhaps they felt they were only doing what any decent person would do helping their fellow Jews in their hour of need. They were men who werent in anything for adulation. I think they probably did what they could and didnt feel like they did anything anybody else would have done if they were in the same position. The Frieder brothers descendants learned about their wartime rescue work in 2003, when Frank Ephraim wrote about his familys rescue in his memoir Escape from Manila: From Nazi Tyranny to Japanese Terror. His book provided one of the only first-hand accounts of this daring rescue route. Intrigued, the Nancy and David Wolf Holocaust and Humanity Center in Cincinnati arranged an event around the book, and managed to track down many of the children and grandchildren of Manuel Quezon, Paul McNutt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and the Frieder brothers, many of whom still lived locally in Cincinnati. Barbara Sasser, Alex Frieders granddaughter, recalls the amazing reunion. Pres. Quezon was Catholic, McNutt was Protestant, the Frieders were Jewish, Eisenhower was raised Quaker. People from very different backgrounds and religions could work together to accomplish this humanitarian achievement. She also realized that the Philippine rescue program was almost entirely unknown. The movie Schindlers List, about the Czech industrialist who saved 1,200 Jews by employing them as slave labor in his factory, had recently come out. I said to myself this effort saved a similar number of lives to Schindler, Barbara recalled. She realized that most of the people in the world know about Schindlers List because of a movie, not a book. She embarked on an ambitious project to research her familys rescue of 1,200 Jews. Despite the fact that she did not have a background in film, she taught herself about documentary film-making, hired collaborators, and eventually created the 2013 documentary film Rescue in the Philippines. The film told some of the amazing stories of individual Jews who escaped certain death thanks to this little-known rescue program. Barbaras cousin Peggy Ellis notes that by spreading the word of the role that their family and the nation of the Philippines played in saving hundreds and hundreds of Jews, they have been able to help people today, as well. In November 2013, she and Barbara showed Rescue in the Philippines at the UN in New York. That night, Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines, causing catastrophic damage. The next day, Barbara phoned the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) in New York - just as her great uncle had done two generations before, when he was seeking to help settle refugee Jews. Barbara explained that shed like to set up a relief fund to help typhoon victims in the Philippines. Five days later, when we screened Rescue in the Philippines in Congress, wed already raised $130,000 with the JDC, Peggy explains proudly. (She also notes that other Jewish charities in the New York region went on to raise over a million more dollars to help with rescue work after the typhoon.) Learning about her familys role in saving 1,200 Jewish refugees has changed the way Barbara Sasser looks at her family and how she is living her own life, sparking her connection to Judaism. Quezons Game, a new feature length film directed by Matthew E. Rosen, tells this dramatic story, educating and inspiring a new generation to learn about the rescue of 1,200 European Jews, thanks to a group of highly idealistic poker buddies, and the audacious plans they hatched in the course of their late-night games. The film captures a fascinating historical juncture, The New York Times notes. The real challenge Quezon faced wasnt getting the refugees out of Germany but persuading the United States to grant them visas to the Philippines. Perhaps at long last, the story of the Jews given refuge in the Philippines will be more known and receive the recognition it so richly deserves. Met Eireann has upgraded its weather advice for the cold snap by issuing a snow ice weather warning for some parts of the country. Met Eireann has issued a Status Yellow Snow/Ice warning for Connacht, Cavan and Donegal after issue a weather advisory on Saturday evening for cold weather through to Tuesday across the country. It says Sunday night and Monday morning will see wintry showers bringing some accumulations of snow, especially on high ground. The warning is valid from 6pm on Sunday, January 26 to 11am to Monday, January 27. The warning was issued at 10am on Sunday morning. Weather forecast issued by Met Eireann at noon on Sunday said wintry showers would be experienced in all areas early tonigh. It says these would be confined mainly to Ulster, Connacht and west Munster later in the night. It said some will fall as snow, especially on high ground, but also at lower levels in parts of Ulster and Connacht. Temperatures are expected to drop to -1 to +2 degrees with frost and ice in sheltered areas. Monday will be cold and blustery with sunny spells and wintry showers, mainly in Ulster, Connacht and west Munster. Again there will be some of snow in the morning, especially on hills and mountains. Hail and thunder is also on the cards. Met Eireann expects the east will be mainly dry. Highest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees with fresh, gusty south to southwest winds. The weather outlook overview is for cold and wintry on Tuesday but it will be milder from Wednesday, though staying unsettled especially in the west and north. Status Yellow - Snow/Ice warning for Connacht, Cavan and Donegal pic.twitter.com/cP6Qh0zZIB Met Eireann (@MetEireann) January 26, 2020 Weather Advisory for Ireland Cold & wintry weather will develop from Sunday evening. Showers of hail, sleet & snow will occur in places. Snow showers most frequent in Ulster and Connacht and especially so on high ground. Valid: 18:00 Sunday 26/01/2020 to 15:00 Tuesday 28/01/2020 pic.twitter.com/RydHYxzNsT Met Eireann (@MetEireann) January 26, 2020 Weather Advisory for Ireland Cold & wintry weather will develop from Sunday evening. Showers of hail, sleet & snow will occur in places. Snow showers most frequent in Ulster and Connacht and especially so on high ground. Valid: 18:00 Sunday 26/01/2020 to 15:00 Tuesday 28/01/2020 pic.twitter.com/RydHYxzNsT Met Eireann (@MetEireann) January 26, 2020 The forecast issued on January 26 at 11:58am is as follows. TODAY - SUNDAY 26TH JANUARY Cold this afternoon with sunny spells and scattered showers, mainly in the west and north. Some will be wintry, especially on hills. Highest of 3 to 7 degrees with fresh westerly breezes. This evening, a more organised band of wintry showers will spread eastwards with hail and thunder and some snow possible, especially in Connacht and Ulster. TONIGHT Wintry showers in all areas early tonight, but becoming confined mainly to Ulster, Connacht and west Munster later in the night. Some will fall as snow, especially on high ground, but also at lower levels in parts of Ulster and Connacht. Lowest temperatures of -1 to +2 degrees with frost and ice in sheltered areas and moderate to fresh southwest winds TOMORROW - MONDAY 27TH JANUARY Monday will be cold and blustery with sunny spells and wintry showers, mainly in Ulster, Connacht and west Munster with some of snow in the morning, especially on hills and mountains. There'll be a risk of hail and thunder. The east will be mainly dry. Highest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees with fresh, gusty south to southwest winds. NATIONAL OUTLOOK Overview: Cold and wintry at first. Milder from Wednesday, but staying unsettled especially in the west and north. Monday night: Very cold on Monday night, with clear spells and a widespread sharp frost. Blustery wintry showers continuing, with falls of hail, sleet and snow. Showers most frequent in the west, with lying snow possible. Lowest temperatures of -1 to +1 degrees, in fresh to strong and gusty west to southwest winds, with gales possible near the north coast. Tuesday: Cold and blustery, with sunny spells and wintry showers, mainly in western areas. Showers will be a mix of rain, sleet and hail, with some snow on high ground. Afternoon temperatures of 4 to 6 degrees, in fresh to strong and gusty westerly winds. Tuesday night: Clear spells and scattered showers at first on Tuesday night, but becoming more isolated as the night goes on. Some showers will be wintry, mainly on higher ground. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 3 degrees, in moderate to fresh and gusty westerly winds. Wednesday: Turning less cold on Wednesday, with a mix of cloud and sunny spells. Generally dry, with some scattered outbreaks of rain, mainly in western and northern areas. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees, in moderate southwesterly winds. Wednesday night: Dry in most areas on Wednesday night, but rain will possibly affect south and southeast coastal areas. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 6 degrees, in light to moderate south to southwest winds, fresh along northwest coasts. Thursday: Thursday is looking mostly dry with some sunny spells and just a few isolated showers, mainly in the northwest. Continuing mild, with highest afternoon temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees, in light to moderate westerly winds, fresher along northwest coasts. Thursday night: Dry for much of the night, but rain is expected to move into Atlantic counties by morning, possibly heavy at times. Light to moderate westerly winds backing southerly and freshening along western coasts. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 4 degrees. Senator Rex Patrick spent nearly $50,000 on software to "manage" his constituents last year, $40,000 more than any other MP. Computer programs, known as constituent management software, help identify and act on voter concerns but they also collect personal data to track, profile and influence people during elections. Most politicians bill taxpayers for these services under the label of "software reimbursement", which totalled $586,311 in 2018-19. Many Liberal MPs claimed about $2590, Warringah independent MP Zali Steggall spent $4000, most Labor politicians used about $3130, the majority of Greens senators spent less than $1500 and Centre Alliance senator Rex Patrick from South Australia billed $49,739. The Liberal Party was criticised for using a program called Feedback, provided by a Liberal-controlled entity called Parakeelia, which also donated money to the party. The Labor Party uses a similar program called Campaign Central. Both build on the electoral roll and log interactions between politicians and voters. Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], Jan 26 (ANI): Hundreds of people, mostly women, came out to protest against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Lucknow on Sunday and staged a peaceful demonstration at the historic Clock Tower, hours after the national flag was hoisted here. As the nation celebrated the 71st Republic Day, a number of people came out holding the national flag to stage a protest against the new citizenship law. Uttar Pradesh has seen some of the violent protests against CAA and a brutal police crackdown on the protesters over the last month, killing at least 19 persons and leaving hundreds injured across the state. The newly enacted law is facing stiff opposition across the country with some states including Kerala, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Punjab refusing to implement the law in their respective states. Rajasthan, Kerala and Punjab have passed resolutions against the recently amended law in their respective state Assemblies. The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. (ANI) At the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit last December, Delhis chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, said that in the citys elections, each party including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had to contest on the basis of development issues. Identity be it caste or religion was not the issue in Delhi. As polls approach, it is clear that this is not necessarily true. The discourse in the Delhi election is starting to increasingly centre along divisive national issues, and the responsibility for it largely lies with the BJP. Go back to what appeared to be the original contours of the campaign. The Aam Aadmi Party promised to singularly focus on improvement in education and health facilities, cheaper and more extensive supply of electricity and water. The BJP appeared to plan its campaign around how Mr Kejriwals confrontational nature had cost Delhi in terms of development and having a triple-engine government, led by the BJP, both at the Centre, the municipal corporations, and in Delhi. The BJP saw its decision to grant ownership papers to residents of unauthorised colonies as a key measure that would help win it the votes of millions of residents. But the script changed almost entirely in the wake of protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the violence in Seelampur, the sit-in at Shaheen Bagh, and the police violence in Jamia. Mr Kejriwal, for most part, decided to stay away from the anti-CAA protests, wary that it could alienate some of his voters along communal lines. But given the centrality of the issue, his party eventually backed the people protesting in Shaheen Bagh. This was perhaps also with an eye on the Muslim vote it is in competition to win the support of Muslims with the Congress, whose leaders have been visiting the site. But the BJP was quick to pick on this. The partys leaders, in the campaign, appear to suggest that the entire opposition to the CAA is led by Muslims; frame those supporting these protests as anti-national; and have alluded that the election is a test of whether you were for India or against India. BJP candidate Kapil Mishras tweet, which declared that the electoral contest, was one between India and Pakistan, was a reflection of their strategy. The Election Commission did well in ordering Mr Mishra to delete his tweet, and to ban him from campaigning for 48 hours. All candidates and campaigners would be well advised to refrain from introducing the communal dimension in the Delhi elections. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will file a complaint with the Human Rights Commission (NHRC) against Yogi Adityanath government over Uttar Pradesh Police's alleged brutality against protestors during anti-CAA protests in the state, according to party sources. The sources further said that the Congress party has sought an appointment with the NHRC for Monday. Priyanka Gandhi will lead the Congress delegation consisting Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Kumar Lallu, Legislature Party leader Aradhana Mishra and MP PL Punia. Many people were killed and several were injured during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in various parts of the state. Opposition parties, including the Congress, had accused the state police of alleged atrocities. Gandhi had also visited Uttar Pradesh to meet the victims' families. She had also instructed lawyers associated with the party to give legal aid to the people who were arrested during the protests. The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In order to curb the spread of the deadly Coronavirus, China has recently imposed its first partial lockdown in the southern coastal city of Shantou on January 26. It is the first such measure taken in a city outside the epicentre of the disease in Wuhan. As part of the measure, all non-emergency vehicles will be restricted from entering the city of 5.6 million people, from midnight. The city lies a whopping 1,100-kilometre (680-mile) drive from Wuhan, the centre of the coronavirus outbreak. People arriving at Shantou railway stations will be screened thoroughly and 'urged to return', according to the authorities. Authorities said that the buses, ferries, public transport, and taxis will be suspended. The measure has been taken to contain the deadly virus that has killed 56 people and infected more than 2000 people. As per the health commission, two cases have been confirmed in Shantou. READ: China Bans Wild Animal Trade Until Viral Outbreak Eases Death toll rises to 56 The death toll in China's Hubei region, the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus, has risen to 56 and the number of people infected by the disease is close to 2,000, authorities confirmed to the international press on Sunday. Out of the 56 people that died, 52 were from Hubei, the province where the outbreak took place. Two deaths took place in central Henan province, while one person died in Heilongjiang and Hebei respectively. The virus seems to have originated in China, and is now gradually spreading across the globe. According to international media reports, the virus has spread to Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, France, the US, Singapore, and possibly Canada. READ: French Carmaker To Evacuate Expats From Virus-hit Chinese City China bans public transport in Hubei While the disease is mainly concentrated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, there have been five reported cases in Thailand and three in Japan and France respectively. China reported its first medical professional casualty from the highly contagious Coronavirus on Saturday. The medical professional fell victim to the deadly disease in the Hubei province of China. According to reports, authorities have deployed military medics to set up the treatment in the region and 13 cities in the country are under complete lockdown. The Chinese government has banned all public transport in Hubei, where 12 out of the 13 locked down cities are located. READ: China Implements Fresh Restrictions As Cases Of Coronavirus Increase READ: China Says Virus Situation 'grave' As Lunar New Year Curtailed (With inputs from Agencies) New Delhi: Amid the ongoing nationwide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Shiv Sena on Saturday asserted that Muslims belonging to Pakistan and Bangladesh should be thrown out of the country. Also, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party slammed MNS chief Raj Thackeray and accused him of making Hindutva its prime agenda. In an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana, Shiv Sena said, "There is no doubt that Muslims of Pakistan and Bangladesh should be thrown out of the country. However, it maintained that the CAA has several loopholes. Taking a dig at Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray for changing his stand with respect to the Citizenship Law and his shift towards Hindutva, Shiv Sena said, "Yesterday, the MNS said that they support the CAA. However, just a month back, they were against this act." This is very interesting. Shiv Sena has never changed its flag. It will remain saffron always. Shiv Sena has always fought for Hindutva, the party added. Shiv Sena further said, "14 years back Raj Thackeray formed a party for the Marathi ideology but now it has changed its track to Hindutva. When Raj Thackeray during his speech said welcome my Hindu brothers and sisters it was demanded by BJP. MNS could not get anything and now also it cannot get anything." Also Read: Uddhav Thackeray To Visit Ayodhya For First Time As Chief Minister On March 7 Shiv Sena also lambasted Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for stalling development in Maharashtra when it was in power. "Things which BJP could not do it in five years, the Maha Vikas Aghadi did it in 50 days. They can form a government with Mehbooba Mufti, but here we can't form a government with Congress and NCP. We are in government for the Common Minimum Program. For the betterment of Maharashtra," it added. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. A team of researchers from Lucknow-based organisation, mistaken as NRC surveyors, was caught by villagers in Bihar's Darbhanga and handed over to the police. A team of researchers from a Lucknow-based organisation was mistaken for NRC surveyors by villagers in Bihar's Darbhanga and held hostage before being handed over to the local police. Superintendent of Police, Darbhanga, Babu Ram said the team, comprising 12 people, including four women, visited a village under Jamalpur Police Station area. The team was from a Lucknow-based research organisation engaged by a US-based PhD scholar. However, as they began visiting households and collecting information, word spread that "NRC surveyors" had arrived following which villagers grew furious and held them hostage before taking them to the police station. The situation was defused at the police station where officials verified their identities and explained the facts to the villagers, the SP said. The villagers then went back satisfied, he added. He, however, added that similar incidents have recently occurred in the district and an awareness campaign has been launched as part of which residents are being told to "inform the police or local administrative officials" if any surveyors in their area aroused suspicion "instead of illegally detaining them". With the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), the NRC and the National Population Register (NPR) spreading in different parts of Bihar, people engaged in conducting surveys for private research and marketing companies are being mistakenly targeted. Similar incidents have also been reported from different parts of the country over the past week. On Saturday, The Times of India reported that a three-member team for administrating polio vaccines had been mistaken as NPR data collectors and thrashed by villagers in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut district. As per the report, two from the team managed to escape and complained to the police. One of the victims, Kabir Ahmad Khan said that the incident occurred near the Lakhipura locality of Lisai Gate area after a family opposed the administration of polio drops. As per rule, we have to enter the name of the non-consenting parents in the tally register, the report quoted him as saying. The moment we asked their names, there was a strong protest and within no time, we were surrounded by a mob. We tried to explain them the purpose of our visit. We even showed them the vaccine box and our IDs, but they didnt listen to us. Khan said it was obvious that the people were anxious about the NPR-NRC as one of the youths in the mob told people not to provide any details to the officers, suspecting them to be NPR data collectors. According to the report, Lisari Gate station officer Prashant Kapil said that the police were in the police were in the process of registering a FIR and that this was not the first time such an incident had occurred in the area. According to a report in The New Indian Express, immunisation and health department officials encountered difficulties in the polio vaccination drive in various parts of Hyderabad as Muslim residents harboured fears over the CAA and NRC. Accusing health officials of supporting the Centres CAA and NRC plans, residents around Abids, Golconda, Musheerabagh heckled them and threatened to file police complaints against them. This affected the tallying process of how many children were actually immunised in the national pulse polio drive as residents refused to provide information, said the report. People seemed petrified that the team was collecting information for NRC under the pretext of polio, the report quoted Dr Nagarjuna Rao, immunisation programme officer for Hyderabad, as saying. He further added that the situation got so tense that local leaders had to intervene and placate he residents. The team has however chosen not to file police complaints against the residents, he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whose JD(U) is an ally of the BJP, have been at pains to explain that the CAA would expedite grant of citizenship to refugees from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, having fled religious persecution in their countries, without affecting Indians and that there was no move so far to bring in the nationwide NRC. Opposition parties have, however, accused the NDA of misleading the people on the issue and pointed out that a country-wide NRC was mentioned in the BJPs manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls. The NRC had also found mention in President Ram Nath Kovinds address to a joint session of Parliament last year besides in Union Home Minister Amit Shah' s speech when the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was being debated in the Lok Sabha, the Opposition parties said. With inputs from PTI On the occasion of 71st Republic Day, the Indian National Flag was unfurled by the protesters at Shaheen Bagh in the national capital. In the wee hours of Sunday, the protesters demonstrating against the amended citizenship law sung the national anthem and read the preamble of the Constitution as the women-led agitation entered runs in its second month. Protests have been going on at Shaheen Bagh in New Delhi for over a month against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC). The scene was similar at Jamia Millia Islamia where hundreds of students and people gathered to unfurl the tricolour at midnight. The students waved the national flag and chanted slogans of patriotism. Republic Day celebrations at Jamia Millia Islamia, gate no. 7. pic.twitter.com/pu3DdXPmXj Punit Kumar Singh (@puneetsinghlive) January 26, 2020 Republic Day Celebration has been started in JAMIA MILLIA ISLAMIA.#HappyRepublicDay2020 pic.twitter.com/3X1ZOcxVGI Ziya Sayed (@ZiyaSayed6) January 25, 2020 In Kolkata, thousands of residents took to streets for a novel Republic Day celebration on Sunday with a 11-kilometer long human chain, reading of the preamble and pledge to protect the country's Constitution and floating of black balloons opposing CAA, NPR and NRC as the ongoing protests against the citizenship law merge with the observance of the monumental day in the history of independent India. reuters/representational image At South Kolkata's Park Circus - where the huge gathering of women since January 7 has given the place the appellation of Shaheen Bagh of the city of joy - the assembled people hoisted and salute the tri-colour, read the Preamble aloud in chorus and took a pledge to protect the Constitution. "It is the day when our constitution became effective in 1950. And we are fighting to protect our constitution and the principles and values it upholds. "Naturally, our protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the celebration of the birth of our Republic has a strong connect," Uzma Alam, one of the organisers of the Park Circus protest, told IANS amid non-stops sloganeering and shouts of "Azadi". twitter/representational image The organisers have also decided to float hundreds of black balloons with the slogan "No CAA, No NRC (National Register of Citizens) and No NPR (National Population Register). Meanwhile, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court last week seeking appropriate directions to the police to open Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh stretch, which has been closed since 15 December due to ongoing protests against the CAA. bccl/representational image Protests are going on across the country against CAA which grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before 31 December, 2014. The Federal Government has asked the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to throw out any request by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking a restoration of his revoked bail. KanyiDaily recalls that Nnamdi Kanu, who is standing trial for treasonable felony, had disappeared from the country after the Army allegedly invaded his fathers house in September 2018. In April 2019, Kanus lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, had pleaded with the Court to restore Kanus bail as as a condition for Kanu to return to Nigeria to face trial. However, in a courter-affidavit filed before the court by the prosecuting counsel, Mr Magaji Labaran, on January 17, 2020, the Federal Government opposed the application by Nnamdi Kanu seeking the restoration of his bail. In the court documents obtained by Punch on Friday, January 24, 2020, FG noted that Kanu, having allegedly jumped bail, was not entitled to be granted any indulgence by the court. That the defendant in this case is standing trial for treasonable felony and was granted bail by this honourable court, the federal government said in an affidavit. That the defendant has jumped bail. That three sureties that stood for him were asked to appear before the court and show cause after several adjournments at their instance. That the defendant, since he jumped bail, has deliberately refused to submit to the jurisdiction of this court. That the defendant cannot seek any indulgence from this honourable court. The Federal Government said, This court is functus officio, implying that the court could no longer take any step aimed at reversing the decision revoking the bail except by a higher court. The trial has been adjourned until March 31, 2020. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 19:23:55|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- At least 30 people have died after two days of heavy rain in southeast Brazil, local media reported on Sunday. On Saturday, 14 victims were found in the city of Belo Horizonte and the metropolitan areas of Ibirite and Betim, Rodrigo Rodrigues, head of the fire department, told local news channel TV Globo. According to media reports citing the local civil defense department, 17 people are still missing, with around 3,500 people having to abandon their homes in Minas Gerais state, which has witnessed 48 hours of torrential rain. According to Brazil's National Institute of Meteorology, Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais state, registered 171.8 mm of rainfall over the course of 24 hours on Friday, the area's highest recorded level in 110 years. SEOUL, South Korea The aunt of North Koreas leader, Kim Jong-un, has re-emerged in Pyongyang, the capital, the countrys media said on Sunday, dispelling rumors that she was purged after her powerful husband was executed on charges of plotting a coup to topple Mr. Kim in 2013. North Koreas state-run media said Kim Kyong-hui, the only sister of Mr. Kims father, Kim Jong-il, accompanied Kim Jong-un to an orchestra performance on Saturday for Lunar New Years Day. Photos released in state media showed Ms. Kim dressed in black and sitting with Mr. Kim, his wife, his sister and other top leaders in the front row at a theater in Pyongyang. The fate of Kim Kyong-hui has been a subject of intense speculation since her husband, Jang Song-thaek, once considered the second most powerful man in Pyongyang, was executed in 2013. North Korean media last mentioned her name a few days after her husbands execution when she was appointed to a committee for the state funeral of another top party official. She then disappeared from public view completely, setting off rumors that she may have been executed, too. South Korean intelligence officials have dismissed such rumors, saying that she had been hospitalized for poor health but not purged. CLEVELAND, Ohio Many homebuyers and sellers believe their real estate agents job is to represent their best interests in a home sale. But the reality is more complicated, as real estate disclosures often obscure important information about who the agent is representing. Consumers who dont understand their relationship with the agent, in turn, may not be getting the best deal. Thats according to a new report by the Consumer Federation of America, a nonprofit organization whose mission is advancing consumer interests. The report, titled Why Required Real Estate Disclosures About Representation Fail and How They Can Be Improved, is based on CFAs evaluation of real estate agency disclosures in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The home is the most expensive and important purchase consumers will ever make, said Stephen Brobeck, a senior fellow at CFA and the reports author. A large majority of sellers and buyers rely on the advice of real estate agents, so it is especially important consumers understand who their agent is loyal to. Consumer confusion All states require real estate agents to disclose to consumers who the agent is representing in a home sale, but disclosure laws vary widely from state to state and often are not fully understood by consumers, according to CFA. To begin with, many people dont understand the relationship between real estate agents and consumers. Two-thirds of the respondents to a national survey CFA commissioned mistakenly said that real estate agents are always or almost ways required to represent the interests of the home buyer or seller with whom they are working, when in fact no state requires this. In some cases, consumers do not receive or know that they received a disclosure, according to the report. Recent survey data from the National Association of Realtors indicates that less than a third of buyers signed a disclosure at their first meeting with an agent. One-fifth reported they did not sign one at all. In many states, agents are not required to provide a disclosure upon first contact with the consumer which means consumers may share information the agent is not required to keep confidential. Also confusing for consumers is that there are a number of ways an agent can work with sellers and buyers. For example, an agent may exclusively represent a client, with total loyalty; in other cases, they may be a dual agent, representing both parties in a transaction. Its important for consumers to understand dual agency because such an agreement can create conflicts of interest. If an agent is representing both the buyer and the seller, the agent might be motivated to make a quick sale rather than finding the right house for the buyer or getting the best price for the seller, Brobeck said. As for disclosure forms, CFA characterizes them, in general, as long, legal and poorly presented, and often lacking information about who the agent represents. The lack of clarity on agent representation is more relevant than ever, Brobeck said. Increasingly, homebuyers are contacting listings agents directly, and that really raises the possibility that those buyers will be working with an agent who is not representing their interests, but they dont fully understand that, he said. Ohio disclosures The Ohio Department of Commerce developed the agency disclosure form that is used across the state. Although the form itself is fairly clear, the law itself is flawed, in Brobecks view. One reason is that Ohio does not require early disclosure. Real estate agents are not required to provide agency disclosure to consumers until an offer or financial information is discussed. The early disclosure for which CFA advocates would require an agent, at first contact, to disclose they were not representing the consumer and may even be representing the seller, minimizing the chance the customer disclosed compromising personal information, Brobeck said. Ohios disclosure law also creates many situations where the seller or buyer is effectively required to agree to dual agency, working with an agent who is not completely loyal to the consumer, he said. Local, state and national real estate trade organizations The Plain Dealer contacted agreed on the importance of disclosures in real estate transactions. Ohio Realtors noted that, in Ohio, real estate agents give buyers and sellers a consumer guide on agency relationships when they first begin working with them. The agency relationship is then confirmed later via the state-mandated form. Ohio Realtors believes the disclosure process provided for in Ohio law effectively achieves the goals of clearly explaining the role of real estate professionals in a clear and timely manner, the group said in a statement. A spokesman for the National Association of Realtors said the group agrees agency disclosure is important. NAR members are guided by the organizations code of ethics, which includes the standard that they get the informed consent of both parties before entering into dual agency, he noted. The organization encourages consumers to interview multiple agents before selecting one to represent them. In addition to what people know and read, consumers can and should ask individual brokers to explain things such as how the broker commission process works and what services they can expect to receive, he said. Making disclosures more consumer-friendly Most important to making agency disclosures more consumer-friendly, according to the CFA, is that real estate agents prominently, briefly and simply communicate the essential information at first contact with consumers. That should include the fact that the agent does not necessarily represent the customer; may in fact represent the other party; and that the agent may pass on personal information to the other party. The forms should detail agent roles and how those roles might shift, and should include information about potential conflicts of interest and to what degree the agent is loyal to the consumer, CFA recommends. Further, the forms should be short, written in plain language, presented in a user-friendly format, and developed by the state. Finally, a disclosure form will not be effective unless it is given by agents to customers. State regulators should take steps to ensure that this distribution is occurring, the report states. Whatever a consumer may want from their agent, its important that the relationship is discussed at the outset, Brobeck said. The key thing is to have that conversation up front, he said. More real-estate news Northeast Ohio home sales rose in 2019 and so did prices Report: Cleveland had highest rent growth among top 100 cities in 2019 Home sales in Northeast Ohio on track to beat 2018s levels, no slowdown expected Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Theresia Sufa (The Jakarta Post) Bogor Mon, January 27 2020 Solid history: Batu Tulis inscription, ancient relics of the 16th century Sunda kingdom, in South Bogor, West Java, have been preserved. (JP/Theresia Sufa) The city administration of Bogor in West Java plans to improve its historical tourist destinations by revamping museums and building a new one. Bogor Mayor Bima Arya Sugiarto said that, unlike neighboring cities, Bogor was rich in historical heritage, hence there was a need to revitalize museums in Bogor. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Passed Finalists Certificate Awarding Ceremony of AAT Sri Lanka View(s): AAT Sri Lanka, the pioneer in producing middle level accounting professionals to the country, held its Passed Finalists Certificate Awarding Ceremony on recently at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Colombo. The students who were awarded with certificates at the ceremony included those who successfully completed the final level of the AAT Examinations held in July 2019. 1,209 Passed Finalists representing all districts in the island were invited to receive their certificates ceremonially at this awards ceremony. Hon. (Dr.) Bandula Gunawardana, Minister of Information and Communication Technology and Minister of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation graced the occasion as the Chief Guest for the morning session and Mr Ranjit Page, Deputy Chairman/ CEO, Cargills Bank Limited graced the occasion as the Chief Guest for the evening session while Mr. Manil Jayasinghe, President of CA Sri Lanka joined as the Guest of Honour for both sessions. In addition, President of AAT Sri Lanka Mr. Magdon Ismail, members of the Governing Council of AAT and parents and well-wishers of the passed finalists attended the function. AAT has become the most respected first professional qualification the school community comes across soon after the O/L examination. AAT Sri Lanka has always been a giant supporter of human resources in providing a sound professional foundation to the youth of the country and the contribution it makes for the upliftment of professional middle level accountants over the past three decades. Today, AAT is considered to be the strongest foundation which provides access to many other professional courses and an entry qualification to universities to qualify as graduates. Increasing local and global recognition to AAT qualification, its unique features of enabling access to youth in all corners of the island, facilitating education and conducting examinations all 3 media and competitive fee structure contribute in shaping the attraction to the qualification. The Padma Shri Awards are the fourth highest civilian honour conferred by the Government of India. Awarded to 118 people for excelling in the field of art, the Padma Shri awards are a prestigious honour bestowed on people for their excellence. As we celebrate the 71st Republic Day of the country, the government announced the names of those to be honoured with the Padma Shri this year. Making it to the prestigious list were Kangana Ranaut, Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Adnan Sami and Suresh Wadkar for excellence in their respective fields. Expressing his gratitude, Karan Johar took to social media and said, Its not very often that Im at a loss for words, but this is one such occasion... The Padma Shri. Such an honour to receive one of the highest civilian awards in the country. Overwhelmed by so many emotions right now. Humbled, elated and also thankful for the opportunity to live my dream every day, to create and to entertain. I know my father would be proud and I wish he was here to share this moment with me. #blessed. Kangana also spoke on being conferred with the award. She said I am humbled and I am honoured. I thank my country for this recognition and I dedicate this to every woman who dares to dream. To every daughter to every mother and to the dreams of women who will shape the future of our country. Green Village Base, Eastern Syria: US troops in Syria have picked up the pace of counter-terrorism operations following a lull, a top US commander says, but the future of the American mission remains uncertain amid changing dynamics in the Syrian conflict and the potential for renewed presidential intervention. "The tempo is coming back," General Kenneth "Frank" McKenzie jnr, who heads US Central Command, said on Saturday during a visit to a constellation of tiny American outposts in eastern Syria. General Frank McKenzie (centre) the top US commander for the Middle East on Saturday, during an unannounced visit to military outposts in Syria. Credit:AP American troops in Syria, like those in neighbouring Iraq, shifted their focus from anti-extremist operations to force protection after a January 3 strike in Baghdad killed major-general Qasem Soleimani, Iran's most influential military figure. Iran retaliated by launching ballistic missiles at US troops in Iraq, causing no deaths, although a number of service members have suffered symptoms believed to be associated with traumatic brain injury. Now, McKenzie said, US troops are conducting three to four operations a week with Syrian Kurdish forces against the Islamic State, an increased pace but still fewer than during the earlier massive multinational campaign. Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images A dangerous virus is rapidly spreading that threatens grave danger to those afflicted. Im talking, of course, about Trumpism. Even moderate exposure renders Republicans unable to discern lies from truth, often causing them to mistake scandalous revelations for a nothingburger. Case in point: Recently surfaced audio that appears to capture Donald Trump referencing then-U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch struck those resistant to Trumpism as yet another bombshell. To Republicans (all of whom have been exposed), however, it was just Trump being Trump. In case you missed it, the audio seems to capture Trump instructing former Rudy Giuliani associates Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman to take her out. Put aside the fact that this sounds like a mob-like euphemism for doing more than simply removing Yovanovitch from her post (during a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump also eerily said of Yovanovitch, Shes going to go through some things). Adam Schiff Stands Up and Speaks the Truth at Mitch McConnells Upside-Down Stalinist Show Trial Yovanovitch was a problem for Trump precisely because she was seen as an anti-corruption fighter who would stymie Trump's efforts to enlist help digging up dirt on the Bidens. To a person resistant to Trumpism, such a revelation (merely the latest shoe to drop during his impeachment trial!) might suggest that at least some Republicans would vote to remove him from office. But this latest revelation was dismissed (or greeted with a yawn) by those not inoculated against Trumpism. The problem is, this is a degenerative affliction. Left untreated, Trumpism can progress from attacking corruption-fighting U.S. ambassadors to attacking genuine war heroes. One such case sprung up on Thursday night, when Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn fell victim by denigrating the patriotism of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman. Adam Schiff is hailing Alexander Vindman as an American patriot, Blackburn tweeted. How patriotic is it to badmouth and ridicule our great nation in front of Russia, Americas greatest enemy? Story continues Blackburn was referencing the theory that Vindman was responsible for leaking details of Trumps perfect phone call with Ukrainian president Zelensky to the whistleblower. Whether Vindman did that is unproven. What is proven, however, is that Vindman was injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq and wears more hardware on his chest than Blackburn probably even knows exists. The fact that Donald Trump has done more than almost anybody to praise Vladimir Putin and badmouth Americans, including our intelligence agencies, which include hundreds of people who are risking their lives abroad for their country, proves that irony is dead for a political party that thrives on projection. To be sure, nobody is expecting Blackburn to be a hero in this impeachment trial, but the depressing fact is that she represents the mainstream of todays GOP, whose symptoms include hypocrisy, blind loyalty to Trump, repeating unproven conspiracy theories, and mean-tweets. Indeed, a real outlier would be somebody who is willing to condemn this sickness. At the Trump casino, the house always wins. Never mind the question of whether even four Republicans will vote for calling witnesses and documents (which should be easy and obvious)--or whether 20 of the 53 Senate Republicans might vote to convict a guy who is obviously guilty. We are left wondering whether even one might break from the herd. Just as Diogenes was looking for an honest man, Im starting to wonder if even one Republican is immune to Trumpism. So why does Trump engender such fear and loyalty? The most defensible reason for sticking with him may be that he delivers for his base. One timely example of this came on Friday, when Trump became the first president to address the National Right to Life March in Washington, D.C., in person. As someone who is sympathetic to this humanitarian cause (yes, that is my belief), I can understand the temptation conservatives may feel to want to reward Trumps symbolic nod to our values by looking the other way on his transgressions. That helps it spread. Even if supporting a cause you believe in justified ignoring an impeachable act, there are two conservative insights that, I think, explain why this is still a tragic mistake. The first is that ideas have consequences (the title of conservative scholar Richard Weavers most famous book), and the second is that culture is upstream from politics (an observation that was popularized by conservative Andrew Breitbart). The sad truth is that Donald Trump has injected some very bad, if consequential, ideas into modern Republican culture. These ideas included denigrating the weak and vulnerable (whether thats a disabled reporter or immigrantsnot exactly consistent with a culture of life) and tearing down respected ambassadors and highly-decorated patriots who refuse to bow to Trumps cult of personality. Donald Trumps vulgar worldview has gone viral. Trumpism isnt just mildly contagious, it is now an epidemic. The entire GOP has been infected. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Dr. Allen R. Myers, 85, was dedicated to two things, according to his family and friends: medicine and the teaching of medicine. Read more Dr. Allen R. Myers, a pioneer in the field of rheumatology and an influential teacher at medical schools throughout the region, died Wednesday, Jan. 15, the day after his 85th birthday, at his home in Ardmore following a decade-long battle with Alzheimers disease. Born and raised in Baltimore, Dr. Myers first came to Philadelphia in 1952 to study at the University of Pennsylvania. He later earned his medical degree at the University of Maryland and trained at hospitals in Michigan and Massachusetts. Along the way, he reconnected with Ellen Patz, whom he had known during their childhoods in Baltimore, at a mutual friends party. They married in 1960. Dr. Myers returned to Penn in 1969 as an associate professor of medicine at the medical school and a staff physician at its hospital. That first teaching position sparked a 40-year career in academia, which included a time as dean of Temple Universitys School of Medicine. Dr. Anthony Albornoz, one of those former students, said Dr. Myers influence has since spread across the globe through his pupils, many of whom now lead medical schools themselves. You dont see many people like that, who have the ability to at once be a good clinician, a great researcher, and have the ability to mold physicians, Albornoz said. He was a titan, a legend, a perfect role model. Its a tragic loss. Albornoz fondly remembered Dr. Myers as a tough as nails instructor whose passion and zeal for patient care caused him to push his students to their limits. I still, when I have a difficult case, ask myself, What would Allen do? Albornoz said. He was truly a magnificent man. Dr. Myers wrote five medical textbooks throughout his career and also was an active member of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, a professional education and development group for doctors. He served as the organizations president for a two-year term. His son Robert said those accomplishments were emblematic of his fathers two hobbies medicine and the teaching of medicine. He had thousands of opportunities to go into private practice, but he never did, Robert Myers said. He was wholly interested in healing people and teaching others to heal people. Dr. Myers had a reputation among his close family and friends as a master of diagnosing ailments, according to his son. If anyone had a medical question or concern, Dr. Myers would research it himself, or put the person in contact with someone from within his international network of physicians. Nobody made a move without checking with him, and he was never too busy, his wife said. A friend once commented: How many deans of medicine make house calls? Later in life, Dr. Myers developed another passion: promoting the city of Philadelphia. In the early 1990s, he held a leadership role at the citys Convention & Visitors Bureau, according to Tom Muldoon, the groups former president. He helped organize and plan dozens of medical conferences each year at the Convention Center, helping cement the then-new venues success as a staple of the city, Muldoon said. He was a special guy, and his work with me allowed him to express his love of the city, Muldoon said. All the conventions that he and the other hospitals brought to the city really helped the Convention Center expand. And without them, I dont think you wouldve seen the level of change downtown as you did in the 90s. In addition to his wife and son Robert, Dr. Myers is survived by sons David and Scott as well as five grandchildren. An event celebrating Dr. Myers life will be held Friday, Feb. 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 19 S. 22nd St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103. Contributions may be made to Penn Medicine Development, Attn: Penn Memory Center, 3535 Market St., Suite 750, Philadelphia, Pa. 19104, or at www.PennMedicine.org/PMC. Checks should be made payable to Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania. Kremlin Denies Top Aide Surkov Stepping Down By RFE/RL January 25, 2020 The Kremlin has denied reports that a longtime key aide to President Vladimir Putin is stepping down. The resignation of Vladislav Surkov was reported by Aleksei Chesnakov, an adviser to Surkov and director of Moscow's Center for Political Studies. In a Twitter post on January 25 on Twitter, Chesnakov said Surkov was resigning due to what he called a "change of course on Ukraine." However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there is no decree yet on Surkov's resignation. He also told Russian media that there had been no change in Kremlin policy on Ukraine. "As for the alleged change in the policy on the situation in Ukraine, this has nothing to do with reality and reflects only a personal viewpoint of the person who speaks about that," Peskov told the TASS news agency. Surkov has played a leading Russian role in negotiations on ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine, where more than 13,000 people have died in fighting between Russia-backed separatists and Ukrainian government forces since April 2014. Hostilities erupted there shortly after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. Widely known as the Kremlin's "gray cardinal," Surkov helped craft the Kremlin's domination of domestic politics and Russia's expansionist policies in Ukraine and elsewhere in the former Soviet space. Surkov also helped build what is known as "sovereign democracy" and, as Putin's top political aide, concentrate power in the president's hands during his first two presidential terms between 2000 and 2008. He was pushed from the Kremlin in 2011, after street protests against the system he helped create, and spent a year in government as a deputy prime minister before quitting in May 2013 after a dispute with investigators looking into suspected fraud. In September 2013, Putin appointed Surkov as an aide, just four months after he quit the government. He also serves as an adviser to Putin on aid to the Moscow-backed breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which Russia recognized as independent after a short war in 2008 with Georgia. With reporting by Interfax and TASS Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kremlin-denies-top- aide-surkov-stepping-down/30396490.html Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address It took a phone call to Camp Lejeune to get a Marine back to Houston to be with his grieving family following the deadly Watson Grinding and Manufacturing explosion. The 25-year-old Marine, Gerardo Castorena Jr., lost his father in the Spring Branch-area plant blast Friday morning. The son was expected Saturday night to return to Texas, Houston police Chief Art Acevedo said. The North Carolina base did not immediately authorize Castorenas leave of absence because his fathers identity had not yet been confirmed, Acevedo said. Acevedo called the base and asked that he be allowed to return to Houston. It made it a priority for us to get the young Marine home, Acevedo said. The explosion tore through the Gessner Road plant around 4:30 a.m., killing Castorena Sr., 45, and his co-worker, Frank Flores, 44. The two were identified among law enforcement as being casualties of the explosion hours later when their vehicles remained at the plant and their families had not yet heard from them, police said. Authorities identified the pair at a press conference that evening. Castorena Jr., and several other relatives, paid tribute to his father in a Facebook post asking for help in paying for the funeral. This Friday my father was taken from me in the accident at Watson, the Marine wrote. This is by far the hardest thing Ive ever had to go through. Castorena Sr. was also a father to three girls, his former wife of 15 years, Frances Carraquillo said. She shared photos of Castorena Sr. with his daughters, mother and Marine son. Flores was a longtime employee of the Watson plant, Acevedo said, after speaking with his family some of whom had not made it to Houston yet. He was a leader of that family, the chief said. He was completely loved by that family and all about hard work. Flores wife, Margarita Flores, when reached by the phone, said she was surrounded by loved ones but was not ready to talk. A Watson Grinding and Manufacturing employee, who asked to not be identified, said he knew Flores and Castorena Sr. but that he was not authorized to talk about his colleagues. Staff writer Mike Morris contributed to this report. nicole.hensley@chron.com THE Cebu Alliance of Tour Operations Specialists (Catos) will respect the decision of government to restrict the entry of Chinese tourists on the confidence that it is only temporary as experience has shown. Catos president Alice Queblatin told SunStar Cebu that arrivals will resume after the threat and scare of the novel coronavirus is lifted or diminished. If the officials of the city or the national government, with well-informed decisions, will restrict the entry of Chinese tourists, we will respect that. Anyway, we believe that the decrease of arrivals is only temporary just like we have experienced, she said. Even listening to the Chinese who were interviewed in the airport, on how the severe airport security was, they said its all right because its for the safety of everybody, she said. The citizens, she said, take precedence over any numbers in tourism. China-Cebu flights China has the most number of international flights to Cebu. It has direct connections to 12 cities in the mainland such as Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuxi, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Xiamen, Fuzhou, Kunming, Sichuan and Wenzhou. In 2018, China was the second top foreign source market in Central Visayas with 621,993 tourists, a 44.28-percent growth from 2017s 429,306 tourists. As for tour cancellations, no Catos member has reported of any, Queblatin said. The Lunar New Year celebration, a big event in China, on Jan. 25, 2020, was subdued because of travel restrictions. The new novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) prompted the Philippine Bureau of Immigration to deny visa-upon-arrival by tour groups from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the virus. Scientists believed the new strain of coronavirus, with symptoms like colds, cough, breathing difficulty and pneumonia, came from snakes and bats. The Philippines continues to be free from the 2019-nCoV, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported as the virus has a total of 1,320 confirmed cases globally. LGU power Story continues Meanwhile, an official of the Department of Interior and Local Government(DILG) said there is no legal impediment for mayors to ban Chinese tourists from entering a city if deemed necessary, Lawyer Ian Kenneth Lucero, DILG-Cebu City officer-in-charge, said the general welfare clause, under the Local Government Code of 1991, cites the delegation in statutory form of the police power of the state to the local government units (LGUs). Each LGU shall exercise powers which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare. Within their respective territorial jurisdictions, LGUs shall promote health and safety, among others, he said in a text message sent to SunStar Cebu, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. The interest of the public requires the interference of the government. This is treated as an absolute obligation on the part of the government to perform, he added. As the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) continues its spread from China, Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella, on Saturday, declared that if the entry of Chinese tourists threatens Cebu City residents, he will not hesitate to ban them. Labella earlier said he will coordinate with the health agencies and wait for their recommendations, so he will know what actions to take. The mayor made the clarification following the publication of an article by a Cebu news outlet where he allegedly said, There will be no ban of tourists from China. Back to Wuhan In a separate development, Eric Apolonio, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) spokesperson told SunStar Cebu in a text message yesterday that the last flight for the last batch of 464 Chinese from Kalibu, Aklan to Wuhan, China was on Saturday. The Chinese arrived in Kalibu via charter flight. As initially scheduled, the remaining Chinese are to be sent back to China today, Jan. 27. The Associated Press reported Saturday night that 2019-nCoV which originated in Wuhan, China, has killed 56 people and infected nearly 2,000, including the 62-year-old doctor Liang Wudong, doctor at Hubei Xinhua Hospital. (JOB, WBS) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 14:04:25|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Education has issued curriculum standards for five basic courses in secondary vocational schools, aiming at clarifying the academic quality requirements and highlighting the characteristics of vocational education. The new standards involve five courses, including mathematics, information technology, physical education and health, physics and chemistry. They define the core values and curriculum objectives of the courses and clarify their content, the ministry said in a statement. Compared with previous syllabus, the new curriculum standards focus on improving students' capability to solve problems and provide basis for phased evaluation and academic examination. New Delhi: Winners of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Baal Puraskar during the 71st Republic Day parade, in New Delhi on Jan 26, 2020. (Photo: IANS/PIB) Image Source: IANS News New Delhi: Winners of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Baal Puraskar during the 71st Republic Day parade, in New Delhi on Jan 26, 2020. (Photo: IANS/PIB) Image Source: IANS News New Delhi: Winners of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Baal Puraskar during the 71st Republic Day parade, in New Delhi on Jan 26, 2020. (Photo: IANS/PIB) Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Jan 26 : Spectators of Republic Day parade at Rajpath gave a standing ovation to the 49 little heroes of the country who came in decorated jeeps. The people tried to connect with these 49 children, 18 girls and 31 boys, who were honoured with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar for the their exceptional achievement. The awards were given to children for their merit of bravery, innovation, sports, arts, culture, social service, music or other fields. Among the crowds, the parents were pointing out to their children explaining about the bravery of the little heroes. Few of them bestowed their blessings to the kids who waved back to them from the jeeps. Two days ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi while interacting with these little heroes had said, "I am amazed that at such age you all have performed incredible tasks. This must have inspired you to do more good deeds in future. You have shown courage to fight difficult situations." He also asked the students to visit the war memorial and police memorial in New Delhi. These children are from various states and union territories, including one each from Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. Janice Underwood, the director of diversity, equity and inclusion for the Commonwealth of Virginia, urged Lynchburg residents Saturday to have difficult conversations about the influence of race in American life. Dont underestimate the power of conversation. Openly talk about race and racism, Underwood said. Racism is the adult disease that we ask our children to spread. It is truly a weapon of mass destruction that no one wants to talk about. So, we must learn from our past. Underwood, the first person to hold a cabinet-level position focused on equity in any state government, gave the keynote address at the 6th Annual Race, Poverty & Social Justice Conference at the University of Lynchburg. The conference, which was sponsored by Many Voices, One Community, featured a series of workshops aimed at tackling a wide range of inequality issues. Our goal for the conference has been and continues to be to equip people from various walks of life and professions with skills and information to be better advocates for change, conference chair Leslie King said. Ultimately, I see the conference as a way to spark change and to hopefully increase awareness. As in previous years, the conference was organized by a team of volunteers and sponsored by the University of Lynchburg and the YWCA of Central Virginia. Tickets were $35 for the general public while college students were granted free admission. Over the course of two days, local educators and activists led more than 20 workshops and covered issues ranging from social justice in public schools to equality in the criminal justice system. The speakers came from a variety of backgrounds a crucial element of the annual event, according to King. The conference gives an opportunity for underrepresented groups to share their experiences in ways they are not normally able to, King said. In a lecture entitled Redlining in Lynchburg, John Abell, a professor of economics at Randolph College, traced the history of largely black Lynchburg neighborhoods which were denied government-backed homeownership loans during the Great Depression. Using U.S. Census Bureau data, Abell argued redlining led to a hollowing out of the citys urban core and prevented a generation of black residents from experiencing economic advancement. If youve not been able to buy that home then youve missed out on all that wealth, he said. The impacts of redlining still are with us and can be seen today in neighborhoods that once were marginalized, he said. For instance, homes in Boonsboro an overwhelmingly white neighborhood where loans flowed freely are worth an average of $200,000 more than homes in the citys urban core where loans were denied. Similarly, white households in Boonsboro have a median income of more than three times that of black families who live in the urban core, according to Abell. Other workshops explored the cultural importance of hip-hop in the black community, the challenges faced by queer people of color and the intersection of social justice with climate change. Aqura Nicholson was one of the more than 100 people who attended Saturdays conference. After participating in a workshop dedicated to the oral history of the civil rights movement, Nicholson said she was struck by how important it was to record the stories of trailblazers so the next generation can celebrate their accomplishments. I am a black woman engineer and Im always the only one in the room, Nicholson said. I know that black women are needed in engineering roles and I know the power of images. If a young black girl sees me then theyll automatically think, I can do this. So, its up to me to be a good role model for them. Richard Chumney covers Liberty University for The News & Advance. Reach him at (434) 385-5547. Richard Chumney covers Liberty University for The News & Advance. Reach him at (434) 385-5547. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Human pressure on the world's ocean accelerated sharply at the start of the 21st century and shows no sign of slowing, according to a comprehensive new analysis on the state of the ocean. Scientists have dubbed the dramatic rise the "Blue Acceleration." The researchers from the Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, synthesized 50-years of data from shipping, drilling, deep-sea mining, aquaculture, bioprospecting and much more. The results are published in the journal One Earth, 24 January. The scientists say the largest ocean industry is the oil and gas sector, responsible for about one third of the value of the ocean economy. Sand and gravel are the ocean's most mined minerals to meet demand from the construction industry. As freshwater become an increasingly scarce commodity, around 16,000 desalination plants have sprung up around the world in the last 50 years with a steep rise since 2000, according to the analysis. Lead author Jean-Baptiste Jouffray from the Stockholm Resilience Centre said, "Claiming ocean resources and space is not new to humanity, but the extent, intensity, and diversity of today's aspirations are unprecedented." The industrialization of the ocean took off at the end of the last century, driven by a combination of technological progress and declining land-based resources. "This Blue Acceleration is really a race for ocean resources and space, posing risks and opportunities for global sustainability." The study highlights some positive human impacts. For example, the area protected from some exploitation has increased exponentially with a surge since 2000 that shows no signs of slowing. And offshore wind farm technology has reached commercial viability in this period allowing the world to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The authors conclude by calling for increased attention to who is driving the Blue Acceleration, what is financing it and who is benefiting from it? The United Nations is embarking on a "decade of the ocean" in 2021. The scientists say this is is an opportunity to assess the social-ecological impacts and manage ocean resources for long-term sustainability. They highlight there is a high degree of consolidation relating the seafood industry, oil and gas exploitation and bioprospecting with just a small handful of multinational companies dominating each sector. The team suggests that banks and other investors could adopt more stringent sustainability criteria for ocean investments. By ANI NEW DELHI: India is celebrating its 71st Republic Day today (January 26) marking it with grand celebrations in the national capital and all across the nation. Republic Day is celebrated to honour the historic date when the country completed its transition towards becoming an independent republic after its constitution came into effect. While the Constitution was adopted by the Indian Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949, it came into effect on January 26 -- a day when Declaration of Indian Independence (Purna Swaraj) was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress back in 1929, as opposed to the Dominion status offered by the British Regime. When the country became independent on August 14, 1947, it still didn't have a permanent constitution; instead, its laws were based on the modified colonial Government of India Act 1935. Two weeks later, on December 29, a Drafting Committee was appointed to draft a permanent constitution, with Dr BR Ambedkar as its chairman. A draft constitution was prepared by the committee and submitted to the Constituent Assembly on 4 November 1947. The Assembly met, in sessions open to public, for 166 days, spread over a period of two years, 11 months and 18 days before adopting the Constitution. After many deliberations and some modifications, the 308 members of the Assembly signed two hand-written copies of the document (one each in Hindi and English) on 24 January 1950. ALSO READ | 105 CBSE, universities' toppers to witness Republic Day parade from PM's box The day is celebrated across India with a lot of fervour. The main Republic Day celebration is held in the national capital, New Delhi, at the Rajpath before the President of India. This year, amid the presence of Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro in the national capital to represent the 71st Republic Day Parade of India as a chief guest, the country is all set to showcase its military might, cultural diversity, social and economic progress on display at the majestic Rajpath. The 90-minutes parade will commence with President Ram Nath Kovind taking the 21-gun salute. The march will begin at 1000 hours from Vijay Chowk to the Red Fort, via the traditional route of Rajpath. India's rising military might, rich cultural diversity and socio-economic progress will be on full display during the Republic Day Parade at the Rajpath. Anti-satellite weapon Shakthi, Army's battle tank Bhishma, infantry combat vehicles and newly inducted Chinook and Apache helicopters of the Indian Air Force will be part of the grand military parade. The national capital has been brought under a massive ground-to-air security cover, with thousands of police and paramilitary personnel keeping a hawk-eye vigil. Twenty-two tableaux-16 from States and Union Territories and six from various ministries and departments - depicting the nation's rich cultural heritage and economic progress will also roll down the Rajpath. School children will convey the age-old message of yoga and spiritual values through dance and music during the parade, the defence ministry said. The Republic Day Parade ceremony will commence with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial near the India Gate. He will lead the nation in paying tributes to the martyrs by laying a wreath. This is for the first time that the prime minister will pay homage to martyrs at the National War memorial instead of Amar Jawan Jyoti. Thereafter, the prime minister and other dignitaries will head to the saluting dais at Rajpath to witness the parade. ALSO READ | Coordination and not confrontation is the way out: Dhankhar hits out at Mamata at Republic Day address As per tradition, the national flag will be unfurled followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute. The parade will commence with President Ram Nath Kovind taking the salute. The parade will be commanded by Parade Commander Lt General Asit Mistry, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area. Major General Alok Kacker, Chief of Staff of Delhi Area, will be the second-in-command. The first contingent in the uniform of the erstwhile Gwalior Lancers will be 61 Cavalry. The 61 Cavalry is the only active serving horse cavalry regiment in the world. It was raised on August 1, 1953, with the amalgamation of six state forces' cavalry units. The Indian Army will be represented by a mounted column of 61 Cavalry, eight mechanised columns, six marching contingents and fly-past by Rudra and Dhruv Advanced Light helicopters of the army aviation wing. Indigenously-developed Main Battle Tank of the Indian Army, T-90 Bhishma tank, infantry combat vehicle Ballway Machine Pikate, K-9 Vajra and Dhanush guns, transportable satellite terminal and Akash weapon system will be the main attraction in the mechanised columns. The other marching contingents of the Army will include the Parachute regiment, the Grenadiers Regiment, the Sikh Light Infantry regiment, the Kumaon regiment and the Corps of Signals. The Naval contingent will comprise of 144 young sailors led by Lieutenant Jitin Malkat. It will be followed by the Naval Tableau titled 'Indian Navy - Silent, Strong, and Swift'. The Air Force contingent, comprising of 144 air warriors, will be led by Flight Lt Shrikant Sharma. The Air Force tableau showcases scaled-down models of the Rafale aircraft, the Tejas aircraft, the Light Combat Helicopter, the Akash missiles system and the Astra missiles. One of the main highlights will be the marching contingent of DRDO that will showcase Anti-Satellite Weapons (ASAT) - Mission Shakti. Mission Shakti, India's first Anti-Satellite mission, was a major breakthrough in demonstrating the nation's capability to bring down hostile satellites. Sixteen tableaux from various states and union territories will depict the geographical and rich cultural diversity of the country. Various far-reaching reforms of the government including 'Start-up India', and 'Jal Jeevan Mission' will be showcased in six tableaux from different ministries and departments. For the first time, a contingent of women bikers of CRPF will perform daredevil stunts. The contingent will be led by Inspector Seema Nag who will be seen saluting while standing atop a moving motorcycle. The grand finale and the most keenly awaited segment of the parade, the FlyPast will comprise of the 'Trishul' formation by three advanced light helicopters. It is for the first time that a 'tri-service formation' is taking part in the Republic Day Parade. It will be followed by the 'Vic' formation of Chinook helicopters, used for airlifting diverse loads to remote locations. Apache helicopters, Dornier aircraft, C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, an Airborne Early Warning and Control System aircraft and the 'Globe' formation comprising three C-17 Globemasters are also expected to enthral the people. Five Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft and five MiG-29 upgrade air superiority fighters in 'Arrowhead' formation will also display their aerial manoeuvre. The parade will culminate with a fleet of Sukhoi-30 MKI jets splitting the sky with a breathtaking 'Vertical Charlie' aerobatic manoeuvre. The national capital has been brought under a multi-layered security cover with thousands of armed personnel keeping a hawk-eyed vigil for the 71st Republic Day celebrations. Facial recognition system and drones are part of the measures taken by the Delhi Police for the occasion and 10,000 security personnel have been deployed to maintain vigil, officials said. Special security arrangements have been made for Brazilian President Bolsonaro, who is the chief guest for the Republic Day parade, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi Zone) Eish Singhal said. Sharpshooters and snipers will be deployed atop high-rise buildings to keep a watch on the eight-km-long parade route from Rajpath to the Red Fort on Sunday, the officials said. Hundreds of CCTV cameras have also been installed as part of the security arrangements, including at least 150 cameras in areas covering Red Fort, Chandni Chowk and Yamuna Khadar, they said. "We have a four-layered security arrangement. Inner, middle, outer and one along with the border areas across the national capital," Singhal said, adding that drones will be also deployed. "Around 5,000 to 6,000 Delhi Police personnel have been deployed in New Delhi district along with 50 companies of paramilitary forces," he added. The main zone of Rajpath will be closed till 12 pm on Sunday. The facial recognition system of Delhi Police will also be set up at vantage points for suspect identification. More than 2,000 Traffic Police personnel have been deployed for smooth flow of traffic and facilitation of spectators and visitors to the venue. Police personnel have been directed to stay alert since Delhi elections are also around the corner. Anti-terror measures like tenant and servant verification, border checking, the security of vital installations, malls and markets, patrolling in heavy footfall areas are being taken, the officials said. The police have also asked hotels, taxi and auto drivers to remain alert. In view of the heightened security, patrolling in public places has been intensified. "We have intensified patrolling in public places. Group patrolling, night patrolling and vehicle checking is being carried out with the help of Central Armed Police Forces. Frisking at metro stations, railway stations, airport and bus terminals has also been tightened," a senior police official said. Apart from securing the main venue at Rajpath, adequate security and traffic arrangements for the 'At Home' function at Rashtrapati Bhavan have been made. The security personnel have identified vulnerable spots such as crowded markets, railway stations, bus stands and other high-value establishments, and efforts are being made to secure them with the deployment of the extra police force. A city-wide alert is also being exercised for the Republic Day, the officials said. A traffic advisory has also been issued about the police's elaborate arrangement for route diversions for Sunday. No traffic will be allowed on Rajpath from Vijay Chowk to India Gate from 6 pm on Saturday till the parade gets over on Sunday. Flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para-gliders, para-motors, hang gliders, unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned aerial systems, microlight aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, small size powered aircraft, quadcopters or para jumping from aircraft are prohibited over the jurisdiction of the city till February 15, according to an advisory. It has also asked people to report to the nearest police station in case they see any unidentified object or a suspicious person. (With PTI Inputs) ITN news presenter Lucrezia Millarini would scrap VAT on sanitary products if she were made Chancellor of the Exchequer. Millarini, who was knocked out of ITV's Dancing On Ice in last week's skate-off, thinks the tax is unfair because it penalises women's physical make-up. Her biggest luxury is a two-hour, 120 massage that helps to counter the pain she has endured while taking her lessons on the ice. Now 43, she lives in London with husband, journalist Simon Kurs, and dog Milo. Treat: Lucrezia pays 120 for a massage Did you enjoy your time on Dancing On Ice? Yes, I really lucked out with partner Brendyn Hatfield. He was incredibly patient and a great teacher. I came from a standing start I never knew how to skate or dance. The show is intense it consumes your whole life. My friends and family did not see me for three months during training while my poor, suffering hus-band was left to sit at home with the dog while I was at the rink or at work. As for the pay, I'm not going to grumble. But considering the time I put in, I would say it probably only works out at a fair wage. What did your parents teach you about money? Never to spend beyond my means and get into debt. My parents both left school at 16 and neither went to university. My mother worked as a secretary and then retrained to be a social worker. My father, who came over from Italy when he was in his early 20s, worked as a waiter and became a restaurant manager. Growing up, I didn't notice that money was tight, but there were no extravagant purchases. If I wanted something expensive, like some new trainers, I was told to save up. I also saw just how hard they were working to give me the opportunities that I suppose they never had. I think that work ethic has made me appreciate the value of material objects. Even now, I think twice before I buy anything. I have never had a store card and I only got a credit card for the first time quite recently to collect air miles. I'm super careful about paying it off every month. Lucrezia splurged 3,500 on DJ kit when she still didn't know how to be a DJ What was the first paid work you ever did? Working in a local clothes shop as a Saturday girl while I was studying A-levels. I was only paid a few pounds an hour and I hated it. I had to stand on my feet all day long, but it was worth it to earn my own money. Have you ever struggled to make ends meet? Not in the way so many people struggle day in, day out. But I was paid pretty badly for my first job in local radio. I was 24, I had just completed a postgraduate degree in journalism on top of a postgraduate degree in law, and they paid me around 13,000 a year. What was the best year of your financial life? Last year. I have been progressively earning more as I've climbed the ladder at work. I don't really like talking about how much I earn though. What is the most expensive thing you have bought for fun? I'm quite boring, I don't have expensive tastes. I don't buy designer handbags or shoes. I go for a bargain I like to make people think I have bought something expensive when it's not. I have splurged out on my first DJ decks and speakers, plus a mixer. They cost 3,500 which was extravagant given that at the time I didn't actually know how to DJ. I have learned on those decks. What is your biggest money mistake? Not investing in the stock market. I have a lot of friends who play the markets but I'm not particularly savvy in that respect. I still don't invest. I wouldn't know where to begin and I feel like I have missed the boat. The best money decision you have made? Buying my first flat with my husband. He was my boyfriend at the time. Both sets of parents helped us with a deposit or we would never have managed on our combined wages, both being newly-trained journalists. We bought a small flat on a really nice road in an up-and-coming area of South East London in 2010. We were lucky we bought then because just after, the local market took off and we made enough money to move up the housing ladder. Our second property then almost doubled in value. Now, ten years later, we are in our third property, a four-bedroom house in the same area. It's all about timing with property. I feel we have been incredibly lucky. Lucrezia believes her biggest money mistake is to not invest in the stock market What is the one luxury you treat yourself to? I believe in investing in my wellbeing. My treats are home massages, yoga classes and gym membership. The gym costs me 100 a month and the yoga classes cost about the same. I pay 120 for a two-hour massage from a masseuse who comes to my home and I think every penny is well spent. If you were Chancellor, what would you do? I would scrap VAT on women's sanitary products. I don't think we should be taxed on something which, like food, is a necessity. Women shouldn't be penalised by the taxman for their physical make-up. Do you donate money to charity? I do. I have monthly direct debits made out to Guide Dogs for the Blind and Cats Protection. What is your number one financial priority? To be financially secure. I've never really been motivated to get rich, but I do need to have enough money in the bank for a rainy day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended his greetings to the people on the occasion of the 71st Republic Day. "Wishing everyone a happy #RepublicDay," PM Modi tweeted in English as well as Hindi. Celebrations will be held all across the country to mark the day. On this day, 70-year back, India officially adopted its Constitution. The 90-minute Republic Day ceremony will commence with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial near the India Gate. After paying tributes to the martyrs, the prime minister and others would head to the Rajpath. The parade for the Republic Day will begin on Rajpath with President Ram Nath Kovind unfurling the national flag with a 21-gun salute. Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro is the chief guest at the parade India's military might, cultural diversity, social and economic progress will be displayed during the Republic Day celebrations. For the first time, a contingent of women bikers of CRPF will perform daredevil stunts. The Dhanush artillery will also be displayed for the first time during the Republic Day parade. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Coming from a family with a parent who was a teacher, Can Van Kiet went to France to study. He has participated in the activities of the Overseas Vietnamese Association in France from 1965 to now. In 1981, after the country's reunification, the Overseas Vietnamese Association in France assigned him and others to set up a number of companies. Thanks to the profits from business activities, he established Vietnam House with the mission of maintaining business connections with the domestic market, while at the same time importing books, articles and handicrafts and organizing seminars on culture and photo exhibition. Since 1981, Vietnamese launguage classes have been held at Vietnam House. From 1981 to 1997, Kiet did not directly teach Vietnamese, mainly focusing on business and making money for the activities of Vietnam House. Since 1997, after Vietnam House ceased its operation, he opened Galerie de la Maison du Vietnam, specialising in selling books and holding exhibitions in District 5, Paris. That's when the grandparents officially began to organise classes. So far, Can Van Kiet has had 522 students, aged 20 - 75, while Can Anh Claudine has had about 40 students. There are many people who have studied for seven to eight years, who can not only read, write and speak Vietnamese fluently, but can also translate famous Vietnamese literary works into French. Sharing about the goal of teaching Vietnamese, Kiet said: "For overseas Vietnamese children born and raised in France, I teach Vietnamese so that they can learn about their culture and language through words, proverbs and folktales. Therefore, they understand the customs of Vietnam and contribute to preserving the national identity. For the descendants of overseas Vietnamese, coming to learn the Vietnamese language is considered as a form of returning to their roots and understanding their relatives and the homeland of their parents. Learning Vietnamese is also a way to learn about Vietnamese people's traditional values." Over the past eight years, Can Van Kiet and Can Anh Claudine have taught Vietnamese at the club-house of the Oversea Vietnamese Association in Paris, France, which is a familiar address for overseas Vietnamese and French friends alike. Kiet said: "Teaching at home is fine, the place has many pictures and documents, especially pictures on Uncle Ho and Chua Mot Cot (One Pillar Pagoda) which are symbols of Vietnam. Therefore, learners will better understand the proud historical and cultural traditions of our country. My wife teaches children from 4 to 5 years of age about morality and how to behave in the family, at school and in society. For French people, in addition to learning pure Vietnamese language, they also learn about the countrys culture and history. In order to become their friends, it is necessary to introduce them to the history of our country as it will help them further understand Vietnam - a peace-loving nation, with very proud historical traditions. With more than 20 years of teaching Vietnamese, the couple have many unforgettable memories, such as the touching story about the filial piety of Jean-Jacques Picart, a Vietnamese expatriate whose mother is from Bac Ninh. He moved to France at a young age, and is now famous in the field of fashion in France. Kiet recalled: In 2010, Jean-Jacques Picart asked me for advice on how to pay homage to his mother at a ceremony to receive the Merit of the French State. I suggested to order a scarf in Go Vap and to memorize two Vietnamese sentences used in teaching children about being respectful to their parents "Mot long tho me kinh cha, cho tron chu hieu moi la dao con". At the ceremony, with the attendance of nearly 400 people, he asked for permission to speak the Vietnamese sentences. His mother wore a long dress and a scarf, and she cried; the participants were very touched also. I am very happy and proud that a native of Vietnamese has the opportunity to speak to his parents in his native language. Such memories are always a motivation to help me in the process of teaching Vietnamese." Visiting Vietnamese classrooms while the children are eager to learn Vietnamese phrases that are often spoken during Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, from the door, it is not difficult to hear the songs to welcome Tet. On the board, the teacher had written the following sentences: Nam het Tet den (Year ended - Lunar New Year coming) / Han hoan moi nha (Rejoice every family) / Nam het Tet den / Me may ao moi (Mother making new clothes) / Nam het Tet den / Chua chan niem vui (Filled with joy) / Chuc nhau bao loi (Wishing each other many wishes) / Mua xuan da ve (Spring has returned). In 2003, Kiet was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Foreign Minister for his outstanding performance in teaching Vietnamese and for preserving and introducing Vietnamese culture in France. He said: "We are only small grains of sand in the history of the country, I always want the Vietnamese people here to preserve the homeland's language, and, at the same time, for the French people and the world to become friends of Vietnam". After the flag hoisting and the national anthem, Bhagwat offered floral tributes to 'Bharat Mata'. The RSS chief also addressed students of the Saraswati Shishu Mandir. Gorakhpur, Jan 26 (IANS) RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday hoisted the tricolour at the Bilandpur Khatta grounds in Gorakhpur on the occasion of Republic Day. He underlined the need for maintaining the unity and integrity of the nation and enriching the social fabric. The RSS chief is on a four-day visit to Gorakhpur and has been holding meetings with RSS office bearers from Goraksh, Kashi, Kanpur and Avadh. Senior RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale is also addressing a session in the four-day meet A RSS functionary said that none of the sessions will be open for the media though Bhagwat may address a press conference later. amita/kr RIVERTON Braving temperatures in the single digits, with a Confederate flag flying in a yard across the street, about 200 community members filed off buses or out of cars and lined up on the street Monday, waiting to start a march to City Hall. Soon they, mostly students, would walk the short distance to the building, where speakers would emphasize Martin Luther King Jr.s contributions to civil rights, and how important those ideals are to uphold in Riverton. The students and community members were outside of Rivertons City Park preparing to take part in the 17th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Equality Walk in Riverton an event originally started by Indigenous Fremont County students in response to news of a racist organizations intention to locate its headquarters in the city. This year, though, recent events in this city had organizers re-emphasizing the need for unity. Last weeks march followed two recent events that have prompted discussions about divides between the citys Native and non-Native residents: the fatal police shooting of a Northern Arapaho man and the sight of two Riverton High School students walking into school wearing clothing associated with the Ku Klux Klan. Those talks so far have culminated in Mondays walk and a talking circle for community members two days prior, where attendees discussed healing, the police shooting and the historical context of the areas Indigenous people. In our community, the past couple of years, (we) have suffered some tragedies, Samuel Iron Cloud, a Wyoming Indian High School graduate and one of the organizers of the first Martin Luther King Jr. Day walk, said event during this years event. But we do not let that define who our communities are. The people in our communities are good people. We stand together and fight against bigotry, against white supremacy. The events took place in a diverse community with a rich Native American heritage that isnt unfamiliar with these discussions about race relations. In September, 58-year-old Anderson Antelope was shot and killed outside of the Riverton Walmart after authorities said he stabbed the officer and ignored orders to drop his knife, endangering bystanders. While an investigation determined the officer acted lawfully, the Fremont County Coroner had said he intended to hold a public inquest to provide further transparency and closure to the public and Antelopes family. But, citing an uncooperative county attorney and Riverton Police Department, he essentially canceled the inquest, angering many residents who were clamoring for more details. In December, Riverton School District Administrators said they punished two students after images surfaced of them entering the school wearing white robes and hoods. That incident drew national attention and condemnation. Still, some in the city hope the conversations spurred by the recent events can maintain momentum and lead to substantive changes, something similar discussions from previous negative events dont seem to have accomplished. Ron Howard, who helped organize the talking circle and has orchestrated similar events in the past to promote understanding across races, said he thinks the perception of Indigenous people in the city has hardly improved over the years. I dont think weve moved very far, he said. I dont think weve progressed very far with race relations. But Howard, who is a Northern Arapaho tribal member, said he is at least encouraged that the citys leaders seem to be taking these concerns seriously this time. He hopes they continue to be vocal about bridging divides. A long history Surrounded by the Wind River Reservation and sitting on the traditional homeland of the Eastern Shoshone, Riverton is much more diverse than most of Wyoming. According to 2019 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, 80.5 percent of Riverton residents are white, with a little more than 11 percent American Indian or Alaska Native and about 12 percent Hispanic or Latino. Four percent of the population is two or more races. For all of Wyoming, 92.6 percent of residents are white. Less than 3 percent are American Indian and a little more than 10 percent are Hispanic or Latino. Riverton residents are also not strangers to hearing concerns from Indigenous residents and neighbors who feel they arent welcomed by all in Riverton. When the approximately 200 community members and students converged in Riverton for Mondays Martin Luther King Jr. Day walk, they were participating in an observance walk first organized at Wyoming Indian High School in 2003 as a response to what was then called the World Church of the Creator announcing in 2002 its intentions to relocate its headquarters to Riverton. The group which is now known as the Creativity Movement and its members follow violent neo-Nazi, white supremacist ideals, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. A 2015 shooting of two Native Americans at the Center of Hope detox center in the city by a white man prompted more conversations about the racial tensions in Riverton. To Howard, shooting was a symptom of misconceptions and misunderstandings about Indigenous culture that persist today. In addition, questions over whether Riverton sits on tribal land helped breed more mistrust, fear and negative perceptions of Native Americans in the area. Youd be surprised at how many people that live in this town dont know the first thing about the reservation; they dont know the first thing about what it is to be Arapaho or Shoshone, he said. That ignorance creates a lot of negativity. Community response The 2015 shooting inspired Howard to begin holding annual peace marches to encourage all residents regardless of race or background to encourage mutual understanding and respect. Last Saturdays talking and healing circle was hosted by the recently formed Riverton Peace Mission, which Howard said is an extension of those marches created to promote peace, harmony and understanding between the citys Natives and non-Natives. Organizers had said that the event was especially needed to discuss the shooting of Antelope, results of the investigations and how to heal. He said he was pleased Riverton Mayor Richard Gard, the city administrator and a police department official attended the talking circle. The two city leaders also attended Mondays walk, with Gard giving a short speech. After the shooting of Antelope, Riverton city officials and Northern Arapaho tribal leaders met to discuss ways the two can improve relationships and work toward common goals. One goal theyve said theyd like to accomplish together is to bring an inpatient treatment center to the area. Overall, Gard while defending his police department and the officer who shot Antelope said he believes Riverton isnt as some have made it out to be but that he wants to do what he can to ensure it is a place for all to come and make their hometown. People talk like were not inclusive, but we are, he said. But he said he wants to continue talking with the Northern Arapaho Tribe, and start a dialogue with the Eastern Shoshone, to better understand how they can work together, and how the city can help, whether thats with housing, transportation or employment. And he added that this months two events were educational and he plans to continue to participate in any discussions or events where issues between Native and non-Native residents occur. Im here and Im ready to help, he said. I dont think any of us want racial tension. School district administrators in Riverton said they allowed students to miss class time to attend Mondays walk to show that diversity and understanding are important to its students, despite what images of students wearing white robes and hoods may have indicated. About 20 Riverton High School students marched on Monday, according to school officials. Although he said he is proud to be from Fremont County, Iron Cloud, one of the speakers at Mondays march, wants Indigenous people to have a seat at the table to ensure all are treated equally. Martin Luther King Jr., he represented equality, he represented inclusiveness for everyone, and thats what we want today, he said during remarks at the walk. Our people, we struggled here, and we continue to struggle, but when were united as one, we can do a lot of good things, not just for our people, but for our entire community here in Fremont County. Maintaining momentum At the Riverton Peace Missions talking circle, approximately 50 attendees gathered in a circle in a room at Central Wyoming College. Those at the event volunteered to play roles children, elders, mothers and women, fathers and warriors that would be found in a traditional Indigenous culture. They were also asked to talk about how systems like governments and schools had or hadnt failed them. The purpose of the exercise, according to organizers, was to demonstrate by talking about the importance of those roles to Indigenous life and the disastrous effect colonization and boarding schools had on their culture. The exercise would hopefully show to those who are unaware that the effects of that historical trauma, family separation and economic disparity continue to be felt today and are important to recognize. Once we understand, then we can get to the healing, said Cherokee Brown, who led the exercise. We must live in the truth. Although Gard said its good to go back and understand history, hed like to move beyond what happened in the past and focus on solutions to present-day concerns or problems and not dwell on the past. Lets stop talking about the bad things that happened and (instead) about how I could help you, he said, adding that the two tribes also bear some responsibility in coming up with solutions. One of the biggest challenges for those working to increase understanding across racial lines will be to get those who arent already aware of misconceptions or dont believe they exist to participate in these discussions, Howard said. Part of the responsibility also sits with the areas Indigenous people. He said Natives Americans who live in and around Riverton need to make an effort to involve themselves in community affairs despite concerns they may have about not being welcomed to show that they want to be engaged and contribute to the citys successes. Though recognition of history and raising awareness through walks and other events is needed, said Rep. Andi Clifford, D-Fort Washakie, who is also a Northern Arapaho citizen, moving past conversations about race relations to substantive changes will require involvement of tribal and city leaders. She also gave remarks at the walk. Its beyond that (conversations) where we have to improve, she said. Theres got to be real action at the elected officials and administrative levels to really sit down and have a crucial conversation about where do we go from here. In the future, Howard said the Riverton Peace Mission plans to continue to hold talking circles similar to the recent one. Hopefully, he said, those who attend and already understand the issues will start to bring a friend or family member who might be ignorant of the challenges Native Americans face or who dont believe history is relevant to fostering a welcoming atmosphere. Then, the focus can turn to coming up with recommendations. The next time we have a talking circle, try and bring that person with you, Howard said. If everybody does that, our size will double. If one person can bring a doubter or a hater, whether they talk or not, at least they can come and listen. For the most part, when we do a peace march, were basically preaching to the choir. Im hoping that our efforts will reach people that dont care or have animosity toward Natives. Hopefully we can educate those people and get them on board. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. - mbongeni@times.co.sz MBABANE Look at the pictures, look at them again. What you see are not just made up images but they are very real. These are government offices here in Mbabane surrounded by dirt, shrubs and unattended overgrown grass. Even though Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini last year launched an ongoing programme to keep the Kingdom of Eswatini clean, the government he leads is displaying a contrary attitude towards issues of cleanliness. The offices are known as the Inter-Ministerial office complex which houses several government ministries and departments. Also stationed in these offices are high-profiled government officers including ministers, principal secretaries, directors, inspectors, commissioners, to name a few. Walking to these offices has become risky (or a health hazard) due to its filthy state. Thousands of public servants based here are currently exposed to dangerous species such as snakes. Members of the public on a daily basis frequent the building to access government services. OVERGROWN GRASS Most of the corridors and stairs along the building are covered with overgrown grass and unattended dirt. Some of the stairs are currently unusable due to the overgrown grass. The hazardous state of the building has become a cause for concern for workers such that wellness officers have proposed that civil servants manning work in this complex should engage on a joint clean-up campaign to remove all the dirt and also cut the unwanted shrub. It has been gathered that groundsmen have ignored maintaining the place because they do not have working tools. It has been alleged that government has not released any money to pay for the servicing of the working tools. This has resulted in labourers being grounded. The condition, as you have seen, is very filthy. Some of us are scared because of the unattended grass which could conceal dangerous reptiles such as snakes. Thick vegetation, we all know, attracts such species. The question is, where are government groundsmen in charge of making sure the building is well-maintained? Wondered a concerned worker. If government keeps on ignoring wellness issues who then should attend to them? This is the reason there are proposals that all workers in the ministries at the complex should embark on a clean-up campaign just for the interministerial building, the source said. According to health practitioners, wellness in the workplace can improve employee health behaviours. Again, lower health risks can reduce the incidence of chronic diseases. It has also been argued that wellness is important in the workplace because it improves time utilisation, decision making and productivity. It improves employees morale and helps in the reduction in turnover. It also helps in improving disease management and prevention, and a healthier workforce in general, both of which contribute to lower health care costs, states www.wellsteps.com. One of the laborers who is stationed in the building, told the Times SUNDAY that the reason they havent been able to conduct any groundwork was because there are no working tools. There are no working tools and the situation is dire. We come here to sit then go home. One has to improvise when he wants to cut the grass, the labourer said. Mduduzi Gina, Secretary General of the Trade Unions Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA), said workers should lodge a grievance on the unsafe working conditions exposure. He said this should be done including the consideration of the workers removing themselves as envisaged by the Occupational Health and Safety Act. It is an obligation of every employer in a contract of employment relationship to provide a safe working environment free from hazards. Offices located in the bush as the case now with the Inter-ministerial building are a great cause for concern as workers and the general public who visit the place for service can be exposed to snake bites and other dangerous insects, he said. request inspection He continued: coincidentally, the labour department which is responsible for the inspection of workplaces is housed on the very same building. We kindly request that an inspection be carried out and a report be prepared for submission to Public Service, who is the employer of most of the workers deployed in those offices, Khangeziwe Mabuza, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works and Transport said under normal circumstances every ministry should have a labourer in charge of cleaning the grounds. She said it was not the duty of the Ministry of Works to monitor such maintenance. Regarding the dilapidated structures I will send my team to investigate but there are no funds for maintenance. It would just be to take stock and wait for the day we get a budget when the economic or fiscal situation improves, she said. Mabuza further encouraged labourers stationed in the building to find an alternative way to clean up the place. Watch out for overly thick or not adequately cooked eggplant, a friend texted me. A native of Dionysos, Greece, she was describing the texture of an exemplary moussaka. It should all meld together in an oily ambrosia. Half an hour later, I forked into a golden square of the casserole on a blue tin plate at Yamas Greek Rotisserie, which opened on Cerrillos Road last November. It was ambrosia, all right. At Yamas, the moussaka is served comfortingly warm, with a burnished crust of bechamel dotted with parsley. The pillowy cheese cradles a melty ribbon of eggplant between a toothier slice of potato. A base of cinnamon-spiced ground lamb and beef sauces the whole strata. Two men in line to order consulted a paper menu, conferring in stage whispers about what I was eating. That looks like heaven, whatever it is, one of them said. He wasnt wrong. The Greek roots of the Yamas owners run deep. In the 1930s, current Plaza Cafe owner Daniel Razatos father came to Santa Fe from Kefalonia and got a job at the downtown restaurant, eventually buying it in the early 50s. Razatos said that, back in the day, his dad was reluctant to put family recipes on the Plaza menu. Razatos Sr. was known to mutter, Nobody comes to New Mexico to eat Greek food. Now, at the two Plaza Cafe locations and their sister restaurant, Cafe Sonder, stray Mediterranean dishes pop up among New Mexican and diner classics. Theres a Greek chicken salad at Plaza Cafe Southside, moussaka at Cafe Sonder, a gyro at the Plaza downtown. But Yamas, which means Cheers!, is the first menu the Razatos family has dedicated fully to their heritage. The choices in the refurbished blue-and-white, wood- and brick-paneled restaurant are diverse and well-suited to a fast-casual crowd. With efficient, kind, no-frills service and spotless tables, its no wonder we joined a lunch rush on each daytime visit. (If youre seeking solitude, the place was blessedly empty one freezing evening around 5.) Patrons order at the counter and receive a number, then grab their own napkins, utensils and a glass of water or a bottled drink. A festive Greek soundtrack may whisk you away on an Aegean reverie. But the picture window exposing Cerrillos Road traffic and the occasional pedestrian may dampen the fantasy, at least until your food arrives. Pita-bread sandwiches anchor the menu, with a traditional gyro or falafel, pork, chicken, lamb or beef fillings. All meats are cooked rotisserie-style, and are also available as plates with one side and a small salad. The regular gyro is a satisfyingly sized curl of stuffed pita that makes for a well-priced lunch ($7.50). Mine housed four layers of a richly seasoned, crusty lamb-beef blend, red onion, tomato (surprisingly juicy for January) and chopped romaine. The sturdy structure was judiciously drizzled with spicy tzatziki, accented by lemon, garlic, dill, cumin and roasted jalapeno. Tzatziki is also available in traditional (no heat) and red, which includes tomato, paprika, cayenne and parsley. Fledgling Yamas customers might start with the sampler plate ($15), which can feed two grazers. It includes tzatziki, green hummus (blended with parsley), vinegary taramasalata, hummus (a little grainy), excellent grape leaves, a mound of fresh Greek salad and pita for scooping. We fortified the sampler with a side of luscious seared lamb chunks. The tender, tangy roasted chicken gives other pollo purveyors in town a run for their money. Its $9.50 for a generous quarter, a small salad and one side. The long list of side choices includes several from the sampler plate alongside items like spanakopita, fried zucchini or feta, Greek or regular fries and juicy potatoes, or home fries seasoned with rotisserie chicken juice (how do you say yes, please, in Greek?). The zucchini fritters ($7) are wickedly good fried clouds of (perhaps too much) batter, feta, Parmesan and squash served with tzatziki. A side of falafel ($5) was tasty, but dense, and thus a tad dry. If you get the chicken, spring for a side of pita ($2), something we wish were provided free of charge. The siren song of multiple sides means checks can climb quickly at Yamas. Salad devotees will be satiated by the very good Greek one ($10.50), appropriately crunchy with fresh romaine, cucumber, tomato, caper berries, kalamata olives, dolmas and a zippy house-made red wine vinaigrette. The bulgur-cauliflower salad ($12.90) is a virtuous amalgam of the two with cucumber, feta, crackly fried chickpeas, sweet peppers, red onions, pecans and a garlicky lemon dressing. Getting back to the idea of heaven, or more specifically, an Elysian field of lemon-scented sunshine: get the avgolemono soup ($6). Fighting a lingering flu on a frigid day, I spooned up a bowl of the traditional broth of shredded chicken, lemon juice and egg yolk, imagining a heated blanket swaddling my senses. Im ever on the lookout for a cozy elixir to rival pho, ramen or green chile stew, and make no mistake: Theres a new soup in town. Dont forget to try the crispy baklava ($5), stickily layered with honey and toasted walnuts. Yamas excels at the classics. Guest faculty teachers from various schools of the state on Sunday staged a protest in Shahjahani Park here by removing their shirts. The teachers have been protesting for 34 days demanding regularisation of their jobs. The minister of the state had met the protesting teachers on Saturday. State President of Guest Teachers' Union, Sunil Parihar also asked the state Chief Minister Kamal Nath to visit the place so he can see the condition of guest teachers. "The Chief Minister should also visit here and have a look at the condition of guest scholars and guest teachers," Parihar said. "We have only one demand that you fulfil your promise of regularising guest faculty teachers and pass an order regarding the same as quickly as possible. We will continue to protest until an order is passed," added Parihar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Chief Executives Office today refuted an online post claiming that Chief Executive Carrie Lam engaged in private activities during her Switzerland trip. The office, in a statement, said the content of the post is far from the facts and has no basis. Mrs Lam arrived in Zurich, Switzerland, on the morning of January 21 and travelled to Davos by car, arriving at noon, the statement said. On the morning of January 24, she left Davos by car and departed from Zurich at noon. During her visit, Mrs Lam attended more than 30 bilateral meetings, interviews by international media organisations and other speaking occasions. On the last day of her visit, she met with Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Mark Rutte, Switzerlands Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Finance Ueli Maurer, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum Prof Klaus Schwab, Investcorp Executive Chairman Mohammed Alardhi, Standard Chartered Group Chairman Jose Vinals and Asia Pacific Initiative Chairman Yoichi Funabashi. She also attended the lunch of the World Economic Forum Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders and the Hong Kong Night, a flagship event co-organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to promote Hong Kong in Davos. Mrs Lam did not engage in any private activity and her itinerary was covered by press releases issued earlier. The Chief Executives Office expressed regret over the false accusations deliberately made against the Chief Executive. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. 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Digital Editor Editors note: The Journal-Courier has been working with a group of business and community leaders to shine a light on the importance of the sometimes behind-the-scenes work taking place to improve the present and build for the future of our hometown. On Feb. 12, we will be celebrating the birth of Abraham Lincoln, which occurred 211 years ago in Kentucky. As everyone in Illinois knows, our little corner of the world is well-known for having ties to Abraham Lincoln. He lived in Springfield and traveled all over the state for various reasons, including the famed Lincoln-Douglas debates. Considered one of, if not the, greatest president in the history of the United States, Lincolns life and history is of interest on an international scale. Did you know the Jacksonville community itself has ties to Lincoln? Jacksonville has a strong history, particularly in the 19th century. Jacksonville was home to two Civil War generals, had a vocal abolitionist community, and was an active stop on the Underground Railroad as slaves made their way to freedom in the North. There are many places to visit highlighting this history, including the Gov. Duncan Mansion and Woodlawn Farm, the showcase homestead of Jacksonvilles Underground Railroad network. As for Lincoln, Jacksonville is part of the Looking for Lincoln Story Trail in the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, a collection of sites throughout the state designed to give visitors the full Lincoln experience. Jacksonville is proud to be home to 10 Lincoln exhibits, all part of two interconnected tours The Looking for Lincoln wayside exhibits and the Voices of Jacksonville audio tour. Jacksonville has a long and proud history related to the life and times of Abraham Lincoln. This proud heritage celebrates the local legacy while also linking with our renowned Abraham Lincoln, said Sarah Watson, executive director of Looking for Lincoln and the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area. The exhibits explore the sites that Lincoln knew and give visitors a chance to listen to the stories of the people who influenced him during his time in Jacksonville. This tour is designed to appeal to all ages. The 20 exhibits are all throughout town and highlight an event or person connected to Lincoln in some way, whether it is a place Lincoln visited or colleagues and friends of his. At seven sites, you can listen via radio, downloadable MP3, or a CD available at the Jacksonville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau office to a dramatized Lincoln story with an entertaining and educational audio interpretation of events. Among the exhibits are: Beecher Hall One of the oldest educational buildings in Illinois still standing, this structure would have been familiar to many of Lincolns New Salem friends attending Illinois College. David A. Smith House Smith was a Jacksonville attorney and colleague of Lincoln and, whenever Lincoln had legal business in Jacksonville, he would use Smiths law office as his headquarters. Gov. Duncan Mansion Gov. Duncans mansion, in which he lived during his terms. Lincoln served his first two terms as a state representative while Duncan was governor. Newton Bateman House Bateman was a well-known educator and friend to Lincoln. Bateman had an office next to President-elect Lincoln and the two became friends in the months prior to Lincolns departure for Washington, D.C. Lincoln and Slavery Mural One of two exhibits around the downtown square, this mural depicts a speech that Lincoln gave in Jacksonville in 1856 on the topic of slavery. 1858 Senate Race The other exhibit around the square depicts the 1858 Senate race, telling the story of Lincoln arriving on Sept. 27 and giving one of 63 speeches around the state contesting for U.S. Senate. He is said to have spoken here for 2 hours. James Jaquess House Jaquess was the first president of the Illinois Conference Female Academy, now MacMurray College. He was a confidant of Lincolns, who sent him on important missions during the Civil War, including one in which he was sent to the Confederacy to discuss ending the war. The Civil War Governor One of two exhibits on State Street, this one depicts Richard Yates, who was a political colleague of Lincolns, strongly opposed Stephen A. Douglas, and was governor of Illinois during the Civil War. Whig Rivals and Friends The second State Street exhibit depicts John J. Hardin, who lived in Jacksonville, served in the Black Hawk War with Lincoln and was a rival for leadership of the Whig political party. Gen. Benjamin Grierson Mansion The house of Gen. Grierson, friend and appointed general for Lincoln during the Civil War. Did you know Tanner Hall on the Illinois College campus in Jacksonville is part of the National Park Service passport stamp program? Its true. Visitors and locals can track their adventures by receiving a cancellation in their National Park Services Passport at each Looking For Lincoln site they visit. More than 30 sites in the 42-county Abraham Lincoln Heritage Area are part of this program. You can visit lookingforlincoln.com to download the full location list. If you would like to know more about these exhibits or would like to become a tourist in your own back yard, come see the Jacksonville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, 310 E. State St., or on Facebook. . Brittany Henry is executive director of the Jacksonville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. To the Editor: Re Why Do People Believe in Hell? (Op-Ed, Jan. 11): For David Bentley Hart, hell is Gods eternal torture chamber that served as a method of control for less enlightened peoples and remains a source of perverse satisfaction to the obstinately religious. Heres another idea: Hell is what there is without God. The radical proposal of Christianity is that perhaps none of us need go there, however evil we have been, because redemption is on offer. Dr. Harts sunny universalism suggests that nothing is really evil and its just not nice to call a spade a spade. It is worth pointing out that in our present cultural moment, redemption is no longer on offer, even for the living, as a single misstep or divergent thought will be punished by total and permanent exclusion. Our post-religious society may not believe in hell, but it has also forgotten forgiveness. Alison Cornish New York The writer is a professor of Italian studies at New York University. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 13:24:22|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- People having traveled from China's Wuhan are required to place themselves under medical observation at home for 14 days even without symptoms of pneumonia. An official document asked county-level health departments to issue notices to alert those travelling from Wuhan, the hardest-hit city of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak in central China, require them to report to community health stations and stay at home for a 14-day medical observation. The document dated Friday was issued by an inter-agency mechanism on the prevention and control of the outbreak of pneumonia caused by the virus, which was headed by the National Health Commission. It also asked for efforts to mobilize communities and village-level authorities to launch grid-based health management, tracking the health condition of the residents with the help of big data and the public. Wuhan, a transportation hub with a population of over 10 million, had seen a massive amount of people coming and leaving before it on Thursday asked citizens not to leave the city, with many expressways closed, and flights and trains for outgoing passengers suspended. The passenger did not meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for coronavirus testing, the health department said. The passenger was referred to a medical facility to determine whether further follow-up was needed, the department said. The countdown to Chinese New Year was staged at the Kalemegdan fortress in Belgrade where citizens gathered to enjoy the second Chinese Festival of Lights together on Friday with Serbian government and embassy officials. The light exhibition, due to last until Feb. 16, brings for the second time in Serbia, now both in cities of Belgrade and Novi Sad, a fairytale world of colorful flowers, flamingos, chariot horseman, Chinese dragons, lanterns and other light sculptures. The Festival of Lights was opened just minutes before the Year of the Rat was welcomed in Beijing, by Serbia's Minister of Mining and Energy Aleksandar Antic, Minister of Culture and the Media Vladan Vukosavljevic, Mayor of Belgrade Zoran Radojicic and Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Chen Bo. Antic, who is also Serbia's national coordinator for the Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European wished prosperity, success and family happiness to Chinese people and leadership, announcing new impulses in the development of the ties between the two countries. Vukosavljevic praised the friendship and exchange of experiences between Serbia and China, that came as a result the cooperation within the Belt and Road Initiative. He wished prosperous years ahead to Chinese people - in their homeland, worldwide, as well as those who live, work or come to visit Serbia. Ambassador Chen said that the celebration of the Spring Festival in Serbia helped the Chinese people here to feel like home, and reminded that economies of both countries had a prosperous year, while countries advanced bilateral ties further. "The friendship of steel between our two countries is getting stronger with time," she said, wishing the prosperous Year of the Rat to everyone. The arrival of the Chinese lunar year was marked by fireworks the moment when Beijing was 12: 00 a.m. midnight. On the Frontline Against China, the US Coast Guard Is Taking on Missions the US Navy Can't Do Competition with China has drawn more Pentagon resources to the Pacific, but the most visible U.S. military presence there... Piers Morgan attends the 2019 British Academy Britannia Awards presented by American Airlines and Jaguar Land Rover at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 25, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/BAFTA LA/Getty Images for BAFTA LA) Piers Morgan is sticking by his vow to boycott the National Television Awards on Tuesday but in his latest explanation as to why, he's attacked this years host David Walliams. The Good Morning Britain presenter previously said he wasn't attending but has taken the opportunity to claim Walliams "makes [his] skin crawl" in a new interview detailing why he wont be there. Im not going this year, the 54-year-old told The Mirror. Theres no point when the same people win the same awards every year. Id rather stay at home and watch Groundhog Day. Read more: Piers Morgan's 'mocking' of Chinese language sparks almost 300 complaints And the host David Walliams makes my skin crawl. David Walliams attends the Britain's Got Talent Auditions Photocall at the London Palladium.- PHOTOGRAPH BY Keith Mayhew / Echoes Wire/ Barcroft Media (Photo credit should read Keith Mayhew / Echoes Wire / Barcroft Media via Getty Images) It comes as the Morgan disparaged Walliams as a "snivelling toady" on Twitter back in October for liking "nastiest tweets" about him. He went on to say "it wasn't [his] fault" that Britain's Got Talent ratings were "higher" when he was a judge as he called Walliams out for liking tweets that criticised him. The journalist previously sniped at This Morning's Holly Willoughby over the award nominations after claiming she and co-star Phillip Schofield "won every year". Morgan fumed on GMB: Im not going this year. Im sick of Holly and Phil winning every year. And Ant and Dec will win Best Presenter. Good Morning Britain presenters Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid. (ITV/Nicky Johnson) Holly always goes, Oh! Me again?! Then she leans in and goes, Take that you little.... Dont be fooled by Holly Willoughby. Good Morning Britain is up for Best Live Magazine Show at the awards show, which will take place on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Walliams is hosting the NTAs for the first time as he replaces Dermot OLeary. The X Factor host decided to step down from the role last year after presenting his 10th ceremony. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to end a pact key to annual war games with American troops if the US does not restore the travel visa of an official who oversaw his drug war. It is the latest in a long line of Dutertes threats to shrink or sever ties with historical ally Washington, which have periodically followed criticism of his deadly narcotics crackdown. Duterte spoke after Ronald Dela Rosa, the former national police chief who is now a senator, said the US had cancelled his visa but did not tell him why. Dela Rosa was the first enforcer of Dutertes internationally condemned campaign, in which police say they have killed just over 5,500 alleged dealers and users. Human rights advocates say the true toll is four times higher, and could amount to crimes against humanity. The US State Department and the embassy in Manila have not responded to requests for comment about Dela Rosas visa. Duterte went on the attack in a speech late Thursday. Now, they wont let Bato go to America, he said, using Dela Rosas nickname. If you do not make a correction there, one, I will terminate the bases -- Visiting Forces Agreement, Duterte added. Im giving... the American government one month from now. The Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) outlines the rules governing conduct of US troops participating in joint military exercises in the Philippines. The pact gave legal cover for the resumption of large-scale war games between the two allies after the US military closed its Philippine bases in the 1990s amid rising anti-US sentiment. Duterte also threatened in 2016 to cancel the agreement, but has generally attacked ties with the US, including an announced separation from its former colonial master. Until now the president has not made good on those threats, some of which came after then US president Barack Obama was critical of Dutertes crackdown in 2016. Relations between Washington and Manila under President Donald Trump, who has voiced support for Duterte, are on a stronger footing. Chinese tenor Yongzhao Yu launched his professional opera career three years ago in the role of Roldolfo in Puccinis La Boheme. This weekend, he recreates it with Arizona Opera. For Yu, the opportunity to play Rodolfo again on Sunday, Feb. 2, is an opportunity to see the character from another dimension. Rodolfo is the first role which started my career, so it means a lot to me, Yu said in an email interview last week, the day before the production opened in Phoenix. Rodolfo is an optimistic young man. He aspires love even (as) he was always very poor. But the more I sing the more I feel his other character. Yu and Guatemalan tenor Mario Chang, who also sings the role of Rodolfo for the Arizona Operas production, are here as part of the Tucson Desert Song Festival, which runs through Feb. 16. Chang will take part in the Saturday, Feb. 1, show. His Arizona debut is one of several Yu will have this season including with Seattle Opera singing the role of Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto. Boris Johnson has ordered an emergency summit over the future of the troubled HS2 rail project, as industry figures warned that scrapping the plans could cost as much as 12bn. The government is under increasing pressure to provide leadership over the future of the high-speed-rail infrastructure plans after a leaked review indicated that costs could reach 106bn, while the National Audit Office said the project was now a decade behind schedule. When the plans were first unveiled by Gordon Browns Labour government in 2010, the original budget was 34bn. About 9bn has already been spent, and industry insiders told The Observer that extra costs of between 3bn and 4bn would be incurred immediately if the project is scrapped. It is thought the prime minister could decide on the future of the project this week, with The Sun reporting that Mr Johnson has scheduled a meeting with the chancellor, Sajid Javid, and the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, telling them: Lets get this settled. Government promises a top-up for HS2 compensation payouts Show all 2 1 /2 Government promises a top-up for HS2 compensation payouts Government promises a top-up for HS2 compensation payouts 43-Train.jpg Government promises a top-up for HS2 compensation payouts hs2.jpg PA The first phase of the plan will implement a faster rail link between London and the west midlands, and was originally due to be completed by 2026. The second phase, building onward lines from Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds, was originally due to be operational by 2032-3, but may now not be running until 2040 if it goes ahead at all. Spiralling costs, as well as the various local impacts of the rail link, have caused major divisions within the Conservative Party. A group of 14 MPs called the HS2 Review Group claimed this week that the line has no benefit and will have a devastating impact on their constituencies. Meanwhile, 80 Conservative MPs have reportedly demanded a meeting with Mr Johnson to urge him to press ahead with the work. The review of the project, which was leaked to the Financial Times, also called for work on the second phase of the project to be paused for six months while further explorations of how existing rail links in the north of England could be used by some high-speed trains. The mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, told The Observer that if the project were to be entirely scrapped, it would be Narnia-land to believe that major costs would not be incurred. He warned that billions had already been invested by businesses, in the belief the project was going ahead, and said cancelling HS2 could further damage Britains international reputation. Mr Street said: We went into paralysis while we sorted out how we were going to sort out Brexit. We are just coming through that, making our great statements about Global Britain open to the world, and whats the next thing we do? We lose our nerve on probably the best demonstration of our self-confidence. Cancellation costs would include enormous site clearances, new ecological surveys, contract terminations, dismantling construction sites, and necessary land improvements, while existing compensation schemes, and land and property purchases would continue, potentially opening the door to an avalanche of legal action. On Sunday morning, the Brexit secretary, Stephen Barclay, said his gut instinct was that HS2 would go ahead. Speaking on BBC1s The Andrew Marr Show, Mr Barclay said that the government had given a clear commitment to level up all parts of the United Kingdom ... HS2 plays an important part in that. A spokesperson for HS2 Ltd told The Observer: Phase one of HS2 is the only shovel-ready major transport project in the UK. It has taken 10 years of expert design and development, parliamentary scrutiny and public consultation to get to this point. No other major projects are within at least five years of being where HS2 is today, and upgrades to the existing network cannot deliver the same benefits. The UK construction sector, the companies working on the project, and those relocating to cities along the route, and the civic leaders in the Midlands and north eager to benefit from the investment HS2 will bring to their regions are all united in support for HS2 being built as soon as possible. MBABANE Mainland Chinas tough stance against the Kingdom of Eswatini is biting hard. A group of teachers has had their hopes of relocating to the Peoples Republic of China to take up teaching positions in the communist country blown sky high. The teachers had applied for English teaching posts in China through a local agent identified as Study Consult Group, which required each applicant to pay E1 500 (US$100). It is reported that the job comes with a E30 000 monthly salary, which is said to be a good pay because of Chinas low cost of living. All along, the teachers did not believe the agent from when they were initially told in September last year that the government of Mainland China was refusing to grant them visas because they were from Eswatini. The teachers believed, as some still do, that the agent scammed them. Sikelela Dlamini, the Secretary General of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), sympathised with the teachers because he said he understood that they applied for the jobs because of lack of employment in Eswatini. Blame has to be apportioned to our country and government for failure to forge diplomatic relations with the Peoples Republic of China. We know that China has good investment opportunities for African countries, particularly infrastructure. Chinese development initiatives have a human face, meaning there are human beings at the centre, he said. He also blamed government for failing to create teaching posts for these teachers. exposes This exposes the teachers. We have it in authority that there are so many teaching posts in the country which can be upgraded to fit these teachers, Dlamini said. Minister of Education and Training Lady Howard said she could not comment on the matter because she was not aware of such developments. Some of the teachers were reportedly temporarily employed in the country while others were still fresh from university. The Times SUNDAY has learnt that the agent ran a one-day advert in the local media last year calling upon interested teachers to submit applications. After submitting the applications, the agent then held a meeting with the teachers at the Mbabane Library where it was decided that a WhatsApp group be formed to act as a medium where they would be updated about their applications and all other information needed to secure the jobs. To say that the teachers were excited about the job prospects would be an understatement; they were exuberant. The teachers were made to submit their CVs and also had videos of each one of them taken and reportedly sent to the schools in China where they were reportedly much sought-after. A representative of Study Consult Group the agent, Mondie Mala- mbe, confirmed to this publication that the Chinese embassy offices in Sandton and Pretoria had refused to process visa applications for the teachers, hence the job opportunities eventually fell off. Through one of the messages he sent to the WhatsApp group, Malambe told the teachers, who were growing impatient, that the whole process was being jeopardised by politics. He told the teachers that the China prospects were being abandoned because political tensions are escalating between Swaziland (Eswatini) and China; with that its a no go. Malambe said Study Consult Group was actually running a study abroad programme since inception but, based on demand, decided to tap into the work abroad programme. I went to a meeting with a company in Sandton called Blue Planet Travel Services which held a contract that needed 300 teachers per year in China. What we did under our corporate division was to enter into an agreement with them, a joint venture partnership, to feed them with these teachers and invest in that programme. Their networks were very solid, he said. awaited Malambe said after the advert and response from teachers, they shot the videos and the sent them to their partners and then awaited that however took forever. We then started experiencing problems with our partners who told us that the schools in China were saying they could issue the jobs but would have a challenge with their local government because these teachers were from Eswatini. We told our partners that but we had discussed this previously and were given guarantee that because its under contract, they could be squeezed into the system. But they said emaSwati would have a problem at the visa application centre in Sandton; that was the first red flag, he further explained. He said they then started engaging other agents as well within the China work programme because they had now built a relationship with their local clients. Malambe said the value they offered was such that they walked their clients throughout the journey; if they hit snags, the agent sorts them out. Basically we are like a military; we fight wars that our clients dont know we are fighting. So what you guys are seeing now we knew about it last year. It started affecting us from July last year. When this started happening, we first thought it was just delays in the process and started pushing our partners but got no responses until after more than two to four weeks. That response would be that they are processing it. Normally, the process would take only two days. Next thing we were told by the China schools that they cannot take our teachers even though they are qualified and there was no proper explanation to a point where we literally had an altercation with the manager at the Visa altercation centre in Sandton, he said. The agents representative said even their networks did not understand what was happening; no one did. He said the teachers also did not understand this because they had invested their money. Malambe said they (agent) also lost big due to the collapse of the deal because they had invested US$200 into one teacher. He said the process was such that they were going to recover their investment by docking a certain percentage from the teachers salaries every month for a specific period. We lost big. The teachers became frustrated with the delays and they were then quick to say this is a scam. We then tried compensatory measures and did our calculations so as to retain good relations with the teachers. lost Otherwise we lost bigger than they lost but they wouldnt understand it. They feel like we played a part in this thing happening the way it happened, he said. He said there was no solution in sight except to abandon any attempts to find jobs in China for emaSwati. He said as they were working on compensating the teachers, the best they could afford was E500 per teacher and that this would also take some time to be processed. The reason for the E500 is so we maintain good relations with the teachers because they do not understand all the things we went through. We can also arrange that they go to other countries but they are now sceptical. We are looking at other countries besides China, such as the United Kingdom. The China problem is not something that will be resolved anytime soon, Malambe stated. Meanwhile, it is understood that all they needed to do to get the China jobs was to provide their certification and the starting point was English because this is a premium offering in China. Malambe said chidren of high profile people were the ones who took up English lessons; so that was why the salary of an English teacher was around E30 000 a month. A medical doctor has been quarantined after showing signs of Lassa fever at Jahun local government area of Jigawa state, according to the state government. Salisu Muazu, acting permanent secretary, Jigawa state ministry of health, revealed this to journalists on Sunday. The victim, Anthony Etim, is a staff member of Medicins Sans Frontieres also known as Doctors without Borders, he said. He revealed further that the doctor developed symptoms of the virus after an official engagement at an internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp in Borno state. The acting permanent secretary said Etim is undergoing treatment at the isolated infectious disease control unit in Jahun hospital. Read Also: Lassa Fever: 24 Killed, 163 Cases Confirmed So Far In January A single case has also been confirmed in Ogun by Tomi coker, the state commissioner of health. According to her, the case was confirmed by the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Virology Laboratory on January 24. She said the patient is a pregnant 29-year-old who took ill and was referred to the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Abeokuta. Coker, however, said contrary to some reports, the patient is not dead as she was transferred to the Federal Specialist Hospital in Irua, Edo, whose facilities provided the patient with the full benefit of multidisciplinary care required for her due to her pregnancy. She added that the rapid response team has commenced line listing of all persons who had come into contact with the patient for surveillance purposes, including her relatives and hospital staff that managed the case. As we enter a defining week in the General Election, the only certainty of the campaign so far is that people want change. This should be good news for Fianna Fail and bad news for Fine Gael, but it is not as simple as that. The problem for Fianna Fail is that the public has come to see it as indistinguishable from Fine Gael. And therefore people are, in increasing numbers, having a closer look at Sinn Fein, such is the strong desire for change. There is a lazy assumption that this will be a brief flirtation and that in the end potential Sinn Fein support will fall away when the votes are counted. Ordinarily I would agree with that assessment, but I am not so sure this time. It depends on how strong the desire for change really is and in this defining week how Fianna Fail presents itself as change, even radical change after nine years of Fine Gael. And that is easier said than done. There is a famous quote from the memoir of former Labour minister Barry Desmond on the difference between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail: "Dem dat know don't need to ask and dem dat don't know don't need to know." For the Fianna Fail campaign to catch fire, and it is as yet only smouldering, Micheal Martin needs to remind the many and explain to a new generation the essential differences between the two parties which emerged from the civil war, and there are genuine differences related to founding republican values. They say that Brexit is not an issue in this election and in itself that is true - but it is still having a huge effect on the possible outcome. Here's why: Fianna Fail stuck with its confidence and supply deal with Fine Gael for four years, at least a year longer than most expected. The reason was Brexit. The longer Fianna Fail stuck, the more Fine Gael budgets it facilitated, the more it became indistinguishable from the party associated with the health and housing crises and other issues, not least the outlier pension age issue. In the aftermath of the economic and banking crash, Micheal Martin undertook confidence and supply as a sort of recompense to show that Fianna Fail was responsible and could be trusted again. In the process, however, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael effectively became one in the eyes of the public. Now Micheal Martin finds himself in the position of having to explain the differences, which I expect he will set about doing this week. But if he is unsuccessful, Fianna Fail may yet find itself caught between a rock and a hard place: those minded to maintain the status quo may opt for Fine Gael in greater numbers and those minded to change may go all the way to Sinn Fein. The apparent increase in Sinn Fein support is not solely down to younger people who do not come out to vote, which usually results in Sinn Fein's vote falling significantly from its opinion poll levels. The demographics of recent opinion polls shows Sinn Fein this time commanding equal support to Fine Gael and close to Fianna Fail among voters aged in their 50s and early 60s, before falling away among over 65s. The only reasonable explanation for this is the pension age issue. Both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have tried to neutralise this issue with promises of interim payments, reviews and postponing the pension age increase. It remains to be seen whether such promises are enough, or have come too late to be believed; or whether Sinn Fein can turn its increased support into extra seats, a moot point considering several of its TDs have retired. The great middle ground of the electorate - Moby Dick - has yet to move, but is starting to stir. It could yet stick with Fine Gael, which has run a set-piece campaign, with Leo Varadkar now less visible on the hustings; or about-turn completely - a dramatic move - to Sinn Fein, whose leader has still not come under the spotlight. My hunch is that the people will eventually and late in the day re-direct towards Fianna Fail in sufficient numbers - but that is only a hunch. All three parties could end up at current poll levels and we may have to do this all over again in six months. Everything will depend on how well Micheal Martin explains the true purpose, meaning and essence of the party he leads. His ability to be a leader, therefore, is about to be tested as never before. That is as it should be. Is he up to the challenge? Again my hunch is yes, but that too is only a hunch. Alan Dershowitz attends Hulu Presents "Triumph's Election Special" produced by Funny Or Die at NEP Studios in New York City on Feb. 3, 2016. (John Lamparski/Getty Images for Hulu) Dershowitz: House Managers Completely Failed to Make Case for Trumps Impeachment Alan Dershowitz, Harvard Law professor emeritus and member of President Donald Trumps legal team, said Sunday that he believes House managers case fell short of the standard that is needed to convict President Donald Trump in the Senates impeachment trial. Even if the factual allegations are truewhich are highly disputed and which the defense team will show contrary evidencebut even if true, they did not allege impeachable offenses. So there cant be a constitutionally authorized impeachment, Dershowitz, a high-profile criminal attorney, told Fox News Sunday. He added that the abuse of power and obstruction of Congress charges levied against Trump are vague criteria. No president in U.S. history has been successfully removed from office, as the Senate requires a 67-vote supermajority to convict. The conduct has to be criminal in nature. It cant be abuse of power; it cant be obstruction of Congress, he said. Those are precisely the arguments that the framers rejected. The Democratic House managers, led by Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), spent around 20 hours making arguments over three days last week, saying Trump abused his office when he allegedly withheld nearly $400 million in military aid to Ukraine in exchange for what Democrats have said were investigations into a political rival. Trump and Ukrainian officials have denied the charges. Remember the Constitution requires treasontheres no treason. Bribery, theres no allegation of bribery. Other high crimes and misdemeanors, which means other high crimes and misdemeanors that are akin to treason and bribery. They completely failed to meet that high constitutional standard, and therefore it would be unconstitutional to remove a president based on the allegations that were made against him in the articles of impeachment, Dershowitz said in the interview. Dershowitz and other members of Trumps legal team are scheduled to elaborate more on their arguments against impeachment. The White House on Saturday offered a three-hour glimpse of things to come starting on Monday and ending Tuesday. The defense team tomorrow will show that its not true, that many of the issues that were presented by House Democrats were presented incompletely, he told Fox. Remember, there are three things that the Senate has to decide: One, is there sufficient evidence of what they claim? Two, does it constitute a highdoes it constitute, first of all, an abuse of power? And third, does abuse of power constitute impeachable offenses? Amid the impeachment inquiry, several Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, stated they felt no pressure from Trump and denied Democratic allegations of a quid pro quo campaign. Trumps legal team sought to highlight this on Saturday. The best evidence that there was no pressure or quid pro quo is the statements of the Ukrainians themselves, Mike Purpura, deputy counsel to Trump, told the Senate on Saturday. The fact that President Zelensky himself felt no pressure on the call and did not perceive there to be any connection between security assistance and investigations would, in any ordinary case, in any court, be totally fatal to the prosecution. And in the opening salvo fired by Trumps team on Saturday, White House counsel Pat Cipollone said senators should allow voters to decide the next election in 10 months. Theyre asking you not only to overturn the results of the last election, but theyre asking you to remove President Trump from the ballot in an election thats occurring in approximately nine months. Theyre asking you to tear up all of the ballots across this country, on your own initiative, take that decision away from the American people, he remarked, referring to House Democrats. Cipollone appeared to be responding to a remark during Schiffs opening statement, during which he said that Trumps alleged misdeeds cant be decided by voters. Impeachment exists for cases in which the misconduct of the president rises beyond mere policies and disputes to be decided otherwise and without urgency at the ballot box, Schiff said. New Delhi [India], Jan 26 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid homage to the fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the newly-built National War Memorial (NWM) at India Gate here ahead of the 71st Republic Day celebrations. The Prime Minister was received at the war memorial by the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the first-ever Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Army Chief Gen Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh, Air Force Chief Air Marshal RKS Bhaduria. The NWM, which was inaugurated in February last year by PM Modi, has been built in memory of the soldiers who laid down their lives for the country post-independence. After the Prime Minister laid the wreath, the Guard Commander gave Salami Shastra. Modi also wrote his message in the visitor's book at the War Memorial. The Prime Minister and other dignitaries are now heading towards the saluting dais at the Rajpath, where he will be received for the Republic Day celebration. (ANI) Please register or log in to keep reading. No credit card required! Stay logged in to skip the surveys. Some investors rely on dividends for growing their wealth, and if you're one of those dividend sleuths, you might be intrigued to know that Cohort plc (LON:CHRT) is about to go ex-dividend in just 3 days. Investors can purchase shares before the 30th of January in order to be eligible for this dividend, which will be paid on the 26th of February. Cohort's next dividend payment will be UK0.032 per share, and in the last 12 months, the company paid a total of UK0.091 per share. Last year's total dividend payments show that Cohort has a trailing yield of 1.3% on the current share price of 6.8. If you buy this business for its dividend, you should have an idea of whether Cohort's dividend is reliable and sustainable. So we need to check whether the dividend payments are covered, and if earnings are growing. View our latest analysis for Cohort Dividends are usually paid out of company profits, so if a company pays out more than it earned then its dividend is usually at greater risk of being cut. Cohort paid out more than half (53%) of its earnings last year, which is a regular payout ratio for most companies. That said, even highly profitable companies sometimes might not generate enough cash to pay the dividend, which is why we should always check if the dividend is covered by cash flow. Fortunately, it paid out only 27% of its free cash flow in the past year. It's positive to see that Cohort's dividend is covered by both profits and cash flow, since this is generally a sign that the dividend is sustainable, and a lower payout ratio usually suggests a greater margin of safety before the dividend gets cut. Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends. AIM:CHRT Historical Dividend Yield, January 26th 2020 Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? Businesses with strong growth prospects usually make the best dividend payers, because it's easier to grow dividends when earnings per share are improving. If business enters a downturn and the dividend is cut, the company could see its value fall precipitously. With that in mind, we're encouraged by the steady growth at Cohort, with earnings per share up 3.9% on average over the last five years. Earnings per share growth has been slim, and the company is already paying out a majority of its earnings. While there is some room to both increase the payout ratio and reinvest in the business, generally the higher a payout ratio goes, the lower a company's prospects for future growth. Story continues Another key way to measure a company's dividend prospects is by measuring its historical rate of dividend growth. Cohort has delivered 18% dividend growth per year on average over the past ten years. It's encouraging to see the company lifting dividends while earnings are growing, suggesting at least some corporate interest in rewarding shareholders. To Sum It Up Has Cohort got what it takes to maintain its dividend payments? While earnings per share growth has been modest, Cohort's dividend payouts are around an average level; without a sharp change in earnings we feel that the dividend is likely somewhat sustainable. Pleasingly the company paid out a conservatively low percentage of its free cash flow. Overall we're not hugely bearish on the stock, but there are likely better dividend investments out there. Wondering what the future holds for Cohort? See what the three analysts we track are forecasting, with this visualisation of its historical and future estimated earnings and cash flow We wouldn't recommend just buying the first dividend stock you see, though. Here's a list of interesting dividend stocks with a greater than 2% yield and an upcoming dividend. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Over 100 people have been kept under observation in Kerala and Maharashtra (Photo Credit: Pixabay) New Delhi: Over 29,700 passengers from 137 flights were screened for novel coronavirus (nCov) infection at seven identified airports in the country till Sunday but no positive case was detected, the Union Health Ministry said. Over 100 people have been kept under observation in Kerala and Maharashtra following screening for a possible exposure to novel coronavirus. Prime Minister's Office on Saturday reviewed India's preparedness to deal with any situation amid mounting global concern over rising cases in China. Meanwhile, The External Affairs Ministry said that as of now no Indian in China has been affected by the coronavirus outbreak and the embassy in Beijing is in close touch with all Indians, including university students, in Wuhan and elsewhere in Hubei province. The death toll in the deadly new coronavirus in China rose to 56 on Sunday with confirmed cases of viral affliction reaching 2,008, including 23 from aborad. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is closely monitoring the situation, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. "We are also closely coordinating with Chinese authorities. As of now, we understand that no Indian citizens have been affected by the outbreak and that food and water supplies are available to them," Kumar tweeted. One person each from Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta and Malappuram and three from Ernakulam are in isolation wards of various health centres in Kerala. In Jaipur, a man has been admitted to the SMS Hospital for suspected coronavirus infection. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Saturday said samples of seven passengers have been sent to the ICMR-NIV laboratory in Pune. The Union Health Minister has directed multidisciplinary central teams to go to the designated airports in New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kochi where thermal screening is being done. Governement has urged the passengers who have a travel history to China since January 1, 2020 to report to their nearest health facility if they experience any symptoms such as fever, cough, respiratory distress, etc. Health Ministry Issues Fresh Advisory On Saturday, the Union Health Ministry also issued a fresh advisory asking the passengers to follow certain dos and don'ts if they are in China or travelling or returning from China. The advisory stated that during their stay in China, if they feel sick and have fever and cough, they should cover their mouth while coughing and sneezing, seek medical attention promptly and report to the Indian Embassy in China. The advisory also said that if they feel sick on flight while travelling back to India from China, they should inform the airline crew about their illness, seek mask and self-reporting format from the airline crew. In such a case, the advisory said, avoid close contact with family members or fellow travellers and follow other directions of crew and airport health officer. According to the advisory, 28 cases have been confirmed outside Chinese mainland -- 5 in Hong Kong, 4 in Thailand, 3 each in Taiwan and Singapore, 2 each in Macao, Japan, South Korea, United States and Vietnam, and 1 each in Nepal and France. What Is Coronavirus Novel coronavirus is a large family of viruses that causes illnesses ranging from common cold to acute respiratory syndromes. The virus, which has so far killed 56 people and affected 1,975 in China, is a novel strain and not seen before. The pneumonia outbreak was first reported in Wuhan City, central China's Hubei Province, in December 2019. The city of 11 million has been in quarantine since Thursday -- with nobody allowed to leave as the government tries to contain its spread. Apart from Wuhan, 12 other cities have been completely sealed by the Chinese authorities to stop the virus from spreading. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. James Packer has thrown his girlfriend, Kylie Lim, an intimate 40th birthday party in the ski town of Aspen, Colorado. The casino mogul, 52, organised a 'Hollywood-themed' celebration at his $20million mansion over the weekend, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. The soiree is believed to have had a strict guest list, consisting only of the couple's 'nearest and dearest'. How generous! James Packer has thrown his girlfriend, Kylie Lim, an intimate 40th birthday party in the ski town of Aspen, Colorado. Pictured together in Saint-Tropez on June 24, 2018 James and Kylie started dating in early 2018, after being introduced to each other six months earlier by mutual friends in Aspen. The businessman's property, known as West Buttermilk Estate, has seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms, a movie theatre and its own bar. He jointly owns the property with his second wife, Erica Packer (nee Baxter). Exclusive event: The soiree is believed to have had a strict guest list, consisting only of the couple's 'nearest and dearest'. Pictured: James and Kylie in Saint-Tropez on June 24, 2018 James and Erica split in 2013 after six years of marriage. They share three children, Indigo, 11, Jackson, nine, and Emmanuelle, seven. Coincidentally, Erica had also celebrated her 40th birthday at the Aspen mansion in 2016. The party, which was attended by the likes of Orlando Bloom and Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch, had a Midsummer Night's Dream theme. In July, James spoke to the Sydney Morning Herald about his new romance, saying: 'Kylie has been a wonderful influence on my life. I love her very much.' Fancy that! Coincidentally, James' second wife, Erica Packer (right), had also celebrated her 40th birthday at the Aspen mansion in 2016. Pictured in Macau on June 1, 2009 In his 2018 biography, The Price of Fortune: The Untold Story of Being James Packer, he told author Damon Kitney: 'Kylie is a good person, a really good partner, and we are taking things slowly, one day at a time.' James was accompanied by his girlfriend as they toured the Barangaroo site of his new $2.4billion Crown Resorts hotel earlier this month. He has purchased two floors of the hotel, which will be converted into a home, and plans to spend more time in Sydney once it is finished. After hundreds of earthquakes hit the island over the past month, the Puerto Rican Heritage Society in San Antonio is hosting a local fundraiser this evening to benefit nonprofit relief groups there. Thousands of people have been displaced, as the earthquakes destroyed homes across the island particularly on the southern shore, said Olga Mayoral Wilson, the current president of the 35-year-old society. Thousands of people have been left without homes, because the houses that are built with brick and concrete, they have totally crumbled. Its just awful, and of course many of these people on the southern coast had not recovered from Hurricane Maria, which killed thousands in 2017, Wilson said. The disaster relief fundraiser will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. at La Marginal, a Puerto Rican restaurant at Nacogdoches Road and Interstate 410. The minimum donation is $20. Reservations can be obtained by calling: 210-804-2242. Funds will go to three nonprofits in Puerto Rico. One is the Fundacion Mochileando, which helps Puerto Ricans affected by natural disasters by helping reconstruct homes and donating medical equipment. Gibaro Puerto Rico is a folklorico cultural dance group that brings medical students to affected areas to administer treatment or provide medicine for things such as asthma or allergies. The third nonprofit, Hermanas Dominicas, is made up of a group of nuns whose historic home was destroyed in an earthquake. But the nuns have continued providing help to the local community, even as theyve been forced to sleep outdoors on cots in tents themselves, Wilson said. Were very linked by heart to Puerto Rico because were all Puerto Ricans. We still have family, friends there. This earthquake is worse than even Maria was she said. All the people, theyre just in constant waiting When is the next one coming? Recently, people in southern Puerto Rico discovered a warehouse full of aid supplies that went unused following Hurricane Maria the warehouse left locked since 2017. Since that discovery, activists have urged people to donate to nonprofits, rather than government entities, which they say may not properly disburse the supplies. Puerto Rican officials estimate 3,000 people died in Hurricane Maria in September 2017. One earthquake Jan. 7 knocked out power across nearly the entire island and caused an estimated $110 million in damages. People are living outside in tents and cots. Many dont have water or electricity, Wilson said. The whole island, even in San Juan, you can feel movement. Its all over. diego.mendoza-moyers@express-news.net Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The Democratic primary may be on its way to a two-septuagenarian race, according to several polls released over the weekend. Though Joe Biden retains a national lead in polling averages, a CNN/UNH survey released Sunday shows Bernie Sanders with a substantial nine-point lead in New Hampshire, the first-in-the-nation primary that the Vermont senator won by over 20 points in 2016. Behind Sanders, Joe Biden scored 16 percent support, followed by Pete Buttigieg at 15 percent, and Elizabeth Warren at 12 percent; no other candidates broke out of single digits, though Andrew Yang did receive enough support over the weekend to qualify for the February 7 debate held in Manchester. Though the states likely voters still have some political soul-searching to do before the February 11 primary 49 percent of those polled say their vote is still fluid Sanders supporters are holding steady with their candidate: Of the 31 percent of voters who said they have already decided on a candidate, 37 percent are solidly for the democratic socialist. Nationally, Sanders is performing quite well: On Wednesday, a CNN poll showed Bernie in the lead with 27 points to Bidens 24, with crucial support among non-white voters: CNN data also shows Sanders to be up on Biden three percent among voters of color, with 30 percent support compared to Bidens 27. Though not as monumental as the CNN poll Sanderss first with a national lead this cycle an ABC/Washington Post survey released Sunday showed Sanders to be competitive with the front-runner nationally: Brand new ABC/WaPo national poll has pretty good news for Sanders and Yang and pretty bad news for Warren and Buttigieg Support among all Dems (change v last poll): Biden: 28% (+1) Sanders: 24 (+5) Warren: 11 (-10) Bloomberg: 8 (-) Yang: 7 (+5) Buttigieg: 5 (-2) G. Elliott Morris (@gelliottmorris) January 26, 2020 According to a New York Times/Siena College survey published on Saturday, Sanders is also at the forefront in Iowa: Bernie Sanders leads in our new Times/Siena poll of Iowa Sanders 25 Buttigieg 18 Biden 17 Warren 15@jmartNYT and @melbournecoal with the storyhttps://t.co/3RXP1CqrvI Nate Cohn (@Nate_Cohn) January 25, 2020 Sanderss seven-point lead beyond the margin of error among likely Iowa Democrats is made up of his usual coalition: 43 percent of caucusgoers who consider themselves to be very liberal express support for Bernie, as do 40 percent of Iowans under 30, double the support of the next closest candidate in that demo. Sanders has also held onto much of his support from the last caucuses, when Hillary Clinton bested Sanders by just .3 percent: Almost half of caucusgoers now supporting Sanders said they caucused for him in 2016. But as New Yorks Ed Kilgore notes, theres still a lot of variability baked into the system, with 40 percent of caucusgoers saying they could be persuaded to support a different candidate: Its among this group of uncertain caucus participants with just over a week to go that the [Des Moines Register endorsement of Elizabeth Warren] might have an impact, or so the Warren campaign will hope. That uncertainty was magnified by another poll released on Sunday, a CBSNews/YouGov survey showing a statistical tie between Sanders and Biden, at 26 percent and 25 percent, respectively. The picture will be clarified by the release of Ann Selzers gold-standard poll of Iowa on Saturday, February 1, published just two days before the caucuses. The Sanders campaign may find good news in the late poll as well: Selzers last edition released on January 10 showed him in the lead with 20 percent of the field, though Warren, Buttigieg, and Biden were all trailing by less than five points. ArcelorrMittal South Africa (AMSA), the South African subsidiary of global steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, has said it would report a R4 billion (about $2,8m) headline loss for the year ended December 2019, with plans to shed 1,000 jobs finalised as part of its cost-cutting measures. AMSA's huge loss follows on a profit of R1,37b (about $951m) in 2018. AMSA had announced plans for a large-scale reorganisation of its plants across the country six months ago, The company had said in November 2019 that it would close down its loss-making Saldanha Works due to various factors, including a global downturn in the steel market and a reduction of the plant's export edge due to high costs of electricity, rail transport and price regulation. Despite government pleas to reconsider the huge impact this would have on the South African economy, AMSA has announced that the Saldanha Works closure would be finalised in the first quarter of 2020. AMSA, however, said any closure of significant long-steel production plants was not on the cards in the foreseeable future, including the Newcastle plant which too had been under threat. Born out of the former state-owned steel manufacturer Iscor in 1989 after Mittal had helped turn around its ailing fortunes, AMSA said in statement here that 2019 had been a very challenging year for the company. AMSA said it would be placing an emphasis on cash preservation as it aimed at long-term preservation. "A large-scale employee reorganisation, as announced on SENS on July 10 last year, has been largely finalised and resulted in a reduction of over a thousand own employees. Additionally, a significant repricing and rescoping of sub-contractor services will be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2020," it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A subsidiary of US investment giant Starwood Capital Group, a property investment firm, has committed to invest 35.1m into a loan secured against 12 properties in Dublin. According to a filing on the London Stock Exchange, posted last week by Starwood's London-listed European business, the investments were made by the Starwood European Real Estate Fund. The filing lists activity which took place at the fund over the fourth quarter of 2019. The properties the loan is secured against are primarily office developments, but include some small retail and residential space. The filing states that the property portfolio represents a total of more than 600,000 sq ft (55,740 sq m) of space located in central Dublin. Starwood European Real Estate Fund, which is worth 415.3m (492m), said that the loan was secured against the portfolio of Dublin properties on January 2. It entered the agreement alongside Starwood Property Trust, a related fund. Starwood's loan has been provided over a six-year period at a floating rate, with the property investor stating that it "expects to earn an attractive risk-adjusted return in line with its stated investment strategy". An external spokesman for the firm - headed by Barry Sternlicht, chairman and chief executive of Starwood Capital Group - declined to comment on the new loan. Starwood also announced that it had received the remaining loan balance of 14.1m from a logistics investment following a sale of the portfolio. It also received the remaining 2.2m balance from a loan secured in the residential sector, following "completion of the borrower's business plan". As of the end of 2019, the fund stated that it had 18 investments and commitments totalling 489m. The London Stock Exchange filing also states that Ireland accounts for 12.6pc of all of Starwood's invested assets. In the filing, Starwood said the company remained "fully invested with approximately 27m of net debt and commitments of approximately 75m". It added that the group's "pipeline remains strong and well-diversified by sector, geography and investment type". On Starwood's website, the company lists a 60m loan to finance the acquisition of a hotel, 27 apart-hotel units and ancillary development land in Dublin. It lists a 9m loan used to finance the conversion of 84 units into residential use. It also lists a 14.7m commitment to support a mixed-use development in Dublin. The website additionally lists its completed projects in Dublin and Cork, which include loans provided against residential portfolios, student accommodation and schools, worth 50.4m Late last year, Starwood Capital was believed to have scrapped a planned sale of a portfolio of Dublin offices. Blackstone subsequently bought the so-called 'cedar portfolio' of offices for more than 530m. Offices covered by the sale include the Watermarque Building and Iveagh Court, which counted tenants including Marsh & McLennan and WeWork. Earlier last year, Starwood was in talks with investment group Tetrarch Capital about a joint venture partnership that would be worth several hundred million euro, and replace the Irish-owned hotelier's plan for a public flotation. However, the talks ended without any agreement. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-27 01:21:35|Editor: yan Video Player Close WUHAN, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Central China's Hubei Province has been working to expand local supplies of medical equipment as it battles the novel coronavirus that infected over 1,000 in the province, according to local authorities. The province will spend 80 million yuan (11.56 million U.S. dollars) on expanding the production capacity in the city of Xiantao, a major local medical equipment manufacturing base, said Wang Xiaodong, governor of the province. It is estimated that the daily production of protective suits will be expanded to 12,000 in three days and 30,000 in 10 days, Wang said. The province has also received 3.5 million masks and 45,000 protective suits from other provinces and the central government, he said. As of Sunday, the province received 88.55 million yuan and 31.32 million yuan from the Hubei Charity Federation and Red Cross Society of China Hubei Branch, respectively, for buying protective gears. Medical staff wearing protective clothing to protect against a previously unknown coronavirus arrive with a patient at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital in Wuhan, China, on Jan. 25, 2020. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images) Coronavirus Updates Jan. 26: Mongolia Shuts Universities, Border Crossings to Halt Coronavirus Spread These updates are from Jan. 26. For updates on Jan. 27, click here. 6:00 a.m. UTCMongolia Shuts Universities, Border Crossings to Halt Virus Spread Mongolia has closed from Monday until March 2 all universities and educational institutes to contain the spread of a deadly coronavirus sweeping China, state media Montsame said, citing a cabinet meeting. It has also closed border crossings for auto vehicles and pedestrian traffic, from Monday, and called for all public gatherings to be canceled. 5:01 a.m. UTCChina Extends Lunar New Year Holiday to Contain Virus as Death Toll Rises Beijing has announced it is extending the Lunar New Year holiday by three days to Feb. 2 given the coronavirus crisis across the country. Meanwhile, Chinas financial magazine Caixin has reported that the director of Wuhans religious and ethnic affairs bureau has died after becoming infected with the new coronavirus. Wang Xianliang, 62, died in afternoon on Jan. 26 and is the first government official to die from the outbreak. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization said on Sunday he was en route to Beijing to meet with Chinese officials and health experts for a meeting on the coronavirus response so far. I am on my way to Beijing, [China] to meet with the Government & health experts supporting the [coronavirus] response. My [WHO] colleagues & I would like to understand the latest developments & strengthen our partnership with [China] in providing further protection against the outbreak, he wrote in a Twitter post. We are working 24/7 to support [China] & its people during this difficult time & remain in close contact with affected countries, with our regional & country offices deeply involved. [WHO] is updating all countries on the situation & providing specific guidance on what to do to respond. So far, the WHO has not declared the 2019-nCoV outbreak a global health emergency. The SARS-like virus has since spread to more than ten other countries. The mortality rate of the disease remains unclear at this stage, and fluctuates as China releases new information. On Jan. 23, the WHO released an estimated mortality rate of 4 percent (17 of 557 cases). The youngest victim was a 36-year-old man in Wuhan. Unlike SARS, 2019-nCoV is infectious during its incubation period, which can last up to 14 days, Chinas health minister, Ma Xiaowei, told reporters Sunday. Symptoms of 2019-nCoV can anywhere from 2 to 14 days after the first exposure. 9 p.m. UTCAnother US Case Confirmed The Arizona Department of Health Services confirmed the latest case, saying the patient is a student at Arizona State University who had recently traveled to Wuhan, Chinathe virus epicenter where hundreds cases and dozens of deaths have been confirmed. The Maricopa County Department of Public Health and the Arizona state health agency are currently investigating to identify any close contacts that may have been exposed while the person was infectious, a statement reads. Any individuals who have been identified as having been exposed will be contacted directly. These individuals will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms in collaboration with public health and the university. Four other U.S. cases have been confirmed so far. 7:15 p.m. UTC4th Case Confirmed in US The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed the fourth coronavirus case in the United States and the first in the county. There is no immediate threat to the public, said the agency, but it added that Los Angeles residents need to practice good public health hygiene. Health is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal, state and local agencies to monitor this novel coronavirus that has emerged from Wuhan, China, over the past few weeks. This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available, the department said in a statement on Sunday afternoon. The person who is infected had recently traveled to the United States from Wuhan, Chinathe epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak. The other cases were confirmed in Illinois, Washington state, and Orange County, California. 6:17 p.m. UTCSouthwest Removes Sick Passenger Southwest Airlines confirmed it removed a sick passenger from one of its flights and said it was done out of an abundance of caution in light of the coronavirus outbreak. In a statement on Sunday to Fox News, a spokesman said that local medical personnel met Flight 2889 once it arrived at the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport from Las Vegas on Saturday due to reports of an ill customer. A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 plane. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Out of an abundance of caution, and in light of the recent concerns of the coronavirus, our crew followed recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control for responding to concerns to ensure the customer, and those traveling with them, receive the assistance or support they may need, the statement added. According to local station NBC4, the passenger was taken to a medical facility for evaluation, and its not confirmed whether the person has the illness. The person was later released, officials said. The NBC affiliate reported that the person had recently traveled to China and had flu-like symptoms. 5 p.m. UTCOfficial: Virus Can Spread Before Symptoms Show Chinas health minister, Ma Xiaowei, told reporters Sunday the coronavirus is contagious during its incubation period, which can last up to 14 days. The outbreak is expected to continue for some time, he said. Ma noted that the coronavirus is infectious during its incubation period, unlike SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), which killed hundreds of people in China in the early 2000s. Ma added that containment efforts would be intensified after officials placed lockdowns on Wuhan and other Chinese cities in an attempt to curb the spreading of the virus. This is a game-changer, said Dr. William Schaffner, an adviser to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told CNN about Mas update. It means the infection is much more contagious than we originally thought, said Schaffner, who is an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. This is worse than we anticipated. 4 p.m. UTCHong Kong Bans Hubei Travelers Hong Kong will bar all residents of Hubei Province from entering the city and anyone who had visited there in the past 14 days amid the outbreak of the mysterious new coronavirus. Wuhan, the capital of Hubei, is considered the epicenter of the recent outbreak. In a statement Sunday, the government said it will implement the ban starting from midnight. Hong Kong will ban any person who has been to Hebei in the past two weeks until further notice. People wearing masks visit Wong Tai Sin temple in Hong Kong on Jan. 25, 2020. (Dale De La Rey/AFP via Getty Images) Hidden patients have greatly increased the difficulty of preventing and controlling the [virus] epidemic, the statement continued. Hong Kong authorities also announced Sunday there were eight total cases in the city, reported the South China Morning Post. 3 p.m. UTCBan on Wildlife Trade in China Chinese regime officials announced a temporary ban on the trade of wild animals following the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan. Officials will strengthen inspections and severely investigate and punish those who are found in violation of the provisions of this announcement, according to a ban, reported The Associated Press. It said three government agencies issued the warning Sunday. Now, no wildlife can be transported or sold in markets or over the Internet. To punish people, Chinese regime officials will send suspected violators to security services, and their properties will be closed and sealed off, AP reported. If these markets persist, and human consumption of illegal and unregulated wildlife persists, then the public will continue to face heightened risks from emerging new viruses, potentially more lethal and the source of future pandemic spread, Christian Walzer, of the Wildlife Conservation Society, told AP. These are perfect laboratories for creating opportunities for these viruses to emerge. 2:45 p.m. UTCUS Confirms 3rd Case in S. California A Southern California patient is the third person in the United States to be diagnosed with coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which confirmed the person is a traveler from Wuhan. The person was identified in Santa Ana, located near Los Angeles, in Orange County. The Orange County Health Care Agency said the person is in isolation at the hospital and is in good condition. The OC Health Care Agencys (HCA) Communicable Disease Control Division received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this evening that an Orange County, California case has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the agency said in a statement. With reporting from Reuters. A homeless man charged with shoplifting arising from an incident in Longford last November has been fined following a recent District Court sitting. Shane McDonnell (23), formerly of Park West, Dublin 12 was before last Tuesdays District Court sitting to answer two charges following an episode in Longford on November 11 2019. At the outset of the case, defence solicitor Trish Cronin said one of the charges, namely the alleged possession of an article would require directions being given by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). On that basis, she asked for a second Section 4 theft charge to be adjourned to the same date. Also read: Woman who pinned 86-year-old man down and robbed him is found guilty Ms Cronin also suggested her client would be seeking the disclosure of CCTV footage, sparking Judge Hughes to comment: You dont need CCTV, he (Mr McDonnell) pleaded guilty on November 12 (2019). The judge also indicated he knew the defendant particularly well, something which State prosecutor Sgt Paddy McGirl gave further credence to when referring to Mr McDonnells criminal past. He noted how Mr McDonnell had 16 previous convictions, seven of which were for similar theft related offences. The most recent of those came on April 24 last year when Mr McDonnell was handed a sixth month sentence which was suspended for 18 months. That didnt seem to deter him, replied Judge Hughes. In defence, Ms Cronin said her client had only become a father for the second time on January 5. On the Section 4 charge, Judge Hughes fined Mr McDonnell 250, giving him three months to pay. He put back another matter before the Courts of Criminal Justice until January 21 not before a submission was made by Ms Cronin for the case to be deferred to a later date owing to his new born child. Hes hardly nursing him, responded Judge Hughes, prompting a flurry of laughter in the public gallery. Its better to get it out of the way, no. The second Longford charge relating to the alleged possession of an article was adjourned until March 10 with Mr McDonnell being remanded on continuing bail. Also read: Longford man fined for 'grabbing' garda in row Director Teja is currently penning a story with an action backdrop. Although he is yet to complete the story, the filmmaker has recently registered a title, Rakshasa Rajyamlo Ravanasurudu. Now, rumours are rife that Teja may team up with Rana Daggubati for the second time after Nene Raju Nene Mantri. Apparently, Teja has even met Rana and both the actor and the director discussed a few story ideas although they havent locked in on anything in specific. The meeting has, however, triggered speculation over their possible collaboration. Moreover, we have also heard that Teja also wants to team up with a young actor for an action drama and has been mulling over this actor in particular. Rakshasa Rajyamlo Ravanasurudu would be a mass entertainer that shows the protagonist in a rugged avatar but in a different dimension. If all goes well, Teja plans to cast Rana in the project. However, it is too early to comment as the actor has several previous commitments, a source tells us. Voting for the BJP in Delhi polls will prevent "thousands of incidents like Shaheen Bagh", Union Home Minister Amit Shah said at an election meeting on Sunday. Shah attacked the opposition leaders including AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on various issues and asserted that only Prime Minister Narendra Modi can ensure safety and security of the country. Campaigning for the BJP candidate in Babarpur constituency, he said, "Your vote to BJP candidate will make Delhi and the country safe and prevent thousands of incidents like Shaheen Bagh." A large number of women have been holding a sit-in against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at Shaheenbagh in south east Delhi since mid December. The protest, supported by people from different fields including politicians, Bollywood actors and academicians, has emerged as a symbol of anti-CAA agitation in the country. "When you press the button (of EVM) on February 8, do so with such anger that its current (poll result) is felt at Shaheen Bagh," the BJP leader said.. The BJP, seeking to come into power in Delhi after two decades, has brought the CAA at the centre stage of its campaigning for February 8 polls, with Shah and other BJP leaders hitting out at Kejriwal and Gandhi over the issue in meetings after meetings. Kejriwal has said the BJP wants to give citizenship to Pakistanis, the Home Minister claimed and asked the people "shouldn't Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists who witnessed their women being raped, lost their properties in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan and who came to India over the past 70 years be given citizenship of this country." Targeting the AAP and the Congress over issues like abrogation of Article 370, JNU, Ram temple and anti CAA protests, Shah alleged that the parties opposed to the BJP and Modi fear a backlash from their votebank. Addressing another election meeting earlier in Rohtas Nagar constituency, he asked the people, "Are you their votebank? Why do Rahul Baba and Kejriwal want to save Tukde Tukde gang that raised slogans for fragmentation of the country. They do this because of fear of their vote bank." The former BJP president also slammed Kejriwal government alleging the ruling AAP failed in fulfilling "all" its promises including construction of new schools and colleges, free wifi, installing of CCTV cameras, supplying clean water, reducing pollution, building roads and cleaning the Yamuna. "If there was a survey of lying and making false promises, Kejriwal government would top it," he said. Shah promised that if voted to power in Delhi, the BJP will ensure two-room houses to city's slum dwellers in five years. The results of Delhi Assembly polls for 70 seats will be declared on February 11. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delta Airlines has been fined $50,000 for discriminatory actions stemming from two different instances in 2016 in which Muslim passengers were reported by other passengers for looking suspicious. In both those cases, Delta crews had the Muslim passengers removed even after their own security confirmed that they posed no security threat. The first case involved a married American couple returning from an anniversary trip in Paris and flying to Cincinnati, where they lived. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, a flight crew member had allegedly told the pilot that she was uncomfortable flying with the couple because the woman was wearing a headscarf and the man was nervous and sweating. According to the Department of Transportation, a passenger had told a flight attendant that she had seen the husband put something in his watch. A flight attendant also told the captain that she had seen the husband text the word Allah several times and that he did not smile when making eye contact. A second flight attendant said she saw the man change his screen as she walked by. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pilot contacted security to ask to have the couple go through extra security. The security confirmed that the couple were no threat, but the pilot insisted they be removed and go through another round of security off the plane, as the flight attendants were uncomfortable having them on board. The couple was cleared again but still not allowed to return to their flight. They were rebooked on another Delta flight for the next day. Security officers said that the couple were not threatening but just stressed and confused. The Captain failed to follow Deltas required security protocol prior to making the decision to remove [the couple] from Flight 229, the Transportation Department consent order said. It appears that but for [the couple]s perceived religion, Delta would not have removed or denied them re-boarding. Advertisement Advertisement The second case occurred just days later on a flight from Amsterdam to New York. Passengers reported to flight attendants that they saw one Muslim passenger making significant eye contact and later receiving a small package from another person of similar ethnicity. Deltas security officers reassured the captain that the passenger had no red flags, and the pilot pulled the plane away from the gate. But flight attendants, who also told the captain that the man looked sweaty and anxious, protested, and the pilot returned the plane to the gate. The Muslim passenger was removed and rebooked on another flight. Because the passenger didnt undergo more screening before being rebooked, the Transportation Department concluded that his removal was purely discriminatory. On Friday, the Transportation Department announced that it had found that Delta had broken the law in its treatment of the Muslim passengers. Apart from paying the fee, the airline will also have to provide cultural sensitivity training for the customer service employees and crew members involved in the two incidents. Delta has said that it had not acted in a discriminatory way. Instead, the airline said, it acted on observations of behavior, rather than identity, as the people in both cases were acting suspiciously. The airline did, however, admit it could have handled both situations differently. Nepal has reportedly quarantined two people who returned to Kathmandu from China and kept them under observation at a government hospital in the capital city, according to the hospital authorities on January 25. The move has been taken amid the spread of deadly coronavirus outbreak in several parts across the world. The virus has killed 41 people and infected over 1000 people, mostly from the central Chinese city of Wuhan. Dr. Sher Bhahadur Pun from Teku hospital reportedly said that two persons who have recently returned from China are under observation at the hospital. READ: China: Authorities To Restrict Car Traffic In Wuhan From Sunday Sixth nation to confirm virus Nepal is the sixth nation in the world where the case of the virus has been confirmed. The infected person is a 30-year-old PhD student who was quarantined at Sukraraj Tropical Hospital for about five days and was under observation till January 17. According to the ministry, the suspected person is kept under observation and those who came under his contact are being identified. The virus was reported on January 16 in Japan which was the first case outside China. China has expanded its travel ban to a total of 13 cities stepping up its efforts to curb the deadly coronavirus, international media reported. The deadly infection has killed 41 people and infected more than 1000 people. READ: China To Build Second Hospital In Wuhan Amid Rising Death Toll China officials expand the ban As of Saturday (January 25), Chinese officials have placed a ban on 13 cities, out of which 12 are in Hubei Province. The ban has also restricted the travel of as many as 56 million people amid constant fears that transmission rate will accelerate due to increased travel during the Lunar New Year. Many people stayed home with temples, major tourist sites and movie theatres all shuttered as authorities sought to limit the spread of the virus. The virus has also spread outside China infecting people in Japan, Thailand, South Korea, United States, Australia, France, Malaysia, Singapore, Nepal, and Vietnam. However, the global Health Agency WHO has said that it was too early to declare it a global health emergency. While speaking to an international media outlet, WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the organisation is not declaring it as public health emergency of international concern as it is an emergency in China and has not yet become a global health emergency. READ: China Expands Travel Ban Amid Coronavirus Outbreak, 56 Million People Affected READ: Coronavirus Epidemic In China Leads Huanxi Studio Releasing Their Film Online DES MOINES The Des Moines Registers editorial board has endorsed U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren for president, arguing her ideas are needed at a moment when the very fabric of American life is at stake. She is a thinker, a policy wonk and a hard worker, the board wrote in its endorsement. She remembers her own familys struggles to make ends meet and her own desperation as a working mother needing child care. She cares about people, and she will use her seemingly endless energy and passion to fight for them. The endorsement, which appeared online Saturday, comes just days before Iowans go to caucus Feb. 3 and amid a still-unsettled field of Democratic candidates. What it means Rachel Paine Caufield, a professor of political science at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and author of the book The Iowa Caucus, noted there are two conversations going on around the election right now: A national conversation and a local one. The Des Moines Register is at the heart of that local conversation, she said. And theyre doing it long before most of America is paying attention. So while the Iowa caucuses are definitely of national interest, they are also a very local thing, and the Register endorsement still carries local interest, Caufield said. The Register has endorsed candidates since the 1988 caucuses. In 2016 the board endorsed Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Marco Rubio. Caufield noted there are still many caucusgoers who are undecided about which candidate to caucus for and (The endorsement) lends legitimacy and credibility to a campaigns case to the voters. In the most recent Des Moines Register/CNN/Mediacom Iowa poll conducted earlier this month, only 40% of likely Democratic caucusgoers had made up their mind about who to caucus for. In the next week-plus, while campaigns make their final pitch to caucusgoers, the endorsement can offer an injection of energy. These final days before the caucus, momentum matters a great deal, the energy behind a campaign matters, Caufield said. I think it really helps (campaigns) make that final case. Story continues For the candidates who didnt get the endorsement, it could be disappointing to a campaign, Caufield said. It could undermine some of its central claims, particularly about electability. Carol Hunter, executive editor of the Des Moines Register asks Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Ind., a question as he makes his way through the crowd on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2018, in the living room of a home in Johnston. Buttigieg is exploring a run for president. Register executive editor Carol Hunter told USA TODAY, The board starts with a very basic question: Who would be the best president? But also asks who would be the best president for these times? Thats one of the main factors that led us to Elizabeth Warren. We feel that income inequality and the tilting of the playing field so much toward the wealthy and away from the middle class has put the American dream at risk. In the United States, there was always a belief that if you worked hard, you could offer your children a better life than you had, Hunter said. We believe that is at risk. Elizabeth Warren is someone who has devoted her lifes work to rebuilding the middle class. Thats why we think shes the best leader for these times." The New York Times editorial board a week ago punted on a firm decision, choosing instead to endorse both Warren and Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Hunter said that wasnt an option for the Registers board. We could certainly identify with the Times dilemma, Hunter said. We think there are many candidates in this field who could make a fine president. But we think that Iowans going to caucus face making a choice. They cant stand in two preference groups. So we felt pressure to come up with one name. But the board did assess many candidates, because we do think that many offer different experiences and backgrounds and areas of expertise that also would recommend them for these times. A lot of what we want to do is offer people ways to think about these candidates as they work to arrive at their own decision. The Register, part of the USA TODAY Network, published Saturday a separate opinion piece paired with the endorsement, that details the boards thoughts and reservations about other candidates in the race. Hunter noted the editorial boards decision is not telling anyone how to vote. We offer our views as another piece of information as Iowans go about making their choices. Elizabeth Warren learns shes been endorsed by the @DMRegister pic.twitter.com/lR7xPItkFz Iowa Starting Line (@IAStartingLine) January 26, 2020 Warren was campaigning in Iowa when staff informed her of the news. She looked surprised, and nearly shouted, "I did?!" before doing a little dance. She soon after told reporters, I just heard, and Im delighted. It really means a lot to me, according to POLITICO. How the process works The editorial board invited each of the candidates to meet at the Registers offices for formal interviews. Nine current candidates accepted the invitation, as well as several who have since left the race. Two Republicans are challenging President Donald Trump, the presumptive nominee in his party. The Register is not endorsing a candidate in the Republican caucus. The news team is separate from the opinion staff and it did not play a role in making the endorsement. The board wrote that Warren is not the radical some perceive her to be. Her ideas arent radical, the editorial said. They are right. The boards members wrote that they like Warrens plans to target corruption, expand health care, tackle climate change and ensure government works for the people. But the endorsement did not come without qualification; some of Warrens ideas go too far, it said. Some of her ideas for big, structural change go too far, the editorial said. This board could not endorse the wholesale overhaul of corporate governance or cumulative levels of taxation she proposes. While the board has long supported single-payer health insurance, it believes a gradual transition is the more realistic approach. But Warren is pushing in the right direction. The editorial praised Warrens resilience and courage, saying she has proven she is tough and fearless. But toughness can also be perceived as divisive, as can rhetoric that vilifies the wealthy, lobbyists and corporations that employ millions of people, the editorial said. Relentless attack mode threatens to further fracture a country riven by party, income and racial divides. Unifying the country may not be possible, but to gain the support required to govern, she must show that her vision will lift people up rather than divide them. The Register editorial board also shared its thoughts about some of the other candidates in the 2020 field. Former Vice President Joe Biden: The board said he far outdistances the field in knowledge of foreign policy and familiarity with world leaders and he has an unrivaled experience in knowing how to get legislation passed through Congress. But, the board said it had reservations because he lacked a bold agenda, and in particular lacked expertise on income inequality issues. Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg: The board described him as a gifted speaker who demonstrates an impressive command of policy nuances and offers refreshing, common-ground approaches but said his eight-year tenure of heading a city the size of Davenport was not enough preparation to be president. The board added: His relative lack of support among communities of color also raises questions about his ability to unite the country. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar: The board wrote that her candidacy was appealing because she has a proven record of working across the aisle to get things done." But it questioned whether she would be bold enough in needed policies. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders: While the board wrote that his campaigns for president has benefited the nation by bringing attention to the rigged economy it expressed concern about his ability to build consensus and his routine opposition of trade agreements. Businessman activist Tom Steyer: The board said it questioned whether another billionaire businessman with no previous government experience (is) the best choice after Trump. Entrepreneur Andrew Yang: The board said Yang has brought attention to the peril of the coming technological transformation but said his lack of any government experience and the radical nature of his universal basic income plan were drawbacks. The editorial board also listed U.S. Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California as two voices that are missed. Both Democrats campaigned significantly in Iowa, including meeting with the editorial board, but dropped out of the race. The board did not consider former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, or U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii because they have not focused on campaigning in Iowa. Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines Register's editorial board endorses Elizabeth Warren According to Ministry of Health, two of them were not confirmed Health Minister Zoryana Skaletska said that three cases of suspected coronavirus have been recorded in Ukraine. She announced this at a meeting of the operational headquarters of the Ministry of Healthcare, RBC-Ukraine reports. "Today in Ukraine we have already investigated three cases of suspected coronavirus. Two of them have not been confirmed. In another case, an epidemiological investigation is being carried out with the participation of leading epidemiologists. Each case will be investigated and reported to the population," Skaletska said. For his part, the Acting Director General of the Center for Public Health Ihor Kuzin said that confirming the diagnosis of a new coronavirus could take two-three weeks. In general, coronavirus from the moment a diagnosis is made, the suspicion of a coronavirus infection until confirmation is 2-3 days at the regional level. Confirmation of a new coronavirus is possible only through a reference laboratory, which is determined by WHO, and it can take from 2 to 3 weeks, Kuzin noted. As we reported, Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk stated that the operational headquarters at the level of the Healthcare Ministry is created in Ukraine to control the spread of coronavirus in China. BAGHDADIraqi security forces fired teargas and live bullets in clashes on Sunday with protesters who resisted with stones and petrol bombs, Reuters witnesses and security sources said. More than 100 protesters were hurt, including at least 75 in the southern city of Nasiriya, in the renewed violence in Baghdad and other cities after the security forces tried to clear sit-in protest camps, medical sources said. The protesters are demanding the removal of what they consider a corrupt ruling elite and an end to foreign interference in Iraqi politics, especially by Iran, which dominates state institutions. Unrest resumed last week, after a lull of several weeks, following the U.S. killing of Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani and an Iraqi paramilitary chief in Baghdad this month. The killing, to which Iran responded with ballistic missile attacks on two Iraqi military bases, has revived tensions in Iraqi politics and delayed the formation of a new government. In Baghdad, protesters were coughing and washing their faces and eyes to rid themselves of the effects of the gas while medical workers provided first aid, as the site was inaccessible to ambulances, a Reuters reporter said. Tuk-tuks evacuated wounded protesters in clouds of tear gas and black smoke from burning tires. Earlier on Sunday, hundreds of university students had gathered in Tahrir square, the main protest camp, chanting slogans against the United States and Iran. In the center of Nasiriya, protesters set fire to two security vehicles and hundreds of other demonstrators controlled the citys main bridges, a Reuters witness said. A police source described the situation in Nasiriya as tense and critical. In the southern city of Basra, more than 2,000 students arrived at a protest camp, another Reuters witness said. Protests also continued in the cities of Kerbala, Najaf, and Diwaniya, defying attempts by security forces to end their months-long sit-in, police sources and Reuters witnesses said. In other violence, five Katyusha rockets landed on Sunday night in Baghdads Green Zone, which houses government buildings and foreign embassies, a military statement said. There were no immediate reports of casualties but sources said the rockets landed near the U.S. embassy. CLERIC CANCELS MARCH Tens of thousands protested against the U.S. military presence in Iraq in a march on Friday. Populist Shiite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr had also called for demonstrations against the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and other cities on Sunday but canceled them, with his office giving avoiding internal strife as the reason. Sadr, who has millions of supporters in Baghdad and the south, said on Saturday he would end his involvement in anti-government unrest. We protest because we have a cause. I dont think Moqtada Sadr or any other politician will change our mind, said a protester in Baghdad who declined to give his name. Sadrs supporters have bolstered the protesters and at times have helped shield them from attacks by security forces and unidentified gunmen, but began withdrawing from sit-in camps on Saturday following his announcement. Security forces then removed concrete barriers near Baghdads Tahrir Square, where demonstrators have camped out for months, and across at least one main bridge over the Tigris River. I dont go to protests often but I came out today because of what they did yesterday. I want to express my solidarity with my brothers in Tahrir, said Hussain Ali, a student. The Iraqi High Commission on Human Rights called on all sides to exercise self-restraint and keep demonstrations peaceful. By Aziz El Yaakoubi It was tartan all round tonight as Alexa Chung and Pixie Geldof decked up to celebrate Burn's night. The pals donned their tartan garments for a night of fun and frolicking at a Burn's night supper at The Ned's Club, Bank, London, on Saturday. TV presenter Alexa, 36, glowed in a golden silk long-sleeved peasant dress, paired with a thin tartan scarf for added festivity and a silver jewelled bag. Golden goddess: Alexa Chung, 36, stunned in a silky full length peasant dress with a hint of tartan provided by a scarf at a Burn's night supper at The Ned's Club, Bank, London While her model pal Pixie, 29, stood out in a full tartan mini dress paired with black tights and boots. The pair are unlikely to join the hundreds of thousands of Scotts who will be celebrating the night with haggis, neeps and tatties as Pixie is a strict vegan and Alexa a vegetarian. However they were both spotted enjoying a non-traditional Burns night ceilidh dance after the dinner to a tune by spin off bagpipe band The Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Tartan mini: Pixie Geldof, 29, stood out in a full tartan mini dress paired with black tights and boots before heading for a jolly Burn's night dance Simple and chic: The model topped her look with a two-toned nude and black heel and drop diamond earrings Pixie's husband These New Puritans drummer George Barnett was seen watching from the sidelines. The pair have been married since 2017, when the couple tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Majorca, with the bride arriving in a bus. Burns Night is the annual celebration of the life and work of the Scottish poet, Robert Burns. It is celebrated on Robert Burnss birthday on January 25. Despite dying at the young age of 37, Robert Burns is widely regarded as Scotland's national poet, most famous for his poems, Auld Lang Syne and Ae Fond Kiss. Get your groove on: Pixie and Alexa Chung danced a traditional ceilidh to The Red Hot Chilli Pipers at the Ned's Club Burn's supper in Bank, London Burns Night food focuses on Scottish delicacies such as haggis, neeps, tatties and a wee dram. Neeps are turnips and tatties are potatoes. A wee dram is a shot of Scotch whiskey. Everyone stands as the haggis is brought in. The dish is traditionally served on a silver platter while a piper plays the bagpipes, leading the path to the Burns Supper hosts table. After the haggis is brought to the table, someone recites Burnss Address to a Haggis as the haggis on the table is cut open. For a Burns Night dessert, many people have Cranachan, a traditional Scottish dessert made from cream whisky, oats and raspberries. The national carrier Air India celebrated the 71st Republic Day by distributing 30,000 Indian flags made of eco-friendly seed paper among its passengers at airports in metro cities and Srinagar on Sunday. The airlines also put up a big hoarding at the historic Lal Chowk in the heart of Srinagar to congratulate the people on Republic Day. It was the first Republic Day celebration in Srinagar after the abrogation of Article 370 provisions that gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. The handmade flags prepared by Sahariya tribals of Madhya Pradesh were distributed at the airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Srinagar, said Air India spokesperson Dhananjay Kumar. "We distributed more than 800 flags at Srinagar airport to the passengers, specially those of Air India to share our national pride on the occasion. In another initiative, we also congratulated valley people on Republic Day by putting up a big hoarding at Lal Chowk," Kumar said. More than 30,000 flags made of special seed paper were distributed at different airports, he said. The flags contain seeds of marigold and fenugreek which would germinate and develop into saplings after soaking in water and planted in soil. Srinagar-resident Mohammad Yusuf Gojri accompanied by other passengers accepted the tricolour. A young tourist from Haryana, Lakshya Dangi said he was in the valley for the past few days and was impressed by hospitality and warmth of the people. "Although tourist turnout is low due to cold and unavailability of Internet, people here are very warm and welcoming," he said when asked about his experience. Air India connects the valley to the rest of India and Republic Day is the occasion to congratulate people and strengthen their ties with the airline, said Nazneen Ahmad Chisti, Srinagar-based senior manager (commercial) of Air India. A tricolour was unfurled at the Srinagar airport in a programme organised by the Airports Authority of India. Senior police and paramilitary officers and personnel attended the function. The police, paramilitary, and airport authority personnel were given certificates at the function for commendable service. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Forensic audits on bond scams raise alarm bells, expose dealings between officials and private parties BOND SAGA View(s): View(s): The forensic audits conducted by two international consulting agencies BDO and KPMG on the issuance of Treasury bonds and government securities from January 2002 to end February 2015 covering the tenure of two governments, has opened a can of worms, exposing high officials particularly former Central Bank (CB) Governor Arjuna Mahendran and their links with private sector dealers and bankers and conniving to effect huge losses to the government and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) while benefiting private sector dealers, particularly PTL. The reports six in total which were made public on Thursday also examined the investments of the EPF in the stock market many of which resulted in losses in its return on capital and also examined the role of the former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal during the period of these investments. Mr. Cabraal, the reports said, was unable to give an interview to seek clarification on the matters that arose during the investigation. BDO India presented five reports running to a total of 1,251 pages while the KPMG India report had 295 pages. The investigators examined, computers, laptops, email conversations and voice recordings of telephone conversations, some of which appeared in the reports and others listed as annexures. Mr. Cabraal, against whom strictures have been made in the reports, on Thursday dismissed the allegations. This report is flawed because it was not done by an independent party but by those who are in power and responsible for the bond scam including the former Prime Minister and his associates. It should have been a completely independent investigation which is not the case here. In fact during 2012-2014, the EPF had made Rs. 14.6 billion in unrealised profits while at the time I left the bank, the unrealised profits amounted to Rs. 20 billion, he said when asked to comment on the allegations. C ow & Gate are urgently recalling 15 varieties of baby food sold in Tesco amid fears they have been "tampered with". Shoppers who have purchased jars of the food for babies aged above seven months are urged not to use it and return it to the supermarket. The company said the recall is a "precautionary measure" following "concerns that some jars may have been tampered with". No other Cow & Gate supplements sold in Tesco or 7+ months jars sold in other stores are a safety risk, they said. Cow & Gate is recalling 15 varieties of the baby food jars sold in Tesco "We regret that this incident has happened and we are sorry for the concern and the inconvenience that this recall may cause," Tesco and Cow & Gate said in a statement. The Food Standards Association added: "If you have bought any of the listed products, do not feed them to your baby. "Instead, return it to the Tesco store from where it was bought for a full refund." A woman wears a protective mask near the Chinatown section of New York City on Jan. 23, 2020, amid a growing number of cases worldwide of the Wuhan coronavirus. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images) Malaysia Confirms Fourth Case of Coronavirus Infection KUALA LUMPURMalaysia reported a fourth case of coronavirus infection late Saturday, just hours after it announced its first confirmed cases. The newly identified virus can cause pneumonia, which has been deadly in some cases. It is still unclear how dangerous it is and how easily it spreads between people. Health Ministry Director-General Noor Hisham Abdullah said the latest case was a 40-year-old man from Wuhan, China, who was part of a tour group that traveled by bus to the southern state of Johor from Singapore on Wednesday. The man had suffered from fever the next day and sought treatment at a hospital in Johor. Tests by Malaysias Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre confirmed he was suffering from the coronavirus, Noor Hisham said. He is currently experiencing fever and cough, but his condition is stable, Noor Hisham said in a statement. Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad had earlier announced three confirmed cases of coronavirus infection in three Chinese nationals, the first reported in Malaysia. The three were related to a 66-year-old man confirmed by Singapore to have tested positive for the virus. The infected individuals were a 65-year-old woman, who is the wife of the man with the virus in Singapore, and their two grandsons, aged 11 and 2, Dzulkefly said. The three have been admitted to hospital in Kuala Lumpur and were in stable conditions, the minister told a news conference. Malaysia Airports said it had heightened screening of passengers and crew arriving from China at gateway airports across the country to minimize the potential spread of the virus. By Joseph Sipalan Reclamation a travesty of environmental justice for vulnerable coastal communities in Malaysia January 26,2020 | Source: Aliran Penang Tolak Tambak (Penang Rejects Reclamation) and other civil society groups in Malaysia released the following media statement upon handing over the memorandum (reproduced below) to the National Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) on 16 January 2020. Environmental justice is about promoting a fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens and ensuring that vulnerable low-income communities do not bear the brunt of pollution, environmental degradation, and climate change. Penang Tolak Tambak is an alliance between the Persatuan Nelayan Pulau Pinang and Penang Forum formed in mid-2019 to stop the destructive large-scale coastal reclamation projects in Penang, particularly the Penang South Reclamation project. This memorandum focuses on the Penang South Reclamation project. The Penang governments project to reclaim three islands measuring 4,500 acres will produce major negative outcomes for environmental justice and human rights. The creation of three supposedly smart and green artificial islands which aims for affluent buyers and investors will be undetaken at the expense of vulnerable groups and future generations. This memorandum raises five issues of environmental justice affecting traditional/inshore/artisanal fishers and fishing communities which should be raised to the Penang state government as the project proponent and approver of the project. A. The Penang South Reclamation project will inflict permanent damage on Penangs richest fishery and sensitive coastal ecosystem, impacting the livelihoods of 4,909 fisherfolk and 511 marine aquaculture operations. Sand mining for the project will affect an additional 6,000 fisherfolk and aquaculture operations in northern Perak. B. Have the Penang government and the Department of Environment failed to observe the precautionary principle in climate mitigation and environmental protection? C. Are the state authorities ignoring, overruling and undermining the traditional fisherfolks rights of tenure and access to the fisheries commons, by planning a project which destroys and pollutes the marine ecosystem? D. Are the state authorities violating the principle of free, prior and informed consent by deciding to proceed with the project despite the explicit objections of local fishing communities? E. Did the authorities attempt to obstruct the fisherfolks protest and memorandum handover on Hari Solidariti Nelayan (Fisherfolk Solidarity Day), 4 November 2019, by trying to deny them the use of a public space, imposing restrictive conditions, erecting a police barricade and despite permission given in the police letter denying entry to the state assembly venue? Memorandum The current trend of coastal reclamation projects as a development strategy in Malaysia is creating thousands of victims of development among vulnerable low-income coastal communities. Penang South Reclamation is an important test case for the defence of traditional fisherfolks human rights against the sea grab of the fisheries commons by state and business interests. The deliberate erosion of fisheries rights for Penang and Malaysias fisherfolk and the implications for our national food security and cost of living poses a direct and monumental threat to the wellbeing of the bottom 40% of the population. Two petitions to stop the Penang South Reclamation project have been signed by more than 250,000 supporters (see the change.org and rainforest rescue petitions). The numbers clearly demonstrate the groundswell of local, national and international support for these fisherfolk and for the protection of our marine ecosystems. We have appealed to the prime minister of Malaysia and the chief minister of Penang to observe the precautionary principle for environmental protection and to stop/cancel the proposed project. We call upon Suhakam to advise the Penang state government, developers, government officers and fisheries authorities to respect the fishing communities right to free, prior and informed consent and to conduct any consultations fairly and transparently with all legitimate representatives on board and observing mutually agreed due process. Any attempt to undermine the Persatuan Nelayan Pulau Pinangs (Penang Fisherfolks Assocation) collective position by any party through eg one-to-one negotiations and the offering of incentives or the exertion of undue pressure through mala fide acts such as intimidation, coercion or abuse of power in the removal of normal subsidies or use rights, obstruction of access to fisheries, arbitrary demotion or disqualification of any fisherfolk, undermining the right to freedom of association or de-platforming of the fisherfolks association in any manner should be investigated. We appeal to Suhakam to ensure that local fishing communities are not disenfranchised of their rights to the fisheries commons which has been their source of livelihood for generations. To protect the human rights of the fisherfolk, we call upon Suhakam to conduct a full investigation into the plight of the Penang and Perak fisherfolk threatened by the proposed Penang South Reclamation project. We also call upon political representatives, government, civil society and the public at large to recognise coastal reclamation as an environmental justice issue affecting tens of thousands of fisherfolk and their fishing communities and to support the fisherfolks rights by calling for the national proscription or ban on coastal reclamation proposals for urban development, as advised in the National Physical Plan 2020. Theme(s): Communities and Organisations. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 26 By Elnur Baghishov - Trend: Iran is holding the negotiations related to the e-corridor with Azerbaijan and Georgia, Iranian Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance, Chairman of the Iranian Customs Administration Mehdi Mirashrafi said. Mirashrafi made the remark at the press-conference in Iran, Trend reports referring to Mehr. Iran is working towards the e-document circulation related to the North-South Transport Corridor, the chairman said. Russia and India will be included in the project at the next stage. Iran has implemented the e-TIR project with Azerbaijan and Turkey over the past two years. The e-TIR convention is spreading eastward. Iran has taken steps to take advantage of this convention. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 23:43:27|Editor: yan Video Player Close DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's weather agency on Sunday issued its latest weather outlook warning of looming heavy rains in more than 10 regions, including the commercial capital Dar es Salaam, in the east African nation. The Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) said in its weather forecast that the rains starting January 25 were expected in Dar es Salaam, Lindi, Mtwara, Ruvuma and parts of Morogoro region. Other regions to be hit by the heavy rains include Coast, Tanga, Kigoma, Geita, Mwanza and Kagera regions, and the islands of Mafia and Zanzibar. On Jan. 22, TMA released an alert saying heavy rains were expected in four regions causing devastating damage to infrastructure and property. TMA mentioned regions to be affected by the torrential rains as Lindi, Mtwara, Ruvuma and parts of Morogoro. "The rains and strong winds were likely to cause devastating damage to the infrastructure, property, residential and business structures," said the weather forecast. It said business and residential structures located on valleys were likely to be submerged by flash floods. The forecast said the rains and heavy winds were expected to disrupt social services and transport and warned people to stay at safer places. AMU Vice Chancellor Tariq Mansoor was on Sunday heckled by a group of students during his Republic Day speech here soon after he termed as "unfortunate" the recent happenings on the campus and said peaceful protests will be allowed on any issue within the ambit of law. The incident occurred when the VC was addressing the Republic Day function held amid tight security at the Aligarh Muslim University, which has been rocked by protests by students and teachers against the amended citizenship law. The Vice Chancellor was giving his concluding remarks when a group of students raised slogans demanding his removal and a minor tussle ensued between two groups of students in the audience before the security staff stepped in, according to eyewitnesses. Four of the hecklers were whisked away by the security staff and taken to the Proctor's office but were later released, they said. There was no response from police or AMU to queries on the incident. However, the spokesman of the Students' Coordination Committee, Ansab Amir, told reporters that a few students who were protesting during the Vice Chancellor's speech were picked up by the University's security staff and reportedly taken to the police station. According to available information they have now been released. He identified the students as Tahir Azmi, Rafiuddin, Sudhir Gulati and AM Faraz. Amir said the agitating students held a separate programme celebrating Republic Day at their dharna site. Delivering his speech, the Vice Chancellor pledged to protect the minority character of the university. "The recent happenings in the campus have been unfortunate. I have always stood and will always stand by my students, teachers and AMU fraternity," Prof Mansoor said. "AMU is committed to allow peaceful protest on any issue within the ambit of law," he said. "We are committed to protection and preservation of minority character and historical legacy of the university," he said. Mansoor said, "Tolerance of all religions has always been the cornerstone of Indian culture and our Constitution seeks to build an equitable society where all citizens enjoy equal rights." Addressing the function, the former President of AMU Students' Union, Faizul Hasan said, "This is the day to honour our freedom and our Constitution. We are however continuing our peaceful protest to safeguard our Constitution and the foundational values of our republic." Hasan, however, cautioned the students against doing anything during the protest which would provide "an excuse to the authorities to take action against them and thus bring a premature end to the dharna". Asked about the protests, Secretary of AMU Teachers' Association Najmul Islam said, "Today is a day to celebrate the foundational values of our republic and I would not like to say anything beyond this." "Our peaceful agitation against the CAA will continue. However, I would once again urge the students to end their boycott of classes and exams even while they are continuing with their protest," he said. Meanwhile, there was some commotion in the campus on Saturday night as police raided the residence of a senior university faculty member, Prof Tariq Usmani.They were apparently searching for his son Sharjeel Usmani, a prominent student leader. According to Prof Usmani, his son was not present but the police "misbehaved" with him and asked him to report at the police station on Monday. Usmani said that the police had no written orders seeking his presence at the police station. A large number of senior members of the University staff reached the site and the situation was soon defused. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) JERUSALEM (AP) Britain's Prince Charles on Friday paid a solemn visit to the tomb of his grandmother, who sheltered Jews during the Holocaust and whose tumultuous life was marked by exile, mental illness and a religious devotion to serving the needy. Princess Alice is interred at the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Mary Magdalene, whose gold onion domes rise up from the Mount of Olives, just outside Jerusalem's Old City. Charles was shown around the 19th-century church by Archimandrite Roman Krassovsky, the local head of the Russian Orthodox Church, who offered prayers as nuns dressed in black sang hymns. The Prince of Wales made no public remarks, but he paid tribute to his grandmother the night before at the World Holocaust Forum, which was attended by dozens of other world leaders and coincided with the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp. I have long drawn inspiration from the selfless actions of my dear grandmother, Princess Alice of Greece, who in 1943, in Nazi-occupied Athens, saved a Jewish family by taking them into her home and hiding them," Charles said. She is counted as one of the Righteous Among the Nations, an honor bestowed by Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial on non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. Charles said that was a source of immense pride for him and the royal family. She was born Princess Alice of Battenberg in 1885. She was deaf from birth and suffered from mental illness, but managed to devote much of her life to aiding the poor, the sick and refugees. The great granddaughter of Queen Victoria married Prince Andrew of Greece in 1903 and had five children, including Prince Philip, the future Duke of Edinburgh and consort to Queen Elizabeth II. The family was driven into exile on two occasions, and the princess was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and spent time in a sanitarium after suffering a nervous breakdown. She became a Greek Orthodox nun in 1928 while living in France, and returned to Athens alone in 1940, living in her brother-in-law's three-story residence. During World War II, she worked with the Swedish and Swiss Red Cross to help those in need. She later founded an order of nuns known as the Christian Sisterhood of Mary and Martha. Story continues When the Nazis entered Athens in 1943, she sheltered three members of the Cohen family. The father of the family, former parliamentarian Haim Cohen, had been close to the royal family until he passed away that year. Princess Alice did not not know Cohen's wife, Rachel, or his daughter, Tilde, but hid them away in her mansion anyway, and later sheltered Rachel's son, Michael, as well. Yad Vashem says the princess regularly visited with the family and wanted to learn more about their Jewish faith. At one point, when suspicious Gestapo officers came to the home to interview her, the princess used her deafness to avoid answering their questions, it said. Her own family, however, fought on both sides of the Second World War. Prince Philip served in the British Royal Navy, while her German royal sons-in-law fought for the Nazis. The Nazis and their collaborators killed 6 million Jews during the war. Alice died in Buckingham Palace in 1969 and was later interred in the church in Jerusalem. She had requested to be buried next to her aunt Elizabeth, the Grand Duchess of Russia, who had also devoted her life to charity and was canonized as a Russian Orthodox saint. Elizabeth's tomb is in the church itself, while Alice was laid to rest in a small, attached chapel. Prince William visited the tomb of Alice, his great-grandmother, in June 2018. In a 1994 visit to the Holy Land, Prince Philip planted a tree at Yad Vashem in his mothers honor and visited her grave. With an all-new wing, new engines and updated systems and flight deck, the 777X is almost an all-new aircraft, and just shares the 777 designation with its successful predecessor that first flew 25 years ago, in 1994. Boeing's chief test pilot, who co-piloted Saturday's sortie, said it would work closely with regulators. Boeing's latest jet, the 777X, lifted-off for the first time at Paine Field, Everett, Washington at 10.09 am local time this morning for an nearly four hour flight. The 777X is set to replace larger, ageing aircraft such as the 747 and Airbus A380, as well as older previous-generation 777-300ER. A slump in demand for large aircraft has brought no new 777X orders since last March and some cancellations, cutting the order book to 309 aircraft. Just two months later Emirates, the world's largest worldwide airline, gave a ringing endorsement to the 777X, with an order for 150, later reduced to 115, when the airline placed an order for 30787-9s. The launch was the largest in commercial jetliner history by dollar value with the 259 orders worth $95 billion at list prices. The 777-9, the first of the new 777X series, will seat between 400 and 425 passengers, and fly up to 14,000 km. "Its ground-breaking engine technologies and all-new composite wing will deliver unsurpassed value and growth potential to our customers". Boeing said the new aircraft would stay in the air for up to five hours. The Boeing 777-9X will be the largest passenger jet on offer. Typical airline seat widths range from 17 to 18.5 inches (43 to 47 centimeters). The driving force behind the aircraft is Emirates President Sir Tim Clark and calls the 777X an "absolute peach". Just minutes earlier, the pilots deployed the plane's winglets - folding wing tips - created to improve the craft's fuel efficiency and make it possible for the plane, with the widest wing span ever from Boeing, to be accommodated at more airports. Around 320 have already been ordered, the firm says, and will feature a wider cabin and bigger windows than even the firm's 787 Dreamliner. Major airlines including Emirates, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways have placed some 340 orders for the 777X. It is 3.35m in diameter and produces 102,000 lbs of thrust. The aircraft development has been delayed because of issues with the huge GE9X high bypass engines which are estimated to be 10 percent more efficient than earlier designs. Inside the main Everett assembly building, Boeing installed state-of-the-art, automated stations where the wings will be assembled, equipment designed by Mukilteo-based engineering company Electroimpact. The first two engines were installed on the first test aircraft, WH001 and it powered up about mid-November. A Boeing stress test on a completed 777X airframe in November fell short of perfection when the fuselage split open just shy of the target load. As the 252-foot-long aircraft - the longest commercial jet by a whisker - drew to a halt before waiting VIPs, rows of undelivered 737 MAX stood idle nearby in a reminder of the crisis that has engulfed Boeing since it was grounded past year. Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], Jan 26 (ANI): Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Saturday said that Mahatma Gandhi would have observed fast against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at Shaheen Bagh in the national capital, had he been alive. "If Mahatma Gandhi were alive today, he would have observed a 'Bhookh Hadtal' (fast) at Shaheen Bagh," Singh told reporters after participating in a book launch here. Peaceful protests are being carried out at Shaheen Bagh in New Delhi for over a month against the newly amended citizenship law and proposed National Register of Citizen (NRC). Talking about the abrogation of Article 370, Singh said that Mahatma Gandhi would have also protested carried out a 'Padyatra' from Lal Quila in New Delhi to Lal Chowk in Jammu and Kashmir. "I believe that if Gandhiji were alive today, he would have started a Padyatra today from Lal Quila to Lal Chowk. To address the distrust among the people living in the Valley after the abrogation of Article 370 was the biggest responsibility of those who believe in the unity in diversity in India," he said during his speech at the event. The Central government had, in August last year, abrogation Article 370 of the Constitution, which conferred special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Taking a jibe at BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya's Poha remark, the Digvijaya Singh said he was one step ahead of the Prime Minister in identifying people from their actions and clothes. "Prime Minister Modi had said that he can tell if a person is Muslim or Hindu by their clothes. Kailash Vijayvargiya is one step ahead of him. He can identify a person's citizenship by watching the way they eat Poha," he said. (ANI) While acclaimed Mexican artist Tania Candiani was visiting a museum in Oaxaca, Mexico, a weaver told her he preferred working in the dark so that he could hear the snap of a breaking thread. Many of the works are related to that story, Candiani said in a Skype interview from her Mexico City office. An installation born of collaboration, Tania Candiani: Cromatica opens at 516 ARTS on Saturday, Feb. 8. The show is making its American debut after traveling to Oaxaca, Guadalajara and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. The exhibition explores sound, color and synesthesia, a condition in which one sense is simultaneously received by different senses, knitted through traditional arts and crafts. 516 ARTS Executive Director Suzanne Sbarge discovered Candianis work while on exhibition research in Juarez. She has pulled together work that is in some ways very traditional, but she is placing it in a contemporary context, Sbarge said. Cromatica focuses on the primary color triad: red, blue and yellow. The color trio also reflects the three kingdoms of nature: the animal from the cochineal insect used in red dye; the vegetal from indigo blue and the mineral pigments used in yellow. A repurposed antique loom forms the nucleus of the show. Artists Sal Moiss Revilla and Jess Ramirez Ortiz turned it into a zanfona, a musical instrument from the 14th century. The continuous friction of the strings becomes the central function of the loom. The work spans architecture and science, as well as art. It makes a deep, strange sound, and the audience actually plays it, Candiani said. Most of the works are the sound of labor. I thought it spoke so well to the span of time from traditional craft to contemporary. It brought together the concept of the past, present and future. A photo of a display of 800 pieces of prickly pear cactus infested with cochineal insects explores the color red. The cochineal was used to dye ceramics and textiles, to write and to draw murals. Embroiderers created a series of cross-stitch imagery using dyed silk thread on cotton. The patterns were based on illustrations from the 1794 book Benefit of Grana Cochinilla by Jose Antonio Azate. A tapestry woven by Juan Prez Martinez charts the primary colors in a rainbow of horizontal lines. A display of hand-embroidered hoops reveals anecdotes related to the color blue, originally harvested from the plant indigo. It includes a snippet about the director Billy Wilder (Some Like It Hot, Sunset Boulevard). He wanted to paint the (white) flowers in yellow for a movie, Candiani said. Another reflects the sapphire preferences of the Victorian painter John Ruskin. He only allowed his pupils to paint with Prussian blue, she said. The anecdotes expand to the French Surrealist/Symbolist poet Arthur Rimbaud, who applied color to letters. Hes looking at the color blue every time you say, Oh, Candiani said. In creating the exhibition, Candiani is defying the obsolescence of traditional art forms. Its been overwhelmed by the industrialization of things, especially in textiles, she said. I believe nothing is obsolete. I believe everything deserves a new way of understanding. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 15:52:35|Editor: zh Video Player Close The Republic Day parade is held at Rajpath in New Delhi, India, on Jan. 26, 2020. The Indian government on Sunday celebrated the 71st Republic Day amid tight and adequate security measures. (Photo by Partha Sarkar/Xinhua) by Peerzada Arshad Hamid NEW DELHI, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government on Sunday celebrated the 71st Republic Day amid tight and adequate security measures. The main function was organized at Rajpath in New Delhi, the national capital, where India's military might and cultural diversity was fully displayed. Indian President Ram Nath Kovind unfurled the Indian national flag, following which the national anthem was played. In accordance with the tradition, a booming 21-gun salute was also presented to mark the beginning of the parade. The Republic Day ceremony started with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial, where he paid tributes to the Indian soldiers who died fighting for the country. Kovind saluted the parade and flypast. The military contingents, police and paramilitary marched past the podium, with colourful cultural performances being showcased during the parade. "A spectacular parade of forces and a majestic flypast by military today marked the 71st Republic Day," an official said, adding that the parade had showed the country's military prowess, state-of-the-art defence platforms, and diverse culture. Indian army's battle tank Bhishma, infantry combat vehicle Ballway Machine Pikate and the air force's new Rafale fighter jet, Chinook and Apache helicopters were the main highlights during the parade. For the first time, Anti-Satellite Weapons (ASAT) from Mission Shakti and the Dhanush artillery were at display. A contingent of paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) women bikers, 21 of them on five motorcycles, performed daredevil stunts during the parade. According to the officials, over 20,000 security personnel from police and paramilitary were deployed in Delhi to ensure that no untoward incident takes place. Authorities also installed CCTV cameras and face-recognition cameras at Rajpath as part of the security. The telecast of the parade and cultural pageant along with commentary in Hindi and English was available on the state-run television Doordarshan News. The state-run broadcaster All India Radio also broadcast the running commentary of the event for listeners. Several VIPs and foreign dignitaries attended the event. President of Brazil Jair Messias Bolsonaro was the chief guest at the parade. The parade started from Vijay Chowk and proceeded towards the Red Fort grounds. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to twitter to greet people on Republic Day. China has warned the ability of the deadly coronavirus to spread is getting stronger as the number infected globally rose to more than 2,000. The authorities said little is known about the new virus, and they are unclear on the risks posed by it mutating. National Health Commission Minister Ma Xiaowei said the incubation period for the coronavirus can range from one to 14 days, and it is infectious during this time. This was not the case with the previous Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak, which also originated in China and killed nearly 800 people around the world in 2002 and 2003. "According to recent clinical information, the virus' ability to spread seems to be getting somewhat stronger," Mr Ma told reporters. In response to the mounting crisis, containment efforts - which to date have included travel restrictions and the cancellation of major events - are to be ramped up in China. The US is also to evacuate its diplomatic staff from the central Chinese city of Wuhan in Hubei, the epicentre of the outbreak, and has offered a limited number of seats on the flight to its citizens at greater risk of coronavirus. The UK Foreign Office has advised against "all travel to Wuhan" and said people should leave if they are able to do so. The government is "looking at all options" to help stranded Britons , Home Secretary Priti Patel told Sky News. More than 50 people have now been tested for coronavirus in the UK, but there are still no confirmed cases, according to the Department of Health (DoH). France is also looking at repatriating around 800 of its nationals from Wuhan, the government has said. So far 56 people in China have died in the latest outbreak, which has spread to other parts of the country including Beijing and Shanghai, and the number of confirmed cases has reached 1,975. A small number of cases have also been confirmed in Thailand, Japan, South Korea, the US, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, France, Australia and Canada. Story continues The UK Foreign Office has advised against "all travel to Wuhan" and said people should leave if they are able to do so. The government is "looking at all options" to help stranded Britons , Home Secretary Priti Patel has told Sky News. The number of people tested for coronavirus in Britain has passed 30 - although there are still no confirmed cases. In Wuhan, where 11 million residents are already on lockdown, most vehicle use has been banned and 6,000 taxis have been earmarked to help transport people if needed. The Chinese military has sent 450 medical staff, some with experience in past outbreaks including SARS and Ebola, to to help treat patients, while supplies, including 14,000 protective suits, are being rushed to the city. T wo new dedicated hospitals are also being built in the city to cope with rising numbers of cases. Medical workers have been among those infected - and according to Wuhan media reports, a 62-year-old doctor has died from the virus. Chinese President Xi Jinping has described the situation as "grave" . The outbreak has overshadowed the start of the Lunar New Year, when hundreds of millions of Chinese travel at home and abroad to be with families, with public events cancelled and many tourist sites shut, including Beijing's Forbidden City and part of the Great Wall. Cruise operators have also cancelled some sailings due to embark from Chinese ports. Hong Kong, which has six confirmed cases, has declared a virus emergency, scrapped celebrations and halted direct transport links with Wuhan. In Beijing, people have been urged not to shake hands but instead salute using a traditional cupped-hand gesture. :: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Canada has a "presumptive" confirmed case of the virus in a resident who had returned from Wuhan, while the US has registered three cases. Australia, Japan and Malaysia have each declared four cases. France reported Europe's first cases on Friday. No deaths have been reported outside China. Airports around the world have stepped up screening of passengers from China, although some health officials and experts have questioned the effectiveness of such screenings. Doctors at a Paris hospital said two of the three Chinese nationals in France who have been diagnosed with the virus had arrived in the country without showing any symptoms. A report by infectious disease specialists at Imperial College London on Saturday said the epidemic "represents a clear and ongoing global health threat". It added: "It is uncertain at the current time whether it is possible to contain the continuing epidemic within China." Protesters threw petrol bombs on Sunday night at an empty public housing complex in Hong Kong that had been earmarked to become a temporary quarantine zone as the city battles the outbreak of a SARS-like virus. The unrest came as city authorities announced anyone from Hubei, the central Chinese province where the outbreak began, would be denied entry until further notice. City leader Carrie Lam has faced growing criticism over her administration's response to the crisis, including calls from some medical experts and politicians to close the border with the mainland. Hong Kong has declared the novel coronavirus a public "emergency" -- the city's highest warning tier -- and on Saturday announced ramped-up measures to reduce the risk of further infections. Among them was a plan to turn a newly built but currently empty public housing block in Fanling into a quarantine facility. The buildings would be used to house people who may have come into contact with carriers of the virus as they wait to get tested, as well as frontline medical staff worried about infecting their families. The city has diagnosed six positive cases of the virus so far. Dozens of local residents and protesters opposed to the idea held rallies outside the complex on Sunday, with some setting up road blocks. In the evening, police said assailants threw petrol bombs at the buildings. An AFP photographer on the scene saw fierce flames coming from the entrance of two apartment blocks before firefighters got the blaze under control. Riot police were on scene and protesters had left, although some local residents were arguing with officers who used pepper spray. - Where to house medics? - The Centre for Health Protection said the plan to turn the housing estate into a quarantine zone would be suspended. The agency has already turned a holiday park in an isolated rural area into a working quarantine facility. Two other holiday parks located away from major housing estates are also ready to be used as similar facilities. But officials say they have struggled to find hotels and spare rooms for doctors and nurses working on the isolation wards where patients are being treated. The virus outbreak comes at a time when Hong Kong is already boiling with widespread anti-government sentiment after seven months of often violent pro-democracy protests. Chief executive Lam boasts record-low approval ratings while the police force is loathed in many neighbourhoods. The frequency and ferocity of protests have died down in the last six weeks, but sporadic clashes still take place. On Sunday night, Lam's administration announced sweeping measures to curb arrivals from Hubei province. All mainland residents of the province, as well as anyone who has visited in the last fortnight, would be denied entry. Nearly 300 people were killed by SARS in 2003, a tragedy that left a profound psychological impact on one of the most densely populated places on earth. The city's ability to combat the crisis was hampered by moves in mainland China to cover up and play down the outbreak, leaving a lasting legacy of distrust among many Hong Kongers. Animosity towards China has intensified in recent years as Beijing tightens political control over the semi-autonomous territory and as mainlanders compete with locals for jobs, property and goods in the pricey city. Although Home Office officials said they have been in touch with Amato, she has not tried to apply again under the settled-status system introduced last year. What if I am denied again? I dont trust the system and Im not going to apply for less rights than I have now, she said. ANN ARBOR, MI -- Millions of people across the globe are unaware of how their personal information is being used online, and thats where World Data Privacy Day comes in. Data Privacy Day, Jan. 28, is an international effort to help individuals and businesses safeguard data, respect privacy and enable trust, according to the National Cyber Security Alliance. The University of Michigan is hosting a day-long event featuring New York Times editor Kathleen Kingsbury at the Privacy@Michigan symposium Jan. 28. Kingsbury is editor of the New York Times Privacy Project, which was created to explore and debate how technology and cultural norms impact our conceptions and expectations when it comes to privacy. The Privacy Project is perhaps the longest ongoing journalistic exploration of privacy issues and challenges that has been written, said Sol Bermann, chief information security officer and executive director of information assurance at UM. Bringing in the editor that is coordinating the series is a wonderful opportunity for the UM community and beyond to get under the hood of the whats, whys and challenges in reporting on this multifaceted topic. The event, which is free to the public, is designed to spark conversation and answer practical questions about how we can control access to our private information. Privacy@Michigan includes a privacy fair with a clinic where students can help attendees address common privacy questions and technical settings. Participants are invited to express their thoughts on privacy in six words and see what others have shared as part of the UM Privacy Card Project. To celebrate the World Data Privacy Day, Florian Schaub, assistant professor in the UM School of Information and College of Engineering, has created seven tips for consumers who want to lock down their data. 1. Check the privacy policy. Find the privacy link at the bottom of a companys website and check (1) Are they using data for things youre not OK with? And (2) Are they sharing data for advertising or marketing? 2. Opt out. You can often opt out of having your data used and shared for advertising and marketing. Find the links in the privacy policy or privacy settings. 3. Check privacy settings. Signed up for a new service? Downloaded an app or unboxed a new gadget? Go through the privacy settings and disable what youre not comfortable with. Also, make sure privacy protections are on. 4. Use tracker blockers. Install browser extensions like Ghostery or Privacy Badger, which will count and block online tools that track your behavior on websites. 5. Freeze your credit. Major credit report companies are required to freeze your credit for free which can keep you safer from identity theft. 6. Ask why/refuse. When someone asks for your phone number or the last four digits of your Social Security number, ask why they need it. If they dont have an answer, refuse. 7. Fake it/be smart. Consider setting up email accounts you only use for online shopping, providing fake information and being proactive and savvy about keeping optional data private. Other tips from Schaub and Bermann include: Choose your own privacy settings instead of accepting the default ones Ask to be put on do-not-call and do-not-mail lists when possible Consider using private web browsers or browser settings Be careful what you share online, especially in social media Turn off/restrict apps and services like location data and bluetooth when you are not using them Free is not free. Your data is currency, so be aware of that when you sign up for free games, apps or services The Privacy@Michigan symposium is scheduled for 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Rackham Graduate School building, 915 E. Washington St. Admission is free, but attendees are asked to register online. READ MORE ON DATA PRIVACY: Is privacy a human right? Is facial scanning technology in public an invasion of privacy? Are social media sites actually addressing the right issues? A veteran Ohio trial court judge is fielding criticism after he told multiple news outlets in Cincinnati that he calls up Immigration and Customs Enforcement when he suspects a defendant in his Hamilton County courtroom may be undocumented. Judge Robert Ruehlman acknowledged he's acting on a hunch when he makes the call to ICE. He focuses on people who need translators or speak Spanish, have "international connections," or are accused of serious drug crimes. The comments have troubled civil liberty and immigration advocates in Ohio. It comes amid a larger struggle nationwide over the way overlapping patchworks of jurisdictions are contending with immigration enforcement during the Trump administration. The administration has focused on harsher immigration enforcement at the Mexico border and fast-tracked deportations. Ruehlman could not immediately be reached for comment Saturday but has given several interviews confirming and defending his actions. "I don't see where the outrage is," Ruehlman said in a Friday interview with WLWT in Cincinnati. "Number one, they're an illegal alien. They're not supposed to be here, so they're breaking the law. Number two, they're in front of me for a felony. " His unprompted admission came little more than a week after Cincinnati TV station WCPO broke the news that plainclothes ICE officials were entering Hamilton County courthouses to detain undocumented immigrants. ICE reportedly began its operation without alerting the county clerk or sheriff - something it is not required to do, though it's considered a professional courtesy. In a statement to The Washington Post Saturday, ICE spokesman Khaalid Walls said that under current policy, courthouses are not considered "sensitive locations" - places like churches, schools and hospitals where immigration officials are generally discouraged from operating without prior approval. "ICE officers have been provided broad at-large arrest authority by Congress and may lawfully arrest removable aliens in courthouses. This arrest authority is central to ICE's mission which focuses first on criminal aliens," Walls said. Amid outcry about the practice, Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil denied his office was involved in any tipoff and noted in a Jan. 15 statement that he lacks the authority to bar another law enforcement agency from entering a courthouse that's open to the public. "My primary concern is that anyone who is a victim or witness to a crime should be able to fully participate in the judicial process to further justice and remove dangerous criminals from our streets," Neil said. ICE has the discretion to take defendants into custody and hold them, from their immigration proceedings through deportation if they're ultimately removed, before their unrelated criminal trial is finished, said Heather Prendergast, an Ohio immigration attorney and the former chair of the pro-immigrant rights American Immigration Lawyers Association National's ICE Liaison Committee. "If the process is complete and they're found guilty, that's one thing. But when ICE doesn't allow [defendants] to particulate in the court process and have a resolution and they get deported, they have an unresolved criminal case in the U.S. still," Prendergast told The Washington Post. "It denies the victims of crimes the opportunity see justice done against the people who perpetrated those crimes. " Last year, top judges in Massachusetts asked ICE to stop deporting criminal defendants awaiting trial after prosecutors were forced to abandon at least a dozen cases involving serious crimes because the defendant was taken out of the country. In another case, the state was forced to spend "extraordinary resources," according to WGBH, after a man was deported a month before his next hearing in a child rape case; the state had to work for five years to get him extradited to the U.S. for trial. The potential disruptions to the local criminal justice system are just part of the critics' concern. Prendergast described Ruehlman's actions as "shocking and not typical" of a judge. "I just question why someone who is supposed to be a neutral arbiter of justice step into what is arguably a law enforcement role based on a suspicion. I think it may raise some issues with whether he is indeed a neutral fact finder," she said. Ruehlman's justifications - targeting non-English speakers or those accused of drug crimes - were specious reasons at best, Prendergast said. "There are number of people living in this country legally who don't speak English; there are number of undocumented people living here who speak English perfectly. I don't know how many Americans are incarcerated for drug crimes, but I suspect that it's significantly more than those who are undocumented. " Ruehlman previously said that his methods were not racial profiling but "common sense." "They speak Spanish, they're charged with carrying a lot of drugs, and they're not from here," Ruehlman told WCPO. "It's pretty clear they're illegal immigrants, you know, and if it turns out they are a citizen, then there's no harm, no foul. " At least one of Ruehlman's judicial colleagues has publicly said he won't call ICE on defendants; it's unclear if judicial groups in Ohio have taken a position on Ruehlman's actions. Jessica Vaughan, the director of policy studies for the Center for Immigration Studies, a conservative think tank that favors restricting immigration, said that while Ruehlman's admission may be rare, the attitude that underlies it is not. For years, cooperating with ICE or otherwise facilitating its movements was the norm, Vaughan told The Post. That began to shift around 2014 in the wake of the success of Secure Communities, a controversial ICE program that enabled the FBI to share fingerprint information from state and local law enforcement arrests with federal authorities who could cross-check the data with immigration violations. But Vaughn said noncooperation remains the exception. "Noncooperation or being oblivious to immigration status is the aberration today: While we hear about sanctuary judges or ordinances or prohibitions on interactions with ICE, that's the exception. There are about 300 out of 3,000 counties that don't call ICE," Vaughan said. The only thing unusual about Ruehlman's action is that he's publicized it, she said. "This is a different kind of virtue signalizing where this judge wants to raise his hand and say, 'I'm not one of these sanctuary judges,'" Vaughan said. "He seems confident this is something people in his jurisdiction approve of." Ruehlman has continued to defend his decision, which he told the Cincinnati Enquirer results in about a dozen calls a year. "I'm batting a thousand. I haven't got one wrong yet," he said. Cesar Cuauhtemoc Garcia Hernandez, a University of Denver law professor who wrote "Migrating to Prison: America's Obsession with Locking Up Immigrants" released last month doubted Ruehlman's track record of successfully identifying undocumented immigrants is as accurate as he claims. "Apparently he can do something that's quite difficult for us who spend a great amount of time navigating ICE's arrest and deportation practices," Garcia Hernandez said. "Even if that's true, I think he needs to have a little humility and understanding that just because he's been right in the past, there's no guarantee he will be in the future. " Colony Capital, Inc. (NYSE:CLNY), which is in the reits business, and is based in United States, received a lot of attention from a substantial price movement on the NYSE over the last few months, increasing to US$5.73 at one point, and dropping to the lows of US$4.47. Some share price movements can give investors a better opportunity to enter into the stock, and potentially buy at a lower price. A question to answer is whether Colony Capital's current trading price of US$4.64 reflective of the actual value of the mid-cap? Or is it currently undervalued, providing us with the opportunity to buy? Lets take a look at Colony Capitals outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if there are any catalysts for a price change. Check out our latest analysis for Colony Capital What is Colony Capital worth? Good news, investors! Colony Capital is still a bargain right now. My valuation model shows that the intrinsic value for the stock is $5.98, which is above what the market is valuing the company at the moment. This indicates a potential opportunity to buy low. However, given that Colony Capitals share is fairly volatile (i.e. its price movements are magnified relative to the rest of the market) this could mean the price can sink lower, giving us another chance to buy in the future. This is based on its high beta, which is a good indicator for share price volatility. What does the future of Colony Capital look like? NYSE:CLNY Past and Future Earnings, January 26th 2020 Investors looking for growth in their portfolio may want to consider the prospects of a company before buying its shares. Although value investors would argue that its the intrinsic value relative to the price that matter the most, a more compelling investment thesis would be high growth potential at a cheap price. Colony Capitals earnings over the next few years are expected to increase by 87%, indicating a highly optimistic future ahead. This should lead to more robust cash flows, feeding into a higher share value. Story continues What this means for you: Are you a shareholder? Since CLNY is currently undervalued, it may be a great time to increase your holdings in the stock. With an optimistic outlook on the horizon, it seems like this growth has not yet been fully factored into the share price. However, there are also other factors such as capital structure to consider, which could explain the current undervaluation. Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping an eye on CLNY for a while, now might be the time to make a leap. Its buoyant future outlook isnt fully reflected in the current share price yet, which means its not too late to buy CLNY. But before you make any investment decisions, consider other factors such as the strength of its balance sheet, in order to make a well-informed buy. Price is just the tip of the iceberg. Dig deeper into what truly matters the fundamentals before you make a decision on Colony Capital. You can find everything you need to know about Colony Capital in the latest infographic research report. If you are no longer interested in Colony Capital, you can use our free platform to see my list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Egypt denied having any cases of the new coronavirus among its expats in China, as the epidemic of the disease sparked worry and fear globally. According to a statement by the foreign ministry, Assistant Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs and Egyptians Abroad Yasser Mahmoud Hashim said the Egyptian Embassy in Beijing is currently following up the condition of the Egyptian community in the Chinese province of Hubei and its capital Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak of the deadly virus, by directly contacting them. The embassy offers all kind of support to the expats in light of the Chinese government's decision to put Wuhan under quarantine and suspend all transportation to and from the city, Hashim noted. "There are no cases of the novel coronavirus among the Egyptian expats in the city or all of China," the diplomat affirmed, pointing out that the embassy is cooperating with the Chinese authorities to ensure that the Egyptian expats are receiving all the care and help they need. Egypt's Ambassador in Beijing Mohamed el Badry contacted a number of the community's leaders in the quarantined city, expressing his full solidarity with them and promising to provide them with all possible help. The Foreign Ministry, for its part, expressed its appreciation for the Chinese government's tremendous efforts to contain the virus, confirming its solidarity with the Chinese people and leadership during these critical circumstances. Search Keywords: Short link: A team of researchers from Lucknow mistaken as surveyors for NRC was caught by residents of a village here and handed over to the police, a senior official said on Sunday. Superintendent of Police, Darbhanga, Babu Ram said the incident took place on Friday when the team, comprising 12 people, including four women, visited a village under Jamalpur police station area. The team was from a Lucknow-based research organization, which was engaged by a US-based PhD scholar. However, as they began visiting households and collecting information, the word spread that "NRC surveyors" had arrived following which villagers grew furious and held them hostage for some time before dragging them to the police station. The situation was defused at the police station where officials verified the identities of the researchers and explained the fact to the villagers, who then went back satisfied, the SP said. He, however, added that similar incidents have taken place in the district in recent past and an awareness campaign has been launched as part of which residents are being told to "inform the police or local administrative officials" if any surveyors in their area aroused suspicion "instead of illegally detaining them". With the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the National Population Register (NPR) spreading in different parts of Bihar, people engaged in conducting surveys for private research and marketing companies are being mistakenly targeted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whose JD(U) is an ally of the BJP, have been at pains to explain that the CAA would expedite grant of citizenship to refugees from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, having fled religious persecution in their countries, without affecting Indians and that there was no move so far to bring in the nationwide NRC. Opposition parties have, however, accused the NDA of misleading the people on the issue and pointed out that a country-wide NRC was mentioned in the BJPs manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls. The NRC had also found mention in President Ram Nath Kovinds address to a joint session of Parliament last year besides in Union Home Minister Amit Shahs speech when the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was being debated in the Lok Sabha, the opposition parties said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) But far from a bold effort to bring old enemies together one that demands painful concessions from both sides Middle East experts now expect the plan to be mainly a booster shot for Mr. Netanyahus desperate campaign to stay in power. Benny Gantz, again Mr. Netanyahus rival in Israels third election in less than a year, will have his own separate meeting with Mr. Trump on Monday. He had at first resisted the invitation, fearing a political trap in which Mr. Netanyahu would get to play the statesman while Mr. Gantz would look puny by comparison. But analysts said he could not afford to snub the president, given Mr. Trumps enduring popularity in Israel. The Palestinians, who stopped talking to Mr. Trump after he ordered the United States Embassy to be moved to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv in December 2017, will not be at the White House to be briefed on the plan. They have vowed to reject it. For him to do this in the middle of an Israeli election, without any Palestinian participation and with no intention to follow up with any of the participants, shows this is not a peace plan at all, said Martin S. Indyk, who served as special envoy for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations under President Barack Obama. It is a farce from start to finish, he said. Mr. Indyks verdict is harsh but not uncommon among diplomats who have worked on past peace efforts. Like other veterans of those fruitless negotiations, in both Democratic and Republican administrations, Mr. Indyk watched the early days of Mr. Trumps diplomacy with fascination and even muted hope that this most undiplomatic of presidents might achieve a breakthrough where they had failed. India on Sunday donated 36 vehicles, including 30 ambulances, to various hospitals and charitable organisations of Nepal on the occasion of India's 71st Republic Day. Members of the Indian community, friends of India and officials participated in the Republic Day celebrations at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu. Charge d' Affairs of Embassy of India, Dr Ajay Kumar, handed over keys of 30 ambulances and 6 school buses to the representatives of hospitals, schools and various charitable organisations amidst a special programme to celebrate the Republic Day celebration. Kumar felicitated 14 people, including widow and next of kin of deceased soldiers by presenting cash incentives amounting to a total of Rs 59.70 million (INR 3.73 crore). The Indian embassy also gifted books to 51 libraries and educational institutions spreading across the country on the occasion. Later in the afternoon, Kumar hosted a reception at the India House, which was attended by Nepal's Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali, Minister for Labour Rameshwor Raya Yadav and leaders of various political parties. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 12:11:18|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close SANTIAGO, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Local authorities of Chile's southern region of Biobio issued a red alert on Saturday, after a forest fire burned 2.1 square km of vegetation. The fire zone also includes 0.05 square km of the Nonguen National Reserve in Concepcion province, a habitat for some endangered species. Noting that the fire broke out on Friday in Chiguayante area, Concepcion Governor Robert Contreras said "the work is continuous; from the first hours of the morning, aircraft are working carrying water. We are also monitoring the situation and evaluating it so we can determine the damage that is being produced." The local government has received no reports of victims and has already evacuated some personnel, including two nursing homes, he added. Local authorities are also concerned about high temperature that increases the risk of wildfire in the country's central and southern regions. A 14-year-old boy died in hospital after complaining of chest pain and dizziness while taking part in his school's Republic Day 'prabhat pheri' (morning march) in Agar Malwa district of Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, police said. The incident took place in Susner, some 30 kilometres from the district headquarters. Class VII student Suraj Badrilal was rushed to a hospital nearby where doctors declared him dead on arrival, said Inspector Vivek Kanodia of Susner police station. "After the tragic incident, the function was called off following a two-minute silence for the departed soul. We are waiting for the post mortem report to know the exact cause of death," Kanodia informed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Islamabad [Pakistan], Jan 26 (ANI): The Indian High Commission here on Sunday celebrated India's 71st Republic Day with "great enthusiasm and joy". Charge d'affaires Gaurav Ahluwalia hoisted the tricolour and read out excerpts from President Ram Nath Kovind's address to the nation. "High Commission of India in Pakistan celebrated the 71st Republic Day with great enthusiasm and joy. Charge d'affaires Gaurav Ahluwalia hoisted the tricolour and read out excerpts from Hon'ble Rashtrapatiji's address to the nation," tweeted India mission in Pakistan. On this day, 70-year back, India officially adopted its Constitution. The day is being celebrated around the country with great fervour and enthusiasm. Meanwhile, the Indian mission in several countries is also celebrating the day. Republic Day of India was celebrated at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu today. The celebrations began with the hoisting of the Indian national flag by Charge d' Affaires Ajay Kumar who then read out the message of President Ram Nath Kovind for the occasion. In the national capital, the celebration was marked by a grand Republic Day parade at the Rajghat. The parade began with President Kovind unfurling the national flag with a 21-gun salute. Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro was the chief guest at the parade which showcased India's military might, cultural diversity, social and economic progress. For the first time, a contingent of women bikers of CRPF performed daredevil stunts. The Dhanush artillery was also displayed for the first time during the Republic Day parade. (ANI) A play thats a smash on one side of the Atlantic is sometimes a flop on the other, and the reasons can be hard to pin down. But when London threw its arms around Robert Ardreys Broadway reject Thunder Rock in 1940, timing had a lot to do with it that and a cast led by a young Michael Redgrave. Already at war, people there were in need of bucking up, and Thunder Rock provided that with its story of a wounded idealist who retreats from a world that is verging on self-destruction, only to have a band of ghosts reignite his spirit and send him back into the fray. Maybe Elia Kazans New York production, in late 1939, fizzled because Americans didnt yet sense much danger. Might the play feel more urgent now, in these fever-pitch times? That perfectly reasonable possibility seems to be the catalyst for Alex Roes revival at Metropolitan Playhouse a regrettably fitful, stilted staging that muffles most of the humor and humanity of this creaky, peculiar play. Ardreys themes are enduring enough, though: creeping nationalism, rising isolationism, the despair that descends when one is unable to see a way through current troubles to a better future, or any future at all. Express News Service By NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Saturday held talks and decided to further enhance strategic ties between the two nations. According to officials, the talks mainly centred around bolstering partnership in the fields of medicine, energy, defence, scientific research and trade and investment. The two countries also signed 15 MoUs following the talks. Addressing the media jointly after the talks, Modi said that Bolsonaros visit has opened a new chapter in Indo-Brazil ties. Despite geographical distance, both India and Brazil are together on various global issues as there is convergence in our views, the PM said and added that India and Brazil want to have broad-based cooperation in defence. Bolsonaro said that the two countries have further consolidated the already strong ties by signing 15 agreements which will provide for cooperation in a range of areas. The Brazilian President arrived in India on Friday and was received by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs V Muraleedharan. He has been accompanied by his family and a large business delegation and will be the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade on Sunday. This is his first visit to India. On Monday, he will address the India-Brazil Business Forum and then leave for Agra.Earlier in the day, the Brazilian President was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of President. Bolsonaro then called on External Affairs Minister S Jaishanakar. Bolsonaros visit will open new opportunities for bilateral cooperation, the minister tweeted after the meeting. The two countries also chalked out an action plan to further cooperation in a number of sectors. The plan states that the two countries will encourage greater collaboration between their defence industrial bases and work together to conclude an agreement in combating international terrorism and transnational organised crime. MoUs signed Agreement on bio-energy Cooperation to increase trade and knowledge Cooperation in oil and natural gas Investment Cooperation and Facilitation Treaty Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters. MoU in the field of Early Childhood Agreement in the field of Health and Medicine MoU in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy. Cultural Exchange Programme for the period 2020-2024 Agreement on Social Security MoU on Cooperation between the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) and the General Coordination of Network Incident Treatment Centre, on cooperation in the area of Cyber Security. Programme of Scientific and Technological Cooperation for implementing the agreement on scientific and technological cooperation MoU on Cooperation in the field of Geology and Mineral Resources MoU between Invest India and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex Brazil) SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) Thousands of opponents of legal abortion marched in San Francisco Saturday during the 16th annual Walk for Life West Coast rally. The event began with a rally at the San Francisco Civic Center Plaza, and the march took place on Market Street from the Civic Center to the Embarcadero Plaza. The event, police said, remained peaceful. "You are the generation that is going to do it," said the Rev. Clenard Childress Jr., the New Jersey-based founder of BlackGenocide.org, who had spoken at the first San Francisco Walk for Life event in 2005. "Abortion and Roe v. Wade's days are numbered." The January timing of the annual Walk For Life is a nod to the anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision that, in 1973, legalized abortion. Among the other speakers Saturday afternoon was Father Frank Pavone, director of the anti-abortion Priests for Life, and Portland Archbishop Alexander Sample, who gave the invocation at the start of the rally. "We pray the day would come soon that we would not have to gather together like this," he said. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. BAGHDAD - Hundreds of anti-government protesters flooded the streets of Iraqs capital and southern provinces on Sunday, defying a powerful Iraqi religious leader who recently withdrew his support from the popular movement. Separately, five katyusha rockets crashed into a river bank near the U.S. Embassy in Baghdads heavily fortified Green Zone without causing any injuries or serious damages, a statement from U.S. Joint Operations Command said. One rocket landed inside the embassy walls, an Iraqi security official said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. It is the third such attack this month and the perpetrators were not immediately known. Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi condemned the rocket attack that targeted the U.S. Embassy. In a statement, he confirmed Iraqs commitment to protecting all diplomatic missions. Security forces fired tear gas and live rounds to disperse the crowds from the capitals Khilani Square, medical and security officials said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. At least 22 demonstrators were reported wounded by Iraqi security forces in the first hours of Sundays street rallies. The mass protests started in October over widespread government corruption and a lack of public services and jobs. They quickly grew into calls for sweeping changes to Iraqs political system that was imposed after the 2003 U.S. invasion. Iraqi security forces have responded harshly. At least 500 protesters have been killed since the unrest began. Iraq also has been roiled by U.S.-Iran tensions that threatened a regional war after an American drone strike this month killed top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani near Baghdad. The U.S. attack pushed the Shiite cleric and political leader, Muqtada al-Sadr, to turn his influence toward demanding an American troop withdrawal and holding an anti-U.S. rally. Analysts said al-Sadr, who often mobilizes his followers on the street to buttress his political influence, was using the anti-U.S. protest he staged as leverage in political negotiations among Iraqs elites to select the next premier. Al-Sadr has long been an unpredictable maverick in Iraqi politics, and is the only Shiite leader who has challenged both Iran and the U.S. He also dropped his support for the anti-government movement on Friday, a move that analysts said was meant to buttress his political reputation during a time of national turmoil. But by Sunday morning, it had the opposite effect as protesters pushed back. Hundreds of protesters, mostly students, marched Sunday through key squares in the capital and southern Iraq to show their continued support for the anti-government movement, despite al-Sadrs reversal of position. The demonstrations have become stronger now because of what happened, said Zaidoun, 26, a protest organizer in Baghdad. Many demonstrators chanted slogans against the populist preacher. The movement opposes Iraqs sectarian system and both U.S. and Iranian influence in Iraqi affairs. Some protesters were worried, however, that the departure of al-Sadrs supporters and his militia members from Baghdads Tahrir Square, the hub of the protest movement, could spark a renewed security crackdown. Al-Sadrs followers had been giving protesters protective cover. On Saturday, hours after al-Sadrs supporters left protest sites in Baghdad and some southern cities, including Basra, security forces swooped in to clear areas of demonstrators and torch their sit-in tents. At least four protesters were killed in the crackdown, officials told The Associated Press. The Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights said 12 protesters had been killed in the last 48 hours, with nine of those in Baghdad, and a startling 230 wounded. By Saturday evening however, and into Sunday, crowds of protesters were returning to Tahrir Square, following calls by anti-government activists. In the beginning, when he (al-Sadr) called his followers to leave we were shocked, said Noor, a protest organizer who gave only her first name for security reasons. But by the evening on Saturday, we breathed a sigh of relief. The future for the popular movement, she was quick to add, was still uncertain. No one knows what will happen tomorrow. There will be more attacks we expect that. With al-Sadr out of the picture, protesters said the only top leader on their side was Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraqs most revered Shiite cleric. Many said they were hoping his weekly Friday sermon would boost morale ahead of a major planned protest for Jan. 31. In a statement posted online, al-Sadr called on the protesters to return their movement to its initial course, in what many anti-government activists interpreted as a veiled threat. The statement added that al-Sadr could boost his support for the heroic security forces if protesters didnt heed his calls. Al-Sadr had called on his followers to stage a rival protest targeting the U.S. Embassy on Sunday, before rescinding the order shortly after. In a statement from his office, al-Sadr asked Iraqis who reject the American occupation to gather at key assembly points later that evening. A spokesperson from his office later said the decision had been reversed. ___ Associated Press writer Murtada Faraj contributed from Baghdad and Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Najaf, Iraq. Goa's 'save the frog' campaign, Jammu and Kashmir's 'back to village' programme, scaled down model of Rafale aircraft besides others in Indian Air Force's tableau were among themes of the 22 tableaux that rolled down Rajpath here during the 71st parade on Sunday. The Indian Air Force tableau showcased scaled down models of the Rafale aircraft, the Tejas aircraft, the Light Combat Helicopter, the Akash Missiles System, and the Astra Missiles against a sky blue background. While the tableau of the Ministry of Jal Shakti showcased the government's new initiative "Jal Jeevan Mission" aimed at providing functional tap connection to every rural household by 2024, the National Disaster Response Force tableau featured cutting-edge technology and instruments used by the NDRF during rescue operations in flood-hit areas and Delhi's Anaj Mandi inferno last year. Jammu and Kashmir, which participated in the parade for the first time as a Union Territory, had the "Back to Village'' programme as its theme. The programme launched last year is a first-of-its-kind initiative to reach out to the people at the grassroots level. The rich sartorial and cultural heritage of the region was depicted in the tableau with a shawl weaver in the front. The flora and fauna were shown in the middle complemented with Dogra and Kashmiri folk culture. Goa's tableau depicted its seashore along with its biodiversity and livelihoods apart from highlighting the state's campaign to 'Save the Frog', an anti-frog poaching campaign. Out of the total 22 tableaux, 16 were of various states and UTs and six of ministries, departments and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The Walled City of Jaipur, which was accorded the UNESCO World Heritage tag in 2019, was the overriding theme of the Rajasthan tableau, depicting the Pink City's architectural grandeur and the state's vibrant culture reflected in its folk songs and dances. The 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in 2019 was the theme of the Punjab's tableau in the parade. The Sikhism's architectural and cultural heritage was portrayed in the tableau, with messages 'Kirat Karo', 'Naam Japo' and 'Vand Chhako', which form the cornerstone of the Sikhism, depicted in panels. Gujarat's architectural wonder Rani Ki Vav was the centrepiece of the state's tableau, complemented with folk culture and dances performed by artistes. Rani Ki Vav or Queen's Stepwell initially built by Rani Udayamati as a memorial to her husband King Bhimdev I in the 11th century in Patan district of the state was inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014. The majestic architecture of the stepwell was showcased in the tableau that was fronted by a statue of a village woman wearing Patola saree of Patan. Tableaus depicting tribal museum in Madhya Pradesh, Kullu Dusshera festival in Himachal Pradesh, Rath Yatra in Orissa and Iyyanar deity statue in Tamil Nadu also rolled down Rajpath. Other states which took part in the grand parade were Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania Eugene DePasquale and Sean Parnell couldnt be more different politically. DePasquale is a seasoned statewide-elected official and Democrat from York County, Pennsylvania, while Parnell is a western Pennsylvania Republican newcomer who has never run for office. Yet they share one very important thing this year: They are both challenging incumbent members of Congress in Pennsylvania districts President Donald Trump won in 2016. Both of their races tell the story of not just how truly uncertain the Keystone State is politically but also how completely divided it is. They also show us how hard it is to predict results in this state, both for the presidential election and for which party might eventually hold the majority in the Pennsylvania congressional delegation or whether it will remain split, with some of the partisan office holders rearranging seats. Interestingly, Pennsylvania is the only state that currently has an exactly split (U.S.) House delegation by party, noted Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabatos Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics. The split is a good illustration of how divided Pennsylvania is, he said of the 9-9 partisan split. The state has swung wildly since 2006 in terms of who holds the state House and congressional majorities, with the trends often serving as a harbinger for the entire country. In 2006, moderate House Democrats swept out entrenched Republican members in Pennsylvania. Republicans swung the state delegation majority back in their partys direction in 2010 and helped the national GOP gain the majority in the process. The delegation became more Republican in 2012. Six years later, that 13-5 majority became a 9-9 split. While Parnell is effectively running as an outsider, DePasquale is taking the opposite tactic in his race. First elected as the states auditor general in 2012, DePasquales run for reelection in 2016 happened with Trump at the top of the Republican ticket. Trump won the district, as did I, he deadpanned. While we all know theres some people that are always voting Republican, some people always vote Democrat. There was a pretty big chunk of people here that voted for both of us. DePasquale is challenging Rep. Scott Perry, a Cumberland County Republican and decorated military veteran who served in the Pennsylvania National Guard. In 2018, Perry barely held his seat in the midterms after the Democrat-led Pennsylvania state Supreme Court decided in February to redraw the districts of the entire state, turning his district much less Republican than that of his former seat. Parnell is a decorated Army veteran who earned a Bronze Star for valor. He is challenging Rep. Conor Lamb, a current Marine reservist, former federal prosecutor and Allegheny County Democrat who became the darling of Democrats in the 2018 midterms first by scoring a squeaker in a nationally covered spring special election in the then-18th Congressional District, a district that overwhelmingly voted for Trump. Lamb won again that November with a sizable victory in a new district that voted for Trump by 2.5 percentage points in 2016. Since then, Lamb, like all of the newly elected Democrats who won in swing districts, has had to face the realities that every member faces once they hit Washington, no matter which party they are attached to: blood-sport politics that often force votes on volatile issues they never ran on, like impeachment. In both races in 2018, Lamb ran as a traditional western Pennsylvania Democrat who told The Atlantic that voters wanted someone down there whos actually gonna attack the problem, not attack the other side. All four men are navigating a shifting electorate whose voters are questioning whether they belong in their ancestral parties, with culture, rootedness, institutions and newly formed community-centric tribalism playing an outsized role in their decision-making. Kondik sees the Lamb-Parnell race, like the 1st and 7th Congressional District races, as competitive races where Republican challengers might upset Democratic incumbents. He adds that the best Republican target is probably the 8th Congressional District, which is held by Democratic Rep. Matthew Cartwright. But PA-7 and the Lamb seat are also reasonable targets, he said of the Lehigh Valley-centric district held by Democratic Rep. Susan Wild. One thing is certain in the districts Kondik outlined to watch: All of them have the potential to become much more competitive for their incumbents than perhaps originally expected. Pennsylvania, as always, will be in the center of which way the winds might blow nationwide. Salena Zito is a CNN political analyst, and a staff reporter and columnist for the Washington Examiner. She reaches the Everyman and Everywoman through shoe-leather journalism, traveling from Main Street to the beltway and all places in between. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 DECATUR The South Shores School food pantry started a few years ago due to a student in Jeanene Edrington's class. Edrington kept a few snacks in her classroom, and they kept disappearing. She discovered that it was this student, who had to take care of her younger siblings while their mother worked, which included feeding them their evening meal. Because her mother barely made enough to pay rent and the power bill, the pantry was often bare, and the child was feeding her siblings the snacks she took from Edrington's classroom. Once Edrington found out the home situation of the child, she was inspired to begin the food pantry, which has grown to serve 28 families at the school, with 15 more on a waiting list because there aren't enough supplies and volunteers to help them all. Help comes from Northeast Community Fund, the Central Illinois Food Bank and the Macon County Probation office. A person sentenced to community service hours can buy those hours by donating food, Edrington said. They store the food at Vintage Church on West Eldorado Street because there's not enough room at the school, and on Wednesdays, volunteers from the church and from South Shores School pack up boxes and bags and deliver them to the families on their list. God bless them for doing that, Edrington said. After we fill the boxes, they come pick them up and each crew has five or six families and they do the home deliveries. A lot of these people don't have transportation to get to the food banks, or they work at McDonald's and take a bus (to work) and a lot of times the hours of the food banks don't coincide with (their time off work). The boxes are filled with staples such as milk, bread, eggs, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, canned goods, cereal and granola bars. The volunteers make sure they include items that a child can make on his or her own such as canned soup because many of the parents have irregular hours at their jobs. Paula Busboom, a teaching assistant at South Shores, said more donations and volunteers would help them decrease the waiting list. This is a means to help them out between when they're getting other assistance, Busboom said. We have a grandmother, a mother and maybe four kids, and grandma also watches other grandkids, so we have a couple of families where there may be 10 people in the family. A lot of our families are single-parent and we find that the staples are just things to help them get by. We've also been able to make some really good connections with those families and find out other needs that the families have. Things many of us take for granted, Busboom said, such as curtains to hang at the windows, shampoo and soap, sheets for the bed, are out of reach for some of the poorest families in the school. Kids might spill something on their clothes at school or have an accident and need other clothes to change into. A couple of years ago we had a family that their microwave blew up, Busboom said. And that was their only means to cook with. They didn't have a stove. We're talking very, very basic (needs). We're learning what a lot of these families need. Right now we have a family that we're trying to help them get some furniture. I think one of the most meaningful pieces out of this, for both the staff and our students, is the building of relationships with those families. _____________________________________________________________ Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Just because a mentor starts unconsciously humming Motown tunes during a heart-to-heart talk with you about temptations, that doesnt mean his advice is irrelevant. A church in Cottage Grove, Minnesota has made national headlines because of an audacious In order to save the village, we had to destroy it strategy to rebrand itself. The church plans to close its doors in June and reboot itself in the fall, with a new focus on young families with children. All well and good, except church leadership has been asking its older members to take one for the team and haul their intimidating old carcasses to some alternative congregation, out of sight of hoped-for newbies. A couple of years down the road, the outcasts can meekly beseech their former congregation to let them darken its doorway again. The Bible tells us that God has the hairs of our heads numbered. And apparently church strategists maintain a database on their degree of grayness. To think, theologians have debated the exact nature of the Mark of the Beast for nearly 2,000 years, and now we have it narrowed down to either double chins or varicose veins! We are told that Christians are supposed to be a new creature when converted, but where in the scripture does it also say they must remain as cute as Baby Yoda? The Minnesota churchs governing body supposedly agonized over the decision to pander to youth. Not in the way older members might have agonized over rotting in a North Vietnamese P.O.W. camp or having a sibling with polio, but at least as much as someone agonizing over the public wi-fi flickering while theyre posting daredevil videos on TikTok. This is undeniably one of those situations where decision-makers should humbly ask, What Would Jesus Do? My guess is that He would send patriarch Methuselah back to earth to share 969 years worth of folksy anecdotes with policy makers. As someone who has spent nearly 40 years growing in knowledge and empathy by teaching an adult Bible class, I hope this segregation mania doesnt spread throughout the religious world. You need a few seasoned worshippers who have learned reverence, patience and genuine remorse. Who wants to hear prayers filled with My bad and So, theres free one-hour delivery on that prayer request, right? Look for doctrine to continue being watered down in a youth-worshipping church. If young couples cant stomach the smell of Old Spice cologne and home-baked cookies, theyre sure not going to tolerate fire and brimstone. Will exporting the seniors be enough to make church attractive to twentysomethings? Or will the duty of ushers transform into helping members hook up to a zip line? Will communion wafers be replaced with Tide Pods? Will hymnals ditch The Old Rugged Cross for The Revolutionary Moisturizing Cross? Will the raising of Lazarus be truncated as Lazarus was woke? Hiding the seniors supposedly helps churches grow, but just how evangelical will a congregation be if parishioners are afraid to knock on doors because of the level of decrepitude they may encounter? Danny Tyree welcomes responses at tyreetyrades@aol.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 0 Syrian regime forces have reached the outskirts of a key city on the edge of the country's last rebel-held stronghold, a monitor and a pro-government newspaper said Sunday. The mainly deserted city of Maaret al-Numan is a strategic prize lying on the M5 linking Damascus to Syria's second city Aleppo, a main highway coveted by the regime as it seeks to regain control of the entire country. It is one of the largest urban centres in the beleaguered northwestern province of Idlib, the last stronghold of anti-regime forces and currently home to some three million people -- half of them displaced by violence in other areas. The regime and its Russian ally have escalated their bombardment against the jihadist-dominated region since December, carrying out hundreds of air strikes in southern Idlib and the west of neighbouring Aleppo province. Over the past 24 hours, government ground forces have seized seven villages on the outskirts of Maaret al-Numan, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said Sunday. They have now reached "the edges of the city and are... within gunfire range of part of the highway", it said. Pro-regime newspaper Al-Watan reported that loyalist forces were "just around the corner" from the city, whose "doors are wide open". Idlib and nearby areas of Hama, Aleppo and Latakiya provinces are dominated by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadist group, led by members of the country's former Al-Qaeda franchise. The regime of President Bashar Al-Assad has repeatedly vowed to reassert control over the whole of Syria, despite several ceasefire agreements. An AFP correspondent says Maaret al-Numan has become a ghost town. Assad's forces, which are also battling HTS jihadists in western Aleppo province, are backed on both fronts by Syrian and Russian air strikes. The fighting has left dozens of fighters dead on both sides. Since 1 December, some 358,000 Syrians have been displaced from their homes, the vast majority of them women and children, according to the United Nations. A ceasefire announced by Moscow earlier this month was supposed to protect Idlib from further attacks, but the truce never took hold. Aid agencies and relief groups have warned that further violence could fuel what may potentially become the largest wave of displacement seen during Syria's nine-year-old civil war. Syrian government forces now control around 70 percent of the country and Assad has repeatedly vowed to retake Idlib. Search Keywords: Short link: Kudos to Republican Gov. Mike DeWines administration for its candor in exposing big flaws in a computer system, called Ohio Benefits, thats supposed to help the state manage its part of the Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and food stamp (SNAP) programs. Instead, a system into which the state has already sunk more than a billion dollars -- yes, nine zeros -- is so flawed that its wrongly thrown an unknown number of Ohioans off Medicaid by erasing their eligibility histories, failing to handle renewals correctly or simply causing applications to disappear from the system. Its also violated recipients privacy by sending paperwork to the wrong address and, in one case, linked a baby to an 11-year-old who wasnt the childs parent. State Medicaid Director Maureen Corcoran, a member of the governors Cabinet, laudably took a deep dive into the problem and sent a 13-page memo to DeWine that outlined these problems. The memo, made public Jan. 14, warned the system has encountered numerous challenges requiring my team to dedicate considerable resources to repairing issues inherited by the DeWine administration. That was a tactful allusion to DeWines predecessor as governor, fellow Republican John Kasich. The state has already spent $1.2 billion on Ohio Benefits, Corcoran said. And it will likely have to spend more to fix it. Mores the irony that Ohios taxpayers dont even own Ohio Benefits. Instead, Corcoran noted, it is a proprietary system, owned by Accenture a worldwide management consultancy based in Ireland and customized by [Accenture] and other contractors to meet Ohios specific integrated benefits needs. It is not owned by the state rather it is licensed by the state. In effect, the state is all but yoked to its vendor. And all told, Ohio Benefits has nearly 1,100 defects, cleveland.coms Laura Hancock reports, citing Corcorans findings. The state adopted the benefits system six years ago, when Kasich was governor, to help manage Ohios benefits systems, starting with Medicaid. Theres no overstating the problems that confront state officials. For example, Corcoran wrote that the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported that during the 2018 fiscal year, Ohio had an overall payment error rate of more than 44 percent for the states Medicaid population and more than 55 percent for the states Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) population. Among the 17 states sampled Ohio ranked last for Medicaid and second to last for CHIP, Corcoran wrote. She added that, because it was Ohios first such review, CMS will not levy significant financial penalties, but that extrapolating Ohios error rate to estimate a penalty would result in approximately $5.9 billion dollars owed by the state of Ohio to the federal government. Corcoran also warned that Ohio Benefits extensive flaws could delay implementation of work requirements, since it is obvious the defects must be repaired before Ohios county Job and Family Services departments undertake yet another major and complex program implementation. With average monthly Ohio Medicaid enrollment at 2.81 million about 24 percent of Ohios population -- the program, jointly funded by the federal and state governments, already takes a good bite out of Ohio spending. At an annual spending of $26.34 billion in combined federal and state dollars [last fiscal year], Medicaid is the largest single state program and accounts for about 4% of Ohios economy, the nonpartisan Legislative Service Commission reports. Such an economic impact is why, besides the stress that denied or incorrect payments likely have sparked for Medicaid clients, the errors also carry negative financial implications for Medicaid vendors (hospitals, physicians and other providers). State officials say that Ohio Benefits problems are less acute in handling other federal benefits, such as SNAP (food stamps). But the states food banks reported multiple, similar problems a year ago, after SNAP was added to Ohio Benefits toward the end of the Kasich administration. The system appears to be wrongly excluding needy Ohioans while handicapping Ohios network of food banks in their attempts to intercede for poor and elderly food-stamp recipients, our editorial board wrote at the time. The DeWine administration needs to do full due diligence on SNAP, to reassure state taxpayers that expensive mistakes arent accumulating there, as well. Corcoran has done all Ohioans a great service. Her blunt findings make it clear that Ohio Benefits problems are far worse than the states taxpayers had been told. Clearly, the system needs a top-down overhaul, with expenses likely extending to correcting wrongly denied benefits. It is a task that must be undertaken. About our editorials: Editorials express the view of the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer -- the senior leadership and editorial-writing staff. As is traditional, editorials are unsigned and intended to be seen as the voice of the news organization. Have something to say about this topic? * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions about our editorial board or comments on this editorial to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com. * Use the comments to share your thoughts. Then, stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using the Follow option at the top of the comments, & look for updates via the small blue bell in the lower right as you look at more stories on cleveland.com. A Chinese couple wear protective masks during the Chinese New Year holiday in Beijing, China on January 26, 2020. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) China Desperate to Contain Coronavirus With More Travel Restrictions, Regulations Chinese authorities are struggling to contain the new coronavirus outbreak as the death toll and number of confirmed cases continue to climb daily. Local authorities throughout the country enacted more measures to restrict travel and prevent the disease from spreading. Experts estimate that given the viruss contagiousness, the true number of infections is likely much higher than China is reporting. After the central Chinese city of Wuhan announced a quarantine, and due to the Lunar New Year holiday, when many people travel, five million people have left the city, Wuhan Mayor Zhou Xianwang said at a Jan. 26 press conference. The citys hospitals are at over-capacity, with many in dire need of medicine and supplies. Wang Jiangping, Chinas vice minister of industry and information technology, said at a press conference in Beijing on Jan. 26 that Hubei Provincewhere Wuhan is the capitalneeds 100,000 protective suits every day, but the production capacity in China is only 30,000 suits per day. Since Jan. 23, more than 10 Wuhan public hospitals pleaded for medical supply donations on their social media accounts, saying that they cant easily get materials that people donate to the countrys National Health Commission or Red Cross. Some Wuhan doctors posted videos on social media saying that the protective suits they received from the citys health commission are faulty. Over the weekend, several hospitals in Wuhan told The Epoch Times by telephone that theyre overwhelmed with patients. Due to lack of supplies, theyre forced to re-use disposable protective suits, which is potentially dangerous for contamination. A doctor from Wuhan Fifth Hospital Bu Gaoji posted a written account of his experience on Bilibili, a Chinese social media platform. He said the hospital facility couldnt properly dispose of the corpses of people who died from the coronavirus. Workers from crematories refused to move the bodies, fearing that the illness might spread to them. Doctors are too busy to handle the task themselves, while nursesthe majority of whom are womendont have the strength to move the bodies. Since Jan. 25, provinces and cities near Hubei, such as Chongqing, Hunan, Jiangxi, and Anhui, have begun to block roads that lead to the epicenter of the outbreak. Many social media videos show local residents placing large rocks, bricks, sand, and mud to create physical barriers. China On Jan. 26, several local governments enacted travel restrictions and other regulations to prevent the spread of the outbreak. On the island of Hainan, authorities announced that all inter-city bus service will be canceled, following 22 confirmed cases in seven cities. All public transportation in those seven cities have been canceled, while chartered buses will no longer travel in and out of the island. The cities of Shanghai, Beijing, and Tianjin, as well as Shandong, Shaanxi, and Hebei provinces also announced similar plans to halt trans-provincial and trans-municipal bus and taxi services. Beijing also said it will ban all tour groups, and cancel all flight and hotel package bookings that leave from the city for other Chinese cities and overseas countries, effective Jan. 27. In southern Chinas Guangdong Province, health officials are now requiring people to wear facial masks at public facilities, such as restaurants, hotels, markets, and libraries. Those who fail to comply could be punished in accordance with Chinese law, according to the Guangdong government announcement. Tibet is the only region of China with no confirmed or suspected cases. Out of caution, Potala Palace, one of Tibets most famous tourist sites, announced that it would close on Monday. Experts Worry Chinas health minister, Ma Xiaowei, told reporters Jan. 26 that the coronavirus is contagious during its incubation period, which can last up to 14 days. The outbreak is expected to continue for some time, he said, noting that this makes it different from the 2002 to 2003 outbreak of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome). That illness, which broke out in southern China, killed nearly 800 around the world. Medical experts from British Lancaster University, American University of Florida, and the British Medical Research Council-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research published a report on Jan. 23, in which they estimated that only 5.1 percent of infections have been identified in Wuhan so far. They predicted that more than 190,000 infections could occur in Wuhan by Feb. 4, and that large outbreaks could also occur in major cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Chongqing, and Chengdu. They calculated that the viruss basic reproduction number, or the expected number of secondary cases produced by a single infection in a previously uninfected population, is 3.8higher than the average during SARS. Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding, epidemiologist at Harvard Universitys School of Public Health, reacted with alarm: It is thermonuclear pandemic level bad Im not exaggerating, he posted on Twitter on Jan. 24. Feigl-Ding compared the new coronavirus with the Spanish flu in 1918, which killed roughly 50 million worldwide; that viruss basic reproduction number was 1.80. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close The recent catastrophic bush fires in Australia were so immensely destructive that they could be seen from space. Now, a new animation from NASA shows the impact of those fires and other extreme disasters around the world from the past year. In addition to the Australian fires, which began in 2019 and extended into January 2020, this animation shows the impacts of Hurricane Dorian, which took place from August to September 2019, and a series of major fires that took place in South America and Indonesia during the same period. Climate change , which researchers continue to study and monitor using space-based satellites , causes an increase in extreme weather events like those shown in the animation above. Smoke from the Australian bush fires, which astronauts could see from aboard the International Space Station , has interacted with global weather. Smoke plumes have traveled around the globe, accelerating into the upper troposphere (the lowest region of Earth's atmosphere) and even as high up as the lowermost region of the stratosphere (the second layer of Earth's atmosphere, it sits above the troposphere and below the mesosphere). Photos: Australia's deadly wildfires in photos: The view from space Related: The reality of climate change: 10 myths busted A still from a new NASA animation shows the global effects of devastating events from this past year including the Australia bushfires. (Image credit: NASA Climate Change/YouTube) The long-range transport of the bushfire smoke will travel all the way across the Southern Ocean, completing a full circumnavigation of the planet to return to Australia. It is especially prominent across the southern Pacific Ocean and toward South America, according to a NASA statement . While astronauts spotted the growing, billowing smoke from the Australian bush fires, satellites from NASA and the European Space Agency continue to monitor the effects of the fires. Data from these satellites have shown just how deadly the bush fires were to both the people and wildlife of Australia. Satellite imagery has provided evidence for where the fires spread. The blazes have so far killed at least 25 people. Additionally, satellites have shown that the fires burned about one-third of Kangaroo Island, which is home to a variety of protected species. Devastation from the fires has also been spotted in a number of other areas where protected wildlife previously flourished. Follow Chelsea Gohd on Twitter @chelsea_gohd . Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook . The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) said 19 people were killed and five others injured in an attack early Sunday on a gendarmery camp in Sokolo, in the central region of Segou, Trend reports citing Xinhua. "A camp of the FAMa in Sokolo was attacked on Sunday around 6 a.m.," it said in a statement on its official website. "The provisional toll is 19 dead and five injured." "The camo is under FAMa's control. The hunting for the assailants is in progress with a Malian military aircraft involved," the statement said. (CNN) China's health minister Ma Xiaowei made a startling statement Sunday about the Wuhan coronavirus: He said people can spread it before they become symptomatic. "This is a game changer," said Dr. William Schaffner, a longtime adviser to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's much harder to contain a virus to track down a patient's contacts and quarantine them immediately if the patient was spreading the disease for days or weeks before they even realized they had it. "It means the infection is much more contagious than we originally thought," said Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. "This is worse than we anticipated." Ma didn't explain why he thinks the virus can be spread before someone has symptoms. If the Chinese health minister is right and there are those who doubt him that means the five confirmed cases in the United States might have been infectious while traveling from Wuhan to Arizona, California, Illinois and Washington state, even if they had no symptoms at the time. On Sunday, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said the risk to the American public for contracting this virus continues to be low. "We at CDC don't have clear evidence that patients are infectious before symptom onset, but we are actively investigating that possibility," Messonnier said. "We need to be preparing as if this is a pandemic, but I continue to hope that it is not," she added. The Wuhan coronavirus has killed more than 50 people in China and infected thousands there, and spread as far as the US, France and Canada. 'We're going to have to reevaluate our strategy' US health officials believe the Wuhan virus has an incubation period of about two weeks, CDC officials said Friday during a media briefing. "Based on what we know now about this virus, our concern for transmission before symptoms develop is low, so that is reassuring," Dr. Jennifer Layden, an epidemiologist with the Illinois Department of Health, said at the Friday briefing. The update on Sunday from the Chinese health minister should encourage health officials to change that thinking, some infectious disease experts told CNN. "Assuming that Ma is correct, we're going to have to re-evaluate our strategy, that's for sure," Schaffner said. Dr. Paul Offit, another longtime CDC adviser, said given Ma's news, he thinks health officials should alert people on the flights that the three US patients took from Wuhan that they might have traveled with someone who was infectious. "I think the conservative thing to do would be to cast a wider net," he said. NIH doctor wants US to inspect Chinese data The United States' top infectious disease doctor wants a team of CDC disease detectives to go to China and check on these crucial questions about how the Wuhan coronavirus is spreading. But there's something stopping them: China first has to invite the CDC. "Up to now, to my knowledge, we have not been invited," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the US National Institutes of Health, said Sunday. NIH and CDC are separate divisions of the US Department of Health and Human Services. The implications of Ma's statement that the coronavirus is transmissible before symptoms are so important "that in my mind it's absolutely critical that we ourselves see the data, because what goes on over there has implications for what happens here," Fauci said. He added that to his knowledge, the Chinese did not tell US health authorities that the virus could spread before someone is symptomatic, a crucial aspect of any disease investigation. He said he learned about it after reading a CNN reporter's email. Fauci said that CDC disease detectives would need to see precisely how Chinese health authorities have gathered their data and how they came to their conclusion. "To my knowledge, we have not seen the precise minute, granular data and how they collected it," he said. "We need to get to the real bottom line of how they collected their data and see if it's valid." "The Chinese have good people. I don't want to impugn their capabilities," Fauci added. "But when it's something as important as this, our people who are trained epidemiologists need to go over their data and the best way to do that is go there and see how they're collecting it." CDC's Messonnier said Sunday the CDC has staff in China, but the team is not directly involved in the Wuhan coronavirus response. The agency hopes to have "additional engagement" on the outbreak in China in the coming days, she said. In a tweet on Sunday, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "I am on my way to Beijing, [China] to meet with the Government & health experts supporting the #coronavirus response. My @WHO colleagues & I would like to understand the latest developments & strengthen our partnership with [China] in providing further protection against the outbreak." Are Chinese officials right? In a fast-spreading, evolving outbreak like this one, information often changes. Some experts are skeptical because of the lack of data from China. "I seriously doubt that the Chinese public officials have any data supporting this statement," said Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. "I know of no evidence in 17 years of working with coronaviruses SARS and MERS where anyone has been found to be infectious during their incubation period." Severe acute respiratory syndrome and Middle East respiratory syndrome are both caused by coronaviruses. While each has killed hundreds of people worldwide, together they amounted to only a handful of cases and no deaths in the United States. Offit, on the other hand, said it wouldn't surprise him if the Chinese health minister is right and the Wuhan coronavirus can be spread while people are asymptomatic. Measles, mumps, rubella and chicken pox all spread that way, he said. Despite that, he said he's optimistic that the US can control the outbreak before it gets out of hand, as it has in China. That's because the spread of the outbreak doesn't just rely on the time period of contagiousness. It also relies on how easily the virus spreads. Some viruses,such as measles, spread easily even to people on the other side of a room. Other viruses spread only with much closer contact. "My gut says we're going to be able to contain this real quick we're going to be able to put a moat around this fire," said Offit, a pediatric infectious disease expert at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. "I think this is going to be much more like SARS or MERS than the movie 'Contagion.' " "But then," the Philadelphia-based doctor said, "I'm an Eagles fan, so I tend to be optimistic about things." This story was first published on CNN.com 'China says coronavirus can spread before symptoms show calling into question US containment strategy' The European Parliament is expected to take up six resolutions on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act this week, with the two largest groups of MEPs strongly criticising the law for its negative consequences for Indias internal stability and potential for creating a statelessness crisis. The draft resolutions were all tabled on January 22 as part of the procedures to wind up the debate on the European Commissions vice presidents statement on the CAA and are expected to be taken up for debate during a plenary session on January 29. There will also be a vote on the issue on January 30, according to the European Parliament. Five of the resolutions are critical of the CAA and the governments handling of the protests against the law, with only one resolution by the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group, a centre-right political group, showing some support for the governments actions. ALSO WATCH | Wont withdraw CAA; challenge opposition leaders for a debate: Amit Shah The development comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis expected visit to Brussels in March for the India-EU Summit. The visit had figured in the meeting between Modi and EU high representative for foreign policy Josep Borrell in New Delhi on January 17. The CAA fast tracks the process for granting citizenship to members of non-Muslim persecuted minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The necessity of law was recently questioned by Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina. The European Peoples Party (EPP) Group, a centre-right group that is the largest with 182 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), said the CAA is selective and excludes Muslims from provisions provided to other religious groups and expressed concern about the wide range of negative consequences that it might have for Indias international image and internal stability. While respecting the Indian government attempt to assist persecuted religious minorities from Muslim-dominated neighbours, the EPP Group said creating one set of rules for selected persecuted minorities and another, less favourable set of rules for others will prove counterproductive and may be considered discriminatory. It called on the Indian government to assess the CAA and its consequences in the spirit of equality and non-discrimination and in the light of its international obligations and also condemned the violence and brutality in different parts of India following the adoption of the CAA and noted the special responsibility of law enforcement services to show restraint and allow peaceful protest. The Socialists and Democrats (S&D) Group, the second largest group with 154 members from 26 EU states in the 751-member parliament, was especially scathing in its resolution, which expressed deep regret over the adoptionof the CAA, which is discriminatory, dangerously divisive and may potentially create the largest statelessness crisis in the world. The S&D Group denounced the incorporation of religious criteria into [Indias] naturalisation and refugee policies and called on the government to ensure that the Foreigners Tribunals function with utmost transparency and operate in line with international fair trial standards. The Renew Europe Group, a liberal group with 108 MEPs from 22 countries that is the third largest group in the European Parliament, said the CAA is explicitly discriminatory in nature as it specifically excludes Muslims from access to the same provisions as other religious groups and condemned its adoption. It said the CCA constitute a dangerous shift in the way citizenship is determined in India, and are set to create the largest statelessness crisis in the world The Verts/ALE Group, which is the fourth largest group with 75 MEPs from 16 countries, said in its proposed resolution that the CAA, combined with the nationwide citizenship verification process, will leave Indias 200 million Muslims with the challenge of proving Indian nationality or becoming stateless and urged Indian authorities to immediately amend the provisions [of the law] in accordance with international human rights standards. The Renew Group and Verts/ALE Group were also critical of the Indian governments handling of the protests against the CAA and the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam. The GUE/NGL Group that has 41 left-wing MEPs, criticised both the CAA and the security shutdown and detentions in Jammu and Kashmir and expressed deep concernthat India has created the legal grounds to strip millions of Muslims of the fundamental right of equal access to citizenship. The language used in the ECR Groups draft resolution was more conciliatory. It noted the Indian government had explained the rationale behind the amended legislation and said India, as a sovereign state, is free to be the sole determinant of its legislation on who can be granted Indian citizenship. However, it too condemned any excessive use of force by security forces against demonstrators protesting against the CAA. It remains to be seen whether the resolutions will be taken up separately on January 29 as efforts are underway by the six groups to reach a compromise on the text. A representative of the S&D Group said: Other political groups have tabled different resolutions and in this case, you could expect some compromise around a single text in the coming days. There was no immediate response from Indian officials to the draft resolutions or the expected debate in the European Parliament. The nation celebrated the 71st Republic Day on Sunday with a grand military parade and exhibition of its history, cultural diversity and strategic weaponry at the Rajpath. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves next to Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro and President Ram Nath Kovind as they arrive to attend India's Republic Day parade in New Delhi. Photograph: Altaf Hussain/Reuters Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro was the chief guest for this year's ceremony which started with Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying tributes to martyrs at the National War Memorial. This was the third time that a Brazilian president was the chief guest at the Republic Day. There were several firsts in the celebration this year, including the prime minister paying homage at the National War Memorial, display of Chinook and Apache helicopters in the fly past and showcasing of the A-SAT weapons system. Jammu and Kashmir, which participated in the parade for the first time as a Union Territory, had the "Back to Village'' programme for displaced Kashmiri Pandits as the theme for its tableau. IMAGE: Battle tanks of the Indian Army, T- 90 Bhishma, followed by K9 VAJRA-T gun tanks pass through Rajpath during the 71st Republic Day Parade. Photograph: Kamal Singh/PTI Photo The band played the national anthem with a 21-gun salute in the background when the tricolour was being unfurled at the Rajpath before the start of parade. Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were among those who attended the celebrations. Earlier in the day, Modi took to Twitter to extend his greetings to countrymen. "Wishing everyone a happy #RepublicDay. Jai Hind," he tweeted. After the Republic Day parade, he waved at the cheering crowd while walked on the Rajpath. IMAGE: K9 VAJRA-T gun tanks pass through Rajpath during the 71st Republic Day Parade, in New Delhi. Photograph: Kamal Singh/PTI Photo Twenty-two tableaux were on display during the parade, of which 16 were of various states and Union Territories and six were of ministries, departments and the National Disaster Response Force. While Goa's tableau highlighted its biodiversity and 'save the frog', its anti-frog poaching campaign, Indian Air Force's tableau was a scaled down model of Rafale aircraft, Tejas aircraft, Light Combat Helicopters, Akash Missiles System, and Astra Missiles against a sky blue background. The tableau of the Ministry of Jal Shakti showcased government's new initiative "Jal Jeevan Mission" which aims to provide a functional tap connection to every rural household by 2024. IMAGE: The Tableau of National Disaster Response Force passes through the Rajpath during the 71st Republic Day Parade, in New Delhi. Photograph: Kamal Singh/PTI Photo The National Disaster Response Force's tableau showcased the cutting-edge technology used by the agency during rescue operations in flood-hit areas and Delhi's Anaj Mandi inferno last year. The 'Dhanush' gun system, commanded by Captain Mrigank Bharadwaj, was part of the celebrations for the first time on Sunday. The gun with a maximum range of 36.5 km has the capability of automatic gun alignment and positioning. Heavylift helicopter Chinook and attack helicopter Apache, both recently inducted in the Indian Air Force, also took part in the flypast for the first time. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to the crowd after attending India's Republic Day parade. Photograph: Altaf Hussain/Reuters The Chinooks can airlift diverse loads in remote locations. It is a heavy lift, twin rotor helicopter which has enhanced IAF's lift capability across a range of military and HADR missions. The Apache, on the other hand, is a versatile helicopter capable of firing air to air and air to ground missiles, rockets and front gun aided through fire control radar which can unleash havoc on the adversary. Captain Tania Shergill, a fourth generation army officer, led the marching contingent of the Corps of Signals. Keeping up with the pace of technical advancement in the 21th Century, the Corps of Signals has effectively achieved electronic and information superiority to empower the Indian Army against adversaries. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A large crowd of Staten Island residents were able to learn about various issues impacting Staten Island -- including an offshore wind port facility proposed for the borough -- during Borough President James Oddos annual Direct Connect Sunday" at Tottenville High School, Huguenot. At the event on Sunday afternoon, Oddo said he was hoping constituents were eager to learn more about the offshore wind port facility proposed on Staten Island. Atlantic Offshore Terminals is involved in a purchase agreement to acquire the over 30-acre property, located south of the Outerbridge Crossing in Richmond Valley. The proposal calls a port facility with wind turbine staging and assembly that will be dubbed Arthur Kill Terminal. If developers receive necessary funding from New York State to build the new state-of-the-art offshore wind turbine assembly facility, Staten Island may be the centerpiece of the offshore wind power supply chain along the East Coast. The beauty of this site and why this site is so appealing to the Atlantic Offshore Terminals is that its the only site in New York, on the East Coast, that doesnt have to go underneath a bridge and the part of the offshore wind that they focus on are the huge turbines, Oddo explained. The real beauty here are the number of jobs this project will bring in and of itself. But if we get it, they really believe it will draw smaller companies that make other smaller components to Staten Island." He continued: "So in one fell swoop, we have the chance to bring thousands of jobs, and also to rebrand the borough. We can become the offshore wind hub of the mid-Atlantic and we can be known for that. He said while other boards illustrate projects that Borough Hall has completed or are in progress, the offshore wind turbine assembly facility is one of his favorites. I dont think a lot of Staten Islanders are fully aware and really could understand what the potential of this is, he said. We make a big deal talking about the jobs coast on the West Shore and Im proud to say that weve played an intricate role in luring, between Amazon and Ikea alone, thousands of jobs. And we want to continue that." ABOUT DIRECT CONNECT Held at Tottenville High School from 1 to 4 p.m., the event is held yearly in lieu of the traditional state of the borough address. The genesis of it is, even before getting elected borough president, I made the decision that were not going to do a formal swearing-in and we got to work," Oddo said. Then I said Im not going to do a state of the borough... It didnt suit my style of standing up there hearing and giving a bunch of speeches." Instead, residents are asked each year to meet with Oddo directly during the annual Direct Connect Sunday that features a question-and-answer session, highlights projects completed and in progress, and a resource fair that connects Staten Islanders to local community organizations and New York City agencies. View the photos in the gallery above for scenes from Direct Connect Sunday. Its intended to allow Staten Islanders to speak to us directly, he said. They do that on a daily basis via social media and email, but here its the entire team and me and its face-to-face, which is a lost art. I think theres a lot missed every day, lost in translation via the internet. The event began as an open house held at Borough Hall in St. George, and later expanded to invite agencies and community organizations. Oddo interacts with his constituents one-on-one and talks about projects his office is working on. Members of his staff were also on-site to talk with residents about any concerns or questions they might have. Now its a chance for everyday Staten Islanders to interact with a bunch of policy makers and a bunch of folks who care about the Island, Oddo said. FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25) State volcanologists lowered Taal Volcanos alert status to Level 3 on Sunday, two weeks after the volcano's eruption on January 12 that led to a forced evacuation of thousands of families in the surrounding areas. Volcanologists from Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) issued the lower alert status following a decline in volcanic earthquakes, slower ground deformation in Volcano Island and the volcano's caldera, and weak steam and gas emissions at its main crater. Alert Level 3, a downgrade from the previous Level 4 that has been in place since January 12, indicates a "decreased tendency towards hazardous explosive eruption," Phivolcs said. However, this "should not be interpreted that (the volcano's) unrest has ceased or that the threat of a hazardous eruption has disappeared." "Should an uptrend or pronounced change in monitored parameters forewarn a potential hazardous explosive eruption, the alert level may be raised back to Alert Level 4," Phivolcs cautioned in its 8 a.m. bulletin on Sunday. Even at Alert Level 3, there could be "sudden steam-driven and even weak phreatomagmatic explosions, volcanic eartquakes, ashfall and lethal volcanic gas expulsions," it added. Following this announcement, Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas said residents of all towns, except Agoncillo and Laurel, may already return to their respective residences or place of work. Checkpoints supervised by military and police personnel are set up to keep order and maintain security for the expected large numbers of residents going back to their residence. More than 300,000 residents from nearby areas were evacuated. Military and police officials also began a total lockdown of all 199 barangays and 15 municipalities and cities in Batangas and Cavite which were marked as vulnerable to base surges and volcanic tsunami. While Taal Volcano Island remains on permanent lockdown, the following areas are already open at the option of residents: - Alitatag - Balete - Cuenca - Lemery - Lipa City - Malvar - Mataas na Kahoy - San Nicolas - Sta. Teresita - Taal - Talisay - Tanauan City "There is the likelihood occurrence of lahar, a destructive mudflow of stored volcanic ash from high areas, during rainfall and in case of eruption, especially in the areas contiguous to Cavite and elevated areas in Agoncillo and Laurel," the Phivolcs bulletin read. It added that there are still health hazards due to ashfall, as well as possibly physical injuries and damage to properties due to unstable structures, slippery roads, fissures, unavailability of water and electricity, and other related risks. Mandanas said another bulletin will be issued at 2pm and 6pm Sunday for further updates. If the volcano's activity follows a trend of "decreasing unrest" the alert level may go down further to Level 2, Phivolcs chief Renato Solidum said in a separate briefing. Still declared off-limits to people are Taal's permanent danger zone, as well as communities within the seven-kilometer radius from the main crater. Phivolcs advised local government units to assess areas outside the seven-kilometer radius for damage and road accessibilities. Contingency and communication measures must also be strengthened in case of renewed unrest. Alert Level 3 also means there is "relatively high unrest" through "seismic swarms" such as low frequency earthquakes. Phivolcs recorded 420 volcanic earthquakes on Friday ranging from magnitudes 1 to 4, including 11 low-frequency tremors, citing Taal Volcano Network. Phivolcs added that "the number and energy of low frequency events associated with activity in the shallow magma region" has already diminished. On Saturday, Mandanas called for a meeting with officials from the Interior Department and the Philippine National Police to discuss the contingency plan for Alert Level 3. Solidum earlier said they are not expecting "any activity for now" as long as magma deep beneath the volcano does not move. "If that magma reaches the surface then eruptions can restart or it can happen again but if... it will just stay in that level then (if) we don't see yet a resurgence," he told CNN Philippines on Saturday. "However, at the upper part of the volcano, the pit of the magma, will generate steam from boiling of the groundwater and that steam might either be emitted slowly or explosively so that can be a steam-generated explosion," Solidum added. READ: Tireless Taal still spews smoke, over 400 quakes recorded CNN Philippines' Janine Peralta and Glee Jalea contributed to this report. Space News space history and artifacts articles Messages space history discussion forums Sightings worldwide astronaut appearances Resources selected space history documents advertisements Fallen SpaceShipTwo pilot's name added to Space Mirror Memorial January 25, 2020 A name has been added to the U.S. national memorial for fallen astronauts, honoring the first commercial spacecraft pilot to be lost in the pursuit of opening spaceflight to the public. Michael Alsbury was remembered Saturday (Jan. 25) as his name was unveiled on the Space Mirror Memorial at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Alsbury died in 2014 during a test flight of Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane. A ceremony held by the Astronauts Memorial Foundation (AMF) included tributes from Alsbury's fellow SpaceShipTwo pilots Frederick "CJ" Sturckow and Doug Shane, as well as Commercial Spaceflight Federation chairman Taber MacCullum and former NASA astronaut Eileen Collins, who is a member of the AMF board. Alsbury's name was revealed carved into one of the 90 polished black granite plates that form the memorial's surface. Like the 24 other names emblazoned on the monument, Alsbury's name, which was added to the lower right of the Space Mirror, glows by the light continuously projected from behind the 42.5-foot-tall by 50-foot-wide (13 by 15 meter) wall. Alsbury died on Oct. 31, 2014, in the crash of Virgin Galactic's first SpaceShipTwo vehicle, the VSS Enterprise. The 39-year-old Scaled Composites' test pilot was serving as co-pilot on what was his ninth SpaceShipTwo flight when, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), he prematurely deployed the spaceplane's feather braking mechanism. Alsbury was lost and pilot Peter Siebold was severely injured as the vehicle broke apart over the skies of the Mojave Desert in California. Recovering from the tragedy, Virgin Galactic made changes to the feather deploy controls and moved construction of the next SpaceShipTwo to its own subsidiary, The SpaceShip Company. In 2018, the VSS Unity reached space for the first time, earning its pilot and co-pilot commercial astronaut wings from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Virgin Galactic is now nearing the start of commercial operations to fly space tourists and scientists on suborbital spaceflights from Spaceport America in New Mexico. Alsbury was the 20th person to die during a space mission or test flight, along with four Russian cosmonauts, 14 NASA astronauts and a U.S. Air Force pilot. The nine additional names on the Space Mirror represent U.S. astronauts and crew members on U.S. spacecraft who died during training or aircraft accidents. The Astronauts Memorial Foundation, which maintains the Space Mirror, voted in July 2019 to include commercial or private astronauts on the memorial. Sturckow, a former NASA astronaut and current pilot for Virgin Galactic, assisted the foundation in developing the new criteria that led to the addition of Alsbury to the monument. "The AMF board feels Michael's contributions are worthy of remembrance, as he gave his life in the furtherance of the mission of space exploration," Collins said in a statement. "Michael's life story will be remembered by future generations, and be an inspiration to those who seek to explore the unknown." Astronauts memorialized on the Space Mirror include the crews of Apollo 1, Challenger's STS-51L fatal mission and Columbia's STS-107 fatal mission; NASA pilots Charles Bassett, Theodore Freeman, Elliot See and Clifton "CC" Williams; U.S. Air Force pilots Michael Adams and Robert Lawrence; and space shuttle mission specialist ML "Sonny" Carter. The Space Mirror Memorial does not include every U.S. astronaut who died in accidents while in service to U.S. efforts in space. The monument omits Apollo-era astronaut Edward Givens, who died in a car crash, and shuttle-era astronauts David Griggs, Patricia Hilliard Robertson and Stephen Thorne, who were lost in commercial or private aircraft accidents. The AMF, together with NASA, holds annual ceremonies at the Space Mirror to honor everyone who has died in the pursuit of space exploration. This year's NASA Day of Remembrance public event is scheduled for Thursday (Jan. 30). Fallen SpaceShipTwo pilot Michael Alsbury's name glows with light projected from behind the Space Mirror Memorial at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. A ceremony was held to reveal the addition to the monument on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020. (Astronauts Memorial Foundation) Scaled Composites test pilot Michael Alsbury died on Oct. 31, 2014, in the crash of Virgin Galactic's first SpaceShipTwo, VSS Enterprise. (Scaled Composites) The Space Mirror Memorial, seen in a file photo, was designated as a national memorial to the United States' fallen astronauts in 1991. The Mirror now displays the names of 25 people who have died in the pursuit of spaceflight and exploration. (Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex) 2022 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved. (Adds extension of Lunar New Year holiday, Alibaba's Taobao action on overpriced masks) * Hubei province residents to be banned from entering Hong Kong * China says 2,051 people infected, 56 dead * U.S. to evacuate diplomatic staff, citizens from Wuhan * China imposes temporary nationwide ban on sale of wildlife By Gabriel D. Crossley and Cheng Leng BEIJING/SHANGHAI, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Residents of China's Hubei province, where the new coronavirus outbreak was first reported, will be banned from entering Hong Kong from Monday as China tries to halt the rapid spread of the outbreak. China's Cabinet also announced it will extend the week-long Lunar New Year holiday by three days to Feb. 2 and schools will return from their break later than usual, state broadcaster CCTV said. Health authorities around the world are racing to prevent a pandemic of the virus, which has infected more than 2,000 people in China and killed 56. A handful of cases of infection have been reported in other countries, including Thailand, Australia, the United States, France and Canada. No fatalities have been recorded outside China. The mayor of Wuhan, which is the capital of Hubei province and at epicentre of the outbreak, said he expected another 1,000 new patients in the city, which was stepping up construction of special hospitals. The newly identified coronavirus has created alarm because much about it is still unknown, such as how dangerous it is and how easily it spreads between people. It can cause pneumonia, which has been deadly in some cases. China's National Health Commission Minister Ma Xiaowei said the incubation period for the virus can range from one to 14 days, during which infection can occur. The Lunar New Year holiday, traditionally celebrated by hundreds of millions of Chinese travelling around the country and abroad to see family, began on Friday but has been severely disrupted by the outbreak. Ma said China would intensify its containment efforts, which have so far included transport and travel curbs and cancellation of big events. Story continues The virus, believed to have originated late last year in a seafood market in Wuhan that was illegally selling wildlife, has spread to cities including Beijing and Shanghai. Alibaba's Taobao online marketplace said it has removed sales of face masks from shops that show "unstable prices or false advertising", as prices for the products surged. The World Health Organisation this week stopped short of calling the outbreak a global health emergency, but some health experts question whether China can contain the epidemic. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he was on his way to Beijing to meet officials and health experts dealing with the coronavirus. Chinese-ruled Hong Kong, which has six confirmed cases, will also ban entry from Monday to people who have visited Hubei province in the past 14 days, the city's government said. The rule does not apply to Hong Kong residents. Hubei's governor, Wang Xiaodong, said on Sunday he felt "agonised" and responsible for the outbreak. He described the situation as severe and said medical supplies were still tight. China confirmed 2,051 cases of infection as of 7 p.m. (1100 GMT) on Jan. 26, while the death toll from the virus remained at 56, state broadcaster CCTV reported. Airports around the world have stepped up screening of passengers from China, although some health officials and experts have questioned the effectiveness of these efforts. Health officials in Orange County, California, said a third case had been registered in the United States in a traveller from Wuhan, who was in isolation and in good condition. WILDLIFE SALES BAN On Sunday, China temporarily banned nationwide the sale of wildlife in markets, restaurants, and e-commerce platforms. Wild and often poached animals packed together in Chinese markets are blamed as incubators for viruses to evolve and jump the species barrier to humans. The New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society called on China to make the ban permanent. The U.S. State Department said it will relocate personnel at its Wuhan consulate to the United States, while Japan was working with China to arrange a charter flight for Japanese nationals to return from Wuhan. Around 50 Italians in Wuhan and the Hubei region were offered transport out. The outbreak has prompted widening curbs on movements within China, with Wuhan, a city of 11 million, on virtual lockdown and transport links all-but severed except for emergency vehicles. CANCELLATIONS AND MISTRUST Health authorities in Beijing urged people not to shake hands but instead salute using a traditional cupped-hand gesture. The advice was sent in a text message that went out to mobile phone users in the city on Sunday morning. Beijing also postponed the reopening of the city's schools and universities after the Lunar New Year holiday, state radio reported. Hong Kong had already delayed the reopening of schools to Feb. 17. China has called for transparency in managing the crisis, after public trust was eroded by a cover-up of the spread of SARS, a coronavirus that originated in China and killed nearly 800 people globally in 2002 and 2003. But officials in Wuhan have been criticised for their handling of the current outbreak. "People in my hometown all suspect the real infected patients number given by authorities," said Violet Li, who lives in the Wuhan district where the seafood market is located. Illustrating the extent of disruption to life in China, overall passenger travel declined by nearly 29% on Saturday, the first day of the Lunar New Year, from a year earlier, with air passengers down nearly 42%, a transportation ministry official said. Many cinemas across China were closed and cruise ship operators cancelled some sailings that had been due to leave Chinese ports. In Hong Kong, Disneyland and Ocean Park were closed on Sunday. Shanghai Disneyland, which expected 100,000 visitors daily over the holiday, has already closed. (Reporting by Yilei Sun, Samuel Shen, Huizhong Wu, Se Young Lee, Shivani Singh, Cheng Leng, Martin Pollard, Ben Blanchard Additional reporting by Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva Writing by Tony Munroe, Toby Chopra and Giles Elgood Editing by Michael Perry and Frances Kerry) Faizabads Shareef Chacha has spent more than 25 years of his life performing last rites of unclaimed bodies, a work most would refuse to do. In this span of time, 82-year-old Mohammed Sharif has performed the last rites of more than 25,000 unclaimed bodies. He has now been conferred with the fourth highest civilian honour, the Padma Shri. Shareef is a bicycle mechanic by profession. Popularly known as Shareef Chacha, he started doing this community service after his 25-year-old son disappeared and was later found dead in 1992. Twitter He was my elder son Mohd Raes Khan and he had gone to Sultanpur to work as a chemist but went missing for a month. Later, Raes was found murdered, his decomposed body in a sack. It was then that I decided to not let any unclaimed body lying off the road to be devoured by stray animals, Shareef said in an older interview to The Times of India. youtube/star plus Shareef strongly believes that every human being deserves the dignity of a funeral and performs rites of unclaimed bodies from different faiths. Every day, he makes rounds of the mortuary, nearby hospitals, railway stations and police station for any unclaimed bodies. The authorities contact him only if no one comes to claim a body for 72 hours, says a report in TOI. twitter The Good Samaritan conducts the last rites in a small room located in a cemetery in Rakabganj, Faizabad. Lavaris Maiyyat/Matti ka ghuslkhana (bath of destitute unclaimed bodies) reads a board hung outside this room. While burial costs about Rs 5,000, cremation can cost him up to Rs 3,500. He has friends at the graveyard as well as the cremation ghat who help him with the last rites. Sometimes, they dont even charge for their own labour, like for babies, Shareef told TOI. Shareef once saved the only survivor of an accident on Faizabad-Lucknow highway. He extricated the survivor from an over-turned jeep and rushed him to hospital. In a first, almost all mosques in Kerala hoisted the tricolour and decorated their premises with saffron, white and green festoons on Republic Day on Sunday. The Kerala State Wakf Board had earlier said all mosques in Kerala would hoist the national flag and read out the preamble of the Indian Constitution on Republic Day to promote national integration. Many Muslim organizations had also exhorted believers to celebrate the Republic Day to send out a message across. It had sent circulars to all mahal committees and others to unfurl the national flag and take a pledge to protect the countrys Constitution. A copy of the preamble of the Constitution was also sent along with the circular to the mosques. The development comes amid protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in various parts of the country including Kerala which has taken a lead role in the campaign against the CAA. Earlier this month, the Kerala assembly became the first state legislature to pass a resolution against the CAA. It also became the first state government to move a suit in the Supreme Court against the CAA which fast-tracks citizenship for non-Muslims from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who arrived in India on or before December 31, 2014. Opponents of the law say it is discriminator, divisive and unconstitutional because it makes religion a test of citizenship. The protests in different parts of the country for over a month now have forced the BJP to launch its own outreach programme to canvass support for the law. Nelsy Batista started her training session for two dozen potential Bernie Sanders volunteers in Oaklands predominantly Latino Fruitvale neighborhood by explaining how this campaign is a critical moment in the nations history. Este campana es super importante en la historia politica, Batista said at the start of her 90-minute presentation all in Spanish to the supporters gathered in an insurance office that the campaign rented for the afternoon. For the better part of a year, Sanders has focused on appealing to Latino voters who could be key to winning California and other states with similar demographics. Since May, his campaign has been organizing block by block in Latino neighborhoods such as Fruitvale, often in meetings like this. Batista and other Sanders staffers explain how to canvass door to door, make calls from phone banks and use the campaigns mobile app to persuade relatives and friends to support the Vermont senator. Batistas Oakland presentation wasnt the only one in which participants spoke in Spanish from start to finish. Winning the Latino vote, said Rafael Navar, director of Sanders California operations, is the cornerstone of our campaign. Polls indicate this grassroots strategy is working. A survey this month by the Public Policy Institute of California showed 38% of likely Latino Democratic voters backing Sanders in the states March 3 primary, compared with 25% for former Vice President Joe Biden and 15% for Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. That contributed to a narrow overall lead for Sanders in the poll. Sanders had similarly strong support from Latinos in a November survey by the Berkeley IGS Poll. And nearly two-thirds of Latino voters surveyed in November by the Latino Decisions polling firm expressed favorable views of Sanders, far more than for his competitors. We were pretty surprised at the results, said Jacqueline Martinez Garcel, CEO of the Latino Community Foundation, which commissioned the Latino Decisions poll. This shows the amount of work thats been put in from Sanders campaign staff, Garcel told The Chronicles Its All Political podcast. They have put in an enormous amount of staff time and money in communities where Latinos make up the majority. They are doing their homework, and it shows. Other campaigns are reaching out to Latino voters and have opened offices in Latino neighborhoods as well. On Friday, billionaire San Francisco activist Tom Steyer held a town hall meeting with the Chicano Latino Caucus Immigrant Democratic Club in San Francisco. Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro who had been the only Latino in the Democratic field endorsed Warren after dropping out of the race and has been campaigning for her. But none of the remaining candidates has been focusing on Latinos for as long or as intensely as Sanders. Its an outgrowth of his 2016 campaign, when, as a senator largely unknown outside Vermont and progressive circles, he mounted a surprisingly strong challenge to Hillary Clinton in part because Latinos flocked to his candidacy. Bernie was from Vermont. Theres not a lot of Latinos there, and not a lot of people knew him, said Chuck Rocha, a senior adviser on the Sanders campaign and a longtime political operative with expertise in the Latino electorate. But Rocha said he did well because voters liked his authenticity and policies aimed at the working class. Sanders trailed Clinton by 30 percentage points among Latinos in California when he started the 2016 campaign, but closed that gap to seven points two months before the June primary, which he narrowly lost. When Sanders decided to run for the White House again, the campaign made a decision to focus on Latino voters from the start. Its first TV ad in Nevada, where roughly a third of the residents are Latino, was in Spanish. The state goes third in primary season voting, after Iowa and New Hampshire. In California, nearly 40% of residents are Latino. Sanders has opened 16 offices in the state, many in predominantly Latino neighborhoods in East Los Angeles, Oxnard, the Central Valley and the Inland Empire. Last week, at a bilingual news conference at its Mission District office, the Sanders campaign announced that he had won the endorsement of the San Francisco Latino Democratic Club. When I show up at the door now, theres much more recognition of who Bernie is, said Daniel Robelo, a Sanders campaign volunteer who lives in San Leandro. Thats changed a lot from four years ago. Olga Obledo said Sanders connects with Latino voters like her because he stresses issues that resonate with working-class Americans. The rent is too high, you cant buy a house, and health care is too expensive, said Obledo, 51, who lives in San Leandro. To me, he is the only person who has been talking about the same thing for a long time. Other politicians change their mind all the time. Bernie doesnt. Persuading older Latinos to support a white Jewish guy from Brooklyn can be a hard sell, acknowledged Andrea Bocanegra, 40, of Oakland. I tell my parents, Dont look at the person. Look at what hes done. Look at what hes saying, Bocanegra said. He might not look like us, but hes with us. Sanders has also tried to diversify his staff after criticism that his 2016 organization looked too much like him white and male. Now, instead of cordoning off its 150 Latino staffers to work only with Latino voters, Latinos including Rocha and national political director Analilia Mejia hold top positions in the national campaign. In California, the state director, deputy state director, field director and student organizing manager are Latino. Ive been doing this 31 years, and with most campaigns, they show up in the last two weeks in Latino neighborhoods, Rocha said. We went there early and stayed. And now, were running the most Latino campaign anybody has ever run in the history of presidential campaigns. Editors note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported the arrangement for the Sanders campaigns use of office space in Oaklands Fruitvale neighborhood for canvassing training. The campaign rented the space. Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli Trucks from Jaffna signal long- awaited drop in veggie prices By Kasun Warakapitiya View(s): View(s): Vegetable prices are going to start dropping in coming weeks because supplies from Jaffna and Kalpitiya are on their way in. The Director of the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research Institute, Duminda Priyadarsana, said prices kept increasing during the last few months as heavy rains had ruined harvests. He said high prices would be gone in about one and a half months time, with results coming as soon as within the next two or three weeks with new harvests reaching market hubs. Only a few vegetable varieties such as carrots, leeks, green beans, capsicum and local red onions remain at high prices. Other vegetable prices have already started to decline as produce from Jaffna and Kalpitiya have reached the markets, he said. Prices of brinjals, radish and winged beans were dropping. Mr. Priyadarsana said the price of local red onions would remain high at about Rs. 1,200 as there was a shortage of onion seedlings. Imported onions were affordable as 29,000 tons of brown onions had been imported from Egypt, Turkey and Bangladesh last month. Consumers are finding it difficult to cope with the prolonged increase in prices. Indika Premaratne, 55, who makes a living selling sweep tickets in Kalpitiya, said he was constantly having to look for substitutes, buy alternative vegetables as the varieties he usually bought had become too expensive. We do not need excuses from the government: we need the prices of vegetables reduced to a level that is convenient for everyone, he said sternly. If there is a shortage of manpower they can make use of prisoners. K.A. Rupasinghe, a resident of Hanwella, said there was only a slight difference in prices between the Colombo markets and regional markets such as those in his town. Most of the vegetables I bought cost more than Rs. 50-70 for 250 grams, he said. Sometimes he could not afford to buy all the vegetables he needed. Another shopper, 55-year-old Swarnawathi Liyanage, was in the same straits. A resident of Kotahena, Kalpan Ganeshan, who shops at the Pettah market, said prices had begun rising in November. I work in the private sector and our salaries dont increase like the vegetable prices. Im finding it difficult to buy enough vegetables for a family of four, he said. In Matale, it is damp and misty with constant falls of rain, and farmers say the weather is making it impossible to spray chemical fertiliser on fields of new crops. The meteorology department said more rains were expected in the Central Province in coming days. Despite the rain, vegetable prices at the Dambulla Economic Centre have begun decreasing as Jaffna produce start to come in. Although prices of carrots, beetroot, leeks and cabbage remain high, radishes, ladies fingers, winged beans and kekiri can now be had for Rs. 80-100 per 500g. Traders associations said there would not be a significant decrease in prices until harvests of other areas reached markets. To date there had been a Rs.10-20 drop in overall prices. The President of the Dambulla Merchants Association, Channa Eraula expects prices to decrease in the next three weeks. The rainy weather led farmers to cultivate paddy this was the main reason for the shortage of vegetables, he said. Mr. Eraulla said merchants are planning to meet President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to discuss the problems of onion farmers, stop onion importation and set up a long-term plan to keep vegetable prices constant throughout the year. Additional reporting: Mahesh Keerthiratne in Matale Parents find it hard to put food on table By Sumanasiri Gunatilleke in Monaragala Stories of hardship are everywhere in the Moneragala region as staple foods have receded from the reach of many people. Kadirawel Arulendran, 42, a rubber tapper at the Janawasama Estate, said the rains are not only making basic vegetables too expensive to buy for his family but are also robbing him some days of his Rs. 650 daily wage, because he is unable to extract rubber during rainy days. He has to provide for his three daughters one of whom is disabled and son from the little money he earns. At the very least I need to prepare more than a kilo of rice for a meal, he said. I dont remember a day when I last ate vegetables. The money I earn is too little because I need to provide an education for two children. We would be grateful for any government support. The price of rice has also risen, said D.M. Pushpalatha, an employee of a local hotel: a kilo of rice that cost her Rs. 70-80 three months ago is now Rs. 110. Mrs. Pushpalathas entire family lives on her hotel wage. The government says there are rice varieties available at cheaper prices at Sathosa outlets but the problem is that the closest Sathosa outlets are at Badalkumbura town or Monaragala, which is far away, Mrs. Pushpalatha said. She would have to spend twice as much as a kilo of rice cost to travel to those places to buy rice at cheaper rates. Harvests halved in Welimada By K R Rajamanthri in Welimada Farmers in Welimada say their harvests have been halved because heavy rains have ruined their crops. One farmer in Bokumbura, D.M. Siriwardena, said most of his crops had been destroyed. I cultivated potatoes and green beans but there was very little to harvest because there were diseases and fungal infections due to the rains, he said. Despite using more pesticides the situation did not improve. The chairman of the Welimada Uwa Paranagama Farmers Association, W.M. Gunawardena, said the high prices of vegetable seeds were also sending up vegetable prices: 25g of cabbage seeds was Rs. 1,500, 100g of carrot seeds was Rs. 3,500 while a 50kg bag of seedling potatoes was as high as Rs. 17,000. US President pondering supporters how long Ukraine can hold out against Russia without America's support President Donald Trump was visibly elated on Wednesday as Muellers testimony in back-to-back hearings unfolded on national television/Alex Brandon/AP Photo AP photo US President Donald Trump at a private meeting with his supporters in 2018 spoke about Ukraine's dependence on Washington's military assistance. The Associated Press reported after getting an audio recording of the meeting. On the record, which was allegedly made during the meeting, a voice similar to Trump's was recorded. The US president pondered with supporters how long Ukraine could hold out in the fight against Russia without Washingtons support. In addition, journalists claim that the meeting was attended by businessmen Lev Parnassus and Igor Fruman, who carried out instructions from the personal lawyer of US President Rudi Giuliani in Ukraine. Trump has repeatedly denied acquaintance with Parnassus and stated that he had never talked to him in his life. It should be noted that yesterday on the American ABC channel it was reported that they received an audio recording on which it is audible that supposedly US President Donald Trump is asking to dismiss then Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch. As we reported, The ABC channel reports it received an audio recording on which alleged President of the United States Donald Trump is asking to dismiss the then ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch A farm near Nha Trang raises nearly 20,000 guinea pigs and mice for vaccine research and production. Around 20 kilometers from the beach town in the central province of Khanh Hoa is Suoi Dau Breeding Farm - Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC) which supplies these animals for research into pertussis, diphtheria and tetanus and making vaccines against them. A room measuring 200 square meters is divided into cells, each about a square meter in size and paneled with tiles and with a compartment for food and automatic water systems. Around 10 breeding mice pairs live in each cell. Guinea pigs after 21 days of age that meet criteria such as having soft white hair, being active and not being pathogenic are transferred to facilities that need them. There are nearly 15,000 mice and they bite each other and so are susceptible to infection. Therefore, the process of raising them involves constant monitoring of health and sterilizing everything around them. The staff in the farm weigh and check on the guinea pigs and mice. Photo by VnExpress/Xuan Ngoc. The breeding mice are first raised separately. Then females and males are kept together for mating. After a week the females are separated again. Pregnant females g ive birth after 18-21 days. Every year mice breed five to six times and each time have a litter of eight to 12. The young mice are used for experiments and other medical purposes. Early every morning Le Thi Thu Ha, 47, deputy head of the farm comes around to check on and measure the body temperature of each mouse. Those with high temperatures and thus possibly ill are quarantined. After that she removes the food compartments containing leftovers from the previous day and adds 3-4 cm long cylinder-shaped biscuits made from rice, fish meal, corn, and soybeans and steamed to ensure nutrition. Green grass is added to the food supply to increase fertility. The living space is cleaned several times daily. After graduating with a veterinary degree from the Agriculture and Forestry University in Thua Thien Hue Province, Ha has been working at the farm since 1997. After a year of research she took on the task of monitoring and caring for the mice. In the beginning the odor of mice clinging to her clothes made her feel very uncomfortable. But soon she got used to it. If a mouse was sick or gave birth she had to take extra care of them, which helped her develop affection for them. "I have become so used to the mice that when I take a few days off, I miss them," she says. Le Thi Thu Ha checks on a mouse in a separate cell. Photo by VnExpress/Xuan Ngoc. Raising the mice is not difficult but requires kindness because she always has to keep an eye on them as if they are children, she says. The 15 employees of the farm have to arrive every day before 7 a.m. The have to work until Lunar New Years Eve, share duties during holidays and return to work on the third day of the new year. In more than a decade of taking care of the mice it has been routine to be absent from home during the Tet holidays, said veterinarian Ha Thi Nga, busy checking the temperature of some mice that have been separated from the rest. She carefully examines the fur, eyes and tail of each mouse. The head of the lab animal husbandry division, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Trai, says guinea pigs and mice have similar genomes to humans and so are used in experiments for vaccines, biological products and serums. Mice that are delivered from the farm need to have agility, smooth hair, bright eyes, and no scabies or tumors. They are kept in quarantine for around three days at the new place and then tested. Guinea pigs are injected in the thighs and abdominal cavity while mice are only be injected in the stomach. They are closely monitored for the first two hours and watched for seven days. During that period mice with abnormal signs are checked again. "If the cause is their own conditions, they are put down, if it is due to the vaccine or serum, they are used," Trai explains. Dr Duong Huu Thai, director of IVAC, says thanks to the dedication of those who work at the farm every year around 80,000 mice are supplied to research institutes. New kinds of medicines are made based on studies done by using the animals which help prevent and reduce human disease, he says. In the near future IVAC plans to breed mice from Switzerland and Thailand to meet the needs of researchers, he says. As of this writing, a Bing search for the phrase Pompeo NPR Interview returned 15,900 results just for the past week. The fact that an NPR reporter says Pompeo called her a liar and used the F word garnered stories at NPR, the New York Times, ABC News, CNN, Yahoo News, Reuters, Axios, the Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, CNBC, the Washington Times, USA Today, and many other major outlets. They all are treating it like a big story. It isnt. Here are the known facts: Mary Louise Kelly interviewed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for NPRs All Things Considered. Kelly began by asking Pompeo questions about Iran which he willingly answered. Listening to the interview, Kelly clearly supports Obamas Iran Plan and trusts Irans foreign minister, Javad Zarif, more than she trusts the Trump administration. Pompeo pushes back against her assumptions. It is a contentious interview. Things really go off the rails, , though, when Kelly abruptly abandons Iran and asks a question about Ukraine that is both biased and inane just as the House impeachment managers are on television bloviating about Trumps Ukraine telephone call proving hes a dictator and claiming an urgent need to prevent Americans from voting for Trump a second time. Pompeo instantly castigates her for violating her commitment to limit the interview to Iran: Change of subject. Ukraine. Do you owe Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch an apology? You know, I agreed to come on your show today to talk about Iran. That's what I intend to do. I know what our Ukraine policy has been now for the three years of this administration. I'm proud of the work we've done. This administration delivered the capability for the Ukrainians to defend themselves. President Obama showed up with MREs (meals ready to eat.) We showed up with Javelin missiles. The previous administration did nothing to take down corruption in Ukraine. We're working hard on that. We're going to continue to do it. Rather than stopping, Kelly accuses Pompeo of ignoring his staffs opinions by failing to support an ambassador, as if a backstabbing betrayer has the same standing as an ambassador who stands up for the administration she serves. Pompeo pushed back and the interview ended. Rather than letting the interview speak for itself, Kelly announced that Pompeo was mean to her: I was taken to the secretary's private living room where he was waiting and where he shouted at me for about the same amount of time as the interview itself had lasted. He was not happy to have been questioned about Ukraine. He asked, do you think Americans care about Ukraine? He used the F-word in that sentence and many others. He asked if I could find Ukraine on a map; I said yes. He called out for his aides to bring him a map of the world with no writing, no countries marked. I pointed to Ukraine. He put the map away. He said, people will hear about this. And then he turned and said he had things to do, and I thanked him again for his time and left. Pompeo had his own take on what happened: NPR reporter Mary Louise Kelly lied to me, twice. First, last month, in setting up our interview and, then again yesterday, in agreeing to have our post-interview conversation off the record. It is shameful that this reporter chose to violate the basic rules of journalism and decency. This is another example of how unhinged the media has become in its quest to hurt President Trump and this Administration. It is no wonder that the American people distrust many in the media when they so consistently demonstrate their agenda and their absence of integrity. It is worth noting that Bangladesh is NOT Ukraine. If youre wondering whos telling the truth, its worth remembering that (a) its clear that Kelly blindsided Pompeo, making it probable she lied when setting up the interview; (b) Pompeo is a famously straight shooter; and (c) that NPR reporters despise President Trump and are the fake news. Still, you decide. More importantly, ask yourself why this is a story at all. If you go to the Twitter feeds for the President, Mike Pompeo and the State Department, youll discover that things are happening out there that matter to Americans, rather than to self-involved, navel-gazing, Trump-hating, Deplorable-despising media hacks: . @FoxNews @OANN ! https://t.co/fWdjR1DcUc Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2020 I had a great stop in #Florida. Thank you to Florida Governor @GovRonDeSantis and members of the Venezuelan diaspora for your continued passion and dedication to restoring democracy to #Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/b0pBqsTpnh Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 24, 2020 Excited to travel to the UK, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan to meet with counterparts and affirm U.S. priorities across Europe and Central Asia. Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 24, 2020 We commend #Bulgarias recent actions to defend its independence and sovereignty from malign influence and its decision to expel Russian agents accused of espionage. We will support our #NATO Ally and EU Partner as it exercises its rights to define its future. https://t.co/U9p42t47Jq Department of State (@StateDept) January 24, 2020 The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides funds to PBS and NPR, has received almost half a billion dollars from taxpayers in 2018 and 2019, and will again in 2020. Kellys reporting reveals that, while all taxpayers are on the hook for this money, the Democrat party is the real beneficiary. Leah Sharibu, a Christian girl kidnapped and held in Boko Haram captivity for over one year, has given birth to a baby boy for a top Boko Haram commander whom she was forced to marry after converting to Islam. Leah is the only Christian among the 110 school girls abducted by the the Boko Haram terrorist from the Government Science Secondary School, Dapchi, Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State, on February 19, 2018. All other Dapichi school girls abducted with her had been released except Leah who was aged fourteen at the time of her capture. Leah was reportedly not released along with the other children, because she refused to convert to Islam. It has been gathered that Leah was delivered of a baby boy after being forced to marry a top Boko Haram commander who lives outside Nigeria. Daily Trust quoted a reliable source close to the terror group, saying Leah was delivered of the baby early Saturday in Niger Republic. The source said Leah, who refused to renounce her Christian faith, was forced to accept Islam before being married to the top commander of the terror group. He added that the insurgents had wanted to release her few months ago but couldnt because she was pregnant. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won the rerun elections for the senate, state and federal constituencies in Akwa Ibom State. The elections held on Saturday in only one local government area Essien Udim local in the state. It was, however, characterised by violence and ballot-stealing. Some election officials were held hostage in the area, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said. For the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District election, the PDP candidate, Chris Ekpenyong, scored 134,717 votes to beat the former senator, Godswill Akpabio, who had 83,820 votes, according to the result released Sunday morning by INEC. Mr Akpabio lost his bid to return to the Senate for a second term in 2019 when INEC declared Mr Ekpenyong winner of the poll. Amid complaints of election fraud and a petition to the tribunal, the former Senate minority leader who was later appointed minister of Niger Delta Afairs, said he was no longer interested in a repeat poll, but INEC rejected a replacement of candidate. The PDP candidate for the Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency election, Nsikak Ekong, scored 45,366 votes, while his closest rival Emmanuel Akpan of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scored 22,757. For the Essien Udim State Constituency, the PDP candidate, Esse Umoh, scored 18,999 votes, while the APC candidate, Nse Ntuen scored 7,108 votes. The APC and its candidates for elections into the state and federal constituencies had announced their withdrawal from the poll hours before its commencement. Giving reasons for his withdrawal, Nse Ntuen, the APC candidate for the Essien Udim State Constituency election, claimed he won 2019 election and that the Court of Appeal did not order for a rerun election. Mr Ntuen said, in a statement on Friday, that he has filed a suit in court to compel INEC to release my Certificate of Return and disembark from conducting any election without further delay. On his part, Emmanuel Akpan, the APC candidate for the Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency election, said he withdrew from the rerun because he did not trust the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mike Igini, to organise a free and fair election. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) speaks to reporters near the Senate Subway on Capitol Hill on Jan. 24, 2019. (Zach Gibson/Getty Images) Romney Says He Will Very Likely Vote for Witnesses in Impeachment Trial Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said he would support a push from Democrats to call more witnesses to testify in the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. I think its very likely Ill be in favor of witnesses, but I havent made a decision finally yet, and I wont until the testimony is completed, he told reporters on Jan. 25, after the first day of arguments from the presidents legal team. When he was asked about Trumps defense, Romney replied, I just dont have any comments on the process or the evidence until the trial is over. Before the trial started, Romney, who has been a vocal critic of Trump, said he would be interested in hearing testimony from former national security adviser John Bolton, who indicated that he would be willing to take the stand in the Senate trial if called. I would like to hear from John Bolton and other witnesses, but at the same time, Im comfortable with the Clinton impeachment model, when we have opening arguments first and then we have a vote on whether to have witnesses, Romney said earlier in January. But, in all, four Republicans would have to join Democrats to vote in favor of subpoenas and witnesses in the case, which could potentially trigger a lengthy court battle that would extend the trial. Romneys comments came after about 20 hours of arguments presented by House managers, led by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), in which they presented arguments in favor of removing Trump. They have alleged he withheld aid to Ukraine in exchange for potentially advantageous investigations into a political rival, which the president has denied. On Jan. 25, Trumps lawyers, led by Pat Cipollone, pushed back against the impeachment managers allegations, saying there was no pressure from the White House or any evidence of a quid pro quo. In this screengrab taken from a Senate Television webcast, White House counsel Pat Cipollone speaks during impeachment proceedings against U.S. President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 25, 2020 (Senate Television via Getty Images) There has been speculation that Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) would possibly join Democrats in calling for witnesses. However, Murkowski told reporters she was offended at the allegation by House impeachment manager Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) that Republican senators [voted] for a cover-up and were voting to deny witnesses, an absolutely indefensible vote, obviously a treacherous vote. I took it as very offensive, Murkowski told local media on Jan. 22. As one who is listening attentively and working hard to get to a fair process, I was offended. Murkowski also told CNN on Jan. 23 she had concerns about why the House didnt try to seek witnesses or documents in their case by seeking a remedy in relevant courts. The House made a decision that they didnt want to slow things down by having to go through the courts, Murkowski said. And yet now, theyre basically saying, You guys gotta go through the courts. We didnt, but we need you to. Editors note: A previous version of this report incorrectly suggested that Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted against confirming Brett Kavanaugh in 2018. The Epoch Times regrets this error. Three-time GMA Canada Covenant Award Nominee, and Canadian Christian Radio top 10 charting artist, Allen Froese, releases his third studio album, 'All Things New'. This EP is a collection of six worship songs birthed through trials and triumphs, that touch on themes of hope, light, healing, restoration, and love. The EP was produced by Grammy award-winning Cody Norris, who launched his own recording studio after working with the much-awarded Ed Cash for 7 years. The songs are a good balance of up tempo and medium tempo tunes. Each of the tracks have radio mix versions. The first radio single is the title track, 'All Things New' and has been getting some good traction. The global digital release of the full EP is releasing Jan 24th 2020. The rest of the singles will be going for radio adds in this order: 'Your Love Is Our Hope', 'Renew My Mind', 'No One Else', 'Holy', and 'All The Glory' beginning April 2020. Allen has been equipping worshippers, leading worship, and writing songs for over a decade and has led worship experiences and has conducted worship seminars throughout North America and internationally. He has a passion in observing people encountering God in worship and helping them articulate their devotion to God through the songs he writes. His plan is to continue crafting worship songs that convey biblical truth while making the songs accessible to the church as a resource. Track List: 1. All Things New 2. Your Love is our Hope 3. Renew My Mind 4. No One Else 5. Holy 6. All the Glory Tags : GMA Canada Covenant Award Nominee Allen Froese Releases 'All Things New' EP Allen Froese Allen Froese all things new Sneaker Wave Dangers Sunday on Oregon, Washington Coast: How to Enjoy Published 01/25/2020 at 5:50 PM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Oregon Coast) Big waves are again headed for the Oregon coast this weekend, with the Washington coast and northern and central Oregon coasts the subject of a beach hazards statement from the National Weather Service (NWS). The agency said large breakers and the substantial dangers of sneaker waves will be present in those areas from early Sunday morning through late Sunday evening. The NWS is urging extreme caution from about Raymond, Washington down through Yachats which includes places like the Long Beach Peninsula, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Newport, Yachats, and everything in between. The southern Oregon coast is not expected to get such dangerous conditions, though it will be rainy and windy. If you are thinking about heading to the coast on Sunday, be extra watchful of the sea as there will be increased likelihood for sneaker waves late Sunday morning through Sunday evening, the NWS said. This is due to the potential for a building long-period west swell to increase the strength and height of the water running up the beaches. This can easily catch someone off guard and drag them into the cold ocean waters. A Beach Hazards Statement has been issued for this coastal hazard. According to NWS wave prediction graphs, some gnarly big ones are expected offshore and then likely hitting the beaches. One of the largest examples is a prediction of 30-foot swells offshore at a period of 16 seconds that will result in a beach wave height of about 16 feet all around 4 p.m. The NWS said there is sizable dangers of getting knocked down by sneaker waves on the beaches and sucked into the frigid ocean. Stay clear of logs on the beaches as these can be lifted by a mere inch or two of water. Stay well clear of jetties as these are non-stop danger zones. Always keep an eye on the waves, and be especially watchful of children and pets, the NWS said. Considerable winds will be hitting the northern half of the Oregon coast and the southern half of the Washington coast, clocking in around the 20s on Sunday with gusts over 30 mph on occasion. It stays rainy and somewhat windy through much of the week. Wild beach conditions may well return midweek with some hefty offshore swells again predicted in the teens and close to 20 feet at times. There are currently predictions of wave height on the beaches again around 15 feet, although the NWS has not yet issued forecasts for periods between the swells. Oregon Coast Beach Connection is declaring all smaller beaches with no access to foredunes should be off limits. Places like Oceanside, Gleneden Beach, much of Lincoln City or Newports Nye Beach are short beaches with only cliff walls behind them and no means of getting away from waves. How To Enjoy the Waves: Stick to rocky areas with distant viewpoints where you can stay a ways back from all the crazy action, such as the Depoe Bay seawall, the 804 Trail at Yachats (stay on the trail), the lookouts / parking lots above Pacific City, Oceanside, Nye Beach, the Seaside Promenade or the cliff lookout at Shore Acres near Coos Bay. Rocky spots will be your best bets for incredible sights. See oceanfront hotels here, as these will provide a constant show. The waves are coming in straight from the west which will mean lots of interesting creatures and goodies washing up, which will be excellent for beachcombing later as wave conditions calm down. See Washington Coast Weather - Oregon Coast Weather - Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - Where to eat - Map - Virtual Tour More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted The arduous and closely scrutinized effort to get the grounded 737 Max up in the air again is putting a South Carolina aviation business on the industry's radar screen. The company is a division of Textron Inc., and it's one of just two manufacturers of the sophisticated flight simulators that mimic the way the jetliner flies and handles. Suddenly, demand is sky high for the cockpit training devices. Less than three dozen so-called full-flight versions of the faux flying machines that were built specifically for the Max are operational worldwide, namely because most buyers of the airplanes didnt think theyd need them. They figured theyd be allowed to rely on older simulators designed for previous versions of the workhorse 737. They've recently learned that assumption was wrong. And it has set off a mad dash, with airlines scrambling to reserve time in the updated models to ensure their pilots are up to speed on the latest changes before the Max is cleared to fly again. The projected return date for the troubled narrowbody has been bumped to mid-2020, Boeing said Tuesday. The new-found interest in the simulators picked up after the planemaker reversed course in its plans to reboot the idled Max fleet, which has been grounded since March after two crashes claimed 346 lives. Boeing, which is working on software changes and new training guidelines, at first suggested that an online course for pilots would suffice. Last week, the directive for the 50-plus airlines that fly the Max changed. Boeing told Reuters news service that its now recommending that 737 flight crews spend some quality time in one of the roughly 34 certified simulators scattered around the globe. TRU Simulation + Training is one of the manufacturers. Headquartered in Goose Creek, its South Carolina roots go back to 1997, when AAI Corp. began making aircraft simulators in Summerville with two dozen workers and a single contract tied to the Boeing C-17 program at Charleston Air Force Base. The company later moved to Crowfield Corporate Center before being acquired by Gulfstream Aerospace owner Textron in 2007. TRU Simulation was created about five years ago when AAI was combined with two other aviation businesses. The corporate office has remained off College Park Road. The company hitched a ride on the Max in 2014, when it announced an exclusive 10-year contract for its Montreal plant to supply Boeing with an undisclosed number of full-flight simulators. TRU Simulation also has made scaled-down versions equipped with fewer bells and whistles for airlines and other customers, according to its website The deal with Boeing went largely unnoticed until last fall, when reports surfaced that a Max test pilot had bad-mouthed a TRU-made simulator in a series of instant messages sent to a coworker in November 2016. The complaints about software glitches were made before the first unit obtained interim certification from the Federal Aviation Administration in February 2017. In recent statements to the Seattle Times, Boeing said it was confident that its simulators "are functioning effectively" it also noted the pilot's critique came "early in the service life" of the machines while the FAA said any potential safety deficiencies" had been resolved. Airlines that didn't invest in the self-contained terrestrial training capsules they can cost as much as $15 million to buy and up to $1,000 an hour to rent can't say they weren't warned about the impending shortage, which could further delay the Max's return to service. Textron CEO Scott Donnelly predicted nearly six months ago that simulator time for flight crews was "probably going to be a requirement" as part of the recertification process. "So we've certainly had quite a number of inquiries from customers who are interested in going ahead and getting Max 'sims' on order," Donnelly said during the companys quarterly earnings call in July. "We started to do some long lead ordering already ... to support those deliveries next year, but I couldn't give you a firmed-up number yet. Canada-based CAE Inc., the other Max simulator builder, also sensed an uptick in demand was on the horizon. It started production on new units without any firm orders in hand late last year. Were kind of happy that we made the decision back in November to do that, a spokeswoman told Bloomberg News this month. TRU Simulation said Thursday that it's prepared to respond to any changes in global demand for "Boeing 737 Max simulation training devices with the aircrafts anticipated return to service" but wouldn't comment on whether it has booked any new orders. More details could emerge Wednesday, when Textron management fields questions from investors and analysts about the company's latest financial results. 620-km-long human chain formed in Kerala. New Delhi: In several cities across the city, citizens protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act marked Indias 71st Republic Day on Sunday by reading out the Preamble of the Constitution, hoisting the tricolour and forming human chains. In Kerala, a 620 km-long human chain, from the northern part of the state to the south, was formed in a show of defiance and solidarity against what they say is a divisive, discriminatory law. It was organised by the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front. In Hyderabad, police reportedly detained Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad ahead of a planned protest against the CAA and the NRC on Sunday evening. A tweet from Mr Azads official Twitter handle said, Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar Azad ji has been arrested by the Hyderabad Police. In Delhis Shaheen Bagh, which has emerged as the fulcrum of anti-CAA protests, a massive crowd gathered to witness flag hoisting and Preamble reading. The old women of Shaheen Bagh, popularly called the Dadis, unfurled the flag as thousands sang the National Anthem with affecting josh and pride. Among them was Rohit Vemula and Junaid Khans mothers. Sixteen-year-old Junaid was murdered in a train while he was on his way to his hometown for Eid. Rohit, a dalit scholar, committed suicide due to harassment. The day also saw Latin churches across Kerala reading out a pastoral letter against the CAA claiming the act was not just affecting one particular community and calling for observing January 26 as the day to protect the Constitution of the country. Mosques under the Wakf Board and the Latin churches hoisted the national flag and read out the preamble to the Constitution after the routine prayer. The LDF claimed that around 60 to 70 lakh people participated in the 620-km-long human chain formed from Kasaragod in north Kerala to Kaliyakkavilai in the southern-most part of the state. The human chain was formed at 4 PM, following which the Preamble was read out. Senior CPI(M) leader S. Ramachandran Pillai was the first link of the human chain at Kasaragod, while M.A. Baby was the last link at Kaliyakkavilai. Many prominent personalities from all walks of life participated in the human chain. Newly wed couples too were seen standing as part of human chain. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI leader Kanam Rajendran joined the protest in Thiruvananthapuram. Later, an oath was taken to protect the Constitution from the attempts of the Central government to destroy it. In Kolkata, people from different communities held hands to form an 11-km chain, stretching from the north to the south of the city and read aloud the Preamble. In Assam, minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and BJP legislator Angoorlata Deka were shown black flags by anti-CAA protesters at two different locations on Sunday when they were on their way to attend Republic Day programmes. Mr Sarma, who is also the North-East Democratic Alliance convener, was heading for the Nurul Amin stadium in Nagaon district, when AASU and AJYCP members rushed towards his convoy and shouted Go back and CAA ami namanu (We do not accept CAA) while waving black flags at him. They agitators were overpowered by police and detained. In Kamrup district, Ms Deka, BJP MLA from Nagaons Batadrava constituency, was greeted with protests and black flags by AASU activists, reports said. The legislator had to make her way through the agitation to the reach the venue. Over 300 eminent personalities from the creative and scholarly community of India, including actor Naseeruddin Shah, filmmaker Mira Nair, vocalist T.M. Krishna, author Amitav Ghosh and historian Romila Thapar expressed solidarity with the students and others protesting against the CAA and NRC in a statement. Writers Anita Desai, Kiran Desai, actors Ratna Patak Shah, Jaaved Jafferi, Nandita Das, Lillete Dubey, sociologist Ashis Nandy, activists Sohail Hashmi and Shabnam Hashmi were also among the signatories. We stand in solidarity with the students and others who are protesting and speaking out against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and against the National Register of Citizens (NRC). We salute their collective cry for upholding the principles of the Constitution of India, with its promise of a plural and diverse society. We are aware that we have not always lived up to that promise, and many of us have too often remained silent in the face of injustice. The gravity of this moment demands that each of us stand for our principles, the statement read. The policies and actions of the present government, passed quickly through parliament and without opportunity for public dissent or open discussion, are antithetical to the principle of a secular, inclusive nation. The soul of the nation is threatened. The livelihoods and statehoods of millions of our fellow Indians are at stake, the statement further read. They said that contrary to the stated objective of the government, the CAA doesnt appear to be a benign legislation only meant to shelter persecuted minorities. Meanwhile, Delhi Police booked activist Sharjeel Imam for delivering an inflammatory speech during the ongoing protest in Shaheen Bagh. According to the police, Imam, a resident of Bihar and former Jawaharlal Nehru University student, delivered very inflammatory and instigatory speeches in his opposition to CAA and NRC. He had previously delivered one such speech in Jamia Millia Islamia on December 13 last year and thereafter one even more inflammatory speech against the government which is being widely circulated on social media, police said, adding that these speeches have the potential to harm the religious harmony and the unity and integrity of India. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Anuja Chandramouli By Fresh death warrants have been issued for the four convicts in the Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder case. Yet another date has been set aside in February for serving them. The Supreme Court has called it the rarest of rare, most brutal, barbaric and diabolical attack on a young paramedical student who stepped into a bus with a friend and lost her life but not before she was brutally assaulted in inhuman ways. Seven years later, her aggressors face the hangman. They have been awaiting the gallows for a while now even as their lawyers keep dipping into a seemingly inexhaustible bag of tricks, filing innumerable appeals, pleas for mercy, claims of minority, etc. Incidentally, of the six convicted, Ram Singh allegedly killed himself in Tihar jail while another was a juvenile who was sentenced by the court in its infinite wisdom to serve three years in a reform home. A great majority are baying for blood. These are mostly the same folks who cheered the encounter killing of the four alleged perpetrators in the recent and horrifying Hyderabad case where a vet was abducted, gang-raped and burnt to death, never mind that the same cops had been grossly negligent in response to the frantic attempts made by her parents to find her and had failed to initiate search and rescue operations. The logic behind the bloodlust, of course, is that such a move will deter future rapists and murderers while also providing justice for the victim and closure for her loved ones as well as a nation that had its jaded conscience painfully awakened. But knee-jerk responses aside, is hanging the best solution? Questions on the morality of state-sponsored killing aside, is the death penalty truly going to put the fear of God or the Devil in potential rapists and scumbags? Will the world be magically transformed into a safer place where women wont be groped, molested, raped or murdered with impunity? Will a majority of the boys pay attention in moral science class and not grow up to be boors, jerks and lechers who think they are better than women because they can stand up and pee? Will society finally acknowledge that women are not the inferior sex and treat them accordingly without being collectively guilty of female infanticide, dowry harassment and acid throwing? The answer unfortunately is a resounding NO! to all of the above. As taxpaying citizens, we expect the government to prevent crime by having cops patrol the streets, responding immediately to emergencies, making the public transport system less of a shambles and if the worst were to happen, act quickly to nab offenders and bring them to task instead of allowing cases to languish for the rest of time. Having failed on all these counts, the government imposition of the death sentence rather like Ranveer Singh in a masala movie is a cruel joke. This is a broken system and by supporting its more farcical measures, we kid ourselves into thinking that we are doing the right thing. But all said and done, the Nirbhaya case is that rarest of rare cases that merits the death penalty. The government should just quit dithering, do the deed and make sure that such evil is never inflicted upon anyone else. anujamouli@gmail.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-27 05:15:52|Editor: yan Video Player Close PARIS, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Shots fired of Kalashnikov, an assault rifle, sounded in the neighborhood of Pissevin in Nimes, southern France Sunday evening, according to the local news paper Midi Libre. Still no reports of injured people or fatalities, reported the newspaper. The Left parties and the Congress on Sunday held around 5,000 joint protest meetings against CAA and NRC across the West Bengal, including 65 in Kolkata, pledging to protect the Constitution. All top Left Front and Congress leaders participated in the meetings held in all the municipal wards and gram panchayat areas in the state on Republic Day. LF Chairman Biman Bose and state Congress chief Somen Mitra were the principal speakers at the meeting organised in central Kolkata's Entally area. Bose administered a pledge to protect the Constitution, while Mitra joined the chorus. In his speech, Bose called upon the people to hit the streets in huge numbers against the Citizenship Amendment Act, a proposed countrywide National Register of Citizens and the National Population Register. "If protestors are stopped, then a bigger movement will be launched. The movement will continue against both the state's ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP," he said. State CPI-M Secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra and former state Congress President Pradip Bhattacharya addressed another meeting held in South Kolkata's Dhakuria. Chinese authorities said the ability of the new coronavirus to spread is strengthening and infections could continue to rise, with more than 2,700 people in the country infected and 80 killed by the disease. China's Health Minister Ma Xiaowei said on January 26 that the country was entering a crucial stage" as it seems like the ability of the virus to spread is getting stronger." Xiaowei said travel restrictions and other strict measures should bring results at the lowest cost and fastest speed. His remarks came as the World Health Organization's director-general said late on January 26 that he was on his way to Beijing to hold talks with Chinese officials and health experts about the coronavirus outbreak. Meanwhile, Chinese State Council Premier Li Keqiang has visited Wuhan where the mysterious virus was first reported in December and which is the epicenter of the illness. He was the most senior government official to visit the city of more than 11 million people. The State Council, China's cabinet, said Li would meet with patients and medical staff on the front line. Nearly 960 medial teams were dispatched from seven provinces to Wuhan, along with seven additional supervision teams, according to the National Health Commission. Countries throughout the world continued to detect further cases of the illness in their nations. So far, all of the deaths have been in China. But a growing number of other countries are reporting cases, including Thailand, Australia, the United States, Canada, and France. The mayor of Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, said he expects another 1,000 new patients in the city. The United States, France, and Japan were prepared to evacuate their citizens from the city. President Xi Jinping on January 25 said China was "faced with the grave situation of an accelerating spread of the new coronavirus." His remarks came amid reports that a mounting number of cities had undertaken virtual lockdowns with inbound and outbound transport being shut down. China Association of Travel Services has told travel agencies to halt all group tours, as millions of people traveling during the holiday have helped fueled the spread of the outbreak -- both inside the country and elsewhere. Most of the deaths have been among patients aged 50 or over, officials said. The virus is part of a large family of coronaviruses. Some cases are mild, with others causing cold- and flulike symptoms, including cough and fever. In more severe cases, there is shortness of breath. It can develop into pneumonia, which can be fatal. With reporting by Reuters and AP Police are hunting for a man and woman suspected of fatally stabbing a man at a metro station in Washington, DC. Officers responded to a call about the stabbing at Union Station at around 8.30am Sunday. The male victim, who has not been publicly identified, was pronounced dead at the scene. A search is now underway for two suspects, a white man and a black woman, both believed to be in their 20s. Police are hunting for a man and woman suspected of fatally stabbing a man at Union Station in Washington, DC, on Sunday morning. Investigators are pictured at the scene The DC Police Department tweeted descriptions of the suspects, a black woman and a white man who are both believed to be in their 20s Courtesy of WJLA Police have yet to release photos of the suspects but said the female was wearing a brown jacket, blue jeans and brown boots, and the male was wearing a denim bandana, a dark jacket and was carrying a black bag with white stripes. The stabbing reportedly took place at a ticketing area near the entrance to the metro station. It was not immediately clear how the suspects fled the scene, which has been taped off by police. Red Line train service has been suspended amid the ongoing investigation, according to Metro officials. Another police investigation was reported at Gallery Place, which is just two stops from Union Station on the Red Line, around the same time Sunday morning. That investigation has concluded and police have not said if it was related to the Union Station stabbing. A general view shows the U.S. embassy across the Tigris river in Iraq's capital Baghdad on Jan. 3, 2020. (AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images) 5 Rockets Strike Near US Embassy in Baghdads Green Zone: Iraqi Military Iraqi military officials on Sunday confirmed five rockets were fired into Baghdads Green Zone, resulting in no injuries or deaths. Five Katyusha rockets hit the Green Zone without casualties, the Iraqi Security Cell confirmed, adding that details will be released later. The Green Zone is a heavily fortified area in the Iraqi capital that also includes the U.S. Embassy and other foreign missions. Video footage that was apparently shot from the Green Zone suggested rocket sirens were going off. . .#__ (@SecMedCell) January 26, 2020 BBC reporter Nafiseh Kohnavard reported that she and others were told to seek shelter. She wrote, We are still advised to take cover in Union III, just across the road from the #US embassy in Green Zone #Baghdad. A few rockets allegedly hit nearby. I didnt hear any explosions as we were in hard cover. Late last week, three Katyusha rockets landed near the Green Zone, confirmed the Iraqi Security Cell, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Iraqi Prime Ministers office. A week before that, rockets were fired at the Taji training camp, said the same military officials. A Katyusha is a type of rocket artillery that was first built by the Soviet Union during World War II 75 years ago, but later variants of the weapons system have been exported to Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Syria, and other parts of the Middle East. Katyusha rockets are frequently fired into the Green Zone. Tensions have been high in the Middle East after the United States carried out an airstrike that killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad in early January. Iran then fired a barrage of missiles at Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops the following week. The White House said it approved the killing of Soleimani, the commander of the shadowy Quds Force group, because he was planning attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq and other American assets. Just days before his death, Iranian-backed militia groups had staged attacks on the embassy. In the spring of 2019, the U.S. Department of State declared the Quds Force and its parent group, Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as a Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group in Iraq that was responsible for the death of an American contractor in late December as well as other attacks on Americans, was also labeled as a terrorist organization at the time. After the contractors death, the United States carried out airstrikes on several Kataib Hezbollah targets in Syria and Iraq in December, confirmed Defense Secretary Mark Esper in early January. The residents of Italy's second richest region headed to the polls on Sunday for a regional election with possibly much wider implications. Despite favorable job ratings and a strong local economy, Democratic Party incumbent regional president Stefano Bonaccini has found himself in the role of underdog in the vote. His opponent is a little-known League politician, Lucia Borgonzoni, who lost the 2016 Bologna mayoral race. But it is Matteo Salvini, the firebrand former interior minister, who has been the face of the League's campaign. The League's growing strength in Emilia-Romagna was already clear in last year's European elections, when it was the top-vote getter, beating the Democratic Party by 2.5%. While a League victory cannot prompt the government to fall automatically, the 5-Star Movement-Democratic Party coalition that was put together to block Salvini's clumsy power grab in the summer remains shaky and could fall on any number of pretexts. It has failed, for example, to come to decisions on a number of outstanding industrial issues like how to save Alitalia, the future of a failing steel mill in the south and whether to revoke a lucrative highway management contract with a private firm following the 2018 fatal bridge collapse in Genoa. The coalition has been further weakened by Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio's resignation this week as the political leader of the 5-Star Movement - a casualty of the movement's waning popularity with voters, poor performance in other recent regional elections and a string of defections by its own lawmakers. (Image Credit: AP) Giuliani associate Parnas texted with Trump campaign donors, including about Ukraine efforts originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Rudy Giuliani associate Lev Parnas was in contact with at least two major Trump campaign donors-- one with an official role in the Republican National Committee-- during his efforts to pressure Ukraine into opening politically motivated investigations, documents released by the House Intelligence committee this week revealed. Parnas' interactions with the two men, Harry Sargeant III and Tommy Hicks Jr. -- who have given hundreds of thousands of dollars to fundraising vehicles for the president -- provides more fuel to assertions by the presidents critics that political motives and not the nations foreign policy goals -- drove the efforts in Ukraine. In an interview on CNN on Thursday, Parnas confirmed his work in Ukraine was all about ensuring President Trump remained in office. It was all about 2020, to make sure he had another four years, Parnas said. That was the way everybody viewed it. That was the most important thing, for him to stay on for another four years and keep the fight going. I mean, there was no other reason for doing it. MORE: Giulianis associate Lev Parnas speaks again: 'It was all about 2020' PHOTO: Lev Parnas arrives at Federal Court on Dec.17, 2019 in New York City. (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images, FILE) A friend with a jet The identity of those financing the work by Guiliani and Parnas during the months they spent traveling to Ukraine, Austria, and elsewhere, has remained largely opaque. Giuliani at one point told Reuters that the president was not paying for any of their efforts to see Biden investigated in Ukraine. Nobody pays my expenses, Giuliani said in a Reuters interview in September. What does it matter if Im getting paid for it. Isnt the real story whether he (Biden) sold out the vice presidency of the United States, not whether I got paid for it? The messages released on Wednesday suggest that Parnas was receiving at least some support from Sargeant, a Florida-based oil executive and former state Republican Partys finance chairman, who was funding at least some of Parnas' flights as he assisted Giuliani's efforts abroad. Story continues In a message dated April 10, Parnas asks Sargeant about a trip that "just got canceled, adding that "we have people scheduled to meet on Saturday in Vienna." "Just becoming expensive flying u guys everywhere LEV," Sargeant replied. Parnas subsequently told Sargeant that "we" are paying him back for the flights and that he was never expecting [Sargeant] to pay for it." According to House investigators, Parnas flew to Ukraine four days after this conversation. In another message, Parnas asks Sargeant to approve for his associate named Dave to pay for car service on cc [credit card], saying he got a deal from Rudys guys on lodging and taxis. Sargeant an ultra-wealthy energy mogul -- replies, Dont bother w this stuff pls. It also remains unclear how involved Sargeant was in directing Parnass efforts, though text messages between the two men suggest Sargeant was aware of Parnass activities. At one point, Parnas invited Sargeant to meet him in Ukraine, to which Sargeant responded, I could leave Thur and be there Friday maybe. Parnas then said, I think first Vienna and than Ukraine. At another point, Parnas sent Sargeant a photo he described as a Team trump dinner celebration and wrote: Im official part of team trump tomorrow big day my brother Ill call you tomorrow. MORE: Witness Giuliani? What the latest evidence tells us about Trump's lawyer The two also exchanged articles about Hunter Biden, Joe Bidens son, and about the then-Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, with Parnas telling Sargeant he has some juicy stuff and that a bomb is dropping. When Yovanovitch is recalled to Washington in May, Sargeant texted Parnas with his reaction: "Perfect." PHOTO: U.S. businessman Harry Sargeant III speaks to Reuters at his home in Gulf Stream, Fla., Feb. 7, 2019. (Joe Skipper/Reuters, FILE) Sargeant's attorney Chris Kise told ABC News his client has not been to Ukraine in over a decade for any purpose. In a statement, Kise denied Sargeant had any involvement in any plan to remove Yovanovitch and said Sargeant loaned money for Parnas' air travel, but never offered to pay for it outright. "As is evident from the texts, Mr. Sargeant loaned Lev Parnas small sums for travel expenses because Mr. Parnas claimed, perhaps falsely, he was broke, and promised to pay the funds back," Kise said. "But despite repeated requests by Mr. Sargeant, and continual promises of repayment by Lev Parnas, Mr. Parnas never repaid these expenses. Sargeant's name has also surfaced in news reports and impeachment inquiry witnesses' testimonies related to Parnas and Frumans to attempts to reshape the leadership of Ukrainian state gas company Naftogaz in pursuit of natural gas business in Ukraine. Sargeants lawyer at that time denied his clients involvement in any Ukraine energy ventures. Power Breakfast Other material released by the House this week shows Parnas in contact with several people who play prominent roles in the presidents fundraising and re-election effort. Those includes texts between Parnas and Hicks Jr., a friend of Donald Trump Jr., who is the co-chairman of the RNC and chairman of pro-Trump super PAC American First Action. Parnas and Hicks were in contact for at least four months, messages show, as the scheme to oust then-U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yavnovotich and pressure Ukraine to announce political investigations unfolded. At times, Hicks and Parnas exchanged articles about the Biden campaign and Ukranian election meddling conspiracy theories. Hicks appeared to offer Parnas guidance. "Editor and owner of Daily Caller is a friend," Hicks told Parnas in a message alongside an article about Nellie Ohr and Fusion GPS. "We should let him know what we know at the right time," he suggested. "100%," Parnas replied. The messages also suggest the two joined conference calls to discuss the efforts. "Great job on the conference call!," Parnas praised Hicks in one exchange. "Thanks," Hicks replied. "Short and sweet!" Hicks at times appeared to want to keep his distance from Parnas, stating he wanted to "keep [his] hands clean" when Parnas asked him to retweet a since-deleted Sean Hannity tweet. MORE: Ukraine police investigating possible surveillance of Yovanovitch, Russian hacking But Parnas kept Hicks up to date on the status of his efforts in Ukraine, informing Hicks in March that something was going to "break tomorrow. In May, Parnas told Hicks the ambassador "just got recalled." Just a few weeks later, Parnas posted a photo on Facebook showing him at a breakfast with Hicks, alongside Donald Trump Jr. and fellow Giuliani associate Igor Fruman. Parnas referred to the meeting as a "Power breakfast." ABC News made attempts to reach Hicks by phone at his home and at the RNC but was not able to reach him for comment. PHOTO: Tommy Hicks Jr. speaks at the National Council of Young Israel Gala in New York City, March 31, 2019. (Sopa Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Have jr retweeted it? Parnas also kept in touch with America First Action's director of development Joseph Ahearn, who kept Donald Trump Jr. updated on Ukraine matters, messages released by House committees this week show. In a message dated March 20, 2019, Ahearn asks Parnas, "What should I send don to tweet" and Parnas sends a series of tweets and articles related to Ukraine officials' probe into U.S. elections. Parnas then asks Ahearn, "Have jr retweeted it" and Ahearn replies, "Sent." Donald Trump Jr. retweeted one of the articles Parnas sent to Ahearn around the same time. In another series of messages, Parnas also sent Ahearn a New York Times article from May that links Parnas to Giuliani's efforts in Ukraine for the first time, to which Ahearn says, "They started naming you here. Are you okay?" Shortly after Parnas and Fruman were named as part of the House impeachment inquiry, the two were indicted in a separate campaign finance violation case in the Southern District of New York on charges related to alleged illegal straw contributions and foreign contributions. They both pleaded not guilty. Among Parnas' donations mentioned in the indictment is a $325,000 contribution to America First Action. Prosecutors accuse Parnas and Fruman of falsely reporting the origin of the payment as under the name of Global Energy Producers. Of numerous outside groups raising and spending money to support President Trumps re-election bid, America First Action is the sole outside group the president has officially endorsed and approved as the trusted supporter of President Trumps policies and agendas. ABC News reached out to America First Action for comment but received no response. Parnass expanded political outreach As an ardent supporter of Trump since the early days of his 2016 campaign, Parnass contact with wealthy Trump donors stretched far beyond his activities in Ukraine this year. But his donation to America First Action in early 2018 afforded him a new level of access to exclusive high-dollar events. PHOTO: Charles S. Gucciardo attends an event at The Pierre Hotel on April 5, 2016, in New York City, with Karen King. (Steve Zak Photography/Getty Images, FILE) MORE: As impeachment inquiry goes public, federal prosecutors quietly investigate Giuliani Parnas has since acquainted himself with a host of President Trumps wealthy supporters at close-door donor events, and then touted those very connections to pursue his personal business interests as well as political interests. During an interview on CNN, Parnas said he had so many photos of himself with Trump-world insiders hanging in his house, his wife thought it looked like a shrine to the President. In 2018, Parnas cultivated a relationship and secured a $500,000 loan from New York-based lawyer and Trump donor Charles Gucciardo, his attorney told ABC News. Gucciardo's lawyer Randy Zelin said his client then gave the money to Giuliani, which kicked off the business relationship between the two in the fall of 2018. No apparent connection has been made between Gucciardos loan and Parnas's specific efforts in Ukraine. Zelin told ABC News that his client made the payment as a "passive investor" in Parnas and Frumans company, called Fraud Guarantee, and that he decided to invest in the company because of an endorsement from Giuliani. "Mr. Gucciardo invested because he believed that Mr. Giuliani the former Mayor of New York City; former United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; and, the first name in cybersecurity -- was in front of, behind, and alongside the Company which would catapult the Company into the world of cybersecurity and investor protection," Zelin said in an email. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said in a statement this week the additional documents corroborate a matter central to the congressional impeachment against the president: Parnas' alleged scheme to "coerce Ukraine into helping cheat him in the next election." "The additional documents and information about potential witnesses that have become available over the last several weeks only underscore the importance of a fair trial and a Senate that is open to hearing all of the evidence," Schiff said in the statement. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., also stressed the importance of calling witnesses in the upcoming Senate trial in a statement to ABC News. "This is how criminal conspiracies work: Everyone is committing crimes and eventually those implementing the crimes turn in those who ordered it from the top," Murphy said in the statement. "Everything Lev Parnas has said thus far lines up with what we've heard throughout the House investigation, but if the White House and Republicans believe differently, they should actually call witnesses and additional documents so we can hold a real trial." Parnas has said he would willing to testify in the Senate impeachment trial. Aaxioo.cu.cc scored 40 Social Media Impact. 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Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND The girl's unit of the Cadet Corps, newly established at the Jawaharlal Nehru University here, on Sunday presented guard of honour to Vice-Chancellor M Jagdesh Kumar at the varsity on the occasion of Republic Day. Fifteen out of 18 girl cadets in the first batch of the NCC unit - '3Delhi Girls BN NCC'- presented the guard of honour. "Today is a special day and it is a great feeling. This year is also our golden jubilee. This is the first time that we have established a girl's unit in JNU. 15 cadets participated in the guard of honour," the vice-chancellor told ANI. Referring to the motto of NCC which stands for 'Unity and discipline', the chancellor said, "It is important for all of us to work together to keep our country united and be disciplined." Kumar said they will further establish a boys' unit of NCC and hoped more students would join. "As an academician, we would like to see our students excel in the area of expertise they choose and we are all working towards that goal," the VC added. Expressing her happiness over leading the first women NCC unit at JNU, Ashi said, "This is a great feeling and we are elated. Our entire team has performed really well. We have been practising it for long. The atmosphere was really motivating. I am happy that JNU has introduced its NCC wing." The 18 cadets have been selected from the various schools of JNU. JNU campus saw a violent incident on January 5, where a masked mob attacked the teachers and students of the university. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tableaux of different states of India and various central government departments showcased the country's cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity and the social, economic and scientific progress made by the country at the 71st Republic Day parade here on Sunday. Here are some of the tableaux that participated in the Republic Day parade this year: Karnataka's tableau depicted the philosophy of Basaveshwara and the concept of Anubhava Mantapa (Centre for Experience), which was the socio-religious centre that existed in the present-day Basava Kalyana of Bidar district in Karnataka. The tableau of Gujarat showcased 'Rani ki Vav - Jal Mandir', a unique piece of ancient Indian architectural style and craftsmanship located in the city of Patan. Jammu and Kashmir also registered its presence at the Republic Day parade with 'Back to Village' programme as the theme of the Union Territory's tableau. The tableau of Himachal Pradesh showcased the Kullu Dussehra festival while the tableau of Madhya Pradesh depicted the Tribal Museum of the state. Rajasthan showed the architectural and cultural heritage of its capital city Jaipur while Assam's tableau depicted bamboo and cane crafts from the state. Odisha showed the Rukuna Ratha Yatra of Lord Lingaraja whereas Telangana depicted Bathukamma, a floral festival of the state. The Indian Air Force along with Indian Navy also showcased their assets including the scaled down models of Rafale fighter jet, the indigenously developed Tejas fighter jet, Boeing P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft and Kalvari Class submarine. This year, a total of 56 tableaux proposals had been received by the Union government. Out of these, 22 were shortlisted for participation in the parade. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was the chief guest at the event. Apart from the Union ministers, the dignitaries who came to Rajpath to witness the parade were Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, BJP veteran LK Advani and his daughter Pratibha, BJP president JP Nadda, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and leaders of various political parties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to the fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the newly-built War Memorial (NWM) at India Gate here ahead of the 71st Republic Day celebrations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The French medical staff treating two patients at Paris hospital for the new virus outbreak in China said on January 25 have reportedly said that the illness appears to be less serious as compared to SARS. The French officials on Friday reported three confirmed cases of the newly identified novel virus. According to the reports, the French health department said that the condition of the patients is stable and their health is improving. France was concerned about its citizens in Wuhan which is the centre of the epidemic and is under complete quarantine. READ: China Bans Wild Animal Trade Until Viral Outbreak Eases 56 died, over 2,000 infected As per reports, the Foreign Ministry of France on Saturday said that the French and Chinese officials were studying eventual options that would allow their nationals who wish to leave, as per reports. The French consulate in Wuhan is in close contact with the citizens and has not confirmed how many of them are in the city. In a bid to prevent the spread of deadly coronavirus, China on January 26 introduced fresh restrictions as the death toll rises to 56 and infected over 2,000 people. The virus has created panic like situation in several parts of the country and travel restrictions have been heightened. Reports suggest that the virus was first originated in the Chinese central city of Wuhan and cases have been confirmed in about a dozen other countries like France, Australia, and the United States. READ: French Carmaker To Evacuate Expats From Virus-hit Chinese City The virus gradually spread across the globe The death toll in China's Hubei region, the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus, has risen to 56 and the number of people infected by the disease is close to 2,000, authorities confirmed to the international press on Sunday. Out of the 56 people that died, 52 were from Hubei, the province where the outbreak took place, two deaths took place in central Henan province, while one person died in Heilongjiang and Hebei respectively. The virus that had taken its roots in China is now gradually spreading across the globe. According to international media reports, the virus has spread to Hong Kong, Bangkok, Tokyo, South Korea, Beijing, Shanghai, Vietnam, Taiwan, France, the US, and Singapore. While the disease is mainly concentrated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, there have been five reported cases in Thailand and three in Japan and France respectively. READ: China Implements Fresh Restrictions As Cases Of Coronavirus Increase READ: China Says Virus Situation 'grave' As Lunar New Year Curtailed UAE's newest developer Arada said it is all set to welcome top brands Starbucks, the worldwide coffee house company, and Spinneys, the Middle Eastern supermarket chain, after both brands signed agreements to lease retail space at the New Sharjah project, Nasma Residences, being developed by Arada. The Spinneys and Starbucks outlets will be based at Nasma Central, the projects community and retail complex, which overlooks a lushly landscaped 13-acre park. Featuring almost 44,000 sq ft of leasable space, Nasma Central will also include a Bright Education pre-school, a Health First pharmacy and an Emco Express laundry. The site will also feature the Arada Gym and Clubhouse, an 8,600 square foot centre for health and wellness that will include a swimming pool. Sixty-five per cent of Nasma Central has now been leased out, with remaining spaces for F&B outlets, a medical clinic, a barber shop and beauty salon still to be confirmed. As well as serving the population of Nasma Residences, the complex will also provide support to local communities in both the Al Tay and Al Seyouh suburbs. Arada has awarded the contract to build Nasma Central to Intermass Engineering and Contracting, the Sharjah-based company that is already working on the first four residential phases of Nasma Residences. The contractor began work in December, and the complex is scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of this year. Arada chairman Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi said: "One of our aims is to continuously increase the value of the homes in our projects, whether that is by introducing smart and sustainable business practices, increasing community offerings, or partnering with top-tier brands." "We are delighted to welcome each of the new tenants in Nasma Central, and look forward to working with them to deliver a beautiful new community space for Sharjah," he stated. Spread over a 5-million-sq-ft area in Al Tay suburb, the heart of New Sharjah, Nasma Residences hosts a wealth of amenities, including a GEMS international school and a 13-acre landscaped park. Other amenities include a mosque and two smaller community parks. Located near the intersection of Emirates Road and Maliha Road, it has excellent connectivity with Dubai and the rest of the Northern Emirates. Recent upgrades in road infrastructure close to the community have improved commute times to Dubai, while the recently opened Sharjah Mosque, the rmirates largest with a capacity for 25,000 worshippers, is just 3 km away.-TradeArabia News Service (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th January, 2020) SULTAN January 26 (Sputnik) - Minsk will discuss its possible imports of Kazakh oil via Russian territory at bilateral talks with Moscow, the Kazakh Energy Ministry told Sputnik on Sunday. "Negotiations and working consultations on a draft agreement on trade and economic cooperation in oil and petroleum products supplies between Kazakhstan and Belarus are running in normal mode. As for the issue concerning Belarus' possible imports of Kazakh oil via Russian territory, Belarusian counterparts will discuss it with the Russian side on their own," the ministry said. Tolerating societys ills because they may not directly affect us is a trend that must be reversed if America is to approach Martin Luther King Jr.s dream of justice and equality for all. That was the message Newark Mayor Ras Baraka had Friday night for several hundred people gathered at Temple Beth-El in Jersey City for the synagogues 35th annual Sabbath service dedicated to Kings life and legacy. King spoke vehemently against some of the things we tolerate today, Baraka, the evenings guest speaker, said. Calling out things like white supremacy, income disparity, the need for affordable housing and healthcare, mass shootings at houses of worship, and the current administration in Washington, Baraka laid responsibility at everyones feet. We live in difficult times, and the times didnt become difficult by accident, he said. Our actions brought us to this time and space. He reminded the audience that just days before Kings assassination in 1968, members of the Temple Beth-El congregation marched in solidarity the four blocks from their synagogue to Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church, where King was speaking. It was not only an act of conscience, but of courage, as well, he said. Kings popular now, Baraka said, but he wasnt popular on the eve of his death. The annual tribute held extra significance this year, coming just weeks after a mass shooting at a kosher supermarket on Martin Luther King Drive, about a mile from the temple. The predominantly African-American neighborhood on and around MLK Drive has seen an influx of Hasidim from Brooklyn in recent years. The African-American and the Jewish communities, weve been traumatized, Temple Beth-El Rabbi Leana Moritt said in opening the service. Post-traumatic growth and healing, she said, could come from gathering together as people did at her temple Friday night for prayer, fellowship and refreshment. The choir of St. Pauls Episcopal/Church of the Incarnation in Jersey City, under the direction of Minister of Music Gail Blache-Gill, performed several pieces, most centered on the theme of individuals bringing peace to the world. Cantor Risa Wallach and the temples childrens choir also joined them. The Rev. Alonzo Perry of New Hope Baptist Church in Jersey City gave the closing benediction, in which he echoed Barakas comments by calling for an end to injustices far and near. Injustice on any street corner is injustice everywhere, he said, praying, Help us to do more than remember the life and legacy of (King). Baraka talked about many figures in Kings time and in more recent times who, like King, were hated and murdered for speaking out and working toward justice for all. Love in action is the antidote, he said. King was Americas conscience; he brought us face to face with this countrys schizophrenic relationship with equality, he said. It is our turn to continue (his) fight so that all of us enjoy the warm blanket of democracy. : The Andhra Pradesh Council of Ministers will hold a crucial meeting here on Monday to decide the fate of the Legislative Council as Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has questioned the need for the Upper House of the state Legislature. The extended winter session of the Assembly will continue on Monday to possibly pass a resolution recommending the abolition of the Council in the backdrop of the political developments since December 17. Alternatively, the ruling YSR Congress is also said to be working on a 'Plan-B' by perhaps pulling some of the Telugu Desam Party MLCs into its fold as it has already snatched two. As things stand, YSRC will gain a majority in the Council only in 2021 when a number of opposition members will retire at the end of their six-year term. The YSRC, which has just nine members in the 58-member Council, is miffed after it failed to get two crucial Bills related to its plan of having three capitals for the state passed. Using his discretionary power under Rule 154, the Council Chairman M A Sharrif had referred the AP Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Bill, 2020 and the APCRDA (Repeal) Bill to a select committee for deeper examination. "We need to seriously think whether we need to have such a House which appears to be functioning with only political motives. It is not mandatory to have the Council, which is our own creation, and it is only for our convenience. So let us discuss the issue further on Monday and take a decision on whether or not to continue the Council," the Chief Minister had told the Assembly on Thursday evening. In fact, the YSRC had on December 17 first threatened to abolish the Council when it became clear that the TDP was bent on blocking two Bills, related to creation of a separate Commission for Scheduled Castes and conversion of all government schools into English medium. As the Legislature was adjourned sine dine on December 17, no further action was taken. But the issue cropped up again last week as the TDP, that has 28 members in the Council, remained firm on its stand on opposing the three capitals plan. Despite YSRC attracting two TDP members to its side, the government failed to get the three capitals Bills passed in the Council, triggering a debate in the Assembly on whether or not the Upper House should be allowed to remain in existence. "What will be the meaning of governance if the House of Elders does not allow good decisions to be taken in the interest of people and block enactment of laws? We need to seriously think about it...whether we should have such a House or do away with it," Jagan said in the Assembly. Many see Jagan's threat to abolish the Council as a "mind game" to lure several TDP MLCs into his YSRC. "At least 17 out of the 23 TDP MLAs are ready to jump ship. Should we say anything about their MLCs," the Chief Ministers key aide and Advisor on Public Affairs, Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, remarked on Sunday. "What will we do with all of them? We need not buy legislators," he pointed out, rebutting TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and Council opposition leader Yanamala Ramakrishnudus charge. Sajjala further alleged that Chandrababu had sent at least 18 TDP MLCs into the BJP to stall the three capitals process at least for two years. "His MLCs themselves are saying this," the advisor added. If indeed the YSRC succeeds in its plan and ensures the crossover of some more TDP MLCs, the Council abolition move might possibly be aborted, sources indicated. "Having the Council in place is politically crucial for the YSRC as Jagan has promised MLC posts to several leaders. Its a very major political gamble he is taking, either way, a top YSRC leader remarked. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Continuing the debate on "Love Jihad" in Kerala, a senior priest of the Catholic Church said the incidents of young women from the southern state being used as "sex slaves" in war-torn nations are a reality and turning a blind eye to it "amounts to giving a silent sanction" to that. Days after the state government rejected the Syro-Malabar Church Bishops' view over the issue of "Love Jihad" in the state, KCBC spokesperson Fr Varghese Vallikkatt has criticised the state and central governments for not conducting a proper probe into the cases of "missing women and children" from the state. Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) is the Apex body of the Bishops of various Catholic rites in Kerala. Syro-Malabar Church head Cardinal George Alencherry is its current president. Asserting that 'Love Jihad' is a reality, Vallikkatt said in a video released on Sunday that ignoring such incidents "amounts to giving a silent sanction" to it. In the videoclip, aired by media, the priest said no effective investigation has been carried out either by the Centre or by the state government into the whereabouts of the people who went missing "after being trapped in love". Quoting media reports, Vallikkatt said such missing women and children were later traced to other nations where they are being used as sex slaves and terror operatives. Referring to the incidents of Christian women taken to Syria and Afghanistan after being allegedly trapped in "Love Jihad", he said some of them were traced even to jails of the conflict-hit nations. The priest further said the probe into the cases of 'Love Jihad' have not reached the real culprits so far. He blamed governments for not maintaining a data of 'Love Jihad' cases even after the courts made strong obersevations on it. Vallikkatt told PTI that, in the video, he was expressing the views of the people on the issue. His statement is also in line with the stand of the Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church, which recently kicked up a debate, saying "Love Jihad is a reality" and alleged that scores of Christian women from the state were being lured into the trap of Islamic State and used in terror activities. The Synod has accused the state police of not viewing the matter cautiously and taking timely action in Love Jihad cases. Responding to the allegations of the Synod, Kerala Finance Minster Thomas Isaac had said the charges of the Bishops have "no factual basis." "If there are concrete cases or allegations, they will definitely be looked into. But the Kerala government does not believe that there is any basis for such generalisation," he had said. In the video, Fr Vallikkatt referred to many incidents in which Christian girl's falling prey to the alleged Love Jihad including killing of a Christian girl recently following a love affair and missing of a girl from the community and later traced to Afghanistan. He criticised the tendency of the authorities to "simplify the matter" and dismiss such incidents as "isolated". The priest said the Church was facing questions from its followers who claim that it was doing nothing against 'Love Jihad'. "We can't turn a blind eye towards it", Fr Vallikkatt said. The Popular Front of India, an Islamic outfit, had questioned the "timing" of the recent Syro-Malabar church statement on 'Love Jihad' and urged the Church to withdraw it immediately "as it would only help create division amid growing unity among various sections of society against Hindutva Fascism." Welcoming the Church statement, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for a united fight against Love Jihad in Kerala Society. Attacking the Synod over its statement on 'Love Jihad', one of its senior priest had pointed out that the Kerala High Court had dismissed such allegations after a thorough probe. In 2010, the Karnataka government had said 'Love Jihad' was an illusion, Fr Kuriakose Mundadan of the Syro-Malabar Church had last week mentioned in an article in Satyadeepam weekly run by Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Church. Mundadan had claimed he was expressing the majority view of the priests and laity in the Syro-Malabar Church on the issue of CAA. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar unfurled the Tricolour and presided over a ceremonial march past by armed forces at Red Road Kolkata: The 71st Republic Day was celebrated with enthusiasm and fervour in West Bengal on Sunday, with Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar unfurling the Tricolour and presiding over a ceremonial march past by armed forces at Red Road in the state capital. Parades were also organised by the BSF, CISF, the West Bengal Police and the Kolkata Armed Police, on the occasion. Colourful processions were taken out by the students of a city-based school, followed by which a grand tableau, highlighting the importance of water conservation, rolled down the Red Road. Folk artists from the Hills, Sunderbans and the Jangalmahal enthralled the audience with their dance performance during the celebrations. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who attended the programme along with her cabinet colleagues, greeted the governor, after the conclusion of the programme. People wearing masks shop at a supermarket on the second day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, following the outbreak of a new coronavirus, in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on Jan. 26, 2020. (Reuters) Chinese Parents Arrested in Malaysia for Removing Son From Coronavirus Quarantine The parents of a 2-year-old Chinese boy suspected of contracting the novel coronavirus have allegedly been detained by police after attempting to remove him from quarantine at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) in Johor, Malaysia, the New Straits Times reports. According to the outlet, the couple was intercepted by officials at the Senai International Airport at 9:20 p.m. local time on Jan. 25 as they attempted to return to the city at the center of the outbreak, Wuhan, which has been placed under quarantine. The couple was arrested and handed over to Johor health authorities before being placed in an isolation ward at the same hospital. A doctor at HSA allegedly filed a police report against the parents on the night they attempted to flee after they refused to let their son be quarantined and sent for further examinations, instead of removing him from the hospital. The report allegedly says the child was referred to the hospital by a private hospital and had influenza-like symptoms and was suspected to have the coronavirus. Malaysia on Saturday, Jan. 25, recorded its first confirmed cases of the coronavirus, and said that three Chinese nationals had tested positive for the disease. Malaysian Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the three people are the wife and grandsons of a 66-year-old man and his son from Wuhan who was earlier diagnosed with the virus in neighboring Singapore, Reuters reported. They were admitted to Sungai Buloh Hospital in Kuala Lumpur for treatment and are in stable condition, the health minister told reporters at a news conference The following jurisdictions outside of China have detected patients who have tested positive for 2019-nCoV (novel coronavirus): Hong Kong: 5 Macao: 5 Taiwan: 3 Thailand: 5 Japan: 3 South Korea: 3 Singapore: 4 Malaysia: 4 Vietnam: 2 Nepal: 1 France: 3 Australia: 4 United States: 2 Canada: 1 All public transport services have been suspended in the city of Wuhan, which has a population of 11 million, as authorities attempt to contain the virus, and several countries have implemented health screening of travelers arriving from Wuhan. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has recommended against nonessential travel to Wuhan and suggested that anyone who has traveled to China in the last 14 days and feels sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing should urgently seek medical care. Health experts have been comparing the Wuhan virus with SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome), all belonging to a family of viruses known as coronaviruses which are believed to have originated from animals before spreading to humans. Health experts do not yet know which animal may have caused the current outbreak in Wuhan however, the first people infected by the virus had visited or worked at the Wuhan South China Seafood City, also known as the South China Seafood Wholesale Market and the Hua Nan Seafood Market. Symptoms of the virus include sickness, runny nose, cough, sore throat, and sometimes a headache which may last for a few days. It is usually accompanied by an upper respiratory tract illness and can be more severe in older people. A previous version of this article gave the incorrect location in the headline and lead. The Epoch Times regrets the errors. Three killed and 28 wounded as GNA forces push back General Haftars surprise offensive east of Misrata. Heavy fighting has broken out, killing at least three people and wounding two dozen others as troops from Libyas two rival governments battle, further eroding a crumbling ceasefire brokered earlier this month. Clashes erupted on Sunday as renegade military commander Khalifa Haftars forces advanced 120 kilometres (75 miles) east of Misrata city and seized the town of Abugrein, which was under the control of the United Nations-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA). On Sunday, the rebel generals forces also shelled Tripoli, Mohamed Gnounou, a GNA military spokesman, said. With the enemys repeated violations of the ceasefire, the foe is rendering the ceasefire useless, Gnounou said in an Arabic statement posted online. He did not give casualty figures. A source in Haftars Libyan National Army (LNA), speaking to the German news agency DPA on condition of anonymity, said we captured a number of [GNA] militiamen during the fighting. Haftar, who controls the east and large swaths of the south, began an offensive in April last year to seize the capital Tripoli from the GNA. Jalel Harchaoui, a Libya expert at The Netherlands Institute of International Relations, said Haftars swing towards Misrata was a tactic calculated to draw away the Misratan militias defending the capital to their hometown. He said it had a good chance of succeeding and weakening the GNAs defences in Tripoli as a result. The UN-recognised government is backed by Turkey and to a lesser degree Qatar and Italy, while Haftar has the support of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egpyt, Russia, and France. Russia and Turkey brokered a nationwide truce on January 12 marking the first break in fighting in months, but there have been repeated breaches. {articleGUID} This is the most serious violation of the ceasefire that we have seen since it was introduced, said Al Jazeeras Tony Birtley, reporting from the streets of Misrata. Following Haftars surprise offensive about 35km (22 miles) into GNA-held territory, its forces took back control of Abugrein and advanced into LNA areas and seized the town of Zamzam, he said. It shows that the GNA can respond when needed and have actually given Haftars forces a bloody nose, said Birtley. The GNA lost three soldiers and 28 others were wounded, he said, adding that there were still no reports on the number of casualties on Haftars side. Misrata, in western Libya, is the countrys second-largest city and home to fierce militias who oppose Haftar and have been key for the governments defence of Tripoli. Haftars forces captured the coastal city of Sirte earlier this month, a large blow to the Tripoli-based administration. Sirte is located about 450km (280 miles) east of the capital. The clashes came just hours after the UN mission to Libya decried continued blatant violations of an arms embargo by several unspecified countries present at last weeks peace talks in Berlin. Strict enforcement of the arms embargo was one of the main points agreed on at a summit held in the German capital. Over the last 10 days, numerous cargo and other flights have been observed landing at Libyan airports in the western and eastern parts of the country providing the parties with advanced weapons, armoured vehicles, advisers and fighters, a UN statement said. Earlier this month, powerful tribal groups loyal to Haftar also seized several large oil export terminals along the eastern coast as well as southern oilfields. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday accused an NPR reporter of lying about whether a conversation he initiated with her had been deemed off the record, a charge that NPR denied. Pompeo's statement, however, did not address NPR's explosive account of the conversation - that he shouted at reporter Mary Louise Kelly, used expletives, indicated that she had questioned him about Ukraine under false pretenses in a just-completed interview, and asked her, "Do you think Americans care about Ukraine?" The exchange came as Pompeo, President Donald Trump's longest-serving and closest senior adviser on national security, has been criticized for his conduct related to both Ukraine and Iran and his disregard for congressional and media questions about it. In a statement, Pompeo called the NPR episode "another example of how unhinged the media has become in its quest to hurt President Trump and this Administration." Known for his bombast during three terms as a congressman from Kansas, Pompeo has had an increasingly rocky relationship with the news media, sometimes snapping at journalists and refusing to address questions he has labeled, among other things, "ridiculous" and "ludicrous." A major reason the president values Pompeo is because the secretary "doesn't give an inch" in public statements and interviews, said a senior administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Pompeo rarely lets any criticism of the president or his policies go uncontested, and he is aware that Trump closely monitors his words. But he has grown increasingly testy as his own conduct has been questioned. Senior Foreign Service officers, in sworn impeachment testimony, and many other current and former State Department officials, have charged that Pompeo has shown little loyalty to the department he leads, and its employees, in the face of Trump's attacks on them. On Friday, at the end of an interview that focused largely on Iran, Kelly asked whether Pompeo owed the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, "an apology" for failing to defend her when the president ordered her fired last spring. Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani and his consultant on Ukraine, Lev Parnas, told Trump that Yovanovitch had bad-mouthed him to Ukrainian officials, and obstructed their efforts to push Ukraine to investigate former vice president Joe Biden and alleged Ukrainian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. They have said they urged the president to get rid of her. During a call from the department in May, Yovanovitch was told, without explanation, to depart on the next flight out of Kyiv. Trump then denigrated her in a July telephone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying that she was "bad news" and that "she's going to go through some things." Yovanovitch, a respected career diplomat, denied the charges against her in sworn testimony during the House impeachment inquiry. She said she was "incredulous" that her superiors decided to remove her based on "unfounded and false claims by people with clearly questionable motives," including Giuliani associates in Ukraine who could have been threatened financially by her anti-corruption efforts there. She said Pompeo's then-deputy, John Sullivan, assured her she had done nothing wrong but said she had lost Trump's confidence. Former senior Pompeo adviser Michael McKinley testified that Pompeo rejected repeated internal requests to publicly come to Yovanovitch's defense, and that he resigned his post over her treatment. In response to Kelly's question about Yovanovitch, Pompeo insisted that "I agreed to come on your show today to talk about Iran," an assertion the NPR reporter disputed, saying she had told his staff she would ask about Iran and Ukraine. When Kelly persisted with questions about Yovanovitch, Pompeo said, "I have defended every person on this team." The interview then ended quickly. Pompeo, NPR reported Friday, "stood, leaned in and silently glared at Kelly for several seconds before leaving the room." "A few moments later," NPR reported, "an aide asked Kelly to follow her into Pompeo's private living room at the State Department without a recorder. The aide did not say the ensuing exchange would be off the record." The term is widely understood to mean that the conversation cannot be reported in any way. On the Friday evening broadcast, Kelly said, "I was taken to the secretary's private living room, where he was waiting and where he shouted at me for about the same amount of time as the interview itself. He was not happy to have been questioned about Ukraine." "He asked, 'Do you think Americans care about Ukraine?' He used the f-word in that sentence and many others. He asked if I could find Ukraine on a map. I said yes, and he called out for aides to bring us a map of the world with no writing. I pointed to Ukraine. He put the map away," Kelly said. "He said, 'People will hear about this,' " she said. In his written statement released Saturday morning, Pompeo said, "Kelly lied to me, twice. First, last month, in setting up our interview, and then again yesterday, in agreeing to have our post-interview conversation off the record. It is shameful that this reporter chose to violate the basic rules of journalism and decency. This is another example of how unhinged the media has become in its quest to hurt President Trump and this Administration. It is no wonder that the American people distrust many in the media when they so consistently demonstrate their agenda and their absence of integrity." "It is worth noting that Bangladesh is NOT Ukraine," Pompeo wrote. In that final sentence, Pompeo seemed to imply that Kelly, who has worked extensively overseas and has a master's degree in European studies from Cambridge University, got her geography wrong. Nancy Barnes, NPR's senior vice president for news, said in a subsequent statement that Kelly "has always conducted herself with the utmost integrity, and we stand behind this report." The State Department did not respond to repeated requests for clarification of Pompeo's statement. Democrats in Congress have charged Pompeo with failing to respond to requests for documents on Ukraine and other matters. On Friday, Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the State Department had again failed to meet a deadline, this time in response to a Jan. 15 request to turn over "records related to a potential threat" to Yovanovitch's security. The request referenced recently released text messages between Parnas and Robert Hyde, a Republican congressional candidate from New York, implying that Yovanovitch was under surveillance in Kyiv. Engel had asked for a response by Thursday. In a letter to Pompeo on Saturday, Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and four other senior Democratic senators, excoriated the secretary for his NPR statement. "At a time when journalists around the world are being jailed for their reporting . . . your insulting and contemptuous comments are beneath the office of the Secretary of State," they wrote. "Instead of calling journalists 'liars' and insulting their intelligence when they ask you hard questions you would rather not answer, your oath of office places on you a duty and obligation to engage respectfully and transparently." - - - The Washington Post's John Hudson and Brittany Shammas contributed to this report. KYODO NEWS - Jan 26, 2020 - 21:05 | All, World The "Five Eyes" intelligence-sharing alliance of English-speaking nations has joined hands with France, Japan and South Korea in an effort to restrain North Korea's provocations, government sources said Sunday. With the expanded framework, the alliance comprising Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and the United States together with the three new partners will strengthen intelligence activities that go beyond the analysis of North Korean ballistic missiles currently undertaken by Japan, South Korea and the United States, the sources said. (North Korea's "super-large multiple rocket launchers" test-fired on Oct. 31, 2019.)[Korean Central News Agency/Kyodo] Officials from the eight countries gathered last fall and discussed how best to collect information on North Korea, according to the Japanese and U.S. government sources. The Five Eyes also have the idea of developing the partnership with the three countries into one that facilitates the exchange of intelligence on China's growing military muscle, the sources said. Using the U.S. Seventh Fleet's flagship Blue Ridge, based in the Japanese port city of Yokosuka, as the command and coordination center, the eight countries have been monitoring activities at sea to prevent North Korean vessels from engaging in illicit ship-to-ship cargo transfers. But until recently there was no framework for cooperation among their intelligence units. The United States has sought to build the framework of "Five Eyes plus" with friendly countries to counter threats in new realms, including space and cybersecurity where China is also increasing its power. On how to deal with Chinese cyberattacks, intelligence agencies of the five-nation alliance have held multiple meetings with France, Germany and Japan, the sources said. The alliance has its roots in an intelligence-sharing agreement between Britain and the United States after World War II. Especially with its key ally Japan, the United States is hoping to further expand the framework. A U.S. government source has said Japan has become nearly the "sixth eye" for the five-nation alliance, given its proximity to China and North Korea and capabilities of collecting relevant information through satellites and signals intelligence. New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday held a roadshow in North East Delhi's Gonda area, as a part of the campaign for the upcoming assembly elections. He was accompanied by Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari and thousands of party volunteers who were seen shouting slogans and carried posters of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. Shah was in Gonda to campaign for BJP candidate Ajay Mahawat who will be fighting against DS Sharma of AAP and Bhisham Sharma from Congress in the Delhi assembly election. Shah took to Twitter and shared the visuals of the roadshow. Visuals of Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah Ji's roadshow in Ghonda, Delhi https://t.co/k8xr0Ws3Wg Office of Amit Shah (@AmitShahOffice) January 26, 2020 Addressing "Jeet ki Goonj" programme at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Friday, Shah took a dig at opponents of Citizenship Amendment Act and said that the BJP wants to create a Delhi "where Shaheen Bagh never happens". He urged the voters to press the lotus button with such force that the protestors at Shaheen Bagh leave the venue. Live TV Shah further slammed AAP saying, "BJP wants a Delhi which is free of pollution, where residents have clean drinking water, uninterrupted power, good education facilities for children, world-class roads, no traffic jams and where Shaheen-Bagh never takes place.'' AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal is also seen holding back to back roadshows in various constituencies of Delhi to woo voters ahead of the election. Voting for the assembly elections in Delhi will be held on February 8 and counting of votes will take place on February 11. Advertisement Thousands gathered to watch India's Republic Day parade today, with daredevil motorbike stunts, camel cavalry and pomp-filled marching delighting crowds in New Delhi. Women took centre-stage as riders, for the first time, performed sensational acrobatics on motorcyles down the famous Rajpath boulevard. Inspector Seema Nag saluted the gathered VIPs as she led her fellow bikers, one precariously perched at the top of a ladder wedged behind her vehicle's handlebars as others formed a human pyramid, drawing the loudest cheers from thousands of spectators. And in front of the guest of honour, Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro, Captain Tania Shergill, a fourth-generation army officer, led an all-male Corps of Signals contingent. Thousands gathered for India's Republic Day parade Sunday, it marks the adoption of the constitution of India and the transition of the country to a Republic on 26 January 1950 (Squadrons of soldiers march through the centre of Delhi today) For the first time, Members of Central Reserve Police Force performed daredevil stunts on motorbikes and to the delight of the crowds lining New Delhi's central Rajpath boulevard, they were women Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers ride their camels during India's Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India on Sunday India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (L), India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro and India's President Ram Nath Kovind watch the Republic Day parade in New Delhi India's Prime Minister shakes hands with Bolsonaro at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi Bolsonaro sat next to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi - who wore a saffron turban - and waved and clapped from behind a bullet-proof glass. January 26 is the anniversary of India's adoption of its constitution in 1950. The two-hour showcase of military might and cultural diversity included everything from battle tanks and state-of-the-art weaponry to traditional dancers. Scaled-down models of the Rafale aircraft were paraded by the air force, following the South Asian nation's purchase of 36 jets from France in 2016 in a multi-billion-dollar deal. The mounted camels of the Border Security Force put in an early showing, strutting down the avenue in brightly coloured caparisons. Traditional dancers representing some of India's diverse regional cultures performed on elaborately decorated floats showcasing selected states. Bagpipers of the Jammu and Kashmir police band march during the 71st Republic Day celebrations in Srinagar, India Indian horse-mounted presidential guards take part in a ceremony during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi A contingent of Indian paramilitary stand in formation before their parade at the Sher- i- Kashmir stadium where the authorities held the main function, during India's Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2020 in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian administered Kashmir, India Indian Army Air Defence marching contingent parades during the 71st Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi, India Female officers of the Jammu and Kashmir police force attend the 71st Republic Day celebrations in Srinagar on Sunday The show culminated with a Su-30 MKI fighter jet roaring through the sky in a 'Vertical Charlie' aerobatic manoeuvre. The parade was held against a backdrop of nationwide protests over a new citizenship law that critics say discriminates against minority Muslims, which make up 200 million people in India's 1.3 billion-strong population. And as citizens celebrated in Delhi, in restive Indian Kashmir, all mobile phone services were suspended for several hours. Row upon row of white-hatted soldiers march during India's Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India on Sunday Members of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) wearing glorious yellow ceremonial turbans mach through the Indian capital on Sunday Soldiers marching through the capital on Sunday wearing orange turbans (left) and with western-style wide-brimmed hats (right) A demonstrator waves the Indian national flag during a protest against a new citizenship law on the outskirts of Mumbai, India. The parade was held against a backdrop of nationwide protests over a new citizenship law that critics say discriminates against minority Muslims, which make up 200 million people in India's 1.3 billion-strong population. Demonstrators shout slogans during a protest against a new citizenship law on the outskirts of Mumbai The cut came just a day after people in the Muslim majority area had internet services partially restored, after the central government cut access in August as it stripped the region of its semi-autonomous status. And the northeastern state of Assam, where the protests first began, was rocked Sunday by four explosions which the police suspected were carried out by a separatist group. No-one was injured and nothing was damaged, police said. Also on Sunday, hundreds of women blocked a Delhi highway to protest the Citizenship Amendment Act and a proposed National Register of Citizens. An Indian cavalryman stands next to his horse following the military parade marking Republic Day in Rajpath Boulevard, New Delhi Indian paramilitary soldiers take part during India's 71th Republic Day celebrations in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir A member of India's National Cadet Corps NCC) warms her hands during the 71st Republic Day celebrations in Srinagar Indian paramilitary soldiers march during the 71st Republic Day celebrations in Srinagar HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) Dhruv helicopters seen during a military parade marking Republic Day in Rajpath Boulevard The new law makes it easier for persecuted religious minorities from three neighbouring countries to obtain citizenship, but not if they are Muslim. Protesters say the law is against the secular principles enshrined in the Indian constitution. There were also protests against Bolsonaro's visit, with a small rally held in the western city of Mumbai Friday where demonstrators questioned his stand on climate change and sexist comments against a female politician. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to the crowd after attending Republic Day parade in New Delhi An Akash surface-to-air missile defense system during a military parade marking Republic Day in Rajpath Boulevard A Russian-made T-90M Bhishma tanks during a military parade marking Republic Day in Rajpath Boulevard India's antisatellite missile on display during a military parade marking Republic Day in Rajpath Boulevard Indian Air Force's Jaguar fighter jets fly during India's Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India on Saturday. The SEPECAT Jaguar was a British-French jet which is still used by the Indian Air Force in a significantly upgraded form On Saturday the two nationalist leaders signed a slew of deals, including for defence and oil and gas, and promised to strengthen bilateral ties. Last year Brazil complained about India's subsidies for sugar exports to the World Trade Organisation, saying it would hurt free competition in the global market. India is the largest cane sugar producer in the world followed by Brazil, according to the International Sugar Organisation. Uganda signs swim bladder deal with China by Rob Fletcher January 26,2020 | Source: The Fish SIte Uganda is due to start the direct export of fish products - including the swim bladders of Nile perch - to China, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two nations. The deal refers specifically to the swim bladders, known as fish maw, of Nile perch which can fetch up to US $1000 per kg, and are believed to be an aphrodisiac by many Chinese. The trade in the bladders from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda is estimated to be worth $86 million a year. Our estimated annual export will be 520 tonnes of fish maw and about 36,000 tonnes of Nile perch headless gutted, said Minister for Fisheries, Hellen Adoa, during a meeting with fish maw processors and traders at the Directorate of Fisheries in Entebbe this week. According to the Daily Monitor, the minister also warned that the deal means fish maw processors will have to meet more stringent standards. As the new minister, I am not going to be soft to anyone, and those that dont meet our standards, will have their factories closed, Ms Adoa said. 2000 ? 2020 ? 5m Publishing, Benchmark House, 8 Smithy Wood Drive, Sheffield, S35 1QN, England Theme(s): Others. As of Saturday, January 25, the number of 24X7 protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens crossed more than 50. There are Indians gathered together in Ahmedabad, Aligarh, Allahabad, Aurangabad, Bengaluru, Bareilly, Bhagalpur, Bhopal, Cochin, Darbhanga, Deoband, Dewas, Gaya, Gopalganj-Siwan, Indore, Jabalpur, Kalyan, Kishanganj, Kolkata, Kota, Lucknow, Mumbra, Muzaffarpur, Nanded, Nalanda, Parbhani, Patna, Pune, Ranchi, Sambhal, Samastipur, Tonk and Vijayawada. Some of these cities have more than one protest on, New Delhi has more than one dozen. This is a mass movement of the sort that India has not seen before. It has committed people participating in peaceful civic action. Even more remarkable, it has no leadership. Already, the determination and principles of the protesters have forced the Narendra Modi government to back down. The NRC has been more or less shelved. The CAA is in court and three ministers including Ramvilas Paswan and Prakash Javedkar have watered down the National Population Registers requirements that parents place and date of birth be registered. By any account, this is a huge success, especially against a government with a large majority and with a positive media behind it. The question is: why are the protesters still on their own and why are the political parties abstaining from joining this mass movement on the ground? A third question is, has this abstention by the Opposition damaged the anti-CAA protests? Let us examine these things. First, lets just consider the fact that of those cities named above, at least half a dozen are in Uttar Pradesh. The most violence against the protesters has happened in that state but its political parties are not on the field. Akhilesh Yadavs Samajwadi Party is totally absent though it has the potential to mobilise large numbers of young people. The reason is that Mr Yadav feels that in UP the anti-CAA movement will be seen as a Hindu versus Muslim conflict and that his siding with the protesters will mean that he will put off his Hindu (Yadav) voters. This has meant that his party has not been able to benefit from mobilising the support of the protesters. In Mayawatis case, the issue is slightly more complex. She has made more noises against the CAA than Mr Yadav has but her cadre has been asked to abstain from joining the protesters. She fears a rival in the young and dynamic dalit leader Chandrashekhar Azad, who uses the name Raavan to show his defiance of caste Hindu culture. He is charismatic and has built a grassroots presence in UP towns that threaten the dalit base of the Bahujan Samaj Party. Ms Mayawati also senses, rightly or wrongly, that this is not an issue that will particularly upset her voters and so she does not want to get into the fight. The last thing, and this is speculation but is being spoken about very openly, is that she is under pressure from Narendra Modi because of the cases against her and nobody wants to end up like Lalu Prasad Yadav. The only party that seems openly in sync with the protest is Mamata Banerjees Trinamool Congress, which is an unusual party because whether it is in power or in Opposition, it is always in campaigning mode and this issue is the ideal one to campaign on. Let us turn to whether this abstention of the Opposition harms the anti-CAA movement. The fact is that it does not, for several reasons. First, we have to accept that the protesters themselves have not sought any help from any party. They are not even one united body as the diverse geographical spaces they occupy show. They are a very large group but they are comprised of millions of determined individuals who are all standing up for the same thing. Second, no political party including the BJP, the largest in the democratic world, can send out these many people for this long. Political mobilisation happens because the party wants it and not the individuals. That is why political mobilisation costs money: to ferry people, to organise the rallies and so on. What is happening in India is spontaneous and self-funded. Third, the fact that the political parties have abstained has lent enormous credibility to the protests. The people in all those cities and towns are not asking for the dismissal of the Narendra Modi government (which is what the Opposition would focus on in their protests). They only want the repeal of laws that are discriminatory and unconstitutional. This is why the otherwise surefooted government is under pressure both from inside and from the media and nations abroad. The cause of the protesters is just and the manner of their protest is right. The last thing that we need to see is that this is the state that India has been reduced to. A great civilisational entity that has existed for thousands of years is today being seen around the world as a state that is persecuting its own people. And that in that democratic space, the large political players are not participating in public activity because they assume that society itself has been totally divided along religious lines. If they stand up for the rights of one set of persecuted people then they are automatically standing against the other set. This is what this country has reduced itself to and has allowed itself to be reduced to. Warwick Hospital Warwick Hospital has seen the steepest increase in ambulance arrivals across the whole of the Midlands this winter as a result of extreme pressure on NHS services. In December 6995 people presented at A&E in Warwick, with 79.1 per cent of these patients admitted, transferred or discharged within 4 hours, the same percentage as in November. Glenn Burley, chief executive of the South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: This data highlights a continued and consistent rise in A&E attendances since June 2018. This is in part due to Warwick Hospital seeing the steepest increase in ambulance arrivals across the entire Midlands region this winter. This is because West Midlands Ambulance Service use real-time data to decide where to take patients and, due to our good ambulance turnaround performance, more patients are taken to Warwick Hospital. Essentially were taking on more to help neighbouring hospitals, the result of an increase in demand seen across the NHS which is placing extreme pressure on all local health and care systems. Our dedicated staff are working hard to manage this and ensure that our communities continue to receive effective and compassionate care. As well as working hard we must work smart so we have developed a strategy which is aligned to the NHS Long Term Plan; our intention is to change from a service that responds to illness to one that works with people to help them live happy and healthy lives. While A&E performance at Warwick has not deteriorated, earlier this month the British Medical Association, revealed that A&E departments across the country had suffered their worst month on record. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal Perhaps youve heard theres a teacher shortage in New Mexico, one that some lawmakers and educators have called a crisis. Now, Espanola Public Schools is taking it a step further, labeling the dearth of qualified classroom teachers a public health emergency and urging Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to formally make that same declaration. On Jan. 15, the Espanola school board passed a resolution that calls on the governor to address urgent needs that contribute to the teacher shortage, such as teacher pay and the system in place to develop young teachers at the states colleges and universities. The resolution also encourages New Mexicos congressional delegation and state lawmakers who convened last week for this years 30-day legislative session to take every action required to abate the emergency. Lauren Reichelt, director of the Rio Arriba County Health and Human Services Department, is spearheading the resolution. Citing statistics from the state Public Education Department that say there are more than 2,100 unfilled teaching positions in the state, the resolution states that the failure to properly educate children leaves communities vulnerable to economic decline, and results in a failure of human capital cutting across professional boundaries throughout New Mexico. The social determinants of health are affected very much by children not having the resources they need, and one of the most important resources is our public schools, Reichelt said in a phone interview last week. In a community like ours, thats where they build their life skills. And if we dont have real teachers in the classroom, how are we going to produce nurses, doctors, police officers and all the people who work up at the lab? The lab, of course, is Los Alamos National Laboratory, a powerful economic engine and source of jobs in the area. And the reference to real teachers is in contrast to substitute teachers, teaching assistants and others with so-called alternative teaching licenses who often lack formal teacher training. A version of the resolution approved by the Espanola school board was endorsed by the Rio Arriba Health Council earlier this month. It is scheduled for adoption by the Rio Arriba County Commission at its meeting on Tuesday. Connecting with kids Reichelt, a former teacher, has seen first-hand the impact substance abuse has had in her community during the 25 years shes been with Rio Arriba Health and Human Services, a department she built from the ground up. At nearly 90 drug overdose deaths per 100,000 population, Rio Arriba County had the states highest rate of drug overdose deaths from 2013 to 2017, according to New Mexicos Indicator-Based Information System. The state average was less than 25 deaths per 100,000. The entire substance abuse issue were facing is just part of it, she said, adding that schoolchildren face numerous other challenges, such as poverty, issues at home and even homelessness. Students need to have trained professionals in their school classrooms who know how to deal with kids experiencing stressful or traumatic conditions. If youre not engaging kids at school and they are not excited about what they are doing, youre going to end up with a lot of depressed kids who will get themselves into trouble, she said. Reichelt ran an unsuccessful campaign for Espanola school board in November. But her loss to Jeremy Maestas didnt stop her from trying to pursue her agenda. Im really interested in what happens in our schools, and when I was running for school board, everybody I was talking to was concerned about having long-term subs, she said. Even though I didnt win, I felt I had to follow up and address those concerns. Its not just an issue for this district, although it is a very poor district. Its a statewide issue and a national issue, she said. Improving the pipeline Part of the problem is a sharp decline in enrollment in teacher preparation programs over the past decade. A recent analysis by the Center for American Progress shows that, since 2010, enrollment in teacher prep programs declined by one-third nationwide. New Mexico, perpetually near the bottom in education rankings, is one of nine states that experienced a 50% enrollment drop. As a stop-gap measure to address the teacher shortage, New Mexico passed legislation that allowed people with any kind of college degree to obtain alternative licensure without having to go through a full teacher preparation program. According to the resolution, which cites PED data, there are 6,257 people with alternative teaching licenses in New Mexico, representing about 12% of all teachers in the state. Its scary when you look at 20 years ago. We would have like 150 teachers and now we have 50, Susan Brown, interim dean of New Mexico State Universitys college of education, told the Journal last month. Its so low and thats why we have all these vacancies. Brown said the reputation of low salaries and a lack of respect for teachers are other factors that have driven young people away from the profession, and Reichelt agrees. Part of it is we dont respect teachers the way we should, she said, adding that many of them reach into their own pockets and purses to pay for school supplies. Were asking way too much of our teachers and not honoring them. Backed by higher-than-ever revenues from the oil and gas industry, the state Legislature has worked to increase teacher salaries. Teachers, whose starting pay is about $41,000 per year, received a 6% raise this year, in addition to an increased pay scale for beginning teachers. Gov. Lujan Grisham proposed another 4% pay hike this year, while the Legislative Finance Committee suggested a 3% bump, but with higher increases for bilingual and special education teachers. Addressing needs In her opening address at the Legislature on Tuesday, Lujan Grisham said New Mexico has a moral mandate to transform its public education system. She addressed several issues related to education, including teacher pay and the teacher shortage. Weve got to pay educators more and weve got to hire more educators, she said, adding that in her first year in office, the statewide teacher vacancy rate was cut by 13%. She said that teachers have been subject to neglect and disrespect under the previous administration. Education was not a priority. It is now, she said. She talked about at-risk students and the need to create and build relationships with them, extending learning time for students and investing in a new early childhood trust fund to help pay for Pre-K and other services. Also on her wish list is a new scholarship program to provide tuition-free college to residents of New Mexico, which could attract more students interested in pursuing a career in education. We know if young adults dont find opportunity here, they will look elsewhere, she said of the states high school graduates. Her plans for education are meant to address a landmark court ruling from 2018 that New Mexico was not meeting its constitutional requirement to provide an adequate education to all students. A spokesman for the governor didnt directly answer whether Lujan Grisham would go so far as to declare a public health emergency, instead saying the administration is glad the Espanola school board agrees with the governor that building up a robust educator pipeline and doing everything in our power to sustainably invest in our classroom workforce is a key priority. As discussed at length in her speech Tuesday and in her executive budget recommendation, were moving aggressively toward rebuilding educator support systems, rapidly increasing educator pay, and improving recruitment and retention, among many other initiatives that will address the educator shortage, spokesman Tripp Stelnicki said. New Delhi [India], Jan 26 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party has welcomed the decision to remove the title of Sher-i-Kashmir, the title accorded to former Prime minister of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir Sheikh Abdullah, from police gallantry medals. The party also called for the use of culturally appropriate symbols for naming institutions, buildings and awards in the Union territory. Speaking to ANI, Nirmal Singh, former deputy CM J & K welcomed the step initiated by the LG, Jammu and Kashmir to remove 'Sher-i-Kashmir.' "I welcome the step and congratulate LG for deciding to do away with the title Sher-i- Kashmir. This man (Mohammad Abdullah) has a past of stoking communal divide. Conference flag was made state flag and like Indira, Nehru and Gandhi family, they too have named important buildings etc on their family's name," Singh said. He demanded that heroes and cultural symbols should be used to name institutions. "Mohammed Abdullah never did anything substantial for the freedom of the country. I would go a step forward and say that as Abdullah never had any base in Jammu, having universities or infrastructure in his name - Sher- I- Kashmir should be reconsidered," he said. The BJP leader also raised questions and rethink on the celebration of July 13 as martyrs day, the day 22 Kashmiris were killed while protesting against Dogras. The state government has already scrapped two public holidays, December 5 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mohammad Abdullah and July 13 martyrs day. He called for celebrating the legacy of Raja Hari Singh, the king of Jammu and Kashmir who signed the instrument of accession to India. " We need to acknowledge him. Rather Singh was exiled," he said. Meanwhile, on the issue of the ongoing protest in Shaheen Bagh against the CAA and NRC, he said it was unfortunate and said that a non-existential issue has become a movement. "CAA isn't taking away anyone's citizenship. We saw a video of a man calling to severe Assam ties with India. There is a greater agenda of creating separate Pakistan. The slogans that we are listening in Delhi were used to be shouted in Kashmir. AAP and separatist are supporting Shaheen Bagh. Delhi voters should understand the design and save the country from breaking away," he alleged. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) T he work of an amateur Edwardian photographer has been lovingly brought back to life thanks to one man and an army of online detectives. Bath-based civil servant John Thomson, 41, discovered the glass plate photographs while working in a secondhand bookshop in Somerset 13 years ago. The shop was undergoing a clearance, and they were throwing out anything that wasn't a book. Among the assortment of lampshades and picture frames lay seven wooden boxes. John looked inside and discovered over 300 glass plates, with each one being the size of a regular smartphone. Dennis and Geoffrey Fletcher, circa 1910 / John Thompson/@FacesInTheLight He asked the owner if he could take them and subsequently became the plates' new custodian. However, life got the better of John, and the plates remained in his attic, untouched, for years. "Theyve been in my loft since as they were a bit fragile to have around young children, but we were having some work done and they had to be brought down and I rediscovered them," he told the Evening Standard. A little girl plays in a fairy costume, circa 1910 / John Thompson/@FacesInTheLight John was able to digitise the plates with the help of an app, and soon the lost images were appearing before his eyes. "Its now so easy to hold them to the light against a white background, in my case a white curtain, take a snap with a smartphone, and convert them through an app to bring them back to life," he said. "This was where the name 'faces in the light', started by holding them up to the window and seeing them come back to life for perhaps the first time in over a hundred years." Three nurses, circa 1910 / John Thompson/@FacesInTheLight While many of the plates were in relatively pristine condition, the years had taken their toll on some of them. "One box appears to have been water damaged and has affected the majority of the plates although they look quite magical as a result" he said. "Another box contains several shattered pieces of glass which Ive had to piece together like some kind of deadly puzzle. These are also incredible and so rewarding to be able to preserve." A woman posing, early 1900s / John Thompson/@FacesInTheLight Having brought the plates back to life, John was presented with an even greater challenge: Who were the subjects? And who was their mysterious unnamed photographer? There is a wide range of subjects and the only two written clues are Yapton sports and St Valery which were stuck to one of the boxes," John said. "After investigating, Yapton is a village in West Sussex and St Salery turned out to be St Valery-en-Caux in Normandy. Other locations were in Kent, South France, India and Belgium." John posted the images online, seeking the help of Twitter detectives and the local Yapton history group to solve the mystery. He was not disappointed. Edwardian street in Canterbury, circa 1900 / John Thompson/@FacesInTheLight "I thought the people would go forgotten as I didnt believe there would be enough clues and I didnt realise the skills of the Twitter detective world", he said. "They love solving mysteries!" Girls running, circa 1910 / John Thompson/@FacesInTheLight The Yapton clue was key, they knew the photographer had two sons from the photos, but none of the census records matched up. "It was only after about six months when we researched one man in particular, Sidney Fletcher, that somebody discovered that he only had one son on the census because the other was at boarding school", John said. "The links to Kent and travels in Northern France all started to fit into place." The Sphinx, Egypt, early 1900s / John Thompson/@FacesInTheLight Mr Fletcher lived in London on Charing Cross Road in 1895. He married his wife Annie, and became a stockbroker with Knight, Fletcher and Co. Thanks to the work of the Yapton history group, John was able meet Sidney's great-granddaughters, the closest he will ever come to meeting the man behind the faces in the light. Tankerton estate, circa 1900 / John Thompson/@FacesInTheLight However, he's not done yet. 262 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Recently Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters for The Washington Post Philip Rucker and Carol Leonnig published their assessment of Donald Trumps presidency to date, seeking to step out of the news cycle and assess the reverberations of his administration throughout the nation. Titled A Very Stable Genius: Donald J. Trumps Testing of America, the book layers scene after scene of Trumps ineptitude, prioritization of self-interest over care for the nations well-being, and general lack of any moral compass or intellectual rigor. As Dwight Garner, in his review for The New York Times characterized the tale Rucker and Leonnig weave, It reads like a horror story, an almost comic immorality tale. Its as if the president, as patient zero, had bitten an aide and slowly, bite by bite, an entire nation had lost its wits and its compass. The story is a compelling one, and one seemingly validated for Americans by what we have witnessed in the impeachment hearings played out in the House of Representatives and now in the ongoing trial in U.S. Senate. The wealthy businessman Trump, corrupt to the core, is dismantling democracy and putting the nations well-being and security at risk for his own private gain and ego interests. And yet we shouldnt let the high drama of the very necessary impeachment process distract us from the more mundane threats to American democracy that seem to have become largely accepted in American life but which are no less deleterious to the American people and our supposed political ideals than Trumps presidency is. As an example of what Im talking about, take billionaire Jeff Bezos and his Amazon empire, which includes, by the way, The Washington Post. The admonitory slogan of The Washington Post is, of course, Democracy Dies in Darkness. The sentiment is a warm and fuzzy one for sure, even articulating a noble mission and role for the free press in sustaining our democracy. And Jeff Bezos dollars nobly enable that mission. But what he gives with one hand (it is a business after all), he taketh with the other, underscoring the severely limited application of democratic principles throughout American society. And can we call a form of government that limits democratic rights in practice a democracy at all? Bezos Amazon, for example, recently threatened to fire its employees who spoke out publicly against the companys environmental policies. As Annie Palmer reported for CNBC earlier this month, employees reported that Amazons policy on workers external communications was updated last September and now requires employees to seek prior approval to speak about Amazon in any public forum while identified as an employee. The Amazon Employees for Climate Justice tweeted in response to the suppression of employee free speech: How will the world remember Jeff Bezos in the era of climate emergency? Will he use his immense economic power to help, or not?Please tell @Amazon and @JeffBezos: Our world is on fire & desperately needs climate leadership. Stop silencing employees who are sounding the alarm. It needs to be stressed, of course, that Amazons suppression of its workers speech is not illegal and certainly not unique. In other words, Americans do not enjoy democratic rights in the workplace. U.S. law allows for the denial of First Amendment rights when you are at work, as Ive written about previously for PoliticusUsa. So, as conceived currently in our nations legal codes, the most sacred tenets of democracy are only applicable in American life on a part-time basis. Ask Colin Kaepernick. When you are at work for 40 to 60 hours per week, please know that democracy is on hold. Please leave your rights in your locker before you punch your time card. Sometimes its even worse. Remember Juli Briskman, a marketing executive at Akima, a government contracting firm, who was fired for flipping off President Trumps motorcade while riding her bike? She wasnt even at work. Because she had been photographed and the photograph had been published with great popularity, she identified herself to her company and was promptly called into a room and fired for violating code-of-conduct policies. Clearly, she did not have the right to express herself as she chooses, even outside of the workplace, without consequences for her employment. Democracy dies in the workplace, and certainly at Amazon, where, similar to many companies, workers efforts to unionize are vigorously resisted. Like Target and Walmart, among others, Amazon has produced its own anti-union video that is part of employee training. And the union structure, which collectively organizes workers and negotiates their rights and remuneration, is the main and really only means for workers to have a voice in their workplace, where they spend a good deal of their lives contributing to the world in which we all live. Bezos and Trump have a long adversarial history, as they spar over the size of their . . . bank accounts. Trump basically foiled a Pentagon contract that seemed destined for Amazon but was eventually awarded to Microsoft. Trump regularly attacks The Washington Post as Bezos lobbying group (even though, admittedly, he does reporting critical of Amazon). In the end, though, Trump and Bezos, along with much of corporate America, stand together against democracy and in favor of American oligarchy. Indeed, Trumps attacks on Bezos on some level are disingenuous and pure showmanship, as when he criticizes Amazon for not paying enough in taxes. Who supported and signed legislation slashing the corporate tax rate? Oh, yeah, thats right: Trump. Dont let people speak. Let money and private ownership have the biggest voice in decision-making. Perhaps the impeachment hearings and trial will enliven the democratic sensibilities in the American people to understand not just Trumps horror show but also these wider efforts at work in our culture and society aimed at preventing and dismantling democracy. A man suffered serious injuries after an alleged attack west of Brisbane caused him to fall and strike his head on a road. Police have charged a 16-year-old boy with grievous bodily harm over the incident, though investigations are continuing. A 16-year-old has been charged over the attack which left the man with skull and facial fractures. Credit:Queensland Police Service It will be alleged a fight occurred between the teen and a 39-year-old in Alice Street, Goodna, about 5.20pm on Saturday. During this time the man was allegedly kicked in the head, causing him to fall onto the road and strike his head. A controversial new study claims about one in every five cancers diagnosed in Australia would have been better left undiscovered. The study, published in the Medical Journal of Australia on Monday, argues more than half of melanomas, 22 per cent of breast cancers and 42 per cent of prostate cancers diagnosed in Australia would never have caused problems. The government funds a breast-cancer screening program and many people diligently ask their GP for skin and prostate cancer checks. Prostate cancer cell. Credit: Jems Stem But all that extra checking is turning up cancers that would never have gone on to harm the patient, the study says. Troops from the Household Cavalry have been moonlighting as paid security guards protecting a trail hunt from animal rights activists, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. In a deal apparently worth 20,000, the soldiers from Prince Harrys old regiment have been protecting the Fernie hunt in Leicestershire, targeted by saboteurs after its employees were convicted of animal cruelty offences. Last night, the hunt confirmed it used Black Snow Security, run by cavalry Non-Commissioned Officer Ben Scollick. Protection: Ben Scollick, above, whose firm worked for the Fernie hunt. Army top brass slapped a ban on soldiers working at any more hunts The companys website says it offers highly trained and Security Industry Authorised-licensed officers. But after The Mail on Sunday established the troops do not have SIA licences, Army top brass slapped a ban on soldiers working at any more hunts. A statement by a spokesman for the Fernie hunt last night contradicted the MoDs claim that the soldiers were only acting as marshals and therefore did not require SIA licences. The soldiers from Prince Harrys old regiment have been protecting the Fernie hunt in Leicestershire, targeted by saboteurs after its employees were convicted of animal cruelty offences. Prince Harry is pictured above in Afghanistan Troops from the Household Cavalry have been moonlighting as paid security guards protecting a trail hunt from animal rights activists, The Mail on Sunday can reveal In 2011, two Fernie hunt employees were fined thousands of pounds after being found guilty of digging out a fox hiding in a badger sett so it could then be chased by hounds. Fox-hunting has been banned since 2004 and has been replaced by trail hunting, which involves people on foot or horseback following a scent along a pre-determined route with hounds or beagles. Campaigners claim it still allows illegal hunting of foxes, deer and other animals with dogs. Last night, the MoD refused to say how many soldiers were present at the hunt, or how much they were paid. An Army spokesman said: Service personnel can undertake secondary civilian employment with the approval of their chain of command. The Fernie hunt said: We do not have anything to do with the recruiting of the individuals themselves. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday said he expected US President Donald Trump's peace plan for the Middle East to be "historic" ahead of a trip to Washington. "An opportunity such as this comes once in history and cannot be missed... I am full of hope that we are on the verge of a historic moment in the annals of our state," Netanyahu, who has been invited to meet Trump at the White House on Tuesday to discuss the plan, said in a statement. Trump on Thursday said he will release his long-delayed plan before meeting Netanyahu in Washington. "It's a great plan. It's a plan that really would work," Trump said. Netanyahu's political rival Benny Gantz has also received an invitation to attend the White House talks. Gantz told a news conference in Tel Aviv on Saturday that the "peace plan devised by President Trump will go down in history as a meaningful landmark". He expected the initiative to allow "different players in the Middle East to finally move ahead towards an historic regional agreement". The Palestinian leadership was not invited and has already rejected Trump's plan amid tense relations with the US president over his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's undivided capital. "This step only reaffirms our absolute rejection of what the US administration has done so far, particularly the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital," Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas' spokesman said in a statement earlier this week. The Palestinians see east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state and believe that Trump's plan buries the two-state solution that has been for decades the cornerstone of international Middle East diplomacy. World powers have long agreed that Jerusalem's fate should be settled through negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel has occupied east Jerusalem and the West Bank since the 1967 Six-Day War. More than 600,000 Israelis now live there in settlements considered illegal under international law. Trump's peace plan has been in the works since 2017. An economic part of the initiative was unveiled in June and calls for $50 billion in international investment in the Palestinian territories and neighbouring Arab countries over 10 years. Trump came to power in 2017 promising to broker Israeli-Palestinian peace, which he labelled the "ultimate deal". The US president has repeatedly boasted that he is the most pro-Israeli US president in history. Netanyahu on Saturday again called him "the greatest friend that Israel has ever had". "For three years, I have spoken with President Trump and his staff about our most vital national and security needs, which must be included in any diplomatic arrangement. "I have found an attentive ear in the White House to these needs," Netanyahu said in his statement. Gantz also showered Trump with praise during his news conference. "The United States is Israel's closest ally and friend and under President Trump's leadership, the alliance between Israel and the United States has grown stronger, deeper and more significant than ever," he said. "I wish to thank President Trump for his dedication and determination in defending the security interests that both Israel and the US share," he said, adding that he will meet the US president on Monday. Trump's meeting with Netanyahu and Gantz comes a little more than a month before new Israeli elections, with polls showing Netanyahu's right-wing Likud and Gantz's centrist Blue and White party neck-and-neck. Israeli media speculated that Trump had chosen to announce the event in support of Netanyahu's election bid -- the third in a year. In view of the increase in passenger traffic on the Tel Aviv-New Delhi sector, India's official carrier Air India will double the number of flights on the route to six per week from April. The national carrier created history by becoming the first commercial flight to fly to Israel over Saudi Arabia and Oman in March 2018, seen by many as a diplomatic breakthrough and often presented by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a major achievement of his government signalling improving ties with Gulf countries. The access to Saudi and Omani airspace shortens the flight path by almost two hours which lowers the fuel cost leading to reduction in fares. The announcement was made by Indian Ambassador in Israel Sanjeev Singla during the Republic Day celebrations at the Indian Embassy here on Sunday. ALSO READ: Republic Day 2020: Air India distributes 30,000 national flags among passengers "Direct Air India flight connectivity between New Delhi and Tel Aviv is a game changer in our bilateral relations reflecting the importance we attach to people-to-people linkages and connectivity. The direct flights have greatly enhanced movement of people between the two countries resulting in an increase in tourism and also facilitating the travel of the business community," Singla told PTI. Air India started with 3 flights a week and within a span of two years has gradually increased it to six, starting from April 1 this year. It will not operate on the route on Friday when Israeli Jews observe Sabbath, a day of religious observance and abstinence from work. Sale of tickets for the additional flights is already enabled on the carrier's web site. Air India's country Head in Israel Pankaj Tiwari said that the introduction of direct flight between the two cities has contributed immensely in increasing tourist traffic to and from India and contributed in strengthening bilateral relations. ALSO READ: Air India unions to demand VRS package in Monday meeting with Aviation Minister "It has registered an impressive growth with average seat occupancy of eighty per cent throughout the year making it one of the most attractive sector. This route has been the marketing revolution that has brought about new records in tourists coming to Israel. Air India carried 1,02,000 passengers in the year 2019 as compared to 57,000 passengers in the year 2018, an increase of 79 per cent", Tiwari noted. Most of the major Israeli corporates operating in India, including Israel Aircraft Industries, Rafael Air Defense Systems, Elbit Systems and Amdocs have corporate agreements with Air India and prefer flying on it as it provides better connectivity to all domestic and international destinations in the region. Every flight from Tel Aviv has almost 50 per cent of passengers travelling beyond Delhi to domestic destinations within India and international destinations including Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Shanghai, Hongkong, Sri Lanka and Nepal, a press release issued by Air India said. ALSO READ: Govt considers specific excise duty on aviation turbine fuel By Rep. Albio Sires In two months, the 2020 Census will begin to shape the future of New Jersey. Census population data is used each year to allocate over $22 billion to New Jersey in federal funding, spanning Medicaid, Pell grants, the School Breakfast Program, and 52 other essential programs. Critically, census data also creates congressional districts for the next 10 years of federal elections. On Census Day, April 1, 2020, an accurate count of your household dramatically impacts New Jerseys access to resources and national representation. For the first time in U.S. history, the census form will be available digitally accessible online or through a mobile device in addition to mail and phone options. Beginning in mid-March, households will receive instructions on how to submit a complete, accurate count of their household as of Census Day, April 1. Rapid completion of census forms reduces expensive in-person follow-up efforts and increases the precision of the count. A strong initial response effort in April is key to our communitys accurate representation in the 2020 Census. Historically, the mobilization of the census can unfortunately reflect the inequalities of our society. Low-income, minority, and immigrant households are at risk of being undercounted in the census and losing out on fair statistical representation. Additionally, households with no reliable internet access, disabled individuals, or children under 5 are also at risk. It has been estimated that nearly 410,000 citizens of the 8th District live in communities that are at risk of being undercounted. Grassroots mobilization among neighbors, friends, and family will be the lifeblood of a successful census. To get involved and ensure your community is represented, contact your city government to ask if they have established a Local Complete Count Committee and inquire how you can help. Additionally, more information and resources are available on the New Jersey Complete Count Commission website at https://nj.gov/state/njcounts.shtml. The Trump administration recently attempted to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census. It is important to know that not only will there be no citizenship question on the 2020 Census, but all information collected by the census is strictly confidential by law. The census is mandated by Article I of the Constitution because our democracy depends on a truthful, accurate representation of our population and not one that reflects a political narrative. Under federal code and punishable by prison, the U.S. Census Bureau cannot release any individual-specific information for 72 years, including to law enforcement agencies. The Supreme Court and government agencies have repeatedly upheld that the purpose of the census is only to produce statistical information on population trends. The privacy of each individuals response is strongly guarded. If you or someone you know is concerned about the confidentiality of census responses you can learn more at census.gov/privacy or reach out to your local Complete Count Commission. Democrat Albio Sires of West New York represents New Jerseys 8th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Submit letters to the editor and guest columns for The Jersey Journal to jjletters@jjournal.com. Frequent contributor to "Daylight Atheism" blog, James Haught, gave us a taste of the rising attacks on Christianity and Christian education in The Times and Democrat. Haught has previously made clear his atheist world view and associated disdain for Christians in Daylight Atheism (Daylight "defends the atheist viewpoint and argues that discarding religious belief is a liberation and the gateway to a moral life filled with purpose and joy"). Haught's recent article "Dinosaurs on Noah's Ark" certainly fits the mission of aggressively attempting to "discard" Christianity from American life. Through ad hominem lampooning of Christian beliefs, while twisting current stories and court cases, Haught displayed his signature contempt of believers. Despite the emotive hyperbole, Haught failed to do what he claims makes atheism superior: An objective and fact-based coherent argument for his position. Let me explain. First, to give one small taste of Haught's contempt for religious Americans, he wrote the following: "Intelligent, educated Americans should pity the children from born-again families who suffer indoctrination with such right-wing hate and superstition. When the youths enter adult life, they're ill-equipped for modern society." Haught also claims that teaching children the biblical story of Noah's Ark is "a form of child abuse to teach such lies to youngsters." In his prior writings for Daylight Atheism, his disdain for those claiming to be "born again" seethes to a bizarre extent we see in this latest diatribe. Through all the threads of anti-Christian hyperbole, Haught's primary issue appears to be opposition to allowing tax credits to those sending their children to Christian private schools (before the U.S. Supreme Court in Espinoza v. Montana). I write "apparent" due to the complete lack of clarity about the issue. Haught begins by writing, "In violation of the separation of church and state, American tax dollars are funneled to fundamentalist private schools teaching crackpot absurdities." He then decries support for a Florida voucher scholarship system of providing parents the option to put children in private schools. Haught twists the reporting of the Orlando Sentinel, which was about all private schools open to vouchers, not of specifically religious or Christian schools. The Sentinel provides anecdotal examples of problems with those private schools. In his anti-religion screed, Haught did not quote any of the arguments from the Sentinel made in favor of the Florida voucher system. This is important in critical analysis beyond silly anecdotes about dinosaurs and Noah's Ark: "However, scholarships can be appealing because some private schools offer rigorous academics on modern campuses, unique programs or small classes that allow students more one-on-one attention, among other benefits. Bad experiences at public school also fuel interest in scholarships. Parents opting out of public schools often cite worries about large campuses, bullying, what they call inadequate services for special needs children. Supporters say the programs let parents choose schools they think are best for their children, helping kids who are struggling in public schools and giving poor families a way to afford private tuition." According to the spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Education, "Families who opt for private school through any one of our scholarship programs have made the decision that best meets the needs of their children." Maybe Haught believes this is all fundamentalist child abuse, but most would believe the parents to be quite reasonable and loving in this decision. Haught's real target is those who support a 2015 Montana law allowing for relatively small tax credits for those sending their children to private schools. The Montana Supreme Court struck down the law on constitutional grounds, but the state has appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court in Espinoza vs. Montana. That case involves tax credits, not vouchers, and therefore deals with money parents have earned. Those families pay thousands in state taxes, and yet save the state thousands of dollars each year for the children they have not placed in public school. In his usual hyperbole, Haught calls this a "taxpayer funding of faith" and "travesty," despite the fact this is about all private schools, secular or religious. He confuses matters with attempts to conflate the anecdotal findings in the Orlando Sentinel about the Florida program to Espinoza. It muddles the readers' information. Espinoza vs. Montana will be a landmark case for Establishment Clause precedence. Unlike what Haught claims, the U.S. Constitution does not demand a legal and absolute "separation of Church and State," but demands: "Congress shall make no law recognizing the establishment of religion." From the beginning, the state has recognized the importance of religion in education. Bible reading and school prayer were part of public school until as recently as the 1960s. The preamble to the first government statement about public education (1787) reads: "Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged." Around the same time, founder John Adams said: "This Constitution was made for a moral and religious people. It is wholly unsuited for the governance of any other." What men like Haught actually demand is that atheism become the established religion in America. They do not seek even toleration with Christianity, and do not hesitate to crush all opposition to secularizing America. In previous times, they acted in a much more subtle manner but are becoming much more bold in their attacks and lampooning. It's time for Americans to stand up against the distortions of the truth of what's actually happening with parents, children and education; of the truth about the attacks against religion and of the truth of what our founders put in place for us. Bill Connor, an Army Infantry colonel, author and Orangeburg attorney, has deployed multiple times to the Middle East. Connor was the senior U.S. military adviser to Afghan forces in Helmand Province, where he received the Bronze Star. A Citadel graduate with a JD from USC, he is also a Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Army War College, earning his master of strategic studies. He is the author of the book "Articles from War. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 'Central Vista stretch required for Republic Day parade will be ready in time, some facilities later' Google marks India's 71st Republic Day with doodle by Singapore-based illustrator India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Jan 26: Search engine giant Google is celebrating India's 71st Republic Day 2020 with a beautiful doodle depicting country's architectural and cultural legacy as well as its rich bio-diversity. The doodle is illustrated by Singapore-based artist Meroo Seth. The google doodle with a 3D impression depicts the iconic facade of the grand Rashtrapati Bhavan in the backdrop, flanked by trees, reflecting the flora and fauna that resides on its sprawling campus. It also highlights the rich cultural heritage that permeates and unites diverse India from its world-famous landmarks like the Taj Mahal and India Gate. It also showcases the wide array of fauna such as its national bird Peacock; to classical arts, textiles, and dances-all coming together to find harmony amongst their differences. Seven decades ago, on January 26, India's Constitution came into effect. Having resolved to attain 'Purna Swaraj' (complete freedom) from the British, people had been celebrating 'Purna Swaraj Day' on every January 26 from 1930 to 1947. 71st Republic Day: PM Modi continues with 'Safa' tradition, Chinook & Apache make debut In 1950, India embarked on its journey as a Republic, affirming to the principles laid down in the Constitution. Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro will be the Chief Guest today as India celebrates its 71st Republic Day with a 90-minute display of government-sanctioned tableaus focusing on the nation's military might, cultural diversity and socio-economic progress. Unlike other Republic Day parades, this year's parade ceremony will mark the first time when the Prime Minister will visit the newly built National War Memorial near India Gate instead of Amar Jawan Jyoti, where he will pay tributes to soldiers who died fighting for the country. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, January 26, 2020, 5:25 [IST] LIMA, Peru - A hodgepodge of mostly centrist parties led early results in Perus election Sunday to replace the 130-seat congress dissolved by President Martin Vizcarra in his campaign to extinguish pervasive corruption. Early counts from the National Office of Electoral Processes and a flash poll conducted by international firm Ipsos suggested no party would emerge as a clear victor, meaning Vizcarra will need to build alliances with various factions to break the stalemate with congress that has stymied his presidency. It wasnt clear when a full national count would be released. Early returns showed parties like the re-branded Popular Action and the new Purple Party leading, but with less than 15% of the votes in an election in which 22 parties competed. The party of opposition leader Keiko Fujimori, Popular Force, appeared to slide substantially from its comfortable position four years ago as the legislatures biggest bloc. This is the start of a change, Lima Mayor Jorge Munoz, who belongs to the Popular Action party, wrote on Twitter as results came in. The South American nation has been roiled by repeated corruption scandals that have eroded public trust in politicians and put some of the nations most important leaders behind bars or under investigation. Vizcarra stunned the nation in September when he invoked seldom-used executive powers to shut down the opposition-controlled legislature, which he accused of shielding crooked politicians and blocking his anti-corruption drive. The decision plunged Peru into its deepest constitutional crisis in nearly three decades, with anti-Vizcarra lawmakers accusing him of overstepping the law and briefly swearing into office their own president. Nonetheless, the move was widely popular with the public and upheld by Perus constitutional Tribunal. The hope of the Peruvian people is to have a different congress one that can work together for the good of the country, Jacinto Arana, an evangelical pastor, said as he went to cast his ballot Sunday morning. The fragmented results were a fresh reminder of the weak state of Perus political parties. Some of the biggest winners appeared to be parties that months ago had only a handful of seats in congress. One of those is Popular Action, a centre-right party whose heyday is widely seen as the 1980s, when the partys presidential candidate, Fernando Belaunde, was re-elected after a military coup. No one party has been able to capitalize on the wave of anti-establishment sentiment, said Abhijit Surya, Peru analyst with The Economist Intelligence Unit. The lack of a dominant political faction could potentially bode well for Vizcarra if he succeeds in rallying a like-minded coalition. We think, on balance, that incoming lawmakers are more likely to work with the executive on a common agenda, Surya said in a pre-vote analysis. However, if new elections bring more of the same, it could well put Peru on the path to the kind of instability that has afflicted its neighbours in recent months. The 130 new lawmakers will hold office only until scheduled presidential and congressional elections in 2021 and will not be allowed to run in next years vote. Vizcarra rose to the presidency in 2018 after President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski resigned following months of turmoil related to undisclosed financial ties to Odebrecht, the Brazilian construction giant that has admitted to paying nearly $800 million in bribes across 12 countries in exchange for lucrative public works contracts. Perus past four presidents are all under investigation. Adriana Urrutia, director of the political science program at Antonio Ruiz de Montoya University in Lima, said Peruvians are now more inclined to vote for individual candidates than parties that the public has lost confidence in. That makes building representative institutions difficult, she said. Voting is mandatory in Peru, with a $26 fine for those who dont participate about 10% of the monthly minimum wage. Many voters were skeptical that much will change even with a new congress. Victor Salazar said he was doubtful that incoming legislators given less than two years in office will have enough time to pass meaningful anti-corruption reforms. I dont have a lot of hope, to tell the truth, he said as he cast his ballot at a public school in an upper-middle class Lima neighbourhood. Others were putting their hope in electing candidates new to politics and free of the corruption-tarnished history of many past lawmakers. This is the best thing the president could have done, said Arana, the pastor. ___ Associated Press writer Franklin Briceno reported this story in Lima and AP writer Christine Amario reported from Bogota, Colombia. AP journalists Cesar Olmos and Cesar Barreto in Bogota contributed to this report. On Wednesday, cool water bubbled along a sandy channel on the eastern portion of the river bed. The stream was several inches deep and seemed tame, but a tree next to the channel showed how volatile the river can be. Northward-flowing water had swept branches, leaves, grass, and other debris around the tree as high as 10 feet off the ground. The force of the water was still evident, making it look as if a strong wind was still blowing the debris against the tree. Since the contract for the wall across the river was announced in May, CBP has released little information about what the wall will look like or how it could impact the river. Will the new wall be made of 30-foot tall bollards, as is the case with wall being built in eastern Cochise County, near Yuma and along the border in Organ Pipe and the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge? Will it be a bridge-like structure, as CBP officials said in response to a lawsuit last year? Will water flow through gates in the wall that can be lifted when needed, as is the case in washes near Nogales and Lukeville? Will it have gates that swing open when water pressure builds up, as happens in remote washes east of Sasabe? captain amarinder singh Mohali (SAS Nagar): Asserting that the secular foundations of Indias Constitution would continue to stand firm, with the blessings of the Akal Purukh, for all time to come, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday vowed to protect one and all, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. The Chief Minister declared that the nations unity was inviolable, notwithstanding the discordant voices being raised in the current scenario. Pointing out that the resolution passed by the Punjab Assembly (on CAA) was there for all to see, the Chief Minister made it clear that the state would not allow the countrys secular fabric to be destroyed at any cost. Advertisement Greeting the people of Punjab on the 71st Republic Day, the Chief Minister said secularism was the message of our Guru, whose philosophy of Na koyi Hindu, Na koyi Musalaman, Sab Rab ke bande is imbued in our consciousness. On the occasion, Captain Amarinder unfurled the tricolor, and also took the salute at a colourful parade, followed by a cultural extravaganza by school children. For the first time this year, the Republic Day celebration in the state witnessed an inspiring display by the Special Operations Group (SOG), constituted by the Chief Minister as an elite, specially trained force to combat terrorism, infiltration, hijacking and other sensitive threat situations. Punjab, Captain Amarinder said in his speech, was blessed by the historic opening of Kartarpur Corridor to facilitate Khule Darshan Didar of the revered gurdwara that was touched by the first Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Nanak Dev jis presence. The state was also honoured to be celebrating the 550th Birth Anniversary Year of Guru Nanak Dev ji, the 399th Birth Anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur ji, the 100th Birth Anniversary of Acharya Shri Mahapragya - the 10th head of Svetambar Terapanth order of Jainism, the 750th Birth Anniversary of Bhagat Namdev ji and the 350th Birth Anniversary of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, he said. Advertisement At the same time, his government would continue to work dedicatedly for the progress of Punjab, which had attracted unprecedented investment over the last two plus years, said the Chief Minister, pointing to the Rs. 57,735 Crore investment secured on the ground . He said the efforts to bring in industry would continue, in order to tackle unemployment, which he termed as the biggest challenge faced by the state. Under the `Ghar Ghar Rozgar te Karobaar Scheme, 11 lakh jobs had been given to unemployed youth in the state by his government, he said, adding that these efforts would be further strengthened in the coming months. Emphasing the need for quality and more relevant education Captain Amarinder announced that 19 new IITs would be established in the state, along with new medical colleges in Mohali, Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur. The Chief Minister reiterated his governments commitment to farmer welfare, even as he pointed out that the average yield of wheat had increased from 42 Quintal/hectare in the year 2006-07 to all time high of about 52 Quintal/hectare in the year 2018-19, with last year reporting record production of 183 Lakh Metric Tons of wheat. Farmers have earned Rs. 44,000 crore more in the last six seasons of our Government as compared to the corresponding period of the previous government, as a result of steps to ensure smooth procurement, check on exploitation of farmers and streamlining of transport and labour operations, he said. Advertisement Underlining the importance of environmental protection in the face of the global warming, which was adversely impacting weather patterns, Captain Amarinder disclosed that so far, 76 lakh saplings had been planted across all villages and towns in the state. He appealed to every citizen to contribute to the care of these saplings. The Chief Minister also underscored the importance given by his government to promoting healthcare and ensuring access to affordable healthcare to the people through the Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana, covering 48 Lakh families (2.2 Crore persons), as against the 14 lakh families covered by the Government of India under scheme. More than 1 Lakh persons have already availed free cashless treatment under the Yojana, he added. The new AIIMS at Bathinda had also become functional, he noted. Terming the drug menace as an issue of grave concern, Captain Amarinder said his government remained committed to the total elimination of the problem. The STF set up to tackle the menace had shown excellent results, with as many as 34,373 cases registered so far under the NDPS Act and 42,571 persons having been arrested with recovery of 974 kg heroin. More than 1 lakh addicts are being treated at the 193 OOAT Centres established by the government. Advertisement The Chief Minister also expressed satisfaction at the fact that 10.7 lakh beneficiaries had so far been assisted under the Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojna, which aims to ensure that the welfare schemes of the government reach the eligible beneficiaries. His government, going forward, would further strengthen Mission Tandarust Punjab, and would continue to strengthen its e-service network, which had recently received a major fillip with the launch of Mobile Application - `m-Sewa to provide Government services through smart phones, said the Chief Minister. Disclosing that his government had earmarked Rs. 6200 Crore for Scheduled Caste Sub Plan this year, which was more than 35% of the Budget Estimates, Captain Amarinder reiterated his commitment to the welfare of the weaker sections of the society. Expressing concern on the issue of safety of women, the Chief Minister said apart from the free Pick and Drop facility by the State Police, One Stop Sakhi Centres had been established in all Districts for the protection of our daughters. On the critical issue of the depleting water table, the Chief Minister stressed upon the need to conserve water, whose level had come down to less than 13 MAF, as a result of 73% of it being used for irrigation purposes. He hoped the Punjab Water Resources (Management & Regulation) Act would help address the problem in a big way. Additionally, his government had engaged the services of Mekerot, the National Water Company of Israel, for formulating a Water Conservation & Management Master Plan (WCMMP), he added. New Delhi [India], Jan 26 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hoisted the national flag at his residence here on the occasion of Republic Day. Singh later shook hands with security forces personnel and distributed gifts among them. The Defence Minister extended wishes to the countrymen on the occasion of Republic Day. "Greetings and best wishes to everyone on the occasion of #RepublicDay. May our Nation continue to progress and prosper. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!" Defence Minister tweeted. India's military might, cultural diversity, social and economic progress was put on display during the 71st Republic Day celebrations at the majestic Rajpath. Anti-satellite weapon - Mission Shakthi developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Army's battle tank Bhishma, infantry combat vehicles, Air Forces' newly inducted Chinook and Apache helicopters, in addition to tableaux depicting Akash and Astra missiles and Navy's prowess will be showcased during the 90-minute long parade. Twenty tableaux - 16 from States and Union Territories and six from various Ministries/Departments depicting the nation's rich cultural heritage and economic progress will roll down the Rajpath. School children will convey age old message of yoga and spiritual values through dance and music and Indian Air Force aircraft will thunder in the sky projecting the air power. (ANI) TOKYO, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Japan has confirmed a third case of infection by China's coronavirus, the health ministry said on Saturday. The latest case was confirmed in a woman in her 30s who lives in Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak. She arrived in Japan on Jan. 18, the ministry said. The death toll from China's coronavirus outbreak jumped on Saturday to 41 from 26 a day earlier. More than 1,300 people have been infected globally. (Reporting by Ritsuko Ando; Editing by Sam Holmes) Rashida Tlaib is a freshman Congresswoman from Michigan and a member of the far-left Squad. She is a Muslim, and her animus toward Israel and Jews is perhaps worse even than Ilhan Omars. Yesterday Tlaib retweeted the claim that a herd of violent Israeli settlers had kidnapped and murdered a seven-year-old Palestinian boy. The original tweet was accompanied by a video that showed an Israeli rescue team recovering the body of the boy from a cistern. The Jerusalem Post has the story; this is the tweet: Three layers of what for now appears to be a blood libel. From a faceless activist to a Palestinian government official to a US Congresswoman to a global audience of 898,000 followers. pic.twitter.com/spGwJAp5RT Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) January 25, 2020 The whole thing was a hoax, made up out of whole cloth. (Not the death of the boy, which was real, but the assertion that he was murdered by Israeli settlers.) The tweet by the Palestinian politician, Hanan Ashrawi, has now been deleted, as has Tlaibs retweet. But Tlaibs deletion was silent, with no explanation or apology, or any attempt to correct the misinformation that she had spread to tens of thousands on Twitter. What happened is obvious. Like many people, Tlaib believes anything that tends to confirm her pre-existing bigotry. There is no need to investigate or verify the facts when an opportunity to smear Jews is at hand. It wasn't until the 1990s that Zofia and Andrzej Pilecki found out their father was a hero. As teens in postwar Poland, they had been told he was a traitor and an enemy of the state, and they listened to news reports about his 1948 trial and execution on the school radio. In fact, Witold Pilecki was a Polish resistance fighter who voluntarily went to Auschwitz to start a resistance, and he sent secret messages to the Allies, becoming the first to sound the alarm about the true nature of Nazi Germany's largest concentration and extermination camp. Auschwitz was liberated 75 years ago on Monday. In a new book, "The Volunteer: One Man, an Underground Army, and the Secret Mission to Destroy Auschwitz," former war correspondent Jack Fairweather unearths the story of Pilecki's heroism. Pilecki (pronounced peh-LET-skee) was born into an aristocratic Polish farming family in 1901. As a young man, he fought against the Soviets in the Polish-Soviet War, earning citations for gallantry. Upon inheriting the family land, he took up the life of a country gentleman, married and had two children. When the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939 at the start of World War II, Pilecki was called back to military service. But Poland fell in less than a month, split by the Nazis and the Soviets. Pilecki went into hiding and joined the burgeoning Polish resistance. "The French resistance is so famous, but in actual fact, over half of all the intelligence from continental Europe to reach London came from the Polish underground," Fairweather said in an interview with The Washington Post. "It was the biggest operation in Europe, and they provided the highest-quality intelligence - much prized by the Allies - about German capacity and war production." As the Nazi occupation's grip tightened on Polish Jews, some Poles turned against Jews, too, while many others secretly helped their Jewish neighbors. The leader of Pilecki's resistance cell pushed to make the group Catholic-only. Pilecki was a Catholic, but he argued against the change and pushed successfully to unite the group with a mainstream resistance cell that believed in equal rights for Jews. "When (the Nazis) are doing their best to try and atomize society and break down the bonds between Poles, Pilecki doesn't turn inwards, he doesn't retreat into his ethnicity or his class," Fairweather said. "He actually does the complete opposite, and begins to reach out to those around him." Then Pilecki got his first big mission: get arrested and sent to Auschwitz. At the time, the site run by Germany in occupied Poland was known to be a Nazi work camp for Polish prisoners of war. Pilecki was to gather information about conditions inside and organize a resistance cell, perhaps even an uprising. The dangerous mission was voluntary; he could have refused. On Sept. 18, 1940, he placed himself in the middle of a Gestapo sweep and was sent to Auschwitz. Nothing could have prepared him for the brutality he found. As he leaped out of a train car with hundreds of other men, he was beaten with clubs. Ten men were randomly pulled from the group and shot. Another man was asked his profession; when he said he was a doctor, he was beaten to death. Anyone who was educated or Jewish was beaten. Those remaining were robbed of their valuables, stripped, shaved, assigned a number and prison stripes, and then marched out to stand in the first of many roll calls. "Let none of you imagine that he will ever leave this place alive," an SS guard announced. "The rations have been calculated so that you will only survive six weeks." The mass gassings that came to define the Holocaust had yet to begin, but the crematorium was up and running. The only way out of Auschwitz, another guard said, was through the chimney. Thus began 2 years of misery. As Pilecki and other prisoners starved, lice and bedbugs feasted on them. Typhus outbreaks regularly ranged through the camp. Work assignments were exhausting. Guards delighted in punishing them. Prisoners, in desperation, stole from and betrayed one another for scraps. Many killed themselves by leaping into the electrified fence. But slowly, Pilecki organized his underground. At first it was just a few men he knew from before. In the end, there were nearly a thousand. They formed a network to steal and distribute food and extra clothing, sabotage Nazi plans, hide injured and sick prisoners, and improve morale with a sense of brotherhood and regular news from the outside world. "With almost a thousand men by 1942, and - barring for one incident with a Gestapo spy - not one of Pilecki's men betrayed each other, in extraordinary circumstances of starvation and violence," Fairweather said. "He built something really powerful in that camp." Starting in October 1940, the underground worked together to smuggle messages to the resistance outside. The first was sent via prisoner Aleksander Wielopolski. In Auschwitz's early days, a few prisoners were able to secure their release if their families paid big enough bribes. Wielopolski was one of those few. Rather than risk smuggling out a paper report, Pilecki had him memorize it. Once free, Wielopolski passed the message on to Pilecki's friends in the resistance. Pilecki never knew whether his reports reached the Allies, but Fairweather and his researchers were able to track down how they were smuggled across Europe to the highest levels in London. His first message was blunt: Bomb Auschwitz. Even if it meant killing everyone inside, himself included, it would be merciful. Conditions were horrifying, and the Nazis had to be stopped, he implored. The British considered Pilecki's request in early 1941, Fairweather found, but ultimately decided against it. The United States had not yet entered the war, and the British Royal Air Force was down to fewer than 200 planes, all of which lacked radar. It would have stretched the limits of their fuel capacity. And the British had no precedent to take action for humanitarian reasons. Over the next two years, Pilecki continued to send messages to London via risky escapes by his men and notes passed to Polish farmers neighboring the camp. Each message was more dire: The Nazis were conducting disgusting medical experiments on patients in the camp hospital. The Nazis killed thousands of Soviet POWs in a mass execution. The Nazis were testing a way to gas prisoners en masse. The camp was expanding. Huge trainloads of Jews were being gassed and cremated. Hundreds of thousands of men, women and children were being murdered. "Pilecki, by recording every step of the camp's evolution towards the Holocaust, he was in some ways grappling with the very essence of the Nazi's evil before anyone else," Fairweather said. Pilecki kept asking: Couldn't the Allies at least bomb the train lines leading to the gas chambers? Or create a distraction so the prisoners could try to rise up and escape? Fairweather said he gained a lot of sympathy for the British from their initial decision not to bomb the camp. But later, when the United States joined the war, bringing a far superior air force, continuing that decision "becomes untenable," he said. The Allies fell back on the original decision without considering that both the necessity and their capabilities had changed. Not bombing Auschwitz is "one of history's great might-have-beens," Fairweather said. By spring 1943, it was clear the Allies weren't going to help the prisoners of Auschwitz. Without any outside help, an uprising would never succeed. Increasingly frail and in danger of being found out, Pilecki decided it was time for him to leave. It took months to plan, but he and two friends pulled off an incredible escape through the camp bakery in the early hours of April 27. From there, he sneaked into Warsaw, where he was briefly reunited with his wife and children. Pilecki began working for the resistance again, but the symptoms of what we might now call post-traumatic stress disorder dragged him down. He "struggled to connect" with his friends and family, according to Fairweather, and wrote day and night about the horrors he had witnessed. He even returned to Auschwitz after the war, where he found other former prisoners living in their old barracks and giving tours to the curious. In the summer of 1944, the Soviets were advancing on the German army, pushing them westward and out of Poland. The Polish resistance hoped to kick the Germans out of Warsaw ahead of the Soviets' arrival to re-establish a sovereign state. Pilecki was one of thousands who fought in the Warsaw Uprising, the largest action taken by a European resistance group in World War II. In the end, the Soviets held back their advance so the Nazis could crush the Poles. Then they swooped in and took over. The Soviets liberated Auschwitz on Jan. 27, 1945. By then, 1.1 million people had been killed there, most of them Jews. "For a lot of us in the West, we think of May 1945 as the end of the Second World War in Europe, and parades and so on," Fairweather said. "Pilecki's story is a powerful reminder that what happened in Eastern Europe was the Allies gave (Soviet leader Joseph) Stalin a free hand to occupy and subjugate half of continental Europe. And the war didn't end for so many people." Poland would spend the next four decades as a communist puppet state behind the Iron Curtain. But Pilecki didn't see much of it. He remained loyal to the idea of a free Polish republic and continued sending messages to British intelligence. He was arrested by communist authorities in 1947, tortured repeatedly and executed as an enemy of the state the next year. According to a Polish newspaper, as he was led to his death, he said, "I've been trying to live my life so that in the hour of my death I would rather feel joy than fear." Pilecki's reports remained hidden away in Polish archives until the 1990s. Now he has been showered with posthumous awards and hailed as the hero he was. A documentary about him is scheduled for release this year. He is also a symbol of the way many Poles were forced to bury their war experiences for decades, Fairweather said, comparing it to if the American heroes of D-Day had been treated as traitors and pariahs. That reckoning continued as leaders from all over the world gathered in Israel on Thursday to commemorate the liberation of Auschwitz. In attendance was Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has recently spread misinformation about the Poles during World War II. He was given a top speaking role at the ceremony, prompting Polish President Andrzej Duda to boycott the event. Duda is expected to attend a commemoration ceremony at Auschwitz on Monday. Zofia and Andrzej, now 86 and 88, will not be there, Fairweather said - they prefer to honor their father on the day of his execution. For years under communism, Zofia would light a candle alone outside the prison walls where her father was killed. Last year, hundreds of people joined her. President Muhammadu Buhari had slammed Theophilus Danjuma, retired general, saying his opinion doesnt matter than that of millions of Nigerians who voted for his reelection in 2019. Buhari said this in an interview with The Interview by email released in Abuja on Saturday. A press statement issued by Azu Ishiekwene, MD/editor-in-chief of The Interview, on Sunday, highlighted some of the presidents comments in the interview. The president was asked how he felt about the vote of no confidence expressed by Danjuma during a recent book launch in Ibadan, but his(Buhari) response was: And what is the vote of confidence of Nigerians in me, as expressed in the polls last year? That is what matters more, not the opinion of one man. Read Also: If I Talk About Nigeria, Nobody Will Sleep Again: TY Danjuma Danjuma started recently that if he says what he knows about happenings in the government, Nigerians would lose sleep. Reacting to the comment, which sparked a debate among Nigerians at the time, Buhari said his re-election was a vindication of his voters confidence and support for him and his governments policies. On his relationship with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, he said things were perfect, between them. He was asked to rate his relationship with his deputy on a scale of one to 10. But the President replied: Perfect. Or has he complained to you? Turkish conglomerate Cengiz has confirmed it is ready to swoop on British Steel as rescue talks with Chinese group Jingye have stalled. Jingye had agreed to buy the steelmaker, which collapsed in May, saving 4,000 jobs and another 20,000 in the supply chain, but it has reached an impasse over charges imposed by Associated British Ports, whose Immingham terminal in Lincolnshire imports British Steels materials. Turkish conglomerate Cengiz eyes up British Steel as talks with Jingye go nowhere Omer Mafa, Cengiz Holdings chief executive, said last night: British Steel is an important asset and we are watching developments closely, and are ready to make a bid for the whole of British Steel. Cengiz, which was founded in 1969, has major interests in construction, energy, mining and tourism, with 60,000 employees and annual revenues of 5.4billion. It is the second Turkish company to show interest in British Steel, after talks between the company and Turkeys Armed Forces pension fund Oyak fell through last year. A magnificent display of India's cultural diversity through colourful parades across the length and breadth of the country marked the 71st Republic Day celebrations on Sunday which passed off peacefully, barring in Upper Assam, which was rocked by four explosions within a span of 10 minutes. The national capital was under a multi-layered, ground-to-air security cover with thousands of armed personnel, aided by dozens of drones and hundreds of CCTV cameras and facial recognition devices, keeping a tight vigil. In Guwahati, Governor Jagdish Mukhi hoisted the National Flag at the main function. He said the Assam government is fully committed to the rights of indigenous people though he did not mention the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in his speech. Meanwhile, four powerful explosions - three in Dibrugarh and one in Charaideo districts - rocked Upper Assam between 8.15 and 8.25 am, a police officer said. But there has been no report of any casualty, he said. According to sources, the explosions were suspected to be the handiwork of the ULFA(Independent), but nothing has been established as yet. The ULFA(I), along with several other proscribed outfits in the Northeast, had called for a boycott of the Republic Day celebrations. "India's diversity strengthens us. We are proud that so many cultures live happily in India. We saw some glimpses of India's diversity during the Republic Day Parade today," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted. In J&K, the Day was celebrated with traditional fervour across the Jammu region with Lt Governor G C Murmu unfurling the national flag at the main function in Jammu. This was the first Republic Day after Jammu and Kashmir's special status was withdrawn on August 5 last year and the erstwhile state was divided into two Union Territories. Murmu unfurled the tricolour at the jam-packed Maulana Azad Stadium, inspected the parade and took salute at an impressive march-past. In Telangana, Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan said in her speech that the state stood first in many sectors, but it was lagging behind in literacy. "The government will soon announce an action-plan to make the state fully literate. I urge all people to participate in this movement," she said. AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi hoisted the tricolour and read the Preamble of the Constitution in the old city of Hyderabad, party sources said. Meanwhile, the national carrier Air India celebrated the 71st Republic Day by distributing 30,000 Indian flags made of eco-friendly seed paper among its passengers at airports in metro cities and Srinagar on Sunday. The airlines also put up a big hoarding at the historic Lal Chowk in the heart of Srinagar to congratulate the people on Republic Day. In Kerala, leading the Republic Day celebrations, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said Indianness has been rooted in diversity and in acceptance of which the country has always sheltered the persecuted people of the world. Khan unfurled the national flag at the state-level celebration. Mosques under the Wakf Board and the Latin churches hoisted the national flag and read out the preamble to the Constitution after the routine prayer. In Chhattisgarh, in her Republic Day address at the Police Parade grounds in Raipur, Governor Anusuiya Uikey said Naxal violence and other crimes have declined in the state due to vigilant police force and several initiatives in justice delivery. In Gujarat, daredevil stunts performed by police personnel on motorcycles and horses, tableaux showing achievements of the state and cultural events marked the Republic Day event held at Rajkot in Saurashtra. A group of senior citizens and children unfurled the tricolour by standing in sea water off Porbandar coast, while students of Jamnagar took out a 'tiranga yatra' holding 111-metre long national flag. In Uttar Pradesh, 71 contingents comprising the army, paramilitary, police and schoolchildren dressed in uniforms and attires marched through the streets here to celebrate the 71st Republic Day. Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit led the celebrations in the state, unfurling the national flag at the Marina. In Meghalaya, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma shared with people his government's vision for the state for the next 10 years. In a departure from tradition, the chief minister unfurled the Tricolour as Governor Tathagata Roy was currently on leave. Sikkim Governor Ganga Prasad said the state has become a model for others to emulate for maintaining peace and harmony. MP Chief Minister Kamal Nath said connecting people's hearts is the culture of India as well as the Congress, and those trying to go against it and the Constitution will be dealt with firmly. Andhra Pradesh is poised to march on the path of inclusive growth through decentralisation of administration, Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan said. The Republic Day was celebrated with fanfare in Karnataka with an eye-catching march past, cultural events and breathtaking stunts by the defence personnel marking the state-level event at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground here. In West Bengal, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar unfurled the tricolour and presided over a ceremonial march past by armed forces at Red Road in the state capital. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who attended the programme along with her cabinet colleagues, greeted the governor, after the conclusion of the programme. Punjab, Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh joined the nation in celebrating the 71st Republic Day. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Authorities have set up three screening camps at separate locations along the India-Nepal border in West Bengals Darjeeling district in view of the coronavirus outbreak that has killed 56 people in China. Officials said the camps have been set up as there could be some Nepalese nationals who may travel to India after having visited China recently. Darjeeling borders Nepal. Thousands of people crossover to Darjeeling from Nepal daily for trade, tourism, and health care. Chief medical officer (Darjeeling) Praloy Acharya said they have displayed notices at these camps, asking those suffering from fever and cough to report for a checkup. The staff posted at the camps have been instructed to send those detected with coronavirus related symptoms to the nearest hospitals. An isolation ward has also been created at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital in Siliguri, the largest referral hospital near the India-Nepal border, said Acharya. An officer of the Sashatra Seema Bal, which mans the India-Nepal border, said they were closely monitoring the movement of people and assisting the health department. A Siliguri businessman, who visited China six months ago, said many local traders regularly visit that country and some of them return via Nepal. Since there are no direct flights between [the regions main] Bagdogra airport and any Chinese city, people have to take flights from Kolkata, Delhi or Kathmandu [Nepal]. One cannot rule out the risk of infection, said the businessman, who did not want to be named. Union health minister Harsh Vardhan has written to all state chief ministers, requesting their personal intervention in reviewing preparedness for control and management of coronavirus. Central teams will visit seven states, including West Bengal, where screening is being done at airports in view of the outbreak. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON After one year in captivity, the remaining Dapchi schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu, has been delivered of baby boy. According to Sahara Reporters, Leah was forced to accept Islam before she was married off to a Boko Haram commander while in captivity. Leah, the only Christian student among the kidnapped students from Government Secondary School, Dapchi, Adamawa State, refused to denounce her faith and was denied freedom in 2018. Despite calls for her release, the terrorists vowed to keep her as a slave for life. Meanwhile, the Federal Government has continued insist that the theyre in talks with Boko Haram leaders for Leahs release. Share this: The Congress in Madhya Pradesh was left red-faced on Sunday after two leaders brawled in Indore ahead of the Republic Day flag hoisting ceremony by chief minister Kamal Nath. On camera, Devendra Singh Yadav and Chandu Kunjir slapped each other outside the Gandhi Bhawan the Congress party office - in Indore. They were separated by the police and other Congress workers. It is not clear what sparked the dispute between the two men but they had been arguing before they started hitting each other. Shortly after the fracas, chief minister Nath reached the site and unfurled the tricolour. #WATCH Madhya Pradesh: Two Congress leaders, Devendra Singh Yadav and Chandu Kunjir, entered into a brawl during the flag hoisting ceremony during #RepublicDay celebrations at the party office in Indore. They were later calmed down with the help of police intervention. pic.twitter.com/Q9NcEJ3Sw5 ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2020 Both Yadav and Kunjir are relative lightweights in the Congress. Kunjir and his supporters were later escorted out by the police. The Congress which returned to power in Madhya Pradesh after 15 years in December 2018 has been dogged by factionalism in the state where loyalties of party workers are divided among chief minister Kamal Nath, former chief minister Digvijaya Singh and former MP Jyotitraditya Scindia. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Amy Wasyluka was one of the many women who showed up to run for state and local offices in Alabama in the 2018 election. She lost the election for State Senate District 2 to Republican candidate Tom Butler, but that didnt stop her efforts to get more women elected to office in the future. Today she serves as the president of the Alabama Democratic Women, the official Alabama chapter of the National Federation of Democratic Women that received its charter last April. The ADWs inaugural conference, held Saturday at the Hoover Country Club, brought together more than 200 women across the state to discuss how to move the state Democratic party forward and how Alabama Democrats can better support women. We all come into the party for different reasons, Wasyluka said. And this is a wonderful way to bring everybody from all their different silos under one roof to talk about how we move forward together, because were all rowing in the same direction, even if the way we got here was different. The event consisted of two panels, a surprise video from 2020 presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren that received cheers from across the room, and a keynote speech from Rep. Merika Coleman. Shelia Smoot, former journalist and the first African American woman and youngest person to serve on the Jefferson County Commission, encouraged women in the room to remain united within the party, but warned them to be careful for what you sign up for, acknowledging the social repercussions women in Alabama politics can face. Be careful they will pick on your child...Be careful because they will arrest you. Be careful what you sign up for, Smoot said. Getting a group of dynamic, powerful womenIll tell you who needs to be careful, the state of Alabama. During the panel addressing what the Democratic party can do to support women, Rep. Merika Coleman addressed the divide felt within the party after Chris England was voted chair of the state party. We have some healing to do in the Alabama Democratic Party and the Alabama Democratic caucuses, Coleman said. Whatever I can do to serve in the capacity to heal that wound, Im here for it. But its the men that need to work on it too, so we can beat the Republicans. Coleman highlighted the bills passed by the women in the Alabama legislature last session, including Rep. Adline Clarks, D-Mobile, passage of the equal pay bill and Rep. Linda Coleman-Madisons, D-Birmingham, bill requiring prisons to provide incarcerated women feminine hygiene products. And she pointed to the bills Democratic women should be looking out for this session, including the bill named for Aniah Blanchard that would set up an alert system for missing people ages 18-64 and the extreme risk protection order, which would remove guns from people who show signs of harming themselves or others. I hope (ADW conference attendees) take away that we are all in it together that this is an organization that is there to support Democratic women, Wasyluka said. And that no matter what our differences are, we are here to support each other and make sure that we make progress in Alabama going forward. The Congress-led Punjab government on Sunday said it will distribute free smartphones to the youth in the state, one of its key poll promises, before March 31. The Amarinder Singh government had last month announced that it will start distributing the phones from the Republic Day. "I think that is all in the pipeline. Some testing was left. That is why it cannot be launched otherwise we would have rolled them out on January 26," Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla said on Sunday. "I hope they will be launched before March 31," Singla told reporters in Patiala when he was asked about the government's announcement of giving smartphones on the Republic Day. The minister was in Patiala to unfurl the national flag on the occasion of the 71st Republic Day. On December 2, the chief minister had tweeted, "This 26th Jan, when we celebrate the Republic Day, we will start the 1st Phase of the smartphone distribution. 1st batch of 1.6 lakh smartphones will be given to girl students of Class 11 & 12. Hoping that these phones will help them in their studies & make them more tech-savvy". He had said that mobile phones would be distributed among Class 11 and 12 girl students of government schools in the state. Before coming to power, the Congress had announced in its poll manifesto that in order to "encourage and incentivise" youth to use digital technology in day-to-day lives, it would distribute free smartphones. The opposition has been vociferously criticising the Congress government for not honouring its major polls promises, including distribution of free smartphones. The state government had announced its 'Mobile Phones to the Youth' scheme, in line with its poll promise, in its budget for the financial year 2017-18. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Writing about sexual morality in the mid-twentieth century, C.S. Lewis concluded that the world's "great relaxation and simplifying" of the rules of modesty, or standards of propriety, while not necessarily a bad thing, presents this "inconvenience." He wrote: "People of different ages and different types do not all acknowledge the same standard, and [thus] we hardly know where we are." Lewis goes on to point out: There is no getting away from it: the old Christian rule is, "Either marriage, with complete faithfulness to your partner, or else total abstinence." Now this is so difficult and so contrary to our instincts, that obviously either Christianity is wrong or our sexual instinct, as it now is [remember, "now" was the mid-twentieth century], has gone wrong. One or the other. Of course, being a Christian, I think it is the instinct which has gone wrong. Lewis was and is right. Note that our sexual instinct has gone so wrong that Lewis's clear declaration of Christian sexual morality published in one of the greatest works of modern apologetics, Mere Christianity is now, in the early twenty-first century, somewhat insufficient. This is because the God-haters, and those otherwise devoted to a "theology of self," have now perverted the oldest institution in the history of humanity: marriage. In other words, we are today so far removed from the "same standard" when it comes to matters in the sexual realm that many in the world today have little to no idea "where we are" on marriage. If he were writing or speaking today, Lewis would need to clarify that, by "marriage," he means the biblical definition of marriage. Tragically, this would be the case even if his audience were church-going Americans. No other issue today has so divided Christendom than matters concerning homosexuality. Even the Roe v. Wade decision which, in 1973, legalized abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy did not so quickly or so decidedly corrupt Christians, Christianity, and the church as has the evil LGBT agenda. As recently as just over a decade ago 2009 U.S. states were 31 for 31 in their rejection of same-sex "marriage." Whenever an electorate was given a choice, by an average rate of more than two to one 67.5% to 32.5% American voters said no to same-sex "marriage" and yes to marriage as defined in Scripture. As I noted at the time, the rejection of gay "marriage" occurred not only in conservative states, but in some very liberal ones as well, such as Maine, California, Oregon, and Hawaii. Purple states such as Ohio, Colorado, and Nevada also soundly rejected gay "marriage." Barely over a decade ago, across the U.S., from the Deep South to the Northeast to the Midwest to the West Coast, Americans united behind biblical marriage. According to the Pew Research Center, in 2004, Americans opposed same-sex "marriage" by a margin of 60% to 31%. By 2019, those numbers were almost exactly reversed. According to Pew, Americans now support same-sex "marriage" by a margin of 61% to 31%. Gallup polling shows similar trends: in 1996, Americans opposed the legalization of same-sex "marriage" 68% to 27%. By 2019, Gallup showed Americans supporting same-sex "marriage" 63% to 36%. How did this happen? How was there such a vast reversal on homosexuality and marriage in such a short period of time? Several things were at work in order to get millions of Americans to abandon long held views on marriage: an organized and determined LGBT agenda; a vast and like-minded media; like-minded federal judges; the Democratic Party; and, most tragically, churches unwilling or unequipped to fight for the truth on these grave issues. It is a common misperception that churches and Christians in general spend a lot of time talking about sex. Last year, Decision magazine a publication of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association reported: The Bible is very clear in its teaching about two of the most controversial issues we face today homosexuality and abortion. According to researcher George Barna, 90 percent of pastors recognize that the Bible speaks to these issues. But fewer than 10 percent are actually teaching what the Bible says about them! Given the rampant sexual sin in our culture much of it leading to death (abortion, disease, and the like) and the significance of marriage the lifetime union of one man and one woman one would think pastors, Sunday school teachers, church youth leaders, evangelists, Christian media, Christian politicians, Christian celebrities, Christian parents, and the like would give great time and effort to telling the truth on what are undoubtedly some of the most important moral issues of our time. Sadly, I believe that this has not been the case, and it's time for this to change. Now, perhaps more than at any other moment in history, it's time for Christians to be explicitly even graphically clear that the only rightful place for sex is within marriage. This is especially the case when it comes to our young people. Christians must be explicit that marriage is only the lifelong union of one man and one woman (as revealed "in the beginning"!). Christians must be explicitly clear that any deviation from these truths homosexuality, "shacking up," fornication, pornography, etc. is sin. These truths must be loudly and plainly proclaimed in pulpits, classrooms, living rooms, board rooms, legislative houses, and the like. Decades of shying away from telling such truths is one of the biggest reasons why we are where we are on sexual matters in our culture. It's not just the media, the courts, corporations, and much of our government who have become agents of the enemy in this fight. Even the church itself has fallen to corruption as the result of sexual sin. The Methodist Church sits on the verge of a massive split because so many Methodists are completely lost when it comes to sexual sin. Many other denominations and individual congregations have recently seen similar splits over sexual sin. As C.S. Lewis's fictional demon Screwtape taught us, this is what results when fewer and fewer Americans are willing "to contend with the explicit repentance of a definite, fully recognized, sin." When the church becomes so corrupted, there's no doubt that even further corruption awaits the culture. Not long after many so-called Christians embraced same-sex "marriage," America soon descended even farther into the pit of sexual sin. Along with debating what is marriage, truth-loving Americans now have to debate and defend the truth on who is a male and who is a female! As a result of the evil "transgender" agenda, in a matter of only a handful of years, we have seen males take trophies from females; men and boys invade women's and girl's bathrooms and locker rooms; people facing prison, fines, and job loss because of the supposed misuse of pronouns; government schools embracing "transgenderism"; government libraries hosting "Drag Queen Story Hour"; corporations promoting "transgender" lies; the demand for tampons in men's rooms; state taxpayers forced to pay for "transgender" surgeries (dozens of Democrat-led states now force this ignorant evil on taxpayers); and so on (for a comprehensive list of such evil, see here). Again, where is the church on this grave matter? I'm sure that most Christians never imagined that they would have to defend the truth about something a child can be made to understand, but this is where the world is, and we must meet it there, with the truth. To my fellow believers, I say, properly equip yourselves, and get in this battle! Trevor Grant Thomas: At the Intersection of Politics, Science, Faith, and Reason. Trevor is the author of the The Miracle and Magnificence of America. Joining the rest of the nation, the mountainous northeastern state celebrated the nation's 71st Republic Day with the Governor unfurling the national flag at the state civil secretariat plaza and taking the salute at the parade. Kohima, Jan 26 (IANS) Nagaland Governor Ravindra Narayana Ravi on Sunday said that "some people with guns" have tried to undermine the historical reality of Nagaland and its unique constitutional status. "Power through the barrel of a gun has been proved to be a failed ideology," said Ravi, who is also the Centre's interlocutor for the Naga peace talks. He said: "We should resolve our differences through peaceful dialogue, not under the shadow of guns. Guns and corruption, are twin evils and have taken a toll on the Naga people." The Governor also said that while the rest of the country, including India's neighbours along the northeast are marching towards greater prosperity, the people in Nagaland, are still craving for basic needs like motorable roads, functioning healthcare and schools with qualified teachers. He called for the building of a "new Nagaland". "The Nagaland government is prioritising improving the condition of the roads, creating good health and education infrastructure, livelihood projects, information technology networks and a conducive eco-system for innovation and entrepreneurship," Ravi said. Later, he presented the Governor's Commendation Certificate and the Union Home Minister's Medal for excellence in police training in indoor and outdoor categories to the awardees. Besides the cultural presentation, a Taekwondo drill display, Bhangra dance, contemporary dance and fusion music featured in the celebrations here. sc/bc 11:20 | Moquegua (Moquegua region), Jan. 26. Speaking from Moquegua, his hometown region where he traveled to cast his vote, the Head of State said that today Peruvians have the responsibility to elect through a conscious and responsible vote the new legislators for the 2020-2021 period. "I expect a quite active and massive participation from citizens. I hope everyone will, just as Peruvian nationals abroad, who are already casting their vote in a massive and enthusiastic way due to the time difference," he stated. A University of Oxford history professor assigned security guards to protect her from transgender activists has warned democracy is under threat. Feminist Selina Todd was given protection by the university after online threats were made against her. The St Hildas College academic has been accused of transphobia over her opposition to legislative changes that would enable men to instantly identify as women. She vehemently rejects the accusation. Professor Selina Todd (pictured), a historian who specialises in the lives of women, said she had now been provided with 'routine security' Speaking on Radio 4s Today programme yesterday, Professor Todd said: In the world today, democracy is under threat and we all have to defend the right of people to freedom of speech and freedom of debate. As a historian, I know that its absolutely not the case that you can say, Well transpeoples rights matter more than womens rights so youve all got to shut up. Thats not how democracies work. Professor Todd said Oxfords history faculty received complaints on a daily basis from activists calling for her to be sacked. She previously faced a complaint, backed by a Facebook petition, about comments she made on social media. The complaint was dismissed by the university. Yesterday she described a campaign of stealth against me within academia from academic scholars as well as students which led me to feel very vulnerable. The two guards take her to lecture halls, check she is not being followed, and then sit at the back so students see them when they arrive. She is one of a number of academics who fear their freedom of speech is being silenced by students complaining they are transphobic. The academic, who said she was now being accompanied by 'two big burly guys' to her lectures, claimed complaints were made because of the teaching of her version of feminist history. Pictured: Radcliffe Camera building in Oxford city centre Feminist writer Julie Bindel was verbally abused, lunged at and almost hit in the face after an Edinburgh University meeting on womens sex-based rights. And associate professor Chloe Houston, who lectures in early modern drama at Reading University, has spoken about claims against her by students that she was breaching a safe space for trans students simply by her presence. Merton College, Oxford, was also criticised last week for its plans for a debate on transgender issues that required attendees to sign a code of conduct stating they must not express views intended to undermine the validity of trans identities. The plans have since been replaced with a statement in favour of free speech. Last night the University of Oxford said: When staff raise concerns with us, the university will always review the circumstances and offer appropriate support to ensure their safety and freedom of expression. At least five students of a government-aided school in West Bengals North 24-Parganas district were allegedly beaten up by locals on Friday when they staged a roadblock, demanding that prayers should be offered to Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning, on January 29. The protesting students included girls and many boys from the junior section of the co-educational Chauhata Adarsha Vidyapith under the Haroa police station area in Basirhat. Though no one was hospitalised, two students were left with bleeding injuries, eyewitnesses said. No police complaint was recorded till Sunday afternoon. Ganesh Sardar, an English teacher, alleged that the crowd entered the school, looking for him. Some teachers hid me inside a ladies toilet to save me. Had the district administration not acted on time, the situation could have gone worse. The officer-in-charge of Haroa police station saved me, said Sardar. He alleged that he became a target because he is the district general secretary of a teachers body affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). I insisted that let both Nabi Diwas (Prophets day) and Saraswati Puja be held again, he said. State minister and district president of the ruling Trinamool Congress Jyoti Priya Mallick said he was not aware of the details. Before commenting I have to gather information, Mallick said. The puja was stopped, allegedly under pressure from local people, in 2009, the year Chauhata Adarsha Vidyapith turned 50. About 75% of the 1700-odd students of the school are Muslims while most of the teachers are Hindus. The puja was stopped in 2009 under disturbing circumstances when local people and students objected to holding Nabi Diwas in the school. To ensure peace, some residents of this area and the school authorities decided not to hold either inside the premises, Himangshu Sekhar Mondal, who joined the school as the headmaster in July 2019, said. Mondal said students had approached him a few days ago for restoring the puja, which he thought might lead to trouble. He then referred the matter to the schools managing committee. The committee told me that in view of the security issue, it could not reach any decision. I cannot say whether Saraswati puja will be held or not. I hope there is no fresh trouble on Monday, Mondal added. Mondal said that during Fridays agitation someone locked the school gates from outside. The crowds surrounded the school and traffic came to a standstill. The students possibly sustained the injury in a stampede-like situation. I did not see anyone beat them up. I was inside the school throughout the incident. The disturbance was going on outside, he said. A police officer, who rushed to the spot and did not want to be named, said while speaking to HT that tension ran high and that they had a tough time tackling the situation. Shankar Sinha, officer-in-charge of Haroa police station, refused to give details of the incident. The situation is under control, was all that he said. The Bharatiya Janata Partys state unit general secretary Sayantan Basu criticised the attack. This is most unfortunate. I have repeatedly said that this part of the North 24-Parganas is infested with illegal migrants from Bangladesh. Fridays incident is a proof, Basu said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah have repeatedly said at public meetings that people cannot perform Durga and Saraswati pujas in many parts of West Bengal. Both held chief minister Mamata Banerjee responsible for this. If you wish to celebrate Durga Puja or Saraswati Puja in West Bengal, you will be attacked by goons. Should we go to celebrate these festivals in Pakistan? Amit Shah had said during a rally in the state before the Lok Sabha polls in 2019. Basirhat and Baduria witnessed communal riots in July 2017 over a Facebook photo posted from a teenagers account. Numerous houses and shops were torched. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON An Israeli woman has submitted a petition to be pardoned by President Vladimir Putin. Naama Issachar's lawyer said the request was filed following a statement by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov that she couldn't be pardoned without making a personal appeal, according to news agency Tass. The 26-year-old backpacker was arrested in April at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, where she was transferring en route from India to Israel. Israeli woman, Naama Issachar, 26, has submitted a petition to be pardoned by President Vladimir Putin. Issachar is seen gesturing during an appeal hearings in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, on December 19, 2019 Issachar's lawyer said the request was filed following a statement by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov that she couldn't be pardoned without making a personal appeal While in Israel for a Holocaust forum, Putin met Thursday with Issachar's mother, Yaffa (pictured), and told her 'everything will be all right' Russian authorities said more than nine grams of hashish were found in her luggage. She was sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison. Israeli leaders deemed the sentence excessive, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appealed to Putin to pardon Issachar. While in Israel for a Holocaust forum, Putin met Thursday with Issachar's mother and told her 'everything will be all right'. However, the Russian leader also indicated that a final decision on the pardon was yet to be made. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Issachar herself had to petition for a pardon because Russian law requires that step for the presidential pardon to be granted. It 'stalls the situation,' Perskov said. The 26-year-old backpacker was arrested in April at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, where she was transferring en route from India to Israel Issachar's mother Yaffa Issachar (left) and sister Liad Goldberg (right) wait at Issachar's appeal hearings in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, on December 19, 2019 'How can (the president) pardon (her), if the young woman herself isn't asking for it? In this situation, certain formalities need to be observed,' Peskov told reporters on Friday. Last week, Israeli media linked Issachar's possible pardon with the reported decision to pass control of the Alexander courtyard in Jerusalem's Old City to Russia. Russian officials denied any connection. The Alexander courtyard, which was bought by Russia in 1859, is meters from Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulcher. It is one of several Jerusalem properties Moscow claims, and the dispute over it has been a source of friction between the usually friendly Israel and Russia. Machine-gun shots have been heard on the streets of a French city this evening as it was claimed a 'shootout' took place between rival gangs. Repeated 'heavy gunfire' bursts were let off in the city of Nimes in southern France after armed men were seen in the area. Social media videos showed several people running through the street as shots rang out at around 8.30pm. Initial reports suggested the shooting could have been linked to gangs operating in the area. Residents in a suburb of Pissevin district in the city claimed gang members shot at a building occupied by a rival group. Several people were seen fleeing from the area after 'heavy gunfire' was heard in the French city of Nimes at around 8.30pm Residents in the area claimed the 'shootout' was linked to rival gangs shooting at a building trying to intimidate each other The 'shootout' was designed to 'intimidate' the other gang as part of a long-running feud, according to local media reports. It was claimed one or two people were seen roaming the streets armed with Kalashnikov machine guns. In one video posted online, figures could be running from the notorious block of apartments in the district. Armed police have been deployed to the area along with scientific forensic teams, local media report. The notorious block of apartments in the Pissevin district of Nimes where repeated machine-gun fire was heard in a suspected gang feud One witness told how his wife was caught up in the shooting as she was in the street nearby when repeated bursts of '30 and 40 seconds' went off. He told Objectif Gard: 'She found herself stuck in the middle of the gunshots, with guys running from everywhere shooting, she was left crying and in distress.' No injuries have yet been reported to nearby hospitals. Reports of gunfire in the district have been on the rise in recent months, according to local media. Two men were killed and at least four other people were wounded in a shooting early Sunday morning at a bar in South Carolina, according to the authorities. The shooting took place at Macs Lounge in Hartsville, according to the Darlington County coroner, Todd Hardee. A person did all this shooting, Mr. Hardee said in an interview. We are still trying to figure it out. The two men died at the scene, he said. The authorities said on Monday that two people had been arrested in connection with the shooting. One man, Darius Grant Dickey, was charged with four counts of attempted murder and several other charges, said Lauren Baker, a spokeswoman for the Hartsville Police Department. A judge denied bail for him, she said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 26 Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops 23 times, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on Jan. 26, Trend reports. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Banned outfit ULFA (Independent) has claimed responsibility for the four powerful explosions in Assam earlier on Sunday prior to Republic Day celebrations in the state. The ULFA(I), in a statement signed by Lt Joy Asom of its Publicity Department, claimed that all the four blasts were carried out by the outfit. The Paresh Barua-led ULFA(I), along with a few other militant outfits of the Northeast, had called for a boycott of the Republic Day celebrations in the region. Three blasts had taken place in Dibrugarh and one in Charaideo districts of Upper Assam in a span of 10 minutes -- between 8.15 and 8.25 am on Sunday, a police officer said. There has been no report of any casualty, as Republic Day being a holiday, people were mostly indoors, he said. The first blast was reported outside a shop at Teokghat in Sonari police station area of Charaideo district. Three explosions followed soon after in Dibrugarh district -- two at Graham Bazar and AT Road, beside a gurudwara, and another at the oil town of Duliajan Tiniali, just 100 metres from the local police station, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Padmanabh Barua told PTI. CCTV footages available at Duliajan Tiniali showed two motorcycle-borne youths lobbing a grenade and speeding away, the ASP explained. The blasts at Graham Bazar and AT Road were carried out with time-induced Improvised Explosive Devices, he stated. Taking to Twitter, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condemned the blasts and vowed to take strong action against the culprits. "Strongly condemn the bomb blasts in a few places of Assam. This cowardly attempt to create terror on a sacred day only exhibits the frustration of the terror groups after their total rejection by the people. Our Govt will take the sternest action to bring the culprits to book," he tweeted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Advertisement Wuhan is bracing for a further 1,000 coronavirus patients as Beijing warned the the deadly bug is more contagious than SARS during the incubation stage. The mayor of the disease-plagued city Zhou Xianwan said officials are stepping up construction of specialised hospitals to deal with infection victims. It came after Beijing's health minister assured face-masked reporters that authorities have cranked up efforts to stop the spread of disease after conceding their knowledge of how it mutates is limited. Ma Xiaowei said 'it seems like the ability of the virus to spread is getting stronger' and added that the administration will continue to curb transport links and scrap planned public gatherings. More than 2,000 people have now been infected worldwide and 56 have been killed in China, sparking President Xi Jinping to yesterday issue an unprecedented warning of a 'grave situation'. Yet top health official Gao Fu said the coronavirus was 'not as powerful' as the SARS outbreak which rocked China in 2003, although it is becoming more contagious. While SARS-infected people were only contagious when their symptoms were showing, coronavirus victims can infect others during their incubation period which can be up to 14 days. Casting a large shadow over this morning's press conference was a video of nurse battling the outbreak who claimed the government is playing down the volume of the infections and said the true figure is 90,000. But regime authorities batted back accusations of a cover-up and insisted it had 'followed the principles of openness and transparency' since the coronavirus broke out in Wuhan, Hubei province, last week. And in a move to further project transparency, they announced daily press briefings on the threat posed by the virus starting tomorrow. Ma said he has 'maintained close communication with the World Health Organisation' and invited inspectors to examine the country's response. He also revealed Beijing is sharing information with other nations after the United States, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Australia, France and Canada all confirmed cases. Medical staff wearing clothing to protect against the coronavirus walk outside a hospital in Wuhan, which was where the infection broke out Members of the media have their temperature checked before attending a news conference by the State Council Information Office about the outbreak of the new coronavirus in Beijing Director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Gao Fu speaks during a State Council Information Office press conference A woman wearing a protective facemask returns from a market in Wuhan which is on lock-down following the spread of cornnavirus This map shows all the areas where coronavirus has been identified so far, including Canada Can tourists still travel to China? Flights to and from the China are still available, but tourists will be hamstrung in their ability to travel. The UK Foreign Office has advised against all travel to the Hubei province where the coronavirus spawned. The eastern city of Wuhan is under lock-down and the government has enforced an effective travel ban. Four cities - including Beijing, Shanghai, and the eastern province of Shandong - announced bans on long-distance buses from entering or leaving their borders. Cruise operators including Royal Caribbean Cruises, and Costa Cruises said they had cancelled a combined 12 cruises that had been scheduled to embark from Chinese ports before Feb 2. Many cinemas across China were closed with major film premieres postponed. Shanghai Disneyland, which expected 100,000 visitors daily through the holiday period, has already closed. Airports around the world have stepped up screening of passengers from China, although some health officials and experts have questioned the effectiveness of these efforts. Advertisement As governments in China, Britain and around the world double down efforts fend off the virus: Home Secretary Priti Patel did not deny UK plans to airlift stranded British nationals in quarantined Wuhan; Shanghai became the latest Chinese city to halt long-distance bus services over contagion fears; The Chinese government ordered a temporary ban on the trade in wild animals fearing the virus spawned in a food market; Health authorities in China said it was suffering a protective suit shortage and was importing stock from other countries; Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he was working with Chinese authorities to arrange a charter flight for any Japanese nationals who wish to return from Wuhan; Hong Kong closed Disneyland over fears it could spread the virus; Paris-based Chinese associations have cancelled a Lunar New Year parade following the coronavirus epidemic, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo said Sunday; patient in California's Orange County was Saturday confirmed as the third person on US soil infected with the new deadly virus. Ma's insistence of transparency came after the unnamed woman's warning from the heart of the outbreak. Speaking in video footage seen online, the unnamed woman says: 'I'm in the area where the coronavirus started. I'm here to tell the truth. At this moment, Hubei province, including Wuhan area, even China, 90,000 people have been infected by coronavirus.' Despite China being initially praised for its transparency in managing the situation, critics have now claimed that officials are scrubbing the internet of videos that reveal the true situation. However, the nurse's report has been viewed almost two million times on YouTube. In the footage, she warns people not to go outside and to refrain from celebrating the Chinese New Year. She said: 'I would like to say that everyone who is currently watching this video should not go outside. Don't party. Do not eat out. Once a year, we celebrate Chinese New Year. If you are safe now, you will be able to meet your family again healthy next year.' The unnamed woman issued the warning in a social media video, saying she is working in Hubei province which includes the Wuhan area An ambulance driver, wearing protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly SARS-like virus which originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan Top health official Gao Fu (pictured) said the coronavirus was 'not as powerful' as the SARS outbreak which rocked China in 2003 Medical team members heading to Wuhan to reinforce hospitals fighting the coronavirus outbreak prepare to board the train at Nanjing South Railway Station in Nanjing City Tourists from an Air China flight from Beijing wear protective masks as they arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, France, which has confirmed three cases Making a desperate plea for supplies, she said: 'We don't care what the government says. I will tell you through social media. Everyone, please donate masks, glasses and clothes to Wuhan. 'Please help us. Please donate disposable goggles, disposable masks and disposable clothing. Currently our resources are not enough.' Today, the health ministry admitted it needed 100,000 protective suits, but currently only had 13,000 in Wuhan. It said stock was being reallocated to the crisis-hit region from the country's central reserve, as well as buying suits from other countries. Horrifying clips have been posted online by shocked citizens only to be deleted shortly after. In one, the sick are seen sitting between drips and oxygen tanks next to three dead bodies covered in white sheets. The footage was deleted from social media channel Weibo. Last week, in rare public dissent, a senior journalist at a Hubei provincial newspaper run by the ruling Communist Party called for an 'immediate' change of leadership in Wuhan on Weibo. The post was later removed. The People's Daily, a state-owned newspaper, posted a video of an apparently cured patient flashing the peace sign alongside four medics. But the Global Times revealed that vital resources, including masks and goggles, were urgently needed. Critics have also claimed that many health experts who would have been able to warn the government at an early stage of the dangers of coronavirus have been detained or had their research stopped because they were not working within the Chinese state. The accusations of a cover-up echo the furore surrounding the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) epidemic in 2002 when the government concealed the existence of the illness not just from the outside world but from its own people. But Chinese officials told reporters that the new disease was less powerful than SARS - though it was becoming more contagious. 'From what we see now, this disease is indeed...not as powerful as SARS,' said Gao Fu, head of China's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, at a press briefing in Beijing. A $6.2 million breach-of-contract lawsuit forced cash-strapped Celadon Group Inc. to file for bankruptcy protection, according to recently unsealed court documents. Celadon and three of its subsidiaries allegedly collected and spent millions of dollars in receivables belonging to TA Dispatch LLC of Ensley, Alabama, to stay afloat, according to a lawsuit filed on Dec. 2 in state court in Delaware. Six days later, Celadon and its 25 subsidiaries filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. District Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The adversary suit was unsealed on Jan. 17 after Celadon attorneys had the case moved to federal bankruptcy court. Also named in the lawsuit were Celadon Trucking, Celadon Logistics Services Inc. and Canadian subsidiary Hyndman Transport. TA attorney Brian M. Rostocki of Reed Smith LLP told FreightWaves he was not authorized to discuss the lawsuit. Celadon sold its logistics and brokerage arm for $60 million to TA Services Inc. of Mansfield, Texas, which owns TA Dispatch. TA's parent company is PS Logistics, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. As part of the purchase agreement, TA would have access to Celadon's logistics platform to "continue to serve customers' needs on a revenue-sharing basis," according to a press release about the sale. Celadon also agreed to share its IT network. The purchase agreement states that certain freight loads tendered by a customer to Celadon would be transferred to TA Dispatch to "either fulfill itself or broker to a third-party carrier," according to the suit. The contract also stipulated that certain loads would be billed and paid to TA, while other load requests would be billed and paid to Celadon, which would then forward on the receivable within 50 days. Celadon's trucking and logistics divisions were appointed as billing agents to invoice customers on behalf of TA to ensure a "smooth transition of purchased assets." The lawsuit claims Celadon owes approximately $4.4 million in accounts receivable it collected but failed to pass on to TA. Story continues Some third-party companies inadvertently remitted approximately $1.8 million in accounts receivables to Celadon, which the company failed to forward to TA within five business days, according to the complaint. Scott Schell, chief executive of TA Services, did not respond to FreightWaves' request for comment. Timeline Of Events Leading Up To Bankruptcy Filing Celadon CEO Paul Svindland allegedly told TA executives during a Nov. 13 meeting that its annual revenues had dwindled from $1.18 billion to $500 million, according to the court filing. At that meeting, the complaint claims Svindland notified TA that Celadon had depleted $21.5 million in cash reserves in the previous 90 days and was unable to meet its debt obligations. The complaint states Celadon was scheduled to remit the amount due to TA by Nov. 15 but later changed the dates to Nov. 22 and 29. During a Nov. 26 meeting, TA claims Svindland said Celadon was insolvent and could not return the money it owed. Court documents claim Svindland then asked TA and/or its affiliates to lend Celadon money to continue operating, which it refused until the money was remitted. Svindland did not respond to FreightWaves' request for comment. TA attorneys sent a letter to Celadon on Nov. 27 demanding all funds be surrendered by Nov. 29, but no payment was received. The following day, Celadon referred "any further correspondence" to its bankruptcy attorneys and terminated TA's access to its IT services which were critical to its business operation, the lawsuit states. TA said Celadon later reactivated its access, pending "unidentified legal issues." TA claims Celadon's own admission that it was insolvent, fear that future access to the shared IT system would again be blocked and the failure to remit millions of dollars in accounts receivables forced the company to file its complaint. Celadon Rocked By Financial Scandal Two former Celadon executives were indicted in an alleged complex securities and accounting fraud scheme that cost the truckload and logistics company's shareholders more than $60 million prior to the bankruptcy filing. Federal officials also ordered Celadon to pay shareholders .2 million in restitution in April 2019 after the company's stock plummeted as a result of the financial scandal. Rumors swirled on social media that the carrier was in financial straits after FreightWaves broke the news on Dec. 6 that the company planned to file for bankruptcy. Some former employees said there was little communication among company executives, employees and drivers about what to do when deactivated fuel cards left truckers stranded thousands of miles from home. Image Sourced from Pixabay 0 See more from Benzinga 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. WASHINGTON, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Senator Bernie Sanders is leading other Democratic presidential candidates with 25% of the likely vote in Iowa, just over a week before statewide caucuses in the state, a New York Times/Siena College poll released Saturday showed. Sanders has gained six points since the last Times/Siena poll in October, while support for Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and former Vice President Joe Biden has remained steady at 18% and 17%, respectively, it showed. He is also leading some other opinion polls in the state. Sanders' gains come at the expense of his fellow progressive, Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, whose support dropped to 15% from 22% in the October poll, the New York Times reported. Iowa voters cast ballots in Feb. 3 party caucuses in the first contest in the state-by-state process of selecting a Democratic challenger to Republican President Donald Trump in the Nov. 3 general election. Thirteen Democrats are in the race. Sanders's gains came after a weeks-long controversy over whether he told Warren in a 2018 meeting that a woman could not beat Trump, a charge he has denied. The Vermont senator this week scrapped three scheduled Iowa campaign appearances to remain in Washington for Trump's impeachment trial, along with three other Democratic senators running for president. Trump, a Republican, is charged by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives with abusing the powers of his office when he asked Ukraine to investigate Biden, and obstructing a congressional inquiry into his conduct. The Times/Siena survey of 1,689 registered voters in Iowa was conducted from Jan. 20 to Jan. 23, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.8 percentage points. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal, Editing by Franklin Paul) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he hopes to make history during his upcoming trip to the White House for the expected unveiling of President Donald Trumps Mideast peace plan. Addressing his Cabinet shortly before departing for Washington on Sunday, Mr Netanyahu described the current environment, characterised by close ties with Mr Trump, as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Israel that we must not miss. Mr Trumps plan is expected to be extremely favourable to Israel. We are in the midst of very dramatic political events, but the peak is still ahead, Mr Netanyahu said. For three years I have discussed with President Trump and his team our security and national needs dozens of discussions and hundreds of hours. Benny Gantz is also meeting Donald Trump (Oded Balilty/AP/PA) In all of these talks, I found a receptive ear in the White House for the essential needs of the state of Israel. I am going to Washington with a great sense of purpose, great responsibility and great chance, and I am hopeful we can make history. The plans release has been repeatedly delayed and it seems to have little chance of success. The Palestinians, accusing Mr Trump of being unfairly biased toward Israel, have already rejected it. However, the plan could give Mr Netanyahu, who is in the middle of his third re-election campaign in under a year, a lift as he tries to remain in office while fighting criminal charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes. Mr Netanyahu has tried to divert attention away from his legal troubles and focus his campaign on his close ties with Mr Trump. His opponent, Benny Gantz, has focused his campaign on Mr Netanyahus criminal charges and expected trial. Mr Gantz announced on Saturday that he would also be going to Washington for a private meeting with Mr Trump. He turned down a joint appearance with Mr Netanyahu at the White House, fearing the prime minister would use it to upstage him. Instead, Mr Gantz will quickly return to Israel to proceed with his plans in parliament to block a request by Mr Netanyahu to receive immunity from prosecution. Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Saturday said that Mahatma Gandhi would have observed fast against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at Shaheen Bagh in the capital, had he been alive. "If Mahatma Gandhi were alive today, he would have observed a 'Bhookh Hadtal' (fast) at Shaheen Bagh," Singh told reporters after participating in a book launch here. Peaceful protests are being carried out at Shaheen Bagh in New Delhi for over a month against the newly amended citizenship law and proposed Register of Citizen (NRC). Talking about the abrogation of Article 370, Singh said that Mahatma Gandhi would have also protested carried out a 'Padyatra' from Lal Quila in New Delhi to Lal Chowk in Jammu and Kashmir. "I believe that if Gandhiji were alive today, he would have started a Padyatra today from Lal Quila to Lal Chowk. To address the distrust among the people living in the Valley after the abrogation of Article 370 was the biggest responsibility of those who believe in the unity in diversity in India," he said during his speech at the event. The Central government had, in August last year, abrogation Article 370 of the Constitution, which conferred special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Taking a jibe at BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya's Poha remark, the Digvijaya Singh said he was one step ahead of the Prime Minister in identifying people from their actions and clothes. "Prime Minister Modi had said that he can tell if a person is Muslim or Hindu by their clothes. Kailash Vijayvargiya is one step ahead of him. He can identify a person's citizenship by watching the way they eat Poha," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (L-R) Curtis Blaydes punches Junior Dos Santos in their heavyweight fight during UFC Fight Night at PNC Arena on Jan. 25, 2020 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Saturday nights main event in Raleigh, North Carolina, gave fans a treat with Curtis Blaydes finishing former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos by second-round knockout. Blaydes stunned many experts as the wrestler took out dos Santos on the feet. There was no question what each fighters game plan was entering the fight. Blaydes looked to take dos Santos down and utilize ground and pound to break the will of his opponent. Dos Santos has been in this position before and has been wildly successful in his takedown defense. His first fight with current champion Stipe Miocic in 2014 was the last time he was taken down. Dos Santos was seemingly successful early on, stuffing all six of Blaydes takedown attempts. Blaydes was able to adapt and used his takedown attempts as a decoy and landed a monster punch as dos Santos let his guard down, expecting Blaydes to continue to use his wrestling. The former champ backed into the cage and covered-up as Blaydes rained down a series of damaging punches and knees until the ref correctly stopped the fight with dos Santos still standing. Blaydes, 13-2, has won his last three bouts. In his post-fight interview with former champion Daniel Cormier, Blaydes called for a title fight against Stipe Miocic. While his win streak is nothing to bat an eye at, he is in a tricky situation as the heavyweight division gets crowded at the top of the rankings. Cormier respectfully kept quiet as Blaydes called his shot, but DC is undoubtedly pushing for a rematch to regain his throne as champion. Also, Francis Ngannou, the only man to defeat Blaydes, is currently riding his own three fight win streak and is scheduled to face Jairzinho Rozenstruik in March. A win there would seemingly put Ngannou in a position to fight for the belt. Story continues Its unclear how the UFC matchmakers will handle this situation, but there will inevitably be some exciting heavyweight fights in the future. More from Yahoo Sports: About 500 clerics have gathered in Abuja to kick-start a 21-day prayer and fasting session against the forces planning the destabilisation of Nigeria. The clerics, drawn from various churches across the country, said with the present situation of things in the country, prayers and fasting are urgently needed to salvage the nation. Led by Sunday Garuba, a bishop who is the president of the National Interfaith and Religious Organisation for Peace (NIFROP), the prayer session will end on February 15. Garuba said it will afford the clerics the opportunity to intercede on behalf of the nation so that Nigeria can be healed. Garuba said: We have come to that point when we can no longer persist in our division and way of life that rend us asunder contrary to Gods will. We can no longer continue to posture that all is well when it is clear that God wants us to repent of the sins we commit against ourselves and the glorious land that the Lord has provided for us in Nigeria. The Cleric said NIFROP have made Agape its creed, doing onto others as the Lord ordained irrespective of sectarian variations. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Jennifer Lopez wants to be a 'good partner' to Ben Affleck in 2022 Jennifer Lopez has vowed to be a "good partner" to Ben Affleck as she set out her goals for the year ahead in a new Instagram post. A hand-held slit lamp is a kind of portable ophthalmic instrument. Binocular Hand-held Slit Lamp allows the user to examine patients who cannot comfortably sit at a larger slit lamp, including paediatric, wheelchair-bound, or bed-ridden patients. It can be easily reassembled for more traditional joystick/headrest operation. Research PR-Inside.com: 2020-01-25 23:17:37 Press Information Research Trades Office No.10, Wing C, Rajhans, Baner, Pune-45, India Nitin Business Development +1 6269994607 (US) +91 7507349866 (IND) email https://www.researchtrades.com/checkout/1822770 # 429 Words Office No.10, Wing C, Rajhans, Baner, Pune-45, IndiaBusiness Development+1 6269994607 (US) +91 7507349866 (IND) The report is the perfect asset that worldwide and local Binocular Hand-Held Slit Lamp players and financial specialists need to peep into the eventual fate of their business and plan out successful development procedures. It is an assemblage of clever and precise research and examination contemplates that help players in the Binocular Hand-Held Slit Lamp business to comprehend the development examples of driving portions and locales, nature of rivalry, and other huge viewpoints. Purchasers of the report are given dependable figures for complete income, utilization, deals, CAGR, creation, and other significant elements.Readers of the research report can get distinct information on important drivers, restraints, developments, and opportunities in the Binocular Hand-Held Slit Lamp Enterprise. They can also study trending technologies, manufacturing strategies, investment strategies, products, and applications that Binocular Hand-Held Slit Lamp key players should be taking note of. Every segment is deeply studied by the authors of the record to help key players identify key growth pockets and make the proper investment choices in their Binocular Hand-Held Slit Lamp Commercial enterprise. All the segments taken into consideration for the research have a look at are analyzed on the basis of percentage, consumption, boom fee, client choice, and numerous other parameters.Scope of the Report:Global Binocular Hand-held Slit Lamp sales volume is valued at 19483 Units in 2017 and is expected to reach 34000 Units by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of 7.21% between 2017 and 2025.Haag-Streit, Shin Nippon (Rexxam Co.Ltd) , Kowa and Keeler (Halma plc) are the top production value share spots in the Binocular Hand-held Slit Lamp market in 2017. Haag-Streit dominated with 25.51% production value share, followed by Shin Nippon (Rexxam Co.Ltd) with 12.16% production value share and Kowa with 9.05% production value share.On the basis of region, Binocular Hand-held Slit Lamp is more popular in Asia than America, particularly in China. Europe is the largest market segment of Binocular Hand-held Slit Lamp, with a consumption market share nearly 27.39% in 2017, followed by China with a consumption market share nearly 26.18% in 2017.Answers that the research report acknowledges:- Market length and growth rate throughout the forecast period.- The important thing factors of the market of Binocular Hand-Held Slit Lamp.- Key market trends have dampened the growth of the Binocular Hand-Held Slit Lamp market.- Challenges for market boom.- The main vendors of the market of the Binocular Hand-Held Slit Lamp .- Targeted swot analysis.- Possibilities and threats going through current vendors in the worldwide Binocular Hand-Held Slit Lamp market.- Trend elements influencing the marketplace in geographic regions.- Strategic tasks focused on key suppliers. Washington (AFP) - Two US vice squad police officers were fired for wrongfully arresting porn star Stormy Daniels, who has claimed an affair with President Donald Trump, city officials in Columbus, Ohio confirmed on Friday. Officers Whitney Lancaster and Steven Rosser were ordered dismissed by Columbus Director of Public Safety Ned Pettus on Thursday, according to documents provided by Pettus' office. Two other officers were suspended for the 2018 strip club arrest of Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, at the Sirens Gentlemen's Club on sexual misdemeanor charges. Daniels had charged in a lawsuit that she was arrested for political reasons related to her claim before the 2016 election that Trump had sought to buy her silence over an affair a decade earlier, to avoid it affecting his prospects in the presidential contest. The charges said that, while topless at the club, she pushed the faces of customers into her breasts. The charges against her were quickly dropped following her detention. But she sued the city for false arrest and false imprisonment and the case was settled in September 2019 for $450,000. Pettus said in the dismissal orders that the two officers took actions against Daniels that "deviated significantly from actions taken at every other strip club investigated by you." He pointed out that normally they would file charges against an offender after a club visit and issue a summons for the person's appearance in court, rather than arresting them on the spot and taking them in to custody as they did with Daniels. "Not a single other suspect was deprived of their rights by being arrested 'On View'... except Ms Clifford, demonstrating gross neglect of duty and incompetence," Pettus wrote. Prosecutors in New York are investigating payments made to Daniels by Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal attorney who is in prison for violating campaign finance laws. The Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly (KKMA), one of the newly created Municipal Assemblies in the Greater Accra Region has, in accordance with the constitution, performed the inaugural ceremony of it's new elected Assembly members. The inauguration which took place at the forecourt of the freedom and justice park Thursday saw the swearing-in of 18 assembly members, unit committee members and Presiding members. The inaugurated assembly is mandated to lead the development aspirations of the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly for the next four years. In a speech she delivered on behalf of President Akufo Addo at the event in Accra, the presidential advisor on HIV/AIDS, H. E Dr. Mokowa Blay Adu-Gyamfi advance the implementation of government policies. She said the government would need them to support their District Chief Executive to pursue policies and programs aimed at improving the welfare and wellbeing of the people. On strengthening revenue generation of the assembly H.E Dr. Mokowa Blay Adu-Gyamfi advised members to take advantage of efforts being made by the government, through the ministry of local government and rural development, in the area of property rates, in addition to other innovative systems, to enhance the districts Internally Generated Fund (IGF). She explained the assembly can achieve that (improvement of its internally generated fund) by vigorously pursuing street naming, property addressing and working hand-in-hand with the National Digital Property Addressing System Gracing the occasion, the member of parliament for KKMA, Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings tasked members to work with the Assembly to address its challenges She said members should ensure, bye-laws are enforced in order to improve sanitation within the assembly. Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Samuel Nii Adjei Tawiah reminded them that the role of either an Assembly member or Unit Committee member was a sacrificial one and must, therefore, dedicate themselves to serve the cause of the community. New Delhi: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) on Saturday announced that the state Assembly will discuss the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in the upcoming assembly session and will likely pass a resolution against it. The Telangana government has called for a special session to discuss CAA. Addressing a press conference, Rao said, ''We openly opposed the Act and in future, we may bring a resolution against it.'' He further informed that he would soon hold a meeting with ministers and like-minded political parties in Hyderabad against the CAA, National Population Register (NPR) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). KCR also further hinted towards joining hands with other parties to lead a nationwide campaign against CAA and appealed to the Supreme Court to take down the newly formed Act. Live TV KCR said there was no question of his party to compromise on secularism. "India cannot be converted into a Hindu nation. We are a secular country. This country belongs to all people. We should continue to be secular," he said. On Saturday, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) swept the municipal elections, capturing power in over 100 out of 120 municipalities and seven out of nine municipal corporations. KCR's party won over 1557 seats and secured majority. KCR thanked people on giving massive mandate and said the win was not an ordinary one as it has consistently won peoples support, beginning with the December 2018 assembly elections. (With agency input) If you have a good idea, you can bet someone else doesnt think its good. Those are the words of the late Gary Starkweather, who died on December 26th at the age of 81. Starkweather was the inventor of the laser printer, and knew of what he spoke. Having devised a much speedier way to print out documents at Xerox, Starkweathers vision earned him scorn inside the company. As a New York Times obituary put it, Because his idea ventured away from the companys core business, copiers, his boss hated it. Mr. Starkweather was told that if he did not stop working on the project, his entire team would be laid off. Thankfully Starkweather wasnt so easily deterred. He persisted, and as a Wall Street Journal obituary explained it, his finesse in maneuvering around the boss mentioned above led to the release of the Xerox 9700. The new product became a huge hit, ultimately generating more than $1 billion of annual revenue for Xerox. The economic lessons that spring from Starkweathers creation are endless, but for the purposes of this column theyll be limited to growing paranoia on the part of thinkers and politicians about China. Even though the most dynamic businesses in the world (American businesses) have long been expanding their sales and manufacturing presence in China, those paid to think for a living, and those paid to think and do for us for a living, continue to wring their hands about forced technology transfers from U.S. businesses to those in China, along with intellectual property theft. As one would expect from thinkers and politicians, they think we should ignore the doings of actual businesses with some of the largest market caps in the world, and instead listen to them. More specifically, thinkers and politicians who rarely paid mind to China and all its alleged theft and corruption before the rise of mediocrities like Robert Lighthizer and Peter Navarro, have now become captive to their musings. Sad is that some of the most important centers of opinion in all of the U.S. now direct significant real estate to the alleged thievery of American know-how by the Chinese. Saddest is how many self-described limited government conservatives have jumped on board with Navarro and Lighthizer in their support of tariffs and other limits on trade with an eye on stopping the Chinese. The very individuals who used to wisely support what happens in the marketplace, and the actions of market-disciplined businesses operating within it, now want politics and PhD standards to govern the actions of businesses instead of businesses themselves. Translated, the very individuals whom the worlds best businesses would never hire now get to make decisions for the Apples, Nikes, Microsofts, and McDonalds of the world. So while the worlds best businesses have long seen China as a place to prosper while powerfully rewarding their shareholders, thinkers and politicians have told them they know better. You see, the Chinese are said to force businesses operating there to hand over company secrets, plus they're said to steal proprietary technology (intellectual property) to the detriment of U.S. companies. Thinkers and politicians will essentially save American businesses from themselves. Its hard not to laugh, except that the thinking and policy classes truly believe this. One can only hope that Starkweathers story enters their highly narrow fields of vision, only to save them from their extraordinarily limited understanding of commerce. Indeed, Starkweathers development of the laser printer against all odds within the company employing him loudly reveals the obnoxious conceit driving the actions of thinkers and policymakers. Actual businesses would never presume to simplify what they do each day in pursuit or profits in the way that their minders presume to. Forced technology transfers? Ok, but what would be forced? Inside any kind of successful business theres rarely agreement among co-workers as to what is worthy, and what will be worthy, but the Chinese innately know exactly what American businesses to mug, and what to take from them while mugging? Have the thinkers and policymakers who believe the China line ever stopped to think just how difficult it would be for the Chinese to do what Americans naively accuse them of doing? Implicit in the forced technology transfer droolings of the thinkers is that picking stocks is easy, that somehow the present provides a clear understanding of the future. Except that it doesnt. Lest we forget about technology uniquely, when the 21st century began AOL was easily the most prominent technology company, Yahoo was right up there, Blackberry was on the verge of monopolizing the mobile phone market after vanquishing Nokia, and one of its most cutting edge competitors was Motorola and its rather showy Razr phone. The very individuals who for the most part couldnt run the local bake sale show how little they know about how commerce works when they pretend that if forced technology transfer is taking place, how extraordinarily difficult it would be to know what to take. Goodness, Starkweather was nearly fired by his own company for having the temerity to develop the laser printer. And then intellectual property theft? Ok, but what would they steal? As Starkweather knew intimately about a technology world that nearly rejected him, the good ideas are so often the ones that only appear good to great well after their implementation. Whats truly cutting edge and capable of changing how things are done will almost surely engender all manner of scorn when brought to the attention of others. In short, that which has the potential to drive huge profits will almost certainly be seen as so outlandish in the present as to require no protection at all. Few are going to steal whats seen as ridiculous. To which some who should know better will wring their hands about established products and processes being taken by the Chinese. Oh well, for one, if its imitable its probably not as great as many assume. For two, how insulting for thinkers and policymakers to presume American ingenuity is so easy to recreate. And for three, implicit in this notion that genius can be easily stolen and recreated is the mistaken presumption that the present mirrors the future. Except that it doesnt, as evidenced by (among other things) how many confidently asserted that Blackberry would clean Apple and the iPhones clock. Fast forward to the present and Blackberry is worth $3 billion, while Apples net worth is over $1 trillion. About all the hysteria among thinkers and policymakers with regard to China, readers can rest assured that the permanence of the internet means there will be a lot of sheepish thinkers and policymakers in the not-too-distant future. Though they claim a market-oriented bent, theyre in truth the latest to fall for the fatal conceit that always and everywhere trips up the deep thinkers whereby they substitute narrow knowledge for market knowledge. Simply put, markets never feared alleged forced technology transfers and IP theft in the way that thinkers and policymakers began to after Navarro and Lighthizer told them to. Monica Lewinsky, whose affair with Bill Clinton was at the heart of the impeachment drama two decades ago, has asked people not to use her name when making comparisons to the case of Donald Trump. In a gentle reminder, Ms Lewinsky, a one-time White House intern, said using her name when referring to the 1998 case, had the effect of framing events in reference to the woman involved in the case. She offered journalists and other commentators some alternative names to use for what happened in 1998, when Mr Clinton was impeached by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, but by cleared by the Democratic-led Senate. A gentle reminder for ways other than using my name re 1998. Lets not frame it by the woman + youngest, least powerful person involved, she wrote. As alternatives, she suggested the Starr Investigation, the 1998 Impeachment, the Scandal of 1998, or the Clinton Impeachment. All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment Show all 6 1 /6 All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment Alan Dershowitz Dershowitz is a controversial American lawyer best known for the high-profile clients he has successfully defended. Those clients have included OJ Simpson, Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein. One longtime Harvard Law associated told the New Yorker Dershowitz "revels in taking positions that ultimately are not just controversial but pretty close to indefensible." Getty All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment Ken Starr Starr became a household name in the 1990s as the independent counsel who led the investigation that led to Bill Clinton's impeachment. That investigation began as a look into a real estate scandal known as Whitewater, and eventually led to impeachment after Mr Clinton lied under oath about having an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. AP All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment Jay Sekulow Sekulow is the president's longtime personal attorney, and, now, personal lawyer in the White House. He has been accused by former Rudy Giuliani associate Lev Parnas of being "in the loop" during the Ukraine scandal. Getty All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment Pam Bondi Bondi is the former attorney general in Florida, and a longtime backer of the president's. She made a name for herself in Florida for taking hyper partisan stances on issues, and her penchant for publicity. She is likely to be a prominent public-facing figure during the trial. AFP/Getty All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment Pat Cipollone Cipollone is the White House counsel, and leading the president's defence team. Getty All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment Rudy Giuliani While not officially named as one of the president's impeachment lawyers, it is hard to ignore Giuliani's outsized role in this process. The former mayor of New York has been making headlines for months as he defends his client, and for his apparent role in the effort to compel Ukraine to launch the investigation into Joe Biden. We'll see how he figures in the actual trial, which he has said he would like to be a part of. Reuters Lastly, she suggested: That Crazy, F***ed Up 1998. Ms Lewinskys relationship with Mr Clinton was at the heart of the Republican-led case against him after he lied under oath about it before a grand jury, under questioning from special prosecutor Kenneth Starr. At a White House press conference, Mr Clinton also infamously declared: I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms Lewinsky. President Bill Clinton says he 'has sinned' at 1998 prayer breakfast Mr Trump is hoping that, as with the case against Mr Clinton, the Senate, currently controlled by Mitch McConnell and the Republicans, will vote not to impeach him. Various outlets have pointed out this was not the first time Ms Lewinsky, now aged 46, has commented on the current impeachment case. In December, the activist and sometime fashion designer, asked people to stop tagging her when talking about the case on social media. When it was reported Mr Starr was to join Mr Trumps defence team, her comments was less gentle than Sundays tweet. She wrote: This is definitely an are you f***ing kidding me? kinda day. The Year of the Bible underway as ministries look to spark 'Bible revival' in 2020 Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Year of the Bible is underway as missions organizations, churches and other ministries are seeking to usher in a grassroots Bible revival. One evangelist believes many, including Christians, have yet to learn to love the Word of God. I just think we've taught a generation how to love good preaching and how to love good worship, but we've never learned how to love the Bible, said Nick Hall, who some have referred to as the Billy Graham of the next generation. I think in a lot of our churches and ministries, the majority of the people just aren't reading the Bible for themselves. And so as biblical literacy has gone down, it has had a domino effect on a million things in our church and in our culture. We find that when people read the Bible more, they love their neighbors more, they're more involved in compassion and justice initiatives and they're more involved in evangelism. The Year of the Bible movement was established by a coalition of international ministry networks called The Table Coalition, formerly known as the Mission America Coalition. It hopes to be the largest digital next-generation biblical marketing campaign in history. The aim of the movement is to inspire people to make 2020 the year they make the Bible a "foundational part of their lives." It's one of those deals where a lot of us have these understandings that the Bible is boring or the Bible is judgmental or the Bible is archaic, Hall told The Christian Post. We just want to help people see that there's a different narrative. The goal, he said, is to inspire as many people as possible to dedicate their year to Gods word and listen to what He has to say in their life. As the movement aims to end Bible poverty worldwide, one of the problems in Western cultures today, organizers say, is that the Bible is becoming less significant as more children are growing up without exposure to the Gospel or a biblical worldview. Barna research suggests that while almost half of Americans identify as Christian, only a small fraction of Americans hold a biblical worldview. Hall explained that the aim is to inspire people to form a biblical foundation for themselves at a time in history when it is so easy to be led by feelings and emotion. He said it is important for the next generation to be anchored on the rock and not on the shifting sands of culture. The story of King Josiah has kind of been our biblical framework, Hall, the founder of PULSE and the visionary behind the Together ecumenical Christian events, said. We just see that in that passage and in that time in the history of Israel, they had lost God's Word. For an entire generation, people didnt have the Word of God. And then there was this discovery of this ancient book and then it brought them to repentance. And then there was this mass [of people] coming back to the word and reading it in public. And the public reading of Scripture is a big part of this. So far, entire denominations such as the Assemblies of God have declared 2020 as the Year of the Bible. Additionally, some churches are planning to read through the entire Bible in one year through reading plans. We really see that a big problem that's happened in the Church is that we have really started to turn to a lot of secondary sources instead of looking to the main thing, Hall said. And so we just want to kind of drive this conversation that there's something better than hearing somebody talk about God. And that's hearing from God for yourself. According to Hall, several youth organizations are rallying around the effort, including InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. In June, thousands of Christians will gather at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to read the Bible and worship at Together 2020, an event that will feature some of the days most well-known Christian leaders and musicians. Hall said that the entire day will be a tribute to the Bible as each speaker has agreed to dedicate half of their remarks to extended readings of Scripture. Its a ton of just reading the Bible and really showcasing for a generation that this word is worth basing your life upon, he said. In addition to the sermons and performances, Together 2020 will feature three hours of a public reading of Scripture from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. I would just say what we're praying for and what we're seeing is a Bible revival, he said. Plans are in the works to hold about 10 or more Let It Speak summits for Christian leaders, most of which will be held in the U.S. A few will likely be hosted internationally. The summits will allow Christian leaders to discuss how to improve Scripture engagement in their churches. So far, a Let It Speak Summit is scheduled for March 4 at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. Hall said that they plan to hold summits in Los Angeles, Pheonix, New York, Kansas City and somewhere in the northwest. People are also being encouraged to hold their own community events where the focus is put on the Word of God. People can fill out [online] if they want a gathering near them and we can come alongside them or we can resource them to do their own, Hall noted. What we're trying to do is to drive a discussion among leaders in the church and ministry around Scripture engagement. We're trying to feel like a grassroots movement. So we're building out everything from yard signs to if people want to put up a billboard in their city. If people want to do events, we will help promote them on our pages. If they want to bring in a speaker or artist, we'll make that available. The organizers are working on obtaining state and federal declarations proclaiming 2020 as the Year of the Bible. However, such a declaration faces objections from atheists. Earlier this month, a lawmaker in Oklahoma introduced a bill to declare 2020 as the "Year of the Bible." The Year of the Bible Movement has also taken to social media as followers are being encouraged to post selfies of themselves and their Bibles. Through the Bible selfie campaign, we've already had people from Australia, several countries in Africa, different parts of Asia, different parts of Europe, all throughout the Americas, Hall said. And so it's a global movement. The Year of the Bible Movement comes as another movement called the AD 2020 Year of the Bible was launched by a coalition of missions organizations and networks such as World Evangelical Alliance, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Youth With a Mission and American Bible Society. The movement also seeks to inspire people worldwide to engage with the Bible in their own lives. The evangelical-led initiative has been endorsed by leaders from over 200 countries and Roman Catholic Pope Francis. In Vietnam, a video has recently gone viral of two men taking a bath while riding a motorcycle. The video quickly gained internet notoriety before local authorities caught a whiff of it. The two men were tracked down using the number plate visible in the video and were reportedly slapped with a hefty fine. One of the riders identified The driver of the vehicle has been identified as 23-year-old Huynh Thanh Khanh while the other man remains unknown. The incident took place in Dau Tieng district of the Binh Duong province. In the video, the two shirtless men can be seen riding a bike with a bucket of water kept between them. They both appear to already be covered in soap and while the man in front drives the bike the man on the back can be seen periodically pouring water on himself and on the driver. The video was widely shared on the internet and that is how the police were made privy to their actions. After tracking them down Khanh was identified as the driver. They were finer Rs 5,500 for violating a number of traffic rules. The traffic rules they violated were driving without a driver's license, riding a motorcycle without helmets, riding a motorbike without rear-view mirrors and driving without a civil insurance certificate. Read: Lionel Messi Was Crying In Bath After Germany Defeat In 2010 World Cup: Diego Maradona Read: Russian President Putin Accompanied By 6 Bodyguards To Bathroom At Ukraine Summit In Paris As it turns out, neither of the two individuals who were seen in the video riding the bike were the owners of the bike and it was actually lent to them by a third party. That individual was also fined by the authorities for lending the vehicle to Huynh Thanh Khanh who is not qualified, driver. The video of the two men riding the bike was first uploaded on Facebook on January 22. One person commented on the video claiming that he had never thought of having a bath on a bike and said that it would be a great time saver. Read: WATCH Kirby Smart Get Extremely Furious After Taking Gatorade Bath Right To The Face Read: Bigg Boss 13: Sidharth Shukla And Shefali Jariwala Lock Themselves In The Bathroom One of Albania's most wanted murderers has been arrested in the UK after spending 22 years on the run, as authorities revealed a top ten list of thugs and criminals believed to be hiding in towns and cities across the country. Defrim Iseberi was tracked down by the Met in London last month following a lengthy manhunt. He had been number two on a list compiled by Albanian Police of the most wanted fugitives in the UK. Iseberi, 45, is now fighting extradition after he gunned down a security guard at the Gjallica Hotel in Kukes in 1997 his victim died several months later. Defrim Iseberi (pictured above) was number two on an Albanian Police 'top 10' list of fugitives in the UK Admir Dekovi (left) shot someone in the head and Aleksander Shkulaku had been a commando and absconded on a mission He fled to Britain using the name Agim Mema and claimed asylum in the UK as a bogus Kosovan, claiming to have been fleeing the war. He was sentenced to 20 years in jail in 2000. According to the Sunday Express, an Interpol red notice was not issued for Iseberi until 2004, and a warrant for his arrest in the UK was also not issued until 2010. The top ten list compiled by the Albanian authorities includes four former special commando officers from the Albanian army, who are wanted for alleged desertion after they are said to have disappeared during a training exercise in 2017. Hektor Mahmutaj (right) committed a fire arms offence in the UK and Hysni Sokolaj (left) is sought for forcing an Albanian women into prostitution in Belgium and the UK Renild Ajazi, Klevis Lamkaj, Yiber Kotri and Aleksander Shkulaki are all believed to be being shielded by the Albanian community. Another on the most wanted list, Admir Dekovia, shot someone in the head in 2017, he has a military background and police have described him as 'dangerous'. Kadri Hoxha is another man being protected by the Albanian community and is thought to be hiding in the north of England, he is alleged to have killed a security guard who was trying to stop him from robbing a factory. One of the men on the list, Hektor Mahmutaj, who actually committed a fire arms offence in the UK and absconded six months later. Ilir Nazmi Kumbaro (right) has been on the run since 2011 and Klevis Lamkai (left) was also a commando Renild Ajazi (pictured above) was part of the unit of four commandos who absconded on a mission This is while Albanian intelligence chief Ilir Nazmi Kumbaro is on the run after he failed to appear at a 2011 extradition hearing over torture and kidnap. The most wanted Albanian Killers and thieves believed to be living in the UK Admir Dekovi, 42: Allegedly shot a clubber in the head in 2017 Defrim Iseberi, 45: Fled after gunning down a security guard at a hotel in Albania Kadri Hoxha: Killed a security guard who was trying to stop him robbing a flour factory Hektor Mahmutaj, 44: Committed fire arms offences in the UK Renild Ajazi, Kelis Lamkaj, Ylber Kotri and Aleksander Shkulau: Special commandos wanted after absconding on a 2017 mission Ilir Nazmi Kumbaro, 66: Torture and kidnapping Hysni Sokolaj, 47: Forced a woman into prostitution Endri Duraku, 35: Stabbing Advertisement He had previously claimed asylum and lived on benefits in the UK as a refugee. Hysni Sokolaj is sought for forcing an Albanian woman into prostitution. Endri Duraku was sentenced in 2012 for seven years for a stabbing. While all men remain at large figures show that as many as 1,758 fugitives from Albania could be at large in the UK. The National Crime Agency stated that Albanian authorities issued 1,758 warrants between 2009 and 2018, with only 44 having been arrested during that period. This is while the NCA claimed that not all of these men would be in the UK and that some were just wanted from the UK. A spokesperson said the requests are misleading as they actually apply to all EU nations and that it doesn't mean the suspects are actually in the UK. It is also believed that fugitives from Albania could be being left in the UK rather than being extradited as part of an Albanian amnesty to cut prison overcrowding. It is not thought to apply to more serious offences. Think tank director David Spencer, who heads up the Centre for Crime Prevention group said it was troubling that so many Albanian fugitives were in the UK. He said: 'The troubling figures shows the risk that freedom of movement has posed to the British people. It is to be hoped that once we have left the EU and freedom of movement has ended, law enforcement agencies will start getting a grip.' Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Sunday greeted the Padma awardees from Tamil Nadu and wished they bring more laurels to the state. Industrialist and TVS Motors Chairman Venu Srinivasan and social worker Krishnammal Jagannathan from Tami Madu are among those named for the Padma Bhushan award by the Centre. The Lalitha-Saroja Chidambaram duo, Manohar Devadoss, S Ramakrishnan, KS Mahaboob and SM Subani duo and Prof Pradeep Thalappil from Tamil Nadu are the Padma Shri awardees. In a statement, Palaniswami said these persons had brought pride to the state by winning the prestigious awards. "I greet and laud them on behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu as well as myself and wish they bring more laurels to the state by winning more awards," he said. The Chief Minister expressed joy that the personalities have been chosen for the awards in recognition of their contributions in their respective fields. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The jury in charge of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Award for Bahraini women progress held its last meeting at the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) headquarters in Riffa. The session discussed the preliminary report which focuses on assessing the participants in different categories of the award in its sixth edition, including public and private sector establishment, civil society institutions. The award will be presented to winners during a ceremony which will be held during the first half of February 2020 under the patronage of HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of HM the King and SCW President. SCW secretary-general, jury chairperson Hala Al Ansari, presided over the meeting which discussed results of the application forms and field visits and reviewed outstanding practices promoted by Government departments, private parties, civil society institutions and individuals in the fray vying for the award. Ms Al Ansari stressed the impact of the award in supporting family stability, enhancing productivity, nurturing gender balance policies and adherence to the requirements of the national plan. Australia Day celebrations on Sunday saw thousands of people flock to beaches and music festivals, but festivities were clouded by the tragedy of bushfires which have killed 33 and destroyed hundreds of homes. Melbourne: Australia Day celebrations on Sunday saw thousands of people flock to beaches and music festivals, but festivities were clouded by the tragedy of bushfires which have killed 33 and destroyed hundreds of homes. Thousands also rallied in support of indigenous Australians who regard Australia Day, the day which marks the start of white settlement, as Invasion Day. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia Day was a time to acknowledge the countrys stories, both ancient and recent. And, as we have been reminded especially in these most recent times, stories of drought, bushfires, adapting to the many challenges that come with living in this great continent, Morrison said in his Australia Day address. But we would have it no other way as Australians because we love this land, its beauty and, yes, we know its terror, in all of its riches and all of its blessings, and we are a free, diverse and accepting people. Australia Day marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British ships at Sydney Cove. Britain claimed Australia, declaring it an empty land, but indigenous Australians trace their lineage back 50,000 years. Indigenous Australians want Australia Day abolished, but the prime minister has promised to defend the holidays date. Australias 700,000 or so indigenous people track near the bottom of its 25 million citizens in almost every economic and social indicator. Protesters rallied on Sunday carrying red, black and yellow indigenous flags and signs No Pride in Genocide. 26 January is a bad day, a hurtful day, but we come here for solidarity, Bundjalung elder Gwen Williams-Heckling told Australian Broadcasting Corp. We need a new day because we can never celebrate the day of the invasion. Fires across Australias bushland have scorched an area nearly the size of Greece since early October, killing 33 people, including several firefighters and volunteers, and millions of animals. Morrison announced The National Emergency Medal will be awarded to emergency responders battling the 2019-20 bushfires. The response to the bushfire situation has been unprecedented with thousands of volunteer and paid responders working around the clock, day and night, week after week to protect property and save lives, he said, acknowledging some firefighters were battling blazes on Australia Day. Rao Asim, a Pakistani who became an Australian citizen on Sunday with his wife Hina and their two children, said during the broadcast ceremony that his family had changed their plans on how to celebrate. We had big (party) plans, he said. But we have decided as a family to donate the money for the bushfires relief effort. A crowd of more than 1,000 people gathered in front of tourists on cable cars at Market and Powell streets Saturday for an antiwar march to Union Square. The protesters chanted, banged on drums, waved signs and listened to speakers rail against American imperialism in the Middle East and Africa, the illegal state of Israel and the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, the Iranian general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who was killed this month in an air strike ordered by President Trump. The car belonging to a missing marine was found in eastern Arizona on the morning of Thursday, Jan. 23, according to a Facebook post. Patricia Conger, the missing marines twin sister, had, since her twin brother, Jesse Congers, disappearance more than five months ago, been using her Facebook as a means to try and locate her brother. Jesse Conger was last seen on Aug. 14, 2019, in Scottsdale, Arizona. He had left everything behind, Patricia Conger said. According to one of her earlier posts from August 2019 regarding her missing brother, she wrote that her brother had left without his wallet/ID, phone & service dog. In the details, she stated that her brother had several tattoos and bright blue eyes, and drove a silver Toyota Camry with Nevada Plates. In addition to the details, Patricia Conger mentioned that her brother was a veteran suffering from PTSD and had depression. Over the past five months, Patricia Conger had received numerous pieces of information regarding the whereabouts of her twin. A monetary reward had been put in place for anyone finding her brother, according to several posts. Bill Pulte, a billionaire from Detroit, offered a $10,000 reward to the person who finds Jesse Conger, according to a post. In the most recent update, Patricia Conger said that three men working in eastern Arizona found her brothers car on Thursday morning. Patricia Conger posted that the car had been there for more than a month, and the reason nobody had noticed it earlier was that the car blended in with the surrounding terrain. All tire tracks made by the car were washed away by rain long ago, according to the post. The post also stated that the only reason why the three men were able to see it was the way the car reflected sunshine from a brake light. The car had the keys in the ignition, and Jesses maps and fishing/hunting gear is still there. Jesses pistol is not there. I havent been able to confirm if the Xanax or Tramadol was there, Patricia Conger wrote in the post. At first I was told theyd bring out hounds to pick up a scent, then they decided even if it had only been a month, it was too long because of the amount of rain in the last month. Then they said they were doing a search on foot and requesting an aerial search from [the] department of public safety. They conducted a two-mile radial search, but the department of public safety did not come out. And no cadaver dogs were used, she wrote. Patricia Conger said in the post that officers were done with their search for any signs of her twin. Although she was disappointed the police werent able to locate him, she did mention that authorities were no longer viewing Jesse Conger as a fugitive and simply a person who left on his own accord. Jesses arrest warrant was dropped sometime in December, so he is no longer a fugitive,' Patricia Conger wrote. Patricia Conger wrote in the post that she would continue to search for her brother, and would not divulge the location where the car was found so that the search dogs could look for her brother undisturbed. She also thanked those who found her brothers car, writing, thank you so much for paying attention and keeping watch over your fellow man. Associated Press Writer A former U.S. soldier injured in Iraq says he was forced to pay $700 for a blood-soaked Kevlar vest that was destroyed after medics removed it to treat shrapnel wounds to his right arm. First Lt. William "Eddie" Rebrook IV, 25, of Charleston had to leave the Army because of his injuries. But before he could be discharged last week, he had to scrounge up cash from his buddies to pay for the body armor or face not being discharged for months _ all because a supply officer failed to document that the vest had been destroyed more than a year ago as a biohazard. "I last saw the (body armor) when it was pulled off my bleeding body while I was being evacuated in a helicopter," Rebrook told The Charleston Gazette for Tuesday's edition. "They took it off me and burned it." Rebrook's story spurred action Tuesday from U.S. Sens. Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller, both D-W.Va. "I've been in touch with his family, and I've already written (Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld) to request that they immediately refund his money and review this horrendous policy," said Rockefeller, who is chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. "I'm shocked that he has been treated this way by our military." Byrd questioned Gen. Peter Schoomaker, chief of staff of the Army, on Tuesday during a Senate Armed Services Committee budget hearing in Washington. "How can it be that the Defense Department, which is requesting $439 billion in this budget, has to resort to dunning a wounded soldier for $700 to replace a piece of body armor?" Byrd asked. Schoomaker called Rebrook's story unusual and promised Byrd to "correct it if there's any truth to it." Rockefeller said he first met Rebrook when he was an ROTC cadet at George Washington High School in Charleston and later nominated him to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., where he graduated with honors. Rebrook then spent four years on active duty, including six months in Iraq. Rebrook's mother, Beckie Drumheler, said she was angry when she learned about the $700 bill. Soldiers who serve their country, those who put their lives on the line, deserve better, she said. "He couldn't get out of the Army until he paid it and he had to pay cash," Drumheler said. "My son loved the Army and was proud of serving his country. For any soldier to be treated like this is outrageous." Rebrook was standing in the turret of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle when a roadside bomb exploded Jan. 11, 2005. The explosion fractured his arm and severed an artery. A Black Hawk helicopter airlifted him to a combat support hospital in Baghdad. He was later flown to a hospital in Germany before being transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. His arm never completely recovered despite seven operations. He still has range of motion problems and pain. After eight months at Fort Hood, Texas, he gathered up his gear to leave. Things went smoothly until officers asked him for his missing body armor. In the past, the Army allowed to soldiers to write memos, explaining the loss and destruction of gear but a new policy requires documentation from the field. Rebrook said he tried to get a battalion commander to sign a waiver, but the officer declined. He was told he would have to supply statements from witnesses to verify the body armor was taken from him and burned. A Fort Hood spokeswoman said she was aware of the incident but could not immediately comment. Rebrook's story has prompted donations from residents. A local radio station raised $700 within 90 minutes Tuesday, and one woman dropped off a $200 check by his mother's home, said Rebrook's stepfather, Charles Drumheler. "I thought that was pretty nice that people care," Charles Drumheler said. Rebrook's father, Ed Rebrook, a Charleston lawyer, said while the donations were appreciated, his son did not plan to accept them. A self-styled hunter of paedophiles has vehemently denied rumours he is a child abuser himself. Kenny Abbott (46) is the founder and organiser of Nonce Catchers NI, one of the most prolific paedophile-hunting groups in Northern Ireland, but has recently found himself embroiled in online accusations of child abuse. Rumours circulated on social media that Mr Abbott abused a 15-year-old child in 2012, but the prolific paedo-hunter has hit out at those behind the claims. Speaking exclusively to Sunday Life, he said: "My head is all over the place at the minute, my head is wrecked with all these allegations coming up again. This was all cleared up years ago. "I'm concerned about my own safety after all this has come back up again. These are false allegations and I am innocent. I have never raped anybody; I cannot express enough how innocent I am. "I will do any lie detector test to prove it; I've been screaming out for a lie detector to make sure everybody knows I never touched anybody like that. We were going to go on Jeremy Kyle but the subject matter wasn't deemed appropriate. "All this is made worse by the fact I was raped three times as a child - to be accused like this is devastating. "I started paedo-hunting because of the abuse I suffered. That's why I am so passionate about paedo-hunting; it started to become quite therapeutic as I learned how to do the stings and helped bring paedos to justice. "This is all basically a vendetta against me. Every single one of my accusers has either had their kids taken into care or been put out of Belfast for being hoods." Men that have been targeted for stings by Nonce Catchers NI have been from a wide range of backgrounds - including the legal profession, politics and with links to local sport. The group say they have 'hunted' in both loyalist and republican areas with the support of local communities and also revealed women suspected of being paedophiles have been in their sights, too. Kenny fronts the group and is open about his own past troubles, having gone off the rails after being a victim of abuse himself from the age of just eight. In a candid interview, Mr Abbott also admitted he did have sex with a 17-year-old around the time of the alleged incident but insisted he had committed no crime and revealed his shame over the encounter. He added: "I was never charged because it was all lies, this was and has been a malicious campaign and they are trying to destroy me. For why I don't know, I don't get it. They are scumbags. "At the end of the day she was 17 and I slept with her once. I told everybody and didn't deny it. "It wasn't illegal, although it was morally wrong and I admit that, but I am not a paedo. "I have received threats as a result of this coming up again. She was 17, not 15 or 14 as some people have claimed. I swore to God after I would never go near her again." Mr Abbott also took to social media to lash out at the rumour-mongers. Express News Service By GUWAHATI/NEW DELHI: The Centre is likely to sign an accord with the banned Assam-based insurgent group National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) on Monday providing political and economic bonanza to the tribals, sans the outfits key demand of a separate Bodoland state or Union territory.The tripartite agreement will be signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal by the top leadership of the four factions of the NDFB, Joint Secretary in the Home Ministry Satyendra Garg and Assam Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna. The accord will provide for some political rights to the Bodo tribals living in Assam and some economic package for the community, a senior official said. However, the official made it clear that the territorial integrity of Assam will be maintained and the key demand of the NDFB, which is either a separate state or a UT, is not going to be entertained. The four factions of the NDFB, which will sign the pact, are led by Ranjan Daimari, Govinda Basumatary, Dhiren Boro and B Saoraigra. Speculation on the accord began after the Centre gave safe passage to members of NDFB-Saoraigra faction to return to India from Myanmar and Bhutan, visit of top leaders of all four rebel groups and some Bodo organisations to New Delhi to join peace talks, the Assam government not opposing the interim bail petition of rebel leader Daimary, serving life term in jail, and hectic parleys between Centres interlocutor in Bodo peace talks AB Mathur and several Bodo civil society organisations. The Bodos have been fighting for the creation of a separate Bodoland state with areas falling under northern and western Assam. However, Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the agreement would not cause any division of the states territory. The Centre has told us that there will be no division of Assam. There wont be any creation of Union Territory by slicing off Assams land and no part of undivided Sonitpur district will enter the BTC (autonomous Bodoland Territorial Council). The All Bodo Students Union, which has been a part of the movement, felt the Bodos are not going to get anything. Two accords signed so far 3rd Bodo accord to be signed in last 27 years when the violent movement for a separate Bodoland state claimed hundreds of lives, destruction of public and private properties in Assam 1st Bodo accord was signed with the All Bodo Students Union in 1993, leading to creation of a Bodoland Autonomous Council with limited political powers 2nd Bodo accord was signed in 2003 with the militant group Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT), leading to the formation of a Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) with four districts of Assam Kokrajhar, Chirang, The demand for a separate state for the Bodos has been going on in Assam for about five decades According to a survey, 92.5% of UK adults have got away with lying on their CV. Photo: Getty When youre putting together your CV, amassing your achievements, skills, and abilities in just one or two pages, it can be tempting to embellish things a little. After all, landing a job is no easy feat particularly when there are so many highly qualified and accomplished competitors. According to a recent survey by CV-Library, 92.5% of UK adults have got away with lying on their CV. Of the 1,000 workers polled, a third (31.4%) said they would be willing to lie about the dates of their previous employment and 27.1% about gaps in their CV. More than one in 10 12.9% said they would lie about their work experience and 11.4% would fib about their previous responsibilities. Whats more, nearly three quarters (71.6%) of those said that they got the job as a result. READ MORE: What are soft skills and why should you include them on your CV? The most common reasons people lie on their resumes is to look more experienced, appear more qualified or skilled, and to earn a higher salary. But while you might get away with a small fib, is it really worth fabricating your achievements? The CV that you submit is the employer's first impression of you and so it needs to sell you, but it is still important that it is truthful. Firstly, getting caught out is unlikely to do you any favours in the recruitment process. "It can be tempting to lie on your CV, especially when you know that competition is tough for the role you're applying for. But, while it might get your foot in the door, any interviewer worth their salt will spot these lies a mile off; and it will seriously harm your chances of getting the job, says Lee Biggins, CEO and founder of CV-Library. READ MORE: Why we need to delete things from our CV to keep it fresh Bringing on board someone that cant do the job is also going to be a waste of time for everyone, too. If you lie about being able to use certain types of tech or having specific skills, your employer may start to question your abilities and if they find out you fibbed, your career at the company will be a short one. Story continues Even if you manage to dupe the employer, cracks are sure to appear as soon as you start work; and your boss will figure out that you were less than honest on your CV in no time, Biggins says. With access to information through the internet, its also a lot easier to see if someone has lied. Its not uncommon for people to use others achievements for their own gain on LinkedIn, for example. But an employer could easily discover the truth. Its important to remember that you never know who you will end up working with or how they will impact your career in the future. READ MORE: How to answer difficult interview questions without panicking The risks of lying also depend on what it is you are lying about. Fabricating a degree or changing the grades on a qualification may be seen as part of the wider crime of application fraud, for which there can be serious consequences. In 2019, a woman who lied on her resume and faked references to secure a high-paying job with an Australian regional government was sentenced to at least a year in prison. Veronica Hilda Theriault was convicted of deception, dishonesty, and abuse of public office in relation to her 2017 application for the chief information officer role earning 33,000 Australian dollars (17,271) in just over a month before being fired. Although an extreme example, the case highlights how serious application fraud can be. It might be tempting to fake good references or to cover up any gaps in your employment record, but its safer to just be honest. READ MORE: The most common mistakes people make on their CVs and how to fix them If you have gaps in your CV, find a positive aspect to the time off you had and explain how this enhanced your skills and experience. Being truthful doesnt mean you cant stand out from the crowd, Biggins says. The key to a great CV is to tailor it to each role you apply for. So, take the time to look at what the role requires, and think about how your experience proves you're capable of carrying out those duties. If you lead with these skills on your CV, a prospective employer is sure to be impressed. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Eva Xiao and Matthew Knight (Agence France-Presse) Beijing, China Sun, January 26, 2020 12:03 717 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2061003fb 2 News coronavirus,China,Wuhan-coronavirus,outbreak,Beijing,Chinese-New-Year,Lunar-New-Year,tourism Free A woman praying alone in front of shut temple gates was one of the only signs of Lunar New Year observances at Beijing's Lama Temple on Saturday, as fears over a deadly new virus mount in China. The popular Tibetan Buddhist temple, which had more than 80,000 visitors during the holiday last year, is usually packed with crowds queuing to burn incense for good luck. The epicentre of the SARS-like virus is in central China, but it has spread to other regions, prompting authorities as far as the nation's northern capital to close tourist attractions and cancel public events to prevent further contagion from a disease that has killed dozens and infected more than 1,000. Authorities even decided to stop long-distance bus services to and from the capital of 20 million from Sunday as part of efforts to control the spread of the virus, state media reported. Security guards loitered in front of Beijing's Lama Temple on Lunar New Year, shooing away anyone who lingered for too long. A red sign on the closed front gate said the temple was closed until further notice "in order to guarantee the physical health of the religious masses and the Buddhist monks". "It doesn't feel like the New Year," said a 21-year-old woman in a long beige jacket, who only gave her surname Li. Wearing a white surgical mask, Li told AFP she had planned to burn incense at Lama Temple, before realizing it was closed. In the capital of 20 million, where health authorities have reported at least 39 infected patients, famous landmarks were closed to prevent the virus from spreading, including the historic Forbidden City and a section of the Great Wall. The Ming Tombs and Yinshan Pagoda are also not open to visitors. Beijing Ditan and Longtan Temple Fairs -- held for roughly three decades according to state media -- were also cancelled. In central Hubei province, where the majority of cases have emerged, more drastic measures were taken: travel restrictions have been imposed in cities housing 56 million people. "When we left home, it (the virus) wasn't that serious yet," said a 40-year-old woman, who arrived in Beijing from southern Guangdong province before the closures began. "I am worried, but I also feel like worrying too much is useless," she added. "It's better to face it head-on." Read also: Indonesia cancels all Wuhan flights in wake of coronavirus outbreak 'No point in worrying' At a shopping district near Beijing's Houhai lake, where tourists buy street food and souvenirs, many restaurants were open on the first day of Spring Festival. The narrow streets were festooned with red lanterns and Chinese flags, while food stalls sold snacks like stinky tofu and sugar-coated fruit. But there were fewer people than normal, pointed out Huo, a 63-year-old Beijing native who only offered his surname. "There's definitely an impact (from the virus)," he said. "Look at how few people there are." But when asked whether he was worried about the virus, Huo remained nonchalant. "In 2003, SARS was much worse," he told AFP, referring to an outbreak that killed nearly 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong. "I don't have to wear a mask because everyone else is," joked another man, who had traveled from eastern Shandong province. "There's no point in worrying," he added. Some tourists also felt they had no choice but to go through with travel plans to Beijing despite the closures and risk of infection. At the upscale Taikoo Li shopping distrct, a 26-year-old woman said her hotel refused to refund her booking. "Some people are over-panicking," she told AFP, explaining that some friends were worried about getting infected, even while staying at home. "The atmosphere is a bit tense this year," agreed another woman, a 47-year-old who gave her surname as Zhang. The situation in Beijing is not as serious as Wuhan, the epicentre of the epidemic, she said, which was put under effective quarantine on Thursday. Still, "people aren't really going out for gatherings or socialising - a lot has been cancelled, she told AFP, her voice muffled through a blue surgical mask. In just three months time, a newly organized vaccine research group at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) will likely be testing the first of a number of potential experimental vaccines against the new SARS-like coronavirus that is spreading in China and beyond. Three months from gene sequence to initial human testing would be the fastest the agency has ever gotten such a vaccine off the ground, according to Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases within NIH. 'I told them, "you are going to have your baptism of fire, folks",' Fauci said of his inaugural address to the group last week. The outbreak, which began in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December, as of Friday had infected more than 800 people in China and killed 26. Cases have also been confirmed in Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Nepal and the United States. Chinese scientists were able to quickly identify the genetic sequence of the new coronavirus and officials posted it publicly within a few days, allowing scientific research teams to get to work right away. Three months from gene sequence to initial human testing would be the fastest the National Institutes of Health has ever gotten such a vaccine off the ground, said Anthony Fauci (pictured), the director of US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases within NIH Fauci (left) and Assistant US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kadlec (right) participated in an all-senator briefing of the coronavirus outbreak at Dirksen Senate Office Building on Friday on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC With the genetic code in hand, scientists can start vaccine development work without needing a sample of the virus. During the deadly 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak, it took US scientists 20 months to go from genetic sequence to the first phase of human trials. By that time, the outbreak was under control. This time, research groups worldwide are already executing plans to test vaccines, treatments and other countermeasures to stop the newly identified virus from spreading globally. They are attacking from several angles, with global health and epidemic response agencies hoping at least one treatment will be in human trials within a few months. Fauci's agency is partnering with US biotech Moderna Inc, which specializes in vaccines based on ribonucleic acid (RNA) - a chemical messenger that contains instructions for making proteins. That team hopes to make an RNA vaccine based on one of the crown-like spikes on the surface of the coronavirus that gives the family of viruses their name, an approach that, unlike many vaccines, would not expose people to the virus. At the University of Queensland in Australia, scientists backed by the global health emergency group the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) said they are working on what they describe as a 'molecular clamp' vaccine approach. The technology adds a gene to viral proteins to stabilize them and trick the body into thinking it is seeing a live virus and create antibodies against it. Keith Chappell, an expert in the University's school of chemistry and molecular biosciences, said the technology is designed as 'a platform approach to generate vaccines against a range of human and animal viruses'. It has already shown promising results in lab tests on other dangerous viruses such as Ebola and the coronavirus that causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)- a cousin of SARS and the Wuhan virus. The outbreak, which began in the central Chinese city of Wuhan (pictured) in December, as of Friday had infected more than 800 people in China and killed 26 Cases have also been confirmed in Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Nepal and the United States (pictured passengers at Chicago O'Hare International Airport) Medical staff members wearing protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus arrive with a patient at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital in Wuhan on Saturday Novavax, which already has a vaccine in development against MERS, says it is now working on one for the Wuhan coronavirus. Scientists also are turning to infection-fighting proteins known as monoclonal antibodies, or mAbs, that were developed against the SARS and MERS coronaviruses. The hope is that similarities with the Wuhan virus will offer enough overlap in the antibodies to help people infected in the China outbreak. Vir Biotechnology Chief Scientific Officer Herbert Virgin said his company has a library of monoclonal antibodies that have shown some success against SARS and MERS in lab tests. Some of these antibodies have been shown to neutralize coronaviruses, Virgin said, and 'may have the potential to treat and prevent (the) Wuhan coronavirus'. The third US case of the coronavirus has been confirmed in California after diagnoses in Chicago and Washington - while Canada confirmed it's first case Saturday. Orange County Health Care Agency announced that a patient in California had tested positive for novel coronavirus. The agency said the patient had traveled from Wuhan and reached out to the health care agency prior to being diagnosed. They were given guidance to avoiding exposing the public to the virus while waiting for test results. 'The individual has now been transported to a local hospital and is in isolation in good condition,' added the agency who did not identify the patient. 'In consultation with the CDC and the California Department of Public Health, the HCA is following up directly with all individuals who have had close contact with the case and are at risk of infection.' The third US case of the coronavirus has been confirmed in California after after diagnoses in Chicago and Washington - while Canada confirmed it's first case Saturday The CDC advises that casual contact, such as being in the same grocery store as an infected person is unlikely to spread the virus, and that 'the current risk of local transmission remains low'. Canada confirmed its first case Saturday, as a man in his 50s was quarantined in Toronto. News of the virus spreading into North America comes as the US government warns it won't have enough seats on a rescue plane to evacuate all US citizens from Wuhan amid a deadly outbreak of coronavirus - and the jet won't even arrive for two days. The US consulate is reaching out to all Americans registered as living in Wuhan - considered to be the epicenter of the deadly outbreak - to offer them a seat on a charter flight scheduled for Tuesday. A source familiar with the chartered evacuation flight told CNN that roughly 1,000 Americans live in Wuhan, and those who choose to leave will be forced to pay for their spot on the Boeing 767 jet, which carries around 230 people. The State Department released a statement late on Saturday which read: 'The Department of State is making arrangements to relocate its personnel stationed at the US Consulate General in Wuhan to the United States. 'We anticipate that there will be limited capacity to transport private US citizens on a reimbursable basis on a single flight leaving Wuhan Tianhe International Airport on January 28, 2020 and proceeding directly to San Francisco.' Since space is limited, the government says that 'priority will be given to individuals at greater risk from coronavirus'. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 23:35:25|Editor: yan Video Player Close KHARTOUM, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Three new state ministers in Sudan's government on Sunday took constitutional oath before Chairman of Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. The sworn in ministers included Omer Gamar-Eldin Ismail as state minister for foreign affairs, Stephen Amin Arno as state minister for labor and social development and Hazim Diab as state minister for infrastructures and transport. Arno told reporters that after the oath-taking, there are great challenges at the labor ministry as it is the authority concerned with ensuring the livelihood of the people and lessening their burden of living conditions. He vowed that he would do his utmost effort to support the government in coordination with his peer ministers. The state minister for infrastructures and transport stressed the importance of collective thinking and implementation of all plans and programs with participation of all the Sudanese people. He further pointed to the importance of engineering and knowledge partnership to set up strategic visions for the ministry. Last week, Sudan's sovereign council approved the three state ministers. Earlier, some components of the opposition Freedom and Change Alliance demanded amendments in Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok's government. In September last year, Hamdok formed the first cabinet of 21 ministers after the ouster of former President Omar al-Bashir. In August last year, Sudan began a transitional period of 39 months that will end with conduction of general elections. New cases cropped up in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Orange County, Calif., bringing to five the number of confirmed cases in the United States. The virus had already been found in Thailand, France, Japan, South Korea, Australia and beyond. Epidemiologists at Imperial College London estimated that each case infected an average of between 1.5 and 3.5 other people in the early stages of the crisis. For seasonal flu, its about 1.3. That number could drop as the authorities take more stringent measures to halt the spread. But if it holds up, the number of infected could rise sharply. In Wuhan, the city at the center of the outbreak, the streets were eerily quiet as the authorities had ordered people not to drive, forcing some to walk to hospitals. Mr. Zhou, the mayor, said that health officials were likely to confirm an additional 1,000 cases of the illness in the city. He said that the estimate was based on the assumption that around half of the citys nearly 3,000 suspected cases of the coronavirus would eventually test positive. Chinas top leader, Xi Jinping, has promised drastic measures to contain the virus. In a signal of the gravity of the crisis, and its likely disruption to Chinas short-term growth, the government announced on Monday that the annual weeklong Lunar New Year Holiday would be extended. For now, at least, many workers will get another three days off, and go back to work on Feb. 3. Even before that notice, Suzhou, a big manufacturing hub in eastern China, declared that factories there should not start back at work any earlier than Feb. 8. The national government on Sunday also banned the wildlife trade until the epidemic passes. The outbreak had drawn fresh attention to Chinas animal markets, where the sale of exotic creatures has been linked to epidemiological risks. Several drugs are ready for use to treat patients in an outbreak of a novel coronavirus that has killed 41 people in China, according to a leading specialist. Zhong Nanshan, who is heading an expert team to deal with the newly identified virus, told the official Guangzhou Daily that the drugs were available and safe but their effectiveness will need to be observed. Zhong, who was a pivotal figure in Chinas response to the outbreak 17 years ago of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or Sars, gave no details of the medications and said early detection and quarantine was still the best preventive method. If affected patients are quarantined in time, patient numbers in the latter stage will decline greatly, he was quoted as saying. On Saturday, as the number of confirmed cases on the mainland surpassed 1,300, Wuhan health authorities said a second temporary hospital, to be known as Leishenshan, would be built in the city within two weeks, creating 1,300 extra beds to treat patients with the coronavirus, Shanghai-based news outlet The Paper reported. Construction is under way on Huoshenshan, the first temporary facility, and is expected to be completed by February 3, with a capacity for 1,000 patients. Qinghai province in northwest China confirmed its first case of coronavirus on Saturday, leaving the Tibet Autonomous Region is the only remaining major administrative area in the country with no suspected or confirmed cases. Qinghai along with Ningxia also became the latest of 28 administrative regions to activate a top-level public health emergency response to the outbreak, meaning public events, businesses and schools can be suspended and the migrant population quarantined in these areas. Earlier, state broadcaster CCTV reported that a man infected with the virus in Beijing was discharged after he was given a combination of treatment, including traditional Chinese medicine. The announcement came as doctor suspected as having the coronavirus died in the central Chinese province of Hubei marking the first death of a medical professional since the outbreak. Story continues Liang Wudong, a surgeon at Xinhua Hospital in Wuhan, died at 7am at the age of 62, The Paper reported. Liang was suspected of being infected last week, before he was transferred to Wuhans Jinyintan Hospital for treatment. The spread continues China has reported 1,345 cases of the deadly pneumonia-like virus, with at least 729 in Hubei, the epicentre of the outbreak, according to data released by local governments on Saturday. Hubeis death toll was 39, with the other two fatalities in the provinces of Hebei and Heilongjiang. About 180 new confirmed cases were reported in Hubei on Friday. In the southern autonomous region of Guangxi, two new confirmed cases were reported. One of the cases the youngest so far is a two-year-old girl who travelled from Wuhan to Hechi in Guangxi on January 22. Cases have also been reported in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and 10 other countries. City in lockdown Tens of millions of people in Hubei are effectively on lockdown as a travel ban has been imposed on most of the province. Flights, trains, buses and ferries connecting Wuhan to other cities in Hubei have been suspended. Rail authorities in Wuhan, the hub for several major high-speed rail lines, said operations at 61 stations and more than 400 train services in the province had been suspended until further notice, news site Jiemian reported. All vehicles except for those transporting supplies, government-provided free public transport and official vehicles will be banned from Wuhans downtown areas from Sunday, Communist Party newspaper Peoples Daily reported. People who do need to travel around the central districts can used vehicles assigned to neighbourhood communities. Hubei has also tightened restrictions on private vehicles from Wuhan. A notice posted by a petrol station in Chibi, neighbouring Wuhan, said all fuelling stations in the city were now off-limits to vehicles with Wuhan licence plates, on orders of the Chibi municipal government. Travel restrictions are in place in Wuhan, the epicentre of a coronavirus outbreak. Photo: AFP Video footage of people desperately seeking help in Wuhan was widespread on social media. Some nurses and doctors were reported to be suffering emotional breakdowns in hospital consulting rooms while outpatients crowded corridors, with some pictured lying on the floor. More than 20 hospitals in Wuhan have posted notices pleading for aid as there has been a shortage of masks, latex gloves, protective goggles and surgical gowns. Wuhans health commission said on Saturday that 10,000 beds at 24 hospitals had been set aside to treat patients, with 4,000 in use now and 6,000 more to be in place by the end of the month. More hospitals could be used as needed, it said. Medical staff treat patients at the Central Hospital of Wuhan. Photo: Reuters courtesy of the Central Hospital of Wuhan via Weibo In Shanghai, all cinemas have been shut down over the Lunar New Year holiday. City authorities have also cancelled marriage registrations scheduled for February 2 and asked couples not to join the annual rush for registrations on February 14. The Chinese Football Association announced on Saturday afternoon that the annual Chinese FA Super Cup, scheduled for February 5 in Suzhou, east Chinas Jiangsu province, would be postponed until further notice as a preventive measure. In the national capital, Beijing Distribution Group said that its bookshop chains, including Xinhua Bookstore, China Bookstore and Foreign Language Bookstore, would be closed from Saturday until further notice, according to The Beijing News. Help pours in On Friday, China Development Bank granted a 2 billion yuan (US$288.3 million) emergency loan to Wuhan for virus prevention and treatment. A day earlier, Chinas finance ministry announced an allocation of 1 billion yuan to be used by Hubei authorities to halt the contagions spread. The Peoples Liberation Army has deployed 450 military medical staff some with experience fighting Ebola and Sars to Wuhan. The medical staff specialists in respiratory health, infectious diseases, hospital infection control and intensive care would form three teams of 150 people each, and be sent to hospitals with higher numbers of infected patients, state-run news agency Xinhua reported. Shanghai also said it would send 81 artificial lung machines, known as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation equipment, to Wuhan to help with treatment. Hubei governor Jiang Chaoliang said on Friday that Wuhan must make every effort to increase isolation areas and beds. Additional reporting by Lee Jeong-ho Sign up now for our 50% early bird offer from SCMP Research: China AI Report. The all new SCMP China AI Report gives you exclusive first-hand insights and analysis into the latest industry developments, and actionable and objective intelligence about China AI that you should be equipped with. More from South China Morning Post: This article China coronavirus: safe drugs available but questions about effectiveness, Sars expert says as death toll rises to 41 on mainland first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020. Volunteers and emergency services employees who have risked their lives battling Australia's catastrophic bushfires will be eligible to receive a National Emergency Medal. Recipients will join a group of 15,000 men and women who have been recognised for their efforts during previous crises in Australia. Firefighters who have died battling blazes can be nominated posthumously. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also broadened the nomination criteria to include international troops who came to Australia solely to help get the infernos under control. Scroll down for video This picture taken on December 31, 2019 shows a firefighter hosing down trees and flying embers in an effort to secure nearby houses from bushfires near the town of Nowra on the NSW south coast The medal will likely be similar to the 2009 one (pictured) The announcement comes after Governor-General David Hurley declared the 2019-2020 bushfire season 'a nationally significant emergency'. The nomination criteria has not yet been finalised and will likely not be officially announced until the fires have stopped burning. Mr Morrison on Australia Day said the medal would go to people who have offered 'sustained or significant service' during the crisis. 'Today as we reflect on what makes our country the best place in the world, we also honour those Australians who have battled this devastating fire season, many of whom will be on fire grounds today protecting our communities from danger,' he said. 'The response to the bushfire situation has been unprecedented with thousands of volunteer and paid responders working around the clock, day and night, week after week to protect property and save lives. Firefighters are seen struggling against the strong winds which are blowing embers on them in an effort to secure houses near bushfires on Tuesday A firefighter hosing down trees and flying embers in an effort to secure nearby houses in Nowra on Tuesday Mr Morrison described their courage as extraordinary, and said it is 'the spirit we must honour.' 'We will continue to do whatever it takes to support fire affected communities right across Australia to help them rebuild, recover and become even stronger,' he said. Other recipients in the past have included 4470 firefighters who fought the Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria in 2009 and emergency services officers who responded to the Queensland floods and Cyclone Yasi. The deadly fire season has claimed the lives of 33 people. Most recently, three American firefighters were killed on January 23 when Coulson Aviation C-130 Hercules water bomber Zeus crashed while fighting fires near Cooma. They have been named as Capt. Ian H. McBeth, 44, First Officer Paul Clyde Hudson and Flight Engineer Rick A. DeMorgan Jr, 43. Pictured: Captain Ian McBeth, from Great Falls, Montana, was an experienced pilot who had dedicated years of his life to fighting fires in the military and with Coulson Aviation Pictured: Flight engineer Rick DeMorgan is survived by his wife and two children. He had more than 4,000 hours experience As the fire front approached, the sky was filled with orange flames and thick, grey plumes of smoke In an article titled "Removal Would Be Insane, Kicking Trump Out of Office Isn't Necessary to Hold Him Accountable," Rich Lowry of National Review states: Congress can hold hearings on a president's conduct, subpoena witnesses and documents and fight the executive with full force if they aren't produced, hold officials in contempt, produce reports, withhold funding, deny the executive traditional forms of interbranch comity, and, if it wants to put down a long-lasting marker, censure the president. The premise of the headline and article is that Trump needs to be held accountable for whatever Lowry thinks Trump did wrong. Lowry doesn't say what Trump did wrong to incur the wrath of National Review. National Review also published an article by the editors titled "Impeachment Doesn't Require a Crime," stating: Senate Republicans, by and large, have reached an unspoken consensus about President Trump and Ukraine. He should not have put a temporary freeze on congressionally authorized aid to Ukraine, should not have dabbled with using the aid to get Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden or a nutty theory about Ukrainian hacking during the 2016 election, and should not have kept defending his "perfect call" as such. At the same time, his conduct does not merit his removal from office especially since voters will get to pass judgment on that conduct in a few months. How do the National Review editors know what the Senate Republicans have concluded? Maybe the editors can read the minds of the Senate Republicans as Shifty Schiff can read the mind of Donald Trump. National Review agrees with the facts and substance of the Shifty Schiff arguments for abuse of power but doesn't agree with removal because we have an election this year. N.R. still doesn't understand why President Trump won in 2016 and will win again in 2020. It opposed the nomination of President Trump in early 2016. N.R. accepts the premise, facts, and arguments of the Shifty Schiff impeachment. But it wants to plea-bargain down from removal to censure. Wow. With "conservatives" like this, who needs the Democrats? This is the attitude of the weak Republican establishment of McCain-Romney-Bush to accept the premise of the Democrats and the media but argue to fine-tune how to do what the Democrats want, such as when Bush 1 raised taxes after his "read my lips" promise to not raise taxes, or when McCain and Romney did not aggressively campaign against Obama, or when Bush 2 did not respond to the attacks of Democrat majority leader Harry Reid. Trump won and will win because he doesn't accept the premise of whatever the Democrats and their media want. The 63 million who voted for Trump understand and agree with President Trump, but obviously, N.R. doesn't. At a time when President Trump needs the support of all Republicans, conservatives, and others, N.R. gives its support to Shifty Schiff. "I'm not confident about the future of the retail industry, considering how many empty shops are in the area. For people on the edge it's just another reason to give up." It's difficult to track down exactly why regional retail is in the doldrums, with some pointing to macro issues, such as low wage growth, and an expansion of capital cities as contributing factors. An empty shopfront in Merimbula, NSW. Credit:Jenni Jory Jory believes he can pinpoint the decline to the rise of online retail, saying it not only undercut their already thin margins but also made shoppers lazier, even in smaller towns. "It just made it easier for them to not go shopping. But it wasn't just that, all of our suppliers became our competitors overnight because they started selling online," he said. Loading "So it was a double-whammy." But behind these top-level issues lurks the contractually bound burn of retail leases. Ask any shopkeeper what their biggest costs are and the answer will likely be rents, followed by wages. And while hours can be trimmed back or reshuffled, landlords are fundamentally reticent when it comes to renegotiating leases. But with major players such as Harris Scarfe, Jeanswest, Bardot and Bose shuttering sites across the country, there are indications landlords are starting to get spooked. Graham Terry, managing director of regional retail property company Retpro, says the retail downturn had definitely put pressure on rents in all shopping centres. Retpro, which manages about 25 regional and sub-regional shopping centres across the country, has seen an increase in the number of lease holdovers, where tenants end a lease and don't immediately sign on to a new one. Tenants in regional shopping centres are often reliant on big-name tenants to draw in shoppers. "I think its a bit more challenging now than it has been in the past. Any centre with a major fashion component is under more pressure than non-discretionary retailers," he says. While companies, jobs, landlords and shoppers all suffer from unexpected retail collapses, knock-on effects are also felt by the smaller shopkeepers who share the floorspace with the shuttered stores. This can cause a domino effect, where those retailers no longer benefit from the incremental foot traffic from shoppers seeking out big-name players. Anthony Mellowes, chief executive of listed real estate company SCA Property Group, says many smaller players in shopping centres rely heavily on anchor tenants, such as Coles and Woolworths, to fuel their sales, creating a symbiotic relationship between the largest and smaller retailers. Most of our specialty stores rely on the foot traffic of the supermarkets. So it really depends on how Coles and Woolworths are doing. SCA chief executive Anthony Mellowes "Most of our specialty stores rely on the foot traffic of the supermarkets," he says. "The key for them is that everyday spend. So, it really depends on how well Coles and Woolworths are doing." While this reliance is present at some level for smaller retailers in all shopping centres, the knock-on effects are most heavily felt in regional stores with just one or two anchor tenants. It's this reason Terry is hopeful there'll be a buyer for Bardot, Jeanswest and Harris Scarfe, noting those stores were a key draw for a lot of shoppers in country towns. "If there are buyers around, it's business as usual. But if there's not, there's going to be a number of vacancies throughout centres," he says. "And that's a big concern." With almost all facets of retail painting a bleak picture, it's no wonder German hypermarket Kaufland made the shock decision to evacuate the market last week. Dubbed as a potential Aldi-like competitor, with potential to accrue $3 billion in market share in just a few years, Kaufland was set to disrupt and refresh the grocery and discretionary goods market with its massive hypermarket stores. But the significant deterioration in the retail sector since it first announced its launch in 2017 is said to be the reason for its swift exit. Now, the 30-odd sites set to launch around the country will go unbuilt, news which has prompted a sigh of relief from the country's small-town retailers. Iraqi security forces fired teargas and live rounds in renewed clashes with protesters on Sunday (January 26), security sources and witnesses said, as they tried to clear sit-in camps across the country. Demonstrators are seeking the removal of what they see as a corrupt ruling elite and an end to foreign interference, particularly that of Iran, in Iraqi politics. Their protests have been bolstered by supporters of populist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr who have, at times, helped shield the crowds from attacks by security forces and unidentified gunmen. But on Saturday (January 25) al-Sadr said he would end his involvement in anti-government unrest. Shortly afterwards, his supporters began withdrawing from sit-in camps and after that security forces removed concrete barriers near Baghdad's Tahirir Square where protesters have camped for months. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) UNIDENTIFIED MALE PROTESTER, SAYING: "The current government is illegal because it came from bogus elections. The people have been rejecting it for four months. Yesterday and today, thousands of students returned to protest sites despite the force being used by security forces. We appeal to the international community to protect us and to support our people against this corrupt and tyrannical government." The unrest resumed last week after a lull of several weeks, following the killing of top Iranian commander Qassam Soleimani. That killing has revived tensions in Iraqi politics and delayed the formation of a new government. Medical sources said at least 14 protesters in Baghdad and 17 in Nassiriya were wounded on Sunday. Senator Bernie Sanders continued his poll surge in New Hampshire, the first primary state, earning 25 per cent support among more than 500 likely Democratic voters surveyed there. The new CNN/University of New Hampshire poll, which was released Sunday, shows the Democratic socialist earning more support than some of his more establishment Democrat competitors. The results come a little over two weeks before the state is set to hold the vote for the Democratic nominee they want to take on Donald Trump in November. Joe Biden, the usual front runner in the Democratic field, fell nearly 10 percentage points behind Sanders with only 16 per cent support. The crowded competition dropped to 12 candidates earlier this month when New Jersey Senator Cory Booker ended his campaign January 13. Democratic socialist Bernie Sanders continued his polling surge by earning the top spot in a New Hampshire poll released Monday where he amassed 25 per cent support. New Hampshire is the first primary state He was able to surpass former Vice President Joe Biden, who is usually the national frontrunner, by 9 percentage points The top five candidates in the poll have all already qualified for the New Hampshire Democratic debate early next month. Tulsi Gabbard still needs to earn 5 per cent or more in two additional polls to earn a spot on stage Falling just one percent behind Biden is former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, besting progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren. While Buttigieg earned 15 per cent support, Warren, who usually falls in the top three candidates in polls, earned 12 per cent support. Rounding out the top five is Senator Amy Klobuchar with 6 per cent. Hawaii Representative Tulsi Gabbard and tech entrepreneur Andrew Yang tied for sixth place with 5 per cent each. The poll, which was conducted January 15-23, was released as candidates continue to campaign hard in the first caucus state of Iowa and first primary state and at least seven candidates get ready to take stage in New Hampshire earlier next month. All top five candidates in the recent poll have already qualified to make the debate stage in New Hampshire, and on Sunday, Yang reached the polling and fundraising threshold required to partake after failing to qualify for the Iowa debate. Gabbard, who didn't make the stage in Iowa earlier this month, is also lacking the polling numbers, and is set to miss her third debate in a row. So far, she has earned 5 per cent support in national or early state polls, counting the CNN New Hampshire poll, but she needs to earn that or higher in two more polls to earn her spot. Former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg earned the No. 3 spot in the first primary voting state with 15 per cent support just one percentage point less than Biden Trump has taken some swipes at Sanders as he continues to earn momentum leading up to the early caucus and primary states' elections also using it as an opportunity to hit at Biden Gaining momentum at the right time has historically been key to helping a candidate secure the nomination so while Biden has held the top spot for much of the campaign, the next few weeks could secure who will clinch the Democratic National Committee's nomination. The New Hampshire poll also comes just one day after a New York Times/Siena College poll of Iowa voters found Sanders leading with 25 per cent of the likely vote. Nationally, Biden still appears to be holding a lead, with a Washington Post-ABC poll on Sunday showing Biden and Sanders pulling away from the pack. The poll had the former vice president at the head with 32 per cent support, followed by Sanders at 23 per cent. But the next closest candidate was Warren with half of that at 12 per cent, and billionaire and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg with 8 per cent. The latest round of polls confirms earlier results this month that showed Sanders gaining momentum. A much-watched survey of Iowa voters earlier in January also showed the Vermont senator leading his Democratic rivals. The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Oyo State has directed its members to stay away from work from Monday. The development is said to be connected to the directive to the sacked chairpersons of the councils to resume. The chairpersons, who are all members of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), were sacked by Governor Seyi Makinde upon his inauguration last May. The governor later in December appointed caretaker committees to run the councils but the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has directed the state government to scrap the committees and recall the elected chairpersons. The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Adamu, has also directed the Commissioner of Police in the state, Shina Olukolu, to ensure the resumption of the sacked chairpersons on Monday. The directive for the boycott of work was issued by the chairman of the union in the state, Titilola Sodo, after an emergency congress on Saturday at the union secretariat in Challenge area of Ibadan. We have been getting series of disturbing information from all quarters but we dont know its authenticity, and we have reason to be apprehensive for the safety of our members in case they go to work and there is a clash between the two parties, Mr Sodo said in a statement. Today, we had a meeting in order to safeguard the lives of our people and ensure their security, they should keep away from work until the issue is resolved and we know the exact persons we are working for. Mr Sodo said no member of the union should be at work from Monday until further notice. The union leader said there was a similar case a few months ago where one party wanted to take over the local government secretariat, leading to some union members being beaten and injured. This directive is from the State Executive Council (SEC) which is the highest authority of the union in the state. We just concluded the SEC meeting, we have earlier had the State Administrative Council (SAC) meeting, we reviewed the situation on ground as unfolded and so far, we follow the outcome from various quarters. He said it was best for the workers to stay away from work before their working place is turned to a battleground. Naib Subedar Sombir (Posthumous) of the Jat Regiment along with Naib Subedar Narender Singh of Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), Lt Col Jyoti Lama, 11 Gorkha Rifles; Major Konjengbam Bijendra Singh of Army Air Defence, Naik Naresh Kumar of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry and Sepoy Karmdeo Oraon of the Bihar Regiment have been awarded Shaurya Chakra. The Shaurya Chakra is awarded for gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy. Instituted on January 4, 1952, as Ashoka Chakra Class-III and renamed on 27 Jan 1967 as Shaurya Chakra and awarded for gallantry, otherwise than in the face of the enemy. The medal is circular in shape and of bronze, one and three-eighths inches in diameter. On the obverse of the medal shall have embossed a replica of Ashoka Chakra in the centre, surrounded by a lotus wreath. On its reverse shall be embossed the words "SHAURYA CHAKRA" both in Hindi and English, the two versions being separated by two lotus flowers. Naib Subedar Sombir has been awarded Shaurya Chakra posthumously. He was a part of an assault team of Rashtriya Rifles which planned and executed an operation in which three hardcore terrorists were eliminated in Jammu and Kashmir. While cordoning the target house, Naib Subedar Sombir deployed himself and his buddy to cover the most likely escape route of terrorists. One of the terrorist tried to break the cordon by firing indiscriminately and lobbing grenades on them, which resulted in grievous injuries to his buddy. Seeing his buddy in danger and not caring about personal safety, Naib Subedar Sombir seized the initiative and engaged the terrorist. In close quarter battle, Naib Subedar Sombir killed the foreign terrorist later identified as Category 'A++', terrorist. Narender Singh has been awarded Shaurya Chakra for an operation on the Line of Control where he killed two terrorists and injured one. The terrorists were planning to attack Indian Army positions there. Lieutenant Colonel Jyoti Lama created a vibrant intelligence network in Manipur and after meticulous planning relentlessly led his Company in apprehending fourteen hardcore terrorists. Launching successive surgically precise operations, the Officer on July 23, 2019, based on a specific input regarding the move of two terrorists laid an ambush in a village and eliminated them. On March 22, during an operation in Manipur, Major Konjengbam Bijendra Singh eliminated two militants. Naik Naresh Kumar was performing the duties of Scout in Company Assault Team during an operation conducted in a village in Jammu & Kashmir. During an operation launched on the basis of input, Kumar brought down accurate fire and at a close range of five meters eliminated the terrorist later identified as Category A++ terrorist. Sepoy Karmdeo Oraon of an Infantry Battalion was deployed on a post on the line of control as Light Machine Gunner. On December 29, 2018 at 1630 hours the post received intense automatic fire from enemy posts. Simultaneously terrorists fired Pika and Rocket Propelled Grenade, in an attempt to cause injuries to own troops. Sepoy Karmdeo Oraon observed four terrorists firing and rushing towards the post which could endanger troops holding it. He engaged terrorists with Light Machine Gun during which he received a bullet on his Bullet Proof Patka and fell down. The soldier immediately rushed out of his bunker, lobbed nine grenades and engaged terrorists in close quarter battle. This resulted in the elimination of two terrorists. He rushed back to Light Machine Gun and recommenced firing thus ensuring that terrorists made no further attempt. The medals will be accorded to the awardees during an investiture ceremony to be held in the near future. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) My name is Yoo Eun. Its pronounced like Ewan the guy who played Obi Wan Kenobi on the prequel Star Wars films. In my line of work, I frequently meet school leaders throughout southern Los Angeles. One of the first things they ask for is my name. Remembering a persons name is essential to building strong client relationships; despite my efforts to recall the names of individuals whom I met, there are some people who mispronounce my name or have yet to mention it. In a society that prefers common English names, my foreign-sounding name puts me at a disadvantage in building professional relationships and credibility. Immigrants like myself face significant barriers in the workplace, especially when it comes to names. As highlighted in a 2006 study by researchers at Stockholm University in Sweden, immigrants with Swedish-sounding or neutral last names gradually earned more than those who kept their foreign-sounding names. Moreover, according to a 2011 report by researcher Philip Oreopoulous from the University of Toronto, Employers discriminate substantially by name. Employer contact falls by 4.4 percentage points when switching from a Canadian resume with a common English name to one with a common Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, or even Greek name (15.7% to 11.3%, respectively) as a name is often associated with whether the applicant has pertinent language skills. The ability to assimilate the values of the dominant culture is perceived as being competent and a fit in the workplace. As an Asian American woman, I am not at all surprised by the benefits of assimilation. Numerous studies show that people gravitate toward things that are familiar. This mind-set extends to corporate America, as acts of conscious and unconscious bias, including misspelling of names, inaccurate judgments and discrimination, have prevented individuals from being hired or promoted. For example, a significant number of white men occupy top leadership positions at influential companies. Even though Asian Americans make up the most educated, highest-income racial group, many, especially women, fail to ascend to top corporate positions. Fewer than 5% of manager or above positions at S&P 500 companies are held by women of Asian descent, according to a 2015 study from Catalyst. Meritocracy is far from reality as people in power are more willing to promote and hire individuals who are similar to them. To position themselves favorably, many individuals, including my peers and family members, have adopted a name that is more palatable in the U.S. labor market. At my alma mater, Smith College, many Chinese international students, especially those interested in U.S.-based corporate positions, adopted an English name. Additionally, as strong evaluations and recommendations are important in earning an offer at top medical residency programs, my sister abbreviated her foreign-sounding name to Y.J. so her supervisors and professors at Stanford were more likely to remember her. Even my cousin, a Korean national who works in a company that exports optical instruments, uses the moniker Taylor to interact with clients in the United States. Although I do not intend to change my name, I leverage the widespread popularity of Star Wars to help school partners and my direct reports recall and pronounce my name correctly. Leading businesses and organizations have lauded the importance of immigrants and implemented diversity initiatives to encourage people to be their authentic self; however, the pressures to adopt a friendly moniker highlight that more needs to be done to embrace all individuals, not just those who are privileged. Yoo Eun Kim works in education management, based in Los Angeles. Twitter: @yooekim After more than three years of delay and obstruction, Parliament has finally obeyed the referendum result of 2016 and passed the law taking us out of the European Union. Next Friday at 11 pm, whether or not Big Ben strikes the hour, we shall leave the organisation we joined after even longer delay and obstruction (then by the French President General de Gaulle) in 1973. It is not so long ago in historical terms. Many Mail on Sunday readers will remember it. Brexit: Political stability and economic confidence have been boosted since the General Election, according to Robert Tombs But much has changed. Then Britain was on the ropes. Our economy, and even our society, seemed in decline, weakened by strikes and scandals. But the European Common Market, forerunner of the EU, was booming. A Government pamphlet showed a girl in a skimpy Union Jack bikini proclaiming: 'EUROPE IS FUN! More work but more play too!' We were, said a No 10 adviser, 'the sinking Titanic'. Europe, we were told, was our lifeboat. Joining it would save us from ourselves. And now? Europe is floundering. France is riven by endless strikes and demonstrations. Southern Europe is stuck in economic stagnation, disastrous youth unemployment and a continuing crisis of migration. Extremist parties are mushrooming. The EU seeks to take ever more power, which it is incapable of using effectively. On the international stage, it is negligible. Whereas Britain, having at last come through the self-imposed chaos of the past three years, has seen political stability restored by a General Election and economic confidence boosted. Leaving the EU: Every family will save more than 1,000 a year when we depart from the EU We are now set to take back full control of our laws, our money and our borders. After a few months of transition, we shall no longer be subject to EU laws and courts. For many of us, this is justification in itself. It is a matter of democratic principle. Sovereignty belongs to the United Kingdom and its people. It will no longer be 'pooled' or 'shared' and handed over to unelected commissions and unaccountable courts. For many of us, self-government is the very core of what it is to be British, giving meaning to our long history. But we must face the fact that many of our fellow citizens do not take this view. They don't seem too bothered about democracy or independence. They think that Europe benefits them economically and they insist on being told exactly what we shall gain by leaving. The real answer is that we shall gain everything that democracy offers accountability, flexibility, the power to get rid of failing governments and the right to make whatever choices we think are best for us. But let's answer them in their own narrow cash terms: 'What's in it for me?' Most obviously, we shall first reduce and finally end our huge financial contributions to the EU, which average 500 for every family in Britain every year. But this is not all. The Common Agricultural Policy raises food prices by about 100 a year for every family. The EU also imposes import tariffs to raise the price of goods from the rest of the world. This costs every family up to 750 a year on average. So we are already looking at savings of well over 1,000 a year per family. This is only a start. The end of 'free movement', which in practice means treating people as a cheap commodity, will raise wages, encourage investment in training and productivity, ease the strain on our housing supply and infrastructure and cut the benefits bill. Government figures estimate payments to European immigrants at 1.6 billion a year. If we sensibly cut back on EU regulations not a 'race to the bottom', just a sensible reform of red tape the EU's own estimates and the experience of other countries suggest we could save 20 billion to 30 billion a year in business costs. And we have our huge fishing resources, taken away and 'shared' as the price of joining the Common Market, which are worth hundreds of millions of pounds a year and can revitalise some of our most neglected regions. Then we have the chance to improve trading relations with other parts of the world. Apologists for the EU say it is our biggest market so we must remain closely tied to its regulations. It is true that the EU, as a whole, is our largest market though it accounts for well below half of our exports. But we are not abandoning that market. We shall have access to it, just as China and the US do. But what must be realised is that for 20 years the EU has been getting steadily less important to us, and the rest of the world more so. Our trading future is global, and that is where we are more successful even now. Speaking out: Robert Tombs said Brexit offered 'a huge opportunity' for the future of the UK Much is said about 'frictionless trade' with the EU. But that creates friction with the rest of the world. If we aim instead at 'frictionless trade' with dynamic economies around the world, we stand to increase our prosperity by tens of billions of pounds every year. Not only is the EU less important, but the way it is set up does not work well for our economy. We have a huge trade deficit with the EU. Our manufacturing industry, supposed to benefit from the single market, has declined over the past 20 years. Our exports to markets outside the EU have increased 13 times faster over the past ten years than those to the EU. In short, with its slow growth and over-regulation, Europe has been holding us back for years. Its leaders do not hide their fear that we shall do better once we have left, thus showing up their economic failures. We have had a series of narrow escapes. Had the electorate been frightened by 'Project Fear' in 2016, we would have thrown away our chance of national independence perhaps our last chance. Had obstructiveness and scare tactics over the past three years succeeded in reversing the Leave vote, or fixing us into a 'Brexit in Name Only' deal, we would have shown that we were no longer brave enough to govern ourselves. We would have bound ourselves to a declining empire. We would have made ourselves a global laughing stock. Only a few percent of votes made the difference. Those who were frightened by predictions of economic disaster still have to be convinced and reassured that as a country we have done the right thing. Signing out: Boris Johnson puts his pen to the official European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) which Tombs believes offers a major opportunity Boris Johnson and his Government have a huge opportunity and responsibility. They are leading us out of a strange episode in our history. For the first time ever, we joined without quite realising what we were doing a utopian experiment to create a 'Europe' aimed to replace the nation states and make itself into a superstate. We joined because those who then ruled us had lost confidence in themselves and in this country ('the sinking Titanic'). They persuaded us we had no choice. Some still repeat the same refrain. But that time is past, and it is the people, not the politicians, who have decided it. Within the EU, the political and business elites, who are barely accountable to the people, make decisions. Democratic votes in Ireland, the Netherlands, France, Italy and Greece have been repeatedly ignored in the name of the great European project. But here, however narrowly, the British people made their decision and refused to be ignored. Our future now matches our past. A self-governing island nation with a global horizon. India and Brazil on Saturday set a target of USD 15 billion in bilateral trade by 2022 and reiterated their interest in the expansion of India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement towards a more comprehensive and encompassing agreement. The discussion in this regard was held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro during the latter's ongoing visit to India. The two sides acknowledged the importance of bilateral cooperation in the bioenergy sector in achieving the economic, energy and environmental goals of India and Brazil. To that effect, they noted the great potential for increased ethanol production and uptake in India's fuel mix and looked forward to further collaboration between the two countries in this matter, including through the "Sustainable Mobility: Ethanol Talks" conference to be held in Delhi in February 2020, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. Recognizing the importance of renewable energy in their energy mix and its contribution to sustainable development and energy security, both countries agreed to promote reciprocal investments in order to meet their respective renewable energy targets and conveyed their commitment to strengthen the International Solar Alliance and the Biofuture Platform. Prime Minister Modi called upon the Brazilian industry to explore business opportunities in India in the infrastructure, food processing, biofuels and other renewable energy sources, animal husbandry and agro sectors, while Bolsonaro also called upon Indian industry to identify business opportunities, including in Brazil's automotive, leather, oil and gas, oil refining, pharmaceutical, electricity and chemicals sectors. Recognizing that biofuels can play a strategic role in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and diversifying our energy mix, and the importance of promoting renewable energies in energy security and efficiency, the leaders welcomed the signing of the MoU on Bioenergy Cooperation and the MoU on Cooperation in the field of oil and natural gas It was agreed that both sides will encourage their companies to explore ways for promoting investments and cooperation in the upstream, midstream and downstream areas, through technical cooperation, sharing of experience and technical know-how, technology transfer, including through applied research and joint development activities, in oil and gas projects in India, Brazil and also in joint projects in third countries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid on Sunday greeted people of India on the occasion of the country's 71st Republic Day and hoped that New Delhi and Dhaka's partnership would "ensure greater prosperity" for people of both nations. In a statement, Bangladesh High Commission here said that President Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sent separate messages of felicitations to Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Republic Day. According to the high commission, Prime Minister Hasina, in her message, said India and Bangladesh relations have "become a model" for many countries across the "President Hamid recalled that Bangladesh's historical relationship with India since 'our glorious Liberation War in 1971' and hoped that the 'partnership would ensure greater prosperity for our peoples and the partnership would be strengthened in days to come'," said the high commission in a statement. "Prime Minister Hasina, in her message to Modi, said 'Our bilateral relations have become a model for many countries across the Common historic, cultural and civilizational roots have resulted in deepening engagements between our two countries and I am of the view that together we will be able to take this bond of friendship to a greater height'," the statement added. On this day, 70-year back, India officially adopted its Constitution. The day is being celebrated around the country with great fervour and enthusiasm. Earlier in the day, Border Security Forces exchanged sweets with Border Guards Bangladesh at Fulbari Indo-Bangladesh border. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taiwan: Mask-wearing patients fainting in the street. Hundreds of fearful citizens lining cheek by jowl, at risk of infecting each other, in narrow hospital corridors as they wait to be treated by doctors in forbidding white hazmat suits. A fraught medic screaming in anguish. Terrifying video clips on social media, reportedly posted by shocked citizens in Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus that has swept China and infected at least 18 people in seven foreign countries, did not paint a picture of a government in control. In one clip, posted by Badiucao, a Chinese-Australian cartoonist, but which could not be independently verified and was reportedly deleted from the Weibo social media site, the sick were seen sitting next to three bodies covered in white sheets. Other footage showed makeshift tents in hospital car parks. Workers driving excavators at the construction site of a field hospital in Wuhan, China, which was ordered to be built in 10 days to deal with the outbreak. Credit:Getty Images After weeks of apparent delays in tackling the virus that first sprang from a Wuhan seafood market, the Chinese authorities locked down the city of 11 million citizens and put travel curbs on 13 other urban centres in Hubei province, corralling more than 40 million people. It raised questions about why such extreme measures were necessary given that official figures of infections remained in the hundreds, and highlighted concerns about human rights and civil liberties. With government censors still scrubbing the internet, it left citizens afraid and in the dark. By Stuart Rothenberg Iowa gave Barack Obama a resounding 9.5-point victory over John McCain in 2008. Four years later, Obamas margin shrunk to 5.8 points against Mitt Romney. But in 2016, something odd happened. Donald Trump carried Iowa by 9.4 points a dramatic change in the states recent voting behavior and close to the same winning margin as Obamas eight years earlier. Iowa had gone Republican before, of course. It voted narrowly for George W. Bush in 2004, and it backed Ronald Reagan twice, in 1980 and 1984. But Michael Dukakis carried it comfortably in 1988, and Al Gores narrow victory in 2000 seemed to suggest Iowa was shifting ever so slightly toward the Democrats. That is what made 2016 so noteworthy. Did Trumps solid victory say something about the states fundamental partisan bent? Yes and no. As reporter Paige Godden and the folks at Iowa Starting Line note, a stunning 31 Iowa counties voted twice for Obama but flipped to Trump in 2016. Their statewide map shows the bulk of the shifts occurring in eastern Iowa (and particularly northeast Iowa), areas of traditional Democratic strength. While much of western Iowa has more in common with Nebraska and South Dakota (including its Republican bent), northeast Iowa has more in common with Minnesota and Wisconsin, and eastern Iowa looks toward Illinois. The shift in eastern and northeast Iowa in 2016 probably reflects the shift seen elsewhere among working-class voters who were once reliably Democratic but responded enthusiastically to Trumps message. BLUE-COLLAR SHIFT According to a 2017 analysis by the Center for Economic and Policy Research, Iowa ranked third in the nation with blue-collar jobs as a share of total nonfarm employment in each state. (The group defined blue-collar jobs as those in goods-producing sectors manufacturing, construction, mining and logging.) Given that, maybe Iowas dramatic shift was not so surprising. But there is more to the story. And it suggests that the states swing was not quite as dramatic as it first looked. Trump drew almost 801,000 votes in Iowa, more than 20,000 fewer votes than Obama did in 2008 (823,000 votes) or in 2012 (829,000 votes). Trumps showing, in percentage terms, was right in line with those presidential nominees who carried Iowa in the previous five contests. He drew 51.2%, while Obama drew 52% in 2012 (against Romney) and 53.9% in 2008 (against McCain). George W. Bush drew 49.9% in 2004 (against John Kerry) and Gore drew 48.5% in 2000 against Bush. In 1996, Bill Clinton drew 50.3% in Iowa against Bob Dole. So while Trumps margin of victory was large (9.4 points), especially for a once-hypercompetitive state, the percentage of the vote that he received (51.2%) was not particularly noteworthy. How could that be? As in a handful of other competitive Midwest and Great Lakes states, Trumps margin of victory was more a reflection of Hillary Clintons weak performance than his own strength. Clinton drew just 41.7% of the vote in Iowa, a showing far worse than those by other recent losing candidates, including Romney (46.2%), McCain (44.4%), Kerry (49.2%) and George W. Bush (48.2%). The only recent losing nominees to draw a lower vote percentage in Iowa than Clinton were Dole (39.9% in 1996) and George H.W. Bush (37.3% in 1992), both of whom lost a substantial number of votes to independent Ross Perot. LOOKING AHEAD Is this good news for Democrats, putting Iowa back in play in 2020? Hillary Clintons showing in Iowa reflected a unique weakness, and Democrats have a chance to nominate someone who doesnt have her baggage, which would improve their prospects in the state. But Trumps margin was substantial, and Democrats would need to bring out voters who stayed home in 2016 and also win back some former Democrats who backed Trump three years ago. Thats quite a challenge. So far, there is little reason to believe that more than a trickle of 2016 Trump voters are ready to defect (or, more correctly, return to the Democratic Party), and that, plus the states rural Republican voters throughout the state, make it difficult to see Iowa supporting the Democratic nominee in November. Of course, 2020 certainly should see a much closer race in Iowa if the Democrats nominate someone who can turn out new voters, rally the party base and appeal to swing voters upset with Trumps language and governing style. Trumps margin in Iowa is likely to shrink in November to the mid- or even low-single digits. That means he is still likely to carry the state (barring new developments), but it also means that Iowa is worth keeping an eye on, if only as a test case as to whether Democrats are rallying behind their partys nominee. The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. The heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, would like to make an official visit to Iran, he said in an interview with the Sunday Times newspaper. Charles however declined to address the tensions relating to the crisis in the British monarchy sparked by his son Prince Harry, who is stepping down from his royal role with his wife Meghan, the paper said. Yes, obviously I would like to [go to Iran], he was quoted as saying. I know that Iran has been such an important part of the world for so many centuries and has contributed so much to human knowledge, culture, poetry, art. I mean, really remarkable people. Nedbank is currently assessing its position with regards to cryptocurrencies in South Africa, two local exchanges confirmed to MyBroadband. Following posts on online social platforms that Nedbank was evaluating it stance on cryptocurrency-linked businesses, exchanges, and dealers, MyBroadband spoke to VALR and AltCoinTrader about the matter. VALR co-founder Farzam Ehsani confirmed that while Nedbank is assessing its position regarding cryptocurrency, VALR has been engaging with Nedbank over the past several months and the bank has given no indication that it plans on unbanking the cryptocurrency industry. We believe they have been spooked by FNBs decision to unbank crypto-related entities, but as we have mentioned before, FNBs decision remains an isolated case, said Ehsani. He added that VALRs current banking partners have stated they do not intend to follow in FNBs footsteps, and regulators have said they do not understand FNBs decision. FNB is the only bank that has decided that it will soon close crypto accounts. However, they have clearly indicated that they will revise this decision once there is some clarity from the regulators. We have been in close contact with the regulators and those regulatory guidelines are coming shortly. So I expect FNB to reverse this decision in the foreseeable future. Ehsani said he firmly believes that no bank will be able to survive in the future without providing cryptocurrency services to their clients. Only an assessment AltCoinTrader CEO Richard de Sousa said that as far as they are aware, Nedbank is only evaluating its position on cryptocurrency-related banking facilities at this time. We enjoy a very stable relationship with Nedbank and are unaware of any closure of bank accounts within South Africa. Obtaining banking facilities in and around the world has been extremely difficult for exchanges and related crypto companies, said de Sousa. FNB is just one example of local banks adverse appetite for the industry at this stage and may change its stance once there is clear regulation in and around cryptocurrencies. iCE3Xs Eugene Etsebeth said they have not had any communication from Nedbank in terms of restricting cryptocurrency-related transactions or facilities. Should we receive any such communications, iCE3X will without delay communicate this to our customers. Until such time it is business as usual for us, and we believe the FNB decision to be an isolated case, said Etsebeth. Nedbank was asked for comment on the matter, but it did not provide feedback. FNBs decision Major South African cryptocurrency exchanges were notified by FNB that their bank accounts will be closed in November 2019. According to a letter seen by MyBroadband, FirstRand Bank told the cryptocurrency exchanges that it has been considering its risk appetite regarding virtual currencies and related exchanges, and has decided to discontinue the provision of banking services to certain companies. The bank added that it may change its decision if regulation around the industry is clarified. The ANC wants to give full power over compensation for expropriated land to a minister of land reform, the Sunday Times reported. According to the report, a faction in the ruling party is proposing the drastic change to the land expropriation bill. The proposed plan seeks to cut off the courts from deciding whether the state should pay for expropriated land and instead grants the minister of land reform absolute discretion over land owners eligibility for payment. Currently, the bill reads that A court may, where land and any improvements thereon are expropriated for the purposes of land reform, determine that the amount of compensation is nil. The ANC has now proposed that a court be substituted with the executive. Big shift The report follows news this week that the ANC does not support the clause in the land expropriation bill which would give the courts the power to determine which land should be taken without compensation. The ruling party allowed it to be drafted that way so that the proposal could be gazetted without controversy. In an interview on ENCA, chairperson of Parliaments ad-hoc committee on the constitutional amendment, Mathole Motshekga, said they had to select a formulation that would be acceptable to all the political parties, so that we dont derail the process. But that formulation is subject to engagement by political parties and the people of South Africa as a whole. The ANC has taken the lead to say no, we do not support that formulation that power should be given to the executive, he said. ANC NEC meeting The decision to move power to a designated minister was reportedly made after a push by the radical economic transformation faction of the ANC at the partys National Executive Committee meeting last week. The Sunday Times said several constitutional law experts slammed the plan, and called it unexpected and unworkable. Motshekga told the Sunday Times that landowners would still be able to approach the courts if they were unsatisfied with the ministers decision. The plan is expected to further delay the bills passage, as the EFF has stated that it opposes the proposal. First published in the Sydney Morning Herald on January 30, 1960 COOL CHANGE BRINGS FLOODINGS AFTER RAIN STEAMS CITY DROP OF 25 DEGREES A cool change yesterday brought rain and minor flooding to Sydney after a week of oppressive heat. But the relief of a falling thermometer was short-lived as the humidity soared, smothering the city in a "steam bath." "Mr Jim Joyce of Victoria Street, Alexandria, gives neighbouring children a welcome shower with his garden hose late last night". January 27, 1960 Credit:Staff photographer Late yesterday, heavy, widespread showers with a cloudburst in the Hurstville-Rockdale district drenched Sydney, boosting the humidity higher. Representative image A Toronto hospital has a confirmed case of the deadly virus from China, Canada's first. Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre said it is caring for a patient who has a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China. Officials said the man is his 50s and recently flew from Wuhan, China to Guangzhou, China and then on to Toronto on January 23. "He really wasn't in Toronto very long. He wasn't feeling well. I think he was at home and the people that live with him are in self isolation," said Dr Barbara Yaffe, Ontario's Associated Chief Medical Officer. The outbreak of the new virus originated in China, where it has killed 56 people, and has spread worldwide. Australia and Malaysia reported their first cases Saturday four each and Japan, its third. COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show France confirmed three cases Friday, the first in Europe, and the US identified its second, a woman in Chicago who had returned from China. In Canada, while the case has been confirmed by a test in Toronto, officials said it has yet to complete separate testing by the federal government's National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases in Winnipeg. The illness will officially be fully confirmed once it completes that testing. Dr. David Williams, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health, said they are 95 per cent sure it is the virus. "This is the first presumptive confirmed case," said Williams. While we are convinced our tests do demonstrate positivity there is confirmation at the national medical laboratory in Winnipeg and once that is done is is a fully confirmed case. The man is now in stable condition in isolation. He was admitted to hospital a day after his flight to Toronto. Mayor John Tory said health officials say the risk to the public is low. Coronaviruses cause diseases ranging from the common cold to SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome. SARS first infected people in southern China in late 2002 and spread to more than two dozen countries, killing nearly 800 including 44 Canadians. Toronto was hit hard by the outbreak. The Chinese government initially tried to conceal the severity of the SARS epidemic, but its cover-up was exposed by a high-ranking physician. I am honored and privileged to have the support of these fearless community leaders, Foxx said in the release. There is a false narrative that we have to choose between public safety and justice reform. We do not. Having the support of these leaders demonstrates their belief in my work and the work we will continue to do to support our communities. FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump addresses U.S mayors in the East Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 24, 2020. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Reuters President Donald Trump's lawyers took center stage Saturday as they begin opening arguments in his historic impeachment trial. Over the course of roughly two hours, they made more than a dozen false or misleading claims, stated that the president did nothing wrong, and promoted conspiracy theories started by Russia. Scroll down to read coverage of the blockbuster event. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. President Donald Trump's lawyers took center stage Saturday as they begin their opening arguments in his historic impeachment trial. Trump was impeached last month for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Both articles of impeachment relate to his efforts to coerce Ukraine to launch politically motivated investigations targeting former Vice President Joe Biden, a 2020 Democratic frontrunner and Trump's political rival, and the Democratic Party as a whole. While doing so, the president withheld $391 million in vital military aid to Ukraine, as well as a White House meeting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky desperately sought and still hasn't gotten. Beginning around 10 a.m. ET, Trump's defense team began laying out what they say is a preview of "coming attractions" as they argued that the charges against him are constitutionally invalid and should be tossed out. The Trump team's opening arguments come after three days of opening arguments from seven impeachment managers, lawmakers from the House of Representatives who act as prosecutors in Trump's impeachment trial. The group is led by Rep. Adam Schiff of California, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, which oversaw majority of the impeachment hearings against Trump last year. C-SPAN and TV networks are relying on the Senate's live feed of the trial. C-SPAN is airing the trial at cspan.org. Watch the trial below: Scroll down to read our coverage of the blockbuster event. Story continues Trump's defense team ended the first portion of their opening arguments around 12 p.m. ET, after two hours of remarks Speaking to reporters, Jay Sekulow, President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, attacks the Democrat's arguments in the impeachment trial of the president on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, in Washington, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Associated Press The trial will resume at 1 p.m. ET on Monday. Deputy White House counsel Patrick Philbin falsely claims Trump had a legal basis for refusing to comply with congressional subpoenas patrick philbin Senate TV Deputy White House counsel Patrick Philbin took aim at House impeachment manager Hakeem Jeffries for claiming Trump had a "blanket defiance" to the House's impeachment inquiry that had no legal justification. Philbin disputed the claim and pointed to an October 18 letter in which the White House said it would not comply with subpoenas issued by House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff who is also the lead impeachment manager for documents. The reason the White House cited for not complying with the subpoenas was that the House had not yet formally launched the impeachment inquiry and therefore was "not authorized to conduct any such inquiry or to subpoena information in furtherance of it." Fact check: The separation of powers doctrine indicates that even when it's not conducting an impeachment inquiry, Congress has the constitutional power to conduct oversight of the executive branch. Trump has stonewalled Congress at every turn, however, by falsely arguing that he is "absolutely immune" from not just prosecution, but any investigation whatsoever while he's in office. He also issued a sweeping order directing all executive branch officials and six government agencies not to comply with any requests for documents or witness testimony even after the House formally opened its impeachment inquiry. Republican senators toyed with fidget spinners and doodled during House managers' opening arguments. They took diligent notes during the Trump team's opening arguments. Sen. Richard Burr R-NC., displays a stress ball as he walks to the Senate Chamber prior to the start of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) Associated Press Republican Sen. Richard Burr distributed fidget spinners on Thursday morning, NBC News reported. "They do last for quite a while," Republican Sen. Mike Rounds said, according to the reporter Nicholas Wu. "Not that it might outlast some of the dissertation we have in there, but it might make the time go a little quicker." Sens. Tom Cotton and Pat Toomey were seen with fidget spinners on their desks, too. Cotton's was purple, and Toomey's was white. But GOP senators struck a different tone as President Trump's legal team began its opening arguments in his impeachment trial on Saturday. CNN reported that Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, Joni Ernst, Lamar Alexander, Cory Gardner, David Perdue, Mitt Romney, all took notes at various points, particularly when Trump's lawyers made arguments to dispute Democrats' claims and prop up the president. Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow pushes conspiracy theory about Ukrainian election interference jay sekulow Screenshot via CSPAN Sekulow accused Democrats of creating a "false dichotomy" and suggesting that either Russia or Ukraine meddled in the election, but not both. The US intelligence community determined with high confidence that the Russian government interfered in the race. Sekulow accepted that conclusion but added that it was possible Ukraine could have interfered as well. Fact check: There is no evidence to suggest Ukraine meaning the Ukrainian government carried out a campaign to intervene in the election. While it's true that some Ukrainian government officials voiced their disapproval of Trump during the 2016 campaign, so did officials from other countries, many of which are close US allies. If a foreign official criticizing Trump is the standard to prove a government-sanctioned interference campaign in the 2016 election, that would mean well over a dozen countries meddled in the race. More importantly, the theory that Ukraine interfered in the election was created by Russian President Vladimir Putin himself, as Fiona Hill, the White House's former senior director for Russian and Eurasian affairs, testified to Congress. In November, Putin indicated his pleasure that Trump and right-wing politicians had picked up the conspiracy theory. "No one is accusing us of interfering in the US elections anymore," Putin said at an economic forum in Moscow. "Now they're accusing Ukraine." Trump defense team takes aim at FBI for surveillance of former campaign aide Carter Page Carter Page AP Trump's personal defense lawyer, Jay Sekulow, said the president "had reason to be concerned about the information he was provided" by the US intelligence community. He referred to a recent Justice Department inspector general's report on the origins of the Russia probe which found irregularities and bureaucratic errors in the FBI's application for a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant to monitor the Trump campaign aide Carter Page during and after the election, because he was suspected of being an unwitting agent of the Russian government. The inspector general, Michael Horowitz, ultimately found no evidence that political bias had any effect in the FBI's decision to launch the Russia investigation. Meanwhile, this week, the Justice Department told a federal judge that two of the four FISA warrants targeting Page were invalid. Trump's personal lawyer, Jay Sekulow, slams Democrats for trying to 're-litigate' the Mueller probe before he himself proceeded to re-litigate the Mueller probe jay sekulow Senate TV Sekulow opened his remarks by asking senators and the public to put themselves in President Trump's shoes when he first came into office. At the time, his campaign was under FBI investigation over whether it coordinated or conspired with the Russian government as it interfered in the 2016 election. Six months into his term, Sekulow said, Trump "found a special counsel being appointed to investigate a Russia collusion theory." Fact check: Former FBI director Robert Mueller was appointed special counsel after Trump himself fired then FBI director James Comey. Trump later cited "this Russia thing" as driving his decision to oust Comey. "In their opening statement, several members of the House managers tried to once again re-litigate the Mueller case," Sekulow said, as he himself began to re-litigate the Mueller case. Sekulow held up a stack of papers and said, "This is part one of the Mueller report. This part alone is 199 pages." He continued: "The House managers, in their presentation, a couple of times referenced 'this for that,'" referring to the English translation of the latin phrase "quid pro quo." "Let me tell you something," Sekulow said as he held up the first part of Mueller's report. "This cost $32 million. This investigation took 2,800 subpoenas. This investigation had 500 search warrants. This had 230 orders for communication records. This had 500 witness interviews. All to reach the following conclusion, and I'm going to quote from the Mueller report itself ... 'Ultimately ... this investigation did not establish that the campaign coordinated or conspired with the Russian government in its election interference activities.'" Fact check: Mueller's report did not conclude that there was "no collusion," as Trump, Sekulow, and their allies have claimed. It found that there was insufficient evidence to bring a criminal conspiracy charge against the Trump campaign or anyone associated with it. Prosecutors also found, however, that the campaign enthusiastically welcomed Russia's interference and sought to benefit from it. Deputy White House counsel Michael Purpura lays out '6 key facts' about Trump and Ukraine that have no basis in the facts michael purpura Senate TV Purpura accused House Democrats of "selective leaks" and holding "closed-door examinations" with "handpicked witnesses," and later having "staged public hearings." He then outlined what he said were six "key facts" that "have not and will not change": The July 25 call transcript shows that the president did not condition either security assistance or a meeting on anything. Fact check: The "transcript" Purpura referred to is a rough summary the White House released. The summary shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky telling Trump Ukraine is ready for more military aid. Trump replied: "I would like you to do us a favor, though," and immediately asked Zelensky to pursue investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, as well as conspiracy theories about Ukrainian election interference. Zelensky and other Ukrainians have repeatedly said there was no quid pro quo or pressure on them to launch investigations. Fact check: It's true that Zelensky said he didn't feel pressured and that there was "no blackmail." But context matters, especially in a geopolitical relationship like this one, where there's a clear imbalance of power. As Insider's John Haltiwanger reported last year, Ukraine is still reliant on US military assistance as it fends off Russian aggression. By acknowledging feeling pressured, Zelensky would risk angering Trump. "Whether the hold, the security assistance hold, continued or not, Ukrainians understood that that's something the president wanted and they still wanted important things from the president," Holmes testified. "So I think that continues to this day. I think they're being very careful. They still need us now going forward." Zelensky and Ukrainian officials did not even know the security assistance was paused until the end of August, over a month after the July 25 call. Fact check: Laura Cooper, a Russia and Ukraine expert at the Pentagon, revealed in public testimony last year that the State Department emailed a member of her staff on July 25 the day of the Trump-Zelensky phone call saying Ukrainian embassy officials and the House Foreign Affairs Committee were asking about US military aid. In other words, Ukraine seemed aware of the freeze at the time Trump spoke with Zelensky. Not a "single wintess testified that the president himself said that there was any connection between any investigations and security assistance, a presidential meeting or anything." Fact check: Gordon Sondland, the US's ambassador to the European Union, testified that Trump engaged in a quid pro quo that involved conditioning military aid and a White House meeting on Ukraine launching the investigations he wanted. Sondland also told Holmes Trump only cares about "the big stuff" as it relates to Ukraine. When Holmes noted that Ukraine is at war with Russia, Sondland said "the big stuff" is more about the Bidens. And Sondland raised the request for investigations at a July 10 meeting with Ukrainian officials after they asked when Zelensky could expect a White House meeting with Trump. Security assistance was released on September 11 and a Trump-Zelensky "presidential meeting" happened on September 25, without Ukraine announcing any investigations. Fact check: The president released the aid only after Politico publicly reported, on August 28, that he had frozen it, and after Congress and the public learned about a whistleblower's complaint against Trump. The "presidential meeting" Purpura referred to was a brief meeting on the sidelines of the UN. Zelensky himself said at the pull-aside that he was keen on meeting Trump at the White House. The president has not yet granted that request. Democrats' "blind drive" to impeach Trump doesn't change that he's been a "better friend" and "stronger supporter" of Ukraine than his predecessor. Fact check: Republican lawmakers have repeatedly pointed to Trump's sale of javelins to Ukraine as a sign of his strong support for the country's fight against Russian aggression on its eastern border. However, as Haltiwanger wrote, under the rules of the sale, the Javelin missiles have to be stored in western Ukraine, which is far from the frontlines of the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine against pro-Russia separatists. In short, the Javelins were essentially provided to Ukraine under the condition that they not be used in the conflict zone. Purpura concluded that each of the "facts" he laid out are "enough to sink the Democrats' case." Deputy White House counsel Michael Purpura claims lead House impeachment manager Adam Schiff fabricated the details of Trump's July 25 call with Ukraine's president Trump on phone White House Here's what Purpura said of Schiff's comments: "That's fake. That's not the real call. That's not the evidence here. That's not the transcript that [White House counsel] Mr. Cipollone just referenced. And we can shrug it off and say we were making light or a joke, but that was in a hearing in the United States House of Representatives discussing the removal of the President of the United States from office." Fact check: Schiff was paraphrasing the call. He said as much before describing "the essence of what the president communicates," and not "the exact transcribed version of the call." It's also impossible to access an exact transcript of the call because the White House has not released it to Congress or the public. White House counsel Pat Cipollone attacks Democrats for running a closed impeachment process House Democratic impeachment managers, from left, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., arrive for the start of the third day of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Associated Press Addressing the impeachment process, Cipollone said: "If you were really interested in finding out the truth, why would you run a process the way they ran it? If you were really confident in your position on the facts, why would you lock everybody out f it from the president's side? Why would you do that?" Fact check: The House committees overseeing the impeachment inquiry repeatedly invited Trump's lawyers to participate in the hearings. They declined to do so. The hearings themselves were initially conducted behind closed doors, but about 100 lawmakers Democrats and Republicans on each committee spearheading the impeachment inquiry were allowed to attend. Afterward, the House Intelligence Committee released full transcripts of all the depositions. It also held public hearings with more than a dozen officials. The White House declined to send lawyers representing Trump to the public hearings as well. White House counsel Pat Cipollone claims Trump has a 'strong record' of confronting Russia. It's a misleading statement. Vladimir Putin Sergei Savostyanov\TASS via Getty Images Cipollone told senators that Trump has "a strong record" of confronting Russia. "You will hear that President Trump has a strong record of support for Ukraine," he added. "You will hear that from the witnesses in their record that [House managers] didn't tell you about."" Fact check: Here, Cipollone was likely referring to the Trump administration's decision to send lethal weapons known as Javelins to Ukraine, which the Obama administration refused to do. Republican lawmakers have repeatedly pointed to Trump's sale of javelins to Ukraine as a sign of his strong support for the country's fight against Russian aggression on its eastern border. However, as Insider's John Haltiwanger wrote, under the rules of the sale, the Javelin missiles have to be stored in western Ukraine, which is far from the frontlines of the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine against pro-Russia separatists. In short, the Javelins were essentially provided to Ukraine under the condition that they not be used in the conflict zone. Experts on the region have also repeatedly said that Ukrainian soldiers are more appreciative and in greater need of nonlethal aid. White House counsel Pat Cipollone: House managers are trying to 'remove President Trump from the ballot' in the 2020 election pat cipollone Senate TV White House counsel Pat Cipollone kicked things off by claiming House impeachment managers are trying to "remove President Trump from the ballot" in the 2020 election. Addressing the Senate, he added: They're asking you to "take that decision away from the American people." "They're asking you to do something that no Senate has ever done, and they're asking you to do it with no evidence," Cipollone said. He also referenced a "transcript" of the July 25 call between Trump and Zelensky and said it was the "best evidence of what happened on the call." Fact check: No transcript of the call has been released. The White House put out a rough summary of the conversation, but the full transcript is on a top-secret, codeword National Security Council server. White House lawyers made the unusual decision to move the transcript to the server which is typically used to house sensitive information pertaining to national security after multiple White House officials reported the call as being inappropriate and a potential violation of US law. What to expect on Saturday attorney Pat Cipollone The Washington Post/ Getty The president's defense team is spearheaded by White House counsel Pat Cipollone. It also features his personal lawyers Jay Sekulow and Jane Raskin, Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, former Whitewater independent counsels Ken Starr and Robert Ray, and former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi. Trump's lawyers filed a legal brief earlier this week that outlined many of their upcoming arguments. They will say the charges against him are unconstitutional and that abuse of power is not a criminal offense and therefore not an impeachable one. They're also expected to assert that the president is immune from not just prosecution but any kind of congressional or law enforcement investigation while he's in office. Here are some other arguments they might lay out: "The call was perfect." This refers to the July 25 phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the center of the impeachment inquiry. During the call, Trump repeatedly pressured Zelensky to investigate the Bidens and a conspiracy theory promoted by Russia about purported Ukrainian interference in the 2016 election. He voiced these requests right after Zelensky said Ukraine was ready for more US military aid. Several White House officials who listened in reported the phone call to John Eisenberg, the National Security Council's chief lawyer. Officials testified to Congress that they thought it was "wrong," "improper," and "inappropriate." According to a whistleblower complaint about the phone call, White House lawyers believed the president violated the law during the call by soliciting foreign interference in the upcoming election. Eisenberg also warned officials not to tell anyone about the phone call and had a transcript of the conversation moved to a top-secret, codeword NSC server typically used to house sensitive information pertaining to US national security. "There was no quid pro quo." Trump has been accused of engaging in a quid pro quo with Ukraine by refusing to release military aid or grant Zelensky a White House meeting until he publicly committed to the investigations Trump wanted. The president's allies claim that because Trump ultimately released the aid, there was no actual quid pro quo. But the administration only released the funds after Politico reported on the aid freeze in late August, and after Congress and the public learned of the existence of the whistleblower's complaint. "This is a well-known principle of criminal law that if the defendant says he didn't do it, he couldn't have done it," Schiff said Friday evening. "If the defendant learns and he's been caught and he says he didn't do it, he couldn't have done it. That doesn't hold up in any court in the land. It shouldn't hold up here." Where is the whistleblower? Trump and his allies have repeatedly called for the identity of the whistleblower to be revealed to the public, even though the individual's anonymity is protected under federal law. Trump himself has accused the whistleblower of espionage and treason, crimes that are punishable by death. The Obama administration also withheld foreign aid from countries. It's true that Barack Obama and other presidents withheld or froze foreign aid. None of them did so for their personal benefit. Trump never specifically said he was bribing Ukraine, and if a witness didn't directly see the president do this, it couldn't have happened. Schiff underscored the absurdity of this claim, saying it was akin to telling jurors not to consider anything but "a televised confession by the president." And even then, he said, they would urge the public not to consider it. You can't impeach the president over the exercise of executive privilege. The White House did not invoke executive privilege even once throughout the impeachment process. Here's a summary of what's happened so far Adam Schiff AP Photo/Steve Helber For roughly 23 hours spread out over three days, House impeachment managers pelted the Republican-led Senate with what they said was "overwhelming" and undisputed evidence against the president. They detailed the charges against him and laid out an intricate timeline of his months-long effort to strong-arm Ukraine into acceding to his personal demands, and leveraging official US policy while doing so. The impeachment managers, a group of seven Democratic lawmakers with a range of experience in the legal field and law enforcement, flooded the Senate with documentary evidence and video footage of career foreign service officers who testified that Trump harmed the US's national security and repeatedly ignored warnings that the administration may be violating the law by withholding security assistance from Ukraine. House prosecutors highlighted testimony from Trump's own officials who said his actions were "wrong," "inappropriate," and "improper." They discussed the constitutional grounds for impeaching Trump, and why his actions rise to the level of impeachable conduct. And they hammered the president for what they said was his "unprecedented" obstruction of the impeachment inquiry and his false belief that he has the "absolute power" to do whatever he wants under Article 2 of the Constitution. The impeachment managers also made a forceful case for calling witnesses to testify in Trump's trial. Indeed, the president and his Republican allies have complained that so far, they've learned nothing new in the trial compared to what emerged from the House's impeachment hearings. At the same time, those same Republicans have shot down calls from Democrats to allow more witnesses to testify. On Friday, as Schiff made his final remarks before prosecutors concluded their opening arguments, he implored the Senate to bring in witnesses. "Americans get a fair trial," he said as he addressed the chamber. "And so I ask you, I implore you, give America a fair trial. She's worth it." Bill Bostock and John Haltiwanger contributed reporting. Read the original article on Business Insider Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal If youre looking for a job online, an Albuquerque woman tells a cautionary tale about how her husband got duped during a vulnerable time in his life. He had used a number of sites to help him become employed again, including craigslist, his wife said. He was thrilled when he got an official-looking email from DHL, the global shipping company, saying he would be hired but needed to send $95 via PayPal to cover the cost of a background check. It also said he would receive a separate invitation to an employee orientation. If he agreed, he would be repaid the money at the gathering. You guessed it. He never received the invitation and was out the money. And his wife was really angry. They take advantage of the most vulnerable people people who are looking for a job and cant afford to lose so much money, she said. I hope it doesnt happen to anyone else. A DHL spokeswoman said this scam has become so prevalent that the company has added a warning on its website. Other versions include asking payment to cover administration costs or demanding the job-seekers Social Security number, spokeswoman Bea Garcia said. DHL does none of these things, Garcia said, and the same goes for job recruiters it hires. The lesson? Use extreme caution if youre going the online route to seek employment. For example, its a red flag when you receive an emailed response saying you need to pay something to get a particular job. It could be for training materials, certification or a background check. And watch for on-the-spot job offers, the Better Business Bureau advises. You may be an excellent candidate for the job, but beware of offers made without an interview. A real company will want to talk to a candidate before hiring. Also, if the offer comes from a well-known company, check out its job page to see if the position is posted. A warning if youre thinking about working for the 2020 Census: dont pay someone to help you get one of these jobs. Scammers lie to people about the availability of census jobs, then charge a fee to help them get hired, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission. The two agencies have joined forces to limit the number of people who fall for this. Anyone who asks for a fee to help you get a Census Bureau job is a scammer, according to a news release. In fact, you never have to pay for information about job vacancies or employment opportunities with the U.S. government. The only way to apply is to complete an online application at 2020census.gov/jobs. There are a variety of positions available, and pay varies according to job and location. You will need to provide your Social Security number, home address, email address, phone number and date and place of birth. Just make sure youre on the official website before you give out these details. Contact Ellen Marks at emarks@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3842 if you are aware of what sounds like a scam. To report a scam to law enforcement, contact the New Mexico Consumer Protection Division toll-free at 1-844-255-9210a. London: Prince Harry and Meghan have no intention of putting their names to products such as milk or perfume as they embark on their new careers, according to the London Telegraph. In a marked contrast to relatives such as Peter Phillips, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex insist they will not use their royal heritage to sell anything in the commercial marketplace. The couple have not ruled out lucrative speaking engagements. Credit:AP A friend said: "They could not have been more clear, they will never sell milk or anything like that. The idea that they will put their names to products in that way is wide of the mark. It completely misinterprets what they want to do." Royal sources confirmed that the couple were planning to pursue careers in television, investigating executive producer roles such as that taken by Prince Harry, 35, on the forthcoming mental health series he has co-created with Oprah Winfrey, the chat show star, for Apple television. US chlorine-washed chicken should not be banned from the UK under a post-Brexit trade deal because Britain already allows a similar cleaning process for salads, Donald Trump's envoy in London has argued. Woody Johnson, the US ambassador to the UK, said chlorinated chicken should 'absolutely be included' in a trade accord between the two countries. He said Britain had 'already approved antimicrobial washes to stop food poisoning in prewashed salads' as he suggested the chicken cleaning process used in the US was no different. His comments represent the first major broadside fired by either side ahead of trade talks between Downing Street and the White House later this year. Woody Johnson, the US ambassador to the UK, said chlorinated chicken should 'absolutely be included' in a post-Brexit trade deal The two sides are expected to start hammering out a trade deal as soon as the UK leaves the EU at the end of this month. Both administrations have expressed optimism that an agreement could be in place by the end of the year. But the row over chlorinated chicken is likely to prove a major sticking point during negotiations, with the US adamant that it wants North American agriculture to be able to access the UK market. However, ministers have rejected the idea of allowing US chlorine-washed chicken to be sold in the UK amid concerns about animal welfare standards during the production process. In a letter published in The Sunday Times, Mr Johnson said: 'When it comes to antimicrobial washes, the European Food Safety Authority agrees they are the most effective and economical way to fight food-borne illness, campylobacter in particular. 'This is the most common cause of food poisoning in the UK and most Britons contract it from contaminated chicken. 'In fact, your own Food Standards Agency has already approved antimicrobial washes to stop food poisoning in prewashed salads sold across the UK.' Mr Johnson said that 'perhaps' the FSA should therefore recommend green lighting chlorine-washed chicken - currently banned under EU rules. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said last week that he wants a trade deal with the UK completed 'this year' He said that UK visitors to the US eat the chicken there and they will have found it and other items to be 'safe, nutritious and delicious'. 'These products should absolutely be included in a US-UK free trade agreement that will create new markets for farmers from both countries and offer more choices to British and American consumers,' he added. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said last week that the White House wants a trade deal with the UK done and dusted before the end of 2020. Speaking in Davos, Switzerland at the World Economic Forum, he said: 'The UK is our number one ally and it would be at the top of the list of trade agreements. We look forward to getting that done this year.' Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 10:36:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HONG KONG, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong police condemned violent acts of rioters who blocked roads and assaulted police officers in Mong Kok on Saturday, the first day of the Lunar New Year. As rioters threatened public security, the police had no choice but adopted the minimum force necessary to stop them, the police said in a statement in the small hours on Sunday. Masked rioters gathered in Mong Kok and built up blockages with debris in areas surrounding Portland Street and the intersection of Nathan Road and Shantung Street on Saturday night, disrupting traffic. Some even attacked a police vehicle when officers were about to leave after law enforcement, said the statement. The police always respect the right and freedom of residents to express opinions in a peaceful manner, the statement said, stressing that the police have to step in when illegal and violent incidents occur. She's counting down the weeks until she welcomes her first child with husband Peter Stefanovic. And on Australia Day, heavily pregnant TV star Sylvia Jeffreys showed off her burgeoning belly as she took a dip at the beach with her beau. The 33-year-old stripped down into a black bikini on Sunday for a swim at Nielsen Park beach in Sydney's Vaucluse. Oh baby! Heavily pregnant Sylvia Jeffreys showed off her burgeoning belly in a black bikini on Sunday, as she enjoyed a dip at the beach with husband Peter Stefanovic in Sydney (Pictured together) Not long now! She's counting down the weeks until she welcomes her first child with Peter The blonde kept her swimwear simple, donning a black triangle bikini top and matching bottoms, which appeared to have plenty of support for her blossoming bump. With sea water glistening on her tanned skin, Sylvia looked the picture of health as she approaches her final weeks of pregnancy. The newsreader slicked her salty blonde hair off her face as she emerged from the water, smiling contently as she cooled down on the hot day. Black to basics! The blonde kept her swimwear simple, donning a black triangle bikini top and matching bottoms, which appeared to have plenty of support for her blossoming bump Fun in the sun: With sea water glistening on her tanned skin, Sylvia looked the picture of health as she approaches her final weeks of pregnancy The natural beauty went makeup free, accessorising with just dainty diamond earrings, a thin bracelet and her wedding ring. Sylvia spent the day with her doting-husband Peter, 38. Peter swam alongside his pregnant wife, going shirtless and donning a pair of blue and white patterned boardshorts. Loved-up couple: Sylvia spent the day with her doting-husband Peter Cooling down: The 33-year-old stripped off into a black bikini for a swim at Nielsen Park beach in Sydney's Vaucluse Peter stayed close by to Sylvia, the loved-up couple clearly enjoying the warm weather as they paddled just off shore. Sylvia looked graceful as she stepped out of the water, pushing her damp locks off her face. In true Australian fashion, the duo braved the hot pavement without shoes as they padded over to their belongings through the busy crowds. Natural beauty: The natural beauty went makeup free and happily got her hair wet in the water Cooling off: Peter stayed close by to Sylvia, the loved-up couple clearly enjoying the warm weather as they paddled just off shore As they were leaving, the pair stayed sun-safe, donning wide-brimmed hats and dark sunglasses. Sylvia kept elegantly casual in a black short-sleeve maxi dress. She paired the simple ensemble with a cream-coloured panama hat, oversized sunglasses and stylish grey Birkenstock sandals. Baby on board! Sylvia and Peter, who married in 2017, announced they were expecting a child together in August True blue: In true Australian fashion, the duo braved the hot pavement without shoes as they padded over to their belongings through the busy crowds The blonde bombshell wasn't afraid to do a little heavy lifting, totting a straw beach bag while Peter carried their colourful towels on his shoulder. The Sky News reporter threw on a casual grey T-shirt and slipped into some simple black thongs. Despite the hot weather, Peter styled the laidback look with a felt hat. Slip, slop, slap! As they were leaving, the expecting parents stayed sun safe, donning wide-brimmed hats and dark sunglasses Stylish: Sylvia kept elegantly casual in a black short sleeve maxi dress Sylvia and Peter, who married in 2017, announced they were expecting a child together in August. They revealed that they are having a boy, with Sylvia writing online at the time: 'We're having a baby boy and we're totally over the moon!' Earlier this month, the Nine star said she had 'home stretch vibes.' 'Those "home stretch" vibes are kicking in hard, much like our baby's feet into my ribs,' Sylvia wrote on an Instagram. She also joked on Thursday about being 'well and truly in basketball territory.' Welcoming a son: They revealed that they are having a boy, with Sylvia writing online in August that they're 'totally over the moon!' https://www.aish.com/jw/s/Dovid-Melech-Yisrael-4-Facts-about-This-Iconic-Jewish-Song.html Get a deeper understanding of this famous song. Its one of the first songs Jewish kids learn in Jewish preschool or summer camp: Dovid, Melech Yisrael, Chai Vikayam. David, King of Israel, Lives Forever For generations, Jews have sung this song about King David, yet the song carries some deeper meanings too. Here are four facts about this iconic Jewish song. Remembering King David King David was born in the year 907 BCE in Bethlehem. He was the youngest of eight boys, and seemingly was overlooked by his family. When the murderous Philistine nation sought to wage war on the Jewish people, Davids older brothers went to go fight, while David stayed behind to tend his familys animals. One day, Davids father asked him to visit his brothers on the front lines of the war and bring them provisions. The situation that David came across was a stalemate: the Philistine army had a giant of a soldier, a huge man named Goliath who was clad in armor and towered over all the other men, and he stood on a hilltop, daring anyone to try and fight him. While the Jews debated who could best defeat Goliath, David stepped forward and volunteered. Davids older brother told him he should go back home and tend to the animals and leave the fighting to men who were more capable. Instead, David picked up some stones and advanced on Goliath, holding his trusty slingshot. Goliath was covered with armor, but David aimed a rock directly at Goliaths forehead, which was uncovered, and managed to knock out and then defeat the enormous man (I Samuel 17:23-54). David went on to become a decorated military hero in the war against the Philistines, and eventually married Michal, daughter of King Saul. David became king after the death of King Saul, and during his reign he secured Israels borders. Among his many military accomplishments was capturing Jerusalem and declaring the holy city Israels capital: Davids son King Solomon eventually built the Jewish Temple there. Davids life was full of travail and struggle; one of his most enduring legacies is much of the Book of Psalms, most of which he wrote and which give expression to the timeless Jewish longing to connect with the Divine. The fragmentary Tel Dan stela, containing the Tel Dan inscription (or House of David inscription) provided the first historical evidence of King David from the Bible. Photo: The Israel Museum, Jerusalem/Israel Antiquities Authority (photograph by Meidad Suchowolski). King David is mentioned over 1,000 times in the Tanach, and is the earliest Biblical figure for whom archeologists have uncovered evidence: a stone found in northern Israel in 1993 refers to the House of David ruling Israel 3,000 years ago, in the 9th Century BCE. King David Living Forever King David reigned for 40 years; the Torah records his death and notes that hes buried in the City of David, an area in central Jerusalem near the Western Wall. Yet Jewish tradition says that in a sense, King David lives eternally. King David specified that his son Solomon should succeed him as king, yet as David lay dying, another one of his sons, Adonijah, declared himself ruler. King Davids wife Batsheva raced to tell the dying king of this development. David assured her that Solomon was his chosen heir, and Batsheva received this good news by declaring May my lord King David live forever! (I Kings 1:31). It wasnt meant literally - in fact David died soon after - but Batshevas words reflected the reality that the timeless Jewish values King David stood for would continue through the reign of his son King Solomon, and through future kings from the House of David. By continuing to live in King Davids legacy - by being Jewish and praying in the holy city of Jerusalem - we all are ensuring that the Jewish life King David represented continues to live on. King David is also described as the ancestor of the future Messiah: no matter how seemingly dark the situation of the Jewish people might be, we always know that the kingship of the House of David will return one day, and the trajectory of Jewish history will endure. Waxing Like the Moon The words David Melech Yisrael Chai Vikayam (David, King of Israel, Lives Forever) were first declared by the great Jewish sage Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi in the 2nd Century CE. He was a member of the Sanhedrin, a court of rabbis who guided Jewish life in the land of Israel. One of the Sanhedrins jobs was tracking the waxing and waning of the moon in the sky. When the first new crescent moon reappeared in the sky, the Sanhedrin would call witnesses whod seen the moon reemerge, then declare that a new Jewish month had begun. The moons fluctuating brightness in the night sky reminded Rabbi Yehuda of the ever-shifting fortunes of the Jewish people. He personally witnessed the oppression and humiliation of the Jewish people in the land of Israel, persecuted by their cruel Roman overlords. Yet instead of giving into despair, Rabbi Yehuda reminded himself that just as the moon waxes and wanes, so too does the glory of the Jewish people. The kings of Israel who were descended from David might have seemed to be no more, but Rabbi Yehuda had faith that one day their glory would return. Thus, he came up with an unusual way to let people know a new moon had reappeared: Rabbi Yehuda Nanasi once said to Rabbi Hiyya (another member of the Sanhedrin): Go to a place called Ein Tav and sanctify the New Moon there, and send me a sign that you have sanctified it. The sign is: Dovid Melech Yisroel Chai Vikayam (Talmud Rosh Hashanah 25a). This declaration gave the Jewish people hope: even when the glory of the House of David seems to disappear from the world, we have faith that one day his kingdom will reemerge. David Melech Yisrael Chai Vikayam has become part of the monthly Kiddush Levanah (Sanctification of the New Moon) service, said by Jews around the world each month when the first crescent of the reappearing New Moon appears in the night sky. Zionist Anthem The song David Melech Yisrael Chai Vikayam became a popular song with early Zionists whose activities rebuilding Jewish life in the Land of Israel seemed to fulfill the prophecy of the song, that one day the glory of King Davids life and legacy would begin to be rebuilt. On November 29, 1947, the nations of the world, meeting in the United Nations, voted on whether or not to establish a modern Jewish state in the ancient land of Israel. One by one, the nations of the world cast their votes. In the end, thirteen countries voted against, ten abstained, and thirty-three voted in favor of allowing Jews to create a Jewish homeland once again. In Israel, reaction to the news was rapturous. Crowds poured into the streets, singing and dancing. One of the songs that reverberated through the land was David Melech Yisrael. Zipporah Porath was one of the people celebrating in the streets of Jerusalem. The next day, she wrote a letter to her parents describing the scene: Dearest Mother, Dad and Naomi, I walked in a semi-daze through the crowds of happy faces, through the deafening singing of David, Melech Yisrael, chai, chai vekayam (David, King of Israel, lives and is alive), past the British tanks and jeeps piled high with pyramids of flag-waving, cheering children. (Quoted in Letters from Jerusalem: 1947-1948 by Zipporah Porath, Jonathan Publications, 2005.) Another reveler was Mordecai Chertoff, who also wrote about the crowds joy in a letter home to his parents in the United States. After listening to the UN tense vote on the radio, huge crowds poured into the streets. We heard a tremendous roar from Ben Yehuda Street (in downtown Jerusalem). David Melech Yisrael chai chai vekayam and the roar is repeated again and again from the throats of the youth of Jerusalem banding together in a huge hora around an armored (British) police car...we ran and danced and ran and laughed and cried interchangeably without even noticing our tears. We got on a large truck with a great crowd One young man with a trumpet walked the entire city and people followed him to the Jewish Agency...and suddenly (the crowd) started chanting get a flag, get a flag and suddenly the blue and white appeared on the balcony and a jubilant and fresh Hatikvah (Israels national anthem) which we had never dared to hope for and never anticipated, erupted from five thousand mouths. (Quoted in Palestine Posts: An Eyewitness Account of the Birth of Israel. Based on the Letters of Mordecai S. Chertoff by Daniel Chertoff. The Toby Press, 2019. Bringing Jews Together David Melech Yisrael Chai Vikayam has continued to bring Jews together, serving as a simple-to-sing anthem of Jewish nationhood and survival. Yasha (Yakov) Yosifovich Kazakov was a Soviet refusenik (Jew who was prevented from emigrating to Israel) in the 1960s. He later was able to realize his dream and move to Israel. There, he recalled the special role that Dovid Melech Yisroel played for him and other refuseniks longing to build their homes in the Jewish state. At nights, groups of us would gather in private homes and spend hours singing Israeli songs, new ones and old ones, from Dovid Melech Yisrael to Sharm-el-Sheikh...whenever a new song was broadcast over the Voice of Israel, wed be singing it within a week (quoted in Momentous Century: Personal and Eyewitness Accounts of the Rise of the Jewish Homeland and State, 1875-1978, Levi Soshuk and Azriel Louis Eisenberg, eds. Associated University Presses: 1984. Joyce Boll, an American film producer who worked with David Letterman and Oprah Winfrey, decided to move to Israel after she visited the Jewish state as an adult. She met some family relatives in Netanya, but it was only when she paid a visit to the Dead Sea that Ms. Boll realized she wanted to live in Israel. She met some Israeli soldiers at the Dead Sea, and wanted to connect with them. I didnt know a word in Hebrew Ms. Boll later recalled, so I sang David Melech Yisrael, the only Hebrew song she knew, which her grandmother had taught her. The Israeli soldiers knew the simple, catchy song too, and joined in. As they sang together, Ms. Boll recalls I thought to myself: This is amazing. We are so different yet one ancient song connects us, connects the entire tribe. It was then that I understood where I belong. With its easy to remember words, its catchy tune, and its deep meaning of Jewish survival, Dovid Melech Yisrael is a way for Jews of all ages and all around the world to bond, expressing their shared history through joyous music. Kathmandu, Jan 26 : Following the confirmation of the coronavirus case in Nepal, officials have said that two more people were suspected to have been infected with the virus, that has so far claimed the lives of 56 people in China, the epicentre of the outbreak. "Both of them have been kept in isolation at Teku hospital," The Kathmandu Post quoted Mahendra Prasad Shrestha, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, as saying on Saturday, adding that the man and woman had returned from China. The man, said to be in his late 20s, had returned from Shanghai on January 19. He had gone to Pokhara the following day but returned to visit the Dhapasi-based Grande International Hospital on January 21 for respiratory problems. Doctors at the hospital then referred him to Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital in Teku two days ago, according to an official. The official said the woman, who had visited a private hospital in Kathmandu, also has been brought to the Teku hospital. "Health condition of both the patients is stable," Shrestha told The Kathmandu Post. "They are under observation in isolation. Doctors are trying to ascertain if they have indeed been infected with the deadly virus." Preparations are underway to send specimens like throat swabs and blood samples collected from both patients to the World Health Organization's (WHO) collaborating centre in Hong Kong to confirm if they have been infected with the new strain of coronavirus. Earlier, throat swab and blood samples of a 31-year-old Nepali student, who had returned from Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province and where the outbreak has originated, were also sent to the WHO laboratory in Hong Kong, which on Friday confirmed that he was infected with the virus. The disease has already spread to a dozen other countries with Canada confirming its first case on Saturday after a patient in Ontario tested positive. The man is said to have travelled from China recently. Five cases have been reported in Thailand, Five in Hong Kong, four in Australia, three each in Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and France and two each in Japan, South Korea, the US, Vietnam and Macao. Rescuers desperately attempted Sunday to find survivors in eastern Turkey in the rubble of collapsed buildings after a powerful earthquake claimed at least 38 lives. Nearly 4,000 rescue workers combed through debris in freezing temperatures, helped by mechanical diggers, as hope was fading as the 48th hour approached. Three bodies were found in the city centre, nearly 40 hours after the 6.8-magnitude quake struck Friday evening. Hours later, two more bodies were found bringing the death toll to 38 in Elazig province and nearby Malatya, state broadcaster TRT reported. Rescuers carefully cleared the remains of the collapsed four-storey building where the bodies were found, using buckets to remove broken material as a sniffer dog was brought to the scene. Workers were searching for two people still under the rubble, Hurriyet daily said. Residents were still waiting to find out what had happened to their relatives. A group of women burst into tears on learning that the body of a relative had been found, while one woman fainted, an AFP photographer said. But rescue workers have so far saved 45 people, the authorities say. The government's disaster and emergency management agency (AFAD) said 1,607 were injured, 13 of them in intensive care. The story of Syrian university student Mahmud al Osman, who used only his bare hands to rescue a man and woman from underneath rubble, went viral. Osman told state news agency Anadolu he heard voices after the quake ended while Durdane and Zulkuf Aydin said they shouted when they saw Osman's telephone light before he and others helped rescue them. Turkey is home to 3.6 million Syrians in Turkey and although there are limited social problems, tensions have increased following an economic downturn. There was growing concern for residents amid the bitter cold, said Hasan Duran, a 58-year-old shopkeeper, who lives in Sursuru. "If it was summer, people could maybe resist a little longer. But with this cold, it's hard to imagine. Even we are freezing at home. May God give them strength." - 'Every effort made' - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sunday "every effort was made to ensure citizens whose homes have collapsed or been damaged will not suffer in this winter period." Environment Minister Murat Kurum vowed a "radical transformation project" for buildings in the region at risk in the event of another quake. Since Friday's quake, there have been 714 aftershocks, 20 of them above four in magnitude. Residents avoided returning to their homes because of aftershock fears. Around a thousand people were spending the night in two trains converted into emergency accommodation in Elazig station. "There is no risk of being caught in a collapsed building here and it's warmer than a tent," Berivan Arslan, 55, said, who left her home because of cracks in the building's facade. With her daughter and two granddaughters coping with the boredom by playing with a doll, she had spent two nights sleeping in a six-seat compartment. There are two trains on the platform while a third is scheduled to arrive Sunday evening from Ankara, according to the Turkish National Railway Company (TCDD). - Anger rising - But with not enough emergency accommodation to cover the needs of 350,000 residents in Elazig city, tensions were rising. In a public park in the city centre, dozens of tents have been erected, most of them accommodating Syrians, which has aroused hostility. "So, what, this is a refugee camp? I have no tent yet I am a Turk," an elderly lady told an AFAD official, who promised more tents would arrive Monday. The epicentre of the quake was in the small lakeside town of Sivrice in Elazig province, but it also hit neighbouring cities and countries. With a population of around 4,000, Sivrice is located south of Elazig city on the shores of Hazar lake -- one of the most popular tourist spots in the region. The US Geological Survey said the magnitude was 6.7, slightly lower than AFAD, adding that it struck near the East Anatolian fault in an area that has suffered no documented major incidents since an earthquake in 1875. The recent quake left many wondering how Istanbul would cope, amid heightened fears of a powerful one, which seismologists say is unavoidable. In 1999, a devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit Izmit in western Turkey, killing more than 17,000 people including about 1,000 in the country's most populous city, Istanbul. Being a Donald Trump supporter in New Jersey can be lonely, said Joshua Sotomayor Einstein. The state has voted Democratic in every presidential race for the last three decades and the president hasnt hosted a rally here since he was inaugurated. When news broke that Trump would make an appearance in Wildwood, it sent waves through the local Republican circles, said Sotomayor Einstein, a state GOP committeeman. On Tuesday, hell hop in a car with a group of Hudson County friends and head down to compete for one of about 7,400 seats for an event that has already attracted about 100,000 ticket requests. I imagine this is kind of like when 'Star Wars: Episode I opened and I went with my buddies to see that, he said. We got there early and there was still a huge line, but unlike the Star Wars editions, this will be good. Herminio Mendoza, the president of Hispanic Republicans of North Jersey, will amongst those in Sotomayor Einsteins carpool. He plans to stream the event live on Facebook, he said. I want to scream there like crazy, Mendoza said. Im bringing my American flag. Im bringing my Dominican flag. I want to make a lot of noise there. I want to make sure all the Latino people see me there. The Cape May County event comes several weeks after local U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew switched parties to become a Republican. He was one of two Democratic representatives to vote against impeachment. Attending a rally for a president who is on trial in the U.S. Senate on two articles of impeachment, abuse of power and obstruction of justice, is of little concern to Sotomayor Einstein and Mendoza, they said. I believe thats politics, Mendoza said. The Democratic Party, theyre behaving like little kids. Petra John, the president of Bayonne High Schools Turning Point USA chapter, said the context of impeachment adds to the significance of showing up to the rally. It shows the impeachment process hasnt really gotten to his supporters, she said. The student is planning to book a hotel to stay in the night before with her parents and get in line early the next day. It wont be her first time seeing Trump in person. But a presidential visit to her state makes it more personal, she said. To all of his supporters in New Jersey, this is a big deal, Petra said. For the first time, an NCC girls' unit of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) presented a guard of honour to Vice Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar on Sunday during the Republic Day celebrations on the campus, with the VC saying it sends out a larger message of "unity and discipline". Kumar said that they hope to establish a boys unit of National Cadet Corps unit also at the JNU. The JNU has been rocked by a series of controversies over the past year, including a students' agitation against fee issue, amid a tussle between the Left-dominated students union and the varsity administration. After the January 5 attack by masked men on students and teachers, the JNUSU has been demanding Kumar's resignation. While the VC presided over the function at the administration block, the Republic Day was also celebrated and the tricolour unfurled at Sabarmati and Periyar hostels by students who distributed sweets. The celebrations passed off peacefully on the campus. "The guard of honour by 15 girl NCC cadets during Republic Day Celebrations in the JNU is not only significant for us as a University, but also it sends out a larger message of unity and discipline. We are proud of our cadets and we hope to establish a boys NCC unit also at JNU," the VC tweeted later in the afternoon. "JNU's '3 Delhi Girls Battalion' NCC cadets are a pride of JNU. They performed a well executed guard of honour during the Republic Day Celebrations at JNU. A memorable event for all of us during the Golden Jubilee year of JNU. "We met the 15 girl NCC cadets along with the officers after their well executed guard of honour during Republic Day Celebrations at JNU. You are the motivation to all of us," he said on Twitter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pyrotechnic units of the State Service for Emergency Situations seized and destroyed almost 34 000 explosive items in Donetsk and Luhansk regions from the beginning of the hostilities in the east of Ukraine. This was reported by the press center of Joint Forces Operation (JFO) headquarters. The press center emphasized that, in accordance with the orders of the JFO Commander, the pyrotechnic units of the State Emergency Situations Department carried out work on cleaning up terrain from explosive objects, as well as life support facilities and infrastructure, escorted emergency crews of communal enterprises during repair and maintenance work at electric and water supply facilities. By Tim Reid DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden picked up another high profile endorsement on Saturday in Iowa, where the partys nominating contest kicks off in nine days, after U.S. congresswoman Cindy Axne said she was backing the former vice president. Axne, a freshman U.S. lawmaker and moderate, is the latest in a slew of big-name endorsements for Biden in Iowa which could have an impact on undecided voters as caucus day nears on Feb. 3. Two former Iowa Democratic governors, Tom Vilsack and Chet Culver, have backed Biden, as has another U.S. House member, congresswoman Abby Finkenauer. Biden has risen in the polls in Iowa in the past fortnight, and is now ahead in the state or statistically tied with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, a liberal from Vermont, according to polls. The race is still unpredictable and Iowa is well known for late shifts in voter sentiment. Axne, a businesswoman who represents Iowas 3rd congressional district, which includes rural areas and the state capital Des Moines, said the priority in Novembers general election was defeating Republican President Donald Trump and Biden was best equipped to do that. Joe is a man of honor and dignity. He is someone who appeals not only to Democrats, but to independents and Republicans as well. Iowans know that he will be ready on day one to lead this country, Axne said in a statement released by Bidens campaign. The Iowa caucuses will be the first test between moderates and progressives in the Democratic battle to pick a nominee to take on Trump. Biden, 77, has been delivering a message of moderation, telling voters he wants to work with Republicans where possible. Leading rivals such as Sanders and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren have been calling for a massive expansion of government programs and a fundamental restructuring of Americas economic and political systems. Another more moderate candidate, former South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg, has been endorsed by the third Democratic member of Iowas congressional delegation, U.S. House Representative Dave Loebsack. There are 12 Democrats vying to be the party's candidate in the Nov. 3 presidential election. (Reporting by Tim Reid, Editing by Mark Potter) Harry Potter author JK Rowling, vacuum cleaner mogul Sir James Dyson and Bet365 founder Denise Coates are among Britain's biggest taxpayers. The top 50 wealthy individuals or families forked out around 2.5 billion of tax between them last year, according to the Sunday Times Tax List. The paper's rundown of the top 50 taxpayers is topped by the founder and joint chief executive of Bet365, Denise Coates who paid 276 million. Harry Potter author JK Rowling (left), vacuum cleaner mogul Sir James Dyson and Bet365 founder Denise Coates (right) are among Britain's biggest taxpayers, according to the Sunday Times Tax List World-famous writer Rowling, in 19th place, paid 48.6 million, while Sir James and family, in fourth, paid 103 million. Last year, sportswear boss Stephen Rubin owed the highest amount, with a tax bill of 181.6 million. This year, he came in second place, having paid 143.9 million. Robert Watts, who compiled the list, said: 'The rich are often bashed as tax avoiders and if that was always true then it wouldn't matter when wealthy Brits leave the UK for Monaco, the Caribbean and other tax havens. The top 50 wealthy individuals or families forked out around 2.5 billion of tax between them last year. Sir James (pictured) and family, in fourth, paid 103 million 'But our Tax List shows there are a significant number of these people who do contribute tens of millions of pounds a year towards the UK's public finance each year. 'This shows that an exodus of the super rich would leave us with weaker public services or paying more tax to fill the gap. 'The challenge for the Government is to squeeze a fair share out of the wealthy without driving away the individuals who contribute the sort of sums each year that can build a school or a hospital.' The Tax List takes account of corporation tax, dividend tax, capital gains tax, income tax and payroll taxes. TABLE TITLE 2020 TAX LIST RANK NAME BUSINESS SECTOR TAX LIABILITY 2018/19 (m) 1 Denise Coates & family Gambling 276 million 2 Stephen Rubin & family Sportswear 143.9 million 3 Leonie Schroder and family Finance 116.8 million 4 Sir James Dyson and family Household goods and technology 103 million 5 Carrie and Francois Perrodo and family Oil, gas and wine 101.3 million 6 The Weston family Retailing 85 million 7 The Duke of Westminster Property 69.3 million 8 Tom Morris and family Discount stores 67.4 million 9 Sir Chris Hohn Hedge fund 58.1 million 10 Lord Bamford and family Construction equipment 58 million 11 Lady Philomena Clark and family Car sales 56.4 million 12 Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and family Aviation 56.3 million 13 Mike Ashley Sports equipment and fashion 54.8 million 14 Glenn Gordon and family Spirits 54.2 million 15 Ranjit and Baljinder Boparan and family Food 53 million 16 John Bloor Construction and property 51.7 million 17 Peter Harris and family Hotels and caravan parks 51 million 18 Earl Cadogan and family Property 49.1 million 19 JK Rowling Novels and films 48.6 million 20 Baroness Howard de Walden and family Property 46.5 million Bet365 founder Denise Coates and family - 276 million Denise Coates spotted the potential of the internet to turn her familys chain of betting shops into a global success 20 years ago Denise Coates spotted the potential of the internet to turn her familys chain of betting shops into a global success 20 years ago. To others, shes making a fortune from the controversial business of gambling. In total the Coates family had tax liabilities of 276m, nearly twice as much as any other entry on the Tax List. This includes the Coates familys 113.2m share of Bet365s corporation tax bill and social security costs, such as National Insurance, made on behalf of its employees. A total of 130m in tax came from Denises headline-grabbing 276.6m income, and a further 32.8m from dividends payments. Harry Potter author JK Rowling - 48.6 million The Harry Potter author came 19th and paid tax on almost all of about 100m of royalties and other earnings in 2018 to 2019 through self assessment. This means she paid almost 47m in income tax and national insurance. She paid another 1.6m for business taxes at Pottermore, which handles ebooks and other digital versions of her works. Harry Potter author JK Rowling came 19th and paid tax on almost all of about 100m of royalties and other earnings in 2018 to 2019 through self assessment. Pictured: Rowling in 1997 Sir Philip and Lady Tina Green - 44.4 million Stripped of his billionaire status in last years Sunday Times Rich List, the 67-year-old retailer transferred ownership of his business empire many years ago to his Monaco-based wife, Lady Tina. It is assumed neither are resident for UK tax, but they make the 2020 Tax List through the contribution to public finances made by their UK-based Arcadia Group, paying nearly 44.4m of business taxes and coming 23rd on the list. Stripped of his billionaire status in last years Sunday Times Rich List, Sir Philip (centre) transferred ownership of his business empire many years ago to his Monaco-based wife, Lady Tina (left). Pictured: Lady Tina, Sir Philip and Chloe Green Stephen Rubin and family - 143.9 million Stephen Rubin became the chairman of Pentland when his father died in 1969 Stephen Rubin became the chairman of Pentland when his father died in 1969. He paid 143.9 million in tax, making him second on the list. He changed the company name to Pentland and in 1981 bought a 55 per cent stake in Reebok for around 60,000. Rubin sold Pentland's stake in Reebok a decade later for 585million. Pentland's other brands include Speedo, Berghaus, Canterbury of New Zealand, Endura, Mitre, Ellesse, Boxfresh, Seavees, and Red Or Dead. Leonie Schroder and family - 116.8 million This year, it was revealed that Leonie Schroder had been given a seat on the board at fund manager Schroders - a position made vacant when her father Bruno died. Moves to put the divorced mother-of-three on the 215-year-old firms board last year were abandoned after disquiet from investors. Her and her family paid 116.8 million in tax, making them third on the list. This year, it was revealed that Leonie Schroder had been given a seat on the board at fund manager Schroders Sir James Dyson and family - 103 million James Dyson founded his eponymous design brand in 1979 and in order to work on the machine that would make his name - a bagless vacuum cleaner James Dyson founded his eponymous design brand in 1979 and in order to work on the machine that would make his name - a bagless vacuum cleaner. After some 5,000 prototypes he began selling the 'G-Force' vacuum in Japan in 1986, followed by a series of lawsuits that nearly bankrupted his young family. In 1993 he began manufacturing out of a factory in Wiltshire that he bought with a loan, and by 1995 the Dyson was the best-selling vacuum cleaner in the country. The original vacuum has been adapted many times since - including one which features a rolling ball which he originally designed to go on a wheelbarrow - and Dyson also makes bladeless fans, air purifiers and hair dryers. His designs have won multiple awards, and also feature in the permanent collections of design museums around the world. He now has a personal fortune estimated at 9.5billion. He and his family paid 103 million in tax this year. The Duke of Westminster - 85 million Billionaire Hugh Grosvenor, 28 who owns more land than the Queen inherited a fortune of 9.3billion after his father died. He now has ownership of the family seat Eaton Hall, as well as a property empire that includes 300 acres in Mayfair and Belgravia, as well as land in Cheshire, Oxford, Scotland and Spain. The Duke is friends with the royals and was asked to be godfather to Prince William's eldest son George. Billionaire Hugh Grosvenor, 28 who owns more land than the Queen inherited a fortune of 9.3billion after his father died Sir Chris Hohn - 58.1 million Sir Chris Hohn became the world's top hedge fund manager last year thanks to major investments in firms hit by environmental scandals Sir Chris Hohn - who has donated 200,000 to Extinction Rebellion - became the world's top hedge fund manager last year thanks to major investments in firms hit by environmental scandals. Sir Chris saw his investment firm join the ranks of the world's largest hedge funds last year after a stunning performance. TCI Fund Management, which is owned and run by Hohn, added $8.4billion (6.4billion) in value last year more than any other major hedge fund according to LCH Investments taking its assets under management up 39 per cent to $30billion. But The Mail on Sunday revealed that the winning streak involved huge bets on companies that have been embroiled in environmental scandals. They include Canada's two biggest rail firms which have been fined in recent years for their failings. Mike Ashley - 54.8 million Mike Ashley owns Newcastle United and reportedly forked out around 135 million to buy the club. He is also the Chief Executive of Sports Direct. He founded the sports store chain 1982 and it is the United Kingdom's largest sports-goods retailer with 670 stores world wide. He bought House of Fraser in 2018. Mike Ashley (left) owns Newcastle United and reportedly forked out around 135 million to buy the club Lord Bamford and family 58 million Anthony Bamford succeeded his father as chairman and managing director of manufacturing equipment company JCB in 1975. He was knighted in 1990. In December 2019, his wealth was estimated at 3.75 billion. KETCHUM The Community Library will launch its 2020 Winter Read, which invites the community to read a book together and engage in conversation about a historical and regional civil liberty topic. This years selection is Jamie Fords Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, a novel centering on Japanese American families in the American West who were incarcerated during World War II. A setting of Fords novel is the Minidoka relocation center, now a National Historic Site. The Winter Read will kick off at 4 p.m. Friday at the librarys Regional History Museum in Forest Service Park and be followed throughout February and March with exhibits, discussion groups, lectures and films. All programs are free and open to the public. The Kickoff Party celebrates the opening of Righting a Wrong: Japanese Americans and World War II, a poster exhibit courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service program. The exhibit will be on display from Friday through March 21. Free copies of Fords novel will be distributed during the kickoff, along with refreshments. Other Winter Read events include: The Minidoka Civil Liberties Symposium will begin at 6 p.m. Feb. 5 at The Community Library. The event is presented in collaboration with the National Park Service, the nonprofit Friends of Minidoka, Boise State University and ACLU Idaho. Civil Rights Investigator Jessica Asai will keynote the symposium, speaking on the Legacy of Minoru Yasui, one of four Japanese Americans who fought the legality of detention during World War II all the way to the Supreme Court. A book discussion on Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet will be hosted by high school students from the Sun Valley Community School at 6 p.m. Feb. 19. A second public book discussion with the Community Librarys Winter Read interns from Wood River High School and the Sun Valley Community School will take place at 5:30 pm. March 3 at the Hailey Public Library. The Community Librarys Executive Director, Jenny Emery Davidson, will lead a Winter Read Book Group to discuss three books about Japanese history and culture in the American West. The group will meet at 4 p.m. Thursdays, through Feb. 27, in the Community Library Program Studio. Selections include The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka (Thursday); Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and James D. Houston (Feb. 6 and 13); and Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford (March 20 and 27). The National Park Service will screen the film, Minidoka: An American Concentration Camp, at 6 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Community Library. The film was produced by North Shore Productions and tells the intimate story of the Japanese Americans who were forcibly removed from their homes and put on trains to a concentration camp in the desert of southern Idaho. The film will be followed by a discussion with Hanako Wakatsuki, chief of interpretation at Minidoka National Historic Site. At 4 p.m. March 6, the library will host a panel discussion with local families who will share their stories of immigration, incarceration, military service and community. The panel will be moderated by Mia Russell, executive director of Friends of Minidoka. The Winter Read Closing Celebration will feature author Jamie Ford with the keynote address at 6 p.m. March 12 at the Community Library. Seats will be available on a first come, first served basis, and the event will be livestreamed at comlib.org/livestream. A book signing with Chapter One Bookstore will follow the presentation. Throughout February and March, visitors to the library foyer can explore The Bitter and Sweet: World War II Stories of Japanese Americans in the West, an exhibit of artifacts from local and regional Japanese American families related to incarceration, military service and family life before, during and after World War II. The Lecture Hall will also host The Story of Minidoka: National Historic Site Banners. Both exhibits will be open for viewing during the Community Librarys regular hours. The Winter Read has been sponsored by the Spur Community Foundation and Carlyn Ring. Various programs are presented in partnership with the National Park Service, Friends of Minidoka, the Smithsonian SITES program, Sun Valley Community School and the Hailey Public Library. For more information, go to comlib.org and the library on Facebook. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 French citizens will be evacuated from the Wuhan area in China that is the centre of a coronavirus outbreak, French Health Minister Agnes Buzyn said on Sunday. "French citizens will be repatriated by airplane directly to France, with the agreement of the Chinese authorities. This will take place midweek," Buzyn told reporters, adding that Chinese authorities had asked France to proceed in this way. People who will be repatriated will have to spend 14 days in quarantine in a dedicated facility to avoid spreading the virus in France, Buzyn added. She said that of the some 800 French citizens who live in the Wuhan area, France expects to repatriate up to a few hundred people. "Some people want to come back but they do not want to be in a welcome area for 14 days so they will have to take into account this constraint," she said. Search Keywords: Short link: Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 21:53:14|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close BAMAKO, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) said 19 people were killed and five others injured in an attack early Sunday on a gendarmery camp in Sokolo, in the central region of Segou. "A camp of the FAMa in Sokolo was attacked on Sunday around 6 a.m.," it said in a statement on its official website. "The provisional toll is 19 dead and five injured." "The camo is under FAMa's control. The hunting for the assailants is in progress with a Malian military aircraft involved," the statement said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 02:39:39|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close BEIRUT, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron assured on Saturday that France is committed to supporting Lebanon to preserve its unity and stability, said a statement by Lebanese Presidency. "We hope that this new cabinet works on achieving the Lebanese people's hopes by implementing the reforms promised during the CEDRE Conference," Macron said during a phone call with Lebanese President Michel Aoun to congratulate him on the government formation. The CEDRE is an international conference which pledged to release 11 billion U.S. dollars in loans and donations for Lebanon on condition that the country makes serious reforms. Meanwhile, Aoun explained to Macron the current circumstances in Lebanon and assured that he is working on solving different issues in a way that restores Lebanon's economic prosperity. Lebanon has recently formed a new cabinet headed by Hassan Diab amid nationwide protests calling for the overhaul of the current political system and the implementation of reforms. For generations, many colleges and universities in the United States have offered classes in a lot of different subjects. Higher education officials believed that by learning about different subjects, students would be able to improve their understanding of the world around them. But a new study suggests the current generation of college students may not value liberal arts study programs as much as earlier generations. It found many current students want programs that directly connect to specific career paths. In November 2019, the social research company Gallup and the Strada Education Network reported on an opinion study of 340,000 Americans. Researchers asked the individuals about their educational experiences after high school. They wanted to know if these men and women felt whatever classes or study programs they attended were worth the cost. Out of those who completed a vocational program, meaning training for a specific job or technical skill, 57 percent strongly agreed it was worth the cost. However, only 40 percent of people who completed four-year study programs at a traditional college or university said the same. Dave Clayton is a senior vice president with Strada. He told VOA the study confirms earlier findings from his organization. He said it shows that Americans want higher education to relate to jobs. In the past, many Americans thought of higher education as a means, or method, of self-improvement, Clayton says. A college or university was traditionally a place for improving ones critical thinking and other skills by learning about different subjects. So while students would focus on one central subject, like economics, they might also take classes in literature or philosophy, for example. But the cost of U.S. higher education has risen over the past 30 years, notes Clayton. And the labor market has changed a great deal. More than ever before, higher education has become a requirement for better paying jobs. Yet employees can no longer expect to work for the same company for many years, and may even need to change fields more than once. So, Clayton argues, people want to gain demonstrable skills that have some kind of long-lasting value. This is especially important to many Americans with limited financial resources. We have expanded access to college over the generations, and so the upward social mobility that can provide becomes even more important for those communities who are trying to break through or advance their lives, Clayton said. But this questioning of the value of a liberal arts education is nothing new, even if it feels like a modern concern, notes Timothy Burke. He is a co-director of the Aydelotte Foundation at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. The foundation researches and provides support to liberal arts programs. Burke notes that while Americas first colleges were teaching students subjects like Latin and history, their students wanted to learn how to become doctors or engineers. However, even the biggest companies today are not just looking for students with one area of specialization. In 2010, Steve Jobs, creator of Apple, stated that technology alone is not enough. Its technology married with liberal arts that yields the results that make our hearts sing, he said. Similarly, another technology company, Google, led a study of its own leadership team in 2008. The aim was to identify the top 10 qualities possessed by its most successful and effective executives. It listed strong communication and leadership abilities well above technical skills. Many people around the world still see the U.S. liberal arts approach to higher education as among the best in the world, Burke says. In fact, the number of colleges and universities following this model has grown in Asia and Europe in recent years. Still, Burke argues, the problem remains that liberal arts programs do not do a good job of explaining to the public where their value lies. Even if theres actually a lot of evidence its not anything that relieves anybodys anxiety, especially in a time when a lot of Americans fear, with some good reason, that overall the next generation will not do better than their parents did financially, which is a new situation in American history, he said. Burke suggests the way forward is not necessarily to get liberal arts educators to change what they are teaching. Instead, they need to change how they teach by making connections between the material they present in classes and issues in the real world. That will help students better understand how they can put what they are learning to use. Burke adds that educators must help students explain the value their softer skills represent for a future employer. For example, saying you are a strong writer might make sense, but that does not really clarify what you can do with that skill. Instead, he says, educators should urge students to list major projects they were involved in or work they published during their study program. This demonstrates the results of a persons combined skills and experience, says Burke. Im Dorothy Gundy. And Im Pete Musto. Pete Musto reported this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. Quiz - Study: College Students Value Job Skills over Liberal Arts Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz ___________________________________________ Words in This Story specific adj. special or particular focus v. to direct your attention or effort at something resource(s) n. a supply of money or materials access n. the right or ability to approach, enter, or use upward (social) mobility n. the ability to move into a higher social or economic position advance v. to move forward yield(s) v. to produce or provide something approach n. a way of doing or thinking about something relieve(s) v. cause pain, worry, or difficulty to become less severe or serious. anxiety n. fear or nervousness about what might happen More than 50 people have now been tested for coronavirus in the UK, according to the Department of Health, although all tests have returned negative. As of Sunday afternoon, some 52 people across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have been tested for the deadly flu-like virus. The current risk to the public remains low, the department said, adding that the Government is continuing to monitor the situation closely. Britons trapped in the Chinese province at the centre of the outbreak have been urged to leave the area if they are able to do so. The Foreign Office updated its guidance to advise against all travel to Hubei province, which has been on lockdown for several days as China seeks to contain the illness. But the guidance also added: If you are in this area and able to leave, you should do so. This is due to the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak. Home Secretary Priti Patel said the Government was looking at all options to help Britons leave Wuhan following reports that officials have been asked to examine the logistics for an airlift from the city. It comes as spectators celebrated Chinese New Year in central London, which mark the start of the Year of the Rat. Expand Close Chinese New Year celebrations in central London (Yui Mok/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Chinese New Year celebrations in central London (Yui Mok/PA) Authorities in China have cancelled a host of events marking New Year as they expand their lockdown against the virus. Meanwhile, health officials are continuing to track down around 2,000 people who have recently flown into the UK from Wuhan, the area of China worst affected by the outbreak. The DoH confirmed it is trying to find as many passengers as we can who arrived from the region in the past two weeks to check on their wellbeing. It is understood Border Force officers have been recruited to help speed up the search for passengers as testing for the virus continues in the UK. A public health hub has been set up in Heathrow, staffed by a rotating team of seven clinicians working in shifts to support patients on arrival. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) One British man, who had travelled to Wuhan to visit his girlfriend, is stuck in the city after his return flight on February 3 was cancelled, and he described trying to get out of the area as impossible. The 29-year-old, who did not want to be named, told the PA news agency: There have been sporadic warnings from local government in Chinese to tell us that there will be road closures. There is no news on when the airport will reopen therefore the airline (China Southern) have just cancelled the flight. Ive also had no help from the UK Embassy in Beijing who are conveniently closed for the weekend. Englands Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said there was a fair chance cases would emerge in Britain as the overall number reported around the world climbed to around 2,000 including 56 deaths, which have all occurred in China. Expand Close A man wearing a face mask rides a nearly empty subway train in Beijing (Mark Schiefelbein/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A man wearing a face mask rides a nearly empty subway train in Beijing (Mark Schiefelbein/AP) The professor spoke following a meeting of the Governments Cobra emergency committee in Whitehall on Friday, chaired by Health Secretary Matt Hancock. He said: I am working closely with the other UK chief medical officers. We all agree that the risk to the UK public remains low, but there may well be cases in the UK at some stage. In an interview, Prof Whitty said: We think theres a fair chance we may get some cases over time. Of course this depends on whether this continues for a long time, or whether this turns out to be something which is brought under control relatively quickly. He said the virus looked a lot less dangerous than contracting Ebola, the recent coronavirus MERS and probably less dangerous than SARS virus. But he added: What we dont know is how far its going to spread, that really is something we need to plan for all eventualities. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High 43F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 26F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. U.S. President Donald Trump asked dinner guests how long Ukraine would be able to resist Russian aggression, according to a tape recorded at a 2018 gathering with donors. How long would they last in a fight with Russia? Trump is heard asking in the audio portion of a video recording obtained by U.S. media outlets, including the Associated Press and ABC News, on January 24-25. Someone is heard on the tape saying, Without us, not very long." Without us," Trump repeats. Trump also asks whether Kyiv felt it was "going to be OK" in its conflict with Russia. "They feel they're going to be OK if you support them," someone replies. "It's always us that has to support everyone," says Trump, who then complains that European nations were not doing enough to share the burden. The U.S. Senate is currently conducting a trial after the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives impeached Trump last month on two articles -- abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The Democrats have accused Trump of withholding military aid and a White House invitation as a means to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to launch two investigations that would benefit the U.S. leaders reelection chances. Trump dismisses the accusations as a witch hunt and has said his dealings with Zelenskiy were "perfect." Since 2014, Kyiv has been engaged in a war in eastern Ukraine against Russia-backed separatists in a battle that has killed more than 13,000 people. Russia also seized and annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in a move that has not been recognized by the international community. Trump is also heard on the tape calling for the removal of U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, a key figure in the series of events that led to the presidents impeachment. She was fired a year later following a campaign by Trumps personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, and others, including Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, close associates of Giuliani. A video recording of an 80-minute dinner at the Trump Hotel in Washington was obtained on January 25 by the AP. Excerpts were first published a day earlier by ABC News. The recording appears to contradict statements by Trump that he did not know Parnas or Fruman, who were indicted on campaign finance charges in 2019. Parnas' attorney, Joseph Bondy, has confirmed that he turned over a recording of the dinner to authorities. On the tape, Parnas appears to say, The biggest problem there, I think where we need to start is we got to get rid of the ambassador." He later tells Trump: "She's basically walking around telling everybody, 'Wait, he's gonna get impeached. Just wait.'" Trump responds: "Get rid of her! Get her out tomorrow. I don't care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. OK? Do it. Trump has said he had the right to fire Yovanovitch. Trump removed her in May 2019 and said in a recent interview that he was "not a fan." With reporting by AP, ABC, Politico, and Reuters BERLIN - The German military resumed training Iraqi troops in the countrys Kurdish north on Sunday, about three weeks after it was suspended following the U.S. killing of a top Iranian general in Baghdad. The military said the commander of the international operation fighting the Islamic State group lifted the suspension. Germany resumed training in Irbil on Sunday morning together with its partners. The Bundeswehr has about 90 soldiers in Irbil. However, Germanys training mission in central Iraq is still suspended and there was no immediate word on whether or when it might resume. Germany flew 35 soldiers out of Iraq from bases in Taji and Baghdad on Jan. 7, most of them to neighbouring Jordan. That was described as a temporary measure. The decision was made after the Jan. 3 killing by the United States of Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander Qassem Soleimani drastically raised regional tensions and escalated a crisis between Washington and Tehran. Israels PM says he hopes to make history on White House trip for unveiling of Trumps Deal of the Century. Palestinian officials threatened to withdraw from the Oslo Accords signed with Israel if United States President Donald Trump announces his Middle East peace plan this week. In a statement on Sunday, the Palestinian Authoritys foreign ministry called for a clear international declaration rejecting the deal of the century' that it said would endanger regional stability. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the Palestine Liberation Organization reserved the right to withdraw from the interim agreement if Trump unveils his plan. Erekat said the US deal was an attempt to destroy the two states, and would open the doors of one person one vote from the river Jordan to the Mediterranean. If Netanyahu begins annexation of palestinian territory officially, this means Israels withdrawal from Oslo accords and agreements signed . It is an attempt to destroy the two States.But it will open the doors of one person one vote from the river Jordan to the midditterraen. Dr. Saeb Erakat (@ErakatSaeb) January 26, 2020 The Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement, signed in Washington in 1995, sought to put into practice the first Oslo peace deal agreed two years earlier. Sometimes called Oslo II, the interim agreement set out the scope of Palestinian autonomy in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. Hamas leader Ismail Haniya on Sunday said the Middle East peace plan will not pass and could lead to renewed Palestinian violence. We firmly declare that the deal of the century will not pass. The new plot aimed against Palestine is bound to fail, and could lead the Palestinians to a new phase in their struggle against Israel, Haniya said in a statement. The Palestinian criticism came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu headed to Washington, where Trump was expected to release the plan before Tuesday. The Palestinian leadership was not invited and has already rejected Trumps initiative amid tense relations with the US president over his recognition of Jerusalem as Israels undivided capital. The Palestinians see occupied East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state and believe Trumps plan buries the two-state solution that has been for decades the cornerstone of international Middle East diplomacy. Make history Netanyahu said on Sunday he hopes to make history during his upcoming trip to the White House for the expected unveiling of Trumps Middle East peace plan. Addressing his cabinet shortly before departing for Washington, Netanyahu described the current environment, characterised by close ties with Trump, as a once in a lifetime opportunity for Israel that we must not miss. Trumps plan is expected to be extremely favourable to Israel. We are in the midst of very dramatic political events, but the peak is still ahead, he said. For three years I have discussed with President Trump and his team our security and national needs dozens of discussions and hundreds of hours. In all of these talks, I found a receptive ear in the White House for the essential needs of the state of Israel. I am going to Washington with a great sense of purposes, great responsibility and great chance, and I am hopeful we can make history. The plan could give Netanyahu, who is in the middle of his third re-election campaign in under a year, a lift as he tries to remain in office while fighting criminal charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes. India on Sunday said it is examining "all options" in consultations with the Chinese government to address the concerns of over 250 stranded Indians, including students, in Wuhan, the epicentre of the fast spreading coronavirus. The death toll in the deadly new coronavirus in China rose to 56 on Sunday with confirmed cases of viral affliction reaching 2,008 , including 23 from aborad, Chinese health authorities said. India on Sunday opened a third hotline in view of "large number" of phone calls from the Indians who are mostly students, the Indian Embassy in Beijing said. "In view of the large number of calls received in the two hotline numbers set up by @EOIBeijing in connection with the outbreak of coronavirus infection, @EOIBeijing has decided to open a third hotline number +8618610952903," the Embassy said in a tweet. The other two hotline numbers are 8618612083629 +8618612083617, the Embassy said. The Embassy has also said it is examining all options and holding consultations with the Chinese to provide relief to the Indians holed up in Wuhan. "Over the last two days our hotlines have fielded nearly 600 calls to respond to concerns regarding this difficult situation. GoI and @EOIBeijing are also examining all options, including through consultations with the Chinese authorities, to provide relief to our affected citizens, another tweet by the Embassy said. The reference to all options was seen as a pointer to explore the option to evacuate the stranded Indians. The pneumonia outbreak was first reported in Wuhan City, central China's Hubei Province, in December 2019. Experts have attributed the outbreak to a new strain of coronavirus that has since spread across China and abroad. About 700 Indian students are believed to have been enrolled into several universities in the city and surrounding areas. Wuhan along 12 other cities have been completely sealed by the Chinese authorities to stop the virus from spreading. While the majority of the Indian students, mostly medical students reported to have left a few weeks ago to avail the Chinese New Year holidays, over 250 to 300 are still reportedly stayed put in the city causing concerns to them and their parents back home about their safety. A number of Indian PHD students also studied in different universities in Wuhan and the surrounding areas. Some students managed to leave before the city just before it was sealed off on January 23. In a rare move the Indian Embassy here on Sunday cancelled the Republic Day ceremony, owing to the rising concern of the virus which has spread to all provinces except Tibet. China reported to have permitted the US to evacuate its diplomats and citizens from Wuhan. US has a consulate in Wuhan. Roughly 1,000 American citizens are thought to be in Wuhan, a report in state-run China Daily said. As the US plans to evacuate its citizens from Wuhan, Chinese Foreign Ministry said: following international customary practices, China makes arrangements that are consistent with our epidemic control measures and provides necessary assistance and convenience. Reports say the US has already shut its consulate in Wuhan and airlift the diplomats and some of the stranded Americans to San Francisco where they would be kept under observation. Global Times reported that France and South Korea plans to airlift their citizens stranded in Wuhan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 06:36:55|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close A child tries Chinese calligraphy during Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Houston, the United States, on Jan. 25, 2020. The Asia Society Texas Center in Houston held Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations Saturday. Local Americans and Chinese participated in the event. (Photo by Lao Chengyue/Xinhua) HOUSTON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Asia Society Texas Center in Houston held Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations Saturday with local Americans and Chinese participating in all kinds of art and craft activities and performances. Activities such as Chinese calligraphy, New Year card making, paper cutting and Chinese food tasting were arranged to welcome all families. Organizations from Japan, Vietnam, South Korea and other Asian countries also participated in the activities. Attending the event, Chinese Consul General in Houston Cai Wei sent New Year greetings to all participants and offered children red envelopes -- a monetary gift given during holidays or special occasions. Maria Gonzalez and her husband brought their two sons to the event. Watching her sons practising Chinese calligraphy, she said this was a wonderful opportunities for the family to learn and understand Chinese culture. At the event, local art group Huaxing presented a collection of Chinese music and dance. From modern ballet to classic folk dancing, the show highlighted a variety of performance, including traditional Chinese dance, traditional Chinese music, and a sand painting performance, among others. This was the fourth year that Huaxing jointly with Asia Society Texas Center presented Lunar New Year performance to the communities. The Lunar New Year, or the Year of the Rat, fell on Jan. 25 this year. Founded in 1956, Asia Society is a nonpartisan, nonprofit institution with major centers and public buildings in New York, Hong Kong, and Houston, and offices in other nine cities worldwide. It is an educational organization dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among peoples, leaders, and institutions of Asia and the United States in a global context. Did you need a hotel room in Napa County this past year? Chances are if you did, you paid an average of $337.22 per night. Depending on the month, room rates ranged from an average of low of $232 to an average high of $414 a night. Overall, Napa County hotel room rates increased 3.6 percent year-over-year. Such are the statistics that data analyst STR reported for the year. In addition to those numbers, Napa County hotel revenue rose 5.1 percent to $446 million in 2019 , according to STR. Occupancy rose 2.3 percent to 72.1 percent, said STR. The lowest occupancy average came in December 54 percent. The highest occupancy month? September at 81 percent. Napa County hotels continue to drive occupancy and rate at a steady pace, despite market challenges such as this falls Public Safety Power Shutdowns, said Visit Napa Valley President and CEO Linsey Gallagher. We have seen RevPAR (revenue per available room) increase seven out the past eight years, outperforming national trends, and suggesting that Napa Valley continues to drive demand as one of the worlds best places to visit, work and live, said Gallagher. According to Gallagher, for 2020, STR forecasts that Napa County lodging occupancy will remain flat at 71.6 percent and the average daily room rate will rise 3.4 percent to $351.52. While 2019 visitor numbers havent been released, Visit Napa Valley noted that in 2018 the Napa Valley welcomed 3.85 million visitors, who spent $2.23 billion and provided $85.1 million in tax relief to residents. This represents an increase of 5.8 percent from 2016 ($80.4 million) for government entities throughout Napa County. Nearly 70 percent of the $2.23 billion is generated from overnight hotel guests, who spent an average of $446 in Napa County per guest, per day. Taxes generated by the visitor industry include revenues from the transient occupancy tax (TOT/hotel tax), sales taxes and property and transfer taxes paid on lodging facilities. The tourism industry remains the second largest employer in Napa County (after the wine industry), supporting the livelihood of an estimated 15,872 people in the community, with a combined payroll of $492 million. You can reach reporter Jennifer Huffman at 256-2218 or jhuffman@napanews.com The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Lahore: No hearing could be held in the terror financing cases against Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Mohammad Saeed for the last three days because the prosecution lawyer was on leave, a Pakistani court official said. "The Lahore's Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) adjourned the hearing till next Monday (January 27) after it was told that Deputy Prosecution General Abdur Rauf was on leave for few days," the court official told PTI on Saturday. He said Rauf is out of the country and he is likely to return by Monday. On Monday last, Saeed's lawyers -- Advocates Naseeruddin Nayyar and Imran Fazal Gull ? had requested the court to give them more time to complete their arguments in defence of their client in two terror financing cases registered against him in Lahore and Gujranwala. ATC judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta had accepted the plea of Saeed's lawyers and directed them to complete their arguments on next hearing on January 23. The founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba's three close aides -- Prof Zafar Iqbal, Muhammad Ashram and Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad -- are also facing terror financing charges. In a separate case of terror financing against Jamaat-ud-Dawah spokesperson Yahya Mujahid and its senior leader Abdur Rehman Makki, the ATC-I also adjourned the hearing till Monday. Saeed has already recorded his statement before the court in two terror financing cases against him in which he pleaded "not guilty". The cases of terror financing have been registered against him in Lahore and Gujranwala cities on the application of Counter Terrorism Department of Punjab police. Cross examination of prosecution witnesses against Saeed and his three close aides by the defense counsel has already been concluded. The prosecution produced a good number of witnesses against Saeed. The ATC indicted Saeed and others on December 11 in terror financing case in day to day hearing. The Counter Terrorism Department has registered 23 FIRs against Saeed and his accomplices on the charges of terror financing in different cities of Punjab province and arrested him on July 17. He is held at the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore. Saeed-led JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the LeT which is responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, including six Americans. The US Department of the Treasury has designated Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, and the US, since 2012, has offered a USD 10 million reward for information that brings Saeed to justice. The US has also welcomed Saeed's indictment, urging Islamabad to ensure a full prosecution and expeditious trial of the charges against him. Also Read: Pakistan Anti-Terrorism Court Indicts Hafiz Saeed On Terror Financing Charges The indictment followed growing international pressure on Pakistan to stop militant groups from collecting funds in the country and to take immediate action against those still involved in militant activities. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Paris and Bordeaux have cancelled street parades organised to mark the Chinese New Year after French authorities confirmed three cases of the novel coronavirus in the country this week. This comes as France's Prime Minister was set to attend an emergency meeting over the health crisis. Saturday was the day when the Chinese community in Paris were set to celebrate the first day of the year of the Rat, according to the Lunar New Year. However, on Sunday morning, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo announced on Europe 1 radio that the parade through the Republique district had been cancelled. "Yesterday, I met members of the Chinese community in Paris who themselves wished to cancel the procession," the mayor told reporters. "The principle of precaution takes precedence," she added. Hidalgo did not specify whether other New Year's celebrations planned for the coming days would also be called off, including the main, yearly procession in Paris' so-called Asian quarter, set for next Sunday. Earlier on Saturday, organisers of a parade in the southwest city of Bordeaux also decided to cancel a parade in the city due to the confirmation of a case of coronavirus at a hospital there. Three patients being monitored in France On Friday, France's health ministry said three people who had recently travelled to China were confirmed to have contracted the virus the first cases in Europe. Two are being monitored at a hospital in Paris and one is at a hospital in Bordeaux. All three were "very well", according to France's director-general of health Jerome Salomon. Health officials were tracking other people the three had been in contact with. Meanwhile - France on Sunday put in place a medical team of several dozen experts at Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport to take charge of any arrivals with possible symptoms of infection with the contagious virus. Meeting to discuss repatriation of French nationals French carmaker PSA on Saturday said it would repatriate expat staff and their families -- 38 people in total -- from Wuhan. They would be quarantined in the city of Changsha, 300 kilometres (180 miles) from Wuhan where the virus originated, before being allowed to return "to their countries of origin", the company said in a statement. There are an estimated 800 French expats living in the Wuhan area, the epicentre of the outbreak, which is believed to have been transmitted from bushmeat sold at a food market. France's Prime Minister Edouard Philippe is expected to attend an emergency meeting later today to discuss the possibility of repatriating French nationals. Published on 2020/01/26 | Source Sergeant Byun Hee-soo salutes at a press conference after her discharge from the Army in Seoul on Wednesday. /Yonhap Advertisement The Army has discharged Korea's first-ever transgender soldier although she sought to continue serving after a sex-change operation during leave. In a meeting on Wednesday, the Army decided that sergeant Byun Hee-soo is no longer fit to serve as a soldier under Korean military regulations. Byun was a tank driver with a military unit in northern Gyeonggi Province until she had gender reassignment surgery in Thailand while on leave late last year. The Army had warned Byun that she would not be able to return duty afterwards since the loss of genitals is considered a physical disability and gender dysphoria is classified as a mental illness. But Byun insisted on going through with the male-to-female surgery and pleaded to stay in the Army. In a physical checkup after returning to her unit she was diagnosed with a physical disability, which requires soldiers to be discharged. This legal clause saved the Army from considering the hairier question of LGBT rights. "The decision was based on [the soldier's] results for the mandatory physical checkup and proper legal procedure. The decision has nothing to do with [the soldier's] transgender status or other personal reasons", the Army said in a statement. Byun sought to delay the decision since she has applied to a court to be officially recognized as a woman and the ruling is pending. But the Army said letting the case drag on "could affect [Korea's] defense capabilities", although it acknowledged that the issue needs to be debated. Byun in a tearful press conference Wednesday pleaded with the Army to reconsider its decision. "It was my dream to become a soldier since I was a child and I wish to continue serving as a female soldier", she said. " I will continue fighting until I can return to the Army". Is Powerlong Real Estate Holdings Limited (HKG:1238) a good dividend stock? How can we tell? Dividend paying companies with growing earnings can be highly rewarding in the long term. On the other hand, investors have been known to buy a stock because of its yield, and then lose money if the company's dividend doesn't live up to expectations. In this case, Powerlong Real Estate Holdings likely looks attractive to investors, given its 6.9% dividend yield and a payment history of over ten years. We'd guess that plenty of investors have purchased it for the income. There are a few simple ways to reduce the risks of buying Powerlong Real Estate Holdings for its dividend, and we'll go through these below. Explore this interactive chart for our latest analysis on Powerlong Real Estate Holdings! SEHK:1238 Historical Dividend Yield, January 26th 2020 Payout ratios Dividends are typically paid from company earnings. If a company pays more in dividends than it earned, then the dividend might become unsustainable - hardly an ideal situation. As a result, we should always investigate whether a company can afford its dividend, measured as a percentage of a company's net income after tax. In the last year, Powerlong Real Estate Holdings paid out 34% of its profit as dividends. A medium payout ratio strikes a good balance between paying dividends, and keeping enough back to invest in the business. Plus, there is room to increase the payout ratio over time. We also measure dividends paid against a company's levered free cash flow, to see if enough cash was generated to cover the dividend. Of the free cash flow it generated last year, Powerlong Real Estate Holdings paid out 29% as dividends, suggesting the dividend is affordable. It's positive to see that Powerlong Real Estate Holdings's dividend is covered by both profits and cash flow, since this is generally a sign that the dividend is sustainable, and a lower payout ratio usually suggests a greater margin of safety before the dividend gets cut. Story continues Is Powerlong Real Estate Holdings's Balance Sheet Risky? As Powerlong Real Estate Holdings has a meaningful amount of debt, we need to check its balance sheet to see if the company might have debt risks. A rough way to check this is with these two simple ratios: a) net debt divided by EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation), and b) net interest cover. Net debt to EBITDA measures total debt load relative to company earnings (lower = less debt), while net interest cover measures the ability to pay interest on the debt (higher = greater ability to pay interest costs). Powerlong Real Estate Holdings has net debt of 4.90 times its EBITDA, which is getting towards the limit of most investors' comfort zones. Judicious use of debt can enhance shareholder returns, but also adds to the risk if something goes awry. We calculated its interest cover by measuring its earnings before interest and tax (EBIT), and dividing this by the company's net interest expense. Powerlong Real Estate Holdings has EBIT of 8.83 times its interest expense, which we think is adequate. We update our data on Powerlong Real Estate Holdings every 24 hours, so you can always get our latest analysis of its financial health, here. Dividend Volatility From the perspective of an income investor who wants to earn dividends for many years, there is not much point buying a stock if its dividend is regularly cut or is not reliable. Powerlong Real Estate Holdings has been paying dividends for a long time, but for the purpose of this analysis, we only examine the past 10 years of payments. The dividend has been cut on at least one occasion historically. During the past ten-year period, the first annual payment was CN0.06 in 2010, compared to CN0.28 last year. This works out to be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 17% a year over that time. The dividends haven't grown at precisely 17% every year, but this is a useful way to average out the historical rate of growth. It's not great to see that the payment has been cut in the past. We're generally more wary of companies that have cut their dividend before, as they tend to perform worse in an economic downturn. Dividend Growth Potential With a relatively unstable dividend, it's even more important to see if earnings per share (EPS) are growing. Why take the risk of a dividend getting cut, unless there's a good chance of bigger dividends in future? It's good to see Powerlong Real Estate Holdings has been growing its earnings per share at 19% a year over the past five years. A company paying out less than a quarter of its earnings as dividends, and growing earnings at more than 10% per annum, looks to be right in the cusp of its growth phase. At the right price, we might be interested. We'd also point out that Powerlong Real Estate Holdings issued a meaningful number of new shares in the past year. Regularly issuing new shares can be detrimental - it's hard to grow dividends per share when new shares are regularly being created. Conclusion When we look at a dividend stock, we need to form a judgement on whether the dividend will grow, if the company is able to maintain it in a wide range of economic circumstances, and if the dividend payout is sustainable. First, we like that the company's dividend payments appear well covered, although the retained capital also needs to be effectively reinvested. We were also glad to see it growing earnings, but it was concerning to see the dividend has been cut at least once in the past. Overall we think Powerlong Real Estate Holdings scores well on our analysis. It's not quite perfect, but we'd definitely be keen to take a closer look. Earnings growth generally bodes well for the future value of company dividend payments. See if the 6 Powerlong Real Estate Holdings analysts we track are forecasting continued growth with our free report on analyst estimates for the company. If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of dividend stocks yielding above 3%. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. You don't have to follow financial news to know that Wall Street absolutely, positively, no question about it wants Donald J. Trump to stay in office as president of the United States for second term. What about Main Street? An interesting indicator that Main Street agrees with the grand poobahs of high finance occurred to me while wandering around the Wagon Wheel flea market here in Pinellas Park, Florida, which has been doing brisk business since 1966, according to its website. Having been to W.W. several times, and found bargains each time, I can testify to the accuracy of its slogan: "If you can't find it here, it probably doesn't exist." A list of goods typically on sale can be found here. Last week, for twenty bucks, I got a beautifully carved soapstone elephant from Zimbabwe. I make sculpture, too, and told the vendor I appreciated the skill and hard work that went into the composition. He smiled. What interesting indicator am I talking about? As I walked around from building to building see site map I kept noticing merchandise such as hats, T-shirts, banners, stickers, posters, and welcome mats all displaying a pro-Trump message. Hmmm... I decided to take photos with my smartphone to see if a pattern developed. After fifteen photos at several stalls, I became convinced it wasn't a coincidence. To make sure there was no bias, I also looked for anti-Trump merchandise but didn't find any. For example, T-shirts carried messages such as: TRUMP 2020, the Sequel, Making Liberals Cry Again Keeping America Safe BORDER WALL Est. 2016 Construction Co. In Trump We Trust, Keeping America Safe Again I'M DEPLORABLE Trump 2020 TWO TERMS, DEAL WITH IT (It's gonna be huge.) Trump 2020 FINALLY SOMEONE WITH BALLS! A photo of Trump as Rocky Balboa My favorite was a poster of a downcast-looking Trump next to this message: TRUMP the man who put aside his great life to be scrutinized, mocked, ridiculed, slandered, and humiliated FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. So my suggestion to American Thinker readers is to visit large flea markets in their own cities and find out if either pro-Trump or anti-Trump merchandise is for sale. Flyover country is in the dead of winter right now, so this will have to wait a few months. California flea markets probably have only anti-Trump merchandise, but I could be wrong about that. Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Nevada, and Arizona are more promising. Flea markets could be an interesting source of information to take into account as we get closer and closer to Election Day. I intend to go back to Wagon Wheel over the next several months to track change. Next time, I will buy some Trump memorabilia. Crown Resorts' controversial investor, Lawrence Ho's Melco Resorts and Entertainment, is expected to respond on Monday to reports that its offices in Tokyo were raided as part of a political corruption probe relating to casino developments in the country. Melco's offices in Tokyo were raided between January 17 and 20, according to reports from Japan's major media groups, including financial newspaper Nikkei. Lawrence Ho's plan to buy a substantial stake in Crown from James Packer could come under further scrutiny after reports of raids by Japanese authorities. Credit:Bloomberg The raids came just days after Tokyo prosecutors arrested Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Tsukasa Akimoto on suspicion of accepting bribes from Chinese gambling group, 500.com. Mr Akimoto, who is in detention, has denied any wrongdoing. President Donald Trump has once again questioned why National Public Radio exists after it reported on Secretary of State Mike Pompeos foul-mouthed interview with one of its reporters who asked him about Ukraine. Trump on Sunday agreed with comments posted on Twitter that labeled the nonprofit media organization a big-government, Democrat Party propaganda operation and asked why NPR receives government funding and still exists. A very good question! Trump responded. Trump has repeatedly called to defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which contributes to funding for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), National Public Radio (NPR) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). A very good question! https://t.co/8z6uQLKz8M Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2020 According to NPRs website, fees paid by NPRs member stations make up the largest portion of its revenue. Less than 1% of NPRs annual operating budget is covered by grants from CPB and federal agencies and departments. Trump pushed his latest attack on NPR after reporter Mary Louise Kelly, who co-hosts the news program All Things Considered, revealed on Friday that Pompeo yelled at her while using the F-word and many others after she questioned him about the war-torn country in an interview that she was asked not to audio-record. I was taken to the Secretarys private living room where he was waiting and where he shouted at me for about the same amount of time as the interview itself, she said. He was not happy to have been questioned about Ukraine. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reportedly went off on an NPR reporter for asking him questions about Ukraine during an interview. (Barcroft Media via Getty Images) Pompeo has defended his behavior and accused Kelly in a statement of breaking an agreement that his comments to her would be off the record. He also accused her of not being able to find Ukraine on a map when directed. Kelly had previously reported that she correctly identified Ukraine, which is Europes second-largest country after Russia, when Pompeo demanded she point it... Continue reading on HuffPost One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has claimed Aboriginal people who want Australia Day moved away from January 26 need to 'get the chip off their shoulder'. The outspoken federal senator was involved with a heated argument with Melbourne radio broadcaster Neil Mitchell on the Today Show, a day after Australia Day protests across the country. Aboriginal and Torres Straight Island flags filled streets across the nation on Sunday, as thousands of protesters called for the date of Australia Day to be moved because of growing tensions over what it celebrates. January 26 - which marks the raising of the British flag on Australian soil in 1788 after the First Fleet arrived in Sydney Harbour - is regarded as 'invasion day' by many First Nations people. During a passionate discussion with Mr Mitchell and host Karl Stefanovic, Ms Hanson said she does not believe the date should be changed - claiming there are far bigger issues for Aboriginal communities. Scroll down for video One Nation leader Pauline Hanson (pictured) claims Aboriginal people who want Australia Day moved away from January 26 need to 'get the chip off their shoulder' 'They're not talking about this in Aboriginal communities and I was there two weeks ago,' Ms Hanson, 65, said. 'You know the big issues there? Kids are on the streets, they're starving, they've got the biggest rate of syphilis in their townships. 'You move the date from January 26th, whatever date you pick they're going to whinge about that as well. 'Get rid of the chip off your bloody shoulder. We are here, I was born here, this is my country... this is Australia Day where people join together.' Mr Mitchell, the long-time 3AW talkback host, initially agreed that the date on which Australia Day is celebrated is not 'a huge issue for most Aboriginal people'. But he took exception to Ms Hanson's comments that 'invasion day' protesters have a chip on their shoulder, claiming it was remarks like this that caused division. Thousands of protesters called for the date of Australia Day to be moved because of growing tensions over what it celebrates January 26 - which marks the raising of the British flag on Australian soil in 1788 after the First Fleet arrived in Sydney Harbour - is regarded as 'invasion day' by many First Nations people Aboriginal and Torres Straight Island flags filled streets across the nation on Sunday as part of the protests 'Get the chip off your shoulder? That'll really help. We need to be inclusive. I don't think it's a chip on your shoulder to be worried about history,' Mr Mitchell, 68, said. Ms Hanson defended her stance, replying: 'Neil this has been going on for over 200 years do you think they have been affected by this?' 'They're using this as an excuse. It's either a political stance or they're pushing their own agenda.' Today Show host Karl Stefanovic had the final say on the matter, claiming that such a debate highlighted how emotional the issue is. 'This is part of the problem, it is such a divisive thing and a divisive argument, and I want unification on this day,' he said. Iran's foreign minister has said that the country is open to negotiations with the U.S. on the condition that all sanctions are lifted, a proposal that President Donald Trump quickly dismissed. Foreign Minster Mohammed Javad Zarif told Germany's Der Spiegel magazine that he would 'never rule out the possibility that people will change their approach and recognize the realities,' in an interview conducted Friday in Tehran. Although Zarif suggested Iran was still willing to talk, he reiterated his country's previous demand that first the U.S. would have to lift sanctions. 'For us, it doesnt matter who is sitting in the White House, what matters is how they behave,' he said. 'The Trump administration can correct its past, lift the sanctions and come back to the negotiating table. Were still at the negotiating table. Theyre the ones who left.' Foreign Minster Mohammed Javad Zarif suggested Iran was still willing to talk, but he reiterated his country's previous demand that first the U.S. would have to lift sanctions In Washington, Trump rejected Zarif's remarks in a tweet. 'Iranian Foreign Minister says Iran wants to negotiate with The United States, but wants sanctions removed,' he tweeted, then added, 'No Thanks!' Meanwhile on Saturday, Ali Asghar Zarean, an aide to Iran's nuclear chief, said Iran's enriched uranium stockpile has exceeded 1,200 kilograms (2,646 pounds), which is far beyond the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers allowed. 'Iran is increasing its stockpile of the enriched uranium with full speed,' he said. The claim has not been verified by the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog. There has been growing tension between Washington and Tehran since in 2018, when Trump pulled the United States out of the nuclear deal with Iran. The U.S. has since reimposed tough sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy. Following the U.S. drone strike on January 3 that killed Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Iran announced it would no longer abide by any of the deal's limitations to its enrichment activities. It then retaliated January 8, launching ballistic missiles at two bases in Iraq housing American troops, causing injuries but no fatalities among soldiers there. In Washington, President Trump quickly rejected Zarif's remarks in a tweet Trump repeated his tweet dismissing negotiations in both English and Persian In November, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran's stockpile of low-enriched uranium had grown to 372.3 kilograms (821 pounds) as of Nov. 3. The nuclear deal limited the stockpile to 202.8 kilograms (447 pounds). Iran has routinely vowed to begin enriching its stockpile of uranium to higher levels closer to weapons grade if world powers fail to negotiate new terms for the nuclear accord following the U.S. decision to withdraw from the agreement and restore crippling sanctions. European countries opposed the U.S. withdrawal and have repeatedly urged Iran to abide by the deal. Under the agreement, Iran agreed to limit its enrichment of uranium under the watch of U.N. inspectors in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Trump has maintained that the 2015 nuclear deal needs to be renegotiated because it didn't address Iran's ballistic missile program or its involvement in regional conflicts. The other signatories to the nuclear deal - Germany, France, Britain, China and Russia - have been struggling to keep it alive. Zarif did suggest Iran was also still prepared for conflict with the U.S., though was not specific. 'The U.S. has inflicted great harm on the Iranian people,' he said. 'The day will come when they will have to compensate for that. We have a lot of patience.' Emaar Hospitality Group celebrated the official opening of its latest project, Address Sky View, in Downtown Dubai. Held at the hotels much anticipated rooftop restaurant, Ce La Vi, Emaars Chairman Mohamed Alabbar, and Emaar Hospitality Groups Chief Operating Officer, Chris Newman attended the ceremony and spoke on the companys past accomplishments and future endeavours. Alabbar celebrated four openings across Emaar Hospitality Group in 2019 (VIDA Emirates Hills - June 2019; VIDA Creek Harbour - September 2019; Address Fountain Views - October 2019; and Address Sky View - December 2019) before eluding to the vision for the group in the coming years touching on the new strategic positioning within the hospitality industry; international expansion into Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and further into Egypt; becoming asset light and finally the exciting news of its first beach resort openings. Openings to expect in 2020 include the exciting new Address Beach Resorts in Dubais Jumeirah Beach, Fujairah, Bahrain and Egypt, Palace Beach Resorts in Sharjah and Fujairah and a VIDA Beach Resort in Umm Al Quwain. The opening of Address Sky View marks our 19th hotel in the UAE and is testament to our undoubted commitment to continuously placing Dubai in the frontline of innovative and luxurious destinations for visitors from around the world. Emaar Hospitality Groups new strategy will only help evolve and introduce the brand to a global audience in other territories commented Alabbar. Featuring majestic views of Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubais unique skyline, Address Sky View is made up of two towers, connected by a floating Sky Bridge in the heart of Downtown Dubai. The hotel boasts 169 rooms and 551 apartments and a 70-metre long infinity pool. Complete with a range of culinary concepts and eateries, as well as a spa and fitness centers, guests can enjoy the minimalistic yet refined interiors of the hotel. TradeArabia News Service Jean Mensa 26.01.2020 LISTEN The Electoral Commission (EC) has debunked a report on social media alleging the importation of faulty biometric devices meant for the 2020 general elections. It was reported that the devices had been imported from Nigeria. The report published on January 25, 2020, alleged that surveillance mounted on two vehicles carrying 7,000 new biometric voter devices and 2,800 old ones, one of which moved to the Electoral Commission from the Osu Castle at 1:00am. It further alleged that the BVDs were faulty and were intended to be shown to the Committee to enable them know the quality of the used BVDs. But the Commission in a statement signed by its Acting Director of Public Affairs, Sylvia Annoh, urged the general public to be wary of such dangerous elements in society who will stop at nothing to peddle malicious falsehood to misinform Ghanaians, tarnish its reputable image and create needless fear and panic in the country. The statement said the EC would like to clearly that the allegations are a figment of the writers imagination since it has not imported any such equipment into the country. Security agencies are being called upon by the Commission to get to the bottom of this matter, it noted. Daily Guide Former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine and other politicians have reportedly accused Boris Johnson of rubbing the noses of remainers in their defeat through plans to celebrate Brexit. The Tory peer, who fought for Britain to stay in the EU, told The Observer newspaper the raft of celebrations risked exacerbating national divisions at a time when sensitivities over leaving Europe were still high. Brexit is the most divisive issue of modern times. Those of us who fought to remain did so sincerely in the interests of our country and subsequent generations who we believe should be influential at the heart of Europe, Lord Heseltine told the paper. I think it is unwise of the Government to rub our noses in it by celebrating our defeat at this hour, whilst talking about unifying the country. Government buildings in Whitehall will be lit up in red, white and blue to celebrate Brexit on Friday night, while Parliament Square and Pall Mall will be festooned with British flags. A light display, featuring a countdown clock, is also planned for Downing Street, while the Government has announced the release of three million 50p coins to mark the occasion bearing the words Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations. It is unwise of the Government to rub our noses in it by celebrating our defeat at this hourLord Heseltine Acting Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey joined the criticism, saying Mr Johnson should be using public money to unite the nation, not gloat with an expensive party. And the Scottish National Partys leader at Westminster, Ian Blackford, told the paper that leaving the greatest postwar peace project ever created was not something we should be celebrating. Mr Johnson last night insisted it was time to heal past divisions over Brexit. No matter how you voted in 2016, it is the time to look ahead with confidence to the global, trail-blazing country we will become over the next decade and heal past divisions, he said. That is what I will be doing on 31 January and I urge everyone across the UK to do the same. Imperial Valley News Center Former Police Detective and FBI Task Force Officer Indicted for Bribery and Other Offenses Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - A veteran detective for the Carlisle, Pennsylvania Police Department, who was also a task force officer with the FBI and a member of the Cumberland County Drug Task Force, was indicted by a federal grand jury for bribery, drug distribution, fraud and making false statements. Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler of the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Special Agent in Charge Guido Modano of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector Generals New York Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Michael Harpster of the FBIs Philadelphia Field Office made the announcement. The indictment alleges that Christopher Collare, 52, of Blythewood, South Carolina, used his official position to obtain sex from two women in exchange for agreeing to take actions in prosecutions. In 2015, Collare allegedly agreed to accept sex or money in exchange for not appearing at an evidentiary hearing so that a criminal charge would be dismissed. In 2018, Collare allegedly agreed to accept sexual favors in exchange for taking steps to help reduce a potential sentence. The indictment also alleges that Collare distributed heroin in 2016. The indictment alleges that between 2011 and 2018 he defrauded the Borough of Carlisle and the Cumberland County Drug Task Force by providing confidential informants with drugs and allowing informants to retain drugs that they had obtained during controlled buys. The indictment further alleges that Collare lied on a federal form he completed during the process of becoming an FBI task force officer and that he made multiple false statements in an interview with federal agents in May 2018. The FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General investigated the case. Trial Attorney James I. Pearce of the Criminal Divisions Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carlo D. Marchioli and Phillip J. Caraballo are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Star filmmakers hit the red carpet this Saturday night for the Directors Guild Awards, held at the Ritz-Carlton in Los Angeles. Ava DuVernay cut a regal figure in a floor-length powder blue gown that featured train sashes at the sides and glinted under the lights. She is nominated this year in the limited series/TV movie category for When They See Us, a Netflix series about the Central Park Five. What a night: Star filmmakers like Ava DuVernay hit the red carpet this Saturday night for the Directors Guild Awards, held at the Ritz-Carlton in Los Angeles Ava mingled inside the event with Bong Joon-ho - director of the acclaimed South Korean thriller Parasite - and Lee Jeong-eun, one of the film's stars. She also got photographed with actress and director Christine Lahti and DGA President Thomas Schlamme. Quentin Tarantino appeared to have skipped the red carpet but made his way into the event where he sat alongside producer David Heyman. The evening's top category, feature film, includes a nomination for Quentin's latest movie Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. Nominee: Ava cut a regal figure in a floor-length powder blue gown that featured train sashes at the sides and glinted under the lights Talents: Ava mingled inside the event with Bong Joon-ho - director of the acclaimed South Korean thriller Parasite - and Lee Jeong-eun, one of the film's stars Top brass: She also got photographed with actress and director Christine Lahti and DGA President Thomas Schlamme Side by side: Quentin Tarantino appeared to have skipped the red carpet but made his way into the event where he sat alongside producer David Heyman Sam Mendes won in the feature film category for his World War I movie 1917, dedicated to his grandfather who was a veteran of the conflict. The evening also included an appearance by Once Upon A Time In Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, who was there to introduce his director. Leo shared a warm onstage hug after his speech with Quentin, who like all the contenders in his category got a plaque just for being nominated. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Rick Dalton, a western star past his prime trying to rejuvenate his career in 1969. Passion project: Sam Mendes won in the feature film category for his World War I movie 1917, dedicated to his grandfather who was a veteran of the conflict There he is: The evening also included an appearance by Once Upon A Time In Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, who was there to introduce his director All that sweet affection: Leo shared a warm onstage hug after his speech with Quentin, who like all the contenders in his category got a plaque just for being nominated Premise: Once Upon A Time In Hollywood stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Rick Dalton, a western star past his prime trying to rejuvenate his career in 1969 Joon-ho could also be glimpsed on the copy with Jeong-eun, who along with her co-stars won best ensemble in a film at the Screen Actors Guild Awards last weekend. Constance Zimmer of UnREAL fame showed off her enviably svelte figure in a fitted black gown that fell into a bit of a train. The frock featured a half-turtleneck and full sleeves, and she heightened the slimming effect with a sash around the waist. Victory: Joon-ho could also be glimpsed on the copy with Jeong-eun, who along with her co-stars won best ensemble in a film at the Screen Actors Guild Awards last weekend Hello, gorgeous: Constance Zimmer of UnREAL fame showed off her enviably svelte figure in a fitted black gown that fell into a bit of a train Radiant: The frock featured a half-turtleneck and full sleeves, and she heightened the slimming effect with a sash around the waist Wearing her hair in a sleek bob, she accessorized with a tiny black clutch and accentuated her features with makeup. She hit the red carpet that evening on the arm of her second husband Russ Lamoureaux, a writer and director of short films. This Is Us star Chrissy Metz made her presence felt on the red carpet in a bias-cut blue gown that featured a bit of sheen. Directors and spouses Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino hit the red carpet together that evening. Date night: She hit the red carpet that evening on the arm of her second husband Russ Lamoureaux, a writer and director of short films This Is Us star: Chrissy Metz made her presence felt on the red carpet in a bias-cut blue gown that featured a bit of sheen Side by side: Directors and spouses Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino hit the red carpet together that evening No hard feelings: The dynamic duo are nominated against each other in the comedy series category for different episodes of Amazon Prime's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel The dynamic duo are nominated against each other in the comedy series category for different episodes of Amazon Prime's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Amy created The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, which stars Rachel Brosnahan as a stand-up comic beginning her career in the 1950s and 1960s after her marriage falls apart. Terry Crews, fresh off his controversial comments defending America's Got Talent which he currently hosts, cut a dashing figure in a suit without a tie. Canadian actress Katheryn Winnick channeled Old Hollywood with a wavy blonde hairdo and a simple floor-length black gown that slid off the shoulder. Snappy: Terry Crews, fresh off his controversial comments defending America's Got Talent which he currently hosts, cut a dashing figure in a suit without a tie Retro chic: Canadian actress Katheryn Winnick channeled Old Hollywood with a wavy blonde hairdo and a simple floor-length black gown that slid off the shoulder Mugging for the cameras: Hunky filmmaker Taika Waititi, who is up for the feature film gong for Jojo Rabbit, cut a dashing figure in a navy and white checked suit Style icon: The sliver fox added even more personality to the look with a silver tie and a pocket square with a hot pink background Hunky filmmaker Taika Waititi, who is up for the feature film gong for Jojo Rabbit, cut a dashing figure in a navy and white checked suit. The sliver fox added even more personality to the look with a silver tie and a pocket square with a hot pink background. His new film's leading men George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman also turned up to the awards show to support the film. Ricky Schroder, who starred on the sitcom Silver Spoons in the 1980s, attended the fete with his daughters Cambrie, 23, and Faith, 18. Side by side: His new film's leading men George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman also turned up to the awards show to support the film Family time: Ricky Schroder, who starred on the sitcom Silver Spoons in the 1980s, attended the fete with his daughters Cambrie, 23, and Faith, 18 Judd Apatow went for a black tuxedo, black bow tie, white dress shirt and black dress shoes as he attended the awards stag. Tichina Arnold shot her best smoldering stare at the camera in sparkly bots and a colorful wrap mini-dress. She stars in the drama The Last Black Man In San Francisco, whose director Joe Talbot is nominated for first-time feature film. Smile big: Judd Apatow went for a black tuxedo, black bow tie, white dress shirt and black dress shoes as he attended the awards stag Blow a kiss: Tichina Arnold shot her best smoldering stare at the camera in sparkly bots and a colorful wrap mini-dress Details: She stars in the drama The Last Black Man In San Francisco, whose director Joe Talbot is nominated for first-time feature film In contention: Jessica Yu, who is nominated for directing an episode of the mini-series Fosse/Verdon, joined her fellow filmmakers on the red carpet What a look: Director Catherine Hardwicke made a splash in a floral trouser suit with sneakers, posing alongside producer Jamie Marshall Debutante: Melina Matsoukas, nominated for first-time feature film by way of her movie Queen & Slim, rocked a color-block dress to the fete Jessica Yu, who is nominated for directing an episode of the mini-series Fosse/Verdon, joined her fellow filmmakers on the red carpet. Director Catherine Hardwicke made a splash in a floral trouser suit with sneakers, posing alongside producer Jamie Marshall. Melina Matsoukas, nominated for first-time feature film by way of her movie Queen & Slim, rocked a color-block dress to the fete. One of the feature film nominees was Martin Scorsese for The Irishman, whose stars Joe Pesci and Al Pacino were also onstage that evening. Legends: One of the feature film nominees was Martin Scorsese for The Irishman, whose stars Joe Pesci and Al Pacino were also onstage that evening A Canadian oil worker has been hailed a hero after he rescued three kittens that became frozen to the ground with a cup of coffee. Kendall Diwisch came across the freezing furry trio stuck in the snow while he was out inspecting wells near Tomahawk in Alberta on Wednesday. Diwisch shared the heartwarming rescue story on Facebook along with a video of himself pouring warm coffee around the kittens to help free their paws and tails. 'I found these three fellows on one of the back roads near one of my wells,' he wrote. 'Most likely dropped off. Poor things were frozen into the ice so they had to have been there all night.' Scroll down for video Canadian oil worker Kendall Diwisch (pictured) rescued three kittens that were frozen on the ground near Alberta last week. He shared the heartwarming story on Facebook along with a video of himself pouring warm coffee around the kittens to help free their paws and tails Diwisch said the kittens had likely been abandoned the night before and spent hours trapped in the snow. He ran to his truck to grab a mug of coffee to help thaw the ice they were stuck in In the video, the tiny kittens, likely only a few months old, are seen huddled together on the ground desperately meowing as Diwisch approaches them. He is able to free one of the cats with a gloved hand but the other two won't budge, so he runs back to his truck and grabs a travel mug of coffee to help melt the ice. Diwisch laughs as the kittens begin lapping up the coffee while he wrenches their tails off the ground. He then carries all three back to his truck before taking them home to clean them off and give them food and water. In the initial Facebook post he also put out a call to anyone looking to take in one of the kittens. In the video the tiny kittens are seen huddled together on the ground desperately meowing as Diwisch approaches them Diwisch is heard laughing in the video as the kittens lapped up the coffee while he unstuck their tails before taking them back to his truck Diwisch later updated the post to say that they'd been adopted. 'All three little rascals went to their new home today where they get to be together instead of separating them,' he wrote. 'All three are eating and drinking and very energetic.' 'Thanks for everyone's consideration and offering to take them very appreciated,' he added. Diwisch's post has been shared more than 3,300 times as commenters praised his quick-thinking. Diwisch later updated his Facebook post to say all of the kittens had found a new home There is no doubt that the coronavirus 2019-nCoV is a national emergency, and we must stop it from becoming a national disaster. Here are some of my thoughts: 1. A key issue of the new coronavirus virus outbreak, which started in Wuhan, is its very high rate of transmission in family clusters. We noticed that in a family of seven members, six were infected, which means the rate is as high as 83%. This statistic alone demonstrates that 2019-nCoV is undoubtedly a highly infectious virus. 2. Hong Kong, Macao or other world cities could easily become another Wuhan or another 2003 Hong Kong. 3. The next few days could be the last window of opportunity to stop the infection from spreading. This is because it is currently thought the incubation period of the virus is between three and six days, which means this is the time the disease is able to silently spread by infected Chinese mainlanders crossing the border into Hong Kong or Macao, especially by people who might have been visiting family on the mainland returning home. 4. Patients can be afebrile at the time of presentation, despite having radiological changes of viral pneumonia. Crucially this means they can still be shedding the virus as evident by positive RT-PCR in respiratory secretions despite not displaying any symptoms. (Editors note: RT-PCR, or reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, is a widely used technique for testing viruses.) This makes the control of the disease by identifying simple observable symptoms very difficult. 5. Person-to-person transmission can occur in hospitals and at home. With easy intercity travel, the spread of the disease from Wuhan to places like Hong Kong and Macao would be incredibly easy. 6. We should advocate universal masking outside home and frequent alcoholic hand-rub now before it is too late. The Chinese New Year public holiday should be extended until the situation is stable to prevent returning mainland students turning schools and universities into hubs of infection. 7. Authorities need to stock up on diagnostic test kits, masks and other personal protective equipment, disinfectants, as well as Kaletra, ribavirin (low HCV oral dosing), and Betaferon drugs, and create effective quarantine areas, 8. We must do everything now to delay or mitigate the epidemic till outdoor temperatures rise to 30 degrees Celsius which hampers the environmental survival of this novel coronavirus. Our situation is not good now. To stop it from turning into a crisis, the next 14 days are crucial. Yuen Kwok-yung is an infectious disease professor at the University of Hong Kong. This piece, based on a Facebook post published on Jan. 25, has been edited for clarity. Contact editor Yang Ge (geyang@caixin.com) Delhi police books Sharjeel Imam for cut off Assam comment India oi-PTI New Delhi, Jan 26: The Delhi Police booked Sharjeel Imam, an activist who came in limelight during the ongoing protest in Shaheen Bagh, on Sunday for allegedly delivering inflammatory speeches against the amended Citizenship Act and the planned National Register of Citizens, officials said. According to the police, Imam, a resident of Bihar and former Jawaharlal Nehru University student, delivered "very inflammatory and instigatory speeches in his opposition to CAA and NRC". "He had previously delivered one such speech in Jamia Millia Islamia on December 13 last year and thereafter one even more inflammatory against the government which is being widely circulated on social media," they said. CAA has nothing to do with Muslims in India, says Delhi Jama Masjid's Shahi Imam These speeches have the "potential to harm the religious harmony" and the unity and integrity of India, for which the case was registered against him, police said. Imam was heard saying in an audio clip that Assam should be cut off from the rest of India and taught a lesson, as Bengalis - both Hindus and Muslims - are being killed or put into detention centres. He reportedly said that if he can organise five lakh people, it would become possible to "permanently cut off Assam with rest of India...if not permanently, then at least for a few months". A case against Imam under IPC sections 124 A (an offence by words, either spoken or written causes disaffection against Government established by law), 153 A (promoting enmity between different religious groups with an intent to create disharmony) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) has been registered, the Delhi police said. A case of sedition was lodged against Imam on Saturday for a speech he delivered on the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) campus on January 16. The Assam police has also filed an FIR under the anti-terror law UAPA against Imam for his speech. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, January 26, 2020, 15:59 [IST] The event had a distinct pro-Democrat, anti-Donald Trump feel, something that did not sit well with the chairman of the Lake County Republican Party. Signage and posters around the room were pro-Democratic. An anti-Trump poster was seen near the speakers podium. Some who spoke during the event dramatically called for an end to the Trump era. Tharoor said, "Unlike Pakistan, we have always believed that the country is for everyone. And that is the way we have lived like for 70 years. On principle, CAA is wrong. The central government has brought Jinnah's logic." Stressing that he condemned the CAA as soon as it was introduced, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that it was unconstitutional as the foundation of Indian independence clearly says that religion has nothing to do with citizenship. Adding that the country is going through challenging times, he said that it was important for every citizen to preserve originality of thinking and freshness of ideas. Speaking at the Jaipur Literature Festival, the MP from Thiruvananthapuram further said that the CAA issue is a central one and the resolutions passed by different state assemblies including those of Kerala, Punjab, Rajasthan and West Bengal were political statements telling the Centre and the world that they were not happy with the move. "However, after CAA, when the central government does NPR and NRC, they would need the support of state government employees, for example school teachers and government officials in different state departments. If the state government tells them not to go ahead, how can the employees refuse considering they report to the state government? When asked about the five people who were detained at JLF for raising anti-CAA slogans, the MP said he didn't know about the same and would ask Rajesh Pilot, the Deputy CM of Rajasthan who was also present at the festival about the same. "Everybody has freedom of expression in this country, I will definitely enquire about the incident." ALBANY Over the weekend, the number of people who have been tested for the Wuhan coronavirus in New York state went from four to seven. Three of those cases were found to be negative, but four results were still pending as of Sunday afternoon, according to a release from Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office. Those people remain in isolation until the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can complete the testing. Countries worldwide are being vigilant about containing the spread of the virus, which may have originated in animals in a marketplace in the city of Wuhan, China. On Sunday, 56 people were confirmed dead there, with about 2,000 people estimated to have the virus in China, according to the New York Times. The virus can cause flu-like symptoms including fever, headache and cough, and can result in respiratory distress. The virus is similar to the same one that caused the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) worldwide outbreak that began in Asia in 2003. As of Sunday, the U.S. had five confirmed cases of the illness, with about 100 suspected cases being tested from 26 states - people who were being monitored because they had traveled to Wuhan, or had contact with patients and had viral symptoms. The first U.S. case was confirmed in Washington state last Tuesday. New York state health officials have declined to say where the people who are being tested live, citing patient confidentiality. "While the experts still believe the risk of catching this novel coronavirus is currently low in New York, I want all New Yorkers to know we are prepared and continue to take all necessary steps to keep people informed and safe," Cuomo said in a statement. "I have directed the Department of Health and other state agencies to continue working closely with the CDC, the World Health Organization, our local and federal government partners, and New York's healthcare providers to ensure we stay ahead of this situation." Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. The state said the state Department of Health is working with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to post multilingual signs about the virus at all four Port Authority international airports. Travelers are expected to begin returning to the U.S. this week from Lunar New Year celebrations in China. Signs will also be placed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority on buses and subways. The health department held a webinar on Friday for New York colleges and universities, many of which have international students and faculty. Such online training was already being done for hospitals and local healthcare providers. An airport screening program was also in place at JFK Airport for people arriving from Wuhan. But all flights in and out of that Chinese city have since been canceled. Trump Heard Asking On Tape: How Long Can Ukraine Last 'In Fight With Russia'? By RFE/RL January 26, 2020 U.S. President Donald Trump asked dinner guests how long Ukraine would be able to resist Russian aggression, according to a tape recorded at a 2018 gathering with donors. "How long would they last in a fight with Russia?" Trump is heard asking in the audio portion of a video recording obtained by U.S. media outlets, including the Associated Press and ABC News, on January 24-25. Someone is heard on the tape saying, "Without us, not very long." "Without us," Trump repeats. Trump also asks whether Kyiv felt it was "going to be OK" in its conflict with Russia. "They feel they're going to be OK if you support them," someone replies. "It's always us that has to support everyone," says Trump, who then complains that European nations were not doing enough to share the burden. The U.S. Senate is currently conducting a trial after the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives impeached Trump last month on two articles -- abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The Democrats have accused Trump of withholding military aid and a White House invitation as a means to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to launch two investigations that would benefit the U.S. leader's reelection chances. Trump dismisses the accusations as a witch hunt and has said his dealings with Zelenskiy were "perfect." Since 2014, Kyiv has been engaged in a war in eastern Ukraine against Russia-backed separatists in a battle that has killed more than 13,000 people. Russia also seized and annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in a move that has not been recognized by the international community. Trump is also heard on the tape calling for the removal of U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, a key figure in the series of events that led to the president's impeachment. She was fired a year later following a campaign by Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, and others, including Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, close associates of Giuliani. A video recording of an 80-minute dinner at the Trump Hotel in Washington was obtained on January 25 by the AP. Excerpts were first published a day earlier by ABC News. The recording appears to contradict statements by Trump that he did not know Parnas or Fruman, who were indicted on campaign finance charges in 2019. Parnas' attorney, Joseph Bondy, has confirmed that he turned over a recording of the dinner to authorities. On the tape, Parnas appears to say, "The biggest problem there, I think where we need to start is we got to get rid of the ambassador." He later tells Trump: "She's basically walking around telling everybody, 'Wait, he's gonna get impeached. Just wait.'" Trump responds: "Get rid of her! Get her out tomorrow. I don't care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. OK? Do it." Trump has said he had the right to fire Yovanovitch. Trump removed her in May 2019 and said in a recent interview that he was "not a fan." With reporting by AP, ABC, Politico, and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-tape-parnas- ukraine-russia-conflict/30397324.html Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In Stephen Soderbergh's 2011 film Contagion, a mysterious virus originating in Macau ripples through the United States. What follows is a bubbling concoction of state anxiety, pandemic imagery and looming societal collapse. The emergence of a new coronavirus in central China, termed 2019-nCoV, has dampened Lunar New Year celebrations in the country and sparked memories of SARS, which spread to more than two dozen countries, including Australia, and infected thousands in 2003. Women and a child wear protective masks in Beijing, China, on Saturday. Credit:Getty Images Images of Chinese people in masks are saturating the TV news. Apocalyptic imagery and headlines have foreshadowed a global health emergency, although the World Health Organisation is yet to declare one. Meanwhile, the death toll is on the rise, cities are in lockdown and Australians consume daily updates indicating the number of people being tested for the virus on our shores. Authorities have confirmed that, so far, three people have tested positive in NSW and one in Victoria. Micheal Martin, Fianna Fail. Do you consider yourself a feminist? Absolutely - as a republican, one of my core values is equality and creating a society where everyone can reach their full potential. When I look at my own children, particularly as they begin their careers, I am committed to fighting for a society where my daughter has the same opportunities as her brothers. As a nation, we have taken strides to address inequality between men and women, but a lot remains to be done. As a politician and party leader, I am committed to working towards a fairer Ireland. What has been your biggest achievement for women's equality to date? I strongly believe the 32nd Dail was correct in holding a referendum to repeal the 8th Amendment. Voting in favour of repealing the provision was not an easy decision for me. As more and more women came forward to tell their stories, I had to examine myself and my own conscience. I couldn't get past the question - who am I to impose upon those women an obligation to proceed and have the baby? Fianna Fail has a proven record in providing leadership in the field of equality legislation. I am proud to have been a part of the Fianna Fail government which brought in the ground-breaking Employment Equality Acts and the Equal Status Acts. What is the most important change that you want to achieve for women's equality if elected as Taoiseach? The under-representation of women in political life undoubtedly contributes to gender inequality. The case for greater female representation is clear: greater female representation would improve the quality of decision-making and would deliver more effective representation for women voters. Of the TDs elected in 2016, 136 of them had been councillors at some point in their careers, which amounts to 86pc of TDs. We cannot possibly expect to increase female representation in the Dail on a sustained basis if we do not introduce gender quotas in local elections. I am committed to introducing gender quotas in local elections. I have heard from countless women who are deeply frustrated by the lack of availability of high-quality, affordable childcare. If elected Taoiseach, I will make it my goal to build a childcare system that provides high-quality and dependable childcare to all Irish families. This would go a long way in assisting women to reach their potential in the workplace. Will you commit to having a gender-balanced cabinet? Fianna Fail is running more women than any other party in this General Election. All six of our female TDs are running again, and we have another 20 female candidates. A lot of these are very strong candidates, that would bring a lot to the table. For example, Catherine Ardagh has a strong legal background; Sandra Farrell has experience in the healthcare system. We hope that as many women as possible are elected and I would, of course, aim to have a gender-balanced cabinet if returned as Taoiseach. Roisin Shortall and Catherine Murphy, Social Democrats Expand Close Roisin Shortall and Catherine Murphy / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Roisin Shortall and Catherine Murphy Do you consider yourself a feminist? Yes, unequivocally. Equality is one of the key principles that drives our party and feminism is equality. Women are the largest minority in society, so gender equality sits very high on our list of priorities and informs all of our policies. What has been your biggest achievement for women's equality to date? We are extremely proud of our very active involvement in the Repeal campaign and our respective local Together4Yes groups. But for many years prior to Repeal, we fought for social change at a personal, local, and national level. Gender equality remains a fundamental principle of our policies as we, our party, has grown. Most recently, we have advanced the rights of families through our Parental Leave Bill. This has had a huge impact on the lives of working mothers to achieve greater balance in their lives and we have been overwhelmed with the positive response from families enjoying this change. Of course we also established a political party led by women, with women in senior roles, and fielding the largest percentage of female candidates in the upcoming General Election. In fact we are the first political party in Irish history to have a majority of women running for us. What is the most important change that you want to achieve for women's equality if elected as Taoiseach? We will prioritise childcare; the great leveller. A Nordic, socially democratic approach which sees childcare as a public service is crucial to women's equality. It contributes to the gender pay gap, the experience of lone parents, child poverty and many more areas. Health is a platform priority for us and that includes the unique health needs of women. We will ensure that healthcare for women is the best in the world, that religious influence of hospital ownership is removed and that the implementation of the abortion legislation is effective for all women. We will care for the most vulnerable women in society and provide crucial services which we currently lack for women experiencing domestic violence, women experiencing homelessness, and women in marginalised groups of society. Improving the lives of women has been proven to improve the lives of families and communities. We will amend the archaic Article 41.2 of Bunreacht na hEireann, which defines a woman's place as in the home; an important signal to the gender equal society we want for our country. Will you commit to having a gender-balanced cabinet? Without doubt. We are seeing the positive impact of this in other countries and we are already the most gender friendly party in terms of candidates, so we will carry this through to our cabinet and appointments process. Having gender balance in central government makes sense on so many levels. As a rounded approach to the leadership of our country, as a beacon to all employers in society, and to role model to our younger generations that all of us have the choice to be who we want to be. Eamon Ryan, Green Party Expand Close Eamon Ryan / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Eamon Ryan Do you consider yourself a feminist? Yes. What has been your biggest achievement for women's equality to date? I believe one of our recent key feminist achievements my party has delivered has been the great work of my colleague deputy leader Catherine Martin on extending maternity leave to mothers of premature babies. I commend her and have been honoured to support her in her work. This is the sort of practical politics that helps women. Additionally, our party has ensured 44pc of our candidates for the local elections in 2019 were women and now 41pc of our candidates are women running for the General Election and will continue to ensure that there are more women in politics. Moreover, our party's management committee is greatly represented by women with five out of six of our committee members are women. What is the most important change that you want to achieve for women's equality if elected as Taoiseach? I believe it is important to advance women's leadership in politics and across the business sectors by introducing mandatory gender quota for executive boards of all large companies registered in Ireland. It is important to have a gender balance in all offices. Moreover, it is important to ensure that we rearrange the political structures to facilitate more access for women and men allowing them to balance personal/family and work life. Additionally, increase paid parental leave to allow men to share with women in caring for children/relatives and managing family life and bring proposals for basic income to facilitate better choices and flexibility in career development. There is a lot of significant work that needs to be done to ensure women's equality from prioritising women's health to leading a Green New Deal. Will you commit to having a gender-balanced cabinet? It is important that a cabinet is diverse in its opinions, expertise, and experiences. We are committed to a cabinet that is as diverse as possible in terms of age, gender and race/ethnicity with regard to the composition of Dail Eireann. Brendan Howlin, Labour Party Expand Close Brendan Howlin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Brendan Howlin Do you consider yourself a feminist? Yes, I do. I have been proud to work side-by-side with inspirational, campaigning woman all my political life. Some of those were very lonely, very tough battles. I remember in particular being actively involved in the referendum campaigns to oppose the introduction of the 8th Amendment in 1983 and the first divorce referendum in 1986. The voices of equality and compassion were defeated in both. However, it was largely the commitment and determination of women which ensured that decades later we could revisit these issues and help build a better Ireland. That fight for equality continues today. What has been your biggest achievement for women's equality to date? I have been proud to campaign to repeal the 8th, tackle the gender pay gap and promote the equality of women. Change takes vision but also determination to see through to the end. One important measure I was determined to achieve progress on in government was women's representation on State boards. Upon entering government in 2011, the target of 40pc of women on State boards had not been achieved, often being treated as a worthy aspiration, not an achievable goal. Labour in government recommitted itself to meeting the target as part of an overall review of State board membership. An open and transparent process of application and decision-making was introduced and progress towards meeting the 40 per cent target was monitored on a six-monthly basis. By 2017, not only had the 40pc target been surpassed, more than 50pc of appointments made that year were female. What is the most important change that you want to achieve for women's equality if elected as Taoiseach? I think the economic equality agenda is now the urgent issue for women. Women are still undervalued in their careers and there are intolerable gender pay gaps in every economic sector. I've worked closely with my colleague Senator Ivana Bacik to tackle this issue. Ivana's legislation to require gender pay reporting has been frustrated by the current Government but we are both determined that this is a measure that should be enacted within the first 100 days of the new Dail. Then we need to continue the pressure on critical issues such as childcare to ensure that women in work are treated equally. The lack of affordable quality childcare is a major barrier to real equality at work. Labour has a State-led solution that will work. I am also very supportive of the work that Labour colleagues, such as Cllr Rebecca Moynihan, have achieved in respect of period poverty, and want to see her initiative with Dublin City Council rolled out nationwide. Will you commit to having a gender-balanced cabinet? I am supportive of the principle of a gender-balanced cabinet. I think a breath of fresh air like that which followed the recent victory of Sanna Mirella Marin in Finland and the composition of her cabinet would be very welcome in Ireland. However, gender on its own is not a guarantee of a real progressive commitment. I would urge voters in this election to support candidates' committed to equality, social justice and fairness. That commitment often transcends gender. It about political values and belief. I am proud to lead a party of women and men that cherishes its commitment to equality. Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Fein Expand Close Mary Lou McDonald / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mary Lou McDonald Do you consider yourself a feminist? Yes, I do. Feminism, at its core, is about equality and the equal treatment of men and women. That is what Sinn Fein is about - building an equal society. We are committed to changing the type of attitudes that prevent this, including the gender pay gap, and ensuring that we have a diversity of voices in public office to build a fairer, more inclusive society. What has been your biggest achievement for women's equality to date? I think the campaign to Repeal the Eighth Amendment was a significant victory for women in this State, and I was very proud to play a small part in that. I am also proud of the role that I have played, among many others, in the campaign for recognition and justice for women who were incarcerated in Magdalene Laundries. What is the most important change that you want to achieve for women's equality if elected as Taoiseach? I think we still have a huge amount of work to do on various issues, but one that I have worked on for many years is the issue of domestic violence. One in five women experiences violence in their own home, and over 40pc of Irish women know someone in their circle of family or friends who have experienced intimate partner violence. As a society, we need to step up to our responsibility to ensure that domestic violence victims' rights and entitlements are enhanced and protected. The establishment of independent regional multi-agency domestic homicide reviews would be an invaluable tool to protect women and eliminate domestic violent crime in this regard, and I would also like to introduce legislation to provide for a statutory entitlement to paid leave for those who suffer domestic violence. Will you commit to having a gender-balanced cabinet? Ultimately, the decision of who serves in cabinet is one for the people to make. However, we have seen the effects of successive government decisions that have disproportionately affected women; particularly women from disadvantaged backgrounds. This shows the necessity of a cabinet, and government, that is representative of all sections of society. Leo Varadkar, Fine Gael Expand Close Leo Varadkar / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Leo Varadkar Do you consider yourself a feminist? Yes. Some of the strongest influences on my life and career are women: most notably my mother and my two sisters, and also my female friends. They've always challenged me to see the world differently, and to understand the challenges women often face when it comes to things like childcare, career progression, and work-life balance. Some actions I took as Taoiseach, for example, bringing in better parental leave, paternity benefit, greater financial support for childcare, were influenced by the experiences of the women in my life and wanting to make a difference. I'm also mindful that a lot of the work-life challenges that parents face can sometimes be regarded as women's issues to solve when in fact they are challenges for both men and women and the solutions should involve both. What has been your biggest achievement for women's equality to date? I'm not going to say the repeal of the 8th Amendment, because that was something that was achieved by so many people in Irish society, over a long period. As Taoiseach I provided an opportunity for the people to make that decision and they did. Two other things stand out. First, we ratified the international convention on violence against women, the Istanbul Convention. There is an epidemic of violence against women and that needs to stop. We also incentivised political parties to field more women candidates because I want Dail Eireann and council chambers to be more representative of our society as a whole. Gender equality is good for men as well as women; it benefits everyone. We get better results when there is a diversity of views around the table. And we're going to do more. What is the most important change that you want to achieve for women's equality if you are (re-)elected as Taoiseach? Yesterday, the Citizens' Assembly on gender equality, that we established, met for the first time. We are asking it to bring forward proposals on a range of issues that affect women today. If re-elected as Taoiseach I want to drive forward with its recommendations and build a society where we have true gender equality at all levels - in homes, in workplaces, in government, and throughout our country. As a society, we will be stronger when we hear women's voices. With gender equality we can enhance our capacity to think creatively, and our ability to come up with new and better solutions. We're also introducing gender pay legislation to make sure that men and women are paid the same for doing the same work. Will you commit to having a gender-balanced cabinet? I was fortunate to be able to lead a government with ministers as talented as Heather Humphreys, Regina Doherty, Katherine Zappone and Josepha Madigan, and not forgetting Frances Fitzgerald who was my first Tanaiste, or Helen McEntee, and her work on Brexit, or Mary Mitchell O'Connor who sits at Cabinet and leads on higher education. Only 19 women have been cabinet ministers in the history of the State. That must change and that will change. Only 11 women TDs supported the outgoing government, so to have a gender-balanced cabinet we need more women TDs. That's what Fine Gael is working to change. We have 25 women candidates this time out. - American-Ghanaian filmmaker, Leila Djansi, has intensified her campaign to raise funds for Doris - Doris is a Ghanaian toddler who was diagnosed with cancer years ago and has been under observation and treatment - Currently, Doris needs to undergo urgent surgery in India for full recovery Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in Notable American-Ghanaian film producer, Leila Djansi, has intensified her a campaign to solicit fund for Doris, a little girl who was diagnosed with cancer to enable her undergo further medical treatment in India. Doris was diagnosed with cancer which reportedly spread into her brain years ago. The toddler has had a difficult childhood because the ''tumours rendered her immobile.'' Reports say it first began as pain in her eyes and subsequently became a full-blown infection. Through the efforts of Leila Djansi, an award-winning American-Ghanaian filmmaker and her friends, the ailing little girl went through surgery after she raised funds and matched the total amount with her own money to pay for the medical procedure. READ ALSO: Stonebwoy, other stars join Emmanuel Adebayor at roadside coconut seller's joint to change his life (video) While Doris health appears to be improving owing to the first treatment, she urgently needs to go through another surgery outside the country. ''Most of us remember when we first saw Doris. Those tumors were life sized. The infection rendered her immobile. But we, the people, we rallied together and got it done! Shes on her way to a full recovery and a future,'' the Grass Between My Lips producer said in a post on Facebook. Leila Djansi appealed for financial support: ''Please help her to India for the final leg. The Doctors in Ghana have reached their limit. But we cant get this far and give up on her. Thank you for coming through! Other means of donating if you're in Doris's home country Ghana,'' she added. Kindly donate Mobile Money to Valentina Gedzia - 055 686 2554, Ludwig Agbezuhlor - 024 134 6165 or via Ghana Commercial Bank: Doris Mawuena Cancer Fund https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-doris-past-the-finish-line In other stories, YEN.com.gh reported that sometimes less is more and even without her usual red carpet look, Jackie Appiah glows with less. The Ghanaian actress and philanthropist recently shared photo and she looks nothing less than a stellar. With her looks tied to her brand, Jackie Appiah owns her public and online appearances without a chance to compromising her quality image. The gorgeous actress recent photo in a simple but classy medium sleeve top, jeans and sparkling footwear does all the charming. READ ALSO: Adebayor, Stonebwoy, others buy GHC2 coconuts for GHC200 & donate huge money to change life of seller Ghanaian Traders Share Thoughts on Sales During Christmas | #Yencomgh Enjoyed reading our story? Download YEN's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Ghana news! Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page. Source: YEN.com.gh Hamas leader Ismail Haniya Sunday warned the Middle East peace plan US President Donald Trump is expected to unveil next week "will not pass" and could lead to renewed Palestinian violence. "We firmly declare that the 'deal of the century' will not pass. The new plot aimed against Palestine is bound to fail," and could lead the Palestinians to a "new phase in their struggle" against Israel, Haniya said in a statement. Shortly after the Palestinian Islamist movement released Haniya's statement, a rocket was fired from the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip towards Israel, the Israeli army said. The army said it had carried out air strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza late Saturday, in response to the launching of incendiary devices attached to balloons sent over from the Palestinian enclave. Hamas did not claim responsibility for Sunday's rocket attack but warned it was "time... to restore the rights of Palestinians with a new phase of fighting against Israeli occupation". Hamas also called for talks in Cairo with other Palestinian factions, including the Fatah movement led by president Mahmud Abbas, in order to form a common response to Trump plan. The US president is due to unveil his peace plan in the coming hours in Washington, where he is to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his political rival Benny Gantz. The Palestinian leadership was not invited to the US talks and has rejected Trump's initiative amid tensions over his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's undivided capital. Search Keywords: Short link: Hyderabad: A team of officials from the Central government is expected to arrive in the city on Monday to study the preparedness of the Telangana state government to tackle and treat any possible cases of coronavirus and its readiness for possible containment of the disease, if such a situation arose. The team comprises an epidemiologist, an infectious diseases specialist and an official from the Nation Centre for Disease Control. While here in the city, the Central team would visit the designated treatment centre for the disease Gandhi Hospital and also meet with officials of the state health department to discuss measures put in place for treating possible coronavirus cases and disease containment. It may be recalled that Union health and family welfare minister Dr Harsh Vardhan had on Saturday announced that multidisciplinary teams from the Centre, which would inspect ongoing screening of passengers arriving from China as well as from Hong Kong at international airports in seven cities, including Hyderabad. On the ground, while one person, who had previously voluntarily checked into a government hospital in the city has tested negative, another person who had visited China and returned to the city in December, is learnt to have reported to the hospital for checks and was admitted and kept under observation. His blood and cheek swab samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for testing for any possible infection from coronavirus. Meanwhile, state government officials have become tight-lipped about surveillance of those who returned to the city in the past few weeks since the outbreak of the disease in Wuhan in China. It is learnt that strict instructions have been issued from the top in the government to keep a lid on information relating to testing of people and number of people under surveillance in order not to create a panic. Dr Anuradha Medoju, senior regional director for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Union ministry of health and family welfare told Deccan Chronicle that on day two of the visit, the team would visit the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport where the health screening of incoming passengers from Hong Kong was now in place. Hyderabad does not receive flights from any of the Chinese cities but airlines flying into India from China as well as Hong Kong, land in New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kochi and Chennai, in addition to Hyderabad. Health screening of incoming passengers from China and Hong Kong are now on at all these airports. The Eastern Oklahoma Development District Area Agency on Aging works to assist all people age 60 and older and their caregivers in its seven-county service area that includes Wagoner County. The Advisory Council on Aging is a group of advocates and representatives for the seniors in EODD AAAs service area. EODD Area Agency on Aging Director Stacy Turner said all that is required of senior members is a willingness to help identify the needs of seniors in the community and help come up with ways to meet those needs. We are looking for some seniors who want to be active, said council chairperson Robert Richardson. We try to help people stay in their homes as long as possible through the services AAA provides directly and through subcontractors. For example, advisory council members sign off on various EODD AAA projects funded through the annual Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma grant. Some also volunteer providing meals through one of the 20 CENA nutrition sites operating in the EODD service area. Israel approves travel to Saudi under limited circumstances FILE PHOTO: Muslims pray at the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in their holy city of Mecca JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel on Sunday announced that it would permit Israeli citizens to travel to Saudi Arabia for the first time, under certain conditions that include Israeli entrepreneurs seeking investments, in a signal of warming ties. Israeli Interior Minister Aryeh Deri, after consulting the country's security establishment, issued a statement saying that Israelis would be allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia under two circumstances: for religious reasons on pilgrimage on the haj, or for up to nine days for business reasons such as investment or meetings. Travelers would still need an invitation and permission from the Saudi authorities, the statement said. Israel has peace treaties with two Arab countries -- Egypt and Jordan -- but concerns over Iran's influence in the region have led to thawing ties with some Gulf states as well. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been looking to capitalise on common interests like Iran while also marketing Israeli technologies to try and further normalise relations. Israelis -- mostly Muslims going on pilgrimage -- have been travelling to Saudi Arabia for years but usually with special permission or using foreign passports. Saudi authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Saudi Arabia launched a new tourism visa last year for visitors from 49 countries as part of its bid to diversify the economy and open up society. Israel is not one of the eligible countries. However, in 2018 Saudi Arabia opened its airspace for a commercial flight to Israel with the start of a new Air India route between New Delhi and Tel Aviv, although national carrier El Al Israel Airlines may not use Saudi airspace for eastward flights. (Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch and Steven Scheer; Additional reporting by Stephen Kalin, Editing by William Maclean) Coronavirus: Millions on lockdown in China as virus spreads worldwide Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Authorities in China have imposed severe travel restrictions on 18 cities in and around Hubei province, including the city of Wuhan where the new coronavirus originated and killed at least 15 people on Friday alone. As the virus spreads around the world, at least three infections have been identified in the United States the most recent being one person in Orange County, California while 63 more potential cases remain under investigation. On Saturday night, the total death toll in China was reported to be 56, including a 62-year-old doctor who died from the virus while treating patients in Wuhan. Hundreds of new cases have also been reported over the weekend. Wuhan is also home to Chinas only known biological warfare lab, the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which has led to speculation that the virus might have originated in that facility, Bill Gertz of The Washington Times reported. Nearly all flights to and from the airport in Wuhan have been canceled and other checkpoints blocked while transport restrictions remain on almost the entire province of Hubei, where 59 million people live, according to Reuters. At least 1,975 confirmed cases have been reported in China, the National Health Commission revealed Saturday. The virus, which can lead to respiratory illnesses and can be deadly in some cases, has spread to other countries in Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Nepal and Malaysia, as well as to Europe, the U.S., Australia and Canada, according to reports from these regions. The U.S. plans to evacuate some 1,000 American citizens from Wuhan this week, The Wall Street Journal reports. While videos posted on social media showed chaos in many hospitals in affected areas, the government announced Friday it will construct a 1,000-bed facility in 10 days to deal with the outbreak of the virus. Many celebrations planned for Saturday to mark the Lunar New Year in Beijing and other cities in China were canceled. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that 63 people from 22 states were being tested for the virus even as a second confirmed case from the U.S. was reported from Chicago. Only 11 had been tested negative as of Saturday morning. Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, was quoted by USA Today as saying that a 60-year-old Chicago woman tested positive about 10 days after she returned from Wuhan. She has been placed in isolation in a hospital but is clinically doing well and in stable condition. The number of confirmed cases in the U.S. is likely to go up, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said. However, she indicated there was no reason to panic as the risk to the U.S. public remained low. In the United Kingdom, 31 people had been tested negative for the virus while a handful of new cases were being looked at, according to The Telegraph, which quoted an expert at Public Health England as saying that the chances of the illness reaching the country were high. Three patients have been identified in France, and one in Australia. Canada confirmed its first case Friday night. The medical journal The Lancet said in an article based on a study that affected patients were geographically linked with a local wet market as a potential source, as game animals and meat are sold there. The study shows this new coronavirus is able to transfer between person to person, in a hospital setting, a family home setting, and also in an inter-city setting, Yuen Kwok-yung, one of the studys authors, told The New York Times. This is exactly what makes this new disease difficult to control. Six people were treated for gunshots wounds after a shooting occurred at a North Carolina restaurant, leaving a total of 14 people injured. The shooting happened at 12.05am Sunday morning after a party at Thelmas Down Home Cooking restaurant in Salisbury, a city of 34,000 residents. Authorities say the shooting took place inside the restaurant. The Salisbury Police Department said in a statement that one victim was shot in the chest and five other partygoers were treated for unspecified gunshots wounds. The Salisbury Police Department says a shooting took place at Thelma's Down Home Cooking (pictured) in Salisbury, North Carolina Six people were shot, including one chest wound, and a total of 14 people were injured during the chaotic scene The most seriously injured victim, who is now in stable condition, was flown to Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, while others received treatment from Rowan Regional Medical Center. CNN reports that eight additional victims suffered from unspecified injuries, but those included two trampling victims and one person who was treated for anxiety. Authorities say the shooting occurred inside the restaurant on Sunday morning, but have not identified a motive or suspect The scene is currently under investigation and a suspect has not been identified by authorities. A motive has not yet been released. The Salisbury Police Department is asking anyone with cell phone footage or photos of the shooting reach out. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is assisting in the case, WBTV reports. LONDON With Brexit just days away, Britons are fighting over the chimes of Big Ben. And the White Cliffs of Dover are a battleground. As the United Kingdom prepares to leave the European Union on Friday, people are divided over how to mark a historic moment that some are relishing but others are dreading. Britain's 2016 referendum on EU membership split the country: 52% opted to leave the 28-nation bloc, 48% voted to remain. The intervening years of political wrangling over the departure terms have not healed the divide. For pro-Europeans, departure at 11 p.m. Friday will be the melancholy moment that Britain abandons a project that brought once-warring nations together, created a vast free-trading zone of half a billion people and let Europeans study, work and live across the continent. For Brexit supporters, it will be the instant the U.K. once again becomes a sovereign nation after 47 years of membership in the bloated, bureaucratic EU club. "It's a momentous occasion," said Brexit Party chairman Richard Tice, who plans to join party leader Nigel Farage and thousands of supporters for a party outside Parliament on Friday night. "It's a great celebration of the democratic will. And it's right to celebrate it." Organizers are promising music, songs, speeches, a light show and a New Year's Eve-style countdown in the shadow of Parliament's clock tower. But, to their chagrin, Brexit probably won't be marked by the sound of the giant Big Ben bell, whose hourly bongs are a world-famous symbol of British democracy. FILE - In this Tuesday, April 17, 2018 file photo, scaffolding surrounds the Queen Elizabeth Tower, which holds the bell known as Big Ben, in London. The bell of Britains Parliament has been largely silent since 2017 while its iconic clock tower undergoes four years of repairs. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, file)AP Big Ben has been largely silent since 2017 while the clock tower is being repaired, and House of Commons authorities said bringing it back for one night could cost as much as 500,000 pounds ($654,000). Undaunted, Brexiteers launched a crowdfunding campaign, encouraged by Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who said "we're looking at whether the public can fund it." But Johnson's Downing Street office quickly distanced itself from the idea, and Commons authorities made it clear they considered it impractical to have Big Ben bong for Brexit. Tice chided "the bureaucratic blob" for hobbling the plan. But never fear: "We have a Plan B." "We will play the sound of Big Ben chiming, that wonderful sound, loudly through our excellent speaker system," he said. "And in 50 years' time ... this will be the image of the U.K. leaving the European Union (on) 31st January 2020. "It'll be a sense of coming together, of pride, of patriotism, of belief in our country." Many Britons don't share his excitement. "Spending half a million pounds to ring a few bells is just silly. People who want to do it are off their trolley, frankly," said Tony Greaves, a Liberal Democrat member of the House of Lords. Greaves warned colleagues this week that many people especially the more than 3 million citizens of other EU countries who live in Britain feel a sense of loss "akin to bereavement" about Brexit. "A lot of people will not be celebrating. They'll be feeling very sad and very glum," he said. "People are saying we want to bring the country together now after the division. This is the last possible way to do it." A suggestion that church bells should ring, as they did to mark the end of two world wars, also struck a discordant note. The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers stressed that it "does not endorse bell ringing for political reasons." Debate also is raging in the English Channel port of Dover, where a pro-EU politician, Liberal Democrat Antony Hook, has raised more than 13,000 pounds ($17,000) to plaster a huge "We still love EU" banner on the famous White Cliffs on Brexit day. Dover's pro-Brexit Conservative lawmaker, Natalie Elphicke, has suggested instead a banner proclaiming, "We love the U.K.," accompanied by a fireworks display that could be seen from France, 32 kilometers (20 miles) away. The European Union flag, right, and Britain's Union flag hang above the European Parliament Liaison Office in London, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. Britain will leave the European Union on Jan. 31.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)AP Britain's entry into what was then the European Economic Community at the start of 1973 was marked by similar ambivalence. The country was divided on the issue, and there were quiet demonstrations by activists on both sides, but, at least immediately, no major festivities. "Britain passed peacefully into Europe at midnight last night without any special celebrations," The Guardian newspaper reported on Jan. 1, 1973. "It was difficult to tell that anything of importance had occurred." Almost half a century on, Johnson's Conservative government must balance its own enthusiasm for Brexit with the knowledge that half the country opposes the decision to walk away from the EU. The prime minister is scheduled to make a televised address Friday evening, stressing unity and the healing of divisions. As 11 p.m. approaches, government buildings will be lit up and a countdown clock projected onto the black bricks of the prime minister's 10 Downing St. residence. Historian Margaret MacMillan urged the government to avoid a tone of triumphalism. She said if ever there were a time for British understatement, this is it. "It is not a time for celebration. It is a time for reconciliation," said MacMillan, a University of Toronto professor whose books include "Dangerous Games: The Uses and Abuses of History." "If the prime minister really wanted to be prime ministerial, he could say, 'Look, we've had a long, difficult disagreement, but let's sit down and be friends again,' and just have a tea party or something," she said. "I think low-key is better." ___ Jill Lawless of The Associated Press wrote this story. AP video journalist Jo Kearney contributed to this story. ___ Follow APs full coverage of Brexit and British politics at https://www.apnews.com/Brexit It's safe to say that after more than two decades of continuous growth, the Gulf has made its mark as a global travel and transit hub through large government-backed investments. Dubai International Airport had more than 89 million passengers through its gates in 2018 and although this sounds like a hefty number, it only represents a mere 1pc growth from the previous 12 months. Back in 2012-13, passenger numbers grew 15pc. However, reduced footfall growth is a trend which is echoed across most major airports in the Gulf. As we embark on a new decade, the aviation industry in the region will be reflecting on a period of many ups and downs. Reducing costs and becoming more competitive are now the primary objectives of the Gulf aviation industry. Strategic planning for regional airlines and airports will focus strongly on operational efficiency to streamline operations and drive profit margins. This shift is the result of a slowdown in regional growth, new aircraft technology and the spread of the low-cost carrier model. In November, Emirates Airlines posted 2019 first-half profits of $235m (213m), up 282pc on 2018. However, this was largely as a result of the reductions in the cost of fuel across the industry. While the profits are substantial, Emirates won't be pleased that total revenue dipped 3pc. FlyDubai, the budget airline, reported a loss of almost $50m in the same period and is continuing to suffer from the grounding of the Boeing 737 Max. With less headroom for growth, Gulf aviation risks being disrupted. National flag carriers are starting to feel the heat from low-cost airlines. In some instances, these carriers, who once complemented the services of major airlines, are now in direct competition for new routes. Aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus and Boeing are developing next-generation planes to fly longer distances than ever before. This has allowed creative partnerships to emerge and shake up the status quo. A recent example is the partnership signed between Wizz Air and the Abu Dhabi Development Holding Company, to launch a new low-cost airline out of Abu Dhabi. This will increase the reach of Wizz Air across Europe, the Indian subcontinent, Middle East and Africa, while also boosting tourism for the UAE capital. Closer to home, Ryanair has had rapid growth with its Jordanian routes launched in 2018, and last year committed to adding four new routes to Amman and Aqaba during the winter season. Where there are challenges, there are opportunities, and Irish aviation and aerospace companies have identified the Gulf as a key growth region for 2020. Irish companies hungry for new business in the market are likely to find worthwhile potential in the outsourcing of operations and maintenance, while also attracting future sales with new low-cost airlines in the region. Budget airlines are agile and generally more open to change than large state-owned ones. Enterprise Ireland recently hosted seven of Ireland's leading aviation and aerospace companies at the five-day Dubai Airshow, where they met key industry representatives to gain an insight into how their innovative solutions could streamline services. Over the next 10 years, the majority of airports in the Gulf will have double the capacity they have currently. An increase in the rate of footfall, larger fleets, more retail capacity and enhanced security measures will evolve to create an environment in which Irish innovation and expertise can really make a difference. In Saudi Arabia, as well as expanding King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, there are plans to develop regional airports to improve connectivity within the kingdom, and boost new industries such as tourism. These projects could be delivered through public-private partnerships. Ireland is a global powerhouse in the sector, from establishing the world's first commercial aircraft leasing firm and starting the world's first duty-free store, to producing Ryanair - Europe's largest airline brand. Today, the aviation sector employs 42,000 people here across a broad range of functions, such as precision engineering for aircraft parts, maintenance repairs and overhaul, airport operations, aircraft leasing and travel technology solutions. Its value to the Irish economy stands at 4.1bn and it will continue to be an invaluable sector as we grow new international partnerships the world over. Alan O'Mahony is market adviser, transport and industrial, at Enterprise Ireland, Middle East and North Africa Police are appealing for information after a shooting in Belfast. Detectives have called for witnesses after a man was shot in Short Strand on Saturday night. Police said the man was walking in the area around 7.45pm when he was shot. He attended hospital for injuries that are not life threatening. A PSNI spokesman said: Guns have no place in our community. We are fortunate that we are not dealing with a fatality today following this disgraceful attack in which a firearm was discharged in a residential area in the early evening. There is no place for guns in our society and those responsible for the attack must be taken off the streets and should face due process in the courtsGerry Kelly, Sinn Fein The people undertaking these attacks do not represent our communities and I would appeal to anyone who was in the Short Strand area last night and noticed any suspicious activity or vehicles being driven in a suspicious manner to contact detectives at Musgrave on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 1711 25/01/20. Sinn Fein policing spokesperson Gerry Kelly condemned the attack. Thankfully the man has not been seriously hurt but it appears this was an attempt to kill or injure him, he said. There is no place for guns in our society and those responsible for the attack must be taken off the streets and should face due process in the courts. I appeal to anyone with information to bring it forward to the police and assist the police investigation in any way possible. Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously. Presidents and monarchs are gathering at Auschwitz today but the British Government seems unable to send a single minister. The presidents of Germany and Israel will be among the heads of state and government leaders. The United Kingdom will be represented by the Duchess of Cornwall while the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are set to attend memorial events in London. There was surprise among members of Britain's Jewish community last night, however, when it emerged that there would be no minister from the Government. Presidents and monarchs are gathering at Auschwitz today but the British Government seems unable to send a single minister. Pictured: Entrance to the former Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau 'It does seem rather odd that they cannot find a single one to go,' said Jerry Lewis, former vice-president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews. The Netherlands is sending its prime minister, Mark Rutte, as well as its king and queen, and Ireland is despatching its president. The King and Queen of Spain will also be among the guests. Neither Downing Street nor the Foreign Office nor the Cabinet Office was able to offer an explanation, although it is now understood that the Government's Holocaust envoy, Lord Pickles, will be in attendance. The British Government will be well represented at events in London and it will also announce today that it is making a 1million donation to the Auchwitz-Birkenau Foundation. The only VIPs on most minds here this week are the survivors. Some of them paid a private visit to Auschwitz yesterday with the World Jewish Congress. They were nearly all children when they first arrived here. And now, 75 years later, they are returning some for the very first time as the last witnesses to its horror. All concede it was nothing short of miraculous that they ever got out alive, for it was usually the children who were among the first to be despatched to the gas chambers when the cattle trucks unloaded their human cargo at Auschwitz. Neither Downing Street nor the Foreign Office nor the Cabinet Office was able to offer an explanation, although it is now understood that the Government's Holocaust envoy, Lord Pickles (pictured), will be in attendance However, a few would survive through a combination of sheer luck, chaos, the kindness of others and immense strength of character. It was 75 years ago today that Soviet troops liberated Auschwitz, the date the world now recognises as Holocaust Memorial Day. It is a day to commemorate all the evils perpetrated at more than 300 Nazi concentration camps over several years. None was on the scale of Auschwitz, however, where the Germans murdered more than a million people most of them Jewish which is why the eyes of the world are on Poland today. Tova Friedman, 81, was just five when she arrived at Auschwitz with her mother. 'I suppose I was saved by Christianity,' she told me yesterday. 'Most children were murdered as soon as they arrived but it happened to be a Sunday and the Germans didn't want to open up another gas chamber for our transport so I was able to stay with my mother, had my hair shaved and was tattooed.' She remembers life hanging by the most slender of threads. On one occasion, she was sent to the gas chambers and forced to undress only to be sent back again because, by chance, the Germans had sent the wrong set of prisoners for execution that day. Her mother, she told me, was her guardian angel: 'She told me exactly what to do. "Don't cry", "Don't make a noise" and "If you see a dog, stand very still they are only trained to attack people running away". I did what I was told.' As the Nazis were about to abandon the camp and were rounding up the able-bodied, she hid among the corpses in a hospital wing. She lay still while soldiers shot patients in their beds and remained there until it was safe for her mother to come and find her. Now she remembers other children who were not so lucky and says: 'Tell the whole world. Don't let anyone ever forget.' Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 26) Rapper Loonie was ordered released by a Makati court Thursday on P2-million bail. Documents shared on Facebook showed the bail order of Marlon Peroramas (Loonie) by Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 150. The documents were shared by Idyll Li Peroramas, Loonie's sister, which named her among the accused along with David Rizon. The 10-page ruling, signed by Judge Elmo Alameda said the testimony provided by arresting officer PCpl Jan Kirby Vigilla, the only witness presented by the prosecution, was "full of inconsistencies and contradictions." The court added these made it difficult to believe what Vigilla was saying was true. Moreover, the court said the officials which needed to be present during the arrest were not there "despite having a very long opportunity to contact them before said operations from 2-3 pm to 8:40 pm when the operatives were just waiting for the accused." The court said the presence of the witnesses would have guaranteed "against planting of evidence and frame-up," the documents said. Article II, Section 21 of Republic Act No. 9165 states "the apprehending team having initial custody and control of the drugs shall, immediately after seizure and confiscation, physically inventory and photograph the same in the presence of the accused or the person/s from whom such items were confiscated and/or seized, or his/her representative or counsel, a representative from the media and the Department of Justice (DOJ), and any elected public official who shall be required to sign the copies of the inventory and be given a copy thereof." The arresting officer's lack of credibility translates to "failure of prosecution during the bail hearings to discharge its burden of proof" proving the case against Loonie and the others accused was strong. Petition for bail originally applied for on October 23, 2019, a month after the arrest was made on September 18. Loonie was among several arrested in a buy-bust operation in Makati in September last year. Seized in the operation were money, a cellphone, and several plastic bags containing what appears to be marijuana. The rapper said the drugs, money, and cellphone were not his, and denied all allegations against him. A day after the arrest, fans clamored for Loonie's release using the hashtag #FREELOONIE to express their dismay on the arrest of the rapper, calling it a set-up. view of auschwitz II Christopher Furlong/Getty Images January 27, 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Army's liberation of Auschwitz, the largest and deadliest Nazi concentration complex. First established in 1940 in German-occupied Poland, Auschwitz had a concentration camp, a labor camp, large gas chambers, and crematoria. More than 1.1 million people were murdered at Auschwitz, including nearly one million Jews. On the day of liberation, only 7,000 were saved. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. It was the greatest tragedy of the Holocaust. In just five years, over one million people were murdered at Auschwitz, the largest and deadliest Nazi concentration camp. Auschwitz was established in 1940 and located in the suburbs of Oswiecim, a Polish city the Germans annexed. Between 1940 and 1945, it grew to include three main camp centers and a slew of subcamps each of which were used for forced labor, torture, and mass killing. An estimated 1.3 million people were deported to Auschwitz during its five-year operation, and approximately 1.1 million were killed. The terror of Auschwitz finally subsided on January 27, 1945, when the Soviet Army liberated the remaining 7,000 prisoners from the camps. On the 75th anniversary of this liberation, these photos exhibit the horror and history of Auschwitz. Auschwitz was established in 1940 in the suburbs of Oswiecim, Poland. During its first year, authorities cleared 15 square miles for the camp. Ariel view of Auschwitz, 2019 (Christopher Furlong:Getty Images) Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Source: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Auschwitz I, the first camp to undergo construction, was initially created for three reasons: to imprison enemies, to use forced labor, and to kill certain groups of people. barracks photo updated size Markus Schreiber/AP Sources: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, AuschwitzBirkenau Memorial and State Museum Construction of the largest camp, Auschwitz II, also called Auschwitz-Birkenau, began in October 1941. Electrified barbed wire divided it into 10 different sections. Story continues Remains of prison barracks (AP Markus Schreiber) size updated Markus Schreiber/AP Sources: Jewish Virtual Library, The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau's different sections were for "women; men; a family camp for Roma (Gypsies) deported from Germany, Austria, and the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia; and a family camp for Jewish families deported from the Theresienstadt ghetto," according to the Holocaust Memorial Museum. Women in the barracks Galerie Bilderwelt/Getty Images Sources: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Inmates were put into poorly structured wooden barracks with 36 bunks each. Five to six prisoners were packed in so over 500 prisoners were in each unit. Inmates lying on bunks after liberation (Reuters Pictures Archive).JPG Reuters Pictures Archive Source: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Incoming prisoners who were selected for forced labor received tattoos and had a serial number sewn into their uniforms. Auschwitz was the only concentration camp to do this. Prisoner tattoo Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Source: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Shortly after construction, Auschwitz-Birkenau became the largest killing center and central location for the extermination of Jews in Europe. bodies of prisoners shortly after camp was liberated Reuters Source: Museum of Jewish Heritage In 1942, two farmhouses just outside the camp were turned into gas chambers. Ariel view of gas chambers 2019 (Christopher Furlong:Getty Images) Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Source: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum But as Auschwitz-Birkenau became a central location for mass killing, these gas chambers were too small. Four new chambers were built between March and June 1943, each containing a disrobing area, gas chamber, and crematory ovens. shoes of the victims of Aushwitz Rolf Vennenbernd/picture alliance via Getty Images Source: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum As millions of people were murdered, mounds of eye glasses, razors, shoes, and other belongings were left behind. remains of glasses that belonged to people who were murdered (REUTERS:Pawel Ulatowski).JPG Pawel Ulatowski/ReutersIn 1942, Auschwitz III, also known as Buna or Monowitz, opened near the town of Monowice to house more forced laborers. barracks Auschwitz II Pablo GONZALEZ / AFP via Getty Images Source: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Forty-four subcamps with different specializations were established at Auschwitz between 1942 and 1944. The Nazis made prisoners work on large farms, in coal mines, in weapons production basically anything the German military needed for war. Women deemed fit to work in Auschwitz AFP via Getty Images Source: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Between 1940 and 1945, an estimated 1.3 million people were sent to Auschwitz. Approximately 1.1 million were killed. Cadaveres of women and dead children found after liberation resize Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images Source: Museum of Jewish Heritage In January 1945, before Soviet forces could reach the camps for liberation, nearly 60,000 people were forced to march west, and thousands more were killed. soviet soldiers with liberated prisons in 1945 (REUTERS:HO AUSCHWITZ MUSEUM).JPG REUTERS:HO AUSCHWITZ MUSEUM Source: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum The terror finally subsided on January 27, 1945, when the Soviet Army reached the gates of Auschwitz. Soviet soldiers arriving at main gate of Auschwitz during liberation (REUTERS:HO AUSCHWITZ MUSEUM REUTERS).JPG REUTERS:HO AUSCHWITZ MUSEUM REUTERS Source: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum When Soviet soldiers arrived, only between 6,000 and 7,000 prisoners remained. The majority of them faced starvation, death, and illness. 15 year old boy being rescued at Auschwitz Sovfoto/Universal Images Group/Getty Images Source: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Available records indicate that when the soldiers arrived, at least 700 youth prisoners were still at the camp, half of whom were Jewish. Children who survived TASS via Getty Images Source: Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Museum In many cases, the liberated children were malnourished, severely weak, vitamin deficient, and diseased. Of 180 children examined after liberation, 40% had tuberculosis. Jewish children at Auschwitz Galerie Bilderwelt/Getty Images Source: Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum Immediately after liberation, many of the children were sent to hospitals organized by the Soviet army and the Polish Red Cross. photo of survivor after liberation (Julian Stratenschulte:picture alliance via Getty Images Julian Stratenschulte/picture alliance via Getty ImagesIn 2016, a group of children who survived the horrors of Auschwitz met to take their photo together. Aushwitz children image with survivors Ian Gavan/Getty ImagesIn total, 6 million Jews were killed during the Holocaust. One-sixth of these exterminations happened at Auschwitz alone. Photos of survivors (Scott Barbour:Getty Images) Scott Barbour/Getty Images Source: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum To commemorate this grave tragedy, world leaders met in Israel this week to mark 75 years since the camp's liberation. Putin attends 75th anniversary ceremony in Israel (Mikhail Metzel\TASS via Getty Images) Mikhail Metzel/TASS via Getty Images Read the original article on Business Insider The vice-president of the United States has been criticised for rallying the troops at Shannon Airport on Saturday when he met with US military personnel travelling to Iraq. Air Force Two, carrying Mike Pence, arrived at Shannon at around lunchtime on Saturday. The C32 jet was followed soon afterwards by a C17 transport plane which also arrived from Rome with equipment used during Mr Pences visits to Israel and Italy. Also at the airport at the time was an Omni Air International Boeing 767-300 jet. The US charter airline is one of the main civilian carriers transporting troops for the US military. The troops were travelling to Iraq via Kuwait. While Mr Pences aircraft, Air Force Two, was being refuelled he disembarked and entered the departures hall where he met US military. Mr Pence wrote on his personal Twitter account: Great seeing US Troops from Texas, Pennsylvania, and New York during our stop in Ireland today! Proud of you and grateful for your service! God Bless Our Troops! He also posted a 43 second video of him arriving in the terminal, meeting troops, posing for photographs and signing autographs. Great seeing US Troops from Texas, Pennsylvania, and New York during our stop in Ireland today! Proud of you and grateful for your service! God Bless Our Troops! pic.twitter.com/t33rIXNFco Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) January 25, 2020 The move has however been criticised by the International Secretary of the Irish Peace and Neutrality Alliance. Edward Horgan said: It seems we are no longer a sovereign country and that those that fought and died for Irish sovereignty, independence and justice fought and died in vain. Mike Pence, US Vice President, for the second time in the past six months, has deliberately abused Irish sovereignty and neutrality by using Shannon Airport to greet US troops who are breaching Irish sovereignty by transiting through neutral Ireland on their way to wage wars of aggression in the Middle East. Pence's meeting with US troops at Shannon airport is not only a very serious insult to the Irish Government and a serious breach of diplomatic protocol, it is also a serious insult to the Irish people, Mr Horgan said. Last September, the west Clare village of Doonbeg was placed in lockdown when Mr Pence stayed at the Trump-owned hotel. The vice-president dined at Morrisseys Restaurant which is run by distant cousin Hugh McNally and where he worked behind the bar for a time during a visit in the 1980s. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-27 00:11:30|Editor: yan Video Player Close HONG KONG, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- A group of rioters blocked roads and brutally assaulted passers-by in Hong Kong's Mong Kok area Sunday night, the Hong Kong police said, warning of law enforcement actions. At around 9:00 p.m. local time, rioters blocked roads and behaved in a disorderly manner at the junction of Nathan Road and Nelson Street, Mong Kok, disturbing peace and threatening public order. Some of them assaulted three innocent passers-by, taking the law into their own hands, the police said. Video footage showed that in a street in the area, a man was pushed to the ground and beaten up by several black-clad rioters. The rioters used umbrellas to block bystanders' view as they were committing the atrocity. After the attackers dispersed, the victim could be seen lying on the ground with a bleeding cut on his neck. The police warned the rioters to stop all unlawful acts and said they would take resolute enforcement actions. On Saturday night, masked rioters also gathered in the area and built up road blockages with debris, disrupting traffic. Some of them even attacked a police vehicle when officers were about to leave after law enforcement. While global volatilities make for strong headwinds, there is plenty of space for private investment in the Vietnamese agricultural sector What were the highlights of Vietnams agricultural sector in 2019? It was a very difficult year with three challenges for the agricultural sector. The trade war between the United States and China has had a heavy impact on trade activities of agricultural products. Second, there was an extreme phenomenon of climate change. Third, in the process of agricultural restructuring, small production still accounted for a major proportion, threatening safety, reducing competitiveness, and causing other difficulties. In addition, historic heat in the central provinces in June, African swine fever (ASF), and fall armyworm plagued agriculture in 2019. However, thanks to the efforts of the entire political system, consensus of all economic sectors, including enterprises, co-operatives, and farmers, the agricultural sector gained positive, but incomplete results. Despite being affected by ASF, the agricultural sectors GDP growth in 2019 was still above 2 per cent. This is a great effort. Second, the export of agricultural products reached $41.3 billion. This is the highest result ever in a very difficult global picture of agricultural trade. Third, about 4,800 communes, or 54 per cent, fulfilled the 19 criteria for new rural areas. Lastly, the forest coverage was 41.85 per cent. This is a very positive result, achieved in very difficult circumstances. Currently, the highest average rate of forest coverage in Asia is only 29 per cent, while the world rate is 26-28 per cent. Moreover, we have established the forestry economy with 20 million cubic metres of timber harvested in nearly seven million hectares of planted forests, contributing to a revenue of $11.3 billion, creating 20 million part-time and full-time jobs. The forestry sector has made an outstanding effort, ensuring economic development, environmental protection, and social security. How has the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) impacted Vietnams agriculture, and how will the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) do the same for the sector? All the mentioned achievements have laid a foundation for us to be confident before the new-generation free trade agreements, including the CPTPP and EVFTA which can bring great opportunities by boosting exports and enhancing the capacity of Vietnams agricultural sector, and create significant challenges for Vietnams agriculture. In particular, with the upcoming EVFTA, Vietnam will cut 24 per cent of the committed agricultural tariff lines to zero in the first year of the deals entry into force, and remove 99 per cent after 10 years. Meanwhile, the EU will pare down 74.6 per cent of agricultural tariff lines in the first year, and the rate will be 97.3 per cent in the next 10 years. For the CPTPP, although it has been in effect for a year now, this is only the first stage, the roadmap for tax reduction has yet to work, so the impacts of this agreement are not clear. However, thanks to this agreement, we witnessed the transformation of agricultural enterprises. Agricultural products are gradually being produced in accordance with international standards and regulations to take advantage of this agreement. This highlights the adaptability of the Vietnamese economy, particularly the agriculture. The harder the going gets, the more determined we are to resolve and adapt. 2019 marked the strong participation of private businesses in the agricultural sector. How attractive has the Vietnamese agricultural sector been to those? First, over 30 years of doi moi, we have had over 760,000 businesses, including agricultural businesses, especially large ones with experience in management and finance, and a desire to solve problems in the agricultural sector. Second, the sector has huge potential and advantages. Although we exported up to $41.3 billion in 2019 to 185 countries and territories around the world, the room for growth is very large because most of our export products are raw, without intensive processing. Currently, the total global trade in food is more than $2 trillion. If we do good work throughout all stages of processing and chain production, we can create huge added value from it. For example, we exported more than $3.5 billion worth of coffee beans, but the value of processed products accounted for only 11 per cent. The remaining 89 per cent offers great potential for processors. Currently, in pig farming, processing lines and value chain received little attention. The same could be observed in most sectors. Therefore, businesses see huge potential in agriculture. Third, Vietnams current policies are very open which are appealing to businesses. Besides, all 63 cities and provinces have been actively calling for investors. In the past three years, a large part of investment promotion activities targeted the agricultural sector, with many programmes hosted by Ho Chi Minh City. Currently, agriculture accounts for only 0.6 per cent of the citys GDP, but the city has definite plans to invest in high-tech agriculture. This is particularly appealing for businesses. In 2020, what will be the central tasks for the agricultural sector? 2020 will be a difficult year. Right from the beginning, we have witnessed the extreme effects of climate change such as droughts in the north and salinity in the Mekong Delta. It is forecast that three large lakes in the north Son La, Lai Chau, and Hoa Binh will lack 40 to 55 per cent of the water needed this year. Meanwhile, the whole central region will also suffer from water shortage. As recently as last September, the Mekong Delta region was forecast to face severe salinity intrusion and droughts due to the shortage of up to 60-65 per cent of the water in the upstream area. Moreover, although ASF has been subdued, it is still not safe. Armyworms appeared in 14 provinces last year, and are likely to return this year. We expect 2020 to be a difficult year with the effects of extreme weather phenomena. In addition, the biggest challenge facing Vietnams agricultural sector is the market. Although there are new trade agreements, they are still at an early stage, and the positive effects from tax reduction are not yet apparent. Meanwhile, the global trade war has forced countries to focus on developing agricultural products on their own. This has created pressure for exporting countries, especially major agricultural exporters like Vietnam. However, right after the government on January 1 issued Resolution No.01/NQ-CP on major tasks and solutions to realise the countrys socio-economic development plan for 2020 and state budget estimates in 2019, which assigns the agricultural sector an export value of about $42 billion, the industry has determined to strive to achieve at least that. This is a difficult target in the global context of fierce competitiveness for markets and agricultural products, but with the utmost determination, the participation of the entire political system, economic sectors, and people, the agricultural sector will strive to achieve the highest results. One of the highlights in 2019 was the new rural development programme that finished nearly two years earlier than planned, and exceeded its goals by 4 per cent. That is good news. However, in 2020, we continue to identify two large groups. For the communes meeting the 19 criteria for new rural areas, it is necessary to consolidate and improve two key groups of criteria, including promoting agricultural production and rural economy, and focusing on environmental issues like the living, working, and natural environment. Identifying private businesses as the driving force for the modernisation and application of high technology in agricultural development, the ministry will also pay attention to facilitating and attracting wider private sector participation in the processing of agricultural products for export. Memorandum of cooperation with the USAID Economic Security Program signed in Ministry of Economy By Nika Gamtsemlidze Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Natia Turnava and Mission Director of USAID/Georgia Peter A. Wiebler attended the signing ceremony of the memorandum, which was signed between USAID Economic Security Program, National Agency for State Property and Sustainable Development and Enterprise Georgia. The signing ceremony was held at the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development.The memorandum was signed by Mark McCord, USAID Economic Security Program Leader, Giorgi Dugladze, Chairman of the National Agency for State Property, and Mikheil Khidureli, Director of Enterprise Georgia.The goal of cooperation between the state agencies in the Economy and Sustainable Development is to help those agencies to promote employment and investment potential of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and help them increase their sales and revenue.The US government is giving unprecedented support to Georgia, which has been confirmed by numerous acts, including Georgia's bipartisan support in the US Congress, said Turnava.According to her, USAID's Economic Security Program will help develop Georgia's priority economic sectors. We are talking about areas that will bring new technologies and knowledge to the economy. At the same time, we need to support traditional areas where there is a large employment component. They include textile, processing industry and others. It is very important for us that the US government continues to support us so intensively, noted the Minister.As the director of USAID/Georgia Peter A. Wiebler said, USAID has long been working successfully with the Georgian government in sectors such as energy, agriculture and other sectors of the economy.The collaboration aims to identify important interventions that will affect the priority sectors of the economy, as well as through various links and support for product development, promote high-paying jobs and increase foreign and private sector investment in Tbilisi and other regions of Georgia, said Peter A. Wiebler.Before the signing, a meeting was held between the parties highlighting the overall support and successful work of the program with the Ministry's subordinate agencies, including the National Tourism Administration, the Georgian Innovation and Technology Agency and the Mountain Resorts Development Company.USAID Georgia Economic Security Program was officially launched on January 7, 2019. The five-year program aims to foster broad growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) outside of agriculture that show strong potential to create jobs, increase income, and support diversification to ensure more productive economic activities in various sectors including tourism.The program is being implemented by DAI Global, with support from partner organizations PMCG and Solimar International. The collaboration will be focused on scaling up the economic impact through synergy, strategic partnerships and investments as well as building collaborative alliances within and between the private sector, government, and civil society. Joel Goodsen would blush seeing the sorts of shenanigans some of these these corporations have been getting into. And occasionally even succeeding at. Netflix goosed its viewing criteria to give a coin to its Witcher, Microsoft had another privacy whoopsie, and Germany just straight up forgot to upgrade its OS and is now paying the price. Here are five of the week's top business headlines. asdf Nothing lasts forever, especially operating systems. It's been barely a decade since Windows 7 hit our hard drives but Microsoft is well and truly done with supporting the OS any longer. Apparently nobody told the German government because they now have to pay nearly $900k in support fees because some 33,000 of its computers were still running the obsolete OS. asdf According to a recent report, the GDPR is working as intended though it doesn't seem to be doing much to influence the decisions of the companies that it regulates. asdf Uber continues to freak out over California's recently-passed AB 5 legislation, which classifies gig workers as employees of their respective companies. The companies latest scheme is to set up a virtual auction where ride hailers can bid against one another -- up to five times the regular fare -- to win the driver's services. asdf Due to a "database error" a quarter billion Microsoft customers' service and support records were made available on a publicly accessible server for two days. But the company said it didn't see any evidence of malicious use with this data so you know, no harm, no foul, right? asdf It's a no brainer. If the facts don't fit your hypothesis all you have to do is change the way in which those facts are measured until they do. It's genius. The Trump administration announced Thursday new visa rules to stop what is known as birth tourism. The new guidelines state the U.S. can deny tourist visas to pregnant women if consular officers determine that the applicant is traveling to give birth in the United States for citizenship reasons. Doctors have come up with a new surgical procedure to fix rib fractures. Evert Eriksson, a co-author of the paper said: "Offer medicine for the pain and a ventilator if breathing is an issue. But otherwise, the bones will form a callus over time that allows it to function as it needs to." Offer medicine for the pain and a ventilator if breathing is an issue," said Evert Eriksson, M.D., a trauma surgeon at the Medical University of South Carolina and co-author of the paper."But otherwise, the bones will form a callus over time that allows it to function as it needs to." And while that idea has morphed over the last decade to make multiple-fracture repair more common, patients with less severe fractures often still go untreated despite the pain.This extended discomfort is what led Denver Medical Center surgeon Fredric Pieracci, M.D., along with several other trauma surgeons to conduct a study with members of the Chest Wall Injury Society. Twelve centres from across the United States came together to evaluate the success of surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF), which involves installing a plate to line up the two ends of the fracture and hold them in place throughout the healing process. They theorized that by stabilizing partially displaced and fractured ribs, patients' pain and quality of life would improve.As recently published in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, patients who underwent SSRF for three or more rib fractures with partial dislocation reported less pain on the numeric pain scale and a better quality of life after their stabilization surgery. "This research shows that patients who have partially displaced fractures, as well as some pulmonary compromise, also benefit from a procedure that is usually reserved for a more severely injured cohort," said Eriksson. Technological limitations have played a role in keeping surgeons from performing this procedure in the past. It wasn't until recently that surgeons acquired the right equipment to keep surgical incisions small and the risk of complications in the pleural space low.By pulling the muscles aside, instead of cutting through them, surgeons are able to access the chest wall and ribs less invasively. Even the material of the stabilization plates has improved, becoming less rigid and moving more naturally with the patient as the chest expands and contracts with each breath, according to Eriksson. This new innovation presents an opportunity for surgeons to address a different population that is traditionally not considered for operational treatment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Houthi fighters gain ground in Sana'a, pro-Saudi militants claim tactical withdrawal Iran Press TV Sunday, 26 January 2020 10:10 AM Fighters from Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement, which have been defending Yemen against a Saudi aggression, have managed to gain ground against Riyadh-sponsored militants in Sana'a Province. Commanders loyal to former Saudi-backed President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi acknowledged on Saturday that the Houthis had retaken loyalist positions during renewed fighting east of Sana'a. "Some of these positions had been under government control for three years," said one of the commanders who was speaking on condition of anonymity, referring to the self-proclaimed Hadi administration. Another pro-Hadi commander said that the Saudi planes had "attacked Houthi positions more than 30 times in the last three days to reduce the pressure on the loyalists." On Friday, the International Crisis Group, a Belgium-based think tank, said the Houthi fighters were making "the biggest gains" on the ground against militants. "At the time of writing, the Houthis appeared to be making the biggest gains on the battlefield, reportedly controlling the important Nihm front north east of Sana'a after several days in which both sides claimed a series of largely symbolic victories while suffering numerous casualties," it said in a report. Self-proclaimed defense minister for Hadi fighters, general Mohammed Ali al-Maqdishi, implicitly admitted Houthi advances in Nihm district. At a meeting with loyalist commanders, he referred to what he called a "tactical withdrawal from some positions," Saba news agency reported. Maqdishi also claimed that the pro-Hadi militants would be redeployed to open a new front against the Houthis. Recently, a missile attack on a military training camp run by the Riyadh-backed elements in Ma'rib Province killed 116 of them. Saudi Arabia and the UAE blamed the attack on the Houthis, a claim rejected by the Yemeni fighters. Saudi Arabia and a coalition of its vassal states launched the war on Yemen in March 2015 in an attempt to reinstall the Hadi regime and eliminate the Houthis. The military aggression, coupled with a naval blockade, has killed hundreds of thousands of people and plunged Yemen into the world's worst humanitarian crisis. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 13:26:23|Editor: Wang Yamei Video Player Close MEXICO CITY, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Mexican authorities are investigating a shooting at a restaurant in the central state of Guanajuato that left nine people dead and one wounded, local public prosecutor's office reported on Saturday. Armed men burst into a restaurant named "Parador San Fernando" in the town of Villagran on Friday night and opened fire on people, the state attorney general's office said in a press release. Local police found six people dead in the restaurant and three dead in the parking lot, along with one injured, who was taken to a nearby hospital. The Homicide Investigation Unit of the public prosecutor's office has identified eight victims, including two women. The Villagran mayor's office said in a release that it has requested more security for the area from the state government. Villagran, located in Guanajuato, became the focal point of a recent dispute between two criminal organizations trying to dominate the trade in drugs and stolen fuel, according to authorities. According to Mexico's National Public Security System, there were 3,540 murders in Guanajuato in 2019, the highest among the states in the country. Democratic lawmaker Adam Schiff, who is leading the prosecution in the trial of Donald Trump, said Sunday he felt threatened by a tweet from the president. Trump tweeted that "Shifty Adam Schiff is a CORRUPT POLITICIAN, and probably a very sick man. He has not paid the price, yet, for what he has done to our Country!" Asked later on NBC whether he considered the tweet as a threat, the California lawmaker said he thought it was "intended to be." As chairman of the House intelligence committee, Schiff oversaw weeks of hearings that fleshed out the charges that led to the House vote December 18 to impeach Trump. Schiff is now the lead manager, the most prominent of Trump's accusers in the Senate trial, which resumes Monday after a brief recess. Schiff has long been a target of Trump's particular wrath. The president mocks him as "Liddle' Adam Schiff," says the congressman has a "pencil neck," and, more than once, has rendered his name as "Schitt." But Sunday's tweet seemed to go a step further. "The president has a tendency to say things that seem threatening to people," Zoe Lofgren, another Democratic manager, said on CNN. She said Trump "really ought to get a grip and be a little more presidential." But a member of the president's party, Senator James Lankford, told CNN, "I don't think he's encouraging a death threat." Lankford said he thought Trump meant Schiff would pay a price politically. On Wednesday, as he summed up the charges against Trump, Schiff accused the president of trying to "cheat" in the 2020 election by pressuring Ukraine to dig up dirt on Trump's political rivals. Republicans sharply objected when Schiff quoted a reported comment from a Trump confidant who said some senators had been warned, "Vote against the president and your head will be on a pike." Lankford said he was "offended" by Schiff's remark. Republic Day 2020: When January 26 was declared as Purna Swaraj Day India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Jan 26: Celebrations is being held across the country to mark the Republic Day 2020. On this day, 71-year back, India had officially adopted its Constitution. Republic Day 2020 marks the completion of India's transition from the British Raj to an independent republic. It also represents the anniversary of the declaration of Purna Swaraj, which translates to 'complete freedom,' by the Indian National Congress in 1929. Exactly 71 years before our first Republic Day, on 26 January 1930, the Indian National Congress, in an electrifying resolution, declared Purna Swaraj - complete freedom from the British Raj. From then on, it was a question of when - not if -India would become free. Republic Day 2020: National capital under multi-layered, ground-to-air security cover The Indian National Congress met in Lahore in December 1929. In December 1929, after Jawaharlal Nehru was elected the party president, the Indian National Congress passed a resolution for 'purna swaraj' or complete independence from the British. One option before the Congress was to demand Dominion Status, under which India would have still remained at least nominally under British rule. The Congress rejected this option, and instead asked for Purna Swaraj, which means Full Independence. 71st Republic Day: PM Modi continues with 'Safa' tradition, Chinook & Apache make debut The following pledge was approved by the Congress just before midnight on December 31, 1929. The pledge was taken by the public on January 26, 1930. Here's the full pledge: Take a look: We believe that it is the inalienable right of the Indian people, as of any other people, to have freedom and to enjoy the fruits of their toil and have the necessities of life, so that they may have full opportunities of growth. We believe also that if any government deprives a people of these rights and oppresses them the people have a further right to alter it or to abolish it. The British Government in India has not only deprived the Indian people of their freedom but has based itself on the exploitation of the masses, and has ruined India economically, politically, culturally, and spiritually. We believe, therefore, that India must sever the British connection and attain Purna Swaraj, or complete independence. India has been ruined economically. The revenue derived from our people is out of all proportion to our income. Our average income is seven pice (Editor's note: There were 4 pice in an anna, and 16 annas in a rupee) per day, and of the heavy taxes we pay, 20 per cent are raised from the land revenue derived from the peasantry and 3 per cent from the salt tax, which falls most heavily on the poor. Village industries, such as hand-spinning, have been destroyed, leaving the peasantry idle for at least four months in the year, and dulling their intellect for want of handicrafts, and nothing has been substituted, as in other countries, for the crafts thus destroyed. Customs and currency have been so manipulated as to heap further burdens on the peasantry. British manufactured goods constitute the bulk of our imports. Customs duties betray clear partiality for British manufactures, and revenue from them is used not to lessen the burden on the masses but for sustaining a highly extravagant administration. Still more arbitrary has been the manipulation of the exchange ration, which has resulted in millions being drained away from the country. Major Republic Day terror attack averted in Valley Politically, India's status has never been so reduced as under the British regime. No reforms have given real political power to the people. The tallest of us have to bend before foreign authority. The rights of free expression of opinion and free association have been denied to us, and many of our countrymen are compelled to live in exile abroad and cannot return to their homes. All administrative talent is killed, and the masses have to be satisfied with petty village offices and clerkships. Culturally, the system of education has torn us from our moorings, and our training has made us hug the very chains that bind us. Spiritually, compulsory disarmament has made us unmanly, and the presence of an alien army of occupation, employed with deadly effect to crush in us the spirit of resistance, has made us think that we cannot look after ourselves or put up a defense against foreign aggression, or even defend our homes and families from attacks of thieves, robbers, and miscreants. We hold it to be a crime against man and God to submit any longer to a rule that has caused this fourfold disaster to our country. We recognize, however, that the most effective way of gaining our freedom is through nonviolence. We will therefore prepare ourselves by withdrawing, so far as we can, all voluntary association from the British Government, and will prepare for civil disobedience, including nonpayment of taxes. We are convinced that if we can but withdraw our voluntary held and stop payment of taxes without doing violence, even under provocation, the end of this inhuman rule is assured. We therefore hereby solemnly resolve to carry out the Congress instructions issued from time to time for the purpose of establishing Purna Swaraj. Here's to celebrating the Constitution of India. Happy Republic Day 2020! For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, January 26, 2020, 9:46 [IST] Over the past 10 years, thousands of schools, families and organizations throughout Texas have participated in National School Choice Week. This January marks an important anniversary for the effort to bring increased awareness to school choice and one that comes at a time when more families than ever are actively choosing their childs educational environment. Over the past 10 years, thousands of Texans have come together to rally at the Capitol in Austin, expressing support for all forms of school choice: public, private, charter, virtual, magnet and home schooling. In hundreds of towns, local community groups, chambers and individual schools have hosted their own unique celebrations during School Choice Week. For the past four years, Gov. Greg Abbott has publicly proclaimed Texas School Choice Week. This year, it runs through Saturday. In looking back, it is amazing to see how many lives have been affected by the thousands of events that have taken place during a single week each year. Whether its the students who performed at School Choice Week events showcasing their love of learning, or the teachers who took time off from work to walk the halls demanding action on school choice policy, individuals from all backgrounds have been impacted. Even more encouraging are the parents who have learned about their options because of gatherings and events hosted during School Choice Week. Thats why in celebration of National School Choice Week 2020, our coalition is hosting a series of school fairs throughout the state. From Austin to Houston, San Antonio to Dallas and down to the Rio Grande Valley, these free events will encourage families to network with other parents and learn more about the schools in their communities. These Saturday School Fairs will provide schools the opportunity to share their mission and showcase their unique offerings to hundreds of families that might not otherwise know they exist. In addition to traditional brick-and-mortar schools, we are excited to include micro-schools, virtual schools, home-school co-ops, tutors, education therapy providers and higher-education institutions at these school fairs. If you have heard our rallying cry over the years, then you know our message: Every child deserves access to a quality educational option that meets their individual needs. We celebrate great options where they exist and demand them where they do not. Families in Texas deserve the right the freedom to choose their childs school. Whether they prefer to stay in their neighborhood school or seek alternative options, such as private or virtual schools, we believe we have a moral obligation to empower parents with the tools and resources to advocate for their child. A ZIP code should never determine a childs education, nor should the government dictate where a child goes to school. Only a parent should decide how their children are educated. As we celebrate our 10th year of School Choice Week in Texas, one thing is clear: Parents want the very best education for their children, and weve made it our mission to help make that possible. Randan Steinhauser is the founder of the Texas School Choice Coalition, Texas adviser to EdChoice and a senior adviser to National School Choice Week. MONTREAL - Nearly three years after the massacre that claimed six lives at the Quebec City mosque, the length of the sentence imposed on the man convicted of the crimes will be debated in the province's highest court Monday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/1/2020 (716 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Alexandre Bissonnette, a suspect in a shooting at a Quebec City mosque, arrives at the court house in Quebec City on February 21, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mathieu Belanger - POOL MONTREAL - Nearly three years after the massacre that claimed six lives at the Quebec City mosque, the length of the sentence imposed on the man convicted of the crimes will be debated in the province's highest court Monday. Lawyers for Alexandre Bissonnette and the Crown will be at the Quebec Court of Appeal to make legal arguments. There was no trial as Bissonnette pleaded guilty in March 2018 to all charges against him, including six counts of first-degree murder and six of attempted murder after he walked into the mosque at the Islamic Cultural Centre on Jan. 29, 2017 with two firearms and opened fire during evening prayers. The slain men were Mamadou Tanou Barry, 42; Abdelkrim Hassane, 41; Khaled Belkacemi, 60; Aboubaker Thabti, 44; Azzeddine Soufiane, 57; and Ibrahima Barry, 39. Bissonnette was automatically sentenced to life in prison with the only issue being the amount of time he'd have to serve behind bars before being eligible for parole. Quebec Superior Court Justice Francois Huot ultimately sentenced Bissonnette last year to 40 years behind bars the harshest prison term ever in Quebec and one of the longest in Canada, which has permitted consecutive life sentences since a 2011 Criminal Code reform allowed for it. Huot opted for life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for 40 years, saying that a sentence beyond life expectancy would have been "absurd" and a charter violation. But neither the defence or the Crown were pleased with the outcome. Bissonnette's attorneys appealed his sentence, calling the four decade prison term "unreasonable." The Crown and Quebec's attorney general also want the sentence changed arguing in favour of a 50-year prison term. From the Crown's perspective, the sentence imposed did not reflect the severity of the offences or the respondent's degree of responsibility, which it qualified as "exceptionally high." For Bissonnette, his lawyers argue being allowed to apply for parole after serving 25 years would be just. Having admitted to the crimes, Bissonnette's attorneys have argued the length of time to be served should be in accordance with the principles of Canadian law. Monday's hearing comes on the same week as the third anniversary of the shooting Wednesday. Boufeldja Benabdallah, president of the mosque that was attacked, said many of the victims and the city's Muslim community will be following the proceedings carefully. However, unlike a year ago, when he expressed his disappointment at what he described as a too-lenient sentence, he said he had no desire to get involved in a debate about the sentencing. "Now, it's been a year (since the sentencing) and we are resting and will let justice take its course," he said. Benabdallah said the mosque community has had many "highs and lows" in the three years since the shooting, but overall things are better than they were. "People have returned to work people are educating their children, families are finding a little bit of serenity," he said. As positives, he cites the announcement late last year of the creation of Quebec City's first Islamic cemetery, as well as long-planned renovations to the mosque to enlarge it and make it safer. The negatives include Quebec's secularism law which bans some civil servants from wearing religious symbols at work something he says targets Muslims in particular and makes them feel "like a minority and targeted." "As much as we're advancing on a social level, there's been on the political and administrative level a step back," he said. At the heart of the legal debate is a constitutional fight applying to the section of the Criminal Code that applies to multiple murders. The Montreal Defence Lawyers Association has been granted intervenor status in the appeal and will argue that the Criminal Code contravenes the Charter of Rights and Freedoms by allowing judges to stack life sentences for multiple murders instead imposing them concurrently. The legal debate is one that will be followed closely by criminal attorneys and judges right across the country. Section 745.51 of the Criminal Code provides for the possibility of consecutive sentences in the case of multiple murders 25 years in person for each crime. In the Quebec case, the Crown opted to use it and had requested a 150-year prison sentence 25 years for each of the six victims. The association argues that sentences exceeding life expectancy with no review mechanism is "inconsistent with human dignity'' and a violation of Section 12 of the charter, which grants protection from cruel and unusual punishment. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 26, 2020. - With files from Morgan Lowrie The day Rep. Liz Cheney announced she would not run for the U.S. Senate, I received the following email: Im sure youve seen the news, pretty bummed, I was really wanting to make the run. Just like that, a dozen would-be contenders with fresh ideas and varied backgrounds gave up because the seat would no longer be open. Given Liz Cheneys age shell likely hold that seat for 25-30 more years, such that my friend and others like him will never have the chance to run for Congress in their lifetime. This isnt healthy for democracy or Wyoming and is the strongest case I know for federal term limits. We know the statistics by heart. Congress has a dismal approval rating but a 90 percent re-election rate. Some argue thats because we may not like Congress as a whole, but we love our representative. But going into the 2018 elections, a third of all Senators had an approval rating of 43 percent or less. Reelection rates are high not because politicians are delivering results but because they have used their powers to build a fortress between them and us. For example, in 2014 Congress voted to cap individual contributions to a federal PAC at $5,000. But then, in an astonishing act of self-dealing, gave the PACs run by the two political parties and only those PACs a $106,000 limit. Through high-tech geocoding, gerrymandering allows politicians to choose their voters instead of voters choosing their politicians. Party primaries, and the rules governing them, are decided by an apparatus openly committed to protecting incumbents, creating a system where the players also get to be the umpires. Given Senator Mike Enzis planned retirement, this year we have two strong candidates asking for our vote, with hopefully more to follow. Cynthia Lummis has been campaigning for months, and Foster Fries announced a Listening Tour to understand our concerns. All of this is reminiscent of the 2018 gubernatorial race, which was only possible because of term limits. That contest brought together a strong field who for months tirelessly traveled the state making their case to voters. They knocked on doors, went table to table in cafes and stood shoulder-to-shoulder in debates. They met thousands of Wyomingites and listened closely. They got a good look at us and we got a good look at them. That was good for our state. It was democracy at its best. Not so when battling an incumbent. When I ran against John Barrasso in the same 2018 Republican Primary, he declined every scheduled debate. Not once in seven months did the two of us talk to Wyoming voters about healthcare costs, the best path forward for our coal communities, solutions to our student debt crisis or how to save Social Security. I understand why he made the campaign choices he did it was a good strategy. But I question whether those choices were good for voters. The Framers chose to require Congresspeople to face re-election every two years. They had the magnificent dream of a legislative body which was highly accountable to its communities. They never envisioned a Congress made up of lifetime appointees who only returned home for parades and photo-ops. They never imagined a legislative body that looked more like a monarchy than a democracy. The Framers knew accountability and competition would be healthy for our country. They knew it would be good for the nation to require our representatives to sit in a pie shop every two years and ask us whats on our mind. Term limits are not a path to get the bums out. Liz Cheney, John Barrasso and Mark Gordon all have extraordinarily high approval ratings. But remember that none of them would be in office had there not been an open seat. Remember also that behind these incumbents are dozens of Wyomingites with fresh idea and new energy, like my friend, each wanting their fair shot at serving our state. Its been said that we have term limits; theyre called elections. But 82 percent of Americans support term limits for Congress because we know the political establishment has its thumb on the scale. We know from our own experience that term limits are the only way to create healthy competition. We conservatives agree that competition makes us all better, whether on the playing field, the marketplace or politics. Its also good for democracy. Dave Dodson lives in Wyoming and is former CEO, professor at Stanford University and former Wyoming Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. Read more from his archive at davedodson.com/news. Love 6 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Madhya Pradesh Police said it resorted to lathi-charge and lobbing of teargas shells to control a crowd which pelted stones on a group of people supporting Citizenship Amendment Act and also police in Jabalpur on the Republic Day. A heavy police force has been deployed to tackle any untoward incident further. Collector, Jabalpur Bharat Yadav said, A group had permission to take out a Tiranga rally on Sunday from Aadhartal to Raddi Chowki on Sunday. When they intended to proceed further, they were prevented from doing so on the ground that another group of persons, especially women and their children had been staging a protest at Ghajibagh, Gohalpur ground against CAA for several days. The collector said the pro-CAA group and the police were pelted with stones by people in nearby lanes. While the group in support of CAA started returning they were pelted with stones along with the police by miscreants in nearby lanes. It was then that the police had to resort to using of force to control the situation, he added. Inspector general (IG) of police Bhagwat Singh Chouhan said the accused were yet to be identified. We are looking into CCTV footage to identify them. A heavy police force has been deployed in the city to meet any eventuality. There is no information about injured persons so far. However, the situation is under control. An FIR would be lodged against the miscreants. New Delhi: Voting for the BJP in the Delhi assembly elections will prevent "thousands of incidents like Shaheen Bagh", Union Home Minister Amit Shah said at an election meeting on Sunday. Shah attacked the opposition leaders, including AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on various issues and asserted that only Prime Minister Narendra Modi can ensure safety and security of the country. Campaigning for the BJP candidate in Babarpur constituency, he said, "Your vote to BJP candidate will make Delhi and the country safe and prevent thousands of incidents like Shaheen Bagh." A large number of women have been holding a sit-in against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at Shaheen Bagh in south east Delhi since mid-December. The protest, supported by people from different fields including politicians, Bollywood actors and academicians, has emerged as a symbol of anti-CAA agitation in the country. "When you press the button (of EVM) on February 8, do so with such anger that its current (poll result) is felt at Shaheen Bagh," the BJP leader said. The BJP, seeking to come into power in Delhi after two decades, has brought the CAA at the centre stage of its campaigning for February 8 polls, with Shah and other BJP leaders hitting out at Kejriwal and Gandhi over the issue in meetings after meetings. Kejriwal has said the BJP wants to give citizenship to Pakistanis, the Home Minister claimed and asked the people "shouldn't Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists who witnessed their women being raped, lost their properties in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan and who came to India over the past 70 years be given citizenship of this country." Targeting the AAP and the Congress over issues like abrogation of Article 370, JNU, Ram temple and anti CAA protests, Shah alleged that the parties opposed to the BJP and Modi fear a backlash from their vote-bank. Addressing another election meeting earlier in Rohtas Nagar constituency, he asked the people, "Are you their vote-bank? Why do Rahul Baba and Kejriwal want to save Tukde Tukde gang that raised slogans for fragmentation of the country. They do this because of fear of their vote bank." The former BJP president also slammed Kejriwal government alleging the ruling AAP failed in fulfilling "all" its promises including construction of new schools and colleges, free wifi, installing of CCTV cameras, supplying clean water, reducing pollution, building roads and cleaning the Yamuna. "If there was a survey of lying and making false promises, Kejriwal government would top it," he said. Shah promised that if voted to power in Delhi, the BJP will ensure two-room houses to city's slum dwellers in five years. The results of Delhi Assembly polls for 70 seats will be declared on February 11. T he coronavirus has killed 42 people in China and infected more than 1,300 globally, since the outbreak began in the city of Wuhan. The World Health Organisation said a total of 1,320 confirmed cases have been reported around the world by Saturday evening (GMT). China's president Xi Jinping said the nation faces a "grave situation" as the coronavirus spreads. He told a policy meeting, aimed at looking for measures to fight the outbreak, that the virus was "accelerating its spread". Coronavirus - In pictures 1 /106 Coronavirus - In pictures A sign advertising a book titled "How Will We Survive On Earth?" is seen on an underground station platform Getty Images Customers wearing face masks shop at the pork counter of a supermarket following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, Hubei province Reuters Westminster Bridge is deserted in London the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the UK in lockdown PA Canadian passengers Chris & Anna Joiner ask for help onboard the MS Zaandam, Holland America Line cruise ship, during the coronavirus outbreak, off the shores of Panama City via Reuters A man crosses a nearly empty 5th Avenue in midtown Manhattan during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York City Reuters The London Eye is pictured lit blue in support of the NHS, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Boris Johnson addresses the nation on the Coronavirus lockdown Andrew Parsons Commuters cope with Coronavirus Jeremy Selwyn Milan's Piazza del Duomo empty AFP via Getty Images People in protective clothing walk past rows of beds at a temporary 2,000-bed hospital for COVID-19 coronavirus patients set up by the Iranian army at the international exhibition center in northern Tehran, Iran AP Martina Papponetti, 25, an ICU nurse at the Humanitas Gavazzeni Hospital in Bergamo, Italy poses for a portrait at the end of her shift AP Pope Francis celebrating a daily mass alone in the Santa Marta chapel at the Vatican, as part of precautionary measures against the spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Imag Vysheyshaya Liga - FC Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino v FC Belshina Bobruisk - Torpedo Stadium, Zhodino, Belarus, March 27, 2020 Players in action during the match despite most sport being cancelled around the world as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Hanks and Wilson both have coronavirus Tom Hanks General view of an emergency makeshift field hospital as it is set up at Pacaembu Stadium for coronavirus (COVID-19) patients with a capacity of 200 beds in Sao Paulo, Brazil Getty Images People on a busy tube train in London at rush hour despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling on people to stay away from pubs, clubs and theatres, work from home if possible and avoid all non-essential contacts and travel in order to reduce the impact of the coronavirus pandemic PA Naomi Campbell catches a flight in a hazmat suit with goggles, a surgical mask and rubber gloves @naomi Sophie and Emily Ward pose for a photograph with their hand-drawn picture of rainbows and a message on their window in St Helens, as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Mia, aged 8, and Jack, aged 5, take part in "PE with Joe" a daily live workout with Joe Wicks on Youtube to help kids stay fit who have to stay indoors due to the Corona virus outbreak. PA Shoppers queue outside a branch of Costco, in Croydon, south London, on the weekend after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered pubs and restaurants across the country to close PA Charing Cross Tube Bakerloo Line very quiet at 8.15am Jeremy Selwyn A woman with a plastic box over her head on the London Underground. PA A Racegoer attend Cheltenham Festival on Ladies Day wearing a fashionable face mask SplashNews.com Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits a laboratory at the Public Health England National Infection Service in Colindale PA A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask today in Victoria Jeremy Selwyn A couple kiss in Milano Centrale railway station in Milan on March 8, 2020 AFP via Getty Images A combination picture shows visitors wearing protective face masks following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) looking at blooming cherry blossom nd a pigeon walking at an closed cherry blossom viewing spot during the first weekend after Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike (not pictured) urged Tokyo residents to stay indoors, in a bid to keep the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from spreading Reuters This combination photo created on March 5, 2020 shows tourists visiting Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province on March 16, 2019 (top) and on March 5, 2020 AFP via Getty Images Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump looks at the $2.2 trillion coronavirus aid package bill as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Vice President Mike Pence stand by during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House Reuters A satellite image shows an empty South Beach during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Miami, via Reuters General view inside the empty stadium as the two teams line up prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes UEFA via Getty Images A Sainsbury's supermarket in Cambridge is among those to sell out of antibacterial hand sanitizer PA Tents and ambulances are set up next to the Princess Cruises Grand Princess cruise as it sits docked in the Port of Oakland on March 09, 2020 in Oakland, California. The Princess Cruises Grand Princess has been held from docking until today as at least 21 people on board have tested positive for COVID-19 also known as the Coronavirus Getty Images Medical staff produce traditional Chinese medicine to treat patients infected by the COVID-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images Army soldiers wearing protective suits spray disinfectant as a precaution against the new coronavirus at a shopping street in Seoul, South Korea AP Russian President Vladimir Putin wearing protective gear walks at a hospital for patients infected with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the outskirts of Moscow via Reuters A woman who has recovered from the COVID-19 is disinfected by volunteers as she arrives at a hotel for a 14-day quarantine AFP via Getty Images Passengers on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship are seen as the ship arrives at Daikoku Pier where it is being resupplied and newly diagnosed coronavirus cases taken for treatment as it remains in quarantine after a number of the 3,700 people on board were diagnosed with coronavirus Getty Images Dave Abel pictured in hospital in Japan Manchester United fans in the stands during the Premier League match at Old Trafford PA Police officers wearing masks stand in front of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in La Caleta, in the Canary Island of Tenerife AP Carnival revellers wear protective face masks at Venice Carnival Reuters A general view is pictured of Burbage Primary School in Buxton, Derbyshire after the closure of the school as a pupil's parent has tested positive for the novel coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Images People wearing face masks walk past the Olympic rings in front of the new National Stadium, the main stadium for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Game Getty Images People leave Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre in Milton Keynes where Coronavirus evacuees are due to be released from quarantine today and allowed to go home PA Matt Raw, a British national who returned from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, leaves quaratine at Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside PA A woman wears a mask while crossing London Bridg Getty Images A general view of Worthing Hospital in West Sussex PA Passengers relax on board the Holland America-operated Westerdam cruise ship, which has been denied permission to dock in Thailand over coronavirus fears via Reuters A child waves as she sits in a vehicle carrying residents evacuated from a public housing building, following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, outside Hong Mei House, at Cheung Hong Estate in Hong Kong Reuters A woman wearing a Minnie Mouse face mask looks at her mobile phone in Beijing on February 11, 2020 AFP via Getty Images The Costa Smeralda cruise ship of Costa Crociere, carrying around 6,000 passengers, is docked at the Italian port of Civitavecchia after a health alert due to a Chinese couple and a possible link to coronavirus on board, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters A patient covered with a bed sheet at an exhibition centre converted into a hospital as it starts to accept patients displaying mild symptoms of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images A medical official takes the body temperature of a man at the departure hall of the airport in Changsha, Hunan Province, as the country is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus, China Reuters The view of the Wuhan International Conference and Exhibition Center Getty Images A plane carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, arrives at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire A police vehicle enters the gates of the Royal Air Force station RAF Brize Norton in Carterton AFP via Getty Images Passengers wear face masks as the push their luggage after arriving from a flight at Terminal 5 of London Heathrow Airport AFP via Getty Images French citizens arrive and settle aboard of an evacuation plane with destination southeastern France, before departure from Wuhan Airport (WUH), China AFP via Getty Images Police stand at a checkpoint at the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge that crosses from Hubei province in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, China Reuters A member of staff at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside prepares for a bus carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China PA Doctor Paul McKay, who is working on an vaccine for the 2019-nCoV strain of the novel coronavirus, poses for a photograph with bacteria containing fragments of coronavirus DNA, at Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM) in Londo AFP via Getty Images Workers produce masks at the Thai Hospital Product Company Ltd. factory in Bangkok AFP via Getty Images Passengers wearing face masks are seen on a bus after disembarking from the Costa Smeralda cruise ship, after tests on a woman from Macau with suspected coronavirus came back negative, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters People hoard bottles of alcohol after the Philippine government confirmed the first case of the new coronavirus in the country, in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Reuters Taking precautions: with fears growing that the coronavirus will spread from China, a health official checks a womans temperature on the underground in Beijing Getty Images An empty road is seen in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 27, 2020, amid a deadly virus outbreak which began in the city AFP via Getty Images Students wearing masks meditate prior to a lesson at a high school in Phnom Penh, Cambodia AP Medical staff at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital wear protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus AFP via Getty Images Staff move bio-waste containers past the entrance of the Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, where some infected with a new virus are being treated, in Wuhan, China AP Workers driving excavators at the construction site of a field hospital In Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The builders will complete the 1,000-bed hospital by February 3 to cope with the surge of 2019-nCoV patients in the city Getty Images Buddhist monks wear masks as they walk near Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodi AP A woman and a child wearing protective masks walk toward check-in counters at Daxing international airport in Beijing AFP via Getty Images An employee sprays disinfectant on a train as a precaution against a new coronavirus at Suseo Station in Seoul, South Korea AP A policeman wearing a mask walks past a quarantine notice about the outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan, China at an arrival hall of Haneda airport in Tokyo, Japan Reuters Paramilitary police wear face masks as they stand guard at Tiananmen Gate adjacent to Tiananmen Square in Beijing AP The resident wear masks to buy vegetables in the market in Wuhan Getty Images Staff sell masks at a Yifeng Pharmacy in Wuhan AP Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV AP The fatalities so far have been contained to China, which has placed a reported 56 million people on lock down, with the majority occurring in the Hubei province around Wuhan. Thailand has now reported five cases, Australia has reported four and Singapore, France, Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia have all reported three. Vietnam, South Korea and the United States have both reported two and Nepal one. Vietnam, South Korea and the United States have both reported two and Nepal one. / Getty Images Authorities have tested 31 people for coronavirus across the UK, though all there results have come back negative. The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice to Britons in China, advising against all travel to Wuhan City following the coronavirus outbreak. "The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to Wuhan City," guidance on the gov.uk website now reads. "If you are in this area and able to leave, you should do so. This is due to the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak." There are no confirmed diagnoses in UK citizens abroad. The update comes as the Department of Health bids to track down around 2,000 people who have recently flown into the UK from Wuhan, the area of China worst affected by the outbreak and where it is thought to have originated. The previously unknown strain of virus is now believed to have emerged late last year from illegally traded wildlife at an animal market in Wuhan. Symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Those most affected are older people and those with underlying health conditions. Campaigning for BJP for the Delhi Assembly elections scheduled on February 8, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday slammed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and alleged that his government stands nowhere other than topping the chart of liars. "Various surveys are conducted across the country. One government tops in pure water, another ranks number one in road construction and some other in electrification. But Kejriwal's government stands nowhere other than topping the chart of liars," Shah said while addressing a rally here. Assembly elections in Delhi are scheduled to take place on February 8 while votes will be counted on February 11. In 2015, Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) got a landslide victory by winning 67 of the 70 Assembly seats in the capital. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hit by economic slowdown, India and Brazil on Saturday drew up an ambitious plan to boost their stuttering economies by significantly expanding cooperation in key sectors like oil, gas and mining, while setting a target of USD 15 billion in bilateral trade by 2022. The decisions were taken during wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro. On Brazil approaching the WTO against India for extending support to sugarcane growers, sources said it was agreed to address the issue through bilateral consultations. The two leaders recognised that there were great synergies between India and Brazil, the two large economies with a combines GDP of around USD 4.5 trillion and having a total population of 1.5 billion. The volume of bilateral trade in 2018-10 was USD 8.2 billion which included USD 3.8 billion worth of Indian exports to Brazil and USD 4.4 million as imports by India. The two sides inked an investment cooperation and facilitation treaty providing for a framework to increase trade and investment in high growth areas. A separate pact was inked for cooperation in the field of oil and natural gas while another one was sealed in the bio-energy sector. "There is significant potential for further strengthening the energy partnership taking into account that India is one of the leading countries in global oil demand growth and that Brazil is expected to sharply increase its oil production in the next decade," according to a joint statement issued after Modi-Bolsonaro talks. It said the two leaders committed to explore ways of deepening bilateral relations in the energy field. Apart from oil and gas, the other areas identified for expansion of cooperation included agriculture, bio-fuels, animal husbandry, health and science and technology. "The two sides also agreed to set a target of USD 15 billion in bilateral trade by 2022 given the complementarities between the two economies," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. In the talks, the two sides also agreed that there was a great potential for increased ethanol production and uptake in India's fuel mix and looked forward to further collaboration in the area. It was decided that both sides will encourage their companies to explore ways for promoting investments and cooperation in the upstream, midstream and downstream areas, through sharing of experience including through joint development activities in oil and gas projects in India, Brazil and in third countries. "It was noted that Indian oil and gas sector offers investment opportunities to Brazilian companies in exploration and licensing of upcoming fields, operationalization of already discovered fields and related projects," the joint statement said. In the mining sector, the two sides agreed that mining activities and investments offered a significant potential for enhancing bilateral cooperation in this sector. During the talks, Prime Minister Modi invited Brazilian industry to explore business opportunities in India in infrastructure, food processing, bio-fuels and other renewable energy sources, animal husbandry and agro sectors. President Bolsonaro also called upon Indian industry to identify business opportunities, including in Brazil's automotive, leather, oil and gas, including oil refining, and pharmaceutical sectors. The two leaders also welcomed the signing of a social security agreement and hailed it as an important step to facilitate movement of professionals and business persons between India and Brazil. "Both leaders emphasized that World Trade Organization as a central element in supporting growth in developing countries. Recognizing the complementary nature of trade and investment, they also agreed that established bilateral mechanisms could be suitably utilized to stimulate greater cooperation," said the joint statement. The two sides also agreed to cooperate in the field of animal husbandry. Also read: India, Brazil ink 15 pacts in trade, investment, energy; unveil action plan to broaden ties Also read: Why sugarcane farmers don't want Brazilian President as chief guest on Republic Day Daredevil stunts performed by police personnel on motorcycles and horses, tableaux showing achievements of Gujarat and cultural events marked the state's 71st Republic Day event held at Rajkot in Saurashtra on Sunday. State Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, state ministers and senior government were present at the function held at the Racecourse Ground. A large number of people were present to witness the event held in the morning. After unfurling the tricolour, the governor inspected the guard of honour in an open jeep, with Rupani accompanying him. The governor received salute from 28 platoons. As many as 922 policemen took part in the event along with the platoons of Indian Army, Indian Coast Guard, police commandos, and state reserve police jawans, among others. Teams of policemen and policewomen performed daredevil stunts on motorcycles and horses. School students presented various cultural programmes. Tableux showcasing the achievements of the state were also part of the parade. Talking to reporters later, Rupani said, "Parade, cultural events and stunts by police were part of the Republic Day function in Rajkot. It was celebrated in a very enthusiastic way." The Republic Day was also celebrated with fervour in other parts of the state. A group of senior citizens and children unfurled the tricolour by standing in sea water off Porbandar coast, while students of Jamnagar took out a 'tiranga yatra' holding 111- metre long national flag. Political parties also celebrated the day at their party headquarters in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina's Economy Minister Martin Guzman will meet with International Monetary Fund and U.S. Treasury officials when he travels to New York on Sunday, as the South American country looks to revive growth and renegotiate its debts. Guzman, an acolyte of frequent IMF critic Joseph Stiglitz will meet with the Fund's Argentine mission head Luis Cubeddu, as well as analysts, investors and U.S. officials, local newspaper La Nacion said on Saturday citing government sources. Argentina is facing tense renegotiation over around $100 billion in sovereign debt, including with the IMF, which will be critical for the major grains exporter as it looks to fend off a default that would hit its access to capital markets. The trip will be Guzman's first U.S. visit since being appointed to the key economy role by center-left President Alberto Fernandez, who took office in December. It will be an opportunity to share his plans for the economy and debt. Argentina's economy ministry and the IMF did not immediately respond to request for comment. Argentina's government sent a bill to Congress this week as part of its debt restructuring plans. The major province of Buenos Aires meanwhile is negotiating with creditors to defer a $250 million payment originally due on Sunday. The South American nation, which slipped into crisis in 2018 forcing it to strike a $57 billion deal with the IMF, has said it wants to pay back its debts, but cannot do so without being given more time to revive growth. (Reporting by Lucila Sigal; Writing by Adam Jourdan, Editing by Franklin Paul) Jeddah/UNI/IBNS: Indian tricolour fluttered high in chilly Arabian skies as the nation's diplomatic mission in Saudi Arabia celebrated 71st Republic Day on Sunday. Many prominent Indians from across the states took part in the celebrations with enthusiasm. Indian envoys read out President Ram Nath Kovind's address to the nation. In Jeddah, scores of prominent community members attended an event at Indian consulate to witness the unfurling of the tricolour by Consul General Md Noor Rahman Sheikh. Clad in traditional attire, scores of Non-Resident Indians, including a large number of women, attended the celebrations. In Riyadh, most community members thronged Indian embassy to celebrate the 71st Republic Day.The nation's Ambassador Ausaf Sayeed hoisted the flag. Dance of peacock with background of a girl posing as Bharat Mata attracted many. Earlier, various cultural programmes performed by students kept attendance captive for hours. Colourful cultural programmes were held a day earlier in Riyadh to mark the event, where a popular Bhangra troupe flew in from India to Riyadh to perform. Celebrations are being held in Indian schools and some community organisations across the Kingdom as well. Embassy of India in Saudi Arabia also organised a cultural evening on the eve of the 71st Reublic Day. Its so important to me to go out and follow my dreams, reach for the stars, but then at the same time, come back home and show everybody here like, Hey, if you want to be an actor, you can do it, she said. That applies for any profession, whether as a doctor or teacher in Bryan or elsewhere, she added. Pederson said she is proud to have two of her alumni and three Bryan natives bringing the movie to their home. Im just super proud that its kind of come full circle back around to have them, to have our kids here who are from Bryan in the film, she said. It just kind of makes it all real. After 21 years of Nikki Pederson Talent, she said, it is fun to have that work lead back to Bryan, where the community can be involved. Then, when it makes it on television, the community can see it, and they recognize the buildings and theyll recognize the people and the extras, and its fun, she said. Rodriguez advised young actors to find what they are passionate about and find a program they like that will support that. In the era of Satya Nadella, Microsoft has transformed from a company that once acted as a near-monopoly with its proprietary operating system to a business that embraces partnerships and teams up with former rivals. Peter Lee, the corporate vice president for Microsoft Healthcare, said that same ethos of openness endorsed by Nadella is now needed in the health-care industry, where a battle is raging over whether patients should be able to get easy access to their medical data and share it with the app makers of their choice. "When it comes to interoperability, Satya is enlightened," Lee said in an interview. Nadella took over as Microsoft CEO in 2014, and sparked a massive rally in the stock as he pushed the company to the cloud. Lee sees a parallel in the health-care industry. The Department of Health and Human Services proposed the regulatory changes last year to keep companies from blocking patient information. "When the rules were proposed, we made a comment endorsing the technical choices," Lee said. "Directionally, we think these rules are correct because they're based on modern data standards." He said that Josh Mandel, Microsoft's chief architect, suggested a few tweaks. The changes, if approved, would update the 21st-Century Cures Act, signed in 2016 to accelerate the development of new cures for disease. They would make medical records accessible through application programming interfaces (APIs), enabling a wider swath of health developers to build apps that could make the data available. Many patient advocates and doctors have joined Microsoft in speaking out in favor of the regulation, but among the opponents is Judy Faulkner, the CEO of Epic Systems, one of the top medical records providers. On Wednesday, Faulkner sent a letter to executives from some of the largest U.S. hospitals, which are also Epic customers, asking them to reject such interoperability, on concern that patient privacy could be compromised and that costs would go up for health systems to meet the regulatory requirements. "Epic's focus is on saving lives and helping people get and stay well," a company spokesperson said in an email. "Our goal is to work with HHS to help make the proposed rule a good one. We hope that the rule will safeguard privacy of data, especially for family members who will not know that their health information has been shared." Politico reported on Friday that Faulkner is now considering a lawsuit if HHS finalizes the data-sharing regulations. Microsoft is in a sensitive spot. The software giant has tight relationships with Epic and Cerner, another large medical record vendor, particularly as those companies move workloads to the cloud. But Microsoft stands to benefit if the health-care industry makes it easier for patients to store and access their medical data from smartphones and cloud-based apps and if doctors can more simply exchange that data with providers at other hospitals. A Cerner representative told CNBC in a statement that it supports the "spirit of the proposed rule." During the public comment period, Microsoft and Google shared their views with lawmakers. Microsoft said that "advances in care and outcomes cannot be achieved without improvements in the state of interoperability between various systems and stakeholders in the health care ecosystem." A YOUNG, fresh voice is needed in the Limerick County constituency, according to Renua candidate, John Dalton who is the latest candidate to throw his hat into the general election ring. And Mr Dalton, from Glin, aims to be that young, fresh voice for the people of Limerick, putting family, community and country first. A lot has changed in our country in the past number of years, he says. Like many, I want better for our County, better than what this government is offering. Weve a terrible decline in our rural communities, farming is on its knees, and weve record levels of people on hospital trolleys with over half a million on hospital waiting lists. Weve carers subject to a postcode lottery, our youth are scattered to the four winds leaving a generational gap and we have a massive housing crisis and over ten thousand homeless. Our traditional value system is cast aside leaving depression in our younger generation at an all time high and a crime wave across the nation that is out of control. But, Mr Dalton believes, the county can get back on the right track but only Renua has the policies to achieve that. We wont be taking no for an answer when it comes to fighting for what matters most to the people of this country, he states. Our pro family, pro community and pro country polices are just whats needed right now. The first case of the Wuhan coronavirus in Canada has been announced, with one person confirmed to be the a presumptive carrier of the virus following testing in Toronto. It comes as China raises the death toll of the disease to 56, after authorities in the hard-hit Hubei province reported 13 more fatalities while Hunan announced one death. State media said on Sunday that the total number of cases in the country was 1,975. Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto said it is caring for a patient who has a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China. Dr David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health, said they are 95 per cent sure it is the virus after lab testing was done in Ontario. Officials said the man is his 50s and recently flew from Wuhan, China to Guangzhou, China and then on to Toronto on 23 January. Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Show all 154 1 /154 Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Paramedics wearing personal protective equipment carry patient on a stretcher on to an ambulance in North Point district in Hong Kong, China Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker wearing protective gear takes a rest as he waits for ambulances carrying patients infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus at an entrance of a hospital in Daegu, South Korea YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker sprays disinfectant on an ambulance after carrying a patient infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Daegu YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People wearing protective face masks shop at a supermarket in Casalpusterlengo, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown due to the new coronavirus outbreak EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A trolley bus is disinfected amid fears over the spread of the novel coronavirus in Pyongyang, North Korea REUTERS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers wearing protective gear spray disinfectant as a precaution against the COVID-19 coronavirus in a local market in Daegu, South Korea AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a protective facemask walks outside a nearly empty shopping mall at lunch time in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing protective facemask and gloves puts a drawing made by a girl living in the area asking residents to wear protective gear, next to a quarantine notice for people who have travelled and a notice asking people to register outside a residential compound in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman is taken into an ambulance amid a coronavirus outbreak in northern Italy REUTERS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ambulances and health workers are seen outside the Padua's hospital, northern Italy EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers in coaches leave MoD Boscombe Down in Wiltshire after being repatriated to the UK from a cruise ship hit by the coronavirus in Yokohama, Japan and head to Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside PA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People rest in a temporary hospital situated in the Tazihu Gymnasium in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Buddhist monks wearing protective face masks pray during a blessing ceremony for the people affected by the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, at a temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia REUTERS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers wearing protective gears carry a patient infecting with a new coronavirus to a hospital in Chuncheon, South Korea AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Soldiers in hazmat suits sanitize cargo from a China Airlines plane at the Taoyuan International Airport in Taoyuan City, Taiwan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Barricades are seen to block the entrance a the gate of a local mall in a nearly empty area in Beijing, China Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A vendor wearing a protective facemask waits for customers at a shop in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The body temperature of an Iraqi child returning from Iran is measured upon her arrival at the Najaf International Airport AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Volunteers hand out free facemasks at a shopping district in Quezon city, Metro Manila, Philippines Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers wearing protective gears carry a patient suspected of contracting the new coronavirus toward an ambulance at Daenam Hospital in Cheongdo, South Korea AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A worker disinfects a shop at a market in Shanghai AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A restaurant worker wearing protective clothing as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus passing a bag of food to a customer on the street outside their restaurant in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A recovered patient is discharged from Leishenshan Hospital, the newly-built makeshift hospital for novel coronavirus patients, in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Volunteers in protective suits disinfect a factory with sanitising equipment in Huzhou, China China Daily via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers in protective suits attend to a patient inside an isolated ward of Wuhan Red Cross Hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A drone operated by the Suwon municipal government flies around Changyong Middle School spraying disinfectant, in Suwon, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers transfer medical waste at Leishenshan Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a protective mask rides a bicycle with his children in Guangzhou, China EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Volunteers in protective suits disinfect a railway station as the country is hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus, in Changsha, Hunan province, China cnsphoto via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman repatriated from Wuhan carries a child as she walks upon her arrival at the Van Don airport in Vietnam's Quang Ninh province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff checking the body temperature of a patient who has displayed mild symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus, at an exhibition centre converted into a hospital in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker in protective suit transports oxygen tanks at Wuhan Red Cross Hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Boys wearing protection masks, gloves and modified water bottles sit on a cart at the airport arrival terminal in Guangzhou EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Employees work on a production line manufacturing protective suits at a clothing factory in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province cnsphoto via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers in protective suits move a patient at an isolated ward of a hospital in Caidian district following an outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan China Daily via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A worker in protective clothing, including face mask and gloves, carries a bucket as he works inside of The County Oak Medical Centre in Brighton, southern England, after it closed for "urgent operational health and safety reasons", following reports a member of staff was infected with the strain of the novel coronavirus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers of the ecology and environment bureau collect samples from the sewage system of a hospital in Xinle, Hebei province China Daily via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man in protective clothing cleaning the County Oak Medical Centre GP practice The British government warned the outbreak of novel coronavirus was a "serious and imminent threat" and reported four new cases that brought the total recorded in the country to eight. Two hospitals The Royal Free and Guys and St Thomas', have both been designated as "isolation" facilities, with both currently housing Britons who have returned from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak PA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to the newly completed Huoshenshan temporary field Hospital in Wuhan. The global coronavirus death toll rose again with Hong Kong announcing its first death from the outbreak on 4 February EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of staff wait as coaches carrying Coronavirus evacuees arrive at Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre, in Milton Keynes, after being repatriated to the UK from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan PA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A crew member of the cruise ship Diamond Princess talks to a worker wearing protective gear standing near the vessel, where dozens of passengers were tested positive for coronavirus, at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Doctors scan a patient's lungs at Huoshenshan temporary hospital built for patients diagnosed with coronavirus in Wuhan Xinhua News Agency/AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People wearing protective suits walk from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, with around 3,600 people quarantined onboard due to fears of the new coronavirus, at the Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Indonesians who arrived from Wuhan are sprayed with antiseptic at Hang Nadim Airport in Batam. People evacuated from the Chinese city at the centre of a deadly virus outbreak, were transported to a quarantine zone on a remote island at the edge of the South China Sea, shortly after landing Indonesian Foreign Ministry via AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman wears a protective mask as she shops in a market in Beijing Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members hugging each other in an isolation ward at a hospital in Zouping in China's easter Shandong province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A portrait of Dr Li Wenliang is left at Li's hospital in Wuhan. He is regarded a whistleblower on the outbreak and died of the coronavirus which triggered wide-spread mourning on Chinese media Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Officers in protective gear enter the cruise ship Diamond Princess, where people tested positive for coronavirus, after the ship arrived at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, south of Tokyo Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Firefighters and personnel from the health ministry participate in a drill to prepare for the potential arrival of passengers infected with the coronavirus at the Viru Viru International Airport, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Scientists are at work in the VirPath university laboratory as they try to find an effective treatment against the new Sars-like coronavirus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers in protective suits attend to patients at the Wuhan International Conference and Exhibition Center, which has been converted into a makeshift hospital to receive patients with mild symptoms caused by the virus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A girl wears a mask as a preventive measure against the coronavirus outbreak, in Bangkok, Thailand Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man is transferred from the World Dream cruise ship to an ambulance at the Kai Tak cruise terminal in Hong Kong as health officials conduct inspections AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers from a disinfection service company enter Lotte Department Store in central Seoul, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man who arrived from Hubei province talks with police at a checkpoint at the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor holds a handheld digital thermometer near health officials preparing a health check for arriving passengers from China at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A resident walks across an empty track in Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A scientific staff member works in a secure laboratory, researching the coronavirus, at the Pasteur Institute in Dakar AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members preparing equipment to meet passengers of a military plane, which evacuated citizens of Russia and ex-Soviet countries from China's Wuhan province Vsluh.ru via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff wearing protective suits as they prepare to disinfect a Vietnam Airlines plane at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi Vietnam Airlines/AFP/Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A South Korean person, who was evacuated from Wuhan, arrives at the National Medical Center after showing suspected symptoms of novel coronavirus, in Seoul EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Officers in protective gear escort a person (under the blue sheet) who was on board cruise ship Diamond Princess and was tested positive for coronavirus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor being disinfected by his colleague at a quarantine zone in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Buses carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan, arrive at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Indonesian health officials conduct an exercise drill in transporting a patient requiring isolation at the Belawan port in Medan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The Pasteur Institute in Dakar, designated by the African Union as one of the two reference centres in Africa for the detection of the new coronavirus that appeared in China, is hosting experts from 15 countries on the continent this weekend to prepare them to deal with the disease AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A government worker disinfects a co-worker after visiting a quarantined woman's home in Qingdao EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An aerial view of the deserted roads and bridges in Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers hold a strike outside the Hospital Authority as they demand for Hong Kong to close its border with China to reduce the coronavirus spreading Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A person has their tempriture checked in Qingdao, China EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. Note the spikes that adorn the outer surface of the virus, which impart the look of a corona surrounding the virion, when viewed electron microscopically Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Malaysian nationals being directed from a bus by health officials in protective suits as they arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, after being evacuated from Wuhan Malaysia's Ministry of Health/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People hoping to buy face masks crowd outside a medical supply shop that was raided by police for allegedly hoarding and overpricing the masks, as public fear over China's Wuhan Coronavirus grow in Manila, Philippines. The Philippine government has been heavily criticized after failing to immediately implement travel restrictions from China, the source of a deadly coronavirus that has now killed hundreds and infected thousands more Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Residents wearing masks and raincoats volunteer to take temperature of passengers following the outbreak of a new coronavirus at a bus stop at Tin Shui Wai, a border town in Hong Kong Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Italian citizens repatriated from Wuhan going though a health control zone after landing at the Mario De Bernardi military airport in Pratica di Mare, south of Rome, prior to be placed in quarantine Italian Defence Ministry/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers arrange beds in a 2,000-bed mobile hospital, set up in an exhibition center, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor checks conditions of occupants in a hotel accommodating isolated people in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members wearing protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus which began in the city of Wuhan, arrive with a patient at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital. The Chinese army deployed medical specialists to the epicentre of the spiralling viral outbreak that has killed and spread around the world AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A baby wearing a protective face mask is pushed by a woman as they arrive from Shenzhen to Hong Kong at Lo Wu MTR station AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A health worker checks the temperature of a woman entering a subway station in Beijing Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A young child wears a protective mask and is covered in plastic while waiting to check in to a flight at Beijing Capital Airport The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday declared the coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ambulance crews arrive at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, as it prepares for a return flight from Wuhan, China. Eighty-three Britons and 27 foreign nationals who were trapped in Wuhan are being flown back to the UK Tom Maddick / SWNS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman carries a baby wearing a protective mask as they exit the arrival hall at Hong Kong High Speed Rail Station Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Camp beds at a Medical Assessment Center set up at the airport in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on the eve of the arrival of German citizens evacuated from Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Funeral parlour staff members in protective suits help a colleague with disinfection after they transferred a body at a hospital in Wuhan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Muslims wearing masks pray for the victims of coronavirus at a mosque in Ahmedabad, India Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical officials waiting for people who wants to check the novel coronavirus at Myeongdong shopping district Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Children wear plastic bottles as makeshift homemade protection and protective masks while waiting to check in to a flight at Beijing Capital Airport Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A patient assisted by medical staff gets off an ambulance in Wuhan AFP/Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People line up to buy face masks from a medical supply company in Nanning, southern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Countries began evacuating their citizens from the Chinese city hardest-hit by a new virus that has now infected more people in China than were sickened in the country by SARS Chinatopix via AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Millions spent their normally festive Lunar New Year holiday under lockdown Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Children with face masks wash their hands before prayer at Erawan shrine in Bangkok. Thailand has detected eight Coronavirus cases so far AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An Indonesian health officer points at the screen of a thermal scanner for passengers China confirmed that the deadly Wuhan coronavirus virus can be transmitted between humans AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Hospital workers wearing protective eyewear and masks examine an Indonesian student who returned from China in quarantine at a hospital in Banda Aceh AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ambulance staff dispose of an outfit at the hospital in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A person checks the temperature of a passenger to help stop the spread of a deadly virus as he arrives at the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International airport in Palembang AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Nepali students, wearing face masks, attend a class at Matribhumi School in Bhaktapur, on the outskirts of Kathmandu AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Two Buddhist monks wear face masks while walking along a street in Yangon AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff disinfecting a residential area in Ruichang, part of Jiujiang in China's central Jiangxi province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers are seen at the construction site of a new hospital being built to treat patients from a deadly virus outbreak in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 27, 2020. - China is rushing to build a new hospital in a staggering 10 days to treat patients at the epicentre of a deadly virus outbreak that has stricken thousands of people, state media reported on January 24. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images) HECTOR RETAMAL AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Vapor blurs the goggles of an ambulance driver while they work, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers producing facemasks at a factory in Yangzhou AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff getting on an ambulance in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A vendor of traditional masks wears a facial mask at his shop in Thamel EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An airport official checks the temperature of a passenger upon his arrival at the Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members arrive with a patient at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An ambulance driver talking with medical staff in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Wuhan Hygiene Emergency Response Team leave the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market The new coronavirus appears to have its origins in a seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, a popular transport hub AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers produce protective suits at a factory in Nantong AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers scanned by thermal imaging for body temperature as they go through health measures and procedures after they landed at Rome's Fiumicino airport on a southern airlines flight from Wuhan Aeroporto Di Roma/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A Thai royal guard wears a mask while on duty at the Grand Palace in Bangkok EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a face mask rides a nearly empty subway train in Beijing AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A shopper wearing goggles with a face mask and gloves uses a self checkout machine at a supermarket in Wuhan AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jinyintan hospital EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of the Italian Red Cross putting on protective gear, getting ready to give health checks to passengers that landed at Rome's Fiumicino airport on a southern airlines flight from Wuhan Aeroporto Di Roma/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A member of the Hong Kong government's Civil Aid Service gestures at the entrance to the Lady MacLehose Holiday Village which is being used as one of two quarantine centres for people who have been in close proximity with suspected cases of a SARS-type virus. Hong Kong will turn two holiday camps, including a former military barracks, into quarantine zones for people who may have come into contact with carriers of the Wuhan virus, officials announced AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff wearing protective suits at the Zhongnan hospital in Wuhan STR/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A Malaysia Health official checks passengers going through a thermal scanner upon their arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff disinfecting Yingtan North Railway Station, China China banned trains and planes from leaving the major city at the centre of a virus outbreak on January 23, seeking to seal off its 11 million people to contain the contagious disease that has claimed lives and spread to other countries AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A passenger walks past a quarantine control station at Narita airport, Japan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Patients queue up to seek treatment in Wuhan Tongji Hospital Fever Clinic, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Quarantine workers spray disinfectant at Incheon International Airport, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A member of staff checks the temperature of a guest entering the casino of the New Orient Landmark hotel in Macau, after it reported its first case of the new SARS-like virus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jin Yintan hospital Little is known about the new disease which, if confirmed, would be only the seventh coronavirus known to science that can infect humans Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of the Three Gorges Medical Laboratory offering free masks to the public in Yichang, China AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Gabriel Leung, right, chair professor of public health medicine at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong, speaks about the extent of the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak in China AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of staff of the Wuhan Hygiene Emergency Response Team conducting searches on the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A quarantine officer at Incheon International Airport, South Korea, uses an electronic thermometer to check the temperature of passengers arriving by plane from Wuhan The virus causes symptoms of viral pneumonia, and has already led to several deaths EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A screen shows cancelled flights at Tianhe airport in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jinyintan hospital EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Health officials hand out information about the current coronavirus at Kuala Lumpur International Airport AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A store owner argues with security guards as he attempts to enter the closed Huanan wholesale seafood market AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers producing facemasks at a factory in Handan, China's northern Hebei province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff and security personnel stop patients' family members from being too close to the Jinyintan hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus maya-goodfellowAn airport staff member uses a temperature gun to check people leaving Wuhan Tianhe International Airport AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A rescue worker walks past a notice about new coronavirus that has broken out in China Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Health officials wear face masks at an inspection site at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members carry a patient into the Jinyintan hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A staff member checks body temperature of a child after a train from Wuhan arrived at Hangzhou Railway Station in Hangzhou AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A quarantine station measures passenger body temperatures at Narita Airport JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers walk past a notice displayed near a quarantine control station at Narita airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers walk past a poster alerting on coronavirus screening ahead upon their arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An employee sprays disinfectant on a train, as a precaution against coronavirus, at Suseo Station in Seoul EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Kazakh sanitary-epidemiological service worker uses a thermal scanner to detect travellers from China who may have symptoms possibly connected with the previously unknown coronavirus, at Almaty International Airport, Kazakhstan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Pharmacist Liu Zhuzhen stands near a sign reading "face masks are sold out" at her pharmacy in Shanghai AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A worker in a protective suit at the closed seafood market in Wuhan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers wear protective face masks at the departure hall of a high speed train station in Hong Kong AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A notice for passengers from Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wears a mask while riding on mobike past the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market Getty He really wasnt in Toronto very long. He wasnt feeling well. I think he was at home and the people that live with him are in self isolation, said Dr Barbara Yafe, Ontarios Associated Chief Medical Officer. On Saturday, Australia and Malaysia reported their first cases of the disease four each while Japan announced a third. The incidents follow on from the first cases in Europe being confirmed by France on Friday night, and a second instance of the virus in the US. In 2003, Toronto was among those to be affected by the SARS outbreak, with 44 patients dying in the area. A total of 438 were sickened across Canada. Dr Eileen de Villa, Torontos Medical Officer of Health, said: It is understandable that people may be concerned with todays news of our first case and that people may worry, but I assure you that based on the lessons we learned from SARS now 17 years ago, and given our experiences during the flu pandemic of 2009 and more recently, with Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome, we have learned, shared knowledge and built a stronger public health system that is ready to respond, as needed. One of our main roles in public health is to manage the spread of infectious diseases like this one and keep our residents safe and healthy. We will continue to actively monitor this situation with our provincial and national health colleagues and update the public, as needed. By PTI NEW DELHI: The External Affairs Ministry said on Sunday that as of now no Indian in China has been affected by the coronavirus outbreak and the embassy in Beijing is in close touch with all Indians, including university students, in Wuhan and elsewhere in Hubei province. The death toll in the deadly new coronavirus in China rose to 56 on Sunday with confirmed cases of viral affliction reaching 2,008, including 23 from aborad. The pneumonia outbreak was first reported in Wuhan City, central China's Hubei Province, in December 2019. READ| Novel coronavirus reaches Indo-Nepal border The city of 11 million has been in quarantine since Thursday -- with nobody allowed to leave as the government tries to contain its spread. Apart from Wuhan, 12 other cities have been completely sealed by the Chinese authorities to stop the virus from spreading. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is closely monitoring the situation, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. "We are also closely coordinating with Chinese authorities. As of now, we understand that no Indian citizens have been affected by the outbreak and that food and water supplies are available to them," Kumar tweeted. He said the Indian Embassy in China has also made operational three helplines to respond to any concerns of Indians in that country. "Our embassy in Beijing is in close touch with Indian citizens including students to extend assistance, including on possible travel options out of Hubei province," the MEA spokesperson said in another tweet. He said the Indian embassy and Consulates General in China are working with Chinese authorities to try and facilitate Indian citizens caught up in these "difficult circumstances". Earlier on Sunday, Jaishankar said the Indian Embassy in Beijing is constantly checking on the health and well-being of Indians in China. The world's first dating app exclusively for British and Irish expats has launched in Australia, helping users find their soulmates by connecting them with others who have left home for a new life overseas. Swanned, the brainchild of British entrepreneurs Natalie Smith, 36, and Isla Cameron, 38, aims to eliminate the off-putting challenges of dating in a foreign country by linking people with similar life experience and shared interests. The app, which is being rolled out in Sydney, makes it easier to build lasting relationships thanks to a variety of features which help singletons find a partner with an understanding of their heritage and past, and a common goal for the future. Swanned - the world's first dating app exclusively for British and Irish expats - has launched in Sydney, helping users find their soulmates by connecting them with others who have left home for a new life overseas (stock image) Each profile reveals how long the user has lived in Australia and if they intend to stay, to reduce the risk of falling for someone who is preparing to return to Europe. A 'hometown' section which publicly lists your place of origin acts as a conversation starter and allows users to narrow searches to people from their native area, if they so wish. UK and Irish focused personal preference questions like 'cup or tea or vodka martini?' and 'raver or behaver?' help people find potential partners with similar interests. Character filters allow users to say what they want from the outset, through 'make or break' traits like 'non-smoker', 'early bird' and 'night owl' to avoid wasted hours of chat between singletons who simply aren't suited. And unlike traditional apps like Tinder, where matching is a constant guessing game, Swanned users can see who has liked them up front without endless hours of swiping. How Swanned finds your soulmate Hometown feature: Seeing another user comes from the same area as you is a great conversation starter. Each profile will clearly feature the user's hometown to get the chat flowing. Plans for the future: Each user's profile shows how long they have lived here and their intentions for staying to help pair up with others on the same page. Because it's never fun to fall in love with someone who is about to leave. UK and Irish focused questions: The app features personality questions with British & Irish twists, such as 'cup or tea of vodka martini?' or 'raver or behaver?' to help users find others that have similar interests. See who fancies you straight away: On Swanned, users can see upfront who has liked them, unlike Tinder where matching is a guessing game. Filter out what you don't want: Want to date a non-smoker? Prefer early-birds to night-owls? Swanned makes it easy to set the things that matter to you. Source: Swanned Advertisement 'Well over a million Brits and Irish live in Australia, and from our research we found that many people wanted to meet someone who, like them, was a blend of cultures,' co-founders Ms Smith and Ms Cameron said. 'Moving to the other side of the world can be very disorientating. It can be one of the most exciting experiences, but it can also be really unsettling without having friends and family around. 'Swanned gives those in a similar position an easy platform to expand their circle of friends and form relationships with those who have a similar background.' Unlike traditional apps like Tinder, where matching is a constant guessing game, Swanned users can see who has liked them up front without endless hours of swiping But while Swanned is primarily aimed at British and Irish people living outside the UK and Republic of Ireland, the founders stress that the app is perfect for anyone with a romantic interest in either nationality. 'Anyone with an affinity to the British or Irish is invited to download [Swanned],' Ms Cameron said. 'The app is marketed to a certain group, but anyone can join.' Following its Australian launch, Swanned plans to expand across Asia and the Middle East, focusing on expat hubs like Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai. The app can be downloaded on iTunes or from the Google Play store. Nestle have announced a new snack that is sure to make chocolate-lovers salivate with anticipation. The brand is releasing three mouth-watering new flavours of its beloved Smarties buttons, which are due to hit stores in the UK and Ireland this week. The tasty treats will now come in milk, white and orange chocolate, and will all be filled with bits of the beloved chocolaty treat. A sharing pack of 90g will cost 1.59, while 32.5g single pouches will set you back 65p. Tesco is already selling the white chocolate and milk chocolate flavours online for 1. Meanwhile, the orange chocolate edition will only available to buy from Asda, and weighs 85g. Nestle is releasing Smarties buttons in three different flavours this week. The treats are available in milk, white and orange chocolate Fans could not contain their excitement, with some joking they would not be sharing any of the treats and keep them to themselves Nestle announced the release of this most welcome twist on Smarties 83 years after the snacks were first released in 1937. On Twitter, the food giant wore: 'It's real! SMARTIES BUTTONS have arrived in milk, white & orange chocolate! Who will you be sharing them with?'. And Smarties fans could not contain their excitement and immediately asked where they could find the delicious snacks. 'Where are you?' asked one with a gif. Nestle announced the release of its new treats on Twitter, where excited fans immediately where they could find them Another joked they wouldn't be sharing any of them and rather keep the buttons to themselves. 'Sharing, nope,' joked one. The treats are made in the giant's Fawdon factory, located near Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles and Jelly Tots, Rolo, Caramac, Munchies and Toffee Crisp are also made at this location. Alberto Pisanello, Brand Manager for Smarties, said: 'We know that Smarties hold special memories for so many people, and they are much loved for their bright colours, taste and texture. At the same time, consumers tell us they like their favourite brands to keep things fresh with exciting innovations and new varieties to try. 'Our Smarties Buttons offer all the fun, colour and crunch of Smarties, enveloped in a delicious smooth milk, white or orange-flavoured chocolate button. It's Smarties reimagined, and we are tremendously excited to introduce this new addition to the family. We hope fans love them as much as we do!' Jack Monroe has reassured fans who were concerned the food writer didn't appreciate Eamonn Holmes 'hugging all the time' on This Morning today. The British cook, 31, who identifies as non-binary, revealed that the Northern Irish host, 60, had 'asked if he could put his arm around them' before appearing on the cooking segment. It came after Twitter followers suggested the food writer would feel uncomfortable with the hug shared between the two. Jack Monroe (pictured left) has reassured fans who were concerned the food writer didn't appreciate Eamonn Holmes (right) 'hugging all the time' on This Morning today It came after Twitter followers (pictured) suggested the food writer would feel uncomfortable with the hug shared between the two One person wrote: 'First time I've seen you on TV and you were so lovely and fresh. Will definitely try the curry. Hope you didn't mind Eamonn hugging you all the time.' Another individual said: 'Don't know how you could even stomach being near that creep never mind him touching your shoulder.' But Jack was quick to respond, explaining that Eamonn was like their 'telly dad' and 'it's totally cool.' One person (top) said: 'Don't know how you could even stomach being near that creep never mind him touching your shoulder.' But Jack was quick to respond, explaining that Eamonn was like their 'telly dad' and 'it's totally cool.' Jack reassured fans that Eamonn had asked if he could put his arm around the food writer They wrote on Twitter this morning: 'Honestly it's fine, I'm very clear about who can touch me and who can't and I okayed it. He literally asked if it was OK before he did and I said yes.' In a further tweet, they added: 'I really don't want my lovely morning overshadowed by this but I want to be clear, Eamonn asked me first if he could put his arm round me and I said yes. 'I have absolute boundaries about my personal space and enthusiastically consented. He's like my telly dad. It's totally OK.' Jack (pictured) presented the cooking segment on the ITV programme this morning - showcasing three recipes from their book Vegan(ish) Jack presented the cooking segment on the ITV programme this morning - showcasing three recipes from their book Vegan(ish). For five pound, the chef offered 12 plates of food in the form of three meals, including salmon, pea and lemon pasta, fruit and veg curry, and mustard chicken with winter veg. Following the end of the cooking segment, Eamonn commented: 'It's amazing what you do... that you can make the money stretch and that you can make the seem food so lovely, favourable and nutritious.' The host then offered the food writer an affectionate hug as the programme came to a close. By Express News Service THOOTHUKUDI: The one-man commission, probing into the Thoothukudi police firing incident, is likely to question actor Rajinikanth for his remarks in a press conference on the anti-Sterlite protesters, said advocate Vadivel Murugan on behalf of the commission here on Saturday. Murugan said that some of the witnesses submitted a transcription of Rajinikanths press conference, demanding to question him. The actors statements are being scrutinised by the commission and he will be summoned if necessary, he said. In the upcoming investigation, the commission would be summoning police personnel, Sterlite employees, forensic experts, doctors who performed postmortem examination, and private doctors who treated the injured, he added. The commission, headed by retired justice Aruna Jegadeesan, has concluded its 18th phase of the investigation, which began on January 22, on Saturday in Thoothukudi. Addressing media persons, the advocate said that the commission has so far questioned 445 people out of the 704 summoned. Financial aid soon The commission had recommended for financial assistance to those who were injured, arrested, and remanded in connection with the incident. The process of extending assistance to some of them is underway, he said. Murugan said that the commission had sought the details on the whereabouts of 108 ambulances, fire service vehicle on the day of incident, but the department is yet to submit details. BEIJING It took thousands of infections and scores of deaths from a mysterious virus for Chinas authoritarian leader to publicly say what had become glaringly obvious to many in recent weeks: The country is facing a grave public health crisis. After his declaration, the leader, Xi Jinping, put China on a virtual war footing to cope with the unfolding epidemic of the coronavirus. He convened an extraordinary session of the Communist Partys top political body, issuing orders for handling the crisis with the crisp, somber stoicism of a field marshal. Were sure to be able to win in this battle, he proclaimed on Saturday before his six grim-faced colleagues on the partys Politburo Standing Committee. The trial, which concluded last week with convictions for everyone, brought to light one of Frances paradoxes when it comes to handling such cases. The government wants to prosecute terrorism suspects, hoping to prevent them from falling through legal cracks and trying to piece together how the networks operated for evidence in future trials against the living. But it does not want the trials conducted on its territory. Since 2018, France has instead been at the forefront of the European negotiations with the Iraqi government to have European jihadists tried there, with only modest success. With public opinion firmly against bringing home those who left to fight with the Islamic State, France has agreed to take back only some of its jihadists. The country was a significant provider of foreign Islamic State fighters, with around 1,000 people estimated to have left to join the militant group from 2012 to 2015. Jean-Charles Brisard, director of the Center for the Analysis of Terrorism, a Paris-based research organization, said about 80 French Islamic State fighters were still detained in Iraq and Syria. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid homage to the fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the newly-built War Memorial (NWM) at India Gate here ahead of the 71st Republic Day celebrations. The Prime Minister was received at the war memorial by the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the first-ever Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Army Chief Gen Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh, Air Force Chief Air Marshal RKS Bhaduria. The NWM, which was inaugurated in February last year by PM Modi, has been built in memory of the soldiers who laid down their lives for the country post-independence. After the Prime Minister laid the wreath, the Guard Commander gave Salami Shastra. Modi also wrote his message in the visitor's book at the War Memorial. The Prime Minister and other dignitaries are now heading towards the saluting dais at the Rajpath, where he will be received for the Republic Day celebration. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On Saturday, the Government of India announced the Padma Shri Awards 2020, which included the names of 6 foreign personalities. Padma Awards is one of the highest civilians honours of the country, conferred in three categories namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The Awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. READ: Govt announces Padma Shri Awards 2020: Here is all you need to know about the 21 awardees Here is the full list of the foreigners who won the prestigious awards- 1. Ms. Gloria Arieira from - Literature and Education - Brazil Among the two Brazilian who won this prestigious awards is Ms Gloria Arieira. A resident of Rio De Janerio in Brazil, Arieira is a Sanskrit scholar and Vedanta teacher. Arieira was awarded for her contribution to literature and education. 2. Ms. Lia Diskin - Social Work- Brazil Ms. Lia Diskin, an Argentine was the second Brazilian to receive this honour for her contribution to social work. Diskin, a Gandhian, has been disseminating Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy in Brazil and Latin America for almost 30 years. 3. Shri Barry Grinder- Public Affairs- United Kingdom Barry Gardiner is the Labour MP for Brent North (UK Parliament Constituency) and has been an MP continuously since 1 May 1997. He currently undertakes the roles of Shadow Minister (Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) (Energy and Climate Change), and Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade. READ: Padma Awards: Kangana Ranaut, Adnan Sami and others receive top honors, full list here 4. Shri Enamul Haque - Others, Archaeology- Bangladesh Haque, who specializes in museology, served the Dhaka Museum for decades and rose to be the founder-director general of the Bangladesh National Museum. 5. Dr. Tetsu Nakamura- Social Work- Afghanistan Japanese medical doctor and aid worker Tetsu Nakamura has been posthumously honoured for his humanitarian work in Afghanistan. Nakamura died on December 4 after being ambushed by gunmen in the city of Jalalabad. He had worked in the country for decades, providing humanitarian aid and helping with reconstruction efforts. 6. Shri Robert Thurman- Literature and Education- USA An American Buddhist author & academic who has written, edited, & translated several books on Tibetan Buddhism & is the Je Tsongkhapa Professor of Indo- Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University, has been awarded Padma Shri. He is also the father of Uma Thurman. 7. Shri Bob Blackman -- Public Affairs -- United Kingdom UKs Member of Parliament (MP), Bob Blackman, was awarded with Padma Shri for the current year. Shri Blackman was the first British MP to take his oath on Bhagavad Gita for his tenure. READ: PM Modi to Bal Puraskar awardees: 'Amazed to see what you achieved at such tender age' READ: Padma Awards: Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, George Fernandes honoured posthumously (Image Credits: Social Media, AP) Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said he believes the possibility of a Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein coalition will be discussed after the general election. Speaking at an economics conference in Kerry, Mr Ahern said voters will determine the make up of the next Dail and suggested a coalition of the two parties will form part of the debate. People change their minds very rapidly in elections so we will wait until mid February, see what the numbers look like, and then see how the cards are played but I think it is an issue we will be talking about next month, he said. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has firmly ruled out going into government with Sinn Fein as has Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Speaking on the campaign trail, Mr Varadkar said Sinn Fein TDs do not make the key decisions in the party. Its made by an Ard Comhairle and we dont think thats proper in a democratic society, he said. He also said he was concerned by Sinn Feins stance on seeking to abolish the special criminal court was a step too far for Fine Gael. Sinn Fein recently said they want to review the special criminal court system rather than abolish them. Tourists walk in front of the HCMC People's Committee building in January 2019. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Nguyen. Hanoi does much better than HCMC on crime and safety perceptions, but corruption and bribery are seen as major problems in both cities. The indices are compiled by Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database of reported consumer prices, perceived crime rates, quality of health care, among other statistics. Vietnam's capital city stood 155th on the list with a "low" crime index of 38.25 while the southern metropolis had a "moderate" crime index of 53.25, ranking 275th, according to 2020 data posted on the Numbeo website. The ranking measures the level of crime and safety in 375 cities around the world based on public perceptions. The crime index is an estimation of overall level of crime in a given city or a country. Crime levels up to 40 are considered low, between 40 and 60 as moderate, between 60 and 80 as high and higher than 80 as being very high. According to Numbeo, the level of crime in Hanoi is 33.23, much lower than in HCMC at 52.64. In terms of the increase in crime rates over the past three years, the southern metropolis ranks at 62.9, while Hanoi does better at 52. According to the report, people in Hanoi experienced "low" worries of homes being broken into or things being stolen, getting mugged or robbed, cars stolen and being attacked or insulted. Fears over such problems among residents in HCMC were at "moderate" levels. Hanoi was also seen as having a lower level of violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery (31.3) than HCMC (47.35). Walking alone at night in Hanoi (36.13) was seen as safer than in more dangerous than in Saigon (51.77). Drug use and property crimes such as vandalism and theft remain common problems in both cities, standing at the moderate level. While Hanoi and HCMC experience "extremely low" levels of physical attacks due to skin color, ethnicity or religious beliefs, the problem of corruption and bribery in both cities reached "very high" levels of concern. Vietnam has engaged in a massive corruption crackdown in recent years, spearheaded by Party chief and President Nguyen Phu Trong. Several high-profile government officials, top military officers and businessmen have been arrested and jailed for crimes from graft to money laundering. Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates is ranked the safest city in the world with the lowest crime index of 11.29, followed by Doha in Qatar and Taiwan's Taipei. The world's least safe city in Numbeos ranking is Venezuelan capital Caracas, followed by Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea and Pietermaritzburg in South Africa. Scott Morrison has made a rallying call in an effort to unite all sectors of the community for Australia Day. The prime minister released a four-minute video message on Sunday acknowledging the challenges, but championing the benefits, of living Down Under. 'Whether our families came here tens of thousands of years ago, generations ago as mine did on the First Fleet, or those who are taking citizenship for the first time today, we're all together as one and we can all together be proud,' he said. Mr Morrison, who will spend Sunday in Canberra, overnight named Adelaide eye surgeon James Muecke as Australian of the Year. The prime minister said Australians have had a tough start to 2020, battling bushfires, drought and flood. But in the face of adversity, Australians adapt and thrive, he added. 'We are a free, diverse and accepting people,' Mr Morrison said. 'Our way is to see the humanity of others regardless of their ethnicity or disability or age, religion, gender, all these things. We accept and embrace people for who they are. 'We are a people, as Australians, who prevail not through luck or chance or good fortune but by the efforts and intellect and willingness and determination to stand one with each other.' Mr Morrison said Australians should use January 26 to 'rededicate' themselves to 'this great land'. 'That's what we celebrate this Australia Day: families, friends, communities ancient and modern who stand by each other and have so selflessly served each other particularly during these recent times of great crisis.' In his recent interview with Politico, the main gripe from former Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin, a Democrat, is that Bernie is not a team player and maintains that Bernie will play dirty. Shumlin warned that Sanders feels no loyalty to Democrats. Well so what? The USA is beset with so many problems which have devolved from that kind of partisan loyalty, masking and enabling the still-growing corporate manipulation of government: dysfunctional failures at EPA, FDA, BLM, Department of Education, etc., all of which started long before the Trump era. Havent we seen enough of the mayhem resulting from team players over the past 40 years? Just start with the bloated Pentagon budget, which, if redirected, would pay for a legion of long overdue infrastructure improvements. Bernie is by far the CLEANEST presidential candidate to run in the 60 years since I hung literature on doors of homes in Illinois for JFK, because he is free of the baggage and the corporate trappings that have strangled any meaningful improvements in government during my adult life. I dont think for a minute that we are holier than thou, which is how Shumlin describes the Bernie team. Who is Shumlin kidding? Every politician always puts themselves first, except Bernie, who has put minorities, and the unrepresented, the disenfranchised and the suffering above all. Hes not another vassal of corporate power. Just look at the colors of the top people in his campaign. Shumlin and some of the pundits and the major networks want to blow up the gaffe with Warren, over Bernies conversation with her about whether a woman could be elected president, into something with political traction. But that wont work, because Shumlins hostile remarks are clearly acts of transparent desperation intended solely to advance Biden, whom Shumlin has endorsed. American voters are a bit smarter than to fall for that. What a refreshing breath of fresh air it will be to not have an Eternal Warmongering Commander in Chief? The U.S. has participated in at least 50 armed conflicts since 1950, always with a cost of deaths, depriving citizens of what they really need and pushing the once powerful USA into the status of second-rate nation. You can call it socialist, globalist, pacifist, or Democratic; Bernie has a large agenda, for which I believe the majority of Americans are supportive. I personally would like to see every Bernie supporter, and for that matter, any of the remaining candidates, write a letter to the editor under 200 words, and let the readers and the media know how they really think, why they support their candidate. Such a deluge of letters before the bulk of the primaries take place would liven up Americas editorial pages, get the heartfelt truth out to millions of silent readers and general fence sitters, and might even sell a lot more newspapers. Honest letters to the editor from the heart create a ripple effect in the collective political mind, and lead to victories, because of their sincerity and their impact. Remember what Thomas Jefferson wrote from Paris to Edward Carrington, Jeffersons delegate to the Continental Congress from 1786 to 1788, on the importance of a free press to keep government in check. He wrote if he had to choose between a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. Stephen Fox has a gallery in downtown Santa Fe. By Alan J. Steinberg On Tuesday, President Donald Trump will come to Wildwood to stage one of his patented rallies. The purpose of the presidents appearance is to boost the reelection prospects of Jeff Van Drew, a Democratic congressman turned Republican after he voted against Trumps impeachment on Dec. 18. Trump acolytes are claiming that the large demand for tickets to the rally is evidence of a surge in Trumps popularity in New Jersey. That is laughable and reminiscent of remarks that 1984 Democratic presidential nominee Walter Mondale made to his staff with one week to go in the campaign. He predicted a victory for himself based on the large attendance at his rallies and other campaign events. On Election Day, Mondale lost 49 of 50 states in a record landslide to Ronald Reagan. The rally in Wildwood comes at a time when Trump is facing the prospect of a landslide defeat in November, nationally and in New Jersey. Three national polls this past week, by CNN, Pew Research Center and others showed that a majority of Americans want the Senate to vote in favor of the House-passed Articles of Impeachment to remove Donald Trump from office. Yet aside from Trumps impeachable misconduct in office, there is an even more compelling factor pointing to his rejection at the polls in November. Donald Trump, the worst racist in the White House since Woodrow Wilson, has become indisputably the most despised president by the African-American community during the past century. In a recent Star-Ledger column, I noted the appalling record of the Trump administration on issues particularly affecting the African- American community, including voter suppression, police brutality, and the presidents own racist rhetoric. This record now is having dire consequences for Trumps re-election prospects. According to a Washington Post-IPSOS poll released within the past month, more than 8 in 10 black Americans say they believe Trump is a racist and that he has made racism a bigger problem in the country. Nine in 10 disapprove of his job performance overall. The drop-off in African-American turnout from 66% in the presidential election of 2012 to 59% in 2016 that was the major factor in Hillary Clinton losing the three battleground states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin and therefore, the election. It was the increase of 10.8% in African-American turnout in the 2018 midterms, as compared to the last midterm in 2014, sparked by anger at Trump, that was perhaps the major factor in the Democratic gain of 40 seats in the House of Representatives. The increase in the African-American vote in 2020 will have a major impact in New Jersey, which has an African-American population of 13.5%, with a similar percentage in the 2nd District, where the African-American population is 12.7%. Running as a Democrat in 2018 against Seth Grossman, Jeff Van Drew carried the African-American vote overwhelmingly. Grossmans rhetoric and social media were viewed as so racially offensive that the National Republican Congressional Committee withdrew its support from him and urged that he reconsider his candidacy. Running as a Republican, Van Drew will have the opposite experience in 2020. While theres absolutely no indication Van Drew is racist, anger at Trump will result in a major increase in the African-American vote, including in the 2nd District. The fact that Van Drew has been emphatically endorsed by Trump will doom the incumbent congressman to receive less than 20% of the African-American vote in November. This defection of a core 2018 Van Drew constituency will be a major factor in his defeat. And the likelihood that Van Drews Democratic opponent will be South Jersey native Amy Kennedy further dooms him to an abysmal showing in the African-American community. Amy Kennedy is married to former U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island -- the son of the late U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy and nephew of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, a civil rights hero and one of the most popular politicians in the history of the African-American community. It is the vision of Robert Kennedy on the evening of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., speaking to African-Americans in Indianapolis, Indiana and successfully appealing for calm that is the alternative to the racially polarizing vision of the Trump rally. On Election Day, 2020, Amy Kennedy and images of Bobby Kennedy in Indianapolis will triumph over the polarizing vision of Jeff Van Drew, Donald Trump, and the forthcoming Trump rally. Alan J. Steinberg served as regional administrator of Region 2 EPA during the administration of former President George W. Bush and as executive director of the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission. The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Two Hundred and Fifty persons in communities impacted during the Niger Delta crisis in Buguma Local Government Area of Rivers State and its environs were given starter packs in various trade areas at the weekend, as the Presidential Amnesty Programme unveils a robust empowerment programme for the year. Offloading the empowerment materials for the Buguma community in ASALGA local government area in River State, held on Saturday 25th January 2020. Among the beneficiaries were men and women drawn from communities where a leader of ex-agitators, Chief Sobomabo Jackrich, also known as Egberi Papa, had camps. Items which included 250 Sumec generators, 16 high capacity Omaha generators, sewing machines and accessories, wooden tables, welding machines and engine oil, were distributed to the beneficiaries on Saturday in Buguma, headquarters of Buguma Local Government Area. Beneficiaries awaiting their empowerment materials at Buguma community in ASALGA local government area in River State, held on Saturday 25th January 2020. The starter packs are to enable the beneficiaries set up businesses in their respective trade areas in an empowerment drive aimed at engagement of ex-agitators enlisted in the Presidential Amnesty Programme as well as residents of communities in the Niger Delta impacted during the period of armed agitation. Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, Prof. Charles Dokubo, said though his mandate was to train and empower beneficiaries captured in the database of the Programme, it was imperative to offer assistance to residents of crises impacted communities towards deepening peace in the Niger Delta. Representatives of Prof Charles Dokubo, Niger Delta Amnesty Boss, Engineer Opara Innocent, A.D Procurement(L), Mr. Murphy Ganagana, S.A Media (C), Fenibo M.M Jack, Port Harcourt manager, Amnesty office and Lawson Alaenetonwa, Information officer (standing in conversation) during the disbursement of empowerment materials to the people of Buguma community in ASALGA local government area in River State, held on Saturday 25th January 2020. This is a special empowerment for people who are not among the 30, 000 beneficiaries captured in the Presidential Amnesty Programme; it is meant for people in crisis impacted communities in the Niger Delta. It is to demonstrate that the Amnesty Programme is indirectly for all the people of Niger Delta and we care for you. Generators waiting for disbursement to beneficiaries as empowerment materials at Buguma community in ASALGA local government area in River State, held on Saturday 25th January 2020. President Muhammadu Buhari is conversant with the situation of the Niger Delta people and he is committed to turning around the narrative. President Buhari loves you and will ensure that the Niger Delta is stabilized and gets its right place in the country, especially in terms of infrastructural development. While urging residents of the communities to avoid violence and support the Federal Government to actualize sustainable peace in the region, he warned recipients of the starter packs against selling the items, but to make judicious use of them to better their lives. One of the beneficiary received his empowerment materials at Buguma community in ASALGA local government area in River State, held on Saturday 25th January 2020. This is the fourth time residents of communities impacted during the Niger Delta crisis are being empowered by the Amnesty Programme since Prof. Dokubo assumed office. Thousands of persons drawn from various communities in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross Rivers, Imo, Ondo, Akwa Ibom and Abia states, got various items as starter packs in February, 2019 in Warri, Delta State; Opukiri, Ogwashukwu, Abonnema and Degema. Others include Auchi, Edo State, Yakkur/Calabar South, Cross River State; Eket/Ikot-Ikpene, Akwa Ibom State; and Ohaji Egbema/Owerri in Imo State; Ilaje/Okitikpupa, Ondo State, as well as Ukwa East/West and Umuahia North/South, Abai State. MURPHY GANAGANA Special Assistant (Media) 26thJanuary, 2020 Taking exception to Telangana Chief Minister's criticism of the NDA government at the Centre over the CAA issue, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy on Sunday challenged K Chandrasekhar Rao to point out anything in the amended Citizenship Act that affects anyone in the country. His response comes a day after Rao said the state assembly may pass a resolution against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) like some other states did recently. "I condemn KCR ji for announcing that he will not implement CAA in Telangana, while talking about the central government. I challenge the Chief Minister to show if there is anything in the Act that affects any of the 130 crore people (in the country)," the Union Minister of State for Home told reporters here. Rao or his TRS does not have the moral right to criticise the BJP on the matter, he said. State BJP president K Laxman claimed that Rao has joined the Congress in opposing CAA with "unfounded doubts and ill- motives." BJP has been stating that Congress and TRS were similar and it is becoming evident now, he alleged. Coming out strongly against the law, Rao had on Saturday said he may convene a meeting of regional parties and Chief Ministers to oppose the amended citizenship law. Asserting that the TRS was secular by nature and policy, he said the CAA was a wrong decision by the Centre as the Constitution provides fundamental rights to all people of the country irrespective of religion, caste and creed. As such, keeping Muslims outside the bill (CAA) itself pained him, he had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The coronavirus outbreak that began in the central Chinese city of Wuhan has killed 106 people in China and infected more than 4,520 globally, most of them in China. The virus has caused alarm because it is still too early to know how dangerous it is and how easily it spreads between people. And because it is new, humans have not been able to build any immunity to it. The virus, believed to have originated late last year in a seafood market in Wuhan that was illegally selling wildlife, has spread to bigger cities including Beijing and Shanghai. Tourist access to Beijings Forbidden City and part of the Great Wall have been closed off and large gatherings cancelled, including two Lunar New Year temple fairs. The Lunar New Year holiday, traditionally celebrated by hundreds of millions of Chinese travelling around the country and abroad, began on Friday but has been severely disrupted by the outbreak. The World Health Organization (WHO) said the outbreak was not yet a global health emergency. Hong Kong has six confirmed cases, Taiwan and the United States have four, while three cases have been confirmed in France. Snow and ice could cause problems The road has been closed. Follow the latest updates from our travel feed below The Dobbin Road in Armagh has been reopend folowing an earlier crash. Diversions are in place and traffic is being diverted onto the Vicarage Road, delays are expected. Our live updates from across Northern Ireland are compiled by @TrafficwatchNI, @BBCNITravel and @PSNITraffic. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won the rerun election for Akwa Ibom north-west senatorial district and Essien Udim state const... The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won the rerun election for Akwa Ibom north-west senatorial district and Essien Udim state constituency. The PDPs Chris Ekpenyong defeated Godswill Akpabio, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and minister of Niger Delta affairs, in the rerun which was held in Essien Udim local government area on Saturday. In the final results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ekpenyong defeated Akpabio with a margin of over 50,000 votes after securing 134,717 votes against the ministers 83,820. The APC had announced that neither the party nor its candidates would participate in the election. Ini Okopido, the state chairman of the party, had said: We have officially as a party withdrawn from the rerun elections in Essien Udim local government area. We are so dissatisfied with the conduct of INEC in Akwa Ibom State and we have withdrawn from the elections. INEC had announced Ekpenyong as winner of the initial poll but the court ordered a rerun after Akpabio challenged the outcome. Although the APC candidate said he was withdrawing from the race following his appointment as minister, INEC insisted he cannot be replaced. Ahead of a vote on a resolution in the European Union parliament against the new citizenship law, India called on the MEPs to engage with the government on CAA. Earlier in the day, the two largest groups of MEPs strongly criticised the citizenship law for its negative consequences for Indias internal stability and potential for creating a statelessness crisis. We hope the sponsors and supporters of the draft will engage with us to get a full and accurate assessment of the facts before they proceed further, official sources said reacting to the MEPs stand. The officials quoted above also said the EU Parliament should not take actions that call into question the rights and authority of democratically elected legislatures. ALSO WATCH | Wont withdraw CAA; challenge opposition leaders for a debate: Amit Shah The draft resolution in EU parliament comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis expected visit to Brussels in March for the India-EU Summit. The draft resolutions were all tabled on January 22 as part of the procedures to wind up the debate on the European Commissions vice presidents statement on the CAA and are expected to be taken up for debate during a plenary session on January 29. There will also be a vote on the issue on January 30, according to the European Parliament. The officials also said that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act is a matter entirely internal to India and the law was adopted through democratic means after a public debate in both houses of the Parliament. The European Peoples Party (EPP) Group, a centre-right group that is the largest with 182 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), said the CAA is selective and excludes Muslims from provisions provided to other religious groups and expressed concern about the wide range of negative consequences that it might have for Indias international image and internal stability. The new citizenship law fast tracks the process for granting citizenship to members of non-Muslim persecuted minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. People in Sheffield spend the least when theyre out on a date paying a measly 29 for dinner and drinks for two, a UK-wide study has found. Those in Cardiff were the most generous, splashing out 79 for two, way ahead of second-placed Glasgow on 59. The study by broadband provider Plusnet also found that men paid the most, forking out an average of 65 on a date, compared to 32 spent by women. Tight: People in Sheffield are said to refuse to shell out more than 29 on a date Lack of romance: Those living in the city are only prepared to splash out on dinner and drinks for two Generous: People in Cardiff splash out more money than elsewhere in Britain on dates Younger daters tried to impress more than older romantics, with those aged between 18 and 24 spending an average of 69 on a date. Those aged over 55 paid just 35. Ever since the First Fleet arrived in Sydney Harbour, Australia's earliest settlement has had no shortage of grisly deaths. Behind many of the city's early buildings, some more than 200 years old, dotted around The Rocks are tales of murder, mayhem, and dismemberment. Some of the buildings are said to be haunted and thousands of tourists are led through the streets at night on hair-raising ghost tours. Some of Sydney's oldest buildings are said to be haunted and thousands of tourists are led through the streets at night on hair-raising ghost tours Today they are pricey homes and popular restaurants, or even torn down only for archaeological digs to uncover startling finds. A least one photograph claims to reveal the ghost of a long-murdered wife and several killers were sent to the gallows for their macabre deeds. Cadman's Cottage, 110 George Street The cottage was built as a barracks to house naval coxswains and their families until it was taken over by the water police in 1846. Two years before that, Jean Videll was caught outside trying to dispose of the body of his boss Thomas Warne, whom he had murdered the night before. Videll and Mr Warne were arguing at Mr Warne's house and he demanded he leave or he would stab him with an old sword he had hanging on the wall. Cadman's Cottage, 110 George Street, was built as a barracks to house naval coxswains and their families until it was taken over by the water police in 1846 The murderer left before rage overcame him and he quietly returned and hit Mr Warne over the head with an axe, killing him. He then tried to dispose of the body by hacking off the limbs and trying to burn the body in the fireplace. However, the fat from the body's flesh caused a huge fire through the chimney that Videll put out by pouring buckets of water down it. He instead dismembered the body further and piled it into a chest, then cleaned up the mess. However, some of the blood seeped through to the apartment below. Videll took the chest to the jetty next the cottage, which was by Sydney Harbour at the time, and tried to get a boatman to help him dump it in the water. Cadman's Cottage is now a historic site near the Overseas Passenger Terminal and hosts light shows during the Vivid festiva He said the bad smell coming from the chest was rotting pork but the boatman was not fooled and told the police. Videll was hanged several months later after being convicted at trial. Cadman's Cottage is now a historic site near the Overseas Passenger Terminal and hosts light shows during the Vivid festival. Room 8 in the Russell Hotel This is known as the most haunted hotel room in Australia, said to be inhabited by the ghost of a sailor murdered by a prostitute. The ghost supposedly only appears to women sleeping alone, recreating the circumstances of his death. Employees have said they felt like they were walking through a cobweb, like they were being watched, or an instant chill in the room as if a fridge door had just been opened. Russell Hotel is home to the most haunted hotel room in Australia, said to be inhabited by the ghost of a sailor murdered by a prostitute The ghost supposedly only appears to women sleeping alone, recreating the circumstances of his death 'Two girls on separate occasions have said they woke up to a sailor standing at the end of the bed looking at them,' one said. In 2014 a Daily Mail Australia reporter spent the night in the room and wrote that she was jolted awake about 4am. 'Between the hours of 4am and 5.30am there was a completely different feeling in the room which hadn't been there before,' she wrote. 'I wanted to get up and get out of the room but felt completely incapable of moving a muscle. 'I felt intense pressure on my chest, like something was pushing down on my diaphragm. I couldn't even lift my head off the pillow. It was a shock and made it hard to breathe.' In 2014 a Daily Mail Australia reporter spent the night in the room and wrote that she was jolted awake about 4am Russell hotel is one of the oldest buildings in Australia - a sandstone, maze-like, beautifully restored boutique first built in 1790. It was rebuilt about 1820 and restored again multiple times since. It served as a hostel for the sailors that docked in Sydney Harbour, then a hospital once the bubonic plague hit, before it was restored as a boutique hotel. The Dead House, 102-04 George Street This building was the site of the inquest into what became known as the 'shark arm murders', a bizarre series of events in Sydney's underworld. Ben Hobson owned the Coogee Aquarium and Swimming Baths, now the Coogee Pavilion, in 1935 and caught a tiger shark to attract curious visitors. On Anzac Day that year there was a huge crowd but the profitable day to a strange turn when the shark convulsed and vomited up a human arm. The left arm had a tattoo of two boxers fighting and had a rope attached to it, but most surprising was that it wasn't bitten off but had been cut from its body. Slide me This building was the site of the inquest into what became known as the 'shark arm murders', a bizarre series of events in Sydney's underworld The victim was soon identified as Jimmy Smith, 45, an English boxer from Gladesville, now running a billiards saloon in Rozelle and working at Tattersall's. On the side he worked for crime boss Reginald Holmes whose family built speedboats - which he used to deliver cocaine around Sydney. Holmes also dabbled in insurance scams and had Smith look after a boat called the Pathfinder which was overinsured then deliberately sunk. They also forged cheques from wealthy Sydney elite and laundered the money through Smith's saloon, but they had a falling out and Smith started blackmailing Holmes. Smith met his end after a noisy card game in Cronulla with forger Patrick Brady on April 7, 1935, who did a bad job covering up the crime. The left arm had a tattoo of two boxers fighting and had a rope attached to it, but most surprising was that it wasn't bitten off but had been cut from its body The arm was soon identified as belonging to Jimmy Smith, 45, (left) an English boxer from Gladesville, now running a billiards saloon in Rozelle On the side he worked for crime boss Reginald Holmes (right) It was far too easy for police to trace Smith's movements to Brady's house, and then Brady taking a taxi to Holmes. 'He was dishevelled, he had a hand in a pocket and wouldn't take it out... it was clear that [he] was frightened,' the taxi driver told police. But police didn't have a body, making a conviction very difficult, but decided to arrest Holmes and sweat him out. He denied everything but once released had too much to drink on his boat and shot himself in the head - miraculously not dying as the bullet merely knocked him out. Police took off after him and he sped 2km out to sea before eventually surrendering. During interrogation he claimed Brady killed Smith, and put his body in a chest and dumped it in Gunnamatta Bay - called the 'Sydney sendoff' at the time. He said Brady kept the arm to blackmail Holmes, and gave it to him when he received the bag of 500 in cash. Smith met his end after a noisy card game in Cronulla with forger Patrick Brady on April 7, 1935, who did a bad job covering up the crime Holmes then panicked and tossed it in the ocean off Maroubra, where the shark had it for lunch. The drug lord agreed to testify at an inquest, but the day before it began he was found shot to death with three bullet in his chest while sitting in his car parked under the Harbour Bridge. Theories about that Holmes paid a hitman to kill himself, but it is more likely that Brady was the one who organised the assassination. Brady walked free and no one was ever convicted of the murders. Smith was later revealed to be a police informant. 93 Gloucester Street George Legg was found guilty of stealing in 1786 and sentenced to seven years transportation in Australia as a convict He arrived in Sydney in 1788 aboard the Charlotte and married 1795 Ann Armsden and lived in a stone cottage that has since been demolished. In 1807 he disappeared while fishing in Botany Bay and a shark was found with his hand in its mouth. Local Aboriginal people visited Ann about a month later to tell her where the rest of his body was. George Legg arrived in Sydney in 1788 aboard the Charlotte and married 1795 Ann Armsden and lived in a stone cottage that has since been demolished Their house was significant in that it revealed much about early Sydney convict life when it was dug up in a major expedition in 1994. 'We got a lot of remains from her house, including a golden wedding ring and a huge amount of material that tells us about the kind of things that they were eating - local species, particularly fish and oysters - and about the goods that were able to be imported,' Professor Richard Mackay told the ABC. 'Their lives - though cramped - were not the depraved existence that's commented on by contemporary social commentators.' Reynolds Cottages, 28-30 Harrington Street Irish blacksmith William Reynolds bought two of the cottages for 100 in 1830 and built a third one three years later. He was a former convict originally sentenced to lifetime transportation for highway robbery, arriving in Sydney in 1816 aged 32. Amassing a property portfolio as a free man elevated his standing so much that his obituary called him 'a man of considerable property and highly respected amongst his brother tradesmen'. Slide me Irish blacksmith William Reynolds bought two of the cottages for 100 in 1830 and built a third one three years later. Inside he died from falling off a ladder and his son after his infected leg was amputated However, things did not go well for the Reynolds family in the next decade as two of them suffered dramatic deaths. Reynolds' son William Jr died an agonising death after being accidentally shot in the leg while pigeon shooting in 1838 in Surry Hills. The leg became badly infected and was amputated in the cottage without anesthetic, but he still died later. His ghost is said to haunt the cottages along with that of his father, who died after falling off a ladder in the home just three years later. The buildings passed to his son Maurice and are now home to several shops. Gannon House, 45-47 Argyle Street Michael Gannon was an Irish convict sentenced to life transportation, arriving aboard the Almorah in December 1820. After securing his ticket of leave he built the New York Hotel along with the house on Argyle Street in 1839-41 which he used for a variety of businesses. A carpenter by trade, he put his skills to work making coffins and serving as an undertaker for Catholic burials out of the site. Michael Gannon was an Irish convict who built this house on Argyle Street in 1839-41 which he used for a variety of businesses including a undertaker. It is now home to the Gannon House Gallery of Australian contemporary and Aboriginal art He went bankrupt and lost everything in 1845 but rebounded to 'play an active and largely hidden role in Sydney politics' from 1848. The house was sold off to pay creditors and is now home to the Gannon House Gallery of Australian contemporary and Aboriginal art, and the La Renaissance Cafe. Merchant House, 37 George St This house is considered to be one of Australia's most haunted with the visitors claiming to see a murdered housewife. Sometime in the mid to late 1800s, a rich businessman chased and strangled his wife after finding her in bed with another man. Believers in ghosts say she can be heard walking on the stairs and some have even claimed to have seen her. Slide me Merchant House is considered to be one of Australia's most haunted with the visitors claiming to see a murdered housewife This photo claimed to show the woman as a ghostly figure with a shining necklace 'Quite a few people have sightings of this old woman. A lot of the rangers go there late at night but often what they see is an old lady,' Wes Raddysh from The Rocks Ghost Tours said. A photo claimed to show the woman as a ghostly figure with a shining necklace. Merchant House is also home to what is claimed to be the scariest staircase in Sydney and is a regular stop on ghost tours. The Rocks Ghost Tours shared a photo taken by a tradesman who after one visit refused to work on it. 'I am the only one there... the doors are slamming shut and I checked that I closed them all, yet they keep making loud slamming noises... the place is freaking me out.' he said. External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar has tweeted that the Indian Embassy in Beijing is constantly taking stock of the health of Indians in China and that any concerned citizen can check the Embassy's Twitter handle for updates, amid the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan spreading. READ: Coronavirus LIVE Updates: President Xi Says China Can 'win The Battle' Against Epidemic Embassy in touch with citizens Our Embassy in Beijing is constantly checking on the health and well-being of the Indians in China. Please follow @EOIBeijing for more updates on the situation. https://t.co/IGOfQ7YPE9 Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 26, 2020 The EAM's tweet comes after the Indian Embassy in Beijing tweeted that the authorities are in constant touch with the citizens and the student community. The Embassy also released two numbers that concerned citizens can dial for updates. READ: France Confirms First Two Cases Of Coronavirus In Europe The death toll increased to 56 in China and the government has shut down connections to more cities to prevent the spread of the virus. The outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (nCOV) has caused widespread alarm and panic across the world. With its epicenter in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the virus has slowly spread across the globe with cases being reported in the US, Europe (in France), Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam. Thirteen cities, in an effort to contain the virus, have issued a travel ban and now officials have reported that Wuhan will be restricting car traffic from Sunday. As of Saturday, Chinese officials have placed a ban on 13 cities, out of which 12 are in Hubei Province. The ban has also restricted the travel of as many as 56 million people amid constant fears that transmission rate will accelerate due to increased travel during the Lunar New Year. READ: Coronavirus: US Health Authorities Confirm Second Case Of Virus In Country The Coronavirus is a new strain in the large family of coronaviruses (CoV) which was previously not identified in humans. CoV causes illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). READ: AIIMS Ready With Isolation Ward To Treat Suspected Cases Of Coronavirus The Indian government has asked individuals with travel history to China since January 1 this year to voluntarily report themselves to authorities if they experience symptoms related to the deadly novel coronavirus (nCoV). Tu Le Valley, home to Le Champ Tu Le Resort, is famous for its rice terraces and stunning scenery Known for its beautiful fields in September and October, Tu Le commune is one of the most famous attractions in the northenr mountainous province of Yen Bai. Now, its beauty is a blend of the simple local lifestyle and the modern facilities of Le Champ. Le Champ Tu Le Resort Hot Spring & Spa is an outstanding attraction that tourists should not miss out when visiting Tu Le. The spa is located in Nuoc Nong Village with its famous hot streams, surrounded by 34 cosy bungalows. Each bungalow is built in a typical Thai style, standing on stilts and equipped with luxurious furniture inside to offer great experiences to visitors. On the way to the resort, people can be amazed by the traditional Thai village architecture surrounded by beautiful old trees, the fragrance of rose fields in the air, and the stunning scenery of mountains and green fields. Le Champ Tu Le Resort provides a fresh relaxing space and a lot of interesting experiences related to local Thai peoples lives. Some of the deluxe services here are trekking tours, boat trips, fire camping, cave tours, and countless local specialities prepared by the Thai families. At the end of any exciting day, tourists can relax in the swimming pool with mountains and terraced fields on the horizon. Bars or luxury restaurants next to the pool are always ready to serve Asian or European dishes and drinks for a peaceful evening among the quiet hills. One of the outstanding features is the resorts hot mineral shower in special bamboo houses. These bamboo houses are inspired by pigsties according to the investor and built on the famous natural hot mineral streams. The area consists of private rooms and a public bathing area, in which visitors can enjoy luxury services such as massages and baths in relaxing hot mineral water. Le Champ Tu Le Resort has contributed much to the positive changes in Yen Bais tourism sector. It is also one of the first high-class resorts in Tu Le placed on the list of large-budget tourist attractions for the future. The impressive natural scenery of the area in combination with the culture of Tu Le and Mu Cang Chai make it a top attraction for 2020. The areas potential has also been recognised by investors, with some beginning to tap into this emerging market with large luxury resorts. Dao Xuan Thinh, general director of Thinh Dat JSC, the investor of Le Champ Tu Le Resort, said he was born and raised in Yen Bai. He has always felt a certain responsibility as a local man which made him consider developing his homeland. That is why he is determined to embark on this new field of tourism with the desire to introduce and promote the natural beauty and unique culture of Yen Bai to numerous tourists. When the resort came into operation and began to receive positive support from travel businesses and visitors, Thinh and his company continued to finance another 5-star luxury resort project in Mu Cang Chai district, as well as an amusement park in Tu Le. In addition, the company also plans to organise cultural festivals and flower festivals to convey local culture and diversify tourism products to attract more tourists and other investors. He added, All of our projects represent core values for us to develop tourism in a sustainable manner. For me, Yen Bai tourism is like a sleeping beauty and we, the businesses, will join the government in awakening that potential. Vice President Pence at the Fifth World Holocaust Forum Jerusalem, Israel - Remarks by Vice President Pence at the Fifth World Holocaust Forum: VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: President Rivlin, Prime Minister Netanyahu, Your Majesties, Presidents, Excellencies, honored survivors and distinguished guests: It is deeply humbling for me to stand before you today, on behalf of the American people, as we mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. On this occasion, here on Mount Herzl, we gather to fulfill a solemn obligation an obligation of remembrance: to never allow the memory of those who died in the Holocaust to be forgotten by anyone, anywhere in the world. The word remember appears no fewer than 169 times in the Hebrew Bible for memory is the constant obligation of all generations. And today we pause to remember what President Donald Trump rightly called the dark stain on human history the greatest evil ever perpetuated by man against man in the long catalogue of human crime. The faces of a million and a half children reduced to smoke under a silent sky for the crime of having a single Jewish grandparent. The night Elie Wiesel called seven times sealed consumed the faith of so many then, and challenges the faith of so many still. Today we remember what happens when the powerless cry for help and the powerful refuse to answer. The towns name was Oswiecim. As part of their plan to destroy the very existence of Polish culture, the Nazis gave Polish towns German names. And this one they called Auschwitz. When soldiers opened the gates of Auschwitz on January 27, 1945, they found 7,000 half-starved, half-naked prisoners, hundreds of boxes of camp records that documented the greatest mass murder in history. Before the war was over, in its five years of existence, more than 1.1 million men, women, and children would perish at Auschwitz. As my wife and I can attest firsthand, from this past year, one cannot walk the grounds of Auschwitz without being overcome with emotion and grief. One cannot see the piles of shoes, the gas chambers, the crematoriums, the lone boxcar facing the gate to the camp, and those grainy photographs of men, women, and children being sent to their deaths without asking: How could they? Today we mourn with those who mourn and grieve with those who grieve. We remember the names and the faces and the promise of the 6 million Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust. Today we also pay tribute to those who survived, who all these years have borne witness to that evil and have served mankind by their example. (Applause.) And today we honor and remember the memory of all the Allied forces, including more than 2 million American soldiers, who left hearth and home, suffered appalling casualties, and freed a continent from the grip of tyranny. And, finally, we pay tribute to the memory of those non-Jewish heroes who saved countless lives those the people of Israel call the righteous among the nations. In an age of indifference, they acted. In an age of fear, they showed courage. And their memory and their example should kindle anew the flame of our hearts to do the same in our time. (Applause.) We must be prepared to stand as they did against the wave of their times. We must be prepared to confront and expose the vile tide of anti-Semitism that is fueling hate and violence all across the world. And we must stand together. (Applause.) In that same spirit, we must also stand strong against the leading state purveyor of anti-Semitism, against the one government in the world that denies the Holocaust as a matter of state policy and threatens to wipe Israel off the map. The world must stand strong against the Islamic Republic of Iran. (Applause.) And, finally, we must have the courage to recognize all the leaders and all the nations that are gathered here that, today, we have the responsibility and the power to ensure that what we remember here today can never happen again. (Applause.) Mr. Prime Minister, as we honor and remember the 6 million Jewish martyrs of the Holocaust, the world can only marvel at the faith and resilience of the Jewish people, who just three years after walking in the valley of the shadow of death, rose up from the ashes to reclaim a Jewish future and rebuild the Jewish State. (Applause.) And Im proud to say, as Vice President of the United States, that the American people have been with you every step of the way since 1948. (Applause.) And so we will remain. As President Trump declared in his historic visit to Jerusalem, the bond between our two peoples is woven together in the fabric of our hearts. And so it shall always be. (Applause.) Today we remember not simply the liberation of Auschwitz but also the triumph of freedom a promise fulfilled, a people restored to their rightful place among the nations of the Earth. And we remember we remember the long night of that past, the survivors and the faces of those we lost, the heroes who stood against those evil times. And today we gather nearly 50 nations strong, here in Jerusalem, to say with one voice: Never again. (Applause.) Through pogroms, persecutions, and expulsions in the ghettos, and finally, even through the death camps, the Jewish people clung to an ancient promise that He would never leave you or forsake you and that he would leave this people to inherit the land that he swore to your ancestors that he would give them. And so, today, as we bear witness to the strength and the resilience and the faith of the Jewish people, so too we bear witness to Gods faithfulness to the Jewish people. (Applause.) May the memory of the martyrs be enshrined in the hearts of all humanity for all time. May God bless the Jewish people, the State of Israel, the United States, and all the nations gathered here. And may He who creates peace in the heavens create peace for us and for all the world. Oseh shalom bimromav. Hu yaaseh shalom aleinu. Val kol Yisrael Vimru. Amen. New Jersey troopers left for Puerto Rico Saturday, just hours after another earthquake hit the island. Puerto Rico needs us and it needs you, Gov. Phil Murphy told more than 30 troopers gathered at a Newark police station, shortly before they drove to the airport. These are Americans who are in desperate need of help, Murphy said. This is family to us." Since late December, large quakes have knocked out power, destroyed hundreds of homes and killed at least one person, according to The Associated Press. Murphy announced Tuesday that troopers would spend about two weeks helping protect thousands of displaced residents in the Ponce region. Seven troopers flew to San Juan Wednesday to prepare, and a total of 50 will eventually deploy. Murphy was joined by more than a dozen other state officials and lawmakers, including state Sen. Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex. Ruiz teared up when she spoke about relatives on the island. Its emotional for many of us, she said, to call a family member, to hear the screams in the beginning. Youre going to bring a sense of peace, which is the most critical thing that is needed right now, she told the troopers. Saturday January 25, 2020 - Senator Teresa Ruiz wipes away a tear while speaking to 37 New Jersey State Troopers just prior their flight to Puerto Rico, where they are being deployed to assist local authorities in the aftermath of several devastating earthquakes. Standing behind her are Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, left, and Governor Phil Murphy.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Officers began loading duffel bags onto an NJ Transit bus a little after 4 p.m. One trooper tucked United Airlines paperwork into his hat. Another fist-bumped an officer sitting in parked car. Col. Patrick Callahan, acting superintendent of the State Police, gathered everyone around him after the luggage was loaded. He listed off states that troopers had assisted over the years. Were helping a lot of people who dont have anything to do with New Jersey, he said while planes roared overhead. Thats the special part of being in this outfit. Saturday January 25, 2020 - New Jersey State Troopers just prior their flight to Puerto Rico, where they are being deployed to assist local authorities in the aftermath of several devastating earthquakes.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com The troopers will arrive at their final destination early Sunday morning, a spokesperson said. Theyll be sworn in on the island and work with full police powers. Trooper Jeffrey Lebron, 33, is from Puerto Rico and jumped at the chance to deploy. Family members were safe, he said, and they were glad to hear he was on his way. They were very proud of me, he said. Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens for more than a century, and a mutual aid agreement called the Emergency Management Assistant Compact allows states and territories to share resources after disasters. Callahan said New Jersey was the first to respond to a call for help. The trip will cost about $1 million, according to Callahan, although he said the state will be reimbursed by Puerto Rico and the federal government. A little after 5:30 p.m., two police cars switched on flashing lights and guided the packed bus onto the highway and toward the airport. Saturday January 25, 2020 -New Jersey State Troopers about to fly to Puerto Rico, where they are being deployed to assist local authorities in the aftermath of several devastating earthquakes.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Almost 500,000 New Jersey residents have roots in Puerto Rico, according to the U.S. Census. The governor said that was the third-largest population in the continental U.S. when he created a local Puerto Rico Day last year. Troopers were also deployed to the island in 2017 to help with hurricane recovery. Union City, a dog shelter in Madison and the Jersey City Council are also helping with recovery efforts. Blake Nelson can be reached at bnelson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BCunninghamN. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. T he Brexit secretary appeared to tone down a fellow cabinet minister's comments on diverging from the European Union after Brexit. Stephen Barclay outlined a somewhat softer government stance, saying the UK would not abandon EU rules "just for the sake of it". It came just minutes after home secretary Priti Patel insisted the country "will be diverging, despite the bloc warning this could hamper the chances of a free trade deal. But Ms Patel told Sky's Sophie Ridge programme this morning that there is no disagreement in government at all that there will be divergence from the bloc's rules. via REUTERS There is no disagreement in Government at all, we are clear we are leaving. We will be taking back control of our laws, our money, our borders. In terms of divergence, we are not having alignment. We will be diverging. We want to take control of our laws, money and our borders. However, Mr Barclay told the BBC's Andrew Marr soon after: "Were coming out of the single market, were coming out of the customs union. Were not just going to diverge just for the sake of it we need to look at where the opportunities are. But it is true that we are going to have control of our approach to regulation and thats the very essence of Brexit: that we can do things differently, particularly where, for example, there is innovation, there is new technologies, theres things where we want to move quickly. Brexit at its very core is that we will have control of our laws, our regulation and that is why we cant be a rule-taker: we need to have that opportunity. Priti Patel issued a defiant message to the EU on divergence, later dampened by the Brexit Secretary (Sky News) Mr Verhofstadt, the EUs Brexit coordinator, said last week that a free trade deal depended on Britain's willingness to comply with EU rules. He said: "I think both sides have an interest to be very ambitious. But how far this will go is very difficult to say because it will depend on what the willingness is of the UK side to also comply with a number of standards in the European Union. Asked on the outcomes if Britain does not sign up to such stipulations, he said: "It will be very difficult to have a broad free trade agreement at that moment." Business leaders have warned against non-alignment with the bloc in the wake of Chancellor Sajid Javid's vow to split last weekend. European Parliament Brexit chief Guy Verhofstadt has said he is 'absolutely not positive' about the PM's proposal. / AP It comes after the prime minister officially signed the Brexit withdrawal agreement, which he hailed as a symbol to move forward as one country. It gained Royal assent from the Queen on Thursday and European leaders will vote to approve it next week. The government has also unveiled a raft of celebrations to mark the departure . Downing Street will feature a light display, Whitehall buildings will be illuminated with the colours of Britain's four nations, Mr Johnson will deliver a special address to the nation, a countdown clock will be projected on Downing Street's black bricks to countdown to the 11pm deadline, and Union Jack flags will line the Mall and Parliament Square. The PM will chair a cabinet meeting in the north of England on Friday, the same day that a 50p Brexit commemoration coin will enter circulation , and ministers will tour the country to herald in a new chapter for the nation. The prime minister has vowed to secure a trade deal by the end of 2020, when the 11-month transition period that opens after the UK formally leaves on January 31 ends. However, the EU has repeatedly said the period is too short to guarantee a comprehensive trade arrangement. The biggest planets in the Statehouses solar system are banks and electric and insurance companies. Just a coincidence, electric utilities and insurance companies are mostly state-regulated, and the banks well, some things are eternal. So, no huge surprise, Ohios electric utility lobby won a default victory last week when Ohioans Against Corporate Bailouts announced that its ending its quest to let Ohioans vote House Bill 6 up or down. HB 6, which Gov. Mike DeWine signed July 23, will cost Ohio electricity consumers $150 million a year to bail out two Ohio nuclear power plants built by whats now FirstEnergy Corp. HB 6 will also subsidize two coal-fueled plants (one located in Indiana), and several solar-power projects in Ohio. The nuclear plants, Lake Countys Perry, and Ottawa Countys Davis-Besse, are owned by FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. (When Solutions bankruptcy case ends, Solutions will become an independent company called Energy Harbor Corp.) Because HB 6 will cut some charges that Ohio electricity customers pay now, nonpartisan legislative analysts found that, on a net basis, HB 6 will save ratepayers a few dollars. But what it will also do is straitjacket Ohio into yesterdays generating technology to take care of Wall Street speculators who bought Solutions securities, gambling, correctly, that the General Assembly would cover their bets. Ohioans Against Corporate Bailouts is ending its drive to gather the necessary 265,774 voter signatures to put HB 6 on Novembers ballot because the group did not have the resources to continue even if it won lawsuits challenging Ohios restrictive that is, pro-status-quo ballot issue rules. From the get-go, Ohioans Against Corporate Bailouts was massively outspent by HB 6 fans, including modern-day Paul Reveres who warned voters that HB 6 was all the stood between Ohios electricity supply and the Chinese Communist Party. (Rule No. 1 of Ohio politics: If facts get in your way, bring up race.) Successful passage of HB 6 demonstrated some stark Statehouse realities. First, House Speaker Larry Householder, a Republican from Perry Countys Glenford, delivers. He promised the right people that hed move heaven and earth to pass the bill, and he did. Mr. Speaker has become Mr. Results. Results are what keep a speaker and his or her caucus in power. Second, Ohios machinery for regulating public utilities appears to have succumbed to regulatory capture. That is, the legislature and Public Utilities Commission of Ohio seem to protect the utility status quo. If youre a consumer, the nine letters in status quo spell you lose. In 1982, as a political maneuver, legislators fashioned a process to screen PUCO appointees based on resumes, not politics. Real aim: to defeat a statewide ballot issue that would have let voters elect the PUCO, the last thing utilities want. That 1982 ploy worked, partly because Democratic gubernatorial candidate Richard F. Celeste, a Lakewood native, vowed hed fire the PUCOs members when he became governor. Celeste did. Then he promptly reappointed one of them, Democrat Michael Del Bane, of Hubbard, the Youngstown suburb. Complete coincidence: Del Bane was a pal of then-Speaker Vernal G. Riffe Jr., a Scioto County Democrat whose backing had helped Celeste win a three-way 1982 Democratic gubernatorial primary. Since then, some PUCO appointees have been solid choices. Still, governors appoint whomever they want. The screening process is mostly show-biz. On Thursday, the PUCO Nominating Council sent DeWine a list of four candidates to fill an upcoming PUCO vacancy. One is incumbent Commissioner Lawrence K. Friedeman, originally appointed to an unexpired PUCO term by then-Gov. John Kasich. Earlier, Friedeman had been vice president of regulatory affairs and compliance at Interstate Gas Supply Inc. (IGS Energy), which sells gas and electricity to commercial and residential consumers. The other potential DeWine PUCO appointees are Ronald Russo, a Willoughby lawyer and solar-energy developer; Stephen Serraino, general counsel of Michigans Upper Peninsula Power Co., owned by UK-based Basalt Infrastructure Partners; and Gerardo Torres, a supervising management analyst in information technology for the city of Cincinnati. Resumes aside, the next PUCO appointee will be someone who suits Mike DeWine. And given the governors whiplash-fast signing of HB 6, his PUCO pick wont be someone who rocks the boat. Thomas Suddes, a member of the editorial board, writes from Athens. To reach Thomas Suddes: tsuddes@cleveland.com, 216-408-9474 Have something to say about this topic? Use the comments to share your thoughts. Then, stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using the Follow option at the top of the comments, and look for updates via the small blue bell in the lower right as you look at more stories on cleveland.com. Singapore: American journalist Philip Jacobson was released from prison in Indonesia and would be deported "as soon as possible" for a visa violation, authorities said. Jacobson, who turned 31 on Sunday, was jailed last week in the city of Palangkaraya and is facing up to five years in prison after he attended a public meeting between local lawmakers and indigenous rights activists in December. Mongabay editor Phil Jacobson was detained on December 17 after preparing to leave a city in Central Kalimantan on the island of Borneo. Credit:Twitter After spending three nights in a six-man cell, Jacobson, an editor at the nonprofit environmental news website Mongabay, was released Friday under orders not to leave Palangkaraya, the capital of Indonesia's Central Kalimantan province. "We are grateful that authorities have made this accommodation and remain hopeful that Phil's case can be treated as an administrative matter rather than a criminal one," Rhett Butler, Mongabay's founder, said in a statement. Its #OscarNoms morning! Tune in to find out this year's nominees. https://t.co/XKQNawb0nH The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 13, 2020 Announcing this years #OscarNoms with @JohnTheCho next Monday! You already know who Im rooting for AAAAAAAAA Issa Rae (@IssaRae) January 9, 2020 Its hardly the second Tuesday of this new decade and the magical hope that things are going to be different is vanishing, and may we add, rapidly. Today, we woke up to discover the Oscar nominations dominating all the top trending slots on social media. But once again, the list of nominations is all white, and some categories, extremely male. Why this bothers us, you ask! Why not! How can lack of variety, diversity and non-inclusion of women, talented ones at that, be acceptable in this age and times we are living in.Its legit 2020, guys, and this is not the conversation wed want to be having again, and again and again!Ironically, the Academy, in its all-woke mood, chose two people of colour and to announce the nominees list, which is a living manifestation of the Oscars all-white, clueless, colourless world. No wonder, the revival oftrend a movement that shed light on prevalent racism in the world of Oscar nominations and awards on social media seems befitting.Thegave a snub to some brilliant people and films be it J ambitious and entrepreneurial stripper in Hustler orsoul-stirring performance in The Farewell. Other people of colour, who deserved recognition, but received nothing includein Us,in Dolemite Is My Name, andin Just Mercy, Queen & Slim director, among others.Thefor this years Oscars deserves another special mention. Clearly,s famous jibe at the, wherein she announced the winner in the Best Director category needs to be pulled out.Her subtle dig wasnt at the male directors but at the award jurys lack of ability to see the gender bias and misrepresentation. In the 92-year-old history of the Academy Awards, only five women have been nominated for the Best Director category.in 1976,in 1993,in 2003,in 2009, andin 2017. Bigelow is the only woman to have won the award for her film The Hurt Locker.The odds of women running the table in a single year is 1 in 32. Of only one male nominee in a decade? Less than 1 in 22 trillion. Even if they are 90 per cent of directors, its still less than 1 in 29. But sure, theres no bias against male directors. I believe that a senior film studio executive was quoted as saying for an international portal on the issue.This years all-male Best Director nominations include(The Irishman),(Joker),(1917),(Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) and(Parasite). This follows a week after witnessing a similar snub at theawards.Even as several critics hailed this as the banner year for female filmmakers in Hollywood, with movies like Little Women by, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood by, Honey Boy by, Clemency by, The Souvenir by, Harriet by, Queen & Slim by, Portrait of a Lady on Fire by Celine Sciamma, The Farewell byg, Hustlers by, among others, thefell short in taking note of these skilful womens art of direction.Though Gerwig was nominated for her adapted screenplay, and Little Women received six nominations, seeing her and Wang missing from the list of director nominees makes us question the Oscars,Time magazines piece on this years grand Oscar snub stated a fair point on gender misrepresentation. It noted that there just arent that many women choosing the nominees.The only winning and saving grace at Oscars for women were the documentary filmmakers, who bagged four out of their five nominations for direction or co-direction.Until next year, and as Issa Rae already said it best: Congratulations to those men. There was no exchange of sweets with Pakistani forces along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on the occasion of Republic Day, officials said, amid the prevailing hostilities especially after the recent beheading of an Army porter by the enemy troops in Poonch. Indian and Pakistani troops usually exchange sweets and greetings on their important national days and festivals. But the tradition has not been followed for the past few years due to Pakistan's continued support to terrorism in the Union Territory and frequent ceasefire violations, the officials said. They said there was no exchange of sweets and greetings on Republic day this year as well. On January 10, Pakistan's Border Action Team comprising regulars and terrorists, beheaded army porter Mohammad Aslam (28) and injured three others in an attack along the LoC in Gulpur sector of Poonch district. Meanwhile, police and other security forces unfurled the national flag at various camps along the border and in the hinterland across Jammu region to mark the occasions. At a function, BSF Inspector General N S Jamwal hoisted the national flag at frontier headquarters here and conveyed his warm wishes to all the border guards serving at the International Border and the LoC. He reminded the Bordermen about the supreme sacrifices made by the freedom fighters to liberate the motherland from foreign rulers and also asked them not to forget the sacrifices made by their colleagues. Jamwal later visited BSF hospital and distributed fruits and gifts to the patients, a BSF spokesman said, adding he wished them a speedy recovery and good health. The spokesman said Republic Day was also celebrated by the BSF personnel deployed on International Border and LoC with equal enthusiasm. "Men and officers pledged to continue to work for safeguarding and maintaining sanctity of borders and territorial integrity with full devotion, he said. A CRPF spokesman said the largest paramilitary force held the main function at Group Centre Bantalab in the outskirts of Jammu with Inspector General, Jammu sector, Charu Sinha unfurling the tricolour. She read out the names of the recipients of medals and said the force is overwhelmed with the recognition of its professionalism and valour of its personnel. Among the gallantry medals awarded to various forces, the CRPF earned one President's Police Medal for Gallantry, 75 Police Medal for Gallantry, besides six President's Police Medal for Distinguished service and 56 Police Medal for Meritorious service. "The bravery of the force personnel deployed to combat terrorism in J&K and Insurgency in North-East and Naxalism in Central India is duly recognized. CRPF has walked a long way since its inception and displayed its bravery time and again," the IG said. The spokesman said similar functions were held at battalion headquarters and camps across Jammu region, where senior officers unfurled the national flag. Army and Police also organized separate functions to celebrate the Republic Day and hoisted the national flag in all the 10 districts of Jammu region, officials said. Exxon Mobil dodged a bullet last month when a judge rejected a novel climate-change lawsuit brought by New York's attorney general. The case began with a promise from state officials that there would be a historic reckoning for the fossil fuel giant. It ended ignominiously as a failed accounting fraud claim. But that was just the beginning. Globally, humans are on the hook for trillions of dollars if they want to sufficiently reduce greenhouse gas emissions, acclimate to the damage already done and prepare for what is yet to come. As more governments and taxpayers find themselves staring down the barrel at rising climate costs, they are increasingly turning to the courts to hold Big Oil accountable. The New York case was an outlier-it sought to make Exxon Mobil investors whole for an alleged bookkeeping bait-and-switch. Most U.S. climate litigation takes a more direct approach, seeking damages in so-called public nuisance lawsuits. Fossil fuel use runs counter to the inherent right to exist in a non-warming world, the argument goes, and the energy companies knew that right would be infringed when enough of it was burned. About a dozen cities, counties and states have sued Exxon, Chevron, BP, Royal Dutch Shell and their peers. The suits seek to reimburse taxpayers for the costs associated with adapting to climate change-from building multibillion-dollar sea walls to repairing damage from powerful storms and, perhaps soon, moving whole communities inland. Federal appeals courts on both sides of the country are considering whether such cases may proceed. Their rulings-one of which may come any day-will have a powerful effect on the future of climate change litigation. "Through these cases, we will learn with great detail what the industry knew and when they knew it, and what they did to deceive the public about that knowledge," said Lee Wasserman, director of the Rockefeller Family Fund, a charity that focuses in part on sustainability issues. "They are now leaving the public with an enormous bill." And it's not just Americans who are litigating the consequences of global warming. In the Netherlands, the supreme court recently upheld a landmark ruling forcing the government to combat climate change. The case has inspired similar lawsuits in France, Germany, New Zealand and Norway. In the U.S., there is precedent for such a massive attempt at legal redress. A few decades back, the tobacco industry was taken to court by a group of states after decades of holding individual litigants at bay. In the end, the companies settled for $246 billion and agreed to changes in the sale and marketing of cigarettes. But before history can repeat itself, climate litigants have to persuade judges (and the fossil fuel industry) that their lawsuits have a chance of succeeding. So far, their track record hasn't been that great. Just last week, a novel case filed by a group of young Americans trying to force the government to address climate change was derailed by a federal appeals court panel. The two-judge majority concluded there is no constitutional right to a livable climate. (The plaintiffs say they will appeal.) Moreover, courts have been quick to note (as have defendants) that the production and use of fossil fuel by energy companies, utilities and manufacturers has been central to building modern civilization as we know it. Congress, and not the courts, is where the answer lies, industry lobbyists and lawyers say. Phil Goldberg serves as a special counsel to the National Association of Manufacturers. As such, he's assumed a leading role in pushing back against climate litigation (an Exxon spokesperson deferred to him when asked about cases filed by Baltimore and Marin County, California). Goldberg argues that federal laws regulating the environment prevent states from foisting their own de facto regulation on the energy industry, and that nuisance suits are just regulation by another name. "They're claiming that the mere act of selling oil, gas and other energy products is a liability-causing event because there's downstream impacts from the use of their products," he said. "There's no liability if there are downstream impacts from legally using their products." But since those "downstream impacts" are an accelerating global catastrophe, states and municipalities faced with a deadlocked Congress and a White House bent on unraveling existing climate regulations say the courts are their only hope. "Litigation," said Peter Frumhoff, director of science and policy and chief climate scientist for the Union of Concerned Scientists, "is essential to hold Big Oil accountable." Public nuisance claims (what one judge recently called the "unreasonable interference" with a right "common to the general public") have been made with varying degrees of success when it came to suits and settlements over lead paint, asbestos, opioids and of course tobacco. But making the theory work with fossil fuels is a different matter altogether. While "the potential liability is far greater," Wasserman said, "courts have been known to shy away from their responsibility and pass the buck to another branch of government." But just getting in the door may be enough, said Matt Pawa, a lawyer representing New York City in its climate litigation. If a city or state can survive a motion to dismiss its lawsuit, it usually means a company will be compelled to open its files and submit to depositions. "Important information comes out in litigation-the public learns what's going on," Pawa said. "The lawsuits, in a way, are shining a bright light on wrongful conduct." The evidence climate litigants most want is proof of deception. Energy companies not only sold products they knew would damage the environment, plaintiffs claim, but spent millions of dollars over the decades purposely casting doubt on climate science. California's Marin County, at the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge, was among the first municipalities to file a nuisance claim against the oil industry. Kate Sears, a county supervisor, said the decision in 2017 was based on actual changes to the physical environment rather than projections. A critical roadway in her community floods regularly due to rising waters from the nearby bay. "For us, sea level rise is real, it's not an abstraction," Sears said. "I don't think it's appropriate that my taxpayer residents should be on the hook to pay for damages caused by the actions of this industry." Rhode Island sued oil and gas producers the following year, accusing them of putting its 400 miles of economically crucial coastline at risk. "They profited from what they did, and they knew the effects of what was coming, and they tried to cloud the science," Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said in an interview. In the Marin County case, defendant energy companies said the lawsuit "wrongfully calls into question" federal policies. In the Rhode Island litigation, the industry claimed the state is blaming oil companies for "global greenhouse gas emissions of countless actors, including Rhode Island and its residents." These climate lawsuits, said Chevron spokesman Sean Comey, are "designed to punish a few companies in one industry who lawfully deliver" products to consumers. Exxon, Shell and BP either declined to comment or didn't respond to requests seeking comment. Comey's assertion does illustrate a problem with ascribing specific liability for global warming. Though the starring role of oil, gas and coal producers in the global climate crisis is irrefutable, figuring out how much of global warming is their fault as a whole-not to mention individual companies-may be impossible. For now, most climate cases are bogged down in fights over whether they belong in state or federal court. In October, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed three state court lawsuits to proceed while the jurisdiction fight proceeds. But lower-court federal judges have largely sided with defendants, rejecting nuisance suits by New York City, San Francisco and Oakland. All have been appealed. Other pending nuisance cases have been filed by King County, Washington; Boulder, Colorado; and the cities of Imperial Beach, Santa Cruz and Richmond, California. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes "Their theory rests on the sweeping proposition that otherwise lawful and everyday sales of fossil fuels, combined with an awareness that greenhouse gas emissions lead to increased global temperatures, constitute a public nuisance," wrote U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco in a 2018 decision tossing out a climate lawsuit. That same year, U.S. District Judge John Keenan said, in dismissing New York City's case against Exxon, Chevron, BP, ConocoPhillips and Shell, that the "immense and complicated problem of global warming" is for Congress and the administration to fix. A federal appeals court could decide on New York City's challenge to Keenan's ruling in the coming weeks, while oral arguments of appeals by San Francisco and Oakland are slated for Feb. 5 before another appellate panel. Decisions in those cases are likely to inform climate litigation choices by other states and cities. Chris Chrisman, a corporate defense lawyer with Holland & Hart in Denver, predicts the courts will ultimately side with the energy industry. "It's a recognition of the limitations of what state nuisance laws were designed to accomplish," said Chrisman, who represents energy companies but isn't involved in the nuisance cases. "They might be able to address the adverse effects of a smokestack going up right next door to your house, but they're not designed to address a global problem like climate change." Unsurprisingly, lawyers for the plaintiffs don't see it that way. They argue their nuisance claims are bolstered by evidence that fossil fuel companies knew the damage their products did, and actively sought to steer public debate elsewhere. Many of the suits also allege negligence for "failure to warn," negligence for design defects, strict liability and trespass. "For us, sea level rise is real, it's not an abstraction." In a lawsuit filed by the City of Baltimore, lawyers said energy companies were on notice about their impact on the Earth's atmosphere in 1965, when President Lyndon Johnson's scientific advisory committee on environmental pollution warned that by 2000, humanity's greenhouse gas emissions would "modify the heat balance of the atmosphere to such an extent that marked changes in climate could occur." Instead of taking action to prevent global warming, Baltimore said the defendants "embarked on a decades-long campaign designed to maximize dependence on their products and undermine national and international efforts to rein in greenhouse gas emissions." Marin County pointed to a now-defunct industry group whose members included "affiliates, predecessors and/or subsidiaries" of some of the defendants. In 1991, the county alleged in its complaint, the group launched a national climate denial campaign that targeted "less-educated males" in order to "reposition global warming as theory (not fact)." One of the group's ads stated "Who told you the Earth was warming ... Chicken Little?" Goldberg, special counsel to the National Association of Manufacturers, said such allegations of corporate deception are "all window dressing to try to drive the public opinion and judicial reaction to it." The legal effort by climate litigants is evolving, however. In October, a state court case filed by Massachusetts included claims under consumer protection laws, arguing that Exxon misled residents and investors about the environmental impact of the gasoline they buy. "It's a different kind of case," Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey said in an interview. "Exxon made misrepresentations and failed to disclose material facts about systemic climate change risks." Exxon, having moved the case to federal court for now, claimed in a November filing that Healey is trying to stop the company "from producing and selling fossil fuels." In a response filed this month, Healey rejected the company's argument. She instead compared her claims to tobacco litigation, saying it's "deceptive advertising and marketing that the Commonwealth is seeking to stop." Hana Vizcarra, a staff attorney at Harvard Law School's Environmental and Energy Law Program, said the increasing need to find someone other than taxpayers to pay the costs of climate change will continue to drive state and local governments toward litigation. Nevertheless, she's skeptical about their chances for victory. "Plaintiffs in the remaining cases may yet see some success at the state level as they refine their claims," she said. "But the federal court decisions indicate this remains a difficult path." R ock legend Ozzy Osbourne made a red carpet at a pre-Grammy event days after revealing he had been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease. The Black Sabbath frontman and reality TV star, 71, was joined by his wife Sharon and daughter Kelly. The trio were at the star-studded pre-Grammy gala celebration hosted by Clive Davis at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles on Saturday. Ozzy, who walked with a stick, wore head-to-toe black as he and his family posed for pictures. He posed with daughter Kelly and wife Sharon at the event / Getty Images for The Recording Academy The veteran rocker told US morning show Good Morning America last week it was discovered he had the neurodegenerative disorder after a fall last year. He told the programme: I did my last show New Years Eve at The Forum. Then I had a bad fall. I had to have surgery on my neck, which screwed all my nerves and I found out that I have a mild form. Ozzy Osbourne - In pictures 1 /65 Ozzy Osbourne - In pictures 2016 Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath performs at Ozzfest, San Manuel Amphitheater, Los Angeles Getty Images 2015 Kelly Osbourne, Ozzy Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne and Jack Osbourne attend the Pride of Britain awards at The Grosvenor House Hotel Getty Images 1982 Ozzy Osbourne performs at the Alpine Valley Music Theater, East Troy, Wisconsin Getty Images 1974 Ozzy Osbourne with Black Sabbath 1980 Ozzy Osbourne with band Blizzard of Ozz circa 1982 Ozzy Osbourne Getty Images 1984 Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne on holiday in France with his daughter Aimee 1984 Ozzy Osbourne on holiday in France with his daughter Aimee 1998 Ozzy Osbourne poses in a swimming pool to promote 'Fame and Fortune' tv SHOW 1998 Members of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath pose in New York AP 2000 British Metal Artist Ozzy Osbourne arrives at the 42nd Grammy Awards Ceremony with his family in Los Angeles AFP 2002 Ozzy Osbourne on MTV'S The Osbounes 2002 Golden Jubilee pop party for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace 2002 British rocker Ozzy Osbourne touches his star during a ceremony unveiling his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood EPA 2003 British rock star Ozzy Osbourne poses for the photographers as he pays a visit to the 'Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve' Formula One race track in Montrea 2003 Ozzy Osbourne and family host the American Music Awards Reuters 2003 Ozzy Osbourne 2003 Ozzy Osbourne on MTV'S The Osbounes (Season 2) 2003 Ozzy Osbourne and his daughter Kelly Osbourne perform on the German TV show AFP/Getty Images 2004 Ozzie Osbourne and wife Sharon present the Grammy Award for best rock performance by a duo or group with vocal to Jordan Zevon (L) during the 46th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles Reuters 2004 Ozzy Osbourne and guitarist Zakk Wlyde (left) honour their late band member, guitarist Randy Rhoads as he is inducted into the Hollywood RockWalk posthumously, as his mother Delores (right) looks on as Osbourne and Wylde chant his name during ceremonies in Hollywood Reuters 2004 Singer Sir Elton John (right) presents Ozzy Osbourne with the Editor's Special Award during the 7th annual GQ Men Of The Year Awards at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden PA 2004 Ant McPartlin (left) and Declan Donnelly with their awards for Most Popular Entertainment Programme for Saturday Night Takeaway with Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, at the 10th Anniversary National Television Awards PA 2004 Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne dress up as Joseph and Mary, during their guest appearance on MTV's TRL - Total Request Live - show at their new studios in Leicester Square PA 2004 Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne talk to the crowd at half-time during Watford's Carling Cup tie with Portsmouth at Vicarage Road, Watford PA 2005 Ozzy Osbourne performs before the start of the New England Patriots home opener game against the Oakland Raiders in Foxboro, Massachusetts Reuters 2006 Ozzy Osbourne (right) and Jon Culshaw starring in the new ad for I can't believe it's not Butter PA 2006 Ozzy Osbourne speaks as his band Black Sabbath is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the 2006 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York Reuters 2006 Ozzy Osbourne performs during the concert to celebrate the Prince's Trust 30th anniversary, at The Tower of London EPA 2006 The Prince of Wales shares a joke with Ozzy Osbourne and Chico at a reception at Clarence House for those lending their support to Saturday's star-studded concert celebrating the 30th birthday of the Prince's Trust PA 2006 The Prince of Wales shares a joke with Sharon (left) and Ozzy Osbourne and Chico at a reception at Clarence House for those lending their support to Saturday's star-studded concert celebrating the 30th birthday of the Prince's Trust PA 2007 Rock star Ozzy Osbourne lifts a replica of his Walk of Fame Star, after becoming the first artist to be honoured on Birmingham's Hollywood style 'Walk of Fame, in Birmingham, England AP 2008 Ozzy & Sharon Osbourne hosts of the BRIT Awards PA 2009 Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne pose in front of some of their belongings to be auctioned in Beverly Hills Reuters 2012 Sharon Osbourne and Ozzy Osbourne leaving Spa in Beverly Hills Splash News 2013 Ozzy Osbourne starring in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 2014 Kelly and Ozzy Osbourne attend the 10th annual MusiCares MAP Fund Benefit Concert Getty Images 2014 Ozzy Osbourne poses for pictures as he arrives for the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards AFP/Getty Images 2014 Ozzy Osbourne collects the Global Icon award from Slash during the MTV Europe Music Awards at the the SSE Hydro in Glasgow 2014 Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath speak onstage during the 56th GRAMMY Awards Getty Images 2015 Ozzy Osbourne attends an VIP Opening Reception For "Dis-Ease" An Evening Of Fine Art With Billy Morrison at Mouche Galler Getty Images 2015 Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne arrive at the premiere of A24 Films "Amy" at ArcLight Cinemas Getty Images 2016 Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath performs at Ozzfest 2016 at San Manuel Amphitheater, Los Angeles Getty Images 2016 Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne attend the Ozzy Osbourne and Corey Taylor special announcement at the Hollywood Palladium Getty Images 2016 Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath performs at Ozzfest Getty Images 2016 Musician Geezer Butler and singer Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath attend the Ozzy Osbourne and Corey Taylor special announcement at the Hollywood Palladium Getty Images 2017 Sharon Osbourne and Ozzy Osbourne attending The Pride of Britain Awards 2017, PA 2018 Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne at Ozzy Osbourne Announces "No More Tours 2" Final World Tour At Press Conference At His Los Angeles home Getty Images Ozzy Osbourne His wife Sharon, who is also his manager, added: Theres so many different types of Parkinsons, its not a death sentence by any stretch of the imagination, but it does affect certain nerves in your body. And its like you have a good day, a good day, and then a really bad day. Ozzy said he is on a host of medications, mainly for the surgery. Ozzy Osborne Opens Up For The First Time About Battle With Parkinson's Disease He added: I got a numbness down this arm for the surgery, my legs keep going cold. I dont know if thats the Parkinsons or what, you know, but thats the problem. Because they cut nerves when they did the surgery. Id never heard of nerve pain, and its a weird feeling. Sharon said they are going to see a medical professional in Switzerland in April who deals with getting your immune system at its peak. Kelly said she was scared that her father would never walk again after learning of his diagnosis. Ozzy, who cancelled tour dates last year due to injuries he suffered while recuperating from pneumonia, said he had struggled to keep his diagnosis a secret from fans. He said: To hide something inside for a while, its hard. You never feel proper, you feel guilty. Im no good with secrets. I cannot walk around with it any more because its like Im running out of excuses, you know? Myanmar army shells Rohingya village, kills two women Iran Press TV Saturday, 25 January 2020 10:04 AM Myanmar troops have shelled a Rohingya village, killing two women, one pregnant, and injuring seven people, only two days after the UN's highest court ordered the country to protect the minority. Kin Taung village came under attack on Saturday after shells were fired from a nearby battalion, according to Maung Kyaw Zan, a national member of parliament for Buthidaung Township in northern Rakhine state. "There was no fighting, they just shot artillery to a village without a battle" in the middle of the night, Zan told Reuters. On Thursday, the Hague-based International Court of Justice ordered Myanmar to protect the Rohingya against further atrocities and preserve evidence of alleged crimes. Meanwhile, the military denied it carried out the shelling, blaming the rebels who they said attacked a bridge in the early hours of the morning. Conflicts and clashes between government troops and the Arakan Army (AA), a Buddhist rebel group trying to gain greater autonomy for Rakhine, have added a new dimension to the troubles in Rakhine. In the Saturday attack, two houses were also destroyed, according to a Rohingya villager. "The military always shoots heavy weapons They shoot heavy weapons around the area they suspect. It is impossible to flee to other places, even though we are scared," Soe Tun Oo told Reuters. Rakhine has been the scene of an organized deadly crackdown on Muslims by Myanmar's army and Buddhist mobs since 2012. Thousands were killed and some 800,000 Rohingya Muslims fled to neighboring Bangladesh, where they currently live in camps in dire conditions. Rohingya Muslims, who have lived in Myanmar for generations, are denied citizenship and branded illegal migrants from Bangladesh, which likewise denies them citizenship. The United Nations has already described the Rohingya as the most persecuted community in the world. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Danielle Macdonald has revealed that her family were personally affected by the bushfire crisis. Speaking at the G'Day USA event in Beverly Hills, the 28-year-old actress broke down in tears as she described the devastation in New South Wales. The Bird Box star told The Daily Telegraph: 'We were at my cousin's house at Bateman's Bay over Christmas and three days later their house burned down. 'It's horrifying': Australian actress Danielle Macdonald (pictured) broke down in tears at G'Day USA event on Saturday, as she revealed her family members lost a home in bushfire crisis 'We ended up driving 13 hours south to get out and it was a journey that should have taken three hours. 'But seeing the dead animals in the burnt-out areas we drove through is something I can never unsee. It's horrifying'. Now based in America, Danielle's career has gone from strength to strength, and she recently revealed what it was like to work alongside Jennifer Aniston, 50, on the Netflix hit Dumplin'. The Bird Box star said: 'We were at my cousin's house at Bateman's Bay over Christmas and three days later their house burned down. We ended up driving 13 hours south to get out' She added: 'Seeing the dead animals in the burnt-out areas we drove through is something I can never unsee. It's horrifying' Speaking to Stellar Magazine, Danielle recalled how she hung out with Jennifer at the Hollywood star's Bel Air mansion to get into the role as her daughter. 'She (Jennifer) was just very welcoming, open and warm. I felt very safe and calm around her,' Danielle told the publication. In the film, Danielle played the titular character who is teased for being plus-sized and has the nickname 'Dumplin' while her mother - played by Jennifer - is a former pageant queen. In character! Now based in America, Danielle's career has gone from strength to strength, and she recently worked alongside Jennifer Aniston, 50, on the Netflix hit Dumplin' (pictured) Sweet: 'She (Jennifer) was just very welcoming, open and warm. I felt very safe and calm around her,' Danielle said of her co-star Hit! After Dumplin' Danielle went on to star in Bird Box alongside Sandra Bullock (right) Danielle also appeared in the Netflix movie Bird Box starring Sandra Bullock. More recently she starred in the miniseries Unbelievable, alongside Toni Collette, Merritt Wever and Kaitlyn Dever. Danielle will next been seen in the film French Exit, which stars Michelle Pfeiffer and Lucas Hedges. Streaming service Stan is a proud sponsor of G'day USA. Star on the rise: Danielle will next been seen in the film French Exit, alongside Michelle Pfeiffer and Lucas Hedges Britain is just a few days away from leaving half a century-old European Union membership. The historic move to leave the 27-nation bloc is scheduled for January 31 at 11:00 pm (2300 GMT) after joining the union in 1973. However, most changes in the UK being independent will not be immediate. They will occur in the transition period negotiated between London and Brussels which would reportedly allow both sides to nurture the future relationship. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson had promised to 'Get Brexit Done' and called it 'taking back control'. As the moment nears, he reportedly said that next Friday will be an important moment in the history of the United Kingdom. Read - 'Brexit Will Help Global Growth' Says European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde Even though the UK will no longer be represented in the EU, Britons will be able to work in and trade freely with the bloc nations until December 31 and vice versa. Ever since the 2016 EU referendum, the Brexit process has been followed by countless debates, criticism, constant back-and-forth between EU and the UK, and even the prorogation of the British parliament. It was this referendum which also led two Prime Ministers to quit. According to international reports, four years ago 52 per cent Britons backed the decision of Brexit while 48 per cent wanted to be a part of the union, Splitting the country between 'leavers' and 'remainers'. However, this political chaos in London came to end with the snap December 12 general elections. Read - EU Appoints Joao Vale De Almeida As First Ambassador To Post-Brexit UK Brexit Gets Done on Jan 31 The House of Commons has been able to pass the bills with overwhelming votes as Johnson is leading the way to ensure that Britain leaves the EU January 31. The Conservative Party won the recently-concluded general elections with an overwhelming majority. The huge victory margin is considered as strong support from the people of Britain towards the Brexit since Conservatives had contested the election with a central theme of Get Brexit Done. Read - UK PM Boris Johnson Signs Brexit Withdrawal Deal, Hails It As 'fantastic Moment' Read - EU Chiefs Sign Brexit Deal, European Parliament To Ratify It On Jan 29 (With inputs from Agencies) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- With the U.S. 2020 Census coming out shortly, members of the Alliance of South Asian American Labor (ASAAL) were informed on how to accurately make everyone count in their communities at a gathering on Saturday evening. The event touched upon the challenges that New York City faces when it comes to the Census. New York City Census Director Julie Menin spoke out about the biggest concern residents have: Will not being a documented citizen hurt them in the long run? Many people fear because of the citizen question, which is misinformation," Menin said. The Trump Administration put fear into those who are not citizens, that there would be a question. But I can assure that there is no Are you a U.S. citizen question on the form." In 2010, the self-response rates were only 64%, while the U.S. average was 76%. Menin spoke about how many residents do not answer the Census cards, and people are being overlooked, including children or those living in senior centers. Mohammed Karim Chowdhury, the secretary of the ASAAL National, spoke out how the last Census numbers affected residents of New York, by taking away Congressional seats and lost of some funding. We cannot blame Census or anyone but ourselves. We did not do our part. It was an incomplete count. We lost a huge opportunity here, said Chowdhury. This is why we are doing everything we can do to avoid the situation to assist our community to have a complete count. We want every household to be counted. OTHER CONCERNS More concerns from past 2010 Census showed that householders have fear of losing homes or housing subsidies, fear of losing entitlement benefit, increased rents based on additional working adults in the household, community displacement from support systems, and security concerns. Menin assured everyone in the room that the Census is completely confidential. It is safe to fill out, dont be afraid to fill it out in fear. No one will release the information. Some of the biggest factors of the 2020 Census will help determine how more than $650 billion in Federal funds are distributed. This includes public education, public housing, public transit, roads and bridges, senior centers, Medicaid, Head Start, and seats in Congress. THE CITY CENSUS The NYC Census 2020, itself, has built four-pillars on how to ensure everyone is counted. They have set up grant funding to libraries, media advertisements, and working closely with community organizations, such as ASAAL. A representative for Rep. Max Rose expressed a critical issue that the Staten Island community needs to know about. Staten Island is not always given its fair share, out of the other boroughs. That is why, for the 2020 Census, we need to make sure our community gets all the funding and resources that we need," said Kevin Elkins. The gathering was held in the congressmans West Brighton headquarters. April 1 is Census Day; everyone across the United States will receive a U.S. Census postcard that will arrive March 12 in the mail. Residents will have the option to be able to fill out an online form, do it over the phone, or via postal mail. Between May and July, the U.S. Census Bureau will go around to neighborhoods, knocking on doors. The final count will be delivered in December. The Tibetan government-in-exile on Sunday greeted the people of India on 71stRepublic Day and said the Tibetan people are eternally grateful to the country for supporting their efforts towards preservation of their ancient culture and unique identity. Ven Karma Gelek Yuthok, the 'minister of department of religion and culture', hoisted the Indian national flag at a ceremony attended by Tibetan leaders at the CTA headquarters here. "On this glorious occasion of the 71st Republic Day, the Central Tibetan Administration and the Tibetans around the world would like to congratulate the People and Government of India," he said. He said over the course of 71 years, India has garnered worldwide admiration for its booming growth in every field and especially for the thriving democracy and diversity. He said Tibetan people are eternally grateful to the government and people of India for granting asylum to the Dalai Lama and "for supporting the efforts of the Tibetan people in the preservation of its rich ancient culture and unique identity. The Tibetan people pledge to repay the gratitude through an initiative led the Dalai Lama which is the revival of ancient Indian tradition in contemporary India, he said. The minister also thanked the Indian government for giving recognition to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and culture and conferring India's highest civilian awards on individuals with extraordinary accomplishments in the Tibetan Buddhism discipline. On Republic Day this year, the government has conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award on American Buddhist scholar and Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University Robert Thurman. In 2009, Prof. Geshe Ngawang Samten, the vice-chancellor of the Central University of Tibetan Studies based in Sarnath, India, was honoured with the Padma Shri in literature. In 2018, DrYeshi Dhonden, a noted Tibetan medical practitioner and the Dalai Lama's former personal physician, was conferred the Padma Shri award for his contribution towards medicine. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Irish minister for European affairs has said the EU Withdrawal Agreement means there will be checks on goods from Great Britain that enter Northern Ireland. Helen McEntee said the checks will be carried out to ensure protection of the single market but that if there is a free trade agreement, that "changes things". Speaking on Sky Newss Sophy Ridge On Sunday, Ms McEntee said: "If we come to the end of this year, if there is no trade agreement in place, then of course the Irish protocol called will come into place." Ms McEntee has reiterated her governments position that there will be no checks on the island of Ireland in order to protect the historic peace deal the Good Friday Agreement. There will be no checks on the island of Ireland, weve been very clear on this, and we need to protect the Good Friday Agreement and integral to that has been the invisible border, which was put in place over 20 years ago, she said. Ms McEntee said in her view, negotiating a trade deal with the UK post-Brexit essentially in 10 months will be difficult and challenging. She spoke about the prospects of such a deal being agreed to in the Brexit transition period which begins on February 1. My own personal view is that Brexit is really only at half-time, we have a huge amount of work still to do, she said. I think its very welcome but with a tinge of sadness that the Withdrawal Agreement has passed through all the stages in Westminster. Boris Johnson has said he does not want to have an extension, which means trying to negotiate a very difficult trade deal, essentially in 10 monthsHelen McEntee However, the idea that we can negotiate a trade deal, one that is comprehensive, one that provides very little change for our citizens, not just in the UK and Ireland, but the EU as well, within about a 12-month space, its very difficult. Now of course the EU is willing and Michel Barnier is still there, and he is working with his team, and all member states are included to ensure that we have a mandate and that we are ready for these negotiations when they start. We do know of course that Boris Johnson has said he does not want to have an extension, which means trying to negotiate a very difficult trade deal, essentially in 10 months. We know, looking at previous trade deals, how long they have taken, but we have said we are willing, we are ready. And what we do need to make sure, that in all of the negotiations Irelands priorities are heard, that the other 26 member states priorities are heard and that there is a level playing field, that we have a balance of rights and obligations throughout all of this. Ms McEntee spoke repeatedly about her concerns about timing, and that the focus should be the deal itself. This idea that we need to get something done by the year, for us, its about putting the right negotiations, and the right relationship in place, laying the foundations and making sure that we have a trade relationship, not just that benefits us but benefits the UK, because we want to continue to have a close relationship. Ms McEntee refused to be drawn on whether her government would veto any deal that diverged from the agreement. This isnt about Ireland vetoing or any deal, she said. I think were all in agreement, all 27 member states, that we want a close relationship with the UK, but there has to be balance of rights and obligations, there needs to be a level playing field. I think it is quite worrying, a lot of talk about divergence and but this is why, for us, and particularly in Ireland, the Withdrawal Agreement was so important. This is why the protocol, specifically on Northern Ireland was so important, without a trade deal, which essentially means we need to ensure that no border can ever be reconstructed on the island. On whether the UK could come back to the EU, Ms McEntee added: I think all members states and I think most people in the EU would welcome the UK back tomorrow, if that was the case, but I dont think that is the case and I think we need to start focusing on what happens next. The first of February is not too far away. ANAS AL-DYAB GAZIANTEP, TurkeySyrian activists report that the Assad regime has launched its most intense assault since the beginning of the war almost nine years ago. The target is Idlib, the last opposition holdout in northwestern Syria. All indicators suggest that the campaign will produce a new humanitarian disaster and be the beginning of a final confrontation between the Syrian National Army (SNA)an alliance of Turkish-backed armed opposition forcesand Russian-Iranian-backed pro-Assad units. Amid Iran Crisis, Russias Mideast Presence Just Keeps Growing The fighting undermines the perception of a seamless Turkish-Russian rapprochement and reveals the hidden gridlock that exists even after years of negotiations over key issues that are critical to Turkeys security and President Recep Tayyip Erdogans political prospects. The unbridgeable gap between Moscow and Ankara has created space for the United States to acquire more leverage in its relationship with Turkey by acting as a counterweight to Moscows ambitions, if the Trump administration chooses to do so. The situation here is shit, says Abd al-Rahman al-Aissawi a local activist in the town of Maraat al-Nuaman, which has iconic status as a holdout against the regime. In nine years of war, this is the worst bombing weve ever seen. This is worse than the regimes assault on east Aleppo [in 2016]. At least then, we negotiated a way out. This time, theres nowhere to go, we have to fight. The regime knows this, and is paving the way for a truly scorched earth. In addition to a stepped up Syrian-Russian air campaign, the war zone in Idlib looks further set to escalate due to increased involvement by powers with ties to the Syrian opposition, in particular Turkey and to a lesser extent the United States. Since the most recent reboot of hostilities on January 16, SNA units reportedly received a new influx of American-made TOW anti-tank missiles that they used to repel regime advances around the town of Abu Jurayf, about 10 miles northeast of the rebel stronghold of Maraat al-Nuaman. (TOW stands for Tube launched, Optically tracked, Wire data link auto-guided missile.) Story continues Weve since been able to take back the towns of Samaka, al-Barsa and Mushaymis and destroy a large number of regime firepower with the recent influx of TOW missiles, says Abu Muhammad, a high ranking SNA commander. Rumors circulating at the time suggested that meetings held between Turkish defense officials and SNA leaders were attended by representatives from the United States as well. Mustafa Sayjari, a prominent leader within the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) fighting against regime forces in Idlib, has his own history of working with the United States. He told Syrian opposition television that he could confirm via direct meetings Ive had with the Americans, that Washington will support all Turkish efforts [with regards to Idlib]. Expectations are that the U.S., Turkey and other western countries will take joint efforts to stave off a Syrian regime advance in order to prevent a new influx of refugees pouring across the Turkish border. As al-Aissawi noted Syrian displaced persons in Idlib have nowhere to flee in the event Idlib falls except to Turkey. Throughout 2018, Idlib became the final refuge for an outpouring of SNA and opposition activists from key rebel strongholds in Homs, Damascus and the southern Daraa province that fell to pro-Assad forces. Now, as the saying goes, Theres no Idlib for Idlib. But the prospect of further refugees is one President Erdogan is keen to avoid. Turkeys assault on northeast Syria three months ago, in addition to removing the threat of U.S.-backed Kurdish forces along its border, was supposed to carve out a safe zone Ankara could use to relocate an unspecified percentage of Turkeys 5 million Syrian refugees. The long-term presence of Syrian refugees in Turkey has recently stoked xenophobic sentiments in the country, with populists blaming them for Turkeys recent economic downturn. Last June, Erdogans AK Party lost Istanbul in municipal elections for the first time since 2002. The defeat was seen as a major blow to Erdogan personally that was partially brought about by the latters perceived lax stance towards refugees. Shortly after coming to power, the opposition CHP party in Istanbul launched a new wave of arrests and deportations of Syrian refugees in a series of high profile cases that sparked outrage at home and abroad. With these high stakes, Turkey has signaled that it takes the latest escalation by the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad very seriously. On Friday, sources told The Daily Beast, Erdogan convened a closed meeting with Turkish intelligence chief Hakan Fidan and high-ranking SNA commanders declaring that ongoing Turkish attempts since July 2018 to reach a political solution with Russia over the status of Idlib had reached an impasse. Erdogan called in to the meeting convened with Hakan Fidan, effectively telling us that the political process in Syria was over, claimed SNA commander Abu Muhammad, who attended the meeting. The President advised us to make final preparations to take a final stand and defend ourselves, giving assurances as well that Turkey would not abandon the SNA. The arrival of TOW missiles and Erdogans acknowledgement of the failure of more than a year and a half of talks could signal a potential shakeup in the much-touted Turkish-Russian rapprochement that since 2015 has seen both countries significantly expand cooperation in the defense and energy sectors. This also occurs nearly two weeks after news that Ankara sent 2,000 SNA fighters and an unspecified number of Turkish troops to the Libyan capital of Tripoli to halt the advance of Russian-backed rebel general Khalifa Haftar against the beleaguered Turkish-backed Libyan government of Fayez al-Sarraj. After years of seeking common ground, in recent weeks Turkey finally appears willing to get tougher on Moscow. But the lengths to which Ankara is willing to go actually to hold off the regime advance in Idlib remain in question. In Syria, as in Other Frozen Conflicts, Putin Plays Peacemaker But Wants Controlled Chaos Over the weekend, the tide on the battlefield appears to have turned once again, with regime forces and their Russian and Iranian allies unleashing an unprecedented wave of bombing and advancing to Wadi Dayf, a town directly adjacent to and on the outskirts of Maraat al-Nuaman. Russian, Iranian and pro-Assad forces are said to be mobilizing for a renewed push on the outskirts of the city that will begin within days. The widespread presence throughout Idlib province of Hait Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the former al-Qaeda affiliate previously known as Jabhat al-Nusra, provides a convenient pretext for the Russian and Iranian assault, and hobbles the American ability to intervene more directly. If Maraat al-Nuaman falls, it would represent the third major victory for regime forces in Idlib in the last six months, following the December 25 fall of Jarjanaz, and the capture on August 22 of Khan Sheikhoun (photo above was taken during that assault). Khan Sheikhoun was the site of the regimes chemical attack in April 2017 that prompted U.S. airstrikes on the Syrian Shayrat airbase. The prospect of such a fall, for now, appears plausible. Other than the TOW missiles, the situation on the ground is the same as it was before, we havent received any new support from our allies, claimed Abu Muhammad. When asked on television about the SNAs ability to repel further regime advances, SNA leader Mustafa al-Sayjari made sure to say, Were confident that keeping the city of Idlib in the hands of the opposition isnt just a Syrian priority, but a Turkish one as well. The city of Idlib, located nearly 30 miles north of Maraat al-Nuaman, is the main population center in the rebel held province of the same name, and for now remains largely outside the scope of regime attacks. But Sayharis omission of the names of the frontline towns that are threatened by the regime was ominous. Lastly, the heavy presence of Iranian-backed militias on the front lines in Idlib suggests that Tehrans projection throughout the region has not been scaled back since Trump's January 2 assassination of Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani. Many suspect that the U.S. strikes may in fact be pushing Tehran to assert itself further in order to avoid appearing weak. Although Russia is believed to hold the upper hand in military decisions on the ground in Syria, the significance of Iranian forces cannot be overstated: the Russians attempts on their own to advance on Idlib throughout 2018 and early 2019 fell short and failed to achieve any major successes. The fall of Khan Sheikhoun in late August 2019 was largely made possible by the arrival of a large contingent of Iranian-backed forces following new power sharing agreements between Tehran and Moscow on the frontlines. Now, Iranian backed Lebanese Hezbollah and Afghan Fatimiyun Shia militias are the shock troops leading the assault on Maraat al-Nuaman under the cover of Russian air power. Sitting in a small operations room in a town outside Maraat al-Nuaman, activist Abd al-Rahman al-Aissawi combs through a database of enemy military communications between Afghans speaking Dari that have been intercepted and leaked in real time by Turkish-backed SNA forces. Unfortunately, neither he nor anyone else can do much with them. In a last ditch effort on social media, he sends out a blast to anyone willing to listen, Does anyone speak or know anyone who speaks Afghan? We need translators in Idlib; are willing to pay money. As The Daily Beast went to press, he had failed to get any responses. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. By Melanie Arroyave When you know somebodys story, it should be impossible to see them as anything other than human. Yet when I see the United States policies separating immigrant families families like mine what seems like more incidents of race and culture-based violence daily, and the growing distrust of people from immigrant communities, it makes me wonder how some people fail to see the humanity of their neighbors. My familys personal emigration story, my parents guidance and my high school history class have all taught me that there is nothing more important. I was born to immigrant parents in Jersey City, in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty. My parents emigrated from Colombia in the 1980s, where my father worked in the fields, and were granted amnesty under President Reagans immigration policy. When I was young, my mom became a quadriplegic after a car accident, and my father had to shoulder all of our familys finances to take care of us. We scraped to get by, and after my sister and brother both had their own children as teenagers, he said: It has to be different for you. You must succeed in school and chart a different course. I didnt like school, but I always liked history. Early on, I heard about Mr. Woods, a teacher known to have the most difficult and the most enriching history class on campus. I didnt qualify academically because my English and other grades werent strong enough, so I began asking students in his class for their assignments so I could do the work on my own. One day, I asked Mr. Woods if he could help me improve my grades, and for the next two years I spent my lunch period with him trying to catch up and make my father proud. By senior year, I made the honors track and was finally able to take Mr. Woods class, which used the Facing History and Ourselves curriculum. Facing History is an organization that helps classrooms across the country use lessons of history to challenge teachers and their students to stand up to bigotry and hate. For this class I had the honor of interviewing Holocaust Survivor Sami Steigman. Sami was just a child during the Holocaust, and he didnt share his story for almost 63 years while battling alcoholism and homelessness. But then he realized that telling his story might heal him, and it did. Sami taught me that sharing my story and finding commonalities, with people in history and with my peers, might help me heal, too. I am from humble and twisted roots. Life was very hard growing up, especially after my mother died. But I was raised by a father who believes that los genios no nacen se hacen geniuses are not born, they are made. And it was my mother who etched Max Ehrmanns poem, Desiderata, into my heart: listen to others, they, too, have their story. These are lessons I carry with me every day. In my senior year, I was accepted to American University and became the first person in my family to go to college. I subsequently transferred to Rutgers University, where I was offered a full ride. While in college, I learned about a program focusing on diversifying the Coast Guard, whose membership is only 14% female, and about 14% nonwhite. The military represented stability to me, but the decision to serve our country was not an easy one to make. I wondered how I could rationalize the policies of the administration I serve when many of my family members are undocumented. I also wondered how I could work alongside people who did not share my personal and political views. I thought back to how Facing History challenged me to find common humanity. I learned that people make choices, and choices make history. It taught me that, If I dont want history to repeat itself, I have to ask: What do I owe my neighbor? What is my obligation to myself and to others? Today, I am part of a team that rescues people in danger, regardless of your mother tongue or country of origin. I am proud to be an upstander. I believe that it is through our choices we can create a more humane and compassionate world. I know that if youre drowning, it doesnt matter where youre from or what your political beliefs are. My mission is to save your life no matter what you stand for or whether its legal for you to be in the water. It is by each of us recognizing our shared humanity that were able to make sound, just choices that history will approve. Melanie Arroyave is a Rutgers University graduate and an active-duty member of the U.S. Coast Guard. The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Calling New Delhi as the 'largest friend' of Kathmandu, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Sunday extended wishes to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and people of India on the occasion of the 71st Republic Day. "I am pleased to know that Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NICCI) is celebrating the 71st Republic Day of India on 26th January 2020. It is my pleasure, on this historic occasion, to congratulate and extend best wishes, on behalf of the Government of Nepal and on my own behalf, to Narendra Modi,the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, and the Government and the friendly people of India across the globe for their good health, happiness and continued prosperity," said Oli in a statement. Oli noted that the multifaceted relationship between India and Nepal "bonded by a glorious common religion, culture, and tradition has remained exemplary since time immemorial." "India is not only a key development partner of Nepal; she is also the largest friend in terms of trade, transit, investment, infrastructure, technology, energy, education, healthcare and so on," the statement read. "We believe that the high-level visits from both sides in the recent few years have further reinforced the age-old cordial relations between the two countries with the pursuit of bilateral cooperation even in the fields of agriculture, railway, and waterway connectivity, infrastructure, energy, and others," it said. The occasion was celebrated at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu today. The celebrations began with the hoisting of the Indian national flag by Charge d' Affaires Ajay Kumar who then read out the message of President Ram Nath Kovind for the occasion. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 22:30:18|Editor: yan Video Player Close RABAT, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- A Moroccan national was killed on Saturday evening when an indiscriminate mortar shelling was fired in east of the Libyan capital, Morocco's Consulate in Tunisia said on Sunday. The Moroccan national, 42, who lived in Libya, was killed following the firing on Saturday evening of a mortar shelling on the Arada area of Souq Jomaa, the consulate said in a statement. The statement added that the consulate will continue its contacts with the competent Libyan authorities to get informed about the conclusions of the investigation into the event. It also said that it will repatriate the body of the victim after the completion of the legal and administrative procedures in force. The UN-backed Libyan government has accused the rival eastern-based army of the shelling, but the latter has made no comment so far. The eastern-based army has been leading a military campaign since early April last year to take over Tripoli, home to nearly 2 million people, from the UN-backed government. The fighting so far has killed thousands of people and displaced more than 120,000 people, according to the World Health Organization. The two rival parties, which accepted a cease-fire starting from Jan. 12, have been accused each other of breaching truce. The Indian government is responsive to concerns expressed by businesses but needs to do more to attract investments into sectors such as e-commerce, the UK India Business Council (UKIBC) has said. The comments from the lobby grouping come after there was a sharp criticism of Goyal for saying Amazon was not doing India a favour by the investment announcement. India's GDP growth is set to slow to a decadal low of 5 per cent for 2019-20 and all eyes are set on the strategy deployed by the government in the upcoming Budget. Amazon CEO has said the e-commerce major will invest $1 billion (over Rs 7,000 crore) in digitising small and medium businesses in India. Declining to comment specifically on the impact on investors because of Goyal's comments, UKIBC Chief Executive Officer Richard Heald told PTI here that the e-commerce sector has a tremendous potential, especially for the smaller businesses, who get a platform to sell their wares. "I am a great fan of e-commerce and I think that e-commerce is misunderstood to a certain extent and it benefits the general public and those people who operate within the supply chain in ways that are not popularly understood," he said. Heald said Mukesh Ambani-promoted RIL also has plans to enter the e-commerce segment through a different business model and one can have her own preferences on business models. "Encouraging investments into India is important, encouraging the e-commerce sector is important because it benefits small businesses disproportionately to large businesses," he said adding that British businesses may not be "startled" at the posturing. India represents a large opportunity for the British businesses and even a slower 4.8 per cent GDP growth is much faster than what the UK or Europe is witnessing, he said. When asked if the government is responsive in India, he answered in the affirmative and said, "What I found striking (in conversations with government officials) was that increasingly, it is a two-way dialogue. The Indian government wants to understand and engage, it wants to understand what the operating issues are and get those addressed, positives as well as negatives." Welcoming the cut in corporate taxes, Heald advocated a relaxation in fiscal deficit targets in the upcoming Budget and added that the UKIBC will keenly watch the narrative on growth being set by the Indian government and look for specific measures on rural poverty alleviation and infrastructure spends. When asked about social sector troubles experienced in India, which have made billionaire George Soros to speak out at Davos last week, Heald said the UKIBC members will not be too perturbed by those concerns. He reasoned that commercial success is the most important aspect for a business when it makes a call to investment and not other "optics". "From the business point of view, I am not going to say it (social issues) is not relevant, but not high up the list," he said. When asked if there is over-pessimism about India, he initially said it would be "presumptuous" to say so. "I have huge admiration for India. Since 1947, you have survived and prospered as a country which is secular, is diverse. Your history is extraordinary. Clearly, there is something there that you have to foster and you have to develop," he said. West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh asserted on Sunday that all refugees will be given citizenship under the CAA, as party leader Rahul Sinha stoked a controversy by alleging that those protesting at Park Circus and Shaheen Bagh are "Bangladeshi Muslims". Participating in a rally in support of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) at Buniyadpur town in South Dinajpur district, Ghosh said that the refugees will now get their citizenship which they have been seeking for years. Claiming that TMC workers were intimidating people not to participate in NRC when it comes, Ghosh asserted that forms will have to be filled, whether offline or online. "When we have passed the law (CAA), we will certainly give citizenship to each of the refugees. "How long will they oppose, if TMC workers try to stop the process, people of the state will protest," he said. Rahul Sinha, a national secretary of the BJP, termed the people, who have congregated at Park Circus ground in the city and at Shaheen Bagh in Delhi to protest the CAA, NRC and the proposed NPR, as "Bangladeshi Muslims". "Those sitting at Park Circus, and Shaheen Bagh are Bangladeshi Muslims," he said here. He alleged that these people had entered India illegally and were leading prosperous lives here. "Those who want to break the country are speaking from Shaheen Bagh," the BJP leader alleged. Holding that BJP leaders like Rahul Sinha should refrain from making such irresponsible comments, Left Front chairman Biman Bose asked whether anyone standing up for upholding rights guaranteed in the Constitution can be termed as "anti-national". Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury, who went to the Park Circus ground to express solidarity with the protesters during the day, said that whoever goes against the BJP are termed as "anti-nationals". "Since I have come to Park Circus, so I should also be an anti-national in their nomenclature," he said. "The BJP is trying to divide people of the country on communal lines, but they did not realise that this will unite the country in opposing the CAA, NRC and the NPR," the Congress leader in Lok Sabha said. Critising Sinha for his remarks, West Bengal minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said anyone against the BJP is being termed as "anti-India". "It is Narendra Modi and Amit Shah who are dividing the country and not those who are protesting to uphold the Constitution," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) From a contingent of women bikers of Central Reserve Police performing daredevil stunts and participation of a 'tri-service formation' at the Republic Day parade, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying homage to the fallen soldiers at National War Memorial, the Republic Day celebration at the national capital witnessed many firsts. Marching for the first time in the Republic Day parade was the contingent of the Corps of Army Air Defence. Anti-Satellite Weapons from Mission Shakti, the Dhanush artillery, the newly-inducted Chinook heavy lift and Apache attack choppers were also displayed for the first time during the parade at the majestic Rajpath. In a first, a contingent of women bikers of CRPF also performed daredevil stunts. The contingent was led by Inspector Seema Nag, who was seen saluting while standing atop a moving motorcycle. It is for the first time that a "Tri-service formation" is taking part in the Republic Day parade. It will be followed by the 'Vic' formation of Chinook helicopters, used for airlifting diverse loads to remote locations. Women bikers of the CRPF perform daredevil stunts during the 71st Republic Day Parade at Rajpath. Photograph: Kamal Singh/PTI Photo The contingent of women bikers was led by Inspector Seema Nag. Photograph: Arun Sharma/PTI Photo Military Vehicle carrying Anti Satellite Weapons, Mission Shakti passes through Rajpath during the Republic Day parade. Photograph: R Raveendran/ANI Photo Indian Air Force's Chinook helicopter flies during India's Republic Day parade. Photograph: Altaf Hussain/Reuters Public sector electronics and telecom gear maker ITI Limited plans around Rs 150 crore investment to scale up its solar panel manufacturing capacity to 90 MW in the next fiscal, a top company official said. The company, which plans to raise Rs 1,600 crore through a follow-on public offer (FPO), has a solar panel capacity of 18 MW currently. "Given the kind of demand we are witnessing in the solar space, especially in the rooftop segment, from corporates and commercial establisments as well as the state governments, we want to be ready to tap that opportunity," the company's Chairman and Managing Director R M Agarwal told PTI. He said the company will be investing Rs 150 crore for scaling up the capacity, which it hopes to get from the budget allocated to the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications. The company is expecting at least Rs 500 crore from the government in the next fiscal for meeting its various capital expenditure (capex) requirements. The company has a solar panel manufacturing facility at Naini in Uttar Pradesh. When asked if the company would utilise the funds raised through the FPO for the capacity enhancement in case the funds from the government do not come, he said, "The FPO proceeds will have to be used towards partial repayment of loans, funding our working capital requirements and general purpose. For our capex, we will have to wait for the ministry to release the funds." Agarwal further said the company is banking on capacities tendered by discoms in various states to supply its panels as well as to set up rooftop projects on turnkey basis, along with the expected projects under the national solar mission. The company has executed various turnkey orders for Bharatnet, telecom towers, and Uttar Pradesh police headquarters. ITI has also deployed 15 MW solar power project for the Solar Energy Corporation of India. According to industry estimates, as of September 2019, cumulative installed solar capacity in India stood at 33.8 GW, of which rooftop solar installations crossed 4 GW. Apart from solar panels, the company is also focusing on manufacturing of LED-based products like LED solar lantern and LED street lights for rural use and LED tube lights and decorative indoor lights for grid connected applications. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India is now a larger smartphone market than the US according to a report by Counterpoint Research. Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo and Realme accounted for nearly 72% of the 158 million devices shipped in the country. Despite the increased popularity of Chinese devices, Samsung has still maintained its position as the second-largest smartphone brand in the country. Working For Notebookcheck Are you a techie who knows how to write? Then join our Team! English native speakers welcome! News Writer (AUS/NZL based) - Details here Ever since the widespread availability of low-cost wireless internet, the Indian market has been the focus of phone manufacturers worldwide. Chinese companies, in particular, have done a commendable job of establishing their foothold in the region. A newly-released report by Contrapoint Research now states that the Indian smartphone market has surpassed the United States with 158 million phones being shipped to the country in 2019. It is hardly surprising, considering that India is the second most populated country in the world. Furthermore, a good chunk of the population didn't have access to smartphones until very recently. The influx of low-cost smartphones has gone a long way towards bringing more people online. An estimate puts the total number of smartphone users in India at 438 million. That number still accounts for only a third of the total population, so there is still a lot more scope for growth. The meteoric rise in the number of devices shipped is mostly due to companies such as Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, and Realme. These four companies alone accounted for more than 72% of all smartphone shipments in 2019. Despite the heavy Chinese competition, Samsung has still managed to retain its spot as the second most popular smartphone brand in the country. There are also several other players such as Transsion, Micromax, and Intex that have helped fuel growth by focusing exclusively on users based in rural areas. China still reigns supreme as the world's top smartphone market, though. However, it doesn't receive nearly as much attention as India because the country's smartphone ecosystem runs on locally-grown solutions such as Baidu, WeChat, Weibo, and the likes. India, on the other hand, has no such options. That is a part of the reason why tech giants such as Facebook, Google, and Amazon are investing copious amounts of money towards developing products for the Indian subcontinent. It was in 1990 when Kashmiri Pandits turned refugees in their own country overnight. The story of ethnic cleansing and riots that took place in 1989 in Kashmir will be soon told on the big screen. Vidhu Vinod Chopra upcoming film titled Shikara chronicles the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from Kashmir on the night of Jan 19, 1990 through the story of Shiv Kumar Dhar (played by Aadil Khan) and Shanti Dhar (essayed by Sadia). Twitter The film is based on true events and that the protagonist couple is somewhat a reflection of Chopras own parents. The film is indeed close to his heart as he had earlier said that Shikara is dedicated to his mother who couldn't return to her home in Mumbai. Recently, at the Jaipur Literature Festival, when Vidhu Vinod Chopra was talking about his film that is all set to release on Feb 7, said that the Kashmiri Pandits deserve something similar to what is happening at Shaheen Bagh. There needs to be a Shaheen Bagh for Pandits as well, he was quoted as saying by The Quint. upodcasting.com In a similar appeal, about a week ago, Kashmiri Pandits had urged Shaheen Bagh protestors to back them too. Kashmiri Pandits had stressed, according to IANS, that before voicing support for a community that is in majority in most of the countries covered under the CAA, the Shaheen Bagh protestors must come to aid for a community within India that has faced trouble for so long but lacked voices of support. Shaheen Bagh has become a hub of anti-CAA protest for over a month now, with protesters demanding repeal of the CAA for its alleged discrimination against a particular community. Twitter Meanwhile, the film is facing quite a lot of backlash on social media already. #BoycottShikara became a trend on social media after Vidhu Vinod Chopra gave an honest statement about how the film in a way, tells people that they need to move on 30 years after the exodus of Kashmiri pandits. #BoycottShikara this is typical VVC, Muslims apologist movie where again Ppl who butchered KPs will be shown as victims and true Muslims and only handful terrorists killed KPs. It will also show how Muslims friends helped KPs which is all bull. Shit. KP should oppose aggressively Anand (@anand6862) January 21, 2020 #BoycottShikara after hearing Rahul pandita and vidhu vinod chopra and their talks of whitewashing the sins of Muslims of kashmir who drove them out and instead blaming others..no question is there to watch this movie !! Instead will wait for @vivekagnihotri movie !! Kg.. (@Kgtheseeker) January 21, 2020 Chopra had referred to the movie as a means of "healing" and "a fight between two friends." He emphasized that nearly half the crew that worked on the movie was the local Muslim population that was aware of the subject. People on social media think that he was trivializing the issue to promote his movie. Making a film on #KashmiriHinduExodus & not questioning the majority population who came out in support of terrorists esp. on 19th Jan. Is like giving a clean chit to #AjmalKasab. Victim saying sorry to trrsts & and terrorisists hugging the victim is a big farce & impossible. Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) January 21, 2020 Rahul Pandita, the writer of the story defended the film. He wrote on Twitter, "I am a Kashmiri Pandit who lost everything in 1990, while you were doing God knows what in Bombay. I am the writer of #shikara and I would not let anyone compromise on the Pandit story. I will not betray the memory of those who fell to the bullets of radical Islamists." I am a Kashmiri Pandit who lost everything in 1990, while you were doing God knows what in Bombay. I am the writer of #shikara and I would not let anyone compromise on the Pandit story. I will not betray the memory of those who fell to the bullets of radical Islamists. https://t.co/YWbPtGQu8M Rahul Pandita (@rahulpandita) January 21, 2020 Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri who is shooting his own film The Kashmir Files on the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits also lashed out at Chopra. "Vinod Chopra has made a love story. When you make a love story about genocide you are bound to be talking the language of the pacifist. Thats his expertise. I have no comment on that. He has earlier made another love story 1942: A Love Story about love during times of a political crisis," he was quoted as saying. Actress Rosie Perez arrives for Harvey Weinstein's rape trial, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020 in New York. AP ''Do the Right Thing'' actress Rosie Perez testified Friday that fellow screen star Annabella Sciorra told her in the mid-1990s that Harvey Weinstein had raped her but that she couldn't go to the police because ''he'd destroy me.'' Taking the stand at the former Hollywood mogul's rape trial, Perez said her friend Sciorra had told at some point in 1993, her voice shaking on the phone, that something had happened to her: ''I think it was rape.'' Perez said she asked if Sciorra knew who had attacked her, but Sciorra wouldn't say at the time. But months later, on another phone call from London, she said Weinstein was harassing her and she was scared, Perez said. ''I said, 'He's the one that raped you,''' and they both began crying, Perez testified. ''Please go to the police,'' Perez said she told her friend. She said Sciorra responded: ''I can't _ he'd destroy me.'' On Thursday, Sciorra told jurors that the movie producer pushed his way into her New York apartment, pinned her on a bed and forced himself on her in 1993 or 1994. She said Perez was one of a few people she told about the encounter before coming forward publicly in 2017. Weinstein denies ever having nonconsensual sex. His lawyers said Perez shouldn't be allowed to testify, but Judge James Burke decided to allow it. Defense lawyer Damon Cheronis pressed Perez on why she didn't go to police, or to Sciorra's home, when the actress first told her about the alleged assault. ''Because I was being respectful,'' Perez said. Weinstein, the studio boss whose downfall energized the (hash)MeToo movement, is charged with forcibly performing oral sex on former production assistant Mimi Haleyi in his New York apartment in 2006 and raping an aspiring actress in a New York hotel room in 2013. Sciorra is among four additional accusers who are expected to testify against him as part of an effort by prosecutors to show that Weinstein made a habit of preying on women. The 67-year-old producer of such Oscar-winning movies as ''Chicago'' and ''The King's Speech'' could get life in prison if convicted. Sciorra, 59, is best known for her work on ''The Sopranos.'' Perez, 55, was in 1989's ''Do the Right Thing'' and 1993's ''Fearless,'' which brought her an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress. Sciorra told the jury that she spiraled into cutting herself and drinking heavily after the alleged rape. On Friday, friend and fashion model Kara Young testified that a fidgety Sciorra ''seemed a mess,'' with long cuts on her legs, when the two watched the Academy Awards together in 1994. Weinstein's lawyers seized on Sciorra's actions after the alleged assault, asking such questions as why Sciorra made the 1997 Weinstein-produced film ''Cop Land'' if he had raped her a few years earlier. Sciorra said she wasn't aware of Weinstein's involvement until she had agreed to appear in the movie. The defense has also questioned why Weinstein's accusers stayed in friendly contact for years with a man they say had assaulted them. Prosecutors sought to give jurors some answers Friday from a forensic psychiatrist who testified about the same topic at the Pennsylvania trial that led to Bill Cosby's 2018 conviction on charges of sexually assaulting a woman. Dr. Barbara Ziv told Weinstein's jury of seven men and five women that most sex-assault victims continue to have contact with their attackers, who often threaten retaliation if the victims tell anyone what happened. Victims are ''hoping that this is just an aberration,'' she said, and they tell themselves: '''I can put it in a box and forget about it. I don't want it to get worse. . I can handle this physical trauma, but God forbid this ruins the rest of my life.''' Victims can end up blaming themselves ''without knowing that their behavior is entirely expected,'' said Ziv, who has described herself as an expert on ''sexual assault victim behavior'' who has evaluated more than 1,000 such people. She did not, however, evaluate any of Weinstein's accusers, and his lawyers seized on that point. The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they have been victims of sexual assault, unless they come forward publicly, as Sciorra and others have done. (AP) Four per cent of MDMA-related deaths in Australia since 2000 occurred at music festivals, according to a new report from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC). The study, published in the International Journal of Drug policy this month, identifies 392 deaths linked to the drug between 2000 and 2018. Most deaths occurred in private places and among men aged in their mid-20s. Most MDMA-related deaths occur in private residences. The research has prompted calls for an overhaul of the state's drug and alcohol policy to shift from a punitive to a public health-focused approach, aimed at encouraging people to seek medical treatment without fear of criminal sanctions. NDARC research fellow Amanda Roxburgh said the number of deaths due to MDMA toxicity alone, rather than when mixed with a contaminant, "jumped out" at them. Iraqi security forces cleared anti-government protesters from streets and squares in Baghdad and the south on Saturday, AFP journalists reported, stoking protester fears their long-running campaign risks being sidelined. It came a day after populist politician Moqtada Sadr organised his own mass rally demanding US troops leave Iraq before announcing that he would no longer back the separate youth-dominated protest movement demanding sweeping reform. Within hours, security forces had stormed a protest camp in the southern port city of Basra, forcibly dispersing activists, an AFP correspondent reported. Their tents were burned down and municipal staff could be seen clearing the charred remains to reopen the square. Many demonstrators were seen taking down tents in the cities of Hilla, Diwaniyah, Kut and Amarah. In the capital, security forces cleared sit-ins from Tayaran Square, Mohammad Qasim highway and Ahrar Bridge, according to Baghdad military command. A medical source told AFP six protesters had been wounded. Demonstrators had blocked off Tayaran Square and the Mohammad Qasim highway in east Baghdad since Monday in an attempt to pressure the government to enact long-awaited reforms. Ahrar Bridge, which links east Baghdad to western districts that are home to government buildings and embassies, had been partly occupied by protestors in recent months. Protesters in Baghdad's Tahrir (Liberation) Square, the main rallying point for the protesters, told AFP they heard live rounds and saw smoke bombs on Saturday as police sought to pin them back. The security forces did not storm the square and a police source told AFP there was no plan to do so yet. The protesters had long feared that if Sadr withdrew his support, they would lose political cover. Sadr, a militiaman-turned-cleric, is notorious for switching political positions with dizzying speed. He backed the protests from soon after they erupted in October and called on the government to resign -- even though he controls parliament's largest bloc and top ministerial posts. On Friday, thousands of his supporters gathered in Baghdad after he called for a rally to demand the departure of the 5,200 US troops in Iraq, after a US drone strike in Baghdad killed top Iraqi and Iranian commanders this month. Sadr himself did not attend, but tweeted late Friday to hail the turnout and say he would no longer be involved in the protesters' campaign for reform. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg (C) marches during a "Friday for future" youth demonstration in a street of Davos on the sideline of the World Economic Forum annual meeting, on Jan. 24, 2020. (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images) Davos 2020 Displays Division on Climate, Sustainability WASHINGTONThe Davos economic summit last week turned into a climate-change conference, as both political and business leaders felt real pressure to take the crisis seriously at this years gathering in the Alpine village. However, the annual meeting ended with little consensus over the scale and urgency of the climate threat. Differences in opinions on how to save the planet without disrupting the economy grew even wider among the global business and political elites. On the first day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 21, President Donald Trump launched a thinly veiled attack against climate activists, calling them prophets of doom. He also mentioned the United States virtually unlimited energy reserves from fossil fuels, liquefied natural gas, clean coal, nuclear power, and gas hydrate technologies. While many European countries struggle with crippling energy costs, the American energy revolution is saving American families $2,500 every year, he said, adding that the United States no longer depended on imported energy from hostile nations. During his speech, Trump criticized climate alarmists without directly naming any of the notable activists in Davos, including Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg. A 17-year-old activist, Thunberg, who has risen to fame recently, was one of the highest-profile attendees at this years summit. She beat me out on Time Magazine, Trump said, referring to the publications naming Thunberg as Person of the Year in 2019. He also said he would have loved to see her speak. When asked at a press conference if he still thought climate change was a hoax, Trump said, No, not all. But he doubted the scale of the crisis. I think aspects of it are. I think that some people arethey put it at a level that is, you know, unrealistic, to a point you cant live your lives. We have to do something about other continents, he said. You have another continent where the fumes are rising at levels that you cant believeI mean, I think Greta ought to focus on those places. Businesses Push Back on Climate In Davos, some bankers resisted the idea that Wall Street should take the lead in the climate fight. I dont want to be the sharp end of the spear, Michael Corbat, chief executive of Citigroup, told a panel in Davos. We dont want to find ourselves being the person that dictates winners and losers. Speaking on a separate panel, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon said his firm wouldnt stop raising money for a fossil fuel company but would try to allocate capital to businesses that help the transition to a more carbon-neutral world. Some other executives also said the demands by climate activists ignored the importance of economic growth and the need for continued investment in fossil fuel, according to a Wall Street Journal article. Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, the worlds largest asset manager, however, said in Davos that his company put sustainability at the center of its investment strategy. Speaking at a panel session on Jan. 23, former U.S. vice president and longtime climate activist Al Gore compared the scale of the crisis to famous battles in history, noting that the crisis is way worse than many people realize. Thunberg and other young climate activists attending the forum called on leaders to stop investing in traditional fuels. They have demanded all companies, banks, institutions, and governments to immediately end ongoing investments in fossil fuel exploration and extraction. They have also called for ending subsidies and completely divesting from fossil fuels. On the last day of the summit, Thunberg rebuked the Davos crowd for not taking the climate crisis seriously. Before we came here, we had a few demands for this WEF and of course, those demands have been completely ignored. We expected nothing less, she told reporters on Jan. 24, before marching through the streets of Davos with dozens of young activists. Mnuchin Criticizes Young Activist While Trump took an indirect approach to climate challenge in Davos, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin launched a direct attack on the young activist for her comments about ceasing all use of fossil fuels. After she goes and studies economics in college, she can come back and explain that to us, he said Jan 23 during a press briefing in Davos. In response to Mnuchin, Thunberg said on Twitter, It doesnt take a college degree in economics to understand that ongoing fossil fuel subsidies and investments and the remaining carbon budget dont add up. The transition to a 100 percent renewable U.S. power grid will cost up to $4.5 trillion over the next 10 to 20 years, according to a report by the energy consultancy and research firm Wood Mackenzie. The company estimates that about 1,600 gigawatts of new wind and solar capacity would be needed to replace all fossil fuel generation in the United States. While climate change topped the agenda at this years forum, no one has come up with plans to offset the costs of decarbonization on those it will hurt most, said Philip Stephens, chief political commentator at the Financial Times. These are the voters to whom Mr. Trump was speaking in Davos, he wrote on Jan. 24 in his column. A large swath of voters look at green policies through the same prism as Mr. Trumpsomething that wealthy globalists inflict on the poor when they are not hopping from continent to continent on their private jets. Imperial Valley News Center Proclamation on Adjusting Imports of Derivative Aluminum Articles and Derivative Steel Articles into the United States Washington, DC - Proclamation on Adjusting Imports of Derivative Aluminum Articles and Derivative Steel Articles into the United States: 1. On January 11, 2018, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) transmitted to me a report on his investigation into the effect of imports of steel articles on the national security of the United States, and on January 19, 2018, the Secretary transmitted to me a report on his investigation into the effect of imports of aluminum articles on the national security of the United States. Both reports were issued pursuant to section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862). 2. In Proclamation 9704 of March 8, 2018 (Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States), and Proclamation 9705 of March 8, 2018 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States), I concurred in the Secretarys findings that aluminum articles and steel articles were being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States. I therefore decided to adjust the imports of aluminum articles, as defined in clause 1 of Proclamation 9704, as amended, by imposing a 10 percent ad valorem tariff on such articles imported from most countries, beginning March 23, 2018. I also decided to adjust the imports of steel articles, as defined in clause 1 of Proclamation 9705, as amended, by imposing a 25 percent ad valorem tariff on such articles imported from most countries, beginning March 23, 2018. 3. In Proclamation 9758 of May 31, 2018 (Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States), I decided to further adjust imports of aluminum articles by imposing quotas on such articles from the Argentine Republic (Argentina). In Proclamation 9740 of April 30, 2018 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States), I decided to adjust imports of steel articles by imposing quotas on such articles from the Republic of Korea (South Korea), and in Proclamation 9759 of May 31, 2018 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States), I decided to adjust imports of steel articles by imposing quotas on such articles from Argentina and the Republic of Brazil (Brazil). 4. In Proclamation 9704 and Proclamation 9705, I directed the Secretary to monitor imports of aluminum articles and steel articles, respectively, and inform me of any circumstances that in the Secretarys opinion might indicate the need for further action under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended. 5. The Secretary has informed me that domestic steel producers capacity utilization has not stabilized for an extended period of time at or above the 80 percent capacity utilization level identified in his report as necessary to remove the threatened impairment of the national security. Stabilizing at that level is important to provide the industry with a reasonable expectation that market conditions will prevail long enough to justify the investment necessary to ramp up production to a sustainable and profitable level. Capacity utilization in the aluminum industry has improved, but it is still below the target capacity utilization that the Secretary recommended in his report. Although imports of aluminum articles and steel articles have declined since the imposition of the tariffs and quotas, the Secretary has informed me that imports of certain derivatives of aluminum articles and imports of certain derivatives of steel articles have significantly increased since the imposition of the tariffs and quotas. The net effect of the increase of imports of these derivatives has been to erode the customer base for U.S. producers of aluminum and steel and undermine the purpose of the proclamations adjusting imports of aluminum and steel articles to remove the threatened impairment of the national security. 6. The derivative articles the Secretary identified are described in Annex I (aluminum) and Annex II (steel) to this proclamation. For purposes of this proclamation, the Secretary determined that an article is derivative of an aluminum article or steel article if all of the following conditions are present: (a) the aluminum article or steel article represents, on average, two-thirds or more of the total cost of materials of the derivative article; (b) import volumes of such derivative article increased year-to-year since June 1, 2018, following the imposition of the tariffs in Proclamation 9704 and Proclamation 9705, as amended by Proclamation 9739 and Proclamation 9740, respectively, in comparison to import volumes of such derivative article during the 2 preceding years; and (c) import volumes of such derivative article following the imposition of the tariffs exceeded the 4 percent average increase in the total volume of goods imported into the United States during the same period since June 1, 2018. The modifications to subchapter III of chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States described in Annex I (aluminum) and Annex II (steel) to this proclamation implement the Secretarys determinations in this regard. 7. From June 2018 to May 2019, import volumes of steel nails, tacks, drawing pins, corrugated nails, staples, and similar derivative articles increased by 33 percent, compared to June 2017 to May 2018, and increased by 29 percent, compared to June 2016 to May 2017. From January 2019 to November 2019, import volumes of such articles increased by 23 percent, compared to the same period in 2017. Similarly, from June 2018 to May 2019, import volumes of aluminum stranded wire, cables, plaited bands, and the like (including slings and similar derivative articles) increased by 152 percent, compared to June 2017 to May 2018, and increased by 52 percent, compared to June 2016 to May 2017. From January 2019 to November 2019, import volumes of such articles increased by 127 percent, compared to the same period in 2017. Finally, from June 2018 to May 2019, import volumes of bumper and body stampings of aluminum and steel for motor vehicles and tractors increased by 38 percent, compared to June 2017 to May 2018, and increased by 56 percent, compared to June 2016 to May 2017. From January 2019 to November 2019, import volumes of such articles increased by 37 percent, compared to the same period in 2017. 8. It is the Secretarys assessment that foreign producers of these derivative articles have increased shipments of such articles to the United States to circumvent the duties on aluminum articles and steel articles imposed in Proclamation 9704 and Proclamation 9705, and that imports of these derivative articles threaten to undermine the actions taken to address the risk to the national security of the United States found in Proclamation 9704 and Proclamation 9705. As detailed in the Secretarys reports, domestic production capacity to produce aluminum articles and steel articles for national defense and critical infrastructure is essential to United States national security. This domestic production capacity is used to provide the essential inputs of aluminum and steel used in derivative aluminum articles and derivative steel articles. The Secretary has assessed that reducing imports of the derivative articles described in Annex I and Annex II to this proclamation would reduce circumvention and facilitate the adjustment of imports that Proclamation 9704 and Proclamation 9705, as amended, made to increase domestic capacity utilization to address the threatened impairment of the national security of the United States. 9. Based on the Secretarys assessments, I have concluded that it is necessary and appropriate in light of our national security interests to adjust the tariffs imposed by previous proclamations to apply to the derivatives of aluminum articles and steel articles described in Annex I and Annex II to this proclamation. This action is necessary and appropriate to address circumvention that is undermining the effectiveness of the adjustment of imports made in Proclamation 9704 and Proclamation 9705, as amended, and to remove the threatened impairment of the national security of the United States found in those proclamations. 10. Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, authorizes the President to adjust the imports of an article and its derivatives that are being imported into the United States in such quantities or under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States. 11. Section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), authorizes the President to embody in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) the substance of statutes affecting import treatment, and actions thereunder, including the removal, modification, continuance, or imposition of any rate of duty or other import restriction. NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, section 301 of title 3, United States Code, and section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, do hereby proclaim as follows: (1) In order to establish increases in the duty rate on imports of certain derivative articles, subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS is modified as provided in Annex I and Annex II to this proclamation. Except as otherwise provided in this proclamation, all imports of derivative aluminum articles specified in Annex I to this proclamation shall be subject to an additional 10 percent ad valorem rate of duty, and all imports of derivative steel articles specified in Annex II to this proclamation shall be subject to an additional 25 percent ad valorem rate of duty, with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on February 8, 2020. These rates of duty, which are in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported derivative aluminum articles or steel articles, shall apply to imports of derivative aluminum articles described in Annex I to this proclamation from all countries except Argentina, the Commonwealth of Australia (Australia), Canada, and the United Mexican States (Mexico) and to imports of derivative steel articles described in Annex II to this proclamation from all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea. The Secretary shall continue to monitor imports of the derivative articles described in Annex I and Annex II to this proclamation, and shall, from time to time, in consultation with the United States Trade Representative (USTR), review the status of such imports with respect to the national security of the United States. In the event of a surge of imports of any derivative article described in Annex I or Annex II to this proclamation from any excepted country, the Secretary, with the concurrence of the USTR, is authorized to extend application of the tariff imposed by this proclamation on imports of any derivative article experiencing such surge from such country, or to adopt appropriate quotas for imports of such derivative article from such country, or to negotiate a voluntary agreement with such country to ensure that imports of such derivative article from such country do not undermine the effectiveness of the adjustment of imports made in Proclamation 9704 and Proclamation 9705, as amended. The Secretary shall publish such action in the Federal Register and notification shall be provided to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) of the Department of Homeland Security. (2) The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Defense, the USTR, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and such other senior executive branch officials as the Secretary deems appropriate, is hereby authorized to provide relief from the additional duties set forth in clause 1 of this proclamation for any derivative article determined not to be produced in the United States in a sufficient and reasonably available amount or of a satisfactory quality and is also authorized to provide such relief based upon specific national security considerations. Such relief shall be provided for a derivative article only after a request for exclusion is made by a directly affected party located in the United States. If the Secretary determines that a particular derivative article should be excluded, the Secretary shall publicly post such determination and notify CBP concerning such article so that it will be excluded from the duties described in clause 1 of this proclamation. For merchandise entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the date the duty established under this proclamation is effective and with respect to which liquidation is not final, such relief shall be retroactive to the date the request for relief was accepted by the Department of Commerce. (3) Any derivative article described in Annex I or Annex II to this proclamation, except those eligible for admission under domestic status as defined in 19 CFR 146.43, that is subject to the duty imposed by clause 1 of this proclamation and that is admitted into a U.S. foreign trade zone on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on February 8, 2020, may only be admitted as privileged foreign status as defined in 19 CFR 146.41, and will be subject upon entry for consumption to any ad valorem rates of duty related to the classification under the applicable HTSUS subheading. Any derivative article that is described in Annex I or Annex II to this proclamation, except those eligible for admission under domestic status as defined in 19 CFR 146.43, that is subject to the duty imposed by clause 1 of this proclamation, and that was admitted into a U.S. foreign trade zone under privileged foreign status as defined in 19 CFR 146.41, prior to 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on February 8, 2020, will likewise be subject upon entry for consumption to any ad valorem rates of duty related to the classification under the applicable HTSUS subheading added by this proclamation. (4) Derivative articles shall not be subject upon entry for consumption to the duty established in clause 1 of this proclamation merely by reason of manufacture in a U.S. foreign trade zone. However, derivative articles admitted into a U.S. foreign trade zone in privileged foreign status pursuant to clause 3 of this proclamation shall retain that status consistent with 19 CFR 146.41(e). (5) No drawback shall be available with respect to the duties imposed on any derivative article imposed by clause 1 of this proclamation. (6) The Secretary, in consultation with CBP and other relevant executive departments and agencies, shall revise the HTSUS so that it conforms to the amendments and effective dates directed in this proclamation. The Secretary shall publish any such modification to the HTSUS in the Federal Register. (7) Any provision of previous proclamations and Executive Orders that is inconsistent with the actions taken in this proclamation is superseded to the extent of such inconsistency. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fourth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth. DONALD J. TRUMP GREENSBORO When four young black men from N.C. A&T sat down at a whites-only lunch counter in downtown, they sparked a fight for civil rights that has reverberated for 60 years. That legacy gives a strength of purpose to John Swaine, CEO of the International Civil Rights Center & Museum. The museum, which is in its 10th year, is now on relatively smooth financial terrain, earning a profit and expanding its educational programs to the community. These days, Swaine concentrates on building a brighter future, clear of a city loan that divided the community over the museums relationship with local government. But he faces ongoing challenges and pressure to keep contributions rolling in as he tries to expand the profile of the 91-year-old building on Elm Street. Difficult is an understatement, Swaine said of his more than five years as CEO in a recent interview. I am grateful for having to go through it because it changed my outlook. ... I had taken for granted that this was a powerful institution with a powerful story and people wanting to find something to come together over. That is not necessarily always the case. Youve got to constantly engage them. Just like the fight for equality the museum commemorates, building an institution to honor that history was, it seems, never meant to be easy. Historically, the institution has struggled with money issues and bad publicity as it sought to stand on its own. On Feb. 1, 1960, when the four A&T students decided to launch their nonviolent effort to integrate the Woolworths lunch counter, they likely had no idea they would create a shrine to civil rights progress. Once the stores manager decided to allow African Americans to eat alongside white customers in July 1960, the lunch counter became a touchstone to an indelible moment in Greensboro and the countrys history. By 1993, the moment had faded. The lunch counter had stopped serving food and was facing an uncertain future. Enter Melvin Skip Alston and Earl Jones, community leaders who wanted to protect the store from the inevitable wrecking ball. When the store closed in early 1994, the duo led an effort to buy the building for $700,000. The next year, an organization called the Sit-In Movement began an international fundraising campaign to turn the building into a civil rights museum with an eye toward opening in 1998. But the International Civil Rights Center & Museum wouldnt debut until Feb. 1, 2010. The years in between were punctuated by one issue after another. Museum officials found they had a serious problem with a leaky basement and in 2005 announced they would need an extra $6 million for the repair project and to prepare the building to meet the standards for affiliation with the Smithsonian Institution. In 2006, officials announced a fundraising campaign with a $12.5 million goal. In 2009, in the museums most complicated deal, two investment groups agreed to buy $10 million in tax credits linked to the project. Local foundations and a variety of corporations made $4 million in new pledges. The museum was able to open in 2010, but it was soon feeling financial strains. By 2013, the museum had asked for a $1.5 million forgivable loan from the city, which elected officials approved in September of that year. The effort to pay off that loan would consume much of the next five years as museum leaders sought contributions that would retire a dollar of city debt for every dollar raised. In the meantime, relations between city officials and the museums board would become icy after Mayor Nancy Vaughan announced in 2014 a proposal for the city to take over operation of the museum. Vaughan and four council members held a news conference announcing the proposal, saying the museum was faltering financially. The museums board voted quickly and without discussion to reject the citys officer. Jones said at the time: It does not reflect the reality of the museum. We are stable financially, and we have a steady stream of revenue coming in and we are continuing our effort to raise money. In 2016, the museum said it had turned a profit and announced in 2018 it had retired its debt to the city. Since that time, the city has had no further involvement in the museums affairs and does not contribute to or audit its finances. Vaughan said last week she considers that a closed chapter and now has cordial relations with the museums principals. Swaine said the loan was a learning experience, but a necessary one. When we thanked the residents for the forgivable loan of $1.5 million, that was a critical investment into the infrastructure at the time by the city to move the institution forward, he said. It is now doing far better. 20160817g_nws_council_swaine (copy) (copy) (copy) After a contentious debate and appearances by CEO John Swaine and attorney Doug Harris, the Greensboro City Council voted to extend a loan to Alston, who is a Guilford County commissioner, said in a recent interview that the International Civil Rights Center & Museum is a success, in part, because of its close relationship with the Smithsonian. In the 1990s, his group donated a stool and a section of the lunch counter for an exhibit about the sit-ins. Thats international exposure for Greensboro, he said. Thats why we have so many people that come here from all across the country. Attendance was up by more than 30% last year, Swaine said, to 75,000. With a sense of humor borne of struggle, Swaine said its good to see growing interest. We have seen a significant increase last year, and 2018 was a remarkable year. If there was ever a time to be afraid, 2020 is it, he joked. But he is genuinely hopeful every year when the centers annual fundraising gala, its biggest event, rolls around on Feb. 1. The 2020 event is especially significant because it marks the 60th anniversary of the sit-ins and the museums 10th. With a $1.5 million annual budget, Swaine said contributions are a mainstay beyond regular tourist revenue. In difficult times, the museum operated under a collection of five partnerships and nonprofits designed to serve a variety of financial functions for its complicated funding structure. Now, with the tax credit deal finished and the city loan over, Swaine said, the center operates under only two entities: Sit-In Movement and Civil Rights Museum LLC. Sit-In Movement brings in about $500,000 a year from contributions and fundraising events. The gala alone raises between $300,000 and $400,000 a year. Civil Rights Museum brings in around $800,000. The rest of the centers money comes from grants and other revenues, Swaine said. The museum still faces challenges before it can become a formal Smithsonian affiliate, however. The buildings heating and air-conditioning system needs repair as it ages. With hundreds of artifacts and fragile displays throughout, a museum like this is always dependent on its climate-control system. Any glitches can damage everything from the original lunch counter to the KKK robe and hood in a display case. And the inefficient system leads to what may be the centers most unlikely big expense: $200,000 a year in utility costs. Its primarily from the way the facility was designed, Swaine explained. Ive written grants to try to make modifications to control those costs. We know what we have to do, but it takes some support to make those adjustments. A good climate-control system is crucial when the Smithsonian evaluates museums for affiliation, especially when sending out traveling exhibits the kind that could boost attendance in the International Civil Rights Center. Swaine said ultimately the center will have to mount a capital campaign to raise enough money to replace the climate-control system. That is goal No. 1, he said. Cut utility consumption. Its immediate. Because the funds that we earn are really good funds that are coming in to help us meet our short-term obligations. Geneva Tisdale tours civil rights museum (copy) (copy) Geneva Tisdale, a former cook at the F. W. Woolworth lunch counter, takes a tour at the grand opening of the International Civil Rights Center Swaine, Alston and historian Will Harris recently sat in the centers second-floor boardroom and talked about what the museum and its outreach programs mean to Greensboro. Harris, a former college professor who works with Swaine to plan ongoing programs, said the International Civil Rights Center represents more to the city than a tourist attraction, though that is a key attribute. A city that has good race relations is good for business, he said. This is a place that has a history of progress and youre not coming to some backward place. He said CEOs worry about whether their families will be comfortable in a city where they locate an operation. Theyre going to feel comfortable here because this place is thought to be a progressive community, Harris said. We can certainly argue about whats left to be done and what hasnt worked and what has. This institution right here is a magnet ... for business expansion in Greensboro. Alston said the tour counts dont tell the entire story of attendance. Every day, he said, people come to the museum for meetings, public forums and discussion programs. He said the roughly $93 million Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, which opens downtown in March, will be a draw but its not the draw that this center right here is. Every day. Were getting ready to host a meeting with the candidates who are running for House District 6. Thatll pack that auditorium. We dont count those people. The museum is also a must-see for national candidates as well. Presidential hopeful Beto ORourke came to the museum while on the campaign trail, as did U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. Harris said the museum is a vital community anchor for history that many people who are still living experienced in 1960. We actually have people come through here who say, Oh, I was part of it. Beto O'Rourke (copy) (copy) (copy) In this Aug. 29 photo, Beto ORourke, a Democratic presidential candidate at the time, talks with museum CEO John Swain after Betos tour of t For Swaine and the museums board, future financial support is never a given. Thats why he said he works hard to write grants and reach out to the many donors who have contributed over the years. Yet, he still believes something is missing, something that public support could provide. Harris, who has worked in academic settings around the world, said he believes the museum is a gift to the community that should be appreciated. With all of the effort that John and his staff have put into this place, that ends up being a gift to the city, he said. This is private, not publicly funded. As an outsider I look at the effort thats made here, the hours that are put in, the dedication and spirit of all the ways this benefits the city of Greensboro and Guilford County thats mostly a gift. And at least it needs to be celebrated and acknowledged. Thats what private organizations are supposed to be doing for their cities, but often they get a lot of public support. Swaine is looking to the future. This museum needs to grow, he said. It needs not to just sit here and think that we have arrived, because thats just not the case. We do need ongoing support so that we can look forward and make bigger plans. Vaughan said she can see a case where the city might support the museum again. They are not only an important piece of our history, she said, but they represent an important piece of our future. Swaines wish list is very specific: an updated heating and air-condition system and, ultimately, a space to grow and add exhibits. Its the smaller things that could come more quickly. He has kept the staff small to rein in costs. The museum employs four full-time employees compared with 14 when it opened and nine part-time workers compared with 14 when it opened. I had to just pare it down to the most talented staff I could get my hands on, he explained. The museums guides can get overwhelmed, and he is looking for ways to fill the gap between guided tours and self-guided tours. To that end, Swaine would like to acquire audio equipment so more people can get the full experience the museum has to offer at any time. The audio tours can go along with the guided tour at the same time, he said. Also, keeping the museums name in front of the public is key, Swaine stressed. So the museum has acquired the money needed for a billboard on Interstate 40 as well as an advertisement at Piedmont Triad International Airport. The work that we do here is about economic vitality in the downtown area and in order for us to thrive weve got to advertise, he said. International Civil Rights Center & Museum (copy) (copy) Melvin Skip Alston (left), a Guilford County commissioner and co-founder of the museum, and the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. make their way to the Swaine is well-versed in the mechanics of the museum. But its the effect on the people who walk through its halls that brightens his face. Swaine reflected on the museums impact on students. He said that all of Guilford Countys eighth-grade students tour the museum every year. And he has worked there long enough that he now sees some of those former students as adults, bringing friends and family members. He said the museums reach goes beyond Guilford County into places where news of historic civil rights struggles may not be so well-known. A teacher from Davie County who had accompanied some students on a tour said they were changed after their visit to the museum. She wrote Swaine a letter, he said. They dont see a lot of African Americans there, he said the teacher told him. And some of the words that were used previously in the classroom are not used anymore. The impact goes both ways. Ive had African American students to tour here and many of them did not know that white people were involved in the civil rights struggle, Swaine said. If were having those kinds of impacts on the minds, were helping the schools turn out better students. Contact Richard M. Barron at 336-373-7371 and follow @BarronBizNR on Twitter. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Every name on the BrandBucket marketplace is exclusively listed with BrandBucket. That means that all of our sellers are very responsive, making for quick domain transfers. A dedicated BrandBucket agent will manage your domain transfer from beginning to end, ensuring a secure and easy transaction. They will manage the receipt of the domain into one of BrandBuckets secure registrar accounts and then complete the transfer to you. 1. Verification and registrar choice After we receive the payment and verify it, we will reach out via email to confirm which registrar you want the domain transferred to. We also provide a link to our tracking system, where you can communicate with us, check on the status of your transfer, view your invoice, and download your logo files. 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Verify with the buyer that the transfer is complete Once we confirm that you have received the name, we consider the escrow process to be complete. Only then do we release payment to the domain seller. Bolivia's ex-president Evo Morales said Saturday he respects interim leader Jeanine Anez's decision to run in the May 3 election and called for a free and fair vote. "It is her right," Morales told reporters in Argentina, where he lives in exile. "And we do hope... that as a (representative of a) de facto government of the dictatorship, she can guarantee clean, transparent and healthy elections," the ex-president added during a meeting with Bolivians living in Argentina. Anez had previously said she wouldn't run, and her Friday announcement shook up the country's presidential race. Prior to her decision, only ex-presidents Carlos Mesa and Jorge Quijano had declared their candidacy along with Luis Fernando Camacho, a regional leader and key figure in the protests leading to the removal of Morales, a socialist. A little-known senator, Anez assumed the presidency on November 12, two days after Morales stepped down following nearly a month of sometimes violent protests against his controversial re-election in a poll the Organization of American States said was rigged. According to a survey published in early January by Pagina Siete newspaper, Morales' Movement for Socialism (MAS) leads voting intentions with 20.7 percent, followed by Anez -- who was not yet a candidate -- with 15.6 percent and Mesa, a centrist candidate, with 13.8 percent. Bolivian ex-president Evo Morales, pictured in Argentina on January 19, 2020, said he hopes for a clean presidential race Neil Woodford's Patient Capital Trust is no more, but it lives on as the Schroder UK Public Private Trust after the investment firm took on the disgraced fund manager's London-listed trust last month. The fund was listed on the stock market in 2015 to invest in a mix of quoted and unquoted stocks. Woodford's vision was to hold on to them for longer than normal because they will take longer to bear fruit. Just a month before the Equity Income Fund was shuttered, the Woodford Patient Capital Trust doubled its stake in unquoted, loss-making Reaction Engines The plan unravelled when his other Equity Income Fund was suspended in June last year after becoming too exposed to smaller, unquoted companies to meet withdrawal requests by savers. Documents I've unearthed at Companies House reveal the extent of his belief in these smaller firms, even as the walls were falling in around him. Just a month before the Equity Income Fund was shuttered, the Woodford Patient Capital Trust doubled its stake in unquoted, loss-making Reaction Engines a firm with ambitious plans for a hypersonic jet engine that will fly us to New York in just an hour. The move cost the trust 5million, but will take years to take off. Tesla's founder Elon Musk Tesla Entrepeneur Elon Musk last week hit the $100billion mark for his US electric car company Tesla. The question has never been whether he can sell the cars but more whether he can sell them at a decent profit. This week, the 48-year-old billionaire has the chance to reassure his fans and prove his critics wrong, including plenty of short-sellers, when Tesla reports its annual results on Wednesday. How much cash Tesla has sunk into its battery and car factory in China will also be worth watching. Unilever Results from consumer goods giant Unilever on Thursday could reveal a sharp drop in sales growth. That's according to scribblers at Deutsche Bank, who fear the performance in the last few months of 2019 was hit by a 'rapid slowdown' in sales in South Asia and West Africa, as well as less of a pick-up than hoped from developed markets, such as the US. The analysts have pencilled in 'a mere' 1.2 per cent like-for-like sales increase for the last quarter, which would mean 2.8 per cent growth for the year. That's off the 3 to 5 per cent target set by Unilever after it rebuffed a 115billion takeover bid from Kraft Heinz in 2017. Meanwhile, finance firm Jefferies suggests Unilever's strife could open the door for activist investors to shake things up 'a positive for shareholders in our view'. Wuhan (China) (AFP) - China expanded drastic travel restrictions Monday and prolonged a public holiday to contain an epidemic that has killed 56 people and infected nearly 2,000, as several countries prepared to evacuate their citizens from a quarantined city at the outbreak's epicentre. China has locked down the hard-hit province of Hubei in the country's centre, an unprecedented operation affecting tens of millions of people and intended to slow transmission of the respiratory virus. Its ability to spread appears to be "getting stronger" though it is "not as powerful as SARS", top Chinese health officials said at a press conference. A working group chaired by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to tackle the epidemic decided to extend the Spring Festival holiday originally scheduled to end on January 30 "to reduce population flows," alongside unspecified changes to the starting dates of schools, state news agency Xinhua reported. The previously unknown virus has caused global concern because of its similarity to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) pathogen, which killed hundreds across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003. Outside the epicentre, Shandong province and four cities -- Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an and Tianjin -- announced bans on long-distance buses entering or leaving, a move that will affect millions of people travelling over the Lunar New Year holiday. The populous southern province of Guangdong, Jiangxi in the centre, and three cities made it mandatory for residents to wear face masks in public. Originating in Hubei's capital of Wuhan, the virus has spread throughout China and across the world -- with cases confirmed in around a dozen countries including as far away as the United States. The US State Department said Sunday it was arranging a flight from Wuhan to San Francisco for consulate staff and other Americans in the city. France's government and the French carmaker PSA also said they planned to evacuate staff and families, who will be quarantined in a city in a neighbouring province. Story continues Japan is coordinating with Beijing to swiftly evacuate its citizens, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said. Saudi Arabia asked its nationals present around Wuhan to contact its embassy for evacuation, while Jordan said it had obtained permission from Beijing to move its citizens from the city out of the country. - Fear in Wuhan - Instead of New Year revelry, Wuhan has been seized by an eerie calm that deepened on Sunday as new restrictions banned most road traffic in the metropolis of 11 million. Loudspeakers broke the silence by offering tips slathered with bravado. "Do not believe in rumours. Do not spread rumours. If you feel unwell, go to the hospital in time," the message said. "Wuhan is a city that dares to face difficulties and keeps overcoming them," the female voice added, mentioning the deadly 2002-03 SARS epidemic and 1998 Yangtze River flooding. The health emergency has overwhelmed Wuhan's hospitals with patients, prompting authorities to send hundreds of medical reinforcements, including military doctors, and start construction on two field hospitals. The number of confirmed cases in the city could rise by 1,000, Wuhan's mayor Zhou Xianwang predicted Sunday, based on the number currently undergoing observation in hospital. He also said around five million people had left the city during the new year travel rush. Speaking at a press conference and wearing a face mask, Zhou said the city's medical staff were "very strained and tired". With non-essential vehicles banned from the road, volunteers stepped up to drive sick fellow citizens to hospitals. "There has to be someone who does this," Zhang Lin, 48, told AFP journalists as he waited for a patient to emerge from a clinic for the drive back home in nearly deserted streets. Some foreigners in Wuhan expressed deep concern, saying they feared going outside. "We want to be evacuated as soon as possible, because either the virus, the hunger or the fear will kill us," Mashal Jamalzai, a political science student from Afghanistan at Central China Normal University, told AFP. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined that a Wuhan market where animals including rats, snakes and hedgehogs were reportedly sold is "highly relevant" to the outbreak, state news agency Xinhua reported on Monday. On Sunday, the government said it was banning all trade in wildlife until the emergency is over, but conservationists complain that Beijing has previously failed to deliver on such pledges. Animal rights groups called for the ban to be made permanent, saying it could end the possibility of future outbreaks. - Hong Kong bars entry - Health officials said the virus has since become transmissible between humans. At a press briefing in Beijing, CDC head Gao Fu said the disease "is indeed... not as powerful as SARS." However, it also appears that the "spreading ability of the virus is getting stronger," said Ma Xiaowei, head of China's national health commission. The government says most deaths involved the elderly or people with existing ailments. Fearing a repeat of SARS, China has dramatically scaled back celebrations associated with the New Year holiday, which began Friday, while tourist sites like Beijing's Forbidden City and a section of the Great Wall have closed. In Hong Kong, Disneyland announced Sunday it had closed as a precaution after the city authorities declared an emergency and banned entry of anyone from Hubei. Shanghai's Disneyland park had already closed Saturday. Millions of dollars in funding for regional water projects are being withheld by the Commonwealth because the Berejiklian government has failed to complete basic Murray-Darling river management plans more than six months after they were due. Correspondence from federal Water Resources Minister David Littleproud delivered over the weekend and obtained by the Herald also shows the Morrison government has formally begun the process to take control of river management planning in parts of the Murray Darling Basin. The severe drought affecting the Murray Darling Basin is making the finalisation of important river management plans difficult, the NSW government says. Credit:Florian Groehn The river management documents, known as water resource plans, set rules about how much water can be taken from the critical river system for irrigation and other purposes and were due to be lodged with the independent Murray Darling Basin Authority last July. The drought gripping much of the state, the worst on record, has had a serious impact on the Murray Darling Basin, killing more than a million fish and leaving parts of the river system labelled an "ecosystem in crisis" by the state's Natural Resources Commission. President Klaus Iohannis sent Republic of Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a condolence message for the families of the victims of the earthquake that hit the east of Turkey on Friday evening. "I was deeply bereaved by the tragedy triggered by the earthquake that hit the east of Turkey, which resulted in many losses of human lives and considerable material damages. During these difficult moments, I am sending my and the Romanian people's entire compassion. Our thoughts go out to those who were injured and to the families who lost dear ones. I assure you, Mr. President, of my support and that of the Romanian people for overcoming this difficult moment for your nation," reads the president's message, released by the Presidential Administration.Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu also sent a condolence letter to his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusaglu, on Saturday.A major earthquake in the east of Turkey has killed at least 19 and injured over 900, Anadolu state news agency announced on Saturday, quoting the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency of Turkey (AFAD). Victorian health authorities have confirmed 11 more people are being tested for coronavirus, as the nation's chief medical officer says more cases are "highly likely" to emerge in Australia. Thirteen more people had tested negative for the deadly virus in Victoria by 4pm Sunday. A government spokesperson said those waiting on test results had been isolated in their homes. Victoria declared the nation's first confirmed case of coronavirus on Saturday. That man a Chinese national aged in his 50s remains in quarantine at the Monash Medical Centre in Clayton. The man had been staying with three other adults and a child. It's understood the family remain isolated in their home and are receiving daily health checks to monitor for symptoms. Indian corporate sector expects the economy of the country to recover from the ongoing slowdown in the coming two to three quarters. In conversation with India Today's Rahul Kanwal, Mahindra and Mahindra Managing Director Pawan Goenka and SpiceJet Chairman Ajay Singh evinced hope that growth in India will return by the second quarter of the next financial year. Mahindra MD Goenka said that the positive outlook associated with India has not changed because of the ongoing slowdown. "The months of November and December have been better than what we thought. Still not out of de-growth, but it is less than what we had some time ago. And the overall vision on what might happen in Q4 (of the current fiscal) is the same. De-growth will come down to low single digits, hoping that, with Q1 coming in, it will become flat and Q2 (of the next fiscal) is when we start seeing growth," Goenka said. ALSO READ: WEF 2020: Protectionist policies dangerous for India, says Fareed Zakaria In response to a question about IMF's recent world economic outlook blaming the slowdown in India for an 80 per cent downturn in global GDP outlook, SpiceJet's Ajay Singh that the Indian economy is bound to grow. "Despite all the gloom and doom, India is one economy that is bound to grow. There are some things that we need to fix. There needs to be a focus on expenditure. This credit freeze needs to go away. All those issues are internal to India. We need to fix them. But if you look at it from a global perspective, India is one of the few bright spots. The world will look to India to fuel global growth," Singh said. ALSO READ: WEF 2020: Norms for fintech sector need to be eased, says advocate Pratibha Jain Over remarks that India might be in the midst of a recession, Singh said: "You will see this economy climbing out of the current situation and the same people who are saying that we are in the throes of a recession will change their tune in another two or three quarters. The government understands fully well that steps need to be taken to increase investment to aid growth." The SpiceJet boss said representatives from India should put their best foot forward and explain all that is right with the country at a forum like the World Economic Forum Goenka appreciated the government's pro-active interaction with the Indian corporates during pre-Budget consultations, adding that this has enhanced their expectations from Union Budget 2020. WATCH THIS: Davos: Corporate India's concerns about demands govt needs to meet Sami association wins hunting rights battle in Sweden January 26,2020 | Source: AFP Sweden''s top court on Thursday granted a Sami association in the far north the right to regulate local hunting and fishing activities, scoring a legal precedent in favour of the country''s indigenous community. The Supreme Court granted the Girjas Sami association the "exclusive right" to administer hunting and fishing privileges on its traditional lands, stressing that the state, which owns the land, did not have this right. The court cited the association''s right by tradition "from time immemorial," meaning the association had proven it had used the lands for centuries. In the ruling, which was met by applause from representatives of the minority group dressed in traditional colourful garb, the court said the right extended to the association''s entire area, with the exception of arable land, and that it could henceforth be exercised "without the state''s approval." The verdict had been greatly anticipated. The case has spanned over a decade, starting in 2009 when the Girjas Sami sued the Swedish state for the rights. Sami associations are financial and administrative unions representing Sami people in different regions. Girjas' territory covers some 5,500 sq km (2,100 square miles) around the northern towns of Kiruna and Gallivare, and their legal battle has been supported by the Swedish Sami Federation (SSR). The Sami association challenged a 1993 reform that allowed other hunters and fishermen the right to hunt small game and fish on the territory, under the administration of the state, which has owned the land since the end of the 19th century. Judge Anders Eka, who presided over the case, stressed that the immediate consequences of the ruling only concerned Girjas, but added that since the court''s decisions were prejudicial the arguments considered could be raised in other cases where the interests of Sami associations and the state clashed. Theme(s): Communities and Organisations. Chairman of the Vietnam Business Forum Power and Energy Working Group John Rockhold Previous government assessments noted that Vietnam will require about $130 billion in new energy investment through to 2030, with an average of about $12 billion per year, of which about $9 billion would need to be invested in electricity generation and $3 billion in the transmission grid. While we think these numbers are unnecessarily high, it is clear that more electricity is urgently needed. Sustainable electricity plays an extremely important and indispensable role and is a decisive factor to accelerate the process of sustainable industrialisation and modernisation of Vietnam. Until recently, the development of electricity sources has met the supply requirements for sustainable socio-economic development. This has largely been due to the availability of hydropower to fill the increasing need for energy demand. The Power Development Plan 7 (PDP7) recognised the limits of hydropower and proposed meeting new demand with coal thermal power. It has now been widely recognised that the structure of power sources needs to change compared to the PDP7, and far greater emphasis needs to be placed on sustainable, clean, and zero-emissions energy sources to attract advanced, clean, and sustainable industry, promote the efficient use of electricity and awareness of our need to protect natural resources such as the Mekong River and our planet overall. Vietnams air quality has declined rapidly over the past decade and is now ranked among the worst in the world. Promoting clean, low-emission and zero-emission energy sources are fundamental means of resolving these issues. In 2016, the Vietnam Business Forum published the Made in Vietnam Energy Plan (MVEP). The plan recognised high levels of private sector interest in renewable energy and a far lower interest in coal-fired thermal power than the PDP7 anticipated. Since the publication of the MVEP, we have seen most of our expectations met. Over the past year, 7,000MW of solar utility energy has been installed, of which roughly 4,500MW has already been connected to the grid. In the public interest Solar power and wind power have many advantages over other energy sources in that they do not emit pollutants, can be installed quickly, and receive high interest from the private sector and foreign direct investment. Renewable energy sources also enable Vietnam to meet and exceed its nationally determined contributions to emissions reductions. Hence, this source of electricity is easier to mobilise domestic capital for smaller-scale utilities on land and water, grid-connected and behind-the-meter rooftop solar installations, and other installations on farms and in fisheries, but also to mobilise foreign capital for large individual projects that contribute significant electricity capacity. Expanding renewable energy sources is financially feasible and in the public interest. We applaud the governments effort to mobilise 4,500MW in solar power and 400MW in wind power in less than two years. This is a phenomenal achievement that has not only contributed to offsetting power but has also garnered internal recognition for Vietnams capacity to mobilise the private sector to meet sustainable energy goals. The development of a regulatory environment that truly unleashes the potential for renewables, efficiencies, gas, and reduced dependence on coal will require a regulatory environment that encourages domestic and foreign investment. In addition, regulatory mandates that encourage private sector investment in grid improvements and expansion are urgently needed. An energy strategy that focuses on renewables, natural gas, energy efficiency, and battery storage as well as grid improvements and expansion that will attract private sector investment to meet Vietnams sustainable energy goals. These investments will not only help to meet the countrys growing energy needs but also produce a cleaner environment that attracts the clean industries that require renewable and low-emission energy. Media outreach regarding the governments renewables-led strategy will also create opportunities to raise public awareness on the roles all residents play in increasing energy efficiency and reducing emissions. Based on consultation with business leaders and a careful review of national and international trends, the MVEP 2.0 proposes following business-oriented recommendations that would improve the reliability and affordability for a sustainable Vietnams energy system. Recommendations There are alternative scenarios where renewables (excluding hydropower) could account for up to 30 per cent of the capacity by 2030, targeting 10GW through the grid and with behind the meter systems. These alternative scenarios, which are aligned with Vietnams Nationally Determined Contribution commitments and global concerns, require regulatory support and incentives to leverage private sector investment now seeking opportunities to invest in Vietnam while meeting the countrys target on energy security by reducing its dependence on energy imports. We recommend tax levelling for the development of certified domestic offshore gas and importation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as the current best fit baseload for renewable energy. Gas-fired electricity can easily scale to the size necessary to meet the demand of Vietnam and can respond to intermittent load fluctuations and outages more rapidly than coal. Incorporating imported LNG supply into the energy mix adds to Vietnams energy capacity while long-term supply contracts for domestic offshore gas are developed. The standard power purchase agreement (PPA) for wind, solar, and gas energy projects is made internationally bankable by establishing feed-in tariffs (FiTs) well in advance and reducing regulatory hurdles. We strongly urge transparency regarding any changes to FiTs and encourage discussion on how to navigate the permitting process of master plan approval. Direct PPA regulations that promote access to clean energy for end users by power generation and storage directly with renewable energy generators for both behind-the-meter and grid-scale projects. The direct method can accelerate renewable energy development between buyer and seller and relieve pressure on state-run Electricity of Vietnam by mobilising private capital. We encourage the government to seize the benefits of facilitating investment in behind-the-meter solar, battery, biomass, and waste-to-energy plants and other renewables developed by power consumers and specialist suppliers. Vietnams energy intensity per capita is among the highest in the region for the period between 2009 and 2013 it was well above every country in the region, especially higher than those countries with a similar level of GDP per capita. Promoting public awareness, modernising mandatory efficiency regulations, and enhancing enforcement is a must. As renewable and natural gas energy sources grow in contribution to the grid, there are challenges associated with incorporating more decentralised power plants that provide intermittent power supply. Given the surging increase in solar and wind generation, especially in the southern region, there is an urgent need for investment to strengthen and expand the transmission and distribution network. Further, there are likely opportunities to include and leverage private sector and international donor expertise in the area of renewable energy grid integration, transmission maintenance and upgrades, battery storage, and flexibility. Given the numerous concerns and delays related to expanding coal capacity as proposed in the PDP7, we recommend halting any new coal thermal power plants and conducting a strategic review of those that are already approved but which do not have financing or PPAs. Opposing the bullet train and the Samruddhi corridor projects in Maharashtra, tribals on Sunday announced that protests will be held for various pending demands, including forest rights, for "real azaadi". Earlier in the day, thousands of tribals from Thane, Palghar, Raigad and Nashik districts gathered at Usgaon near Bhiwandi where they announced the "second freedom struggle" beginning February 17 from Thane district. "Tribals have not become free in true sense since 1947. The practice of bonded-labour is still prevalent. Many tribals are illiterate. They were never given forest rights," said local tribal leaders while addressing a public meeting. Shramjeevi Sanghatna founder Vivek Pandit said they will now "grab freedom as days of discussions are over". On the occasion, many women tribals shouted slogans like "Desh ki Janata bhuki hai, yeh Azaadi joothi hai". Pandit said tribals are against the bullet train project which connects Mumbai with Ahmedabad as well as the proposed Mumbai-Nagpur super communication highway or the Samruddhi Corridor. "The second freedom struggle will continue till August 15, 2022," he said. Sanghatna president Rambhau Warana said committees will be formed in villages to garner support for the planned demonstrations. "We will march to the Mumbai residence of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray if the government fails to take cognisance of our protests," tribal leaders said. Bhoomi Pujan or ground-breaking ceremony for the memorial of tribal leader Birsa Munda was performed on the campus of the Sanghatna. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. How I bagged a fiance on my beach clean! When Catherine Gemmell was searching a beach for plastic waste, little did she suspect that she'd end up find something more elusive: love. Four years ago, she was organising a seaside litter-pick in Edinburgh through her job with the Marine Conservation Society. As the event loomed, she made contact with Keep Scotland Beautiful (the Scottish version of Keep Britain Tidy) and started talking to its beach representative at the time, John Simpson, 28. 'We got on rather well so we decided to organise a 'meeting' outside of work, ostensibly to run through logistics for the event,' says Catherine, 30. 'That turned out to be our first date. Our second date was dinner, and our third date was the clean itself!' When Catherine Gemmell (left) was searching a beach for plastic waste, little did she suspect that she'd end up find something more elusive: love. She is pictured with her fiance John Simpson, 28 Their relationship has blossomed over a sequence of beach-cleans. 'There's no doubt we've got litter in common,' says Catherine. 'It is a shared obsession for both of us.' And four years to the day after their first beach clean together, John got down on one knee to ask Catherine to marry him. To her delight, he produced a ring crafted around a piece of green sea glass picked up on one of their litter-picks. Their wedding is planned for spring 2021 and Catherine is convinced the beach will play a part in their big day. She says: 'I love sharing our story of how we met with friends and colleagues who find it hilarious that beach cleaning brought us together. 'When I'm persuading volunteers to get involved I tell them they won't only be saving the sea, they might meet the love of their life. I certainly did.' Confidence boost for autistic boy Nathan, 11, has been one of the biggest influences of the litter-picking group Heidi Pugh first took her son litter-picking when he was six years old and for the last five years he has been a central figure in the Keep Blackburn Tidy group. 'Nathan has autism and ADHD so his energy levels are very high and he views the world very differently from many people,' says the 48-year-old from Blackburn. 'But litter-picking has given him such a confidence boost, provided an activity for us and has helped us all mentally.' Nathan, 11, who is nicknamed The Nathanator, has been one of the biggest influences of the litter-picking group and has been recognised by the town on three separate occasions for his hard work and inspiration. Last month the schoolboy was singled out as Young Person of the Year. I've made a friend for life, says lecturer Michelle Medler established a litter-picking group called The Pickup Artists to cover the Kidderminster area two years ago. The 43-year-old a lecturer in supported learning at South and City College in Birmingham runs a Rubbish Environmental Course for students with learning needs. Discussing her litter-picking group, she said: 'Through the group I have met so many amazing people, and we have achieved so much, but I'm particularly pleased about meeting my 'partner in grime' Sarah Davis.' Michelle Medler (in black dress) and her friend Sarah Davis receiving a litter-picking award together The women started going for coffee 'to talk through future events'. Michelle added: 'Then we discovered a mutual love of running, and now we encourage each other to stay active. Litter-picking has changed my life. I am healthier, happier and I've made friends with so many people.' Litter-picking is a good way to keep fit too Claire Stone, a keen outdoor swimmer and litter picker, joined an organisation called 'This mum runs' last year in a bid to get fit, and has been combining her running exploits with litter picking ever since. 'I must look mad because my runs are a mixture of running, walking and reaching down to pick up the rubbish,' says Claire, 45, who works for online retailer, The Plastic Free Shop. She lives near Bristol with her husband Steve, 49, a web developer and their two children aged 12 and ten. Claire Stone, a keen outdoor swimmer and litter picker, joined an organisation called 'This mum runs' last year in a bid to get fit, and has been combining her running exploits with litter picking ever since Claire, pictured in her running gear, says her endeavours have dramatically improved her fitness levels, explaining: 'I don't take my grabber when I'm running so I'm forced to bend down to pick up rubbish and I can definitely feel my glutes are getting a good workout from all the exercise. 'To be honest, I'm not a very good runner, so stopping to pick up litter gives me the chance to catch my breath, and it's a great way to combine two activities I might otherwise be inclined to ignore.' We've become the Wombles of Willenhall Although Kate Goodall had been living in Willenhall near Walsall for 16 years, she barely knew her neighbours. However, she knew there was quite a bit of disgruntlement about the state of Willenhall cemetery which was regularly strewn with litter. So, in November 2016, Kate, who works for Walsall Council, stuck her neck out and organised a one-off litter-pick there. To her surprise, a big gang of local volunteers turned up. The Wombles of Willenhall litter picking group orgasnised by Walsall Council press officer Kate Goodall 'We all got on really well,' she says. Her group 'The Wombles of Willenhall' now meet every Sunday morning and its members go out litter-picking in smaller groups during the week. Last year, the group's numbers swelled during the Great British Spring Clean, enabling them to almost double their previous haul and collect nearly 4,000 big bags of litter during 2019. 'The added bonus is the friendships we've made, and we feel we are doing our bit to curb social isolation too,' says Kate, pictured third from the left above. 'I work in a stuffy office all week, so I really enjoy getting some fresh air and stretching my legs on Sunday mornings. I now know loads of people and really feel like I belong here.' It's great therapy for me ... and my dog When Nita Pearson first started picking up rubbish she found around her village while walking her dog, she was regarded as slightly odd. But that was 15 years ago and, thanks to campaigns such as the Great British Spring Clean, attitudes have most definitely changed. Nita says: 'In those days I was a lone litter-picker, but it's great that so many people volunteer to join me on my litter picks now.' Nita Pearson with her collie dog Woodie, from Thringstone, Coalville, Leicestershire. Nita has transformed her life and got rid of her stress and anxiety through litter picking She helped found the Friends of Thringstone action group in her Leicestershire village and it now has 150 members and 1,600 followers on Facebook, who get together for regular clean-ups around the area. Nita, 67, and her faithful border collie Woodie, pictured left, go out every morning to clear litter and for Nita it has become a form of therapy. She was forced to give up her career in leisure services with the local council in 2012 when the pressure of work became too much. 'Life's too short to have to endure the kind of stress I was under, and going out litter-picking with Woodie was the best possible means of de-stressing for me,' she says. 'It's been good for Woodie too he used to hate people, but he's so friendly now. I know an awful lot more people than I used to, and I feel I'm contributing to society. HOW DO I GET INVOLVED? To get litter picking with The Daily Mail's campaign simply go online to www.gbspringclean.org to sign up today! Advertisement 'We will go out whatever the weather. Between us we pick up more than 70 bags of rubbish a month.' Last year Nita was awarded a British Empire Medal for her services to her community, and Woodie received a commendation from the PDSA animal charity for his litter-picking efforts. Nita says she couldn't be happier. 'I used to be 'the woman with the bags' and now I get hugged by strangers!' she laughs. Alison O'Connor joined Simon Coveney as he canvassed at Douglas Court shopping centre in Cork over the weekend. Simon Coveney has a good laugh when asked if he might now legitimately be viewed as an emotional support Tanaiste to the self-confessed poor expresser of emotions that is his boss the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. That question followed a query as to how it feels on a human level to find himself promoted to almost equal billing in the campaign as the Taoiseach, not least because of his high approval ratings on Brexit handling, and probably because of him being a half decent expresser of feelings. All of this after he lost the Fine Gael crown to the same Leo. At the time many party colleagues said they were voting for Leo rather than Simon because he would be a huge asset in the next general election. Surely last thing at night, after a hard day on the campaign trail, Simon must be struck by the irony of his now hugely elevated position. Thats a bit of a leading question, he answers, laughing again. He doesnt really bite on it, saying it doesnt upset him; that he asked for the Foreign Affairs brief and concentrates on that. For me politics is less about personalities and more about outcome and delivery. Still though hes interesting on Leos lack of ability on the empathy front and his more diagnostic rather than emotionally intelligent approach to politics. Tom Doyle and his sons Cormac and Ronan from Ballincollig 49th scouts speaking to Simon Coveney It is true. Leo is not good at expressing empathy. He accepts that. We have spoken about it many times. I think he tries to do more in that space, to reach out to people on an emotional level. But you know hes an incredibly intelligent man. Hes a doctor. His approach to politics is that he diagnoses the problem and he tries to construct a solution. That is what he has tried to do on Brexit and what he has tried to do in terms of the economic model that he is looking to implement. I think that means he does not connect emotionally with people in the way other politicians do. But Id rather be working with somebody like that than somebody who is trying to be empathetic every week but not actually delivering any solutions or outcomes. Its Saturday afternoon in Cork city. On Friday at the Fine Gael manifesto launch Simon said he knew his Cork South Central constituency colleague, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin better than most and he is not the person to lead Ireland into the next phase of the Brexit challenge. Ouch. Any concerns since that he came across as a bit of an arrogant Blueshirt git? He looks taken aback at this interpretation. I dont think so at all. I havent insulted Micheal Martin. This begs the response as to what exactly would constitute a Simon Coveney insult. Simon Coveney canvassing as he chats with David and Grainne Bennett and 5 month old Jack at Douglas Court What Ive said is right, I know Micheal Martin and Leo Varadkar well. Ive worked with both of them. I want Leo Varadkar to lead the Brexit negotiations because I think he will do a better job and he has shown the capacity to do that. What I am trying to do is to get to the heart of the issue who do you want as Taoiseach of this country when we have huge challenges to overcome in these negotiations over the next 8 to 12 months. In my view Leo has shown a calmness and steeliness and a firmness around Brexit that we need for the next half of this race. Im passionate about that and that is why I said it bluntly. I know Micheal Martin well and I have no personal animosity against him. Back to the general election campaign. Leo Varadkar will have to be very strong in the last ten days. Id say he needs to be, quite honestly, because it has been an election that didnt start well for us. Its important to be honest about that. What it comes down to is who do you trust in terms of political party and in terms of Taoiseach. Who do you trust to take Ireland forward. Simon Coveney chatting with Sean Murphy, MS Ireland The poor start is something he talks about later to shoppers that he meets outside Dunne Stores in the Douglas Court shopping centre. Simon tells them it was difficult for the Government having to answer tough questions around homelessness and crime. It is a spiky enough canvas out there and thats because people have had bad experiences in hospitals particularly, and people expect more from government. They want solutions quickly. I think people have made a lot of sacrifices particularly middle income earners, business owners. Theyve worked with government policies, because they know it was needed and now they want something back. He speculates that voters havent been wanting to listen to data because there is a lot of emotion involved, but clearly Fine Gael is hoping some of their facts will start to sink in for the remainder of the campaign. A fact that he has also stresses to shoppers and at one point there is a queue of people waiting to talk to him - is how other parties are talking about ways to spend money that Fine Gael has created. Shoppers queueing up to talk with An Tanaiste His canvas team includes his older brother Patrick and his daughter eighteen-year-old Tara, both down from Dublin. Tara is canvassing for the first time ever but has clearly been bitten by the bug as she is in her first year of studying politics. The issues of health, housing and, of course, pensions are raised. One shopper raised the National Childrens Hospital, another the Dara Murphy controversy. It is almost exclusively middle class. He listens and sometimes takes notes and respectfully but firmly argues the Fine Gael position. At one point a woman he is talking to points towards Patrick Coveney, standing a little bit away, and asks: Is that your son? My son? asks a clearly taken aback candidate and younger sibling. Thats my older brother Patrick. Simon Coveney canvassing as he chats with Keith Martin Patrick brings over Keith Martin for a chat. Keith recently moved to Cork from Zimbabwe, being able to do so through ancestry. It will be the first time in his adult life voting in a free and fair election so hes devoting considerable time to his decision. Simon once visited Zimbabwe on a rugby tour and they both chat about how tragic it is what happened to the country under the late Robert Mugabe. Keith had a funeral home there, with a state contract. He said he buried all of Mugabes supporters and relatives, including his first wife. But it was snatched by a Government minister and taken. Keith said it was difficult to get somewhere to live in Cork and his partner had a bad experience in hospital. Rachel Quigley is a GP in Blackrock and clearly frustrated at the situation in primary care. She tells the Tanaiste of a GP friend in the city who has pneumonia and despite needing five antibiotics does not have the cover to take any time off. Another GP friend is pregnant and cant get a locum for her maternity leave. I wouldnt be a typical Fine Gael voter but last time I voted Fine Gael. However things are so difficult on the ground for GPs. Were very demoralised. I come home after talking to 30 people all day and I cant speak for two hours after the stress. Dr. Rachel Quigley, Blackrock, with Simon Coveney. The hot topic of pensions and retirement is raised by a woman who is due to retire next November. She is really annoyed at the prospect of having to sign on. Simon tells her this will not be the case, that Fine Gael did listen to what people had to say. He explains the partys changed proposals which he said will cost 150 million a year. The woman mentions that she wouldnt ever think of voting Sinn Fein but Mary Lou has said she would keep it at 65. Mary Lou is planning to spend the divil and all, responded Simon. I am so upset by all of this, the woman tells him. Ive worked for 41 years. Youre better off in this country not working at all. The humiliation of having to go and sign on alongside people who have done nothing all their lives. I worked since I was 15 years of age." Another woman waits patiently to say she is not a supporter of any party but wanted to acknowledge all the work and effort you put in and the media dont usually write about it. Interestingly in an earlier chat about the media brought about by a question on how the Tanaiste can often seems not to be overly keen on journalists he has a lot to say. Following the general election he believes there is an acute need for an honest and blunt discussion on this subject. The media today is a changing place. I think it is a very tough place for journalists because you are competing with anonymous opinion formers on social media who dont have any cost base, who dont have any regulation, who dont have any fact checkers, who cant be taken to court. He wants the discussion to centre around how media is funded, how it is regulated, how it interacts with the court and court actions. We dont want to be muzzling the media, threatening them financially with legal cases, but at the same time how do we deal with a largely unregulated online conversation? From my perspective as a senior politician there is a need for an honest and blunt discussion between policy makers and media leaders around how do we have a vibrant, viable media in Ireland that can do its job in a democracy, but at the same time ensuring we do not have the demonisation of politics, of all parties. This has been happening and has been a driving politics in a dangerous direction, moving people to the extremes, moving people to populism. Politicians actually take on the media to try to undermine their credibility in order to be able to win votes. Multiple countries take measures to contain novel coronavirus People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 23:06, January 25, 2020 Multiple countries have rolled out measures to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus that caused an outbreak in Wuhan, a city in central China. Screening measures have been put in place at border entries such as airports and harbors in a number of countries, including Laos, Bangladesh, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Turkey, Bahrain, Uganda, and Zambia, to check for signs of infection from the virus, which has been named 2019-nCoV. Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered all relevant organizations in his country to step up measures to cope with the novel coronavirus and respond to changing situations. "People have been warned not to visit areas of the outbreak and nationwide hospitals were ordered to be ready to treat patients around the clock," Prayut said Friday. Mongolia's National State Emergency Commission has decided to temporarily close all public and private schools and kindergartens across the country from next Monday to March 2, to prevent the spread of 2019-nCoV as well as other respiratory diseases. Vietnam's ministry of health has issued an urgent dispatch, requiring hospitals and clinics across the country to set up rapid response teams. Patients will be organized by classification at registration desks, and patients with symptoms of acute respiratory infection must be isolated and examined in separate sections of the hospital, while those who were in China within the last 14 days must be checked in terms of epidemiological factors, according to the dispatch. In Chicago, where the second confirmed case in the United States was reported, local officials said they have been closely following potential cases and sharing information with federal health agencies. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the immediate health risk from 2019-nCoV to the U.S. public is "considered low at this time." In Britain, the government held an emergency response meeting over the coronavirus on Friday. Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England, was cited by local news as saying that everyone who has been tested for the coronavirus has been given the all-clear, while the risk to the British public "remains low." In Egypt, an integrated plan has been drawn up to handle any emergency situation, said Alaeddin Eid, the country's assistant health minister for preventive medicine, adding that the plan covers all stages including early detection, quarantine and treatment measures, and raising public awareness. By the end of Friday, 1,287 confirmed cases had been reported in China, with 41 having died of pneumonia caused by 2019-nCoV, and 38 recovered and discharged from hospital. In addition, 10 confirmed cases had been reported in China's Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions. Outside China, confirmed cases have been reported in Thailand, Japan, South Korea, the United States, Vietnam, Singapore, Nepal, France and Australia. The World Health Organization (WHO) said Thursday that it was "too early" to declare the novel coronavirus outbreak in China a public health emergency of international concern, but it warned that the number of cases may rise as much about the virus remains unknown. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus thanked the Chinese government for its cooperation and transparency, saying it has been successful in isolating and sequencing the virus quickly, and that it has shared the virus's genetic sequence with the WHO and the international community. On Wednesday, in separate phone conversations with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China is willing to work with the international community to effectively tackle the spread of the disease and maintain global health security. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLEASE NOTE! Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate! All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited! (One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!) Producer Ekta Kapoor has been bestowed with the prestigious Padma Shri award this year for her contribution to the field of performing arts. Many friends and well-wishers from the TV industry took to social media to congratulate the Czarina of the small screen. Hina Khan tweeted, This is such a great great news.. I am so so happy for you.. you deserve every bit of it.. congratulations once again #JaiMataDi. Naagin star Mouni Roy also shared her happiness and wrote, Nobody deserves it more @ektaravikapoor loveee and biggest congratulations. Best friend and actress Anita Hassanandani, producer Rhea Kapoor and many other celebrities also congratulated Ekta. In another related news, Television actress Sarita Joshi has also been bestowed with the prestigious state honour. Sarita has been a part of many successful shows such as Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka, Baa Bahoo Aur Baby, and Bh Se Bhade to name a few. An elated Sarita told PTI, "I am very happy and humbled with this honour. I am working from an early age, I have never worked for awards, for me work is worship. I have always worked from heart and given my best in whatever I have done. I will be known as Padma Shri Sarita Joshi, this is such a big honour. I am happy as my children are happy," For the uninitiated, Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award of the country. The ceremonial function will see the President of India honouring the Padma awardees at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in either March or April this year. ALSO READ: Karan Johar, Kangana Ranaut, Ekta Kapoor And Adnan Sami Bestowed With Padma Shri Award ALSO READ: Latest TRP Ratings: Naagin 4 Tops The TRP Chart; The Kapil Sharma Show Witnesses Major Jump Amritsar, Jan 26 : Amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions, the Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday did not exchange sweets with their Pakistani counterparts, the Pakistani Rangers, at the Attari-Wagah border on the occasion of India's 71st Republic Day. "There were no exchange sweets as Pakistani Rangers did not respond to a message sent to them in this regard," a senior BSF official told IANS, requesting anonymity. Border guards from both sides normally exchange greetings and sweets on prominent religious festivals and other occasions like the Independence Days of both countries as a goodwill gesture,. However, a special cultural function was organised by the Indian authorities at the joint check post, some 30 km from Amritsar, where the national flag was hoisted in the morning and the symbolic Retreat ceremony, that saw a gathering of tens of thousands, was conducted in the evening. Normally, before the Retreat ceremony, that includes the lowering of national flags and closing of the border gates on both sides, senior BSF officials exchanged sweets with their Pakistani counterparts. They also hug and shake hands with one another for a few minutes. This time they shook hands but no hugging and exchange of sweets took place. The visitors on the Indian side could be heard shouting pro-India slogans and dancing to the tunes of patriotic songs. WASHINGTON President Trump told his national security adviser in August 2019 that he wanted to continue freezing $391 million in security assistance to Ukraine until officials there helped with investigations into Democrats including the Bidens, according to an unpublished manuscript by the former adviser, John Bolton. The presidents statement as described by Bolton could undercut a key element of his impeachment defense: that the holdup in aid was separate from Trumps requests that Ukraine announce investigations into his perceived enemies, including former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. Boltons explosive account of the matter at the center of Trumps impeachment trial, the third in American history, was included in drafts of a manuscript he has circulated in recent weeks to close associates. He also sent a draft to the White House for a standard review process for some current and former administration officials who write books. Several people described Boltons account of the Ukraine affair. The book presents an outline of what Bolton might testify to if he is called as a witness in the Senate impeachment trial, the people said. The White House could use the prepublication review process, which has no set time frame, to delay or even kill the books publication or omit key passages. Bolton described how the Ukraine affair unfolded over several months until he departed the White House in September. He described not only the presidents private disparagement of Ukraine but also new details about senior Cabinet officials who have publicly tried to sidestep involvement. For example, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo acknowledged privately that there was no basis to claims by the presidents lawyer Rudy Giuliani that the ambassador to Ukraine was corrupt and believed Giuliani may have been acting on behalf of other clients, Bolton wrote. Bolton also said that after the presidents July phone call with the president of Ukraine, he raised with Attorney General William Barr his concerns about Giuliani, who was pursuing a shadow Ukraine policy encouraged by the president, and told Barr that the president had mentioned him on the call. A spokeswoman for Barr denied that he learned of the call from Bolton; the Justice Department has said he learned about it only in mid-August. Charles Cooper, a lawyer for Bolton, declined to comment. The White House did not provide responses to questions about Boltons assertions, and representatives for Pompeo did not respond to emails and calls seeking comment Sunday. Democrats, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, said the Bolton manuscript underscores the need for him to testify, and the House impeachment managers demanded after this article was published that the Senate vote to call him. The White House has ordered Bolton and other key officials with firsthand knowledge of Trumps dealings not to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry. Bolton said in a statement this month that he would testify if subpoenaed. Maggie Haberman and Michael S. Schmidt are New York Times writers. Flowers and a teddy bear have been poignantly left on a Portsmouth street where the body of a newborn baby was found yesterday morning, as police step up their efforts to trace the missing mother. Police are 'increasingly concerned' following the discovery of the tiny infant at the junction of Victoria Street and Old Commercial Road, at around 6.15am on Saturday morning and have been carrying out house-to-house enquiries. Officers are particularly keen to contact five people seen on CCTV, who walked through Old Commercial Road from 5am until the time police were called. Flowers and a teddy bear were today left at the scene where a newborn baby was found dead in Portsmouth, on Saturday morning Police are 'increasingly concerned' following the discovery of the tiny infant at the junction of Victoria Street and Old Commercial Road, at around 6.15am on Saturday morning In a statement issued today, DCI Simon Baker said: 'I want to reiterate that our priority right now remains ensuring the welfare of the mother. 'This must be an extremely distressing time for her, and it is vitally important that she seeks medical assistance. 'I want to urge her to make contact with a medical professional as soon as possible - whether that be a GP, by attending a hospital or walk-in centre, or speaking to any other healthcare workers. 'We have been carrying out house-to-house enquiries since yesterday morning and have a number of lines of enquiry. 'From CCTV footage in the area, we have identified five people who walked through Old Commercial Road from 5am onwards yesterday morning to the time we were called. 'I am now making a direct appeal to them. Please contact us. 'Whether you saw anything or not, it helps us to build our picture of what has happened. The Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum is close to the scene where the baby was found dead 'If you did see something, it is not important why you did not stop, but we want to hear from you. 'I also want to reiterate, if you have concerns for someone you know or suspect has been recently heavily pregnant or given birth, or are worried for the whereabouts of a recently born child, please contact us. 'However insignificant you believe a piece of information may be, it could be vitally important to our investigation.' Police set up a cordon following the discovery of the baby's body on Saturday morning DCI Baker also called on anyone who has CCTV cameras at their property or a dash cam in their car to contact the police. Anyone with information can call 101, quoting Operation Cravat or the reference number 44200030626. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Forensics are seen looking for clues, as police step up their search for the missing mother Cyber activity has been harnessed by the Russian government to target governments and activists externally, but now those same tools are turned inward, said Heather A. Conley, director of the Europe Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Russian officials have seen how the Internet and social media can be used by civil society to share information, organize grass-roots protests across Russia and as an instrument of transparency against Russian corruption. Big decision 1) Government-owned firm behind HS2 trying to con Johnson The Telegraph can disclose that HS2 Ltd has been revising agreements with companies carrying out the main construction works on the line so that future cost increases will be borne by the firm, which is funded by taxpayers money, rather than private contractors. Separately, speaking out for the first time today, Colin Morris, HS2s former director of strategy, said the company appeared to be artificially lowering the estimated costs of the scheme in a move that could make the final taxpayers bill significantly higher than the current likely price tag of more than 100 billion. In a devastating attack, Mr Morris, said the scheme was not fit for purpose and compared it to someone taking out a mortgage on a house they were unable to afford and then expecting their children to foot the bill in the future. Sunday Telegraph Scrapping HS2 will cost 12bn Mail on Sunday Jobs axe provides test for Tory promises to level up regions FT Johnson is running a Goodfellas government by allowing aides such as Cummings to terrorise Whitehall, claims cabinet minister Mail on Sunday Comment Theres a fork in the track HS2 and Huawei decisions that could derail Boris, Tim Shipman and Caroline Wheeler, Sunday Times Why some Ministers are asking whether Johnson has a clue what to do next, Dan Hodges Mail on Sunday Big decision 2) Trumps anger over Huawei deal casts cloud on PMs Brexit celebrations Boris Johnson has been warned that he is on course for a diplomatic war with Donald Trump and a furious cabinet row over plans to hand Huawei, the Chinese telecoms firm, access to Britains 5G phone network. The US president told Johnson on Friday night that giving a green light to the deal would be a grave threat to national security risking a split in transatlantic relations that threatens to overshadow Fridays Brexit celebrations, which Johnson has been working towards for three years. Trump is understood to have suggested to Johnson that Britain and America build an alternative to Huawei together. But UK officials believe that would take too long. Sunday Times Comment Our allies have said, No way, Huawei we should take the threat seriously and do the same, Bob Seely Sunday Times >Today: >Yesterday: And Heseltine says Brexit celebrations rub Remainers noses in it The Tory peer and former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine has accused Boris Johnson of trying to rub the noses of Remainers in their defeat, after the prime minister announced events to commemorate the UKs departure from the EU this coming Friday at 11pm. Downing Street said that 3m special 50p coins bearing the words Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations will enter shops, banks and restaurants from Friday with a further 7m coming into circulation by the end of the year. Union Jack flags will also line Parliament Square and the Mall on Friday and the public will see government buildings in Whitehall lit up in red, white and blue. Observer Brexit celebrations under fire from Heseltine Sunday Telegraph Comment Coronavirus crisis: NHS staff told how to handle bodies The advice for hospitals comes as the Foreign Office is arranging a charter flight to bring home 200 diplomats and other citizens from Wuhan. NHS staff on high alert over a lethal new virus have been issued with instructions on handling bodies and told that victims may pose a minor risk even after they die. It emerged as China warned that the spread of the virus was accelerating and the UK was poised to evacuate about 200 citizens from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the centre of the illness. GPs in the UK have been ordered to avoid examining suspected victims and told to keep them in closed rooms. All 31 people so far suspected by the NHS to have the virus have tested negative. However, officials are braced for the first positive case. One said the prospect was highly likely. Sunday Times Black Rod bids to block bully Bercows peerage John Bercows chances of a peerage have suffered a new setback after a former Black Rod, one of the most senior officials in the Houses of Parliament, submitted a complaint about his bullying behaviour. Lieutenant General David Leakey, who was Black Rod for seven years during Bercows time as Speaker, has sent a dossier to the parliamentary commissioner for standards detailing his bullying, intimidation and unacceptable behaviour. It describes how Bercow allegedly subjected Leakey to abuse about his education, army career and social background and accused Leakey of being an anti-semite in an angry rage when he banged his fists on the table. Sunday Times Dossier outlining bullying by Bercow to be lodged to stop his peerage Sun on Sunday Corbyn plots his socialist Labour legacy and a mission to Iraq Jeremy Corbyn plans to spend the next two months embedding a socialist narrative and ensuring a Corbyn legacy so his radical politics are locked into Labours future whoever succeeds him. A leaked strategy document obtained by The Sunday Times reveals that Corbyn has even drafted plans for a symbolic visit to Baghdad to promote anti- imperialism and show that there can never again be a return to Blairite politics. The Labour leader will focus on inspiring young people, visiting the red wall of seats in the north and Midlands, and championing solidarity struggles abroad prior to stepping down in April. On resigning in April, Corbyn, 70, will continue to serve as the MP for Islington North while launching his own organisation: the For The Many Foundation. Sunday Times Long-Bailey faces exodus of moderate MPs if she wins party crown Sun on Sunday Future of the BBC Murdoch to launch rival to BBCs Radio 4 Sunday Telegraph And Sky on brink of sealing Disney+ deal Sunday Telegraph Comment BBC is panicking at publics rejection of its arrogant Left-liberal worldview, Janet Daley Sunday Telegraph More Court to probe Symonds influence on PM after cancellation of badger cull Observer Grenfell Tower inquiry member quits over links to firm that supplied cladding Mail on Sunday And finally, the train now approaching is going backwards The HS2 plan for Manchester has been described as utterly baffling after a report revealed how current train platform designs, which cost 570m, are facing the wrong way for passengers travelling to Leeds. A report commissioned by Manchester city council shows that passengers arriving at Manchester airport will find the platforms face westwards towards Liverpool, says the report. The original platform designs were created with only HS2 in mind. But plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), were bolted on to the existing design. As a consequence, train drivers will have to move from the front to the back of the train in order to reverse out of the station. Sunday Times A Texas A&M University graduate student who was suspected of showing symptoms of coronavirus does not have the deadly pneumonia-like virus, university officials said Sunday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told Texas A&M officials Sunday that samples tested negative for the respiratory virus. The strain of coronavirus has sickened nearly 3,000 and killed 56 in China, officials said. We are very pleased with this news and grateful to those community caregivers involved for their expertise, proactive action and compassion demonstrated in treating our student, said Martha Dannenbaum, director of Texas A&Ms Student Health Services. We wish to thank the Brazos County Health District, which offered guidance and transparency throughout this case. On HoustonChronicle.com: State's second suspected coronvirus case under investigation at Baylor The student visited an emergency room out of concern that he had been in Wuhan, not the severity of his symptoms, a Brazos County Health District official said. A Baylor University student who recently traveled to China is also being tested by federal health officials for a possible case of the virus. The student is experiencing mild symptoms and has been isolated as a precaution, Baylor officials said Friday. Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that may produce respiratory illnesses in some people, according to the CDC. Strains that occur in animals may evolve and infect humans, such as the 2003 SARS and 2012 MERS outbreaks, and can be fatal. Health care providers in Brazos County are still aware of public health guidance about the virus. There are five reported cases of the virus in the United States as of Sunday. Affected patients were located in Los Angeles and Orange counties in California, Washington state, Maricopa County, Arizona and Chicago, Illinois and have been isolated during treatment. All had traveled from the Chinese city of Wuhan, which has been the city hardest hit by the outbreak. U.S. health officials said Sunday its likely more cases will be reported in the coming weeks, but said the risk of the virus spreading in the U.S. is low. For the general public, no additional precautions are recommended at this time beyond the simple daily precautions that everyone should always take, the CDC said in a statement Sunday. Five major U.S. airports have began conducting public health screenings for the virus. Houstons George W. Bush Intercontinental Airport has not begun screenings, but has posted flyers around security checkpoints advising travelers going to and from Wuhan to watch for symptoms of sickness and avoid animal markets, touching live or dead animals and handling animal products. Travelers should avoid all non-essential travel to Hubei province in China, where Wuhan is located, officials said. This report contains material from wire services. gwendolyn.wu@chron.com Lucknow, Jan 26 : When UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath embarks on his ambitious Ganga Yatra from Monday, eight union ministers including home minister Amit Shah, and 56 ministers from Uttar Pradesh, will be a part of the event. The Yatra will begin form two destinations - Bijnor in the west and Ballia in the east - and will culminate in Kanpur. The state government will launch a major publicity blitzkrieg along the river by showering flower petals, conducting Ganga 'aarti', playing religious songs and holding public meetings in a mass awakening programme. The government plans to build special 'chabutaras' (platforms) to hold Ganga 'aarti' in 26 districts and give permanence to the event. During the Yatra, the government will publicize plans and programmes of the state and Centre. UP Jal Shakti minister Mahendra Singh said, "However, the government will stay away from pro-CAA campaigning during the Ganga Yatra. The government is committed to reviving the glorious days of 'Maa Ganga' and the four-day Yatra is aimed at generating a sense of euphoria over the holy river. He further said that the decision to create mass awakening for the river was taken soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the first meeting of the National Ganga Council in Kanpur recently. Chief Ministers of UP and Uttarakhand will flag off the Yatra from Bijnor while Governor Anandiben Patel will flag off the Yatra from Ballia. Union home minister Amit Shah is likely to address the culmination of the two yatras at Kanpur. Len McCluskey has told centrist Labour MPs to quit the party now if they are not prepared to accept Rebecca Long-Bailey as their next leader. The Unite the union boss said critics of the shadow business secretary 'would be better to clear out now' amid reports some are planning to quit Labour if she wins the contest. His comments come after Unite announced on Friday that it was formally endorsing Ms Long-Bailey in the race to replace Jeremy Corbyn. Moderate MPs view Ms Long-Bailey as the 'continuity Corbyn' candidate in the contest and fear she would stick to the same hard-left policies which failed to win the party the last two general elections. But Mr McCluskey said it is 'wrong' and 'simply unfair' to describe Ms Long-Bailey in such terms as he also defended Labour's 2017 and 2019 manifestos. Len McCluskey, pictured arriving at the BBC this morning, said centrist Labour MPs who are not prepared to accept Rebecca Long-Bailey as the party's next leader should 'clear out now' He said he believed 'Labour has changed forever' because of Mr Corbyn's leadership as he insisted that Unite will be 'fully behind' whoever becomes the next leader. During an appearance on BBC Radio 5Live this morning, Mr McCluskey was asked if he was concerned at the reports that some centrist MPs are planning to walkaway from Labour if Ms Long-Bailey wins. He replied: 'No. That is a disgraceful thing. If you want to give me some names then we can debate that with them. 'The truth of the matter is that if any Labour MP hasn't learnt the lesson that we need a united party, remember Jeremy for four years has had to fight, not just the enemy like the right wing newspapers... but indeed our own ranks. 'Now if people haven't learnt that the British electorate do not like a divided party and want to continue the divisions after this leadership election then frankly they would be better to clear out now rather than mess us about.' Told that the MPs would leave the party rather than seek to divide it, Mr McCluskey said: 'Good riddance.' Ms Long-Bailey has the backing of the current party leadership and earlier in the contest she described Mr Corbyn as a 10 out of 10 leader. She is one of four candidates left in the battle for the party top job. Sir Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy have both secured a place on the final ballot of party members after winning the backing of major unions. Ms Long-Bailey, pictured at a campaign event in London on January 21, is one of four candidates in the running to replace Jeremy Corbyn Ms Long-Bailey is now within touching distance of the showdown after Unite's backing and she only requires the support of one other Labour affiliated group in order to progress. But Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, is facing an uphill battle to make it through having failed so far to win any union backing. To make it onto the final ballot candidates must win the nominations of 33 local constituency Labour parties or three Labour affiliates, including at least two trade unions. Candidates who do secure the required support will be put to a ballot of party members between February 21 and April 2. The winner of the contest is due to be announced at a special event on April 4. The Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra government on Sunday launched its much-awaited Shiv Bhojan scheme, which is aimed at providing a meal to the poor for just Rs 10, on the occasion of the 71st Republic Day. Under the scheme, which was launched on a pilot basis, thalis or lunch plates would be available to people at designated centres/ canteens during a stipulated time in all the districts. Launching of the scheme was one of the poll promises made by the Shiv Sena, which shares power with the NCP and Congress in a coalition government. In Mumbai, district guardian minister Aslam Shaikh inaugurated the Shiv Bhojan Thali canteen at the civic-run Nair hospital. A similar centre was unveiled by Tourism Minister and Mumbai suburban district guardian minister Aaditya Thackeray at the collectors office in Bandra. Guardian ministers of Pune and Nashik, Ajit Pawar and Chhagan Bhujbal formally launched the scheme in their respective districts. Under the pilot scheme, at least one Shiv Bhojan canteen has been started at district headquarters. According to officials, guardian ministers and other dignitaries inaugurated the centers in various districts. The thali consists of two chapatis, one vegetable, rice and dal. The thalis would be available for people between 12 noon and 2 pm, officials said, adding that each canteen is going to serve at least 500 thalis (plates) per day. On the inaugural day, scores of people queued up at many such centres at various places. While some people praised the scheme and quality of food, some others demanded that the existing two-hour time be extended. The goal of the scheme is to provide affordable and quality food to all, irrespective of caste, creed, religion and financial status, tweeted Aaditya Thackeray, after the inauguration of the center. The state government is expected to incur an expenditure of Rs 6.4 crore for the pilot Shiv Bhojan thali project that will run for three months. Even though the customer will have to pay just Rs 10 per thali, the actual cost of the food will be Rs 50 each in urban centres and Rs 35 in rural areas. The balance amount will be given as grant to the district collectorate, according to officials. The decision on extending the scheme to other parts of the state would be dependent upon the response. These canteens will function at places where poor persons work or live like at markets, district hospitals, bus stations, railway stations and government offices. Initially, 50 Shiv Bhojan outlets will be set up for people where full meals will be available at Rs 10. We will expand the number of such outlets phase-wise depending on feedback, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had told the Legislative Assembly. The United States said Jan. 15 its forces are resuming training operations in Iraq against the Islamic State (IS), despite calls from various quarters, including Egypt, for all foreign troops to exit the country. The calls reached a fever pitch in the wake of the US assassination Jan. 3 of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force commander Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, who was considered the architect of Iran's foreign operations. Soleimani was killed by a US drone as he visited Iraq. The assassination was carried out only a few days after thousands of protesters and militia members stormed the US Embassy Dec. 31 in Baghdad to condemn US airstrikes that targeted Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq, allied with the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) in Iraq. The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs quickly called for the immediate cessation of all types of interference in the affairs of Arab countries and peoples. In a statement on its Facebook page Jan. 3, the ministry said it was "following with great concern the accelerating developments in Iraq, which warn of an escalation that is important to avoid." It continued, "Egypt thus calls for containing the situation and avoiding any new escalation." The ministry added that such interventions only increase division and tension among Arab peoples who yearn for peace and stability. On Jan. 10, Iraq's caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi officially asked US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to send a US delegation to Iraq to implement parliament's Jan. 5 decision that troops should withdraw. Egypt's former Assistant Foreign Minister Rakha Hassan told Al-Monitor by phone that there were secret Egyptian diplomatic efforts to evacuate US forces from Iraq, as Cairo is fully convinced that the cause of division in Iraq and various Arab countries is foreign interference in Arab affairs, especially military interventions. Senior officials from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry communicated with their counterparts and political officials in Iraq to convince them of the necessity to request the departure of US forces. The reason is that Soleimanis killing in Baghdad by these forces puts Iraq at risk of becoming a proxy battleground between several international parties, most notably Iran and the US, Hassan noted. Hassan stressed that Egyptian efforts in this regard came because Egypt and Iraq have significant relations, especially at the security and economic levels, not to mention the trade and oil exchanges between the two countries. Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs and former Ambassador to Berlin Badr Abdel Ati told Al-Monitor, Egyptian diplomacy believes the presence of any foreign forces on the soil of any Arab country is a harmful measure. Military intervention is never in the interest of any state. He indicated that Egypt affirms its steadfast stance opposing foreign interference in the affairs of Iraq or any other Arab country. Foreign interference after the killing of Soleimani could have turned Iraq into an upcoming war zone between Iran and the US," he said, adding, This would go against Egypts own interests and the interests of its brotherly Arab countries. Abdel Ati asserted that Egypt is helping all brotherly Arab countries prevent foreign military intervention on their soil, including Iraq, Syria and Libya. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry statement regarding the killing of Soleimani has explicitly indicated that foreign interference in Arab countries has only led to more division. This corroborates Egypt's vision in this regard, he said. The trade volume between Egypt and Iraq reached $500 billion in 2017, according to the most recent statistics, while Iraqi investments in Egypt were estimated at about $1.2 million. In 2018, Egypt imported 12 million barrels of Iraqi crude oil. On March 23, 2019, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received Abdul Mahdi in Cairo and expressed his appreciation for Abdul Mahdis choice of Egypt to be the destination of his first foreign visit after he was sworn in as prime minister, while Abdul Mahdi confirmed his country's keenness to advance relations between Egypt and Iraq in various fields. Sisi then stressed in a statement Egypt's committed stance on Iraq: support for its unity, stability, territorial integrity and non-interference in its internal affairs. The two leaders also discussed ways to enhance cooperation in security and the fight against terrorism to prevent the risk of foreign terrorists proliferating in the region. Hassan also told Al-Monitor, "Egypt doesn't want to interfere in Iraqs affairs, but it accepts its role and responsibility as a large Arab country to ensure Iraq's stability. Egypt doesn't want to impose control and domination, but is keen on Iraq's stability and security and not having it turned into a battleground between conflicting international parties, as happened in Syria. A researcher in international law at Cairo University, Mohammad Hamed, told Al-Monitor, Egypt believes that removing the US forces from Iraq will be in the interest of Iraq and the Arab people in general; there is no justification for their presence anymore, especially after Iraqs success in defeating terrorism and eliminating [IS]." He added, The US forces assessed their presence in some areas in Iraq after the increasing Iranian threats to US targets following the assassination of Soleimani and the PMUs deputy head Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. There was a major miscommunication about the outcome of that assessment. Brig. Gen. William H. Seely III, the commanding general of Task Force Iraq, sent an official letter to Iraqi authorities Jan. 6 stating his forces were taking specific measures to ensure their exit from Iraq. US Defense Secretary Mark Esper quickly denied having any withdrawal plan. The Iraqi government announced Jan. 14 that it will not back down from its demand that all foreign forces withdraw, the United States included. Still, both governments are continuing discussions on the issue. A portion of Route 309 was reportedly shut down early Sunday between Schuylkill and Lehigh counties. WFMZ-69 News is reporting the accident happened shortly after midnight Sunday when the driver of the rig heading north lost control and hit a guardrail. Police said icy roadways were to blame, according to WFMZ. One person was taken to an area hospital with unknown injuries after the crash, WFMZ reports. Pennsylvania State Police in SchuykillL Haven are yet to release additional details about the accident. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Have you spent days on a couch, curtains drawn, staring at your phone, poking it and scrolling through it mindlessly, with messages and calls unreturned? It feels like a force that wrenches your gut, a punch that rips your heart out, leaving you vulnerable, broken and in a sea of never-ending grief. In 2018, when Risha, a 22-year-old psychology student in Delhi, had her first heartbreak, she felt like she was gasping for breath. Hacks to get through heartbreak Dont stalk or text your ex Maintain a healthy routine Exercise regularly and eat right Talk to friends and family Take up new hobbies and activities Do anything that makes you happy Seek help from a counsellor. It felt like my heart actually stopped beating for a while. I couldnt think. I felt so broken. It felt like my system shut down and I couldnt function at all. For some time, it was just anger. Then it turned into grief. And there was no end to it, she admitted. Heartbreaks are ugly and there is no denying it. But then, can we just avoid heartbreaks from happening to us ever again in our life and look the other way? If only we had no fault in our stars. While it is inevitable, and maybe with every heartbreak, we emerge a little stronger, a little tougher and a little bit wiser. It is not just the pain one goes through, it is the pain of coming back from something that is lost, picking up every broken piece from the past, and stitching a new beginning with it. Mastering heartbreaks Managing heartbreak, basically, is an art. But how exactly do we master it? While a lot of people find comfort in shutting themselves down, avoiding the world after a heartbreak, or checking up on their ex and stalking them on social media platforms, Kavita Mungi, a mental health counsellor suggests, The best way to deal with heartbreak is to continue to work and have a good routine with a balance of work, exercise and sleep. She further adds, Indulging in a good hobby or taking some classes can be therapeutic. Move on One of the most important aspects according to the experts is practicing self-compassion for the person who broke your heart. It is important to let go and be positive about it. Geetanjali Saxena, a mental health counsellor, says, Stay positive as you start a new chapter. Try getting involved in new activities you once loved, but havent engaged in for a while. You can try new activities. Stay physically healthy by eating right. She highlights,It helps if you have good friends and family. You can reach out to them and seek help. Sharing your thoughts with them will help you unload your burden and give you a better sense of things. It will also bring you a sense of comfort. In times like these, friends and family play a pivotal role. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Just one Irish company made the top rank of a new global league table used to help big investors identify the most environmentally-friendly businesses. Cavan-based Kingspan was ranked in the 'A' division by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), along with 178 other global companies. The league table is designed to help institutional investors to assess companies in terms of sustainability credentials. The 'A' division includes household names such as Nestle, Lego and Ford, as well as major multinationals with big operations in Ireland, including Apple, Google and Microsoft. AIB and Ingersoll Rand, a US company with its global headquarters in Swords, Co Dublin, both received 'A minus' scores. Industry heavy hitters CRH, Kerry and Smurfit Kappa received 'B' grades, as did FBD, C&C and Mainstream Renewable Power. State companies ESB and An Post also received 'B' grades. Bank of Ireland, DCC, Total Produce and Greencore were given 'C' grades. Close to half of the Irish companies listed received an 'F' grade. Those companies included Ryanair, Applegreen and Paddy Power parent Flutter Entertainment, as well as housebuilders Glenveagh and Cairn. The 'F' rating given by CDP does not indicate a fail rating. Instead, the body said that it "indicates a failure to provide sufficient information to CDP to be evaluated". In 2019, more than 8,400 companies disclosed through CDP, a 20pc increase, representing over 50pc of global market capitalisation. Ryanair regularly claims to be the "greenest" airline, while Applegreen said it was "committed to the area of sustainability, with many existing initiatives having been in place across the business for a number of years". Paris: Digital currency could be useful as cash transactions dwindle in some countries but central banks should be in charge of issuing it, not private companies, Bank of France Governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau said on Saturday. Spurred by the rise of cryptocurrencies and Facebook`s plans to launch its Libra currency, central banks worldwide are looking into the possibility of issuing digital money to prevent the loss of state control over money. Villeroy said the proposals were not a reaction to Facebook`s plan, responding instead to fast-evolving technology and some banks` need for digital currency. He added that private citizens could also start wanting an alternative to cash. Asked whether such digital money could be issued by private companies, Villeroy said "currency cannot be private, money is a public good of sovereignty". He added that central banks were planning experiments with digital money and that the issue would be studied by the Eurosystem euro zone central banks. Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 26 (IANS) The Kerala Latin Catholic Church on the occasion of Republic Day read out a pastoral letter in all their churches in the state which said that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was not just an issue for Muslims, but for all, and that it will destroy the secular character of India. The pastoral letter addressed by the bishop was read out by the parish vicar, who conducted the Sunday mass to its laity. "CAA is not just an issue for Muslims but for all, which will destroy the secular credentials of our country. If we follow the statements of the leaders who rule the country and of those who follow these leaders, it's very clear that we will lose our secular credentials," read the letter. "To protect our Constitution and to uphold the secular credentials of our country, we all should be in the forefront," read the letter. Archbishop Soosapakiam said that the Constitution includes the basics of the gospel and hence it is the duty of every believer to protect it. After the mass, the tricolour was hoisted and the preamble of the Constitution was read out along with an oath to protect the Constitution. The Kerala Latin Church is one of the three Kerala Catholic Churches that owes its allegiance to the Vatican and the members of the church are found in large numbers in the coastal areas of the state. sg/dpb/kr Tents will continue to be provided to homeless people in the wake of a tragic incident where a homeless man was badly injured while sleeping in a tent, said a charity chief. The Inner City Helping Homeless charity continues to provide 10 to 20 tents a week to homeless people who request them, said the charity's co-founder Anthony Flynn. His comment follows a statement by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, which operates on behalf of the four local authorities in Dublin, which warned that tents are "not a safe solution" to homelessness. Mr Flynn said his charity was certainly not advocating for the use of tents as a solution to homelessness. "We don't want people living in tents. It's not something we would advocate. But the current system is a disorderly one Many people feel unsafe in hostels because of substance abuse and other issues in hostels. We will carry on giving out tents when requested," he said. The statements come in the wake of the horrific accident earlier this month on the banks of the Grand Canal when a homeless man received serious injuries when his collapsed tent was being removed by a machine. The 30-year-old man, who suffered massive spinal injuries, remains in serious condition at Saint Vincent's Hospital in Dublin. The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE), led by Dublin City Council, said its staff who work directly with the homeless were "deeply shocked and distressed by what occurred". The use of tents by homeless people - generally for accommodation purposes - is not deemed to be safe nor satisfactory, said a DRHE spokesperson. In a statement to the Sunday Independent, the DRHE spokesperson said: "The DRHE, through their Outreach Teams, are actively engaging with individuals who are sleeping rough in tents to encourage them to accept available emergency accommodation. "Our thoughts are very much with the man who was seriously injured in the incident that occurred last week." Fort Hays State University McKenna Holloway of Fremont has been named to the deans honor roll for the fall 2019 semester at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. To be eligible, students must have completed 12 or more credit hours and earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.60 for the semester. Sources said that Union home minister Amit Shah is keeping a close eye on the partys activities and taking a daily report from the state leadership. New Delhi: With the Bharatiya Janata Partys internal survey indicating that nearly 30 per cent of Delhis voters are undecided, the party high command has asked its leaders and functionaries to reach out to this particular section. The party also feels that the ongoing anti-CAA/NRC protests at Shaheen Bagh are going to benefit the party electorally since it is polarising the votes. The party, thus, plans to unleash a propaganda blitz to reach out to the undecided voters by targeting the political parties that, they claim, are creating confusion over CAA and NRC. Besides this, the party will also hold small meetings across the city and make people aware of Modis good governance and Kejriwals bad governance. A senior BJP functionary told this newspaper that 30 per cent of voters being undecided is an unusual trend and is an indication of strong anti-incumbency sentiment. The partys central leadership believes that it can make maximum gains by reaching out to the undecided voters, and that they will swing the February 8 Delhi Assembly polls in our favour. So the state leadership has been directed to reach out to these 30 per cent voters who have not made up their mind yet, he added. Sources said that Union home minister Amit Shah is keeping a close eye on the partys activities and taking a daily report from the state leadership. It is learnt that Mr Shah reviews progress almost everyday and party insiders say that the frequency of his visit to the state office has increased. From this week a daily review meeting was held in the evenings at Delhi BJP headquarters and Mr Shah was present in all these meetings, he added. In these review meetings held late evening, BJP president J.P. Nadda, national general secretary Bhupender Yadav and other senior leaders also join Mr Shah. In one such meeting it was discussed that a survey report shows the BJP leading comfortably, and winning over large chunks of the undecided voters will ensure a comfortable majority. As the countdown begins for February 8 polls, the BJP has launched carpet bombing of small meetings by its leaders across the national capital. January 27 onwards, about 250 leaders of the party will address 1,000 small meeting daily across the city for the next 10 days. In the last three days, the BJP has organised around 800 small public meetings. In an indication of the party giving a Hindutva twist to Delhi Assembly polls, leaders have been asked to attack the AAP and Congress for creating confusion and misleading people over CAA-NRC and backing the ongoing Shaheen Bagh protest. In their speeches, Mr Shah and BJP president J.P. Nadda have been regularly mentioning CAA and NRC and blaming AAP and Congress for creating confusion over the new legislation. A section in state BJP believes that the ongoing protest at Shaheen Bagh is polarising voters in their favour. Addressing online volunteers on Saturday, Mr Shah spoke of appealing to voters to press the Lotus (the BJPs symbol) so that the people of Shaheen Bagh are forced to leave on the evening of February 8. We want a Delhi that is pollution free, world class infrastructure and free of Shaheen Bagh, Mr Shah added. A party insider said that a massive online campaign has been launched to influence the fence sitters (undecided voters). Over 30,000 social media warriors have started promoting the BJPs messages on different social media platforms. Even Mr Shah acknowledged the importance of social media at the online volunteers meet and called them Cyber Yodha. Its been three years since the death of LaVoy Finicum and questions still abound. With the anniversary of Finicums death today (Jan 26th), it seems like an opportune time to discuss the topic again. When one talks about the Bundy Family, the first thing that springs to mind is the standoff in Nevada in 2014. However, perhaps even more important is the standoff and occupation at Oregons Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in 2016. Indeed, the two events are often conflated because Ammon Bundy is the son of Cliven Bundy, the man who stood up to the federal government over grazing fees on Bureau of Land Management land. The occupation was a highlight for both the militia and the sovereign citizen movement as well as proponents of states rights. The main argument from those occupying the land is that the federal government is mandated by law to turn over the land that they manage to the individual states in which the land sits. This, they argued, was particularly true of the Bureau of Land Management, United States Forestry Service, and United States Fish and Wildlife Service land. The 2016 Oregon standoff was over two ranchers convicted of arson on federal lands despite the fact that the men, a father and son pair named Dwight and Steven Dwight Hammond, did not want their support. Harney County in rural eastern Oregon is one of the largest counties in the United States by land mass, but one of the smallest when it comes to population. With a mere 7,700 people, cows outnumber humans in Harney by a factor of 14-to-1. Nearly three quarters of the land in the county is federally managed. The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge was established by then-President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908. Its a large area of the county and surrounding area at 187,757 acres. How Federal Land Management Works While each federal agency manages land differently, it is worth taking a closer look at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as a template case for how federal land management works in general. The BLM manages fully 1/8th of all the landmass of the United States. The Bureau was created by then-President Harry S. Truman in 1946, through the combination of two existing federal agencies the General Land Office and the Grazing Service. Most BLM land is concentrated in 12 Western states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Theres truth to the idea that BLM lands are largely lands that no one wanted to settle. The actual land is remnants held for homesteading that no homesteaders actually claimed. Ranchers, however, often use the land for grazing with 18,000 permits and leases held for 155 million acres. There are also over 63,000 gas and oil wells, as well as extensive coal and mineral mining. So while the land might be land that individuals dont want to live on and farm, it is far from without value. Part of the controversy in both the Nevada and Oregon standoffs was the question of ownership of these public lands. Cliven Bundy did not feel obligated to pay grazing fees for what is ostensibly public land that, the argument goes, is not owned by the federal government at all, but no one in particular. Similarly, the men who were convicted of arson on federal land werent terrorists or thrill-seeking firebugs. It was part of a longer-standing dispute with the federal government over their right to graze cattle on the land that started with the pair doing controlled burns that became uncontrolled. They became a cause celebre for the Bundy crew, because they were another symbol of the conflict over who rightfully owned the land. This comes down to a question of ownership: Can the federal government simply decide that it owns 1/8th of the country that is supposed to be set aside for the general public? Does the federal government have such authority or does this authority reside with the states? Homesteading was technically still allowed until 1976 (1986 in Alaska), but the formation of the BLM in 1964 effectively spelled the end of homesteading in the lower 48. The argument of Ammon Bundy and company was that the federal government had no such authority, which instead rested with the states. In a certain sense, this is a purely academic question. In another sense, the federal government owns whatever it says it does, because who is going to say otherwise? However, this was the theory and argument that underpinned the occupation of the Wildlife Refuge. What is Agenda 21? It is briefly worth addressing Agenda 21 before moving on, as many of those involved in the standoff believed in this. The veracity of Agenda 21 is not important for our purposes. What is important is that many of the people involved in the standoff believed it to be true. Agenda 21 is a name for a supposed United Nations statement on reducing the world population from above 7 billion to below 1 billion. Those who believe this is a goal of the United Nations believe that it will take place effectively by hoarding everyone off of the land and into cities, where they will be reliant upon others for food production. They also believe that it will take the form of state-funded or state-mandated abortions. In some cases, they believe that autism caused by vaccines is a way to lower the population since people with autism are far less likely to have children than those without. This is an important context for the standoff, because some of those involved believed that they were not fighting for the freedom of two men they believed to be wrongfully convicted of arson or even over obscure questions of natural and Constitutional law, but for their very lives, livelihood and posterity against a tyrannical would-be one-world government. One does not need to agree with the world view of these people to see it as an important factor in the standoff. Who Are Bundy and Finicum? Ammon Bundy is a name probably known to many readers of this website. He is the son of Cliven Bundy, the man who had previously stood up to the BLM over grazing rights in Nevada in 2014. Ammon had recently formed the group Citizens for Constitutional Freedom. A faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Ammon believed, as did his father, that his resistance to the federal government was not merely political, but specifically ordered by God. Lavoy Finicum, also a member of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, was another leader of the movement. Like Cliven Bundy, Finicum decided that he was no longer going to pay grazing fees to the BLM. He published a video on YouTube where he stated that he did not believe that it was legal for the federal government to own the land in question, and cited Cliven Bundy as a direct inspiration for his new stand against the federal government. He refused to pay $12,000 in fees accrued in under six months. Finicum had also been on the federal radar after he was erroneously named in a case against William Keebler, who planted a bomb at a BLM cabin. If there are any MSNBC viewers out there, you might know Finicum as tarp man due to his omnipresent blue tarp that he used to protect himself from the elements. Background: The Hammond Arson Case Its not necessary to get too lost in the weeds on the Hammond arson case, however it does bear a simple retelling. Dwight Lincoln Hammond, Jr. and his son Steven Dwight Hammond were convicted of two counts of arson in 2012, in relation to two fires they set in 2001 and 2006. The pair agreed not to appeal their sentences in exchange for having other charges dropped. The father served three months and the son served a year and a day, the whole of their sentence. After release, however, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (who else?) demanded that they be resentenced. The pair were resentenced for five years, with credit for time served and ordered to return to prison. They were eventually pardoned by President Trump on July 10, 2018. However, in the interim, Ammon Bundy and Ryan Payne made plans for what they called a peaceful protest. The Hammonds eventually rejected the help of this protest, but it went ahead anyway. On November 5, 2015, Bundy arranged a meeting with Sheriff David Ward for later that day. Bundy and Payne insisted that the sheriff do all that he could to protect the Hammonds from returning to prison. Ward explained that there wasnt much he could do. He also reported that Bundy and Payne became somewhat threatening and aggressive when he told them this. It was then that the specter of an armed militia was raised. In early December 2015, both Bundy and Hammond had moved to the area. They began organizing a Committee of Safety modeled on those of the Revolutionary period. Local residents began to notice a lot of outsiders in the community at this time and they werent exactly a welcome addition many would aggressively ask locals about their opinion on the matter. Local police and federal employees in the area reported that they, their spouses and even their children had been followed home or to school by militia members. Open carry became common in a place where, previously, it had not. The situation was incredibly tense. There were two public forums early in January 2016, designed to defuse tensions between locals and militia members. After a peaceful January 2nd protest ended, Ammon Bundy urged people to join him in an armed occupation of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. The Standoff at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Ammon and Ryan Bundy moved to the refuge with a number of armed participants and began setting up defensive positions. Law enforcement largely avoided the area due to the tense situation and the presence of armed militia members. The standoff continued for six weeks, largely without incident. There was a lot of bluster, mostly from the Bundy camp, but not much happened for the most part. Court orders were issued and ignored. January 6th saw a fistfight between a group called Veterans on Patrol and militants in the refuge. Indeed, the occupation was largely uneventful, save for the death of LaVoy Finicum. On January 26th, Finicum left the refuge with other leaders and supporters of the occupation in a two-truck convoy. It was here that federal authorities attempted to arrest him for the first time using a traffic stop. Ammon Bundy and Brian Cavalier were peacefully arrested at this time. Finicum was quite nearly arrested. His truck was stopped and hit with a 40mm plastic-tipped round of pepper spray. It was at this time that he refused to kill the engine on his truck and informed officers that the only way they were going to prevent him from reaching his rendezvous point was to shoot him. He is reported to have yelled at the Oregon State Police: "You back down or you kill me now. Go ahead. Put the bullet through me. I don't care. I'm going to go meet the sheriff. You do as you damned well please." Seven minutes after the stop, Finicum drove off in his truck with two passengers. His truck became stuck in the snow before a roadblock. He narrowly avoided hitting an FBI agent. He ran out of his truck and was fired upon twice by the Oregon State Police, which they did not initially disclose. One hit his truck and the other went wild as Finicum moved around in the snow. According to the FBI, he alternated between holding his hands up and reaching toward his jacket where he had a loaded semi-automatic weapon. According to the Oregon State Police, Finicum repeatedly yelled, "You're going to have to shoot me!" and the officers considered him a lethal threat to an officer armed only with a taser. They claimed that he reached for his pocket. Two officers fired a total of three times with a third officer holding his fire when he realized that a fourth shot wasnt needed. He was provided with medical assistance 10 minutes after the shooting. According to footage and witnesses featured in the documentary American Standoff, officers shot Finicum the moment he stepped out of his truck with his hands up, and continued to fire shots at the vehicle as well as gas the other two passengers. Aftermath of the Occupation FBI Agent W. Joseph Astarita was prosecuted for five counts of lying to investigators in relation to Finicums death. He was acquitted on all of them. A tape of the incident was released to the public, however, as is often the case, people saw what they wanted to see. The Finicum family commissioned a private autopsy, but did not share the results with the public. Finicum's widow Jeanette filed suit against the Oregon State Police, while his family filed a wrongful death suit against the federal government, the State of Oregon, the Bureau of Land Management and many other public officials and government organizations. The occupation continued for another two weeks but had largely lost steam as the militants leaders had mostly been arrested or surrendered or both. On the afternoon of February 10th, some remaining militants drove past a roadblock at high speed. Michele Fiore attempted to mediate the situation and de-escalate. This resulted in the remaining militants surrendering at 8am the next day. All told, 27 militants were arrested in relation to the occupation, 26 of these for a single federal count of conspiracy to impede officers of the U.S. from discharging their official duties through the use of force, intimidation, or threats. Several of these were indicted on state charges as well. Why Does the Oregon Standoff Matter? The standoff in Oregon matters for two main reasons: First, it is yet another example of how an armed population can sway the hand of government. Remember that the Hammonds eventually were pardoned. But more than this, it provides a lesson in how not to go about resistance. There is nothing to be gained by occupying an area where the local population is unsupportive. In the case of the Oregon occupation, while many in the area were sympathetic to the Hammonds and expressed such at public forums designed to mediate between the locals and the militia, the militants were largely outsiders who had come into the area to support someone who didnt even want their support. For their part, the militiamen werent by all accounts going out of their way to win hearts and minds. None of this requires absolving the federal government or the Oregon State Police for their role in the matter. It does, however, shine a light on the role of optics and tactics when confronting federal power. All things considered, this might not have been the right battle to pick. There is one last point to be made, however: Despite the outcome, the federal government now has another example to look to that will urge it to exercise caution and restraint when dealing with armed protesters. This was not a situation like Waco or Ruby Ridge. The Second Amendment and militia movements have learned a lot from these incidents in terms of responding before things spiral out of control. The occupation might not have been perfect, but that doesnt mean it wasnt worth it. The space race has begun. Private companies have exploded, soaring beyond multiple billion-dollar valuations seemingly overnight. Some of the hottest tech companies on the planet are already facing off for a piece of the pie. But theres a looming crisis that, if not addressed, could bring the entire industry crashing down. Literally. After over 60 years of space exploration, humankind has left a lot of trash behind. Already, hundreds of thousands of pieces of space debris are in orbit. This is a terrifying reality, especially considering just a tiny 1mm object can have a catastrophic effect on a satellite or spacecraft. Holger Krag, head of the space debris office for the ESA, notes, Even today we are losing satellites due to debris and it is only a matter of time before more start colliding. If we continue the way we do, 10 years from now some regions in space will be too risky to visit. With companies such as SpaceX, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic eyeing commercial space flight within the next few years, and even more looking to roll out an array of new private satellites, the space debris risk has never been greater. And if Krag is correct, the more crowded our orbit gets, the more dire the threat will become. Related: Bankruptcies In U.S., Canadian Oil Jump 50% In 2019 Just last year, space companies raised over $5.8 billion dollars, Virgin Galactic launched its much-anticipated IPO, and pure-space plays spiked in trading interest. Space Angels CEO Chad Anderson sees this number going even higher in 2020, predicting that more companies are gearing up to hit the public markets. Anderson explained, These companies are graduating and going from concept to scale, Anderson said. All the companies that are in space in the last 10 years are new. Theyve all entered a different point over that timeline and you need to see them graduate as, in venture capital investing, graduation rates are really important. What Is Being Done About Space Debris? Government organizations are currently taking the lead on the space cleanup initiative, with the U.S. Air Force, NASA and the European Space Agency dedicating sizable budgets to the effort. But some private organizations are looking to contribute, as well. Take Astroscale, for example. The Japanese firm is already in the construction stages of a space junk removal project, ELSA-d, that it hopes to launch by mid-2020. ELSA-d will consist of two separate spacecrafts. A 180-kilogram servicer spacecraft, and a 20-kilogram client spacecraft. The Servicer is equipped with proximity rendezvous technologies and a magnetic docking mechanism, while the Client has a ferromagnetic plate which enables it to be docked with. The Servicer will repeatedly release and dock the Client in a series of technical demonstrations proving the capability to find and dock with debris. Nobu Okada, the founder and chief executive of Japan-based company Astroscale, explains, Cleaning up space is critical, adding, People know about global warming. People know about ocean clean-up. But they dont know anything about the space debris issue. Another private company looking to tackle the problem is D-Orbit. While the Italian startup hasnt raised the funds that Astroscale has, it is still pushing forward in its ambitious mission to reduce space debris through new innovative technology. While Astroscale is dedicating much of its focus on a single project, D-Orbit is experimenting with a little bit of everything. D-Orbits flagship product is the D3, an independent, smart motor optimized for decommissioning maneuvers. The D3 is a preemptive end-of-life solution for satellite manufacturers which is attached to new satellites with the goal of being able to remove them from orbit quickly and safely when they have reached the end of their lifespan. Related: Hydrogen Costs Could Be Set To Plunge By 50% The company is also actively cutting deals with other startups, including a Swiss startup called Astrocast that has raised about $4.2 million, including from Airbus, to deploy a constellation of 80 cube satellites for the Internet of Things, which could even compete with bigger, more expensive IOT networks like those operated by ORBCOMM. The Future Of Space Travel Take one look at any major investment website, and youre sure to be bombarded with stories about the next big space company on the horizon. Though the billionaires of the bunch often get the most attention, none of their endeavors will be possible if the space debris crisis isnt addressed. Matt Ocko, a partner at Data Collective, a San Francisco venture capital firm invested in Rocket Lab, explains, There needs to be pressure from the space community and governments to monitor these companies. And that pressure is sure to come. Right now, space is still the wild west, but when government regulations start to take root, and the space junk problem becomes a full-blown crisis on the scale of global climate change, early innovators in the debris removal sector could explode. By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Advertisement The coronavirus which has infected 2,000 and killed 56 was today revealed by Beijing officials to be contagious even before symptoms show. Speaking at a press conference this morning, health minister Ma Xiaowei said 'it seems like the ability of the virus to spread is getting stronger' and that it can be passed from person-to-person during its 14-day incubation period. The announcement before a packed briefing hall of face-masked reporters sparked concern in Britain, where cases of the disease are likely. Top scientists from British universities provided snap reaction to the news coronavirus is contagious during incubation. Professor Paul Hunter, at The Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia said: 'If person to person spread from people without symptoms became common then this would be extremely worrying. It would also be very surprising. 'The consensus from the SARS outbreak was that only patients with symptoms spread the infection. Medical staff wearing clothing to protect against the coronavirus walk outside a hospital in Wuhan, which was where the infection broke out Members of the media have their temperature checked before attending a news conference by the State Council Information Office about the outbreak of the new coronavirus in Beijing A woman wearing a protective facemask returns from a market in Wuhan which is on lock-down following the spread of cornnavirus This map shows all the areas where coronavirus has been identified so far, including Canada 'Patients with influenza can transmit the infection before becoming ill but only for a day at most before symptoms develop. 'The primary way that coronaviruses are spread is by aerosols generated by coughs and sneezes.' 'By definition once a patient is coughing and sneezing they have already developed symptoms. 'A description of the early cases suggest that on the current outbreak affected patients are less likely report upper respiratory symptoms such as sore throats and runny noses which may even reduce the risk of person to person spread early in the illness.' And Professor Sheila Bird, Honorary Professorship at Edinburgh University's College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine said: 'If transmission does occur pre-symptoms or is suspected to do so, at some point soon-ish it may be instructive and important for the Chinese health authorities to try to measure within-household transmission, taking account of household size and ages of members of the household. 'Little has been said as yet about the estimated fatality-rate for patients whose clinical course is completed (ie recovered alive, or deceased) but I'm sure that public health official know how important it is to do so even if only for hospitalized cases in the first instance.' It comes as the mayor of the disease-plagued city Zhou Xianwan said officials are stepping up construction of specialised hospitals to deal with infection victims. An ambulance driver, wearing protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly SARS-like virus which originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan Top health official Gao Fu (pictured) said the coronavirus was 'not as powerful' as the SARS outbreak which rocked China in 2003 Medical team members heading to Wuhan to reinforce hospitals fighting the coronavirus outbreak prepare to board the train at Nanjing South Railway Station in Nanjing City Tourists from an Air China flight from Beijing wear protective masks as they arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, France, which has confirmed three cases Beijing's health minister assured face-masked reporters that authorities have cranked up efforts to stop the spread of disease after conceding their knowledge of how it mutates is limited. Ma Xiaowei said 'it seems like the ability of the virus to spread is getting stronger' and added that the administration will continue to curb transport links and scrap planned public gatherings. More than 2,000 people have now been infected worldwide and 56 have been killed in China, sparking President Xi Jinping to yesterday issue an unprecedented warning of a 'grave situation'. Yet top health official Gao Fu said the coronavirus was 'not as powerful' as the SARS outbreak which rocked China in 2003, although it is becoming more contagious. While SARS-infected people were only contagious when their symptoms were showing, coronavirus victims can infect others during their incubation period which can be up to 14 days. Director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Gao Fu speaks during a State Council Information Office press conference Professor Paul Hunter, The Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia said: 'If person to person spread from people without symptoms became common then this would be extremely worrying. It would also be very surprising' Professor Sheila Bird, Honorary Professorship at Edinburgh University's College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine and formerly Programme Leader at MRC Biostatistics Unit, Cambridge Medical staff wearing clothing to protect against the coronavirus walk outside a hospital in Wuhan, which was where the infection broke out Members of the media have their temperature checked before attending a news conference by the State Council Information Office about the outbreak of the new coronavirus in Beijing Casting a large shadow over this morning's press conference was a video of nurse battling the outbreak who claimed the government is playing down the volume of the infections and said the true figure is 90,000. But regime authorities batted back accusations of a cover-up and insisted it had 'followed the principles of openness and transparency' since the coronavirus broke out in Wuhan, Hubei province, last week. And in a move to further project transparency, they announced daily press briefings on the threat posed by the virus starting tomorrow. Can tourists still travel to China? Flights to and from the China are still available, but tourists will be hamstrung in their ability to travel. The UK Foreign Office has advised against all travel to the Hubei province where the coronavirus spawned. The eastern city of Wuhan is under lock-down and the government has enforced an effective travel ban. Four cities - including Beijing, Shanghai, and the eastern province of Shandong - announced bans on long-distance buses from entering or leaving their borders. Cruise operators including Royal Caribbean Cruises, and Costa Cruises said they had cancelled a combined 12 cruises that had been scheduled to embark from Chinese ports before Feb 2. Many cinemas across China were closed with major film premieres postponed. Shanghai Disneyland, which expected 100,000 visitors daily through the holiday period, has already closed. Airports around the world have stepped up screening of passengers from China, although some health officials and experts have questioned the effectiveness of these efforts. Advertisement Ma said he has 'maintained close communication with the World Health Organisation' and invited inspectors to examine the country's response. He also revealed Beijing is sharing information with other nations after the United States, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Australia, France and Canada all confirmed cases. As governments in China, Britain and around the world double down efforts fend off the virus: Home Secretary Priti Patel did not deny UK plans to airlift stranded British nationals in quarantined Wuhan; Shanghai became the latest Chinese city to halt long-distance bus services over contagion fears; The Chinese government ordered a temporary ban on the trade in wild animals fearing the virus spawned in a food market; Health authorities in China said it was suffering a protective suit shortage and was importing stock from other countries; Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he was working with Chinese authorities to arrange a charter flight for any Japanese nationals who wish to return from Wuhan; Hong Kong closed Disney land over fears it could spread the virus; Paris-based Chinese associations have cancelled a Lunar New Year parade following the coronavirus epidemic, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo said Sunday; A patient in California's Orange County was Saturday confirmed as the third person on US soil infected with the new deadly virus. Ma's insistence of transparency came after the unnamed woman's warning from the heart of the outbreak. Top scientists from British universities provided snap reaction to the news coronavirus is contagious during incubation. Professor Paul Hunter, at The Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia He said: 'If person to person spread from people without symptoms became common then this would be extremely worrying. It would also be very surprising. 'The consensus from the SARS outbreak was that only patients with symptoms spread the infection. 'Patients with influenza can transmit the infection before becoming ill but only for a day at most before symptoms develop. 'The primary way that coronaviruses are spread is by aerosols generated by coughs and sneezes.' 'By definition once a patient is coughing and sneezing they have already developed symptoms. 'A description of the early cases suggest that on the current outbreak affected patients are less likely report upper respiratory symptoms such as sore throats and runny noses which may even reduce the risk of person to person spread early in the illness.' Professor Sheila Bird, Honorary Professorship at Edinburgh University's College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine She said: 'If transmission does occur pre-symptoms or is suspected to do so, at some point soon-ish it may be instructive and important for the Chinese health authorities to try to measure within-household transmission, taking account of household size and ages of members of the household. Professor Wendy Barclay, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London 'Many of the respiratory viruses that spread amongst humans do transmit even in the absence of symptoms, including influenza and other cold viruses. 'They are carried into the air during normal breathing and talking by the infected person. 'It would not be too surprising if the new coronavirus also does this. If this does prove to be the case then controlling the spread does become more of a challenge, and measures like airport screening are unlikely to stem the virus effectively.' 'Little has been said as yet about the estimated fatality-rate for patients whose clinical course is completed (ie recovered alive, or deceased) but I'm sure that public health official know how important it is to do so even if only for hospitalized cases in the first instance.' Michael Head , Senior Research Fellow in Global Health,Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton 'If 'symptomless spreading' is confirmed, it would not be too surprising. Other respiratory infections such as measles and influenza can both be spread, without the infected person showing symptoms. 'A key factor would be the extent of the person-to-person transmission. If transmission between people is not too extensive, then the impact of symptomless spreading would not be too great. 'If there is significant levels of person to person transmission, this would make containment of the outbreak harder.' Nathalie MacDermott, NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer, King's College London 'While the suggestion that the (coronavirus) may be contagious during the incubation period, as reported by a doctor in Zhejiang province in relation to a cluster of cases linked to an individual who had yet to show any symptoms, is concerning it is not surprising. 'It is known that several other coronaviruses and respiratory viruses from other virus families can be spread during the incubation period, the period during which a person is infected but has not yet developed symptoms. 'This was taken account of in some of the modelling exercises undertaken by colleagues recently, and was likely given the degree of spread of the outbreak within China. 'There is often the question of whether individuals who may be infected with the virus but never show any symptoms (asymptomatic or subclinical cases) may also be contagious to others.' Advertisement Speaking in video footage seen online, the unnamed woman says: 'I'm in the area where the coronavirus started. I'm here to tell the truth. At this moment, Hubei province, including Wuhan area, even China, 90,000 people have been infected by coronavirus.' Despite China being initially praised for its transparency in managing the situation, critics have now claimed that officials are scrubbing the internet of videos that reveal the true situation. However, the nurse's report has been viewed almost two million times on YouTube. In the footage, she warns people not to go outside and to refrain from celebrating the Chinese New YearShe said: 'I would like to say that everyone who is currently watching this video should not go outside. Don't party. Do not eat out. Once a year, we celebrate Chinese New Year. If you are safe now, you will be able to meet your family again healthy next year.' Making a desperate plea for supplies, she said: 'We don't care what the government says. I will tell you through social media. Everyone, please donate masks, glasses and clothes to Wuhan. 'Please help us. Please donate disposable goggles, disposable masks and disposable clothing. Currently our resources are not enough.' Today, the health ministry admitted it needed 100,000 protective suits, but currently only had 13,000 in Wuhan. It said stock was being reallocated to the crisis-hit region from the country's central reserve, as well as buying suits from other countries. Horrifying clips have been posted online by shocked citizens only to be deleted shortly after. In one, the sick are seen sitting between drips and oxygen tanks next to three dead bodies covered in white sheets. The footage was deleted from social media channel Weibo. Last week, in rare public dissent, a senior journalist at a Hubei provincial newspaper run by the ruling Communist Party called for an 'immediate' change of leadership in Wuhan on Weibo. The post was later removed. The People's Daily, a state-owned newspaper, posted a video of an apparently cured patient flashing the peace sign alongside four medics. But the Global Times revealed that vital resources, including masks and goggles, were urgently needed. Critics have also claimed that many health experts who would have been able to warn the government at an early stage of the dangers of coronavirus have been detained or had their research stopped because they were not working within the Chinese state. The accusations of a cover-up echo the furore surrounding the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) epidemic in 2002 when the government concealed the existence of the illness not just from the outside world but from its own people. But Chinese officials told reporters that the new disease was less powerful than SARS - though it was becoming more contagious. 'From what we see now, this disease is indeed...not as powerful as SARS,' said Gao Fu, head of China's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, at a press briefing in Beijing. Taiwan's vice president-elect on Sunday offered help to rival China to fight the new coronavirus outbreak, as authorities in the island further tightened restrictions on visitors from China to prevent its spread. Taiwan has close economic and cultural links with China and has so far reported four cases of the virus, which started in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in Hubei province and where most of the 56 deaths to date have been. But political relations are tense. China has stepped up pressure on Taiwan, which it considers its own territory to be taken by force if needed, including holding military drills near the democratic island. This month, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen won a landslide re-election after campaigning on a platform to stand up to China and defend Taiwan's freedoms. Writing on his Facebook page, however, Tsai's Vice President-elect William Lai said both Taiwan and China had common enemies, including infectious diseases and disasters. Lai said the spread of the coronavirus in China was an opportunity for cooperation, calling on Beijing to have an 'open attitude' towards accepting international help. 'It is incumbent upon Taiwan to take part, and help China to solve this serious epidemic, so as not to allow it to continue to spread, and that the sick can get appropriate treatment to return to help,' he added, without elaborating on what help Taiwan may be willing to help. The Democrats have accused Trump of withholding Ukraine military aid. U.S. President Donald Trump asked dinner guests how long Ukraine would be able to resist Russian aggression, according to a tape recorded at a 2018 gathering with donors. "How long would they last in a fight with Russia?" Trump is heard asking in the audio portion of a video recording obtained by U.S. media outlets, including the Associated Press and ABC News, on January 24-25, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported. Someone is heard on the tape saying, "Without us, not very long." "Without us," Trump repeats. Read alsoTrump lawyers: President did "absolutely nothing wrong" on Ukraine VOA Trump also asks whether Kyiv felt it was "going to be OK" in its conflict with Russia. "They feel they're going to be OK if you support them," someone replies. "It's always us that has to support everyone," says Trump, who then complains that European nations were not doing enough to share the burden. The U.S. Senate is currently conducting a trial after the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives impeached Trump last month on two articles abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The Democrats have accused Trump of withholding military aid and a White House invitation as a means to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to launch two investigations that would benefit the U.S. leaders reelection chances. Trump dismisses the accusations as a witch hunt and has said his dealings with Zelensky were "perfect." Since 2014, Kyiv has been engaged in a war in eastern Ukraine against Russia-led forces. David Leakey walks across the Central Lobby of the Palace of Westminster (Niklas Hallen/PA) John Bercows chances of being elevated to the House of Lords have been delivered another blow after a former Black Rod said he was submitting a complaint detailing allegations of bullying. David Leakey said he would submit a dossier to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards outlining the intolerable rudeness and explosive behaviour of the ex-Commons speaker. It follows a complaint by Lord Lisvane, who was Clerk of the House, which led Mr Bercow to categorically deny having ever bullied anyone. Writing in the Sunday Times, Lieutenant General Leakey said he was reluctantly filing his own formal complaint detailing allegations of bullying, intimidation and unacceptable behaviour by the former MP for Buckingham. Expand Close Former Commons speaker John Bercow (Stefan Rousseau/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Former Commons speaker John Bercow (Stefan Rousseau/PA) He said he was doing so in the hope that others will be encouraged to come forward to file their own complaints, finally safe in the knowledge that the new independent complaints procedure will enable their concerns to be heard and assessed. He added: The dossier I will submit to the commissioner will detail various incidents of bullying behaviour where I was present; the intolerable rudeness and explosive behaviour that left Bercows subordinates terrified was legendary, objectionable and unworthy of someone in such high public office. Many people were, frankly, terrified of Bercow a Jekyll and Hyde character whose furious rages were belied for many by the charm and good humour he could also deploy to such effect. It will also spell out my own personal experience of his volatile rages, foul language and personal insults. Many people were, frankly, terrified of Bercow - a Jekyll and Hyde character whose furious rages were belied for many by the charm and good humour he could also deploy to such effect.David Leakey On one occasion, for example, in the presence of other people, he suddenly erupted in a rage, banging the table, and became extremely and personally insulting to me about my education, previous army career and social background, including calling me an anti-Semite falsely implying I was prejudiced against his Jewish family background. Lt Gen Leakey added: He did not intimidate me I have suffered tirades from many a sergeant-major in my early days in the army but the visible effect of such behaviour on other parliamentary staff was appalling. A spokesman for Mr Bercow did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the allegations. On Thursday, the ex-Speaker dismissed Lord Lisvanes complaint as having come at a curious time as he seeks to become a peer, and attacked the Government for not elevating him to the Lords after his retirement as Commons Speaker. Indeed, it has been suggested to me that the Government actively seeks to block any other attempt to nominate me for membership of the upper House, he continued in the statement. I have seen in the media that Lord Lisvane is formally complaining that I bullied staff. For the record, I categorically deny that I have ever bullied anyone, anywhere at any time. Allegations surfaced in 2018 of Mr Bercow bullying two former private secretaries, Angus Sinclair and Kate Emms. Mr Sinclair accused the speaker of over-the-top anger, shouting, swearing and intimidation. Lt Gen Leakey was among those who made allegations at the time and called for Mr Bercow to consider his position. Mr Bercow left the speakers chair on October 31 and has been replaced by Sir Lindsay Hoyle. Chinese authorities said on Sunday that the number of coronavirus infections has reached close to 2,000 a 54% jump in just 24 hours giving out worrying new details about a pathogen that is now believed to be spreading faster and, often, without people knowing if anyone in their midst is infected. At least 56 people have now succumbed to the virus, which had been unseen anywhere in the world till about a month ago before it began spreading from the central Chinese city of Wuhan to now sicken people in countries as far away as France, the United States and Australia. On Sunday, a case was presumptively confirmed in Canada, and a person in Ivory Coast was isolated for suspicion of infection, in what could be the first case in the African continent. The dizzying spread of the virus appeared to be explained by two new studies based on preliminary data, which suggested that each person carrying the virus is passing it on to 2-3 people on an average. The current infection figures, both studies say, are likely to increase manifolds if efforts to contain the spread are not intensified. The spreading ability of the virus is getting stronger, Chinas national health commission (NHC) minister, Ma Xiaowei said on Sunday, adding that the incubation period (the point from when a person is infected till the first symptoms appear) can range from one to 14 days, and that the virus is infectious during incubation. Confirmation of a silent outbreak poses a new challenge for authorities around the world, most of whom have till now regarded the flu-like symptoms as the threshold for isolating suspected patients. During the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak, a coronavirus that also originated in China and went on to kill nearly 800 people globally in 2002 and 2003, the infection spread only when the patient was symptomatic. According to an analysis of reported infection numbers, a team of researchers from Imperial College London said the virus appears to have a basic reproduction number (often also calculated as R0) of 2.6 which means that on an average, one infection can lead to 2.6 more infections. R0 estimates for flu pandemics lie in the 1.5-2.5 range... An epidemic with an R0 of 2.5 could still infect between 60% and 90% of the population, depending on contact patterns and assuming no prior immunity. Not all might be symptomatic though, one of the lead authors of the report, Neil Ferguson, an infectious disease specialist at Imperial College London, said in a tweet on Saturday. It is unclear at the current time whether this outbreak can be contained within China, Ferguson was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters. A second study derived a similar rate of infection (basic reproduction number of 2.5) and said that their projections showed Wuhan could have 190,000 cases by February 4. In 14 days time (4 February 2020), our model predicts the number of infected people in Wuhan to be greater than 190 thousand, said the study by researchers at Lancaster University. Scientists around the globe have been working to understand the virus better, how contagious it is and where it comes from. First detected in Wuhan last month when it caused cases of pneumonia, it has sparked fears that the disease could rival SARS. Containment efforts, which have thus far included transportation and travel curbs, and the cancellation of big events, will be intensified, Ma said. China has virtually locked down the Hubei province of which Wuhan is the largest city grounding flights and blocking of road and train routes. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday described the outbreak as a grave situation. Wuhan also has a significant number of Indian residents, most of them students who are believed to have returned to India for the Lunar New Year holidays that began last week. Indian officials have estimated the around 150 Indians are still trapped in the city, and there are talks with Chinese authorities of a possible evacuation. Several countries, such as US, France, Australia and Japan, have announced plans to evacuate their citizens. (With agency inputs) Tripoli (AFP) - The United Nations mission to Libya has slammed ongoing violations of a UN Security Council arms embargo, despite commitments made a week ago at an international summit in Berlin. In a statement published overnight into Sunday, UNSMIL it said it "deeply regrets the continued blatant violations of the arms embargo in Libya". World leaders last weekend committed to ending all foreign meddling in Libya and to upholding the 2011 weapons embargo as part of a broader plan to end the country's conflict. They also agreed to a permanent ceasefire and steps to dismantle numerous militias and armed groups, as well as a political process under the auspices of the UN. UNSMIL said a January 12 truce agreed by the Government of National Accord (GNA) and forces led by eastern commander Khalifa Haftar had provided much-needed respite for civilians in the capital, Tripoli. "However, this fragile truce is now threatened by the ongoing transfer of foreign fighters, weapons, ammunition and advanced systems to the parties by member states, including several who participated in the Berlin Conference," it said. It said numerous flights had landed in Libyan airports over the last 10 days, providing both sides with "advanced weapons, armoured vehicles, advisers and fighters". "The mission condemns these ongoing violations, which risk plunging the country into a renewed and intensified round of fighting," the UN mission said. Military strongman Haftar, who controls Libya's east and large swathes of the south, began an offensive in April last year to seize Tripoli from the UN-recognised GNA. Turkey has backed the Tripoli-based GNA, while Haftar, who backs a rival administration in the country's east, has had support from Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. On Saturday, clashes around Tripoli killed at least one civilian -- a Moroccan national -- and wounded seven, GNA health ministry spokesperson Amin al-Hashemi told AFP Sunday. Story continues UN experts in December published a near-400-page report accusing an array of firms and external powers of violating a 2011 embargo by delivering arms or fighters to the North African country. They concluded that "the arms embargo was ineffective, and resulted in regular maritime and air transfers to Libya of military material". Libya has been mired in chaos since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising that killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi. This is a really nice event, said Katherine, Its good when kids take an interest in the environment and animals. Michelle Berns, another naturalist from Muscatines Conservation Board, said the event was a way to build awareness. It helps us build awareness for our eagles, and it helps us spread information, to get people aware of the national resources in the area. One of these resources, the Raptor Advocacy Rehabilitation & Education Group, which is sponsored by All Seasons Glass in Muscatine, held live raptor programs that Saturday, helping residents get an even closer look at these majestic birds. This is our second year doing a program for this event, said Sonja Hadenreldt from RARE, We talk about different raptors, the differences between day and night raptors, and just what we can do to help with conservation. During their presentation, they showed off a red-tailed hawk named Mo and a barn owl named Bano. Q My wife and I had our first child - a baby boy - about two months ago. I applied for paternity leave a few days after our son was born, with a view to taking the leave when he was around a month old. I gave my employer the required four weeks' written notice and provided the necessary documentation. However, my employer has come back to me verbally and said that he won't approve my application for paternity leave because the business is under a lot of pressure at the moment, and so he needs all hands on deck. He has also ruled out the prospect of me taking the paternity leave at a later time, saying that the business will be under pressure for the coming months and that he can't allow me to take any kind of leave until the summer. As I understand that I must take paternity leave within 26 weeks of the birth of my child, could I lose my entitlement to this leave if I have to wait until summer to take it? Is there anything I can do to better my chances of taking paternity leave? Gavin, Co Louth The law is very clear here and by informing your employer four weeks in advance with written notice, you have done everything by the book. The Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 states that as a father, you are entitled to two weeks' statutory paternity leave. You must use your paternity leave within six months of the birth, so your boss cannot ask you to postpone it any further. You are fully entitled to this paternity leave and your boss is totally out of order with his stance. I would urge you to keep a record of everything verbal that is said and make sure that you keep a written record of all communications with your boss. You are protected by law in this instance, and I would point this out to your boss clearly and unambiguously. If he persists with a negative response, you can make a complaint using the online complaint form on the website workplacerelations.ie, within six months of the dispute. However, I believe that if you underline your legal entitlements and the repercussions, your boss will probably back down. You also need to check your contract of employment to see what has been agreed regarding payment for paternity leave. Your employer is not obliged to pay you for this, although you may qualify for state paternity benefit if you have paid enough social insurance (PRSI) contributions. Four-day week Q My husband and I have a long commute to work - and a young family. Much of my work is desk-based and could be done from home. I approached my employer and suggested that I work from home for one day a week. This would ease the pressure of the commute on my children and I. I would produce the same amount of work - or possibly more - at home as I would in the office. My employer is open to the idea, but only on the condition that I take a 10pc pay cut. I don't believe this is fair of him. What's your advice here? Lorraine, Co Laois Flexible work can include part-time work, full-time work with flexibility, remote work from home, compressed hours, job shares, term-time and so on. There are no laws around flexible work in Ireland at the moment. However, the Government is working on a future jobs programme where one of the main pillars is addressing the needs of parents in the workplace and bringing in legislation around flexible work - a welcome step in the right direction. It seems unfair that your boss would expect you to do the same work (albeit working from home one day) for less pay. Could you ask him to explain his reasoning behind the 10pc reduction - which equates to you working for 50pc less on one of your days? Is he suggesting that your productivity will be 50pc less on the day you work from home, when most studies show that productivity is increased when employees work from home? Other advantages include reduced attrition rates and significant cost savings for the employer. I would certainly challenge your boss to explain the 10pc decrease. Remind him that the new EU directive on work-life balance is coming into effect in the next three years in Ireland, where parents with children up to the age of eight will have the right to request flexibility in the workplace. This new law has the power to change the landscape of flexible work in Ireland, and it is paramount that all employers are preparing for it. School holiday woes Q My eldest daughter started school last September. She had been in a creche up until September 2019, so childcare around school holidays was never an issue for my husband and I. It is now though. I don't have enough annual leave to cover all of the days that my child will be off school - and certainly not when she's off for two months over the summer. I can't find a creche or childminder that will take her over the summer holidays. Do you have any advice on how I can manage this challenge? We live away from family so I have no family support network nearby. I work in a busy accountancy practice. Jill, Co Dublin While the cost and system of childcare in Ireland are unlikely to change in the near future, perhaps you could broach the subject of flexible work with your boss. You say you work in a busy accountancy practice, but the quiet times in an accountancy practice are often over the summer months. Is it possible to negotiate term time with your employer, where you work for 10 months of the year and your pay is spread over the 12 months? Perhaps you could offer to work for a day a week over the summer to keep up to date with your clients. Would this be manageable with your daughter? There are lots of different options, where flexible work could help you with your juggling act of parenting and full-time work. I would suggest going to your employer with a solution that fits around your needs but also takes in the needs of your employer. Present it in such a way that makes practical and economical sense. There is also a major shortage of good practice accountants out there at the moment, so I am sure your employer will not want to lose you, and you are in an excellent negotiating position. Your employer should also be aware of the new EU directive on work-life balance. The proposed directive will facilitate every employee with children up to eight years of age, and carers, and will ensure that such individuals have a right to request flexible working arrangements. This includes reduced working hours, flexible working hours and remote working options. This EU directive was voted into law in 2019 and will be coming on stream in the next three years in Ireland. Karen O'Reilly is founder of Employflex Email your questions to lmcbride@independent.ie or write to 'Your Questions, Sunday Independent Business, 27-32 Talbot Street, Dublin 1'. While we will endeavour to place your questions with the most appropriate expert for your query, this column is not intended to replace professional advice. Elazig, Jan 25 (AFP) The death toll from a powerful earthquake in eastern Turkey rose to 29 as rescue workers raced against time Saturday to find survivors under the rubble. The magnitude 6.8 quake struck on Friday evening, with its epicentre in the small lakeside town of Sivrice in Elazig province, and was felt across neighbouring countries. The Turkish government's disaster and emergency management agency (AFAD) said 29 died in Elazig and in nearby Malatya while nearly 1,500 had been injured. The update came as a quake with a 5.1 magnitude hit Sivrice later Saturday. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cancelled a speech in Istanbul and attended the funeral of a woman and her son in Elazig. He later visited Malatya. He vowed the state would do "everything we can" to help those affected in a disaster he described as a "test". AFAD said 43 people had been rescued alive from collapsed buildings in Elazig. An estimated 19 others remained trapped in the rubble. Turkish news channels showed live images of people rescued. Among those pulled out alive was a woman called Azize who had contacted emergency authorities and spoken to a rescue worker by telephone, state news agency Anadolu reported. Almost 24 hours after the quake, officials then rescued a woman and her two-year-old child in her arms alive, CNN Turk broadcaster reported. Over 3,500 search and rescue personnel were working in the region while tens of thousands of beds, blankets and tents have been provided, the presidency said. The rescue efforts have been taking place in freezing temperatures as wood and plastic were burned to keep crowds warm. Hundreds of people anxiously waited on the other side of police barriers including a man who gave his name as Mustafa. "I have three relatives in that building: one man, his wife and her mother," the 40-year-old told AFP. "I was home during the earthquake. It lasted for so long, it was like a nightmare. I froze in the living room when it happened, my wife and our two children were screaming and running around," he said. He added that some neighbours jumped out of the windows in panic as families including his were forced to spend Friday night on the streets. Rescuers cleared the rubble one bucket at a time surrounded by broken wooden beams and concrete. Sivrice -- a town with a population of about 4,000 -- is situated south of Elazig city on the shores of Hazar lake -- one of the most popular tourist spots in the region and the source of the Tigris river. The lake is home to a "Sunken City", with archaeological traces dating back 4,000 years in its waters. Among the 1,466 people injured were residents in other southeast provinces including Diyarbakir and Sanliurfa. Tensions were high as one resident accused the government of lying. "They (the government) claim that only four people are trapped under the rubble. It is not true. I have five relatives in that building," Suat, a 45-year-old butcher, said. "There are four floors and three flats per floor. If there were five people per flat, do the math. Why are they lying?" Suat described the moment when the quake struck as he was at home in another neighbourhood and his children "were screaming in terror". The Ankara public prosecutor's office said it had begun an investigation into "provocative" social media posts but did not give further details. Erdogan also told citizens to "ignore gossip and negative propaganda". The tremor was felt in several parts of eastern Turkey near the Iraqi and Syrian borders as well as in Iran, Lebanon and Syria. Officials said 72 buildings had collapsed while 514 were badly damaged and 409 had limited damage in the affected region. The US Geological Survey assessed the magnitude as 6.7, slightly lower than AFAD, adding that it struck near the East Anatolian Fault in an area that has suffered no documented large ruptures since an earthquake in 1875. There have been 462 aftershocks including 14 that were above four in magnitude, AFAD said. In 1999, a devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit Izmit in western Turkey, leaving more than 17,000 people dead including about 1,000 in Istanbul. Experts have long warned a large quake could devastate the city of 15 million people, which has allowed widespread building without safety precautions. Such fears were acutely awakened in September last year when a 5.7-magnitude earthquake shook Istanbul, causing residents to flee buildings in the economic capital. (AFP) PMS PMS On a recent cold winter day, the wind whipped through the woods surrounding a colonial village in the New Jersey Pine Barrens in the Wharton State Forest -- a village that time seemed to forget. It sprung up around the Batsto Iron Works in the late 1700 and was built to last. One of the enduring features is the post office. It is one of only four in the nation founded before the age of zip codes that continues to function without one. The other three are located in Philadelphia; Williamsburg, Virginia; and Hodgenville, Kentucky. We dont sell postage but you can bring mail or a postcard here and we can cancel it, said Alicia Bjornson of the state Department of Environmental Protection which administers Batsto, referring to the location stamp on mail when it is processed. Once stamped, parcels are driven 9 miles to a post office in Hammonton to begin the journey to their final destinations. Batsto post office located in Batsto Village, South Central Pinelands, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comTim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for The one-room post office is staffed by volunteers a dozen times a year, typically during holidays and special events. Officials here say they sometimes get large batches of holiday cards and other parcels with commemorative postage attached waiting to get the iconic Batsto stamp affixed to it. It is located on the second floor of the general store. A vintage potbelly stove sits in the middle. The wooden-planked porch of the general store under it evokes the starting point of a wild-west shootout. Willy Davis, area manager of Batsto Village, stands in the Batsto Post Office located in Batsto Village, South Central Pinelands, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comTim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for The post office opened in 1852 as part of a smoky, smelly company town. An iron smelting operation ran all hours of the day, as it had for nearly 100 years before. No trees were within sight. They had all been cleared to make charcoal to fuel the smelts. Nearly 1,000 people lived here in this outpost at its height in the mid-1800s just 21 miles from the Atlantic Ocean in the southeastern tip of Burlington County. Batsto is such a significant place, said Wes Hughes, co- chair of the Batsto Citizens Committee, a community of volunteers at the state-owned historic site. It had a key role in the American revolutionary war. Cannons and cannonballs and were made here from iron ore processed from water in Batsto Lake. When the British occupied New York City, they got tired of dodging cannonballs from here and decided to come and destroy it, Hughes said. They entered the Mullica River at Chestnut Neck in 1778. The riverbank continued to get so narrow the British were getting picked off by volunteer militia. They eventually gave up. George Washington exempted the ironworkers from military service so they could keep making guns and ammunition. The Mullica River location was a favorite of local privateers, who were often referred to as pirates, Hughes said. Some of them turned patriots when the British attacked. Much of what was reclaimed from ruins at Batsto in the 1960s was built in the early to mid-1800s. For the past decade, Hughes has been a guide for tours of the 32-room mansion in the heart of Batsto Village. It was a grand home for generations of ironmasters, topped with an 87-foot spire. The 32-room mansion in Batsto Village, South Central Pinelands, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comTim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for But his love for the place started nearly a lifetime ago. Decades ago I went on a class trip here in a big yellow school bus, said Hughes, 68, who is also an executive of Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey. I never got over it. The post office had just been reopened in 1966 after closing in 1911. Philadelphia industrialist Joseph Wharton purchased the village, along with 97,000 surrounding acres in the 1880s. He made his fortune in metals and is largely credited with convincing the federal government to make coins out of nickel, for which he had cornered the market. Wharton bought the land for the pure, bountiful Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer, one of the most prolific wells and springs that yields on average 400 gallons per minute of groundwater. His plan was to eventually pipe the water to Philadelphia, where water quality was poor. New Jersey eventually passed a law that remains today prohibiting transporting water across state lines. When Wharton died in 1909, historians say he expressed a wish to preserve the forest and the Batsto Village he owned. In 1951 the state purchased the land and named it after him Wharton State Forest. He also had the prestigious business school at the University of Pennsylvania named for him. Hughes said Batsto looks very different now. Lush meadows and forest surround the 100-acre site. Forty buildings dot the landscape, including a barn with sickles and other farm tools still hanging in it. A few years ago, the citizens committee installed a live-stream web camera looking out from the top of the 87-foot spire. Hughes, who lives 40 miles away in Cherry Hill, said he still takes time daily to log on to the internet to look at the sweeping landscape of this historic Colonial village. See more photos of the Batsto Village below. Willy Davis, area manager of Batsto Village, leaves the Batsto Post Office located in Batsto Village, South Central Pinelands, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comTim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for Batsto post office and general store located in Batsto Village, South Central Pinelands, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comTim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for The Blacksmith Shop located in Batsto Village, South Central Pinelands, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comTim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for The sawmill located in Batsto Village, South Central Pinelands, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comTim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for The sawmill located in Batsto Village, South Central Pinelands, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comTim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for This article is part of Unknown New Jersey, an ongoing series that highlights interesting and little-known stories about our past, present, and future -- all the unusual things that make our great state what it is. Got a story to pitch? Email it to local@njadvancemedia.com. Read More Unknown New Jersey stories like this: Bill Duhart may be reached at bduhart@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @bduhart. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. ~ No need for panic over coronavirus, as there is not enough data to show mutation outside of China, Dr. Jan Cedric Hansen ~ PHILIPSBURG: --- Health officials should be at all ports of entry on St. Maarten / St. Martin to ask two basic questions to travelers as precautions are taken to contain the coronavirus outbreak that started in Wuhan China. Dr. Hansen, member of the Foundation des Catastrophes said that travelers should be asked if they visited China in the past two weeks and if they ate wild meat during their stay there. He said unless a person was in China it is highly unlikely they are infected with the new strain of the virus. Dr. Hansen further explained that there is not enough data available to say how catastrophic is this strain of the virus, he said based on the data available it shows that the coronavirus behaves just like the regular influenza virus. Furthermore, he said that the mutation takes as much as 12 days after infection making it much more unlikely for persons that were contaminated while traveling to spread the virus. He said unless a traveler has a fever and is coughing there is less likelihood for contamination. Dr. Hansen said that China is handling the spread of the virus very well and that those persons that got infected while in China only began showing symptoms days after they returned to their country of residence. He said there are at least three confirmed cases in France and those persons took the necessary precautions when they began feeling sick by calling their doctor and not just showed up at their doctors clinic or local hospitals. Each year over 5,000 persons die from the influenza virus annually and this is because the infected persons do not take the necessary precautions, it is always better to stay away from public places when infected with influenza to limit contaminations. Dr. Hansen said. People should also protect themselves by wearing a mask as well as washing their hands since they can also pick up the virus by touching things and people. It should be noted that the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE) has a room available to quarantine suspected travelers who would then have to be taken to a hospital for testing, however, health officials from St. Maarten is yet to present themselves at PJIAE to begin the basic screening. Click here for more information on the Coronavirus. The nation celebrated the 71st Republic Day on Sunday with a grand military parade and exhibition of its history, cultural diversity and strategic weaponry at the Rajpath. Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro was the chief guest for this year's ceremony which started with Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying tributes to martyrs at the National War Memorial. This was the third time that a Brazilian president was the chief guest at the Republic Day. There were several firsts in the celebration this year, including the prime minister paying homage at the National War Memorial, display of Chinook and Apache helicopters in the fly past and showcasing of the A-SAT weapons system. Jammu and Kashmir, which participated in the parade for the first time as a Union Territory, had the "Back to Village'' programme for displaced Kashmiri Pandits as the theme for its tableau. The band played the national anthem with a 21-gun salute in the background when the tricolour was being unfurled at the Rajpath before the start of parade. Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were among those who attended the celebrations. Earlier in the day, Modi took to Twitter to extend his greetings to countrymen. "Wishing everyone a happy #RepublicDay. Jai Hind," he tweeted. After Republic Day parade, he waved at the cheering crowd while walked on the Rajpath. Twenty-two tableaux were on display during the parade, of which 16 were of various states and UTs and six were of ministries, departments and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). While Goa's tableau highlighted its biodiversity and 'save the frog', its anti-frog poaching campaign, Indian Air Force's tableau was a scaled down model of Rafale aircraft, Tejas aircraft, Light Combat Helicopters, Akash Missiles System, and Astra Missiles against a sky blue background. The tableau of the Ministry of Jal Shakti showcased government's new initiative "Jal Jeevan Mission" which aims to provide a functional tap connection to every rural household by 2024. The National Disaster Response Force's tableau showcased the cutting-edge technology used by the agency during rescue operations in flood-hit areas and Delhi's Anaj Mandi inferno last year. The 'Dhanush' gun system, commanded by Captain Mrigank Bharadwaj, was part of the celebrations for the first time on Sunday. The gun with a maximum range of 36.5 km has the capability of automatic gun alignment and positioning. Heavylift helicopter Chinook and attack helicopter Apache, both recently inducted in the Indian Air Force, took also part in the flypast for the first time. The Chinooks can airlift diverse loads in remote locations. It is a heavy lift, twin rotor helicopter which has enhanced IAF's lift capability across a range of military and HADR missions. The Apache, on the other hand, is a versatile helicopter capable of firing air to air and air to ground missiles, rockets and front gun aided through fire control radar which can unleash havoc on the adversary. Captain Tania Shergill, a fourth generation Army officer, led the marching contingent of the Corps of Signals. Keeping up with the pace of technical advancement in the 21th Century, the Corps of Signals has effectively achieved electronic and information superiority to empower the Indian Army against adversaries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Qatars hospitality sector has been boosted with the opening of the 105-bedroom Premier Inn Doha Airport Hotel in the citys Old Airport area, the second Premier Inn in the country. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on January 22, to mark the hotel opening in the presence of Ahmad Al Majed, Chairman of Al Majed Group, owners of the hotel, and Adam Nicholls, Managing Director of Premier Inn Hotels Middle East. The opening follows a management agreement between Premier Inn, the UKs largest hotel brand, and Qatars Al Majed Group and responds to increasing local demand for high quality, high value accommodation and services. Guests visiting Premier Inn are guaranteed a good nights sleep, as they fall back on to the super-comfy Hypnos bed, with a choice of pillows and black out curtains to send you off to sleep with ease, says a hotel spokesman. Theres plenty of space for little ones, with spacious family rooms accommodating up to two adults and two children, where kids aged 15 and under stay free. Wake up to the legendary all you can eat breakfast, served in the all-day dining restaurant, Omnia, or take advantage of the 24/7 room service, he says. For business travellers, the hotel offers a range of well-equipped meeting room facilities and business centre services. With free WiFi throughout the hotel, one can stay connected to the office, friends and family. Refreshment packages for delegates are available to book in advance and guests can enjoy free on-site parking. Doha is making a huge name for itself as an international sporting events and tourism destination and Premier Inn is looking forward to be a major player in the Qatari hospitality sector providing travellers with a wider selection of affordable accommodation while maintaining the uncompromising standards of Premier Inn brand. said Rajiv Tarcar, Country General Manager for Premier Inn Hotels. Britains most-loved hotel brand is now equally well-known and respected in this region. The product has been extremely well received in Qatar, and guests in our new hotel, which is just 10 minutes from Hamad International Airport, as well as the Corniche and West Bay, will find us suitably placed to serve their needs whether they are visiting for leisure or business.' The hotel is ideally located in the centre of Dohas Old Town, just 10 minutes from Hamad International Airport from where it operates a complimentary shuttle bus. Guests can discover Dohas most popular attractions with Souq Waqif, the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) and the National Museum of Qatar just a short ride away. TradeArabia News Service Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Sunday wished his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and people of India on the occasion of Republic Day. Earlier in the day, Rajapaksa, along with his wife Shiranthi Rajapaksa, participated in at the cultural event organized by the Indian High Commission in Colombo, celebrating the 71st Indian Republic Day. "Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapaksa and I participated at the cultural event organized by the Indian High Commission in Colombo, celebrating the 71st Indian Republic Day, at the BMICH last evening. I would like to wish the Prime Minister and people of India a very Happy 71st Republic Day," Rajapaksa tweeted. Replying to Rajapaksa greeting, Prime Minister Modi said India "cherishes the deep-rooted friendship" with Sri Lanka. "Thank you PM Mahinda Rajapaksa for the Republic Day wishes. India cherishes the deep-rooted friendship with Sri Lanka.," Modi tweeted. On this day, 70-year back, India officially adopted its Constitution. The day is being celebrated around the country with great fervour and enthusiasm. Meanwhile, the Indian mission in several countries including the Embassy of India in Kathmandu and Indian High Commission in Pakistan is also celebrating the day. At the High Commission here, High Commissioner of India, Taranjit Singh Sandhu unfurled the flag at India House this morning at a ceremony. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four powerful explosions - three in Dibrugarh and one in Charaideo districts - rocked Upper Assam on Sunday morning, as the country celebrated its 71st Republic Day. All four blasts occured in a span of 10 minutes - between 8.15 and 8.25 am, a police officer said. There has been no report of any casualty, as Republic Day being a holiday, people were mostly indoors, he said. The first blast was reported outside a shop at Teokghat in Sonari police station area of Charaideo district. Three explosions followed soon after in Dibrugarh district - two at Graham Bazar and AT Road, beside a gurudwara, and another at the oil town of Duliajan Tiniali, just 100 metres from the local police station, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Padmanabh Barua told PTI. CCTV footages available at Duliajan Tiniali showed two motorcycle-borne youths lobbed a grenade and sped away, the ASP explained. The blasts at Graham Bazar and AT Road were carried out with time-induced Improvised Explosive Devices, he stated. Senior police officers have rushed to the site of the explosions and a probe has been initiated, Barua added. According to sources, the explosions were suspected to be the handiwork of the ULFA(Independent), but nothing has been established as yet. The ULFA(I), along with several other proscribed outfits in the Northeast, had called for a boycott of the Republic Day celebrations. Taking to Twitter, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condemned the blasts and vowed to take strong action against the culprits. "Strongly condemn the bomb blasts in a few places of Assam. This cowardly attempt to create terror on a sacred day only exhibits the frustration of the terror groups after their total rejection by the people. Our Govt will take the sternest action to bring the culprits to book," he tweeted. A source in the chief minister's office said Sonowal has asked Assam Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta to deal with the situation and nab the culprits involved in the explosions at the earliest. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Michael Sunday was very happy and a little surprised when he first saw his new right hand. It is a glove-like prosthetic device that covers his real right hand. The device should help Sunday return to a normal life after he lost three fingers in a car accident a year ago. The prosthetic feels like real skin and is dark in color. In fact, the color looks very much like that of Sundays skin. White prosthetics for dark-skinned people Until now, most manmade body parts available in Nigeria have been white. Sometimes the manufacturers use wood. That also looks unrealistic. Sunday lost the thumb and fourth and fifth fingers on his right hand in 2018. He was riding in a car with his parents when it hit another vehicle. The 22-year-old student told the Reuters news agency he really likes the prosthetic device. Wow, this is lovely. Wow, finally, I have my fingers back. Wow! Amazing. Uneasiness of amputees John Amanam, a Nigerian artist, made the prosthetic hand. He once made special effects for movies. He became interested in prosthetics after a family member lost a limb in an accident. Amanam said he noticed that people who have lost arms or legs often feel uneasy around others. One reason was manmade limbs that did not have the same skin color as those wearing them. I became emotional about amputees. They had this feeling of discomfort whenever they were around normal people. Amanam decided to do what he could to make amputees feel better. Although he does not have any special training in making prosthetics, he did some sculpting as an art student. He started making prosthetic fingers, hands, arms, legs and ears in 2017. It takes three weeks to two months to make one, depending on the size and complexity of the body part. His company is called Immortal Cosmetic Art. It sells the pieces for at least 40,000 naira ($111). An artist at work To prepare Michael Sundays hand, Amanam began as any artist would. He made a model and mixed paints, trying to find the right skin color. He says the result is lifelike. We have prostheses who are made with white skins. You rarely find people with black skin prosthetics, so I want the blacks, I want Africans, in particular, to have this need solved within Africa. Sunday says that he is happy to have the lifelike prosthetic. It has really helped me, because I can go about my normal life without [people] looking at my hand, without hiding my hands or fear of discrimination or feel pity. Im Jill Robbins. Seun Sanni and Nneka Chile reported on this story for Reuters. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. __________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story prosthetic n. an artificial device that replaces a missing or injured part of the body glove n. a covering for the hand that has separate parts for each finger limb n. an arm or leg amputee n. someone who has lost a body part, such as an arm or leg sculpting n. to make (something) by carving or shaping clay, wood, or stone pity n. a strong feeling of sadness or sympathy for someone or something Do you know anyone who is an amputee? What kind of medical device do they use? Write to us in the Comments Section. A doctor who returned to Rajasthan from China was suspected to have contracted the coronavirus, a statement from the state health department said on Sunday The state health minister Dr Raghu Sharma directed the SMS medical college administration to keep the doctor who has returned from China after completing his MBBS and is suspected to be infected with the coronavirus, in isolation and to screen his family members, the statement, which HT has seen, said. The state health minister also directed that the suspected patients blood sample be taken and sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune, the health department statement added Meanwhile, a day after two suspected coronavirus-infected patients tested negative for the infection, the report of the third quarantined patient at Mumbais Kasturba Gandhi Hospital also came out as negative on Sunday, according to health officers. We havent got the report in hand which requires a series of formalities, but the institute informed us on Sunday that the third report has also being found to be negative. These reports would also be submitted to the central health department for their observation, said Dr Padmaja Keskar, executive health officer, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). BMC has kept three people on observation through telephonic follow up who landed in Mumbai on Sunday after visiting China, officials familair with the matter said on condition of anonymity. The United States has confirmed a third case of the novel coronavirus, after a traveler from China tested positive for the disease in Orange County, Calif. The Orange County Health Care Agency, which received confirmation of the case in California from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a statement on Saturday that the person had been sent to the hospital and was in good condition. The patient is a traveler from Wuhan, China, and there is no evidence that person-to-person transmission has occurred in Orange County, according to the agency. The current risk of local transmission remains low, the statement said. The bombshell revelation has not ended the division within the government. The Guard want to pin the blame on those involved in firing the missiles and be done with it, officials said. The missile operator and up to 10 others have been arrested but officials have not identified them or said whether they had been charged. Uttarakhand Governor Baby Rani Maurya on Sunday unfurled the tricolour at the parade ground here to mark the 71st Republic Day. Maurya also watched a ceremonial joint parade by the security forces including police, the ITBP and the NCC besides around a dozen tableaux presented by different departments and colourful dance performances by school children. Notable tableaux included the ones presented by the Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority, the State Disaster Response Force, the Tourism and Culture department, the Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency and the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority. Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat attended a photo exhibition put up at the parade ground showcasing the development work done by the state government in the last three years. Rawat also met the freedom fighters who attended the function. The governor also hoisted the national flag at the Raj Bhawan on the occasion. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jagdish Lal Ahuja, fondly known as Langar Baba has been serving free food to hundreds of patients and attendants right outside PGIMER in Chandigarh. It has been more than two decades, that the 85-year-old Langar Baba makes a daily trip to the hospital to feed those in need. Ahuja has been suffering from cancer and yet, the illness did not deter him from being a good Samaritan. He also provides patients other support, from financial assistance to blankets and clothes. twitter In an interview with The Indian Express, Ahuja said, I, along with my family, had come here from Peshawar in Pakistan at the time of Partition in 1947. My family came to Mansa and then, I shifted towards Ropar and the place, which is known as Chandigarh today. I merely had a few paisas in my pocket then. I even sold bananas sitting by the road at the old mandi in New Delhi. The idea to start langar outside PGI was my inner voice. I had faced poverty and starvation, and when I thought I am capable of feeding others, I decided to start langar service. He said he heard about the Padma Shri from media persons. I do not know who recommended my name and how it was accepted. I just want that the government should rebate me from income tax, so my family can continue the langar service after my death, he told the newspaper. twitter A self-made crorepati, Ahuja had come to India empty handed during Partition. He sold off properties worth crores to fuel his mission, and continues to serve undeterred even by stomach cancer. Another person to receive the Padma Shri is Dr Digambar Behera, who is with the Pulmonary Department at PGIMER. He was honoured with the fourth highest civilian award for his distinguished service in the field of medicine. Dr Behera has held the post of Dean Research at PGIMER and has also served as director for the National Institute of TB and Respiratory Diseases in New Delhi. By SA Commercial Prop News An artist impression showing buildings at R14 billion Harbour Arch mixed-use precinct in Cape Town, developed by Amdec Group. Amdec Group, which co-owns the vibrant Melrose Arch in Johannesburg, today received approval from Municipal Planning Tribunal meeting to develop its ambitious R14 billion Harbour Arch mixed-use precinct in Cape Town. The City of Cape Town has officially approved the Harbour Arch mixed-use development after years of delay. The parcel of foreshore land, spanning 5.3 hectares, was previously owned by Transnet but has since been bought by Amdec for its R14-billion mixed-use development. It will compete with the V&A Waterfront for residential tenants. The waterfront, valued at nearly R20 billion, is SAs most-valued commercial asset. With 198 000m2 of usable space and six individual towers, the site will also be home to two new hotels, to be operated by Marriott International, long-standing partners of the Amdec Group. James Wilson, CEO of the Amdec Group, said immediately after the meeting: This is a big day for Cape Town and a big day for the Amdec Group. We are overjoyed at the City of Cape Towns decision to support Harbour Arch, and we have no doubt that this project holds tremendous promise for the Mother City. Harbour Arch will create jobs and opportunities, boost investor confidence both locally and abroad, bolster our city's economy and benefit the Western Cape province as a whole. Social housing advocacy group Ndifuna Ukwazi has previously objected to a large mixed use development application brought by Amdec Property Development situated on what was once Transnet land on the Foreshore. The Harbour Arch development is unashamedly exclusive, and will entrench racial and class divisions that continue to suffocate Cape Town, Ndifuna Ukwazi Attorney Jonty Cogger said. In response to Ndifuna Ukwazis objection that Harbour Arch would be exclusionary, Amdec said it would build 1,000 affordable housing units offsite in the suburb of Ottery, 18km away. Within the context of the burgeoning Cape Town CBD, Harbour Arch occupies a strategic position at the convergence of major access roads, with easy entry points to and from the N1 and N2 highways. It represents a massive private sector investment into the city, estimated to create at least 13,000 construction jobs. Its credentials are further strengthened by the involvement of a reputable and committed developer. Taking a bet on an economic recovery in SA over the next few years, Amdec, which developed Melrose Arch in Johannesburg, is trying to repeat its success in Cape Town with the development. Evan Robins, listed property portfolio manager at Old Mutual Investment Group, said Amdec's decision to pull the trigger now may be perceived as bad timing. Mega tea promo delayed, talks continue on wage hike View(s): With the government determining that the wage hike of estate workers is to be effective from March 1, the plantation companies were in discussion this week on a new model. Should the companies come up with a methodology of a means of earning more, it would amount to a win-win situation for both parties, observers note. The new wage hike though made mandatory for those covered under the Collective Agreement, however, the industry opines this could have a ripple effect on other sectors as well. Factory owners are believed to be threatened by this as estate workers that are hired on a part-time basis may demand for better pay. In addition there could be a chain effect on smallholders and mid size private holdings as well. Meanwhile, the mega tea promotion campaign about to kick off next month will be delayed by about four months as the industry draws up new plans under the current government. The Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) has been asked to ensure that the industrys 5-year plan and the existing campaign would match the overall strategy. The current advertising and promotion campaign already planned to go ahead in February this year is further delayed until the new plans are worked out. The Colombo Tea Traders Association is currently involved in drafting the new 5-year plan as they are representative of the industry. The tea industry has been awaiting the long overdue Rs.6 billion promotional campaign to kick off finally in February in 21 countries with an advertising campaign and a digital media campaign that was to be a part of it as well. Previously, the global campaign was to start in Russia and Japan but under the circumstances the campaign is to be on hold until the new plan is completed. The first meeting of the newly-constituted SLTB board is scheduled for January 31. (SD) The office of the locally incorporated JPMorgan Chase Bank on Oct. 11, 2007, in Beijing. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Global Banks Potential Faustian Pact for Chinese Market Access Commentary With the phase one trade deal with the United States signed and filed, Chinas banking regulators have begun to ease restrictions on foreign banks to enter the Chinese market. Starting this year, foreign investment banks can take full ownership stakes in Chinese securities firms. And thats music to the ears of banking executives who have long salivated for a slice of Chinas financial markets. But how good of a deal is it? If global banks arent careful, they can undo a decade of investor goodwill and prudent risk management following the last financial crisis. Foreign Ownership Allowance Starting on April 1, foreign ownership caps for Chinese securities firms will be lifted as part of the phase one trade deal. That date has been accelerated from the December 2020 target date previously floated by Chinese securities regulators. Foreign banks can now compete to be lead underwriters of debt and equity offerings, own asset management firms, and broker deals. Its been a slow build-up to this point. In 2014, Beijing set up the ShanghaiHong Kong Stock Connect, allowing investors in each market to trade shares on the other using their local brokers. Two years later, a similar arrangement between Hong Kong and Shenzhen was established. Last year, a connection between London and Shanghai was launched. Whos jumping in so far? Swiss bank UBS in December 2018 became the first foreign bank to gain a 51 percent majority ownership stake in its local securities venture. In 2018, Japanese investment bank Nomura Holdings received approval for a 51-percent-owned Chinese venture. JPMorgan Chase also launched a majority-owned business in December 2019. Others, including Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, are in the process of establishing similar footholds. The new rules clear the way for 100 percent ownership going forward. Whats the benefit? A slice of Chinas $45 trillion financial services sector, and the fees associated with arranging debt and equity raises, investment management, and mergers and acquisitions advisory. Today, domestic banks dominate local Chinese investment banking league tables. The top of most lists for IPOs, debt, and equity capital markets are all state-owned entities, such as CITIC, China Investment Corp., China Securities Co., and Guotai Junan Securities Co. At the minimum, a majority or full ownership would allow global banks to consolidate their Chinese revenues and profits into group earnings to appease investors. A Fraught Path Forward For global banks, the first challenge is a lack of competent staff inside China. Top bankers in New York and London, or even Singapore, arent going to suddenly pack up and move to Chinaand the ongoing outbreak of the novel coronavirus isnt increasing Chinas appeal. Banks can poach talent from Chinese competitors. But there are a ton of landmines there. Wall Street tends to have a very short memory, so lets take a walk down memory lane. In 2018, UBS received a fast introduction to how Beijing conducts business. A UBS banker on a business trip to China was barred by authorities from leaving the country. The staffer was confined and interrogated for about 24 hours. In 2016, JPMorgan Chase paid almost $300 million to settle a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission probe into its hiring of children of well-connected Chinese officials and executives. The princelings scandal, as it was referred to, was a black eye for JPMorgan and other global banks that ran similar schemes in hopes of currying favor with local officials. As international banks prepare to expand their presence in China, they must also be prepared to potentially compromise existing business policies. Lets examine a few examples. Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping has increasingly promoted the so-called civil-military fusion strategy. Essentially, its a strategy to accelerate China into a global superpower by merging civilian industrial innovation with Chinas military. In practice, it means that any Chinese-domiciled company could be called upon to hand over information or otherwise assist the Peoples Liberation Army. China has explicitly strengthened the corporate boards linkages to the Chinese Communist Party, said Nazak Nikakhtar, assistant secretary for industry and analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, during testimony on Jan. 23 in front of the U.S.China Economic and Security Review Commission in Washington. Nikakhtar was referring to the CCP increasingly calling on companiesincluding foreign-owned companiesto support the creation of CCP party committees or cells within their offices. Chinas Company Law, which applies to both state-owned and foreign-owned Chinese companies, refers to party organizations but doesnt define their roles. But such cells can influence corporate decision-making and could indirectly grant the CCP de facto oversight of the company. For example, Beijing bureaucrats, through the party cells, can compel banks to lend to Chinas state-owned or private enterprises regardless of their economic merit. Such activities would surely be antithetical to U.S. (and European) national security or political interests, and lets not get into the myriad corporate governance violations. How can investors of international banks square that? Lastly, lets circle back to Goldman Sachs, the investment banking giant whose most notable recent exploit in Asia was the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) debacle in Malaysia, where the bank was accused of misleading potential investors in bond issuances designed to raise cash for 1MDB, the state development company. On Jan. 23, Goldman CEO David Solomon told CNBC that the bank would no longer take companies public (through an IPO) unless the companys board of directors has at least one diverse member. Promoting a diversity of opinions within corporate governance is a noble goal, and it should be about more than just ones skin color or gender. And Goldman could force some changes among U.S. companies looking to go public. But will the bank promote the same diversity policy when it comes to its Chinese clients? What about boards entirely made up of CCP members whose only role is to rubber-stamp Party-sanctioned decisions? And what if those decisions hurt the banks U.S. shareholders or clients? For global investment banks looking to make a quick buck in China, they should be careful what they wish for. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. The parade, a showcase of an impeccable display of might by the armed forces and India's soft power, this year had many firsts to its credit. A blanket of thick fog that engulfed the city in the morning and tight security restrictions could not deter the enthusiastic crowd from venturing out to gather at Rajpath, literary 'King's Way' - a ceremonial boulevard that runs from Rashtrapati Bhavan on Raisina Hill to India Gate. Sporting a saffron turban with a long free-flowing end, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Brazil President Jair Messias Bolsonaro as the chief guest for the first time at the ceremony. However, this was the third time that a Brazilian president graced the Republic Day parade. Previous instances were in 1996 and 2004. The who's who of the government, including President Ram Nath Kovind and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were seated when 22 tableaus - 16 from states and union territories and the rest from various ministries and departments - took part in the majestic parade at Delhi's Rajpath. Breaking from tradition, Prime Minister Modi for the first time paid tributes to the country's fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial, instead of Amar Jawan Jyoti, ahead of the majestic parade at Rajpath. Previously, the wreath laying ceremony followed by a salute by dignitaries during Republic Day was held at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, located under the arch of India Gate. After the Prime Minister laid the floral wreath at the National War Memorial, the President unfurled the National flag and the National Anthem was played with a booming 21-gun salute. It was the first Republic Day ceremony in which newly-appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat took part. The CDS along with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Shripad Yesso Naik, the three services chiefs and Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar were standing behind the Prime Minister according to protocol. Another first, and a thrilling one at that, was the sight of women officers of the Central Reserve Police Force riding 350 cc Royal Enfield motorcycles, performing acrobatics and daredevil stunts with panache along the Rajpath. In its debut show at 71st Republic Day, the contingent was commanded by Inspector Seema Nag, who is posted with the Rapid Action Force (RAF). They displayed several acts of daring bike riding and concluded by forming a human pyramid on multiple motorcycles. In yet another first on giving adequate representation to women in the ceremony, Captain Tania Sher Gill, an officer serving with the Army's Corps of Signals, led an all-male marching contingent during the parade. Although Gill is the second woman to do this, she was the first woman officer to lead an all-male marching contingent during the Army Day parade on January 15. The Dhanush artillery gun and the anti-satellite missile system was part of the Republic Day parade for the first time this year in a show of military strength which also included Anti-Satellite Weapons (ASAT) from 'Mission Shakti'. The other two armaments displayed for the first time were the 5-metre Short Span Bridge System and the 15-metre Sarvatra Bridge System. Newly-inducted Chinook heavy lift and Apache attack choppers were displayed for the first time during the parade at the Rajpath at the grand finale, the most keenly awaited segments of the parade. 'Trishul' flypast was carried out by three Advanced Light Helicopters. This was the first time a tri-service formation took part in a Republic Day parade. This was followed by the 'Vic' formation of Chinook helicopters, used for airlifting diverse loads to remote locations, Sukhoi formation and Flanker formation. Also marching for the first time in the Republic Day parade was the contingent of the Corps of Army Air Defence. It was followed by the Combined Band of Bengal Engineers Group and Centre, Brigade of Guards Training Centre, 3 Electronics and Mechanical Engineers Centre and Madras Regimental Centre. After the event concluded, the Prime Minister walked down a few metres along Rajpath -- like he did last year -- waving towards the crowd. Around the parade venue, the city had literally turned into a fortress with special security teams, anti-aircraft guns and snipers deployed to keep a vigil on the eight-km path from Rajpath to Red Fort. Hundreds of CCTV cameras and drones kept a close watch on people's movements along the route. Nearly 60,000 security personnel from Delhi Police and central security forces were deployed in central Delhi. (Rajnish Singh can be contacted at rajnish.s@ians.in) Gain a world recognised MBBS degree at Grodno State Medical University in Belarus View(s): The Grodno State Medical University is one of the leading medical universities in the Republic of Belarus and it was included among the best 500 universities in the world. The university was founded in 1958 and has solid reputation in scientific schools, acknowledged not only in the country. The favorable geographical position promoted the establishment of lasting international contacts and the university is funded by the Belarusian government. REC Campus (Russian Educational centre) has been sending Sri Lankan students to the university and currently more than 600 Sri Lankans studying in the university making a record of maximum Sri Lankan students provider to the university. The massive competition for university admission last year led to choose only the highly performed students who fulfilled the criteria required by SLMC. The university is impressed of the students and their studies in the university and that led to their visit this month. High qualification of the professor staff provides training of true professionals. The university has broad experience in training of foreign students. Moreover, friendly atmosphere of Grodno helps everyone to feel safely and comfortable. The university is recognised by World Health Organisation (WHO) , Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) ,UK, USA, Australia and globally. Grodno State Medical University has one of the biggest medical libraries in the country. It includes over 420000 copies of textbooks as well as various supplementary materials, CDs, medical journals, periodicals. Vice Rector for International Affairs Prof.Bahdanovich Ihar Petrovich, and Dean of the Medical Faculty Prof.Aliaksandr Stsianko visited Sri Lanka on 11th of January, 2020. Hundreds of Sri Lankan students participated the Grodno Higher Educational Seminar conducted at BMICH on 11th of January. Students gained the golden opportunity to talk to the university representatives directly for further information and registered on the same day for the year 2020 to study Medicine at Grodno State Medical University. Annual Parent meeting was held on the same day with the University representatives at REC Campus and it was a great success as all the parents of our students visited to meet the university officials. They discussed the future programmes and the progress of the education programme in the university and the development of the facilities given to the Sri Lankan students. Contact REC Campus for admissions and further information. Hotline 0711- 10 10 10 REC Campus, No:181, High Level Road, Nugegoda Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (TSE:CTC.A) is about to trade ex-dividend in the next 3 days. This means that investors who purchase shares on or after the 30th of January will not receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 1st of March. Canadian Tire Corporation's next dividend payment will be CA$1.14 per share. Last year, in total, the company distributed CA$4.55 to shareholders. Based on the last year's worth of payments, Canadian Tire Corporation has a trailing yield of 3.1% on the current stock price of CA$144.92. We love seeing companies pay a dividend, but it's also important to be sure that laying the golden eggs isn't going to kill our golden goose! As a result, readers should always check whether Canadian Tire Corporation has been able to grow its dividends, or if the dividend might be cut. View our latest analysis for Canadian Tire Corporation Dividends are typically paid from company earnings. If a company pays more in dividends than it earned in profit, then the dividend could be unsustainable. That's why it's good to see Canadian Tire Corporation paying out a modest 37% of its earnings. Yet cash flow is typically more important than profit for assessing dividend sustainability, so we should always check if the company generated enough cash to afford its dividend. Canadian Tire Corporation paid out more free cash flow than it generated - 124%, to be precise - last year, which we think is concerningly high. It's hard to consistently pay out more cash than you generate without either borrowing or using company cash, so we'd wonder how the company justifies this payout level. Canadian Tire Corporation paid out less in dividends than it reported in profits, but unfortunately it didn't generate enough cash to cover the dividend. Cash is king, as they say, and were Canadian Tire Corporation to repeatedly pay dividends that aren't well covered by cashflow, we would consider this a warning sign. Story continues Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends. TSX:CTC.A Historical Dividend Yield, January 26th 2020 Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? Companies with consistently growing earnings per share generally make the best dividend stocks, as they usually find it easier to grow dividends per share. If earnings decline and the company is forced to cut its dividend, investors could watch the value of their investment go up in smoke. Fortunately for readers, Canadian Tire Corporation's earnings per share have been growing at 10% a year for the past five years. Earnings have been growing at a decent rate, but we're concerned dividend payments consumed most of the company's cash flow over the past year. Another key way to measure a company's dividend prospects is by measuring its historical rate of dividend growth. In the past ten years, Canadian Tire Corporation has increased its dividend at approximately 18% a year on average. It's exciting to see that both earnings and dividends per share have grown rapidly over the past few years. The Bottom Line From a dividend perspective, should investors buy or avoid Canadian Tire Corporation? We like that Canadian Tire Corporation has been successfully growing its earnings per share at a nice rate and reinvesting most of its profits in the business. However, we note the high cashflow payout ratio with some concern. Overall we're not hugely bearish on the stock, but there are likely better dividend investments out there. Curious what other investors think of Canadian Tire Corporation? See what analysts are forecasting, with this visualisation of its historical and future estimated earnings and cash flow. A common investment mistake is buying the first interesting stock you see. Here you can find a list of promising dividend stocks with a greater than 2% yield and an upcoming dividend. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. By Akhtar Hafeez Sindhs Achhro Thar desert is known for its beautiful landscape of sand dunes and lakes. Spread across 23,000 square kilometres, the saline white desert named after its natural white sand only produces enough green vegetation to sustain a small amount of livestock. For this reason, its residents are dependent on the eight salt producing lakes in Achhro for a living. The Indus eco region is home to a number of salt lakes, such as Mudaker, Busriyo, Kharorr, Sanhrri, Banddhi Wari, Senhari and Pani Wari. After a heavy downpour, the lakes fill up with water and the salt appears on the surface. Salt lakes are formed when water is retained in the river basin along with the salt and minerals. When the water evaporates, it leaves behind dissolved salts. The salt is farmed when it reaches a specific thickness and is later refined. Although this solar evaporation mining is done with the help of machines in some parts of the world, in Achhro the men and women living in huts close to these lakes do this by hand. Achar Kolhi has been working on these salt lakes for years. His arms, legs and hands are covered with a salt layer. His feet are covered with green spots a self-styled treatment for cuts to the skin. This is Samad bond (a local glue), he said. I often get injured while working in the salt lake, so I apply it because nothing else can prevent salt from entering the wound. We often use this remedy for salt water so we can continue to work. Workers often seal their wounds up with glue, due to lack of healthcare. Image via The Third Pole/ Akhtar Hafeez Samad bond is not a medicine or ointment. It is locally used, especially by carpenters, to stick together different household items. The miners, however, use this glue to apply a thick layer over their injuries sustained by digging the hard surface of the salt. Achar added, We do not get any medicine for our injuries. It is enough for us to save our wounds from salt by applying this bond. The wounds are usually on the hands and fingertips. A salt collector sells his product in solid blocks. The collectors rub it in their hands to make it finer, sometimes leading to fine injuries. Their feet, too, pay a price, as small sharp salt stones can cut them open. The salt is the livelihood for people here, but also the cause of their wounds. Image via The Third Pole/ Akhtar Hafeez Achar has been working on the lakes since he was a child. He comes early in the morning and works till 6 PM. Along with hundreds of other workers, he spends hours digging the hard layer of salt from the lake surface and crushing it. They then wash it with water and put the salt into bags. The miners working on these salt lakes live in destitute conditions with no access to healthcare and no money to travel out for miles to visit a medical centre. Many of them live in jhuggis (huts) made of straw and wooden sticks which are erected close to the lakes. Women and men work together, but the earning of both will still keep them below the poverty line. Many of the people that live in the area can only afford huts like these. Image via The Third Pole/ Akhtar Hafeez A loader gets PKR 400 (USD 2.58) for a truck. Eight workers fill the bags during loading, and a bag filler earns PKR 3,000 (USD 19.38) per month. The person who ties the bag also receives PKR 3,000 per month. Infographic via The Third Pole/ Hafsa Jamal For a single bag, Achar is paid a mere PKR 1.50 (USD 0.009) rupees in wages. It is cheap labour but we do not have a choice, Achar said. His father, too, was a salt collector. Perhaps my son will also be a salt miner. Exploiting cheap labour The salt collected from these lakes is transported across the country, but the whole business is run through an informal system in the hands of local contractors who do not follow any labour laws. The salt from Achro Thar is transported across the country. Image via The Third Pole/ Akhtar Hafeez In violation of Pakistans labour laws, there is no social security or employees insurance from the governments Old Age Benefits Institution. One contractor denies workers complaints. Workers themselves are willing to work on cheap wages. These locals have been doing this job for many generations, they are happy with us, he said, requesting that he not be named. He added, They are used to working without safety kits. Injuries and wounds are common but they treat them by using some local methods. Their health is not critical. And while his meaning was that the health of the workers was not critically bad, it is also obvious that the health of workers is not criticially important to the contractors or government. Kirshan, a resident of Bakhreeji village by the lake, has been filling bags for six years. He is now 18 years old. Children as young as 12 years of age start on the work their parents have been doing. Image via The Third Pole/ Akhtar Hafeez I have been doing this job along with my father, who is a loader on a truck. I fill bags with salt and he loads them on the truck. It is hard to work in the winter but we have no choice. Kirshan and his father support their family. He said if they ask the contractors to increase their wages, they are told to quit the job as there are many unemployed people who are ready to work for low wages. Most workers perform their tasks without safety kits and dont take precautionary measures. Currently, there are three lakes near Khipro and Hathongo producing salt. The largest salt lake is called Lake Number 1 where about 1,000 workers are involved in salt collection. There are 50 female workers. The neglected needs of women workers 50-year-old Jamuna Bai lives in a village adjacent to the lake. Her job is to wash and clean the salt with lake water. We live a miserable life. I started this job when I was young and now I am an old lady over all these years our days and nights have not changed. She added, When I wash the salt with water, I often get injuries. I sometimes wrap [my hands and feet] in plastic bags but it is not sustainable. Inforgraphic via The Third Pole/ Hafsa Jamal Jamuna Bais family members do the same work. Her elder and younger sons tie the filled bags. The salt has rotted our skin and flesh. We do not get any medicine for treatment. We are doing this job out of compulsion and due to poverty. There are some women working who are pregnant but if they ask for leave to rest they wont get wages and their children will suffer. I want to see my grandson go to school but we dont have any school nearby. The luxury of sweet water Recently, a local social worker installed four sweet-water taps in Bakhreeji village. For the first time, the villagers were able to receive sweet-water at their doorstep instead of traveling for miles on foot. Activist Nihal Wadhvani said, These poor workers are doing their jobs in very tough conditions. I was surprised when I came to know that no safety kit is provided to them. I have seen many male and female workers who had been collecting and loading salt with injured hands and feet. There are no dispensaries available for them. The continuous work in salt water makes their legs handicapped as foot wounds turn into harmful infections. These infections affect the whole body as they are not easy to heal. He added that the nearest clinic is too far away from the village, and that after an exhausting day of work they are unable to get medical help. Recently, a school has been established by the provincial governments Sindh Education Foundation (SEF) but that is ten kilometres away from Bakhrjee village, hence the children do not go to school. In Pakistan, minimum wage is set at PKR 17,000 (USD 110) per month but practically the amount is not applicable. Jamil Junejo, the Programme Manager at the Legal Aid Society, said their security must be insured, as it is described in the occupational health and safety law 2017 by the Sindh government. The law reads, Make arrangements to ensure the safety and absence of risk of injury to health of workers in connection with the use, handling, storage, disposal and transport of articles, materials and substances; make arrangements to control and prevent physical, chemical, biological, radiological, ergonomic, psychosocial or any other hazards that affect the safety and health of workers and other persons at workplace. Junejo added, Any worker, whether he is working on salt lakes or in any other industry, faces the same health and social security challenges. Owners do not pay overtime. This is a violation of workers rights as well as human rights. But then, their health is not critical. *** Banner image: Bags of salt sit next to a lake. Image via The Third Pole/ Akhtar Hafeez The Third Pole is a multilingual platform dedicated to promoting information and discussion about the Himalayan watershed and the rivers that originate there. This report was originally published on thethirdpole.net and has been reproduced here with permission. - Close allies of DP William Ruto who were led by Senator Kipchumba Murkomen made their first appearance during BBI meetings on Saturday in Mombasa - Murkomen got a chance to speak but Moses Kuria who had accompanied him claimed he was blocked from speaking - Section of residents who had attended the meeting demanded MP Kuria to address them - According to Kuria, he was denied chance to speak for not standing like other leaders when Raila Odinga stepped at the venue - The meeting was, however, ended dramatically by Raila who was the chief guest Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has said he was barred from speaking during Saturday, January 25, Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) consultative meeting held in Mombasa for not standing when ODM leader Raila Odinga stepped on the podium. Kuria also claimed that his failure to stand while other leaders welcomed the former premier, saw his BBI branded cap and chair snatched away from him by Makongeni MCA Peter Imwatok. READ ALSO: Ex-CS Mwangi Kiunjuri forms political party after sacking by Uhuru Kenyatta Murkomen (l) got a chance to speak but Kuria (r) claimed he was blocked from speaking. Photo: Kipchumba Murkomen. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Wapwani wampa Raila maazimio yao kuhusu BBI The lawmaker made the sentiments in a statement on Facebook few hours after the BBI meeting was dramatically ended as a section of residents demanded for an address from Kuria. "Dear Raila Amolo Odinga. Makongeni MCA Peter Imwatok accosted me, took away my BBI hat and even my seat at the Mombasa BBI meeting. He is also the ODM minority whip in Nairobi County. My fault? Refusing to stand up when Baba entered the venue. Question: Baba is this how Kenya would be if you were to become President?" Kuria posed. READ ALSO: Bungoma family in fear as strange fire invades house, cooks and burns items selectively Leaders allied to DP William Ruto who graced the event convened at Mama Ngina Grounds were led by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen. The Tanga Tanga brigade was conspicuously missing during the first BBI event that was held in Kisii and the second one that was staged at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega. During his address in Mombasa, Murkomen received overwhelming applause from the crowd after he acknowledged Raila Odinga as "Baba wetu" and threw and supported calls for a referendum. "Baba wetu (our father) I want to assure you that we support this report. This is a manifestation Kenya has united. What we have proposed which includes having a prime minister and his deputy, we must have a referendum," Mukomen said. Both Ruto and National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale are on record for terming the BBI meetings as a waste of time and taxpayer's resources. Similar sentiments were also earlier echoed by Murkomen The DP has on his part insisted that the Yusuf Haji led taskforce needs to come up with a program aimed at sensitising citizens on the BBI. According to Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, the DP's camp decided to join the BBI team in Mombasa so as to prevent them (Raila allies) from creating warring camps over the report. "When know they wanted us to continue being absent from the meetings so that they could continue propagating the us verses them notion. There is nothing tht ere are opposing in the BBI report as currently proposed. We will not allow this," said Sudi. Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly. Kenyan woman forces traffic police officer out of her car | Tuko TV. Source: TUKO.co.ke After Prince Philip's hospital admission, another health scare troubled the monarchy. Apparently, Queen Elizabeth II canceled an engagement at the Women's Institute due to her current health status. Although the Queen is suffering from a common cold, medical experts warned that it might get worse if left untreated. Since 1943, the Queen has been spending a day at the Women's Institute every year. It is the place where she received the presidency from her mother, the Queen Mother, after she received it from King George V's wife, Queen Mary. Before her 2020 visit, she attended a Sunday service with Prince Andrew at St. Mary the Virgin Church. When they already prepared everything for the visit, the Queen pulled out of the event 30 minutes before it was scheduled because she is not feeling well. What Happened to Queen Elizabeth II? A member of her security team confirmed that the Queen canceled her annual meeting at the Women's Institute in Sandringham after she suffered from a slight cold. While it appeared to be a common cold, Pharmacist Shamir Patel, founder of Chemist 4 U told express.co.uk that it was not something to be shrugged off as it may lead to "something more serious," most especially since Queen Elizabeth II is already 95. "When your body is young, fit, and healthy, it's often no problem to fight off a light cold, but in an elderly person, it poses a higher risk," Patel explained. "A common cold can last much longer, and is also more likely to lead to something more serious." The pharmacist added that treating it properly as soon as possible is the best way to take care of the Queen's overall health since it minimizes the possibility of a complication to occur. He also mentioned that it is possible for a cold to turn into pneumonia, which is one of the leading causes of death among seniors. Aside from pneumonia, it can also cause asthma, heart disease and COPD. On Queen Elizabeth II's decision to cancel her engagement, Mr. Patel said that it was the right thing to do that time and advised her to take an off day instead. Royal Watchers Reacted Online After the Queen's decision to cancel the event, the news about her feeling sick stormed the internet and caused royal fans to express their worries and send their best wishes through Twitter. One fan said, "Well, wishes sent to HRM. Hopefully, she'll feel better soon." Wishes and prayers for a quick recovery for Queen Elizabeth II. From one of your many well wisher. Nancy Donahue (@nanner61_nancy) January 24, 2020 "Let's hope that it's nothing too serious as she's served her country well. As has #Philip," another wrote. News about Queen Elizabeth II's feeling under the weather came after Prince Philip was brought to King Edward VII Hospital in London a few days before Christmas and got admitted for four days for "a precautionary measure and observation." The royal palace confirmed the admission of the 98-year-old Prince Philip due to his "pre-existing" condition, which came after he hurt himself due to a bad fall and poor health right after he had a "flu-like" disease. A Portland comic was killed in a crash with a suspected drunk driver early Wednesday morning in Clackamas County, according to Oregon State Police. Stephanie Patricio, 33, of Woodburn and Portland, was a comic who performed in Portland as well as a former organizer for the United Farm Workers labor union, a member of MEChA, a Mexican American student group that aims for Chicano unity, according to the Canby Now Podcast. According to a GoFundMe posted by Patricios family, Patricio was a friend to many members of the community, a sister, and a daughter. They touched the lives of many whether it was through laughs, education, love or friendship. Patricio performed at Jade Lounge on Jan. 12. The performance was recorded and posted after their death. WARNING: This video contains graphic language. According to Oregon State Police, at approximately 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, officials responded to a crash on Highway 551 near milepost 1. Police said an investigation into the crash showed that a Toyota Camry, being driven by Kelsie Martin, 29 of Beavercreek, was heading northbound on Hwy 551 when it collided head-on with Patricios southbound Toyota Prius. Patricio was pronounced dead on the scene. Officials suspect that alcohol impairment by Martin who was flown to OHSU Hospital with serious injuries factored into the crash. Court records show that Martin was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving and fourth-degree assault after a different incident in December 2018. A hearing in that case was scheduled for February. It is with great sadness and full hearts that we send prayers to the family and friends of Stephanie Patricio. Many of us still in shock, this is such a great loss. Rest in Power friend. Posted by Indigenous Peoples Power Project (IP3) on Thursday, January 23, 2020 -- Lizzy Acker 503-221-8052 lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. As I have written before, if India had been a start-up in August 1947, not even the most venturesome of venture capitalists would have invested in it. No new nation was born in more inhospitable circumstances. The Partition of the country had been awful enough, in the scale of its violence and the mass displacement of people from their homes. Two months after Independence, Pakistan sent raiders into Kashmir, sparking a full-fledged war. Then, in January 1948, the Father of the Nation was murdered by a Hindu fundamentalist. This attack from the religious right was compounded by an attack from the political left, when, a mere six weeks after the Mahatma died, the Communist Party of India, acting on the orders of their Russian masters, started an armed insurrection against the Indian State. All this occurred against the backdrop of food scarcities, shortages of foreign exchange, and the refusal of the large and strategically vital princely state of Hyderabad to join the Indian Union. How did the infant that was India cope with all this? Why did it not break apart into many pieces, as many Western observers were confident it would? The answer lies in the extraordinary quality of the countrys leadership with the likes of BR Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Vallabhbhai Patel in government; the likes of Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, Mridula Sarabhai and Anis Kidwai in civil society; and a set of brilliantly qualified and superbly focused public officials at hand as well. This remarkable generation of Indians united the country politically, emotionally, and socially, legitimising this unity through the document we call the Constitution of India. This column is being published in print on January 26, 2020 the 70th anniversary, to the day, of the adoption of the Constitution and the formation of the Republic. In the seven decades since, while India has not known times quite as dark as those when the nation was born, it has not been entirely free of problems or difficulties. In its career as a Republic, the country has faced three major crises, which I describe below. The first crisis of the Republic occurred in the early 1960s, which saw bloody wars with China and Pakistan, the deaths of two greatly beloved prime ministers in quick succession, and agrarian distress, leading to a famine-like situation in many parts of the country. The second crisis of the Republic took place in the mid-1970s, when Indira Gandhi and her son, Sanjay, sent Indian democracy to the cleaners, and imposed a reign of terror across Northern India in particular. The third crisis of the Republic occurred between 1989 and 1992, years marked by savage Hindu-Muslim conflict and a great deal of caste conflict as well, compounded by scarcities of foreign exchange and a quick turnover of governments at the Centre. I remember each of these three crises vividly. In the 1960s, I was a little boy in Dehradun, growing up in a home darkened by blinds as jets of the Indian Air Force flew overhead. We were middle-class, but the shortages of grain, pulses, and cooking oil had hit us hard nonetheless. My parents felt the deaths of Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri personally, as if they had been members of our family. In the 1970s, I was a college student in Delhi, reading a censored press, wary of a goateed Intelligence Bureau man sitting alone in the University Coffee House overhearing our conversations, hearing stories of the harassment of Muslims in Turkman Gate. In the late 1980s/early 1990s, I was an academic travelling across North India, observing at first-hand the devastation caused by the social and religious polarisation of those years. So, the first thing I would say, as an Indian citizen now in his 60s, is we have been here before. Indeed, what I consider to be the worst year in the history of the Republic occurred in none of the three dark phases I have identified above. This year was, of course, 1984, which saw (among other things) the Indian Armys storming of the Golden Temple, the assassination of Indira Gandhi, the pogrom against the Sikhs, and the Bhopal tragedy. The second thing I would say is that we may now be passing through the fourth serious crisis in the history of the Republic. A set of unnecessary State policies has derailed our economic recovery, set citizens against one another, and damaged Indias standing in the world. When the Narendra Modi Government was re-elected in May last year, there were some major structural problems facing the country. These included: one, growing joblessness and agrarian distress; two, the declining capacity of public institutions; and, three, growing environmental degradation. The actions of the government since May 2019 have done nothing to address these three problems. On the other hand, the governments actions have created further problems, by deepening divisions between the countrys religious communities, and between the Centre and the states. How is the Republic of India faring on the 70th anniversary of its founding? The answer to this question depends on where one lives. Had I been living in Bareilly, Guwahati, or Srinagar, I might have considered the situation truly grave, even life-and-nation-threatening. Living in (moderately) peaceful Bengaluru, besides being a historian of a sceptical temperament, I wouldnt think of us as going into an apocalypse just yet. Nonetheless, because of the structural problems identified in the previous paragraph and which the present policies must only worsen I do believe this is the fourth serious crisis that the Republic of India has faced since it was founded 70 years ago. A historian can use the past to understand the present, but a historian cannot predict the future. I cannot tell how the rest of the year or the rest of the decade will unfold for India and Indians. But that the Republic is passing through a very troubled phase in its history is evident. That it lacks the sort of enlightened leadership that can take us out of our difficulties is even more evident. Ramachandra Guha is the author of Gandhi: The Years That Changed The World The views expressed are personal SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Babies living near busy roads may have brains which are structurally different by the time they turn 12, a study has suggested. Researchers scanned the brains of 147 12-year-olds who had been tracked from when they were six months old. Those who had been exposed to a high level of traffic pollution before their first birthday had less grey matter in their brain by the age of 12 than their peers. Brain volume shrunk by up to four per cent in some regions of the brain, researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Centre found. Babies living near busy roads have less developed brains by the time they turn 12, a study has suggested (pictured: The areas of the brain affected by the air pollution) Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Centre found that babies who had been exposed to a lot of traffic fumes had less grey matter in the frontal, parietal, cerebellum and precentral gyrus regions of their brains Grey matter includes regions of the brain involved in motor control as well as interpreting senses, such as seeing and hearing. Overall, four regions of the brain were affected, the scientists found, including the cerebellum and frontal areas. They are involved in controlling the body's movements and also deal with memory, muscle control and the senses. PhD student Travis Beckwith, the lead author of the study, said the results showed that the air someone breaths can affect how their brain develops. Mr Beckwith colleagues looked at exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) - one of the largest contributors to toxic air. Car fumes and other road transport are estimated to be responsible for up to 30 per cent of particulate emissions (PM) in European cities, according to the World Health Organization. Half of the children in the study, which was published in the journal PLOS One, were exposed to low levels of air pollution before their first birthday. POLLUTION LEVELS ILLEGAL IN MOST UK MONITORING ZONES The UK's air pollution was labelled a 'national embarrassment' in September last year. Figures for 2017 showed 37 out of 43 air quality zones across the UK had illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution, the same number as the previous year. Annual average levels of the pollutant from exhaust fumes fell in most places, figures from the Government and environmental law charity ClientEarth revealed. But levels are still more than double the legal limit in Greater London and also well over the limit in areas including South Wales, West Midlands, Glasgow and Greater Manchester. Brighton, Worthing and Littlehampton in West Sussex an area declared as legal in the previous year crept up to just below the threshold again, the statistics show. The UK has been breaching EU pollution limits for nitrogen dioxide, much of which comes from diesel vehicles, since the rules came into effect in 2010. Air pollution causes an estimated 40,000 premature deaths a year in the UK and is linked to health problems from childhood illnesses to heart disease and even dementia. Advertisement The other half breathed roughly double that amount. The children, all from Cincinnati, Ohio, were given MRI scans when they were 12 years old to measure how their brain had developed. Findings show children subjected to high amounts of air pollution had less grey matter in the cerebellum and precental gyrus regions of their brains. Both regions are involved in motor functions. Other affected regions of the brain included the frontal and parietal lobes. While both are also involved in controlling movement, the former also deals with thinking and memory, while the second deals with senses such as temperature, taste and touch. Mr Beckwith said: 'The results of this study, though exploratory, suggest that where you live and the air you breathe can affect how your brain develops. 'While the percentage of loss is far less than what might be seen in a degenerative disease state, this loss may be enough to influence the development of various physical and mental processes 'If early life TRAP exposure irreversibly harms brain development, structural consequences could persist regardless of the time point for a subsequent examination,' he added. Air pollution in the UK is a serious problem, with 37 cities persistently showing illegal levels. The World Health Organisation says there should be no more than 40 micrograms of nitrogen oxide per cubic metre of air. But five locations in Britain persistently have more than twice that amount of pollution. Around 36,000 Britons die each year as a result of air pollution, costing the country 20billion annually in healthcare. A further 29,000 people die from a range of illnesses linked to air pollution such as cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease. And in the US in 2017, around 170,000 people died earlier than they should have because of air pollution. Previous research carried out by University of Cincinnati scientist showed how children exposed to high levels of air pollution may be being made more anxious. Children in badly-hit areas have also been found have poorer memories, according to a University of Warwick study. Concerned parents are challenging councils which allow pupils to use whichever toilets and changing rooms they like. Oxfordshire and Warwickshire county councils insist pupils who no longer identify with their biological sex must be allowed to use the rooms of their preferred gender. But lawyers say the authorities are legally wrong and have failed to take into account the rights of other children to privacy and dignity. Concerned parents are challenging councils which allow pupils to use whichever toilets and changing rooms they like. A stock image is used above [File photo] Oxfordshire and Warwickshire county councils insist pupils who no longer identify with their biological sex must be allowed to use the rooms of their preferred gender. A stock image is used above [File photo] Paul Conrathe, of Sinclairslaw, who is acting for parents of secondary school pupils, has written to Oxfordshire officials, claiming their policy is wrong in law. And in a separate letter to Warwickshire County Council, Tom Ellis, of A I Law, wrote: For many children being forced to share toilets or changing facilities with transgender pupils who retain the genitalia of the opposite sex will unacceptably interfere with their right to privacy. An Oxfordshire County Council spokesman said: We utterly refute the suggestion that we are failing to safeguard children. Warwickshire County Council declined to comment. A letter written by Christopher Columbus to the Spains King Ferdinand that disappeared decades ago in Italy has recently been found in Delaware, United States. The letter is believed to be 517 years old and details Christopher Columbus telling the Spanish King about his discoveries in the America. Letter containing the details about the discoveries in the America According to the sources, the letter is one of the few dozen authentic, reprinted copies of the explorer's original note. The note was handwritten by Columbus in Spanish in 1493. It was then reprinted in Latin by Roman printer Stephan Plannck. The discovery of the lost letter was announced by Homeland Security investigators and the US Attorney's Office in Delaware on Wednesday. #Justice Wilmington, DE U.S. Attorney's Office & ICE Recover Fourth & Most Rare - Stolen Christopher Columbus Letter On Behalf Of The Government Of Italy Columbus Letter-Plannck I valued in excess of $1,300,000 Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana #Italy@POTUShttps://t.co/LMfJLNkJum pic.twitter.com/PnaUxTKr3q AnonCassi (@AnonCassi) January 25, 2020 The letter was recovered from a private collector who had purchased it in 2003 in 'good faith'. It is valued at a whopping USD 1.3 million. After the discovery of the letter, Homeland Security investigator William Walker said that these culturally significant artefacts are given monetary value and traded but in reality the cultural and symbolic value of these objects, in this case, the letter, far surpasses any given value. Read: Taylor Swift Is Not Scared To Talk About Politics In Her 'Miss Americana' Trailer Read: Keith Lee Bags North American Championship On WWE NXT; Twitter Reacts To New Champion Authorities in Delaware have ordered that the letter be returned to the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana in Venice, Italy. This particular letter, dubbed as Plannck's first edition is an exceptionally rare letter that details the discovery of the Americas. Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer who journeyed across the Atlantic Ocean four times and discovered the New World (Americas) for conquest and permanent occupation by Europe. Columbus had originally begun his journey in hopes of discovering a westward route to the Far East but instead found the Americas, that was till then unknown to the Old World. Read: WWE NXT Highlights: Keith Lee Becomes North American Champion, Finn Balor Wins Read: American Singer Lana Del Rey Mocked For Flying In Economy Class, Fans Show Support A Border Security Force explosives expert, arrested for attempting an attack on his senior with a parcel bomb at a camp in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir. He allegedly plotted the conspiracy to avenge "humiliation" of transfer to a remote post, police said on Saturday. Constable Samarpal of 173rd Battalion wanted posting at headquarters as he had an "extramarital" affair with his colleague but was transferred out to Border Out Post Chilyari, a police spokesman said. "He, being an expert in Improvised Explosive Devices, was in Quick Reaction Team but was humiliated and was made irrelevant by his transfer to a remote post," the spokesman said, adding police achieved a breakthrough with the arrest of the BSF Jawan from his Kolkata residence a fortnight ago. A parcel with an IED was delivered at the main gate of the battalion headquarters in Samba on January 5. According to the police complaint filed by the battalion, a packet wrapped in silver foil addressed to a senior officer was received. On opening the packet a bluetooth device was found. On slightly its lid, explosives and a battery were found inside. The police spokesman said the bomb was defused and an investigation was started. He said the examination of CCTV footage and witnesses indicated it was an inside job. "The accused had proceeded on 27 days leave on January 4 after leaving the gift packed IED at the sentry post of the main gate of BSF headquarters. He was arrested from native village Pairagacha in Hooghly and brought back to Samba," the spokesman said. During interrogation, he confessed he had planted the IED, he said. "Accused is on remand and lodged in Sub-Jail Hiranagar while investigation is going on," the spokesman said. Divided by hatred but united over the written word, Rohingya Muslim poets in Bangladeshi refugee camps joined Buddhist bards in Myanmar by video link as part of a groundbreaking poetry festival in a country reeling from genocide allegations. Five Rohingya writers took part in the three-day "Poetry for Humanity" event in Yangon, with three speaking live by video link to a packed room while two had sent pre-recorded readings, fearing their stuttering connection would not hold up. They drew applause for verses on the bloodshed that forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya to flee their homes in northern Rakhine state -- and also for their resilience. "My words are taller than the walls put between Buddhists and Muslims. My words are stronger than the hatred designed for me," reads one verse from writer Mayyu Ali's poem "My Words". He fled with his family to the Bangladeshi camps where he has helped bring together a group of around 150 refugees sharing a passion for poetry. "I want to show Burmese people that the Rohingya are also Burmese. We also love Myanmar," the 27-year-old told AFP. Poets once vexed Myanmar's censorship-obsessed former military junta. Now younger writers are keeping the art form alive as a form of dissent under the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi, which has defended the crackdown against the Rohingya. - Embracing the 'R' word - The festival came in a week of heightened sensitivity over the crisis. The International Court of Justice ruled Thursday there was enough evidence to pursue allegations that Myanmar committed genocide against the Rohingya, and ordered the country to comply with urgent measures to protect the minority. Some 740,000 fled over the border to escape a bloody military crackdown in 2017 that is thought to have killed thousands. Yet the minority evoke little sympathy in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where even the word "Rohingya" is taboo. Many instead refer to them pejoratively as "Bengali", suggesting they are illegal interlopers from Bangladesh. Festival organiser Maung Saungkha, who was jailed for six months in 2016 for writing a poem deemed defamatory to the former president, says acknowledging the word "Rohingya" is a first step towards preventing more human rights abuses. "We hope people will learn about equal rights and about treating different people in a humane way." Forty poets from across Myanmar recite works in various languages including Burmese, but the focus is on re-connecting the estranged Muslim minority. Ethnic Rakhine writer Won Roe travelled especially from his home state, where deep divisions prevail between the mainly Buddhist Rakhine and remaining Rohingya Muslim communities. Rakhine mobs stand accused of committing atrocities against the Rohingya alongside security forces. But Won Roe is convinced poetry can act as a "bridge between communities" and worked closely, if virtually, with Mayyu Ali ahead of the event. "I see him as a poet, a friend." Rohingya Muslim poets in Bangladeshi refugee camps joined Buddhist bards in Myanmar by video link to recite poetry, hoping to build bridges between the communities Younger writers are using poetry as a form of dissent under the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi, which has defended the bloody crackdown against the Rohingya Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 02:35:39|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert on Saturday said anti-government protesters in Iraq must be protected, and their protests sites must not be cleared violently by the security forces. "Steps taken so far will remain hollow if not completed. The people must be served and protected, not violently oppressed," Hennis-Plasschaert tweeted on the official page of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). "Unaccountability and indecisiveness are unworthy of Iraqi hopes, courageously expressed for four months now. While death and injury tolls continue to rise," said Hennis-Plasschaert who also heads UNAMI. Earlier in the day, Iraqi security forces cleared many protests sites in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities, sparking clashes between the protesters and the security forces that left three protesters killed and 15 others wounded. Mass anti-government demonstrations have been launched in Baghdad and other cities in central and southern Iraq since early October, demanding comprehensive reform, fight against corruption, better public services and more jobs. The Delhi Police booked Sharjeel Imam, an activist who came in limelight during the ongoing protest in Shaheen Bagh, on Sunday for allegedly delivering inflammatory speeches against the amended Citizenship Act and the planned National Register of Citizens, officials said. According to the police, Imam, a resident of Bihar and former Jawaharlal Nehru University student, delivered "very inflammatory and instigating speeches in his opposition to CAA and NRC". "He had previously delivered one such speech in Jamia Millia Islamia on December 13 last year and thereafter one even more inflammatory against the government which is being widely circulated on social media," they said. These speeches have the "potential to harm the religious harmony" and the unity and integrity of India, for which the case was registered against him, police said. facebook/Sharjeel Imam Two teams of the Uttar Pradesh police from Aligarh have been set up to arrest Sharjeel Imam, one of the organisers of the anti-CAA protest in Delhi's Shaheen Bagh, informed sources told IANS. Imam is a former student of the Jawaharlal Nehru University and is one of the organisers of the Shaheen Bagh protests led by women. Imam was heard saying in an audio clip that Assam should be cut off from the rest of India and taught a lesson, as Bengalis - both Hindus and Muslims - are being killed or put into detention centres. facebook/Sharjeel Imam He reportedly said that if he can organise five lakh people, it would become possible to "permanently cut off Assam with rest of India...if not permanently, then at least for a few months". Meanwhile, a Twitter account that claims to be the official handle of the Shaheen Bagh protesters has responded to the allegations, distancing itself from the alleged comments and saying the agitation "protect (the) constitutional morality of this nation (and) no one individual's videos, statements or articles can represent the movement". The protest at Shaheen Bagh is to protect the constitutional morality of this nation. No one individual's videos, statements or articles can represent the movement.#ShaheenBaghTruth pic.twitter.com/vldJ9V8hsD Shaheen Bagh Official (@Shaheenbaghoff1) January 25, 2020 facebook/Sharjeel Imam A case against Imam under IPC sections 124 A (an offence by words, either spoken or written causes disaffection against Government established by law), 153 A (promoting enmity between different religious groups with an intent to create disharmony) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) has been registered, the Delhi police said. A case of sedition was lodged against Imam on Saturday for a speech he delivered on the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) campus on January 16. The Assam police has also filed an FIR under the anti-terror law UAPA against Imam for his speech. Poor old Princess Beatrice may not be able to announce her wedding date yet but I can reveal that she has started working on an even more important part of her big day her dress! Im told Bea, 31, who announced her engagement to property developer Edo Mapelli Mozzi, 37, in September, wants her dress to channel her fiances Italian heritage. My source says: Bea was seen popping into Caroline Castigliano in Knightsbridge. Though Caroline isnt Italian, and takes her name from her first husband, shes known as an Anglo-Italian designer because lots of her clients are from Italy. Her gowns go for between 15,000 and 40,000, which gives us an idea of the budget! In another Bea boost, though her big day has been snubbed by the BBC and ITV, I hear production company Spun Gold hope to film it for an hour-long highlights reel. Princess Beatrice, right, who is marrying Italian property developer Ed Mapelli Mozzi, left, is expected to spend between 15,000 and 40,000 on her dress from Anglo-Italian designer Caroline Castigliano In another Bea boost, though her big day has been snubbed by the BBC and ITV, I hear production company Spun Gold hope to film it for an hour-long highlights reel My lips are sealed, but... Which newly pregnant reality star was caught at Dubai airport with what can only be described as, umm, sex toys in her bags? The tearful celeb was hauled off to a private room begging to be spared jail as they are illegal there but was let go with a warning and her items confiscated. Now she finds it so funny she cant help telling her friends but her PR team, keen to spare her blushes, have told her to deny till you die. Markle's defining moment A cheesy attempt by actress Jameela Jamil to support her pal the Duchess of Sussex has backfired hilariously. Sycophantic Jameela star of US show The Good Place proudly coined a new phrase, declaring that to pull a Meghan Markle would now mean to value yourself and mental health enough to up and leave a room/situation/environment in which your authentic self is not welcomed or wanted. But her woke Instagram post was parodied by Gary Janetti, a writer for TVs Family Guy, who came up with a new verb, quipping: She Meghan Markled herself right out of Gan Gans will. Gary also hit the headlines last week when it was announced hes created a new satirical comedy called The Prince, starring Orlando Bloom as a beleaguered Prince Harry. Its predicted to be a huge hit. Party animal Kate Mosss idea of late-night fun now shes sober? Staying in with boyfriend Nikolai von Bismarck to do jigsaws. I hear Nikolai, once a wild child himself, is obsessed with puzzles and they snuggle up with them at his Hyde Park pad. Kate, 46, is also winding down her catwalk shows. At the Decorte UK seminar at Harrods, she revealed: I prefer to be behind the camera nowadays. My, how times do change! Boy, Oregon legislators sure showed the federal government a thing or two, didnt they? Even though Congress mandated 15 years ago that states adopt stricter standards for issuing drivers licenses, Oregon lawmakers refused for years to spend a dime of state money to comply with the Real ID Act. Instead, the state sought extensions from the federal government and largely ignored the upgrade requirements, arguing that the federal government should pay for them. But in 2017, Oregon legislators finally gave in and authorized spending to meet the requirements. Oregon, which is poised to begin issuing the federally-approved licenses in July, will likely be, the last in the country to come into compliance with the law. Legislators may feel their futile protest was a virtuous one, but Oregonians are the ones paying the price. Starting Oct. 1, all air travelers must have either a Real ID-compliant drivers license, a passport or passport card in order to fly in the United States. Unfortunately, because the state wont start issuing those new licenses until July 6, theres not nearly enough time for it to meet expected demand before the Oct. 1 deadline. As The Oregonian/OregonLives Andrew Theen reported, the state typically issues 600,000 to 700,000 renewals and replacement cards in an entire year. But there are about 3.25 million Oregonians with drivers licenses that wont meet the new standard. Oregonian editorials Editorials reflect the collective opinion of The Oregonian/OregonLive editorial board, which operates independently of the newsroom. Members of the editorial board are Therese Bottomly, Laura Gunderson, Helen Jung, John Maher and Amy Wang. Members of the board meet regularly to determine our institutional stance on issues of the day. We publish editorials when we believe our unique perspective can lend clarity and influence an upcoming decision of great public interest. Editorials are opinion pieces and therefore different from news articles. To respond to this editorial, submit an OpEd or a letter to the editor If you have questions about the opinion section, email Helen Jung , opinion editor, or call 503-294-7621. The states answer? To urge people to apply for passports or passport cards, which are limited for travel in Canada and Mexico if they dont already have them. That process, which can take several weeks and costs as much as $145 in application and acceptance fees for a first-time passport, is hardly a reasonable option. Even passport cards $65 in application and acceptance fees arent cheap, particularly considering these may be documents that some Oregonians would never seek except for their states failure to meet a 15-year-old law. And thats assuming all Oregonians know of the new requirements. Those who dont have the required ID will face stricter security protocols that could cause them to miss a flight. You would think that state officials would be humbled that their petty protest is resulting in extra inconvenience, cost and potentially disastrous travel outcomes for Oregonians. But Sen. Lee Beyer, D-Springfield, who co-chairs the Joint Committee on Transportation, primarily blames the federal government. While he acknowledged to The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board that legislators were a little stubborn, he maintains there was no need for the Real ID law and Oregon should have been granted yet another extension. He advised that Oregonians who are upset about the situation should contact their congressional representative to complain. Apparently, that will show them. - The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Jan. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Charter and private school students in the Albuquerque area will bring their school spirit to a high-energy celebration of education during New Mexico's largest event planned during School Choice Week. WHAT: - Student showcase - March to and rally at Civic Plaza WHO: - 500+ students, parents, teachers, and community members WHEN & WHERE: - Monday, Jan. 27: - 11 a.m. Albuquerque Convention Center (2nd Civic Plaza NW), Ballroom C - 12:45 p.m. March from the Convention Center to Civic Plaza (401 2nd St. NW) This event is organized by the Public Charter Schools of New Mexico. As a nonpartisan, nonpolitical public awareness effort, National School Choice Week shines a positive spotlight on effective education options for students, families, and communities around the country. From January 26 through February 1, 2020, more than 50,000 independently-planned events will be held in celebration of the Week. For more information, visit www.schoolchoiceweek.com/new-mexico. SOURCE National School Choice Week Related Links http://www.schoolchoiceweek.com/new-mexico Washington President Donald Trump's legal defense team mounted an aggressive offense Saturday as it opened its side in the Senate impeachment trial by attacking his Democratic accusers as partisan witch-hunters trying to remove him from office because they could not beat him at the ballot box. After three days of arguments by the House managers prosecuting Trump for high crimes and misdemeanors, the president's lawyers presented the senators with a radically different view of the facts and the Constitution, seeking to turn the Democrats' charges back on them while denouncing the whole process as illegitimate. "They're asking you to tear up all of the ballots all across the country on your own initiative, take that decision away from the American people," Pat A. Cipollone, the White House counsel, said of the House managers. The president's team spent only two of the 24 hours allotted to them so that senators could leave town for the weekend before the defense presentation resumes Monday, but it was the first time his lawyers have formally made a case for him since the House opened its inquiry in September. The goal was to poke holes in the House managers' arguments in order to provide enough fodder to Senate Republicans already inclined to acquit him. While less combative than their famously combustible client, the lawyers relentlessly assailed the prosecution's interpretation of events, accusing House Democrats of cherry-picking the facts and leaving out contrary information to construct a skewed narrative. They maintained that none of what the Democrats presented the Senate justified the first eviction of a president from the White House in American history. "They have the burden of proof," Cipollone said, "and they have not come close to meeting it." After the session, Democrats contended that the White House arguments actually bolstered their demand to call witnesses like John Bolton, the president's former national security adviser, and Mick Mulvaney, his acting White House chief of staff, as well as require documents be turned over, all of which the Republican majority has rejected. "They kept saying there are no eyewitness accounts," Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, told reporters. "But there are people that have eyewitness accounts. The very four witnesses, and the very four sets of documents that we have asked for." The abbreviated weekend session wrapped up five days of presentations and arguments on the Senate floor in the country's third presidential impeachment trial. With Trump's fate on the line, the trial, unfolding less than 10 months before he faces reelection, has come to encapsulate the pitched three-year struggle that has consumed Washington since he took office determined to disrupt the existing order. While he did not attend Saturday's opening of his defense, as he had previously suggested he might, Trump watched from the White House and weighed in on Twitter with attacks on prominent Democrats including Schumer, Rep. Adam B. Schiff of California, the lead prosecutor for Democrats, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, portraying the day as a chance to put them on trial instead. With the odds stacked against him in the Democratic-run House, Trump refused to send lawyers to participate in Judiciary Committee hearings last month, complaining that he was not given due process. But he faced a more receptive audience in the Senate, where the White House has been working in tandem with Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the majority leader. Even after the prosecution's presentation, Trump appeared certain to win acquittal in a trial that requires the support of two-thirds of senators for conviction. So the main priority for the president's legal team was not to undermine its own advantage or give wavering moderate Republican senators reasons to support Democratic requests for witnesses and documents. A vote on that question will not come until next week, and it remained the central question of the impeachment trial with the potential to either prolong the process and yield new revelations that could further damage Trump, or bring the proceeding to a swift conclusion. But after long days of exhaustive arguments by the House managers, there was little indication there would be enough Republican support to consider new evidence. Republican senators seemed relieved to finally have the president's side of the debate presented on the floor. Trump faces two articles of impeachment, for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, stemming from his effort to pressure Ukraine to announce investigations into his Democratic rivals while withholding nearly $400 million in congressionally approved security aid, a decision that a government agency called a violation of law. The House managers have argued the president's actions amounted to a corrupt scheme to invite foreign interference on his behalf in the 2020 election, and part of a dangerous pattern of behavior by Trump of using the government for his own benefit. But Cipollone belittled the allegations, suggesting the Constitution's framers had in mind something more consequential when they created the impeachment clause than what the House managers had presented. "They've come here today and they've basically said, 'Let's cancel an election over a meeting with the Ukraine,'" he said. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. The president's lawyers maintained that he had every right to set foreign policy as he saw fit and that he had valid concerns about corruption in Ukraine and burden-sharing with Europe that prompted him to suspend the aid temporarily. They also argued that he was protecting presidential prerogatives when he refused to allow aides to testify or provide documents in the House proceedings. Michael Purpura, a deputy White House counsel, noted that Trump did not explicitly link U.S. aid to his demand for investigations during his July 25 phone call with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine, and pointed to Zelenskiy's public statements that he did not feel pressured. Purpura added that there could not have been an illicit quid pro quo, because the Ukrainians did not know about the aid freeze until a month later. But U.S. and Ukrainian officials have said they did know as early as the day of the presidents' call. Purpura dismissed much of the prosecution evidence as hearsay, and played video clips of former officials saying they knew of no quid pro quo. He also played a succession of clips of Gordon D. Sondland, the ambassador to the European Union, testifying that he "presumed" there was a link between the suspended aid and the demand for investigations but did not actually know it for a fact. Yet in parts of Sondland's testimony that the president's lawyers did not show, the ambassador said he had been involved in a pressure campaign on Ukraine aimed at getting the country to announce investigations into Trump's political rivals, directed by the president himself. Sondland also said there had been a clear "quid pro quo," conditioning a White House meeting for the Ukrainian president to his willingness to announce the investigations Trump wanted, and that "everyone was in the loop." Under the trial rules, the House managers had no speaking opportunity on the floor on Saturday, but they delivered a 28,578-page trial record to the secretary of the Senate that served as the foundation of their case. At a news conference following the arguments by Trump's lawyers, Schiff offered a point-by-point rebuttal and said the attacks on him and his colleagues were just an attempt to distract from the evidence. "When your client is guilty or your client is dead to rights, you don't want to talk about your client's guilt," said Schiff, a former prosecutor. "You want to attack the prosecution." The White House arguments Saturday were meant to be what Jay Sekulow, another of the president's lawyers, called a "sneak preview" before being resumed Monday. Like the managers before them, the White House lawyers have 24 hours over as many as three days to present their side, but said they will not use all of that. After the president's defense is complete, the senators will have up to 16 hours over a few days to submit questions in writing that will be read by Chief Justice John Roberts, who is presiding over the trial. Shanghai/Tokyo, Jan 26 : Washington and Tokyo are chalking out plans to evacuate their citizens from Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak that has claimed 56 lives so far, a media report said. A statement posted on the website of US Embassy in China on Sunday confirmed the plan to evaculate diplomats and US citizens in Wuhan. The State Department is making arrangements to relocate its personnel stationed at the US Consulate General in Wuhan to the United States, it added. An evacuation flight from Wuhan Tianhe International Airport to San Francisco will depart on Tuesday, Nikkei Asian Review reported. The statement said the flight was limited to private US citizens, and that "if there is insufficient ability to transport everyone who expresses interest, priority will be given to individuals at greater risk from coronavirus." Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also said on Sunday that after his government finishes talks with Chinese authorities, it will bring back "all [Japanese citizens] that wish to return, and is looking at all possible means, such as chartered flights." Abe said that the government has been asking Japanese residents in Wuhan if they want to leave the city. More than 700 Japanese nationals reside in Wuhan, according to Japan's foreign ministry. The government is also considering evacuation by road from Hubei Province, and have Japanese nationals take flights home from other places, according to sources. The Chinese government said on Sunday the death toll in the country from the coronavirus rose to 56 from 41 a day earlier, with 1,975 cases confirmed. Experts say the country is paying a heavy price after the government failed to learn one of the most important lessons of the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) epidemic 17 years ago: that diseases can easily mutate and spread to humans in markets where different species of live wild animals are kept in proximity, often in unhygienic conditions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said sincere efforts to hold dialogue and resolve differences peacefully had led to a decline in the insurgency in the northeast and mentioned the resolution of more than two-decades-old Bru refugees crisis, during the 61st edition of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, which coincided with the 71st Republic Day on Sunday. A quadripartite agreement was signed in New Delhi on January 16 between Tripura, Mizoram, the Centre, and Bru NGOs ending the 23-year old refugee crisis. The Bru migrants fled from Mizoram to Tripura in the late 1990s and forced to live there in camps. Nearly 35,000 refugees still living in camps in Tripura, will now get a plot of land, rations, a fixed deposit of 4 lakh, and a monthly stipend of 5,000 for two years under the terms of the agreement. They will also get 1.5 lakh each to construct houses and have the right to vote in Tripura. The agreement hopes to bring a permanent solution to the Bru crisis after an earlier attempt to return the refugees to Mizoram had failed. It allows the Brus to stay back in Tripura and still get benefits of the package announced for repatriation to Mizoram earlier. The crisis had its roots in the 1997 demand for an Autonomous District Council for the Brus living in Mizoram which eventually led to an armed movement the Bru National Liberation Front sparking riots in Mizoram following an exodus of around 30,000-40,000 Brus from Mizoram to Tripura. Their lives in camps for 23 years must have been filled with pain, the Prime Minister said. He said the government had set aside a sum of 600 crore to provide them assistance. The Prime Minister also spoke of Indias ambitious manned space mission, Gaganyaan. Four candidates, all pilots of the Indian Air Force have been selected for the mission and they will soon depart for Russia for more than a year-long training. One of them will then carry the burden of aspirations to take India to space. he said. Prime Minister asked his listeners to make attempts to read more about the Padma awardees whose names were announced yesterday. He said the awards were now, truly representative and transparent. Padma Awards are now people-driven, the process is online. We can say that there is a newfound respect for Padma Awards as the process has become transparent, he said. Stressing on the importance of fitness, Modi said 65,000 thousand schools had obtained Fit India certificate and the culture of fitness was gaining roots. We all know that from the moment he was elected the Left has intended to see President Trump impeached. The Washington Post called for impeachment nineteen minutes after the forty-fifth president was inaugurated. Numerous irresponsible members of Congress and the media are on record demanding that he be impeached before they had even an inkling of what kind of President he would be. As it has turned out, Donald Trump has been a magnificent President. He has accomplished things his predecessor in office, Barack Obama, said could never be achieved. He has brought manufacturing back to the US. Unemployment is the lowest in decades. Many of the regulations that have strangled the economy have been rolled back. The list of the benefits his leadership has brought to the American people is too long to list here, but his many successes have driven the Democrats to mass distraction. Their mission to see him removed from office became an obsession as their grief over Hillary's loss took root in their psyches. They have wanted revenge from day one. But like all people who believe themselves to be smarter than those for whom they have only contempt, they planned badly. What began with the Clinton campaign and a few self-appointed commanders-in-chief in our once-premier law enforcement agencies quickly drew in fellow collaborators from around the world: UK, Italy, Malta and who knows where else? They paid a pack of Euro-trash lowlifes to create condemnatory but entirely false information about Trump to amplify Hillary's claim that Russia was responsible for her loss. Even Adam Schiff was on board when he was pranked by those two Russian comedians who promised him "naked pictures of Trump." Schiff was so excited at the prospect of getting his hands on some Trump dirt that he was easily deceived. Aside from Hillary and the DNC, Schiff is the only other person to have actually colluded with Russians for political advantage. Schiff is a fool. That should be obvious to everyone by now, especially after the President's own lawyers first chance to present his side of the story on Saturday. It was not only gripping but brief and revelatory. Schiff, Nadler, Pelosi and their co-conspirators have perpetrated the biggest fraud on the American people in American history for wholly bogus reasons. And they are all such legends in their own minds, they were certain they would get away with. Their plan would see President Trump removed from office. They never gave a thought or a bit of respect to the millions of people who voted for him -- precisely to be rid of people like them. "When the three branches of government have failed to represent the citizenry and the mass of the media has failed to represent the citizenry, then the citizenry better represent the citizenry." (David Mamet) The citizenry elected Donald Trump. Counselors Cipollone, Sekulow, Purpura, Philbin were spectacular without being theatrical, unlike the performing seals that were the House managers. They actually did focus on facts, not mind-reading, and the facts they addressed were all drawn from Schiff's and Nadler's own witnesses, since the President was not allowed any defense or witnesses. Counelor Cipollone for the defense (YouTube screen grab) In under three hours, as opposed to the 23 hours Schiff's pack of overseers spent repeating themselves, these four men eviscerated Schiff's very poorly-planned narrative. The House Dems spent most of those 23 hours harking back to Russia collusion! Even though the Mueller report dispensed with that hoax, Schiff cannot let it go. Monday and Tuesday, when these four lawyers continue their long-awaited defense of the President, are very likely going to negate the need for any witnesses, even though we would all like to see the Bidens and the faux-whistleblower questioned under oath. And it is a safe bet that the witnesses Schiff wants to call - Bolton, and Mulvaney -- will further shatter their dream of a conviction. "The truth is incontrovertible, malice many attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." (Churchill) Tolstoy wrote in Anna Karenina, "Hypocrisy in anything may deceive the cleverest and most penetrating man, but the least wide-awake of children recognizes it, and is revolted by it, however ingeniously it may be disguised." Schiff and his fellow impeachifiers give new meaning to the word hypocrisy. They all cried for fairness and due process when Bill Clinton was being impeached. They saw to it that Trump was provided with neither; no counsel, no witnesses, no fairness and no due process. Those who had the time and inclination to watch the first words of defense of the President spoken on Saturday are sure to be revolted by what went on, not just over the previous three days but the for the past three years. This entire debacle should be over by Wednesday. Schiff's two silly articles should be dismissed out of hand. We can all now see clearly who and what Schiff and his impeachment cultists are: pompous, angry traitors to our Constitution. They will be outsmarted by the Founders and the scholars who actually do know and revere our founding document and the law. Their petty vindictiveness will condemn them to failure and a legacy of bumbling malfeasance. When the history of this attempted coup is written, all those who participated in this monstrous crime will be forever known as the Benedict Arnolds of the early 21st century. Clergyman, Pastor Chris Omashola has described popular male barbie, Bobrisky as an agent of the devil who needs to be stopped. The clergyman expressed that the male barbie is on a mission to spread the mission of transgender across Africa. The clergyman expressed that Bobriskys influence should be curbed quickly in order to avoid producing more people like him in the society such as the case of James Brown. Also Read: How Bobrisky Opened Up About His Lifestlye At LIRS Office During His Arrest Instagram Blogger Pastor Chris warned the male barbie to repent from his ways or be prepared to rot in jail. See his post below: Chairman of the ruling Nepal Communist Party Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the governing pattern of the country's communist forces is unique and cannot be found in any part of the world nor can be read in any books. According to the former Nepal prime minister, the unique governing system adopted by the NCP cannot be found in any literature in the world. Addressing a book release programme at the party headquarters on Saturday, Dahal, popularly known by his nom de guerre Prachanda, said that the Nepali communist movement is quite different from the older capitalistic revolution and newer people's revolution. "Nepal's communist party's main objective is to pave the way towards socialism through socialism-oriented 'Janatako Janabad' (people's democracy) as we have marked our victory against feudalism joining hands with the capitalist sector as well," he was quoted as saying by Myrepublica.com portal. "Whatever we accomplished in Nepal and we experienced and observed, is of unique type which can't be witnessed in any part of the world nor can be read in any books," Dahal said, adding that the party leaders and cadres should be sincere to preserving and promoting the achievements gained after much struggle and sacrifice. The book 'Janatako Janabadka Adharharu' (Baes for People's Democracy) sheds light on the party's historical background after its 'historic' unification between the erstwhile CPN-UML and CPN Maoist (Center), according to Dahal. "I believe that this book will help people understand about the party, its background, unification campaign and the role the party played during the transitional period." Earlier this month, the 65-year-old communist leader shocked many by saying that he would take responsibility for the incidents that occurred during the decade-long Maoist movement. Dahal clarified he would take the entire responsibility of the then incidents as the supreme commander of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) -- which was the armed wing of the Communist Party of Nepal -- and the party chair as well. On January 15, Dahal said he can take the blame for the death of only 5,000 people out of the over 17,000 killed during the decade-long armed insurgency in the country. The Nepalese civil war, popularly known as the Maoist Conflict or Maoist Insurgency, was a 10-year armed conflict between the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (CPN-M) and the government of Nepal, fought from 1996 to 2006. The rebellion was launched by the CPN-M on February 13, 1996 with the main aim of overthrowing the Nepali monarchy and establishing a People's Republic. Over 17,000 people were killed during the conflict. The civil war ended with the comprehensive peace accord signed on November 21, 2006. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Border Security Force (BSF) personnel on Sunday exchanged sweets with Border Guards of Bangladesh (BGB) at Fulbari crossing at Indo-Bangladesh border to celebrate the occasion of 71st Republic Day. "We have presented sweets to Border Guards of Bangladesh. It is a tradition carried out every year on January 26 to maintain good relations with the neighbor country," said Deputy Commandant of Border Security Force North Bengal Frontier, BL Meena. On this day, 70 years back, India officially adopted its Constitution. The day is being celebrated around the country with great fervour and enthusiasm. Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sent separate messages of felicitations to Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, greeting people of India on the occasion of the country's 71st Republic Day. According to Bangladesh high commission in India, Prime Minister Hasina, in her message, said India and Bangladesh relations have "become a model" for many countries across the While President Hamid hoped that New Delhi and Dhaka's partnership would "ensure greater prosperity" for people of both nations. "President Hamid recalled that Bangladesh's historical relationship with India since 'our glorious Liberation War in 1971' and hoped that the 'partnership would ensure greater prosperity for our peoples and the partnership would be strengthened in days to come'," said the high commission in a statement. "Prime Minister Hasina, in her message to Modi, said 'Our bilateral relations have become a model for many countries across the Common historic, cultural and civilizational roots have resulted in deepening engagements between our two countries and I am of the view that together we will be able to take this bond of friendship to a greater height'," the statement added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) found himself at the crux of a diplomatic controversy, after the Guardian revealed his alleged role in hacking Jeff Bezos's phone. Now, similar claims have been made over the security of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's phone. As per claims of international news organisation, Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly "bombared" Johnson with emoji WhatsApp messages. According to the Mail, Kingdom's Crown Prince has apparently sent a "worrying" number of messages to the UK Prime Minister, raising concerns following Bezos' hack. Boris Johnson reportedly exchanged numbers with Mohammed bin Salman when he was the Foreign Secretary of the state. Johnson was known to hand out his private number to world leaders. The two had been in regular contact, the Mail reported on Sunday. However, the use of endless emojis by Mohammed bin Salman had apparently baffled Johnson and his team. The 'emojis' became a concern indicating a phone hack by Mohammed bin Salman, himself. London, however, has refused to delve into the details of the WhatsApp conversation between the heads of two state. Cyber-security experts asserted that Trump's advisor and son-in-law, Jared Kushner should change his mobile phone, over the risks of being hacked by MbS similar to Bezos. Saudi Arabia has refuted the claims, calling it "absurd." READ| Trump's son-in-law allowed Saudi Crown Prince MBS to arrest Khashoggi Jeff Bezos phone hack United Nations on Wednesday shared that the forensic findings indicate with "medium to high confidence" that Mohammed bin Salman personally hacked into Jeff Bezos' iPhone to "influence, if not silence," the Washington Post owned by him, over their relentless coverage of Jamal Khashoggi's murder. The richest man in the world, Jeff Bezos had his phone "hacked" in 2018 through a WhatsApp message that was purportedly sent by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia--Mohammed bin Salman, himself. The Guardian reported that an encrypted message from the personal number of the de facto ruler of the Kingdom was sent to the owner of Amazon and Washington Post, Jeff Bezos on May 1, 2018. Forensic analysts then articulated that the unsolicited file contained malware, which extracted a copious amount of data from his phone, just within hours. Within hours of the encrypted downloader being received, a massive and unauthorized exfiltration of data from Bezoss phone began, continuing and escalating for months thereafter, the report states. READ| Jeff Bezos' phone hacked by Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman? All you need to know News Trenton, New Jersey - George Gilmore, a partner at an Ocean County, New Jersey, law firm, was sentenced Wednesday to one year and one day in prison for his conviction on two counts of failing to pay over payroll taxes withheld from employees to the IRS and one count of making false statements on a bank loan application submitted to Ocean First Bank N.A. On April 17, 2019, Gilmore, 70, of Toms River, New Jersey, was acquitted of two counts of filing false tax returns for calendar years 2013 and 2014; the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on one count of income tax evasion for calendar years 2013, 2014, and 2015. The verdicts were returned following a trial that began April 1, 2019, before U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson, who imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court. According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial: Gilmore worked as an equity partner and shareholder at Gilmore & Monahan P.A., a law firm in Toms River, where he exercised primary control over the firms financial affairs. Because he exercised significant control over the law firms financial affairs, Gilmore was responsible for withholding payroll taxes from the gross salary and wages of the law firms employees to cover individual income, Social Security and Medicare tax obligations. For the tax quarters ending March 31, 2016, and June 30, 2016, the law firm withheld tax payments from its employees checks, but Gilmore failed to pay over in full the payroll taxes due to the IRS. Gilmore also submitted a loan application to Ocean First Bank containing false statements. On Nov. 21, 2014, Gilmore reviewed, signed, and submitted to Ocean First Bank a Uniform Residential Loan Application (URLA) to obtain refinancing of a mortgage loan for $1.5 million with a cash out provision that provided Gilmore would obtain cash from the loan. On Jan. 22, 2015, Gilmore submitted another URLA updating the initial application. Gilmore failed to disclose his outstanding 2013 tax liabilities and personal loans that he had obtained from others on the URLAs. Gilmore received $572,000 from the cash out portion of the loan. In addition to the prison term, Judge Thompson sentenced Gilmore to three years of supervised release. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Honig for the District of New Jersey and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Departments Tax Division credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge John R. Tafur, special agents with the U.S. Attorneys Office under the direction of Supervisory Special Agent Thomas Mahoney, and special agents of the FBI Red Bank Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to todays sentencing. The government is represented by Deputy U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Skahill; Assistant U.S. Attorney Jihee G. Suh of the U.S. Attorneys Office Special Prosecutions Division; and Trial Attorney Thomas F. Koelbl of the U.S. Department of Justice - Tax Division. Wishing somebody a 'Happy Australia Day' could be determined as offensive, according to advocates in the indigenous community. Kado Muir, who is a leading advocate for Aboriginal culture, heritage and awareness said the phrasewas an 'ignorant gesture', news.com.au reported in 2019. He said the annual debate, which has been reignited in 2020, brings sadness to his heart. 'This issue is extremely divisive and sensitive to all Australians,' Mr Muir said. 'I know White Australia is guilty and fragile. I know Black Australia is broken and angry.' Leading advocate for Aboriginal culture, heritage and awareness Kado Muir (pictured) said the phrase 'Happy Australia Day' was an 'ignorant gesture' Leading Aboriginal campaigner Cheree Toka (pictured) said many people traded in the term 'Australia Day' for 'Survival Day' He called on Australians to rise above the 'base destructive emotions' in the debate and instead shift focus onto the aspects that unite the country. Leading Aboriginal campaigner Cheree Toka said many people traded in the term 'Australia Day' for 'Survival Day'. She said the national day of commemoration on January 26 was a sad day for First Nations people. She said she saw the raising of the Australian flag as the moment Aboriginal history and culture was threatened. The 28-year-old has been pushing for the Aboriginal flag to be flown atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge all year round. As it stands, the flag is flown for 18 days a year, of which one of those days is on Australia Day. Despite the 105,000-strong Change.org petition to raise the flag permanently, Premier of NSW Gladys Berejiklian has stood firmly against pressure. Thousands of Australians are expected to protest the national holiday as Australia Day celebrations kick off today. January 26 marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the 'First Fleet' to Sydney Cove, carrying mainly convicts and troops from Britain. For many indigenous Australians, who trace their lineage on the continent back 50,000 years, it is 'Invasion Day', the start of Britain's colonisation of Aboriginal lands and their brutal subjugation. 'Celebrating Australia Day on January 26th is offensive,' said Joe Williams, a mental health worker and former professional rugby league player. The 28-year-old has been pushing for the Aboriginal flag to be flown atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge all year round (pictured, Ms Toka) Thousands of Australians are expected to protest the national holiday as Australia Day celebrations kick off today (supporters at an Invasion Day rally outside Parliament House, Canberra in 2018) 'To celebrate an invasion which has seen our people dispossessed, displaced and oppressed for some 230 years, is plain offensive,' he told Reuters. Australia's 700,000 or so indigenous people track near the bottom of its 25 million citizens in almost every economic and social indicator. While opinion polls suggest up to half the country supports changing Australia Day, the conservative government is under pressure to legally entrench Jan. 26 as a national holiday. 'We should keep the 26th of January as a special day in our calendar,' said Nick Folkes, a painter from Sydney. 'It means respect and acknowledgement of the sacrifices made by explorers, settlers, our convicts,' he added. CANBERRA, Australia The bodies of three U.S. flying firefighters and the cockpit voice recorder from the water bomber in which they died battling Australias unprecedented wildfire crisis were retrieved on Saturday as their grieving families arrived in Sydney, officials said. Ian McBeth of Great Falls, Montana, Paul Clyde Hudson of Buckeye, Arizona, and Rick A. DeMorgan of Navarre, Florida, died when their C-130 Hercules tanker crashed on Thursday after dumping fire retardant on an out-of-control blaze northeast of the town of Cooma in southern New South Wales state. The device that records the last two hours of the cockpit conversation as well as the bodies were retrieved Saturday from a still-active fire zone, police and crash investigators said. It will record the pilot, the co-pilot and flight engineer's discussions in the cockpit. It will record also any of the aural alarms or warnings, crash investigator Greg Hood told reporters. The plane was not equipped with a flight data recorder, which is mandatory for airliners. The Americans relatives who began arriving Saturday will be offered an opportunity to visit the hillside crash site, officials said. Thousands of revellers, including many from China, celebrated Chinese new year in central London despite worries about coronavirus spreading to the UK. Many people welcoming the Year of the Rat in the biggest celebration for the lunar festival outside China were wearing filter masks to protect themselves against the respiratory virus. But coronavirus worries did not dampen festivities, as a 50-foot golden dragon and a bagpipe procession travelled from Charing Cross to Chinatown where hundreds of red lanterns lined the streets. Outside restaurants and cafes in Chinatown, people were queuing down the street, and many gathered to watch firecrackers heralding the start of the celebrations in Trafalgar Square. Meanwhile, the Foreign Office has urged Britons trapped in the Hubei province of China, which has been on lockdown for several days following the coronavirus outbreak, to leave the area if they are able to. Chinese student Siyan Li, from Shandong, was wearing a face mask as she celebrated in Chinatown because she was afraid of the virus. The 22-year-old Nottingham University student said: China has advised everyone to stay at home and not come out. Im afraid. I dont know if there are many people with this kind of fear, but I think this (the mask) is a good way to protect myself. Conan Zhao, 35, and his wife Daisy Huang, 27, were holidaying in London for Chinese new year and were also wearing masks as a precaution. Spectators watch the parade in central London which mark the start of the Year of the Rat (Yui Mok/PA) Mr Zhao, from Shenzhen in China, said: The most important thing is self-protection you need to protect yourself, but there is no need to worry. He added: We came here for Chinese new year, and its our first time in London. Chinese people have come to London for a very long time and we wanted to see how people celebrate Chinese new year here. Lily Ferreira and Katerina Jelinkova, two volunteers helping to manage the festivities for the London Chinatown Chinese Association (LCCA), said they were worried about the effect of the virus on their performers from China. Story continues Miss Ferreira, a 25-year-old music and business student from Portugal who was wearing a mask, said: Some of our performers came from China, so we were worried about getting them here, but it hasnt been a problem. Miss Jelinkova, 22, from Czech Republic, said she would wear a mask in central London anyway because of air pollution. A performer wears a face mask under her costume (Yui Mok/PA) Phillip Rowell, a British scriptwriter who lived in Hong Kong and Singapore during the Sars virus outbreak in 2003, said he was not worried about another respiratory virus from the region. Mr Rowell, 49, who was celebrating with his wife and son, said: We lived through a few of those things in Asia, we had Sars when we were there and I always think it looks worse on the news. Im sure its serious, but the numbers (of those infected) are actually quite low at the moment, so I wasnt really worried about being around Chinese people or anything like that. We had breakfast in a Chinese dim sum place this morning, it was packed, people were waiting for tables, there was no sense of people staying away. He added he has faith in the Chinese government because they learned their lesson after Sars, which killed 774 people in 17 countries. A young girl in the crowd plays with her own dragon dance toy (Yui Mok/PA) Elaine Lui, a Newcastle University media student from south-east China, also said she was confident precautions in China would help to tackle the virus. She said: I have a friend in Wuhan but Im not worried. The Chinese people, we will protect ourselves and also protect everyone else. Suzanne Corbin, 64, from Whitstable, Kent, said she definitely thought about coronavirus before coming to the festival, but decided the risk was really low. She said: I come every year because I love the tradition of the Chinese new year. I love the dragons, the dancing, the noise, the celebration of spring. Theres a lot of people out enjoying it. As the nation is celebrating 71st Republic Day, Google Doodle also highlighted India's diverse culture and heritage with the most colourful and creative doodle. Designed by Singapore-based artist Meroo Seth, the doodle captures the diverse culture of India. From Taj-Mahal to India Gate, the doodle also captures the wide array of fauna like the national bird, classical arts, textile and dances. The doodle perfectly captures the rich cultural heritage of India and if one looks carefully they can also find an elephant, camel, auto-rickshaw and buses as well. Republic day marks the completion of India's transition towards becoming an independent republic as seven decades ago, on January 26, India's constitution came into effect. READ: Karnataka State's Tableau Depicts Philosophy Of 'Basaveshwara' On 71st Republic Day The Republic Day celebrations Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial at India Gate. Thereafter, the Republic Day parade commenced at 10 am, lasting for 90 minutes. The parade marched from Vijay Chowk to the Red Fort through the traditional route of Rajpath. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was the Chief Guest on this occasion. The parade featured a flypast by all aircraft of the Indian Air Force, display of latest weapons and equipment, 16 marching contingents, 22 tableaus of various states and government departments, winners of Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar and a motorcycle display by an all-women team of the CRPF. The all-men Army Signal Corps contingent was led by Captain Tanya Shergill, a unique first in Indian history. READ: Indian Navy's Three-dimensional Strength Highlighted At Republic Day Parade President Ram Nath Kovind also received the customary 21-gun salute after he hoisted the National Flag kickstarting the Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath, New Delhi. The salute was presented by the 2233 Field Battery under the command of Lieutenant Colonel C Sandeep. The gun position officer was Naib Subedar Anil Chand. #LIVE on #IndiaAt71 | President Kovind arrives at Rajpath where the #RepublicDay parade is about to begin; Tune in to watch here - https://t.co/jghcajZuXf pic.twitter.com/DDw14q5KWX Republic (@republic) January 26, 2020 READ: Republic Day 2020 Parade: Finance & Jal Shakti Tableaux Catch The Eye Among Ministries READ: Israel Ambassador Says 'Jai Hind', Extends Greetings On 71st Republic Day It must be difficult now for most Dundalk people to imagine what that part of Dundalk west of the Clarke Railway Station looked like back seventy years ago. I can recall standing on the platform of the Station back in the late 1940s waiting for a train from Dublin to take me and my siblings to Portadown where we would change for another train travelling to Derry. Back then the view westwards was of a green parkland stretching from the back of the houses at Carrick Road over to the Castletown Road. My memory is of an undulating landscape, dotted with little hills and hollows which has now become filled with houses and a church building overlooking the area. Move forward another twenty years and I read in a report in the 'Democrat' of January 1971 that 'The new Cox's Demesne Housing Estate, the largest housing scheme ever to be built in Dundalk, was blessed by Cardinal William Conway and officially opened by Mr. R. Molloy, Minister of Local Government'. That brief report covers a transformation of that part of Dundalk which was once part of Lord Roden Demesne in Dundalk! The late Canice O'Mahony, who was Assistant Engineer and later Town Surveyor for the Dundalk Urban Council during much of that period, writing in a Souvenir brochure celebrating Silver Jubilee of the opening of the Church of the Redeemer in July 1969 says ---- 'In 1950 the Dundalk Urban Council had the foresight to take the decision to purchase this 200-acre Demesne. After prolonged negotiations, it was eventually acquired in 1951.' Canice himself built one of the first private houses on that land and he was later followed by many others who took advantage of an offer, for a very nominal figure, by the Urban Council of plots to build their homes on what was to become the Ard Easmuinn Estate. It was not until 1958, however, that the Council itself, began the construction of the 156 house Marian Park Housing Estate. Interestingly, Canice reveals in his excellent book 'An Engineer Remembers' that --- 'The scheme was delayed for two years because the Department of Local Government would not sanction the original tender price of 1,600 per housing unit. Saving had to be effected to reduce this total to 1,500.' Those houses are worth a lot more money today and were, I believe, a great asset to the town of Dundalk! The first section of the Cox's Demesne scheme, mentioned in the 'Democrat' report I quoted, was not started until 1967 and the last section completed in 1975. These four schemes, totalling 623 houses, were all built by the firm of McCaughey Brothers, originally from Dungannon, who were to make their homes in Dundalk and went on to build many other houses in Dundalk. Cartoons created by Qi Yifei, a post-2000s Tsinghua student, demonstrate her life in the army. [CCTV-7] A group of cartoons depicting the daily life of new army recruits recently went viral in China. The creator, Qi Yifei, was a post-2000s Tsinghua student. Qi was enrolled by the Academy of Arts and Design, under the Tsinghua University, in 2018 with high scores. Before her sophomore year, she suspended her studies and joined the army, a decision that did not have the support of her mother, Peng Lingwu. Peng and her husband expected her daughter to be a designer rather than a soldier. Neither of them expected Qi's decision, and both of them thought that life in the army would be too tough for their daughter. Despite her parents' disapproval, the strong-willed daughter stuck to her decision and said that it's not a Tsinghua student who wants to be a soldier, but a student with a dream of becoming a soldier was admitted to Tsinghua. Though she realized her dream, Qi still sees it as a matter of great concern and revealed it as such in a cartoon: a woman army recruit looks over her shoulder to find her parents in the send-off crowd, hoping to gain their approval of her decision. Qi Yifei [screenshot from CCTV-7] Actually, Qi had dreamed of being a member of PLA Navy's Marine Corps since her childhood. In order to pursue the ideal, Qi had been preparing for it since her freshman year through extra physical exercise. Qi passed all the examinations for the new recruits with good grades. She even received an award at the graduation ceremony after more than three months of training. Qi met her mother in an unexpected way at the ceremony. It was Peng who granted the award to her daughter, with both of them bursting into tears at that moment. Peng said now she supports her daughter, because she discovered that military life is quite colorful and the army offers good opportunities for personal growth. Several days after the ceremony, Qi was dispatched to the Marine Corps. She received a special message from her mother. "I shed tears many times because of your choice. I did not understand you before, but now I firmly support you. I would like to say I love you, my daughter," her mother said in the message. A touching moment when Qi meets her mother in an unexpected way at the graduation ceremony [screenshot from CCTV program] (Source: CCTV and People's Daily/Translated and edited by Women of China) The Chief Minister said the nation's unity was inviolable, notwithstanding the discordant voices being raised in the current scenario. Chandigarh, Jan 26 (IANS) Asserting that the secular foundations of India's Constitution would continue to stand firm, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday vowed to protect one and all, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. Pointing out the resolution passed by the state Assembly (on CAA) was there for all to see, the Chief Minister made it clear that the state would not allow the country's secular fabric to be destroyed at any cost. Greeting the people on the 71st Republic Day, the Chief Minister said, "secularism was the message of our Guru, whose philosophy of 'Na koyi Hindu, Na koyi Musalman, Sab Rab ke bande' is imbued in our consciousness." On the occasion, Amarinder Singh unfurled the tricolour, and also took the salute at a colourful parade in Mohali near here, followed by a cultural extravaganza by school children. For the first time this year, the Republic Day celebrations in the state witnessed an inspiring display by the Special Operations Group (SOG), constituted by the Chief Minister as an elite, specially trained force to combat terrorism, infiltration, hijacking and other sensitive threat situations. In his speech, he said Punjab was blessed by the historic opening of Kartarpur Corridor to facilitate 'Khule Darshan Didar' of the revered gurdwara that was touched by the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev's presence. The state was also honoured to be celebrating the 550th birth anniversary year of Guru Nanak Dev, the 399th birth anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur, the 100th birth anniversary of Acharya Shri Mahapragya -- the 10th head of Svetambar Terapanth order of Jainism, the 750th birth anniversary of Bhagat Namdev and the 350th birth anniversary of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, he said. At the same time, his government would continue to work dedicatedly for the progress of Punjab, which had attracted unprecedented investment over the last two years, said the Chief Minister, pointing to the Rs 57,735 crore investment secured on the ground. He said the efforts to bring in industry would continue, in order to tackle unemployment, which he termed as the biggest challenge faced by the state. Underlining the importance of environmental protection in the face of the global warming, which was adversely impacting weather patterns, Amarinder Singh said so far 76 lakh saplings had been planted across all villages and towns in the state. He appealed to every citizen to contribute to the care of these saplings. The Chief Minister also underscored the importance given by his government to promoting healthcare and ensuring access to affordable healthcare to the people through the Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana, covering 48 lakh families totalling 2.2 crore people as against the 14 lakh families covered by the government of India under scheme. More than 1 lakh people have already availed free cashless treatment under the Yojana, he added. The new AIIMS at Bathinda had also become functional, he said. Terming the drug menace as an issue of grave concern, the Chief Minister said his government remained committed to the total elimination of the problem. The Special Task Force set up to tackle the menace had shown excellent results with 34,373 cases registered so far under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and 42,571 people having been arrested with recovery of 974 kg heroin. More than one lakh addicts are being treated at the 193 outpatient opioid assisted treatment (OOAT) centres established by the government. Expressing concern on the issue of safety of women, the Chief Minister said apart from the free pick and drop facility by the state police, 'One Stop Sakhi' centres had been established in all districts for the "protection of our daughters". On the depleting water table, the Chief Minister stressed upon the need to conserve water, whose level had come down to less than 13 MAF (million acre-feet), as a result of 73 per cent of it being used for irrigation purposes. vg/skp/ Israel on Sunday officially gave its citizens the right to travel to Saudi Arabia for religious and business visits, in the latest sign of warming ties between the two states. The interior ministry's announcement will have limited practical impact, as Israelis had previously been travelling to Saudi Arabia via third countries, especially Jordan. But Israel had never granted official approval for such travel by both Jewish and Muslim Israelis. Interior Minister Aryeh Deri "signed for the first time an order enabling an exit permit for Israelis to Saudi Arabia", his office said. The move, coordinated with the security and diplomatic services, approves travel to the Gulf state "for religious purposes during the hajj and the umra (Muslim pilgrimages)", it said in a statement. It said Israel would also allow its citizens to travel to Saudi Arabia "to participate in business meetings or seek investments" for trips not exceeding 90 days. Business travellers must have "arranged their entry to Saudi Arabia and received an invitation from a governmental source", the interior ministry said. There was no indication of a corresponding policy change from the Saudi side, but there have in recent months been gestures pointing to warming ties between Israel and Gulf states. Earlier Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Mohammed al-Issa, head of the Muslim World League based in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for attending commemorations in Poland this week marking 75 years since the liberation of the Nazi death camp Auschwitz. "This is another sign of change in the attitude of Islamic bodies and, of course, the Arab states toward the Holocaust and the Jewish people," he told reporters. Israel has a peace deal with two Arab countries -- Jordan and Egypt -- but its occupation of Palestinian territory has long served as a major factor preventing similar accords with the rest of the Arab world. Common concerns over Iran, however, are widely seen as having fostered closer ties between Israel and several Arab states, especially in the Gulf. Search Keywords: Short link: Foreign portfolio investors (FPI) have infused a net sum of Rs 1,624 crore into the Indian capital markets in January so far, buoyed by the signing of the first phase of the US-China trade deal. As per latest depositories data, FPIs invested a net Rs 13,304 crore in equities and withdrew a net Rs 11,680 crore from the debt segment between January 1-24. This translates into a total net inflow of Rs 1,624 crore. "After starting the year on a muted note, investments from FPIs has picked up pace and most of that flows came after US and China signed a trade deal putting the trade war between them on a pause," said Himanshu Srivastava, senior analyst manager research at Morningstar Investment Adviser India. The latest investments came despite challenges such as enhanced geopolitical tension between the US and Iran and dwindling domestic economic growth, Srivastava noted. On the domestic front, "there are some signs of India shaking away the slowdown with business activity picking up and this is reflecting in the investments coming into equities. Besides, after the limit to which FPIs can invest in debt instruments has been increased, more inflows into the debt category can be expected," said Harsh Jain, co-founder and COO at Groww. The Reserve Bank of India on Thursday raised the investment limit for FPIs in government and corporate bonds, a move that is likely to bring in more foreign funds in the country. According to the current norms, short-term investments by an FPI should not exceed 20 per cent of the total investment of that FPI in either central government securities (including treasury bills) or state development loans. The same norms are applicable on investments in corporate bonds. The short-term investment limit has now been increased from 20 per cent to 30 per cent in both the cases, the RBI said in a circular. Additionally, the RBI has also made relaxation in the voluntary retention route (VRR) for FPI investments in debt. The investment cap through VRR has been doubled to Rs 1.5 lakh crore, the RBI said in another circular. Going forward, "all eyes will now be on the upcoming Budget to get further cues. This will play major role in terms of shaping up the investment views of foreign investors and decision to invest in the Indian equity markets," Srivastava added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) FOR THE fourth week in a row a seemingly innocuous council plan to build 12 houses in Knocklong makes the Limerick Leader. First of all, Cllr Eddie Ryan accused Deputy Niall Collins of trying to "interfere" with the running of the Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District. Cllr Ryan said on November 21 an item on the agenda was for a Part 8 decision on a council site at Station Close, Knocklong. Part 8 allows for the application of planning permission for projects by local authorities. On the evening before this meeting, Cllr Ryan said Deputy Collins sent out an email on behalf of a developer asking that a decision on this Part 8 be deferred. Cllr Ryan left the local area meeting in protest. The following week the developer in question Al Fitzgerald, who describes himself as a builder, defended Deputy Collins. He owns the Old Creamery site which is adjacent. This Part 8 application is on land owned by both Limerick City and County Council and on land owned by myself. When the Part 8 application was coming before the councillors in November for decision I asked Deputy Niall Collins to request the Fianna Fail councillors to defer making a decision until the December meeting as I had an issue to resolve regarding the portion of my land which was subject to the Part 8. I also spoke to other councillors in this regard. The decision to defer the matter until the December meeting was entirely at the discretion of the councillors, said Mr Fitzgerald. Cllrs Mike Donegan and Martin Ryan also responded. Read also: Limerick builder reveals struggle to build homes in a housing crisis They said they had a number of concerns which include that access routes in the Part 8 were ambiguous, as the proposed access road was in private ownership, sightlines from the existing access road are poor at present and proposed works are planned to be carried out by Limerick City and County Council. There was no plan or costings of these works in the Part 8 application, they said, and had planned to propose a deferral regardless of Deputy Collinss email. In last weeks Leader, Mr Fitzgerald gave an extensive interview on how he has been rocked by obstacles put in path of development in Knocklong. At Thursdays Cappamore-Kilmallock meeting Cllr Ger Mitchell read out a statement in relation to the proposed development and Part 8 at Station Close in Knocklong. I seconded a deferral to allow for further discussions/clarifications in relation to safety aspects including sightlines at the November meeting. Subsequently at the December meeting, having asked that the adjoining landowner be facilitated I also asked the assistant director of services what legal responsibilities had we as councillors in relation to the access and exit junction on the main road to Station Close. He replied that the council would take responsibility for the sightlines. This statement was contrary to the statement given by a director of services in relation to a Part 8 at ORourkes Cross for the proposed roundabout where we were informed that we as councillors would have legal responsibilities / implications, said Mr Mitchell. He concluded by saying, Giving the contents of what I have just stated I wish to advise that I cannot expand on or make any further comment on the advice of the legal team. Published on 2020/01/26 | Source Samsung Display plans to invest US$500 million to build a display panel plant in India, local media reported on Monday. Advertisement The new plant will be built in the industrial town of Noida on the outskirts of the capital New Delhi, where many global companies have their manufacturing facilities. Samsung Electronics opened a US$700-million smartphone factory there in 2018 with an annual production capacity of 120 million units. It is the world's largest smartphone plant. Samsung's display affiliate will be able to locally supply the electronics giant with smartphone components. It established an Indian office in July last year. India is one of only a few countries that still offer growth opportunities as the world smartphone market has become saturated. Samsung led the Indian smartphone market until it was overtaken in 2017 by China's Xiaomi, which mainly produces low-priced phones. Samsung has since been expanding its lineup of affordable budget phones in an effort to reclaim the top spot. Spotted: The black beauty Following the excitement over camera footage released by the Wildlife Dept of a rare sighting of a black leopard, Kumudini Hettiarachchi speaks to Wildlife officials and leading conservationist Dr. Sriyanie Miththapala View(s): View(s): Random talk of sightings by villagers and a few tragic deaths in snares have kept peoples curiosity piqued about this uniquely beautiful Big Cat. The only Big Cat in Sri Lanka, the graceful and powerful leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) is special by itself, but the black of its kind is extra-special. And so it is that the news of the capture of a black leopard on camera traps set by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has sent a thrill of excitement across the country. For three long months this fantastic find had been kept under wraps by the DWC as there is a strong need not only to safeguard and protect the endangered species that is Panthera pardus kotiya which is under major threat, but also this black beauty. In the past, to the countrys horror black leopards have been found killed in Kalawana, Sinharaja and Deniyaya. This black leopard is living with four others, a leopardess, two cubs and another male, of the usual colour (which varies from straw to bright golden, spotted with black spots and rosettes), the DWCs Veterinary Surgeon Dr. Malaka Abeywardana who is working at the Elephant Transit Home (Ath Athuru Sevana) at Uda Walawe told the Sunday Times. He and Veterinary Surgeon Dr. Manoj Akalanka who was earlier based in Uda Walawe but is now posted to the Central Wildlife Region had launched a research study on leopards about two years ago as no island-wide survey has been carried out in Sri Lanka. As we proceeded step-by-step many people including wildlife officers and villagers kept referring to black leopards mostly from the Sinharaja Rainforest and in the Deltota area of Kandy, said Dr. Abeywardana, describing how they installed remote-sensing camera traps in eight places to catch any leopards passing by. It was when looking at the footage of some of the camera traps in the Central Highlands around Adams Peak about three months ago that they stumbled upon this find. We were searching for black leopards and it was a big chance that we found one, says an overjoyed Dr. Abeywardana, explaining that it is an adult over five years old. The two cubs are about three months old. Usually, leopards are territorial creatures and maybe the other leopard is a close kin of the black one. Referring to this feature, Dr. Abeywardana says it is all to do with melanism and a recessive gene. He adds that the DWC is thrilled over stumbling upon this black leopard and would work very hard to safeguard it. Black panther is a misnomer Everyone has heard of a black panther, which in reality, is just a leopard with black background fur, which obscures the cats spots. It is not a separate species; in fact, black furred and spotted cubs can be siblings born of the same litter, explained Dr. Sriyanie Miththapala, quoting an extract about black panthers written by cat experts Dr. John Seidensticker and Dr. Susan Lumpkin.Dr. Miththapala is currently a consultant to IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and has, for her doctoral dissertation, focused on the genetic and morphological variation in the leopard across its wide geographic distribution. As a consequence of her research, 27 subspecies of leopards were subsumed into eight. She confirmed that the Sri Lanka subspecies was unique to Sri Lanka.When contacted by the Sunday Times, she was categorical that black and spotted leopards are not two different species.She further quotes Dr. Seidensticker and Dr. Lumpkin: Known as melanism, black fur in leopards and domestic cats is the result of a single recessive gene for coat colour. (A recessive gene is one that shows up a characteristic in this case melanism only if an individual has inherited a copy from each of its parents.) If you look closely at a black leopard at a zoo, you will be able to make out the spots on its coat.In contrast, in jaguars, melanism occurs as a result of a dominant gene. (A dominant gene shows up a characteristic even if an individual has inherited only one copy from one of its parents.) Melanistic or black individuals appear in many, if not all species (of wild cats) but do so frequently among leopards, jaguars, margays, ocelots . . . Dr. Miththapala adds that as such the black panther is a misnomer. It is not a separate species of leopard. It is not even a separate sub-species of leopard. Referring to a paper co-authored by well-known leopard researchers Andrew Kittle and Anjali Watson, she says that it shows that melanism in leopards is about 11% worldwide and that it is associated with habitats. In moist Asian forests, melanism was higher than in dry and open areas. Dr. Miththapala wishes that this hype surrounding the discovery of the black leopard could be turned instead towards the conservation of leopards in Sri Lanka. New York Shops Must Accept Cash, City Council Rules Food stores and retail establishments in the Big Apple may not refuse cash from patrons under new legislation that bans certain categories of businesses from going fully cashless. The New York City Council voted on Jan. 23 to adopt a law that bans food and retail establishments from refusing to accept cash from consumers and imposes fines for noncompliance. The law also prohibits establishments from charging cash-paying consumers a higher price than cash-less consumers, but allows businesses to refuse to accept notes in denominations greater than $20. Transactions taking place completely online, by phone or mail are excluded from the cashless ban. No longer in #NYC will brick-and-mortar businesses have the right to refuse cash & effectively discriminate against customers who lack access to credit and debit, New York City Councilman Ritchie Torres, who introduced the bill, said in a tweet. This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private, Torres said in a press conference. These words reinforce our intuitive sense that cash is a universal currency and therefore ought to command universal acceptance here in New York City. Whatever your reasons, consumers should have the power to choose their preferred method of payment, he added. Back when Torres introduced the bill in 2018, he argued that businesses going cashless would discriminate against people with impaired access to banking services. Restaurants that do not accept cash can pose a lot of challenges to low-income people, and communities of color that may have difficulty accessing traditional banking options and access to credit cards, Torres said, the New York Post reported at the time. This is a matter of equity and economic justice. A 2015 Urban Institute study found that around one in nine households in New York City in 2013 did not have a bank account. Nationwide, millions of Americans live on the economic margins, the study noted, citing a 2014 FDIC study. Nearly 10 million US households (7.7 percent) are unbanked, meaning they do not have a checking or savings account. A follow-up FDIC study into unbanked and underbanked households (pdf) found that the nationwide figure for households without a bank account dropped to 6.5 percent in 2017 from 7.7 percent in 2013. Businesses have a nine-month grace period before the law takes effect. The effective date of the bill was amended from 180 to 270 days after it becomes law to allow businesses more time to comply, the Committee report states. The legislation was approved with a vote of 43-3, with Staten Island Republicans Steve Matteo and Joe Borelli, and Brooklyn Democrat Kalman Yeger, voting against. Similar bans exist in other parts of the country, including Philadelphia and San Francisco. Businesses found to be in violation of the cashless ban face fines of up to $1,000 for the first infraction and up to $1,500 for each subsequent one. Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon on Sunday said the state government was accelerating job creation by setting up new industries, which have to compulsorily employ 70 per cent local youths. Giving a speech at the Republic Day function here, he also said that the state government was focusing on food processing, new renewable energy, logistics, mining, cloth and garment industries to enhance investment. "The state government is working to provide employment to youths. Along with setting up of new industries, it is being ensured that 70 per cent youth of the state get jobs in these establishments compulsorily," Tandon said. Stating that improvements have been brought about in the industrial policy for smooth operation of the sector, Tandon said a law will be introduced to give all requisite permissions within a week for setting up new industries. "The state government has brought the number of permissions required in the realty sector from 27 to five. This sector generates immense employment opportunities," the governor said. The state government is building 1,000 cow sheds with each of them having a pasture area of five acres, Tandon said. The daily fodder allowance per cow has been hiked from Rs 3 to Rs 20, he added. Wanting to share their interest with others, Tibstra and Acosta pair up from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays to help whoever may be interested in learning to strum ukuleles at the Salvation Army Crossgenerations Worship & Community Center in Blue Island, 2900 127th. The program is free, and the Salvation Army provides ukuleles for those who dont have one lying around. A New South Wales town has been accused of being 'unAustralian' after officials omitted the Australian flag from display, flying an Aboriginal one in its place. Residents of Woolgoolga, in the Mid North Coast, were left outraged on Sunday after they awoke to find the Australian flag was missing from the community flagpole. Instead, the Indigenous flag had been flying high alongside the Southern Cross flag and three others below it, outside the city's Chamber of Commerce. Residents of Woolgoolga, on the New South Wales Mid-north Coast were outraged to see the Australian flag was omitted from the community flag pole on Australia Day Although the flags on the pole are known to change regularly, many locals were particularly miffed officials would omit the Australian flag on the country's national day. A number of residents took to social media to share their disappointment, while some even contacted their local radio station to complain. One resident sparked on debate on Facebook after he claimed the move breached the 'ethics of our constitution.' 'This is Australia Day and all other flags must fly under the Australian flag,' he wrote, generating dozens of responses. A number of residents took to social media to share their disappointment over the omission of the flag 'Stupid people forgetting the real reason for Australia Day,' one man commented. 'This is disgusting, very un-Australian you should be ashamed of yourself,' another local said. One man said he believed the move had been intentional to spark a debate. 'Too many people are deliberately trying to provoke division just so they can then argue that Australia Day is too divisive. This sort of stunt is going to do nothing for unity, and everything to incite extreme prejudices,' he said. Australia Day has become a controversial holiday with many arguing it celebrates the British settlers' invasion of Indigenous people's land and have demanded he date to be changed 'It's Australia Day and it would be really nice if the Australian flag was the only one flying today...because it is about our country as a whole not divisions of it,' one woman argued. The Chamber said the idea to fly the Aboriginal flag this year came from a 'member of the community' who regularly looks after the flagpole, and flying the Australian flag under the Aboriginal flag would have violated protocol. 'Protocol says that if another flag is at the top, the Australian flag cannot be flown. He has included an assortment of flags flying with it including TSI, the Southern Cross and Ruok flag', Lisa Nichols told Triple M. Ms Nichols said the Australian flag was on display at the town's visitors information centre. ORLANDO Disney Worlds new Riviera Resort is swanky and stylish, but its best feature is its location on the new Skyliner transportation system, which operated flawlessly during my recent visit. I expected the Skyliner to be a novelty, something to experience and enjoy once or twice. I didnt expect it to be such a terrific mode of transportation, far more enjoyable and efficient than Disneys bus system. An aerial gondola system similar to those used at ski resorts, the Skyliner was the subject of international headlines in October, a week after it debuted, when a malfunction caused several cars to bump into each other in one of the loading stations. No one was seriously injured, but numerous visitors were trapped in gondola cars, above ground, for hours. The ride has had no significant problems since then. We used the Skyliner multiple times every day, to and from the parks, and to dinner. It has four interconnecting lines, linking four Disney resorts and two parks, Epcot and Hollywood Studios. (Note: The Skyliner drops Epcot visitors off at the entrance to the World Showcase, near the France pavilion; so to take the Skyliner to the Magic Kingdom via the Monorail is tricky, because youll have to walk all the way through Epcot.) The gondolas seat up to 10, but most often, we had a car to ourselves, for our family of four. It doesnt operate in bad weather and the cars arent air-conditioned, neither of which was not a problem during our visit. The only time we had to wait in line to ride was when we exited the parks at closing time. Even then, we waited perhaps 20 minutes far less than weve waited for Disney buses at the end of the night. View of the Riviera Resort from Topolino's Terrace. Hallway art at Disney World's new Riviera Resort. Hidden Mickeys on the balcony at Disney World's new Riviera Resort. And this is so much more fun to ride than a bus, cruising 60 feet above the ground, over busy streets, parking lots and waterways (including the headwaters of the Everglades, according to the narration, which looked like a drainage ditch outside Hollywood Studios to me). The resorts connected via Skyliner are the Art of Animation and Pop Century, both value (less expensive) hotels; Caribbean Beach, a moderate-priced resort; and the new Riviera Resort, which opened in December. The Riviera is part of the Disney Vacation Club, Disneys version of a timeshare program. But you dont have to be a member of the vacation club to stay here. The resort, with 300 rooms, is small by Disney standards. Its theming is understated by Disney standards, too. The resort is themed after the Riviera in France and Italy, and celebrates Walt and Lillian Disneys love of travel, as well as their art collection. Disney-themed art decorates the hotel, in rooms and hallways and public spaces (the hotel has organized an art scavenger hunt, fun for kids and adults). Among its features: * The upscale restaurant, Topolinos Terrace, on the 10th floor, with an outdoor patio offering views of Epcots nighttime show. Topolinos (Italian for Mickey Mouse) serves French and Italian-inspired cuisine for dinner, and offers a character breakfast in the morning, featuring painter Mickey, writer Minnie, dancer Daisy and sculptor Donald. Other restaurants here include Primo Piatto, for quick-service fare; Le Petit Cafe, with coffee and dessert, plus wine and cocktails; and Bar Riva, by the pool. * Two swimming pools, a bocce court, nightly marshmallow roasting, outdoor movies, painting classes and more. * A variety of room configurations, from studios to three-bedroom villas, many with full kitchens and washer/dryer units. Nightly rates range from $350 for the studio to $2,400 for the three-bedroom villa. (To save money on this and other vacation club properties, consider renting DVC points from an owner; heres a primer on the process: thepointsguy.com/guide/renting-disney-vacation-club-points) Bocce at European flair at the new Riviera Resort at Disney World. The Skyliner en route to Disney's Art of Animation and Pop Century resorts. (David Roark, Photographer)David Roark, Photographer But its best feature, in my view, is its location on the Skyliner, a 10-minute ride to and from Epcot and Hollywood Studios. My next Disney vacation will absolutely include a hotel with easy access to the Skyliner. Note: You dont need to stay at a Disney resort property, or even pay for park admission, to use the Skyliner. You can use it to get from Epcot to Hollywood Studios, and vice versa, or to check out dining options at any of the resorts along the way. For information: tinyurl.com/disneyskyliner Read more: Galaxys Edge brings your Star Wars fantasy to life at Disney Worlds Hollywood Studios Whats new in Orlando? Big updates coming to Epcot, Disney, Universal Studio, SeaWorld, Legoland Take lightsaber through TSA you can Taiwan extends highest travel warning to Hubei over epidemic ROC Central News Agency 01/25/2020 06:27 PM Taipei, Jan. 25 (CNA) Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control on Saturday extended its highest travel warning to China's Hubei province due to concerns over a coronavirus epidemic that originated in the provincial capital of Wuhan. The CDC raised its travel advisory for Wuhan from a Level 2 alert to the highest Level 3 alert on Jan. 21 due to the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) there, and it decided to extend the warning for all of Hubei on Saturday, CDC Deputy Director-General Chuang Jen-hsiang () said at a press conference. A Level 3 alert urges people to avoid unnecessary travel to the destination. For other Chinese provinces and cities, the CDC upgraded its travel advisory to a Level 2 alert, which means taking extra precautions. Meanwhile, an individual in Taiwan who was confirmed Friday to have the novel coronavirus visited a dance hall in Kaohsiung on Jan. 22 from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. and did not wear a face mask, Chuang said. He said Taiwan's Central Epidemics Command Center decided to unveil the man's movements to alert workers at the dance hall and customers who may have come in close contact with the patient to closely monitor their health. If those who may have had contact with the man develop such symptoms as a fever, cough or shortness of breath, they should seek treatment immediately and report their situation to health authorities. The man was one of two more people in Taiwan confirmed to have the coronavirus as of Friday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Taiwan to three following confirmation of the first case on Jan. 21. The other new case was a Chinese woman who came to Taiwan with an 18-member tour group from Wuhan. With the exception of the infected Chinese woman, the 17 other members of the group were set to leave Taiwan on Saturday, said Liu Shih-min (), a division head of Taiwan's Tourism Bureau. There are four tour groups of 56 members from Wuhan and four of 63 people from Hubei in Taiwan, Liu said, and the bureau will ask travel agencies to assess whether to let them leave Taiwan earlier than scheduled. The command center said the two newly identified patients with the coronavirus are in stable condition, while the first patient is being given low flow oxygen therapy. Because neither of the two newly identified patients visited the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, thought to be the starting point of the outbreak, the command center has been asking them about their movements in Wuhan to try to figure out the possible source of the virus. As of Friday night, 41 people have died from the coronavirus in China, and there were 1,287 confirmed cases, according to China's National Health Commission. Chuang said the figures could be underestimated, however, due to the limitations of China's public health monitoring system and its epidemiological investigation capability. To prevent the spread of the pneumonia-like virus in Taiwan, the country has stayed in close communication with Japan, South Korea and the United States to exchange views on implementing screening for the virus and new quarantine procedures. (By Phoenix Hsu and Evelyn Kao) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 1924-2020 James Arnold Maggetti passed away peacefully with his family by his side, on Sunday, January 5, 2020 in Napa at the age of 95. Jim was born on September 15, 1924 to Joseph and Marion Maggetti. Jim was the second generation to be born in the Napa Valley; his grandfather having immigrated from Switzerland to the valley in the late 1800s. As a child, Jim attended John L. Sheer Elementary school. He then went on to graduate from Napa High in 1942. Jim began his studies in Business Administration at the University of California Berkeley but was interrupted with the outbreak of WWII. In 1943, Jim joined the 94th Infantry Division of the United States Army serving under General S. Patton. Jim fought in one of the wars most decisive battles, the Battle of the Bulge, eventually being awarded a Silver Star, the Armys third highest honor. After returning from the war in 1946, Jim resumed his studies at Cal, received his degree in Business Administration, and went to work for the Basalt Ship Yard in Napa. In 1948, through mutual friends, Jim met his future wife, Barbara Natzel. After working for Basalt for a couple of years, he decided to return to Cal to earn a degree in Industrial Engineering. On September 16, 1951 he and Barbara were married and established their home in the Napa Valley where they went on to raise their three children. Jim returned to Basalt which was acquired by Kaiser Steel shortly after. He worked his way up the ladder becoming the manager of the fabricating plant in Napa. In 1959, Jim was selected to attend Stanford University in the Stanford Sloan Program; a program designed for employees who were ear marked for executive positions. At some point thereafter, Jim was promoted to Vice President of the Fabricated Products Division for Kaiser Steel working out of the Oakland offices. He commuted to the office in Oakland because he and Barbara loved their home and community in Napa. In addition to Napa, Jim and Barbara spent many happy times with family and friends at their second home at Lake Tahoe. In 1971, Jim and several other prominent men in Napa founded Napa Valley Bank. Prior to this time, Napa had not had a local bank. The bank was an immediate success and in 1984, Jim served as Chairman of the Board for Napa Valley Bank. Eventually, the bank was acquired by Westamerica Bancorporation and Jim remained on the board. He also served on the boards of Oregon Steel, Queen of the Valley Hospital Foundation, and Napa Valley Opera House. After Jims retirement, he and Barbara traveled extensively and enjoyed spending time at their additional home in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Jim is survived by his three children, Martha Gabrielli (Earl), Marianne Elam (Gary) and David Maggetti (Ruthie); grandchildren Kailie, Drue, Tim and Greg; and greatgrandchildren Luke, Elle, and Emerie. Friends are invited to a memorial service on February 10, at 11:00 am in the chapel at Tulocay Funeral Home. Gifts in memory of Jim may be made to the Queen of the Valley Foundation, 1000 Trancas Street, Napa, CA, 94558 and Continuum Hospice Care, 5401 Old Redwood Hwy, Ste 110, Petaluma, CA 94954. Memories and words of sympathy may be sent to the family online at tulocaycemetery.org. Justice Minister Catalin Predoiu, at the informal meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council, organised in Zagreb, endorsed the idea of an evaluation mechanism on justice and rule of law for all member countries. "Although it was an informal meeting of the JHA Council, we discussed substantial topics. In the intervention in the Council meeting, I evoked the idea of a justice and rule of law evaluation mechanism for all member countries, without any parallelisms in this demarche. Certainly, a single standard is needed for everyone. I showed that the support for making the European Prosecutor's Office operational will be a test for the real commitment of all the member states' governments to the same integrity standards in all member countries, protecting the European interests and combatting corruption with European funds. It would be good that all EU member countries combat corruption as Romania does, including in the European funds area. Otherwise, we reach double standards in the absorption mechanisms," Predoiu said at the end of the meeting, as quoted in a Justice Ministry release.On the sidelines of the JHA Council meeting, Minister Predoiu had bilateral meetings with the ministers and delegations of Germany, Sweden and Poland. Moreover, he had head-to-head talks with the ministers of Finland, Croatia and Austria, as well as with EU Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders."These talks were aimed at the JHA agenda. We haven't discussed anything about the CVM [Cooperation and Verification Mechanism] this time, we particularly wanted to begin with the matters on the European agenda, because there is very much to do for Justice in all European countries. Justice independence, the space of freedom, security and justice in the EU are the main values that positively differentiate the European construction on a global level. That is why, they must be protected and consolidated through constant modernisation and refining," Predoiu said.At the informal meeting in Zagreb, the EU member states ministers of justice discussed the progress concerning the strategic orientations in the area of freedom, security and justice, judiciary training, the importance of the European judiciary network in the civil and commercial area, as well as that of the national networks.Minister Catalin Predoiu supported the topics on the 2019-2024 Strategic Agenda in the area of freedom, security and justice.According to the Justice Ministry, the minister showed that the principles of developing the future judiciary cooperation must remain the same: be focused on the Union's citizens, ensure facilitating the access to justice, be based on respecting common values, fundamental rights and freedoms and the rule of law and ensuring the consolidation of mutual trust in the member states' justice systems.During his interventions, the Justice Minister mentioned that he endorses the European Prosecutor's Office becoming operational and its consolidation, as well as the initiatives of strengthening the rule of law in the EU through a generally applicable mechanism, within which the member states can be evaluated in relation to the same objectives, criteria and procedures. Frank Lampard called on Chelsea to back him in the transfer market after his side edged into the FA Cup fifth round with a 2-1 win at Hull. Lampard has bemoaned Chelsea's failure to kill off defensive opponents throughout his first season in charge and he believes signings in key attacking areas are the solution. The Chelsea manager watched his team take control at second tier Hull thanks to Michy Batshuayi's early strike before Fikayo Tomori's header doubled the lead after half-time on Saturday. But the Blues should have been further ahead by that point after squandering several chances and Kamil Grosicki's late deflected free-kick for Hull set up a tense finale. Chelsea survived but the inconsistent performance underlined Lampard's belief that new recruits are needed after his club were unable to sign players to replace Eden Hazard, who joined Real Madrid during the summer window when the Blues were serving a transfer ban. "It's a big test coming up for us. It's clear we've got a punishment where we couldn't bring in players and we lost one of the biggest players in our history (Hazard)," Lampard told BT Sport. "We lost ground last summer so now we need to (sign players), to challenge for top four. "For me it's clear. The recruitment when you've missed a window in the short term is very important and we need to get it right. "There is no movement to speak of now. The money of it is not my job but I have to be honest and truthful." The transfer window closes on January 31, leaving Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich with little time to satisfy Lampard's demands amid talk of a potential move for Paris Saint Germain forward Edinson Cavani. In the meantime, Lampard knows it is his job to get the best out of his current players, but he showed his frustration as he discussed their latest misfiring display. "We work hard in front of goal and it is not coming off for us. It is going to define you. I feel like a broken record. We have the larger share of possession and shots on goal but not making those count," he said. "My job is to work every day on the training ground with the players. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thousands of revellers, including many from China, celebrated Chinese new year in central London despite worries about coronavirus spreading to the UK. Many people welcoming the Year of the Rat in the biggest celebration for the lunar festival outside China were wearing filter masks to protect themselves against the respiratory virus. But coronavirus worries did not dampen festivities, as a 50-foot golden dragon and a bagpipe procession travelled from Charing Cross to Chinatown where hundreds of red lanterns lined the streets. Outside restaurants and cafes in Chinatown, people were queuing down the street, and many gathered to watch firecrackers heralding the start of the celebrations in Trafalgar Square. Meanwhile, the Foreign Office has urged Britons trapped in the Hubei province of China, which has been on lockdown for several days following the coronavirus outbreak, to leave the area if they are able to. Chinese student Siyan Li, from Shandong, was wearing a face mask as she celebrated in Chinatown because she was afraid of the virus. The 22-year-old Nottingham University student said: China has advised everyone to stay at home and not come out. Im afraid. I dont know if there are many people with this kind of fear, but I think this (the mask) is a good way to protect myself. Conan Zhao, 35, and his wife Daisy Huang, 27, were holidaying in London for Chinese new year and were also wearing masks as a precaution. Expand Close Spectators watch the parade in central London which mark the start of the Year of the Rat (Yui Mok/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Spectators watch the parade in central London which mark the start of the Year of the Rat (Yui Mok/PA) Mr Zhao, from Shenzhen in China, said: The most important thing is self-protection you need to protect yourself, but there is no need to worry. He added: We came here for Chinese new year, and its our first time in London. Chinese people have come to London for a very long time and we wanted to see how people celebrate Chinese new year here. Lily Ferreira and Katerina Jelinkova, two volunteers helping to manage the festivities for the London Chinatown Chinese Association (LCCA), said they were worried about the effect of the virus on their performers from China. Miss Ferreira, a 25-year-old music and business student from Portugal who was wearing a mask, said: Some of our performers came from China, so we were worried about getting them here, but it hasnt been a problem. Miss Jelinkova, 22, from Czech Republic, said she would wear a mask in central London anyway because of air pollution. Expand Close A performer wears a face mask under her costume (Yui Mok/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A performer wears a face mask under her costume (Yui Mok/PA) Phillip Rowell, a British scriptwriter who lived in Hong Kong and Singapore during the Sars virus outbreak in 2003, said he was not worried about another respiratory virus from the region. Mr Rowell, 49, who was celebrating with his wife and son, said: We lived through a few of those things in Asia, we had Sars when we were there and I always think it looks worse on the news. Im sure its serious, but the numbers (of those infected) are actually quite low at the moment, so I wasnt really worried about being around Chinese people or anything like that. We had breakfast in a Chinese dim sum place this morning, it was packed, people were waiting for tables, there was no sense of people staying away. He added he has faith in the Chinese government because they learned their lesson after Sars, which killed 774 people in 17 countries. Expand Close A young girl in the crowd plays with her own dragon dance toy (Yui Mok/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A young girl in the crowd plays with her own dragon dance toy (Yui Mok/PA) Elaine Lui, a Newcastle University media student from south-east China, also said she was confident precautions in China would help to tackle the virus. She said: I have a friend in Wuhan but Im not worried. The Chinese people, we will protect ourselves and also protect everyone else. Suzanne Corbin, 64, from Whitstable, Kent, said she definitely thought about coronavirus before coming to the festival, but decided the risk was really low. She said: I come every year because I love the tradition of the Chinese new year. I love the dragons, the dancing, the noise, the celebration of spring. Theres a lot of people out enjoying it. Protesters from Madukanda in the Vavuniya District demonstrate in front of the Department of Education, Vavuniya by blocking the A9 road over the lack of teachers in a National school in the area. (See story on Page 10) Pix by Atchuthan Yogarajah News Washington, DC - Remarks by President Trump at the 47th Annual March for Life: THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much and thank you, Jeanne. It is my profound honor to be the first President in history to attend the March for Life. (Applause.) Were here for a very simple reason: to defend the right of every child, born and unborn, to fulfill their God-given potential. (Applause.) For 47 years, Americans of all backgrounds have traveled from across the country to stand for life. And today, as President of the United States, I am truly proud to stand with you. (Applause.) I want to welcome tens of thousands this is a tremendous turnout tens of thousands of high school and college students who took long bus rides (applause) to be here in our nations capital. And to make you feel even better, there are tens of thousands of people outside that we passed on the way in. If anyone would like to give up their spot, we can work that out. (Laughter.) You have a tremendous group of people outside. Thousands and thousands wanted to get in. This is some great success. (Applause.) Young people are the heart of the March for Life, and its your generation that is making America the pro-family, pro-life nation. (Applause.) The life movement is led by strong women, amazing faith leaders, and brave students who carry on the legacy of pioneers before us who fought to raise the conscience of our nation and uphold the rights of our citizens. You embrace mothers with care and compassion. You are powered by prayer, and motivated by pure, unselfish love. Youre grateful and we are so grateful these are incredible people to be joined by Secretary Alex Azar and Kellyanne Conway. (Applause.) Thank you. And thanks also to Senators Mike Lee and James Lankford, who are here. James, Mike thank you, fellas. And Representatives Steve Scalise (applause); Chris Smith (applause); Ralph Abraham (applause); Warren Davidson (applause); Bob Latta (applause); John Joyce (applause); Lloyd Smucker (applause); Brian Fitzpatrick (applause); and Brad Wenstrup. (Applause.) Thank you, all. (Applause.) And I have to say and I look at it I see it exactly we have many, many more politicians in the audience. But, if you dont mind, I wont introduce them all. (Laughter.) All of us here today understand an eternal truth: Every child is a precious and sacred gift from God. (Applause.) Together, we must protect, cherish, and defend the dignity and sanctity of every human life. (Applause.) When we see the image of a baby in the womb, we glimpse the majesty of Gods creation. (Applause.) When we hold a newborn in our arms, we know the endless love that each child brings to a family. When we watch a child grow, we see the splendor that radiates from each human soul. One life changes the world. From my family and I can tell you, I send love and I send great, great love. And from the first day in office, Ive taken a historic action to support Americas families and to protect the unborn. (Applause.) And during my first week in office, I reinstated and expanded the Mexico City Policy, and we issued a landmark pro-life rule to govern the use of Title X taxpayer funding. (Applause.) I notified Congress that I would veto any legislation that weakens pro-life policies or that encourages the destruction of human life. (Applause.) At the United Nations, I made clear that global bureaucrats have no business attacking the sovereignty of nations that protect innocent life. (Applause.) Unborn children have never had a stronger defender in the White House. (Applause.) And as the Bible tells us, each person is wonderfully made. (Applause.) We have taken decisive action to protect the religious liberty - so important. Religious liberty has been under attack all over the world, and, frankly, very strongly attacked in our nation. You see it better than anyone. But we are stopping it, and were taking care of doctors, nurses, teachers, and groups like the Little Sisters of the Poor. (Applause.) We are preserving faith-based adoption. (Applause.) And to uphold our founding documents, we have confirmed 187 federal judges (applause) who apply the Constitution as written, including two phenomenal Supreme Court Justices: Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh. (Applause.) We are protecting pro-life students right to free speech on college campuses. (Applause.) And if universities want federal taxpayer dollars, then they must uphold your First Amendment right to speak your mind. And if they dont, they pay a very big financial penalty, which they will not be willing to pay. (Applause.) Sadly, the far-left is actively working to erase our God-given rights, shut down faith-based charities, ban religious believers from the public square, and silence Americans who believe in the sanctity of life. They are coming after me because I am fighting for you and we are fighting for those who have no voice. And we will win because we know how to win. (Applause.) We all know how to win. We all know how to win. Youve been winning for a long time. Youve been winning for a long time. (Applause.) AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years! THE PRESIDENT: Together, we are the voice for the voiceless. When it comes to abortion, Democrats is a and you know this, youve seen whats happened Democrats have embraced the most radical and extreme positions taken and seen in this country for years, and decades and you can even say for centuries. AUDIENCE: Booo THE PRESIDENT: Nearly every top Democrat in Congress now supports taxpayer-funded abortion, all the way up until the moment of birth. AUDIENCE: Booo THE PRESIDENT: Last year, lawmakers in New York cheered with delight upon the passage of legislation that would allow a baby to be ripped from the mothers womb right up until delivery. AUDIENCE: Booo THE PRESIDENT: Then, we had the case of the Democrat governor in the state of Virginia the Commonwealth of Virginia. AUDIENCE: Booo THE PRESIDENT: And we love the Commonwealth of Virginia, but what is going on in Virginia? What is going on? The Governor stated that he would execute a baby after birth. You remember that. Senate Democrats even blocked legislation that would give medical care to babies who survive attempted abortions. Thats why Ive called on Congress two of our great senators here, so many of our congressmen here and called upon them to defend the dignity of life and to pass legislation prohibiting late-term abortion of children who can feel pain in their mothers womb. (Applause.) This year, the March for Life is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which forever enshrined womens rights to vote in the United States (applause) and given by the United States Constitution. Such a big event. (Applause.) Today, millions of extraordinary women across America are using the power of their votes to fight for the right, and all of their rights, as given in the Declaration of Independence - its the right to life. To all the women here today: Your devotion and your leadership uplifts our entire nation, and we thank you for that. The tens of thousands of Americans gathered today not only stand for life its really that they stand for it so proudly together, and I want to thank everybody for that. You stand for life each and every day. You provide housing, education, jobs, and medical care to the women that you serve. You find loving families for children in need of a forever home. You host baby showers for expecting moms. You make - you just make it your lifes mission to help spread Gods grace. And to all of the moms here today: We celebrate you, and we declare that mothers are heroes. (Applause.) Thats true. Your strength, devotion, and drive is what powers our nation. And, because of you, our country has been blessed with amazing souls who have changed the course of human history. We cannot know what our citizens yet unborn will achieve, the dreams they will imagine, the masterpieces they will create, the discoveries they will make. But we know this: Every life brings love into this world. Every child brings joy to a family. Every person is worth protecting. (Applause.) And above all, we know that every human soul is divine, and every human life - born and unborn - is made in the holy image of Almighty God. (Applause.) Together, we will defend this truth all across our magnificent land. We will set free the dreams of our people. And with determined hope, we look forward to all of the blessings that will come from the beauty, talent, purpose, nobility, and grace of every American child. I want to thank you. This is a very special moment. Its so great to represent you. I love you all and - (applause) and I say with true passion: Thank you. God bless you. And God bless America. Thank you all. Thank you. GARDAI have issued a warning about a phone-based scam which has come to light in recent days. A man who lives in the Annacotty area has reported that he was targeted when he received a phone call from an individual who stated they were from the Revenue. The caller went on to claim that the gentleman was due some tax back and in order for Revenue to do this they needed his banking details. Unfortunately the gentleman gave his banking details including his PIN, said divisional crime prevention officer Sergeant Ber Leetch. However, the man subsequently discovered that a transaction for 2,500 was pending on his account. Luckily the money had not been removed and his bank was able to block this transaction and no money was taken, said Sgt Leetch. Under no circumstances should you give your banking security code, thats your four-digit code to anybody. Even your bank wont ask for that information. Treat your pin numbers like your tooth brush, dont share them with anybody and change them every three months, she added. For Marija Frlan, its as symbolic as it can get: A survivor of a Nazi concentration camp during the Second World War, the Slovenian woman turns 100 years old on Monday, the international Holocaust Remembrance Day. Mrs Frlan, who was held at the Nazis Ravensbruck camp in northern Germany for more than a year in 1944-45, will join other survivors and officials in Poland on Monday for ceremonies marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp. Ahead of the ceremonies, Mrs Frlan told The Associated Press that one could talk at length about what it was like in the Ravensbruck camp, but that only those who were there really know how horrific it was. The ones who didnt survive this, they cant understand, no, the woman said at her home in the small village of Rakek in south-western Slovenia. It was terrible. Mrs Frlan said prisoners at the Nazi camp for women were given just enough food to survive and had to work throughout the day. Obligatory inspections were held outside every morning, lasting for at least one hour. I had lost my husband, I had no flat. NothingMarija Frlan One time, the inspection was going on for four hours, she recalled. It was a rainy day. It is impossible to explain if you werent there. Women at the camp encouraged each other not to give up, telling one another Girls, hold on! and No moaning! she recalled. The Ravensbruck concentration camp was the second in size only to the womens camp in Auschwitz, according to the US Holocaust Museum. Toward the end of the war, some 50,000 prisoners, mostly women, were held at the camp. Mrs Frlan was shipped to Ravensbruck in March 1944 from a prison in her native Slovenia. After having to clean the the offices of the secret Gestapo police for nine months, Mrs Frlan was jailed for helping the resistance movement in Slovenia in a bombing. The Gestapo knew that I was responsible for the bombs, she said. So they took me to prison. It was then that she saw her husband for the last time. He was captured too and executed soon after. We even couldnt say hello, she said. That was it. Expand Close Marija Frlan (Darko Bandic/AP/PA) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Marija Frlan (Darko Bandic/AP/PA) Mrs Frlan was sent to Ravensbruck on train via Munich with a group of other prisoners. The only meal she had in five days was a bowl of soup and three loaves of bread. The inmates at Raversbruck came from some 30 countries, with the biggest number from Poland. Soviet troops liberated the camp in April 1945. With the Red Army troops approaching, the Germans forced the prisoners to walk out of the camp toward the front lines, Mrs Frlan said. The march continued until early May. Suddenly, there were no Germans anymore and a Russian soldier appeared on a horse, she remembered. He said: The war is over! The prisoners from Slovenia and other nations in the former Yugoslavia then decided to walk back home together, Mrs Frlan said. Once she was back in Slovenia, the despair hit again. I had lost my husband, I had no flat, she said. Nothing. Mrs Frlan managed to get back on her feet. She married again and had a family, giving birth to six children. She worked as a cleaner and factory worker after the war and even climbed Slovenias highest Alpine peak of Triglav at the age of 70. MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi briefly speaks to the gathering during a meeting and mushaira organised at Khilwat ground on Saturday. (Photo: P. SURENDRA) Hyderabad: With permission given till 9.15 pm for the programme by the United Muslim Action Committee against CAA and NRC at Khilwat ground, the stage was empty but the people refused to go home. A few groups stayed put and shouted slogans against the CAA till 10.15 pm. They were made to leave with a lot of difficulty. Police authorities were tactfully handling the various groups and slowly segregating and asking them to leave the place. MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi could not deliver his speech due to time constraints but thanked the people for attending the meeting. He asked them to go home peacefully and eat halwa and poha, a thinly disguised dig at finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman who performed a halwa ceremony ahead of the Union Budget and BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya who doubted the nationality of some people because they ate poha. The programme started with a qawwali by the Warsi brothers who presented the famous revolutionary poem Hum bhi dekhenge written by Faiz Ahmed Faiz, that became controversial after IIT-Kanpur started a probe against its rendition. Poets Rahat Indori, Rahat Indori, Sampath Saral, Manzar Bhopali, Shabeena Adeeb, Iqra Khan, Afzal Mangloori, Nabia Khan Hashim Ferozabadi, Ameer Aziz and Sardar Saleem presented their poetry targeting the economic slowdown, corruption and the National Popula-tion Register. They also mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Vijay Mallya, the Shaheen Bagh protests, Savarkar and Dr B.R. Ambedkar. They criticised Mr Modi's self-proclamation of being a fakir and for snatching the dreams of Indians. Mr Hamid Mohammed Khan said, we forced the British to leave India. It was our mistake that we could not send those who supported them along with the British. He welcomed Chief Minister K. Chandrase-khar Rao's announcement of passing a resolution in the Assembly against the CAA. He asked the Chief Minister to allow the people to protest against the CAA-NPR-NRC. Poets criticised the NDA government for creating rifts among the people. The verses got the youth excited who raised slogans to free India of fascist forces. RIO DE JANEIRO/SAO PAULO, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro has ruled out a so-called "sin tax" on beer, cigarettes and sugary food products, an idea floated earlier in the week by Economy Minister Paulo Guedes at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. "Paulo Guedes, sorry, you are my minister, I'm with you 99%, but there won't be any tax increases on beer, no," Bolsonaro said in an interview with journalists on Friday after landing in New Delhi, India, on an official trip. "It can't be done, we can't increase the tax burden in Brazil. Everyone consumes sugar every day, it can't be increased," he added. The idea of a "sin tax" is similar to a recent measure in Britain, which has been in force since April last year on products with high levels of salt, sugar and fat, with the aim of combating childhood obesity. Vice President Hamilton Mourao played down the apparent split between Bolsonaro and Guedes, noting it was normal for ministers to float ideas but final decisions always lie with the president. Simplifying Brazil's Byzantine tax system is one of the government's major economic reform drives this year, but analysts say its complexity means Congressional approval any time soon will be challenging. (Reporting by Pedro Fonseca in Rio de Janeiro and Luciano Costa in Sao Paulo Writing by Jamie McGeever Editing by David Holmes) 'Central Vista stretch required for Republic Day parade will be ready in time, some facilities later' Major Republic Day terror attack averted in Valley India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 26: In a major success security forces on Saturday killed three terrorists including the self-styled Kashmir chief of Jaish-e-Mohammad Qari Yasir, who was involved in last year's Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF personnel died, police and army officers said. Addressing a joint press conference, General-Officer-Commanding of the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, Lt Gen KJS Dhillon and Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said the terrorist group was planning a major attack on the Republic Day, which has now been averted. "We have neutralised three terrorists in the Tral encounter and one of them is Qari Yasir who was a self-styled Kashmir chief of JeM. He was involved in last year's February (IED) blast and also Lethpora (IED) blast. He was an IED expert and was involved in recruitment as well as relocation of terrorists coming in from Pakistan," Kumar said. The importance of gunning down JeM terrorist Abu Saifullah alias Abu Qasim 71st Republic Day: PM Modi continues with 'Safa' tradition, Chinook & Apache make debut Three army personnel were injured in the initial firing and have been hospitalised. The IGP said the police had been getting regular inputs about an IED attack in Srinagar or its surroundings. "We were getting the names of Burhan and Yasir. Moosa, a buddy and a second-in-command of Yasir was also with him and we are sure once we identify the bodies, one of them will be Yasir as we had inputs about his presence there," he said, adding Yasir and Moosa belong to Pakistan, while Burhan was a local. Lt Gen Dhillon said with the killing of the three terrorists "a major incident on January 26 has been averted". "The JeM module was active and was planning to do something sensational on the Republic day," he said. The GoC said after last year's Pulwama attack, the JeM leadership was targeted and neutralised totally, but the group was trying to resuscitate itself. "Pakistani terrorists were coming and they were trying to revive JeM. But JeM has now been cleaned out yet again once for all as of today. As regards, the HM, its top leadership has also been eliminated in Kashmir valley. The leadership of Al-Badr and Lashkar-e-Taiba was non-existent. So, as of today, most of the leadership of terrorism in Kashmir, including Pakistani terrorists, is more or less eliminated," he said. On a question of the number of terrorists in the valley, the IGP said about 125 terrorists were active in the valley, mostly locals. Asked about the infiltration along the Line of Control, the GoC said Pakistan and its army was trying to infiltrate more terrorists into India. JeM module in J&K was planning suicide attack: Sources "But our Army is giving them a befitting reply. Not only the Pakistani terrorists, but Pakistani army has suffered so much losses that on December 27 (last year) Pakistani DGMO requested Indian DGMO to minimise the offensive. Our DGMO accepted the Pakistani request, but Pakistan has not mended its ways and is still infiltrating terrorists," Lt Gen Dhillon said. He said the ceasefire violations were taking place on the LoC and the army was giving a befitting reply to the Pakistani aggression. "There are terrorists at the launch pads across the LoC and they are trying to infiltrate terrorists, but we are foiling their attempts," the Army officer said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, January 26, 2020, 8:07 [IST] State-run power giant NTPC is unlikely to conclude its about Rs 10,000-crore acquisition deal to buy government's stake in THDC India and North Eastern Electric Power Corporation, according to a source. The government was keen to complete the transaction in the ongoing fiscal so as to meet its overall disinvestment target of Rs 1.05 lakh crore for the 2019-20 fiscal. NTPC will not be able to complete the transaction of acquiring government stake in THDC India Ltd (THDICL) and North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd (NEEPCO) this fiscal, the source said adding that the process itself will take couple of months. The source further said that NTPC is awaiting evaluation of the deal by SBI Capital. The Department of Disinvestment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) has engaged RBSA Advisors for evaluating NEEPCO and Deloitte for THDCIL transactions. Earlier in November last year, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) had approved a proposal of the finance ministry for divestment of central government stake in THDCIL and NEEPCO. The Government of India's shareholding of 74.23 per cent in THDCIL will be divested along with transfer of management control to NTPC. Similarly, the government's shareholding of 100 per cent in NEEPCO will be divested along with transfer of management control to NTPC. According to the company's annual report, NEEPCO's net worth as on March 31, 2019 was Rs 6,301.29 crore. The net worth of THDCIL was Rs 9,280.78 crore as on March 31, 2019. According to NEEPCO's website, the company operates seven hydro, one solar and three thermal power stations with a combined installed capacity of 1,457 MW. NEEPCO also has one 600 MW hydro power project under development. It is scheduled for commissioning in 2019-20 fiscal. THDCIL's total installed power generation capacity is 1,513 MW. It has two hydro power generating stations -- Tehri (4X250 MW) and Koteshwar (4X100 MW) and two operational wind power plants in Gujarat -- one at Patan (25X2 MW) and another at Devbhumi Dwarka (30X2.1 MW). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A magnificent display of India's cultural diversity through colourful parades across the length and breadth of the country marked the 71st Republic Day celebrations on Sunday which passed off peacefully, barring in Upper Assam, which was rocked by four explosions within a span of 10 minutes. IMAGE: Students hold national flag as they march-past on the occasion of 71st Republic Day in Jaipur. Photograph: PTI Photo The national capital was under a multi-layered, ground-to-air security cover with thousands of armed personnel, aided by dozens of drones and hundreds of CCTV cameras and facial recognition devices, keeping a tight vigil. In Guwahati, Governor Jagdish Mukhi hoisted the National Flag at the main function. He said the Assam government is fully committed to the rights of indigenous people though he did not mention the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in his speech. Meanwhile, four powerful explosions - three in Dibrugarh and one in Charaideo districts - rocked Upper Assam between 8.15 and 8.25 am, a police officer said. But there has been no report of any casualty, he said. IMAGE: Policemen take part in Republic Day parade in Srinagar. Photograph: Danish Ismail/Reuters In Jammu-Kashmir, the day was celebrated with traditional fervour across the Jammu region with Lt Governor G C Murmu unfurling the national flag at the main function in Jammu. This was the first Republic Day after Jammu and Kashmir's special status was withdrawn on August 5 last year and the erstwhile state was divided into two Union Territories. Murmu unfurled the tricolour at the jam-packed Maulana Azad Stadium, inspected the parade and took salute at an impressive march-past. IMAGE: BSF soldiers offer sweets to each other during 71st Republic Day celebrations, at Indo-Pak border at Attari, near Amritsar. Photograph: PTI Photo In Telangana, Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan said in her speech that the state stood first in many sectors, but it was lagging behind in literacy. "The government will soon announce an action-plan to make the state fully literate. I urge all people to participate in this movement," she said. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi hoisted the tricolour and read the Preamble of the Constitution in the old city of Hyderabad, party sources said. IMAGE: Policewomen march during a parade on the occasion of 71st Republic Day in Prayagraj. Photograph: PTI Photo Meanwhile, the national carrier Air India celebrated the 71st Republic Day by distributing 30,000 Indian flags made of eco-friendly seed paper among its passengers at airports in metro cities and Srinagar on Sunday. The airlines also put up a big hoarding at the historic Lal Chowk in the heart of Srinagar to congratulate the people on Republic Day. IMAGE: School students paint their faces with tri-colors during the celebrations for Republic Day in Jammu. Photograph: ANI Photo In Kerala, leading the Republic Day celebrations, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said Indian-ness has been rooted in diversity and in acceptance of which the country has always sheltered the persecuted people of the world. Khan unfurled the national flag at the state-level celebration. Mosques under the Wakf Board and the Latin churches hoisted the national flag and read out the preamble to the Constitution after the routine prayer. In Chhattisgarh, in her Republic Day address at the Police Parade grounds in Raipur, Governor Anusuiya Uikey said Naxal violence and other crimes have declined in the state due to vigilant police force and several initiatives in justice delivery. IMAGE: A man dressed as Mahatma Gandhi participates in Republic Day celebrations in Chandigarh. Photograph: Ajay Verma/Reuters In Gujarat, daredevil stunts performed by police personnel on motorcycles and horses, tableaux showing achievements of the state and cultural events marked the Republic Day event held at Rajkot in Saurashtra. A group of senior citizens and children unfurled the tricolour by standing in sea water off Porbandar coast, while students of Jamnagar took out a 'tiranga yatra' holding 111-metre long national flag. In Uttar Pradesh, 71 contingents comprising the army, paramilitary, police and schoolchildren dressed in uniforms and attires marched through the streets here to celebrate the 71st Republic Day. Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit led the celebrations in the state, unfurling the national flag at the Marina. IMAGE: Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath during the flag hoisting ceremony on the occasion of Republic Day. Photograph: PTI Photo In Meghalaya, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma shared with people his government's vision for the state for the next 10 years. In a departure from tradition, the chief minister unfurled the Tricolour as Governor Tathagata Roy was currently on leave. Sikkim Governor Ganga Prasad said the state has become a model for others to emulate for maintaining peace and harmony. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath said connecting people's hearts is the culture of India as well as the Congress, and those trying to go against it and the Constitution will be dealt with firmly. Andhra Pradesh is poised to march on the path of inclusive growth through decentralisation of administration, Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan said. IMAGE: Artistes perform during the 71st Republic Day Parade at Veterinary College Playground, Khanapara in Guwahati. Photograph: PTI Photo Republic Day was celebrated with fanfare in Karnataka with an eye-catching march past, cultural events and breathtaking stunts by the defence personnel marking the state-level event at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground. In West Bengal, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar unfurled the tricolour and presided over a ceremonial march past by armed forces at Red Road in the state capital. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who attended the programme along with her cabinet colleagues, greeted the governor, after the conclusion of the programme. Punjab, Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh joined the nation in celebrating the 71st Republic Day. KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Malaysia on Saturday said it had confirmed three cases of coronavirus infection, the first in the Southeast Asian country. Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the three individuals infected were related to the 66-year-old man that was confirmed by Singaporean health authorities to have tested positive for the virus. The newly-identified coronavirus can cause pneumonia, which has been deadly in some cases. It is still too early to know just how dangerous it is and how easily it spreads between people. (Reporting by Joseph Sipalan; Editing by Sam Holmes) Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Dongfeng Infiniti aims to sell 33,600 new cars in 2020, according to its parent company Dongfeng Motor Co.,Ltd., and will further highlight the transformation to electrification. Last year, the Sino-Japanese brand sold 35,035 locally-produced vehicles in total, achieving a significant year-on-year growth of 21.36%, while still far lagged behind other premium brands in terms of the annual wholesale volume. Besides, a total of 33,417 consumers took delivery of Dongfeng Infiniti's China-built vehicles in 2019, jumping 18.1% from a year ago. Of those, the deliveries of the QX50 SUVs zoomed up 112.9% to 21,580 units, while the volume of the Q50L cars amounted to 11,837 units. In August 2014, Dongfeng Infiniti Motor Co.,Ltd was established as the joint venture between Dongfeng Motor Corporation and Japanese automaker Nissan. It hit the Chinese market with its first locally-produced model, the Q50L, three months later, and unveiled the first homegrown SUV, the QX50 long wheelbase, in the same month. Thanks to the outset of local production, Infiniti sold 30,046 vehicles in China in 2014, posting an annual surge of 76% and marking the fastest growth among premium auto brands in the world's largest auto market. Nonetheless, the aforesaid two are the only China-built models so far launched by Dongfeng Infiniti. The scarcity of new blood and the slowdown in overall auto market have largely curbed a further growth in the joint ventures annual sales. In April 2018, Infiniti announced the 5 in 5 plan for China at the Beijing Auto Show, saying it would roll out five new models there over the next five years with the aim of tripling annual sales in China to nearly 150,000 vehicles by 2022 Electrification is another key theme of Infinitis offensive in this country. Through providing electrified driving performance with leading connectivity and autonomous driving capabilities, Infiniti would have 25% of its portfolio electrified in 2022, transitioning to 100% by 2025, according to Dongfeng Infiniti (photo source: Infiniti China). Jessica Gomes opted for some edge as she attended the the G'Day USA event in Beverly Hills on Saturday. The 35-year-old chose a chic black suit in a satin fabric with velvet lapels, which skimmed her slender figure. The model wore a black bra under the jacket, which featured a plunging v-neck that showed off a glimpse of cleavage. Well-suited! Jessica Gomes (pictured) showed off her model figure in a chic satin ensemble as she attended the G'Day USA event in Beverly Hills on Saturday The David Jones model added a pair of pants in the same fabric, which had a slight bootleg cut. The trendy trousers opened to a pair of white, patent stiletto heels with a pointed tip. The beauty carried a gold, beaded clutch purse, and wore a number of matching accessories including a cross necklace, a watch and rings. Wow! The 35-year-old chose a chic black suit in a satin fabric with velvet lapels, which skimmed her slender figure Peekaboo: The model opted for a black bra under the jacket, which featured a plunging v-neck that showed off a glimpse of cleavage For makeup, she chose a rosy palette, including a flush of blush, soft pink lipstick in a satin finish and a peachy eye-shadow. Her skin absolutely glowed, with a hint of highlighter adding focus to her delicate features. Jessica opted to have her brunette hair down in a softly tussled style that added a rocker edge to the look. Glowing! For makeup, she chose a rosy palette, including a flush of blush, soft pink lipstick in a satin finish and a peachy eye-shadow G'Day USA, which is a Stan-sponsored event, brought out a host of celebrities on the night. It comes after the stunner celebrated New Year's Eve in a quintessentially Australian style. The model flew home for the holidays and spent her days soaking up the sun at Cottesloe Beach in Perth. She shared a photo to Instagram of herself posing in a skimpy red bikini and trucker cap while sipping an ice cold Kirks ginger beer. People in Chicago bought face masks after the US's second case was confirmed there: AP Five people in the United States who recently travelled to China have been diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus. Officials from the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) said two new cases were reported on Sunday one in Los Angeles County, California, and the other in Maricopa County, Arizona. The latter case was someone with ties to Arizona State University who did not live in school housing, state health officials said. The three previously reported cases were a patient in Orange County, California; a man in his 30s in Washington; and a woman in her 60s from Chicago. It is understood all five patients recently travelled to the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the disease is believed to have originated. The US patients have generally been reported to be in good condition and were hospitalised in isolation for monitoring. The confirmation of the five cases came as Canada declared its first presumptive confirmed case of the disease over the weekend, and as officials in Beijing warned the disease is likely to spread further. Ma Xiaowei, Chinas national health commission minister, told a news conference that the incubation period for the coronavirus the period between exposure to the virus and the appearance of first symptoms could range from one to 14 days. He said the disease was infectious during that period, something not the case with the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) that claimed nearly 800 lives during the 2002-2003 epidemic that also originated in China. At present, the rate of development of the epidemic is accelerating, Mr Ma said. I am afraid that it will continue for some time, and the number of cases may increase. Also on Sunday, the World Health Organisations director-general said he was on his way to China to confer with officials and health experts about the outbreak. In a tweet, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he wanted to strengthen our partnership with China in providing further protection against the outbreak. Story continues Chinese authorities say it has infected over 2,000 people and killed 56. The US is among those countries scrambling to withdrew personnel from the city of Wuhan. The state department said on Sunday it would be evacuating staff from the city on Tuesday in a direct flight to San Francisco. It said it would also book a limited number of US citizens on the flight if there were requests. It said if demand was high priority would be given to Americans at higher risk. Additional reporting by agencies Read more Latest China travel updates as coronavirus outbreak worsens Coronavirus: Hospital workers wearing adult diapers Coronavirus: Hong Kong protesters set fire to planned quarantine build China bans animal trade as coronavirus gets stronger The Old Mill Restaurant, specifically its fill-you-up breakfasts, earned a shout-out in Food & Wine Magazine in a 2020 roundup headlined The Best Classic Restaurants in Every State.Senior editor David Landsel crisscrossed the nation for three years researching the 17,000-word guide to approximately 250 notable restaurants of all types that he deems American classics. Beneath that specific research project is Mr. Landsels 20-year foundation of traveling the country on food writing assignments.Mr.Landsel previously included The Old Mill Restaurant in Food & Wines 2018 Best Breakfasts in Every State guide, calling it a piece of living history, at one time the towns power supply, and today still milling the grains that go into the restaurants corn grits and pancakes. Biscuits with smoky bacon and country ham, seasonal preserves, cinnamon raisin pecan French toast the menu isnt extensive, but its enough to keep the crowds coming back, year after year.In the January articles introduction focusing on classic restaurants, Mr. Landsel notes that much food writing and interest in the culinary arts dwells on hot chefs, new restaurants and the latest trends. The Classic Restaurants article, he says, is like hitting the pause button, looking back and appreciating Americas enduring food experiences.This article puts the Old Mill Restaurant in some great company, said Laurie Faulkner, marketing director.Just look at some of the other classic dining destinations mentioned Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room in Savannah, Ga., the Columbia in Tampa, the Inn at Little Washington in Virginia and even Antoines and Galatoires in New Orleans. We are so proud, Ms. Faulkner said.Mr. Landsel says he wants his state-by-state survey to be a road map, if a little rough, like it were drawn on the back of a napkin, designed to jog your memory, or to push you toward a greater appreciate of our shared culinary heritage.Traveling west to east, the other Tennessee restaurants Food & Wine labeled as classics are Charlie Vergos Rendezvous in Memphis, Scotts BBQ in Lexington, Arnolds Country Kitchen and Princes Hot Chicken in Nashville and Beas in Chattanooga.The Old Mill Restaurants heritage dates to 1830, when the Old Mill itself was built. The restaurant opened in 1995 and has been a family-run business throughout its existence. The Old Mill continues to grind corn and other grains, and other related businesses include Pigeon River Pottery, the Pottery House Cafe and Grille and the Old Forge Distillery. Former vice president Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., whose candidacies embody competing wings of the Democratic Party, have emerged as the leaders in the contest for their party's presidential nomination, according to a Washington Post-ABC News national poll. The findings come little more than a week before the first votes of the 2020 campaign will be cast in Iowa's precinct caucuses, where there has been a spirited contest involving not only Biden and Sanders but also Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and entrepreneur Andrew Yang both hope to spring a surprise on the others on caucus night. Based on past campaigns, the Iowa results will have an immediate impact on the overall shape of the race and on public attitudes, nationally and in individual states that immediately follow the Feb. 3 caucuses: New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. A Post average of recent New Hampshire polls shows Sanders and Biden virtually tied, with Warren and Buttigieg not far behind. Nationally, however, the competition has moved in the direction of Biden and Sanders, with Warren, Buttigieg and others now clearly behind. Among Democrats and Democratic-leaning registered voters, Biden is favored by 32 percent with Sanders at 23 percent, according to the new Post-ABC poll. In both cases, those percentages are slightly better than what each received in an October Post-ABC national poll. Warren is currently running third but has seen a significant drop in her support nationally, falling from 23 percent in October to 12 percent in the new poll. Still, she is the only other candidate for the Democratic nomination in double digits. The fourth- and fifth-place candidates represent a shift in the Democratic hierarchy. Former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg, who was not a candidate when the last Post-ABC survey was conducted but who has spent several hundred million dollars since then, runs fourth at 8 percent. Yang, whose debate performances have drawn favorable reviews and whose candidacy projects a non-politician's flair, is at 7 percent. Buttigieg, whose rise in Iowa and New Hampshire earlier this year caught others in the field by surprise, is at 5 percent, reflecting modest slippage since October. Klobuchar is at 3 percent, Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., is at 2 percent, and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, and former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick are at 1 percent. The poll shows that Democrats are clearly motivated in this election, with 73 percent of Democratic leaners saying they are certain to vote in their state's primary or caucus. That's little changed since last July but significantly higher than the 59 percent who said in January 2016 they were certainly going to vote. Similarly, Democratic leaners are slightly more satisfied with their choices of candidates this year than they were four years ago. Although 9 in 10 Democrats who named a candidate when asked whom they are supporting say they are enthusiastic about their choice, 53 percent overall say they still would consider another candidate. That is a reflection of the fluidity that has marked the Democratic campaign for most of the past year, as voters have tried to assess a record-large field and weigh who might be best against President Donald Trump. Biden's candidacy has been buoyed by perceptions that he is the candidate who could lead the party back to the White House, and the current poll again gives him the highest marks on that question. At this moment, 38 percent of Democratic leaners name Biden as having the best chance to beat Trump, with 18 percent naming Sanders and 10 percent naming Warren. Biden also leads his rivals on two other questions that are central to the debate inside the party about the best path to victory, motivating the Democratic base or attracting independent or moderate voters. Many Democratic strategists say it will take a combination of both to overcome some of the advantages that Trump, as an incumbent during a time of low unemployment, currently enjoys. On the question of who can best motivate the Democratic base, Biden is named by 32 percent while Sanders is named by 21 percent. Asked who can attract those independent and moderate voters, 29 percent name Biden and 17 percent name Sanders. No one else hits double digits on that question. Biden and Sanders - one running as a more moderate establishment figure and the other as a revolutionary democratic socialist - are about even on the question of "who comes closest to you on the issues," with the senator from Vermont at 24 percent and Biden at 22 percent. Warren, whose liberal platform is closer to Sanders' than to Biden's, is third at 15 percent. Biden's candidacy is also strengthened by the demographic pillars of support he has maintained throughout the year. As in many polls, he is the leading candidate among African-Americans, with about half the support of black adults. He is also ahead among those Democrats who identify themselves as moderate or conservative and leads among voters 50 and older, where he holds a roughly a 3-to-1 advantage over Sanders. The Post-ABC poll finds Sanders scores slightly better than Biden among voters under age 50, although his margin among this group is not as large as is Biden's among those over 50. The younger the voter, the more support Sanders gains, with the caveat that these younger voters historically have been more difficult to turn out in primaries or caucuses. Sanders also is favored by Democrats who identify themselves as liberal and shows signs of building support among some nonwhite voters. Warren suffered slippage among many groups of voters since October, but particularly among women, where her support fell from 26 percent to 12 percent. She also dropped 15 points among self-identified liberals. But while she trails Biden and Sanders as the first choice among Democratic voters, she does well when people are asked who represents their second choice. Overall, nearly a quarter (23 percent) name Warren as their second choice, slightly higher than either Sanders or Biden. When first and second choices are combined, Biden leads at 48 percent, followed by Sanders at 41 percent and Warren at 35 percent. All the other candidates trail by at least 20 points in this combination. At the Democratic debate in Iowa earlier this month, Warren and Sanders tangled over whether he had told her privately that a woman could not win the presidency. He denied saying it, and she said he had. Warren used the opportunity to make a forceful case to answer questions about whether a woman is at a disadvantage in a presidential election. The Post-ABC poll finds that fewer than 3 in 10 (28 percent) of Democratic-leaning adults say a man is more likely than a woman to defeat Trump, with 63 percent saying it doesn't matter and 7 percent saying a woman would have the advantage against this president. Women are no more or less likely than men to say a woman has a better chance of winning. Support for Warren is significantly higher among voters who say either that it doesn't matter or who believe a woman has a better chance of winning, but she nonetheless trails Biden and Sanders among that group. Men overall are more likely than women to say either it doesn't matter or a woman has a better chance of beating Trump. Women are more likely than men to say a man has a better chance of beating Trump. The Post-ABC poll was conducted by telephone from Monday through Thursday among a random national sample of 388 Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, including 349 who are registered voters. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus six percentage points for both groups. - - - The Washington Post's Scott Clement contributed to this report. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, January 28. Ukrainian Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk will chair the EU-Ukraine Association Council in Brussels. The EU delegation will be led by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, the Council of the European Union said in its meeting calendar. Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi will also participate in the meeting. "This will be the first meeting with the new composition of the Ukrainian government and the new composition of the European Commission," a said. Read alsoEurope wants to hear Ukraine's proposals regarding European Green Deal Ambassador Maasikas The Ukrainian delegation will also include Deputy Prime Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko, Minister of Infrastructure Vladyslav Kryklii, Minister of Education and Science Anna Novosad, Finance Minister Oksana Markarova, Trade Representative Taras Kachka, as well as several deputy ministers. The participants in the meeting will review the implementation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, with a focus on to the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). They will touch on several areas of interest: political reforms, rule of law and security and economic cooperation. The meeting will take stock of the current situation in Eastern Ukraine and the implementation of the Minsk agreements, including humanitarian issues. The Council will also discuss the non-recognition of the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation. The Eastern partnership and regional issues are also on the day's agenda. During his visit to Brussels, Honcharuk is to hold bilateral meetings, in particular, with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council Charles Michel, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, Executive Vice President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis. He is also scheduled to meet with Belgian business representatives. Seoul Station is crowded with passengers during the Lunar New Year holidays in this Feb. 6, 2019 file photo. Korea Times file Koreans forgo family unions during Lunar New Year holidays, gather with like-minded people By Park Ji-won Whenever the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays begin, highways are packed with cars and other vehicles full of people heading to cities outside of Seoul for family gatherings. During the nation's two biggest holidays, families catch up with one another. Many shops and restaurants close for the period. However, with high youth unemployment, tough economic times and an increase of single person households, some don't have the means or the desire to visit home. The reasons vary from person to person. Some don't want to deal with the stress of facing intrusive questions from extended family members, others just want the chance to spend some time alone. A recent survey found that six in 10 Koreans want to skip the gatherings and would prefer to spend the Lunar New Year holiday alone because of overly inquisitive relatives who ask personal questions regarding topics such as work, salaries and plans for marriage. Instead, some are trying to organize alternative events during the holidays. For more than three years, BooknPub, an independent bookstore in Seoul, has been organizing cultural gatherings during the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays for those who want to find a meaningful alternative to traditional family celebrations. Each meeting is slightly different every year. But in those meetings, people discuss books, eat dinner and have a drink together, according to the bookstore's website. BooknPub is planning to open the shop throughout the holidays this year, while inviting people to participate in the events including book discussion events on Saturday and Monday and a potluck party on Saturday. Originally, the bookstore's owner Kim Jong-hyun, 37, came up with such events for his own sake, but he continued to hold the gatherings on the request of his customers. "My family members don't spend a long time together during the holidays and I wanted to spend time at my store So I decided to open the store and do something impromptu but meaningful with customers," Kim told The Korea Times over the phone Tuesday. "So I organized some cultural events a few years ago. Unexpectedly, on the Lunar New Year's day, more people visited the store compared to other days of the year. Those visitors said they have nowhere to go during the holidays as they live alone or far away from their parents' house. Some of them said they refuse to go to their family's house to avoid nagging family members." He added that there are many people who spend their time in unconventional ways. "The media only focuses on reporting on people in Seoul Station going down to their hometown. But from my point of view, there are quite a lot of people, some 50 percent of respondents among my followers, who said they just spend their time at home during the holidays." Some events were designed to promote their businesses and attract more potential customers while some were created to form small communities in the regions. Pagoda Academy, one of nation's largest private foreign language institutes, has been running a so-called "Traditional holidays evacuation center" in their branches throughout the nation during the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays since 2015. The institute will provide a venue for study with free snacks between Friday and Monday and free online English, Chinese and Japanese courses active between Tuesday and Monday. Lee Suh-hyun, or Seobam, a webtoonist and writer, organized eight different cultural events in seven cities where five to 10 participants can have discussions and eat something together on one day during the holidays. The details of the events vary according to each host; one is planning to cook rice cake soup for vegans and some others are planning to simply have a social gathering and lunch. The hosts are random people who resonated with Lee's idea of holding such cultural events during the Lunar Year holidays in their cities. For women in Korea, there is additional pressure related to such family gatherings. In addition to questions relating to marriage and work, there are a lot of domestic chores to be done, mostly carried out by female family members. "I heard that many people go to hotels instead of going home just to spend time alone.There are many women who feel uncomfortable with the patriarchal system here. I believe that more women would feel that way. The event I organized is a move to challenge Confucian practices," Lee told The Korea Times, Wednesday. "I think the release of the webtoon Myeo Neu Ra Gi, made a difference. (People) shared that it was unfair to go to such family gatherings. With more content related to unfair practices (for women) in patriarchal families coming out, such as Myeoneuri: My Son's Crazy Wife, it became less taboo for people to speak up about what they really think (about the gatherings)." In 1934, John Deere employees pooled their money to offer each other and their co-workers an alternative to commercial banks and other for-profit financial institutions. Their purpose was simple shared ownership in financial services. In true cooperative structure, their operation was overseen by unpaid volunteers who were democratically elected by the people who used those services. That was to ensure decisions at the highest level of their credit union were made in the best interest of their members. These were the earliest days of Veridian Credit Union. Over the last 85 years, while our credit union has grown, our structure remains the same. Were still owned by our members, and our members still democratically elect an unpaid, volunteer board of their fellow members to govern the credit union in their interest. Roughly one-third of Iowans are credit union members. When Iowans have ownership in their financial services, savings and positive economic impact are inevitable. Across the state, Iowans saved an estimated $109 million in 2018 by using a credit union compared to what they would have paid for the same services at a for-profit bank. Veridian members alone saved an estimated $35 million in 2018 on better rates and lower fees, and were consistently ranked among the top financial institutions in the United States for returning value to our members. Bankers are claiming that banks and credit unions operate in the same way, though banks are owned by a small group of stockholders who govern the bank to collect its profits. Theyve been very successful here in Iowa. After several consecutive years of enjoying record profits, Iowa bankers would like you and our lawmakers to believe that theyre victims of an uneven playing field. Iowa banks (not including national banks like Wells Fargo) made a record $1.1 billion in profits in 2018 and paid their stockholders $589 million in cash dividends. Now that our lawmakers have returned to the Capitol for the 2020 legislative session, bank lobbyists are pressuring them to raise taxes on Iowas member-owned cooperative credit unions. While credit unions already pay millions in state taxes annually, bankers know raising taxes on Iowas credit unions will reduce Iowans financial choice, weaken competition for banks and create an even stronger bottom line for their stockholders. Simply put, a tax increase on credit unions benefits bankers, not Iowans. While well continue to challenge bankers attacks on the credit union industry because they are harmful for our state, well also join Iowa credit unions on other legislative priorities to help Iowans keep more of their own money and create a successful financial future. Thats been our purpose in serving our members since 1934. Whether it be initiatives to improve access to affordable housing in rural Iowa, legislation to improve habits of savings and financial literacy, or policy proposals to improve the skills of our workforce, we stand ready to partner with our elected officials this session to move our great state forward. Monte Berg is CEO of Veridian Credit Union, headquartered in Waterloo. Love 15 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 Industry Update Appointment 26 January 2020 Andrew Steele Appointed General Manager At Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi With over twenty years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry, Andrew has worked with some of the world's most reputable brands - from Le Meridian and Mandarin Oriental to Shangri-La. He joins Fairmont Maldives from Potato Head Bali which, as Group Managing Director, he transformed into a globally recognised sustainable lifestyle hospitality brand, mobilising the company to become the first hospitality brand in Indonesia to be carbon neutral and opening the first zero-waste restaurant in the region. Accor Accor is a world-leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,000 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries. The group has one of the industrys most diverse and fully-integrated hospitality ecosystems encompassing luxury and premium brands, midscale and economy offerings, unique lifestyle concepts, entertainment and nightlife venues, restaurants and bars, branded private residences, shared accommodation properties, concierge services, co-working spaces and more. more information Recent Appointments at Accor Jill OHare - Director of Sales and Marketing 12 January 2022 Raffles Hotels & Resorts and partners are delighted to announce the appointment of Jill O'Hare as Director of Sales and Marketing at Raffles London at The OWO. O'Hare brings with her over 25 years' international luxury brand experience, most recently as Director of Sales and Marketing at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London, a position she has held since 2015. read more Aline Ibrahim - Director of Marketing, PR and Communications 30 December 2021 A passionate hotelier with a penchant for effective communication, Ibrahim spearheads Sofitel Dubai Downtown's marketing department. Her responsibilities include driving all brand exposure activities, conceptualising and leading promotions, and serving as a trusted brand advisor. read more Combining recent controversies a statement King made about the Oscars and the reaction to American Dirt author Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez explains what publishing is like for many Latinx writers. MODERATOR: Hello, ladies and gentleman! Thank you for coming to the event today. As you can see, we have here with us today one of the nations leading white voices, the white male writer, Stephen hold on. Im not sure how to pronounce your last name. Do you say it with a British accent? (Purses lips like the Queens arsehole, LAUGHS.) King.' Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has condemned in strong terms, the 2019 Corruption Perception Index, released by T... The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has condemned in strong terms, the 2019 Corruption Perception Index, released by Transparency International, TI. Nigeria dropped two steps below on the 2019 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index. In the latest release on Thursday, Nigeria ranked 146 out of 180 countries studied. Reacting, the Commission said the rating was baseless. The agency in a statement on its Twitter handle, described as appalling, the bogus and ambiguous criteria used by TI to arrive at its conclusion. We insist that the rating is a far cry from the evident strides and achievements so far accomplished by the anti-graft agency in the fight against corruption, particularly under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. The claim and inference that Nigeria ranks the fourth most corrupt country in West Africa is totally unacceptable, as it is evidently not supported by any empirical data, especially when placed side-by-side with the remarkable achievements of the Commission in the past years. Moreover, it is quite ironic that the report by TI posits that the index does not show real incidences of corruption, yet it claims that the report is a reliable indication of the perception of Nigerians and the international community about the state of corruption in the country, it added. OTTAWA - The minority Liberals made another pitch Sunday for cross-partisan co-operation on a key priority for the government in the upcoming sitting of the House of Commons: passing the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade deal. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/1/2020 (716 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland speaks to the media during a press scrum on the second day of the Liberal cabinet retreat at the Fairmont Hotel in Winnipeg, Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Freeland is asking the Opposition parties not to hold up the new North American free trade deal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mike Sudoma OTTAWA - The minority Liberals made another pitch Sunday for cross-partisan co-operation on a key priority for the government in the upcoming sitting of the House of Commons: passing the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade deal. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland called passage of the new NAFTA a pivotal moment for Canada in a letter she sent Sunday to leaders of the Opposition parties. She said while no one expects anything other than a "full, frank, and vigorous debate," she urged them not to hold up the deal. "Canadian parliamentarians understand that, politics aside, the interests of Canadians come first, last, and always. I am confident this applies to you and to every member of your caucus, as it does for the Prime Minister, me, and every member of our caucus, too," she wrote in the letter. "Therefore, I ask that we work together, as colleagues, to put Canada and Canadians first, and get this important work done without undue delay." Freeland's letter comes as the House of Commons resumes Monday for its first lengthy sitting since the October election returned the Liberals with a minority government. Legislation to ratify the trade deal is expected within days. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stressed to his MPs this week that the new mandate is not like their last, and they'll need to work hard to win the support of their opponents to get anything done. "Bickering, grandstanding, petty politics none of these things create jobs. They don't make anyone's retirement safer, or our environment cleaner. Collaboration, dialogue, and constructive debate, however, can," he said. "Common ground does exist in this Parliament, but it's up to us to build on it." On the new NAFTA, the Liberals do have common ground with the ardently pro-trade Conservatives, who control the most Opposition seats. The party's international trade critic said it doesn't intend to play games with the trade deal bill as businesses need it to get ahead. But that doesn't mean it gets a completely free pass, said Randy Hoback. Previous trade deals have left some industries behind, and that shouldn't happen again, he said. "We're going to focus on the results of this deal. We can't change it, the reality is we can't make amendments to this type of legislation because they'd have to go back and renegotiate," he said. "But what we can do is look at the sectors and industries that are negatively impacted by this deal and not make the same mistakes we've made in the past." Hoback said the Tories want to hear from those groups, and figure out what the Liberal strategy is to mitigate the issue. Whether that work happens before the deal gets signed will be open for negotiation, he said, but it needs to be done. With Conservative support, the bill could sail through, but the Bloc Quebecois and New Democrats say they won't make that easy. The Bloc has raised concerns the deal does not provide the same protections for Quebec's aluminum industry as it does for the steel industry and Ontario's auto-manufacturing sector and wants the text fully studied and debated. The New Democrats say the fact that the deal was negotiated behind closed doors means due diligence needs to be done. "We're still meeting with industry and workers and talking to Canadians about what this deal will mean for them," said NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. While the new NAFTA will headline the legislative calendar, the Liberals' agenda also includes action on a promised ban on military-style assault rifles, strengthening health care, battling climate change, and seeking meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said he has appreciated that the Liberals have reached out on major recent developments, like the spread of coronavirus and the deaths of Canadians in Iran following a plane crash. But he's not committing to the same overall tone of co-operation the Liberals are pitching. "The Liberals will try to buy off the support from the other parties," he said, after meeting with his MPs on Saturday. "That means a lot of wasteful spending. It means an even bigger government that's more and more involved in the economy and making decisions for people's lives. So we will oppose those types of things." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 26, 2020. with files from Mike Blanchfield The 71st Republic Day was celebrated with enthusiasm and fervour in West Bengal on Sunday, with Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar unfurling the Tricolour and presiding over a ceremonial march past by armed forces at Red Road in the state capital. Parades were also organised by the BSF, CISF, the West Bengal Police and the Kolkata Armed Police, on the occasion. Colourful processions were taken out by the students of a city-based school, followed by which a grand tableau, highlighting the importance of water conservation, rolled down the Red Road. Folk artists from the Hills, Sunderbans and the Jangalmahal enthralled the audience with their dance performance during the celebrations. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who attended the programme along with her cabinet colleagues, greeted the governor, after the conclusion of the programme. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Residents and developers at Gbetsile Obeyeyie, a developing community within the Kpone Katamanso Municipality are living in fear as a result of the increasing land guard activities within the area. The situation is brewing high tension in the community. The landguards are alleged to be working for the Gbetsile Chief and one Alhaji Alkakade. According to information, these landguards do not only cause damage to uncompleted buildings and footings of developers but also infringe machete wounds on residents and developers. The community which hitherto was a peaceful one has been inundated with activities of land guards in recent times. The situation has become a source of worry for both residents and developers. A developer, Daniel Acheampong noted that " this is not the first, second or third time we are being attacked and our properties being destroyed by land guards purported to be working for the Gbetsile Chief and it is becoming alarming as we live in fear" he said "When I bought my land years ago Gbetsile had no chief and I was developing in peace until this chief came. The chief upon assumption of office told me I needed to pay some commitment fee of Ghc 2500 to the stool before I could continue with my project which I paid. But, a year after paying the said money I am told the receipt has expired and I needed to renew it before I could continue my building project. As a result of that, land guards allegedly from the Chief palace had to beat my workers and threaten to infringe machete wounds on them if they dare continue to work. So without any option, I had to pay them another money to enable me continue with my project" Several other developers and residents complained of the intimidation and brutalities they face in the hands of these weapon wielding landguards. The Chief of Gbetsile, Nii Teye Kojo Amankwah Sune I, however dismissed the allegations of using landguards to terrorize and intimidate residents and developers. According to him, "I have never engaged the activities of landguards and never will I do so because I know the law and the law indeed frowns on the use of landguards and so I debunk that allegation. The only time I destroyed someone's project was when a land my father gave me was being encroached upon by some developer so I sent my brothers together with a machine to go and level the foundation, leaving the fence wall that has been built around the land; it was not even a footing but a foundation that was leveled; he noted. I am a peace loving person and will not do anything against the law". He explained. Some of the developers at Gbetsile Obeyeyie few months ago had their footings and structures graded by one Alhaji Moro Alkakade who claims to be the legitimate owner of the lands in question. According to Alhaji Alkakade he acquired the said land from the Gbetsile Chief and has been given the necessary documentation covering it. He said the lands he acquired have been encroached by developers and that he will takes the necessary steps to clear the site. When asked by the reporter whether he will seek a court order before carrying out any demolition at the site, he said there was no need to go to court because he had legitimate documents. "Why should I go to court? Go to court for what? I acquired the land from the Gbetsile Chief who told me it was a stool land so now that encroachers have developed illegally on my land, I will clear them from the land and there is no need to go to court for any court order to carry out any demolition at the site because the land is for me and I have legitimate document from the stool, He said When asked whether he had conducted a search on the said land, the Alhaji explained it was not necessary because the chief gave him his word before acquiring the land. Residents are calling on the Inspector General of Police and relevant security agencies to come to their aid as their lives are in danger. According to them, several reports made to the Emef and Gbetsile police has not yielded any result and the landguards continue to operate with impunity. Meanwhile, a visit to the site showed building projects that have been destroyed. It is a known fact that Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex have been dominating the headlines in recent weeks regarding their split from the royal family. Basically, its all anyone can talk about, and fans of the couple definitely have questions. We are wondering exactly how they plan to be financially independent, where they will live, and what will happen in the future. The other senior members of the royal family were somewhat blindsided by the sudden and unexpected announcement, and all eyes have been on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to see what happens next. There has been a lot of speculation regarding the split since naturally, everyone wants as many details as possible. It seems as if ever since Meghan and Harry got married, royal fans have been commenting about their drama, and they are certainly doing the same thing with Megxit. However, it may be safe to say that the split isnt as complicated as it may seem. Here is why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping back from royal life isnt really that dramatic. The announcement that left everyone in a state of shock Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex | DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images It was just after the new year that Meghan and Prince Harry let everyone know about their decision to step back as senior royals. Although they have been having a tough time recently, no one was expecting them to resign from their positions. Even the queen didnt get any notice, and BBC reports that they felt there wasnt another option for them. For the past few years, Meghan and Prince Harry have been hounded relentlessly by the news media, and its really been causing stress for them. They are a notoriously private couple, and Harry has gone so far as to say that he feels that history is repeating itself, considering what happened to his mother, Princess Diana. Over the past few weeks, the queen, Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry have taken the time to discuss the future of the Sussex family, and so far, her majesty has given them her blessing. What do Meghan and Prince Harry plan on doing? So, now that Megxit is official, what do Meghan and Prince Harry plan on doing? Now that theyre independent of the rest of the royals, they plan on splitting their time between North America, where Meghan is from, and Great Britain, where Prince Harry has always called home. According to CBS News, the royal couple will be focusing on their son, Archie Harrison, as well as their time together as a family. Although Meghan and Harry plan to become financially independent, they still plan on keeping Frogmore Cottage, their home in Windsor, and they will continue to support the British monarchy, even though they will no longer be using their royal titles. Why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping back from royal life isnt really that dramatic Now that everyone has had some time to process the news, many are coming to the realization that the split really isnt all that dramatic. Why is that? Well, there are many European royals who divide their time between royal duties and regular jobs. According to Euronews, there are royals in Sweden and in Spain who do just that. Even in the British royal family, those who are further away in line for the throne than Harry, such as his cousins, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, hold down regular 9-5 positions in addition to carrying out certain royal engagements. This definitely may have been the inspiration for Megxit as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are extremely modern and down to earth, known for breaking away from tradition and doing what they feel is best. Boeings new 777X airliner made its first flight as an inaugural take off from Paine Field in Everett, Washington on January 25 as the manufacturing company tries to restore public confidence amid the 737 MAX crisis. The Boeing had already postponed the first flight of 777X twice, owing to the weather conditions. After a series of in-flight tests, Boeing will file for approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the agency currently looking into the issues of 737 MAX. Around 340 orders for the 777X have been placed by some major airlines including Emirates, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways. With a range of 16,200 to 13,500 kilometres, the aircraft has maximum capacities of 384 to 426 passengers depending on the configuration. The Boeing has been under scrutiny for the 737 MAX production which has been grounded for months after two deadly crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia. Recently, Boeing Co submitted employees' internal communications to the US Congress and the FAA which revealed the culture of arrogance and focus on cost-cutting. Read: Boeing Says 737 Max Aircraft Won't Return Until Mid-2020, Shares Down By 5% One of the employees said that he/she wont put his/her family on a MAX simulator trained aircraft, in an instant messaging exchanged months before two fatal crashes. Another employee asserted that the company will not allow simulator training a requirement if any regulator asks for it. There were claims that all the messages were about meeting schedule, not delivering quality to which a colleague replied that the company put them in the position by picking the lowest-cost supplier and signing up to impossible schedules. Read: Boeing's New CEO David Calhoun Wants Staff To Be 'transparent' Wiring issue in 737 MAX Meanwhile, the FAA and Boeing are reviewing a wiring issue in the grounded 737 MAX that could potentially cause a short circuit. Boeing spokesperson Gordon Johndroe said that the issue was identified by the aerospace company during a rigorous process and they are analysing it further with the help of FAA. In a statement, the FAA said that they are analyzing certain findings from a recent review of the proposed modifications to the Boeing 737 MAX. But Johndroe said that it is too soon to claim that it would lead to any design changes. Read: Boeing Internal Communications Reveal arrogance, Obsession With Cost-cutting Read: Boeing Execs Called DGCA 'fools', 'stupid' During 737 Max's 2017 Approval Process: Docs (With inputs from agencies) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Sunday said that the Indian embassy in Beijing is constantly checking on health and well-being of the Indians in China where novel coronavirus (nCoV) has killed more than 50 people so far. Over 250 Indian students stuck in Wuhan city in Hubei province. Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, and several other cities in the province are now under lockdown. The Indian Embassy in Beijing has set up helplines for the students in Wuhan. Our Embassy in Beijing is constantly checking on the health and well-being of the Indians in China. Please follow @EOIBeijing for more updates on the situation, Jaishankar tweeted. Our Embassy in Beijing is constantly checking on the health and well-being of the Indians in China. Please follow @EOIBeijing for more updates on the situation. https://t.co/IGOfQ7YPE9 Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 26, 2020 The virus, which was detected in Wuhan in December, has spread around the world including United States, Australia and France. China itself has around 2,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus. On Saturday, India issued a travel advisory asking citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to China. The government has also set up a 24-hour helpline to answer queries about coronavirus (nCoV) as number of fatalities and infected people rose across the world. The government has also opened screening centres at various airports as a precautionary measure. The West Bengal government has deployed health teams in all the three major entry points along the Indo-Nepal border in Darjeeling district from Sunday to screen people entering India after a Nepalese man tested positive for the virus in Kathmandu on his return from China. According to an IANS report, Pakistans National Institute of Health (NIH) has said that four Chinese nationals have been hospitalised in Multan and Lahore for showing symptoms of the disease but there were no confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country. Is Gods habitation in our realm as inevitable as silence to a bucolic scene, or the ascending smoke from a dying ember? Or have we descended into a sinister flirtation with the Divine? It wasnt so in 1941. The day after Japans surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, a somber, but resolute President Franklin Roosevelt, after strapping on steel braces to his legs, hobbled awkwardly into the U.S. House chamber. He addressed a joint session of Congress, and asked for a declaration of war against Japan. During times of tumult and travail, most Americans expect our country to prevail victoriously. At the end of Roosevelts address, hed verbalized what most citizens believed, With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounded determination of our people we will gain the inevitable triumph. So help us God. Was it arrogant presumption? Or implacable reliance on His benevolence in our battle against incipient evil? Historys punctuated by Gods intervention in space and time. General George C. Marshall, referenced his unswerving confidence in, Our Heavenly Father, quoting a line from President Abraham Lincoln, as the War Department dispatched innumerable Western Union condolences to families whod lost a loved one during WWII. Whether we are battling a foreign enemy, or reeling after a major natural disaster, historically weve invoked Gods help and sustaining direction. Wed be shocked to hear a president say, We can do this on our own, and we dont need divine intervention. Wholl occupy the public square when Hes abjured? At the first hint of a breaking news alert on our 24/7 news cycle, most anchors promptly add, Our thoughts and prayers are with them. Whether its sincere or not, its nearly a knee-jerk reaction. Is it in our DNA? Most atheists reject that notion. However, one knows there are few in fox holes, or in the midst of disaster. Acknowledging God during such upheaval is what defines our country. One of the few occasions that the GOP and Democrats wont draw swords. Imagine Nancy Pelosi smooching on President Trump. President Reagan, in his first inaugural address, referenced the words from the diary of a young enlistee in WWI, Martin Treptow, from Iowa. On the flyleaf of his diary, he wrote, America must win this war. I will fight cheerfully, and do my utmost, as if the issue of the whole struggle depended upon me alone. Reagan added, what most Americans believed, The crisis we are facing todayrequires our best effort, and our willingness to believe in ourselves and to believe in our capacity to perform good deeds; to believe that together, with Gods help, we can and will resolve the problems that now confront us. And, after all, why shouldnt we believe that? We are Americans. President Trump has surprised many with his public call to embrace Gods rightful place in the public square. Its not only wartime. Following a diagnosis of a ravaging disease, ones more inclined to reach out to others, blasting it on social media, and soliciting their prayers. Theres a counter intuitive trend with the tone of a series of national ads run by the prestigious MD Anderson Cancer Center, picturing cameos of cancer patients, who attack an unknown assailant. You stole my breast! You tried to steal my life! You stole my husband! The ad subsequently reveals that assailant as cancer. Hubris rears its head, concluding, We will win. Single-handedly boasting theyll defeat cancer. No hint of help from a source outside themselves, other than research, and unmitigated defiance. In a slight-of-hand, a red lines drawn through the word Cancer, and a new name appears: MD Anderson Center. Contrastingly, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, unabashedly promote an approach to healing that incorporates a spiritual component in their integrated approach to combating cancer. Two years ago a middle-aged California mother, survived a terrifying accident, after her vehicle plunged nearly one-hundred feet into a ravine. When asked why she thought she survived, her reply, Sheer will to live! To see my children. Most understand thats a component of many survivals. However, most survivors acknowledge divine intervention, albeit awkwardly at times. Even agnostics flirt capriciously with Divinity in troubling, inexplicable times, though theyre wobbly on the subject. G.K. Chesterton put it right, The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man. That California mother may have believed more inwardly than her public expression. If not, shes clearly out of the mainstream of thought, ignoring our heritage of public affirmation of Gods blessings. Most agree that the will-to-live, and faith in Gods Omnipresence, arent mutually exclusive. Our early struggle for liberty chronicled an ignoble folly of openly defying God Almighty. British Major Patrick Ferguson, in 1777, during an assault at Kings Mountain, South Carolina, publicly boasted, God Almighty Himself could not drive me from this mountain. His entire command was killed or captured, and Fergusons bullet riddled dead body was found at the feet of his would-be escaping steed. American pathos is replete with such stark reminders. Whether one is confronted by a life threatening medical diagnosis, or a haunting existential threat from enemies, foreign or domestic, why wouldn't one invoke Gods promise to never leave or forsake us? According to Jeffrey Levin, Ph.D., in his book, God, Faith and Healing, reports startling connections between spirituality and health. Johns Hopkins University researchers discovered an apparent positive link between regular church attendance and an active prayer life, and health. Coincidental? Denying gravity wont cushion ones fall. Evangelicals contend any portrait of our nation, absent His presence, is an incomplete picture. And, absent His touch, most endeavors come to naught. What do you think? Mike Pyatts a Ravalli County resident. His email is roderickstj@yahoo.com. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The death toll from days of intense storms and flooding in southeastern Brazil has risen to 44, authorities said Sunday. In addition to the dead, the number of injured stands at 12 and that of the missing was lowered from 25 to 19, local Civil Defense officials said. The dead have yet to be identified. Many were buried by landslides or in the debris of collapsed houses, which in many poorer parts of Brazil are shoddily built. Officials said some 17,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in 58 towns and cities across Minas Gerais state, including in the capital Belo Horizonte, as well as in nearby areas. More than 10,000 others had to flee in two neighboring states. Images taken from the ground and the air, some posted on social media, showed the vast sweep of the disaster, with damaged houses, fallen trees and downed utility poles, overflowing rivers, collapsed bridges and flooded neighborhoods. The torrential rains -- the worst since records were first kept 110 years ago -- eased off on Sunday, but authorities said the risk of new landslides would continue through Friday in towns in the Belo Horizonte area. From India, where he is on an official trip, President Jair Bolsonaro said the government was doing "everything possible," while adding that in such a large area "it is difficult to serve everyone." Regional Development Minister Gustavo Canuto and Governor Romeu Zema of Minas Gerais state flew over the affected area and promised afterward in a news conference to prioritize humanitarian aid for the homeless. They announced immediate aid of 90 million reais (about $22 million). Zema warned that without consistent, long-term public policies to reduce areas at risk, "we will see things like this many times over." But in Vila Bernadete, a neighborhood on the edge of Belo Horizonte where six people died in a landslide that toppled seven hillside homes, a resident, Audemar Carneiro, said the area had never seemed at risk. "Nothing like this has ever happened here," the 51-year-old told AFP. "It was a fairly safe place... It was an unannounced tragedy." I am Manu. Manu Raju, that is the CNN reporter who the other day had a run-in with Sen. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.). Hed approached her in a Senate corridor to inquire about new impeachment evidence, and she shot back Youre a liberal hack. Im not talking to you. Because, duh: enemy of the people. Thats a Trumpism, but the underlying slander is familiar. The political right accepts as an article of faith that the lamestream media are not a proud Fourth Estate but a partisan fifth column of subversives trying to brainwash patriots with leftist doctrine a conspiracy theory that has yielded a lot of Republican votes and long counterinsurgency of conservative media. Oh, and a fantastic business model for Fox News, which converts right-wing anger into viewership into ratings into around $10 billion advertiser dollars a year. Its product: rage. Fox News doesn't really produce news at all Fox where Sen. McSally raced to gloat over catching a reporter blue-handed asking a simple question of a public official is not a news organization (at least not in the morning and prime time); it is a disinformation factory. Such demagogues as Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson, Jeanine Pirro, Laura Ingraham and the clown car that is Fox & Friends pump the co-ax full of lies and misrepresentations, vilification, dog whistles and sometimes explicit hate speech. Its own biggest star, Hannity, has also been onstage at Trump rallies, dismissing the real press as fake news. Sure. If you want the source of actually fake news, look no farther than his own channel. Fox News Headquarters in New York City in 2017. The boundaries of time and space prohibit a comprehensive rundown here but the liberal Media Matters which exists explicitly to debunk false right-wing tropes catalogues Fox outrages to a nauseating fare-thee-well. In non-partisan Politifacts accounting of 160 assertions made on Fox News Channel and subjected to fact checking, 21% were deemed to be true or mostly true; 40% were half true or mostly false; 28% were false and 10% were blatant, pants-on-fire lies. In the past four years, most of the lying has been in direct service of and often word-for-word lockstep with the Trump administration. Story continues But its worse. Because Fox isnt just Trump TV. Its also a Trump whisperer, feeding the worlds most powerful couch potato a steady stream of infuriating tidbits usually false or wildly out of context which frequently reappear as Trump tweets of official government policy by 10 am. This catastrophic feedback loop has resulted in the pardoning of war criminals, the firing of cabinet secretaries, the assassination of an enemy military leader, the caging of children at the border, the conspiracy to shift blame for 2016 election interference from Russia to Ukraine, and the smearing of a US Ambassador in the process. A scary amount of power: President Donald Trump or President Sean Hannity? Fox News host has dangerous influence. So toxic is this organization that in my new book (where the Fox lies are annotated chapter and verse) I seriously examine the idea of using the vaunted free market to shut that factory down. The notion is a boycott of Fox advertisers, on the theory that brands historically hypersensitive about risking their reputations in unsavory editorial environments might abandon a channel rightfully tarred as extremist, dishonest, hateful and worst of all destabilizing to civil order and democracy itself. Now, such thoughtful critics as Politicos Jack Shafer warn that advertisers shouldnt be the arbiters of acceptable speech. No, but in the free market of ideas, citizens are very much such arbiters, and they have at times voted (think South Africa) at the cash register. What do citizens think about $10 billion underwriting sedition? Real journalism is vital, but this isn't it. Granted, theres another obvious objection to an attack on conservative media: namely, that the very idea is smoking gun proof of liberal bias. I concede it is a fetching argument. After all, were you to make a Venn diagram of progressive values and journalistic values, you would indeed see a lot of overlap: Questioning authority. Skepticism about the claims of sitting governments (of both parties). Speaking truth to power. Reform. Afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted. Reliance on data, documentation, corroborated testimony, law, history, science and empirical evidence versus even the most titillating preconceptions. But heres the thing. None of that constitutes a political ideology; it is a mentality one that does not permit prejudging political or events matters based on fixed doctrine, party loyalty, self interest or any of the other hallmarks of bias. And news organizations have rigorous protocols vetting facts and fairness. Which is why there is no smoking gun to be found in the incessant journalistic focus on 1) the present administration, 2) Trumpism, 3) the Republican caucus in Congress and 4) the lies they trade in Big and small. That is why we exist. Read all about it in the 1st Amendment. Holding the powerful accountable: Fox News doesn't have to say anything about Tucker Carlson's comments but it should The founders wanted pesky reporters asking U.S. Senators about the business of the Senate. Such as the effect of explosive new evidence on what seems to be a bizarro trial without witnesses, which is what Manu was seeking to learn more about from Martha McSally to begin with. And me, as someone who is not a Democrat and who has spent the last 19 years obsessively documenting and criticizing the actual sins, failures and errors of the mainstream media, Im right there with him. Does this make me a hack? Fine. Im a hack. I am Manu. Bob Garfield is the co-host of WNYCs On the Media and author of "American Manifesto: Saving Democracy from Villains, Vandals, and Ourselves." Follow him on Twitter: @Bobosphere This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No, Fox News, the media doesn't have a leftist bias. China expanded drastic travel restrictions Monday and prolonged a public holiday to contain an epidemic that has killed 56 people and infected nearly 2,000, as several countries prepared to evacuate their citizens from a quarantined city at the outbreak's epicentre. China has locked down the hard-hit province of Hubei in the country's centre, an unprecedented operation affecting tens of millions of people and intended to slow transmission of the respiratory virus. Its ability to spread appears to be "getting stronger" though it is "not as powerful as SARS", top Chinese health officials said at a press conference. A working group chaired by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to tackle the epidemic decided to extend the Spring Festival holiday originally scheduled to end on January 30 "to reduce population flows," alongside unspecified changes to the starting dates of schools, state news agency Xinhua reported. The previously unknown virus has caused global concern because of its similarity to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) pathogen, which killed hundreds across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003. Outside the epicentre, Shandong province and four cities -- Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an and Tianjin -- announced bans on long-distance buses entering or leaving, a move that will affect millions of people travelling over the Lunar New Year holiday. The populous southern province of Guangdong, Jiangxi in the centre, and three cities made it mandatory for residents to wear face masks in public. Originating in Hubei's capital of Wuhan, the virus has spread throughout China and across the world -- with cases confirmed in around a dozen countries including as far away as the United States. The US State Department said Sunday it was arranging a flight from Wuhan to San Francisco for consulate staff and other Americans in the city. France's government and the French carmaker PSA also said they planned to evacuate staff and families, who will be quarantined in a city in a neighbouring province. Japan is coordinating with Beijing to swiftly evacuate its citizens, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said. Saudi Arabia asked its nationals present around Wuhan to contact its embassy for evacuation, while Jordan said it had obtained permission from Beijing to move its citizens from the city out of the country. - Fear in Wuhan - Instead of New Year revelry, Wuhan has been seized by an eerie calm that deepened on Sunday as new restrictions banned most road traffic in the metropolis of 11 million. Loudspeakers broke the silence by offering tips slathered with bravado. "Do not believe in rumours. Do not spread rumours. If you feel unwell, go to the hospital in time," the message said. "Wuhan is a city that dares to face difficulties and keeps overcoming them," the female voice added, mentioning the deadly 2002-03 SARS epidemic and 1998 Yangtze River flooding. The health emergency has overwhelmed Wuhan's hospitals with patients, prompting authorities to send hundreds of medical reinforcements, including military doctors, and start construction on two field hospitals. The number of confirmed cases in the city could rise by 1,000, Wuhan's mayor Zhou Xianwang predicted Sunday, based on the number currently undergoing observation in hospital. He also said around five million people had left the city during the new year travel rush. Speaking at a press conference and wearing a face mask, Zhou said the city's medical staff were "very strained and tired". With non-essential vehicles banned from the road, volunteers stepped up to drive sick fellow citizens to hospitals. "There has to be someone who does this," Zhang Lin, 48, told AFP journalists as he waited for a patient to emerge from a clinic for the drive back home in nearly deserted streets. Some foreigners in Wuhan expressed deep concern, saying they feared going outside. "We want to be evacuated as soon as possible, because either the virus, the hunger or the fear will kill us," Mashal Jamalzai, a political science student from Afghanistan at Central China Normal University, told AFP. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined that a Wuhan market where animals including rats, snakes and hedgehogs were reportedly sold is "highly relevant" to the outbreak, state news agency Xinhua reported on Monday. On Sunday, the government said it was banning all trade in wildlife until the emergency is over, but conservationists complain that Beijing has previously failed to deliver on such pledges. Animal rights groups called for the ban to be made permanent, saying it could end the possibility of future outbreaks. - Hong Kong bars entry - Health officials said the virus has since become transmissible between humans. At a press briefing in Beijing, CDC head Gao Fu said the disease "is indeed... not as powerful as SARS." However, it also appears that the "spreading ability of the virus is getting stronger," said Ma Xiaowei, head of China's national health commission. The government says most deaths involved the elderly or people with existing ailments. Fearing a repeat of SARS, China has dramatically scaled back celebrations associated with the New Year holiday, which began Friday, while tourist sites like Beijing's Forbidden City and a section of the Great Wall have closed. In Hong Kong, Disneyland announced Sunday it had closed as a precaution after the city authorities declared an emergency and banned entry of anyone from Hubei. Shanghai's Disneyland park had already closed Saturday. A man working as a volunteer delivering medicine waits outside a pharmacy in Wuhan Symptoms of the coronavirus, common signs of infection, severe cases and treatment. The virus has continued to spread across China despite the drastic travel restrictions and people wearing face masks Beijing has suspended long-distance bus services into and out of the capital Moodys Investors Service recently downgraded Hong Kongs rating as a long-term issuer of debt to Aa3 from Aa2. Notably, this rating giant lowered Hong Kongs ratings for the first time after May 2017. However, it updated the outlook to stable from a negative. Hong Kongs economic growth has largely been affected by the frequent pro-democracy protests and clashes between the police and demonstrators since June 2019. The agitation had begun across the city post the governments proposed extradition bill. This standoff has been severely hurting the private consumption, tourism and fixed investment levels in Hong Kong. High unemployment level is also inducing disappointing household spending and sluggishness in economic growth. In fact, the unemployment rate rose to 3.3% for fourth-quarter 2019 from 2.8% in the months before June 2019. In this regard, the rating agency notified that the absence of tangible plans to address either the political or economic and social concerns of the Hong Kong population that have come to the fore in the past nine months may reflect weaker inherent institutional capacity than Moodys had previously assessed. Notably, Fitch Ratings slashed Hong Kongs rating in September to AA from AA+ with a negative outlook. Looking Forward The worlds major indices are taking a hit due to the latest coronavirus outbreak in China, which has claimed 26 lives so far and about 830 confirmed cases have been registered. In such a bleak scenario, if the situation further worsens then it can be another headwind to Hong Kongs economic progress (read: ETF Strategies to Combat Coronavirus Outbreak) Moreover, it is believed that the phase-one trade deal will help improve the trade scene around the globe but the relief will be temporary. China will have to grapple with 25% tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese industrial goods and components used by manufacturers in the United States. The tariff-related issues are expected to be dealt with during the phase two of the trade deal (read: Phase-One Trade Deal to Boost These ETF Areas). Story continues ETFs That Might Lose Against this bearish backdrop, lets take a look at some Hong Kong ETFs that might suffer: iShares MSCI Hong Kong ETF EWH The fund provides exposure to large and mid-sized companies in Hong Kong and tracks the MSCI Hong Kong Index. With AUM of $2.10 billion, it holds a basket of 43 stocks, heavily focused on the top firm. The product charges 49 bps in annual fees. The fund trades in average daily volumes of 6.1 million shares. It has a Zacks ETF Rank #3 (Hold) with a Medium-risk outlook. Franklin FTSE Hong Kong ETF FLHK The fund provides targeted exposure to large- and mid-sized companies in Hong Kong and tracks the FTSE Hong Kong Capped Index. With AUM of $19.2 million, it holds a basket of 92 stocks, heavily focused on the top firm. The product charges 9 bps in annual fees. The fund trades in very low average daily volumes of 934 shares. It has a Zacks ETF Rank of 3. SPDR Solactive Hong Kong ETF ZHOK The fund seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the total return performance of the Solactive GBS Hong Kong Large & Mid Cap USD Index. With AUM of $8 million, it holds a basket of 51 stocks, heavily focused on the top firm. The product charges 14 bps in annual fees. The fund trades in very low average daily volumes of around 1,800 shares. This ETF is Zacks #3 Ranked. Want key ETF info delivered straight to your inbox? Zacks' free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, each week. Get it free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report iShares MSCI Hong Kong ETF (EWH): ETF Research Reports SPDR Solactive Hong Kong ETF (ZHOK): ETF Research Reports Franklin FTSE Hong Kong ETF (FLHK): ETF Research Reports To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Envoy with a soft spot for Lanka leaves her shores after a job well done By Our Diplomatic Editor View(s): View(s): A diplomats duty is always to protect his countrys interests. However, Indias High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Taranjit Singh Sandhu has always had a genuine affection, a soft spot some would say, for this island-nation he has served in. The envoy came here as a Political Officer at the turn of the century when a majority of Sri Lankans were seriously disaffected with Indias support for the separatist movement in the festering ethnic conflict. A workaholic, he soon began recalibrating the broken down relations, quickly cultivating key political figures and with his wife Reenat also a career diplomat (now Indias Ambassador in Italy) as Press and Cultural Attache at the time the couple made a dynamic team, the husbands signature colourful turbans a familiar sight in Colombos diplomatic circuit. When their daughter Meher was born in Sri Lanka, and a temple visit was due, it was the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy that the proud young diplomat-parents took the child for blessings. Clearly a rising star in Indias highly competitive Foreign Service, Sandhu set up the Indian embassy in Ukraine, before being posted to Indias mission in Washington in 1997 as First Secretary. From July 2005 to February 2009, he was at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, New York and served from 2011 to 2013 as Consul General in Germany, before returning to the US as Deputy Chief of Mission where often he had to play the role of the Numero Uno. Credited was he for his backroom role in thawing the icy climate between the two nations at the time to the point where relations have become as warm as the Indian summers. It was no surprise that New Delhi sent him to Colombo, to heal the fractured relations between the two neighbours. Those in his official contact list had become his personal friends. Mr. Sandhu leaves next week to return to familiar pastures as Indias Ambassador to the US with the satisfaction of a job well done and Indo-Lanka relations on a high. That, of course, could only be one last stepping stone to the pinnacle of his countrys foreign service the Foreign Secretaryship. Five people were detained for raising slogans against the amended citizenship law during a session at the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) here, police said. They were released following a warning to not repeat such act in future, the police said. A group of activists, holding a tambourine, shouted slogans against the new citizenship law, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditya Nath during a session at the fest. In a video, purportedly of the protest, which circulated on social media, the activists are seen shouting slogans like 'Modi-Shah ko ek jawab, Inquilab Zindabad', 'CAA down-down', 'Amit Shah ho Barbad, Modi-Yogi Murdabad' and 'Hum Lekar Rahege Azadi'. Police teams at the spot took the activists outside the JLF premises where they continued shouting slogans. Five of the activists were detained and taken to the Ashok Nagar police station for interrogation, DCP (South) Yogesh Dadich said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi: A massive fire broke out in a wood warehouse situated in Delhi's Aya Nagar area on Sunday. As many as seven fire tender vehicles were immediately rushed to the spot. No injuries or casualties have been reported in the incident and the firefighters are continuously making effort to douse the flame. More details awaited Chetana Belagere By Express News Service BENGALURU: As the country is celebrating its Republic Day, the occasion evokes nostalgia about the drafting of the Constitution, the most sacred book of the democracy. While Dr BR Ambedkar was the principal architect of the statute, a number of people from Karnataka played their own role in shaping it. Perhaps, many people do not know the contributions of Benegal Narasing Rau from coastal Karnataka as the Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly. He led the team of the Constituent Assembly Secretariat (CAS) which was the interim bureaucratic agency tasked with helping in drafting the Constitution. Ramachandra NR, an 80-year-old retired professor of history, says many of his students didnt even know the role Rau played in the historic exercise. Dr Ambedkar, the man behind the Constitution, himself praised Rau for his contributions. Our younger generations should know about this, he feels. Noted cardiologist and voracious reader from Mysuru, Dr C D Sreenivasa Murthy, says the Drafting Committee under the chairmanship of Dr Ambedkar declared that the Draft Constitution was scrutinised thoroughly by Rau for making it one of the best in the world. Rau was not a member of the Constituent Assembly, but he was the most important expert who did the primary thinking and writing. Another man from Karnataka who was part of the Drafting Committee was Madhav Rao, the legal advisor to the Maharaja of Vadodara. He replaced B L Mitter who later made significant contributions to the integration of the princely states with India. There were also a number of stories which people in Karnataka read and heard about with curiosity. I was seven years old then. I used to read a Kannada newspaper delivered to my home. There would be news about the Constitution and how it was being framed and who were the important people behind it. There used to be so many stories about Ambedkar. I would be thrilled by them, the 76-year-old Murthy says. Leaders at various stagesof the framing of the Constitution According to Ramachandra, there were a lot of buzz about the framing of Constitution. Theories about several drafts of the statute were also heard, he recalls.It was a moment of curiosity. Though I was young then, I heard about the developments from my father who would ensure that I knew every bit of what was going on in our country, he says. B N Rau Rau was born on February 26, 1887 at Karkala in the then South Canara district. He completed his education in Madras and Cambridge. Rau secured the 16th rank in the tough civil service examination in 1909. He was posted in his home province of Madras. He refused to serve there and reportedly wrote a letter to the Commissioner, Sir, in this regard to the province to which I have been assigned, I beg to inform you that I have friends or relatives in almost every part of the Madras Presidency and also that my father possesses lands in the province. Under these circumstances, it might be difficult for me to perform my duties unhampered... Should it be possible, I request that I may be assigned to Burma. Following this extraordinary request, Rau was transferred to Bengal. He was interested in legislative and constitutional matters, which led to his appointment as the Legal Remembrancer and Secretary to the Government of Assam. He became a much sought after constitutional expert. With the establishment of the Constituent Assembly in 1946, he was a natural choice to be appointed as its Constitutional Advisor. Later, his family shifted from Karkala and moved abroad. He represented India in the United Nations and finally served as a judge in the International Court of Justice at The Hague. He passed away on November 30, 1953 in Zurich, Switzerland. Kengal Hanumanthaiah Kengal Hanumanthaiah was one among the first Constituent Assembly members. Born on February 10, 1908 in Bengaluru, he obtained his BA from Mysore Maharaja College and studied law at Poona Law College. He joined the Bar and practised law briefly. In 1934, he became the president of the Hindi Prachar Sabha, an organisation aimed at promoting Hindi literacy in non-Hindi speaking regions. He was a member of the Constituent Assembly representing the Mysore province on a Congress party ticket. He became a member of the Committee for the Drafting of a Model Constitution. In the Constituent Assembly, he made interventions on the issue of federalism and advocated for a greater autonomy for states. (Bloomberg) -- E-scooter startup Bird Rides Inc. has lost its U.K. and Ireland boss, Richard Corbett, who left the company this week after two years at the helm. Since launching in London in 2018, the venture capital-backed startup has struggled to deploy its scooter-rental business as a result of tight regulation, which Corbett says was made impossible to overcome while lawmakers focused on Brexit. Its not for a lack of government wanting to change the law, but the political climate, Corbett said in an interview. Theres nothing more I think I can do personally to make things move quicker. A spokesman for Bird in the U.K. declined to comment. Valued at $2.5 billion, Bird is one of the worlds largest micromobility startups. But like all of its rivals, including Lime, its never been able to roll out a widespread scooter service in Britain due to local laws that effectively ban the vehicles from roads. Scooters are classed as motor vehicles, or powered transporters -- subject to tax, driver licenses and insurance -- and the U.Ks Highways Act of 1835 stipulates that footpaths must be for the sole use of pedestrians. Despite being banned in the U.K., the startup still has a small office based in London. The company launched a version of its product in the city in 2018, but only on private land. Several dozen of its scooters were made available for journeys along a predetermined route of about 1.2 miles between the Stratford rail station in East London, and the technology-focused co-working campus Here East, where Birds London office is based. The scooters are still in active use. On Friday, the Financial Times reported that Bird was in talks to buy its European rival Circ. The paper added that under terms discussed, the American startup could merge its operations on the continent with those of Berlin-based Circ. It didnt say where it got the information and Bloomberg has been unable to independently confirm the facts as reported. Story continues Before joining Bird, Corbett spent four years as chief executive officer of Eyetease, which launched a taxi-top video advertising system for Londons iconic black cabs in 2014. It took me four years to change regulations at my last company and swore to myself I wouldnt do it again, but then I found myself back in that position, he said. After taking six months to a year off, he added that hed like to focus on something entrepreneurial. To contact the reporter on this story: Nate Lanxon in London at nlanxon@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Giles Turner at gturner35@bloomberg.net, Molly Schuetz For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) (C) speaks after Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) (R) announces that he and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) (L) and five additional members will be managers of the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 15, 2020. (OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images) Impeachment: The Only Thing Democrats Proved Was That They Wanted to Politically Tar Trump, Republicans Commentary As the Democrats 24-hour impeachment case came to a close, it was rather obvious that impeachment wasnt a focused attempt to legally prove something related to Ukraine. Instead, while they hoped the nation was watching, and while using taxpayer funds, the Democrats threw the kitchen sink at President Donald Trump as well as House and Senate Republicanscharging everything from more Russian collusion (past, present, and future) to a cover-up. This impeachment was no legal matter, to be sure. No law was brokennotwithstanding the silly opinion of the Government Accountability Office, which said the Trump administration broke the law when it withheld U.S. security aid to Ukraine. If only the Government Accountability Office was aware that the Constitution vests the power of conducting foreign policy with the president, not Congress. Absent a crime, the only thing Democrats proved was that impeachment is now, and always was, an attempt to politically destroy Republicans ahead of the 2020 elections. We must never forget that it will always be a historical fact, as Nancy Pelosi would say, that the Democrats wanted to impeach Trump even before he took the oath of office. Indeed, they have resisted this president more than any other since the South seceded from the Union in response to Abraham Lincolns election. In keeping with that, six of the seven House impeachment managers publicly pushed for Trumps impeachment BEFORE his call with the president of Ukraine. In other words, impeachment was the tool of first resort for them all alongnot a reluctant choice in the face of a factual revelation. So, what was the impeachment trial supposed to be about? Well, the two counts were for abuse of power and obstruction of Congressthe latter of which is unknown to history, let alone the law. Once the trial started, however, the Democrats kitchen-sink, scorched-earth strategy was laid bare. This wasnt going to be a trial about the impeachment articlesthis was going to be a taxpayer-funded attack on nearly all things Donald Trump and nearly all things Republican. Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-Calif.) quickly went for the jugular by stating: Will you bring Ambassador [John] Bolton here? Will you permit us to present you with the entire record of the presidents misconduct? Or will you instead choose to be complicit in the presidents cover-up So far, Im sad to say, I see a lot of senators voting for a cover-up, voting to deny witnesses, an absolutely indefensible vote, obviously a treacherous vote. Theres nothing smarter than maligning the very jurors you hope to persuade at the outset of a case, dont you think? You must understand though, that in Nadlers mind, it was the Republicans fault the Democrats didnt complete their investigatory work and, if Republicans dont vote to bail out the Democrats, they are treacherously party to a cover-up. Actually, it seems that all along, it was the first stage of the Democrats strategy to NOT do a full investigation. After all, their impeachment vote was a foregone conclusion for them without the need of an investigation. Indeed, half an investigation was okay with them because the second stage of their strategy was to claim a cover-up if Republicans didnt vote to investigate further. For his part, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) couldnt wait to get the word Russia out of his mouth. Indeed, before one-sixth of their presentation was through, led by Schiff, Democrats used the word Russia 102 times. Incredibly, Schiff even suggested that Trump was attempting to cheat on the 2020 election by withholding aid to Ukraine to help Russia. Who cares that Trump actually gave lethal aid (three times) to Ukraine that Barack Obama withheld? Speaking of Obama, who cares that it was Obama that sent a message to Putin, on an open microphone, in front of the world, about his post-election flexibility, i.e. if only Putin didnt do anything to jeopardize Obamas reelection? Wink. Wink. Returning to impeachment, its obvious that for the Democrats, that this was not a trial about a phone call with the leader of Ukrainethis was a trial about anything the Democrats wanted to say about Trumps actions past, present, and future. Incredibly, the Democrats, who couldnt find an actual crime committed and who had to make up obstruction of Congress as a charge, argued that the president must be removed from office because of what they claim he could do in the future. According to Schiff, The presidents misconduct cannot be decided at the ballot box, for we cannot be assured that the vote will be fairly won. Beyond advocating that a president should be impeached for what hasnt occurred (quite the Soviet/Nazi-style prosecutorial work), Schiff laughably asserted that its the Republicans who will cheat in the next election. The Republicans say it was the Democrats who cheated in the last election, using Hillary Clintons dossier and the help of Ukraine, while the DOJ and FBI approved FISA warrants targeting a Trump associate. The truth, however, wasnt on trial in Washington. Nor was the Ukrainian phone call on trial. The impeachment trial was a full-throated campaign by Democrats to gain a most unfair advantage in the 2020 election. Nothing more and nothing less. Thomas Del Beccaro is an acclaimed author, speaker, Fox News, Fox Business, and Epoch Times opinion writer, and the former chairman of the California Republican Party. He is the author of the historical perspectives The Divided Era and The New Conservative Paradigm. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Damon Dash has been on the receiving side of legal issues with his contentious divorce from his ex-wife, Rachel Roy, and the custody and child support battle that came with it. It was also reported that director, Lee Daniels, would be funding his backed child support from a settlement he won from the Empire creator. Damon Dash 2019 | Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Damon Dash Studios After years of battling it out in court with others, hes now using the legal system in his favor. Reports surfaced that Dash is suing We TV after a dispute from appearing on a reality television show on the network. Damon Dash appears on the We TV reality series Growing Up Hip Hop The We TV reality series, Growing Up Hip Hop, debuted in January 2016. The show chronicles the lives of the children of hip hop legends. The cast of the inaugural season featured: Romeo Miller son of Master P; Angela Simmons daughter of Rev. Run; Kristina DeBarge daughter of El DeBarge; Egypt Criss daughter of Pepa (Salt-N-Pepa) and Treach (Naughty By Nature); and Damon Boogie Dash Jr. son of Damon Dash. Damon has appeared alongside Boogie since the start of the show. Like his father, Boogie is an entrepreneur and aspiring mogul. He is the co-founder of Chipz Cookies, has his own record label, and owns an art gallery in New York City. The father and son duo are extremely close but Boogies personal issues in seasons 2 and 3 began to test their bond. Boogie struggles with alcohol abuse throughout the series and Dash attempts to help him fight his addiction through tough love. In season 3, Dash confronts Boogie about his addiction and viewers discover that he is also using lean, which is soda mixed with medicated cough syrup. Dash rallies to have Boogies role on the show eliminated so that he no longer has income to support his addiction. Source: YouTube The real consequence is he cant do the show no more, Dash is seen telling a drug and alcohol specialist in one episode. For right now, all he listens to is bread. He cant buy drugs without no money and this is how he makes his money. Dash is also filmed arguing with other castmates, including Pepa, regarding him feeling that they enable Boogies addiction by drinking with him. Source: YouTube Boogie eventually agreed to go to rehab but his addiction continued to be an ongoing battle. Damon Dash sues We TV after claiming breach of agreement on Growing Up Hip Hop Apparently, it wasnt just co-stars who gave into Boogies addiction. According to court documents revealed by TMZ, Dash is suing the network, claiming that they reneged on a promise not to allow Boogie to drink alcohol on the show. Source: YouTube Dash claims We TV required Boogie to consume alcohol to increase ratings for the reality show as part of a forced storyline. Dash says that he requested that the network refuse Boogie access to alcohol moving forward and executives verbally agreed to do so. The suit alleges that the network didnt uphold their promise and as a result, the Dash family suffered emotional distress. In addition, Dash also claims that We TV owes him money from appearing on the show but says the money is not being released to him. He admits theres a court order directing the network to divert all money to his creditors, but he claims We TV should not be withholding the funds because the moneys owed to a third-party company that Dash owns. We TV has yet to comment on Dashs lawsuit. The wedding ceremony of an Italian man and his Nigerian bride is the current buzz in wedding topics on social media. The beautiful wedding photos of the couple as got many in their feelings on Instagram. This wedding ceremony represents the union of an Italian family and a Nigerian family. The Italian groom flew all the way across the Mediterranean sea to say his vows to his beautiful Nigerian bride. It was gathered that the ceremony was held in Lagos state. The groom identified as Gian Carlo was spotted rocking Nigeria's Yoruba traditional attire for the wedding ceremony. The family of the groom was also seen supporting him by dressing up in Yoruba traditional attire. Both the mother and father of the groom were seen wearing purple native while the groom changed twice. PAY ATTENTION: Read best news on Nigeria's #1 news app Carlo was seen wearing a blue agbada before he later changed into a white agbada. His bride also wore two outfits for the wedding, she wore a green outfit and a red sequin outfit. PAY ATTENTION: Do you have news to share? Contact Legit.ng instantly The bride's family and friends were also dressed in their best to support their girl on her special day. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that another Nigerian lady recently tied the knot with her American husband at a ceremony in Enugu state. The lady identified as Precious Destiny Stewart wedded her husband, Richard Stewart, after dating for three years. Richard Stewart flew all the way from Hawai to say his vows to Precious Destiny. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better Wedding Abroad vs Wedding In Nigeria: There's No Party Like Naija Party - on Legit TV Source: Legit.ng Afghan officials say at least 20 people have been wounded after unknown assailants threw grenades at a wedding party in the southestern province of Khost. Investigation are under way into the incident that occurred in the town of Alishir, provincial government spokesman Talib Mangal said on January 26. The motive behind the attack is not yet known, Mangal added. There was no immediate responsibility for the attack, which happened late on January 25. Elsewhere in Afghanistan, a bystander was killed and four other civilians were wounded when a police vehicle hit an improvised explosive device in the capital, Kabul, police said on January 26. The vehicle was destroyed in the blast, which occurred on the evening of January 25, Interior Ministry spokesman Nusrat Rahimi said. No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Taliban often targets Afghan security forces. Based on reporting by tolonews.com and RFE/RLs Radio Free Afghanistan Seventy-one contingents comprising the army, paramilitary, police and schoolchildren dressed in uniforms and attires marched through the streets here to celebrate the 71st Republic Day on Sunday. The parade started from Ravindralaya (in Charbagh) and culminated at the K D Singh Babu Stadium. Elaborating about it, District Magistrate Abhishek Prakash told PTI, "The total number of contingents stood at 71, as it is the 71st Republic Day. The contingents were drawn from military, paramilitary, police, bands, schoolchildren, tableaux of various organisations and departments, and cultural programmes by schoolchildren. The main theme for this year was national integration, swachhta (cleanliness), environment, Ganga and fit India." Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel took the salute at the Vidhan Bhavan here. Flower petals were also showered by helicopters on the contingents. Curious onlookers were spotted through the entire stretch of the parade on either sides of the road, with children shouting 'Jai Hind' as the marching contingents moved on the city's streets one after the other. In her message on the eve of the Republic Day on Saturday, Patel had said it is the responsibility of each and everyone of us to maintain the unity and integrity of the country, whose independence was achieved by the sacrifice of freedom fighters. "The occasion of the Republic Day motivates us to maintain peace, amity and brotherhood," she said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in a tweet in Hindi, said, "The Republic Day reminds us of the sacrifice of our freedom fighters and at the same time it also makes us aware about the constitutional duties. This national festival gives an opportunity to introspect and commit to fulfil the dreams of great patriots. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The skyline with its banking district is photographed in Frankfurt BERLIN (Reuters) - The trade deal struck by the United States and China will divert trade away from European exporters, experts said on Tuesday, and Germany is likely to be affected the most. Washington and Beijing last week reached a truce in their 18-month trade war, which slowed global economic growth and increased business uncertainty. The initial agreement calls for China to buy more U.S. goods and services. The Phase 1 agreement will redirect global trade flows and cut demand for European goods worth nearly $11 billion, said Gabriel Felbermayr, president of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. The European Union is now checking to see whether the agreement complies with the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO). "Among the EU countries, Germany is particularly affected, and among the sectors, especially aircraft and vehicle manufacturing," Felbermayr said. The agreement also undermines the WTO's basic principle of non-discriminatory trade and relies instead on bilaterally agreed trade volumes, he said. "China, which has repeatedly insisted on the values of the multilateral system, is thus making itself an accomplice in the violation of the core principles of the WTO," Felbermayr said. The trade pact calls for China to import $95 billion more of certain U.S. goods in 2021 as in 2017, or twice as much, according to calculations by Felbermayr and trade expert Sonali Chowdhry. In manufacturing alone, China's imports from the United States are expected to increase by almost $33 billion this year and by almost $45 billion next year compared with the base year of 2017, before the trade war began. "The EU, which accounts for about one fifth of Chinese manufacturing goods imports, is particularly vulnerable to trade diversions in this area," Felbermayr said as manufacturing accounts for all the top 10 product groups that China imports from the EU. In absolute terms, the biggest losers in the EU are the manufacturers of aircraft ($-3.7 billion), vehicles ($-2.4 billion) and industrial machinery ($-1.4 billion). "The affected industries are mainly located in Germany, but France has also been hit considerably", Felbermayr said. Story continues Germany's economic growth slowed last year to 0.6%, its weakest since 2013, as manufacturers faced were hit by trade disputes and less foreign demand. Germany's BDI industry association has said there are no manufacturing growth is improving and it expects overall German growth to slow further this year. ($1 = 0.9021 euros) (Reporting by Michael Nienaber,) Chief minister Yogi Adityanaths message and the state polices conduct perhaps were best appreciated by the Bengal president of BJP who was happy that they shot the protesters like dogs. (Photo: File) No united civil liberties movement exists as such in India today. But police excesses have mounted. The movement against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act has spread all over India. Two conspicuous features of the agitation have been the enthusiastic and peaceful participation of students, women and Muslims, on the one hand, and on the other hand, the equally conspicuous police excesses in some parts in the context of the hostility towards the movement of the ruling party, the BJP. All this has been thoroughly documented by an independent body set up in the fine tradition established before Independence of peoples inquiries. In this case, a peoples tribunal was set up, and its report was published by one of the most highly respected Indian diplomats, now retired, Deb Mukharji. He said on January 19: Over the past month, there have been protests across India on the [CAA] process. Universities have been on the front line, suffering attacks by storm troopers and even more so by, shamefully, uniformed keepers of law and order. The Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi leads the roll of honour, followed by the Jawaharlal Nehru University and the Aligarh Muslim University. Attacks on these centres of learning have been the focus of attention, even as obfuscation continues to prevent an accounting for the misdeeds of security personnel. Meanwhile, the women of Shaheen Bagh in New Delhi continue to shed light through wintry nights on the aspirations of their fellow citizens across India. Surprisingly, however, scant attention has been paid to the extraordinary horrors inflicted on the hapless Muslims of Uttar Pradesh. Unable to accept the message demanding equality as citizens from the peaceful protesters sheltering behind the national flag and the Constitution, the saffron-clad chief minister of the state asked for revenge. This is perhaps a unique instance, from any corner of the world, of a person responsible for the welfare of those in his charge seeking revenge. A reign of terror was unleashed on the Muslims in Uttar Pradesh. Chief minister Yogi Adityanaths message and the state polices conduct perhaps were best appreciated by the Bengal president of BJP who was happy that they shot the protesters like dogs. The peoples tribunal was set up in Delhi to expose the trend of excesses that swept the Indian capital and western Uttar Pradesh. It comprised former judges of the Supreme Court, a former chief justice of the Delhi high court, eminent academics and retired civil servants. The tribunal was convinced that the entire state machinery, led from the top, acted with grave prejudice and perpetrated violence targeting one particular community, the states Muslim population, and the social activists leading the movement. The UP police has been guilty of inflicting enormous violence targeting the Muslim community, peaceful protesters, and not even sparing those [who] were not involved in the protests. The tribunal had heard testimonies of field workers, human rights activists, doctors, civil society activists and eyewitnesses. Clearly, the existing procedures and mechanism for investigating complaints against the police have failed. Time has overtaken on this point the report of the National Police Commission, which was made nearly 40 years ago. In this context, the report of the British Royal Commission on the police is relevant. We recommend that the regulations be reviewed so as to provide for a complainant being given ample opportunity to attend at a disciplinary hearing arising out of his complaint; and that he be entitled to put questions to the police officer of whose conduct he has complained. It is essential that every complaint should be told how his complaint has been looked into and the results of the investigation. Some witnesses told us that this does not always happen at present, and that bona fide complaints are occasionally left in the dark as to the upshot of their complaints. This is quite indefensible, and is bound to lead to dissatisfaction and friction between the police and the public. We do not think that the nature of the punishment awarded to a police officer should normally be disclosed, but we recommend that a letter, promptly notifying the result of every investigation into a complaint, however trivial, be signed or approved by a senior officer, preferably the chief constable or the deputy chief constable, except in cases in which, because of the unreasonableness or incoherence of the complaint, this course is clearly inappropriate. We also recommend that chief officers of police pay close attention to the style of correspondence which passes between the police and aggrieved citizens. It is the absence of such an open as well as independent mechanism that gives the police and its political supporters at the top the confidence of impunity. The rule of law is reduced to naught. Across all 45 schools in Alief ISD, administrators, teachers and support staff comprise an Above and Beyond Team, tasked with ensuring a safe, orderly campus. Their job entails promoting initiatives aimed at improving student behavior, analyzing which programs are working best and monitoring campus discipline data, the kind of behind-the-scenes work that has helped Alief, in southwest Houston, reduce its out-of-school suspension rate by 53 percent over the past decade. Most of that change comes from within us, the adults, realizing that we no longer serve traditional kids from traditional homes, said Roxanna Barnes, a prevention and safe schools specialist in Alief. We know that kids are human, theyre going to make mistakes and we want them to see beyond their mistakes. As Beaumont ISD grapples with the states highest out-of-school suspension rate 46 issued per 100 students last school year, far exceeding any other district with at least 1,000 children educators in hundreds of districts like Alief have reduced their use of harsh discipline in recent years, offering potential insights for Beaumont officials. In recent weeks, as the Houston Chronicle and Beaumont Enterprise have investigated the districts extraordinarily high suspension rate, Beaumont Superintendent Shannon Allen and Board of Education President Thomas Sigee have acknowledged the need to make administrative changes aimed at curbing frequent discipline. About 3,325 out of the districts 19,000 students were suspended at least once last school year, missing a combined 17,500 days of school. On HoustonChronicle.com: Beaumont ISD suspends kids at Texas highest rate and its not even close While district officials have implemented more than 20 initiatives in recent years to curtail student misbehavior, Beaumonts suspension rate has increased. By contrast, Texas statewide suspension rate is down 30 percent over the past decade, with dozens of districts cutting their use by more than half. What I want to do, even if I have to pay for it out of my own pocket, is go visit those districts, and see what they are doing and see what they have done in order to curtail the number of suspensions, Sigee said. And then we can come back and see if we apply those methods at BISD. Texas educators and discipline experts said the work to reduce suspensions can be slow, arduous and time-consuming. New approaches to discipline often require dramatic shifts in employees mindsets away from zero-tolerance and toward building relationships with students. Administrators must earn buy-in across campuses, with accountability measures in place to ensure follow-through. District leaders should allocate funding for continuous training, they said. Its not a problem where you can give people a checklist overnight and theyre fixing it. Its a philosophy, said Randy Dean, who trains educators across Texas on student behavior management as director of the Institute For Restorative Justice and Restorative Dialogue near Fort Worth. Its a three-to-five-year rollout on a campus. Its not a microwave process. Its definitely a crock-pot that stews for a long time. And youve got to have that constant and continual attention to make it work. Unique challenges Compared to other Texas districts, Beaumont leaders face a particularly unique and challenging task to reduce suspensions. The district serves some of the states largest percentages of black and impoverished students from single-parent households three demographic groups that researchers have found are disciplined at far-above-average rates nationwide. District officials also said the trauma of massive flooding from Hurricane Harvey in 2017, and Tropical Storm Imelda in 2019, has continued to impact children and their behavior. In addition, Beaumonts staff has been ravaged by staffing cuts, turnover and inexperience in recent years, which largely traces back to the elimination of 15 percent of the districts teaching positions in 2014-15 due to extensive financial mismanagement and misconduct by prior administrations. Despite serving one of the states highest-need student populations, Beaumont recorded above-average class sizes and one of Texas highest teacher turnover rates last year. Houston Chronicle Beaumont already employs many discipline-control tactics commonly used in districts across Texas, including a classroom management protocol called CHAMPS, curriculum infused with lessons on positive decision-making and hiring of staff dedicated to student behavior. Allen has acknowledged, however, that district officials were not consistently following through on the things we have in place to change student behavior, echoing complaints from the president of Beaumonts largest teachers union. As with any great change in an organization, it takes time, said Allen, a 23-year veteran of the district who became superintendent in July 2019. The problems we see didnt occur overnight and will not be solved instantly. We are encouraged, however, that with the support of parents and the community, our committed staff will do what is necessary to improve in this area. In Waco ISD, which reported the states third-highest suspension rate in 2014-15, district officials have used some practices that mirror Beaumonts efforts in the past several years, along with a software system that helps staff monitor and create student intervention plans. Since that time, Wacos suspension rate has tumbled 52 percent. On HoustonChronicle.com: Texas middle schools boast many of states highest suspension rates Trudy Bender, who was hired in 2014 as Wacos behavior intervention coordinator, said the biggest keys to success included intensive support to staff, holding school leaders accountable for their performance and working campus by campus to gauge needs. I think Waco ISD, like a lot of school districts, really fell in line behind this idea of zero-tolerance, Bender said. What we found, instead, is that just treating discipline as a punitive or even criminal issue doesnt help us address the underlying issues. Those kids just keep coming back and its a revolving door. Possible solutions In Beaumont, some parents and community leaders have called for more immediate changes, such as banning cell phones from campus. (Teachers) have a lot of trouble with students wanting to be on their phones, on social media and playing games, and when they try to get them to put the phones up, theres resistance, said Beaumont City Councilmember Mike Getz said, who has been critical of prior district administrations but supportive of Allen. Sigee said feedback he has received to a cell phone ban seems to be 50-50, adding that he believes the move would not solve all issues. Long term, local leaders said reducing school disciplinary rates will require several concurrent changes: a shift in attitudes toward student behavior, increased parental involvement, better commitment to initiatives from district administration and community-wide support for raising children out of poverty. Vernon Durden, president emeritus of 100 Black Men of Greater Beaumont, said the districts behavior challenges trace back to recurring cycles of poverty among black families, which he largely attributed to the citys deep-rooted, old-fashioned mindset. Beaumonts black students, who comprise about 60 percent of the districts population, were suspended last year at a rate four times greater than Hispanic and white students, mirroring national averages for American public schools. Black kids from a family of poverty, who have been living in poverty for three or four generations, that kid grows up differently. And they take those challenges to school, Durden said. There is a discipline problem, but it starts with economics. Ginger Gummelt, who taught for eight years at Beaumonts Marshall Middle School and now serves as director of Lamar Universitys social work program, said district officials must embrace the painstaking work of training teachers on how to support children suffering from childhood trauma. There has to be a focus on that if were ever going to see real, lasting change, Gummelt said. But that takes so much time. I think Beaumont has put together some really good initiatives, but were going to have to see some consistency. jacob.carpenter@chron.com isaac.windes@hearstnp.com Srinivas was arrested on April 30 last year, four days after the Class IX student went missing. The girls decomposed body was unearthed from a well belonging to Srinivas Reddy, at Hajipur under Bommalaramaram police station limits. Hyderabad: The Nalgonda fast track court is scheduled to give its ruling on Monday in the three cases of rape and murder of minor girls at Hajipur in Yadadri Bhongir district. The accused, Marri Srinivas Reddy, has been charged with kidnap, rape and murder. The prosecution had produced 101 witnesses, and 164 exhibits against Srinivas Reddy, 28, during the hearing. Considering the three cases as the rarest of rare, the prosecution had earlier sought the death penalty to Srinivas Reddy who is currently lodged at the Nalgonda district jail. In two cases, Srinivas was charged with kidnap, rape, and murder of minor girls, while in the third he was charged with kidnap, attempted sexual assault and murder of an 11-year-old girl. Srinivas Reddy was arrested last year by the Rachakonda police following investigation into a Class IX girl student from Bommalara-maram village going missing. The investigations led to two other murders. Srinivas was arrested on April 30 last year, four days after the Class IX student went missing. The girls decomposed body was unearthed from a well belonging to Srinivas Reddy, at Hajipur under Bommalaramaram police station limits. On questioning him, Srinivas confessed to kidnapping, raping and murdering a 17-year-old girl who was returning home from college in March 2019. Then he also confessed of kidnap, attempt to sexual assault and murder of an 11-year-old girl in April 2015. His confessions reportedly led the police to recover the bodies of the two other minor girls, which were buried in his well. After investigation of the three cases, separate charge-sheets were filed before the Nalgonda fast track court in August 2019. During the trial, Srinivas claimed that he was impotent and could not drive a bike the prosecution had alleged that he had kidnapped the girls on the pretext of giving them a lift till the main road. The prosecution had produced the reports from the government doctors that they did not find anything to suggest that Srinivas was impotent. Witnessed were also produced before that the court against his claims over bike riding. The court examined the witnesses and the exhibits and after hearing the arguments of the prosecution and the defence counsel, it posted the judgment to January 27. Mr K. Chandra Shekar, special public prosecutor for the Hajipur cases, said, In one case, about 72 exhibits were produced, in the other two cases 48 and 44 exhibits were produced before the court. Chhattisgarh has decided to introduce local languages and dialects as the medium of instruction in State-run primary schools from the next academic session. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said students will be taught in Gondi, Halbi, Bhatri, Sargujia, Korwa, Pando, Kudukh, Kamari among others. In the Right to Education Act 2009, there was a provision to teach children in their mother tongue wherever possible, but the previous government has not taken any initiative in this direction.. we have decided now that every attempt in this regard will be made, Baghel said. Baghel added that government had also directed all State schools to introduce discussions on different aspects of the Constitution of India once a week to increase awareness of its fundamental tenets. Chhattisgarh government had released a related circular on Friday instructing schools to hold such discussions after morning prayers on every Monday. The creator of constitution Dr BR Ambedkar had said that it bothers him if India will be able to maintain its independence or will again lose it?. If political parties place their creed above the country, then our freedom will once again be in danger and possibly it will end forever. We all must counter any such possible event with full determination, Bhagel said in his speech. While listing some achievements of his government, the chief minister cited the withdrawal of criminal cases against 313 people in insurgency-hit Bastar region and claimed its programmes to win back the trust of the tribals in the region was working. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Devendra Fadnavis hit out at NCP chief Sharad Pawar, saying even 'senior leaders' were now spreading misinformation 'knowingly' and creating fear and confusion on CAA and NRC. Nagpur: Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday hit out at NCP chief Sharad Pawar, saying even "senior leaders" were now spreading misinformation "knowingly" and creating fear and confusion on CAA and NRC. Speaking at an event on Citizen Amendment Act in Nagpur, Fadnavis said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has clearly stated that there was no talk of implementing NRC in the government and wider consultation was going on and after this consultation is over, a decision will be taken. "Even after such clear statement what is going on in the country?" he said. He said he suspected fear was being spread "knowingly" to create chaos in the country. "Now new things are coming up in this regard. A few days ago, I was listening to a speech of senior Maharashtra leader Sharad Pawar. I don't believe Sharad Pawar does not know CAA, he very well knows CAA, and that NRC is not there now. "But what did he say in his speech? He talked about the shepherd community (Banjara Samaj) which keeps moving from place to place and laws are not applicable to them. Hence, even the shepherd community will be sent away from the country. I feel if senior leaders will spread fear like this about a community which has no relation to this... Who will send them away from this country? It is their country? "But knowingly (Jaaniv purvak) confusion is being created for vote-bank politics and efforts are being made to take benefit of this confusion to create chaos in the country. Besides, many people are thinking that these agitations are steps for them to come to power," said Fadnavis. The former chief minister said people don't know much about the citizenship law or the National Register of Citizens (NRC). "Minorities are being told through CAA your registration will be done and if you are not registered then you will be sent back to Pakistan and Bangladesh. A false narrative is being spread on a huge scale to create an atmosphere of fear among the minority community," he said. He said "unfortunately" mainstream political parties were also spreading false information, creating chaos (arajakta) and fear among the minorities and particularly the Muslim community. "This Act is to grant citizenship and there is no provision in the Act which takes away anyone's citizenship right," Fadnavis assured. The Foreign Office updated its guidance to advise against all travel to Hubei province (Steve Parsons/PA) Another person suspected of having coronavirus in Scotland has now been tested, the Scottish Government has said. On Thursday, five patients were confirmed as being tested for the infection, but ministers announced they had been given the all-clear on Friday. It was revealed on Saturday that an additional person had also tested negative for the virus. As on Sunday afternoon, more than 50 people across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland had been tested for the deadly flu-like virus, but all tests were confirmed as negative. Health Protection Scotland has urged travellers returning from Wuhan who become unwell within a fortnight from a sore throat, cough or breathing difficulties to call their GP or NHS 24. Photo: The Canadian Press Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Theresa Tam participates in a press conference following the announcement by the Government of Ontario of the first presumptive confirmed case of a novel coronavirus in Canada, in Ottawa, on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Public health officials were working Sunday to track down some of the passengers of a China Southern Airlines flight to Toronto this week after learning that the patient diagnosed with Canada's first case of coronavirus showed symptoms on the plane. But Canada's chief public health officer stressed that the risk of future infection is low, and public health protocols are working. Dr. Theresa Tam said the man in his 50's, currently in stable condition in a Toronto hospital, showed mild symptoms on the flight from Guangzhou to Toronto earlier this week. Tam said the patient did not report his flu-like symptoms upon arrival, but did share his recent stay in Wuhan with first responders when he sought medical help the next day. Paramedics and hospital staff took all necessary precautions. "The patient has been managed with all appropriate infection and prevention control protocols, so the risk of onward spread in Canada is low," Tam said at a morning news conference in Ottawa. "Nevertheless it would not be unexpected that there will be more cases imported into Canada in the near-term given global travel patterns." Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu said that sequence of events shows current systems are working as intended. "For me that is a sign that the information provided at the border did, in fact, percolate through to the patient and his family," she said. The man remains at Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital, where Ontario health authorities said he's being held in a negative-pressure room used to contain airborne illnesses. The case is "presumptive positive" until the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg finds the same positive results as the tests conducted in Toronto. Tam said those results were expected within 24 hours. Dr. Jerome Leis of Sunnybrook said the presence of an infected patient at the facility has not prompted any changes in day-to-day operations, stressing the risk of general infection is low and the hospital remains safe for patients. "We are carrying on our normal business and normal operations," Leis said. ". . . It is not affecting the care we provide for all of our other patients." Despite her concession that future Canadian cases are expected, Tam said the risk of human-to-human contamination is minimal, even for those who may have shared a flight or been in the airport alongside the Toronto patient. "People transmit when they're in close contact, particularly prolonged contact," she said. "It's really family members travelling with the patient who are at the highest risk." She said federal authorities, together with Toronto Public Health, are in the process of reaching out to those who were within a two-metre radius to the man to ensure they have all necessary information. The news of Canada's first coronavirus patient comes as authorities around the world grapple with the new type of virus, which originated in China but has since spread to Europe and North America. Several countries, including the United States, have indicated plans to evacuate diplomats and visitors from Wuhan where the virus is most rampant. Hajdu said Canada is not taking any such immediate steps. There are nearly 2,000 global cases so far, including three in France and three in the United States. While 56 people have died of the virus in China most of the deaths have been older patients the World Health Organization has not declared the outbreak an international public health emergency. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some of which cause the common cold. Others have evolved into more severe illnesses, such as SARS and MERS, although so far the new virus does not appear to be nearly as deadly or contagious. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 26) The last batch of tourists from the city of Wuhan the epicenter of the new strain of coronavirus has been sent back to China, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. The agencys spokesperson Eric Apolonio confirmed Sunday that 156 Chinese nationals have left Kalibo International Airport onboard a Royal Air Charter flight. Apolonio said this is the last flight from Kalibo back to Wuhan. Civil Aviation Board Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla earlier said that close to 500 Chinese tourists who arrived in Kalibo, Aklan from Wuhan will be transported back to their point of origin this week despite the Chinese city being on lockdown. Arcilla said the airlines have the clearance to repatriate the foreigners because they are Wuhan residents. None of them had to be quarantined and referred for hospital care as they did not show the symptoms of infection of the new coronavirus strain, which the World Health Organization refers to as 2019-nCoV. Among the symptoms of the infection include fever and coughing. Prior to the outbreak, Royal Air operated direct flights to and from Kalibo and Wuhan from Mondays to Saturdays, while Pan Pacific Airline served the flight route from Tuesdays to Sundays. In a briefing Sunday, Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian said with help from the WHO and other countries they were confident they would be able to curb the spread of the virus. New Delhi: Shah Rukh Khan has once again taken the religion debate by reiterating that his children are free to discover religion for themselves and it is not something that is preached or discussed at his house, adding that his children write Indian in forms where they need to mention their religion. During his visit to the sets of Dance Plus 5, Shah Rukh said, Humne koi Hindu-Musalman ki baat hi nahi ki. Meri biwi Hindu hai, mai Musalman hoon. Aur mere jo bacche hain, wo Hindustan hain. Everyone clapped as he continued, Jab wo school gae to school me wo bharna padta hai ki religion kya hai. To jab meri beti choti thi, usne aa ke pucha bhi mujhse ek baar, papa hum kaun se religion ke hain? Maine usme ye likha ki hum Indian hi hain yaar, koi religion nahi hai. Aur hona bhi nahi chahiye. (We have never discussed Hindu-Muslim. My wife is Hindu, I am a Muslim and our kids are Hindustan. When they went to school, they had to write their religion. My daughter came to me once and asked what is our religion? I simply wrote in her form that we are Indian, we do not have a religion. ) My wife is Hindu, I am a Muslim and my kids are Hindustan. My daughter was asked the religion in school form, I told her we are Indians YY aAiA - The pride of India Shah Rukh Khan. #RepublicDayIndia #RepublicDay2020 pic.twitter.com/Qk95xxLT3j Neel Joshi (@neeljoshiii) January 25, 2020 The actor also revealed that he never had taken a picture with the Taj Mahal as his first viisit to the city was when he was drawing a petty salary. Reminiscing about his first visit to the Taj Mahal on his first salary, mere Rs 50. SRK revealed after giving up all the money he had for the train ticket he had money left just enough for a glass of pink lassi. A bee fell into it, but I still drank it and puked all through my return journey, he admitted sheepishly, going on to pose in front of the Taj Mahal on the set. SRK has often insisted that religion is not imposed inside his house and they celebrate all festivals. Talking about his kids, SRK has earlier said, I gave my son and daughter names that could pass for generic (pan-India and pan-religious) ones - Aryan and Suhana. The Khan has been bequeathed by me so they cant really escape it. About his own religion, Shah Rukh had said,, Im not religious in terms of reading namaz [prayer] five times but I am Islamic. I believe in the tenets of Islam and I believe that its a good religion and a good discipline. "I believe religion is personal... You learn and respect each other because you learn about your religion on your own. I hope my children do the same," said Shah Rukh. had earlier said. On work front,SRK is yet to announce any film post the debacle of Zero. Nonetheless, he has a few production ventures including Abhishek Bachchans Bob Biswas, which went on floors earlier this week in Delhi. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi [India], Jan 26 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday appealed those involved in "seeking solutions to problems through violence" to return to the mainstream and asserted that dialogue is the only way to resolve any dispute. He said that the countrymen will be thrilled to know that insurgency in the North-East has considerably reduced. "Assam, which hosted the grand Khelo India Games successfully, was a witness to another great achievement. 644 militants from eight groups surrendered with their weapons," said Prime Minister Modi in the 61st edition of his monthly radio programme -- 'Mann Ki Baat'. "The countrymen will be thrilled to know that insurgency in the North-East has considerably reduced. And the biggest reason for that is that every issue of this region is being honestly and peacefully solved through dialogue," he said. "On the occasion of Republic Day, I would appeal to anyone who is still seeking solutions to problems through violence and weapons, to return to the mainstream. They should have faith in their own capabilities and that of the country to resolve issues peacefully," Modi said. The Prime Minister said that over 80 people shunned violence and returned to the mainstream in Tripura last year. "Last year in Tripura too, over 80 people shunned violence and returned to the mainstream. People picked up arms thinking that violence can resolve their problems. Now, they believe that peace and unity is the only way to resolve disputes," he said. "Those who had strayed towards the path of violence, have expressed their faith in peace and decided to become a partner in the country's progress and return to the mainstream," he said. (ANI) Appreciations View(s): A doyen of towering intellect and exceptional humanity Prof. M.D. DASSANAYAKE Monday January 6, though bright and sunny, was a sombre day for botanists at the Peradeniya University for the remains of late Professor Dassanayake were to be brought to the Department of Botany, allowing his former colleagues and students gathered there to pay their last respects, prior to being taken to the Mahaiyawa Cemetery for cremation. Prof. M.D. Dassanayake, born on September 17, 1921 in Kurunegala, passed away peacefully after living a full life, in the early hours of January 3, at the age of 98 years at his Dangolla residence. He is survived by his wife, Chithra Ratwatte Dassanayake, two children, Damitha and Ujitha, and grandson Achindra. He received his primary education at Dharmaraja College, Kandy where he successfully completed the London Matriculation examination in 1938. He was awarded B.Sc. Special degree in Botany by the Ceylon University College (later University of Ceylon), Colombo (1939-1943), M.A Degree (1948-1950)by the University of Cambridge and Ph. D. (1955-1957) by the University of Manchester having conducted research at the Department of Cryptogamic Botany. Prof. Dassanayakes professional career began way back in 1945 at the Department of Botany, University of Ceylon in Colombo, and later continued at the Peradeniya Campus of the University of Ceylon as the Professor of Botany and the first Head of the Department of Botany (1973-1986)of Peradeniya University, offering an exemplary service till his retirement in 1986. Prof. Dassanayake was an accomplished botanist and a teacher emulated and admired by many. He was exceptionally committed to the University throughout his distinguished career. After retirement, he served as a Consultant to the Plant Genetic Resources Centre of the Department of Agriculture for another15 years. Prof. Dassanayake was an elected Fellow of the National Academy of Science, Sri Lanka since 1985. He was a Life Member of Ceylon/Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS), the President of the Natural Sciences Section of SLAAS in 1962 and the General Secretary from 1958-1961. He was also the President of the Natural History Society of Ceylon (1968), Associate Editor (1970 -1986) and the Chief Editor (1982-1986) of the Ceylon Journal of Science (Biological Sciences). He was a Board Member of the Coconut Research Institute (1976 1978) and the University Senate (1973-1986). His major contribution to research was mostly in the field of Plant Taxonomy. Prof. Dassanayake was the Co-Editor of A Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon, which was published in a monumental 15 volume series till 2006, collectively spanning 7,067 pages (1980-2006). This was a most significant addition to the documentation of the countrys flora in the 20th century. The main outcome of this monumental project was a complete taxonomic revision of the angiosperm and fern flora of Sri Lanka. A new species of Kekatiya (S), endemic to Sri Lanka, was recently named after him, Aponogetondassanayakei Manawaduge & Yakandawala, as a tribute to his contribution to Plant Taxonomy of the country. In spite of being a highly accomplished professional, Prof. Dassanayake was the most unassuming and modest person. He was a symbol of simplicity and always willing to help people selflessly. He always had ample time to spend on a colleague, past student or an old friend visiting him at the Department or his residence. He had a positive attitude towards life. He was a great listener and his sense of humour was also a trademark. He will be ever remembered for his towering intellect, and most of all, for his exceptional humanity which he generously shared with his many students and colleagues. His death has left a gaping hole among the ranks of Plant Taxonomists in the country, but he leaves behind a solid foundation for others to build upon.His legacy lives on. Nimal Adikaram and Deepthi Yakandawala A surveyor who made the country proud Dr. Samson Theodore Herat It was three months yesterday (January 25) since the passing away of a great human being respected by all. Dr. Samson Herat was the first Surveyor General of Sri Lanka produced from Trinity College Kandy. Born on October 28,1934 to George and Sriya Herat, a Kandyan family who lived in Kandy, he was the eldest child in the family of six (three sons and three daughters ). Dr. Herat spent his entire childhood in Kandy and had the luxury of living close to the Kandy lake in a beautiful environment close to nature. Walking round the lake, visits to the hilly areas above the Raja Pihilla Mawatha, Udawattekelle, Bahirawakanda and Hanthana Hill were the order of the day for a healthy life. He was fortunate to have associated with children in the surrounding villages and schoolmates of different ethnicities and religious backgrounds. This was the secret of his success story. Samson Herat had his early education at the best school of all Trinity College Kandy. He was a firm believer of the school motto RESPICE FINEM Look to the end and lived up to the traditions of the school. While having his primary education at Trinity he was under the stewardship of the then principal Rev. R.W. Stopford who had a distinguished career at Oxford. His next spell, the secondary education was under the stewardships of C.E. Simithraaratchy and N.S. Walter . During this period Dr. Herat had an excellent academic career and excelled in his studies with the guidance provided by the two vice principals Gordon Burrows and G.Y. Sahayam. In 1948 & 1949 at the G. C. E. ( O.L.) stage Dr Herat won the Mathematics prize. In 1950 & 1952 at the A.L. stage he won the Mathematics & Physics prizes. He along with fellow batch mate Mahinda Kehelpannala passed the University Entrance Examination in 1952 and gained entry to the Science Faculty of the University of Ceylon Peradeniya. Some of his other colleagues at Trinity were Kavan Rambukwella (sportsman), J.C.Rassiah, B.R.Hepponstall and L.Y.Wickramaratne, (academics) Having gone through a distinguished academic career in the university earning a BSc. Honours degree in mathematics he later joined the Ceylon Survey Department as an Assistant Surveys Superintendent. His father George Herat too happened to be a surveyor. As colleagues who worked with Dr Herat in the Survey Department and the Sabaragamuwa University, Sarath Jayatilaka (Deputy Surveyor General ), Neil Seneviratne (Surveyor General) & Dr. H.I.M. Prasanna, (Dean Faculty of Geomatics, Sabaragamuwa University) say, Dr. S. T. Herat was one of the most illustrious surveyors Sri Lanka had ever produced. He was a friend and mentor to many people. While working as an Assistant Surveys Superintendent he obtained his post graduate training at the University of London in the United Kingdom and later obtained his Masters Degree from Ohio University in the US. Dr. Herat was in charge of the Survey Departments Aerial Survey Section and was responsible in introducing Strip Triangulation for photogrammetric plotting. He was also responsible for developing the computer division of the Survey Department and as a skilled programmer who specialized in Fortran developed least square solutions to deal with several problematic issues in the department. He also served at the National Research Council, Ottawa, Canada to work on Computer Sciences and its applications in Geodesy & Photogrammetry. Dr. Herat was a great mathematician who developed programmers for projects that focused on Jethawanaramaya Temple in Anuradhapura, underground tunnels in Polgolla / Bowatenna / Maskeliya. He also worked with Mahaweli Minister Gamini Dissanayake on the accelerated Mahaweli project. The Victoria project, Randenigala / Rantambe project, Maduru Oya project were some projects where he was actively involved. Dr. Herat rose to the top position of Surveyor General in Sri Lanka and was the first Trinitian to hold this post. He also held key responsibilities in different Government and research organizations. He functioned as a director of the National Hydrographic office & ESCAP Regional remote sensing programme, was a member of the Arthur C. Clarke Centre, Young Astronomers Association of Sri Lanka, Steering Committee of the Central Cultural Fund, of the Governing Board of the National Aquatic Resources & Development Agency and Surveyors Institute of Sri Lanka. Dr. Herat also provided his expertise internationally serving in the National Survey Directorate in Bahrain. He was also an advisor to the Sri Lankan team engaged in the demarcation of the Maritime boundaries between Sri Lanka and India including the Katchthativu Island and also Maldives. He served as a visiting lecturer for Geodesy & Photogrammetry at the Gulf Technical College in Bahrain, University of Moratuwa, University of Sri Jayewardenepura and the Institute of Surveying & Mapping Diyathalawa and was valued by the respective institutes and the students who followed the lectures. On retirement, he joined the Sabaragamuwa University as a senior lecturer and supported the institution to set up its Survey Faculty. He was one of the most respected personalities in the field and always contributed to enhance the standards of the profession. In December 2014 at the general convocation of the Sabaragamuwa University, Samson Theodore Herat was awarded the Degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) in recognition of the services rendered by him for his motherland and its citizens. I came to know the Herat family when they settled down in School Avenue Kalubowila, Dehiwela in the late 1980s.Though he was very much senior to me at Trinity College Kandy, we had a good understanding among us and respected each other. He being an elder statesman was able to command the respect of all the people in our neighbourhood. The passing away of Dr Herat three months ago was a great loss to the entire neighbourhood. May his journey in sansara be a pleasant one until he achieves Nirvana. Dr. Herats devoted wife Ramani was always behind his success in his profes-sional career. She was able to guide him and also the two children Athula & Tamara. To Athula and Tamara and their extended families take your father as a role model to achieve a great future. There is light at the end of the tunnel. RESPICE FINEM Look to the end. Sunil Keppetipola Memories of a dear friend bring forth a wave of sorrow Iyadurai Paraparan Paraparan was my best friend, even though I am a Sinhalese and he was a Tamil. The difference in race was no barrier for our friendship. We joined Peoples Bank together, studied for the Banking Diploma together and obtained the AIB, read for an MBA at the University of Colombo and sat for CIMA exams together. On December 26 2004, we were supposed to go to Batticaloa together in my vehicle to meet Mr. Nathan who was a mutual friend of ours, to spend the weekend there with our families. But fate prevented me from going and Para went ahead with his family by the night mail train. And he was an easy prey along with his family for the vicious tidal wave called the tsunami. It created an unimaginable void in my life. I lost a good friend as well as a faithful companion and the Peoples Bank lost a competent high officer who could work equally well in all three languages Sinhala, Tamil and English. One decade and a half has passed so far, but I still remember Paraparan deleting a single s from the word friends to make it singular in line 6 of Sonnet 30 When to the sessions of sweet silent thought by William Shakespeare; I quote, I drown an eye unused to flow For precious friend hid in deaths dateless night. I conclude my tribute to Para as follows. Vicious tidal wave called The Tsunami Took Para and family away from me Whenever I look at the calm deep sea My friend! it is your face I always see Throughout my career at the Peoples Bank I never met a person like you in any rank Among all my friends, you were very frank With your demise, it is my heart which sank Scattered memories of our friendship Hurt me tremendously, like a stinging whip Throughout Samsara, Para! you dear chap Should prosper forever, without such a mishap MBA & CIMA exams together we did And I never had a friend so splendid Putting memories into a coffin, closing the heavy lid To thee, with a laden heart farewell I bid W.P. Somawardana Cruelty to Animals Gets More Media Coverage Than Beheaded Christians "The world prefers to worry about pandas rather than about us, threatened with extinction in the land where we were born", said Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf (pictured), the Syrian Orthodox Archbishop of Mosul as well as a refugee in Erbil, home to many of the Assyrians who fled jihadis. ( Safin Hamed/AFP/Getty Images) First there was the beheading of 11 Nigerian Christians during the recent Christmas celebration. The next day, a Catholic woman, Martha Bulus, was beheaded in the Nigerian state of Borno with her bridesmaids, five days before the wedding. Then there was a raid on the village of Gora-Gan in the Nigerian state of Kaduna, where terrorists shot anyone they met in the square where the evangelical community had gathered, killing two young Christian women. There was also a Christian student killed by Islamic extremists who recorded his execution. Then pastor Lawan Andimi, a local leader of the Christian Association of Nigeria, was beheaded. "Every day", says Father Joseph Bature Fidelis, of the Diocese of Maiduguri, "Our brothers and sisters are slaughtered in the streets. Please help us not be silent in the face of this immense extermination that is taking place in silence". The Bishops' Conference of Nigeria described the area as "killing fields", like the ones the Khmer Rouge created in Cambodia to exterminate the population. Most of the 4,300 Christians killed for their faith during the last year came from Nigeria. Nina Shea, an expert in Religious Freedom, recently wrote: "An ongoing Islamic extremist project to exterminate Christians in sub-Saharan Africa is even more brutal and more consequential for the Church than it is in the Middle East, the place where Christians suffered ISIS 'genocide', as the U.S. government officially designated." Unfortunately, the murder of these Christians during the last month has been largely ignored by the Western media. "A slow-motion war is under way in Africa's most populous country. It's a massacre of Christians, massive in scale and horrific in brutality and the world has hardly noticed", wrote the French philosopher, Bernard Henri LAvy. While Christians were murdered in Nigeria, the global media ran a story of a pig being tied up and shoved off a bungee tower at a new theme park in China. The story went viral on BBC, The Independent, The New York Times, Sky News, Deutsche Welle and many other mainstream media outlets. The Chinese pig got more media coverage than any of these murdered Christians in Nigeria. You often have to search for these martyrs on local African sites. "Pig Bungee Jumping Stunt In China Prompts Global Outcry", wrote the Huffington Post. Where has been the global outcry for the serial butchering of Christians just because they are Christians? The killing of a gorilla in a Cincinnati zoo, committed to save a child's life, triggered more emotion and media coverage than the beheading of 21 Christians on a beach in Libya while they invoked the name of Jesus in Arabic and whispered prayers. ABC, CBS and NBC devoted six times more coverage to the death of one gorilla than they did on the mass execution of Christians. "The world prefers to worry about pandas rather than about us, threatened with extinction in the land where we were born", said Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf, the Syrian Orthodox Archbishop of Mosul as well as a refugee in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, home to many of the Christians who fled jihadis. When the Archbishop said that four years ago, it looked as if it were just provocation to shock Western public opinion. But Archbishop Sharaf was right. The French-Lebanese writer Amin Maalouf also noted "threats to pandas cause more emotion" than threats to Christians. Archbishop Sharaf gave another example: "In Australia they take care of frogs. One of our Syriac citizens, who's a builder, bought land, took money from a bank and wanted to build houses and sell them. Then when he wanted to get a certificate to build, in the middle of the land, he came across a hole with eight frogs in it. The government of Sydney told him: 'You can't build on this land'. He said: 'But I've taken money from the bank and I must get to work' and they pushed him to build in another place, making him pay $1.4 million to build a different place for these eight frogs. And yet we are the last people who speak Jesus' language. We are Aramaic people and we don't have this right to have anyone protect us? Look upon us as frogs, we'll accept that -- just protect us so we can stay in our land". In an era of round-the-clock information on our mobile phones, computers, televisions and social media, the abominations suffered by Christians have been left without images, while the brutality against the Chinese pig was streamed all over. Christians are an endangered species; pigs are not. "The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has several categories to define the danger of extinction that various species face today", according to Benedict Kiely, the founder of Nasarean.org, which helps the Christians of the Middle East. "Using a percentage of population decline, the categories range from 'vulnerable species' (a 30-50 per cent decline), to 'critically endangered' (80-90 per cent) and finally to extinction. The Christian population of Iraq has shrunk by 83 per cent, putting it in the category of 'critically endangered'". If you search for a cover dedicated to this extinction you have to go on the confessional media, such as the British weekly Catholic Herald, which just noted "The end of Iraqi Christianity?" Or the French Catholic media, La Croix, telling the story of Syrian Christians: "Before the start of the civil war in 2012, 20,000 Assyrians populated the banks of the Khabur, a river that crosses northeastern Syria and flows into the Euphrates. The occupation of part of the region by Isis in 2015 forced the majority into exile. The Khabur is today a dead valley". One of the last Nigerian Christians was executed by an Islamic State child soldier. Slaughterhouses' workers go on trial in France for abuses to animals. But the same France has already repatriated more than 250 ISIS fighters, the same people who turn Iraqi churches into slaughterhouses. Western media stirred global indignation about Russia's laws against "homosexual propaganda" prior to the Winter Olympics in Sochi. But the same Western media never protested the Islamist regimes that punish people with the death for converting to Christianity or countries where Christians are threatened with death if they do not convert to Islam. Mauro Armanino, a priest of the Society for African Missions in Niger, who describes a situation of open genocide, writes: "The repeated threats to the Christian communities in the border area with Burkina Faso have achieved the aim they set: to decapitate the communities and then fall prey to the fear of professing faith in Sunday prayers in the chapels....On Tuesday, January 14, in a village not far from Bomoanga, which, for over a year, has helplessly witnessed the kidnapping of Father Pierluigi Maccalli, a group of criminals who went to settle the scores with the chief nurse who works in a dispensary in the area, took the nephew from his home and was beheaded. In Bomoanga people no longer go to church on Sunday". These persecuted Christians feel more and more alone in a world that sees them as intruders. They are as if suspended in a limbo, between an amnesic and weak West and a rising radical Islam. There seems to be no way to push the Western world to become aware of this tragedy that no one talks about and which could have fatal consequences for the future of our civilization. "Out of fatigue or shame, or both, we close our eyes", writes Franz-Olivier Giesbert. "Does the life of Christians from East, Africa or Asia count for a negligible amount? This is a question that we have the right to ask when we see the place that our dear media give to the killings and discrimination that Catholics and Protestants are subjected to on the planet: nothing or almost nothing, with a few happy exceptions. It is our hypocrisy that feeds the clash of civilizations". So, shall we now return to our hypocritical indignation about the cruelty inflicted on Chinese pigs? Giulio Meotti, Cultural Editor for Il Foglio, is an Italian journalist and author. The 'Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition' in Las Vegas, United States has recently unveiled artefacts and items from the Titanic that were never-seen-before. The new artefacts that were put on display help paint a better picture of the 'unsinkable ship'. The artefacts on display are an hourglass, a pair of old leather boots, a case with test tubes and a cosmetics jar with cream, among other items. The 'unsinkable' ship Alexander Klingelhofer, Experiential Media Group executive director for collections while talking to local media said that the last time items were salvaged from the Titanic was back in 2004. Klingelhofer's team treats and helps preserve each item that is recovered from the wreckage and then select the items they believe to be compelling for the current audience. University of Nevada's public history professor, Deirdre Clemente told local media that she believes the main reason people are still fascinated with the Titanic, decades after it sunk in that the Titanic was believed to be an unsinkable ship. The Titanic museum inside the Luxor is the largest museum dedicated to the 'unsinkable ship' in the United States. Read: Best Things To Do In Belfast: Take A Tour Of The Birthplace Of RMS Titanic Read: Titanic Shipwreck To Be Protected Under Treaty Between US & UK Saw the Titanic artifact exhibit at the Luxor in Las Vegas. Incredibly humbling and amazing. pic.twitter.com/egypjL4p3m Charles David (@Charles_David_) January 13, 2020 The Titanic wreckage to be protected Recently, it was decided that the RMS Titanic is to be protected under a treaty between the US and UK governments. The international deal gives the government power to grant or deny licenses to those wishing to visit the wreck and remove artefacts. The nod was given by UK's Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani ahead of a Tuesday visit to Belfast, where the ship was constructed. The agreement was signed by the UK in 2003 to ensure the site of more than 1,500 passengers and crew is preserved and respected. Read: Brad Pitt's 'Benjamin Button' To Leonardo's 'Titanic'; Films Where The Protagonist Dies Read: Leonardo DiCaprio: The 'Titanic' Actor's Net Worth Will Blow Your Mind The Titanic was built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast and sank in 1912 on its maiden voyage from Southampton. The ship sank after colliding with an iceberg in the North Atlantic ocean. UK Maritime Minister Ghani described the agreement as "momentous". She added that the UK will work closely with other North Atlantic countries like Canada and France, which would help "even more protection" to Titanic. The agreement was signed by the UK in 2003 and ratified by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last year. According to him, such a favorable situation has arisen due to the fact that until January 22, Gazprom paid twice as much as actually pumped gas - 47% of the paid volumes. He recalled that the terms of the gas transit agreement with the Russian Federation imply daily minimum pumping volumes of at least 178 million cubic meters.We recall that Ukraine, the Russian Federation, and the EU signed a new gas contract for 5 years with the possibility of its extension for 10 years. In early January, Director-General of the Ukrainian GTS Operator Serhiy Makohon announced that the Russian Gazprom had fully paid off Ukraine for gas transit, despite a decrease in pumping volumes. Prominent Muslim rights group questions size of penalty, describes it as slap on the wrist. The US Department of Transportation (DoT) has fined Delta Air Lines $50,000 for ordering three Muslim passengers off planes even after the companys own security officials cleared them to travel. Delta denied that it discriminated against the passengers in two separate incidents but agreed it could have handled the situations differently, according to a consent order released on Friday by the DoT. The Department said the airline violated anti-bias laws by removing the passengers and ordered it to provide cultural-sensitivity training to pilots, flight attendants and customer-service agents involved in the incidents. In one incident on July 26, 2016, a Muslim couple were removed from Delta Flight 229 at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris after a passenger told a flight attendant their behaviour made her very uncomfortable and nervous. Mrs X was wearing a headscarf and the passenger said Mr X had inserted something into his watch. The flight attendant said she saw Mr X texting on his cellphone using the word Allah several times. The captain then spoke with Deltas corporate security, who said Mr and Mrs X were US citizens returning home and there were no red flags. However, the captain refused to let them re-board the plane. The DoT said the captain had failed to follow Deltas security protocol and it appeared that but for Mr and Mrs Xs perceived religion, Delta would not have removed or denied them reboarding of their flight. 190920053406942 The other case in the consent order occurred five days later in Amsterdam. Flight attendants and passengers complained about a Muslim passenger but the co-pilot saw nothing unusual about the man and Deltas security office said his record raised no concern. The captain prepared to begin the New York-bound flight, then returned to the gate and had the man and his bags removed and the area around his seat searched. The man was not subjected to additional screening before boarding a later flight, which the DoT said showed that his removal from the first flight was discriminatory. Slap on the wrist The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) questioned the size of the penalty. Delta earned nearly $4.8bn last year and, for a company that profitable, $50,000 is basically a slap on the wrist, said Karen Dabdoub, executive director of CAIRs Cincinnati chapter. But its a good sign that DOT is taking this seriously, she added. Im glad to see that Delta received some sort of a sanction. The government did not explain how the size of the fine was determined but said it establishes a strong deterrent against future similar unlawful practices by Delta and other carriers. The company disagreed with the governments contention of discrimination, but Delta does not dispute that each of these two incidents could have been handled differently, the government said in the consent order. Delta said that in both cases, it acted based on the passengers behaviour, not their identity, and its employees acted reasonably. The Atlanta-based airline said that after the 2016 incidents it improved its procedures for investigating suspicious behaviour to make it more collaborative and objective. HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad police on Sunday detained Dalit leader and Bhim Army chief Chandrashekar Azad before he could attend an protest event against the Citizenship Amendment Act in the city, ANI reported. The Langer Houz police, citing preventive detention laws, picked up the Dalit leader from the Mallepally area before he could address a meeting organised by the All India India Dalit-Muslim-Adivasi Progressive Front. He was taken to the Bolaram police station at the other end of the city to avoid massing of protesters. Azad had been released from detention barely a week and a half ago after being arrested in Delhi while at another protest against the new citizenship law. Mary Lou McDonald accused both the Taoiseach and Micheal Martin of hypocrisy last week when they ruled out a Sinn Fein coalition, given their support for the recent deal in the North which saw the party back after a three-year paid hiatus. Both pointed out their moral problem with Sinn Fein, and that's fair enough; Sinn Fein's response to scandals of IRA sex abuse and murder have been routinely raised as legitimate concerns. A fear that other future skeletons will fall out of the cupboard and collectively haunt an entire cabinet is a very real prospect. These are the sorts of things that Sinn Fein expects the media and voters to turn a blind eye to during this election, as if they are non-events now Adams is no longer officially at the helm. Yet McDonald, who makes big noises about Sinn Fein's internal democracy, has been a member of the party since 1998 and in a position of leadership since 2001. Only last week she was asked on radio whether Gerry Adams had ever been in the IRA and reiterated that she believed his denials. She must be gambling that few care anyway. Maybe they don't. Though they should very much take note of what sort of government they can expect under Sinn Fein; they only need to look to their record of governing in a coalition in the North for that. Sinn Fein entered the NI Executive in 1998. In August and September 2001, a former British secretary of state suspended the assembly for 24 hours, respectively, to buy time to attempt to resolve the row over IRA decommissioning. In 2000, the assembly was suspended over the IRA's failure to put its weapons demonstrably beyond use. In 2002, Unionists walked out of government after police raided Sinn Fein offices in Stormont while investigating allegations of IRA intelligence gathering. No one was convicted, and the collapse of prosecutorial processes against three individuals led to the outing of Denis Donaldson as a British agent. He was Sinn Fein's most senior staff member at Stormont, and was murdered in Donegal in 2006. In January 2017, Sinn Fein collapsed the institutions, citing the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme (RHI) as the reason, and vowed never to return while Arlene Foster remained first minister. They recently re-entered the executive led by First Minister Foster after negotiating the "New Decade, New Approach" deal; which included a litany of promises to voters but subsequently caused concerns when it emerged that politicians agreed the package without actually nailing down finance. In short, they collectively agreed to a deal costing approximately 6bn, without having any money on the table. Now, if Fine Gael or Fianna Fail announced on budget day they had no idea how much they had to spend, they would be accused of being a bunch of amateurs, and not without foundation. In fact, the most important aspect of any finance minister's role is to produce a budget. In 2017, Sinn Fein's Mairtin O Muilleoir failed to deliver a budget by the time his party walked out of the executive, collapsing Stormont in the process. O Muilleoir has been referred to a number of times during this election campaign, largely due to his appearance at the RHI Inquiry referred to by Sam McBride in his book Burned: "Unknown to the public, O Muilleoir was in constant contact with unseen - and therefore publicly unaccountable senior republican figures" Will Pearse 'when I'm finance minister' Doherty do the same? (As an aside, before I waived my anonymity, Pearse Doherty stood on the plinth and stated Micheal Martin's assertion that the IRA had investigated sex abuse was "a new low" and "unfounded and untrue". He has yet to apologise to either me or Martin, despite being repeatedly asked to do so.) Northern Ireland is in a perilous place, despite Sinn Fein sitting in Stormont's governing executive over a 20-year period. During that time, they have held multiple ministerial portfolios. NI has the highest suicide rate in the UK. Five people take their own lives each week, and for the last three years, when we could have had a government to tackle this issue, Sinn Fein preferred to stay out of an executive over lack of Irish language provision. Last week, McDonald described the HSE as "chaotic, overcrowded and broken" and appealed to voters to vote Sinn Fein to bring about change in this and other areas. But in Northern Ireland, nurses have been striking because their pay is not on a par with their counterparts in England - and although parity is now promised, the health service in NI is groaning due to a myriad of other issues. My own daughter, Saorlaith, had to wait five years to see a consultant. Sinn Fein held the Stormont health ministry twice. A while ago Saorlaith's school principal wrote to parents to ask if they could contribute 1 per week, as her school had suffered a net loss of funding of 12pc since 2008, and was struggling to fund special educational needs, after-schools, staffing and other services. The school is not unique, with another principal telling a select affairs committee that some parents were donating toilet rolls to alleviate pressures. Sinn Fein held education ministries from 1999 to 2016. Sinn Fein have told the southern electorate that they will protect the most vulnerable. They told the people of the North this also - right before they voted with the DUP to hand welfare reform powers back to the Tories. They then spent the next few years blaming "Tory austerity" for every problem going. Every public sector of Northern Ireland is creaking, roads are badly in need of upgrade, and food bank usage is rising. Over 20,000 people were classified as statutorily homeless last year. It isn't getting better. Yet, at a key time for the country as a whole, Sinn Fein stayed out of government in NI for three years, and instead of taking their seats in Westminster as legislators do, preferred to act as a glorified lobby group spouting about Brexit and unity, while the Irish Government stepped up and stood up for Ireland's interests. Northern Ireland has a D'Hondt system, meaning coalition is mandatory on a cross-community basis. The Dail is different. Why then, would any right-thinking person - let alone Martin or Varadkar - actively choose them to run this country? Instead of criticising Fianna Fail or Fine Gael, perhaps Sinn Fein should account for its own rate of delivery. It's not exactly an exemplary record. As Mary Lou McDonald is fond of saying, the buck now stops with her. THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has granted the National Railways of Zimbabwe permission to charge in foreign currency for goods exported under the Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) conditions. NRZ board chairman Advocate Martin Dinha said the approval by the Central Bank for the rail entity to charge in foreign currency for goods exported under CIF conditions would go a long way in enabling the parastatal to repair its equipment and infrastructure. The authority to charge exporting customers in foreign currency is a welcome and progressive development for the organisation. With this approval NRZ can now approach its various exporting customers to inform and familiarise them with this new development. While NRZ has traditionally been collecting foreign currency from customers who are into export business, the foreign currency generated from this source has not been enough to requirements, though it assisted the organisation in repairing its rolling stock and infrastructure, he said. Adv Dinha said charging in foreign currency would also enable NRZ to improve its coffers to capacitate its business as well as procure essential spare parts. The intervention by the Central Bank is critical for NRZ considering that foreign currency has been essential in funding the organisation in hiring wagons and locomotives from the region to address resource and capacity gaps, hire inter-change, as well as procuring spares and accessories for wagons, locomotives and infrastructure maintenance. And at this juncture, the need for foreign currency for the organisation has become huge and urgent especially to hire locomotives and wagons for the movement of imported grains, to alleviate drought-induced shortfalls, among communities in Zimbabwe, he said. The approval for NRZ to charge in foreign currency came after the rail entitys appeal to the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development last year. NRZ submitted an appeal to RBZ seeking permission to be allowed to charge all exporters for railage in foreign currency. In its response to NRZ dated 31 December 2019, the Central Bank agreed in principle for the company to charge railage collection under the CIF basis. Please kindly note that in terms of the current Exchange Control administrative arrangements, where a transporter has shipped goods under the Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) basis; the respective transport or railage portion may be received by the transporter in foreign currency. Under the circumstances highlighted, National Railways of Zimbabwe may receive such portion of railage charges in foreign currency. Kindly, therefore, submit a specific application through your Authorised Dealers to have the necessary Exchange Control administrative structure for this arrangement to be operationalised, read the RBZ response. However, the move to allow NRZ to charge in foreign currency has been viewed by captains of industry as likely to compromise players in various sectors of the economy. Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries vice-president Mr Joseph Gunda said allowing NRZ to charge in foreign currency was unfair since businesses are only allowed to trade in local currency on the local market. The challenge we have is that, if NRZ is allowed to charge in foreign currency, it means we have to get the foreign currency ourselves. It seems there is now a contradiction here, so are we now saying companies are trading in foreign currency? he exclaimed. Mr Gunda said it was important to note that the manufacturing sector imports most of its raw materials using foreign currency, which is scarce in the country and ought to be put in good use to enhance productivity. We are now being forced to compromise the amount of foreign currency we get. Instead of us buying raw material we are now forced to use that money to pay current expenditure like working capital. I dont see that benefiting the economy. If you allow NRZ to charge in foreign currency we might as well allow everybody because it compromises others. It means industry is being squeezed because with the foreign currency we get through the interbank market to buy raw material, we are being forced to pay NRZ, he said. Mr Gunda said there was a need for wider consultation to be done before allowing NRZ to charge in foreign currency. Association for Business in Zimbabwe (Abuz) chief executive officer Mr Victor Nyoni said industry has noted with concern the use of foreign currency in transacting by certain sections of the economy. Zain Bahrain has signed a memorandum of understanding with Flat6Labs, a regional start-up accelerator programme that fosters and invests in bright and passionate entrepreneurs with cutting-edge ideas, providing seed funding, strategic mentorship and creative workspace. Zain Bahrain and Flat6Labs will collaborate on several projects to boost and support innovative start-ups in Bahrain. Zain Bahrain will be the leader and official telecom partner to Falt6Labs through being part of their high-profile day events, using their dynamic space to host Zain Bahrain events and becoming part of Flat6Labs Bahrains expert network of mentors. Zain Bahrain will be providing Flat6Labs exclusive telecom services, preferential packages, business enterprise packages as well as SIM cards. Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], Jan 26 (ANI): Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar greeted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after the Republic Day celebrations here on Sunday. The Governor also invited her for a tea party to be held at the Raj Bhavan later today. Earlier in the day, Dhankhar hoisted the national flag on the occasion of Republic Day. Banerjee was also present at the event. In a tweet today, Mamata has said, "On Republic Day, let us pledge to protect our Constitution and uphold the principles of sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic, justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, as enshrined in the Preamble". India is celebrating its 71st Republic Day today, honouring the historic date when the country completed its transition towards becoming an independent Republic after its Constitution came into effect. (ANI) Amsterdam: Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has said he was sorry for his country's role during the Holocaust and the lack of action against the persecution of Jews, becoming the first Dutch prime minister to make such an official apology. "With the last remaining survivors among us, I apologise on behalf of the government for the actions of the government at the time", Rutte said at an event in Amsterdam to mark the 75th anniversary on Monday of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp. Barbed wire and a floodlight at the former Auschwitz-Birkenau German concentration camp on Sunday, near Oswiecim, Poland, where international leaders and survivors will mark the anniversary of the camp's liberation. Credit:Getty Images "I do so, realising that no word can describe something as enormous and awful as the Holocaust." Earlier Dutch governments have made apologies for the way Jews who survived World War II atrocities were treated when they returned home from concentration camps, but have shied away from condemning the country's part in the persecution of Jews and other minorities during the German occupation. Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested two persons including a woman in connection with the murder of Gaurav Chandel, said Sanjiv Suman, Superintendent of Police (SP), Hapur. "We have arrested two persons in the case, Umesh and a woman who is wife of Ashu, leader of a vehicle lifting gang," said Suman while speaking to the reporters on Sunday. Umesh was nabbed following an encounter with the joint team of Noida Special Task Force and Hapur Police. "We have recovered a pistol and other items from Umesh. We suspect involvement of Ashu's gang in the murder, it'll be clear after forensic investigation," he added. Gaurav was murdered after being robbed while he was on his way home from his office earlier this month. The deceased used to work at a private firm in Gurugram. His body was found near Sector-123 of Greater Noida. The State government had extended financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh to Chandel's family and had promised the arrest of his murderers at the earliest. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Libyan capital's sole functioning airport came under renewed fire Sunday, as fighting broke out hours after the UN mission in the country condemned ongoing violations of an arms embargo. The UN mission in Libya, UNSMIL, condemned "in the strongest possible terms" the rocket strikes on Tripoli's Mitiga airport, which has been hit by repeated attacks in recent months. UNSMIL said in a statement Sunday evening that the strikes had wounded at least two civilians as well as damaged the tarmac and a number of buildings at the airport. World leaders met in Berlin last weekend and committed to ending all foreign meddling in Libya and to upholding the 2011 UN Security Council weapons embargo as part of a broader plan to end the country's conflict. They also agreed to a permanent ceasefire and steps to dismantle numerous militias and armed groups, while pushing a political process under the UN. But fighting broke out on Sunday in the Abu Grein region, 130 kilometres (80 miles) west of Sirte, according to sources on both sides of the conflict. Libya has been mired in chaos since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising that killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with two rival administrations latterly vying for power. The conflict deepened last year when military strongman Khalifa Haftar, who controls much of the south and east of Libya, launched an assault in April to seize Tripoli, base of the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA). 'Blatant violations' On Saturday, the UN had said it "deeply regrets the continued blatant violations of the arms embargo in Libya". "Over the last 10 days, numerous cargo and other flights have been observed landing at Libyan airports in the western and eastern parts of the country, providing the parties with advanced weapons, armoured vehicles, advisers and fighters," it added. UNSMIL said the ceasefire, which had provided much-needed respite for civilians in Tripoli, was now at risk of collapse. "This fragile truce is now threatened by the ongoing transfer of foreign fighters, weapons, ammunition and advanced systems to the parties by member states, including several who participated in the Berlin conference," it said. On Sunday, Germany's foreign ministry backed the UNSMIL statement and voiced concerns about "a series of unconfirmed but credible reports of embargo violations on both sides". Haftar has the backing of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Russia while the GNA is supported by Qatar and Turkey. On Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan travelled to Algiers for talks with his Algerian counterpart on Libya's crisis and the January 12 ceasefire, which Moscow and Ankara brokered. Algeria shares a common border with Libya of some 1,000 kilometres (620 miles). Ahead of his departure, Erdogan lashed out afresh at Haftar, calling him a "putschist" and claiming he was "constantly behind violations of the ceasefire". Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan backs Libya's UN-recognised government against strongman Khalifa Haftar who is supported by Egypt, Russia and the United Arab Emirates. By Murat KULA (TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE/AFP) The UN says the fighting since last April has killed more than 280 civilians and over 2,000 combatants, while thousands have been wounded on both sides. More than 170,000 Tripoli residents have been displaced. Renewed clashes around Tripoli on Saturday killed at least one civilian -- a Moroccan national -- and wounded seven others, GNA health ministry spokesperson Amin al-Hashemi told AFP. 'Stable ceasefire' The UN is hoping to hold inter-Libyan talks soon in Geneva to consolidate the sagging truce, as its mission in the country warns of "a renewed and intensified round of fighting". A military commission established at the Berlin summit -- comprising five GNA loyalists and five Haftar delegates -- has been tasked with defining ways of making the truce hold. "What's important now is to achieve a stable ceasefire, which the military committee '5 + 5'... wants to negotiate in the coming days," the German foreign ministry said. Ankara dispatched troops -- in a training capacity, it said -- to support the GNA earlier this month in a move criticised by European powers and US President Donald Trump. Western powers are keen to stabilise Libya -- home to Africa's largest proven crude reserves -- because of concerns Islamist militants and migrant smugglers, already active, will take advantage of the chaos. Libya's National Oil Corporation said Saturday that oil production had plunged by around three-quarters since pro-Haftar forces launched a blockade the day before the Berlin summit, causing estimated losses of over $250 million. (L-R) Michael Chiesa attempts to secure a choke submission against Rafael dos Anjos during UFC Fight Night at PNC Arena on Jan. 25, 2020 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) On Saturday night in Raleigh, North Carolina, Michael "Maverick" Chiesa defeated former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos by unanimous decision in a welterweight bout. The co-main event was a jiu-jitsu packed fight between two high-level black belts. Despite both fighters being former lightweights, Chiesa entered the bout as the much bigger man. As the fight began, dos Anjos' advantage on his feet became clear. Early in the first round Chiesa took some big shots and looked visually stunned after eating a powerful overhand punch. Chiesa began pressuring RDA, pinning him against the cage and eventually taking the fight to the ground, where he is much more comfortable as a fighter. Chiesa controlled RDA's back for over two minutes, yet RDA remained patient and was able to defend every submission attempt. Dos Anjos found his opportunities in the second round, eating away at Chiesas lower body with a series of brutal leg shots. Chiesa looked fatigued as he started to breathe heavily and moved with a slight limp. Still, Chiesa seemed to take dos Anjos with relative ease, keeping him on the ground and continuing his control of the fight. The third round was similar to the first, with Chiesa continuing his ground control, placing RDA in numerous submissions attempts that many skilled jiu-Jitsu practitioners would tap in. RDA remained calm underneath the much bigger Chiesa and was able to fight back with submission attempts of his own. Chiesa left little options for dos Anjos to attack, earning him the unanimous decision victory. One judge had all three rounds for Chiesa while the two others scored it 29-28 in favor of Chiesa. Chiesa kept his post-fight interview short, but called out a big name. "Colby Covington, I'll see you in July." Covington is coming off a knockout loss to welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. This is Chiesa's 3rd consecutive victory at welterweight, keeping him undefeated since moving up to the 170-pound division. Meanwhile, dos Anjos has dropped four of his last five bouts. More from Yahoo Sports: An area at Da Nang Hospital is quarantined for treatment patients with suspected coronavirus infection. Photo courtesy of Da Nang Hospital. Da Nang Hospital in central Vietnam is putting 12 people with high fever in quarantine for coronavirus infection tests. Among them are seven Chinese, three Vietnamese and one from the Czech Republic. "None of the Chinese are from Wuhan," Dr. Nguyen Thanh Trung, Vice Director of Da Nang Hospital, said Sunday. A pneumonia outbreak, caused by a new strain of the coronavirus family that caused SARS and MERS, surfaced in Wuhan last December and has killed 56 people in China. "These people had high fever and most of them are Chinese tourists, the rest are hotel, resort and airport staff that had contact with them," Trung said. When receiving a patient suspected to be infected with the nCoV virus, Da Nang Hospital will arrange a separate route for a sterilized vehicle to transport the patient directly to the tropical disease department, to avoid the virus from spreading to other patients. At the tropical disease department, the 4th floor is completely separated from others to monitor and treat patients suspected with the coronavirus. "The quarantine and monitoring of patients is under the control of the hospital," Trung said. Da Nang has yet recorded any case of pneumonia caused by coronavirus. On January 14, two tourists from Wuhan were quarantined with high body temperature. But their test results later came back negative with the Wuhan pneumonia virus. The last flight from Wuhan to Da Nang on January 22, before the city lockdown, brought 218 people to Da Nang. The company that organized the tour said it had contacted and brought 52 people back to China, via flights to Hunan province. It's expected to bring all of the tourists back by January 27. From January 24 to 30, Da Nang is expected to welcome a total of 93 flights from China. The city's Department of Tourism has requested hotels in the area to immediately notify it when any guest shows signs of pneumonia. Vietnam confirmed the first two cases of nCoV pneumonia infection on Thursday. The Chinese patients, who are father and son, are being quarantined at Cho Ray Hospital in HCMC for treatment. The disease has also spread to Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Macau, Hong Kong, the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, France and Canada, sickening more than 1,900 people. (Natural News) The U.S. Food and Drug Administrations main responsibility is ensuring that the food, drugs, cosmetics and other products sold in the country are safe for human health. Unfortunately, there are lots of ways theyre failing the public, especially when it comes to a group of chemicals known as PFAS. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, were found in a recent FDA analysis in multiple levels of the American food supply chain. The group is made up of nearly 5,000 synthetic chemicals that have been used since the 1940s. Valued for their ability to resist heat, oil and water, theyre used across a broad range of products. For example, they can be found in nonstick cookware, dental floss, firefighting foam, fast food packaging and stain-resistant fabrics and carpets. These chemicals were recently found in food sources throughout the nation, including in those areas that are known to be contaminated with PFAS. They were found in milk at a New Mexico dairy farm where PFAS made their way into groundwater and leafy greens like kale, cabbage and lettuce grown at a farm downstream from a North Carolina PFAS production plant and sold at a farmers market. They also turned up in 14 out of 91 samples tested of dairy, grains and meat. Cumulative lifetime exposure cause for concern While the FDA said the presence of these chemicals in our food supply chain are not likely to be a health concern for the public at the levels detected, many experts beg to differ. One big problem is the fact that PFAS are known as forever chemicals because they build up in your body over time. The FDAs limits fail to take into account the cumulative lifetime exposure people are subjected to when even things like ready-made chocolate cake are contaminated with these chemicals. Northwell Health Chief of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Dr. Ken Spaeth said that while weve long known that pretty much every American has these chemicals inside their bodies, he takes issue with the FDAs conclusion that there are no hazards at these levels. Just what is at stake here in terms of your health? So far, PFAS have been linked to everything from thyroid issues and high blood pressure to reproductive harm, kidney and liver problems, and several types of cancer. While the EPA set a health advisory for certain PFAS in the form of a lifetime exposure limit of 70 parts per trillion when it comes to drinking water, these non-enforceable limits fail to consider the fact that people are exposed to it through other products as well, such as dairy, meat and fish. Moreover, independent scientists and other regulators have recommended safe levels be set at more than 200 times below the EPA guideline. One study by researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Copenhagen suggested the limit be set at just 0.3 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water. Molecular Toxicologist Dr. Wendy Heiger-Bernays told Healthline that the FDAs findings illustrate how federal regulations should be set across several agencies. She said there is sufficient evidence to set limits and believes they need to be instituted quickly because the molecules in these forever chemicals cannot be broken down by the bodys enzymes, microorganisms, sunlight, or anything else due to the extremely strong bond between fluorine and carbon. If so many experts are calling for strict limits to be set, why is the FDA dragging their feet on this? Were talking about chemicals that make their way easily into water, soil, food, dust and air and are putting peoples health at serious risk. When will something be done to protect the public from these dangerous toxins? Sources for this article include: EcoWatch.com EcoWatch.com EWG.org By Jessica Damiana JAKARTA, Jan 22 (Reuters) - State airline PT Garuda Indonesia appointed its fourth chief executive in five years on Wednesday, amid calls from government officials for an improvement in the carrier's management and work culture after his predecessor was fired over a scandal. Irfan Setiaputra, 55, named at a shareholder meeting, has a computer science background and most recently ran fibre optics company PT Kirana Solusi Utama, prior to which he had run state-owned telcoms firm PT Industri Telekomunikasi Indonesia. In a statement, Erick Thohir, Indonesia's minister for state-owned enterprises, said he hoped Setiaputra "would do a good job, adhere to good corporate governance and take Garuda to a better place." Setiaputra replaces former chief executive Ari Askhara, whom Thohir dismissed last month over accusations of tax evasion. Askhara has not commented on the allegations that he tried to smuggle a Harley-Davidson motorbike worth 800 million rupiah ($58,600) on board a new plane being delivered from France by Airbus SE. The airline's new leadership needed to ensure an improvement in financials, service, management and culture at Garuda, said Arya Sinulingga, a spokesman for the minister. "It has to make a profit in its current condition, but maintain a good service for the public, because Garuda is a premium (airline)," he said by telephone, adding, "There are many complaints on Garudas declining service." Askhara had returned the airline to profit by sharply cutting domestic capacity, bringing major increases in airfares that angered passengers and politicians. Budget rival Lion Air, which does not publish financial results, also cut capacity as the market became more concentrated, with Garuda taking operational control of the third-largest player, Sriwijaya Air. Any changes in Garuda's pricing or capacity strategy under its new chief executive could affect the outlook for Lion, which plans a stock market flotation of up to $1 billion in the first quarter, sources close to the matter told Reuters. Story continues Garuda has yet to decide on the future of its order for 49 Boeing Co 737 MAX planes. Last year, it asked Boeing to cancel the order, following two crashes that killed 346 people in five months and prompted a global grounding of the aircraft, although Garuda had been reconsidering the order before the grounding. Garuda said it might switch to another Boeing model instead. Analysts have said the 737 MAX grounding could give some airlines a good excuse to delay or cancel purchases, saving cash on their balance sheets. Malaysia Airlines and Air Niuigini this month said they would defer the delivery of their 737 MAX orders. ($1=13,655.0000 rupiah) (Additional reporting by Jamie Freed, Keira Wright and Tabita Diela; Writing by Ed Davies; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 02:24:38|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close CAIRO, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Egypt has allocated 3 billion Egyptian pounds (about 190 million U.S. dollars) to implement an emergency plan for developing road networks and boosting infrastructure, Egyptian Finance Minister Mohamed Maait said on Saturday. The allocation came during the minister's meeting with local development minister Mahmoud Shaarawy, according to official Ahram Online news website. Maait said road surfacing will be made according to the highest technical and quality standards, according to Ahram Online. The minister said one third of the 3 billion pounds was allocated to the local development ministry's budget for fiscal year 2019/2020 to support the presidential initiative "Decent Life" in its first phase, covering 143 villages in 11 governorates. The initiative, launched in January 2019, is meant to help improve services provided to those most in need, especially in Egypt's villages. The announcement comes as Egypt saw rising deadly road accidents in the past weeks, killing dozens and sparking outrage over the infrastructure nationwide. Egypt suffers a high rate of traffic accidents that kill thousands of people every year, mostly due to negligence of traffic rules and poor road conditions. The wrangling over the right of beachgoers to access a sandy cove near Half Moon Bay got uglier when venture capitalist Vinod Khosla sued the state, coastal regulators and San Mateo County for allegedly harassing him and violating his property rights. The lawsuit, filed Friday in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, accuses top officials with the California Coastal Commission and State Lands Commission of trying to force the billionaire to let the public onto his property to use Martins Beach, which he bought for $32.5 million in 2008. The complaint, which amends a previous lawsuit filed in 2016, also accuses San Mateo County Sheriff Carlos Bolanos and Steve Monowitz, the director of the San Mateo County Planning and Building Department, of engaging in a concerted effort ... to single out, coerce, and harass one coastal property owner for refusing to cede its private property rights. It claims the defendants tried to strong arm Khosla into allowing the public unfettered access (to) private property, without government compensation. The bitter decade-long tussle began when Khosla shut the public access gate in September 2010, citing the cost of maintenance and liability insurance. The crescent-shaped beach, 6 miles south of Half Moon Bay, had been a favorite destination for surfers, fishermen, sunbathers and picnickers for the better part of a century when the gate was closed. The decision prompted threats and enforcement by San Mateo County, the Coastal Commission and the Lands Commission, largely to no avail. Several lawsuits were also filed, and the rulings sometimes conflicted. In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal of a ruling saying Khosla could not close the gate to the only road to the beach without first getting a permit from the California Coastal Commission. That victory by Khoslas critics was followed last November by a state appeals court ruling that essentially upheld Khoslas argument that the property is private. The latest court filing triggered an angry response from Burlingame attorney Joe Cotchett, who brought the original suit against the billionaire on behalf of the Surfrider Foundation. This is one more example of a billionaire who uses his enormous wealth to force the people to accept his arrogant self-centered ideology and deprive them of their legal right to free access of all California beaches, Cotchett said in a statement. It is outrageous that this man continues to misuse and abuse our legal system to sue not only state officials but the San Mateo sheriff for enforcing the rights of the citizens of California to enjoy a day at the beach. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Khosla, who founded Khosla Ventures and co-founded Sun Microsystems, now part of Oracle Corp., agreed in 2017 to open the gate between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., but not every day, largely as a response to Cotchetts lawsuit. The California Coastal Commission has said that is not sufficient. The State Lands Commission has since threatened to acquire all or a portion of the property via eminent domain. Khosla, in turn, offered to sell an easement to the state for $30 million. His lawsuit claims the county and coastal commission singled out the plaintiff for uniquely disfavored treatment, including the refusal to enforce trespassing laws, threats to levy huge fines and using the threat of condemnation to try to coerce the owners into surrendering their fundamental right to exclude the public from their private property. Peter Fimrite is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: pfimrite@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @pfimrite 00:14 | Lima, Jan. 26. The new 130 legislators will serve the remaining period of the 2016-2021 legislative tenure, following the dissolution of Congress. Voters According to the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE), the extraordinary parliamentary elections involve a total of 974,230 Peruvian citizens who reside abroad Thus, 3,374 voting tables will be put into operation in 79 foreign countries located in the five continents: Africa (6), Americas (2,220), Asia (144), Europe (981), and Oceania (24). The five nations with the largest number of voters are the United States (304,860) , Spain (145,804), Argentina (141,566), Chile (113,083), and Italy (92,020). On the other hand, Macedonia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Algeria, Ukraine, and Egypt are among the 15 countries with the lowest number of registered voters overseas, with less than 100 electors each. According to the electoral body, the electoral process abroad started on January 25 at 1:00 p.m. (Peruvian time and day) in the city of Wellington (New Zealand) and will conclude on January 26 at 7 p.m. in the city of San Francisco (United States). Electoral material The transportation of electoral material to the voting tables abroad began on January 5 through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to the chief in charge of ONPE, Manuel Cox, 17 tons of materials were needed to set up the more than 3,000 polling stations. The electoral material consists of ballot papers, electoral registries, ballot boxes, voting booths, and other elements necessary for the election process. International observers Out of the total, 105 are part of the EU Election Observation Mission , which has been in the country since December 26. They have held meetings with electoral bodies , political parties, and other electoral stakeholders in Lima and provinces. The plight of Britons trapped in China by the coronavirus has been plunged into confusion after they were urged to 'get out' but ministers refused to say they will provide airlifts. The city of Wuhan and the wider Hubei province have been in lockdown for days as the authorities try to contain the virus, which has so far killed at least 56 people. The Foreign Office has issued fresh travel advice urging British citizens to leave if they can, but ministers refused repeatedly to confirm reports that emergency evacuations are planned. Priti Patel, the home secretary, said the government was looking at all options, while Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay declined four times to explain what would be done. When he described it as a fast moving situation, the BBCs Andrew Marr replied: Well, theyre not fast moving, they're stuck. The pressure on the government to act rose after the United States following three confirmed infections in the country announced it would evacuate its citizens from Wuhan on a charter flight on Monday. After initially saying British citizens would be left in Wuhan, to avoid spreading the virus to the UK, there was an overnight U-turn after warnings that could amount to a death sentence. Yvonne Griffiths, a university lecturer from Cardiff, told the BBC her hopes of flying home on Monday were in jeopardy, saying: I am disappointed at the absolute silence on the issue of how stranded people are going to get home. And it seems maybe the British government at the moment has either a lack of concern or a lack of planning in place, I'm not sure. Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Show all 154 1 /154 Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Paramedics wearing personal protective equipment carry patient on a stretcher on to an ambulance in North Point district in Hong Kong, China Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker wearing protective gear takes a rest as he waits for ambulances carrying patients infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus at an entrance of a hospital in Daegu, South Korea YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker sprays disinfectant on an ambulance after carrying a patient infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Daegu YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People wearing protective face masks shop at a supermarket in Casalpusterlengo, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown due to the new coronavirus outbreak EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A trolley bus is disinfected amid fears over the spread of the novel coronavirus in Pyongyang, North Korea REUTERS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers wearing protective gear spray disinfectant as a precaution against the COVID-19 coronavirus in a local market in Daegu, South Korea AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a protective facemask walks outside a nearly empty shopping mall at lunch time in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing protective facemask and gloves puts a drawing made by a girl living in the area asking residents to wear protective gear, next to a quarantine notice for people who have travelled and a notice asking people to register outside a residential compound in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman is taken into an ambulance amid a coronavirus outbreak in northern Italy REUTERS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ambulances and health workers are seen outside the Padua's hospital, northern Italy EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers in coaches leave MoD Boscombe Down in Wiltshire after being repatriated to the UK from a cruise ship hit by the coronavirus in Yokohama, Japan and head to Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside PA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People rest in a temporary hospital situated in the Tazihu Gymnasium in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Buddhist monks wearing protective face masks pray during a blessing ceremony for the people affected by the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, at a temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia REUTERS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers wearing protective gears carry a patient infecting with a new coronavirus to a hospital in Chuncheon, South Korea AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Soldiers in hazmat suits sanitize cargo from a China Airlines plane at the Taoyuan International Airport in Taoyuan City, Taiwan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Barricades are seen to block the entrance a the gate of a local mall in a nearly empty area in Beijing, China Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A vendor wearing a protective facemask waits for customers at a shop in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The body temperature of an Iraqi child returning from Iran is measured upon her arrival at the Najaf International Airport AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Volunteers hand out free facemasks at a shopping district in Quezon city, Metro Manila, Philippines Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers wearing protective gears carry a patient suspected of contracting the new coronavirus toward an ambulance at Daenam Hospital in Cheongdo, South Korea AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A worker disinfects a shop at a market in Shanghai AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A restaurant worker wearing protective clothing as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus passing a bag of food to a customer on the street outside their restaurant in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A recovered patient is discharged from Leishenshan Hospital, the newly-built makeshift hospital for novel coronavirus patients, in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Volunteers in protective suits disinfect a factory with sanitising equipment in Huzhou, China China Daily via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers in protective suits attend to a patient inside an isolated ward of Wuhan Red Cross Hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A drone operated by the Suwon municipal government flies around Changyong Middle School spraying disinfectant, in Suwon, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers transfer medical waste at Leishenshan Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a protective mask rides a bicycle with his children in Guangzhou, China EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Volunteers in protective suits disinfect a railway station as the country is hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus, in Changsha, Hunan province, China cnsphoto via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman repatriated from Wuhan carries a child as she walks upon her arrival at the Van Don airport in Vietnam's Quang Ninh province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff checking the body temperature of a patient who has displayed mild symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus, at an exhibition centre converted into a hospital in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker in protective suit transports oxygen tanks at Wuhan Red Cross Hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Boys wearing protection masks, gloves and modified water bottles sit on a cart at the airport arrival terminal in Guangzhou EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Employees work on a production line manufacturing protective suits at a clothing factory in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province cnsphoto via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers in protective suits move a patient at an isolated ward of a hospital in Caidian district following an outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan China Daily via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A worker in protective clothing, including face mask and gloves, carries a bucket as he works inside of The County Oak Medical Centre in Brighton, southern England, after it closed for "urgent operational health and safety reasons", following reports a member of staff was infected with the strain of the novel coronavirus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers of the ecology and environment bureau collect samples from the sewage system of a hospital in Xinle, Hebei province China Daily via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man in protective clothing cleaning the County Oak Medical Centre GP practice The British government warned the outbreak of novel coronavirus was a "serious and imminent threat" and reported four new cases that brought the total recorded in the country to eight. Two hospitals The Royal Free and Guys and St Thomas', have both been designated as "isolation" facilities, with both currently housing Britons who have returned from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak PA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to the newly completed Huoshenshan temporary field Hospital in Wuhan. The global coronavirus death toll rose again with Hong Kong announcing its first death from the outbreak on 4 February EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of staff wait as coaches carrying Coronavirus evacuees arrive at Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre, in Milton Keynes, after being repatriated to the UK from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan PA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A crew member of the cruise ship Diamond Princess talks to a worker wearing protective gear standing near the vessel, where dozens of passengers were tested positive for coronavirus, at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Doctors scan a patient's lungs at Huoshenshan temporary hospital built for patients diagnosed with coronavirus in Wuhan Xinhua News Agency/AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People wearing protective suits walk from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, with around 3,600 people quarantined onboard due to fears of the new coronavirus, at the Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Indonesians who arrived from Wuhan are sprayed with antiseptic at Hang Nadim Airport in Batam. People evacuated from the Chinese city at the centre of a deadly virus outbreak, were transported to a quarantine zone on a remote island at the edge of the South China Sea, shortly after landing Indonesian Foreign Ministry via AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman wears a protective mask as she shops in a market in Beijing Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members hugging each other in an isolation ward at a hospital in Zouping in China's easter Shandong province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A portrait of Dr Li Wenliang is left at Li's hospital in Wuhan. He is regarded a whistleblower on the outbreak and died of the coronavirus which triggered wide-spread mourning on Chinese media Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Officers in protective gear enter the cruise ship Diamond Princess, where people tested positive for coronavirus, after the ship arrived at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, south of Tokyo Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Firefighters and personnel from the health ministry participate in a drill to prepare for the potential arrival of passengers infected with the coronavirus at the Viru Viru International Airport, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Scientists are at work in the VirPath university laboratory as they try to find an effective treatment against the new Sars-like coronavirus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers in protective suits attend to patients at the Wuhan International Conference and Exhibition Center, which has been converted into a makeshift hospital to receive patients with mild symptoms caused by the virus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A girl wears a mask as a preventive measure against the coronavirus outbreak, in Bangkok, Thailand Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man is transferred from the World Dream cruise ship to an ambulance at the Kai Tak cruise terminal in Hong Kong as health officials conduct inspections AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers from a disinfection service company enter Lotte Department Store in central Seoul, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man who arrived from Hubei province talks with police at a checkpoint at the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor holds a handheld digital thermometer near health officials preparing a health check for arriving passengers from China at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A resident walks across an empty track in Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A scientific staff member works in a secure laboratory, researching the coronavirus, at the Pasteur Institute in Dakar AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members preparing equipment to meet passengers of a military plane, which evacuated citizens of Russia and ex-Soviet countries from China's Wuhan province Vsluh.ru via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff wearing protective suits as they prepare to disinfect a Vietnam Airlines plane at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi Vietnam Airlines/AFP/Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A South Korean person, who was evacuated from Wuhan, arrives at the National Medical Center after showing suspected symptoms of novel coronavirus, in Seoul EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Officers in protective gear escort a person (under the blue sheet) who was on board cruise ship Diamond Princess and was tested positive for coronavirus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor being disinfected by his colleague at a quarantine zone in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Buses carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan, arrive at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Indonesian health officials conduct an exercise drill in transporting a patient requiring isolation at the Belawan port in Medan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The Pasteur Institute in Dakar, designated by the African Union as one of the two reference centres in Africa for the detection of the new coronavirus that appeared in China, is hosting experts from 15 countries on the continent this weekend to prepare them to deal with the disease AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A government worker disinfects a co-worker after visiting a quarantined woman's home in Qingdao EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An aerial view of the deserted roads and bridges in Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers hold a strike outside the Hospital Authority as they demand for Hong Kong to close its border with China to reduce the coronavirus spreading Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A person has their tempriture checked in Qingdao, China EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. Note the spikes that adorn the outer surface of the virus, which impart the look of a corona surrounding the virion, when viewed electron microscopically Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Malaysian nationals being directed from a bus by health officials in protective suits as they arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, after being evacuated from Wuhan Malaysia's Ministry of Health/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People hoping to buy face masks crowd outside a medical supply shop that was raided by police for allegedly hoarding and overpricing the masks, as public fear over China's Wuhan Coronavirus grow in Manila, Philippines. The Philippine government has been heavily criticized after failing to immediately implement travel restrictions from China, the source of a deadly coronavirus that has now killed hundreds and infected thousands more Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Residents wearing masks and raincoats volunteer to take temperature of passengers following the outbreak of a new coronavirus at a bus stop at Tin Shui Wai, a border town in Hong Kong Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Italian citizens repatriated from Wuhan going though a health control zone after landing at the Mario De Bernardi military airport in Pratica di Mare, south of Rome, prior to be placed in quarantine Italian Defence Ministry/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers arrange beds in a 2,000-bed mobile hospital, set up in an exhibition center, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor checks conditions of occupants in a hotel accommodating isolated people in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members wearing protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus which began in the city of Wuhan, arrive with a patient at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital. The Chinese army deployed medical specialists to the epicentre of the spiralling viral outbreak that has killed and spread around the world AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A baby wearing a protective face mask is pushed by a woman as they arrive from Shenzhen to Hong Kong at Lo Wu MTR station AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A health worker checks the temperature of a woman entering a subway station in Beijing Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A young child wears a protective mask and is covered in plastic while waiting to check in to a flight at Beijing Capital Airport The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday declared the coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ambulance crews arrive at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, as it prepares for a return flight from Wuhan, China. Eighty-three Britons and 27 foreign nationals who were trapped in Wuhan are being flown back to the UK Tom Maddick / SWNS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman carries a baby wearing a protective mask as they exit the arrival hall at Hong Kong High Speed Rail Station Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Camp beds at a Medical Assessment Center set up at the airport in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on the eve of the arrival of German citizens evacuated from Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Funeral parlour staff members in protective suits help a colleague with disinfection after they transferred a body at a hospital in Wuhan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Muslims wearing masks pray for the victims of coronavirus at a mosque in Ahmedabad, India Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical officials waiting for people who wants to check the novel coronavirus at Myeongdong shopping district Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Children wear plastic bottles as makeshift homemade protection and protective masks while waiting to check in to a flight at Beijing Capital Airport Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A patient assisted by medical staff gets off an ambulance in Wuhan AFP/Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People line up to buy face masks from a medical supply company in Nanning, southern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Countries began evacuating their citizens from the Chinese city hardest-hit by a new virus that has now infected more people in China than were sickened in the country by SARS Chinatopix via AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Millions spent their normally festive Lunar New Year holiday under lockdown Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Children with face masks wash their hands before prayer at Erawan shrine in Bangkok. Thailand has detected eight Coronavirus cases so far AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An Indonesian health officer points at the screen of a thermal scanner for passengers China confirmed that the deadly Wuhan coronavirus virus can be transmitted between humans AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Hospital workers wearing protective eyewear and masks examine an Indonesian student who returned from China in quarantine at a hospital in Banda Aceh AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ambulance staff dispose of an outfit at the hospital in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A person checks the temperature of a passenger to help stop the spread of a deadly virus as he arrives at the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International airport in Palembang AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Nepali students, wearing face masks, attend a class at Matribhumi School in Bhaktapur, on the outskirts of Kathmandu AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Two Buddhist monks wear face masks while walking along a street in Yangon AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff disinfecting a residential area in Ruichang, part of Jiujiang in China's central Jiangxi province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers are seen at the construction site of a new hospital being built to treat patients from a deadly virus outbreak in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 27, 2020. - China is rushing to build a new hospital in a staggering 10 days to treat patients at the epicentre of a deadly virus outbreak that has stricken thousands of people, state media reported on January 24. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images) HECTOR RETAMAL AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Vapor blurs the goggles of an ambulance driver while they work, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers producing facemasks at a factory in Yangzhou AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff getting on an ambulance in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A vendor of traditional masks wears a facial mask at his shop in Thamel EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An airport official checks the temperature of a passenger upon his arrival at the Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members arrive with a patient at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An ambulance driver talking with medical staff in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Wuhan Hygiene Emergency Response Team leave the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market The new coronavirus appears to have its origins in a seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, a popular transport hub AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers produce protective suits at a factory in Nantong AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers scanned by thermal imaging for body temperature as they go through health measures and procedures after they landed at Rome's Fiumicino airport on a southern airlines flight from Wuhan Aeroporto Di Roma/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A Thai royal guard wears a mask while on duty at the Grand Palace in Bangkok EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a face mask rides a nearly empty subway train in Beijing AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A shopper wearing goggles with a face mask and gloves uses a self checkout machine at a supermarket in Wuhan AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jinyintan hospital EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of the Italian Red Cross putting on protective gear, getting ready to give health checks to passengers that landed at Rome's Fiumicino airport on a southern airlines flight from Wuhan Aeroporto Di Roma/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A member of the Hong Kong government's Civil Aid Service gestures at the entrance to the Lady MacLehose Holiday Village which is being used as one of two quarantine centres for people who have been in close proximity with suspected cases of a SARS-type virus. Hong Kong will turn two holiday camps, including a former military barracks, into quarantine zones for people who may have come into contact with carriers of the Wuhan virus, officials announced AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff wearing protective suits at the Zhongnan hospital in Wuhan STR/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A Malaysia Health official checks passengers going through a thermal scanner upon their arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff disinfecting Yingtan North Railway Station, China China banned trains and planes from leaving the major city at the centre of a virus outbreak on January 23, seeking to seal off its 11 million people to contain the contagious disease that has claimed lives and spread to other countries AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A passenger walks past a quarantine control station at Narita airport, Japan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Patients queue up to seek treatment in Wuhan Tongji Hospital Fever Clinic, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Quarantine workers spray disinfectant at Incheon International Airport, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A member of staff checks the temperature of a guest entering the casino of the New Orient Landmark hotel in Macau, after it reported its first case of the new SARS-like virus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jin Yintan hospital Little is known about the new disease which, if confirmed, would be only the seventh coronavirus known to science that can infect humans Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of the Three Gorges Medical Laboratory offering free masks to the public in Yichang, China AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Gabriel Leung, right, chair professor of public health medicine at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong, speaks about the extent of the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak in China AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of staff of the Wuhan Hygiene Emergency Response Team conducting searches on the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A quarantine officer at Incheon International Airport, South Korea, uses an electronic thermometer to check the temperature of passengers arriving by plane from Wuhan The virus causes symptoms of viral pneumonia, and has already led to several deaths EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A screen shows cancelled flights at Tianhe airport in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jinyintan hospital EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Health officials hand out information about the current coronavirus at Kuala Lumpur International Airport AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A store owner argues with security guards as he attempts to enter the closed Huanan wholesale seafood market AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers producing facemasks at a factory in Handan, China's northern Hebei province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff and security personnel stop patients' family members from being too close to the Jinyintan hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus maya-goodfellowAn airport staff member uses a temperature gun to check people leaving Wuhan Tianhe International Airport AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A rescue worker walks past a notice about new coronavirus that has broken out in China Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Health officials wear face masks at an inspection site at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members carry a patient into the Jinyintan hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A staff member checks body temperature of a child after a train from Wuhan arrived at Hangzhou Railway Station in Hangzhou AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A quarantine station measures passenger body temperatures at Narita Airport JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers walk past a notice displayed near a quarantine control station at Narita airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers walk past a poster alerting on coronavirus screening ahead upon their arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An employee sprays disinfectant on a train, as a precaution against coronavirus, at Suseo Station in Seoul EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Kazakh sanitary-epidemiological service worker uses a thermal scanner to detect travellers from China who may have symptoms possibly connected with the previously unknown coronavirus, at Almaty International Airport, Kazakhstan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Pharmacist Liu Zhuzhen stands near a sign reading "face masks are sold out" at her pharmacy in Shanghai AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A worker in a protective suit at the closed seafood market in Wuhan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers wear protective face masks at the departure hall of a high speed train station in Hong Kong AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A notice for passengers from Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wears a mask while riding on mobike past the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market Getty Sophie, also from the UK, said she and her British housemate Jason had been stuck in the house for four days, adding: We're frustrated by the fact we don't know what's going on. It's scary. We've heard the virus can stay in the system for two weeks without somebody showing signs they're sick. The Foreign Office is believed to be examining the logistics for an airlift, but ministers played down the idea of rapid action on the Sunday morning political shows. Asked by Sky News if evacuations were planned, Ms Patel said only: Its right that we look at all options and thats exactly what the government is doing right now. Mr Barclay also ducked the issue, saying the government would continue to monitor the situation and keep the idea of airlifts under review. In the UK, 31 people have been tested after suspicions they have contracted the virus, but all were found to be negative. Officials are still trying to trace around 2,000 people who have flown to the UK from Wuhan in the past fortnight. Mr Barclay denied the government was bolting the stable door after the horse has left, but acknowledged it was still reaching out to find those people. Over the past three weeks, many analysts have focused on how the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani will affect the Iran-US confrontation in the Middle East. Little attention has been paid, however, to the effect his death will have on the internal affairs of Iran. The general, who headed the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was an important figure not only in driving the Islamic Republics power projection abroad but also in shaping its domestic narrative and political dynamics. Even before his death, Soleimani had assumed an almost mythical status for both the Iranian public and Iranian sympathisers abroad. In the eyes of religious people, he was the protector of the shrine of Sayeda Zainab, venerated by the Shia, and the hero who stood up to Israel and supported the Palestinian resistance. In the eyes of nationalists and those who do not believe in the Islamic Republic at all, he was the brave commander who fought terrorists and foreign enemies trying to destroy Iran. He was never named in any corruption allegations, internal political squabbles or crackdown on protests and dissent, as other IRGC commanders were. He spoke Arabic and had spent a long time in the Arab world; he had good relations with Hezbollah, Hamas and the Islamic Jihad. This made him the appropriate face for Irans campaign to expand its influence in the region in the aftermath of the 2003 United States invasion of Iraq. The mythical status of Soleimani was necessary to build an image of a powerful Iran internally and externally, to cover up the reality of a besieged nation. Inside Iran, even young people, who are far removed from the first and second generations of the revolution and its ideals, still believe in Iranian supremacy. The image of Soleimani nourishes this belief. As such, it should not be surprising to see a young woman whom the morality police might castigate for dressing in an un-Islamic way mourn him at his funeral. It is the same reason that motivated a well-known liberal novelist like Mahmoud Dowlatabadi, who criticised what happened after the Iranian Revolution of 1979 in his is famous novel The Colonel and who is known for his opposition to the government, to praise Soleimani during his life and mourn his death with great sadness. The assassination of Soleimani gave his mythologisation a new momentum. His image became a mixture of the Ashoura heroism of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad who revolted against the Umayyad ruler Yazid and was tragically killed, and the heroism of the characters in Shahnameh (the Book of Kings) written by the Persian poet, Abu Qasem Ferdowsi. The mythical status of Soleimani, however, did not emerge spontaneously. He joined the IRGC just as General Mohsen Rezaee had become its commander-in-chief. Under his leadership, the IRGC became an institution with strong foundations and a broad mandate. It trained and employed not just military and intelligence personnel but also experts in economics, politics, psychology and sociology. Its activities and projects were always carefully planned and executed and so was the rise of Soleimani. Mythologising his feats abroad was a perfect way to justify interference in the Arab region both at home and abroad. Had it not been for the Ukrainian plane tragedy, the momentum behind Soleimanis mythologisation would have been stronger. The accident greatly diminished the political gains that the Islamic Republic and the conservative political current close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could have achieved inside Iran. Yet it would be an exaggeration to claim that the emotional momentum among Iranians towards their hero turned into discontent overnight. A few images of angry protesters tearing up posters of his image after the plane crash do not negate the fact that Soleimani remains widely popular among Iranians. One of the most important consequences of his death is that it undermined plans for the IRGC to assume a greater role in politics, as the Islamic Republic prepares for a handover of power from an ailing Khamenei to a successor. The IRGC was kept out of politics for a long time due to the opposition of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, to the participation of the military, including the IRGC, in any political activity. He considered it to be contrary to the values of the revolution. The situation changed in 1989 when Ayatollah Khamenei became the supreme leader and brought the IRGC closer to the centre of power. The late Rafsanjani, on the other hand, facilitated the IRGCs involvement in the economy during his tenure as president between 1989 and 1997, when the country was undergoing reconstruction after the devastating war with Iraq (1980-1988). The influence of the IRGC grew steadily and in 1999, two years into the first term of reformist President Mohammad Khatami, they publicly flexed their muscle. Twenty-four IRGC commanders, among them Soleimani, signed and sent a letter to Khatami in response to what they saw as his mishandling of a student protest, effectively threatening him with a coup. Since then, the IRGC has sought to turn its successes in the region defending the nation a task in which Soleimani played a significant role into political gains at home. It is not far-fetched to speak of Soleimani as the most qualified to benefit from such gains due to his popularity. This view is evidenced by General Soleimanis intensive political activities in the few years preceding his assassination. Although his work was secretive, in recent years he would often have photos of himself on his missions released to the public. Then last year, he appeared at a rare meeting between Ayatollah Khamenei and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who had come to Tehran. The absence of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif from the meeting demonstrated the growing importance of the IRGC in Irans foreign affairs and resulted in the minister submitting his resignation in protest. This and other developments over the past few years led some to believe that Soleimani was preparing to take on a political role. It was rumoured his name was going to be put forward at the 2021 presidential elections. His death and the downing of the Ukrainian airliner by IRGC, however, spoiled these plans. The latter incident allowed President Hassan Rouhani, whose administration has been increasingly sidelined by conservatives and the IRGC, to strike back. In a veiled criticism of the IRGC and their confrontational stance towards the US and Europe, Rouhani recently said that there is no way to solve the problems of the economy without turning to the international community. According to him, Iranians voted in 2013 and 2017 to de-escalate tensions in the region and normalise relations with the rest of the world. Rouhanis government was severely weakened by the failure of the nuclear agreement. The sanctions he had promised to eliminate came back and have wreaked havoc in the Iranian economy. His belief that Europeans could help him proved misguided. All the gains he had made by signing the nuclear deal in 2015, which placed him on the list of candidates likely to succeed Ayatollah Khamenei as the next supreme leader, disappeared the moment President Donald Trump changed the US policy towards Iran. In this context, the upcoming two elections in February for Parliament and for members of the Assembly of Experts (which, among other duties, is tasked with electing the supreme leader) as well as the presidential vote in 2021 will be crucial. Despite the weakness of the reformist and moderate camp, it still hopes to make a political comeback at the upcoming parliamentary vote, but the conservative current is already putting barriers before it. Earlier this month, Rouhani criticised the decision of the Guardian Council, which vets candidates for elections, to disqualify thousands of people who had registered to run. [There are] candidates from how many parties? From one party? This is not an election People need diversity, he said. Given the increasingly complex political situation in Iran, the upcoming elections will be far more than a simple conservative-reformist or conservative-moderate competition. In fact, it might transcend this dualism completely. Perhaps more importantly, this competition will have a significant impact on the succession plan for 80-year-old Khamenei. If the upcoming Parliament brings forth conservative figures with strong ties to the IRGC, and if the next president belongs to the same camp, the circle will be complete with a supreme leader who shares the same intellectual and political orientation. Under this scenario, one could expect former presidential candidate Ebrahim Raisi, who lost to Rouhani in 2017, to be a strong candidate for the post of supreme leader. Last year he was appointed chief justice of Iran so he can have an opportunity to regain the political popularity he had lost during his presidential campaign by clamping down on corruption. What makes him a likely candidate is that his intellectual orientation is largely consistent with that of the IRGC. Although the election of a new supreme leader is the prerogative of the Assembly of Experts, various powers will seek to influence the vote, including the different political camps, the clergy in Qom and the IRGC, which seems poised to be the most influential player. Whoever takes power at the different institutions Parliament, government and supreme leadership the main challenge they will face is to placate Irans protest society to use the words of political science professor Hussein Bashiry. As exiled opposition politician Ebrahim Yazdi pointed out in his memoirs, Iran is still going through a very volatile period and it is still in pursuit of liberation, which started with the Tobacco Protest in 1890, followed by the Constitutional Revolution of 1906, the Mossadegh movement of 1953 and the Islamic revolution of 1979. Indeed the Iranian society remains in a state of revolution, even if for its political leadership the revolution is over. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. But Leibovitz is also a teacher, having trained prosecutors at the U.S. attorneys office in the District during her years when she was a federal prosecutor. When the defense team objected to witness testimony as leading, Leibovitz stopped to explain what leading is and when it was and was not permitted to be used by the attorneys. Halfway through the trial, as the women became more familiar with the process, fewer objections were overruled. YEREVAN. As of this moment, there is no information on any Armenian citizens among the new ones infected with coronavirus, the Republic of Armenia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RA MFA) informed in a statement. The statement notes that the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in China is taking steps to establish direct contact with the Armenian citizens who are currently in China. As per the statement, the Embassy is in direct contact with the three Armenian citizens in Wuhan, China, and as of now there is no information on any Armenian citizens among those infected. "We urge all RA citizens residing in China to send their phone numbers and residence addresses to the RA Embassy's e-mail at [email protected] to be in direct contact," the statement concludes. Private institutes offering English language courses for preschoolers using the description "English kindergarten" may face punishment from the authorities, the Ministry of Education said Sunday. Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae recently presided over the 16th meeting of the Education Trust Restoration Team to discuss punitive measures against private English language institutes posing as English kindergartens, according to the ministry. In South Korea, kindergartens are defined as a type of school, but private education institutes are not. Under the Enforcement Decree of the Early Childhood Education Act, a first-time offender accused of illegally calling itself an English kindergarten can be punished with a fine of 2 million won (US$1,712). Penalties for second-time and third-time offenders increase to 3 million and 5 million won, respectively. Participants in the meeting also discussed increasing the fines for private English language institutes for preschoolers that operate under the false name of English kindergarten. "The Elementary and Secondary Education Act stipulates criminal punishment for non-school institutions using the title of school. As kindergartens are also a kind of school, relevant offenders should be punished equally. The ministry will push to revise the Early Childhood Education Act," said a ministry official. In South Korea, a growing number of parents enroll their preschoolers in private English language academies from early childhood in accordance with widespread enthusiasm for learning English. Capitalizing on the foreign language boom, many private English language institutes illicitly advertise themselves as English kindergartens. (Yonhap) News New York - John C. Demers, the Assistant Attorney General for National Security and Geoffrey S. Berman, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that Jesus Wilfredo Encarnacion, aka Jihadistsoldgier, Jihadinhear, Jihadinheart, Lionofthegood, pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based designated foreign terrorist organization responsible for multiple high-profile attacks, including the infamous Mumbai attacks in November 2008. Encarnacion pleaded guilty Wednesday before United States District Judge Ronnie Abrams. Encarnacion admitted to attempting to travel to Pakistan to join a foreign terrorist organization and conspired over the internet with another individual, whos already plead guilty, to provide that organization with material support, said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. The National Security Division is committed to identifying and holding accountable those who seek to join and support designated foreign terrorist organizations. As he admitted today, Jesus Encarnacion plotted to travel abroad to join and train with the terrorist organization Lashkar e-Tayyiba, infamous worldwide for their brutal jihadist murder of innocent civilians, and to carry out shootings, bombings, and beheadings on their behalf, said U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman for the Southern District of New York. Thanks to the excellent work of the FBI and the NYPD, Encarnacion was intercepted before his deadly plot could take flight, and he now awaits sentencing for his crime. According to the criminal Complaint, Indictment, and other documents filed in the case, as well as statements made during the plea proceeding: In November 2018, Encarnacion expressed his desire to join a terrorist group in an online group chat, where he met another individual (CC-1). CC-1 introduced Encarnacion to an individual who, unbeknownst to CC-1 or Encarnacion, was in fact an undercover FBI employee (UC-1). Encarnacion repeatedly expressed, in the course of recorded communications through a social media service with CC-1 and through an encrypted messaging service with UC-1, his allegiance to and support for LeT, which, since approximately 2001, has been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by both the United States Secretary of State and the Immigration and Nationality Act. Over several months, Encarnacion discussed his desire and plans to join LeT overseas so that he could receive training and participate in violent acts of terrorism. For example, Encarnacion told UC-1 that he was ready to kill and die in the name of Allah and sought UC-1s assistance to help Encarnacion travel abroad to serve as an executioner for LeT, stating, I want to execute. I want to behead. Shoot. Encarnacion further stated that he aspired to commit terrorist attacks (a bombing and shooting) in the United States, but lacked guidance and guns to do so. By early 2019, Encarnacion and UC-1 agreed on a plan that Encarnacion believed would allow him to join LeT in Pakistan. Encarnacion told UC-1 that he had made arrangements to travel to a particular city in Europe (the European City), as the first step in traveling to Pakistan to join LeT. Encarnacion purchased an airline ticket for a flight scheduled to depart on Feb. 7, 2019, from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK Airport) to the European City. On Feb. 7, 2019, Encarnacion traveled to JFK Airport, where he was arrested by the FBI after he attempted to board that flight. Encarnacion, 30, of New York, New York, pled guilty to one count of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge. Encarnacion is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Abrams on April 24, 2020, at 11:30 a.m. Assistant Attorney General Demers and Mr. Berman praised the outstanding efforts of the FBIs New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which principally consists of agents from the FBI and detectives from the New York City Police Department. Assistant Attorney General Demers and Mr. Berman the New York Office of U. S. Customs and Border Protection. This prosecution is being handled by the Offices Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David W. Denton Jr. and Kimberly J. Ravener are in charge of the prosecution. Moodys Investors Service (Moodys), a rating agency, has affirmed Ghanas long-term issuer and senior unsecured bond ratings at B3. It has also changed the outlook of Ghana from stable to positive. The decisions were announced in a statement issued by Moodys in New York on January 24, 2020. According to the statement, Moodys has concurrently affirmed the rating of the bond enhanced by a partial guarantee from the International Development Association (IDA, Aaa stable) at B1. The decision to assign a positive outlook, the statement noted, reflects Moodys rising confidence that the countrys institutions and policy settings will foster improved macroeconomic and fiscal stability over the medium term, in part as a consequence of the reforms implemented under the recent IMF reform program. It added that those reforms are beginning to bear fruit, as seen for example in the return to primary fiscal surpluses, measures to smooth the debt maturity profile and increasingly sustainable growth prospects. Pressures and risks remain, as evidenced by persistent revenue challenges, a potential repeat of pre-election fiscal cycles, and the emergence of significant arrears and further contingent liabilities in the energy sector, all contributing to rising public debt, it said. It stated that the positive outlook reflects increasing confidence that the government will manage those pressures in such a way as to sustain and enhance external and fiscal stability. The decision to affirm the B3 rating balances, for now, those positive medium-term trends and existing challenges, it added. The statement however indicated that a key constraint on the rating is the countrys significant exposure to international capital flow reversals, which tend to coincide with exchange rate volatility and rising external and domestic borrowing costs, putting pressure on already weak debt affordability. Measures which reduce that exposure by demonstrating reliable liquidity risk management and increasingly firm control over the debt position would support an upgrade to a B2 rating, it said. However, those measures will take time to evidence impact. As a consequence, the outlook is unlikely to be resolved quickly and may even extend beyond the usual 18 month period in order to monitor how policy unfolds following the forthcoming election, and in particular the governments progress in implementing its energy recovery strategy. Ghanas foreign- and local-currency bond and deposit ceilings, it observed, remain unchanged, namely the foreign-currency bond ceiling at B1, the foreign-currency deposit ceiling at Caa1, and the local-currency bond and deposit ceilings at Ba3. Rationale Giving the rationale behind the rating, the statement explained that for some time, Ghanas rating has been constrained by two related factors. First, by the challenges its policymaking institutions have experienced in establishing a consistent set of policies which support macroeconomic and financial stability, and which survive changes of government. Second, by the high level of external commercial debt holdings which, taken alongside limited net foreign exchange reserves, exposes the government and the balance of payments to a loss of international investors confidence in policymakers ability to sustain economic and financial stability, raising the risk of a fiscal and/or balance of payments crisis, it said. However, it noted, in recent years Ghana has seen a number of positive developments in key credit metrics, which partly reflect the institutional and fiscal reforms implemented under the four-year IMF program that was completed in April 2019. According to the statement, these include a return to sustained economic growth at around 5% on average, supported by the development of domestic hydrocarbon resources and the prospect of sustained non-oil growth driven by the restoration of power supply and renewed infrastructure investment, a structural improvement in the current account dynamics, and fiscal reforms which have resulted in primary surpluses since 2017. Key fiscal reforms include the Public Financial Management Act (2016) which improves fiscal governance and the Fiscal Responsibility Law (2018) requiring adherence to an overall fiscal deficit ceiling of 5% of GDP and a primary surplus. 2019 saw a cash deficit of 4.8% of GDP and a primary surplus of 0.9% of GDP weaker than the initial targets but within overall limits, it explained. Expectation Moodys expects a similar outcome this year and a renewed shift to fiscal consolidation following the election, it said. Beyond the fiscal sphere, it added, measures taken over the past couple of years to recapitalize the financial sector and to address the countrys power deficit (albeit the latter with problematic unintended consequences) also suggest active, moderately effective policymaking and support rising confidence in policymakers ability to sustain economic and financial stability, and to limit the risk of external shocks in the coming years. Nevertheless, challenges remain, alongside developments which suggest that the roots of the institutional reforms are, for now at least, shallow, it said. The rise in deficits in 2019 as the election approaches, as in past cycles, suggests a high likelihood that the usual pre-election fiscal stimulus will emerge in 2020, the statement noted. Fiscal targets have been achieved in part by recording as below the line items fiscal costs relating to the recapitalization of the banking sector and to energy legacy debts which have caused the overall debt burden to continue to rise, it said. The government is contemplating issuing additional, collateralised, debt to support investment in bauxite refining in part to absorb surplus energy. As a result, the debt burden has risen by nearly ten percentage points of GDP since 2017, in part as a consequence of the financial sector bailout in 2018-19 and the measures taken to clear legacy power utility debts (estimated at 4.5% and 2% of GDP, respectively). Estimated at around 64% of GDP at end-2019, it is expected to rise further over the near term. How far and for how long it rises will depend in part on the governments success in preserving exchange rate stability and in dealing with additional contingent liabilities arising in the energy sector, it said. Those contingent liabilities arose from the agreement of take or pay contracts with energy producers extending until 2023, which were entered as part of the measures taken to address the acute power shortages experienced earlier in the decade. ---Daily Guide My Kitchen Rules: The Rivals kicks off on Sunday with returning contestants taking on newcomers. This season features format changes including teams divided into two houses, mentored by Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge. Amongst the new format tweaks, all contestants will dine together with Pete Evans as the only judge to attend all dinner parties. Seven has also trimmed the prize from $250,000 to $100,000 this year. For the first time in MKR history, its Chef vs Chef and House vs House, as five favourite teams go head-to-head with five new teams in the fiercest competition yet. The Fans will live together and represent the House of Colin, while the Faves share digs and fight for the House of Manu. Teams will first compete for their Houses in a series of Instant Restaurants, cooking under the guidance of mentors Manu Feildel or Colin Fassnidge, while Pete Evans dines as the impartial judge. At the end of the round, one team will be eliminated. Then, still competing for their Houses, teams take over real restaurants and try to avoid further eliminations. In the final round, the battle lines are blurred as the Houses crumble and its every team for itself. As the competition progresses, the rivalry between Chefs and Houses heats up, with teams producing some of the most exceptional dishes ever served on MKR. Format twists send strategy into the stratosphere and as friendships form, some bonds splinter while a hint of romance adds some spice. Ultimately, only one team can be crowned MKR: The Rivals champions and win $100,000. Will it be a Fan or Fave? Youve never seen an MKR like this! House of Colin : Fans Harbourside mansion Jenni & Louise Mummy bloggers Queensland Sunshine Coast BFFs Jenni, 42, and Louise, 39, met in antenatal class 11 years ago when they were both pregnant with their first child. When a birthing video started to play, they jumped up and left and a firm friendship was forged over their shared sense of humour. The bubbly pair went on to found the motherhood blog/website, Paging Fun Mums, and with more than 330,000 followers, mummy blogging is now a full-time career for the social influenzas. Ben & Vasil Bartenders Victoria Bartending friends Ben, 27, and Vasil, 28, are entering the competition with their eyes on the prize, but admit they can get easily distracted by fly honeys. The affable pair grew up in New Zealand and met through mutual friends when they moved to Melbourne around the same time eight years ago. With each of them cooking from a young age, they say they shouldnt be underestimated as they have flavours on point and a few sneaky tricks up their sleeves. Sue Ann & Sylvia Childhood Friends Victoria Childhood friends Sue Ann, 56, and Sylvia, 52, first met as kids in their hometown of Alor Star in Malaysia. Many years later they reconnected in Melbourne and now the fabulous friends share a passion for their culture, cooking and karaoke! Outgoing mother-of-two Sue Ann, who works for World Vision, loves breaking out into song and being the centre of attention. Commercial accountant Sylvia is happy to support her best friend live out her MKR dream. Kerry & Kaylene Ex-Army Sisters WA / Queensland Although they live on opposite sides of the country, sisters Kerry, 34, and Kaylene, 29, are very close. Having both previously served in the Australian Army, Sergeant Kerry and Corporal Kaylene believe they have the mental and physical toughness to win MKR. Married mumof-two Kerry, who is still an active reservist, says theyre going to put Australia on a plate, sharing the types of dishes they enjoy cooking at home for friends and family. Kaylene, now a student, says when it comes to the competition If somebody takes on one of us, they will one hundred percent be taking on both of us. Mark & Lauren Poker Playing Siblings Victoria Born and raised in New Zealand, siblings Mark, 40, and Lauren, 35, have always been huge fans of MKR. Now based in Melbourne, the competitive duo are ready to learn, grow, evolve and win you can bet on it! Mark is a professional poker player who competes at the casino, at home and with friends. And just like in poker, his strategy is to read the table, identify threats and if worse comes to worst turn on the charm offensive. Lauren says that while she comes across as sweet and innocent, shes not and as a team theyre going to be unstoppable. House Manu : Faves Inner city warehouse Dan & Steph Married Couple | Season 4 Champions Queensland One of the series most loved teams, Dan, 38, and Steph, 37, were crowned MKR Champions in 2013. Winning the competition completely changed their lives, with the Hervey Bay couple able to (achieve their dream of) start a family through IVF, welcoming daughter Emmy four years ago. They also opened a restaurant, EAT @ Dan and Stephs and bought a home, while Dan turned his life around losing 85kg through gastric sleeve surgery. Jake & Elle Brother & Sister | Season 4 Grand Finalists Queensland Brother and sister Jake, 27, and Elle, 29, came runners-up to fellow Queenslanders Dan & Steph in the 2013 Grand Final but theres no bad blood. MKR opened many doors for the young siblings who came up with the idea of a shipping container market scene in Brisbane which evolved into the popular Eat Street Northshore. There, their own food stall Jake & Elles Kitchen, currently sells over 900 American Italian street food meals a night. Alongside the container business, Jake works in fitness while Elle juggles the demands of a young family. Jac & Shaz Country Cousins | Season 6 Grand Finalists Queensland Country cousins Jac, 47, and Shaz, 48, put Mount Isa on the map when they made the 2015 Grand Final, where they came runnersup to Will & Steve. Making it that far in the competition and becoming household names came as a complete surprise to the downto-earth mums-of-three, who even joined other Legends of the City on the famous Mount Isa billboard. Since the show, Jac has rebranded her fashion boutique, while Shaz left her job at the local courthouse to focus on a career in food. Roula & Rachael Best Friends | Season 9 Contestants Victoria Straight-talking besties Roula, 36, and Rachael, 23, are the first to admit they caused some drama in the 2018 season and their food suffered as a result. The Melbourne friends were eliminated after the first location challenge, with a lack of focus from fighting with each other, and other teams, to blame. Since the show, Roula has been working as a nanny while Rachael has been focussed on her career in property management and bought her first house. Theyve been training their minds and bodies, and in the kitchen and are ready to show Australia how theyve evolved as cooks and as people. Sophia & Romel Tough Critics | Season 4 Contestant/Season 10 Grand Finalist NSW Two of MKRs most outspoken competitors have teamed together and these Sydneysiders will do anything to win. Sophia and her original teammate Ashlee were memorable Season 4 villains in 2013, while Romel and his teammate Ibby were runners up in MKRs 10th anniversary season in 2019. Tough-talking babe Sophia went on to compete in the 2013 season of Dancing with the Stars and is now a professional dance teacher and qualified counsellor. Romel continues to run his photographic studio, as he gets ready to launch an online accessories store and skincare line. Watch this fiery Asian/Middle Eastern team set the competition alight! Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday hit out at NCP chief Sharad Pawar, saying even "senior leaders" were now spreading misinformation "knowingly" and creating fear and confusion on CAA and NRC. Speaking at an event on Citizen Amendment Act here, Fadnavis said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has clearly stated that there was no talk of implementing NRC in the government and a wider consultation was going on and after this consultation is over, a decision will be taken. "Even after such clear statement what is going on in the country?" he said. He said he suspected fear was being spread "knowingly" to create chaos in the country. "Now new things are coming up in this regard. A few days ago, I was listening to a speech of senior Maharashtra leader Sharad Pawar. I don't believe Sharad Pawar does not know CAA, he very well knows CAA, and that NRC is not there now. "But what did he say in his speech? He talked about the shepherd community (Banjara Samaj) which keeps moving from place to place and laws are not applicable to them. Hence, even shepherd community will be sent away from the country. I feel if senior leaders will spread fear like this about a community which has no relation to this... Who will send them away from this country? It is their country? "But knowingly (Jaaniv purvak) confusion is being created for vote-bank politics and efforts are being made to take benefit of this confusion to create chaos in the country. Besides, many people are thinking that these agitation are steps for them to come to power," said Fadnavis. The former chief minister said people don't know much about the citizenship law or the National register of Citizens (NRC). "Minorities are being told through CAA your registration will done and if you are not registered then you will be sent back to Pakistan and Bangladesh. A false narrative is being spread on a huge scale to create an atmosphere of fear among the minority community," he said. He said "unfortunately" mainstream political parties were also spreading false information, creating chaos (arajakta) and fear among the minorities and particularly the Muslim community. "This Act is to grant citizenship and there is no provision in the Act which takes away anyone's citizenship right," Fadnavis assured. A 26-year-old man Beaverton man posed as a high school student on Instagram and Snapchat to talk to children online and then met them in person and sexually assault them, officials said in a release Sunday. Detectives with the Washington County Sheriffs Office Violent Crimes Unit had been investigating Castillo for several months before his arrest on Jan. 15, the sheriffs office said. They have identified multiple victims and believe he may have targeted more children. Lafayette Castillo was indicted on Friday by a grand jury on charges of rape, attempted rape, sexual abuse and sodomy for attacks on two children aged 12 and 14, court records show. Castillo is being held on $1.5 million bail. Police are asking anyone with information about Castillo or potential victims to call the Washington County Sheriffs Office at 503-846-2700. -- Lizzy Acker 503-221-8052 lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Chinese president Xi Jinping has called the accelerating spread of the coronavirus a grave situation, as Beijing escalates measures to contain the illness. In a sign of how far the disease is spreading globally, Canada also confirmed its first case of the deadly illness on Sunday. Some 55 people have died and at least 1,975 have been infected in China as a result of the virus, which is thought to have originated in a market in the city of Wuhan in central Chinas Hubei province. Now the nations ruling communist party has introduced a string of new measures aimed at stopping the spread of the virus including the lockdown of 16 cities near Wuhan to restrict the movement of more than 50 million people, covering a population roughly as large as Englands. In addition, 450 military medical staff, including some who have worked on the Sars and Ebola epidemics, have been deployed to the region. Life is of paramount importance, the Chinese president reportedly told officials at an urgent politburo meeting. When an epidemic breaks out, a command is issued. It is our responsibility to prevent and control it. Alongside a ban in Beijing on inter-province bus services, ride-hailing app DiDi Chuxing announced it would not offer transport services to and from the capital. Group tours were also halted across the country in a further blow to the nations tourism industry. Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Show all 154 1 /154 Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Paramedics wearing personal protective equipment carry patient on a stretcher on to an ambulance in North Point district in Hong Kong, China Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker wearing protective gear takes a rest as he waits for ambulances carrying patients infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus at an entrance of a hospital in Daegu, South Korea YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker sprays disinfectant on an ambulance after carrying a patient infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Daegu YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People wearing protective face masks shop at a supermarket in Casalpusterlengo, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown due to the new coronavirus outbreak EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A trolley bus is disinfected amid fears over the spread of the novel coronavirus in Pyongyang, North Korea REUTERS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers wearing protective gear spray disinfectant as a precaution against the COVID-19 coronavirus in a local market in Daegu, South Korea AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a protective facemask walks outside a nearly empty shopping mall at lunch time in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing protective facemask and gloves puts a drawing made by a girl living in the area asking residents to wear protective gear, next to a quarantine notice for people who have travelled and a notice asking people to register outside a residential compound in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman is taken into an ambulance amid a coronavirus outbreak in northern Italy REUTERS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ambulances and health workers are seen outside the Padua's hospital, northern Italy EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers in coaches leave MoD Boscombe Down in Wiltshire after being repatriated to the UK from a cruise ship hit by the coronavirus in Yokohama, Japan and head to Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside PA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People rest in a temporary hospital situated in the Tazihu Gymnasium in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Buddhist monks wearing protective face masks pray during a blessing ceremony for the people affected by the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, at a temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia REUTERS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers wearing protective gears carry a patient infecting with a new coronavirus to a hospital in Chuncheon, South Korea AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Soldiers in hazmat suits sanitize cargo from a China Airlines plane at the Taoyuan International Airport in Taoyuan City, Taiwan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Barricades are seen to block the entrance a the gate of a local mall in a nearly empty area in Beijing, China Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A vendor wearing a protective facemask waits for customers at a shop in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The body temperature of an Iraqi child returning from Iran is measured upon her arrival at the Najaf International Airport AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Volunteers hand out free facemasks at a shopping district in Quezon city, Metro Manila, Philippines Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers wearing protective gears carry a patient suspected of contracting the new coronavirus toward an ambulance at Daenam Hospital in Cheongdo, South Korea AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A worker disinfects a shop at a market in Shanghai AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A restaurant worker wearing protective clothing as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus passing a bag of food to a customer on the street outside their restaurant in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A recovered patient is discharged from Leishenshan Hospital, the newly-built makeshift hospital for novel coronavirus patients, in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Volunteers in protective suits disinfect a factory with sanitising equipment in Huzhou, China China Daily via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers in protective suits attend to a patient inside an isolated ward of Wuhan Red Cross Hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A drone operated by the Suwon municipal government flies around Changyong Middle School spraying disinfectant, in Suwon, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers transfer medical waste at Leishenshan Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a protective mask rides a bicycle with his children in Guangzhou, China EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Volunteers in protective suits disinfect a railway station as the country is hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus, in Changsha, Hunan province, China cnsphoto via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman repatriated from Wuhan carries a child as she walks upon her arrival at the Van Don airport in Vietnam's Quang Ninh province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff checking the body temperature of a patient who has displayed mild symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus, at an exhibition centre converted into a hospital in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker in protective suit transports oxygen tanks at Wuhan Red Cross Hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Boys wearing protection masks, gloves and modified water bottles sit on a cart at the airport arrival terminal in Guangzhou EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Employees work on a production line manufacturing protective suits at a clothing factory in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province cnsphoto via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers in protective suits move a patient at an isolated ward of a hospital in Caidian district following an outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan China Daily via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A worker in protective clothing, including face mask and gloves, carries a bucket as he works inside of The County Oak Medical Centre in Brighton, southern England, after it closed for "urgent operational health and safety reasons", following reports a member of staff was infected with the strain of the novel coronavirus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers of the ecology and environment bureau collect samples from the sewage system of a hospital in Xinle, Hebei province China Daily via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man in protective clothing cleaning the County Oak Medical Centre GP practice The British government warned the outbreak of novel coronavirus was a "serious and imminent threat" and reported four new cases that brought the total recorded in the country to eight. Two hospitals The Royal Free and Guys and St Thomas', have both been designated as "isolation" facilities, with both currently housing Britons who have returned from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak PA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to the newly completed Huoshenshan temporary field Hospital in Wuhan. The global coronavirus death toll rose again with Hong Kong announcing its first death from the outbreak on 4 February EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of staff wait as coaches carrying Coronavirus evacuees arrive at Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre, in Milton Keynes, after being repatriated to the UK from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan PA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A crew member of the cruise ship Diamond Princess talks to a worker wearing protective gear standing near the vessel, where dozens of passengers were tested positive for coronavirus, at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Doctors scan a patient's lungs at Huoshenshan temporary hospital built for patients diagnosed with coronavirus in Wuhan Xinhua News Agency/AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People wearing protective suits walk from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, with around 3,600 people quarantined onboard due to fears of the new coronavirus, at the Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Indonesians who arrived from Wuhan are sprayed with antiseptic at Hang Nadim Airport in Batam. People evacuated from the Chinese city at the centre of a deadly virus outbreak, were transported to a quarantine zone on a remote island at the edge of the South China Sea, shortly after landing Indonesian Foreign Ministry via AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman wears a protective mask as she shops in a market in Beijing Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members hugging each other in an isolation ward at a hospital in Zouping in China's easter Shandong province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A portrait of Dr Li Wenliang is left at Li's hospital in Wuhan. He is regarded a whistleblower on the outbreak and died of the coronavirus which triggered wide-spread mourning on Chinese media Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Officers in protective gear enter the cruise ship Diamond Princess, where people tested positive for coronavirus, after the ship arrived at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, south of Tokyo Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Firefighters and personnel from the health ministry participate in a drill to prepare for the potential arrival of passengers infected with the coronavirus at the Viru Viru International Airport, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Scientists are at work in the VirPath university laboratory as they try to find an effective treatment against the new Sars-like coronavirus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers in protective suits attend to patients at the Wuhan International Conference and Exhibition Center, which has been converted into a makeshift hospital to receive patients with mild symptoms caused by the virus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A girl wears a mask as a preventive measure against the coronavirus outbreak, in Bangkok, Thailand Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man is transferred from the World Dream cruise ship to an ambulance at the Kai Tak cruise terminal in Hong Kong as health officials conduct inspections AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers from a disinfection service company enter Lotte Department Store in central Seoul, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man who arrived from Hubei province talks with police at a checkpoint at the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor holds a handheld digital thermometer near health officials preparing a health check for arriving passengers from China at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A resident walks across an empty track in Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A scientific staff member works in a secure laboratory, researching the coronavirus, at the Pasteur Institute in Dakar AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members preparing equipment to meet passengers of a military plane, which evacuated citizens of Russia and ex-Soviet countries from China's Wuhan province Vsluh.ru via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff wearing protective suits as they prepare to disinfect a Vietnam Airlines plane at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi Vietnam Airlines/AFP/Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A South Korean person, who was evacuated from Wuhan, arrives at the National Medical Center after showing suspected symptoms of novel coronavirus, in Seoul EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Officers in protective gear escort a person (under the blue sheet) who was on board cruise ship Diamond Princess and was tested positive for coronavirus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor being disinfected by his colleague at a quarantine zone in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Buses carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan, arrive at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Indonesian health officials conduct an exercise drill in transporting a patient requiring isolation at the Belawan port in Medan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The Pasteur Institute in Dakar, designated by the African Union as one of the two reference centres in Africa for the detection of the new coronavirus that appeared in China, is hosting experts from 15 countries on the continent this weekend to prepare them to deal with the disease AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A government worker disinfects a co-worker after visiting a quarantined woman's home in Qingdao EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An aerial view of the deserted roads and bridges in Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers hold a strike outside the Hospital Authority as they demand for Hong Kong to close its border with China to reduce the coronavirus spreading Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A person has their tempriture checked in Qingdao, China EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. Note the spikes that adorn the outer surface of the virus, which impart the look of a corona surrounding the virion, when viewed electron microscopically Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Malaysian nationals being directed from a bus by health officials in protective suits as they arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, after being evacuated from Wuhan Malaysia's Ministry of Health/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People hoping to buy face masks crowd outside a medical supply shop that was raided by police for allegedly hoarding and overpricing the masks, as public fear over China's Wuhan Coronavirus grow in Manila, Philippines. The Philippine government has been heavily criticized after failing to immediately implement travel restrictions from China, the source of a deadly coronavirus that has now killed hundreds and infected thousands more Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Residents wearing masks and raincoats volunteer to take temperature of passengers following the outbreak of a new coronavirus at a bus stop at Tin Shui Wai, a border town in Hong Kong Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Italian citizens repatriated from Wuhan going though a health control zone after landing at the Mario De Bernardi military airport in Pratica di Mare, south of Rome, prior to be placed in quarantine Italian Defence Ministry/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers arrange beds in a 2,000-bed mobile hospital, set up in an exhibition center, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor checks conditions of occupants in a hotel accommodating isolated people in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members wearing protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus which began in the city of Wuhan, arrive with a patient at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital. The Chinese army deployed medical specialists to the epicentre of the spiralling viral outbreak that has killed and spread around the world AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A baby wearing a protective face mask is pushed by a woman as they arrive from Shenzhen to Hong Kong at Lo Wu MTR station AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A health worker checks the temperature of a woman entering a subway station in Beijing Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A young child wears a protective mask and is covered in plastic while waiting to check in to a flight at Beijing Capital Airport The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday declared the coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ambulance crews arrive at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, as it prepares for a return flight from Wuhan, China. Eighty-three Britons and 27 foreign nationals who were trapped in Wuhan are being flown back to the UK Tom Maddick / SWNS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman carries a baby wearing a protective mask as they exit the arrival hall at Hong Kong High Speed Rail Station Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Camp beds at a Medical Assessment Center set up at the airport in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on the eve of the arrival of German citizens evacuated from Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Funeral parlour staff members in protective suits help a colleague with disinfection after they transferred a body at a hospital in Wuhan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Muslims wearing masks pray for the victims of coronavirus at a mosque in Ahmedabad, India Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical officials waiting for people who wants to check the novel coronavirus at Myeongdong shopping district Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Children wear plastic bottles as makeshift homemade protection and protective masks while waiting to check in to a flight at Beijing Capital Airport Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A patient assisted by medical staff gets off an ambulance in Wuhan AFP/Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People line up to buy face masks from a medical supply company in Nanning, southern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Countries began evacuating their citizens from the Chinese city hardest-hit by a new virus that has now infected more people in China than were sickened in the country by SARS Chinatopix via AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Millions spent their normally festive Lunar New Year holiday under lockdown Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Children with face masks wash their hands before prayer at Erawan shrine in Bangkok. Thailand has detected eight Coronavirus cases so far AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An Indonesian health officer points at the screen of a thermal scanner for passengers China confirmed that the deadly Wuhan coronavirus virus can be transmitted between humans AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Hospital workers wearing protective eyewear and masks examine an Indonesian student who returned from China in quarantine at a hospital in Banda Aceh AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ambulance staff dispose of an outfit at the hospital in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A person checks the temperature of a passenger to help stop the spread of a deadly virus as he arrives at the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International airport in Palembang AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Nepali students, wearing face masks, attend a class at Matribhumi School in Bhaktapur, on the outskirts of Kathmandu AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Two Buddhist monks wear face masks while walking along a street in Yangon AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff disinfecting a residential area in Ruichang, part of Jiujiang in China's central Jiangxi province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers are seen at the construction site of a new hospital being built to treat patients from a deadly virus outbreak in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 27, 2020. - China is rushing to build a new hospital in a staggering 10 days to treat patients at the epicentre of a deadly virus outbreak that has stricken thousands of people, state media reported on January 24. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images) HECTOR RETAMAL AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Vapor blurs the goggles of an ambulance driver while they work, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers producing facemasks at a factory in Yangzhou AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff getting on an ambulance in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A vendor of traditional masks wears a facial mask at his shop in Thamel EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An airport official checks the temperature of a passenger upon his arrival at the Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members arrive with a patient at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An ambulance driver talking with medical staff in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Wuhan Hygiene Emergency Response Team leave the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market The new coronavirus appears to have its origins in a seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, a popular transport hub AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers produce protective suits at a factory in Nantong AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers scanned by thermal imaging for body temperature as they go through health measures and procedures after they landed at Rome's Fiumicino airport on a southern airlines flight from Wuhan Aeroporto Di Roma/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A Thai royal guard wears a mask while on duty at the Grand Palace in Bangkok EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a face mask rides a nearly empty subway train in Beijing AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A shopper wearing goggles with a face mask and gloves uses a self checkout machine at a supermarket in Wuhan AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jinyintan hospital EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of the Italian Red Cross putting on protective gear, getting ready to give health checks to passengers that landed at Rome's Fiumicino airport on a southern airlines flight from Wuhan Aeroporto Di Roma/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A member of the Hong Kong government's Civil Aid Service gestures at the entrance to the Lady MacLehose Holiday Village which is being used as one of two quarantine centres for people who have been in close proximity with suspected cases of a SARS-type virus. Hong Kong will turn two holiday camps, including a former military barracks, into quarantine zones for people who may have come into contact with carriers of the Wuhan virus, officials announced AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff wearing protective suits at the Zhongnan hospital in Wuhan STR/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A Malaysia Health official checks passengers going through a thermal scanner upon their arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff disinfecting Yingtan North Railway Station, China China banned trains and planes from leaving the major city at the centre of a virus outbreak on January 23, seeking to seal off its 11 million people to contain the contagious disease that has claimed lives and spread to other countries AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A passenger walks past a quarantine control station at Narita airport, Japan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Patients queue up to seek treatment in Wuhan Tongji Hospital Fever Clinic, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Quarantine workers spray disinfectant at Incheon International Airport, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A member of staff checks the temperature of a guest entering the casino of the New Orient Landmark hotel in Macau, after it reported its first case of the new SARS-like virus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jin Yintan hospital Little is known about the new disease which, if confirmed, would be only the seventh coronavirus known to science that can infect humans Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of the Three Gorges Medical Laboratory offering free masks to the public in Yichang, China AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Gabriel Leung, right, chair professor of public health medicine at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong, speaks about the extent of the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak in China AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of staff of the Wuhan Hygiene Emergency Response Team conducting searches on the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A quarantine officer at Incheon International Airport, South Korea, uses an electronic thermometer to check the temperature of passengers arriving by plane from Wuhan The virus causes symptoms of viral pneumonia, and has already led to several deaths EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A screen shows cancelled flights at Tianhe airport in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jinyintan hospital EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Health officials hand out information about the current coronavirus at Kuala Lumpur International Airport AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A store owner argues with security guards as he attempts to enter the closed Huanan wholesale seafood market AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers producing facemasks at a factory in Handan, China's northern Hebei province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff and security personnel stop patients' family members from being too close to the Jinyintan hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus maya-goodfellowAn airport staff member uses a temperature gun to check people leaving Wuhan Tianhe International Airport AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A rescue worker walks past a notice about new coronavirus that has broken out in China Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Health officials wear face masks at an inspection site at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members carry a patient into the Jinyintan hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A staff member checks body temperature of a child after a train from Wuhan arrived at Hangzhou Railway Station in Hangzhou AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A quarantine station measures passenger body temperatures at Narita Airport JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers walk past a notice displayed near a quarantine control station at Narita airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers walk past a poster alerting on coronavirus screening ahead upon their arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An employee sprays disinfectant on a train, as a precaution against coronavirus, at Suseo Station in Seoul EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Kazakh sanitary-epidemiological service worker uses a thermal scanner to detect travellers from China who may have symptoms possibly connected with the previously unknown coronavirus, at Almaty International Airport, Kazakhstan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Pharmacist Liu Zhuzhen stands near a sign reading "face masks are sold out" at her pharmacy in Shanghai AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A worker in a protective suit at the closed seafood market in Wuhan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers wear protective face masks at the departure hall of a high speed train station in Hong Kong AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A notice for passengers from Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wears a mask while riding on mobike past the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market Getty The rapid spread of the disease overshadowed the nations lunar new year celebrations, with events cancelled in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong due to concern about public gatherings. On Saturday, Australia and Malaysia reported their first cases of the disease four each while Japan announced a third. The incidents follow on from the first cases in Europe being confirmed by France on Friday night, and a second instance of the virus in the US. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said her government will raise its response level to emergency, the highest available, and close primary and secondary schools after five people in the region who had visited Wuhan were confirmed to have been infected. Meanwhile, in the UK, the Department of Health and Social Care has said it carried out 31 tests for the coronavirus and all were confirmed negative. In response to the continued spread, US officials have arranged a charter flight to bring citizens and diplomats back from the epicentre. Russia is also believed to be looking into evacuating the region of its citizens, according to the states RIA news agency. French automotive group PSA, maker of the Peugeot and Citroen brands, has offered a similar service to their staff in the area. Recommended China rushes to build hospitals following coronavirus outbreak Two separate studies one conducted by Imperial College London and another by Lancaster University have said that for every person currently infected, the disease is passed on to between two and three people. It is unclear at the current time whether this outbreak can be contained within China, said Professor Neil Ferguson, an infectious disease specialist at Imperial College London Testing for the disease could also be complicated by the way the virus presents in patients. Two of the three people who have been diagnosed with the virus in France arrived in the country without showing symptoms, doctors at a Paris hospital told reporters. However, French officials have said they feel that the threat of a full-blown outbreak remains low in Europe. Leading physician Dr Yazdan Yazdanpanah said cases imported from China were not a surprise and that France had prepared, including by developing a test that provides rapid results for suspected cases. On the other hand, he said, the chance of an epidemic in France or in Europe is weak, extremely weak. WEST MICHIGAN -- Nearly seven years after Michigans oldest original construction covered bridge burned down in an arson fire on July 7, 2013, Whites Bridge is estimated to be rebuilt by July 3. The beloved historic bridge is located on Whites Bridge Road about eight miles northeast of Lowell in Keene Township. Built in 1867, the gabled roof brown truss-style bridge was only among four of its kind. As a result of the fire, the approximately 120-foot bridge fell into the Flat River it spanned for more than 140 years. Construction is currently underway and is nearing the halfway mark. History in the rubble: How arson-struck Whites Bridge became a West Michigan landmark A lot of people had fond memories (there), said Tom Byle, assistant director of engineering for the Kent County Road Commission and Whites Bridge Historical Society president. Senior pictures and all that good stuff. Byle was the project manager for another bridge rebuild in 1979 when the historic Ada Covered Bridge was burned down. He said he used the file from that rebuild as a blueprint for this construction project. There arent very many people that have built replica covered bridges, Byle said. With both projects, there was a number of challenges along the way, you just have to deal with them. I like solving problems, I guess thats why Im an engineer. Construction began last September. The project is being conducted through the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Ionia County, but Kent County is handling the administration. Davis Construction was awarded the bid. Byle said the rebuild is costing about $616,000. He said it being funded by Meijer, the Michigan Department of Transportation Local Bridge Fund and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. He said the leftover funding will go to the historical society and be used for additional costs like repairs, inspection, testing, lighting and security systems on the bridge, and any ongoing costs. James Scaggs, construction supervisor for the project, said once workers are done assembling the trusses, they will set them in place out over the river and start installing the rest of the bridge components. A crane will be used to lower the trusses into the supporting bridge abutment walls still in the river from the previous bridge. From there, Scaggs said the work will be from the bottom up. He said theres some bracing that goes in on the bottom and then some floor beams go across, between the trusses. He said there will be more layers of floor beams, roofing and siding. The primary materials for the project are mostly wood and steel. "As I understand, its as close to the original as they could get it, Scaggs said. The previous bridge could only hold less than three tons, so it didnt allow ambulances, fire trucks or county maintenance vehicles to cross. While it only saw about 50 cars a day, the bridge was lit up every year for the holidays and was a popular spot for runners. The new bridge will now allow those vehicles, including school buses, to cross as long as they can fit within the clearances on either side. The 12-foot height limit will stay the same, disallowing semis and box trucks taller than that. A specific weight limit has not been set. The first step in reconstruction was getting the wood timbers, which is a process in itself. Those all had to be cut on an angle, the joints all had to be personally cut out like fingers, lot of meticulous cutting and shaping to get all those timbers so theyre going to sit together like a timber Lego set, Byle said. It just takes time. The timbers were then dry fitted together and connected with bolts. In October, the Department of Natural Resources temporarily relocated mollusks living near the bridge in the Flat River. In December, the project was delayed from its original completion date goal of the week before Christmas. Some of the setbacks included a delay in getting equipment, needing additional fundraising and cold, wet weather. Now, construction workers get the job done while the sun is out during the week as long as there isnt enough snow to shovel. A crew of about four to five workers are on site daily. READ MORE: Grand Rapids Prismatica shines bright at night Grand Rapids police issue alert after 3 possible overdose deaths in hours Man, 30, killed in crash with cement truck BROKEN ARROW A police chase at the Broken Arrow-Tulsa border Saturday ended in the death of a man who was fleeing officers from a nearby casino, Catoosa police said. Police pursued the man from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, 777 W. Cherokee St., after he allegedly made death threats inside the establishment. The unidentified man was driving a Dodge Challenger in excess of 100 mph, Catoosa Police Chief Ronnie Benight said. The pursuit ended on East 51st Street when the Challengers engine failed. At that time, the officers approached the vehicle ... and he was reaching inside the vehicle, trying to locate something, Benight said. The officer had his Taser out and also his firearm out. The man placed the gun to his head shot himself, Benight said. An officer attempted to use the Taser on the man to prevent the act, but was not successful. Catoosa police were dispatched about 4 p.m. Saturday to the casino after security there reported an individual was threatening to kill people. Three officers arrived almost simultaneously and located the man in the casinos parking garage. Benight said the man jumped into his vehicle and fled from the area. Hungarian Official Warns Over Soros Billion-Dollar Plan for New Global University Network Hungarys government spokesman voiced concerns over Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros plan to invest $1 billion to build his Open Society University Network, calling it an ideologically-driven political agenda. The Budapest-born investor said Thursday during the World Economic Forum summit held in Davos, Switzerland, that he would contribute $1 billion to establish a global network of universities to promote the values of free expression and diversity of beliefs according to the Open Society Foundations press release. In what Soros called the most important and enduring project of his life, OSUN seeks to reach institutions in need of international partners, as well as neglected populations, such as refugees, incarcerated people, the Roma and other displaced groups, and work with politically endangered scholars. In Soross view, it is high time [for] Open Society Foundation, the vehicle through which he funds myriad endeavours to advance an ideologically-driven political agenda, to build on his previous efforts and develop a new and innovative educational network that the world really needs, Hungarys Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Relations Zoltan Kovacs, wrote in an official blog entry. Kovacs continued to add that Soros was pretty clear about his determination to push his open society agenda, although international media and advocates of globalism tend to focus on the billionaires philanthropist work. In an earlier blog entry, Kovacs bashed Renew Europe Groups migration proposal at European Parliament, calling it a Soros plan that aimed to turn Europe into an open society by forcing migrant quotas on member states of the European Union. It is not the first time George Soros found himself at odds with his home country since Prime Minister Viktor Orban came to power in 2010, amidst Europes refugee and migrant crisis. In December 2018, the Central European University (CEU) was forced out of Hungary and moved its U.S.-accredited academic programs from Budapest to Vienna, Austria, after the Hungarian government declined to renew an agreement that would allow the Soros-founded institution to continue to operate its campus in the countrys capital under the terms of a 2017 law on foreign branch campuses. The law required foreign branch campuses in Hungary to have a campus in their home country, but the CEU didnt have a campus in the United States. Earlier this month, the European Unions Court of Justice said (pdf) a Hungarian law regarding foreign-funded non-government organizations (NGOs) was in conflict with current EU law. The 2017 legislation, which many deemed as Orban administrations attack on the Open Society Foundations, required NGOs accepting more than 7.2 million forints ($24,090 USD) of foreign money per year to register and identify themselves as foreign-funded in their public profiles. Lauding the "perseverance and struggle and overcoming" of Australians in the face of this summer's catastrophic bushfires, Scott Morrison declared on Sunday the National Emergency Medal would recognise emergency responders. Emergency services volunteers, as well as fire, police and ambulance workers, along with Defence Force personnel and reservists, are eligible to receive the medal, which recognises their efforts during the bushfire season. Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during the 2020 Australian of the Year Awards in Canberra. Credit:AAP Mr Morrison announced the award during his speech at the National Flag Raising and Citizenship Ceremony in Canberra. He said the medal would honour "the selflessness, courage and sacrifice that we have all witnessed this summer". We have about 600 to 650 students here, and its pretty evenly split between males and females, he said. People in certain communities might not see the female issue the same as those in more high profile places like here in Aurora or Naperville. I might not have been as aware if I stayed where I came from, but were here to support women. While Matt and Amy Roloff started Little People, Big World as a happily married couple living on Roloff Farms with their four kids, a lot changed over the years. We know Matt and Amy are no longer married, and Amy is now engaged to her partner of three years. As for their living situation, Amy decided in 2019 that shed be moving off of Roloff Farms and into a new neighborhood, too. Amys kept her Instagram followers informed regarding whats going on with her move, and it seems to be coming along even if its taking longer than she expected. Now, some of Matts Instagram followers are asking him whats going to happen to the farmhouse Amy lived in. Heres how he responded. Matt and Amy Roloff coexisted on Roloff Farms for years after their divorce Matt and Amy Roloff attend the Discovery Upfront Presentation NY Talent Images | Thos Robinson/Getty Images for Discovery Fans of the show may remember when Matt and Amy first discussed their divorce in 2015. And they finally went through with the proceedings in 2016. While it was for the best and both Matt and Amy have moved on, the separation was extremely difficult for Amy. Not only did her marriage fall apart, but she also wasnt sure what she should do with her living situation, as she grew quite attached to Roloff Farms. As Amy said on the show, One of the reasons I stayed in the big house [is] because that was in my best interest going through separation, divorce, and I think I needed time to say that I had a permanency, I had a place, I had something that I could hang on to, grasp, in order to figure out Im officially divorced.' After their separation, Matt and Amy resided on Roloff Farms together for years. Matt took over the guest home, where he currently resides with girlfriend Caryn Chandler. And Amy kept the large farmhouse. Amy Roloff is slowly moving into her new house Moving isnt easy, and it was particularly difficult for Amy to leave behind the property she knows and loves. In the end, though, Amy knew what she had to do, and she ended up selling her half of Roloff Farms to Matt. Now, shes working on moving into her new home she bought on Sept. 27, 2019, in Hillsboro, Oregon. The new home boasts five bedrooms and four bathrooms, and its just 15 minutes away from the farm, too. Amys been real with her Instagram followers regarding the difficulties of the move, though. While shes trying to stay positive, its a massive change, and she hasnt shied away from writing about the difficulties. A new house is something both Felix and I are adjusting to, Amy captioned an Instagram post showing her and her dog on Dec. 28, 2019. Lets face it, the farm will always be the farm, no comparison, but a new house in a new neighborhood will have its own adventure and it will take time to get use to it and 2020 will be another interesting year. Matt told an Instagram follower hes not sure whats happening to the big farmhouse Now that Amy is getting settled, fans are curious as to whats going to happen to Amys farmhouse. Will Matt move out of the smaller home and into the larger farmhouse with Chandler? Or will he sell the farm completely? It looks like Matt still isnt sure, as he responded to a follower who had questions. Now that Amy has moved, who will live in the big house? an Instagram follower asked on Matts post from Jan. 22. To that, Matt responded, Amy hasnt quite gotten completely moved out yet. After she does we will figure out a plan. For now, it seems Matt is enjoying his time in his other home in Surprise, Arizona, with Chandler. Some have been speculating for months now that Matt may be prepping to hand over the farm property to his son, Jeremy, so perhaps thats why he doesnt have concrete plans for Amys farmhouse. Were excited to hear more soon. Check out Showbiz Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Zarif Says Iran Jailed Person Who Downed Ukrainian Passenger Plane Over Tehran Sputnik News 11:53 GMT 25.01.2020 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Iranian man who shot down the Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 passenger plane near Tehran's airport is in prison, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told Germany's Der Spiegel magazine. "This was a complicated situation in a complicated time. Others needed much more time. Almost 32 years ago, the US shot down an Iranian passenger plane. As of today, they still haven't issued an official apology. The American officer who was responsible for shooting it down even received a medal. Meanwhile, the Iranian man who shot down the Ukrainian plane is now in prison", Zarif said in a Friday interview with the magazine, answering the question on why it took the Iranian government three days to admit that its own military had shot down the plane. The foreign minister added that people, indeed, had the right to complain that the information was not immediately disclosed, but it was not the government's fault. Zarif himself found out the truth more than two days after the plane crash. "That was the point at which the higher-ups in the military reached the final conclusion that this was done by somebody by mistake", the top diplomat added. When asked whether an international investigation into the crash was planned to be conducted, Zarif said that the Iranian side had invited the Ukrainians to be part of it. "We are open to the participation of others. We are carrying out a proper investigation based on international requirements", the Iranian foreign minister said. Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 crashed near Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport minutes after take-off on 8 January. All 176 people on board were killed, including citizens of Ukraine, Iran, Canada, Afghanistan, Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Three days later, the Iranian military admitted to unintentionally downing the jetliner, having confused it with a hostile cruise missile. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address By Jeff Mason WASHINGTON, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Representative Adam Schiff, making his closing argument in the impeachment trial of U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday, seemed to have the Senate chamber more or less rapt, with lawmakers listening respectfully, whether they agreed with his arguments or not. Then the Democratic congressman mentioned a CBS News report about a Trump confidante suggesting serious ramifications for Republican senators if they voted against the president, and the mood on the Republican side of the aisle shifted. Dramatically. "Not true," Senator Susan Collins of Maine declared out loud as fellow Republicans responded audibly and disgustedly at Schiff's remarks. Collins is a moderate Republican whose support Democrats are trying to win. Her response and that of her colleagues was all the more notable because senators had been warned not to talk during the proceedings or face potential imprisonment. But Schiff's remarks had touched a nerve. Leading the prosecution of Trump for Democrats from the House of Representatives, Schiff had cited a report suggesting that Republicans, known as members of the Grand Old Party (GOP), had been threatened. "CBS News reported last night that a Trump confidante said that GOP senators were warned: vote against your president ... and your head will be on a pike," Schiff said. "I hope it's not true. But I was struck by the irony of the idea, when we're talking about a president who would make himself a monarch, that whoever that was would use the terminology of a penalty that was imposed by a monarch, a head on a pike." Republicans said they were insulted. "The whole room was visibly upset on our side of it. It's insulting and demeaning to everyone to say that we live in fear and that the president has threatened all of us," Republican Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma told reporters later. "Nothing like going through three days of frustration and then cap it off with an insult." Story continues Republicans control the U.S. Senate and are not expected to convict and remove Trump from office in the impeachment trial. Many have complained that Schiff and other prosecuting lawmakers, known as managers in the trial, had presented a repetitive and unconvincing case against Trump. If they needed more fodder, they got it on Friday, even though Schiff made clear he did not know if the CBS report had been true. Democrats have accused Trump of being an authoritarian and charged him with abusing his office by pressuring Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a 2020 Democratic presidential contender, and then obstructing Congress' inquiry into the matter by barring witnesses and withholding documents. Trump's lawyers will begin presenting his defense in the trial on Saturday. (Reporting by Jeff Mason; additional reporting by David Morgan, Makini Brice and Nandita Bose; editing by Grant McCool) H ome secretary Priti Patel has said Public Health England has a hub in Heathrow as the government works to negate the risk of the coronavirus to Britons. Ms Patel said the government is doing "its utmost" to protect British citizens while she also reiterated that there had been no confirmed cases of the virus in Britain. "There have been flights to and from China, Public Health England have their own hub at Heathrow Airport," she told Sky. "This is a fast moving situation." Heathrow airport is monitoring arrivals amid the virus risk / PA Amid reports that citizens in the region of Wuhan, where the new coronavirus is believed to have originated, could be airlifted Ms Patel said the government was weighing up "all options". She would not confirm any concrete plans. It is right that we look at all options and thats exactly what the Government is doing right now, she told Skys Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme. Coronavirus - In pictures 1 /106 Coronavirus - In pictures A sign advertising a book titled "How Will We Survive On Earth?" is seen on an underground station platform Getty Images Customers wearing face masks shop at the pork counter of a supermarket following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, Hubei province Reuters Westminster Bridge is deserted in London the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the UK in lockdown PA Canadian passengers Chris & Anna Joiner ask for help onboard the MS Zaandam, Holland America Line cruise ship, during the coronavirus outbreak, off the shores of Panama City via Reuters A man crosses a nearly empty 5th Avenue in midtown Manhattan during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York City Reuters The London Eye is pictured lit blue in support of the NHS, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Boris Johnson addresses the nation on the Coronavirus lockdown Andrew Parsons Commuters cope with Coronavirus Jeremy Selwyn Milan's Piazza del Duomo empty AFP via Getty Images People in protective clothing walk past rows of beds at a temporary 2,000-bed hospital for COVID-19 coronavirus patients set up by the Iranian army at the international exhibition center in northern Tehran, Iran AP Martina Papponetti, 25, an ICU nurse at the Humanitas Gavazzeni Hospital in Bergamo, Italy poses for a portrait at the end of her shift AP Pope Francis celebrating a daily mass alone in the Santa Marta chapel at the Vatican, as part of precautionary measures against the spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Imag Vysheyshaya Liga - FC Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino v FC Belshina Bobruisk - Torpedo Stadium, Zhodino, Belarus, March 27, 2020 Players in action during the match despite most sport being cancelled around the world as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Hanks and Wilson both have coronavirus Tom Hanks General view of an emergency makeshift field hospital as it is set up at Pacaembu Stadium for coronavirus (COVID-19) patients with a capacity of 200 beds in Sao Paulo, Brazil Getty Images People on a busy tube train in London at rush hour despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling on people to stay away from pubs, clubs and theatres, work from home if possible and avoid all non-essential contacts and travel in order to reduce the impact of the coronavirus pandemic PA Naomi Campbell catches a flight in a hazmat suit with goggles, a surgical mask and rubber gloves @naomi Sophie and Emily Ward pose for a photograph with their hand-drawn picture of rainbows and a message on their window in St Helens, as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Mia, aged 8, and Jack, aged 5, take part in "PE with Joe" a daily live workout with Joe Wicks on Youtube to help kids stay fit who have to stay indoors due to the Corona virus outbreak. PA Shoppers queue outside a branch of Costco, in Croydon, south London, on the weekend after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered pubs and restaurants across the country to close PA Charing Cross Tube Bakerloo Line very quiet at 8.15am Jeremy Selwyn A woman with a plastic box over her head on the London Underground. PA A Racegoer attend Cheltenham Festival on Ladies Day wearing a fashionable face mask SplashNews.com Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits a laboratory at the Public Health England National Infection Service in Colindale PA A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask today in Victoria Jeremy Selwyn A couple kiss in Milano Centrale railway station in Milan on March 8, 2020 AFP via Getty Images A combination picture shows visitors wearing protective face masks following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) looking at blooming cherry blossom nd a pigeon walking at an closed cherry blossom viewing spot during the first weekend after Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike (not pictured) urged Tokyo residents to stay indoors, in a bid to keep the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from spreading Reuters This combination photo created on March 5, 2020 shows tourists visiting Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province on March 16, 2019 (top) and on March 5, 2020 AFP via Getty Images Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump looks at the $2.2 trillion coronavirus aid package bill as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Vice President Mike Pence stand by during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House Reuters A satellite image shows an empty South Beach during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Miami, via Reuters General view inside the empty stadium as the two teams line up prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes UEFA via Getty Images A Sainsbury's supermarket in Cambridge is among those to sell out of antibacterial hand sanitizer PA Tents and ambulances are set up next to the Princess Cruises Grand Princess cruise as it sits docked in the Port of Oakland on March 09, 2020 in Oakland, California. The Princess Cruises Grand Princess has been held from docking until today as at least 21 people on board have tested positive for COVID-19 also known as the Coronavirus Getty Images Medical staff produce traditional Chinese medicine to treat patients infected by the COVID-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images Army soldiers wearing protective suits spray disinfectant as a precaution against the new coronavirus at a shopping street in Seoul, South Korea AP Russian President Vladimir Putin wearing protective gear walks at a hospital for patients infected with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the outskirts of Moscow via Reuters A woman who has recovered from the COVID-19 is disinfected by volunteers as she arrives at a hotel for a 14-day quarantine AFP via Getty Images Passengers on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship are seen as the ship arrives at Daikoku Pier where it is being resupplied and newly diagnosed coronavirus cases taken for treatment as it remains in quarantine after a number of the 3,700 people on board were diagnosed with coronavirus Getty Images Dave Abel pictured in hospital in Japan Manchester United fans in the stands during the Premier League match at Old Trafford PA Police officers wearing masks stand in front of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in La Caleta, in the Canary Island of Tenerife AP Carnival revellers wear protective face masks at Venice Carnival Reuters A general view is pictured of Burbage Primary School in Buxton, Derbyshire after the closure of the school as a pupil's parent has tested positive for the novel coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Images People wearing face masks walk past the Olympic rings in front of the new National Stadium, the main stadium for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Game Getty Images People leave Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre in Milton Keynes where Coronavirus evacuees are due to be released from quarantine today and allowed to go home PA Matt Raw, a British national who returned from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, leaves quaratine at Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside PA A woman wears a mask while crossing London Bridg Getty Images A general view of Worthing Hospital in West Sussex PA Passengers relax on board the Holland America-operated Westerdam cruise ship, which has been denied permission to dock in Thailand over coronavirus fears via Reuters A child waves as she sits in a vehicle carrying residents evacuated from a public housing building, following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, outside Hong Mei House, at Cheung Hong Estate in Hong Kong Reuters A woman wearing a Minnie Mouse face mask looks at her mobile phone in Beijing on February 11, 2020 AFP via Getty Images The Costa Smeralda cruise ship of Costa Crociere, carrying around 6,000 passengers, is docked at the Italian port of Civitavecchia after a health alert due to a Chinese couple and a possible link to coronavirus on board, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters A patient covered with a bed sheet at an exhibition centre converted into a hospital as it starts to accept patients displaying mild symptoms of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images A medical official takes the body temperature of a man at the departure hall of the airport in Changsha, Hunan Province, as the country is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus, China Reuters The view of the Wuhan International Conference and Exhibition Center Getty Images A plane carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, arrives at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire A police vehicle enters the gates of the Royal Air Force station RAF Brize Norton in Carterton AFP via Getty Images Passengers wear face masks as the push their luggage after arriving from a flight at Terminal 5 of London Heathrow Airport AFP via Getty Images French citizens arrive and settle aboard of an evacuation plane with destination southeastern France, before departure from Wuhan Airport (WUH), China AFP via Getty Images Police stand at a checkpoint at the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge that crosses from Hubei province in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, China Reuters A member of staff at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside prepares for a bus carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China PA Doctor Paul McKay, who is working on an vaccine for the 2019-nCoV strain of the novel coronavirus, poses for a photograph with bacteria containing fragments of coronavirus DNA, at Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM) in Londo AFP via Getty Images Workers produce masks at the Thai Hospital Product Company Ltd. factory in Bangkok AFP via Getty Images Passengers wearing face masks are seen on a bus after disembarking from the Costa Smeralda cruise ship, after tests on a woman from Macau with suspected coronavirus came back negative, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters People hoard bottles of alcohol after the Philippine government confirmed the first case of the new coronavirus in the country, in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Reuters Taking precautions: with fears growing that the coronavirus will spread from China, a health official checks a womans temperature on the underground in Beijing Getty Images An empty road is seen in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 27, 2020, amid a deadly virus outbreak which began in the city AFP via Getty Images Students wearing masks meditate prior to a lesson at a high school in Phnom Penh, Cambodia AP Medical staff at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital wear protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus AFP via Getty Images Staff move bio-waste containers past the entrance of the Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, where some infected with a new virus are being treated, in Wuhan, China AP Workers driving excavators at the construction site of a field hospital In Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The builders will complete the 1,000-bed hospital by February 3 to cope with the surge of 2019-nCoV patients in the city Getty Images Buddhist monks wear masks as they walk near Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodi AP A woman and a child wearing protective masks walk toward check-in counters at Daxing international airport in Beijing AFP via Getty Images An employee sprays disinfectant on a train as a precaution against a new coronavirus at Suseo Station in Seoul, South Korea AP A policeman wearing a mask walks past a quarantine notice about the outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan, China at an arrival hall of Haneda airport in Tokyo, Japan Reuters Paramilitary police wear face masks as they stand guard at Tiananmen Gate adjacent to Tiananmen Square in Beijing AP The resident wear masks to buy vegetables in the market in Wuhan Getty Images Staff sell masks at a Yifeng Pharmacy in Wuhan AP Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV AP Reports suggested the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has ordered officials to examine the logistics for an airlift from the city. Britons trapped in the Chinese province at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak have been urged to leave the area if they are able to do so. The Foreign Office updated its guidance to advise against all travel to Hubei province, which has been on lockdown for several days as China seeks to contain the illness. The guidance also added: If you are in this area and able to leave, you should do so. This is due to the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak. As of Saturday afternoon, 31 people across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland had been tested for the deadly flu-like virus, but all tests have come back negative, according to the Department of Health. A family who lost their home during recent bushfires in East Gippsland have had some much-needed good news after their four-year-old son was found safe and well in bushland almost 24 hours after he went missing. Jean Patrick Eveleigh was last seen at the 35-hectare property at Waterholes, about 240 kilometres from Melbourne. Jean was reunited with his parents this afternoon. Credit:Seven News The property was destroyed during recent bushfires and Saturday was the first chance the family had been given to inspect the damage. It was during this time that Jean went missing. Menachem Haberman spoke to Al Jazeera about the suffering he endured and still lives with today. Monday will mark 75 years since the liberation of the largest and deadliest Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz. During World War II more than 1.1 million people, mostly Jews, were murdered at the site in Poland. About 200 survivors from around the world will return to the former camp to take part in commemorations. Survivor Menachem Haberman spoke to Al Jazeera about the horror he endured and still lives with today. The results of the B Part of It study -- the largest meningococcal B herd immunity study ever conducted -- are published today in the New England Journal of Medicine. The results have implications for all meningococcal B vaccine programs globally. Led by Professor Helen Marshall from the University of Adelaide's Robinson Research Institute, the B Part of It study involved almost 35,000 senior school students in South Australia, aged 15 to 18 years, during 2017 and 2018. "Our study has shown good protection was provided by the meningococcal B vaccine against meningococcal disease in those vaccinated but did not show an overall reduction in the proportion of adolescents carrying the bacteria, including the B strain," Professor Marshall says. Adolescents can harmlessly carry the meningococcus bacteria in the back of the throat with only a very small proportion developing the disease. Meningococcal B is one of the most common strains that causes meningococcal disease, an acute bacterial infection that kills approximately 10% of those infected, and causes permanent disabilities in about 20% of cases. Those most at risk are babies and children up to the age of five years, and teenagers and young adults from ages 15 to 24 years. "We are pleased to report not a single case of meningococcal disease among our study participants to date, over the three years since the study began, compared to 12 cases in the same age group in the two years prior to the study. "Potentially this means a life or lives were saved, as, on average, one in every 10 children with meningococcal disease dies from it," Professor Marshall says. "These results highlight the importance of individual vaccination for adequate protection, as the vaccine is unlikely to be able to stop spread of the bacteria between individuals," Professor Marshall says. "The study has identified the critical finding that individuals need to be vaccinated to protect themselves against meningococcal B disease, rather than expecting community protection through reduced transmission of the bacteria," she says. The study also identified a number of high-risk behaviours associated with carriage of meningococcal strains in young people, including: smoking cigarettes, attending bars or clubs, and intimate kissing. Older school students, school boarders, and those who had recently had a cold or sore throat were also more likely to carry the meningococcus in their throat. The outcomes of the B Part of It study are now being used in Australia and globally, to assess the cost-effectiveness of meningococcal B immunization programs for children and young people. Gill and Oren Klemich, who lost their 18-year-old son, Jack, to meningococcal B in 2009, have supported the B Part of It program as ambassadors and followed the results closely. Turkey urges more support from Europe to assist displaced Syrians People's Daily Online (CNTV) 15:47, January 25, 2020 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged European countries on Friday to take on their share of providing support for displaced Syrians. "It is a humanitarian responsibility of the European Union and the European countries to provide more and faster assistance to Syrians," Erdogan said at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Istanbul. He said close to 400,000 people in Syria's northwestern Idlib province were moving toward Turkish border as a result of renewed attacks by the Syrian government. Turkish aid groups have begun building more than 10,000 houses in Idlib to shelter the growing number of people displaced by the fighting, while Turkey seeks to prevent a new influx of migrants across its border. "The Turkish Red Crescent and the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority have started their work to build shelters to protect these people from harsh winter conditions," Erdogan said. Meanwhile, Merkel said Germany is ready to provide financial aid to improve the humanitarian situation of Syrian refugees who were forced to spend the winter in tents near the Turkish border. "We will also try to help by constructing sound and concrete shelters for them," she said.Turkey is hosting over 3.6 million Syrian refugees on its soil, costing more than 40 billion U.S. dollars until now. Ankara agreed to help curb the flow of illegal immigrants to Europe under a deal signed with the EU in March 2016, in return for a total of six billion euros (6.62 billion dollars) in financial aid for the refugees. The issue has been causing strains in ties between the bloc and Turkey, as Ankara has been urging the European countries to increase the funding. "The EU had promised six billion euros of support, but not even three billion euros were given to international NGOs," Erdogan noted. Turkish military sent to Libya to train pro-Serraj forces Turkey has sent a training and cooperation team to Libya as part of a military cooperation agreement signed in November with the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) of Fayez al-Sarraj, Erdogan said. "We sent, are sending our military delegation to there... We will not leave Serraj alone. We are determined to provide all the help we can on this point," Erdogan said. Last week, Germany hosted a summit on Libya involving the rival camps, their main foreign backers and representatives which agreed that a permanent ceasefire has to be achieved in Tripoli to allow a political process to take place. Speaking in Istanbul after talks with Merkel, Erdogan also said countries which attended the Libya summit in Berlin on Sunday should not favor Serraj's opponent, Khalifa Haftar, after he left the meeting without signing a ceasefire deal. Haftar's Libya National Army (LNA) faction is supported by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, which have for years provided training and weapons, according to UN reports. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address There are six successful collaborative paintings and 18 individual works in the drop-dead-gorgeous 100 Fingers 10-artist exhibition at Matrix Fine Art. Though collaborators are shot or hanged during wartime, collaboration is applauded and encouraged in the contemporary art world where theres usually a whole lot of collusion going on. The stunning show was organized by artist Mark Woody and his son Dhaveed who formed a loose coalition of artist/friends willing to use a shared template to create one-off collaborative paintings. The advantage of Woodys template, with its clear delineations, is the artists ability to maintain their individual voices. In Rule of Three by Timothy Cummings, Teri Corbin and Wayne Bennett we find a jaw-dropping rendering of a triple portrait that incorporates the motion of a turning head, a la futurists Umberto Boccioni and Giacomo Bala, that transforms into a fleshless skull. Cummings is a rising star who, after several notable regional exhibitions, has found gallery representation in New York and San Francisco. His signature engaging figurative paintings are excellently drafted, crafted and executed. In Cummings Heart Face and Adornments of Pain the viewer experiences a subtle level of angst emanating from these portraits that speaks of the alien nature of our time. The personal impact of bigotry, fear of and hatred for those among us who are deemed different and therefore defective is palpable in these faces. Corbin offers two gaga portraits of women that are outstanding in their refinement and excellent rendering. Her The Warriors Daughter Militia is my favorite. I fell in love with Michael Harts paintings while viewing his solo show at the former Peter Eller Gallery more than 20 years ago. At that time, Hart was paying surrealistic homage to 1940s and 1950s Mechanix Illustrated magazine cover art. He invoked boyhood dives into the slipstream of automobile repair, DYI projects ranging from rocking horses to race cars and all that it meant to get ones hands dirty and build something cool. Hart, now a dedicated mountain trekker, continues to explore how things work in Overworked Arbiter of Endless Iterations that addresses the totally immersive urban and internet cacophony in which we currently find ourselves. If Hieronymus Bosch were alive today, he could use Harts painting as a guide to wend his way through the actual world that Bosch only dreamt of during the Italian Renaissance. In The Yellow Faerie Dhaveed Woody celebrates the magic of nature while sharing a philosophical kinship with novelist Robert Holdstock whose 1984 book Mythago Wood inspired many artists and others who appreciate the true lies of mythology. In Robotrix, Harry Morris and Dhaveed Woody masterfully celebrate a possible dark future for artificial intelligence and virtual reality. It is a beautifully realized sci-fi thriller. Overall, these talented collaborators have well-earned the right to be hung together in a gallery as opposed to being garroted in their garrets for their obvious collusion. Two thumbs up. Demonstrators take cover as they clash with riot police during a protest against the government: AFP/Getty Breathing air thick with teargas and smoke from makeshift barricades on Valparaisos street corners, Carla Casoni remembers feeling her skin and eyes burn with the chemical-infused water used as a common police tactic to disperse demonstrators. I lost vision temporarily so I was an easy target for the police, she says. Casoni is one of nearly 30,000 people who have been detained, many arbitrarily, in more than two months of unrest that has swept across Chile. Just days before Casonis detention in the port city on 22 October, Chile had imploded into a social uprising initially sparked by a student protest over metro fare hikes in Santiago. People across the country have since mobilised against economic and social inequality, engaging in mostly peaceful but sometimes violent protests. Over the weeks, protests have been met with state repression. Soon after the unrest began, President Sebastian Pinera sent military to the streets and issued a curfew, declaring authorities are at war. In the following two months, security forces have been accused by rights groups of brutality and a series of human rights abuses, including torture and sexual violence. Casoni tells The Independent she was beaten by Chiles Carabineros, the militarised police force, during a protest in the port city. She was with demonstrators who had blocked Avenida Errazuriz, a main thoroughfare in Valparaiso, when a Carabinero pinned her to a tree and hit her legs and back with a baton. She claims she was hit again while she looked for her documents and ID card, and again on the way to the police vehicle. She describes hours in detention at a local police station as being robbed of her dignity. She says she and other detainees were forced to undress as part of a rigorous search process that has been condemned by rights groups. Casoni had to strip twice, once at the police station, and again while being detained by the gendarmeria, Chiles penitentiary unit, where she was forced to perform squats while naked in front of a group of other detainees and officials. Story continues The practice of forced nudity was banned during a revision of police protocols in March 2019, yet human rights organisations have filed hundreds of complaints of inhumane treatment since October. Records from the countrys National Human Rights Institute, reviewed by Human Rights Watch, show officers were more likely to force women and girls to strip than men. Its a gross abuse of power, she adds. Its very degrading. Its important to underline that all women have been through this process of being searched like this pregnant women, older women. Casoni spent the night in a 2mX3m cell with 17 other women who had been arrested during the protests, one pregnant, and another who was over 60-years-old. They were not told the reason for their arrest and were denied their rights to a phone call. They were kept overnight without food or water. Casoni says they were also denied medical help despite one woman experiencing a panic attack, and another having obvious external injuries including wounds on arms and legs that needed immediate medical attention. Only later have I begun to feel the consequences of this experience, she says. I have anxiety, and a general feeling of insecurity and distrust. Her account exposes the cruel treatment and sexual violence many people have experienced at the hands of Chiles police forces. Im only giving an account of this particular district, on one night of protest. This is happening everywhere, this abuse of power is systematic, she says. The National Human Rights Institute concluded in its annual report that the states response to the mass protests produced, as a whole, the most serious and multiple violations of human rights committed since 1989, referring to the 17-year dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet that ended in 1990. The national police force has not been purged or reformed in the 30 years since. It has presented 980 judicial actions against Chiles security forces, including allegations of torture, rape, and homicide. This happened in democracy, in our democracy. How was it possible, Sergio Micco, then director of the institute said, referring to the human rights abuses and repressive measures taken by state forces. The United Nations and NGOs including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have condemned the level of repression, calling for urgent police reform. I want to say to the rest of the world, dont abandon us. Dont forget us. In Chile they are mutilating us Albano Toro Cardenas, medical worker During these two months the repression and the acts of the Carabineros has been a strategy to implement terror into the population, says Claudio Nash, a professor at the University of Chiles department of international law. What they want is that the public dont go out on the streets to protest, under the threat that if they do the consequences will be severe you could be arbitrarily detained, beaten, possibly tortured. Teargas, water cannon and non-lethal firearms, including pellets or rubber bullets, are used as common practice to disperse protests, but rights groups say this is excessive use of force, especially on non-violent protesters. Studies have found that the water used to disband protests contains pepper spray and caustic soda, while the supposed rubber bullets used by police were found to contain materials like lead, and just 20 per cent rubber. Out on the streets, some 359 people are estimated to have suffered severe eye injuries from non-lethal firearms or teargas canisters. The UN said the alarmingly high number of people with eye injuries suggests the weapons have been used improperly and indiscriminately against international principles. The victims say police shot directly at their faces. Medial worker Albano Toro Cardenas, 40, was volunteering to help the wounded during a protest in Iquique in November. Volunteers had set up a makeshift medical centre on a side street, treating people with multiple lesions from firearms. He remembers a chaotic day of protests, the air filled with teargas and the sounds of gunshots piercing the air. Toros voice falters when he recalls the moment that changed his life forever. Albano Toro Cardenas says he was shot in the eye by security forces (Naomi Larsson/The Independent) He describes a concerted effort by special forces to disperse people from the streets at night. Toro was clearly identified as a medical worker and wore protective gear, but it proved to be in vain. During the crackdown on protests, he felt a sudden impact on his left eye. They shot at my face, shattering my cornea and destroying my eye. At this moment Ive lost my vision completely and Im not going to get it back, he says, revealing his left eyeball that is bloodied and red. Toro cant identify the officer who shot at him, but he believes being hit in the eye with a pellet was no accident. This has changed my life. I havent returned to normal life, I cant leave my house. The headaches, the stress and trauma are severe, he says. Were in crisis. All of us are affected poor people, workers, business people. I was protesting by helping the wounded, and this is what I have had to pay. Cristian Correa, a legal advisor for a commission in Chile responsible for identifying the disappeared during the dictatorship, says the level of police violence is really worrisome. When you read the type of abuses, its stuff that reminds me of the dictatorship. I dont see much of a difference between those reports and the reports from the conduct of police during the dictatorship, she adds. The director of the Carabineros, Gen Mario Rozas, has said there there are 856 internal investigations underway related to the reports. Chiles president, writing in The New York Times, has said: During these difficult and violent times, as we fought to restore public order and security, our government took all necessary measures and precautions to ensure the utmost respect for the human rights of all our citizens. There is evidence of abuses and excessive use of force, but we granted our autonomous National Human Rights Institute full access to perform its legal mandate in the protection of human rights. But as the days go on and parts of the country return to a sense of normality, the brutality seems to have become a part of life here. In December, video footage shared on social media showed a 20-year-old man being rammed by police vehicles in Santiago. The officer driving the vehicle has been charged. For the thousands who have faced repression first hand, the damage feels irreparable and the words of the state do little to help. I want to say to the rest of the world, dont abandon us. Dont forget us. In Chile they are mutilating us, says Toro. Read more Inside the women-led protest against sexual assault in Chile Climate change is an existential threat to humanity and as such, should be included in legislation on asylum seeking. Despite recent and increasing efforts by the United States and other governments to narrow their interpretations of the refugee definition and to shirk their protection responsibilities, the need to expand the grounds for asylum is becoming increasingly urgent as the consequences of climate change become more pronounced. A desperate appeal for asylum by a family from a Pacific island may have far-reaching implications for protecting people forcibly displaced by the effects of climate change. It could cause countries around the world to reconsider their laws and policies concerning refugees. The case involves the Teitiota family, who fled the island of Tarawa in the Republic of Kiribati in 2007 and sought asylum in New Zealand in 2013. Ms Teitiota told the New Zealand court that she feared for her childrens health and wellbeing, that crops and coconut trees on the island were dying. She explained that because of rising sea levels, people were moving from neighbouring atols to Tarawa which led to overcrowding, frequent conflicts between residents and the spread of disease. She shared stories about children getting diarrhoea and even dying because their already scarce drinking water had become contaminated. Ultimately, the Supreme Court of New Zealand dismissed the case, saying the family did not meet the standards required by the Refugee Convention and deported them in 2015. That same year, the father of the family filed a complaint with the United Nations Human Rights Committee, an independent expert body that monitors government compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. He claimed that New Zealand had violated his right to life under the covenant because the sea level rise had shrunk habitable space in Kiribati, resulting in violent land disputes and environmental degradation. On January 7, the Committee issued its views, finding the threats to life posed by rising sea levels and other effects of climate change necessitate a broadening of refugee law. The obligation not to extradite, deport or otherwise transfer pursuant to article 6 of the Covenant, the committee said, citing its provision on the right to life, may be broader than the scope of non-refoulement under international refugee law, since it may also require the protection of aliens not entitled to refugee status. The principle of non-refoulement is a cornerstone of international refugee law, barring the return of refugees defined as people with a well-founded fear of being persecuted to places where their lives or freedom would be threatened. The committee noted that Kiribati will become uninhabitable within the next 10 to 15 years because of rising sea levels. Both sudden events, like storms, and slow processes, like salinisation and land degradation, the committee said, can propel cross-border movement of individuals seeking protection from climate-change related harm thereby triggering the non-refoulement obligations of sending states. Under a moderate future scenario, scientists project that sea level rise in the next 30 years will put about 150 million people permanently below the high tide line. Although most of this displacement will not compel people to cross international borders, people living in countries like Kiribati, which are likely to become completely inundated, will have no choice but to seek asylum outside their country. But Pacific islands are not alone in facing such threats. In landlocked countries like Chad, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe, where populations are heavily reliant on agriculture and livestock, rising temperatures have contributed to flooding, drought, famine and disease that erode not only arable land but also the resilience of populations that have suffered armed conflict and human rights violations. Whether environmental disasters are the direct cause of displacement or an aggravating factor in combination with violence, inequality, and poor governance, millions of people on the African continent have already been displaced internally or forced to seek refuge in neighbouring countries because they consider staying at their homes a threat to their lives. Because the committee held out hope that the government of Kiribati still has time to intervene to protect its citizens through relocation and other measures, it did not accept the familys claim that their rights had been violated, saying the risk to their lives was not imminent. One of the dissenting committee members who ruled on this case, however, wrote that the family would have no access to safe drinking water, which poses an imminent threat to their lives, while another said, It would indeed be counterintuitive to the protection of life, to wait for deaths to be very frequent and considerable; in order to consider the threshold of risk as met. While there still may be room to argue whether life-threatening threats are imminent in particular cases, the Human Rights Committee has recognised that fundamental refugee-protection principles need to be broadened now. This means not only that our common understanding of what it means to be a refugee needs to change, but also that the 173 countries that are party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights should ensure their asylum standards and procedures are adapted to protect all who face existential threats if returned to home countries that have become unlivable. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. The holiday season may be over, but apparently some porch pirates work overtime. Juan Ruiz, 33, of West New York, was arrested Tuesday after he stole packages from two residential buildings a block apart, Hoboken Lt. Danilo Cabrera said. Police said Ruiz was seen entering a building at Fifth and Jefferson streets at 3:51 p.m. Residents said they didnt recognize Ruiz from the building and they watched as he crouched down near some packages and he then left. Ruiz was then seen entering another residential building in the area of Fifth and Madison Street, and again crouching down inside the buildings vestibule. Ruiz then left the building and walked westbound. Officers Anthony Olivera and Frank Francolino responded to the reported package thefts and they located a man who fit the description later identified as Ruiz at Seventh and Harrison streets. Police Officers Fabian Quinones and Connor Milne and Detective Paul Quinn also contributed to the arrest of Ruiz, who was charged with burglary, burglar tools and theft of packages. Ruiz, who also had six outstanding warrants, was taken to Hudson County jail. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 26 By Elnur Baghishov - Trend: The first part of the tramway project in Urmia city of Irans north-western West Azerbaijan province requires more than 89 billion rials (about $2.1 million), Chairman of the Iranian Local Council Mohammad Reza Alizadeh Imamzadeh told reporters. The railway company operating under the Iranian defense ministry will consider the tramway project for a period of six months, Imamzadeh added, Trend reports referring to IRNA. The Urmia Local Council is overseeing the process and has set a long-term and medium-term timetable for the project, the chairman said. The tramway project is one of the most important transportation projects in Urmia. A 10-kilometer railway will be built within the first phase of the tramway project in Urmia and it will connect the western and the eastern parts of the city. Tramway projects are planned to be implemented in Irans cities where 500,000 - 1 million people live while subway projects in cities where more than 1 million people live. Open source The lawyer notes that the American president "provided more assistance to Ukraine than the Obama administration," and also emphasizes that the Trump administration has significantly strengthened sanctions against Russia. Purpura states that the presentation of the July conversation between Trump and Zelensky "does not indicate that US military aid was used as a means of pressure on Ukraine." The lawyer also recalls that Ukraine repeatedly testified to the absence of pressure from the US leader, and "during a conversation with the US president, the Ukrainian side did not know about the delay in assistance." The fifth and sixth argument in support of Trump is the receipt by Ukraine of military assistance and the fact that Ukraine did not open a case against Biden. Rapper YG arrested on robbery charge: Rapper YG was arrested Friday at his Los Angeles home on suspicion of robbery just two days before he is scheduled to perform at the Grammy Awards, officials said. Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies took YG, whose real name is Keenon Jackson, into custody at his Chatsworth home as they served a search warrant. He was held on $250,000 bail but was released on bond shortly after 9 p.m. The Compton rapper whose hits include "Toot It and Boot It" and "Go Loko" was scheduled for an arraignment Tuesday. Jharkhand Governor Droupadi Murmu on Sunday said all the people will be taken along in the states development endeavour. Unfurling the national flag at the Mohrabadi ground here to celebrate the 71st Republic Day, Murmu said it would be inclusive and justifiable development and economic progress. "To bring Jharkhand in the category of the developed states in the country, everyone has to discharge ones role, keeping the state and the nation on top," she said. The governments most important priority is to establish rule of law, the governor said. Murmu said 65 per cent of the population is the youth and unemployment is a burning issue. The government will soon fill up vacancies from panchayat to state level departments, she said. "The youth will be trained and will be provided self-employment opportunities. So also, women will be empowered," the governor said. She said the government will strengthen the tribal tradition of self-rule and the Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act and the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act will be strictly implemented. Murmu said the government will give minimum support price to the farmers main produce as well as on vegetables, provide tools to economically weaker farmers, besides taking up works of drinking water, education, tourism and healthcare. Hoisting the tricolour at the states second capital city Dumka, Chief Minister Hemant Soren said, "The Constitution is not just a document but the medium of life and the state government will work with sensitivity and without any discrimination." Expressing pain at the recent incidents at West Singhbhum district and Lohardaga, Soren called upon the people to assist in the development of the state, rising above religion and language as the Constitution gives the right to everyone to live equally. "The government will not bow before 'bhid tantra' (mobocracy)," he said, adding "We are first, Indian irrespective of religion or language." " ... let us create a Jharkhand where there will also be all-round development of tribals, Dalits, the poor, the deprived, the backward and the minority," Soren said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) It bears repeating that Nigerias continued existence will be at risk if the rich and the wealthy are not receptive to the clear warning of anger and poverty-induced disillusionments in the land. First, Aisha Buharis warning that most of Nigerias leaders, as a result of a long time of injustice done to the mass of the people, cannot go to their villages and sleep withtheir two eyes closed is an indication that governance in Nigeria has failed; nothing is working! Her passionate plea to Muhamadu, her husband; and those working with him to fear God, and know that, one day, we will all return to God and account for our deeds here on earth paints a clear picture of how the application or implementation of policy recommendations and remedies of the Buhari-led government have so far fared! Of course, thats the wife of the sitting president of Nigeria, questioning the relevance, effectiveness or efficiency of Public Administration through government policy directives and their implementations. This is the question on the minds of the common man and woman on the street! If reports from across Nigeria are also anything to go by, then, one can safely say that the man in the saddle as governor of Oyo State is a very likable person! No sooner had he mounted the saddle of governance than he started doing what truly portrayed him as not only being in charge but also as one helmsman who understands why he was elected to govern the over-6 million-strong population. And, within a few months in office, Seyi Makinde has demonstrated that strategic governance does not reside in building an empire or throwing money around but in building a team and being pragmatic in allocating resources to where they are needed most, in the most appropriate manner! He has proved that responsible leadership is not about the administration of an enclave. Rather, it is about the efficient management of the institution of the state; not even a public institution, because public institutions are located within the institution of the state. Makinde won the election, not because the then ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state didnt have laudable ideas but because its handlers were so full of themselves that they didnt know how to sell those ideas to the electorate. GSM, as he is fondly called by his admirers, has therefore shown that it could happen anywhere! Go to Oyo now: the state is working and the people are happy! Makinde loves his people and his people appreciate him in return! While drawing inspirations from successful countries like Japan, which attained greatness through focus on intellectual development, the governor attributed the scourge of poverty in Nigeria to leadership failure. He insisted that how we organize ourselves and how we utilize our God-given natural resources is the only thing that can take us out of poverty. The foregoing painted, in graphic relief, the unfolding-yet-foreboding cataclysmic nature of Nigerias fragile democracy. Even, the aristocratic Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, for the first time, saw poverty in its garnished form when he bluntly called for a paradigmatic shift in our applied economic theories, and an overhaul of our public administration system. The perception of many Nigerians today is that, once the president reels out favourable policy statements, promises and intentions of government (that may never be delivered), government goes to sleep and everybody is on his or her own. Whether or not God be for us all, henceforth, is entirely a different story! For instance, the president promised on assumption of office to recover all Chibok and other Nigerians from Boko Harams captivity but, unfortunately, the story, as we speak, has gone from bad to worse. Years on, the Leah Sharibus of Nigeria have been languishing in the terrorists den for being who they are. The Emir of Potiskum, Umaru Bubaram Bauya, recently escaped death by the whiskers; and that was after no fewer than four members of his entourage had been brutally murdered by the marauders. More Nigerians are being beheaded. Then, and, as always, provocative, medicine-after-death, all whip, no hay Press Statements from the Presidency that is obviously far removed from the people would follow! So, where do we go from here, because it appears as if effective governance has taken flight? As things stand, politicians are just muddling through! Our policies are neither working nor pragmatic. So, nobody is sure of anything! Like laboratory rats, useful only for experiments, failure to source a creative distance from where we currently pitch our tent, in addition to poor welfare that is painfully customized to suit poverty in our country, has stolen the common mans heart. So also, the crestfallen status of the Rule of Law and its negative essence has become more palpable in Nigerias socio-political firmament. Is it any wonder then why we have abundance of natural resources that are still being wasted? Staying with the philosophy of nationhood, that Buharis erstwhile persuasive body language has failed Nigerians says a lot about the conspicuous challenges of the Nigerian state as a chronically ill society with patronage, patrimony and preference. Available indices are also unhelpful! For instance, Nigeria's economy is projected to "have a suppressed economic performance at around 2% by 2020, due, primarily, to government's failure "to fix structural constraints. And, unless bold steps are taken to address, especially, the pace of growth and job creation, the number of Nigerians stuck in poverty is also most likely to account for a quarter of all people living in extreme poverty worldwide. Evidence before the world has shown that Nigerias security architecture has collapsed. It is even being alleged in some quarters that we are using anticorruption to incentivize corruption. Is it any surprise why there is no war in Nigeria but there is also no peace; why motion is in excess supply while movement is in wanton scarcity? Again, what happened and where did we go wrong? Why are our leaders engaging in Marlian rigmaroles in ways that do not offer us a valuable anchor to believe that they understand even the basic socioeconomic issues that have unfortunately become existential threats to our unity? What are the roles of Nigerias Ahitophels and political janjaweeds, whose counsels are never destined to yield to persuasion or dialogue, in all of these? Above all, when last did we feel safe in Nigeria, irrespective of the differences in governments and administrations over the years? May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria! *KOMOLAFE writes in from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State, Nigeria ([email protected]) Leader of the opposition in Assam Assembly, Debabrata Saikia of the Congress on Sunday urged Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to take all stakeholders into confidence before signing any peace pact with Bodo groups. Reacting to reports that the state government was considering the demands of some groups to form a Union Territorial Council by carving out some existing districts of Assam, Saikia, in a letter to the chief minister, said a large number of non-Bodo people also reside in these areas. "Since 2001, over 30 non-Bodo groups have been demanding that no pact should be signed without consulting them. They are already unhappy for including many non-Bodo majority areas in the existing Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD)," Saikia said. In such a situation, if a new agreement is signed without their consent, then it will be divisive rather than bringing peace among the different tribes, he said. "That is why I bring to your notice the issue so that every aspect related to the dignified living of all communities can be considered," the Congress leader said. The Centre has initiated talks with all three factions of the militant group NDFB and an accord is likely to be signed within the next few days. Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday asserted that the Centre has clarified to the state government that the BTAD will not be declared a Union Territory as a part of the new peace accord. The minister also told reporters that no new village or area will be added to the BTAD under the new accord. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On the Record follows Dixon as she weighs whether to take her sexual abuse claims public. Dixon, a 48-year-old former music executive, claims that Simmons raped her in 1995 when she was working for him as a young executive. Simmons has denied all accusations of nonconsensual sex. Ziering and Dick, who have spent the past decade revealing sexual assault in the military (The Invisible War) and on college campuses (The Hunting Ground), begin tracking Dixon in the wake of the #MeToo movement, after an explosive column by the screenwriter Jenny Lumet alleging abuse against Simmons. Dixons claims are similar, and the film focuses on her as she grapples with her fears about how the black community will respond. She also admits to idolizing Simmons when he first hired her: Russell Simmons was who I wanted to be, she says in the film. I couldnt have scripted it better. Recalling Anita Hills claims against Clarence Thomas when he was nominated for the Supreme Court, and Desiree Washingtons accusations against Mike Tyson, Dixon agonizes over whether she wants to go public, fearing that she is up against a force much larger than herself. Im never going to be that person, she says in the film. The black community is going to hate my guts. The documentary also discusses the culture at the time: misogyny in the music business, both in specifics when it came to hip-hop, and in general terms, pointing out that the rap genre didnt invent the use of degrading images of women in its music videos. #MeToo founder Tarana Burke is also a frequent voice, adding commentary about black womens place in the movement, and their feelings of alienation. Black women feel like they have to support black men, she said. The movie returns to the Simmons case and other womens stories: Abrams, a former model who had a relationship with him, tells her abuse story and the aftermath, when she tried to kill herself. Im a failure, a chew toy for men of power, she says in the documentary. Hines, from the all-female hip-hop group Mercedes Ladies, also tells her story, agonizing over its consequences. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's luxury 11million Canadian mansion is built on land 'stolen' by British colonisers in the 19th century. The Tseycum tribe say their ancestors signed a treaty which allowed colonisers to take the land in exchange for 'a few hundred dollars' because they 'didn't realise what they were doing'. The tribes Chief Tanya Jimmy has urged the couple to acknowledge the land's history and claims her ancestors are buried beneath it, The Sunday Mirror reports. Harry and Meghan's luxury 11million Canadian mansion is built on land 'stolen' by British colonisers in the 19th century Vancouver island was a British colony between 1849 and 1866. The first recorded British settlement there was as early as 1843. Ms Jimmy said: 'We get no money from the land now, nothing. But for us its just not right houses like that are built there.' Tseycum tribe Chief Tanya Jimmy (left) has urged the couple to acknowledge the land's history and claims her ancestors are buried there, The Sunday Mirror reports. The couple (right earlier this month) have not named the mystery owner of 10.7 million waterfront mansion Mille Fleurs A legacy of tragedy: What happened to the indigenous people of Canada under British rule? First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people inhabited Canada prior to colonisation by both the British and the French. Under British rule, many indigenous peoples formed treaties with the crown but many were blatantly ignored. Their land was taken away from them and many people were moved to much smaller reserves. Indiginous children were taken away to 'residential schools' to be taught European religions and ways of living. Because of this forced assimilation, Canada violated the United Nations Genocide Convention and the 'residential schools' system has led some to believe that Canada could be tried for genocide in international court. In 2006, a settlement of $2 billion was made and in 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued an apology on behalf of the Canadian government and its citizens for the 'residential school' system. Advertisement The couple have not named the mystery owner of 10.7 million waterfront mansion Mille Fleurs. It now seems that this substantial property in the grounds of an exclusive country club will be the Sussexes home during the couple's transition period - a time in which the Duke and Duchess would split their time between Britain and Canada. It has been suggested that the arrangement is rent-free. This week, the Duke of Sussex arrived back in Canada to began his new life with Meghan Markle and their eight-month-old son Archie away from the Royal Family. He flew back just hours after completing his final engagement as a fully-fledged royal at the UK-Africa Investment Summit in Greenwich, South East London. Prince Harry remained in Britain in a bid to hammer out the Megxit deal at a Sandringham summit hosted by the Queen this month. It was claimed that Harry was given no choice but to agree the deal which allowed him to step down, with the Queen saying his decision must not overshadow other royals' high-profile engagements this week. This week, the Duke of Sussex arrived back in Canada to began his new life with Meghan Markle and their eight-month-old son Archie away from the Royal Family. Pictured: Harry and Meghan earlier this month First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people inhabited Canada prior to colonisation by both the British and the French. Pictured: Representatives of The First Nations during a parade in 2016 Protesters set fire to close a street during clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters near Baghdads Khilani square (Khalid Mohammed/AP) Hundreds of anti-government protesters flooded the streets of Iraqs capital and southern provinces, defying a powerful Iraqi religious leader who recently withdrew his support from the popular movement. Separately, five katyusha rockets crashed into a river bank near the US Embassy in Baghdads heavily fortified Green Zone without causing any injuries, a statement from US Joint Operations Command said. An Iraqi official initially put the number of rockets at four. It is the third such attack this month and the perpetrators were not immediately known. Expand Close A woman lights candles for protesters who have been killed in ongoing anti-government demonstrations in Tahrir Square in Baghdad, Iraq (Khalid Mohammed/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A woman lights candles for protesters who have been killed in ongoing anti-government demonstrations in Tahrir Square in Baghdad, Iraq (Khalid Mohammed/AP) Security forces fired tear gas and live rounds to disperse the crowds from the capitals Khilani Square, medical and security officials said. At least 22 demonstrators were reported wounded by Iraqi security forces in the first hours of Sundays street rallies. The mass protests started in October over widespread government corruption and a lack of public services and jobs. They quickly grew into calls for sweeping changes to Iraqs political system that was imposed after the 2003 US invasion. Iraqi security forces have responded harshly. At least 500 protesters have been killed since the unrest began. Expand Close An injured paramedic prepares to help injured protesters (Khalid Mohammed/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp An injured paramedic prepares to help injured protesters (Khalid Mohammed/AP) Iraq also has been stirred by US-Iran tensions that threatened a regional war after an American drone strike this month killed top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani near Baghdad. The US attack pushed the Shiite cleric and political leader, Muqtada al-Sadr, to turn his influence toward demanding an American troop withdrawal and holding an anti-US rally. Analysts said Mr al-Sadr, who often mobilises his followers on the street to buttress his political influence, was using the anti-US protest he staged as leverage in political negotiations among Iraqs elites to select the next premier. Mr al-Sadr has long been an unpredictable maverick in Iraqi politics, and is the only Shiite leader who has challenged both Iran and the US. He also dropped his support for the anti-government movement on Friday, a move that analysts said was meant to buttress his political reputation during a time of national turmoil. But by Sunday morning, it had the opposite effect as protesters pushed back. Hundreds of protesters, mostly students, marched on Sunday through key squares in the capital and southern Iraq to show their continued support for the anti-government movement, despite Mr al-Sadrs reversal of position. Expand Close Security forces prepare to intervene (Hadi Mizban/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Security forces prepare to intervene (Hadi Mizban/AP) The demonstrations have become stronger now because of what happened, said Zaidoun, 26, a protest organiser in Baghdad. Many demonstrators chanted slogans against the populist preacher. The movement opposes Iraqs sectarian system and both US and Iranian influence in Iraqi affairs. Some protesters were worried, however, that the departure of Mr al-Sadrs supporters and his militia members from Baghdads Tahrir Square, the hub of the protest movement, could spark a renewed security crackdown. Mr al-Sadrs followers had been giving protesters protective cover. On Saturday, hours after Mr al-Sadrs supporters left protest sites in Baghdad and some southern cities, including Basra, security forces swooped in to clear areas of demonstrators and torch their sit-in tents. At least four protesters were killed in the crackdown. By Saturday evening however, and into Sunday, crowds of protesters were returning to Tahrir Square, following calls by anti-government activists. In the beginning, when he (al-Sadr) called his followers to leave we were shocked, said Noor, a protest organiser who gave only her first name for security reasons. But by the evening on Saturday, we breathed a sigh of relief. The future for the popular movement, she was quick to add, was still uncertain. Expand Close Anti-government protesters hold a huge Iraqi flag (Hadi Mizban/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Anti-government protesters hold a huge Iraqi flag (Hadi Mizban/AP) No one knows what will happen tomorrow. There will be more attacks we expect that. With Mr al-Sadr out of the picture, protesters said the only top leader on their side was Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraqs most revered Shiite cleric. Many said they were hoping his weekly Friday sermon would boost morale ahead of a major planned protest for January 31. In a statement posted online, Mr al-Sadr called on the protesters to return their movement to its initial course, in what many anti-government activists interpreted as a veiled threat. The statement added that Mr al-Sadr could boost his support for the heroic security forces if protesters didnt heed his calls. Mr al-Sadr had called on his followers to stage a rival protest targeting the US embassy on Sunday, before rescinding the order shortly after. In a statement from his office, Mr al-Sadr asked Iraqis who reject the American occupation to gather at key assembly points later that evening. A spokesperson from his office later said the decision had been reversed. Lloyds will be forced to set aside hundreds of millions of pounds in compensation for fraud victims when it reveals its annual profits next month. Sources close to talks over a redress scheme told The Mail on Sunday the bank could pay 500million or more to victims of a fraud at the Reading branch of its tarnished subsidiary HBOS. Talks are yet to conclude but sources said Lloyds boss Antonio Horta-Osorio wants to compensate victims swiftly after meeting some in person. Lloyds could pay 500m or more to victims of a fraud at the Reading branch of its tarnished subsidiary HBOS He saw customers break down in tears as they described how corrupt bankers ripped apart their businesses. Rogue bankers at HBOS Reading destroyed small businesses between 2003 and 2007 and squandered the profits on prostitutes and luxury holidays. Six bankers and advisers were convicted of fraud in 2017 and sentenced to a total of almost 50 years in jail. Horta-Osorio wants to draw a line under the saga after a review by retired judge Sir Ross Cranston found the bank's original redress scheme, which paid out 102 million, had 'serious shortcomings'. Sources said Horta-Osorio, who has been at the helm of Britain's biggest retail bank since 2011, is keen to salvage his reputation before departing as chief executive. He has also halted three legal battles with victims in an effort to repair relations between the bank and its small business customers. Victims have been fighting for fair compensation for more than a decade. Nikki Turner, director of victims' group SME Alliance, said: 'We have struggled with this for years. 'We hope this will encourage other chief executives to be more hands-on. How do you know what's going on in the bank, if you don't know about it personally?' Sources said Lloyds boss Antonio Horta-Osorio wants to compensate victims swiftly after meeting some in person Lloyds will work with victims, regulators and MPs to finalise plans for a new compensation scheme to be announced within weeks. Sir Ross Cranston is expected to lead the discussions. The payouts will take another bite out of Lloyds' profits alongside a hefty bill for PPI payouts to be announced on February 20. The Mail on Sunday revealed the extent of customer complaints at Lloyds in December. Documents showed the bank owed about 770million to 4.37million people at the end of August last year around one in seven of its customers on top of payouts for mis-sold PPI. A Lloyds spokesman said: 'The group is committed to ensuring Sir Ross Cranston's recommendations are implemented and that customers affected by the HBOS Reading fraud are offered the option of an independent re-review of their cases, looking again at the assessment of any direct and consequential losses that flowed from the fraud.' Pep Guardiola believes Liverpool would win the title in any of Europe's top leagues this season, conceding defeat to Jurgen Klopp's champions-in-waiting with 14 games still to play. City are lagging 16 points behind the Premier League runaway leaders, and have been no match for the world and European champions this term. Guardiola will now turn his attention to the Champions League and FA Cup, in which his side cruised to a 4-0 win over Fulham on Sunday. Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has conceded defeat to Liverpool in the title race The Spaniard has had no answer for Liverpool's dominance this season in the Premier League Liverpool are champions in waiting, amassing a huge 16 point lead with 14 games left to play 'Liverpool obviously will be champions of the Premier League, but they would be champions in Spain, champions in Italy, champions in Germany,' the Spaniard said. 'They would be champions everywhere after 23 games, 22 victories, one draw. 'In the recent past when Chelsea won the league, the next season, they didn't qualify for the Champions League, Leicester the same and Chelsea again the same. When we won the league we repeated the league. 'In Spain with the points we have we would be there, one or two points behind the leader, in Germany we would be there, one or two points behind the leader, in Italy as well. 'But Liverpool are just fantastic, phenomenal, overwhelming. So we have to accept it and learn from that.' City cruised into the last-16 of the FA Cup with a 4-0 Fulham win, Gabriel Jesus scored twice The Reds are still unbeaten in the league this season - their only blemish a 1-1 draw with rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford in October. Meanwhile, City face Real Madrid in the Champions League last-16, a monumental tie in Guardiola's reign, with the first-leg taking place on February 26. They will learn their opponents in the FA Cup fifth-round on Monday, before Arsenal's tie against Bournemouth. A young woman in Kerala is facing cyberbullying after she raised protest against a pro-CAA meeting at a temple premises at Kochi in Kerala. Athira S, a native of Thiruvananthapuram, is facing the wrath for raising the objections. As the meeting organised by pro-BJP outfit was progressing at a temple at Pavakkulam in Kochi on Tuesday, Athira who was staying at a nearby hostel went to the venue and raised objections against such a meeting being held at a temple premises. Athira was pushed out of the venue by women and was abused. Some even made communally sensitive statements. After the video footage of the incident went viral on social media, Athira was being subjected to a malicious campaign, including character assassination. Even fake social media profiles in her name was created. Athira said that as alleged by some quarters she had not gone to the venue at the direction of any others, but was a spur of the moment act. She also said that it was only those who present there recorded it and spread on social media. She said that she was not even able to move out freely owing to the malicious campaigns being carried out against her. The Kerala State Women's Commission chairperson M C Josephine had called on Athira and extended support. The commission also sought a report from the police. The police had registered a case against 29 persons, including BJP workers, in connection with the incident. A case was also registered against Athira on the basis of a complaint of the organisers that she tried to disrupt the event. The mother-to-be on the bed gives me a hard stare. Well, you cant be the midwife! she snaps irritably. I am, I reply with a smile. Nice to meet you. Im Philippa, but you can call me Pippa. Pippa? Are you even old enough to be a midwife? the woman goes on, unconvinced. OK. Deep breath. This one is going to be tricky. I am, indeed, I say, scanning the notes at the end of the bed. They tell me that the woman is called Emily, its her first baby and that she seems to be progressing well. I give her what I hope is my most winning smile. Every day I witness over-worked and under-appreciated staff undertake minor acts of heroism that would make most people weep is it any surprise we cherish those little notes from patients as if they are the Crown Jewels? [File photo] The Secret Midwife: Life, Death And The Truth About Birth is published by John Blake on February 6, priced 16.99. Offer price 11.99 until March 8 How old are you? she continues. I bet you havent any children of your own. How can you understand what Im going through? I may be young but Ive already delivered tons of babies, so dont worry, I reply. Youre in safe hands. Youre going to be just fine. The problem is that Im only 20 years old, and Emily is scared. Her husband is at her bedside, nervously clutching a water bottle. I introduce myself and he offers a warm smile. Now I start to take Emilys blood pressure and she asks me sharply: Whats that for? Its a monitor. Im just going to take a look at your blood pressure. Why? Just making sure everything is nice and normal not too high, not too low. Why? Well, it can make a difference to your labour if your blood pressure is too high. It increases a little during labour, so wed expect it to be higher, but not too high or that could place extra stress on your heart and kidneys. Phew. This is like a police interrogation. Over the next six hours or so, it transpires that Emily is the finance director for a law firm and her husband is a solicitor. They have a large farmhouse in the countryside and three labradors, so are obviously well-off. At 38, Emily is nearly twice as old as me. It is a long time until her guard finally begins to drop and she starts to look at me with that mixture of trepidation and trust that I know so well among new mothers. For the first few years, my job was a complete joy. Challenging and exhausting, yes, but also infinitely rewarding. It was a privilege to help families at one of the most vulnerable, yet exhilarating, times of their lives [File photo] She doesnt know what to do and without my help shell struggle. She needs to have complete faith in me. When Emily finally delivers her perfect baby boy into my arms, its an emotional moment for all of us. I give the little one a quick rub down and hand him to his exhausted mother. She is beaming with pride and astonishment. That look! That first look between mother and child is so precious that I feel the familiar catch in my throat. Oh, look at you! she whispers to the tiny bundle. Her husbands eyes are shining with tears. Quietly, I leave the room. On the day they go home, Emily presses an envelope into my hands. For you, she says. Inside is a letter. It says: Dear Pippa. Thank you for all you have done for us and for helping to bring our little boy into the world safely. Im sorry I was so rude when you first came in. You handled the birth with great care and expertise and I believe you are a fantastic midwife. A million thank-yous would never be enough. Best wishes, Emily. Fifteen years later, I still have that letter. I take it out and read it sometimes, and every time it gives me the confidence and reassurance that Im in the right job. Its small gestures such as this which mean so much to midwives like me, because frankly there is precious little in the way of gratitude from our NHS bosses and managers. Quite the reverse, in fact. In the NHS Trust where I work, there are no thank-yous, no annual reviews, no awards or even any acknowledgement of the tremendous care and dedication we give to the women and families we look after. Every day I witness over-worked and under-appreciated staff undertake minor acts of heroism that would make most people weep is it any surprise we cherish those little notes from patients as if they are the Crown Jewels? According to the Royal College of Midwives, the profession is losing one midwife a day as a result of the pressures of the job. A new management team had taken over and the walls of the staff room were now plastered with lists of dos and donts, good practice reminders and signs telling us about new guidelines. What on earth is that? I said, pointing to one of the signs on my first day back [File photo] In England alone, this means almost half of maternity units are turning mothers away each year due to staff shortages. For those of us who remain in our jobs, we are so overloaded that we cant even spend five minutes sitting talking to a new mum, showing them how to do their first feed, or helping them to the bathroom. The days when we could offer those small but meaningful gestures of support are long gone. In my 15 years as a qualified midwife, the number of managers doubled while the number of midwives has halved. Meanwhile, I have no idea who my actual line manager is or who Im meant to approach if something goes wrong, so poor are the levels of communication. So while our service is increasingly top-heavy with administrative staff, there are far fewer people actually delivering babies with the result that the health and wellbeing of mothers and babies is put at risk. Worst of all, in the brutal blame culture that now pervades NHS delivery wards, it is usually those of us at the bottom of the heap not the doctors or managers who carry the can when things go wrong. No wonder so many midwives are at breaking point. For the first few years, my job was a complete joy. Challenging and exhausting, yes, but also infinitely rewarding. It was a privilege to help families at one of the most vulnerable, yet exhilarating, times of their lives. I loved being part of a team of close colleagues and supportive bosses who would all work above and beyond to make sure the women we were looking after had the best possible experience of childbirth. But as the years went on, things began to change and a less trusting, more suspicious, them-and-us culture began to pervade our profession. For me, I can pinpoint the exact moment it happened. Gemma had been a difficult patient right from the start. Shed come in at 34 weeks (full term is 37 weeks) with an infection, but instead of letting us look after her, she refused to stay on her bed and allow us to monitor her properly. My colleague Sam, whod been assigned to look after Gemma, firmly believed that she was in labour. As one of the senior midwives on duty, I thought so, too. But when I spoke to the doctor, who had already been asked several times to attend, she had exploded at me: Pippa, I have seen that lady already and she is not in labour. Yes, I know, I replied. But we think the situation may have changed since you last saw her. Not that quickly. Look, Im extremely busy. Later, OK? I went back to Sam, and she knew from my expression I had been sent away with a flea in my ear. When Emily finally delivers her perfect baby boy into my arms, its an emotional moment for all of us. I give the little one a quick rub down and hand him to his exhausted mother. She is beaming with pride and astonishment [File photo] As we were conferring, Gemma appeared in the corridor. Im going out for a fag, she said. Gemma, I really dont think thats a good idea, said Sam. I need a f***ing fag, Gemma snapped. It hurts, OK? You cant give me anything and I need something to take the edge off. I cant just lie around in agony. It was an impossible situation. We couldnt give her any pain relief other than a paracetamol because she wasnt officially in labour. And as often as we asked for the registrar to come back and review Gemma, we kept getting knock-backs. The doctor was busy, it seemed, first with a caesarean and then a difficult birth. Although I understood that emergencies came first, I was beginning to feel that the whole situation had become a battle of wills rather than a genuine response to a medical situation. The registrar had dug her heels in, pulled rank and decided she was not going to see Gemma. Finally, at 11pm, she was free to attend. By then, Gemma was beside herself, screaming in agony. She had completely lost it: she was on and off the bed, in and out of her clothes, in and out of the hospital, taking herself off for a smoke. I was with another mother when I heard the emergency buzzer go. I raced out to see the light flashing over Gemmas room. When I went in the expression on Sams face said it all. Weve lost the heartbeat, said the registrar. It was only a matter of a few more minutes before Gemma delivered her baby, which was immediately handed over to the paediatricians and me. The tiny girl was pale and floppy. Is she OK? Gemma was asking tearfully. I cant hear her crying. For 45 heartbreaking minutes we worked on that baby. The whole time I was giving her cardiac massage I could hear Gemmas sobs behind me. But it was no good. The baby never moved or took a breath, and eventually the consultant called the time of death. Weve lost the heartbeat, said the registrar. It was only a matter of a few more minutes before Gemma delivered her baby, which was immediately handed over to the paediatricians and me. The tiny girl was pale and floppy [File photo] Outside the room, I leaned against the wall and sobbed. The paediatric consultant broke down, too. In fact, every member of staff who had been in the room cried for the baby we couldnt save. Well, all except one. The registrar didnt shed a tear or show any emotion. Afterwards we heard that Gemma had submitted a complaint. I dont blame her, said Sam. If the registrar had viewed her earlier, we could have done something. But we wasted so much time hours when she could have been given proper pain relief and we could have kept her on the monitor. Sam felt sure the investigation would bring to light the failings of the senior team, and that the doctor would be disciplined. After all, the words registrar asked to review were scrawled all over Gemmas notes. Six months later, the results of the investigation were announced, and, as expected, the hospital admitted negligence. But to our astonishment and dismay, instead of blaming the registrar for what had happened, the management pointed the finger at us, claiming that we had not done enough to get her to attend. I felt utterly shocked and betrayed. It was written all over the notes that we had done everything in our power to bring the doctor into the room, and yet we had been hung out to dry. Theyve stabbed us in the back, said Sam. How could they do that? How? For the first time in my career, I felt the trust between midwives and our managers had been broken. Sadly, it was a sign of things to come. In recent years, court cases have become more and more common as unhappy and bereaved families seek to resolve their issues by legal means. (Last week, it was revealed that the NHS England faces paying 4.3 billion in legal fees to settle outstanding claims of clinical negligence.) As midwives, we are right in the firing line, but so far we have been given no help, training or support. In one particular case, none of us was given any advice from the solicitors representing the hospital about what we should do. It was like being sent into battle blindfolded and with both hands tied behind our backs. Eventually, negligence was not proved. But my trust and confidence in the management had fallen even further. I became more and more convinced that our hospital trust didnt care about protecting its staff, only its reputation. It was after I returned from a years maternity leave following the birth of my daughter Betty in 2014 that I fully appreciated just how much our working environment had changed. A new management team had taken over and the walls of the staff room were now plastered with lists of dos and donts, good practice reminders and signs telling us about new guidelines. What on earth is that? I said, pointing to one of the signs on my first day back. One of my colleagues rolled her eyes. I know. Its madness, isnt it? The notice said midwives were forbidden from taking tea, coffee or any hot drinks on to the ward. We were allowed to take in a water bottle with a sealable top, but that was all. The management team had even installed a hydration station otherwise known as a water cooler in the staff room from which we could fill our bottles. Alongside it there was a long list of instructions. Do not walk around with your drink. Water bottles are not to be taken into the clinical area. Do not wash your cup in a clinical area. Do not use the hydration station as a social gathering area. Worst of all was the unbearably patronising sign-off at the end: Dont forget to put the patients needs before your own! What a way to treat experienced healthcare professionals. It wasnt the easiest transition back to work. I knew our hospital trust had come under increasing pressure in the past few years, but I hadnt been aware of this having any serious impact on our ward until a new so-called Band 8 management team was brought in. We never usually had contact with the Band 8s Navy Blues, we called them, because of the colour of their uniform as their offices were elsewhere on the hospital site. Our only immediate contact was with the labour ward managers who organised the shifts and rotas. Band 8s controlled budgets and staffing, and we barely saw them. Every now and again, though, they sent out reminder emails to keep us all in line, such as telling us not to eat on the ward. Getting caught doing this meant an instant disciplinary although it wasnt an issue at night when all the Band 8s were tucked up in bed at home. When the cats away was our attitude. I loved being part of a team of close colleagues and supportive bosses who would all work above and beyond to make sure the women we were looking after had the best possible experience of childbirth [File photo] The new management team had brought in a raft of cost-saving measures. One was to change the method of clocking on and off the ward. Previously, each midwife would register the time she arrived and left the ward by swiping her badge on the door. Thus management could keep an accurate record of how much overtime we had done babies are not respecters of shift patterns, and nobody wants to abandon a mother nearing the end of her labour and pay us accordingly. But the badge method had been ditched, and now each of us needed to be signed off when we left for the day. This worked fine if you did normal hours, but if I stayed to do overtime until late into the night, my manager might have left before me. In which case there would be nobody to verify my extra hours. So naturally the amount of overtime we all recorded and were paid went down. It didnt end there. Since the hospital was on an efficiency drive, we were no longer allowed to pay for agency midwives to cover shifts when we were understaffed. And if people left their jobs for whatever reason, the posts were left unfilled for months, putting the rest of us under even more strain. Dont get me wrong. I still loved being a midwife and our team was brilliant. It wasnt always easy but we got through it together we laughed, we cried, we ate pizza and whenever anyone needed a hand, we were all there for each other. Not just midwives either: doctors, healthcare support workers, receptionists, anaesthetists. We were a team, and when it worked, it worked so well. But it was clear there was a growing feeling of alienation between midwives and those who managed us. They hardly ever came on to the unit, so we had no relationship with any of them. If they ever appeared, they wouldnt communicate with us. Everything was now done via email. If there were new guidelines, or a change in policy, youd be sent an explanatory email. There was precious little opportunity to give any feedback from our side of things, but they didnt hesitate to relay criticism from patients. Every decision seemed to be about money. For the first time in my professional life, we had to close the ward to new admissions. It was only a six-hour closure, but it was a shock to be told that we could no longer take any further admissions for patient safety. And whenever there was a problem, it seemed that midwives were always the first to get the blame. I had never heard of a doctor being reprimanded for failure to attend (I still havent!). It was ridiculous. I once telephoned the on-call consultant because a babys heartbeat had slowed right down. Sorry, I cant come, he replied. Im at a black-tie do. Let me give you my colleagues number. Shes going to cover for me tonight. It took two more hours to reach his nominated stand-in, by which time we had managed to get the baby out safe and sound. But it was touch and go for a time, and I dread to think what would have happened if we had encountered a serious problem. For four years after I returned to work, I did my best, working my socks off for the mothers and babies in my care. But in November 2018 I hit a brick wall. I could go on no longer, and was signed off with stress and depression. As if that wasnt bad enough, the way I was treated by my managers during and after my time off work was nothing short of farcical, as I will describe next week. But tragically, the callousness shown to me was just a small example of the kind of behaviour that is now commonplace in our hospital. The Secret Midwife: Life, Death And The Truth About Birth is published by John Blake on February 6, priced 16.99. Offer price 11.99 until March 8. To pre-order, go to mailshop.co.uk or call 01603 648155. Free delivery on all orders no minimum spend. SPRINGFIELD In 2007, Springfield's gleaming new shrine to Abraham Lincoln was open, but it lacked touchstone pieces to show off, so organizers paid $6.5 million for the most symbolic Lincoln artifact available: one of the 16th president's stovepipe hats. A dozen years and as many studies and hand-wringing public statements later, there's no concrete evidence that the felted beaver-fur hat ever sat atop Lincoln's 6-foot-4 frame. Has anyone requested a refund? No, and it doesn't appear anyone will soon. The foundation that bought the hat as part of a 1,500-piece, $23 million deal with California collector Louise Taper is not considering action, vice chairman Nick Kalm said. It's supporting further research directed last week by Ray LaHood, chairman of the newly organized trustees of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. LaHood, former U.S. transportation secretary and congressman from Peoria, formed a committee to oversee continued study by state historian Samuel Wheeler, whose December report after 16 months of research on the hat's connection to the Great Emancipator was inconclusive. That has to be done, LaHood said. We're trying to get to some finality on the authenticity of it so we can move forward from there. He would not comment on the prospect of renegotiating with Taper, whom The Associated Press was unsuccessful in contacting for comment. Legal experts all but rule out successful court action, and while there's the possibility of appealing to the seller through moral suasion, few are of a mind to do it. They could ask, she wouldnt have to do it, said former Gov. Jim Edgar, foundation board chairman at the time of the purchase. She thought it was authentic. ... The consensus was this was the most important privately held Lincoln collection in the world. The hat came from a former state legislator in southern Illinois whose father claimed he received it from Lincoln during a visit to Washington in 1861. The legislator's widow sold it for $1 in 1958 to an antique store, where it was retrieved by James Hickey, a one-time state historian who was among the nation's foremost Lincolniana experts. It rode in a special car on the 1975-76 Bicentennial American Freedom Train that crisscrossed the country, traveled on a late 1980s trade mission to Asia with then-Gov. James Thompson, and more than once served as the receptacle for a drawing to determine which political party would craft legislative district maps. Taper bought it from Hickey for an undisclosed amount in 1990, and experts representing the foundation did little additional work to authenticate the hat before the 2007 transaction, which included Taper's donation of $2 million in items. News reports by the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ Radio later raised questions about the hat's provenance. The foundation's difficulty in retiring about $8.8 million remaining on the loan and its 2018 claim that it might have to sell parts of the collection to retire the debt before negotiating an extension kept the hat in the headlines. Even if statutes of limitations didn't limit the chances for successful legal action, experts said there are other problems. Illinois buyers passed up the chance to verify Taper's claim of the Lincoln link pre-purchase. Courts typically regard statements of authenticity as opinion, not fact, and a buyer cannot sue on that basis, said Patty Gerstenblith, a DePaul University law professor and director of DePaul's Center in Art, Museum and Cultural Heritage Law. To prove fraud, a court would need evidence of intention to deceive, said Leila Amineddoleh, a New York City lawyer specializing in art, cultural heritage, and intellectual property law. No one alleges deception. Has the museum reached out to Louise to demand a refund and rescission of the purchase agreement? Seeing that she is well-known in this area, she should want to protect her reputation by refunding the money, Amineddoleh said. There's a hardball approach, too. The negative publicity and potential price of a threatened lawsuit might prompt Taper to have the good sense and moral compass to return the money to the museum, Amineddoleh said. Taper, who spent decades rifling catalogs for precious Lincoln relics and gobbling them up at auctions, has been on the other end herself. In a 2009 panel discussion about collecting Lincolniana sponsored by the presidential library in honor of Lincoln's birth bicentennial, Taper recalled buying a note allegedly penned by President Lincoln. When it came to the house, it was obvious it was a forgery .... I panicked, and I called them up and I said, This isnt good, this isn't real and I want my money back,'" said Taper, adding that she got her refund. The idea of a refund was first floated six years ago when, amid growing questions, Illinois officials commissioned a brief assessment of the hat by experts from the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and the Chicago History Museum. Lacking better evidence, the historians suggested asking Taper to take the hat back or make it a donation. This would shine a positive light on a generous donor who believes in the history of the hat and removes the cloud that the museum purchased a very expensive item without thorough documentation, they wrote. Of course, pressing too hard could poison a previously harmonious relationship with Taper, who's still collecting. In the 2009 discussion, when a panelist mentioned Taper's sale and donation to the Lincoln museum, she added, There's a lot more in the future. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 In a metaphorical reference, the Congress party took a dig at Prime Minister Modi by urging him to 'read the Constitution.' The Congress party shared a picture of its virtual Amazon cart with the copy of the Indian Constitution for the Prime Minister. Raising accusations for 'diving the country', the mockery by the Congress party came as the country celebrates its 71st Republic Day. Keeping the payment method, 'pay on delivery', the Congress party's 'Constitution to PM' comes at the time when the country is facing outrage and nation-wide demonstrations against the policies of the BJP-led government, especially the controversial amended Citizenship Act (CAA) and proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC). "Dear PM, The Constitution is reaching you soon. When you get time off from dividing the country, please do read it. Regards, Congress," the tweet read, along with the image of an Amazon receipt which said that the copy of the Constitution was being dispatched to the Central Secretariat. Recently, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, during the Raisina Dialogue 2020 held in New Delhi, had said that Amazon is not doing a favour to India by investing a billion dollars in the country. The comment came at the time when the country is reeling under economic crisis, with the IMF chief GIta Gopinath blaming India's GDP figures for the organisation's downward revision of the global economic growth. READ| Scindia calls Goyal's Amazon remark 'unfortunate', expresses concern over state of economy Dear PM, The Constitution is reaching you soon. When you get time off from dividing the country, please do read it. Regards, Congress. pic.twitter.com/zSh957wHSj Congress (@INCIndia) January 26, 2020 Congress takes on BJP In another tweet, the Congress said a lesson the PM Modi-led BJP has failed to understand is that all people despite their creed, caste or gender are guaranteed equality before the law under Article 14 of the Constitution. "It is this article that is completely violated by the government's Citizenship Amendment Act," the party said. "It is important to remember that it is enshrined in our Constitution that all persons are protected from discrimination of any form. Therefore, any attempt to draft laws based on discrimination are unconstitutional," it said. READ| BJP's Sambit Patra claims 'insult to Hindu symbol' on Nazi Swastika at Shaheen Bagh poster In a message on the eve of the Republic Day, Sonia Gandhi urged people on Saturday to rise above personal prejudices and stand united to protect the Constitution and its values, claiming that they are being attacked through a "deep-rooted" conspiracy. "A deep-rooted conspiracy has been hatched to set a discourse to divide countrymen based on religion, regionalism and language as also to subvert and undermine the Constitution. An unprecedented atmosphere of disturbance, fear and insecurity has been foisted upon the country. The Act leaves out Ahmedis and Shia sects from Pakistan who face persecution and does not include other neighbouring countries--Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and others. The Centre has argued saying that all three countries included in the Act are Muslim-majority and thus Muslims are "unlikely to face religious persecution." The CAA that excludes the Muslim community, has been opposed and considered to be a violation of the Indian constitution by critics. There have been widespread protests in the national capital and citizens across the country. Kerala, Punjab and Rajasthan governments have passed resolution against CAA in their respective Assembly. West Bengal government led by Mamata Banerjee is likely to pass the Bill on Monday. READ| Anyone who opposes BJP's agenda of hate is dubbed as urban naxal: Rahul Gandhi The Grosvenor House Suites by Jumeirah offers luxurious, sleek suites in one of London's best tourist destinations. The property sits on the outskirts of the famous Hyde Park, best known for housing Kensington Palace (and Winter Wonderland). The rooms give guests views straight into the park, so they can enjoy their room service while looking out into Londons largest park. The property was once the largest private townhouse situated on Park Lane, housing Lords and Dukes, until it was demolished and rebuilt into the Grosvenor Suites in the 1920s. Now, you can channel your inner Royal by staying there. The lowdown The 5-star destination is within walking distance for nearby shops as well as the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street. It's also a short bus ride to High Street Kensington, making it convenient for visiting any and all tourist destinations. Take a tour of Kensington Palace to see where Princess Diana once lived or if you happen to be in town during Christmas time, head across Park Lane to Hyde Park to enjoy some mulled wine and cider at Winter Wonderland. Oxford Street / UnSplash The rooms The private residences opened in 2012 and after a year-long renovation and has 130 residence suites ranging from studio residences to one, two, and three bedrooms apartments The decor is incredibly sleek - make sure to look out for plugs for phones, as they're hard to find. The apartments are large and luxurious, offering plenty of space if you have a group visiting London. During our recent visit, the living room windows provided a lovely view of Hyde Park. The bathrooms offer Molton Brown products and luxe bath tubs. Rates start from 795 per night Eating and drinking The space has a large restaurant in the atrium that many of the rooms overlook (be careful when you lift your blinds to avoid flashing someone enjoying brunch). The restaurant is open 24 hours a day in case you come home from a night out a bit peckish. But the apartments also house large kitchens so you can do your own cooking. The U.S. Air Force has made official what had been a fifty year old reality; the B-52H bomber will no longer be considered capable of using nuclear bombs. Or, as it is officially described, gravity bombs which must be dropped from an aircraft that is right over the target. This reality was apparent back in 1969, with the cancellation of the B-70. This was a proposed replacement for the B-52 that was a lot more expensive but flew higher and faster to deliver nuclear gravity bombs. The B-70 was also much more expensive to operate and by 1969 it was obvious that ICBMs were the future, not manned aircraft. The long-range ballistic missiles were very difficult to intercept. Because they were based in underground silos or aboard nuclear subs, they made it much more difficult for an enemy to carry out a successful first strike or counterattack. This did not make the B-52 obsolete because a few years later the air force found the B-52 was surprisingly effective carrying conventional bombs. Lots of them. B-52s could carry over a hundred non-nuclear 227 kg (500 pound) bombs that, when dropped in a pattern that creates a carpet of bombed-out terrain, had an impact superior to that of a nuclear weapon. Since there is no radiation created, friendly troops could immediately move in and occupy the torn-up terrain, often littered with the bodies of enemy troops and the wreckage of their equipment. This effect was not a surprise to those air force officers who had seen the result of using a lot more B-17s (each carrying two dozen 500 pound bombs) carpet-bombing a German panzer division in a similar fashion. American troops rapidly moved in and encountered no opposition. Even Germans in bunkers were dead or dazed and not able to fight. The few who had survived the bombing completely had wisely fled the area to regroup elsewhere. After World War II the air force never seriously considered adopting that successful July 1944 carpet-bombing tactic because the 1950s were all about nukes and the many ways to deliver them. Non-nuclear bombs dropped by a strategic bomber was an obsolete idea. But 21 years later in Vietnam, someone remembered and it was discovered that dozen or so B-52s could recreate the panzer division killer tactic and with the same impact on lots of irregular troops. From 1965 on the enemy was reluctant to concentrate a lot of forces for attack or defense lest they became a target of what came to be called Arc Light missions. Seven years later, when the last Arc Light of the Vietnam War was used, the B-52 was unofficially no longer a nuclear bomber but was kept in service in large part because of Arc Light. The nuclear mission was only possible because the B-52 could also carry cruise missiles. These one-ton weapons could be launched before encountering enemy air defenses and fly thousands of kilometers to deliver a conventional or nuclear warhead. The ultimate tribute to the B-52 came in 2019 when the air force decided to retire its B-1B bombers, which were built in the 1980s, before the B-52Hs, which were built in the 1960s. Its all about cost. One of the two older heavy bombers has to go because the new B-21 stealth bomber would enter service by the end of the decade. As part of that process, the B-1Bs will start to retire in 2025 and the last will be gone by 2035. The B-52s are to serve until the 2040s or even 2052, which will be a century after the first flight of the B-52. The B-21 is supposed to be a more effective and cheaper version of the B-2 stealth bomber. The B-2 was so expensive that only 21 were built. The B-21 has to avoid the budget curse or be canceled or end up as updated and still way over budget B-2 replacement. The air force has established a tradition of over-promising and under-delivering that has created much less tolerance for projects that go way over budget and arrive very late as well. B-21 is being built to quickly get to targets anywhere on the planet, avoid air defenses, and deliver conventional or nuclear weapons. The main job would be delivering conventional weapons, including standoff weapons against defended air space. Moreover, current stealth technology, which mainly renders radar much less effective, is vulnerable to growing improvements in heat detection systems which are already being primary sensors on some fighters (especially stealth ones that do not want to use a radar which tells everyone where it is). The B-21 wont be cheap, at least not the way the B-52 was. The B-52 survives because it entered service in the 1950s at a time when budgets and delivery schedules met. Moreover, the B-52 is an example of how an aircraft that has been declared obsolete several times survived because new technology or tactics kept the B-52 competitive. The B-52 was originally designed as a high-flying long-range bomber that could deliver a lot of unguided bombs, including nuclear ones. Better Soviet (Russian) air defenses (radars and missiles) appeared to make the B-52 obsolete as a strategic nuclear bomber, but then cruise missiles were invented that allowed a B-52 to launch these before entering defended Russian air space. Even before that the B-52 demonstrated (in the 1960s over Vietnam) that it was very effective at delivering conventional bombs and airdropped naval mines, even over defended air space thanks to new electronic warfare defenses. The B-1A was developed in the 1970s as a low flying, high-speed replacement of the B-52 as a nuclear weapon bomber. It was canceled because of cost overruns and the belief that Russian air defenses were adapting to handle a fast, low flying B-1. In the 1980s the cruise missile used as a standoff nuclear-armed missile made possible the revival of the B-1 as a slower, higher-flying B-1B. After all, those B-52s were getting older. Age did not damage the slow-moving B-52 as much as it did faster-moving aircraft like the B-1B. But the B-1B did manage to use its greater speed to replace the B-52 in situations where only one or two heavy bombers were covering a large area (in Afghanistan or Syria/Iraq). One B-1B carrying only smart bombs and missiles one could get to where it was needed faster than a B-52 even though the B-1B still cost more per hour to operate. The B-52 is, however, aging more economically and reliably than the B-1B. Thus the B-1Bs will retire first. Another factor is that the B-52, lacking the movable wings of the B-1, is easier to adapt to new technology. Thus it was a lot easier to use a targeting pod on the B-52 (just hang it from a wing) compared to the B-1 (where the installation was more expensive and time consuming). The one tech that made the most difference for the B-52 was the smart bomb. The appearance in the 1990s of GPS and other inexpensive guided missiles and bombs revolutionized the role of bomber aircraft. Far fewer bombs were needed to destroy a specific target. That meant even the F-15E fighter-bomber, which could carry six tons of bombs and missiles, because more effective than a heavy bomber carrying five or six times as many unguided bombs. To remain competitive the B-52 and B-1B had to rely on new technology to keep up. A recent example of this occurred in late 2017 when B-52Hs used their latest upgrade, the CRU (Conventional Rotary Launcher) in combat for the first time. CRU enables a B-52 to carry eight large (or 34 small) JDAM smart bombs internally. The CRU itself is an accessory and not all B-52Hs will carry them. But all B-52s are being modified so the CRU can quickly be removed or installed and work with the fire control system. The CRU allows more smart bombs and missiles to be carried that are reprogrammable by the crew while in the air. This is essential for most B-52 missions, which simply provide smart bomb support for a large area (most of Afghanistan, all of Iraq and so on). With the CRU dozens of smart bombs can be launched quickly and that was recently done in an attack on multiple heroin production sites in southern Afghanistan. Similar tactics can be used against North Korean artillery and missiles units. The CRU is one of several new features associated with the 1760 IWBU (Internal Weapons Bay Upgrade). The B-52H has long had a CSRL (Common Strategic Rotary Launcher) for the internal weapons bay but that was only for nuclear weapons. Without a rotary launcher installed the internal bomb bay carries unguided bombs. Since the 1990s the B-52H has been carrying smart bombs externally, attached to hardpoints under the wings. Carrying anything on those hardpoints creates aerodynamic drag during flight which increases fuel consumption and requires more inflight refueling to obtain the same time in the air. The first CRUs were delivered for installing and flight testing in mid-2016. Testing and delivery of more CRU continued until it was used in combat over Afghanistan in November. CRU and the IWBU continue to be upgraded so CRUs can handle JASSM cruise missiles and MALD (Miniature Air Launched Decoy), a small missile which not only acts as a decoy but also carries electronics for jamming and or deceiving enemy sensors. Since 2013 there has been a major upgrade in B-52 electronics and fire-control systems. These changes included CONECT (Combat Network Communications Technology) and 1760 IWBU (Internal Weapons Bay Upgrade). The IWBU was necessary to use CRU but both upgrade programs are being applied throughout the air force to provide standardization of communications and use of smart bombs. Earlier upgrades enabled B-52 crew to program (enter GPS coordinates for a target) smart bombs carried. Initially, this was done so smart bombs carried under the wings could be programmed by the crew and later that was expanded to include those carried internally. This upgrade simply means wiring the bomb bay so that smart bombs can be plugged into the upgraded aircraft fire control system. This was important because that made it possible to carry other programmable weapons like the MALD and the JASSM (long-range smart bombs used for taking out enemy air defenses). By 2017 about half the B-52s had their bomb bay wiring upgraded. Back in 2006, the B-52 was modified so it could carry over a hundred of the 130 kg (285 pound) Small Diameter Bombs (SDB, also known as the GBU-39/B). The bomb rack inside the B-52 was modified to carry 32 SDBs instead of 15 larger bombs. The B-52 could already carry more SDBs under its wings using special racks that held 4 SBDs where one larger bomb would normally be. Initially, all these SDBs had to be programmed (with target location) on the ground. This was all for mass precision strikes from one bomber, something that has not been required yet. The large bomb capacity of the B-52 was a 1960s innovation which enabled one B-52 to carry 108 500 pound unguided bombs for carpet bombing missions. Until the programming upgrades, the SBDs carried internally had to receive their target coordinates on the ground, not in the air. The ability to enter or change GPS coordinates in smart bombs is necessary now because heavy bombers typically stay in the air over the combat zone for 8 hours or more at a time, delivering smart bombs as needed by troops on the ground. The B-52 also has its own targeting pod now that enables the crew to spot targets, program one of its smart bombs, and take them out without needing GPS coordinates from someone on the ground. Despite being the oldest American combat aircraft in service, the B-52s have been regularly upgraded with new electronics and minor tweaks for new bombs. For example in mid-2017 the B-52H was certified as able to use PDU-5 leaflet bomb. This is a variant of the cluster bomb long carried by B-52s. But instead of dispersing 247 bomblets from a larger canister the PDU-5 disperses 60,000 leaflets over several square kilometers. The PDU-5 has been used regularly since 2001 to warn people (usually in target areas) that a bombing or artillery attack is coming. Normally PDU-5s are delivered by jet fighters but helicopters have been used and the test drops from the B-52H is to ensure that there are no problems with the bomb colliding with the aircraft once dropped. The B-52H PDU-5 test wasnt an upgrade as much as a standard safety check. As with the CRU, the B-52H isnt able to use a newly installed feature until after several tests followed by use, if possible, in a combat zone. Another reason for the longevity of the B-52 has been its reliability and relatively low maintenance cost. The B-52H has a better reliability record than much more recent aircraft and much smaller aircraft. For example, the U.S. Air Force mission capable or readiness rate (percentage of available aircraft able to do their job) varies by type and technology. Age has less to do with it than you might think. As of 2015, the B-52H rate was 72 percent compared to 47 percent for the B-1B heavy bomber and 71 percent for the F-15E fighter bomber. With all these upgrades since the 1990s there was little mention of nuclear weapons, expect an occasional mention that the B-52 fire control system was still capable of handling nuclear gravity bombs. Which are basically dumb bombs with some capability to have the altitude of detonation adjusted but not much else. The B61 300 kg and B83 1.1 ton nuclear bombs look just like another dumb bomb filled with high explosives. The B-52 bomb racks must be able to accept and release these two bombs and that is a simple bit of engineering. As a practical matter, the air force appears to have abandoned the B-52 as a nuclear gravity bomb delivery system over a decade ago. At the same time, the greater bomb carrying capability makes the B-52 even more effective, as it is cheaper to have one "bomb truck" over the combat zone rather than several fighter-bombers. With a max takeoff weight of 240-250 tons the BUFF (Big Ugly Fat Fellow) is basically a large aircraft designed to carry bombs cheaply and efficiently. The readiness rate of these bombers remains high because it was not designed to operate at supersonic speed or carry out stressful maneuvers. Although the remaining B-52s are all at least 50 years old, most of the internal gear has been replaced with modern electronics and furnishings. Its all flat screens and modern gear. Look closer and you see a lot of 50 year old metal. Click here to read the full article. Kirby Dicks documentaries often generate a lot of headlines around their explosive subjects from the closeted gay politicians in Outrage to the rape victims in The Invisible War and the campus sexual assault survivors of The Hunting Ground but nothing has generated more advance press than On the Record. Co-directed with longtime producing partner Amy Ziering, the searing overview of rape charges against hip hop mogul Russell Simmons lost its high-profile distribution partnership with Oprah Winfrey and Apple TV+ weeks ahead of the Sundance premiere. Reports suggest the talk show host had doubts on some of the movies allegations, possibly as a result of pressure from Simmons himself. Was it worth the extra noise? That answer comes in part by separating the ambiguity of Winfreys decision from the actual source. On the Record is straightforward enough: Despite a few meandering detours down the history of 90s hip hop and the sensitive debates surrounding sexual assault among black women, the movie treads familiar terrain much of its allegations are already a matter of public record. More from IndieWire Its main subject, former music producer Drew Dixon, joined two other women in speaking out about Simmons abuse in a 2017 New York Times story. The bulk of On the Record follows her as she wrestles with the decision to do exactly that. To that end, its a smart and sturdy behind-the-scenes look at a high-profile #MeToo drama, and succeeds at scrutinizing the conundrum facing countless women still afraid of speaking out. The Times executed an extensive background check on Dixon even before she agreed to participate in its story, so any hesitation to accept her at her word also serves as a de facto repudiation of the papers two-year-old reportingl. But at a moment when believe survivors is often a rallying cry, such uncertainty around Dixon a veteran of the hip hop scene until she decided to leave it registers as part of the very problem that the movie takes up. Story continues In any case, Dixon makes for a stirring centerpiece. The daughter of former Washington D.C. mayor Arrington Dixon, she grew up with grand ambition just as black music entered an exciting new phase. Her candid interviews carry over bountiful archival footage as she ventures down memory lane, and for a time, the movie doubles as a mini-history of the early-90s hip hop scene. As Simmons came to prominence with Def Jam Records, Dixon was at the frontlines, helping kick off the careers of everyone from Run-DMC to Jay-Z and Foxy Brown. No matter the psychological wounds she endured later on, Dixon still brightens when recalling the idea to pair Method Man with Mary J. Blige for Youre All I Need, and what it meant to her when she received a shoutout on the Simmons-produced blockbuster album The Show in 1995. Still, On the Record acknowledges where its heading early on, beginning with the aftermath of the Times reporting on Harvey Weinstein that precipitated the #MeToo movement. The movie hardly lingers on Dixons memories she rushes through several anecdotes, and reveals the harrowing rape story some 45 minutes in but it sticks close to the challenges she faces in speaking out. Its here that On the Record lands its most compelling observations, capturing Dixon as she speaks by phone with New York Times reporter Joe Coscarelli and talks through her many understandable hesitancies. In the process, the filmmakers recap the broader pattern of accusations against Simmons, starting with Jenny Lumet and continuing through another 19 victims. If Simmons hoped he could hide from the spotlight over the last two years, On the Record magnifies it all over again. Thats also true for the accusations Dixon makes against former Epic Records executive L.A. Reid in the same Times article. Reid left Epic months before the story ran, and his case has received less media scrutiny, but Dixons devastating recollections of facing abuse from him after surviving Simmons assaults make it clear why she finally decided to leave the industry behind. Alternately fragile and determined in front of the camera, Dixon serves as a harrowing embodiment of the drama at hand. The movie only struggles when it wanders away from her, as its white filmmakers make uneasy attempts to plug her plight into a larger cultural puzzle. The movies plentiful talking heads a collection of black intellectuals and music industry veterans make a number of astute observations about the history of sexual assault in the music business, but when On the Record ventures away from its central figure it lands in murkier territory. After one passage illustrates the tradition of misogyny in hip hop lyrics, the filmmakers retreat to a montage of other musical genres that are just as guilty. As Dixon talks through the potential negative impact of speaking out, the filmmakers dutifully conjure moments from Anita Hills congressional testimony and the backlash to Mike Tyson victim Desiree Washington to underscore her fears. However, while the cutaways may be blunt, her anxiety is anything but. Black women will hate my guts, Dixon frets, as experts explain the fear of adding fuel to the myth of the sexually aggressive black man. At times it seems as if On the Record might have benefited from exploring a wider range of accusations to bolster Dixons claims, but her central role imbues the movie with an affecting emotional foundation. With its closing act, the filmmakers capture the full equation from the inside out: how #MeToo survivors experience the process of going public and watching their stories become part of a broader debate, and the catharsis that comes from victims finding each other in the aftermath. This time, Dick and Ziering have put less effort into exposing systematic evil than in celebrating the value of taking it on and bemoaning the forces that try to stop that result. When powerful women go away, its a loss for all of us, one subject tells the camera. On the Record, however, fixates on the potential they still have to come back. Grade: B On the Record premiered in the Documentary Premieres section of the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. It is currently seeking U.S. distribution. Best of IndieWire Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Firhad Hakim, the mayor of Kolkata, faced an embarrassing situation on Republic Day when someone allegedly hacked the Facebook page of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Sunday morning and deleted parts of Pakistan occupied Kashmir and Aksai Chin from the map that was posted with the mayors message to the people. This Republic Day, lets work towards strengthening and celebrating the bonds of unity. Wishing everyone a Happy Republic Day, read the mayors message. The post beside the distorted map read, May the tricolours strengthen our bonds of unity. The Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wasted no time in taking a jab at the mayor and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee. Why is @FirhadHakim, the Mayor of Kolkata, promoting an Indian map that doesnt have POK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) & Aksai Chin on the official KMC portal? Is @mamataofficial endorsing Pakistans stand? Our Home Minister @AmitShah ji has proclaimed in Parliament, Jaan de denge hum Kashmir ke liye (will give our lives for Kashmir), tweeted the state BJP, attaching a screenshot of the mayors message set against the map. The KMC authorities later removed the photo and the mayors message. This is not the first time the KMCs website and Facebook page have been hacked. I have asked officials to conduct an inquiry, said Hakim. KMC registered a complaint at the New Market police station and the cyber cell of the Kolkata Police took up the investigation. To commemorate the day Indian constitution came into effect, thousands protest against anti-Muslim citizenship law. New Delhi, India Thousands of protesters have gathered in a predominantly-Muslim neighbourhood in Indias capital as the country celebrated Republic Day to commemorate the day its constitution came into effect. Sarwari, 75, who goes by her first name, was among a group of women invited on Sunday to unfurl the tricolour Indias national flag amid loud chants of the national anthem at Shaheen Bagh, the main site of protest in New Delhi. About 15 kilometres (nine miles) away in the heart of the capital, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind hosted his Brazilian counterpart Jair Bolsonaro, the Republic Day chief guest this year, as they watched the annual parade aimed at showcasing Indias military might and cultural diversity. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who the protesters accuse of pursuing a Hindu supremacist agenda, also attended the government event. For 42 days, mainly Muslim women protesters have blocked a highway in New Delhi to protest against the CAA [Nasir Kachroo/Al Jazeera] Epicentre of the protests For 42 days now, demonstrators, mainly Muslim women, have blocked a highway in the southeastern part of the Indian capital to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), passed by Parliament last month. The CAA fast-tracks the naturalisation of non-Muslim immigrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, who came to India before 2015. What's Hindu nationalism and what does Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have to do with it? pic.twitter.com/lNuumLm1oX AJ+ (@ajplus) January 26, 2020 Critics say the law violates Indias secular constitution and is a step towards marginalising the countrys 200 million Muslims, who form nearly 15 percent of Indias 1.3 billion people. Coupled with a proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) and a continuing National Population Register (NPR) exercise, Muslims fear the move will force them to show documentation to prove their nationality. Indias governing Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dismisses those fears and calls the protests misguided. But daily protests across India have been demanding a rollback of the CAA and an assurance from the government that no Indian citizen will be forced to prove their nationality. Fight for the soul of India On Sunday, as the clock struck midnight, protesters at Shaheen Bagh read out the preamble to the Indian constitution, which on this day in 1950, came into effect. Sarwari, 75, was one of the women who unfurled the Indian flag at Shaheen Bagh [Nasir Kachroo/Al Jazeera] It was an honour for me, Sarwari told Al Jazeera. I had never taken part in any flag hoisting event before. Around her were thousands of people, carrying the national flag and raising slogans. Many had painted their faces with the tricolour, while hundreds of women, wearing burqas black full-body veils that cover the face as well were seen with tricoloured-fabric and ribbons wrapped around them. Children ran around, waving little flags. This is a historic day for all of us, Abid Ahmed, a resident of Shaheen Bagh, told Al Jazeera. We impress upon the government to understand the preamble of our constitution and in light of that announce a rollback of the controversial law. The law is in contravention of the constitution. Insha Hussain, a 16-year-old student who had been participating in the Shaheen Bagh protest since the middle of December, told Al Jazeera their fight is for the soul of India. Our constitution which was adopted on this day 70 years ago is the soul of our nation and we are out to protect that soul, she said. Its shameful that after 73 years of independence, our focus should be on providing jobs to people, not to prove our citizenship. Indian protesters are demanding a withdrawal of the controversial citizenship law [Nasir Kachroo/Al Jazeera] Massive human chains Similar Save the constitution events were held at other sites in New Delhi and in Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Lucknow and other cities. In the southern state of Kerala, hundreds of thousands of people formed a 620km (385-mile) human chain from Kasaragod in the north to Kaliyakkavilai in the south, demanding the CAAs withdrawal. The massive protest was organised by the governing Left Democratic Front party, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan himself joining in the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. The movement in Kerala is to resist attempts to undermine Indias secular fabric, its plural ethos, federal structure and democratic values, politician S Ramachandran Pillai, who flagged off the protest at Kasargod, told Al Jazeera. Pillai said the human chain was one of the largest mass mobilisations ever in Kerala. The central government will be forced to withdraw [the citizenship law], he said. Protesters in Kolkata city organised an 11km human chain [Ronny Sen/Al Jazeera] In the eastern state of West Bengal, thousands in the capital Kolkata also formed an 11km (seven-mile) human chain. The protest in Kolkata was organised by the United Interfaith Foundation India, a group comprising leaders of different religious communities in the state. Almost two million people have been left out in the final NRC list in Assam and many are already in detention camps, Priyankar Dey, who was part of the human chain in Kolkata, told Al Jazeera, referring to the northeastern state where the NRC exercise was first carried out. CAA, NRC and NPR are inherently discriminatory. The human chain today is a message to everyone in power that we Indians are all together in this fight, he said. Additional reporting by Leena Reghunath from Kerala and Ronny Sen in Kolkata Its a mad dash everyday for John Chu, sprinting from the GO train to his car at Maple station in Vaughan to avoid the traffic jam to get out of the parking lot. Im sorry, I am in a rush to pick up my kids from daycare, he tells the Star, jumping into his car. He takes his turn to leave, waiting in a long lineup of commuters trying to make the left out of the busy lot. On this frigid January day, Chu is one of the lucky ones who managed to find a spot in the parking lot that has space for more than 1,350 vehicles. Some of the spots are reserved, with commuters paying $98 a month for the luxury. But many are forced to park illegally at the big box stores nearby to make it to their trains on time. Such is the case at GO stations across the GTHA, where a quarter of GO station parking lots are at capacity, according to Metrolinx, the provinces regional transit agency. Last week, Metrolinx said it was flirting with the idea of asking commuters to pay for parking at GO stations, raising the ire of commuters across the region, who say finding parking at GO stations is often the most difficult part of the morning commute. I have to add 10 to 15 minutes to my morning commute to find parking, said Atika Ahmed, who commutes to downtown Toronto from Oakville. If you get to the GO station after 8, there is no way you are going to find parking until the fifth level of the (six-storey) parking structure, Ahmed said. If I get there after 9, you might as well go home, because you wont find anything. Cindy Smith, who travels to downtown Toronto from Courtice everyday, says until she started taking the shuttle bus to Oshawa GO from Courtice last year, she had to be at the Oshawa GO station before 6:30 a.m. to find a parking spot. It was the only way I could find parking, she said. Smith said she even went as far as buying the smallest car she could, a Fiat 500, so she could squeeze into the tightest spots in the lot. I deliberately chose a car that would guarantee me parking at a GO station. Smith said she happily switched to taking the shuttle when it opened up in January 2019, but if there was no shuttle, I would have been paying for a reserved spot by now, Smith said. People in Toronto probably dont realize how much we pay to get to work, said Smith, adding she pays $369 a month for the train. When you are paying that much, I understand why people have an expectation of being able to park for free. Anne Marie Aikins, a spokesperson for Metrolinx, says no decisions have been made at this point in regards to implementing paid parking, but a number of studies and pilot projects are underway to ease the growing parking problem at lots. We know many GO Transit customers have a challenge finding parking in our lots and building more and more parking is not economical or good for the environment, she said, adding ridership has increased more than five per cent this year alone. On Friday morning, Premier Doug Ford was asked about paid parking at GO stations, and said Ontarios Progressive Conservative government would do everything we can to keep the cost as low as possible. Aikins said the transit agency has 77,000 parking spots across the region and the majority are free with eight per cent currently paying for reserved spots. While there are plans to add 24,000 additional parking spots in the next decade, there will never be enough spots to fill the demand, she says. According to Aikins, the busiest parking lots are Oriole GO in North York, that has only 300 spaces and 24 reserved spots. Clarkson GO in Mississauga is the largest lot but also one of the busiest with 3,857 spots with 313 reserved spots. Whitby GO has 3,679 spots with 260 reserved. Aikins says in many locations once there is a wait-list for reserved spots of 10 or more we free up more reserved spots. But at some locations, such as Maple in Vaughan, the wait-lists are frozen. Out of Maples 1,351 parking spots, 682 are already reserved. Aikins says Metrolinx wants to encourage our customers to get to the station in ways other than driving alone walk, cycle, carpool, local public transportation. She says 60 per cent of customers drive to the station alone. Ahmed says she would love to take the bus from her house to the train, and used to before she had kids, but I cant take the bus to pick up the kids and get to the daycare on time. Smith says after the initial blowback from commuters, Metrolinx is starting to walk back on this issue for now. But she knows this isnt the end of it. I think all of this is all backwards. You dont have adequate transit for people to get out of their cars, and get to the stations. So the solution is to punish the drivers for parking? Smith asked. Its bad politics, and its bad optics. Aikins said, It is our priority to ensure transit costs remain affordable for our customers. In its 2019 business plan, Metrolinx said it would work to expand its non-fare revenue, such as increasing billboard advertising and enhancing promotional partnerships. GO has also been piloting a variety of options such as partnerships with Uber and Lyft to get customers to stations. They are also exploring new ways to use and expand reserved parking spots, such as freeing up parking spots for leisure commuters who are taking the train after rush hour. Read more about: Ranjan tapes: Officials not talking to journalists for fear of recording View(s): The Ranjan Ramanayake tapes saga continues to be the hot topic on peoples lips, no matter what other issues exist in the country. The scandal is such that even those who have no connection to it cannot escape its overarching influence. Journalists themselves are starting to find this out the hard way when they try to get stories. Not only their close contacts, but even Government officials and others who journalists need to speak to regarding stories are refusing to talk for fear that their conversations are being recorded. The question Are you recording this? comes up almost immediately when one starts a conversation on the phone. There is clearly a palpable sense of fear since the tapes leaked a couple of weeks ago. The scandal has also created a dialogue in society over how laws need to be amended to take legal action against those who record private phone conversations without consent. Meanwhile, there is wild speculation on who might be implicated next on the leaked tapes. Mr Ramanayake himself fanned the flames in Parliament this week when, after being taken to attend the sessions from prison, he made a fiery, near 30 minute speech where he claimed to have recordings of a host of personalities, including Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa himself. The MP, however, has yet to hand over any of the incriminating tapes that he promised would be submitted to the House. In answer to a question posed by State Minister Nimal Lansa, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya confirmed to MPs on Friday that Mr Ramanayake did not submit any recordings to the Hansard Department to be tabled in the House. I dont know if my voice is also on the recordings. But then Im not one who usually talks a lot. Even if its there, I dont think its an issue, Speaker Jayasuriya replied casually to Mr Lansas claim about speculation that there were recordings between Mr Ramanayake and the Speaker. Batticaloa politician blazes against bikini billboard A Billboard put up by the Tourism Bureau of Eastern Provincial Council near the Kallady Bridge, Batticaloa has irked a former provincial councillor from the region. The billboard, among other pictures has the image of two male and female foreigners. The female is clad in a bikini. The ex-Provincial councillor Shibly Farook has written to the President complaining about the billboard saying the image displayed in this billboard has some cultural implications. The particular image shows a foreign couple in swim suits enjoying the coastal environment. Many Sri Lankans raise concerns about cultural suitability of this image Sri Lanka consists of rich cultural and religious traditions followed by people of all major ethnicities of Sri Lanka. This particular image does not represent the cultural background of inhabitants. Rather, it tarnishes the cultural image of Sri Lanka, the letter added.The letter noted that the cultural identity of Sri Lanka should be reflected in our tourism development initiatives. Wonder what the natives of Beruwela-Bentota have to say about the complaint. Vice Admiral as HC to Pakistan Retired Vice Admiral Mohan Wijewickrema will be Sri Lankas new High Commissioner in Pakistan. He served as the Governor of the Eastern province earlier. MP turns House tables with vegetables The high vegetable price issue was a subject of discussion in Parliament as well this week. UNP Parliamentarain Thushara Indunil Amarasena walked in with a bag of vegetables. The MP pulling out each of the vegetables from the bag went on to read out a price list: A kilo of brinjal is Rs 400, a kilo of green beans Rs 350, a kilo of carrots Rs 600, a kilo of green chilies Rs 550, a kilo of leeks Rs 750 and a kilo of tomato Rs. 470. The most expensive out of them all is red onion which is sold at Rs 600 a kilo. He said that the vegetable prices are so high that people break into vegetable shops as people earlier broke into jewellery shops. But, the MP said his concern was about the security to take back the vegetables home as he was carrying some precious items. Salley warned after clashing with lady state counsel Former Western Province Governor Azath Salley was questioned over three days this week by the Presidential Commission looking into the Easter Sunday attacks. On the opening day, Mr Salleys evidence was led by Senior State Counsel (SSC) Suharshi Herath. Mr Salley did not take kindly to the SSCs line of questioning. At one point, he became visibly irritated with her and pointed to her directly in a dismissive manner and said Now, she will say something about this too. SSC Herath protested to the commission over the manner in which the witness was addressing her. At this point, Commission Chairman, Court of Appeal Judge Janak de Silva, sternly warned Mr Salley to be mindful of his behaviour. Mr Salley was questioned over two more days, and he was on his best behaviour. Wealth of praise for Sri Lanka Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland acknowledged Sri Lankas significant contribution to the Commonwealth organisation and recalled Sri Lankas championing of the Commonwealth Blue Charter and its successful holding of the Law Ministers Meeting in Colombo last November. The Secretary-General made these remarks when Sri Lankas departing High Commissioner called on her to pay a farewell call at the Commonwealth Secretariat at Marlborough House last week. The Secretary-General extended her appreciation for High Commissioner Manisha Gunasekeras proactive engagement with the Commonwealth during her time as Sri Lankas envoy in the UK. High Commissioner Gunasekera expressed her deep appreciation for the support and cooperation extended by the Secretary-General and the secretariat to strengthen Sri Lankas engagement in the Commonwealth. Manisha Gunasekera is due to leave London on February 1st. Jaffna MC members fear military role in civil affairs Newly appointed Northern Province Governor P.S.M. Charles has appointed a retired military officer as a coordinator between the Governors office and the Jaffna Municipal Council. The appointment of a retired military officer has raised many eyebrows among the Jaffna Mayor and Municipal Council members as the district has many retired public servants who could be appointed to the post. Some MC members are of the view that the appointment reflects an attempt by the Central Government to muscle its way into council administration. There is also a fear that the appointment could indicate that the Central Government is trying to use the military to oversee the civil affairs in the north like in earlier times. Yoga Guru Ram Dev on Sunday said that India belongs to 125 crore citizens and not to one political party or ideology. "This country doesn't belong to a certain political party or a political ideology. It belongs to 125 crore Indians. Only with the great effort from each and every individual, we'll be able to become a superpower," Ram Dev told ANI. India on Sunday celebrated 71st Republic Day. "Each member of the society will have to play a crucial role to fight against the negative influence affecting the country," he said. Speaking about the protest over CAA, he said: "The protest and demonstration that are taking place in the whole country with the intention to impede the harmony of the nation by anti- forces." The Yoga Guru also said that disruptive powers from outside the country would never want India to be economical, socially, politically and religiously stable. "Because of the disruptive forces our economy is also getting affected," he added. Ram Dev further said the responsible citizens should create a positive atmosphere in order to lay a prosperous economic path for the country. "In order to achieve Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of 'new India' with USD 5 trillion economy, one must contribute from every direction to achieve the goal," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Hello Everyone,When you truly want something, the whole universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. Yes, I might not have scored 750+ like many other people, but I am really glad that I could cross the 700 barrier and I am glad that my hard work paid off. I want to extend my sincere thanks to my family and close ones for tolerating with me throughout the entire period.I have 'aspired' to beat the GMAT for over 7 years (yeah! What was I thinking?). The key word is 'aspired'. I never really took a true dig at GMAT before, ending up taking 5 attempts. I am an Indian Male with Non-IT engineering background. I have mentioned the summary of all my attempts below.Resources:1.2.3. personal Tutor4. Verbal Forums / BTG Verbal Forum/ GC Quant Forum5.6. , VR]7. How to read faster and better - Normal Lewis8. Economist/Atlantic/Scientific American/History Today /New York Times/WSJ9. GMAT Prep Question Bank10. 6 GMAT Prep Exams11. GC TestsTLDR Version:1. Attempts 1&2 - Waste of efforts because of lack of focus.2. Attempts 3,4&5 - This is where things get interesting.3. Go to learnings.Attempt 1:I attended Manhattan Review classes for a month in 2014. I just attended the course and after the end of the course, I took a mock test and scored 450. I was not serious about it and left it that way. Because of work pressure and the assumption that I had ample time, I focused more on my work rather than GMAT. But the thought of GMAT has always been on the back of my mind and I wanted to crack it. I studied at sporadic intervals, solving questions from and reading from . I was doing well in Quant and my verbal was ok. I took 2 GMAT Prep mocks and I scored around 650. However, I got a job abroad and moved on. As soon as I moved abroad, I started preparing seriously for GMAT but again in the same disorganized way. In April 2016, hoping for a miracle to happen on the test day to give me 700+ score, I finally took GMAT. I score 610 (Q50, V23, IR7). I was so disappointed (yeah, right! What else could happen?). I was heart broken and took a break from the GMAT.Attempt 2:I wanted my prep to be structured this time. Hence, I registered with ' ' verbal online. This was the time, I actually gave a structure to the prep and I understood why some answers are wrong and why some are right! I watched all the modules judiciously and attempted all the questions in the pattern that was suggested by . is very good and the quality of the modules is very well. is a wonderful tool, which will help you to use the power of data analytics to spearhead your prep. I studied for 4 months and my GMAT Prep mock scores started showing scores starting with 7. I was pretty active on GMAT Club forum and started answering questions. I was confident that I would score 700+ and booked the test in December 2016. However, on the test day, I scored 650 (Q49 V29, IR4). Now I did not know what to do, as I gave everything that I got and scored 650. I left the test aside.In mid 2017, after 6 months, again I dusted my and logged in to GC and BTG. I bought the GMAT Prep Question pack and additional 4 GMAT Prep mocks this time. I registered to verbal online again and studied as and when time permitted but was completely not focused into it. I used this time. 6 months passed. I could see no progress as I was never seriously into the prep. My scores in mocks would toggle between 650-720. Throughout 2018, re-registering to @ again and going through the same material that I have had, I sporadically studied with a study buddy. But things would go 1 step forward and 2 steps backward because of the work schedule and sheer lack of focus. I switched my job in 2018 and completely lost focus on GMAT.Attempt 3:In May 2019, I thought to myself, enough is enough and started seriously again. I wanted to face the GMAT seriously this time. I again registered for and studied the same old way. This time, my mock scores were around 650-720. I could understand that my verbal scores were taking a hit because of my lack of reading skills so this time, I started with a completely verbal focused prep and I hardly spent any time to Quant. Everyday, I would read 3 articles from Economist/Atlantic/Scientific American/History Today/New York Times/WSJ etc. I could see that I was getting comfortable with GMAT English as I could solve the passages with close to 50% accuracy. I courageously booked the test and scored 660 (Q49, V31, IR6). I saw the ESR and understood RC again took a hit. Now I had no clue about what to do since I did everything that I could.Attempt 4:This time, I wanted to do things differently and I decided to hire a personal tutor as same old resources were not helping me anymore and I am just wasting time. I wrote to as advised by a friend. Though expensive, has some really good tutors. I decided not to consider the costs because the opportunity cost was too much as of now. put me in touch with 'Simon Flynn'. I wasn't so sure about him since I have never heard of him on GC or BTG forums but I decided to just go with the flow. He worked with me for 2 hours and I could already see my accuracy levels increase to unprecedented levels in RC. We also understood that my major problems are time management and anxiety during the test. During every attempt, I would literally mark randomly the last 7-8 Qs in verbal and read and re-read some lines in passages as I would not understand what was written. As per his advise, I worked on fixing these issues by following the strict timing splits in verbal and mindful reading. Since I exhausted all my GMAT Prep tests, I took 4 tests now, scoring 680(Q47,V35),670(Q45,V36), 620(Q40,V35), 690(Q47,V37). Good news - Verbal score is consistent and is above 35. Bad news - Quant score got shot in the head. To be sure of my situation, I took GC tests (the best tests for GMAT Quant. Hands Down. Bunuel and @veritasprepkarishma are the BEST. Period) and understood that my Quant scores really took a dip from the usual Q49 to Q35-Q40. However, Simon insisted that I quickly brush up quant and take the test soon since I was seeing consistency in my V scores, as I had a proven record of Q49+ in 3 real tests. I quickly tried to brush up my quant skills but wasnt so sure about the attempt. I took the test on 11.11.19 - 3 months after the 3rd attempt. I was calm during the test and was fully aware of what was happening during each timing benchmark. However, I left the last 2 Qs unanswered in Verbal, thinking that it would not affect the score much. Boom. 650(Q46, V34, IR7). Are you kidding me? I have not scored less than Q49 in either real GMAT tests or GMAT Prep Mocks. I was shocked but the signs were all along during the 1 month of prep. I just ignored them. I just wanted to give up. But I could see the scores in Verbal improving gradually. SO I wanted to give a final attempt.Attempt 5:I ordered ESR and noticed that my RC was at 85. CR was at 80 and SC was at 59%. I registered for 1 more session with Simon to chart out the plan. We worked on some Quant Qs and some SC Qs. I understood that I lacked consistent approach in SC. Things are pretty interesting in Quant. I would get some of the high level conceptual Qs in Quant right but not the low level ones because of silly errors. The kind of errors in which you mark (2+3=6). If you know what I mean. I took 2 MGAMT mocks during this prep - 660(Q46, V34) & 740(Q46, V45). I could see that my verbal skills have increased because of the verbal focused prep. However, for Quant, I understood the only remedy for this problem was to practice. I kept my ego in a shelf and I focused on getting the 500 level Qs right in GC first. Then I moved to 600s and then to 700s, while brushing up my concepts. I could also see that I forgot some of the concepts and approaches to Qs in Quant. During the last 1 month, I focused on getting my Quant back on A game, while maintaining or building up on verbal. I took 2 mocks during the last week before the final test Veritas - 710 (Q50 V37). GMAT Prep Mock 6 (reset) - 730 (Q50 V38). I knew that I was ready now. I booked the date on 15.12.19. However, I fell ill 3 days before the test and had crazy schedules at work. I just believed that I deserve to get 700+, come what may. I was calm during the test. Followed my timing benchmarks to the T in Verbal but deviated slightly in Quant, ending up skipping the last 3 Qs. Though, I made sure that I did not leave any Question unanswered. Submit. Saw a 710 (Q49, V37, IR6). Based on my performance in the test, I expected around 730 (Q50, V38) but its ok.Came out of the hall and the examiner congratulated me. I shook his hand for close to 30 seconds (). I explained him about my previous attempts as he was free and there was no other students in hall. He just replied, "Hard work always pays off"Learnings:There are a million debriefs on GC and BTG by people who scored much higher than what I have. They provided most of the success tips and their learnings which will help you score 700+. Below are some of my perspectives.1. GMAT is a test of time management. More than concepts, your time management skills are tested in this test, as GMAC wants to filter out anyone who is bad at managing resources well, a quality that is not desirable for future world class leaders. Split each section into sub-sections to be completed in certain benchmarks and follow it judiciously.2. Get Help when necessary. Most people are lone wolves. They tackle GMAT alone by self prep but that is not who I am. Not all of us are fortunate to be capable of doing it on our own. The genius is in recognizing and accepting that to progress further, you need help. My sessions with Simon Flynn from MGAMT are invaluable. As a business leader, you are not expected to do everything on your own. Get help when necessary.3. Approach the test in a focused manner. Always work on your weaknesses, while maintaining your strengths. Do not leave your strong areas during practice.4. When you fall, just get back up. Get back up, quickly. Re-attack the test while the material is still fresh in your head. If the time period between your consecutive attempts is more than 6 months, consider the 2nd attempt a fresh attempt. Period.5. Prepare yourselves mentally for 2-3 attempts. Some people crack it in just the first attempt. But if you are like me, you know what I am talking about.6. By leaving Qs unanswered in the test, you are shooting yourself in the foot. If you dont have time, just mark randomly and move on. Think like a business leader, the probability of getting the Q right if you randomly mark is 20%. The probability of getting the answer right is 0% if you leave it. Moreover, there is hefty penalty for unanswered Qs.8. Miracles happen everywhere in the World except GMAT. If you are not scoring well consistently in your mocks, never ever hope for a good score in the real test. The probability is 0.000001% (I am not a statistician, but you know what I mean)9. Enjoy the test. Believe me. GMAT is one of the finest tests I have ever seen. Since childhood, I have aced almost every aptitude test that I wrote but GMAT is different. GMAC did a terrific job in designing the test that tests the skills that business leaders need in the real world such as resource management - knowing when to quit, reasoning, leaving your ego outside the exam hall etc.10. Give it time. Just as any other skill such as biking, swimming, kayaking etc, GMAT also tests some skills that are supposed to be built over time. Dont get too frustrated with lack of progress. If you cannot read the right way, there is no chance in the World that you can ace the verbal. Learn how to read first and then start attacking the GMAT Qs.11. Prepare yourself for some sacrifices along the way. You may have to spend more time than you planned towards the prep and the only way to do it is to compensate by sacrificing other activities such as seeing friends, watching movies, and other fun activities.12. If you do the same things every time, do not expect different results.13. Prepare for a million things to go wrong as you approach the test day. On my 1st and 3rd attempts, the examiner was not present at the center for more than an hour - imagine the crescendo of stress levels. I spent huge amount of time during the first 3 sub-sections of Quant in my 2nd attempt, ending up skipping the entire last 9 Qs - My accuracy in the first 3 sub-sections was 100%. I let my ego get the best of me - a case that never happened before in mocks as I end up with close to 10 minutes of time in every mock and real GMAT with Q49+. I lost track of time during a particular sub-section in my 4th attempt and was hence forced to leave the last 2 Qs unanswered - a case that never happened during the previous mocks. I fell ill before my 5th attempt and work reached peak crazy levels.14. Never plan for huge jumps. Plan for small increments and always remember that small increments add up to the big jump. If you want to score Q49+ and know that you are making silly mistakes in 500 level Qs, understand that you are not doing any good for yourself by spending time on just 750 level Qs. Try to make jumps from 500 to 600, 600 to 700 and 700 to 750+. You did not run before you learnt to walk, remember?15. Most important of all - A Wish is different from an Action. Wishes when not fulfilled cause stress and actions cause Results. But if actions fail, you gain experience not stress (maybe stress + experience but it still beats only stress any day). GMAT is a rough journey and consider taking this route only if you are fully committed and decided to endure the pain and keep going. I have spoken to many people during my preparation and the main reason that people fail is that they wish to crack GMAT but they do not take the necessary action. Choose your 'Why' wisely!I hope my debrief will help you in planning your prep and if it inspires even 1 person, I consider that my responsibility to give back to the community is fulfilled. This community gave me so much information and inspiration that kept fueling my prep. I am really glad to help you in any way. Its time to give back.Finally remember the words of my examiner "Hard work always pays off"Thank you,Alok322. A couple are getting married two years after a phone number mix-up brought them together. Jade Scott, 30, from Maidstone, Kent, started receiving messages on her phone from people she didn't know. The mother-of-one had changed her phone number and later realised someone else was using her old digits. Jade Scott, 30, from Maidstone, Kent, and Matthew Perren, 32, met after a phone number mix up led them to messaging each other To resolve the issue, Jade messaged the person using her old number and began talking to Matthew Perren, a 32-year-old bus shunter. Five days later the pair met at Costa Coffee, in Chingford, north London, after messaging about everything from the moon to their favourite film. 'It is fate that I switched my number and he went into a shop and got it a week later,' Jade told The Sunday Mirror. The first few messages between Jade and Scott explaining Jade's old number had been recycled (left). The phone number mix-up led to confusion with friends and family (right) She added how she never believed in fate before but feels the pair have been brought together for a reason. The happy couple were brought together in May 2018 when Jade started receiving Snapchat messages meant for Matthew as her old number was registered on the app. Matthew said: 'After all these weird messages getting crossed over I was very intrigued to get to know Jade more. Matthew proposed to Jade on Christmas Day and the ring was chosen by Jade's daughter Elise with the wedding planned for 2022 'It was her sense of humour that grabbed my attention, so I asked her to meet me for a coffee so I could see if she could keep up with my banter in person.' Matthew describes how he started to laugh at Jade's wave but the pair ended up chatting for five hours. Jade's mother said she was 'dubious' when the couple met because of the unusual circumstances. Matthew proposed to Jade on Christmas Day and the ring was chosen by Jade's daughter Elise with the wedding planned for 2022. Jade described how 'little signs' keep appearing which proves they are soulmates. She said: 'Michael Buble's Everything is both of our favourite songs and everywhere we go, it is always playing.' Leah Sharibu, the Dapchi schoolgirl abducted by Boko Haram insurgents, has reportedly given birth to a baby boy early Saturday. Leah was abducted on February 19, 2018 at 5:30 pm, alongside 110 schoolgirls aged 1119 years old from the Government Girls Science and Technical College (GGSTC).The Federal government in March 2028 had announced that Boko Haram terrorists had voluntarily returned 106 of the kidnapped children. Garba Shehu, media aide to President Buhari says statements from the opposition party could have influenced the corruption perception index by Transparency International (TI) which ranked Nigeria low. Transparency International ranked Nigeria 146 of 180 countries studied, two points lower than 148 the country was rated in 2018 in its 2019 corruption perception index published on Thursday. The United Nations (UN) resident and humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon has urged the Nigerian government to find a political solution to Boko Haram insurgency. Kallon said this while speaking at a press briefing to conclude the visit of Janez Lenarcic, European Union (EU) commissioner for crisis management, to Nigeria on Friday. President Muhammadu Buhari has been advised by Janez Lenarcic, the European Union (EU) Commissioner for Crisis Management, to apply international law and international humanitarian law in dealing with Boko Haram. He said on Friday that military effort alone would probably not be sufficient in tackling Boko Haram in the country. Muhammad Sanusi II, emir of Kano, has attributed poverty in the north to the predominant culture of marrying more than one wife. The emir, who was represented by Usman Bugaji, said this while moderating a paper presentation session on the role of universities in nation-building at the maiden convocation of the Federal University, Gusau, in Zamfara state, on Friday. Apostle Johnson Suleman, founder of Omega Fire Ministries has described Femi Adesina, presidential spokesperson as an insensitive man. The cleric was reacting to statement by the presidential aide, lambasting the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) of mixing bias and sympathy following the recent beheading of Reverend Lawan Andimi, the Chairman of CAN in Michika Local government area of Adamawa state by Boko Haram insurgents.Adesina in a post on his Facebook page on Friday accused CAN of painting Buhari as an anti-christian stating that security is number one on the priorities of the Buhari administration. Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has accused President Muhammadu Buharis media aide, Femi Adesina, of selling his soul to satan. Recall that following the killing of the Chairman of CAN in Michika Local government area of Adamawa state, Lawan Andimi, by Boko Haram, the Christian body had rejected Buharis reaction to the murder. At least 24 people have died of Lassa fever in the country since the latest outbreak of the disease in the country. According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), 398 suspected cases were reported out of which 163 cases were confirmed while 235 cases were found to be negative.In total, at least one confirmed case was recorded across 32 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in nine states. Three men are in hospital after a stabbing at a Sydney train station overnight, where blood stains and clothes littered the street. Emergency services rushed to Kingswood Train Station in Sydney's west shortly after midnight on Monday to find two men with stab wounds. One of the men had a stab wound to his neck, while the other was stabbed in the chest. Emergency services rushed to Kingswood Train Station (pictured) in Sydney's west shortly after midnight on Monday where two men were found suffering from stab wounds Both were treated at the scene by paramedics before being rushed to Westmead Hospital in a stable condition. A short time later, police stopped a car on Rymill Road at Tregear where they arrested three men - two 19-year-olds and a 20-year-old. Two men were taken to Mt Druitt Police Station while the third was taken to Nepean Hospital to be treated for a stab wound to his buttock. Images obtained at the scene by The Daily Telegraph show blood staining the concrete and ripped clothes strewn across the street. A car was seized and is set to undergo forensic examination as police continue their inquiries. A Cabinet minister has said it is his gut feeling that HS2 should go ahead as he described the rail project as a key part of the Governments levelling up agenda. Brexit Secretary Steve Barclays comments come as ministers mull over whether or not to go ahead with the high-speed line, with a decision expected in the coming weeks. Whitehalls spending watchdog said last week that HS2 is over budget and behind schedule because its complexity and risks were under-estimated. The National Audit Office (NAO) warned that it is impossible to estimate with certainty what the final cost could be. However Mr Barclay told BBC Ones The Andrew Marr Show that the project was key to the Governments plans to raise the economic performance of all parts of the country. We have a strong commitment to levelling up all parts of the United Kingdom. High-speed two is a key part of that not just from speed but more from a capacity point of view in the line. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) And that is a very clear commitment we have given the North. Asked whether his gut feeling was that the project should go ahead, he replied: Yes. A Government-commissioned review led by former HS2 Ltd chairman Doug Oakervee leaked earlier last week stated that the projects bill could reach 106 billion. HS2 was allocated 56 billion in 2015. Phase One between London and Birmingham was due to open in 2026, but full services are now forecast to start between 2031 and 2036. The NAO noted that the Department for Transport (DfT) set the available funding for the first phase in 2013, when there was only a basic design for the project. #HS2 trains between #London and #Manchester will take just 67 mins and create the space for more local trains out of #Euston and Manchester Piccadilly. More seats and services for local journeys and quicker, more reliable long-distance trains. #MCIFUL #ManCity #FFC #FACup pic.twitter.com/8ymPxqdcOn HS2 Ltd (@HS2ltd) January 26, 2020 Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said the Government will make a decision on whether to go ahead with the project in weeks rather than months. Some 8 billion has already been spent on HS2. Political leaders in northern England and business groups claim HS2 is vital to boosting transport links across the region and providing increased capacity on the overcrowded rail network. Construction firms warn that scrapping it would cause major damage to the industry. But opponents claim HS2 is too expensive and the money would be better spent elsewhere, while several environmental groups say it would cause huge damage to natural habitats and ancient woodland. By Eric Fleischauer The Decatur Daily A Hartselle man posing as a 13-year-old Hartselle girl set up a fake dating profile and used it to invite another man to enter through the girls window for sex, according to a Morgan County Sheriffs Office affidavit. Jordan David Raper, 18, who allegedly set up the account, was arrested Tuesday and charged with one count of traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act and two counts of transmitting obscene material to a child by computer. He was released on $20,000 bond the same day. According to an affidavit by Sgt. Charles Radke, filed in Morgan County District Court, Raper set up a female profile labeled Uncertain slut on the dating app Pure, and used a photo of the 13-year-old. Posing as the girl, Raper then communicated with an unidentified man who responded to the profile, according to the affidavit. Raper told the unidentified man, I wanna be raped, according to Radke. Raper, still posing as the girl, then invited the unidentified man to come to the girls Hartselle address and enter through her window, according to Radke. The man accepted the fake invitation Oct. 9, and Morgan County deputies responded to a burglary-in-progress call when he entered the girls house. Deputies detained the man and he explained that he was responding to the dating app profile to meet up for sexual intercourse, according to the affidavit. The man who entered the home was not charged. There were no charges for the other individual involved as it appears he was duped into being there. Due to that, we will not be releasing his name, Sheriffs Office spokesman Mike Swafford said Friday. In the week before the October burglary call, the 13-year-old received Snapchat photos of exposed male genitals and the Sheriffs Office was notified. According to Radkes affidavit, the Sheriffs Office subpoenaed account information from Snapchat and determined Rapers email account was used to set up the Snapchat account. A separate subpoena of Charter Communications determined that the IP address used to set up the Snapchat account was linked to a computer in Rapers home. A search warrant was obtained for Jordan David Rapers iPhone, Radke wrote. The search of his phone shows the Snapchat account information along with the email address of (Raper). Swafford said the conditions of Rapers bond prohibit him from contacting the 13-year-old victim. Traveling to meet a child for sex is a Class A felony punishable by up to life in prison. Transmitting obscene material to a child by computer is a Class B felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Decatur arrest Rapers arrest was not the only one last week involving a person duped into traveling for sex with a child, according to court records. Decatur police on Wednesday arrested Sean Julian Tharpe, 31, of Madison, on charges of traveling to meet a juvenile female for the purpose of engaging in sex. He remained in Morgan County Jail on Friday with bail set at $90,000. According to an affidavit by Detective Jodie Fuller, filed Thursday in Morgan County District Court, Tharpe communicated sexually explicit text messages with what he believed to be a 14-year-old female from Nov. 14 until his arrest. The female, an undercover officer with the Decatur Police Department, told Tharpe she was 14 years of age, according to Fullers affidavit. Tharpe talked about sexually explicit activities he wanted to do with the female, including sexual intercourse. He was arrested, according to police, when he tried to go beyond texting. During the conversations Tharpe stated he would like to meet with the female to have sexual intercourse. Tharpe made arrangements to meet the female on (Wednesday), according to the affidavit, and was arrested when he traveled to Morgan County that day to do so. eric@decaturdaily.com Twitter @DD_Fleischauer. ___ China has expanded travel restrictions to contain a viral contagion that has killed 56 people and infected nearly 2,000, as the United States and France prepare to evacuate their citizens from a quarantined city at the outbreak's epicentre. China has locked down the worst-hit province of Hubei in the country's centre in a massive quarantine affecting tens of millions of people to slow the spread of a respiratory illness that has killed 56 people and infected almost 2,000. Fearing a repeat of the deadly SARS epidemic of 2002-03, the country has dramatically scaled back celebrations and travel associated with the week-long Lunar New Year holiday, which began on Friday, to prevent large gatherings of people. United States concerned for nationals in China The virus, whose symptoms are similar to the flu, has also spread around the world, with cases confirmed in around a dozen other countries as distant as France, Australia and the United States. The United States announced on Sunday it would organise flights to evacuate diplmoatic personnel and other nationals from the area with a direct flight to San Francisco early next week. Japan also announced on Sunday that it will evacuate all its nationals from China's quarantined city of Wuhan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Sunday. "We have decided to send back all (Japanese citizens in Wuhan) to Japan if they wish so, by every means including a chartered flight," Abe told reporters. Philippe Klein, a French doctor at the International Clinic in Wuhan told France Info that the community of French expats are "fearful of the spread of the virus" and are "respecting the Chinese authorities instructions to stay indoors and avoid outside contact where possible." Restrictions for cars in Wuhan In the epicentre city of Wuhan, Hubei's capital, new restrictions went into effect Sunday banning most cars from the streets of the metropolis of 11 million. Story continues China announced a ban on the temporary sale of bushmeat through which the virus may have been transmitted to humans. Final findings are yet to be announced, but Chinese health officials believe the virus came from wildlife sold illegally at a market in Wuhan. Authorities have also started to curtail travel in other parts of the country. Long-distance bus services entering and leaving Beijing, the capital of 20 million, were suspended on Sunday. First death recorded in Shanghai The neighbouring northern city of Tianjin, with a population 15 million, announced it would follow suit on Monday. Overseas Chinese tour groups will be suspended from Monday while domestic trips have already been halted since Friday. Shanghai on Sunday reported its first death from the virus -- an 88-year-old man with pre-existing health problems. The government has said most of the fatalities involved people already weakened by pre-existing health conditions. Hong Kong closes funparks On Saturday, Hong Kong classified the outbreak as an "emergency" -- the city's highest warning tier -- and announced ramped-up measures to reduce the risk of further infections. Hong Kong's Disneyland announced it was shutting its doors on Sunday. Ocean Park, a rival amusement park on Hong Kong's main island, said it was also closing its doors. Authorities in Muslim-majority Uzbekistan have extensively updated their list of banned religious literature, websites, and other material that officials believe contain extremist content and present a security risk to the nation. A copy of the draft document obtained by RFE/RL shows that dozens of books, websites, videos, as well as the social-media accounts of religious figures, preachers, and outlawed organizations have been added to the new list. The majority of the blacklisted material focuses on interpretations of Islam, political Islam, jihad or holy war, and criticism of how Islam is being regulated by the Uzbek government. Some of the newly banned items, however, will raise some eyebrows: the document bans a book by renowned Pakistani author Ahmad Rashid and a video report by U.S.-based Vice News. The state Religious Affairs Committee confirmed to RFE/RL on January 20 that the so-called blacklist has been updated and submitted to the Interior Ministry. The committee said the list is reviewed regularly but didnt provide further details. It remains unclear when the list, approved by the committee on December 25, will be made public. The 40-page document is significantly more extensive than the 2019 version, which was just two pages and included only 40 social-media profiles, pages, and television channels. The new list reiterates the existing ban on all material by all outlawed groups and movements, such as Islamic State, Hizb ut-Tahrir, Tablighi Jamaat, Nurchilik, Akramiya, and Katiba Tawhid wal-Jihad. The document says all of the materials on the list are prohibited from being produced and disseminated in Uzbekistan or brought to the country from abroad. What's New On The List? One banned article -- Democracy, An Infidel System -- claims that democracy is being imposed by the West on Islamic countries and that democracy has no relation to Islam. A poem -- The World Is Being Filled With Corruption, by an unknown author -- is among numerous works banned on the new list. The poem describes how the faithful are coming under pressure, Muslim women are seeing off their husbands to prisons...and the loyal are being martyred, the document says. One banned poem criticizes Uzbek authorities for celebrating the pre-Islamic new year, Norouz, while not paying attention to Islamic celebrations. It says Uzbeks are now afraid of attending mosque prayers, young men cant grow beards, and women are unable to wear Islamic clothing because of pressure by the authorities. Another poem on the banned list condemns Uzbeks for celebrating the modern New Year. Also on the blacklist is a Sufi book of poems compiled by an Uzbek editor. Among other things, the list prohibits the book On Greeting Jummah Mubarak, which refers to a tradition of congratulating someone with "Happy Friday." The book, according to the government document, claims that greeting each other with "Jummah Mubarak" is a practice that doesnt exist in Islam. Its inclusion on the list is also unusual because such a greeting is uncommon in Central Asia. The list bans numerous materials that promote jihad and the creation of an Islamic state system. The banned list includes several poems that call on Uzbeks to remember their Islamic duties. Social-media accounts and videos of several imams and religious preachers -- including Uzbek, Russian, and Arabic speakers -- that have been accused of promoting extremist ideologies were also added to the list. Beheadings And Karimov Criticism Ahmad Rashids book Jihad: The Rise Of Militant Islam In Central Asia has also been declared to be banned extremist material. The document claims the book contains biased opinion about the situation on religion that could lead to misunderstandings and division. The new list also includes a 56-second, English-language video by Vice News that shows militants from Central Asia fighting in Syria to create an Islamic caliphate. The unnamed report allegedly includes a beheading scene by militants speaking Uzbek. A book by Uzbek writer and government critic Nulillo Otakhonov -- aka Nurillo Muhammad Raufkhon -- has also made a surprising comeback to the new list. Titled These Days, the religiously themed memoir harshly criticizes the policies of former authoritarian President Islam Karimov, who was in power from 1989 until his death in 2016. It also condemns Karimovs crackdown on Islam. The book, published in 2016, had previously landed its author on the Uzbek authorities blacklist of potential extremists. He was charged with undermining the state and spreading material that endangers public security and order. Otakhonov returned to Tashkent from a two-year exile in Turkey in September 2017 after it was reported that his name -- along with thousands of others -- was removed from the blacklist under a decree by President Shavkat Mirziyoev. Uzbek media reported at the time that These Days was added to the list of banned material, but it didnt appear on the 2019 list, published by the Justice Ministry. A 2018 law on battling extremism bans the export, production, publication, sharing, and promotion of all material, content, and symbols deemed extremist. Sources in Uzbekistans law enforcement agencies told RFE/RL that those detained with banned material usually face charges of production, storage, distribution, and promotion of materials containing a threat to public security and public order and smuggling...materials that promote religious extremism, separatism, and fundamentalism. Since coming to power in 2016, Mirziyoev has taken some steps to ease restrictions introduced by Karimov, who took an extremely harsh stance on religion. Mirziyoev released hundreds of Muslims believed to have been imprisoned on trumped-up, extremism-related charges. About 16,000 more were removed from the some 17,000-strong blacklist of potential extremists. Despite the measures, religion in Uzbekistan remains strictly controlled by the government. Written by Farangis Najibullah based on reporting by RFE/RLs Uzbek Service NEW DELHI: Brazilian president Jair Messias Bolsonaro on Sunday joined a select group of world leaders to grace India's Republic Day celebrations in the past few decades. Bolsonaro, as the chief guest at the 71st Republic Day celebrations, watched the colourful parade of Indias military prowess and cultural diversity along Rajpath with president Ram Nath Kovind, prime minister Narendra Modi and a host of other leaders. This is the third time that a Brazilian president has been the chief guest at Indias Republic Day celebration. The last time was in 2004 when Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attended the parade. Bolsonaro held talks with prime minister Narendra Modi on Saturday after which India and Brazil signed 15 agreements to ramp up cooperation in a wide range of areas, including oil and gas. This is the first visit of by Bolsonaro to India after he assumed office on January 1, 2019. The invitation to Bolsonaro drew criticism from certain quarters that a "controversial" figure like him was chosen to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade. Environment-conscious citizens were critical of the invitation to the Brazil president. Bolsonaro is responsible for the forest fires in Amazon and attacks on indigenous people. These ecocidal crimes are occurring at a time when the world is staring in the face of a mass extinction. It just cannot get more ironic, Sandeep Aniruddhan, a core team member, United Conservation Movement (UCM) His comments epitomise racism, misogyny, homophobia, religious extremism and violence. He is more or less isolated. What's more, Brazil has been trying strongarm policies at the WTO that put our farmers at a disadvantage. What is such a person doing on our soil, as no less than a chief guest of the most important national annual event? This is a national shame, he said. In December, UCM had started an online petition and Twitter campaign, #NoBolsonaro #BoycottWTO #QuitWTO. The petition pointed out that Bolsonaro led a campaign against India at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) claiming that India was providing support to sugarcane farmers beyond the permissible limits under WTO regulations. Brazil challenged the minimum support price for sugarcane set by the Indian government called FRP (Fair and Remunerative Price), which prevents sugarcane farmers from being exploited and helps them receive a fair price from sugar mills. Brazil has been brazenly trying to interfere in the Indian internal policy and trying to dictate what we must pay our farmers. Brazil's policies will lead to more corn seeds and soybean oil, grown using GM seeds, being exported from Brazil to India, the petition read. Asked about the issue, the secretary (east) in the Ministry of External Affairs Vijay Thakur Singh said last week that Bolsonaro is a democratically elected leader of country that is an emerging power in the region and one with which India has strong and substantive relations. I am an American citizen who was in Wuhan from Dec. 15 to 17. I spent hours at the airport twice and met with many large groups of students and parents. (I recruit students globally.) When I returned to my home in Bangkok on Dec. 23, I had the worst flu Ive had in decades. I also visited Beijing on Dec. 20, and my colleague there got the same flu, three days after me. My girlfriend in Bangkok too. We were all in bed with fever, body aches, headaches and lung infections. We all recovered. Yusuf Munshi, 72, spends over 18 hours sitting on the ground at Govindwadi in Kalyan to make his opinion on Citizen Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) heard. Munshi knows that at his age his voice might not be strong enough to get heard, however he want to support who want to make a change. Like Munshi, 30-year-old Huda Muramkar, mother of three and a school teacher, hardly slept for over three hours in the past four days. Being a working mother, she has to juggle between her work and family. She spends six hours daily at the Govindwadi protest, now called Shaheen Baugh of Kalyan. Muramkar said, I have barely slept in the past four days, however that is least of my concern. My family supports me and when my children go to school, my mother-in-law and other family members join us on the ground. The 3,000 people begin the protest every night by reading the preamble, conduct discussions on various topics like democracy, secularism and constitution. The protesters perform plays and action songs. The small Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation ground in Govindwadi had never seen such a protest earlier. The by-lanes of Govindwadi, which were known to be unsafe, are now reverberating on the beats of nationalism. Munshi said, At this age, it is not easy for me to express myself or protest, however, I have seen the difficult times our nation has gone through and can predict the impact such black laws can have on the country. I will continue to fight till the CAA is revoked. Dr Rameez Falke, 32, a diabetologist, completes his consultations during the day and joins the crowd at the ground. I am at the ground for 16 hours. We have become family. In a diverse country like ours, there is bound to be difference of opinion. But, if there are so many people raising their voice, the voice needs to be taken seriously, said Falke. There is no organisation that are supporting or backing the protestors at Govindwadi. They are inspired by protesters at Shaheen Bagh and have named themselves Kalyans Shaheen Bagh. There is a donation box near the stage where people can put money. The money is used to provide tea, water and first-aid to those present there. Falke added, Many get food from home and share. Many have donated blankets, snacks and water. The families in and around the area ensure that at least one member of the family is present at the protest round the clock. Nazriya Sheikh, 24, and her husband take turns to be part of the protest. She said, During the day, I go to the ground. He joins the protest in the evening while I go home to complete my chores. My father in law is unwell but he too spends at least an hour at the ground. Sunday will be the fifth day of the protest. Support for the protest has also poured from all quarters. Some have readily agreed to cancel their bookings for the ground or change the schedule. Asif , 54, (who refused to give his surname, said, A relative of mine had booked this ground for his daughters wedding today. We realised the importance of the protest and advanced the time of the function so that we could wrap it up in a few hours. We asked some protesters to occupy a part of the ground and did not disturb them. In this year of significant commemorations, Dr Aodh Quinlivan of UCCs Centre for Local and Regional Governance recalls the Cork Corporation elections of January 15, 1920, and the first meeting of the Corporation on January 30, at which the doomed Sinn Fein man became the citys first citizen Ahead of the local municipal elections for Cork Corporation on January 15, 1920, the Cork Examiner (2 January) noted that interest in the elections was gathering pace but, with so many varied parties involved, it will be difficult to forecast anything like an approximate result, a difficulty that will be greatly increased by the introduction of the P.R. (proportional representation) system. When nominations closed three days later, 165 candidates were in place to contest for the 56 seats on the Corporation, across seven electoral wards. As election day approached, one very prominent figure in the city was Lord Mayor, Alderman William F OConnor, who was nominated in three separate electoral wards. Playing the publicity game to perfection, the Lord Mayor, representing the Irish Nationalist Party, hosted a fete for 2,000 boys from disadvantaged backgrounds in City Hall on Wednesday, January 7. The use of proportional representation by the single transferable vote as the electoral mechanism caused some consternation in the build-up to polling day. The Cork Examiner printed An electors Catechism, supplied by the Proportional Representation Society of Ireland. With regard to marking preferences down theballot paper, it explained: Under proportional representation a candidate is often able to secure victory at the very last moment. He may creep up on the fourth, fifth, or later counts and, although very low down on the poll after the early counts, he may find himself victorious before the close. On the day of the elections, Thursday, January 15, the Cork Examiner referred to the fact that proportional representation had tempted many parties and interests that under old conditions would have little hope of gaining representation on the council, to put forward candidates. The newspaper expressed the wish that the voters will return 56 public spirited and intelligent men, representing the best in all parties, that will not only not neglect the interests of the city, but will promote and encourage commercial enterprise. Another article reported that six men had attacked the Lord Mayor,Alderman William F OConnor, on Washington Street the previous night after addressing a meeting of theDischarged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers Federation. Turnout for the elections was reported as about two-thirds, including many women. Generally, good order prevailed but an exception wasGrattan Street where bodies of Sinn Feiners from the country, and ex-soldiers came into rather fierceconflict. Tomas MacCurtain Revolvers and knives were used and three men were treated in the Mercy Hospital in the late afternoon, one with a bullet wound in the arm (Cork Examiner, January 16, 1920). Counting of votes commenced in City Hall at 9.30am on January 16. For the next two days, the Cork Examiner covered the count in enormous detail, marvelling in the intricacies of the process, as overseen by Town Clerk, Florence W McCarthy: The system of election under the Proportional Representation Act brings its most drastic change from the old method. It is a most elaborate procedure. In all areas the votes have to be scrutinised to see if they are in order and correct. Only such papers go into the count, and when the total has been ascertained it is divided by the number of vacancies plus one, and to the quotient is added one. In this way, the quota is arrived at (Cork Examiner, January 17 1920). Police presence was high in City Hall and only the candidates and their agents were allowed to enter the building. By early afternoon, large crowds had gathered outside the municipal headquarters and the first result declared by the Town Clerk, in his role as Chief Returning Officer, was for the Shandon Area (North West No. 2). With six vacancies and a total valid poll of 1,747, the quota was 250. Sinn Feins Edmond Coughlan and Patrick Higgins, both exceeded the quota on the first count and were deemed elected as Aldermen. At the conclusion of the count, the City Coroner, John J Horgan, delivered a speech in which he praised the work of Town Clerk, Florence W McCarthy, and all of the Corporation staff. CoronerHorgan said: There have been many gloomy prophecies as to when the results of the election would be available. We were told that we would not be able to do the work at all properly, thatBelfast and similar places would wipe us out. An image of the council chamber at Cork City Hall during the election of the first council. It was also said that the count would take weeks that it would be next Christmas before the results were available. The work has been completed in two days, and Belfast, which had only five areas to deal with against our seven, and where they had five staffs to our two, took one and-a-half days to complete its work. We in Cork have established the record for all Ireland. The Town Clerk was then lifted in the air and treated to a rousing rendition of Hes a jolly good fellow. The elections in Cork city were a success for Sinn Fein and the Transport Workers who ran on a combined ticket. In total, they claimed 30 out of the 56 seats available. The outgoing Lord Mayor, William F OConnor, was elected in three different electoral areas. While this was a triumph for him, he could only accept a seat inone of the areas, meaning that two by-elections would be needed. As mentioned, Sinn Fein and the Transport Workers joined forces in the election and their combined 30 seats gave them a working majority in City Hall. They also boasted 11 of theCorporations 14 new Aldermen (two in each ward), the exceptions being James Daly (Irish Nationalist),Richard Beamish (Commercial)and Sir Edward Fitzgerald (Irish Nationalist). In a Cork Examiner editorial onJanuary 20, an optimistic tone was struck about the make-up of the new Corporation: In a word, it may be said that the new Corporation, irrespective of party or other classification, will take a broad outlook and serve the citys interests by helping to make the most of their opportunities in contributing to its commercial and industrial upliftment. It has been said that there is a tide in the affairs of men which, if taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Cork now stands on the edge of opportunities which, if wisely handled, should bring prosperity to the city and provide an abundance of employment for all classes. Upon her public representatives much depends. If they be wise, tolerant, progressive and broad-minded, the outlook is full of promise. Attention soon turned to the statutory meeting of the new Corporation at which a Lord Mayor would be elected. This was scheduled for Friday 30 January, a week later than normal. Half an hour before the start of the meeting, the public galleries were virtually full. By midday, the galleries were completely packed and there was a danger of overcrowding as more and more people tried to make their way into the chamber. The Cork Examiner noted that there some clergymen present and perhaps for the first time in the history of this meeting, a large number of ladies were present. When the outgoing Lord Mayor, William F OConnor, took the chair he was greeted by a combination of cheers and hissing from the galleries. Town Clerk, Florence W McCarthy called the roll and this established that 51 members out of the 56 elected were present(effectively, the total was 54 due to William F OConnor winning seats in three separate wards). The Sinn Fein councillors answered the roll call in Irish and, when the name of Alderman Frederick Murray was called, his party colleague, Cllr Michael OCuill, answered in Irish to the effect that Murray was in prison, under the lock of the foreigner. A similar situation occurred when the name of Alderman J.J. Walsh was called it was explained that he was on the run from the foreigner. Chairman of the meeting, William FOConnor, then called for nominations for the office of Lord Mayor. Again, it was Cllr Michael OCuill who spoke and, in Irish, he proposed Alderman Tomas MacCurtain, who had topped the poll in Blackpool. The Lord Mayors Chamber of Terence MacSwiney at Cork City Hall. Picture: Cork City Hall The proposal was seconded by Cllr Terence MacSwiney. The chairman asked if there were any other candidates, at which point Sir John Scott (Commercial) unexpectedly rose to speak. With no reference to the mayoralty election, Scott commenced a rambling speech about the necessity of a housing scheme. He was ruled out of the order by the chairman but continued to stand. This led to Alderman Richard Beamish quipping, He is going to be in order again if you dont be careful. You cant suppress that gentleman. As the chairman tried to get order, Scott sat down, only to immediately stand up again to propose Beamish as Lord Mayor. An indignant Beamish retorted that he was not allowing his name to go forward and that Scott had no permission to nominate him. Labours Cllr Michael Egan interjected and, somewhat threateningly, declared, If Sir John is going to pursue these tactics for the next 12 months, he had better look out forhimself. Keen to get a grip on the meeting, William F OConnor declared that, with no other candidate,Alderman Tomas MacCurtain was the Lord Mayor of Cork for the coming 12 months. Amidst scenes of great excitement, MacCurtain made his way to the Lord Mayors dais at the top of the council chamber: Most of those in the chamber rose and cheered him, the men waving their hats and caps, and the women handkerchiefs. The Soldiers Song was called for, and others shouted Up Blackpool and as the newly-elected Lord Mayor signed the declaration accepting the office, The Soldiers Song was sung (CorkExaminer, January 31). The outgoing Lord Mayor, William . OConnor, congratulated MacCurtain on his election and wished him aprosperous year in office. He then presented MacCurtain with the mayoral chain, amidst a renewal of lusty cheering. The new Lord Mayor then delivered a short but business-like speech. He thanked William F OConnor for his generous remarks and his fellow councillors for unanimously electing him as Lord Mayor of Cork. MacCurtain noted with regret that he did not possess the oratory skills of Sir John Scott but he wanted to take the opportunity to thank the people of his ward who voted for him in large numbers. He declared that his main duty would be to stick to the principles of the Irish Republic and to promote the freedom of the country. In Cork, there were certain issues in relation to the Corporation in the past that it would be well to forget but there were other things it would be well to emulate. The new Lord Mayor then challenged his fellow elected members to put the interests of their communities before anything else. Lord Mayor of Cork Tomas MacCurtain with his wife Eibhlis and their five children in early 1920. On March 20 of that year, he was shot dead by RIC men at his home in Blackpool. Picture: Irish Examiner Archive He said that all of them would have to put forward their best efforts to improve and advance the citizens prosperity, adding, The people do not want speeches. They want the work done and with as little froth as possible. In doing our work, the people expect from us a sacrifice of time and a sacrifice, perhaps, ofpersonal interest. The motto for the year ahead would be self-reliance, efficiency and economy. The Lord Mayor concluded his acceptance speech by highlighting an issue that was very dear to his own heart the Irish language. He was delighted to hear it used during the meeting and he hoped that future meetings of the Corporation would preserve abi-lingual attitude. In time, it was his wish that Cork Corporation would completely conduct its business in the language of the country. The next business of the meeting was to fix the Lord Mayors salary for the year ahead. Cllr Michael Joseph ORiordan proposed a salary of 1,000 and his motion was seconded by Cllr Daniel Gamble. Both councillors were members of the Irish Nationalist Party. In response, Lord Mayor MacCurtain told the meeting: Personally, I dont think I will take the motion because I dont think we should start off the new era with that salary. His Sinn Fein colleague, Professor Alfred ORahilly, recommended asalary of 500, remarking, We in Sinn Fein are often charged with beingimpractical idealists, but that does not prevent us from being practical administrators. We consider that 500 is a sufficient salary, considering theconditions and difficulties with which we are confronted. Lord Mayor MacCurtain called on this recommendation to be agreed and, accordingly, it was unanimously passed that his salary for the year would be 500. Tomas MacCurtain then took centre stage. Under Lord Mayors privilege he brought a special motion beforethe elected members, pledging the councils allegiance to Dail Eireann. The Lord Mayor proclaimed that a little over twelve months ago the Irish people, at the general election,declared by an overwhelming majority for an Irish Republic and elected 73 representatives pledged to that declaration. He said: The people, at the recent elections to local bodies, ratified the decision of the general election. It is now up to those bodies to pledge their allegiance to the government set up by the representatives of the country. The motion was formally read by Alderman Liam de Roiste and seconded by Cllr Terence MacSwiney. De Roiste forcefully ended his speech by saying: In our minds and souls we recognise that there is only one lawful authority in the country Dail Eireann and its Executive. I propose the resolution as the expression of opinion of the overwhelming majority of the people of this ancient city. In seconding the motion, Terence MacSwiney argued that the machinery of the British government was not being used for peace in Ireland The police are not doing the duties of officers of peace. They are watching my house and the Lord Mayors house, and the houses of our friends. They are considering only when the great round up will begin. This is a very serious matter for those claiming to be advocates of law and order. In a dramatic ending to his contribution, MacSwiney declared, I am quite convinced that the God of Nations will stand by the David of Nations and strike down Goliath. I am satisfied that we will establish our Republic on foundations that will endure forever. Sir John Scott argued that the motion was not permitted without notice, in accordance with the Corporations bye-laws. This was rejected by MacCurtain who stressed that he wasentitled to bring the motion forward under the privileges afforded to the Lord Mayor. Professor Alfred ORahilly supported the Lord Mayor, directing his comments to Sir John Scott In Gods name, where are your brains? There has been five years notice of motion of this. Alderman Richard Beamish then delivered an impassioned speech, saying that all councillors were animated with love for their country and anxious for the advancement of the city. Terence MacSwiney Over the years he had fought to keep the Corporation clear of all political questions and matters: The motion brought forward today is not agreeable to my line of thought, though Isincerely hope for an honourablesolution to this desperate tangle, the Irish question. Cllr William F OConnor, who had begun the evening as Lord Mayor,contributed to the debate by stating: I would have to consider myself a Sinn Feiner if I subscribed to this motion. I am not prepared to consider myself a Sinn Feiner. A person in the public gallery shouted out, We dont want you, and when OConnor tried to continue his speech he was drowned out by a chorus of hissing. After order was restored, OConnor defiantly noted, You gentlemen are out for the freedom of Ireland. I wish you God speed on your venture. I am also sure that the responsible leaders of your party will see to it that the minority here will get freedom of speech. I dont see why, when I open my mouth, why I should be hissed if there is going to be toleration shown. When I was Lord Mayor, I allowed no member of the council be insulted and I am sure Lord Mayor MacCurtain will see to it that no man is denied the freedom of speech here. At the end of a lengthy debate with contributions by many councillors, the motion, pledging allegiance to Dail Eireann, was put to a vote and passed by the Sinn Fein majority. The winning margin was 30 votes to 11. At the conclusion of the meeting, Lord Mayor MacCurtain was presented with a Sinn Fein rosette by a member of the Cork Branch of Cumann na mBan. The new Lord Mayor then watched as the Sinn Fein flag was hoisted at high mast over City Hall. As he celebrated with his family and friends, MacCurtain had no idea what the future would bring. Sacrifice had been a theme of his acceptance speech and, within a few short months, he would make theultimate sacrifice for his beliefs. The composition of the new Cork Corporation was, however, notcomplete. With William F OConnor having won seats in three electoral wards, two by-elections were required. OConnor was elected in the North West Electoral Area No. 1, the Central Area and the South Area No. 1. He chose to take his seat for the North West ward, thus creating vacancies in the other two. A deadline of February 25 was set for nominations for the two by-elections. For the Central Area, the two nominees were Sinn Feins Barry Michael Egan and the Independent, Jeremiah Lane. Lane had contested the elections on January 15, but did not win a seat. He was unsuccessful too in the by-election, which took place on March 10 , and the vacant seat in the Central Area went to Barry Egan. There was only one nominee for the South Area No. 1 Donal OCallaghan of 58 Douglas Street. OCallaghan, who had decided not to contest Januarys Corporation elections, was now a member of the council, though he would have to wait until 11 March to be formally ratified. The Sinn Fein majority in City Hall was strengthened to 32 members and the 28-year-old Donal OCallaghan had taken his first tentative steps into the world of elected office. A dramatic period of time lay ahead for the young man born in Factory Lane. Within nine months, he would be Lord Mayor of Cork. Dr Aodh Quinlivans book, Corks Forgotten Lord Mayor Donal Og OCallaghan will be launched inNovember 2020, marking the 100th anniversary of his election as Lord Mayor. The book is a part of Cork CityCouncils 2020 Commemorations Programme. RESULTS OF CORK CORPORATION ELECTIONS, JANUARY 15, 1920 North East Electoral Area (10 seats) Professor William Frederick Stockley,Alderman (Sinn Fein) 186 Lower Glanmire Rd James Daly, Alderman (Irish Nationalist) 4 St Lukes Place Anne Sutton (Sinn Fein) Eagle Lodge,Summerhill Michael Joseph ORiordan (Irish Nationalist) 21, Wellington Rd John Scott (Commercial) Wellington House, Lee Rd Sean OLeary (Sinn Fein) 3 Ashburton Hill Sean French (Sinn Fein) 58 Patrick St Robert Day (Sinn Fein) 9 Nicholas St Daniel Horgan (Irish Nationalist) 1 Rockgrove Terrace James Thomas Mulligan (Commercial) Edenvale, Douglas Rd North West Electoral Area No 1,Sundays Well (7 seats) Frederick J Murray, Alderman (Sinn Fein) 8 Sundays Well Rd Tadhg Barry, Alderman (Sinn Fein) 54 Blarney St Patrick Murphy (Irish Labour) 49 Sundays Well Rd William F OConnor (Irish Nationalist) 5 Highfield Avenue James Allen (Sinn Fein) 5 Mans Lane Thomas Daly (Sinn Fein) 3 and 4 Kearneys Lane Michael Joseph OCallaghan (Independent) 10 Cattlemarket St North West Electoral Area No 2,Shandon (6 seats) Edmond Coughlan, Alderman (Sinn Fein) 19 Pine St Patrick Higgins, Alderman (Sinn Fein) 70 Dominick St John F OSullivan (Irish Nationalist) 45 Popes Quay Patrick F OSullivan (Irish Nationalist) 12 Dominick St Simon Daly (Sinn Fein) 25 John St Timothy ONeill (Ex-Sailors and Soldiers) 3 St Patricks Square North West Electoral Area No 3, Blackpool (6 seats) Tomas MacCurtain, Alderman (Sinn Fein) 40 Thomas Davis St Denis Lucey, Alderman (Sinn Fein) 32 Dublin St Gerald Byrne (Ex-Sailors and Soldiers) 45 Great William OBrien St Michael OCuill (Sinn Fein) 5 Red Abbey St Thomas Patrick Forde (Sinn Fein) 17 StCatherines Place Michael Egan (Irish Labour) 19 Commons Rd Central Electoral Area (10 seats) James Joseph Walsh M.P., Alderman (Sinn Fein) 10 Sullivans Quay Richard F Beamish, Alderman (Commercial) Ashbourne, Glounthaune, Co Cork Daniel Gamble (Irish Nationalist) 29 Grattan St Terence MacSwiney MP (Sinn Fein) 4 Belgrave Place Professor Alfred ORahilly (Sinn Fein) University College Cork Thomas Stack (Irish Nationalist) Maryville, Mardyke William Desmond (Commercial) 2Pembroke St Jeremiah Kelleher (Irish Labour) 10 Gillabbey Terrace John Fitzpatrick (Sinn Fein) 10 Greenmount Avenue William F OConnor (Irish Nationalist) 5 Highfield Avenue South Area No 1 (11 seats) Charles Coughlan, Alderman (Sinn Fein) 137 Barracks St Sean OSullivan, Alderman (Sinn Fein) 16 Abbey St Sean Cronin (Irish Nationalist) 28 StFinbarrs Place Sean Good (Sinn Fein) 54 Grand Parade John Horgan (Irish Nationalist) 9 St Nessan St Jeremiah Kelleher (Sinn Fein) 58 Lough Rd Simon Mahony (Irish Nationalist) 1 Tower St William F OConnor (Irish Nationalist) 5 Highfield Avenue William Russell (Sinn Fein) 68 Grand Parade John Sheehan (Sinn Fein) 130 Evergreen Rd Maurice Walsh (Sinn Fein) 1 Frenchs Quay South Area No. 2 (6 seats) Liam de Roiste MP Alderman (Sinn Fein) 2 Upper Janemount Edward Fitzgerald, Alderman (Irish Nationalist) Geraldine House, Albert Road Daniel Barry (Sinn Fein) 57 HibernianBuildings Stephen J ORiordan (Sinn Fein) 16 High St John Desmond (Irish Nationalist) Ballinlough Rd William Ellis (Irish Nationalist) 13 Douglas St Top scientists are to be offered fast-track visas for Britain, as ministers finalise plans to slash low-skilled migration from the European Union. Boris Johnson will today unveil plans for a 'Global Talent' visa scheme for leading scientists and mathematicians in a bid to show that the UK remains open to the 'brightest and best'. The Prime Minister will say that 'as we leave the EU I want to send a message that the UK is open to the most talented minds in the world'. The independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is due to report tomorrow on proposals for a points-based system, which ministers have vowed will cut overall numbers coming to the UK. Boris Johnson will today unveil plans for a 'Global Talent' visa scheme for leading scientists and mathematicians in a bid to show that the UK remains open to the 'brightest and best' Home Secretary Priti Patel yesterday warned business that it could no longer rely on cheap migrant labour to fill low-skilled jobs. At present, free movement rules mean EU citizens have an automatic right to live and work in the UK. Those from outside the EU already face a form of points-based system designed to limit numbers. And the Home Office forecasts that simply applying the rules currently faced by non-EU citizens to those coming from Europe would slash numbers by 80-90 per cent. This could see the number of migrants arriving from the EU fall from almost 200,000 last year to as little as 20,000. 'It is a stark illustration of how much harder it is to get in from other parts of the world, and shows that a lot of the immigration from the EU is low-skilled,' one source said. Home Secretary Priti Patel yesterday warned business that it could no longer rely on cheap migrant labour to fill low-skilled jobs Officials stressed that ministers were planning to introduce a completely new points-based system. A special visa will be available for workers in the NHS and temporary fruit pickers. The MAC is expected to propose that migrants are awarded points based on a range of criteria, including salary, skills, age and ability to speak English. Only those with enough points will be granted a work visa. The existing 30,000 salary threshold is set to be scrapped, with ministers deciding it is too crude a measure. However, the decision to ditch the threshold was criticised by a migration think-tank last night. Migration Watch warned that the new immigration system could risk a return to the 'open door' days of Tony Blair. More than three million people are thought to have come to Britain after 1998, when Mr Blair's government eased entry requirements for migrants from outside Europe and allowed Eastern European countries free access to jobs in Britain as they joined the EU. Migration Watch warned that the new immigration system could risk a return to the 'open door' days of Tony Blair (file image) The think-tank said the 30,000 salary cap was important to stop employers from hiring cheap labour from abroad rather than paying better wages and improving conditions for UK workers. It added that the points-based system advocated by Mr Johnson to allow in better-qualified workers was flawed and should be backed with a limit on numbers. Jenkintown Road closed from Monday through May In a fascinating and path-breaking development, a group of scientists has produced the most detailed, high-resolution 3D map of brain connectivity for any animal to date. The model -- which is published by a collaboration between scientists from Google and FlyEM team from Janelia Research Campus, Virginia -- visually represents nearly 20 million synapses linking 25,000 neurons in a fruit fly's brain. According to The Verge, the map can be considered a landmark in connectomics, a spere of technology that utilizes advanced imaging techniques to trace the brain's physical pathways. The fruit fly possesses a brain roughly the size of a poppy seed, and the scientists decided to map one-third of it. Till now only the C. Elegans roundworm has got it's entire nervous mapped in this manner. A milestone without a doubt, this seemingly tiny task turned out to be a laborious one, that demanded the use of peak tier technologies along with countless hours of human effort. The fruit fly's brain was first sliced into sections that were a mere 20 microns in thickness, which is roughly a third of a human hair's width. Fruit flies are an old-time favorite of connectomics experts as their brains are simple in structure but the insect displays behaviors that are rather complex, such as courtship dances. The microscopic slices hence obtained were then bombarded with streams of electrons coming out of a scanning electron microscope, reported The Verge. The scientists subsequently ended up with data containing 50 trillion 3D pixels, also called voxels, that were put through an algorithm tasked with tracing each cell's pathway. Despite all the computational brute force that lies at Google's disposal, it took the Janelia team two years and hundreds of thousands of hours for "proofreading" and verifying the routes of 20 million chemical synapses by using VR headsets and customized 3D editing computer applications. The entire fruit fly brain contains about 100,000 neurons, however, this project only mapped only a specific segment, called the hemibrain. The human brain is vastly more complex as it contains nearly 86 billion neurons. Attributing to this, it seems that the days are quite far when we would be capable enough to create a full map of our own brain pathways. Some skeptics argue that connectomics in itself doesn't answer any questions directly, at least as of now, and that such a monumental exercise is a waste of the resources that could be allocated somewhere else. While talking to The Verge, Mark Humphries, a neuroscientist at the University of Nottingham said that "the reconstruction is no doubt a technical marvel," but "it will not in itself answer pressing scientific questions, but it might throw up some interesting mysteries." On the other hand, some experts are of the opinion that connectomics will bear its fruits in the years that lie ahead. "I believe people were impatient about what [connectomes] would provide," said Joshua Vogelstein, a biomedical engineer and co-founder of the Open Connectome Project. "The amount of time between a good technology being seeded, and doing actual using that technology is often approximately 15 years. Now it's 15 years later and we can start doing science," Vogelstein further added. The entire data regarding the findings along with a pre-print paper have been made public and uploaded online. The complete research would be published in the coming weeks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) JAMES, Jean Moseley, 84, of Richmond, Va., gained her wings on January 24, 2020, after a long and courageous battle with cognitive decline. She was surrounded by her loving family. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Wiley and Lucie Moseley; her husband, Alpheus "Allie B." James; and her son, David James. She is survived by her sons, Bob James (Julie), Bill James (Alice); grandchildren, Ashley Blunt (Chase) and Matthew James. Jean was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was a very giving and generous person who always put others' needs in front of hers. After graduating from Longwood College, Jean began her career as an elementary school teacher. She retired from Jackson Davis Elementary after 25 years of dedicated service to her students. Jean was an avid Bridge player and cherished her trips later in life to Nags Head with her friends. She was a longstanding member of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church and enjoyed singing in their choir. Jean will truly miss her lifelong friends from West End Manor, dating back to the early '60s. We would like to thank Manorhouse Assisted Living and Memory Care and James River Hospice for their care and compassion. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bennett Funeral Home, 11020 West Broad St., Glen Allen, Va. 23060. A service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 30, 2020, at Westhampton Memorial Park, 10000 Patterson Ave., Richmond, Va. 23238. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 9155 Hungary Rd., Henrico, Va. 23294 or a charity of your choice. China announced a partial lockdown in the southern city of Shantou on Sunday in a bid to control the spread of a deadly virus, the first such measure taken outside the epicentre of the disease. From midnight, non-emergency vehicles will be prohibited from entering the city of 5.6 million people, which is a 1,100-kilometre (680-mile) drive from Wuhan, the heart of the epidemic. People arriving at Shantou train stations will be screened and "urged to return", said city authorities. Buses, ferries, public transport and taxis will be suspended, Shantou authorities said on their official social media account. The measures are to "spare no efforts in doing a good job of preventing and controlling" the epidemic, Shantou officials said, and to "cut off the channels of spreading the virus". The new virus has infected nearly 2,000 across China and killed 56. Most of the dead are in Wuhan or the surrounding Hubei province. There have been two cases confirmed in Shantou and 98 in Guangdong province, according to the province's health commission. In Wuhan, the capital of central Hubei province, authorities have banned people from leaving the city of 11 million people. Transport bans have been placed in many other cities in Hubei, affecting some 56 million people. Shantou's statement did not announce restrictions on residents leaving the city, and said that the main highway could be used normally. In the north of the country, Beijing and Tianjin have announced the suspension of buses that enter and exit the cities in a bid to control the spread of the virus. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) School children from different parts of the country performed various traditional Indian dance forms at the 71st Republic Day parade here on Sunday. Kids from the state of Gujarat, Rajasthan and West Bengal were seen performing amid roaring reception from the enthusiastic crowds at the event. At the parade, Indias military might, cultural diversity, social and economic progress was displayed during the celebrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who hails from Gujarat, looked particularly amused as 150 girls from different schools of Gujarat performed Garba, the states popular folk dance. Earlier, President Ram Nath Kovind unfurled the National Flag and received the customary 21-gun salute ahead of the parade. Celebrations for the 71st Republic Day began with Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro in attendance as the chief guest. They welcomed their daughter Lyra last September after a whirlwind romance. And Michael Sheen and his girlfriend Anna Lundberg looked like they were settling into family life as they went for a stroll in New York with their baby girl on Sunday. The actor, 50, pushed Lyra in a pram, while Anna, 25, walked alongside them. Stepping out: Michael Sheen and girlfriend Anna Lundberg looked like they were settling into family life as they went for a stroll in NYC with their four-month-old daughter Lyra on Sunday Michael wrapped up for the wintry weather in a black padded jacket with faux fur trim. He layered the cosy coat atop of a navy jumper, which he teamed with blue jeans and brown shoes. Swedish actress Anna cut a stylish figure in a navy quilted coat and opted for comfort on her feet with black boots. Feeling the chill: Michael wrapped up for the wintry weather in a black padded jacket with faux fur trim Gloomy day: The actor, 50, looked a little glum as he pushed Lyra in a pram, while Anna, 25, walked alongside them The couple welcomed their daughter Lyra last September. At the time, the actor's father Meyrick, 80, confirmed the Swedish actress had given birth, and said they were 'thrilled to bits' about the news. Michael's father gushed: 'We are thrilled to bits, over the moon.' Michael shared his own announcement on Twitter days later, with a photo of Lyra and Anna leaving the hospital. Parenting duties: Swedish actress Anna cut a stylish figure in a navy quilted coat and opted for comfort on her feet with a pair black boots Doting dad: The couple welcomed their daughter Lyra last September and have been busy adjusting to life as a family of three Whirlwind: Michael confirmed he was expecting his first child with Anna last July, just two months after they were initially romantically linked in May The actor wrote: 'Happy to say that at 8:41am on Monday September 23rd our beautiful daughter Lyra was born.' The Good Omens star confirmed he was expecting his first child with Anna last July, just two months after they were initially romantically linked in May following a series of loved-up social media posts. Revealing the happy news on Twitter, Michael told his followers: 'Very happy to let everyone know that my partner Anna and I are expecting a little angel of our own. (Just to be clear, were having a baby!) #nottheantichrist.' (sic) Family: The Good Omens star confirmed he was expecting his first child with Anna last July, just two months after they were initially romantically linked in May Bonding time: Michael appeared to be taking fatherhood in his stride as he pushed Lyra along in the pram during the family outing Michael shares daughter Lily Mo Sheen, 20, with his ex Kate Beckinsale, and previously said parenting is the 'most challenging' job yet he revealed it is a necessary and rewarding role. He told The Guardian in 2010: 'I think being a parent is the most challenging thing you do. That's why we're here. It's at the heart of what it is to be a human being. 'It's the ultimate experience because it questions everything about who you are. But it's difficult. 'My job takes me away from my daughter, Lily a lot, so when I am with her the time is really important.' The actor was previously linked to Aisling Bea in April 2018 when the pair attended the Olivier Awards in London, but didn't walk the red carpet together. Michael's ex-girlfriend, American comedian Sarah Silverman, 48, later revealed he had split from Aisling in September 2018. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has sent a congratulatory message to Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi on his countrys national holiday. The message reads, in part: I cordially congratulate you and the friendly people of India on the 70th Anniversary of the National Day of the Republic of India. Today we can witness the remarkable progress and achievements of Indian society. I am confident that India will continue along the path of dynamic and sustainable development, setting an example to other countries. Armenia highly values its traditionally warm relationship with India, anchored on our peoples centuries-old historical ties, good will and mutual trust. I am convinced that the Armenian-Indian partnership will continue to develop and deepen to the benefit of our two nations. I have kept warm recollections of our meeting in New York. I am prepared to closely work with you in a bid to materialize our cooperation-oriented agreements. I wish you robust health and further success, as well as peace and prosperity - to the friendly people of India. SANTA ANA, Calif. Two patients in Southern California have been diagnosed with the new pneumonia-like virus from China, health officials said. The Centers for Disease Control confirmed a traveler from the Chinese city of Wuhan the epicenter of the outbreak tested positive for the virus, the Orange County Health Care Agency announced just before midnight Saturday. The patient is in isolation at a hospital and in good condition, a release from the agency said. Another patient in Los Angeles was also confirmed to have contracted the virus, according to county health authorities. The virus can cause fever, coughing, wheezing and pneumonia. It is a member of the coronavirus family thats a close cousin to the deadly SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past. The two cases in California comes on the heels of diagnoses in Washington state, on Jan. 21, and Chicago, on Jan. 24. Both patients in Washington, a man in his 30s, and in Chicago, a woman in her 60s had also traveled to China. The death toll from the virus in China is at 56 so far. China has issued massive travel bans in hard-hit sections of that country to try to stem spread of the virus, and the U.S. Consulate in Wuhan announced Sunday that it would evacuate its personnel and some private citizens on Tuesday aboard a charter flight to San Francisco International Airport. The CDC expects more Americans to be diagnosed with the newly discovered virus, which is believed to have an incubation period of about two weeks, as worldwide the number of confirmed cases nears 2,000. The CDC is screening passengers on direct and connecting flights from Wuhan at five major airports in Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The Orange County patient had contacted local health officials, who provided guidance to reduce exposure to the public while awaiting laboratory confirmation from the CDC. The Orange County agency has consulted with the CDC and the California Department of Health and will follow up with people who have had close contact with the patient. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said the infected person requested care and is currently receiving medical attention. The person is a returning traveler from Wuhan. Guidance from the CDC advises that people who have had casual contact with the patient are at minimal risk for developing infection. Theres no evidence that person-to-person transmission occurred in Orange County, and the risk of local transmission remains low, the release said. The Manipur cabinet has decided to request the Centre to use state police at the check posts on the Imphal-Moreh highway, chief minister N Biren Singh said on Saturday. The decision was taken in a meeting of the state cabinet chaired by the chief minister on Friday evening following allegations of harassment by a woman Indian Police Service (IPS) officer. The officer had alleged that she and her escort party were detained, harassed and assaulted by a rifleman of D-Company of 12 Assam Rifles on January 19 at the Khudengthabi check-post on the Imphal-Moreh highway in Tengnoupal district. They were returning after duty from the border town of Moreh, 110km south of Imphal. Our decision was to urge the Centre so that the state police can replace the particular check posts only on the Imphal-Moreh route, says Chief Minister Biren. Many complaints from various quarters including domestic and foreign visitors have come up because of frequent checking. That is the reason weve to change the situation. Assam Rifles had in a statement refuted the IPS officers allegation terming it baseless, fabricated, false and malicious. Moreh police station had already registered a case based on a complaint by the IPS officer, who is serving as the sub-divisional police officer at the Yairipok police station in Thoubal district. The Manipur chapter of Indian administrative Service (IAS) association and others extended solidarity to the IPS officer. The Naga Womens Union condemned the incident in a press release on Saturday and appealed for immediate and suitable measures to prevent escalation of all forms of discrimination against women and to ensure security to women and innocent citizens. Conveying grave and severe concern over the incident, the Kerala Tamil Nadu chapters of the IPS Association in their separate statements also extended solidarity to the IPS officer in Manipur. Expressing shock and concern over the undesirable incident, the Indian Forest Service (IFS) Association of Manipur urged authorities to take up the matter at the appropriate level and ensure that no such incidents recur with any government officials serving the people under various departments. Earlier, the Manipur chapter of IPS officers association had said that it expected the paramilitary to cooperate with the police investigation into the incident. New Delhi: India plans to increase import duties on more than 50 items including electronics, electrical goods, chemicals and handicrafts, targeting about $56 billion worth of imports from China and elsewhere, officials and industry sources said. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman could make the announcement when she presents her annual budget for 2020/21 on Feb. 1, along with other stimulus measures to revive sagging economic growth, one of the government officials said. Higher customs duties are likely to hit goods such as mobile phone chargers, industrial chemicals, lamps, wooden furniture, candles, jewellery and handicraft items, two government sources with direct knowledge of the matter said. The move could hit smartphone manufacturers that still import chargers or other components such as vibrator motors and ringers, along with retailers such as giant IKEA that is in the process of expanding its footprint in India. IKEA had previously flagged higher Indian customs duties as a challenge. The government had identified items and decided to increase import tariffs by 5%-10% as recommended by a panel of trade and finance ministry officials, among others, the second government official said. Our aim is to curb imports of non-essential items, said the official, adding a hike in import duties would provide a level playing field for local manufacturers-hit by cheap imports from China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and other countries that enjoy trade pacts with India. The sources asked not be identified as the discussions were private. A spokesman for the finance ministry and a spokeswoman for the commerce ministry declined to comment. Since taking charge in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has imposed several restrictions on imports while allowing more foreign investment in manufacturing, defence and other sectors. Modis ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also asked the government to increase duties on non-essential items to boost local manufacturing. We expect the budget will address the issue of ... cheap imports under free trade pacts, Gopal Krishan Agarwal, the head of BJPs Economic Affairs Cell, told Reuters. A committee of trade ministry officials in consultation with local industries had initially planned to target more than 130 items accounting for roughly $100 billion worth of imports, but it has since pruned the list, the first official said. IMPORT QUALITY STANDARDS The government is separately considering imposing quality standards on imports as less than 10% of Indias tariff lines are regulated for safety, health and environmental standards, an industry official, who is participating in the pre-budget consultations, said. Ahead of the budget, the trade ministry has also asked the finance ministry to consider a Border Adjustment Tax (BAT) on imported goods to level the playing field for domestic players that also have to pay local taxes like electricity duties and levies on fuel, the second government official said. The official added this could be imposed on top of any tariffs further raising the costs of imported goods. Last July, the government raised import tax on more than 75 items, including gold and automobile parts, in its post-election budget. Indias goods imports, which had been growing faster than exports in the last several years, fell some 8.90% during the April-December period from year-earlier levels, compared to a roughly 2% decline in exports. This has helped the Modi administration cut its trade deficit that stood at $118 billion during April-December, down from $148 billion a year earlier. The United States wants India to buy at least another $5-6 billion worth of American farm goods if New Delhi wants to win reinstatement of a key U.S. trade concession and seal a wider pact, four sources familiar with the talks told Reuters. US President Donald Trump cited trade barriers last year when removing India from its Generalised System of Preferences programme that allowed zero tariffs on $5.6 billion of exports to the United States. In retaliation, India slapped higher tariffs on more than two dozens U.S. products. When Vietjet Air first invited me to Vietnam in December last year, aboard their first flight from Delhi, two very distinct images flashed across my mind. One was of course from Diane Nguyens amusing homecoming trip to Hanoi in Season 5 of Bojack Horseman, and second, much more contrastingly, was the gruesome 1972 Napalm Girl from the Vietnam War. Voted as one of the most influential photos of all time, the latter, an iconic war image, shows a nine-year-old girl running unclothed towards the camera, as a bomb burned down her village, then her clothes and then almost half of her skin. And despite a preset itinerary, I set out to trace their footsteps in my rather bastardly, touristy ways, only to discover something completely unexpected ultimately. FYI neither was I going through a divorce like Diane, nor was my country burning like the Napalm Girls (or at least thats what I thought while taking off on December 12, 2019). Before we begin, a few quick pointers for the curious: You need a passport with minimum six months validity, with at least two blank pages Easiest way to get a visa and avoid queues is to apply for visa on arrival online. Upload documents and get the visa within 3-5 working days Ideal way to travel from Delhi is via a Vietjet flight (https://www.vietjetair.com/Sites/Web/en-US/NewsDetail/news/4109/vietjet-is-a-pioneer-in-launching-2-direct-flights-from-vietnam-to-new-delhi-india) to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh. We all know how insane the sale prices were, but otherwise also you can get tickets for under Rs 12,000-15,000 if you plan well (The process isnt too tedious; mine was completed by the organisers, so jokes on you, JK) Part 1 Coming back to the trip, it kicked off from an airport lounge at Delhis Terminal 3 (again arranged by the organisers) with a bunch of fellow journalists and bloggers. The flight to Hanoi took off on time and upon landing early morning, the immigration process was hassle-free as well. We set off on a local sightseeing tour immediately after breakfast, most amazingly in our own bus. We even got our personal tour guide, a 50-something gentleman who was extremely fatherly to say the least. Quick Vietnam socio-geography lesson before we begin: The country is made of three parts primarily north, central and south. After many years of conflict, the communists finally seemed to rule the entire state before a proxy war started between Russian (pro-communist) and American (pro-capitalist) allied forces, who supported North and South respectively. And although the war ended with a communist victory in 1975, cultural and political differences still exist between the people from both sides. We are in the North right now. First stop: the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Its literally got the embalmed body of Ho Chi. Who is Ho Chi? Popularly referred to as Uncle Ho, hes the Mahatma Gandhi equivalent of Vietnam. He led the independence movement from 1941 onward, defeating the French Union at the Battle of ien Bien Phu in 1954, and ending the First Indochina War. Wish we could preserve Gandhis body, but we also wish that he was not murdered like he was. (Note: Dont wear short shorts, tank tops or anything non-sanskari) Next stop: The Temple of Literature. Essentially, this near 1000-year old edifice was once a college for the royals and other members of the imperial society. Fun fact: The temples of this variety that are dedicated to Confucius, the Chinese philosopher who advocated personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity, are called Confucian temples. MensXP/Alshaar From my little understanding of Vietnam till this point (mostly from conversations with the tour guide and locals), it sure appears that a part of Confucius has stayed with them. It remains a communist regime, one of the handful that have survived in the 21st Century. Yet, it is one of the leading economies in South East Asia. Its infrastructure is at least a decade ahead of India and even its manufacturing sector is set to hit targets better. As a society, there is more gender equality in Vietnam and compulsory education policy is quantitatively eight years ahead of India. Moreover, English is their first foreign language and Mandarin is also fashionable. All in all, you would have a better standard of living doing what youre doing in India right now. Some might struggle with the food though. We had a big lunch at a famous chicken restaurant downtown following the temple visit. And of course, mister tour guide ensured all local culinary delights are spread out on the table. This included heaps of chicken, prawns, shrimps and boiled fish. Vietnamese sauces are not as spicy as their Thai rivals, but youll love the cuisine if youre fond of seafood. MensXP/Alshaar But the coffee is universally loved. Were talking about OG Vietnamese coffee; not the coffee + condensed milk pudding that you get in India in the name of Vietnamese coffee. My coffee baptising happened at Cafe Giang (the founders of egg coffee in 1946), post an hour-long cycle ride around Hoan Kiem Lake & The Old Quarter, where I shared a cigarette with my driver. In sign language, he told me that you can find the stronger stuff in the market too. Not that I necessarily indulged. The coffee, just like all traditional coffee shops in Vietnam, is made with egg. Yes, egg. The main ingredients of the egg coffee are espresso, condensed milk, a little sugar, butter, cheese and egg yolk, resembling a tiramisu in taste. Everything but the coffee is whisked into a creamy foam in a beater (originally in a small cup and by a bamboo whisk), before being poured over the coffee. You get two versions the hot and the cold and of course I tried both. After all, how much coffee is too much coffee? Dont listen to me, these two cups were enough. It was a stupid idea, but there was a seat reserved for me at the world-famous Lang Toi human circus in the citys opera house. And despite my coffee rush, I was obliged to attend. MensXP/Alshaar Blame it on the caffeine, but the acrobatics and gymnastics, the stories of the village, the portrayal of innocent love, of seasons, of women, of men, of children, are scintillating, often leaving the jaw dropped, more often the heart stopped . After the 70-minute show, the group of 20-odd even escorts you out of the auditorium with music originating from the clapping of bamboo sticks. The night ended with another wholesome local meal, at Grandma Restaurant, before we ventured out to explore the nightlife at the Hanoi Night Market, very close to the Old Quarter. The streets are lined with tiny bars and pubs. A beer can costs around Rs 60-70 and Hanoi is a must-try. There are local breweries in other parts of the city too, but I was at my touristy max and wont have much to offer to the discerning taste buds. MensXP/Alshaar Back at the hotel though, my not-so-touristy instincts took me back to the Diane place. I somewhat managed to relive her experience, squeezing so much into one day, and still felt the same kind of cultural emptiness that she experiences, despite being here for some kind of enlightenment or higher gain. Part 2 But the trip would then take me to exactly where she went next: Ha Long Bay, and marked a completely new dawn. MensXP/Alshaar Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, around 180km east of Hanoi. The bus took around four hours to reach the boarding point of the ferry, which then carried us inside the waters of this astounding archipelago of around 2,000 limestone karsts and isles that come in various shapes and sizes. The limestone in this bay has undergone 500 million years of formation in different conditions and environments. And in the land where even prehistoric humans might have existed, we paid them a fitting tribute by getting drunk. The ferry had a variety of wonderful prawns and fishes on offer as we drank the afternoon away. MensXP/Alshaar At the farthest end of the waters, marked by the Luon Cave, was a dock that hosted activities like kayaking and snorkelling. Im not a swimmer but the beer helped conquer the nerves and we saw the sun go down from kayaking in this gorgeously vestigial part of the South China Sea. Part 3 Following another big local meal and a late night of beer drinking, we flew Vietjet to Ho Chi Minh (formerly known as Saigon) the next afternoon (of course, we got another tour bus and a rather puffed-up tour guide). This now is South Vietnam, where a large chunk of action happened during the Vietnam War. But again, the packed itinerary meant our tired souls needed a quieter evening, in order to resume the hardcore sightseeing on the final day in the city. But a dramatic turn of events later I was hooked to my Twitter feed, reading up on the police brutalities that took place in the Jamia Millia Islamia campus that day. The conversation about selective targeting of Muslims was now peaking, days after the Citizenship Amendment Bill was passed in the Parliament as an Act. As most people know by now, it allows all non-Muslims from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh to seek citizenship in India, and when clubbed with the National Register of Citizens (NRC), has invoked fears of Muslims being put in detention camps, like it happened in Assam in 2019. Night transitioned to day, and I was now in the Vietnam War Museum. The news from India kept developing. Protests were aplenty and the apolitical on my feed had also begun participating. The right-wing of course had hardened further. MensXP/Alshaar Inside the four-storey museum was an account of the gruesome consequences of the Vietnam War. It told tales of the generations of people affected by bio-chemical weapons, the massacres committed by the American army on innocent Vietnamese villagers, and most remarkably, in the middle of a series of tear jerking pictures was the Napalm Girl. It represents the lowest of human actions and the most inhuman nature of their ramifications. And as details of police brutalities emerged from the Jamia violence, the metaphor could not be clearer. Our last and final stop on the trip was at the Cu Chi tunnels. The now restored forests spurted out thousands of arms and artillery at the time of being vetted post war. Another metaphor? The tunnels, used by anti-America soldiers as hiding spots during combat, emerged as symbols of resistance and the battle for liberation. They also served as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous North Vietnamese fighters. The tunnel systems were of great importance to the fighters in their resistance to American forces, and helped to counter the growing American military effort, according to my tour guide. With this as the last conversation and a heavy heart from all the violence in India, we headed back to the airport and landed in India via the second direct Vietjet flight route. I was supposed to write this travelogue immediately after, but the protests kept me occupied, psychologically, when not physically. Despite being there, I couldnt help being apologetic about my privilege. Just like Cu Chi though, Shaheen Bagh emerged as Indias biggest hotspot of resistance. And just like the strong women soldiers of Cu Chi, whose videos are proudly screened for visitors, the women of Delhi have spearheaded Indias battle for true democracy. At the end of the dimly lit tunnel that India traversing right now, the protestors represent a rare glimmer. Of the many lessons that can be learnt from Vietnam, one is that there is no winner in a war. And the second, in very Bojack Horseman-esque manner is: It gets easier. Every day, it gets a little easier. But you gotta do it every day thats the hard part. The fight to regain Indias original fabric is going to be long, and more strength to the ones showing up every day. Today A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High 73F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy. Low 48F. Winds light and variable. Tomorrow Partly to mostly cloudy. High near 75F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. A former Waverly firefighter is seeing a lot of support from his community after a spinal condition and a fall in November left him paralyzed. A tumble down the front porch steps as he was taking out the trash one evening in November has left Jim Watts paralyzed from his shoulders down. Watts had previously been diagnosed with Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis a condition in which ligaments harden and stiffen. Rhonda Watts said the condition has caused his spine to stiffen and doesnt allow for normal movement. His spine took the impact of the fall and he was instantly paralyzed, Rhonda said. Because of his condition he wasnt as balanced and I think that is part of what caused him to fall. Since the fall, Jim has had several surgeries to repair his spine including rods and screws as well as install a feeding tube as he is unable to properly swallow something that will require a future surgery. Though paralyzed, Rhonda said he has made progress and is able to move his own wheelchair through a breathing tube. Its pretty neat, he blows in it to go forward, sucks to go backwards and varies how he blows to go left or right, she said. He is being treated at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, but is expected to return home Wednesday. Rhonda said she knows Jim will have a long road of adjustments and rehabilitation ahead of him. We doing as best as possible right now, she said. We have a strong faith we dont know what is ahead of us, but I know there will be blessings that come out of this. God has a plan and we are trying to trust in him. But the hard road to recovery will be slightly eased as community members, family and friends, and local and state organizations helped renovate the Watts home to make it more handicap accessible for Jim, including a life system and a complete overhaul of the familys bathroom. I havent been home, so I havent seen any of it, Rhonda said. Valerie Duewer of Waverly has been helping to organize the clean-up and renovation of the Wattses home. He is very well loved in the community and everyone is putting up money or working on their home, Duewer said. Inside the home, Duewer said volunteers have dismantled the ceiling in the bedroom and installed a lift system that will help lift Jim from his bed into his chair, renovated the bathroom to expand the space and install a large shower that will be able to accommodate a shower chair and pulled up carpet to allow for easier movement. Amerens employee resource group Powering Connections for All Abilities and Macon Resources, a non-profit organization from Decatur, bought the supplies and provided volunteers who built a ramp leading into the familys home Saturday. Duewer said there is still work to be done, but said there is also a lot of equipment that has to be custom made. He about 6 feet, 6 inches, Duewer said. Hes so long and lanky that hell need a lot of custom equipment. Duewer said local organizations have been very supportive and have donated time, materials and equipment for the projects, or have offered discounts to help with costs. Rhonda said they are thankful for the support theyve been given as the move forward. We are blessed very blessed with the friends and family and people we dont even know, she said. I dont know how to thank everyone. Its amazing, the outpouring of love weve felt. A Go Fund Me page, WattsOnWheels-Spinal Injury Renovation & Equipment, has raised just over $13,000 as of Friday toward its $100,000 goal. The page described Jim as a man with a great sense of humor and is kind, good-natured, and generous with both his time and his heart. The page also lists several items that will need to be purchased, including a hospital bed, custom chairs to accommodate his height, handicap-accessible van, as well as other items that will allow Jim Watts to perform some tasks independently. Donations are also being accepted through the Peoples Bank and Trust in Waverly. By Magi Helena Tribune Content Agency BIRTHDAY STAR: Actress Sara Rue was born in New York City on this date in 1979. This birthday star, born Sara Schlackman, portrays Nell Forester on "The Rookie" and Nancy Granville on "American Housewife." She's also appeared on episodes of "A Series of Unfortunate Events," "Rules of Engagement" and "Bones." On the big screen, Rue's film work includes "Dark Intentions," "My Future Boyfriend" and "Pearl Harbor." ARIES (March 21-April 19): Avoid an array of awkward circumstances. Your warm nature and outgoing friendliness might be interpreted as a flirtation to someone who is looking for love. As this week flies by, try to remember to be discreet. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In the week ahead, it may be challenging to decide when to be gentle and when to be tough. In group situations, you may tend to agree with the majority to keep the peace. Don't let a flirtation go to your head. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Some of your more exceptional, imaginative ideas could receive well-deserved applause as this week begins. You can gather even more ideas by participating in group discussions. Loved ones may be overly playful and try your patience. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Follow through on joint plans and your bank account will thank you. In the coming week, your partner or a loved one could offer sound financial advice. Carefully investigate new or unfamiliar opportunities presented to you. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Take pride in your willingness to put others first. Despite having a different opinion of how things should proceed, you might go along with the crowd to keep the peace. Focus on being an optimist when things go wrong. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You and a partner could be on the same wavelength when it comes to working together. Be productive with creative projects. As this week unfolds, you should restrain an impulse to waste cash on frivolous items. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Your desire for social contact and instinctive warmth may get out of hand. Someone might mistake an innocent, friendly gesture for a romantic overture. In the upcoming week, be cautious about how you spend your money. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): An excess of confusion may disrupt your social calendar. An inability to work independently or without a sidekick could adversely affect your performance and prove to be perplexing. In the week ahead, focus on creative ideas. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Duck for cover when your heartstrings are plucked. You may be too sympathetic toward people who don't deserve your pity. A tiny bit of assertive behavior could go a long way in the upcoming week. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In the week ahead, you may be in a better position to deal with social situations in our complicated world. Brushing up on the latest slang will at least reassure you that you know what's going on. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Listen to your most trusted advisers. Someone in close connection may display leadership abilities that you can emulate and sound judgment that you may want to follow. Don't fritter away cash this week on things that won't last. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Your willingness to go out of your way to be kind, even to strangers, may strike others as odd or overly solicitous. In the week ahead, someone might think you are not discriminating enough in your choice of companions. IF JANUARY 26 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: As the next six to eight weeks unfold, you might be stuck on the edge of your seat. Some plans and decisions could be up in the air if major changes occur. With your enhanced business sense, you should be able to deal with any unresolved matters and put some extra money in your pocket. In March, your financial instincts aren't quite as good, so hold off on making any changes to your banking habits, job or investments. What is most important to your happiness could change in March and April, when you are likely to feel the need to make a major change. Wait until May, when the stars are more favorable, to interview for a new job or to make a decision that affects your future. You could then be better equipped to follow your dreams and make a favorable impression. It is an excellent time to meet a soulmate who lives up to your ideals, or to appear in public and receive acclaim. (c) 2020 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC. A father is belived to have discovered the bodies of his three children dead at a house in Dublin. The bodies of Conor, nine, Darragh, seven, and Carla McGinley, three, were found in Newcastle, South Dublin, by their father Andrew, according to local media. A chilling note reading 'call 999, don't go upstairs' was found in the hallway, reports suggest. The father of three children who were found dead in their family home in Dublin was the one who discovered their bodies, local media reports. Pictured: Conor, nine, Darragh, seven, and Carla McGinley, three, with their father Andrew The bodies of Conor, nine, Darragh, seven, and Carla McGinley, three, were found in a house in Newcastle, South Dublin. Pictured: Police at the scene Police are investigating whether the two boys and one girl could have suffocated at their home in Newcastle, South Dublin. Pictured: An ambulance outside the house A chilling note reading 'call 999, don't go upstairs' was found in the hallway, reports suggest. Pictured: Police at the scene today A woman - believed to be the children's mother - was found 'wandering the streets' in a 'disoriented state' shortly before the bodies were found. A taxi driver stopped and took her home around 7pm. The woman -named locally as nurse Deirdre Morley - is said to have taken an overdose of painkillers and became unconscious in the car by the time they got back to the house. The taxi driver called an ambulance out of concern around the same time the father went inside the house, Extra.ie reports. She was taken to Tallaght hospital. Police were looking into whether the children were drugged or poisoned but are now investigating the possibility that they were suffocated, The Sun reports. A woman believed to be the children's mother was found 'wandering the streets' in a 'disoriented state'. Pictured: Tributes at the scene Gardai found her on the street near her house. Pictured: An ambulance at the scene today There was no sign of a break-in at the house, sources said. Security insiders stressed last night that the investigation into the tragic events was at a very 'early stage'. The estate where the young family lived, Parson's Court, is made up of both houses and apartments. There was no sign of a break-in at the house, sources said. Pictured: Police at the scene The woman was taken to Tallaght hospital for treatment. Pictured: Police at the scene last night A Garda spokesperson said: 'At approximately 7.45pm Friday 24 January 2020 Gardai responded to a call at Parson's Court, Newcastle, County Dublin. 'Ambulance personnel and responding Gardai discovered the bodies of three children in the house: Brothers and sister Conor (nine), Darragh (seven) and Carla (three) McGinley. 'A female relative, aged in her 40's, was found at the scene and is currently receiving medical attention in Tallaght Hospital. 'The scene is currently being examined by members of the Garda Technical Bureau. Assistant State Pathologist Margot Bolster has attended the scene. 'The bodies of the three children have been removed to the City Morgue, where a post mortem examination will take place later today. 'The results of the post mortem will determine the cause of death of the three children. A family liaison officer has been appointed and is in contact with the father and the extended family.' Security insiders stressed last night that the investigation into the tragic events was at a very 'early stage'. Pictured: Tributes at the scene The Garda Technical Bureau has also been alerted and a detailed forensic examination in the area was being carried out. Pictured: Police at the scene Councillor for the area Emer Higgins described the events as an 'unimaginable tragedy'. 'My thoughts are with everybody impacted,' said the Fine Gael representative. 'This is a really tight-knit community, it's a small area, it's a quiet area, and it's just unthinkable that something like this could be happening on our doorstep. 'It's so tragic. It's unbelievable that three young people's lives could be cut short like that, in what seems to be a particularly tragic case.' A Bengaluru resident screened for coronavirus at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases has tested negative. The patient had a history of travelling to Wuhan in China on business trips. However, on his return, he had developed symptoms, following which his samples were sent for tests. Dr Prakash Kumar, deputy director, communicable diseases, told DH that the patient was admitted on Wednesday. However, it was kept a secret as the department did not want the patient to be disturbed, and wanted to ensure complete isolation. He had certain symptoms and fever. As an immediate measure, he was isolated at RGICD, where a 10-bed ward has been readied to attend to any suspected cases. His samples are negative. Previously, four Chinese citizens who had travelled to Bengaluru from Wuhan, the origin of the virus outbreak, were also kept under a close watch by the department. They were asked to report to the health department before making any travel plans in the state. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit asking the Federal High Court, Abuja to order President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, 36 state governors and their deputies to make public details of their assets, specifically property and income, contained in their asset declaration forms submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) since assuming office. In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/65/2020 filed last Friday, SERAP is seeking: an order for leave to apply for judicial review and an order of mandamus to direct and/or compel President Buhari, Vice-President Osinbajo, 36 state governors and their deputies to make public their summary of assets; disclose whether they have had any reason to review and update their asset declarations submitted to the CCB, and if the declarations have been made as constitutionally and statutorily required. SERAP is also seeking: an order to compel President Buhari, Vice-President Osinbajo, 36 state governors and their deputies to disclose whether they have received any confirmation of the verification of their asset declarations by the CCB and to disclose whether they have taken any steps to encourage members of their cabinet to also submit their asset declarations to the CCB, and to make such declarations public. The suit followed SERAPs Freedom of Information (FoI) requests dated 3 January 2020, expressing concern that: The non-public disclosure by public officials of their summary of assets undermines the effectiveness and integrity of the constitutional and statutory obligations to submit asset declarations, especially given that declarations are designed to curb grand corruption, and weakens the public trust in the asset declaration regimes. According to SERAP, only two states Lagos State and Niger State have responded to its FoI requests. But both states declined the requests to make public the assets of their governors and deputies, on the ground that the FoI Act is inapplicable to state governments, their agencies and officials, and that only houses of assembly of states are constitutionally empowered to make laws on public records of states. Also, while reacting to SERAP FoI request to President Buhari, Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, had said: SERAP asking the president to declare publicly, on the basis of what law? The president will do what the law requires of him and what the law requires is that he should declare his asset which he has done. Declaring publicly is not in our laws; it can only be a voluntary thing. SERAP is also seeking: a declaration that the failure of President Buhari, Vice-President Osinbajo, 36 state governors and their deputies to provide SERAP with the requested information on their assets constitutes a breach of SERAPs right under the FoI Act, 2011, and such further order(s) the Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances. The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its counsel, Kolawole Oluwadare, read in part: The advantages that the general public would gain from being informed about the summary of assets declarations submitted to the CCB outweigh any perceived privacy or inconvenience if the court orders the details to be made public as sought by SERAP. By a combined reading of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the FoI Act, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, President Buhari, Vice-President Osinbajo, 36 state governors and their deputies ought to be directed and compelled to make public their asset declarations as submitted to the CCB. READ ALSO: The reliefs sought are constitutionally and statutorily grounded and based on Nigerias international transparency obligations. The reliefs sought do not clash with the rights to privacy and data protection. Both rights are not absolute and can be restricted provided there is a basis in law and a legitimate public interest justifies the restriction. Prevention of grand corruption and exposing unexplained wealth of officials are serious and legitimate public interests. SERAP and indeed the general public have a legitimate interest in ascertaining and scrutinizing the veracity, exactitude and honesty of information contained in asset declarations submitted by public officials to the CCB. Without public disclosure of summary of assets, this would have no practical importance. Public disclosure of summary of assets submitted to the CCB would help uncover any irregularities and trigger formal verification of declarations by the CCB and other anti-corruption agencies, be entirely consistent with governments expressed commitment to prevent and combat corruption, provide a safeguard against abuse, and serve as an incentive to public officials to provide exact information when filing and submitting their asset declarations. Any perceived claim of interference with the right to privacy are sufficiently foreseeable for the purposes of the legal requirements for asset declarations by public officials, given that public-disclosure of summary of assets would undoubtedly contribute to the legitimate aim of asset declaration regimes to prevent corruption, as it would ensure transparency regarding the details of those assets. No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit. Napa County ranks as one of the top 10 California counties for small businesses, according to a recent study from SmartAsset. The vast majority of businesses in the U.S. are considered small, and starting your own is a significant milestone for any entrepreneur, said a news release from SmartAsset, a New York financial technology company. The study measures IRS data, determining the number of small businesses operating in each county, as well as how much income they generate. According to the study, Napa County ranked seventh on the list of the top places in California with the strongest small business presence. Its exciting to hear, that news, said Mary Cervantes, business services director of the Napa Sonoma Small Business Development Center. She believes this ranking is in part due to the number of supportive services available to the business community. You have not only the Napa Sonoma Small Business Development Center, but support from Napa Valley College, the North Bay Workforce Alliance, local Chambers of Commerce and local government, said Cervantes. Our focus is on keeping Napa County businesses sustainable because they contribute to our local economy. Their success is our success, she said. In the SmartAsset report, California counties were ranked based on three factors: the proportion of people in a county with small business income, how much business income those people reported and the amount of tax a potential resident must pay on their income. To determine how attractive a region is for small business owners, SmartAsset compared the number of people reporting small business income compared to the total tax-filing population of the region. Next the company compared the total amount of small business income to the total amount of income reported in each region. Small businesses are typically incorporated as pass-through entities, meaning that the businesses owners pay income taxes on the company profits rather than the company itself paying income tax, said the release. Because of this, income taxes can have a large effect on a small businesss success, said the company. To determine income tax burdens across counties, SmartAsset used the national median household income. The company then applied relevant deductions and exemptions before calculating federal, state and local income taxes for each location. These three factors were then indexed and equally weighted to yield the SmartAsset small business index. Places with a higher small business index are better for small business owners. In Napa County small business returns totaled 25.61 percent. Small business income totaled 14.36 percent. Income taxes totaled $9,031. Napa Countys index number was 51.45. Marin County secured the top state spot with returns of 43.69 percent and income of 17.3 percent. Marin Countys index number was 74.31. Each of the 10 counties on the list had the same estimated income tax of $9,031 per year. Other California counties ranked on the list included: Nevada, Mono, Los Angeles, Orange, Mendocino, Humboldt, San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz. You can reach reporter Jennifer Huffman at 256-2218 or jhuffman@napanews.com The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Southwest Airlines has removed a passenger from a flight amid concerns over coronavirus because they had recently traveled to Beijing and was displaying 'flu-like symptoms'. The virus can cause fever, coughing, wheezing and pneumonia. It is a member of the Coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the deadly SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past. The sick passenger had completed the journey from Las Vegas but was escorted off the plane once it landed at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport Saturday afternoon. In a video from a fellow passenger, a health official is heard explaining the action was 'because of this heightened time, we are just using an abundance of caution'. Southwest Airlines removed a passenger from a flight amid concerns over coronavirus because they had recently traveled to Beijing and was displaying 'flu-like symptoms' The passenger had already been screened and cleared in Nevada and in Mexico. Fellow passengers were seen wearing masks over their mouths while seated on the flight. In a blog post, passenger John Richardson said he had noticed a number of Chinese tourists wearing paper surgical masks when he arrived at the boarding gate in Vegas but 'didnt think too much about it'. 'About an hour and a half into the flight I noticed the flight attendants checking on a passenger many rows in front of me. I didnt think much about it,' Richardson explained online. 'Then they started passing out paper surgical masks along with alcohol wipes to those around that passenger. They later offered them to anyone who wanted them.' The blogger suggested the passenger was male as he continued: 'After about 20-30 minutes, health officials escorted the passenger and his wife off the plane.' Richardson added that the head of the BWI Emergency Department announced there was a very small chance that it was Coronavirus and passengers 'would be notified by Southwest if the passenger tested positive'. The passenger who witnessed the commotion added that 'paramedics squirted our hands with hand sanitizer' as they deplaned. Southwest confirmed in a statement that local medical personnel met Flight 2889 once it arrived 'due to reports of an ill Customer'. 'In light of the recent concerns of the coronavirus, our Crew followed recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control for responding to concerns to ensure the Customer, and those traveling with them, receive the assistance or support they may need,' the airline stated. The Maryland Department of Health said in a statement that the person 'did not meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for 2019 novel coronavirus testing' but was referred to a medical facility for evaluation to determine whether additional follow-up was necessary. After an evaluation by medical personnel, it was determined that no special action was indicated for anyone on the flight. The person was released. The sick passenger had completed the journey from Las Vegas but was escorted off the plane once it landed at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport Saturday The blogger added in response to hearing there was no risk: 'Im very glad that they took it seriously and didnt just slough it off.' Health officials in Los Angeles County on Sunday confirmed a fourth U.S. case of the new pneumonia-like virus from China. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said Sunday the infected person presented themselves for care once they noticed that they were not feeling well and is currently receiving medical attention. The person is a returning traveler from Wuhan City, China. The case came on the heels of confirmed cases in Orange County, California, Washington state and Chicago. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed the Orange County, California case. The person was also a traveler from the Chinese city of Wuhan - the epicenter of the outbreak - and tested positive for the virus, the Orange County Health Care Agency announced late Saturday. The patient is in isolation at a hospital and in good condition. The cases in California came on the heels of diagnoses in Washington state, on January 21, and Chicago, on January 24. Both patients - in Washington, a man in his 30s, and in Chicago, a woman in her 60s - had also traveled to China. The CDC expects more Americans to be diagnosed with the newly discovered virus, which is believed to have an incubation period of about two weeks, as worldwide the number of confirmed cases nears 2,000. The CDC is screening passengers on direct and connecting flights from Wuhan at five major airports in Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Guidance from the CDC advises that people who have had casual contact with the patient are at 'minimal risk' for developing infection. The 71st Republic Day was celebrated in Tripura with Governor Ramesh Bais unfurling the national flag at the Assam Rifles ground here on Sunday. In his speech, the governor said bilateral relation with neighbouring Bangladesh is cordial and governments endeavour is to develop connectivity through the neighbouring country which would help the state as well as the entire north east to prosper in the long run. Bais said many projects of connectivity through Bangladesh such as the 15-km long AgartalaAkhaura rail line and a new waterway through the river Gomati in Sipahijala district would boost connectivity and trade between the two countries. Access to Chittagong port would open a new vista of connectivity between Indias North-East and Bangladesh, he said. The Chittagong port is just 57-km from Tripuras southern-most border town of Sabroom. The governor said Tripura was following the HIRA (highways, internet, roadways and airways) for development and added the state has achieved success considerably in organic farming. He said 9,000 farmers were given government assistance to encourage organic farming. The recently signed agreement between Tripura, Mizoram, Central government and the representatives of Bru community sheltered in six rehabilitation camps in the state is an important step toward solving the ethnic problem, Bais said. Colourful parade by the police along with decorated tableaux portraying the state's culture and heritage were highlights of the official Republic Day programme, which was attended by Chief Minister Biplab Deb and other senior officials. Various developmental programmes of the government were also showcased in the parade. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TOKYO - China banned the trade of wild animals on Sunday until the coronavirus epidemic has been eliminated across the country, after evidence emerged that the disease was transmitted to humans through a market in the city of Wuhan that traded in game meat. Experts say the country is paying a heavy price for the government not learning one of the most important lessons of the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) epidemic 17 years ago, that diseases can easily mutate and spread to humans in markets where different species of live wild animals are kept in close proximity, often in unhygienic conditions. The new restrictions ban the transport and sale of wild animals, specifically banning markets, supermarkets, restaurants and e-commerce platforms from trading in any form. China said inspections would be stepped up, gave a hotline number for members of the public to report illegal wildlife trade and said violations would be dealt with "severely" in accordance with the law. "Consumers should fully understand the health risks of eating wild animals, stay away from 'game' and eat healthily," said the regulations, which were jointly issued by the Agriculture Ministry, the State Forestry and Grasslands Administration and the State Administration for Market Regulation. But the regulations will only remain in place while China grapples with the epidemic, raising the question of whether the wildlife trade will be allowed to bounce back, as it did after an initial clampdown following the SARS outbreak. Christian Walzer, chief global veterinarian at the Wildlife Conservation Society called the measure an "important first step" but said the ban needs to be permanent. "The pattern will keep repeating itself until we ban, not only in China, but in other countries, the sale of wildlife, specifically for food and in food markets," he said in a statement. Peter Knights, founder of WildAid, said the current crisis might have been averted if the ban after SARS had been permanent. "Surely it's time for an advanced country like China to reassess the viability of a tiny industry that risks global pandemic, national image, animal cruelty and conservation concerns," he said. SARS was thought to have originated in masked palm civets and traced to a market in the southeastern Guangdong province. It ended up killing more than 750 people in China and elsewhere. Chinese scientists say the latest coronavirus outbreak appears to have spread from the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in the central city of Wuhan. Despite its name, the market was selling a huge variety of wild animals for consumption, including live cats and dogs, turtles, snakes, rats, hedgehogs and marmots. Menus and signboards posted online showed a huge variety of wild animals available to eat, including foxes, wolf cubs, monkeys and masked palm civets. The city government closed the seafood market at the beginning of January after many of the first cases of coronavirus emerged in people working there. China remains a major consumer of wild and endangered animals for meat, as well as for traditional medicine. But medical and wildlife experts hope this epidemic will help to change attitudes. In a commentary published Friday, state China Central Television condemned the consumption of wild animals and called the new coronavirus a "game meat virus." "It rankles that some people out there are obsessed about game meat and eat to their heart's content because of gluttony and greed," it said. "They harvested this evil fruit, making a whole city, a whole country, and even the entire human race pay such a heavy price; and the worst is yet to come." Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The strongly worded piece asked whether those "who love to eat, poach, and trade wild animals have been shaken by this, are feeling the least guilty conscience, or have confessed to their wrongdoing deep down," and lamented that the illegal trade in wild animals was not closed after SARS. "Some people are still taking chances and opening the Pandora's box again and again," it added. "How can we be so forgetful?" Studies published in the Lancet medical journal on Friday confirmed the disease was closely related to the coronaviruses found in Chinese horseshoe bats, but experts say they believe another species was involved in transmitting the disease to humans. But China is far from alone in experiencing diseases that originated in animals and were passed to humans. Recent epidemics of this nature include avian influenza, swine influenza, SARS and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome), as well as bovine spongiform encephalopathy - mad cow disease. - - - Li reported from Beijing. Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) stock is about to trade ex-dividend in 4 days time. Ex-dividend means that investors that purchase the stock on or after the 31st of January will not receive this dividend, which will be paid on the 28th of February. Citigroup's upcoming dividend is US$0.51 a share, following on from the last 12 months, when the company distributed a total of US$2.04 per share to shareholders. Based on the last year's worth of payments, Citigroup has a trailing yield of 2.6% on the current stock price of $78.42. We love seeing companies pay a dividend, but it's also important to be sure that laying the golden eggs isn't going to kill our golden goose! As a result, readers should always check whether Citigroup has been able to grow its dividends, or if the dividend might be cut. See our latest analysis for Citigroup If a company pays out more in dividends than it earned, then the dividend might become unsustainable - hardly an ideal situation. Citigroup has a low and conservative payout ratio of just 24% of its income after tax. Companies that pay out less in dividends than they earn in profits generally have more sustainable dividends. The lower the payout ratio, the more wiggle room the business has before it could be forced to cut the dividend. Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends. NYSE:C Historical Dividend Yield, January 26th 2020 Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? Businesses with strong growth prospects usually make the best dividend payers, because it's easier to grow dividends when earnings per share are improving. If earnings decline and the company is forced to cut its dividend, investors could watch the value of their investment go up in smoke. That's why it's comforting to see Citigroup's earnings have been skyrocketing, up 30% per annum for the past five years. Another key way to measure a company's dividend prospects is by measuring its historical rate of dividend growth. Citigroup has delivered an average of 55% per year annual increase in its dividend, based on the past nine years of dividend payments. Both per-share earnings and dividends have both been growing rapidly in recent times, which is great to see. Story continues To Sum It Up From a dividend perspective, should investors buy or avoid Citigroup? Companies like Citigroup that are growing rapidly and paying out a low fraction of earnings, are usually reinvesting heavily in their business. This is one of the most attractive investment combinations under this analysis, as it can create substantial value for investors over the long run. Citigroup ticks a lot of boxes for us from a dividend perspective, and we think these characteristics should mark the company as deserving of further attention. Ever wonder what the future holds for Citigroup? See what the 22 analysts we track are forecasting, with this visualisation of its historical and future estimated earnings and cash flow A common investment mistake is buying the first interesting stock you see. Here you can find a list of promising dividend stocks with a greater than 2% yield and an upcoming dividend. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. A teenager is fighting for his life after he was stabbed in the chest during an Australia Day brawl. Eight people allegedly forced their way into the IStay River City hotel in Albert St, Brisbane by following guests inside shortly before 9.20pm on Sunday. A fight then broke out in one of the rooms and three people were stabbed. Emergency crews were called to the IStay River City hotel in Albert St, Brisbane at 9.20pm on Sunday Three teenagers were stabbed during a brawl in the hotel - one is fighting fir his life (pictured: police at the scene) Paramedics performed CPR of an 18-year-old man in the street before he was rushed the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Two 17-year-old boys were also stabbed during the brawl. Inspector John Kent told 9news there were two crime scenes. 'It appears that one of the higher floors is where the initial incident may have occurred. The victims have been made their way down to another floor, and then further out into the street.' Investigations are continuing, Queensland police said. Paramedics performed CPR of an 18-year-old man in the street before he was rushed the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital with life-threatening injuries Indian market had a volatile week, with recovery setting in the last two trading sessions. While the Sensex rallied over 200 points, the Nifty reclaimed 12,200 levels on January 24. For the week, the Sensex closed 0.79 percent lower, the Nifty ended with losses of 0.84 percent. The Nifty Midcap rose 1.6 percent for the week. Technically, the weakness in the near term shall resume on a close below 12,100. But, a pre-Union Budget rally could take the indices higher, say experts. Nifty50, after opening lower at 12,174.55, hit an intraday low of 12,149.65 but immediately recouped those losses and gained momentum as the day progressed. The index hit a day's high of 12,272.15 in the last hour of trade and closed 67.90 points higher at 12,248.30. Bank Nifty managed to surpass its previous day's high and extended its gains towards 31,375 levels. The index closed 0.77 percent higher at 31,241.80 and formed a bullish candle on a daily scale while Bearish Candle on a weekly scale which suggests dips are being bought into; while supply is visible at higher levels. "Volatility is likely to stay higher ahead of the upcoming Union Budget 2020," Chandan Taparia, Vice President and Analyst-Derivatives at Motilal Oswal Financial Services said. We have collated 15 data points to help you spot profitable trades: Key support and resistance level for Nifty According to the pivot charts, the key support level for Nifty is placed at 12,174.53 followed by 12,100.87. If the index continues moving up, key resistance levels to watch out for are 12,297.03 and 12,345.87. Nifty Bank The important pivot level, which will act as crucial support for the index, is placed at 30,955.46 followed by 30,669.13. On the upside, key resistance levels are placed at 31,451.76 and 31,661.73. Call options data Maximum call open interest (OI) of 37.11 lakh contracts was seen at the 12,500 strike price. It will act as a crucial resistance level in the January series. This is followed by 12,300 strike price, which holds 30.64 lakh contracts in open interest. Call writing was seen at the 12,500 strike price, which added 1.69 lakh contracts, followed by 12,800 strike price that added 67,200 contracts. Call unwinding was witnessed at 12,200 strike price, which shed 6.46 lakh contracts. Put options data Maximum put open interest of 42.89 lakh contracts was seen at 12,000 strike price, which will act as crucial support in the January series. This is followed by 12,200 strike price, which holds 38.17 lakh contracts in open interest, and 11,800 strike price, which has accumulated 24.36 lakh contracts in open interest. Put writing was seen at the 12,200 strike price, which added 10.6 lakh contracts, followed by 12,300 strike, which added 5.41 lakh contracts. Put unwinding was seen at 11,700 strike price, which shed 1.98 contracts. Stocks with a high delivery percentage A high delivery percentage suggests that investors are showing interest in these stocks. 57 stocks saw a long build-up Based on open interest (OI) future percentage, here are the top 10 stocks in which long build-up was seen. 17 stocks saw long unwinding Based on open interest (OI) future percentage, here are the top 10 stocks in which long unwinding was seen. 21 stocks saw short build-up An increase in open interest, along with a decrease in price, mostly indicates a build-up of short positions. 52 stocks witnessed short-covering A decrease in open interest, along with an increase in price, mostly indicates a short-covering. Based on open interest (OI) future percentage, here are the top 10 stocks in which short-covering was seen. Bulk Deals (For more bulk deals, click here) Upcoming analyst or board meetings/briefings Bajaj Finance: Meeting of the Board of Directors of the company is scheduled to be held on January 29, 2020, to consider the unaudited financial results for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2019 and will also consider raising of funds by issue of non-convertible debentures as a part of the proposed increase in the overall borrowing limit. Vedanta: To consider and approve the financial results for the period ended December 31, 2019. Future Consumer: To consider and approve the financial results for the period ended December 31, 2019. BF Utilities: To consider and approve the financial results for the period ended December 31, 2019. Stocks in news Results on January 27: Dr Reddy's Labs, CCL Products, HCL Infosystems, InterGlobe Aviation, Mahindra Life, Navin Fluorine, Shanti Gears, Torrent Pharma, V2 Retail and Wockhardt. ICICI Bank Q3: Bank posted healthy year-on-year (YoY) growth in Q3FY20 profit, on the back of lower provisions and recoveries from non-performing loans (NPLs). Net profit increased significantly to Rs 4,146.46 crore, while NII grew by 24.3 percent to Rs 8,545.32 crore, YoY. DCB Bank Q3: Net profit up 12.3 percent at Rs 96.7 crore against Rs 86.10 crore YoY. NII up 10 percent at Rs 323.1 crore against Rs 293.6 crore YoY. Strides Pharma: Company said the US health regulator has completed inspection of its Alathur facility in Tamil Nadu with zero observations. "This is the second consecutive Zero 483 inspection for the site," Strides Pharma Science said in a filing to the BSE. Wendt Q3: Wendt India Ltd on January 24 recorded consolidate profit after tax at Rs 2.20 crore for the October-December quarter. For the nine month period ending December 31, 2019, net profit after tax was at Rs 10.80 crore as against Rs 15.41 crore. Siemens: Company said it has inked an agreement to acquire 99 percent equity in New Delhi-based C&S Electric for around Rs 2,100 crore. Bank of Baroda: Bank of Baroda posted a loss of Rs 1,407 crore for the quarter ended December 2019. Numbers missed the estimates of an analysts poll conducted by CNBC-TV18 that pegged profit at Rs 645.2 crore for the quarter. JSW Steel: Lower price realisation dented net profits of India's leading steelmaker JSW Steel by 88 percent in the third quarter. JSW Steel had a net profit of Rs 187 crore in the October to December quarter, as compared to Rs 1,603 crore in the same quarter a year earlier. TVS Motor Company: Launches its first electric two-wheeler, The iQube Electric at Rs 1.15 lakh Vodafone Idea: India Ratings cuts company's long-term rating to BBB- from BBB APL Apollo Tubes Q3: Net profit at Rs 83.3 crore against Rs 12.9 crore YoY. Revenue at Rs 2,115.9 crore against Rs 1,691.2 crore YoY Reliance Capital: Payment of NCD interest and principal obligations due on January 24, delayed Reliance Infra: Company says CARE Ratings revised rating of NCDs of the company to CARE D; Issuer Not Cooperating CG Power: Company says to seek removal of joint auditor SKK Mankeshwar & Co. Came across unexplained payments made to M/SKK Mankeshwar & Co Cipla: US FDA completes cGMP inspection at company's Bommasandra unit W/4 observations Prestige Estates Q3: Consolidated net profit at Rs 216 crore against Rs 67.4 crore YoY. Consolidated revenue at Rs 2,680.9 crore against Rs 1,053.5 crore YoY. EIH Q3: Consolidated net profit went up 5.3 percent at Rs 95 crore against Rs 90.3 crore YoY. Axis Bank: Proposes to raise funds up to Rs 5,000 crore via NCDs. Bajaj Finance: Board to mull raising funds via NCDs on January 29. FII and DII data Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) bought shares worth Rs 659.11 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) sold shares of worth Rs 417.96 crore in the Indian equity market on January 24, provisional data available on the NSE showed. Fund flow Stock under F&O ban on NSE You are here: World Flash Iran is capable to enrich uranium at "whatever level of purity," Ali Asghar Zarean, a special assistant to the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), was quoted as saying by state TV on Saturday. "Right now, if the (Islamic) establishment deems necessary, the AEOI has the capability to enrich uranium at whatever percentage of purity", Zarean said. Zarean noted that Iran is currently producing 10 kilograms of uranium each day at under-5-percent purity level. The stockpile of low-grade enriched uranium produced by the country has exceeded 1,200 kg, he said, adding that "it is being increased at full speed." Iran is now injecting gas into its IR-4 and IR-2m generation of centrifuges for producing enriched uranium, he said. He added that Iran is in the process of devising IR-9 generation centrifuges. The Uruguayan priest, whom Pope Francis has known since 2006, is chosen to take the place left open by Father Pedacchio last December. By Vatican News Pope Francis and the Uruguayan priest, Gonzalo Aemilius, have known each other since 2006, since Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, made contact with him because he had heard of Father Aemilius work with street kids. Gonzalo Aemilius, a Doctor of Theology, is the Pope's new Special Secretary. He takes the place of Father Fabian Pedacchio, the Argentine priest who worked alongside the Pope from 2013 to 2019, and who returned last December to his post at the Congregation of Bishops. Father Aemilius was born in Montevideo on 18 September 1979 and was ordained a priest on 6 May 2006. His face may be familiar to many because he is the one, who the Pope greeted and summoned to him when he was part of the crowd gathered outside a Vatican Gate to welcome Pope Francis at the beginning of his pontificate on the morning of 17 March 2013. He recognized him and invited him to accompany him into the church where he was about to celebrate his first Mass with the faithful after his election. At the end of the liturgy, Pope Francis introduced Father Aemilius to all those present, asking them to pray for him and for his work with street children. Interviewed by the Osservatore Romano on the following day, Father Aemilius said that Archbishop Bergoglio's ability to integrate different values and channel them in a single direction had struck him deeply: Experiencing this ability of his was decisive in my life," he said, "He taught me to take the best that is in each individual, however different he or she may be from others, and to put it to good use for the good of all". The Uruguayan priest chosen by Pope Francis will accompany his current Personal Secretary, Father Yoannis Lahzi Gaid. About 2:40 a.m. Sunday, the officers were on the West Side in a marked squad car with lights and sirens activated, as the officers headed to a call of a fire. As their vehicle entered the intersection of North Pulaski Road and West Erie Street in West Garfield Park, heading south on Pulaski and about to make a left turn onto Erie, the pairs unit was struck, officials said. Karachi: A hunger strike will be organized in front of the Press Club of Karachi on Sunday on behalf of 'Sindhi Hindu Students Federation of Pakistan' against forcefully making minority girls in Pakistan. Apart from the students of Sindh province, it will include other Pakistani liberals. Tales of atrocities on minorities in Pakistan are increasing. The cases of forced conversions by abducting girls belonging to minority Hindu and Sikh religions are continuously coming up all over Pakistan, especially Sindh province, which is not even found in the local media. Therefore, along with the local minority youth, some liberal Muslims have also decided to campaign against it on social media. The 'Sindhi Hindu Students Federation of Pakistan' has appealed through Facebook that a major movement is needed to stop cases of forced conversion of minority girls to religious conversion. For this, the local students have decided to sit on a hunger strike in front of the press club in Karachi, campaigning on social media and appealed people to join it. Many other social activists like Saeed Asif Rizvi related to 'Sindh People's Student Federation' have requested to support the minorities. Also Read: Firing between Myanmar army and terrorists, 2 women dead Opposition party will respond against Trump today, impeachment discussions completed Coronavirus wreaks havoc, 57 killed in China Sonia Gandhi reveals deep conspiracy, appeals people to unite DAMASCUS, Syria - Syrian government forces reached the outskirts of a key rebel-held town on Sunday, part of a weekslong offensive into the countrys last rebel stronghold, state media and opposition activists said. Further north, a car bomb exploded in a town held by Turkey-backed opposition fighters killing at least seven people. Over the past two days, Syrian troops captured at least six villages near the strategic town of Maaret al-Numan in the northwestern province of Idlib. That brought them closer to retaking a critical north-south highway that passes through the town. Its been held by the rebels since 2012. Syrian President Bashar Assads government has retaken control of most of the country from rebel fighters, largely because of blanket air support from Russia, which helped turn the tide in the nearly 9-year civil war. Idlib province is dominated by al-Qaida-linked militants. Its also home to 3 million civilians, and the United Nations has warned of the growing risk of a humanitarian catastrophe along the Turkish border. The government offensive in Idlib province has led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, many of them to areas close to the border with Turkey. According to opposition activists and paramedics, Maaret al-Numan is now almost empty as a result of the intense bombardment in recent weeks. Hadi Abdullah, an opposition activist based in Idlib, said Syrian warplanes and helicopter gunships were pounding areas near Maaret al-Numan. Opposition activists said government forces are now less than a kilometre (mile) away from the town. Syrian state TV said government forces captured the village of Ghadqa near Maaret al-Numan early Sunday. Among the six nearby villages captured over the past two days were Tel Manas and Maarshamarin, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and state news agency SANA. In August, Syrian troops captured another town that the highway passes through, Khan Sheikhoun. If Syrian troops capture Maaret al-Numan, their next target is likely to be Saraqeb, which would become the last major town on the M5 highway outside government control. Opening the highway would reduce travel time between Damascus and Aleppo by two hours, since drivers now must take a longer desert road. Also Sunday, a car bomb in the northern town of Azaz killed eight people and wounded over a dozen more, according to SANA, when it went off outside a restaurant. The Observatory gave the death toll at seven people, with more than 20 wounded. No one claimed responsibility for Sundays attack in Azaz. Turkey-backed opposition fighters control the town. There have been a series of bombings over the past few months that left scores of people dead. Last week, a blast killed three Turkish soldiers in northern Syria. Turkey invaded the border area in neighbouring Syria to drive away the Syrian Kurdish Peoples Protection Units, or YPG, because of its alleged links to Kurdish rebels fighting inside Turkey. However, the same fighters were the main U.S. allies on the ground in the war against the Islamic State group. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday urged people to take a pledge to protect the Constitution of the country and uphold its principles. Taking to Twitter, she said, "On #RepublicDay, let us pledge to protect our #Constitution and uphold the principles of sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic, justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, as enshrined in the Preamble." India is celebrating its 71st Republic Day on Sunday. On this day in 1950, the Constitution of India came into effect. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) WASHINGTON Secretary of State Mike Pompeo escalated his clash with a respected NPR journalist on Saturday, lashing out at her and what he called the unhinged news media in an extraordinary statement. A day earlier, he abruptly ended an interview with her and delivered what the news outlet described as a profanity-laced rant. The statement, which used the fiery language to attack the news media that has become a trademark of President Trump and his allies, ignited outrage online among foreign policy experts, scholars of diplomacy and press freedom advocates. Mr. Pompeo violated the goals and nonpartisan nature of his office, whose core mission is to promote American values worldwide, including freedom of the press, they said. The interview between Mr. Pompeo and the reporter, Mary Louise Kelly, circulated widely after it was published on Friday night. Describing a tense exchange after a taped part of the interview, Ms. Kelly said that Mr. Pompeo shouted at her repeatedly using the f-word and challenged her to find Ukraine on an unlabeled map that his aides pulled out, which she did. After the Congress party on Saturday formed a new Uttarakhand Congress Committee, party MLA Harish Dhami asserted that he will soon resign from his post. "Some leaders consider me to be a hurdle in their path. On January 27 I will meet the State Congress president and tender resignation from the post of secretary. I will leave Congress party soon," Dhami told ANI. "I was informed about the list by my party workers. My next step would be to visit my region and hold a discussion with the people over there. I will definitely resign," he said. Congress on Saturday announced names of 22 vice presidents, 31 general secretaries, 98 secretaries and one treasurer for the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee. Earlier, Dhami had accused the State Congress Committee of ignoring its senior leader and former Chief Minister Harish Rawat. "The PCC in Uttarakhand is sidelining Harish Rawat, if the situation remains the same then the situation will become very difficult for the Congress in the Assembly elections due in 2022," Dhami had said earlier this month. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Open source Donbas conflict should be resolved between Ukraine and Russia. This was announced by Count Petr Sheremetev during a briefing after the presentation of the "Normandy format Parliamentary Dimension" at a meeting with members of the French Senate, National Assembly and representatives of diplomatic and business circles of France. I want to tell you that this is a necessary decision to agree. It is impossible to see people killed in such important places of the world and to continue the war and kill people. As a patriot of Russia, as a patriot of Ukraine, as a patriot of France, I dream that people who are sitting and solve such issues, they stand and decide how to end it all and help these countries be friends, "he said. "Do not allow any other countries that have nothing to do with this conflict to interfere in these issues. Leave Ukrainians, Russians to resolve these issues among themselves. They should live together for many centuries, so we dont need neither Holland, nor Spain, nor the EU to solve these issues. It is necessary to solve this "between us", the count emphasized. A man has been charged with murder after a 'Polish national' in his 60s was stabbed to death in London on Friday, marking the seventh murder in the capital this year. Dawid Wycik, 22, also a Polish national, was today charged with murder after the man was stabbed to death in Clapton, east London, on Friday. Emergency services were called to an address in Mount Pleasant Lane, Clapton, shortly before 11:30pm on Friday, where they found a man with stab wounds. A man has been charged with murder after a 'Polish national' in his 60s was stabbed to death in London on Friday, marking the seventh murder in the capital this year. Pictured: Police at the scene in Mount Pleasant Lane, Clapton Emergency services were called to an address in Mount Pleasant Lane, Clapton, (pictured) shortly before 11:30pm on Friday, where they found a man with stab wounds Despite the efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead shortly after. Pictured: A forensic officer at the scene Despite the efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead a short time later. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'A man has been charged with a murder in Clapton. 'Dawid Wycik, 22, (18/4/97) a Polish national of no fixed abode will appear at Thames Magistrates' Court on Monday, January 27. 'Police were called to a residential address in Mount Pleasant Lane, E5, at 11.29pm on Friday, January 24 following reports of a disturbance. Officers and London Ambulance Service attended. 'A man, believed to be a Polish national aged in his 60s, was found with stab injuries inside the property.' The statement added: 'The two men are believed to have been known to each other, but not related.' The woman whose newborn baby girl was found dead Saturday morning in squalor has also died. Police responding to 33 Suburbia Court in Jersey City at 6 a.m. entered the home and saw the 41-year-old woman on the couch with the lifeless child, Hudson County Prosecutors Office spokesman Ray Worrall said. The woman, whose identity was not released, was taken to a local hospital and died at 4:50 p.m., Worrall said. The HCPO did not specify the relationship between the woman and the infant, but a source with knowledge of the investigation confirmed that she was the childs mother. According to police radio transmissions, there were numerous needles, maggots and feces throughout the first floor of the small brick home. The home was cited in June 2019 for multiple health code, housing code and building code violations. The home had been kept up until the owners died a couple years ago, a neighbor told The Jersey Journal. After their death, a son, William Kelly had been staying there. Last year city officials said that neighbors had complained about numerous people coming in and out of the home at all hours of the day. On Saturday, a neighbor said that even after the property was cited, the problem persisted. The city should have done more, said the 61-year-old, who did not want to be identified. Kelly, 57, told The Jersey Journal Saturday afternoon that he came home at 4:30 a.m. Saturday and the woman, who he described as an acquaintance, was in pain. He said it was he who called the police, but he would not say if he called before or after the child was born. Police said in radio transmissions that the umbilical cord was still attached to the child. There was another woman in the house and she was questioned by police, as was Kelly. When Jersey Citys Quality of Life Municipal Task Force inspected the home last year and fined Kelly, he told The Jersey Journal that he should not be held responsible because the bank owns the home. According to tax records, Kellys parents are listed as the owners of the property. Multiple people have said that more than one person has died at the home since last year, but that could not be confirmed by authorities. The Prosecutors Office Homicide Unit is investigating the case with assistance from the Jersey City Police Department. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Prosecutors Office at 201-915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip on the Prosecutors Office official website at http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/. All information will be kept confidential. Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Sunday extended greetings and felicitations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and people of India on its 71st Republic Day. Taking to Twitter, Solih said, "Warm greetings and felicitations to President Kovind, PM @narendramodi and the friendly people of India on India's 71st Republic Day." On this day, 70-year back, India officially adopted its Constitution. The day is being celebrated around the country with great fervor and enthusiasm. Prime Minister Modi thanked Solih for his greeting and noted that friendship between India and Maldives is getting even stronger. "Thank you the greetings on India's #RepublicDay, President @ibusolih. It is a matter of immense delight that friendship between India and Maldives is getting even stronger, benefitting the people of our nations," Modi tweeted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) It seems almost inevitable that long hair is unwelcome at Barbers Hill High School. Theres a touch of aptronymic poetry in Texas public-school dress-code disputes. When I was in school in the 1980s, at the height of the Satanism panic, the local school-district superintendent circulated a list of occult symbols for teachers keep an eye out for, and one of those was the Star of David which would have been bad enough in any case but was amusing coming from a man whose name was Moses. (George W. Bush would later make Mike Moses a state education commissioner.) Barbers Hill telling young DeAndre Arnold that his hair is too long honors the literary convention. It does not honor good sense. Arnold, a young black man of Trinidadian ancestry, wears his hair in dreadlocks. Thats fine with the powers that be at Barbers Hill, so long as said dreads dont extend these things always get hilariously specific below the eyebrows, earlobes, or a T-shirt collar. Arnolds have recently grown a little longer, and he has been told that he will have to spend his days in in-school suspension and that he will be barred from his graduation ceremony if he refuses to comply. There isnt anything obviously unreasonable about the dress code: Schools are right to have basic standards for their students, and the rules are written in the ridiculous way they are written because the complaining and litigious nature of Americans makes it impossible to simply ask teachers or vice principals to use their own judgment. At the same time, there isnt anything at all wrong with the way DeAndre Arnold presents himself: There are guys who wear their hair the same way who work in Silicon Valley or write for the New York Times. Barbers Hill seems to be doing some things right: Its math and reading proficiency rates are 96 percent and 87 percent, respectively, its four-year graduation rate is 99 percent, and 30 percent of its students pass at least one AP exam, according to U.S. News and World Report. It is located in the exurban energy corridor on the far edges of Houston, in a town called Mont Belvieu, where wages are pretty good and where households are more likely to be made up of married couples living together than the national average. So, credit where due, and all that. Story continues But, this being the United States of America, two additional aspects of the case are inevitable. The first is that there is a big wad of cholesterol in the bureaucratic arteries here: There is a form, apparently, that Arnolds family can fill out to beg for a variance. Theyd never heard of any such thing, but now the students mother has filled out the form pleading with the school district for permission to parent her own child and see to his grooming. The second inevitability is the charge of racism. People want to call us racist, school superintendent Greg Poole told CNN. But were following the rules, the law of the land. Were certainly not making this up. Of course theyre making it up. These silly rules were not handed down from on high by the Almighty. The school district made up these rules, and it can revise them. And while there isnt any reason to assume racist intent, it is not exactly unthinkable that it could be the case that the powers that be in a Texas town that is 90.96 percent white didnt get the dreadlocks policy exactly right on the first go. Poole speaks like a man with the soul of a vice principal, who cannot distinguish a school dress code from the law of the land or that from the permanent things. Laws change. The question for the ladies and gentlemen of the Barbers Hill schools is, or should be: What is the Barbers Hill high school for? Does it exist to produce educated men and women, or does it exist to produce docile rule-followers? That is not a rhetorical question. The American public-school system is guided by cutting-edge progressive thinking . . . from the 19th century. The Bismarckian conception of the state as a factory is deeply impressed on our education policy, which is oriented toward turning out workers for the economy as though it were an assembly line producing widgets. Conformism is an inescapable part of that kind of thinking: Assembly lines by their nature impose homogeneity on what they produce. When it comes to dress codes, theres a reason we call the most comprehensive kind uniforms. And uniforms are funny things. For young people, they can in the right context serve to encourage a more interesting and vital form of individualism by eliminating the most shallow kind of distinctiveness (Yeah, Caitlyn, youve got blue hair now, congratulations) and obliging them to distinguish themselves in more meaningful ways. But, as Pete Townshend knows, sometimes a uniform is its own reason for being. In the glory days of punk rock, one could go from suburb to suburb and meet fierce young nonconformists who were, strangely enough, all wearing the same motorcycle jackets and the same Doc Martens, all sporting the same haircuts, all listening to the same music, all mouthing the same political slogans. A lot of those kids went on to be diversity officers at schools and corporations, and brought with them a notion of diversity that means You cant work at the Denver Post if you have unpopular political views. The instinct for conformism is very strong. And so it is fair to ask the superintendent in Barbers Hill how it is that bullying DeAndre Arnold into conformity with the fashion sense of the nations vice principals makes better students or whether this is a case of a rule being enforced because somebody whose occupation it is to enforce such rules understands such rules to be self-justifying. A side note: Fighting with the hair police (now a moot concern for me, alas) as a high-school newspaper editor was my introduction to journalistic controversy. The other thing I learned in high-school newspaper was that the spray adhesive we used to paste up newspaper pages could, if deployed in just the right way, create some pretty good dreadlocks. Funny old world. More from National Review KYODO NEWS - Jan 26, 2020 - 08:00 | All, Japan A former SoftBank Corp. employee was arrested Saturday for allegedly taking proprietary information from the major Japanese phone carrier, with police believing he provided it to officials at Russia's trade representation in Tokyo. Yutaka Araki, 48, is suspected of obtaining the information from a computer server at SoftBank on Feb. 18 last year, in violation of Japan's unfair competition prevention law, the Tokyo police said. The police's public safety bureau suspects the Russian officials at the trade mission were engaging in spy activities. Through the Foreign Ministry, the police requested that the Russian Embassy present two officials, one in his 50s and the other in his 40s who returned to Russia in 2017. SoftBank, a unit of SoftBank Group Corp., said the information was related to manuals for mobile phone base stations and other communications facilities, adding it fired Araki in mid-December. The police believe the Russian official who used to work in Tokyo first contacted Araki before passing on his connection to the Japanese to the official currently working at the trade mission, who has diplomatic status. Araki could have provided numerous corporate secrets repeatedly to the Russian officials, according to the police. The embassy put out a statement on its Facebook page saying that Russia "regrets Japan has joined anti-Russian speculation trendy in the West on the hackneyed topic of spy mania." It said the spy allegation contradicts the policy agreed on by Moscow and Tokyo to create a positive atmosphere for bilateral cooperation. Araki, a resident of Urayasu, near Tokyo, has admitted to stealing the information, according to the police, who quoted him as saying he did it to earn a "little extra money." According to investigative sources, Araki received hundreds of thousands of yen for providing the information kept in data storage devices to the Russian side. SoftBank in a statement said he stole "task documentation" that was "low in confidentiality" which did not include information such as on customers or its business partners. The Tokyo-based company said it has been fully cooperating with the investigation. Pamela Anderson reportedly married producer Jon Peters this week in Malibu, Calif., and on Friday, the former Baywatch star shared a photo of the newlyweds. On her Instagram Stories, Anderson included a black-and-white snapshot of herself and Peters. In the image, which may have been taken in Wetzlar, Germany, Anderson wears a cozy white sweater. Pamela Anderson shared a first photo of her and husband Jon Peters. (Photo: Marc Piasecki/Getty Images) They are very much in love and were married yesterday, Andersons publicist told People on Tuesday. Read more: Pamela Anderson posts throwback photos with Melania and Donald Trump According to The Hollywood Reporter, the first outlet to break the news, Anderson, 52, and Peters, 74, dated in the 1980s after meeting at the Playboy Mansion. Pamela Anderson shared a photo with new husband Jon Peters. (Instagram Story) I walked in and saw this little angel sitting at the bar. It was Pammy. She was like 19. I knew she would be a big star," Peters told The Hollywood Reporter in 2017. He also described her very smart and very talented and said her ambitions were posing for Playboy, which she achieved 13 times. This is a fifth marriage for both Peters and Anderson, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Baywatch star wed Tommy Lee in 1995, Kid Rock in 2006, and producer Rick Salomon multiple times. Anderson and Peters reportedly began dating months ago. On Wednesday Anderson tweeted a photo of herself with Peters during their initial courtship. #Pamela Peters, she tweeted with a heart emoji. Pamela has never seen her full potential as an artist, Peters, who famously dated Barbra Streisand, told The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday. She has yet to shine in a real way. There is much more to her than meets the eye, or I wouldnt love her so much. There are beautiful girls everywhere. I could have my pick, but for 35 years Ive only wanted Pamela, he added. She makes me wild in a good way. She inspires me. I protect her and treat her the way she deserves to be treated. Story continues Pamela Anderson attends Maddox Gallery Los Angeles Presents: Pamela Anderson by David Yarrow at Maddox Gallery on June 07, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Bezjian/Getty Images for Maddox Gallery Los Angeles) Anderson, who has two adult sons with ex-husband Tommy Lee, shared a poem with The Hollywood Reporter. Jon is the original bad boy of Hollywood no one compares I love him deeply like family. His life used to scare me. So much for a girl like me. Now Ive seen more of life and realise .. Hes been there all along. Never failed me Im ready now and hes ready too We understand and respect each other We love each other without conditions. Im a lucky woman. Proof God has a plan. While its not clear how long the duo has been together, Anderson broke up with soccer star Adil Rami this past summer, accusing him of physical abuse and living a double life. She made mention of a new love on her Instagram in December. Five Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee rebuked Pompeo for his response to Kelly in a letter to him on Saturday. At a time when journalists around the world are being jailed for their reporting and as in the case of Jamal Khashoggi, killed your insulting and contemptuous comments are beneath the office of the Secretary of State, read the letter from Sens. Robert Menendez (N.J.), Cory Booker (N.J.), Edward J. Markey (Mass.), Jeff Merkley (Ore.) and Tim Kaine (Va.). WASHINGTON President Trumps lawyers plunged into his impeachment trial defense Saturday by accusing Democrats of striving to overturn the 2016 election, arguing that investigations of Trumps dealings with Ukraine have not been a fact-finding mission but a politically motivated effort to drive him from the White House. Theyre here to perpetrate the most massive interference in an election in American history, White House Counsel Pat Cipollone told senators. And we cant allow that to happen. The Trump legal teams arguments were aimed at rebutting allegations that the president abused his power when he asked Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden and then obstructed Congress as it tried to investigate. The lawyers are mounting a wide-ranging, aggressive defense asserting an expansive view of presidential powers and portraying Trump as besieged by political opponents determined to ensure he wont be re-elected this November. Theyre asking you to tear up all the ballots across this country on your own initiative, take that decision away from the American people, Cipollone said. Though Trump is the one on trial, the defense team made clear that it intends to paint the impeachment case as a mere continuation of the investigations that have shadowed the president since before he took office including one into allegations of Russian election interference on his behalf. Trump attorney Jay Sekulow suggested Democrats were investigating the president over Ukraine simply because they couldnt bring him down for Russia. That for this, said Sekulow, holding up a copy of Special Counsel Robert Muellers report. That report detailed ties between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russia but did not allege a criminal conspiracy to tip the election. From the White House, Trump tweeted his response: Any fair minded person watching the Senate trial today would be able to see how unfairly I have been treated and that this is indeed the totally partisan Impeachment Hoax that EVERYBODY, including the Democrats, truly knows it is. His team made only a two-hour presentation, reserving the heart of its case for Monday. Acquittal appears likely, given that Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, and a two-thirds vote would be required for conviction and removal from office. Republican senators already eager to clear Trump said Saturday that the White House presentation had shredded the Democratic case. The Trump attorneys are responding to two articles of impeachment approved last month by the House one that accuses him of encouraging Ukraine to investigate Biden at the same time the administration withheld military aid from the country, and the other that accuses him of obstructing Congress by directing aides not to testify or produce documents. Trumps defense team took center stage after three days of methodical and passionate arguments from Democrats, who wrapped up Friday by warning that Trump will persist in abusing his power and endangering American democracy unless Congress intervenes to remove him before the 2020 election. They also implored Republicans to allow new testimony to be heard before senators render a final verdict. Give America a fair trial, said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, the lead Democratic impeachment manager. Shes worth it. In making their case that Trump invited Ukraine to interfere in the 2020 election, the seven Democratic prosecutors peppered their arguments with video clips, email correspondence and lessons in American history. At stake, they said, was the security of U.S. elections, Americas place in the world and checks on presidential power Republicans accused Democrats of cherry-picking evidence and omitting information favorable to the president, casting in a nefarious light actions that Trump was legitimately empowered to take. They focused particular scorn on Schiff, trying to undercut his credibility. Schiff later told reporters: When your client is guilty, when your client is dead to rights, you dont want to talk about your client, you want to attack the prosecution. The Trump team had teased the idea that it would draw attention to Biden and his son, Hunter, who served on the board of Ukraine gas company Burisma, while his father was vice president. But neither Biden was a focus of Saturday arguments. Instead, Republicans argued that there was no evidence that Trump made the security aid contingent on Ukraine announcing an investigation into the Bidens and that Ukraine didnt even know that the money had been paused until shortly before it was released. Trump had reason to be concerned about corruption in Ukraine and the aid was ultimately released, they said. Most of the Democratic witnesses have never spoken to the president at all, let alone about Ukraine security assistance, said Deputy White House Counsel Michael Purpura. Pupura told the senators the July 25 call in which Trump asked Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky for the Biden investigation was consistent with the presidents concerns about corruption, though Trump never mentioned that word, according to the rough transcript released by the White House. Pupura said everyone knows that when Trump asked Zelensky to do us a favor, he meant the U.S., not himself. The Senate is heading next week toward a pivotal vote on Democratic demands for testimony from top Trump aides, including acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and former national security adviser John Bolton, who refused to appear before the House. It would take four Republican senators to join the Democratic minority to seek witnesses, and so far the numbers appear lacking. Eric Tucker, Lisa Mascaro and Zeke Miller are Associated Press writers. Leading mobile payments company WorldRemit saw a 43% growth in remittances to Africa from higher income nations in 2019. The top five countries receiving remittances from the diaspora in 2019 included, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, with Nigeria receiving the most remittances. The top sending countries to the region included the United States, Australia, Canada, and Sweden, with the UK sending the most remittances. The diaspora plays a key role in Africas development story, today the value of remittances is three times larger than official development assistance (ODA), and forecasted to become higher than foreign direct investment for a handful of African countries in 2019. The growth of digital and mobile penetration across the continent has contributed to the growth in remittances. WorldRemit has and continues to partner with both mobile money and bricks and mortar agents to increase accessibility to all our customers regardless of whether they are in a city or a remote village on the continent. In addition to digital growth within the continent, the diaspora is also changing its pattern of frequency, value, and reason for sending money back home. Apart from the traditional reasons for sending money to their native countries, members of the diaspora are increasingly looking at ways to be part of what is happening back home. A great example is Ghana, In 2019 after the launch of the Year of Return, Ghana extended citizenship to over 100 African-Americans as well as enacting the Immigration Act which provides for a Right of Abode for any Person of African descent in the Diaspora to travel to and from the country without hindrance. After a successful 2019, President Akuffo-Addo launched a new initiative Beyond the Return which is a drive to see people from the diaspora invest in Ghana via business start-ups, property acquisition, relocating or investment vehicles which the government is setting up. At WorldRemit, it is important to continue to remain affordable, fast, simple, secure and accessible for the growing market and ever-changing dynamic continent. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires Representative image The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on January 26 said that, as of now, no Indian in China has been affected by the coronavirus outbreak. MEA added that the Indian embassy in Beijing is in close touch with all Indians, including university students, in Wuhan and elsewhere in Hubei province. The death toll in the deadly new coronavirus in China rose to 56 on January 26 with confirmed cases of viral affliction reaching 2,008, including 23 from abroad. The pneumonia outbreak was first reported in Wuhan City, central China's Hubei Province, in December 2019. The city of 11 million has been in quarantine since January 23 -- with nobody allowed to leave as the government tries to contain its spread. Apart from Wuhan, 12 other cities have been completely sealed by the Chinese authorities to stop the virus from spreading. COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is closely monitoring the situation, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. "We are also closely coordinating with Chinese authorities. As of now, we understand that no Indian citizens have been affected by the outbreak and that food and water supplies are available to them," Kumar tweeted. He said the Indian Embassy in China has also made operational three helplines to respond to any concerns of Indians in that country. "Our embassy in Beijing is in close touch with Indian citizens including students to extend assistance, including on possible travel options out of Hubei province," the MEA spokesperson said in another tweet. He said the Indian embassy and Consulates General in China are working with Chinese authorities to try and facilitate Indian citizens caught up in these "difficult circumstances". Earlier on January 26, Jaishankar said the Indian Embassy in Beijing is constantly checking on the health and well-being of Indians in China. Curfew was relaxed for two hours in five police station areas of Lohardaga district on Sunday to enable people to purchase essential commodities, an official said. The curfew was imposed on Thursday after a clash broke out during a rally in support of Citizenship (Amendment) Act in Lohardaga town. During the relaxation period between 10 am and noon, gathering of more than four people or slogan shouting will not be allowed, a press note issued by the Lohardaga district administration said. Anybody willing to celebrate Republic Day can do so with flag hoisting and national anthem, and congregation of not more than ten people would be allowed for it, it said. Meanwhile, a press note issued in Ranchi said that the situation in Lohardaga remained largely peaceful. Ranchi Zonal Inspector General of Police, IG (Operations), Ranchi, Range DIG and five SP-rank officers are camping in Lohardaga, monitoring the situation and working round the clock to restore normalcy at the earliest, it said. Around 15 companies of additional police forces have been deployed in the district, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Move of Epstein's former prison warden stalled due to investigation: BOP originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The relocation of the warden in charge of the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York, at the time convicted sex offender and financier Jeffery Epstein died by suicide, has been stalled the Bureau of Prisons told ABC News on Tuesday. BOP says Lamine N'Diaye's move has been "deferred pending the conclusion of investigations." MORE: Jailers failed to preserve security video linked to Jeffrey Epstein's 1st suicide attempt: Officials He was originally slated to be moved to a leadership position at a minimum security prison at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey on Feb. 2, putting him back in the field with inmates despite the ongoing Epstein investigation. PHOTO: File photo of the Metropolitan Correctional Center, which is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, in lower Manhattan of New York City on Nov. 19, 2019 (File/Spencer Platt/Getty Images) The agencys backtracking came after Attorney General William Barr stepped in and told officials at the Bureau of Prisons to reverse course, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to ABC News. The news came after the warden was temporarily reassigned to the Bureau of Prisons' regional office in Philadelphia, a senior BOP official told ABC News. "Today, the Attorney General directed the Bureau of Prisons to temporarily assign the warden at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York to the Bureaus Northeast Regional Office pending the outcome of the FBI and [Office of Inspector General] investigations into the apparent suicide of Jeffrey Epstein, a former MCC inmate," Kerri Kupec, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice, said in a statement in August. PHOTO: Handout provided by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement of Jeffrey Epstein posing for a sex offender mugshot after being charged with procuring a minor for prostitution on July 25, 2013. (Florida Department of Law Enforcement via Getty Images) Two correctional officers in charge of watching over Epstein, Tova Noel and Michael Thomas, were indicted in November. The union that represents the two guards expressed outrage at the report. "Disgraceful. How can they allow this warden to supervise staff and inmates," Joe Rojas a senior BOP union official told ABC News. They plead not guilty to charges of falsifying government documents "in an effort to defraud" and impair the functions of the MCC, according to a release from the Southern District of New York. Story continues MORE: Jeffrey Epstein, accused sex trafficker, dies by suicide: Officials The charges alleged the guards lied on their records saying they checked in on Epstein before his death. Investigators during the trial said the two were sleeping and browsing the internet during a two hour period. Noel and Thomas have yet to be interviewed in the internal evaluation, a source said. Warden In Charge Of Prison Where Jeffrey Epstein Died Given Leadership Role at New Correctional Facility The warden who was in charge of the jail cell where Jeffrey Epstein died last year is being moved to a leadership position at a new correctional facility in New Jersey. Lamine NDiaye has been assigned a new management position at FCI Fort Dix, a low-security prison in Burlington County, by the federal Bureau of Prisons, despite an ongoing investigation into financier Epsteins death. NDiaye will begin his new leadership role in February, and will be assisting the prisons current warden, CNN reports. His alleged promotion comes less than six months after Attorney General William Barr temporarily reassigned him to a desk post at the Bureau of Prisons regional office in Pennsylvania while the FBI and the Justice Departments inspector general investigated the circumstances surrounding Epsteins death. Epstein was found dead in his jail cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York on Aug. 10, 2019, while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled as suicide by the New York medical examiner who said he had hung himself with a sheet from his bed. However, Attorney Barr said there were serious irregularities at the Manhattan prison where Epstein was being held and that he was appalled to learn of the facilitys failure to adequately secure this prisoner. Prison guards Tova Noel, 31, and Michael Thomas, 41, were accused of failing to check up on the multi-millionaire convicted sex trafficker every 30 minutes, which is required and fabricating documents claiming that they had. Court documents said that for substantial portions of their shift, the two sat at their desk, browsed the internet and moved around the common area of the isolation unit where Epstein was being held. They later found Epstein unresponsive in his cell at 6:30 a.m. The two guards pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy and filing false documents claiming they had conducted regular checks. Epstein, who was 66 when he died, had pleaded not guilty to sexually abusing girls as young as 14 and young women in New York and Florida in the early 2000s. Following his death, famed pathologist and former chief medical examiner for New York City Dr. Michael Baden told Fox News that he believes the physical evidence suggests Epstein did not take his own life. Badenwho was hired by Epsteins brother, Mark Epsteincited unusual symptoms such as hemorrhaging in the eyes, deep marks around his neck and three broken neck bones as evidence which points toward homicide rather than suicide. He added that the injuries were more consistent with ligature homicidal strangulation than suicide. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Haiti - Social : Thanks to Taiwan, the FAES supplies 150 community restaurants in the West On January 23 and 24, 2020, the Economic and Social Assistance Fund supplied the 150 Community Restaurants in the Western Department, specifically in Port-au-Prince, Delmas, Tabarre, Cite Soleil, Croix-des-Bouquets, Petion-ville, Kenscoff and Carrefour. The supply of these community restaurants will allow operators to better serve the populations of these municipalities by providing them with hot meals daily for a small sum of 10 Gourdes (2018). The FAES expressed its gratitude to the Government of Taiwan (Republic of China) for its unconditional financial support and its donations of food, which allow it to bring aid to the most vulnerable populations... In addition, FAES has announced that it has honored its commitments to the people of avenue Poupelard, Decayette (Carrefour-feuilles), Croix-Desprez, Wharf Jeremie and Pont-Rouge by opening 5 new community restaurants there. Thursday, January 23, 2020 Jean Sadrack Jean Francois, the Deputy Director of the Poverty Reduction Department of FAES, met with community leaders from Solino, Bas Bel-Air, Haut Bel-Air, La Saline, Delmas 6, Delmas 31, Delmas 30-A, Cite Okay around the establishment of community restaurants in their respective neighborhoods. The opportunity for the Assistant Director of FAES, to explain to participants the operating methods and the importance of community restaurants and to draw the attention of community leaders to the need to ensure good management of these restaurants once located in their respective areas. Friday, January 24, the series of meetings with community leaders from Delmas 2, Delmas 4 / Carrefour-3, Delmas 32, Delmas 11 and 15, Gerald Bataille, Simon Pele, Carrefour of Airport and Cite Soleil. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-29856-haiti-humanitarian-taiwan-will-supply-42-reference-community-restaurants-in-the-country.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-29603-haiti-social-more-than-400-community-restaurants-in-operation.html HL/ S/ HaitiLibre The German military resumed training Iraqi troops in the country's Kurdish north on Sunday, about three weeks after it was suspended following the US killing of a top Iranian general in Baghdad. The military said the commander of the international operation fighting the Islamic State group lifted the suspension. Germany resumed training in Irbil on Sunday morning together with its partners. The Bundeswehr has about 90 soldiers in Irbil. However, Germany's training mission in central Iraq is still suspended and there was no immediate word on whether or when it might resume. Germany flew 35 soldiers out of Iraq from bases in Taji and Baghdad on January 7, most of them to neighbouring Jordan. That was described as a temporary measure. The decision was made after the January 3 killing by the United States of Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander Qassem Soleimani drastically raised regional tensions and escalated a crisis between Washington and Tehran. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Canadian recently returned from the Chinese city of Wuhan, which became center of an outbreak of viral disease January 26, the first confirmed case of the 2019-nCoV coronavirus was registered in a resident, who returned from the central Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak of a viral disease, Reuters reported. Ontario health officials said at a press conference that the patient was a 50-year-old man who arrived in Toronto on January 22 and was hospitalized the day after the onset of respiratory symptoms. Now the man is being treated in a state hospital, he is in a stable condition. An outbreak of a new coronavirus occurred in Wuhan, China, late last year. According to the doctors, the virus is transmitted from person to person. Cases have also been reported in South Korea, the United States, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, France, Australia, and Nepal. As we reported before, Health Minister Zoryana Skaletska said that Ukraine has recorded three cases of suspected coronavirus. She announced this at a meeting of the operational headquarters of the Ministry of Health Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk stated that the operational headquarters at the level of the Healthcare Ministry is created in Ukraine to control the spread of China coronavirus According to the PM, as for today, there are no grounds for worrying in Ukraine. Vietnam Explores Increasing Foreign Military Cooperation to Resist China By Ralph Jennings January 25, 2020 Vietnam indicates in a recent defense white paper it will pursue stronger military ties abroad as China challenges its maritime sovereignty claims, and analysts expect that to mean more exercises with Western-leaning foreign powers and brisker purchases of foreign weapons. The Southeast Asian country will "promote defense cooperation" abroad to handle mutual security challenges, the Ministry of National Defense paper released in November says. As conditions are right, the English-language paper says, "Vietnam will consider developing necessary, appropriate defense and military relations with other countries for mutual benefits and common interests of the region and international community." The document stresses more defense cooperation among 10 Southeast Asian nations and calls settling differences with China a "long-term, difficult and complex process involving multiple countries and parties." The two Asian neighbors, which have centuries of border disputes, now contest sovereignty over tracts of the South China Sea. The paper should signal more procurement of advanced weapons from countries such as Russia and joining more multinational defense exercises, analysts believe. One such event was the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations bloc's first maritime exercises with China's chief rival, the United States, in September. "If we read between the lines, we can see the Vietnamese hinting at the possibility that they may deepen cooperation with other powers, but how far they can go they don't say specifically in the paper," said Nguyen Thanh Trung, Center for International Studies director at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam and China Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam contest all or parts of the 3.5-million-square-kilometer South China Sea. They value the waterway, which stretches from Taiwan west to Singapore, for its fisheries and energy reserves. China has taken a military and technological lead during the past decade by using landfill to build out small islets under its control. Some now support hangars and airstrips. Chinese maritime activity angers Vietnam especially because China controls the Paracel Islands, a 130-islet archipelago claimed by both sides. The two sides faced off in deadly sea battles in the 1970s and 1980s, fanning Vietnamese resentment, already strong from a two-war land border dispute. A Chinese energy survey ship sparked a standoff with Vietnam last year as it patrolled near an oil and gas block on the Vietnamese continental shelf, also within China's maritime claim. The white paper dovetails with a 2018 Communist Party Central Committee resolution calling for becoming what domestic media outlet VnExpress International calls "a powerful maritime nation." More joint exercises The paper, the first since 2009, follows from Vietnam's gradual accumulation of 28 partnerships with foreign countries, some with a military dimension. India and Vietnam signed a deal in 2018 to step up defense cooperation, and Vietnamese military personnel already train at Australian defense institutions. The paper's wording implies that Vietnamese officials feel confident they can join any future U.S. military exercises with ASEAN, Nguyen said. Vietnam will not engage one country to strike another, the white paper says, a pledge that precludes any treaty alliances, said Collin Koh, maritime security research fellow at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Foreign military bases are also considered unlikely. The white paper doesn't rule out a tighter defense relationship with Washington, said Carl Thayer, emeritus professor with the University of New South Wales in Australia. "You might want to read it as a very nuanced way of 'you push us too far, we'll go closer to the U.S.' but it's not that explicit in there," Thayer said, although when U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper visited Vietnam in November, he talked up what the U.S. Embassy called a "defense partnership." Arms sales Foreign defense cooperation may augur more deals to buy arms from Russia, India and eventually the United States, analysts believe. In 2018 the country signed a deal to order more than $1 billion from its long-time submarine and aircraft supplier Russia. Two years earlier, India extended $500 million in credit for any military purchases. China, also a political rival of India, protested that idea. Trump administration officials have explored selling weapons to Vietnam. In 2018 the U.S. State Department indicated it wanted to Vietnam to buy more weapons from the United States despite price tags that the country might find hard to pay, military news outlet DefensenNews reported. Four years ago Washington lifted an embargo on lethal arms sales to Vietnam, ending a remnant from U.S. Vietnam War. The white paper doesn't mention specific defense expenditures, nor does it bore down into details of Vietnam's disputes with China or name the fellow communist government as a target." I think in a way this white paper is trying to strike a balance between the need to send a signal and yet at the same time trying not to appear too provocative toward certain parties," Koh said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mudita Girotra By NEW DELHI: Unlike other constituencies, many voters in Malviya Nagar are not much impressed with the AAP government doling out freebies to the people ahead of the election. And if their mood is anything to go by, AAPs sitting MLA Somnath Bharti is in for a tough fight this year. One explainer for this sentiment could be the fact that this constituency, which falls under the New Delhi parliamentary constituency, has some upmarket areas such as Hauz Khas, Safdarjung Enclave and Malviya Nagar. People living in these areas appreciate their MLA but are against giving away public services for free. Another striking feature is the complaint of voters against what they claim is a lack of focus on infrastructural development despite the segment falling under a high-profile Parliamentary constituency. Arjun Nagar, Krishna Nagar, Humayunpur, Begum Pur, Malviya Nagar and Geetanjali Malviya Nagar are other areas that fall in this constituency. Why make everything free? There has been no development. No projects have been taken out to improve the infrastructure in the city. Everything has been made freefrom buses to electricity to waterall for votes. If you want to benefit the people, what are you doing for us? The development of schools and hospitals is just propaganda. Not much has changed, said Surender Singh Cheema, 62, a retired bank employee. The issue of unemployment remained untouched, he said. Kids are the future of the country. What has been done for them? There are no jobs. I feel the same party should be in power both in the Centre and the statethat can uplift the people of Delhi. Radhe Sham, 51, agreed with Cheema. There is a huge unemployment but the government is busy wasting public money. Somnath Bharti, he said, is a good man but the policies are not right. Our children study at private schools. What difference is the government making to our lives, Sham said, adding that in terms of infrastructural change, the government targeted areas of their supporters? They know that our locality (Shivalik) wont win them votes. They have developed areas, from where they have support already. Interestingly, Malviya Nagar has mostly voted for the party that rules from the Delhi Secretariat. While the Congress won three times in this constituency, the BJP and the AAP have won it twice each and the JNP has won it once. Somnath Bharti will face former councilor Shailender Singh Monty of the BJP and Congress candidate Neetu Verma, a former DUSU president. Many residents said that while their constituency didnt need much attention, they were happy with the initiatives being taken for the downtrodden sections of the society. Our lives are fine. We appreciate what the government has done for the poor, said Shalini Khurana, 38 They should do more. NK Kaushik, a retired MCD employee, said he had complaints with the BJP-led SDMC and the AAP-led Delhi government for not paying attention to minute issues. The branches of trees in the colony park are yet to be lopped off. His wife Suman Kaushik said that the branches reaching their house on the second floor in Malviya Nagar created safety issues. Anyone can easily climb up. We are scared. But, Suman conceded that despite such hiccups, she supported the AAP for addressing bigger issues. Kejriwal has worked hard. He has given free water and electricity to the poor. The AAP is certainly better than other parties (in the polls), she said. This sentiment, perhaps, could be the hope that Somnath Bharti is looking for to work in his favour when the residents vote on February 8. Parents at some Sydney private schools will pay more than $40,000 for their child's year 12 education this year, with fees rising almost $10,000 in seven years despite increased federal government funding for independent schools. Additional technology levies at SCEGGS Darlinghurst and The King's School have pushed final-year fees over $40,000 for the first time. SCEGGS is charging a record $39,700 for year 12 tuition but a compulsory $780 technology fee raises the total cost to $40,480, which is $9979 more than fees in 2013. The King's School in Parramatta will charge $40,714 for year 12 after additional technology and meal fees are included, an increase of $11,809 on raw fees seven years ago. Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) [India], Jan 26 (ANI): A man carrying a reward of Rs 1.5 lakhs on his head was killed in an encounter with police in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut. Criminal identified as Chand Mohammad was involved in more than 30 criminal cases. During the encounter, the man was shot and later he succumbed to his injuries. Another man involved with the criminal escaped during the encounter. On receiving the information, police team including Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Sahni reached the spot. Manoj Dixit, a head constable posted in surveillance was also injured in the encounter. Further, the investigation is underway. (ANI) Last year, Covington Catholic High School hit the American media like a bomb because of a video that the media claimed showed a smug, MAGA-hat wearing, anti-abortion boy smirking at a noble Native American. In fact, the video actually showed a polite, pro-Life, pro-Trump, 16-year-old boy smiling nervously as an aggressive activist invaded his space, drumming away at him. CNN has already caved to the truth and paid Nick Sandmann, that nice boy, a sum reputed to be around $25 million for slandering him. Other media outlets are expected to pay up too. This year, thankfully, we are not seeing a rehash of the media pile-on against young people who oppose abortion. Covington Catholic, however, did again charter some buses to take its students from Park Hills, Kentucky, to the March for Life. As far as we can tell, all went well in D.C. On the trip home, though, one of the three buses carrying the students was hit by a driver traveling south on a northbound stretch of road. Thankfully, no one on the bus died, although the bus driver had to be taken to the hospital, one student had a bloody nose, and a couple of chaperones got banged up. The driver of the wrong-way car was killed, however. Because there were priests traveling with the students, one of the priests was able to administer last rites to the person killed. There is no news yet as to why that person was driving in the wrong direction on the freeway, although rainy weather may have contributed to the drivers confusion. We note this small tragedy simply because its interesting to see how a person or an entity, once engaged with history, keeps showing up again. We saw this as well with Spencer Stone and Alek Skarlatos. If those names sound familiar, its because Stone and Skarlatos were two of three young Americans who helped stop a terrorist attack on a train traveling to Paris in August 2015. A heavily-armed Moroccan national had tangled with and shot a man who was badly injured. (The Frenchman, Mark Moogalian, was so terrified of Islamic reprisal within France that he initially refused to be identified, despite his own heroism in trying to stop the attack.) Hearing the gunshots, Stone, Skarlatos, and their childhood friend Anthony Sadler, instantly swung into action, taking on the terrorist as other passengers hid. Stone was stabbed several times in the neck and almost lost his thumb. That would be a single story . . . except for the fact that both Stone and Skarlatos showed up in the news again, with both stories occurring in October 2015, roughly two months after the train attack. Stone appeared in another heroic role. He was out for the evening at a bar in Sacramento when he saw James Tran, an ex-con, harassing a woman. Stone stepped in to help. Eventually, Tran repeatedly stabbed Stone in the back. Stone required open-heart surgery to repair wounds to his lungs, liver, and heart. At roughly the same time, although Alek Skarlatos did not figure directly in the story, Skarlatos's name still came up when a gunman killed nine people at Umpqua Community College in Oregon. Skarlatos had been a student at Umpqua Community College before he was deployed to Afghanistan in 2014, which instantly tied him to the tragedy. The human mind is hardwired to notice coincidences, which is a way to help us make sense of an otherwise chaotic world. However, even that kind of hardwiring should not account for a single high school having newsworthy events twice occur in connection with the March for Life or for two young men who stopped a terrorist in August 2015 to be connected with violence (through no fault of their own) once against in October 2015. Some people and institutions seem destined for fame whether they want it or not. Facemasks have sold out at a Chemist Warehouse branch as Australians fear a potential outbreak of the disease which has killed 56 people and infected almost 2,000. A staff member at the chemist chain was pictured wearing a sign attached to his back warning of the supply shortage in a photo shared on Sunday. It comes after four people in Australia were struck down by the virus which has forced Chinese authorities to place 56 million people in lockdown. A Chemist Warehouse branch has sold out of face masks as the first confirmed cases of coronavirus were reported in Australia 'Face masks are sold out!! We apologise for the inconvenience,' the sign on the staff member's back read in the image shared to Reddit's r/Sydney sub-thread. In Melbourne, many CBD pharmacies are running out of protective face masks, which were already in huge demand due to the toxic haze from the state's bushfires that have blanketed the city in t recent weeks. 'I have been to nine pharmacies already, they're all out of them,' a Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology student originally from Shanghai told Reuters. 'And I need them, we all need them.' However, health officials have said the masks are not recommended. 'Face masks are not recommended for use by members of the public in Victoria for the prevention of infections like novel coronavirus,' the Victoria health department said in a statement. The high demand for masks has also been felt in France and the US - where two and three cases have been confirmed respectively. The federal government has stepped up measures to protect Australians from the the deadly coronavirus virus after the first case in Australia was confirmed (stock image) Stores stocking surgical masks have reported selling out of the product in Chicago, New York and Paris. Health officials are meanwhile trying to track down hundreds of passengers who shared flight with a man in Australia diagnosed with the virus. The man arrived in Sydney from Wuhan, the Chinese city which is at the epicentre of the escalating outbreak, on January 20. The 53-year-old arrived in Sydney on China Eastern Flight MU749, landing at 11.35am, and developed symptoms that night before seeing a doctor. NSW Health is trying to find his fellow passengers to see if they could have been infected by coming into contact with him. The deadly virus has already claimed 56 lives in China and is expected to rise worldwide 'We have asked the National Incident Room to pull the records for those people that were on the flight and we are getting the seat details,' NSW chief medical officer Kerry Chant said. Three men in NSW, aged 43, 53 and 35, and one aged in his 50s in Victoria have caught the deadly disease. None of the men are in a serious condition. They are in hospital simply to stop the virus spreading. Two flew from Wuhan while the other arrived in Sydney from Shenzhen in southern China, just north of Hong Kong. None of the men had symptoms on the flight so the likelihood that they infected fellow passengers is low. 'We do not believe they were infectious at the time of their international flight,' Dr Chant said. CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA NEW SOUTH WALES: 4 Four people in NSW have been diagnosed with coronavirus, including three men and one woman. January 25 Three men aged 43, 53, and 35 who had recently travelled to China are confirmed to have contracted the disease. Two flew in from Wuhan while the other arrived in Sydney from Shenzhen, south China. They are being treated in isolation at Westmead Hospital and are in stable condition. January 27 A 21-year-old woman is identified as the fourth person to test positive for the illness in NSW. The woman, a student at UNSW, flew into Sydney International Airport on flight MU749 on January 23 and presented to the emergency department 24 hours later after developing flu-like symptoms. She is being treated in isolation at Westmead Hospital. VICTORIA: 4 January 25 A Chinese national aged in his 50s becomes the first confirmed case of the coronavirus in Australia. The man flew to Melbourne on China Southern flight CZ321 from Wuhan via Guangzhou on January 19. He is now in quarantined isolation at Monash Hospital in Clayton in Melbourne's east. January 29 A Victorian man in his 60s is diagnosed with the coronavirus. He became unwell on January 23 - two days after returning from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak. The man was confirmed as positive on January 29 and was subsequently seen by doctors at the Monash Medical Centre. He was assessed as being well enough to stay at home. January 30 A woman in her 40s falls ill with the coronavirus. She was visiting from China and mostly spent time with her family. She is being treated at Royal Melbourne Hospital. February 1 A Melbourne woman aged in her 20s is at home recovering. She returned from Wuhan on January 25 and fell ill two days later. She was not infectious on the flight, and has remained in isolation since being tested. QUEENSLAND: 2 January 29 Queensland confirms its first case after a 44-year-old Chinese national wass diagnosed with the virus. He is being treated at Gold Coast University Hospital. January 30 A 42-year-old Chinese woman who was travelling in the same Wuhan tour group as the 44-year-old man tests positive. She is in Gold Coast University Hospital in stable condition. SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 2 February 1 A Chinese couple were placed in isolation in a public hospital. The man and a woman both aged 60, were from Wuhan and visiting relatives in South Australia. SA Health said the pair isolated themselves at home when they developed symptoms and awaited the results of the coronavirus test. Australia has raised the travel alert level to 'do not travel' for the city of Wuhan - the epicentre of the outbreak - and for the entire Hubei province. Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy says unless people have contact with someone who is unwell and has come from that part of China, there is no need for current concern. Advertisement However, they may have come into contact with hundreds of people since getting off their planes and despite interviewing many people who met them, there would be many others at risk. Officials urged anyone with symptoms who has been to China recently to come forward. Dr Chant also asked GPs to contact NSW Health if they had a patient showing symptoms of coronavirus. 'Make sure you have processes in place and consider where people have travelled and particularly be conscious of people returning from China,' she said. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said anyone who comes forward with symptoms will have their privacy respected. 'They should also call ahead to speak to their GP or emergency department,' he said. 'If the GP considers novel coronavirus testing is needed they will be referred to the emergency department for testing.' The patient in Victoria is a Chinese national aged in his 50s who flew to Melbourne on China Southern flight CZ321 from Wuhan via Guangzhou on January 19 on an A380 plane, which can can carry 500 passengers. He became the first confirmed case of coronavirus in Australia on Saturday morning and is now in quarantined isolation at Monash Hospital in Clayton in Melbourne's east. The Sydney patients are being treated at Westmead Hospital, NSW Health confirmed on Saturday night. Earlier on Saturday a baby was rushed from Sydney Airport to hospital for testing and was later discharged cleared of the virus. Five people tested in Queensland since have been cleared. The dangerous coronavirus has spread to 11 countries as the number of cases grows Fourteen cities across the Hubei province in China are restricting the movement of people by reducing or cancelling public transport and closing roads to try and stop the virus spreading Another four people in South Australia are undergoing tests as a precaution but the likelihood of having the virus is low, according to authorities. Officials expect more people will be struck down with the dangerous virus in coming weeks as it threatens to become a global pandemic. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the federal government has stepped up measures to protect Australians from the virus, along with giving a dire warning to not travel to China's Wuhan or Hubei provinces. 'From today (Saturday), anyone arriving in Australia on flights from other parts of China will be met and provided instruction on what to do it they have symptoms it start to develop them,' he said. 'Chinese authorities have also imposed travel restriction sin at least five cities in the Hubei province. 'Australians travelling to these areas may not be able to leave until restrictions are lifted. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF THE CORONAVIRUS? Once someone has caught the virus it may take between two and 14 days for them to show any symptoms. If and when they do, typical signs include: a runny nose a cough sore throat fever (high temperature) The vast majority of patients at least 97 per cent, based on available data will recover from these without any issues or medical help. In a small group of patients, who seem mainly to be the elderly or those with long-term illnesses, it can lead to pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection in which the insides of the lungs swell up and fill with fluid. It makes it increasingly difficult to breathe and, if left untreated, can be fatal and suffocate people. Advertisement Mr Morrison added the federal government will continue to monitor the situation and take action when necessary. Victoria Health Minister Jenny Mikakos told reporters on Saturday the infected patient had been in Wuhan - the epicentre of the outbreak - for two weeks by himself. 'He was confirmed as positive after a series of tests early this morning,' Ms Mikakos said on Saturday. Ms Mikakos said it was 'possible' the man wasn't contagious while on board as he didn't start showing symptoms until after arriving in Melbourne. 'We are now in the process of making contact with all the other passengers [on the flight],' she said. 'It is important to stress that there is no cause for alarm to the community. In Queensland six people - including three from the Gold Coast - were being assessed for the virus, five of whom have now been given the all-clear. Four others in Queensland were given an all-clear earlier in the week. Three confirmed victims in NSW are now being treated in isolation in NSW hospitals A passenger wearing a protective mask (pictured) is seen at Sydney Airport on Thursday, as a man in Melbourne is confirmed as the first Australian case of coronavirus A total of 18 people have been tested for the virus in NSW, with 12 of those given the all-clear. In Tasmania, a man in his 30s who travelled to Wuhan this month is being tested for the virus in Royal Hobart Hospital. Did China pressure World Health Organisation not to declare international emergency? China's status as a major superpower may have influenced the World Health Organisation's decision not to declare coronavirus an international emergency, experts have warned. More than 1,300 people have been infected globally with the virus traced to a seafood market in the central city of Wuhan that was illegally selling wildlife. Despite this, the WHO has failed to declare a global health crisis. On Thursday the organisation said it was 'too early' for such a decision but added an emergency could still be declared if the outbreak continues to spread. 'This should not be taken as a sign that we don't think the outbreak is serious, or that we are not taking it seriously,' said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. 'Nothing could be further from the truth.' Now, baffled experts have warned that their decision may have been influenced by China. Yanzhong Huang, senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations, told The Daily Telegraph: 'The criteria for declaring a public health emergency of international concern have been met.' But 'not all WHO decisions are made based on the developments in the biological world,' he added. Advertisement The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade overnight raised the level of travel advice for Wuhan and Hubei province to 'do not travel'. The disease is listed as having 'pandemic potential', allowing border measures to be enhanced. 'The confirmation today by Victorian authorities of the coronavirus case was a matter that had been anticipated,' Mr Morrison said. 'The Australian government is of course taking this issue incredibly seriously.' About a dozen cases are being investigated nationwide, according to Queensland's Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young. 'It's an evolving number,' she told reporters on Saturday. 'We will be treating them as if they're confirmed cases, as a precaution. We still don't understand the transmissibility of this virus. 'If you develop fever, coughs or shortness of breath, you should ring ahead to your GP, discuss it and your GP will refer you to the emergency department.' Australia's Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said it was important for people arriving from Wuhan - and those in close contact with them - to monitor for symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, vomiting and difficulty breathing. 'We don't know exactly how long symptoms take to show after a person has been infected but there is an incubation period and some patients will have very mild symptoms,' Prof Murphy said. 56 lives have been lost to the virus in China, and 1,975 people have been infected nationally. 'We're confident that outside the major epicentre of China there is not yet evidence of significant, or any, human to human spread,' Prof Murphy said. A pamphlet handed out by the Australian Government providing travellers with information on the deadly coronavirus (pictured) Federal and state chief medical officers held joint discussions on Saturday with health ministers expected to do the same. Prime Minister Morrison said the confirmation of a case in Australia had been anticipated and procedures are in place to manage the situation. 'I'd urge Australians to go about their day, go about their business in the knowledge that the professionals and the experts are there to provide the support that is needed in times like this are on the job and they're getting about it to keep you and your families safe,' he said. The infected man in Melbourne has pneumonia and is in a stable condition, being treated in a negative pressure isolation room. Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Angie Bone said the man felt tired after landing in Melbourne, before he started feeling ill later that day. He then presented himself to a doctor on Thursday, four days after arriving in Australia. 'My understanding is he came off the plane and felt very tired and spent the next day resting in his room, towards the end of the day he developed symptoms,' Dr Bone said. Patients with the novel coronavirus (pictured) typically have a fever, cough and trouble breathing, but some patients have developed pneumonia There is said to be little risk of him spreading the deadly virus in Melbourne, as he spent the last week with family and hasn't visited any public places since being in Australia. 'He stayed in his room as he was conscious he may have caught the disease, so his family didn't allow anyone in his room,' Dr Bone said. 'He has not been out and about, so I guess that minimises the risk to the broader community and he has taken all the appropriate precautions in terms of calling ahead to the GP clinic and to the hospital before he has presented on both of those occasions. 'So, he has done everything right. The family has done everything right to minimise the risk. 'There is a possibility the family may have caught the infection, we will be observing them very closely. It will help us understand how easy it is to transmit this virus.' Dr Bone said the man wasn't a health care worker and may well have picked up the disease in a public setting. 'There's no evidence of human to human transmission here [in Australia]. It will be very hard to be specific about where people catch it from,' she said. Two cases, including a Chicago woman returning from China, have been confirmed in the United States. Wuhan is a city of 11 million people which has been the epicentre of the outbreak. It is now treating dozens of patients (pictured) The virus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan, already on lockdown and where the virus is thought to have originated, banned most vehicle use downtown and Hong Kong said it would close schools for two weeks as authorities scramble to stop the spread of an illness that has infected more than 1,400 people worldwide and killed 56. Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke following an emergency government meeting to warn that the spread of the killer virus is worsening, as video emerged showing medics collapsing at hospitals in the capital of central China's Hubei province as the coronavirus outbreak continues to move across the world. The virus has also been detected in Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Nepal, and the United States. 'Faced with the grave situation of an accelerating spread of the new coronavirus [...] it is necessary to strengthen the centralised and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee,' Xi said, according to official news agency Xinhua. Medical staff work in the intensive care unit at a hospital in Wuhan (pictured) have been working round the clock It comes as Liang Wudong, 62, who had been treating patients in Wuhan, died from the virus this morning, state-run China Global Television Network reported. Wudong, who was retired but drafted in to help with the outbreak, died after time spent treating patients. It was also reported that another doctor, Jiang Jijun, has died from a heart attack while treating the afflicted. It is unknown if the infectious disease specialist, who has treated bird flu and influenza A and tuberculosis over the years, died as a result of coronavirus or from exhaustion. And the US, which has around 1,000 citizens in the city, is set to evacuate those it knows about - including diplomats - on a 230 seater charter flight tomorrow. The US government won approval for the operation from China's Foreign Ministry and other government agencies following negotiations in recent days, The Wall Street Journal reports. The British Foreign Ministry is yet to confirm whether it will do the same. France has confirmed two coronavirus cases, the first in Europe. Despite prevention measures such as sanitation being done in South Korea (pictured), the virus continues to spread globally Also today, distressing video has emerged showing a doctor collapsing on the floor as footage revealed the full scale of panic inside Wuhan hospitals, with crowded corridors and patients slumped on the floor. Video shows staff shouting at patients to calm themselves as medics desperately try to contain the situation. Some workers are reported to be wearing diapers as they don't have time to use the toilet amid the panic. Some 56 million people are now subject to restrictions on their movement as authorities expand travel bans in central Hubei province, now affecting 18 cities. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 16:26:38|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close HANGZHOU, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-two Rwandan freshmen, majoring in e-commerce at Hangzhou Normal University, just finished the last lesson of their first semester. "Every student needs to go through an interview before being recruited. When they were asked about e-commerce in the beginning, their concept was vague," said Li Hujun with the Alibaba eWTP Program. Dianah Rutayisire Mahoro, 19, found a new world during her stay in China. What impressed her most are the omnipresent QR codes. "Just a simple scan and you pay for anything. I would like to promote online payment and QR codes in Rwanda to improve the shopping experience in my homeland," said Rutayisire Mahoro. "I learned how e-commerce businesses are operated in China, but now my challenge is how to combine it with the local business environment in Rwanda," said Theogene Tuyishimire, whose Chinese name is Yingxiong, or literally hero. "Stores can earn an extra 4 percent using mobile digital payments in China," said Tuyishimire. "But in Rwanda, only about 30 percent of people have ever used online payment because a service fee of about 10 percent of the transfer amount will be levied." "I want to figure out an approach to lower it down to 3 percent," said the 21-year-old. The four-year undergraduate e-commerce program is part of a cooperation agreement between the Rwandan government and Alibaba under the latter's Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP) initiative. Rwanda and Alibaba launched the eWTP in October 2018, making Rwanda the first African country to launch the platform. The curriculum is tailored for Rwandan students with courses including Chinese language, digital economy, principles of economics, international trade, digital finance, cross-border e-commerce operation and digital marketing and management, among others. After four months of study, Rwandan students have become more and more accustomed to life in China. They have already been proficient in the use of multiple online shopping apps. Many of them have been used to purchase clothes, shoes, food, daily necessities and even laptops online. "Look at me," said Tuyishimire, pointing at his suit jacket. "I bought it online on Single's Day (Nov. 11). Its quality is just as good as I thought." Jason Xiao, the operation advisor of Alibaba's office of the academic committee of the economy, expressed his expectations to Rwandan students. "The purpose of this program is that we want them all to be job creators, not job seekers, in Rwanda." The program is already taking effect. Tuyishimire has come up with an ambitious vision of starting an e-commerce program this March to help farmers in his hometown sell agricultural products online. "Last week, I watched the livestream of Rwanda's ambassador to China and a Taobao anchor. A total of 2,000 packs of Rwanda coffee were sold in just 10 minutes," said Tuyishimire. "It was totally out of my imagination. More surprisingly, the online platform allows growers to earn an extra 4 U.S. dollars per kilogram of coffee." "I want to open an online store when I go back and contribute to the development of the digital economy in Rwanda," said Rutayisire Mahoro. DSS was coordinating with Ukrainian authorities. U.S. State Department investigators this week interviewed hundreds of diplomats and employees at the U.S. embassy in Ukraine as part of an investigation into the alleged surveillance of former ambassador Marie Yovanovitch by associates of Rudy Giuliani, two U.S. officials with knowledge of the investigation told BuzzFeed News. The interviews were conducted on Wednesday and Thursday (January 22 and January 23) by officers from the State Department's federal law enforcement and security arm, the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), the diplomatic sources told BuzzFeed News. Read alsoUkraine's Interior Ministry probing into possible illegal surveillance of ex-U.S. envoy Yovanovitch One of the sources said DSS was coordinating with Ukrainian authorities, which opened their own investigation into the matter on January 16. The U.S. embassy declined to comment. One of the sources described U.S. embassy workers as being "spooked" by the surprise investigators showing up. It is unclear how many of them were present, but the embassy employs over 300 people, including diplomats and local staff, so it would take several officers to get through them all in two days. All diplomats and staff were explicitly told not to speak to the press about the matter, according to one of the sources. Friedricks said, I definitely dont want the standards to go back to the point where the kids are eating unhealthy things like fried foods and pop and potato chips and all those things they used to have in the concessions area. We dont ever want to go back to that. The state governors of the federation have unanimously agreed to reverse the increase in the Right of Way (RoW) charges from the planned N6, 000 to N145 per linear metre. The agreement came after a meeting between the state governors and the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa. Pantami. The governors have been under pressure from the Federal Government and telecommunication companies to harmonise their charges with that of the Federal Government. Recall that about 14 states had increased RoW charges from the initial fee of between N300 to N500 per linear metre to between N3,000 and N6,000 per linear metre. Although some states have reversed the charge, other states have refused to do same and as such, they were no longer issuing RoW licences to telcos. The Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) Chairman, Mr Gbenga Adebayo, who was present at the meeting, commended the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and hailed the minister for intervening in the matter, ThisDay reports. He disclosed that prior to now, he had written to the minister to seek his intervention to save the telecoms sector. He expressed excitement at the new decision reached during the meeting and said that he hoped all 36 states were unified on this agreement. He further advised the governors to look more at the social and economic benefits of ubiquitous broadband penetration, than their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from RoW charges. The Right of Way (RoW) charges refer to fees paid by telecommunications operators to the government for permission to install some of their infrastructures. PV: 0 The Phoenix Hill Sports Park in the capital of Southwest Chinas Sichuan province hosted the 2021 Chinese FA Cup final as its inaugural event Sunday. Covering an area of 128,000 square meters, the park consists of two world-class sports venues, a retail and hotel complex, and a public plaza. It will be one of the venues of the 31st Summer World University Games Jan 12, 2022 05:45 PM PM Narendra Modi waves at the crowd during a ceremony to celebrate country's 73rd Independence Day at the Red Fort in New Delhi. (Image: AFP) American women have just achieved a significant milestone: They hold more payroll jobs than men. But this isnt entirely good news for workers, whether theyre men or women. The difference is small, but it reflects the fact that women have been doing better in the labor market compared with men. One big reason is that the occupations that are shrinking tend to be male-dominated, like manufacturing, while those that are growing remain female-dominated, like health care and education. That puts men at a disadvantage in todays economy but it also ensures that the female-dominated jobs remain devalued and underpaid. Female-dominated jobs in the working class are just not comparable to mens jobs, said Janette Dill, a sociologist at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. So yes, its great to see women participating at such a high level in the labor market, but it also really means continuing challenges for working-class families, because these jobs just dont replace manufacturing jobs in terms of job quality and wages. Women now hold 50.04% of payroll jobs (which excludes people who work on farms or in households or are self-employed), according to the Labor Departments jobs report this month. (Men are still a larger share of the labor force than women, a number that is calculated differently it includes people who dont have jobs but are looking for work; farm and household workers; and self-employed people.) The only other time women have held more jobs was in mid-2010, when men were hit particularly hard by the recession and the decline in construction and manufacturing jobs. This time, the economy is thriving but women seem better able to take advantage of it. Reasons for the decline in work for less educated men are many. They include the rise of automation; the waning power of unions; rising incarceration rates; factories that move overseas; and hurdles to switching jobs like having to move away or return to school. But gender norms are a major and often overlooked factor. However much politicians talk about manufacturing jobs, the U.S. economy has become service-dominated and jobs helping people have typically been done by women, while jobs making things have been associated with men. Womens success in the labor market has been driven by their educational gains, and by black and Latino women. While women in large numbers have moved into male-dominated jobs, especially professional ones, the reverse isnt true. Women are 84% of social services workers and 78% of health care workers. Differences in the jobs that men and women choose are now the single largest cause of the gender pay gap, accounting for more than half of it, research by economists Francine Blau and Lawrence Kahn has found. Sex segregation is much more prevalent in working-class jobs than in white-collar ones. But even the more prestigious female-dominated jobs, like nurse practitioner or high school teacher, have failed to attract many men. Yet when men do so-called pink-collar jobs, they tend to have more job security and wage growth over time than they would have in blue-collar jobs, research has found. One reason men are reluctant to take pink-collar jobs is that overall, they pay less than male-dominated ones. When women enter fields in greater numbers, pay declines, sociologist Paula England and colleagues have found. Jobs that involve caregiving, like health aide or preschool teacher, are particularly low-paying, even after controlling for the high share of female workers, other work by England has found. Most workers have in mind the lowest wage theyre willing to accept in a new job, economists say, and men who have left higher-paying manufacturing and construction jobs might be unwilling to take a large pay cut. The wages that nursing assistants and home health aides get, and child care workers and teachers get, communicate to society that these jobs are not valued compared to male-dominated jobs, so of course men dont want to do that, Dill said. Another thing holding men back from service jobs is norms about masculinity. The markers of masculinity include earning a good income and distancing oneself from feminine things, research has shown. Taking a job traditionally done by women threatens both, said Jill Yavorsky, a sociologist at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. A new experiment found that when unemployed men looked at job postings, they were willing to take a job that employed mostly women. But if it called for stereotypically female traits like interpersonal skills or care work, they were not, found Dill, Yavorsky and Enrica Ruggs at the University of Memphis. Moreover, a study published in December by Yavorsky found that men, across education levels and job types, were less likely to be called back by employers for interviews when they applied for traditionally female roles. Also, social scientists have observed that women seem to show more flexibility than men in training for and moving to new industries. Women who worked in manufacturing were hit harder than men during the recession, but they were also more likely than men to move into high-skill jobs and health care jobs. Men who have gone into pink-collar work have viewed these jobs as a last resort after facing disadvantages in the labor market, researchers have found. They are more likely to be black or Hispanic and to have had the least education and the lowest earnings. Even though pink-collar jobs pay less overall, the men who take them often earn more than they had in jobs like manual labor, found a paper published this month by Dill and Yavorsky, using census data from 2004 to 2013. When men take female-dominated jobs, theyre more likely than not to use them as a stopgap, and return to a male-dominated job as soon as they can, found Margarita Torre Fernandez, a sociologist at the University Carlos III of Madrid. Using data from the census and the National Longitudinal Study of Youth from 1979 to 2006, she found this happened in nearly every female-dominated occupation, particularly elementary school teaching, health technology and social work. Some men would rather endure unemployment than accept a relatively high-paying womens job and suffer the potential social stigma, she wrote. Policymakers and recruiters have discussed various ways to address this issue, like bringing back manufacturing jobs, or emphasizing the masculine qualities of service jobs. But theres another solution, researchers say: improving the quality of pink-collar jobs, in terms of wages, stability, benefits and hours. That could both attract men to these jobs and also benefit women. There are immense economic benefits to these jobs, Yavorsky said. Inevitably, if they were more highly valued in our society, I think men would be more likely to enter them, and women would very much benefit from the higher wages. Improving the quality of pink-collar, working-class jobs has the potential to close gender gaps and also to shrink the widening gaps between the highest and lowest earners, both women and men. Claire Cain Miller is a New York Times writer. New Delhi, Jan 26 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid rich tributes to the martyred soldiers as he laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi on the occasion of the 71st Republic Day on Sunday. He was accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat along with the three service chiefs - Army Chief Gen M.M. Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria. China has stopped its citizens from booking overseas tours as part of the country's efforts to curtail the spread of coronavirus in a further blow to Australia's beleaguered tourism operators. State media reported that the China Tourism Association had halted all domestic holiday hotel and flight bookings through travel agencies on Friday and announced on Saturday it would do the same for outbound tour groups. Chinese tourists have become a fixture of Australian capital cities - including on the jacaranda-lined streets of Kirribilli in Sydney - and have put billions into local economies. Credit:Edwina Pickles The move puts at risk about a quarter of the travellers Australia receives from China - its biggest international tourist market - every year and compounds the woes of operators who are already expecting fewer customers as a result of the bushfires. The travel booking ban, which goes into effect on Monday, comes as Chinese authorities grapple with a public health crisis that has claimed 56 lives and resulted in almost 2000 confirmed cases. The outbreaks of two major diseases, coronavirus and Lassa fever, dominated the health scene last week. Nigeria is battling with Lassa fever from which, between January 1 to 24, 195 confirmed cases and 29 deaths have been recorded in 11 states. Meanwhile on the international scene, the novel coronavirus which began from Wuhan province in China is spreading to other countries. As at Saturday, situation report from WHO shows that 1,320 confirmed cases have been reported for novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) globally. Here is a roundup of some of the health stories last week. Lassa Fever: Nigerian govt activates nationwide emergency operations With the increasing cases of Lassa fever reported across the country, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has activated a National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate the response activities. Since the beginning of the year, Nigeria has been experiencing an increase in the number of Lassa fever cases and deaths. Between January 1 and 24, a total of 195 confirmed cases were reported from 11 states country, leading to 29 deaths. This figure is expected to rise as more states have reported cases of the disease. Only 2 out of 10 deliveries attended by skilled birth attendants in Kano Report Only 21.5 per cent two out of 10 of deliveries in Kano State are attended by skilled birth attendants, a report titled Primary Health Care in Nigeria- A case study of Kano State, has revealed. The research was conducted by Nigeria Health Watch and spanned 49 facilities in 44 local government areas Presenting the report on Tuesday, the Director of Programmes at Nigeria Health Watch, Vivianne Ihekweazu, said the percentage of facilities that offer maternal and child health (MNCH) services is very low. Coronavirus: Nigeria issues advisory, places port health services on alert Nigeria has placed its port health service units on alert following the outbreak of Coronavirus, a flu-like disease that has so far killed nine people in Wuhan, a city of 11 million in central China. Since the first case of the Coronavirus was detected in December, at least 471 cases have been confirmed across China mainland, according to Chinese authorities. Cases have also been reported in South Korea, Thailand and Japan, and suspected cases detected in Australia. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control called for calm and urged travellers to submit themselves to routine health checks upon entry into the country. German government satisfied with Nigerias efforts in polio eradication For reaching the milestone of three years without reporting a case of wild poliovirus, the German Parliament has expressed satisfaction with the progress in polio eradication in Nigeria. The German Government has been a long-term supporter of the Polio Eradication Programme in Nigeria. It has provided tremendous financial support over the years with grants to fill critical funding gaps for vaccines and campaign operations across the country. Coronavirus not yet global emergency WHO Despite the fast-spreading rate of the new coronavirus, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says the outbreak is yet to attain the status of Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). It, however, warned that there is an emergency in China. WHO in a statement released after the Emergency Committee convened by the WHO Director-General said despite the spread of the dangerous respiratory infection from China to at least six other countries, the disease is yet to attain the official global emergency status. U.S. to evacuate consulate staff, citizens from Wuhan The U.S. State Department said on Sunday it will evacuate personnel from its Wuhan consulate to the United States and will offer a limited number of seats to private U.S. citizens on a flight out of the epicentre of Chinas coronavirus outbreak. The State Department, in an emailed statement, said some private U.S. citizens will be able to board a single flight leaving Wuhan on January 28 bound for San Francisco, requesting those interested to contact the U.S. embassy in Beijing with their personal information. This capacity is extremely limited and if there is insufficient ability to transport everyone who expresses interest, priority will be given to individuals at greater risk from coronavirus, said the statement. Patients who quit smoking one month to surgery have less complications WHO Smokers who quit smoking at least four weeks or more before their surgical operation are more likely to have lower post-surgical complications, a new World Health Organisation (WHO) report has shown. Evidence from the new report revealed that smokers who quit approximately four weeks or more before surgery have a lower risk of complications and better results six months afterwards. The study also shows that every tobacco-free week after four weeks (usage) improves health outcomes by 19 per cent, due to improved blood flow throughout the body to essential organs. Giving TB vaccine intravenously boosts efficacy Research Experiments in rhesus macaques show that changing the mode of administration of an existing vaccine yields amazing results in the fight against tuberculosis (TB). There is currently only one available vaccine, which is called bacillus CalmetteGuerin (BCG). Healthcare professionals administer the vaccine intradermally; that is, they inject it directly under the skin. However, a research led by a professor of microbiology and molecular genetics at the University of Pittsburghs Center for Vaccine Research in Pennsylvania, JoAnne Flynn, suggests that administering the vaccine intravenously instead could drastically improve its efficiency. With the introduction of more Hawaii routes from the Bay Area this week, Southwest Airlines has basically finished the first piece of its network expansion to the islands, adding thousands of seats to the market, which have regularly pushed fares below $300 roundtrip on all carriers serving the islands the latest example of the so-called Southwest Effect. New routes launched by Southwest this week include service from both Oakland and San Jose to Kona on the Big Island and to Lihue, Kauai. Flights from Sacramento to Honolulu that were originally planned to begin this week had been pushed forward to November 2019; still on the calendar is a Sacramento route to Kahului, Maui set to launch on March 7. Beyond that, Southwests next expansion to the islands will shift to the south, with San Diego-Maui service set for an April 14 launch, followed by San Diego-Honolulu beginning April 20. The newest Bay Area routes have started out with service three or four days a week, but all four of those routes go daily on March 7, a spokesperson noted. As Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said in laying out the carriers third quarter results, By March 2020, we plan to offer 12 daily departures from California to Hawaii, and 34 daily departures among the Hawaiian Islands. We are very pleased with the strength of customer demand for Southwest service in Hawaii, and it will continue to be a focus for growth in 2020. Thats a pretty good record for its first year. Southwest kicked off its first Hawaii flights on March 17, 2019, with service between Oakland and Honolulu. It followed up with Oakland-Maui service on April 7, then added San Jose-Honolulu and San Jose-Maui flights in May. It created quite a stir in the market by offering introductory fares as low as $49 each way, which were snapped up quickly by eager fliers. Following a strategy that it used for much of its history, Southwest stayed away from Californias two mega-airports San Francisco International and Los Angeles International focusing its expansion on lesser facilities like OAK, SJC and SMF. But that also made sense because Southwest already has a substantial number of mainland routes into Oakland and San Jose, providing more connecting passenger feed for the new Hawaii flights. Southwests mainland to Hawaii service is putting pressure on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines from Northern California. In March of this year, Alaska plans to drop its existing routes to Kona from Sacramento and San Francisco International, followed by the elimination of its Sacramento-Maui flights in mid-May (although Alaska also plans to increase frequencies in March to daily service from SJC to Kona and Kauai, and from San Diego to both of those destinations). Southwest put even more pressure on Hawaiian Airlines by developing its own network of inter-island flights in the 50th state. It started out last spring with flights from Honolulu to Kahului, Maui and to Kona on the Big Island. It expanded that network this week by adding Honolulu-Kauai, Honolulu-Hilo and Kona-Maui service, giving it a total interisland schedule of 34 flights a day.onoH Don't miss a shred of important travel news! Sign up for our FREE bi-weekly email alerts There was a bit of a gap between the first piece of Southwests Hawaii expansion last spring and the latest piece this winter as the airlines planning was thrown off by the continuing absence of the Boeing 737 MAX from its fleet. When it first started planning its Hawaii network, Southwest expected to use the MAX as the workhorse of its island flights. Instead, it has had to rely on 737-800s after the MAX was grounded by the FAA in March 2019 the same month Southwest kicked off its first Hawaii flights. Meanwhile, the FAA which was already under fire for being too cozy with Boeing in approving the 737 MAX in the first place is now being accused of improperly authorizing Southwests Hawaii flights. According to The Wall Street Journal, the Office of Special Counsel is looking into a whistleblower complaint from an FAA employee. The whistleblower allegedly claimed that FAA officials cut corners to rush through the approval of Southwests Hawaii plans for the financial benefit of the airline. And whats next for Southwests Hawaii service after San Diego? Theyre not saying anything yet. Weve been very clear that we have additional service planned, subject to available aircraft, the spokesperson said. Those future expansion plans could hinge on how long it takes to get the 737 MAX back into service. Southwest has 34 of them on the ground, and Boeing said just this week that based on its latest discussions with the FAA, it now doesnt expect to see them flying again until sometime in mid-2020. Have you flown Southwest to Hawaii yet? How was your experience? Tell us in THE COMMENTS! Read all recent TravelSkills posts here Chris McGinnis is SFGATE's senior travel correspondent. You can reach him via email or follow him on Twitter or Facebook. Don't miss a shred of important travel news by signing up for his FREE biweekly email updates! The Veterans of Foreign Wars of United States expect an apology from the US President Donald Trump for his comments on brain injuries. Trump had said in Davos on January 22 during the World Economic Forum that he did not consider the brain injuries suffered by the US service members after the recent attacks by Iran on Iraqi military bases which housed US troops. As per international reports, Trump had said, had headaches, and a couple of other things, but I would say, and I can report, it's not very serious. However, opposing Trump's statements, the VFW said that it cannot stand idle on this matter and that traumatic brain injuries is a serious injury. Read - Donald Trump 'did Nothing Wrong': Defense Opens Argument In Senate According to the media release by the group, William Doc Schmitz, VFW National Commander not only asked the White House to join in efforts with the forces to educate other citizens but also elaborated on how TBI cannot be taken lightly. VFW also said that Traumatic Brain Injury is serious" and is known to cause depression, memory loss, severe headaches, dizziness and fatigue. Furthermore, all injuries that come with both short- and long-term effects. Schmitz said, The VFW expects an apology from the president to our servicemen and women for his misguided remarks. And, we ask that he and the White House join with us in our efforts to educate Americans of the dangers TBI has on these heroes as they protect our great nation in these trying times. Read - White House Say Voters Should Decide If Trump Remains In Office 34 US service members affected On January 24, the assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, Jonathan Rath Hoffman had said that 34 US service members have been diagnosed by a medical professional with symptoms of TBI and concussion. The injuries were the result of Tehran's attack of January 8 which was also the retaliation of US drone strike in Baghdad which killed Iran's top commander Qassem Soleimani along with other military personnel. According to the media release of the Department of Defence, out of 34 service members, 17 have returned to their duty in Iraq while nine are still being treated in Germany. Furthermore, additional eight service members who were flown to Germany have since been sent to the US for additional treatment. Read - Trump Lawyer Says Dems Want To 'overturn' Last Election Read - Trump's Mideast Peace Plan Will Be 'historic': Netanyahu Thousands of students flooded Iraqi streets Sunday to keep up their anti-government movement despite a crackdown, while rockets landed near the US embassy in Baghdad. One protester was killed in the southern hotspot of Nasiriyah, with demonstrators defying gunshots and tear gas fired by riot police seeking to shut protest camps. Activists have long worried that their months-long movement demanding a complete overhaul of Iraq's political establishment could be snuffed out. Stoking those concerns, firebrand cleric Moqtada Sadr dropped his support for the protest movement on Friday, after holding an anti-US rally attended by thousands in Baghdad. On Sunday, two days after Sadr supporters demanded the departure of some 5,200 American troops from Iraq, a volley of rockets landed near the US embassy in Baghad's Green Zone, two security sources told AFP. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, the latest this month to target the high-security zone, which is also home to the Iraqi parliament. The rocket fire came as thousands of students rallied across the country on Sunday, waving Iraqi flags and holding up two fingers in a victory sign in defiance of security forces who fired live rounds in a bid to clear them. "Only for you, Iraq!" read a sign held by a young protester in the shrine city of Karbala, hinting at the movement's insistence on not being affiliated with any political party or outside backer. Violence has resurged in Baghdad Iraq's Shiite-majority south this week, with more than 15 people killed as anti-government activists stepped up road closures and sit-ins. On Saturday, four demonstrators were shot dead as riot police stormed protest camps across the country, according to medics, stoking fears of a broader crackdown. In Basra, hundreds of students gathered to condemn the riot police's dismantling of their main protest camp the previous day, according to an AFP correspondent. In Baghdad, university students marched from a campus in the city centre to the main rally area of Tahrir Square. Riot police fired live rounds and tear gas at clusters of young protesters in the nearby Khallani and Wathba squares, but protesters threw rocks and Molotov cocktails to keep them back. At least 17 protesters were wounded, a police source said. Security forces have stopped short of entering Tahrir Square, where some protesters stood their ground even after many tents were dismantled. In the southern city of Nasiriyah, security forces Sunday also fired live rounds to disperse protesters who were angered by authorities pushing them out of roads around their main protest camp in Habbubi Square. One protester died after being shot by security forces and dozens more were impacted by tear gas in the brief skirmishes, a medical source told AFP. At least 75 protesters suffered bullet wounds and around 100 were impacted by tear gas in brief skirmishes, a medical source told AFP. The youth-led protests erupted on October 1 in outrage over lack of jobs, poor services and rampant corruption before spiralling into calls for a government overhaul after they were met with violence. Protesters are now specifically demanding snap elections, the appointment of an independent premier and the prosecution of anyone implicated in corruption or recent bloodshed. Their voices have been heard by top UN envoy in Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert who has said: "Unaccountability and indecisiveness are unworthy of Iraqi hopes, courageously expressed for four months now." "While death and injury tolls continue to rise, steps taken so far will remain hollow if not completed," she said Saturday. More than 470 people have died, a vast majority of them demonstrators, in protest-related violence since the rallies erupted on October 1. The defiant demonstrations on Sunday came despite Sadr's withdrawal of support for the anti-government movement. The notoriously fickle militia leader-turned-politician initially backed the protests and called for the government's resignation although he controls the largest bloc in parliament and top ministerial posts. On Friday, thousands attended a rally he organised in Baghdad demanding the departure of some 5,200 US troops based in Iraq. After the mass gathering Sadr said he no longer wanted to be involved in the youth-led protest movement. Analysts said Sadr was striving to both maintain his street credibility and win favour with Iraq's powerful neighbour Iran. Iran holds tremendous political and military sway in Iraq and will likely have a major say in who will replace Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi who submitted his resignation in December. Meanwhile anger at the United States has swelled since an American drone attack near Baghdad airport on January 3 killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and leading Iraqi military official Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. On Sunday a volley of rockets hit near the US embassy in Baghdad's Green Zone without causing casualties, security sources said. One source said three Katyusha rockets were fired while the Iraqi security forces said five rockets struck the Green Zone. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Enemy troops used proscribed weapons, namely 120mm and 82mm mortars. Two Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and another two have been injured in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, since Sunday midnight. "One soldier of the Joint Forces was killed and another one was injured in enemy shelling today, January 26. Also, one serviceman was killed and one soldier was injured in an explosion of an unidentified explosive device," the press center of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) Headquarters said on Facebook in an evening update on Sunday. Read alsoOne Ukraine soldier wounded as Russia-led forces mount 10 attacks on Jan 25 In total, illegal armed groups of the Russian Federation violated the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine 12 times from 00:00 to 19:00 Kyiv time on January 26. "The enemy attacked our positions, using 120mm and 82mm mortars, which are prohibited by the Minsk agreements, as well as various systems of grenade launchers, cannons installed on infantry fighting vehicles, heavy machine guns, and rifles," it said. In particular, seven attacks were reported in the Skhid (East) sector: near the town of Krasnohorivka (twice), the village of Starohnativka (twice), as well as near the villages of Lebedynske, Novohryhorivka, and Hnutove. Five enemy attacks were recorded in the Pivnich (North) sector: near the villages of Orikhove (twice), Novotoshkivske (twice), and Novotoshkovsky and Krymske, where the enemy used, among other things, 82mm and 120mm mortars prohibited by the Minsk agreements. For Marija Frlan, its as symbolic as it can get: A survivor of a Nazi concentration camp during the Second World War, the Slovenian woman turns 100 years old on Monday, the international Holocaust Remembrance Day. Mrs Frlan, who was held at the Nazis Ravensbruck camp in northern Germany for more than a year in 1944-45, will join other survivors and officials in Poland on Monday for ceremonies marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp. Ahead of the ceremonies, Mrs Frlan told The Associated Press that one could talk at length about what it was like in the Ravensbruck camp, but that only those who were there really know how horrific it was. The ones who didnt survive this, they cant understand, no, the woman said at her home in the small village of Rakek in south-western Slovenia. It was terrible. Mrs Frlan said prisoners at the Nazi camp for women were given just enough food to survive and had to work throughout the day. Obligatory inspections were held outside every morning, lasting for at least one hour. One time, the inspection was going on for four hours, she recalled. It was a rainy day. It is impossible to explain if you werent there. Women at the camp encouraged each other not to give up, telling one another Girls, hold on! and No moaning! she recalled. The Ravensbruck concentration camp was the second in size only to the womens camp in Auschwitz, according to the US Holocaust Museum. Toward the end of the war, some 50,000 prisoners, mostly women, were held at the camp. Mrs Frlan was shipped to Ravensbruck in March 1944 from a prison in her native Slovenia. After having to clean the the offices of the secret Gestapo police for nine months, Mrs Frlan was jailed for helping the resistance movement in Slovenia in a bombing. The Gestapo knew that I was responsible for the bombs, she said. So they took me to prison. Story continues It was then that she saw her husband for the last time. He was captured too and executed soon after. We even couldnt say hello, she said. That was it. Marija Frlan married again and had six children (Darko Bandic/AP/PA) Mrs Frlan was sent to Ravensbruck on train via Munich with a group of other prisoners. The only meal she had in five days was a bowl of soup and three loaves of bread. The inmates at Raversbruck came from some 30 countries, with the biggest number from Poland. Soviet troops liberated the camp in April 1945. With the Red Army troops approaching, the Germans forced the prisoners to walk out of the camp toward the front lines, Mrs Frlan said. The march continued until early May. Suddenly, there were no Germans anymore and a Russian soldier appeared on a horse, she remembered. He said: The war is over! The prisoners from Slovenia and other nations in the former Yugoslavia then decided to walk back home together, Mrs Frlan said. Once she was back in Slovenia, the despair hit again. I had lost my husband, I had no flat, she said. Nothing. Mrs Frlan managed to get back on her feet. She married again and had a family, giving birth to six children. She worked as a cleaner and factory worker after the war and even climbed Slovenias highest Alpine peak of Triglav at the age of 70. Camila Mendes has become a fan favorite among Riverdale viewers as the iconic comic book character Veronica Lodge. And the actress is taking her talents to the big screen with her latest movie Palm Springs, premiering this weekend at Sundance Film Festival. She cut a sexy chic look in beige Saturday as she joined her co-stars at the star-studded gathering in Park City, Utah. Sexy chic: Camila Mendes cut a sexy chic look in beige Saturday as she joined her Palm Springs co-stars at Sundace Film Festival in Park City, Utah The 25-year-old donned a beige double-breasted topcoat, paired with a black turtleneck. The slimming sweater featured a built-in bustier, which was trimmed in white stitching. It was complemented with a pair of retro chic high-waisted orange and white tartan pants. She completed the ensemble with a pair of silver hoop earrings from Kendra Scott and square-toed red leather Yuul Yie boots with metallic gold structured heels. Winter vibes: The 25-year-old donned a beige double-breasted topcoat, paired with a black turtleneck Devil in the details: The slimming sweater featured a built-in bustier, which was trimmed in white stitching Co-star pals: She was spotted mingling with her Palm Springs co-star Andy Samberg, who sported red and black flannel. Mendes also caught up with Cristin Milioti, who stars in the movie as well and wore a Sandy Liang fleece Squad goals: They were joined by director Max Barbakow and writer Andy Siara Out and about: The group made their way to several events, sponsored by the likes of Vulture, Variety, Pizza Hut and IMDb, where they participated in a chat Mendes carried a structured black alligator handbag, which accentuated her fresh black manicure. She was spotted mingling with her Palm Springs co-star Andy Samberg, who sported red and black flannel. They were also joined by co-star Cristin Milioti, as well as director Max Barbakow and writer Andy Siara. The group made their way to several events, sponsored by the likes of Vulture, Variety, Pizza Hut and IMDb, where they participated in a chat. Mendes also caught up with Meredith Hagner, Tyler Hoechlin and Miranda Otto, who stars in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, set in the same fictional universe as Riverdale. Mixing and mingling: Mendes caught up with pals Meredith Hagner and Tyler Hoechlin A suspected case of coronavirus has been reported in Rajasthan, following which the patient has been kept in isolation, state Health Minister Raghu Sharma said on Sunday. He said a doctor, who returned to India after completing the MBBS course in China, was kept in isolation at the SMS Hospital here on the suspicion of being affected by coronavirus. Directions were given to conduct a screening of all the family members of the patient, he added. In an official statement, the minister said a blood sample of the patient was sent to the National Virology Laboratory in Pune. He added that a total of 18 people from four districts of the state had returned to the country from China and the respective district chiefs and medical officers were directed to keep them under surveillance for 28 days. Sharma also urged the Union health minister to make the screening facility available at the international terminals of various airports in the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Trump's lawyers begin presenting their case for why he shouldn't be impeached on Saturday. But we already know what they're going to say. During Tuesday's procedural battle over whether or not to hear new witness testimony as part of the trial, Trump's defense team gave us a preview of what their arguments will look like: hyperbolic claims, little regard for the truth, strident attacks, and largely ignoring the legal arguments and evidence presented by the House impeachment managers over the last four days. On one level this strategy makes sense, undoubtedly pleasing the combative president and his base, while also reflecting the knowledge that the Senate is exceedingly unlikely to remove Trump from office. Yet, it carries a risk, threatening to damage perceptions of Trump among the crucial voters who may decide his fate in November. The House impeachment managers, led by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam B. Schiff, have largely spent the first four days of President Trump's trial laying out substantive arguments, explaining in detail why they believe Trump's conduct warrants removal from office. They've used charts and video clips, even rebutting Trump's purported justification for demanding that Ukraine investigate Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter. The House managers even dove into substance during battles over amendments to the rules package that will govern the trial. If that fight over amendments was any indication, what we're about to see from Trump's legal team is going to be jarringly different. On Tuesday, their rebuttal to each amendment proposed by Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer dripped with incendiary charges focused largely on the impeachment process, not the substance of the arguments against Trump. White House Counsel Pat Cipollone, for example, baselessly asserted, '"A partisan impeachment is like stealing an election."' In so much as they responded to what the House impeachment managers were saying, it wasn't to address or rebut legal contentions, but rather to indignantly upbraid their opposition. On at least three occasions Trump's lawyers outright lied. Story continues Most absurdly, Trump attorney Jay Sekulow apparently misheard what House impeachment manager Val Demmings was saying about Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuits, and responded by ranting about how it was "a dangerous moment for America when an impeachment of a president of the United States is being rushed through because of lawyer lawsuits." His attorneys' feistiness no doubt pleased the highly pugilistic president who has been lambasting the unfairness of the House's impeachment process for months. On Wednesday, he sent 142 tweets or retweets, the most of any day during his presidency. In one representative tweet Thursday morning, Trump claimed that the Democrats' presentation was, "loaded with lies and misrepresentations." Trump aides have long known they are performing for an audience of one, and that the president grades on how strongly his aides defend him and how it looks on television. It was therefore not particularly surprising that the most newsworthy moment of the trial's first three days came in the wee hours of the morning Wednesday, when Chief Justice John Roberts admonished both sides for their heated language and harshness after House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler sparred with Cipollone and Sekulow, with Cipollone branding Nadler's criticism of the Senate for not agreeing to call witnesses a "power trip" and theatrically asserting, "It's a farce Mr. Nadler, you owe an apology to the president of the United States and his family, you owe an apology to the Senate, but most of all, you owe an apology to the American people." After all, Trump was in Davos, Switzerland, and as The Washington Post's Paul Kane noted, he might well have been up and tuned in. Appealing to an audience of one is a luxury that Trump's attorneys and their House allies have. The odds of 20 Senate Republicans joining with all Democrats to remove Trump from office are virtually nonexistent. That frees Trump's team not to focus on legal niceties or rebutting facts, but on stirring up Trump's base, which has long viewed the president as a victim, unfairly targeted by Democrats and the political establishment since his first days in office. As law professor Orin Kerr observed, keeping Trump's base on board will also help keep senators loyal. But this strategy may prove to be short-sighted. It poses several key risks. In so much as swing voters in 2020 likely to be centrists or center-right voters who don't particularly approve of Trump, but likely find the Democratic candidate too far left for their liking are tuned in, this strategy allows the legal case presented by House Democrats to stand un-rebutted. And the charges lodged against Trump are fairly clear and easy to understand, supported by voluminous evidence being methodically laid out by the House managers. Even if such voters aren't watching the trial on a minute-to-minute basis, they may well see clips of one side presenting facts and evidence, while the other rages and blusters. And the evidence gets at their core fear about Trump: that he's unwilling to abide by safety rails that keep presidents from becoming tyrants and that his behavior is inappropriate for the office. Additionally, by not challenging the mountain of evidence against Trump, his lawyers risk hardening the determination of Americans who dislike him to turn out in droves no matter who Democrats nominate. Trump has tried to meddle in the Democratic primary to sow divisiveness, perhaps understanding that thanks to his consistently low approval ratings, he can't afford such determination and high Democratic turnout. Finally, while most Senate Republicans will side with Trump regardless of the arguments presented, this strategy runs the risk of alienating the handful open to additional witness testimony later in the trial, like Sen. Lamar Alexander. Such testimony could reveal new evidence that damages Trump, while exposing how his administration has fought tooth and nail against it, belying the president's protestations of innocence. While Trump bears little risk in the trial, his re-election still hangs in the balance. He might even be an underdog. And it wouldn't take much to drive enough Americans to conclude that Schiff was right in closing Thursday's proceedings by declaring," And you know you can't trust this president to do what's right for this country. You can trust he will do what's right for Donald Trump," and right again Friday in charging that "If a president can be so easily manipulated to disbelieve his own intelligence agencies, to accept the propaganda of the Kremlin, that is a threat to our national security." They might well then decide that these realities threaten the country's well being and necessitate a change. Want more essential commentary and analysis like this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for The Week's "Today's best articles" newsletter here. More stories from theweek.com Fox News poll finds independents want the Senate to convict and remove Trump by 19-point margin This Fox News poll on Trump and the economy is baffling Trump and Rudy Giuliani slam Bolton, question his manhood after book excerpt report What's different about this year's budget proposal from Gov. Andrew Cuomo has nothing to do with the size of the looming $6 billion budget gap. Albany has successfully wrestled with larger gaps often. The problem is that for the first time we're headed for a collision between the two sacred cows of state government. This budget pits health care spending against education spending. It's been a long time coming, and the results will not be pretty. Health care spending has been increasing at a strong rate. Two dynamics are driving this. First, we chose to vastly expand services, including long-term care and home care, and to vastly expand the number of New Yorkers eligible for subsidized services, mostly because of Obamacare. As a result, 95 percent of New Yorkers now have access to health care, something to be proud of. Second, we chose to subsidize rural health care facilities in ways that are socially defensible but very expensive. Small-town hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and networks are operating at high costs. We rightly want care available within a reasonable time and distance. It's effective. It's just not efficient. Similarly, school spending has increased at a strong rate for two reasons. First, we de-emphasized the wealth of school districts as a criterion for school aid, largely to help New York City, which is a wealthy district with enormous numbers of at-risk students. We also focused additional aid on other urban districts with similar student populations. Second, we addressed the social costs of high property taxes. The STAR program in particular used state dollars to mitigate high school tax bills, especially on Long Island, in the Hudson Valley and in other suburban districts across the state. Now the sacred cows have come home to roost, to mix a metaphor. It will be enormously difficult to continue these policies, both economically and politically. Both sectors have powerful friends. Hospitals, nurses, health care workers unions, and doctors have organized statewide and locally to defend the expanded health care system. This is a good thing. School boards, teachers unions, and taxpayer groups have similar statewide and local organizations that have done an excellent job in support of schools and school aid. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The easy solutions are unlikely. Soaking the rich has its limits. Even if you zeroed-out state aid for the 50 wealthiest districts, you would not raise anywhere near enough money to meet the needs of the other districts. A billionaire's tax has similar practical limitations. There will be efforts to move in this direction, and to save elsewhere in the budget, such as the bloated "economic development" giveaways. This makes both political and economic sense; it just won't be enough. It is unlikely that Albany will abandon its basic choices. And we're incredibly fortunate that revenues remain strong. But this budget is likely to contain long-range course corrections the impact of which will be felt more in coming years than immediately. These include a downsizing of the upstate rural health care system; a smaller state contribution to school property tax mitigation; a narrowing of the scope of long-term and home health care programs; a flattening of the rate of school aid increases; and state intervention in the internal distribution of New York City school funds. In other words, the problems of both sacred cows will be managed, not confronted. There's a virtue in relative calm and peace in the short term. But the handwriting is on the wall: Structural change is coming in this year's budget. Richard Brodsky is a former state Assembly member. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 04:40:47|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BERLIN, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Leipzig have reinforced their midfield with the signing of Spain international Dani Olmo from Dinamo Zagreb, the Bundesliga front runners confirmed in an official statement on Saturday. The 21-year-old has put pen to paper on a deal until summer 2024 and received the jersey number 25. "I have of course observed Leipzig's successful path in recent years. It is a young, attractive club that convinces me with its philosophy," Olmo told the club's official homepage. Leipzig's new arrival played since 2014 for Dinamo where he made overall 105 appearances to score 23 goals. His performances on the pitch earned him a call-up for Spain's national team where he made his debut against Malta in November 2019. Three minutes after his fielding against Malta, he scored his debut goal. "We are very happy that we were able to convince Dani Olmo despite many offers from European top flight clubs. At the age of 21, he is far from the end of his development. I am sure that Dani fits perfectly in every way. We will have a lot of fun with him in the future," Leipzig's sporting director Markus Krosche said. Bundesliga leaders Leipzig host third placed Borussia Monchengladbach at the 20th round on Saturday. Enditem 5G, next giant milestone of SLT Broadband Services View(s): Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) said last week that it is now ready to unveil the next giant milestone in the telco industry as the company is fully furnished to facilitate the Sri Lankans with 5G experience via fixed wireless broadband access. Modern and advanced technology users of today expect ultra-fast networks everywhere. Even at homes, consumers are keen on receiving fast and uninterrupted video streaming services and also want Internet access for their laptops, phones, tablets, televisions, and other smart devices. Through the advent of 5G, a unique opportunity is opened up for Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services, which offers wireless broadband to homes as well as to businesses. This enormous step will be paving paths to introduce and uplift business opportunities in Sri Lanka commending the new product which has currently recorded 1.7Gbps of 5G speed at the trial, SLT said in a media release. Besides, SMEs are also increasingly expanding their businesses to extents where high speed Internet is a must. Consequently, e-Commerce, e-Payment and a growing number of other essential devices are needed to be connected online all the time. The latest SLT 5G broadband access is the best available solution to fulfil all these wants and needs. In fact, fixed 5G services were demonstrated in the 3.5Ghz trial band allocated by the telecom regulator recently. Valued customers of SLT are now privileged to experience the next generation of wireless Internet technology limitlessly. 5G would reach its customers with high speeds, high data volumes providing a high capacity of bandwidth which is undoubtedly the main concern of the mass users of broadband services. 5G will encourage the blooming of entrepreneurs and enterprises alive with the low latency which will be needed in times of critical missions and where the fastest responses are desired. In fact, SLTs 5G is the long-expected service for the growing ICT era in the country as it allows mass connectivity where the user is capable of connecting many machines and many applications in one go, SLT said. Download, stream and game as much as you like without worrying about speed caps or delays and relish the hassle-free online experience and be marvelled with the unique difference offered by SLT 5G. Await for advanced and improved technology which will be brought to your doorstep sooner by SLT with expanded capabilities to quench the changing and updating high-tech desires, it said. The U.S. government will be sending a charter flight to evacuate American citizens and its consular personnel out of Wuhan, the now-locked down Chinese city where the deadly coronavirus outbreak first began, the State Department confirmed on Sunday. A limited number of private citizens will be able to board a single flight at their own cost on Jan. 28 to leave Wuhan Tianhe International Airport for San Francisco, according to latest health alert update from the U.S. embassy website dated Jan. 26. Those interested can contact the U.S. embassy in Beijing with their personal information. This capacity is extremely limited and if there is insufficient ability to transport everyone who expresses interest, priority will be given to individuals at greater risk from coronavirus, the statement read. The official death toll has reached 56, while the number of infections climbed to more than 2,000a more than 30-fold increase since Chinese authorities reported the viruss first victim two weeks ago. It has since spread to more than 12 countries and regions outside of China, causing two Americans to fall ill in Seattle and Chicago. The World Health Organization said it assesses the risk of this event to be very high in China, high at the regional level and moderate at the global level. Wuhan, home to 11 million people including around 1,000 U.S. citizens, was the first of 16 cities in Chinas central Hubei province that has effectively come under quarantine. Currently, no buses, trains, or planes are going in or out of the city. Photos circulating on Chinese social media showed Chinese officials inside Hubei and in nearby cities setting up roadblocks with bricks, rocks, and sand to prevent traffic flow. Excavators were mobilized on occasions to assist the effort. In one of them, a residential house in an unidentified village was sealed off with ropes. The red banner on the door read: This household has migrants who came back from Wuhan, please dont exchange visits. Charter Flight The United States has contracted a private transporter and the consulate is reaching out to all it knows in order to fly them out, The Wall Street Journal reported. The plane can take about 230 people each time. The State Department has ordered all non-emergency personnel and family members to leave as of Jan. 23, according to its website. Details of the evacuation are still being finalized and are subject to change. A spokesperson for the State Department told The Epoch Times on Saturday that the health and safety of U.S. citizens, including U.S. consulate workers in Wuhan, is its top priority. There are currently limited emergency services available to U.S. citizens across Hubei province. The full range of consular services, such as visa applications, remain available at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and U.S. consulates in Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Shenyang, according to the spokesperson. The spokesperson also encouraged individuals to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive notifications and any health and security alerts or government plans. The State Department has updated the travel alert to level 4, warning citizens not to travel to Hubei, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended travelers to exercise caution when visiting other parts of China. At least 67 people from 22 U.S. states have been isolated for suspected pneumonia symptoms, including four in New York. A Jan. 24 study by UK and U.S. researchers said the coronavirus could infect as many as 250,000 in the Chinese city of Wuhan alone in less than two weeks time. Other Countries Meanwhile, the Russian Embassy is also working with Chinese authorities on moving their citizens from Wuhan and from Hubei Province, Georgy Egorov, a press officer for the Russian Embassy in China, told Russian media RIA Novosti. He noted that there are no infections among Russian citizens. Singapores Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday said they were in contact with 35 Singaporeans living in Wuhan city, and so far, no one has reported illness. The countrys health officials have identified four cases of infection. French automaker PSA, which manufactures Peugeot and Citroen brands, said on Saturday that it will expatriate 38 employees from Wuhan. The foreign ministry of France has set up an emergency phone line for its nationals in China. The French foreign minister said on Jan. 25 that they are working with the Chinese side to set up a bus service allowing French citizens to leave Wuhan. Two of three Chinese nationals carrying the coronavirus arrived in France without showing any immediate symptoms, according to officials. Jordans King Abdullah II has also directed the evacuation of Jordanians from Wuhan as soon as possible, according to Jordans Petra state news agency. A plane is being organized for their extraction. The Australian government has also said it is in discussions with the Chinese authorities to extract citizens from coronavirus-affected areas, local media reported. From The Epoch Times ANKARA, Turkey Working against the clock in freezing temperatures, Turkish rescue teams pulled more survivors from collapsed buildings Sunday, two day after a powerful magnitude 6.8 earthquake hit the countrys east. Turkish authorities said the death toll rose to at least 38 people from the quake that struck Friday night. More than 1,600 people were injured, but at least 45 survivors have been pulled from the rubble so far, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at a news conference Sunday. At least 780 aftershocks have rocked the region as 3,500 rescuers scrambled through wrecked buildings to reach survivors. Rescue teams concentrated their efforts in the city of Elazig and the nearby town of Sivrice. Turkish television showed Ayse Yildiz, 35, and her 2-year-old daughter Yusra being dragged out of the rubble of a collapsed apartment building in the city of Elazig. They had been trapped for 28 hours. One rescued couple was reunited with a Syrian student who had helped to dig them out of their collapsed home with his hands. He is our hero and angel, a weeping Dudane Aydin said of Mahmud al Osman in an interview on Turkeys state-run Anadolu news agency. Her husband Zulkuf added: When I saw the light of Mahmuds phone, we started shouting for help. Then we knew we would get out. As overnight temperatures dropped to 23 degrees, emergency teams set up 9,500 tents for displaced residents and distributed 17,000 hot meals. Authorities said 76 buildings were destroyed and more than 1,000 were damaged by the quake. Aerial drones were being used to survey damaged neighborhoods and coordinate rescue efforts. Erdogan said every effort was being made to find survivors and promised to house displaced residents as soon as possible. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Turkey has begun to heal the wounds of this great disaster in unity, togetherness and coming together, he said. At least 104 people were receiving hospital treatment after the quake, 13 of them in intensive care, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said. Andrew Wilks is an Associated Press writer. Lord Heseltine has lashed out at Boris Johnson's Brexit celebration plans as the Remainer peer told the Prime Minister it was 'unwise' to 'rub our noses in it'. The former deputy PM who lost the Tory whip over Brexit said the government's proposals to mark January 31 risked exacerbating national divisions at a time when sensitivities over leaving Europe were still running high. Brexit day at the end of the week will see a Downing Street light display and countdown clock, government buildings lit up in red, white and blue, and Union flags put up in Parliament Square and Pall Mall. Lord Heseltine, the former Tory deputy PM, said the plans to mark Brexit day were 'unwise' and risked alienating Remain voters Meanwhile, the government has announced the release of three million 50p coins to mark the occasion bearing the words 'Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations'. But Lord Heseltine told The Observer: 'Brexit is the most divisive issue of modern times. 'Those of us who fought to Remain did so sincerely in the interests of our country and subsequent generations who we believe should be influential at the heart of Europe. 'I think it is unwise of the government to rub our noses in it by celebrating our defeat at this hour, whilst talking about unifying the country.' Acting leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey joined the criticism, as he said Mr Johnson should be using public money to unite the nation and 'not gloat with an expensive party'. The Scottish National Party's leader at Westminster, Ian Blackford, told the paper that 'leaving the greatest postwar peace project ever created' was 'not something we should be celebrating'. Mr Johnson, pictured on Friday signing the Withdrawal Agreement treaty, and Downing Street will mark Brexit day with a light show and countdown clock But Mr Johnson last night insisted it was time to 'heal past divisions' over Brexit. 'No matter how you voted in 2016, it is the time to look ahead with confidence to the global, trail-blazing country we will become over the next decade and heal past divisions,' he said. 'That is what I will be doing on 31 January and I urge everyone across the UK to do the same.' The Mets have agreed to a minor league deal with free-agent infielder Eduardo Nunez, according to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com. It includes a non-roster invite to Major League Spring Training. Nunez, 32, is coming off a dreadful year that ended in July with his release from the Red Sox, with whom he had played since mid-2017. Nunez played in just 60 games for the Sox last year, and yet he accumulated -1.5 WAR thanks largely to an unsightly .228/.243/.305 batting line. Those numbers are hard to swallow, but Nunez really isnt that far from removed from a couple of seasons in 2016 and 2017 in which he provided above-average offensive output to go with his signature aggressive baserunning. Splitting the 2017 season between San Francisco and Boston, he posted an .801 OPS to go with 24 stolen bases. Hes never received high marks as a defender, but hes at least capable of playing second and third base. He will join an already crowded Mets infield mix with a chance to compete for a roster spot in the spring. The starting infield looks pretty well solidified, but Nunez may have a shot at supplanting Luis Guillorme, whos a more polished shortstop but also has a patchy offensive track record, for bench at-bats. Its another election year, which means that voter ID laws are back in the news. Already, Kentucky Republican legislators introduced a new bill requiring voters to present a limited form of ID when they show up to the polls before casting a ballot. If passed, the voter ID law, which is supported by Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams, would be in place for Novembers general elections. A similar push is being made by Republican legislators in Nebraska, while implementation of North Carolinas new voter ID law was recently blocked by a federal judge for being discriminatory. North Carolinas new law was meant to replace a previous iteration struck down in 2016 for targeting African Americans with almost surgical precision. Today, more than 30 states have adopted some type of voter ID law. Of those, 10 states have strict requirements pertaining to the forms of identification that qualify or extra steps voters without IDs must take to prove their identity. That voter ID laws keep materializing is practically maddening given all we know about them, namely that such requirements are discriminatory and virtually pointless. Besides disproportionately harming historically underrepresented groups, voter IDs are redundant and have repeatedly proven unnecessary. For instance, voters are already required to attest to their identity and eligibility when they vote. Moreover, death by lightning strike is more common than occurrences of in-person voter impersonation, the only kind of fraud voter IDs purport to prevent. Studies demonstrating the negative effects of voter ID laws are well-documented, widely reported and have been repeated ad nauseam. Any conservative lawmaker claiming ignorance is either incompetent or lying. Or, perhaps, theres something much bigger and more nefarious at play. Ive written elsewhere that conservative lawmakers who introduce and promote voter ID laws know these laws are harmful and violate the fundamental right to vote. But why would they keep introducing a policy they know is bad to address a problem that is virtually nonexistent? Despite claims by voter ID proponents, the goal of these laws is not to protect the integrity of our elections, but rather to tip elections in their favor. By making it harder for certain groups to vote, conservative lawmakers who promote voter IDs can insulate themselves from accountability and maintain political control. It is not a coincidence that groups disproportionately affected by voter ID laws passed by conservatives generally favor progressive-leaning candidates. Voter ID requirements represent just one of many tools in a big bag of tricks conservatives rely upon to circumvent normal democratic processes and manipulate electoral outcomes. Other favorites include closing polling places in communities of color, restricting voting opportunities on college campuses, engaging in discriminatory voter purges, restricting voting rights for justice-involved people and adopting exact-match signature requirements for absentee voting. Although not unique to conservatives, gerrymandering is another preferred ploy, as is opposing common sense campaign finance limits. And when their attempts to keep people from voting fail, Republican legislators resort to blatant power grabs like those witnessed in Michigan and Wisconsin in the aftermath of the 2018 elections. Conservatives have long relied upon voter suppression and anti-democratic strong-arm tactics to preserve their own power. This is why it was so richly ironic when Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, who has personally pushed for voter ID requirements at the federal level, penned a January 2019 op-ed condemning H.R.1, the For the People Act, as a naked attempt to change the rules of American politics to benefit one party. In fact, the act, which passed with the support of every House Democrat but (tellingly) no Republicans, would actually remove barriers to voting by undoing or neutralizing many troublesome policies such as voter ID laws conservatives have advanced as part of their real, decadeslong power grab. In coming weeks and months, voters will cast ballots in consequential primary and general elections that will determine who controls the levers of political power. Not coincidentally, during this same time, proposals for new voter ID requirements will surely increase in frequency. Although such proposals will be couched in fearmongering over baseless claims of voter fraud and other fabricated excuses dreamt up by conservatives, Americans will not be fooled. Rather than being based upon good, sound policy decisions, the true purpose and utility of voter ID laws is to help conservatives win elections nothing more, nothing less. Danielle Root is the associate director of Voting Rights and Access to Justice at the Center for American Progress. She wrote this for InsideSources.com. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 09:02:04|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- One civilian was killed and seven others injured Saturday by indiscriminate shelling in Tripoli, a local official has said. The shelling hit different residential areas in the Libyan capital, and among those injured were two children, Ameen Hashem, the information advisor of the Libyan Ministry of Health, told Xinhua. The UN-backed government forces has accused the rival eastern-based army of the shelling, but the latter has made no comment so far. The rebel army has been leading a military campaign since early April to take over Tripoli, home to nearly 2 million people, from the government. The fighting so far has killed thousands of people and displaced more than 120,000 people, according to the World Health Organization. The two rival parties, which accepted a cease-fire starting from Jan. 12, have been accused each other of breaching truce. The Agricultural Science Association (ASA) and the Irish Farmers Journal has announced details of the recipients of the much-coveted PWE (Professional Work Experience) travel bursaries. The sought-after bursaries encourage students to expand their knowledge of the global agri-food sector by gaining practical experience while traveling overseas. Six third-level Agricultural Science students, including Laura Maloney from Birr, County Offaly, will be supported via the award while on work placements in New Zealand, Chile, and Europe this year. Laura is a third-year Animal & Crop Production student at University College Dublin (UCD). She will travel to Wales in February before moving on to Denmark in April and will work across dairy and sheep, assisting with calving and lambing duties along with general farm maintenance and duties. Speaking about the opportunity she said, Im so thankful to UCD and the Irish Farmers Journal for awarding me with this opportunity. Im really looking forward to working in both Wales and Denmark and to gain insights into their respective industries which will build upon the knowledge I have gained through my degree so far. Im excited to gain some practical experience and to apply my learnings so far in a real-life setting. 2020 will mark the fifth year of this joint initiative from the ASA and Irish Farmers Journal whereby students who express an interest in fulfilling the work placement module of their degree overseas are rewarded with a travel bursary. The WIT Bursaries are also supported by Glanbia and Arvum respectively. Seamus OMahony, ASA President said, The Agricultural Science Association endeavours to enhance and support our Agricultural Science students through professional development opportunities to ensure Irelands position as a global leader is maintained, all the while strengthening the future of our agri-food industry. As with previous years, the standard of applications was extremely impressive and we look forward to receiving updates from the six students throughout their time overseas. Odile Evans, Careers & Property Editor, Irish Farmers Journal said, It is brilliant to once again partner with the ASA to award six travel bursaries to agricultural-science students. Undoubtedly, this is an excellent opportunity for third-level students to gain practical experience in the agriculture industry overseas, and to build on their existing knowledge of the Irish landscape which will benefit their career development and ultimately provide students with a unique perspective. We will be sharing individual stories from each student over the coming months. PARISTwo of the three Chinese nationals in France who have been diagnosed with the Wuhan coronavirus arrived without showing symptoms, doctors at a Paris hospital said on Saturday. On Friday, France confirmed the first three cases of the virus in Europe, with two patients hospitalized in Paris and the other in Bordeaux. The health ministry said on Saturday that no new cases have been confirmed since then but several people were being monitored. In China, 41 people have died from the virus and more than 1,400 people have been infected globally, including four in Australia and three in Malaysia. The two patients in Paris are a Chinese couple who arrived in France on Jan. 18 but did not show symptoms until Jan. 19 and 23 respectively, officials said. They showed no symptoms when they boarded their plane, Yazdan Yazdanpanah, head of infectious diseases at Paris hospital Bichat told reporters. The third patient, in Bordeaux, a 48-year old Chinese man who works in the French wine industry, had taken a plane from Wuhan to the Netherlands and entered France from there, SOS Medecins medical service in Bordeaux said. Health Minister Agnes Buzyn told reporters the man had entered France on Jan. 22, had first consulted a doctor about his symptoms on Jan. 23, and had been diagnosed with the virus on Jan 24. The delayed appearance of symptoms and the entry via a third country underline the limits of screening passengers arriving from China in airports. Airports in several countries are using scanners to take the temperature of passengers arriving from China but France so far is not doing this. Passengers arriving on flights from China told BFM TV that they had been subject to no controls whatsoever upon entering France. In Paris, there was a rush to buy face masks, and several pharmacies said they were sold out. It has been like this since this morning, some people are hysterical, said a pharmacist in Paris. The French foreign ministry said on Saturday it was looking at options for French nationals to leave Wuhan, which has been in virtual lockdown since Thursday, with nearly all flights canceled and checkpoints blocking the main roads. On Friday, it said it had planned to set up a bus service to help them leave. French automotive group PSA, maker of the Peugeot and Citroen brands, said it will repatriate expat staff and their familiesa total of 38 peoplefrom the Wuhan area. By Geert De Clercq Catherine McKeehan had trouble breathing as she took small bites of lunch. Her hands shook as picked up a glass of ice water. By Saturday, dark bruises were developing on the 77-year-olds body from the debris that fell on her as she slept Friday in her home on Stanford Court in northwest Houston, one block from a major chemical explosion at the Watson Grinding and Manufacturing plant. Two people were killed and 214 homes, including McKeehans, were damaged. McKeehan was trapped for 20 minutes, she said. Her daughter, Kim, screamed for help when she awoke and realized she couldnt get to her mother. Kim said she called 911, but the line was busy and she couldnt reach an operator. Her mother was eventually rescued by neighbors who heard the screaming. It was very traumatic, McKeehan said, as she tried to eat at an event hosted by personal injury attorneys courting new clients a day after the explosion. The woman was tired and her headache had only gotten worse with time, she said. She told me last night as I tucked her into bed at my house in Cypress, that she didnt want to fall asleep, said McKeehans other daughter, Rebecca. She was afraid of it happening again. We just cant sleep. Like many of the around 100 people who packed the restaurant for a meeting with lawyer Robert S. Kwok and 10 other attorneys from the firm, the McKeehans said they hadnt had time to see a doctor yet. Many were rattled and disoriented from the ordeal. They came to lunch for answers and in hopes of finding a way to recover. Kwok told the crowd he would represent them in lawsuits against whoever is deemed responsible for the disaster. He said they would seek monetary relief for damages to property, mental and physical injuries and lost wages. Miguel Puente Salazar and his family lived near the plant for over a decade. They paid off the mortgage on their house and Puente Salazar and his wife, Maria, said they were working toward retiring soon. They are emotionally destroyed, said the couples adult daughter, Yesenia. Puente Salazar awoke the morning of the explosion to sheetrock hanging down, insulation on his bed and glass from shattered windows scattered all over his house. Maria cut her arm as she rushed out of bed, confused about what was happening. The one thing in the bedroom that stayed in tact, Yesenia said, was a glass-framed image of the Virgin Mary above where the couple slept. It stood strong on the wall, she said. Puente Salazar and his wife are staying in a hotel right paid for by their insurance, he said. But about half of the dozens of families at the lunch said by a show of hands that they did not have homeowners insurance. Wendy Bostick Honda and her family are staying in the first story of their home because the upstairs is too damaged. My dad is kind of disabled he cant walk much and he doesnt want to leave, Bostick Honda said. The family said they havent felt normal since the explosion. Ive been having a headache ever since, Bostick Honda said. And were all still hear noises and feeling vibrations. Last night, I kept having nightmares. The womans usually healthy 2-year-old dog wont eat or even come out of her bedroom. Right now, Im really worried about him, she said. He might have (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Bostick Honda added that she might be experiencing the same condition. I keep thinking, are we gonna have another explosion? she said. When is it gonna happen again? Because many of the residents at the meeting spoke Spanish as a first language, a large portion of them were confused about the advice from the attorneys. Christine Lopez, who does not live in the area, came to the meeting to support her friend. As the woman listened to Kwok, she stepped up to translate the information to Spanish. Its not fair that theres a language barrier, she said. Half of the people here were confused. Everyone should have the right to know what opportunities are available. Despite the language barrier for many, by the end of the meeting, a long line of people formed to give their information to the attorneys to sign on with the firm. While some expressed they wouldnt want to rebuild their homes in the same proximity to the plant, The Salazars said they are hopeful about rebuilding their home. For the McKeehans, their now uninhabitable house was a dream come true 20 years ago. They were leasing a little house and I remember seeing the for sale sign, Rebecca McKeehan said, as tears rolled down her face. And I called my mom and told her about it. All the physical and emotional work the family did renovating and upkeeping the home they worked hard to own was erased with the explosion. Thats where they wanted to be, said McKeehand. That was my moms dream. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday (January 26) confirmed that no Indian in China has been affected by the outbreak of coronavirus outbreak so far. The MEA added that the Indian embassy in Beijing is in touch with Indian students studying in Wuhan and Hubei and other Indians living in different parts of China. MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted on Sunday that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is closely monitoring the situation. "We are also closely coordinating with Chinese authorities. As of now, we understand that no Indian citizens have been affected by the outbreak and that food and water supplies are available to them," Kumar tweeted. We are also closely coordinating with Chinese authorities. As of now, we understand that no Indian citizens have been affected by the outbreak & that food & water supplies are available to them. (3/5) Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) January 26, 2020 He added that three helplines have been made operational at Indian embassy in Beijing to address the concerns of Indians without any delay. "Our embassy in Beijing is in close touch with Indian citizens including students to extend assistance, including on possible travel options out of Hubei province," the MEA spokesperson said in another tweet. Our @EOIBeijing is in close touch with Indian citizens including students to extend assistance, including on possible travel options out of Hubei Province. (2/5) Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) January 26, 2020 Kumar noted that the Indian embassy and Consulates General in China are working together to help the Indian citizens caught up in these "difficult circumstances". Our Embassy & Consulates General in China will continue to work with Chinese authorities to try & facilitate Indian citizens caught up in these difficult circumstances. (4/5) Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) January 26, 2020 The MEA's assurances came at a time when the death toll due to coronavirus outbreak in China has jumped to 56. It is to be noted that 2,008 confirmed cases of infection have been reported so far. Live TV Coronavirus outbreak was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan City, which is situated in central China's Hubei Province. Wuhan City has a population of 11 million and the Chinese government has put the city under complete lockdown since Thursday (January 23) - with nobody allowed to leave the city. Besides Wuhan, Chinese authorities have completely sealed 12 other cities to check the outbreak of the virus in other parts of the country. Rodney Mack, Ronald Mack and Jesse Opher were never supposed to get out of prison. After being convicted of drug conspiracy charges in 2001, the Plainfield men had to face a harsh reality: They were given no release date. But things began to look up for the men within the last few years. First, their sentences were reduced in 2017 to 30 years under a U.S. Sentencing Commission amendment that lowered sentencing guidelines for most federal drug crimes. A year later, a sweeping bi-partisan criminal justice reform bill, known as the First Step Act, was signed into law by President Donald Trump in December 2018, furthering their chances for release. The Mack brothers, Opher and Hassan Hawkins, who was the only one of the four not sentenced to a life sentence, were four of the thousands of individuals eligible for a reduced sentence under the First Step Act. A section of the law gives federal judges the discretion to reduce mandatory minimum penalties for crack cocaine offenses for defendants sentenced before the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, which reduced the statutory penalties for crack cocaine offenses. In November, the men appeared before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden, the same judge who sentenced them in 2002 after a lengthy trial. A jovial mood filled the room, as family and friends packed the courtroom. One-by-one, Judge Hayden used her power under the First Step Act and re-sentenced the men to time served, releasing them from custody that day. But their freedom may be short-lived. Just a month after they were released, and just as they were beginning to get a feel for their life outside of prison, the four men learned the U.S. Attorneys Office of New Jersey had filed a notice to appeal their release. Its more weight on my shoulders," Rodney Mack said. "I thought it was all over with, but now I am back to square one again. I got a lot of worries right now. Im not the villain that the government says that I am. Over the course of the day long hearing in Newark federal court on Nov. 7, Hayden listened as the men explained why they should be released. Other federal judges nationwide, Hayden said, have based their decisions to reduce sentences "on the performance of the defendant while in prison. So, how had these men spent the last 20 years? Rodney Mack, 49, served as his units orderly at Allenwood Federal Correctional Institution since 2006. He led more than 100 other inmates in his unit daily making sure the it was clean and in good condition. He had one minor infraction while incarcerated. This is about as close as you are going to get to a standout prison record, Judge Hayden said. His older brother, Ronald, 56, has spent the majority of his adult life in prison since he was first convicted of robbery in 1983. But as he served his life sentence, Ronald Mack received his GED, obtained additional degrees for workplace safety and quality control measures. He can now draw and interpret blueprints in the construction trades. Christopher Adams, his attorney, added that Ronald Mack makes one heck of a paralegal. Im not the villain that the government says that I am, Ronald Mack said in November. While serving his life sentence, Opher, 53, also got his GED. He learned plumbing and worked as an electrician. He was enrolled in 40 different programs. In the nearly 20 years incarcerated, Opher didnt have a single infraction. You can say the government is going to say, well, it is a very serious crime, said Michael N. Pedicini, Ophers attorney. Jesse recognizes that. But he has paid for it and then some. It is like, enough is enough. It is about time for him to be given the opportunity to go forward with his life. Hawkins was the last man to go before Hayden. Before he did, someone asked what he would tell her. I would tell you, I did the best I could (in prison) and I will do the best I could when I get out, Hawkins said. In prison, Hawkins earned multiple degrees, including his Masters in religious studies. He took 138 classes while incarcerated. He taught inmates how to read. He was a suicide watch companion, spending long hours with the prisons most vulnerable inmates. Hayden lauded the men for their accomplishments, often asking out loud how someone could do this as they lived with a life sentence. You can never lose site of the fact what Mr. Opher did, what the other defendants did in custody, they did as men who were sentenced to life, she said. Under the First Step Act, she ordered them free. I am sick to my stomach In December, the four men were invited to Washington, D.C. as part of a Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) event, celebrating the one year anniversary of the First Step Act and giving lawmakers a chance to meet those who have benefited from the bill. U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., were among the lawmakers there. As a briefing on federal oversight of the prison system was set to begin, the four men began to receive messages from their attorneys: The U.S. Attorneys Office of New Jersey filed a notice stating it planned to appeal the decision to release them. A successful appeal could send the men back to prison to finish their 30-year sentences. I thought incarceration was about rehabilitation," Hawkins said in a phone interview this week. "Thats what it was for me. It gave me a chance to sit down and realize, What do you want to do in life? I am only as good as my last game. My last game is 19 years and something. Thats my last game. It shows what Im about. It shows what I am willing to do. I just dont understand. While most reduced sentences under the First Step Act have not been opposed, Reuters reported that as of July 2019 at least 81 had been opposed by regional U.S. Attorneys Offices at the direction of the Department of Justice, which approves the appeals. The appeals have been largely unsuccessful, Reuters reported. Advocates of the First Step Act describe the appeals as a clear contradiction of the law, which was written by lawmakers to relieve incarcerated individuals, almost exclusively black men, of harsh penalties they were sentenced to under previous guidelines. Before Judge Hayden ruled, prosecutors argued the four men were not eligible for reduced sentences because they were also convicted of conspiring to distribute powder cocaine, the penalties for which have not changed under the First Step Act. The men were convicted of leading a multi-state drug trafficking organization from 1994 to 1999 based in Plainfield that, according to the New York Times, sold cocaine and crack cocaine with an estimated street value of up to $16 million. (They were not indicted on any violent crimes.) Their conviction today would still trigger a possible life sentence, assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Kearney said in November. Hayden didnt buy the argument. She noted that the governments original trial case, and how the jury verdict sheet was worded, revolved around the mandatory minimums that would come from a crack cocaine conviction. Hayden said prosecutors were asking the jury to make the findings that would, in fact, drive the sentence. I just want to tell you when you look at this jury verdict sheet, it is a graphic on the sentencing guidelines disparities between crack and powder cocaine, Hayden said in court in November. Federal public defender Louise Arkel, who argued all four men were eligible for a reduced sentence, said the law is written to be applied broadly. She said it was simple. The men were convicted of conspiracy to commit a crack offense before 2010, so they are eligible, Arkel argued. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., center, flanked by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., left, and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, right, speaks during a news conference after the First Step Act was signed into law in December. (AP Photo | Susan Walsh)AP A spokesman for Sen. Booker said he couldnt comment on individual cases, but the New Jersey senators office said the reports of prosecutors appealing decisions is troubling. There have been numerous reports of efforts by the Justice Department to actively undermine The First Step Act," said spokesman Ryan Johnson. "Rather than putting resources into vital re-entry programs and tools, Trumps Justice Department is trying to send individuals who were released pursuant to the sentencing relief made possible by this law back to prison. Nearly 2,000 crack cocaine offenders sentences, including 11 from New Jersey, have been reduced under the First Step Ac as of Sept. 30, according to the U.S. Sentencing Commission. More than 90 percent of those released have been black men. Our countrys criminal justice system is broken and it has been broken for decades," Booker said when the law went into effect. Thats why the passage of the First Step Act tonight is so meaningful it begins to right past wrongs that continue to deny justice to millions of Americans. The U.S. Attorneys Office of New Jersey did not return multiple requests for comment. According to a court filing in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the office is waiting for the Solicitor General to personally approve the appeal. The Department of Justice did not return a request for comment. Its completely outrageous, said Kevin Ring, president of FAMM. I am sick to my stomach for them because now they have this cloud hanging over their head. How do you plan for the future when you have this hanging over your head? Are they ever going to stop? Last Wednesday, Ronald Mack was on his way home from work shortly after 10 p.m. in Gastonia, N.C., where he is helping take care of his ailing mother. The appeal strips away everything, he said. It makes it harder to get re-acclimated, to be there for his children and find a desirable construction job and to use the skills he learned in prison. We paid our dues, he said. We are being chastised. How much more time do you really want us to serve under these laws from the 1980s to prove to you that they are cruel and unusual punishment? Thats what coming from my heart. When will it stop? Hawkins said even small tasks like getting an ID were a struggle in the first couple weeks he was released, and the appeal has further complicated getting re-adjusted to the whole new world out there. As the optimist of the four, he unsurprisingly said it does him no good to think about the appeal though because he has so much to conquer. But he cant ignore how it could affect one part of his life. When he addressed Hayden in November, Hawkins brought up all the events he missed while incarcerated. His mother died. He missed his sons sporting events. He missed graduations. He missed the birth of his granddaughter. Now, Hawkins may have to say goodbye to his family again. What would my kids and granddaughter do if I go back?," Hawkins asked. "What damage, I mean could you imagine? Thats what I think about. For years, Rodney Mack woke up in a prison cell, expecting to die there. He has been free for almost three months, but ever since the appeal he has had a nagging feeling, troubled by the same thought: Am I going back? When are they going to stop?, he asked during a phone interview this week. Thats what I want to know. When are they ever going to stop? Are they ever going to stop? Its really devastating," the soft-spoken man continued. "Im home, my family and everybody is happy that Im home. Now all of a sudden, I had to break the news to them and now thats what everyone has on their mind. Are we going to go back or what? Joe Atmonavage may be reached at jatmonavage@njadvancemedia.com. Follow on Twitter @monavage. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Pope Francis meets with US Vice President, Michael Richard Pence, in Audience in the Vatican. Pope Francis on Friday met with Mike Pence, Vice President of the United States, in the Vatican. During their meeting, the Pope handed Vice President Pence a copy of his World Peace Day Message. In his Message, Pope Francis invites us to help build peace, promoting a more just, supportive and fraternal world, because even today the scars of war "affect especially the poor and the vulnerable". After having met the Pope, Vice President Mike Pence met with the Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal pietro Parolin, and with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States. A 60-year-old man has been awarded 100,000 in compensation from after he was wrongfully arrested and sent to prison on remand. Gary Webb received the money from Police Scotland after he spent a night in a cell and three nights in jail in 2015. He was detained when officers believed him to be a suspect they were looking for despite him showing them evidence he was not. Mr Webb, from Gatehouse of Fleet in Dumfries and Galloway, told the Sunday Post officers had his fingerprints and knew he was the wrong man. He said: I was at home with my wife then being held in cuffs with no-one believing who I was and facing the worst kind of criminal charges imaginable. I thought I was going insane. How could no-one believe I was me? I experienced things I should never have had to. I had to leave my work as my mental health was affected by everything. Officers from Police Scotland detained him / Getty Images The former timber yard manager, who has no criminal convictions, was arrested at his home by detectives searching for a different person. He claimed a photo of the suspect was held next to his face. He said officers then deemed they were the same person. Despite showing forms of identification such as a passport and driving licence he said officers told him they would need to take him to the police station. He was taken to court and then spent three nights at Addiewell Prison. Mr Webb contacted the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc), after his formal complaint was dismissed by an internal investigation. Five officers were arrested and reported to the Crown Office. However, it was later deemed none would face prosecution. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: We recognise the significant impact this incident and our poor initial response had on Mr Webb and, following the conclusion of legal proceedings, will seek to discuss these matters with him and offer an unreserved apology. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) instructed Pirc to investigate the circumstances and the COPFS has instructed there should be no criminal proceedings. Our officers and staff work with commitment and professionalism day in, day out, to provide a high quality policing service for the public. When learning opportunities are identified, Police Scotland is committed to supporting officers and staff who have acted in good faith, however we will not comment on internal misconduct matters. Digby Brown Solicitors secured compensation for Mr Webb after successfully arguing Police Scotlands officers acted illegally in their arrest. Gordon Dalyell, partner at the firm, said: The arrest and continued detention of Mr Webb was nothing short of outrageous. The life of an innocent man was completely ruined because of the deliberate and malign actions of police officers who are meant to keep people safe. I would like to think an inquiry will occur in due course to ensure innocent people are not illegally detained and Police Scotland staff who act illegally will be held accountable. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has sent a congratulatory message to Australias Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Australias national holiday. The message reads: I cordially congratulate you and the friendly people of Australia on your national holiday - Australia Day. Armenia and Australia have been developing their friendly ties ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations. I am hopeful that through joint efforts we will give fresh impetus to Armenian-Australian relations to the benefit of our two people. Australias vibrant Armenian community, which has played a significant role in all spheres of your countrys social and political life, is a key factor in the development and strengthening of our interstate partnership. I am confident that Australia will quickly recover from the severe disaster that recently struck your country to become even stronger and united. I wish you robust health and every success, as well as fortitude, endurance and prosperity - to the friendly people of Australia. Ariel David in Haaretz: A team of Italian researchers have strengthened the case that at least the cranium found near Pompeii 100 years ago really does belong to Pliny the Elder, a Roman military leader and polymath who perished while leading a rescue mission following the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 C.E. However, a jawbone that had been found with the skull evidently belonged to somebody else. Over the last couple of years the experts, including anthropologists and geneticists, conducted a host of scientific tests on the skull and lower mandible that had been found a century ago on the shore near Pompeii, which have since been at the center of a scholarly debate as to whether they should be attributed to Pliny. The main finding of the researchers, who presented their conclusions at a conference in Rome on Thursday, is that the jawbone belonged to a different person, but that the skull is compatible with what we know about Pliny at his death. More here. There was good reason why Polish President Andrzej Duda was prevented from addressing the Holocaust memorial event in Israel this week. The organizers anticipated he would use the event to make ugly and foolish accusations against Russia for having alleged complicity in the Nazi genocide. As Strategic Culture Foundation writes, on being refused the opportunity to make such a speech, Duda then decided to cancel his attendance altogether. Such is the thin-skin of Polish sensitivity. Nearly 50 world leaders participated in the fifth World Holocaust Forum held at the Yad Vashem remembrance center in Jerusalem. This years event had added significance because it coincided with the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz on January 27, 1945. Lest we forget, it was the Soviet Red Army which liberated Auschwitz and the other main Nazi extermination camps, which were all predominantly located in Poland. Russian President Vladimir Putin was among a handful of leaders who were given the privilege to address the forum. Other speakers included U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, French President Emmanuel Macron, Britains Prince Charles and Germanys President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. By what presumption did the Polish leader think he had a right to speak at the forum over the dozens of other dignitaries who were not given the privilege to make an address? Not being indulged by the organizers, President Duda went into an infantile huff. The background to this spat was the furious reaction from Polands nationalist politicians after President Putin reminded the country last month that it has a certain share of blame along with Germanys Nazi regime for having perpetrated the Holocaust during the World War II. In his speech at the Holocaust forum this week, Putin did not mention Poland by name, but he reiterated the indisputable fact that European countries at least sections of their political class had collaborated with the German Third Reich in carrying out the Final Solution which led to millions of deaths among Jews, Slavs, Roma and Soviet citizens. To be sure, millions of Polish Jews and non-Jews were exterminated by the Nazi genocidal machine. And, yes, thousands of Polish citizens heroically resisted the Nazi occupiers. Nevertheless, the Polish political leadership during the 1930s flirted with Hitler and his regime right up to the start of the war on September 1, 1939, when Nazi Germany invaded Poland. The Polish leadership also concurred with the anti-Semitic policies of the Third Reich. Anti-Jewish pogroms were rife in Poland during the late 1930s. Poland has always been apt to deny its involvement in Nazi crimes. But in recent years, under the ruling nationalist party, the habit of denial has become frenzied. In 2018, the Warsaw government introduced a new law which forbade anyone accusing Poland of past complicity in the Nazi Holocaust. That move sparked international criticism for what many saw as an attempt to launder Polands dirty past. Last year, the Polish government launched sharp criticism at the U.S. media company Netflix over a film about the Nazi death camps. The Poles objected to the depiction of the camps being situated in Poland, insisting that the territory was not Polish at the time but rather Nazi-occupied Poland. Thats absurd hairsplitting to avoid reality. At least when Frances President Macron addressed the Holocaust forum this week, he acknowledged the shameful role his country played under the collaborationist Vichy regime in transporting tens of thousands of French Jews to their deaths at Auschwitz. There is no way that the current Polish leadership would ever have the integrity or maturity to make similar acknowledgement. Because these vain Polish nationalists are too obsessed with a mental affliction of Russophobia and the need to re-write history in order to burnish their countrys sordid past. In a recent opinion article, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki had the effrontery to accuse Russia of falsifying history. He disparaged Soviet history which, he said, claims the Soviet forces liberated Auschwitz and the death camps, as well as the rest of Poland from Nazi oppression. Thats not Soviet history. It is objective, documented history. Morawiecki wrote: In reality, it was the alliance between Nazi Germany and the USSR in 1939 that paved the way for the start of World War II. The Third Reich would not have been able to rebuild German military capability without the Soviet supply of natural resources and military cooperation. It would not have been able to defeat Poland and France so easily, nor would it have had so much freedom in preparing the devastating machinery of the Holocaust. What this refers to is the Nazi-Soviet non-aggression pact which was signed on August 23, 1939. Moscow did so, expediently and under duress, in order to keep the Nazi war machine at bay while it built up its defenses. The Soviet Union was all the more forced into such a tactical expedience of non-aggression because the other European powers had for years constantly rebuffed appeals from Moscow for a wider security pact against Nazi Germany. Britain, France and Poland had all entered into non-aggression pacts with Hitler long before the Soviets did. The Europeans permitted Nazi Germany to remilitarize the Rhineland in 1936, annex Austria in the same year, and invade Czechoslovakia in 1938. It was a policy of collusion, giving Hitler a free hand to go on the rampage across Europe. Arguably, they wanted Nazi Germany to attack the dreaded Communist Soviet Union. However, what the Polish premier is claiming in his opinion piece is that the Nazi-Soviet non-aggression deal signed one week before the start of the World War II allowed the Third Reich to rebuild German military capability. He then says this enabled Hitler to defeat Poland and France so easily. Thats quite an achievement for an ad hoc pact that was only one week old. More preposterously, Morawiecki goes on to claim that the inchoate Soviet dalliance with Nazi Germany prepared the devastating machinery of the Holocaust. The Final Solution carried out in the Polish death centers only got underway after the January 1942 Wannsee Conference near Berlin chaired by Reinhard Heydrich and Heinrich Himmler. By that time, Nazi Germany was already six months into its war against the Soviet Union a war that resulted in up to 27 million Soviet deaths. How Polish leaders can make out that the Soviet Union was involved in enabling the Holocaust is a feat of intellectual dishonesty and immense historical corruption. Remembering the Holocaust, the World War II and its causes is of crucial importance. It was a product of fascism, European collusion and cynical appeasement. If we cant accurately delineate and learn from the causes of history, then we are at the mercy of repeating the same mistakes and horrors. The irrational anti-Russia sentiments of Polands nationalist politicians, as well as their desire to sanitize the past, make their revisionism a disgrace and a danger to the present world. Advertisement Both came face to face with evil as children, lost loved ones and now want to ensure the truth is never forgotten. Steven Frank, 84, was among only a handful of children to make it out alive from the last of the many concentration camps he was sent to. By then his father had been gassed to death for speaking out against the Nazis. Yvonne Bernstein, 82, was hidden as a child in France throughout most of the Second World War and her uncle was seized and murdered for shielding her. To mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, Mr Frank and Mrs Bernstein, who both settled in Britain after the war, have been photographed by the Duchess of Cambridge at Kensington Palace earlier this month in moving family portraits for a new exhibition. In one of the pictures Mr Frank is seen holding a pan, this had been one of his mother's items that he had kept from during his time at Westerbork transit camp. He was later sent to Theresienstadt with his brothers and mother. Whilst at the camp his mother would do laundry for prisoners in exchange for a small amount of bread. She would put crumbs into the pan, adding hot water to make a paste. She would give each child a spoonful to keep them alive, denying herself of the food. It was this act of kindness from his mother and her use of the pan that ultimately saved his life. He survived multiple concentration camps and Mr Frank and his and his brothers are three of only 93 children who survived the camp, out of 15,000 children sent there. Kate, who is patron of the Royal Photographic Society and had produced a thesis on photography during her art history degree, said 'despite unbelievable trauma at the start of their lives' they were 'two of the most life-affirming people that I have had the privilege to meet'. Scroll for video Steven Frank, 84, with his two granddaughters Maggie, 15, and Trixie 13, was photographed holding a pan his mother used as a boy Memories: Yvonne Bernstein, 82, pictured alongside her 11-year-old granddaughter Chloe, also survived the Nazi Holocaust Mr Frank (pictured as a youngster with his father, right), was among a handful of children to make it out alive. In the picture on right right Mr Frank is centre with his mother and father by his side Mrs Bernstein (pictured as a youngster) was hidden as a child in France throughout most of the Second World War and her uncle was seized and murdered for shielding her The Duchess of Cambridge (pictured), who is a patron of the Royal Photographic Society, took the photographs which were released to mark Holocaust Memorial Day and will be part of an exhibition later this year She added: 'They look back on their experiences with sadness but also with gratitude that they were some of the lucky few to make it through. 'Their stories will stay with me forever.' She added that whilst she had been lucky enough to meet the survivors, she recognised that not everyone in the future would be able to hear such stories first hand. 'It is vital that their memories are preserved and passed on to future generations, so that what they went through will never be forgotten. 'One of the most moving accounts I read as a young girl was 'The Diary of Anne Frank' which tells a very personal reflection of life under Nazi occupation from a child's perspective. Her sensitive and intimate interpretation of the horrors of the time was one of the underlying inspirations behind the images. 'I wanted to make the portraits deeply personal to Yvonne and Steven a celebration of family and the life that they have built since they both arrived in Britain in the 1940s. The families brought items of personal significance with them which are included in the photographs. 'It was a true honour to have been asked to participate in this project and I hope in some way Yvonne and Steven's memories will be kept alive as they pass the baton to the next generation.' Kate has always had a passion for photography and she produced her undergraduate thesis on the era of photography - in particular, photographs of children. She graduated in 2005 from the University of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, with an undergraduate (2:1 Hons) in the history of art. For the picture of Steven and his two granddaughters, Kate took inspiration from the Vermeer style of painting. Pictured here is his work Mistress and Maid, c. 166667, oil on canvas, it is currently part of the Frick Collection The Duchess and her love for the lens: How Kate Middleton's university studies led her to break Royal tradition and take her own family snaps As the Duchess of Cambridge releases new photographs to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, it's evident that her passion for the lens has led her to create some stunning pieces. Kate Middleton has a clear love for photography and her first major project had been for her parents for their party planning business, Party Pieces in 2008 when she was commissioned to do some work for them. Kate studied art history at St Andrews which included modules such as Histories of Photography (1835 - 1905). She then went on to produce her thesis on photography of children. She then went on to break royal tradition, straying away from the favoured royal photographers and herself releasing snaps of her children, including pictures of Prince George before his first day in nursery. Since then she has gone on to share a host of photos of her children via the Kensington Palace Instagram page. It is also believed that she had taken her own photos for the Queen's 90th birthday celebrations. While during a tour of South East Asia and the South Pacific she is also believed to taken her own set of snaps. In 2017 she was made a patron of the Royal Photographic society and is often seen taking pictures of royal events Advertisement One of Kate's favoruite hobbies is photography and she regularly snaps pictures of her children for the Kensington Palace Instagram account. Kate's official profile on the Monarchy's website includes a list of hobbies which features 'photography and painting', and explains: 'The Duchess's enthusiasm for photography saw her taking photographs as part of her role during her time working within Party Pieces, a family company owned and run by her parents.' In 2018 Kate opened its Victorian Giants: The Birth of Art Photography exhibition, and penned the foreword to its catalogue, in which she discussed her passion for the medium. The new photographs are reminiscent of the works of Johannes Vermeer, whose 17th century Dutch paintings Kate enjoyed during a trip to The Hague in 2016. The influence is clearly seen in both photos from the way lighting and shadow issued. It also has strong links to the fact that both families hail from Amsterdam. They were released to mark Holocaust Memorial Day today and will be part of an exhibition later this year. German-born Mrs Bernstein was separated from her parents throughout the war and arrived in Britain in June 1945. Her father was in Amsterdam on business when Kristallnacht took place in 1938, and was advised to stay there and go into hiding. After spending months in hiding he was able to get a visa to go to the UK and worked at a jewellery business in Birmingham while Mrs Bernstein's mother managed to get a domestic visa to work as a vicar in Nottingham, but she was unable to bring her daughter with her. War broke out and Mrs Bernstein was looked after by her aunt and uncles. She would change home often while living in France and also had to hide in a convent. Kate has previously enjoyed Vermeer's work and is seen above looking at one of his paintings, The Girl with a Pearl Earring during her visit to the historic Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague's city centre in 2016 On the arrival of the Nazis she said: 'It was very frightening, because they knocked on the door and my uncle ushered them into the lounge and closed the door. My aunt tried to run down the stairs with us but they saw us go out, and they came rushing out and shouted down the stairs Come back up again then I really was scared'. Mr Frank, who came from Amsterdam, survived near starvation at Theresienstadt in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia. He has kept his mother's pan from their days in the concentration camps. When Mr Frank was in the Theresienstadt camp as a child, he helped another prisoner grow tomatoes. Speaking to the Holocaust Educational Trust Mr Frank said he had picked the pips from the rotten tomatoes and grew his own. 'I became his little helper, watering these tomatoes. He showed me how to pick out the side shoots so they grow straight, then when he was sent off to a camp in Poland, he asked me to look after his plants. I was so proud to be asked I was only 8 years old. 'Since the war I have grown tomatoes at home in the greenhouse and every time I water them I think of this man I don't even know his name. I still feel 75 years on that I'm watering his tomato plants for him. When the tomatoes are out now the grandchildren come over and help to pick them.' 'The pan was an item his mother had owned before the War. When Mr Frank, his mother and brothers were first taken to a camp, it was one of the few items she could take with her and it stayed with them throughout.' He said it had been particularly important in the last camp as they were being starved to death - it was then that his mother volunteered to work in the camp hospital laundry because it was dangerous working with so many contaminated items. His mother got extra rations for this and it also meant she had access to hot water, so she would do washing for other prisoners in exchange for a very small amount of their bread. Mr Frank said: 'Eventually she would get all of these crumbs in a pan, add some hot water and make a paste. She would come into the children's barracks where I was with my brothers and feed us in turn with one spoon, a mouthful at a time. I never saw her eat a spoonful herself. That food was what kept us going - the pan was the most important thing she took into the camp'. Speaking about the project, Mr Frank added: 'I would hope that the people who look at these pictures not only look at the beauty of the photography, but they will also think of the people behind the photos and their families that they lost in the Holocaust'. This is while his granddaughter Trixie added that the experience had been 'amazing' and said that the Duchess had been 'really interested' in the history of their family and the items they had brought with them. Her sister Maggie said: 'I think it helped put into perspective that he's just our Opa he's our grandpa as well as a Holocaust survivor. It's important to tell the story so it doesn't happen again.' Kate understands the importance of the art and has previously explored the 'birth of art photography in England'. When she opened the Victorian Giants show in 2017 she in the foreward: 'Children held a special place in the Victorian imagination and were celebrated for their seemingly boundless potential. 'This notion still rings true for us today and it underpins much of my official work and the charities I have chosen to support, and, indeed, my role as a young mother.' Speaking about her own passion for photography, she went on: 'As a student at the University of St. Andrews, I chose it as the subject of my undergraduate thesis and photographs of children in particular, which feature prominently in the exhibition, are of real interest to me.' In 2017 she was named an honorary member of the Royal Photographic Society, with its chief executive Dr Michael Pritchard FRPS commending her 'talent' and 'long-standing interest in photography and its history'. Kate is not thought to have had any professional photography lessons and has developed her skills from her passion. On Monday, both Kate and her husband Prince William will attend an event at Westminster Abbey to commemorate survivors of the Holocaust. The world's eyes are on Auschwitz but the UK Government will not send a single minister to the memorial event By Robert Hardman for The Daily Mail Presidents and monarchs are gathering at Auschwitz today but the British Government seems unable to send a single minister. The presidents of Germany and Israel will be among the heads of state and government leaders. The United Kingdom will be represented by the Duchess of Cornwall while the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are set to attend memorial events in London. There was surprise among members of Britain's Jewish community last night, however, when it emerged that there would be no minister from the Government. Presidents and monarchs are gathering at Auschwitz today but the British Government seems unable to send a single minister. Pictured: Entrance to the former Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau 'It does seem rather odd that they cannot find a single one to go,' said Jerry Lewis, former vice-president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews. The Netherlands is sending its prime minister, Mark Rutte, as well as its king and queen, and Ireland is despatching its president. The King and Queen of Spain will also be among the guests. Neither Downing Street nor the Foreign Office nor the Cabinet Office was able to offer an explanation, although it is now understood that the Government's Holocaust envoy, Lord Pickles, will be in attendance. The British Government will be well represented at events in London and it will also announce today that it is making a 1million donation to the Auchwitz-Birkenau Foundation. Neither Downing Street nor the Foreign Office nor the Cabinet Office was able to offer an explanation, although it is now understood that the Government's Holocaust envoy, Lord Pickles (pictured), will be in attendance The only VIPs on most minds here this week are the survivors. Some of them paid a private visit to Auschwitz yesterday with the World Jewish Congress. They were nearly all children when they first arrived here. And now, 75 years later, they are returning some for the very first time as the last witnesses to its horror. All concede it was nothing short of miraculous that they ever got out alive, for it was usually the children who were among the first to be despatched to the gas chambers when the cattle trucks unloaded their human cargo at Auschwitz. However, a few would survive through a combination of sheer luck, chaos, the kindness of others and immense strength of character. It was 75 years ago today that Soviet troops liberated Auschwitz, the date the world now recognises as Holocaust Memorial Day. It is a day to commemorate all the evils perpetrated at more than 300 Nazi concentration camps over several years. None was on the scale of Auschwitz, however, where the Germans murdered more than a million people most of them Jewish which is why the eyes of the world are on Poland today. Tova Friedman, 81, was just five when she arrived at Auschwitz with her mother. 'I suppose I was saved by Christianity,' she told me yesterday. 'Most children were murdered as soon as they arrived but it happened to be a Sunday and the Germans didn't want to open up another gas chamber for our transport so I was able to stay with my mother, had my hair shaved and was tattooed.' She remembers life hanging by the most slender of threads. On one occasion, she was sent to the gas chambers and forced to undress only to be sent back again because, by chance, the Germans had sent the wrong set of prisoners for execution that day. Her mother, she told me, was her guardian angel: 'She told me exactly what to do. 'Don't cry', 'Don't make a noise' and 'If you see a dog, stand very still they are only trained to attack people running away'. I did what I was told.' As the Nazis were about to abandon the camp and were rounding up the able-bodied, she hid among the corpses in a hospital wing. She lay still while soldiers shot patients in their beds and remained there until it was safe for her mother to come and find her. Now she remembers other children who were not so lucky and says: 'Tell the whole world. Don't let anyone ever forget.' US President Donald Trump drew flak for his comments on traumatic brain injuries suffered by 34 American soldiers from an Iranian missile attack on Iraqs military base. During the World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Davos, Trump had dismissed the serious injuries as mere headaches. I heard they had headaches. No, I don't consider them very serious injuries, relative to other injuries that I've seen, said Trump. Read: US Veteran Group 'expects' Trump To Apologise For His Comments On Brain Injuries Trumps remark sparked outrage across the country and the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) demanded an apology from the US President for his misguided remarks. William Doc Schmitz, VFW National Commander, said that traumatic brain injury is a serious injury, causing depression, memory loss, severe headaches, that cannot be taken lightly. We ask that he and the White House join with us in our efforts to educate Americans of the dangers TBI has on these heroes as they protect our great nation in these trying times, said Schmitz in a statement. Read: Donald Trump 'did Nothing Wrong': Defense Opens Argument In Senate 'Absolutely despicable' People took to Twitter to slam Trump for his irresponsible remark and said that the US President comment was an an irreparable, hideous display of unconcern. The invisible wounds of war like a traumatic brain injury are seriousand Trump saying otherwise is absolutely despicable. They deserve better than their current commander in chief.https://t.co/t6vmWhygeI Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 25, 2020 A brain injury is only mild if it is someone elses brain. There is nothing mild about a mild brain injury. Sums up trump's mindset - total disregard for others' well-being/situation/perception; it's all about how *he* comes across. #CuntismRulesOK https://t.co/CF9zph6YNb Eeyoresmum (@eeyoresmother) January 25, 2020 The President dismissed traumatic brain injuries as headaches because he was worried about how the political backlash might affect his election. https://t.co/Q4NFiIlgkE Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) January 24, 2020 Trump on January 8: We suffered no casualties, all of our soldiers are safe. Pentagon today: Actually 34 troops suffered brain injuries https://t.co/lPZYqPofUj Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 24, 2020 Read: White House Say Voters Should Decide If Trump Remains In Office Read: Trump Shares 2020 Election Poll That Ignores His Biggest Competition A Fine Gael TD regarded as a rising star in the party could face prosecution after a company she owns went into liquidation with questions over how the firm was run. Meath East TD Regina Doherty could face prosecution by the Director of Corporate Enforcement following the liquidation of her Enhanced Solutions Ltd company last week. A creditors meeting to put the business into liquidation was held last week. Losses are understood to be 280,000, including almost 60,000 owed to the Revenue Commissioners and 50,000 owed to state owned bank AIB. Business failure is not an offence but accounts filed before the liquidation reveal damning evidence that the company was not being properly run. In a special report dated August 2012 the company's own independent auditors said it had failed to keep proper books of accounts in 2010, the last period covered by filed financial accounts. Auditors BCC Accountants issued the special report to the directors of Enhanced Solutions, saying they had "not obtained all the information and explanations" necessary for the purposes of auditing the company. "We determined that proper books of accounts had not been kept by the company," the report said. "The directors have since taken the necessary steps to ensure proper books of account are being kept by the company (going forward)," BCC said. Failing to keep proper books of accounts is a specific offence under Section 202 of the Companies Act. As a director of the IT consultancy, the Meath TD could potentially faces serious penalties, including in the extreme case up to five years in jail, and 10,000 in fines. The book-keeping breaches become a serious offence if a company later goes into liquidation as Regina Doherty's Enhanced Solutions Ltd did earlier this month and the accounting failure is regarded as part of the reason why the company went under. Jail sentences and heavy fines specifically come into play if the failures to keep the books led to some creditors being left out of pocket, more than they would have been in a normal liquidation or if the failures made it harder to shut the business down in an orderly fashion. Even if that draconian action is not taken, the Dohertys could be restricted from being directors of any other companies. Under the Act, the main defence against prosecution is if no harm was caused by the directors' failures, and if the breaches of the Act were not wilful. That will all be considered in a report that liquidator Edward Walsh must send to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, the watchdog for company law offences. First-time TD Ms Doherty has previously admitted taking loans totalling 37,360 from Enhanced Solutions Ltd when the size of the loans relative to the business was also in contravention of the company law, but the debt has been paid back and Ms Doherty has said she had informed the Director of Corporate Enforcement of the breach herself. Ms Doherty has said previously that Enhanced Solutions Ltd had ceased trading in 2009. She didn't declare her directorship of the company in the annual declaration of TDs' interests after becoming a TD in the 2011 General Election. She later admitted her error and asked that her records be corrected. Enhanced Solutions Ltd was struck off by the Companies Office in 2011 for not filing its accounts, but was later reinstated on the register. Ms Doherty did not return calls last night. The first time, Aoibhin Garrihy says of motherhood, you cling to the part of yourself thats familiar, and, to me, that was getting up and getting out and being a do-er. And I was holding on to that. I was a person who was always on the go, a busy body. I didnt want motherhood to change that. I held on to that the first time around. This time, I wanted it to be different, says Aoibhin, now mother to 19-month-old Hanorah and baby Liobhan, who was born at the end of November last year. With a first baby, Aoibhin adds, theres an element of trying to prove yourself and be unchanged by it. Youre not going to let it completely transform you. Youre determined that it wont be the case that youre Aoibhin one minute, but a mom the next, and not Aoibhin any more. You tell yourself the baby will just slot in and life will continue as normal. But babies dont just slot in, she concludes with a laugh. They dont. They take over. Aoibhins laugh is that of a person who sees it as a friendly baby takeover. Shes going with the flow, and everything is a little less perfect this second time around, but Aoibhin is OK with that. What you learn by your second baby, Aoibhin adds, is that the newborn, sleep-deprived, near-sleepwalking days go by very quickly. Its precious time, and, this time, Aoibhins nesting and nurturing at home in Co Clare with her two little girls. I suppose because Hanorah was born in the summer, I was out and about more, and didnt have that sense of wanting to hibernate the way I do now, with Liobhan, but I also feel I have less to prove, Aoibhin says. Baby Liobhan came early two weeks early, according to Aoibhin, one week according to her doctor, she says with a laugh and gave them all a surprise. It was, in that sense, a very different experience from the get-go, to the one she had with Hanorah. Aoibhin was induced with Hanorah, but with Liobhan, she was planning to have her nails done as prep for an awards event, when it became clear that the baby was not waiting around for a due date. Midnight dash Then, that night, they were into the situation of calling for relatives to stay the night with Hanorah, while Aoibhin and her hotelier husband, John Burke, made the dash to the hospital in Galway. Video of the Day I wasnt going to have her at the side of the road, Aoibhin says. But it was a drive through the night to be on the safe side. Burke shared on social media a photograph of a serene-looking Aoibhin, in an on-trend maxi dress, practising her breathing in the hospital. She announced the early arrival of their second little girl, and how they were simply in love with her, also on social media. A very cute video of Hanorah, meeting her baby sister for the first time and stroking her cheek as she looked her up and down, was uploaded to Aoibhins Instagram. Online is very much Aoibhins domain these days, and frequently now, you see her referred to as an influencer, though in the mom-zone and the zone of the kind of woman youd like as a rock-of-good-sense friend. She is, you could say, a mini-Gwynnie, mixed with the Irish likeability of Mary Kennedy. Aoibhin doesnt go for the influencer tag herself, however. She regards herself as an entrepreneur, citing her wellness venture, Beo, as her main job, while singing the praises, also, of Knight & Day jewellery, with whom she has been associated with for six seasons now, and whose latest shoot fills these pages. Acting, she says, has been parked. Aoibhin has spoken in the past, on these pages, and to me, about how she has left acting behind, for now. Hers has been an interesting modern trajectory from a young woman keen to make her way as an actress, to a woman who is more interested in carving out the terms of her own career than waiting for roles to come to her. Aoibhin Garrihy first came to public attention in Fair City, almost a decade ago. She left the RTE drama three years later, but somehow Aoibhin is one of those rare people who can leave a soap and still hold on to the fanbase and a public affection. She built on that popularity with a turn on Dancing With The Stars in 2017, in which she came second and was, arguably, robbed of the first prize. By that time, Aoibhin had married John Burke, who runs his family business, the Armada Hotel in Co Clare. Aoibhin had been half-reared in Co Clare, though she lived and went to school in Dublins Castleknock. Best of both worlds Both of her parents, Eugene and Clare, are from Co Clare, and have a house and business interests there. Aoibhin, along with her younger sisters, Ailbhe, who now works with her; and Doireann, now an RTE star in her own right, spent their childhoods back and forth to Co Clare, and it felt like a natural move for Aoibhin to marry a man from the county, and, ultimately, end up living there. I come up to Dublin so often for work that it feels like I get the best of both worlds, says Aoibhin, who feels herself drawn less and less to the hustle and bustle of the city. The outdoorsy life she enjoys in Clare soothes her soul and suits her personality, she says, and her work can now, thanks to technology, see her based anywhere she chooses. And Aoibhin chooses Co Clare. Its a wonderful life into which to bring her pair of little girls, too, she says. In Hanorah, I see the benefits of living here, Aoibhin says. I go for a sea swim every Sunday and its my therapy, and she comes along with me, and she loves the sea air. I see the difference it makes to her, and I think she sees and appreciates what we have here in the west. My sisters and I had the best of both worlds growing up, she adds. And every long weekend and summer was spent down here and we loved it. For me, its less chaotic, its less of a rat-race. Mum and Dad always worked hard, but its important to make memories. When youre self-employed, when you have your own business, that can be hard. And technology makes it too easy for us to be on and distracted all the time. Im busy, still, because there is no maternity leave in my world, and John is very busy as well, and I have to keep reminding him that this is a very short time with [young children], and it will come and go, and you have to savour every minute and get off the phones. Its not easy, but children are so receptive and they know when youre just phoning it in and not really paying attention to them. We probably need, as a society, to create a shift when it comes to work-life balance. Aoibhin says that shes noticed a positive shift in terms of social media since she was pregnant with Hanorah and just starting to build up a following online. With her first pregnancy, she kept very fit and busy, safely stretching herself to continue enjoying the extensive walking and hill- and mountain-climbing that she and John had always enjoyed together. When she and John climbed Carrauntoohil during that pregnancy, she didnt anticipate the online backlash that came her way. People said she was putting the baby at risk, and she energetically defended herself, something she might not bother to do now, with the benefit of hindsight and experience. These days, Aoibhin says, shes better at letting the interfering or unhelpful comments and commentators roll off her. Sharing life online But the mom-shaming is a real thing, Aoibhin says. And theres been a small element of it again since Liobhan arrived. People probably dont mean to intrude, or cant help themselves from telling you not to do this or that, which I find fascinating. In one way, theyre just airing their knowledge, and Instagram can be a great place to gather information and theres a real community online, which is great, because being a new mother can be very isolating. So its somewhere you can find a community, like a real-life parenting group, and that can be so helpful, particularly in the middle of the night. But when youre feeling vulnerable and hormonal, the smallest thing can set you off, she says. And people might mean well, but sometimes you just feel like you dont need it, and you want to work it out for yourself. Personally, online, I try not to tell people what to do and I try to be accessible and people can direct-message me if they want. But in terms of people making comments about me, I accept that if you share your life online, you have to let people have their opinions. To a point, she says with a laugh. Second time around, Aoibhin says, there is a sense of being more relaxed, which also makes you aware that women demand so much of themselves, and are often so hard on themselves, too. This idea of bouncing back is such a load of crap, says Aoibhin. I dont feel the same need to do that this time. The winter helps as well, and you can have those duvet days with the baby. You need that recovery period. It takes nine months to grow a baby and you need nine months to recover, too. But there is that pressure on women to go back to normal, she says, and were probably not doing ourselves or society or other mums a service by presenting motherhood as if its not life-changing and transformative. You have to let nature and motherhood take its natural course and not fight it, and pretending its a small thing is not good. That said, says Aoibhin, laughing, when her father rings and shes too stressed to talk to him and shes covered in puke and theres a leaking nappy of poo, he has taken to reminding her that his mother had 11 children and managed to cope. Aoibhin did the shoot on these pages when Liobhan was only six weeks old. Having done six season launches with Knight & Day by now, she knew as soon as she was pregnant when the launch timings would be and knew that shed have to be photographed quite soon after giving birth. Its not a time that any woman really feels quite herself or keen on being captured on camera, but it wasnt only Aoibhin who rose to the occasion Knight & Day did, too. Soft and vulnerable My first shoot with them was in 2017, after Dancing With The Stars, she recalls. So I was in the best shape of my life. The next, I was pregnant with Hanorah; then post-partum; then, last year, eight months pregnant with Liobhan; and now, six weeks after her arrival. Its not ideal, she says, with a laugh. Youre so soft and vulnerable after a baby. Its not just weight; everything changes. Even the fact that Im breastfeeding meant that through the day of the shoot, my breast size changed up and down. But I had to put all that out of my head. Youre standing there, pregnant or just after giving birth, she says of the various Knight & Day shoots, and theyre saying, work it and Im thinking, I dont know what to work right now! But the fact that Ive had two babies over the six seasons with the company and theyve never batted an eye says so much about them. Its amazing for any brand to stick with someone who has fluctuated so much, but also, theres so much discrimination when it comes to women and such an aesthetic demand, and there are loads of models they could have used instead, but they didnt. Its an honour to work with a brand that honours women in all their stages and sizes, and its a lovely message to send. To feel accepted in all the glories of motherhood reinforces that belief that it is something to be embraced and enjoyed rather than kicked against. Aoibhin feels a great sense of ease second time around, with her new baby and with Hanorah, who seems like such a giant grown-up person now that tiny baby Liobhan has arrived. There have been a few hissy fits, but mostly Hanorah seems to love being the big sister, and Aoibhin is delighted for her to have a sister. Of course, all you want is to have a healthy baby, she says, but, yeah, I wanted her to have a sister. I am so tight with my sisters, that I really wanted that for her. Of course we have had stages of killing each other, but really, we are so lucky to be so close. Aoibhins parents continue to divide their time between Dublin and Co Clare, and though they are besotted with their granddaughters, she doesnt see them moving permanently to the countryside. They have the best of both worlds, so why would they, says Aoibhin, who clearly admires the example they have set. Grandchildren have given the whole family a new lease of life, Aoibhin says. Especially now that Hanorahs personality is emerging and shes great crack. Were all making a conscious effort to spend time together as a family, I think. In your 20s, youre busy and you kind of take family for granted, and you think these good times will be around forever. Since the girls arrived, I think we realise that these times have to be cherished. The girls have brought the magic back. Life is a series of stages, Aoibhins message seems to be, from her zone of hibernation and baby-love. Life changes and you adapt, and fighting it is not only futile, but a distraction from that which is precious and fleeting. Aoibhin Garrihy is taking things gently this second time around and, she says, her husband, who summited Everest in 2017, is taking a leaf out of her book, for now. He hasnt said anything about itchy feet lately, Aoibhin says with a laugh, but no doubt they will return. She feels that on-the-go, busy body Aoibhin will be back, too, but not too soon. Hanorah has their love of the outdoors, she thinks. In time, shell be up the hills and mountains with her parents, and baby Liobhan wont be far behind her. Do I want them to summit Everest? asks Aoibhin with a laugh. Probably not. But well see. Not yet. THE TEAM Photography by Eilish McCormick Assisted by Colm Keating Styling by Sinead Keenan Assisted by Katie Grogan Make-up by Zoe Clark Hair by Michael Leong Location Shot at Grey Area Studios, see greyarea.ie The new Knight & Day Jewellery Spring/Summer 2020 collection will be available in over 200 stockists across Ireland and in Carraig Donn stores from February. Each jewellery piece is individually presented in a beautiful gift box sealed with a bow. For more information, see knightanddayjewellery.com Follow Knight & Day Jewellery on Facebook, @KnightAndDayJewellery Instagram @knightanddayjewellery or Twitter @KnightAndDay3 Express Features By Ayushmann Khurrana wants his films to be agents of social change. His 2019 film, Article 15, spoke about caste discrimination in society. His upcoming work, Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, highlights the subject of acceptance of homosexuality in families. Ahead of Republic Day, Khurrana did a photoshoot waving the Indian tricolour with the LGBTQ Pride flag. The actor says he wants to send out a message with the picture, which reflects on the country and the LGBTQ communitys belief in equality. I would always aspire to do subjects which are socially relevant which would create a stir or usher some kind of discussion, says Khurrana, adding, I am a socially aware citizen. I have done street theatre where we have touched upon many socially relevant issues and the kind of cinema I am doing is an extension of my theatre days. Speaking about his film, Khurrana says, It shows India in a progressive stance when it comes to homosexuality and LGBTQ community and we are proud to be Indians. It passed the law against section 377 and we couldnt be more proud. Toronto Public Health says it's ready for infectious diseases like coronavirus With the confirmation of Canada's first case of the coronavirus in Toronto, health authorities are assuring the public the required systems are in place to keep people safe. Coun. Joe Cressy, chair of the Toronto Board of Health, says he has "full confidence" in the city's Medical Officer of Health and the Toronto Public Health team, and will continue to work closely with them to ensure the public remains protected and informed. "While I understand that this news may cause some fear and concern for Torontonians, it is important to know that we have a strong and capable public health system in place for just this reason, and the risk of contracting the virus in Toronto remains low," Cressy said in a statement. "Toronto Public Health has a strong and experienced communicable disease surveillance program. They do this work each and every day." Public health officials announced Saturday afternoon that a man in his 50s who had travelled to Wuhan, China, became "quite ill" within a day of arriving in Toronto. He was diagnosed with the coronavirus at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and placed in isolation. Watch | Health officials outline how Canada is responding to the coronavirus: On Sunday, Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer said the man, who remains hospitalized, is currently in stable condition. Tam said authorities are now working to help track some of his fellow passengers, but said the case demonstrates that the country's public health protocols are working. She said federal authorities, together with Toronto Public Health, are in the process of reaching out to those who were within a two-metre radius to the man to ensure they know what to do if they become ill. "The patient has been managed with all appropriate infection and prevention control protocols, so the risk of onward spread in Canada is low," Tam said at a morning news conference in Ottawa. Story continues Evan Tsuyoshi Mitsui/CBC "The TPH team is working with the affected individual and their health-care team to follow up with all known contacts who may have been exposed to the virus," Cressy said. "TPH is co-ordinating closely with provincial and national health agencies, hospitals, airports, and community agencies." 'I am worried for me and my family' CBC News spoke to a passenger who said he was on China Southern Airlines flight CZ311, which took off on Tuesday to Toronto from Guangzhou. "I am worried," he wrote to CBC News on Chinese micro-blogging site Weibo. "I am worried for me and my family." The man from Toronto, who did not want to be identified because of the stigma associated with the coronavirus, said he was returning to Canada after visiting family in Guangzhou for the last few weeks. He did not visit Wuhan. He said he hasn't exhibited any symptoms of the coronavirus. He said he called Public Health Ontario Sunday morning after reading on social media that he might have been on the same flight as the patient. "I didn't know what I should do," he said. Health officials told him the risk to Canadians remains low. He was told to continue to follow the usual health precautions and to seek medical care if he starts developing symptoms. Still, he said he's going to "self-quarantine" and will refrain from going out in public for the next two weeks. Messages suggesting that CZ311 passengers should isolate themselves began popping up on Chinese social media on Saturday night, shortly after Ontario confirmed its first "presumptive" case of coronavirus in Toronto. The messages have since been shared thousands of times in the last 24 hours. Residents taking precaution Romeo Lian says he returned to Toronto from Shanghai a week ago and he was back at Toronto's Pearson Airport on Sunday to meet his wife who's also arriving from the Chinese city. Shanghai is more than 800 kilometres from Wuhan. Lian, who was wearing a mask, says he is taking precautions to protect himself and others. "This is a public area. If I carry the virus, I don't want to spread it to other people," Lian told CBC News. CBC He also believes health authorities should reach out to everyone who was on the flight with the infected man. "I think they should contact everybody [on] the flight. Everyone, because you know the [aircraft] has the airflow so it's very dangerous." Meanwhile, Mayor John Tory said the city's frontline health-care workers are the best in the world and have procedures in place to keep people safe. "While we now have one presumptive confirmed case, our health officials are clear that the risk to residents continues to remain low," Tory said. "Toronto Public Health is continuing to work closely with provincial and federal health colleagues to actively monitor the situation and respond as appropriate." 'Many people are very terrified' In Markham, 30 kilometres northeast of Toronto, Mayor Frank Scarpitti called on the federal government to implement additional and advanced screening and detection measures at Canada's airports, including Pearson International Airport. Scarpitti said with the confirmation of a case of coronavirus in Toronto, there is "heightened concern and anxiety" in Markham, which he describes as "Canada's most diverse community." "The current measures introduced are less stringent than at other major airports in New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles that involve passengers from China being screened for symptoms," Scarpitti said in a statement. "These screening measures as an ounce of prevention would provide greater public confidence that more is being done to reduce risk and exposure to the virus." Markham resident Jackie Cheng said people in the community are petrified. "In recent days, this is like an explosion in social media, I watched Facebook, mainly WeChat, there has [been a flood] of news surrounding this topic," Cheng told CBC News. "Many people are very terrified." What you can do to stay safe According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are some simple preventive measures you can take to protect yourself from this strain: Regularly washing your hands and using alcohol-based sanitizers. Covering your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze. Utilizing face masks when in crowded areas. Avoiding consumption of raw or undercooked animal products such as milk, meat, and eggs. Avoiding close contact with people exhibiting symptoms such as fevers, coughs, sneezing, and difficulty breathing. If you present with any of these symptoms, visiting your medical provider immediately and sharing your recent travel history with them. Avoiding contact with live animals in areas where there have been cases of 2019-nCoV. How are agencies responding Toronto Pearson International Airport The city's main gateway says the safety and security of passengers and employees is its top priority and they continue to work in close collaboration with health and border security agencies to ensure that all proper measures are taken for all international arriving passengers. Toronto Paramedic Services Toronto Paramedic Services says it continues to ensure the safety of residents and staff while managing emergency calls. The patient at Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital is being held in a negative-pressure room used to contain airborne illnesses. The case is "presumptive positive" until the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg finds the same positive results as the tests conducted in Toronto. CBC Dr. Jerome Leis of Sunnybrook said Sunday that the presence of an infected patient at the facility has not prompted any changes in day-to-day operations, stressing the risk of general infection is low and the hospital remains safe for patients. "We are carrying on our normal business and normal operations," Leis said. "... It is not affecting the care we provide for all of our other patients." - Jack Ma owns one of the world's largest E-commerce companies, Alibaba - He has employed more than 70, 000 people across his company - Ma has a dream of driving the fifth largest economy coming after USA, China, Europe and Japan - The entrepreneur attributes his wealth to God and the people he has helped China's richest man Jack Ma has attributed his tremendous growth in the business world to helping the needy and empowering young people. Ma who has a dream of driving the fifth largest economy coming after USA, China, Europe and Japan said he believes in helping the vulnerable and uplifting their status as part of realising his dream. READ ALSO: Millie Odhiambo says Gladys Shollei is free to move on, remarry as she wants China's richest man Jack Ma speaking during a past public address. Photo: Jack Ma Fun Club. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Meet 6 ex-lovers Kim Kardashian dated before marrying Kanye West Ma who owns world's largest E-commerce company, Alibaba, and stakeholder at Alipay, a firm dealing in e-payment services said all the things he owned do not belong to him but to the people who surround him. "Today we have more than 400 million dollars market cap, this does not belong to us. And why we succeed is because we support young people, we supported small medium-sized, we support women and because of supporting these people they made us succeed," said the billionaire. READ ALSO: You are not my 2022 presidential candidate - Governor Tolgos vows not to support William Ruto He disclosed his company had employed more than 70, 000 people to provide a wide range of services to over 700 million consumers, an achievement he gives credit to God. Alibaba founder Jack Ma giving a public talk. Photo: Jack Ma Fun Club. Source: Facebook Ma urged other players in the economy to embrace the challenge of helping the needy and young people in the society in a bid to uplift their status and expand the economy. "When you have more than 100 million dollars, 1 billion dollars that money does not belong to you. It's a social responsibility as people trust you to manage the money better and make the economy large enough. With that that economy we can enable every young person, every small business, every woman, globally to global buy, global deliver, global pay and global travel," he said. He exuded confidence the fifth economy he is driving through the digital space will create 100 million jobs for youths across the world. "We hope the fifth largest economy of the world, the digital economy, can enable 100 million jobs for the world," Ma said. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. I have lived without lungs for 7 years because of smoking | Tuko TV Source: TUKO.co.ke Hieu Le Amid the rising cost of production in China, businesses began their relocation processes to alternative locations in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam. In fact, a recent surge of demand for setting up production plants in Vietnam has made the countrys industrial property market, which is still dominated by raw land supply, become more vibrant than ever. Industrial parks (IPs) in major cities and provinces have been rapidly occupied in the context of the surging demand. The average occupancy rates of IPs in major northern and southern cities and provinces were over 92 and 80 per cent, respectively, at the end of 2019. When there is limited vacant land, developers of existing IPs tend to switch to ready-built factories, which are more time and cost-efficient to tenants who prefer a speedy setup. Over the last two years, significant growth of ready-built factory supplies was observed in major IPs in Vietnam. As of 2019, the southern region of Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City, and the provinces of Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Long An, welcomed about 380,000 square metres of ready-built factory grounds, up by 18.9 per cent on-year. Meanwhile, the new supply of the northern region, including Hanoi, Haiphong, and the provinces of Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, and Hung Yen was 321,000sq.m, up by 25.2 per cent on-year. The export manufacturing industry has been the backbone of Vietnams economy, with notable names such as Samsung, Pou Chen Group, Truong Hai Auto Corporation (THACO), and VinFast which have established their footprints in the industry. The most important impact of their production plants in the country is their forming and developing of related supporting industries and suppliers. Since the launch of Samsungs factory in Bac Ninh in 2009, the South Korean giant has not only actively brought its foreign suppliers into Vietnam but also localised its network of Vietnamese vendors rapidly. Currently, there are 210 Vietnamese vendors for Samsung, of which 42 companies are tier-1 suppliers, with most of their factories located within 45 kilometres from Samsungs main factories in Thai Nguyen, Bac Ninh, and Ho Chi Minh City. In the automotive industry, Vietnamese private conglomerates, including THACO and Vingroup, are showing ambitious plans in creating their self-developed automotive manufacturing complexes with high-concentrated chain of suppliers. For THACO, the 325-hectare Chu Lai Truong Hai automotive complex in the south-central province of Quang Nam includes a 100ha automotive component IP and has been a successful development case of a domestic player in the automotive market. Targeting a 40-per-cent localisation rate, THACO partners with experienced foreign suppliers to co-develop more than 11 component manufacturing factories with varying land sizes to not only provide auto parts for its assembling factories but also to export. Even though VinFast is a newcomer in this industry, it is not an underdog in the competition. To gain a head start by taking a shortcut, Vingroup launched VinFasts 335ha automotive complex in Haiphong which is the home of the most modern auto and parts manufacturing factories in Vietnam, with 20,000-200,000sq.m large ready-built factories forming a hub for the auto parts production. In general, the emergence of supporting industry hubs has been widely observed in Vietnam. Either concentrating in an IP or dispersing within a 40km radius from main assembling factories, industrial developers are in a good time to build up ready-built factories focusing on the formation of supporting industries along with application of technology in property management. Leading developers in the ready-built factory sector such as BW Industrial, KTG Industrial, and An Phat Holdings have already caught chances to welcome a new wave of components manufacturers and suppliers following the relocation trend in recent years. A large proportion of industrial property suppliers, both for land and ready-built factories, are located in major southern and northern cities and provinces (classified as tier-1 areas), with the demand for market performance increasing rapidly. The expansion of supply has been led by the completion of critical infrastructure projects, especially expressways and ports. More competitive land prices as well as lower occupancy rates are making emerging industrial areas in surrounding provinces (classified as tier-2 areas) become more attractive to investors and developers. Looking forward, there will be an increasing industrial development and investment in tier-2 locations. Most of the large land banks in these areas are agricultural land, which requires the conversion of land use. Therefore, foreign developers and investors are recommended to co-operate with local businesses to smoothen the land acquisition and legal processes. Senate Democrats who are trying to get key witnesses to testify in President Trumps impeachment trial are running into a barrier: 53 Republican senators who want nothing of the kind. For the GOP senators, their motto for this trial is less is more. They dont want a parade of high-profile witnesses like former National Security Director John Bolton or Secretary of State Mike Pompeo testifying under oath about the inner workings of the presidents dealings with Ukraine. That could get tricky, as in further proving the Democratic charges, which are not really in dispute anymore even though some senators dont find them impeachable. Theyd like to get through this unpleasant ordeal as quickly as possible and get back to confirming Trumps judges. But this same GOP majority is also under public pressure to conduct an actual trial, which generally includes witnesses. It wont affect the final verdict of acquittal, which is baked into this cake, but it could affect senatorial elections in November. If Republicans are seen as stonewalling and scorning the impeachment process, it could disgust many voters and end the careers of some Senate Republicans. Heck, if the Democrats can pick up four seats, Mitch McConnell would no longer be majority leader, and he fears that more than a Democratic president next year. To avoid that fate, some Republican senators are considering allowing Bolton to testify if they can bring in Hunter Biden, son of former VP Joe Biden, and grill him about why he was raking in $50,000 per month to serve on the board of the Ukrainian gas company Burisma. While Hunters presence in Ukraine is sketchy, it has nothing to do with the guts of this trial the allegation that Trump illegally withheld U.S. military aid to Ukraine until its president would announce an investigation into corruption by the Bidens. A deal like this might be only way Democrats could get any witness sworn in, but its likely to backfire on them. For starters Bolton is just not going to provide any evidence that Trump did anything illegal. Hes a loyal conservative, and he wants to make sure he has a future on Fox News and the right-wing lecture circuit. Hes a savvy guy who can easily explain away anything thats really dicey and hide behind executive privilege for everything else. Besides, Trump probably wont even let him testify under any circumstances by claiming executive privilege over all of their discussions. And if Hunter Biden were sworn in, Republican senators would be all over him like cotton dust in a sweatshop. The embarrassing truth is that Hunter had no energy experience and was clearly given this plum position because of his last name and the job his father held. But both parties play that game, and again, Hunters manuevering really has nothing to do with the impeachment case. Yet Fox News could be counted on to call his testimony a bigger scandal than anything Trump did and pick apart every word he said. In the end, some voters would conclude that Trump crossed a few lines just as Hunter did, so both were basically guilty of politics as usual even though that equation is not really valid. If Republicans wont budge on witnesses and they wont Democrats should just let the trial play out and see if voters take revenge on the GOP in November. They certainly might, but thats 10 long months away, and a lot will happen between now and then. By Election Day, the impeachment trial might seem like old news. In the end, well probably get back to what would have decided these elections anyway the strengths or weaknesses of the Senate candidates in both parties, and whether Trump, for all his faults, is less bad than a flawed Democratic presidential candidate. If Democrats choose someone who can actually beat Trump in November, that will matter much more than the flap over witnesses in January. Thomas Taschinger, TTaschinger@BeaumontEnterprise.com, is the editorial page editor of The Beaumont Enterprise. Follow him on Twitter at @PoliticalTom Twitter users have poked fun at the Duke of Sussex after commuters shared an image of a tradesman who bears an uncanny resemblance to the royal. An advert, which appeared on the tube across London, showed a ginger model screwing in a bolt on a wall, but commuters quickly pointed out the likeness to the Prince. It comes as Prince Harry, 35, and his wife Meghan Markle, 38, took a step back from royal duties and vowed to become financially independent from the Queen. Twitter users have poked fun at the Duke of Sussex after commuters shared an image of an advert showing a tradesman who bears an uncanny resemblance to the royal 'Looking for a vetted, local, tradesperson? Post your job for free', the advert for Rated People reads. Taking to social media, many joked that the Prince had already found a job after his resignation from the royal frontline. 'Well. Prince Harry certainly found himself a new job very quickly' one joked. 'Fair play to Harry, he didnt hang about on his mission for financial independence #Megxit'. 'Not the route I thought he'd take' joked another. Taking to social media, many joked that the Prince had already found a job after his resignation from the royal front line. He is pictured left in Fiji last year, the advert is pictured right 'Good to see the Duke of Sussex has already found work' one Twitter user joked It comes amid a tumultuous two weeks for Prince Harry, who announced he would be stepping back as a senior royal at the start of the month. The Queen's grandson then had to negotiate a 'Megxit' deal with his family, where they agreed the Sussexes would split their time between Canada and Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, and would not take money from the sovereign grant. Last week, Buckingham Palace announced that from the spring Harry and Meghan will stop using their HRH titles and withdraw from royal duties, including official military appointments. Many joked that Harry had found work quickly following his resignation as a senior royal In the latest development to the Sussexes step-back, a source told the The Sun that as part of the transition into the Firm, the monarch reportedly offered Meghan and Prince Harry, the freedom to live without Duke and Duchess titles. But Meghan - who worked and lived in Toronto filming hit legal drama Suits for six years - was 'happy' to stop her career to become a royal. The source claimed: 'The offer would have allowed her to carry on her career, but she was happy to stop acting to become a working member of the royal family.' They went on to say that officials had become frustrated that the couple now feel they were pressured into quitting royal life. Prince Harry was given the highest rank in the British peerage and Meghan became the first Duchess of Sussex when they married in May 2018. All royal titles are given by the Queen and it was up to the monarch to choose which one to bestow on her grandson and his wife in May 2018. The couple will be allowed to maintain their private patronages and associations. They are currently staying in a Vancouver Island bolthole with their one-year-old son Archie as they continue to pursue their charity projects. Iran says suspected coronavirus case tested negative Iran Press TV Saturday, 25 January 2020 4:13 PM Iranian health authorities have dismissed reports that a new coronavirus outbreak that began in China and infected thousands of people, including some in other parts of the world, has spread to the country. Alireza Raeisi, an Iranian deputy health minister, said on Saturday that a suspected case detected earlier in the day in an unidentified location had tested negative for coronavirus. Raeisi said a Chinese national of Afghan origin had been referred to hospital after he showed flu-like symptoms but is became later known that he had a simple flu. The official made the comments while visiting the International Imam Khomeini airport on the outskirts of the Tehran where authorities has intensified screening for suspected cases of coronavirus, especially for passengers arriving from China. Raeisi said controls and checks for the virus had been expanded to include all international airports across Iran as well as major gateways on the seas south and north of the country. "There is absolutely no need to panic and everything is under control and our health colleagues are controlling and evaluating the respected passengers on a 24-hour- alert basis," he said. Iran's health ministry also issued a statement on Saturday saying that the country had one of the most robust systems in the region for screening suspected cases of epidemic diseases. The statement rejected claims on the social media that Iran has spotted new coronavirus cases from Chinese travelers visiting the country. More than 40 people have died and over 1,500 have been infected by a new strain of coronavirus that began to spread from the central Chinese city of Wuhan earlier this month. Several countries, including Australia, the United States and France have also confirmed cases of the virus. Iran is a major destination for Chinese tourists visiting the Middle East region and experts believe the sudden outbreak of coronavirus would impact Iranian government plans for attraction of more tourists from the East Asian country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter wants mines to produce their own electricity so pressure can be taken off the national grid. This is according to the Sunday Times, which spoke to de Ruyter about self-generation in South Africa. Although mines provide a large chunk of Eskoms revenue, he acknowledged that in the near term it will be beneficial if the mining industry generated its own power. Im not that concerned about it because I think in the short term that would be a positive development, because it allows us access to electricity that is currently being generated. We can then use it to add to our own supply, said de Ruyter. Having access to more power would allow Eskom to perform maintenance on its infrastructure. It would also prevent mines from having to stop operations due to a lack of power. The report stated that Anglo American Platinum had been hit by R742 million in lost production due to load-shedding in 2019. Cost to the SA economy A recent report by the CSIR Energy Centre shows that South Africa had the worst year of load-shedding on record in 2019, costing the economy between R60 billion and R120 billion last year alone. The total economic impact of load-shedding in South Africa could be as high as R338 billion over the past 10 years, it added. Bad news for the country is that load-shedding is expected to continue for the next 2-3 years, depending on how key decisions are handled. According to the report, urgent action is needed to turn the situation around and to ensure South Africas energy sector recovers. Maintenance To reduce the chances of load-shedding, Eskom must conduct maintenance on its power plants and infrastructure but this requires additional capacity to be available. Without the additional capacity, fixing potential problems becomes difficult. Eskom is in a crisis. Theres no denying that. But if I thought this was mission impossible I wouldnt have taken on the assignment, said de Ruyter. It is going to take a lot of hard work from the entire Eskom team and SA as well to turn the business around. We need to crowd in private capital to contribute to power generation in SA and whether that be through renewables or other forms of generation is a good thing. We think it gives us the necessary headroom to do what needs to be done. In an interview with Rapport, however, de Ruyter said he did not think the privatisation of Eskom was the answer. If you privatise Eskom, you transfer accountability to a private company. That creates risk, he said. Now read: Slow Internet in South Africa to continue for much longer Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 21:36:12|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close RAMALLAH, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian officials on Sunday slammed the U.S. Middle East peace plan, ahead of a possible announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump. The U.S. peace deal, also known as the "Deal of the Century," has been rejected by Palestinians, who said they were not consulted on it. Palestinian President Spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeinah said that the Palestinian leadership will hold a series of meetings on all levels in order to "foil the 'Deal of the Century'." "If the so-called 'Deal of the Century' is announced, it would have grave consequences on the entire region, because it will harm sovereignty of states in the region and their identities," he warned, urging the Arab world to support the Palestinian position. The Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Saeb Erekat criticized Trump as "trying to forge peace between the two Israeli election contenders, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Benny Gants, and not between Palestinians and Israelis." Meanwhile, top leaders of Palestinian political factions reiterated the public rejection of the U.S. peace deal. "The so-called 'Deal of the Century' is an attempt to rip apart the Palestinians and their legitimate national rights," said the Deputy Secretary General of the Palestinian Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine Qais Abdelkarim in a statement. "It is a green light to Israel to annex more of the West Bank's territory for its 'Greater Israel project,'" added Abdelkarim. Ahmad Majdalani, Secretary General of the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, said that the U.S. peace plan would only push the Palestinian statehood project farther away. "The only new thing is the attempt to draw the parameters of this liquidation project to make it look like it will be dealt with apart from the national rights of the Palestinian people," said Majdalani. Along the same lines, member of the Palestinian People's Party politburo Walid al-Awad accused the U.S. of trying to salvage Netanyahu ahead of upcoming election on March 2. Furthemore, Fatah party Central Committee member Jamal Muheisen called for popular movements to face the U.S. deal. "The Arab and Muslim worlds are required to undertake their responsibilities in light of the U.S. arrogance, and not to stay bound to statements and condemnations," Muheisen said, urging for an Arab movement to impose the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the U.S. President will not gain "a single Palestinian or Arab to agree on the Deal of the Century." Trump has invited Netanyahu and his rival Gants to the White House for separate meetings this week, to discuss the details of the new peace pan. Speaking to reporters on Jan. 23, Trump said he would unveil the long-awaited plan for Middle East peace, before Netanyahu and Gants visit Washington. He had postponed the announcement of the deal several times in the past. However, the economic part of the deal was unveiled last June in a U.S. lead conference in Bahrain, which was boycotted by the Palestinians. Since the failure of the U.S.-sponsored peace talks between Palestine and Israel in 2014, the Palestinians have been calling for an international multi-lateral mechanism to overlook peace negotiations with Israel. Political ties between the Palestinians and the U.S. administration had been severed since Trump declared Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in late 2017, reversing a long-standing U.S. policy regarding the conflict. Palestinians want the eastern part of the city of Jerusalem, which was occupied in 1967, as the capital of their future state. EDMONTON - Alberta's economic development minister says she is open to extending the deadline for a looming benchmark panel report on growing the high-tech sector, but says she wants to start taking action no later than the end of spring. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/1/2020 (717 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Alberta premier Jason Kenney shakes hands with Tanya Fir Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism is sworn into office, in Edmonton on April 30, 2019. Alberta's economic development minister says she is open to extending the deadline for a looming benchmark panel report on growing the high-tech sector, but says she wants to start taking action no later than the end of spring. Tanya Fir calls the report the natural evolutionary next step to building the economy, but the opposition NDP says it's more like a rescue operation for a vital sector ignored by the UCP during its first nine months in office, left to lose momentum and drift toward the ditch. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson EDMONTON - Alberta's economic development minister says she is open to extending the deadline for a looming benchmark panel report on growing the high-tech sector, but says she wants to start taking action no later than the end of spring. Tanya Fir calls the report the natural evolutionary next step to building the economy, but the opposition NDP says it's more like a rescue operation for a vital sector ignored by the UCP during its first nine months in office, left to lose momentum and drift toward the ditch. Fir, in an interview, noted the Innovation Capital Working Group has a Feb. 28 deadline to report, but said she is open to giving it more time in order to make sure her ministry gets the answers they need. "We're asking them to come up with the best ways to attract investment, not only comparing best practices across North America, but new ways as well," said Fir. Fir created the panel Dec. 17 as Premier Jason Kenney's government figures out how to leverage its small but burgeoning tech sector while hewing to its guiding philosophy that an economy is best managed via system-wide changes rather than boutique programs and mirco-incentives, something often derided by Kenney as "picking winners and losers." To that end, the UCP government scrapped last fall multiple tax credits created by the former NDP government aimed at helping tech industries. The UCP said the reduction to the corporate income tax (from 12 per cent now down to 10 and headed to eight per cent) should be enough. "The low-rate, broad-based approach will encourage sustainable diversification of Alberta's economy that is not dependent on government handouts," said the Oct. 24, 2019 budget. But less than two months later, Fir created the seven-member working group, composed of academic, business and tech leaders, to find ways to incentivize. Fir dismissed suggestions the panel represents a reset or rollback of the UCP's tech investment philosophy. "It recognizes that early-stage tech companies need ways to attract capital," said Fir. The UCP scrapped five tax credits last fall, saying they targeted a small, select group of companies. The government also said the programs were tangled in red tape and that axing them will save $400 million by 2023. Jason Suriano, founder of Edmonton-based TIQ Software, said for him it was a quick one-step process under the now defunct Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit. That credit, he said, allowed him to hire two full-time staffers last year and perhaps three or four more this year as the government winds down the program. Suriano also noted he was one of many Alberta companies showcasing their wares amongst thousands of vendors and representatives earlier this month at the mammoth Consumer Electronics Show, North America's largest tech trade show, in Las Vegas. He recalled watching a presentation from a Quebec delegation. "He was talking about how important the show was and their responsibility as a province to drive more traffic to their tech companies and industries because that was a way for them to generate jobs and revenue," said Suriano. "And then I'm looking around realizing at this point we don't even have a rep. There's not a person from Alberta, (maybe) just one person, to kind of go 'OK I represent Alberta and it's important to us, too.'" Fir said the province took a pass on Las Vegas, citing tight budgets, adding "There's no definite return, or guaranteed return of business as a result of attending that Las Vegas conference." NDP critic Deron Bilous, who handled the economic development portfolio in the past NDP government, said his ministry sent a senior official every year to the Las Vegas trade show and that 80 per cent of the Alberta businesses reported back new business deals or opportunities. Bilous said actions speak louder than words, especially from a UCP government that spends $30 million a year on a "war room" to promote the oil and gas industry. "You can't spend $82,000 a day on a war room and then say, 'Yeah we can't afford to send even one senior official to support Alberta companies,'" he said. "Going sends a message. Well so does not sending anyone." Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Bilous said he has previously worked with many of the current Innovation Group members, and said they helped configure some of the tech incentives later scrapped by the UCP. "I've got nothing but respect for them, and I know they will be saying to Tanya Fir, 'Look you need to bring some iteration of these (incentives),'" said Bilous. Economics professor Alex Whalley, at the University of Calgary, said Alberta has a small but strong tech base to build on with projects like the Creative Destruction Lab at his school which links tech experts with business people and investors and the University of Alberta's artificial intelligence and machine learning research programs. Whalley suggested tax credits could still be the way to go, but perhaps broader-based ones, such as a payroll tax break for tech companies, which are labour intensive and need time and space to turn a profit. "We have those raw ingredients, but we need to find a way to transition it to build market leaders," said Whalley. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 26, 2019. Like a puppy chasing its tail, some new investors often chase 'the next big thing', even if that means buying 'story stocks' without revenue, let alone profit. Unfortunately, high risk investments often have little probability of ever paying off, and many investors pay a price to learn their lesson. So if you're like me, you might be more interested in profitable, growing companies, like Arista Networks (NYSE:ANET). Even if the shares are fully valued today, most capitalists would recognize its profits as the demonstration of steady value generation. While a well funded company may sustain losses for years, unless its owners have an endless appetite for subsidizing the customer, it will need to generate a profit eventually, or else breathe its last breath. Check out our latest analysis for Arista Networks Arista Networks's Improving Profits Over the last three years, Arista Networks has grown earnings per share (EPS) like young bamboo after rain; fast, and from a low base. So I don't think the percent growth rate is particularly meaningful. Thus, it makes sense to focus on more recent growth rates, instead. Like the last firework on New Year's Eve accelerating into the sky, Arista Networks's EPS shot from US$3.52 to US$10.11, over the last year. Year on year growth of 187% is certainly a sight to behold. One way to double-check a company's growth is to look at how its revenue, and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins are changing. The good news is that Arista Networks is growing revenues, and EBIT margins improved by 2.9 percentage points to 34%, over the last year. Ticking those two boxes is a good sign of growth, in my book. You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. For finer detail, click on the image. NYSE:ANET Income Statement, January 26th 2020 The trick, as an investor, is to find companies that are going to perform well in the future, not just in the past. To that end, right now and today, you can check our visualization of consensus analyst forecasts for future Arista Networks EPS 100% free. Story continues Are Arista Networks Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders? Since Arista Networks has a market capitalization of US$18b, we wouldn't expect insiders to hold a large percentage of shares. But we are reassured by the fact they have invested in the company. Indeed, they have a glittering mountain of wealth invested in it, currently valued at US$5.3b. Coming in at 29% of the business, that holding gives insiders a lot of influence, and plenty of reason to generate value for shareholders. So it might be my imagination, but I do sense the glimmer of an opportunity. It means a lot to see insiders invested in the business, but I find myself wondering if remuneration policies are shareholder friendly. Well, based on the CEO pay, I'd say they are indeed. For companies with market capitalizations over US$8.0b, like Arista Networks, the median CEO pay is around US$11m. Arista Networks offered total compensation worth US$7.6m to its CEO in the year to December 2018. That seems pretty reasonable, especially given its below the median for similar sized companies. CEO remuneration levels are not the most important metric for investors, but when the pay is modest, that does support enhanced alignment between the CEO and the ordinary shareholders. It can also be a sign of a culture of integrity, in a broader sense. Is Arista Networks Worth Keeping An Eye On? Arista Networks's earnings per share growth have been levitating higher, like a mountain goat scaling the Alps. The cherry on top is that insiders own a bucket-load of shares, and the CEO pay seems really quite reasonable. The sharp increase in earnings could signal good business momentum. Arista Networks certainly ticks a few of my boxes, so I think it's probably well worth further consideration. If you think Arista Networks might suit your style as an investor, you could go straight to its annual report, or you could first check our discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation for the company. You can invest in any company you want. But if you prefer to focus on stocks that have demonstrated insider buying, here is a list of companies with insider buying in the last three months. Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a message advised US President Donald Trump to base his foreign policy on facts, IRNA reported. "@realdonaldtrump is better advised to base his foreign policy comments & decisions on facts, rather than @FoxNews headlines or his Farsi translators," Zarif tweeted on Sunday. He then advised Trump to read his entire interview (in English) in the German weekly news magazine, 'Der Spiegel'. Asked by 'Der Spiegel' whether he rule out the possibility of negotiations with the US following Soleimanis assassination, he said: "No, I never rule out the possibility that people will change their approach and recognize the realities." "For us, it doesnt matter who is sitting in the White House. What matters is how they behave. The Trump administration can correct its past, lift the sanctions and come back to the negotiating table. Were still at the negotiating table," he added. He noted: "Theyre the ones who left. Earlier, Trump, referring to Fox News, tweeted in English and Farsi that, Iranian Foreign Minister says Iran wants to negotiate with The United States, but wants sanctions removed. @FoxNews @OANN No Thanks! PHILADELPHIA Sometime in the mid-1980s, someone made their way into the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana in Venice, Italy, and walked out with a 500-year old Latin copy of the first letter Christopher Columbus wrote to Ferdinand, King of Spain, describing the wonders he beheld in the Americas. This week, after a lengthy investigation, U.S. officials announced in Delaware that the letter, which bears an estimated market value of $1.3 million, had been recovered and authenticated, and would eventually be returned to Venice. Culturally significant artifacts are assigned a monetary value in the worlds marketplaces in which they are traded, said William Walker, acting special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations, Philadelphia. But the cultural and symbolic worth of these objects far surpasses any given dollar value to the nations to whom they rightfully belong. The U.S. Attorneys Office in Delaware, ICE, and the Italian Carabinieri Command for Protection of Cultural Heritage worked together on the probe. They would not provide details of how the letter entered the U.S. or where it had been seized. Experienced art investigators in Delaware, who have tracked down three other stolen Columbus letters in recent years, served as key investigators, a U.S. spokeswoman said. According to court papers, the Venice library acquired the letter, known as a Plannck I Edition, in 1875. Sometime between 1985 and 1988, the letter was stolen. That was apparently that. But in May 2003, court records say, a collector unknowingly purchased the letter from a rare-book dealer in the United States. Then, last year, after lengthy investigation, authorities contacted the owner of the letter, who agreed to turn it over for examination. Paul Needham, librarian at Princeton Universitys Scheide Library, was brought in to inspect the document. Needham had no doubt that the letter he was examining was the same letter gone missing from Venice nearly 40 years ago. The individual in possession of the letter agreed to relinquish title. Im just very happy that a national treasure of Italy is going back to a great library in Italy, Needham told CNN. The American owner really did the right thing. It must be very disappointing to learn that years later, a book you bought that you paid a lot of money for turns out to be stolen. U.S. District Court in Delaware has ordered the letter be returned to the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana. By Stephan Salisbury of The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote this story. 2020 The Philadelphia Inquirer Visit The Philadelphia Inquirer at www.inquirer.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Cincinnati Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld proposed the law to help alleviate barriers people face to renting an apartment. CINCINNATI In Cincinnati, renters won't necessarily need a cash security deposit anymore under a new law passed by the Cincinnati City Council. Proposed by Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld to help alleviate barriers to renting an apartment, the law, passed last week, says landlords must give renters options other than a traditional cash security deposit. It takes effect in 90 days. One of the options: rental insurance, which allows renters to pay a small premium each month, instead of a making one cash security deposit. When first proposed, landlords were to give everyone the option to choose rental insurance. Rental insurance was first proposed as a mandatory option, but the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Landlords Association pushed back, setting in motion a series of talks that led to the other options. "This legislation is in a very different place, and it is in better place," Sittenfeld said. "We today are making a big, bold and exciting change. The impact of this legislation is removing a barrier to housing. People want to do the best they can for themselves and their families." Mayor John Cranley called the legislation "one of the most creative and innovative ideas to come through council" that he has seen. "I am not one to get excited for legislation that comes through council," Cranley said. "This is one of those exceptions." But this is different, he said. It takes billions of dollars sitting in escrow and puts it back into people's pockets. "This is a meaningful act of social justice," Cranley said. Under the legislation, after a renter requests an option besides the standard cash security deposit, the landlord can then pick from three different options to offer the renter. Rental security insurance, where tenants can be paying as little as $3 a month. Instead of paying the first month's rent and a security deposit upfront, they pay $5 a month in insurance premiums for the duration of the rental. They don't get that money back, but the idea is making getting into the rental a possibility. An installment plan, where the security deposit is paid over a period of no less than six months. Payment of a reduced security deposit, which can be no more than the equivalent of 50% of the first month's rent. Story continues Landlords who own 25 units or less are exempted from the law. Follow Sharon Coolidge on Twitter: @SharonCoolidge This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati law means renters no longer must pay cash security deposit On the eve of 71st Republic Day of India, the 4th highest civilian award in the country, the Padma Shri was awarded to 23 chosen citizens. Amongst the 23 citizens were two 'inspirational' Brazilian women, Lia Diskin and Gloria Areria. India not only honoured these women but also hosted Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on January 26. The Minister of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet that India and Brazil honoured their greatest treasure which is the people of the country. -| Honouring our greatest treasure - our people. On the eve of the 71st #RepublicDay graced by the Brazilian Pres @jairbolsonaro as the Chief Guest, India honours two inspirational Brazilian women Lia Diskin & Gloria Areria with Padma Shri, our 4th highest civilian award. pic.twitter.com/jGcyID3ZNV Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) January 25, 2020 Read | 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai': UK MP Bob Blackman Celebrates Being Conferred Padma Shri By India Who are the Brazilian women? Lia Diskin is a Brazilian woman who is also a life-long follower of Gandhian ideology and his message of non-violence. She has also devoted her life to the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. Diskin was chosen for Padma Shri because she is actively involved in the promotion of Gandhian values of peace and non-violence for nearly past four decades. She has stayed in Brazil for nearly 30 years and reportedly admires India for its culture and people. She is not only an author of many books on education, peace, ethics, and culture but is also a well-sought speaker at various Brazilian universities. Diskin has also translated Mahatma Gandhi's 'An Autobiography - My Experiments with Truth' which is currently in its eighth edition. Read - Puri Congratulates Adnan Sami On Padma Shri, Hopes Shaheen Bagh Protestors Are Listening Gloria Areria is also a resident of Brazil's Rio De Janerio and has dedicated her life to the teachings and promotion of Advaita Vedanta in the traditional manner in the Portuguese language. Areria has been teaching Vedanta and Sanskrit in various Brazilian cities and also teaches spirituality, self-knowledge, and other lessons from the Vedas. Areria has also translated many texts of Sanskrit into the Portuguese language including Bhagavadgita, Upanishads, and many others. The Brazilian women have also founded a non-profit institution based in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro called 'Vidya Mandir'. Since 1984, Areria has reportedly been working to preserve the culture and knowledge of the Vedas. According to the government, Areria had started her studies in Mumbai in January 1974 at Arsha Sandeepany Sadhanalaya under the guidance of Swami Dayananda. During her stay, she studied in ashrams in Uttarkashi and Rishikesh. She also travelled to various parts of India to attend courses along with holy places in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Read - Raj Thackeray's MNS Opposes Padma Shri To Pak-born Adnan Sami Read - Padma Shri: Environmentalist Sundaram, Planter Of 50,000 Trees, 'delighted' With Award (With agency inputs) UN Urges Calm After Deadly Attack in Disputed Abyei Border Area Between Sudan and South Sudan By Lisa Schlein January 25, 2020 The United Nations is condemning the deadly attack on a village in the disputed oil-rich area of Abyei between Sudan and South Sudan Wednesday. It is calling for calm in the wake of the attack by armed gunmen, which left dozens dead and scores injured. Armed gunmen reportedly killed 32 people, injured 25 and went on a rampage, burning homes and causing other devastation in the Dinka village of Kolom. Spokesman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian affairs Jens Laerke tells VOA the attack on Kolom, about 9 kilometers northwest of the town of Abyei, which straddles both sides of the Sudan-South Sudan border, sent people fleeing for their lives. He says the village reportedly has been emptied of its inhabitants. "I cannot say for sure who instigated the attack," said Laerke. "We were not there to witness what happened. We know it is a Dinka village and that people have left but we have assessed since the attack that some 500 people are now in Abyei town where they are sheltering, I believe in some schools there." In the aftermath of the attack, the U.N. Interim Security Force in Abyei issued a statement saying suspected nomadic Misseriya herders from Sudan attacked Kolom. This is the latest clash between the Arab Misseriya tribe to the north of the border and the Ngok Dinka to the south since November. This oil-rich region has been in dispute since South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan in 2011. Laerke says humanitarian organizations on the ground are providing healthcare, including emergency surgical operations, to the survivors of the attack. "OCHA is coordinating humanitarian responders in Abyei and we are working to dispatch an interagency needs assessment team to the area shortlyThe continued intercommunal tensions, population movementsincluding during last year's floodingand the absence of public institutions and services have resulted in high humanitarian and recovery needs," said Laerke. Laerke says the U.N. and humanitarian organizations aim to provide aid to 200,000 people in the Abyei area this year. Priority needs include health, nutrition, food and water as well as protection for people at risk of sexual and gender-based violence and protection for children. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At least 30 Sri Lankan students currently staying in Wuhan, the epicentre of the new coronavirus outbreak, would be evacuated from the city, according to the authorities on January 25. The Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka said that instructions have been given to the students to protect themselves from the fast-spreading infection. According to the statement issued by the ministry, initially, there were around 85 Sri Lankan students in Hubei Province and most of them had returned to Sri Lanka for the holidays before the outbreak of Coronavirus. READ: Beijing Suspends Buses Entering Or Leaving The City To Contain New Coronavirus Precautionary steps to evacuate students The Embassy in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Relations in Colombo and other agencies of Government are making preparations for the students and their family members numbering 30 to evacuate them in the event of necessity. China's capital, Beijing has announced that it will suspend buses that enter and exit the city to prevent further spread of the deadly virus, Coronavirus according to the state media reports on January 25. The authorities have taken this decision in a bid to contain the new SARS-like virus that has killed dozens in the country. According to reports, "all passenger transport by road" that moves in and out of Beijing will be suspended from Sunday. READ: French Doctor: Virus From China Seems Less Serious Than SARS Virus claims 56 lives, more than 2000 affected The deadly virus has claimed 56 lives and affected more than 2000 people. The outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (nCOV) has caused widespread alarm and panic across the world. With its epicentre in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the virus has slowly spread across the globe with cases being reported in the US, Europe (in France), Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. Thirteen cities, in an effort to contain the virus, have issued a travel ban and now officials have reported that Wuhan, which is widely considered as the epicentre of the virus, will be restricting car traffic from Sunday. As of Saturday, Chinese officials have placed a ban on 13 cities, out of which 12 are in Hubei Province. The ban has also restricted the travel of as many as 56 million people amid constant fears that transmission rate will accelerate due to increased travel during the Lunar New Year. READ: China Says Virus Situation 'grave' As Lunar New Year Curtailed READ: Nationwide Measures Ordered In China In A Bid To Contain New Coronavirus (with inputs from agencies) Four new species of shark that use their fins to walk along the seabed have been discovered off the coast of Australia. They were identified off the coast of northern Australia and the island of Papua New Guinea during a 12 year study. The ornately patterned sharks were the top predator on reefs during low tides when they used their fins to walk in very shallow water. Dr Christine Dudgeon, of Queensland University, said: At less than a metre long on average, walking sharks present no threat to people. But their ability to withstand low oxygen environments and walk on their fins gives them a remarkable edge over their prey of small crustaceans and molluscs. Amazing Rare Things: Attenborough on the original naturalists Show all 5 1 /5 Amazing Rare Things: Attenborough on the original naturalists Amazing Rare Things: Attenborough on the original naturalists 19905.bin THE ROYAL COLLECTION 2006, HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II Amazing Rare Things: Attenborough on the original naturalists 19909.bin THE ROYAL COLLECTION 2006, HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II Amazing Rare Things: Attenborough on the original naturalists 19908.bin THE ROYAL COLLECTION 2006, HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II Amazing Rare Things: Attenborough on the original naturalists 19907.bin THE ROYAL COLLECTION 2006, HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II Amazing Rare Things: Attenborough on the original naturalists 19906.bin THE ROYAL COLLECTION 2006, HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II These unique features are not shared with their closest relatives the bamboo sharks or more distant relatives in the carpet shark order including wobbegongs and whale sharks. The findings reported in Marine and Freshwater Research almost doubled the total number of known walking sharks to nine. They occupy their own separate region. Dr Dudgeon said: We estimated the connection between the species based on comparisons between their mitochondrial DNA which is passed down through the maternal lineage. This DNA codes for the mitochondria which are the parts of cells that transform oxygen and nutrients from food into energy for cells. Data suggests the new species evolved after the sharks moved away from their original population, became genetically isolated in new areas and developed into new species. At less than a metre long, the sharks do not present a threat to humans (SWNS) They may have moved by swimming or walking on their fins, but it's also possible they 'hitched' a ride on reefs moving westward across the top of New Guinea, about two million years ago. We believe there are more walking shark species still waiting to be discovered. Dr Dudgeon said future research would help researchers to better understand why the region was home to some of the greatest marine biodiversity on the planet. SWNS 26.01.2020 LISTEN Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has urged Saudi Arabian investors to make Ghana their preferred investment destination in Africa. She made the call as she held bilateral talks with her Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, on Sunday, January 26, 2020 in Saudi Arabia. The Ghanaian Minister observed that Ghana as a peaceful and stable country offers a gateway to the entire West African market and beyond for the investment interests of Saudi Arabian industries. She therefore welcomed opportunities to form mutually beneficial strategic alliances in that regard. Mrs. Ayorkor Botchwey urged the Saudi Arabian Minister of Foreign Affairs to use his good offices to encourage Saudi investors to take advantage of the attractive incentives, within the context of the Ghanaian Government's agenda to industrialize the economy, to invest in Ghana. She stated that since the outlook for the Saudi economy is very positive and Ghana is also an oil-producing country, the two countries can work towards closer trade and investment cooperation in the field of oil and gas. During the meeting held in Riyadh, both ministers discussed ways of improving the bilateral relations between Ghana and Saudi Arabia. She assured Saudi authorities that the outstanding agreements between the two countries such as the General Agreement of Cooperation will be finalized by the government of Ghana for signature during President Akufo-Addosvisit to the Kingdom in February, 2020. The Minister recalled that Ghana and Saudi Arabia have enjoyed cordial bilateral relations which date back to the 1960s and indicate that since then, the bonds of friendship between the two countries have witnessed steady growth. She added that Saudi Arabia is Ghana's oldest bilateral partner in the Gulf Region and that, Ghanas relations with Riyadh have paved the way for the expansion of its bilateral relations to the rest of the countries in the region. Saudi Arabia, therefore, continues to remain a priority partner for Ghana in the region, according to her. The thanked the Saudi Government for not only extending scholarships to young Muslim students to study in universities in Saudi Arabia, but also offering through the Islamic Development Bank, annual scholarships to Ghanaian students to undertake courses in Turkish universities in Medicine, Pharmacy, Engineering and Veterinary Science, to enable them contribute meaningfully to Ghana's development. She also thanked the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their contributions made to vital areas of Ghana's national development including education, health care, energy, road construction, as well as donations to build mosques, orphanages and provision of safe drinking water in Islamic communities in Ghana. Mrs. Ayorkor Botchwey seized the opportunity to commend the Government of Saudi Arabia for the role it has been playing in the Middle East. She expressed optimism that there will be a lasting resolution of conflicts in the region. On trade in the Middle East, she acknowledged that Saudi Arabia has been noted for its strong and resilient economy as well as being one of the world's leading producers of oil. She also noted that the Saudi population is young and increasingly well-educated, with tremendous potential to boost growth and further raise the standard of living in the Kingdom. Daily Guide Premium Furniture brand Herman Miller is targetting 25% growth in its India operations this fiscal and is also mulling on plans to expand its operations in Bidadi in Bengaluru, a top company official told DH in an interaction recently. Kartik Shethia, Vice-President, Herman Miller Asia Pacific said, Our revenues from India are about $50 million. We have seen a 60% year-on-year (y-o-y) growth in the premium office furniture category in the last fiscal and hope to grow at a pace of 25% in FY20. According to Shethia, this spurt in growth has been driven by the presence of the Bidadi plant, that has helped bring the consumers closer to the end product. He points out that more localisation on the back of discussions with Indian consumers has also helped the brand establish itself in the country. Shethia also says that it has helped meet the demands of their local consumers, quickly and more efficiently. Though many sectors of the economy have been feeling the brunt of an economic slowdown, Shethia states that it has not impacted the brand in India. Most of our clients are top IT firms and in the banking space. Thus, the slowdown has not impacted us much. The company is bullish about the co-working sector and its success but admits that demand from companies in this space has not picked up yet. It is a new industry that is working out its costs at the moment. Since we are in the premium space, we are confident that this space will open up soon, says Shethia. While a massive chunk of their business comes from the B2B segment(80%), they are looking at shifting focus to the B2C retail space as well. Shethia says that the brand is looking to focus on B2C retail in the future, even though B2B remains the primary concern. In the B2C space, we are working on creating a digital front end and establish a working supply chain. The emergence of more global players in the furniture space in India is an encouraging trend, states Shethia. It ensures that Indian customers can get good designs, better and durable products. It will help lift the market as well. The furniture maker has invested $10 million in its factory in Bidadi near Bengaluru and has more than 400 people working in the country. Bidadi Plant The Bidadi plant is expected to drive exports for the company products to the Middle East and Africa. When we set up the plant, it was expected to drive exports. However, the success in India has meant that we have focussed on the domestic market. We are looking at starting exports from the Bidadi factory soon. he says. The company remains very bullish about India. It remains one of our major markets. The Bidadi plant now serves more than 70% of the local demand. We are looking at moving into the retail market with partners in tier-II cities. We have an online store and have listed some products on e-commerce majors Amazon and Flipkart. It recently launched two of its products, Atlas Office Landscape workstation and Cosm chair in India and has set up a facility in Bengaluru supporting India and various other geographies in terms of design, IT, R&D, finance and others. Police Scotland reportedly paid out around 100,000 in damages. (Getty) Police Scotland have been forced to pay out 100,000 in compensation to a man who was wrongfully arrested and sent to prison on remand. Gary Webb, from Gatehouse of Fleet in Dumfries and Galloway, was detained in 2015 and spent three nights in a cell, followed by a further three nights in Addiewell Prison. Officers arrested Mr Webb by mistake and had a warrant to arrest a different man. Despite being shown Mr Webbs passport, driving licence and photos of him as proof of mistaken identity, they decided to arrest him after holding up a photo of the suspect next to his face. Mr Webb was imprisoned for three nights at Addiewell Prison. (SPS) The 60-year-old said his life had been completely trashed by the experience. "I was at home with my wife then being held in cuffs with no-one believing who I was and facing the worst kind of criminal charges imaginable," he told The Sunday Post. "I thought I was going insane. How could no-one believe I was me?" Mr Webb was eventually released without any explanation or apology. He then made a formal complaint for wrongful arrest. READ MORE FROM YAHOO NEWS UK: Two years later his complaint was rejected by an internal police investigation and recorded as a "quality of service issue". But after he complained to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC), five police officers were arrested. They were then investigated for criminal neglect of duty and attempting to pervert the course of justice. A further two-year investigation followed after which the Crown Office said none of the five officers would face prosecution. ---Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK--- Police Scotland were said to have paid Mr Webb around 100,000 in damages. Mr Webb added: "I experienced things I should never have had to. I had to leave my work as my mental health was affected by everything. Story continues "The Pirc did a fantastic job and left no stone unturned during its investigation, so without them and my own legal team I wouldn't be where I am now. "But Police Scotland and its behaviour has been utterly despicable. "They clearly know of wrongdoing or they wouldn't have paid damages." Yahoo News UK has contacted Police Scotland for comment. This was Iowa caucus night back in the mid-1970s. And these are members of the national media covering the voting. It was so unusual to see national media in Iowa back then that people actually paid to watch them. The Democratic Party charged $15 a head for people to watch the media watch the people. See, in previous years, Iowas caucuses just hadnt attracted national attention. There are 3,000 frozen media members in downtown Des Moines Just over a decade later, Iowa is the place to be. Its Iowa caucus night. Lets party. [shouting] The caucuses are now a key part of the presidential election cycle. Bush, 57. Theyre the first chance to see what kind of support candidates have among voters. So how did we get here, from caucuses that only Iowans seem to care about to the national spectacle we see today? Turns out, a lot of it was accidental. For most of Iowas history, its caucuses were dominated by political insiders. There was little room for input from rank-and-file members. An historian writing in the 1940s put it like this: The larger number of party voters were deprived of a voice. But the old ways start coming to an end in 1968. The countrys in turmoil, and so is the Democratic Party, mostly over the Vietnam War and civil rights. Basically, the party establishment wants to handle things one way, and many rank-and-file members have other ideas. All this comes to a head as the Democrats hold their national convention. Protesters gather outside. So do police. Inside, the mood is also tense. All this division leads the Democratic Party to rethink the nomination rules to include the voices of all party members in the process. This is how we come to the moment when Iowa becomes key to electing a president, basically by accident. First up, how Iowa became first to hold a presidential contest. It starts with new rules to give everyday members more of a say. So by 1972, winning Iowa now involves four stages. Iowans choose their top candidates, first at the precinct level. These are the caucuses at the heart of this story. But technically, theres further voting at the county, congressional district and state levels. The new rules make things a lot more inclusive, but this creates new delays. Committees need to be formed, and everyone needs to have up-to-date party materials. The problem is, the state party only has an old mimeograph machine to make copies of all this. Its really slow. So because of an old machine and a bunch of new logistics, the party decides it needs at least a month between each step to do it all. The national convention is set for early July, so youd think that the state-level convention would happen about a month before, in June. Except, the party cant find a venue thats available to hold everyone. That little detail helps push everything earlier in a chain reaction. See whats going on here? The precinct caucuses now have to happen early in the year. The party chooses a date that makes Iowas the first presidential contest. The New Hampshire primary has been the first kickoff contest since the 1950s, but Iowa Democrats arent necessarily looking for national attention. They just think itll be fun to be first. Still, attention is what they get. The story begins with George McGovern. People didnt know much about the Iowa caucuses. As a matter of fact, there wasnt a great deal of interest in them. Hes the long-shot candidate. Hes been at the bottom of national polls. He often walked the campaign trail alone, little known by the voters. Most people think this guy, Edmund Muskie, is going to be the big winner in Iowa. That challenge is great, but we can meet it. Then comes caucus night. As the people vote, state party officials gather at their headquarters. Richard Bender is one of them. And we had about 10 or 12 press people show up. These press people included one guy, Johnny Apple. Johnny Apple, a 37-year-old political correspondent for The New York Times. Iowas Democrats arent ready to publicize the results right away. They hadnt expected much demand. According to Bender, only Johnny Apple asked for them that night. I happen to be fascinated with such things, so I made it my business, beforehand, to understand it. Bender sets up a phone tree to gather results from across the state. He adds them up himself with a calculator. And the next day, Apples article helps swing the national spotlight onto the caucuses. Hes got quite the story to tell. Muskies won, but just barely. Not the runaway win people were expecting. And McGovern comes in a strong second. No one expected that, either. The reformed caucus rules helped a long-shot candidate rise to the top. And because this is happening so early in the election now, and because Apples article gives the results national coverage, something else happens. That got picked up by some of the national news shows. The Democratic front-runner has been damaged in Iowa. And wow, all of a sudden, we were being paid attention to. McGovern eventually wins the Democratic nomination. I accept your nomination with a full and grateful heart. He loses the presidential election, but some havent forgotten what those early caucuses did for McGovern, including Georgias former governor, Jimmy Carter. Three years later There was a major headline on the editorial page of the Atlanta Constitution that said, Jimmy Carters running for what? [laughter] And the What was about this big. [applause] Im running for president. Carter heads to Iowa before any other Democratic candidate. Hes got no national profile. He didnt have hordes of press following him around. It was a very lonely campaign. Washington pundits call his candidacy laughable. I remember when we couldnt find a microphone. Jimmy Who? becomes a catchphrase. Carters own campaign film plays it up. Jimmy who? I dont know who he is. But as long as Iowans come to know him and like him, Carter bets that the media will start paying attention, just like with McGovern four years earlier. Carter campaigns as locally as possible. One day, he learns that hes been invited on a local TV show. And I said, that is great. I cant believe it. I said, What are we going to do? He said, Do you have any favorite recipes? And I said, What do you mean, recipes? He said, Well, this is a cooking show. Well, they put a white apron on me and a chefs hat. That was my only access to TV when I first began to campaign in Iowa. His opponents are in Iowa, too, but they spend far less time there. Carter wins. Surprisingly top of the class after his win in a somewhat obscure race in Iowa against the others. You cant tell until we go to the other 49 states, but its encouraging for us. A year later I, Jimmy Carter, do solemnly swear he becomes the 39th president. Now we need to head to 1980 because we havent talked about the Republicans yet. Heres the states Republican chairman that year. Hes asked why Iowas caucuses have become so important. I think because Jimmy Carter got his start in Iowa in 1976. The Republicans in Iowa are keen to copy the Democrats success, and one candidate in particular gets inspired by Carters underdog win: George H.W. Bush. Hes running against Ronald Reagan, Bob Dole and others, and hes near the bottom of the pack. Your name isnt really a household word, but Ronald Reagan can But Bush goes big in Iowa. He gets a surprise win. Its a far cry from just months before. I was an asterisk in those days. And my feelings got hurt. And now, Im no longer an asterisk. Bush is now the third underdog to get a boost from the caucuses. The next morning on CBS, he distills the essence of this new Iowa effect. We will have forward, Big Mo on our side, as they say in athletics. Big Mo? Yeah. Mo momentum. Bush loses to Reagan, but becomes vice president. And the desire to capture the Big Mo from Iowa has only grown, thanks in large part to Iowas embrace of being first, and the media storm that descends every four years. Thats despite the fact that most candidates who win This is a job interview. dont become president. Plus, many point out that the states overwhelmingly white population doesnt reflect the countrys diversity. I actually think that we can find places that represent that balance of urban and rural better. But the race to get the Big Mo out of Iowa persists because its the first chance to upend expectations, and put political fates in the voters hands. Republic Day parade preparations have been completed. The army is going to be seen on Delhi's Rajpath. Like every year on the occasion of Republic Day, this year will also see the valor of the three armies of the country. This time there is something that will be seen for the first time in this parade. For your information, let us tell you that the new attraction of the parade will be Bhishma tank, 155/45 caliber bow cannon, and anti satellite weapon system from DRGO, which will be brought to the world for the first time. The recently joined fighter helicopters Apache and Chinook helicopter flypast will be included for the first time in the Air Force. Apart from this, a contingent of commandos who enter the border of Pakistan and destroy terrorist camps can also be seen. PM Narendra Modi will pay tribute to the soldiers at War Memorial for the first time in place of Amar Jawan Jyoti present at India Gate. On this occasion, he will be received by the Chief of Defense Staff and the Chief of the three services of the Army. On 25 February last year, the country received a war memorial built on 44 acres. Amar Jawan Jyoti was prepared at India Gate in 1972 to commemorate the martyrs of the Indo-Pak war of 1971. Also Read: Army jawan fetches soil from his country, so that the child can put his first step on it Firing between Myanmar army and terrorists, 2 women dead Pakistani actress shares her experience of Pakistan, says 'In the bathroom of Karachi Airport ...' Opposition party will respond against Trump today, impeachment discussions completed Trump Campaign Iowa Staffer Dies at 29, Says GOP A Trump campaign staffer, James Xing, died in Iowa on Thursday evening, according to the Republican Party in a statement. Last night we tragically lost a member of our team, Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a statement to CBS News on Friday, confirming his death. James is in our hearts, our minds and our prayers as we grieve with those who are suffering today. A Marion Police Department spokesperson said there is no information about the case. CBS News, citing law enforcement sources, reported that no foul play is suspected in Xings death, and it noted that he was found dead. No details about Xings cause of death were released. Xing, who was 29, had served as the Trump campaign Regional Field Director in the area of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, CBS reported. According to his LinkedIn page, he was an experienced conservative campaign staffer with a demonstrated history of working in political campaigns and legislative offices. His page added he was the Regional Field Director of Iowas Republican Party for approximately four months after having spent four months working in Las Vegas. Iowa Congressional District 1 voters voicing their displeasure over Absent Abbys support of the Witch Hunt outside her District Office. STOP THE SHAM! #LeadRight #TrumpIowa @IowaGOP pic.twitter.com/bcuO53i5qg James Xing (@jamesxwj) December 18, 2019 Xings Twitter page bio added he was the field director for Trump-Victory Iowa. In November, he posted to Twitter a photo of Iowa Republicans watching a Trump rally in Kentucky. We are standing with the President and are ready to work for 2020! he stated. And in December, he wrote on Twitter about the impeachment inquiry and posted a photo of a protest outside Rep. Abby Finkenauers (D-Iowa) office. He graduated with Department Honors from the University of CaliforniaBerkeley in 2013. The International Olympic Committee moved a Summer Games qualifying event in boxing from Wuhan to Amman, Jordan. A women's soccer qualifying match also planned for Wuhan has been shifted to Nanjing, China. Facing the biggest public health challenge to the Chinese government in more than a decade, Xi instructed China's highest ruling council, the Politburo Standing Committee, to "comprehensively mobilise" resources and manpower to provide medical aid, guarantee security and order in hospitals and provide markets with supplies in the cordoned-off city of Wuhan. People wear masks at the International terminal at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Saturday, as it emerged the coronavirus had spread to Canada. Credit:AP "As long as we are resolute ... we can win the battle of controlling the epidemic," he told top party leaders, according to CCTV. In the heart of the outbreak where 11 million residents have been on lockdown since Thursday, Wuhan banned most vehicle use, including private cars, in downtown areas. The city will assign 6000 taxis to neighborhoods to help people get around if they need to. Wuhan plans to build a second makeshift hospital with about 1000 beds to handle the growing number of patients. The city has said another hospital was expected to be completed by February 3. Hubei province's Civil Affairs Department deputy director-general Hu Yinghai appealed for masks and protective suits. Loading "We are steadily pushing forward the disease control and prevention ... but right now we are facing an extremely severe public health crisis," he told a news briefing. CCTV, citing an announcement from China's tourism industry association, said the country would halt all group tours, both at home and abroad, from Monday. A new study released Saturday suggested that each person with the virus is passing it to two or three others, which helps explain the virus's rapid spread. The mathematical model from researchers at Imperial College London and the World Health Organisation indicated that officials must stop more than 60 per cent of the virus's transmission to control the outbreak. Loading "It is uncertain at the current time whether it is possible to contain the continuing epidemic within China," researchers wrote. In Hong Kong, with five confirmed cases, the city's leader Carrie Lam said flights and high speed rail trips between the city and Wuhan will be halted and her government would raise its response level to emergency, the highest one. At US airports, passengers arriving from China stood out because of the face masks almost all wore as protection against the virus. But they voiced varying levels of concern. In Chicago, Sophia Shek, 42, of Hong Kong said life in her city over the past week has been "pandemonium." Long lines snaked through stores to purchase supplies and some retailers have taken advantage of the crisis by hiking prices to as much as $90 a mask, she said. Friends asked her to stock up and bring back face masks and other short supplies. She said she is anxious about the virus and travelled only because the trip was for work. "I experienced SARS," she said of the similar coronavirus that killed 774 people and infected more than 8000, most of them in China, in 2002 and 2003. "This new virus is dormant so you don't know if the person next to you has it." A Chinese health worker checks the temperature of a man entering a subway station during the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival on January 25, 2020 in Beijing. Credit:Getty Images Bridget Russell, 55, a nurse from Austin, said the only extra precaution she noticed in Beijing was a sensor that checked passengers' temperatures. The mood on her flight from the Chinese capital was calm, but she admitted, "it was freaky looking up and seeing 99 per cent of the people wearing masks". She joined them, wearing one on the flight and at O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, after she arrived. At Los Angeles International Airport, Anthony Su, 53 who was on a flight from Taipei, Taiwan to his home in Los Angeles after 10 days in Fuzhou, a city in south-eastern China, said that when he first heard news of the outbreak he stopped going out. "I tried to avoid public areas, not go to the restaurant or any public place," he said. Others were more sanguine. "We had SARS, so we are not that terrified," said Eric Tsang, 40, "We have experience - masks on, wash your hands regularly, that's OK for us." Tsang, visiting Los Angeles on business, said China has moved more quickly this time to quell the outbreak. "China is doing better than before," he said. "At least they acted very quickly. They asked to stop everybody, even during the holiday. I think this is a wise move." The spread of the virus was felt halfway around the world in Lunar New Year celebrations of the Year of the Rat in Chinese communities in the United States. At the University of Washington in Seattle, 30 minutes south of where the first US case was confirmed, dozens of Chinese students turned out for the festivities - with some wearing face masks. They crowded into a residence hall lobby festooned with red paper lanterns, red tablecloths and garland with the Chinese character for happiness. Lindsey Gao, an 18-year-old freshman, said she was impressed by people who donned masks to protect themselves, but she didn't think it was necessary. "I admire them for doing that, but I think it looks a little weird," said Gao, who emigrated from China when she was 6. Her mother, who lives on Mercer Island, across a floating bridge from Seattle, disagreed. "She texted me last night, 'Did you buy a face mask?' I said no and she said, 'Well, do you want to die?'" A Chinese woman who declined to give her name said she had cancelled her family's restaurant reservations and would be having dinner at home. She doubted she'd be preparing a traditional Chinese feast; caution about the virus also kept her away from the Asian market to buy ingredients. The Northwest Chinese School, with locations in Bellevue and Seattle, sent out an email calling off weekend classes. "We take the health of our students and families very seriously and think that this is the best course of action," administrators wrote. The parents of a Kentucky high school freshman who appeared in a picture wearing a rainbow sweater and coordinating birthday cake, have claimed in a lawsuit that the Christian Academy expelled her because they 'believed she was gay'. Kimberley Alford and Mark Kenney, the parents of Kayla Kenney, sued Whitefield Academy on Thursday, alleging a breach of contract for releasing the 15-year-old's personal records and for not following their own policy on discipline. 'Everybodys journey is individual. If you fall in love with a boy, you fall in love with a boy. If you fall in love with a girl, you fall in love with a girl,' the lawsuit states. 'The fact that [Whitefield Academy] consider[s] is a disease [or a sin] says more about them than it does about homosexuality.' The filing to Jefferson County Circuit Court adds: 'Essentially, the school expelled K.K. because they believed she was gay. As such, in Whitefields view, it would be difficult to "achieve the goal of [K.K.] becoming Christ-like".' The parents of Kayla Kenney (pictured), 15, filed a lawsuit Thursday. The high school freshman was kicked out of her Christian private school after she posed in a rainbow shirt with a rainbow birthday cake The lawsuit alleges Whitfield Academy (pictured) in Kentucky expelled her because they 'believed she was gay' Her mom Kimberley Alford (left) posted a photo of Kayla celebrating her birthday on social media and previously said the post didn't allude to any relation with the LGBTQ Pride movement, which bears the rainbow flag symbol. She said: 'I went back and got the receipt from the bakery, it didn't say anything about representation, it just said assorted colors' The filing also alleges defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and invasion of privacy by the school Kenney was expelled on January 6 and her family found out via email a few days after the photo was posted on her mother's Facebook page. Alford said Dr. Bruce Jacobson, the Head of School, sent an 'email expelling Kayla from Whitefield immediately due to a post on social media'. The school expelled her effective 'immediately' for the picture that 'demonstrates a posture of morality and cultural acceptance contrary to that of Whitefield Academy's beliefs'. However, the post didn't allude to any relation with the LGBTQ Pride movement, which bears the rainbow flag symbol. Alford previously said there was no hidden agenda or meaning behind the picture - her daughter was simply celebrating her birthday. '[Kayla] loves to laugh and dance and that's just her. There was nothing intended by that and even when I went back and got the receipt from the bakery, it didn't say anything about representation, it just said assorted colors,' Alford explained. The school's code of conduct addresses sexual orientation and says if a student's off-campus behavior isn't in line with the school's beliefs, that student can be disciplined. The school claimed the picture was the latest stint in two years' worth of 'lifestyle violations'. The lawsuit adds: 'Everybodys journey is individual. If you fall in love with a boy, you fall in love with a boy. If you fall in love with a girl, you fall in love with a girl. The fact that [Whitefield Academy] consider[s] is a disease [or a sin] says more about them than it does about homosexuality' The parents are also suing American Conservative and name journalist Rod Dreher who wrote: 'Part of what she has allegedly done is promoting LGBT consciousness in the school, including aggression on that front. Im trying to be delicate here, but I can tell you that she has transgressed against other students on this front, to promote bisexuality' News of the girl's expulsion led to the publishing of an American Conservative article titled Rainbow Cake Girl: The True Story. In the article journalist Rod Dreher writes: 'My understanding is that [the child] had a long, specific list of repeated infractions bullying, disrespecting teachers, vaping in school (as Alford acknowledges), and so forth. 'Part of what she has allegedly done is promoting LGBT consciousness in the school, including aggression on that front. Im trying to be delicate here, but I can tell you that she has transgressed against other students on this front, to promote bisexuality. For example, she allegedly drew rainbows and wrote slogans like "bi pride" on other kids papers, and gave at least two different girls the impression that she was sexually harassing them.' But the lawsuit claims Kenney's record only has her down for cutting lunch once and getting caught with a Juul cigarette. Kenney's parents claim that after the cigarette incident she was referred to the school counselor was given a book titled Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was, And Who God Has Always Been. The lawsuit cites that the school's disciplinary policy includes 'an opportunity for mercy and grace through contrition'. The school previously said the photo 'demonstrates a posture of morality and cultural acceptance contrary to that of Whitefield Academy's beliefs'. However Kayla's family said there was no special meaning behind her rainbow shirt and cake The filing also alleges defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and invasion of privacy by the school and the Conservative publication. Whitefield Academy has denied she was expelled solely for the picture. 'Inaccurate media reports are circling stating that the student in question was expelled from our school solely for a social media post. In fact, she has unfortunately violated our student code of conduct numerous times over the past two years,' a statement read. 'In the fall, we met with the student to give her a final chance to begin to adhere to our code of conduct. Unfortunately, she did not live up to the agreement, and therefore, has been expelled. 'Whitefield Academy is a Christian-based school with a 43-year history of educating students in a learning environment informed by our shared Christian values. All parents who enroll their children in our private school know up front that we ask the students to adhere to a lifestyle informed by our Christian beliefs. 'There are numerous school options in our community for students who do not wish to attend a Christian-based school, and we wish our former student all the best as she finds a learning environment that is right for her.' Private Christian school Whitefield Academy has denied that she was expelled on January 6 (notice of expulsion is pictured) solely because of the birthday cake picture Alford previously said she didn't know how the school came to its conclusion and said she had filed an appeal against the expulsion. However, she claimed school administrators refused to meet with Kenney and her family. The school's statement continued: 'Whitefield Academy is accredited by ACSI/AdvancEd and a member of the Non Public School Commission of Kentucky, and therefore we meet all Kentucky regulations and laws. 'Our code of conduct is on par with other private Christian schools in our area. It is unfortunate that one of the students parents chose to post internal family matters on social media, and we hope our former student is not adversely affected by what her parents chose to make public about her situation.' Kenney was a freshman at the school, where tuition costs $7,800 a year. The school did agree to list her withdrawal from the school as voluntary so it won't show on her school record. Kenney now attends a public school. The incident happened close to a Florida airport: Google Streetview A man has been arrested for allegedly pointing lasers at planes trying to land at a Florida airport. Charlie Chapman Jr aimed the laser at a plane four times, as well as a sheriff's helicopter as they tried to land at Sarasota Bradenton Airport, police say. The Manatee County Sheriff's Office said one pilot was injured after the laser hit him directly in the eyes. It caused caused temporary blindness and lingering blurred vision, the police report said. The Orlando Sentinel said a video also shows a man appearing to throw objects at the sheriff's helicopter as it tried to land. Authorities were led to Chapman after several police pilots reported the incidents, and found the 41-year-old on a forklift truck. When approached, he reportedly went towards them with a hammer, causing officers to use a stun gun to subdue him. He has been charged with aggravated assault on an officer, pointing a laser at a pilot with injury, pointing a laser at a pilot without injury and resisting without violence. Culture of brotherhood and Constitutional values is currently under attack in India, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath said here on Sunday against the backdrop of anti-citizenship law protests in various states. Addressing the first conference on the Constitutional rights of indigenous people of Central India in Indore, which was also attended by NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Nath said the culture of India and the Congress is to foster brotherhood. "The culture of India and the Congress is to bind hearts together and keep brotherhood intact. We bind people of all religions and castes. But today that culture of ours and the Constitutional values is under attack. You all have to protect it," Nath said in a veiled attack on the BJP-led Central government. The veteran Congress leader expressed his gratitude to tribals for installing his party in power in Madhya Pradesh in December, 2018. "We came to power in MP (after the assembly elections) with the help of the tribal community. We will create history in protecting the rights of tribals," he said. Nath also said his government had taken steps to generate jobs for the tribal youth. "A new policy would be chalked out for tribal blocks," he added. Nath said tribals will start getting justice once they raise their voice for their rights. He also called upon the tribal community to keep their "traditional culture" alive in the age of social media. Nath, who also heads the state Congress unit, paid tributes to martyred tribal freedom fighter Tantia Bhil to mark his 178th birth anniversary. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) I spent Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the Capitol steps in Salem protesting my governments further infringements on our constitutionally protected civil rights. The same day, the Capitol in Richmond, Virginia, saw thousands of peaceful, law-abiding gun owners standing up for their civil rights, which their state government is rabidly attempting to curtail. The media were frantic with worry over the possibility of "another Charlottesville," labeling these entirely peaceful Virginians white nationalists and members of militia groups. In reality, the gathering of thousands of people with thousands of guns are husbands, wives, sons and daughters, business owners, students, single mothers and other hard-working Americans who want nothing more than to be able to protect themselves and the ones they love. There were no shootings, fires, riots or fights. This is not who we, the respectful, responsible and lawful gun owners are. Perhaps the media should have should have focused on the party that wishes to infringe our civil rights the party of tolerance, inclusion and acceptance. Two days before our civil rights gathering, a Portland firefighter was stabbed two blocks from my apartment. The suspect ran off and for nearly three days, he was free to roam our streets and, according to police, was considered armed and dangerous. Who would you like to be, victim or survivor? I choose the latter. Norwood Paladin, Portland India will put its rising military might, cultural diversity and progress in the socio-economic field for the world to see as it marks the 71st Republic Day at Delhis Rajpath on Sunday. Thousands of security personnel, facial recognition system, drones and CCTV cameras have been deployed as part of the ground-to-air security cover as Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro will witness the 90-minute celebrations as the chief guest. The Republic Day parade ceremony will begin with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial, built in the memory of the soldiers killed in action since Independence, near India Gate. Modi will lead the nation in paying tributes to the martyrs by laying a wreath. Also Watch | Captain Tanya Shergill leads all-men marching contingent at Republic Day parade This is for the first time that the Prime Minister will pay homage to martyrs at the National War memorial instead of Amar Jawan Jyoti underneath the India Gate arch to commemorate soldiers martyred in the India-Pakistan war of 1971. Modi and other dignitaries will head to the saluting dais at Rajpath to witness the parade. As per tradition, the national flag will be unfurled followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute. The parade will begin with President Ram Nath Kovind taking the salute. Indian Armys battle tank Bhishma, anti-satellite weapon Mission Shakti, infantry combat vehicles and newly-inducted Chinook and Apache helicopters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be part of the grand military parade. Twenty-two tableaux 16 from states and Union territories and six from various ministries and departments depicting the nations rich cultural heritage and economic progress will also roll down the Rajpath. School children will convey the age-old message of yoga and spiritual values through dance and music during the parade. Marching contingents, tanks The Republic Day parade will be commanded by parade commander Lt General Asit Mistry, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area. Major General Alok Kacker, Chief of Staff of Delhi Area, will be the second-in-command. The first contingent in the uniform of the erstwhile Gwalior Lancers will be 61 Cavalry the only active serving horse cavalry regiment in the world. It was raised on August 1, 1953, with the amalgamation of six state forces cavalry units. The Indian Army will be represented by a mounted column of 61 Cavalry, eight mechanised columns, six marching contingents and fly-past by Rudra and Dhruv Advanced Light helicopters of its aviation wing. The other marching contingents of the army will include the Parachute regiment, the Grenadiers regiment, the Sikh Light Infantry regiment, the Kumaon regiment and the Corps of Signals. Indigenously-developed Main Battle Tank of the Indian Army, T-90 Bhishma tank, infantry combat vehicle Ballway Machine Pikate, K-9 Vajra and Dhanush guns, transportable satellite terminal and Akash weapon system will be the main attraction in the mechanised columns. The contingent of the Indian Navy will comprise of 144 sailors led by Lieutenant Jitin Malkat. It will be followed by the naval tableau Indian Navy - Silent, Strong, and Swift. The IAF contingent, comprising 144 air warriors, will be led by Flight Lt Shrikant Sharma. The air force tableau will showcase scaled-down models of the Rafale and Tejas aircraft, the Light Combat helicopter, the Akash missiles system and the Astra missiles. Mission Shakti, women bikers One of the main highlights will be the marching contingent of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) that will showcase Anti-Satellite Weapons (ASAT) - Mission Shakti. Mission Shakti, Indias first anti-satellite mission, was a major breakthrough in demonstrating the nations capability to bring down hostile satellites. Sixteen tableaux from various states and Union territories will depict the geographical and rich cultural diversity of the country. Several reforms of the government, including Start-up India and Jal Jeevan Mission, will be showcased in six tableaux from different ministries and departments. A contingent of women bikers of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will perform daredevil stunts for the first time. Inspector Seema Nag will be leading the contingent and seen saluting while standing on top of a moving motorcycle. Fly-past The fly-past the grand finale and the most keenly awaited segment of the parade will comprise of the Trishul formation by three advanced light helicopters. This Republic Day parade will also have a tri-service formation for the first time. It will be followed by the Vic formation of Chinook helicopters, used for airlifting diverse loads to remote locations. Apache helicopters, Dornier aircraft, C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, an Airborne Early Warning and Control System aircraft and the globe formation comprising three C-17 Globemasters are also expected to enthral the people. Five Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft and five MiG-29 upgrade air superiority fighters in Arrowhead formation will also display their aerial manoeuvre. A fleet of Sukhoi-30 MKI jets splitting the sky with a breathtaking Vertical Charlie aerobatic manoeuvre will be last attraction of the Republic Day parade. (With PTI inputs) Yes, if the insurance was purchased with the cancel for any reason benefit. This optional upgrade for the policy usually has several restrictions, but if the traveler meets the criteria, he or she can recover up to 75 percent of their trip costs. People with standard travel insurance who cancel because of fear of contracting the virus will have to absorb the losses, however. When traveling outside the United States, travelers should be sure they have travel medical insurance that will cover hospital costs if they fall ill while abroad or need to be taken back to the United States. They have just two jobs on Saturday Night Live: to be funny and somehow capture the American zeitgeist. The 2019-20 version of the show has mostly been a letdown on that first mission, although no one has really unlocked the secret of making America laugh when the president is beyond parody. But in these troubled times when a Joker is running Gotham City, SNLs Melissa Villasenor managed to nail this weird America moment to the wall. In a jaunty bossa nova, Villasenor previewed next months Oscars and made us see such diverse Hollywood product as the creepy incel-ish Joker, the violent mobbed-up The Irishman, the bloody-Manson-counterfactual Once Upon A Time ... In Hollywood and, yeah, the appalling snub of Greta Gerwigs directoral tour de force in Little Women as all about the same thing ... But the thing that this movie is really about ... .... is white male rage. White male rage. White male rage. Meanwhile, for the last week Ive been watching the movie that is President Trumps Senate impeachment trial, which at its right matters ...truth matters best can come off as a stirring Mr. Schiff Goes to Washington, but which at times makes the three-plus-hours The Irishmans Martin Scorcese seem like a minimalist. Then theres the whimsical farce of Trumps all-white-male defense team, which on Saturday countered the overwhelming evidence that the president abused his powers for personal gain in the Ukraine matter and continues to cover it up with a brief, two-hour mess that sounded like 300 angry Trump tweets strung together. READ MORE: Pomp and censorship: Trump impeachment trial already reveals a broken America | Will Bunch The real energy of Team Trump wasnt to be found up on Capitol Hill, where the rhetorical assault on the corruption of the 45th president is solidifying the publics majority support to remove this short-fingered vulgarian from the White House. No, this angry, wounded pack of white dudes is flowing toward the well-worn path of least resistance. They are yelling at women. Indeed, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stole the spotlight from impeachment maybe this was the plan? on Saturday with news of his disastrous interview with NPRs Mary Louise Kelly, in which the journalist repeatedly pressed Team Trumps top diplomat on the dodgy ouster of former ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yavonovich and the morale problems that caused at the State Department, and which made Pompeo look bad. Pompeos diplomatic response? According to Kelly, he called the woman journalist into a private room, cursed her out repeatedly, screamed that Americans dont even care about Ukraine and bizarrely demanded she point out Ukraine on a blank world map. When Kelly reported this Pompeo had never said his rant was off-the-record the secretary of state responded not with an apology but with a printed, official second rant that yet again called into question the Trump administrations commitment to the First Amendment and press freedom and also tried to imply without evidence and bizarrely, given Kellys masters degree from Cambridge on European affairs that she couldnt tell the difference between Ukraine and far-away Bangladesh. It was white male rage white male rage! and it was shocking, and yet it wasnt the only time this week that a Trump cabinet secretary lost his mind because a woman looked smarter than him. Treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin, at the annual billionaire rock festival known as Davos, lashed out at 17-year-old activist Greta Thunberg for detailing the dire science of climate change and urging a fossil fuel divestment, demanding that "after she goes and studies economics in college, she can come back and explain that to us. Mnuchins outburst (unlike Pompeo, he did semi-apologize) drew a seeming Instagram rebuke from his own wife, the actress Louise Linton, who issued a statement of support for Thunberg that was almost instantly deleted. Like a Good Wife should. You have to wonder how much Pompeo and Mnuchin are merely trying to stay in the good graces of their boss, who has made hateful rhetoric and thinly veiled sexism a feature and not a bug of his presidency. There was a stark reminder of that in the midst of Impeachment Week with the leak of a secret 2018 video of the president of the United States dining with the tapers two future felons with disturbing ties to the Russian mob and other rich donor types. A short time after disparaging a black woman who has dared to challenge Trump Rep. Maxine Waters as a low IQ individual to uproarious laughter, the Ukrainian fixer whos now indicted and spilling Team Trump secrets, Lev Parnas, claimed to the president that his ambassador Yavonovich was bad-mouthing him back in Kyiv. It was the only time on the more-than-one-hour tape that Trump loses his cool and channels his inner Tony Ducks Corallo: Get rid of her! Get her out tomorrow. I dont care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. OK? Do it. In turning on their critics with their high levels of bad testosterone, the current government is reminding us what brought them to power in the first place a Lock her up! fury over any threat, real or perceived, to more than two centuries of patriarchal power in this country, a white male rage that defies the kind of reason and logic that the Democrats tried to adhere to over 24 long hours in the Senate chambers. But much like the increasingly dreaded coronavirus, misogyny in American society feels like a virus that keeps getting stronger no matter how hard we work to identify and quarantine it. How else do we explain the upcoming Oscars, where Gerwig and some other top women directors were again snubbed for five male Best Director nominees and where the most-nominated flick is The Jokers ode to male fragility and anger, or Sunday nights Grammys, where a woman chief was ousted while charging rampant sexism, or the struggle in a New York courtroom to pin down disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein despite allegations from dozens of women, or....? You know the song ... White male rage. White male rage! The response to a changing society, in which a #MeToo movement is calling out a culture of sexual harassment and rape, in which a woman can get the most popular votes for president and the notion of unimpeded patriarchy has become morally indefensible, has been to turn up the volume on misogyny ... and authoritarianism, because those two things are inextricably linked. In a piece joining the sexual fascism of Trump to that of other tyrants like the Philippines Duterte and Brazils Bolsanaro, the Atlantics Peter Beinert noted their efforts to denigrate and subordinate women cemented for their supporters the belief that the nation, having been turned upside down, was being turned right-side up. Right matters, and truth matters but Americas frustration is that those dark forces that have been unleashed will matter even more when America votes in November or maybe even in primaries this winter and spring. White male rage has united the right and made them an immovable force despite their shrinking numbers, and yet it has provoked an equal and opposite reaction on the left, which is fear. Fear that America could successfully elect a woman as president. Fear over whether Democrats should condemn sexist dudes or beg for their votes. As the slow burn of impeachment smoldered in Washington, the big debate at the Democrats Iowa caucus was what to make of a quasi-endorsement for Sen. Bernie Sanders by the insanely popular (especially with young white men) wrestling-and-politics podcaster Joe Rogan, who has a long, sordid history of sexist and racist comments. Democrats, including Sanders himself, cant seem to decide whether its more important to speak against white male rage or to siphon off enough of it to take the White House back from Trump. Its no accident that the Democrats fear factor has coincided with a major slump in the presidential prospects of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, whose every rise in the polls and every bright new idea to make American society less corrupt and more fair has been met with panic that shed be Hillary-ed if she were to win the nomination. READ MORE: The stakes have never been higher. Heres who I plan to vote for in Aprils Dem primary | Will Bunch On Saturday night, the influential Des Moines Register made a courageous endorsement of Warren in the Feb. 3 caucus despite her struggles, hailing both her ideas not radical" but "right and the idea of putting someone like her in the Oval Office. The papers editorial board said: Warrens competence, respect for others and status as the nations first female president would be a fitting response to the ignorance, sexism and xenophobia of the Trump Oval Office. Indeed. The thing about Saturday Night Live, and why Ive had kind of a love/hate relationship with it ever since I watched its second episode in 1975 in the cynical haze after Vietnam and Watergate, is the embedded notion that we cant really change whats wrong with America, but we can laugh at it. But white male rage isnt just good fodder for a comedy sketch; like any type of bullying, it will melt if enough of us stand up to it. We have exactly that chance in 2020 if we can learn to brush away our fear. To paraphrase John Lennon, white male rage is over ... if we want it. 'Reforming' Uzbekistan Makes Big Additions To List Of Banned Material, Websites By Farangis Najibullah, RFE/RL's Uzbek Service January 26, 2020 Authorities in Muslim-majority Uzbekistan have extensively updated their list of banned religious literature, websites, and other material that officials believe contain extremist content and present a security risk to the nation. A copy of the draft document obtained by RFE/RL shows that dozens of books, websites, videos, as well as the social-media accounts of religious figures, preachers, and outlawed organizations have been added to the new list. The majority of the blacklisted material focuses on interpretations of Islam, political Islam, jihad or holy war, and criticism of how Islam is being regulated by the Uzbek government. Some of the newly banned items, however, will raise some eyebrows: the document bans a book by renowned Pakistani author Ahmad Rashid and a video report by U.S.-based Vice News. The state Religious Affairs Committee confirmed to RFE/RL on January 20 that the so-called blacklist has been updated and submitted to the Interior Ministry. The committee said the list is reviewed regularly but didn't provide further details. It remains unclear when the list, approved by the committee on December 25, will be made public. The 40-page document is significantly more extensive than the 2019 version, which was just two pages and included only 40 social-media profiles, pages, and television channels. The new list reiterates the existing ban on all material by all outlawed groups and movements, such as Islamic State, Hizb ut-Tahrir, Tablighi Jamaat, Nurchilik, Akramiya, and Katiba Tawhid wal-Jihad. The document says all of the materials on the list are prohibited from being produced and disseminated in Uzbekistan or brought to the country from abroad. What's New On The List? One banned article -- Democracy, An Infidel System -- claims that democracy is being imposed by the West on "Islamic" countries and that democracy has no relation to Islam. A poem -- The World Is Being Filled With Corruption, by an unknown author -- is among numerous works banned on the new list. The poem describes how "the faithful are coming under pressure, Muslim women are seeing off their husbands to prisons...and the loyal are being martyred," the document says. One banned poem criticizes Uzbek authorities for celebrating the pre-Islamic new year, Norouz, while not paying attention to Islamic celebrations. It says Uzbeks are now afraid of attending mosque prayers, young men can't grow beards, and women are unable to wear Islamic clothing because of pressure by the authorities. Another poem on the banned list condemns Uzbeks for celebrating the modern New Year. Also on the blacklist is a Sufi book of poems compiled by an Uzbek editor. Among other things, the list prohibits the book On Greeting Jummah Mubarak, which refers to a tradition of congratulating someone with "Happy Friday." The book, according to the government document, claims that greeting each other with "Jummah Mubarak" is a practice that doesn't exist in Islam. Its inclusion on the list is also unusual because such a greeting is uncommon in Central Asia. The list bans numerous materials that promote jihad and the creation of an Islamic state system. The banned list includes several poems that call on Uzbeks to remember their Islamic duties. Social-media accounts and videos of several imams and religious preachers -- including Uzbek, Russian, and Arabic speakers -- that have been accused of promoting extremist ideologies were also added to the list. Beheadings And Karimov Criticism Ahmad Rashid's book Jihad: The Rise Of Militant Islam In Central Asia has also been declared to be banned "extremist" material. The document claims the book "contains biased opinion about the situation on religion" that "could lead to misunderstandings and division." The new list also includes a 56-second, English-language video by Vice News that shows "militants from Central Asia fighting in Syria to create an Islamic caliphate." The unnamed report allegedly includes a beheading scene by militants speaking Uzbek. A book by Uzbek writer and government critic Nulillo Otakhonov -- aka Nurillo Muhammad Raufkhon -- has also made a surprising comeback to the new list. Titled These Days, the religiously themed memoir harshly criticizes the policies of former authoritarian President Islam Karimov, who was in power from 1989 until his death in 2016. It also condemns Karimov's crackdown on Islam. The book, published in 2016, had previously landed its author on the Uzbek authorities' blacklist of potential extremists. He was charged with undermining the state and spreading material that endangers public security and order. Otakhonov returned to Tashkent from a two-year exile in Turkey in September 2017 after it was reported that his name -- along with thousands of others -- was removed from the blacklist under a decree by President Shavkat Mirziyoev. Uzbek media reported at the time that These Days was added to the list of banned material, but it didn't appear on the 2019 list, published by the Justice Ministry. A 2018 law on battling extremism bans the export, production, publication, sharing, and promotion of all material, content, and symbols deemed extremist. Sources in Uzbekistan's law enforcement agencies told RFE/RL that those detained with banned material usually face charges of "production, storage, distribution, and promotion of materials containing a threat to public security and public order" and "smuggling...materials that promote religious extremism, separatism, and fundamentalism." Since coming to power in 2016, Mirziyoev has taken some steps to ease restrictions introduced by Karimov, who took an extremely harsh stance on religion. Mirziyoev released hundreds of Muslims believed to have been imprisoned on trumped-up, extremism-related charges. About 16,000 more were removed from the some 17,000-strong blacklist of potential extremists. Despite the measures, religion in Uzbekistan remains strictly controlled by the government. Written by Farangis Najibullah based on reporting by RFE/RL's Uzbek Service Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/reforming- uzbekistan-makes-big-additions-to-list-of- banned-material-websites/30397567.html Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Theres a flip side to N.J.s federal tax story Your front-page article New Jersey last in rate of return on federal taxes raised a lot of questions. When was the last year New Jersey got more in return than what it sent to Washington in federal taxes? Since we have not had a Republican senator representing us since 1972, you would think that might be something important to include in your article. The article quotes New Jersey lawmakers as knowing what the problem is, citing the presidents tax law and its $10,000 cap on state and local taxes that can be deducted. Is the average New Jerseyan paying less in federal taxes under the new tax law in spite of the $10,000 cap? If so, then perhaps the three years Trump has been president is not the problem. However, to raise these issues in your article might make some readers wonder just what have these Democratic congressmen and senators been doing for New Jersey all these years. Armand Rose, North Arlington Some crimes are worse than others Paul Mulshine misses some important points in his column, Bridgegate case may take a toll on feds power. First, although Bill Baroni and Bridget Anne Kelly may not have technically committed a federal crime (yet to be decided by the Supreme Court), they certainly abused their power by inconveniencing thousands of people who were just trying to get to work. And they should be punished for doing so. Second, although I dont agree that significant financial contributions to a college should provide a persons child admission to that college, it is certainly better than bribing a college employee for the same purpose. Mulshine contends that both cases resulted in an unqualified kid taking the seat of a better student. This is true. But the significant contribution to the college allows the school to subsidize the tuition for many better students who otherwise could not afford to attend that school. A bribe to a college staff member, however, benefits only the staff member and the unqualified student. The latter case should not be tolerated. Richard Andersen, Somerset Murphys been a wreck for a while Why did it take columnist Tom Moran so long (Murphy stands in way of clearing up campaign controversy,) to realize Gov. Phil Murphy is damaged goods? Gaither Shaw, Mountainside Murphys successes are too costly for me In his State of the State address, Gov. Phil Murphy trumpeted his successes over his first two years. Among his favorites are his new family leave and temporary disability programs. He calls it a win for the middle class. Now comes word in The Star-Ledger (Expansion of family leave, disability hits paychecks,) how much that win will cost us: Middle-class workers will pay up to an extra $480 per year for this benefit. Employers will bear none of the extra cost. Please, governor. No more wins for me. I cant afford it. Michael Pickert, Livingston Column wrong on anti-Zionism David Letwins guest opinion column is riddled with falsehoods. It was not the Trump State Department that adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism. In fact, it was the Obama State Department that did so, a fact that will doubtless cast the decision in a different light for some readers. It is wrong to write that responsibility for resurgent anti-Semitism lies with a white nationalist alt-right just weeks after horrific attacks against Jews in Monsey, New York, and Jersey City. Neither attacks was carried out by white supremacists. It is disingenuous to portray Omar Barghouti, co-founder of the boycott-divestment-sanctions movement, as a paragon of democracy and acceptance. Heres another Barghouti quote: Definitely, most definitely we oppose a Jewish state in any part of Palestine. No Palestinian, rational Palestinian, not a sell-out Palestinian, will ever accept a Jewish state in Palestine. Indeed, the entire column rests on the incorrect assertion that anti-Zionism is not anti-Semitism. Anti-Zionists say that, alone among the nations of the world, Jews should not have a state, even while calling for the creation of a Palestinian state. What should we call national discrimination against Jews if not anti-Semitism? Seffi Kogen, Fair Lawn; Global director of young leadership, American Jewish Committee The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Over 350 global industry experts, from over 20 countries, covering the commodity spectrum will attend the seventh edition of the Global Commodity Outlook Conference (GCOC), to be held next month in Dubai, UAE. DMCC - the worlds flagship Free Zone and Government of Dubai Authority on commodities trade and enterprise, the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX) - the largest derivatives exchange in the Middle East, and Richcomm Global Services - the largest independent broker on DGCX, will host the conference on February 9, at the Almas Conference Centre. Throughout the day, different sessions will focus on commodity sectors ranging from global economy and energy outlook, agriculture commodities and precious metals, to innovation, technology and sustainability, said a statement from the organisers. Held under the theme Market Disruptions And Managing Risk In Uncertainty, GCOC will discuss current trends and changes within a range of commodities markets, identify risks and secure profitable strategies for 2020. The forum will address the outlook on copper, lead and aluminium with the backdrop of trade wars and protectionism and whether gold can reclaim the spot as the global default currency. Sanjeev Dutta, executive director - commodities and financial services, DMCC, said: As we face increasing trade tensions, tariffs and other disruptions, this coming year poses a number of challenges for global trade. Through convening global industry leaders to discuss our concerted approach to these changes, we ensure the continued success of commodities trade worldwide. We are confident that delegates of the seventh GCOC will leave with actionable insight, helping them to guide and grow a range of different commodities markets, he added. Paresh Kotecha, chairman and managing director, Richcomm Global Services, said: The previous six editions of the conference provided insights in the market and highlighted trading opportunities for the year ahead, allowing delegates to secure and exploit these opportunities. The seventh edition will continue to explore, debate and strategise its campaign with experts across various asset classes from energy, agriculture, base metals and precious metals, he added. TradeArabia News Service Public health officials were working Sunday to track down some of the passengers of a China Southern Airlines flight to Toronto this week after learning that the patient diagnosed with Canada's first case of coronavirus showed symptoms on the plane. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/1/2020 (717 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Theresa Tam participates in a press conference following the announcement by the Government of Ontario of the first presumptive confirmed case of a novel coronavirus in Canada, in Ottawa, on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Public health officials were working Sunday to track down some of the passengers of a China Southern Airlines flight to Toronto this week after learning that the patient diagnosed with Canada's first case of coronavirus showed symptoms on the plane. But Canada's chief public health officer stressed that the risk of future infection is low, and public health protocols are working. Dr. Theresa Tam said the man in his 50's, currently in stable condition in a Toronto hospital, showed mild symptoms on the flight from Guangzhou to Toronto earlier this week. Tam said the patient did not report his flu-like symptoms upon arrival, but did share his recent stay in Wuhan with first responders when he sought medical help the next day. Paramedics and hospital staff took all necessary precautions. "The patient has been managed with all appropriate infection and prevention control protocols, so the risk of onward spread in Canada is low," Tam said at a morning news conference in Ottawa. "Nevertheless it would not be unexpected that there will be more cases imported into Canada in the near-term given global travel patterns." Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu said that sequence of events shows current systems are working as intended. "For me that is a sign that the information provided at the border did, in fact, percolate through to the patient and his family," she said. The man remains at Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital, where Ontario health authorities said he's being held in a negative-pressure room used to contain airborne illnesses. The case is "presumptive positive" until the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg finds the same positive results as the tests conducted in Toronto. Tam said those results were expected within 24 hours. Dr. Jerome Leis of Sunnybrook said the presence of an infected patient at the facility has not prompted any changes in day-to-day operations, stressing the risk of general infection is low and the hospital remains safe for patients. "We are carrying on our normal business and normal operations," Leis said. ". . . It is not affecting the care we provide for all of our other patients." Despite her concession that future Canadian cases are expected, Tam said the risk of human-to-human contamination is minimal, even for those who may have shared a flight or been in the airport alongside the Toronto patient. "People transmit when they're in close contact, particularly prolonged contact," she said. "It's really family members travelling with the patient who are at the highest risk." She said federal authorities, together with Toronto Public Health, are in the process of reaching out to those who were within a two-metre radius to the man to ensure they have all necessary information. The news of Canada's first coronavirus patient comes as authorities around the world grapple with the new type of virus, which originated in China but has since spread to Europe and North America. Several countries, including the United States, have indicated plans to evacuate diplomats and visitors from Wuhan where the virus is most rampant. Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said in a statement Sunday that Canada doesn't have a diplomatic presence in Wuhan. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. But he said the government is in contact with and providing assistance to Canadians in the area. "Canadian consular officials are closely monitoring the situation and are in contact with local authorities and our international partners to gather more information and provide support to the extent possible," he said. Officials have recorded nearly 2,000 global coronavirus cases so far, including three in France and five in the United States. While 56 people have died of the virus in China most of the deaths have been older patients the World Health Organization has not declared the outbreak an international public health emergency. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some of which cause the common cold. Others have evolved into more severe illnesses, such as SARS and MERS, although so far the new virus does not appear to be nearly as deadly or contagious. This report by the Canadian Press was first published Jan. 26, 2020. Trump impeachment trial: Democrats make case for 'obstruction of Congress' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com House managers used final day of opening arguments to focus on alleged 'obstruction of Congress' New poll shows 66% of Americans surveyed say Senate should call witnesses Schumer comments on ABC News report on recording appearing to capture Trump on Yovanovitch saying, 'Take her out' House managers, who continue to argue the Senate should subpoena additional witnesses and documents from an uncooperative White House, on Friday detailed President Donald Trump's resistance in making their case for the second article of impeachment -- "obstruction of Congress" -- in their final day of arguments. PHOTO: Adam Schiff speaks on the Senate floor during the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, Jan. 22, 2020, in Washington, DC. (ABC News) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced that Saturday's proceedings with Trump's lawyers making their opening arguments would begin at 10 a.m. for a possible abbreviated session after sources said Trump's defense team was concerned opening arguments may get buried over the weekend. Trump weighed in Friday morning on the Saturday session, calling it "Death Valley in T.V." "After having been treated unbelievably unfairly in the House, and then having to endure hour after hour of lies, fraud & deception by Shifty Schiff, Cryin' Chuck Schumer & their crew, looks like my lawyers will be forced to start on Saturday, which is called Death Valley in T.V.," Trump tweeted. After having been treated unbelievably unfairly in the House, and then having to endure hour after hour of lies, fraud & deception by Shifty Schiff, Cryin' Chuck Schumer & their crew, looks like my lawyers will be forced to start on Saturday, which is called Death Valley in T.V. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2020 On Thursday, while making the case for "abuse of power," Democrats also detailed a defense of former Vice President Joe Biden and the role his son, Hunter Biden, played on the board of Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company, seeming to prepare for counterattacks likely to come when Trump's legal team takes the stage. They argued there's no evidence of any wrongdoing and pursuing the Bidens is irrelevant. Story continues MORE: Trump impeachment trial day 3: Democrats make 'abuse of power' case Trump's personal attorney, Jay Sekulow, said upon hearing the Democrats' defense of Biden that their team would determine the appropriate way to respond now that Democrats "opened the door" to the Bidens. PHOTO: Jay Sekulow speaks with reporters during a break in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, Jan. 23, 2020, at the Capitol in Washington, DC. (ABC News) "What I don't understand is for the last five hours, it's been a lot about Joe Biden and Burisma," Sekulow said after Thursday's dinner break. "They kind of opened the door for that response. So we'll determine as a defense team the appropriate way to do it." MORE: The evidence revealed since Trump's impeachment but still in question at Senate trial Behind closed doors, the Senate Republican leadership is also laying the groundwork in its caucus for a vote against subpoenaing witnesses by warning that a guaranteed White House court fight over executive privilege would stall the trial and paralyze the Senate for months. PHOTO: Sen. Lisa Murkowski arrives at the Senate for the start of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Jan. 21, 2020. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP) GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowkski of Alaska, one of the four GOP senators Democrats would need to support their call for witnesses, pointedly criticized the Democrats' strategy. "The House made a decision that they didn't want to slow things down by having to go through the courts," Murkowski told CNN. "And yet now they're basically saying, You guys gotta go through the courts. We didn't, but we need you to.'" Here's how Friday unfolded: 8:54 p.m. House impeachment managers conclude their opening arguments Lead House impeachment manager Adam Schiff closed out the House's opening arguments Friday, telling the Senate that the facts -- presented over the course of a week -- add up to an impeachable offense. "We have met our burden," he said. The overall theme of today? Making the case that Trump's behavior is like that of a dictator, and that it's up to Congress to stop him. Schiff used a lot of time to address possible defenses from Trump's legal team -- since, he said, the impeachment managers will not get a chance to respond to those arguments. He specifically called out Ken Starr and Alan Dershowitz, both of whom he said held positions during President Clinton's impeachment that conflict with their positions now. Some moments were tense, like when GOP senators scoffed at Schiff's reference to a news report detailing an alleged threat from a Trump associate to certain moderate senators if they voted against the president. But there were lighter moments, too, like when Schiff said, during a section in his remarks about executive privilege, that the senators could overrule Chief Justice John Roberts since Roberts is bound by Senate rules for the impeachment trial. "You have to admit it's every legislator's dream," Schiff said to laughter. He thanked the Senate for its attention during the House's opening arguments and asked the Senators, when the time comes, to render their judgments based on their conscience. "All we can ask is that you hear us out and make the best judgment that you can consistent with your conscience and our Constitution," Schiff said. -- ABC News' Trish Turner 5:28 p.m. GOP senators appear to be studying 'Burisma Timeline' documents A number of Republican senators appear to be studying up on Burisma and the Bidens' involvement in Ukraine during this afternoon's Democratic presentation, ABC News' Devin Dwyer and Benjamin Siegel report from inside the Senate chamber. Spotted on the desks of more than half a dozen GOP senators in the chamber are research documents entitled "Burisma Timeline" in bold black letters with bright yellow highlights of important dates. It was not possible to make out the contents from the press gallery. Sens. Ernst, Graham, Johnson, Boozman, Lee, Sullivan, Fischer, Braun and Portman -- all reliable Trump allies -- were observed reviewing the document. It did not appear on any Democratic senators' desks. The document suggests Burisma and the Bidens will figure prominently in the president's defense and be major talking points by his senate defenders. The same lawmakers each also had a copy of the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service's Jan. 21 report entitled "Obtaining Witnesses In an Impeachment Trial: Compulsion, Executive Privilege, and the Courts." The report lays out scenarios and legal reasoning for how a Senate battle over witness subpoenas could play out, specifically with respect to Trump's former National Security Adviser John Bolton. "If the Senate chooses to hear from Bolton, it is possible that the president's counsel could attempt to exclude his testimony through a motion," the report said, "or raise an objection to a specific line of questioning during the evidentiary portion of the trial. It does not appear that a President has previously raised executive privilege or adviser immunity in a Senate impeachment trial, and as a result, either assertion could trigger some unique scenarios." Very interesting read but bottom line, a virtually certain White House challenge to a subpoena of administration officials would be largely uncharted legal territory. Rep. Zoe Lofgren then took the floor, pointing out that even Richard Nixon was more cooperative than Trump during the House's impeachment inquiry. "There's no telling how many government officials would have come forward if the president hadn't issued this order," she said, ticking off a list of White House officials who obeyed President Trump's order not to cooperate, including acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and officials at the Office of Management and Budget who were privy to details about the hold on Ukraine aid. 5:03 p.m. House manager Demings details 'obstruction' charge House manager Val Demings laid out several examples of the president allegedly "misusing" his power to direct the executive branch not to testify or provide documents subpoenaed by the House. She called Trump's obstruction "a declaration of total defiance of the House's authority to investigate credible allegations of the president's misconduct and a wholesale rejection of congress's ability to hold the president accountable." PHOTO: House impeachment manager Rep. Val Demings speaks during impeachment trial of President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 24, 2020, in Washington. (ABC ) Demings said Trump's order "substantially interfered" with the House's power to conduct its impeachment inquiry, although the Florida Democrat boasted that "the House gathered overwhelming evidence of [Trump's] misconduct from courageous public servants who were willing to follow the law," allowing the House "to develop an extensive catalog of specific documents and pertinent communication that go to the heart of the president's wrongdoing." "Over time these documents and this evidence will undoubtedly come to light and I ask this body to not wait to read about it in the press or in a book," Demings said. "You should be hearing this evidence now." "If we allow President Trump to escape accountability, we will inflict lasting damage on the separation of powers among our branches of government -- our fundamental system of checks and balances," Demings continues. "It would inflict irreversible damage by allowing this commander in chief, and establishing precedent for future presidents to act correctly or abusively." She also said Trump's behavior directly contradictions the framers' intention when they put checks on presidential power. "Absolute power corrupts absolutely. This is the very opposite of what the framers intended. The framers of the Constitution purposefully entrusted the power of impeachment to the legislative branch so that it may protect the American people from a corrupt president," Demings said. "The times, senators, have found us. If Congress allows President Trump's obstruction to stand, it effectively nullifies the impeachment power. Senators, we are the keepers, the protectors, the defenders of what the framers intended, and we must hold any unprincipled and undisciplined executive accountable." "We must stop this president," Demings declared. -- ABC News' John Parkinson: "We would not allow any member of our state or local governments to use the official powers of their office to cover up crimes and misdeeds," Rep. Val Demings says. "Mayors and governors have gone to jail for doing so." https://t.co/4L1ItVyPX1 pic.twitter.com/xluZyb3L9e ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 24, 2020 4:08 p.m. Republicans pull back on censure idea After Republican Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana raised the prospect of censure this morning and it ricocheted around the Hill, he was suddenly singing a different tune. "There's no appetite in the caucus for that right now. This process has been trying enough," he said moments ago. Sens. John Barrasso of Wyoming and Jodi Ernst of Iowa similarly shot down the censure idea. "One way or, we're being asked to vote on impeaching and removing the president from office. I'm vice chairman of the conference. Things come through the conference. I had heard nothing about that. It has not come up with any of our lunches and our discussions has not been discussed at all." Barasso said -- ABC News' Devin Dwyer 3:28 p.m. Schiff on Trump's conduct: 'Do you think it's going to stop now?' Schiff features a clip of the Helsinki press conference where President Trump, standing next to Russian President Vladimir Putin, calls into question the findings of U.S. intelligence agencies that Russian agents hacked the Democratic National Committee. "He's promoting this kooky crazy conspiracy theory right next to the guy that cooked it up," Schiff says. "It's a breathtaking success of Russian intelligence. I don't know if there's ever been a greater success of Russian intelligence." PHOTO: House impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff speaks during fourth day of impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol, Jan. 24, 2020, in Washington, D.C. (ABC News) Referencing the proxy conflicts of the Cold War, Schiff then charged that the Soviet Union was never as "successful" at manipulating the U.S. as Russia has been today. "There [Putin] is standing next to the president of the United States and hearing his own Kremlin talking points coming from the president of the United States," Schiff says. "If that's not a propaganda coup, I don't know what is." He asked the senators listening: "Do you think it's going to stop now? Do you think if we do nothing it's going to stop now? All of the evidence is to the contrary. You know it's not going to stop." And Schiff emphasizes that Democrats believe Trump will continue the same behavior detailed in their investigation unless he is removed from office. Rep. Adam Schiff: "If a president can be so easily manipulated to disbelieve his own intelligence agencies, to accept the propaganda of the Kremlin, that is a threat to our national securityand this is just what has happened here." https://t.co/4L1ItVyPX1 pic.twitter.com/GhS1YUULXZ ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 24, 2020 "Merely exposing the president's scheme has not stopped him from continuing this destructive pattern of behavior that's brought us to this somber moment. He is who he is. That will not change, nor will the danger associated with him. Every piece of evidence supports that terrible conclusion, that the president of the united States will abuse his power again, that he will continue to solicit foreign interference to help corruptly secure his re-election," Schiff says. "President Trump has abused the power of his office and must be removed from that office," he says before yielding the floor. 2:40 p.m. Schiff: Withholding Ukraine aid had 'real consequences' Again using video clips to illustrate his arguments, Schiff highlights the impact of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. "Withholding the aid has real consequences to real soldiers with real families," Schiff says. To make his point, he uses a video clip of senior Pentagon official Laura Cooper, who testified during the House impeachment inquiry that withdrawing military support would "embolden" Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. "Indeed the aid doesn't just supply much needed weapons to Ukraine," Schiff adds. "It's a symbol of support." He then goes on to underscore the importance of standing behind NATO allies, saying Trump's temporary withholding of aid weakened U.S. commitments to the military alliance and hurt U.S. national security. "We only deter Russia by consistently demonstrating support for our friends, friends like Ukraine," Schiff says. "Why does Ukraine matter to the United States?" Rep. Adam Schiff asks. "Countries like Ukraine are fighting our fight against authoritarianismat least that used to be our fight. And God help us if it's not our fight still." https://t.co/4L1ItVyPX1 pic.twitter.com/el75EqQgXA ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 24, 2020 2 p.m. New poll shows 66% of Americans surveyed say Senate should call witnesses As the trial continues, a new ABC News/Washington Post poll finds two-thirds of Americans in the survey say the Senate should call new witnesses, even while the public is divided on his removal from office and Trump's approval rating has rallied to match his career high. MORE: 66% call for witnesses in Trump's impeachment trial: Poll 1:40 p.m. Democrats try to undermine expected Trump defense on Ukraine aid House manager Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado makes an effort to challenge the upcoming defense expected from Trump's legal team. He takes aim at the argument that Trump was concerned about Europe's contributions to Ukraine's security, and noted the European Union's significant nonmilitary contributions to Ukraine. PHOTO: House impeachment manager Rep. Jason Crow speaks during the fourth day of impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol, Jan. 24, 2020. (ABC News) "The president's assertion that other countries did not support Ukraine is meritless," he says. Crow also says that none of the witnesses who testified before the House said they were told the aid was frozen because of burden-sharing concerns. He also dismissed the claim that Ukraine was unaware of the hold before the Politico report in late August. "If the president's concern were genuinely about burden sharing, he never made any public statements about it, never ordered a review of burden sharing, and never ordered his officials to push Europe to increase their contributions," Crow says. "Then he released the aid without any changes in Europe's contributions." "The evidence is clear, the question for you is whether it's okay for the president to withhold taxpayer money, aid for our ally, our friend at war for a personal political benefit. Whether it's okay for the president to sacrifice our national security for his own election," Crow says. "It's not okay to me. It's certainly not okay with the American people, and it should not be okay to any of you." Rep. Jason Crow on claim that "the aid was released and the investigations were never announced, so therefore no harm, no foul, right?" "This defense would laughable if this issue wasn't so serious." https://t.co/4L1ItVyPX1 pic.twitter.com/3YjoVE1xHn ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 24, 2020 -- ABC News' Benjamin Siegel 1:35 p.m. Talk of censure among Senate Republicans? Would an acquittal send the message it's OK for a president to use the power of his or her office to conduct opposition research? Republicans have a tough time answering that question, ABC's Devin Dwyer reports, and some senators say there is renewed talk about censure because of it. "I think that's simply because there's a feeling that this (conviction) isn't going to go through, and the question earlier does this, doesn't acquittal send the wrong message," GOP Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana tells Dwyer. "All the information we're looking at, it's in a prism, a very binary outcome. You're either acquitted, or you're convicted, and if you're convicted it's the death sentence. There's no kind of range, or spectrum. ...I think it means that when you do bring a case, especially for as this applies to the future, you better have all your ducks in a row, it better be solid, and most importantly, it ought to be a little bipartisan when it arrives over here," Braun says. 1:05 p.m. As trial resumes, McConnell says Saturday session to start at 10 a.m. The Senate reconvenes to hear the House Democrats' third and last day of arguments. When the session begins Friday, Democrats have seven hours and 53 minutes left of the allotted 24 hours to present their case. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the Senate will take breaks throughout the day Friday and will reconvene Saturday morning at 10 a.m. for President Trump's defense team to begin their opening arguments. House manager Hakeem Jeffries of New York picks up the Democrats' case. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries: "President Trump tried to cheat. He got caught. And then he worked hard to cover it up." https://t.co/4L1ItVyPX1 pic.twitter.com/hVnU0Ss7Ur ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 24, 2020 11:20 a.m. Schumer comments on recording appearing to capture Trump on Yovanovitch saying 'Take her out' Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer had limited comment on a recording reviewed by ABC News that appears to capture President Donald Trump telling associates he wanted the then-U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch fired while speaking at a small gathering that included Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman -- two former business associates of Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani who have since been indicted in New York. MORE: 'Take her out': Recording appears to capture Trump at private dinner saying he wants Ukraine ambassador fired The recording appears to contradict statements by President Trump and support the narrative that has been offered by Parnas during broadcast interviews in recent days. Trump has said repeatedly he does not know Parnas, a Soviet-born American who has emerged as a wild card in Trump's impeachment trial, especially in the days since Trump was impeached. "Get rid of her!" is what the voice that appears to be President Trump's is heard saying. "Get her out tomorrow. I don't care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. Okay? Do it." "I haven't seen that so I won't comment on that yet," Schumer says,"but I can say that the granularity of the description of the specific treatment of this prized, wonderful public servant, Ambassador Yovanovitch, I think stuck in people's minds again. I think there's tremendous sympathy for Ambassador Yovanovitch from one end of America to the other, my guess is the hearts of many of our Republican senators. So, I don't know that thing, but I do know that Yovanovitch was terribly treated." PHOTO: House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, speaks to the media along with with Rep. Jason Crow, left, and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, right, on the fourth day of the impeachment trial, Jan. 24, 2020, on Capitol Hill. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) Separately, asked by ABC News Senior Congressional Correspondent Mary Bruce about the report, Rep. Adam Schiff said: "Plainly, if the president, at the urging of Giuliani or Parnas or Fruman, if this is additional evidence of his involvement ... it could certainly corroborate much of what we've heard." He said he couldn't comment further since he hasn't reviewed the tape or report. PHOTO: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer points to Democratic Presidential Candidate Senator Kirsten Gillibrand during a press conference on the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, Jan, 24, 2020 in Washington, D.C. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images) At his news conference, Schumer also kept up his pressure on Republicans to agree to Democratic demands for witnesses and documents. "Every day we hear a different story from many Senate Republicans about why they oppose a fair trial, about why we can have witnesses and documents. It's usually some shiny object that has nothing to do with the actual facts and law of the case, so now here's the latest one: That is it'll take too long if we do it later," Schumer says. "Let me say this: First, we heard the Republicans all vote to delay things. The Mitch Mcconnell scheme was to say because he knew that a lot of Republicans were seriously thinking of witnesses and of documents, they said, 'let's not do it now. Let's hear the arguments and then do it.' And now they're saying, 'We don't have enough time to do it.' "It's a very flimsy excuse," Schumer adds. With regard to the Republican argument that President Trump was sure to invoke executive privilege, triggering a lengthy court fight, Schumer says, "There's a simple answer when our Republican friends claim it would take too long. Go tell the president not to invoke executive privilege. He's the one delaying it. Not us." Click here to read the full article. What a fraud, you might have thought glimpsing astrologist Walter Mercado on TV in the 90s. But you wouldnt forget his face. The bejeweled and blonded psychic hotline pitchman looked like a sorcerer from outer space. Cristina Costantini and Kareem Tabschs giddily glittery documentary Mucho Mucho Amor traces the half-century that Mercado was a global icon, his fingers whirling like flamenco dancers as he hypnotized audiences from Holland to Brazil. Mercado was as at-home on Sally Jesse Raphael as he was in his birthplace of Puerto Rico, where strangers would jockey to stroke his fabulous 15-pound capes, or even finagle a kiss on the cheek. Howard Stern hooted that he was bigger than Jesus Christ. Mercado demurred that he was closer to Buddha. But when the film starts, Mercado hasnt been on camera for over a decade. Many fans assume hes dead. How could that grande dame live without a spotlight? More from Variety No fear. Mucho Mucho Amor isnt about the hunt, despite its opening similarities to the kitsch-icon-gone-rogue podcast Missing Richard Simmons. Costantini and Tabsch quickly dispense with the suspense. Within minutes, Mercado, now 86 and as handsome as ever, welcomes the camera into his home in San Juan, whose tangerine- and mango-painted Moorish exterior hints at the glamour within: oil portraits, costumes, awards statues, personalized Ken dolls and a doting assistant named Willie who fetches his vitamins and fixes his makeup. Says Willie, hes not merely Mercados right hand, Im the left one, too. The Sunset Boulevard allusions shine even before a photographer asks Mercado if hes ready for his closeup. Im just like Dorian Gray, beams Mercado, curling his pink-glossed lips into a coy smile as he concedes to a touch of botox. Yet, unlike Norma Desmond, Mercado continues to be adored by fans like Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eugenio Derbez, both of whom cameo in the doc to sing his praises, as well as a phalanx of blonde nieces and seemingly every person in the Miami airport, who gape as Mercado rolls past in a motorized cart, hands raised in benediction like the pope. Story continues Horoscopes swear our lives are charted by the stars. Mercado, however, was a self-made construction. A misfit boy in a rural village, he survived being different that is, feminine by becoming a child healer, a holy tot who granted blessings on the townspeople. I fabricated the famous person in me, says Mercado. At 18, he fled the farm for the capital to study ballet and theater and break into TV. As a telenovela actor, well, he bit his thumb a lot. He read his castmates palms backstage until one day, a Telemundo executive impulsively put Mercado on air ostensibly to promote his latest play. Mercado, still wearing his stage costume of a Hindu priest, riffed on the constellations for almost an hour, and the phones lit up. Mercados theatrical techniques made people stop flipping channels. His deep eye contact, perfect posture, grand tilt to his chin and expressive hands seemed to reach through the screen to clutch the viewers attention. And, of course, his wardrobe custom, heavy, expensive that said he was closer to the heavens than to a K-Mart. Mercado looked like a religious icon. He became one, too, though thankfully his cult preachings, a stew of astrology, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism, were exclusively positive. When Mercado made a specific prediction say, telling the comic Sinbad that he would be the biggest comedian of the 21st century he was usually wrong. Better to stay vague and spread hope, and be so compelling that nobody minded if he gave the same basic advice to every sign, every day, for decades: Believe in yourself. His optimism, speculates the doc, is why Mercado became the patron saint of grandmothers and immigrants. Which makes it more of a sin when Mercado bilks his fans with a pricy hotline where he promised things he couldnt deliver, like winning lottery numbers. Mucho Mucho Amor uses tarot cards to structure his life The Magician, The Star, The Cloaked Man, The Hermit but while Tom Maroneys editing salsas through Mercados rise and fall with quickness and humor, it knows when to pause and appreciate the details. As for who he loved a question of raucous speculation to homophobic comedians Mercado never said. When pressed, hed demur that sex is spirituality. Mercado wont leave the closet, though cinematographer Peter Altons camera spots the framed portrait of Oscar Wilde in his home. For the LGBTQ community who grew up seeing the glamour-puss stretch televisions strict gender roles, his closet spoke for him. Mucho Mucho Amor also deifies Mercado, breezing past his faults. It never, for example, talks to a victim who might have spent money they didnt have hoping for a miracle. The negativity is fobbed onto Mercados former manager Bill Bakula, who appears in the film to defend writing a contract where Mercado naively forked over his image and name in perpetuity. The doc gives Mercados story back to Mercado. Better, it shows that Mercado is still the same spiritualistic, highfalutin fashion-plate as a retiree eating breakfast at home as he was on TV. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 26 Trend: The World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, which is one of the most authoritative economic forums, has an important place among international structures in which, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has been actively participating for several years, Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Ali Ahmadov wrote in his article entitled "World Economic Forum in Davos: New Opportunities for Demonstrating Azerbaijan to the World". Azerbaijans active participation in the forums plays an indispensable role in promoting the country, integration into the world economy, promoting of Azerbaijans history and culture, Ahmadov, who is also deputy chairman and executive secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, added, Trend reports referring to the article. The WEF has traditionally been the biggest arena for discussions in which the presidents, heads of the leading world companies and politicians participate, the deputy prime minister said. The current international economic problems, new trends and achievements in the economy and technologies are discussed during the forum, Ahmadov said. The reports on the main indicators of economic development of various countries are prepared at this forum. Another characteristic feature of the forum is that it creates the opportunities for the countries to show their achievements and establish business relationships with the companies that play a key role on an international scale, the deputy prime minister said. In other words, the WEF can be characterized as a platform of broad opportunities, Ahmadov said. From this point of view, participation in this event is perceived by each side as an important advantage. The Azerbaijani presidents consecutive participation in the WEF in Davos for many years, on the one hand, demonstrates the country's desire to effectively use the capabilities of the forum and also testifies to the leading world companies growing interest in Azerbaijan, its growing economic opportunities, Ahmadov added. The meetings held by President Aliyev fully confirm the abovementioned aspects, the deputy prime minister said. The WEF 2020 has become more significant and important for Azerbaijan, the deputy prime minister added. "A WEF regional branch is planned to be established in Azerbaijan upon the decision of the WEF leadership, Ahmadov said. This initiative can be assessed as the result of Azerbaijans contribution to the WEFs activity. Presently, Azerbaijan not only is a member of the world's most influential organization for economic discussions, but also one of its organizers. Perhaps, we will witness another important event in Azerbaijan soon, the deputy prime minister said. I think that this will have a special place among President Aliyevs achievements on an international scale." The WEF is a great opportunity to demonstrate Azerbaijan, which is developing day by day, and its economy to the world, Ahmadov said. "This opportunity is becoming more real for Azerbaijan thanks to President Aliyevs efforts, the deputy prime minister said. I am sure that Azerbaijan will reach numerous success and achievements under the leadership of President Aliyev." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced hope Sunday that he can "make history" in Washington this week during talks on US President Donald Trump's peace plan for the Middle East. Netanyahu has been invited to meet Trump at the White House on Monday and Tuesday to discuss the project, which has already been dismissed by the Palestinians. "We are in the midst of very dramatic diplomatic developments, but the climax is still ahead of us," Netanyahu told reporters ahead of a weekly cabinet meeting. "In a short while, I'll leave for Washington to meet my friend, the President of the United States Donald Trump, who will present his deal of the century... I'm full of hope that we can make history," he added. Trump on Thursday said he will release his long-delayed plan before meeting Netanyahu in Washington. "It's a great plan. It's a plan that really would work," Trump said. Netanyahu's political rival Benny Gantz has also been invited to the White House to meet with Trump on Monday. Gantz told a conference in Tel Aviv on Saturday that the "peace plan devised by President Trump will go down in history as a meaningful landmark". He expected the initiative to allow "different players in the Middle East to finally move ahead towards an historic regional agreement". The Palestinian leadership was not invited and has already rejected Trump's plan amid tense relations with the US president over his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's undivided capital. "This step only reaffirms our absolute rejection of what the US administration has done so far, particularly the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital," Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's spokesman said in a statement. The Palestinians see east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state and believe Trump's plan buries the two-state solution that has been for decades the cornerstone of international Middle East diplomacy. World powers have long agreed that Jerusalem's fate should be settled through negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel has occupied east Jerusalem and the West Bank since the 1967 Six-Day War. More than 600,000 Israelis now live there in settlements considered illegal under international law. Trump's peace initiative has been in the works since 2017. The economic component of the initiative was unveiled in June and calls for USD 50 billion in international investment in the Palestinian territories and neighbouring Arab countries over 10 years. Trump came to power in 2017 promising to broker Israeli-Palestinian peace, which he labelled the "ultimate deal". The US president has repeatedly boasted that he is the most pro-Israeli US president in history. Netanyahu in a statement Saturday called Trump "the greatest friend that Israel has ever had". Gantz also showered Trump with praise during his conference. "I wish to thank President Trump for his dedication and determination in defending the security interests that both Israel and the US share," Gantz said. Trump's separate meetings with Netanyahu and Gantz come a little more than a month before new Israeli elections, with polls showing Netanyahu's right-wing Likud and Gantz's centrist Blue and White party running neck-and-neck. Israeli media speculated that Trump had chosen to unveil his plan in support of Netanyahu's election bid -- the third in a year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A horse-mounted police unit, introduced in Mumbai after 88 years, and tableaux on various themes, including environment and wildlife, were part of the 71st Republic Day parade held at Shivaji Park in Dadar here on Sunday. Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari hoisted the national flag at the official ceremony, where Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, state DGP Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Barve and others were present. Police personnel mounted on 11 horses took part in the parade. The mounted police unit, which would patrol the streets of the bustling metropolis, had been disbanded in 1932 due to growing vehicular traffic. "We introduced the mounted police unit during the parade. Total 13 horses have been purchased and the police unit will include one sub-inspector and assistant sub inspector each and 32 constables. PSI Sagar Shinde is the head of the unit," DCP Pranay Ashok told PTI later. "Horses in the unit can be used for crowd control during festivals and marches, at beaches and the rider can keep watch from a good height," he added. Platoons of the city police, Traffic Police, Riots Control Police (RCP), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), Coast Guard and others took part in the parade. Tableaux of different units, including the Mumbai Fire Brigade and the Indian Air Force (IAF), were also presented during the parade. The tableaux highlighted different issues, including social and environmental. Themes like 'Save Tiger' and 'Save Water' were presented through them. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Washington calls on Iraq to protect US embassy after third against the diplomatic facility this month. The US embassy in Baghdads heavily fortified Green Zone came under attack from rocket fire on Sunday evening. Five rockets crashed into a riverbank near the embassy in the Iraqi capital without causing any injuries, the US Joint Operations Command said in a statement, but AFP news agency citing a security source said three of the rockets directly hit the US embassy. One slammed into a cafeteria at dinner time, it added. If confirmed, the attack would mark the first time the complex had been directly hit in the third attack against the embassy this month. Caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi swiftly condemned the attack in a statement, calling it an aggression that could drag Iraq into becoming a war zone. In a statement, the United States urged Iraq to protect the embassy. We call on the Government of Iraq to fulfill its obligations to protect our diplomatic facilities, a State Department spokesperson said in a statement. Wathiq al-Hashemi, an Iraqi political analyst, told Al Jazeera that the attack was an embarrassment for the government of Abdul Mahdi, who resigned in November under pressure from Iraqs months-long protest movement demanding an overhaul of the countrys political system. Abdul Mahdis position is not one to envy. He had told armed groups to stop these kinds of attacks on the US embassy, but to no avail, al-Hashemi said. What is interesting to note is that the pro-Iranian militias have denied any role in this attack, saying they did not target the embassy and that it could have been other armed groups. I expect there will be a US response but it remains to be seen whether it will be a military one or not. Protesters killed Meanwhile, one protester was killed in Baghdad and another in the southern city of Nasiriyah as security forces tried to clear sit-in protest camps, medical sources told Al Jazeera. Scores of protesters were wounded. More than 500 demonstrators have been killed since the protest movement began in October, with rights groups accusing security forces of using excessive force. The protesters are demanding the removal of what they consider a corrupt ruling elite and an end to foreign interference in Iraqi politics. 200126145036467 Unrest resumed last week, after a lull of several weeks, following the January 3 US drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an Iraqi commander of the pro-Iranian Hashd al-Shaabi militia group. The killing, to which Iran responded with ballistic missile attacks on two Iraqi bases hosting US troops, has revived tensions in Iraqi politics and delayed the formation of a new government. Amid growing calls for an end to interference, the Iraqi Parliament on January 5 backed a nonbinding resolution for all foreign troops including 5,200 US soldiers to leave the country. University students shout slogans during the anti-government protests in Baghdad [Thaier al-Sudani/Reuters] Shia leader cancels march 200122102304977 Meanwhile, leading Shia leader Moqtada al-Sadr had called for renewed demonstrations against the US in Baghdad and other cities on Sunday but cancelled them with his office giving avoiding internal strife as the reason. On Friday, tens of thousands protested against the US military presence in Iraq in a march. Sadr, who has millions of supporters in Baghdad and the south, said on Saturday he would end his involvement in the anti-government unrest. Al-Sadrs supporters have bolstered the protesters and at times helped shield them from attacks by security forces and unidentified gunmen, but began withdrawing from sit-in camps on Saturday following his announcement. The Iraqi High Commission on Human Rights called on all sides to exercise self-restraint and keep the demonstrations peaceful. Additional reporting by Linah Alsaafin in Baghdad ADULT FICTION On Swift Horses by Shannon Pufahl: Muriel is newly married and restless, transplanted from her rural Kansas hometown to life in a dusty bungalow in San Diego. The air is rich with the tang of salt and citrus, but the limits of her new life seem to be closing in: She misses her freethinking mother, dead before Muriels 19th birthday, and her sly, itinerant brother-in-law, Julius, who made the world feel bigger than she had imagined. This novel has astonishing power it is one of love and luck, of two people trying to find their place in a country that is coming apart even as it promises them everything. ADULT NONFICTION Consider This: Moments in My Writing Life After Which Everything Was Different by Chuck Palahniuk: Renowned bestselling novelist Chuck Palahniuk takes us behind the scenes of the writing life in this fascinating examination of the power of fiction and the art of storytelling. DVD Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice: This Tribeca-screened music documentary chronicles the entire career of Linda Ronstadt, from her early days with folk trio the Stone Poneys in the mid-60s up through her retirement eight years ago passing through a variety of genres (and activist work for multiple causes) along the way. Much of the story is told via Ronstadts own narration, making for a wonderful experience. JUVENILE FICTION I, Cosmo by Carlie Sorosiak: What is an arthritic 13-year-old golden retriever to do when the human he loves the most asks him to compete in a dance contest? When his human, Max, comes up with a plan to win a freestyle contest to help save the family from falling apart, Cosmo knows that he has to help Max. Told from Cosmos perspective, this is a tale of family, loyalty and the most dogged kind of love. CHILDRENS PICTURE BOOK The Invisible Leash by Patrice Karst: After Zachs dog dies, his friend Emily tells him some great news: When our pets are not with us anymore, an invisible leash connects our heart to them, forever. This is a great way to guide your child through the loss of a pet. Did you know? Bring your kids to Story Time at Jacksonville Public Library at 10 a.m. or 3 p.m. Wednesday. We will be celebrating the birthday of acclaimed childrens author and illustrator Rosemary Wells by sharing some of her best-loved stories. Al Jazeera presenter Stan Grants family have been at the forefront of this renaissance in Aboriginal culture and language. Here he shares their stories. I grew up speaking a foreign language. A language brought to Australia on convict ships more than 200 years ago. A language imposed on my ancestors as they were pushed from their land, massacred, and stricken with disease. In the 1830s, martial law was declared on my people, the Wiradjuri of Central West New South Wales. My ancestors could be killed on sight. British settlers formed raiding parties to hunt down and round up Wiradjuri people. The remnants of these frontier wars were pushed onto Christian missions and reserves. Speaking their language, practising their culture or performing ceremonies was often banned. My people, like the languages they spoke, were expected to die out. Aborigines were deemed a dying race. Settlers spoke of smoothing the pillow of a dying race. When Australia became a nation in 1901, one of the founding fathers Alfred Deakin forecast that within a hundred years: Australia will be a white continent with not a black or even dark skin amongst its inhabitants. The Aboriginal race has died out in the south and is dying fast in the north and west . An Aborigines Protection Board was established, a body that exercised a fearsome power over Indigenous lives. The board oversaw restrictive segregation policies and could determine where my family lived, who we could marry, or whether we could keep our children. Stans family sometime around the 1830s [Photo courtesy of Stan Grant] Think white, act white, be white For much of the 20th century, a policy of mad race science was inflicted on the Aboriginal people. Assimilation as it was known aimed to breed out Aboriginal people. Its stated objective was that the Aboriginal people would be absorbed into the commonwealth. The policy was captured in a poster depicting a dark-skinned Aboriginal woman, her lighter-skinned daughter and her blond, blue-eyed grandson. From black to white in three generations. Light-skinned mixed-race children were often taken from their families to break the links of culture and kinship. Every Indigenous family I know has been touched by what we call the Stolen Generations. My great-aunt was taken from her parents and sent to a dormitory for Aboriginal girls where they would be trained to work as domestic servants for white families. It was hoped they would marry white men and have whiter children. My aunt slept under a sign that read Think white, act white, be white. But in spite of it all, we did not die out. Aboriginal people regrouped on the fringes of towns, trapped in never-ending cycles of poverty and neglect. We survived. Our language did not. By 1963, when I was born, we spoke English, spiced with some words left over from our old times. When the British invaded Australia and claimed Aboriginal land, there were at least 250 distinct languages and more than 800 dialects. Today most are silenced. Of those that remain, 90 percent are considered endangered. The green shoots of language But Aboriginal people do not surrender so easily. My ancestors thrived in the land we now call Australia, for at least 65,000 years before Europeans came. A skeleton of a man, dated at 42,000 years old, is considered to be among the earliest evidence of human ceremonial burial. We are today, considered the oldest continuous civilisation on earth. The green shoots of language are poking through. It is part of a spiritual and cultural revival, the descendants of the First People speaking ancient languages again. My father has been at the forefront of this renaissance. When he was a boy, he saw his grandfather arrested and jailed when he spoke Wiradjuri to my father in the Main Street of our hometown. Fifty years later, my father was awarded an Order of Australia medal for saving his grandfathers language. What a remarkable journey. Greatest honour of my life My father lived a hard life. A black man in a country where being black could be a crime. He was denied access to a full education. He raised me and many brothers and sisters with the strength of his own hands. Like too many Aboriginal men, he was brutalised, beaten by police. But he never lost his belief in who he is. He never lost hope. He never lost the love and memory of his grandfather. In his late 50s, this man who had lived on the margins of Australia was approached by a white linguist, John Rudder, who was interested in salvaging the Wiradjuri language. Over the next 20 years, these two men wrote the first-ever Wiradjuri language dictionary, set up language teaching centres across Wiradjuri land, and established a postgraduate Wiradjuri studies programme with Charles Sturt University. Several years ago, my father was awarded a Doctor of Letters by the university for his work. His name is Stan Grant. It is the greatest honour of my life that I am named after him. We are still here Everything I am is because of him and my mother. Together they kept us strong and proud. They kept our family together. They kept our stories alive. They told me who I am. On Australia Day Invasion Day I think of them. I think of all of my family. I think of how we are still here. We are the truth that exposes the great lie of Australia. The British claimed our continent on the basis that it was terra nullius an empty land. They did not see the humanity that had always lived there. Australia thought we would die out. Thought we would be bred out. Absorbed and assimilated. Two hundred and fifty years after British sailor James Cook planted the British flag and took our land, we are talking back. In our languages. Rachel Lewis in Bitchmedia: Introducing her new Netflix series, The Goop Lab, Gwyneth Paltrow explains that Goop, the lifestyle brand she founded in 2008, is laddering up to one thingnamely, what she calls the optimization of self. She defines the phrase, saying, Were here one time, one life, like, how can we really like milk the shit out of this? The structure of the show is such that Paltrow, the face of Goop, and Elise Loehnen, Goops chief content officer and cohost of the Goop podcast, discuss wellness, mental health, and all things Goop-y. The camera flits between Paltrow and Loehnen sitting in the office and having discussions about depression, anxiety, trauma, and vaginal health with various experts and members of the Goop team (called goopers), a team made up very thin, very stylish people of a wide range of genders and races. The message is that everyone at Goop is out in the world every day, experiencing wellness and attempting to both bond with one another and fix themselves. The six-episode mini-series kicks off on a memorable note: In The Healing Trip, Paltrows team is offered the chance to travel to Jamaica to try mushrooms and heal together. They lie on patterned mats on the floor; a lot of white people hug and cry and deal with deep, traumatizing emotions. One jokes, Someone put a heart monitor on me! laughing in a way that seems as terrified as it is inspired. As the retreat wraps up, Loehnen tells the camera, This is not a typical workspace experience, although I kind of wonder if it wouldnt be incredibly therapeutic for workspace teams if you felt really safe and wanted to become even more intimate and connected with the people that you spend the majority of your day with. Encouraging coworkers not only to do drugs together, but to explore trauma en masse seems like an HR disaster waiting to happen. But in the world (or, rather, the career) of Goop, its just another day at the office. Likewise, watching the Goop team in the second episode, Cold Comfort, learn to breathe felt like watching a very quiet, very gentle hazing. (It was basically all of the symptoms of a panic attack, one female participant says.) The team does snowga together, a practice that basically involves a group of skinny, beautiful people standing in the snow in bathing suits and bare feet and doing yoga, their arms swaying from side to side before their bodies pivot into warrior pose. The fact that Goops leadership views these exercises as a fun bonding activity points to a position thats increasingly expressed by business experts but ignored by company leaders: Give your workers benefits and good salaries, and let them do their jobs. An April 2019 article in Fast Company asserts that Companies offer all sorts of benefits and extras to attract the most favored workers, from healthcare and stock options to free food. But all those perks come at a price: your freedom. More here. Crystal Geyser Natural Alpine Spring Waters bottled parent company, CG Roxane, LLC, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful storage of hazardous waste and one count of unlawful transportation of hazardous material on January 9th. Yet, to date, not one person has spent one night in jail for releasing thousands of gallons of arsenic into Californias wastewater system. Elemental arsenic and arsenic sulfate and trioxide compounds are classified as toxic and dangerous for the environment in the European Union under directive 67/548/EEC. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recognizes arsenic and inorganic arsenic compounds as group 1 carcinogens, and the EU lists arsenic trioxide, arsenic pentoxide, and arsenate salts as category 1 carcinogens. This extremely dangerous and potentially deadly practice of dumping the arsenic into the California ecosystem has essentially gone unpunished. The company earns nearly $50 million per year in revenue from its spring water but was slapped on the wrist, some might say, with a $5 million penalty for discharging arsenic tainted water back into the ecosystem. The legal problems started for Crystal Geyser when it sourced spring water from the Sierra Nevada Mountains nearly two decades ago. That water was and still is poisoned with arsenic as is much of the water in Western states. The company used sand filters to remove the arsenic. But in an effort to increase the filters effectiveness the company washed out the sand filters with chemicals, removing the build-up of arsenic, and releasing it into an outdoor holding pond. Yes, thats right folks. They filtered out the arsenic, and then put it right back into the ecosystem in a concentrated form. People Magazine published the news accompanied with a press release by the U.S. Attorney assigned to the case: To maintain the effectiveness of the sand filters, CG Roxane back-flushed the filters with a sodium hydroxide solution, which generated thousands of gallons of arsenic-contaminated wastewater. The company kept all of the arsenic in the holding pond for 15 years at which time it was told it would have to dispose of the arsenic-filled wastewater, a hazardous material which could kill people. But it was ultimately how the company disposed of the arsenic which got the private company into trouble with the government. According to the press release by the U.S. Attorney: The arsenic-contaminated wastewater was ultimately transported to a Southern California facility that was not authorized to receive or treat hazardous wasteAs a result, more than 23,000 gallons of the wastewater from the Arsenic Pond allegedly was discharged into a sewer without appropriate treatment. The corporate crime has largely gone unpunished as no single employee has been held criminally responsible for enriching the naturally-occurring arsenic levels in the wastewater and releasing all 23,000 gallons into the sewer. With a fine as low as $5 million, a fine which could be disputed at a later date presumably with a new trial, the company could conceivably be laughing all the way to the bank. To put it into a different perspective, if a citizen had poisoned the Californian wastewater with arsenic, that person, if convicted, would spend the rest of his life in jail convicted of domestic terrorism, conspiracy, and a whole host of other crimes. The fact no one is going to prison serves to illustrate how corporate free passes work. Thats right America. A company who promises to give you the cleanest, purest, mountain spring water, took out the good stuff, sold it to you for a profit, then dumped the poisons found in the water right back into the wastewater system and no one went to jail, no one paid a high price, and the privately held company will just keep on getting wealthier at the publics expense. Chicago, Jan 26 : A study of Northwestern University (NU) found that bacteria living in household dust can spread antibiotic resistance genes, and the researchers believe these genes could potentially spread to pathogens, making infections more difficult to treat. Bacteria can share many different types of genes as long as the genes have mobile segments of DNA. NU researchers were the first to find that antibiotic resistance genes in dust microbes have mobile capabilities, the Xinhua news agency reported. "We observed living bacteria have transferable antibiotic resistance genes," said Erica Hartmann, an assistant professor of environmental engineering in NU's McCormick School of Engineering. Although it is rare for pathogens to live in indoor dust, they can hitchhike into homes and mingle with existing bacteria. "A nonpathogen can use horizontal gene transfer to give antibiotic resistance genes to a pathogen," Hartmann explained. "Then the pathogen becomes antibiotic resistant." "Microbes share genes when they get stressed out," Hartmann said. "They aren't equipped to handle the stress, so they share genetic elements with a microbe that might be better equipped." Hartmann recommends dusting with a damp cloth instead of using antimicrobial solutions, which can make bacteria more resistant to antibiotics. The study was published Thursday in the journal PLOS Pathogens. Temple University professor and novelist Liz Moore says her new book, Long Bright River, is her first Philadelphia book. The Framingham, Mass., native has lived here for years but says she doesnt begin writing about a place unless she feels theres nothing else she wants to write about. That place was Kensington, where Moore has been volunteering since 2009, teaching writing classes to women at St. Francis Inn, the long-running Kensington soup kitchen and shelter. The neighborhood, neglected for years and plagued with drug use and violence, compelled her. "Any time a writer of fiction spends time in a very complicated place, she said at an event at the Parkway Central Library last month, you want to write about it. The resulting novel tells the story of two sisters raised in Kensington. The elder, Mickey, patrols the neighborhood as a Philadelphia police officer, while Kacey, addicted to heroin for years, is struggling to survive on its streets. When a murderer begins targeting women in the area and Kacey goes missing Mickey embarks on a desperate search for her sister, and the killer. Moore spoke with The Inquirer in mid-January about the neighborhood, her characters, and setting a book amid a real-world crisis. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. What first brought you to Kensington? Ive always volunteered in various capacities, ever since I was a kid. I think its always been ingrained in me that giving money is important when possible, but giving time is also important. I first got involved in Mighty Writers [the nonprofit that offers after-school writing classes to Philly schoolchildren] when I first got here, and I wanted to be able to teach. What I was doing professionally was writing and teaching creative writing, and I thought, where can I teach creative writing to adults in a way that would be beneficial? I already was interested in Kensington, having visited there and written a couple of nonfiction pieces about it. I emailed [the soup kitchen] St. Francis Inn and asked [about starting a workshop], and I started visiting them. Im not doing it at this very moment, because of the book tour and parenting and teaching, but when the book tour is over, I hope to return to it. What drew you to writing about Kensington and Philadelphias opioid crisis? I was always writing about the neighborhood. Its just that most of this writing was private at first. I spent a lot of time thinking about whether I wanted to do it, and whether I could do it in a way that felt meaningful, respectful, and accurate. Im not from Kensington, and Im not even from Philadelphia. It takes me a very long time of living in a place where I feel equipped to venture into a novel-like work. It took six years after I went to Kensington for me to start thinking I wanted to, or even could do, or should try to do. Im very interested in family dynamics all of my books have difficult family situations at the center of them and this ones no different. Its being positioned as a thriller or literary suspense. But what initially sparked my interest in it was the family at the heart of it. The conflicts between the different members of the family felt similar to a lot of conflict that has existed in my own family, within and outside the realm of addiction. Any time I make the decision to write a book, I know its going to take me four years, and I know it has to be propelled by some deep emotional urge. Theres certainly a small autobiographical spark, like for all my books. I benefit in certain ways from the protective veil that fiction has over it, so unlike photography, unlike even reporting, none of my characters are real people nor are they based on individuals Ive met. People who have long family histories in Kensington are protective of it, and for good reason. Im protective of the town I grew up in. My hope is that this book portrays Kensington in a way that feels respectful and also doesnt shy away from some of the ways that various systems have failed the neighborhood. What are your thoughts on how the city has handled the crisis in Kensington? I never write with a message in mind. I hope no one takes a moral from my story Ill leave it at that. For the record, I believe a supervised injection site should exist and I think medication-assisted treatment can be very useful. But in fiction, people can have all different opinions on these things and allow them to be problematic if they are. The way addiction is portrayed in popular culture is often inaccurate or stigmatizing. What responsibility do fiction writers have to accuracy when writing about real-world issues? As a writer of fiction, it would be nice to be able to say, Im going to write anything I want with no sense of obligation to the way society perceives certain issues. But I recognize that when people encounter fiction about addiction or fiction about a specific neighborhood, thats going to alter their perception of the real-life entity or concept theyre reading about. I attempted to be careful about the way the protagonists, Mickeys, thinking evolved on some of the trappings of addiction where at first, she may seem judgmental about it, and sort of self-righteous, and has this sense of moral superiority because her sister fell into addiction and she never did. By the end of the book, I think that that becomes more complicated, and the question of whos right and whos wrong flips back and forth several times. My hope is that if a reader recognizes some of their own thinking in Mickeys thinking at the start of the book, maybe their perception may be shifted slightly the way hers is at the end. The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV. Protesters set alight the lobby of a newly built residential building in Hong Kong on Sunday (January 26) that authorities planned to use as a quarantine facility for the coronavirus outbreak. Earlier in the afternoon, hundreds of Hong Kong citizens blocked roads leading to the public housing block in the Fanling district as anger increased over government plans to convert it into a quarantine zone. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the city climbed to six on Sunday. The fire was later put out by firefighters and the damage appeared to be confined to the lobby area. Hundreds of riot police also moved in, arresting at least one person. As fears about the virus outbreak intensify, calls have grown for Hong Kong's government to block the financial hub's border with mainland China to minimise the risk of infection. Hong Kong's government said on Sunday it will ban residents of China's Hubei province, where the new coronavirus outbreak was first reported, or people who have visited Hubei in the past 14 days from entering the city from Monday (January 27). Increasing internet and mobile network coverage has changed the way Tran Van Toan, a stock investor with 15 years experience in Hanoi, does business. Toan said the sight of people flocking to stock exchanges to place orders every day was rare. It had been replaced with online transactions, which have many advantages. We investors can read corporate financial reports and world news on our smartphones anywhere before making investment decisions, Toan said. Toan is one of many investors taking advantages of the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0), which is changing Vietnams economy, including the stock market. Investors now conduct transactions online and brokerages can share information with their customers through Facebook, Zalo and Viber, instead of meeting clients in person. However, insiders said that although Industry 4.0 helps investors easily access corporate information, it doesnt mean its easy to earn money. Investor Nguyen Van Ngoc said there was now a lot of information for investors, but it was not always accurate requiring investors to filter information from various sources. The more advanced technology, the more spam. Stock investment is a long-term business. The investors need to evaluate the situation before investing. If we invest in a company whose information has been already published, it comes to nothing, Ngoc said. There are many excellent investors who have experience and financial knowledge on the stock market, seeing investing as a profession. Ngoc said investors previously earned a lot of money from the stock market because many people did not know much about the market but still invested. Today, there are many stocks available, but also many investors, creating fierce competition." The competition means that brokers too have to up their game. According to Nguyen Duy Dinh, a customer service employee at the MB Securities Company, information between brokers and investors had been shared quickly thanks to new technology, however, brokers would have to be more active in seeking, searching and filtering information for investors. The brokerage requires intelligence, which is key to competing with other companies, Dinh said. In Vietnam, investors are heading to securities companies which have modern technology and giving preferential policies on transaction fees. There are about 80 securities companies operating in the country, of which the 10 largest occupy 70 percent of the market. Nguyen Xuan Truong, deputy head of the product management division at the Tan Viet Securities JSC, said Industry 4.0 had created many challenges requiring securities companies to change. They needed to catch up with and take advantage of modern technologies, like artificial intelligence, Big Data and Internet of Things. In the online environment, Truong said information security must be a priority. In addition, the securities companies had to prepare financial and human resources to modernise and digitalise their operations. Insiders said that Industry 4.0 helped securities companies cut costs and have more opportunities for investment, however it also meant brokers and analysts could be replaced with computers and robots. If Industry 4.0 is applied soon, it will help companies gain considerable advantages in the market, Truong added./. Probably no one will be crying for the tired senators, who get to come and go when they want and do as they please for the vast majority of American history save these rare moments. The first presidential impeachment trial lasted more than two months. The second, Bill Clintons, went for five weeks. McConnell is trying to wrap up Trumps in less than two weeks, but even one was enough to turn one of the worlds most esteemed legislative institutions into a sleepover camp of clumsy, cranky, anxious, dozy captives of history and the Constitution. P riti Patel has insisted the UK "will be diverging from the European Union after Brexit, despite the bloc warning this could rule out a free trade deal. But the Home Secretary said there is no disagreement in government at all that that there will be divergence from the bloc's rules. There is no disagreement in Government at all, we are clear we are leaving. We will be taking back control of our laws, our money, our borders, she told Skys Sophie Ridge programme on Sunday. European Parliament Brexit chief Guy Verhofstadt has warned a trade deal is in jeopardy without divergence / AP In terms of divergence, we are not having alignment. We will be diverging. We want to take control of our laws, money and our borders. Mr Verhofstadt, the EUs Brexit coordinator, said last week: "I think both sides have an interest to be very ambitious. But how far this will go is very difficult to say because it will depend on what the willingness is of the UK side to also comply with a number of standards in the European Union. Asked on the outcomes if Britain does not sign up to such stipulations, he said: "It will be very difficult to have a broad free trade agreement at that moment. It comes after the prime minister officially signed the Brexit withdrawal agreement, which he hailed as a symbol to move forward as one country. It gained Royal assent from the Queen on Thursday and European leaders will vote to approve it next week. The prime minister has vowed to secure a trade deal by the end of 2020, when the 11-month transition period that opens after the UK formally leaves on January 31 ends. However, the EU has repeatedly said the period is too short to guarantee a comprehensive trade arrangement. - Kutuny said Tanga Tanga leaders will only be genuine in their support for the Raila backed BBI report if they apologise for hurling insults at him - He has accused the leaders allied to DP Ruto of claiming that Raila is using witchcraft to gain favour in the eyes of President Uhuru - Kutuny's remarks also raised eyebrows of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission - When Senator Murkomen took to the podium, he referred to Raila as "Baba wetu" and this saw him get overwhelming applause from the crowd - Earlier, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria claimed the government was not respecting court orders as a result of witchcraft influence from Raila Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny has accused section of leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto of not being genuine in their support for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report. Speaking on Saturday, January 25, Kutuny said the leaders were exercising doublespeak singling out Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen who during his addresses, showered Raila Odinga with praises beside supporting calls for a referendum. READ ALSO: Murkomen aongoza Tangatanga kuimba wimbo wa 'Baba' na BBI Mombasa Kutuny said Tanga Tanga leaders will only be genuine in their support for the Raila backed BBI report if they apologise. Photo: Joshua Kutuny. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Nobody can stop reggae: Raila Odinga says BBI, referendum unstoppable According to Kutuny, the Tanga Tanga brigade needed to have first apologised for hurling insults at the ODM leader which include associating him with the practice of witchcraft. "Today they have come here and told us that Baba is baba (Raila), but I have not heard them ask for forgiveness for calling him mganga (witchdoctor). Some of them claimed that baba has used witchcraft on President Uhuru Kenyatta. However, my question is if baba uses witchcraft, does it heal or not? Let them not drink wine and preach water. I now want to ask them to look for Raila and ask for forgiveness for them to be able to work together with us," Kutuny said as the crowd cheered. READ ALSO: Kakamega: Disabled boy abandoned by mother walks 3km to admit self to Form One without fees READ ALSO: Mombasa: Kongowea market on fire His remarks came shortly after Murkomen was applauded for acknowledging Raila as "Baba wetu" (our father) and also threw his weight behind calls for a plebiscite during his address at Mombasa based Mama Ngina Grounds. "Baba wetu (our father) I want to assure you that we support this report. This is a manifestation Kenya has united. What we have proposed which includes having a prime minister and his deputy, we must have a referendum," Mukomen said. Section of netizens who reacted to Kutuny's remarks described them as sentiments aimed at clawing back on the gains of the Uhuru-Raila handshake and its brainchild, the BBI report. Among those who took issue with the views was Kenya Films and Classification Board (KFCB) boss Ezekial Mutua who said the best that Kutuny's remarks could achieve was dividing Kenyans. "Peace loving Kenyans should condemn and reject the divisive and confrontational tone in the @TheRealBBI debate such as what is being championed by people like Kutuny. BBI is for uniting the nation, not dividing people," Mutua tweeted. The remarks also raised eyebrows of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) which said the views bordered incitement. "However, the commission is concerned with Hon. Kutuny's speech that bordered incitement and is causing discomfort among Kenyans," NCIC said in a tweet. Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly. Kenyan woman forces traffic police officer out of her car | Tuko TV. Source: TUKO.co.ke Jason Reed is a student at the LSE. He is Deputy Editor of 1828. The storming general election triumph may have concealed a real electoral problem for the Conservative Party, which will bubble to the surface with little subtlety in years to come: its young people problem. The Labour youthquake in 2017 nearly put Jeremy Corbyn in Number 10. This time around, the attention given to new Tory voters in former Labour heartlands skirts what could become the defining electoral issue in the foreseeable future. Age is by far the strongest predictor of how someone will vote in UK elections. A mere 21 per cent of those aged 18-24 voted Conservative last month, versus over two thirds of over 70s. For every 10 years younger a person is, their chance of voting Tory increases decreases by around nine per cent. The Conservative Party urgently needs to take some simple steps to refresh its image and reinvigorate its youth wing in order to make itself more palatable to young people. Social media James Cleverly is that rare thing; a politician who knows how to make effective use of social media. His Twitter presence rivals even Liz Trusss Instagram (the highest conceivable compliment in this field). He avoids the admittedly delightful dweebishness of some of his colleagues and seems to have cracked the online code of balancing serious point-making with top-notch memes. His winning formula of earnest statements and good-natured joshing should be applied to the Conservative Partys social media strategy as a whole. Combined with the ensuing blitz in targeted advertising, we may finally see some worthy rebuttals to those offensively incompetent Momentum campaign videos, which plunge terrifying new depths of economic illiteracy and often remain largely unchallenged. Young Conservative members and potential members must see in our party an organisation with which they are proud to be associated. Since social media is so often a primary means of political engagement for young people, a comprehensive online strategy is of the utmost importance. Poor use of social media is a sure-fire way to send them running. We must make ourselves seem both competent and attractive; professional yet welcoming. Engagement with emerging groups Where official Conservative presence has been lacking, young members have often taken up the initiative to mobilise among themselves. Organic movements include campaign group Students for Brexit, neoliberal platform 1828 (of which I am deputy editor) and the so-called Tory youth trade union Blue Beyond. These are in addition, of course, to existing party-affiliate groups with a strong youth presence, such as Conservative Young Women and LGBT+ Conservatives. It is imperative that the party now seeks to engage with these groups, rather than attempting to supplant them even those who currently carry no official party affiliation. It must be made clear to these self-made activists that there is a place for them within the party. These people have invested their own time and effort into crafting grassroots movements espousing Conservative values. Those among them who are already Tory members must be made to feel appreciated, and the remainder should be shown just how amiable and energetic a community the Conservative party is. University societies Labour Students, the group recently dissolved by Momentum founder Jon Lansman, was a vibrant university campaign group, entirely distinct from Young Labour. The Conservative Party does not necessarily need a similar organisation dedicated solely to students, but university campuses remain chronically underused as a vehicle for mobilising young Tories. At present, university groups such as the LSE Conservative Society (of which I am treasurer) are forced to operate independently of the party. Allowing university societies to seek affiliation to the party would help enormously by gifting them a degree of legitimacy since they broadly operate under the Conservative banner regardless. Being an official part of the party would facilitate more effective collaboration with local associations and aid the creation of a truly pertinent Conservative presence on campuses. Decentralisation The raison detre of the relatively young Blue Beyond group, at least partially, is to provide a networking space for young Tories who move outside the usual circles; predominantly, those who do not live within walking distance of SW1A and may therefore find it more difficult to attend Party events and generally be proactive in their membership. Last years travelling leadership contest hustings, in which the party pitched its tent in sixteen locations across the country, should be the rule, not the exception. The Conservative Party has over 160,000 members, very few of whom live in Westminster. The majority who reside elsewhere must be made to feel just as engaged with the party as those who live inside the bubble. Our party must be accessible to all. Local association youth branches Of course, party infrastructure already exists across the country in the form of local associations. The creation of youth branches of those associations, however, has been frustratingly slow. Data is hard to come by, but the last official update in March placed the number of youth associations at over 100. That still leaves hundreds of constituencies lacking an active youth wing, which can prove a significant obstacle to young members becoming involved with their local party. It only takes a few budding young Tories in a constituency to get a youth association up and running. The party leadership should engage in a conscious and concerted effort to encourage and aid the creation of new such branches, including equipping young leaders with the resources and skills necessary to coalesce effectively, organise events, canvass, hold recruitment drives, and so on. These youth associations will also, of course, prove very useful when 2024 rolls around and there is a need for leaflet-brandishing pavement-pounders. Youth Minister Sara Britcliffe, the new MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden and the youngest member of the parliamentary Conservative Party recently joined former party vice-chair Ben Bradley in endorsing the idea of a Minister for Youth. Such a role existed between 2009 and 2014, as a Parliamentary Secretary role in the Cabinet Office. Reviving this portfolio and, crucially, allowing its holder to work efficiently across departments would send out a strong signal that this new Conservative government cares about young people. All six of these points are entirely within reach. None are especially expensive or time-consuming. When we find ourselves having to win the country over once again in 2024, which will come around much faster than we think, having a youth wing that feels valued and is sufficiently energised might just swing the balance, especially when it comes to that critical youth vote. Martin Macwan explaining Constitution house Madhusudan Mistry Bezwada Wilson A senior Congress leader, considered close to interim party president Sonia Gandhi, has suggested a way out of the current impasse on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which is being opposed across India for making religion as the basis for providing citizenship to the persecuted minorities from three neighbouring countries -- Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Referring to the CAA provision that identifies religious minorities from the three countries -- Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, Christians -- for providing citizenship, Madhusudan Mistry, Congress MP, Rajya Sabha, told a well-attended Dalit rights meet off Ahmedabad that, an amendment should be introduced to remove the names of these religions. "In place of that, the words that could be introduced are 'persecuted minorities'," he said. "This is my personal view", he later told Counterview.Pointing out that the only other option before the Government of India is to abrogate CAA or face the ire of those opposing it, Mistry, who has long worked as a civil society leader in the eastern tribal belt fighting for Adivasis' rights before joining politics in Gujarat, and has fought Lok Sabha election from Vadodara against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said, "To believe that only specific religious minorities of those countries are facing persecution is travesty of truth."According to him, oppressed sections, irrespective of religious persuasion, face worst type of persecution in these as well as other countries. Those facing persecution include human rights activists, and there is no reason why they should be ignored while offering Indian citizenship. The only purpose of coming up with CAA was to bring about a division on religious lines between Hindus and Muslims, he added.The meet was called at the Dalit Shakti Kendra (DSK) in Sanand taluka of Ahmedabad district, where colourful wooden Constitution houses measuring 8 inches X 6 inches X 6 inches were released for distribution among 2,000-odd Dalit activists, gathered from across India and Gujarat to discuss the impact of CAA, National Population Register (NPR) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) on marginalised communities.With basic provisions of the Indian Constitution printed on all the four walls of the wooden structure, the aim of the meet was to propagate their fundamentals relating to equality before law, irrespective of religion, caste, creed, race, language or gender, at a time when protests are taking place across India calling CAA, NPR and NRC anti-constitutional. The word Equality is embossed at the gate of the Constitution house, conceptualised by Martin Macwan, Dalit rights leader and founder of Navsarjan Trust.Speaking on the occasion, a human rights activist from Assam, which has become the hub of anti-CAA protests, told the Dalit participants that her interaction with many of the protesters at the Shaheen Bagh in Delhi made her realise that majority of those who are opposing CAA, NPR and NRC with copies of the Preamble, photos of Dr BR Ambedkar and the tricolour do not know what is there in the Constitution.Macwan's Constitutional house, she said, would help activists like her to explain in simple words the basics of the Indian Constitution to the people, and how CAA, NPR and NRC fall outside its framework. Representatives from dozen-odd other states at the meet took a similar view, stating, the wooden structure, prepared in 22 languages, would be handy in making protesters as also people in general realise why CAA-NRC-NPR contradict the Constitution.Explaining the need for the Constitutional house, Macwan said, instead of writing a long article, the DSK and Navsarjan team had created the wooden structure to explain the basic tenets of the Constitution in simple words. Prepared the guidance of Ambedkar, who studied the legal frameworks of France, America and Britain, apart from other countries, the Indian Constitution adopted the best that is available across the globe for the Indian context.The idea of the Constitution house, he said, came after he found that while people, especially Dalits, did know that the Indian Constitution had been authored by Ambedkar, they have no idea about what it was it about and what it said. He added, it is extremely important for people to know the basics of the Constitution. If they know what's written in it, they will themselves begin their struggle against the injustice meted out to them.Speaking on the occasion, prominent Gujarat jurist Jyotsna Yagnik, former special trial judge for Gujarat's famous 2002 Naroda Patiya massacre case, said that the Constitution, and not individual rulers, should decide the rule of law, insisting on the need to help the marginalized communities with free and competent legal aid. Minar Pimple, who has been associated with top world NGOs Oxfam and Amnesty International, stressed on the need to take the Constitution house not just to the people but also police stations.Magsaysay award winning anti-manual scavenging campaigner Bezwada Wilson told the meet that the Constitutional provisions, as conceptualised by Ambedkar, and not by one person, should decide the future of the country. Regretting that, in practice, the Indian rulers were still following the ancient treatise Manusmriti, which legalised casteism, he said, if the Constitution was the sure guide to freedom, Manusmriti seeks to make people slaves.One can see how this is happening, he noted. Those speaking for azadi or freedom were being arrested and dissent was being crushed. The basic spirit of the Constitution, of freedom of expression, was being undermined. There was a need to go to the streets to defend the Constitution. The Prime Minister and the President should realise that they are equal citizens of the country and are not law and the Indian Constitution.--- GREENWICH New Lebanon School hosted its first Zumba Night on Thursday, bringing the community together for fun-filled high energy workout for adults and kids. Participants danced the night away with Latin dances salsa, mambo, merengue and samba. Britain Huawei FILE - In this Oct. 31, 2019, filer photo, a man uses his smartphone as he stands near a billboard for Chinese technology firm Huawei at the PT Expo in Beijing. British and American officials are meeting as U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government prepares to decide on whether there's a future for Chinese equipment maker Huawei in the country's next-generation telecom networks, his spokesman said Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) BERLIN (AP) Germany's interior minister is suggesting that his country can't build a 5G mobile network without Chinese tech giant Huawei, at least for now, intervening in an issue that has caused tensions between the U.S. and its allies. Washington has been pressuring its allies to ban Huawei, the world's biggest supplier of telecom gear, from new 5G networks. It alleges that the company poses an espionage threat. Germany, however, has decided not to ban Huawei from competing for contracts to build the countrys 5G networks, instead agreeing that companies must meet strict standards, which still could end up excluding the Chinese firm. Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, Germany's top security official, was quoted Saturday as saying he is against taking a product off the market just because there is a possibility that something might happen. Seehofer said Germany must be protected against espionage and sabotage, but estimated that shutting out Chinese providers could delay building the new network by five to 10 years, the daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported. I don't see that we can set up a 5G network in Germany in the short term without participation by Huawei, Seehofer told the newspaper. New Delhi: From a contingent of women bikers of CRPF performing daredevil stunts and participation of a 'tri-service formation' at the Republic Day parade, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying homage to the fallen soldiers at National War Memorial, the Republic Day celebration at the national capital today would witness many firsts. Marching for the first time in the Republic Day parade will be the contingent of the Corps of Army Air Defence. It will be followed by the Combined Band of Bengal Engineers Group and Centre, Brigade of Guards Training Centre, 3 Electronics and Mechanical Engineers Centre and Madras Regimental Centre. Anti-Satellite Weapons (ASAT) from Mission Shakti, the Dhanush artillery, the newly-inducted Chinook heavy lift and Apache attack choppers would be at display for the first time during the parade at the majestic Rajpath. Live TV In a first, a contingent of women bikers of CRPF will perform daredevil stunts. The contingent will be led by Inspector Seema Nag, who will be seen saluting while standing atop a moving motorcycle. It is for the first time that a "Tri-service formation" is taking part in the Republic Day parade. It will be followed by the `Vic` formation of Chinook helicopters, used for airlifting diverse loads to remote locations. Breaking from the tradition, Prime Minister Modi will pay homage to the fallen soldiers at the newly built National War Memorial (NWM) at the India Gate, instead of Amar Jawan Jyoti, here on Sunday morning prior to participating in the 71st Republic Day celebrations. The NWM, which was inaugurated in February last year by PM Modi, has been built in memory of the soldiers who laid down their lives for the country post-independence. : A 36-year-old woman was allegedly gang-raped after being abducted from her house in a village near Khammam in Telangana, police said on Sunday. Two persons went to the woman's house on Friday night and took her to a nearby cotton field after threatening her, the police said. Her husband was asleep in another room when the abduction took place, they said. Upon reaching the field where there were five more men waiting, three of them allegedly raped the woman. The gang fled after seeing a police patrol approaching, they said. Based on the victim's complaint, a case has been registered against the seven and a search was on to catch them, the police said. The victim and the accused, all in their mid-20s, belong to the same community, police added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mumbai: Actress Pooja Bedi's daughter Alaya F feels her colleague Ananya Panday doesn't have a good answer on nepotism. Alaya will be making her debut in Bollywood with "Jawaani Jaaneman", which stars Saif Ali Khan and Tabu. In a chat show, she was asked about the one thing she has that Ananya doesn't. To which, she said: "Ananya Panday doesn't have a good answer on nepotism but I do." Talking about her contemporaries, Alaya said: "I look at all my contemporaries career graphs, every single one of them." Sharing her fondness for Kartik Aaryan, Alaya said: "I wouldn't mind doing a steamy scene with Kartik Aaryan after watching the steamy scene between him and Sara in the Love Aaj Kal' trailer." Asked about her reaction if she found Kartik in her bed, she said: "I wouldn't be surprised if I woke up and found Kartik Aaryan in my bed." Alaya also mentioned that she is prepared to tackle all the questions on her relationships. "I am too simple to be single, I am too complicated to be in a relationship but I am just right to be in this industry," she said on Zoom's "By Invite Only" chat show. In the Kill Marry Hook-up' section, Alaya said: "I'd marry Varun Dhawan, hook up with Kartik and kill Ishaan Khatter". As for choices in the same gender, she said: "I'd marry Sara Ali Khan, hook up with Janhvi Kapoor and kill Ananya Panday." GRAND HAVEN, MI Cardboard sleds zipped and zoomed down the ski bowl at Mulligans Hollow during the 45th annual Winterfest on a mild Saturday, Jan. 25 in downtown Grand Haven. The main event of the lakefront winter celebration, spectators watched as sleds of all shapes and sizes, created mainly of cardboard and tape, whizzed by, some of them actually making it to the bottom of the hill. With a somewhat strict set of rules in place, all of the sleds, from a mail truck replica to the Ghostbusters Marshmallow man, a few tanks, a shark, a banana and many other creative designs, were inspected by the judges before the races commence. Dozens of sleds then competed in several heats as racers set out to crash their creations into the hay bales at the bottom of the hill. Four different awards were handed out in for the three racing divisions. The most spectacular sled received the Top o the Hill Award. The best details on a sled won the Vogue Award. The Spirit Award was handed out to the most spirited and/or best organized team. The last award, the Go Fast Award, was handed out to the fastest sleds on the hill. By IANS BAREILLY: Over 100 women have started a protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the proposed National Register of Citizens in Sambhal. The women protesting at Pakka Bagh Kheda in Nakhasa area raised slogans such as "Hum leke rahenge azadi, CAA se azadi, RSS se azadi, "Gandhi wali azadi" and are demanding rollback of the law. Local Samajwadi Party MP Shafiqur Rahman Barq, who visited the protesters, assured them of his support. He said, "the government wants to make Muslims second class citizens." Terming CAA and NRC "undemocratic" and "anti-Muslim", women members of local MLA Iqbal Mahmood's family have also joined the protest. Barq said the sit-in would continue until the Centre withdraws CAA. The Uttar Pradesh Police, on the other hand, have started detaining men who were present at the Clock Tower protest site in Lucknow since Saturday night. A heavy posse of policemen, armed with batons and rifles, surrounded the tower on Saturday evening and started picking up men later in the evening on the pretext that they were fomenting trouble. "They have started randomly picking up men and boys who were here to provide logistic support to the protesters. They are also picking up vehicles and towing them to the police station," said Smriti Gupta from the protest site. She alleged that the men who were shoved into the police van were also slapped and abused. Later, as the men were being detained by the police, the protesters began shouting slogans like, "save us from this government." The crackdown, according to official sources, is being done in view of the Republic Day celebrations on Sunday and also the upcoming Defence Expo that begins next week. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Vikas Chandra Tripathi said: "One woman and seven men have been taken into custody." He said that they were arrested because they were creating obstacles for the police. "They took out a procession without permission on Friday and we have filed an FIR against 10 named and 100 unnamed persons for it," he said. The DCP also said that the arrested persons included a young man from Jamia Nagar in Delhi who might have been trying to incite people. A heavy deployment of the Rapid ACtion Force (RAF) along with the local police has been made at the protest site. The protest at the Hussainabad Clock Tower in old Lucknow started on January 17 and has been led by women, with men mostly standing guard at the periphery. News Washington, DC - Each child is a gift from God who has boundless potential and deserves a fair shot at the American Dream. To have that fair shot, children and their families must be free to pursue an educational environment that matches their individual learning style, develops their unique talents, and prepares them with the knowledge and character needed for fulfilling and productive lives. During National School Choice Week, we ensure Americas brightest days are ahead by again committing to fighting for every students freedom to pursue the best possible education. Sadly, for decades, we have tolerated an education system that continues to fail too many children. At a time when our students need the skills to succeed in an ever-changing world, the Nations Report Card shows that about two-thirds of our children are not Proficient readers. That means nearly two out of three students are not where they need to be. Our great Nation can no longer accept a two-tiered education system in which opportunity is decided by a childs neighborhood. The success of future generations determines the success of our Nation. With school choice, we can ensure the underserved children of our Nation are forgotten no more. Education freedom helps inspire and educate students by providing a learning environment that best fits their unique needs, and it allows families to make choices based on their individual situations. A growing number of States and their communities are taking bold action to ensure all students, regardless of background or socioeconomic status, can receive a great education. I applaud State, local, and tribal leaders who are actively working to empower more families with educational choice. The expansion of school choice, including out-of-district public, charter, magnet, private, religious, home, and online education programs, has provided life-changing opportunities to millions of students. My Administration is protecting and building upon efforts to expand access to a wide range of high-quality education options. Today, I renew my call on the Congress to focus on what is best for children and pass a Federal tax credit to support State-based educational choice programs. Through this historic investment, more than one million more students will receive an education that meets their needs, all without taking a single dollar from Americas great public schools. I also renew the call for the Congress to expand and make permanent the highly successful D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program, which has achieved historic success under my Administration. Education can open any door. During this National School Choice Week, we are heartened by the many students whose lives have been changed by the freedom to make their own educational choices. And we are motivated to continue to advance educational choice by the millions who are still denied the opportunity to choose the educational path that best meets their needs. We challenge all lawmakers to work to ensure that every child has the opportunity to fulfill their potential and achieve the American Dream. NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 26 to February 1, 2020, as National School Choice Week. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fourth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth. DONALD J. TRUMP The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Boboye Oyeyemi has decried the carriage of containers by flatbed trailers without proper latching, on the highways, and has ordered the immediate impoundment of such vehicles by patrol teams. In a press statement made available on Twitter by the Corps Pubic Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, the FRSC boss said this is in a bid to get such dangerous trailers off the road. He said the Corps has secured a partnership with the Nigerian Ports Authority to ensure that such vehicles are not allowed to leave the ports in the first instance, unless on the condition of full compliance with the latching and with other maximum safety standards. According to the statement, Mr Oyeyemi said apart from the dangers to lives and properties when these containers fall on the highways or roads, they lead to unnecessary road obstruction, which cause undue hardship to motorists. Hence, in order to avert this and put a stop to further recurrence, the corps marshal directed the operatives of the corps to be on red alert and impound at sight, any of such trailers found in the act. READ ALSO: Mr Oyeyemi also revealed that the Corps will achieve this in a friendly collaboration with other law enforcement agencies. He beckoned on the public to take advantage of the National Traffic Radio 107.1 FM or the toll free 122 numbers to report any of such trailers seen on the highways without proper latching of containers. The National Traffic Radio numbers to call at all times were also given: 09067000015 and 0805 299 8090. Concerns Grow About Coronavirus Challenge By Saibal Dasgupta January 25, 2020 Chinese President Xi Jinping has earned the praise of U.S. President Donald Trump and other world leaders for his handling of the coronavirus outbreak, which has killed 41 people and sickened more than 1,200. The disease has spread to about 15 countries, including the United States, France and Canada. "China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus. The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi!" Trump said in a tweet Friday. The appreciation is the result of some impressive measures that include isolating nearly 40 million people across 18 cities and towns in the most affected province, Hubei. In two weeks, the government has requisitioned military doctors and has begun building two hospitals to house 2,300 patients in Hubei. Xi is also reaching out to world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, as part of an image management drive, because Chinese travelers are being named as carriers of the disease. He said China is ready to work with the international community to effectively curb the spread of the pneumonia cases caused by the new strain of coronavirus to uphold global health security. Still, there are rising concerns that the challenge the disease presents may be much bigger than is evident from official reports. Despite some energetic action from the central government in Beijing, there are questions about delayed responses since the disease surfaced in mid-December. Economic impact Addressing the concerns is important because of the risk that the disease might severely damage the Chinese economy. "Should the virus break out to a full-blown pandemic, it will certainly have a major impact on the economy," Max Zenglein, head of economic research at the Mercator Institute for China Studies in Berlin, told VOA. "At this stage, it is already likely to affect consumption- and travel-related services during China's major holiday season. A clear picture should emerge within the next two weeks when the country's economy returns to normal following the Chinese New Year," he said. Though Xi and other Chinese leaders have called for total transparency in reporting on the response to the virus, they also have made a point of emphasizing the need to "safeguard social stability." The idea is to avoid the public panic that can occur if available information paints a grim scenario. Officials in Wuhan city, where the highest number of infections has been reported, have punished eight people for wrongly reporting the situation on social media. This was seen as a signal to social media users not to challenge official information. "In general, the government is using the traditional Chinese Communist Party approach," Fu King-wa, associate professor at the University of Hong Kong's Journalism and Media Studies Center, was quoted as saying in media reports. The goal is "to control the information, to control the media, to control the narrative and to give the people the idea that the government is handling the issue." Disease features The disease is exhibiting some sinister features, suggesting the actual extent of infections may be much larger than the Chinese government has reported. Many of the patients have been found without such telltale symptoms as coughing, fever and pneumonia. They have had other symptoms, such as a sense of tightening in the chest, which could be confused with other ailments. China's National Health Commission is struggling to determine the right kind of guidance it can give to doctors for making diagnoses. Two of the five most recent cases of infection in Beijing have involved people who had no exposure to people from Hubei province. That has raised questions about whether there is another source. Different groups of scientists have suggested different animals, ranging from bats to snakes to mink, as the "reservoir" of the coronavirus. There also is an ongoing battle to come up with a vaccine, but this may take a long time. Millions of Chinese are traveling from their homes as part of the ongoing Spring Festival celebration. The extent of the infection rate could change as they begin to return home over the next four to five days, having mingled in crowds at bus stops, railway stations and airports. Transmission rates are highest in crowds. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New Ross character Richie Roche lived an alternative lifestyle and did it his own way New Delhi: In a major success on the eve of India's 71st Republic Day, security forces on Saturday killed three terrorists including a top Jaish-e-Mohammad commander Qari Yasir during an encounter in Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmir Zone Police confirmed the report stating, "Killed terrorists identified as Burhan Sheikh of Tral, Moosa @ Abu Usman & a top JeM commander Qari Yasir, both residents of Pakistan. As per police records involved in series of terror crimes including Lethpora blast & civilian killing." Killed #terrorists identified as Burhan Sheikh of Tral, Moosa @ Abu Usman & a top JeM #commander Qari Yasir both residents of Pakistan. As per police records involved in series of terror #crimes including Lethpora blast & civilian #killing. @JmuKmrPolice https://t.co/wNo111BdwR Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) January 25, 2020 The police claimed that Yasir was involved in 2019 Pulwama attack which claimed lives of at least 40 CRPF personnel. Live TV On Saturday, security forces received specific inputs about the presence of a group of terrorists at Hari-Pari area of Tral in Awantipora when they were fired upon by terrorists, triggering an encounter. Earlier on Saturday, Chinar Corps Commander Lt General KJS Dhillon said that security forces had averted a potential terror strike in Kashmir by Jaish-e-Mohammad militants on Republic Day on January 26. "A major (terror) incident being planned (by terrorists) for January 26 has been averted. Today morning (Saturday) we got information of some Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists who were planning to do some act of terrorism on January 26 in Tral. So, today morning an operation was launched which is still underway," Dhillon said at a press conference here. He said that the JeM module consisting of Pakistani terrorists was on the radar of the security forces for a few days. "Earlier, we neutralised one terrorist and lost two personnel. As per the operation of today, few of them (terrorists) have been eliminated, while three of our soldiers are getting treated for injuries at the Base Hospital," Dhillon added. He thanked the Jammu and Kashmir Police for providing information about the location of terrorists and added, "The top leadership of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and JeM has been eliminated from Kashmir Valley as of today." Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Vijay Kumar, who was also present at the press conference, said that the joint team of police, CRPF and Army had neutralised three terrorists, one of them being thought to be the JeM Kashmir chief. "Yesterday we zeroed in on three terrorists in a village. In a joint operation, the JK Police, CRPF and 3 RR have neutralised the three terrorists. As per our information, one of them is Qari Yasir, who is Jaish's Kashmir chief. We had received info that he was planning to carry out a big IED blast in Srinagar," Kumar said. I have learned a surprising amount about Bay Area radio stations over the last couple of weeks. For example, Bay Area listeners seem to have an insatiable appetite for 80s pop music. I have heard more Madonna and Michael Jackson lately than I have in about 30 years. Also, there seems to be a niche for old-school funk and soul. There are at least two stations that play this regularly, including one seemingly entirely devoted to it. And there is someone named Billie Eilish, who whispers surprisingly complex lyrics over techno beats and appears to be on every radio station all the time. Why do I know these things? No, it is not because I have a new radio, or have been on some kind of journey of musical discovery. Rather it is because I am desperately, frantically, passionately scanning the dial trying to avoid hearing any of the impeachment proceedings. Normally, I listen pretty reliably to National Public Radio, KQED or Capital Public Radio, in my car. Sometimes at my desk, Ill crank up the hip alt-rock station KCRW from Los Angeles. But lately, all of these channels are doing gavel-to-gavel coverage of the hearings and now the trial in the impeachment. It is making me insane. It is not because I am not interested I do read the coverage in various major national publications and the wire coverage that we and other local publications are running. From the editor: One is plenty, thanks One special counsel report is more than enough for me, thank you very much. Its just that I cant stand being transported back to Washington, D.C. My wife and I fled D.C. back in 2001 and moved to California, almost on a whim. I had been covering Congress for a number of years, including the impeachment of President Clinton. As I have recounted a couple of times before, that was not a pleasant experience. Theres much to recommend in Washington. The pace of life is relatively sedate, at least compared with metropolises such as New York or Boston. The restaurant scene is improving every day. The city itself is lovely, particularly in the spring, when the warm air brings out a riot of cherry blossoms. There was, however, only so much of it we could take. Because it is the center of power, the people in D.C. tend to assume that everything they do is important, that every move they make is being watched. Theyre right up to a point they are being watched at every moment, but mostly by other people in D.C. Its not just elected officials who absorb this air of self-importance; it is staff, reporters, even people not in government at all. There are lots of good people working in and around D.C., but collectively the atmosphere is stifling, at least for me. From the Editor: When the world really is watching One of the more irritating things about covering politics in Washington is how self-absorbed the players tend to be. From early in my career, covering highly local government, I knew that the vast majority of Americans know very little, and care even less, about what is going on in the federal government. The weighty debates and high-stakes policy clashes inside the Capitol and White House, therefore, always rang a little hollow to me at best. At worst, they were insufferably self-centered. Weve been back to D.C. a few times over the years to visit family, and it was pleasant enough, but weve never had the faintest desire to return. Now, however, the impeachment drama is forcing Washington into my daily commute and into my regular work day. As a result, over the last couple of weeks, I have discovered that Id much rather have Billie Eilish and Michael Jackson in my car than Adam Schiff and Mitch McConnell. You can reach Sean Scully at 256-2246 or sscully@napanews.com. Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Women in labour are being refused epidurals amid concern that a 'cult of natural birth' in NHS hospitals is leaving rising numbers of expectant mothers in unbearable agony, it was reported last night. An investigation has found that hospitals are breaching official guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) by refusing requests from mothers-to-be for the pain relief. Some women have complained they were being told 'it's not called labour for nothing it's meant to be hard work'. Women in labour are being refused epidurals amid concern that a 'cult of natural birth' in NHS hospitals is leaving rising numbers of expectant mothers in unbearable agony (stock image) Last night, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told The Sunday Telegraph he would launch an investigation and ensure that women's choices would be respected. He added: 'Clinical guidance clearly states that you can ask for pain relief at any time before and during labour and as long as it is safe to do so this should never be refused. 'Women being denied pain relief is wrong, and we will be investigating.' Even though official guidelines from NICE state that women must be able to access pain relief when they request it, including epidurals, an investigation by The Sunday Telegraph identified six NHS trusts where women in labour pleading for pain relief were refused it. Data from NHS Digital also shows that the proportion of women in labour given pain medication such as epidurals had fallen from 67 per cent in the year 2008-09 to 61 per cent in 2018-19. Some women have complained they were being told 'it's not called labour for nothing it's meant to be hard work' (stock image) Last night Clare Murphy, from the Pregnancy Advisory Service, said: 'Pain management is not a nice-to-have optional extra for women giving birth it is an essential part of high-quality maternity care.' Jessica Cohen, 30, who gave birth to her first baby boy in 2018, told how hospital staff repeatedly refused to give her an epidural. Describing her experience at Homerton University Hospital, in East London, she said: 'When I first asked for an epidural they told me that I wasn't that far along, but when they checked I was about 10cm dilated. 'When I asked again, they told me I was too far along and that the baby would be here soon. 'After the anaesthetist came in, he said, "Why do you want an epidural? You're 10cm dilated, if you were my wife I wouldn't let you have an epidural."' Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: 'Matt Hancock needs to ensure all maternity units are following the recommendations on pain relief.' Format for print or mobile USA/Global: Green New Deal Can and Must Be Global AfricaFocus Bulletin January 27, 2020 (2020-01-27) (Reposted from sources cited below) Editors Note July 2019 was the hottest month ever recorded worldwide, as a wide swath of the continental United States sweltered with heat indexes of over 100 F. This northern hemisphere summer also saw unprecedented heat waves in Europe and in the Arctic, from Alaska to Siberia. Greenlands glaciers were melting at a unprecedented rate. Add in more frequent storms, flooding and wildfires, and the scale of the crisis is harder and harder to ignore, even in the United States, where climate denialism has been more prevalent than in any other major country. This AfricaFocus Bulletin is the second in a series exploring the potential for a paradigm shift from foreign policy to global policy in debate about the United States role in the world. Unlike most AfricaFocus Bulletins, the essays are not reposted material but original reflections in this U.S. presidential election year, co-authored by your editor and by experienced activist and policy analyst Imani Countess. Many AfricaFocus readers will know Imani from her previous work, but others will not, so a brief introduction is in order. Imani Countess is currently an Open Society Fellow working on economic inequality, and particularly the impact of illicit financial flows on Africa and how to mobilize pressure to curb U.S. involvement as a major player in this global unjust system. I first worked closely with Imani in 1991-1997 when she was executive director of the Washington Office on Africa and the Africa Policy Information Center and I was a part-time consultant working on policy analysis, writing, and electronic communication tools for the twin organizations. Since then, we have kept in touch and often collaborated on research and writing projects, as she has played key roles at the African Development Foundation, the American Friends Service Committee, TransAfrica Forum, and the Solidarity Center. She also currently serves as vice chair of the board of directors of ActionAid USA. Our goal in this writing project is not to lay out a comprehensive vision of U.S. foreign policy or U.S. policy toward Africa. It is rather to suggest that the time is ripe for re-visioning how we think about the U.S. role in the world, and that such rethinking is essential for any fundamental changes in policy towards Africa or towards any of the global issues on which Africa both suffers greatest vulnerability and has significant potential for leading global rethinking about solutions. Special thanks to Catherine Sunshine for her indispensable role in editing these essays. And thanks to the friends and colleagues who have provided helpful feedback as we have tried to put these ideas into words. To date these include Jim Cason, John Cavanagh, Gail Hovey, John Feffer, Zeb Larson, Prexy Nesbitt, Anita Plummer, Elizabeth Schmidt, and Brandon Wu. And thanks to other readers in advance for passing this on to friends and colleagues not likely to be subscribers to AfricaFocus, as well as for your own feedback on how to make such a shift in our collective discussions. The first part of the series, laying out the framework for the series is also being published today and is available at http://www.africafocus.org/docs20/usa2001.php. Green New Deal Can and Must Be Global by William Minter and Imani Countess* * William Minter is the editor of AfricaFocus Bulletin. Imani Countess is an Open Society Fellow focusing on economic inequality. This essay is the second in a multipart series beginning in January 2020. Thanks to Catherine Sunshine for her editing of the essays in this series. July 2019 was the hottest month ever recorded worldwide, as a wide swath of the continental United States sweltered with heat indexes of over 100 F. This northern hemisphere summer also saw unprecedented heat waves in Europe and in the Arctic, from Alaska to Siberia. Greenlands glaciers were melting at a unprecedented rate. Add in more frequent storms, flooding and wildfires, and the scale of the crisis is harder and harder to ignore, even in the United States, where climate denialism has been more prevalent than in any other major country. The Trump administration made its withdrawal from the global climate agreement official, but not before using its membership to block any meaningful progress at the 25th international climate summit in Madrid in December 2019. Nevertheless, the climate of opinion in the United States is shifting rapidly, spurred in part by the unprecedented wave of activism spearheaded by the youth-led Sunrise Movement. Public opinion polls show that a majority of registered US voters now favor the ambitious Green New Deal. New social movements have expanded the horizon for debate on other issues in recent years: #OccupyWallStreet and the 2015 Sanders campaign on economic inequality, #BlackLivesMatter on racial inequality, #MedicareforAll on the right to health, and #MeToo on gender equality, to cite only a few. Yet the #GreenNewDeal and the climate crisis are the issue with the most easily understood links between domestic and foreign components. In the twentieth century, mainstream U.S. environmental organizations paid little attention to environmental racism, despite research and activist pressure highlighting the unequal impacts of environmental damage along racial and class lines. In the twenty-first century, and particularly since Hurricane Katrina submerged New Orleans in 2005, public awareness has grown substantially. Todays climate activists are homing in on climate justice issues, emphasizing how the climate emergency hits the most vulnerable populations with greatest force. Existing inequalities by race, class, and gender make recovery from disasters more difficult for minority communities, the poor, and women. Women have fewer economic resources, face higher risks such as gender violence in disasters, and are left with greater responsibilities for care of children and the aged. And youth face a future with frighteningly greater climate risks. All of these inequalities are accentuated at a global level, as illustrated by events in 2019. Cyclone Idai struck Mozambique and neighboring countries in March 2019, leaving over 1,200 dead and some 2 million acres of crops destroyed by floods. Meanwhile, storms in the U.S. Midwest caused floods just as farmers were preparing to sow their fields. In each case the impact was devastating. Yet the toll was far greater in Mozambique, and the capacity to recover far less. Almost 150,000 people were displaced, and by the end of the year many were still in resettlement camps without permanent housing. In such contexts, in addition to the general misery, women and girls are particularly vulnerable to predators and opportunists. Cyclone damage in Buzi, Mozambique. Cyclone Idai, 2019. Credit: Mozambique National Institute for Disaster Management. The rich countries must step up The causal connection between climate change and extreme weather events is clear. The need for climate actions in both poor and rich countries is beyond dispute. These include mounting a sustainable response to crises, increasing resilience to the effects of climate change through adaptation, and rapidly accelerating action to cut greenhouse emissions from fossil fuels. Whose responsibility should this be? At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the first global climate agreement affirmed that much of the burden should be shouldered by the wealthy countries: The Parties should protect the climate system for the benefit of present and future generations of humankind, on the basis of equity and in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. Accordingly, the developed country Parties should take the lead in combating climate change and the adverse effects thereof. The global climate agreement signed in Paris in December 2015 reconfirmed that, while all countries have obligations to act, rich countries have special responsibility for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and coping with the impact of worldwide climate disasters. Unfortunately, the agreement itself which relies entirely on nonbinding voluntary pledges called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) does not include any provisions to ensure that rich countries meet this responsibility. According to analyses by civil society, rich country NDCs fall far short of what their fair share of global climate action should be. Despite this, Donald Trump insisted that the Paris Agreement was unfair to the United States. Although the Trump administration has formally confirmed U.S. withdrawal from the agreement, to be fully effective in November 2020, all U.S. Democratic presidential candidates are opposed to U.S. withdrawal. But the next major opportunity to commit formally to stronger global action will be at COP26 in November 2020, before a newly elected U.S. president could take office. In both its cumulative historical and current per capita emissions, the United States bears a major share of responsibility for the climate crisis. From the first use of industrial fossil fuels in 1750 through 2017, the United States contributed 399 billion tons of carbon dioxidealmost twice the 200 billion tons emitted by China. Germany, the United Kingdom, and India contributed 91 billion, 77 billion, and 49 billion tons, respectively, while the entire continent of Africa contributed only 43 billion tons (see the convenient summary charts from Our World in Data, a project of the Global Change Data Lab). In carbon dioxide emitted per capita, with the exception of oil-rich Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the United States also led the world in 2017, with 16.24 tons per person per year. Next in line were Japan with 9.45 tons, South Africa with 8.05 tons, and China with 6.98 tons. In contrast, most African countries, with the exception of major oil-producing countries, contributed less than half a ton per person per year. Whether it falls under the label of Green New Deal or not, any major advance in the United States to curb use of fossil fuels and accelerate the transition to renewable energy will have significant impact worldwide. For U.S. climate activists, the highest imperative is making an impact on U.S. policy. Yet it is also essential from the start to put that campaign in global context and to acknowledge the initiatives being taken by activists around the world. Grassroots climate actions Most climate activists have come to understand, at least in principle, that it is the most vulnerable groups that suffer the greatest impact from the climate crisis, whether their disadvantages come from nationality, class, race, gender, or age. This disproportionate impact is reflected in the leadership and rank-and-file of climate activist movements around the world. Women, particularly women of color and young women, are no longer only leaders behind the scenes, as they were in the civil rights movement and many other historical social moments. Instead they have become among the most prominent and visible spokespeople for climate change activism. African women activists have taken the lead in environmental struggles on the continent, such as the resistance to oil pollution in the Niger Delta and to the proposed coal plant in Lamu, Kenya. Greta Thunberg, 16, sits next to Tokata Iron Eyes, 16, during a panel at the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Photo: Courtesy of Lakota Peoples Law Project. Credit: http://earther.gizmodo.com. The climate strike initiated by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg has gained supporters on every continent, including North America and Africa. While Thunberg has the most visible media presence, countless other activists, many of them indigenous, have been leading protests in various countries for years. Native American communities in the United States have been on the frontlines in seeking to block oil pipelines, linking these struggles to their own centuries-long commitment to protecting land and water. Teenage Lakota activist Tokata Iron Eyes spoke with Thunberg at the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota in October 2019. Indigenous people have been leading this fight for centuries, Iron Eyes told the audience. Minimizing future climate damage depends on stopping the use of fossil fuels, most urgently coal. In China and the United States, as well as Western Europe, the decline of coal is well under way, a response to its inefficiency and the health damage from air pollution. But these major economies are also still financing and exporting coal technology. In June 2019, local activists in Kenya won a national court ruling that blocked a proposed Chinese- and American-backed coal plant in Lamu, on Kenyas coast. Significantly, this was the result of local activist initiatives in Lamu, bolstered by strong links with national and international climate activist groups. One of many #deCOALonize demonstrations in Kenya in recent years. "Coal ni sumu" means "Coal is poison." Credit: http://www.decoalonize.org/. Kenya is also one of the countries leading in innovative forms of renewable energy. Most popular is off-grid solar energy, which is now lighting homes for millions of rural consumers in Africa and South Asia who otherwise would have no access to electricity. Some 5 million households in Africa and South Asia have enough power to serve appliances as well as simple lighting. Growth is rapid, but the potential market of people lacking access to electricity worldwide is still over 800 million. International donors, including the US Agency for International Development (USAID), are supporting off-grid solar, although Obamas Power Africa Initiative primarily backed fossil fuel projects using natural gas. There is great potential for further innovation in renewables. For example, cooking with solar electricity instead of wood or charcoal could help curb deforestation and prevent deaths caused by pollution from indoor cooking fires. To accelerate innovation, there is a need for collaborative transnational research that links technologically advanced countries with local researchers. A solar-powered lamp allows this shopkeeper to stay open at night. Credit: Solarworks! Implications for multilateral and bilateral foreign policy If the United States were to give priority to the climate crisis, this would not only have implications for global climate policy; it would also affect our foreign policy more narrowly defined, reshaping bilateral relations with both large and small countries. The effect of activist mobilization and lobbying is already apparent in the Democratic debate, with the campaign plans of both Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren being particularly attentive to international obligations. When the Sunrise Movement decided this month to endorse Bernie Sanders, its statement also praised Elizabeth Warren, and its scorecard rated both candidates highly. Both candidates recognize that global commitments are essential to their visions of a Green New Deal. Sanders's plan envisages a $200 billion commitment to the UNs Green Climate Fund, while Warrens plan includes $100 billion for a Green Marshall Plan. Climate activists realize, of course, that implementing such ambitious plans will require not only presidential action but also parallel legislation from Congress. They already have congressional allies, who have introduced legislation affirming a 10-year commitment to fund the Green Climate Fund at levels appropriate to the international need. But the fate of such legislation, and its funding at a level approaching either Sanderss or Warrens proposals, depends on changing the composition of Congress. That is why activists are campaigning not only for Democratic victories in the Senate and the House, but also in the primaries for candidates who are champions of action on climate. In bilateral relations as well, taking climate into account would have consequences. For example, the effects of Trumps trade war have increased the costs of renewable energy goods dependent on U.S.-China trade. As rival global powers, the United States and China will inevitably have tensions in their relationship. But the potential for collaboration on renewable energy could be a strong countervailing force and a striking contrast to U.S.-Chinese collaboration on the climate-destroying Lamu coal plant. Corporations and scientists in different countries often collaborate even as they compete, and government policies can make working together either easier or harder. Among various factors that could put the brakes on a warming planet, few are as critical as a cooperative relationship between the U.S. and China, as noted by Wood Mackenzie Energy Transformation Outlook in August 2019. Similarly, a comprehensive U.S. strategy aimed at curbing the use and production of fossil fuels in favor of renewable energy could lessen the intense geopolitical focus on Middle Eastern oil producers such as Saudi Arabia. This could potentially ease, though by no means solve, the complexities of that region. Unlike fossil fuels, whose distribution rewards some countries and penalizes others, renewable energy options such as solar and wind are more evenly distributed around the world. Moreover, when one country makes more use of sun and wind, it benefits the entire world as well. Mutually beneficial transfer of technology could take priority over competing for sales and access to fossil fuels. Admittedly, smart green growth, with its heavy reliance on information and communication technologies, also makes use of raw materials such as cobalt and rare minerals, the scarcity of which poses its own problems. But those problems can be addressed, for example, by research into alternate battery technologies, which is already motivated by the shortage of cobalt and by public protests against human rights abuses in cobalt mining. Maximizing new technologies requires political choices Carlota Perez, in her pathbreaking studies of the role of technology in history, argues that a technological revolution based on prioritizing knowledge rather than material goods has the potential to address not only the climate crisis but also global inequality. This will only happen, Perez stresses, if states take the initiative in planning to maximize benefits to the wider society, instead of only considering profits to private enterprises. Advocates of the Green New Deal in the United States stress that this change requires paying attention both to those affected by the transition and to those who are particularly disadvantaged because of deeply rooted structural inequalities. Similarly, according to Perez, smart green growth will be impossible without a radical shift on a global level to involve the majority of the worlds population as both consumers and producers. The technologies capable of driving a sustainable global golden age are available, concludes Perez. Unleashing them successfully requires an understanding of the historical moment and the willingness to make a clear socio-political choice. First, though, we have to build broad political support for such a choice. This requires us to understand not only the competing technologies of the past and future, but also the structural inequalities, both national and global, that have been violently imposed throughout history and that still shape the present. In the past decade, the United States has seen significant social movements emerge to confront the domestic inequalities of race, class, and gender. But the United States and other privileged countries have hardly begun to confront the parallel global hierarchies built on centuries of conquest, slavery, colonialism, and patriarchy. Understanding and contesting global inequality must go hand in hand with developing technological solutions to the climate crisis. In the third installment in this series, we will look at how social movements are targeting rising inequality at both national and global levels, and how, as in the case of climate, transnational collaboration is an essential corollary to action within a single country. AfricaFocus Bulletin is an independent electronic publication providing reposted commentary and analysis on African issues, with a particular focus on U.S. and international policies. AfricaFocus Bulletin is edited by William Minter. AfricaFocus Bulletin can be reached at africafocus@igc.org. Please write to this address to suggest material for inclusion. For more information about reposted material, please contact directly the original source mentioned. For a full archive and other resources, see http://www.africafocus.org Last week, the Supreme Court pronounced a significant judgment in relation to the Speakers power to disqualify members of the legislative Assembly on account of defection. Last week, the Supreme Court, in Keisham Meghachandra Singh v. The Honble Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly, pronounced a significant judgment in relation to the Speakers power to disqualify members of the legislative Assembly on account of defection. The judgment did two things of utmost constitutional significance: (1) It determined that the courts have the power to fix a time-frame within which the Speaker must decide disqualification petitions; (2) It nudged Parliament to amend the Constitution so as to disempower the Speaker with respect to adjudicating member disqualification matters, and instead create an alternative mechanism for this purpose. While the first finding is a welcome step, the second one is conceivably myopic, to say the least, and was an unnecessary edict. Before addressing each of the above issues, the backdrop leading up to the Manipur MLA disqualification case becomes pertinent: In March 2017, the Manipur Legislative Assembly elections culminated in a hung Assembly as none of the parties were able to secure the requisite majority to form a government. The Congress emerged as the single-largest party securing 28 seats in the 60-seat Assembly, followed by the BJP, which secured 21 seats. Soon after the declaration of the election results, MLA Thounaojam Shyamkumar, who was elected on a Congress ticket, switched parties and joined the BJP. Subsequently, the BJP, with the alliance of Shyamkumar and other regional parties, formed a coalition government. Shyamkumar was inducted as a Minister of Forest and Environment in the newly formed BJP-led government. On account of Shyamkumars defection, several petitions were filed before the Speaker of the Assembly seeking Shyamkumars disqualification under paragraph 2(1)(a) of the Tenth Schedule, which in relevant part provides that a member of a House belonging to any political party shall be disqualified for being a member of the House [ ] if he has voluntarily given up his membership of such political party. Since the Speaker did not take any action on any of these petitions, cases were filed in the Manipur High Court, requesting it to direct the Speaker to decide Shyamkumars disqualification petitions within a reasonable time. However, given that the issue of whether or not courts can direct the Speaker to decide disqualification petitions within a certain time was pending before the five-judge bench of the Supreme Court, the Manipur High Court declined to grant any relief, and consequently, the matter came before the Supreme Court. Speaker must adjudicate member-disqualification petitions within a reasonable time: The Supreme Court, by holding that the Speaker must dispose of the member-disqualification petitions within a reasonable time, effectively did away with the need for the five-judge bench to settle the issue. Historically, on account of paragraph 6(1) of the Tenth Schedule, which imparts finality to the decision of the Speaker, the extent of judicial review with respect to the Speakers power under the Tenth Schedule has continually been a moot question. Courts have consistently emphasised the limited power of judicial review vis-a-vis the Speakers powers under the Tenth Schedule. In the landmark case of Kihota Hollohon v. Zachilhu (1992), the court ruled that the scope of judicial review in respect of an order passed by the Speaker under Paragraph 6 would be confined to jurisdictional errors only viz., infirmities based on violation of constitutional mandate, mala fides, non-compliance with rules of natural justice and perversity. However, in Rajendra Singh Rana v. Swami Prasad Maurya (2007), when the Speaker of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly decided upon the claim of a split in the legislative party, but failed to decide on the disqualification of 13 MLAs, the Supreme Court ruled that the Speaker failed to exercise the jurisdiction conferred on him by Tenth Schedule, and such failure is not covered by the shield of Paragraph 6. Interestingly, when the same question came up before the Supreme Court in S.A. Sampath Kumar v. Kale Yadaiah (2016), the decision in Rajendra Prasad was not brought to the notice of the Supreme Court at all, and the two-judge bench in Sampath Kumar referred the question to a five-judge bench, without engaging with Rajendra Prasad. In essence, the law regarding the jurisdiction of the courts with respect to the Speakers member-disqualification powers was laid down as early as in 2007, albeit in a somewhat different factual scenario. However, Sampath Kumars reference of the issue to the five-judge bench had, in recent times, impelled the courts to refrain from passing orders to direct the Speaker to decide disqualification petitions within a certain time. This, in turn, enabled Speakers to sit on the petitions, ad infinitum. However, in the Manipur case, the apex court, while interpreting the law laid down in Kihota Hollohon and Rajendra Prasad, clearly held that the Speaker is bound to decide disqualification petitions within a reasonable period. Further, it expounded that [w]hat is reasonable will depend on the facts of each case, but absent exceptional circumstances for which there is good reason, a period of three months from the date on which the petition is filed is the outer limit within which disqualification petitions filed before the Speaker must be decided if the constitutional objective of disqualifying persons who have infracted the Tenth Schedule is to be adhered to. This is perhaps good ammunition in the hands of the high courts that can now pull up the Speakers who do not expeditiously dispose of the disqualification petitions, and can direct them to do so within fixed time-frames. An alternative mechanism to decide the disqualification petitions: Additionally, in the Manipur case, the Supreme Court legitimately expressed concern that owing to a Speakers party affiliation, there may be a peril in entrusting disqualification petitions in the Speaker alone, as a final arbiter of such petitions. Considering the possible bias on the part of the Speaker, the court prodded Parliament to seriously consider amending the Constitution to substitute the Speaker as arbiter of disputes concerning disqualification with a permanent tribunal headed by a retired Supreme Court judge or a retired Chief Justice of a high court, or some other outside independent mechanism. However, contrary to what is intended, the above suggested measures will more likely than not, leave us in a situation worse off than now. There is every chance that (a) The system of appointments to these potential independent adjudicating bodies will turn out to be opaque, just like how the current collegium system of appointments to the judiciary is; (b) Centre will have a strong say in these appointments, thereby impinging on the federal sovereignty that is now ensured to an extent because of the democratically and transparently chosen Speaker. In light of the above, instead of putting an alternative mechanism in lieu of the Speaker to decide on the disqualification petitions, which will change nothing, attention may perhaps be accorded to giving more teeth to the Tenth Schedule, which has so far, singularly failed to prevent innumerable Machiavellian defections. By AFP JERUSALEM: Israel on Sunday officially gave its citizens the right to travel to Saudi Arabia for religious and business visits, in the latest sign of warming ties between the two states. The interior ministry's announcement will have limited practical impact, as Israelis had previously been travelling to Saudi Arabia via third countries, especially Jordan. But Israel had never granted official approval for such travel by both Jewish and Muslim Israelis. Interior Minister Aryeh Deri "signed for the first time an order enabling an exit permit for Israelis to Saudi Arabia", his office said. The move, coordinated with the security and diplomatic services, approves travel to the Gulf state "for religious purposes during the hajj and the umra (Muslim pilgrimages)", it said in a statement. It said Israel would also allow its citizens to travel to Saudi Arabia "to participate in business meetings or seek investments" for trips not exceeding 90 days. Business travellers must have "arranged their entry to Saudi Arabia and received an invitation from a governmental source", the interior ministry said. There was no indication of a corresponding policy change from the Saudi side, but there have in recent months been gestures pointing to warming ties between Israel and Gulf states. Earlier Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Mohammed al-Issa, head of the Muslim World League based in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for attending commemorations in Poland this week marking 75 years since the liberation of the Nazi death camp Auschwitz. "This is another sign of change in the attitude of Islamic bodies and, of course, the Arab states toward the Holocaust and the Jewish people," he told reporters. Israel has a peace deal with two Arab countries -- Jordan and Egypt -- but its occupation of Palestinian territory has long served as a major factor preventing similar accords with the rest of the Arab world. Common concerns over Iran, however, are widely seen as having fostered closer ties between Israel and several Arab states, especially in the Gulf. Last August, a suicide bomber from the Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan killed 63 people at a wedding in Kabul Kabul: A hand grenade attack on an Afghan wedding ceremony wounded at least 20 people, including several children, a provincial official said Sunday. At least one of the injured children was in critical condition, said Adel Haider, a spokesman for the police chief of the eastern Khost province, which borders Pakistan. No one immediately claimed responsibility for Saturday night's attack. There was no evidence that the Taliban were behind the attack, although they have a strong presence in the area. Haider said the Taliban's ban on music when they ruled Afghanistan led him to believe that they could have been the culprits. But it's also common in that part of Afghanistan to settle personal vendettas with such attacks. Haider said police are investigating all possible motives and so far no one has come forward with any information about tribal rivalries involving the wedding party. All of the injured wedding guests were men, but it was not immediately clear if the groom was injured in the attack, Haider said. Last August, a suicide bomber from the Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan killed 63 people at a wedding in Kabul, the deadliest attack in the capital in 2019. The Taliban, which the US hopes will help curb the IS affiliate's rise, condemned the attack as forbidden and unjustifiable. The Taliban control or hold sway over roughly half of Afghanistan, staging near-daily attacks. They usually target Afghan and US forces, but scores of civilians die in the crossfire. The Taliban and the US are currently holding peace talks in the Gulf Arab state of Qatar, where the Taliban maintain a political office. The negotiations have become bogged down over a mechanism that will end or substantially reduce hostilities. A reduction in violence would allow a US-Taliban peace agreement to be signed, letting America bring its troops home after 18 years of war. The peace deal would also start negotiations between Afghans on both sides of the conflict to determine what the country's post-war landscape would look like. The government has set up a round-the-clock helpline to attend to queries about the novel coronavirus (nCoV) as number of fatalities and infected people rose across the world. If you seek any help, you may call to know details about District and State surveillance officers and in case any clinical query connect with Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) Officer, the Union ministry of health said in a tweet. Anyone seeking information can call on the number 011-23978046. The call centre will direct suspected cases to experts in their area and will also monitor details of passengers provided by the ministry of external affairs. The ministry also issued an appeal to those who have travelled to China since January 1, 2020, to come forward for self-reporting to the call centre, the nearest health facility if they experience any symptoms such as fever, cough, respiratory distress, etc and also inform their treating doctor. The health ministry has also formed seven central teams that will visit the states where thermal screening is being done at the seven designated airports at New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kochi. The central teams, expected to reach the states on Sunday, shall consist of a public health expert, a clinician and a microbiologist. They shall review the end-to-end preparedness for management and control of nCoV in the states including reviewing that the infection control, surveillance and other guidelines are being followed properly. India had issued a new travel advisory on Saturday asking citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to China as a senior adviser to Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with top bureaucrats to review the countrys preparedness in tackling the outbreak of a deadly new virus that is rampaging through central China. The death toll in Chinas rapidly spreading coronavirus has climbed to 56 with authorities in the hard-hit central Chinese Hubei province on Sunday reporting 13 new fatalities and 323 new confirmed cases, pushing the countrywide total to 1985. There has also been steady rise in the cases reported from Beijing and Shanghai, which stood at 51 and 40 respectively. The national health commission (NHC) said it has a record of 1757 confirmed cases of the virus reported from across 30 Chinese provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. At least 324 severe cases were reported until Saturday midnight; in all, there were 2684 suspected cases. India is believed to have reached out to Beijing and help those stranded in Wuhan to leave the central Chinese city, which is the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak. The United States, France and Russia have also moved on Saturday to get their citizens out of the country. They might be handsomely paid popular music stars, but one of the many perks to showbusiness are the free gifts. And stars did not shy away from browsing the impressive array of items on offer at the Grammys gift lounge at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on Saturday, such as Cyndi Lauper and Jordin Sparks to name a few. But since it's also all about giving back, the Grammys Charities Signing event continued Saturday as well, with pop super starlet Camila Cabello stopping to sign memorabilia that would later go up for auction. Fancy footwear: Cyndi Lauper did not shy away from browsing the impressive array of items on offer at the Grammys gift lounge at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday But since it's also all about giving back: The Grammys Charities Signing event continued with pop superstarlet Camila Cabello stopping to sign memorabilia According to the Grammy website, the gift lounge is reserved for 'performing artists and presenters of the 62nd Grammy Awards [who] have the option of taking a stroll through the Grammys Gifting Lounge to receive some fabulous (and fabulously free) items during rehearsal days.' Lauper was her usual eccentric and colorful self, and she paraded around the lounge in a brilliant and graphic printed blazer along with mauve tortoiseshell sunglasses and a light blue knapsack. At one point she held up a pair of hot pink slip-on leopard print shoes that looked like they were made just for her. Cabello made an appearance at the charity counterpart event, wearing large rounded sunglasses indoors and a white and grey top as she approached a table with an acoustic guitar covered in signatures, including that of Lil Nas X. The area was devoted to Charities Signings, inviting stars to sign items that will later be auctioned off for good causes. Adding her John Hancock: Cabello made an appearance at the charity counterpart event, wearing large rounded sunglasses as she approached a table with an acoustic guitar covered in signatures, including that of Lil Nas X Cyndi again: She appeared besotted with an array of fabulous throw pillows Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton participated the day before as well. Others in attendance at the gift lounge included Tattoo songbird Jordin Sparks, who was dressed down in a grey sweatshirt as she modeled a pair of gorgeous yellow sunshades. She also showed off an impressive skateboard from Spectra X. Others in attendance at the gift lounge: Tattoo songbird Jordin Sparks was dressed down in a grey sweatshirt as she modeled a pair of gorgeous yellow sunshades Wow: She also showed off an impressive skateboard from Spectra X Another famous musician who made an appearance was none other than Alice Cooper. Cooper was also impressed with the footwear brand that caught Cyndi's attention, except he posed with a slip-on that looked to be camouflage inspired. Watch the 62nd Grammy Awards on Sunday, January 26 on CBS. These musicians love comfy shoes: Another famous musician who made an appearance was none other than Alice Cooper Perks of the job: Sharon Osbourne checked things out in the Gift Lounge Swag: Yolanda Adams visited the GRAMMY Gift Lounge Last week saw the newest second-quarter earnings release from Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX:S68), an important milestone in the company's journey to build a stronger business. Singapore Exchange reported in line with analyst predictions, delivering revenues of S$231m and statutory earnings per share of S$0.092, suggesting the business is executing well and in line with its plan. This is an important time for investors, as they can track a company's performance in its report, look at what top analysts are forecasting for next year, and see if there has been any change to expectations for the business. So we collected the latest post-earnings statutory consensus estimates to see what could be in store for next year. See our latest analysis for Singapore Exchange SGX:S68 Past and Future Earnings, January 26th 2020 Taking into account the latest results, Singapore Exchange's 13 analysts currently expect revenues in 2020 to be S$963.6m, approximately in line with the last 12 months. Statutory per share are forecast to be S$0.39, approximately in line with the last 12 months. Before this earnings report, analysts had been forecasting revenues of S$959.9m and earnings per share (EPS) of S$0.39 in 2020. So it's pretty clear that, although analysts have updated their estimates, there's been no major change in expectations for the business following the latest results. Analysts reconfirmed their price target of S$8.42, showing that the business is executing well and in line with expectations. That's not the only conclusion we can draw from this data however, as some investors also like to consider the spread in estimates when evaluating analyst price targets. The most optimistic Singapore Exchange analyst has a price target of S$9.60 per share, while the most pessimistic values it at S$7.28. The narrow spread of estimates could suggest that the business' future is relatively easy to value, or that analysts have a clear view on its prospects. It can also be useful to step back and take a broader view of how analyst forecasts compare to Singapore Exchange's performance in recent years. We would highlight that Singapore Exchange's revenue growth is expected to slow, with forecast 0.9% increase next year well below the historical 4.0%p.a. growth over the last five years. By way of comparison, other companies in this market with analyst coverage, are forecast to grow their revenue at 8.7% per year. So it's pretty clear that, while revenue growth is expected to slow down, analysts still expect the wider market to grow faster than Singapore Exchange. Story continues The Bottom Line The most obvious conclusion from these results is that there's been no major change in the business' prospects in recent times, with analysts holding earnings per share steady, in line with previous estimates. On the plus side, there were no major changes to revenue estimates; although analyst forecasts imply revenues will perform worse than the wider market. The consensus price target held steady at S$8.42, with the latest estimates not enough to have an impact on analysts' estimated valuations. With that said, the long-term trajectory of the company's earnings is a lot more important than next year. At Simply Wall St, we have a full range of analyst estimates for Singapore Exchange going out to 2022, and you can see them free on our platform here.. We also provide an overview of the Singapore Exchange Board and CEO remuneration and length of tenure at the company, and whether insiders have been buying the stock, here. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Bihar Police is providing required assistance to agencies probing the case of Sharjeel Imam, the co-ordinator of Shaheen Bagh protests, for his controversial "cut off Assam from India" remark. "Agencies probing the case had asked for the support of the Bihar Police. We are providing them with the required assistance," said Jahanabad Superintendent of Police, Manish when being asked about the raid at residence of Sharjeel Imam, who has been booked for a controversial comment. Earlier, the Crime Branch of Delhi police on Sunday booked Sharjeel Imam, the co-ordinator of Shaheen Bagh protests, for his controversial remark. Imam, who hails from Jahanabad has been slapped with charges of sedition and inciting enmity between communities under Sections 124A, 153A and 505 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Also, a case has been registered against Imam by Uttar Pradesh police for his controversial speech delivered during the students protest at Aligarh Muslim University on January 16 against the Citizenship Amendment Act and Register of Citizens (NRC). Assam Police too on Saturday registered an FIR against Imam for allegedly inciting people to "cut off" Assam from the rest of India. A series of videos have gone viral on social media in which Imam, the chief co-ordinator of Shaheen Bagh protest, is heard saying: "If we all come together, then we can separate the Northeast from India. If we cannot do it permanently, then at least for 1-2 months we can do this." "It is our responsibility to cut Assam from India. When this happens, only then the government will listen to us," he is heard saying further in the video. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A woman wearing protective facemask to help stop the spread of a deadly SARS-like virus, which originated in the central city of Wuhan, looks out on the outskirts of the Forbidden City (back) in Beijing on Jan. 25, 2020. AFP South Korea's public health and safety agency announced Saturday that they have designated mainland China a "coronavirus watch" zone as part of its ongoing effort to prevent the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus here. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) pledged to safeguard public health as South Koreans celebrate the four-day Lunar New Year holiday. It initially only marked Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, and surrounding Hubei Province as a place of special interest with extra scrutiny in terms of quarantine procedures for people who arrive from the city. Details on the exact action to be taken will be announced on Sunday, the agency said, with such a step likely to entail all Chinese travelers having to fill out detailed health questionnaires upon arrival in South Korea. About 32,000 Chinese visitors arrive in the country per day and Seoul confirmed cases of the new coronavirus that causes pneumonia-like illness on Monday and Friday. It said earlier in the day that it has so far checked 32 other people for the new coronavirus with all testing negative. "The government is testing all people who are complaining of symptoms with no coronavirus incidents being identified in the past 24 hours," a KCDC official said. She added that none of the 69 people who are under close observation after having come in contact with the country's second confirmed case are showing signs of illness. The first confirmed case involved a 35-year-old Chinese woman who arrived at Incheon International Airport, the country's main gateway west of Seoul, from Wuhan with the second being a South Korean who has worked in the city in Hubei Province since April 2019 and returned home after feeling unwell. The 55-year-old man arrived in South Korea on Wednesday with a fever. The KCDC said the second patient is in stable condition with doctors treating him for a sore throat. Airports across the nation have set up checkpoints to screen passengers from China and other countries for signs of illness, with local authorities accelerating quarantine efforts to contain the virus as a countless number of people visit relatives back home or travel abroad. Seoul earlier advised its citizens not to visit the central Chinese city. On Sunday, Egypt's FM Sameh Shoukry travelled to Washington to participate in a final round of talks with the foreign and irrigation ministers of Sudan and Ethiopia over the GERD under US meditation Ahead of the upcoming round of talks in Washington to secure an agreement on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which has stirred months of disputes and an impasse in negotiations between Cairo and Addis Ababa, water experts and analysts agree that Egypt should stick to its demands on maintaining the maximum possible level of water security. The foreign and irrigation ministers from Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia will convene in Washington later this week for a final round of talks over the GERD under American meditation. The talks, slated for Tuesday and Wednesday, will be held in the presence of US Treasury and World Bank officials and aim to reach a consensus over the filling and operation of the $4 billion giant hydropower dam. The meeting comes weeks after Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan reached a preliminary consensus in a round of talks held earlier this month in Washington ahead of a critical deadline to finalise an agreement on the disputed dam. "It is not about reaching an agreement on the GERD's technical issues," Egypt's former minister of irrigation Mohamed Nasr Allam told Ahram Online, asserting that it is more important to reach an agreement that guarantees the maximum possible level of water security for Egypt. "It is certain that the American side, as a mediator, will put pressure and ask for compromises, but the main focus for Egypt should be to ensure the highest possible level of water security," Allam says. "Egypt did not officially address the filling process of the GERD because we know it is a purely technical issue related to natural circumstances," Nasr said. The joint statement issued following the last round of meetings in Washington did not lay out the details of many major points like the GERD's water flow under different hydrological circumstances, nor cooperation between the three countries during drought periods, Allam says, adding that all these points will be agreed upon in the final round of negotiations. The final round will also involve the article related to coordination, cooperation, follow-up and setting up a mechanism to resolve disputes legally and institutionally, Allam adds. Egypt fears the 6,000-megawatt dam will significantly diminish its supply of Nile water, on which it almost entirely relies for freshwater. Ethiopia, meanwhile, says the project is key to its economic development and goal to be Africa's biggest power exporter. Last week, Sudan's capital Khartoum hosted a consultative meeting of the technical and legal delegations from Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia on the GERD, where they determined some elements and key terms regarding a final agreement on the dam's operations, as well as the measures to be followed during times of drought so as not to harm Egypt's water quotas. On the general course of negotiations, water expert Diaa Al-Qousy says it is hard to predict the results of the Washington meeting, as none of the involved countries has made official statements on specific issues, only general points and agreements. The ministers of foreign affairs and water resources of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan outlined six points in a statement, stressing that all points are subject to final agreement during upcoming meetings this week. The ministers also agreed that there is a shared responsibility by the three countries in managing the effects of drought and prolonged drought. "We just have to wait and see the results of the upcoming round of negotiations and the expected signing of an agreement," Al-Qousy told Ahram Online, adding that he expects that the talks on Tuesday and Wednesday will be decisive in the course of the GERD negotiations. Allam affirmed that the US involvement as a mediator reflects an international will and interest to contain possible crises in the region and maintain stability and security in general. However, if this week's talks do not yield real progress, the situation will be further compounded. "The situation is expected to get more complicated and reach an unbearable new deadlock if the three countries fail to reach an agreement this time," Al-Qousy adds. However, he agrees that Egypt should stick to its professed demands, i.e. the gradual filling of the dam according to flood waves and maintaining its current share of 55.5 billion cubic metres of Nile water per year, all of which represent the corner stone of Egypt's water security in the long term. Search Keywords: Short link: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is inching toward a decision that could profoundly harm the "special relationship" between Britain and the United States under President Trump. Driving the news: Johnson is expected to decide, as soon as this week, whether to defy Trump's request that he ban Chinese technology giant Huawei from the U.K.'s 5G wireless network. Johnson's decision comes after repeated private and public warnings from Trump and senior administration officials, including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser Robert O'Brien, U.S. officials tell Axios. Behind the scenes: "This is a highly consequential decision that the British prime minister's going to be making," a senior Trump administration official told me in a phone interview on Saturday. "Not only in terms of their relationship with the United States, but first and foremost for their own citizens," added the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive diplomacy still happening across the Atlantic. "People are going to be a bit shaken by the U.K.'s judgment if they make this decision." Why it matters: The Huawei debate which may seem abstract to many Americans has become one of the most urgent foreign policy priorities of the Trump administration and one of the more serious tests of the U.S.-U.K. relationship in recent times. It could ultimately lead to the U.S. government curtailing the intelligence it shares with its closest ally, U.S. officials told Axios. Some British officials have countered that, with severe restrictions, it's possible to safely include Huawei equipment in a 5G network. Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has been a leading voice, globally, in warning about the risks of allowing the Chinese company to embed itself in western mobile networks. Turnbull told me in a phone interview on Saturday that he shared his assessment of Huawei with the Trump administration in early 2017. (Australia is part of America's most important intelligence-sharing alliance, the "Five Eyes.") Turnbull said he spent a lot of time personally investigating the subject in consultation with Five Eyes partners. "To be honest with you, I'm surprised that the U.K. is taking the approach it is," Turnbull said. "The ability to mitigate the risk is very, very questionable." The big picture: The battle over Huawei is what a "tech Cold War" begins to look like. In recent remarks at the the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, Trump's deputy national security adviser Matthew Pottinger said: "Can you imagine a situation where, in the '80s, Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher have a conversation and they say, 'You know, I think we should have the KGB come and build all of our telecommunications and computer network systems because they're offering a great discount.'" Between the lines: 5G mobile networks will allow humans and machines to communicate at unfathomable speeds. When people talk about the Internet of Things, they are referring to a world in which everything from driverless cars to home appliances to hospital equipment will be connected and constantly exchanging data. "When you're talking about 5G, everything will become critical infrastructure," said the senior Trump official. Some countries, including the U.S. and Australia, have banned Huawei from providing equipment for 5G. Intelligence and national security analysts in these countries have determined that once Chinese gear is embedded in the network, there is no way of guaranteeing that the Chinese state won't use it for nefarious purposes. Top officials in the Five Eyes have privately discussed nightmare scenarios ranging from the Chinese government forcing Huawei to conduct mass-scale spying on foreign citizens to more extreme scenarios. Some worry that China, in a future conflict with a Western country, could use its embedded Huawei gear to disrupt critical infrastructure. The other side: Senior government officials inside the U.K. and Germany have claimed it's possible to safely include Huawei in mobile networks, so long as it is restricted and kept away from "core" elements of the network. Senior Trump administration officials, and others like Turnbull, say this is not possible. British and German officials also say they can't afford to exclude Huawei. They say that doing so would leave their countries with unaffordable alternatives and would leave them behind in the global technology race. Axios' China reporter Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, who attended the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, reported that business leaders aren't buying U.S. rhetoric about Huawei being dangerous (or at least, this is their public line). And, generally speaking, they aren't fans of the U.S.-China battle over Huawei. What's next: The senior Trump administration official said allies should work with the U.S. to quickly develop affordable alternatives to Huawei. One option is for the U.S. government to provide Huawei's competitors with subsidies the same tactic the Chinese have used to give Huawei an unfair advantage over its competitors. But the Trump official said there are other, more market-friendly ways, such as tax breaks, that the U.S. government can use to incentivize trusted tech companies. The bottom line: The Trump official said the administration is still hopeful that Johnson and Angela Merkel might change their minds and ban Huawei. Merkel, in particular, is under pressure from some of her colleagues to block Huawei from Germany's 5G network. "Yogi Berra, it ain't over till it's over," the senior Trump administration official said. Pompeo framed the choice starkly in a Sunday tweet: "The UK has a momentous decision ahead on 5G. British MP Tom Tugendhat gets it right: 'The truth is that only nations able to protect their data will be sovereign.'" Go deeper: Okoi Obono-Obla, a former aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, has expressed disappointment with Nigerias justice system. Mr Obono-Obla headed a special panel on the recovery of government property before he was removed by Mr Buhari in September last year over corruption allegations. He was subsequently declared wanted by the Independent Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). My faith in Nigeria is seriously shaken, shaken that there is no justice in Nigeria, Mr Obono-Obla said in an interview with Calitown.com, an online newspaper with focus on Cross River state where the former presidential aide is from. The interview was published in December. I have spent a considerable part of my life fighting as an activist for justice in this country and I have always hoped that positive forces will prevail, but right now, what I have recently seen, I will say again, left my faith in this country seriously shaken, Mr Obono-Obla said. Mr Obono-Obla, in the interview, insisted that his removal by President Buhari was due to a gang-up by some powerful people in the government. The president, he said, has some big people around him who are bad. Right now, I wont lie, if I am ever offered any anti-corruption work in Nigeria, I will be very skeptical about taking it, even if theres protection. I worked and was bent on doing the right thing, in consonance with the real demands of that assignment but there are people in this country who will never let good things happen to this country. The former presidential aide attributed his travails partly to the chairman of the ICPC whom he claimed saw him as a rival because he was once considered by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as a good man to head the ICPC. When PREMIUM TIMES sought for ICPCs reaction, its spokesperson, Rashidat Okoduwa, said, The invitation to come to ICPC is to give Mr. Obono-Obla the opportunity to respond to allegations against him. Where is the issue of rivalry in that? We are still expecting him and the honourable thing will be for him to avail himself of that opportunity to exonerate himself, Mrs Okoduwa said. Mr Obono-Obla said there were infightings in his panel because, according to him, he insisted on reporting directly to Mr Buhari, and not Mr Osinbajo as wanted by some of the panel members. Mr Obono-Obla said no other anti-corruption agency in this country had sincerely gone to the extent we went. We investigated the Petroleum Equalization Fund, PEF, and the 7bn dollars bailout fund that the Obasanjo administration granted commercial banks in the country. You remember that in 2006, when Charles Soludo was governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, a bailout fund of 7 billion dollars was given out to commercial banks for recapitalization. This was not money dashed to the banks, the banks were loaned these funds and they were supposed to return this money to the Federal Government, but as I speak, going into 2020, this particular money has not been returned. In the course of our investigations into why this money was not returned, I wrote to the Central Bank about this money and in their reply, the CBN said the Board of CBN met sometime in 2006 and wrote off the money. It was absurd to hear this and we went into asking in our investigations, how come money belonging to you and I, the ordinary Nigerians, was taken and handed over to a few well-placed persons, who traded with the money, through their privately owned commercial banks and then got their cronies to sit in whatever board and wrote off this bailout. Isnt this amazing? he said. I was also leading an investigation into the oil block that was sold to Mobil Nigeria and Mobil paid only 650 million dollars instead of 2.5 billion dollars. In this particular transaction, the eminent human rights activist, Femi Falana, wrote a petition against it and we began asking questions. I cannot forget too that I also investigated a man who was twice a senate president in this country as well as a military governor. He had extensive and expensive property outside Nigeria, offshore, in places like the Virgin Islands etc. Working with the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, we dug in deep and truly confirmed in the course of our collaborative investigations that he indeed had property worth millions of pounds, not naira or dollars, outside Nigeria. How did he acquire this property? I was also collaborating with the National Crime Authority of the United Kingdom, to investigate Nigerian public officials, past and present, who owned property in the UK. You remember that the UK passed a legislation, the Unexplained Wealth Regulation Act of 2018, where she simply said through the law that if you have property in the UK valued above 50,000 pounds, you had to explain to UK authorities, how you got the money. We exploited legislations like this in our anti-corruption fight and came up with an amazing list of more than 20 eminent Nigerians who had choice property in the UK and other places. We were also investigating 1,500 Nigerians who have property in Dubai and these people are all public officials who did not sincerely come by the money used in purchasing property abroad. What of the multi-national oil firms in this country owing the FG colossal sums of unremitted cash? Mr Obono-Obla also spoke on the allegation that he forged his secondary school certificate. He said forgery was a criminal offence and that the police are in a better position to investigate him. Advertisements I need to state here that I left the University of Jos in 1989, the university screened me and gave me a degree. That university has not withdrawn my certificate, he said. Mr Obono-Obla said he did not commit any offence that should cause ICPC to declare him wanted. I am of course from the minority part of this country and we often do not have powerful people in Abuja to speak for us when we are tossed around at will, this is the unfortunate structure of this country, he said. This week, if you venture outside at around 8:30 p.m. local time and look high overhead, you'll see one of the brightest stars in the sky, a golden-yellow jewel that bears the name Capella. In the star brightness rankings, Capella is No. 6. The name is Latin for "she-goat" or "nanny goat," and that indeed is what this star is known for. It marks the position of a small female goat. Now, before we get too far afield, it should be noted that Capella is the brightest star in the constellation Auriga. And who was Auriga, you may ask? You could say that he was the "Ben-Hur of the nighttime sky." A charioteer. And yet, if that's so, how do we end up with his brightest luminary representing of all things, a goat? Related: Best night sky events of January 2020 (stargazing maps) Bewildering interpretations Auriga is one of those star patterns whose exact origin is a hopeless mix of antique conceptions. The Greek and Roman legends made Auriga a famed trainer of horses and the inventor of the four-horse chariot. The charioteer is thought to represent Hephaestus, the crippled god of fire, who invented a chariot to move his body about. But the most ancient legends had Auriga pegged as a goatherd and a patron of shepherds. Later on in the winter and into spring, at a time when shepherds spend nights out in the fields with their flocks, Auriga is prominent, high in the west-northwest sky. And it may have been that Capella and its surrounding retinue of stars may have been welcomed among pastoral and nomad tribes. This might explain the identification of some of its stars with a mother goat and her kids; the mother goat's front legs are often depicted perched on Auriga's right shoulder while with his right arm he clutches two or three young goats (the kids), which are represented by a little triangle of fainter stars not far from Capella. In fact, Capella itself is sometimes referred to as the "Shepherd's Star" in English literature. As a result, some of the old star atlases have allegorical pictures showing Auriga standing in a chariot with a whip in his hand, while others depict him standing complacently by himself, holding a family of goats. But the vast majority of old atlases show Auriga as a combination of both guises: wearing a charioteer's helmet and holding a whip in his left hand though there's no chariot or horse while at the same time carrying a family of goats in his other arm. In many ways, it is a star picture that doesn't make too much sense, but yet high over our heads on these cold winter evenings we see the "free-wheeling" Auriga ... with his goat flock ... just the same. An illustration of the constellation Auriga from "Urania's Mirror," a set of 32 constellation charts published in 1824. (Image credit: Sidney Hall (Public domain)) Pentagon ... or kite? Similarly, if you want to trace out Auriga in the sky, you have not one but two options. Auriga is often positioned nonchalantly, standing on one of the horns of Taurus, the bull (this despite the fact that Taurus is usually pictured charging furiously at Orion, the hunter!). If we add the bright star that marks the bull's horn tip known as El Nath then the primary stars of Auriga form a pentagon or a large, muffin-like figure that rises with its bulging part at the bottom. Capella is near the top of the pentagon or muffin. But El Nath does not belong to Auriga, it properly belongs to Taurus. So, if we ignore that one single star, Auriga becomes a kite. In his book, "A Primer for Star Gazers" (Harper & Brothers, 1948), author Henry M. Neely takes credit for inventing "The Kite in Auriga," writing: "If you find it easier to locate the pentagon than my kite, that will be all right. The whole object of star-gazing is to locate stars, and whatever figure your own imagination suggests is the best for you." The constellation of Auriga, the charioteer is visible high in the west-southwest sky all night in late winter. (Image credit: SkySafari App Hello, neighbors! Capella is located 43 light-years from Earth, or "right down the street," relatively speaking, so far as cosmic distances are concerned. Capella is composed of four stars. The two main stars are known as Capella Aa and Capella Ab, two giant yellow stars, about 2.5 times more massive than our sun. They are separated from each other by only about 69 million miles (111 million kilometers), or 0.7 astronomical units (one astronomical unit is equal to the distance of the Earth from the sun: about 92.9 million miles, or 149.5 million km). The binary stars circle each other once every 104 days. The other pair in this family, known as Capella H and Capella L, are about 10,000 astronomical units from the first pair, or about 930 billion miles (1.5 trillion km). But wait! There's more Other objects of interest in Auriga include Epsilon Aurigae, one of the three stars in the triangle depicting the "kids." Epsilon is the kid star nearest to Capella. The proper name for this star is Almaaz, Latin for "billy goat," but that name is rarely referred to; the Epsilon moniker is most often used. This is a supergiant star that has a companion circling it, apparently shrouded in a gigantic disk of opaque gas and interstellar dust. At 27-year intervals, when this companion passes in front of Epsilon, its brightness drops by a full magnitude, from plus 2.9 to plus 3.8. The dimming effect lasts nearly two years from start to finish, with the deepest part of the eclipse lasting about a year. The last eclipse was in 2009 and the next is scheduled for 2036. This sky chart shows where to find Messier objects in the constellation Auriga. (Image credit: SkySafari App There are also three beautiful star clusters that are well seen through good binoculars or a low-powered telescope. Two are situated within the pentagon: Messier 36 (M36) is a bright open cluster of about 60 stars of 8th magnitude and fainter. M38 is a small cluster of stars that resembles the Greek letter (pi) when seen in a small telescope. "Norton's Star Atlas" (Dutton, 2003) describes it as "a striking, loose, cruciform cluster in a glorious neighborhood." Finally, there is the best of the three: M37, located just outside the pentagon, is an exceptional star cluster with an apparent size almost as big as the moon in the night sky, and it's one of the finest clusters in the northern sky. Binoculars reveal a misty spot, but a small telescope will reveal a large number of stars. In his book "A Cycle of Celestial Objects," originally published in 1844, Adm. William Henry Smyth wrote: "[It is] a magnificent object, the whole field being strewed as it were sparkling gold dust ... it resolves into infinitely minute points of lucid light." So you see? Despite the confusion over whether Auriga is a charioteer or a goatherd, as a constellation he's really not so baaaaaaaad. Sorry ... I was just "kidding." Joe Rao serves as an instructor and guest lecturer at New York's Hayden Planetarium. He writes about astronomy for Natural History magazine, the Farmers' Almanac and other publications. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. After a relatively quiet weather week in the East, meteorologists are monitoring a storm system that may impact the Atlantic Coast in time for Groundhog Day weekend. This storm is expected to gather in the Gulf of Mexico on Friday, before heading northeastward. "The track of the storm is highly prone to shifting in the coming days, and the exact track of the storm will be a huge factor in how intense the storm will be for a given location," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson. CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP With several different possible scenarios throughout the weekend still likely, many residents along the Eastern Seaboard will be left on alert for flooding rain, coastal flooding, snow and gusty winds. At this time, areas from the Georgia to Maine along the coast, and as far inland as the Great Lakes could be impacted by the storm. One possible scenario is that the center of the storm could remain over land through the Southeast, and continue along the mid-Atlantic and New England coasts through the weekend. With this storm track, most of the cold air, and thus any snow potential, is likely to stay across the interior locations from the Ohio Valley to the St. Lawrence River Valley. Warm air from over the Atlantic Ocean will be pulled in on the southern side of the storm, will likely produce precipitation to fall as rain from the Carolinas through the I-95 corridor in the Northeast. The excessive moisture coming off the ocean will increase the chances for heavy downpours and raise the risk for flooding. This is especially true for communities hit by rounds of heavy rain and flooding already this year. Meanwhile, a second scenario is also in play, where the storm gathering in the Gulf of Mexico takes a more easterly track and stays just barely offshore. "This scenario may end up being more of a close call for coastal cities, as it could stay far enough off the coast to avoid much of the mid-Atlantic," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Eric Leister. Story continues If the storm hugs the coast, precipitation may reach as far inland is the I-95 corridor. This region, being on the northern side of the storm, could experience rain mixing with or changing to snow. "Even with a track just offshore, temperatures may still be too high for all snow or even some snow for part of the I-95 corridor as there is just not much cold air left over by the time the storm rolls around," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski. "Strengthening storms can make their own cold air, but that does not always happen to the point to make it snow at the coast as we saw last weekend," he added. In a third scenario, should the storm stay very far offshore, it is possible only areas right along the Southeast coast may receive some precipitation from the storm. If the potent storm remains farther east, then the door will be open for a weaker storm to press into the interior Northeast late in the weekend. "With a track out to sea, no precipitation may fall in the coastal Northeast, while snow showers from a separate, weaker storm system move across the Great Lakes and Appalachians," Sosnowski said. A strong coastal storm will mean beaches from North Carolina to Maine should be prepared for impacts similar to a nor'easter. Gusty winds, coastal flooding, beach erosion and rough seas could all be possible in such a scenario. "The same storm could slam Atlantic Canada, in particular Newfoundland with high winds, heavy rain and perhaps even heavy snow late in the weekend to early next week," Sosnowski said. "There's a lot of snow on the ground in Newfoundland and a storm with surging temperatures, high winds and rain could lead to a disastrous flooding situation for part of the Canada province," he added. Following this weekend, the weather pattern looks to remain active for the first full week of February, leaving the possibility for more stormy weather in the eastern U.S. Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios. Flash Airports around the world are using temperature checks and adopting precautionary quarantine procedures in response to a new strain of coronavirus that first appeared in China and has since spread to a number of countries. China Customs is requesting all travelers who want to cross China's border to fill out a health declaration form, because of the outbreak and spread of the coronavirus. The outbreak was first identified in the city of Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, in December 2019. Nearly 2,000 cases of the new coronavirus have been confirmed in China. India, Nigeria, Japan and the United States are some of the countries where airport screening procedures have been put in place. China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Hong Kong is one of the most popular destinations for tourists from the Chinese mainland. The city has stepped up surveillance and ordered more cleaning and disinfecting for planes and trains from Wuhan as well as for train stations and the airport. Carrie Lam, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), declared the highest emergency response in the city on Saturday and said the suspension of flights and trains from Wuhan will remain in place until the outbreak is under control. Thailand Thailand has installed infrared thermometer monitors in Bangkok, Chiang Mai Phuket and Kami airports to strengthen the entry quarantine of tourists. All passengers have to take thermal screening when entering Thailand and will be quarantined in case of fever or any other related symptoms, authorities said. Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has urged officials to enhance quarantine checks at airports and other entry points. Japan has confirmed two cases of the new coronavirus. Singapore Singapore will expand temperature screening at Changi Airport, one of Asia's busiest travel hubs, for all travelers on flights arriving from China. The health ministry said individuals with pneumonia and a history of travel to Wuhan within 14 days of the onset of symptoms will be quarantined in a hospital as a precautionary measure and investigated. Malaysia Malaysia reported its third case of coronavirus on Saturday. It has also strengthened screening at Kuala Lumpur's airport. Deputy health Minister Lee Boon Chye said staff are being trained to handle possible cases. "If a case emerges, then we may have to take more drastic measures, but for now, we hope we can nip it at the entry point," said Lee. South Korea Two cases have been identified in South Korea. At Incheon Airport near Seoul, the only airport in South Korea with direct flights from Wuhan, two special gates were designated for passengers from the city and ear thermometers were used to check their temperatures before Wuhan suspended all flights out of the city. India India said it is expanding thermal screening of passengers arriving from China, including Hong Kong, to seven airports. In-flight announcements before arrival will direct passengers with a fever or cough who have traveled to Wuhan in the previous 14 days to declare themselves to health authorities. The United States A second person in the U.S. has been diagnosed with the coronavirus, with a total 63 patients in 22 U.S. states being monitored for signs of the respiratory illness. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed a test to detect the new coronavirus. For those who traveled to China in the past two weeks and have symptoms such as fever, cough or trouble breathing, the agency recommends seeking immediate care, avoiding contact with others, not traveling and practicing good hygiene. Australia Australia detected on Saturday four coronavirus cases, becoming the latest country in a growing list to be affected by the illness. Brendan Murphy, Australia's chief medical officer, said biosecurity staff and state health officials in New South Wales are distributing pamphlets printed in English and Chinese to all passengers. The pamphlets describe symptoms of infection and ask people to identify themselves if they are experiencing any. Australians were urged on Saturday not to travel to Hubei Province in China, with the government issuing its most severe travel advisory. Nigeria Nigeria's government says health authorities at the points of entry are on alert for cases of coronavirus arriving in Africa's most populous country. South Africa's National Institute for Communicable Diseases said anyone with a severe respiratory illness should be tested if they have traveled to Wuhan within two weeks or had close physical contact with a coronavirus patient or treatment at a facility where a confirmed case has been reported. Europe French officials on Friday confirmed three cases of the new coronavirus from China. Authorities in Europe are preparing to deal with the arrival of infected people as the virus spreads beyond Chinese borders. Health authorities in Italy, France and Germany are currently testing people arriving from Asia. The Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds Chinese citizens who have plans to go abroad to learn about the relevant entry measures of the destination and arrange their travel according to the health conditions. It was the 1990s, though, when the final assault on moderate Republicans, already endangered, began in earnest. That decade saw the rise of the label RINO, Republican in Name Only, applied to any Republican who deviated from the conservative line. Party members were increasingly expected to vote together, and as the party moved further right that put pressure on moderates to either fall in line or leave the party. It took some time for the old moderates to die off, get voted out, or switch parties, but they mostly did over the next few decades. The demand to hew to the right even started taking out conservative office-holders like Eric Cantor, who was defeated by a primary challenger who held anti-immigration positions. In the new Republican Party of the 21st century, there was no room for moderate Republicans. Yet the idea persists, because it was such a core part of US politics for so long. Senators like Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, with a few key votes, have been able to cultivate an image of moderation, even as their voting records show them to be solidly conservative and, especially in the case of investigations into President Trump, unwilling to set aside party loyalty for civic duty. Indeed, that's already clear from the first few days of the Senate trial. When Democrats asked to include more evidence and witnesses news has broken since the House impeachment vote, and the White House refused to allow administration officials to testify in those hearings every single Republican senator voted no. Given that track record, senators like Romney, Murkowski and Collins should be getting very little attention. Not just because they are not as moderate as they seem, but because to focus on their ostensibly open minds is to misconstrue what is actually happening in the Senate. Donald Trump is not on trial, because the Republican majority has already decided to acquit him and many senators, including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, have said as much on the record. Five years ago, David Celis Hernadez bought a Lego set of the Sydney Opera House for his architect partner, Marina Yanes Monsalve. In their Venezuela home, the couple - neither of whom had visited Australia - assembled the set to celebrate getting their Australian visas. On Sunday they were lucky enough to take the citizenship pledge with 21 others inside the Utzon room, overlooking a harbour abuzz with party boats while RAAF jets roared overhead. The Opera House was home to one of the 454 citizenship ceremonies performed across the country on Australia Day, conferring citizenship on a record 27,419 new Australians. The Tug and Yacht ballet performed on Sydney Harbour on Sunday. Credit:Getty For Ms Yanes Monsalve, it was the perfect spot to make the commitment to her new home. "Its so funny that we were building this and now we get to have our ceremony here," she said. "In five years its been massive how much weve grown and the opportunities weve had." Speaking at the ceremony, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore urged the 21 new citizens from 17 different countries to look beyond their individual opportunities and take on the challenges the country is facing including the continuing bushfire disaster. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan once again wrote to Union Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar seeking intervention to order a 'thorough inquiry' by Nepal government into the death of eight people from Kerala who died in a resort earlier this month. The Chief Minister in his letter on Sunday urged Jaishankar to persuade the government of Nepal to give a suitable monetary compensation to the families of the victims. 'It is now reported that the deaths have happened due to malfunctioning of equipment in the room where these persons were staying. Prima facie, it is clear that there has been negligence on the part of the service providers and there appears to be a failure of regulatory mechanisms which ought to have been in place,' CM Pinarayi pointed out in his letter. ALSO READ | Nepal resort tragedy: Madhav's world came crashing in a matter of seconds The Chief Minister had also written to Jaishankar on January 21 raising the same demands. Tragedy struck a group of 15 tourists from Kerala when eight of them died due to possible asphyxiation after they fell unconscious in a resort at Daman in Nepal earlier in January. A gas leak from the room heater appeared to be the reason for the deaths. The deceased - two couples and four children - were part of a group of 15 people travelling from Kerala to Pokhara, a popular mountainous tourist destination. The mortal remains of five people, including three kids, were laid to rest at their ancestral home in Chenkottukonam on January 24. Lead, follow, or get out of the way. We live in a society that claims it wants leaders, but we only really want leaders that agree with our particular view of the world. Therefore, we end up with people calling themselves leaders who claim the low hanging fruit at the expense of us all. They cater to the lowest common denominator of the moment and yell so loud you cant hear a word theyre saying. The biggest problem is that it works. Everyone ends up ignoring the real problem that needs to be dealt with and instead just goes along with the crowd and justifies it with the belief it must be right because its what everyone else is doing. Thats not me. I am not that type of person and, as much I hate the title, I am not that type of leader. I am going to tell you like it is, no matter what the consequences to myself. That is what I am about to do with the school bond issue: tell it like it is. The truth is we have a school system in crisis. Our schools are falling apart and our students will fall behind and our city will miss opportunities to prosper and grow if we dont do something to address the need to replace old, run down, facilities we currently have with new, modern, centers of learning. No serious business wants to invest in a city that neglects its schools. Period. Exclamation point. For far too long, we, as community, have let our schools deteriorate to the point that some of them are not even usable. Many of them would have been closed years ago if they werent so vital. They are overcrowded and lack some of the most basic tools of learning and going about your day. Things as simple as a bathroom that is able to accommodate children with special needs; doors that can be closed in the event of an emergency; floors that arent built on asbestos tile that heave so bad that a ball will roll from the middle of the room to the corners in a matter of seconds. As I have previously publicly stated, walking into to some of them is like walking into a garage sale. Thats not an insult to the staff that works at those facilities, because, if anything, its a compliment to the way they continue to provide high quality education in spite of the condition of their schools. They have improvised. They have adapted. They have overcome. All that is great if youre in the military trying to defeat an enemy, but it hardly is the something we should be asking of our educators, and more importantly, our children. The cold, hard fact is our schools are in desperate need of replacement. We have to act now. Simply repairing them is like the old cliche of dressing up a pig only dressing up the pig will cost a lot more money and wont solve the problem. What we should be doing is bringing our schools into the twenty-first century twenty years late. How can we expect to attract high paying jobs if we dont hold ourselves to the type of standards we expect of the companies we are trying to attract? If it helps, think of this as an investment in economic development because that is ultimately what it is. It is an investment in our future as a community because that is what our children are: our future. Someone once paid that bill for you. Dont the children of today deserve the same? The time is now to join us and stand up for our kids. Please vote yes February 25th. Our children deserve it. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Keralas chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan was among the nearly seven million people who participated in a human chain on Sunday organised by the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) to protest the amended citizenship act and National Register of Citizens. The 620-km long human chain was formed from Kasaragod in north Kerala to Kaliyakkavilai in the southernmost part of the state by the ruling CPI(M) led front on Republic Day. Pinarayi Vijayan, who has been at the forefront of opposing the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and CPI leader Kanam Rajendran joined the protest in Keralas capital of Thiruvananthapuram. The human chain organised today against CAA has become a great wall This law is a threat to the secularism of this country. Kerala has made it clear that CAA, NRC and NPR will not be implemented on this soil, Vijayan was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Senior CPI(M) leader S Ramachandran Pillai was the first link of the chain at Kasaragod and MA Baby was the last in Kaliyakkavilai. The LDF claimed that around six to seven million people participated in the human chain. The human chain was formed at 4pm following which the preamble of the Constitution was read out. Participants later took an oath to protect the Constitution from the attempts of the central government to destroy it. Many prominent personalities were also a part of the chain. The state assembly passed a resolution in December last year stating CAA is against the secularism envisaged by the Constitution and Kerala was also the first state to challenge the contentious act after it moved to the Supreme Court earlier this month. The LDF and Congress headed United Democratic Front (UDF) opposition came together to pass the resolution at a special session of the House. Vijayan had also written to 11 chief ministers urging them to come together to oppose the citizenship act. - Clint Bondad is one of the hottest and most promising celebrities in the Philippines - He got into a longtime romantic relationship with Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray - Recently, a social media user bravely updated him about the said Filipina beauty queen - The response of the handsome celebrity immediately caught the attention of many people in the online world PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Clint Bondad once again caught the attention of many people in the online world because of his response to a netizen who updated him about Catriona Gray. KAMI learned that the much-talked-about exchange of messages happened in one of the recent social media posts of the handsome celebrity. PAY ATTENTION: Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! A netizen told the Kapuso actor that his gorgeous ex-girlfriend has already returned to the Philippines to do some shows. However, Clint pointed out that the said information is all about Catrionas journey and he does not find it interesting anymore. He also wished the social media user well after commenting about the Miss Universe titleholder on his recent Instagram post. Cat is already here in the [Philippines], the netizen quipped. Her journey. But find it uninteresting. Hope youre well, the actor responded. Screenshot via Fashion Pulis Source: Instagram In a previous article by , a Thai billionaire already spoke up about the rumor that she and Clint are in a relationship. Clint Bondad is a famous Filipino actor, model, and product endorser. He got into a longtime romantic relationship with Catriona Gray, which ended just last year. POPULAR: Read more news about Clint Bondad! Please like and share our Facebook posts to support KAMI team! Dont hesitate to comment and share your opinion about our stories either. We love reading about your thoughts! Source: KAMI.com.gh Several civic services including birth and death certificates, Aadhaar enrolment and udpation, and bus and flight ticketing would be provided by the Postal Department in Uttar Pradesh from April 1, with a special portal being set up for the purpose, an official said on Sunday. Superintendent of post offices, Allahabad division, Sanjay D Akhade told PTI that initially these services will be available in the head post offices of the state and later they will be expanded. He said the government has planned to provide citizen-centric services through a CSC portal across the country. Akhade said for this purpose a Common Service Center-Special Purpose Vehicle (CSC-SPV) has been set up which will work closely with the Department of Posts. The head post office at Parliament Street in New Delhi has been made the nodal office. Under the new services, people will be able to apply for PAN card, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Soil Health Card, Pradhan Mantri Crop Insurance Scheme and PDS, he said. Apart from this, they can obtain birth and death certificates, apply for Ayushman Bharat Yojana and book railway tickets, etc. Akhade said under the B2C, people will be able to do mobile and DTH recharges, Tally software registration and ITI registration. He said under public utility services, payment of electricity bill, applications for new power, water and sewer connections will be accepted, while people will be able to file their GST return. The superintendent said for these services, two master trainers and two operators from 23 circles were provided training by officials of CSC-SPV in Mysore. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China expanded drastic travel restrictions Monday and prolonged a public holiday to contain an epidemic that has killed 56 people and infected nearly 2,000, as several countries prepared to evacuate their citizens from a quarantined city at the outbreak's epicentre. China has locked down the hard-hit province of Hubei in the country's centre, an unprecedented operation affecting tens of millions of people and intended to slow transmission of the respiratory virus. Its ability to spread appears to be "getting stronger" though it is "not as powerful as SARS", top Chinese health officials said at a press conference. A working group chaired by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to tackle the epidemic decided to extend the Spring Festival holiday originally scheduled to end on January 30 "to reduce population flows," alongside unspecified changes to the starting dates of schools, state news agency Xinhua reported. The previously unknown virus has caused global concern because of its similarity to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) pathogen, which killed hundreds across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003. Outside the epicentre, Shandong province and four cities -- Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an and Tianjin -- announced bans on long-distance buses entering or leaving, a move that will affect millions of people travelling over the Lunar New Year holiday. The populous southern province of Guangdong, Jiangxi in the centre, and three cities made it mandatory for residents to wear face masks in public. Originating in Hubei's capital of Wuhan, the virus has spread throughout China and across the world -- with cases confirmed in around a dozen countries including as far away as the United States. The US State Department said Sunday it was arranging a flight from Wuhan to San Francisco for consulate staff and other Americans in the city. France's government and the French carmaker PSA also said they planned to evacuate staff and families, who will be quarantined in a city in a neighbouring province. Japan is coordinating with Beijing to swiftly evacuate its citizens, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said. Saudi Arabia asked its nationals present around Wuhan to contact its embassy for evacuation, while Jordan said it had obtained permission from Beijing to move its citizens from the city out of the country. - Fear in Wuhan - Instead of New Year revelry, Wuhan has been seized by an eerie calm that deepened on Sunday as new restrictions banned most road traffic in the metropolis of 11 million. Loudspeakers broke the silence by offering tips slathered with bravado. "Do not believe in rumours. Do not spread rumours. If you feel unwell, go to the hospital in time," the message said. "Wuhan is a city that dares to face difficulties and keeps overcoming them," the female voice added, mentioning the deadly 2002-03 SARS epidemic and 1998 Yangtze River flooding. The health emergency has overwhelmed Wuhan's hospitals with patients, prompting authorities to send hundreds of medical reinforcements, including military doctors, and start construction on two field hospitals. The number of confirmed cases in the city could rise by 1,000, Wuhan's mayor Zhou Xianwang predicted Sunday, based on the number currently undergoing observation in hospital. He also said around five million people had left the city during the new year travel rush. Speaking at a press conference and wearing a face mask, Zhou said the city's medical staff were "very strained and tired". With non-essential vehicles banned from the road, volunteers stepped up to drive sick fellow citizens to hospitals. "There has to be someone who does this," Zhang Lin, 48, told AFP journalists as he waited for a patient to emerge from a clinic for the drive back home in nearly deserted streets. Some foreigners in Wuhan expressed deep concern, saying they feared going outside. "We want to be evacuated as soon as possible, because either the virus, the hunger or the fear will kill us," Mashal Jamalzai, a political science student from Afghanistan at Central China Normal University, told AFP. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined that a Wuhan market where animals including rats, snakes and hedgehogs were reportedly sold is "highly relevant" to the outbreak, state news agency Xinhua reported on Monday. On Sunday, the government said it was banning all trade in wildlife until the emergency is over, but conservationists complain that Beijing has previously failed to deliver on such pledges. Animal rights groups called for the ban to be made permanent, saying it could end the possibility of future outbreaks. - Hong Kong bars entry - Health officials said the virus has since become transmissible between humans. At a press briefing in Beijing, CDC head Gao Fu said the disease "is indeed... not as powerful as SARS." However, it also appears that the "spreading ability of the virus is getting stronger," said Ma Xiaowei, head of China's national health commission. The government says most deaths involved the elderly or people with existing ailments. Fearing a repeat of SARS, China has dramatically scaled back celebrations associated with the New Year holiday, which began Friday, while tourist sites like Beijing's Forbidden City and a section of the Great Wall have closed. In Hong Kong, Disneyland announced Sunday it had closed as a precaution after the city authorities declared an emergency and banned entry of anyone from Hubei. Shanghai's Disneyland park had already closed Saturday. Kim Kyong-hui, 73, was once an influential figure in North Korea as the only sister of late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, the father of Kim Jong-un. She had initially kept a low profile during the early part of her brother's rule, but Kim Kyong-hui later frequently accompanied him on his inspection trips after he suffered a stroke in 2008. In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un claps with his wife Ri Sol-ju (third from right) and his aunt Kim Kyong-hui (second from right) as they attend a concert celebrating Lunar New Year's Day in Pyongyang. Credit:AP According to a Korean Central News Agency dispatch, the name of Kim Kyong-hui was included in a list of top North Korean officials who watched a performance marking Lunar New Year's Day with Kim Jong-un at a Pyongyang theatre on Saturday. Seoul: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's aunt made her first public appearance in about six years, state media reported on Sunday, quelling years of rumours that she was purged or executed by her nephew after helping him inherit power from his father. While taking up many top posts such as a four-star army general and a member of the powerful Politburo, she was also believed to have played a key role in grooming Kim Jong-un as the next leader. Kim Jong-un eventually took power after his father died of a heart attack in late 2011, in the North's second father-to-son power transfer. Kim Kyong-hui's fate had been in doubt after Kim Jong-un had her husband and the North's No. 2 official, Jang Song Thaek, executed for treason and corruption in December 2013. His death was reported by the North and remains the most significant in a series of executions or purges that Kim Jong-un has engineered in what outside experts believe were attempts to remove potential rivals and cement his grip on power. Days after Jang's execution, Kim Kyong-hui's name was mentioned in a KCNA dispatch as a member of a funeral committee for another top official. But she missed a state ceremony commemorating the second anniversary of Kim Jong-il's death days later. Her name had since never been mentioned in North Korean state media until Sunday's KCNA report. Some North Korea monitoring groups in Seoul and foreign media outlets had speculated Kim Jong-un had his aunt executed or purged, or she died of health problems. Outside experts said Kim Kyong-hui had long suffered from liver and heart problems and high blood pressure. It's extremely difficult to track developments in North Korea, the world's most closed country. Supposedly executed officials have later appeared on the North's state TV. Even South Korea's spy agency has had a mixed record on figuring out what's going across the border, but it previously dismissed speculation on Kim Kyong-hui's possible execution and said she was receiving medical treatment. In the absence of employment, opportunities cannot be made available for youngsters to fulfil their dreams, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Sunday and wondered how can the Republic be strong in such a scenario. His comments came over a media report which claimed that in the last five years, 3.64 crore people became unemployed in the top seven sectors. "On Republic Day, let us think about the millions of educated youth who are struggling to find employment. This employment will enable them to lead a dignified life," Gandhi said in a tweet. "In the absence of employment, we cannot give opportunities to our youth to fulfil their dreams, so how can the Republic be strong?," the former Congress chief said. Earlier, Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also hit out at the government over the issue of unemployment. "The promise was to give 2 crore jobs every year. That is 10,00,00,000 jobs in 5 years. 3,64,00,000 (3.64 crore) unemployed in 7 major sectors of the country in 5 years! As BJP's bank balance increases, employment goes on falling," he said in a tweet. Were these the "achche din" (good days) Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised, the Congress leader wondered. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prosecutors in New Hampshire want investigators to take another review of the truck driven by Volodymyr Zhukovskyy in the crash that killed seven motorcycle riders in June. Coos County, New Hampshire prosecutors filed a motion earlier this month seeking permission for consultant, Crash Lab, to further examine the Dodge Ram truck driven by Zhukovskyy in the June 21 crash in Randolph, New Hampshire. Zhukovskyy is facing seven counts each of negligent homicide, manslaughter, negligent homicide DUI and one count each of aggravated driving while intoxicated and reckless conduct. He is accused of killing seven members of the Jarheads Motorcycle Club. Authorities accuse Zhukovskyy of being high and reaching for a drink at the time of the crash. The Dodge truck was seized and searched by New Hampshire State Police on June 26 when investigators obtained a search warrant. The state police still have the truck. Zhukovskyys defense team reviewed the truck and the trailer involved in the crash in December 2019, according to the motion filed by prosecutors. The State, through its outside consultants from Crash Lab, Inc., seeks to conduct a further examination of the Dodge Ram 2500 pickup truck within its custody, and may conduct testing or take additional measurements of the truck as it deems appropriate, the motion said. Prosecutors want to have the examination done without Zhukovskyys defense team present. Zhukovskyys defense team has objected to the examination without a member of the defense team or a representative present. The motion does not discuss what information the prosecution hopes to gain by having another examination of the truck. Zhukovskyy, who is from West Springfield, Massachusetts, was driving for Westfield Transport at the time of the crash. The company has since been dissolved as civil lawsuits were filed against Westfield Transport after the deadly crash. Witnesses said Zhukovskyy was weaving in and out of traffic before the crash, according to search warrants released in the case. The crash sparked a review of the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles after it was discovered that Zhukovskyy was legally allowed to drive at the time, but the RMV never processed an out-of-state violation before the crash. Records show Zhukovskyy had an OUI arrest in Connecticut a month earlier and refused a breathalyzer test. His license should have been suspended. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation then announced the discovery of a backlog of thousands of out-of-state violations. RMV officials either resigned or were fired in the aftermath. A forensic audit of the RMV has cost the state more than $1.4 million. Related content: After deadly New Hampshire crash, MassDOT pays Grant Thornton at least $1.4M to identify dysfunction within RMV Former Merit Rating Board Director Thomas Bowes called employees poor white trash, audit notes say At least one RMV employee saw Volodymyr Zhukovskyys violation before N.H. crash RMV scandal: What we know about the failures within the registry before New Hampshire crash that killed 7 Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, the Massachusetts man accused of killing 7 motorcyclists in NH crash, indicted on 23 charges including negligent homicide Witnesses saw Volodymyr Zhukovskyys truck weaving in and out of traffic before fatal crash in New Hampshire, authorities say in newly unsealed documents Volodymyr Zhukovskyy was high, reaching for drink at time of deadly New Hampshire crash, report says Boris Johnson signing the Withdrawal Agreement for the UK to leave the EU on January 31st (Andrew Parsons/No10 Downing Street/PA) Boris Johnson has said Britain will become a global, trail-blazing country after it leaves the European Union as he unveiled the Governments full plans to mark Brexit day. The Prime Minister said he will look ahead with confidence to the future on Friday when the UK formally leaves the bloc nearly four years since the referendum. Mr Johnson will deliver a special address to the nation to mark the historic day and Downing Street will be illuminated with a light display designed to symbolise the strength and unity of the UKs four nations. Union flags will line Parliament Square and the Mall, Government buildings on Whitehall will be lit up in red, white and blue throughout the evening and a countdown clock will be projected onto Number 10s black bricks from 10pm on January 31. The PM will chair a meeting of his Cabinet in the north of England on Friday, while he and his ministers will use this week to meet people and businesses across the UK. Mr Johnson will host another edition of his Peoples PMQs on Facebook on Wednesday, and children will be invited to Downing Street on Thursday where they will be given the chance to ask the PM about the future he intends to build for the next generation. Expand Close Brexit 50p coin (HM Treasury/PA) PA Media / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Brexit 50p coin (HM Treasury/PA) And the new commemorative 50p coin to mark Britains departure will enter circulation on Friday. Mr Johnson said: Next Friday marks an important moment in the history of our United Kingdom. No matter how you voted in 2016, it is the time to look ahead with confidence to the global, trail-blazing country we will become over the next decade and heal past divisions. That is what I will be doing on January 31 and I urge everyone across the UK to do the same. The day after Britains departure, the Governments new GREAT Ready to Trade' campaign will launch in 17 cities across 13 countries outside the EU as the UK seeks to build future trading relationships. Adverts will be placed in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UAE and the USA. On Monday, a campaign with the message This Friday the UK leaves the EU will launch, urging businesses and citizens to check for any changes they need to make ahead of January 2021 when the transition period will have come to an end. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said honouring unsung heroes with the Padma awards is in a way discovery of India. Congratulating all the Padma awardees, Naidu, in a series of tweets, said this year's Padma awards are also an "ode to the unsung heroes" who have quietly contributed to the cause of our society in different ways. "I appreciate the Government for recognizing the unrecognized irrespective of their visibility. One way, this is a discovery of India," he said. Complimenting all the Padma awardees, the vice president appreciated their spirit of selfless service to the cause of the nation. Among the unsung heroes who were awarded the coveted Padma Shri award this year include Jagdish Lal Ahuja, who serves free food to patients and attendants outside the PGI Hospital in Chandigarh, Mohammed Sharif from Faizabad, who has performed last rites of over 25,000 unclaimed bodies, and elephant doctor from Assam Kushal Konwar Sarma. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two people were killed and four others sustained injuries in a shooting incident at a bar in Hartsville, South Carolina, on Sunday, local media reported, citing officials. No arrests have been made by the police in connection with the incident so far, Hartsville city spokeswoman Lauren Baker said, as cited by CNN. The motive of the shooting remains unclear. Further details are awaited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Justin Mikulka, a freelance writer, audio and video producer living in Trumansburg, NY. Originally published at DeSmogBlog. On February 15, 2018, a fracked natural gas well owned by ExxonMobils XTO Energy and located in southeast Ohio experienced a well blowout, causing it to gush the potent greenhouse gas methane for nearly three weeks. The obscure accident ultimately resulted in one of the biggest methane leaks in U.S. history. The New York Times reported in December that new satellite data revealed that this single gas well leaked more methane in 20 days than an entire years worth of methane released by the oil and gas industries in countries like Norway and France. The cause of this massive leak was a failure of the gas wells casing, or internal lining. Well casing failures represent yet another significant but not widely discussed technical problem for an unprofitable fracking industry. Fracking and When Well Linings Fail Casing failures occur when the steel or cement thats lining an oil or gas well breaks or cracks, which means the well cant maintain pressure anymore and creates a pathway for anything inside the well such as fracking fluids to leak into the surrounding environment. They can take place, as in the example of Exxons gas well in Ohio, at sites where hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is happening. The results of these failures can be catastrophic, as a 2017 paper published by the Society of Petroleum Engineers spells out: Outcomes from casing failures include blowouts, pollution, injuries/fatalities, and loss of the well with associated costs. Wells used to produce oil and gas via fracking are different from what are known as conventional, or traditionally drilled, oil wells. While a fracked well is initially drilled vertically like a conventional well, at a certain point, the well bore turns and drills horizontally for distances up to 20,000 feet (thats nearly four miles). The wells vertical portion is made up of several layers of steel pipe casing and cement that are designed to protect nearby groundwater from the oil, gas, and fracking fluids that pass through the well. The process of hydraulic fracturing is what releases the oil and gas from the shale. This is accomplished by pumping a mixture of water, chemicals, and sand under such high pressure that it breaks apart the rock, creating fractures that allow trapped oil and gas to flow up the well to the surface. Representation of a horizontally drilled and hydraulically fractured natural gas well, with the cycle of water involved. Credit: Environmental Protection Agency, public domain According to the Society of Petroleum Engineers paper, produced by petroleum engineer Neal Adams and others, casing failures have been linked to the stresses and high pressures required to complete the fracking process and the industry is grappling with this costly and hazardous problem. This paper identified the problem in depth and used strong language (for engineers), noting, Incidents of casing failures occurring during fracture stimulation operations are increasing at an alarming rate. For an industry laser-focused on cutting costs, the risk of losing an entire fracking well gets its attention. The Society of Petroleum Engineers itself will be discussing this issue at its February 6 meeting in Texas during a three-hour panel called Casing Deformation in Unconventionals: Case Histories, Root-Causes, Managing and Mitigating. This is not some fringe issue for independent operators. The panel tackling this issue is made up of representatives from the major industry players, including Shell, BP, and XTO, the subsidiary of ExxonMobil that operated the blown well in Ohio. This growing problem for the fracking industry can be traced to the same issues that have caused past failures: cutting corners on costs because shale companies have been losing money and are pushing the limits of technology to try to finally turn a profit and pay back their sizable debts. Once again, this cost-cutting approach hasnt been working, and the risks to the climate, the environment, and investors continue to mount. More Stress Put to the Test When DeSmog approached Dr. Anthony Ingraffea, Professor of Engineering Emeritus at Cornell University, about the issue of well casing failures, his response was simple. It isnt surprising, he said. Shale companies have continually promised investors that technology would be the solution to the ongoing financial losses for the industry. A few of the technological advances touted as the key to their financial troubles include drilling longer wells, pumping in more frac sand as proppant to keep the fractured shale pathways open, injecting more water, performing many more fracs per well, cramming in more wells per well pad with cube development, and optimizing operations with artificial intelligence. New #fracking techniques: Longer laterals (44% longer), more water (250% more), more frac sand, and closer spacing of wells, have not significantly increased the recoverable resource. They are frontloading production, booming faster and busting faster. https://t.co/WDLdBmGUiY TXsharon (@TXsharon) May 12, 2019 The increasing pressures used to fracture the shale and number of frac hits in oil and gas wells may be contributing to the increasing problem of well casing failures, according to Dr. Arash Dahi-Taleghan, Associate Professor of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering at Pennsylvania State University. Nowadays, the problem is that they are not making only four or five fractures, Dahi-Taleghan recently explained to the Journal of Petroleum Technology. Sometimes, you have 150200 fractures that are closely spaced together and the injections rates are high. He also noted new techologies which use increased pressures and concluded that, All of these things can put too much stress on the casing, as was not the case before. And that makes sense to a civil engineer like Ingraffea. Longer wells require higher pressure to blast the fracking fluids greater distances to fracture the shale along the length of the lateral, or horizontal portion of the well. That places greater stress on the whole well structure, he told DeSmog. Youre putting higher and different kinds of stress on the casing, and you are also subjecting the casing to many more repeated loadings because as you increase the lateral, you are going from five fracs to hundreds of fracs in some cases, Ingraffea explained to DeSmog. It all makes sense, Ingraffea added about the increase in well casing failures. Fracked oil and gas wells are built out of steel and cement, but they arent invincible. When these materials are repeatedly stressed during fracking operations, failures are bound to happen. Cost Savings on Well Materials Lead to Well Failures The recent Journal of Petroleum Technology (JPT) article quoting Dahi-Taleghan asks a question that should frighten shale investors: An Unconventional Challenge: Can Casing Failures During Hydraulic Fracturing Be Stopped? Drilling and fracking the new, longer wells can cost well over $10 million, a significant increase in cost from the shorter wells historically used by the industry. A 2016 report from the Energy Information Adminstration estimated historical well costs in the range of $610 million. Shale gas company CNX reported that recent wells cost $14 million, but the company hopes to reduce that cost to $12.5 million per well. A well casing failure can turn that sizable investment into a total loss, which, depending on the situation, also may require even more money for cleanup. If casing failures cant be stopped, the industry has a huge problem, which is certainly why this will be a major topic of conversation next month among petroleum engineers in Texas. Average well costs for fracking industry 2005-2016. Credit: Trends in U.S. Oil and Natural Gas Upstream Costs, Energy Information Administration Can casing failures be stopped altogether? Thats highly unlikely with these complex systems enduring extreme stresses. But these failures can be greatly reduced if the operators invest in the well structures. Casing is around 20 percent to 30 percent of the total well cost thats a huge amount of money, and because of constant budgeting issues, operators are choosing to pay the minimum cost of designing any well, Christine Noshi, a petroleum engineer whose research focused on well casing integrity, told JPT. George King, who JPT describes as an independent consultant and leading technical voice on hydraulic fracturing, has assessed the problem and his take is grim. The more that you try to skimp by on your pipe design, your cement, your couplings that type of thing the higher the risk that well is going to fail before you can get a return, King explained to JPT. Thats going to change your net present value calculations. King estimates that in certain U.S.shale and tight oil fields, between 20 percent and 30 percent of horizontal wells are impacted to some degree. For shale companies already hemorrhaging money while betting on longer wells with many more fracs per well, that is exceptionally bad news. After consistently losing money for the past decade, the shale industry has proven it cant make money drilling shorter wells and has made a big bet on these much longer wells. But it still isnt working. Environmental and Climate Risks Well casing failures pose a huge risk for water contamination via fracking fluids, which contain a vast mixture of chemicals with various health risks. And these failures represent another way that oil and gas production can lead to releases of the powerful greenhouse gas methane. According to Adams 2017 paper in the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Most observed failures have occurred in the shallow, uncemented sections of the hole, which is pretty much the worst-case scenario from an environmental standpoint. Without cement to help contain the failing well, and especially at shallow depths, fracking fluids can blast through the internal lining and easily lead to groundwater contamination. If uncemented sections are more likely to fail, why doesnt the industry cement the full length of the well bore? Because many states dont require it, and using more cement adds higher costs to an already expensive process that producers are desperate to contain. Cement doesnt only provide a potential barrier between whats going on inside the well and the surrounding environment, but as Ingraffea explained to DeSmog, it provides more structural integrity to help the well withstand the extreme forces of the fracking process, which can reach pressures up to 15,000 pounds per square inch. The worst-case scenario for failure can be a well blowout, which is a financial disaster for the operator and can result in large methane leaks, as Exxon saw with its well blowout in Ohio. Exxons investigation concluded that high pressure was the culprit behind the failed well casing. The first satellite designed to continuously monitor the planet for methane leaks made a startling discovery last year: A little known gas-well accident at an Ohio fracking site was in fact one of the largest methane leaks ever recorded in the U.S.https://t.co/pa2BUuPTaX Alexander Kaufman (@AlexCKaufman) December 16, 2019 Adams paper specifically notes that casing failures can result in well blowouts and includes the following troubling statement: As the results of this study have shown, most failures occur in the vertical section of the well above the top of cement. Failures observed in this section tend to be closer to the surface than the top of cement. Currently existing blowout control techniques are not immediately applicable in these cases. It took Exxon 20 days to cap the blown well in Ohio. Casing Failure in Pennsylvania A year ago, shale gas producer CNX experienced a well casing failure that resulted in a blowout in Pennsylvania. In February, the state Department of Environmental Protection issued a notice of violation to CNX, citing the company for failure to construct and operate a well to ensure that the well integrity is maintained and failure to equip the well with casings of sufficient strength. However, the state did not fine CNX for the violations. The well was plugged and filled with cement, representing a major loss for CCNX, with the company reporting wells costing $14 million each. While the company doesnt have plans to frack the other three wells it drilled on the same well pad constructed with the same pipe that failed it maintains that is an option in the future if an additional liner is added to the wells. The Failure of the Great Fracking Experiment The Society of Petroleum Engineers is meeting in Texas next month to discuss the problem of well casing failures, long after engineers should have figured out this problem. However, this has been the approach of the oil and gas industry over the course of hydraulic fracturings recent history. This has been true with fracking industry-induced earthquakes. Water contamination. Methane emissions. Radioactive fracking waste. Child wells. Frac hits and moving dangerous fracked oil by rail. And now, well casing failures. Its worth noting that for many of these issues, the first response by oil and gas industry promoters has been to deny that there is a problem, thus delaying the identification and implementation of solutions and putting the public, environment, and climate at risk. In 2014, Energy in Depth, a public relations effort by the Independent Petroleum Association of America and FTI Consulting, wrote that a frequently repeated claim out of the anti-fracking camp was that well casing failures were causing water contamination and then went on to cite the Society of Petroleum Engineers in explaining why these failures were so rare. Energy in Depth might want to touch base with those engineers again for a 2020 update. Whatever the industry talking points (or in some cases, straight up denial), these costly issues continue to mount for the fracking industry at the same time when shale companies are facing the likelihood that most of the best oil and gasproducing acreage has already been drilled. If that turns out to be the case, paying back the high costs of drilling and fracking will become even more challenging for shale companies as new wells produce less oil and gas. The fracking experiment has been a financial disaster. It has been a climate disaster. And it has contaminated large swaths of water and soil in places like North Dakota and is draining (and contaminating) much-needed freshwater supplies in arid regions. It has been potentially linked to rare cancers in youth in Pennsylvania. Additionally, the industry is trucking radioactive wastewater across the country with little in the way of protections. And companies dont have the money to clean up and shut down the hundreds of thousands of wells once theyre pumped dry, setting up the American public to foot that bill or leave the problem to fester. #Shale bear Mark Papa predicts just 400K production growth for US this year. Tells room at #IPTC2020 that OPEC oil will only become more important over next decade. A change is coming. Says capital starvation playing a roleBUT bigger role is resource depletion. #oilandgas pic.twitter.com/CZ76RGu90U Trent Jacobs (@TrentPJacobs) January 13, 2020 How should we expect the fracking industry to approach the growing problem of well casing failures? Just look to its track record, and dont expect any surprises. SEBASTOPOL (BCN) Police in Sebastopol on Friday arrested a 16-year-old in connection with a months-long vandalism streak. The male juvenile was arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism, according to the Sebastopol Police Department. In November 2019, police responded to a report of vandalism in a public bathroom. Investigators said the suspect had tagged the letters PEAK and KKS inside the bathroom. Over the next few months, victims, witnesses and police observed many more identical incidents of vandalism on mostly public surfaces throughout the city. The suspect used permanent marker, spray paint and other methods in almost 200 separate incidents of vandalism. Since the vandalism was unique in both style and content, investigators believed the same suspect committed the tagging. During the investigation, police installed hidden video cameras in public places throughout the city to catch the suspect on video and were ultimately able to identify the suspect with additional help from social media and local school officials. After identifying the suspect, police arrested him at his school. Police said the suspect admitted to committing the vandalism. The estimated damage due to the vandalism was in the thousands of dollars, police said. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Scientists in China are ramping up efforts to develop a vaccine against the deadly coronavirus as the death toll on Sunday rose sharply to 56 and the number of people infected with the SARS-like virus expected to reach 3,000, prompting authorities to expand travel lockdown to contain the epidemic. The mayor of Hubei province's capital Wuhan, a city of about 11 million and the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak that has killed 56 and infected 1,975 people, on Sunday said he expects another 1,000 new patients in the city, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Zhou Xianwang said "it was possible to add about 1,000 cases" based on the number of patients in hospital being tested or undergoing observation in the city. Premier Li Keqiang will head the high-level group to fight the coronavirus epidemic as health officials said the virus's ability to spread is getting stronger. The Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Sunday that researchers had isolated viruses and were selecting a strain, Xu Wenbo, a director of CDC's virus institute, told South China Morning Post. Xu at a press conference in Beijing said that researchers had used high-throughput genetic sequencing to identify pathogens one day after the first four samples were sent from Wuhan on January 2. China's National Health Commission (NHC) on Sunday said that the new coronavirus is contagious even in its incubation period, which lasts up to 14 days, and that the virus' ability to spread is getting stronger, the Hong Kong-based daily reported. Ma Xiaowei, the minister in charge of the NHC, told a press briefing that the authorities' understanding of the virus was limited and they were also unclear on the risks posed by possible mutations. The outbreak is expected to continue for some time, he was quoted as saying. Ma said that unlike Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome) the new coronavirus was infectious during its incubation period. He also reiterated earlier reports that people infected with the virus might not immediately show any symptoms. While Wuhan and 17 others cities in Hubei province remained the epicentre of the viral disease outbreak with most of the deaths having taken place there, the cases have started rising steadily in most of the Chinese provinces and cities, including Beijing. Originating Wuhan, the virus has spread throughout China and across the world -- with cases confirmed in around a dozen countries as distant as the United States. The US, France and Russia are preparing to pull their citizens out of Wuhan. Other countries are ramping up quarantine measures in an attempt to prevent further infections in their own territories. India on Sunday said it is examining "all options" in consultations with China to provide relief to over 250 stuck Indians, mostly students, in Wuhan. India on Sunday opened a third hotline in view of "large number" of phone calls from the Indians who are mostly students, the Indian Embassy in Beijing said. "In view of the large number of calls received in the two hotline numbers set up by @EOIBeijing in connection with the outbreak of coronavirus infection, @EOIBeijing has decided to open a third hotline number +8618610952903," the Embassy tweeted. The other two hotline numbers are 8618612083629 and 8618612083617, the Embassy said. The Embassy said it is examining all options and holding consultations with China to provide relief to the Indians holed up in Wuhan. "Over the last two days our hotlines have fielded nearly 600 calls to respond to concerns regarding this difficult situation. GoI and @EOIBeijing are also examining all options, including through consultations with the Chinese authorities, to provide relief to our affected citizens," another tweet by the Embassy said. The reference to all options was seen as a pointer to explore the option to evacuate the stranded Indians. In a rare move the Indian Embassy here on Sunday cancelled the Republic Day ceremony, owing to the rising concern of the virus which has spread to all provinces except Tibet. As well as locking down cities, the government was sending more doctors and nurses, and more medical supplies to Wuhan. More than 1,350 medics had already arrived in the city to help battle the epidemic and a further 1,000 would follow. Amid the situation becoming grim, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday said China is facing a "grave situation" but he exuded confidence that the country would "win the battle" against the epidemic. Stepping up all-round efforts to contain the fast spreading SARS-like virus, China on Saturday announced it would build another 1,300-bed makeshift hospital in Wuhan in the next 15 days in addition to another 1,000-bed hospital being built presently in the city and expected to be completed in 10 days, to treat more cases of the deadly virus. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Appointment 26 January 2020 Canyon Ranch, North America's premier wellness lifestyle brand, today announced Jeff Kuster as CEO. Kuster's arrival ushers in a new era for the privately owned company, which was among the first to introduce an integrated approach to wellness 40 years ago, and remains committed to innovation and increasing its share of this $4.2 trillion industry. Kuster joins Canyon Ranch with a track record of transformational leadership, brand building, and assembling winning teams that drive results. He also demonstrates a passion for consumers and markets, and a strong focus on internal culture and diversity. Kuster brings more than 30 years of global experience, from the Peace Corps in West Africa and Doctors Without Borders in Romania, to leadership positions with McKinsey & Company and executive roles with fashion and lifestyle brands based in Europe. Most recently, he served as the Group President of North America for Ralph Lauren Corporation. Anxious foreigners in the locked-down city that spawned China's deadly viral epidemic say they are stranded at home, running out of food and desperate to leave, as governments scrambled to draw up evacuation plans. Authorities have barred travel to and from Hubei province and its capital Wuhan, where the coronavirus was first detected before it spread across China and to a dozen other countries -- including the United States, France and Australia. Several other large cities in China have introduced their own travel restrictions in a bid to contain the disease, which has killed 56 people and infected nearly 2,000 others. "In the past week we've not been able to go out and buy anything to eat," said Mashal Jamalzai, a political science student from Afghanistan at Central China Normal University. He told AFP that he and his classmates had been living on biscuits, and his embassy had not responded to requests for help. "We want to be evacuated as soon as possible, because either the virus, the hunger or the fear will kill us," Jamalzai said. Thousands of foreign students and other international residents live in Wuhan, a normally bustling transport hub in central China home to a huge steel and auto industry. But with schools, hospitals and public offices shut and no transport to and from the city, Hubei University student Siti Mawaddah says the city now "looks like a ghost town". "The situation in Wuhan right now is very intense and worrying," the 25-year-old Indonesian told AFP, adding that the situation had taken a psychological toll on her and her classmates. "If we stay in Wuhan, it's as if we're just waiting for our turn to get infected," she said. Mawaddah said she had heard the United States plans to evacuate consular staff and some American citizens living in the city, and hoped her own government could do the same. - Evacuation plans - The US State Department is sending a flight to collect its consular staff and carry them to San Francisco, but warned that there would only be limited space for the estimated 1,000 Americans living in Wuhan. "If there is insufficient ability to transport everyone who expresses interest, priority will be given to individuals at greater risk from coronavirus," the department said. Diana Adama, an American teacher living in Wuhan, told CNN that she was upset at the lack of information about the virus. But she said she didn't want to leave on the chartered flight if it meant carrying the virus back home. "I'm not going to endanger anybody else. And that's just erring on the side of caution," she told the broadcaster. France is also planning to evacuate its citizens stuck in Hubei province by bus, and French carmaker PSA -- which has a sizable presence in Wuhan -- said was formulating plans to evacuate staff and relatives for quarantine in a neighbouring province. South Korea's consulate general in Wuhan conducted a poll on Sunday to determine the demand for a chartered plane for its citizens who want to return home, while Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said his country would fly out any nationals who wanted to leave. Singapore has already repatriated 20 airline staff and passengers who were quarantined in the eastern city of Hangzhou for more than a day after fears one person on the flight was carrying the disease, according to the Straits Times newspaper. And Sri Lanka said Sunday it would fly back 150 students from China in the next two days. With China ramping up travel restrictions in cities across the country -- including Beijing and Shanghai -- foreign countries have told their citizens to avoid Wuhan. Russia has yet to report its first case of the virus but has gone a step further, with tourism officials on Friday asking operators to stop selling tour packages to China and inform customers about the dangers of the outbreak. Tourism company Rus-Tour announced Sunday it was transporting 1,100 of its customers home from Hainan, a resort island popular with Russian travellers around 1,600 kilometres (1,000 miles) south of Wuhan. The firm was also halting sales of tours to China "until the epidemiological situation in the country is back to normal", it said in a statement. burs-gle/rox/fox A hotel employee takes the temperature of a man who just arrived in the building in Wuhan After receiving the Padma Shri Award on Sunday, Mohammad Sharif, who has performed last rites of 25,000 unclaimed bodies, said he was grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the honour. Sharif, who is endearingly called "Chacha Sharif", said that he started the practice after his son was murdered 27 years ago and the family came to know of his death after over a month. The body had been disposed of as "unidentified". "Twenty-seven years ago my son was murdered in Sultanpur. I got to know about it a month later. After that, I took up this practice (of performing the last rites of unidentified persons). So far, I have cremated 3,000 bodies of Hindus and buried 2,500 bodies of Muslims," Sharif told reporters after a Republic Day event in Ayodhya where he was felicitated. "I would like to thank the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) for the honour. I will wish for his good health and prosperous life," he added. The Padma awards are conferred in three categories -- Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, second, third and fourth highest civilian honours of the country respectively, only after the Bharat Ratna. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ive had a slight Symmetry OCD since I was a kid. Obsessions with this OCD include the persistent, mostly irrational need for things to feel symmetrical, or be perfectly aligned, or to get to some version of just right. Accompanying compulsions include repeated rearranging, evening up, constant realigning and even repeated tapping. Its not bad in my instance, I just have slight urges every now and then. What a relief when I later on found out that I am not alone in having obsessions and compulsions like this. I know normal people that have an irrational need to constantly clean everything or, say, make the volume on the TV an even number or a multiple of 3. Im sure you know someone with an irrational tick as well. Those are all mild OCDs. Perfectionism as an entrepreneur can just as easily evolve into an irrational tick that can have a toll on your efficiency. As an entrepreneur, the last thing youd want is to have a need to be perfect in a sport where the dynamics are ever-changing. Still, when most entrepreneurs have a picture locked within their heads, its hard to get it out. What they however overlook is the negative effects that are associated with being the perfectionist they cling on to being. Perfectionism is refusal to accept any standard short of your perceived idea of what is perfect. All successful entrepreneurs share similar values. A good entrepreneur has the ability to accept correction, be a team player, be productive, dream, effect proper time management, and have good networking skills, to mention a few. All these values do not see eye to eye with perfectionism. Perfectionism is the enemy of correction. A business entrepreneur must always have a plan. A perfectionist, when presenting his/her business plan, believes that it is the finished work he has done and hence is not likely to consider any input that is going to be given to him/her. A better entrepreneur would see other inputs after sharing said business plan as helpful. On the other hand, a perfectionist may see the input given as criticism of his/her work. Most perfectionists assume that their standards are the highest standards and hence are not ready to listen to what others have to say. They would always come up with reasons why what you are recommending would not work and for that reason, they stick to what they originally planned on doing, forgoing the opportunities that outside recommendations can bring to the table. Perfectionism is the enemy of development. Being obsessed with being right is the main characteristic of a perfectionist. Their standard is the yard stick by which any and every input is measured. In my opinion, perfectionism prevents you the entrepreneur from coming up with a perfect product, by hindering the implementation of helpful input. The truth is, perfectionists do not usually consider or apply corrections put forth to them. By missing out on chances to better their products and services, a perfectionist gives room for competitors to surpass them. One major setback frombeing a perfectionist is the fact that it gets difficult for you to learn from others. This therefore reduces the rate at which youdevelop. Somehow, most people who call themselves perfectionist believe that they have had more experience than many and hence do not believe that anyone has anything new to teach them, forgetting that the world is evolving, and new things come up every day. Perfectionism is the enemy of team building. For a business to be said to have grown, the size of workers is one of the measuring tools. This is normally expanded through team building. Perfectionists however have great difficulty in doing this. They do not do it consciously, but they always end up doing it. A perfectionist will rather work alone and get things done according to their standards than to work with others that he/she feels will stifle progress. When working as a good team, everyones input is considered, and everything is built from scratch thinking outside the box. When working with a perfectionist, said person comes to the team with what they expect to be done,and how they expect it to be done. They may come asking for what everyone thinks is the right way to go about things but at the end of the day, what they had in mind is what is going to be used by them. This usually tends to discourage team members from contributing towards work that have been presented before them as they feel they will just be wasting their time. Even when they know easier and shorter ways to get things done, they will rather remain silent. Perfectionism is the enemy of productivity. Perfectionism will not enable an entrepreneur to come out with a product until he/she feels the product is perfect, based on their perceived standards. While the perfectionist is in the lab working on their product to get the perfect product,competitors will release his product and allow feedback to make the product better to meet the needs of his/her target market. Following the latter, it enables the market to decide and partake in the development of a generally accepted product while the perfectionist keeps working on making it perfect by his/her standards. The fact that perfectionists have difficulty in accepting correction also prevents them from seeking feedback from the public as they would see this as a criticism of their product or service. Perfectionism is the killer of dreams. When an individual has the dream to start a particular business, it looks easy at the beginning. It could be easier when you seek advice from people who have already been in that industry or mentors. Most individual use the advice they receive from such people to make their business a better one and are ready for further inputs to help them grow. However, that is not the case for people who practise perfectionism. Due to the fact that they believe and are used to being right at all times, they see inputs given them by people in the industry as criticism which do not go too well with them. Most often when perfectionists are faced with challenges, they tend to get frustrated and are most likely to give up on their dreams. If things do not go exactly as they wish it to go, they are likely to drop the dream and console themselves that it was not meant to be. Perfectionism is the enemy of effective time management. When you are not focused on getting things done perfectly but having things done properly, you are able to make time for many things. However, when you are focusing on getting something done using perfectionism, you spend all your time on that and in the end, you have many things left undone. Based on this we can boldly say that perfectionism is the enemy of effective time management. A perfectionist will not move away from what they are working on until they feel they have attained the standard they deem to be perfect. This prevents them from addressing other aspects of their lives and this goes a long way to making perfectionist become workaholics. Perfectionism is the enemy of good networking. Perfectionism is said to be the enemy of networking. Networking happens under less tense scenarios and usually outside the work environment. Perfectionists as I mentioned earlier turn to be workaholics. They turn to give up their social lives in an attempt to build the successful business that they envision. This makes whatever you are working on become very stressful and because the entrepreneur does not have time to destress, being a perfectionist has been associated with bringing about illnesses such as anxiety disorder, fatigue and insomnia. Research has also discovered that due to the lifestyle of perfectionists, most of the time they are seen to die earlier as compared to how long they would have lived should they have lived without all the pressures of being a perfectionist. How does one handle perfectionism? We should choose attainable targets and not ones that are solely abstract. I am a Ghanaian, so it would be totally unattainable to, say, at this stage and age, aim to be the President of America. That is not to say one shouldnt dream big. But stories of only one person seeing the way and being the pioneer is the exception to the rule. Ask for help or for what you need. There is nothing different under the sun. As you give up trying to reinvent the wheel, embrace the team mentality as you progress step by step as a unit. Its less stressful that way anyways. How do you think you can apply what youve just read in your current situation? Do you know anyone thats a perfectionist? How do you think once can better manage the urge to try to be perfect at everything? Hit me up on social media and lets keep the conversation going! I read all the feedback you send me on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Also, feel free to send me your articles on relevant topics for publication on the Macroeconomic Bulletin. Id give you full credit, an intro, and an outro. Kindly make it about 1000 words. Have a lovely week! Maxwell Ampong is the CEO of Maxwell Investments Group, a Trading and Business Solutions provider. He is also the Business Advisor for the General Agricultural Workers Union of TUC (Gh). He writes about trending and relevant economic topics, and general perspective pieces. LinkedIn:/in/thisisthemax Instagram:@thisisthemax Twitter:@thisisthemax Facebook:@thisisthemax Website: www.maxwellinvestmentsgroup.com Email: [email protected] Mobile: 0249993319 When the Revolutionary Guard officer spotted what he thought was an unidentified aircraft near Tehrans international airport in Iran, he had seconds to decide whether to pull the trigger. Iran had just fired a barrage of ballistic missiles at U.S. forces, the country was on high alert for an American counterattack, and the Iranian military was warning of incoming cruise missiles. The officer tried to reach the command center for authorization to shoot but couldnt get through. So he fired an anti-aircraft missile. Then another. The plane, which turned out to be a Ukrainian jetliner with 176 people on board, crashed and exploded in a ball of fire. Within minutes, the top commanders of the Guard realized what they had done. And at that moment, they began to cover it up. For days, they refused to tell even President Hassan Rouhani, whose government was publicly denying that the plane had been shot down. When they finally told him, he gave them an ultimatum: come clean or he would resign. Only then, 72 hours after the plane crashed, did Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, step in and order the government to acknowledge its fatal mistake. The New York Times pieced together a chronology of those three days by interviewing Iranian diplomats, current and former government officials, ranking members of the Guard and people close to the supreme leaders inner circle and by examining official public statements and state media reports. The reporting exposes the governments behind-the-scenes debate over covering up Irans responsibility for the crash while shocked Iranians, grieving relatives and countries with citizens aboard the plane waited for the truth. The new details also demonstrate the outsize power of the Guard, which effectively sidelined the elected government in a moment of national crisis, and could deepen what many Iranians already see as a crisis of legitimacy for the Guard and the government. The bitter divisions in Irans government persist and are bound to affect the investigation into the crash, negotiations over compensation and the unresolved debate over accountability. Tuesday Around midnight on Jan. 7, as Iran was preparing to launch a ballistic-missile attack on U.S. military posts in Iraq, senior members of the Guard deployed mobile anti-aircraft defense units around a sensitive military area near Tehrans Imam Khomeini Airport. Iran was about to retaliate for the American drone strike that had killed Irans top military commander, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, in Baghdad five days earlier, and the military was bracing for an American counterstrike. The armed forces were on at war status, the highest alert level. But in a tragic miscalculation, the government continued to allow civilian commercial flights to land and take off from the Tehran airport. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the Guards Aerospace Force, said later that his units had asked officials in Tehran to close Irans airspace and ground all flights, to no avail. Iranian officials feared that shutting down the airport would create mass panic that war with the U.S. was imminent, members of the Guard and other officials told The Times. They also hoped that the presence of passenger jets could act as a deterrent against an American attack on the airport or the nearby military base, effectively turning planeloads of unsuspecting travelers into human shields. Wednesday After Irans missile attack began, the central air defense command issued an alert that American warplanes had taken off from the United Arab Emirates and that cruise missiles were headed toward Iran. The officer on the missile launcher near the airport heard the warnings but did not hear a later message that the cruise missile alert was a false alarm. The warning about American warplanes may have also been wrong. U.S. military officials have said that no American planes were in or near Iranian airspace that night. When the officer spotted the Ukrainian jet, he sought permission to fire. But he was unable to communicate with his commanders because the network had been disrupted or jammed, Hajizadeh said later. The officer, who has not been publicly identified, fired two missiles, less than 30 seconds apart. Hajizadeh, who was in western Iran supervising the attack on the Americans, received a phone call with the news. I called the officials and told them this has happened and its highly possible we hit our own plane, he said later in a televised statement. By the time Hajizadeh arrived in Tehran, he had informed Irans top three military commanders: Maj. Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, the armys commander in chief, who is also the chief of the central air defense command; Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the Armed Forces; and Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami, commander in chief of the Guard. The Guard, an elite force charged with defending Irans clerical rule at home and abroad, is separate from the regular army and answers only to the supreme leader. At this point, the leaders of both militaries knew the truth. Hajizadeh advised the generals not to tell the rank-and-file air defense units for fear that it could hamper their ability to react quickly if the U.S. did attack. It was for the benefit of our national security because then our air defense system would be compromised, Hajizadeh said in an interview with Iranian news media this week. The ranks would be suspicious of everything. The military leaders created a secret investigative committee drawn from the Guards aerospace forces, from the armys air defense, and from intelligence and cyberexperts. The committee and the officers involved in the shooting were sequestered and ordered not to speak to anyone. The committee examined data from the airport, the flight path, radar networks, and alerts and messages from the missile operator and central command. Witnesses the officer who had pulled the trigger, his supervisors and everyone involved were interrogated for hours. The group also investigated the possibility that the U.S. or Israel may have hacked Irans defense system or jammed the airwaves. By Wednesday night, the committee had concluded that the plane was shot down because of human error. We were not confident about what happened until Wednesday around sunset, Salami, the commander in chief of the Guard, said later in a televised address to the Parliament. Our investigative team concluded then that the plane crashed because of human errors. Khamenei was informed. But they still did not inform the president, other elected officials or the public. Senior commanders discussed keeping the shooting secret until the planes black boxes the flight data and cockpit voice recorders were examined and formal aviation investigations completed, according to members of the Guard, diplomats and officials with knowledge of the deliberations. That process could take months, they argued, and it would buy time to manage the domestic and international fallout that would ensue when the truth came out. The government had violently crushed an anti-government uprising in November. But the American killing of Soleimani, followed by the strikes against the U.S., had turned public opinion around. Iranians were galvanized in a moment of national unity. Authorities feared that admitting shooting down the passenger plane would undercut that momentum and prompt a new wave of anti-government protests. They advocated covering it up because they thought the country couldnt handle more crisis, said a ranking member of the Guard who, like others interviewed for this article, spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. At the end, safeguarding the Islamic Republic is our ultimate goal, at any cost. That evening, the spokesman for the Joint Armed Forces, Brig. Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi, told Iranian news media that suggestions that missiles struck the plane were an absolute lie. Thursday On Thursday, as Ukrainian investigators began to arrive in Tehran, Western officials were saying publicly that they had evidence that Iran had accidentally shot down the plane. A chorus of senior Iranian officials from the director of civil aviation to the chief government spokesman issued statement after statement rejecting the allegations, their claims amplified on state media. The suggestion that Iran would shoot down a passenger plane was a Western plot, they said, psychological warfare aimed at weakening Iran just as it had exercised its military muscle against the U.S. But in private, government officials were alarmed and questioning whether there was any truth to the Western claims. Rouhani, a seasoned military strategist himself, and his foreign minister, Javad Zarif, deflected phone calls from world leaders and foreign ministers seeking answers. Ignorant of what their own military had done, they had none to give. Domestically, public pressure was building for the government to address the allegations. Among the planes passengers were some of Irans best and brightest. They included prominent scientists and physicians, dozens of Irans top young scholars and graduates of elite universities, and six gold and silver medal winners of international physics and math Olympiads. There were two newlywed couples who had traveled from Canada to Tehran for their weddings just days earlier. There were families and young children. Their relatives demanded answers. Iranian social media began to explode with emotional commentary, some accusing Iran of murdering its own citizens and others calling such allegations treason. Persian-language satellite channels operating from abroad, the main source of news for most Iranians, broadcast blanket coverage of the crash, including reports from Western governments that Iran had shot down the plane. Rouhani tried several times to call military commanders, officials said, but they did not return his calls. Members of his government called their contacts in the military and were told the allegations were false. Irans civil aviation agency called military officials with similar results. Thursday was frantic, Ali Rabiei, the government spokesman, said later in a news conference. The government made back-to-back phone calls and contacted the armed forces asking what happened, and the answer to all the questions was that no missile had been fired. Friday On Friday morning, Rabiei issued a statement saying the allegation that Iran had shot down the plane was a big lie. Several hours later, the nations top military commanders called a private meeting and told Rouhani the truth. Rouhani was livid, according to officials close to him. He demanded that Iran immediately announce that it had made a tragic mistake and accept the consequences. The military officials pushed back, arguing that the fallout could destabilize the country. Rouhani threatened to resign. Canada, which had the most foreign citizens on board the plane, and the U.S., which as Boeings home country was invited to investigate the crash, would eventually reveal their evidence, Rouhani said. The damage to Irans reputation and the public trust in the government would create an enormous crisis at a time when Iran could not bear more pressure. As the standoff escalated, a member of Khameneis inner circle who was in the meeting informed the supreme leader. The ayatollah sent a message back to the group, ordering the government to prepare a public statement acknowledging what had happened. Rouhani briefed a few senior members of his government. They were rattled. Rabiei, the government spokesman who had issued a denial just that morning, broke down. Abbas Abdi, a prominent critic of Irans clerical establishment, said that when he spoke to Rabiei that evening, Rabiei was distraught and crying. Everything is a lie, Rabiei said, according to Abdi. The whole thing is a lie. What should I do? My honor is gone. Abdi said the governments actions had gone far beyond just a lie. There was a systematic cover-up at the highest levels that makes it impossible to get out of this crisis, he said. Irans National Security Council held an emergency meeting and drafted two statements, the first to be issued by the Joint Armed Forces followed by a second one from Rouhani. As they debated the wording, some suggested claiming that the U.S. or Israel may have contributed to the accident by jamming Irans radars or hacking its communications networks. But the military commanders opposed it. Hajizadeh said the shame of human error paled compared with admitting his air defense system was vulnerable to hacking by the enemy. Irans Civil Aviation Agency later said that it had found no evidence of jamming or hacking. Saturday At 7 a.m., the military released a statement admitting that Iran had shot down the plane because of human error. The bombshell revelation has not ended the division within the government. The Guard want to pin the blame on those involved in firing the missiles and be done with it, officials said. The missile operator and up to 10 others have been arrested but officials have not identified them or said whether they had been charged. Rouhani has demanded a broader accounting, including an investigation of the entire chain of command. The Guards accepting responsibility, he said, is the first step and needs to be completed with other steps. His spokesman and lawmakers have demanded to know why Rouhani was not immediately informed. Rouhani touched on that concern when he put out his statement an hour and 15 minutes later. The first line said that he had found out about the investigative committees conclusion about cause of the crash a few hours ago. It was a stunning admission, an acknowledgment that even the nations highest elected official had been shut out from the truth and that as Iranians, and the world, turned to the government for answers, it had peddled lies. What we thought was news was a lie. What we thought was a lie was news, said Hesamedin Ashna, Rouhanis top adviser, on Twitter. Why? Why? Beware of cover-ups and military rule. Farnaz Fassihi c.2020 The New York Times Company (Natural News) One of the worst drug epidemics in the history of America was caused not by small-time dealers and local pushers selling illegal substances on street corners, but by licensed physicians and primary care providers. Opioids have killed as many or more people in the 2000s as crack and heroin did in the 1970s and 1980s, and in fact, the epidemic of death continues to this day though the Trump administration is finally making some progress to combat it. As The National Sentinel reported this month, after 30 years of escalating deaths from opioid overdoses, the numbers are finally falling for the first time. In all, total drug overdoses from opioids have declined about 5 percent from a year ago, the first such decline since 1990. But there is much more to be done, of course, and that includes holding those who created this hellish nightmare responsible. Alas, our warped system of justice such as it is may not be up to the task. As Zero Hedge reported Friday: Millions of Americans who lived through the financial crisis probably recall that not a single executive of a major investment bank was jailed in the aftermath, despite running organizations seemingly dedicated to perpetuating a criminal fraud on nearly every counter-party and client. But when Americans look back at the opioid crisis, theyll remember that at least one executive of a major opioid manufacturer and distributor was sentenced to a fairly weighty sentence five-and-a-half years (66 months) in federal prison for an illegal kickback scheme that effectively involved bribing doctors to prescribe potentially lethal doses of fentanyl. The company, Insys, packaged under brand name Subsys, sold a painkiller that was made from the same super-powerful synthetic opioid that has been responsible for tens of thousands of deaths across the United States. And sorry to disagree, but 5 years in prison for Insys founder John Kapoor hell be out in three, probably, if he lives that long is not nearly enough for a man who is probably responsible for a hefty share of those OD deaths. This is murder, nothing less According to reports, Kapoor was sentenced last week after being prosecuted in the U.S. under the RICO Act, a racketeering law passed decades ago to give the Justice Department more legal authority to prosecute the Mafia. Kapoor will join seven other Insys executives whove already received prison time for their role in the companys illegal activities spreading deadly synthetic opioids to unsuspecting doctors and their patients. Included in their scheme were ruthless sales tactics aimed at getting doctors to prescribe more and more of their drug. That said, not all doctors were saints: Many took money in the form of kickbacks for overprescribing medications that were killing people. They too, are now being prosecuted for their roles. Some have already been sentenced to jail. On Thursday, Alec Burlakoff, the companys former sales manager and one of the governments key cooperating witnesses, accepted a plea deal of 26 months in prison. And while many of these sentences are light by our standards, at least pharmacy executives are being prosecuted. That, in and of itself, is noteworthy, NewsTarget reported. Under the companys kick-back scheme, doctors who prescribed large quantities of the drug could earn up to $125,000 a year in speaking fees, the website reported. In order to profit off of death, the company relied on what Kapoor called PHD sales associates people who were poor, hungry, and desperate or, alternately, poor, hungry and dumb. According to documents prosecutors discovered in the course of their investigation, Kapoor methodically tracked profits. Spreadsheets calculating ROI return on investment noted that he wanted $2 in sales for every $1 a doctor received. Meanwhile, the families of those who lost their loved ones to his dangerous drug are probably not happy with his sentence, either. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com TheNationalSentinel.com NewsTarget.com Armies of India and China held a ceremonial Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) in Ladakh sector on Sunday to mark the country's 71st Republic Day, a defence spokesperson said. The meeting was conducted at Indian BPM huts at Chushul-Moldo and DBO-TWD meeting points of eastern Ladakh, he said. He said the Indian delegation was led by Brigadier H S Gill and Colonel Manoj Kumar and the Chinese delegation by senior Colonel Yin Hong Chen and Lieutenant Colonel Lee Ming Ju. "Both the delegations interacted in a free, congenial and cordial environment. The meeting reflected the mutual desire to maintain and improve relations at the functional level in the border areas," the spokesperson said. A programme showcasing Indian culture and traditions was organised by the Indian side. "The delegations parted amidst a feeling of friendship and commitment towards enhancing the existing cordial relations and trust along the borders," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Olivia Newton-John doesn't see her third breast cancer diagnosis as a 'battle'. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia at G'Day USA in Los Angeles on Saturday, the 71-year-old said that she is 'getting stronger and better all the time'. The Australian actress revealed in September 2018 that she was battling cancer for the third time. EXCLUSIVE: 'I have an amazing life and I intend to keep going': Olivia Newton-John, 71, told Daily Mail Australia at G'Day USA in Los Angeles on Saturday, that she doesn't see her third breast cancer diagnosis as a 'battle' 'Life is a gift. I have an amazing life and I intend to keep going with it,' Olivia said on the red carpet. 'I want to help [other] people with [the disease]. 'I want to see an end to cancer in my lifetime so other people don't have to suffer,' she continued. Olivia added that she doesn't see her health issues as a 'battle'. 'I am winning over it and living with it well,' she said. 'I don't think about it a lot [the diagnosis] to be honest. Denial is a wonderful thing. I am getting stronger and better all the time.' Perspective: 'Life is a gift. I have an amazing life and I intend to keep going with it,' Olivia said on the red carpet. 'I want to help [other] people with [the disease]' Olivia looked radiant as she walked the red carpet at G'Day USA on Saturday alongside husband John Easterling and niece Tottie Goldsmith. The Xanadu star opted for a black and gold blouse, teamed with coordinating trousers, black boots and a tailored jacket. Her cropped blonde tresses were styled in waves, and her makeup included defined brows, kohl-lined eyes and a glossy nude lip. Olivia revealed in September 2018 that she was battling cancer for the third time since her first diagnosis more than 25 years ago. Family affair: Olivia looked radiant at G'Day USA on Saturday alongside husband John Easterling and niece Tottie Goldsmith Journey: Olivia revealed in September 2018 that she was battling cancer for the third time since her first diagnosis more than 25 years ago The four-time Grammy winner was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, undergoing a partial mastectomy and reconstruction. Olivia battled cancer for a second time in 2013, but kept the illness private. She told The Daily Telegraph on Sunday that her tumours are receding, and how using medicinal cannabis and natural remedies has improved her health. Olivia told the publication: 'My tumours are receding or they're going away or they're staying the same, on a Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer that's pretty amazing.' Streaming service Stan is a proud sponsor of G'Day USA. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Island Chuck -- who will once again make his Groundhog Day prediction at the Staten Island Zoo, West Brighton, this year -- is not alone in the world of animal prognosticators. The furry forecaster, formally known as Charles G. Hogg, has plenty of competition when it comes to determining whether the weather will warm up or remain frigid in the coming weeks. Various North American cities turn to their resident rodent for forecast on Groundhog Day, though one city in Texas has a bit of a different approach. Here's a look at Chuck's competition come Feb. 2. PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL In the fight for national acclaim and admiration, Phil of Punxsutawney, Pa., may be Chuck's biggest competition. Phils die-hard fans, referred to as the Groundhog Club, claim that after he makes his prediction he speaks to the clubs president in Groundhogese, a language that only the current president can understand. The president then translates the message and shares it with the rest of the world. Phil attracts thousands each year for his forecast at Gobblers Knob, a half-mile trail in Western Pennsylvania. BALZAC BILLY Another groundhog, Balzac Billy, hails from Balzac, Alberta, in Canada. Balzac Billy will pop his head out of his burrow at the Blue Grass Nursery Centre on Feb. 2 to determine whether Alberta will have an early spring or six more weeks of winter. Balzac Billy celebrates Groundhog Day with an annual pancake breakfast, which may seem a bit odd for a groundhog. However, it makes a lot more sense when you realize Billy is actually a man-sized groundhog mascot and not a real groundhog. SHUBENCADIE SAM Shubenacadie Sam, a groundhog from Nova Scotias Shubenacadie Wildlife Park, has his own Twitter account with over 3,000 followers. Sam is a big fan of munching on melons, digging tunnels and taking naps, according to his Twitter bio. In preparation for his annual Groundhog Day ceremony, Sam trains hard by practicing yoga and meditation to keep focused. According to the parks website, he is the first North American groundhog to predict the weather each year. Just like on Staten Island, fans gather in the pre-dawn hours to witness the prediction. BUCKEYE CHUCK In a battle for name supremacy, Staten Island Chuck faces off against Buckeye Chuck of Ohio. Buckeye is one of two weather-predicting groundhogs in Ohio, but he's better known for, more often than not, predicting the early arrival of spring. In 1979, the Ohio legislature made Buckeye Chuck the official groundhog of Ohio - a real shot to the ego of Ohios other groundhogs. GENERAL BEAUREGARD LEE When it comes to furry weather forecasters, few are more decorated than General Beauregard Lee of the Dauset Trails Nature Center in Jackson, Ga. Lee previously resided in the Yellow River Game Ranch, just outside Atlanta, before it closed its doors in 2017. According to the ranch's website, Beau has received honorary doctorates from the University of Georgia and Georgia State University. Beau has also been recognized for his service by four Georgia governors and has twice been commended for the accuracy of his predictions by The National Weather Service. BIG AL While most states look to groundhogs for their seasonal weather forecast, everything is bigger in Texas -- including Big Al. The 14-foot, 1,000-pound alligator makes perhaps the most scientifically-sound weather prediction of any animal each year using his favorite food -- Kentucky Fried Chicken. According to gator-rescuer and naturalist Gary Saurage, alligators are genetically unable to eat until all danger of winter's freeze has passed; their bodies cannot digest food until warm weather is assured. The science is simple. If Big Al eats his KFC, spring is on the way. Iraq protesters keep up rallies despite pressure from riot police Baghdad, Jan 26 (AFP) Jan 26, 2020 Security forces shot live rounds to clear protest hotspots in Baghdad and southern Iraq for a second day Sunday, sparking skirmishes with demonstrators determined to keep up their movement. Violence has resurged in the capital and Shiite-majority south this week, with more than 15 people killed as anti-government activists ramped up their road closures and sit-ins while security forces sought to snuff out the campaign. On Saturday, four protesters were shot dead as riot police stormed protest camps across the country, according to medics, stoking fears of a broader crackdown. But the demonstrators returned in large numbers throughout the evening and by Sunday morning, they were rallying again. In Basra, hundreds of students protested over riot police's dismantling of their main protest camp the previous day, according to an AFP correspondent. Others gathered in the holy city of Najaf and university students led a protest in Kut, where they erected new tents to replace those taken down the previous day. In Baghdad, young demonstrators on Saturday flooded their main encampment at Tahrir Square and security forces continued using live rounds the next morning in a bid to disperse small rallies in nearby Khallani and Wathba squares. That left at least 17 protesters wounded, a police source told AFP, but security forces stopped short of entering Tahrir Square. - UN urges action - University students were planning to march on Sunday from a Baghdad campus to Tahrir Square, and other student-led rallies are planned for this week. The young demonstrators have mostly thrown rocks at riot police but some have tossed Molotov cocktails. In Nasiriyah to the south, security forces Sunday also fired live rounds to disperse protesters, who were angered by authorities pushing them out of thoroughfares around their main protest camp in Habbubi Square. At least 50 protesters suffered bullet wounds and around 100 were impacted by tear gas in brief skirmishes, a medical source told AFP. The youth-dominated protests erupted on October 1 in outrage over lack of jobs, poor services and rampant corruption. They spiralled into outraged calls for a government overhaul after they were met with violence. Protesters are now specifically demanding snap elections, the appointment of an independent premier and the prosecution of anyone implicated in corruption or recent bloodshed. Parliament has passed a new electoral law and Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi submitted his resignation in December, but he still serves in a caretaker role and authorities have otherwise failed to act on the protesters' demands. "Unaccountability and indecisiveness are unworthy of Iraqi hopes, courageously expressed for four months now," the United Nations' top Iraq official, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, said on Saturday. "While death and injury tolls continue to rise, steps taken so far will remain hollow if not completed." - Sadr drops support - Activists have long worried that their movement could be snuffed out after firebrand cleric Moqtada Sadr dropped his support on Friday. The notoriously fickle militia leader-turned-politician backed the protests when they first started and called on the government to resign -- even though he controls the largest bloc in parliament and top ministerial posts. Sadr's supporters had widely been recognised as the best-organised and well-stocked protesters in Tahrir. But after holding an anti-US rally in Baghdad on Friday that was attended by thousands, Sadr said he no longer wanted to be involved in the separate regime change movement. Within hours, his supporters were dismantling their tents in protest camps across the country and riot police began moving in. Analysts said Sadr was striving to both maintain his street credibility and win favour with Iraq's powerful neighbour Iran. Sadr has complex ties with Iran. He is completing advanced religious studies in the holy city of Qom, but has often worked against Iranian-backed parties in Iraqi politics. Iran holds tremendous political and military sway in Iraq and will likely have a major say in who Abdel Mahdi's replacement will be. Talks over the next premier remain at a stalemate in Baghdad in the absence of two key brokers -- Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi military powerhouse Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Both were killed in a US drone strike on Baghdad on January 3, which outraged Iraq and fuelled calls for the 5,200 US troops deployed there to leave. By David Morgan and Eric Beech WASHINGTON, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Lawyers for U.S. President Donald Trump will begin his defense at the Senate impeachment trial on Saturday, offering a rebuttal to Democratic charges that he abused his power and previewing more detailed arguments planned for next week. In a shortened session, Trump's lawyers will begin three days of arguments to counter Democratic assertions that he should be removed from office for pressuring Ukraine to dig up dirt on former Vice President Joe Biden, a 2020 Democratic presidential contender, and then trying to cover it up by impeding a congressional investigation. Trump has denied wrongdoing. Given that the defense presentation will open on a Saturday, what the Republican president in a tweet called "Death Valley on TV," the bulk of the arguments will be saved for early next week, Trump's lawyers said. The U.S. television audience for Democrats' arguments declined on Thursday to roughly 7.8 million viewers during live daytime coverage, according to data from the Nielsen ratings agency - a 29% drop from Tuesday afternoon. The Trump legal team said it would bring up Biden's efforts to get Ukraine's former top prosecutor dismissed on corruption concerns. Trump, without providing evidence, has charged that Biden acted to head off an investigation into a Ukrainian energy company on whose board his son Hunter Biden served. Government witnesses told the impeachment inquiry last year that Biden was carrying out official U.S. policy. "Why they opened up the door as wide as a double door on the Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, Burisma issue. I guess they figured that was their way of getting ahead of it. We will address it," Jay Sekulow, one of Trump's defense attorneys, told reporters. The Senate session will convene at 10 a.m. ET (1500 GMT) and run for several hours, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. The Trump legal team will have up to 24 hours over three days to make its case. Story continues In an interview with Fox News, Trump said his defense team should "just tell the truth" and accused Democrats of "telling so many lies, so many fabrications, so much exaggeration. And this is not impeachable." The Democratic-led House of Representatives impeached Trump last month on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, setting the stage for the trial in the Republican-led Senate on whether to remove him from office before he seeks re-election in November. It is the third Senate presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history. The president is expected to be acquitted in the Senate, where a two-thirds vote is required to convict and remove a president from office. No Republican senator has voiced any support for his ouster. In wrapping up the opening arguments, Representative Adam Schiff urged Republican senators to show "real political courage" and support a Democratic motion later in the trial for more witnesses. He warned that Trump would abuse his power again unless he is removed from office. "If it meets the standard of impeachable conduct, as we have proved, it doesn't matter whether you like him. It doesn't matter whether you dislike him," said Schiff, who made the final presentation in the House prosecutors' case. "What matters is whether he is a danger to the country, because he will do it again. And none of us can have confidence, based on his record, that he will not do it again, because he is telling us every day that he will," Schiff said. (Reporting by Richard Cowan, Susan Cornwell, David Morgan, Doina Chiacu, Susan Heavey, Lisa Lambert, Makini Brice, Nandita Bose and Eric Beech in Washington and Karen Freifeld in New York; Writing by John Whitesides; Editing by Andy Sullivan and Grant McCool) Priceless relics of a French Catholic saint and her parents, who were also saints, were temporarily lost en route to Australia. Singapore Airlines was entrusted with carrying St Therese of Lisieux's forearm and that of her parents Saints Louis and Zelie Martin, from France to Sydney this week. Each item weighed about 100kgs, including the ornate boxes they were stored in, and were required to be checked in on the flight despite their religious significance. Catholic leaders tasked with collecting the sacred items were on Wednesday frantic to learn they hadn't reached Sydney as planned, the Sunday Telegraph reported. The relics of Saint Therese of Lisieux are carried into Westminster Cathedral when they visited in 2009. They have just arrived in Sydney The relic of St Therese of Lisieux arrived on Thursday, one day later than expected, but she was separated from her parents, who didn't turn up until Saturday. The reliquaries will complete a four-month pilgrimage throughout Australia, visiting communities ravaged by drought and fires before eventually settling at St Marys Cathedral in Sydney. Jean-Paul Nguyen, who is employed as the French caretaker of the items, said the airline had broken his trust. 'I am very dissatisfied with the management of Singapore Airlines company concerning the reliquaries but I am especially sorry for the Catholics of your country who have been waiting for the arrival of the saints for a long time,' Mr Nguyen said. Pictured: St Therese of Lisieux, who died of tuberculosis at just 24 years old A nun welcomes the relics of Saint Therese of Lisieux in Westminster Abbey on October 12, 2009 'I will no longer be able to trust this company which did not realise the importance of the journey of the reliquaries.' A Singapore Airlines spokesman argued the items were checked in as general cargo rather than priority and nobody was informed of their religious significance. He said as soon as they learned of the value of the items, they arranged for the separated two pieces of cargo to be on the next flight to Sydney. Therese dedicated her short life to encouraging people to love and open their hearts to others. She was one of four girls - all of which joined the Carmelite convent in Lisieux. She joined age 15 and died of tuberculosis at 24. She was made a saint just 28 years later, in 1925. Her parents were jointly canonised as a couple in October 2015. Jammu, Jan 26 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir has celebrated the first function of Republic Day after the creation of Union Territory here on Sunday with fanfare and enthusiasm. Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu was the chief guest on the occasion and he hoisted the Tri-Colour at Maulana Azad Stadium where the main function was held. Mr Murmu inspected the parade and took salute to the march past presented by different contingents of security forces, defence, NCC cadets, schools and others. School children from various educational institutions presented scintillating and colourful cultural programmes including traditional folk songs. Spellbound performance was presented by the Dare Devils team of Jammu and Kashmir Police, which received applause from the audience. Extending greetings and good wishes to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the occasion of 71st Republic Day, Mr Murmu said that after abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir is now at the doorstep of a brighter future. Last year has been a year of momentous change for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Murmu here said in his address. The abrogation of temporary provisions have removed the artificial legal and economic barriers between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country and have fully integrated Jammu and Kashmir in the true sense of the term, said the Lieutenant Governor. He said that the legal architecture and system prevailing in the rest of the country has been made applicable to Jammu and Kashmir and added, the people of Jammu and Kashmir now stand on the same pedestal as those in the rest of the country, with the same rights, benefits and prospects. Women and weaker sections like Scheduled Castes and Tribes, West Pakistan Refugees and Safai Karmacharis, now have equal democratic and economic rights. Barriers to industrial growth and trade have been removed. 71 years ago on this day, we became a Republic. We, the people of India, constituted ourselves into a democratic republic, giving ourselves a framework to secure justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. Hence, this day holds a special place in our hearts, he said. Jammu and Kashmir is now at the doorstep of a brighter future, he said adding, as Jammu and Kashmir progresses in step with the rest of the country, there will be a boost to private investment and great opportunity for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The economy will grow with more economic opportunities, businesses will thrive and the people of Jammu and Kashmir will gain on all fronts, Mr Murmu said and added that 55 Central schemes for the benefit of individuals such as scholarships, pensions, insurance schemes, income support schemes and loans will be fully implemented with 100 percent coverage. The was the first Republic Day celebration function held here post Abrogation of Article 370 and Jammu and Kashmir came into existence as Union Territory. Meanwhile the winter capital was put under siege while security was also enhanced for peaceful Republic Day celebrations. Police, paramilitary CRPF and Army personnel were deployed in the region to keep an eye on any suspicious activity. Security apparatus was tightened and the troops maintained strict vigil all along the main roads especially on the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway to thwart any plans of militants to disrupt the celebrations. However, barricades were also set up at many places especially at all entry points leading to the Maulana Azad Stadium where the main function was held. UNI VBH ASN 1333 Tanko Yakasai, has advised the federal government against accepting the Western Nigeria Security Network code-named: Amotekun. He said this while speaking with journalists at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, on Saturday, saying Amotekun is left to operate in the south-west, it could make other regions to create armed security outfits. If Amotekun is allowed, soon it may spill over to other regions and may become out of control when other regions come up with armed security outfits that may lead to an uncontrollable situation in the country, he said. Every Nigerian is interested in the Nigerian project. Every Nigerian is benefitting from Nigeria as a nation. On the 2023 presidency, he urged the south-east to work hard to convince other parts of the country to accept a candidate from the region. There is no reason to deny the South-East the opportunity to produce the presidential slot in 2023. The North, West have had it. It will not make sense to deny the South-East. But then, the Igbo have to work hard for power and convince people because it is a matter of numbers, he said. They have to convince the rest of the country to accept whoever they put forward to be accepted. "Transmissibility is increasing," Health Minister Ma Xiaowei told a packed media briefing on Sunday. "The outbreak has come to a severe and complicated situation." He added that there could "still be new developments" as the virus mutates. "We still don't know the risks of transformation," he said. The incubation period for the virus could range from one to 14 days and the virus was infectious during incubation, which was not the case with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), he said. A Chinese couple at the Tiananmen Gate in Beijing. Credit:Getty Images SARS was a coronavirus that originated in China and killed nearly 800 people globally in 2002 and 2003. Containment efforts, which have thus far included transportation and travel curbs and the cancellation of big events, would be intensified, Ma said. The virus is believed to have originated late last year in a seafood market that was illegally selling wildlife in the city of Wuhan in Hubei province. It has since spread to other cities, including Beijing and Shanghai. Hong Kong, which has six confirmed cases, said that from Monday it would ban residents of Hubei province or people who have visited Hubei in the past 14 days from entering the city. The rule does not apply to Hong Kong residents. Passengers wearing protective masks arrive at Sydney International Airport. Credit:AAP On Sunday, China announced a temporary nationwide ban on the sale of wildlife in markets, restaurants and e-commerce platforms. Wild and often poached animals packed together in Chinese markets are blamed as incubators for viruses to evolve and jump the species barrier to humans. Loading Snakes, peacocks, crocodiles and other species can also be found for sale via Taobao, an e-commerce website run by Alibaba. The New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society called on China to make the ban permanent. The US State Department said it would relocate personnel at its Wuhan consulate to the United States and would offer a limited number of seats to private US citizens on a flight to San Francisco on January 28. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Sunday that his government was working with Chinese authorities to arrange a charter flight for any Japanese nationals who wished to return from Wuhan. The World Health Organisation has stopped short of calling the outbreak a global health emergency, but some health experts question whether China can continue to contain the epidemic. Loading No fatalities have been reported outside China. The outbreak has prompted widening curbs on movements within China, with Wuhan, a city of 11 million, in virtual lockdown, with transports links all but severed except for emergency vehicles. Health authorities in Beijing urged people not to shake hands but instead salute using a traditional cupped-hand gesture. The advice was sent in a text message that went out to mobile phone users in the city on Sunday morning. Loading Beijing also postponed the reopening of the city's schools and universities after the Lunar New Year holiday, state radio reported. Hong Kong had already delayed the reopening of schools until February 17. Five cases have been confirmed with the patients hospitalised and 25 cases have been discounted in the US in travellers from Wuhan, from 100 who were being investigated. On Saturday, Canada declared a first "presumptive" confirmed case in a resident who had returned from Wuhan. China has called for transparency in managing the crisis, after a cover-up of the spread of the deadly SARS virus eroded public trust, but officials in Wuhan have been criticised for their handling of the current outbreak. Loading "People in my hometown all suspect the real infected patients number given by authorities," said Violet Li, who lives in the Wuhan district where the seafood market is located. "I go out with a mask twice a day to walk the dog - that's the only outdoor activity," she told Reuters by text message. The outbreak has overshadowed the start of the Lunar New Year, when hundreds of millions of Chinese travel at home and abroad to be with families, with public events cancelled and many tourist sites shut. Overall passenger travel declined by nearly 29 per cent on Saturday, the first day of the Lunar New Year, from a year earlier, with air passengers down nearly 42 per cent, a transportation ministry official said. Many cinemas across China are also closed with major film premieres postponed. Cruise operators including Royal Caribbean Cruises, Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises and Astro Ocean Cruises said that they cancelled a combined 12 cruises that had been scheduled to embark from Chinese ports before February 2. Hong Kong Disneyland and the city's Ocean Park were closed on Sunday. Shanghai Disneyland, which expected 100,000 visitors daily through the Lunar New Year holidays, has already closed. Airports around the world have stepped up screening of passengers from China, although some health officials and experts have questioned the effectiveness of these efforts. Doctor Who fans were left flabbergasted on Sunday night when Captain Jack Harkness reappeared after a nine-year absence... and a second female Doctor was introduced. The character, played by John Barrowman MBE, had not been seen on the show since a cameo in 2011, and not as a main character since 2009. He made a surprise return to the BBC programme during season 12's episode five Fugative Of The Judoon when he re-appeared and accidentally abducted The Doctor's TARDIS. The Captain is back! Doctor Who fans were left flabbergasted on Sunday night when Captain Jack Harkness, played by John Barrowman MBE, reappeared after a nine-year absence Captain Jack then jumped into action to save The Doctor's sidekick Graham (Bradley Walsh) from motion activated 'laser spikes' before surprising him with a big kiss on the lips. The episode also held another incredible twist - the revelation of a second female doctor. The current Doctor, Jodie Whitaker, was left stunned after scanning a fugitive space traveller with her sonic screwdriver only to be told they were the same person. Astonished fans took to Twitter to share their reactions tweeting: 'The entire internet just broke with excitement. I need a lie down, what a surprise that was. #DoctorWho.' Another doctor: The current Doctor, Jodie Whitaker, was left stunned after scanning a fugitive space traveller with her sonic screwdriver only to be told they were the same person Another fan of the show tweeted: 'I'm sorry but that episode of #DoctorWho was everything I wanted and more. What's this? Captain Jack is back? There's TWO Doctors? They're both women? A strong story arch? Character Development for more than 1 character?'. Captain Jack returns to give a dramatic warning to The Doctor about 'The Lone Cyberman'. Speaking to Radio Times about his character's comeback, Barrowman said: 'It feels absolutely amazing! I've always been holding the torch to eventually bring Jack back, because I know the love that the fanbase and the Whovians around the world have for him.' Who are you? Graham, played by Bradley Walsh, is mistaken for The Doctor as Captain Jack plants a big kiss on him Reunited? Sadly, Captain Jack did not share a scene with the current Doctor and there is no indication if he will return to the show Adding: 'Jack is there basically to tell the Doctor not to give in, in a way, or not to compromise.' John first appeared in Doctor Who back in 2005, in a two-part story with Christopher Ecclestons iteration of the titular Time Lord, before going on to star in multiple episodes with both Christopher and David Tennants Doctors. The character of Captain Jack became so popular he bagged his own spin-off series Torchwood, where the character took the lead role for four series, concluding in 2011s Children of Earth. Time Lord in disguise: Holby City's Jo Martin (left) plays the previously unseen regeneration of the Doctor, and was revealed on Sunday as a different version of the current Time Lord Partnership: Its unknown what the future will hold for Jos Doctor or for the rest of the series I'll be back: Its believed this wont be the last audiences see of the mysterious incarnation In the action packed episode The Doctor meets another time lord, played by Holby City actress Jo Martin, who is disguised as a human. The previously unknown incarnation of the titular Time Lord was revealed, and for the first time in the shows history, the character is being played by a black actor. Jo - who is best known for starring in Holby City - plays the previously unseen regeneration of the Doctor, and was revealed on Sunday as a different version of the current Time Lord. Fan reaction: Doctor Who fans couldn't believe their eyes at the surprise comeback And whilst Jodie made history herself in 2017 when she was unveiled as the very first female Doctor - who regularly changes their face, and has previously been played by actors including David Tennant, Matt Smith, Tom Baker, and Peter Capaldi - it now seems The Doctors current look isnt the first time shes taken on a female form. Jos Doctor - who was disguised as a human named Ruth Clayton for most of Sundays episode - is believed to be a very early version of the character who has somehow been cut out of the memory of Jodies incarnation. The newly unveiled regeneration isnt thought to be taking over from Jodie as the current Doctor, but will instead act in a similar way to when John Hurt played a version known as the War Doctor for the 2013 anniversary special. As of the time of writing, its unknown what the future will hold for Jos Doctor or for the rest of the series, but its believed this wont be the last audiences see of the mysterious incarnation. New Delhi: Deepika Padukone has always managed to win hearts with her onscreen presence and brilliant acting skills. With several blockbuster films to her credit, Deepika is surely on the top of her game. Apart from her stellar performances, the actress never disappoints her fans when it comes to making fashion statements. Be it a red-carpet appearance or a casual look, Deepika never fails to amaze us with her sartorial choices. The actress recently jetted off to Davos, Switzerland to attend the 26th edition of the World Economic Forum. For the occasion, Deepika Padukone wore an Alex Perry purple gown, highlighted by cape sleeves. With nude makeup, simple earrings and smoke eye, DP completed her look for the day. However, Deepika's Alex Perry gown costs a bomb. If you're willing to purchase the same designer gown, you need to be ready to shell out Rs. 2,26,300. Talking about Deepika's style statement, her designer Shaleena Nathani recently told Mumbai Mirror, ''When she is on a flight, the outfit has to be functional, yet make a style statement. Airport looks are practical with just one striking piece, which elevates it without any fuss. For events, we keep it as real as possible because thats when fans get a glimpse of who she is and we dont want to project her as a larger-than-life person like the characters she plays on the screen. But when it comes to the red carpet, we play around with colours, textures and even silhouettes. When she goes for the Cannes Film Festival, the only brief she gives us is to have fun. Deepika loves experimenting when shes at festivals and galas." On the work front, Deepika's latest outing, Chhapaak has received a positive response from the audiences. While the numbers haven't been very huge and as big as expected, people are loving the film for the issue it stands for. The film is based on the life of acid attack survivor, Laxmi Agarwal. The film has been directed by Meghna Gulzar and also stars Vikrant Massey in the lead role. Talking about the film, Deepika said at an event ''The entire journey was special. I dont think I can speak of a particular moment or scene as the closest to my heart. I think the entire journey and process has been extremely rewarding. Its the film I am most proud of, among all that I have done in my career. I am not thinking much about peoples reactions after its release because that is a different aspect, but this film is something I am proud of, and I am proud that the entire team had faith in Meghnas (Gulzar) vision.'' The film hit the screens on 10 January, 2020 alongside Ajay Devgn's Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior. Wynn Las Vegas celebrates the Year of the Rat this Chinese New Year with a collection of resort-wide celebratory experiences. At the center of the festivities is a dramatic and mystical traditional Chinese dragon dance symbolizing the spread of good luck and prosperity that will take place on Tuesday, January 28 at 6 p.m. (Photo credit: Jeff Green) Two eight-foot golden dragons spread more good luck to visitors outside, while inside the resort the Wynn main atrium features spectacular 45-foot long silk dragons hanging above 7,000 vibrant orange, yellow and red mums, begonias and calandivas. Sitting amongst the flowers, whimsical gold-leafed rats wearing hand-crafted Swarovski crystal crowns are perched on top of gold coins, illustrating the wealth that rats symbolize in Chinese tradition. Additionally, the resort is dotted by 60 tangerine trees honoring the traditional gifting of this fruit to others as a wish of good fortune. The beloved Chinese New Year Dim Sum Brunch which will return to Wing Lei, the only Chinese restaurant in North America that holds a Forbes Five-Star rating, from January 24 through February 1. With a masterful mix of Cantonese, Shanghai and Szechuan flavors, guests can indulge in a selection of dishes passed by butlers tableside, while others are presented on an extravagant buffet and carving station. Dim Sum Brunch is served from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and is priced at $75 per guest, excluding tax and gratuity. In addition, several retailers in Wynn Plaza are offering exclusive apparel, accessories, in-store events or gifts with purchase throughout the month in celebration of Chinese New Year, including Diptyque, Ferragamo, Kenzo, Loewe, Marie France Van Damm, Moncler, Off White and Zimmerman. Fr. Jailos Mpina of Luntha TV at the scene of a fire that damaged Malawi Telecommunications Limiteds broadband hub in Lilongwe A fire has damaged Malawi Telecommunications Limiteds broadband hub in Lilongwe and in the process paralysed the countrys sixteen private television stations including Catholic Luntha TV. Andrew Kaufa, smm Nairobi, Kenya According to Fr Jailos Mpina, Luntha TVs Director of Operations, the fire at the Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL) situated at CIVO Stadium, in Lilongwe, did not spare equipment belonging to Luntha TV. Control system for 16 private television stations destroyed I was in our studio in Lilongwe when we realised that Luntha TV is off air. I called Malawi Digital Broadcasting Networks Chief Engineer, Mr Dennis Chirwa to find out why all the 16 television stations on MDBNLs Kiliye-kiliye platform are off-air except the government-owned Malawi Broadcasting Cooperation (MBC)This is when I got information that the entire control system at Malawi Telecommunication Limited Centre which is the head-end of the digital platform is on fire, recounted Fr. Mpina. The MTL CIVO Stadium Microwave in Area 3, Lilongwe houses the control system (Head-end) for Malawi Digital Broadcasting Network Limited (MDBNL) who are the only digital public television signal distributor in the country carrying all private local television stations including Luntha TV. Malawis Catholic Luntha TV Founded by the Montfort Missionaries in 2007, Luntha TV broadcasts content that promotes holistic human development among its targeted viewers. This includes religious inspiration, educational, relaxation and information programmes. To go back on-air when the MTL infrastructure and the MDBNL digital multiplex have been repaired, Luntha TV will have to purchase and replace all its damaged equipment at the site. Lilongwe City Fire Brigade officials said the cause of the fire is still unknown as they were still investigating. New Delhi [India], Jan 26 (ANI): Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will file a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) against Yogi Adityanath government over Uttar Pradesh Police's alleged brutality against protestors during anti-CAA protests in the state, according to party sources. The sources further said that the Congress party has sought an appointment with the NHRC for Monday. Priyanka Gandhi will lead the Congress delegation consisting Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Kumar Lallu, Legislature Party leader Aradhana Mishra and MP PL Punia. Many people were killed and several were injured during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in various parts of the state. Opposition parties, including the Congress, had accused the state police of alleged atrocities. Gandhi had also visited Uttar Pradesh to meet the victims' families. She had also instructed lawyers associated with the party to give legal aid to the people who were arrested during the protests. The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. (ANI) Amit Shah to visit Ram Lalla, Hanumangarhi temple today, to address 3 public rallies in UP Targeting Akhilesh, Shah asks why Lord Ram had to live in a tent HM Shah seeks suggestions of MPs, other stakeholders on move to amend IPC, CrPC, Evidence Act 'AAP government tops chart of liars': Amit Shah slams Arvind Kejriwal India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Jan 26: Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday launched a blistering attack on Arvind Kejriwal alleging that his government stands nowhere other than topping the chart of liars. "Various surveys are conducted across the country. One government tops in pure water, another ranks number one in road construction and some other in electrification. But Kejriwal's government stands nowhere other than topping the chart of liars," Shah said while addressing a rally here. Shah also attacked the Congress party for their stand on violence seen in the city during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests. "Rahul Baba and Kejriwal and co. are opposing CAA brought by Modi ji. They have incited riots in Delhi, provoked and incited people, misled them into burning buses, people's vehicles. Delhi will not be safe if these people are elected again," the Home Minister said. Assembly elections in Delhi are scheduled to take place on February 8 while votes will be counted on February 11. In 2015, Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) got a landslide victory by winning 67 of the 70 Assembly seats in the national capital. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu celebrated the 71st Republic Day with patriotic fervour on Sunday. The celebrations began with the hoisting of the national flag by Charge d' Affaires Ajay Kumar. He read the message of President Ram Nath Kovind on the occasion. He also felicitated one Veer Nari, eight widows and five next of kins of the deceased soldiers by disbursing their dues worth (Nepali Rupees) NPR 5.97 crore and a blanket to each. Nepal's Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun was the chief guest for the event. The Indian Embassy gifted books to 51 libraries and educational institutions to all provinces in Nepal on the occasion. Thirty ambulances and six buses were also gifted to various hospitals, non-profit organisations and educational institutions in tandem with the Government of India's commitment to enhance socio-economic development in the Himalayan nation. The Indian government has so far gifted 782 ambulances and 154 buses to various hospitals, non-profit charitable organisations and educational institutions of 77 districts in Nepal, expanding healthcare access for thousands of Nepali people and serving to the educational needs of the thousands of students. The 71st Republic Day of India celebrations were attended by more than 1500 dignitaries, including senior political leaders and public personalities, members of the Indian community in Nepal and friends of India apart from embassy officials and their families. Students of Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Kathmandu, Kendriya Vidyalaya and Modern Indian sung patriotic songs. The ceremony concluded with a mesmerizing performance by the Nepal Army Band. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Donald Trump: Senate TV/AP Donald Trumps legal team will begin a simple and straightforward case beginning Saturday to convince senators the president did nothing wrong with Ukraine. It comes a day after House Democrats wrapped their case to remove him by urging senators to avoid being fooled by his attorneys with one offering a stern warning to Senate Republicans. A White House official said on Friday that the presidents attorneys intend to answer some of the Democratic sides many allegations and its a safe bet to assume their client will be watching closely from the White House possibly even live-tweeting his own defence. This will be the defence opening statement tomorrow. Could there be some surprises? Sure, said the official, granted anonymity to be candid. We reserve the right to hold some things in our back pocket. Jay Sekulow, one of Mr Trumps attorneys, told reporters on Capitol Hill he expects the team will only use about three of its allotted eight hours during the Senates rare Saturday session. A source with the Trump legal team told reporters Friday evening to expect a Saturday preview of the defence sides remaining two days of case-making. Notably, the source said the team will spend time on former vice president Joe Biden, which will hang a new 2020 election cloud over the proceedings and likely garner the approval of the president, who has favoured a muscular defence that attacks the former VPs son, Hunter, for his business dealings in Ukraine while his father was fighting corruption there. Well be presenting a strong rebuttal to what weve heard the last few days, the source said, promising a more detailed presentation on Monday that includes a robust defence of all the charges. Saying the three days will focus on their claim that the president didnt do anything wrong, the source said Trump teams case will be simple and straightforward. One former White House official believes that will be the case on Tuesday and Wednesday, the defence teams other days to present its case. Story continues My hunch is that Trump would love to strut into the State of the Union [on 4 February] waving his acquittal. I wouldnt be surprised to see his lawyers take less than the allotted 24 hours, maybe a full day less, said William Galston of the nonpartisan Brookings Institution, who worked in the Clinton White House. If so, as I understand it, Tuesday and Wednesday would be given over the questions, followed by pivotal votes on witnesses and evidence on Thursday, he added. If theres a majority for additional witnesses and/or documents, Trump wont be acquitted by 4 February. If there isnt, he probably would be. As House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff delivered another lengthy plea to senators that Mr Trump must be removed from office, White House counsellor Kellyanne Conway mocked him from the White House briefing room. He described the president as a threat to national security. She charged Mr Schiff and other Democrats with wasting the countrys time with a repetitive presentation that is in its third day. But it was Mr Schiff who had a warning for the 53 Republican senators sitting in front of him. It could be you, he said in the silent chamber. I dont care how close you are to this president. Do you think for a moment that he wouldnt investigate you if it was in his political interests? He is who he is. That will not change, Mr Schiff said, predicting the president will solicit foreign help again. That was part of a closing day message that Mr Trump tried to cheat at the start of the 2020 US presidential election The opposition party began wrapping up their case by focusing on a $391m military aid package Mr Trump himself ordered frozen during the same period he and his aides, including former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, were pressing Ukrainian leaders to announce investigations of top US Democratic politicians. Colorado congressman Jason Crow, a military veteran, led off Democrats last eight hours of case-making. And he quickly went directly at acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, saying the former GOP congressman confirmed that Mr Trump ordered his aides and surrogates to set up a quid pro quo with Ukraines new president. When pressed that he had just confirmed the quid pro quo that the president had been denying, he doubled down, Mr Crow said of Mr Mulvaneys 17 October press conference at the White House. He knew exactly what was going on in the Oval Office. Mr Mulvaney confirmed why the president ordered the hold. Democrats believe Mr Trumps request of Ukraines president during a 25 July phone call to do us a favour, though, after Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned wanting to buy more US-made antitank systems amounts to a quid pro quo and shows Mr Trump abused his office. They impeached him on one count of abuse or power over that call, and on another for obstructing their investigation. Back in October, Mr Mulvaney had a message for his former House colleagues and others who believe what Mr Trump did was corrupt and deserves to cost him the presidency: Get over it: theres going to be political influence in foreign policy. Obama did it in one way, he said of Mr Trumps predecessor. Mr Mulvaney told shocked reporters. Were doing it a different way. Mr Crow noted that the White House only lifted the freeze on the Ukraine aid monies after it was made public in press reports. It wasnt lifted for any legitimate reason, the politician told senators. It was only lifted because president Trump had gotten caught. New York congressman Hakeem Jeffries, mentioned in Washington circles as a possible House speaker candidate once Nancy Pelosi retires, went further after he took over for Mr Crow. The president tried to cheat. He got caught, Mr Jeffries said. And then he worked hard to cover it up. Congresswoman Val Demings of Florida, one of the Democratic managers, told senators Mr Trump is guilty of a constitutional crime. She also implored GOP politicians to join Democrats in calling for the testimony of current and former White House officials, which the president says he would block by invoking executive privilege. So far, however, no Republican senator has said they intend to do so next week when the chamber will have such votes. Ms Demings comments came as House Democrats began laying out their case for the second impeachment article, this one on obstructing Congress. His obstruction is ongoing, she said after Mr Trump earlier this week said of potential evidence in the case: We have all the material, they dont. He did not elaborate, and Ms Conway on Friday declined to answer a question about what he meant. Mr Trump blocked 71 requests for information from various federal agencies during House Democrats probe, said congresswoman Sylvia Garcia of Texas, another manager. She accused the president of waging a relentless public relations effort to attack and discredit the House impeachment probe, noting he called it a coup and fraud against the American people. Mr Crow earlier explained Democrats view of why the aid freeze mattered for Washington and a key eastern European ally. The delay wasnt meaningless. Just ask Ukrainians sitting in trenches today, he said, adding they are still waiting on millions in aid that hasnt reached them. The fact the hold was on was important. Russia was looking for any sign of weakness, Mr Crow said of the volatile situation there. The damage was done. Read more New recording allegedly captures Trump demanding Yovanavitch be fired Last spring, Cindy Gabriel, owner of Gabriel Bail Bonds, went to District Judge Ron Rangel, leader of Bexar Countys criminal district courts, with a request. On March 30, 2019, a chronically unemployed man named Richard Dallas Ortiz had been charged with possessing a small amount of methamphetamine. A city magistrate set his bond at $5,000. To get out of jail, Ortiz signed a contract with Gabriel, agreeing to pay her an undisclosed fee to guarantee his appearance at a May 21 court date. If Ortiz failed to show, Gabriel would be liable for the full $5,000. But just a few days later, Gabriel wanted out of the contract. On April 4, she filed an affidavit in Rangels court for a surety surrender, alleging Ortiz had broken their agreement by not reporting in on a periodic basis and failing to complete the paperwork in allotted time. Rangel granted Gabriels motion, triggering a warrant for Ortizs arrest, and ordered the defendant put back in jail without bond, court records show. That meant an easy profit for Gabriel, who kept the fee. The order by Rangel, who said he is a leading proponent on bail reform despite his familys ties to the bail bond industry, came at a fraught time for the Bexar County criminal justice system. For weeks, Rangel and the nine other district court judges had clashed with county officials over bail reform. The death of Janice Dotson-Stephens, a jail inmate with a history of mental illness, had raised concerns about the inequities of cash bail: how it often leaves poor defendants behind bars awaiting trial while those with money walk free. Advocates for bail reform want those accused of most low-level, nonviolent offenses misdemeanors and some felonies to receive personal recognizance bonds, or PR bonds, which allow them to await trial outside jail without paying bail. If a defendant cant afford bail, he either can wait in jail until his trial or find a bondsman to put up the money for a fee, usually 10 to 15 percent of the total bond. The $2 billion bail bond industry strongly opposes bail reform in the United States, the only country other than the Philippines in which it is legal. The chance that a defendant will reoffend increases dramatically with every day spent in jail, studies show. And it can destroy lives. Behind bars, people lose jobs and dont receive treatment for drug addictions or mental illness. Dotson-Stephens suffered from schizophrenia. Arrested in July 2018 on a misdemeanor criminal trespass charge, she was held in Bexar County Jail nearly five months because she had failed to post $300 bail. She refused PR bonds and even meals before dying of natural causes in December 2018. After her death, the district court judges, who oversee county magistrates, continued to resist bail reform, frustrating Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff. A second incident ratcheted up the tension. On April 4, Jack Michael Ule was arrested on a criminal trespass charge. A county magistrate set his bail at $500. Ule was found unresponsive in his cell two weeks later. Funding for county magistrates was set to expire that same month. On April 22, Rangel wrote a letter to the county judge, asserting that only the district courts could hire or fire county magistrates and warning that the involvement of city magistrates unnecessarily creates a risk to the publics safety when personal recognizance bonds are approved for individuals where it is inappropriate. A day after Rangel sent his letter, commissioners effectively fired the county magistrates, opting to rely entirely on city magistrates to book inmates. Wolff said his aim was therapeutic justice that would send people with drug addictions and mental illness to treatment rather than allow them to languish in jail simply because they could not afford bail. We got this step today because the city showed more heart than the county has shown, Wolff said then. Of the district judges, he added: Weve been talking to them for 60 days, and we could not get any movement on their part. It was the sort of development that the local bail bond industry considers an existential threat. I cant stay in business like this, said John McRae, owner of McRae Bail Bonds. I lost a third of my business in one year. And I believe Im going to lose another third this year. My phone doesnt even ring anymore. J.L. McEntire, owner of E-Z Out Bail Bonds, offered a curt take on Wolff: He hates bondsmen. I think he does. Rangel, on the other hand, is probably the strongest backer (out) of the judges that we have, said McEntire, a 27-year veteran of the industry who keeps a framed photograph of himself posing alongside Dog the Bounty Hunter, a reality television star, in his lobby. Rangel has kind of championed regular bondsmen, what were for and how we operate, McEntire said. The judge ought to know how bail bond companies operate. His family has been in the industry for generations. Absolutely a conflict More than a decade before Rangel became a judge in 2009, he helped his father and brother open Rangels Bail Bonds on West Martin Street. Two of Rangels brothers have worked there, as have the judges father and mother. Rangel, 52, said his familys business has not influenced his actions on bail reform. The policies Ive pushed would indicate that thats not the case, Rangel said. On the judiciary aspect of this, and even countywide, even on the county level, Ive been a true, leading proponent on bail reform issues. And when I do that, the existence of the bail bonding industry is not in my head. Critical decisions on bail reform lie ahead. As administrative judge a leadership position to which the other criminal district court judges have elected him Rangel has been at the center of the debate. By virtue of his role, he is a member of a new magistrate oversight committee that will meet for the first time on Wednesday. Some worry about a conflict of interest. I can tell you almost definitively, the district judges are bending to the will of the bail industry, said Bexar County Commissioner Kevin Wolff, son of the county judge. Asked about Rangels role in bail reform and his familys ties to the industry, the commissioner added: I think its absolutely a conflict. I dont care how you cut it. How could it not be a conflict? District Judge Velia Meza, on the other hand, defended Rangel. Ive never seen anything that would give me any inclination that he somehow has some sort of hidden agenda, Meza said. He doesnt. He does firmly believe in bail reform. And I think the 10 district judges that you talk to, their hangup will always be public safety. Meza also called it unreasonable for a judge to grant a surety surrender just a few days after a bond is posted on a nonviolent offense. Meza was commenting generally. I dont think Ive ever seen a couple of days, said Meza, a member of the Bexar County Bail Bond Board, which is charged with regulating the bail industry. I see months where they have tried and tried to locate the offender, and nobody reports. You know, they just change their phone number, nobody answers. The judge added, If you have gone four weeks and its a violent offense, and you have not secured the whereabouts of the defender, its very appropriate. Even then its not (remand to jail without bond). Under the law, while your case is pending, youre entitled to bail. Its a constitutional right. It has to do with your freedom. Four days after Rangel granted Gabriels surety surrender in the Ortiz case, he approved a request by Gabriel to reinstate the same bond. Then, on May 7, Gabriel again sought to free herself from the contract, alleging Ortiz has not complied with the suretys agreement by not reporting in on a periodic basis. Once again, Rangel granted Gabriels motion, triggering a warrant for Ortizs arrest, and he ordered the defendant returned to jail without bond, court records state. Ortiz was arrested July 1 and brought before Judge John Bull, the presiding city magistrate. Bull was taken aback by Rangels order. Around 4 a.m., he changed Ortizs bond to $10,000. In an email to other city magistrates that day, Bull gave his reasons for changing the bond. I dont think its appropriate to remand with no bond on that type of case preindictment. The guy said he owed the bondsman $50, Bull wrote. It doesnt look right at all. Between Jan. 1, 2017, and Dec. 31, 2019, Rangel granted 1,126 surety surrenders the second highest number among the district and county courts, according to county data. Rangel granted the surrenders in nearly 96 percent of cases in which they were requested. Overall, the approval rate is about 94 percent. This is a ministerial-type action that is pretty much an automatic, so its not really like theres decision making, Rangel said. The only time Ive ever heard of a judge not granting one is when theres a true question of honesty. Rangel called it a countywide policy to remand a defendant to jail without bond after a surety surrender. Meza, however again, speaking generally said: Its up to the judge. The judge can double the bond, can remand without bond. Again, its the nature of the charge. Bull said, I just find it strange that the one whos advocating for bail reform would remand someone to jail without bond on an unadjudicated state jail felony, nonviolent case. That doesnt make sense to me because thats exactly what theyre trying to fix with cash bail reform. Harris County reform Unlike Bexar County, officials in Harris County have adopted bail reform. Approved in November by a federal judge, the reform was sparked by a class action lawsuit that argued bail practices there violated basic constitutional freedoms of indigent defendants. Under the agreement, cash bail was eliminated for about 85 percent of nonviolent misdemeanors. There are exceptions for family violence, bond violations and repeated drunken driving. We wrote the rule, Harris County Judge Darrell Jordan said. And so we went through all the offenses, and we said unless you fall into one of these six categories, then you automatically get a PR bond. And if you fall into those six categories, then you see a magistrate before youre released. And you can still get a PR bond, but you have to follow those conditions. Jordan scoffed at the theory that cash bail necessarily protects public safety. The public safety argument goes out the window the minute they attach a dollar amount to their release, Jordan said. This is what drives me crazy about that. Is it only a public safety issue when the poor people get out? Thats the whole flaw in the argument. Money does not make people safe. Rangel said he does not support a general rule in Bexar County that would automatically grant PR bonds for any offense. I think (judges) should have discretion, Rangel said. But I also think that they should be, especially on misdemeanors that dont deal with violent cases, that they should be very heavily tilted toward granting PR bonds. McEntire of E-Z Out Bail Bonds wants a more stringent standard for issuing PR bonds. First of all, youd have to be destitute, he said. You couldnt have any money. You just would (have to) be a liability to the jail to have, youre costing them money for nothing. And the bail bondsman are saying, Were not going to do that bond. A step to reform? About two months after commissioners defunded the county magistrates, Bexar County Manager David Smith praised the job the city magistrates were doing. In a memo to commissioners, Smith offered an example: Public defenders are now representing 100 percent of individuals wanting representation at the bond hearing, he wrote, resulting in more fair hearings regarding the setting of the terms and conditions of pretrial release, including cash bail and PR bonds for low risk nonviolent offenders. This prompted an angry reply the next day from Rangel, who decried the chaos created when the county switched to city magistration. The magistration system was functioning well and serving the citizens of Bexar County as designed, Rangel wrote to Smith. And yet, some people seized upon the unfortunate death of two sick and mentally-ill persons in custody to advance their own narrow political agendas or to ostensibly save a few dollars. By November, the rancor seemed to have passed. That month, a panel composed of Rangel, County Commissioner Justin Rodriguez and County Court Administrative Judge John Longoria selected 10 new county magistrates, about half of whom had served in the role before the funding was pulled. Commissioners approved their hiring and appointed a nine-member magistrate oversight committee that includes Rangel and two community appointees: Laquita Garcia, an organizer with the Texas Organizing Project, and defense attorney David Christian. McEntire of E-Z Out Bail Bonds called Christian a friend of the bondsmen. He is supposed to be kind of for the bail agents, McEntire said. Garcia, who supports duplicating the efforts in Harris County, was openly wary of the process. Where Judge Rangel is concerned, he has always expressed to us that he wasnt resistant to bail reform, she said. But his actions showed otherwise. Asked to describe those actions, Garcia said: His continued support of the bail bond industry. That was a perception to us. Rodriguez sounded a hopeful note as bail reform takes shape. I think were getting there, he said. And at least as Ive seen, theres no undue influence that Ive seen from anybody. And I think the reality is the bail bond companies have to be at the table, too, to get this right. No one is trying to put them out of business. And sure, they may lose a little bit of business. But in the reform, theyre going to have a voice as well. bchasnoff@express-news.net A fleet of cars worth $1 million is trapped inside a flattened building across the street from a Houston factory where a huge gas explosion left two dead. Houston Corvette Service was located right across from Watson Grinding & Manufacturing and was destroyed by the blast that ripped through the manufacturing plant in Houston's northwest on Friday. Gordon Andrus, the owner of the car business, told KTRK-TV that two of his buildings holding customer cars had been flattened, trapping $1 million worth of Chevrolet Corvettes inside. 'Mine are flattened. It's sitting there with about a million dollars in cars right now. We restore old Corvettes, and it's full of what used to be really nice cars,' Andrus said. Before: Houston Corvette Service was located right across from Watson Grinding & Manufacturing After: The car business was destroyed by the explosion that ripped through the manufacturing plant in Houston's northwest on Friday Gordon Andrus, the owner of the car business,said two of his buildings holding customer cars had been flattened, trapping $1 million worth of Chevrolet Corvettes (pictured) inside Andrus said he was grateful that no one had been hurt in the building because the site was empty at the time. Two employees at Watson were killed in the explosion in the northwest of the city at about 4.30am on Friday. The owner of Watson Grinding and Manufacturing, which makes valves and provides thermal-spray coatings for equipment in various industries, said it was a propylene gas explosion but the cause is not yet clear. Houston Fire Chief Samuel Pena said early indications pointed to a leak of some kind at the manufacturing site. A drone image of the damage at the site of the explosion at Watson Grinding and Manufacturing Two employees at Watson were killed in the explosion in the northwest of the city at about 4.30am on Friday The owner of Watson Grinding and Manufacturing, which makes valves and provides thermal-spray coatings for equipment in various industries, said it was a propylene gas explosion but the cause is not yet clear A 2,000-gallon tank of propylene gas outside the building had been secured. Propylene is a colorless, flammable, liquefied gas with several industrial uses. It is highly flammable and can explode in a fire. People exposed to propylene can become dizzy and light-headed, and the gas can also cause liver damage. Aerial images showed the factory reduced to burning rubble and debris. Some of the surrounding buildings suffered heavy damage to parts of their walls and roofs. Smoke and flames could be seen billowing from the area in the aftermath of the blast as emergency vehicles converged on the area. A fire burned at the site hours after the explosion and a hazardous materials team was on the scene, according to the Houston Fire Department. The explosion shook other buildings with reports on Twitter of a boom felt across the entire city with many fearing it was an earthquake or that a vehicle had crashed into their homes. The explosion shook other buildings with reports on Twitter of a boom felt across the entire city with many fearing it was an earthquake or that a vehicle had crashed into their homes Houston Fire Department firefighters make their way through debris near the site of an explosion A surveillance camera from a nearby home captured the moment the blast happened with a huge flash of light exploding into the sky. The force of the explosion was so big that the CCTV camera fell. Mike Iscovitz, a meteorologist with the local Fox News channel, said the huge blast had shown up on local weather radar and was felt more than 20 miles away. 'Radar clearly shows this brief FLASH of reflectivity from NW Houston,' he tweeted. The explosion appeared to be centered on the industrial building and some nearby homes were damaged. A building is damaged after the explosion at the northwest Houston manufacturing business The ceiling of a home collapsed after the explosion at a northwest Houston on Friday morning The side brick facade of a building collapsed after the explosion The powerful explosion caused windows to shatter in homes and door jambs to crack. One nearby gas station also had its front doors blown wide open. 'It's a warzone over here,' resident Mark Brady told Click2Houston.' (The explosion) knocked us all out of our bed, it was so strong. 'It busted out every window in our house. It busted everybody's garage door in around here and closer toward the explosion over here, it busted people's roofs in and walls in and we don't know what it is. Debris from the explosion can be seen on the roof of businesses near the factory Maria Hernandez and her son, Alejandro Ambriz, 10, stand by the kitchen where the ceiling collapsed in their home, just one street east where an explosion occurred Photos posted on Twitter showed a local gas station which had its front doors blown open by the impact Rubble from the explosion covered the ground as fire crews and first responders arrived on the scene of the blast 'This is a big disaster. I really don't know what happened.' Another resident, only identified as Kim, said the roof of her home collapsed onto her sleeping family and they had to be rescued by neighbors. 'The whole house is ruined. The whole ceiling crashed down on all of us. We were all trapped in there and a nice family came and helped up out. It's just trashed,' she said. Residents as far flung as Pasadena - about 16 miles away - said they thought the explosion had gone off in their back yard. Those who live nearby were evacuated over fears of a secondary explosion and noxious gas. An investigation into what caused the blast is underway. BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon and Japan have about 40 days to decide whether ousted Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn will be extradited to Japan or stand trial in Lebanon, a judicial source and a source close to Ghosn said on Thursday, following his escape from Japan last month. Ghosn fled to Lebanon, his childhood home, as he was awaiting trial on charges of under-reporting earnings, breach of trust and misappropriation of company funds, all of which he denies. Japan and Lebanon have no extradition agreement and Lebanon does not typically hand over its nationals. Ghosn's legal team is hoping to hold the trial in Lebanon, where the former auto executive has deep ties and hopes to clear his name. Japan has in recent days asked Lebanon to clarify what files Tokyo needs to send as part of an official extradition request, the two sources said. "They came back and requested a clarification. Today, we sent that to the Japanese," the judicial source said. That communication is significant because, according to Lebanon's rules for dealing with Interpol notices, it triggers a roughly 40-day period by the end of which agreement must be reached between the countries on where and how Ghosn will stand trial, the sources said. Japan must now either send a formal extradition request to Lebanon or send Ghosn's file to Beirut and agree on a process for trying him there, the source close to Ghosn said. An Interpol spokesperson said on Friday the organization did not itself dictate a timeframe or require any action to be taken by countries and such a framework is set locally. Ghosn, who holds Lebanese, French, and Brazilian nationality, was questioned earlier this month by Lebanese prosecutors who confiscated his passport and imposed a travel ban as part of the Interpol arrest warrant process. The source close to Ghosn said the former executive can appeal to Lebanon's prosecutor to drop the ban and return his passport if Japan does not respond within the timeframe. Story continues Japanese prosecutors have said they are still pushing for Ghosn to be tried in Japan. Ghosn has struck out at what he has called Japan's unjust judicial system and said the alternative to fleeing would have been to spend the rest of his life languishing in Tokyo without a fair trial. (Reporting by Eric Knecht and Laila Bassam; editing by Ghaida Ghantous and Nick Macfie) File image Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu discussed global and regional matters of mutual interest and agreed to remain in touch for forthcoming initiatives and developments, the PMO said. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in a statement said Netanyahu telephoned Modi to greet him for Republic Day and the two leaders "agreed to remain in touch, including in the context of the forthcoming initiatives and developments regarding the region". The two leaders underscored the significance of the strategic partnership between the two countries and expressed happiness over the growth of cooperation between India and Israel in all spheres, according to the statement. They also welcomed efforts to facilitate air connectivity between the two countries. Modi stressed on the significance of initiatives in the areas of agriculture, water and start-ups, it said. "The leaders also exchanged views on global and regional matters of mutual interest," the statement said. Modi and Netanyahu also exchanged greetings and good wishes for the year 2020. Satanists have repeatedly broken into a Grade I-listed church in a Lincolnshire village to perform black magic rituals. St Botolphs Church has become an unholy altar for devil worshippers who use it the sacred building to sacrifice animals and play with Ouija boards. Villagers have confirmed that 'witches' had cut the throats of chickens inside the church's walls. The ungodly vandalism extends to occult symbols scrawled on the walls of the abandoned building and tombstones smashed in the graveyard. Martin Chapman, 72, a local farmer who has taken it on himself to clear up after the satanists, said he has come into contact with the trespassers as they descend to perform their witchcraft on Friday nights. In addition to summoning spirits with the Ouija board (pictured), the satanists have been said to sacrifice chickens, spraying their blood on the walls of the Lincolnshire church Satanists have flocked to this church in Lincolnshire to perform black magic rituals and to vandalise the site (pictured), local residents have revealed St Botolphs Church (pictured) has become an unholy altar for devil worshippers to sacrifice animals and play with ouija boards Chapman told the Telegraph newspaper the groups are made up mostly of women and that they 'bring chickens and slit their throats' so the blood can spray over the walls. 'They make rings of candles and salt. They smash graves. There is no fear. There's a group of serious witches that come down,' Chapman said. Among locals, the church has been dubbed the 'demon' church, and witches and thrill-seekers travel for miles to visit the supposed paranormal hotspot. The Church of England, however, said the holiness of previous congregations would protect the structure from evil energy. The Church of England has claimed that the prayers of previous congregations will stop the church being lost to evil forces 'Churches often have a palpable sense of God and goodness because they have been saturated with the prayers of people down the ages,' Justine Allain Chapman, Archdeacon of Boston, told the Telegraph newspaper. 'That quality doesnt disappear easily, and so people are drawn to religious places. 'It is important to remember that Gods blessing is stronger than any curse, and light more powerful than darkness.' In December last year satanists rampaged through the New Forest National Park and stabbed a number of sheep and cattle, killing some. The bodies of the dead creatures were desecrated with the occultists spraying pentagrams and the number '666' on them. A church was also vandalised with an inverted cross sprayed over its doors. (Natural News) There is a level-4 biosafety laboratory in Wuhan, China, where microbiologists study and develop genetically engineered biological weapons. And in 2017, the science journal Nature warned the world about pathogens escaping and infecting the world. It now appears that scenario has unfolded exactly as feared. Some scientists outside China worry about pathogens escaping, and the addition of a biological dimension to geopolitical tensions between China and other nations, warned NATURE in a February, 2017 article. But Chinese microbiologists are celebrating their entrance to the elite cadre empowered to wrestle with the worlds greatest biological threats. The communist Chinese government, known for bullying the world while lying about its own genetic engineering weapons experiments on humans, claimed its BSL-4 laboratories would benefit the world. The lab was certified as meeting the standards and criteria of BSL-4 by the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS) in January, reports Nature. Which means, of course, that the lab has no safety standards whatsoever and the entire accreditation is a fraud. We know this because many accreditations in China are fraudulent, even across the food and supplements industry and organics, where organic foods from China are routinely found to be contaminated with pesticides and heavy metals, as confirmed in our own mass spec laboratory in Texas. Nature explains: BSL-4 is the highest level of biocontainment: its criteria include filtering air and treating water and waste before they leave the laboratory, and stipulating that researchers change clothes and shower before and after using lab facilities. You can be sure these procedures are not being followed, as the very culture of communist China is one of cutting corners, deceiving regulators and cheating on every way possible. There is a zero probability that Chinas BSL-4 biohazard facilities are fully compliant with safety regulations. Heres a photo of Chinese virologists from the Wuhan Virology Institute wearing hazmat suits: The Seafood Market is a cover story The Wuhan National Biosafety Laboratory is located about 20 miles away from the Huanan Seafood Market, reports the UK Daily Mail, which also publishes this map showing the geographic proximity of the two: The UK Daily Mail also writes that a SARS virus escaped in a leak from another [Chinese] lab in 2004 Chinese officials worked to improve safety, but also to expand the countrys capacity to continue to study the very virus its lab had let out. Did you catch that? The lab allowed SARS to escape so they could study its pandemic effects on the population at large. In these Chinese labs, scientists there are intentionally infecting monkeys with the coronavirus to see what happens. As the UK Daily Mail writes, this is a very dangerous endeavor, since monkeys often attack researchers (which is understandable, considering they are being murdered by the unethical scientists there): Studying the behaviour of a virus like 209-nCoV and developing treatments or vaccines for it requires infecting these research monkeys, an important step before human testing. Monkeys are unpredictable though, warned Ebright. They can run, they can scratch they can bite, he said, and the viruses they carry would go where their feet, nails and teeth do. The same Chinese labs studying coronavirus allowed SARS to escape These Chinese labs have a history of allowing deadly pathogens to escape. In fact, as Nature explains, the very culture of secrecy and obedience that characterizes China is a perfect storm for cover-ups and biohazard accidents. From Nature: But worries surround the Chinese lab, too. The SARS virus has escaped from high-level containment facilities in Beijing multiple times, notes Richard Ebright, a molecular biologist at Rutgers University in Piscataway, New Jersey. Tim Trevan, founder of CHROME Biosafety and Biosecurity Consulting in Damascus, Maryland, says that an open culture is important to keeping BSL-4 labs safe, and he questions how easy this will be in China, where society emphasizes hierarchy. Also contained in the Nature warning is a note about how scientists are concerned China is using these labs to develop bioweapons: Ebright is not convinced of the need for more than one BSL-4 lab in mainland China. He suspects that the expansion there is a reaction to the networks in the United States and Europe, which he says are also unwarranted. He adds that governments will assume that such excess capacity is for the potential development of bioweapons. These facilities are inherently dual use, he says. The prospect of ramping up opportunities to inject monkeys with pathogens also worries, rather than excites, him: They can run, they can scratch, they can bite. China tried to develop a bioweapon to target human beings, and it just bit them in the ass The bottom line? China tried to develop a highly infectious, extremely dangerous bioweapon that could be used to attack the United States, most likely. But their sloppy lab procedures resulted in the virus escaping their own BSL-4 facilities and infecting local populations. This is now the most likely scenario thats emerging: An engineered bioweapon, but an accidental release in a domestic lab. Thats what happens when you play with fire. Sometimes you get burned. Listen to my emergency broadcast from Brighteon.com for more details. Follow all my podcasts and videos on this urgent topic at the HRR channel on Brighteon: Brighteon.com/channel/hrreport See more breaking news videos at Brighteon.com. Farmakommb.com scored 42 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 14 Nov 2013, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the farmakommb homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if farmakommb has a Facebook fan page). The total number of people who shared the farmakommb homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. The total number of people who shared the farmakommb homepage on StumbleUpon. The total number of people who shared the farmakommb homepage on Delicious. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the farmakommb homepage on Twitter + the total number of farmakommb followers (if farmakommb has a Twitter account). 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Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment In a shocking recent story reported by ProPublica, reporters discovered 40 cases of Illinois parents relinquishing their guardianship of the children, in order to help them qualify for more financial aid. The parents were typically professionals working jobs that put them in the upper-middle-class bracket; lawyers, a doctor and an assistant schools superintendent, as well as insurance and real estate agents. During their teens junior or senior year of high school, the parents typically handed custody over to a friend, aunt, cousin, grandparent or other trusted adult in an effort to make their child appear low-income and qualify for more financial aid. Is this a scam to try to find loopholes and access more money, similar to the recent celebrity college bribery scandal? Or, does this desperate ploy reveal that higher education prices are simply too expensive? Perhaps, its a bit of both. Scamming the System? Although the report unearthed a few dozen cases of this scheme in action in Chicagos affluent suburbs, its likely that the practice of giving up guardianship is happening in communities across the country. ProPublica spoke to Andy Borst, director of undergraduate admissions at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, about the moral implications of this tactic. Its a scam. Wealthy families are manipulating the financial aid process to be eligible for financial aid they would not be otherwise eligible for. They are taking away opportunities from families that really need it. A Sign that College is Prohibitively Expensive Graduating from college is still the best way to ensure professional success for a young adult, but the expenses to earn that diploma are proving increasingly debilitating. The average debt incurred by a college graduate is $37,172 and when a young person is focused on paying off this debt, they lose the ability to invest in other behaviors which may increase their net worth; they hesitate to buy a house, to invest in retirement, to embark on a graduate degree or grow wealth in other ways. They may have parents who opt not to support their college expenses (even if it appears on paper that these affluent parents have the means to help). When a young person fills out their FAFSA to apply for financial aid, they must prove formal separation from their parents to qualify as an independent. Because they must provide documentation, its logical that families would get desperate and may embark on a legal guardianship change. The ploy is concerning, but its also concerning that people are so desperate to decrease college expenses that theyre dissolving their family units to avoid debt. The United States is the second most expensive country in the world to attend college. Alternatively, developed countries like France, Germany, Spain and Sweden offer free tuition. Changing policy in the United States would not be a simple task, but its clear that voters (especially young people) are increasingly demanding solutions. Debt Shouldnt Divide Families In the Bible, we read often of the value of children honoring their parents, of marriages staying intact and of loving each other the way Christ loved the Church. It stands to reason that intentionally separating family bonds for financial gain is not something that God desires. Scamming a system and taking tuition support designed for low-income Americans is deeply concerning. However, the astronomical costs of college have contributed to this desperate behavior to find legal loopholes. The solution is to both close the legal loopholes that have allowed this scheme and also to make college more affordable for all Americans. Aerospace giant Boeing recently pulled out from the futuristic spaceplane program it was working on alongside US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). According to an article on the New York post website that was originally published by BGR, Boeing issued in a statement that it has decided to re-allocate the resources engaged in the spaceplane program into other areas. The Boeing statement provided by the New York Post reads, "We will now redirect our investment from XSP to other Boeing programs that span the sea, air and space domains. We're proud to have been part of a DARPA-led industry team that collaborated to advance launch-on-demand technology. We will make it a priority to harvest the significant learnings from this effort and apply them as Boeing continues to seek ways to provide future responsive, reusable access to space." Boeing previously ousted rivals such as Northrop Gruman for the opportunity to participate in various phases of the program and bagged a contract of 150 million dollars to design and manufacture this multi-purpose spacecraft. The involvement of DARPA in this project indicated that the spaceplane would primarily be used for military applications. Though the government agency stated that it could be put to a number of uses, such as commercial satellite launch missions. DARPA initially made ambitious claims that the vehicle would make daily trips to the edge of space. The spaceplane was originally intended to begin its flights starting from this year, aiming at a frequency of 10 flights in just 10 days. Now the crisis riddled Boeing, which has recently made its way into the headlines for all the wrong reasons -- whether it be the issues with 737 MAX or with the Starliner crew capsule -- has finally thrown up its hands, that could potentially place this project in the cold storage for the foreseeable future. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) WITH the lowering of the alert level over Taal Volcano, Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas said residents of 12 towns now have the option of going home. But he warned those returning home that they should be prepared to flee should the volcano erupt again. Mandanas said the following areas are no longer on lockdown effective Sunday, January 26: Alitagtag, Balete, Cuenca, Lemery, Lipa City, Malvar, Mataas na Kahoy, San Nicolas, Sta. Teresita, Taal, Talisay and Tanauan City. Residents of Agoncillo and Laurel, which are still on complete lockdown, are still prohibited from going home. Labing-apat na araw mula nang ito ay pumutok noong ika-12 ng Enero 2020, ibinaba na ng Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) ang Alert Level ng Bulkang Taal sa Level 3, Mandanas said in a statement. Kaugnay nito, binawi na rin ang iniutos na lockdown at binuksan ang opsyon o pagpili sa mga pinalikas na residente sa loob ng mga lugar na sakop ng 14-km danger zone radius, maliban sa mga nakatira at may mga hanapbuhay sa mga Bayan ng Agoncillo at Laurel, kung sila ay babalik na sa kanilang mga tirahan. No mans land o isang permanent danger zone pa rin ang volcano island, he added. Mandanas also warned his constituents of possible lahar mudflow particularly in the towns of Laurel and Agoncillo and the neighboring towns of Cavite, especially when it rains. (Mag-ingat din) sa mga panganib na may kinalaman sa naganap na volcanic eruption, kabilang ang paglanghap ng abo at, pagkakaroon ng physical injuries o damage to properties dahil sa mga may sirang mga bahay at gusali, madudulas na kalsada, mga bitak sa lupa, at kawalan ng tubig at kuryente, he said. The Phivolcs lowered Taal Volcano's status from alert level 4 to alert level 3 on Sunday, January 26, which means decreased tendency towards hazardous eruption. It said that lesser volcanic earthquakes, decelerated ground deformation of the Taal Caldera and Volcano Island, and weak steam or gas emissions at the main crater have been observed in the past days. Story continues The agency however clarified that the volcanos unrest has not ceased and that the threat of a hazardous eruption still exists. In its report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said a total of 98,187 families or 376,327 persons have been affected by the Taal eruption. Of the total, 37,203 families or 135,365 individuals were served in the evacuation centers established by the government. Power is still out in the areas included within the 7-kilometer danger zone of the Taal Volcano. The Department of Social Welfare and Development said over P59 million worth of assistance has been provided to the affected families. Meanwhile, military officials said Mandanas has proposed for the local government to purchase the livestock and other animals that were left behind on Taal Island when the residents fled. "(Kaya) ang ating provincial government, through Governor [Hermilando Mandanas, ay nag-propose na nga. Sinabi niya na sa council at sa mga mayors na bayaran, i-account na lang ng probinsiya 'yung mga alaga nilang hayop," Brigadier General Kit Teofilo, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Joint Task Force Taal, said. "Kasi karamihan naman dito ay na-retrieve na through the effort na rin ng provincial government and LGUs. 'Yung mga naiwan pa, siyempre 'yun naman ang mga worries ng mga kababayan natin. Kaya nag-propose na lang 'yung ating provincial government na bayaran na lang ito," he added. In Tagaytay City, the City Government announced the resumption of classes on Monday, January 27. Please be advised that upon the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, classes in the schools in Tagaytay City will resume on Monday, January 27, 2020, Tagaytay City Mayor Agnes Tolentino said. However, to ensure the safety of the students, the local government will be distributing face masks to the students. The NDRRMC said 264 cities and municipalities in Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, and the National Capital Region declared class suspension after the January 12 phreatomagmatic eruption of the Taal Volcano. Classes in 228 cities and municipalities resumed on January 23. (SunStar Philippines) Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) agricultural futures settled mixed for the trading week ending Jan. 24, with soybean futures dropping nearly three percent as trades were awaiting fresh Chinese purchases. The most active soybean contract for March delivery lost 27.75 cents, or 2.98 percent week on week, to close at 9.02 U.S. dollars per bushel. March corn decreased 2 cents, or 0.05 percent, to settle at 3.8725 dollars per bushel. March wheat rose 3 cents, or 0.53 percent, to end at 5.735 dollars per bushel. China and the United States signed their phase-one economic and trade agreement last week. Market participants hope the deal will increase U.S. crop sales to China. Brazilian soybean production will be higher than the previous year, according to consultancy Agroconsult. This news also weighed on soybean prices. Farmers in the South American country are now expected to harvest 124.3 million metric tons of soybeans, up from 119 million metric tons last year, analysts from the firm said. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Friday reported export sales of U.S. soybeans in the week ending Jan. 16 at 790,000 metric tons for the 2019/2020 marketing year, up 23 percent from the previous week and 59 percent from the prior four-week average. Export sales of U.S. corn were 1,006,900 metric tons for 2019/2020, up 28 percent from the previous week and 92 percent from the prior four-week average, the USDA said. The USDA reported export sales of U.S. wheat at 696,000 metric tons for 2019/2020, up 7 percent from the previous week and 58 percent from the prior four-week average. Brisk global demand continued to underpin CBOT wheat futures, analysts said. Traders also worried that transport disruptions in France, a drought-hit harvest in Australia and proposals to cap grain exports from Russia will tighten global supplies. U.S. corn futures ended lower on the week from the spillover effect of soybeans. U.S. corn is one of the world's cheapest feed grain following an unexpected surge in Argentine exporting price. The USDA said in its latest crop inspection report that weekly U.S. soybean export inspections were 1.2 million metric tons, at the top end of insiders' expectations for 600,000 to 1.2 million metric tons. Weekly U.S. export inspections were 435,129 metric tons for wheat and 345,859 metric tons for corn. Insiders had expected 400,000 to 600,000 metric tons for wheat, and 450,000 to 800,000 metric tons for corn. SCENES for a new science fiction television show were filmed at the Sue Ryder hospice in Nettlebed. Joyce Grove will appear in The Nevers, which is written by American director Joss Whedon and will be broadcast next year. A technical team from the Amrican production compnay HBO installed lighting and hydraulic platform lifts for use by the camera crew. Then members of the cast, which includes Laura Donnelly, Olivia Williams and James Norton, spent a day filming. The show, which also features Hot Fuzz star Nick Frost, is about a group of Victorian women who are gifted with unusual abilities and find themselves tasked with a mission to save the world. Posting on Twitter, HBO said the hospice would double as an orphanage run by Donnelly and Williams characters for children who have extraordinary powers. Whedon is best known for writing Nineties hit Buffy the Vampire Slayer and also wrote the first Toy Story film and Marvels 2012 film Avengers Assemble. The hospice regularly serves as a filming location. It doubled as Bletchley Park in The Imitation Game, a biography of the life of British codebreaker Alan Turing. It has also appeared in Agatha Christies Poirot, Jeeves and Wooster, Midsomer Murders and documentaries about James Bond author Ian Fleming. Actor Martin Clunes filmed scenes for ITV drama Arthur and George at the hospice in 2014. The following year Nicholas Lyndhurst, Larry Lamb and Denis Lawson, who were filming BBC1s New Tricks, took time out to meet and chat with patients. American television host and Comedian Ellen DeGeneres turned 62 on Sunday. The actor hosts one of the most successful daytime talk show 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' which ranks 27th in the syndicate. Ahead of her birthday, friend and actor Jennifer Aniston stole the limelight as she took over the host seat of The Ellen DeGeneres show, in her beloved 'real-life friends' DeGeneres' absence. Previously, the host had called out for help during the Australian bushfire incident. Ellen DeGeneres launched a 'GoFundMe' to help the people and animals devastated by the Australian bush fires. On 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show', the host announced the creation of the campaign aimed at raising $5 million to support firefighters, people, and animals affected by the catastrophe.The 62-year old television host also tweeted about the issue and her campaign. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) For almost 25 years, I asserted that race had no place in the discussion of what happened to my family. I still dont want to write about race. What I mean is, I really dont want to write about race. Im terrified of striking the wrong chord, of being vulnerable, of uncovering shameful ignorance in my psyche. Im afraid of being misinterpreted. I am white. The grandmother I shared with Julie and Robin was Puerto Rican, and their father is half Lebanese. But in every practical way, my family is mostly white. Ill never know the impotent rage of being profiled, or encounter institutionalized hurdles to success because of my skin or hair or name. But I care about race and equality. And its imperative for white people to join the conversation about racism. Discomfort is the least of our obligations. She wrote the column in the aftermath of the protests over the shooting death of Michael Brown and the coming appeal of one of her cousins killers. She argued that police misconduct in questioning one of the killers violated the justice Julie and Robin deserve but didnt offset his guilt; it also didnt make her family a model for victimized white people. Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) score big among Delhi's lower income groups and/or Dalit voters, for its educational reforms. With a population of over 25 lakh, Dalit votes is one of the key factors in the 8 February Delhi elections. "We have not experienced something like this before." Seema is talking about the transformation of teachers in Delhi's government schools. Her son Varun, 14, has been going to Sarvodaya Secondary School in Vasant Vihar all along. The past three years or so, however, the thirty-seven-year-old said, have been different. "Teachers have been meeting parents one-on-one to talk about their child's growth," said Seema, and added, "They treat us equally, and with a lot of respect. The sincerity with which the Parent-Teacher meetings happen today did not happen earlier." Seema lives in a predominantly Dalit basti of Kusumpur Pahadi in Vasant Vihar, one of the costliest neighbourhoods in South West Delhi. Kusumpur Pahadi is also one of the largest slums in Delhi which lacks basic sanitation facilities. Several women here do housework, and the men do odd jobs. Seema is a homemaker and her husband works as a mechanic. When asked about the changes that are apparent in the state's government schools these days, the residents here placed a lot of emphasis on the way they were "treated" at these schools. The teachers sitting across the table and respectfully engaging on equal terms is something the parents here had only occasionally experienced before. "We did not attend the meetings in the past," Seema concedes. "Now, we set aside any work we might have on the day and make sure we are present at the meeting. We feel equal stakeholders in our childs education. And most importantly, my son looks forward to going to school." The Sarvodaya Secondary School is also witnessing a makeover with better infrastructure. Rakhi, who serves mid-day meals to students at the school vouches for the change ushered in after Arvind Kejriwal became the Chief Minister of Delhi. "With the change in the overall attitude, it has also brought a behavioural change among children. Earlier, the kids did not study, they would fight among themselves, and many had the habit of smoking. The staff was also inadequate. Kids would end up sweeping the floor before class. But when teachers and management is serious, it has a percolating impact on the entire school system." Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) score big among Delhi's lower income groups and/or Dalit voters, for its educational reforms. With a population of over 25 lakh, Dalit votes is one of the key factors in the 8 February Delhi elections. In October 2019, AAP had planned an outreach program of connecting with 6,000 Dalit bastis in the city. Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam had told the media that their team had gotten in touch with influential people in the bastis. "These people are informed in advanced when our teams visit their areas so that our party members can interact with a fairly large group of local residents," he had said. "We will share the achievements of the government, how the life of ordinary people has improved and our vision for the next five years." Delhi has 12 reserved constituencies out of 70, and AAP had bagged all of them when it swept the assembly elections in 2015 winning 67 seats. Before the historic 2015 victory, Congress largely had a cinch over Dalit votes. Come 2020 and it is highly unlikely that the Congress will regain its lost vote share. Subsidised electricity, mohalla clinics, and, most importantly, school reforms have ensured that votes will stick with Kejriwal. Under AAP, School Management Committees have been set up at every school that act as a bridge between schools and parents. SMC comprises of 12 elected parents of students, the school principal, one teacher, one elected representative and a social worker. The SMCs apprise school principals in case the parents have a gripe or a demand. Kamlesh, a member of the SMC at the RSKV Jeejabai School in Trilokpuri which currently has 3,600 students, says decentralisation has brought in several positive changes. "It makes parents equally involved. School reforms in Delhi have showed that a political party can bring in a change if it wishes to. Most of the students here belong to lower income groups. As parents, we often rued the fact that we cannot enroll our kids in private schools. Today, we feel reassured that our kids are at par with other kids," she said. The infrastructure at the RSKV School, where majority of the students studying are either Dalits or Muslims, has undergone a huge change, said the principal Chandrakant. "Earlier the premises would be submerged in water after heavy rainfall," she said and added, "But today, the school looks slick with better furniture, vibrant classrooms, and spacious buildings. The government had also taken us to Cambridge as part of our training program. It helped us come up with several innovative ideas to enhance the school education system." One of the innovative ideas of the Delhi government that is extremely popular among the students is the Happiness Curriculum. In July 2018, Kejriwal launched it in presence of The Dalai Lama. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had told PTI that a team of 40 experts came up with the curriculum. Imagine the impact of involving 10 lakh students and around 50,000 teachers, he had said. It is our belief that the modern day problems like terrorism, corruption and pollution can be solved through schools and a human centric education. The curriculum includes meditation, moral values and mental exercises. At a Dalit residency in Shadipur area, Kusum, 16, enthusiastically describes the happiness class, and how the students wait for it every day. We are told stories, we are also asked to tell stories, we draw, we paint, we colour. It is great fun, she says and takes a friendly jibe at her elder sister. It was not there during your time. Raft of Gun Control Bills Advance in Virginias State Legislature Around a dozen gun control bills have swiftly advanced through Virginias state legislature in recent weeks, while some of the more controversial measures, such as a ban on owning and selling assault weapons, have been struck down. Democrats recently won control of the states House and Senate chamber and have vowed to enact stronger gun control policies, saying it will help reduce shootings and deaths. The party now has full control of the General Assemblyfor the first time in over two decadesand Virginias governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general are Democrats as well. Gun rights groups and Second Amendment advocates have decried the measures, telling The Epoch Times that the measures violate their constitutional rights and will do nothing to stop criminals. On Jan. 20, a gun rights rally opposing the legislation drew at least 22,000 Second Amendment advocates from across the country. Each house in Virginias legislature must act on its own legislation by Feb. 11. On Jan. 24, the Virginia House Public Safety Committee voted to advance seven gun control measures, which will likely head to the full House of Delegates in the coming days before going to the Senate, and will have to be signed by Gov. Ralph Northam to become law. Meanwhile, Virginias Senate has since passed four gun control bills, which are being sent to the House for further discussion. The measures recently passed by the House Committee include universal background checks, legislation limiting handgun purchases to one per month, penalizing gun owners who dont report lost or stolen guns within 24 hours, and allowing localities to ban arms from government buildings. The committee, however, didnt pass a bill that would ban assault weapons, while the Senate counterpart of that bill was also killed weeks ago during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. The House Public Safety Committee shamefully rubber-stamped the Bloomberg-Northam gun control scheme, NRA spokesperson Catherine Mortensen told The Epoch Times via email. Mortensen said the committee blocked legislators questions and prevented constituents from speaking. Most of the House committee bills passed along party lines, 139. Virginians deserve lawmakers who will hear testimony and conduct serious vetting of each billas the Senate Judiciary Committee didbefore voting on measures that will strip away the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens and leave them defenseless, she said. In a Jan. 24 statement following the passage of the House Committees bills, Eileen Filler-Corn, speaker of the House of Delegates, said that Virginians spoke clearly when they voted in the November 2019 elections. She said voters turned out to demand action from the General Assembly to make their communities safer. Northam has indicated previously that he would sign gun control measures into law. He and other Democratic lawmakers in the state have credited their focus on gun control for helping them win full control of the General Assembly, according to The Associated Press. Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins told The Epoch Times earlier this month that the advancing of gun control bills is going to flip Virginia back red in so many ways they dont expect. Jenkins said the strong push for tighter gun control has awakened a [segment of the] population in the state that has long been quiet. And that doesnt account for the court battles that are coming, because there are plenty of us willing to battle this out in the court the right way, as well, he said. Virginias Senate, in the meantime, passed a red flag bill (SB 240) on Jan. 22 by a 2119 margin. It was the latest bill advancing through the Senate, which has already passed three other gun control measures. The Senate chamber has passed measures requiring background checks on all firearms sales, the limiting of handgun purchases to one per month, and the allowing of local government powers to ban weapons from public buildings and other venues. The red flag bill, once signed into law, allows authorities to apply to certain courts for an emergency substantial risk order to prohibit a person who poses a substantial risk of injury to himself or others from purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm. Critics of the legislation told The Epoch Times that red flag laws allow the theft of personal property from law-abiding citizens who have committed no crime. It is an unconstitutional pre-crime program like you would expect to see in some communist backwater nation, Dudley Brown, president of the National Association for Gun Rights, told The Epoch Times previously. Following the Jan. 20 gun rights rally, which concluded peacefully, Northam issued a statement saying he would continue to listen to the voices of Virginians. Meanwhile, a Change.org petition that was started over the measures has garnered more than 68,000 signatures calling for the impeachment of Northam. Princess Diana's niece has been seen for the first time since it was revealed she used her royal connections to advertise milk in China. Lady Kitty Spencer was spotted strolling the streets of New York with her 60-year-old South African-born fiance Michael Lewis, who reportedly proposed to her just before Christmas. The model, holding her black gloves in her hands, could be seen showing off her diamond encrusted engagement that is thought to be worth up to 300,000. At one point, the fashion tycoon shows the socialite something on his phone that appears to amuse the 29-year-old, who has previously modelled for the Italian luxury jewellery brand Bulgari, and has graced the covers of Tatler and Harpers Bazaar. It comes just days after the Daily Mail revealed that Earl Spencer's daughter is promoting milk sales in China. Lady Kitty Spencer was spotted in New York with her 60-year-old South African partner Michael Lewis Michael Lewis looks at something on his phone while walking alongside his partner Lady Kitty Spencer The model, holding her black gloves in her hands, could be seen showing off her diamond encrusted engagement that is thought to be worth up to 300,000 Sales pitch: Lady Kitty Spencer helps launch the Chinese Jersey milk brand in a commercial event at the British Museum Just after the paper exposed Peter Phillips lucrative commercial work in Shanghai, it transpired that she is endorsing Satine Jersey milk. The Earl Spencers daughter posed in a stunning emerald dress with a cup of tea for a photoshoot at the British Museum. The 29-year-old model, a first cousin to Princes William and Harry, said she was thrilled, telling Chinese journalists: The day of the Royal Family usually begins with a cup of milk or a cup of tea. On Tuesday last week, the Mail revealed that Mr Phillips, who with his Canadian wife Autumn sold their 2008 wedding to Hello! magazine, had appeared in two adverts for a Chinese state-owned dairy firm. Dressed in a black bow tie and dinner jacket, the 42-year-old said in a dubbed Chinese voice I love to drink Jersey Milk while a caption read British Royal Family member Peter Phillips. He is likely to have been paid tens of thousands of pounds for the adverts, which give the impression of being set in a royal palace. Lady Kitty Spencer has been promoting a rival brand, Satine, which is sold by Chinese food giant Yili Group. Lady Kitty Spencer was spotted strolling the streets of New York with her 60-year-old South African fiance Michael Lewis, just days after it was revealed she was helping sell milk in China Michael Lewis, pictured right, is understood to have asked Lady Kitty Spencer to marry him just before Christmas The milk carton is emblazoned with Satine The British Museum and features a sketch based on an 1846 lithograph of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert with their children, titled The Royal Children in the Nursery Lady Kitty Spencer was spotted strolling the streets of New York with her 60-year-old South African-born fiance Michael Lewis, who reportedly proposed to her just before Christmas. It competes in the growing Chinese market for high end milk against Jersey Cattle Fresh Milk, the product that is being marketed by the Queens grandson. The two aristocrats effectively went head to head in a milk marketing war because their rival promotions were both launched in June last year. The rival brands bill themselves as milk from Jersey cows, a key selling-point for Chinese middle-class consumers. Dozens of photographs were taken of Lady Kitty, whose dress was designed with a nod to Far Eastern couture, at the Satine launch event on June 8. With the grand backdrop of the British Museums marble atrium, Lady Kitty sipped tea while a Chinese woman poured milk from a carton with the title Satine Jersey Milk British Museum Classic Edition into a jug. A press release issued by the milk company made great play of her royal connections, saying: Kitty Spencer, niece of the late Princess Diana, made an authentic English breakfast tea with Jersey milk and shared the story of Jersey milk and the British Royal Family. On Tuesday, the Mail revealed that Mr Phillips, who with his Canadian wife Autumn sold their 2008 wedding to Hello! magazine, had appeared in two adverts for a Chinese state-owned dairy firm Princess Dianas niece has joined the Queens grandson in exploiting royal connections to promote milk sales in China Lady Kitty, who is not a member of the Royal Family, was quoted as saying: Jersey milk has a close relationship with the British Royal Family. At Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the Queen in London, the Queens day begins with drinking a cup of tea. Jersey milk has been enjoyed by the British Royal Family for many years. Jersey milk is considered to be the finest and most special from the United Kingdom. The launch event led to gushing articles in the Chinese media about Satine milk and British noble member Lady Kitty. The British Museum received a fee for hosting the event, which it said was commercially sensitive. A spokesman said: The British Museum started its brand licensing programme back in 2016 and has an international programme, with select licensee partners in China, the UK, Europe and North America. The press release details the collaboration on this particular product and the role of the British Museum, whereby the design of the packaging for a specific product was inspired by objects in the British Museums collection. This is a reference to the milk carton that is emblazoned with Satine The British Museum and features a sketch based on an 1846 lithograph of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert with their children, titled The Royal Children in the Nursery. There was no comment from Lady Kittys agent or from Buckingham Palace at the time. Mr Phillips had declined to comment. But a source close to him said: As Peter does not undertake any Royal duties and does not receive any income from the tax payer, he is entitled to go about his business and earn a living. Japan will evacuate all its nationals from China's quarantined city of Wuhan, the epicentre of a deadly virus, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Sunday. "We have decided to send back all (Japanese citizens in Wuhan) to Japan if they wish so, by every means including a chartered flight," Abe told reporters. "We are coordinating with the Chinese government at various levels, and we will accelerate the process to realise a swift implementation" of the evacuation from Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province in central China, Abe said. Earlier, a foreign ministry official told AFP that 430 Japanese were in Hubei province. The move comes as several other countries are arranging plans to evacuate their personnel and citizens. The outbreak, which has killed 56 people and infected nearly 2,000 across China, is believed to have originated in a live animal market in Wuhan. China is one of Tokyo's biggest trading partners and around 160 Japan-linked companies have offices in the region's central city of Wuhan. Japan's health authorities confirmed the country's third case on Saturday -- all in patients that had visited Wuhan recently. TV actor Sidharth Shukla is one of the strongest contenders to win the ongoing reality show Bigg Boss 13, but he is also one of the most aggressive and controversial ones. Despite him getting violent, neither Bigg Boss nor host Salman Khan punished him, forcing fans to believe that they are all biased towards Sidharth. After Saturdays episode ended in Salman pulling up Asim Riaz as well as Shehnaaz Gill for fights inside the house, fans of the show were up in arms on Twitter. They even made #ScriptedBiggBoss13 one of the top India trends on Twitter. Priyanka Chopras cousin and actor Meera Chopra led the voices against the bias for Sidharth Shukla. I stopped watching #bigboss bcoz of biasedness of the makers to make #SiddhartShukla the hero, when hes clearly the villain. Whats the point of watching when we know its fixed! They can make siddharth win but #Asim and #RashamiDasai are the real winners of the show, she tweeted. Also read: Shah Rukh Khan: I am a Muslim, my wife is a Hindu and my kids are Hindustan. Watch video I stopped watching #bigboss bcoz of biasedness of the makers to make #SiddhartShukla the hero, when hes clearly the villain. Whats the point of watching when we know its fixed! They can make siddharth win but #Asim and #RashamiDasai are the real winners of the show. meera chopra (@MeerraChopra) January 25, 2020 She also asked fans to boycott the show: #asim #sana and #rashmi fans. Boycott #BigBoss13. Stop watching it so that the trps come down and makers kno the value of real fans. Thats the right way!! Keep supporting them on social media. #asim #sana and #rashmi fans. Boycott #BigBoss13. Stop watching it so that the trps come down and makers kno the value of real fans. Thats the right way!! Keep supporting them on social media. meera chopra (@MeerraChopra) January 26, 2020 Former Bigg Boss contestant and TV actor Kishwer Merchantt also wrote, Its sad how Siddharth blamed shehnaaz for talking about Arti and him .. something that was said Masti mien , he made it a Mudda in front of Salman sir .. agar Bura Laga tha tab bolta na Sana Ko .. what happened then ? #bigboss13 #BB13. She even claimed that the caller of the week was planted to cleanse Sidharths image. Caller Ko Sid ne ghar ke andar se ghoos khilayi kya .. Uski reputation sudharne ke liye #BB13. It's sad how Siddharth blamed shehnaaz for talking about Arti and him .. something that was said Masti mien , he made it a Mudda in front of Salman sir .. agar Bura Laga tha tab bolta na Sana Ko .. what happened then ? #bigboss13 #BB13 Kishwer M Rai (@KishwerM) January 26, 2020 Caller Ko Sid ne ghar ke andar se ghoos khilayi kya .. Uski reputation sudharne ke liye #BB13 Kishwer M Rai (@KishwerM) January 26, 2020 Former Bigg Boss contestant and actor-filmmaker Kamaal R Khan also tweeted, So Todays #WeekendKaVaar is to make #Shukla hero. #Asim, #Vishal #Rashmi and #Shehnaaz are wrong. While Shukla, Paras and Mahira are the best people in #BiggBoss house. #AaaThoo on Shameless producers. #biasedhostsalmankhan #BB13. Today, I have got lots of respect for #RanbirKapoor #ArjunKapoor #ArijitSingh and #Vivekoberoi for doing all that, whatever they have done to #Sallu. He totally deserves it. Now I can say with 100% guarantee that nobody can save #Radhe from becoming a disaster. Congrats Sallu. KRK (@kamaalrkhan) January 25, 2020 One fan of the show wrote, #ScriptedBiggBoss13 These two were left HUMILIATED DEMOTIVATE & TARGETED for standing up speaking against a TV mafias Damad! BROKEN HELPLESS DISAPPOINTED Cause @ColorsTV has no guts to bash a abuser! Their expression shows whats going within them! #ScriptedBiggBoss13 These two were left HUMILIATED DEMOTIVATE & TARGETED for standing up speaking against a TV mafia's Damad! BROKEN HELPLESS DISAPPOINTED Cause @ColorsTV has no guts to bash a abuser! Their expression shows what's going within them! pic.twitter.com/KcP1jL7f8y Reene (@Reene343) January 26, 2020 In both situation what Rashami and Sana has faced simply very disturbing... As a girl you will feel sad when you see how these women are treated in national TV.. Both the cases culprit is shukla Both time channel,host,makers defend this man It's really sick!!#ScriptedBiggBoss13 lipsa panda supporting Asim Riaz in bb13 (@lipsapanda0992) January 26, 2020 In both situation what Rashami and Sana has faced simply very disturbing...As a girl you will feel sad when you see how these women are treated in national TV.. Both the cases culprit is shukla Both time channel,host,makers defend this man Its really sick!! #ScriptedBiggBoss13, wrote another fan. Follow @htshowbiz for more Storyful A cat owner in Sao Paulo may need to pack for vacations in private from now on, as it appears their kitty is quite fond of curling up in a suitcase.Natalia Cara de Medeiros, who runs an Instagram account dedicated to her pet cat Jazz, shared footage of the feline sitting happily in her half-full suitcase to her YouTube channel.In a caption for the video, de Medeiros said Jazz was abandoned along with four other cats.They all got adopted and she was the only one left. One of the neighbors tried to take her in, but she didnt want to; she had chosen us and slowly made her way into our home, she wrote.And it looks like de Medeiros home isnt the only thing Jazz has made her way into: Like all cats, she is very curious and loves enclosed spaces, so of course, she couldnt resist it when she saw an open suitcase lying around, de Mederios added. Credit: Natys Adventures via Storyful If there is one thing Donald Trump fears, its lousy ratings. Since being elected president, in fact, Trump has tweeted about ratings exactly 100 times, according to the Trump Twitter Archive, the most recent coming Friday, on the eve of his defense teams opening testimony in his impeachment trial. After having been treated unbelievably unfairly in the House, and then having to endure hour after hour of lies, fraud & deception by Shifty Schiff, Cryin Chuck Schumer & their crew, looks like my lawyers will be forced to start on Saturday, which is called Death Valley in T.V. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2020 Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell gave in to pressure from members of his own party to adjust the trials timetable to give House Democrats three days to make their case for removing Trump from office, pushing the opening arguments by the presidents lawyers to the weekend. Photo: Patrick Semansk/AP Trumps lawyers will be allowed the same amount of time as the House impeachment team, 24 hours, to present their defense, but they may not use all of it. NEW: POTUS' legal team will only take *two hours* Saturday, as they begin their opening arguments, per two sources. That will allow presidential candidates to get out to Iowa & other weary senators a chance to get home. McConnell will announce Sat. start time at top of 1pm. Meredith Lee (@meredithllee) January 24, 2020 Broadcast on cable networks, ABC, CBS and NBC, the impeachment trials opening session Tuesday drew 11 million viewers, according to Nielsen, while 8.9 million tuned in to watch opening arguments from the Democratic House managers on Wednesday. Ratings data for Thursdays proceedings is still pending. Those figures do not include people who streamed the trial online. Story continues Trumps concern over ratings is, in some ways, justified. While the Senate jury is the audience that truly matters on the question of whether he will be removed from office, public opinion on Trumps actions will affect his own reelection campaign and, potentially, control of the Senate. Given the current 53-47 partisan split in the Senate, Democrats need four Republican senators to join them in voting to force the inclusion of new witness testimony and documents in the trial. A Yahoo News/YouGov poll released Wednesday found that 63 percent of the American people believe the Senate should call new witnesses during the trial. On the question of whether Trump should be removed, Americans were more divided, with 46 percent saying he should, 45 percent saying he shouldnt. While the Trump legal teams strategy hasnt been disclosed, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, offered a suggestion as to what they should say come Saturday. Focus on substance more and process less, Cruz said Thursday in an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. While that advice would seem to contradict Trumps own strategy of loudly complaining that his lawyers had been moved to the Death Valley in T.V., many Republicans share the hope that the impeachment show will soon be canceled due to poor ratings. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Winter-lovers have been waiting for a spell of real winter weather. Winter-dreaders have been looking around the corner to see if Old Man Winter is going to show up. Here are a few thoughts about February from long-range forecasters, and me. In the past decade, weve occasionally had an upper-air flow condition youve all come to know - the Polar Vortex. The polar vortex is a circulating storm system that usually hovers around the polar region. Occasionally the polar vortex shifts off the polar region. When the vortex shifts, it can move toward southeast Canada, Siberia, Europe or even break up into several pieces. For Michigan, the Great Lakes and the eastern U.S. to get an extended period of cold yet this winter, the polar vortex is probably going to have to move off the polar region and toward southeast Canada. We dont see that polar vortex move in the next two weeks. Data is kind of hinting at some upper-air change three to four weeks from now, but not with much consistency and confidence. Heres a look at one weather model called the GFS. It comes from the U.S. National Weather Service. Upper-air forecast over the next 16 days, through February 10, 2020 Our upper-air flow may slowly go to a more northwesterly flow, but not until near the end of this model run. The last part of this animation is Feb. 10. Most other data shows this mid-February cool-down. But there are no signs so far of a full-blown polar vortex visit to near the Great Lakes. Judah Cohen, Ph.D. ,Director of Seasonal Forecasting, Atmospheric and Environmental Research (AER), a Verisk Business, studies the polar vortex. Cohen says a shift of the polar vortex off the North Pole and toward the eastern U.S. is still possible, but time is running out. Cohen thinks if we do get a polar vortex disruption in the second half of February it would be too late for a long stretch of extreme cold. The experts at NOAA are starting to waver a bit on a cold February. Look at how their three- to four-week forecast has changed from last week to this week. They issue the three- to four-week forecast every Friday. Here is their latest three to four-week temperature forecast. Three to four week temperature forecast for February 8 to February 21, 2020. (Issued by NOAA) NOAA still feels it will cool down in the second half of February. But look at how much their forecast has changed in just one week. Next is the forecast from last week. Three to four week forecast issued last Friday, January 17, 2020 (NOAA) The latest discussion by NOAA says they are losing confidence in any real long-lasting, significant cold snap. My thoughts- Every time the upper-air flow seems to want to change this winter, it doesnt. I think whatever is causing the warm flow is a dominant feature right now. Can that change? Yes it can, but shows no signs of it. I definitely think we will have several normal cold days in February, maybe even lasting a week or two. I dont think we will get an extended severe cold snap. Two more thoughts. Just because we may not get into a long cold snap doesnt rule out a big snowstorm. We are in a pattern where each storm can have a lot of moisture, which could be a lot of snow. Also, it unfortunately doesnt mean we wont get a colder-than-normal period in March or April. Of course, at that time the temperatures cant get bitterly cold but could make an unpleasant spring. But again, if abnormal cold is having a hard time coming in February, it should have a hard time getting here in March or April. Right now everything is indicated the polar vortex may not make an appearance in Michigan this winter. Mumbai, Jan 26 : Telly actors like Jasmin Bhasin, Meera Deosthale and Paritosh Tripathi say the Republic Day, being celebrated by the nation on Sunday, holds a special place in their hearts. "Vidya" actress Meera Deosthale said: "The Republic Day holds a special place in not only my heart but in the heart of every Indian. This is the historic day when our Indian constitution came into effect. As a kid, I got to know what the day is about, but as an adult is when I realised the true importance of this special day." "Just like my show, I also want to spread the message of education and equality across the country." Jasmin, who is seen as Nayantra in "Naagin", went back to her childhood days. "It used to be a holiday in school, but I remember attending flag hoisting in my building with all our neighbours. After that, all my building friends would sing the same timeless patriotic songs. Also, I hope that we can be kind towards each other this Republic Day and take care of Mother Nature," she said. Actor Vijayendra Kumeria feels that Republic Day is the most significant day for all Indians. "On this day, I will attend the flag hoisting ceremony in my building/on set. As a ritual, I will watch my favourite patriotic film 'Rang De Basanti', it a movie I like revisiting often. This Republic Day, I also want all the men to step forward and take a pledge to protect this country's women on this historic day," he said. Actor Paritosh Tripathi believes that Indians should celebrate Republic Day and Independence Day everyday. "Being an actor, it's our responsibility to be aware what is happening in our society and spread awareness in society whenever possible. I keep on writing inspiring poems. I believe in cleanliness and I always carry small dustbin in my car," he said. Actress Neha Mehta, popular as Anjali Mehta from "Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah", also feels that as actors, they are responsible to spread awareness in the society. "People follow us and it becomes easy to send any message through us. In my show, we always try to show important issues like saving water, cleanliness and girl education," she shared. "Vighnaharta Ganesh" actor Kuldeep Singh sees it as a "historical day to remember our national heroes and freedom fighters". "It is our duty to maintain the beauty of this country. We should always look forward to the betterment of our nation," he added. The growing population of Patna -- an ancient city sprawling along the south bank of River Ganga -- is leading to an increased outflow of domestic wastewater. The existing sewage treatment plants in the city have long outlived their utility; the old sewer lives are chocked, and the untreated water flows into Ganga. Under the Namami Gange Programme, the Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has put in place a comprehensive sewage management plan to ensure that no wastewater is discharged into the river. Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, Director General of Mission for Clean Ganga said, "Patna and Bhagalpur contribute to more than 50 per cent of pollution/sewage flowing to Ganga from Bihar, which is why they remain our focus. We have got 11 projects in Patna. Almost 3,000 crores worth of interventions are taking place in this city only." "One project has been completed at Karmali Chak Sewage Treatment Plant. In Patna, we have got STPs plus network. Patna, being a capital city, still does not have a sewerage network. Sewer lines are not there in the city, except in some old areas. So, almost the entire sewerage network is being built up under Namami Gange for Patna," he added. Patna has been divided into 6 zones and new STPs are being constructed. In order to revamp the sewage management system in the city, NMCG has approved 11 projects worth over Rs 3,500 crore that will involve laying down 1,140 km of sewerage lines and create sewage treatment capacity of 350 MLD. This would cover the sewage treatment requirements of the city up to 2035 when its sewage generation is estimated to be 320 MLD. Yogendra Kumar, Executive Engineer, Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (BUIDCO) said, "In Patna, sewage is not allowed to flow directly into Ganga. We are working to connect every household with a sewerage system. The household wastewater will be diverted to the main hole and then to an STP. The wastewater will be treated through SBR (Sequencing Batch Reactors) technology and used for irrigation purposes after chlorination". Work on most projects under Namami Gange scheme in Patna is in the final stages. Beur and Karmalichak STPs will together treat 80 million litres of wastewater per day through a sewerage network of 277 kilometres. The estimated cost of the Karmalichak STP is about Rs. 77 crore and the Beur STP will cost Rs. 68 crore. Work on two other sewage plants, 60 MLD STP in Saidpur Pahari and another 60 MLD STP at Pahari, is also near completion. Om Prakash Singh, Chief Engineer, Namami Gange in Bihar said, "The main target of this STP is to stop the flow of wastewater into the Ganga. The treated water will be used for agriculture, by industries and power plants". Anant Jirage, Project Manager, Voltas said, "This technology requires limited area and has minimum electricity consumption to run a plant. The treated water can be reused and is suitable for industrial use, building construction and agriculture." In Bihar, Namami Gange sewerage infrastructure projects have been sanctioned in 18 towns at a cost of over Rs. 5,000 crores. The present sewage treatment capacity of towns along the Ganga is only 64 million litres per day (MLD) which is being enhanced almost 10 times to 643 MLD through the Namami Gange projects. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) PDP patron Muzaffar Hussain Baig, who was conferred with the Padma Bhushan, on Sunday thanked the Union government for the third-highest civilian award and sought the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. "I am grateful for the award. I do not treat it as a personal award but an honour conferred on the people of Jammu and Kashmir. I pray for more such awards in the coming years," Baig said after unfurling the national flag at the party headquarters on the occasion of the 71st Republic Day here. The 73-year-old Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader made a fervent appeal for the release of political leaders including three former chief ministers-- Farooq Abdullah, his son Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti-- detained by the Union government after the abrogation of provisions of Article 370 on August 5 last year. He also sought the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory so that "we can move around with our head held high". "My vehement request to the Centre is to restore statehood so that we can uphold our heads high because in a UT even the MLA, if after becoming the chief minister, does not have any power," he said. "We do not want anything outside the book (Constitution). This is my passionate appeal to the central government as well as the opposition parties in the country that give us the position which is guaranteed in the Constitution," he said. Referring to the abrogation of provision of Article 370, he said the case is now before the Supreme Court and its decision will have to be accepted by the people. "The Supreme court had given its verdict on triple Talaq and Ram Mandir which was accepted by the country. Likewise, the decision of the Supreme Court on Article 370 will have to be accepted by the people of the country," he said. The PDP leader said even if the decision of the apex court is not favourable, the people of Jammu and Kashmir need to sit together and make an appeal to the government for restoration of statehood and protection of jobs and land. "Whether belonging to National Conference, PDP, Congress or BJP, we are all the sons of the soil. We are like different flowers of a bouquet," he said. "Jammu and Kashmir is a region where five tribes live... Almost six months have passed (since the abrogation of Article 370) and our leaders are still under custody without any reason. Fortunately, Ghulam Nabi Azad (who was also a former chief minister) was in Delhi otherwise he would have also been under detention as well," he said. "Let all of them be released so that we can sit together and make a request to the government to restore statehood of Jammu and Kashmir and ensure protection of jobs and land," he said. The former deputy chief minister and finance minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was one of the few politicians who was not detained by the Union government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Yet I suspect that many Democrats would also switch sides, finding it easier to excuse misconduct by someone they admired and seeing it as more important in that situation to preserve executive privilege and leave it to voters to decide the matter in the fall. Thats why we owe it to ourselves, as a matter of intellectual honesty, to think through how we would react if it were the other guy on trial. Director Bong Joon-ho and the cast of "Parasite" are entering the final stretch in the heated race for the upcoming Oscars. The genre-bending family satire was nominated in six categories best picture, best director, best screenplay, best editing, best production design and best international feature film for the 2020 Academy Awards slated for Feb. 9. It is the first time that a South Korean-made film has earned a nod for one of the world's biggest film events. According to CJ ENM, which is behind the Cannes-winning film, the "Parasite" team will carry out a last-minute campaign in the United States to win the hearts of members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). The voting will begin on Thursday (U.S. time) and close on Feb. 4, with about 8,000 AMPAS members casting a ballot. The team may include director Bong and crew members including co-screenwriter Han Jin-won, editor Yang Jin-mo and production designer Lee Ha-jun, along with actors and actresses led by Song Kang-ho and Lee Sun-kyun. They will hold a series of media interviews and participate in other award ceremonies before and during the period. Last weekend, they attended the American Cinema Editors (ACE) Eddie Awards, the Producers Guild of America Awards and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards. "Parasite" won top prizes at the ACE and SAG awards. They are also scheduled to take part in the Directors Guild America (DGA) Awards on Saturday, as "Parasite" is nominated for the top honor along with Golden Globes winner "1917" by Sam Mendes, "The Irishman" by Martin Scorsese and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" by Quentin Tarantino. Next month, the upcoming Writers Guild of America (WGA) Awards and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards are also on their list to attend before the Oscars. (Yonhap) NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday supported the tribal community's demand for a UN declaration recognising them as the indigenous people of India. Addressing the first conference on the Constitutional rights of indigenous people of Central India in Indore, the former Union minister said tribals are "original residents as well as masters" of the country. "Tribals are original natives of India. There is a need for the official recognition from the United Nations in this regard. We support the demand of the tribal community on this issue. We are duty-bound to make a bid for it (such declaration from the UN)," Pawar said. Calling tribals as the "real masters", Pawar said they have the strength to lead the country to the right path. On the occasion, Pawar also paid respect to the martyred tribal freedom fight Tantia Bhil on his 175th birth anniversary. "Bhil's anniversary should be observed across the entire country along with MP and Maharashtra," he said. Pawar said he would speak with President, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and speaker and chairman of both the houses of Parliament for installing a statute of Bhil in the Sansad Bhawan. Stating that problems of tribals from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are common, he called for a joint programme for their education, employment and farming welfare. "Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath is positive to this suggestion," he said. Nath also spoke on the occasion. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The new Austrian government, formed in January, previously stated in its programme there is a need for the gradual lifting of sanctions against Russia. Vienna also noted it would continue to promote direct ties with Moscow via the Sochi Dialogue. Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has stated in an interview with Wiener Zeitung that good ties with Russia are a key part of European stability and that the bloc should not be engaged in conflict with Moscow, Sputnik reports. Answering a question about Russia being a part of Western society, the minister stressed there had been such hgh hopes, but "Moscow has chosen its own path". "But as far as that is concerned, I always like to quote a sentence by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. He said that in the long term there will be no security and stability against Russia in Europe, but only with Russia", he noted. Schallenberg also called for dialogue between Russia and Europe. "It has always been the Austrian line that the channels for dialogue must be kept open. Remaining silent with each other has never brought anyone forward", he concluded. The lagoon waters at the port entrance to Lagos, Nigeria's economic capital, are usually teeming with small fishing boats. But the bustling waterfront slums of Lagos are now quiet after the navy evicted tens of thousands of residents from their homes in recent weeks. The evictions are highlighting tensions over real estate in the megalopolis of 20 million where building space is an increasingly rare commodity. The operation has also exposed the stark contrast of shantytown fishing communities in the shadow of Lagos' Ilashe beach with its villas for billionaires and expat executives. Nigeria is rich in crude oil, an OPEC nation and Africa's largest petroleum producer. Its army says the operation stopped residents tapping into pipelines to illegally siphon off fuel oil that is pumped from the port. But locals and rights groups say the brutal evictions are an illegal seizure of precious building space in a city where the population is booming. On Snake Island, a small community transformed by rural exodus into a huge shantytown, motor boats -- often the investment of a lifetime -- have been abandoned. A few kilometres away, towards the Atlantic Ocean, the fishing community of Tarkwa Bay has become a ghost village. The ground is pockmarked with holes where residents have dug down to pipelines, some filled with shiny oil and water. By PIUS UTOMI EKPEI (AFP) Brick houses, nestled under palm trees, wait empty for the bulldozers to claim them while a handful of locals sleep on the beach. "I'm so confused. Where do I start from?" said one local father, sitting on a mattress in the middle of a pier. Just a week earlier, the small community had welcomed hundreds of beachgoers, surfers and Sunday revellers to their piece of the Lagos coast. On Tuesday, naval forces arrived and gave Tarkwa Bay residents a morning to pack up their lives and move out. Like a scene from a war, household goods and belongings were hurriedly abandoned. 'Explode at any time' For Nigeria's army, tens of thousands of residents had to be "evacuated", without alternative housing, because the communities participate directly, or indirectly by buying fuel, in siphoning oil from pipelines which skirt the lagoon. Between Ilashe and Tarkwa Bay, along the pipeline that supplies petrol throughout western Nigeria, the landscape is one of polluted desolation. Local residents and critics see a cynical land grab in a city where building space is highly sought after. By (AFP) The stench of gasoline catches in the throat of visitors. The few palm trees still standing are no more than trunks and the water is slicked with pollution. The ground is pockmarked with holes where vandals have dug down to pipelines filled with shiny oil and water. Scores of oil installations sit next to homes and Nigerian navy posts, a testimony to the impunity with which "fuel thieves" have pursued their activity for years. "These vandals are becoming more vicious and more sophisticated by the day," Admiral Oladele Daji told reporters during a tour of the area to justify the recent evacuations. "As you can see, this is high-organised crime. They don't farm, they don't fish. They are criminals. Nigerian economy saboteurs." Naval forces gave the residents of Tarkwa Bay a morning to pack up their lives and move out. By PIUS UTOMI EKPEI (AFP) He brushed off questions about why the military had not stopped the illegal activity before, and how thousands of residents could be involved in the vandalism and fuel trafficking. "It's for their own security. The pipeline can explode at any time. And these people were here illegally," he said. The admiral said Nigeria's government had the legal right to seize land in the interest of the nation. Authorities are stepping into a confusing grey area where private investors, ancestral communities, the state and the army have all disputed strategic areas of Lagos for decades. Amnesty International has already urged Nigerian authorities to halt the forced evictions of waterfront communities and respect safety and housing rights. 'Little Dubai' Local residents and critics see a cynical land grab in a city where building space is highly sought after. "The waterfront communities are valuable real estate," said Megan Chapman of the Nigeria Slum/Informal Settlement advocacy group. "They haven't been formerly developed -- electricity, roads -- and the communities are fishermen communities, less educated." Sprawling Lagos has grown by one million inhabitants a year for the last decade, making every square metre of real estate a precious commodity. Sprawling Lagos grows by one million inhabitants a year for the last ten years, making every square meter of real estate a precious commodity. By PIUS UTOMI EKPEI (AFP) The city's seaside and lagoon edges are even filled in to reclaim more land and create more building space to be sold to wealthy investors. One official with the Lagos State Ministry of Urbanization, who did not want his name to be published in the media, said Tarkwa Bay should become "a place of tourism as beautiful as Eko Atlantic". Eko Atlantic is a 10-square kilometre area of land reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean that is planned as a gleaming, high-end residential and business city. But the site is still virtually empty and barely three skyscrapers have emerged from the sand. "Now everybody wants to build his own little Dubai," says Muhamed Zanna, a Tarkwa Bay resident, in front of the house he was about to abandon. "We made recommendations to the government, we asked them to investigate crime and go after the criminals," he said. "But now, what will happen to our children? It's a time bomb." Feeling restless at work again? It won't help to count the days until you retire, especially if those days number in the thousands. That might only get you thinking about the contradiction of retirement: By the time we have the freedom to do what we want, we could be too old to enjoy it. Of course, life doesn't have to go that way. More workers are choosing to give themselves a mini-retirement experience in the form of a sabbatical, an extended leave from work that can last a month or a year. Some employers support the break; according to the Society for Human Resource Management, 16% of companies have either paid or unpaid sabbatical programs. But even workers who don't have sabbatical benefits are opting to quit their jobs and live on savings temporarily -- in the name of experiencing life outside of the office. Quitting a job for a sabbatical is a gutsy move. You obviously run the risk of not finding gainful employment once you're ready to reenter the workforce. That's not the only downside. Spend your savings now on a sabbatical and you eliminate any chance of early retirement -- and probably commit yourself to a late retirement instead. And then there's the possibility of a market downturn. If your portfolio suddenly drops in value, you might regret the decision to leave your job. Even with those risks, the time away from work might be worth it. Here are five reasons why. 1. You can enjoy a wider range of activities Rugged adventures are far easier to enjoy when youth is on your side. There is a point in life when you'll feel too old to backpack across Europe or road-trip through Australia. If your bucket list includes high-energy, outdoor experiences that you can't accomplish within regular paid vacation time, a sabbatical is your solution. 2. You can try your hand at entrepreneurship A sabbatical doesn't have to involve jet-setting around the world. You could also take time off to start a business or write a novel. If this is your aim, set a clear timeline for yourself and define the circumstances that would send you back into the traditional workforce. For example, if you launch your business and it immediately generates $500,000 in revenue, you'll probably stick with your entrepreneur role. But what if your business makes $20,000 in its first year? Establish what success looks like upfront so you know clearly when to start looking for new opportunities. 3. You can learn a new skill If you're interested in changing or expediting your career path, you could devote the time off to education. A new degree or new qualifications may propel your professional life in a more interesting direction. And if an outcome of that is a bigger paycheck, then the sabbatical ends up being worthwhile financially. 4. You can return to the workforce with a fresh perspective Workers who have sabbatical benefits and return to their old jobs often say they gain new perspectives during their time away. As a result, they come back to the office with more resilience and creativity. Those are two career-boosting qualities that make you a better employee, whether you return to the same job or a different one. 5. You can clarify what type of life you want A new perspective might improve your work skills, but it can also prompt you to rethink your life path. If you're feeling restless about life and work, a sabbatical can give you the time and space to define the life you really want. Plan on test-driving ideas by volunteering or working part-time in a field you're passionate about. Next steps for sabbatical planning Dreaming of a sabbatical is quite different from actually taking one. As a first planning step, review your finances. Assuming you're under the age of 59 and a half, you can't fund your sabbatical with 401(k) or traditional IRA funds, unless you want to pay steep penalties. You could, however, access other savings accounts or your Roth IRA contributions. As part of your pre-sabbatical financial review, consider: What effect your time off work will have on your retirement planning How you'll pay for health insurance What household expenses you can cut out if you plan on traveling How much money you'll need to cover living expenses If you decide you're not financially ready now, make a savings plan to get there. Review your budget and look for expenses to cut out, then send those savings to your sabbatical fund. You may find it easier to get motivated around this savings goal versus retirement savings, but don't give up on your retirement plan. You'll still need that money later, even if retirement is still thousands of days away. TORONTO - A man in his 50s who travelled to Toronto from China earlier this week has become the first Canadian case of the new coronavirus, health officials said Saturday as they urged calm in the face of an international outbreak. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/1/2020 (718 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Dr. David Williams, centre, Chief Medical Officer of Health, is joined by Andy Smith, President and CEO of Sunnybrook Health Sciences, left to right, Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health for the City of Toronto, Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health, Christine Elliott, Minister of Health, and Dr. Peter Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Public Health Ontario, as they attend a news conference in Toronto on Saturday, January 25, 2020, as officials announce that Canada's first presumptive positive case of the Coronavirus is being treated at Toronto's Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, after arriving on a flight from China. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young TORONTO - A man in his 50s who travelled to Toronto from China earlier this week has become the first Canadian case of the new coronavirus, health officials said Saturday as they urged calm in the face of an international outbreak. Dr. David Williams, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, said the case was considered "presumptive positive" until the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg finds the same positive results as the tests conducted in Toronto. Still, officials said they were taking all precautions to keep people safe, interviewing all those who were in contact with the man between Wednesday, when he landed in Toronto, and Thursday, when he went to hospital. "The risk to Ontarians is still low and things are managed and well-controlled," Williams said. "As I hoped, the system is operating as it should." Williams said provincial authorities are also working with their federal counterparts to contact people who sat within a few rows of the man on the plane he took to Toronto, but he noted that even those people shouldn't worry too much. "You have to be more than just casually walking by someone," he said. He added that the widely available information about the illness appears to have contributed to the early detection of this case. "The individual, knowing his responsibility, when feeling unwell, even without having really severe symptoms, was concerned enough and informed prompt enough," Williams said. "That just tells you that people have knowledge of it, they want to take proper precautions to protect their health and protect their family members and others." His deputy, Dr. Barbara Yaffe, said the positive test result came in on Saturday afternoon, two days after the patient called 911 to report feeling ill. As of Saturday evening, he was in stable condition in a negative pressure room, which is used in hospitals to contain airborne contaminants. "The emergency service was aware of his travel history and used full precautions," she said, noting he had spent time in Wuhan, the virus's epicentre. The news of Canada's first coronavirus patient comes as authorities around the world grapple with the new type of virus, which originated in China but has since spread to Europe and North America. There are more than 1,975 cases so far, including three in France and two in the United States. While 56 people have died of the virus in China most of the deaths have been older patients the World Health Organization has not declared the outbreak an international public health emergency. Toronto Mayor John Tory stressed in a statement following news of the city's first coronavirus case that health officials have made it clear the risk continues to remain low. He also praised the city's public health officials for their quick response. "Our front-line health-care workers are the best in the world and have procedures in place to keep people safe," Tory said. Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu echoed the sentiment in a written statement, saying officials are taking all necessary precautions. "The Government of Canada has been working closely with provincial and territorial counterparts, and international partners, since China first reported 2019-nCoV cases to ensure that our country is prepared to limit the spread of 2019-nCoV in Canada," she said. The new virus comes from a large family of coronaviruses, some causing nothing worse than a common cold. But in late 2002, a coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome erupted in southern China, causing a severe pneumonia that rapidly spread to other countries. SARS infected more than 8,000 people and killed nearly 800, including 44 Canadians. Toronto was hard hit in that outbreak. In 2012, another coronavirus dubbed Middle East respiratory syndrome began sickening people in Saudi Arabia. MERS is still prevalent, causing small numbers of infections each year. The World Health Organization has counted nearly 2,500 cases in the Middle East and beyond, and more than 850 deaths. SARS and MERS came from animals, and this newest virus almost certainly did, too. The first people infected visited or worked at a seafood market in the Chinese city of Wuhan, which has been placed under quarantine since the outbreak. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Bustling streets, malls and other public spaces have turned eerily quiet, masks are mandatory in public, and some hospitals have run low on medical supplies. Transportation has also been shut down in roughly a dozen Chinese cities, home to roughly 36 million people. Canadian officials have said such mass quarantines won't happen here, even if there is an outbreak. It is not clear how lethal the new coronavirus is or even whether it is as dangerous as the ordinary flu, which results in 12,200 hospitalizations and about 3,500 deaths in Canada yearly. The federal government has beefed up measures at major airports in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, asking travellers whether they had been to Wuhan in the past 14 days, with a positive response triggering further investigation. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 25, 2020. with files from Rob Drinkwater in Edmonton. Back in 2018, The IPKat reported that the Swedish Supreme Court had asked the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) to clarify the scope of the right of communication to the public in Article 3(1) of Directive 2001/29 ( InfoSoc Directive ) and Article 8(2) of the Directive 2006/115 ( Rental and Lending Rights Directive ). In brief, the question before the CJEU is whether a car leasing company by leasing cars equipped with radio receivers can be considered a user that performs a communication to the public. Background In 2018, Swedish collective management organisation STIM and the Swedish Artists and Musicians Interest Organisation, SAMI, brought separate proceedings against two companies that operate in the automobile leasing/renting industry. Both cases ensued from missed payment of yearly licensing fees to STIM and SAMI since 2014. Eventually, the matter reached the Swedish Supreme Court, which stated that, according to CJEU case law, it is apparent that a communication to the public may take place in the manner envisaged by Article 3(1) of the InfoSoc Directive when transmissions are made by means of technical equipment to a nearby public (e.g. in a hotel, cafe, rehabilitation centre, or a spa). Furthermore, the CJEU has held that hotel operators carry out a communication to the public in light of Article 8(2) of the Rental Rights Directive, when hotel rooms are equipped with phonograms available in digital or physical form and which can be played or intercepted ( Phonographic Performance Ireland, C-162/10 ). Nonetheless, the CJEU also came to the contrary conclusion regarding transmission of phonograms in a dentists waiting room ( Societa Consortile Fonografici, C-135/10 ). The Supreme Court was unsure how to treat the providers of rental cars. Thus, it asked the CJEU to answer the following questions: 1) Does the hiring out of cars which are equipped as standard with radio receivers mean that the person who hires the cars out is a user who makes a communication to the public within the meaning of Article 3(1) of Directive 2001/29 and within the meaning of Article 8(2) of Directive 2006/115? 2) What is the significance, if any, of the volume of the car hire activities and the duration of the hires? Advocate General Szpunars Opinion delivered his Opinion (not yet available in English). The AG noted that, when assessing whether a communication to the public has taken place, the crucial role of the indispensable user must be considered ( Last week Advocate General (AG) Szpunarhis Opinion (not yet available in English). The AG noted that, when assessing whether a communication to the public has taken place, the crucial role of the indispensable user must be considered ( Stichting Brein, C527/15 , paragraph 31). In particular, the users actions must concern the content of the communication, not the act of communication as such. The central factor to consider would thus be the direct relationship between the users actions and the protected works that have been communicated. This requirement is inherent to the very concept of a communication to the public, since the communication must relate to the protected works. In this regard, the role of car rental companies is that of merely providing cars, equipped with radio receivers, that have been pre-installed by the respective car manufacturers. According to the AG, it is obvious that car rental companies do not directly intervene when works are being communicated through radio receivers. These companies merely provide their customers with cars, equipped with radio receivers, that have been pre-installed by the respective car manufacturer. The only communication to the public that takes place, is the communication that has been made possible by the radio broadcasting companies. By enabling protected works to be transferred via radio, the customers of STIM and SAMI already took into account all users that have a radio receiver installed in cars, no matter how the cars are used. A communication to the public can only be found on basis of further actions taken by the user, which goes beyond the mere provision of the equipment for communicating the works in question (see recital 27 of the InfoSoc Directive). Car rental companies can therefore not be considered to perform a communication to the public within the meaning of Article 3(1) of the InfoSoc Directive and Article 8(2) of the Rental and Lending Rights Directive. Having considered that car rental companies do not perform a communication, AG Szpunar also considered that the answer to the second question can only be in the negative. Lets see what the CJEU will decide in a few months but, if it follows its AG, then the resulting decision might entail a significant rethinking of the scope of the right of communication to the public. CHICAGO Calling world affairs "profoundly unstable," scientists on Thursday moved the fateful minute hand of the Doomsday Clock another 20 seconds closer to midnight, signifying that humanity is more perilously near global catastrophe than any other time in recent history. The metaphorical clock is now set to 100 seconds to midnight, the closest it has come to hitting the final hour a symbol of world annihilation since its inception by the University of Chicago-based Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists in 1947. At a news conference in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, scientists cited U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 Paris climate agreement and the Iran nuclear deal, as well as deadlock in disarmament talks, as some of their reasons for the dire forecast. The recent rise in tensions between the United States and Iran helped confirm their decision, they said. "We are now expressing how close the world is to catastrophe in seconds not hours, or even minutes," said Rachel Bronson of the University of Chicago, who serves as president and CEO of the Bulletin. "It is the closest to doomsday we have ever been in the history of the Doomsday Clock. We now face a true emergency an absolutely unacceptable state of world affairs that has eliminated any margin for error or further delay." The foreboding timepiece was designed by Bulletin scientists as a harbinger of the state of international affairs, with the minute hand shifting toward or away from "doomsday" based on man-made threats to safety and security. For the first few decades, the time was based solely on nuclear threats, but in recent years climate change and technological threats weighed heavily in the decision. The latest reset of 20 seconds was the smallest incremental time change in the clock's history; other time changes have been in increments of 30 seconds or more. Even at the height of the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States, the minute hand was set at two minutes to midnight; the clock has never come this close to approaching the end. The Bulletin was established in 1945 by University of Chicago scientists who were part of the Manhattan Project, which produced the atomic bombs the United States used against Japan, weaponry that would later ignite the Cold War with the Soviet Union. The minute hand has been reset about two dozen times since the clock's inception, marking moments of calamity as well as indicators of peace and prosperity: In 1991 following the Cold War's end, the minute hand was rewound to 17 minutes, the furthest it's ever been from the fatal hour. The last time change was in 2018, when the minute hand crept 30 seconds toward midnight, resting just two minutes shy of the end of the world. Tick tock. Angie Leventis Lourgos of the Chicago Tribune (TNS) wrote this story. 2020 Chicago Tribune Visit the Chicago Tribune at www.chicagotribune.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. PHOTO (for help with images, contact 312-222-4194): DOOMSDAY-CLOCK GRAPHIC (for help with images, contact 312-222-4194): Doomsday Clock She joined forces with her co-stars again recently to film the auditions of the upcoming series of Britain's Got Talent. And Amanda Holden donned a bright pink, skintight tracksuit as she joined her fellow BGT judges David Walliams, Alesha Dixon and a puppet of Simon Cowell for filming this weekend. The TV star, 48, displayed her lithe physique in a pink top and trousers that highlighted her sensational curves. Pretty in pink: Amanda Holden, 48, donned a bright pink, skintight tracksuit as she filmed a sketch for Britain's Got Talent this weekend Styling her blonde locks into a ponytail, Amanda looked in high spirits as she took part in filming a hilarious sketch with her co-stars. Sporting white trainers and a black bag around her waist, Amanda, Alesha, 41, and David, 48, all ran around a park together, with David using a puppet of Simon. Alesha kept it casual in a black top, matching leggings and a bomber jacket while she also styled her tresses in a ponytail. David went for his usual dapper look for filming the sketch, donning a navy blazer and matching trousers as he pretending to sit on 'Simon's' shoulders. Radiant: Amanda was joined by her fellow BGT judges David Walliams, 48, Alesha Dixon, 41, and a puppet of Simon Cowell Amanda's outing comes after she recently set tongue wagging as fans took to the comments section of a recent post to claim she was sporting a 'noticeably smoother complexion.' The talent show judge shared a close up photo of herself on the panel which left many of her two million followers questioning her youthful looks and speculating as to whether or not she had undergone more cosmetic surgery. Many fans responded to her post by critiquing the TV personality's increasingly youthful appearance and couldn't resist commenting on her suspiciously large pout and her face that 'doesn't move.' Radiant: Amanda displayed her lithe physique in a pink top and trousers that highlighted her sensational curves Keeping fit: Styling her blonde locks into a ponytail, Amanda looked in high spirits as she took part in filming a hilarious sketch with her co-stars Comedy: For filming the sketch, David pretended to sit on 'Simon's' shoulders as they filmed in a park Outfit: Alesha kept it casual in a black top, matching leggings and a bomber jacket while she also styled her tresses in a ponytail Filming: Alesha, David and Amanda went for a jog as the camera crew caught their every move Outfit: Looking fresh-faced for filming, Amanda also sported white trainers and a black bag around her waist Amanda recently marked her youngest daughter Hollie's eighth birthday with a hilarious throwback snap of the youngster. The image, which Amanda posted on her Instagram, sees baby Hollie sporting a crop of spiky dark hair as she stared wide eyed at the camera while sucking a dummy. Commenting on the image, she wrote: 'So... our sweet , very kind and utterly hilarious little Princess #hrh is 8 years old today... Busy: The day out comes soon after the judges filmed auditions for BGT at the London Palladium Suave: David went for his usual dapper look for filming the sketch, donning a navy blazer and matching trousers as he pretending to sit on Simon's shoulders Family: Amanda recently marked her youngest daughter Hollie's eighth birthday with a hilarious throwback snap of the youngster. Work: David, Amanda and Alesha were joined by a member of the production crew while they filmed Good time: The group looked in high spirits as they filmed the sketch Franchise: The upcoming series of Britain's Got Talent will be the fourteenth series of the show 'We love you so much xxxx to @nhsmillion on this day too. #miracle.' Amanda also paid homage to the NHS as she referred to 'miracle' daughter Hollie's birth which saw Amanda come 'close to death' after the birth with Hollie arriving one month earlier than planned. The TV judge suffered huge loss of blood and spent three days in intensive care in a coma. https://www.aish.com/jw/s/Auschwitz-75-Years-Later-Universal-Lessons.html With the global resurgence of anti-Semitic incitement, violence and terror, these are the crucial lessons we must take to heart. I write on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz the most brutal extermination camp of the 20th century of horrors too terrible to be believed, but not too terrible to have happened. Of the 1.3 million people murdered at Auschwitz, 1.1 million were Jews. As Elie Wiesel put it, The Holocaust was a war against the Jews in which not all victims were Jews, but all Jews were victims. I write also in the immediate aftermath of the 75th anniversary of the arrest and disappearance of Raoul Wallenberg on January 17, 1945. Wallenberg demonstrated how one person with the compassion to care and courage to act can confront evil, prevail and transform history. It is a tragedy that this hero of the Holocaust who saved so many was not saved by so many who could, and we owe a duty to Raoul Wallenberg to determine the truth of his fate. I write also on the occasion of a global resurgence of anti-Semitic incitement, violence and terror, and in the midst of ongoing ethnic cleansing and mass atrocity. And so, at this important historical moment, we should ask ourselves: What have we learned in the last 75 years and more importantly what must we do? Lesson 1: Zachor the imperative of remembrance The first lesson is the danger of forgetting the killing of the victims a second time and the imperative of remembrance zachor. As we remember the victims of the Shoah defamed, demonized and dehumanized as prologue and justification for genocide we must understand that the mass murder of six million Jews and millions of non-Jews is not a matter of abstract statistics. As we say at such moments of remembrance, Unto each person there is a name, each person has an identity, each person is a universe. As the Talmud reminds us, Whoever saves a single life, it is as if he or she has saved an entire universe. Thus, the abiding universal imperative: we are each, wherever we are, the guarantors of each others destiny. Lesson 2: The danger of state-sanctioned incitement to hate and genocide The genocide of European Jewry like the genocide of the Tutsi in Rwanda, whose 25th anniversary we just commemorated, and where 10,000 Tutsis were murdered every day for three months succeeded not only because of the machinery of death, but because of a state-sanctioned ideology of hate. For example, the Jew was seen as the personification of the devil, as the enemy of humankind and humanity could only be redeemed by the death of the Jew. The Canadian Supreme Court affirmed and as echoed by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda the Holocaust did not begin in the gas chambers it began with words. Indeed, in another important principle and precedent, the Supreme Court held that the very incitement to genocide constitutes the crime in and of itself, whether or not acts of genocide follow. Lesson 3: The danger of the resurgent global anti-Semitism The third lesson is the danger of anti-Semitism the oldest and most enduring of hatreds and the most lethal. If the Holocaust is a metaphor for radical evil, anti-Semitism is a metaphor for radical hatred. Let there be no mistake about it: Jews died at Auschwitz because of anti-Semitism, but anti-Semitism did not die. It remains the bloody canary in the mineshaft of global evil today. And as we have learned only too painfully, while anti-Semitism begins with Jews, it doesnt end with Jews. As Ahmed Shaheed, the Special Rapporteur for Freedom if Religion and Belief put it in his report to the United Nations, anti-Semitism is a threat not only to Jews but to our common humanity. Lesson 4: Holocaust denial from assaultive speech to criminal conspiracy The Holocaust denial movement the cutting edge of anti-Semitism old and new is not just an assault on Jewish memory and human dignity in its accusation that the Holocaust is a hoax; rather, it constitutes an international criminal conspiracy to cover up the worst crimes in history. Here is the historiography of the Holocaust in its most tragic, bitter irony in its ultimate Orwellian inversion. First, we move from the genocide of the Jewish people, to a denial that the genocide ever took place; then in a classic Orwellian cover up of an international conspiracy, the Holocaust Denial movement whitewashes the crimes of the Nazis, as it excoriates the crimes of the Jews. It not only holds that the Holocaust was a hoax, but maligns the Jews for fabricating the hoax, something which is now being repeated in the genocidal denial in Rwanda. It is our responsibility to unmask the bearers of false witness to expose the criminality of the deniers as we protect the dignity of their victims. Lesson 5: Indifference and inaction in the face of mass atrocity and genocide These Holocaust crimes, like the genocide of the Tutsis in Rwanda, resulted not only from state-sanctioned incitement to hatred and genocide, but from crimes of indifference, from conspiracies of silence from the international community as bystander. Indeed, what makes the Holocaust and the genocide of the Tutsis so unspeakable is not only the horror of the crimes, but that these crimes were preventable. No one can say that we did not know; we knew, but we did not act. Let there be no mistake about it: Indifference and inaction always means coming down on the side of the aggressor, never the target. In the face of evil, indifference is acquiescence, if not complicity in evil itself. Lesson 6: The responsibility to bring war criminals to justice If the last century symbolized by the Holocaust was the age of atrocity, it was also the age of impunity. Few of the perpetrators were brought to justice; and so, just as there must be no sanctuary for hate, no refuge for bigotry, there must be no base or sanctuary for these enemies of humankind. In this context, the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC) was seen as the most dramatic development in international criminal law since Nuremberg. But the ICC must guard against an abuse of its mandate and mission lest it undermine its very purpose. Lesson 7: Speaking truth to power The Holocaust was made possible not only because of the bureaucratization of genocide, as Robert Lifton put it and as the Nazi desk murderer Adolf Eichmann personified but because of the complicity of the elites, including physicians, church leaders, judges, lawyers, engineers, architects and educators. Holocaust crimes were also the crimes of the Nuremberg elites. It is our responsibility, then, to speak truth to power, to hold power accountable to truth. The double entendre of Nuremberg of the Nuremberg racism and of the Nuremberg principles must be part of our learning as it is part of our legacy. Lesson 8: The assault on the vulnerable and powerless The eighth lesson concerns the vulnerability of the powerless and the powerlessness of the vulnerable, as dramatized at Auschwitz by the remnants of shoes and suitcases, crutches and hair of the murdered. Indeed, it is revealing, as Prof. Henry Friedlander points out in his work titled The Origins of Nazi Genocide that the first group targeted for killing were the Jewish disabled. It is our responsibility to give voice to the voiceless and to empower the powerless, be they the disabled, poor, elderly, women victimized by violence, or vulnerable children the most vulnerable of the vulnerable. In a word, the test of a just society is how it treats its the most vulnerable among them. Lesson 9: Violence targeted against women The Holocaust and the genocides since have included horrific crimes against women. Moreover, these crimes have not only attended the genocide or been in consequence of it, but have in fact been in pursuit of it. Yet they remain the still unarticulated horror of the Holocaust, and the genocide of European Jewry. Seventy-five years later, that lesson remains to be learned and acted upon whether we speak of the horrific crimes against women in the Congo or in Syria. We must appreciate that significant numbers of the worlds population are routinely subject to rape, assault, torture, starvation, humiliation, mutilation and even murder simply because they are female. Lesson 10: Mass atrocities against children If there is an atrocity that belies understanding it is the willful exploitation, maiming and killing of a child the most vulnerable of the vulnerable. What then, is one to say about the genocide the mass murder of children the destruction of millions of universes, of generations yet unborn and never to be born? As the poet Bialik put it writing after the Kishinev pogroms in 1905, which killed hundreds of children There is no revenge that can be invented for the murder of a child. Indeed, the Nazi genocide was the genocide of millions of children, and 1.5 million children perished in the Holocaust of European Jewry. But we have yet to learn from this most horrific of horrors, let alone act upon it as millions of children the world over are subjected to arbitrary detention, torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, slavery, execution and recruitment as child soldiers incited to terrorize and kill others. It is our responsibility to ensure that protecting childrens rights is at the core of whatever we do and therefore, of who we are. Lesson 11: The rescuers We must pay tribute to the rescuers, the righteous among the nations, of whom Raoul Wallenberg is metaphor and message. Wallenberg, a Swedish non-Jew, saved more Jews in six months in Hungary in 1944 than almost any single government or organization. Tragically, the man who saved so many was not himself saved by so many who could have. As citizens particularly from countries where Raoul Wallenberg is an honorary citizen: the US, Canada, Australia and Israel we have a responsibility to help determine the fate of this great hero of the Holocaust, whom the UN called the Greatest Humanitarian of the twentieth century. Lesson 12: Holocaust Remembrance and the State of Israel A compelling refrain that I would often hear from Holocaust survivors including in my visits to Auschwitz is that it is not the case that if there had been no Holocaust there would not have been a State of Israel. It is the other way around, and we should never forget it: that if there had been a State of Israel the indigenous homeland for an indigenous Jewish people, there would not have been a Holocaust or the many horrors of Jewish and human history. Lesson 13: The legacy of Holocaust survivors Finally, we must remember and celebrate the survivors of the Holocaust, the true heroes of humanity; for they witnessed and endured the worst of inhumanity, but somehow found in the depths of their own humanity, the courage to go on, to rebuild their lives as they helped build our communities. Together with them, we must remember and pledge that never again will we be indifferent to incitement and hate; never again will we be silent in the face of evil; never again will we indulge racism and anti-Semitism; never again will we ignore the plight of the vulnerable; and never again will we be indifferent in the face of mass atrocity and impunity. We will speak up and act against racism, against hate, against anti-Semitism, against mass atrocity, against injustice and against the crime of crimes whose name we should shudder to mention: genocide. Sean Broaders, 56, was reported missing in Sydney on Saturday night A convicted paedophile with a history of molesting young girls and escaping custody has gone missing in Sydney. NSW Police are searching for Sean Broaders, 56, who was reported missing in Randwick, in the city's eastern suburbs, on Saturday night. The sex offender was last seen wearing a blue cap, grey shirt, jeans and Puma shoes on Easy Street around 8pm. Police said there are concerns for the welfare of Broaders who 'requires regular medication'. They advised anyone who sees him should not to approach him and contact police immediately. Broaders, who is from Victoria, has an extensive history of sex offences on young women and children and was released on a community corrections order last year. He has been known to escape from custody in the past and change his appearance while on the run. Broaders has a criminal record stemming from 1989 and has been known to escape from custody in the past and change his appearance while on the run His criminal record goes back to 1989 and he was first convicted of sexual assault in 1994. Most recently, he was convicted of harassing two 18-year-old women and one 33-year-old woman at the Sage Hotel in Wollongong last January. A court heard Broaders had ogled the two teenagers while reportedly licking his lips from a bench outside of the hotel before following them into the foyer. The pair said they felt uncomfortable and reported the incident to staff. He later approached the third woman who claimed he pressed his hand against her buttocks at the reception desk. Broaders told police during questioning that he touched the woman 'just for fun' and did not see the harm in his actions, the Illawarra Mercury reported. He was sentenced to six-months community corrections order in July 2019. In 2007, Broaders went on the run when he escaped from Thomas Embling Hospital, a high security mental facility in Fairfield, Victoria, where he was admitted after a 1999 conviction. He was being transferred to another hospital for an appointment when nurses lost sight of him, the Herald Sun reported at the time. Broaders managed to make it across statelines to Adelaide but was arrested five days later. He reportedly tried to throw authorities off his scent by shaving his facial hair. In 1997, he was accused of preying on a 10-year-old girl at festival by asking her if she wanted a massage before undressing her and molesting her. Broaders continued to offend by convincing young women to let him massage them, including a 19-year-old in Camberwell in 1999 and a Burwood store employee days later. He was given a four-year and 11-month sentence with a non-parole period of three years, but was ordered to be kept at the hospital by a County Court judge at the end of his sentence. He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall, of thin build with a grey and white beard and bald head. In a world where social media can make you a star, Trinity The Tuck Taylor, winner of RuPauls Drag Race All Stars Season 4 and owner of the Florida Entertainer of the Year Preliminary Pageant, wants to bring focus back to the vital art of pageantry. Trinity The Tuck Taylor attends RuPauls DragCon LA 2019 | Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images Taylor spoke exclusively with Showbiz Cheat Sheet about her thrilling new docuseries. The Untitled Trinity Pageant Project (produced by World of Wonder) will pull back the curtain and reveal what truly happens in pageant competitions. It will follow 10 contestants as they prepare for the Florida Entertainer of the Year pageant in April 2020, a stepping stone to the national competition. Pageants are a competitive sport, Taylor said. Theres that element of competition that is sometimes missing when contestants compete in RuPauls Drag Race but have never competed in a pageant. She shared that the pageant circuit has taken a significant hit due to social media the past several years. Although social media can help some competitors get to the Drag Race, Taylor says not having formal training or that hunger to compete doesnt always serve the contestant. Pageants can be an important drag career move Before social media devoured the industry, pageants were one of the main ways drag queens could build and enhance a career. And while Instagram-famous drag queens are able to create a following and even score a gig on RuPauls Drag Race or one of its spinoff shows, they miss that element of hunger and competition, Taylor said. We want to show what it really takes to produce a pageant, she dished. That will include behind-the-scenes footage of each contestant as she prepares to compete. Taylor will also likely offer viewers a look at the business side, allowing people to see the massive undertaking involved in producing a pageant. Florida Entertainer of the Year | Photo courtesy of Bob Taylor Although pageants are an important art for all drag queens to learn, Taylor acknowledges that competing in them is expensive. I won Entertainer of the Year and received a $10,000 prize, she shared. But I ended up spending about $12,000 to fully prepare for the pageant. Drag expenses can be vast, including hiring stylists for hair and makeup, as well as the gowns, shoes, and classes needed to perfect talent. According to Vice, the average cost to be a drag performer hovers around $10,000 a year in hair, makeup, and clothing alone. Drag queens usually arent making millions of dollars either. Some drag professionals report earning about $60,000 a year, Vice reports. However, its possible to make bank, especially for those who have the drive and training. Celebrity impersonator VyVyan Vyxn told Vice she earns up to $800 an evening for theater appearances and private events. Contestants who make it to the Drag Race earn about $400 a day for being on the show. Winners receive $100,000, along with fame and notoriety. Queens find theres a hidden payoff of competing in a pageant Taylor asserts that the return on investment in pageant competitions is an essential building block for a career. The training and networking associated with pageant competition can lead to career longevity. Lessons learned through pageantry can be leveraged to compete on the Drag Race or other nationally televised competitions, too. Taylor is living proof of how pageant training is essential. She is the titleholder from a smattering of pageants and has dominated the Drag Race scene since first arriving on the show in 2017. Taylor also boasts a following of 1 million on Instagram and is a filmmaker and recording artist. Taylors docuseries will begin shooting in the months leading up to the pageant in April. The pageant will be held at the iconic Parliament House in Orlando, Taylor shared. It was the perfect location being that it is a landmark for LGBT entertainers. The Florida competition is only the first leg of the series. Taylor will continue to follow the winner and runners-up when they head to the nationals in Louisville, Kentucky. Since May 2018, the President of the Constitutional Court, Hrayr Tovmasyan, has offered me his services. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this during a press conference today, answering the question that Tovmasyan says he received warnings that if he does not resign, criminal prosecution will be launched against him. Hrayr Tovmasyan has offered me his services since May 2018; first on a daily basis, then on a weekly basis, then on a monthly basis, saying that, As far as I am the author of this text of the Constitution, he can tell about all the risks, and we can do I dont know what things together, Pashinyan said. And against the backdrop of these suggestions, he was sent to the appropriate place because I had, dont and will have no desire to collaborate with the corrupt regimes officials. The Prime Minister emphasized that the Constitutional Court was occupied by one person and one group. The Constitution of the Republic of Armenia stipulates that the CC President should be elected by the CC from its composition. But today we have a CC elected by the National Assembly, and now it has turned out that, according to the official accusation, the CC President has been elected as a result of official fraud. We cannot say that they did some light fraud. There was an official fraud, as a result of which the CC was occupied by one person and one group. And that group is the former corrupt government of Armenia. Do you think we should follow the status of indifferent observer? We will do whatever we need. The Prime Minister raises the question: Against what fight are the CC judges heroes, as Hrayr Tovmasyan calls them? Speaking about the judges of the Constitutional Court, the current CC President says 'they are heroic people'. He gives courage again. I want to understand against what fight are they heroes. Heroes of the fight against their own people? What is the Constitutional Court fighting against? For the sake of a legitimate-democratic state in Armenia? Seriously? What about the 2013 presidential election? What about the falsified parliamentary elections of all time in Armenia? What about the fake 1996 and 1998 presidential elections? What about the fake 2003 and 2008 presidential elections? Does the CC President grant the title of hero for the struggle against fraud? We say, Dear members of the Constitutional Court, please do not fight against your own people, your own country and its future. Do not become the outpost of the internal and external forces living the dream of a hybrid coup. That's just what we say. Now, at this stage, we have made such a request to the honorable members of the Constitutional Court. A criminal case has been initiated in connection with the occupation of the post of CC President. Republic Day 2022: India may host leaders of 5 Central Asian states as chief guests Republic Day 2022: India may invite top leaders of Central Asian Countries as Chief Guests 'Central Vista stretch required for Republic Day parade will be ready in time, some facilities later' On camera, Madhya Pradesh Congress leaders fight at Republic day event India oi-PTI Indore, Jan 26: Two Congress leaders in Madhya Pradesh were seen hitting each other after an argument, minutes before Chief Minister Kamal Nath was to arrive at the party office in Indore to hoist the national flag on Republic Day. A video of the incident, which went viral on social media, showed Congress' Madhya Pradesh general secretary Chandrakrant Kunjeer and senior party leader Devendra Singh Yadav arguing and hitting each other. The fight between the two leaders was broken up by onlookers and the police. 'Hypocrisy of Republic Day celebrations: Mehbooba Muftis daughter slams Centre Eyewitnesses said the fight started after Chandrakrant Kunjeer came close to the stage and Devendra Singh Yadav objected. Minutes after the fight, Kamal Nath arrived and hoisted the national flag. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, January 26, 2020, 17:20 [IST] Burford Capital has been dragged into a legal row in the US in a further blow for the litigation financier as it battles short-sellers. One of Burford's executives has been accused by a company it was advising of passing trade secrets to a rival whose board she joined. It is the latest courtroom spat involving the AIM-listed company, which has come under fire from short-seller Muddy Waters over its accounting and governance. Burford Capital has been dragged into a legal row in the US Katharine Wolanyk, who runs Burford's Chicago office, has been named as a defendant in a case filed by Slingshot Technologies, a company that hoovers up patents. Acting for Burford, Wolanyk was advising Slingshot on a potential deal to buy a portfolio of telecoms patents owned by Singapore-based Transpacific IP. Slingshot was in talks with Burford about Burford funding the acquisition another aspect of its business. Slingshot even signed a non-disclosure agreement with Burford, Slingshot claims in court papers seen by The Mail on Sunday. But Transpacific went on to sell the portfolio to a US rival of Slingshot called Acacia Research shortly after Wolanyk had joined Acacia's board. Slingshot accuses her of using information gained from her work for the firm to help Acacia buy the assets. Wolanyk denies this and says she only knew about the deal after it was completed. She has applied to have the case thrown out. Burford and Wolanyk declined to comment. It emerged last year that another Burford executive was accused of trading confidential documents for a sex tape. A Chinese visitor passed away in Da Nang on Saturday, two days after arriving at the central Vietnamese city, the municipal health department confirmed on Sunday. L.N., 66, arrived in Da Nang on Vietjet Air flight VJ8859 at 8:30 pm on Saturday and stayed at a hotel in Ngu Hanh Son District. The female visitor, who had diabetes and preexisting high blood pressure, reportedly became fatigued on Friday evening and went into a coma in the wee hours of Saturday. She was rushed to Hoan My Da Nang Hospital, where doctors said she had already passed away from a suspected heart attack. Her death was not related to a new coronavirus outbreak from China that has affected more than 2,000 people globally, the municipal health department said. The visitor hailed from Nanning City, the capital city of Guangxi in southern China that is located some 1,200 kilometers from Wuhan, the central Chinese city at the epicenter of the outbreak. A pneumonia outbreak, caused by a new strain of the coronavirus family that caused SARS and MERS, first surfaced in Wuhan City in December 2019. The virus has spread to the U.S., France, Australia, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and others. Fifty-six people have died from the disease in China, Reuters quoted figures released by Chinese authorities on Sunday. Two Chinese citizens are being treated at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City after their coronavirus infection was announced on Thursday. Last week, two Chinese passengers were put in isolation in Da Nang for pneumonia-like symptoms but were later discharged after doctors determined their conditions were not related to the coronavirus. Fifty-two out of 218 visitors from Wuhan who entered Da Nang on Wednesday have left the central city for China as of Saturday, with the remaining visitors expected to return home by January 27, according to a local travel companys executive. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Demand for food is growing as the population increases and incomes rise in poorer countries. At the same time, fires and floods are becoming more common and temperatures are rising worldwide. Against this backdrop, good agricultural land is becoming more valuable and top farmers are in demand those who can improve yields, use less water and show that they are environmentally aware. The Global Sustainable Farmland Income Trust is designed to give investors access to productive farmland and pioneering farmers around the world. Ripening rewards: The global farmland trust focuses on crops such as blueberries The first of its kind, the trust is expected to deliver total returns of 7-8 per cent a year, including dividends and capital growth. The Trust hopes to float on the stock market at the end of February and investors can subscribe for shares until 25th of that month. Shares will be listed at $1 (77p) each and there is a minimum investment of $1,000 (770). The company is using dollars because much of its land will be in America and most crops are sold in the US currency. But the shares will be listed in London and dividends can be paid in sterling or dollars, as investors choose. The Trust has been set up by a trio with decades of experience between them Kristof Bulkai, an agricultural investment specialist, Ian Monks, a rural property expert and Sven Miserey, a financier and former banker. A portfolio of up to 30 farms has already been identified and 18 sites have been earmarked for purchase over the next six to 12 months. To reduce dependence on any single crop or region, the farms span the world including Tasmania, New Zealand, Portugal, France and Denmark, as well as the US. The group is steering clear of commodity produce, such as wheat and soya, focusing instead on fruit, vegetables and nuts, such as lettuce, blueberries and pistachios. There is a vineyard in the pipeline too and a couple of cattle farms, for both beef and dairy production. Despite the variety, the farms all share certain characteristics. They are near to a long-term, reliable water source, they are environmentally sound and they are well positioned in the market. That means that surrounding infrastructure is good, they are close to end-buyers, such as supermarkets and they can deliver better than average yields. Farming is in the throes of significant change. In past decades, the abiding belief was that yields were best improved by doing more ploughing more, adding more fertiliser and using more pesticide. Today, technology is helping farms to do less and use less. Sophisticated algorithms can show precisely how much fertiliser and pesticides individual crops need and there is increasing emphasis on disturbing the soil as little as possible because it captures carbon when left alone, so helping to reduce emissions. Robots are even being developed to weed the earth and pick crops, cutting the need for extensive ploughing and large numbers of manual labourers. Innovative farmers are adopting this so-called agtech to boost yields, reduce costs and preserve the environment. And the Global Sustainable Farmland Income Trust intends to work with these forward thinkers across its portfolio. Most of the farms on the Trusts list have been in the same family for generations but they need money to grow and benefit from the latest technological advances. There are also opportunities to buy land from farmers nearing retirement age, whose children are uninterested in agriculture. Farming developments: Sophisticated algorithms can show precisely how much fertiliser and pesticides individual crops need Bulkai and his colleagues make good new owners, with their focus on sustainable methods and a wealth of experience in the field. The team is hoping to raise $300million on the stock market and early indications suggest that big institutional investors are keen to subscribe. Data on US farms going back 40 years shows that they deliver an average annual return of 12 per cent so, if the Farmland Income Trust gets it right, the rewards could be very tempting. The Trust is targeting dividend income of around 2.5 per cent in year one, as it buys up farms. That income should rise to at least 4.25 per cent within a couple of years, based on rents from tenant farmers. Managers are hoping to make additional annual payments too, as there will be revenue share agreements with several farms, where the Trust will be entitled to extra cash if crop yields are good. This could take dividend income up to more than 5 per cent. Midas verdict: The Global Sustainable Farmland Income Trust should deliver healthy returns and provide access to a different type of investment, with a track record of success. For long-term investors, this float merits attention. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to countrymen on the occasion of 71st Republic Day. "Wishing everyone a happy #RepublicDay. Jai Hind," he tweeted. The prime minister was joined by Union ministers in wishing people on the micro-blogging site. Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, "Greetings to all Indians on 71st Republic Day". HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' said, "On the occasion of Republic Day, I congratulate students, parents and all related to the sector." "Wishing everyone a happy #RepublicDay," Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar tweeted. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweeted, "Greetings and good wishes on the occasion of 71st Republic Day. #RepublicDay #Indian". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Banks Boss Pays the Price Its rare for the head of a big company to take the fall for his underlings actions, but at Wells Fargo, it actually happened. The banks former chief executive John G. Stumpf was fined $17.5 million the largest individual fine in the history of federal banking regulation for his role in fostering a toxic culture that encouraged employees to foist fake accounts and unnecessary financial products on millions of unsuspecting customers. He is one of the banks 5,300 workers who have lost their jobs over the scandal. He is also barred for life from working in the banking industry. Image Credit... Till Lauer Whats Next? (Feb. 2-8) Fuss Over FICO Scores Take a good look at your FICO score: It may be changing soon. The most widely used credit rating in the country is getting a new set of criteria, said Fair Isaac, the company behind it. And for many people, thats not great news. Those with rising debt levels and overdue payments will be judged more harshly. The new scoring system will also flag consumers who sign up for personal loans a category of debt that has skyrocketed in recent years as borrowers use it as a stopgap for ballooning credit card bills. The new system is likely to make it harder for struggling Americans to borrow money. But it will look even more kindly on those whose scores are already high. A Plague on the Economy The mysterious, deadly coronavirus outbreak in China is causing widespread panic and a significant dip in global markets. And its timing couldnt be worse for businesses. Lunar New Year, a weeklong holiday thats usually full of travel, shopping and gift giving, began on Friday. (Its technically the largest human migration on the planet.) But this year, many people are canceling their plans and staying home because of travel bans and fear of contagion. While the virus is still spreading, its hard to gauge its economic impact so far, but a serious blow to Chinas consumer market is likely to reverberate around the world. Brexit Is Nigh For years, Brexit was a hopeless quagmire of parliamentary rancor, but now it looks as if Britain will withdraw quite uneventfully from the European Union by next Fridays deadline. What a difference a few months and a strong Conservative majority in Parliament make. The final Brexit plan is expected to be approved by European Union officials within a few days. But that isnt the end of it. In the coming months, British and European representatives still have to hash out a trade deal, which may prove just as difficult to negotiate if not more so as Brexit itself. ANN ARBOR, MI -- Local Food Summit, a volunteer-run gathering of Washtenaw County food industry workers, is set for March 9. Two major topics of discussion at the summit, which is in its 11th year, are carbon neutrality and food sustainability, organizers said. Tickets range from $15 to $150, with each price providing people who are disadvantaged the option to attend. Other options are to provide a scholarships for a certain amount of people who are in need. Sponsorship pricing starts at $175. The summit is scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Morris Lawrence Building at Washtenaw Community College. Networking, collaborations, community and chef-prepared food tastings are planned, along with break-out sessions for farmers and other groups. What is amazing about the local food community here is that it is actually small, but its still very robust, said Eliot Jackson, Local Food Summit volunteer. We still have a long way to go. We still have lots of things we can improve, but we grow a lot of local food here. I can bike to four farms. Leah Penniman, co-director and project manager of Soul Fire Farm in New York, will be keynote speaker. She is known for her farming initiatives and book, Farming While Black. Another feature of the summit will be the Michigan State University Extension State of the County address, which will focus on recent happenings in the county, how many new farms there are, how to connect farmers to consumers and how to develop new innovations. Those of us who attend the Local Food Summit are seeking a more sovereign food system one that represents us because it is us, said Jae Gerhart, Washtenaw County Local Foods Coordinator at the Michigan State University Extension. We are farmers and food business owners, as well as eaters. Involving youth groups is also important to the summit organizers, with The Neutral Zone, Growing Hope and the Corner Health Center all being participants this year. Argus Farm Stop co-founder Kathy Sample has been attending the Local Food Summit for eight years. The business has been involved since its establishment, and it pays staff to attend. The market is running a fundraiser where customers can round-up their purchases to the nearest dollar to support the Local Food Summit. From left, Eliot Jackson, Jason Frenzel and Kathy Sample at Argus Farm Stop in Ann Arbor on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Jacob Hamilton/MLive.comJacob Hamilton/MLive.com Sample encourages Washtenaw County residents to shop at farmers markets and meet the farmer that grew their food, rather than just knowing the distributor from chain stores. Go look at the bags at the grocery store and try to follow where that thing was made, said Sample. Youre never going to find where that thing was made. Amid preparations for the summit, the Washtenaw County Community Supported Agriculture Fair will take place at the Ann Arbor District Library on S. Fifth Avenue on February 16 at noon. To volunteer for the Local Food Summit, email localfoodsummit.gwc@gmail.com. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 195 cases of Lassa fever have been confirmed and that 29 deaths have been reported... The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 195 cases of Lassa fever have been confirmed and that 29 deaths have been reported in 11 states as of January 24. The centre said of the confirmed cases, 89% are from Ondo, Edo and Ebonyi. The NCDC said it activated a national emergency operations centre (EOC) to coordinate response activities on the disease. In a statement issued on Saturday, the centre said the national EOC which was set up on January 24, includes representatives of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), federal ministry of agriculture and rural development, federal ministry of environment, World Health Organisation ( WHO), United Nations International Childrens Emergency Fund (UNICEF), US Centre for Disease Control, and other partners. It said two health workers in Kano state have been confirmed dead. The centre also said rapid response teams have been deployed to support five out of the 11 affected states. The NCDC continues to support states in strengthening their preparedness and response capacity. Over the last three weeks, NCDC has deployed Rapid Response Teams to support five of the affected states. The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr.Osagie Ehanire led a high-level delegation to Kano State on the 25th of January 2020, following the deaths of two health workers infected with Lassa fever. In addition, NCDC has rapidly increased risk communications and community engagement activities to ensure that Nigerians are aware of the risks of Lassa fever and measures to protect themselves, the statement read. There has been a decline in the case fatality rate of reported Lassa fever cases from 23.4% in 2019 to 14.8% this year. NCDC continues to support treatment centres across states in the country to effectively manage Lassa fever cases. Nigeria is contributing to research and other activities for the development of a Lassa fever vaccine. NCDC and the three main treatment centres in the country- Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, federal medical centre Owo and Alex Ekwueme federal teaching hospital Abakalilki- are set to commence Lassa fever epidemiological studies that will provide data to guide research and response activities. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control remains committed to protecting the health of Nigerians. It is important for members of the public to practice good hygiene and take measures to protect themselves and their families. Harrowing footage of a patient uncontrollably shaking on a Wuhan bed has been claimed to show a victim of the coronavirus. The widely-shared video shows the patient writhing furiously under the covers while face-masked onlookers watch aghast. But it is unclear who the bystanders are - they do not appear to be doctors, who are typically treating victims in full-body hazmat suits. The brief clip purporting to be captured from the epicentre of the outbreak in eastern China's Hubei province was circulated on social media as the virus's death toll climbed to 80. More than 2,000 people worldwide have been infected by the disease which spawned in Wuhan - a city which has now been placed on lock down. Harrowing footage of a patient uncontrollably shaking on a Wuhan bed has been claimed to show a victim of the coronavirus Caught flat-footed by the crisis, Beijing has been scrambling to build more hospital beds and import protective suits after admitting a woeful shortage of both. In the video, the twitching patient lies on a rickety stretcher in a crowded room. Coronavirus victims are being isolated in quarantine, suggesting the patient may not yet be in a hospital. Journalist Dmitry Zolotarev tweeted the clip with the caption: 'Patient with heavy seizures caused by CORONAVIRUS. #Wuhan.' It comes as China is accused of scrubbing the internet of raw footage showcasing the horror crisis. A nurse battling the outbreak claimed the government is playing down the volume of the infections and said the true figure is 90,000. Medical staff wearing clothing to protect against the coronavirus walk outside a hospital in Wuhan, which was where the infection broke out Members of the media have their temperature checked before attending a news conference by the State Council Information Office about the outbreak of the new coronavirus in Beijing But regime authorities batted back accusations of a cover-up and insisted it had 'followed the principles of openness and transparency' since the coronavirus broke out in Wuhan, Hubei province, last week. And in a move to further project transparency, they announced daily press briefings on the threat posed by the virus starting tomorrow. Beijing's health minister today assured reporters that authorities have cranked up efforts to stop the spread of disease after conceding their knowledge of how it mutates is limited. Ma Xiaowei added that the administration will continue to curb transport links and scrap planned public gatherings. Ma said he has 'maintained close communication with the World Health Organisation' and invited inspectors to examine the country's response. He also revealed Beijing is sharing information with other nations after the United States, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Australia, France and Canada all confirmed cases. From day one, when Donald Trump became the president of the United States, the entire leftist media, law enforcement establishment, former President Obama, and minions of former President Obama, to include Hillary Clinton, Hollywood celebrities, and the Democratic Party had one mission: To force President Trump out of office. They drove investigation after investigation, and after three years, along with tens of millions of dollars spent at taxpayers expense, they found nothing on him to force him out. ZERO. The Russian hoax turned out to be a hoax. Trump said [Special counsel Robert] Mueller showed the Democrats not only have nothing, now they have less than nothing. But that did not please the appetite of hungry leftist wolves who were after blood. Since the House of Representatives is controlled by the Democrats, they contrived a fake excuse to impeach Trump. House Democrats have long wanted to overturn the votes of 63 million Americans. They have determined that they must impeach President Trump because they cannot legitimately defeat him at the ballot box. The Democrats use of a phone call with the president of Ukraine with a transcript the president himself released served as their excuse for this partisan, gratuitous, and pathetic attempt to overthrow the Trump administration and reverse the results of the 2016 election. It was 100% sham. Even the Democrats witnesses stories were based on hearsay and what they had heard and what they had been told, but no one seemed to be able to offer direct I heard it directly from the president himself testimony except, of course, Ambassador Gordon Sondland, who testified that the president had told him directly that he wanted no quid pro quo. Nevertheless, the House on a purely partisan basis, voted to impeach President Trump. So, what would be fair in the Senate? Democrats demand for witnesses who did not testify in the House is absurd. A Democrat majority of the House impeached the president based on the evidence that they presented. Thats the evidence that should be presented to the Senate no more, no less. After the impeachment, Nancy Pelosi did something that had never been done before. She refused to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate for a month. When a reporter asked about the possibility of her not forwarding the articles of impeachment, she quickly shut him down, and in so doing, also proved the impeachment fiasco had less to do with protecting democracy and more to do with partisan political motivation and the November 2020 general election. President Trump, during three years in office has done more for this country than any other in our lifetime. We have the best economy in decades. Highest stock market numbers ever. Lowest unemployment amongst Blacks, Hispanics and Asians, ever. Trade victories with Japan and China, now coming into view. More equity in NATO cost-sharing. Massive reduction of regulations and bureaucratic red tape. Conservative judicial court appointees that will stop activist overreach. All without drawing a salary, and while putting up with non-stop harassment. The Democrats, instead of letting American voters decide if President Trump stays or goes in November, went ahead with a sham impeachment based on rumors and hearsay and now it likely will cost them their electoral viability in many other races. Trumps impeachment had absolutely nothing to do with a Russian hoax or Ukrainian fiasco. It was about Trump winning the 2016 election against Hillary Clinton. Hillary simply could not accept the loss. Then she mobilized her radical army to take Trump out by hook or crook. These Democrats wanted to impeach President Trump in the worst possible way. Literally. They wanted to impeach him even before he took the oath of office. They've called for impeachment every day hes been on the job. Democrats have asserted they can impeach him multiple times. Hard to believe we live in America! Democrats are desperate and at their wits end. Since the Democrats tragically failed in their Constitutional obligation to provide clear evidence of treason, bribery, or high crimes and misdemeanors, bearing true faith and upholding allegiance can only bring about one ethical vote. "No." Image credit: Photo illustration by Monica Showalter with use of public domain sources As 3.5 million eligible voters cast their ballots on January 26 on the key regional election, the far-right hopes to topple the coalition government and return the leadership to Matteo Salvini. Emilia-Romagna has reportedly been a stronghold of left-wing since World War II, but the right has been rallying rigorously to gain support in towns and countryside. According to the last polls which were published before election reportedly showed a close fight between centre-left Democratic Party (PD) and the League which is headed by a right-wing populist leader, Salvini. Read - Italy FM Comments Before Start Of Libya Conference According to international reports, Salvini is betting its road to Rome through the wealthy centre-north region. After winning Emilia-Romagna, the right-wing leader's goal is to shake the weak coalition in the capital and then acquire power nationally. However, Emiliana De Blasio, a professor of sociology at Romes LUISS University reportedly said that Salvini's victory will be followed by 'governmental crisis'. Read - Italy Tries Again To Broker Truce In Libyan Fighting League hopes to repeat win The League reportedly hopes to repeat its historic win in Umbria in October which also has the left-wing stronghold since last 50 years. League's candidate for Emilia-Romagna, Lucia Borgonzoni has been overshadowed by Salvini who has also held multiple rallies every day and inundated social media with photographs of him trying delicacies in the Parma ham and Parmesan cheese heartland. Furthermore, Salvini reportedly infuriated the Left on January 25 by breaking the pre-election silence. According to the pre-election blackout as per Italian law, the candidates are not allowed to campaign the day before casting of the votes, however, he tweeted twice about the 'eviction notice'. PD's candidate Stefano Bonaccini is an incumbent president and is also hoping to win his track record in the region which currently has low jobless figures and is also home to 'Made in Italy' success stories such as Ferrari and Lamborghini. According to reports, Bonaccini may benefit from the youth-driven Sardines movement which was originated in the region a few months ago but has become a national symbol of protest against the far-right. Read - Italy Gets Surprise 1-2 In 1st Run Of World Cup Giant Slalom Read - Tributes At Scene In Italy Of Crash That Killed 6 (With AP inputs) Imagine a pristine T&T where there are no more homeless people or animals. One where hunger has been eliminated as the relic of a bygone era. A world where pipe-borne water is delivered to every home every day, not wasted in an archaic system where significant leaks are either ignored or washed out to sea. Soon, millions of Vietnamese will partake in various cultural and belief practices, mostly due to incoming Tet celebrations, or Vietnamese Lunar New Year. Marko Nikolic To exercise ones belief is a spiritual need, and a right protected by laws. But as important as they might be, we should exercise them with reason and appropriacy, not setting them loose to cloud our judgement. Despite civilizations modern advances, many superstitions still exist around the world, including in Vietnam. Beliefs in the supernatural first began in ancient times, and have persisted throughout history. Irrational fears of the number 13, lucky charms, rituals for wealth and good health are all relics of a time long past, though still prevalent today. In Vietnam, for example, students would avoid eating eggs before a big exam for fear of getting a "0" mark, or banana for fear of failing due to the slippery nature of its peel. Superstitions are rooted in fear, scientists say. Specifically, the fear of not being in control in stressful situations, with superstitions instilling confidence to make us feel safer, more grounded. The problem doesnt exactly lie in superstitions, but the fact that people could mix healthy belief systems and practices with fanatical obsessions. As much as superstitions ground us, they could also make us put blind faith in mysterious, supernatural forces with no basis in reality, causing us to behave without reason and common sense, costing us property, relationships, and even our own lives. Vietnamese superstitions, meanwhile, are vast and deeply embedded in people's psyche. They pray and give offerings to ancestors to show respect, something beautiful and healthy. Vietnams massive library of idioms also teaches important values and life lessons: to work hard, to love one another, to remember ones roots. Most Vietnamese families have altars, decorated with pictures of deceased loved ones and where offerings are made to the dead. All beautiful Vietnamese traditions. But, one particular practice has proved to be controversial even among the Vietnamese. The burning of joss paper. In Vietnam, joss paper is burned as offerings to the deceased in certain occasions, including the Lunar New Year Festival. Illustration photo by Shutterstock. This practice commenced in ancient times, unrelated to conventional religions like Buddhism or Confucianism. Every year, Vietnamese spend approximately VND400 billion ($17.2 million) to burn around 50,000 tons of joss paper for "the deceased." I feel some people tend to burn a little bit too much joss paper, many on the belief that the more money they spend, the luckier they will get. And businesses know that; nowadays joss paper is shaped like cars, watches, high heels and iPhones among many others. The act of burning pollutes the environment and depletes natural resources, specifically paper and plants. Have I mentioned human deaths? In 2017 alone, around 10 house fires were caused by burning joss paper, killing 20 people in Saigon. The matter has even gained enough traction to reach the ears of authorities. In 2018, the Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam requested followers avoid the joss paper burning practice across all Buddhist facilities. If you ask me, I would much prefer joss paper burning as something symbolic and in moderation, opposed to spending an entire fortune on unguaranteed luck or supposed offerings to the dead. Once a person's dead, they no longer have any material aspirations. While I hold a rather neutral stance on joss paper burning, I vehemently oppose fortunetellers. Many thrive on people's insecurity and naivete to make money, weaponizing fear and greed. In Thanh Hoa Province, a grandmother murdered her own grandchild because a fortuneteller told her only one of them could live. In Quang Ngai, a family decided to leave their home because a fortuneteller told them the house was "poisoned." And in case anyone hadnt noticed, none of these fortunetellers could have predicted natural disasters, like the numerous storms at sea or the Australian bushfires. But, somehow people keep falling in their trap. Its a trick they use, according to science. Fortunetellers can accurately evaluate and analyze ones mental workings, using it to their advantage by making vague and generalized claims that could simultaneously apply to many different people. Then confirmation bias kicks in, causing us to believe whichever piece of info we most identify with, while ignoring the rest. Our memories then filter them out, and come up with the conclusion that whatever the fortuneteller is saying must be true. The human brain is exceptionally good at filling in gaps, which is beneficial for survival. But in this case, it only does us harm. The freedom to believe in whatever you want is inherent in us all. But we must know how to differentiate between whats real and whats not, whats healthy and whats detrimental, whats appreciation and whats obsession. Or else, true disasters could befall us. *Marko Nikolic is a Serbian writer based in Vietnam. His story was originally written in Vietnamese. The opinions expressed are personal. There are many reasons for the United States to elect their Presidents by popular vote. Most of these have existed for a long time (making every vote equal, making every vote count and making every state a battleground state.) There is now another reason. It is Facebooks policy to permit false political ads. I believe that a popular vote would make it much harder for misinformation peddlers to determine who becomes President. Currently, the Presidency can be won by deceiving a few thousand gullible voters in just the right states. Computers will continue to get better at finding and targeting these voters, so this danger will only get worse. OTTAWA - The regional Metis presidents of Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan are calling for reform of the Metis National Council, raising serious concerns about "dysfunction" and about a lack of transparency on the national body's finances and administration. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/1/2020 (717 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The regional Metis presidents of Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan are calling for reform of the Metis National Council, raising serious concerns about "dysfunction" and about a lack of transparency involving financial and administrative matters within the national body. David Chartrand, president of the Manitoba Metis Federation, middle, carries the Metis flag as he and fellow Metis Federation leaders and delagates march to the Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa, Thursday, April 14, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA - The regional Metis presidents of Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan are calling for reform of the Metis National Council, raising serious concerns about "dysfunction" and about a lack of transparency on the national body's finances and administration. Metis National Council vice-president David Chartrand rejects the allegations, saying the "real issue" involves concerns about the way the Ontario Metis government defines people as Metis, and the national body has told the Ontario body its membership in the governance institutions of the Metis Nation is suspended. "This is about the very essence of protecting our nation," Chartrand said. Last week, the presidents of the Metis Nation of Ontario, the Metis Nation-Saskatchewan and the Metis Nation of Alberta three of the national body's five components, along with a similar group in British Columbia and one Manitoba, which Chartrand leads met for two days to discuss ways to co-operate and to negotiate more directly with the federal government, circumventing the national council. Last June, these same three regions each signed self-governing agreements with Ottawa. That's the first time the federal government has signed such arrangements with Metis groups following recent Supreme Court of Canada decisions formally recognizing Metis rights and that they're part of federal financial responsibilities. The Metis Nation of Ontario's president Margaret Froh said the meeting was positive, aimed at building on those agreements by working together and sharing ideas to help their communities. "There was incredible goodwill, it was a respectful environment. We had an opportunity to talk about things like our registries, to talk about all the work that's gone into our history, our governance, how it is that we manage our registry, the programs and services that we're offering," Froh said. But the three leaders also discussed concerns they share about governance at the Metis National Council (MNC). They issued a declaration that the MNC "has become increasingly dysfunctional and unaccountable to its governing members and the Metis citizens." David Chartrand, president of the Manitoba Metis Federation. The Canadian Press files They point to the fact the national council has not held a board of governors meeting in over 14 months, despite repeated requests for one. Despite this, MNC president Clement Chartier sent a letter to Froh earlier this week advising her the Metis Nation of Ontario is suspended and no longer eligible to participate in the governance of the national council. Alberta president Audrey Poitras said the MNC doesn't have the authority to do this. A suspension can only be imposed by members at a general assembly meeting, she said, and she "absolutely" doesn't accept that Ontario has been suspended. The concerns about Ontario involve its citizenship registry. In August 2017, the provincial government and the Metis Nation of Ontario held a joint announcement outlining work by historians that had identified six new Metis communities in the province. This sparked concerns in the national leadership that Ontario is allowing people who may not be Metis into its registry, and in doing so, is violating an agreement struck in 2002 among all the regional governments on an official citizenship definition. The question of Metis identity is delicate, and fundamental. The Metis are descended from European fur traders and First Nations people, who intermingled beginning in the 18th century. But it's only in the 1980s that the Canadian government recognized the Metis as an Indigenous People with rights under Canadian law. And only in 2003 did the Supreme Court of Canada rule that the Metis are a nation distinct from other Indigenous people with rights protected by the Constitution. Chartrand does not believe the new communities are legitimate. "They are not part of us, never were. There is no connection historically in any way or fashion that they can use as even an argument to say that they are part of our nation," Chartrand said. He believes allowing these new communities to become part of the Metis Nation could undermine its integrity by flooding the Metis nations with "hundreds of thousands, potentially millions, of people into our nation that aren't us," Chartrand said. "It's something we must clearly be fearful of as a people, because we cannot allow anybody to try to water down and create a special interest group of a nation, instead of a citizen of a nation." In November 2018 Chartrand brought these concerns to a general assembly and a resolution was passed that placed Ontario on probation. It called for an external committee to review Ontario's membership registry. But Ontario has refused to allow it. Froh said the registry belongs to her government and contains a large amount of sensitive, personal information. The Ontario nation hired a historical expert to conduct its own review of the files, which Froh believes should help satisfy the concerns raised by Chartrand and others. She also called Chartrand's concerns about thousands or millions of new citizens being added by Ontario "absurd," noting her province's registry has only about 20,000 members. "What we have said is, we have and will complete this independent review ... and we'll be in a position to be able to talk about it, but we're not prepared to simply open up our registry and all of that personal information to outsiders," she said. Poitras, the Albera leader, said she doesn't have a problem with Ontario's registry and doesn't understand Chartrand's concerns. She continues to call for a board meeting to discuss them. "What we want is transparency and accountability, and if somebody is doing something wrong, let's talk about what that wrong is and let's fix it." The "tri-council" also raised questions about the finances and governance of the MNC in its resolution last week, including calls for more transparency about financial audits, and limits on amounts spent on consultants. Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The three leaders called for a working group to discuss reforming the MNC "or the creation of a new national structure to better represent the interests of Metis governments." Their resolution also says they will continue to work through the MNC on funding negotiations until after the 2020 federal budget is released, as those talks are already underway. But they're asking to negotiate directly with Ottawa in the future on program and service funding and to ensure money goes to Metis citizens and governments "without allocations to the MNC." Chartrand brushed aside the tri-council's concerns, calling them "smoke and mirrors" designed to distract from a "backroom deal" brokered among the leaders. Froh said she hopes the politics involved in these issues doesn't overshadow the progress that has been achieved when it comes to Metis governments finally getting recognition by the federal government. "I don't want people to lose track of the amazing thing that happened last week in that we, as Metis governments, came together, recognizing each other. That is what being self-determining is about, that's what leadership is about: coming together to work together to move the yardstick forward to advance true reconciliation." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 26, 2020. German police on Sunday said experts had safely defused seven World War II bombs found on the future location of Tesla's first European factory, just outside Berlin. The defusing operation was completed "without any problems", a police spokesman told DPA agency. The bombs in question were relatively small and dropped by the US air force during the war. Some 75 years after the war, Germany remains littered with unexploded ordnance, often uncovered during construction work. Electric car pioneer Tesla last week agreed to buy a 300-hectare plot of land in Gruenheide, east of Berlin, for 40.9 million euros (USD 45.5 million). The site will become home to the US tech firm's first "Gigafactory" in Europe. Tesla said it plans to begin churning out the firm's Model Y SUV and Model 3 sedan as soon as 2021, ultimately producing 500,000 cars per year. While many local officials and residents have welcomed the thousands of jobs set to be created in the region, the project has sparked controversy because of its location in a wooded area. Critics claim the planned deforestation will be harmful to local wildlife and could endanger the drinking water supply. Dozens of people have protested against Tesla's arrival in recent weeks. Tesla chief Elon Musk on Saturday took to Twitter to defend the factory. "Sounds like we need to clear up a few things!" the billionaire entrepreneur tweeted. In response to criticism that Tesla's factory would need to use some 300 cubic metres of water per hour, Musk said that would be at peak times only and "not an everyday event". He also said the forest was not a natural woodland. "It was planted for use as cardboard & only a small part will be used" for the factory, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Trump's Lawyers Defend Him at Senate Impeachment Trial By Wayne Lee January 25, 2020 U.S. President Donald Trump's legal team gave opening statements Saturday in the Senate after House managers wrapped up three days of arguments in Trump's historic impeachment trial. White House counsel Pat Cipollone began presenting Trump's defense by declaring the Democratic House managers had failed to achieve their objective. "We don't believe that they have come anywhere close to meeting their burden for what they're asking you to do," Cipollone said. Trump Legal Team Mounts Aggressive Defense Against Impeachment Trump Impeachment Defense Closes First Week of Trial Cipollone also reiterated an often-repeated criticism of the Democratic-led impeachment proceedings that they would nullify Trump's 2016 election win and reduce choices for voters before the upcoming November presidential election. "They're here to perpetrate the most massive interference in an election in American history and we cannot allow that to happen," Cipollone said. "It would violate our Constitution. It would violate our history. It would violate our obligations to the future. And, most importantly, it would violate the sacred trust that the American people have placed in you." Saturday's defense of Trump amounted to a preview of the arguments that will be laid out in further detail next week. During his presentation, White House deputy counsel Michael Purpura played a video clip of lead House manager Adam Schiff embellishing the conversation Trump had with Ukraine's president on a July 25 phone call that is central to the impeachment probe. "That's fake. That's not the real call, that's not the evidence," Purpura said in an attempt to discredit Schiff and other Democrats. Schiff acknowledged after the hearing, during which he recounted the phone call, that his comments were "in character with what the president was trying to communicate." Trump is accused of pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during the July 25 call to open a corruption investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden a major Democratic challenger to Trump's re-election bid this year and Biden's son, who worked for a Ukrainian energy company. The president allegedly withheld military aid to Ukraine unless Zelenskiy publicly announced a probe into Biden and his son Hunter's lucrative position with the Ukrainian company. No evidence against the Bidens has ever surfaced. During the prescheduled call, Zelenskiy told Trump that Ukraine sought more U.S. military assistance. Trump responded, "I would like you to do us a favor, though," and then asked Zelenskiy to investigate the Bidens and an unfounded claim that Ukraine, not Russia, interfered in the 2016 U.S. election. The U.S. assistance for Ukraine was formally frozen on July 25 under a legal provision known as an apportionment. The aid embargo was lifted in September, and Jason Crow said during the House impeachment managers' closing arguments Friday, "It was only lifted because President Trump had gotten caught." But Purpura said Saturday that Ukraine did not become aware of Trump's hold on the military aid until the latter part of August, well after the July 25 call. "There can't be a threat without a person knowing he's being threatened," Purpura said. "There can't be quid pro quo without the quo." The House of Representatives impeached Trump in December and he now faces two articles of impeachment that accuse him of abusing the office of the presidency and obstructing congressional efforts to investigate his actions related to Ukraine. Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said earlier this week that all Trump cared about was investigating Biden, especially after early polls showed the former vice president would soundly beat Trump in the election. Trump and his lawyers were invited to appear before the House Judiciary Committee during the impeachment inquiry, but declined. U.S. Democratic lawmakers closed out their final arguments against the president Friday, arguing that if Trump is not removed from office he will continue to abuse power. "At the heart of Article Two, obstruction of Congress, is a simple troubling reality: President Trump tried to cheat, he got caught, and then he worked hard to cover it up," said Hakeem Jeffries, one of seven House Democrats serving as managers of the trial. Jeffries said Trump administration officials were aware of the president's alleged misconduct last year and called the situation in the White House a "toxic mess." Schiff told lawmakers, "You cannot leave a man like that in office." He argued that the president will not change and his actions will remain the same. "You know it's not going to stop. It's not going to stop unless the Congress does something about it." "He has shown neither remorse nor acknowledgment of wrongdoing," said Schiff. "Do you think if we do nothing, it's going to stop now?" In his final argument, Schiff urged senators to "give America a fair trial," saying, "She's worth it." Trump is only the third U.S. president to be impeached and tried before the Senate. Andrew Johnson was impeached in 1868 because of a post-Civil War dispute over states that seceded from the union. Bill Clinton was impeached in 1998 for lying to a grand jury about a sex scandal. Both Johnson and Clinton were acquitted and remained in office until the end of their terms. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The three elderly women who have come to be known as the "dadis of Shaheen Bagh" for leading the anti-CAA agitation there, and the mother of Rohith Vemula, a deceased student of the University of Hyderabad, hoisted the tricolour at the protest venue on Sunday to mark the country's 71st Republic Day. Radhika Vemula, Rohith's mother, who was accompanied by the "dadis" and former JNU student Umar Khalid unfurled the national flag. They sang the national anthem along with thousands of people, including women and children who had gathered at Shaheen Bagh to celebrate the occasion. Vadgam Assembly Constituency (Gujarat) MLA Jignesh Mevani was also present there. The protesters, who are opposing the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and a proposed pan-India National Register of Citizens (NRC), have been sitting on protest at Shaheen Bagh for over a month. The protesters said they will continue their agitation until the government decides to rollback the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and National Register of Citizens. From children to women, many held the national flag and sang patriotic songs to celebrate the spirit of oneness, equality and secularism. They chanted the "CAA se Azaadi, NRC se Azaadi, BJP se Azaadi (freedom from CAA, NRC and BJP)" while raising other slogans against the CAA and the NRC. "We do not want a Prime Minister who cannot listen to our grievance and address our concerns. Why has the prime minister or any of his representatives addressed us yet? Why didn't he visit us and explain the CAA and NRC?," asked 75-year-old Sarwari, one of the 'Dadis', who has been part of the protest for over a month now. The 82-year-old Bilkis said, "This is our nation and our forefathers have contributed in the freedom struggle of this country. Today, if we fail to protect the Constitution and the secular fabric of this country, we will fail to save the future of our nation," she said. Recalling violence at the Jamia Millia Islamia and the Jawaharlal Nehru University, she asked if this was how the government was promoting the "beti bachao beti padhao" concept? "Are our students even safe on their campuses? Was it right to barge inside the campus and assault students in this manner? Is this 'beti bachao beti padhao?'," she asked. The 90-year-old Asma Khatoon was also present at the flag hoisting ceremony. Shaheen, another protester and a resident of Jamia Nagar, said. "We will not allow this divide and rule policy to be implemented here. We have been living here in harmony since ages. Today they are trying to divide us on the basis of religion and will follow it up with caste discrimination. We cannot let this happen. And why is the government not visiting us if they are so confident about their stand on CAA and NRC?" Another protestor, Shahzia, who joined the agitation 15 days ago, said she will continue to protest until there is an assurance from the government on the newly amended act. "If we do not fight for our rights today, the future generation will question us tomorrow. This fight is not religion centric. It is a common fight to save our nation from the divide-rule policy of the government," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Atletico Madrid's goalscoring troubles resurfaced as they drew 0-0 at home to a struggling Leganes side that finished with a defender in goal after the dismissal of Ivan Cuellar. Atletico crashed out of the Copa del Rey in midweek after losing to third-tier Cultural Leonesa, and Sunday's latest setback would appear to rule Diego Simeone's team out of title contention. They are now winless in four games, their surprise cup exit preceded by a 2-0 loss at Eibar in La Liga last weekend and defeat by Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup. Atletico could finish the day 10 points behind city rivals Real, who travel to Real Valladolid later, ahead of next week's Madrid derby at the Santiago Bernabeu. Having sold French striker Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona, scoring goals has been Atletico's fundamental weakness this season. They have managed only 22 in 21 league games, the same number as Real Mallorca in 17th. Angel Correa and Alvaro Morata both tested Cuellar in the first half while Recio went close for Leganes with a curling strike that was deflected over by an Atletico defender. Substitute Ivan Saponjic headed over for Atletico in stoppage time before Leganes were forced to play the final minutes with left-back Jonathan Silva in goal after Cuellar was shown a second yellow card for time wasting. Atletico continue to negotiate with Paris Saint-Germain over the signing of Edinson Cavani but even if the French club can be persuaded to sell this month, Cavani's arrival may come too late. Diego Simeone admitted on Saturday his "life is consumed by Atletico" and while his stock among the club's fans remains largely undiminished, there are concerns about his team's direction of travel. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Twelve people, including seven Chinese nationals, have been put in isolation in the central Vietnamese city of Da Nang and are under observation for the new coronavirus as they all have fevers and recent contact with high-risk subjects. The twelve patients, including seven Chinese, four Vietnamese, and one Czech, are being monitored at Da Nang General Hospitals tropical diseases ward, a hospital representative said on Sunday. One of them is a Chinese passenger from Hunan Province who landed at Da Nang International Airport on Saturday afternoon with a high temperature of 38.5 degrees Celsius. The remaining 11 are tourists and local residents who have checked themselves into hospitals for fevers. They all reported having been in contact with Chinese persons recently. Samples of the 12 patients have been taken and sent to the south-central city of Nha Trang for testing. A pneumonia outbreak, caused by a new strain of the coronavirus family that caused SARS and MERS, first surfaced in Wuhan City in December 2019. The virus has spread to the U.S., France, Australia, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and others, infecting more than 2,000 people globally. Fifty-six people have died from the disease in China, Reuters quoted figures released by Chinese authorities on Sunday. Two Chinese citizens are being treated at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City after their coronavirus infection was announced on Thursday. Last week, two Chinese passengers were put in isolation in Da Nang for pneumonia-like symptoms but were later discharged after doctors determined their conditions were not related to the coronavirus. Fifty-two out of 218 visitors from Wuhan who entered Da Nang on Wednesday have left the central city for China as of Saturday, with the remaining visitors expected to return home by January 27, according to a local travel companys executive. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Dibrugarh: In a shocking incident, two major explosions took place in Assam's Dibrugarh on Sunday (January 26) as India celebrates its 71st Republic Day. According to primary reports, no body has been injured in the explosion. The Assam Police are investigating the incidents. The first explosion reportedly took place at a shop near NH-37 at Graham Bazaar and the second near a Gurudwara. The bomb disposal squad team has been rushed to the spot. Assam DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahant told ANI, "We have received the information about the explosion in Dibrugarh. An investigation has begun, it is being probed that who is involved in this." This is a developing story and more details are awaited. Earlier on January 21, an explosion had rocked Assam's Charaideo district. The blast has taken place at Dhudar Ali near Sapekhati area of Sonari in the Upper Assam district at around 11.50 pm on Monday. Although no casualty was reported in the incident, several shops suffered severe damage due to the explosion. President Donald Trump plans to visit a Warren auto parts supplier Thursday, Jan. 30. The White House announced Trump will deliver remarks at Dana Incorporated, an Ohio-based supplier with multiple facilities in Michigan. The Thursday visit will be the presidents first stop in Michigan of the new year and second visit in the last two months. The president held a Christmas-themed campaign rally in Battle Creek last December on the same night the U.S. House voted to impeach him. Trump held another rally near the Michigan-Ohio border on Jan. 8 and will be coming back to the Great Lakes State while his impeachment trial continues in the U.S. Senate. Meeting with auto parts supplies will give Trump an opportunity to highlight the recent passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which marks off one of his top campaign promises. Trump said the renegotiated trade deal will be great for the automobile business during his Battle Creek rally. While Democrats are obsessed with impeachment, were focused on jobs, jobs, jobs, Trump said in December. The Michigan visit is part of a recent push in Midwest states that proved vital to Trumps 2016 electoral college victory. The presidents re-election team recently organized several rallies in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, which had been reliably Democratic-voting states until Trump managed to pull off narrow victories. Warren is located in Macomb County, where working-class voters supported Trump by a 12 point margin in 2016. Trump did not win the city of Warren, however. Macomb County voted for former President Barack Obama in the previous two elections. The largest employers in the county are Michigans Big Three automakers -- General Motors Co., Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Ford Motor Co. Air Force One is scheduled to bring the president to Selfridge Air National Guard Base Thursday afternoon. He will then travel to the Dana Incorporated facility at 28201 Van Dyke Ave. in Warren. The White House did not release additional details about whether the event is open to the public. For the first time ever, villagers at Janturai village in the Swabhiman Anchala area in Odishas Malkangiri district killed a Maoist late Saturday night after a face-off over the construction of a road in this stronghold of the Left wing rebels, police said. Malkangiris Superintendent of Police (SP) Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo said on Saturday night over a dozen rebels had gone to Janturai village and tried to terrorise the villagers in order to force them to stop road construction work. They also threatened them not to celebrate Republic Day. Janturai is almost 600 km Southeast of the capital Bhubaneswar. As an altercation ensued between the Maoists and the villagers, the rebels resorted to blank firing. In retaliation, the villagers pelted stones and fired arrows at them. One of the Maoists was killed and the other was seriously injured and later arrested, Dnyandeo said. The SP said the Maoists did not anticipate the sudden retaliation by the villagers and tried to flee seeing the collective anger. Security forces have rushed to the village to take stock of the situation. The Maoist who was killed was identified as Adma, a member of the Gumma area committee while the one arrested is Jipro, area commander of Nandapur area committee, the officer said. This is the first time that the villagers in the Maoist hotbed have retaliated. The Maoists writ has always run in the area with the rebels routinely scaring off people from polling booths in several assembly, Lok Sabha and panchayat elections. The Swabhiman Anchala area bordering Andhra Pradesh has been a Maoist stronghold for more than two decades although the influence of the rebels has been decreasing slowly. The area which has 151 villages in spread across nine gram panchayats remains a major cause of concern for the state police as the Maoists commanders of the Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee operate there. Sandwiched between the Balimela reservoir on one side and daunting hills on the other side, the area was out of bounds for almost four decades for the government till it built a bridge last July ending decades of isolation for the 37000 people of the area. But the promised infrastructure in the interior parts of the region as well the economic development is yet to come due to lack of communication facilities in the region where the terrain is harsh. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Indian Armys T-90 Bhishma battle tanks pass through Rajpath, New Delhi during the 71st Republic Day Parade. (Image: PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves next to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and Indian President Ram Nath Kovind as they arrive for the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. (Image: Reuters) PM Modi, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and the three service chiefs pay homage to the martyrs at the National War Memorial in New Delhi before the beginning of the Republic Day parade. (Image: PIB) Soldiers march during the parade in New Delhi. (Image: Reuters) K9 VAJRA-T gun tanks pass through Rajpath during the parade (Image: PTI) Indian Air Force (IAF)s 'Netra' Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft flanked by two Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fly over Rajpath during the parade. (Image: PTI) Tableaus of Goa, Meghalaya and other states pass through Rajpath during the parade (Image: PTI) National Cadet Corps (NCC) contingent marches during the parade at Rajpath. (Image: PTI) Indian Armys Sarvatra Bridge Laying Simulation vehicles passing through Rajpath during the parade. (Image: PTI) Indian Army Corps of Signals contingent led by Captain Tanya Shergill, marches during the Republic Day parade at Rajpath in New Delhi. (Image: PTI) Three Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) fly in Trishul manoeuvre over Rajpath during the parade. (Image: PTI) Police officers on both coasts are paying their respects after a detective in Los Angeles and an officer in Virginia died this week. Processions were held on Saturday for Sheriff's Detective Amber Leist, 41, in Los Angeles County, and Officer Katie Thyne, 24, in Newport News, Virginia. Leist was off duty earlier this month when she was struck and killed by a car after helping an elderly pedestrian who had fallen while crossing the street. Memorial services were held for Leist on Saturday at the Mosaic Church on Hollywood Boulevard, where hundreds of law enforcement officers packed in to pay respects. Processions were held on Saturday for Sheriff's Detective Amber Leist, 41, (left) in Los Angeles County, and Officer Katie Thyne, 24, (right) in Newport News, Virginia Deputies transport the casket of Detective Leist to a memorial service on Saturday Deputies salute during the transfer of Detective Leist's casket for a memorial service Officers pay their respects to the flag-draped coffin of Detective Amber Leist Saturday in LA. Leist was off duty when she was struck by a car after she helped an older woman cross a street A memorial procession transports Detective Leist's casket to the Mosaic Church 'Since her passing, I've come to find out that she left a gigantic void in the hearts of many in our department, particularly those at West Hollywood station,' Sheriff Alex Villanueva said at the service 'Amber's commitment to service is a reflection of what the men and women of the sheriff's department do every day,' he continued. The fatal crash took place at around 11am at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Whitsett Avenue in the Valley Village neighborhood as West Hollywood Station Leist was returning to her vehicle. Leist, a mother of two, leaves behind a 20-year-old son who's in the US Navy and a 17-year-old boy. Leist, a 12-year veteran of the department, was rushed to an area hospital after being struck by the car, and was pronounced dead. Leist, a 12-year veteran, leaves behind a 20-year-old son who's in the US Navy and a 17-year-old boy The driver of the car that claimed Leist's life reportedly remained at the scene and attempted to render aid. 'Today, the LASD is grieving. We are shocked and stunned by the sudden loss of a family member,' Villanueva told reporters. 'God had a better plan for her and she was called home.' According to the sheriff, the detective leaves behind two sons: a 20-year-old who is currently on active duty in the US Navy and his 17-year-old brother. The sheriff said during the press conference that Leist was waiting at a red light to make a left turn when she noticed two people crossing the street, and one of them stumbled and fell. She put her vehicle in park, walked over to the crosswalk, helped the senior citizen up and led her across the intersection to the sidewalk. As the detective was making her way back to her vehicle, Villanueva said a car traveling eastbound on Riverside Drive hit her when the light turned green. LAPD Commander Marc Reina said the driver is cooperating with the investigation, which is ongoing. So far, no charges have been filed. Detective Leist was off duty when she helped an elderly woman cross the road, and was truck by a passing vehicle as she returned to her own car. The driver stayed at the scene Hundreds of law enforcement officers packed Mosaic Church in Los Angeles on Saturday for a memorial service for Detective Leist Deputies hug Detective Leist's father Daniel Leist at an emotional service on Saturday On the opposite coast, Officer Katherine, 'Katie' Thyne, 24, a mother-of-one, leaves behind a two-year-old daughter, after what should have been a routine traffic stop in Newport News, Virginia turned tragic. At a procession on Saturday, the hearse carrying Thyne's casket paused at it passed the department's South Precinct. Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew knelt for a moment beside the hearse, before rising and giving a final salute. It was silent as the procession approached and when Drew gave the final salute. The sound of sirens broke the silence as the procession continued. At a press conference earlier this week, Drew said the young officer was one of two who were talking to the driver on Thursday evening, in the area of 16th Street and Walnut Avenue. He said the officers were investigating potential drug-related issues linked to the male driver of the car and his female passenger, though an arrest had not been made. Drew said the man put his foot on the pedal and accelerated away . 'One officer was able to step out of the way, she was not,' he said. 'She was inside the door, between the door and the vehicle, she was dragged about a block and the vehicle struck a tree and there was an impact there.' Officer Katherine, 'Katie' Thyne, 24, a mother-of-one, leaves behind a two-year-old daughter, after what should have been a routine traffic stop in Newport News, Virginia turned tragic Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew falls to one knee and touches the hearse carrying Officer Katherine Thyne outside of the Police Department South Precinct on Saturday The driver of the vehicle, who the officers were questioning about drug-related issues, sped away after the incident yesterday but crashed nearby and has been arrested and taken into custody. The police chief said Thyne suffered multiple injuries and was taken to a local hospital where she died, despite the medical professionals' best efforts. 'Medical personnel did a phenomenal job...the nursing staff, the surgeons they did outstanding work, very respectful,' he said in an emotional statement on the death of his colleague. Drew also paid an emotional tribute to his fallen colleague. At times during the press conference the officer broke off mid-sentence, as he struggled to contain his tears. Drew recalled the moment he met the young aspiring officer. Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew becomes emotional while speaking about officer Katie Thyne during a press conference Friday morning Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew, center, is comforted by other police officers after speaking about officer Katie Thyne during a press conference Friday morning 'I remember when I met her, she sat across from me, in my office,' he said. 'This is what she wanted to do, she wanted to be in law enforcement, and she wanted to do it in this city. 'She was very active in the community, if you ever met her, if you ever saw her, all she would do was smile, you would almost start to laugh at her because she was always smiling.' Mr said the loss of such a dedicated officer would be challenging for the community, for her colleagues and her loved ones. 'Katie was a true hero, she served this community, so as we move forward there is a lot of healing that has to take place.' Shirouzu Kazunobu, owner of an accounting firm, enjoyed the Shen Yun performance at Fukuoka Sunpalace Hall on the afternoon of Jan. 21, 2020. (Lu Yong/The Epoch Times) FUKUOKA, JapanShirouzu Kazunobu, owner of an accounting firm in Japans Fukuoka, said Its indeed a masterpiece that cannot be described in words, after he watched the performance presented by Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company at Fukuoka Sunpalace Hall on the afternoon of Jan. 21, 2020. I have never seen such a performance, he said. I seemed to see the revival of the [authentic Chinese] history. Shen Yun website explains, Shen Yun Performing Arts is the worlds premier classical Chinese dance and music company, established in New York in 2006. It performs classical Chinese dance, ethnic and folk dance, and story-based dance, with orchestral accompaniment and solo performers. The storyline was vividly acted out by the performers along with the beautiful music, Shirouzu Kazunobu said. [Shen Yun performance] is just amazing. Shirouzu was also amazed by Shen Yuns dynamic digital backdrops that let the audience members have the feeling of transcending time and space. Its practically superb technology that allows actors to seemingly jump out of the backdrops and jump back freely. It can help us better understand the plot, he explained. Its truly amazing. The costumes and dances, coupled with the backdrops and other elements, contributed to such a marvelous performance, he noted. Its indeed incredible. Culture of Great Wisdom For 5,000 years divine culture flourished in the land of China. Humanitys treasure was nearly lost, but through breathtaking music and dance, Shen Yun is bringing back this glorious culture, according to the Shen Yun website. Shirouzu Kazunobu said that after watching the Shen Yun performance, he further realized the magnificence of the profound 5,000-year Chinese history. Its great wisdom; [Shen Yun] lets the audience understand the [authentic Chinese] history in the form of [classical Chinese] dance, he added. He also praised Shen Yuns demonstration of Chinese history, because people can learn from the history so that the good parts can be applied to the modern society while avoiding the bad parts from happening again. This is the wisdom that can usher us into the future, he said with emphasis. Haraguni Masahiro, medical doctor at Tomi Shokyo Hospital in Japans Okinawa, enjoyed the Shen Yun performance at Fukuoka Sunpalace Hall on the afternoon of Jan. 21, 2020. (Lu Yong/The Epoch Times) Perfect Technique Haraguni Masahiro, medical doctor at Tomi Shokyo Hospital in Japans Okinawa, happened to attend the same performance at Fukuoka Sunpalace Hall that afternoon, and highly spoke of the spectacular performance. I was deeply touched by the actors perfect techniques, he said, Regardless of whether it is flipping or turning, the level of difficulty is far beyond what I imagined. I was truly overwhelmed, he said. The medical doctor felt Shen Yun had surpassed other performances he had seen on stage, because he was deeply touched. Every artist is outstanding, he explained. What deeply touched me is the perfect dedication among all of [Shen Yun dancers]. The overall momentum of dancing in great unison on the stage is overwhelming, he added. Haraguni was also amazed by the marvelous digital backdrops. I felt its incredible to see the artists suddenly walk out of the backdrops, he said. How could it be possible [for the dancers] to descend [to stage] from the backdrops and vice versa, he exclaimed. Its amazing. The medical doctor was surprised to learn that the performance aiming to revive the profound traditional Chinese culture cannot be performed in China and that Falun Gong is still persecuted by the Chinese Communist regime in China. I was shocked to hear of the ongoing persecution [against Falun Gong in China] from the emcees, he said. It was the first time Ive ever heard that Shen Yun is still cannot perform in China. I felt it a pity that the Chinese people [in China] cannot appreciate such a beautiful [performance of] the traditional culture, he added. With reporting by Lu Yong, Miranda Tsai, and Billy Shyu. The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the companys inception in 2006. An hand grenade attack on an Afghan wedding ceremony wounded at least 20 people, including several children, a provincial official said Sunday. At least one of the injured children was in critical condition, said Adel Haider, a spokesman for the police chief of the eastern Khost province, which borders Pakistan. No one immediately claimed responsibility for Saturday night's attack. There was no evidence that the Taliban were behind the attack, although they have a strong presence in the area. Haider said the Taliban's ban on music when they ruled Afghanistan led him to believe that they could have been the culprits. But it's also common in that part of Afghanistan to settle personal vendettas with such attacks. Haider said police are investigating all possible motives and so far no one has come forward with any information about tribal rivalries involving the wedding party. All of the injured wedding guests were men, but it was not immediately clear if the groom was injured in the attack, Haider said. Last August, a suicide bomber from the Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan killed 63 people at a wedding in Kabul, the deadliest attack in the capital in 2019. The Taliban, which the US hopes will help curb the IS affiliate's rise, condemned the attack as forbidden and unjustifiable. The Taliban control or hold sway over roughly half of Afghanistan, staging near-daily attacks. They usually target Afghan and US forces, but scores of civilians die in the crossfire. The Taliban and the US are currently holding peace talks in the Gulf Arab state of Qatar, where the Taliban maintain a political office. The negotiations have become bogged down over a mechanism that will end or substantially reduce hostilities. A reduction in violence would allow a US-Taliban peace agreement to be signed, letting America bring its troops home after 18 years of war. he peace deal would also start negotiations between Afghans on both sides of the conflict to determine what the country's post-war landscape would look like. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mask-wearing soldiers have been deployed to locked-down Wuhan, the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus which is sweeping the world from China. Footage showed troops unloading supplies from the back of a jet in the city of 11million people to help contain the virus which has so far killed 56 in China, with more than 2,000 cases worldwide. China's health minister Ma Xiaowei said the country was entering a 'crucial stage' as 'it seems like the ability of the virus to spread is getting stronger.' Wuhan is building two makeshift hospitals with around 1,000 beds each to handle the influx of patients. Supplies being rushed to the city include 14,000 hazmat suits, 110,000 pairs of gloves and masks and goggles. Soldiers have been deployed to Wuhan, the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus which is sweeping the world from China (pictured: soldiers stand to attention on Saturday) Soldiers unloading supplies from the back of a jet in the city of Wuhan. Wuhan is building two makeshift hospitals with around 1,000 beds each to handle the influx of patients A commander holds a press conference as troops move in to help with the public health crisis Medical workers in the city have been among those infected and local media reported a doctor died on Saturday morning. The 62-year-old physician was hospitalised on January 18 and died a week later. Videos have circulated online showing throngs of frantic people in masks lined up for examinations and there have been complaints that family members had been turned away at hospitals that were at capacity. Wuhan today banned most vehicle use, including private cars, in downtown areas. The city will assign 6,000 taxis to neighbourhoods to help people get around if they need to. President Xi Jinping on Saturday called the outbreak a grave situation and said the government was stepping up efforts to restrict travel and public gatherings. The epidemic has revived memories of the SARS outbreak that originated in China and killed nearly 800 as it spread around the world in 2002 and 2003. Its spread has come amid China's busiest travel period of the year, when millions crisscross the country or head abroad for the Lunar New Year holiday. Soldiers stand on parade after arriving in Wuhan. Supplies being rushed to the city include 14,000 hazmat suits, 110,000 pairs of gloves and masks and goggles. President Xi Jinping on Saturday called the outbreak a grave situation and said the government was stepping up efforts to restrict travel and public gatherings Soldiers arrive at accommodation as they prepare to help contain the virus. Worldwide cases have soared to over 2,000 The latest figures reported Sunday morning cover the previous 24 hours and mark an increase of 15 deaths and 688 cases for a total of 1,975 infections in China. The government also reported five cases in Hong Kong, two in Macao and three in Taiwan. Small numbers of cases have been found in Thailand, Japan, South Korea, the U.S., Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, France and Australia. The U.S. has confirmed cases in Washington state, Chicago, and most recently Southern California. The latest patient announced Saturday night traveled from Wuhan and is in isolation at a hospital and in good condition. Canada said it discovered its first case, a man in his 50s who was in Wuhan before flying to Toronto. Soldiers are seen arriving at accommodation in the city of Wuhan which Bejing has put on lock-down Soldiers wearing face masks arriving in the city of Wuhan on Saturday. The latest figures reported Sunday morning cover the previous 24 hours and mark an increase of 15 deaths and 688 cases for a total of 1,975 infections in China. A notice from the U.S. Embassy in Beijing said there would be limited capacity to transport U.S. citizens on a Tuesday flight from Wuhan that will proceed directly to San Francisco. It said that in the event there are not enough seats, priority will be given to to individuals 'at greater risk from coronavirus.' The French Consulate also was considering an evacuation of its nationals from the city. It said it's working on arranging a bus service to help French citizens leave Wuhan. French automaker PSA Group said it will evacuate its employees from Wuhan, quarantine them and then bring them to France. Japan was also making preparations to fly its nationals out of Wuhan. Chinese travel agencies have been told to halt all group tours, and concern is growing over the potential impact of millions of people travelling back to the cities after the Lunar New Year holiday ends on Thursday. China's National Health Commission said anyone travelling from Wuhan is now required to register with community health stations and quarantine themselves at home for 14 days - the virus' maximum incubation period. A medical worker checking the drip of a patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University in Wuhan, Hubei Province on Friday A medic attends to a patient in the intensive care unit at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University in Wuhan in central China's Hubei Province on Friday Beijing has decided to delay the start of classes after the Lunar New Year holiday ends, the official Beijing Daily reported on its website. That will extend to all schools in the capital from kindergartens to universities. Hong Kong announced similar measures on Saturday and on Sunday two of that territory's biggest attractions, Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park, announced they were closing for the time being. China cut off trains, planes and other links to the city Jan' 22, and has steadily expanded the lockdown to 16 surrounding cities with a combined population of more than 50 million - greater than that of New York, London, Paris and Moscow combined. The National Health Commission said it is bringing in medical teams to help handle the outbreak and the Chinese military dispatched 450 medical staff, some with experience in past outbreaks, including SARS and Ebola, Xinhua reported. Medical staff attending to patients, in Wuhan, China, at the city's central hospital on Saturday A patient is treated for coronavirus in Wuhan Red Cross Hospital today. Sufferers have reportedly collapsed in the street due to the infection The new virus comes from a large family of what are known as coronaviruses, some causing nothing worse than a cold. It causes cold- and flu-like symptoms, including cough and fever, and in more severe cases, shortness of breath. It can worsen to pneumonia, which can be fatal. First detected last month, the virus is believed to have originated in a type of wild animal sold at a Wuhan market to be consumed as food. Chinese authorities announced a temporary ban on the trade of wild animals Sunday, saying they will 'severely investigate and punish' violators. They also called on the public to refrain from eating wild animal meat. Investigators are closely observing whether the virus was mutating, but thus far found 'no obvious signs,' that it is doing so, head of the Chinese Center for Disease Control, Gao Fu, told reporters. That could make it easier to develop vaccines against the virus, something the center is already working on. Xinhua quoted center official Xu Wenbo as saying the they had isolated the virus and were identifying seed strain. The rapid increase in reported deaths and illnesses does not necessarily mean the crisis is getting worse but could reflect better monitoring and reporting of the virus. Those killed by the virus have mostly been middle-aged or elderly people, sometimes suffering from other conditions that weaken their ability to fight back. It is not clear how lethal the new coronavirus is or even whether it is as dangerous as the ordinary flu, which kills tens of thousands of people every year in the U.S. alone. China's government has faced criticism for censoring the number infected. Pictured above is the Wuhan Huanan South China seafood market where it is believed coronavirus may have made the jump to humans Washington DC: Astronomers have discovered a `vampire` star in the midst of a feeding frenzy, with the help of an automated program that is sifting through archived data from the decommissioned Kepler Space Telescope. The new program acts as a detective to find clues of very fast, mysterious explosions in the universe. Lead researcher Ryan Ridden-Harper said the program found a dwarf nova, which comprises a white dwarf -- the dense remains of a star, something our Sun will be in billions of years -- gorging on a brown dwarf companion. The brown dwarf, which is 10 times less massive, is a failed star resembling a planet."The rare event we found was a super-outburst from the dwarf nova, which can be thought of like a vampire star system," said Ridden-Harper, who conducted the study as part of his PhD at The Australian National University (ANU). "The incredible data from Kepler reveals a 30-day period during which the dwarf nova rapidly became 1,600 times brighter before dimming quickly and gradually returning to its normal brightness," Ridden continued. The spike in brightness was caused by material stripped from the brown dwarf that is being coiled around the white dwarf in a disk. That disk reached up to 11,700 degrees Celsius at the peak of the super-outburst. The program aims to find rare astronomical events that evolve rapidly, over hours or days - such as gamma-ray bursts from core-collapse supernovae, colliding neutron stars or potentially those not seen before through optical telescopes. "The discovery of this dwarf nova was unexpected since it wasn`t what we were searching for, but it provided excellent data and new insights into these vampire star systems," said Ridden-Harper, who made the discovery in collaboration with colleagues at ANU and the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) and the University of Notre Dame in the United States. "The next steps for this project are to comb through all Kepler data and extend it to data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, which is known as TESS," Ridden-Harper said. He also shared, "This will give us the best understanding of the most rapid explosions in the universe. Along the way, we might discover some rare events that no other telescope could find." Dr Brad Tucker, who supervised Ridden-Harper`s work, said the program has extended the use of the Kepler Space Telescope`s data to support innovative science."We`ve used it to see stars as they explode, the secret lives of black holes and now things previously missed -- this vampire star that had been lurking in the darkness of space," said Dr Tucker from the ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Astronomers have discovered a `vampire` star in the midst of a feeding frenzy, with the help of an automated program that is sifting through archived data from the decommissioned Kepler Space Telescope. The new program acts as a detective to find clues of very fast, mysterious explosions in the universe. Lead researcher Ryan Ridden-Harper said the program found a dwarf nova, which comprises a white dwarf -- the dense remains of a star, something our Sun will be in billions of years -- gorging on a brown dwarf companion. The brown dwarf, which is 10 times less massive, is a failed star resembling a planet."The rare event we found was a super-outburst from the dwarf nova, which can be thought of like a vampire star system," said Ridden-Harper, who conducted the study as part of his PhD at The Australian National University (ANU). "The incredible data from Kepler reveals a 30-day period during which the dwarf nova rapidly became 1,600 times brighter before dimming quickly and gradually returning to its normal brightness," Ridden continued. The spike in brightness was caused by material stripped from the brown dwarf that is being coiled around the white dwarf in a disk. That disk reached up to 11,700 degrees Celsius at the peak of the super-outburst. The program aims to find rare astronomical events that evolve rapidly, over hours or days - such as gamma-ray bursts from core-collapse supernovae, colliding neutron stars or potentially those not seen before through optical telescopes. "The discovery of this dwarf nova was unexpected since it wasn`t what we were searching for, but it provided excellent data and new insights into these vampire star systems," said Ridden-Harper, who made the discovery in collaboration with colleagues at ANU and the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) and the University of Notre Dame in the United States. "The next steps for this project are to comb through all Kepler data and extend it to data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, which is known as TESS," Ridden-Harper said. He also shared, "This will give us the best understanding of the most rapid explosions in the universe. Along the way, we might discover some rare events that no other telescope could find." Dr Brad Tucker, who supervised Ridden-Harper`s work, said the program has extended the use of the Kepler Space Telescope`s data to support innovative science."We`ve used it to see stars as they explode, the secret lives of black holes and now things previously missed -- this vampire star that had been lurking in the darkness of space," said Dr Tucker from the ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Ukraine's military said two of its soldiers were killed and two wounded in the country's eastern Donbas region. In a statement on January 26, the military said one soldier was killed and another wounded by gunfire, while in a separate incident another soldier was killed and another wounded by an improvised explosive device (IED). The statement did not disclose the soldiers identities or where exactly the incidents occurred. Eleven Ukrainian soldiers have been killed this month so far, exceeding the number of killed in December by two. The military said it reported 12 cease-fire violations by Russia-backed separatists on January 26, while it reported 10 violations the day before. Earlier on January 26, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said separatists had shelled Ukrainian government positions in Orikhov and Novotoshkivskiy in the Luhansk region and Krasnogorivka and Lebedynskiy in the Donetsk region. The conflict between Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed separatists that started in April 2014 has killed more than 13,000 people. Hostilities erupted there shortly after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, a move that has not been recognized by the international community. Some 130 Ukrainian military personnel were killed in 2019 and the beginning of January, the Prosecutor-Generals Office said on January 17. In the Donetsk region, 101 service personnel were killed, while 31 died in the Luhansk region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has vowed to end the war, which has internally uprooted 1.5 million people from their homes and caused a humanitarian crisis in the east. Since ascending to the presidency in May, Zelenskiy has implemented measures with Russia to deescalate, including two prisoner exchanges and the mutual withdrawal of forces and weapons from three flash points along the 400-kilometer front line. The Kremlin officially denies that it is a party to the war and describes the events in the Donbas as "an internal Ukrainian conflict." With reporting by Hromadske International The External Affairs Ministry said on Sunday that as of now no Indian in has been affected by the outbreak and the embassy in is in close touch with all Indians, including university students, in Wuhan and elsewhere in Hubei province. The death toll in the deadly new in rose to 56 on Sunday with confirmed cases of viral affliction reaching 2,008, including 23 from aborad. The pneumonia outbreak was first reported in Wuhan City, central China's Hubei Province, in December 2019. The city of 11 million has been in quarantine since Thursday -- with nobody allowed to leave as the government tries to contain its spread. Apart from Wuhan, 12 other cities have been completely sealed by the Chinese authorities to stop the virus from spreading. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is closely monitoring the situation, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. "We are also closely coordinating with Chinese authorities. As of now, we understand that no Indian citizens have been affected by the outbreak and that food and water supplies are available to them," Kumar tweeted. He said the in has also made operational three helplines to respond to any concerns of Indians in that country. "Our embassy in is in close touch with Indian citizens including students to extend assistance, including on possible travel options out of Hubei province," the MEA spokesperson said in another tweet. He said the and Consulates General in China are working with Chinese authorities to try and facilitate Indian citizens caught up in these "difficult circumstances". Earlier on Sunday, Jaishankar said the in is constantly checking on the health and well-being of Indians in China. KENOSHA What you saw was what you got. That was the assessment of Ralph Tenuta offered up by Greg Campbell, former Carthage College president, at the funeral held for Tenuta on Saturday at Carthage Colleges Siebert Chapel. Tenuta, a longing civic and community leader, Kenosha booster and longtime businessman, died Jan. 15 at age 87 after a brief illness. Friends, family and civic leaders filled Siebert Chapel to remember Tenuta at a Mass of Christian Celebration led by the Rev. Roman Stikel of St. Marys Catholic Church. Placed near the altar was a large photo of Tenuta enjoying one of his beloved cigars. Tenuta owned and operated Tenutas Delicatessen Liquors and Wines, 3203 52nd St., established in 1950 by his father, John Tenuta. Ralph was also involved in many community enterprises, from the Boys and Girls Club to banking. He helped found American State Bank and served as chairman of the Wisconsin Banking Review Board for 20 years. He was named Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year, Kenosha Area Business Alliance Person of the Year and was past president of Rotary West. A supporter of Kenoshas academic institutions, Tenuta served as a Carthage College trustee for 25 years and received the 2006 Carthage Flame Award. He was instrumental in establishing the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and served as president of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Benevolent Foundation. In 2008 he received the UW-Parkside Lifetime Recognition Award. He was also honored in 2015 as a Distinguished Bradford High School Alumni by the Bradford High School Alumni Association. A fascinating portrait In his remarks, Campbell observed that the collected memories of Ralph Tenuta would make a fascinating portrait. Campbell and Tenuta met when Campbell assumed the presidency of Carthage in 1987. In his eulogy, he commended Tenuta for his business smarts, for helping Carthage College connect to the Kenosha community, and for his friendship. He was one remarkable human being, Campbell said. Ralph was real; what you saw was what you got. He recalled Tenutas ability to manage his store and business affairs in a friendly, open way. Ralph was the same to everyone he knew; he was authentic, Campbell said. Forward-thinking businessman He also saluted Tenuta for his forward thinking in business. Tenutas is a monument to Ralphs acumen, he said. Tenuta grew and expanded the store to include new features like sidewalk food service. I recall his enthusiasm to turn that vision into reality, Campbell said. Tenuta was a family man who ran a family business, Campbell said. He was a firm but fair businessman who lived by his commitments and expected others to do so as well. From politics to education Tenuta was a pragmatic thinker, Campbell said. He always told his children, Always ask Why? In his homily, the Rev. Roman Stikel referred to divinity as the way a person lives his her life and concept of time and place. For Ralph time and place was here in this community, he said. It was through living life that Ralph learned, and he was one of the wisest men I knew, Campbell said. UGC strategic plan to be expanded to cover ragging, protests View(s): The University Grants Commission (UGC) will expand its five-year strategic plan to cover student intake, ragging and street protests, UGC Chairman Sampath Amaratunge told the Sunday Times. Last year, the UGC came up with a strategic plan with a number of objectives to be achieved from 2019 to 2023. We are determined to achieve the objectives with more expansions, as advised by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the government. Among our concerns are ragging in universities and student protests on the streets. We are holding discussions with the university authorities on how to handle these issues and include them in our long-term strategic plan, Prof Amaratunge said. He said higher education authorities were open to discussion and they had managed to reduce street protests that lead to riot police water cannon attacks. We plan to go to universities and solve issues before the students take to the streets. A long-term plan is to be introduced to deal with student demands and ragging, he said. According to the strategic plan, universities are to be completely free of ragging and sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) by 2023. The plans other objective is creating a conducive and safe learning environment in universities. The five percent academic staff appointed as student counsellors/mentors at present will be increased to 25 percent by 2023. The plan also envisages a three percent increase in student intake and a two-month time gap between the release of A/L results and university admission of students. The UGC will also initiate awareness campaigns at universities to promote and enhance the usage of research databases, plagiarism software and e-books. The UGC is to initiate and gradually increase designing and implementing a mass and social media campaign to promote the intake of foreign students.The plan seeks to increase foreign student intake by eight percent by 2023. The usage of emails as the primary official mode of internal communications at the UGC is to be increased from 25 percent to 100 percent in 2020. Establishing an eective university-industry partnership through University Business Linkage Cells, empowering academia and students to promote research and innovation in the areas of global and national interest are also part of the strategic plan. The number of active University Business Linkage Cells established in the state university system is to be increased from three in 2020 to 15 by 2023. The plan also aims at establishing University Test of English Language (UTEL) Cells and a coordinating centre at the Colombo University. Nadia Fazlulhaq Hong Kong: Hong Kong authorities on Sunday barred residents of China's Hubei province from entering the city in response to mounting pressure to enact preventative measures to contain the spreading epidemic. The ban includes those who have been in the province in the past 14 days but excludes Hong Kong citizens. Wuhan, the city where the virus originated, is in Hubei. Earlier, a group of protesters set alight the lobby of a new residential building that authorities planned to use as a quarantine coronavirus facility. Witnesses saw several masked protesters run into the public housing block in the Fanling district near to the border with China and light a Molotov cocktail. Black smoke could be seen pouring out of the building. A dancer from the Philadelphia Suns Lion Dance troupe jumps over a string of firecrackers during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in Philadelphia on Sunday. Read more At 11 a.m. Sunday, drummers and performers began their herky-jerky march down 10th Street, firecrackers popping, shopkeepers and onlookers applauding. The air was quickly filled with the acrid odor of gunpowder. A hefty crowd from across the city turned out for the annual celebration of the Chinese New Year, saying goodbye to the Year of the Pig and welcoming in the Year of the Rat. There was no discernible worry over the spread of a new strain of coronavirus, a lethal variant of the viruses producing SARS and MERS. Just hours before the start of Philadelphia Chinatowns Lion Dance parade, federal health officials announced that a third case of coronavirus had been identified in the United States, this one in Orange County, Calif. (By Sunday evening, the U.S. total had risen to five.) The coronavirus outbreak apparently began in the city of Wuhan in China. Chinese authorities reported 80 deaths by Sunday evening. Iain and Bridget Riley of Roxborough, who brought their two small children to the parade, were not concerned about the virus, a view that seemed widely held by parade goers. I dont have a concern, Iain Riley said. Thats why we have organizations like the CDC and public health agencies thatll identify the threat. The Main Line Chinese Culture Center in Bryn Mawr canceled its major new years celebration in Malvern this year out of an abundance of caution, officials said. The Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corp., which organizes the Philadelphia parade, could not be reached Sunday. Almost half a million UK businesses are in significant financial distress, a report has claimed. The number of companies struggling to stay afloat has hit a record 494,000, according to closely watched data from insolvency firm Begbies Traynor. Property, support services, construction and retail businesses were the worst off, and a large number of those in trouble were less than five years old. Almost half a million UK businesses are in significant financial distress, a report has claimed Julie Palmer, a partner at Begbies Traynor, said: Businesses and the UK economy as a whole will want to avoid a repeat performance of 2019, where distress increased to record levels on the back of ongoing uncertainty around Brexit. These figures clearly demonstrate the impact of this indecision, and with political certainty and a clear Brexit path, UK businesses should, at last, be able to plan for 2020 with a greater sense of clarity. Delhi to ease restrictions, if Covid cases come down in next 2-3 days: Health Minister Lata Mangeshkar health update: Doctor says,'She in ICU with Covid-19 and pneumonia, will be under observation' Canada reports first 'presumptive' coronavirus case International oi-Madhuri Adnal Ottawa, Jan 26: Canada's first "presumptive" case of a new coronavirus has been detected in a man who returned to Toronto from the Chinese city where the virus first appeared, health officials announced Saturday. "We have the first presumptive case confirmed of this novel coronavirus here" in Toronto, Eileen de Villa, head of the city's public health agency, said at a press conference. Coronavirus: Embassy in Beijing constantly checking well-being of Indians, says Jaishankar 71st Republic Day: PM Modi continues with 'Safa' tradition, Chinook & Apache make debut The patient, a man in his 50s, had been staying in Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak of the virus, which first appeared in December. He returned to Canada on January 22 and was admitted to a hospital in Toronto the next day, said Barbara Yaffe, deputy chief medical officer for the province of Ontario. The man has been placed in solitary confinement, and a laboratory in Winnipeg will test samples to determine if he is indeed infected with the Chinese coronavirus. China has taken drastic measures to combat the new virus, which has already claimed 54 lives. Wuhan and more than a dozen other cities in Hubei, the province where the virus first broke out, have been locked down in a rapidly expanding quarantine effort marked by transport shutdowns and other restrictions on movement. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, January 26, 2020, 10:41 [IST] ABC News Tennis world No. 1 Novak Djokovic is apologizing for an "error of judgement" related to an in-person interview he conducted last month after being exposed to COVID-19 as he continues to fight to stay in Australia and compete in the first major of the year. Djokovic, who is tied for first all time with 20 major wins, released a new statement Wednesday midday local time in Melbourne explaining the timeline of several public appearances around when he tested positive for COVID in December -- which he says should allow him to compete in the Australian Open despite apparently not being vaccinated. "I want to address the continuing misinformation about my activities and attendance at events in December leading up to my positive PCR COVID test result," he wrote in an Instagram post. After witnessing decline for almost five months, anti-militancy operations by security forces in Kashmir have intensified again with 12 militants killed in six encounters since January 1. After communication blockade was imposed in Kashmir on August 5 when the Center revoked J&K's special status under Article 370, the flow of information regarding the movement of militants had almost dried up in the absence of mobile and internet connectivity, a senior police officer involved in counter-insurgency operations told DH. "As militants use mobiles and internet frequently, it become easier to trace their location. But that option was temporarily unavailable. Also our source network had become defunct in the absence of mobile connectivity," he said. However, the officer said, as the mobile and internet services were restored gradually, the information regarding the movement of militants has once again started to flow which is the reason for the increasing number of encounters in recent days. According to police data, a total of 154 militants were killed in gun battles across Kashmir in the first seven months of 2019. In next five months, only 20 militants were neutralized by the security forces. Last September, a report prepared by the security agencies had revealed that there were a total of 273 militants operating in Kashmir. "Out of the 273 active militants, 158 are based in south Kashmir, 96 in North Kashmir and 19 militants in central Kashmir. At 166, the local militants outnumber the 107 foreign militants operating in Kashmir," the report revealed. Last week J&K police chief Dilbag Singh said operations against militants in the valley have intensified which has created a stir in south Kashmir. "There have been half-a-dozen successful operations (in January) and they will continue in the same manner," he added. With reports of 130 militants managing to infiltrate into this side last year, there is every possibility that encounters between ultras and security forces will intensify in the coming months. While at present all the infiltration passes are closed making infiltration difficult, reports suggest that as and when snow melts and passes open, Pakistan will again push militants into this side by resorting to heavy ceasefire violations. "There are credible reports that militants are being trained at various camps in Pakistan and they are waiting for 2020 summer to infiltrate into this side. The militants who are already present in the Valley and those who are waiting to infiltrate indicates that a bloody summer is awaiting in Kashmir," a senior army official said. The national flag was hoisted at the Rajpath on the 71st Republic Day, in the presence of President Ramnath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Guest President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro, on Sunday. As the celebrations are underway at the national capital, this year's Republic Day stands out for its many firsts - from contingent of women bikers of CRPF to Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying tribute at the National War Memorial before arriving at Rajpath. Republic Day 2020 LIVE Updates: Parade begins in Delhi, India's military might on display Prime Minister pays tribute at National War Memorial In a break from tradition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his respects at the National War Memorial, along with the wreath-laying at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate. The Prime Minister along with the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) and the three service chiefs paid tributes to the martyred soldiers before proceeding for the Republic Day event. "For the first time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting the National War Memorial on Republic Day where he would be received by the Chief of Defence Staff and the three services chiefs," Republic Day parade commander Major General Alok Kakkar had said on Thursday. Delhi: PM Modi leads the nation in paying tributes to the fallen soldiers, by laying a wreath at National War Memorial. Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Army Chief Gen Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh, Air Force Chief Air Marshal RKS Bhaduria present pic.twitter.com/DopNkALhVA ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2020 'True celeb': Anand Mahindra hails Capt Tania Shergill, 1st lady Army Day parade adjutant Tania Shergill: first woman parade adjutant for the Republic Day parade Among many firsts of this year's Republic Day, Captain Tania Shergill is the first woman to lead the Republic Day parade as the parade adjutant. A parade adjutant is responsible for directing and conducting the parade. She was also the first woman parade adjutant for the Army Day parade on January 15 when she led an all-male contingent in the parade at the Cariappa Parade Ground in Delhi Cantonment. Delhi: The marching contingent of the Corps of Signals is led by Captain Tanya Shergil, a fourth generation Army Officer. The motto of the Corps is Teevra Chaukas #RepublicDay2020 pic.twitter.com/fAEJ0k6XkZ ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2020 It was a feeling of great pride, a sense of accomplishment and worthiness, and pure blessing, Shergill, told PTI after the function. The 26-year-old is the fourth generation of her family to serve in the Indian Army. Her great grandfather was part of the Sikh Regiment in World War I. Her paternal grandfather was also part of the same regiment and her maternal grandfather served in the 14th Armoured Regiment. Her father served in the artillery regiment. She is a graduate of the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai and applied to the academy during her final year of engineering. After her training at OTA, she was commissioned in the Corps of Signal in 2017. Gautam Gambhir salutes Captain Tania Shergill, the lady adjutant of Republic Day Parade DRDO contingent showcasing ASAT One of the main highlights was to witness the marching contingent of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) that showcased Anti-Satellite Weapons (ASAT) - Mission Shakti. Mission Shakti, Indias first anti-satellite mission, was a major breakthrough in demonstrating the nations capability to bring down hostile satellites. Apart from A-Sat, the Dhanush artillery, the newly-inducted Chinook heavy lift and Apache attack choppers was displayed for the first time during the parade at the majestic Rajpath. Contingent of women bikers of CRPF In a first, a contingent of women bikers of CRPF performed daredevil stunts. The contingent was led by Inspector Seema Nag, who saluted The President while standing atop a moving motorcycle. Tri-service formation One of the most keenly awaited segments of the parade is the "Trishul" fly-past being carried out by three Advanced Light Helicopters. It was the first time a "tri-service formation" took part in a Republic Day parade. This was followed by a "Vic" formation of Chinook helicopters. The Trishul formation by SU-30 MKI aircraft also gave a spectacular view. Tableau of Jal Shakti Ministry The recently formed Jal Shakti ministry showcased the government's new initiative, 'Jal Jeevan Mission'. The tableau showcased the aims of the ministry at providing tapped drinking water. Raj Thackeray wishes immortality upon India with stunning picture, on Republic Day 2020 Malaysia: Task force needs more time to release report on pastors abduction by police Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A special task force in Malaysia that was set up to act upon findings that Pastor Raymond Koh, who had been accused of proselytizing to Muslims, was abducted by police has asked for more time to prepare its report, the Southeasts Asian countrys Ministry of Home Affairs said. The task force headed by retired high court judge Abd Rahim Uda requires more time, Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said last week, according to International Christian Concern. I hope the report can be ready in a month and submitted to the ministry, Yassin was quoted as telling reporters. The task force was formed last June after Malaysias Human Rights Commission, locally known as Suhakam, found that a Special Branch of the police was likely behind the disappearances of Koh and Amri Che, a Muslim social activist. Koh was abducted near his home in Petaling Jaya, West Malaysia, on Feb. 13, 2017. Kohs car was surrounded by three black SUVs while he was driving in Petaling Jaya, and forced to a sudden stop. Since that day, Koh has not been seen or heard from and his car was never found. His abduction was called a well-organized, military-style operation. Based on CCTV footage, the abduction was swiftly executed in just two minutes in broad daylight and with someone even recording the entire process on video while another person is seen casually redirecting traffic. At a public forum on Waiting for Justice in 2020, held earlier this month in Kuala Lumpur, Kohs wife, Susanna, said her family members were frozen in grief. Because we did not have a funeral, everyday is a funeral, she said, according to Free Malaysia Today. After the abduction, police initially began investigating if the pastor preached Christianity to Muslims, rather than focusing on catching his captors. Before his abduction, Koh had been accused of preaching to Muslims and received threats, including bullets being sent to his home, according to Open Doors. While the Human Rights Commission admitted that a special police intelligence team was responsible for the forced disappearance, no one has been arrested for the kidnapping. Last October, Voice of the Martyrs, a nonprofit organization serving persecuted Christians since 1967, launched Release Raymond, calling on Christians around the world to demand the Malaysian government reveal the truth. We, pastor Raymonds fellow Christians from around the world, call on your government to release any and all information related to the forced disappearance of pastor Raymond Koh, including any involvement of policemen from the Special Branch, the petition read in part. We demand pastor Raymonds immediate release and safe return to his family. Finally, we call for justice. Those responsible for his disappearance must be held accountable for this inhumane crime. Malaysia is 56% Muslim and less than 10% Christian. Evangelizing Muslims is a crime under the southeast Asian nations strict Islamic legal code. The country, which is No. 40 on Open Door USAs 2020 World Watch List where Christians face the most persecution, also prohibits conversion from Islam to other religions. "Every ethnic Malay is expected to be Muslim," Open Doors notes. "Whoever deviates from this is viewed as going against not just the constitution, but also against society at large, their family and their neighborhood." Last April, the countrys human rights commission, Suhakam, ruled that Koh and a Muslim social activist, Amri Che Mat, were the victims of state-sponsored enforced disappearances. An enforced disappearance means the arrest, detention or abduction of a person by agents of the state, after which the person's fate or whereabouts are concealed, noted the Straits Times. Two Asians have been found dead in a home in Awali, the Interior Ministry said yesterday. According to sources at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) where the dead body is kept in mortuary, the deceased are from India and the Philippines. Indian Mahmood Yusuf Muttam aged 47 and a Filipino national aged 39 whose identity is not yet known, died after inhaling smoke from a heating coal in Awali home. Mahmood Yusuf was working as a driver while the Filipino woman was employed as a housemaid. Interior Ministry tweeted that the initial details indicated suffocation was the reason behind their death after inhaling smoke from the coal they used to keep warm. They also said relevant procedures are being taken. Social worker Shafi Parakatta told Tribune that Mahmood Yusufs body will be flown to his hometown in Kasargod district once the paper work is completed. Philippine Ambassador Alfonso A Ver who confirmed the news said the embassy is trying to contact the deceased Filipino womans family back home. Last week a family of five Keralites who lived in Dubai were among the eight people who died after they fell unconscious probably due to a gas leak from a heater in their room at a mountainous resort in Nepal. The death toll from a strong earthquake that rocked eastern Turkey climbed to 31 on Sunday morning as rescue crews searched for people who remained trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings, officials said, Euronews reports. Speaking at a televised news conference, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said earlier in the day that 18 people were killed in Elazig province, where Friday night's quake was centered, and four in neighboring Malatya. The national disaster agency later updated the total with nine more casualties. Some 1,556 people were injured, with 34 of them in intensive care but not in critical condition, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said. The Des Moines Register newspaper endorsed Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren in the crowded race for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination late on Saturday. It's a coveted show of support that could boost her campaign in the state's first-in-the-nation caucus on February 3, the earliest nominating contest in the presidential election cycle. 'I just heard about it and I'm delighted,' Warren told supporters after an event in Muscatine, Iowa. 'It really means a lot to me.' Warren, the Register's choice, is a progressive who backs 'Medicare for All', free college, and cancelling student debt, all funded with tax hikes. Sen. Elizabeth Warren campaigns in Muscatine, Iowa on Saturday. The Des Moines Register newspaper endorsed her saying she would 'push an unequal America in the right direction' In its endorsement, the newspaper said Warren would 'push an unequal America in the right direction.' But the Register's editorial board went on to insist that Warren, viewed by some as too far left, is no radical. 'The senior U.S. senator from Massachusetts is not the radical some perceive her to be,' the newspaper said. 'She was a registered Republican until 1996. She is a capitalist.' In an Iowa poll released on Saturday by the New York Times, Warren came in third among Democratic voters, behind fellow progressive Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden. The Register's endorsement was the second high profile nod from a major newspaper this week. The New York Times endorsed her this week along with Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, offering Warren for progressives and Klobuchar for those who prefer a more moderate approach. 'I just heard about it and I'm delighted,' Warren told supporters after an event in Muscatine, Iowa. 'It really means a lot to me' In Muscatine, where Klobuchar was set to speak at a campaign event soon after an appearance by Warren, Dick Paul, 68, said he is leaning toward supporting Klobuchar because she has deep experience in government and 'lots of good common sense.' 'I don't pay much attention to endorsements,' Paul said. 'I don't think it will make a difference.' About 45 minutes after the announcement, Warren's campaign sent an email to supporters, sharing the news and asking for donations to help push turnout on caucus night. 'As exciting as these endorsements are, they won't mean anything if we don't do the work on the ground to turn out our supporters on February 3,' the email said. While Donald Trump, an incumbent who enjoys high favorability ratings within his party, is expected to handily win the Republican nomination, the Democratic field remains wide open, with five candidates leading a pack that started with more that two dozen contenders. Top finishers in Iowa's nominating contests frequently go on to lead their parties in the final election match-up. David O'Connor has been the CEO of Churchill China plc (LON:CHH) since 2014. This analysis aims first to contrast CEO compensation with other companies that have similar market capitalization. Next, we'll consider growth that the business demonstrates. And finally we will reflect on how common stockholders have fared in the last few years, as a secondary measure of performance. This method should give us information to assess how appropriately the company pays the CEO. Check out our latest analysis for Churchill China How Does David O'Connor's Compensation Compare With Similar Sized Companies? According to our data, Churchill China plc has a market capitalization of UK218m, and paid its CEO total annual compensation worth UK617k over the year to December 2018. While this analysis focuses on total compensation, it's worth noting the salary is lower, valued at UK274k. We examined companies with market caps from UK77m to UK306m, and discovered that the median CEO total compensation of that group was UK459k. Thus we can conclude that David O'Connor receives more in total compensation than the median of a group of companies in the same market, and of similar size to Churchill China plc. However, this doesn't necessarily mean the pay is too high. A closer look at the performance of the underlying business will give us a better idea about whether the pay is particularly generous. You can see a visual representation of the CEO compensation at Churchill China, below. AIM:CHH CEO Compensation, January 26th 2020 Is Churchill China plc Growing? Over the last three years Churchill China plc has grown its earnings per share (EPS) by an average of 17% per year (using a line of best fit). Its revenue is up 13% over last year. Overall this is a positive result for shareholders, showing that the company has improved in recent years. It's a real positive to see this sort of growth in a single year. That suggests a healthy and growing business. Shareholders might be interested in this free visualization of analyst forecasts. Story continues Has Churchill China plc Been A Good Investment? Most shareholders would probably be pleased with Churchill China plc for providing a total return of 131% over three years. So they may not be at all concerned if the CEO were to be paid more than is normal for companies around the same size. In Summary... We examined the amount Churchill China plc pays its CEO, and compared it to the amount paid by similar sized companies. As discussed above, we discovered that the company pays more than the median of that group. Importantly, though, the company has impressed with its earnings per share growth, over three years. In addition, shareholders have done well over the same time period. Considering this fine result for shareholders, we daresay the CEO compensation might be apt. So you may want to check if insiders are buying Churchill China shares with their own money (free access). Important note: Churchill China may not be the best stock to buy. You might find something better in this list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. At the beginning of a video released Saturday by an attorney representing Lev Parnas, we see a hallway. At the end of the hallway is an arch with a dark-colored backdrop, in front of which two people appear to be posing for a photograph. Behind the person on the left is what looks like an American flag. That shot, by itself, establishes what we're looking at: Footage captured during an April 30, 2018 fundraising dinner for the group America First Action, held at Trump's hotel in D.C. That shot is definitive because it's trivial to match that distant scene with one we've seen from a much closer perspective, thanks to material released by the House Intelligence Committee. In one photo from the committee, for example, we see Parnas and President Donald Trump standing in front of an archway with blue curtains, flanked by American flags. Parnas would eventually become tightly integrated into Trump's circle, though the distance at which he was kept varies depending on who you ask. Trump insists that Parnas, an eventual business associate of Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, was only given access to the president because he'd contributed to Trump's campaign or to America First. Parnas, the argument goes, was simply one of hundreds of such people who take photos with the president. To hear Parnas tell it, though, his work for Giuliani in late 2018 and 2019 was well-known by Trump and was integral to the effort to get Ukraine to investigate former vice president Joe Biden, a possible opponent of Trump's in the upcoming election. The release of the video - or, really, an audio snippet of the dinner released on Friday - doesn't entirely help settle the question. This was, after all, a fundraising dinner of the type to which Trump referred. It was one of several instances in which Parnas' proximity to the president was predicated primarily on his having given money to do so. But, then, at one point Parnas tells Trump that then-ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch had disparaged the president, prompting Trump to say that she should be removed from her position. It's a response that seems to conflict with the idea that Trump was simply interacting with a random donor, seemingly bolstering Parnas's insinuations that his relationship with Trump was substantial. It comes down to a question with no good answer: Is the president lying about his relationship with Parnas or is he prone to endorsing rash personnel changes based on unfounded assertions from strangers? It's oddly easy to believe that either might be the case. Trump's predilection for seeking out the opinions of random nearby individuals is well-documented. This is a president who held a discussion with a foreign leader about an international crisis in the middle of the dining room at one of his properties. This is also a president who has made more than 16,000 false or misleading statements during three years in office. Frankly, it's easy to see a way in which both could be true: Parnas was just a donor then but eventually made his way into Trump's inner team. Bear in mind, this dinner, where one attendee recorded the entire discussion, was not organized by the Republican Party. It was instead for a pro-Trump super PAC, a group to which Parnas allegedly made contributions illegally. Once in the room, he got the president to endorse his opinion of Ukraine's ambassador. That exchange has been known for a while; The Washington Post first reported on it in November. Given what we now know about where Parnas wound up and the extent to which he was involved in the eventually successful effort to oust Yovanovitch that picked up steam in early 2019, it's worth asking: How does Parnas' request fit into what we know about Yovanovitch's firing? Parnas was not yet working for Giuliani during that April 30 event; Giuliani had himself only begun working for Trump two weeks prior. A few weeks after the dinner, though, Parnas and a colleague met with then-Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, at which point the two advocated for Yovanovitch's ouster and, according to the later indictment of Parnas, agreed to raise money for Sessions. The day they met, Sessions wrote a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling for Yovanovitch to be removed. This, again, appears to have occurred before Parnas and Giuliani were connected. That effort expanded in early 2019, in part at the encouragement of Yuri Lutsenko, then Ukraine's prosecutor general and someone who viewed Yovanovitch with hostility. By then, Parnas and Giuliani were connected, with Parnas joining Giuliani's interviews of Lutsenko in January of that year. While Giuliani clearly embraced the idea of firing Yovanovitch (which took place in late April 2019), it's still not clear what spurred the idea in the first place. Parnas, enacting a long-standing desire? Lutsenko, recognizing an opportunity? Something else entirely? Photos provided to the House Intelligence Committee complicates the matter of Parnas' role and relationship to Trump. One image shows a copy of the Sessions letter. Two others show someone, presumably Parnas, holding an envelope addressed to the president and identified as coming from Sessions' office. The flap is sealed, with Sessions' signature written across it. A later photo, apparently taken during an America First event in mid-June 2018 shows Trump near Parnas as he puts something in his pocket that appears to match the shape of the envelope. What Trump is putting in his pocket may not be Sessions' letter. But Parnas appears to have had control of the letter at some point. Why? Was it a function of his relationship with Trump? Did it relate to his conversation with Trump in April? At another point in that conversation, the group is discussing military aid to Ukraine. One comment from Trump raises a question: How familiar was he with the aid being given to Ukraine? The same day of the event, then-Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko confirmed the delivery of American antitank missiles to his country. This is an act of enormous significance to Trump at the moment, since his attorneys have made his support of arming Ukraine a central part of their defense in the impeachment trial underway in the Senate. "While it's true that the United States has stood by Ukraine since the invasion of 2014," Trump's attorney Jay Sekulow said during the trial on Saturday, hours before the release of the recording, "only one president since then took a very concrete step. Some of you supported it. And that step included actually providing Ukraine with lethal weapons, including Javelin missiles. That's President Trump." On the recording, one of the attendees - perhaps Donald Trump Jr. - mentions the Javelin missiles. "I guess there's supposed to be an order of Javelin missiles over there, right?" he says. "They're the antitank missiles. I saw that go through today." "Today?" Trump responds. "I saw - I read about it today," the person replies. "I don't know when it happened. It must have happened in the last couple of days." This does not suggest that Trump is intimately familiar with the transmission of the weapons. Reporting the prior year suggested that Trump was wavering on authorizing lethal arms sales to Ukraine, something that he eventually approved. We do know what happened when military aid to Ukraine was announced in mid-June 2019. When Trump saw news coverage of a Defense Department announcement that it would provide $250 million in aid to that country, Trump intervened with a series of questions. A few weeks later, the aid was placed on hold, an act that is at the center of the impeachment inquiry. Trump's team has argued that the hold was an outgrowth of his skepticism about foreign aid while simultaneously claiming that his support for Ukraine was steadfast. In that meeting in April 2018, in conversation with a donor he'd met a few times before, Trump seemed unclear on the timing of a major component of his administration's policy about Ukraine. No question, though, is more significant than this, at least for Republican senators: What other tapes might exist? The release of this recording spawns a series of new questions related to Ukraine and the actors involved in Trump's efforts there. Parnas' attorney told The Post that Parnas himself had turned other recordings over to House investigators. Recordings have, after all, submarined presidents before. The Wuhan coronavirus has captured the worlds attention, even without the World Health Organization (WHO) calling for an international public health emergency. The new coronavirus, which originates from Wuhan, China, is believed to have started in a food market, as health authorities work to gather more information and a better understanding of its severity. Human-to-human transmission has been proven possible, but all cases so far have involved people who were in China, while the spread has been linked to people who are close to one another, such as family members. As of Sunday morning, over 50 fatalities have been reported, and over 1900 confirmed cases in countries such as Nepal, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, France, Australia and the United States. On Saturday, Canada reported its first confirmed presumptive case of the novel coronavirus. The man, who arrived in Toronto, was taken to the hospital, while further tests to confirm the illness are underway and should be available in the next 24 hours. Toronto officials are also interviewing those who in contact with the man, to ensure that they are not infected. The risk of an outbreak in Canada still remains low, said chief public health officer Theresa Tam, in a news briefing Sunday morning. We wouldnt be shocked if more cases are reported in Canada. As the world awaits more information about the Wuhan coronavirus, which causes severe respiratory problems, Canada is taking precautions. Those have started in major airports across the country, as health officials track a virus that has proven to already have deadly consequences. What airport precautions can you expect Upon arrival at Canadian airports, there is a three-part screening process. The first step involves making passengers aware of what symptoms are associated with the Wuhan coronavirus, such as a fever or having a cough. If passengers experience symptoms, they should immediately tell a border control agent, said Tam. Story continues As of January 23, major airports in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal airports have also featured signs that raise awareness, because of the likelihood that travellers from Wuhan will arrive at these destinations. #GoC is closely monitoring the #2019nCoV #coronavirus outbreak and liaising with partners including @WHO. Overall risk to Canadians remains low. Previously announced border measures are in place at #YVR (VAN), #YYZ (TOR) and #YUL (MTL) airports. pic.twitter.com/tOdKTGfI2w Dr. Theresa Tam (@CPHO_Canada) January 23, 2020 The second step involves electronic kiosks, where passengers are specifically asked if they were in Wuhan. On January 26, Tam said that the location question on the kiosks might change or broaden as more information becomes available about how many people are infected from different areas of China and worldwide. The third step involves speaking with a border service officer, who will also be looking to identify people who appear sick. If thats the case, quarantine services will be consulted, and all tests will ultimately end up at Winnipegs National Microbiology Laboratory. Airport screening is not going to prevent the introduction and the spread of a human adaptive virus, said Allison McGeer, a professor at Dalla Lana School of Public Health, who specializes in airport screenings as an infectious disease consultant. Airport screenings purpose is to notify people who might be at risk about what symptoms they should be looking for and what they should be reporting. It also eliminates a great majority of people from consideration, so we dont unnecessarily take up time from the border security agents. How about those who are not feeling ill? Asymptomatic people, even if they did arrive from China, wont be tested. Instead, theyll be given information in English, French and simplified-Chinese, to inform them about the flu-like symptoms they should be aware of within the next 14 days, which is the believed to be the incubation period. People who do come from Wuhan and dont experience any symptoms arent being tested, because the probability that Canadian health authorities will be able to detect the virus is very low, said Tam. Its the same reason why incoming passengers are not having their temperatures taken, since its proven to be an ineffective method, but one thats still being taken in Wuhan before passengers board flights. The Canadian case was identified because the man had called health officials after leaving the airport, where he had received information on the symptoms. But Tam also said the man had reportedly showed flu-like systems on the flight. I think our system is working, said Tam. The person received the information that hey needed to enter the health system in a safe and responsible matter. Susy Hota, an associate professor at the University of Torontos Faculty of Medicine, who focuses on infectious disease prevention and control, points to the SARS outbreak in 2003, which was another coronavirus virus that led to 38 fatalities and over 250 cases in Canada alone. Canadian airports completed screenings but had disappointing results as they were not able to pick up one case that entered the country. Compared to 2003, Canada is much more prepared to handle an infectious virus such as the Wuhan coronavirus, says Yoav Keynan, the scientific lead at the National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases. Keynan points to the fact that our capacity to control an infectious discuses is much stronger, with more advanced laboratories and the establishment of the Pan-Canadian Public Health Network in 2005, which has led to better communication for a quicker turnaround. Brian Conway, the medical director of the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre, also mentions that Chinese authorities have been much more transparent and proactive compared to the SARS outbreak, such as by not allowing any incoming flights to Wuhan, an action that was taken as they tried to prevent the spread of the disease. With the SARS epidemic, they were waiting to see what measures were necessary, said Conway. But now were applying the measures that we can, and then we can either pull back, or keep applying more pressure as more information becomes available on a day-to-day basis. Passengers wear masks as they arrive at the international arrivals area at the Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., Thursday, January 23, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward Measures you can take to avoid contracting the virus There still isnt much information about how the latest coronavirus is transmitted, but so far its believed to be through droplets, says Tam. For that reason, its advised to stay away from people who are coughing, especially as a passenger at an airport. The idea of wearing a mask has not proven to be effective, said Tam, because youre putting your hands in close proximity of your face as you apply the mask. The only advisable period to wear a mask is if youve already contracted the coronavirus and youre on your way to receive medical assistance. Other good practices are similar to precautions doctors issue for any other flu, such as to avoid touching your mouth and face area, to wash your hands or to even keep a bottle of hand sanitizer nearby. If youre feeling sick, its best to stay home, instead of going to work or school. Conway also mentions that since China is closing off other cities and areas, such as Shanghai, which is over 800 kilometres away from the centre of the epidemic in Wuhan, its best to defer any travel plans to visit China anytime soon. At this point, if youre experiencing any symptoms and you have had any recent travels or have been in contact with people who were recently in China, its best to report yourself to health officials, instead of trying to control symptoms on your own. The decision whether or not to use Tylenol or other medications to suppress fever, the doctor in me says, Oh, yeah, go ahead and do that make yourself feel a little bit better, said Hota. But you know, from an epidemiological standpoint, we want to detect any new possible cases. There's not been a case in Canada yet, and we want to be prepared to deal with it appropriately. When will the epidemic become more severe in Canada? Through the latest news briefing, Tam reiterated many times that the risk of an outbreak in Canada remains low. Those who were seated in a two-metre radius of the Canadian passenger, who was identified to have the latest coronavirus, are now being interviewed, as well as flight attendants who worked in that area. Those who were on the same flight or at Pearson airport, but were not in close proximity, should not be overly concerned, said Tam. While we await further test results, there have been no other confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Canada, as the man who was identified Saturday has also been moved into an isolated area. Conway says its important to note that the world has yet to also confirm a secondary spread, meaning that the virus hasnt spread to a person who wasnt in China. Its also one of the reasons why WHO has yet to declare an international public health emergency. A secondary spread would represent a different stage of the epidemic, says Conway. In terms of travel, it would mean that incoming flights from an increasing number of destinations would face heavier screening precautions, because we wouldnt know where the virus could be coming from. At this point, McGeer wants Canadians to know that there isnt a reason to be worried in their day-to-day lives. You don't have to worry about taking the subway or going to the movies or flying on planes inside Canada, said McGeer. If you want to worry about something, worry about influenza or driving your car. Women bikers of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) named as 'CRPF Women Daredevils' showcased their daring stunts at India's 71st Republic Day parade. Leading the Dare Devils was Inspector Seema Nag, who was seen saluting while standing atop a moving motorcycle. Head Constable Meena Chaudhary displayed the ready position to fire two 9mm pistols in both her hands while balancing herself amazingly on her motorcycle. Thereafter, four daredevils donning the different uniforms worn by the force while balancing themselves on one motorcycle rolled down the Rajpath. The formation was led by Head Constable Katke Lata. Following them was the superb daredevilry of the four daredevil women motorcycle riders. Inthis, three riders aimed their rifles in different directions while riding a solo motorcycle which was being driven by Constable Sonia. After that, CRPF Flag March where seven daredevil women riders were seen carrying the flag of CRPF came on Rajpath. This formation was led by Head Constable Pratima Behra. "We waited so long to be part of Republic Day parade. We all are very excited. Many among us were on leave. We cancelled it due to practice," Sima Nag, Inspector, CRPF had said earlier. Another woman rider of CRPF daredevil, Pratima Behra had told ANI, "This is like dream come true. This is a proud moment for us. I was at home for holidays but when I got to know about this so I called off my holidays and join to practice for the Republic Day parade." A total of 65 CRPF women performed 9 motorcycle-borne stunts on 18 Royal Enfield Classic 350s. "It is their (women) determination and motivation that they are practising with full josh. They all are very excited and it is a good opportunity for them. They will make us proud," DIG training, CRPF had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A tea room in Bolton town centre doesnt seem like Jennifer Saunders natural milieu. Even less so is the project shes working on, a fast-paced Netflix thriller dripping with murder, suspense and intrigue and with barely a joke in sight. Its the first major serious role in her career. No wonder then that Jennifer, one of Britains best-loved comedy stars, appears nervous when she sits down to chat during a break in filming. She might have been a star for four decades but, she admits, she still has that nagging little voice on her shoulder telling her shes not quite up to it. Jennifer Saunders (pictured) revealed she was nervous for her first major serious role, as Heidi in Netflix's eight-part series The Stranger The whole thing is terrifying, she almost whispers as she sits down for tea. I was thrilled to be asked to do this, if not surprised, but Im worried people are going to see me and think, Look at that big talking head. Talking and talking... stupid person. 'My first scene was with Siobhan Finneran, who it turns out is just about my favourite actress to work with, but I could barely breathe I was so nervous. 'I had to sit down to recover. Jennifer plays cafe owner Heidi in the thrilling eight-part adaptation of Harlan Cobens 2015 novel The Stranger, yet producers were so convinced she would turn down the role that Harlan wrote her a personal letter begging her to do it. It worked, but perhaps it was unnecessary. I was just thrilled to be asked, says Jennifer. Its quite a departure for me but the story was so amazing and gripping, why wouldnt I want to do it? You can see why producers took a punt on her. Heidi is warm and larger than life, much like Jennifer herself. Jennifer, pictured being confronted by the Stranger (Hannah JohnKamen) in the show, said it was strange not to be playing for laughs At first everything seems perfect for Heidi. She has this lovely life running a cafe and she has these enormous dogs wolfhounds who have been a lot fun to work with and an adored daughter whos at university, she says. The Stranger of the story is someone who appears out of nowhere and drops a bomb of a secret into someones life and then disappears. HARLAN COBEN: THE MASTER OF SUSPENSE Harlan Coben is one of the worlds best-selling thriller writers with more than 70 million copies of his 32 books sold. A father of four, with a paediatrician wife, the New Jersey-born author sets his stories in the suburbia he knows and writes in the coffee bars and delis near his home to keep his tales authentic. His clout meant the show was, unusually, able to secure the rights to a Bruce Springsteen song. The Stranger is an adaptation of a book (pictured) by Harlan Coben I wrote to him in a way that I knew would appeal to him, recalls Harlan. I said, The kids hate your music and he obviously thought that was funny because he said yes. This is Harlans third collaboration with Red Productions, the company behind Happy Valley and Last Tango In Halifax, after mystery series The Five on Sky and Safe on Netflix, and he co-writes with Shameless writer Danny Brocklehurst. The Stranger is an adaptation of one of his own books though, while the other two shows were specially written for TV. I love the idea of my books being adapted and becoming something new, says Harlan. I know a lot of writers dont like to let go, but I love it if I trust the people Im working with. The book is a separate entity, and the actors breathe a different life into my characters. Moving the action to the north of England meant they had to get rid of Americanisms in the story. Danny likes to put a line in every show weve done where he has someone joking, Dont be all American and youll see that in The Stranger, says Harlan. Weve changed lacrosse for football and Danny has also added some references to Take That and One Direction. We also had to take all the guns out that makes the story quite different. Advertisement 'Thats what happens to Heidi, and it throws her completely off-kilter. The interesting thing about the story is that someone can come in, drop a truth bomb, and then disappear. 'It makes you think about all the secrets out there, and what would happen if someone came and dropped a truth bomb on you. 'Would you rather not know? Because sometimes its easier not knowing things. Is it easier living a lie? While Jennifer is famous for playing over-the-top roles such as Edina Monsoon in Absolutely Fabulous and a host of outrageous characters in her sketch show with Dawn French, shes actually surprisingly shy and as amazed as everyone else that shes here on the set of a crime drama. It was strange at first not to be playing for laughs, she admits. Generally I do comedy and I like doing comedy, I find it nice and fun and easy. This is quite different. 'And there are an awful lot of good actresses out there who could do it, which is maybe why I havent been asked to do drama before. The read-through before we started was terrifying. There was this huge table with a camera on it which was transmitting to Netflix in LA. 'I think every actor feels, Will I be any good in this?, or at least, Please dont let me be the worst in it. I definitely felt like that here. 'But once we started filming and Id done the first take, I realised it was just like normal filming, only I didnt have to try to make people laugh. 'With comedy youre normally heading for a joke, and when the director says, Cut! you hope the crew will laugh. Hopefully they wont in this. The idea for the story, says Harlan, came when he heard about fake pregnancy kits often bought online by women who are using a surrogate. They give you a positive reading even though youre not pregnant, along with fake bumps for the different stages of pregnancy. I read about it and thought it was just incredible, and it planted this seed in my head about what might happen if you faked a pregnancy and people found out, he says. The action has been relocated from New Jersey where Harlan lives to an upmarket town in the north of England and The Stranger, a male in the book, is now played by young Ant Man And The Wasp star Hannah John-Kamen, who during the first few episodes visits unwitting people who are all mysteriously linked. The first of them is solicitor Adam Price, played by The Hobbit actor Richard Armitage. The Stranger comes into each of their lives and plants a seed that germinates into something really ugly and unexpected, says Richard. Adam is an ordinary guy who is told this secret about his wife [Dervla Kirwan], and by the end of the first episode she has disappeared and he goes on this journey to discover whats happened to her. The story is a real adventure for Adam, and Richard admits its one of the few shows hes appeared in that he would actually want to watch. Jennifer (pictured as Heidi) revealed she's not one for binge watching, however all eight episodes of The Stranger will be released at the same time Ive been in lots of things where Ive loved acting in them but theyre not the kind of thing I would watch at home, but this is exactly what I would watch, he says. It has a brilliant script, a brilliant cast and I get to do lots of action scenes. The whole thing was a no-brainer for me. Siobhan Finneran, best known for her roles in Downton Abbey and Happy Valley, plays DS Johanna Griffin, whos tasked with piecing all the various strands together. Initially asked to look into the strange case of an alpaca being mutilated, shes drawn into an investigation that soon involves Adam. They keep saying they will make more sitcoms but they dont. No one seems to want to make them and I think thats partly because they have to be popular immediately. Johannas best friend is Heidi, who is in turn visited by the Stranger. Just as Jennifer was excited to work with her, Siobhan admits she was overwhelmed to work with the comedy legend. Knowing I was going to be working with Jennifer Saunders turned me into a bit of a nervous wreck, she admits. When I was younger I would do all her sketches with my mates, I knew them word for word. So the idea of working with her was scary. 'But then we started filming and at one point I made her laugh. I nearly did a lap of honour at that point. 'I thought, I can probably die happy now because I made Jennifer Saunders laugh. Shes been acting all her career so it didnt surprise me that she would be in this. 'All that sketch stuff is proper acting, even if its good fun. Jennifer (pictured) said that she would love to do more drama, as she believes the pendulum has swung in favour of drama over comedy in today's television Jennifers move to serious roles follows in the footsteps of her husband Adrian Edmondson, originally renowned for his comedy, but who has appeared in gripping dramas War And Peace, Cheat and Summer Of Rockets in the past few years. Although all eight episodes of The Stranger, like most Netflix dramas, will be released at the same time Jennifer admits she isnt one for binge watching. I think two at a time is enough, she says. Some people I know sit all day and watch something and I think, How can you do that? Id feel guilty about not doing something else. I miss that whole idea of the big moment in TV that everyone is talking about. Its so rare now. I miss that whole idea of the big moment in TV that everyone is talking about. Its so rare now. 'I did like Bodyguard because it was only one episode a week and everyone was talking about it all week. 'I think people do still enjoy the discipline of having to wait. Its good for you. She thinks the pendulum has swung in favour of drama over comedy when it comes to the TV programmes being made today. Theres just not enough comedy being commissioned so theres not enough comedy around. 'And because theres not very much of it, everything thats on television is over-analysed, she says, They keep saying they will make more sitcoms but they dont. No one seems to want to make them and I think thats partly because they have to be popular immediately. 'But thats not always how it works. Lots of hit comedies, which are now regarded as classics, might not have had a second chance in todays world. 'And once you get out of the comedy habit its very hard to get back into it because theres a whole executive level that doesnt understand how a studio sitcom works. Its really very sad. So yes, I would happily do more drama. I just like to work. And making this show is simply thrilling, I love it, she says. I have props and prosthetics, a good intense storyline and a fantastic director. Id definitely do something like this again. The Stranger begins on Netflix on Thursday. Anirban Ganguly By There has never been a government as pro-India as the one led by Narendra Modi. Those who hardly move out and yet spin theories of youth uprising against Modi live in a make-shift world of make-belief; they have no clue as to the real India, the India of the masses, the India beyond the elite and charmed circles of self-styled opinion-makers. This India understands what Modi says; it throbs to his efforts to settle, once for all, a number of unsettled facts of history so that Indias march towards self-reliance and a dignified existence in the comity of nations can continue unabated. Modi has his ears to the heart of Bharat, unlike those who, in their irrational opposition to him, have no qualms in siding with elements who push their agenda of trying to disintegrate India. Unable to sense that India, these deracinated intellectuals who are completely divorced from the sense of India hallucinate on mass uprisings, on revolts and revolutions and have done what they are best at doing, prodding divisive elements, standing by elements who give the dangerously subversive cry of Jinnah wali azadi (Jinnah type of freedom). On this Republic Day and as we move towards the 75th milestone of our independence, every right thinking Indian ought to reflect deeply on whether demands and slogans such as Jinnah wali azadi should be tolerated or put up with in a free India. That reflection cannot be left to foolish columnists, who imagine that with a flourish of their confused pen they could compose and articulate a revolution. India, it is true, is in the throes of a revolution, but it is a revolution of rediscovering and asserting her civilisational self. The passing of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), the entire spectrum of debate that it has generated, the whole dimension of a historical past and promises and task unfulfilled that it has brought up to the surface of our national psyche are to be welcomed, since it is a process through which India realises and accepts her duties and responsibilities as a civilisational state, a state which remains concerned for and open to those who have historically considered her as the motherland and sacred land. Among elements that have vigorously pushed a false narrative on the CAA are the Indian communist parties and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). With these entities have allied break-India elements such as the PFI and SDPI, both entities who have as their aim the transmutation of India into an Islamic state. The present Congress party is their umbrella. The Communist Party of India (CPI) had supported Jinnahs demand for Pakistan and therefore it is natural for them to oppose CAA. That the communists could not survive in Pakistan, that those leaders who were sent from India to organise the party in Pakistan were imprisoned and had to flee, is of no consequence to the present comrades. They wish to keep India open to infiltrators and want to consolidate them as a vote-bank. In short, by opposing CAA, the communists are bending backwards to appease Islamic revanchism. The IUML, a coalition partner of the Congress and the Indian successor of Jinnahs Muslim League, by opposing CAA, is repeating history; it is reiterating its commitment to the narrative of an Islamic state in which minorities have no place and space. It is also opposing the legitimate right of Hindus to consider India as their civilisational homeland. The IUML, the communists, rabid elements such as the PFI and SDPI, which have been unleashing violence in parts of the country, have to therefore be opposed and resisted so that a united India can survive and thrive. The passing of CAA brings to closure an open and painful chapter in Indias history of partition. It was a half-complete chapter which had been left unattended for decades. Twitter: @anirbanganguly Kylie Jenner has earned the title of youngest self-made billionaire with her successful beauty empire. But the Kylie Cosmetics still knows how to use her greatest asset, which she showed off for all her 159million followers to enjoy. She took to Instagram Saturday to flaunt her derriere while posing by a pool in a sexy swimsuit. Best asset: Kylie Jenner took to Instagram Saturday to flaunt her derriere while posing by a pool in a sexy swimsuit The 22-year-old revealed her signature curves in a metallic silver one-piece with a backless cutout. She lied under the sun on her stomach for the snap, which was captioned: 'Missing the heat.' Kylie is preparing to roll out a Kylie Cosmetics collection inspired by daughter Stormi, lining up with her second birthday. They recently returned from Disney World, where they celebrated the toddler's birthday early. Mama's girl: Kylie is preparing to roll out a Kylie Cosmetics collection inspired by daughter Stormi, lining up with her second birthday Happiest place on earth: They recently returned from Disney World, where they celebrated the toddler's birthday early Family outing: Father Travis Scott, 27, was also present, which fueled further rumors of a reignited romance with ex Kylie They were joined by Grandmomager Kris Jenner, Aunt Kourtney Kardashian and her daughter Penelope on the trip. Father Travis Scott, 27, was also present, which fueled further rumors of a reignited romance with ex Kylie. It was the first time the family of three appeared in public together since before Travis and Kylie announced their split in September. But according to TMZ, the young parents are no closer to rekindling their relationship. The former couple has remained on friendly terms as they continue to co-parent their daughter. Some of the candidates wrestled more visibly than others with questions about the role of the United States in Hong Kong, and its alliance with Saudi Arabia. Every candidate expressed some level of concern about the American relationship with the Saudis, though some were more pointed than others: We have to rethink our relationship with Saudi Arabia, Ms. Warren said. With few exceptions, the candidates said the American president should be a public champion of democratic values, including in Hong Kong. Those who are rising up in Hong Kong demanding democracy deserve to know that they have a friend in the United States of America, Mr. Buttigieg said. But Mr. Bloomberg said he favored a more discreet approach, run through backdoor communication with China: The people of Hong Kong certainly dont need us weighing in and increasing the tension, he said. Mr. Yang, meanwhile, said the United States should support people who are protesting for self determination and democracy, but added that Hong Kong was in a gray area diplomatically. Asked to name a foreign leader they admire, many of the candidates singled out Angela Merkel, the chancellor of Germany; Mr. Steyer described her as the leader of the free world. Mr. Buttigieg pointed to Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand as an inspiring figure from a new generation, while Mr. Yang named Justin Trudeau of Canada for bringing a different approach to politics. And asked to name something about themselves that foreign leaders should know, nearly every candidate stressed their own honesty and candor. The most important thing that foreign leaders should know about me, Mr. Buttigieg said, is that I will keep my word. They also need to know that I am a person of trust, Ms. Klobuchar said, that I keep my threats and I keep my promises. Ravi Shankar By Come the wintry morning of February 1, three of the cruellest and most reviled rapist murderers in history will be hanged by the neck on the gallows of Tihar Jail until they are dead. Their execution brings to a close a horror story whose dark echoes have lasted for over seven years. It also raises the ethical dilemma whether the death penalty is state-sponsored murder and an effective deterrent. In 2018, there were 15,498 murders in the US while only 22 inmates were executed in 2019a very low rate. Had the judges been less merciful, would murders have been fewer? Ethics campaigners ask, should justice be tempered with mercy? Yes. Like its now. The hanging of the Nirbhaya monsters proves that justice has been merciful. Merciful to a mother in torment waiting for justice to keep its word. And a death so merciful for the convicts that they should rejoice that they were not born a few centuries ago. Answering civil rights Lotus Eaters who argue that death penalty has no place in civilised society, I say hanging the three is pretty civilised.Civilisation is measured by scale and historys justice. In ancient Greece and Rome, execution and sadism were inseparable: by the Roman poena cullei law, a parricide was thrust into a sack with a dog, a rooster, a viper and an ape and was thrown into water. The Romans crucified, drowned at sea, buried alive, beat to death and impaled convicts. Male traitors in England (women were only chivalrously burned) were dragged by a horse to the place of public execution, hanged by the neck until almost dead, removed from the scaffold, stomach cut open and intestines and sex organs removed which were burned next to the half-alive man who was eventually beheaded, and the rest of his body hacked into four parts to be displayed on gibbets. Now that, is not civilised. The penalty of boiling to death for not confessing was approved in Britain in 1531 and records show that some unfortunates were boiled for up to two hours. You could be even burned alive for marrying a Jew. By the 1700s, 222 crimes were punishable by death. The first recorded death sentence in 16 BC Egypt was comparatively civilised; the convict was ordered to swallow poison. The ancient Indian capital punishment Gunga Rao mandated the condemned mans head to be slowly crushed under an elephants foot. Of course in India, can the caste factor be avoided in any social code, including capital punishment? Judge (retd) Dr. Gokulesh Sharma quotes the Arthashastra stipulating that a Sudra who approaches a Brahmin woman is to be burnt alive. So as they take their last walk to the gallows, the three Nirbhaya devils should be thankful that they got off easy. Ironically, the law has also denied Nirbhaya complete justice. The most sadistic of the violators roams freehaving escaped the noose since he was a juvenile while thrusting a rod into her body and scooping out her entrailsas clear and present danger to women. Where is deterrence? Where is the justice in that? In copying other countries' development mistakes, Vietnam has paid a heavy price for not deploying due foresight. Now, we cannot ignore hindsight wisdom. Nguyen Dang Anh Thi When he was 18, my eldest brother faced a tough decision should he go to university or take up vocational training? Although he wanted to persist with his academic pursuit, he deferred to the familys economic needs and decided to join the workforce to support the family. So, instead of going to university, he decided to go to Tay Loc District in my home province, Thua Thien Hue, and learn tailoring. One year, with a sudden surge in the need for making windcheaters in HCMC, my brother left home and headed for the southern metropolis in search of better work opportunities. He boarded the crammed bus, not daring to look behind at his sobbing family. Years later, when I began my university studies, I saw my brother again in HCMC. I went to the factory where he worked - a sweltering concrete building with a welter of cloth inside. In it was my brother, thin and frail from overworking into late hours in the night with hardly any holiday. Covered in sweat, he told me not to tell our parents about his situation. That first sight of him after years rendered me speechless. I had always imagined his life very differently, my imagination fed by textbook descriptions of an industrial worker leading a pleasant, comfortable life, all needs met, and so on. 30 years after his arrival in HCMC, my elder brothers situation can be considered as stable. However, despite advancing rather early in his profession to become a technical manager, he is still very far from what the Vietnamese society would consider a middle-class household, with a decent house and a car. My brothers story is a vivid example of the hardships faced by Vietnamese factory workers, and of the not-so-pleasant reality of the countrys pursuit of industrialization. The process is taking its toll on those who contribute most to it. The textile industry, a major export earner of Vietnam, mostly uses low-skilled, cheap labor. Photo by Reuters. Vietnam has been repeating the goal of "industrialization and modernization" like a mantra and has treated these goals as a given without critical thought applied to what it really means. Today, the country hopes to become an industrialized, modernized nation by 2030, with industrial sector constituting 40 percent of the nations GDP. Is this goal achievable? Thats one question. Is it desirable? Thats a question that is never asked. In reality, the industrial sector (not including construction) has never achieved a third of Vietnams GDP in history, and has failed to play the expected role of being an economic pivot. Despite considerable support from the government, the industrial sectors proportion of the national GDP only increased from 20 percent in 1990 to 28.5 percent in 2019. The mere 8.5 percent increase in 30 years makes increasing the proportion by 11.5 percent (to 40 percent) in the next 10 years a daunting prospect. Think again There is no question that industry has played an important role in Vietnams economic development in recent years, alongside the construction, service and agriculture sectors. Yet, considering its benefits and costs, it would be wise for Vietnams leaders and managers to reconsider the nations development direction and orientation. Vietnamese industries have for years focused on quantity instead of quality, and three factors have marked this: (1) a persistent focus on processing manufacturing; (2) unrestrained export of raw materials; and (3) unbridled expansion of heavy industries with high electricity usage. These labor-intensive, resource-consuming industrial activities are undertaken by developing nations with low labor skills. They yield insignificant benefits compared to the high costs exacted. In short, they are not very cost effective. The cost is especially high environmentally, as we have seen in the worsening air, water and soil pollution, not to mention destruction of forests and other natural resources. Air pollution costs Vietnam approximately 5 percent GDP per year, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam has estimated. The World Bank estimates that Vietnam loses 3.5 percent of its GDP due to water pollution. Just quantitatively, air and water pollution costs Vietnam 8.5 percent of its GDP, approximately $23 billion, and this is set to go higher if we stick to our current path. We have to keep in mind that besides the quantitative costs, gigantic on their own, the damage from industrial activities, including loss of natural resources and natural biodiversity, has huge sustainability implications. We can safely say that through millennia, Vietnam has worked hard for national advancement and prosperity. Vietnam was a major agricultural and commercial nation in the region. Early 19th century, Vietnam was the 5th largest economy in the region, larger than the combination of the Philippines and Myanmar, and 1.3 times larger than Thailand. This shows our potential to be a strong and prosperous nation. Yet, for decades now, Vietnam has mindlessly imitated the economic structures of the Soviet Union and China, overlooking the nations strong history of agriculture to focus excessively on unfamiliar, heavy industrial activities. The evidence is that this has only slowed Vietnams advance towards prosperity, more importantly, sustainable prosperity. Imitating China in manufacturing cheap products is something Vietnam should not do, says Professor Michael Porter, a Harvard Business School researcher. He says the mindset of copying other nations success is a trap that will make a country less competitive. If we consider the nation a major conglomerate, what is its competitive advantage? With the strong foundation of being an agricultural nation, in my opinion, Vietnam should choose agriculture and services sectors as the nations economic pillars. I do support industrialization, but in agriculture, in hi-tech, clean, and supporting industries rather than ones that use a lot of energy and labor while exacting a huge environmental cost. No nation can compete in every industry, Prof. Porter says. A nation can only be prosperous if it can sustain its competitive advantage in certain industries. The industrialization mindset of "develop now, pay later" has not just hurt Vietnams sustainability, the world as a whole is suffering its repercussions like the existential climate crisis we are experiencing now. We have already paid a heavy price for walking the industrialization path. Can we afford to stay on it? *Nguyen Dang Anh Thi is an expert on energy and environment. The opinions expressed are personal. HAVANA (Reuters) - A day after Bolivia suspended diplomatic relations with Cuba, Havana accused its interim government of having sought to sabotage bilateral ties ever since it took power last year, partly under pressure from the Trump administration. Communist-run Cuba was a key ally of Bolivia's former leftist President Evo Morales - who resigned amid a political crisis and protests in November - and has supported his assertion that he was toppled in a foreign-backed "coup". Bolivia's conservative interim President Jeanine Anez, meanwhile, has tried to align the country more closely with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, which is cranking up sanctions on Cuba. "The acting authorities unfurled a ferocious campaign of lies against Cuba ... in particular against the Cuban medical cooperation, inciting violence against our staff," the Cuban foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday. "It is not casual that the facts described here coincide with a brutal, politically-motivated U.S. campaign against the international medical cooperation Cuba provides to dozens of countries." Cuba's foreign ministry also said U.S. officials had, since the departure of Morales, "applied pressure on Bolivia to impose a deterioration in relations with Cuba". The U.S. State Department was not immediately available for comment. Cuba's health service is the country's most important hard currency earner, sending more than 50,000 health workers to more than 60 countries. That program, though, has come under increased fire over the past two years, with critics accusing Cuba of treating doctors as "slave labour" or using them to fuel unrest abroad. Cuba denies the accusations. Thousands of Cuban doctors have returned home after agreements with Brazil and Ecuador were ended over the past year and a half. Bolivia's foreign ministry said in November: "There have been a number of accusations that Cuban citizens have been involved in these aggressive acts that have tormented our country in recent days." Story continues Cuba responded by terminating its medical mission, saying Bolivian officials were fostering violence against the around 700 doctors by claiming they were instigating rebellion. The spat was revived on Wednesday, when Anez said the Cuban government kept 80% of the payments that Bolivia made for the work of Cuban doctors in the country. Cuba's foreign ministry denied this, saying on Saturday that from 2006 to 2012, the Caribbean island nation had actually covered all the costs of medical cooperation with Bolivia, at more than $200 million per year. It was from then that Bolivia started paying for the medical services due to its improved economic situation. "But it never transferred one dollar to Cuba, nor did Cuba receive any revenue," the ministry said. (Reporting by Sarah Marsh; Editing by Tom Hogue) The 71st Republic Day parade at Rajpath on Sunday saw many firsts, including a contingent of Chinook and Apache helicopters, a tri-service formation of three Advanced Light Helicopters and motorcycle stunts by women bikers from the CRPF It was a first for many - a contingent of Chinook and Apache helicopters, a tri-service formation of three Advanced Light Helicopters and motorcycle stunts by women bikers from the CRPF. The 71st Republic Day parade at Rajpath on Sunday began with the somber wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial, inaugurated in February last year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with the Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Army Chief General MM Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh, Air Force Chief Air Marshal RKS Bhadauria, laid the wreath to honour fallen soldiers at the memorial. Until last year, this ceremony was performed at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate. President Ram Nath Kovind, chief guest and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro were escorted to Rajpath for the parade by the President's Bodyguard - the oldest surviving mounted unit with a 245-year legacy. At Rajpath, Kovind unfurled the Tricolour and received the customary 21-gun salute, presented by 2233 Field Battery under the command of Lieutenant Colonel C Sandeep as the National Anthem was played. The marching contingents were preceded by a formation of five Mi-17 V5 choppers flying in an inverted Y formation carrying the national ensign and three service ensigns. Sixteen marching contingents from the Armed Forces, Paramilitary Forces, Delhi Police, National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS) and 13 military bands were also a part of the parade. The marching contingent of the Corps of Army Air Defence made its debut at the parade, led by Captain Vikas Kumar Sahu of Army Air Defence Centre. Indian Army Captain Tanya Shergill, who became the first woman officer as Parade Adjutant on Army Day Parade earlier this year, led an Army Signal Corps contingent. The Indian Air Force tableau showcased scaled-down models of the Rafale aircraft, the Tejas aircraft, the Light Combat Helicopter, the Akash Missiles System and the Astra Missiles. Also on display was the Akash weapon system, the first indigenously developed air defence system capable of firing short-range surface to air missiles, against enemy platform. Among the other weapons displayed on the occasion were Dhanush Gun System and K-9 Vajra T that is a self-propelled gun, and the Sarvatra bridge system. The DRDO tableau featured the Anti-Satellite (A-SAT) Weapon System, which would play a critical role in providing the necessary strategic deterrence as space becomes a vital dimension of any country's economic and military superiority. Meanwhile, the Indian Navy showcased its assets like Boeing P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft and the Kolkata Class Destroyer and the Kalvari Class submarine. As many as 22 tableaus of various states, union territories and government departments were a part of the parade. Goa's 'save the frog' campaign, Jammu and Kashmir's 'back to village' programme and UNESCO world heritage sites in Jaipur and Gujarat and 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev were showcased among the host of tableaux. 16 tableaux were of various states and UTs and six of ministries, departments and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Jammu and Kashmir, which participated in the parade for the first time as a Union Territory, had the back to village programme as theme for its tableau. The programme was started last year by the Jammu and Kashmir administration and has been garnering a massive response, especially from the people in the militancy-infested areas. #WATCH The tableau of Jammu and Kashmir showcased at the #RepublicDay parade today. Jammu and Kashmir governments Back to Village program was the theme of the union territory's tableau, this year. (Courtesy: DD National) pic.twitter.com/Uw8bL8Ka0F ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2020 The Walled City of Jaipur, which was accorded the UNESCO World Heritage tag in 2019, was the overriding theme of the Rajasthan tableau, depicting the Pink City's architecture and the state's culture reflected in its folk songs and dances. The 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in 2019 was the theme of the Punjab's tableau in the parade. Gujarat's architectural wonder Rani Ki Vav was the centrepiece of the state's tableau, complemented with folk culture and dances performed by artistes. Rani Ki Vav or Queen's Stepwell initially built by Rani Udayamati as a memorial to her husband King Bhimdev I in the 11th century in Patan district of the state was inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014. Telangana state's tableau depicted Bathukamma, a floral festival of the state, while Karnataka state's tableau depicted the philosophy of Basaveshwara and the concept of Anubhava Mantapa (Centre for Experience), which was the socio-religious centre that existed in the present-day Basava Kalyana of Bidar district in Karnataka. Other states which took part in the grand parade were Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. Technology and instruments used by the National Disaster Response Force during rescue operations in flood-hit areas and Delhi's Anaj Mandi fire last year were showcased in the NDRF tableau. The 49 winners of Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2020 arrived in open jeeps at the parade. The awardees hail from various parts of the country including one each from Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh. This was followed by dance performances by school children from various parts of India. Motorcycle stunts by an all-women team of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), including a 21-member human pyramid, was another highlight of the parade. In the last segment of the parade, the Indian Air Forces flypast commenced with a Trishul formation, comprising of three ALH helicopters in Vic formation. This was the first time that a tri-service formation took part in a Republic Day parade. Five Apache helicopters then flew past in formation, followed by three Dornier aircraft in Vic formation. Later, five Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft flew past in Arrowhead formation. Three Sukhoi 30MKIs executed the 'Trishul' manoeuvre followed by a lone Sukhoi 30MKI aircraft concluding the parade with a vertical Charlie manoeuvre. Most ministers from the Union government, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, were present along with former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad. Kovind approved six Shaurya Chakras, 107 Sena Medals and four Vayu Sena medals for gallantry. He also approved five Nao Sena Medals (gallantry), four Bar to Sena Medals (devotion to duty), 36 Sena Medals (devotion to duty), eight Nao Sena Medals (devotion to duty), one Bar to Vayu Sena Medal (devotion to duty) and 13 Vayu Sena Medals (devotion to duty). A medical practitioner from West Bengal, who has been selected for the Padma Shri award for treating patients free-of-cost for over two decades in the remote Sundarbans, said despite the recognition, he will continue serving people without any government aid. Sixty seven-year-old Dr Arunoday Mondal, a resident of Kolkata's Lake Town, says he treats 12,000 patients on an average every year and provides them free medicines at a charitable hospital established by him in Hingalganj area in Sundarbans near the India-Bangladesh border. Dr Mondal travels to Hingalganj, around 90 km from his Kolkata residence, twice a week to "fill the gaps of treatment at government hospitals". "I can understand that expectations of people will rise since I am a Padma Shri awardee now and I might get many more patients. I will continue to serve them to the best of my abilities," Mondal told PTI. Asked if he was looking forward to any government aid after the recognition, Mondal replied in negative. "I have been serving people single-handedly without any government help for over 20 years. The Padma Shri award will not change anything," he said. After getting an MBBS degree from the National Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, Mondal did not try for a government job and instead started a private practice which he has been continuing for the past 20 years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A man with around $18,000 in annual income who received a nearly $1 million check from the federal government has been sentenced to about three years in prison. Ramon C. Blanchett, 29, of Tampa, Florida, a part-time DJ and community college student, pleaded guilty to theft of government funds last fall, the Tampa Bay Times reported Thursday. New Delhi, Jan 26 (IANS) The maiden batch of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) girls' unit of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Sunday conferred a guard of honour to the Vice Chancellor M. Jagadesh Kumar, as the University celebrated the Republic Day. "The guard of honour by 15 girl NCC cadets during Republic Day Celebrations in the JNU is not only significant for us as a University, but also it sends out a larger message of unity and discipline. Here we go again. Another race for the leadership of the Conservative Party, another case of medieval ideas rearing their ugly head. This week it was former Harper staffer Richard Decarie, who shared his views on the LGBTQ community, the very name for which he condemned as a liberal term. Im not about to waste time with a rehash of the rest of Decaries views, other than to say they are offensive, outdated and barely coherent. What is important to note, however, is that every time the Conservative Party countenances such nonsense, Canadians punish them at the polls. Time and again, these kinds of comments on homosexuality have diminished the partys brand and dashed its chances at electoral success. Just ask Brad Trost. As a leadership candidate in 2017, Trost flaunted his disdain for the LGBTQ community, going so far as to say that no leader of the Conservative Party of Canada should march in a gay pride parade. Not only did Trosts gambit not win him the leadership, but this October, after being an elected MP for 15 years, he lost his riding nomination. So it goes. The challenge, of course, is that comments like the ones Decarie made are unhelpful for all sensible Canadians searching for an alternative to the federal Liberals or NDP. It is a tired old canard that Conservatives are, by definition, anti-LGBTQ. As a gay man who has been pilloried for my choice to be a conservative (and yes Mr. Decarie, that is a choice), I know that is not the case. Nonetheless, comments like Decaries unfortunately lead decent, pro-LGTBQ Conservatives to be lumped in with his antediluvian rubbish. It is inevitable that in a country with only one viable right leaning party, there will coalesce a membership with differing views, opinions and lived experiences, which range from social conservatism to fiscally centred conservatism. While I may disagree (and do) with the personal views of certain Conservatives, I know the importance of a big tent party that finds common political ground from which to raise our standard. People like Decarie, however, would turn that big tent into a circus tent. One of the fundamental tenets of conservatism is respect: for the individual, for human rights and for the common decency of human beings. So, while I believe our party benefits from diversity of thought and opinion, there is absolutely no room for a leadership candidate who thinks that my rights or those of any LGBTQ Canadian are up for debate. They simply are not. At a time when 91 per cent of Canadians tell pollsters they are comfortable with a LGBTQ person playing a large role in their lives and over three-quarters of Canadians support equal marriage, there are more important issues to address than the ramblings of a man who will never lead the Conservative Party, let alone the country. Thankfully, this time around, the serious leadership candidates agree. Peter MacKay, Erin OToole and Marilyn Gladu all made it clear on Wednesday night that there is no room in the CPC for views like those expressed by Decarie. Eric Duncan, a new and openly gay Conservative MP for StormontDundasSouth Glengarry, playfully offered on Twitter to have a chat with Decarie about Erics life choices. It speaks volumes that Decarie was politely rebuffed by an out gay man representing a rural riding for the very party Decarie is seeking to lead. As Canada has changed, so has the Conservative Party. Hopefully this episode is the last time we are forced to give oxygen to these kinds of ideas, which only serve to distract from the important work of building an alternative to the incumbent government. And the best way to ensure that outcome, is for Decarie to be humiliated on leadership election day when the results are announced and he has achieved two per cent of the vote. Perhaps then it will be clear that the party has settled this issue and moved on. What great news that would be for Conservatives and Canadians alike. One of the best investments we can make is in our own knowledge and skill set. With that in mind, this article will work through how we can use Return On Equity (ROE) to better understand a business. We'll use ROE to examine Bastei Lubbe AG (ETR:BST), by way of a worked example. Over the last twelve months Bastei Lubbe has recorded a ROE of 7.6%. That means that for every 1 worth of shareholders' equity, it generated 0.08 in profit. View our latest analysis for Bastei Lubbe How Do You Calculate ROE? The formula for return on equity is: Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) Shareholders' Equity Or for Bastei Lubbe: 7.6% = 2.9m 37m (Based on the trailing twelve months to September 2019.) It's easy to understand the 'net profit' part of that equation, but 'shareholders' equity' requires further explanation. It is the capital paid in by shareholders, plus any retained earnings. You can calculate shareholders' equity by subtracting the company's total liabilities from its total assets. What Does ROE Signify? ROE measures a company's profitability against the profit it retains, and any outside investments. The 'return' is the profit over the last twelve months. A higher profit will lead to a higher ROE. So, all else equal, investors should like a high ROE. That means ROE can be used to compare two businesses. Does Bastei Lubbe Have A Good Return On Equity? Arguably the easiest way to assess company's ROE is to compare it with the average in its industry. However, this method is only useful as a rough check, because companies do differ quite a bit within the same industry classification. As shown in the graphic below, Bastei Lubbe has a lower ROE than the average (18%) in the Media industry classification. XTRA:BST Past Revenue and Net Income, January 26th 2020 That certainly isn't ideal. We'd prefer see an ROE above the industry average, but it might not matter if the company is undervalued. Nonetheless, it could be useful to double-check if insiders have sold shares recently. Story continues How Does Debt Impact ROE? Virtually all companies need money to invest in the business, to grow profits. That cash can come from issuing shares, retained earnings, or debt. In the first two cases, the ROE will capture this use of capital to grow. In the latter case, the debt required for growth will boost returns, but will not impact the shareholders' equity. In this manner the use of debt will boost ROE, even though the core economics of the business stay the same. Combining Bastei Lubbe's Debt And Its 7.6% Return On Equity Bastei Lubbe has a debt to equity ratio of 0.18, which is far from excessive. Its very respectable ROE, combined with only modest debt, suggests the business is in good shape. Careful use of debt to boost returns is often very good for shareholders. However, it could reduce the company's ability to take advantage of future opportunities. The Bottom Line On ROE Return on equity is a useful indicator of the ability of a business to generate profits and return them to shareholders. In my book the highest quality companies have high return on equity, despite low debt. All else being equal, a higher ROE is better. Having said that, while ROE is a useful indicator of business quality, you'll have to look at a whole range of factors to determine the right price to buy a stock. The rate at which profits are likely to grow, relative to the expectations of profit growth reflected in the current price, must be considered, too. So you might want to take a peek at this data-rich interactive graph of forecasts for the company. But note: Bastei Lubbe may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Nineteen soldiers were killed and five wounded in an attack on an army camp in central Mali before dawn on Sunday, an army spokesman and a local official told Reuters. The identity of the attackers was not immediately clear. They entered the camp near the village of Sokolo at about 0500 GMT, opened fire, destroyed some structures and left soon after, said Balco Ba, a deputy administrator in the nearby town of Niono. Army spokesman Dirran Kone said the camp was later under control, reinforcements were in place and a search was underway for the assailants. The Malian army's official Twitter account said a Malian plane had been deployed to monitor the scene. Islamist groups with links to al Qaeda and Islamic State operate in arid central and northern Mali and have used the area as a base from which to launch attacks on soldiers and civilians across neighbouring Burkina Faso, Niger and beyond. Large areas of the Sahel, the band of scrubland south of the Sahara, have fallen out of the control of armies and police forces, vexing local governments and their international partners who have struggled to contain the spread of jihadist groups across West Africa. Twenty-four Malian soldiers were killed and 29 wounded when militants attacked a patrol in northern Mali in November. Twenty people were wounded earlier this month in the north, including 18 U.N. peacekeepers from Chad, in a rocket attack on a military base for U.N., French and Malian forces. Search Keywords: Short link: Kansas man charged with threatening Trump Breaking News WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - A Kansas man has been charged with threatening on social media to kill President Donald Trump. The Wichita Eagle reports that Aaron McDowell, of Salina, was charged Thursday in federal court with one count of threatening the President of the United States. An important reminder that in the age of partisan hackery and artificial intelligence, the Feds are ALWAYS watching and keyboard warriors should exercise an appropriate level of control and caution despite their commitment to always "winning" on the Internets. Read more: PRAGUE (Reuters) - China's Hainan Airlines will halt regular direct flights between Beijing and Prague starting in March, the Prague Airport and the Czech Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. No reason was given but relations between the Czech Republic and China have deteriorated sharply in the past months following a series of diplomatic spats. Flights to China by other carriers are not affected, the airport said. "We don't have any official information why this step was taken," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zuzana Stichova said. "We don't know whether this is a temporary or definitive decision and whether this step is commercially or politically motivated." "In forthcoming negotiations, whether in Prague or Beijing, we are going to ask our Chinese partners about the reasons for this decision." Hainan Airlines and China's embassy in Prague did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Hainan Airlines has operated the Beijing-Prague route since 2015 with, currently, three flights weekly. Relations between the Czech Republic and China took a turn for the worse last year after city authorities in Prague showed support for Tibet and demanded changes to an intercity partnership agreement with Beijing over a reference to China's 'one-China' policy on Taiwan. The agreement was eventually cancelled, and Prague last week instead signed a cooperation deal with Taiwan's Taipei, further infuriating Beijing, which regards Taiwan as a renegade province. An initial blow came in December 2018 with a warning by the Czech cyber-security watchdog over risks about using network technology provided by Chinese telecoms equipment makers Huawei and ZTE. Building closer links with China had been among the priorities for Czech President Milos Zeman who visited China five times in the past seven years. But Zeman said earlier this month he would skip a planned summit between China and central and eastern European countries in April, after planned Chinese investments failed to materialise. Story continues Apart from Hainan's flights to Beijing, China Eastern Airlines operate flights between Prague and Shanghai and Prague and Xi'an, and Sichuan Airlines fly between Prague and Chengdu. Hainan's website was offering direct Beijing-Prague and Prague-Beijing flights until Friday Feb. 28 when checked on Wednesday. (Reporting by Jan Lopatka; Editing by Michael Kahn and Gareth Jones) Princess Durrushehvar, the daughter-in-law of the last Nizam of Hyderabad, has remained a role model for the Muslim aristocracy of the city, as well as a style icon. The princess made her mark with various initiatives, and education and healthcare were her twin passions. She was impervious, a true princess, very regal and very smart, not someone to suffer fools lightly, says author John Zubrzycki. Begum Sahiba Hatice Hayriye Ayse Durrusehvar Sultan, the daughter-in-law of the last Nizam of Hyderabad and the daughter of Abdulmejid II, the last Caliph of the Ottoman dynasty, was subject to immense attention and adulation in the 1930s. Jab woh paan khaati thi, toh halak se jaata hua dikhta tha (When she swallowed a paan, you could see it going down her throat!) reminisces a friends grandmother of the princess. She, and her cousin Princess Niloufer who married her husband's younger brother, have remained role models for the Muslim aristocracy of the city. But on the eve of her 106th birth anniversary, one wonders why modern Hyderabad has failed to recognise this trailblazer. The princess was ten years old when her family was banished from Turkey under the Attaturk reforms, following which they settled in Nice, France. Her marriage to Azam Jah, the heir to the Nizam of Hyderabad, was a surprise to many, as she was sought after by the Shah of Iran and King of Egypt as a bride for their respective heirs. It was also surprising because though the Nizam of Hyderabad was widely considered the richest man of the world, his lineage of two centuries was far different from the princess, who was the last heir of the revered Ottoman dynasty. This marriage was the brain child of Shaukat Ali, the founder of the Khilafat movement, who convinced Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, that it would bring together the two great houses of Islam. It would also ensure that the Nizam became a predominant Muslim leader not only in India, but also in the Islamic world. Her marriage in Nice (along with that of her cousin Niloufers) was a simple affair, with only a few Turkish and Hyderabadi nobility present. It was presided over by the Khalifa himself. She arrived in Hyderabad to much curiosity. Historian Mohammed Safiullah calls her marriage "mismatched" in every sense. He shares, She was 510", her husband was 5 3". She brought with her a completely cosmopolitan life, while most of Hyderabad was still under purdah. She was of impeccable lineage but her family had very little money, and it was a typical rags-to-riches story. She knew of her husbands 50 concubines but carried herself regally. There was a great gulf between the princess and the prince, owing to her fiercely independent nature and his propensity for philandering and gambling, leading to their marriage falling apart. Historical accounts of the time place her favourably, as the writer Philip Mason described her: "She was always, essentially and indefinably, royal, and it seems to me that if fate had so willed she might have been one of the great queens of the world." Sir Walter Mockton said she "was in many ways the most remarkable person in Hyderabad, a woman tranquil yet resolute, whose personality dominated any room she entered." Author John Zubrzycki, whose seminal work The Last Nizam charts the life and times of Durrushehvar's son Mukarram Jah, remarks that it was very difficult for her to adjust to the very conservative Muslim culture that permeated Hyderabad at the time. He says, But she never went into purdah. There were also rumors at the time that the Nizams senior wife Dulhan Pasha wanted to poison her. Relations between Azam (her husband) and his brother Moazzam were also strained. She always thought Hyderabad could never equal the Ottoman culture, and many Hyderabadis thought she looked down on them. Her relationship with the Nizam was one of respect. While the Nizam called her 'amma' and a 'nagina' (jewel), he also gave into her wishes over matters concerning her sons education. She was impervious, a true princess, very regal and very smart, not someone to suffer fools lightly. She was fluent in French, English, Turkish and Urdu. She fought and won every battle with the India Office over the education of Mukarram," says Zubrzycki. With the beautiful Indo-European palace Bella Vista as her residence, she was soon known as one of Indias most beautiful royals, thanks to photographs taken by the celebrated Cecil Beaton and Jack Birns of Life magazine. She and Niloufer were celebrated as style icons, which continues to this day. The princess made her mark with various initiatives, and education and healthcare were her twin passions. She set up a junior college for girls, as well as a general and childrens hospital in Purani Haveli, which is still run in her name. She even inaugurated the Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College Hospital in the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). Zubrzycki states, She did Hyderabad state a great service through her relief work during World War II. She patronised hospitals, educational institutions and welfare bodies. After her husbands death in 1970, the princess divided her time between Hyderabad and London (where it was rumoured that the Driver still wore the livery of Hyderabad). Safiullah, who met the princess during her visits to Hyderabad in the late 90s and early 2000s and curated an exhibition on her in 2014 (her birth centenary) calls her one of the last great royals of the world. I met her when she came to inaugurate the Nizams museum and she was courteous and down to earth. Its hard to believe that had it not been for some tumultuous events in history, she wouldve been the first woman Khalifa! Even India doesnt recognise her as it has other great royal women of the times, like Rajmata Gayatri Devi of Jaipur (on whom 38 books were written) or Sita Devi of Baroda. Zubrzycki says this is because Durrushehvar never deliberately went out of her way to attract attention. Gayatri Devi wrote her now famous memoir A Princess Remembers which cemented her reputation, even though it is highly selective and hagiographic. Durrushehvars letters and writings have been lost, and with them her legacy has largely been forgotten. Despite the difficulties she initially encountered, she did a lot for Hyderabad and her contribution should be better remembered. Whether the state and governments remember her or not, it only takes one conversation in the Old City for memories and stories of her to tumble out. Just ask my friends grandmother! The oil market hinges and moves on forecasts. Whether its an oil demand growth forecast or a production forecast, no forecast is more closely watched and scrutinized than that provided by one of the big three: the IEA, EIA, and OPEC. The problem is, these forecasts often vary wildly from one another, meaning at least one of these forecasts will be wrong. Bloombergs Julian Lee this week wrote in a column about the discrepancy between OPECs oil demand estimates for 2020 and those of the EIA and the IEA, noting that while the oil producing cartel expected global oil inventories to keep declining this year, both the International Energy Agency and the EIA expected these to continue building. Motive Behind the Forecasts? One might argue that there is some wishful thinking on the part of OPEC, which really wants its production cuts to work and shrink global inventories to put a firm floor under oil prices. Yet there is some wishful thinking on the part of the U.S. EIA, too, in light of the administrations energy dominance agenda. The EIA has had to revise downwards its oil production estimates before, when actual production data has turned out to be lower than earlier forecasts based on statistical modeling. It is a fact that U.S. production is growing, and OPEC acknowledges this grim reality. But its possible that US production might not be growing as much as forecasts show. Related: Iran Faces Threat Of Full Global Sanctions That leaves the International Energy Agency. Does it, too, have a vested interest in one supply and demand forecast over another? Theoretically, it shouldnt. The authority seems to be increasingly busy with warning against continued inaction with regard to climate change to take sides in the oil supply and demand prediction game. Also, a lot of the time, its figures converge with the EIAs and/or OPECs. Demand Growth and Supply For this year both OPEC and the IEA see oil demand growth at some 1.2 million bpd. The EIA is in the middle, forecasting global oil and other liquid hydrocarbons demand this year to grow by 1.3 million bpd. For non-OPEC supply, the IEA is actually less bullish than OPEC. It expects production outside the cartel to rise by some 2.1 million bpd, while OPEC itself sees this growth at 2.35 million bpd. The EIA has the highest non-OPEC supply growth forecast for this year, at 2.6 million bpd. The Inventory Headache The differences, according to Lee, however, are striking when it comes to the state of global oil inventories over the last three years, since the first production cut deal entered into effect at the beginning of 2017. According to self-congratulatory OPEC, world oil inventories since 2017 have fallen by 653 million barrels. According to the EIA and the IEA, on the other hand, there has been no decline in the amount of global oil inventories. All the OPEC+ cuts have done, their numbers suggest, is to curb the size of the inventory builds in each of the three years since the cuts were introduced. The EIA, in fact, has estimated that global oil inventories have risen by some 100 million barrels over the last three years. The IEA has an even higher number, at 142 million barrels. Related: Why The Coronavirus Is A Real Threat To Oil Markets It appears the discrepancy comes from different methods of counting how much oil in storage there is in the world and the different things the IEA, the EIA, and OPEC actually count, according to Lee. Then there is the fact that not all oil inventories in the world are readily available for counting. Chinese oil in storage, for example, is notoriously secret as Beijing does not release public updates about it as the EIA does. So if there is no information about all the oil in the world, how much faith should one put in global inventory estimates, regardless of the authority making these estimates? Not too much would be a reasonable answer. The state of global inventories, after all, is just one piece of the puzzle. Supply and demand growth forecasts, along with consumption and production trends, are much more important than inventories for gauging where oil prices will go next. These tend to change more often and all of them affect inventories. The level of inventories itself is the end result of supply, demand, production and consumption. For those wondering if there is enough oil in the world in case a serious outage occurs, the answer is yes, with all three authorities in agreement. In the OECD alone there is enough oil to meet 60.6 days of demand. According to Bloombergs Lee, this is a much more sensible indicator of supply levels than the volume of oil inventories. It is certainly a more understandable one: these are inventories in the context of global demand. So regardless of how successful the OPEC+ deal is in the end, the world has no shortage of oil for now. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: According to multiple reports, Venezuela is supporting the proposal of relaunching the PetroCaribe energy cooperation agreement for Caribbean countries in 2020 but the Haitian population wants to know if Haiti is on the list this time even after the current Haitian Government led by President 'Jovenel Moise' and PHTK voted against Venezuela then joined the United States, the competitor of Venezuela and President Nicolas Maduro. Let's not forget that PetroCaribe is an oil alliance involving 18 Caribbean member states and the alliance was founded on 29 June 2005 in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela. According to Venezuela, those two members Haiti and Nicaragua joined the union at the third summit that was held in Caracas. Sadly, the PetroCaribe money helps all the Caribbean countries, except Haiti because of bad Government and leadership. The Haitian Government was supposed to use the extra money to develop Haiti's economy and fund social programs. Instead, at least $2 billion (equivalent to almost a quarter of Haitis total economy for 2017) went missing and Haitians saw few of the promised benefits, according to protesters and local media. From 2017 until today, for more than 3 years, Haitians outside Haiti and across Haiti have been taking to the streets to demand the resignation of President Jovenel Moise amid allegations that his administration and PHTK wasted all the money that was supposed to develop Haiti. Haitian taxpayers owe Venezuela billions of dollars for the borrowed oil that Jovenel Moise and PHTK wasted but thanks to the former Haitian Senator 'Moise Jean-Charles' who met President 'Nicolas Maduro' to apologize on behalf of the Haitian population. According to the Haitian population, the former Haitian Senator Moise Jean-Charles, the founder and main leader of Pitit Dessalines, is the only honest leader and the only hope for Haiti. The U.S. even forced Haiti to vote against Venezuela because the American people want to keep Haiti down forever so they can continue to exploit the resources of Haiti and take advantage of the Haitian people. According to the protesters across Haiti, the PetroCaribe program was effectively a way for Venezuela to give other countries development loans but the current Haitian Government and PHTK ruined the previous opportunity because the money went missing. With global oil prices at record levels in the early years of the program, the oil sales generated a lot of cash. "I think the current President of Haiti Jovenel Moise made a big mistake for voting against Venezuela to join the U.S. because the Haitian population said that the U.S. and some U.S. organizations are responsible for all the misery and poverty that's going on in Haiti.", said Mr. Werley Nortreus, a member of Pitit Dessalines (Political Party). The Haitian population and some political leaders believe the U.S. is punishing Haitians because Haitians were the first black nation who won a successful revolt. "Haitians are being punished for being the first black nation that helped and Taught many countries how to get their freedom. Through the years, Haiti is being punished for the liberation of many slaves around the world. Unfortunately, that's why they don't want Haiti to prosper.", said Mr. Werley Nortreus. According to the President of Venezuela, he believes that the former Haitian Senator 'Moise Jean-Charles' should replace the current President of Haiti Jovenel Moise right away because of PHTK bad behaviors in the past few years. Since Venezuela wants to re-launch the PetroCaribe program for Caribbean countries in 2020, the question is; Does Haiti have another chance to benefit from the program again? Does it have to be under a new Government to benefit from the program because the Haitian population no longer trust the current Government led by President Jovenel Moise and PHTK after what they did with the previous deal? "Let us assume as a joint task the relaunching of Petrocaribe and its total functioning in the first semester of 2020, as a great ALBA goal.", Maduro stated. If Haiti is on the list to benefit from the PetroCaribe program in 2020, the current Government must step down so an honest Government can get the deal so Haiti can succeed. T J S George By In the 1950s, the Urbs Prima in Indies was Bombay, not Delhi. All important people lived there, all influential newspapers were published there, all ideological battles were fought there. Into this theatre of war came VK Krishna Menon, all guns blazing. The theatre of the absurd followed. Krishna Menon was a Congressman and friend of Jawaharlal Nehru, but Bombays Congress bosses saw him as a pretender, an imposter. He was dubbed the worst thing a human being could be a communist. He became an untouchable to all those who were touchable. Yet he got elected from North Bombay in 1957. Five years later, he repeated that triumph in sensational style, defeating Acharya Kripalani who was backed by all those who mattered in Bombay. So what was behind this wunderkind, abhorred by half the world and applauded by the other half? There have been several biographical studies of him, but none gave a satisfactory answer. This includes the biography I wrote (was it the first one?) more than half a century ago. Mine was a partisan account, defending him against his detractors. What can be called a definitive biography has now come out. A Chequered Brilliance: The Many Lives of V.K. Krishna Menon by Jairam Ramesh is voluminous, spread across 698 pages of text plus Notes plus Bibliography plus Index. Ramesh is an experienced biographer (Indira Gandhi, PN Haksar). This time, taking advantage of the unusual scope of his subject, he has chosen to pay the role of Sutradhar, an anchor-compere. The lead player Krishna Menon, and supporting cast comprising Jawaharlal Nehru et al, are given the freedom to deliver their own dialogue in their own idiom. The result is a biography that is unusual in range, in tone, in breadth. It is a survey of history, at once fresh and fascinating. (Editing slips here and there will hopefully keep the evil eye away). What makes this book unique is the archival material the author has tracked down. Nehru papers alone were a rich source. Of the 95 volumes released so far, 65 came out after the mid-1990s. Correspondence with Krishna Menon constituted the bulk of this literature. Unpublished details were also culled from the annals of various countries, from Russia and China to Canada and Australia. What comes through it all is that in the fight for independence and the shaping of the Republic in its early years, Krishna Menons place was alongside Gandhi, Nehru, Patel and Azad. Those brought up on the legend that Krishna Menon was an evil genius, a Rasputin, will find this difficult to stomach. Even Ramesh feels obliged to declare that this biography does not intend to eulogise Krishna Menon. Given the seminal nature of his contributions, a bit of eulogising is in order. Lets admit it without ifs and buts: Krishna Menon is one of the makers of India. The roles he played, not only in India before and after independence but also in issues ranging from Korea and Vietnam to Suez and Hungary, come alive in the pages of this book thanks to the technique the author has followed reproducing letter after letter. The reader gets the feeling that he is listening to Krishna Menon explaining every crisis of the world and the steps he took in the name of India to resolve it. Menons correspondence with Nehru shows the great influence he exerted on the latter from early on, and also, after independence, the frustrations Nehru felt about Krishna Menons attitudes in some official matters, especially when he was the High Commissioner in London. At one stage, Menon protested against Nehrus cruel letters and Nehru virtually relieved his friend of the High Commissioners post and ordered him to go to Switzerland for treatment. In May 1952, on a day Ramesh describes as the darkest day in Krishna Menons life, he wrote several letters on the theme of death verging on the suicidal to some of his close family and friends. Some of the letters, as reproduced in the book, are scary to read. To his sister: I hope for forgiveness for what I am about to do. To India League associate: Please do not grieve for me. To the lady he admired: I am going for good.Fortunately, the emotional Menon surrendered to the logical Menon. Jairam Ramesh presents Krishna Menons chequered career and the many lives he lived in virtually his own words. This makes for an arresting narrative that leaves the reader saying to himself: What a man, what a life. 4.9k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AK) invented an explanation to pretend like Trump wasnt mocking or downplaying troops with brain injuries. Tom Cotton Defends Trump Downplaying Troops Brain Injuries Sen. Tom Cotton went on CBSs Face The Nation and invented an explanation for Trump downplaying the traumatic brain injuries suffered by the troops. Transcript via CBSs Face The Nation: MARGARET BRENNAN: I- I want to play though, heres how the president described it when he was asked about these injuries. (BEGIN CLIP) PRESIDENT TRUMP: I heard that they had headaches and a couple of other things, but I would say- and I can report it is not very serious. (END CLIP) SEN. COTTON: So I-I thi MARGARET BRENNAN: Veterans groups are calling for the president to apologize. Should he apologize for calling it nothing serious? SEN. COTTON: No I thi- hes just descr- hes not dismissing their injuries. Hes describing their injuries. MARGARET BRENNAN: He said theyre headaches and not very serious. SEN. COTTON: I think hes describing their injuries. Hes not dismissing their injuries. Head injuries can be on anywhere MARGARET BRENNAN: He said headaches, I dont consider them very serious. SEN. COTTON: Well, thats like saying that having a flesh wound is not very serious than having a MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, veterans groups and I know youre a veteran and I know you SEN. COTTON: And veterans MARGARET BRENNAN: know people who have suffered from TBI SEN. COTTON: veterans can have a different point of view. MARGARET BRENNAN:As do I. Dont you think its serious that the president may need to apologize? SEN. COTTON: No I mean, if it isnt- if they are in fact, all these injuries are not serious, if theyre on the less serious side of the scale than the severe traumatic side of the scale, the president is just describing what happened. And Im not dismissing them. MARGARET BRENNAN: So you consider TBI serious injury? SEN. COTTON: Yes. MARGARET BRENNAN: OK. Mr. Easley is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelors Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements. Awards and Professional Memberships Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association Video:Cotton was making up a defense for Trump downplaying suffered by the troops in retaliation that was caused by his decision to attack Iran. Republicans will defend Trump on anything. There is no line that they wont cross to defend the president. Sen. Cotton also said he didnt see the need for more documents and witnesses at Trumps impeachment trial. At a time when Adam Schiff and the House impeachment managers are calling for Senate Republicans to display courage, Tom Cotton engaged in the ultimate act of political cowardice. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Afghan officials in the northern province of Balkh said at least seven civilians were killed in air strikes, prompting protests in front of the district governor's office. Local officials said three women and four children were killed in the air strikes in the district of Balkh late on January 25. Several hundred people blocked a key road in the district and gathered in front of the district governor's office, demanding an investigation. Khyber Amiri, one of the organizers of the demonstration who spoke to RFE/RL, accused government forces of targeting the homes of "ordinary people and creating terror." Afghan forces have been conducting ground attacks and air strikes in Balkh, which shares a border with Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan. The Defense Ministry said it was sending a fact-finding mission to investigate the reports of civilian deaths. The ministry said it had conducted operations across the country against the Taliban during the last 24 hours, killing 51 militants. With reporting by Reuters Our cherished Constitution, our courts, our police, our universities, etc. Having eaten up the design of our democracy, the nation, the roar of the tiger will finally become scary, loud, and predatory. It will arouse and scare people in equal measure. What is it about a tiger that so enthrals anyone who visits a national park? Is it fear: one wrong move and maybe the tiger would maul us? Over the last few days at the Panna national park, driving around in the cold in an open jeep in search of the elusive tiger, I had an epiphany: Indians desire a benevolent dictator. The Panna national park is exploding with flora and fauna but it is the predators the tiger and the leopard that everyone wants to see. Over the course of the trip I had the opportunity to meet with visitors who like to call themselves tiger spotters. They move from one national park to the next looking for tigers. Hearing them talk about tigers is like hearing a hunter talk about the prey. And, perhaps, that is where the charm of the tiger lies. The hunted is no longer the hunted and the hunter is no longer the hunter. The tiger is figurehead of the jungle. When it kills, it hopes the forest department barricade the paths so it can at least eat in peace. Inside the park there are traffic jams and nauseating diesel fumes; there are children with packets of chips, there are men who think they can teach the wildlife officials a thing or two about how to manage a forest, but most importantly, there is desire, for a real tiger, not a toothless one like in the forest, but someone with every traditional attri bute of a tiger and something else: a heart. What is a benevolent dictator if not a tiger with a heart? Over the last few weeks observing and participating in protests against the CAA across Mumbai I felt the dissipation of the revolutionary spirit in the air. The youth dont want a radical change, they want to be heard, and be counted. The desire isnt for a healthy functioning democracy but for single window clearance when it comes to their demands. Such a desire, even though the protesters may not know this, or may not acknowledge it, can only be met when confronted with a benevolent dictator. What is then a benevolent dictator? It is, in my opinion, thanks to Amit Shah, the image that PM Narendra Modi is slowly but surely acquiring. Say what you will about Mr Shah, but his greatest contribution to the Indian set up right now is that he managed to make Mr Modi look like a moderate a tiger safely ensconced in a national park. The rage against the populace that Mr Shah displays, the venom with which he speaks, the fire in his eyes, and perhaps in his belly, the mission he is on, will leave the nation with no option but to petition the benevolent dictator for some relief. And every time I see the protests or participate in one, I get the feeling that in the jungle called India, the people are calling for the tiger to show his face and scare the bears and wolves into retreat. There is a fascination in the mind of the public for the predator. The fear of being consumed, bones and all, also comes with the excitement and thrill of being left alone. No one calls the tiger a predator. Everywhere I went in the park and everyone I spoke to referred to the tiger as the king of the jungle. Such a reference was always marked by a deep nostalgia for the times when things were simpler and human beings allowed their nature to follow the so-called natural order of things. And it isnt just in our country. The whole world is obsessed with the tiger. At a time when science tells us that it isnt the tiger but the honeybee that may go extinct and take the human race with it, every soul wants to save the tiger. There are campaigns that demand funds with the righteous indignation of a blue-blooded trade union leader. Who cares about the sting of a bee when there is the promise of being mauled by a hungry tiger? The tiger that the government claims Mr Modi is, isnt interested in harming the populace. What hes really after is the bones of the institutions that make our country great. Our cherished Constitution, our courts, our police, our universities, etc. Having eaten up the design of our democracy, the nation, the roar of the tiger will finally become scary, loud, and predatory. It will arouse and scare people in equal measure. Deep down, people demand their own repression. People like to be disciplined, shown the way, and punished for not following the rules. A dictator, a benevolent one, is a binary operation punishment and reward are the two logic gates that operate. Think about it, if Mr Modi and Mr Shah appear on national television and Mr Modi growls at Mr Shahs indiscretions, wont the nation cheer him? Mayank Tewari is the writer of Newton, Accidental Prime Minister, and Bard of Blood The racial or ethnic term African American has always felt awkward to me. I dislike it for multiple reasons, but mostly because it makes no sense linguistically or descriptively. Its use only adds to the dilemma of Black people in America attempting to seek a universal way to describe themselves. Up until recently, others have always labeled us, and we just went along. I was born in Elmer Hospital in Salem County, and my New Jersey birth certificate describes me as a Negro male. The earliest slave traders doing business in West Africa were Portuguese, and referred to their captives as Negroes which, in Portuguese, means black. This was an obvious reference to skin color. Apparently, that racial term stuck, gained further traction and eventually was adopted by the U.S. Census Bureau. Then the Black cultural movement hit like a tsunami. Short hair was out, Afros were in, and James Brown was saying it out loud, Im Black and Im Proud. There were actually Black people on television and in other general-audience media, and I actually had a Black teacher in high school. The Rev. Jesse Jackson then put his two cents into the mix after traveling to Africa and, I suppose, being filled with pride and a sense of connection, announced that colored, Negro and black were out, and the newest racial classification would be African American. Jackson has done a lot of good things for the nation. This, however, was not one of them. His intent may have been good, but the term is erroneous. African American cannot describe a racial or ethnic group. African refers to a continent and is a Western term for a person born in, or from that continent. Africans who fit this description, once you get to know them, rarely describe themselves as African. Instead, they might be Nigerian, specifically Ibo, Yourba, or of another tribe. They might be Ghanaian, mostly descended from the Ashanti. South Africans might identify as Zulu, Pedi, Xhosa, or from one of many other groups. Many other African Americans are white, since they meet the criteria of being born in Africa and now living in the United States. Being African does not necessarily describe skin color or other physical characteristics. To be African American, African British or African Indian, there must be a significant cultural component, which many black people in America, Britain or India lack. Although I have educated myself as much as I could about African history and culture, most Black men and women born in the United States are now far removed from Africa, other than sharing some physical characteristics. Most Black Americans speak only English, while Africans often learn multiple languages and dialects in their youth. Most Black Americans even if their lives depended on it could not name 10 African languages, tribes or ethnic groups, or any of the continents musicians, playwrights, presidents or capital cities. Most of us will never visit Africa. I will go so far as to say that most Black Americans have never read a book by an African writer, which is one of the best ways to learn African history. Being African or African American means more than having similar physical characteristics. So, as we get close to its start, lets keep February as Black History Month. Being Black men and women in America keeps us connected in a small way to black people all over the world, on every continent, and in countries from Brazil, to China, to Mexico. Black History Month encompasses a world history, not just an American experience, that all should be more familiar with. Milton W. Hinton Jr. is retired as director of equal opportunity for the Gloucester County government, and is past president of the Gloucester County Branch NAACP. Email: miltonw@imap.cc. Twitter: MiltonHintonJr@WritestheNation. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. The Doomsday Clock has moved closer to midnight than ever before, as scientists warn that the threats of nuclear war and catastrophic climate change are being compounded by digital information warfare, which is making it harder for democracies to respond to these dangers, ZD Net reports. "Humanity continues to face two simultaneous existential dangersnuclear war and climate changethat are compounded by a threat multiplier, cyber-enabled information warfare, that undercuts society's ability to respond," said the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists as it moved the Doomsday Clock from two minutes to midnight to 100 seconds to midnight. This shows that they feel the risk of catastrophe is greater than ever -- even higher than during the Cold War. Since it was created in 1947, the Doomsday Clock has been seen as a measure of the world's vulnerability to disaster, first from nuclear weapons but also now from climate change and disruptive technologies. Global instability The group of scientists warned that several major arms control treaties and negotiations have ended or been undermined during the past year, creating an environment conducive to a renewed nuclear arms race. They warned that government action on climate change still falls short. But they also said that threats to the "information ecosphere" -- like the spread of misinformation and fake news -- could also create dangerous global instability. Ongoing disinformation campaigns are corrupting the decision-making processes needed to tackle nuclear and climate threats, the scientists said. "In the last year, many governments used cyber-enabled disinformation campaigns to sow distrust in institutions and among nations, undermining domestic and international efforts to foster peace and protect the planet," the group said. While countries have long attempted to use propaganda to drive their particular political agendas, the internet now provides widespread, inexpensive access to worldwide audiences. The recent arrival of 'deepfake' audio and video could also undermine our ability to separate truth from fiction. "The resulting falsehoods hold the potential to create economic, social, and military chaos, increasing the possibility of misunderstandings or provocations that could lead to war, and fomenting public confusion that leads to inaction on serious issues facing the planet. Agreement on facts is essential to democracy and effective collective action." They scientists also worry about the impact of artificial intelligence and its use in military decision making and command and control systems. "The overall global trend is toward complex, high-tech, highly automated, high-speed warfare. The computerized and increasingly AI-assisted nature of militaries, the sophistication of their weapons, and the new, more aggressive military doctrines asserted by the most heavily armed countries could result in global catastrophe," the group said. Shortly after 7pm on the evening before he was to appear in court to face police action to declare him a habitual driving offender for driving while disqualified, Savas Guven, a Mosman property developer and scaffolding CEO, found time to chat with Eddie Hayson. Police were listening in. Savas Guven has been jailed for 33 months for attempting to pervert the course of justice. Credit:Kirk Gilmour At 7.13pm on August 12, 2014, police intercepted an 11-minute conversation between Guven, also known as Savas Yucel, and the prominent Sydney punter Mr Hayson, according to documents lodged in the NSW District Court. During the conversation, Guven and Mr Hayson spoke about the court process and about introducing Guven to a Sydney solicitor, William OBrien. Kolkata, Jan 26 : The Left parties and the Congress on Sunday held around 5,000 joint protest meetings against CAA and NRC across the West Bengal, including 65 in Kolkata, pledging to protect the Constitution. All top Left Front and Congress leaders participated in the meetings held in all the municipal wards and gram panchayat areas in the state on Republic Day. LF Chairman Biman Bose and state Congress chief Somen Mitra were the principal speakers at the meeting organised in central Kolkata's Entally area. Bose administered a pledge to protect the Constitution, while Mitra joined the chorus. In his speech, Bose called upon the people to hit the streets in huge numbers against the Citizenship Amendment Act, a proposed countrywide National Register of Citizens and the National Population Register. "If protestors are stopped, then a bigger movement will be launched. The movement will continue against both the state's ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP," he said. State CPI-M Secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra and former state Congress President Pradip Bhattacharya addressed another meeting held in South Kolkata's Dhakuria. 'Central Vista stretch required for Republic Day parade will be ready in time, some facilities later' In Pics: Grand 71st Republic Day 2020 parade celebrations at Rajpath India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Jan 26: India today celebrated its 71st Republic Day. Celebrations for the 71st Republic Day began on Sunday in the national capital with Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro in attendance as the chief guest. Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the historic parade that takes place at the Rajpath every year, paid homage to the fallen soldiers at the newly-built National War Memorial on the Republic Day for the first time instead of the Amar Jawan Jyoti beneath the India Gate arch. The iconic memorial in the India Gate complex behind the canopy was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 25 last year. Amar Jawan Jyoti is symbolised by an inverted bayonet and soldier's helmet over it with an eternal flame burning beside it. It was built in 1972 underneath the India Gate arch to commemorate soldiers martyred in the Indo-Pak War of 1971. He then proceeded to the stand where he welcomed Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro, the guest of honour this year along with President Ram Nath Kovind. Upon the hoisting of the flag, the Republic Day parade kicked off. 22 tableaus -16 from states and union territories and the rest from various ministries and departments - took part in the Republic Day parade Here is a glimpse of what the day was like. Check out of the most mesmerizing pictures from earlier today: Ram Nath Kovind unfurls National Flag at Rajpath In Delhi, President of India Ram Nath Kovind unfurls the national flag on 71st Republic Day at Rajpath. The 21 Gun Salute was presented by 2233 Field Battery under the command of Lieutenant Colonel C Sandeep. India's Military prowess at display in Republic Day Parade The battle tank of the Indian Army, T- 90 Bhishma, is commanded by Captain Sunny Chahar of 86 Armoured Regiment, at the Rajpath. The K-9 VAJRA-T commanded by Captain Abhinav Sahu of 269 Medium Regiment, at Rajpath. Sikh Light Infantry regiment at Parade with their war cry 'Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Shri Akal' Sikh Light Infantry Regiment is led by Major Anjum Gorka of 6th Battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment. The motto of the Regiment is Deg Teg Fateh' and the war cry is Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Shri Akal'. Naval Brass brand at Rajpath The display of Naval Brass Brand at the Republic Day parade at Rajpath in Delhi. Indian Navy showcases its assets The Indian Navy showcases its assets like Boeing P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft and the Kolkata Class Destroyer and the Kalvari Class submarine. The indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant under construction at the Cochin Shipyard. Telangana Tableaux depicts Bathukamma - Floral Festival of the State Five years after its birth, Telangana - the youngest state of the country- tableaux depicts Bathukamma, a floral festival of the state and tableaux of Assam depicts bamboo and cane crafts from the state. HP tableau displays Kullu Dussehra festival, MP tableau depicts tribal museum Tableau of Himachal Pradesh showcases the Kullu Dussehra festival and the tableau of Madhya Pradesh depicts the Tribal Museum of state. J&K Tableau on govt's 'Back to Village' program In Delhi, the tableau of Jammu and Kashmir being showcased at the Republic Day parade. Jammu and Kashmir government's Back to Village' program is the theme of the union territory's tableau, this year. Women CRPF biker team perform daredevil stunts on Royal Enfield Motorcycle Towards the end of the over 90-minute-long parade, an all-woman bikers contingent of the CRPF made its debut and showcase daredevil stunts. The 65-member team will display its acrobatic skills on 350cc Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycles. New entrants Chinook, Apache helicopters perform fly-past Newly inducted Chinook heavy airlift and the Apache attack helicopters took part in the Republic Day flypast by the Indian Air Force. Three Chinook helicopters was seen at R-Day flypast followed by the 'Apache' formation comprising the latest attack helicopters. Five aircraft also flew in 'arrowhead' formation. Six Queensland patients tested negative for novel coronavirus on Sunday afternoon, meaning there are no confirmed cases in the state. Nationally, four cases have been confirmed three in New South Wales and one in Victoria with all four in hospital quarantine in a stable condition. A team of 20 at UQ is in the process of creating a vaccine after receiving a DNA sequence from China. Credit:Jocelyn Garcia Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the health department was contacting four people who had been on the same flight as the Victorian patient. Contact tracing was also underway in relation to the NSW patients, she said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the Gaganyaan mission will be a historic achievement in the field of science and technology for India in the 21st century and a milestone for New India. "On the solemn occasion of Republic Day, it gives me great joy to tell you about 'Gaganyaan'. The country has taken another step towards this goal. In 2022, we will be celebrating 75 years of Independence. And on that occasion, we have to fulfill the pledge to take an Indian into space through the Gaganyaan mission," Modi said in his first 'Mann Ki Baat' address of the year. "Gaganyaan mission will be a historic achievement in the field of science and technology for India in the 21st century. It will prove to be a milestone for New India," he added. The Prime Minister further said four pilots of the Indian Air Force have been shortlisted for the mission and they will be going to Russia for training for the mission. Modi said these talented youth were symbols of India's skills, talent, ability, courage and dreams. "Four candidates have been chosen for the mission as astronauts, all four are pilots of the Indian Air Force. These talented youth are symbols of India's skills, talent, ability, courage and dreams. They will soon be going to Russia for training in the next few days," Modi said. He expressed hope that the mission will lead to a closer and deeper relationship with Russia and extended his greetings to all persons associated with the project. "I am confident this will be another golden chapter of friendship and cooperation between India and Russia. They will be trained for over a year. After that, the responsibility of carrying the hopes and aspirations of the nation and soaring into space will rest on the shoulders of one of them. On the auspicious occasion of Republic Day, I congratulate these four youngsters and the Indian and Russian scientists and engineers associated with this mission," he said. The Narendra Modi government has sanctioned Rs 10,000 crores for the Gaganyaan project. The launch will coincide with the 75th year of India's independence in 2022. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Military medical personnel arrive in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, to fight the novel coronavirus pneumonia, Jan 24, 2020. [chinadaily.com.cn/Huang Shifeng] The National Health Commission has set up six medical teams with a total of 1,230 personnel to assist in the response to the novel coronavirus epidemic in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province on Saturday. Three medical teams from Shanghai, South China's Guangdong and the People's Liberation Army have arrived in Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak. Six reserve medical teams are on standby. Experts in critical care medicine also have been appointed to strengthen clinical guidance for the treatment of patients. To ensure the timely treatment of suspected and confirmed cases, Wuhan, on the basis of two designated hospitals and 61 fever clinics in the epidemic's early stage, commandeered 24 local general hospitals in three batches and temporarily transformed them into hospitals for admission of fever patients, according to the requirements of infectious disease prevention and treatment institutions, as of Saturday. There are now more than 4,000 beds with another 6,000 to be available by the end of the month. The city would promptly commandeer a fourth batch of hospitals depending on how the situation develops. According to the National Health Commission, deaths from the novel coronavirus rose to 41 on the Chinese mainland as of Friday at midnight, with 1,287 confirmed cases. Military medical personnel arrive in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, to fight the novel coronavirus pneumonia, Jan 24, 2020. [chinadaily.com.cn/Huang Shifeng] The commission also strengthened the nationwide work plan, revised and issued diagnosis and treatment, prevention and control plans for cases. It also improved the daily report system and the system for monitoring pneumonia with unknown causes and triage of preclinical examination for fever. Governments at all levels have published the list of designated medical institutions for fever clinics and pneumonia diagnosis and treatment. Military medical personnel arrive in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, to fight the novel coronavirus pneumonia, Jan 24, 2020. [chinadaily.com.cn/Zhu Yong] Military medical personnel arrive in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, to fight the novel coronavirus pneumonia, Jan 24, 2020. [chinadaily.com.cn/Zhu Yong] Military medical personnel arrive in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, to fight the novel coronavirus pneumonia, Jan 24, 2020. [chinadaily.com.cn/Li Ziyun] Military medical personnel arrive in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, to fight the novel coronavirus pneumonia, Jan 24, 2020. [chinadaily.com.cn/Li Ziyun] Military medical personnel arrive in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, to fight the novel coronavirus pneumonia, Jan 24, 2020.[chinadaily.com.cn/Li Ziyun] Military medical personnel arrive in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, to fight the novel coronavirus pneumonia, Jan 24, 2020. [chinadaily.com.cn/Li Ziyun] Military medical personnel arrive in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, to fight the novel coronavirus pneumonia, Jan 24, 2020. [chinadaily.com.cn/Li Ziyun] Military medical personnel arrive in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, to fight the novel coronavirus pneumonia, Jan 24, 2020. [chinadaily.com.cn/Jin Zhenqiang] Military medical personnel arrive in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, to fight the novel coronavirus pneumonia, Jan 24, 2020.[chinadaily.com.cn/Jin Zhenqiang] Military medical personnel arrive in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, to fight the novel coronavirus pneumonia, Jan 24, 2020. [chinadaily.com.cn/Jin Zhenqiang] (Source: Xinhua) Repurpose Your Christmas Tree to Grow Food, and More! With the Christmas season officially over, many of us will be disposing of our living Christmas trees. While most municipalities will repurpose your Christmas tree for you by chipping them into mulch; you may like to consider other options for extending the life of your tree. Wildlife habitat Evergreen trees 105 CBSE, universities' toppers witness Republic Day parade from PM's box India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Jan 26: A total of 105 toppers from CBSE and universities across the country watched the 71st Republic Day Parade on Sunday from the Prime Minister's box. They include 50 students from undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes, 30 from Class 10 and 25 from Class 12. "The HRD Ministry seeks list of toppers from CBSE and various universities and educational institutions from across the country. From the list, we select few students from each CBSE region and universities or institutions who have secured maximum marks and figured at top position," a senior HRD Ministry official said. In Pics: Grand 71st Republic Day 2020 parade celebrations at Rajpath 71st Republic Day: PM Modi continues with 'Safa' tradition, Chinook & Apache make debut The maximum number of 14 students are from Uttar Pradesh, followed by Assam (8). Seven students are each from Kerala, Haryana and Karnataka. "After completion of the parade, the students will be awarded a certificate of appreciation by the HRD Ministry at 4 PM," the official student. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, January 26, 2020, 13:31 [IST] Storm Lake, Iowa Pete Buttigieg warned Saturday that Senator Bernie Sanders runs the risk of alienating Republican and independent voters who might be open to voting for a Democratic presidential candidate because of concerns with President Trump. "There are a lot of folks who are ready to consider voting Democrat for the first time in a long time. But I want to make sure that they feel welcome in that coalition we're building," he said in an interview with CBS News. The wide-ranging conversation also included sharp criticism of the president's recent comments about U.S. military service members that "nobody likes" Sanders on Capitol Hill, Buttigieg declined to weigh in on whether she's still relevant to the Democratic Party. However, he said, "The less 2020 resembles 2016, the better we are at a moment when we have got to recognize what we share as a party, the shared values that motivate us." In the interview, the normally unflappable Buttigieg sharply admonished Mr. Trump for saying last week that service members enduring traumatic brain injuries after an Iranian missile attack into Iraq had suffered "headaches" and for reportedly disparaging senior military officers as "losers and babies" during a contentious 2017 meeting at the Pentagon. "It makes my blood boil," said Buttigieg, a former Naval intelligence officer. "The president of the United States showing this level of disrespect to everybody from remember these injured service members that he's talking about? He is their commander-in-chief right now. Their lives depend on his wisdom and judgment right now. And he can't even show a basic level of concern." "Traumatic brain injury is life threatening, not just at the time, but for the rest of your life," he added. "It can completely debilitate somebody who has served this country. And for the president to belittle that kind of sacrifice, for the president who avoided serving because he said bone spurs made it impossible for him to be able to do his part to turn around and demean the experience of soldiers in harm's way who were injured, who were very concretely and literally injured by an Iranian missile attack is one more example of why Donald Trump has no business anywhere near the Situation Room." Story continues While campaigning in four states on Friday, Buttigieg said he was able to reunite with a member of his old Naval intelligence unit who is preparing to deploy to Iraq. "I don't want him to go to Iraq at a time when his own commander in chief is not willing to support those who are there," he said. Regarding Bloomberg, Buttigieg said that he would like to see the former mayor more actively join the fray and participate in upcoming Democratic presidential debates. "When you're competing for an office, you would want to be debating among everybody who has a shot. I think it's unfortunate if we don't have that kind of competition," he said. "Look, one of the best things about this early state process is that it forces us to get off of the airwaves and away from the ads and actually look people in the eye." Bloomberg is skipping the first four Democratic presidential primaries in favor of competing for delegates in the Super Tuesday states. He is also declining campaign donations, making him ineligible to meet the party's fundraising thresholds and appear on a debate stage. Asked how he would contrast himself with the 77-year-old former mayor of New York City, which has over 8.5 million residents, compared to South Bend's 102,000, the 38-year old Buttigieg said he considers the small size of the Indiana city he led as mayor to be an advantage. "That's kind of the point," he said. "There's so many South Bends out there, many of them right here in Iowa." Buttigieg also defended his current approach to winning support from minority voters, despite reams of data showing he is struggling to win favor among Asians, Blacks and Latinos. "We will continue with that all-of-the-above strategy to reach out to minority voters," he said. While consistently polling in the top tier in Iowa and New Hampshire, Buttigieg continues to struggle especially among African-American voters. This has not escaped his notice. In a conversation with Democratic activist Angela Rye in South Carolina on Thursday, Buttigieg acknowledged that some of his rallies in South Carolina are filled with a mostly white audience. "In order not just to win, in order to deserve to win, I've got to be speaking to everyone," Buttigieg told Rye. In the CBS News interview, Buttigieg cited his conversation with Rye and several interviews with radio host Charlamagne tha God as "the right kind of engagement to make sure we have conversations that are just different from what you can do in a thousand-person rally. And we will continue with that." But Buttigieg has had several missteps while seeking African-American support. Last weekend he rearranged his campaign schedule to attend Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in South Carolina amid criticism he would be skipping them to attend similar events in Indiana. Earlier in the cycle, the mayor's campaign had used a stock photo of a Kenyan woman on his campaign's website with his plan to end systemic racism in the U.S. And his complex relationship with law enforcement and minority communities in South Bend remains fodder for his critics. Still, Buttigieg remains confident he will prevail. "Every time my party's won in the last 50 years, it's been with a nominee who is new to national politics, had not run for president before, did not have an office in Washington, or at least hadn't had one for very long and was opening the door to a new generation of leadership," he said, adding later, "I'm here to lead America in turning the page." Pete Buttigieg on Iowa ground game, Trump With defense up next, where does the impeachment trial against Trump go? Buttigieg warns that Sanders could alienate GOP and independent voters BECKER COUNTY, Minn. Its been five years since Linda Anderson last saw her daughter. And she hasnt stopped looking since. Her daughter Melissa Eagleshield, then 42, vanished in the middle of an autumn night. Her socks, shoes, purse, left behind at a house in the middle of the woods. It was dark and only a few degrees above freezing when she was last seen at the house. Investigators think perhaps Eagleshield wandered off in the middle of the night, losing her way in the unforgiving wilderness of Becker County. Her mom thinks something more foul happened. ADVERTISEMENT No one knows for sure, as Eagleshield has yet to be found. But her mom is certain about one thing: Her daughter isnt alive. She would have called one of her kids or grandkids, or used the money left in her bank account by now, Anderson said. At this point, Anderson is just hoping for "closure." "Its just a long, hard journey of no answers," she said. "Youre always looking, but theres no answers." Eagleshield, a descendant of the White Earth Nation in Minnesota, is one of the thousands of Indigenous people who have gone missing in the 21st century. The precise number of missing Indigenous people, however, is still unknown because of inadequate data collection, according to Global Indigenous Council acting president Tom Rodgers. Annita Lucchesi, a Cheyenne woman, is working to determine that number. With no initial funding or institutional support, she founded the Sovereign Bodies Institute in 2019, with the goal of documenting every case of a missing or murdered Indigenous person in North America. In February 2019, she told South Dakota legislators that she alone had documented over 4,000 cases in the United States and Canada 158 from South Dakota, and 35 from North Dakota since 1900. "This violence is happening on a truly tremendous proportion," she said. 'Its very deep-rooted' Historian and South Dakota state Sen. Tamara St. John, a Republican from the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribe, said last year that cases of Indigenous women gone missing and forgotten "go on and on," fueled by the long-term historical trauma of colonialism, stereotyping and dehumanization. She told fellow legislators the story of Lakota Rae Renville , a shy girl from her tribe who police assumed was a prostitute after she was murdered at 22 years old in 2005. "When Native women are portrayed in such a way, I think that adds to that perception, or even to depersonalize individuals and not see us as mothers or maybe a young working woman," she told reporters. The crisis has also been linked to natural resource extraction on or near reservations , jurisdictional disputes between local, state, tribal and federal authorities, a convoluted justice system that doesnt always hold non-Native perpetrators accountable, insufficient law enforcement in often remote Indian Country, and longstanding struggles with poverty on reservations. ADVERTISEMENT And it goes by many names, such as missing and murdered Indigenous women, women and girls, people, or relatives, and dates back to European colonists' first contacts with Native peoples. In the upper Plains alone, hundreds of Dakota women and children died after being exiled from Minnesota to Crow Creek , South Dakota, in 1862. Less than 30 years later, hundreds of Lakota men, women and children were slaughtered by U.S. troops in the 1890 massacre at Wounded Knee, for which U.S. soldiers received Medals of Honor . During the boarding school era from 1869 to the 1960s, thousands of Indigenous children were taken from their homes, placed into boarding schools where they suffered abuse and were forced to assimilate to European culture in the pursuit to " kill the Indian, and save the man ." As recently as the 1950s and 1960s, Native women have alleged abuse at Catholic boarding schools in Marty, South Dakota. "Its very deep-rooted," said North Dakota state Rep. Ruth Buffalo, D-Fargo. "Until uncomfortable conversations and addressing the atrocities that Indigenous people have faced over time, what were seeing today is a symptom." By 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice estimated more than half of Indigenous women have experienced sexual violence in their lifetimes, and they're 1.7 times more likely than White women to have experienced violence in the past year. Also in 2016, the National Crime Information Center logged almost 6,000 cases of missing and murdered Indigenous people in the U.S. But that figure may be low, according to the Global Indigenous Council, as many cases go unreported, or a persons tribal affiliation goes unrecorded. As more Native women have been elected to state, local and federal offices, they've brought forth proposals to better understand and address the crisis. In Minnesota, a state task force was created to probe the issue and find state-level solutions. And North and South Dakota have passed legislation calling for increased data collection and law enforcement training on the issue. But advocates say thats not enough. And at the federal level, Congress has failed to pass reforms that could forge meaningful change. ADVERTISEMENT Cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women continue to be reported in the region and beyond. Meanwhile, as more go missing, family members, friends and others have continued searching, picking up where law enforcement left off or opted not to pursue investigations. Still out there Melissa Eagleshield was last seen near Island Lake in Becker County, Minnesota outside the boundaries of the White Earth Reservation. Her case fell to the Becker County Sheriffs Office. Todd Glander was the sergeant on duty the night Eagleshields cousin called 911 to report a missing person. Glander is now the county sheriff. The call came in at 7:20 p.m. on Oct. 5, 2014, at least 14 hours after Eagleshield was last seen, police records show. Officers quickly determined Eagleshield had last been seen at a house on Jager Road, south of County Road 126 near Island Lake. Dan Jager, who lived at the house, told police he last saw her at 5 a.m. Assuming she had found a ride or went to meet somebody, he didnt report her missing right away. Around 10 p.m. that night, searchers descended on the area. Becker County Sheriffs Office and Detroit Lakes Fire Department showed up; Hubbard County brought a search dog and two snowmobiles; Sanford AirMed sent a helicopter. The Frazee and Wolf Lake fire departments also joined the effort. The next day, even more help arrived, from the White Earth Police Department and state patrol. Once the search began, "I dont believe we quit looking," Glander said. "This search started, and once it started, essentially it hasnt ended." Every fall, spring and summer, the search continues. Though its been more than five years since she went missing, Glander still remembers the cool weather on the first night of the search, and he wonders whether she was dressed for the elements, having seen many cases of hypothermia. Jager Road is a dead-end leading to the woods a vast expanse of trees, hills, low ground, swamps, ponds and lakes. Its beautiful, but its easy to get lost. Or not be found. Eagleshields mom, cousins and aunts have been out searching, too, though not going too deep into the woods. According to her mom, Eagleshield was a spunky person. When she was growing up, she was mechanically inclined, too, once taking the bolts out of all the doors in the apartment just for fun. Her aunt, 56-year-old Pauline Keezer, said Eagleshield was funny, that most people remember her sense of humor. She was outgoing, too. Keezer remembers babysitting her when she was young and then frequently running into her in Detroit Lakes when shed grown up. "I pray for her every night," Keezer said. "Its not knowing. Thats the hardest part. Not knowing what happened, where shes at, who could do such terrible things." Anderson said Eagleshield started drinking alcohol as a teenager and eventually became addicted. She had her first daughter when she was 15. As an adult, Eagleshield was frequently homeless and "part of a bad crowd," her mom said. But Anderson said the community should be safe for everyone. "It isnt about whether youre an addict, or youre homeless, or whatever. Youre still a valuable person," her mom said. Lissa Yellow Bird-Chase, whos dedicated her life to searching for missing people, has helped search for Eagleshield. "Missys out there," she said. "Shes out in that forest. I just know it." Because the case is still open, Glander said there arent any conclusions yet on what happened to her. "Were not ruling anything out right now," he said, but "at this point, we have nothing to indicate that foul play was involved." Anderson thinks differently. "It was dark. It was cold," she said. "You dont walk away barefoot. I think something happened." But with her daughter still missing, Anderson said she doesnt know for sure. After all these years, she just wants answers. And for that, she said, "You always have to have hope." If you or someone you know is a victim of violence, please consider calling the National Indian Women Resource Center at 406-477-3896 or the StrongHearts Native Helpline at 1-844-762-8483. In an emergency situation, please call 911. We are still collecting our stories on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. If you have a story to share with one of our reporters, send an email to MMIW@forumcomm.com or call toll-free 1-877-583-1817. The United States is arranging a flight to evacuate personnel and American citizens trapped at the epicentre of a deadly virus in central China, the US State Department said on Sunday. The flight will leave on Tuesday from the city of Wuhan and take people to San Francisco, the department said in an email to Americans in China, warning that there would be limited space for private citizens. "This capacity is extremely limited and if there is insufficient ability to transport everyone who expresses interest, priority will be given to individuals at greater risk from coronavirus," the department said. France plans to evacuate its citizens stuck in Hubei by bus. The outbreak, which has killed 56 people and infected nearly 2,000 across China, is believed to have originated in a seafood and live animal market in Wuhan. The city of 11 million people has been placed under effective quarantine for days, with a car traffic ban going into effect on Sunday. Wuhan is the capital of Hubei province. Transport restrictions have been expanded across the province, corralling some 56 million people in total. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Baghdad, Jan 27 : Four Katyusha rockets on Sunday landed near the US embassy in the heavily fortified Green Zone in central Baghdad, capital of Iraq, an Interior Ministry official said. The attack took place in the evening when the four rockets landed near the US embassy in the Green Zone, which also houses some of the main Iraqi government offices, the official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. There was no casualty reported, as the rockets landed in empty area near the embassy, the official said. The heavily fortified Green Zone has been frequently targeted by insurgents' mortar and rocket attacks. The roughly 10 square km zone is located on the west bank of the Tigris River, which bisects the Iraqi capital. On Friday, the Iraqi prominent Shiite leader Moqtada al-Sadr called for a scheduled withdrawal of the US troops from Iraq through peaceful means. The Iraqi parliament passed a resolution requiring the government to end the presence of foreign forces in Iraq on January 5, two days after a US drone strike on a convoy at Baghdad airport, which killed Qassem Soleimani, former commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy chief of Iraq's paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces. Over 5,000 US troops have been deployed in Iraq to support the Iraqi forces in the battles against the Islamic State militants, mainly providing training and advising to the Iraqi forces. By Jose Devasia and Saurabh Sharma KOCHI/LUCKNOW (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of Indians protested across the country on Sunday against a citizenship bill that many fear is discriminatory against the minority Muslim community. The protests, which began last month, gathered fresh momentum as India celebrated Republic Day, in commemoration of the day the Indian constitution came into effect. In the southern state of Kerala, organisers said more than a hundred thousand people formed a human chain. It was followed by public meetings at over 250 places across the state. It was not a mere human chain, but a human wall against the violation of the principles of the Constitution, said Keralas Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, addressing a public meeting in the state capital of Thiruvananthapuram. Another human chain spread over 11 km was also formed in Kolkata, organisers said. The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Citizens Register (NRC) were a key part of the election manifesto of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Hindu nationalist party. The government believes the legislation is needed to protect refugees across south Asia. The CAA aims to fast-track https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-citizenship-explainer/explainer-why-indias-new-citizenship-plans-are-stirring-protests-idUSKBN1YR0WL citizenship for persecuted Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Christians who arrived in India before Dec. 31, 2014, from Muslim-majority Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Clashes between protesters and police leaving at least 25 dead have been a regular occurrence since Dec. 12, when the government passed the legislation. Tens of thousands protested in Indias financial hub of Mumbai, as well as Lucknow, the capital of populous Uttar Pradesh state which has seen the highest number of deaths since the unrest began. Both were predominantly female-led. "Our protest against this discriminatory citizenship act ... will continue until it is withdrawn by the government," said Ambreen Rizvi, a female protester in Lucknow. Story continues The North-eastern state of Assam witnessed five low-intensity explosions for which the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), a militant group, has taken responsibility. No casualties were reported. In New Delhi, the government hosted the annual Republic Day parade aimed at showcasing India's military hardware and cultural diversity. Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro was the chief guest. Protesters also gathered in the capital, including in the area of Shaheen Bagh, where hundreds of residents have blocked a major highway since December. A women-only led rally with over 20,000 protesters also gathered in a suburb in Mumbai to mark their dissent against the new law. (Reporting by Saurabh Sharma in Lucknow;Zarir Hussain in Guwahati; Rupak De Chowdhuri in Kolkata, Jose Devasia and Sivaram V in Kerala; Writing by Nupur Anand; Editing by Alasdair Pal and Giles Elgood) So you want to be a food entrepreneur? Listen up. With the city of Santa Fes support, a nonprofit called Creative Startups is launching a program for Santa Fe and northern New Mexico food entrepreneurs. Applications are currently open for Creative Startups Food LABS, intensive four-week programs designed to move entrepreneurs quickly from early concept into the market. Food entrepreneurs tackling such challenges as climate change, food waste, localizing food systems and building healthier communities are encouraged to apply for this business pre-accelerator program. The deadline for applications is Feb. 16. On-boarding takes place from March 16-20. The course runs from March 23 through April 15. The Deep Dive is from April 16-18. Learn more and apply at www.creativestartups.org/locations/SFfoodLABS. Hundreds of Gambians marched Saturday in the outskirts of the capital Banjul, demanding justice for sweeping rights abuses and murder they suffered under former dictator Yahya Jammeh's 22-year rule. Jammeh ruled Gambia with an iron fist but fled in January 2017 after losing a presidential election to relative unknown Adama Barrow which he refused to acknowledge before being forced out of power by a popular uprising. Wearing T-shirts that read #justicemustprevail, the protesters held photographs of people killed or who have gone missing, including AFP correspondent Deyda Hydara, who was gunned down on 16 December 2004 by Jammeh's henchmen. "We want justice and we want it immediately," they cried and demanding a ban on Jammeh's former ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction party (APRC). Nyima Sonko, 42, the widow of Solo Sandeng, a political activist who was arrested and tortured to death after he led a protest march for electoral reform, said: "We are calling on the government to ban the APRC from taking part in active politics." Since January 2019, some 190 witnesses have appeared before a Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) set up to investigate abuses under Jammeh's rule. The first year of hearings ended in early December, capping months of testimony about torture, murder, rape and witch hunts in the country of around two million. Jammeh is in exile in Equatorial Guinea. By Handout (GRTS - Gambia Radio and Television Services/AFP/File) Last week, thousands marched on the outskirts of Banjul demanding Jammeh's return from exile in Equatorial Guinea, as tensions heighten over Barrow's decision to stay in office for five years -- reversing a previous pledge to step down after three. Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou last week warned that Jammeh would "face immediate arrest and charges of the most serious kind" if he returned, including "crimes against humanity." They argue he has a right to return under a joint statement from the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations, published at the time of his exile. Maron Baldeh, whose husband lieutenant Basiru Barrow was executed in 1994, said she was at Saturday's protest to call for Jammeh to be prosecuted. "We are sending message to government to act fast, because... justice delayed is justice denied. Yahya Jammeh should be arrested and put on trial." Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and BJP legislator Angoorlata Deka were shown black flags by anti-CAA protesters at two different locations in the state on Sunday, when they were on their way to attend Republic Day programmes. Sarma, who is also the North-East Democratic Alliance convener, was heading towards Nurul Amin stadium in Nagaon district, when AASU and AJYCP members rushed towards his convoy and raised 'go back' and 'CAA Ami namanu' (we do not accept CAA) slogans, while waving black flags at him. They agitators were, however, overpowered by police and taken into custody. The minister had, on an earlier occasion, said he "sees white even when black flags are waved". In Kamrup district, Deka, BJP MLA from Nagaon's Batadrava constituency, was also greeted with protests and black flags by AASU activists, according to reports. The legislator had to make her way through the agitation to the reach the venue. The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), enacted last month, had triggered widespread protests across Assam, as people feared that their identity and culture might be at stake if illegal settlers from neighbouring Bangladesh were made legal residents. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In the aftermath of the recent passing of the late sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said, there is now time to undertake a thorough analysis of his legacy after almost five decades of his rule. This should be both at the domestic level and at the level of the foreign policy of Oman in the period and its interaction with sub-regional, regional, and international actors. This article will focus on only one aspect of the late sultan Qabooss legacy, namely his handling of what could be called the Dhofar Question, which, although being primarily a domestic issue, had its own sub-regional, regional, and international ramifications. Historians agree that sultan Qaboos assumed power at a critical juncture in the history of Oman. The Sultanate was then amidst a fully-fledged civil war in the province of Dhofar. The rebels had formally declared that they aimed at achieving the independence of their province, meaning the dismembering of the Sultanate of Oman. In addition to its serious domestic implications, the war in Dhofar had its own sub-regional, regional, and international dimensions. At the sub-regional level, the rebels in Dhofar were strongly and actively supported by the then Marxist-Leninist government in what was called the Peoples Democratic Republic of Yemen (South Yemen), either in an attempt to eventually merge with the province of Dhofar if the war there ended in the victory of the rebels and the separation of the province from the rest of Oman, or simply with a view to having the province as an ally of the struggle of South Yemen with its neighbouring conservative and pro-western countries in the Gulf region at the time. At the regional level, and similar to what had happened in the war in Yemen between 1962 and 1967, the war in Dhofar was a stereotypical manifestation of the division in the Arab region since the early 1960s, what the late US political scientist Malcom Kerr called the Arab Cold War. This meant that the region could be divided between those countries belonging to what came to be called the progressive, or revolutionary, or occasionally left-wing camp, on the one hand, and those belonging to what came to be known as the conservative, or moderate, or occasionally right-wing camp on the other. On the global level of analysis, the war in Dhofar was simply one more of the proxy wars that were taking place in the Third World between the two competing camps of the western camp led by the US and the eastern camp led by the former Soviet Union at the time. The war was a turbulent legacy that the new sultan had to deal with. Historians differ over the way he brought an end to the war in Dhofar with a favourable outcome for the government of Oman, particularly his dependence on the military involvement of the Iranian armed forces during the rule of the former shah of Iran, Mohamed Reza Pahlavi, which supported Omani government troops. There was a similar dependence on British military involvement, mainly in terms of the provision of military experts and their presence on the battlefield, as well as the flow of military equipment and ammunition to Omani government troops. Yet, in order to be objective, one has to recall that the conflict was taking place in the broader context of the Cold War between the capitalist and communist camps and at a time when the governments of the Arab states in the Gulf were clearly allying themselves with the western camp for a number of economic and geo-political as well as strategic and even probably ideological reasons. In addition, Iran at the time was widely perceived and explicitly described as the Wests policeman in the Gulf region. It was in this context that the Omani leadership considered it only logical to seek military support from Iran and the UK to put down a rebellion supported by the then Marxist government in pro-Soviet South Yemen and through it the former Soviet camp in its entirety. But this is only part of the story of the handling of the Dhofar question, as the end of the war in the 1970s in favour of the Muscat government was not the end of the story. At one level, the late sultan clearly meant to attach more attention to the socio-economic developmental needs of the Dhofar province and its inhabitants. He realised that the disregard by the previous governments of Oman of the needs of the people of the Dhofar province had been one of the reasons for the revolt in the first place as well as for the sympathy of substantial segments of the population of the province with the rebels during the war. As a result, he was keen to personally supervise the giving of priority by successive Omani governments to both the living as well as the developmental needs of the people of Dhofar in order to enable a process of the smooth and successful integration of the province into the overall process of the equitable renaissance and development that Oman has witnessed under the rule of the late sultan. He also successfully integrated some of the leaders of the rebels in the Dhofar war into the political elite of Oman. This policy went far beyond the hopes and advice of some who were close to the late sultan, as their maximum aspiration earlier had been to pardon the leaders of the revolt in Dhofar. But the late sultan in fact appointed some of those leaders, after pardoning them, as ministers or ambassadors, thus wisely making use of their intellectual sophistication and expertise as well as the advanced political and cultural awareness of these figures to better serve the national interests of the Sultanate of Oman and its people. The writer is a commentator. *A version of this article appears in print in the 23 January, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: Pilecki's first big mission was to get arrested and get sent to Auschwitz. At the time, the site run by Germany in occupied Poland was known to be a Nazi work camp for Polish prisoners of war. Pilecki was to gather information about conditions inside and organise a resistance cell, perhaps even an uprising. A rail car similar to those used to transport people to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Credit:Getty Images The dangerous mission was voluntary; he could have refused. On September 18, 1940, he placed himself in the middle of a Gestapo sweep and was sent to Auschwitz. Nothing could have prepared him for the brutality he found. As he left the train on arrival, he was beaten with clubs. Ten men were randomly pulled from the group and shot. Anyone who was educated or Jewish was beaten. Those remaining were robbed of their valuables, stripped, shaved, assigned a number and prison stripes, and marched out to stand in the first of many roll calls. Loading "Let none of you imagine that he will ever leave this place alive," an SS guard announced. "The rations have been calculated so that you will only survive six weeks." The mass gassings that came to define the Holocaust had yet to begin, but the crematorium was up and running. The only way out of Auschwitz, another guard said, was through the chimney. Thus began two-and-a-half years of misery. As Pilecki and other prisoners starved, lice and bedbugs feasted on them. Typhus outbreaks raged through the camp. Work assignments were exhausting. Prisoners, in desperation, stole from and betrayed one another for scraps. Many killed themselves by leaping into the electrified fence. But slowly, Pilecki organised his underground network. At first it was just a few men he knew from before the war. In the end, there were nearly a thousand. They formed a network to steal and distribute food and extra clothing, sabotage Nazi plans, hide injured and sick prisoners, and improve morale with regular news from the outside world. Loading "With almost a thousand men by 1942, and barring one incident with a Gestapo spy not one of Pilecki's men betrayed each other, in extraordinary circumstances of starvation and violence," Fairweather said. "He built something really powerful in that camp." Starting in October 1940, the underground worked together to smuggle messages to the resistance outside. The first was sent via prisoner Aleksander Wielopolski. In Auschwitz's early days, a few prisoners were able to secure their release if their families paid big enough bribes. Wielopolski was one of those few. Rather than risk smuggling out a paper report, Pilecki had him memorise it. Once free, Wielopolski passed the message on to Pilecki's friends in the resistance. Pilecki never knew whether his reports reached the Allies, but Fairweather and his researchers were able to track down how they were smuggled across Europe to the highest levels in London. His first message was blunt: bomb Auschwitz. Even if it meant killing everyone inside, it would be merciful. Conditions were horrifying, and the Nazis had to be stopped, he implored. The British considered Pilecki's request in early 1941, Fairweather found, but ultimately decided against it. The United States had not yet entered the war, and the British Royal Air Force was down to fewer than 200 planes, all of which lacked radar. And the British had no precedent to take action for humanitarian reasons. The now-famous entrance to the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland. It reads: "Work makes you free". Credit:Getty Images Over the next two years, Pilecki continued sending messages to London via risky escapes by his men and notes passed to Polish farmers near the camp. Each message was more dire: the Nazis were conducting disgusting medical experiments on patients; the Nazis killed thousands of Soviet POWs in a mass execution; the Nazis were testing a way to gas prisoners en masse; the camp was expanding; huge trainloads of Jews were being gassed and cremated; hundreds of thousands of men, women and children were being murdered. "Pilecki, by recording every step of the camp's evolution towards the Holocaust, he was in some ways grappling with the very essence of the Nazi's evil before anyone else," Fairweather said. Pilecki kept asking: couldn't the Allies at least bomb the train lines leading to the gas chambers? Or create a distraction so the prisoners could try to rise up and escape? The railway tracks from where hundreds of thousands of people were directed to the gas chambers to be murdered inside the former Nazi death camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Credit:AP Fairweather said he had a lot of sympathy for the British for their initial decision not to bomb the camp, but later, when the United States joined the war, maintaining that stance "becomes untenable," he said. Not bombing Auschwitz is "one of history's great might have beens," Fairweather said. By spring 1943, it was clear the Allies weren't going to help the prisoners of Auschwitz. Without any outside help, an uprising would never succeed. Increasingly frail and in danger of being found out, Pilecki decided it was time for him to leave. It took months to plan, but he and two friends pulled off an incredible escape through the camp bakery in the early hours of April 27. From there, he sneaked into Warsaw, where he was briefly reunited with his wife and children. Pilecki began working for the resistance again, but the symptoms of what we might now call post-traumatic stress disorder dragged him down. He "struggled to connect" with his friends and family, according to Fairweather, and wrote day and night about the horrors he had witnessed. He even returned to Auschwitz after the war, where he found other former prisoners living in their old barracks and giving tours to the curious. In the summer of 1944, the Soviets were advancing on the German army. The Polish resistance hoped to kick the Germans out of Warsaw ahead of the Soviets' arrival. Pilecki was one of thousands who fought in the Warsaw Uprising, the largest action taken by a European resistance group in World War II. In the end, the Soviets held back their advance so the Nazis could crush the Poles. Then they swooped in and took over. The Soviets liberated Auschwitz on January 27, 1945. By then, 1.1 million people had been killed there, most of them Jews. "For a lot of us in the West, we think of May 1945 as the end of the Second World War in Europe, and parades and so on," Fairweather said. "Pilecki's story is a powerful reminder that what happened in Eastern Europe was the Allies gave [Soviet leader Joseph] Stalin a free hand to occupy and subjugate half of continental Europe. And the war didn't end for so many people." Poland would spend the next four decades as a communist puppet state behind the Iron Curtain, but Pilecki didn't see much of it. He remained loyal to the idea of a free Polish republic and continued sending messages to British intelligence. He was arrested by communist authorities in 1947, tortured and executed as an enemy of the state. According to a Polish newspaper, as he was led to his death, he said, "I've been trying to live my life so that in the hour of my death I would rather feel joy than fear." Pilecki's reports remained hidden away in Polish archives until the 1990s. Now he has been showered with posthumous awards and hailed as the hero he was. A documentary about him is scheduled for release this year. He is also a symbol of the way many Poles were forced to bury their war experiences for decades, Fairweather said. Zofia and Andrzej, now 86 and 88, honour ther father each year on the day of his execution. A third case of the lethal coronavirus has been confirmed in the Unites States, health officials have revealed. The patient in Orange County, southern California, tested positive for the disease which has killed 56 in China and infected 2,000 worldwide. They had traveled to the US from Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, and was taken into isolation where he remains in good condition, the Centers for Disease Control announced just before midnight on Saturday. The first known case in California comes on the heels of diagnoses of a 30-something man in Washington state on Tuesday and 60-something woman in Chicago on Friday. Both patients had also traveled to China. Passengers exit customs and screening areas as they arrive at O'Hare International Airport as they in Chicago on Friday A third case of the lethal coronavirus has been confirmed in the Unites States, health officials have revealed The US Consulate in Wuhan announced that it would evacuate its personnel and some private citizens aboard a charter flight. The CDC expects more Americans to be diagnosed with the newly discovered virus, which is believed to have an incubation period of about two weeks, as worldwide the number of confirmed cases nears 2,000. The CDC is screening passengers on direct and connecting flights from Wuhan at five major airports in Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The Orange County patient had contacted local health officials, who provided guidance to reduce exposure to the public while awaiting laboratory confirmation from the CDC. Passengers from China wearing face-masks arrive at Chicago's O'Hare airport in Chicago, Illinoi, on Friday The Orange County agency has consulted with the CDC and the California Department of Health and will follow up with people who have had close contact with the patient. Guidance from the CDC advises that people who have had casual contact with the patient are at "minimal risk" for developing infection. There's no evidence that person-to-person transmission occurred in Orange County, and the risk of local transmission remains low, the release said. Further details about the case weren't released. The CDC had not added the Southern California case to its summary of US cases as of early Sunday. Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Australia, France and Canada all have reported confirmed cases of the virus, which Chinese state officials today warned was growing stronger. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday reminded people of their constitutional duties. Addressing the closing ceremony of the Foundation Day programme of the state at the Awadh Shilp Gram here, he said, "The Constitution has given us a lot. Therefore, we should feel proud of it. We talk about our constitutional rights, but not about our duties. Along with the rights, the Constitution tells us about our duties too. India is among the few democratic countries in the world that gave voting rights to every adult citizen immediately after the Constitution came into force." The welfare of the country and the society would be possible only when the citizens discharged their duties honestly, the chief minister said. The three-day programme had begun on January 24, a statement issued by the Uttar Pradesh government said. "This programme was a platform for not only the artisans of Lucknow, but those from different regions of the state," Adityanath said. Reminding the gathering that Uttar Pradesh was the land of civilisation and culture, he said, "We can give a lot to the country and the world. For this, the 23 crore people of Uttar Pradesh will have to discharge their constitutional duties with honesty. When every person uses his full potential, Uttar Pradesh will be among the leading states in the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nigerians have reacted to reports that kidnapped schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu, gave birth to a baby boy for a top commander of Boko Haram terrorists. Leah Sharibu was kidnapped from the Government Science Secondary School, Dapchi, Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State, on February 19, 2018. A twitter user tweeted; Adamawa CAN Chairman was beheaded. A 20year old student got shot dead. Now the news is Leah Sharibu has had a baby for a top commander in boko haram after being forced to become a Muslim. Kidnap. Rape. Religious extremism. Terrorism. Murder. This country is heartbreaking. Read some of the comments below; Tong Xa bronze casting village in Yen Xa commune, Nam Dinh province, is a center of the traditional bronze casting craft. For nearly 900 years, bronze casting has been preserved and developed by the village. A caster is melting bronze before pouring it into the molds. (Photo: phapluat.tuoitrethudo.com.vn) About 900 years ago, in Yen Khanh district (now in Ninh Binh province), Nguyen Chi Thanh followed Zen Master Giac Khong to become a monk at a young age. He travelled to many regions to teach others. In Tong Xa, he taught the villagers how to make molds for casting bronze. Centuries later, the craft is still practiced here. To remember his merits, the villagers built a temple to worship him. Every year, in the middle of the 2nd lunar month, the village holds a festival to commemorate the merits of the Founder. Today, Tong Xas bronze casting furnaces burn from dawn till dusk. Every stage of bronze casting-choosing the right clay for the kiln, controlling the fire, making the molds, and melting the bronze, must be done carefully and correctly to ensure the quality of the finished products. In the old days, Tong Xa villagers only produced simple household and worship items. Today, its products are extremely diverse in design and function. Many are displayed at historical and cultural heritage sites. Do Thanh Vy, a local artisan, said there are 5 main steps in making a bronze item. The most important step is making the clay molds. When taking an item out of the mold, you need to remove it evenly. If any part of the product is too thin, it will be easy to puncture, said Vy. Bronze statues are a signature product of Tong Xa. They have made the village famous both in Vietnam and abroad. Casting statues requires skillful technique and often involves carefully guarded craft secrets, said artisan Vu Duy Thuan. He said A caster can be called a craftsman when he has a passion for the craft and can imbue his statues with a soul. An artisan must be meticulous, hard-working, and always alert to new ideas. Another Tong Xa artisan named Duong Van Lan said bronze casting is hard work. Casters must be strong and have endurance and resistance. It is a challenge to stand by the hot kiln to heat the bronze and pour it into the mold. Lan shares his experience In the summer when the temperature of the kiln is over 1 thousand degrees Celsius, the area within 20 meters will be between 60 and 70 degrees Celsius. Despite the heat, we do our best to create sophisticated products. Tong Xa finished products (Photo: dongyyen.com.vn) After the bronze is poured into the mold, workers must wait until it has hardened and cooled before removing it from the mold. He said these are raw products which need to undergo another important step When making worship items, workers must pay special attention to filing and engraving. Items with beautiful designs and reliefs are more attractive to customers. Artisan Nguyen Cong Hon said that most of the bronze casting steps are done manually in the traditional way. This ensures that each product is smooth, beautiful, and delicate. When I create a beautiful item, I want to make it even more beautiful. A caster must take as much time as necessary and be diligent, even anxious, about the end product. You need a passion for the craft, said Hon. Bronze items made by Tong Xa village have been exported to more than 70 countries. VOV Kaley Cuoco has long proven to be an avid horse girl, frequently spending time with her steeds Benji and Netty. The actress shares that enthusiasm with professional equestrian husband Karl Cook, whom she married in 2018 at his horse ranch. She took to Instagram Saturday with an overjoyed look on her face as she enjoyed a day of riding. Horse girl: Kaley Cuoco took to Instagram Saturday with an overjoyed look on her face as she hugged her horse Netty The 34-year-old shared a photo of her on her horse Netty, leaning forward to give her a hug, which she captioned: 'Back with my girl - all is right with the world.' She later posted another snap of herself on a white horse named PokerFace, captioned: 'Same pose, different horse.' Cuoco also took to her story with video of herself riding around a fenced course with Netty. They did a couple of jumps, as she wrote: 'I literally can't believe I'm finally jumping her again.' Animal lover: She later posted another snap of herself on a white horse named PokerFace Riding around: Cuoco also took to her story with video of herself riding around a fenced course with Netty Mad jumps: They did a couple of jumps, as she wrote: 'I literally can't believe I'm finally jumping her again' Equestrian couple: She married Karl Cook, 29, back in June of 2018 on his Pomponio Ranch in Southern California The Big Bang Theory star married Cook, 29, back in June of 2018 on his Pomponio Ranch in Southern California. Cuoco took to Instagram after Christmas, vowing to spend more time with her horses. She posted a few snaps of herself at competition, captioned: 'My horse content is at an all time low! Now that I have a few weeks off for the holidays, Im spending all my time at our barn with these kids. 'I feel so lucky and blessed being able to come home to these wonderful horses who always take such good care of me..they make everything better and I cant wait to start showing again. Another reason I love this sport. Its always there waiting for you!' She's recently been busy filming in Rome on her upcoming HBO Max series The Flight Attendant, based on the Chris Bohjalian book of the same name. LANSING Michigans national parks need more than $50 million for maintenance and repairs, according to a report that identifies $12 billion in such needs nationwide. The states need encompasses older parks such as Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Isle Royale National Park, as well as newer ones like River Raisin National Battlefield Park. I know that Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore has $10 million worth of deferred maintenance that is evident when you go visit the park headquarters, said Rod DesJardins, the mayor of Munising, one of the gateway communities to the park. They maintain it as best they can, but its a 100-year-old Coast Guard station and they need new facilities and they need to have money to preserve the historic facilities that theyre in, DesJardins said. Pictured Rocks isnt alone. In 2016, Isle Royale applied for funds to replace the 58-year-old MV-Ranger-III ferry that transports passengers and cargo to that park. Estimated cost: $25-$30 million. Isle Royale would need $17.9 million to address deferred maintenance projects, with $10.1 million of that needed to maintain the parks buildings, according to the Pew study. Similar problems loom elsewhere. We continue to compete for dollars to be able to develop the park and staff the park, and those come from a variety of sources both internal from the National Park Service through government sources, as well as through our nonprofit partners, said Scott Bentley, the superintendent of River Raisin National Battlefield Park. The deferred maintenance costs for River Raisin total $818,300, Pew reports. At Sleeping Bear Dunes, Pew data shows a deferred maintenance backlog of $16.3 million. These struggles have not gone unrecognized by Congress. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is working to increase funding to national parklands by about $50 million a year, according to a recent article published by Pew. Congress would also be granted authority to appropriate $300 million a year more. In addition to these measures, Pew is urging lawmakers to include a dedicated funding of $4.8 billion to account for high-priority transportation-related assets within the parks. This increase in funding would reduce the $12 billion national backlog. SIDEBAR Here is a breakdown of the maintenance backlog of national parks in Michigan, according to the Pew Charitable Trust. Pictured Rocks has $10 million of deferred maintenance $2.4 million of this is toward historic maintenance $4.9 million of this is toward transportation maintenance Isle Royale has a $17.9 million backlog of deferred maintenance $3 million of this is toward historic maintenance $465,000 of this is toward transportation maintenance Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has $16.3 million backlog of deferred maintenance $6.9 million of this is toward historic maintenance $1.7 million of this is toward transportation maintenance RIver Raisin National Battlefield Park has a $818,300 backlog of deferred maintenance $247,700 of this is toward historic maintenance $329,400 of this is toward transportation maintenance Keweenaw National Park has a $5.3 million backlog of deferred maintenance $5.1 million of this is toward historic maintenance $335,400 of this is toward transportation maintenance They are running it in unhealthy and unhygienic conditions, confined them inhumanly with chains and are manhandling them with sticks without taking proper medical care and professional caretakers, while charging them from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000. Hyderabad: The Keesara police apprehended four persons who were running an illegal psychiatric rehabilitation centre under the name of Mamatha Old Age Home by illegally confining 52 male and 21 female inmates in two houses at Shilpanagar Colony. The accused formed an executive body and established the Home under the name of Mamatha Old Age Welfare Society in Nagaram, Keesara. As per the permission obtained from the Registrar of Societies, the accused were to have run the old age home by providing good accommodation and hygienic food, professional caretakers and medication. Flouting all the norms, the accused started running a rehabilitation centre instead of the old age home by admitting the psychiatric patients and mentally disturbed persons. They are running it in unhealthy and unhygienic conditions, confined them inhumanly with chains and are manhandling them with sticks without taking proper medical care and professional caretakers, while charging them from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000. Deputy commissioner of police, Malkajgiri. Rakshitha K. Murthy said, All 82 inmates, male and female, were segregated based on their health condition and temporarily shifted them to a different NGO and five men were handed over to the family members after a medical check-up for better care. Efforts are continuing to apprehend the remaining accused. The accused, identified as K. Venkateswara Rao and his wife K. Bharathi and Kokkilagedda Elizabeth, Lankapally Venkateshwar Rao, were arrested. Another three accused were absconding. The Telangana State Human Rights Commission (TSHRC) took suo motu cognizance of the issue and asked for a comprehensive report about the incident, the action taken against the accused, the condition of inmates along with information of other old age homes, facilities and its inmates condition by February 7, from the principal secretary, women and child development department. Rhsps.sharepoint.com scored 40 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 29 Jul 2015, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. The total number of people who shared the rhsps.sharepoint homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. The total number of people who shared the rhsps.sharepoint homepage on Delicious. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the rhsps.sharepoint homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if rhsps.sharepoint has a Facebook fan page). This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the rhsps.sharepoint homepage on Twitter + the total number of rhsps.sharepoint followers (if rhsps.sharepoint has a Twitter account). The total number of people who shared the rhsps.sharepoint homepage on StumbleUpon. 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Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for rhsps.sharepoint.com by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. The URL of the found Facebook page. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. The type of Facebook page. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND Live Animal Markets Worldwide Can Spawn Diseases, Experts Say By Steve Baragona January 25, 2020 The virus that has caused dozens of deaths and hundreds of illnesses worldwide emerged from a market in Wuhan, China, that sold live food animals, including some animals caught in the wild, according to Chinese authorities. One study suggested a snake may have brought the virus to the market, but other experts were skeptical. The search for a definitive source continued. A price list circulated on Chinese social media showed snakes, hedgehogs, peacocks, civet cats, scorpions, centipedes and more for sale at the market. It's not the first time these markets have bred a new disease, and experts said it probably won't be the last. Severe acute respiratory syndrome, better known as SARS, originated at a similar market in China in 2002. It ultimately claimed nearly 800 lives. Bird flu spread in these markets in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The H5N1 strain of influenza has killed 455 people since 2003. Without proper sanitation and animal handling, health officials said, these markets can be spawning grounds for diseases. Live animal markets are found across the developing world, especially in Asia and Africa. Most animals sold there are healthy. But in the crowded conditions at these markets, one sick animal can infect many more, experts said. Wild cards Wild animals introduce a dangerous wild card. For example, civet cats carried the virus that caused SARS. But scientists think the virus originated in bats. "In the normal world, these species would never meet," said veterinarian Tony Goldberg, associate director for research at the University of Wisconsin Global Health Institute. "But in these live animal markets, they brought those two species together," he said. "And when you do that in these tight, crowded, stressful conditions, you create every opportunity for these viruses to jump host species." The virus could spread when a vendor butchers an animal. Or a sick animal could spread it through its saliva, urine, feces or other secretions. Humans and domesticated animals have been exposed to each other's diseases for millennia. We've developed some defenses. That's not the case with a new virus coming from a wild animal, Goldberg said. The virus lottery Given how common these markets are around the world, it's almost surprising that new outbreaks don't happen more often, veterinarian William Karesh, executive vice president for health and policy at EcoHealth Alliance, said. "I've gone to a market in Southeast Asia and they're selling maybe 5,000 or 6,000 bats every week," he said. "And that's just one market. As you drive around, there's 20 or 30 of those markets within a few hours' drive. So now we're talking about tens of thousands of bats for sale, and tens of thousands of rats (and other species). And that's going on throughout much of the world. "So we're talking, really, about millions of animals for sale on a daily basis and tens of millions of people shopping there," Karesh said. For a virus looking for a different species to infect, he said, it's like playing the lottery. "Your chances of winning are pretty high when you've got exposure to 10 or 15 or 20 million people every day," Karesh said. Traditions People often don't shop at these markets by choice, he said. When refrigeration is not available, the best way to get fresh meat is to buy it when it's still alive. And customers can see if the animal is healthy before they buy it. Also, many wild-caught foods are "deeply cherished in many cultures around the world," not just in Africa and Asia, Goldberg said, even if they may carry diseases. In the United States, rabbits carry tularemia, a bacterial disease that can be fatal. It's on the list of potential bioterror weapons. "You'll see human cases pop up every now and then when rabbit hunters cut themselves when butchering a rabbit," Goldberg said, adding he knows a rabbit hunter who got tularemia twice. Market shift The Chinese government closed live animal markets after SARS. But the markets have slowly reopened in the years since. The government could close them again. But what may ultimately solve the problem is not a government mandate but a cultural shift. Around the world, Karesh said, more young people are shopping at supermarkets. "The grocery store is selling chilled refrigerated chicken, and it's cheaper," he said. "And people are busy. They're going to work. They don't really have time to go to that live animal market anymore." Plus, he added, attitudes are changing. Older people may see wild animals as a delicacy. The younger generation? Not so much. "I don't think they're so interested in going to the live animal markets anymore to watch a bat be slaughtered or have a chicken have its throat cut," he said. "Twenty years ago, there weren't many people in China who had pet dogs," he said. Now, "there's a new generation of people that when they see a dog, they're not thinking about food. They're thinking about, 'Oh, wow, what a wonderful opportunity to have a pet.'" NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address After a few days in Germany last week, where I visited both Domotex and imm cologne, the two first fairs of the year. I already showed you my 3 favourites from Menu, Ferm Living and the new Norr11 collection as seen at imm. Covering the fair is something I love doing, it is a combination of showing all that catches my eye and overall showing what I got inspired by. This year I was also part of the jury in a competition by VDM- The association of the German furniture industry. You might remember my post asking you to join the competition by asking: What does being at home mean to you Winners of the competition see them here, were invited to come to imm cologne and spent a day with VDM. I joined them for a day and their packed tour along some of Germans best design brands. After the fair we all had dinner organised by VDM at the workspace and factory of Bordbar who transform used airline trolleys into furniture for the home. It was such a nice evening with many bloggers, of which some I knew for years or travelled with and other I never met before. We ended the evening with some friends at the imm opening party downtown. Ursula Geismann, press spokeswoman of VDM introduced each brand to us and their latest products. An impression on the blog today, plus a video to see it all with your own eyes! . Tojo Next to the easy to build Solo I was really impressed by the Parallel bed by Tojo. A variable bed system that adapts to the needs and desires of its owner. The bed has a real Japanese minimalistic look, six wooden feet are used to connect the slats. The bed can be used as a single bed up to a 200 x 200 size. Interlubke Interlubke introduced Tado The basis of tado consists of modular basic and add-on shelves in two heights and two widths in different colours and finishes. The system can be fully customized to fit your needs. With the endless possible combinations you can design your very own tado even later on, too which makes it a real good investment. Schonbuch A colourful stand by Schonbuch with lots of really clever hallway solutions. Simetria is crafted from thin sheets of wood, the delicate, slimline wall cabinets are just 14 or 18 cm deep and extraordinarily elegant and light. Selected cabinets in different sizes and forms can be combined to create a carefully curated wall display which is bringing order to the home by providing convenient storage for favourite pieces and everyday odds and ends. Plus, Bill's Message of the Day, we are living in the United States of Propaganda. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Mnuchin Is Optimistic USUK Trade Deal Gets Signed This Year U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin expressed optimism that a trade agreement would be signed this year between the United States and Britain, as Brexit throws open the door to a bilateral deal. Im quite optimistic, Mnuchin said at an event held at the Chatham House think tank in London on Jan. 25. He was responding to a question about the likelihood of the two countries signing a much-anticipated agreement on trade. President Donald Trump has been promising a massive new trade deal with Britain, the United States seventh-largest trading partner, since British Prime Minister Boris Johnsons election win in December. Mnuchin said he spoke to British finance minister Sajid Javid ahead of the Chatham House event, adding that both of them viewed the deal as pivotal. Were focused on trying to get this done this year because we think its important to both of us, Mnuchin told participants at the event. Earlier, Javid said a trade deal with the United States would take a back seat to an agreement with the European Union, Britains biggest trading partner. Speaking at the just-concluded World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Javid said a deal with the EU is Britains first priority, prompting Mnuchin to say he was a little disappointed that U.S. talks werent at the top of the list. Mnuchin said he didnt expect Britains prioritization of talks with the EU would pose significant delays to an agreement with the United States. I think a lot of the issues can be dealt with simultaneously, and again, we look forward to continuing a great trade relationship. If anything, I think there will be significantly more trade between the U.S. and the UK, he said. Senior officials in the UK government have reportedly been pushing for the deal with the United States to assume top priority. Unnamed sources cited by Business Insider said one of the officials pressing for such prioritization is Crawford Falconer, Britains chief trade adviser. Falconer reportedly argued it would be good optics for the recently elected British government to show they can deliver on trade and strike a deal with the United States. Falconer said it would be a major symbolic moment for Britain as it enters a post-Brexit world, and would represent a victory for the UK government, amid warnings about the difficulty of negotiating with the United States. Vexing issues to be resolved between the two countries include opening up the British health care system to U.S. drug companies and allowing chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-treated beef into the UK market. Theresa Villiers, Britains environment secretary, told the BBC the two foods would continue to be subject to a ban after Brexit. His love of art began early. Born on March 20, 1931 in the seaside town of Wonthaggi in Victoria, he was an only child who grew up with his mother, Margaret Bell (Peg) nee Robson. His father, a miner, also called James Mollison, was on active service in the Second World War for much of Mollisons childhood and was a prisoner of war until he returned home in 1945. On Christmas holidays he stayed at his grandparents place, where he liked to flick through the newspapers and magazines, cutting out articles on art and pasting them into a hefty scrapbook. From the age of eight he loved to visit the National Gallery of Victorias bookshop to buy picture cards, using pocket money from his mother to travel to the gallery. In 1948, soon after he left Northcote High School, Mollison saw that the Trustees of the National Gallery of Victoria were offering one or two positions for interns who could train as curators. He later recounted: I went to see Daryl Lindsay, the director, to ask whether I could have one of these positions. My interview with Daryl went well (though the positions for interns never eventuated). He said a pleasant goodbye to me and added: Come and see me again. Mollison took that to mean the following week. This time Lindsay introduced him to Dr Ursula Hoff, then the Keeper of Prints, who in turn took him to the print room with a box of Rembrandt etchings. She told him to call her when he was finished but he was too shy to say he had finished. Thats when he learned his first real lesson about art: It is more enjoyable if you look at it hard and long, than if you look at it idly or in passing. Mollison trained as an art teacher at Melbourne Teachers College, taught art at Melbourne High School, became an education officer at the NGV, then moved to Ballarat where he was director of the Ballarat Art Gallery. In 1969 he was appointed exhibitions officer for the Prime Ministers Department in Canberra. When Mollison became the acting director of the National Gallery of Australia, the main plan was to build up a collection of Australian works, but that changed. Among the numerous journalists who went to Mollisons office in Fyshwick to interview him, more than one discovered his different intention to develop the gallery into a great, world class museum. In 1976, when womens magazines published more about art than royal scandals and celebrities, he told a reporter from Womans Day: Great works simply tear me apart. I want to share that pleasure with everyone in Australia. While many acknowledged Mollison had brought art to the publics notice more than anyone else in the field, others were harsh. Journalists complained that Mollison refused to answer personal questions, had a sharp tongue, was easily bored, didnt suffer fools gladly and had an abrasive personal style, though he could be quite courteous and charming, as he was when describing his own passion for art. Art, he once said, absorbs me totally. My job goes on sometimes until 1am or 3. When I cant sleep, my one relaxation is to read Jane Austen. Because I am so absorbed in my job, Ive grown used to waking up during the night and thinking about problems that have come up during the day. Michelangelo is my favourite sculptor and my favourite painter is Titian. My heart stops every time I see a Titian. Mollison even gave a quick description of his Canberra apartment, with its drawings from John Olsen and Robert Klippel and two etchings by Picasso hung above his kitchen sink. Director of the Australian National Gallery James Mollison (left) and former prime minister Gough Whitlam stand in front of Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles in 1986. In 1985 Mollisons appointment was extended for five years. Before that extension ended, he was told his next reappointment would be for just two years. In May 1989 he told the gallerys council he wanted to leave. When he left, The Sydney Morning Herald called him a giant among Australian gallery directors and a very hard act to follow. Returning to Melbourne, Mollison was appointed the director of the National Gallery of Victoria. His exhibition program included blockbuster shows that were designed, he said, to capture the public imagination. He appointed Virginia Lovett as a public relations manager and described his manifesto as simple: get people back in the gallery, take care of the gallerys varied collections and attend to basic housekeeping. Lovett remembers those times at the NGV as dynamic, exciting and with a new energy. He set his own rules and supported the next generation. In September 1994, Mollison chose the gallerys media launch of Renoir - Master Impressionist to announce his retirement, effective from March 1995. At 64 years old, he said: It just seemed enough is enough. In 2002, when the National Gallery of Australia celebrated 20 years since its official opening, Mollison was asked to reflect on his time as the director. He was reticent about the Jackson Pollock and nonchalant about the Queens visit to Canberra 20 years earlier to open a collection that was largely his creation. If it was expected of him at dinner parties, he would reel off the same half-dozen stories, including a mini-lecture on Aboriginal art that could stretch to 40 minutes if the situation is really desperate. His sense of humour and charm remained throughout his life. Mollison died of a heart attack on January 19, 2020 at the age of 88 at the Melbourne home he shared with his partner, Vincent Langford. They were together for 50 years. Memorials will be held at both the National Gallery of Australia and the National Gallery of Victoria. I like to use Makefiles. I like to use Makefiles in Java. I like to use Makefiles in Erlang. I like to use Makefiles in Elixir. And most recently, I like to use Makefiles in Ruby. I think you, too, would like to use Makefiles in your environment, and the engineering community would benefit if more of us used Makefiles, in general. Make was born in 1976, making it one of the oldest tools in a programmers toolkit. Any tool that has been around this long is bound to have a mythology, stories, and examples that would be intimidating to someone unfamiliar with it. Additionally, I think many of us have written it off as no longer relevant, as we are not writing C programs, after all. Allow me to show you why it should not be intimidating, and furthermore, is applicable to your everyday workflow as an engineer. Indicators that you may benefit from a Makefile There are a number of indicators that a Makefile would do you good. These indicators are common enough that Im sure some apply to you. You have aliases or functions in your .bashrc that are specific to a project, such as alias chrome_rspec="CAPYBARA_JAVASCRIPT_DRIVER=chrome bundle exec bin/rspec" alias serve="bundle exec foreman start -f Procfile.dev You use a disparate set of commands in a project, in particular those that use many different tools, a complex set of arguments, or environment variables, such as RAILS_ENV=test bundle exec rails db:migrate rake db:seed bundle exec jekyll serve --drafts --incremental bundle exec rspec spec/features/*.rb bundle exec rails c You keep notes in Evernote, an org file, or a text file to write down commonly used commands for a project. You have to run certain commands before others. For example, when switching branches in a rails project, you might have to do something like bundle && RAILS_ENV=test bundle exec rails db:migrate \\ && bundle exec rspec spec/features/ Benefits of a Makefile Commands are local to the project they are used for (as opposed to your .bashrc) Commands are stored in the project, so improvements are mutually shared. Commands are version controlled with your project. A Makefile is a list of useful commands within the domain of the project. All you have to do is look at it to get an idea of what you can do with a project. It is the entry point to the project. The Makefile gives you an explicit dependency tree. If there is a missing command, you can just add it! Your team will benefit from it. Teams that dont currently use Makefiles These days, it isnt surprising to join a startup that does not use Makefiles. Often, developers in these situations are using the tools that come with the software environment they are using. If its rails, they are going to be using bundle , rails , and rspec commands. With a Makefile, you will still be using these commands, but the Makefile will act as a wrapper around commands. Use it for yourself even if they dont want it Because a Makefile is simply an abstraction over commonly used tools, there is no downside to using a Makefile even if your team doesnt yet see the value in it; they can continue using their workflow while you use the Makefile. I would suggest committing it into the repository once you have developed a useful Makefile, and then when someone asks how to reseed a database, for example, you can mention Just run make db-seed. What is a Makefile? There are years of use cases and idiomatic practices that can make learning about Makefiles daunting. I want to introduce the basics so you can start using Makefiles right away. It turns out that Makefiles are very simple when we break them down. The Makefile is a file, usually in the root of a project, with the name Makefile. A Makefile is made up of rules . A rule contains a target , prerequisites , and commands which form a recipe . target_1: prerequisite_1 ... prerequisite_n command_1 ... command_n Target The target is the thing you want to do (run a test, build code, drop a database, etc). Prerequisite Prerequisites are the rules needed to run before the recipe can run. For example, imagine checking out a new ruby project and executing bundle exec rspec ; you will probably encounter an error about needing to run bundle first! So, running bundle is a prerequisite of running rspec tests. If you are thinking oh, but I dont want to run bundle every time, dont worry. Make can determine if a prerequisite needs to be run or not. Well get to that. Command A command is simply run in the shell ( sh by default). If your target is test , the command might be bundle exec rspec . A dead simple example file_1: touch file_1 The target is file_1 . . There are no prerequisites. The command touch file_1 produces file_1 . In a Makefile, it would be executed with make file_1 . A dead simple walkthrough Lets add another target to the dead simple example. file_2: file_1 touch file_2 The target is file_2 The prerequisite is file_1 The command is touch file_2 At this point, I strongly recommend you follow along with your own makefile. You will learn by doing. Create a makefile so that it looks like this: file_1: touch file_1 file_2: file_1 touch file_2 And be sure to use tabs to indent the commands. This is a requirement that trips up every person new to Make. If you do not use tabs, you will receive an error that looks like this Makefile:5: *** missing separator. Stop. Now, if we run make file_2 , it will first check for the target file_1 , and if that target does not exist, it will run the command to fulfill file_1 . $ make file_2 touch file_1 touch file_2 If we subsequently run make file_2 , we will see a message like this make: 'file_2' is up to date. Make is telling us it doesnt have to do anything because file_2 already exists. $ make file_2 make: `file_2' is up to date. Lets rm file_2 , and then we see that make file_2 will touch file_2 but it will not touch file_1 . $ rm file_2 $ make file_2 touch file_2 Can you predict what happens if we make file_2 at this point? If you are thinking it will say up to date again, you are getting it! $ make file_2 make: `file_2' is up to date. Okay, so what will happen if we touch file_1 and subsequently make file_2 ? $ make file_2 touch file_2 Lets explore what is going on here. Okay, quick tangent here. When we touch a file, what happens? If the file doesnt exist, it creates that file; but what if that file already exists? $ ls -ahl file_1 -rw-r--r-- 1 ben.brodie staff 0B Aug 9 06:48 file_1 $ touch file_1 $ ls -ahl file_1 -rw-r--r-- 1 ben.brodie staff 0B Aug 9 06:50 file_1 Do you spot the difference? It updates the timestamp. Lets look at this again. $ ls -ahl -rw-r--r-- 1 ben.brodie staff 0B Aug 9 06:50 file_1 -rw-r--r-- 1 ben.brodie staff 0B Aug 9 07:10 file_2 $ make file_2 make: `file_2' is up to date. $ touch file_1 $ ls -ahl -rw-r--r-- 1 ben.brodie staff 0B Aug 9 07:13 file_1 -rw-r--r-- 1 ben.brodie staff 0B Aug 9 07:10 file_2 $ make file_2 touch file_2 $ ls -ahl -rw-r--r-- 1 ben.brodie staff 0B Aug 9 07:13 file_1 -rw-r--r-- 1 ben.brodie staff 0B Aug 9 07:13 file_2 $ make file_2 make: `file_2' is up to date. Do you see whats happening here? If the timestamp of the prerequisite is more recent than the timestamp of the current target, then the command for the current target will run. This is how Make determines if the command of a target should be run. I Cant Get No Preqrequisite Satisfaction We have looked into the some of the mechanics of the Make operations, and the syntax of the Makefile, but how does this all work together, and what is the point of all this anyways? If it hasnt clicked yet, thats okay; we are going to get there, I promise. It will be helpful for a moment to think of a Makefile target as a tree, where each node represents a target, and an branch represents a targets relationship to its prerequisites. file_3 -- file_1 \- file_2 Here we have three targets: file_1 , file_2 , and file_3 . file_3 has prerequisites file_2 and file_1 , and since these are both leaves, they do not have other prerequisites. Represented in a makefile, it could look like this: file_1: touch file_1 file_2: touch file_2 file_3: file_1 file_2 touch file_3 So, we are thinking of a target in the Makefile as representing a tree of targets, where the target is the root, and the children of a node are the prerequisites of that node. If the prerequisite of a node isnt satisfied (well get into what that means exactly), make will travel the graph until it finds a node that is satisfied. Once it finds that satisfied prerequisite, it will reverse the path it just took to get to the satisfied prerequisite, and for each node in this path, it will execute the target (which itself could have its own other prerequisites). Lets look at a slightly more complex tree. file_6 -- file_5 -- file_4 \- file_3 -- file_2 \- file_1 which corresponds to the following Makefile file_1: touch file_1 file_2: touch file_2 file_3: file_2 file_1 touch file_3 file_4: touch file_4 file_5: file_4 file_3 touch file_5 file_6: file_5 touch file_6 Lets say the output of your ls -ahl is the following: -rw-r--r-- 1 ben.brodie staff 0B Aug 9 10:52 file_1 -rw-r--r-- 1 ben.brodie staff 0B Aug 9 10:52 file_2 -rw-r--r-- 1 ben.brodie staff 0B Aug 9 10:52 file_3 And we run make file_6 make now will traverse the tree, pushing each child onto a stack recursively. Then, it will pop each node off the stack and check if it is satisfied. If it is not satisfied, it will run the command for that node. stack.push(file_6) -> |file_6| stack.push(file_5) -> |file_5, file_6| stack.push(file_4) -> |file_4, file_5, file_6| stack.push(file_3) -> |file_3, file_4, file_5, file_6| stack.push(file_2) -> |file_2, file_3, file_4, file_5, file_6| stack.push(file_1) -> |file_1, file_2, file_3, file_4, file_5, file_6| stack.pop() -> file_1 <- |file_2, file_3, file_4, file_5, file_6| Is file_1 satisfied? It is a leaf and it exists, so Yes. stack.pop() -> file_2 <- |file_3, file_4, file_5, file_6| Is file_2 satisfied? It is a leaf and it exists, so Yes. stack.pop() -> file_3 <- |file_4, file_5, file_6| Is file_3 satisfied? file_3 exists. Its children are file_2 and file_3 , and their timestamps are older than the timestamp of file_3 , so Yes. stack.pop() -> file_4 <- |file_5, file_6| Is file_4 satisfied? It does not exist so No. Run the command. touch file_4 stack.pop() -> file_5 <- |file_6| Is file_5 satisfied? It does not exist so No. Run the command. touch file_5 stack.pop -> file_6 <- | | Is file_6 satisfied? It does not exist so No. Run the command. touch file_6 We havent come up with a formal definition of satisfaction, but now we can. We know that for a target to be satisfied it must (1) exist and (2) the targets timestamp must be newer than the timestamp of its prerequisites. We also know from this exercise that the entire tree is traversed, if any prerequisite in the tree is not satisfied, then the target of that prerequisite is also not satisfied. Therefore, (3) the prerequisite targets must be satisfied. Satisfaction Summary This section is just a summary of what we just arrived at. The properties of satisfaction for a target. The target must exist. The targets timestamp must be newer than the timestamp of the targets prerequisites. The prerequisite targets must be satisfied. Make is about files So far, we have been talking about files. The first property requires that the target exists - a targets existence is determined by a file of the same name existing. The timestamp requirement, that a timestamp must be newer than the timestamp of the prerequisites, is also only meaningful when the target name has a one-to-one correspondence with files. This is the point at which one realizes what make is all about, and without some further prodding, it is easy to mistakenly believe that it may not be relevant to your set of problems or your language tools - but this is the naive fog of mis-perceptions clouding judgment - we will get to the good stuff soon enough. Make is about files. Files are the primitives of how make operates, because files allow us to keep track of state. If the prerequisite of a target is satisfied, make wont run the prerequisites. If some prerequisites along the line are satisfied, make will only run the prerequisites that are not satisfied. This all comes down to that timestamp property - the targets timestamp must be newer than the timestamp of the targets prerequisites. Keep in mind that the third property makes this recursive, so it applies all the way down the tree of prerequisites. Lets consider the implications of the timestamp property. If a prerequisites timestamp is newer than the targets timestamp, that means that the prerequisite was generated some time after the time the target was generated. A prerequisite relationship exists because something about the target depends on something about the prerequisite, therefore, if the prerequisite is newer, then we must have to regenerate the target, otherwise the target as it currently exists is outdated. Time for an analogy. Im booking a trip to Poland, and then flying to Troms, Norway by way of a flight from Riga, Latvia. I have to plan the return flight from Troms to Los Angeles, and the date at which I book that is dependent upon the date at which I am flying into Norway from Riga. Every time I update the date to fly to Tromso from Riga, I have to update the time I want to fly back to Los Angeles from Tromso, otherwise I could be left with half a day in Troms, or even end up with something impossible, like flying back to Los Angeles from Troms before landing in Troms. Lets formulate this as a Makefile, where we have four trip legs we need to coordinate. Flight from Los Angeles to Krakow, Poland Drive from Krakaw, Poland to Riga Fly from Riga to Troms Fly from Troms to Los Angeles schedule_flight_to_krakow: echo $(krakow_date) > schedule_flight_to_krakow schedule_drive_to_riga: schedule_flight_to_krakow echo $(riga_date) > schedule_drive_to_riga schedule_flight_to_tromso: schedule_drive_to_riga echo $(tromso_date) > schedule_flight_to_tromso schedule_flight_to_los_angeles: schedule_flight_to_tromso echo $(los_angeles_date) > schedule_flight_to_los_angeles Here I have introduced a new piece of syntax in make files - arguments. A word surrounded with a $(...) will be replaced by the string specified on the command line for that argument. For example, $(arg_1) will be replaced by file_1 in either of these invocations of make : arg_1=file_1 make file or make file arg_1=file_1 . Simple, right? Yes, it is. So, to schedule the flight to Krakaw, we invoke make as make schedule_flight_to_krakow krakow_date=08/01/2019 Lets see what it produced. $ cat schedule_flight_to_krakow 10/01/2019 It would be easier to simply pass all of the dates and have make take care of creating all of the files. By default, make will run the first target in the file, and idiomatically we will call this target all . all: schedule_flight_to_los_angeles Now we can invoke this with or without all $ make krakow_date=10/01/2019 \ riga_date=10/15/2019 \ tromso_date=10/20/2019 \ los_angeles_date=10/23/2019 echo 10/01/2019 > schedule_flight_to_krakow echo 10/15/2019 > schedule_drive_to_riga echo 10/20/2019 > schedule_flight_to_tromso echo 10/23/2019 > schedule_flight_to_los_angeles Error handling Lets add some error handling so that we know which flight dates are required when we run make. We can use sh itself to handle errors, in this case missing arguments. all: schedule_flight_to_los_angeles schedule_flight_to_krakow: @if [ -z "$(krakow_date)" ]; then \ echo "You must set krakow_date"; exit 1; fi echo $(krakow_date) > schedule_flight_to_krakow schedule_drive_to_riga: schedule_flight_to_krakow @if [ -z "$(riga_date)" ]; then \ echo "You must set riga_date"; exit 1; fi echo $(riga_date) > schedule_drive_to_riga schedule_flight_to_tromso: schedule_drive_to_riga @if [ -z "$(tromso_date)" ]; then \ echo "You must set tromso_date"; exit 1; fi echo $(tromso_date) > schedule_flight_to_tromso schedule_flight_to_los_angeles: schedule_flight_to_tromso @if [ -z "$(los_angeles_date)" ]; then \ echo "You must set los_angeles_date"; exit 1; fi echo $(los_angeles_date) > schedule_flight_to_los_angeles The @ simply specifies that make will not echo the command, which for error checking would be just noise. Now if we run from a clean state, make will inform us of any necessary arguments that are necessary, and fail. Here we have left out riga_date . $ make krakow_date=10/01/2019 \ tromso_date=10/20/2019 \ los_angeles_date=10/23/2019 echo 10/01/2019 > schedule_flight_to_krakow You must set riga_date make: *** [schedule_drive_to_riga] Error 1 Lets set the riga_date . $ make riga_date=10/15/2019 \ tromso_date=10/20/2019 \ los_angeles_date=10/23/2019 echo 10/15/2019 > schedule_drive_to_riga echo 10/20/2019 > schedule_flight_to_tromso echo 10/23/2019 > schedule_flight_to_los_angeles Say we now want to reschedule the flight to Riga, Troms, and Los Angeles - we wont be able to since we have already schedule the flight to Krakow. $ make riga_date=10/16/2019 \ tromso_date=10/21/2019 \ los_angeles_date=10/24/2019 make: Nothing to be done for `all'. Prerequisites make wont allow us to reschedule once we have scheduled something. $ make schedule_drive_to_riga riga_date=10/16/2019 make: `schedule_drive_to_riga' is up to date. But, for now, we can manually rm the file. $ rm schedule_drive_to_riga And then schedule it. $ make schedule_drive_to_riga riga_date=10/16/2019 Lets try to reschedule the flight to Los Angeles in the same manner. $ rm schedule_flight_to_los_angeles $ make schedule_flight_to_los_angeles los_angeles_date=10/24/2019 You must set tromso_date make: *** [schedule_flight_to_tromso] Error 1 Make detects that our schedule_flight_to_tromso prerequisite is not satisfied because the timestamp of schedule_flight_to_riga is newer than the timestamp of schedule_flight_to_tromso , therefore it also must be updated! So, lets do that. $ make schedule_flight_to_los_angeles tromso_date=10/22/2019 los_angeles_date=10/24/2019 echo 10/22/2019 > schedule_flight_to_tromso echo 10/24/2019 > schedule_flight_to_los_angeles Make is not about files So far, we have seen that the targets of a Makefile truly represent files. But, this seems limiting. For example, what if we want to make a reschedule target? Previously, we had to manually rm the file to reschedule it. A reschedule target should allow us to run something like make reschedule_flight_to_los_angeles los_angeles_date=10/24/2019 . It turns out that we can do this. If we consider what it means to reschedule, it seems there is no circumstance where we want to block the reschedule (i.e., we are actively rescheduling, therefore we intend to schedule when the date is already set). How about something as simple as this: reschedule_flight_to_los_angeles: schedule_flight_to_los_angeles @if [ -z "$(los_angeles_date)" ]; then \ echo "You must set los_angeles_date"; exit 1; fi echo $(los_angeles_date) > schedule_flight_to_los_angeles This looks familiar, as it is the same recipe as schedule_flight_to_los_angeles . Yet, it behaves differently. We can run it as many times as we want, and it wont complain. $ make reschedule_flight_to_los_angeles los_angeles_date=10/25/2019 echo 10/25/2019 > schedule_flight_to_los_angeles $ test$ make reschedule_flight_to_los_angeles los_angeles_date=10/26/2019 echo 10/26/2019 > schedule_flight_to_los_angeles $ test$ make reschedule_flight_to_los_angeles los_angeles_date=10/27/2019 echo 10/27/2019 > schedule_flight_to_los_angeles The essential difference is that the file being produced is not the same name as the target. Because do not create a file with the same name as the target, from Make sees this target as never up to date. Earlier we implemented the all target - this target is also independent of a cooresponding file. But, what if some other process does result in a file name clashing with a target? It is probably a good idea to add a clean task to start our schedule fresh, as if we had never scheduled anything. clean: rm schedule* This will remove all files that begin with schedule in their name, effectively forgetting that we had ever scheduled anything. It is not inconceivable, however, that some other process might result in a file named clean , resulting in a confusing bug. $ touch clean $ make clean make: `clean' is up to date. Make has a special target called .PHONY , and any prerequisits of this target are always determined to be out-of-date, and will be always be run. .PHONY: clean And now when we run clean, it does not check if the file exists. $ touch clean $ make clean rm schedule* rm: schedule*: No such file or directory make: *** [clean] Error 1 Notice, however, that this results in an error, because we have already cleaned out the schedule files. Ideally, this should not result in an error; we expect success upon removing the files or if the files are already moved, and, if we can prevent this from resulting in error, then the clean target has the useful property of idempotency. We can tell make to ignore errors with a - prepended to the recipe. clean: -rm schedule* Now when we run clean , the error will be ignored. $ make clean rm schedule* rm: schedule*: No such file or directory make: [clean] Error 1 (ignored) An ignored error will still report the error, but it will not halt the Make process. Our final, albeit highly contrived, Makefile looks as follows: .PHONY: all clean reschedule_flight_to_los_angeles all: schedule_flight_to_los_angeles schedule_flight_to_krakow: @if [ -z "$(krakow_date)" ]; then \ echo "You must set krakow_date"; exit 1; fi echo $(krakow_date) > schedule_flight_to_krakow schedule_drive_to_riga: schedule_flight_to_krakow @if [ -z "$(riga_date)" ]; then \ echo "You must set riga_date"; exit 1; fi echo $(riga_date) > schedule_drive_to_riga schedule_flight_to_tromso: schedule_drive_to_riga @if [ -z "$(tromso_date)" ]; then \ echo "You must set tromso_date"; exit 1; fi echo $(tromso_date) > schedule_flight_to_tromso schedule_flight_to_los_angeles: schedule_flight_to_tromso @if [ -z "$(los_angeles_date)" ]; then \ echo "You must set los_angeles_date"; exit 1; fi echo $(los_angeles_date) > schedule_flight_to_los_angeles reschedule_flight_to_los_angeles: schedule_flight_to_los_angeles @if [ -z "$(los_angeles_date)" ]; then \ echo "You must set los_angeles_date"; exit 1; fi echo $(los_angeles_date) > schedule_flight_to_los_angeles clean: -rm schedule* Making it fit with Ruby (or any other language) Ive given an overview of Make, along with a contrived example. Now I would like to illustrate how this can be used as a practical tool in your development workflow. I think that many developers feel that their build tool that comes with their language is all they need - just run rspec test , rails server , or npm install to get some task done. However, many of these tools dont make use of dependency relationships, and often what comes out of the box cant know what those dependency relationships are. For example, I worked on a Rails project, where Javascript had to be compiled by Webpacker if there were any changes to the front-end layer. The integration tests in our test suite exercised the web front-end, and if Webpacker was not run when a change was introduced, tests could fail, leading to incorrect conclusions about the state of the code, and a lot of wasted time until the developer realized Oh, I forgot to run Webpacker!. Additionally, if you were running the server live on your machine, there was a Webpacker process watching for live code changes and recompiling the Javascript when a change happened - so in this case, if the developer ran the integration tests, the tests would accurately reflect the current state of the code. The success of the test suite should not rely on an assumption that another process is running and watching code. First, if that process is not running, then the tests cant pass. Second, this implies that the prerequisites for that test suite are not captured in the test command, which can lead to issues on a CI server, a clean checkout of code, or a new developer setting up. A successful test suite should never rely on the state of externalities. This leads to inconsistent behavior. I dont suggest that its wrong to have a process watching code and recompiling, that is perfectly fine for the goal of having a self-updating live site for experimentation - but that is simply a different use case than running a test suite, so dont mix them. One could also simply have a script that runs all of the prerequisites before running a test, but that script wouldnt have a system of keeping track of what needs to be run and what doesnt. If the Javascript is already compiled, then it would waste time to wait for it to compile each time you run a test. Make determines if the Javascript needs to be compiled due to changes. One could use Rake to capture the prerequisites for the test run. This would be a perfectly acceptable approach. However, there is likely a reason that I havent seen this done; Rake is complex, coupled to the project in ways that dont generalize easily, and the tasks that come out of the box are written to exercise the framework (rails). Rake, although named to suggest it is Ruby Make, is neither a replacement for make, nor does it conflict with make. Instead, I see Rake as being a useful tool for Ruby and Framework specific tasks, like database migrations, while Make fits in as the general purpose glue to connect all of these commands and dependencies. It is simpler to write a command in Make and declare its dependencies than doing so in Rake, and the Makefile can actually leverage the Rake tasks that already exist, by calling rake some_task in the recipe. Furthermore, Make is language agnostic, so it fits nicely into any project. A developer can simply look at the Makefile in a given project, and they have list of commands that exercise that project, even if they are unfamiliar with the language or framework. I want to reiterate that Make does not replace a given build tool, it simply wraps around those tools to make doing higher level things simpler and consistent. An Actual Example Even a simple project can benefit greatly from a Makefile. A few months ago, I was asked to put together a small project for interview test. This project involved a backend server, and a front-end component in React. As I ran various commands and patterns emerged, I added them to the Makefile. Because modern build tools sometimes have side effects that are not captured as a file, such as bundle exec rake db:setup , which sets up the database, I devised a pattern for the Makefile to capture that these tasks had occurred, so they would not run if not needed. .PHONY: serve live-reload db-reset db-setup db-migrate init deps compile bundle yarn clean serve: init deps compile db-setup db-migrate rails server live-reload: yarn ./bin/webpack-dev-server --host 127.0.0.1 db-reset: bundle exec rake db:reset db-setup: .make.db-setup db-migrate: .make.db-migrate init: .make.init deps: bundle yarn compile: .make.webpacker bundle: .make.bundle yarn: .make.yarn clean: rm .make.* .make.webpacker: $(shell find app/javascript -type f) ./bin/webpack touch .make.webpacker .make.db-setup: .make.bundle bundle exec rake db:setup touch .make.db-setup .make.db-migrate: .make.bundle $(shell find db/migrate -type f) bundle exec rails db:migrate touch .make.db-migrate .make.bundle: Gemfile bundle touch .make.bundle .make.yarn: package.json yarn touch .make.yarn .make.init: gem install bundler touch .make.init Take a minutes to look this over and understand it. Our main entry-point here, and what will run by default on an invocation of make without arguments, is serve . init Lets go through the prerequisites of the serve target. First, there is an init prerequisite. This prerequisite ensures that bundler is installed (but could also be used for installing requirements with homebrew, for example). init has a prerequisite .make.init which first runs gem install bundler and then creates the file .make.init . Because .make.init is the name of the file it creates, it will never run again (unless the file is deleted). This is a simple way of capturing side effects as a file to indicate that the task has already been run. deps deps ensures that all dependencies have been installed to the project and if any new versions have been specified, or dependencies have been added or removed from the project, the dependencies will be updated. deps has two prerequisites - bundle and yarn . bundle bundle runs bundle to update the Ruby dependencies of the project if and only if the Gemfile file has been updated. We see this in the .make.bundle target which has a prerequisite of Gemfile , which is just that file. After bundle has successfully run, the file .make.bundle is created. Whenever the timestamp of Gemfile is newer than the timestamp of .make.bundle , which is precisely what would happen in the case of added, removing, and changing the version of a dependency, the task will be run again! Otherwise, it wont do anything. yarn yarn does the same thing as the bundle target, except that this task is dependent on the package.json file, and runs the yarn command. compile compile runs webpack to compile the Javascript. Importantly, it only does this if any of the Javascript files have been updated. It does this by setting its prerequisites as all of the Javascript files! If any one of them has a timestamp newer than the .make.webpacker file, then it will run webpack . This target also introduces us to two new concepts in the makefile: the shell function, and dynamically generated prerequisites. As you can see, the ability to dynamically generate prerequisites is very powerful. The shell function simply runs the command in the shell, and returns what the function returns, in this case a list of all files in the app/javascript directory. db-setup db-setup runs bundle exec rake db:setup if it hasnt been run yet. If bundle hasnt been installed first, it will install it. db-migrate db-migrate is a really nifty target to have in a rails project. Before I figured this one out, quite often I would switch to another branch, or pull new code, and then my database would be out of sync with the migrations. This target automates this problem away. Never again will you see a message about needing to run migrations! Like compile , db-migrate uses the shell function to dynamically generate a list of prerequisites that are all migrations in the project. If any of them are newer than .make.db-migrate , it runs bundle exec rails db:migrate . If bundle has yet to be installed, it will install it first. serve Once all of those are done, its time to serve the application - rails server does the trick. Adding a new target There is something missing here no test target! But, notice how simple it would be to add a test target. We already have all of the required target prerequisites defined. They are the same as those for the serve target. test: init deps compile db-setup db-migrate rspec test Developing a Makefile along with developing code is quite natural, and once a solid foundation is laid, it is often this simple to define new targets. gitignore Because this results in .make.* files, be sure to echo .make.* > .gitignore to avoid checking them into git. Decoupled Freedom Because Make is a general purpose tool that is decoupled from languages and frameworks, it becomes incredibly freeing once Make becomes part of the workflow. For example, I am working on a project at the moment that requires a database to be loaded in order to run the server. I realized that it would be less coupled to my own system if I simply spun up a database with docker instead of relying on a database actually running as a service on my machine. Often, using docker in a project can become problematic, because there is no out of the box tooling in place to manage the docker instances. Sometimes docker is running, and all goes well, sometimes it isnt running, requiring the developer to remember one of those confusing docker commands (is it create, run, exec, or start?). What happens if the database on the docker image gets trashed? Now you need to remember another set of commands to reset the database. Makefiles allow the developer to create a workflow with docker that isnt confusing, and remains consistent and predictable. Using a Makefile allows me to start mysql as a dependency when I run the server (or, when I need it for a test). I have modified it below as an example. ... run: build mysql-start ./start-myapp mysql-create: @docker container ls -a | grep my_app_mysql || \ (docker create -p 3306:3306 \ --name my_app_mysql \ -v $$(pwd)/mysql/docker-entrypoint-initdb.d:/docker-entrypoint-initdb.d \ -v $$(pwd)/mysql/mysql-keyring:/var/lib/mysql-keyring \ -e MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD=password \ mysql:8.0.18 \ --early-plugin-load=keyring_file.so \ --lower-case-table-names=1 mysql-start: mysql-create docker start my_app_mysql while ! docker exec my_app_mysql -h 127.0.0.1 -ppassword -e \ "\q" 2> /dev/null; do echo "Waiting for MySQL..." && sleep 1; done mysql-stop: docker stop my_app_mysql mysql-clean: docker rm my_app_mysql mysql-shell: docker exec -it my_app_mysql -h 127.0.0.1 -ppassword mysql-logs docker logs my_app_mysql ... As you can see, our recipes can become quite complex once we have some requirements. Here, we have a schema that has encryption enabled, so it requires some configuration around that. Running these manually would be unproductive. mysql-create only creates the container if the container doesnt already exist. I am using || to accomplish this. Furthermore, in mysql-start , docker start is idempotent, so if container is started, it will work just fine. The while loop checks that a process can connect to mysql , and if it cannot, it waits one second and attempts to check again. This is necessary as the mysql database process is not always available immediately, so we need to wait until it is up to connect to it. Without a Makefile in place, we simply would not have the freedom to get docker into our development workflow in a consistent manner. At best, we would have some scripts for stopping and starting the container, but these would have to be run manually, inevitably leading to accidently running the server without the database up, and mysterious requirements that an on-boarding developer may not be aware of. How to develop a Makefile They key to successfully writing a Makefile is to just write down the commands you need at the moment. Ran a new command? Put it in the Makefile. Over time, the Makefile will grow to include even those rare commands you rarely run and cant remember what they were. Patters with emerge, and these will help guide the prerequisites that may otherwise not be obvious. It is essential to not attempt to define all of the commands up front. Updating and refining the Makefile is part of the development workflow itself; things change, and so does the Makefile over time. Because the Makefile is general and flexible, these changes are usually quite simple to implement. Additionally, because developers will be running makefiles all the time, they stay up to date, unlike documentation. If it doesnt work, it will require an immediate fix. Go for it I hope that I have clarified Makefiles and perhaps convinced you of their power. Just go ahead and try it in your current project, and see what it can do for you. Further Reading America has launched a last-ditch attempt to stop Boris Johnson giving the green light for Huawei to help build Britains 5G network. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo, who will fly here this week, said the UK faced a momentous decision. Piling on the pressure, he warned that Tory MP Tom Tugendhat was right to say that only nations able to protect their data will be sovereign. US secretary of state Mike Pompeos warning, in a tweet last night, referenced an article by Mr Tugendhat in the Mail on Sunday. He will fly here this week Sources said the US believes a decision to work with the Chinese telecoms giant was a done deal because Mr Johnson does not want to be called Donald Trumps poodle. They said that, on the basis of a phone call between the pair on Friday, the US believed Mr Johnson would probably give the go-ahead. But Mr Pompeos warning, in a tweet last night, referenced an article by Mr Tugendhat in the Mail on Sunday, which warned: The real costs will come later if we get this wrong and allow Huawei to run 5G. Piling on the pressure, he warned that Tory MP Tom Tugendhat (pictured above) was right to say that only nations able to protect their data will be sovereign Mr Tugendhat also wrote: Huaweis 5G sets us on a path that undermines our autonomy and the repercussions could be grave. There is still resistance from within the Cabinet, with Home Secretary Priti Patel and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace on the war path over Huawei. Mr Wallace is said to have told colleagues he believes the Chinese firm presents a security risk by being involved in the countrys new telecoms network. Miss Patel was asked on Sky News if she was among those opposing approval of Huaweis bid. She said this was not accurate and repeatedly emphasised she would protect national security. Security chiefs say risks can be mitigated by only giving Huawei access to the non-core elements of the 5G network, such as antennas. Sensitive locations including military sites such as the Royal Navy submarine base at Faslane in Scotland would be banned from using Huawei. Mr Pompeos warning, in a tweet last night, referenced an article by Mr Tugendhat in the Mail on Sunday, which warned: The real costs will come later if we get this wrong and allow Huawei to run 5G' The US has engaged in intense lobbying efforts, with Mr Trump telling the Mr Johnson that approving the deal would threaten national security. The President is thought to have suggested Britain and the US could create an alternative to Huawei together. And in an unprecedented move, three senior US administration officials said it would be madness if Mr Johnson approved the plan, sparking fury at No 10. Whitehall officials believe there is no alternative to Chinese technology, saying other options could take years and add to consumer bills. The Huawei row threatens to overshadow Fridays Brexit celebrations. The two countries have also clashed over the UKs planned digital services tax with Steven Mnuchin, the US treasury secretary, insisting Mr Trump would not back down in opposing this. Australia, a member of the Five Eyes international security alliance, has said it will join the US and not include Huawei kit in its 5G infrastructure. Canada and New Zealand are undecided. Germany has also yet to commit but Chancellor Angela Merkel has said diversification was crucial to ensuring a countrys security. Without naming Huawei, she said of the 5G problem that shunning one supplier altogether risks being counterproductive. One province and three major cities in China will ban long-distance buses, authorities said Sunday, as they scramble to contain a deadly new virus that has spread across the country. The eastern Shandong province, with a population of 100 million people, will suspend long-distance buses entering the province, state broadcaster CCTV reported, following the announcement of similar measures in the cities of Tianjin, Beijing and Xi'an. Inter-city buses in the province will only be allowed to leave if stations have temperature screening measures, CCTV said. From 6 pm (1000 GMT) Sunday, Xi'an will suspend long-distance buses and tourist chartered buses entering the city of 10 million people, local officials said on the Twitter-like Weibo platform, following the announcement of similar measures in Tianjin and Beijing. Inter-city taxis will be suspended, except those from the city's airport, the statement said. The measures are to stop the spread of the virus through "passenger transport by road and taxis", officials said. Several cities and regions across China have announced travel restrictions to control the virus that has infected nearly 2,000 people and killed 56. The strictest measures have been imposed on Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, where people are not allowed to leave the city. Transport bans have been placed in many other cities in Hubei province, of which Wuhan is the capital, affecting some 56 million people. Beijing announced it will suspend bus services entering and exiting the Chinese capital's boundary from Sunday, and the northern city of Tianjin will suspend long-distance buses and chartered buses that enter and leave the city starting Monday. The southern city of Shantou announced a partial lockdown on Sunday, the first such measure taken outside the epicentre of the disease. From midnight, non-emergency vehicles will be prohibited from entering the city of 5.6 million people, which is a 1,100-kilometre (680-mile) drive from Wuhan. People arriving at Shantou train stations will be screened and "urged to return", said city authorities. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Representative Image Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Sunday said that since agriculture is the foundation of the state's economy, the government is trying to make farmers "stress-free and debt-free". Giving his Republic Day speech in Marathi at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, he said that Maharashtra is an industrially advanced state and the government will give priority to solving the problems faced by the industry. Koshyari also said that the state has made remarkable progress in agriculture, education and employment in the past 60 years, and the government intends to bring about a radical change in all these fields through the contribution of entrepreneurs. He lauded the Marathi theatre movement for completing 175 years and announced that a museum would be set up in Mumbai to commemorate its glorious history. The museum will allow the world to see a united spectacle of the theatre movement, he said. "Maharashtra is an industrially advanced state. In the coming time, the government will give priority to quickly resolve the problems faced by the industry," he said. "Agriculture is the foundation of the state's economy and progress would only happen if farmers are happy and competent," the governor said. "The government is trying to make them stress-free and debt-free. Effective implementation of crop insurance schemes in the state is necessary. The state has already formed a cabinet sub-committee on this," he said. The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government headed by Uddhav Thackeray has brought Mahatma Jyotirao Phule loan waiver scheme of upto Rs two lakh for farmers, with a cut off date of September 30, 2019. Koshyari said the state government is committed to speeding up work on the memorials of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, off the coast of Mumbai, and Babasaheb Ambedkar in Dadar's Indu Mill compound. The Ambedkar memorial will inspire the world to fight against injustice and inequality, he said. "The Rs 10 per meal Shivbhojan Yojana of the state government, which was launched on Sunday, was an innovative initiative to provide affordable food and will be of great help to the poor," he said. Though available only at district headquarters and cities currently, it will be implemented in other parts of the state in a phased manner, Koshyari added. The governor said there are 8 lakh self help groups (SHGs) in the state and the government is committed to strengthening them. He said a statewide integrated plan was being prepared to rid cities of solid waste, and ensure complete segregation of garbage. The Maharashtra government will provide affordable medical care to the people, the governor said. He said a joint committee of the Tourism Development Corporation and Forest Development Corporation has been formed for promotion of forest tourism in the state, which in turn will create jobs in the sector. Importance will be given to increasing forest cover in the state, and protection of mangroves, Koshyari added. Sports academies will be set up in phases in tribal areas of Nashik, Thane, Amravati and Nagpur, he said. The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) will speed up public transport in the region, he said. Crew Safe After U.S. Navy Helicopter Goes Down in Philippine Sea Navy News Service Story Number: NNS200125-01 Release Date: 1/25/2020 9:43:00 AM From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs PHILIPPINE SEA (NNS) -- Five aircrew were rescued after their MH-60S helicopter went down in the Philippine Sea Jan. 25. Three were transported by a Japanese helicopter to Naval Hospital Okinawa for evaluation. Two aircrew returned by U.S. Navy helicopter to USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19). All five crew members are currently in stable condition. The MH-60 assigned to Blue Ridge went down while conducting routine operations at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time. Three aircrew were recovered by a Japan Air Self-Defense Force UH-60 search and rescue helicopter, and the other two were recovered by a USS Blue Ridge MH-60S helicopter. Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Japanese Coast Guard, USS America (LHA 6), USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and the U.S. Air Force all participated in the search and rescue. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New Delhi: China will suspend both domestic and overseas Chinese group tours, state media reported on Saturday. Starting Monday, all overseas group tour services, including hotel and plane ticket bookings, from Chinese travel agencies will be suspended, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Domestic tour groups were suspended from Friday, it said. The death toll in China's alarmingly new coronavirus afflictions has climbed to 41, while the number of infected cases has soared to nearly 1,300. The disease has spread to 30 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. The 15 new deaths all took place in Wuhan, the city of 11 million where the deadly respiratory contagion first emerged, the Hubei Health Commission said. At least 444 new cases of the coronavirus have been found, raising the total number to 1,287, the National Health Commission said in a separate statement. The Wuhan lockdown is a cause of concern for Indian students who still remained there. The city has about 700 Indian students, majority of them studying medicine. However, most of the students have apparently left for home for holidays. China to build new hospital China is rushing to build a new hospital in a staggering 10 days to treat patients at the epicentre of a deadly virus outbreak that has stricken hundreds of people, state media reported Friday. The facility in the central city of Wuhan is expected to be in use by February 3 to serve a rising number of patients infected by a coronavirus that has left at least 26 people dead and millions on lockdown in an effort to curb the spread. Dozens of excavators and trucks were filmed working on the site by state broadcaster CCTV. It will have a capacity of 1,000 beds spread over 25,000 square metres, the official Xinhua news agency said. What is Coronavirus? The coronavirus has caused alarm because of its similarity to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), which killed nearly 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003. Like SARS, it can be passed among people through the respiratory tract. Animals are suspected to be the primary source of the outbreak, with Chinese health officials saying the virus originated from the market where wild animals were illegally sold. Studies published this week suggest that the virus may have originated in bats or snakes. The first case of the new virus was confirmed on December 31, and it has since been detected in Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and the United States. The 17 people who died in China were aged from 48 to 89, and had pre-existing health conditions, Chinese health authorities said Thursday. Chinese authorities on Thursday reported dozens of new infections, bringing the confirmed total to 571. About 5,000 people remain under medical observation. But scientists at the Imperial College in London estimate that 4,000 people have been infected in Wuhan. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have hit 11.1 million followers on Instagram, overtaking the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge just a few days after they broke even with the couple at 11 million followers. Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan Markle, 38, who run Sussex Royal, have seen their following skyrocket since announcing their retreat from the public eye last week. The couple, who will be splitting their time between Canada and Windsor Castle after they stepped down as senior royals, have now overtaken Kensington Royal, run by Prince William, 37, and Kate Middleton, 38, for some time. This is despite the Cambridges' account Kensington Royal being around for much longer, while the Sussexes only started their account last April. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (seen last July on the red carpet) have hit 11.1 million followers on Instagram , overtaking the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge just a few days days after they were still 100,000 fans behind the couple. Pictured: the couple leaving Canada House in London on January 7 2020 Prince Harry , 35, and Meghan Markle , 38, who run Sussex Royal, have seen their following skyrocket since announcing their retreat from the public eye last week While Kate and William have shared 1,982 posts, Harry and Meghan have only posted 185 times since last April. The Kensington Royal account gets an average of 300,000 likes for their posts, with statement posts including Kate Middleton's birthday racking up 1.2 million likes. Meanwhile Sussex Royal gets a similar average, but their recent post announcing they would be stepping down garnered almost 2 million likes from supportive fans. While William and Kate's account follows just under 100 people, Harry and Meghan follow new accounts each month to highlight charitable causes. The couple, who will be splitting their time between Canada and Windsor Castle after they stepped down as senior royals, have been on course to overtake Kensington Royal, run by Prince William , 37, and Kate Middleton, 38, (seen on Monday 20 January at Buckingham Palace) for some time This is despite the Cambridges' account Kensington Royal being around for much longer, while the Sussexes only started their account last April. They stand at 11m On Sunday 19 January, the Duke of Sussex said he is 'taking a leap of faith' in stepping back from his life as a member of the royal family, but 'there really was no other option'. Harry gave an emotional speech, where he told the 'truth' about leaving royal duties behind in a bid for a 'more peaceful life' for his family. The duke has attended his first public event since the announcement was released on Saturday that said from the spring, the duke and duchess will stop using HRH, spend the majority of their time living in Canada, and pay back the taxpayers' money spent renovating their Frogmore home. Harry was spotted arriving at the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London, where he held a number of private meetings, and was photographed shaking hands with the prime minister of Morocco Saad-Eddine El Othmani. Doria, 63, who lives in LA, is thought to have spent part of the couple's six week break in Vancouver over the Christmas period with the family, and reportedly described grandson Archie, eight months, (seen last September in South Africa) as 'the cutest' On Sunday 19 January night the Duke of Sussex has said he is 'taking a leap of faith' in stepping back from his life as a member of the royal family, but 'there really was no other option' In a speech at a private event for his charity Sentebale on Sunday night, Harry told invited guests: 'What I want to make clear is we're not walking away, and we certainly aren't walking away from you. 'Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the Commonwealth, and my military associations, but without public funding. Unfortunately, that wasn't possible. 'I've accepted this, knowing that it doesn't change who I am or how committed I am. 'But I hope that helps you understand what it had to come to, that I would step my family back from all I have ever known, to take a step forward into what I hope can be a more peaceful life.' Earning money while being a member of the royal family appears to have been the crux of the discussions Harry held with the Queen, Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge about the future role of he and his wife. Wuhan coronavirus epidemic at a crucial stage; China confident, capable in winning battle: officials Global Times Source: Published: 2020/1/26 17:56:29 Although the novel coronavirus epidemic is still at a complicated and crucial stage due to factors such as the unknown nature of the virus and a lack of supplies, the virus has not yet mutated and the government's current containment measures will take effect in the near future and the country is confident that it will win the battle against the epidemic, said Chinese officials. Ma Xiaowei, head of the National Health Commission, said at a Sunday press conference that now is a crucial time to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus-related pneumonia during the Spring Festival travel rush. Wuhan is urged to implement the strictest preventive measures. He also said the current situation indicates the virus is becoming increasingly contagious. Its deadliness and treatment rate require further study. The virus, different from SARS, can infect people even if its carrier shows no or few symptoms, said Ma. The source of the infection has not yet been discovered, the risks of mutation are still unclear and the harmfulness of the coronavirus to people of different ages is changing. We have been closely monitoring the virus' mutations, and there is no proof that the novel coronavirus has mutated at this point, Li Bin, deputy director of the National Health Commission said at the same conference. By the end of Saturday, 1,975 confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus, including 324 in critical condition, had been reported in the provincial-level regions except Tibet Autonomous Region. The pneumonia situation had resulted in 56 deaths, according to the National Health Commission. In order to contain the virus, Ma said health authorities nationwide have sent seven medical teams of over 900 personnel to support Wuhan. The military sent 450 medical staff, and has eight teams with over 1,000 personnel on standby. From Saturday to Sunday, authorities have been sending 12 medical teams comprising more than 1,600 staff, and will accelerate the allocation of resources to ensure supplies, said Ma, noting that Wuhan is likely to have an additional 5,000 beds available in the next three days. The materials shortage has been obviously relieved since 2,400 beds were opened to patients as of Saturday and 2,360 medical workers traveled to the city to offer support. However, a lack of materials still poses difficulties for the containment of the coronavirus. Wang Jiangping, an industry and information technology official, said at Sunday's conference that protective suits and masks are still urgently needed in the battle against the spread of the virus. 100,000 protective suits are needed daily in Hubei, and Hubei's need of protective clothing is almost 3 times the national production capacity. China is expected to enhance international cooperation and increase procurement from other countries to meet the gap between the supply and demand of protective suits, said Wang. Protective suits from the national reserves have been transferred to Wuhan, and 220,000 more suits purchased internationally are en route to the city. All rural areas and villages are urged to adopt stricter measures. China will utilize the institutional advantages to combat the major public health emergency, and we have the confidence, resolve and capability to win this battle, Ma said. Ma's confidence is echoed by officials from China's disease control and prevention organ. China will definitely develop a vaccine against the novel coronavirus, but it will take time as we need to respect the laws of nature, Gao Fu, head of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention said. We suggest extending Spring Festival holidays. We should take the development of the situation into account. It will take time to understand the virus and the public should remain calm, Gao said. Working teams will also be sent to places in Hubei other than Wuhan where the epidemic is severe, Ma said. China will strictly manage Wuhan residents who have arrived in other provinces and cities over the past 15 days. These residents will be located, registered and put under observation, said Ma. He said that measures including transportation bans are being adopted and adjusted according to the development of the coronavirus epidemic, and experts said they have proven effective in curbing the spread of the virus. The number of trips made across China on Saturday, the first day of the Chinese lunar new year, decreased by 28.8 percent compared to last year amid the battle against the virus, said Liu Xiaoming, vice minister of transport at the conference. Traffic bans in several cities will not impact Chinese people's livelihoods, said Liu. People's daily necessities will be ensured. Ma noted that China has been closely working with the international community and sharing information with related countries. The mainland is also enhancing communication with Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, inviting local experts to Wuhan to observe the actual situation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Student digs used to be associated with grotty rooms, rising damp and unreliable heating. Today's purpose-built accommodation can be very different, with ensuite bathrooms, attractive fixtures and fittings and wi-fi throughout. Watkin Jones is one of the leading providers of this new brand of digs, building and managing sites across the UK, with a focus on the Russell Group of universities. The group has moved into the build-to-rent sector too, providing attractive, well-located flats with plenty of communal space for meeting up and socialising. Plush: Watkins Jones provides a smarter kind of student accommodation This is a fast-growing field, as people of all ages actively choose to rent rather than buy their own homes. Watkin Jones was a family business for generations so, when chief executive Richard Simpson was appointed a year ago, some investors were worried. So far, however, Simpson has proved them wrong. With a strong track record in the rental sector, Simpson knows his stuff and is ambitious for the future, intending to step up growth in both the student and build-to-rent divisions. Watkin Jones has an unusual business model, in that it finds sites, secures planning and builds properties but sells the assets to big institutions before construction starts so it does not need to tie up lots of capital. Once the blocks are built, Watkin Jones will often manage them too, so it interacts directly with tenants and can tweak its services if demand dictates. The group uses mattresses that are hard on one side and soft on the other, for instance, to accommodate different bedtime tastes. It has even installed Chinese vending machines in some blocks to help Chinese students feel at home. Midas verdict: Watkin Jones was recommended by Midas at 1.09 in 2016, just a few weeks after it floated. Today, the shares are 2.48. Sales, profits and dividends are growing steadily and the stock yields just over 3.5 per cent. The stock has had a great ride over the past four years but it should continue to deliver for both existing and new investors. Arek Hersh is talking about the place that made him feel human again after the Holocaust, but his old friend and fellow survivor Sam Laskier is not happy. Can I talk? He always wants to talk, sighs Sam, gesturing to Arek. Arek, whos 91, shrugs his shoulders. He always intervenes when Im talking, he mutters. Sam, 92, has the floor now, but forgets what he wanted to say. He stutters a bit before he remembers, and the room filled with people goes quiet as he bangs on the table. It was freedom. The first freedom wed had for more than five years. And we were reborn. BBC film The Windermere Children recalls the story of 300 orphaned survivors who were transported to the Lake District. Pictured: Original Windermere boys, seated, left to right, Harry Olmer, Arek Hersh, Sir Ben Helfgott, Sam Laskier and Ike Alterman, with the actors who play them in the drama These remarkable men, so full of life, are remembering a very special place they went to after emerging from the hell that saw their families murdered. It was the place where they learned to live again. It was Windermere in the Lake District. Theyre speaking after a preview screening of The Windermere Children, a heartbreaking BBC film marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, commemorated on Holocaust Memorial Day on Monday. It reveals an almost-lost story the tale of 300 orphaned survivors of the death camps who were transported to the British beauty spot, where they were shown love, freedom and kindness. We were savages, or at least semi-savages, recalls Harry Olmer, another survivor whos also 92. And yet we were brought back to humanity. Wed all had the most terrible experiences, but at Windermere we learned how to interact with people once again. 'We started to readjust and we started to talk about what we wanted to do. The initiative was the brainchild of British Jewish philanthropist Leonard Montefiore (played in the drama by Tim McInnerny), who had helped found a group that rescued 65,000 people from Nazi Europe. When the war was over, he helped convince the British government to rehabilitate 1,000 child Holocaust survivors, funded by the British Jewish community. When the war was over, he helped convince the British government to rehabilitate 1,000 child Holocaust survivors, funded by the British Jewish community. Only 732 were found, of which 300 were accommodated at the Calgarth Estate at Windermere, wartime housing for aeroplane factory workers. Pictured, children arriving in Windermere Only 732 were found, of which 300 were accommodated at the Calgarth Estate at Windermere, wartime housing for aeroplane factory workers. In August 1945 the first children, who were mainly Polish and many of whom were still in camps as they had nowhere to go, were transported in RAF planes that had delivered their cargo and were on their way home. There were no seats and the children, who were sitting on the floor, had little idea of where they were going or if they were to be safe, with no reason to trust adults. The 90-minute film focuses partially on the people who were there to try to rehabilitate the children. They included retired PE teacher Jock Lawrence (Iain Glen), art therapist Marie Paneth (Romola Garai) and German-Jewish child psychologist Oscar Friedmann (Thomas Kretschmann), who was in charge. While the producers recorded hours of testimony from survivors and collected archive material, the shows writer Simon Block struggled to find a way of piecing the work together. Eventually he realised he had to do it through the story of the volunteers because the history of what the children had lived through was unimaginable. No children in history had been through what those children had, he says. The BBC film focuses on the people who helped to rehabilitate the children, like art therapist Marie Paneth (Romola Garai), left, and retired PE teacher Jock Lawrence (Iain Glen), right Even if I could have imagined part of that, I could only do so from the perspective of my adult self. 'They were children whose families had been killed. So I thought about the struggle of the volunteers at Windermere to connect with them and understand what it mustve been like. 'There was no precedent to draw upon. No textbooks or research papers. Romola Garai explains the problems they faced. My character is an art therapist, and this drama shows what happens when that therapy came up against the greatest tragedy of all human history and found itself maybe not quite prepared, she says. The therapists had wonderful intentions, but I dont think they were quite ready for the tsunami of suffering. But they knew the human experience had to be more than just survival. There also had to be happiness. 'They tried to generate that feeling again, or at least suggest it was something the children could strive for. Sala (Anna Maciejewska), Arek (Tomasz Studzinski), Juliusz (Lukasz Zieba), Ike (Kuba Sprenger), Sam (Marek Wrobelewski), Salek (Jakub Jankiewicz), Ben (Pascal Fischer), Chaim (Kacper Swietek) in the Windermere Children, which airs on Holocaust Memorial Day The story particularly resonated with Romola as her Jewish Hungarian father lost family in the Holocaust. His family had to acclimatise to the information coming through about the camps after the war and the new reality of what it meant for the world. 'The deep psychological and spiritual struggle was something for all humans, but particularly the British Jewish community. 'Could we have done more? Why didnt we? My family lived through it very personally. The drama uses a light touch on some brutally heavy subjects. When the children are first presented with bread they all run away with it, trying to hide it as they dont know if there will be more, as Polish-born Arek recalls. He was 11 when he was taken to his first concentration camp, and survived Auschwitz by pretending to be 17 and a lockmaker. He endured what he calls the train of damnation, a month being ferried on open wagons across Europe as the German army retreated with their prisoners. Arek recalls the children running away with the bread they were first presented with in the Lake District (pictured survivors in the film) I remember the way we all grabbed at the bread, he says. 'Wed hide it under the mattress and the people who looked after our rooms kept finding mouldy bread. We thought the food might suddenly stop. Sam, who was imprisoned in four camps Blizin, Auschwitz, Buchenwald and Theresienstadt nods in agreement. I had bicycle clips on my trousers and Id put the bread down my trousers, he recalls. Eventually we realised the bread wasnt going to end. Even a dog gets used to things. The story also covers the horrifying moments when the children got letters from the Red Cross telling them what had happened to their families. HOLOCAUST TRIBUTES ON TV To mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, there are a number of special programmes on TV this week... Songs Of Praise: Holocaust Memorial Day Sun, 3.05pm, BBC1 Aled Jones visits the National Holocaust Centre in Nottingham, while Pam Rhodes meets survivors, including some rescued by the Kindertransport. Holocaust Memorial Day Mon, 7pm, BBC2 More than 150 survivors will attend a commemoration, presented by Huw Edwards. Belsen: Our Story Tue, 9pm, BBC2 Survivors tell their stories of the Bergen-Belsen work camp in emotional detail. Auschwitz Untold: In Colour Sun/Mon, 9pm, More4. Wed, 10pm, Ch4 Newly restored footage from Auschwitz brings the horrors vividly to life. The Windermere Children: In Their Own Words Mon, 10.30pm, BBC4 Companion piece to the drama in which real survivors talk about their time in the Lakes. Advertisement Nearly all learned they were now alone in the world. You see in the film, after that happened I jumped into the lake, says Arek. I was so upset, I stayed in there some time. But I came back... and Im still here. While the drama is a devastating look at the fallout from the Holocaust, all the more painful because it is seen through the eyes of children, it is also a story of redemption. Although their time at Windermere was short around three months for most they found a new family in each other and many of them stayed together for the next few years, living in hostels or with families as they continued to adjust to the world. We talked to each other about what had happened to us in the war but we didnt mention it to anyone else, says another of the Windermere boys, Harry Spiro, 90. People didnt want to hear. In Britain they had suffered too theyd had bombs and rationing. People died. 'It was nothing compared to what wed been through, but they suffered. And so most of us didnt talk about it for a long time. The Windermere children retained a bond that led to regular reunions. They formed a charity together in 1963 called The 45 Aid Society, raising money for those in need. Some of the boys and girls (there were only 80 girls as far fewer females survived in the camps) became well-known, including Sir Ben Helfgott, whose story is featured in the film and who went on to represent Great Britain as an Olympic weightlifter. Others include Rabbi Hugo Gryn, a renowned presenter on Radio 4s Moral Maze, and celebrated artist Roman Halter, while Moishe Malinicky is Strictly star Judge Rob Rinders grandfather. Almost all of them are involved in Holocaust education to make sure this story of mans inhumanity to man is never forgotten. This is our story. We were alive, we survived, says Harry Spiro. I go around schools talking about what happened. I say, Hitler, you didnt win. Yes, I lost a lot, but Ive got another life. The Windermere Children, Monday, 9pm, BBC2. More than 46 people have been killed in flooding and landslides in Brazil after parts of the country experienced their heaviest ever rainfall. At least 37 had died in the state of state of Minas Gerais and nine more in neighbouring Espirito Santo, according to local disaster officials, who said 28 people remained missing. Some 20,000 people have evacuated. Authorities said rain was expected to continue across parts of Minas Gerais - which neighbours Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo throughout Sunday. Romeu Zema, the state governor, has declared a state of emergency in over 47 cities. Images have shown properties devastated by landslides and rubble covered in mud following the extreme weather. On Friday, Belo Horizonte - the state capital received the most rain it has ever seen in a 24-hour period. I am deeply sorry for the deaths, especially a childs, as a result of the largest ever rainfall recorded in [Belo Horizonte], Mr Zuma said on Friday. Firefighters search for missing persons using a hydraulic dismantling technique, which uses water to disperse mud, in Belo Horizonte (AFP via Getty Images) He has declared three days of mourning for the victims of the floods and landslides. Storms and more downpours are forecast to continue across Brazils southeast over the next few days, according to the national metrological agency. Vale SA, a Brazilian mining firm, raised the emergency level at a dam at its Gongo Soco mine in Minas Gerais over the weekend after heavy rainfall eroded the structures reservoir. Portraits of the victims of the 25 January 2019 dam collapse on display during a tribute in Brumadinho (AFP via Getty Images) One year ago, one of the companys dams collapsed in Minas Gerais, killing over 250 people. The disaster which has been touted as one of the worst mining disasters in the world triggered a mudslide which destroyed buildings and covered neighbouring areas with waste. Commemorations were held for victims of the 2019 collapse in Brumadinho on Saturday. Additional reporting by agencies Thanks for visiting ! The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Thank you for your support! The legacy of former Harrisburg Mayor Stephen R. Reed, who died Saturday at age 70, cant be calculated only in terms of the public projects he leaves behind. Its reflected in the political careers of the next generation of community leaders. Dauphin County Commissioner George P. Hartwick III remained an unabashed Reed loyalist even after the mayor was turned from office, harshly criticized for sinking the city in debt and criminally prosecuted for mishandling various western artifacts for a never-realized museum. Through it all and right up through Hartwicks most recent re-election as commissioner he continued to seek out Reeds counsel and friendship. I met him when I was 18 years old and forming the Young Democrats of Steelton, said Hartwick, who would become his citys mayor before rising to county government. I cant tell you how many nights I spent in his office, Hartwick said. Its the first exposure I had to how to run government without going back to the taxpayers. READ MORE: Hartwick said he found both wisdom, innovation and a cautionary tale in what he described as Reeds creative financing of so many city projects over the decades. I understood some of the challenges he had, Hartwick said, alluding to Reeds spending millions on western artifacts for a planned museum that never materialized. I didnt say I employed all his philosophy, Hartwick said. But he said he believed Reed has the best interests of Harrisburg at heart in everything he did, even when the project went beyond providing core governmental services. Mayor Reed was a visionary who transformed the city of Harrisburg, Hartwick said. He gave it the foundation to continue to grow and thrive today. Hartwick flatly rejects any notion that Reed was a crook for getting caught with some misplaced city artifacts in his home. He was painted as someone I know he wasnt, Hartwick said He was supremely dedicated to the city of Harrisburg. The mayor was the city. I dont think there was a waking moment Steve Reed had that he wasnt thinking about advancing the city. His work ethic was beyond reproach. For Hartwick, proof of this is all the police, fire and ambulance calls where the mayor showed up at the scene, anytime day or night. I believe that was the sign of somebody who was supremely committed to their job, Hartwick said. He believed it was a requirement of the job. He set a tone of public service. This was Reeds public face. Behind the scenes, he was at turns sincere, sarcastic, humorous and unfailing loyal and helpful to his friends. Hartwick said he doesnt hide having tried to emulate both Reeds tireless service to the public and his fierce personal loyalty to his true allies. He really was an icon and mentor to me, Hartwick said. I would continually check in with him. His advice was always something I valued, and I never questioned his intentions. Its tough losing close friends. Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. -- The following have been published today on PennLive: Former Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed dies at 70 Once dubbed Harrisburgs mayor for life, Stephen Reed leaves complicated legacy We have Stephen Reed to thank for City Island, Harrisburg U, Restaurant Row and more | Nancy Eshelman Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse orders flags lowered to half-staff for Stephen Reed Longtime Harrisburg Mayor Stephen R. Reed through the years: photo gallery Stephen Reeds dying thoughts on Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse, as revealed by Fred Clark Stephen Reed loved Harrisburg Senators baseball so much, he bought the team Politicians had to lie to discredit him: Ex-superintendent Gerald Kohn on Stephen Reed Critics, rivals remember Reed for his warmth, charm: People still knew that he loved this city Whitaker Center thanks Stephen Reed for his help in establishing it as Harrisburgs 'Crown Jewel Critics, rivals remember Reed for his warmth, charm: People still knew that he loved this city The Winona Area Chamber of Commerce honored individuals and businesses for their work to support the community and chamber in the past year at its annual banquet Friday. Jim Vrchota was named Volunteer of the Year by the chamber on Friday evening. He has worked on variance boards, including the chambers board of directors, committees, including the Economic Development Committee, and other projects. He also is a chamber ambassador and takes time to be at many chamber events each year, helping the organization and community achieve success. I do this stuff with the chamber because I enjoy it, Vrchota said. He said he was not expecting to receive the honor, but was thrilled when he learned he did. Vrchota is a banker with Merchants Bank. He said he takes pride in the businesses hes helped start, new buildings hes helped to be built and city projects that hes been able to help contribute to. He said that volunteering has helped make his life fulfilling. The chamber also announced the recipients of their 2019 Honorary Lifetime Member Awards. Tony Piscitiello, Syd Smith, Randy Domeyer and Dan Weis were honored with these awards for passionately serving the area and the chamber for decades. Weis is a former marketing manager for Bremer Bank. He has been a chamber ambassador since 2008, while also serving on the Chambers board of directors from 2013 to 2015. Domeyer will retire this year as senior vice president of consumer banking at Merchants Bank. His contributions to the Chamber include volunteering and serving on the board of directors, among other participation. Smith works at the Hoff Celebration of Life Center. Her work with the Chamber has included participation on the board of directors and volunteering on committees, along with other work to help with the success of the Chamber and community. Piscitiello retired last year from Saint Marys University. His work includes serving on the board of directors for the Chamber and contributing to multiple committees. While the Outstanding Customer Service Award, Locally Owned Business Award and Business of the Year Award winners were announced in November, the businesses had their moment to shine and receive their awards Friday night. Videos, created by Treedome, helped reveal to banquet attendees what makes the businesses truly deserving of the honors. Erik Sievers, Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Centers executive director, expressed that HVMHC receiving the honor of being the business of the year gives him hope, as he sees the support the community has for mental health services. WA Group, an insurance company, received the honor of the Best Locally Owned Business Award. Altra Federal Credit Union received the Outstanding Customer Service Award. Representatives from the three businesses expressed their appreciation of being honored and their desire to help those in the community. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. (Natural News) Manuka honey is a special kind of honey that is only grown in Australia and New Zealand. It comes from the honey made by bees who pollinate from the Leptospermum scoparium, or the manuka bush. Because of its unique nature, manuka honey is more potent than regular honey, and provides more health benefits. These benefits make manuka honey an excellent addition to any preppers survival kit. Here are seven ways you can use manuka honey to survive when SHTF. (h/t to AskAPrepper.com) Soothes allergy symptoms Seasonal allergies can be disastrous, especially post-collapse. A study published in the Annals of Saudi Medicine found that ingesting manuka honey can provide relief against allergic rhinitis. Consuming manuka honey keep you functioning and on your feet during a disaster. Soothes acid reflux Acid reflux is when the acid inside the stomach flows up into the esophagus. This isnt a life threatening condition in any way, but the symptoms associated with it, such as heartburn and chest pain, can be painful and stop you in your tracks. Manuka honey is known to relieve these symptoms to help keep you going. Fights resistant bacteria There is evidence supporting manuka honeys ability to combat bacteria like MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and group A Streptococcus. These strains have become increasingly resistant to conventional medicine due to the overuse of antibiotics. Consuming manuka honey can kill MRSA, induce significant changes in the protein expression of P. aeruginosa and inhibit the growth of group A Strep. (Related: Manuka honey found to eliminate deadly drug-resistant bacteria in cystic fibrosis infections.) Treats wounds, burns and sores Manuka honeys healing properties are well known. They can speed up healing, reduce inflammation, relieve pain and prevent wounds, burns and sores from contracting an infection. The acidic environment created by manuka honey favors wound healing. Simply apply a coat of manuka honey over the affected area and wrap it up with wound dressing to keep insects away from it. Fights gum disease If left untreated, gum disease can deteriorate tooth health and even cause some bone damage. Oral health experts will be difficult to find when SHTF. Luckily, manuka honeys antibacterial properties make it a great companion. It can reduce your risk of bleeding from periodontal disease and it can reduce incidence of dental plaque by up to 35 percent. Furthermore, the mineral content in manuka honey keeps teeth healthy. Reduces symptoms from bowel and intestinal conditions Manuka honey can protect against inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and, if you already have IBD, reduce its symptoms, thanks to the honeys unique ability to fight off bacterial infections and reduce inflammation. Manuka honey has also been shown to have an antibacterial effect against Clostridium difficile, the bacteria responsible for colitis. Helps you sleep When mixed with non-dairy milk and drunk before going to sleep, manuka honey can provide you with a deep, restful sleep. During a disaster, having plenty of good quality sleep is important as it can reduce the risk of potentially life threatening conditions such as heart disease. Before you run off to buy some manuka honey, verify its authenticity. All real manuka will have the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) logo printed on the container along with a UMF number. This number is part of the grading system that rates the manuka honeys purity and quality. Consider buying manuka honey thats at least UMF 16, but anything above UMF 10 can also have the health supporting properties you need. With these health benefits, consider getting your hands on some manuka honey and packing it in your bug-out bag. Regular honey can also provide you with health benefits, but manuka honey is leagues above it and will be the best kind of honey you can have if you want to survive in a post-SHTF world. Sources include: AskAPrepper.com Healthline.com AnnSaudiMed.net NHS.uk NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov BMCResNotes.BioMedCentral.com UMF.org.nz Karachi: A 36-year-old pregnant Christian woman was shot at by two unidentified assailants outside a school here in Pakistan, a media report said. Kiran, who is seven months pregnant, had gone to Karachi Public School in Korangi area with her husband Amjad for their son's admission, Dawn news reported. The bike-borne assailants struck when she was inside her car waiting for her husband and son to return from the school. They opened fire at her and fled. The woman was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors said that she has sustained a wound in the chest from a bullet which went through her arm, according to the report. The condition of the woman, who belongs to the Christian community, is improving, it said. A police officer has ruled out any robbery attempt, saying her valuables were not taken away. The family also told the police that they have no enmity with anyone. A case has been registered against two unknown suspects on the complaint of the husband, with the motive listed as unknown, the report said. January 26, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky will pay a working visit to Poland, where he will take part in the events marking the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. The press service of the Presidents Office reports. It is stated that on January 26 and 27 the head of state will be on a working visit to Poland. The program of the visit includes participation in commemorative events on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Auschwitz and a meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda. During the Second World War, in the Polish city of Auschwitz, German troops created the first Auschwitz concentration camp. The Nazis killed 1.4 million people in Auschwitz, of whom about 1.1 million were Jews. Now the museum works on the site of the death camp. The camps liberation day is set by the UN as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. As we reported, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky promises to continue to put pressure on Iran to punish those responsible for the downing of Ukrainian Boeing 737. Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, said in a newspaper interview that he would like to make an official visit to Iran, calling it "such an important part of the world." "Yes, obviously I would like to [go to Iran]," The Sunday Times quoted him as saying in an interview to be published on January 26. "I know that Iran has been such an important part of the world for so many centuries and has contributed so much to human knowledge, culture, poetry, art. I mean, really remarkable people." However, asked about a future royal visit, a spokeswoman for Prince Charles said: "There are no plans for the Prince of Wales to undertake an official visit to Iran." The comments come as tensions remain high between Tehran and the West, particularly with Britain and the United States. Washington and Tehran engaged in tit-for-tat military strikes earlier this month. Britain, meanwhile, has demanded that Iran release Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and other dual nationals imprisoned there. Last July, Iran seized a British-flagged oil tanker two weeks after British forces near Gibraltar captured an Iranian oil tanker. Both ships were eventually released. The British prince told the newspaper that he tries to be a peacemaker and that he has prayed for peace in the Middle East. "I do think the most important thing is a just and lasting peace," he said. Britains royal family generally steers clear of speaking on political matters in public. Based on reporting by The Sunday Times and Reuters Britisher Fiona Mackeown, whose teenage daughter was sexually abused before her death in Goa in 2008, on Sunday said she shared the pain of the mother of late Nirbhaya whose rapists are awaiting gallows in the 2012 case. Eleven years after Mackeown's daughter Scarlett Eden Keeling was found dead at Anjuna beach in Goa in February 2008, the Bombay High Court in 2019 convicted local resident Samsun D'Souza and sentenced him to imprisonment for ten years. With Nirbhaya's mother demanding that the four convicts be hanged one by one so that they understand what it meant to toy with the law, Mackeown on Sunday said the wait for closure is "horrible". "It is horrible thing for someone to undergo such a long wait. I can relate myself with the pain faced by Nirbhaya's mother, who is still waiting for the convicts to be hanged, even seven years after she lost her daughter," Mackeown told PTI on Sunday. She is in Goa along with her another daughter, Isisi Celeste Storm, who was just 11 when Scarlett was killed. "It is painful for the family of victims to wait for justice for such a long period of time. It does not look good on the part of judicial system (which is supposed to be) dealing with it (the case) quickly and efficiently," she said. Mackeown said she had been following the Nirbhaya case for long. "I had seen a documentary on that case in England," she recalled. Mackeown, who visited the Anjuna beach along with her lawyer on Sunday, said her daughter Isisi was feeling little "insecure and apprehensive" in Goa. She is also supporting the cause of Irish woman Andrea Brannigam, whose daughter Danielle McLaughing was killed in south Goa in the year 2017. The warrant for execution of death sentence for all the four convicts in the Nirbhaya rape and murder case has been fixed on February 1 at 6 am. The 23-year-old paramedic student, referred to as Nirbhaya, was gang-raped and brutally assaulted on the intervening night of December 16-17, 2012, in a moving bus in south Delhi by six people before she was thrown out on the road. She was flown to a hospital in Singapore where she died. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) There is a sense of urgency every Chinese New Year as hundreds of millions of people flood train stations and transport hubs to make their journey home. This year, a different kind of urgency has emerged that is keeping thousands of people from reuniting with their families the coronavirus originating from the inland transportation hub of Wuhan. Instead of going home for the traditional family meal on the eve of Spring Festival, doctors and nurses throughout China have been on call 24 hours a day to deal with the deluge of patients suffering from flu-like symptoms and the shortage of hospital beds. In Wuhan only, around 80,000 medical workers were on duty over the night. There is the 9-year-old boy who asked his parents both doctors at Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital to take care of themselves. Busy tending to pneumonia patients, Hu Ming and Wang Jie had to miss the family reunion dinner with their son, only able to video chat during a brief respite in their overwhelming schedule. There is the doctor who is suspected of dying from the coronavirus on the very first day of the lunar New Year: Liang Wudong was aged 62. There is the emergency physician who didn't leave her post to eat, drink or use the restroom for about 12 hours after she put on a hazmat suit. Every day since the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus, Yan Li has been helping diagnose the disease in the fever clinic of Tongji Hospital after getting off her shift in the emergency ward. There are also countless stories similar to that of Yan Li. There are medical staff who had to eat instant noodles instead of a New Year's feast; there are health care workers who wear diapers to not waste time going to the bathroom. This spiraling crisis highlights not only the shortage of physicians in troubling times, but also the need for hospital supplies as well as more accommodation for increasing patient numbers. However, though the patience of many is running thin, outpourings of support and sympathy from ordinary people to large corporations offer a glimmer of hope. Similar to the massive earthquake tragedy in southwest China's Sichuan back in 2008, the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak is attracting donations from many within the country and overseas. CGTN reporters get a firsthand view of Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital's ICU on lunar New Year's Eve, as the hospital battles the new coronavirus outbreak, January 24, 2020. /CGTN Photo In the United States, the Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Center and other local associations are using the online crowdfunding platform GoFundMe to raise money for masks and other medical supplies to send to the hospitals in Wuhan. So far, their page shows they've raised over 11,000 U.S. dollars, which is still short of their goal of 50,000 dollars. At the time of writing, over 140 people have donated, mostly giving from 100 to 200 dollars each. Pharmacies and hardware stores in major U.S. cities such as New York and Los Angeles are seeing their stocks of masks plummet due to Chinese-Americans buying them en masse to send to China. Domestically, Chinese enterprises are taking a page out of the corporate social responsibility handbook. Small manufacturers of surgical masks, goggles and rubber gloves are racing against the clock to make the much-needed protective equipment. Alipay, a mobile payment platform, notes that it has amassed over 71 million yuan of donations within eight hours to be used for buying surgical masks and other preventive medical equipment. Home appliances giant Haier is donating five million yuan, three million of which will be given as cash to key hospitals in the city, such as Huoshenshan hospital based on the Xiaotangshan model built in Beijing to face the SARS outbreak in 2003. In Wuhan's northern suburbs, construction workers called off their reunion celebrations, working on building prefabricated structures of a makeshift hospital that is to accommodate 1,000 patients infected by the coronavirus and is expected to be built within six days. So far, Wuhan is still on lockdown, with many unable to leave the city. As medical supplies run low and hospital staff become increasingly overworked, the battle is just beginning. The central military command sent 450 medical officers to the epicenter of the coronavirus Friday night, 40 of whom have already started working in Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital. Tehran: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Saturday said his country "deeply regrets" the shooting down of a Ukrainian airliner, which he described as "a great tragedy & unforgivable mistake". "Armed Forces' internal investigation has concluded that regrettably missiles fired due to human error caused the horrific crash of the Ukrainian plane & death of 176 innocent people," he added on Twitter. "Investigations continue to identify & prosecute this great tragedy & unforgivable mistake." Iran's foreign minister offered his country's "profound regrets, apologies and condolences" after the armed forces admitted shooting down a Ukrainian airliner due to "human error". "A sad day," Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote on Twitter. "Human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster," he said. "Our profound regrets, apologies and condolences to our people, to the families of all victims, and to other affected nations." A Jordanian court on Sunday levelled "terrorism" charges against a man suspected of wounding eight people in a November knife attack at a popular tourist site. The suspect, Moustafa Abourouis, 22, faces up to 20 years in prison after the stabbing of three Mexicans, a Swiss woman, a Jordanian tour guide and a security officer at the Roman city of Jerash. At a hearing open to the press, prosecutors accused Abourouis of committing a "terrorist act" and "promoting the ideas of a terrorist group" -- a reference to the Islamic State (IS) group. Abourouis, who is of Palestinian origins and grew up in the refugee camp of Souf, was arrested immediately after the attack at Jerash, close to the camp and around 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of Amman. The Jordanian prosecutor accused Abourouis of trying to join IS, an operative of which in Syria had "ordered him to commit attacks against foreigners". Two alleged accomplices, also Jordanians of Palestinian origin, were charged with "terrorism" in the same case. All three pleaded not guilty. The court is scheduled to hear witnesses next Sunday, with the date for a verdict to be confirmed. It was not the first time a Jordanian tourist attraction has been attacked. In December 2016, in Karak, home to one of the region's biggest Crusader castles, 10 people -- seven police, two Jordanian civilians and a Canadian tourist -- were killed in an attack that also left 30 wounded. That attack was claimed by IS and 10 people were later convicted of carrying out the assault, two of them sentenced to death. Tourism is a key lifeline for Jordan, a country lacking in natural resources and reliant on foreign aid. The sector accounted for 14 percent of GDP in 2019. The kingdom, bordering conflict-torn Syria and Iraq, has been working to revive its tourism industry and aims to attract seven million holiday makers a year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Speaking with IANS on the sidelines of the fourth day of the Jaipur Literature Festival, Bhardwaj said, "It wasn't that they were not protesting before, just that they are on the streets now and showing their anger. It is sad that the current regime has brought us to a point where anyone criticising it is being branded an anti-national." Pleased that members of the film community were engaging with the current political discourse, Bhardwaj, supporting Deepika Padukone's presence at JNU post violence that broke out at the university a few days back, said, "It is important that all segments of the society make their stand on polarisation clear." Comparing the BJP with Congress, the filmmaker said the latter had a bigger heart, though it was just concerned with filling its pockets than bother about criticism. "At least they were not robbing our souls. As far as those condemning the fact that people didn't protest against them, well the Anna Hazare movement is an excellent example." As the conversation veers towards the verbal spat between actors Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher, the filmmaker says it was sad that instead of debating, it had become an ugly controversy. "It shouldn't have come to that. They both are very senior and highly respected actors." Stating that he might think about making a film on the ongoing protest movements sometime later as right now, being part of the movement himself, he wouldn't be objective. "When you are in close proximity to things, it is tough to have a perspective." Talking about the kind of "nationalistic" films being made in the industry in the past decade, Bhardwaj says he doesn't have a problem with those films, but what matters is the timing of their release. "Releasing movies that bash Pakistan before the elections in order to influence voters towards a particular party does not really feel correct. As far as biopics are concerned, well, they make them so badly that their own workers would fall asleep. Frankly, the right doesn't have the intellect and aesthetics." Even after 'Omkara', 'Maqbool' and 'Haider', Bhardwaj's obsession with Shakespeare refuses to go away. "I am absolutely in love with his work and not done with it. In fact I plan to work on the trilogy of his comedies." The Delhi Police booked Sharjeel Imam, an activist who came in limelight during the ongoing protest in Shaheen Bagh, on Sunday for allegedly delivering inflammatory speeches against the amended Citizenship Act and the planned National Register of Citizens, officials said. According to the police, Imam, a resident of Bihar and former Jawaharlal Nehru University student, delivered "very inflammatory and instigatory speeches in his opposition to CAA and NRC". "He had previously delivered one such speech in Jamia Millia Islamia on December 13 last year and thereafter one even more inflammatory against the government which is being widely circulated on social media," they said. These speeches have the "potential to harm the religious harmony" and the unity and integrity of India, for which the case was registered against him, police said. Imam was heard saying in an audio clip that Assam should be cut off from the rest of India and taught a lesson, as Bengalis - both Hindus and Muslims - are being killed or put into detention centres. He reportedly said that if he can organise five lakh people, it would become possible to "permanently cut off Assam with rest of India...if not permanently, then at least for a few months". A case against Imam under IPC sections 124 A (an offence by words, either spoken or written causes disaffection against Government established by law), 153 A (promoting enmity between different religious groups with an intent to create disharmony) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) has been registered, the Delhi police said. A case of sedition was lodged against Imam on Saturday for a speech he delivered on the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) campus on January 16. The Assam police has also filed an FIR under the anti-terror law UAPA against Imam for his speech. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States will not lift sanctions on Iran in order to negotiate, U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted late on Saturday, seemingly in response to a Der Spiegel interview with Iran's foreign minister. "Iranian Foreign Minister says Iran wants to negotiate with The United States, but wants sanctions removed. @FoxNews @OANN No Thanks!" Trump tweeted in English on Saturday and later in Farsi. Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded on Sunday by tweeting an excerpt from the interview with Der Spiegel published on Friday, where he said Iran is still open to negotiations with America if sanctions are lifted. "@realdonaldtrump is better advised to base his foreign policy comments & decisions on facts, rather than @FoxNews headlines or his Farsi translators," Zarif said in the tweet with the interview excerpt. Tensions between Iran and the United States have reached the highest levels in decades after the U.S. killed top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad on Jan. 3, prompting Iran to fire missiles days later at bases in Iraq where U.S. troops are stationed. Tensions between the two have been increasing steadily since Trump pulled the United States out of Iran's nuclear pact with world powers in 2018 and reimposed sanctions that have driven down Iran's oil exports and hammered its economy. Editor's note: Beginning today and continuing every other Sunday through the conclusion of this year's session of the Iowa Legislature, our local lawmakers will share their Statehouse views. Rep. Jacob Bossman, R-Sioux City We just finished up the second week of session, and things are already moving very quickly. I am honored to again represent the people of House District 6 and look forward to again advocating for their priorities in Des Moines. One such issue I will be working to address this year is childcare. Access to childcare and the costs of childcare are two major barriers to employment for many Iowans. From the family who just had a child and cant afford for both parents to return to work due to the high cost of childcare sometimes being more than the parents wages to the recruited workers who bypass job opportunities because they cant access childcare in the communities where they wish to move. We have a worker shortage in northwest Iowa where the unemployment rate is often below 2 percent. The state must do what it can to remove barriers to employment. I will be pushing for meaningful changes that address both the issues of affordability and access to childcare. I have introduced bills to incentivize employers to provide childcare for their employees, incentivize developers to build childcare centers, increase eligibility for the childcare tax credit for parents, increase access to the childcare assistance program for more families, and to eliminate the cliff effect that prevents people from advancing in their careers or from taking new opportunities out of fear that they will lose needed childcare assistance. I am hopeful many of these ideas will be enacted and have a positive impact for many families in our state. Thank you for allowing me to represent you in the Iowa House of Representatives. If you have questions or concerns about this or any other topic, please feel free to contact me at jacob.bossman@legis.iowa.gov. Sen. Jim Carlin, R-Sioux City One of the first topics discussed at the beginning of every legislative session is the amount of funding for Iowa K-12 schools. Much of that discussion revolves around the undefined phrase fully funding education. However, no dollar amount defines that phrase. The common-sense way to define this term is this: The state keeps the promises it made during the budgeting process in January for that fiscal year. Students, teachers, administrators and property taxpayers all depend on the state fully funding the promises it makes. Since taking over the majority in 2017, Senate Republicans have fully funded every dollar promised to K-12 education. Over the last three budgets, $263.75 million was promised and delivered to K-12 schools. Additionally, millions of dollars have been allocated for concurrent enrollment and to address inequities in both per-pupil and transportation funding. In fact, the last time K-12 education was cut was when Chet Culver was governor and Democrats controlled both branches of the Iowa Legislature. Schools were promised $393.9 million over four years, only to have those promises underfunded. In the coming weeks expect to hear a lot of noise about cutting and fully funding education. However, one certainty will remain - Senate Republicans will continue to make reliable and sustainable promises to Iowa schools. In 2018, an Iowa Supreme Court decision struck down the 72-hour waiting period before an abortion and claimed the Iowa Constitution provided for a fundamental right to abortion. In her Condition of the State address, Governor Reynolds urged the House and Senate members to pass Senate Joint Resolution 21 which clarifies that a right to an abortion is not guaranteed by the Iowa Constitution. Under SJR 21, the people of Iowa will decide how Iowa regulates abortion. Rep. Chris Hall, D-Sioux City The 2020 legislative session is officially under way. Thanks to the editorial page and staff of The Journal for again providing this space to stay in touch. I hope to use my column to provide updates on legislation, news, and share stories from the Capitol. During the months of November and December, most legislators prepare for session by touching base with community leaders and residents. We hear about the priorities of different groups, their legislative requests, and we often problem-solve together. While the topics change slightly from year to year, they center on family economics. People want fair compensation for work, affordable health care and a good school system for their children. Dignity, respect and the ability to provide. To begin our year, legislators heard updates from the governor, the judicial branch and the Iowa National Guard. In many ways, our state reflects larger trends of the country right now. Our economy is steady and should allow us to plan deliberately, make smart investments, and shore up the clear needs of our state. Some of the big issues have been sitting on the back burner. The governor deserves credit for trying to address a decade long absence of funding for the outdoors, voted into existence by Iowans themselves. As we review her proposal, it should be revised to do less tinkering with the tax code. Despite the states low unemployment, families in Iowa need to see a wage that competes with our neighboring states. I expect both parties will propose improvements to child care. I look forward to hearing your feedback. Please email me any time - Chris.Hall@legis.iowa.gov. I am proud to represent you and will be working with colleagues each week to make this a good year for the people of Sioux City. You have my sincere and humble thanks. Rep. Tim Kacena, D-Sioux City Good Sunday to all. The 88th General Assembly gaveled in for the 100-day session on January 13. As usual, the first week was filled with speeches on the Condition of the State and Governor Reynolds' budget priorities, the Condition of the Judiciary, and the Condition of the Iowa National Guard. The first week is also the time to renew friendships and form relationships that will move the state forward for all Iowans. This past week, the Capitol has been getting back to business as usual. I have submitted a few bills that will help working families and help keep Iowa safe. If any of them gain traction, I will go into them with more detail in a future article. One of my top priorities this session is to ensure access to quality, affordable health care for Iowans. Our health care system is in crisis with the number of uninsured on the rise again, higher insurance premiums, closing health care facilities, a shortage of mental health services, and increasing prescription drug costs. In addition to making progress on those issues, we need to make sure Iowans with pre-existing conditions dont lose access to the health care they currently have. Because of a federal lawsuit in Texas, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that contains protections for Iowans with pre-existing conditions could be overturned later this year. If the law is overturned, the 1.3 million Iowans with a pre-existing condition would lose their protections overnight. Insurance companies could immediately deny health care to people with pre-existing conditions or just raise their rates so high it becomes unaffordable. We cant ignore this issue this session. Thats why Im working with my colleagues to put new protections in Iowa law to guarantee that Iowans cant be denied health care because of a pre-existing condition. Sen. Jackie Smith, D-Sioux City Iowans deserve a tax system that works for all of us. Unfortunately, many Iowans believe the current system is rigged against them. The proposed tax changes floated in the governors Condition of the State address are a good example of why. Her plan is a tax shift that will have a big impact on the pocketbooks of Iowa families. Three in four Iowans likely will see a tax increase. Low-income Iowans and those on a fixed income will be hardest hit. Iowas current tax system already places a higher burden on lower-income Iowans than on the wealthiest. The governors proposal makes the situation worse. I assure you that Ill assess any tax bill that comes before me this session on four key principles: Tax reform must be fair. According to the Iowa Policy Project, when all state and local taxes are accounted for, Iowas lowest income earners pay the largest portion of their income in taxes. Changes to Iowas tax system should address this situation, not make the problem worse. Tax reform must simplify Iowas tax code to highlight our states true competitiveness. Iowas tax code is a confusing collection of credits, deductions and exemptions that do not accurately reflect the cost of living and doing business in Iowa. Our tax rates appear to be among the highest in the nation, but according to the Tax Foundation, taxes paid by Iowans rank our state in the middle of the pack. Tax reform must fit our budget situation. Iowa has not approved enough funding for state government to meet the needs of Iowans. Lets not repeat the mistakes of states such as Kansas, which passed massive tax cuts that have resulted in an ongoing budget crisis and cuts to essential services. Tax reform must examine corporate tax credits. The state has slashed funding for vital programs that serve some of our most vulnerable Iowans, while corporate tax credits have been exempt from cuts. We must determine if corporate tax credits offer a good return on investment and benefit Iowans, not just the few businesses that receive them. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 After the outbreak of a new and deadly strain of the Coronavirus, believed to be caused due to an illegally imported animal in Wuhans wildlife market, China has put a temporary ban on the trade of wild animals. In a joint directive from three agencies including the Ministry of Agriculture, authorities announced that raising, transporting, or selling all wild animal species has been banned with immediate effect until the national epidemic situation is over. According to Chinas National Health Commission, the death toll due to the Coronavirus has shot up to 56 and around 2,000 people have been infected across the country. Health officials have confirmed at least 688 new cases of the coronavirus as 15 more people have died from it. Read: Canada Confirms Its First 'presumptive' Case Of Deadly Coronavirus Shanghai reports first death As Shanghai reported its first death from the Coronavirus, China has started taking drastic measures to contain the spread of the disease. Chinese state media reported that the eastern Shandong province will suspend long-distance buses entering the region after similar announcements were made Tianjin, Beijing, and the historic Xian. China has already put two of its cities under lockdown to contain the spread of the disease. After public transport was restricted in Wuhan, the centre of the novel coronavirus (CoV) outbreak, Huanggang is also being put under lockdown to rein in the spread of pneumonia. Read: US To Evacuate Its Citizens From Wuhan Amid Coronavirus Outbreak Countries across the globe, including the United States, France, and Australia, are preparing to evacuate their citizens from Wuhan. The Indian embassy in Beijing has also issued a travel advisory for people visiting India from China. The Embassy has said that travellers should avoid close contact with people who are unwell or showing symptoms of illness. It also asked all travellers from China, especially from Wuhan city, to monitor their health closely. Meanwhile, Canada has reported its first presumptive case of the deadly Coronavirus which was detected in a man who returned to Toronto from Wuhan. Barbara Yaffe, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for the province of Ontario, informed in a press conference that the patient has been admitted to a hospital in Toronto. Read: Sri Lankans In China To Be Evacuated Amid Increase In Coronavirus Cases Read: Shanghai Reports Its First Death From Mysterious Coronavirus (With inputs from agencies) : Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday demanded that the state government should take serious note of an unsigned letter threatening to kill 15 eminent people, including former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy. The government should take the death threat...seriously. The government should investigate into the matter and bring the criminals to book," said Siddaramaiah said in a tweet. He said those forces wanting to snatch away the freedom of expression by creating an atmosphere of fear should be punished. The threat was made also to actors Prakash Raj and Chetan, and Lingayat Seer Nijagunananda Swami. The letter was reportedly posted to the Seer's ashram in Belagavi and the 15 were reportedly dubbed as traitors. Reacting to it, Kumaraswamy had said he would not stay quiet because of such threats. "I know who is behind it. Those belonging to BJP-linked organisations speak about terror activities of other community, while there were terrorists within. Very carefully they conduct their activities, Kumaraswamy had said. Prakash Raj had also tweeted, A coward group's letter threatening that they will eliminate NIJAGUNANANDA SWAMY. My name in the list too. Chalo #HumDekhenge." PTI GMS In another tweet, Siddaramaiah said he would not take up advocacy for a woman who was arrested for holding the placard Free Kashmir, since his licence to practise in court had been suspended long ago. "However, I will support any advocate who takes up the case of the woman. Let there be no confusion about it, Siddaramaiah said. The placard with 'Free Kashmir' message was held aloft by the woman in Mumbai on January 6 during the protest against the violence on the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Archaeologists have recovered what they believe could be a 'witch bottle' - a glass vessel used to trap evil spirits - from a Civil War fort site near Williamsburg, Virginia. A team from the William & Mary Center for Archaeological Research (WMCAR) came across the green glass bottle in 2016 while surveying the remains of Redoubt 9 - one of a string of satellite forts set up by Confederates and later overtaken by Union troops. What remains currently sits in the median of Interstate 64. The Virginia Department of Transportation called in archaeologists to excavate the site before they continued with a project to widen the roadway by eliminating the median. The bottle was found under layers of clay next to the remains of a hearth built by Union troops between 1862 and 1865. The neck of the bottle was broken, but inside researchers found a knot of square iron nails that had 'corroded into a ball', according to WMCAR Director Joe Jones. 'We thought it was unusual, but weren't sure what it was,' Jones said in a press release last week. Archaeologists recovered what they believe could be a 'witch bottle' - a glass vessel used to trap evil spirits - from a Civil War fort site near Williamsburg, Virginia The bottle was found under layers of clay next to the remains of a hearth built by Union troops between 1862 and 1865. The neck of the bottle was broken, but inside researchers found a knot of square iron nails that had 'corroded into a ball' The remains of the Union fort - Redoubt 9 - are located in the median of Interstate 64 east of Williamsburg. The Virginia Department of Transportation called in archaeologists to excavate the site before they continued with a project to widen the roadway by eliminating the median The archaeologists determined that the bottle was manufactured by a cola company in the 1840s based on raised lettering on the glass. The simple conclusion would be that a soldier drank the contents of the bottle and then used it as a container for the nails. But two WMCAR archaeologists - staff member Oliver Mueller-Heubach and WMCAR founder Robert Hunter - suggested the much more intriguing explanation that it may have been a 'witch bottle'. The excavation project was led by a team from the William & Mary Center for Archaeological Research (WMCAR). The center's director, Joe Jones (pictured), explained the possible significance of the bottle in a press release last week The witch bottle tradition dates back to the Middle Ages, when people in Britain would fill jugs and other containers with sharp objects like nails, pins and thorns, as well as personal items like hair, nail clippings and even human urine. The personal items were meant to lure witches and evil spirits into the container, where they'd be trapped by the sharp objects. The tradition was brought to North America by colonial immigrants, where it was still in use in the mid-19th century, historians say. 'Witch bottles are the type of things people would use more generally in famine, political strife or feeling under threat,' Jones explained. 'The Union troops were definitely under all those kinds of existential threats or fears.' 'Given the perceived threat of Confederate attack and general hostility of local residents, [an officer] had good reason to pull all the stops and rely on folk traditions from his community in Pennsylvania to help protect his temporary home away from home.' WMCAR archaeologists explained that Union soldiers may have relied on folk traditions such as 'witch bottles' during the war because they were constantly under threat. The image above shows the Battle of Williamsburg, which took place near the site where the bottle was found Some 200 witch bottles have been documented in Great Britain, but less than a dozen have been found in the United States. 'Its a good example of how a singular artifact can speak volumes,' Jones said. 'It's really a time capsule representing the experience of Civil War troops, a window directly back into what these guys were going through occupying this fortification at this period in time.' Jones stressed that the witch bottle theory is just that - theoretical - and the real story behind the artifact will likely never be determined. Boris Johnson is facing growing pressure from Donald Trump and his own Cabinet over whether to hand Chinese telecoms giant Huawei a role in building the UK's 5G network. The US is ardently against the UK allowing the company to help build 'non-core' parts of the network over spying fears with a final decision on the matter expected on Tuesday. Mr Johnson discussed the issue with the US President in a call on Friday as the latter reportedly repeated his warning to the PM not to allow the tech giant to form part of Britain's crucial infrastructure. Mr Trump also reportedly told Mr Johnson that the US could step in and help the UK to build the network instead of Huawei - but British officials believe this would delay the roll out of the technology for too long. Donald Trump, pictured in Toledo, Ohio on January 9 reportedly offered the UK US help to build its 5G network The US has upped pressure on the UK in recent days as three senators took the unprecedented step of writing to the National Security Council to urge caution. There are growing concerns in Washington that the potential involvement of Huawei in the UK's network could harm intelligence sharing with Britain and cause lasting damage to the 'special relationship'. Meanwhile, some cabinet ministers are thought to share the same concerns as the US on the involvement of Huawei, with Home Secretary Priti Patel and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace reportedly 'on the warpath'. The US administration has urged allies to ban Huawei from their infrastructure, claiming it would be a security risk - something the Chinese company vehemently denies. Security of telecommunications networks was discussed in the phone call between Mr Johnson and Mr Trump on Friday, according to the White House. Their call came after reports that UK officials had backed the firm to play a role. A final ruling will ultimately be made by politicians. 'The two leaders discussed important regional and bilateral issues, including working together to ensure the security of our telecommunications networks,' a White House statement said. A Downing Street spokeswoman added: 'The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump. 'They discussed a range of issues, including cooperation to ensure the security of our telecommunications networks.' US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin raised the issue in talks with Chancellor Sajid Javid during a visit to London yesterday. Meanwhile, the letter sent to the NSC by three US senators, including former presidential candidate Marco Rubio, argued that Huawei's 'actions show a clear record of predatory and problematic behaviour', according to the Sunday Times. It concluded that it is in the 'best interest' of the UK to 'exclude Huawei' from the 5G network. Boris Johnson, pictured in Downing Street on Friday, is facing a Cabinet backlash of potentially involving Huawei in the construction of the UK's 5G network As well as facing Cabinet opposition over Huawei, Mr Johnson is also under pressure from Tory MPs. Bob Seely, a Conservative MP who is running to be the next chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, wrote in the Sunday Times: 'Let us hope we don't regret our refusal to say, "no way, Huawei". 'I fear by the time we see the real cost, in the decades to come, it may be too late.' Last year, the US imposed trade restrictions on Huawei over concerns about the company's security and ties to the Chinese government. Allegations that their telecommunications equipment could be used for spying has been repeatedly denied by the tech giant. LONDON, Jan 25 (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he was optimistic about the potential for a trade deal between the United States and Britain, and there was a focus on getting it done this year. "I'm quite optimistic," Mnuchin said at an event held at the Chatham House think tank in London. "We're focused on trying to get this done this year because we think it's important to both of us." (Reporting by William Schomberg and Elizabeth Howcroft, writing by Sarah Young; editing by David Evans) Hyderabad: Maulana Azad National Urdu University (Manuu) students allege that their details are being sought by police officials in view of the ongoing protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests on the campus. Several students said that police officials from the Raidurgam police came to the campus and sought details of the protesting students. It was learnt that the police officials were seeking the names of the protesting students parents, and their phone numbers among other details. Collecting student data without consent is a clear violation of our right to privacy. We also fear that the police might target students who are active in the protests against the CAA and NRC, said Mr Umer Faruq Quadri, Manuu Students Union president. When contacted, a Raidurgam police official said, it is an internal matter. He said the police had the right to conduct surveillance at any place be it a school or college or a university if needed for the protection of the public. The official refused to either confirm or deny that student-related data was sought to be collected, either from the students or from the University authorities. When contacted, administration officials at MANUU were not in a position to offer any comment. Meanwhile, the protests are only intensifying with each day at the Manuu, Students on Friday had denied entry to University Chancellor Feroz Bakt Ahmed, who came to visit the campus. He had earlier written a letter declaring his support for the CAA. Condemning this, hundreds of students staged a protest and raised slogans asking the Chancellor to go back. Mr Ahmed was escorted into the campus with the police accompanying him in four cars. When students tried to block the convoy, the police resorted to a lathicharge. My first visit to India has been a source of great enthusiasm to me. After all, it is a country with which Brazil shares many similarities and complementarities, be they social, economic or cultural. Cooperation in the area of ethanol production is certainly a topic of much interest to all, and I see a great opportunity for partnership between our two countries. Brazil has developed a wide and successful biofuels programme, which uses crops as raw materials for the generation of clean and renewable energy. Brazil and India have been growing sugarcane for centuries, and both countries recognise the major socioeconomic importance of this crop. However, with regard to ethanol, there is a great disparity between us: While Brazil is the worlds second biggest producer, with over 30 billion litres per annum, India produced only 1.5 billion litres in 2018. Replacing fossil fuels with clean energy, such as ethanol, has the potential to reduce pollution in large urban centres, as biofuel-powered vehicles emit much less carbon dioxide than diesel or petrol engines. In addition, the use of ethanol will contribute to reducing Indias need for oil imports and, together with policy reforms in the sugar sector, will provide a solution to excess global sugar supply, providing greater price stability for this commodity, and thus benefiting both countries. Another area of great interest to us both is that of genetic improvement. Brazil and India own large zebu cattle herds, and we share an interest in exchanging genetic material to improve their quality. During this trip, our countries signed a Joint Statement under which Embrapa, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, shall provide training to Indian researchers on in vitro fertilisation techniques. In addition, our countries shall collaborate on the installation and operation of a Centre of Excellence in Dairy Farming in India. With regard to bilateral trade, there is great potential for expansion in several sectors, and agriculture in particular. Our current trade agenda is highly concentrated. There is, therefore, much room to expand and diversify our exchanges in both directions. On this visit headed by President Jair Bolsonaro, we took the first step towards that goal by opening the Indian market for Brazilian sesame seeds, and the Brazilian market for Indian corn seeds. However, timid this step might seem, it ought to be considered the herald of a new age in which both countries are committed to working together for the expansion of their bilateral agenda. The Mercosur and India Preferential Trade Agreement has been in force since 2009. However, the agreement is rather limited, especially with regard to agriculture, where the coverage ratio is less than 10% of our bilateral trade. Brazil is willing to engage in efforts to substantially expand this agreement in order to further contribute to diversifying and increasing our trade. I, therefore, believe it is essential that our countries continue to work together in order to overcome the barriers that hinder the free movement of goods. As I said at the beginning, we have a lot in common, and our similarities and complementarities justify a much closer and deeper relationship. Tereza Cristina Correa da Costa Dias is Brazils minister of agriculture, livestock and supply The views expressed are personal The 37-year-old man accused of shooting at police in Hingham while barricading himself inside an apartment made statements about suicide by cop, according to authorities. Pharaoh Yahtues, of Hingham, is now facing several charges after the hours-long standoff Saturday. Officers were called to an apartment at the Hingham Shipyard Apartments on Fitzroy Drive around 6:20 a.m. for a report of a disturbance at an apartment. A woman and two children had been inside the apartment but were able to leave. Police found them in the lobby. Police learned a man inside the apartment had a gun. Officers spoke to the man through the apartment door to attempt to have him come outside, Hingham police said. The man threatened to shoot officers through the walls and made statements about suicide by cop. Another man inside the apartment called 911. He told police he locked himself in a bedroom and feared for his life. Authorities then began evacuating nearby apartments and called for a SWAT team. The SWAT team used a Hingham Fire Department ladder truck to reach the third-floor bedroom of the apartment and helped the man inside escape the scene from a window. Authorities then ordered a shelter in place for people living in the area. Yahtues, identified by police as the man barricaded in the apartment, is accused of firing several shots at SWAT officers who were inside and around an armored SWAT vehicle, according to police. Cohasset Officers responded to assist @HinghamPolice today during an incident involving a man shooting at officers in the Hingham Shipyard. Great teamwork by all involved, including @MetroLEC SWAT, and all surrounding police agencies. Nice work by @SSRECC911 as well! pic.twitter.com/mws1FP8qrC Cohasset Police (@CohassetPolice) January 26, 2020 Yahtues threw some type of explosive device onto his patio. The device did not detonate. No one was injured from the gunshots, police said. After several hours, negotiators were able to convince Yahtues to surrender. He came out of his apartment around 12:45 p.m. and was arrested. Update-Negotiations continue with barricaded person. If youre sheltered in place or already displaced from your home and have require any needs such as medical please call us at 781-749-1212 option 7. #Hingham Hingham Police (@HinghamPolice) January 25, 2020 The apartment was searched for any additional explosives by the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad and residents were allowed back to their homes, police said. Investigators said they obtained a search warrant for the apartment and located a semi-automatic handgun hidden in a ceiling vent. Yahtues was charged with armed assault to murder, discharging an explosive, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, possession of a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card, disturbing the peace and possession of a theft detection removal device. Authorities said probation officials also issued a warrant for Yahtues after learning he cut off his GPS tracking device. Yahtues is being held without bail and will be arraigned in Hingham District Court next week. Gaadi gets special Jury mention at Dhaka IFF Films European Premier at the prestigious Rotterdam Film Festival in the Netherlands View(s): View(s): Gaadi (Children of the Sun), Prasanna Vithanages newest film, received a special jury mention for its overall presentation at the recently concluded 18th Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF). The film was chosen for the competition category of the festival which featured films from Iran, Turkey, Russia, India, China, Kazakhstan, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and Sri Lanka. The DIFF is one of the most prestigious film events in Bangladesh and, to a great extent, has helped shape an increasingly healthy and positive regional film culture. The festival has also created space for young and aspiring filmmakers in Bangladesh and larger South Asia to connect with global artistic trends and to strengthen the parallel development of Bangladeshi cinema. Commenting on Gaadi, Polish Film Director and the Jury Chair Joanna Kos-Krauze said One of the most original movies I have seen. It was exceptional. Outstanding The two main actors of Gaadi, Dinara Punchihewa and Sajitha Anuththara, represented the film at the festival held in Dhaka. Meanwhile European premier of the film will be held on January 27 at one of the longest film festivals in the Europe, International Film Festival of Rotterdam (IFFR). One of the most prestigious international film festivals of the world, IFFR marks its 49th anniversary this year. Four more screenings of Gaadi are scheduled during the festival from January 22 to February 22. With nearly 330,000 admissions and over 2,400 film professionals attending (over 320 of whom are filmmakers), IFFR is one of the largest audience and industry-driven film festivals in the world. The festivals Official Selection includes more than 500 feature, mid-length, and short films from over 50 countries and also offering a high-quality line-up of exhibitions, performances, master classes and talks. Gaadi was launched with its world premiere in Busan at IFFB in 2019, travelled to San Francisco and screened in India. According to producers Gaadis festival trail and international screenings would be continued this year with many curators requesting for the film to be screened in different parts of the world. IFFR in its website introduced Gaadi as There is something unmistakably political about this moving romantic drama. Just like in contemporary Sri Lanka, where a racially, religiously-charged civil war raged for 30 years, the leads clamp onto their societal identities. Only after experiencing every possible crisis do they realize that character is more important than ancestry. Gaadi was also selected among 100 not to be missed films from Asia in the year 2019. The star cast line-up of Gaadi includes veteren actors Iranganie Serasingha, Ravindra Randeniya, Shyam Fernando, Kalana Gunasekera, Nethalie Nanayakkara, Damayanthi Fonseka, introduces dazzling Dinara Punchihewa to play against the versatile Sajitha Anuththara. Gaadi is Prasanna Vitahnages 10th film and has been jointly produced by Film Island, JAR Pictures, H D Premasiri and Prasanna Vithanage. It is scheduled to be released in local theatres in the early half of this year. London, Jan 26 : The UK government was reportedly considering an emergency evacuation of more than 200 British people in China due to the coronavirus outbreak, which has so far killed 56 people in the Asian country. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has allegedly ordered officials to examine the logistics for an airlift, saying keeping people over there could be a "death sentence", the metro.co.uk said in a report on Sunday. However, a source has claimed that "a number of things need to fall into place on the Chinese side before we can make any firm promises", according to MailOnline. The new claims come after Canada on Saturday reported its "first presumptive confirmed case" of the coronavirus, provisionally designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as 2019-nCoV. As of Saturday afternoon, 31 people across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have been tested for the deadly flu-like virus, whose symptoms were similar to those of cold but may be accompanied by fever and fatigue, dry cough and shortness of breath. All tests have come back negative, the Department of Health (DoH) said, adding that there were also no confirmed diagnoses in UK citizens abroad and the risk to the public was still classed as "low". However the Foreign Office has updated its guidance to advise against all travel to Wuhan city, the epicentre of the outbreak in China's Hubei province, metro.co.uk reported. Chinese President Xi Jinping has warned that the spread of the deadly illness is accelerating. The death toll due to the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak in China has increased to 56, while the number of infected persons were 1,975, the country's National Health Commission said on Sunday. Besides Canada, the cases reported outside China were five each in Thailand and Hong Kong; four in Australia; three each in South Korea Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and France; two each in Japan, the US, Vietnam and Macao; and one confirmed and two suspected in Nepal. Emma Sullivans documentary about Danish inventor Peter Madsen began one year before he murdered and dismembered journalist Kim Wall on board his submarine. Photo: Courtesy of Sundance Institute In 2017, the world was riveted by the bizarre, grisly murder of Swedish freelance journalist Kim Wall by the Danish inventor Peter Madsen, who had invited her to take a voyage on his homemade mini-submarine for an article shed been working on. Wall was initially reported as missing, with Madsen claiming that he had dropped her off after their trip. With each new terrifying development in the case (and each new body part that washed ashore), Madsen changed his story until the nauseating enormity of his crime became clear. Turns out, Australian filmmaker Emma Sullivan was making a documentary about Madsen at that very minute. Into the Deep, which premiered at Sundance last night and will be on Netflix later this year, is the kind of film that, through the dark fortune of timing, starts off as one thing and then proceeds to become something far more important and disturbing, effectively interrogating itself. Sullivan had started filming Madsen a year before the Kim Wall murder. She was fascinated by this vivacious, outspoken autodidact engineer with dreams of building a private rocket an intercontinental ballistic missile passenger ship, in his words and the group of young, impressionable engineers and students and other outcasts he had gathered around himself. Sullivan kept shooting throughout Madsen and Walls initial disappearance, and then through his changing story, and his court case. (He was convicted of murder in 2018 and sentenced to life in prison.) She would eventually become a witness, and her footage would become evidence. Sullivan never shot Wall, however, despite being embedded with Madsens assistants. They didnt know about her either, which seems weird at first. (Something in this story does not add up, notes one of Madsens young workers early on in the case.) Until it becomes clear that they didnt know about Wall because Madsen was deliberately keeping her existence hidden. And he was keeping it hidden because he already knew what he was going to do to her. And once you realize that, you have to take a minute to let the monstrousness of this whole thing sink in. Sullivan intercuts between different timelines really, different movies so that we see earlier, happier days among Madsens crew, and the remnants of the cheerful, wide-eyed documentary she was making, alongside the agonizing drip-drip-drip of increasingly terrifying information. And the film becomes a kind of forensic visual mystery into itself. Revelations from Madsens trial put certain earlier scenes in a different light. An emerging timeline connects seemingly unimportant, disparate events revealing sinister purposes hiding beneath throwaway text messages, or offhand comments, or even just an out-of-place object lingering in the background. (Why do you need a wood saw on a steel submarine? someone asks, long after its too late.) So, we may get an early testimonial from a crew member one woman, for example, talking about how Madsen saved her from a hard life and, not long after, see them recalling other times when he has creeped them out. Indeed, despite his crews initial insistence that they couldnt imagine him ever doing anything like this, Madsen appears to have given off any number of warning signs. But everyone was sucked into the vortex of his charisma. Not only did they brush off the warning signs, they appear to have fallen under a kind of collective delusion. He makes you feel like youre close to adventure and fairy tales, one crew member says. Another calls him the most epic person youve ever met. And yes, these are all the same reasons why Sullivan was attracted to Madsens story in the first place; she recalls seeing a TED talk of his on YouTube as the impetus for wanting to make this film. But once reality comes screaming back, everyone starts to see Madsen in the cold hard light of day, and we realize that weve been watching a horror movie all along. Or maybe thats not the right way to describe it, since we already have some idea of where its all headed. Rather, the director Sullivan realizes that shes been making a horror movie all along and that at one point she herself, like several of the other women who worked with him, might have become Madsens victim. One of the final scenes is an interview Madsen gave her, in which he speculates, out of the blue, about being a serial killer: There is the possibility that youve actually come upon a human predator, he says, looking straight at her. Once a pointless aside, its now a chilling confession. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 26 Trend: Uzbekistan is participating in several interregional and regional projects of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the representative of IAEA told Trend in an interview. "These are new projects which have been approved by the IAEA Board of Governors for the period of 2020 to 2021," the representative stated. The official noted that one project will support the National University of Uzbekistan and the Samarkand State University in nuclear science and technology. Nuclear science, technology and research represent the underlying foundation of all nuclear applications which contribute in many ways to health, development and security worldwide. They are used in a broad range of areas, from power production to medicine, agriculture, food safety, environment, forensics, industry, and the analysis of artifacts. Another project with focus on science and technology is dedicated to enhance nuclear safety, operational performance and effective utilization of the Research Reactor at the Institute of Nuclear Physics. "Moreover, another new IAEA technical cooperation project will help Uzbekistan to increase human resources capacity and develop a national nuclear infrastructure for its first nuclear power plant. Nuclear power offers a steady, reliable supply of electricity. It can provide continuous, low-carbon power," the representative noted. In addition, the official added that another project is dedicated to improve the quality of radiotherapy in Uzbekistan. Radiotherapy is one of the main types of cancer treatment. It uses ionizing radiation to destroy cancer cells and limit cell growth. "An IAEAs Integrated Regulatory Review Service mission to Uzbekistan is planned for July 2020. An Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review 2 Mission is planned for the third quarter of 2020. Both missions are not yet confirmed," the representative noted. The technical cooperation program is the IAEAs primary mechanism for transferring nuclear technology to Member States, helping them to address key development priorities in areas such as health and nutrition, food and agriculture, water and the environment, industrial applications, and nuclear knowledge development and management. Furthermore, nowadays International Atomic Energy Agencys (IAEA) four national technical cooperation projects for Uzbekistan are being implemented. The official added that the projects are: Strengthening Radiation and Nuclear Safety and Improving Use of the WWR-SM Research Reactor at the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Academy of Sciences; Strengthening Radiotherapy Services in the Namangan Regional Oncology Dispenser; Establishing the Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratory; Upgrading the Nuclear Medicine Department of the Republican Endocrinology Scientific Centre. The representative stressed that the program also helps Member States to identify and meet future energy needs, and assists in improving radiation safety and nuclear security. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 02:16:38|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close CAIRO, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Interior Ministry announced on Saturday that 2,957 inmates were pardoned on the occasion of the 68th National Police Day. A total of 2,957 others were released on parole in accordance with a presidential decree, the ministry said in a statement. The step is part of the interior ministry's efforts to implement a modern concept of penal policy, provide inmates with all means of welfare and apply the procedures set for releasing rehabilitated convicts, the ministry said. It has been a custom for Egyptian presidents to pardon prisoners, mainly those who have spent more than half of their term as well as patients and the elderly, during national and significant religious occasions. Wildlife faces troubling times globally. From the shocking United Nations report last year that up to 1 million species are threatened with extinction within decades to the study published in Science declaring North America has lost over 3 billion birds in recent decades, we are confronted with a biodiversity crisis. Human activities are exacting an increasingly heavy toll on wildlife and its habitats, while attacks by members in Congress and the Trump administration are undermining essential laws for protecting wildlife and public lands. But with threats comes opportunity. Americans view of wildlife is undergoing a hopeful transformation. A recent study on Americas Wildlife Values assessed how residents across the country think about wildlife, and how their attitudes and preferences influence fish and wildlife management. The compilation of new and existing polling found that, in 2018, more Americans supported wildlife management that stresses protection over more traditional consumptive uses. These findings affirm an exceptional opportunity for transformation here in New Mexico. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams administration offers a path toward a modern, compassionate relationship with our spectacular and diverse wildlife. With support from the Legislature, her administration can move us away from wildlife exploitation and toward coexistence. Her pro-wildlife agenda includes modernizing the states Department of Game and Fish, confronting commercial and recreational trapping, combatting wildlife trafficking, recognizing wildlife movement corridors, supporting Mexican gray wolf recovery, funding non-game wildlife conservation and creating fiscal incentives for private land conservation. The governor is off to a good start. Last year, she signed SB 228, the Wildlife Corridors Act, which establishes a statewide Wildlife Corridors Action Plan that will identify migration routes and places where highways impede wildlife movement, along with projections of how drought and climate change impact the daily and seasonal movement of wildlife. Additionally, the plan will include a list of priority roadway infrastructure projects such as fencing, underpasses and overpasses that will help protect both wildlife and people. In addition to modest budget increases for essential natural resource agencies like the Environment Department and Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources, Lujan Grishams budget also includes $500,000 for the Department of Game and Fish to manage threatened and endangered species. This funding is the first step toward our vision of a wildlife department rather than a game department and giving the commission the authority to manage a broader array of wildlife. Additionally, there are several efforts in the state House and Senate. In the 2020 legislative session, Defenders of Wildlife hopes to see Albuquerque Democrat Sen. Mimi Stewarts Wildlife Trafficking Act become law, empowering local law enforcement and closing loopholes that facilitate illegal wildlife trafficking. Sen. Steven Neville, R-Aztec, introduced important legislation with the Agriculture and Natural Resources Trust Fund Act, which would make a long-term investment in New Mexicos lands, water and wildlife by ensuring adequate funding to restore fragile grasslands, improve watershed health and protect ecologically vital habitat through conservation easements. We are hopeful that a future session will see legislation establishing a recurring source of funding for supporting nongame species and modernizing the structure of the state Game Commission to ensure qualified candidates and limited political influence. Finally, the passage of the Rural Heritage Act would create a conservation tax bracket that falls in between the agriculture and residential rates and establish a fiscal incentive for conservation and habitat restoration on private lands. Gov. Lujan Grishams first year produced encouraging signs for wildlife. New Mexico is once again investing in our lands, water and wildlife, but due to the impacts of climate change and the mounting extinction crisis, we must go beyond what is possible in our current paradigm. New Mexico has a chance to be a leader, but to do so, we need a firm commitment, innovative thinking, bold action and fearless leadership. Hillary Clinton swept in for the premiere of her much anticipated four-part documentary series at the Sundance Film Festival Saturday. But she didn't hang around to watch the film, leaving the theater by the back door before it started. Clinton, accompanied by a secret service detail, arrived at The Ray Theater in Park City, Utah for the first screening of the film entitled Hillary. The former Secretary of State was driven in a black GMC Yukon XL to the venue in a five vehicle convoy - but bizarrely left at around 2.30pm, before the film was screened at 3pm. Clinton seemed in high spirits though as she left the venue via the rear entrance and DailyMail.com obtained exclusive photos of her as she stopped to pose for photos and take selfies with a small group of people. The former Secretary of State was seen bizarrely leaving the premiere of her new documentary through a back exit at around 2.30pm - before the film was screened at 3pm (above), in pictures obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com Clinton was joined by long time aide Huma Abedin (pictured at the back) who was wearing large sunglasses. Abedin will feature heavily in the documentary. She was vice chair of Clintons 2016 campaign and prior to that was deputy chief of staff to Clinton, who was Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013 Clinton seemed in high spirits though as she left the venue via the rear entrance and stopped to pose for photos and take selfies with a small group of people (above) The former First Lady appeared to steady herself as she came down a set of stairs behind the venue (above) Clinton was wearing black pants, black boots and a navy blue three-quarter length jacket with detailed trim (above) The documentary includes biographical chapters of Clintons life and examines how she (above) became one of the most polarizing women in the world Clinton appeared to steady herself as she came down a set of stairs by what appeared to be a loading dock behind the venue. She was surrounded by aides and her security detail and held on to the railing. At the foot of the stairs she was met by two people, a man and what appeared to be his younger son with whom she posed for photos with. Wearing black pants, black boots and a navy blue three-quarter length jacket with detailed trim, the politician laughed and joked before her convoy, which included unmarked police vehicles carrying uniformed officers, left the theater at speed with lights flashing. Clinton posed for selfies with fans after leaving the theater shortly before a screening of her new documentary The politician was seen laughing and joking before her convoy, which included unmarked police vehicles carrying uniformed officers, left the theater at speed with lights flashing Say cheese! She stops to take a selfie with someone before getting in her vehicle She was surrounded by aides and her security detail and held on to the railing (above) Seen in the group exiting the theater with Clinton was her long time aide Huma Abedin, wearing large sunglasses. Both Clinton and Abedin posed for photographers inside the theater in front of the obligatory sponsored backdrop. Abedin will feature heavily in the documentary. She was vice chair of Clintons 2016 campaign and prior to that was deputy chief of staff to Clinton, who was Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013. Before her speedy exit, Clinton posed for photos (above) inside the theater for the first screening of the film Clinton pictured with director Nanette Burstein at the premiere Hillary Clinton was driven in a black GMC Yukon XL to the venue in a five vehicle convoy and posed in front of the obligatory sponsored backdrop (above) Clinton has said that nothing was off limits with regards to the Hulu series based on her life and 2016 Presidential Campaign. A series of bombshells from the doc have already emerged including how she slammed Bernie Sanders, saying nobody likes him. Hey was in Congress for years. He had one senator support him. Nobody likes him, nobody wants to work with him, he got nothing done, Clinton sayings in the film, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He was a career politician. Its all just baloney and I feel so bad that people got sucked into it. The former First Lady (above being driven off) has said that nothing was off limits with regards to the Hulu series based on her life and 2016 Presidential Campaign Clinton's convoy (above): A series of bombshells from the doc have already emerged including how she slammed Bernie Sanders, saying nobody likes him Clinton is seen being driven off in a convoy of vehicles. She is interviewed in the documentary as well as her husband former President Bill Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, staff, friends and journalists The documentary is directed by The Kid Stays In The Picture and Gringo director Nanette Burstein and launches on Hulu on March 6. Executive produced by Burstein, Howard T. Owens and Ben Silverman for Propagate, the series gives viewers an up-close view of Clinton amid her historic 2016 presidential run and shares never-before-seen footage from behind the scenes. Clinton herself is interviewed as well as her husband former President Bill Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, staff, friends and journalists. It includes biographical chapters of Clintons life and examines how she became one of the most polarizing women in the world. Clinton has revealed she sat for around 35 hours of interviews for the series. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hoisted the flag at his residence here on the occasion of Republic Day. Singh later shook hands with security forces personnel and distributed gifts among them. The Defence Minister extended wishes to the countrymen on the occasion of Republic Day. "Greetings and best wishes to everyone on the occasion of #RepublicDay. May our Nation continue to progress and prosper. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!" Defence Minister tweeted. India's military might, cultural diversity, social and economic progress was put on display during the 71st Republic Day celebrations at the majestic Rajpath. Anti-satellite weapon - Mission Shakthi developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Army's battle tank Bhishma, infantry combat vehicles, Air Forces' newly inducted Chinook and Apache helicopters, in addition to tableaux depicting Akash and Astra missiles and Navy's prowess will be showcased during the 90-minute long parade. Twenty tableaux - 16 from States and Union Territories and six from various Ministries/Departments depicting the nation's rich cultural heritage and economic progress will roll down the Rajpath. School children will convey age old message of yoga and spiritual values through dance and music and Indian Air Force aircraft will thunder in the sky projecting the air power. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sunitha Natti By Express News Service HYDERABAD: When she presents her second budget next Saturday, policy wonks expect Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to make a clean breast of all government borrowings. This includes off-budget financing, which is nothing but debt taken by public sector enterprises (PSEs) such as the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to bridge the subsidy gap. Usually, the government makes subsidy payouts through budgetary allocations, but because of the tight fiscal situations, governments often resort to off-budget financing to present an acceptable fiscal deficit number. Off-budget borrowings arent a recent phenomenon and has been in practice for decades. For instance, in FY09, off-budget financing was as high as 2.3 per cent of GDP, taking the total fiscal deficit including state borrowings to an alarming 10.7 per cent of GDP. Currently, off-budget transactions are pegged at 2.9 per cent, which means our general government deficit (including states debt) is estimated at 8.8 per cent. Excluding state borrowings and off-budget transactions, fiscal deficit for FY20 was projected at 3.4 per cent during the previous budget, but given the weak revenue collections, the target is unlikely to be met. Moreover, markets expect the government to relax the deficit targets and present a fresh medium-term fiscal consolidation plan altogether. The most important announcement in the budget could be to make the event relevant by inducting public sector borrowing requirement (PSBR) along with the central governments deficit/borrowing data. Its essential to inform the nation that PSBR is almost double of the reported deficit of 3.5 per cent of GDP, which has put serious stress on domestic financial markets, Nikhil Gupta, analyst, Motilal Oswal noted. In the absence of all debt disclosures, some presume theres sufficient fiscal room to offer stimulus, while others believe theres not much headroom. Irrespective of whether the government decides to follow fiscal conslidation or not, or relax deficit targets, a clear reasoning for its decision would help clear the air, said Gupta. Having inherited unbalanced books in FY15 high fiscal deficit, high expenditure and high CAD the NDA government knows better than anyone else about the consequences of mindless spending and reckless borrowing. During its first term, it consciously retained off-budget borrowings within the previous trend line at 1.4 - 1.9 per cent between FY15 and FY18. Similarly, it also reined in fiscal deficit from a high of 4.1 per cent in FY15 to 3.4 per cent in FY19. However, the current fiscal is going to be an outlier, with borrowings by PSEs going off-kilter. This spooked even the CAG, the governments auditor, which warned that such borrowings, where government indirectly raises debt, but publicly discloses only interest outgo, arent a good accounting practice. Why? Because, it masks total debt, increases the actual cost of the subsidy itself, defers committed liabilities, understates the annual subsidy expenditure and prevents transparent depiction of fiscal indicators. For context, it even highlighted how subsidy arrears for FCI shot up a staggering 350 per cent in the five years preceding FY17. The government maintains that it discloses all off-budget transactions in budget statements, including details of ministry-wise internal and extra-budgetary resources of the public enterprises. This is true. The next logical step is to start counting this as part of the broad fiscal deficit indicator. Phuket Opinion: The necessity of want PHUKET: The message from respected architect Bill Bensley at the Thailand Tourism Forum this week, known simply by its moniker TTF 2020, was plain: Thailands tourism industry stands on the brink of disaster if it continues along its destructive path of unsustainable growth and can only be saved if it learns from nature. opinion By The Phuket News Sunday 26 January 2020, 09:00AM Bill Bensley delivered his warning to leading figures in Thailand's tourism industry earlier this week. Photo: TTF2020 To understand that warning, delivered to an estimated 1,000 travel industry delegates at the forum in Bangkok (see story here), one needs to appreciate who Bill Bensley is. It is no overestimation that Bill Bensley is a respected nay, renowned designer and architect who has worked on some of the most impressive hotels and resorts in Asia, including some in Phuket. He knows the state of Thailands tourism industry, and he knows the state of play among Thailands tourism competitors in Asia, as he has worked in the region for decades. If he can see disaster coming, it would pay well to heed the warning. What is dumbfounding is that there is not an all-out environmentally conscious branding war among hotels and resorts, and tour operators, right now in Phuket. Touting that a project is more environmentally friendly because it uses more energy efficient lighting and solar panels is a start, but no projects are promoting themselves above their counterparts with slogans the likes of We plant mangroves or We dont poison our beach water!" For the competitive advantage that can be gained from such campaigns, it beggars belief that no one is taking that line. However, what must be recognised is that the more ethical choice tends to cost more, and that cost is always passed down to the customer in one way or another. Thailand has made itself dependent on the mass market of cheaper-spending tourists, and they spend their money where they can get value. If these cheaper tourists could afford the more ethical choice in venues to stay and the tours they take, they would. Penny pinching would not enter the equation. Yet unless there is a conscious decision to make travel to Thailand at least somewhat elitist, these are the tourists that need targetting. While such people want to travel to Thailand, some business people will cater directly to their wants, ignoring the ethical choice to increase profits. That is the nature of the beast. This is the reality that Thailand is facing, and the survival of Thailands tourism industry hinges upon it. Unless there is some magical mass epiphany among local entrepreneurs and business people, and the tourists themselves, proactive action must be taken. Everyone bleats the need to enforce the law in Thailand, and were not deceiving ourselves about that prospect happening overnight. What has worked elsewhere in the world are cash-back and tax incentives, not just growing a green conscience. Give a greedy person the chance to make money while making the ethical choice, and he will take every time. That you can count on. A Chinese health worker checks the temperature of a woman entering a subway station during the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival on January 25, 2020 in Beijing, China. Davos, Switzerland "Has China Won?" Kishore Mahbubeni, the Singaporean author and intellectual, greets me warmly in a conference lounge here and hands me a card promoting the March release of his new book, bearing that provocative question as its title. The cover blurb announces that he will explain "how, while America became arrogant and distracted, a three-thousand-year-old civilization is well on the way to becoming the number one power in the world." The year ahead is likely to provide the most profound trial yet for that thesis and for the durability of China's rise. Several new shocks and challenges, ranging from a potential pandemic to slowing growth, will test the resilience of China's authoritarian leadership and the state-run capitalist system that has provided the country four decades of record growth. It thus also could mark a significant year for the emerging, generational clash, not of civilizations as Samuel Huntington had argued, but rather of economic and political systems, between democratic and authoritarian capitalism. The latest blow to China has been the spread of coronavirus from Wuhan, whose geographic centrality and 11-million population make it a Chicago-like crossroads for China and to the world. Add the fact that the outbreak coincided with Chinese New Year travels and celebrations, and you have a nightmare plot that's still unfolding. The virus, which has already claimed 42 lives with confirmed cases now in 8 countries and 3 continents, will test how much China has advanced in its capability to respond since the 2003 SARS outbreak through its investments in medical science and health infrastructure. Also, can it deliver on its commitment to greater international transparency and cooperation during such a crisis? At the same time, China faces several other daunting challenges. Its society is aging and its economic growth was already slowing to 6% -- its lowest level in 30 years before the expected hit by virus response of a percentage point or more. The Phase One trade agreement with the United States will do little to change that, and indeed the bite of still-existing tariffs will continue impacting $112 billion of goods. January elections in Taiwan and continued demonstrations in Hong Kong have underscored the stubborn fact that educated and prosperous Chinese societies, even if not yet those in the People's Republic, will continue to demand more freedoms and resist Beijing's long arm. (That said, the closing of Hong Kong schools over the coronavirus provides a government reprieve). Meanwhile, richly detailed news reports on China's repression of its Uighur minority have highlighted the limits of state censorship while also demonstrating China's increased use of facial recognition and artificial intelligence technology to track and control potential dissent. And at the same time, Asian, European and particularly American support and sympathy for China's rise over the past four decades has turned to greater wariness and suspicion. That includes greater international scrutiny, perceived debt traps, and other abuses in China's Belt and Road development program. Despite all that, the consensus among delegates in Davos with whom I discussed China's challenges was that none of them would throw China off its trajectory of becoming the world's number one power economically, politically, technologically, and eventually also militarily. The arguments behind that are that President Xi Jinping has consolidated power over a remarkably capable technocracy, that technological advance has given him greater ability to identify problems and control dissent, that for most Chinese life has been steadily improving and, finally, that the attractions of U.S. and other Western democracies have grown less compelling. So, the debate here over China's emergence as the world's leading power tends to revolve more around pace, process, impact and, of course, U.S. response. Given the magnitude of the issue, however, there was surprisingly little discussion in Davos on how an increasingly Chinese-influenced global system might differ from or perhaps even up-end the post-World War II rules-based order of institutions and principles that spawned the World Economic Forum's creation 50 years ago. "To a degree still difficult for outsiders to absorb, China is preparing to shape the twenty-first century much as the United States shaped the twentieth," wrote Evan Osnos in a New Yorker opus this month. "Its government is deciding which features of the global status quo to preserve and which to reject, not only in business, culture and politics but also in such basic values as human rights, free speech and privacy." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo put it more bluntly on a recent visit to Europe. "China wants to be the dominant economic and military power of the world," he said, "spreading its authoritarian model for society and its corrupt practices worldwide." One only must reflect on the dramatic changes of the first 50 years of the World Economic Forum to recognize the potential for a similarly dramatic shift in the next half century. When mostly European and Americans gathered for the first annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in 1971, China was still ruled by Chairman Mao Tse Tung as a largely irrelevant global actor with but 2% of global GDP despite 22% of world population. China's GDP has grown by 14,028% since then to $14.1 trillion in 2019 from $99.8 billion in 1971. It now has 16.4% of global GDP, compared to 23.9% of the United States. According to a PwC study, China would have 20% of global GDP by 2050, making it clearly number one, compared to just 12% for the United States, which would fall to the number three position behind India. A half century ago, the U.S. and Europe together accounted for 65% of global GDP and the international institutions they had created together the United Nations, the European Community, NATO, the IMF, the World Bank and others were young and brimming with ambition. Though the Soviet Union posed a security threat and an ideological challenge, its communist, state-controlled economic system never produced enough growth or innovation and thus lacked China's attractiveness as a model. An Africa businessman in Davos, who asked to remain anonymous, expects China's influence on his continent, which he believes has already surpassed that of the United States, to expand even more dramatically in the decade ahead behind what Chinese officials have told him will be $1 trillion in new investments. "The turn toward China will be hard to stop," he says. Frederick Kempe is a best-selling author, prize-winning journalist and president & CEO of the Atlantic Council, one of the United States' most influential think tanks on global affairs. He worked at The Wall Street Journal for more than 25 years as a foreign correspondent, assistant managing editor and as the longest-serving editor of the paper's European edition. His latest book "Berlin 1961: Kennedy, Khrushchev, and the Most Dangerous Place on Earth" was a New York Times best-seller and has been published in more than a dozen languages. Follow him on Twitter @FredKempe and subscribe here to Inflection Points, his look each Saturday at the past week's top stories and trends. For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay homage to the fallen soldiers at the newly built War Memorial (NWM) at the India Gate here on Sunday morning prior to participating in the 71st Republic Day celebrations. Republic Day parade Deputy Commander Major General Alok Kakkar said this would be the first time the Prime Minister of the country will lay a wreath at the War Memorial on the occasion of the Republic Day. The NWM, which was inaugurated in February last year by PM Modi, has been built in memory of the soldiers who laid down their lives for the country post-independence. "Prior to the commencement of the Parade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the nation in paying solemn tributes to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the War Memorial at the India Gate," an official statement read. "After the Prime Minister lays the wreath, the Guard Commander will give Salami Shastra - Present Arms and Shok Shastra - Reverse Arms. The buglers will sound the 'Last Post'... After the 'Last Post', a two-minute silence will be observed," the statement added. Wing Commander Vipul Goyal of the Indian Air Force will command the Inter-Services contingent. The Army contingent will be led by Capt Soham Satpati, and the Navy by Lieutenant Commander Phani Sushanth. Squadron leader Rajesh will lead the Air Force contingent. Followingly, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries will drive to the saluting dais. PM Modi will be received at the Republic Day celebration by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and the three Services Chiefs, Deputy Commander Major General Alok Kakkar had told ANI earlier. Kakkar had added that 16 marching contingents from Army, Navy, Air Force and Paramilitary forces will take part along with 31 bands overall. In addition, the Army Air Defence Corps will for the first time take part as a marching contingent while the Signal Corps contingent would be led by Captain Tanya Shergill, who is a fourth generation Army officer. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Democrats have been pushing for four witnesses including John R. Bolton, Mr. Trumps former national security adviser, who wrote in an unpublished manuscript that the president conditioned security aid to Ukraine on investigations into Democrats over the strong objections of Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader. Some Republicans are floating the idea of a witness swap in which they would call either former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. or his son Hunter Biden, both of whom Mr. Trump wanted Ukraine to investigate, even though neither has direct knowledge of Mr. Trumps behavior. Democrats have opposed such a move, and Mr. Schiff suggested on Sunday that Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., who is presiding over the trial, should rule on that question. We have a very capable justice sitting right behind me who can make decisions about the materiality of witnesses, Mr. Schiff said, adding, We trust the Supreme Court justice. If history is any guide, Chief Justice Roberts will be reluctant to do so. When President Bill Clinton was tried in the Senate in 1999, Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist used his authority sparingly, leaving most questions to the Senate to decide. Lawmakers on both sides along with Alan Dershowitz, a consultant to Mr. Trumps legal team took to the Sunday morning talk show circuit to make the case for or against Mr. Trump. The president was impeached by the House in December on charges that he abused his oath of office and obstructed Congress by pressuring the leader of Ukraine to investigate his political rivals and then covering it up by concealing evidence from lawmakers. Mr. Schiff and his team of prosecutors maintain that the president was trying to influence the 2020 election for his personal gain. During an abbreviated session of the Senate on Saturday, the presidents team pushed back hard on that assertion, arguing that it was the Democrats who were trying to undo the results of the 2016 election and to interfere with the one in 2020. Theyre asking you to tear up all of the ballots all across the country on your own initiative, take that decision away from the American people, Pat A. Cipollone, the White House counsel, said of the House managers, adding: Theyre here to perpetrate the most massive interference in an election in American history, and we cant allow that to happen. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 02:48:40|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close U.S. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (C) speaks at a press conference during the Senate impeachment trial on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., the United States, on Jan. 25, 2020. U.S. President Donald Trump's legal team started Saturday to make opening arguments in defense of the president in the ongoing impeachment trial in the Senate, after House managers, a group of seven House Democrats acting as prosecutors, argued for the president's conviction and removal from office over the last three days. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua) WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's legal team started Saturday to make opening arguments in defense of the president in the ongoing impeachment trial in the Senate, after House managers, a group of seven House Democrats acting as prosecutors, argued for the president's conviction and removal from office over the last three days. "You've heard the House managers speak for nearly 24 hours over three days," White House Counsel Pat Cipollone said. "We don't anticipate using that much time. We don't believe that they have come anywhere close to meeting their burden for what they're asking you to do." Cipollone declared that Trump "did absolutely nothing wrong" with regard to his dealings with Ukraine, a chain of controversial events which House Democrats investigated into during the impeachment inquiry, and which led to the president being impeached for what the Democrats said were his abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Contrary to the House managers' argument that Trump solicited Ukraine's interference with the 2020 U.S. presidential election to benefit himself, Cipollone argued that Democrats' effort was to "overturn the results" of the 2016 election and "remove President Trump in the ballot in an election that's occurring in approximately nine months." "They're asking you to tear up all of the ballots across this country on your own initiative," the lawyer said. "Take that decision away from the American people." Cipollone claimed that the aim of the administration withholding some 400 million U.S. dollars in military aid to Ukraine was to get European countries to contribute more to Kiev's national defense, reiterating similar assertions Trump made multiple times when asked about the issue. Deputy White House Counsel Michael Purpura, who delivered his presentation after Cipollone, insisted that Trump's July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was about "burden-sharing" between the United States and Europe in helping the former Soviet republic defend itself against foreign aggression. Purpura claimed that Ukraine didn't know about the freeze of the aid until late August, after the July phone call. To prove his claim, Purpura cited the ambiguity in several witnesses' testimonies during the House impeachment inquiry. "There can't be a threat without the person knowing he's being threatened," he said. "There can't be a quid pro quo without the quo." Justifying the suspension of the aid, Jay Sekulow, Tump's personal lawyer, said several witnesses acknowledged that foreign aid is held up all the time for a variety of reasons. He went on to argue that the Trump administration is more committed than previous administrations to helping Ukraine, one example being the funding of Javelin missiles. On Trump asking Zelensky to investigate a conspiracy theory that Ukraine meddled in the 2016 U.S. election, Purpura said, "There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking a foreign leader to help get to the bottom of all forms of foreign interference in an American presidential election." The legal team's arguments lasted about two hours Saturday, much shorter than what the House managers spent daily when they made theirs. Like the House managers, Trump's attorneys are allotted the same 24 hours within three days to present their case, yet Cipollone told senators that the eight-member team won't use that much time. MEXICO CITYWhen I met Homero Gomez Gonzalez last month, he pointed to the hilltop just above him in the town of Rosario, a dense forest where millions of monarch butterflies had recently arrived from the United States after their yearly pilgrimage to central Mexico. Its been a fight to maintain it, he said. And it hasnt been easy. He was referring to the decades-old battle against illegal logging in North Americas premier monarch butterfly habitat. Gomez Gonzalez had been at the forefront of that public fight against men who still wielded enormous power in Rosario. By the time we met, he thought that he had prevailed and he spent as much time as he could with the butterflies he had helped save, a thundering, broad-shouldered man in a cloud of orange and black monarchs. Last week, a month after we had lunch together, Gomez Gonzalez disappeared. Investigators have not suggested any theories about what might have happened to him, but many in Rosario suspect that loggers kidnapped him. Gomez Gonzalez, the manager of Rosarios butterfly sanctuary, was last seen Jan. 13. On Tuesday, investigators interrogated 53 municipal police officers about his disappearance, according to the attorney general of Michoacan state. A search team using rescue dogs has been dispatched to comb the area. No arrests have been made. More than 61,000 people are missing in Mexico, authorities announced this month, one of the largest numbers in Latin America. The majority are suspected to be victims of criminal organizations. In Gomez Gonzalezs case, as in most, his community has been left to piece together its own narrative of what might have happened to him, however incomplete. For now, no evidence points to any particular suspect. Gomez Gonzalez, 50, like many others in Rosario, grew up cutting down the villages timber and selling it. It was the heart of the local economy. Between 2005 and 2006, 461 hectares in Michoacan were lost to illegal logging. Entire swaths of the forest were razed including the primary habitat for the butterflies, who fly thousands of miles from the United States and Canada to spend winter there. When environmentalists, watching the destruction of the population in real time, began lobbying for anti-logging measures, many in Rosario were up in arms Gomez Gonzalez included. He had grown up admiring the butterflies his grandparents told him they carried the souls of their ancestors but he knew how much Rosario depended on its timber industry. We were afraid that if we had to stop logging, it would send us all into poverty, he told me. But Gomez Gonzalez, who would serve as Rosarios commissioner the mayor of the small community eventually came around to the idea that preserving the monarchs would also draw tourism to Rosario, which could be an important revenue stream. Later that preservation was codified into law, first limiting logging in Rosario and then outlawing it entirely. The federal Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, of which the Rosario sanctuary is a part, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gomez Gonzalez started working alongside the World Wildlife Fund on its conservation initiatives. He created a Twitter account where he posted videos of himself surrounded by butterflies, called their migration the great spectacle and invited visitors to Rosarios monarch sanctuary. He stood still when they landed on his face and clung to his clothes. Since he was young, Homero has been behind the sanctuary, said Gloria Tavera, an official with Mexicos National Commission of Natural Protected Areas. But Tavera said she doesnt think his disappearance was connected to his activism. We think they are independent things, she said. She did not suggest an alternative theory. I met Gomez Gonzalez at the cafeteria in the Rosario sanctuary, where he appeared to know every waiter and janitor and tour guide by name. He walked around with the confidence of a local celebrity. In the hours before he was last seen, he added more videos of the monarchs to his Twitter feed. Authorities have said little about his disappearance. We cant disregard any possibilities, said Magdalena Guzman, the spokeswoman for the Michoacan attorney generals office. She said Gomez Gonzalezs family had recently received calls demanding money for his safe return. They are also being investigated. The Michoacan state Human Rights State Commission thinks illegal loggers could be responsible. We cant ignore the work of this man, who was considered an activist attempting to preserve the forest of the monarch, said Mayte Cardona, a member of the commission. Read more about: For days Mallacoota firefighters were at the centre of international attention, battling flames without rest to save their beachside town as the world rang in the new year. But on Sunday, they received a more welcome kind of spotlight at the head of Melbourne's Australia Day parade, cheered on by a crowd of thousands. Brigade captain Rod Lewis said the parade was a "very emotional" moment and a "huge honour" for his crew. The firefighters drove to Melbourne on Saturday through the devastated region of Cann River. The scenery brought home the ferocity of the fires - and the efforts of those fighting the blaze. "They worked like you wouldn't believe," Captain Lewis said of brigade members. "They just stood in front of everything. Whatever was thrown at them, they didn't take a backward step." UPDATE: The 16-year-old boy stabbed in the fight has died. Three teens were stabbed in Boston Saturday evening when two groups of boys fought in the Dorchester neighborhood, according to police. One teen, a 16-year-old boy, was in critical condition but he was stable Saturday night. Two other boys, ages 13 and 16, had minor injuries and are expected to life, a police spokesman said. A fight broke out between two groups of teens sometime around 5 p.m. in the area of 575 Blue Hill Ave. Boston Police Commissioner William Gross told WCVB news that it was unclear if the fight was gang related. The fight and stabbings occurred in a neighborhood close to the Franklin Park Zoo. Detectives continue to investigate the attacks. New Delhi, Jan 26 : State-owned oil and gas explorer Oil India (OIL) and the Assam government may acquire Bharat Petroleum Corporation's entire 61 per cent stake in the Numaligarh Refinery (NRL), retaining the public sector character of the Assam-based entity. According to official sources, while OIL may pick up close to 48 per cent stake, Assam has indicated to pick up the rest to raise its stake to 26 per cent from 12.4 per cent. Assam Commerce and Industry Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary recently stated the state government's willingness to pay up to Rs 2,000 crore to pick 13.6 per cent of BPCL stake in the refinery. Going by this, BPCL's stake in OIL may be worth over Rs 8,000 crore, including control premium. With the Centre owning over 50 per cent in BPCL, the stake sale in the NRL will help it pocket around Rs 4,000 crore as disinvestment receipt. BPCL holds 61.65 per cent stake in the NRL, OIL 26 per cent and the Assam government 12.35 per cent. Privatisation of BPCL has become a political issue in the Northeast with voices being raised not to disturb the refinery's PSU character. NRL was set up as per the 1985 Assam accord. The All Assam Students Union (AASU), one of the signatories to accord, has also protested. "OIL best fits the bill to take over NRL because of the synergy arising from their operations largely being located in the Northeast and its existing investment in NRL. Being the largest shareholder, the government may get OIL board to approve the takeover," said an official source privy to the development. Though estimates for the NRL acquisition would be finalised post-demerger of the refinery from BPCL as per the cabinet decision, it's expected that OIL may have to invest around Rs 6,000 crore to pick up the BPCL stake. Another Rs 2,000 crore may be put by the Assam government. The NRL's high valuation is largely on account of its mega expansion plan. NRL has approved Rs 22,000 crore plan to expand capacity to 9 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) from 3 mtpa. Sources said though consolidation among oil sector PSUs has been put on hold and an integrated OIL-NRL operations could later be considered for merger with Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to create a large integrated oil and gas company on the lines of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) that acquired HPCL last year. NRL recorded the highest revenue at Rs 18,511 crore in 2018-19, registering a 16.25 per cent growth. Its earnings per share stood at Rs 27.79 while net worth reached Rs 5,551 crore. For OIL, the acquisition will give it an opportunity to enter the lucrative fuel refining with possible entry into retailing at a later stage. With both firms having operations in the Northeast, lot of synergies is expected to flow out of the proposed deal. OIL has over 1 lakh sq km for exploration and production activities, most of it in the Northeast, which accounts for its entire crude oil production and majority of gas output. Rajasthan is the other producing area of OIL, contributing 10 per cent of its gas production. OIL's exploration activities are also spread over onshore areas of the Ganga Valley and Mahanadi. OIL also has participating interest in NELP exploration blocks in Mahanadi Offshore, Mumbai Deepwater, Krishna Godavari Deepwater as well as various overseas projects in Libya, Gabon, the USA, Nigeria and Sudan. OIL shares rose 2.49 per cent to Rs 142.20 a piece on the BSE at close of market hours on Friday. (Subhash Narayan can be contacted at subhash.n@ians.in) By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police team probing the Kattakada murder case has officially recorded the arrest of key accused Vijin, the driver of the earthmover. Two more persons are under custody and their arrest will only be recorded after their involvement in the case is proved. According to D Bijukumar, Kattakada CI: Vijin was the one who killed Sangeeth using the JCB earthmovers arm. He has been charged under Section 302 (Punishment for murder) of IPC. The other two are currently being interrogated. If their involvement is proved, we will record their arrest too. Similarly, a probe is on to search for three more persons involved in the case. The JCB and tipper lorries have been taken into custody. Vijin will be produced before the magistrate on Sunday. Kin seeks CBI probe Praveen Kumar, Sangeeths brother-in-law, said they will meet with the state police chief soon as they have no trust in the local police investigation. They are least bothered about this case. We will meet the DGP soon to investigate it with other agencies. We demand a CBI probe so that the involvement of police will also come out, he told media. On Friday, Sangeeths wife Sangeetha also accused the local police for coming late to the spot. Sangeeths body was cremated on Friday in the compound behind his residence. It has nearly been 10 years since Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton, yet the Duke of Cambridge still has fond memories of their engagement. The couple has enjoyed a strong marriage over the past decade, and William opened up about the engagement during a recent engagement at Buckingham Palace. What did William have to say about popping the big question after all these years? Prince William and Kate Middleton | David Rowland Pool/Getty Images Prince William opens up about engagement With Queen Elizabeth still on her winter break, William and Kate hosted their first solo event at Buckingham Palace this week. The event was held in honor of the UK-Africa Investment Summit, and William was the special guest speaker. According to Town and Country, Prince William talked about asking Kate to marry him and why he choose Africa as the backdrop for the proposal. The African continent holds a very special place in my heart, William told the crowd. It is the place my father took my brother and me shortly after our mother died. And when deciding where best to propose to Catherine, I could think of no more fitting place than Kenya to get down on one knee. Prince William and Kate Middleton decided to get married while during a trip to Kenya in 2010. William set the mood at a log cabin in the region. As royal watchers will recall, he also proposed with Princess Dianas engagement ring. Prince Harry is the one who actually gave William Dianas ring. William customized the ring and made sure it fit for Kate, who has worn it proudly ever since. Inside Prince William and Kate Middletons engagement William and Kate started dating while attending classes at St. Andrews in the early 2000s. The pair experienced some rocky times in 2007 that resulted in a brief breakup. They got back together a few months after their split and have not looked back. In the weeks leading up to the engagement, Prince William kept the ring on his person. Not only was William safeguarding the ring, but he was also waiting for the perfect time to pop the big question. He later revealed that he did not plan out the engagement too far in advance. Instead, he was looking for a time when he and Kate were both comfortable, and Africa proved the perfect setting for it. Prince William and Kate tied the knot in a gorgeous ceremony inside Westminster Abbey in the spring of 2011. They went on to welcome three adorable children, Prince George, Prince Charlotte, and Prince Louis, and are rumored to be thinking about expanding the family by one more. How are the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge handling Megxit? A few weeks ago, Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, announced that they are stepping down as senior members of the royal family. The move reportedly blindsided the royals, many of whom had no idea Harry and Meghan wanted out. Although the royals have been scrambling to shut down the drama, William and Kate have actually witnessed a boost in popularity following Harry and Meghans departure. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge reportedly received a warm welcome at an event in Bradford, and crowds at the Buckingham Palace reception were equally happy to see them. The warm reception William and Kate received has given them a huge boost, Kate Nicholl, an expert on the royals, explained. Theyve stuck to the tried-and-tested approach, promoting a united royal family and its a success. Although Prince William and Kate are more popular than ever, they are both under a tremendous amount of stress now that Harry and Meghan are gone. Not only will the two shoulder more responsibility moving forward, but William no longer has his brother at his side. Whats next for the royal family? While Harry and Meghan are no longer active royals, Prince William and Kate Middleton will continue their usual schedule throughout 2020. In fact, the Cambridges might even take on a heavier workload in the coming years as they prepare to lead the monarchy into the future. As far as Harry and Meghan are concerned, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are now enjoying themselves in Canada. After meeting with Queen Elizabeth in Sandringham, Harry reunited with Meghan on Vancouver Island. The two are reportedly looking to purchase a home in the area, though nothing official has been confirmed. In their announcement, the two revealed that they want to become financially independent from the crown. They are also splitting their time between the UK and Canada and plan on paying back the $3 million that was used to renovate Frogmore Cottage. Prince William and Kate Middleton have not commented on their recent boost in popularity. Jews could flee Germany on a 'massive' scale unless urgent action is taken against anti-Semitism, the foreign minister warned today. Writing in Der Spiegel on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said anti-Jewish insults and attacks, in real life and online, had become 'a daily occurrence'. Almost one in two Jews had considered leaving Germany, he said, a country that has long taken pains to confront its Nazi past. 'We need to take urgent counter-measures to make sure that such thoughts do not turn into a bitter reality and lead to a massive departure of Jews from Germany,' he wrote. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas warned Sunday that Jews could leave Germany on a 'massive' scale if urgent action was not taken to stem rising anti-Semitism (pictured: Maas at news conference in Berlin last week) Writing in Der Spiegel weekly on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp (file photo), Maas said anti-Jewish insults and attacks, in real life and online, had become 'a daily occurrence' The fight against anti-Semitism would be a priority when Germany takes over the rotating EU presidency in July and the chairmanship of the Council of Europe, the bloc's leading human rights body, in November, Maas vowed. Germany will push for tougher legal consequences for anti-Semitic acts, he said, and for more EU nations to make Holocaust denial a crime - currently illegal in over a dozen member states including Germany, Belgium and Italy. Berlin will also step up the battle against anti-Jewish hate speech and disinformation on social media, Maas wrote, saying perpetrators 'should feel the full force of the law across Europe'. An anti-Semitic attack in the eastern German city of Halle in October - in which a gunman tried but failed to storm a synagogue before killing a passer-by and a customer at a kebab shop - showed that 'Jewish sites and communities' needed better protection 'everywhere in Europe'. To help make that happen, Germany will contribute 500,000 euros (420,000) to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) this year, Maas said. The diplomat stressed the importance of educating young people about the horrors of World War II, when six million Jews were murdered by the Nazis. Research had shown that 'a third of young Europeans indicated knowing little to nothing about the Holocaust,' he said. An elderly visitor walks among the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, which commemorates Jews murdered by the Nazis in the Holocaust, on January 24 The comments came on the same day a YouGov survey found 56 percent of Germans were in favour of making a school visit to a concentration camp mandatory. Elderly Holocaust survivors will gather in Auschwitz on Monday to mark 75 years since Soviet troops liberated the camp, while world leaders held a sombre remembrance ceremony in Jerusalem last Thursday. More than 1.1 million people, mainly Jews, were killed at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Most died in the gas chambers but many also succumbed to starvation, disease and overwork. Hundreds of anti-government protesters flooded the streets of Iraqs capital and southern provinces, defying a powerful Iraqi religious leader who recently withdrew his support from the popular movement. Separately, five katyusha rockets crashed into a river bank near the US Embassy in Baghdads heavily fortified Green Zone without causing any injuries, a statement from US Joint Operations Command said. An Iraqi official initially put the number of rockets at four. It is the third such attack this month and the perpetrators were not immediately known. A woman lights candles for protesters who have been killed in ongoing anti-government demonstrations in Tahrir Square in Baghdad, Iraq (Khalid Mohammed/AP) Security forces fired tear gas and live rounds to disperse the crowds from the capitals Khilani Square, medical and security officials said. At least 22 demonstrators were reported wounded by Iraqi security forces in the first hours of Sundays street rallies. The mass protests started in October over widespread government corruption and a lack of public services and jobs. They quickly grew into calls for sweeping changes to Iraqs political system that was imposed after the 2003 US invasion. Iraqi security forces have responded harshly. At least 500 protesters have been killed since the unrest began. An injured paramedic prepares to help injured protesters (Khalid Mohammed/AP) Iraq also has been stirred by US-Iran tensions that threatened a regional war after an American drone strike this month killed top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani near Baghdad. The US attack pushed the Shiite cleric and political leader, Muqtada al-Sadr, to turn his influence toward demanding an American troop withdrawal and holding an anti-US rally. Analysts said Mr al-Sadr, who often mobilises his followers on the street to buttress his political influence, was using the anti-US protest he staged as leverage in political negotiations among Iraqs elites to select the next premier. Mr al-Sadr has long been an unpredictable maverick in Iraqi politics, and is the only Shiite leader who has challenged both Iran and the US. He also dropped his support for the anti-government movement on Friday, a move that analysts said was meant to buttress his political reputation during a time of national turmoil. Story continues But by Sunday morning, it had the opposite effect as protesters pushed back. Hundreds of protesters, mostly students, marched on Sunday through key squares in the capital and southern Iraq to show their continued support for the anti-government movement, despite Mr al-Sadrs reversal of position. Security forces prepare to intervene (Hadi Mizban/AP) The demonstrations have become stronger now because of what happened, said Zaidoun, 26, a protest organiser in Baghdad. Many demonstrators chanted slogans against the populist preacher. The movement opposes Iraqs sectarian system and both US and Iranian influence in Iraqi affairs. Some protesters were worried, however, that the departure of Mr al-Sadrs supporters and his militia members from Baghdads Tahrir Square, the hub of the protest movement, could spark a renewed security crackdown. Mr al-Sadrs followers had been giving protesters protective cover. On Saturday, hours after Mr al-Sadrs supporters left protest sites in Baghdad and some southern cities, including Basra, security forces swooped in to clear areas of demonstrators and torch their sit-in tents. At least four protesters were killed in the crackdown. By Saturday evening however, and into Sunday, crowds of protesters were returning to Tahrir Square, following calls by anti-government activists. In the beginning, when he (al-Sadr) called his followers to leave we were shocked, said Noor, a protest organiser who gave only her first name for security reasons. But by the evening on Saturday, we breathed a sigh of relief. The future for the popular movement, she was quick to add, was still uncertain. Anti-government protesters hold a huge Iraqi flag (Hadi Mizban/AP) No one knows what will happen tomorrow. There will be more attacks we expect that. With Mr al-Sadr out of the picture, protesters said the only top leader on their side was Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraqs most revered Shiite cleric. Many said they were hoping his weekly Friday sermon would boost morale ahead of a major planned protest for January 31. In a statement posted online, Mr al-Sadr called on the protesters to return their movement to its initial course, in what many anti-government activists interpreted as a veiled threat. The statement added that Mr al-Sadr could boost his support for the heroic security forces if protesters didnt heed his calls. Mr al-Sadr had called on his followers to stage a rival protest targeting the US embassy on Sunday, before rescinding the order shortly after. In a statement from his office, Mr al-Sadr asked Iraqis who reject the American occupation to gather at key assembly points later that evening. A spokesperson from his office later said the decision had been reversed. Nuclear disarmament treaties in Sinhala and Tamil: Germany funds project View(s): The German Federal Foreign Office has granted funds to the Forum on Disarmament and Development (FDD) for the translation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) to the Sinhala and Tamil languages. German Ambassador Jorn Rohde graced Tuesdays launch of the translated texts along with the Former Foreign Secretary H. M. G. S. Palihakkara. Ambassador Rohde spoke of his personal reflections during his posting in Japan on visiting Hiroshima and the poignant reminder of the devastation that the city faced. He also stressed that Germany was committed to disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons as it was part of Germanys foreign policy. The ambassador said he hoped that the treaty texts being available in the vernacular languages would help raise awareness amongst the academia, the media, civil society and the general public for a wider discussion and understanding of the implications of a nuclearised world, the need for non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and also the need for a ban on nuclear testing. The translations of these treaty texts were spearheaded by FDD coordinator Vidya Abhayagunawardena. Eminent scholar Dr. Kumari Jayawardena contributed to the translation of a third book on the Nuclear Ban Treaty. Picture shows from left Nadee Gunaratne, H. M. G. S. Palihakkara, Ambassador Jorn Rohde and Vidya Abhayagunawardena Kathleen Phalen-Tomaselli reporter - Washington County Follow Kathleen Phalen-Tomaselli Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today WHITEHALL So today I spent some time reporting on a group of Whitehall residents making a "please help us" video. Filmmakers, Troy Rollins and Barb Spoor, rounded up nearly 50 people to let HGTV famed home makeover hosts know all about the small historic village on the Champlain Canal. I met the pastor of the Out of the Box Church, Pamela Bolton, who told me how they give away clothing and at Christmas they gave away 40 pairs of new running shoes. i saw people from the village board, the fire department, chamber members, Claudia Braymer who is running for a New York assembly seat, and lots of people who live in Whitehall, along with kids and dogs, who want help in improving the village. And they deserve it. Whitehall is a charming village in need of many repairs, some that will make the historic buildings come back to life and some to repair dire infrastructure needs tied to the village water system. In full disclosure, I live in Whitehall. And of course, I want to see good things happen. We actually moved to Whitehall five years ago because we thought it had incredible potential to blossom. And we loved our house. Did you know that all the water to everyone in Whitehall on both sides of the canal goes through only one line because they have been denied funding to repair the other line? If the one still working goes, everyone in Whitehall will be out of water. Not to mention a buckling segment of road along the canal that has forced the closure of a segment of Williams Street making access in that direction impossible. Pastor Bolton told me that all the village clergy have been actively praying for Whitehall for five years and that people have been walking the streets praying for everyone. And that got me thinking about how in my block alone, several run down older homes have been restored and how so many people are trying to fix up their properties. Not to mention the several successful restaurants, like the Railyard Taproom and Restaurant, Historic Grounds and The Marina at Lock 12. I pass the Railyard on my way home every night and its always packed. So maybe this is Whitehall's time. Troy and Barb told me that the more people who make a video for Whitehall, the greater their chance of getting the attention of HGTV. And just yesterday I watched a video the Norfolk Virginia Police Department made with just a cell phone in 30 minutes. In a lip sync challenge they rocked Bruno Mars' 2014 hit, "Uptown Funk." It's funny and hip; no wonder it went viral, bringing them instant fame. So I was thinking why can't different groups in the village get together and make fun, inspiring videos to get HGTVs attention? Maybe the fire department and police department could make one, how about the village board, the mayor, the public works crew? Maybe some school kids or local businesses? Why not get as many videos in support of Whitehall as possible? Any musicians want to write a song to submit? How about the village historians? Or budding thespians? Maybe all the dogs could get together and bark about the fabulous park? My dog girls love the park. So, I'm saying go for it, and as Rollins said, you can't win, if you don't try. Kathleen Phalen-Tomaselli is a reporter and photographer covering Washington County, arts and life, features and breaking news. Love 4 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. China sends military medics to Wuhan Global Times Source:Xinhua Published: 2020/1/25 13:36:17 China has sent 450 military medical staff, including professionals who have experience in the fight against SARS or Ebola, to the novel coronavirus hardest-hit city of Wuhan. The medics, in three teams sent by medical universities of the army, navy and air force of the People's Liberation Army, arrived in Wuhan by military aircraft on Friday night. The teams, composed of experts in respiratory health, infectious diseases, hospital infection control and intensive care unit (ICU), will be dispatched to the Wuhan hospitals with large numbers of novel coronavirus-related pneumonia patients, according to the military authorities. Chinese health authorities announced Saturday that 1,287 confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus, including 237 in critical conditions, had been reported in the country by the end of Friday. The pneumonia situation had resulted in 41 deaths, the National Health Commission said. The medics were mobilized from various hospitals affiliated to the military universities. All of them volunteered for the mission. "We sent our best staff in various clinical departments. They have rich experience in battling contagious diseases," said Zhou Xianzhi, president of Air Force Medical University. "Some of them took part in major missions such as the battle against SARS and the fight against Ebola in Africa, as well as earthquake rescues." Li Jun, a nurse of the pediatric ICU ward of Xijing Hospital, said she felt "extremely honored" to join this national mission. Li canceled her plan to spend the Chinese Lunar New Year with her family and jumped right into the mission after her New Year's Eve duty at the hospital. Li's 7-year-old daughter cried as she learned that her mom would stay in the worst-affected virus area for at least one month. At the send-off ceremony, Li tried to avoid eye contact with her daughter but could not help breaking down in tears as she boarded the bus. Song Liqiang, 50, is the deputy head of Xijing Hospital's Respiratory and ICU Department. He has experience working in the ICU during the SARS outbreak in 2003. "I have no doubt that with all the concerted efforts from across the country, we will bring the situation under control," Song said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address plans to increase production of its SUV Hector by around 30 per cent after BS-VI emission norms come into effect from April 1, according to a senior company official. The company, which last week launched the ZS EV, is also set to review plans for a sub-Rs 10 lakh electric vehicle (EV) considering the robust response to its pure electric SUV. "In case of Hector we are planning for another ramp up and hopefully that should happen in two-three months' time," President and MD Rajeev Chaba told PTI. The company has received good response to Hector, its first model in India, and retailed 3,021 units in December 2019. Since its launch in July 2019, the carmaker recorded total sales of 15,930 units of the Hector. "Right now we are focussing on smooth transition to BS-VI from BS-IV in terms of dealer stock. Based on next two months we will decide but we are thinking that around 3,500 to 4,000 (units) per month of Hector we can do," he said. The first quarter will take some beating because of the stock adjustment, Chaba said, adding "but from April-May onwards it can be increased to 3,500 to 4,000 per month". Right now the company is producing around 3,000 units of the Hector from its Halol plant. With over 2,800 orders received for the ZS EV, way above its expectations, is considering to ramp up production of the vehicle to 300 or 400 units a month after three or four months, up from 200 units a month currently. When asked about the company's plans for the sub-Rs 10 lakh electric vehicle in the wake of the robust response to ZS EV, Chaba said it "is also an interesting development now". "I think we are going to review seriously what kind of shape and size, range and price that is needed for next generation EV," he said, adding "one concept will be there at the upcoming Auto Expo but we will modify it based on consumer response." Elaborating on the though process behind it, he said,"The less than Rs 10 lakh EV has to generate interest in millennials and it has to be a very lifestyle kind of EV. So it won't be a normal mainstream design. It has to be different," he said, adding, "We will firm up our plans post Auto Expo depending on the response. Boris Johnson has been accused by a Cabinet Minister of running a 'Goodfellas government' by allowing aides to terrorise Whitehall like paranoid mob bosses. And particular fury has been directed at the Prime Minister's 'obnoxious' right-hand man Dominic Cummings, with accusations that the senior aide is 'out of control'. Referencing Martin Scorsese's 1990 Mafia movie starring Ray Liotta as a gangster who turns on his friends, the senior Minister told The Mail on Sunday: 'Cummings is behaving like a bald Ray Liotta at the end of Goodfellas. No.10 mob: How Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson and Chancellor Sajid Javid might look in a Goodfellas poster 'This should be the glory days but instead No 10 has slipped into paranoia, trusting an ever smaller number of people and sometimes not even each other. 'He's hearing police helicopters in his head.' The astonishing outburst comes after a torrid month in Whitehall that has seen Mr Cummings order substantial leak inquiries into Cabinet Ministers and aides after a significant detail from Cabinet and the National Security Council appeared in print. Letters have been sent to Cabinet members warning them against speaking to the Press. However, Government aides are furious that leaks believed to have originated from No 10, regarding Huawei and HS2, have not sparked similar probes. Critics suggest Mr Johnson is unlikely to be able to clamp down, due to his own record as Foreign Secretary, when Theresa May's allies believed his team were behind a slew of damaging leaks about Brexit. One former May adviser said: 'It was Boris that let this genie out of the bottle.' Other members of the Cabinet have also accused Mr Cummings of leaking when he worked as an adviser to Michael Gove from 2010 to 2014. At the time, then Prime Minister David Cameron called Mr Cummings a 'career psychopath'. Amid concern about 'mob-handed' treatment, there has also been widespread anger at the 'destabilising threat' of a major Whitehall reorganisation and briefings regarding a Cabinet cull. Planned changes have been scaled back as a result. A separate Cabinet Minister told this newspaper: 'Just when things were getting back to normal after the endless uncertainty of Brexit, they plunge everyone into more chaos.' It is understood that a number of aides have taken legal advice ahead of a rumoured 'purge' of special advisers next month. Mr Cummings has bypassed standard Whitehall hiring protocol by calling for 'weirdos' to apply to work for him. On Friday, he told a No 10 meeting that 35,000 people had applied but a lot 'are indeed weirdos'. Jerry Kammer in the New York Times: In 2001, when I was the new Washington correspondent for The Arizona Republic, I attended the annual awards dinner of the National Immigration Forum. The forum is a left-right coalition that lobbies for unauthorized immigrants and expansive immigration policies. Its board has included officials of the National Council of La Raza, the American Civil Liberties Union and the American Immigration Lawyers Association, as well as the United States Chamber of Commerce, the National Restaurant Association and the American Nursery and Landscape Association. After dinner, the groups executive director, Frank Sharry, made a pitch to business allies who wanted Congress to allow them unfettered access to foreign workers. You guys in business get all the workers you want, whenever you want them, he proposed. No bureaucracy. Sold! yelled John Gay, a lobbyist for the American Hotel and Lodging Association. Mr. Sharry quickly added that the deal must include advocacy for three little, tiny pieces of paper: a green card, a union card and a voter registration card for unauthorized immigrants. For me, a reporter who had long covered immigration in the Southwest and Mexico, the exchange was a revelation about the politics of immigration in Washington. More here. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren sought suggestions from the public for the state's logo on the occasion of 71st Republic Day here, an official statement said on Sunday. According to the statement, people can submit their suggestions by Feb 11. People can send their suggestions on jharkhandstatelogo@gmail.com. In the first cabinet meeting, the government decided to set up a logo for the state. "The Chief Minister said that Jharkhand is on a new path. In line with everyone's aspirations, the cabinet had decided to create a new logo of the state, which is a reflection of our rich culture and heritage," the statement in Hindi read. It said that the logo will become the identity of the people of Jharkhand and therefore urged everyone to participate in its creation. Earlier today, CM Soren unfurled the flag at Police Line in Dumka, after which he addressed the public gathering. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) This is not a protest. We were reading the Constitution. This is our fundamental right. We sought permission, but it came with subject to Rs 1 Lakh surety and Vikram Vincent (who organised reading constitution at Town Hall) being charged as accused under CrPC,she said. BENGALURU: The anti-CAA/NRC protests do not seem to subside. While on Saturday evening, citizens descended near the Town Hall in thousands to protest against CAA-NRC, at the same event an Indian Air Force veteran, Itisha, read the Constitution despite the Bengaluru police trying to drive her away. The sloganeering and plays by schoolchildren criticised the ruling BJP government for coming out with the Act, which they said was discriminatory on the lines of religion. Ms. Itisha, who is a second generation IAF officer, stated that reading the Constitution for the public doesn't require permission. This is not a protest. We were reading the Constitution. This is our fundamental right. We sought permission, but it came with subject to Rs 1 Lakh surety and Vikram Vincent (who organised reading constitution at Town Hall) being charged as accused under CrPC,she said. However, she stayed till 10 pm and read the Constitution. By PTI MUMBAI: A 25-year-old man has been arrested by Jogeshwari police in the metropolis for allegedly orchestrating the gang-rape of his wife through two of his Facebook friends, an official said on Sunday. The main accused is an autorickshaw driver hailing from neighbouring Palghar district while his two accomplices are employees of a pharma company here, he said. "The man brought his 23-year-old wife to Jogeshwari on the pretext of showing her a movie. He then took her to a shanty in Jogeshwari where his friends Abhishek and Mangesh Yadav were already present. The two are known to the main accused through Facebook," the official said. "He asked the duo to rape his wife and he too sexually assaulted her. After the ordeal, the woman approached Palghar police station which transferred the case to Jogeshwari police," he informed. While the incident happened in November last year, the woman filed an application with Palghar police in January, police said. All three were arrested on Saturday under section 376D (gang-rape) of the Indian Penal Code and have been remanded in police custody, Zone X Deputy Commissioner of Police Ankit Goyal said. Police ask that anyone with information about the incident call Detective Matt Irons at 240-674-8942. Police are also asking residents in the surrounding area to save security camera footage. Anonymous tips can be shared via voice mail at 301-600-TIPS (8477), text message at 240-674-TIPS (8477) or email at fpdcrimetip@frederickmdpolice.org. A Glenville resident and staff sergeant with the Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing, George A. Girtler IV, 37, died Jan. 11 of natural causes while serving in Antarctica. The Airlift Wing, which is based at the Stratton Air National Guard Base in Glenville, posted about the loss of Girtler, who suffered a pulmonary embolism while being deployed. His body arrived back in the Capital Region Sunday. A procession of 15 fire and emergency vehicles accompanied the hearse as it drove through Mechanicville to Devito-Salvatore funeral home. Roughly 75 people, many holding American flags, lined Central Avenue to welcome him back. Plans for services had not been announced as of Sunday. "We are deeply saddened losing one of our own on the ice," Colonel Christian Sander, 109th vice commander, wrote on Facebook Jan. 15. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Sgt. Girtler's family and loved ones. We are grieving together as a Wing and community." Stars and Stripes, an independent news organization authorized by the U.S. Department of Defense, first reported the news of Girtler's death Friday. Girtler was assigned to the 109th Maintenance Squadron as an aircraft electro-environmental systems technician. He had deployed twice to Antarctica, as well as to Greenland. Girtler assisted with Operation Deep Freeze, which provides technical and air support to the National Science Foundation to study at the South Pole. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Girtler grew up in Mechanicville and graduated from Stillwater High School in 2001, according to his online obituary. He received an associate's degree from Hudson Valley Community College in 2005, and then a bachelor's degree from DeVry University. He joined the Air National Guard in 2010, while also working at Arcadia MFG, LQK and GlobalFoundries. In 2011, the Air National Guard announced Girtler had graduated from the Aerospace Maintenance Apprentice Course at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. He served for one year at Westover Air Reserve Base near Springfield, Mass. before transferring to the 109th Airlift Wing in 2012. He worked on the electric systems of aircraft, most recently on C130s at the Stratton base. In 2004, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ilene Hornick. "Even when he was deployed, they never went a day without speaking," read his obituary. The couple have a son, George V, and a daughter, Peyton. For Marija Frlan, its as symbolic as it can get: A survivor of a Nazi concentration camp during the Second World War, the Slovenian woman turns 100 years old on Monday, the international Holocaust Remembrance Day. Mrs Frlan, who was held at the Nazis Ravensbruck camp in northern Germany for more than a year in 1944-45, will join other survivors and officials in Poland on Monday for ceremonies marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp. Ahead of the ceremonies, Mrs Frlan told The Associated Press that one could talk at length about what it was like in the Ravensbruck camp, but that only those who were there really know how horrific it was. The ones who didnt survive this, they cant understand, no, the woman said at her home in the small village of Rakek in south-western Slovenia. It was terrible. Mrs Frlan said prisoners at the Nazi camp for women were given just enough food to survive and had to work throughout the day. Obligatory inspections were held outside every morning, lasting for at least one hour. I had lost my husband, I had no flat. NothingMarija Frlan One time, the inspection was going on for four hours, she recalled. It was a rainy day. It is impossible to explain if you werent there. Women at the camp encouraged each other not to give up, telling one another Girls, hold on! and No moaning! she recalled. The Ravensbruck concentration camp was the second in size only to the womens camp in Auschwitz, according to the US Holocaust Museum. Toward the end of the war, some 50,000 prisoners, mostly women, were held at the camp. Mrs Frlan was shipped to Ravensbruck in March 1944 from a prison in her native Slovenia. After having to clean the the offices of the secret Gestapo police for nine months, Mrs Frlan was jailed for helping the resistance movement in Slovenia in a bombing. The Gestapo knew that I was responsible for the bombs, she said. So they took me to prison. It was then that she saw her husband for the last time. He was captured too and executed soon after. We even couldnt say hello, she said. That was it. Expand Close Marija Frlan (Darko Bandic/AP/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Marija Frlan (Darko Bandic/AP/PA) Mrs Frlan was sent to Ravensbruck on train via Munich with a group of other prisoners. The only meal she had in five days was a bowl of soup and three loaves of bread. The inmates at Raversbruck came from some 30 countries, with the biggest number from Poland. Soviet troops liberated the camp in April 1945. With the Red Army troops approaching, the Germans forced the prisoners to walk out of the camp toward the front lines, Mrs Frlan said. The march continued until early May. Suddenly, there were no Germans anymore and a Russian soldier appeared on a horse, she remembered. He said: The war is over! The prisoners from Slovenia and other nations in the former Yugoslavia then decided to walk back home together, Mrs Frlan said. Once she was back in Slovenia, the despair hit again. I had lost my husband, I had no flat, she said. Nothing. Mrs Frlan managed to get back on her feet. She married again and had a family, giving birth to six children. She worked as a cleaner and factory worker after the war and even climbed Slovenias highest Alpine peak of Triglav at the age of 70. Boris Johnson is facing a damaging Cabinet row over plans to allow the Chinese to help build the UK's new mobile phone network, with senior Government figures accusing him of risking the country's security at the behest of the Civil Service. The Prime Minister is expected to announce within days that tech giant Huawei will be handed a contract to provide key parts for the new 5G system despite angry opposition from some Cabinet Ministers and the White House, who fear the kit could be fitted with 'back door' security access for Chinese spies. It comes as Mr Johnson's administration is riven with disputes on climate change, the proposed HS2 line and preparations for the March Budget as well as arguments about the 'control freak' behaviour of No 10 officials. Controversial: Sir Mark Sedwill is claimed to have called on the Prime Minister to include Huawei to help build the system Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Home Secretary Priti Patel have led Cabinet opposition to the proposed Huawei deal, citing US concerns about the company's security and ties to the Chinese government something Huawei has repeatedly denied. On Friday night, President Donald Trump repeated his opposition to the plan in a phone call with Mr Johnson, which the White House diplomatically described as a 'discussion of important regional and bilateral issues, including working together to ensure the security of our telecommunications networks'. White House officials who were briefed on the call said that during the tense conversation, Mr Trump proposed that Britain and America work together to 'build an alternative 5G network' that does not use Huawei, with one source claiming that Mr Johnson seemed to 'warm' to the President's proposal. Tory MP Tom Tugendhat, the chairman of the powerful foreign affairs committee in the last Parliament, said that allowing the Huawei deal would call our sovereignty into question. Writing on the page opposite, Mr Tugendhat rejects the idea that the Chinese should win the contract because they offered the cheapest option. He says: 'Our choice of 5G provider should not be economic but about sovereignty. Only nations that can protect their data will be sovereign.' Opposed: Home Secretary Priti Patel has spoken out against the Huawei deal, citing US concerns about the company's security and ties to the Chinese government Government sources say Mr Johnson has 'buckled' under pressure from Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill to let Huawei help to build the system. They claim that Sir Mark, the powerful head of the Civil Service, has 'manipulated' Mr Johnson into agreeing the deal by presenting it as a 'fait accompli' and by 'nobbling' the British security services into dropping their objections. A source said: 'There is a massive row brewing over all this. 'Sedwill is telling people not to 'worry their little heads about it', and manipulating Boris into appeasement by saying that as the deal was already given the green light by Theresa May, to cancel it would require him to actively reverse the decision of a predecessor.' Sir Mark has told the Prime Minister that a ban on Huawei equipment would delay the widespread introduction of 5G for at least two years after the 2025 deadline in the Tory manifesto and would also delay the availability of super-fast broadband. Australia and New Zealand, which are part of the 'Five Eyes' intelligence-sharing network with Canada, the UK and the US, have also imposed bans on Huawei, but Mr Sedwill argues that any security risk can be managed if Huawei is barred from the core elements of the fifth-generation mobile phone network. Sir Mark is also at the centre of a separate Whitehall dispute over the priority the Government should be giving to climate change. PM 'blindsided' on Stormont THE Prime Minister was completely blindsided by the deal to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland, which includes an investigation into alleged crimes by British soldiers during the Troubles, sources have told The Mail on Sunday. Allies of Boris Johnson say the controversial agreement which promises an extra 2 billion for the Province was negotiated behind his back by Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith and decided without his approval. Publicly, Mr Johnson hailed the wonderful cross-party compromise, which led to the revival of the Stormont Assembly after a three-year suspension, and praised the politicians who had stepped up to the plate and showed leadership. But privately, his allies claim, Mr Johnson was fuming that the concessions were made without his say-so. A senior Government source told the MoS: Smith and the Northern Ireland Office went rogue and set up the deal behind the PMs back, completely blindsiding him. Boris didnt know about the 2 billion or the probe into veterans. Advertisement He is understood to have angered senior Government figures by arguing that tackling the global 'climate emergency' should rank above traditional defence of the realm issues such as the size of the Armed Forces. The row arose earlier this month ahead of a meeting of the National Security Council, a Cabinet committee chaired by the Prime Minister which oversees issues relating to national security, defence strategy and the intelligence services. Sources say Sir Mark commissioned a paper ahead of the meeting which argued that tackling climate change should be ranked as the largest single threat to British security on the grounds that floods, storms and bushfires such as the ones in Australia would lead to issues such as a surge in migrants targeting the UK, as well as greater geopolitical instability. The meeting was cancelled in the wake of Sir Mark's submission, the sources said. Mr Johnson is also facing a crunch decision on whether to approve HS2, with his advisers and MPs hopelessly divided over whether the proposed London-Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds line is worth the 100 billion of taxpayers' money it is projected to cost. Opposition within the party is being led by 14 recently elected Tory MPs along the 'Red Wall' of former Labour seats who want the line scrapped and the money spent in their constituencies instead. A total of 250 million a month is being burned through even before the project has started money the TaxPayers' Alliance pressure group has calculated would build 43 free schools, three hospitals, or a Type 31 Royal Navy frigate. It comes as Cabinet tensions have risen over Chancellor Sajid Javid's preparations for the Budget, expected in March. One Cabinet Minister described Mr Javid as a 'playground bully' for the way he orders departments around. The Minister added: 'Everyone knows that Sajid is a wholly owned subsidiary of No 10, which tells him what to do. 'What they don't realise is what a playground bully he is being to other departments in response by rudely knocking back their suggestions.' Cabinet tensions: Chancellor Sajid Javid has been branded 'a wholly owned subsidiary of No 10' by critics Ministerial advisers complain that in the wake of the Election victory, Downing Street officials have become 'control freaks' by banning lunches with journalists and interrogating aides suspected of leaking stories to the media. Ministers have been told they will be 'marked out of ten' on their performance ahead of the imminent Cabinet reshuffle. Mr Johnson's adviser Dominic Cummings enhanced the perception of a 'control freak' by telling a meeting of ministerial advisers on Friday: 'The People's Government is advancing on all fronts.' A defiant No 10 source said the 'centralisation' process would continue, with civil servants encouraged 'to work more closely with No 10', adding, ominously for the rest of Whitehall: 'Likewise, No 10 colleagues will expect more open access to departmental meetings.' The Republic Day tableau of the Shipping Ministry themed on 150 years of the Kolkata Port Trust carried its old name till the full-dress rehearsal three days ago, but the float on Rajpath on Sunday was represented with its rechristened identity -- Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port'. Sources said that changes were made in the last few days. Kolkata Port Trust was recently renamed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Mookerjee, the founder of Jan Sangh. Trade unions at the Kolkata Port Trust have protested against the decision, saying the move will hurt the history of the organisation. During the unveiling of the tableau recently, it carried the name 'Kolkata Port Trust' in Hindi and English, with a logo of its sesquicentenary next to it bearing tag line -- '150 Years - Glorious Past. Vibrant Future'. "During the full-dress rehearsal too, the old name reflected on the tableau. However, the name was changed in the last few days to its new nomenclature -- Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Trust'," a source said. The Ministry of Shipping also tweeted picture of the tableau which was part of the parade, showing the new name mentioned on its sides. "Ministry of Shipping's Tableau showcasing Glorious Past and Vibrant Future of #150YearsOfKolkataPort - was one of the main attraction on the Rajpath today during #71stRepublicDay Celebrations. It was appreciated by one and all present there! #RepublicDay2020 #RepublicDayIndia," it tweeted. The float depicts a sea dock with labourers and engineers working on site in the backdrop of the iconic Howrah Bridge of Kolkata, and the iconic click tower of the Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT), along with containers. The tableau of the Ministry of Shipping was part of the total of 22 tableaux, 16 of various states and Union Territories, and six of various ministries and departments chosen for this year's January 26 parade. The tableaux were unveiled on Wednesday at an event held at Delhi Cantonment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 12 had announced the rechristening of the Kolkata Port Trust after Mookerjee, drawing criticism from the opposition camp which said he was more of a "name-changer" than a "game-changer". Modi, while addressing the 150th anniversary programme of the Trust, had invoked Mookerjee and B R Ambedkar, saying their contributions had led to the development of the country post Independence, but suggestions made by them were not implemented after they resigned from the government. "I announce that the Kolkata Port Trust will now be known as Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port. He was the father of industrialisation in India, a man who made sacrifices for one nation and one Constitution," Modi had said while addressing the ceremony at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Brooklyn Beckham is said to be a 'main target' of Strictly Come Dancing bosses as they prepare for the next star-studded season. It is thought that the aspiring photographer, 20, who is the eldest son of David and Victoria Beckham, could 'win over new fans' with his 'cool image'. As well as helping to open up the show to a new audience, Brooklyn's famous family connections could also help add to his appeal. Time to dance? Brooklyn Beckham, 20, is said to be a 'main target' of Strictly Come Dancing bosses as they recruit for the next star-studded season (pictured with parents David and Victoria in Paris on January 17) A source told The Sun: 'Brooklyn is the main target for casting chiefs at the moment, because he will appeal to his parents' fans as well as his own. 'He has a young, cool image and they think that will win over new fans. Plus, they would love to get David and Victoria sitting in the front row.' MailOnline has contacted Strictly Come Dancing and Brooklyn's representative for a comment. The show's bosses are also thought to be looking at Lady Amelia Windsor for the show, as the royal family have been in the headlines often recently. Joining the cast? It is thought that the aspiring photographer could 'win over new fans' with his 'cool image' and also draw in followers of his parents (pictured are Strictly contestants from the last series, former winner Stacey Dooley (centre) and professional dancers) Brooklyn would have to take a chunk of time out of his busy schedule to do the show, with him jetting abroad for family holidays and Paris Fashion Week recently. He has also been spending lots of time with his girlfriend Nicola Peltz, and they shared a passionate kiss in a sweet Instagram snap shared on Friday. Brooklyn wrapped an arm around the American actress, 25, and rested his hand on her lower back as he leaned in for a kiss. Smitten: Brooklyn is currently dating Nicola Peltz and they packed on the PDA in a sweet selfie that he shared to Instagram on Friday Brooklyn kept things casual in a grey jumper which he teamed with a pair of baggy black trousers, as he held his phone to take the mirror selfie. Nicola showed off her enviable frame as she cosied up to her boyfriend while wearing a black crop top and chic flared trousers. Her blonde locks were brushed into a sleek, straight style, and she accessorised with a pair of gold hoop earrings. Blossoming romance: Things appear to be getting serious between the two who recently made their relationship Instagram official after posting pictures of one another on their accounts Earlier this month the blossoming couple both took to Instagram to share a variety their latest travel pictures, including their new year's kiss. Using a vintage style camera the loved-up youngsters snapped themselves in various locations including the Beckham's country home in the Cotswolds, England, and holidaying in a palm-lined location. The couple appeared to be enjoying a trip away together in celebration of Nicola's 25th birthday, as he captioned the snap: 'Happy birthday babe xx you have such an amazing heart xx.' He also shared a short clip of himself and Nicola snuggled up in the back of a car alongside the sweet caption: 'My girl [heart emoji]'. It's no doubt that Brooklyn had been playing the field since his breakup with Hana Cross back in September before quickly moving onto dancer Lexy Panterra. But now it seems as though he is committed to Nicola. The two were first spotted celebrating Halloween together back in October just weeks after being spotted out with Lexy. Orem city manager objects to creation of new legislative counsel office Over the weekend, new Orem Mayor Dave Young and city council members held a retreat in which they talked about the most urgent issues in the city and some immediate changes the majority of the group would like to make. According to Young, the top three most important issues on his plate are the State Street master plan, a new Office of Legislative Counsel and director thereof, and changes to how members of the Planning Commission are selected. These last two are what will comprise Tuesdays regular council meeting. The resolution on the Office of Legislative Counsel also names Jesse ... A woman from Berlin, Germany, in a bizarre announcement said that she is set to marry a jumbo jet which she has been 'dating' for the past six years. According to international media reports, Michele Kobke is planning to tie the knot with the Boeing 737-800 at a ceremony in the Netherlands. She reportedly 'met' the plane at Berlin Tegel airport back in 2014, claiming it was love at first sight. While speaking to an international media outlet, Michele said that she remembers after seeing it for the first time, she was awed by the jet's wings and thrusters. She further added that since her first encounter, she has only been able to see the plane only through glass. She also recalled that back in September 2019, she was 'finally' able to get her hands on her 'man' and got the 'opportunity' to plant a kiss on the side of the 40-tonne aircraft. She reportedly stated that the time in the hanger was the most beautiful moment of her life and when she was with the plane, she enjoyed every bit of it. READ: BIZZARE: Family In US Finds A Snake Inside Oven While Baking A Pizza While discussing her big dreams, she told the media outlet that she plans on moving to the hangar one day. Her dream is to be with the aircraft and live her entire life with it. She further added that she wants to marry 'him' and dress him very smartly in black trousers and a black blazer. The 'couple' further planes to get hitched on March 18 this year, however, the 30-year-old's family doesn't plan on meeting the plane. READ: BIZZARE: 93-old-woman Gets Herself Arrested To Fulfil Her Dying Wish. Details Here Examples of objectophilia She further also explained that her bizarre relationship with the jet is an example of objectophilia, that is having a sexual or romantic attraction to an inanimate object. However, she also said that she is aware of it ever since she first took her first flight back in November 2013 as it was then that she realised that she had a predilection for aeroplanes. She said that she thinks that its a 'normal' relationship and further explained that whenever she touches the plane, she gets excited and her palms get sweaty. READ: Bizarre Humming Sound Leads To Discovery Of 'rare' Undersea Volcano READ: BIZARRE: This Job Requires Interns To Pay USD 15 Per Hr To New York Based Company (With inputs from Agencies) India marked its 71st Republic Day with many firsts as it displayed its military might and cultural diversity during the 90-minute parade at Rajpath, in the heart of New Delhi, with multi-layered security in place. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was attendance as the guest of honour with President Ram Nath Kovind, vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and defence minister Rajnath Singh among others watching the parade and tableaus on Rajpath. Prime Minister Modi greeted the nation early in the morning before the Republic Day ceremony started. Also Watch | CRPF women bikers make debut at R-day parade, perform daredevil stunts Wishing everyone a happy #RepublicDay, PM Modi wrote on Twitter. The Prime Minister in a saffron turban, breaking from tradition, visited the National War Memorial instead of the Amar Jawan Jyoti, where he lead the nation in paying tributes to the martyrs by laying a wreath. The National War Memorial was built in the memory of the soldiers killed in action since Independence near India Gate. Amidst the celebrations, several low-intensity blasts suspected to be carried out by the banned United Liberation Front of Assam-Independent (ULFA-I) using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) rocked parts of upper Assam. Militant outfits in Assam and rest of the northeast routinely call for a boycott on Republic Day and Independence Day and carry out minor blasts to register their presence and create panic. The firsts Indias armed forces took centre-stage at the grand parade as they displayed the armys battle tank Bhishma, Infantry Combat Vehicle Ballway Machine Pikate and the air forces brand new Rafale fighter jet and the newly inducted Chinook and Apache helicopters. The long-range artillery gun Dhanush, commanded by Indian Army Captain Mrigank Bharadwaj, was a part of the Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath for the first time. The 155mm/45 Caliber Dhanush gun system is a towed Howitzer designed indigenously by the Ordnance Factory Board. The gun with a maximum range of 36.5km has the capability of automatic gun alignment and positioning. An all-woman bikers contingent of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) also made its debut at the 71st Republic Day. Inspector Seema Nag, who is posted with the Rapid Action Force (RAF), commanded the contingent and was seen saluting while standing on top of a moving motorcycle. The women bikers wowed the audience with several daredevil stunts and concluded by forming a human pyramid of 21 personnel on five motorcycles. Another highlight was the marching contingent of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) that showcased the anti-satellite weapons (ASAT) - Mission Shakti. Mission Shakti, Indias first anti-satellite mission, was a major breakthrough in demonstrating the nations capability to bring down hostile satellites. The newly-inducted Chinook heavy lift and Apache attack choppers were also displayed for the first time during the parade at the majestic Rajpath. The marching contingent of the Corps of Army Air Defence, led by Capt Vikas Kumar Sahu of Army Air Defence Centre, also made its debut on Rajpath during the Republic Day parade. Marching contingents The Republic Day parade was commanded by parade commander Lt General Asit Mistry, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area. Major General Alok Kacker, Chief of Staff of Delhi Area, will be the second-in-command. The first contingent in the uniform of the erstwhile Gwalior Lancers was 61 Cavalry the only active serving horse cavalry regiment in the world. It was raised on August 1, 1953, with the amalgamation of six state forces cavalry units. The Indian Army was represented by a mounted column of 61 Cavalry, eight mechanised columns, six marching contingents and fly-past by Rudra and Dhruv Advanced Light helicopters of its aviation wing. The other marching contingents of the army included the Parachute regiment, the Grenadiers Regiment, the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment, the Kumaon Regiment and the Corps of Signals. Indigenously-developed Main Battle Tank of the Indian Army, T-90 Bhishma tank, infantry combat vehicle Ballway Machine Pikate, K-9 Vajra and Dhanush guns, transportable satellite terminal and Akash weapon system were the main attractions in the mechanised columns. The Indian Navy contingent comprised 144 sailors led by Lieutenant Jitin Malkat. It was followed by the naval tableau Indian Navy - Silent, Strong, and Swift. The IAF contingent, comprising 144 air warriors, will be led by Flight Lt Shrikant Sharma. The air force tableau will showcase scaled-down models of the Rafale and Tejas aircraft, the Light Combat Helicopter, the Akash missiles system and the Astra missiles. Tableaux and fly-pasts Sixteen tableaux from various states and Union territories, including from the newly-created Jammu and Kashmir, depicted rich cultural diversity of the country. Several reforms of the government, including Start-up India and Jal Jeevan Mission, were also showcased in six tableaux from different ministries and departments. School children from Delhi performed yoga and several dances, including on a song by Rabindranath Tagore, during the parade. The recipients of Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puruskar 2020 also participated in the Republic Day parade. There were 49 children, including 18 girls and 31 boys, who received the award in the fields of bravery, innovation, scholastic, sports, arts, culture, social service and music. The fly-past the grand finale and the most keenly awaited segment of the parade comprised the Trishul formation by three advanced light helicopters. This Republic Day parade also had a tri-service formation for the first time. It was followed by the Vic formation of Chinook helicopters, used for airlifting diverse loads to remote locations. Apache helicopters, Dornier aircraft, C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, an Airborne Early Warning and Control System aircraft and the globe formation comprising three C-17 Globemasters also enthralled the audience. Five Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft and five MiG-29 upgrade air superiority fighters in Arrowhead formation displayed their aerial manoeuvre. A fleet of Sukhoi-30 MKI jets splitting the sky with a breathtaking Vertical Charlie aerobatic manoeuvre was last attraction of the Republic Day parade. Traveling by night within a cloak of secrecy, Harriet Tubman was the Moses of her time. Actress Karen Jones Meadows will explore that life and legacy at the KiMo Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 1, in observation of African American History Month. Both performed and written by Meadows, Harriets Return: Based Upon the Legendary Life of Harriet Tubman will take the audience on a 31-character journey chronicling the life of the famed Underground Railroad conductor, revolutionary and entrepreneur. Born into slavery in Maryland, Tubman escaped and subsequently completed 13 missions to rescue approximately 70 enslaved people. During the Civil War, she served as an armed scout and spy for the Union. In her later years, she was an activist in the struggle for womens suffrage. To research her character, Meadows spent time at libraries, poring through archives, visiting plantations and Tubmans New York home. She also interviewed Tubmans great-great grandnieces. Its a play about love and freedom not slavery, Meadows said. Harriet is like the mother spirit to African American people. The story opens in a contemporary restaurant. Harriet is on a date. The disparaging conversations of the people nearby trigger her back into her own history. Various masters beat and whipped Tubman when she was a child. She suffered a traumatic head wound when a irate slave owner threw a heavy metal weight intending to hit another slave. Throughout her life she experienced dizziness, pain and visions she ascribed to premonitions from God. Tubman escaped to Philadelphia in 1849, then immediately returned to rescue her Maryland family. She slowly brought relatives out of the state and guided dozens more to freedom. When the Civil War started, she was the first woman to lead an armed expedition via the raid at Combahee Ferry, S.C., liberating more than 700 slaves. She always was a fireball, Meadows said. She had businesses, she was an entrepreneur, she had a bakery, a cookhouse, a laundry; they made bricks. She was a powerhouse. She never had children because the childhood beatings crushed her pelvis. Most photographs of Tubman reveal a stern, dour facial expression. After talking to her relatives, Meadows learned Tubman refused to smile for portraits because she had lost her teeth. She was funny; she was a raconteur, she said. Tubmans friends included a whos-who of abolitionists and revolutionaries: John Brown, Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, Mary Todd Lincoln, Louisa May Alcott and Ralph Waldo Emerson. She believed in the wholeness of life, Meadows said. She had a passion for living. NT Wright on misconceptions about Heaven, the early Christians, and combating biblical illiteracy Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Biblical scholar N.T. Wright believes that failing to read the New Testament in its proper context has a devastating effect on both the unity of the Christian church and the theological understanding of God and the world. When we fail to care about or recognize the history, literature, and theology of the early Christians, we tend to make them in our own image, Wright told The Christian Post. We imagine that they're just like us with our sorts of concerns, yet very often they're not. The early Christians, particularly those from the Jewish background, were celebrating the fact that in and through Jesus, something had just happened, and as result, the world was a different place, he continued. In other words, this was news. Something had happened, something would therefore happen and they were caught up in this new movement. For us, Christianity has collapsed into being a set of good advice about how to go to Heaven when you die. We forget that it started off as news and about something that happened concerning Jesus. If we could reemphasize that, we would all be a lot healthier for it. Wright, a retired Anglican bishop and now chair of New Testament and early Christianity at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, is seeking to combat biblical illiteracy through his new book, The New Testament in Its World: An Introduction to the History, Literature, and Theology of the First Christians, co-authored with Michael F. Bird. Complete with maps, diagrams, and a series of lectures, the book is intended for both students needing an introduction to the New Testament and any Christian feeling stuck reading Scripture, according to Wright. Its an invitation to walk in the Jewish world, the Greek world, the Roman world of the New Testament, he said. What it was like living in those days, why people thought the way they did, why they looked at things the way they did. And then particularly, what can we actually say about Jesus himself, about the Gospels, about the early Christians, about Paul, about the resurrection? His goal, Wright said, is to transform the way that the next generation learns and studies the new Testament, both in seminaries and colleges and in churches more broadly. Its user-friendly enough for the absolute beginner, but then it'll take people on a long way from there into all sorts of exciting stuff, more than they'd ever imagined, he said. The theologian stressed that the ultimate truth in the New Testament is deeply personal, not a mere how-to guide when it comes to living a good, moral life. He expressed hope thatThe New Testament in Its Worldwill help modern-day believers study and apply the New Testament with a clarified focus and mission. What you find in the New Testament is this deeply personal encounter; the documents themselves are breathing with this sense that we have actually met the living God in the person of Jesus and He's not like we thought He would be. And that's a bit scary, but it's also very affirming and supportive and life-transforming, he explained. The New Testament is summed up in Galatians 2:20: I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me, Wright said. I think that that sense of a debt of love, which only love can repay, is absolutely at the heart of the New Testament, he argued. "It's the same whether you fall in love with music or fall in love with great art or fall in love with another person. Then what you do as a result is not a list of rules. Its I need to plunge myself into this new reality and let it shake me and transform me. According to Wright, the early Christians were seriously concerned with unity across cultures, ethnicities, and gender; in fact, the topic of unity is threaded throughout Pauls letters. But unity as a Christian imperative is something the modern world has largely forgotten about, he lamented. As long as we are a wildly disunited, as we are in Western Christianity at the moment, then the powers that run the world take no notice office. Why should they? Because we're just a babble of different voices, Wright said. The early Christians lived as family, supporting one another in practical, financial, and realistic ways, Wright contended. They weren't just a religion; they were an outward-facing, but inwardly coherent family. I think it's a challenge to us today when in so many of our churches, the people around us rather look like us. We tend to gravitate towards churches where we feel comfortable because it's people of our culture, our socio-economic group. The author of more than 80 books emphasized that the New Testament must be read using first-century eyes with 21st-century questions for greater theological and eschatological clarity. He further delved into his earlier claim that many modern Christians are wrong about the idea of Heaven and the afterlife. The early Christians, he charged, didnt simply exist on earth to go to Heaven. Rather, they sought to bring Heaven to earth through the Gospel. The early Christians were mostly Jews, and they believed that the world was good, that it was God's world, and that God's aim and intention was not to snatch some people from this world to go and live with Him, but so to remake the world, that it would make sense for God Himself to come and live with us, which is what it says at the end of the book of Revelation," Wright said. The dwelling of God is with humans, not the dwelling of humans is with God. Of course, that then is the corroboree. But the point is that the New Testament as a whole addresses our culture by saying, Wait a minute, we may actually have been getting our Christianity itself somewhat wrong because we've been imagining the wrong goal to the process. If Christians would truly study the Scriptures, they would see both the theology and the history addressing us in our historical moment, and saying, let's get the theology right, he said. Maybe this would really help with getting the church itself back on track. Modern Western culture, according to Wright, has become increasingly Epicurean. He explained: Its an ancient philosophy, which is that the gods, if they exist, are a long way away. They don't get involved in our world or we don't get involved in their world. So the best thing to do is let the world run itself and make itself. And if you want to pray towards this God, then fine, but don't expect very much from it. That's, that's Epicureanism in a nutshell. He pointed out that Epicureanism has infected contemporary Western thought in ways that often we don't realize because it's the air we breathe. Christians have done their best in the last 200 years to find a way of dealing with that, but often by appealing to Plato who said that we have souls that really belong in the upstairs world and that we want to get back there as soon as we can, Wright said. The frustrating thing to me as a historian and a theologian is that actually that's not how the early Christians saw things. On its own, the simplistic love God, love people mantra popular among Western Christians is problematic, according to Wright, as it raises questions about which god you are worshiping, how its supposed to work, and who these people were supposed to be loving? In the New Testament when Jesus says the two great commandments are love God and love your neighbor as yourself, this is not to the exclusion of the early Christian belief that with Jesus, the kingdom of God is actually arriving on earth as in Heaven, he clarified. But most people today in our world simply want to reduce this to an ethic: Here's what I'm supposed to do and then it'll be all right. This book is trying to make people realize that the early Christians were not just a religious movement, they were an everything movement, he explained. This was a whole new way of being human. Of course, loving God and loving your neighbor; that's fine, that's in there. But it needs the structure, the scaffolding, the surround support system of all the other things which we get at through the historical study and theological analysis. Still, Wright said hes optimistic about the future of Christianity, as he believes people are searching for something and growing through and past the sterility of post-modernity. Its one of the reasons our political world is so confused. People are hoping if only they vote this way or support that policy, maybe that will be the way to utopia, he said. There is a lot of confusion. He also challenged Western Christians to lay aside their arrogance, pointing out that most Christians in the world today are not Westerners and do not speak English as their mother tongue. Christianity is flourishing in sub-Saharan Africa, in Southeast Asia, in Latin America, in all sorts of ways, Wright pointed out. And I think we in the West need to not say, Oh well they're a bit behind and they need to catch up with us. We need to say, Maybe it's we who've gone a bit over the hill and we need to be reminded of where the action really is. I hope and pray that that will be the effect that this book and the study of the New Testament that goes with it will have on people." Patna: An alleged dry run to see if a ban on burqa in a college will work or not backfired in a big way after students of the JD Women's College held protest both outside the college and on social media calling the decision 'discriminatory' against Muslim students forcing the officials to recall the ban before it could even go into effect. As reported, officials of the JD Women's College issued a notice stating students were ordered to follow the college dress code on each day except Saturday and no one could come to the college while wearing a burqa. The notice, that also imposed a fine of Rs. 250 on those who were found in violation of the new dress code, was signed by both the Principal and the Proctor of the JD Women's College. However, it did not take much long for many students to organize protests outside the college and on various social media outlets expressing their anger and frustration over the college diktat. "We demand immediate withdrawal of the ban on burqa as this singles out Muslim girls who are required to wear burqa in public places by their religion," said a student of the college. Alarmed by the protest and the way it caught the national attention in a matter of hours, the college issued another directive announcing the withdrawal of the ban on burqa saying the earlier announcement was due to a 'misunderstanding' and the college had no intention of imposing such ban on any student or a community. Shyama Roy, JD Women's College principal, announcing the withdrawal on the ban, said that the whole thing was the result of 'miscommunication and misunderstanding' as the college had no intention of imposing the ban on burqa. "Students are required to follow the dress code as set by the college but burqa ban is not one of them. The whole thing was the result of a mix-up," she said. Many students, however, are not buying the explanation saying the ban was clearly the intention of the college because such 'mix-up' is just not possible under normal circumstances unless the administration was, at the very least, thinking about it. "We are looking into the matter to find out what went wrong and who was responsible for this mistake," the principal said despite the fact that she was one of the two persons who signed the order. Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday urged people to take a pledge to protect the Constitution of the country and uphold its principles. Taking to Twitter, she said, "On #RepublicDay, let us pledge to protect our #Constitution and uphold the principles of sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic, justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, as enshrined in the Preamble." On #RepublicDay, let us pledge to protect our #Constitution and uphold the principles of sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic, justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, as enshrined in the Preamble Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) January 26, 2020 India is celebrating its 71st Republic Day on Sunday. On this day in 1950, the Constitution of India came into effect. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has recently said that his country is still open to holding talks with US President Trump and his government, as per international media reports. In an interview, he said he would never rule out the possibility that people will change their approach and recognise the realities. 'US left the negotiation table' Talking to international media on Saturday, he said that for the Iranians it does not matter who is sitting in the White House, what matters is how they behave. He added that the Trump administration can still correct its past, lift sanctions, and come back to the negotiation table. Zarif also said that Iran is still at the negotiating table. Following the Iranian missile attack, Trump had imposed tough sanctions on Iran which has nearly destroyed its economy. Reportedly, Zarif did suggest that Iran was prepared for the conflict, though he wasnt specific about the details. Elaborating on his statement, he said that the US had inflicted great harm on the Iranian people and the day will come when they will have to compensate for that. He also said that the Iranians have a lot of patience. Read: Report: Iran Dismantles Drug Trafficking Ring And Executes Its Leader Read: Iran: Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif To Skip World Economic Forum On the other hand, Trump had since long maintained that the 2015 nuclear deal needs to be renegotiated because it did not address Irans ballistic missile programme or its involvement in regional conflicts. Following the US drone strike on January 3, Iran said that it was no longer willing to abide by the limitations of the deal to its enrichment activities and fired its missiles on US troops in Iraq in Retaliation. Meanwhile, the other signatories to the nuclear deal - Germany, France, Britain, China, and Russia have been struggling to keep it alive. Last week, Zarif slammed the United Kingdom over their support to the United States amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Taking to Twitter, Zarif stated that the UK was 'parroting' US lines and blamed Washington for the rise of terrorism in the region. Zarif also mentioned that the E-3 is trying to save the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) by resorting to bullying. The E-3 comprises France, Germany, and Italy. Read: IIT Bombay Students Take Out Tiranga Yatra In Campus To Celebrate Republic Day Read: India's 'passive' Foreign Policy Yielding To One Advancing Its Interests: US Official Paris' Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport will open a medical screening service to check passengers arriving from China who may be affected by the novel coronavirus. This comes as Chinese authorities drastically step up measures to halt the spread of the virus. On Friday, the French health minister confirmed that three cases of coronavirus had been detected and that the patients were being monitored in hospitals in Paris and Bordeaux. Health authorities announced on Saturday that a medical screening service would be set up in Paris' Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport to check passengers arriving from China. Symptoms include respiratory difficulties and fever. Meanwhile, China has quarantined cities and shut major tourist attractions from Disneyland to the Forbidden City and a section of the Great Wall as it scrambles to stop a deadly SARS-like virus from spreading further. China's capital Beijing will suspend buses that enter and exit the city boundary, state media reported on Saturday. The drastic moves come as hundreds of millions of people criss-crossed the country in recent days to celebrate the Lunar New Year holiday, which officially started Friday and is typically a time of gatherings and public celebration. Epicentre of Wuhan in lockdown mode Public transport has been stopped in 18 cities in central Hubei province, with train stations shut, events cancelled and theatres, libraries and karaoke bars closed in some locations. The epicentre of the outbreak is provincial capital Wuhan, the biggest city on lockdown, where the government has halted all travel out of the Yangtze River metropolis of 11 million. Wuhan residents have been told to stay home and authorities are restricting car traffic in the city central. There are few flights available to the city, deepening the isolation. New hospitals being built In Wuhan, city authorities have made it mandatory to wear a mask in public places. Also in Wuhan, authorities are rushing to build two new hospitals in just weeks as a rising number of patients are infected by the new coronavirus. The first facility is expected to be in use by 3 February and will have a capacity of 1,000 beds spread over 25,000 square metres, according to state media. The second one will have 1,300 beds. Cases of contamination detected so far Australia : four France : three South Korea : two USA : two Japan : three Malaysia : three Nepal : one Singapore : three Taiwan : three Thailand : five Vietnam : two After more countries reported cases, Xi said at a Communist Party leadership meeting on the disease that China was "faced with the grave situation of an accelerating spread of the new coronavirus" but that the country will "definitely be able to win the battle," according to state media. In Hong Kong, where five people have tested positive for the virus so far, city leader Carrie Lam declared the situation an "emergency" and schools, currently on holiday, will remain closed until February 17. The World Health Organization on Thursday stopped short of declaring a global emergency, which would have prompted greater international cooperation, including possible trade and travel restrictions. Iran can enrich uranium at any level: AEOI official Iran Press TV Saturday, 25 January 2020 6:29 PM A senior official at Iran's nuclear organization (AEOI) says the country is capable of enriching uranium up to whatever level of purity, and would do so if required to. "Right now, if the [country's] establishment deems necessary, the Atomic Energy Organization [of Iran] will, in its capacity as the executor, have the capability to enrich uranium at whatever percentage of purity," said Ali Asghar Zare'an, a special assistant to Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of the AEOI. "Currently, the nuclear industry is one of the constituents of the Islamic country's power and authority," he added. Zare'an made the comments while receiving some officials with Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) at the Fordow enrichment facility near the central city of Qom on Wednesday. The remarks were reported, however, only on Saturday. In May 2018, Iran began a set of nuclear countermeasures in retaliation for the United States' departure from a historic 2015 nuclear accord between the Islamic Republic and major world powers. The measures were also taken in return for the US's restoration of its nuclear-related bans against Iran, and failure by Britain, France, and Germany -- the European signatories to the deal -- to retain their business interactions with Iran despite the sanctions. As part of the retaliatory steps, Iran stopped recognizing the limits set by the deal --- officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) -- on the level of its enrichment activities and the volume of its heavy water reservoir. On January 5, the country said it would no longer observe any operational limitations on its nuclear industry, whether concerning the capacity and level of uranium enrichment, the volume of stockpiled uranium or research and development. The decision came two days after a set of US drone strikes assassinated senior Iranian commander and the most revered anti-terror military figure in the Middle East, Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, in Baghdad. Zare'an detailed the most recent level of advancement attained by the country's nuclear industry since the initiation of the countermeasures in order to refute erroneous data circulated by some media outlets. After taking the fifth retaliatory step, the volume of the uranium produced by the country exceeded the 1,200-kilogram threshold, he said, adding, "The volume of the enriched uranium stockpile is being increased at full speed." After the conclusion of the nuclear deal, Iran reduced the number of its centrifuges to 6,104, he said. At Fordow, however, as many as 1,044 centrifuges are currently producing uranium, the official added, noting that the country was now producing 10 kilograms of uranium each day at under-five-percent purity level. The country has indigenized all the components of nuclear fuel production cycle, namely exploration, processing, enrichment, designing, and manufacturing of various types of fuel production facilities, Zare'an noted. He hoped that the march towards self-sufficiency in the nuclear industry would, in near future, lead to indigenization of operations at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in southern Iran and the heavy water production process. The official underlined the importance of centrifuges to the fuel production process. He announced that the country was in the process of devising IR-9 generation centrifuges, whose output would stand at 50 SWUs (separative work units) -- the standard measure of work required to separate uranium isotopes. The output of the IR-8 centrifuges, which the country currently has in service, reaches 24 SWUs. "One of the reasons behind the [international] hegemonic system's outrage [at the advancement of Iran's nuclear energy industry] is that it sets other strategic industries in motion," Zare'an said. He said the country was now injecting gas into its IR-4 and IR-2m generation centrifuges to have them produce uranium. The official also touched upon underway work aimed at completion of the Bushehr facility's phase 2 and 3, whose operationalization would enable production of more than 22 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. If connected to the national grid, the dual stages together with the part of the facility, which has already been operationalized, would prevent the release of 21 million tons of contaminants into the air across the country, he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address F.F. writes: I received a phone call from Sky Protect about renewing cover for our Sky TV system. The caller asked me to confirm my bank details, which I gave. I did not think any more about this until I found 249 had been taken from my account by Sky Protect Limited. As I normally pay by monthly direct debit, I phoned Sky and found that the caller was not from the official Sky Protect scheme. My bank says it cannot help as I had nothing in writing. Photo: The Canadian Press In this Jan. 24, 2020, photo provided by the New South Wales Police, smoke rises from an active wildfire near the crash site of a firefighting air tanker near Numeralla, south west of Sydney. Canada is sending a military transport plane and about 15 personnel to help fight bushfires in Australia. The Canadian Forces say the CC-17 Globemaster is leaving Monday. The plane and crew are to transport fire retardant from the United States, free up Australian airlift capacity and take images of fires from the air to measure them and predict how they might spread. They're going as part of Operation Renaissance, a standing mission that sends military help to other countries coping with natural disasters. Canada has already sent about 100 firefighters and experts to Australia to help combat the fires that have consumed millions of hectares of bush, particularly in the southeastern part of the country. Last week a Canadian-owned air tanker crashed as it dropped a load of fire retardant in an alpine valley, killing its three American crew. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: On the occasion of Republic Day, Governor Arif Mohammad Khan has reminded citizens of their duty to respect and strictly follow the Constitution and has stressed the need to respect dissent, pluralism and diversity. "It is through such loyalty (to the Constitution) that we build a stronger and more progressive India where pluralism is extolled, where dissent is acknowledged and respected, where conflicts give way to understanding and mere tolerance matures into heartfelt acceptance," the Governor said in his Republic Day address at the Central stadium here on Sunday. Khan's words assume significance in the context of a raging debate on Constitutional principles in the wake of the Citizenship Amendment Act enacted recently by Parliament. The Governor also mentioned in his address that diversity can be a source of strength and that all people should not be confined to a single interpretation of reality, as was the belief in ancient India. "It is in this acceptance of diversity that India has always sheltered the persecuted people of the world," Khan said. The Governor also mentioned about the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for transforming India, the numerous initiatives undertaken by the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF goverment and the achievements of the state in various sectors. Governor leads R-Day celebrations Earlier, leading the 71st Republic Day celebrations in the state, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan hoisted the national flag and took the salute at a parade held at the Central Stadium here. After hoisting the tricolour at 8.30 am, the Governor inspected the Republic Day parade and received the salute of the Armed Forces, police, paramilitary forces, mounted police, NCC and Scouts. School children recited patriotic songs on the occasion. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and senior government officials were also present. The parade was led by parade commander Squadron Leader Bikram Singh of the Southern Air Command of Air Force. Major Rishav Jamwal of Garhwal Rifles, Indian Army, was the second in command. The contingents participating in the parade included Armed Units, Un-armed units and Mounted Police of Thiruvananthapuram city. The bands in attendance were of Indian Army, Thiruvananthapuram City Police, Special Armed Police and two battalions of Kerala Armed Police. The tricolour was also hoisted in district centres, block panchayat and gram panchayats, the tricolour hoisted after 8.30 am. The national flag was also hoisted atop government buildings, schools, colleges and health centres. The use of national flag made of plastic has been banned in the state. A third U.S. case of the coronavirus that has killed 56 people and sickened 2,000 in China has been confirmed in California. The Orange County Health Care Agency said the individual was hospitalized and in good condition. The patient had traveled from Wuhan, a Chinese city of 11 million people that is the outbreaks epicenter. The current risk of local transmission remains low, the agency said in a statement. There is no evidence that person-to-person transmission has occurred in Orange County. The first two US cases were confirmed in Chicago and Seattle. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Health Department are following up with people who had been in close contact with the patient and are at risk of infection. Passengers aboard a flight arriving from China were screened at Logan Airport in Boston Wednesday night as health officials around the world work to contain an outbreak of a new strain of a disease thats sickened hundreds and killed more than a dozen people in China. Experts have stated that the risk of coronavirus coming to Massachusetts is low but warns people to take precautions as they would in the flu season, by washing hands regularly and covering their mouth when sneezing. The new virus comes from a large family of what are known as coronaviruses, some causing nothing worse than a cold. It causes cold- and flu-like symptoms, including cough and fever and, in more severe case, shortness of breath. It can worsen to pneumonia, which can be fatal. This year, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is Indias chief guest on Republic Day. In his first visit to India, Bolsonaro and Prime Minister Modi discussed the ways to strengthen the ties between the two countries. In this regard, India and Brazil on Saturday set a target of USD 15 billion in bilateral trade by 2022 and reiterated their interest in the expansion of India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement towards a more comprehensive and encompassing agreement. Two countries noted great potential for increased ethanol production The two sides acknowledged the importance of bilateral cooperation in the bioenergy sector in achieving the economic, energy and environmental goals of India and Brazil. To that effect, they noted the great potential for increased ethanol production and uptake in India's fuel mix and looked forward to further collaboration between the two countries in this matterthrough the "Sustainable Mobility: Ethanol Talks" conference to be held in Delhi in February 2020, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. Recognising the importance of renewable energy in their energy mix and its contribution to sustainable development and energy security, both countries agreed to promote reciprocal investments in order to meet their respective renewable energy targets and conveyed their commitment to strengthen the International Solar Alliance and the Biofuture Platform. Prime Minister Modi called upon the Brazilian industry to explore business opportunities in India in the infrastructure, food processing, biofuels and other renewable energy sources, animal husbandry and agro sectors, while Bolsonaro also called upon Indian industry to identify business opportunities, including in Brazil's automotive, leather, oil and gas, oil refining, pharmaceutical, electricity, and chemicals sectors. Both leaders signed multiple MoUs Recognising the fact that biofuels can play a strategic role in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and diversifying our energy mix, and the importance of promoting renewable energies in energy security and efficiency, the leaders welcomed the signing of the MoU on Bioenergy Cooperation and the MoU on Cooperation in the field of oil and natural gas. READ | Nepal is 'hopeful' that India will 'reconsider' its decision to ban import of palm oil READ | Google welcomes India's 71st Republic Day with 'Unity in Diversity' doodle by Meroo Seth It was agreed that both sides will encourage their companies to explore ways for promoting investments and cooperation in the upstream, midstream and downstream areas, through technical cooperation, sharing of experience and technical know-how, technology transfer, including through applied research and joint development activities, in oil and gas projects in India, Brazil and also in joint projects in third world countries. READ | India gears up for first Republic Day celebrations after formation of CDS READ | Assam and Northeast are an integral part of India, cannot be separated: Athawale (with ANI inputs) Providing a major relief to Raheja Developers, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has set aside the insolvency proceedings against the NCR-based real estate firm and handed over the management of the company back to its board of directors. Earlier, on August 20 last year, the Delhi-based principal bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) had directed to initiate insolvency proceedings against the company over the plea filed by one of its flat buyers citing delay in the project and appointed an interim resolution professional. Setting aside it, a three-member bench headed by Chairperson Justice S J Mukhopadhaya said that delay in the project was not because of the real estate firm but caused due to absence of clearance by the competent authorities, which was beyond its control and the "failed to appreciate the fact". "If the delay is not due to the 'corporate debtor' but force majeure, it cannot be alleged that the 'Corporate Debtor' (Raheja) defaulted in delivering the possession," said the The also questioned the role of its flat buyers and observed that they moved the to initiate insolvency proceedings against the company "fraudulently with malicious intents". The NCLAT said that Raheja Developers had offered possession of flats to the buyers but they wanted refund of the amount with more interest and refused to take the actual amount in terms of flat buyer's agreement. "We have no other option but to set aside the impugned order dated August 20, 2019. The application preferred by 1st and 2nd respondents under Section 7 of the 'I&B Code' is dismissed," said the NCLAT. It further said: "The appellant 'corporate debtor' (Raheja Developers) is released from all the rigours of 'moratorium' and is allowed to function through its board of directors from immediate effect". The NCLAT also directed the interim resolution professional, appointed by the for the resolution of the company to hand over the assets and records to the board of directors. Appellate tribunal's order came over a petition filed by Navin Raheja, chairman cum managing director of the company, challenging the order of the NCLT. Navin Raheja has also submitted a time-frame of completion of the project through an affidavit before the NCLAT on which it said: "We expect that the corporate debtor will stick to the time-frame given before this appellate tribunal. The appellate tribunal also said that some intervention applications have been filed in this matter, but it is not taking it forward. "It is to be noticed that there is intervention application filed by L&T Infrastructure Finance Co and L&T Finance and some other interveners, but we have not deliberated on their claim, as on merit we have allowed the appeal," it said. Flat buyers are now treated as financial creditor of the company after recent amendments in the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code (IBC). The matter is related to a residential project, Raheja Sampada developed by Raheja Developers, in which the original petitioners had booked flats. Raheja Developers had issued a joint allotment letter on August 3, 2012 and executed a flat buyer's agreement. As per the agreement, possession was to be delivered within a period of 36 months, which was not fulfilled. The buyers had moved the NCLT claiming default. According to the real estate firm, there was no default from its part as the handing of possession was subject to provisioning of the infrastructure by the government in the area and it has received the occupation certificate in 2016. Two Congress leaders, Devendra Singh Yadav and Chandu Kunjir, entered into a noisy altercation on Sunday during the flag hoisting ceremony on the occasion of the 71st Republic Day celebrations at the party office in Indore. They were later calmed down by their colleagues and the police. India is celebrating its 71st Republic Day today, honouring the historic date when the country completed its transition towards becoming an independent republic after its constitution came into effect. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Arshad Jamal, 48, has been battling a skin disease for four years in addition to asthma. Doctors have advised him to remain indoors, drink clean water and avoid dust pollution to avoid aggravation of his health issues . There is, however, little he can do to heed the advice for Jharkhands Jharia, Jamals home for 35 years, continues to be among the countrys most polluted cities. According to Greenpeace Indias Airpocalypse-IV annual report released last week, Jharia was Indias most polluted city in 2018. I sell clothes on a footpath... to feed my five-member family. If I do not work, what would my family eat? asked Jamal. He added the doctors have blamed pollution in Jharia for his woes. Life is no less then hell for us here, said Jamal, who visits a doctor almost weekly Jamal is not alone. Many like him in the city of half-a-million known worldwide for its underground coal fires suffer from pollution-induced diseases. Shatia Bhuniya, 50, a local resident who suffers from regular chest pain, said she can feel coal dust and ash inside her body. Babita Devi, a housewife, said they cannot even dry their clothes in the open because of layers of dust that stick to them In neighbouring Dhanbad that was second on the list of most-polluted cities in 2018 as per the report, Patliputra Medical College and Hospital (PMCH)s Dr Bibhuti Nath Mittal said most patients from Jharia they treat suffer from pollution-related diseases. ... [They] complain of skin allergies, burning sensation in eyes and allergic bronchitis. Pollution plays a significant role in aggravating such diseases, said Mittal. Mittal said Jharias air has high levels of nitrogen oxide and sulphur oxide, which can further aggravate breathing ailments, emitted by diesel trucks that move around the city daily carrying coal. Jharia is the hub of coal mining in Jharkhand and has 40 opencast mines, which are mostly affected by underground fires, according to government officials. Over 2,500 trucks ferry coal out of the region daily. Kolkata-based organisation Science for Human Beings March 2017 survey found 17% of Jharia residents face hair loss, 17% suffer from skin diseases and 13% from respiratory issues due to pollution. Another study by South Korean Future Science Research Institute in October 2019 found a link between high particulate matter (PM) and baldness. It said the PM and dust reduce protein levels in the scalp and lead to hair loss. To be sure, experts say there can be other reasons for hair loss in addition to air pollution. Coal is the biggest contributor to high air pollution in Jharia, which according to the Greenpeace study, was 50% more than the average annual pollution levels in Delhi in 2018. The Greenpeace report said Jharia recorded highest PM10 at 322 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3) in the country in 2018. It was more than five times the normal limit of the 60 ug/m3. A study by Dhanbads Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR) in 2018 found opencast mining, underground coal fires and unscientific coal transportation were the major contributors to Jharias toxic air. It said the citys air quality can improve by 50% if the mining is restricted. The study added high PM and emission of toxic gases like nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide were directly linked to the coal burning. The CIMFR studys main author, Raj Sekhar Singh, said PM can reach deep into lungs and lead to diseases like asthma and tuberculosis. He added the diseases were badly impacting human health in Jharia. Jha said nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide were adding to more woos. Rashtriya Colliery Mazdoor Sangh general secretary A K Jha said 60,000 to 1 lakh tonne coal is extracted daily from Jharia coalfields. He said there are 58 small and big opencast mines operating in the area and almost all opencast mines are fire affected. Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), the biggest mines operator in the region, officials insist they have taken various measures to check pollution in Jharia. Sumit Jha, a BCCL official, said most of the mines affected by fires are very old. The underground fires can be checked only through opencast mining. If fire-affected coal blocks are not extracted at the earliest, they will also damage the entire city, Jha said. He said they have made it mandatory for trucks to cover the coal being transported out of the region. We are also constructing concrete small ponds at exit points of mines so that tyres of the coal loading vehicles could be washed. Water is also sprinkled on roads in morning and afternoon to check dust pollution, he said. Sumit Jha added greenery was also being promoted. Activist Pinaki Roy of Save Jharia campaign said the steps being taken were inadequate. Opening cast mining has reached the citys boundaries. The height of the coal dumps is much higher than permitted. Even slight wind brings ashes and dust from the mining areas to the city, he said. Mohammed Shabir, a local resident, said environmental safeguards were not good enough. Heavy vehicles enter the city without proper coverings and are laden with coal dust, he said. Congress leader Poornima Singh, who is a lawmaker from the region, blamed the previous Bharatiya Janata Party government and BCCL for making Jharia a non-livable place. The BCCL has outsourced opencast mines to private companies, which do not follow rules and regulations. A small example is of the coal dumps. Rules say the height of a dump should be between 35-50 metres. However, the minimum height of such dumps in Jharia is 90 metres and a maximum 150 metres, which adds to the pollution problem, she said. Singh promised more funds to tackle the pollution. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sanjoy Dey Sanjoy Dey is principal correspondent in Jharkhand and writes on government, urban development, forest and environment, tourism, rural development and agriculture. He likes to write human interest stories. ...view detail By IANS NEW DELHI: There will now be an intensive screening of people along the Indo-Nepal border to deal with the menace of Novel Coronavirus. This decision has been taken after confirmation of coronavirus being found in Nepal. The Union Health Ministry will make arrangements for screening on the Nepal border bordering Uttarakhand with immediate effect. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan spoke to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on this subject on Saturday. ALSO READ: Are snakes the original source of new coronavirus outbreak in China? Harsh Vardhan told the Chief Minister: "Arrangements are being made for screening people coming to India through Nepal border adjoining Uttarakhand. Apart from the screening, the Health Ministry will immediately provide all possible assistance to the state." The government has taken this decision after a case of coronavirus unearthed in Nepal. The Union Health Minister has also written a letter to the Chief Ministers of other states as well, urging them to personally monitor situation in this matter. ALSO READ: Hyderabad boy tests negative for Coronavirus, discharged from hospital On Saturday, Harsh Vardhan held a high-level meeting in Delhi regarding the coronavirus menace. Officials of the Ministry of Health, scientists of ICMR and NCDC and other experts attended the meeting called for the prevention of the virus. After the meeting, Harsh Vardhan said: "The Union Health Ministry has decided to form seven separate teams of experts to deal with Novel Coronavirus. These teams will take stock of arrangements to deal with the virus at the Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kochi airports." The Union Health Ministry has also issued a helpline number 011-23978046 in this regard. The Ministry said that this helpline number will be available round the clock for any kind of information. ALSO READ: Health Ministry team to visit seven states for prevention of novel coronavirus The Health Minister said that so far no person in India has been found suffering from the Novel Coronavirus. However, 11 persons are currently under the supervision of doctors on suspicion. Out of these, the results of the check up of four persons have come and no one was found suffering from the Novel Coronavirus. The Ministry of Health is working closely with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of External Affairs and World Health Organization for the prevention of coronavirus. Under this, special checks are being done at the airports of passengers coming from abroad. The federal government is working with Chinese authorities to get Australians in coronavirus-affected areas home. It comes as the nations chief medical officer says its likely there will be more cases of the coronavirus in Australia, following confirmation of four cases. Coronavirus has killed 56 people in China and the city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the illness, remains in lockdown. Professor Brendan Murphy says he will be sending out a message to GPs across the country on how to handle patients who present with symptoms of the deadly illness. Three men are in hospital in Sydney after flying in from China, while another man in his 50s is being treated in Melbourne. There is no cause for general concern, Murphy told reporters in Melbourne on Sunday. I would not be surprised if there are some more cases its highly likely that we may see them some more. We are incredibly well prepared to isolate and deal with that. Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the government would look to assist Australians with travel out of China, with several cities in lockdown as authorities try to contain the virus. We are seeking advice from the Chinese authorities on these restrictions and whether any options are available to international travellers, Senator Payne said. Our embassy in Beijing and our consulate in Shanghai are also working with international partners and the Chinese government to determine what support can be given to Australians on the ground. Two of the men hospitalised in Sydney flew directly from Wuhan, a 53-year-old on Jan. 20 and a 43-year-old two days prior. The third man, aged 35, arrived from the southern city of Shenzhen on Jan. 6. A fourth, also aged in his 50s, was Australias first confirmed case of the virus after he touched down in Melbourne from Guangzhou on Jan. 19. Only the 53-year-old man is thought to have been contagious while travelling to Australia. He flew to Sydney on China Eastern flight MU749, and authorities are obtaining details of other passengers on that flight. Meanwhile, passengers on China Southern Airlines flight CZ321 from Guangzhou to Melbourne on Jan. 19 are also being contacted as a precaution. Chinese authorities are scrambling to stop the spread of the deadly illness, restricting transport in the Hubei province including its capital Wuhan. Coronavirus has been confirmed in other countries including Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, France, Malaysia, and the United States. Experts are still learning about the virus and Murphy says its important people arriving from Wuhan, as well as those in close contact with them, look out for symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. Australians are being told not to travel to Wuhan or Hubei province. Whilst it may not be a huge deal, we thought it was good to see that Yuen Hing Lam, who is a company insider, recently bought HK$595k worth of stock, for HK$1.09 per share. However, we do note that it only increased their holding by 3.0%, and it wasn't a huge purchase by absolute value, either. View our latest analysis for Midland Holdings The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Midland Holdings Founder & Chairman Kin Yip Wong made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for HK$115m worth of shares at a price of HK$2.00 each. That means that even when the share price was higher than HK$1.05 (the recent price), an insider wanted to purchase shares. While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. In our view, the price an insider pays for shares is very important. Generally speaking, it catches our eye when insiders have purchased shares at above current prices, as it suggests they believed the shares were worth buying, even at a higher price. Happily, we note that in the last year insiders paid HK$115m for 57.99m shares. But they sold 37684176 for HK$66m. In the last twelve months there was more buying than selling by Midland Holdings insiders. You can see the insider transactions (by individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date! SEHK:1200 Recent Insider Trading, January 26th 2020 There are always plenty of stocks that insiders are buying. So if that suits your style you could check each stock one by one or you could take a look at this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them). Insider Ownership of Midland Holdings Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Midland Holdings insiders own about HK$335m worth of shares (which is 44% of the company). I like to see this level of insider ownership, because it increases the chances that management are thinking about the best interests of shareholders. Story continues So What Do The Midland Holdings Insider Transactions Indicate? It's certainly positive to see the recent insider purchase. And the longer term insider transactions also give us confidence. Along with the high insider ownership, this analysis suggests that insiders are quite bullish about Midland Holdings. That's what I like to see! Therefore, you should should definitely take a look at this FREE report showing analyst forecasts for Midland Holdings. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Bob-bhai and Barry-bhai may not be widely known in India, but the Padma Shri for these two British MPs is an acknowledgement of their consistent pro-India stance on key issues in the cut-and-thrust of diaspora politics in the UK. Bob Blackman is the Conservative MP for Harrow East, while Barry Gardiner is the Labour MP for Brent North. Both constituencies have a large population of Indian origin and the two MPs have been closely associated with community events and issues. Of more significance is their overtly pro-New Delhi stand on sensitive issues such as Jammu and Kashmir in the British parliament. During recent debates, Blackman and Gardiner have steadfastly held New Delhis corner, when hardly any Indian-origin MP speaks on the issues. It is a wonderful recognition of the immense contribution both have made to strengthening UK-India relations over many years, said Manoj Ladwa, a leading London-based community figure and a long-term confidante of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It also demonstrates the importance India places on the UK-India relationship and signals that post-Brexit, India will wish to deeply engage with the UK as it charts its own course outside the European Union, Ladwa, who heads media group India Inc, added. Blackman and Gardiner are known to be close to Modi since his days as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, when he was less than welcome in the west. They have since been at the forefront of events in London to mark Modis electoral wins in 2014 and 2019, and to welcome him on UK visits. Blackman previously said after a contentious debate in the British parliament on Jammu and Kashmir: One notices that the pro-Pakistan lobby in the UK is extremely effective and they make sure their MPs turn up in their support via all possible parliamentary contributions. The debate on Jammu and Kashmir was a classic example. It was just me and one other MP speaking in support of India. Hardly anyone speaking on the day spoke of the human rights violations by Pakistan and ignored the series of violations by them over the years. Blackman has often highlighted the plight of Kashmiri Pandits, supported revocation of Article 370, and flayed Pakistans support to terror groups and their depredations in India, particularly during the February 2019 Pulwama attack. Blackman said he is deeply humbled and delighted at being awarded Padma Shri, and called it an award for the whole Indian diaspora in the UK. As in India-related statements, he ended his reaction with Jai Hind and added: Bharat Mata ki Jai. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Hundreds of people, mostly women, came out to protest against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Lucknow on Sunday and staged a peaceful demonstration at the historic Clock Tower, hours after the flag was hoisted here. As the nation celebrated the 71st Republic Day, a number of people came out holding the flag to stage a protest against the new citizenship law. Uttar Pradesh has seen some of the violent protests against CAA and a brutal police crackdown on the protesters over the last month, killing at least 19 persons and leaving hundreds injured across the state. The newly enacted law is facing stiff opposition across the country with some states including Kerala, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Punjab refusing to implement the law in their respective states. Rajasthan, Kerala and Punjab have passed resolutions against the recently amended law in their respective state Assemblies. The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 17:24:44|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A press conference on the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak is held by the State Council Information Office in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 26, 2020. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) BEIJING, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- China will send additional 12 teams of more than 1,600 medical staff to Hubei Province where local medical system was overwhelmed by a novel coronavirus outbreak. Ma Xiaowei, director of the National Health Commission, said Sunday at a press conference that the medical staff will be sent out shortly, adding that authorities are also coordinating supplies urgently needed to control the outbreak. Ma said the commission has called upon and sent more than 900 medical staff in seven teams to Hubei. The military also sent a 450-strong medical team. More than 1,000 others are on standby, he said. The central government allocated 1 billion yuan (143 million U.S. dollars) to fight the outbreak, sent its reserves of medical supplies and coordinated the transfer of protective clothing, face masks, gloves, and protective goggles to the hard-hit areas, Ma added. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 18:07:47|Editor: Wang Yamei Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Trade volume between Mongolia and China reached 8.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2019, accounting for 64.4 percent of Mongolia's total foreign trade, according to data released Sunday by the country's National Statistics Office. Mongolia traded with about 152 economies across the world in 2019. Its major export items to China include coal, copper and molybdenum concentrates, according to the office. The Mongolia-China trade volume took 89.1 percent of the Asian country's total exports through 2019, according to the statistics. The bilateral trade volume between the two neighbors was valued at 8.4 billion dollars in 2018. The two countries have set a 10-billion-dollar target for bilateral trade in 2020. She stars in a film about a woman who's been hurt in the past and seeks revenge on future men she comes in contact with. And Alison Brie combined feminine and masculine elements as she attended the premiere of Promising Young Woman during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on Saturday. The 37-year-old tucked a ruffled, black spaghetti strap blouse into a pair of baggy trousers as she graced the red carpet. Balance: Alison Brie, 37, combined feminine and masculine elements as she attended the premiere of Promising Young Woman for Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on Saturday The GLOW actress cinched in her already-small waist with a belt, and accessorized with rings. The LA-born beauty kept her feet warm in the freezing weather with patent leather ankle boots. Alison wore her short hair down and in effortless waves. Her beauty look highlighted her colored eyes with liner and lashes, and played up her lips with a pinky-nude shade. Her look: The actress tucked in a ruffled, spaghetti strap blouse into a pair of baggy trousers Looking great! Alison wore her short hair down and in effortless waves. The beauty highlighted her colored eyes with liner and lashes, and played up her lips with a pinky-nude shade Joining Alison on the carpet was co-star Bo Burnham and the film's lead talent, Casey Mulligan. Casey plays Cassandra Thomas, a woman who appears to have been sexually assaulted or raped in college, and who seeks revenge against men later in life. Script writer Emerald Fennell was also out for the evening. Their big night: Joining the star on the carpet was film lead talent Carey Mulligan, 34, and co-star Bo Burnham, 29 Alison has three films in the works. Next up, she'll star alongside Debby Ryan in Happiest Season and be directed by husband Dave Franco in The Rental. Alison will also join Kristin Stewart and Aubrey Plaza in Happiest Season. Reunion: The cast caught up with the film's writer, Emerald Fennell Mark Graves/The Oregonian Generally speaking, the city isn't a great place to see wildlife (crows notwithstanding). But those who live in and around Portland thankfully have no shortage of places nearby to find gaggles of wintering waterfowl, roosting bald eagles, slithering newts and more. These wildlife refuges offer something a little different than parks designed for picnickers, rivers filled with boaters and trails built with hikers in mind. These places are usually quieter, where visitors often move at a slower pace, often stopping to stand still and watch the rhythms of nature all around. There are several different titles for these little pockets of nature. Some are full-fledged national wildlife refuges managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service while others are local parks knowns as preserves, wetlands or sanctuaries. While you can usually find birds and other animals at any natural space in the region, these are the places where wildlife flock, and where they can rest without fear of harassment. We humans can find refuge along with them, taking a break from our urban and suburban environments for a small taste of life in the wild. Don't Edit Jamie Hale/The Oregonian Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge A 168-acre wildlife preserve located only a few miles from downtown Portland, Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge proves that the natural and urban worlds can peacefully coexist. The short Bluff Trail leads along the eastern side of the wetland, from which hikers can watch birds and get a good dose of nature in the city. The refuge is open 5 a.m. to midnight, daily; located at Southeast 7th Ave. and Sellwood Blvd., Portland; call Portland Parks and Recreation at 503-823-7529 for more information. Don't Edit Mark Graves/The Oregonian Sauvie Island Wildlife Area Originally established in 1947, the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area has grown over the decades and now consists of 11,643 acres that encompasses the entire northern tip of the island. Anyone who's hiked to Warrior Point, along Oak Island or on any of the other trails on the island has most likely been through part of the refuge. It's home to many species of birds, including large flocks of waterfowl as well as bald eagles. The wildlife area is open 4 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily, though several units are closed seasonally from October 1 to April 15; trailheads are located throughout Sauvie Island; $10 parking permits required at all wildlife areas (sold at convenience stores on the island); call the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at 503-621-3488 for more information. Don't Edit Jamie Hale/The Oregonian Smith and Bybee Wetlands Considered one of America's largest urban wetlands, the Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area is found near Kelley Point in North Portland, an area otherwise known for its busy industrial and shipping traffic. Visitors can tour two miles of paved trails around the edge of the wetlands, home of painted turtles, bald eagles, herons and more. The wetlands are open from sunrise to sunset, daily; located at 5300 N. Marine Dr., Portland; call Metro at 503-797-1545 for more information. Don't Edit Portland Audubon Society Portland Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Portland Audubon's 172-acre Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the edge of Forest Park, where visitors can walk more than four miles of trails through an area dedicated as a safe haven for plants and animals. The sanctuary also includes outdoor enclosures, an interpretive center and a wildlife hospital run by the organization. The sanctuary trails are open dawn to dusk, daily; located at 5151 N.W. Cornell Rd., Portland; call Portland Audubon at 503-292-6855 for more information. Don't Edit Don't Edit John Givot/The Oregonian Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Found in the suburbs southwest of Portland, the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge is home to nearly 200 species of birds and 50 species of mammals, as well as many kinds of reptiles, amphibians, fish and plants. The refuge boasts a Wildlife Center and hosts educational programs, but visitors can also wander the short trails on their own. The refuge is open dawn to dusk, daily; located at 19255 S.W. Pacific Highway, Sherwood; call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 503-625-5944 for more information. Don't Edit John M. Vincent/The Oregonian Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge With about 5,300 acres in all, the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is a large, lush habitat along the Columbia River north of Vancouver. A mixture of wetland, grassland and forest, the refuge is split into five sections, two of which are open to the public. Visitors can expect to see wintering waterfowl, songbirds and dozens of other species. The refuge is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily the River S Unit will be closed to cars and pedestrians Monday-Friday through spring 2020; located at 28908 N.W. Main Ave., Ridgefield; entrance fee is $3 per vehicle; call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 360-887-4106 for more information. Don't Edit Jamie Hale/The Oregonian Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge Located at the mouth of the Columbia River Gorge east of Washougal, the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge has some beautiful views from its 1,049 acres of wetland, pasture and woodland. Several miles of trails wind through the refuge, where visitors can see several species of birds and other wildlife, the paths eventually connecting to the Captain William Clark Park Trail that leads to the Washougal riverfront. The refuge is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; located on the south side of Washington Route 14, about 2 miles east of Washougal River Road; call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 360-835-8767 for more information. Don't Edit Benjamin Brink/The Oregonian Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve Though it has a colorful history that includes fights over cannery pollution and a sewage farm, today the Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve is a quiet place to observe cackling geese, northern pintail ducks, hawks, eagles and other birds. Visitors can walk the trails that run through the preserve and make a visit the Nature Center. The preserve is open dawn to dusk, daily; located at 2600 S.W. Hillsboro Highway, Hillsboro; call Hillsboro Parks and Recreation at 503-681-6206 for more information Don't Edit Doug Beghtel/The Oregonian Tualatin Hills Nature Park With nearly five miles of trails across 222 acres of wetland and forest, Tualatin Hills Nature Park is a popular spot in Beaverton. Visitors can see the migration of rough-skinned newts, breeding birds and blooms of wildflowers come spring. The park is open dawn to dusk, daily; located at 15655 S.W. Millikan Way, Beaverton; call Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation at 503-619-3933 for more information. Don't Edit Don't Edit Beaverton Creek Wetlands Located right beside the Tualatin Hills Nature Park, the Beaverton Creek Wetlands is a much smaller preserve, comprised of only 15 acres. Still, the park is a great place to watch birds and other wildlife, home to great blue herons, belted kingfishers and different birds of prey. The wetlands are open dawn to dusk, daily; located on the north side of Tualatin Valley Highway, just west of Southwest 153rd Drive; call Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation at 503-619-3962 for more information. Don't Edit Don't Edit --Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB DES MOINES Crystal Meier has caucused nearly every presidential cycle since 1988 and has attended countless campaign events over the past year. And yet, with just a week left before the Feb. 3 caucuses, Meier has not yet decided which candidate to support. In fact, shes still considering five. Its not like I havent thought about it or havent given it any consideration. I just cant decide, Meier said. She is not alone. Many of the Democratic presidential candidates have been campaigning in Iowa for more than a year. And even though the caucuses are right around the corner, many Iowans remain undecided. Iowans are famous for taking their time to decide which presidential candidate to support every four years in their first-in-the-nation presidential precinct caucuses. They appear to be taking it to the extreme this season. With a historically expansive field and a high-stakes decision which candidate to nominate to face Republican President Donald Trump many are waiting until the 11th hour to make their decision. Recent polling showed roughly half of Iowa Democrats remain willing to have their minds changed. Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg have been the consistent polling leaders in Iowa, with each taking a turn as front-runner. Amy Klobuchar has been surging lately, and Tom Steyer and Andrew Yang remain on the radar. Reporters from the Lee and Gazette newspapers talked to undecided Iowa Democrats across the state. This story covers undecided voters; future coverage will follow these same voters as they make their final decision. Doug Kennedy, 24, of Cedar Falls, who works at Deere and Co. in supply management, describes himself as a moderate. As of Jan. 20, Kennedy said he was torn between the four candidates leading the polls. I like Biden, Pete, Warren and Bernie, in that order, at the moment, Kennedy said. Although Sanders and Warren, both U.S. senators, are generally considered progressives, Kennedy said he nonetheless liked their great track records in the Senate, although does worry their positions may be too liberal to win the general election. Kennedy said he thinks Biden has great experience, but expressed concern about the former vice presidents age. He would be 78 at the inauguration. He has the opposite concern with Buttigieg, 38, whose highest elected office was mayor of South Bend, Ind. I like Petes positions and ideas, but I dont know if he is experienced enough to handle being the president, Kennedy said. Aaron Christopher, a business owner from Bettendorf, is trying to decide between the three moderates in the race: Biden, Buttigieg and Klobuchar, a U.S. senator from Minnesota. Christopher said he worries about general election voters who do not have strong partisan leanings. The more liberal candidates, he fears, would lose against Trump in crucial Midwestern swing states. Im concerned with the middle, Christopher said. We lost the middle in the last election to Trump. The economys so good theyll vote with their pocketbooks, not their principles, he predicted. I want a candidate to appeal to the center so we can win it. Also attempting to navigate the fields centrist lane are Mike Safley, an electrical engineer from Muscatine, and Luke Becker, a 19-year-old Iowa City native and University of Iowa sophomore. Both said they are deciding between Biden and Buttigieg. Safley said he likes some ideas proposed by Warren and Sanders he called Warrens wealth tax a no-brainer but is skeptical of their more ambitious plans, especially at a time when, he said, the country is too far in debt and politically divided. But Safley also has electability concerns with Buttigieg. I like Pete, Safley said. Hes a little young. Im worried about the black vote. Without that population, he cant win the nomination. A recent Washington Post-Ipsos national poll showed Buttigieg at 2% support among black Americans. That puts him seventh in the field, far behind field-leader Biden, at 48%, and second-place Sanders, at 20%. Safley said his top concern is finding a nominee who can defeat Trump in the general election. We gotta bring our country back together, Safley said. Jeremy Dusenberry, a fast-food worker from Muscatine, is still considering Biden, Sanders and Tulsi Gabbard, a U.S. representitive from Hawaii. He came to see Buttigieg during a recent campaign event. Im here to check him out, he said. Then I gotta go back to work. Dusenberry said he wants to see wages increase and to protect the planet from the impacts of climate change. Shari Loftsgard, a 55-year-old woman from Robins, said she has been considering Buttigieg, Warren and Klobuchar. Loftsgard said she likes Warrens plans to root out corruption in the federal government, and she thinks Klobuchar seems tough. But after recently attending a Buttigieg event, she is leaning toward him. She said she likes his health care plan, which he has dubbed Medicare for all who want it. Hes smart and well-spoken, and he is more of a centrist Democrat, Loftsgard said. His talk the other night that I went to really hit home with me. Morgan Post, a 35-year-old Des Moines woman, is weighing some of the more liberal candidates. She said she is deciding between Sanders, Warren and Yang. She recently attended a Sanders event in Des Moines. I really would like to see someone whos really passionate, says that they will do something about climate change. Thats really important to me, Post said. Clear Lake resident Nelson Kraschels shortlist includes Klobuchar, Buttigieg and former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg, who has not spent much time campaigning in Iowa but is running TV ads here. According to the 67-year-old Kraschel, that triumvirate of candidates stands for whats important to him. Theyre closer to representing my thoughts and my beliefs than any others, Kraschel said. Kraschel said even though Bloomberg hasnt campaigned in Iowa, he appreciates the former mayors practicality and experience. What he did in New York City, that was a very difficult situation after 9/11, Kraschel said. As far as what will tip things for him, Kraschel said the important issues to him are the national debt and climate change. But even those might not be the final motivators. What decides it for him could be much simpler. It might come down to what I feel right before the caucuses, he said. I guess thats the best way to explain it. Meier, who lives in Mason City, is still considering Biden, Buttigieg, Warren, Yang and Klobuchar. She said her goal is to have her list narrowed to one or two candidates by Feb. 3. Meier said the first characteristic she looks for in a candidate is electability. I think most of us who are undecided, or a lot of people who are undecided, know who wed like to caucus for, but were not sure thats where were going to go, she said. I think were concerned about wanting to get it right. We just want to get it right. Reporters Graham Ambrose, Amie Rivers, Jared McNett, Ashley Stewart, and Brian Morelli contributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 LANSING, Mich. - A third woman in two weeks has publicly come forward with sexual harassment allegations against a Michigan state legislator, according to a published report Sunday. Melissa Osborn, who works as a regulatory affairs specialist for a trade group, told Crains Detroit Business that Republican state Sen. Peter Lucido commented on her appearance and clothes while visually scanning her body and touching the region she described as my lower back/upper butt. Osborn, 40, said it happened at the Michigan Credit Union Leagues annual government affairs conference in May. He was looking at me up and down, she said. And he stayed there for several minutes, making these comments about my appearance and my look and what he liked about it. Lucido declined to comment to Crains. Ive got no comment for you because Ive got no comment, he said. Is that OK? A messages left by The Associated Press on Sunday for a Lucido spokesman was not immediately returned. Another state lawmaker, Democratic Sen. Mallory McMorrow of Royal Oak, filed a complaint on Jan. 21 against Lucido. McMorrow, 33, said it happened as she introduced herself to him at a training session two days after she defeated an incumbent in the November 2018 election. She alleged that he put his hand on her lower back region and made comments about her appearance, insinuating that she won because of her looks. Lucido denied the allegations. The Senate Business Office opened an investigation into Lucido earlier this month after a 22-year-old female journalist reported that he told her that students from an all-boys Catholic school visiting the Capitol could have a lot of fun with her. Lucido issued a brief apology for what he called a misunderstanding with Michigan Advances Allison Donahue but later said he was misquoted. The AP has tallied about 100 state lawmakers across the country who have been publicly accused of sexual misconduct or harassment since January 2017. Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion at 9 PM. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times. In Congress Republic Day gift to PM Modi, a copy of Constitution As nation celebrated the 71st Republic Day, the Congress on Sunday decided to send PM Modi a copy of the Constitution. Taking a swipe at the PM, the grand old party also urged Modi to take some time out to read the book. Read more. On R-Day, 7 mn people in Kerala form 620-km long human chain against CAA Keralas chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan was among the nearly seven million people who participated in a human chain on Sunday organised by the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) to protest the amended citizenship act and National Register of Citizens. Read more. Indian, global megacities growing at unprecedented rate: UK study The worlds biggest cities are growing at an unprecedented rate particularly in India and the global South with 11 of the planets 30 biggest cities each adding more than 10 million citizens over the last four decades, according to a new study. Read more. HT Editorial | Delhi polls: Avoid divisive rhetoric The discourse in the Delhi election is starting to increasingly centre along divisive national issues, and the responsibility for it largely lies with the BJP. Read more. India vs New Zealand: After match-winning 50, KL Rahul reveals mantra behind consistency KL Rahul was the star of the show once again as his 11th 50 in T20Is led Indias charge as the visitors rattled past New Zealand to win the second match of the series. Chasing a modest target of 133, India lost Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli rather early and hence, Rahul dropped anchor and played a superb innings. Read more. Alia Bhatt sends Kangana Ranaut flowers after Padma Shri honour, Rangoli Chandel says I am enjoying it Alia Bhatt sent a bouquet of flowers to Kangana Ranaut to congratulate her on being conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri. Kanganas sister and manager Rangoli Chandel was amused by this gesture and took to Twitter to express the same. Read more. Tinder turns saviour for woman who got stranded in the wilderness. Heres how Lonia Haeger was out for a thrill-seeking adventure with her friend and dog when their journey took an extremely dangerous turn as they got stuck in an icy road. Thankfully, its an idea involving the dating app Tinder which ended up saving their lives. Read more. We are very optimistic about the program itself. But the state of Illinois in their budget they projected hundreds of millions of dollars in sales tax revenue. I am always a little more skeptical, Werner said. My opinion is there are not enough cultivation centers to keep up with demand. The day Corinna Heyn-Jones was brutally attacked in San Francisco General Hospitals emergency room, she said, the unit was functioning as it often does: understaffed and overwhelmed. As she grabbed supplies near the nurses station in the center of the unit, a patient agitated and unrestrained punched her in the face and grabbed her short blond hair. A nearby sheriffs deputy, two deputy police officers and some colleagues scrambled toward the petite nurse and attempted to pry the patient off her. But the patients grip was unrelenting. She said the patient thrashed her to the ground, jammed her head against the floor, grabbed at her eye-sockets and shoved fingers into her upper lip. Heyn-Jones who is considering suing the hospital for allowing an unsafe work environment said she felt as though the abuse would never end. Of course this is happening, the 31-year-old travel nurse remembered thinking after she was pulled to safety. It was only a matter of time. Several nurses who work in the emergency room said the Oct. 3 attack is not unusual. In San Franciscos public hospital emergency room, they say, violent assaults on nurses are a likely outcome. They see the violence as a symptom of deeper issues at the hospital, which has struggled to handle a dramatic increase in patients many of them homeless, mentally ill and drug-addled coming through its doors. The hospital declined to discuss details of the attack, citing patient privacy, but another nurse present confirmed Heyn-Jones account. After receiving numerous complaints from hospital staff, Cal/OSHA, the state agency that oversees workplace safety, and the California Department of Public Health opened separate investigations into conditions at the hospital late last year. While the agencies declined to discuss details of the investigations, more than a dozen nurses interviewed by The Chronicle described an emergency room in frequent disarray. Chronic understaffing, they said, leads to inadequate care and assaults on nurses from patients who are psychotic, drug-addicted or both. They described gurneys with overflow patients in the hallway and homeless patients who are discharged often with just a turkey sandwich and bus token to make room for others in the jam-packed waiting room. Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle The nurses work in several departments the emergency room, psychiatric emergency services and in a locked inpatient psychiatric unit. Many of those interviewed are members of Service Employees International Union 1021, a labor union that often spars with city departments. In accordance with its policy, The Chronicle agreed not to name some nurses, who feared retaliation from their employer. The conditions at the hospital have also caught the attention of San Francisco City Hall. Mayor London Breed and the Board of Supervisors recently passed legislation, called Mental Health SF, that promises more case managers and treatment spots around the city. Elected officials hope such changes will reduce the number of people who tumble into the emergency room after running out of places to go for help. But it might be years before all the changes from Mental Health SF are in place, and its not clear how the city will pay for the increased resources. Terry Dentoni, chief nursing officer, said she sympathizes with her staff. She said management is working on changes to improve conditions, such as streamlining the hiring process, adding more social workers to the hospitals Social Medicine Team, and creating better workplace violence-prevention training. There are really complex patients, and we are trying to manage them differently, Dentoni said. We have tried to keep being innovative. ... Is there opportunity to do things better? Absolutely. At the core of San Franciscos homelessness and mental health crisis is a dearth of housing, shelter beds, drug treatment programs and mental health professionals. There are more than 8,000 people living on the citys streets, a 17% increase from two years ago. Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle Many turn to S.F. General for help. We cant say no. We dont say no, said Christa Duran, an emergency room nurse. But, she said, we are put into a position where we are outnumbered. Emergency room visits increased from 68,000 in 2015 to 82,000 in 2018. That number dipped slightly in 2019 to 79,000. The increases can be attributed to a new, larger emergency room with more capacity; changes in state insurance that cover more people; and more homeless people with complex needs on San Franciscos streets. Dr. Christopher Colwell, chief of emergency medicine at S.F. General, told The Chronicle in October that the emergency room cannot be expected to handle everyone particularly those coming off the streets, whose needs could be largely met with primary care, drug treatment programs and housing. As a whole system, we are not adequately caring for this group of patients, Colwell said. We have a lot of people who need help with substance use issues, and the hospitals are not always going to have the resources to manage all of those. But even as visits have increased, the number of nurses has not kept up with demand. S.F. General is actively trying to fill 75 vacancies in its staff of about 900 full-time registered nurses, according to the hospital. About 14 of those full-time positions are in the emergency room. Several nurses said 14 more positions might not be enough to handle the demand. The hospital says it takes an average of 147 days to hire a new nurse. The Department of Public Health recently hired a new director of human resources to figure out how to streamline the hiring process. We are aware we are not fully staffed at all times and are taking all steps possible to hire in a timely fashion, said Brent Andrew, spokesman for the hospital. John Fazio, a clinical nurse specialist in the emergency department for 34 years, said short staffing has a cascading effect on patient care. Several beds in the 58-bed department are unavailable or shut down nearly every day because of staffing shortages or patients waiting for admission elsewhere in the hospital. Still, he said, nurses are left to supervise several high-needs patients at a time. Meanwhile, nurses are sometimes required to work overtime to make up for short staffing. Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle This is the worst Ive seen the department in 34 years, he said. Assaults tend to happen more frequently when patients are agitated and left without direct supervision, said Jen Ford, a per-diem nurse who was present during the October attack on Heyn-Jones. The hospital keeps statistics on workplace violence, but Dentoni, the chief of nursing, said they may be unreliable because of assaults that may go unreported or officially logged. But the hospital has created a workplace violence committee that focuses on preventive strategies and de-escalation. Still, several nurses said they often feel unsafe coming to work despite the creation of the new committee. Ford, who said she has been attacked numerous times herself, has been on the emergency rooms violence prevention committee since it was formed in November. But she said nothing new has been implemented since then. We lack the appropriate staffing to give direct one-on-one or closer care to patients, Ford said. Im overwhelmed by the safety concerns when I go to work. ... You just put your head down and do the best you can. Inside the newsroom Anonymous sources: The Chronicle strives to attribute all information we report to credible, reliable, identifiable sources. Presenting information from an anonymous source occurs extremely rarely, and only when that information is considered crucially important and all other on-the-record options have been exhausted. In such cases, The Chronicle has complete knowledge of the unnamed person's identity and of how that person is in position to know the information. The Chronicle's detailed policy governing the use of such sources, including the use of pseudonyms, is available on SFChronicle.com. Broken Care: About this series San Francisco spends nearly $400 million a year on mental health and addiction treatment, but thousands of people in crisis are still without sufficient care. In this ongoing series, Chronicle journalists investigate the failures of this complicated, costly system and explore solutions to the crisis. Broken Care stories can be found online. See More Collapse Inside the emergency room on a recent afternoon, two units for lower-need patients seemed to run smoothly. But the third unit, reserved for extremely sick patients, including those with behavioral health issues, was so full that two patients waited on gurneys in the hallway. In another wing at Psychiatric Emergency Services a unit meant for about 20 patients experiencing psychotic episodes two police officers could be seen near a patient on a gurney, while another man waited to be let into the unit. When a reporter attempted to enter the unit with the hospitals director of communications, a staff member stopped them. Its not safe in here right now, he said. Psychiatric Emergency Services faces many of the issues of the emergency room: understaffing and overcrowding. Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle The unit is often so crowded that it operates on condition red, which means it cannot accept more patients. From October to December, the unit was on condition red 40% to 54% of the time. Dr. Mark Leary, deputy chief of S.F. Generals psychiatry department and acting head of the psychiatric ER, told The Chronicle in November that a reason for the increased numbers could be that patients are staying in the unit longer because of a lack of beds available elsewhere. Whenever there is a bottleneck anywhere in the system of care, he said, its going to have a ripple effect. The nurses who spoke to The Chronicle have become so concerned about conditions at the hospital that they have been holding rallies, flooding public comment periods at the Board of Supervisors and signing petitions demanding change. A group of them worked with Supervisor Ahsha Safai this month to draft a resolution urging the Public Health Department to pay heed to their concerns. Many said the attack on Heyn-Jones was their breaking point. For Heyn-Jones, the attack will probably be the last time she steps into an emergency room. While she has recovered physically, she said the emotional trauma remains. As a travel nurse assigned to temporary jobs, Heyn-Jones said she has been stationed in emergency rooms all over the U.S. and around the world, from Texas to Uganda. Never, she said, has she felt as troubled and unsafe as she did in San Francisco General Hospitals emergency room. Every ER has an element of risk, she said from her home in Canada, where she returned after the attack. But at S.F. General, I was concerned one of my colleagues would get killed one day. Trisha Thadani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TrishaThadani STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Police are asking the publics assistance in identifying four individuals sought for questioning in connection with a burglary earlier this month inside Rocco Laurie Intermediate School. The incident occurred at about 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 2 inside I.S. 72, located at 33 Ferndale Ave. in New Springville, according to a written statement Sunday from the NYPDs office of Deputy Commissioner of Information. It was reported to police that four males -- one of them wearing a white ski mask -- gained entry to the location through an unsecured door. Once inside, the perpetrators damaged property and took a wallet that contained $10 cash, police said. Anyone with information in regard to the incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public also can submit tips on the CrimeStoppers website, or on Twitter @NYPDTips. Police say all calls are confidential. - Murkomen made his first public speech in support of the BBI report in Mombasa - He hailed Opposition leader Raila Odinga for initiating the process and vowed to be part of BBI in every step - The senator also vouched for a referendum process as a means of implementing the BBI report - Murkomen put aside his combative approach and made his address in a calm way Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has warmed hearts of Opposition leader Raila Odinga's supporters in Mombasa after repeatedly referring to the former prime minister as Bawa Wetu. Murkomen who has on several occasions criticised how Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) forums are conducted, altered his tune when he made an address during the Mombasa event held at Mama Ngina grounds in Mombasa on Saturday, January 25. READ ALSO: Millie Odhiambo says Gladys Shollei is free to move on, remarry as she wants Senator Murkomen and Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho on the podium at Mama Ngina Waterfront during BBI meeting. Photo: Kipchumba Murkomen Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Magavana 24 wahudhuria BBI Mombasa During his speech, Murkomen, severally referred to Raila as Baba and assured him full support in championing for the implementation of the report which he said echoed issues raised in reports compiled by previous public commissions. "Baba wetu nataka kukuhakikishia ya kwamba tunaunga mkono hii repoti ya BBI (I want to assure you that we support this report), he said. The Senate majority leader said he will be on the forefront to campaign for BBI across the country and ensure all the issues raised by Kenyans are captured in the report, especially land issues facing Mombasa residents. The vocal politician who is a known ally of Deputy President Wiliam Ruto said his presence at the meeting was an assurance everyone across the political divide was supporting the initiative. "Baba hii ni dhihirisho ya wazi kwamba Kenya imeshikana kwende mbele pamoja (This is a manifestation Kenya has united) he added. Murkomen who has also been opposed to a referendum as a means to implement the report changed tune and said the only process to have BBI adopted by Kenyans is through a plebiscite vote. "What we have proposed which includes having a prime minister and his deputy, we must have a referendum," Murkomen said after being challenged by Governor Ali Hassan Joho to set the record straight on the subject. So passionate about the session that he even joined Raila in a reggae dance that attracted other leaders on the highly-guarded podium. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. I have lived without lungs for 7 years because of smoking | Tuko TV Source: TUKO.co.ke The owners of the Jack Dalton House in Cordova are in the midst of restoring the building. It is located on a small point in Orca Inlet, just yards away from the water, at the northern edge of town. Over 20 people were injured when a passenger bus toppled in the south-central province of Phu Yen late Saturday. The bus was carrying 46 passengers from Ho Chi Minh City to the central province of Quang Ngai on the National Highway 1 when it plunged into a roadside paddy field in Phu Yens Chi Thanh Town and toppled at 9:45 pm. No other vehicle was involved in the incident, the local police said. The driver, 49-year-old Thai Tan Khoa, was left with a broken leg while dozens of the passengers were also injured. A total of 21 victims were admitted to the Phu Yen Province General Hospital for treatment of their wounds on the same evening, the hospitals deputy director Dr. Nguyen Nhu Y confirmed with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Sunday. Five of them, including three who sustained traumatic brain injuries, have been transferred to the Binh Dinh Province General Hospital, Y said. The others suffered from minor and non-life threatening wounds. A victim of a passenger bus accident is treated at a medical center in Tuy An District, Phu Yen Province, Vietnam on January 26, 2020. Photo: Pham Thanh / Tuoi Tre Several others with less severe injuries were treated at a medical center in Phu Yens Tuy An District, according to Tuy An Chairman Bui Van Thanh. Phu Yen Chairman Pham Dai Duong said on Sunday he had directed relevant authorities to investigate the accident. According to Duong, no street lights are installed at the site of the accident, which has been a traffic crash hotspot. The province has requested that the Ministry of Transport take measures to improve the streets safety, Duong said. A passenger bus is on its side after it plunged into a roadside paddy field and toppled in Phu Yen Province, Vietnam on January 26, 2020. Photo: Pham Thanh / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A major veterans group has called for President Donald Trump to apologize for "misguided" remarks minimizing the severity of traumatic brain injuries suffered by U.S. forces in an Iranian air attack earlier this month. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, the oldest major U.S. veterans group, appears to be the first large veterans organization to publicly chastise the president for dismissing the injuries as "headaches" and "not very serious." Trump "minimized these troops' injuries," VFW National Commander-in-Chief William "Doc" Schmitz said in a statement Friday, after a Pentagon announcement that the number of injured troops had risen to 34. "The VFW expects an apology from the president to our servicemen and women for his misguided remarks," Schmitz said, adding that the White House should join with the organization to educate Americans about a serious injury that can cause depression, memory loss and other debilitating conditions. The uproar marks the latest round of controversy over the Trump administration's handling of the Jan. 8 ballistic missile attack on a military base in Iraq that houses American counterterrorism forces, which Trump initially claimed had resulted in no U.S. casualties. The dispute also follows a report in "A Very Stable Genius," a book by two Washington Post reporters, documenting how Trump berated top military and diplomatic officials in 2017 as "dopes and babies" who did not know how to win wars. Eleven missiles hit al-Asad air base west of Baghdad, leaving wreckage and deep craters at a facility where more than 1,000 U.S. service members were stationed along with Iraqi forces. At least one of the missiles at al-Asad struck just yards from a bunker with a service member in it, the military has said. Another missile landed outside the northern city of Irbil, with less damage. "I heard that they had headaches, and a couple of other things. But I would say, and I can report it is not very serious. Not very serious," Trump told reporters last week in Davos, Switzerland. Asked whether he considered traumatic brain injury to be serious, the president said no. "I don't consider them very serious injuries, relative to other injuries that I've seen," he said. "I've seen what Iran has done with their roadside bombs to our troops. I've seen people with no legs and with no arms. I've seen people that were horribly, horribly injured in that area, that war," Trump said, adding that some of those injuries were caused by weapons supplied by Iran. Jeremy Butler, chief executive of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said traumatic brain injury is "the signature injury coming out of" those two conflicts. "We were definitely troubled and disappointed to read and hear about the president's comments. I think an apology is the first step that's needed here," Butler said in an interview Saturday. As commander in chief, Trump should use the case of the troops wounded in Iraq as a way to publicly discuss wartime brain injuries "so that all members of the military understand the importance of these injuries and seek out treatment," Butler said. The Pentagon has worked for more than a decade to highlight the insidious effect of traumatic brain injury, which can occur when troops are close to explosive blasts. Troops are urged not to ignore or minimize symptoms that may indicate brain injury and encouraged to reject the old "shake it off" mentality that minimized the importance of anything but obvious external injury. The Pentagon established an office to track the injuries and promote awareness of them among active-duty personnel and veterans, and it says about 413,000 service members have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury since the first diagnosis in 2000. On Friday, Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said 34 military personnel had been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury after the missile strikes, which were in retaliation for the U.S. targeted killing of a senior Iranian military commander. The injuries were not apparent immediately, the Pentagon has said in explaining Trump's initial statement of no casualties. The direct military attacks brought the United States and Iran close to the brink of war, despite Trump's frequent pledges to keep the United States out of Middle Eastern conflicts. U.S. officials had cited the lack of U.S. deaths or injuries from the Iranian missile attacks as a major factor in Trump's decision not to counter with further military action. Both nations have stepped back, and tensions appear to have subsided. Hoffman told reporters that 17 of the diagnosed troops had returned to duty in Iraq, while eight who had been taken to Germany had since come to the United States for treatment. Nine remained in Germany. Pentagon officials have said there was no attempt to minimize or conceal the injuries and that brain injures can take time to manifest and be diagnosed. Hoffman said Defense Secretary Mark Esper had directed the Pentagon to review the process for tracking and reporting all injuries. The White House declined to comment in response to questions about the VFW statement. Trump addressed the organization's annual convention in 2018, telling veterans that "you are the universal symbol of the patriotic pride that beats loudly in every single American heart." His campaign-style address included insults about Democrats and the news media, and Trump encouraged the audience to join in. That prompted a rebuke of members from the nonpartisan organization's leadership. Veterans are an important political constituency for Trump, who portrays himself as a steadfast friend of the military and an advocate for veterans. A Pew Research Center survey of veterans in May found that 57 percent approved of how Trump has handled his duties as commander in chief of the military, and 41 percent disapproved. Among the public overall, 57 percent disapproved and 41 percent approved of his performance related to the military. Forty-eight percent of veterans said the Trump administration's policies have made the military stronger; 23 percent said his administration has made the military weaker. But nearly half - 45 percent - said the president doesn't pay enough attention to military leaders in making national security decisions. Democratic presidential candidates have questioned Trump's avoidance of military service in Vietnam and suggested that his focus on the armed forces and veterans is insincere. Trump received four student deferments and one medical deferment related to bone spurs, but said last year that he would have been "honored" to serve in the conflict. "This is somebody who - I think it's fairly obvious to most of us - took advantage of the fact that he was a child of a multimillionaire in order to pretend to be disabled so that somebody could go to war in his place," then-South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, a Democrat, said during a Washington Post Live event in May. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday said the state assembly may pass a resolution against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)like some other states did recently. Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday said the state Assembly may pass a resolution against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) like some other states did recently. Rao said he has already spoken to many of his counterparts in other states and he may convene a conclave of regional parties and chief ministers to oppose the CAA since it concerns the country's future. The TRS is secular by its policy and nature and it had opposed the CAA, he told reporters. The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi had voted against the amendment to citizenship law in Parliament last month. "I have already spoken to many Chief Ministers on this. I spoke to leaders of other parties also. Probably, maybe, in the next one month, I may arrange a conclave of regional parties and chief ministers in Hyderabad to oppose this....100 percent. Because this concerns the future of the country. This is not good for India, where 130 crore (people) live," Rao said. After Kerala and Punjab, Rajasthan became the third state to pass a resolution against the CAA on Saturday. Rao said that the Centre had taken a wrong decision to implement CAA as the Constitution provides fundamental rights to all people, irrespective of religions, castes and creed. As such, keeping Muslims outside the purview of the Act itself pained him, he said. Rao said he had made it clear to Home Minister Amit Shah that his party would not support (the CAA) when the latter had called him up. However, his party had supported the government on Article 370 as Kashmir was an issue concerning national integrity. Citing a newspaper report which said India is being converted into a Hindu state under the leadership of Modi", he said the country should not be of a one religion state and that such a "branding" was not good for the country. "...will definitely discuss the matter in the budget session and pass a resolution in the Assembly against it He suggested that the NDA government do a rethink on the CAA in view of the nationwide protests against it. "I appeal to the Prime Minister to rethink on the CAA. It is not at all good for the country. There are so many doubts over it and ministers are making self-contradictory statements. These are not good for the nation, Rao said. He referred to a report reportedly submitted by the Home Affairs Ministry to Parliament which stated that the National Population Register was the first step towards the creation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC). But the Home Minister had said NPR has nothing to do with NRC, he said. Rao said the Supreme Court should by itself take cognizance of the CAA and strike it down. On his plan to convene a meeting of regional parties and CMs against the CAA, he said he may organize a massive public meeting, if necessary, to oppose the law. TRS would continue its secular policies, he asserted. Deprecating seeking votes on the basis of religion, he said votes should be sought on welfare measures. Rao also flayed the BJP for concentrating on the Ram temple at a time when many pressing problems and issues needed to be addressed and pointed out it had lost the Jharkhand Assembly polls. "Is there no subject other than this? How many problems are there in the country! How many issues... What about the economy?. It is getting destroyed because of the policies followed by you. You have kept it aside and started this..." he said. Rao said that if the need arose, he would take the lead in opposing CAA and other national causes and be ready to work with anybody, he said. The TRS, he said, would also fight for the release of dues to the state from the Centre. A Bangkok-bound passenger was apprehended by CISF personnel on Sunday at the Delhi airport for allegedly carrying US dollars worth Rs 12 lakh concealed inside a pair of sandals kept in his bag, officials said. Mohammed Waseem was apprehended at the Terminal-3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport at 5 am when his bag was being scanned, they said. The CISF personnel seized 17,000 USD worth about Rs 12 lakh from the pair of sandals kept in Waseem's bag, the officials said. He was handed over to Customs authorities for further probe, they added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Twenty members of the security forces were killed on Sunday in a major assault by suspected jihadists at a military camp in Mali near the border with Mauritania. The attack on the Sokolo camp around dawn left "20 dead and five wounded" and "four dead on the enemy's side," the army said updating the toll late Sunday. The victims were buried with military honours at Sokolo, the Malian armed forces said on Twitter. Sokolo is the last town before the Mauritanian border, near a forest considered a base for groups linked to Al-Qaeda. Malian officials blamed the attack on "terrorists", a term used for jihadist groups which have been operating in Mali for eight years, despite military interventions by the French, the UN and joint force of soldiers from five Sahel countries. A local lawmaker said all those killed at Sokolo military camp were gendarmes, or paramilitary police officers. "The terrorists arrived on motorcycles," said the official, who asked not to be named for security reasons. Sokolo resident Baba Gakou told AFP: "There were more than 100 attackers. "They arrived at five in the morning. They cut off any withdrawal by the gendarmes." He added that the assailants left with all the weapons and vehicles at the camp. "They picked up all their dead. They did not touch anyone in the village," he told AFP. A local humanitarian source who managed to enter the camp after the suspected jihadists had left, described the scene as "complete chaos". "It looked like the attackers knew what they were doing," the source said. The armed forces tweet said troops were combing the area backed by a military aircraft following the assault. Mali has been struggling to contain an Islamist insurgency that erupted in the north in 2012 and has claimed thousands of military and civilian lives since. The Bamako government announced Wednesday it would hold legislative elections in late March, after repeated postponements prompted by insecurity and political infighting. Holding the elections was a key recommendation from crisis talks in December aimed at exploring non-military solutions to the worsening violence. There are some 4,500 French troops in the Sahel region, plus a 13,000-strong UN peacekeeping force in Mali, but still the conflict has engulfed the centre of the country and spread to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger. The third U.S. case of the new coronavirus has been confirmed in Orange County, California, the OC Health Care Agencys Communicable Disease Control Division announced in a press release Sunday, CNBC reported. The OC Health Care Agencys (HCA) Communicable Disease Control Division received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this evening that an Orange County, California case has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the agency said. The patient has been described as a traveler from Wuhan, Chinathe epicenter of the diseases outbreakand is in isolation in a hospital in good condition, according to the release. The new respiratory illness has so far sickened more than 1,975 people and killed 56, the majority of which are in Wuhan. The U.S. embassy in Beijing on Sunday issued a notice saying the U.S. consulate in Wuhan will evacuate its staff and some private citizens on a charter flight Tuesday to San Francisco, though seat numbers will be limited. Priority will be given to those at greater risk from the virus, the embassy said. Doctors say they have resorted to using raincoats and plastic bags as protection as officials call for more supplies. Beijing, China As China scrambles to cope with its worst public health crisis since the SARS outbreak in 2003, people living in cities near Wuhan, epicentre of the coronavirus epidemic, fear they are at increasing risk because hospitals and clinics do not have the resources needed to identify and treat those infected. We already ran out of protective suits a few days ago, and now we are using disposable raincoats to offer minimum protection, a doctor at Xiaogan First Peoples hospital in Hubei, who preferred not to be named, told Al Jazeera. Please help us spread the word. We dont know how long we can last. Xiaogan lies about 73 kilometres (45 miles) northwest of Wuhan, the capital of Hubei. Even in Wuhan, where supplies are being sent and an emergency hospital is under construction, doctors say they are under-resourced and the hospitals designated to treat coronavirus patients have been dangerously packed for days. Boxes of supplies being loaded onto a train to Wuhan, capital of Hubei. Hubei is struggling with the impact of the coronavirus, which is thought to have started in a Wuhan market [cnsphoto via Reuters] Some have asked for donations from the general public and, thanks to campaigns via GoFundMe, Weibo, and WeChat, medical supplies are being sent from all over China to Hubei province almost all are directed to Wuhan. In the 13 municipalities outside Wuhan, unease is growing that people are faced with an outbreak they do not have the resources to handle. Please help us! Wuhan, the capital of Hubei, provided work for many people coming from other cities in the province. Before the city was sealed off on January 23, many of these people had already returned to their hometowns to celebrate the Lunar New Year, and there are concerns they might have unwittingly brought the virus with them. Please dont forget about us! Hubei doesnt only have Wuhan, one netizen wrote on Weibo, Chinas popular microblogging platform. We need supplies! Please help us! In Xiangyang, the third-largest city in Hubei and home to more than five million people, there were zero confirmed cases as of January 25, but that has not brought any relief. There are no hospitals in Xiangyang that have the diagnostic kit and can provide diagnosis, Yixin Yu, a resident of Xiangyang told Al Jazeera. The most likely diagnosis you get is viral pneumonia and will be asked to go back home to exercise self-quarantine. It cant be that there are no infected people its only that no case is being confirmed, Yu added. Xiangyang is about 300 kilometres (186 miles) northwest of Wuhan. A 1,000-bed hospital is under construction in Wuhan and expected to be completed by February 3 [Yuan Zheng/EPA] The media office of the Xiangyang Local Health Commission told Al Jazeera that despite intensified efforts to try and diagnose patients and treat accordingly, local clinics and hospitals were overcrowded and there was a severe shortage of medical resources. We are aware of the situation in local hospitals, the director of the office told Al Jazeera in a phone interview. We have liaised with our superiors and requested more diagnostic kits. We hope to get our hands on them as soon as possible. One of the biggest concerns across the province is that doctors cannot confirm an infection, or take necessary action, without the kit. Some residents from cities outside Wuhan fear that means the number of cases is much higher than officially reported because of local hospitals inability to officially diagnose the infection. Shortage of masks, goggles, suits In Xiaogan, also home to five million people, patients reported that only the most severe suspected cases were referred for the diagnostic test and the rest were told to isolate themselves at home, leaving them at risk of developing the disease, spreading the virus and becoming even sicker. If you die alone at home, then you wont go on record and no one will know that you died from the coronavirus, one patient said during an interview with Chinas nationally circulated weekly magazine, Sanlian. More than a dozen cities in Hubei province have been sealed off to varying degrees, restricting the movement of more than 50 million people. That means that if there is no way to confirm a diagnosis in a provincial city, there is also no way to get a diagnosis anywhere else. Some 11 million people live in Wuhan, capital of Hubei, but millions who live in cities around it fear they are as vulnerable to the virus and are calling for help [Al Jazeera] Apart from the difficulty in securing the supply of diagnostic devices, local hospitals have also said there is an urgent shortage of medical masks, goggles, gloves, and protective suits. In Xiaogan, some doctors and nurses say they have been battling the deadly virus without any effective protective gear. The doctor from Xiaogan First Peoples Hospital said some of her colleagues had to tear apart transparent plastic file bags to cover their heads because there was no longer a supply of medical protective goggles. In Jingzhou, about 220 kilometres (137 miles) west of Wuhan, doctors say they are also grappling with shortages. I cant go and use the bathroom because every time I go, Id have to change the protective suit and I call myself lucky that I have this one that Im wearing already, Lu, a doctor at Jingzhou Central Hospital, said. Given the lack of supplies, some medical equipment manufacturing factories have summoned staff back to work during Lunar New Year. Medical staff say the need is urgent. Yuan, head of the department of public health at Qichun Peoples hospital located at Huanggang, said they had solicited public donations of N95 respirator masks, goggles, medical gloves, and protective gear. Our resources are incredibly stretched, especially when Wuhan is taking priority over us, Yuan said. But of course, we understand that because Wuhan, after all, is taking the hardest hit. New Delhi, Jan 26 (IANS) Ahead of the February 8 Delhi Assembly elections, the mood of the capital's voters weighs heavily in favour of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. In the Republic Day 'State of the Nation' survey by IANS-Cvoter, over 50 per cent respondents said they were "very much satisfied" with his performance as Chief Minister. In the survey, released on Sunday, people from across the country expressed their views over important aspects with included rating the performance of their Chief Ministers, the state governments, the Leaders of the Opposition, their MLAs and MPs. For Delhi, the survey hinted at a positive mood for the Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party government as 52.3 per cent of respondents said they were "very much satisfied" with its performance and 22.6 per cent said they were "satisfied to some extent" while only 25.2 per cent respondents thought the government did not work to their satisfaction. A majority of the respondents also found Kejriwal's performance good as 58.8 per cent respondents said they were very much satisfied with their Chief Minister's performance, and 24.6 per cent said they were satisfied to some extent with his performance. Only 16.6 per cent respondents thought otherwise. While Kejriwal and his government were given thumbs up by the respondents, the Leader of Opposition, Vijender Gupta, did not impress Delhiites with 46.6 per cent respondents saying they were not at all satisfied with his performance, and only 20.6 per cent said they were very much satisfied with his work. Aam Aadmi Party chief Kejriwal is aiming for a third consecutive term as Chief Minister of the state, while the BJP has been riding on party's last year's performance in the Lok Sabha polls to form a "Triple engine" government in the state. BJP already leads the Central government, along with MCDs in Delhi. The IANS-CVoter Republic Day SOTN survey findings were collated on the basis of data compiled over the previous 12 weeks running up to January 25. The sample size comprises of 30,240 people spread across 543 Lok Sabha seats. The margin of error is +/- 3 percent at the macro level and +/- 5 percent at the micro level. rag/pvn/vd Pakistan's external affairs would remain challenging throughout 2020, having serious implications on economy and security, including tense relations with India, a Pakistani think-tank said on Sunday. Tense relations with India would continue to consume much of Pakistan's strategic and diplomatic bandwidth, Islamabad Policy Institute said in its report 'Pakistan Outlook 2020: Politics, Economy & Security'. Also, the peace process in Afghanistan would in near future continue to be marred by uncertainty, Dawn news quoted the report as saying. "Pakistan's external environment will remain challenging throughout 2020 which will have serious implications for its economy, and internal stability," said the report. The situation in Kashmir and plight of the Muslims in India will guide Pakistan's engagement with Delhi. Chances of limited conflict between India and Pakistan would remain high, added. Tensions between India and Pakistan have spiked since India abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August last year. India's decision evoked strong reactions from Pakistan, which downgraded diplomatic ties and expelled the Indian envoy. India has categorically told the international community that the scrapping of Article 370 was its internal matter. It also advised Pakistan to accept the reality and stop all anti-India propaganda. The report by Islamabad Policy Institute was reviewed after analysing the current trends in external environment, economy, political stability, and and on the basis of that made short-term projections in these areas. In the report, the Foreign policy aspect has been analysed by former foreign secretary Salman Bashir, while the military dimension has been dealt with by former defence secretary retired Lt Gen Asif Yasin Malik. Economist Syed Hussain Haider evaluated the economic situation and Farhan Bokhari assessed the prospects of political stability, the paper reported. "The foremost threat to Pakistan's from India has become dire with transformation of India as a Hindu state under the Bharatiya Janata Party," Bashir in the report alleged. "US support for India, while ignoring Delhi's reckless behaviour was in violation of all norms of civility, international norms and principles," he said in the report. The report also highlighted that navigating China-US competition will test craft of Pakistani policy-makers in near term. "This would, moreover, strain Pakistan-US ties while complicating regional environment from Pakistan's perspective," it said. About ties with the US, it said, it is a near certainty that bilateral engagement will remain limited to the minimum agenda of Afghanistan for foreseeable future and transactional nature of the relationship will continue," the paper reported. On the economic front, the report projected that Pakistan's GDP growth would remain close to 2.5 per cent because of slowdown specifically in large scale manufacturing and agriculture sectors. Economist Bokhari believes that as long as party structures remain weak and led by families where highest offices have passed on in a hereditary manner, political parties will remain inherently weak and unable to meaningfully contribute to the discourse on key policy issues. Pacemaker Bfst Ltd 4-3-98 Tommy Canavan(Right) Brother of Pub Owner with Ulster Unionist Leader David Trimble and SDLP Deputy Leader Seamus Mallon in Poyntzpass were they visited the Two Familys of the men killed. Former First Minister David Trimble has reflected on a historic visit to Poyntzpass to visit the families of two murdered friends with the late Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon. Mr Mallon, who died on Friday at the age of 83, and Lord Trimble were often dubbed a political "odd couple" but developed a strong relationship while serving together in office. Speaking to the BBC's Sunday Politics programme, Lord Trimble spoke about their visit to the families of Philip Allen and Damien Trainor - one a Protestant, one a Catholic - who were gunned down in a Co Armagh pub. The two friends were shot dead by the LVF more than twenty years ago in what's been described as one of the most sickening attacks of the Troubles. The SDLP's Mr Mallon and former UUP leader Lord Trimble visited their families in a powerful display of unity at the time. "Seamus had come down from Markethill and I had come from Lisburn," Lord Trimble recalled. "I came to the house of one of the victims and Seamus was there. My close protection officers were ushering me towards the car and Seamus said why don't we walk through the village and I said yes." Lord Trimble said the pair took their time walking through the village of Poyntzpass in March 1998 so that they would be seen talking to each other. "There are a number of people who told me after the event that when they saw that, they realised there was a possibility of things working. Up until then, politics in Northern Ireland hadn't worked and hadn't delivered. "But now, people saw something which indicated maybe this time it's going to be different, and of course it was." Speaking about when he and Mr Mallon first started working as First and Deputy First Minister, Lord Trimble said they were in a position of having to implement the Good Friday Agreement, which was signed that year. "None of us had run anything before. The first few months were difficult but we very quickly developed a way of handling the issues and we worked closely together over a significant period of time." When asked about their personal relationship outside of politics, Lord Trimble said he and Mr Mallon had to trust each other in order to work together. "There's no point in continually scoring points, you've got to actually work with the people who are there and work together to succeed. "We had to get things done and that meant we had a working relationship and that means you can trust the other person and you have some idea of what the other person would want." He described Mr Mallon as someone who understood unionists and unionism. "We knew his neighbours and he was friends with his neighbours and he had therefore a better view of things. "Some nationalists don't have any understanding of unionism at all, Seamus was not one of them." Speaking of his last visit to Mr Mallon in Markethill, Co Armagh last week, he said: "It was important to him and it was important to me too. When I left last Friday, I said I would come back next week but I didn't, because time ran out." On the same programme, SDLP leader and MP Colum Eastwood said Mr Mallon rejected violence all his life. "He stood against it in a very difficult way during a very difficult time. He did it against the forces of the state and he did it against paramilitarism and he did it without a gun in his hand, that's a brave and a difficult thing to do. "When people wonder how he managed that, criticising the RUC and the UDR on one hand and going to the funeral of an RUC officer in the other, he's just telling the truth in that space, he's just saying violence is wrong, what the state and the paramilitaries were doing was also wrong and he's going to call it out, and he did call it out," he said. "He was respected because he was unafraid and undeterred, he wasn't going to be put off by anybody and that's a real and a special kind of bravery." The former SDLP deputy leader died at home in the care of his family following a period of illness. His remains will repose at his late home until removal on Monday for Requiem Mass at midday in St James Church in Mullaghbrack. He will be buried afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. The Congress party has said that it is sending a copy of the Constitution of India to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has urged him to read it when he gets "time off from dividing the country." "Dear PM, The Constitution is reaching you soon. When you get time off from dividing the country, please do read it. Regards, Congress," the tweet by the official handle of the Congress said on Sunday. Earlier in the day, party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala had also tweeted along similar lines. "Let us take an oath on the 71st Republic Day to continue the struggle for justice, for the birth-right of being independent, for walking on the ideology of equality, for keeping alive the flame of brotherhood. So that the governments can remember- that opposing any decision which does not stand the test of Constitution is a duty," Surjewala's tweet, roughly translated in English from Hindi, read. In recent days, the Congress has opposed the Centre over the amended Citizenship Act, accusing it of overlooking the principle of secularism. The state Assemblies of Congress-ruled Punjab and Rajasthan have also passed anti-CAA resolutions. The CAA grants citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist and Christian refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) For this race, voters can gain access to a ballot through the portal using their name and date of birth. Voters can print the ballot, sign it and send it in the mail. Or, they can submit it online with an electronic signature. The board of elections will print a secure copy and verify the signature before the vote is processed. What you see: A gorgeous elliptical-shaped beach for walks, fishing and surfing with a coastal bike trail nearby makes Taco Bell Beach one of the most loved stretches of coast anywhere. If you can swing it, come at off hours, a weekday morning or sunset, whe n there is plenty of parking, space and you can make it your own. About that name: The official name is Pacifica State Beach, but nobody around here calls it that. Its rather Linda Mar or the preferred Taco Bell Beach. Location: A djacent to Linda Mar, the southernmost area of Pacifica on the northern San Mateo County coast. Cost: $7 for four hours, $9 for the day, $72 annual pass. Note: The State Parks Annual Day Use Pass is not accepted. Hours: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. in winter, then starting mid-March, 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Parking program: A parking receipt or pass is required to park in both the north and south Pacifica State Beach p arking lots on Highway 1 and the Crespi Parking Lot on the corner of Crespi Dr ive and Highway 1 (adjacent to the Pacifica Community Center). The beach: The beach spans more than a mile, always great for walks and playing tag with the waves. At minus low tides, the tidal flats extend far out into the bay, and during high and incoming tides, you often get an angled break (not a tube) that makes for excellent rides for surfers. Recreation trail: A paved trail is routed from near the Pedro Point Firehouse, along the backdrop of the beach and over a hill and down (with switchbacks) to Rockaway Beach (it emerges near the Holiday Inn). At the north end of the beach, it rises up for a sweeping view of the b ay and Pedro Point. Surfing: Several surf camps operate here, great for first-timers and those returning to the sport: University of Surfing, 650-359-1425, www.universityofsurfing.com; Surf Camp Pacifica, 650-738-5757, www.surfcamppacifica.com; NorCal Surf Shop, 650-738-9283, https://norcalsurfshop.com; Adventure Out, 831-236-4212, www.adventureout.com. Fishing: Winter perch fishing is best at the south or north corners of the beach, using either sand crabs for bait or a leader with plastic grubs (motor oil-colored), timed for the bottom of the low tide and the first two hours of the incoming tide. Tides: On Sunday, a low tide of 2.7 feet at 5 a.m. is followed by a high tide of 5.9 feet at 11 a.m. and a low tide of minus 0.5 feet at 6 p.m. Facilities: Restrooms and showers (for surfers) are available near the primary parking area at the southern end of the beach at Linda Mar. A Taco Bell is within walking distance, hence the name. Dogs: Leashed dogs permitted. Contacts: Pacifica State Beach, 650-738-7381, www.cityofpacifica.org. How to get there GPS: Use 5000 Highway 1, Pacifica From San Francisco/Marin: Take I nterstate 280 to Daly City and continue to the exit for Highway 1/Pacifica. Take that exit, merge onto Highway 1 South and drive (up the hill and down) 6.9 miles (past Rockaway Beach) to Linda Mar and Pacifica State Beach on the right. From Peninsula: Take I-280 to San Bruno and Exit 41 signed for Highway 35/Pacifica). Take that exit onto Highway 35 and drive 2.6 miles to San Bruno and lighted intersection at Sharp Park Road. Turn left and drive 2.1 miles (into Pacifica) and to Francisco Boulevard. Turn right and merge onto Highway 1 South (signed for Half Moon Bay) and drive 2.3 miles to Pacifica State Beach on the right. Overflow parking: Crespi Parking Lot is located nearby on the corner of Crespi Drive and Highway 1 (adjacent to the Pacifica Community Center). Distances: 7 miles from Daly City, 12 miles from Half Moon Bay, 16 miles from Millbrae or San Mateo, 17 miles from downtown San Francisco, 21 miles from Sausalito, 21 miles from Berkeley, 40 miles from Walnut Creek. Tom Stienstra Fire destroyed a familys home in the Harrison Bay area on Saturday afternoon. At 12:45 p.m., a 911 call was made reporting a fire on the deck and spreading fast throughout the house. All residents were able to evacuate the home safely. The Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department responded to 9112 Villagewood Drive and arrived on the scene reporting heavy smoke and fire on a two-story home. Highway 58 VFD requested a Mutual Aid response for additional units and manpower to the scene. The Chattanooga Fire Department and Tri-Community VFD responded to the scene. The Bradley County Fire Rescue and East Ridge Fire Department stood by at Highway 58 stations for any additional emergency calls in their district. Firefighters made an interior attack attempting to contain the fire while other firefighters were extinguishing a car fire next to the home. Moments later, firefighters were instructed to evacuate the home due to the structure becoming unsafe. After the fire was under control, firefighters noticed gas and oil was traveling into a storm drain. The Hamilton County Hazmat team responded to the scene and laid absorbent boom around the drain to contain additional gas and oil entering the storm drain. No injuries were reported, but HCEMS was on the scene for any potential injuries to firefighters. Fire officials report the house is a total loss and damages are estimated at $225,000. Hamilton County Sheriffs Office will be investigating the cause of the fire. The American Red Cross was requested to assist six adults and three children for their immediate needs. Outraged locals have expressed their disgust after a popular beach in their exclusive suburb was trashed by 'disrespectful' Australia Day revellers. Shocking photos emerged online of the mess left behind on Sunday at the usually picturesque Balmoral Beach in Mosman on Sydney's lower north shore. The family-friendly swimming spot was packed with hundreds of visitors celebrating Australia Day with picnics and barbecues as temperatures soared into the mid-30s. Sydney's Balmoral Beach was littered with the remains of Australia Day parties on Sunday Littering fines range from $80 for small items such as bottle tops and cigarette butts and $250 for general littering, according to the NSW EPA The beach was left in a sorry state afterwards, littered with broken beer and wine bottles, food scraps, plastic bags and even socks and other abandoned clothes. 'The amount of rubbish on Balmoral Island right now is insane. These photos don't show all of it. Happy Australia Day!' a furious local captioned the photos on Facebook. His post was inundated with comments from other shocked locals, who described the scene as disrespectful, embarrassing and disgusting. Balmoral Beach wasn't looking so picturesque after Australia Day parties and picnics ended 'That's really nasty and dangerous. All the broken glass is a real hazard,' a woman commented Picturesque: Balmoral is one of Sydney's most pristine beaches 'That's sad. Australia Day seems to be drunken bogans waving their flag, getting so p*****, leaving all their s*** behind. It's crazy,' one resident commented. Another added: 'How sad it is. If we love Australia, we need to take care of our beautiful environment.' Others expressed concern about the amount of broken glass at risk of causing harm to beachgoers. An empty box of Coronas and other beers were left behind just metres from the water 'That's really nasty and dangerous. All the broken glass is a real hazard. Big clean up required,' one commented. Opinion was divided over whether locals or others visiting from other parts of Sydney were responsible for the carnage. 'Mosman's little darlings are such a treat,' one person commented. But another replied: 'I don't think it's all Mosmanites doing this to our beaches.' The Balmoral beach precinct is listed on the NSW state heritage register. Littering fines range from $80 for small items such as bottle tops and cigarette butts and $250 for general littering, according to the NSW Environment Protection Authority. Residents described the aftermath at Balmoral as disrespectful, embarrassing and disgusting By Express News Service CHENNAI: Governor Banwarilal Purohit unfurled the Tricolour on the occasion of 71st Republic Day at the Marina on Sunday and Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami presented State awards on the occasion. Show of strength by the Armed Forces, Tamil Nadu police and ceremonial march besides cultural programmes enthralled the gathering. The festivities began at 8 am when the Governor and the Chief Minister drove past the invitees enclosure and greeted the people. An IAF chopper showered floral petals when the flag was being unfurled. The Governor then took salute of 44 contingents of Army, Navy and Air Force, CRPF, CIST, RPF, Greater Chennai Police, Kerala Police and others. ALSO READ| Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi Palaniswami presents State awards during Republic Day function Motorcycle acrobatics by the State police, cultural programmes including Rikham Pada dance from Arunachal Pradesh, Rouf dance from Kashmir, Mathuri dance from Telangana and Thappattam from Tamil Nadu were among the highlights. Students danced to a song composed by Subramania Bharathi. As many as 16 departments of the State paraded their achievements and welfare schemes being implemented, in floats. Deputy CM O Panneerselvam, Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal, Deputy Speaker V Jayaraman, ministers, judges from High Court, diplomats from consulates of various countries, MPs and MLAs took part. Sean Reinert, the co-founder of the progressive metal band Cynic and onetime member of the band Death, has died at the age of 48. A family member found him unresponsive at his San Bernadino home in Southern California late Friday night. He was rushed to a local hospital, but was pronounced dead upon arrival. At this point investigators do not suspect any foul play, according to TMZ. However, an official cause of death is still pending an autopsy. RIP: Metal drummer Sean Reinert has died at the age of 48 Reinert formed Cynic in 1987 and released one studio album before breaking up in 1994. In between, both he and fellow Cynic co-founder Paul Masvidal joined the Florida band Death in 1991 to record the album Human, and subsequent tour. In the late 1990s, Reinert and other members of Death also formed an alternative band called AEon Spoke, which put out two albums. Cynic would reunite in 2006, and go on to release four more studio albums. before Reinert left the band in 2015. His legacy: Reinert was best known as the co-founder of the progressive metal band Cynic Sendoff: Cynic bassist Sean Malone shared a tribute to his former bandmate on the band's official Instagram page on Saturday afternoon Current Cynic bassist Sean Malone commented on his passing on the band's official Instagram page. 'I was luckier than most. Complete musical trustespecially between a bassist and a drummeris a rare and precious thing,' he began in the caption along with a picture of a bass on top of a snare drum. 'Rare, because its not something you find by looking for it. Precious, because some may go an entire lifetime without ever having experienced it. But I was luckier than most.' Metal heads: Reinert (bottom left) was a member of Cynic from 1987-1994 and from 2006-2015 Malone added, 'Sean offered his trust during every rehearsal, every recording, and every performance we ever did, and its likely that I'll never experience the same again. The truth is that were all luckylucky to have been alive while Sean Reinert was making music.' The official Death Facebook page also paid tribute, writing, 'RIP to an absolute monster and genius on the drums. I'm speechless and have no details.' Courtesy of Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce At its 120th annual banquet on Wednesday, the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce will honor representatives from local refineries. Verna Rutherford will be given the Eighth Annual Arthur E. Stilwell Award presented to people who exhibit the vision and dedication of Arthur E. Stilwell, the founder of Port Arthur. Rutherford is the communications manager for Motiva Enterprises, LLC. Assam minister, MLA shown black flags by anti-CAA agitators India oi-PTI Guwahati, Jan 26: Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and BJP legislator Angoorlata Deka were shown black flags by anti-CAA protesters at two different locations in the state on Sunday, when they were on their way to attend Republic Day programmes. Sarma, who is also the North-East Democratic Alliance convener, was heading towards Nurul Amin stadium in Nagaon district, when AASU and AJYCP members rushed towards his convoy and raised 'go back' and 'CAA Ami namanu' (we do not accept CAA) slogans, while waving black flags at him. They agitators were, however, overpowered by police and taken into custody. Telangana Assembly may pass resolution against CAA: CM Chandrasekhar Rao The minister had, on an earlier occasion, said he "sees white even when black flags are waved". 71st Republic Day: PM Modi continues with 'Safa' tradition, Chinook & Apache make debut In Kamrup district, Deka, BJP MLA from Nagaon's Batadrava constituency, was also greeted with protests and black flags by AASU activists, according to reports. The legislator had to make her way through the agitation to the reach the venue. The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), enacted last month, had triggered widespread protests across Assam, as people feared that their identity and culture might be at stake if illegal settlers from neighbouring Bangladesh were made legal residents. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, January 26, 2020, 15:29 [IST] Amid tight security arrangements, the 71st Republic Day was celebrated with fervor and gaiety across Manipur on Sunday with Governor Najma Heptulla unfurling the national flag at the main function here. Heptulla, who was the chief guest of the programme at the historic Kangla Fort, inspected the parade and took salute at an impressive march past by armed forces and police personnel. At least 118 contingents comprising of Manipur police personnel and commandos, BSF, CRPF, state police cycle unit and other cultural troupes participated in the ceremonial parade. Chief Minister N Biren Singh also attended another programme celebrating the 71st Republic Day at 1st Manipur Rifles Parade ground in the state capital. During his speech, he emphasised on the need for "equal development, peaceful co-existence and mutual respect among all ethnic groups of the state". The Republic Day celebrations across districts passed off peacefully despite boycott call given by militants' groups, officials said. The chief minister urged all to safeguard the integrity of the country including the state. "The main objective of the current BJP-led government is to bring equal development," Biren said, adding that the state administration is taking up multiple projects in the hill areas. During the event at the Kangla Fort, one senior officer was awarded the President's police medal for his distinguished service while six others got the police medal for their meritorious services. Four officers were awarded the Union Home minister's medal for excellence in police training. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has alleged that some political forces were already plotting to hijack the state during the 2023 e... Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has alleged that some political forces were already plotting to hijack the state during the 2023 elections. But the Governor vowed that the State would never be hijacked. Wike disclosed this at the funeral service for a PDP chieftain, Dr. Ferry Gberegbe, the Partys, agent in Khana Local Government area, who was allegedly killed during the 2019 governorship election by FSARS operatives at the Bori collation centre. Wike said, He (Gberegbe) did not die because of sickness; he did not die because he was doing something illegal. He died in defence of our votes. The only crime he committed was to defend our votes. It is only in this part of the country that you defend your votes and they say that you have committed an offence. Our friend and brother is gone, but he paid the price for democracy to survive in Nigeria. He paid for democracy to survive in Rivers State. As for those of us who have that spirit, he has laid the foundation for the defence of democracy. I heard someone say two days ago, somebody in China told somebody in Port Harcourt that what happened in Imo State, that is what they will do in 2023. They said they will write results and the court will accept the results. I said Rivers State is a different state. If you write results, you face the consequences. I am not worried because these people are always boasting. In 2015, they said nobody would be governor; somebody became governor. In 2019, we will see what will happen and you will not even see electoral material, but today, we are governors. Now, to give their people hope, they are talking of 2023. As a result of this young man, they will not see the Government House in 2023. A 25-year-old Escondido man accused of beating his older sister to death two weeks ago a mother of three small children was also the gang member whose actions instigated a tragic shooting in 2017 that killed a woman on her way home from Bible study, officials say. Minutes before Catherine Kennedy, 55, was struck by a bullet as she drove home from church in Escondido, Jose Enrique Bautista and a fellow Westside gang member had gone to the Pepperwood Apartments to tag a building. Pepperwood was claimed by Westsides longtime rival game, the Diablos, and Bautista and his partner were seen putting graffiti on a wall by Diablos gang member Dionicio Torrez Jr., who leapt from his porch to give chase, according to court testimony. Bautista and another gang member jumped into a waiting Prius and drove off as Torrez pulled out a gun and fired 12 rounds. Some hit the Prius, but not its occupants. One stray bullet hit Kennedy. Advertisement Last October, Torrez was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Meanwhile, Bautista disappeared immediately after the Kennedy shooting, which took place the night of March 7,2017. He was located more than a year later, on the run, in Nebraska. He was eventually extradited back to San Diego County in late 2018. He was jailed on a charge of felony vandalism as well as some lesser charges, including a probation violation. Officials said the law wouldnt allow for him to be charged with crimes directly linked to the Kennedy killing. Bautista, after all, was the intended shooting victim. Its really a sad series of events when you look at how much destruction this individual has caused over a short period of time, said Deputy District Attorney Laurie Hauf, who prosecuted Torrez in the Kennedy murder case and is prosecuting Bautista on the vandalism charge. Unfortunately, you can only hold somebody on felony vandalism for so much (bail and time), she said. In October, Hauf asked Vista Superior Court Judge James E. Simmons Jr. to set Bautistas bail at $75,000, citing his involvement in the Kennedy shooting. He was one of the individuals that precipitated a response, a very deadly response, she said. Normally, bail for a felony vandalism charge would be under $20,000, but the judge set it at $50,000 in part because of past convictions and his gang ties. But a month later, Bautista was able to make bail, and about two months after that, during a family argument, police say he beat his 27-year old sister, Laura Elizabeth Bautista, who died three days later at a hospital from the assault. Bautista has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting his next trial date on charges he murdered his sister. After his most recent arrest, some in law enforcement criticized the legal system that allowed Bautista to be free. Hauf understands. She said her office looked at all charging options in October, but unfortunately the law as it was then, and definitely as it is now, wouldnt permit that type of charging. jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones The Enugu State Government has dispelled the rumour making the rounds that one of the nurses that treated the patient who died of Lassa fever has also died. Reacting to the rumor, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Ifeanyi Agujiobi, said that the information was false, unfounded and misleading. Mr Agujiobi advised the public, especially residents of the state, not to panic but go about their normal duties. He stated that the health ministry will continue to ensure that universal health precautions are strictly observed. The permanent secretary disclosed that the state Ministry of Health has constituted a MULTI SECTORAL Rapid Response Team charged with the responsibility of containing and mitigating against the deadly Lassa fever menace. He further disclosed that the death toll in Enugu has remained just one and by Gods grace, all the people that had direct and indirect contact with the index case have been line-listed and are being monitored. Mr Agujiobi added that blood samples of all those (23 persons) who had direct contact with the dead patient have been collected for hematological investigations. The permanent secretary maintained that the Enugu State Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is doing everything possible to ensure that this dreaded viral disease is well controlled. He stressed that the state government is poised in leaving no stone unturned to having a healthy Enugu State. He also enjoined residents of the state to disregard any information that does not emanate from state ministries of health and information as well as the Federal Ministry of Health. Elaborating on the precautionary measures, the permanent secretary said: All hospitals in the state have been told to be on the watch out and to make use of all protective and preventive measures. Bush burning should be discouraged for now. We should avoid garbage and refuse close to the house to dispel rats and other rodents and ensure that all food stuffs are properly covered. Canned drinks, bottled/ soda water should be properly washed before drinking. All schools are encouraged to observe basic hand washing hygiene and use sanitizers. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has equally supported the state with some commodities and the Enugu State Governor, His Excellency Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is doing everything possible to ensure that this dreaded disease is well controlled. He left his US TV role to be close to his partner, while she recently quit Out Girl to spend more time in the UK. And Mark Wright and his wife Michelle Keegan appeared delighted to be in each other's company as they rang in his 33rd birthday with a romantic trip to Jamaica with Sandals Resorts UK. The former TOWIE star and the ex-Corrie actress, 32, shared a rare insight into their relationship as they uploaded snaps onto Instagram on Sunday, which documented a boat ride and a peek at their five-star hotel. Just the two of us: Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan appeared delighted to be in each other's company as they rang in his 33rd birthday with a trip to Jamaica with Sandals Resorts UK In one snap, the pair were the picture of happiness as they soaked up the sun on a boat while giggling amongst themselves. Uploaded onto the birthday boy's platform, the hunk captioned the beaming image: 'Happiness summed up in 1 pic. Living, Laughing, Loving. 'Jamaica you made my birthday week so special. @sandals_uk #family #laughter #gifted #sandalssouthcoast #birthday.' [sic] Former soap star Michelle also treated fans to a glimpse at her break as she posed in a black bikini and sheer sarong while enjoying the view of the country's clear blue sea. Bikini babe: The former TOWIE star and the ex-Corrie actress, 32, shared a rare insight into their relationship as they uploaded snaps onto Instagram on Sunday Lucky for some! Former soap star Michelle treated fans to a glimpse at her break as she enjoyed the view of the country's clear blue sea The delighted thespian penned: 'Aslong as I have sun, sea and views like these im happy... oh and good food... and a cocktail, preferably a pina colada... @sandals_uk #ad.' Earlier this month, Michelle announced she is leaving BBC 1 drama Our Girl after four years. The actress played British army medic Georgie Lane on the show for three seasons but plans to leave in order to spend more time in her home country. The demanding filming schedule of the show has seen the Stockport-born star travel to South Africa, Nepal and Malaysia for several months of filming a year. The Wright Way: The pair were joined by their loved ones, including Mark's sisters Jess and Natalya, as well as his parents Carol and Mark Sr Nearest and dearest: The birthday boy and the Our Girl star packed on the PDA as they held hands during a family dinner Girls just wanna have fun! TV personality Jess, 34, displayed her sensational figure in a white two-piece as she rang in her sibling's birthday in style What a difference: The host was in his element as he sipped on a refreshing drink on a boat, before sharing another snap of himself back in chilly London Cheeky! In another photo, the shirtless star poked fun at dry January as he held up a selection of alcoholic beverages When speaking with The Sun about her decision the ex-Coronation street star said: 'Ive had the most incredible four years on the show and I want to thank the BBC for giving me such an amazing opportunity. 'Playing Georgie has been a life changing role for me. Ive loved every second of the adventure so it was a very hard decision to make not to return. 'I feel it is the right time to explore other exciting opportunities but Im so happy to be part of the new series coming soon so its not the end just yet.' The show producers are currently looking for another female to play the lead in the hit series, which starred former EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, 31, for its first run in 2014. Meanwhile, Michelle's husband star Mark left his dream presenting role in 'lonely' LA to be back with his gorgeous wife in February last year. The stunning couple met on a New Year's break in Dubai back in December 2012, with the pair tying the knot in an idyllic ceremony in May 2015. The Centre is expected to sign a peace accord with all four factions of the banned National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) at New Delhi on Monday, giving peace a major boost in Assam, officials said on Sunday. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, senior minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief Hagrama Mohiliary and senior bureaucrats flew to New Delhi on Sunday to take part in the event. The deal is expected to be signed on Monday. Last minute discussions are still on in Delhi with all the four groups and other Bodo organizations. This deal will bring the issue of a separate Bodoland to its conclusion, Rajya Sabha MP from Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) Biswajit Daimary told journalists on Sunday. The accord, which is expected to bring lasting peace in the Bodo dominated areas of Assam, will be signed in the presence of Union home minister Amit Shah, Sonowal, Sarma, Mohiliary and senior bureaucrats. Pramod Bodo, president of the powerful All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), which had been demanding a separate Bodoland, will be a signatory to the accord besides leaders of all factions of NDFBB Saoraigra, Gobinda Basumatary, Ranjan Daimary and Dhiren Bodo. On Saturday, Himanta Biswa Sarma said the deal rules out forming any new state or union territory and retains the territorial integrity of Assam. The Centre has informed Assam that no Union territory will be created or new areas added to Bodoland Territorial Areas Districts (BTAD). The accord will ensure Assams territorial integrity is maintained, he said. It is speculated that the accord could give more autonomy to the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), direct funding from the Centre, land rights for Bodos in BTAD areas etc. Last week the Saoraigra faction of NDFB had signed a suspension of operations (SoO) agreement with the Centre and the Assam government and agreed to give up arms and join the peace process. Following the development, Ranjan Daimary, who headed the NDFB(R) faction and was lodged in jail, was granted four weeks bail by the Gauhati High Court on Friday allowing him to join the peace talks. Daimary was the chief architect of the 2008 serial blasts in Guwahati, Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon and Barpeta which killed 90 people and injured 400 others. This will be the third Bodo accord signed in the past 27 years since the movement for a separate Bodoland for the states largest tribe started over four decades ago. The violent separatist movement has claimed hundreds of lives, injured many more and affected peace and development in Assam. The first one signed with ABSU in 1993 led to the creation of Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC). Ten years later the second deal was signed with Bodo Liberation Tigers and led to the formation of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), which included Kokrajhar, Baksa, Chirang and Udalguri districts (collectively called BTAD). SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON YEREVAN, JANUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has disclosed what he had described to be the proof supporting his accusations that Constitutional Court Chairman Hrayr Tovmasyan had offered him his services. In a Facebook post written on January 26th, the PM shared a photo of what appears to be a Korloff pen and said: This is Hrayr Tovmasyans pen. Ive been thinking for a long time whether I should keep it or throw it into the garbage. Eventually I decided to keep it as proof of the strangest toadyism I have ever seen. After being elected Prime Minister I met Hrayr Tovmasyan for the first time during the 2018 May Board of Trustees session of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund. He was seated next to me. Mr. Tovmasyans overtly toady behavior towards me seemed unusual to me, a man whose actions had resulted in his long-time political teams destruction just days earlier. He was addressing me exclusively dear Mr. Pashinyan, dear Mr. Prime Minister. Those dears are jarring my ears up to now. By the way, he has never addressed me in any other style during the entire time we ever spoke. Exclusively with dears. Then, he suddenly remembered and found it noteworthy that [his wife is from Ijevan] [Pashinyans hometown]. Then, I had to make a note and I couldnt find my pen, I dont remember if I asked for it or if he noticed that I was searching for my pen and offered me this elite pen of his. I took my notes, I delivered my speech and my attempts to return his pen turned into a story. He was like it is yours, please take it etc. It was already turning into an inconvenient episode in front of cameras. In short, this pen stayed with me as a assurance of loyalty. Now I am thinking that it was my sub-consciousness working when I took the pen in order to have a substantial fact today. Anyway, then, the requests for a reception began. I didnt accept. Then, July 5th was approaching. The message-requests began, asking me to participate in the reception at the Constitutional Court on that day. I refused, moreover I refused for several times, because I understood that the person having occupied the Constitutional Court was trying to gain legitimacy that way. Then we met again at the 2019 Christmas mass. He began toadying Anna like thank you for giving my daughter a scholarship. When I noticed he was crossing the line of toadying, I told him I didnt know who she was. Although it then turned out I really didnt know (let me say that knowing or not knowing didnt matter for making a decision, it is a matter of specific criteria). Then, for several times the person whom he had referred to recently came and reported to me that Hrayr is saying I wrote this Constitution, why doesnt the prime minister use my capabilities, the PM wrote in the statement, presumably referring to the then-NSS chief Artur Vanetsyan as the person who reported. As a response to [Tovmasyan] I recommended him to [go to hell], Pashinyan said. In a separate statement, the PM again touched upon the matter, and said he was shocked to have learnt about the price of the pen. I am shocked by learning how much this pen costs. It turns out the person who has usurped the position of Constitutional Court Chairman through fraud had made an expensive offering to the newly elected prime minister of the country, spicing up the process with delicate hints of being an Ijevantsis bridegroom. This is an important nuance in a country having traditions of clan governance. What is this if not an offer of rendering ones own services in exchange of keeping his position? And the participants of the hybrid coup [attempt] are already publicly manifesting themselves. But like I said, the backbone of all conspiracies is crushed, the PM said, referring to an earlier statement that an attempted coup has been thwarted. With courage, folks. Lets boost the economic revolution. We will solve the remaining issues along the way, the PM said. Shortly after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan revealed at a January 25 press conference that Constitutional Court President Hrayr Tovmasyan had offered him his services to collude in some unspecified matters, the top judge reacted and claimed that the premiers statement is a lie. Tovmasyan said in a statement shortly afterwards that the PMs accusations are fake slander. From this moment on, I will patiently wait for 20 days for Pashinyan to disclose any objective fact, any reliable evidence supporting his statement. Otherwise I will request my lawyers to file a defamation lawsuit against Nikol Pashinyan, Tovmasyan had said. But then, Pashinyan fired back at Tovmasyan and claimed he has proof. As soon as I reach Yerevan I will disclose Hrayr Tovmasyans anticipated objective, reliable fact, Pashinyan said on Facebook from Kapan, an Armenian town where he was delivering a news conference on January 25. But please dont blame me in giving an unproportionally stronger counterblow. I didnt want to: you forced me, Pashinyan said. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan Soleimani as the commander of the Revolutionary Guards Quds Force was responsible for many crimes against the people of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, etc. In the wake of Soleimanis elimination, many Iraqis and Syrians broke to streets and celebrated the news by dancing and distributing sweets. In Iran, in contrast with the governments propaganda for styling him as a hero, youths distributed sweets to show their rejoicing over this significant occasion. Thanks, President Trump, read on sweets boxes, showing Iranians support for targeting the IRGC commander. Some while later, protesters in different Iranian cities chanted the slogan, Soleimani is a murderer, as is his leader [the supreme leader Ali Khamenei]. Additionally, they tore down, trampled, and torched Soleimanis portraits to debunk the misinformation campaign run by the Iranian propaganda apparatus, called IRIB. Now, his successor Esmail Ghaani has vowed to continue Soleimanis luminous path, which means mass killing Iranians, Syrians, Iraqis, and American citizens and troops. If Ghaani follows the same path of killing Americans then he will meet the same fate, U.S. special envoy for Iran Brian Hook told the Arabic-language daily Asharq al-Awsat. However, the new chief of the IRGC-QF has a long-time background in committing crimes against the people of Iran and the region. Esmail Ghaani Akbarnejad who has just been replaced with the slain IRGC-QF commander, for many years was serving the oppressive, terrorist apparatus of the Iranian government as Soleimanis deputy. He was personally involved in all tracked and non-tracked crimes by the IRGC-QF. Since 1980, when he was only 20 years old, the fledgling government of Iran dispatched him to Kurdistan to crack down on regional upheaval. During the Iran-Iraq war, he led many teenagers and minors to killing fields by horrendous methods. Notably, the IRGC commanders were to employ the human wave tactic for sweeping minefields. They literally sacrificed many teenagers by giving them hollow promises about Heaven, and deceived them by giving them key to heaven and sending them to clear minefields. In 1987, Ghaani was appointed as the Ansar Corps Commander to orchestrate IRGC operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Also, several oppressive positions are seen in Ghaanis background. Following the end of the war with Iraq, Ghaani spent some time as the Commander of Intelligence in the Kurdistan region, Intelligence Office Chief of the IRGC Joint Command, and Deputy Intelligence Chief of the IRGC Joint Command. In 1992, Ghaani played a decisive role in suppressing protests in Mashhad, his birthplace. In July 1999, he along with 23 other IRGC commanders including Qassem Soleimani, Hossein Hamedani, etc. signed a letter to then-President Mohammad Khatami demanding severe oppression of the student uprisings. Hamedani as Soleimanis appointee for suppressing the Syrian revolt against Bashar al-Assads regime was killed by the Free Syrian Army. It is worth reminding that following Hamedanis death, Ghaani was sent to Syria and assumed command of oppressive operation in Aleppo. Ghaani has also been involved in warmongering projects of the Iranian government. Since April 2014, he constantly traveled to Iraq to supervise the training and organizing Iran-backed militias, such as Kataib Hezbollah, Asaib Ahle Haq, Badr organization, etc. Notably, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the commander of the Iraqi version of Lebanese Hezbollah was slain beside Soleimani on January 3. He was responsible for many crimes against the Iraqi people, in addition to foreign citizens, troops, and embassies in Kuwait and Iraq. Al-Muhandis spent the majority of his life in Iran and the ayatollahs considered him as a key implementer of their policy in this country. Meanwhile, Ghaani played an essential role in expanding conflicts in Yemen by funding and training Houthi militants. The defenders of Yemen were trained under the flag of the Islamic Republic. The enemies cannot confront the Yemeni fighters, said Ghaani in an interview with the state-run TV on May 23, 2014. The new commander of IRGC-QF like his predecessor was involved in underground transactions. He was responsible for organizing and overseeing the vast smuggling network of the Quds Force. The IRGC-QF pursues this dirty commerce to supply arms and funds terrorist proxies in various countries, including Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. In November 2012, the U.S. Department of Treasury added Ghaani to the list of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) in its effort to counter the funding of terrorism. Joseph Gottdenker was not there the day his relatives were herded into a Polish town square and marked for either a stint in a forced labour camp or instant execution at the hands of German troops. He was in the home of a nearby family being raised as a Catholic hidden in plain sight for his own protection. None of Gottdenkers roughly 70 extended family members were immediately sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau, the notorious concentration camp hours away from their home village of Mielec. But Gottdenker, now 77, said some of them ultimately died there just some of the roughly six million Jews slain as part of a Nazi-led genocide now simply referred to as the Holocaust. Gottdenker, who has called Toronto home since 1958, said he visits the most infamous of the Nazi concentration camps at every opportunity to honour his family. But his next trip to Auschwitz on Monday, part of a commemorative event to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the camps liberation, will be more about the future than the past. People will see the ceremony on media, and that might be their first time theyve ever heard of the Holocaust, he said in a telephone interview. If they ever come across a Holocaust denier, they can react accordingly through education. Its the only way that were going to perpetuate the memory. Gottdenker will be one of several Holocaust survivors on hand at Mondays formal ceremony at Auschwitz, which will also include a number of world leaders. The ceremony, as well as one that took place in Jerusalem last week, are playing out against an increasingly tense political backdrop. A bitter dispute is raging between Poland where Nazi German occupiers operated Auschwitz and other infamous camps and Russia, the successor state to the Soviet Union credited with liberating Auschwitz on Jan. 27, 1945. While Gottdenker spent his earliest years not far from the Nazi camps, he was deliberately kept oblivious of the shadow they had already cast on his life. He said fears about the persecution of Jews in his home town had prompted his mother to come to an arrangement with a local family while she was still pregnant with him mother and infant were to take up residence with their Catholic friends and masquerade as Christians to avoid death at Nazi hands. When Gottdenkers mother grew fearful that she had been recognized, she went into hiding elsewhere, forced to leave her newborn son to be raised as the child of others. Gottdenker credits his survival to his mothers foresight and the selflessness of the family that he said raised him lovingly as one of their own. Gottdenker was eventually reunited with both parents, two uncles and an aunt, but said the rest of his large extended family died over the course of the war. His surviving family members rarely talked about their harrowing wartime ordeals, but Gottdenker said he has made a point of speaking up about the Holocaust throughout his adult life. Recent data suggests messages like his are not always reaching their intended audiences. A 2019 joint study between the Toronto-based Azrieli Foundation and the U.S. Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany found 54 per cent of respondents did not know how many Jews had perished in the Holocaust. The survey of 1,100 Canadians, completed both by phone and online, found 22 per cent of millennials aged 18 to 34 either had not heard of or were not sure if they were aware of the Holocaust at all. Jody Spiegel, director of the foundations Holocaust Survivor Memoirs Program, said many of those who made it through Nazi persecution have felt obligated to tell the world of the atrocities they witnessed. She said many report a sense of freedom from sharing their experiences, but noted the process can be very emotional and reopen old wounds. A rising global tide of anti-Semitism, she said, makes their message all the more urgent. Statistics Canada documented a 47 per cent rise in police-reported hate crimes between 2016 and 2017, with incidents involving Jews surging 63 per cent and coming second only to the 151 per cent spike in attacks against Muslims. Last year, researchers with Tel Aviv University reported that violent attacks against Jews grew significantly in 2018, with the largest reported number of Jews killed in anti-Semitic acts in decades. They recorded 400 cases, with the spike most dramatic in western Europe. Spiegel said personal memoirs, rather than facts and figures, are the only way to combat the troubling trend. You need to actually bring it into consciousness, to create some historical empathy so that ... it really doesnt happen again, she said. Spiegel said accounts from the roughly 40,000 Jews who came to Canada after the war resonate particularly strongly in Canadas increasingly multicultural society. Gottdenker, for his part, said hell continue to share his as long as he can. That catch word never again? Thats not just never again for Jews. Never again for any minority. Kolkata, Jan 26 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday called for protecting the Constitution and upholding the principles enshrined in its preamble on the occasion of the nation's 71st Republic Day. "On #RepublicDay, let us pledge to protect our #Constitution and uphold the principles of sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, with justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, as enshrined in the Preamble," Banerjee said in a tweet. Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar stressed on settling all issues as per the Constitution. "All issues need to be settled as per our Constitution," Dhankhar tweeted. Are you a Christian who rolled your eyes after learning Kanye West recently performed at Birmingham evangelist Scott Dawsons Strength To Stand Christian youth rally in Tennessee? Such a response is understandable. The controversial hip-hop artist isnt the typical fit for such an event, considering his Vanity Fair lifestyle, reputation for a polarizing, braggadocio attitude, and album names that range from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy to Yeezus a nickname West gave himself. But such a response would also be predictable and was predicted by West in his song Hands On, from his newest album Jesus Is King that he released late last year: Said I'm finna do a gospel album / What have you been hearin' from the Christians? / They'll be the first one to judge me / Make it feel like nobody love me. When asked by reporters at the youth event if Dawson thinks Wests conversion to Christianity is sincere, the former Alabama gubernatorial candidate said he believes the artist is a brother in Christ, but its not up to us to judge, according to AL.com reporter Greg Garrison. Wise words. Scripture clearly says its indeed not up to us, yet many evangelicals still feel confident diagnosing whether others who believe themselves to be Christians are truly saved or actually just lost. Theres nothing wrong with being genuinely concerned with being a good witness and sharing our faith. We should. We must. But we dont get to decide who is and isnt a Christian in the process. Only God knows that. Maybe putting other peoples professions of faith under the microscope makes us feel better about our own blessed assurance. Maybe if we can tell whose faith is false, it means ours is genuine and we wont be the strangers crying, Lord, Lord! at heavens gate. After all, Jesus did say in the Book of Matthew, Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Maybe thats why celebrity gossip magazines are so popular we like to examine the fruit. It makes us feel more virtuous to see stars struggle and fall in ways we think we never would if we were rich and famous ourselves. Because were real Christians, right? But who is acting more heroic? Who is carrying a heavier cross? Is it those whose way of life may be respectable and righteous, but who have a lifetime of ingrained good habits and trained appetites aided by a faithful upbringing? Is it those who might have fallen just as hard for worldly temptation had they been born Kanye West, or had they access to the same trappings, which they dont? Or is it those who fight their demons at a disadvantage due to lifelong addiction? Who may be doing battle against epic temptations many of us never face? Who, when they fall down, do so in the public eye for all to see and judge? Who, when they put on a choir robe and sing about Jesus Christ, its not Sunday-as-usual like anyone else it means being called a hypocrite? There are some who say Wests sharp turn toward Christianity is an orchestrated, money-making ploy, and nothing more. But is that true? Is Kanye West a wolf in sheeps clothing? Should we even make that judgment? Perhaps we should take a lesson from another hip-hop artist who performed at the same event with West. In his soulful 2017 song, Cry For You, Christian performer Lecrae says: Will you cry for me, or will you judge me? / Will you throw stones at my head, or will you love me? / I could never be everything that you wanna see / But crooked sticks draw straight lines, just look at me. Rachel Blackmon Bryars is a Huntsville-based columnist for Al.com, co-host of Belle Curve Podcast and managing partner of Bryars Communications, LLC. Keep up with her work on her Facebook page. SAN DIEGOSouthern California resident Anna Chaplins young daughter is learning the violin this year, and the little girl had never been to a dance performance before. So on Jan. 25, 2020, the mother-daughter pair attended Shen Yun Performing Arts and sat only four rows from its accompanying orchestra. Speaking about the experience afterward, Chaplin shared the wonderful feelings she got from Shen Yun, said that she cant wait to return to see it again and may take her mother, a former ballerina. It was absolutely beautiful. Just perfection, said Chaplin, who owns a construction firm with her husband. She added that seeing the performance made her want to go home and quietly just sit and think and feel. Seeing it and feeling it and watching the show really made you feel like you were part of their [the performers] life. It was just, it was so clean feeling. I mean, theyre jumping and you dont hear a footstep. It is so breathtaking. It was breathtaking, Chaplin said. To her, Shen Yuns dancers were beautiful, just right on the cue, everything. Their costumes, the colors were just spectacular. New York-based Shen Yun travels the world, performing classical Chinese dance with a full, live-orchestra, bringing the revival of authentic Chinese culture with it. Chinas ancient civilization has always acknowledged the presence of the divine and includes the legend that the Creator will one day return to earth. Shen Yun depicts this very legend on stage, as well as other stories and themes that include divine beings. I just think theres the story behind it, the whole way it came down, it was just so beautiful. Its inspirational. Itstheir story is inspirational, Chaplin said. The way that they worked as a team, the colors, the art of just them working together. And you could feel their story. You can close your eyes and understand where they were coming from. Again its just so, it was perfection, she added. Chaplins biggest takeaway from Shen Yuns performance is the wish our world would be more like this. I think that the way that they work together and the performing, the work up to this show, I wish our world and our cultures were a little bit more like this. I feel that theyre strong, theyre a team, they work together, they love. I just wish our world was a little bit better like this. It would be a lot, a lot better [for it]. They seem happy. They seem like they love what they do. More people need to love what they do in this world. I really believe that. With reporting by NTD Television, Linda Jiang, and Brett Featherstone. The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the companys inception in 2006. If they accept the White House defense, senators will accept as precedent for all time that a president may use the powers of his office for personal political gain and against the national interest. This is not a question of a policy dispute; the record is crystal clear that Trump withheld a White House meeting with Ukraines leader, an ally who very much needed the meeting to help stand up to Russia, to pressure that leader to announce an investigation that would smear Trumps possible 2020 rival. One of the bases used to coordinate that effort is Green Village, an outpost where U.S. troops are housed in former oil industry villas next to a major Syrian oil field. Another base, called Conoco, sits amid massive storage drums, a symbol of the Kurds ambitions to gain financial autonomy. The fields under Kurdish control are not working close to full capacity, U.S. officials said. Washington DC: Physicians are worried after they found traces of Marijuana in a number of heart patients. While smoking tobacco leads to one in every four cardiovascular disease-related deaths, the cause of similar effects from using marijuana is still not entirely known. Various studies suggest that Marijuana can be the inducer for triggering heart attacks and strokes.The report got published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Ersilia DeFilippis, MD, a second-year cardiology fellow at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian, delved into marijuana`s effect on the heart a few years ago while studying heart attacks in people under 50. She said, "We noted that 10 percent of patients in a registry of young heart attack patients had used marijuana and/or cocaine."Ersilia and her colleagues recently went through the medical literature to find out about the facts about the substance and limitations to previous studies.They found, based on the responses to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2016, over 2 Million People with heart disease have used marijuana. It is a common drug to be abused. Approximately 90 million American adults use it at least once in their life, and over 39 million have used marijuana in the past year."In addition to the 2 million marijuana users with diagnosed cardiovascular disease, many more may be at risk," DeFilippis says. "With many adolescents and young adults turning to marijuana, it is important to understand the cardiovascular implications they may face years down the line." Researchers believe that cannabinoids may increase the activity of some prescribed drugs in the body. But limited data are available to guide physicians in adjusting the dose to compensate for marijuana use. THC is the most psychoactive chemical in marijuana, but marijuana also contains more than 100 compounds, called cannabinoids, that are chemically related to THC. The percentage of THC contained in marijuana plant has steadily increased over the past 30 years. "Higher potency may translate into greater effects on the conduction system, the vasculature, and the muscle of the heart," DeFilippis says. "It also highlights the need for real-world data given the variety of marijuana products and formulations available for purchase." Receptors for cannabinoids are highly concentrated in the nervous system but also can be found in blood cells, muscle cells, and other tissues and organs. A small experimental study found that smoking marijuana can bring on angina (chest pain) more quickly in patients with coronary heart disease compared with smoking a placebo. Though current evidence for a link between marijuana and heart attacks is modest, it`s thought that smoking marijuana may increase cellular stress and inflammation, which are known to be precipitating factors for coronary artery disease and heart attacks. Cerebrovascular events, including strokes, also have been associated with marijuana use. It`s thought that marijuana may induce changes in the inner lining of blood vessels or alter blood flow. "Although we need more data, the evidence we do have indicates that marijuana use has been associated with coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, and more," DeFilippis says." Therefore, asking patients about marijuana use may help in risk assessment. In addition, we know that marijuana use affects the metabolism of many common cardiac drugs. In order to make sure patients are getting therapeutic doses without untoward side effects, it is important for cardiologists to talk to their patients about marijuana use," Ersilia concludes. Julia Dannen of D&S Services has been named the January 2020 Entrepreneur of the Month by the NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and the North Iowa Area SBDC. Julia Dannen is an enrolled agent who is a federally licensed taxpayer representative admitted to practice before all branches of the IRS and IRS Office of Appeals. She currently works with taxpayers who owe the IRS and state taxing authorities back taxes. I've been representing individuals and small businesses with complex IRS and state issues," Dannen said. "Seeing them getting out of financial tax burden is very rewarding." Dannen has been called an inspiration by clients and fellow business owners. She immigrated to the United States from Russia in 2004. She put herself through college and in 2010 graduated from University of Northern Iowa with a bachelor's degree in accounting. She purchased D&S Services in 2008. In 2011, Julia became a United States citizen and is raising her daughter (now a freshman in high school) while operating D&S Services. Dannen was named a finalist for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the 2019 NIACC Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala, with multiple nominations from the community. As a recognized expert in her field, Dannen has built a reputation for D&S Services as providing reliable, superior quality services. Dannen's clients span the Midwest, including Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North and South Dakota. D&S Services has been a member of the Targeted Small Business program since 2012. Dannen shared her experience as a TSB member with other North Iowa business owners at Start Smart and the NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center's Launch & Grow Your Business course at the request of the North Iowa Area SBDC. "Julia has been an inspirational long-term client of the Small Business Development Center," said Brook Boehmler, North Iowa Area SBDC director. "Her 'can-do' attitude helps put small business owners at ease. In partnership with North Iowas Small Business Development Center, the NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center provides tools, support, and resources to Iowas entrepreneurs. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Security forces shot live rounds to clear protest hotspots in Baghdad and southern Iraq for a second day Sunday, sparking skirmishes with demonstrators determined to keep up their movement. The anti-government protesters had feared their campaign would be squashed when riot police Saturday moved in on their tent camps in the capital, the southern port city of Basra, the holy city of Najaf and other cities. But the demonstrators returned in large numbers in the evening and on Sunday morning, with security forces trying to clear them out again. In the capital, they used live rounds in an attempt to disperse small anti-government rallies in Khallani and Wathba squares, near the main protest camp of Tahrir Square, according to a police source. At least 17 protesters were wounded, including six with bullet wounds, the source said. The young demonstrators have mostly thrown rocks at riot police but some have tossed Molotov cocktails. In Nasiriyah to the south, security forces also fired live rounds but there was no immediate word on casualties. Protesters had gathered there in large numbers after police reopened main thoroughfares in Nasiriyah leading to the central protest camp in Habbubi Square. The youth-dominated protests erupted in Baghdad and the Shiite-majority south on October 1 in outrage over lack of jobs, poor services and rampant corruption. Met with violence, they quickly spiralled into calls for a total government overhaul. Rallies are now specifically demanding snap elections, the appointment of an independent premier and the prosecution of anyone implicated in corruption or the recent bloodshed. But activists worry they could face a wider crackdown after firebrand cleric Moqtada Sadr dropped his support for the movement on Friday. The notoriously fickle militia leader-turned-politician backed the protests when they first started and even called on the government to resign. His supporters had widely been recognised as the most organised and well-stocked protesters in Tahrir. But after holding an anti-US rally in Baghdad that was attended by thousands, Sadr said he no longer wanted to be involved in the regime change movement. Within hours, his supporters were dismantling their tents in protest camps across the country and riot police began moving in on demonstrations. But activists issued an urgent call for help, and young demonstrators flooded Tahrir and other areas. Search Keywords: Short link: Donald Trump's impeachment defense lawyer Alan Dershowitz is walking back on his comments made four years ago where he described the president as a 'destabilizing and unpredictable candidate'. Dershowitz, 81, will argue on behalf of the president at the Senate trial this week, but before he addresses the court he is clearing the air on his prior comments bashing Trump. In his 2016 book entitled Electile Dysfunction: A guide for Unaroused Voters he warned that Trump, then a presidential candidate, 'openly embraces fringe conspiracy theories peddled by extremists' and criticized him for insulting women, Latinos, and Muslims. 'I was campaigning for Hillary Clinton at the time. I hadnt really ever met President Trump and it was just typical campaign rhetoric,' Dershowitz, a longtime Democrat, said in an interview with NBC News. 'I would not repeat that characterization today having met him,' he added. Donald Trump's impeachment defense lawyer Alan Dershowitz (above) is walking back on his comments made four years ago where he described the president as a 'destabilizing and unpredictable candidate' 'I was campaigning for Hillary Clinton at the time. I hadnt really ever met President Trump and it was just typical campaign rhetoric,' Dershowitz, a longtime Democrat, said on his past anti-Trump comments. 'I would not repeat that characterization today having met him' However, Clinton campaign officials including Adrienne Elrod, who ran the 2016 campaign's surrogate operation, said they don't recall Dershowitz helping out with the campaign. Dershowitz is a controversial big shot attorney who has represented O.J. Simpson, Claus von Bulow, and Mike Tyson in the past. In Dershowitz's 2016 book entitled Electile Dysfunction: A guide for Unaroused Voters he warned that Trump, then a presidential candidate, 'openly embraces fringe conspiracy theories peddled by extremists' He ripped into Trump in his 2016 book describing him as a 'destabilizing candidate who shoots from the hip and engages in personal vendettas (Trump) against a force for stability, who carefully measures her words and bases her actions (at least most of the time) on tested policies (Clinton).' In his book he attacked Trump for his lack of political experience, his business practices and controversial views. 'It may seem strange that the most successful populist candidate in modern history is a New York City multimillionaire who started his career as a landlord and who made his fortune on upscale real estate; has become famous for firing people; has exploited bankruptcy laws to hurt small-business owners, workers, and other creditors; has insulted large groups of people comprising a majority of voters (women, Latinos, the physically challenged, Muslims); has used vulgar words on TV that offend Christians, parents of young children, and family-oriented people of all backgrounds,' Dershowitz said. He warned that Trump would be dangerous in the White House in his foreign policy approach, which he predicted would violate international and domestic law. 'What is clear is that Trump is prepared to violate existing international and domestic laws, as well as widely accepted principles of human rights, in his effort to stop terrorism,' he wrote. 'Even more disturbingly, Trump has sometimes lurched into the realm of dog-whistle anti-Semitism by half-heartedly courting the support of white-nationalist bigots,' he added. Now Dershowitz is singing a different tune and often appears on TV to defend the president's actions in office. The Senate impeachment trial is underway. Dershowitz is expected to argue on Trump's behalf early next week In a recent opinion piece for the New York Times Dershowitz said he is defending Donald Trump on 'principle'. 'I have stood on principle, representing people with whom I disagree as well those with whom I agree. I have never made a distinction based on partisanship,' Dershowitz said. Dershowitz says Trump personally approached him after he was already brought onto the president's legal team. The president stopped him in line at Mar-a-Lago's Christmas Eve buffet last month and said, 'Everybody wants to do this thing, but I want you,' the attorney recalled to Associated Press. Trump's legal team starting presenting their defense arguments on Saturday at the third impeachment trial of an American president in history. Dershowitz will argue that an impeachable offense requires criminal-like conduct, a point widely disputed among scholars. He claims hes trying to prevent impeachment from being weaponized into a 'partisan process', where any president can be removed over non-criminal abuses of power. 'I've always taken positions that are principled and often unpopular and often in defense of people I don't particularly support,' Dershowitz said, citing his defense of Neo-Nazis who wanted the right to march through Skokie, Illinois. 'I haven't changed at all. I've had the same consistent policy of defending people I don't like, people I do like, without regard to party, without regard to partisanship,' he added. Nancy Gertner, a retired federal judge in Boston who has known Dershowitz for years, says it's true to an extent that he hasn't changed - he still gravitates toward the media spotlight, high-profile cases and 'positions he thinks will prove how principled he is.' But she said the content of his statements has changed. She said it's impossible to reconcile his statements on behalf of Trump, and his extraordinarily expansive view of presidential authorities, with the civil libertarian bent he's expressed over the decades and his stated opposition to unchecked government power. Dershowitz says Trump personally approached him after he was already brought onto the president's legal team. The president stopped him in line at Mar-a-Lago's Christmas Eve buffet last month and said, 'Everybody wants to do this thing, but I want you,' the attorney said. The pair pictured talking at that Christmas Eve dinner In his 2016 book Dershowitz slammed Trump as a multimillionaire who 'became famous for firing people' and criticized him for insulting women, Latinos, the physically challenged and Muslims Some of what she's heard him say is 'horrifying.' 'I've known him for a very long time. I've never seen anything like this,' she added. Harvey Silverglate, a friend of Dershowitz's for more than 50 years, said his positions on Trump clearly make him unpopular 'among the legal intelligentsia nationwide.' But he said Dershowitz specializes in cases where the defense is difficult or unique, and the client unpopular. Trump has watched Dershowitz defend him on Fox News for years now, sometimes tweeting links to the lawyer's statements that he finds especially helpful. Through the Mueller investigation and into impeachment he has been enamored with the possibility of assembling a legal dream team. But White House aides cautioned Trump against bringing Dershowitz onto his team, concerned that Dershowitz was a self-promoter whose showboating style wouldn't put Trump's interests first. They also feared Dershowitz's ties to Jeffrey Epstein and the surrounding legal drama would be a distraction for the defense. Trump overruled them. Dershowitz said his wife was apprehensive to have him lead the case. Trump sought to offer reassurance on that point, saying that while he appreciated that concern, it was nonetheless important to consider 'how important this was for the future of the country and for precedent and all that,' Dershowitz recalled. Soon after, his participation was settled. 'People have already said that my arguments will be bonkers or errant nonsense,' Dershowitz said. 'My only point is: Listen. I'm going to lay out a very serious constitutional argument. Maybe you'll agree with it or maybe you won't, but let's have a debate on the merits.' Turkish leader says his country supports dialogue between the warring parties during visit to Algeria. Unilateral recourse to force will not bring peace to Libya, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cautioned on the first of a two-day visit to Algeria. We reiterated that a solution to the conflict in Libya cannot be achieved through military means, Erdogan said during a press conference with his Algerian counterpart, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, on Sunday. We are constantly in touch with neighbouring countries and major international actors to reach a permanent ceasefire and a return to political dialogue. Erdogan earlier in the day lambasted eastern-based military commander Khalifa Haftar for violating a fragile truce between his Libyan National Army (LNA) and forces loyal to the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA). 200104110325735 Since the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has hardly had a stable government. Fighting escalated in April after Haftar launched an offensive to wrest control of the capital, Tripoli, from the GNA, headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj. Haftar, who is affiliated with a rival government in the east and enjoys the backing of, among others, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and France, says his military campaign is aimed at cleansing western Libya of terrorist groups. His critics accuse him of being a new Gaddafi in the making. Diverging interests Erdogans trip to Algeria, part of an African tour that will include stops in The Gambia and Senegal, comes amid a renewed push by the international community to end Libyas long-running civil war. President Tebboune, who attended a peace summit in Berlin last week that saw more than 10 foreign powers agree to halt their support for the warring sides, has upped his countrys involvement in the Libyan peace process since being sworn in a month ago. But Algeria, which shares a 1,000km-long border with Libya, and Turkey have few common interests in Libya. Ankara signed a controversial maritime border agreement with the embattled GNA in November that upset a number of countries along the eastern Mediterranean. That deal challenges the exclusive economic zones of Cyprus, Egypt and Greece, and gives Turkey drilling rights in the resource-abundant seabed. Algerias concerns, however, are more immediate. It fears armed groups in the sparsely populated border region might exploit the power vacuum in Libya to launch attacks inside its territory. The country has remained neutral throughout the conflict and recently expressed its readiness to host peace talks between the two sides. Jalel Harchaoui, a research fellow at the Clingendael Institute and Libya expert, said that Algeria will nevertheless tolerate Turkeys intervention because it sees it as the lesser of two evils. [This is] because it sees it [Turkey intervention] as a way of offsetting something thats much less acceptable from Algiers perspective which is the fact that the UAE has been bombing Tripoli, an urban area of 2.2 million, almost every single day for the past nine months, Harchaoui said. The Emirati strikes, as they become relentless and create waves of displacement, could end up threatening the stability of Tunisia, which is a red line for Algeria. Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum on Thursday hosted his counterparts from the five other countries that border Libya, in addition to Mali. A joint statement at the end of the talks said the foreign ministers exhorted the Libyan belligerents to engage in a dialogue under the auspices of the United Nations and with the help of the African Union and Libyas neighbours in order to reach a global settlement away from any foreign interference. Britains sovereignty is at risk if the country allows Chinese tech giant Huawei to help build its 5G infrastructure, the US Secretary of State has warned. Mike Pompeo described the decision facing the National Security Council as momentous in a last ditch plea to ministers who are expected to make the call on Tuesday. The US administration has previously warned allies not to allow Huawei to form part of their 5G networks, claiming it would be a security risk, something the company vehemently denies. But Mr Pompeo wrote on Twitter on Sunday night: The UK has a momentous decision ahead on 5G. The UK has a momentous decision ahead on 5G. British MP Tom Tugendhat gets it right: The truth is that only nations able to protect their data will be sovereign. https://t.co/8lLEUEUxdL Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 26, 2020 British MP Tom Tugendhat gets it right: The truth is that only nations able to protect their data will be sovereign. He retweeted a comment by Mr Tugendhat, the chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee in the last parliament, in which the MP said: Sovereignty means control of data as much as land. We need to decide what were willing to invest in and who were willing to share our tech with. The real costs will come later if we get this wrong and allow Huawei to run 5G. Mr Pompeo is due to meet Boris Johnson and the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on a visit to London this week. We need to decide what were willing to invest in and who were willing to share our tech withTom Tugendhat Home Secretary Priti Patel dismissed reports on Sunday that she is on the warpath following claims Mr Johnson has been bounced by officials into letting Huawei build non-core parts of the 5G network. She told Skys Sophy Ridge On Sunday the report in the Sunday Times was not accurate, adding: My role is very much to protect the national security of our country and that also includes intelligence services and communications as well. We are having discussions, and rightly so, and those discussions remain at the National Security Council level and within-Cabinet level. And of course we will have those discussions. Well have them privately and Im not going to comment on speculation in newspapers. She said the UKs co-operation with the Five Eyes network an alliance comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States would absolutely continue. On Friday the Prime Minister discussed the security of telecommunications networks in a phone call with Donald Trump, according to the White House. The two leaders discussed important regional and bilateral issues, including working together to ensure the security of our telecommunications networks, a White House statement said. Last year, the US imposed trade restrictions on Huawei over concerns about the companys security and ties to the Chinese government. Allegations that their telecommunications equipment could be used to spy on people has been repeatedly denied by the tech giant. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 16:52:42|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close As China ushered in the Year of the Rat, the first animal in the Chinese zodiac and the start of a new 12-year cycle, many celebrated alongside Chinese communities around the world, while developing a better understanding of Chinese culture. BEIJING, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Landmarks worldwide have been illuminated red, a color symbolizing good luck and happiness in China, while popular tourist attractions have been filled with rat-shaped decorations -- a clear nod to Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations. As China on Saturday ushered in the Year of the Rat, the first animal in the Chinese zodiac and the start of a new 12-year cycle, many celebrated alongside Chinese communities around the world, while developing a better understanding of Chinese culture. Mickey and Minnie dressed in their new traditional Chinese-style costumes pose for photos during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations at Disney's California Adventure Park in Anaheim, the United States, Jan. 17, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Ying) FESTIVE COSTUMES FOR DISNEY FAVORITES Among the attractions that have embraced the Chinese New Year, Disney's California Adventure Park in the United States has transformed "the Year of the Rat" into "the Year of the Mouse," starring the iconic Disney characters Mickey and Minnie. Located in the California city of Anaheim, large red lanterns with decorative gold tassels can be seen hanging from parapets, while festive red banners flutter from lampposts, turning the amusement park into a sea of red and gold. And as the star attractions, Mickey and Minnie Mouse look particularly festive in their new traditional Chinese-style costumes. Characters of Disney greet visitors during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations at Disney's California Adventure Park in Anaheim, the United States, Jan. 17, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Ying) Mickey is wearing a traditional Chinese-style tunic of fine red silk, featuring gold-thread patterns to represent the traditional Chinese element of water, plus gold trousers and red bubble shoes as the final touches. Minnie, meanwhile, is a vision in red, adorned with a richly decorated red silk cape fringed with gold tassels, embroidered with traditional Chinese water wave, peony blossom, and cloud patterns. Guo Pei, a Chinese-born and internationally-prominent fashion designer, explained the elements of Chinese and Disney traditions that she creatively fused in her designs. Dancers from China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region perform at a celebration event greeting the Chinese Lunar New Year in Tlalnepantla, State of Mexico, Mexico, Jan. 17, 2020. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei) Red and gold are the traditional colors of the Chinese New Year, so they were a good place to start, she said. "I also used three elements of Chinese culture in the design: one is water, which represents smooth sailing and good fortune; I also added peony to represent elegance, and the third is the traditional 'auspicious cloud pattern' for good luck." "Children all over the world love Mickey and Minnie. It's an opportunity for me to express and share Chinese culture to the world through my work," Guo added. The top of the Empire State Building is lit in red for the Chinese Lunar New Year in New York, the United States, Jan. 23, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) GLOBAL LANDMARKS GO RED In a further nod to festivities, global landmarks the Vessel in New York City, the Sydney Opera House and the Tokyo Tower, all saw the Chinese New Year by turning red. The lights inside the Vessel, a new attraction in New York City's glamorous Manhattan borough, changed to red on Wednesday evening. Also in Manhattan, the top of the Empire State Building was illuminated in red and gold from sunset on Thursday to 2 a.m. (0600 GMT) on Friday. It is the 20th consecutive year that the Manhattan landmark has been lit in honor of the Chinese New Year, which became a public holiday for schools in New York in 2016. Visitors take photos of couplets in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year outside 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, Jan. 24, 2020. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua) The world-famous sails of the iconic Sydney Opera House also turned red on Thursday, to welcome the Year of the Rat. Another highlight of the 2020 Sydney Lunar Festival is the returning Lunar Lanterns exhibition, with 12 larger-than-life illuminated artworks representing all the animal signs of the Chinese zodiac. In the Japanese capital of Tokyo, the iconic Tokyo Tower was lit up on Friday in Chinese red as a symbol of China-Japan relations. The Tokyo Tower is lit in red for the Chinese Lunar New Year in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 24, 2020. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi) Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike sent a congratulatory message to the event, expressing her belief that the city's Lunar New Year's Eve celebrations would illuminate the road to a better China-Japan friendship, as well as world peace. In Giza, near the Egyptian capital Cairo, the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx shone red in a ceremonial sound and light show on Thursday evening as part of Chinese New Year celebrations. The Sphinx and a pyramid are illuminated in red for the Chinese Lunar New Year in Giza, Egypt, on Jan. 23, 2020. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) During the show, the Sphinx was lit in vivid colors, while stories of ancient Egyptian pharaohs were told through laser shapes projected onto the three massive pyramids in the background. "The Pyramids Plateau is distinguished by wonderful lights as the Chinese red lanterns integrate with the beautiful Egyptian pyramids, marking a meeting between the two old civilizations of China and Egypt," Shi Yuewen, cultural counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt, told attendees. An actress performs Peking Opera at the China Cultural Center in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 17, 2020. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong) A FUSION OF CULTURES At the show, Reham Ahmed, a young Egyptian woman who studies Chinese at the Cairo University, said, "The celebration combines both the Egyptian and the Chinese cultures, so it is attractive to me as an Egyptian and a student of Chinese language." Egyptian-Chinese cultural interactions have been noticeably growing thanks to the support of the leaders of both countries, Fathy Abdel-Wahab, head of the Cultural Development Fund of Egypt's Ministry of Culture, said during the event. Tokyo Skytree tower is lit in red for the Chinese Lunar New Year in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 25, 2020. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi) Similarly, such celebrations offer non-Chinese participants enjoyable experiences of traditional Chinese culture and enhance people-to-people exchanges. "Lunar New Year has become an integral part of our calendar in New South Wales (NSW) State," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said. "It is a time for families and loved ones to come together and share in new hopes and aspirations." The Tokyo Tower is lit in red for the Chinese Lunar New Year in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 24, 2020. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi) On Tuesday, calligraphers from both China and Japan wrote "Fu," a Chinese character meaning fortune and luck, on red paper with brush and ink in Tokyo. "Cultural exchanges between China and Japan go back a long way," said Kiyoaki Igaki, president of the Japan Academy of Calligraphy Art. "Culture knows no national boundaries. This event allowed Japanese people to experience the charm of traditional Chinese culture." Tourists pose for photos in front of wish notes during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations at Disney's California Adventure Park in Anaheim, the United States, Jan. 17, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Ying) At Disney's California park, Gary Maggetti, general manager of Pixar Pier, park banquets and festivals, believes food and culture can bring people together and create harmony, and that celebrating the Chinese New Year gives Disney's guests an opportunity to try new things. "The feedback from our guests (on the Chinese New Year) has been very warm -- to try something different or to reinforce a family memory," he said. "It makes Chinese culture more accessible to Americans." (Video reporters: Zhang Yue, Hu Jingchen, Jiang Chao, Kang Wenjun, Ni Ruijie, Ji Ze, Lu Haiyue, Xie E, Xu Xiaolei, Pan Lijun, Zhang Mocheng) Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on January 26 said that the government is making arrangements to fly Japanese citizens from the Chinese city of Wuhan which is the epicentre of coronavirus outbreak. According to international media reports, Abe has said Japanese who wish to be evacated will be flown out on a chartered flight. Japan and China are currently in talks with the plan of carrying out the evacuation and the Japanese officials are thus working on preparations through the weekend. Japan's PM not only stressed that various options are being considered to help the citizens in China but also said he will let them enter the country. The new SARS-like virus has killed at least 56 people in China while Japanese authorities have confirmed three cases of coronavirus. Abe said, I have decided to have all those who wish to do so to come home. Read - Japan Detains Former SoftBank Employee On Suspicion Of Espionage The deadly 2019-nCoV has already infected thousands and reportedly killed 56 people, however, still does not constitute a global emergency as of yet. While speaking to an international media outlet, WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the organisation is not declaring it a public health emergency of international concern citing that while it is an emergency in China, it is yet to become a global health emergency. Hong Kong on January 25 also declared the virus as an emergency and further upgraded the Hong Kong Disease contingency plan from 'serious' to 'emergency' level. Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam while addressing a press conference further announced that the schools in the city will be suspended until February 17. According to reports, flights are also being stopped across China to try and limit the spread of the virus. Read - Japan's Yokohama City Attracts Tourists For Winter Sports With Famous Hotspots Precautionary measures In a bid to take precautionary measures, China has also locked down ten cities, including Wuhan, Huanggang, Ezhou, Zhejiang, Qianjiang, suspending all public transport to contain the deadly virus. Wuhan, where the deadly virus surfaced, has further reportedly announced that it will restrict car traffic in the city from January 26. The mayor of the city of Wuhan has reportedly urged citizens not to travel outside China during the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday and the authorities have further issued a travel advisory warning. The Indian embassy in Beijing has also issued a travel advisory for people visiting India from China. The Embassy said that travellers should avoid close contact with people who are unwell or showing symptoms of illness. It also asked all travellers from China, especially from Wuhan city, to monitor their health closely. Read - Japan Detains Former SoftBank Employee On Suspicion Of Espionage Read - Japan's Yamaguchi, Nishimoto In Thailand Masters Finals Foreign Minister Marise Payne is working to free Australian families trapped in China, where hospitals are under strain and cities in lockdown as the coronavirus spreads. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said Senator Payne was working "around the clock" to find a way to evacuate 100 Australian children and young people unable to get out of Wuhan, after the Chinese government shut down transport in and out of the city. "We are working to make sure theres support for those Australians ... We are also working on, as are other countries, to try to secure their ability to return to Australia," Mr Hunt told ABC radio on Monday morning. Foreign Minister Marise Payne is working to get Australian citizens out of Wuhan. Credit:AAP "So at the moment, we know that there are over 100 young Australians, were gathering the information. DFAT is reaching out through international co-operation co-operation with the Chinese authorities to gather the names and details of all of the Australians." Bihar Governor Fagu Chauhan on Sunday highlighted the steps being taken by the government to ensure welfare of the weaker sections of the society, including Dalits and minorities, besides effective management of natural disasters which the state has been prone to. Addressing a Republic Day function after unfurling the tricolour at the Gandhi Maidan here, Chauhan underscored the governments efforts to fight climate change through conservation efforts covered under the 'Jal- Jeevan-Hariyali' campaign which was the theme of the massive human chain organised last Sunday. He also expressed concern over monsoons having become irregular, resulting in dry spells interspersed with torrential rainfall for a few days which had led to flash floods in various parts of the state first in July and again in October. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and members of the state cabinet were present at the function. The programme was also marked by parading of tableaux of various government departments, highlighting their respective achievements. Earlier, the chief minister had unfurled the tricolor at his official residence. After the Gandhi Maidan function he visited a 'Mahadalit tola' (locality inhabited by communities considered most backward among Dalits) in rural Patna and attended Republic Day celebrations, a practice he has followed through his decade and a half-long tenure. Flag-hoisting ceremonies were also held at offices of political parties, government establishments and educational institutions. Sweet shops made brisk business in the morning as the people of the state love to treat themselves to 'jalebis' at R-Day functions. Also, congratulatory messages came from the governor, the chief minister and other dignitaries to this years Padma awardees hailing from Bihar. Veteran socialist leader George Fernandes, a Kannadiga by birth who made Bihar his 'karmabhoomi', has been posthumously conferred with Padma Vibhushan. Seven people from the state have been awarded Padma Shri including the late mathematician Vashishtha Narayan Singh and acclaimed gynaecologist Shanti Rai. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chennai, Jan 26 : Tamil Nadu celebrated the 71st Republic Day with patriotic fervour on Sunday with Governor Banwarilal Purohi unfurling the tricolour at the Marina beach here. He also took the salute from the armed forces and other security agencies. Chief Minister K. Palaniswami and his ministers and a large number of people enjoyed the colourful floats. District collectors across the state unfurled the national flag and took the salute from the police contingents. "People talk about climate a lot here," said Awdah Hathaleen, an activist from the West Bank. Theyre scared. When we hear there is a winter storm coming, we dont sleep. When there is wind, our houses shake. Hathaleen told Al-Monitor that in recent years climate change has exacerbated the situation in the West Bank. We get hotter summers and colder winters. Every year it gets worse and worse, he added. Hathaleen lives in Umm al-Khair, a Bedouin village in the south Hebron Hills that was established in 1948, with 160 people currently living there. The village lies next to Carmel, an Israeli settlement built in 1982, separated from Umm al-Khair by a fence. A lot of houses here are tents because of the occupation and we are not allowed to fix them for winter, Hathaleen said. Snow used to come every five years, he noted, but it is increasingly frequent and last time there was a big snowfall, eight tents collapsed. Umm al-Khair is located in Area C, which is under Israeli control and represents about 60% of West Bank lands. Asked whether Israel allows them to build houses, Hathaleen said, If we do anything, they [Israeli authorities] will give us a stop working order or demolition order immediately. The hotter summers pose new threats for the village, too. There is no water network allowed here, he said. We get seven hours a week to collect water. Members of the community suffer increasingly from a lack of water and so does the environment around them, Hathaleen noted. Trees dont have enough water and they die. The village is attacked by the weather, we have no green. According to a paper published last year by Palestines Environment Quality Authority, Palestine can expect to be one degree Celcius hotter in five years, and up to 4 degrees hotter by 2090. The authority also estimates that rainfall could decrease by up to 90% by 2090. This will reflect negatively on all aspects of life in Palestine, including health, water, biodiversity, agriculture and energy, Othman Sharkas, a geography professor at Birzeit University in Ramallah, told Al-Monitor. The authoritys report anticipates extreme water shortages, desertification and an increase in public health issues stemming from dehydration and cholera outbreaks. Despite the effects of climate change being broadly similar across the region, the Palestinians are more vulnerable, and this is directly to do with the political situation, Zena Agha, a researcher at Al-Shabaka research center, told Al-Monitor. The Israeli occupation is the biggest nonenvironmental threat facing the Palestinians, and one that compounds the environmental situation, Agha said. Restrictions on the free movement of people and goods, the apartheid wall [the wall separating Israel from the West Bank], land grabs, settlement expansion and settler violence, and poor governance all threaten Palestinian food and water security, which increases climate change vulnerability, she noted. Agha pointed out the peculiar role of the Palestinian Authority (PA) the governing body in the West Bank in relation to climate change. It has no sovereign jurisdiction over natural resources or large swathes of territory and wields no independent political will over how to mitigate climate risks, she said. Yet bizarrely, it is tasked with addressing climate change. The PA drafted environmental policy plans in 2011 and 2016, the latest of which states they will allocate $3.5 billion toward climate change adaptation plans over the next 10 years. Agha noted, however, that there was no indication of where the funds will come from. Against this backdrop, members of the Umm al-Khair community have started to integrate climate activism into their existing protests. Hathaleen and other members of the community formed the Good Shepherd Collective, a group aimed at raising awareness of the situation in the West Bank. They have planted 1,500 trees in the village as a form of nonviolent activism and, in 2018, they set up a greenhouse for villagers to grow food to sell to markets. The greenhouse, they explain, offers a tangible way of mitigating Israels colonial project in the south Hebron Hills. The question of collaboration with international groups like Extinction Rebellion or the school strike movement has also arisen. We are with anyone who works for justice, Hathaleen said, but establishing cross border activism is difficult given the political tensions in the region. Geopolitical circumstances make it difficult for us to collaborate on the climate issue, Michael Raphael, a member of Extinction Rebellion in Israel, told Al-Monitor. There have been attempts but they are very small and they are under the radar. Being seen to collaborate with Israel could be dangerous for activists in Palestine, Raphael noted, and he himself feels uncomfortable visiting Palestinian areas because of the political situation. As an Israeli I enjoy privileges when Im there that Palestinians dont and Im not willing to do that, he added. For Cody ORourke, communications director of the Good Shepherd Collective in Umm al-Khair, the history of activism in the village places the community in a unique position as climate activists. The community of Umm al-Khair are refugees from 1948, he explained. And since the 1980s, they have been resisting forcible displacement. This, ORourke believes, puts the community in a position to offer lessons to groups like Extinction Rebellion on how to run a resistance model. They [Umm al-Khair residents] have been resisting in material ways for longer than most of the people in the Extinction Rebellion movement have been alive, he added. Agha, too, said that there is a rich history of environmental activism in Palestine. For now, however, politics continues to be the central factor compounding the environmental situation, she noted. Unless the Palestinians have access to land and natural resources, they cannot adapt to climate change and remain vulnerable to food and water insecurity. Andrei Popoviciu has contributed to this article. Uttar Pradesh Police booked 100 women, protesters, for allegedly violating prohibitory orders Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Police on Saturday arrested 10 people including a woman from Ghantaghar in Lucknow, where an anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) sit-in has been on since 17 January and booked 100 women, protesters, for allegedly violating prohibitory orders. A woman protestor claimed that police personnel suddenly arrived at the site and arrested volunteers. She alleged that the cops beat up senior citizens and hurled abuses at women. However, the police denied the allegations. "A case has been registered against 10 women and 100 unidentified women for violating Section 144 of CrPC, while protesting at Ghantaghar. Apart from this, eight persons have been arrested. They are Puja Shukla and seven male volunteers," Station House Officer of Thakurganj police station Pramod Mishra said. Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) prevents the assembly of five or more people at one spot. "Their allegations are baseless. The action was initiated against those who flouted rules," Mishra said on claims that the policemen misbehaved with protesters. On the lines of Delhi's Shaheen Bagh protest, around 50 women along with children have been squatting near the Clock Tower in Lucknow's old quarters protesting the CAA and National Register of Citizens (NRC). The women protesters had last Sunday alleged that blankets provided to them by some organisations were taken away by police. Rubbishing the claims made by the women protesters, the Lucknow Police in a tweet had said, "During the illegal protest going at Lucknow's Ghantaghar Park (Clock Tower), some people tried to make a ''gherao'' (cordon) using ropes and sticks, and also tried to put sheets. They were not allowed to do so. Some organisations were distributing blankets in park premises. As a result of which, people living in the vicinity, who are not a part of the protests, were coming to take the blankets." "Police removed those persons and organisations distributing blankets there, and action is being initiated against them," the police had said and urged people not to spread rumours. The indefinite protest by women at the national capital's Shaheen Bagh against the CAA and NRC has been going on for over a month now. Besides Delhi, protests have unfolded in several parts of the country over the law since it was passed on 11 December by Parliament and have led to clashes at several places including Uttar Pradesh, where nearly 20 people died last month. According to the amended law, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till 31 December, 2014 due to religious persecution there will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian citizenship. PARISOn a recent evening, Amar Sitayeb squeezed behind a tiny counter at the minimart that he and his older brother Ali Sitayeb have run for more than 35 years in the Marais district of central Paris. A plump grey tabby cat prowled the floor, and faded photos of neighbourhood babies, many now grown-ups, were taped to an old cash register. A stream of regulars filed in, grabbing potato chips, gum and soda and lingering to exchange gossip and pleasantries. One neighbour with the sniffles bought honey and tea. Sitayeb fished mint for her from a refrigerator. This should help, he said. Ten minutes later, she returned and asked for rum. Thatll attack the cold quicker! he laughed, pulling a bottle from the shelf. The purchases were mainly an excuse to spend precious moments bantering with the Sitayeb brothers, known to residents around the rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, a boutique-studded Marais street, as the eyes, ears and unofficial mayors of the area. For soon, the unthinkable is set to happen: On Jan. 31, their store, Au Marche du Marais, will close, swept away in a tide of moneyed gentrification, like nearly every other independent shop and cafe around them. We know everyone here, weve lived our lives with them, and were sad to leave, said Ali Sitayeb, a fatherly figure who recently turned 70 but exuded a much younger energy. In place of the daily necessities that his store offers, like toilet paper and freshly squeezed orange juice, he announced, a Princesse Tam Tam lingerie chain would be installed. When I first heard the news, I was stunned. I had settled near the epicerie after moving to Paris in 2000. Since then, an incursion of designer boutiques had accelerated, turning the area into an outdoor shopping arena that draws thousands of visitors. The brothers, who originally came from Morocco, remained steady fixtures throughout, greeting me on my way to work, dispensing witticisms and advice, and peppering me with questions about a succession of American presidents. My neighbours were in mourning. The epicerie was a rare gathering spot, and the brothers, with alert eyes and sunny mustachioed faces, kept vigil over everyone. They held peoples keys and knew all the latest news on marriages, divorces, children, thefts, rivalries, real estate deals the list goes on. Theirs, however, is a tale of a rapidly changing Paris. And the closing of their shop, on a street where boutiques now sell 585 euro designer sneakers, has sparked angst among residents, who see a warning in how big money-backed luxury brands aimed at wealthy tourists are consuming neighbourhoods and eroding cultural identity. This changes everything, said Eva Beau, a doctor who has lived near the shop for 20 years. I feel like breaking all of this its too sad, Beau added, her eyes brimming with tears as she scrutinized the luxury storefronts. Beau used to lower a basket with a rope from her fourth-floor apartment, into which the brothers would place coffee and other orders. The neighbourhood doesnt need more boutiques, she said. We need the human contact of people like Ali and Amar. The brothers had long debated when to retire. When an electrical fire ravaged the shop five years ago, support from neighbours was so strong that they decided to keep going. But then the lingerie chain, run by Fast Retailing, a Japanese retail giant that owns Uniqlo, Theory and Comptoir des Cotonniers, made an advantageous offer for the space. The pattern is playing out in cities across France. From Aix-en-Provence to Reims, Tours and Strasbourg, bakeries, cafes and shops are increasingly being taken over by retail conglomerates with vast financial resources. The stores look like quaint boutiques, yet the money behind them is formidable. Near the Sitayebs shop, the Sandro, Maje and Claudie Pierlot clothing chains expanded under the ownership of U.S. private equity firm KKR before being taken over by Chinese textile giant Shandong Ruyi. Lacoste and Kooples, which replaced a bakery and bookstore, belong to Maus Freres, Switzerlands largest privately held retail group. Chanel and LVMH Moet Hennessy opened perfume and makeup stores, intensifying a surge in Marais real estate prices. Adding to the pressure is the rise of late-night convenience stores backed by supermarket giants Casino Groupe and Carrefour. The increased competition has shuttered scores of corner shops in Paris, many run by immigrants from North Africa. Its money that makes the laws, said Ali Sitayebs son, Tariq Sitayeb, 34, who helps run the epicerie but no longer counts on taking over. The Sitayeb brothers left Morocco in the 1970s as teenagers to earn a living as waiters and dishwashers in Parisian restaurants. But they found they could prosper more by operating a convenience mart well past the traditional 7 p.m. closing time of French retailers. When the brothers opened the shop in 1984, Francois Mitterrand was president; prices were in French francs; and the Marais, the historic Jewish quarter of Paris, was evolving from a gritty working-class textile and metal factory district. Butchers and boulangeries honeycombed the area. Yiddish was heard everywhere along the rue des Rosiers. As cafes, bars and artisanal boutiques moved in, the Marais became the centre for Paris LGBT community, drawing more visitors and prompting an ever more vibrant makeover. While the Marais had already developed when I arrived, the influx of luxury storefronts has exploded since Europes economic and debt crisis ended in 2012, squeezing out residential and LGBT commerce and taking over the historic Jewish centre. This used to be a real neighbourhood, with families and kids, Amar Sitayeb said as crowds of tourists strolled past on a recent weekend. Now all thats disappeared. Jean Luc Rouillard, 67, a denizen since 1980, chimed in. The Marais has lost its soul, he declared. Thats closing, Rouillard said, pointing to a 45-year-old antique shop being dismantled for a luxury hotel. And thats closing, he added, eyeing Au Rendez-Vous des Amis, a neighbourhood cafe that had just shuttered to make way for a hamburger joint. That too, he continued, nodding to Les Mots a la Bouche, the oldest LGBT bookseller in the Marais, rumoured to be converted soon to a Doc Martens shoe store after the lease became unaffordable. Its dramatic, he said. As locals contemplated the end of an era, they arranged a surprise party for the brothers on a recent weekday at Le Point Virgule, a small comedy theatre next to the shop. Neighbours filed in silently: Beau and her daughter Manon Beau, 21; Vincent Douget, a former chef at the cafe; Henriette Delyfer, an art boutique owner who knew the brothers since she was a child; and local police officers who had dropped in regularly to chat over orange juice. At last the brothers arrived. They were speechless at the surprise. Tears misted their eyes. While they were looking forward to spending time with their families, its very hard for us to go, Amar Sitayeb said. They were the heart of this area, said George Fischer, a retiree who has lived next to the shop for two decades. Back at the epicerie, Tariq Sitayeb had prepared a potent rum punch and Moroccan pastries to welcome a growing crowd. Ariel Weil, mayor of Paris 4th arrondissement, appeared and shook Ali Sitayebs hand. A circle formed as neighbours lamented the Marais latest transformation. Its just clothes, clothes, clothes, Fischer said. How is a bra going to replace my orange juice? On a personal level Im sad, Weil said. And as mayor, Im worried that we cant find a solution to keep small businesses from leaving. Ali Sitayeb looked at his watch and sighed. It was his brothers turn to man the register, and he had to get home to rest. Tomorrow, they would continue the sobering task of winding down the store. People dont want things to change, said Tariq Sitayeb as his father faded into the dark night. But a page is turning. India on Sunday celebrated its 71st Republic Day with a grand display of military prowess, vibrant cultural diversity and socio-economic progress on the majestic Rajpath where thousands of people, besides foreign dignitaries and country's top political and military leadership witnessed the annual parade. Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro was the chief guest for this year's ceremony and watched the colourful parade at the historic avenue along with President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a host of other leaders. There were several firsts in the celebrations this year, including the prime minister paying homage at the National War Memorial and the tri-service formation. Anti-satellite weapon system developed under Mission Shakti, newly-inducted stealth attack helicopter Apache and transport chopper Chinook, and artillery gun system 'Dhanush' were among the key military assets exhibited for the first time during the parade. The military band played the national anthem with a 21-gun salute in the background as President Kovind unfurled the tricolour at the Rajpath before the start of parade. The 90-minute extravaganza symbolic of national pride left the spectators transfixed as soldiers from the three services, paramilitary and others marched down the central boulevard to the music from military bands on a sunny winter morning. From depicting Goa's 'Save the frog' campaign and Jammu and Kashmir's 'Back to village' programme to Kullu Dusshera festival in Himachal Pradesh, Rath Yatra in Odisha and Iyyanar deity statue in Tamil Nadu, 22 colourful tableaux with varied themes rolled down the Rajpath. Forty-nine children -- 18 girls and 31 boys -- honoured with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puruskar for their exceptional achievement were greeted with applause as they were driven in decorated jeeps. Students from different schools presented cultural performances that showed the positive effects of Yoga, the different influences that have conceived and shaped Garba, the most popular folk dance of Gujarat, the culture of "Bauls", a group of mystic minstrels from Bengal comprising of both Vaishnava-Hindu and Sufi Muslims, and Rajasthan folk dance. Women power too was on full display during the celebrations. Captain Tania Sher Gill, a fourth generation Army officer, led an all-men marching contingent of the Corps of Signals. Women personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) performed jaw-dropping stunts as their motorbikes raced down the Rajpath. "I am so moved, inspired.... I am preparing for exams to join Haryana Police, but this has changed my mind. I will join CRPF now," said Diksha Chaudhary, 19, as she stood atop her chair, clapped and saluted the soldiers. Several Union ministers, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, senior BJP leader L K Advani, BJP president J P Nadda, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Chief Justice of India S A Bobde and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were among those present. The grand finale of the parade was a spectacular flypast in which around 40 aircraft took part. The main fly-past commenced with the 'Trishul' formation, comprising three ALH helicopters in 'Vic' formation. This is for the first time that a "tri-service formation" took part in the Republic Day. The next formation comprising three Chinook helicopter flew in 'Vic' formation at a speed of 180 kilometres per hour and a height of 100 metres, followed by five Apache attack helicopters. Besides this, three Dornier aircraft, C-130J Super Hercules, three C-17 Globemaster 'Netra', the "Eye in the Sky", airborne early warning and control systems on Brazil-built Embraer, were also part of the flypast. Fighter jets Jaguar and Sukhois were also part of the flypast. The Indian Air Force tableau also showcased scaled down models of the Tejas aircraft, the Light Combat Helicopter, the Akash Missiles System, and the Astra Missiles against a sky blue background. Navy's tableau displayed models of Kolkata-class stealth destroyer, a Kalvari-class submarine and the country's first indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant with MiG-29K aircraft. Several ministers were on their feet cheering for their respective states and departments as the tableaux came up. The Ministry of Jal Shakti showcased in its tableau the government's new initiative "Jal Jeevan Mission" aimed at providing functional tap connection to every rural household by 2024. The National Disaster Response Force tableau featured cutting-edge technology and instruments used by the NDRF during rescue operations in flood-hit areas and Delhi's Anaj Mandi inferno last year. Jammu and Kashmir, which participated in the parade for the first time as a Union Territory, had the "Back to Village'' programme as its theme. The programme launched last year is a first-of-its-kind initiative to reach out to the people at the grassroots level. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi took to Twitter to extend his greetings to countrymen. "Wishing everyone a happy #RepublicDay. Jai Hind," he tweeted. Continuing his tradition of donning colourful turbans on Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations, the prime minister sported a saffron 'bandhej' headgear this year. Modi paid tributes to martyrs by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the three service chiefs and the first Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat. In the past, the ceremony was held at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate. After the Republic Day parade, Modi waved at the cheering crowd while walking down the Rajpath, even as his carcade followed him slowly. The entire national capital had been put under a multi-layered, ground-to-air security cover with thousands of armed personnel keeping a tight vigil, aided by drones, CCTV cameras and facial recognition devices. Anti-aircraft guns had been deployed on the ground. Brazilian President Bolsonaro was the third leader from the country to attend the parade as the chief guest. The last time a Brazilian President was the chief guest was in 2004 when Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was invited. Last year, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, while in 2018, leaders of all 10 ASEAN countries attended the Republic Day celebrations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi, Jan 26 : The Congress rift in Uttarakhand has come out in the open with many threatening to resign from the committee formed on Saturday. Two-time MLA from Dharchula in Pithoragarh Harish Dhami has threatened to quit from the post. He said that being a senior MLA he has been given the post of Secretary in the state which is unacceptable to him and his supporters. Dhami said "On monday I will resign from the post of secretary and then I will go to my constituency in Pithoragarh and then talk to my supporters and take a decision on my future strategy." He claimed to have the support of six MLAs in the state while the party has 11 MLAs in the House. Dhami alleged that both state President Pritam Singh and Leader of Opposition Indira Hridayesh have a "tacit understanding with BJP" as Pritam Singh's brother-in-law Rajendra Singh is a minister in the BJP-led state government while Indira Hrideyesh does not want to confront the state government because of Sidcul scandal. Dhami who paved the way for election of former Chief Minister Harish Rawat as MLA from his constituency said that "this time he is not going to listen to anybody and he will chart his course with his supporters." Uttarakhand Congress in-charge Anugrah Narain Singh tried to downplay the episode and said that "Whenever there is a list many people are unhappy but in the case of Harish Dhami his name had been proposed for the post of special invitees along with other MLAs but who has made him Secretary I have to check in Delhi." Another Congress leader said to be upset is former minister Nav Prabhat who said "People in Congress are fighting for 2022 chief ministership but not for the Congress. They don't want to talk about how the party will make a comeback in the state, but only have individual interests." The diverse cultures and traditions of Nagaland were on display during the 71st Republic Day celebrations held here on Sunday. Governor R N Ravi, who had on Saturday said "some people with guns" have tried to undermine the historical reality of Nagaland and its unique constitutional status, unfurled the national flag and inspected the parade of 20 contingents on Republic Day. He had also said that "power through the barrel of a gun has been proved to be a failed ideology". Cultural dances were performed by Angami, Rengma, Khiamniungan and Pochury troupes during the event held at the Civil Secretariat Plaza. Governor Ravi gave away the 'Union Home Minister's Medal for Excellence in Police Training' to four personnel and the 'Governor's Commendation Certificate' to nine persons. The governor, accompanied by his wife Laxmi Ravi, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Chief Secretary Temjen Toy and DGP T John Longkumer, inaugurated an exhibition organised by various government departments. Republic Day celebrations in other districts were also peaceful. The state government had deputed cabinet ministers and advisors to grace the occasion in all the district and sub-divisional headquarters. Justice and Law Minister C M Chang, speaking at an event in Dimapur, said, "The Government of India's negotiations with all Naga political groups have concluded successfully and we are now hopeful for an early solution." Chang appealed to all the Naga political groups and the stakeholders to be "sensitive to the deep yearning of the people" and continue with their efforts to ensure that the solution is reached without any further delay. In his address on the eve of Republic Day, Governor Ravi, also the Centre's interlocutor for the Naga peace talks, had said, "We should resolve our differences through peaceful dialogue, not under the shadow of guns." The governor said that guns and corruption, which he termed "twin evils", have taken a toll on the Naga people. "While the rest of the country, even our neighbours in the Northeast are marching ahead to greater prosperity, we, in Nagaland, are still craving for basic needs like motorable roads, functioning healthcare centres and schools with qualified teachers," he said. The governor said that the unholy alliance of the twin evils have to be broken to create a "new Nagaland". He said the Nagaland government is prioritising improving the condition of the roads, creating good health and education infrastructure, livelihood projects, IT networks and a conducive eco-system for innovation and entrepreneurship. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Internet providers are ripping off up to five million customers with a shoddy snail's pace service when they should be paying less for a faster broadband. Next month, the telecoms regulator Ofcom is to crack down on broadband providers such as BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin by ordering them to tell customers when they are coming to the end of their introductory offers. Most people forget when this happens and automatically continue to receive the same service but are charged a standard rate that is perhaps 15 a month on top of what they were previously paying. Slow broadband: Internet providers are ripping off up to five million customers This follows a shake-up two years ago that banned providers from using misleading adverts that boasted of maximum 'up to' speeds a figure usually impossible to achieve. But even though broadband providers must now promote only 'average' download speeds it does not mean that the service is any better or faster. According to the Advertising Standards Authority, average speeds are based on the download speed available to at least 50 per cent of customers at the peak usage time of 8pm to 10pm. Edd Dawson, chief executive of comparison website Broadband, says: 'What an internet provider claims you are receiving and what you are actually getting can be two different things. 'You should start by finding out the real speed. We provide a broadband speed tool you should use to find out if it is comparable with what an internet provider claims you get. 'You just tap your details into the website and it checks automatically. The trick is to do it when no one else is in the home and also to try it at various times duringthe day.' Dawson says you can also use other broadband speed service websites such as Broadband Speed Checker to test speeds in your home. There are also free phone apps that can do exactly the same thing. Those to consider include SpeedSmart, Speed Check and Network Analyzer. Speed test: Users should check their download speed to make sure it measures up The download speed is the main figure to look at on such a speed-checking service and this is measured in megabits. A family that uses laptops, computer games and smartphones may want a minimum of 20 Megabits per second (Mbps). High definition video streaming only requires 5Mbps but each time someone else goes online, the broadband speed drops so if a family of four were all logged on at the same time the service could cut out or freeze. According to Broadband, the average national speed is 36Mpbs. Another measurement to take note of is 'ping' which shows how fast you can connect to the internet. A ping delay of 50milliseconds (ms) is the slowest you should accept but if you want to play computer games you may need it to be just 10ms. You should also consider 'upload' speeds. This is a measurement for how fast you can send data so important if you want to send photos or videos. For most, an upload speed of 3Mbps is adequate. Three ways to speed up internet 1. Check to see if anyone else in your home is using the internet at the same time as you. A 10Mbps speed could be almost halved if two people are online. It might even be you as running another application in the background on your computer or tablet will eat into the speed available. So turn off any apps not being used. This includes your TV if using services such as Netflix or iPlayer, and a smartphone using the wi-fi. 2. Make sure that your router is password protected otherwise a neighbour could hitch a free ride on your wireless network and slow it down. Talk to your broadband provider as it may upgrade your old router for free. It can also change the channel on which your router wi-fi is broadcasting as others that live nearby that share the same channel frequency can slow down internet reception. There may also be electrical interference from nearby devices so also place the router in an open space. 3. Plug in a booster. Poor internet reception may affect your connection. BT sends out up to three free boosters if signed up to its 'complete wi-fi' service. Sky offers a wi-fi 'guarantee' for every room at 5 extra a month. Gadgets such as the 45 Netgear WiFi Range Extender extend the wi-fi signal range while the 38 TP-Link Gigabit Powerline plugs into your power socket and the back of your router to channel internet reception throughout your wired electricity supply. Another trick to consider is wrapping aluminium kitchen foil on a cardboard shield behind the modem to reflect the wi-fi signal so it only goes in the direction you want reception. Dawson says: 'Despite 26million homes being connected to broadband, at least 10 million of these could be enjoying better speeds. 'This is because they are not taking advantage of technology that allows faster speeds along existing copper wires or fibre cable access. 'As many as half of these customers could enjoy this faster service for less money just by switching to a new introductory offer.' If your internet speeds do not match up with the boast of your internet provider then call them and ask if they can sort it out. If it still fails to live up to your expectation, quit and go to another deal. The internet provider cannot keep you in a contract if it is not living up to the internet speed 'guarantee' it has made. Comparison websites such as Broadband or Broadbandchoices should be able to find the best deal. These services enable you to tap in your postcode to discover offers available in your area. Introductory contracts will provide the cheapest deals but will end up being poor value if you fail to switch to another good offer once it ends. Broadband points out that one of the cheapest offers is Post Office Unlimited Broadband. For the first year, it charges just 15.90 a month for an 11Mbps speed. But after this introductory period has ended, it leaps to 30 a month. For less than this standard price deal you could sign up to TalkTalk Faster Fibre which charges just 21.95 a month for a faster 38Mbps. Mark Pocock, manager at comparison website Broadbandchoices, says: 'Customers are all too easily bamboozled by impressive sounding high-tech jargon megabits, pings, downloads and uploads but few of us actually know what on earth it all means. Providers are eager to take advantage of this muddle. 'After sucking you in with an attractive introductory rate you do not even understand, you can be pushed into a standard contract. A supplier such as BT might charge 15 a month more for the same speed deal as before.' He adds: 'All this confusion makes it easy for you to get ripped off. But the new Ofcom rule forcing broadband suppliers to let you know when you are coming to the end of a contract should provide you with a wake-up call saying it is time to change.' Start by calling your existing internet provider to see if it can switch you on to a better deal then use a comparison website to see if this can be beaten. Despite a different provider having to send a new modem and router for you to log on to their service, they are often sent free to new customers. Pocock, of Broadbandchoices, says: 'There is a common misapprehension among consumers that changing providers causes internet disruption some fear it could be days. 'But the reality is that it only takes as long as turning one piece of equipment off and another on.' The new Ofcom rules, that kick in on February 15, demand an 'end-of-contract notification' is sent via either letter, text or email between ten and 40 days before a deal ends. This will also apply for all contracts taken out before February 15 but that end after this date. It will include details of current and future prices to be paid for the deal along with internet download speeds offered. Details about other internet offers from the same provider will also be included. Citizens Advice made a 'super complaint' 16 months ago about how loyalty to suppliers including broadband providers costs customers 4.1billion a year. This figure includes the cost to customers of not only switching to a better deal for broadband, but also mobiles, home insurance, mortgages and savings. The Competition and Markets Authority, which is handling the complaint, said earlier this month that it would publish its findings in six months on how the industry should be tackling loyalty rip-offs. Gillian Guy, chief executive at Citizens Advice, says: 'The loyalty penalty is a huge problem and affects those who can least afford it. Progress to tackle the problem is far too slow and inconsistent.' Huge crowds gathered for India's Republic Day parade Sunday, with women taking centre-stage at the annual pomp-filled spectacle of military might featuring army tanks, horses and camels. For the first time, the riders performing daredevil stunts on motorbikes to the delight of the crowds lining New Delhi's central Rajpath boulevard, were women. Inspector Seema Nag saluted the gathered VIPs as she led her fellow bikers, one precariously perched at the top of a ladder wedged behind her vehicle's handlebars as others formed a human pyramid, drawing the loudest cheers from thousands of spectators. And in front of the guest of honour, Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro, Captain Tania Shergill, a fourth-generation army officer, led an all-male Corps of Signals contingent. Bolsonaro sat next to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- who wore a saffron turban -- and waved and clapped from behind a bullet-proof glass. January 26 is the anniversary of India's adoption of its constitution in 1950. The two-hour showcase of military might and cultural diversity included everything from battle tanks and state-of-the-art weaponry to traditional dancers. Scaled-down models of the Rafale aircraft were paraded by the air force, following the South Asian nation's purchase of 36 jets from France in 2016 in a multi-billion-dollar deal. The mounted camels of the Border Security Force put in an early showing, strutting down the avenue in brightly coloured caparisons. Traditional dancers representing some of India's diverse regional cultures performed on elaborately decorated floats showcasing selected states. The show culminated with a Su-30 MKI fighter jet roaring through the sky in a "Vertical Charlie" aerobatic manoeuvre. - Pageantry and protests - The parade was held against a backdrop of nationwide protests over a new citizenship law that critics say discriminates against minority Muslims, which make up 200 million people in India's 1.3 billion-strong population. And as citizens celebrated in Delhi, in restive Indian Kashmir, all mobile phone services were suspended for several hours. The cut came just a day after people in the Muslim majority area had internet services partially restored, after the central government cut access in August as it stripped the region of its semi-autonomous status. And the northeastern state of Assam, where the protests first began, was rocked Sunday by four explosions which the police suspected were carried out by a separatist group. No-one was injured and nothing was damaged, police said. Also on Sunday, hundreds of women blocked a Delhi highway to protest the Citizenship Amendment Act and a proposed National Register of Citizens. The new law makes it easier for persecuted religious minorities from three neighbouring countries to obtain citizenship, but not if they are Muslim. Protesters say the law is against the secular principles enshrined in the Indian constitution. There were also protests against Bolsonaro's visit, with a small rally held in the western city of Mumbai Friday where demonstrators questioned his stand on climate change and sexist comments against a female politician. On Saturday the two nationalist leaders signed a slew of deals, including for defence and oil and gas, and promised to strengthen bilateral ties. Last year Brazil complained about India's subsidies for sugar exports to the World Trade Organisation, saying it would hurt free competition in the global market. India is the largest cane sugar producer in the world followed by Brazil, according to the International Sugar Organisation. They enjoyed a seaside breakfast in Malibu on Saturday morning. And Liam Hemsworth was ready to paint the town red on a romantic night out with girlfriend Gabriella Brooks in Los Angeles. The 30-year-old actor looked handsome in a grey suede jacket while his lady love flaunted her supermodel legs in a white miniskirt as they left the San Vicente Bungalows in West Hollywood. Love is in the air: Liam Hemsworth was ready to paint the town red on a romantic night out with girlfriend Gabriella Brooks in Los Angeles Hemsworth stayed with his monochrome theme wearing a marching grey shirt underneath his coat. The Hunger Games star styled his chocolate brown hair and showed off a bit of scruff on his face. Gabriella, 23, rocked a chic ensemble complete with a tan leather duster worn on top of a white tee and matching denim skirt. Stylish: Gabriella, 23, flaunted her supermodel legs in a white miniskirt as they left the San Vicente Bungalows in West Hollywood She added a pop of color with a pair of chunky red booties and carried a lime green purse over her shoulder. The Australian model wore her caramel colored hair in naturally wavy and let her bold brows command attention on her impeccable complexion. Liam and Gabriella made things official earlier this month when they were spotted kissing on the beach in Australia. Sweet: Liam and Gabriella made things official earlier this month when they were spotted kissing on the beach in Australia It's the second relationship for Liam since he split from his wife, Miley Cyrus, in August last year, after less than eight months of marriage. In October, he stepped out with Australian actress Maddison Brown, 23, in New York, but the pair just weren't a match. 'Liam feels comfortable with Gabriella,' a source told US Weekly. 'His family approves of her and really likes her, which is very important to him.' To the annoyance of some shareholders, Chicago Rivet & Machine (NYSEMKT:CVR) shares are down a considerable in the last month. Even longer term holders have taken a real hit with the stock declining 5.6% in the last year. On the bright side, the share price is slightly up over the last 90 days. All else being equal, a sharp share price increase should make a stock less attractive to potential investors. In the long term, share prices tend to follow earnings per share, but in the short term prices bounce around in response to short term factors (which are not always obvious). The implication here is that deep value investors might steer clear when expectations of a company are too high. One way to gauge market expectations of a stock is to look at its Price to Earnings Ratio (PE Ratio). A high P/E ratio means that investors have a high expectation about future growth, while a low P/E ratio means they have low expectations about future growth. See our latest analysis for Chicago Rivet & Machine How Does Chicago Rivet & Machine's P/E Ratio Compare To Its Peers? Chicago Rivet & Machine has a P/E ratio of 22.39. The image below shows that Chicago Rivet & Machine has a P/E ratio that is roughly in line with the machinery industry average (22.5). AMEX:CVR Price Estimation Relative to Market, January 26th 2020 That indicates that the market expects Chicago Rivet & Machine will perform roughly in line with other companies in its industry. The company could surprise by performing better than average, in the future. Further research into factors such as insider buying and selling, could help you form your own view on whether that is likely. How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios When earnings fall, the 'E' decreases, over time. That means even if the current P/E is low, it will increase over time if the share price stays flat. Then, a higher P/E might scare off shareholders, pushing the share price down. Chicago Rivet & Machine's earnings per share fell by 54% in the last twelve months. And it has shrunk its earnings per share by 13% per year over the last five years. This could justify a pessimistic P/E. Story continues Remember: P/E Ratios Don't Consider The Balance Sheet The 'Price' in P/E reflects the market capitalization of the company. Thus, the metric does not reflect cash or debt held by the company. Theoretically, a business can improve its earnings (and produce a lower P/E in the future) by investing in growth. That means taking on debt (or spending its cash). Spending on growth might be good or bad a few years later, but the point is that the P/E ratio does not account for the option (or lack thereof). So What Does Chicago Rivet & Machine's Balance Sheet Tell Us? Chicago Rivet & Machine has net cash of US$7.3m. This is fairly high at 28% of its market capitalization. That might mean balance sheet strength is important to the business, but should also help push the P/E a bit higher than it would otherwise be. The Bottom Line On Chicago Rivet & Machine's P/E Ratio Chicago Rivet & Machine's P/E is 22.4 which is above average (18.6) in its market. Falling earnings per share is probably keeping traditional value investors away, but the relatively strong balance sheet will allow the company time to invest in growth. Clearly, the high P/E indicates shareholders think it will! Given Chicago Rivet & Machine's P/E ratio has declined from 22.4 to 22.4 in the last month, we know for sure that the market is less confident about the business today, than it was back then. For those who prefer to invest with the flow of momentum, that might be a bad sign, but for a contrarian, it may signal opportunity. Investors should be looking to buy stocks that the market is wrong about. If the reality for a company is better than it expects, you can make money by buying and holding for the long term. Although we don't have analyst forecasts you might want to assess this data-rich visualization of earnings, revenue and cash flow. But note: Chicago Rivet & Machine may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with strong recent earnings growth (and a P/E ratio below 20). If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Express News Service By NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Saturday imposed a 48-hour campaigning ban on BJP candidate Kapil Mishra, over a series of tweets in which he likened the February 8 Delhi Assembly elections to an India-Pakistan contest.The action came a day after an FIR was filed against the Model Town nominee on the order of Delhis chief electoral officer. Formerly with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and considered close to party chief Arvind Kejriwal, Mishra switched to the saffron camp after falling out with the latter. The FIR was filed on Friday evening after Chief Electoral Officer Ranbir Singh asked the Delhi Police to register a case under Section 123 of Representation of People Act, which pertains to the conduct of elections. Earlier that day, Twitter removed his controversial posts following a direction by the Election Commission. While saying that the party respects the decision of the poll panel, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said, Slogans hurting Hindu sentiments are being raised at Shaheen Bagh. Voices espousing Jinnahs ideology are also chanting death to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and (Home Minister) Amit Shah. The EC should also take note of such provocative statements and slogans. Image Source: Free SVG The first cases of the deadly coronavirus have been confirmed in Europe, as UK public health officials have been working to track down about 2,000 people who are believed to have recently arrived from Wuhan. The virus has killed at least 41 people in China, state media said, with more than 1,287 cases confirmed. France on Friday announced the first cases outside Asia and the United States of the deadly new virus from China, and the country's health minister said Europe should brace for other new cases from the spreading epidemic that she said must be fought like a wildfire. Health Minister Agnes Buzyn said the two confirmed cases, Europe's first, both involved people who had travelled to China, where hundreds of people have fallen ill and more than two dozen have died. The sickened patients in France were quickly taken to hospital, in isolation, one in Paris, the other in the southwestern city of Bordeaux. Protesters in Iraq continue to demonstrate but government is stalling on their first demand of picking a new PM. Baghdad, Iraq Anti-government protesters have shown no sign of backing down from their demands and demonstrating against what they call the corrupt ruling elite, despite a heavy-handed response from security forces. Clashes continued on Sunday in the capital, Baghdad, and several southern cities of Karbala, Diwaniya and Basra, a day after influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr announced he will no longer interfere in the nearly four-months-long protest movement. Observers say al-Sadr, who also heads the largest coalition in parliament, offered support and physical protection to protesters from pro-Iranian militias. His decision, which prompted many of his supporters to pack up their tents and leave the protest sit-ins, gave the security forces the green light to attempt to disperse the protest sites on Saturday, protesters said. At least 12 demonstrators have been killed since Saturday, the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights said, with three in the southern Nasiriya city, and nine in Baghdad province. In total, at least 500 protesters have been killed since October. Yesterdays events certainly indicate that the government felt confident that the withdrawal of the Sadrists from the protests would allow it to crush them once and for all, said Fanar Haddad, a senior research fellow at the Middle East Institute, National University of Singapore. If yesterdays events turn into a permanent break between Sadr and the protest movement, the latter risk increased fragmentation and political isolation. However, Haddad added, the use of brute force has failed to end the protests or diminish the momentum of demonstrators mobilisation. While riot police prevented students from reaching the central Haboubi Square in Nasiriya, thousands continued to demonstrate in the streets. Supporters of Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr protest against the US presence in Iraq [Thaier al-Sudani/Reuters] At an impasse Protesters have been demanding a complete overhaul of the political system, which they view as being mired in corruption and a vessel for sectarian politics. Their list of demands includes a new prime minister who is independent from the current political blocs, new elections, and to hold corrupt politicians and security forces accountable for the killing of protesters. Despite Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi resigning from his post last December, he remains in a caretaker capacity. Candidates nominated by the government, such as the governor of Basra, Asad al-Idani, and Qusay al-Suhail of the pro-Iranian Binaa coalition, were rejected by the protesters. We are still in this area whereby the major political parties in parliament try to nominate someone who is close to them but relatively independent, but still within their circles, Riad Fahmi, a former Iraqi parliamentarian, told Al Jazeera. So this impasse will remain. Fahmi, who was part of Sadrs Sairoon coalition as a member of the Communist Party, resigned from his post on October 27 in support of the protests. He said whether the impasse can be broken depends on who could tilt the balance of power. So far the government and political parties dont have the will and enough power to impose a new prime minister, Fahmi said. Neither have the protesters been capable to put their own candidate forward that corresponds to the characteristics and conditions that their demands specify. A political outsider? According to Ahmed Rushdi, director of Iraqi Expertise Foundation, picking a new prime minister depends on the will of al-Sadrs Sairoon bloc as well as the second-largest bloc, Fatah, which is headed by Hadi al-Amiri and is closely tied to the pro-Iranian Hashd al-Shabi (Popular Mobilisation Forces, or PMF) militia. The prime minister would need to be propped up by these two blocs, Rushdi said, adding they are in opposition to each other. One of the chief obstacles to government formation, Haddad explained, has been the difficulty if not impossibility of finding a tolerable middle ground between the interests of the ruling parties and the demands on the street. The government of 2018 was inaugurated by papering over constitutional and political issues such as the matter of the largest bloc and the irreconcilable contradictions between the likes of Sairoun and Fatah, he said. These issues were never resolved and have now been magnified by the succession of crises over the last four months. But whereas Sairoon and Fatah previously came in agreement to choose Abdul Mahdi, protesters want someone outside of the political blocs. The demonstrators are looking for someone who did not participate in the political process since 2003, is transparent, an academic, and has good relations with both the United States and Iran, Rushdi said. Such figures do exist, but the question is will the political blocs give him a chance? An Iraqi protester runs to throw a tear gas canister back towards riot police during clashes [Ahmed Jalil/EPA] Ball in politicians court Once a prime minister is chosen, he will usher in new elections. Former MP Fahmi said the government fears designating a politically independent candidate would threaten their seats in power. A new prime minister will mean implementing the steps of a transitory government, such as holding early elections and holding accountable those who have committed crimes against the people, he said. It is clear that the current government fears this process might threaten their positions. They are hoping that the pressure put by the protesters will dwindle and be weakened so that they can remain in office. Rushdi agreed, saying the political blocs are procrastinating on finding a suitable candidate because they do not want to head to new elections. Its a political game and they are using the looking for a new prime minister as a camouflage to hide behind in order to hold on to their seats in power, he said. Fahmi said the deadlock could be resolved as the ball is in the court of the president and politicians. They have to choose a candidate who is really independent, not compromised and one that will be accepted by the people, he said. It depends on them whether they are willing to concede some of their privileges and their power, which up until now they dont want to do. (Newser) An officer of the Revolutionary Guards tried to reach the command center for instructions when he spotted what he thought was an unidentified aircraft near the airport in Tehran. He couldn't get through, leaving him seconds to make the decision himself. So the officer, on the military's highest alert for an American attack, fired two antiaircraft missilesbringing down a Ukrainian airliner and killing 176 people. The military cover-up began almost immediately, the New York Times reports. President Hassan Rouhani was kept in the dark as the government denied shooting the airliner down. It was a three full days before the government admitted the attack. story continues below The Guards Aerospace Force had asked the government to close Iran's airspace as it prepared for a US response to its planned counterattack after a drone strike killed an Iranian general. But the government worried that would cause panic among civilians that the nation was about to go to war with the US, per the Times. Officials also thought civilian planes in the air might keep the US from attacking the airport or a nearby base. The rationale for covering up the truth included fear of renewed protests against the government, and public pressure did contribute to the government's admission. The families of Iranians killed on the plane wanted answers. One critic said the government had done more than lie. "There was a systematic cover-up at the highest levels that makes it impossible to get out of this crisis," he said. (Read more Iran stories.) By IANS KOLKATA: Throwing a challenge to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to stop the new citizenship law's (CAA) implementation, state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh said, here on Sunday, his party would visit every house and make arrangements online to ensure that Bangladeshi refugees filled the forms to get citizenship under the Act. Accusing the Trinamool Congress of going "against the interests" of Bengal and India, Ghosh said he and his party would like to see to what extent the TMC could go in "turning against the nation and Bengalis". READ| Two crore Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators who entered India won't be allowed to stay: Dilip Ghosh Ghosh said if the TMC tried to resist the BJP, the state would turn against it. "We will see to what extent the TMC can turn anti-national and anti-Bengali," he said. The central government and the BJP "will definitely give citizenship to every refugee", he added. "Mamata and his brothers are threatening us that they won't allow implementation of the CAA. They can't do anything. They don't have the calibre. We will go from house to house to ensure that people filled up forms. We will also ensure that forms are filled up online," he said. The CAA, passed in Parliament last month, seeks to provide Indian nationality to Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Jains and Buddhists fleeing persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh before December 31, 2014. As per the Act, they will not be treated as illegal immigrants and be given citizenship. The legislation, which came into force on January 10, has led to countrywide protests, with students coming out on the streets in thousands in almost all the states. Civil society members, anti-BJP political parties and commoners have also joined the protests. In Bengal, Banerjee-led TMC has been at the forefront of the protests. A 61-year-old Rohnert Park woman was arrested for solicitation of prostitution on Thursday in the unincorporated community of Penngrove, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said. Tonga Ball was arrested for allegedly offering to perform a lewd act for money to an undercover detective who was getting a massage at Green Rose Therapy on Main Street in Penngrove. The undercover operation was conducted as part of an initiative targeting possible human trafficking by the county sheriff in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Sonoma County Code Enforcement. A detective and an FBI agent interviewed Ball about possible human trafficking, but she responded that she was there of her own free will and the business was not involved in any human trafficking operation. Ball was cited and released for solicitation for prostitution. Sonoma County Code Enforcement cited the business for multiple violations, including being a public nuisance, change of occupancy, commercial tenant improvements without permits, and unpermitted substandard construction. The location was posted as being a dangerous building and specific tenant spaces cannot be occupied until violations have been corrected. Another business, Penngrove Relax Center, was also inspected by detectives and code enforcement agents and cited for multiple violations. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Rwanda govt commits to uproot illegal fishing practices by Emmanuel Come Mugisha January 26,2020 | Source: The New Times Rwanda's Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) and the countrys fishery industry players have committed to putting an end to illegal fishing, blaming it for threatening to cripple the sectors potential. The commitment was made during a dialogue that brought together stakeholders in the fishing industry on Friday at MINAGRI headquarters in Kacyiru. Illegal fishing is an umbrella term used for all malpractices in the sector such as the use of unlawful fishing gear (like mosquito nets) and snares, fishing during the biological break among others. Cecile Uwizeyimana, the official in charge of Fishery and Aquaculture at Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) told the participants at the dialogue that it was time to uproot the illegal activities which have been hurting production for a while, making Rwanda the lowest consumer and biggest fish importer in the East African region. This fish poaching, practiced by both non-members and members of cooperatives is also linked to dealers who sell illegal nets and low-quality fishing materials and it is hurting this industry. We must stop them, she said. Citing a case in Lake Bugesera where fish poaching is said to be most prevalent, Jean de Dieu Sindikubwabo, the head of the fishmongers federation in Rwanda said that the biggest challenge was that illegal fishing was vastly practiced by members of their cooperatives or their relatives. Jean Claude Nzeyimana, head of the fishermen union in Rusizi District blamed the vice on lack of structured dealership and little to no control of fishing gear among the main reasons fishermen engage in malpractices. Most of materials used in illegal fishing are cheap and easy to get; for example, mosquito nets. It requires no capital at all, he said. The Director-General of Animal Resources at the ministry, Theogene Rutagwenda, said that with best practices and a task force of all players, the threat can be eliminated. After concluding that existing measures (fines) are not yielding desirable results, the ministry has proposed collective punishment of the involved cooperative by revoking its fishing licence. In the meantime, Rutegwenda said that a new law is under development to replace the existing one which failed to address the threat. While fish production stood at only 31,465 tonnes last year, it is projected to go up to 65,000 tonnes this year and 112,000 in 2024. Among mechanisms to hit the target is encouraging cage fish farming. There are currently 211 fish cages in Lake Kivu and 131 in Lake Muhazi, and 1,087 fish ponds. The government also wants to tighten the two-month freeze taken every year for fish to multiply. Farmers have also been urged to breed more, bigger fish species other than tilapia and sardines which are the most common in Rwanda. The Police Marine Unit Commanding Officer; ACP Elias Mwesige, said that a department in charge of lakes management had been playing its role in cracking down on illegal fishing despite challenges. For instance, the marines during the recent crackdown captured 299 small boats, over 8,000 illegal fishing gears, hundreds of substandard life jackets and lamps among others. The New Times Rwanda 2007 - 2019 Theme(s): Fishing Craft, Gear and Fishing Methods. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 26 By Elnur Baghishov - Trend: Iran's Petropars company continues to carry out the work in the first block of the 11th phase of the South Pars gas field (which is called North Dome in Qatar), which is a joint gas field of Iran and Qatar, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zangeneh said. The project of developing the first block of the 11th phase of the South Pars gas field was fully entrusted to Petropars company after the withdrawal of French Total company and China National Petroleum Corporation from the project, Zangeneh added, Trend reports referring to the Iranian parliaments website. Petropars company has launched the operations and will intend to sign the contracts for obtaining the necessary materials to drill wells, the minister said. "So far, in terms of technology and design, Petropars company cannot develop the second block of the 11th phase of the South Pars gas field," Zangeneh said. After the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2016, the Iranian Oil Ministry announced new contracts for the development of oil and gas fields. However, after the US withdrew from the JCPOA in May 2018 and imposed the sanctions in November 2018, most of the companies left Iran. As a result, Iran entrusted Petropars company to develop the 11th phase of the South Pars gas field. The proven reserves of the South Pars Gas Field have reached 51 trillion cubic meters of gas (36 trillion extractable). Presently, 630 million cubic meters of gas may be extracted from Iran's South Pars gas field daily. After new platforms are commissioned at five phases (13, 14, 22, 23 and 24), gas production volume will increase up to 680 million cubic meters a day. Assam police personnel get ready to participate in the Republic Day parade in Guwahati, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. Despite four low-intensity blasts by suspected militants, the celebrations took place unhindered. (AP Photo) GUWAHATI: Four low-intensity blasts rocked upper Assam while the entire nation was observing the 71st Republic Day on Sunday. Security sources said they suspect it was the handiwork of the outlawed Ulfa-I. Most of the blasts took place in isolated and unguarded areas, so there was no damage to property or human lives. Additional director-general of police (law and order) G P Singh said, We had reports of five incidents. But at one of those spots, there was no sign of any blast. So, we have been able to confirm four blasts: two in Dibrugarh and one each on Duliajan and Sonari. Stating that they could not confirm a blast reported from Doomdooma, he said, All these are low-intensity improvised explosive device (IED) blasts. There was no damage to property and no human injury or casualties. The first blast was reported at 8:10 am and the last one 8:25 am. Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal told repoprters, We strongly condemn the bomb blasts in a few places. This cowardly attempt to create terror on a sacred day only exhibits the frustration of the terror groups after their total rejection by the people. Our government will take the sternest action to bring the culprits to book. The outlawed Ulfa-I had issued a call for a general strike on Sunday, asking citizens to abstain from the Republic Day celebrations and remain indoors. The blasts took place days after 644 militants from eight rebel outfits laid down arms in front of Sonowal at a ceremony in Guwahati. It included 50 Ulfa-I cadres. However, the four bomb blasts failed to dampen the mood of the people who came out in large number on the streets of Guwahati to celebrate Republic Day. Several motorbike and vintage car rallies gave a festive look to the capital city where Assam governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi unfurled the national flag at the Khanapar playground. Defying the boycott call given by the outlawed Ulfa-I, a large number of people attended the main function of Republic Day. When you think about buying a house, you think about the plentiful cabinet space you hope to find in the kitchen, or ample bedroom size. You probably aren't thinking about the home appraisal. If you're selling a home, you're probably daydreaming about the home you plan on moving into next. You're probably wondering how much you can sell your home for, too. But whether you're selling or buying, you probably aren't thinking much about the home appraisal process. It isn't one of the most glamorous parts of buying or selling a home, and yet if home appraisals disappeared tomorrow, the real estate market would come crashing down. So if you're about to buy or sell a home and know little about appraisals, it's time to change that. What are they? A home appraisal is a very educated guess as to how much your property is worth. Why are home appraisals important? No credible financial institution will lend you money for a house without an appraisal. "The appraisal lets a bank or lender know what the loan collateral will sell for in a worst-case scenario," says Bart Jackson, an appraiser in Charleston, South Carolina, who is also a real estate agent with Charleston Preferred Properties, a residential real estate brokerage firm. In other words, to go with an extreme example, the bank doesn't want to be stuck with a home they lent the borrower a million dollars for but can only sell for $100,000 because that's all it is worth. The homebuyer shouldn't want that either, of course. So appraisals exist for good reason, but what can make them a tense time for all parties is that they're conducted after you've negotiated a price, agreed to buy or sell the house and signed the contract. So it's in everyone's best interest that the appraisal is close to the price that both seller and buyer have agreed on. That said, if it turns out you're about to buy a house for a wildly inflated price, that doesn't necessarily mean you're obligated to buy the house. But if you aren't careful, it could mean just that. Story continues The sales-and-purchase agreement should address the possibility that your appraisal comes in below the purchase price, and allow you to terminate the contract or renegotiate the price, says Robert Pellegrini, a real estate attorney based in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. "If not, you could be obligated to cover the difference for a lowball appraisal, and that could mean you're on the hook for thousands," Pellegrini says. Who pays for the home appraisal? Usually, it's the seller who pays for it at closing, which can be as high as several hundred dollars. The national average cost for a property appraiser is $309, according to data compiled by HomeAdvisor.com. How do home appraisals differ from home inspections? The two often get confused, but they aren't the same thing. Both an appraiser and inspector will walk around the house and take a good look at it (usually, the inspector comes first), but they're each at the house for different reasons. The appraiser is looking at the value of the home; the inspector is looking for any defects with the home that may cause you financial grief later. Of course, if the appraiser notices a problem, she won't ignore it. If the appraiser spots a leaky sink or some loose wiring, she may request an inspection, says Staci Titsworth, regional manager for PNC Mortgage in Pittsburgh. How long does the appraisal process take? It used to take a couple of days, but in recent years, ever since the recession -- when federal guidelines changed the appraisal process -- it's more often a week or two. Underwriters can request more information about the house than they could in past years, and gathering that data and photos can take time for the seller and real estate agent, which can mess up the closing date, putting everyone on edge. What factors go into deciding the worth of a house? Plenty. "The appraiser is looking at the key characteristics of the property including square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, condition of the home, current recently sold comparables that are close in proximity and health and safety issues," Titsworth says. That said, most real estate agents will tell you that it's the recently sold comparables -- that is, houses that are similar to your own -- that are the main factors in appraising a home. It's all about property values. If you're a homeowner, what can you do to improve the process? Nothing, once it starts. "You're powerless during the appraisal process," Pellegrini says. But before the appraiser comes by, you can take these common-sense steps. "It's important to have the property look as good as it possibly can. You want to help the appraiser see your property's potential so they will possibly reconcile a value closer toward the upper end of the range," Jackson says. After all, appraisers are only human. You could have a really cool house easily worth between, say, $300,000 and $325,000, but if it's junkie, it's easy to imagine the appraiser coming down closer to $300,000. To that end, Jackson says the day the appraiser comes, the lawn should be mowed, the landscaping weeded and the bushes trimmed. Clean the house. Get out the air freshener. Turn on the lights and open the blinds, Jackson says. "It's also very helpful to sit down the day or night before the appraiser arrives and make a list of repairs and improvements that have been done to the house over the past several years," he says. So if you've put on a new roof or bought a new hot water heater, let the appraiser know, Jackson says. "Note anything you can think of -- the appraiser will decide what is important to the value. It does not have to be formal or detailed. Just thoughtfully note everything so you can give it to the appraiser before he or she leaves." But don't get too excited if you've spent a lot on repairs and renovations. Your $30,000 kitchen remodel may help the appraisal, but it won't automatically mean your house is worth an extra $30,000. What a good real estate agent will do. If you're selling the home, your agent will be there to meet the appraiser and share the home improvements you've jotted down -- and offer other data as well. "In the past, we would just meet the appraiser to open the door so that they could view the home," says Josh Muncey, a realtor in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. Now, Muncey will come armed with a folder of information on comparable homes that justify the sale price. "We even call around to other brokers to ask what other properties that have not closed yet are currently under contract for since they are often slated to sell for a price well above asking, and it's critical that the appraiser has this information." Basically, says Melissa Terzis, a realtor in the District of Columbia: "The more information a seller and their agent can give an appraiser that they can't find out just from checking the listing and walking through the home, the better." More From US News & World Report The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the consulate in Shanghai, China is already in touch with around 150 Filipinos in Wuhan City, ground zero of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak. In a statement issued Sunday, January 26, the DFA said the Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai has requested Filipino community leaders in Wuhan to provide assistance to Filipinos, especially tourists or those on short-time visit. Wuhan is on lockdown in a bid to contain the infectious disease, which has killed 56 as of Sunday morning and infected 1,975 persons. The DFA said it is closely monitoring the outbreak through its embassy and consulates general in China. Filipinos there and in other countries were advised to take necessary precautions and follow the advice from local health authorities in their areas. In Hong Kong, the Philippine Consulate General issued an advisory urging Filipinos to cooperate with the Hong Kong government, as it raised its response level to the highest "Emergency Response Level". Filipinos who will require assistance from the Consulate may be reached through its hotline at (+852) 9155 4023. In Manila, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola will convene an emergency meeting on Monday, January 27, 2020, to discuss strategies to properly respond to this health emergency. The nCoV, which is believed to have originated from wildlife traded at a market in Wuhan, is similar to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars-CoV). Symptoms include cough, colds, headache and fever. (MVI/SunStar Philippines) MPs said the agreement should be canceled to protect the local market from harmful Turkish dumping practices Egypt's MPs teamed up during a meeting held by parliaments industrial committee on Sunday morning to ask the government to cancel a free trade agreement that was signed with Turkey in 2005. Farag Amer, the head of the industry committee, said the agreement has done a lot of harm to Egyptian industry and products. The Turks used the agreement to flood the local market with a lot of cheap and substandard products, said Amer. Amer indicated that the committee has repeatedly asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to cancel the agreement with Turkey because it has done much harm to many Egyptian industries in the last two years. The Turkish side has clearly been exploiting this agreement to flood the local market with substandard products that cause a lot of harm to counterpart local industries, particularly in the areas of reinforced steel, wood, paper, and textile products, said Amer. These harmful practices should force the Ministry of Industry and Trade to revoke the 2005s free trade agreement between Egypt and Turkey and lodge a complaint with the World Trade Organisation in this respect. Amer said that Turkeys hostile policies towards Egypt in recent years should be another reason for the government to sever the 2005 free trade agreement. Mohamed El-Ghoul, an Upper Egypt MP, said the agreement allows Turkish products to enter the local market free from custom duties or tax fees. The free trade agreement between Egypt and Turkey was signed in 2005, but it came into effect when the Muslim Brotherhood reached power in 2013, said El-Ghoul, indicating that while Egypt imported EGP 4.6 billion worth of Turkish products in 2018, Turkey imported just EGP 1.1 billion worth of Egyptian products, and this shows that this agreement primarily serves the Turkish side. According to El-Ghoul, the agreement states that beginning January 2020, Turkish products will be allowed to enter the Egyptian market without custom duties. But Turkish products have already been entering the Egyptian market without custom duties since 2018 in a way that has done a lot of harm to the local market and despite Turkeys aggressive attitudes towards Egypt, said El-Ghoul, accusing a number of Egyptian local importers who have a lot of business with Turkey of manipulating the agreement in their favour and at the expense of local products. El-Ghoul said that substandard Turkish imports have done much harm to Egypts wood industry. For example, a fibre board wood factory in the Upper Egypt governorate of Qena is on the verge of collapse because of dumping practices by Turkey and China, said El-Ghoul, urging the government to follow the example of the United States, which has imposed high tariffs between 10 to 25 percent on Chinese aluminium imports that did harm to American products. Ibrahim El-Sigini, head of the Ministry of Industry and Trades commercial deals department, said the government is ready to impose protection fees on Turkish products once local producers file complaints corroborated with all the documents proving that Turkey is exercising illegal dumping practices that have done them harm. Search Keywords: Short link: Fire crews have been battling a large blaze in Greerton this morning. Crews attended a building fire on Chadwick Road around 5:30am this morning, Fire and Emergency New Zealand northern communications shift manager Dallas Ramsay says. The fire is in a building used as a tattoo parlour, Dallas says. The fire is around 13 meters by 25 meters, three levels, and a third of the building was burnt. We're dampening down [hotspots] and investigating. There are currently two units in attendance and police have been advised because of the size of the fire, she says. It's certainly winding down, they've released a number of appliances and we're now only left with two trucks there. A caller to SunLive has seen the building and says it is a mess. It has taken all of the new business and some of the Thai Restaurant next door, they say. A police spokesperson, says the fire was reported to police around 5:40am We have been alerted and are at the scene. Both police and fire are unsure if the fire is suspicious at this stage. A possible Russian-brokered reconciliation between Ankara and Damascus could change the course of Syrians nearly 9-year-old civil war amid the unprecedented level of clashes in Idlib. The last rebel stronghold not only keeps Turkey on the brink of direct confrontation with the Syrian government forces but also tests Russian-Turkish ties. The ramped-up Russian efforts finally translated into a high-level direct dialogue between the two sides when Turkeys intelligence chief Hakan Fidan and his Syrian counterpart Maj. Gen. Ali Mamlouk met in Moscow on Jan. 13. Despite ongoing low-profile contacts, the face-to-face encounter of the two represents the first high-level meeting between the two sides since 2011. Aware of the fact that the Syrian crisis cannot be settled without mending bridges, Russia is pushing for restoration of ties on the basis of the 1998 Adana accord, which envisages enhanced security cooperation against terrorist organizations. The two spymasters are said to have agreed on a nine-point road map to advance the dialogue, including a goal to cooperate against terrorism, according to Turkish reports. Sources who are familiar with the nature of the Russian-brokered contacts between Turkey and Syria told Al-Monitor that some high-level Turkish officials of Circassian origins played a facilitating role in the dialogue process. Exiled from Russia in 1864, Circassian people were scattered across the Middle East and over time they rose to positions of significance in security establishments in their respective countries. A Turkish general of Circassian origin headed one of the low-level contacts between the two countries and held talks with the Syrian delegation headed by Hussam Luka, a high-ranking Syrian intelligence officer, the source told Al-Monitor. The meeting also stood witness to a first: Fidan and Mamlouk reportedly discussed possible cooperation grounds against the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its armed wing, the Peoples Protection Units (YPG). The YPG is a sister organization of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which Turkey along with the United States and many other Western powers considers a terrorist group. The meeting grabbed the attention of global and regional powers. Their capacity as spy chiefs aside, both Mamlouk and Fidan are known as close associates to the leaders of their countries. Mamlouk participates in important political negotiations on behalf of President Bashar al-Assad while Fidan is known as one of the vital pillars of Ankaras Syria policy. Although the surprise meeting might be followed by further steps, the Russian ambition is not yet matched either by Ankara or by Damascus. The Russian side says a reset between Turkey and the Syrian regime is a must for two reasons. First, once the relations between Ankara and Damascus normalize, Turkey-backed armed forces would have no choice but to compromise, lessening the potential for violent conflict; Turkey would have to stop supporting the armed Syrian opposition, thwarting any possible confrontation between the Turkish army and regime forces. Second, the normalization of political relations could help mitigate the financial problems of the Syrian economy, which is on the brink of collapse due to the war and sanctions. The economic crisis is threatening the military gains the Syrian government forces have achieved on the battlefield. Turkeys contribution to the reconstruction efforts of the country would also be important. However, Turkeys support for the Syrian rebels and the Turkish military presence in the Syrian territories continue to be a deal breaker for the Damascus government. Indeed, the first demand Mamlouk expressed during the Moscow meeting was for Turkey to respect the countrys sovereignty and withdraw its forces from Syria immediately, the Syrian state news agency SANA reported. The Syrian source told Al-Monitor that although the situation on the ground dictates an agreement, the current positions of Turkey and the Syrian government dont allow for reconciliation. Russia believes that the reconstruction process in Syria will not be successful without Turkeys involvement. The financial crisis in the country is so deep that its threatening the Syrian government's military achievements on the ground. Certain vital supplies can only be provided by Turkey, the source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. Ankara has made its position quite clear on one matter in talks with Moscow: Turkey may consider withdrawing its forces from northern Syria should Damascus agree to implement some structural changes, including limiting the regime control to the south of the safe zone and taking the YPG under its full control. According to the source, the nine-point road map shouldnt be overestimated and it can only be seen as a common ground to launch a dialogue because Assad may not be able to convince his base on the legitimacy of these nine points Furthermore, the source said Iranian forces may opt for a tactical withdrawal from their positions in the wake of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimanis killing and that Turkey may attempt to fill the vacuum. The Trump administration wouldnt stop Turkeys efforts to restrain and push back Iranians, the source added. The widespread opinion is that Turkey will not agree to withdraw its military presence from the war-torn country without ensuring a mechanism to completely eliminate the PYD and the YPG. This leads many to wonder whether the Syrian government would sacrifice the Syrian Kurds to mend ties with Ankara. Right now, the regimes main concern is survival; maintaining its territorial integrity is not a priority, at least for now. They are neither ready to fight against the PYD nor do they have the capacity for that. Besides, Russia and the United States will not allow that. Russia deems it necessary that Kurds have at least a cultural autonomy in order to end the American military presence in Syria, particularly around oil fields under the control of Syrian Kurdish groups. The Russian side is said to be developing two strategies to thwart Turkeys possible objections to this idea: giving Turkey a share in the reconstruction process in Syria and establishing a cooperation bloc between Syria, Turkey and Russia to support Ankaras policies in the energy war over hydrocarbon resources in the eastern Mediterranean. Can mutual interests over the hydrocarbon resources in the eastern Mediterranean play a constructive role in this process? The source said that Turkeys unilateral strategy to explore natural gas resources in the waters prevents Syria from following an independent policy and that Syria will probably develop its strategy by taking all the players into account. Some political quarters in Damascus, however, hold a more tenacious position. Tariq Al-Ahmad, the head of Syrian Social Nationalist Partys foreign relations office, said Turkey has to first prove its good faith by respecting Syrias territorial integrity for a clean slate.. Turkey has to be strong; otherwise it cannot overcome these problems. The fire needs to be put out completely; otherwise a tiny spark could reignite the fire. Turkey has to understand this, Ahmad told Al-Monitor. The end of the war will bring peace to the neighboring countries as well. Ahmad said the Syrian government will not permit the Syrian Kurds or any other group to pursue ethnic policies once the regime regains its strength after restoring its territorial integrity and sovereignty. The YPG can merge into the Syrian national army, but the government wont allow the YPG to keep their flag; no one can expect such a thing, Ahmad said. Despite his seemingly uncompromising attitude, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has a record of backpedaling when push comes to shove. Given the financial problems the Turkish economy faces, Erdogan may well follow his track record once again should he be given assurances that Turkey will be given a share in the Syrian reconstruction process. Amid agitations against the Citizenship Amendment Act in several parts of the country, former Union minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram Sunday took to Twitter to call for raising the level of protest. As we raise the flag today, let us also raise the level of protest, he said in one of his tweets. In Delhi, Shaheen Bagh has been the epicentre of the anti-CAA protest largely helmed by women since December 15. The government accuses the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party of backing the protests. Chidambaram began the series of tweets by saying that the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution were given by the people unto themselves which no government can take away. Happy Republic Day. The soul of the Constitution lies in the freedoms guaranteed in Part III of the Constitution. These freedoms were given by the People unto themselves. No government can take them away, he wrote. A trenchant critic of the government, Chidambaram also said freedom for the population cannot be partial. As long as freedoms are denied to any part of the people, the whole of the population is denied freedom, he wrote. He also criticized the government for a heavy handed approach to Kashmir where a rash of restrictions that were introduced in August last year when the Centre scrapped Article 370, still remain in force. Remember that today as we think of the 70 lakh people of the Kashmir valley whose freedoms have been taken away, including those in custody for over 6 months. without charges. Add to that the outrageous charges, including sedition, slapped against hundreds of protesters by the authoritarian government, he tweeted. Among those still in custody in Kashmir are former chief ministers Mehboob Mufti, Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah. Readers will no doubt be shocked to learn the leader of the "white supremacist neo-Nazi terrorist group" the Base is an intelligence contractor and appears to be a federal agent. In truth, it'd probably be more shocking to learn he wasn't a fed. From The Guardian, "Revealed: the true identity of the leader of an American neo-Nazi terror group": The Guardian has learned the true identity of the leader and founder of the US-based neo-Nazi terror network the Base, which was recently the target of raids by the FBI after an investigation into domestic terrorism uncovered their plans to start a race war. Members of the group stand accused of federal hate crimes, murder plots and firearms offenses, and have harbored international fugitives in recent months. The Bases leader previously operated under the aliases Norman Spear and Roman Wolf. Members of the network do not know his true identity due to the groups culture of internal secrecy. But the Guardian can reveal that Norman Spear is in fact US-born Rinaldo Nazzaro, 46, who has a long history of advertising his services as an intelligence, military and security contractor. He has claimed, under his alias, to have served in Russia and Afghanistan. The revelation of his identity comes after a months-long investigation by the Guardian into Nazzaro and the activities of the Base. While Nazzaros most recently used address is in New Jersey, there is evidence supporting his claims of being based in Russia, where he lives with his Russian wife. His "service" seems to be linking Russia to the "white supremacist" movement in the US on behalf of the FBI. Last August, an Oregon-based antifascist group, Eugene Antifa, warned that the Base was planning a hate camp in the neighboring state of Washington, and claimed Nazzaro (operating under the alias of Spear) had purchased land in Stevens county for training purposes. This warning came after a leak of the Bases internal chats. Local media outlets picked up the story, which led local law enforcement to urgently seek information on the group. In emails obtained by the Guardian via public records request, the Stevens county Sheriff, Brad Manke, is seen contacting the FBI and the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) for advice on the group. On 20 August 2019, Manke writes to an FBI agent, asking: Do you have a name for the actual head of the group The Base or the address where the property actually is? In a 20 September email responding to an SPLC researcher, Manke writes: I have since learned that The Base has purchased property in Ferry County, WA which is a neighboring county. Note: no word on how the FBI responded. Property record searches revealed that three 10-acre blocks of undeveloped land were purchased in December 2018 for $33,000 in the name of a Delaware LLC called Base Global. In a telephone conversation in late November, Manke confirmed that this was the block of land he had been referring to. He purchased the land under the name of his international terrorist group. They traced the purchase back to his family member's apartment in New Jersey which he and his "wife" have lived in. In deeds of sale, the address provided for the company was a New Jersey post office enough to conceal the purchasers identity. But separate tax affidavits associated with the purchase give a different address for Base Global. That address is for a New Jersey apartment that has belonged to an older family member of Nazzaro since 1998. Nazzaro and his wife have also intermittently resided at that address, according to database searches. The affidavits are also signed by Nazzaro, and dated 12/21/2018 Republic. Republic is the seat and the only city in Ferry county, Washington. Note: this was only enough OpSec to fool some moron for the feds to entrap. According to a source inside the Base, this date coincided with a trip by Russia-based Norman Spear to the United States, during which time he had in-person meetings with members of the group. Speculation that Nazzaro was a federal agent The location of the land is consistent with Norman Spears advocacy of a white supremacist strategy called the Northwest Territorial Imperative (NTI), which was promoted by the deceased white supremacist Harold Covington. The strategy argues for the creation of a separatist ethnostate in the Pacific north-west and encourages white supremacists to move to the region. In one of Norman Spears first public appearances, on a far-right podcast recorded in December 2017, he was introduced as a Northwest Front (another white supremacist separatist group) organizer and went on to spell out a four-state plan culminating in achieving independence, realizing the ultimate goal which is an independent nation state in the Pacific north-west, an ethnostate. The plan, he said, would trigger the relocation to the Pacific north-west of the white population in the United States. Around the same time, Spear filmed a series of short instructional presentations on the tactics and strategy of guerrilla warfare. In an archive of those videos on the far-right site Bitchute, he is identified as Defense Studies expert and former CIA field intelligence officer Norman Spear. This detail, coupled with other leads, compelled many to speculate whether Norman Spear was, in fact, a federal agent operating inside the Base. [...] Was the Base a honeypot designed to entrap people? Beginning in 2009 and until as late as 2019, Nazzaro billed himself as an intelligence expert working with various government and military agencies. Nazzaro is the principal of an LLC called Omega Solutions International (OSI), a company offering a range of intelligence and security contracting. Its website, which was removed from the Internet some time after August 2019, boasted of the firms experience conducting intelligence analysis for government agencies, military organizations, and private businesses, as well as access to a network of seasoned security professionals with expertise in counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, homeland security, hostage rescue/negotiations, psychological operations, and more. The firm also has a Cage Code, which is an administrative requirement for military and government contractors. You can see the site on Archive.org. Seems very fed-like. Materials inspected and sources consulted by the Guardian indicate that Nazzaro, as Spear, has faced persistent suspicions from current and former members of the group that he is a fed, or the agent of a foreign government, or that the Base is a honeypot intended to lure neo-Nazis out into the open for the benefit of law enforcement agencies. Former members have cited this as a reason for leaving. A connection with Russia New York marriage records show that Nazzaro and his wife were married in New York City in 2012, during the period when Nazzaro is recorded as maintaining a midtown Manhattan address. At that time, he was recorded as having one child. A Russian site that scrapes and archives social media accounts had captured a profile, and photos, posted by Nazzaros Russian-born wife to VK, the Russian social media site. She has since hidden that profile, but other social media archives confirm the prior existence of an account in Nazzaros wifes name (using her married name). The photographs show the same person who has been presenting himself as Norman Spear. The BBC shared these photos they appear to have taken off his or his wife's social media account: The Guardian continues: Meanwhile, a reverse image search yielded a photograph matching public photos of Norman Spear atop advertisements for English lessons in St Petersburg, Russia. [...] I am on the terrorism watchlist Richard Tobin, a Base member, is awaiting trial in New Jersey over allegations that he coordinated the September vandalism of synagogues in Michigan and Wisconsin. In a December custody hearing, the prosecuting assistant US attorney cited Tobins self-professed belief that Norman Spear was a Russian spy. The Guardian has discovered that all of the business addresses associated with Nazzaros OSI LLCs are virtual offices. This describes a situation where a second company provides a business address, and sometimes meeting rooms and greeting services, for businesses who do not wish to maintain their own premises. The addresses are often prestigious: OSIs virtual address locations include Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and K Street in Washington DC, an address associated with federal government contracting and lobbying. Meanwhile, Norman Spear appears to have had no extended history in the neo-Nazi movement before emerging as leader of the Base. According to an internally placed source, the only people within the movement who vouched for Spear were connected to the Northwest Front (NWF). The NWF founder, Harold Covington, was himself the subject of persistent rumors within the white nationalist movement that he was a federal informant, and that NWF was itself a honeypot a front organization routinely used by US law enforcement in order to entrap people. Norman Spear has told Base members that he remains in Russia. Law enforcement sources have indicated on background that Nazzaro is believed by some agencies to be working for the Russian government. The US government may have been monitoring Norman Spears activities for some time. I'd assume they were doing a lot more than "monitoring" the situation. Incidentally, I checked archive.is for his Twitter account "NormanSpear1" and noticed he was using his own photo on his profile while openly trying to incite people to commit violent crimes (as one would expect the feds to do): "In social media posts [in 2018], 'Norman Spear' posted imagery and videos by the outlawed British terrorist group National Action, praised al-Qaeda, and asked for volunteers possessing various skills, including with weapons, for his new organisation," the BBC reported. It was revealed earlier this month by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that a federal informant embedded in the Base allegedly incited one member of the "white supremacist" group, 22-year-old Yousef Omar Barasneh -- who is reportedly the son of a Jordanian Muslim immigrant father and a Muslim convert mother -- to vandalize a synagogue. Barasneh was arrested along with multiple other members of the Base last week. Follow InformationLiberation on Twitter, Facebook, Gab and Minds. JERSEYVILLE City officials are preparing for a project to resurface 5 miles of U.S. 67, including Jerseyvilles downtown area. Jerseyville Public Works Director Bob Manns said the project stretching from Fulkerson Drive to Crystal Lake Road was long-needed. He said core samples by the Illinois Department of Transportation revealed in late 2019 that the road conditions were sub-par. The fact is, this has been needed for a long time, Manns said. Hopefully no one is in here to debate whether or not the road surface needs to be replaced; it definitely does. The project also would address safety concerns on U.S. 67 in Jerseyville, Manns said, adding that the best option would be to convert from angle parking to parallel parking and adding a bi-directional turn lane. The Illinois Department of Transportation needs to have a plan prepared by March to meet its June bid-letting schedule, Manns said. Construction could start in August. We can work with them on things like schedule and start dates, Manns said. We can work with them to say things like, Can you start in this segment? or Dont shut down a five-block corridor. The plan is what the Illinois Department of Transportation calls a Band-Aid solution, he said, providing a five- to 15-year solution until the state can do a complete reconstruction of U.S. 67. Jerseyville council member Nick Bexheti, in charge of streets and public improvements, assured people he and Manns were listening to everyones thoughts about the work. Were not going to work against the business owners and the city, Bexheti said. Beth Bear, director of the Jersey County Business Association, said she had polled 54 businesses about their support of the plan and found 28 opposed it. Six were neutral and the others said they did not have enough information. What is good for business is not necessarily in their (IDOTs) wheelhouse, Bear said. She also said adding the bi-directional turn lane could be an issue. Studies have shown that a third lane of traffic is intimidating to pedestrians, she said. I think common sense tells us those same things. If we want to have a vibrant downtown, we have to have a walk-able downtown. Bert Challans of Whitworth-Horn and Goetten Insurance Agency questioned the need to have this fight now. Why dont you wait and blame it on the state? Challans said. Then you can wait five to 10 years and get parking on the off-sites in order. I just dont see the point in having to do this now when you say its going to be done later. Challans agreed there are safety benefits in parallel parking. He said accident rates in downtown areas with such parking are astronomically low. Manns said he will have a plan for the city council to review at its meeting Tuesday. India and Brazil on Saturday unveiled an Action Plan to strengthen their strategic partnership following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro here. The action plan highlights specific goals set by the two countries for deepening cooperation in the areas of trade and commerce, investments, agriculture, civil aviation and energy mechanisms, among others, as per a release by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The two countries vowed to work together to conclude an agreement regarding cooperation in combating international terrorism and transnational organised crime. One of the objectives set for the action plan is the strengthening of established institutional mechanisms and political consultations and promotion of coordination on bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral themes of mutual interest, based on the principles of equality and mutual trust. The two countries will follow -- in a coordinated manner -- the outcomes and activities of the existing institutional mechanisms and the implementation of cooperation initiatives in all areas of bilateral relations, as well as to promote the exchange of national experiences in areas of mutual interest. In addition to unveiling the Action Plan, the two countries have signed as many as 15 Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) in the fields of cybersecurity, bioenergy and health and medicine among others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Sunday extended Republic Day wishes to his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the 'friendly people of India'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the Maldives president for his Republic Day greetings, saying India cherished the deep-rooted friendship with the country. He also spoke about how this friendship was benefitting people of both nations. Read: 'CAA is internal issue of India': Maldives Speaker exudes trust in country's Parliament Thank you the greetings on Indias #RepublicDay, President @ibusolih. It is a matter of immense delight that friendship between India and Maldives is getting even stronger, benefitting the people of our nations. https://t.co/uLBTDy81iM Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 26, 2020 Read: Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed speaks on Zakir Naik He also thanked Sri Lankan prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa for his Republic Day wishes. Thank you PM Mahinda Rajapaksa for the #RepublicDay wishes. India cherishes the deep rooted friendship with Sri Lanka. @PresRajapaksa https://t.co/qrNKY3e4dc Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 26, 2020 Read: India, Maldives to deepen joint counter-terror and de-radicalisation efforts Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also received a telephone call today from Prime Minister of Israel, his Excellency Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel's Prime Minister extended his warmest greetings to the Prime Minister and the citizens of India on the eve of India's 71st Republic Day. Foreign Min Abdullah Shahid: CAB is India's internal matter, not for Maldives to comment India celebrates 71st Republic Day The Republic Day celebrations started in New Delhi in the presence of Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro, who is the Chief Guest in this year's celebrations. The parade saw India display the pride of its armed forces mixed with the cultural extravagance of the Indian States. The 90-minute-long Republic Day parade ceremony began after Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage at the National War Memorial near India Gate, and the President arrived with the chief guest. The Indian National Flag was unfurled with a booming 21-gun salute followed by the National Anthem. The parade was commanded by Parade Commander Lieutenant General Asit Mistry, while Chief of Staff Major General Alok Kacker was the parade Second-in-Command. Read: Former President Pranab Mukherjee says we should celebrate our 'ethos' on Republic Day (With Agency Inputs) Health officials are trying to track down hundreds of passengers who shared flight with a man diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus. The man arrived in Sydney from Wuhan, the Chinese city that is the epicentre of the escalating outbreak, on January 20. He is the fourth person in Australia and the third in NSW to come down with the virus that has killed 41 people and infected more than 1,300. The federal government has stepped up measures to protect Australians from the the deadly coronavirus virus after the first case in Australia was confirmed (stock image) The 53-year-old arrived in Sydney on China Eastern Flight MU749, landing at 11.35am, and developed symptoms that night before seeing a doctor. NSW Health is trying to find his fellow passengers to see if they could have been infected by coming into contact with him. 'We have asked the National Incident Room to pull the records for those people that were on the flight and we are getting the seat details,' NSW chief medical officer Kerry Chant said. Three men in NSW, aged 43, 53 and 35, and one aged in his 50s in Victoria have caught the deadly disease. None of the men is in a serious condition. They are in hospital simply to stop the virus spreading. The deadly virus has already claimed 41 lives in China and is expected to rise worldwide Two flew from Wuhan while the other arrived in Sydney from Shenzhen in southern China, just north of Hong Kong. None of the men had symptoms on the flight so the likelihood that they infected fellow passengers is low. 'We do not believe that they were infectious at the time of their international flight,' Dr Chant said. CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA NEW SOUTH WALES: 4 Four people in NSW have been diagnosed with coronavirus, including three men and one woman. January 25 Three men aged 43, 53, and 35 who had recently travelled to China are confirmed to have contracted the disease. Two flew in from Wuhan while the other arrived in Sydney from Shenzhen, south China. They are being treated in isolation at Westmead Hospital and are in stable condition. January 27 A 21-year-old woman is identified as the fourth person to test positive for the illness in NSW. The woman, a student at UNSW, flew into Sydney International Airport on flight MU749 on January 23 and presented to the emergency department 24 hours later after developing flu-like symptoms. She is being treated in isolation at Westmead Hospital. VICTORIA: 4 January 25 A Chinese national aged in his 50s becomes the first confirmed case of the coronavirus in Australia. The man flew to Melbourne on China Southern flight CZ321 from Wuhan via Guangzhou on January 19. He is now in quarantined isolation at Monash Hospital in Clayton in Melbourne's east. January 29 A Victorian man in his 60s is diagnosed with the coronavirus. He became unwell on January 23 - two days after returning from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak. The man was confirmed as positive on January 29 and was subsequently seen by doctors at the Monash Medical Centre. He was assessed as being well enough to stay at home. January 30 A woman in her 40s falls ill with the coronavirus. She was visiting from China and mostly spent time with her family. She is being treated at Royal Melbourne Hospital. February 1 A Melbourne woman aged in her 20s is at home recovering. She returned from Wuhan on January 25 and fell ill two days later. She was not infectious on the flight, and has remained in isolation since being tested. QUEENSLAND: 2 January 29 Queensland confirms its first case after a 44-year-old Chinese national wass diagnosed with the virus. He is being treated at Gold Coast University Hospital. January 30 A 42-year-old Chinese woman who was travelling in the same Wuhan tour group as the 44-year-old man tests positive. She is in Gold Coast University Hospital in stable condition. SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 2 February 1 A Chinese couple were placed in isolation in a public hospital. The man and a woman both aged 60, were from Wuhan and visiting relatives in South Australia. SA Health said the pair isolated themselves at home when they developed symptoms and awaited the results of the coronavirus test. Australia has raised the travel alert level to 'do not travel' for the city of Wuhan - the epicentre of the outbreak - and for the entire Hubei province. Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy says unless people have contact with someone who is unwell and has come from that part of China, there is no need for current concern. Advertisement However, they may have come into contact with hundreds of people since getting off their planes and despite interviewing many people who met them, there would be many others at risk. Officials urged anyone with symptoms who has been to China recently to come forward. Dr Chant also asked GPs to contact NSW Health if they had a patient showing symptoms of coronavirus. 'Make sure you have processes in place and consider where people have travelled and particularly be conscious of people returning from China,' she said. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said anyone who comes forward with symptoms will have their privacy respected. 'They should also call ahead to speak to their GP or emergency department,' he said. 'If the GP considers novel coronavirus testing is needed they will be referred to the emergency department for testing.' The patient in Victoria is a Chinese national aged in his 50s who flew to Melbourne on China Southern flight CZ321 from Wuhan via Guangzhou on January 19 on an A380 plane, which can can carry 500 passengers. He became the first confirmed case of coronavirus in Australia on Saturday morning and is now in quarantined isolation at Monash Hospital in Clayton in Melbourne's east. The Sydney patients are being treated at Westmead Hospital, NSW Health confirmed on Saturday night. Earlier on Saturday a baby was rushed from Sydney Airport to hospital for testing and was later discharged cleared of the virus. Five people tested in Queensland since have been cleared. The dangerous coronavirus has spread to 11 countries as the number of cases grows Fourteen cities across the Hubei province in China are restricting the movement of people by reducing or cancelling public transport and closing roads to try and stop the virus spreading Another four people in South Australia are undergoing tests as a precaution but the likelihood of having the virus is low, according to authorities. Officials expect more people will be struck down with the dangerous virus in coming weeks as it threatens to become a global pandemic. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the federal government has stepped up measures to protect Australians from the virus, along with a dire warning to not travel to China's Wuhan or Hubei provinces. 'From today (Saturday), anyone arriving in Australia on flights from other parts of China will be met and provided instruction on what to do it they have symptoms it start to develop them,' he said. 'Chinese authorities have also imposed travel restriction sin at least five cities in the Hubei province. 'Australians travelling to these areas may not be able to leave until restrictions are lifted. Mr Morrison added the federal government will continue to monitor the situation and take action when necessary. In Melbourne, many CBD pharmacies are running out of protective face masks, which were already in huge demand due to the toxic haze from the state's bushfires that have blanketed the city in t recent weeks. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF THE CORONAVIRUS? Once someone has caught the virus it may take between two and 14 days for them to show any symptoms. If and when they do, typical signs include: a runny nose a cough sore throat fever (high temperature) The vast majority of patients at least 97 per cent, based on available data will recover from these without any issues or medical help. In a small group of patients, who seem mainly to be the elderly or those with long-term illnesses, it can lead to pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection in which the insides of the lungs swell up and fill with fluid. It makes it increasingly difficult to breathe and, if left untreated, can be fatal and suffocate people. Advertisement 'I have been to nine pharmacies already, they're all out of them,' a Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology student originally from Shanghai told Reuters. 'And I need them, we all need them.' However, health officials say the masks are not recommended. 'Face masks are not recommended for use by members of the public in Victoria for the prevention of infections like novel coronavirus,' the Victoria health department said in a statement. Victoria Health Minister Jenny Mikakos told reporters on Saturday that the infected patient had been in Wuhan - the epicentre of the outbreak - for two weeks by himself. 'He was confirmed as positive after a series of tests early this morning,' Ms Mikakos said on Saturday. Ms Mikakos said it was 'possible' the man wasn't contagious while on board as he didn't start showing symptoms until after arriving in Melbourne. 'We are now in the process of making contact with all the other passengers [on the flight],' she said. 'It is important to stress that there is no cause for alarm to the community. In Queensland six people - including three from the Gold Coast - were being assessed for the virus, five of whom have now been given the all-clear. Four others in Queensland were given an all-clear earlier in the week. Three confirmed victims in NSW are now being treated in isolation in NSW hospitals A passenger wearing a protective mask (pictured) is seen at Sydney Airport on Thursday, as a man in Melbourne is confirmed as the first Australian case of coronavirus Did China pressure World Health Organisation not to declare international emergency? China's status as a major superpower may have influenced the World Health Organisation's decision not to declare coronavirus an international emergency, experts have warned. More than 1,300 people have been infected globally with the virus traced to a seafood market in the central city of Wuhan that was illegally selling wildlife. Despite this, the WHO has failed to declare a global health crisis. On Thursday the organisation said it was 'too early' for such a decision but added an emergency could still be declared if the outbreak continues to spread. 'This should not be taken as a sign that we don't think the outbreak is serious, or that we are not taking it seriously,' said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. 'Nothing could be further from the truth.' Now, baffled experts have warned that their decision may have been influenced by China. Yanzhong Huang, senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations, told The Daily Telegraph: 'The criteria for declaring a public health emergency of international concern have been met.' But 'not all WHO decisions are made based on the developments in the biological world,' he added. Advertisement A total of 18 people have been tested for the virus in NSW, with 12 of those given the all-clear. In Tasmania, a man in his 30s who travelled to Wuhan this month is being tested for the virus in Royal Hobart Hospital. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade overnight raised the level of travel advice for Wuhan and Hubei province to 'do not travel'. The disease is listed as having 'pandemic potential', allowing border measures to be enhanced. 'The confirmation today by Victorian authorities of the coronavirus case was a matter that had been anticipated,' Mr Morrison said. 'The Australian government is of course taking this issue incredibly seriously.' About a dozen cases are being investigated nationwide, according to Queensland's Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young. 'It's an evolving number,' she told reporters on Saturday. 'We will be treating them as if they're confirmed cases, as a precaution. We still don't understand the transmissibility of this virus. 'If you develop fever, coughs or shortness of breath, you should ring ahead to your GP, discuss it and your GP will refer you to the emergency department.' Australia's Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said it was important for people arriving from Wuhan - and those in close contact with them - to monitor for symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, vomiting and difficulty breathing. A pamphlet handed out by the Australian Government providing travellers with information on the deadly coronavirus (pictured) Patients with the novel coronavirus (pictured) typically have a fever, cough and trouble breathing, but some patients have developed pneumonia 'We don't know exactly how long symptoms take to show after a person has been infected but there is an incubation period and some patients will have very mild symptoms,' Prof Murphy said. China has confirmed 41 deaths from the virus, while more than 1,000 people are now estimated to have been affected worldwide. Cases have been confirmed in 10 countries. 'We're confident that outside the major epicentre of China there is not yet evidence of significant, or any, human to human spread,' Prof Murphy said. Federal and state chief medical officers held joint discussions on Saturday with health ministers expected to do the same. Prime Minister Morrison said the confirmation of a case in Australia had been anticipated and procedures are in place to manage the situation. 'I'd urge Australians to go about their day, go about their business in the knowledge that the professionals and the experts are there to provide the support that is needed in times like this are on the job and they're getting about it to keep you and your families safe,' he said. Wuhan is a city of 11 million people which has been the epicentre of the outbreak. It is now treating dozens of patients (pictured) The infected man in Melbourne has pneumonia and is in a stable condition, being treated in a negative pressure isolation room. Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Angie Bone said the man felt tired after landing in Melbourne, before he started feeling ill later that day. He then presented himself to a doctor on Thursday, four days after arriving in Australia. 'My understanding is he came off the plane and felt very tired and spent the next day resting in his room, towards the end of the day he developed symptoms,' Dr Bone said. There is said to be little risk of him spreading the deadly virus in Melbourne, as he spent the last week with family and hasn't visited any public places since being in Australia. 'He stayed in his room as he was conscious he may have caught the disease, so his family didn't allow anyone in his room,' Dr Bone said. 'He has not been out and about, so I guess that minimises the risk to the broader community and he has taken all the appropriate precautions in terms of calling ahead to the GP clinic and to the hospital before he has presented on both of those occasions. 'So, he has done everything right. The family has done everything right to minimise the risk. 'There is a possibility the family may have caught the infection, we will be observing them very closely. It will help us understand how easy it is to transmit this virus.' Medical staff work in the intensive care unit at a hospital in Wuhan (pictured) have been working round the clock Dr Bone said the man wasn't a health care worker and may well have picked up the disease in a public setting. 'There's no evidence of human to human transmission here [in Australia]. It will be very hard to be specific about where people catch it from,' she said. Two cases, including a Chicago woman returning from China, have been confirmed in the United States. The virus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan, already on lockdown and where the virus is thought to have originated, banned most vehicle use downtown and Hong Kong said it would close schools for two weeks as authorities scramble to stop the spread of an illness that has infected more than 1,400 people worldwide and killed 42. France has confirmed two coronavirus cases, the first in Europe. Despite prevention measures such as sanitation being done in South Korea (pictured), the virus continues to spread globally Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke following an emergency government meeting to warn that the spread of the killer virus is worsening, as video emerged showing medics collapsing at hospitals in the capital of central China's Hubei province as the coronavirus outbreak continues to move across the world. As of 8 pm local time (1200 GMT) on Saturday, the death toll in China had risen to 42, authorities reported. Some 1,372 people in China had been infected with the virus - traced to a seafood market in Wuhan that was illegally selling wildlife. The virus has also been detected in Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Nepal, and the United States. 'Faced with the grave situation of an accelerating spread of the new coronavirus [...] it is necessary to strengthen the centralised and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee,' Xi said, according to official news agency Xinhua. It comes as Liang Wudong, 62, who had been treating patients in Wuhan, died from the virus this morning, state-run China Global Television Network reported. Wudong, who was retired but drafted in to help with the outbreak, died after time spent treating patients. It was also reported that another doctor, Jiang Jijun, has died from a heart attack while treating the afflicted. It is unknown if the infectious disease specialist, who has treated bird flu and influenza A and tuberculosis over the years, died as a result of coronavirus or from exhaustion. And the US, which has around 1,000 citizens in the city, is set to evacuate those it knows about - including diplomats - on a 230 seater charter flight tomorrow. The US government won approval for the operation from China's Foreign Ministry and other government agencies following negotiations in recent days, The Wall Street Journal reports. The British Foreign Ministry is yet to confirm whether it will do the same. Also today, distressing video has emerged showing a doctor collapsing on the floor as footage revealed the full scale of panic inside Wuhan hospitals, with crowded corridors and patients slumped on the floor. Video shows staff shouting at patients to calm themselves as medics desperately try to contain the situation. Some workers are reported to be wearing diapers as they don't have time to use the toilet amid the panic. Some 56 million people are now subject to restrictions on their movement as authorities expand travel bans in central Hubei province, now affecting 18 cities. Flash Landmarks worldwide have been illuminated red, a color symbolizing good luck and happiness in China, while popular tourist attractions have been filled with rat-shaped decorations -- a clear nod to Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations. The top of the landmark Empire State Building is lit in red for the Chinese Lunar New Year in New York, the United States, Jan. 23, 2020. The Empire State Building was lit up in red color Thursday night to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year of Rat which falls on Jan. 25 this year. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) As China on Saturday ushered in the Year of the Rat, the first animal in the Chinese zodiac and the start of a new 12-year cycle, many celebrated alongside Chinese communities around the world, while developing a better understanding of Chinese culture. Festive costumes for Disney favorites Among the attractions that have embraced the Chinese New Year, Disney's California Adventure Park in the United States has transformed "the Year of the Rat" into "the Year of the Mouse," starring the iconic Disney characters Mickey and Minnie. Located in the California city of Anaheim, large red lanterns with decorative gold tassels can be seen hanging from parapets, while festive red banners flutter from lampposts, turning the amusement park into a sea of red and gold. And as the star attractions, Mickey and Minnie Mouse look particularly festive in their new traditional Chinese-style costumes. Mickey is wearing a traditional Chinese-style tunic of fine red silk, featuring gold-thread patterns to represent the traditional Chinese element of water, plus gold trousers and red bubble shoes as the final touches. Minnie, meanwhile, is a vision in red, adorned with a richly decorated red silk cape fringed with gold tassels, embroidered with traditional Chinese water wave, peony blossom, and cloud patterns. Guo Pei, a Chinese-born and internationally-prominent fashion designer, explained the elements of Chinese and Disney traditions that she creatively fused in her designs. Red and gold are the traditional colors of the Chinese New Year, so they were a good place to start, she said. "I also used three elements of Chinese culture in the design: one is water, which represents smooth sailing and good fortune; I also added peony to represent elegance, and the third is the traditional 'auspicious cloud pattern' for good luck." "Children all over the world love Mickey and Minnie. It's an opportunity for me to express and share Chinese culture to the world through my work," Guo added. Global landmarks go red In a further nod to festivities, global landmarks the Vessel in New York City, the Sydney Opera House and the Tokyo Tower, all saw the Chinese New Year by turning red. The lights inside the Vessel, a new attraction in New York City's glamorous Manhattan borough, changed to red on Wednesday evening. Also in Manhattan, the top of the Empire State Building was illuminated in red and gold from sunset on Thursday to 2 a.m. (0600 GMT) on Friday. It is the 20th consecutive year that the Manhattan landmark has been lit in honor of the Chinese New Year, which became a public holiday for schools in New York in 2016. The world-famous sails of the iconic Sydney Opera House also turned red on Thursday, to welcome the Year of the Rat. Another highlight of the 2020 Sydney Lunar Festival is the returning Lunar Lanterns exhibition, with 12 larger-than-life illuminated artworks representing all the animal signs of the Chinese zodiac. In the Japanese capital of Tokyo, the iconic Tokyo Tower was lit up on Friday in Chinese red as a symbol of China-Japan relations. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike sent a congratulatory message to the event, expressing her belief that the city's Lunar New Year's Eve celebrations would illuminate the road to a better China-Japan friendship, as well as world peace. In Giza, near the Egyptian capital Cairo, the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx shone red in a ceremonial sound and light show on Thursday evening as part of Chinese New Year celebrations. During the show, the Sphinx was lit in vivid colors, while stories of ancient Egyptian pharaohs were told through laser shapes projected onto the three massive pyramids in the background. "The Pyramids Plateau is distinguished by wonderful lights as the Chinese red lanterns integrate with the beautiful Egyptian pyramids, marking a meeting between the two old civilizations of China and Egypt," Shi Yuewen, cultural counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt, told attendees. A fusion of cultures At the show, Reham Ahmed, a young Egyptian woman who studies Chinese at the Cairo University, said, "The celebration combines both the Egyptian and the Chinese cultures, so it is attractive to me as an Egyptian and a student of Chinese language." Egyptian-Chinese cultural interactions have been noticeably growing thanks to the support of the leaders of both countries, Fathy Abdel-Wahab, head of the Cultural Development Fund of Egypt's Ministry of Culture, said during the event. Similarly, such celebrations offer non-Chinese participants enjoyable experiences of traditional Chinese culture and enhance people-to-people exchanges. "Lunar New Year has become an integral part of our calendar in New South Wales (NSW) State," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said. "It is a time for families and loved ones to come together and share in new hopes and aspirations." On Tuesday, calligraphers from both China and Japan wrote "Fu," a Chinese character meaning fortune and luck, on red paper with brush and ink in Tokyo. "Cultural exchanges between China and Japan go back a long way," said Kiyoaki Igaki, president of the Japan Academy of Calligraphy Art. "Culture knows no national boundaries. This event allowed Japanese people to experience the charm of traditional Chinese culture." At Disney's California park, Gary Maggetti, general manager of Pixar Pier, park banquets and festivals, believes food and culture can bring people together and create harmony, and that celebrating the Chinese New Year gives Disney's guests an opportunity to try new things. "The feedback from our guests (on the Chinese New Year) has been very warm -- to try something different or to reinforce a family memory," he said. "It makes Chinese culture more accessible to Americans." DECATUR When a rural Decatur mom looked for someone to help her sexually traumatized daughter find justice and a path to healing, she put her trust in Kate Kurtz. The prosecutor spent two years working with the now 17-year-old to build a case against the man who raped and terrorized her between the ages of 9 and 12. The 36-year-old mother, who is known to the Herald & Review but whose identity is being concealed to protect her daughters privacy, said the girl couldnt even face talking to Kurtz at the beginning. But, gradually, the prosecutor befriended her, won her trust and taught how to stand up for herself and tell her harrowing story to a jury. My daughter really got attached to Kate, said the woman. And on the day we had to say goodbye, she cried. And her daughter also got to see Tracey A. Janes, the 44-year-old man who abused and assaulted her, convicted on three counts of predatory criminal sexual assault, three counts of criminal sexual assault and 14 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. We even had people telling us before the trial that Oh, dont be surprised if he just gets a slap on the wrist or hes going to walk, said the mother. But we and Kate proved those people wrong: He is now serving 74 years in prison. Kurtz, who has also prosecuted murder and just about every serious crime you can imagine, has specialized in nailing sex offenders in her five years as a Macon County assistant states attorney, and especially sex offenders against children, the members of our society she believes warrant extra special protection. But a new career opportunity eventually came calling, and she left the state attorneys office at the end of 2019 to become a special prosecutor for the Illinois States Attorney Appellate Prosecutors Office. The job has a statewide remit that sees her sent in to handle prosecution cases where the local states attorney has, for instance, a conflict of interest and cannot deal with the case. The new job means going anywhere at short notice and being a very quick study to pick up the pieces and build a case out of them. For Kurtz, who loves the process of arming herself with facts the way a soldier gears up with ammunition before a battle, its a perfect opportunity for me and the chance to apply her skills over a much wider territory. How the Illinois Raptor Center is nursing this bald eagle hit by a car When the Illinois Conservation Police brought a mature bald eagle to the Illinois Raptor Center on Jan. 7, the chances of recovery were slim. Its also an opportune time to look back on her career in Macon County, and the road that led her to be the prosecution voice of those crying out for justice before a court of their peers. Kurtz, however, never intended for it to turn out this way. The daughter of a nurse and a dad who worked in human resources, she was born in Chicago and grew up in Illinois, Wisconsin and upstate New York and got fascinated with the law as a girl because the family once had a Peoria neighbor who was a lawyer. I didnt know what it meant to be a lawyer, she recalled with a grin. But I knew I liked to argue. She earned her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on the flight path to her long-planned original goal of becoming a defense attorney. But her road to Damascus moment came as a young lawyer working for a Chicago legal aid clinic. She was observing the case of a man who drowned his girlfriends young daughter in a bucket, and that was enough for Kurtz. It wasnt even her case, but she suddenly knew she could not step into a courtroom and defend this man, or those like him. I just thought 'No, I dont think I can do that,' she said. Now that is not a knock on the defense, somebody should defend him. You have to have somebody competent on both sides or the system doesnt work, right? But I knew it couldnt be me. But even among those who knew it could be them, like Decatur defense attorney Chris Amero, Kurtz has since earned respect as a worthy, and fair, prosecutor. "She's an atypical prosecutor in that she doesn't have the 'I'm always right and you're always wrong' attitude, which I admire. She is a wonderful colleague and friend and she will be dearly missed, even if we did spend the majority of our time fighting with one another," said Amero, of Hawkins, Amero & Root, P.C. Kurtz, meanwhile, recalls that her law school training taught her how to "think critically" but, in terms of learning to fight to win as a prosecutor, was about as useful as sunglasses at night. She said she did her real learning in the courtroom, and it was painful in those early days as a young prosecutor in Winnebago County. In the beginning of my career I just lost all the time, she said. Someone said I was like a Whac-a-Mole; I was just getting it handed to me. But one fellow professional, Judge Joe McGraw, took pity on the diminutive 5-foot-2 attorney and offered to help. He sat her down after trials were over and would critique her performance, pointing out mistakes and suggesting areas to work on to improve. If I lost my phone would ring and it would be like the next day, she said. He would say Are you ready? and I am like barely out of bed, beaten and bruised. But he became my mentor, and he is a huge part of why I am the prosecutor I am. Hes still a friend of mine and still someone I go to for advice. These days, shes more used to winning. Those who watch and admire her driven, take-no-prisoners style attribute her success to meticulous preparation and an encyclopedic grasp of the facts of a case. Todd Tuggle is an advocate for the Decatur-based Child 1st Center, which helps child victims navigate the labyrinthine legal process. Hes had the opportunity to work with Kurtz and watch her in action in the courtroom many times. South Shores School helps families in need The South Shores School food pantry started a few years ago due to a student in Jeanene Edrington's class. Her integrity for what she does and how she does it is untouchable, he said. She does things right or she doesnt do it. And she makes sure the defense attorney has all the information they need, too, because the last thing she ever wants is a case to come back on appeal. Shes also great with the kids and, well, she just out-prepares people when she is getting ready for a trial; its an amazing process to watch. Even the most fastidious preparation cant guarantee the prosecution's desired result, which would always be a guilty verdict. Kurtz is the first to admit shes never been a good loser, one eye always on that sad child sitting in court who was relying on her to serve them justice, not more pain. Her personal philosophy is that she doesnt take cases where she doesnt 100% believe in the guilt of the accused. So when the verdict comes back not guilty, she makes it a point to talk to jurors afterwards to try to see how they saw it. And she has grudgingly also learned to accept there may be no easy answers for why a case went off the rails in a way she didnt expect. Kurtz explains that she's learning to live with surprise jury decisions, but admits it's still a bit of a learning curve for her. Im working on it, she said. But I still take it really bad. Winning, on the other hand, brings its own quiet satisfaction and her former boss, Macon County States Attorney Jay Scott, has watched Kurtz do an awful lot of it for his office. Its been an incredible blessing for us to have her and I hate to see her go, he said. Obviously, I dont begrudge her moving up to a higher paying position, but it really is a tremendous loss for the whole county. Scott wont be running again at the end of his current term and Kurtz has said the departure of probably the best boss Ive ever had was a factor in her decision to jump at a new opportunity. She says he gave her free rein to go after cases in her own way, and he says she repaid that trust by nailing a long line of criminals ranging from murderers to child rapists. Meet Kate Kurtz Job: Special prosecutor for the Illinois States Attorney Appellate Prosecutors Office Previous positions: Assistant state's attorney in Macon County, Winnebago County Education: Undergraduate and law degrees from University of Illinois Background: Born in Chicago but grew up mostly in Wisconsin, New York state and Rockford. Sex crimes are some of the most difficult cases we have and you really have to have a knack for handling those cases, added Scott. And people on the outside have no idea how much work goes into trying sex crimes or a murder case; it just takes hours upon hours upon hours of preparation. Kate Kurtz puts her heart and soul into every case. The prosecutor says she has the freedom to spend so many hours preparing for her work, and the freedom to take her new roving job, because she is a single woman without too many family entanglements. She looks after three beloved cats Sol, Tiki and Six (she is a polydactyl, so she has six toes) and she has no children of her own. But the lawyer with the natural rapport with kids, especially the ones who are hurting, has kind of created her own, vast, extended family of children who learned to trust this woman who taught them how to cope and believe in themselves again while pursuing justice. Im asking them to do what feels to them, at first, like the impossible: to walk into that courtroom and stand up for themselves, said Kurtz. And to literally watch them afterwards, to see how they sit up a little taller and are so proud of themselves for having had the courage to do that, well, it made my job 100 percent worth it. Mug shots from the Herald & Review Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. For 85-year-old Keval Krishna, this year's Republic Day parade on the Rajpath had a special significance as it was one of the last such processions on the historic stretch before being redeveloped under the government's ambitious Central Vista renovation plan. "I have been here more times than I can count. I am aware that the government plans to redevelop the Central Vista. The Rajpath may not look the same... The old Rajpath will be remembered and the new one welcomed," Krishna, who hails from Punjab, said. The redevelopment project of Central Vista envisages a triangular Parliament building next to the existing one, common Central Secretariat and the revamping of the 3-km-long Rajpath -- from Rashtrapati Bhavan till India Gate. According to sources, the historic Rajpath will go for redevelopment works soon after hosting the Republic Day parade in 2021. Many others voiced concerns about the project affecting the heritage character of Lutyens' Delhi. Samsun Mumei, from Manipur's Tamalong district, believes heritage should be given priority over development. "The redevelopment project has alarmed heritage lovers. This is the finest place in the entire city. When (Edwin) Lutyens designed it, he had an idea in mind. The government is welcome to redevelop the landscape, spruce it up without fiddling with its heritage character," he said. Digambou Newmai, 27, who was viewed the Republic Day parade on the Rajpath for the first time, suggested that the government should invest in planting trees and reducing pollution. "The buildings are in a fine shape. The India Gate lawns and the Rajpath are a go-to place for a picnic or a drive. I am not sure if the public will be allowed move freely here after two years," he said. Aniket Ghosh (31) from Kolkata, witnessing his fourth R-Day parade, said development is good, but it should not come at the cost of heritage. Derrier, a French tourist, said he prefers heritage over development. "I am not sure what plans your government has. Overall, I found this place really attractive. Every time, I come to India, I visit India Gate once. I hope it remains as it is," he said. As part of the proposed redevelopment plan, eight buildings including Udyog Bhawan, Nirman Bhawan, Shashtri Bhawan and the vice president's residence are likely to be demolished to pave the way for the construction of a common Central Secretariat to house various ministries. It also envisages a triangular Parliament building next to the existing one. Sources, however, said no heritage buildings will be demolished. The site proposed for redevelopment was designed by Edwin Lutyens and built between 1911 and 1931, and is designated as Grade 1 Heritage. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US to Begin Evacuating Citizens From Coronavirus Epicentre Wuhan on Sunday Reports Sputnik News 16:10 GMT 25.01.2020 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - United States authorities will organise a charter flight on Sunday to evacuate citizens from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of an outbreak of a new form of coronavirus that has already claimed the lives of 41 people, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing a source familiar with the operation. According to the source, there are approximately 1,000 US citizens in Wuhan, and consular staff are in contact with those seeking evacuation. Washington plans to send a Boeing 767 aircraft to China, which is designed to seat roughly 230 people, to evacuate US consular staff and their families. The US has already received permission from the Chinese Foreign Ministry and other relevant government authorities, the newspaper reported. Medical personnel will be on board the aircraft to monitor the passengers, the source stated. If US authorities fail in their attempts to fly citizens out of Wuhan, Washington is also exploring the possibility of organizing bus travel for US citizens from Wuhan to another Chinese city, such as Shanghai. The US will also temporarily close its Wuhan consulate amid the coronavirus outbreak, the newspaper reported. Other governments have explored the possibility of evacuating citizens and diplomatic staff from Wuhan. On Saturday, press officer of the Russian Embassy in China Georgy Egorov said that Moscow is working with Beijing to organise the evacuation of Russian citizens from Wuhan and Hubei province. The South Korean Foreign Ministry has also urged its citizens to evacuate the province of Hubei, after raising its threat level to the highest possible grade on Saturday due to the coronavirus outbreak. The first cases of the unknown type of viral pneumonia were recorded in China's city of Wuhan in late December. It has since been confirmed to be a new strain of coronavirus. According to the latest official data, more than 1,300 people have been infected, with 41 people having died as a result of contracting the virus. Confirmed cases of the new coronavirus strain have also been recorded in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, Nepal, France, the United States and Australia. However, the World Health Organisation said on Thursday that it was too early to declare a global emergency. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address WIA looking for new board members Wireless Institute of Australia News reminds members that nominations for Board are needed and says it would be good to have some female directors Their news report says: Happy New Year and good morning listeners this is WIA Secretary Peter VK8ZZ. The election for a number of positions on the Board of Directors of the WIA will be held in February. Nominations for positions are now open and I encourage members to nominate. As John VK4JJW said recently it would be great to have some female board members. How about some newer members or members with a Foundation Callsign consider nominating? So, get active and support the institute by nominating for a position on the Board of Directors. Nominations must be in writing and the original document must be received by the close on 31 January 2020, thats less than 1 week away. I would encourage some of the ALARA members to consider nominating. Registrations for the Future of Amateur Radio POLL continue to be received. The actual POLL should be open to registered participants commencing early in February. The first poll will be about Amateur Radio Callsigns, and more specifically about the use of the 4-letter suffix being used by Foundation Licensees. There will be a number of options presented in the poll but it will be up to licenced amateurs to select the best option for the amateur radio service. The URL for registration for the future of amateur radio poll is available in the test edition 1 http://poll.wia.org.au/ President Greg VK2GPK spoke in this broadcast about the terrible bushfires that have beset most of our country. We need to carefully look at our disaster resilience and to make sure that ourcommunications networks can withstand disasters such as fire, flood and cyclones. The recent emergencies are a wakeup call for all of us. Our local WICEN organisations and clubs need to renew their association with the Emergency and disaster co-ordinators to ensure that we are able to best assist in times of an emergency. I am aware that there were many amateurs who were monitoring the EMCOMM frequencies over the emergency period. I am keen to hear from any amateurs who were able to provide any Amateur Radio communications assistance during that period. I wish to provide an update on the backlog of Repeater Applications. This backlog occurred because of Insurance issues, all of which have now been resolved. The Board have been working with the Frequency Co-ordination Committee and with our Frequency Assigner. I can confirm that a large number have now been finalised and submitted to the ACMA for processing. Clearance of the remainder of the backlog is currently being finalised. In closing, It is with a heavy heart that I must report that Kaye Wright VK3FKDW became Silent Key on 15 January 2020. Kaye was very active on the air and, until very recently, was an important and integral part of the WIA Publications Committee. We express our sincere condolences to Dennis and the extended family. Kays passing is a massive loss to AR and she is very sadly missed. The Funeral Service to remember the Life of Kaye Wright VK3FKDW (SK) will be held at Nelson Brothers Funeral Services, 51 Devonshire Road Sunshine, Wednesday 29th January, commencing at 2.00pm. The WIA office will be closed during this time. Source WIA News http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/wianews/display.php?file _id=wianews-2020-01-26 A former lawmaker, Abdulmumun Jibrin, has lost his re-election. Mr Jibrin, the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for the Kiru/Bebeji federal constituency of Kano State, was defeated in the rerun election held on Saturday. The returning officer, Abdullahi Arabic, a professor, said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Ali Datti-Yako, won the election. Mr Datti-Yako polled 48,601 against Mr Jibrin who scored 13,587 votes. The returning officer declared that Mr Datti-Yako satisfied the requirements of the law and was elected. Mr Jibrin became popular nationally after he accused the leadership of the House of Representatives including the then speaker, Yakubu Dogara, of increasing the size of Nigerias budget for pecuniary gain. The phenomenon, widely known as budget padding, was condemned by many Nigerians. Mr Jibrin was suspended from the House of Representatives for about a year based on the allegation. The suspension was later voided by the court. Mr Jibrin was initially re-elected in last years election. He led the campaign of the incumbent speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, to become the Speaker of the House of Representatives. He was later sacked by the court which ruled that a fresh election be held in the constituency. The fresh election was held on Saturday. There were rumours that the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, was not supporting Mr Jibrin for the re-election. But the lawmaker dismissed the reports recently after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja. Meanwhile, the returning officer, Mr Arabic, also announced APC candidate Alhassan Ado as the winner of the rerun election at Tudun-Wada Doguwa federal constituency in the state. He said the APC candidate polled 66,667 votes to defeat his PDP challenger, Salisu Yashau, who scored 6,322 votes. On the occasion of the 71st Republic Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to fallen soldiers by lying a wreath at the recently inaugurated National War Memorial (NWM) in New Delhi. Following the wreath-laying ceremony, the 90-minute-long Republic Day parade ceremony kickstarted. This was the first time that the PM laid a wreath at the National War Memorial on Republic Day instead of the Amar Jawaan Jyoti under the arch of the India Gate. Read: Republic Day 2020 LIVE Updates: Parade begins in Delhi, India's military might on full display Prime Minister @narendramodi pays his respects to those who have fallen Lays wreath at National War Memorial #RepublicDay2020 #RepublicDayIndia pic.twitter.com/UGwGgnzDML PIB India (@PIB_India) January 26, 2020 Read: 'Jai Hind!': Here's how PM Modi wished India a happy Republic Day 2020 The Prime Minister was received at the war memorial by the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the first-ever Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh, Air Force Chief Air Marshal RKS Bhaduria. After the Prime Minister laid the wreath, the Guard Commander gave Salami Shastra. PM Modi also wrote his message in the visitor's book at the National War Memorial. Read: Republic Day 2020: PM Modi to pay tribute to brave-hearts at National War Memorial National War Memorial The National War Memorial was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi near India Gate, on February 25, 1019. The War Memorial was built to pay homage to all the soldiers killed during the Indo-China War in 1962, the Indo-Pak Wars in 1947, 1965 and 1971, the Kargil Conflict in 1999, and the Indian Peace Keeping Force operations in Sri Lanka. The National War Memorial has been constructed over an area of 40 acres. It comprises of four concentric circles the Amar Chakra, Veerta Chakra, Tyag Chakra and the Rakshak Chakra. These concentric circles grounding the memorial contain names of the 25,942 soldiers that gave their lives during these wars. Their names are etched in golden letters on granite tablets. Read: Republic Day live streaming: Where to watch the Republic Day parade and speech (With Agency Inputs) Hundreds of Gambians marched on the outskirts of the capital, Banjul, on Saturday, calling for justice over the human rights abuses, including forced disappearances, rape, and murder which occurred during ousted dictator Yahya Jammehs 22-year rule. "We want justice and we want it immediately," shouted the demonstrators, who wore t-shirts with #justicemustprevail and holding photos of loved ones who died or disappeared under Jammehs rule. They are also demanding that Jammehs former Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction party (APRC) be banned. The former ruler was forced out when he lost the presidential election in 2016 to Adama Barrow. He initially refused to leave but was forced out when Gambians came out on the streets against him. The truth of Jammeh abuses revealed The establishment of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), which has had 190 witnesses to abuse publicly appear before the investigators, has brought more of Jammehs alleged abuses to the fore. A new documentary on the murder of dozens of West African migrants during Jammehs reign, including more than 40 Ghanaians, was released this month, calling for justice for their deaths. A leaked telephone conversation earlier this month showed that Jammeh is determined to return from exile to Gambia a move that incited his supporters to demonstrate for his return, while others have previously taken to the streets to call for Barrow to step down after he pledged to rule for only three years. The government delayed their response, but Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou indicated last week that the former dictator would "face immediate arrest and charges of the most serious kind" if he returned, including "crimes against humanity." "We are sending message to government to act fast, because... justice delayed is justice denied, said Maron Baldeh, whose husband lieutenant Basiru Barrow was executed in 1994. She participated in the protest. Yahya Jammeh should be arrested and put on trial," she added. 17 Venezuelan passports being handed out to Iranians each day 17 Venezuelan passports being handed out to Iranians each day Hizbollah cells are active in Venezuela and 17 passports were being handed out illegally each day to Iranians in recent years, the countrys interim President said. Juan Guaido, speaking in Davos at the World Economic Forum annual meeting, warned of the Iran-backed Lebanese groups threat. The passport scheme was happening as recently as 2016, he said, meaning dozens of Iranians can now travel on Venezuelan documents. Hizbollah is present in the mining regions in the south of Venezuela, Mr Guaido said. There are various groups in the country and we are providing information on them. They are terror groups and are active in the region, he said. We really have to contain this and make sure we deal with this. Mr Guaido called on regional neighbours, the US and European nations to continue to pressure the regime of Nicolas Maduro, which is sheltering Hizbollah. He said that Venezuelas mineral resources were being used to fund Hizbollah and other terror and criminal groups, in much the same way as ISIS used oil in the Middle East before it was defeated. We need to contain this so they dont get access to money, Mr Guaido said. He also referred to blood gold being used by criminals and terrorists. Mr Guaido, President of the National Assembly of Venezuela, is recognised by more than 50 countries including the US as the countrys interim leader in place of Mr Maduro, who refuses to step down. Timipre Sylva, the minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government is working on a transition from petrol and d... Timipre Sylva, the minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government is working on a transition from petrol and diesel-powered vehicles to gas-powered vehicles. This transition, he said, is necessary so that focus will be shifted from petrol to gas so that the subsidy currently being paid on petrol will be removed. Definitely we believe that subsidy is something that is really draining the purse of the country, but right now, it is really not the best time for us to look at the removal of subsidy, because it is going to put a lot of burden on the common man, he told ARISE TV at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. We have found a way around it. We are trying to see how we can introduce a transitional fuel. I mean, we want to move a lot of vehicles on Nigerian roads to gas, so that after a while people will not really bother so much about PMS, and then we can take out subsidy on PMS. Speaking on the petroleum industry bill, the minister said the executive is working with the legislative arm to ensure that the bill is passed by the middle of the year. We believe that by the middle of this year, the PIB will be passed. You know, the government today shares a good relationship with the legislature, we are working together, we are on the same page and there is a consensus that this bill needs to be passed now, he explained. In the PIB law, NNPC will be incorporated and the joint ventures (JVs) will also be incorporated so that they can go out there and get funds through their activities. It is not necessarily going to be privatised in a way people are looking at it, but it is going to be incorporated. The senate, under the leadership of Bukola Saraki, had passed the petroleum industry governance bill which is a section of the PIB. # However, President Muhammadu Buhari refused to sign the bill into law citing constitutional reasons. A new automotive terminal at the Port of Mobile has taken another step toward reality with the signing of an agreement governing its operation. The Alabama State Port Authority announced Wednesday that a concession agreement had been signed between itself and AutoMOBILE International Terminal (AIT). AIT will operate the terminal once it is completed in early 2021. Jimmy Lyons, Director and CEO of the Alabama State Port Authority, has said the development of a so-called roll-on, roll-off terminal, also known as a ro-ro terminal, is something he pursued for years. Designed to allow passenger cars and other vehicles to be driven onto and off of ships, it theoretically could handle auto imports as well as exports of cars built by several manufacturers based in Alabama. In March 2018, ASPA announced two major grants that would help fund the estimated cost of the terminal: a $12.7 million Department of Transportation TIGER grant and a $28.8 million allocation of RESTORE Act funding, which comes from a trust fund created with penalties paid by the companies involved in the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. In April 2018, ASPA signed a memorandum of understanding with AIT. Under it the company, described as a joint venture between Buenos Aires-based Terminal Zarate and Chile-based SAAM Puertos S.A., would develop and operate the terminal. The latest announcement describes AIT as a joint venture between Terminal Zarate and Neltume Ports, based in Santiago, Chile. Were extremely pleased to see these world class services companies invest in both our region and our port," Lyons said of the signed agreement. "AITs investment will create a new U.S. gateway for shipping finished automobiles for both U.S. and global manufacturing and consumer markets. The new terminal is being built on a 57-acre site that formerly was home to a bulk terminal. That facility was shut down in 2002, and later was temporarily reopened for a few years to handle coal. According to police and court records, Garcia-Espinal was charged in 2012 with felony possession of fraudulent ID cards and a disorderly conduct charge in connection with alleged lewd conduct in a womens restroom at a Glenview movie theater. It was not immediately clear the disposition of the disorderly conduct charge but Garcia-Espinal pleaded guilty to the ID charge on Sept. 11, 2012, according to court records. (Newser) George Soros made a big promise Thursday, and it's gonna cost him. The wealthy philanthropist announced he'll donate $1 billion toward liberal-arts education in a worldwide network of universities, the Guardian reports. It will be "the most important and enduring project of my life," he said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. His goal isn't just to educate, he said, but to boost liberal values and push back against what he sees as rising authoritarianism in China, Russia, and the US. He also slammed President Trump, calling him a "con man and the ultimate narcissist who wants the world to revolve around him." story continues below The 89-year-old said his plan, the Open Society University Network, will involve universities collaborating to create curricula and degree programs that foster a free society, per the Wall Street Journal. It will build on his Central European University in Vienna and be led by Leon Botstein, president of Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY. The promise came as another Davos speaker, David Miliband, warned Friday that the GDP of autocratic governments is higher than that of democracies for the first time in 120 years, per Yahoo Finance. "The age of impunity is here, and it's dangerous," said the public policy analyst. "Everything goes, and the law is for suckers. ... The most basic rights are under threat." (Read more George Soros stories.) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said the Indian Embassy in Beijing is constantly checking on the health and well-being of Indians in China in the wake of spread of the deadly coronavirus. The Indian Embassy in China has also operationalised two helplines which are open to respond to any concerns of Indians in that country. The death toll due to the virus in China has risen to 56 with confirmed cases of viral affliction reaching 1,975. "Our embassy in Beijing is constantly checking on the health and well-being of the Indians in China. Please follow @EOIBeijing for more updates on the situation," Jaishankar tweeted. He also retweeted the posts of the Indian Embassy in Beijing. "Embassy of India Beijing is in constant contact with Indian citizens in Hubei province, including Wuhan city, especially the student community, to check on their health and well-being," the Indian mission tweeted. "We are also in close touch with Chinese authorities on procedures and further steps that can be taken in order to assure their safety. Our two hotlines (+8618612083629 and +8618612083617) are operational and are open to respond to any concerns of Indians in China," the mission said in another tweet. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kp-mizan-amanah-online.com scored 40 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 25 Jan 2015, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the kp-mizan-amanah-online homepage on Twitter + the total number of kp-mizan-amanah-online followers (if kp-mizan-amanah-online has a Twitter account). The total number of people who shared the kp-mizan-amanah-online homepage on Delicious. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the kp-mizan-amanah-online homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if kp-mizan-amanah-online has a Facebook fan page). The total number of people who shared the kp-mizan-amanah-online homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. The total number of people who shared the kp-mizan-amanah-online homepage on StumbleUpon. Basic Information PAGE TITLE ::: Site Under Constructions! ::: DESCRIPTION KEYWORDS under constructions OTHER KEYWORDS The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The title found in the head section of the homepage. Domain and Server DOCTYPE CHARSET AND LANGUAGE ISO-8859-1 DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER Apache (PHP/5.3.18) OPERATIVE SYSTEM Linux Linux Operative System running on the server. Type of server and offered services. Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) The language of kp-mizan-amanah-online.com as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Character set and language of the site. Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for kp-mizan-amanah-online.com by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. The URL of the found Facebook page. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. The type of Facebook page. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND US health experts hosted a tabletop exercise which simulated a fictional coronavirus pandemic to see how authorities could coordinate a response to such an event - three months before the deadly outbreak in China. Scientists at the prestigious Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security modelled a hypothetical pandemic on a computer as part of research last October. The exercise was not intended as a prediction - but rather served to highlight how governments and industry would respond in the case of a very severe pandemic. Meanwhile, the Chinese city of Wuhan remains on lockdown as authorities scramble to stop the spread of the real-world coronavirus - nCoV-2019 - which has infected more than 1,400 people worldwide and killed 42. The Center for Health Security and its partners - the World Economic Forum and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - have made it clear that the inputs for modelling the potential impact of the fictional virus were not similar to nCoV-2019. US health experts hosted a tabletop exercise which simulated a fictional coronavirus pandemic to see how authorities could coordinate a response to such an event - three months before the deadly outbreak in China. (Above, medics treat sufferers in Wuhan on Friday) Scientists at the prestigious Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security modelled a hypothetical pandemic on a computer as part of research last October. The exercise was not intended as a prediction - but rather served to highlight how governments and industry would respond in the case of a very severe pandemic. (Above, medical staff work in the intensive care unit of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University in Wuhan) The Chinese city of Wuhan remains on lockdown as authorities scramble to stop the spread of the real-world coronavirus - nCoV-2019 - which has infected more than 1,400 people worldwide and killed 42. The Center for Health Security and its partners - the World Economic Forum and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - made it clear the inputs for modelling the potential impact of the fictional virus were not similar to nCoV-2019. (Above, microscopic photo of the coronavirus in China) Dr Eric Toner, a senior researcher at Johns Hopkins, said he wasn't shocked by the news of the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan in late December. 'I have thought for a long time that the most likely virus that might cause a new pandemic would be a coronavirus,' he told Business Insider. 'We don't yet know how contagious it is. We know that it is being spread person to person, but we don't know to what extent. 'An initial first impression is that this is significantly milder than SARS. So that's reassuring. On the other hand, it may be more transmissible than SARS, at least in the community setting.' Coronaviruses are infections of the respiratory tract that can lead to illnesses like pneumonia or the common cold. One was also responsible for the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in China, which affected 8,000 people and killed 774 in the early 2000s. Medical workers transfer a patient who is on the mend out of the ICU (intensive care unit) of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan Dr Toner's simulation imagined a fictional virus called CAPS - a pandemic that originated in Brazil's pig farms in the hypothetical scenario. The virus in Toner's simulation would be resistant to any modern vaccine. It would be deadlier than SARS, but about as easy to catch as the flu. His computer modelled outbreak started small, with farmers coming down with fevers or pneumonia-like symptoms. It then spread to crowded and poverty-riddled communities in South America. Flights were grounded and travel bookings were slashed in half. After six months, the virus had spread around the globe. CORRECTION: A previous version of this article stated that health experts 'predicted' coronavirus could kill 65 million people in a year. It has since been updated and we are happy to clarify that the modelled simulation of a coronavirus pandemic was not intended to be a prediction of events. Net sales growth for the quarter ended December (Q3FY20) was 4.5 per cent on a year-on-year (YoY) basis for companies that have declared their results so far, compared to an 8.4 per cent rise in the first half of the financial year. This indicates that there could be a further rise in days sales of inventory. Reduction in net sales growth has raised concerns over the level of inventories with companies. This is because the data on sales comes against the backdrop of an increase in the average number of days companies took to clear their inventory (called days sales of inventory). Days sales of inventory had fallen at the beginning of 2019-20 (FY20), indicating improving sales momentum, but reversed in September, rising to 45.7 days compared to 44.5 days in March. This is based on a sample of 196 S&P BSE 500 companies (excluding financials and oil & gas) with continuous data since at least September 2009. Net sales growth for the quarter ended December (Q3FY20) was 4.5 per cent on a year-on-year (YoY) basis for companies that have declared their results so far, compared to an 8.4 per cent rise in the first half of the financial year. This indicates that there could be a further rise in days sales of inventory. The data on companies inventory, a balance sheet entry, is only reported on a half-yearly and annual basis and is not available for Q3. Indian corporate houses could not cut inventory levels in line with lower sales growth seen in September, despite the fall in capacity utilisation, said Deepak Jasani, head of retail research at HDFC securities. December quarter could be flat in terms of YoY sales and, hence, unless inventory levels have corrected, the ratio would continue to be adverse, he said. The inventory turnover ratio, a measure of how well companies turn inventory into sales, fell to 8 in September 2019 compared to 8.2 in March. A higher ratio indicates that a company is selling goods faster. The Reserve Bank of India noted in its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting that capacity utilisation was at 68.9 per cent in the September quarter, dropping from 73.6 per cent in the previous quarter. Seasonally adjusted numbers also showed a decline. Seasonally adjusted CU (capacity utilisation) also fell to 69.8 per cent from 74.6 per cent during the same period, RBI said, according to the minutes of the MPC meeting. Apart from sectors like pharmaceuticals and steel, auto is among the sectors that contributed to higher inventory levels, accounting for over 15.5 per cent of the total value of inventory in the corporate sector. The transition to Bharat Stage (BS) VI emission norms requires automakers to manufacture vehicles with lower particulate emissions. This requires engine tweaks that make their old inventory obsolete, leading to the possibility of selling existing inventory at a discount. This could lead to a temporary spike in sales, according to Abhiram Eleswarapu, head of India equity research at foreign brokerage firm BNP Paribas Securities India. All the old stock must be sold by April 1, 2020. In autos, weve had a prolonged slowdown already, but the call is whether it will recover sharply or not. Looking at this inventory situation, we may probably see a sales recovery because if there is a fire sale (or big discounting) what happens is that many buyers reschedule purchases and youll see a false uptick and immediately followed by sales decline, Eleswarapu said. Jasani added that there are indications of overall improvement from January. Things could go back to better levels if the trend continues, according to him. Others are hoping that the Budget will provide some succour. Foreign brokerage Jefferies India noted that the market seems to be pinning hopes on what the finance minister may do for a recovery, according to its India strategy report, authored by equity analysts Somshankar Sinha and Piyush Nahar. The markets hope that Indias Budget will bury the macro gloom with magical fiscal stimulus. Personal tax cuts may achieve little, though, and GST (goods and services tax) cuts look unlikely, leaving higher spend as the likely source with an emphasis on infrastructure, the report said. It has, however, maintained a defensive stance on Indian equities. An explosive eruption of the Philippines' restive Taal volcano no longer appears imminent, authorities said Sunday as they lifted most of a mass evacuation order but warned residents to remain ready to flee. Warning signs like earthquakes have been steadily waning since Taal burst to life two weeks ago with plumes of ash and lava, forcing over 135,000 people into shelters over fears a massive blast was coming. The nation's seismological agency said steadily shrinking ash and gas emissions were signs of "decreased tendency towards hazardous explosive eruption", leading them to drop the alert by a notch. The immediate impact of the reduced warning was the lifting of the evacuation order for nearly all the towns that ring the volcano, a tourist attraction that sits in the middle of a lake. "Residents of all towns under lockdown except Agoncillo and Laurel now have the option to return," local governor Hermilando Mandanas told a press conference. "There's a possibility that the volcano may still erupt and we should still be ready to evacuate in one hour." No one is known to have died in the eruption, but the ash it unleashed forced the brief closure of the capital's main international airport, stranding tens of thousands of travellers. The volcano shot ash 15 kilometres (nine miles) high and spewed lava in the January 12 eruption, which crushed scores of homes and killed livestock as well as crops. However, seismologists warned the volcano could unleash a much bigger eruption "within hours to days", posing a deadly risk to anyone in a 14-kilometre radius "danger zone". The volcano island is still under evacuation orders, and the thousands who lived there will not be allowed to return, the government has said. Taal, located just 60 kilometres from the capital Manila, is one of the most active volcanoes in a country where eruptions and earthquakes are a dangerous part of life. Its last eruption was in 1977, but it has a long history of activity. In 1965, a Taal eruption killed some 200 people. Despite the risks that the volcano erupt could again erupt, many residents were eager to return home. "That's where we were born, including my ancestors... so we are determined to go back," said Ronald Humarang, a 32-year-old factory worker. "I am not really afraid (of an explosion) because during the initial eruption, we didn't evacuate our house immediately," he told AFP. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SPRINGFIELD Illinois state lawmakers return to Springfield on Tuesday ahead of Gov. J.B. Pritzkers second State of the State speech on Wednesday. Lawmakers will return amid ongoing federal corruption investigations involving lawmakers and lobbyists while ethics reforms have yet to materialize. Lawmakers said they also want to address the states population losses and high property taxes. State Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, said he wants the governor to make addressing the states high property taxes a priority. A path to property tax relief, Manar said. That might be more budget [related] though, but to me, thats the most important step that we need to take in the coming session. Pritzkers budget speech is next month. Pritzker said on Friday finding relief from Illinois second-highest-in-the-nation property taxes will be a focus. So Ive heard from Republicans and Democrats, and there are some good ideas in there and well be pursuing those in the spring session, the governor said. A property tax relief tax force missed its deadline to produce a report with recommendations to reduce property taxes, but a draft report circulated online. A task force on lobbying ethics is set to deliver a report by the end of March. State Sen. Steve McClure, R-Springfield, said ethics reforms must be a priority, especially after state Rep. Luis Arroyo, D-Chicago, resigned after he was charged with bribery. Another senator has been indicted, [state Sen. Tom Cullerton, D-Villa Park] is still voting on the Senate floor, McClure said. He voted on the Senate Presidents race. Thats unacceptable. And thats got to be the elephant in the room for the governor, is ethics. Illinois continued population loss, which leads the nation, is another thing McClure wants to address. U.S. Census data showed Illinois lost nearly 160,000 people in six years. Pritzker said he was increasing investment in tuition assistance to keep younger people in Illinois. He also said a progressive income tax proposal that voters will decide this November could help keep residents from leaving the state. The flat [income] tax that many people have advocated for keeping, if that were working so well, why do we have all the net domestic migration? Pritzker said. While Pritzker said the states unemployment rate is the lowest its ever been, McClure said targeting small businesses with higher income tax rates through the proposed progressive income tax will hurt the economy. The governors State of the State speech wont be the only focus when lawmakers return. Theres also an expected hearing into how more than 500 people who indicated they werent U.S. citizens were erroneously registered to vote. While Republicans have called for the states automatic voter registration program to be suspended, the Secretary of States office said thats not necessary because the programming error has been fixed. The governor said the executive state agencies under his control that are implementing automatic voter registration said they were moving quickly to make sure this is a safe system, the system itself is secure and that the glitch that was identified no longer exists. Making sure that is done right at the agency level will allow us ultimately to move forward with AVR, Pritzker said. But certainly right now everybody is being extra careful. Vidya Iyengar By Express News Service BENGALURU: Auto rides, cows, colour... This is the expectation that most foreigners carry while visiting India, and it wasnt different for this group of Australians either. Chris Penhalluriak, Shirley Chen, Valentine Couleau, Hesham Syed, Cheten Mistry and Nomeeta Mistry decided to rent an autorickshaw to get a first-hand experience of the country. Armed with international driving licences, the six friends landed in Delhi from Melbourne on January 2, and took a train to Jaisalmer. They packed themselves and their luggage into two autos to undertake a 3,000 km journey through Jodhpur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Palolem beach, Mangaluru, Kodagu, Guruvayur and Kochi, over 14 days. Despite being warned of hurdles, they were ready for the adventure. Twenty metres after we took off, our auto broke down. We were mentally prepared for breakdowns but didnt expect one so early in the journey. Sometimes the brake failed, and without a fuel indicator, we really had to be prepared for the auto to stop any minute, says Nomeeta, a charted accountant, who, along with her husband Cheten (a doctor), both 27 years old, has been backpacking across various countries, including South America and Africa. But help was always at hand, with passers-by ever ready to pitch in. When the auto broke down, people around made a couple of calls and within no time, a mechanic was around. We could never imagine this in Australia, Nomeeta says, while Cheten points out that while many of them charged nominal amounts, others didnt even ask for anything. From the north to the south, there was a change in language and cuisine, but something that remained constant was peoples hospitality, says Cheten, who had last visited India as a child. While riding through villages gave them a glimpse of farmlands, cities presented a contrasting image of chock-a-block traffic. We had to veer through jams, and be careful about vehicles coming from different directions. The two in the backseat would peek out and use hand signals to manoeuvre. We had to be careful of sharp turns, which might have led to the overturning of the auto, Cheten says, adding, Some others had taken similar rides and found themselves involved in crashes and with broken bones. But we were still struck by this sense of wonder which made us go for it. In Mumbai, they found themselves face-to-face with traffic cops, after using a road on which autos are banned. But we were let off with a warning, they say. Now, having raised 3,000 Australian dollars for an NGO working on mental health issues, they feel this ride was worth all the concern, uncertainty and adventure it brought with it. Amandeep Singh Dharni will celebrate Australia Day with enthusiasm, after officially becoming a citizen last year. Mr Dharni, who immigrated from India in 2008, and his wife will take their eight-year-old daughter and join extended family for a barbecue at Parramatta Park. Mr Dharni said they might swim in one of the local pools. Amandeep Singh Dharni and daughter Harsimrat Kaur Dharni enjoy Australia Day by spending time with their family and friends at community events near Parramatta. Credit:Cole Bennetts "I have a 100 per cent independent life," he said. "I have nothing to say that is a bad thing about Australia, I have achieved everything in Australia, whatever I achieved, I achieved from here, I am getting rewarded for all the achievements." Mr Dharni said Australia's multicultural society meant the family could practise their Sikhism religion at home and at their Glenwood temple in north west Sydney. Despite watching the Duggars with each new season of Counting On, its hard to keep up with what theyre all up to these days. While Jessa Duggar is busy sharing her parenting tips with her followers, Jana Duggar is working on home improvement projects, and Jinger Duggar is thriving in Los Angeles. But we cant forget that Jedidiah Duggar, whos a newcomer to Instagram, is pushing his political platform via Instagram now. Jim Bob Duggar has a background in politics, so it makes sense that at least one of his sons would look into the same field. While Jed has big hopes and dreams if he makes it into the Arkansas House of Representatives, it looks like hes majorly pushing a pro-life agenda. Heres what he posted. Jedidiah Duggar is headed for a career in politics The Duggars typically wait until theyre married (or at least well into adulthood) to get their own personal Instagram accounts. But Jedidiah is breaking the mold. The 21-year-old created his own personal Instagram account for the sole purpose of pushing his career in politics forward. According to Jed, hes committed to putting Springdales conservative values first as he runs for the Arkansas House of Representatives. Im announcing my candidacy for Arkansas State Representative District 89 in Springdale. Id appreciate your prayers, support and your vote! Jed captioned his Instagram post back in November 2019. Im a Conservative. Pro-Life. Pro Second Amendment. Pro Religious Liberty. Combat the Opioid Crisis. Lower Taxes. More Jobs & Growth. Strong Economy. Since November, Jed has worked hard to keep his Instagram presence all about politics. Hes created posts about tax relief, spending time with veterans, and family time to show hes the perfect, well-rounded candidate. His post on Instagram supports a pro-life agenda Jed doesnt shy away from the fact that hes pro-life. Since he first announced he was running to be a representative of Arkansas, hes made his anti-abortion views very public. But it seems hes pushing the issue even more with an Instagram post added on Jan. 20. Today I joined Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse and hundreds of others from the area in a March for Life, Jed captioned his post showing him at a local pro-life rally. Springdale affirms the value of human life at every stage as Arkansas first pro-life city! Jed then added that hes committed to stand for life and be an advocate for the unborn. Every human life is created in Gods image, and we must stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves! While many of his followers agreed with his stance, others were offended. If elected are you going to implement policies to help struggling mothers and children born into poor situations? one follower commented. If not then you arent pro life, you are just pro birth. Weve all seen how your family treats its own children. Youre pro-birth, not pro-life, another echoed. Many other Duggars have also recently posted about the same pro-life rally It looks like Jed was joined by many of his family members during this pro-life rally. The Duggar Family Instagram posted a photo of Jim Bob Duggar along with a few of his young daughters. Together, theyre holding up a sign showing a fetus seven weeks after conception. And of course, they have the same pro-life stance. Josh Duggars wife, Anna, also posted photos from the rally. Her five young children appeared to join her as she marched for the pro-life movement, too and, like Jim Bob, they also had signs. One of Annas daughters is seen holding up a sign that says Love Life, and another is holding up a sign that says, Defiende La Vida. Anna and the Duggar family got just as much backlash as Jed did for his post, of course. But we know none of the Duggars believe in abortion, as they trust that God provides them with the number of children theyre meant to have. When the next pro-life rally comes around, were sure well see all of them posting about it once again! Check out Showbiz Cheat Sheet on Facebook! About eight years ago, when Rabbi Jen Lader began leading a class for teenagers at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, she asked the students if they had ever experienced anti-Semitism. Only a handful raised their hands. Recently, she asked the same question. About 45 of 60 students answered affirmatively. Lader said hearing the kinds of remarks her students have endured in school and elsewhere was really horrifying. Lader was a panelist at a Jewish Community Forum on Anti-Semitism, held Thursday night, Jan. 23, at Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills. The forum was organized in the face of an increase in anti-Semitic incidents nationwide, including two last month a deadly shooting at a kosher market in Jersey City, N.J., and a knife attack at a rabbis home in a suburb of New York City that left five injured. The Jewish community is still reeling from the October 2018 mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh; 11 people died and six were injured. It was the worst attack on the Jewish community in U.S. history. About 1,000 people attended the forum: Jews concerned about their community, clergy, elected officials, leaders of Jewish organizations, police representing about a half dozen Oakland County cities and ten agents of the FBIs Detroit office. The event was presented by the Jewish Community Relations Council/American Jewish Congress, Anti-Defamation League of Michigan and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. It occurred as leaders around the world prepare to observe International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Monday, Jan. 27, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the largest of the Nazi concentration camps. More than 1.1 million people died in the camp in Poland; a large share were Jewish. Report, Report, Report The panelists discussed causes of anti-Semitism and responses to it, including a plea from panelist Carolyn Normandin of the Michigan Anti-Defamation league to report, report, report, incidents, first to police and then to her agency, by going to adl.org. Panelist Joe Lupinacci, FBI Detroit special agent, said he brought nine agents with him to the forum to demonstrate the importance the FBI places on investigating hate crimes, drawing enthusiastic applause from the crowd. Fight Hate With Love Several panelists spoke of the need to fight the new wave of hate with love. Professor Howard Lupovitch, of the Cohn-Haddow Center for Judaic Studies at Wayne State University, spoke of anti-Semitisms, stressing they are plural, as they take different forms. They all merit vigilance on the part of the Jewish community. But they do not merit the same response (given back to perpetrators), Lupovitch said. He said Jews do not all share the same political views, nor do they agree on every doctrinal issue in their faith, evidenced by Judaism being split into Orthodox, Conservative and Reform divisions. But, Lupovitch said, Jews can support each other in condemning all anti-Semitism, whether it comes in the form of violence; discrimination in education, housing or employment; or simply an attitude of intolerance. Panelists said Jews have to stand up for all groups being targeted including Muslims and those of other faiths, people of color and the LGBTQ community. No Jew is safe until everyone is safe, Normandin said. Another panelist, Rabbi Azaryah Cohen, of the Frankel Jewish Academy in West Bloomfield Township, said many Jews are dismayed that they now have to operate synagogues and other institutions under tight security. I grew up in Oak Park. You have to punch a code to get into every synagogue in Oak Park (now), he said. But lets make sure that once you are in, its a warm and welcoming place. Panelists said it was important for Jews to reach out to friends and neighbors of different faiths and ethnic groups to teach them about Judaism, to learn about their traditions and to encourage them to speak up against anti-Semitism. Lader said she is encouraged by the support Jews have received from people of other faiths. She said the first expression of sympathy she received after an attack on a Jewish institution was from an imam. A United Methodist church near her synagogue sent flowers after the Tree of Life shooting in Pittsburgh. That message resonated with West Bloomfield resident Shosana Rubenstein, a forum attendee who lives in an area with a strong Jewish presence. Rubenstein said all people can benefit from getting to know those who are different. Have dinner with them. Visit their institution. I think thats the route we should all go. Be there for one another, she said. I dont think theres anything more powerful than being kind. The former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement director blasted Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for her repeated 'idiotic' comments that the agency should be abolished. Tom Homan told Fox & Friends Weekend on Sunday morning that Ocasio-Cortez is 'disgusting,' in reaction to the New York lawmaker's comments Saturday night while she was campaigning for Bernie Sanders. 'ICE Is keeping the community safe,' Homan continued. 'She stands up on stage first of all, it's an incredibly stupid statement she made, which doesn't surprise me, because she's about as far from smart as anybody could possibly be, but what she said is dangerous.' 'These men and women put their lives on the line every day to arrest criminals off the streets, especially in New York,' he said, referencing, in part, the area Ocasio-Cortez represents in Congress. 'My last year as ICE director, we took 5,000 criminals off the streets of New York. These ICE agents [have done] more to protect the residents of New York than she ever has done or ever will do.' Former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement director Tom Homan said Sunday that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's comments about the agency are 'idiotic' and 'disgusting' During a campaign event for Bernie Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez reupped her calls for the immigration enforcement agency to be abolished 'Organizing is about tipping people off if you start to see that ICE and CBP are in communities to try and keep people safe,' Ocasio-Cortez said, telling people to warn their neighbors if federal agents are seen arresting illegal immigrants While Sanders was tied up in Washington D.C. for Donald Trump's Senate impeachment trial, Ocasio-Cortez, a surrogate for his campaign, spoke with supporters in Ames, Iowa Saturday evening. There she reupped her call for the abolition of ICe and Customs and Border Protection, and urged supporters to warn people if they see federal immigration authorities taking action against illegal immigrants. 'Organizing is about tipping people off if you start to see that ICE and CBP are in communities to try and keep people safe,' Ocasio-Cortez said. 'I'm to not here to reform some of these systems when we talk about immigration. I'm here because Senator Sanders has actually committed to breaking up ICE and CBP. That's why I'm here,' she said, explaining part of the reason she decided to endorse Sanders. Before ever running for public office, Ocasio-Cortez served as an organizer for Sanders' 2016 primary run against Hillary Clinton. She now serves as one of the most progressive voices in the U.S. House of Representatives. 'I'm disgusted,' Homan said reacting to Ocasio-Cortez's remarks. 'She says you want to tip off the community to keep the community safe, that's what ICE is doing.' '[I] can't believe she can stand up on stage and make a statement like that and not have any repercussions from the House Ethics Committee,' he continued. The former acting ICE director served during a time when there were several frequent calls for the agency to be abolished as the contentious situation at the southern border persisted. Homan also weighed in on the impeachment, adding that if they are looking to remove a president for his crimes, than ICE and CBP should be able to also prosecute those in the U.S. illegally. 'I mean, they're trying to remove the president of the United States, a sitting president, at the same time she's saying ICE shouldn't remove criminal aliens,' Homan said of Democrats. 'They are saying the president is obstructing them. There's nobody been obstructing more than Congress. They've been obstructing this president from Day One.' Ocasio-Cortez is a surrogate for Sanders, and claims one reason for that is because the Vermont senator has 'actually committed to breaking up ICE and CBP' He also cited a report showing that ICE was effective in detaining illegal immigrants from the U.s. with criminal and pending criminal charges. The report showed that more than 138,000 of these individuals were arrested in fiscal year 2018. 'Standing on stage and telling people to give a heads up that the good guys are going to be arresting the bad guys, ICE is in your neighborhood, go run and hide. That's obstruction,' Homan said, clearly referencing the second impeachment article for obstruction of Congress. 'That's a crime and she's standing on stage doing that. She's disgusting. Something needs to be done about it,' he said. 'They're vilifying the men and women of ICE for simply doing their jobs, to run toward danger when everybody else is running away from danger.' 'It's disgusting what she said,' he added. Homan says he thinks Democrats are targeting ICE because 'they're enforcing the law.' Attack took place at Sokolo military camp in the Segou region, where armed fighters linked to al-Qaeda operate. At least 19 soldiers were killed in an attack on a military post in central Mali on Sunday. The attack took place in Sokolo military camp in the Segou region, where armed fighters linked to al-Qaeda are known to operate. The provisional toll is 19 dead, five wounded, Malian Armed Forces said on Twitter. A local politician told AFP news agency all those killed were troops or paramilitary police officers, adding he saw two other bodies outside the camp. They were well-armed. They entered the Sokolo camp. They took away a lot of material, he said, adding some were able to escape the camp. The assault comes after a similar attack on Thursday by armed men in Dioungani, an area in the countrys volatile Mopti region near the border with Burkina Faso, killing at least six soldiers. There were more than 100 attackers, said Sokolo resident Baba Gakou. They arrived at five in the morning. They cut off any withdrawal by the gendarmes. The firing stopped at 7am, he said, adding the assailants left with all the weapons and vehicles at the camp. They picked up all their dead. They did not touch anyone in the village. Struggle with armed groups Mali has struggled to contain an armed uprising that erupted in the north in 2012 and has killed thousands of soldiers and civilians in the years since. More than 140 Malian soldiers reportedly died in attacks between September and December alone. The conflict has engulfed the centre of the country and spread to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger despite the presence of 4,500 French troops in the Sahel region, plus a 13,000-strong UN peacekeeping force. On Wednesday, Mali announced it would hold legislative elections in late March after repeated postponements because of insecurity and political infighting. The conduct of the elections was a key recommendation from crisis talks in December aimed at exploring non-military solutions to the worsening violence. China motivates to help Wuhan fight deadly pneumonia Global Times By GT staff reporters Source:Global Times Published: 2020/1/25 22:37:56 China is motivating itself and striving to support Wuhan, the epicenter of novel pneumonia, reflecting the advantages of the country's socialist system, which had also occurred in previous national campaigns in overcoming huge crises. Such advantages could help allocate all its social resources to help fight the pneumonia. Many said Wuhan is not alone and not an abandoned city, showing Chinese people's significant energy and courage when facing difficult times. Authorities on Thursday announced a public transport lockdown in Wuhan, capital city of Central China's Hubei Province, to contain the spread of the coronavirus, which has infected 1,287 people, 41 of whom have died nationwide, as of Saturday. After the lockdown, Wuhan people, including patients and medical staff, have been overwhelming due to the spreading disease, facing problems such as a shortage of supplies and medical equipment like hospital gowns and surgical masks. As a wake-up call while 30 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions have raised their public health alert to the highest level I, more and more Chinese people, both in the country and overseas, have spontaneously shown their support to Wuhan. One hundred and thirty-five medical staff from the Third Military Medical University of the Chinese PLA in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, which borders Wuhan, began their journey to the epidemic center on Friday evening, also Chinese Lunar New Year's eve, an iconic time when family members reunite. Staff members, who sacrificed their family reunion, decided to make efforts to help fight the pneumonia battle and had to contain their emotions. A picture of a mother, who is among the medical staff, holding her little daughter melted many netizens' hearts, with some Chongqing netizens saying "we are sending out best doctors to you Wuhan, please stay strong and overcome the virus!" During a video circulating online featuring their departure, a man was heard shouting: "No one shall be left behind! We will come back with victory and honor!" As of Saturday morning, Hubei had provided medical insurance worth 1.03 billion yuan ($148 million). The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has sent 14,000 protective suits and 110,000 pairs of medical gloves to Wuhan, according to a statement the ministry sent to the Global Times. And it also helped purchase 3 million masks, 100,000 protective suits and 2,180 pairs of goggles. In the face of the rising demand for items such as surgical masks and disinfectants, some Chinese internet companies also joined the fight. E-commerce platform JD donated 1 million masks and 60,000 medical items. Tencent Charity Foundation donated 300 million yuan, which will be used to purchase medical supplies and motivate medical staff, and on its platforms, charity projects have been set up for people to make donations. Beijing-based short-video app Kuaishou donated 100 million yuan and 50,000 masks to Wuhan. Chinese netizens showed their support on social media platforms. ""Fight Wuhan, Heaven bless Wuhan" have been flooding on short video apps. After local authorities announced the establishment of a special hospital for coronavirus patients in Wuhan, the construction began on Thursday night, with 1,000 beds to be set and the hospital to be put into use on February 3. Many netizens praised it as China's speed, and this is race against time. And on Saturday, Wuhan said it would build a second special hospital with 1,300 beds within half a month for those infected with the novel coronavirus. According to Kuaishou, 4,260,547 virtual gifts (around 4.3 million yuan) "Wuhan, go go go" were given by viewers when watching the live broadcast of the 2020 Spring Festival Gala, aired on Chinese New Year's Eve on Friday. The company said the profits from this specific virtual gift will be donated to the Wuhan Charity Association in the fight against the novel coronavirus. Alibaba Group has set up a special fund of 1 billion yuan for medical supplies, which will be used to purchase medical supplies at home and abroad, including medical equipment, equipment supplies and related preparations. Alibaba's Freshippo Stores Hema Fresh in Wuhan will provide food and drinking water to medical workers. Ordinary Chinese people have been mobilizing to support the city. Residents in Qindong town, Jiangsu have donated nearly 40,000 yuan ($5,767) within 24 hours to buy medical materials to support Wuhan medical staff. Sun Chengrong, a local resident who does business in Wuhan, started the donation. "My motherland is ill, my second hometown is ill, and the angels in white are trying their best [to battle the illness. Let's act to support Wuhan!" read a letter Sun sent to the Global Times on Saturday. As hospitals and medical workers in Wuhan made urgent appeals for medical supplies on Friday, many overseas students quickly responded by disseminating information and organizing donations. Overseas students organized transportation and reception information. Many international students are working with Chinese associations and charities in host countries to collect surgical masks, disposable garments, protective googles and gloves, and contact people with professional knowledge to provide guidance on customs declarations. The volunteers quickly set up guidance groups that defined their roles in terms of resource mobilization, transportation coordination, information organization and mental health support. Some specialize in sorting, categorizing and verifying information, filtering out valid and reliable information from online rumors. "Although we are overseas, we are very worried to see such a serious outbreak in our motherland. We want to help our compatriots at home share the burden and do some practical support work. We stand together with every Chinese," Zhang Haitao, a volunteer studying in the UK, told the Global Times. Many Chinese students associations at UK universities have also opened crowdfunding channels for Wuhan. The Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) Alumni Association UK has raised 30,000 pounds$39,231)for hospitals in Wuhan. The association has raised 6,060 pounds, 20% of the target amount as of press time. All the funds will be used to purchase emergency medical supplies such as N95 masks, surgical masks, medical caps, goggles, protective clothing and operating gowns, said the association on the crowdfunding page. Chinese-run UK express company UK51Parcel announced Friday free transportation for donated materials including facial masks from the UK to China. The donated materials would be used for the workers and residents of streets and communities in Wuhan, according to a notice published by the company on WeChat. A Chinese exchange student surnamed Lu from Nankai University in Tianjin to Glasgow University in the UK told the Globe Times on Saturday that after seeing the notice published by Wuhan hospitals, she decided to donate materials and money. Lu not only donated 20 pounds via the HUST Alumni Association's crowdfunding channel but also purchased surgical masks worth 20 pounds on Amazon and planned to send the masks via UK51Parcel. "We Chinese overseas students pray for an early resolution of the virus outbreakand are actively responding for the donations," said Lu. People across the country also prayed for people from Hubei to stay put. Even grass-root officials and institutes were mobilized. Pharmaceuticals and private medical employees in Hubei were encouraged to convince those with a fever to see a doctor. Traffic police in Chongqing started to put notices on cars with Hubei plates to report to the local government to check on their health. An anonymous official from the government of Dongtai county, Jiangsu said that they had enhanced precautions to prevent the Wuhan coronavirus from spreading into the county. People arriving in Dongtai through Wuhan or who have visited Wuhan will be recorded and local government officials will follow them to check whether they have shown any symptoms like fever and cough, the official said. There are 324 local students studying and 136 laborers in Wuhan, according to him. In rural areas in some provinces like Henan, village officials broadcast appeals to people not to visit relatives during the Spring Festival. At the entrances to the village, checkpoints were set up to filter people from Wuhan and body temperatures were strictly checked. Banners promoting the prevention and control of the epidemic were also seen everywhere, according to Weibo users. Many local governments banned large-scale gatherings in public. For instance, authorities from Southwest China's Sichuan Province issued a notice on Saturday urging restaurants and individuals not to hold large-scale gatherings. And Party members from all levels are forbidden from joining such activities. Wuhan is not an abandoned city and Chinese people always stand together and help each other to encounter difficult times, some Chinese people said. A doctor who has been working non-stop at a hospital in Wuhan told the Global Times she won't give up as the city is her home, and with her husband, the young couple has to safeguard this home. Ordinary Chinese have always been key characters who help create history. "We have fears, but we also have the courage to win this tough battle," the young doctor said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China on Sunday ordered a temporary ban on the trade in wild animals as the country struggles to contain a deadly virus believed to have been spawned in a market that sold wild animals as food. Raising, transporting or selling all wild animal species is forbidden "from the date of the announcement until the national epidemic situation is over", said a government directive. The ban was issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. The lethal virus, which has caused 56 confirmed deaths and nearly 2,000 total infections in China, and spread to about a dozen countries, is believed to have originated in a market in the central city of Wuhan, where a range of wildlife was reportedly sold. Conservationists have long accused China of tolerating a shadowy trade in exotic animals for food or as ingredients in traditional medicines, including highly endangered species such as the pangolin or tiger. Health experts say the trade poses a significant and growing public health risk as potentially dangerous animal-borne pathogens that people would normally not be exposed to make the jump to humans. The SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) virus that killed hundreds of people in China and Hong Kong in 2002-03 also has been traced to wild animals, with scientists saying it likely originated in bats, later reaching humans via civets. Civets, a cat-like creature, were among dozens of species listed on an exhaustive price list for one of the animal-trading businesses at the Wuhan market that emerged online last week. Other items included various rats, snakes, giant salamanders and even live wolf pups. Sunday's announcement said all businesses, markets, food and beverage outlets and e-commerce platforms are "strictly prohibited from trading in wild animals in any form". It added that "consumers must fully understand the health risks of eating wild animals, avoid wild game, and eat healthy". The so-called bushmeat trade, along with broader human encroachment on wild habitats, is bringing humans into ever-closer contact with animal viruses that can spread rapidly in today's connected world, scientists say. A study by the Global Virome Project, a worldwide effort to increase preparedness for pandemics, estimated that there are nearly 1.7 million undiscovered viruses in the animal kingdom, nearly half of which could be harmful to humans. Peter Daszak, a virology expert with the project, told AFP its research also indicated that we can expect around five new animal-borne pathogens to infect humanity each year. China has launched previous crackdowns on the wildlife trade, including after SARS, but conservationists say the trade typically resumes over time. Rights groups called for the ban to be made permanent. "The banning of such sales will help end the possibility of future outbreaks of zoonotic diseases, such as the Wuhan coronavirus," said Christian Walzer, chief global veterinarian at for the Wildlife Conservation Society. Kate Nustedt of World Animal Protection, said the move would "put a stop to the horrific conditions that serve as such a lethal hotbed of disease". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lonia Haeger was out for a thrill-seeking adventure with her friend and dog when their journey took an extremely dangerous turn as they got stuck in an icy road. Thankfully, its an idea involving the dating app Tinder which ended up saving their lives. Haeger took to Instagram to narrate the story of her difficult journey. She wrote that they were on a tour to visit Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway. Its when they reached the most northern point of Europe they got stuck in an impassable icy road at side of a mountain in Norway. Further due to rain, the road became extremely slippery and they were at a risk of sliding off the cliffside into the waters flowing below. The worst, we stopped in front of a mountain [which is] going down, next to the street [is] just ocean and big rocks and we stopped exactly behind a curve, she wrote. Further adding that its one of those moments when one realises that theyre helpless against Mother Nature. Amidst this dire situation, however, her friend Phil came up with an idea of opening a Tinder account and that ended up saving their lives. Soon after creating the account, Haeger matched with Stian Lauluten, a local of the place. After he came to know about their predicament, he came up with his Bulldozer and shaped lines in the ice to rescue them. Here are the posts shared by Haeger: Haeger, in one of her posts, thanked Lauluten and called him her hero. To which, the man came up with a humble reply. Im glad I could help you guys! Have a nice trip, and stay safe on the ice roads of Norway, he wrote. Also Read | Apple Watch saves bikers life after detecting fall. Viral post details how The enemy used banned 120mm mortars, grenade launchers, and other types of weapons. One Ukrainian soldier was wounded in action as Russia-led forces mounted 10 attacks on positions of Ukraine's Joint Forces in Donbas on Saturday, January 25. "One member of the Joint Forces Operation was wounded in enemy shelling yesterday, January 25," the press center of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) Headquarters said on Facebook in a morning update on January 26. Read alsoOSCE Chairperson-in-Office: "Long road ahead to lasting peace" in Donbas The enemy used banned 120mm mortars, as well as grenade launchers of various systems, heavy machine guns and rifles to attack Ukrainian positions in Donbas. Hot spots were the villages of Pisky, Pavlopil (two attacks), Verkhniotoretske, Vodiane, Shyrokyne, Katerinyvka, and the town of Avdiyivka. Pairs of enemy snipers were reportedly working near the village of Berezove (attacked twice). From 00:00 to 07:00 on Sunday, January 26, the Russia-led forces did not open fire. No Ukrainian casualties were reported over the period. As UNIAN reported earlier, Russia's hybrid military forces on January 24 mounted 12 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, with one Ukrainian soldier reported as wounded in action. The Metropolitan Police is investigating two alleged cases of antisemitic and white supremacist graffiti in south London on the eve of Holocaust Memorial day, officers have confirmed. The walls and windows of the Blackheath branch of Barclays in Greenwich were daubed with stars of David and the word Jews alongside what appears to be a Celtic cross a hate symbol recognised by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the letters WP a potential acronym for White Power. Police believe the graffiti was painted between 11pm and midnight on Saturday 25 January, and investigations remain underway. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said it had also been made aware of a separate incident on the windows and walls of a Caribbean takeaway some 2km away in Charlton. Also sprayed in white paint, the graffiti depicted the same Celtic cross and WP acronym alongside a swastika. It is not clear if the two incidents are linked. Cllr Danny Thorpe, leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said the authority had worked through the night to remove and cover the graffiti. He said: As a council we work hard to promote community cohesion and challenge prejudice and the language of hatred to make our borough a better place. Tomorrow, we will be standing together as one community across boundaries of faith, age, gender and ethnicity to mark Holocaust Memorial Day and 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The incident last night highlights the relevance of tomorrows service and the importance of reflecting on the past and passing on the lessons learnt to future generations so that we continue to confront racism and hatred on our streets and speak out against oppression. The Board of Deputies of British Jews said they had been informed of the potential hate crime by the mayor of Londons office. They added: Hatred has no place in our society, in our politics or on our streets. It comes less than a month after a synagogue wall and shop windows in north London were covered in graffiti depicting a red Star of David together with a reference to the 9/11 terror attacks with the Metropolitan Police investigating the incident as a racially motivated hate crime. Historian Simon Schama, whose books include The Story of the Jews, said at the time: Taken together with the stabbings in New York something truly monstrous is rising from the slime. New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Police shot and injured an accused in the Gaurav Chandel murder case in Greater Noida while he was trying to escape custody. A joint team of Noida and Hapur police arrested the accused from Hapur on Sunday- some twenty days after he was found murdered near Gaur Chowk. This is the first arrest made in the case. Police arrested the sharp-shooter Umesh of the notorious Mirchi gang operating in the western region of the state. A pistol was seized from him, according to police. Hapur Police are looking for his associate - Aashu - who is absconding. Some reports said that a woman was also arrested by police. The interrogation of Umesh revealed that the Mirchi gang was also involved in the murder of a BJP leader some time ago, police said. Gaurav Chandel, a resident of Gaur City in Greater Noida, was robbed and murdered on the night of January 6. Chandel had gone missing while returning from his office in Gurugram. He was later found murdered at Gaur Chowk - just 5-minutes drive from his home. Nearly 8 days after his death, UP police had recovered his car from Akash Nagar colony in Ghaziabad. The car was 'locked' at the time of recovery. However, his mobiles, laptop etc were still missing. For all the Latest Crime News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Priory Group has treated celebrities including supermodel Kate Moss (pictured) An Australian firm is eyeing Priory Group, the scandal-hit mental healthcare firm that has treated celebrities including supermodel Kate Moss. City sources said Ramsay Health Care, which is listed on the Australian stock market and owns hospitals across the globe, may buy part of the organisation. Ramsay's interest comes as Priory Group's American owner, Acadia Healthcare, weighs a sale of the division which could be worth 1billion to 1.5billion. Last year, Acadia Healthcare appointed bankers from NM Rothschild to find a buyer for Priory Group which holds a number of NHS contracts after a series of scandals including the case of a teenager who spent weeks wrapped in a blanket at a Priory hospital in Ticehurst, East Sussex. Potential buyers include Canadian fund Brookfield and buyout firm CapVest. Priory Group and Ramsay did not comment. Hyderabad: The Supreme Court has found fault with officials of the State Bank of Indias Khairatabad branch for resorting to fraud, suppression of material facts in auctioning a property in Jubilee Hills without possessing legal mortgage rights. A division bench headed by Justice L. Nageshwara Rao was dealing a special leave petition filed by SBI challenging the direction of the Telangana High Court, which had come to the rescue of the purchasers. The High Court had directed the SBI Chairman and Managing Director to take disciplinary action against officials responsible for misconduct and fraudulent behaviour and persuading parities to buy the property while not holding mortgage rights. A private limited company was the successful bidder at the auction and paid `4,40,25,000 as 25 per cent of the initial deposit. Before it could pay the balance, it came to know on its own verification that the mortgage of the bank on the property was subject to the order of status quo imposed by the City Civil Court, Hyderabad, in a suit filed by a third party against a borrower who had obtained a loan from the SBI. Concealing this fact, the bank officials conducted the auction. Apart from that, the bank officials warned the successful bidder that if the balance 75 per cent of the bid amount was not paid, they will forfeit the money already deposited. When the bidder approached the High Court, a division bench comprising Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice K. Lakshman imposed costs on the bank and directed the SBI to return the deposited amount to the petitioner with an interest of nine per cent per year. The bench also directed the SBI chairman to take action against the bank officers responsible. Challenging the directions, the SBI approached the Supreme Court. Mr Pogulakonda Pratap, counsel representing the bidder, submitted that the conduct of the bank officials was a clear act of playing fraud on the general public and therefore the officials responsible should be punished suitably. The apex court did not intervene in the High Court directions and asked the bank authorities to submit details of the matter. She invited me in, and without hesitation began telling me about her sons and her own life, too. She told me of how the death of Khiel, after a standoff with the police in which he claimed to have a gun but had only a hairbrush, had paralyzed her family and in particular how it had devastated Naim, her youngest son. As she spoke, I was struck by Naims transformation, following his older brothers death. This seemed to be at the heart of the story. Naim had been a strong student, an upbeat and cheerful child who avoided conflict and trouble. He was 15 when his older brother was killed in late 2007. Around the same time, the police began to repeatedly stop and often arrest Naim, as part of a broader escalation of aggressive stop-and-frisk tactics across black neighborhoods. (Years later, a federal judge would rule that the New York Police Departments use of such tactics had violated the constitutional rights of minorities on a broad scale.) Traumatized by his brothers death, Naim was facing pressure on every front: within his family, in the neighborhood, and at a societal and generational level. And Naim was experiencing this just as he was trying to figure out who he was and who he would become a momentous undertaking in any life, but one that can involve higher stakes for black teenagers living in crime-ridden neighborhoods. Just one year after his brothers death, Naim landed on Rikers Island, facing gun charges and serious prison time. About a year after his release from prison, he would die following a shootout with the police. Wildlife Minister gives ear to concerns of activists and promises action By Kumudini Hettiarachchi Guns for CDF personnel to mitigate human-elephant conflict View(s): View(s): No more guns will be issued to personnel of the Civil Defence Force (CDF) for use against elephants, while also recalling the guns already issued to some of them, Wildlife Resources Minister S.M. Chandrasena has assured. Minister Chandrasena gave these assurances at a meeting with environmental activists on Wednesday, sources told the Sunday Times, pointing out that he had also promised to review the human-elephant conflict (HEC) mitigation strategy. These activists including Ven. Pahiyangala Ananda Sagara Thera who along with many others had earlier picketed against the decision to issue guns to CDF personnel commended the Minister for giving ear to their concerns and the evidence-based rational thinking from experts such as Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando of the Centre for Conservation & Research. A major catalyst in this group, the Wildlife & Nature Protection Society (WNPS), has been actively pointing out the problems with regard to the issuance of such guns, while also participating in protests and making written objections. The discussions with the Minister also focused on the volatile and deteriorating situation of the HEC and the haphazard manner in which these issues are being dealt with, it is learnt. The Sunday Times last week spotlighted the dangers of issuing such guns in a report headlined Howls of protests but DWC allays fears. The Cabinet of Ministers on December 10, last year (2019) approved a paper put up by the ministry to issue 546 guns to CDF personnel who would be involved in maintaining the electric fences installed to prevent the HEC, said ministry Secretary Jayanthi Wijethunga when contacted by the Sunday Times, pointing out that Minister Chandrasena assured environmentalists that he would take their concerns back to Cabinet and seek its approval to stop the issue of guns. This is while he would also request Cabinet to give its anumethiya (permission) for the guns already issued to be kept in the armoury of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), she said. When asked what type of guns has been issued to CDF personnel, she said that they were shot guns and repeaters and 500 had been distributed in the Anuradhapura and Ampara districts. Among some of the other measures that the ministry is hoping to implement is the extension of the electric fences which currently cover about 4,440 kms; getting more CDF personnel to help in the maintenance (nadaththu karanna) of the electric fences; and providing more facilities such as motorcycles and tractor-trailers and also setting up more mura-kuti (guard points) with facilities for them. We also hope to establish committees at different levels to bring about a solution to the HEC as we need the villagers support, said Mrs. Wijethunga, naming them as Gam Niyamana Kamitu (in the village), Pradeshiya Niyamana Kamitu (at Divisional Secretary level) and District Niyamana Kamitu (at District Secretary level). This is while policy decisions would be taken by the national level committee headed by Minister Chandrasena. The ministry is also hoping to schedule another paper for Cabinet approval to increase the compensation paid to the family of a person who has been killed due to the HEC as well as for crop and property destruction. Meanwhile, the Sunday Times understands that at Wednesdays meeting, Minister Chandrasena had also instructed that there should be more DWC ranger presence in the HEC-affected areas mainly the north-central region. He had directed that a committee be appointed under the Director-General of the DWC and comprising the relevant officials (including the Forest Department and the Central Environmental Authority) and experts to brief him on a more scientific approach on how the rising death toll of both elephants and people and the negative impact of the HEC could be contained better. This is a very important step for all stakeholders and this new stance from the Minister and the government is acknowledged, provided these measures are executed speedily and effectively, said the WNPS, adding that it aims to keep up the intense pressure on all such policy actions while extending its support to all conservation initiatives which balance the development interest of the nation, the welfare of the people and the wellbeing and survival of the countrys precious fauna and flora. On a suggestion of the activists, Minister Chandrasena had made a decision to evaluate the current placement of electric fences to see whether they could be moved to ecological boundaries rather than being on administrative boundaries, where they are now, it is learnt. Over 60% of the 4,500 kms of electric fences are in forests and located between DWC and Forest Department areas. There are elephants on both sides of these fences and in most such cases there are no fences preventing elephants from entering villages and cultivations from these forests, a source pointed out. The Minister had directed ministry Secretary Wijethunga to get senior officials of both departments (DWC and Forest) to work together and have a consistent management plan for all areas. If implemented, this decision would be a major step in mitigating the HEC in the future. For years, the WNPS and others have requested that the Forest Department and DWC come under the same ministry as at present and this is an example of its benefit, the source added. The general election has the potential to set the political agenda for the next five years, and will be crucial in deciding the future direction of this country. At a time where we have the highest childcare costs in Europe, one of the highest rates of women homelessness in Europe, and only one third of the recommended refuge spaces for women fleeing violence, it is critical that our political leaders demonstrate their commitment to womens equality. This is why the National Womens Council of Ireland has asked the leaders of the main political parties in Ireland to answer four key questions on womens equality. Heres what they had to say: Micheal Martin - Fianna Fail Expand Close Fianna Fail Leader Micheal Martin (Niall Carson/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Fianna Fail Leader Micheal Martin (Niall Carson/PA) Do you consider yourself a feminist? Absolutely as a republican, one of my core values is equality and creating a society where everyone can reach their full potential. When I look at my own children, particularly as they begin their careers, I am committed to fighting for a society where my daughter has the same opportunities as her brothers. As a nation we have taken strides to address inequality between men and women, but a lot remains to be done. As a politician and party leader I am committed to working towards a fairer Ireland. What has been your biggest achievement for womens equality to date? I strongly believe the 32nd Dail was correct in holding a referendum to repeal the 8th Amendment. Voting in favour of repealing the provision was not an easy decision for me. As more and more women came forward to tell their stories, I had to examine myself and my own conscience. I couldnt get past the question who am I to impose upon those women an obligation to proceed and have the baby? Fianna Fail has a proven record in providing leadership in the field of equality legislation. I am proud to have been a part of the Fianna Fail government which brought in the ground-breaking Employment Equality Acts and the Equal Status Acts. What is the most important change that you want to achieve for womens equality if elected as taoiseach? The under-representation of women in political life undoubtedly contributes to gender inequality. The case for greater female representation is clear - greater female representation would improve the quality of decision making and would deliver more effective representation for women voters. Of the TDs elected in 2016, 136 of them had been Councillors at some point in their careers, which amounts to 86pc of TDs. We cannot possibly expect to increase female representation in the Dail on a sustained basis if we do not introduce gender quotas in local elections. I am committed to introducing gender quotas in local elections. I have heard from countless women who are deeply frustrated by the lack of availability of high-quality, affordable childcare. If elected taoiseach, I will make it my goal to build a childcare system that provides high-quality and dependable childcare to all Irish families. This would go a long way in assisting women reach their potential in the workplace. Will you commit to having a gender balanced cabinet? Fianna Fail is running more women than any other party in this general election. All six of our female TDs are running again, and we have another 20 female candidates. A lot of these are very strong candidates, that would bring a lot to the table. For example, Catherine Ardagh has a strong legal background; Sandra Farrell has experience in the healthcare system. We hope that as many women as possible are elected and I would of course aim to have a gender balanced cabinet if returned as taoiseach. Leo Varadkar - Fine Gael Expand Close Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pictured at Fine Gaels election manifesto launch in Dublin this afternoon..Picture Gareth Chaney / Collins Photos / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pictured at Fine Gaels election manifesto launch in Dublin this afternoon..Picture Gareth Chaney / Collins Photos Do you consider yourself a feminist? Yes. Some of the strongest influences on my life and career are women - most notably my mother and my two sisters and also my female friends. Theyve always challenged me to see the world differently, and to understand the challenges women often face when it comes to things like childcare, career progression, and work-life balance. Some actions I took as Taoiseach, for example, bringing in better parental leave, paternity benefit, greater financial support for childcare was influenced by the experiences of the women in my life and wanting to make a difference. Im also mindful that a lot of the work-life challenges that parents face can sometimes be regarded as womens issues to solve when in fact they are challenges for both men and women and the solutions should involve both. What has been your biggest achievement for womens equality to date? Im not going to say the repeal of the 8th Amendment, because that was something that was achieved by so many people in Irish society, over a long period. As Taoiseach I provided an opportunity for the people to make that decision and they did. Two other things stand out. First, we ratified the international convention on violence against women, the Istanbul Convention. There is an epidemic of violence against women and that needs to stop. We also incentivised political parties to field more women candidates because I want Dail Eireann and council chambers to be more representative of our society as a whole. Gender equality is good for men as well as women; it benefits everyone. We get better results when there is a diversity of views around the table. And were going to do more. What is the most important change that you want to achieve for womens equality if you are re-elected as taoiseach? Yesterday, the Citizens Assembly on gender equality, that we established, met for the first time. We are asking it to bring forward proposals on a range of issues that affect women today. If re-elected as Taoiseach I want to drive forward with its recommendations and build a society where we have true gender equality at all levels in homes, in workplaces, in government, and throughout our country. As a society, we will be stronger when we hear womens voices. With gender equality we can enhance our capacity to think creatively, and our ability to come up with new and better solutions. Were also introducing gender pay legislation to make sure that men and women are paid the same for doing the same work. Will you commit to having a gender balanced cabinet? I was fortunate to be able to lead a government with ministers as talented as Heather Humphreys, Regina Doherty, Katherine Zappone and Josepha Madigan, and not forgetting Frances Fitzgerald who was my first Tanaiste, or Helen McEntee, and her work on Brexit, or Mary Mitchell OConnor who sits at cabinet and leads on higher education. Only 19 women have been cabinet ministers in the history of the State. That must change and that will change. Only 11 women TDs supported the outgoing government, so to have a gender balanced cabinet we need more women TDs. Thats what Fine Gael is working to change. We have 25 women candidates this time out. Read More Brendan Howlin - Labour Party Expand Close Ex-minister Brendan Howlin. Photo: Damien Eagers / INM / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ex-minister Brendan Howlin. Photo: Damien Eagers / INM Do you consider yourself a feminist? Yes, I do. I have been proud to work side-by-side with inspirational, campaigning woman all my political life. Some of those were very lonely, very tough battles. I remember in particular being actively involved in the referendum campaigns to oppose the introduction of the 8th Amendment in 1983 and the first divorce referendum in 1986. The voices of equality and compassion were defeated in both. However, it was largely the commitment and determination of women which ensured that decades later we could revisit these issues and help build a better Ireland. That fight for equality continues today. What has been your biggest achievement for womens equality to date? I have been proud to campaign to repeal the 8th, tackle the gender pay gap and promote the equality of women. Change takes vision but also determination to see through to the end. One important measure I was determined to achieve progress on in Government was womens representation on State boards. Upon entering government in 2011 the target of 40pc of women on State boards had not been achieved, often being treated as a worthy aspiration, not an achievable goal. Labour in government recommitted itself to meeting the target as part of an overall review of state board membership. An open and transparent process of application and decision-making was introduced and progress towards meeting the 40pc target was monitored on a six monthly. By 2017 not only had the 40pc target been surpassed, more than 50pc of appointments made that year were female. What is the most important change that you want to achieve for womens equality if elected as taoiseach? I think the economic equality agenda is now the urgent issue for women. Women are still undervalued in their careers and there are intolerable gender pay gaps in every economic sector. Ive worked closely with my colleague Senator Ivana Bacik to tackle this issue. Ivanas legislation to require gender pay reporting has been frustrated by the current Government but we are both determined that this is a measure that should be enacted within the first 100 days of the new Dail. Then we need to continue the pressure on critical issues such as childcare to ensure that women in work are treated equally. The lack of affordable quality childcare is a major barrier to real equality at work. Labour has a State-led solution that will work. I am also very supportive of the work that Labour colleagues such as Cllr Rebecca Moynihan have achieved in respect of period poverty and want to see her initiative with Dublin City Council rolled out nationwide. Will you commit to having a gender balanced cabinet? I am supportive of the principle of a gender balanced cabinet. I think a breath of fresh air like that which followed the recent victory of Sanna Mirella Marin in Finland and the composition of her cabinet would be very welcome in Ireland. However, gender on its own is not a guarantee of a real progressive commitment. I would urge voters in this election to support candidates committed to equality, social justice and fairness. That commitment often transcends gender. It about political values and belief. I am proud to lead a party of women and men that cherishes its commitment to equality. Eamon Ryan - Green Party Expand Close Green Party leader Eamon. Photo: Damien Eagers / INM / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Green Party leader Eamon. Photo: Damien Eagers / INM Do you consider yourself a feminist? Yes. What has been your biggest achievement for womens equality to date? I believe one of our recent key feminist achievements my party has delivered has been the great work of my colleague Deputy Leader, Catherine Martin on extending maternity leave to mothers of premature babies. I commend her and have been honoured to support her in her work. This is the sort of practical politics that helps women. Additionally, our party has ensured 44pc of our candidates for the local elections in 2019 were women and now 41pc of our candidates are women running for the general election and will continue to ensure that there are more women in politics. Moreover, our partys management committee is greatly represented by women with five out of six of our committee members are women. What is the most important change that you want to achieve for womens equality if elected as taoiseach? I believe it is important to advance womens leadership in politics and across the business sectors by introducing mandatory gender quota for executive boards of all large companies registered in Ireland. It is important to have a gender balance in all offices. Moreover, it is important to ensure that we rearrange the political structures to facilitate more access for women and men allowing them to balance personal/family and work life. Additionally, increase paid parental leave to allow men to share with women in caring for children/relatives and managing family life and bring proposals for basic income to facilitate better choices and flexibility in career development. There is a lot of significant work that needs to be done to ensure womens equality from prioritising Womens health to leading a Green New Deal. Will you commit to having a gender-balanced cabinet? It is important that a cabinet is diverse in its opinions, expertise, and experiences. We are committed to a cabinet that is as diverse as possible in terms of age, gender and race/ethnicity with regard to the composition of Dail Eireann. Roisin Shortall and Catherine Murphy - Social Democrats Expand Close Catherine Murphy, left, and Roisin Shortall . Photo: Gareth Chaney / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Catherine Murphy, left, and Roisin Shortall . Photo: Gareth Chaney Do you consider yourself a feminist? Yes, unequivocally. Equality is one of the key principles that drives our party and feminism is equality. Women are the largest minority in society, so gender equality sits very high on our list of priorities and informs all of our policies. What has been your biggest achievement for womens equality to date? We are extremely proud of our very active involvement in the Repeal campaign and our respective local Together4Yes groups. But for many years prior to Repeal, we have fought for social change at a personal, local, and national level. Gender equality remains a fundamental principle of our policies as we our party has grown. Most recently, we have advanced the rights of families through our Parental Leave Bill. This has had a huge impact on the lives of working mothers to achieve greater balance in their lives and we have been overwhelmed with the positive response from families enjoying this change. Of course we also established a political party led by women, with women in senior roles, and fielding the largest percentage of female candidates in the upcoming General Election. In fact we are the first political party in Irish history to have a majority of women running for us. What is the most important change that you want to achieve for womens equality if elected as taoiseach? We will prioritise childcare; the great leveller. A nordic socially democratic approach which sees childcare as a public service is crucial to womens equality. It contributes to the gender pay gap, the experience of lone parents, child poverty and many more areas. Health is a platform priority for us and that includes the unique health needs of women. We will ensure that healthcare for women is the best in the world, that religious influence of hospital ownership is removed and that the implementation of the abortion legislation is effective for all women. We will care for the most vulnerable women in society and provide crucial services which we currently lack for women experiencing domestic violence, women experiencing homelessness, and women in marginalised groups of society. Improving the lives of women has been proven to improve the lives of families and communities We will amend the archaic Article 41.2 of Bunracht na hEireann, which defines a womans place as in the home; an important signal to the gender equal society we want for our country. Will you commit to having a gender balanced cabinet? Without doubt. We are seeing the positive impact of this in other countries and we are already the most gender friendly party in terms of candidates so we will absolutely carry this through to our cabinet and appointments process. Having gender balance in central government makes sense on so many levels. As a rounded approach to the leadership of our country, as a beacon to all employers in society, and to role model to our younger generations that all of us have the choice to be who we want to be. Mary Lou McDonald - Sinn Fein Expand Close Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald speaking at the party's general election candidate launch in Dublin. Niall Carson/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald speaking at the party's general election candidate launch in Dublin. Niall Carson/PA Wire Do you consider yourself a feminist? Yes, I do. Feminism at its core is about equality and the equal treatment of men and women. That is what Sinn Fein is about building an equal society. We are committed to changing the type of attitudes that prevent this, including the gender pay gap, and ensuring that we have a diversity of voices in public office to build a fairer, more inclusive society. What has been your biggest achievement for womens equality to date? I think the campaign to Repeal the Eighth Amendment was a significant victory for women in this State, and I was very proud to play a small part in that. I am also proud of the role that I have played, among many others, in the campaign for recognition and justice for women who were incarcerated in Magdalene Laundries. What is the most important change that you want to achieve for womens equality if elected as taoiseach? I think we still have a huge amount of work to do on various issues, but one that I have worked on for many years is the issue of domestic violence. One in five women experience violence in their own home, and over 40pc of Irish women know someone in their circle of family or friends who have experienced intimate partner violence. As a society we need to step up to our responsibility to ensure that domestic violence victims rights and entitlements are enhanced and protected. The establishment of independent regional multi-agency domestic homicide reviews would be an invaluable tool to protect women and eliminate domestic violent crime in this regard, and I would also like to introduce legislation to provide for a statutory entitlement to paid leave for those who suffer domestic violence. Will you commit to having a gender balanced cabinet? Ultimately the decision of who serves in cabinet is one for the people to make. However, we have seen the effects of successive government decisions that have disproportionately affected women; particularly women from disadvantaged backgrounds. This shows the necessity of a cabinet, and government that is representative of all sections of society. Keith 'Bo' Tharpe, 61, died of natural causes Friday, Georgia Department of Corrections spokeswoman Joan Heath confirmed in an email Sunday A Georgia death row inmate whose planned execution was halted in September 2017 by the U.S. Supreme Court after his lawyers argued his death sentence was tainted by a juror's racial bias has died, according to the state Department of Corrections Keith 'Bo' Tharpe, 61, died of natural causes, most likely due to complications of cancer, at Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Butts County Friday. In 1991, a jury convicted Tharpe of murder in the September 1990 slaying of his sister-in-law, Jacquelyn Freeman, and sentenced him to death. In interviews with Tharpe's legal team years later, white juror Barney Gattie, who has since died, freely used the N-word. 'In my experience I have observed that there are two types of black people: 1. Black folks and 2. (N-words),' Gattie said, according to a sworn statement he signed in 1998. Gattie said during jury selection that he had no connections to the Freeman family. However in the affidavit he said he did know them. 'Because I knew the victim and her husband's family and knew them all to be good black folks, I felt Tharpe, who wasn't in the "good" black folks category in my book, should get the electric chair,' Gattie said. Georgia now carries out executions via lethal injection. He went on to say: 'After studying the Bible, I have wondered if black people even have souls.' He added: 'If they had been the type Tharpe is, then picking between life and death for Tharpe wouldnt have mattered so much. My feeling is, what would be the difference?' His death at Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Butts County (pictured) was most likely due to complications of cancer Court documents state that Gattie later clarified in a deposition that he didn't mean to use the N-word as a slur. Gattie later said he had been drinking when he talked to Tharpe's legal team and didn't understand what his statement would be used for. He also said his comments had been 'taken all out of proportion' and 'misconstrued'. He testified that he voted for the death penalty because of the facts of the case, not because of Tharpe's race. Tharpe was represented by the Georgia Resource Center, a nonprofit organization, which offers free legal representation to prisoners on death row. His attorney Brian Kammer said that the juror 'harbored very atrocious, racist views about black people'. Kammer said that in an attempt to do 'damage control', the state made Gattie sign a different affidavit. Tharpe's last years were spent 'strengthening his bonds with family and friends, according to a statement from his lawyer. He is pictured with his granddaughter Tharpe had been scheduled to be executed at 7pm on September 26, 2017, but the appointed time came and went with legal challenges still pending. He had already eaten his last meal of three spicy chicken breasts, a roast beef sandwich with sauce, a fish sandwich, tater logs, onion rings, an apple pie and a vanilla milkshake. More than three hours later, just after 10.30pm that night, the U.S. Supreme Court announced a temporary stay. Sherrilyn Ifill, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's Legal Defense and Educational Fund, previously said: 'A juror who doubts whether black people have souls cannot make a reasoned, moral judgment about whether a black defendant such as Mr. Tharpe should face the ultimate sanction.' In 1991, a jury convicted Tharpe of murder in the September 1990 slaying of his sister-in-law, Jacquelyn Freeman, and sentenced him to death The state of Georgia said the juror racial bias claim was barred by evidence rules and there was insufficient evidence to show that juror bias affected the trial's outcome. The Georgia Supreme Court refused to stop the execution. The U.S. Supreme Court issued the temporary stay based on a separate motion that Tharpe's attorneys had filed in federal court in June 2017 seeking to reopen his case based on the allegations of juror racial bias. A federal judge and the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied that motion. But they admitted in a 6-3 decision that they were concerned Gattie was racist and that he only voted for the death penalty because Tharpe was black. In a clemency application, Tharpe's lawyers described a tough childhood and an extensive history of substance abuse they said included getting black-out drunk by age 10 and a debilitating crack cocaine habit. They said Tharpe felet deep remorse over Freeman's killing and had kicked his addictions during his time in prison, devoted his life to God and sought to help improve the lives of others. Tharpe had been scheduled to be executed at 7pm on September 26, 2017, but the appointed time came and went with legal challenges still pending A few months later in January 2018, the Supreme Court sent the case back to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta - which had already rejected Tharpe's appeal - for further consideration. The 11th Circuit in April 2018 again rejected Tharpe's appeal, and he appealed to the Supreme Court again. The high court last March declined to consider the appeal. When that denial was issued, Justice Sonia Sotomayor included a statement saying she agreed that it was appropriate for the court to decline to hear the appeal but that she was 'profoundly troubled by the underlying facts of this case.' No court has ever considered the merits of Tharpe's juror racial bias claim, Sotomayor wrote. State and federal courts have rejected his requests on procedural grounds. Tharpe's petition to the Supreme Court asked the high court to decide whether the 11th Circuit had made the wrong call on procedural rulings, not whether his claim of juror racial bias has merit, Sotomayor wrote. For that reason, she wrote, the decision to reject his appeal was the right one. But Sotomayor called the evidence of juror bias presented by Tharpe's lawyers 'truly striking.' 'These racist sentiments, expressed by a juror entrusted with a vote over Tharpe's fate, suggest an appalling risk that racial bias swayed Tharpe's sentencing,' she wrote. Justice Sonia Sotomayor said last March: 'These racist sentiments, expressed by a juror entrusted with a vote over Tharpe's fate, suggest an appalling risk that racial bias swayed Tharpe's sentencing' Tharpe's wife left him in August 1990, taking their four daughters to live with her mother. About a month later, on September 25, 1990, Tharpe's wife was driving to work with her brother's wife when Tharpe used a truck to block them. Armed with a shotgun, he ordered them out of their vehicle and fatally shot Freeman. He threw her in a ditch and shot her again. Prosecutors said he then raped his wife and took her to a credit union to withdraw money. While at the credit union, his wife called police for help. About three months after the killing, Tharpe was tried, convicted and sentenced to death. Georgia Department of Corrections spokeswoman Joan Heath confirmed Tharpe's death in an email Sunday. One of Tharpe's lawyers, Marcia Widder, said in an emailed statement after his death: 'The courts' failure to confront the racism tainting Mr. Tharpe's death sentence remains a stain on the judicial system and calls for increased efforts to eradicate the poison of racism in our criminal courts.' Widder said in a statement that Tharpe's last years were spent 'strengthening his bonds with family and friends, and deepening his Christian faith'. PARMA HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Police arrested a woman with several probation violation warrants in a Saturday night SWAT standoff while the landlord tried to leave an eviction notice, police say. Formal charges have not yet been filed in the incident that started about 3 p.m. Saturday at a home on Queens Highway near Snow Road, Parma Heights Police Chief Steve Scharschmidt said. Three adults, including the 33-year-old woman and a 7-year-old, were in the home. Police were called after the landlord called for assistance in serving an eviction notice, Scharschmidt said. Her husband told police when they arrived that she was not there, but another man pointed upstairs, police said. Officers conducted a search and found her hiding in the attic, police said. Police removed several guns and ammunition from the home and deployed tear gas to remove the woman from the home. She walked out of the home and was immediately taken into custody. The child was not harmed nor were the other adults in the home. Sharschmidt says charged are pending against she and her husband, Scharschmidt said. If youd like to comment on this story, visit Saturdays crime and courts comments section. Priti Patel today launched a savage attack on big British business as she said companies had become 'far too reliant on low skilled' and 'cheap' workers from the EU. The Home Secretary said Brexit would mean the end of EU free movement and as a result businesses will have to change their approach to building their work force. She said the government believes 'it is about time' that businesses invested more in British workers as she set out details of Britain's post-Brexit immigration system. Meanwhile, she also insisted the UK will diverge from rules made in Brussels after Britain quits the bloc. She said 'we are not having alignment' in comments which are notably tougher than those made by Chancellor Sajid Javid who last week said the UK would not diverge 'just for the sake of it'. Priti Patel told Sky News this morning that UK businesses have been 'far too reliant on low-skilled and cheap labour from the EU' The Migration Advisory Committee, an independent body which advises the government, is expected to publish a major report this week in which it will set out the data which will be used to underpin the post-Brexit immigration system. Boris Johnson has pledged to introduce an Australian-style points based immigration system from January 2021 when freedom of movement from the bloc will formally end. Businesses have urged the government to continue to allow low-skilled migrants to enter the UK from the EU after Brexit amid fears of staff shortages. But the government has rejected their demands and Ms Patel said today that companies will have to make better use of British workers in the future. She told Sky News: 'They have been far too reliant on low-skilled and quite frankly cheap labour from the EU and we want to end that. 'We think it is about time that businesses started to invest in people across the whole of the United Kingdom, that they join with us and our agenda to level up the skills, the infrastructure, the economic growth across all our regions, promote growth across the whole of the United Kingdom. 'That is one of the key opportunities that we have when we leave the EU through the immigration system, the points based system, that we will be bringing. 'Yes, supporting the brightest and the best but also encouraging British industry to do more to invest in capital, in people, in human capital and the skills that our country and our economy needs in the long run.' Ms Patel also risked sparking business concerns about future trade with the EU after she struck a tough tone on post-Brexit divergence from rules and regulations made in Brussels. There is an ongoing row within the government over to what extent the UK should diverge from EU rules amid fears that big changes could make it harder to export goods to the continent. Ms Patel said: 'There is no disagreement in government at all. We are clear we are leaving, we will be taking back control of our laws, our money, our borders. 'In terms of divergence, let's be very clear about this, we are not having alignment. We will be diverging. We want to take control of our laws, money, our borders and to do that we will not be rule takers. We will be setting our own laws and that is a fundamental feature of leaving the European Union.' Ms Patel said today 'we are not having alignment' with EU rules after Brexit. Sajid Javid, pictured in Davos last week, said the UK would not diverge 'just for the sake of it' Her comments come after Mr Javid outlined his views on the subject during an event at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last week. He said: 'We are leaving the EU, the single market and the customs union and we are doing that so that we can have control of our rules and laws.' Asked how the UK would diverge in practice, he said: 'We wont diverge just for the sake of it.' Stephen Barclay, the Brexit Secretary, today echoed Mr Javid's language as he told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: 'We are not going to diverge just for the sake of it.' The prospect of the UK diverging from EU rules after Brexit has spooked some in the bloc. Helen McEntee, the Irish minister for European affairs, told Sky News: 'I think we're all in agreement, all 27 member states, that we want a close relationship with the UK, but there has to be balance of rights and obligations, there needs to be a level playing field.' She said that 'a lot of talk about divergence' is 'quite worrying' as she argued negotiating a comprehensive trade deal between the UK and EU 'essentially in 10 months' will be difficult. When David Cameron made Denzil Douglas, the former Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, a member of the Queens gilded Privy Council, he lavished praise on the servant of the Commonwealth. But last month, The Mail on Sunday revealed Dr Douglas had been stopped at Gatwick in November trying to leave the country with 70,000 in mysterious cash. It caused a storm in the Caribbean paradise, where the good doctor is standing for election again. Now new information reaches me that will cause a headache back in Britain. The Mail on Sunday revealed Dr Douglas had been stopped at Gatwick in November trying to leave the country with 70,000 in mysterious cash. It caused a storm in the Caribbean paradise, where the good doctor is standing for election again Border Force sources say Dr Douglas attempted to use his position as a senior politician to berate border agents, accusing them of being confused for searching him. He insisted his luggage contained no cash, so a tense scene emerged when he was asked to explain the presence of several bundles of US dollars and other money in white and brown envelopes, as well as five other wrapped bundles of UK notes totalling 1,000. Given the National Crime Agency, the UKs FBI, is probing where the cash is from, is such behaviour becoming of a member of Her Majestys Most Honourable Privy Council? With clubbable Rob Oxley off to empire-build at a souped-up new Foreign Office and International Aid department, Boris Johnson has turned to Fleet Street to find his new Press Secretary. I hear dogged Daily Mail man Jack Doyle, a hard-lunching scoop-getter of the old-school variety, has been lined up for the relentless job. And good timing for a poacher-turned-gamekeeper, given Downing Streets relationship with Westminsters press pack has had a rocky start to the year, with hacks very suspicious about changes to Government briefings and heavy-handed leak inquiries spooking Whitehall sources. Tory Crispin Blunt has sent letters to fellow MPs seeking votes in his bid to head the Foreign Affairs Committee. To Labour ranks, he plays up his opposition to Government policy on nuclear missiles, yet to Tories he professes: I want the Government to do this well. Such diplomacy should serve him well! The more you read of the endless Left-wing witterings of a young Sir Keir Starmer, the more you realise he is far from the moderate Labour saviour the Right of the party is desperately seeking The more you read of the endless Left-wing witterings of a young Sir Keir Starmer, the more you realise he is far from the moderate Labour saviour the Right of the party is desperately seeking. In a particularly turgid article for the Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers in 1995, the Young Turk declared property rights should be abolished. Lawyer Sir Keir, then 33, railed: We could do worse than to begin by dismantling those common law rules governing the property entitlements of private parties which for almost a thousand years judges have been happy to regard as pre-political norms. Next month, Jeremy Corbyn plans a Shadow Cabinet meeting in a Leave-voting area of the North East to show that Labour realise why they were pummelled at the Election. But as its planned for a Thursday, traditionally the day MPs go back to constituencies and a long way from London I hear disloyal comrades are already preparing their excuses. The whips are having a ball No kid gloves in the Whips Office where the Chief Whip, Mark Spencer, has been proudly showing MPs his new toy: a burdizzo. Those of a sensitive nature will want to avoid looking that one up in the dictionary, but this medieval-looking device is meant to be used on bulls. Its a marked escalation in the menacing tactics used by the office former Chief Whip Gavin Williamson famously kept a pet tarantula called Cronus. Come back Cronus, all is forgiven! Hong Kong shuttler Ng Ka-long snatched the men's Thailand Masters title Sunday after a shaky start against Japan's Kenta Nishimoto, whose compatriot Akane Yamaguchi beat Korea's An Se-young in a hard-fought women's final. World number nine Ng clinched victory after Nishimoto took the first game in a 16-21, 21-13, 21-12 duel. But missteps in the second and third game by the 25-year-old Japanese player allowed Ng to move forward in a decisive victory -- coming back swiftly after a five-point low. His win in the $150,000 tournament is his first in a long time -- Ng's last victory was at the Malaysia Masters in 2017 and the Hong Kong Open the year before. Another rivalry came to a head in the women's finals when Japan's Akane Yamaguchi conquered her teenage opponent An Se-young in two games. The 17-year-old Korean, voted Most Promising Player of 2019, had previously beaten world number three Yamaguchi in November at the Korea Masters. But this time the top seed continued her impressive and fierce performance from the day before -- when she battled Spain's Carolina Marin Saturday for the spot in the finals. Yamaguchi went point-for-point in the second game, the 22-year-old Japanese pulling through with a 21-16, 22-20 victory after an intense volley that had both players diving for the shuttlecock. In women's doubles Chinese pair Chen Qing Chen and Jia Yi Fan beat Korea's Baek Ha-na and Jung Kyung-eun in a 17-21, 21-17, 21-15 match. Malaysia's Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi claimed victory in the men's doubles after defeating China's Huang Kai Xiang and Liu Cheng 18-21, 21-17, 21-17. The Thailand Masters is the second competition this month to not feature men's world number one Kento Momota after the Japanese superstar was injured in a car crash that killed his driver and left him with minor injuries in Kuala Lumpur. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 06:13:53|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close TORONTO, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Confederation of Toronto Chinese Canadian Organizations (CTCCO) launched a drive Saturday afternoon to raise donations for the Chinese city of Wuhan to prevent cross-infection and curb the spreading of the novel coronavirus-related pneumonia. CTCCO Chairman Wen Guoning told Xinhua that CTCCO will set up donation boxes at shopping centers in Toronto area Saturday evening. Nearly 50,000 Canadian dollars (about 38,000 U.S. dollars) was raised Saturday afternoon. The donated money will be used to purchase necessary supplies for epidemic prevention, which will be sent to China as soon as possible, he said. Hospitals in Wuhan, the central Chinese city at the center of the coronavirus outbreak, are calling on public support for protective supplies such as masks and suits, as supplies run low and the number of cases grows daily. Chinese health authorities announced Saturday that 1,287 confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), including 237 in critical condition, had been reported in the country by the end of Friday. The pneumonia situation had resulted in 41 deaths. Editors note: The Reporter-Telegram received permission to run the following story On Tuesday, the sanctuary of Brazos Covenant Ministries in Granbury was packed full of voters who had come to listen to 10 Republican candidates one of whom will undoubtedly be representing them this time next year in Washington, D.C. as the congressman from Texas 11th Congressional District. Topics of the debate ranged from red flag laws, to the national debt, to agriculture subsidies. The 11th Congressional District When the district was first created after 1880, it covered nearly the entirety of West Texas. In the 1890s, it moved to south Texas, and after the 1900 census, it moved again to the Waco area where it existed for the next century. More Information The Texan, according to its website, "is dedicated to providing information that you need to know about issues in politics and policy that impact your life." It is an online, subscriber-based news outlet. For those wanting to know more about The Texan go to thetexan.news See More Collapse Beginning in the 2004 election when Rep. Mike Conaway was first elected, the district was moved once again back into the West Texas area After the 2010 census, Burnet and Lampasas counties were cut out along with some other counties in the Southwest portion of the district. Hood, Palo Pinto, Eastland, Callahan and parts of Erath and Stephens counties were added instead. The district is one of the most conservative in the state and the nation. Much like the rest of rural Texas, Republican presidential candidates have carried every county in the district for the last 20 years. READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE HERE: http://bit.ly/2Gk3V6z EDWARDSVILLE The victim in a deadly DUI accident was only one exit away from turning off on his commute to work when the head-on crash occurred. Amanda K. Runtz was driving northbound in the southbound lanes of I-255 on Jan. 17, 2018, when her vehicle slammed into the car driven by Marlon D. Buddy Buford, 30, of South Roxana, killing him. Runtz on Friday was sentenced to six years in prison for the crash. He worked nights so he could take care of his children during the day, Megan Kearbey, Bufords then-girlfriend, said during Fridays sentencing hearing. Runtz pleaded guilty in September to one count of aggravated driving under the influence causing death and a count of aggravated driving under the influence. A witness told authorities she had smoked marijuana just before the crash, and tests showed the presence of alprazolam, the generic name for Xanax. She was accused of making a U-turn, northbound in the southbound lanes of the highway before colliding with the Buford car and a car driven by Timothy J. Varble, who was seriously injured. In exchange for her plea, the state agreed to a cap of 10 years in prison and dropped charges of reckless homicide and aggravated reckless driving. Runtz was also injured in the crash. The courtroom was packed with the relatives of the victims and relatives of Runtz on Friday. Bufords family members cried during most of the victim impact statements given by those close to him. Relatives said he worked nights so the mother of his children could work during the day and he could take care of the children. His mother, Lecia Hearne, said her son worked hard and built his life around his family. She said he attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and won an award for his studies as a mechanic at Lewis and Clark Community College. Defense attorney, Allan Napp, argued for a term of probation, citing a state law providing for probation in extraordinary circumstances. He said that Runtz had only a trace of the drug alprazolam and no alcohol in her blood and that the amount was not enough to show impairment. But Assistant States Attorney Chad Loughry argued that Runtz pleaded guilty to aggravated driving under the influence causing death, which indicates she was impaired. There were no extraordinary circumstances, he said. She was either impaired or she purposely made a U-turn into the opposite lane of traffic, Loughry argued. Runtz said she is not a hateful person. From the bottom of my heart, I am sorry for the pain and suffering I have caused, she said, adding she does not remember the crash or the events surrounding it. She said she did not want to hurt anyone, including herself. I had no thoughts of suicide, she said in her statement on her own behalf. Judge Richard Tognarelli congratulated Bufords family members on their courage to give their statements in court. To you I say, a job well done, Tognarelli told Hearne. The Democratic primary remains up for grabs. A cascade of polls released over the weekend have Bernie Sanders challenging Joe Bidens frontrunner status, surpassing Biden in key early states as the national horse race tightens up. In total, seven polls were released this weekend, painting a picture of a Democratic primary that has no clear leader. A group of surveys out of the first two states to head to the polls Iowa and New Hampshire have Sanders in a strong position. But other candidates remain within striking distance, highlighting the fluidity of the race with eight days to go until the Iowa caucuses. In a poll conducted in Iowa by The New York Times/Siena College that was released Saturday, the Vermont senator sat at the top of the pack at 25 percent. Three other candidates were battling for second place Pete Buttigieg, Biden and Elizabeth Warren all within three points of one another. Buttigieg was at 18 percent, to Bidens 17 percent and Warrens 15 percent. A second Iowa poll, conducted by CBS News/YouGov, has the race closer at the top, with three candidates within three points of each other. Sanders is at 26 percent to Biden's 25 percent and Buttigieg's 22 percent. Warren was at 15 percent. A survey in New Hampshire which votes eight days after the Iowa caucuses tells a similar story: Sanders has staked out a narrow lead, with a battle for second. A NBC News/Marist poll in the Granite State that was released on Sunday has Sanders at 22 percent among likely primary voters. Buttigieg was at 17 percent Biden was at 15 percent and Warren was at 13 percent. Amy Klobuchar, the senator from Minnesota, rounds out the candidates who finished in double digits with 10 percent. Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden greets supporters as he arrives for a campaign event, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, at the Mary A. Fisk Elementary School in Salem, N.H. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) A second New Hampshire poll released Sunday gives a wider lead to Sanders. In the CNN/University of New Hampshire poll , Sanders is at 25 percent among likely primary voters, to Bidens 16 percent, Buttigiegs 15 percent and Warrens 12 percent. Story continues Regardless of who they support, a plurality of voters believe Sanders will win the first-in-the-nation primary. Thirty-nine percent said they believed the Vermont senator will win the state, compared to 22 percent for Biden and 12 percent for Warren. A third Iowa poll, conducted by USA Today/Suffolk University had Biden with a narrow lead in the state. He is up front at 25 percent, followed by Sanders 19 percent, Buttigiegs 18 percent and Warrens 13 percent. This poll is not to be confused with the well-regarded Des Moines Register/CNN/Mediacom poll even though the Des Moines Register and USA Today share the same parent company, Gannett. The final edition of that poll, which is considered the gold standard in the state, will be released Saturday. In past cycles, the first two states have gone a long way toward determining who gets the nomination. A narrow win by Sanders in both states, where he currently sits in pole position, could push him toward the nomination as he builds momentum. Biden remained in first in a pair of national polls released Sunday, but Sanders has begun cutting into his national lead as well. A Fox News poll has Biden at 26 percent to Sanders 23 percent among registered voters bringing Sanders within the polls margin of error while both outpace the rest of the field. Warren is at 14 and Mike Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor who is skipping the first four states in favor of a strategy focused on Super Tuesday, is at 10 percent. Bidens lead shrunk there, compared to a Fox News national poll conducted in early December. In that poll, Biden had a 10-point lead over the second-place Sanders, 30 percent to 20 percent. A second national poll, released by ABC News/Washington Post on Sunday, also has Biden and Sanders closely packed together. Among adults who are either Democrats or Democratic-leaning independents, Biden is at 28 percent to Sanders 24 percent. Warren is the only other candidate in double digits at 11 percent. A more restrictive screen from ABC News/The Washington Post gives Biden a wider lead. Among registered voters who are Democrats or Democratic-leaning independents, Biden is at 32 percent to Sanders 23 percent, with Warren at 12 percent. In a CNN/SSRS national poll released Wednesday, Sanders was ahead of Biden within the polls margin of error. The polling also shows that the race remains fluid. In the Times/Sienna Iowa poll, just 59 percent of voters said their mind was made up on which candidate they would support. Thirty-nine percent of caucusgoers said they could be persuaded to back a different candidate, with a bit over a week to go until they actually caucus. Similarly, New Hampshire voters are not locked in. In the CNN/UNH poll, just 31 percent of Democratic primary voters said theyve definitely decided who theyre going to vote for. 20 percent said theyre leaning toward a candidate, while 49 percent said theyre still trying to decide. The polls also brought good news for candidates further down the ballot. Four of the polls released Sunday the ABC News/Washington Post and Fox News national polls and CNN/UNH and NBC News/Marist New Hampshire polls counted toward qualifying candidates for the next Democratic primary debate to be held on Feb. 7 in New Hampshire. Andrew Yang hit at least 5 percent in all four of those polls, helping him qualify for the debate stage . He joins Biden, Buttigieg, Klobuchar, Sanders, Tom Steyer and Warren, all of whom had already qualified. The New York Times/Siena College Iowa poll surveyed 584 likely Democratic caucusgoers Jan. 20-23, and has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 4.8 percentage points. The CBS/YouGov Iowa poll surveyed 1,401 registered voters who are Democrats from Jan. 16-23, with a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3.9 percentage points. The USA Today/Suffolk University poll surveyed 500 likely Democratic caucusgoers from Jan. 23-26, with a plus-or-minus 4.4 percentage point margin of error. The NBC News/Marist New Hampshire survey polled 697 likely Democratic primary voters from Jan. 20-23, with a margin of error of plus-or-minus 4.5 percentage points. The CNN/University of New Hampshire poll conducted in the state surveyed 516 likely Democratic primary voters from Jan. 15-23, and has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 4.3 percentage points. The Fox News national poll surveyed 495 registered voters who indicated they were more likely to vote in the Democratic primary. It was in the field from Jan. 19-22, and has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 4 percentage points. The ABC News/Washington Post poll had a sample of 388 Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, including 349 who are registered voters. Both groups had a margin of error of plus-or-minus 6 percentage points, and the poll was conducted from Jan. 20-23. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 04:10:45|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ALGIERS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to pay an official two-day visit to Algeria on Sunday, the Algerian presidency said in a statement on Saturday. On the occasion of this visit, "the two presidents will discuss ways and means to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation, in addition to exchanging views on international issues of common interest," said the statement. Earlier, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune invited his Turkish counterpart to visit Algeria following the talks he held with visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Algiers. Enditem Rebecca Coley at the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Jan. 25, 2020. (NTD Television) PITTSBURGHOn Chinese New Year, Shen Yun Performing Arts performed at The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts and showcased traditional Chinese culture through classical Chinese dance and music. Also known as the Lunar New Year, the Chinese New Year is a momentous occasion, which made it the perfect time for these audience members to watch Shen Yun in celebration of traditional Chinese culture. Instructional designer and dance teacher Rebecca Coley came to see the New York-based performing arts company on Jan. 25, 2020. She teaches jazz dance at Carnegie Mellon University. Coming from a dancing background herself, Coley was most interested in Shen Yuns display of classical Chinese dance. Its exquisite, I love it. Ive never seen such collective grace in all the dance shows Ive seen. Its amazing, the dance instructor said. Coley said that Shen Yuns performance was the most well-executed dance performance she has seen. What she found that led her to that conclusion was that all of Shen Yuns dancers performed at a high level of skill and grace. She said, I mean, not the just the collective precision, but the collective grace. Theres not one stand out dancer in the entire ensemble. They were all stand-out principal dancers, which is very different from all the American companies I see where theres three or four principle dancers, and its apparent that theyre the stars of the company per se, but theres just this collective skill that I cant pick out one star, if that makes sense. A complete system of dance that has existed for thousands of years, classical Chinese dance is an important element of Shen Yun as well as traditional Chinese culture. According to the companys website, this style of dance is an accumulation of profound wisdom from every period of Chinese civilization and has become an embodiment of traditional aesthetic principles which include bearing, form, and technical skill. Classical Chinese dance is also comprised of unique dance movements, rhythms, and inner meaning. Shen Yun dancers emphasize the importance of expressing their emotions and inner thoughts to the audience. Coley noticed this characteristic. It is exquisite. I keep going back to the same words I used, but its exquisite, and theres a meaning behind every piece that its not just dance for the sake of dance. Theres a message behind it, so its an experience, she said. Not only do Shen Yun dancers practice self-expression, but they also strive to improve themselves every day, in all areas of their life. According to the companys website, Theres something that unites Shen Yun artists beyond performing arts. These artists are also spiritual seekers on a shared journey. They meditate together, study teachings together, and strive to live by the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. Coley believed this part of Shen Yun was very prominent in the performance, especially in the dance, Abetting the Wicked, a story about practitioners of Falun Dafa undergoing persecution by the Chinese Communist Party. It clearly must make a difference, because again, theres a different spirit to the show than other dance performances that Ive seen, so theres something special, she said. Coley added, The message I received from it is the ability to rise above, and the ability to find grace and beauty despite what you have to face in this world. I think that was the strongest takeaway. With reporting by NTD Television and Don Tran. The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the companys inception in 2006. President Donald Trump inquired how long Ukraine would be able to resist Russian aggression without U.S. assistance during a 2018 meeting with donors that included the indicted associates of his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, The Associated Press reported. How long would they last in a fight with Russia? Trump is heard asking in the audio portion of a video recording, moments before he calls for the firing of then U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch. A video recording of the entire 80-minute dinner at the Trump Hotel in Washington was obtained Saturday by The Associated Press. Excerpts were first published Friday by ABC News. The recording contradicts the presidents statements that he did not know the Giuliani associates Lev Parnas or Igor Fruman, key figures in the investigation who were indicted last year on campaign finance charges. By IANS NEW DELHI: Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will soon lead a delegation of party leaders to National Human Rights Commission to complain about the UP Police's "brutality" against the anti-CAA protesters. The party has compiled the proof and other material on record to make a case against the UP Police which cracked down the agitation in the state with force, a party source said. The party has many audio and video evidence against the erring officers, said a leader ALSO READ | Seized blankets from CAA protesters to disperse crowd: UP Police on theft accusations Priyanka Gandhi has visited many victims and their families across the state, especially in western Uttar Pradesh which had been worst hit by violence which broke in December last year after the Citizenship Amendment Act was passed by Parliament. She visited Bijnor, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut and Lucknow to meet the victims. The party is at the forefront in the anti-CAA protests and has supported the student agitations. Priyanka Gandhi herself sat on a dharna at India Gate in solidarity and the party had also held a symbolic protest at Rajghat. ALSO READ | UP police reforms: Yogi govt segregates crime & investigation from law & order A party insider said that the party wants that an inquiry should be initiated against police officials as their behaviour was against the law and ethos of policing. Nearly two dozen people died in alleged police firing during protests in Bijnor, Meerut, Kanpur, Firozabad and other places. The BJP state government had gone tough on the protestors and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has backed the police action. However, after later, protests - this time led by women - have broken out in Lucknow, Prayagraj and other places in the state. The Context The democracy movement in Hong Kong has been one of the most important news stories in the world over the last year. President Trump has had very little to say about it, so we wanted to know how these candidates would approach the same situation. Randolph County Sheriff's Office charged Salvador Escobar, 48, with felony human trafficking: Randolph County Sheriff's Office A man has been charged with human trafficking after he allegedly kept a sex slave for five years. Salvador Espinoza Escobar, 48, is accused of withholding basic needs in exchange for forced sexual acts with the woman since January 2015. He was arrested in North Carolina on Wednesday following a tip-off to the national human trafficking hotline. The Randolph County Sheriffs Office said he was taken into custody without incident. Mr Escobar, who lives in the city Asheboro, was later charged with one felony count of human trafficking. Related Video: Teenage Boy Allegedly Kept as Sex Slave in NYC Apartment He appeared in court by video link on Friday before being released on a $100,000 bond. Randolph County Sheriffs Office said it was their first arrest for this type of offence. Investigators confirmed that the alleged victim is a woman, according to local TV station WCII 12, but said they wanted to protect her privacy. No information will be released regarding the victims identity or condition for protection and privacy, the sheriffs office said in a statement. This case remains under investigation and additional charges may be forthcoming. The sheriffs office said it was working with World Relief Triad, a local non-profit organisation, and the Department of Social Security to support the alleged victim. Mr Escobar is next due to appear in court on 12 February. Read more Indonesian shaman kept sex slave in cave for 15 years LOS ANGELES The U.S. has five confirmed cases of the new virus from China, all among people who traveled to the city at the center of the outbreak, health officials said Sunday. Two new cases were reported Sunday one in Los Angeles County in California and the other in Maricopa County, Arizona. The latter case was someone with ties to Arizona State University who did not live in school housing, state health officials said. Officials with the Arizona Department of Health Service didn't immediately release the gender or age of the Maricopa County patient, but said the person wasn't severely ill and was in isolation to keep the illness from spreading. The three previously reported cases were a patient in Orange County, California; a man in his 30s in Washington state; and a woman in her 60s from Chicago. The virus can cause fever, coughing, wheezing and pneumonia. It is a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the deadly SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past. Dozens of people have died from the virus in China, which has issued massive travel bans in hard-hit sections of that country to try to stem spread of the virus. The U.S. consulate in Wuhan announced Sunday that it would evacuate its personnel and some private citizens aboard a charter flight. The U.S. patients generally have been reported to be in good condition and were hospitalized in isolation for monitoring. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expects many more Americans to be diagnosed with the newly discovered virus, which is believed to have an incubation period of about two weeks, as worldwide the number of confirmed cases nears 2,000. The CDC is screening passengers on direct and connecting flights from Wuhan at five major airports in Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles. CDC officials noted Sunday that more than two dozen people who had been suspected of having the illness ended up testing negative. Guidance from the CDC advises that people who have had casual contact with the patient are at minimal risk for developing infection. -- The Associated Press No burqa ban, J D Womens College in Patna asks students to follow dress code India oi-Madhuri Adnal Patna, Jan 26: A college for women here on Saturday withdrew its ban on wearing of burqa in its premises after it had prohibited it as part of the institute's new dress code. Acknowledging that the prohibition was due to a misunderstanding, the college authorities said that it has "no intention to disturb or harass students of any community". "Students are informed that they have to come to college in the prescribed dress code every day, except on Saturday. St. Francis College For Women withdraws dress code diktat post student protest "Besides, the use of 'burqa' is prohibited both inside the classroom and the college premises. A fine of Rs 250 will be imposed if anyone is found violating the code," the notice by J D Women's College said. 71st Republic Day: PM Modi continues with 'Safa' tradition, Chinook & Apache make debut College principal Shyama Roy confirmed that the ban on wearing of burqa in the institute's premises has been withdrawn and said that the college has issued a second notice specifying that there is no ban on the clothing. "There is a dress code of the college which specifies that a student has to wear a maroon colour kurta, white salwar and white dupatta. There is a misunderstanding in the notice ... We sincerely apologise for it," Rekha Mishra, a teacher of the college, said. J D Women's College is affiliated to Patliputra University. Mishra said students may come to college wearing 'burqa' and attend classes after removing it at the college premises if they wish. "Many students used to come to classes in their home dresses in burqa, which was opposed by some others. Following the objections, college authorities issued notice asking students to strictly comply with the dress code," another teacher of the college said on condition of anonymity. The students who had objected to the ban on using 'burqa' inside the college expressed happiness over the college administration's decision to withdraw it and said they will comply with the prescribed dress code. Published on 2020/01/26 | Source The necktie business is dying out in Korea as the country now widely accepts more casual dress at work. Advertisement The number of necktie manufacturers dropped from about 300 in 1990 to 17 in 2018, while the market shrank to barely more than 1/10 of its value from W200 billion to W25.6 billion (US$1=W1,160). Only the university admissions and graduation season are busy times for tie manufacturers. "We are busy just for a short while around this time of a year. A few days later, we will complete all orders and have to leave the factory unused", said Kim Young-sik, a tie manufacturer in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. "We started to see orders decrease a decade ago and now we have no work at all for four months of the year". The main reason is that fewer workers wear ties even in public enterprises, major companies and banks. In 1999, CJ Group first allowed staff to wear business casual clothes without a tie at work, and most large companies including Samsung, Hyundai, SK and LG have followed suit. Politicians also encouraged the no-tie trend. After taking office in 2008, former President Lee Myung-bak chaired a cabinet meeting without a tie, and President Moon Jae-in was also seen in relatively casual dress in staff meetings. But another reason is that the market is mostly covered by cheap Chinese manufacturers. Many necktie factories here had 20 to 30 employees a decade ago but now only one of the remaining 17 has more than 10. Kim Gi-soo from Seoul is now operating his factory with just his wife after letting all staff go. Jang Yong-hyun, the head of the tie manufacturers association, said he would like to tell the president, "Can you please create a necktie day that workers must wear ties just once a month? We want to survive". The ability of the new coronavirus to spread is strengthening and infections could continue to rise, China's National Health Commission said on Sunday, with more than 2,000 people in China infected and 56 killed by the disease. Health authorities around the world are racing to prevent a pandemic after a handful of cases of infection were reported outside China, including in Thailand, Australia, the United States and France. The mayor of Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, said he expected another 1,000 new patients in the city, which was stepping up construction of special ... Coronavirus Outbreak Raises Health, Economic Concerns in Asia By VOA News January 25, 2020 Southeast Asia's proximity to China and dependence on that nation for a major share of its economy is raising concerns that the coronavirus outbreak that started there will not only have health impacts but harm the region's economies. The outbreak, which has so far caused 41 deaths in China, and caused the country to quarantine 16 cities, is causing comparisons to the 2003 spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, which decreased the value of the global economy by $40 billion." Now that the Wuhan coronavirus has been found to be able to be transmitted from human to human, the economic consequences could be extremely concerning for the Asia-Pacific region," Rajiv Biswas, IHS Markit Asia Pacific chief economist, said." Sectors of the economy that are particularly vulnerable to a SARS-like virus epidemic that can be spread by human-to-human transmission are retail stores, restaurants, conferences, sporting events, tourism and commercial aviation," he said. Observers agree that tourism could be one of the hardest-hit industries, in part because of the millions of Chinese who usually travel now, during the Lunar New Year, and in part because China has grown so much in the last two decades that many neighboring nations depend on it for tourism. That is only one of the economic differences between China today and the China of the SARS virus in 2003. China has since then become a member of the World Trade Organization and the second-biggest economy in the world. Its supply chain has become more integrated with the rest of the world than it has ever been, and it has become the biggest trading partner for many countries in the region. The 2003 virus decreased China's economic growth rate, but its effect was the same for Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam, Biswas said. This time around Chinese tourism matters even more to Southeast Asia. After Hong Kong, nations for which Chinese visitors' spending accounts for the biggest share of gross domestic product are, from most to least, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia, according to statistics released by Capital Economics, a London-based research company, Friday. In many of these nations, businesses catering to tourists display signs in Chinese, accept China's yuan currency, and use that country's WeChat for mobile payments. Major tourism events in the region add to the threat that the virus and its economic impact will spread, such as the Tokyo Summer Olympics, Biswas said. Vietnam will also host the Vietnam Grand Prix Formula One race this year, while Malaysia will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. Singapore is an island nation that depends heavily on foreign trade, including to facilitate trade and investment in China. Selena Ling, head of treasury research and strategy at Singapore's OCBC Bank, said Friday she was expecting Singapore's economy to stage a modest recovery from 2019, but that may change. She said "the recent coronavirus outbreak originating from China to other countries including Singapore may impart some uncertainty to near-term business and consumer sentiments." That could mean slower growth in the first quarter of 2020, she said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mumbai, Jan 26 : A day after Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar raised serious doubts over the 2018 Elgar Parishad/Koregaon-Bhima investigations, the Centre swiftly moved against the Maha Vikas Aghadi government and transferred the probe into the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Crying foul, the NCP-Congress attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government "for exceeding its brief for sheer political reasons" over the issue. A piqued Pawar accused the BJP of harbouring "an acute fear" of being disrobed in the Koregaon-Bhima-Elgar Parishad case and chose to post-haste hand it over to the NIA. He reiterated his demand for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct an in-depth independent investigation to "unravel the truth" over the Pune Police's probe into the case. "Prima facie, it seems they (Pune Police) misused their power. The NIA may have taken over the probe, but it is necessary for the state government to investigate lapses by Pune Police or whether they misused powers to frame the activists," Pawar said. Locking horns with the Centre, he said the fresh probe was necessary as the move to hand over the case to NIA has "aroused suspicions", and it may have apprehended that the re-investigation could expose the former BJP state government and its hand-picked officials in the matter. "In no way can it be said that all those who take up cudgels against injustice and atrocities by the government are naxalites, as in this case," Pawar pointed out. Interestingly, the Centre's abrupt move came a day after Pawar wrote to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and hours after Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Friday held a meeting to review the case status and charge-sheets filed by Pune Police. State Home Minister (NCP) Anil Deshmukh slammed the Centre saying they were scared of a fresh probe contemplated by the MVA government as it could nail the previous BJP-led regime for messing up the original investigations. "We shall seek legal opinion in the matter before launching a fresh investigation," said Deshmukh. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the move saying it was part of "MOSH (Modi-Shah) agenda of hate". "Anyone who opposed the MOSH agenda of hate is an 'Urban Naxal'. Koregaon-Bhima is a symbol of resistance that the government's NIA stooges can never erase," Gandhi said in a sharp tweet. Pawar had questioned the manner in which Pune Police probed it and claimed that the previous BJP-regime had "vengefully" implicated several Dalit and rights activists in the Elgar Parishad-Koregaon-Bhima cases, based on "trumped up" charges. After the MVA government of Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress took office on Nov. 28, there was a change in perception of the cases lodged during the previous government. Nevertheless, caught unawares by the Centre's move, shortly before midnight on Friday, Deshmukh condemned the decision "to transfer the probe to NIA without any consent of the Maharashtra government." The NCP-Congress appear firm on setting up an SIT to re-look at the high-profile and sensitive case which could bring out skeletons of the former BJP-regime and its investigators, prompting the Centre to hastily shift it to NIA. Pawar contended that many prominent personalities and legal luminaries such as former Supreme Court Judge P.B. Sawant, former Bombay High Court Judge B.G. Kolse-Patil and others have raised objections to the manner in which the case was probed by Pune Police in which activists were arrested from different parts of India and branded 'urban Naxals'. The NCP chief pointed out that the then CM Fadnavis had not described those arrested activists as 'urban Naxals' and emphasised that the cases registered against them are not based on facts. On Dec. 31, 2017, a large Elgar Parishad was organised in Pune's Shaniwar Wada which was addressed by top leaders of Lefits, social and Dalit intellectual, the Kabir Kala Manch, the banned CPI (Maoist), its frontal organisations and others which allegedly triggered the violence the next day in Koregaon-Bhima. On Jan. 1, 2018, caste riots erupted when over 100,000 Dalits converged to celebrate the historic Jan. 1, 1818 victory of a small 800-strong force of the Mahar caste of the Bombay Native Infantry of the British East India Company over a battalion of the huge 28,000-strong army of the Peshwa Bajirao II in Koregaon-Bhima after a 12-hour battle. The two incidents proved to be a watershed in the state's recent political history and a chasm developed as the then BJP-led government went hammer-and-tongs after the Leftist groups and their leaders. Later during June and August 2018, many prominent Dalit and Leftist activists and intellectuals were arrested in a nationwide swoop by Pune Police. They included: Sudhir Dhawale, Rona Wilson, Surendra Gadling, Shoma Sen and Mahesh Raut -- all nabbed in June 2018 -- and charged with links to Maoist groups. Subsequently in August 2018, Pune Police arrested P. Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj, Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira and Gautam Navlakha on similar charges, besides naming others such as Milind Teltumbde, Rituparn Goswami, Prashanto Bose, as "underground, absconded and wanted accused" in the case. It was the Pune Police's contention that these persons/groups supported, funded and organized the Elgar Parishad as part of a larger conspiracy to create social and political unrest in the country, assassinate Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wage a war against the country and overthrow the democratically-elected government. (Quaid Najmi can be contacted at q.najmi@ians.in) Assault charges against a man who was shot and seriously wounded after he allegedly slammed a bottle into a San Francisco police officers face were withdrawn Friday, infuriating rank-and-file officers. District Attorney Chesa Boudin, a former public defender whose election was opposed by the police union, decided not to pursue criminal charges against Jamaica Hampton, who was shot after he allegedly attacked two officers with a glass vodka bottle in the Mission District in December. The charges were pulled without prejudice, which means they can be refiled at Boudins discretion. The District Attorney has informed me that at this time he will withdraw charges against the suspect, Police Chief Bill Scott wrote to his officers Friday. The DA indicated that this withdrawal is not a dismissal of the case. This unprovoked attack was a violent, criminal act. I want you to know that we remain committed to working with the DA to see that justice is done in this case for our officers. The move prompted an angry response from the San Francisco Police Officers Association, which had opposed Boudin in the November election. Chesa Boudin just gave a green light to every criminal in San Francisco that its now OK to attack a police officer, Tony Montoya, the unions president, said in a statement. He must be held accountable for his reckless decision that will further endanger every officer in San Francisco. Alex Bastian, the spokesman for the district attorneys office, said the case was set aside to avoid conflicts between two separate investigations one being the internal officer-involved shooting case and the other being the criminal allegations against Hampton. Both cases are still under investigation, Bastian said. We don't want one investigation to interfere with the other. We are looking into developing a policy to avoid conflicts in cases where multiple investigations are ongoing. Bastian on Sunday disputed Scotts characterization that charges against Hampton had been withdrawn, saying that he was never formally charged. The district attorneys office filed charges in December but Hampton had not been arraigned. Hampton, 24, was originally booked on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, assault upon a police officer and threats to an officer after videos from police body cameras and surveillance footage showed him hitting an officer with a vodka bottle and then being chased through the intersection at 23rd and Mission streets. Officer Sterling Hayes fired six shots at Hampton, who was apparently still holding the bottle when he ran toward the officer. The wounded Hampton attempted to rise from the ground, prompting Officer Christopher Flores to fire another shot, according to police and video surveillance. Hampton was taken to San Francisco General Hospital, where he was listed Saturday in serious condition. His left leg was amputated this month. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Flores was taken to the hospital with head injuries. He was treated and released. The case began with a 911 call from a distraught woman, who complained about a man who had broken into her home that morning and confronted her. Another caller said a man with an iron bar was breaking into cars on the block. Surveillance video shows the two officers arriving at the scene and stopping to question Hampton, who suddenly attacked when Hayes opened the door of the squad car. Hayes tried to defend himself with kicks and then, when his partner ran around the car to help, Hampton struck Flores with the bottle several times. The two officers chased Hampton, yelling, Get on the ground, and tried to pepper spray him before the shots were fired, according to the video and police accounts. Withdrawing the charges wasnt the first time Boudin has upset the police since he took office Jan. 8. The citys top prosecutor announced Wednesday that his office would no longer ask for cash bail as a condition for defendants pretrial release. Peter Fimrite is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: pfimrite@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @pfimrite The spread of the virus and travel bans extending to several major hubs in China threatened to paralyze the country for an indefinite period. Officials in Beijing said Sunday that they have not and will not close the city because of the epidemic in response to online rumors suggesting an imminent lockdown of the capital, which has a population of 22 million, with a significant fraction traveling this week to visit family. A senatorial candidate in last years general elections, Ndubuisi Emenike, has been shot dead. Mr Emenike was allegedly shot by an official of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC). The late politician was the senatorial candidate of the Actional Alliance (AA) for Imo North Senatorial District in the 2019 National Assembly election. PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the security officer who shot Mr Emenike was attached to him as a security detail. The name of the official could not be ascertained. The incident happened around 5 p.m. on Sunday at the country home of Miriam Onuoha in Umunachi, Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State. Mrs Onuoha was the APC candidate for Okigwe North Federal Constituency in the re-run election which held on Saturday. The Independent National Electoral Commission had announced the APC candidate as the winner of the election. It was learnt that Mr Emenike was shot dead by the NSCDC official during the celebration party that started shortly after Mrs Onuoha was declared winner of the election by INEC. The NSCDC operative is said to have followed his principal to the victory party. Witnesses said the official was shooting consistently into the air and mistakenly shot his boss, disrupting the party which was already underway. Mr Emenike fell and lost consciousness and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where he was confirmed dead. The police spokesman in the state, Orlando Okeokwu, confirmed the incident. He said the NSCDC official has been detained and the killing is being investigated. (Newser) Monday, the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp, is Holocaust Remembrance Day. Speaking to the crowd in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, Pope Francis made a request, Reuters reports. "Indifference is inadmissible before this enormous tragedy, this atrocity, and memory is a duty," he said. "Tomorrow, we are all invited to stop for a moment of prayer and reflection, each one of us saying in our own heart: 'never again, never again.'" Most of the more than 1 million people killed at the Auschwitz camp during World War II were Jewish. Francis made a pilgrimage to the site to honor them in 2016. story continues below There's evidence that public awareness of the Holocaust is fading. A Pew Research Center survey released last week found that most American adults have a general idea of what the Holocaust was and when. But fewer than half know that 6 million Jews were killed, or that Adolph Hitler came to power in Germany through its democratic political process. An opinion piece in USA Today argues that the prevalence of Holocaust denial on social media is one of the causes and argues for Facebook, especially, to ban it. (Read more Pope Francis stories.) Chinese mask makers cancel holidays to meet demand spikes in battle against coronavirus Global Times By GT staff reporters Source:Globaltimes.cn Published: 2020/1/26 1:39:49 Chinese medical firms have been all out during the holidays to ensure a stable mask supply in support of the country's efforts to combat the the novel coronavirus-related pneumonia, which has caused more than 40 deaths in China as of Saturday. "Now we are producing [the masks] in three shifts 24 hours a day and we can produce 40,000 disposable medical masks every day," Chen Lianjie, legal representative of Zhejiang Kanglidi Medical Supplies Company, told the Global Times on Saturday. At present, more than 30 employees who account for nearly half of all production line workers, have returned to their positions. The company covered their travel expenses, Chen said. According to Chen, they have ordered two more fully automatic production lines and it takes about 25 days to get them ready. When they are in place, the company can reach a capacity of 100,000 masks per day. Wu Kangping, head of Zhejiang Longtai Medical Technology Company which produces protective suits, told the Global Times on Saturday that the employees took the Spring Festival holidays from last Sunday. In less than a week, more than half of the employees have returned from their hometown to work. "But no one comes from the affected area," Wu added. Cao Jun, general manager at the Zhejiang-based Lanhine Corp, which is mainly engaged in face masks and protective face shield production, said that the company has urged its workers who have already returned home for the Spring Festival holidays to return to the production line by paying four times the regular salary. The procurement of medical devices is currently done by the local government. "Masks are delivered at 2 pm every day when the local health department comes to pick up the masks," Chen said. The cost of a disposable medical mask is a few cents and there is zero markup. "Now the government makes sure the suppliers do not increase prices. Even if the raw material prices increase, our company will bear the extra costs. It's our responsibility and obligation," Chen said. The maximum production capacity of masks in China is more than 20 million pieces per day. More than 30 enterprises have suspended vacation and resumed production. The output has reached more than 8 million a day,Miao Wei, Minister of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said on Friday. However, the supply is still far from enough as demand is still rising. A doctor from Wuhan Union Hospital told the Global Times in a recent interview that there has been a significant shortage of medical supplies such as protective suits, goggles and masks. "We've been treating a growing number of patients, and there's a larger demand for those necessities," she said. On Saturday morning, the hospital received a batch of necessities donated by social organizations and by ordinary people, which also showed that more people stand with Wuhan in the battle against pneumonia. Starting Thursday, MIIT has sent 14,000 protective suits and 110,000 pairs of medical gloves to Wuhan. It also helped purchase 3 million masks, 100,000 protective suits, and 2180 pairs of goggles. When asked about the difficulties in resuming production during the Spring Festival holidays, Chen said the serious shortage of raw materials poses a major obstacle. During the interview, Wu said his time is very tight. He has been busy coordinating the restoration of production and dealing with all sides concerned. Wu's company has been exporting medical devices, mainly to the US. The specifications and sizes of its products are different from China's. His company has made adjustments, and applied the production license to the provincial and municipal food and drug agencies, and the government has also fast-tracked the review and approval for such applications. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Blog Archive Apr 2010 (22) May 2010 (25) Jun 2010 (8) Jul 2010 (12) Aug 2010 (18) Sep 2010 (19) Oct 2010 (29) Nov 2010 (30) Dec 2010 (18) Jan 2011 (13) Feb 2011 (21) Mar 2011 (23) Apr 2011 (19) May 2011 (31) Jun 2011 (36) Jul 2011 (46) Aug 2011 (26) Sep 2011 (12) Oct 2011 (15) Nov 2011 (17) Dec 2011 (7) Jan 2012 (18) Feb 2012 (4) Mar 2012 (12) Apr 2012 (18) May 2012 (10) Jun 2012 (21) Jul 2012 (8) Aug 2012 (15) Sep 2012 (7) Oct 2012 (17) Nov 2012 (20) Dec 2012 (10) Jan 2013 (58) Feb 2013 (59) Mar 2013 (60) Apr 2013 (98) May 2013 (135) Jun 2013 (204) Jul 2013 (293) Aug 2013 (351) Sep 2013 (363) Oct 2013 (348) Nov 2013 (374) Dec 2013 (442) Jan 2014 (547) Feb 2014 (476) Mar 2014 (526) Apr 2014 (527) May 2014 (469) Jun 2014 (408) Jul 2014 (472) Aug 2014 (522) Sep 2014 (443) Oct 2014 (472) Nov 2014 (497) Dec 2014 (536) Jan 2015 (539) Feb 2015 (520) Mar 2015 (582) Apr 2015 (658) May 2015 (679) Jun 2015 (673) Jul 2015 (728) Aug 2015 (803) Sep 2015 (923) Oct 2015 (924) Nov 2015 (802) Dec 2015 (791) Jan 2016 (782) Feb 2016 (835) Mar 2016 (929) Apr 2016 (866) May 2016 (947) Jun 2016 (1044) Jul 2016 (882) Aug 2016 (1035) Sep 2016 (967) Oct 2016 (918) Nov 2016 (854) Dec 2016 (885) Jan 2017 (879) Feb 2017 (777) Mar 2017 (896) Apr 2017 (872) May 2017 (850) Jun 2017 (851) Jul 2017 (971) Aug 2017 (1040) Sep 2017 (998) Oct 2017 (1144) Nov 2017 (1046) Dec 2017 (838) Jan 2018 (873) Feb 2018 (769) Mar 2018 (885) Apr 2018 (809) May 2018 (827) Jun 2018 (820) Jul 2018 (840) Aug 2018 (854) Sep 2018 (844) Oct 2018 (851) Nov 2018 (870) Dec 2018 (912) Jan 2019 (919) Feb 2019 (827) Mar 2019 (957) Apr 2019 (913) May 2019 (1007) Jun 2019 (935) Jul 2019 (950) Aug 2019 (936) Sep 2019 (910) Oct 2019 (920) Nov 2019 (874) Dec 2019 (908) Jan 2020 (941) Feb 2020 (849) Mar 2020 (898) Apr 2020 (848) May 2020 (822) Jun 2020 (789) Jul 2020 (819) Aug 2020 (858) Sep 2020 (841) Oct 2020 (873) Nov 2020 (812) Dec 2020 (780) Jan 2021 (765) Feb 2021 (716) Mar 2021 (819) Apr 2021 (805) May 2021 (815) Jun 2021 (824) Jul 2021 (830) Aug 2021 (832) Sep 2021 (791) Oct 2021 (754) Nov 2021 (683) Dec 2021 (693) Jan 2022 (277) In his written statement released Saturday morning, Pompeo said, Kelly lied to me, twice. First, last month, in setting up our interview, and then again yesterday, in agreeing to have our post-interview conversation off the record. It is shameful that this reporter chose to violate the basic rules of journalism and decency. This is another example of how unhinged the media has become in its quest to hurt President Trump and this Administration. It is no wonder that the American people distrust many in the media when they so consistently demonstrate their agenda and their absence of integrity. BEIJING - A new viral illness being watched with a wary eye around the globe accelerated its spread in China with 80 deaths so far, while the U.S. Consulate in the city at the epicenter announced it will evacuate its personnel and some other Americans aboard a charter flight. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/1/2020 (717 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. In this photo taken Jan 24, 2020 and released by Xinhua News Agency, a military medic from the Air Force Medical University prepares to leave for Wuhan from Xi'an, capital of northwestern China's Shaanxi Province. The Chinese military dispatched medical staff, some with experience in past outbreaks including SARS and Ebola, to help treat the many patients hospitalized with viral pneumonia, Xinhua reported. (Zhang Haopeng/Xinhua via AP) BEIJING - A new viral illness being watched with a wary eye around the globe accelerated its spread in China with 80 deaths so far, while the U.S. Consulate in the city at the epicenter announced it will evacuate its personnel and some other Americans aboard a charter flight. China's health minister said the country was entering a crucial stage" as it seems like the ability of the virus to spread is getting stronger." Ma Xiaowei declined to estimate how long it would take to bring the situation under control, but said travel restrictions and other strict measures should bring results at the lowest cost and fastest speed. President Xi Jinping has called the outbreak a grave situation and said the government was stepping up efforts to restrict travel and public gatherings while rushing medical staff and supplies to the city at the centre of the crisis, Wuhan, which remains on lockdown with no flights, trains or buses in or out. Shoppers wearing face masks wait to pay for their groceries at a supermarket in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020. The virus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan, already on lockdown, banned most vehicle use downtown and Hong Kong said it would close schools for two weeks as authorities scrambled Saturday to stop the spread of an illness that is known to have infected more than 1,200 people and killed 41, according to officials. (Chinatopix via AP) The epidemic has revived memories of the SARS outbreak that originated in China and killed nearly 800 as it spread around the world in 2002 and 2003. Its spread has come amid China's busiest travel period of the year, when millions crisscross the country or head abroad for the Lunar New Year holiday. The government said early Monday the death toll had risen to 80, with 2,744 confirmed cases. The National Health Commission said 769 new cases were confirmed in the 24 hours through midnight Sunday. The government also reported five cases in Hong Kong and two in Macao. Small numbers of cases have been found in Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, the U.S., Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, France and Australia. The U.S. has confirmed cases in Washington state, Chicago, Southern California and Arizona. Canada said it discovered its first case, a man in his 50s who was in Wuhan before flying to Toronto. Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea each reported one new case Sunday, while Thailand reported three new cases. People walk past a checkpoint for temperature checks and mandatory face masks at the Qinhuai scenic zone in Nanjing in eastern China's Jiangsu province, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020. The virus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan, already on lockdown, banned most vehicle use downtown and Hong Kong said it would close schools for two weeks as authorities scrambled Saturday to stop the spread of an illness that is known to have infected more than 1,200 people and killed 41, according to officials. (Chinatopix via AP) A notice from the U.S. Embassy in Beijing said there would be limited capacity to transport U.S. citizens on a Tuesday flight from Wuhan that will proceed directly to San Francisco. It said that in the event there are not enough seats, priority will be given to to individuals at greater risk from coronavirus." The French Consulate also was considering an evacuation of its nationals from the city. It said it's working on arranging a bus service to help French citizens leave Wuhan. French automaker PSA Group said it will evacuate its employees from Wuhan, quarantine them and then bring them to France. Japan was also making preparations to fly its nationals out of Wuhan. Chinese travel agencies have been told to halt all group tours, and concern is growing over the potential impact of millions of people travelling back to the cities after the Lunar New Year holiday ends on Thursday. Shoppers wearing face masks pay for their groceries at a supermarket in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020. The virus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan, already on lockdown, banned most vehicle use downtown and Hong Kong said it would close schools for two weeks as authorities scrambled Saturday to stop the spread of an illness that is known to have infected more than 1,200 people and killed 41, according to officials. (Chinatopix via AP) China's National Health Commission said anyone travelling from Wuhan is now required to register with community health stations and quarantine themselves at home for 14 days the virus' maximum incubation period. Beijing has decided to delay the start of classes after the Lunar New Year holiday ends, the official Beijing Daily reported on its website. That will extend to all schools in the capital from kindergartens to universities. Hong Kong announced similar measures on Saturday and on Sunday two of that territory's biggest attractions, Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park, announced they were closing for the time being. A proposal to possibly quarantine suspected cases and others at a still-unoccupied public housing complex in the Hong Kong suburb of Fanling sparked a protest by area residents. Though largely peaceful, they were joined by black-clad protesters like those who have clashed with police during months of anti-government protests and those protesters set a fire in the lobby of one of the buildings. The fire was extinguished without appearing to cause major damage. Police later moved in n to disperse the group, using pepper spray on occasion. Masked residents walk through a deserted subway station in Shanghai on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. The new virus accelerated its spread in China, and the U.S. Consulate in the epicenter of the outbreak, the central city of Wuhan, announced Sunday it will evacuate its personnel and some private citizens aboard a charter flight. (AP Photo/Erika Kinetz) In the heart of the outbreak where 11 million residents are already on lockdown, Wuhan banned most vehicle use, including private cars, in downtown areas starting Sunday. The city will assign 6,000 taxis to neighbourhoods to help people get around if they need to. China cut off trains, planes and other links to the city Jan. 22, and has steadily expanded the lockdown to 16 surrounding cities with a combined population of more than 50 million greater than that of New York, London, Paris and Moscow combined. Wuhan is building two makeshift hospitals with about 1,000 beds each to handle the growing number of patients. The city has said the first is expected to be completed Feb. 3. Medical workers in Wuhan have been among those infected and local media reported a doctor died on Saturday morning. The 62-year-old physician was hospitalized on Jan. 18 and died a week later. Xinhua also said medical supplies are being rushed to the city, including 14,000 protective suits, 110,000 pairs of gloves and masks and goggles. Gao Fu, bottom, the head of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), speaks to journalists after a press conference about a virus outbreak at the State Council Information Office in Beijing, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. The new virus accelerated its spread in China, and the U.S. Consulate in the epicenter of the outbreak, the central city of Wuhan, announced Sunday it will evacuate its personnel and some private citizens aboard a charter flight. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Videos have circulated online showing throngs of frantic people in masks lined up for examinations and there have been complaints that family members had been turned away at hospitals that were at capacity. The National Health Commission said it is bringing in medical teams to help handle the outbreak and the Chinese military dispatched 450 medical staff, some with experience in past outbreaks, including SARS and Ebola, Xinhua reported. The new virus comes from a large family of what are known as coronaviruses, some causing nothing worse than a cold. It causes cold- and flu-like symptoms, including cough and fever, and in more severe cases, shortness of breath. It can worsen to pneumonia, which can be fatal. First detected last month, the virus is believed to have originated in a type of wild animal sold at a Wuhan market to be consumed as food. Chinese authorities announced a temporary ban on the trade of wild animals Sunday, saying they will severely investigate and punish violators. They also called on the public to refrain from eating wild animal meat. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Investigators are closely observing whether the virus was mutating, but thus far found no obvious signs," that it is doing so, head of the Chinese Center for Disease Control, Gao Fu, told reporters. That could make it easier to develop vaccines against the virus, something the centre is already working on. Xinhua quoted centre official Xu Wenbo as saying the they had isolated the virus and were identifying seed strain. The rapid increase in reported deaths and illnesses does not necessarily mean the crisis is getting worse but could reflect better monitoring and reporting of the virus. Those killed by the virus have mostly been middle-aged or elderly people, sometimes suffering from other conditions that weaken their ability to fight back. It is not clear how lethal the new coronavirus is or even whether it is as dangerous as the ordinary flu, which kills tens of thousands of people every year in the U.S. alone. ___ Associated Press writer Rob Gillies in Toronto, researcher Henry Hou and video journalist Dake Kang in Beijing and Elias Meseret in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, contributed to this report. A mum has been accused of neglect, abuse and cultural appropriation for letting her daughter, 3, have dreadlocks. Karaoke MC and mum of three, Kristin Miller, 34, from Maui, Hawaii, USA, decided to dread her own hair two-and-a-half years ago after finding it difficult to style her thin locks. After seeing her mums dreads form, her daughter, Loretta, who was two at the time, was in awe and asked if she could do the same. Loretta hated having her hair brushed and found the experience traumatic and painful as her active lifestyle of rambling through mountains and bodyboarding meant her hair was constantly in knots. After seeing her mum's dreads form, her daughter, Loretta, who was two at the time, was in awe and asked if she could do the same. Source: Australscope I was not surprised at Loretta's interest in dreads. She was always touching mine and saying, Deez your dweads?, Ms Miller said. She would cry when I would suggest it was time to brush. She would throw the brush, cry for her brother to hold her hand. I was trying to be gentle. I even used a detangler. She wasn't having it. I gave her the choice and at two she vocalised, I keep da dweads. Since then, Ms Miller said Loretta has never been happier and shes in love with her new faff-free hair. Kristin decided to share Lorettas hair journey on Instagram under the handle, @dreadyloretty, to normalise children with dreads and has amassed a whopping 11.9k followers. While shes received a lot of support on Instagram for letting Loretta follow her heart, Ms Miller said shes also been accused of neglect, abuse and even cultural appropriation from people online. Kristin Miller, 34, from Maui, decided to dread her own hair two-and-a-half years ago after finding it difficult to style her thin locks. Source: Australscope I had seen many journeys shared [on Instagram]. Loretta's was special. I knew there was some stigma attached and wanted to help normalise kids with dreads. I wanted to show it was just a part of her life and how she lived it. The reaction is not always positive; some people have accused me of neglect, abuse, and cultural appropriation. Everyone is entitled to their opinion I suppose and not everyone will be convinced one way or the other. It's not about them. It's about what Loretta wants, Ms Miller said. Story continues The mum said she washes the three-year-olds hair twice a week with eco-friendly dread shampoo. She also lets her pick out her own outfits, which are often her brothers hand-me-downs. Ms Miller said Loretta's hair no longer gets in the way of her favourite outdoor activities. Source: Australscope I think parents should listen to their small children. Be open minded. Ask themselves, Why not? Don't push your own anxiety and fear of judgment on your children. They will have plenty of that as an adult, Ms Miller said. In an effort to promote dread acceptance, the 34-year-old has created a Kindle childrens book titled Dready-Loretty: No Time to Brush about a little girl who loves adventures but cant find the time to brush her hair. It's important to remember people choose to have dreads for many reasons; religious, culture, or love of the style. I think dreads are one of those things that help us practise respect, love, and understanding for things or people we don't necessarily understand, the mum said. Australscope Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play. The Philadelphia skyline is seen behind an eastbound SEPTA train on the Market-Frankford line in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia on Tuesday, Oct. 01, 2019. Nationwide, the poverty rate is about half that of Philadelphias. Read more Philadelphia is a great American city, and it is thriving. Unemployment is about as low as it has ever been. Jobs and wages are up. Housing and commercial real estate development is in full swing in many neighborhoods. So why does Philadelphia have one of the highest poverty rates of any major city in the country? Close to one-fourth of the citys residents have incomes below the poverty line an astounding figure. And to be in poverty is to be very poor, indeed. A family of four is in poverty if its annual income is less than $26,000. For context, the big U.S. city with the next highest poverty rate is Houston, with one-fifth of its population under the line. Nationwide, the poverty rate is about half that of Philadelphias. Silicon Valley in California is the gold standard, with less than one-tenth of its population in poverty. Disentangling the causes of Philadelphias sky-high poverty rate is no easy feat. Poverty is due to a number of conflating factors, and causality is hard to determine. Is poverty high because of high incarceration, for example, or is incarceration high because of high poverty? These complexities notwithstanding, several of my Moodys Analytics colleagues Shannon Brobst, Marc Korobkin and Laura Ratz and I have taken a shot at getting to the bottom of this. We learned that demographics are not that important in explaining Philadelphias high poverty rate. To be sure, the city is home to an outsized number of research universities, and the graduate students who study at them arent paid very much, increasing the measured poverty rate. But this explains very little of what is going on. Poverty rates tend to be higher where the population is younger, but Philadelphias youth population is about the same size as it is in the rest of the nation. Earning a high school diploma is critical to escaping poverty, as it is all but impossible to get a reasonably paying job without one. And on this issue, Philadelphia falls well short of the rest of the country in graduating its youth. Finding work is also more difficult for the disabled, who are much more likely to remain stuck in poverty. There are almost three times as many people in the Social Security disability program living in Philadelphia than elsewhere. And given the economic incentives, once people go on disability they tend not to leave the program. The devolution of the nuclear family is another big factor behind poverty. The more families headed by a single mother, the higher the poverty rate. Caring for children alone limits the time available for work and restricts how far one can travel from home for work. Poverty is also high in places where there are a larger number of people living by themselves. About half the citys households are living alone or in families run by a single mom, compared with a third nationwide. Geography also plays a significant role. Philadelphias suburbs have among the lowest poverty rates in the country, on par with Silicon Valley. So, the entire region, combining the city and suburban ring, has a poverty rate that is close to the national average. Philadelphia is different from most other places in that most of its poor live within the city limits. It is much more expensive to live in the suburbs than in many of the citys neighborhoods. Housing costs are high and rising quickly almost everywhere due to the mounting shortage of new apartments and homes for low- and moderate-income families, but they are meaningfully lower in the city. Even if the poor had the economic means to move, moving means they move away from their friends, family and local community ties. Research says the typical family would give up pay equal to about one-third of their income to stay close to their support system. There is no easy solution to Philadelphias poverty crisis. Fixing the citys long-troubled public school system to get high school graduation rates up would go a long way. Mayor Jim Kenneys focus on early-childhood education is also a good idea. It will increase future graduation rates and help with child care, allowing single moms to work. However, to fundamentally solve the crisis will require government officials in Philadelphias suburbs and the state of Pennsylvania and our next president to muster the political will to act. Local officials must tear down restrictive zoning and permitting for affordable housing in their communities. State officials must provide more funds for the citys schools. And our next president must find a way to invest more in education, housing, child care, and our transportation infrastructure so that working-class Americans can get to jobs, wherever they may be. Allowing this citys poverty crisis to go unsolved is not an option. For the sake of poor families, our well-being as a wider community, and a future in which we all can be proud and secure, it needs to be dealt with now. Chinese President Xi Says China Facing 'Difficult Situation' Amid Rapid Spread of Coronavirus Sputnik News 01:18 GMT 26.01.2020(updated 04:07 GMT 26.01.2020) The Chinese president has urged the Communistic Party Central Committee to centralize their efforts to counter the accelerating spread of the new coronavirus pneumonia epidemic. The meeting emphasized the recent outbreak of new coronavirus pneumonia infections in Wuhan and other places in Hubei Province. "We are faced with a difficult situation, as the spread of the new coronavirus is accelerating," China's President Xi Jinping said during the CPC Central Committee meeting on Saturday. China's National Health Committee said on Saturday that it had sent 1,230 doctors to help contain the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, the city where the current outbreak started in December and also the current epicentre of the disease. At least 450 military doctors, including physicians who have experience in fighting the SARS and Ebola epidemics, have also been reportedly sent to Wuhan. China's National Health Commission said on Saturday that the total number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in China currently stands at 1,372. At least 56 people have died from the virus in China. Confirmed cases of the new coronavirus have also been recorded in Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, Nepal, France, the United States and Australia. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Secretary General personal envoy for Libya, Ghassan Salame, highlighted Moroccos role in pushing for a peaceful solution to the Libyan crisis. Salame had briefed Moroccos Foreign Minister Nasser Bouirta on the latest developments in Libya during a phone conversation. He also commended the continued interest of the Kingdom of Morocco to support UN actions and joint efforts to achieve peace and security in Libya. During her visit to Morocco, Spanish foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said that a solution to the Libyan conflict requires the input of states such as Morocco. She supported expanding the international coalition on Libya to include Morocco given its weight in the region and its ability to put forward proposals to end the Libyan crisis. Both Spain and Morocco can offer their experience to fight terrorism and illegal migration to Libya, she said. Few days ago, on the eve of the Berlin Conference, President Emmanuel Macron of France held phone talks with King Mohammed VI during which Moroccos contribution to settling the Libyan crisis was highlighted. The Moroccan King also met with Abu Dhabis Crown Prince and Emirati Minister of Defense, Mohammed bin Zayed at his Moroccan residence. The Emirati prince arrived in Morocco from Berlin, where he had participated in the Berlin conference. Morocco played a leading role in facilitating the UN-brokered talks which resulted in December 2015 in the Skhirate agreement, backed by the Security Council and the international community. Separately, Morocco expressed through its foreign ministry astonishment after it was not invited to the Berlin meeting. New Delhi, Jan 26 (IANS) In what will be music to the current dispemnsation's ears, 56.4 per cent of respondents in the IANS-CVoter 'State of the Nation' Republic Day survey said they are "very much satisfied" with the BJP-led Central government, while an emphatic 62.3 per cent say the same about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As per the survey, released on Sunday, 70 per cent respondents said they are ready to re-elect him if they can do so directly. These findings come out at a time when the nation is facing intermittent protests against legislations like Citizenship Amendment Act, which, at certain places, took a violent turn. Not only 56.4 per cent Indian said they are "very much satisfied" with the Modi-led Central government, 23.8 per cent said they are "satisfied to some extent" and only 19.8 per cent said they are "not at all satisfied". Interestingly, the northeast continues to remain the BJP's domain with a massive 82.1 per cent, saying they are 'very satisfied' with the BJP-led central government while its national average is 56.4 per cent. Even non BJP states like Chhattisgarh gives a 60.1 per cent approval rating for BJP. But states like Tamil Nadu and Puducherry remains averse to BJP at Centre with the the latter championing the anti-BJP stance and only 3.9 per cent said they are "very much satisfied" with it. The IANS-CVoter State of the Nation survey findings reinstate a fact that brand Modi outshines brand BJP. While just 56.4 per cent say they are "very much satisfied" with the BJP, a whopping 62.3% say the same about Modi and 20.9 per cent Indians say they are "satisfied to some extent". Only 16.8 per cent Indians have registered their disaffection towards him, according to the survey. The northeast threw its maximum weight behind Modi with 83.7 per cent approval ratings. But surprisingly, the next in line is a non-BJP-ruled state Odisha where 79.5 per cent of the respondents from the state said they are "very much satisfied" with Modi as PM. Though Puducherry was averse towards the BJP, 53 per cent of the state said they are pretty happy with PM Modi. But it was Tamil Nadu where he got minimum backing from with just 24.1 per cent respondents from the state backing him. To a question on "If you are given a chance to directly elect the Prime Minister of India; whom would you prefer to elect between Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi as the PM of India?", 70 per cent chose Modi with again the highest backing came from a non-BJP state -- Odisha, with 88.9 per cent of respondents giving a thumbs up to that question. In what can be a good news for the BJP, 82.2 per cent of respondents from Bihar, which goes to the polls later this year, said they would elect Modi as PM. But only 13.7 per cent in Puducherry will exercise this option. Meanwhile, just 25.4 per cent across India said they would elect Rahul Gandhi as PM and 4.7 per cent said none. Conducted with a sample size of 30,240 people spread across all 543 Lok Sabha seats, the survey was conducted in 12 weeks till January 25. abn/vd India on Sunday said it is examining 'all options' in consultations with China to provide relief to over 250 stuck Indians, mostly students, in Wuhan, the epicentre of the fast spreading coronavirus. The death toll in the deadly new coronavirus in China rose to 56 on Sunday with confirmed cases of viral affliction reaching 2,008, including 23 from aborad, Chinese health authorities said. India on Sunday opened a third hotline in view of 'large number' of phone calls from the Indians who are mostly students, the Indian Embassy in Beijing said. 'In view of the large number of calls received in the two hotline numbers set up by @EOIBeijing in connection with the outbreak of coronavirus infection, @EOIBeijing has decided to open a third hotline number +8618610952903,' the Embassy said in a tweet. The other two hotline numbers are 8618612083629 and 8618612083617, the Embassy said. The Embassy has also said it is 'examining all options' and holding consultations with China to provide relief to the Indians holed up in Wuhan. 'Over the last two days our hotlines have fielded nearly 600 calls to respond to concerns regarding this difficult situation. GoI and @EOIBeijing are also examining all options, including through consultations with the Chinese authorities, to provide relief to our affected citizens,' another tweet by the Embassy said. The reference to 'all options' was seen as a pointer to explore the option to evacuate the stranded Indians. The pneumonia outbreak was first reported in Wuhan City, central China's Hubei Province, in December 2019. The city of 11 million has been in quarantine since Thursday -- with nobody allowed to leave as the government tries to contain its spread. Experts have attributed the outbreak to a new strain of coronavirus that has since spread across China and abroad. About 700 Indian students are believed to have been enrolled into several universities in the city and surrounding areas. Wuhan along 12 other cities have been completely sealed by the Chinese authorities to stop the virus from spreading. While the majority of the Indian students, mostly medical students reported to have left a few weeks ago to avail the Chinese New Year holidays, over 250 to 300 are still reportedly stayed put in the city causing concerns to them and their parents back home about their safety. A number of Indian PhD students also studied in different universities in Wuhan and the surrounding areas. Some students managed to leave before the city just before it was sealed off on January 23. Meanwhile, a Chinese health official has said home quarantine is enough for the returning Indian students from Wuhan if they have not shown any symptoms but should be kept isolation in a hospital if they showed any signs of coronavirus. "We have been advocating everyone home quarantine is enough if you do not have any symptoms, do well basic hygiene measures such as so go out wearing a mask, and reduce any party activity, drink plenty of water, and wash hands," Gao Fu, Director General of China's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, told media in Beijing. Asked about what would be the advice China would give to returning Indian students from Wuhan, he said: "Of course, if students returned to India found themselves to have obvious symptoms of the coronavirus, we should encourage them to go to the hospital, separate them from others swiftly." "It's the most basic thing you can do to protect against infectious disease, no matter what it is," he said. In a rare move the Indian Embassy here on Sunday cancelled the Republic Day ceremony, owing to the rising concern of the virus which has spread to all provinces except Tibet. China reported to have permitted the US to evacuate its diplomats and citizens from Wuhan. The United States has a consulate in Wuhan. Roughly 1,000 American citizens are thought to be in Wuhan, a report in state-run China Daily said. As the US plans to evacuate its citizens from Wuhan, Chinese Foreign Ministry said: "Following international customary practices, China makes arrangements that are consistent with our epidemic control measures and provides necessary assistance and convenience." Reports say the US has already shut its consulate in Wuhan and airlift the diplomats and some of the stranded Americans to San Francisco where they would be kept under observation. Global Times reported that France and South Korea plans to airlift their citizens stranded in Wuhan. ArcelorMittal ArcelorrMittal South Africa (AMSA), the South African subsidiary of global steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, has said it would report a R4 billion (about $2,8m) headline loss for the year ended December 2019, with plans to shed 1,000 jobs finalised as part of its cost-cutting measures. AMSA's huge loss follows on a profit of R1,37b (about $951m) in 2018. AMSA had announced plans for a large-scale reorganisation of its plants across the country six months ago. The company had said in November 2019 that it would close down its loss-making Saldanha Works due to various factors, including a global downturn in the steel market and a reduction of the plant's export edge due to high costs of electricity, rail transport and price regulation. Despite government pleas to reconsider the huge impact this would have on the South African economy, AMSA has announced that the Saldanha Works closure would be finalised in the first quarter of 2020. AMSA, however, said any closure of significant long-steel production plants was not on the cards in the foreseeable future, including the Newcastle plant which too had been under threat. Born out of the former state-owned steel manufacturer Iscor in 1989 after Mittal had helped turn around its ailing fortunes, AMSA said in statement here that 2019 had been a very challenging year for the company. AMSA said it would be placing an emphasis on cash preservation as it aimed at long-term preservation. "A large-scale employee reorganisation, as announced on SENS on July 10 last year, has been largely finalised and resulted in a reduction of over a thousand own employees. Additionally, a significant repricing and rescoping of sub-contractor services will be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2020," it said. Local Chhattisgarhi language and different dialects will be made the medium of instruction in primary schools across Chhattisgarh from the next academic session, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said on Sunday. Speaking at the state-level Republic Day function held in Jagdalpur, around 290 kms from here, he also cautioned that if political parties place their creed above the country, then people's freedom will once again be in danger and might end forever. Appealing to the people to work towards protecting the Constitution, he said its different aspects will be taught in schools. The state government had on Friday issued a circular to schools, asking them to hold discussion on the Constitution after prayers every Monday. He said the previous UPA government at the Centre had made a provision in the Right to Education Act 2009 to ensure children are taught in their mother tongue as much as possible. "But ironically, the state has not yet taken any concrete step in this direction," he said. "From the forthcoming academic session, arrangements will be made to use local Chhattisgarhi language and dialects like Gondi, Halbi, Bhatri, Sargujia, Korwa, Pando, Kudukh, Kamari and others as medium of instruction in primary schools," Baghel said. Various programmes will be held to discuss the lives of great personalities so that the young generation gets inspired by their deeds, Baghel said. Quoting Babasaheb Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution, who had said that 'a thought bothers that will India be able to maintain its independence or again lose it?', Baghel said, "If political parties place their creed above the country, then our freedom will once again be in danger and, possibly, end forever." "We will counter any such possible event with full determination...We must resolve to protect our freedom till the last drop of blood. To achieve our social and economic goals, we should follow Constitutional measures," he added. Baghel said the India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had identified communalism as the most dangerous trend of his time, and hence insisted on a "secular Constitution". "The biggest reason behind the heights of development that India has achieved in the past seven decades is the power of our Constitution, which makes the nation a socialist, secular, democratic republic despite all diversities," Baghel stressed. Taking a swipe at the BJP-led government at the Centre amid the backdrop of protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), Baghel said, "The present situation in the country is not hidden from anyone." "Amid all regressive forces, Chhattisgarh has once again succeeded in proving that we (people) know how to connect, how to create, how to build. People of this state never believed in division," he claimed. Highlighting various schemes and achievements of his government, Baghel said criminal cases against 313 people in Bastar region were withdrawn based on the recommendation of Justice A K Patnaik-led committee set up to review offences lodged against tribals (in Naxal-hit areas). He said this move has been a great relief to tribals and the committee's recommendations will ensure hundreds of people in future will get justice. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iraqi Protest Camps Burned and Broken, but Not Beaten By Heather Murdock January 25, 2020 As Baghdad darkened Friday evening, teenage boys carrying shields made of barrels cut in half charged into a growing crowd. Riot police were moving forward across a bridge, pushing back protesters with gunfire and tear gas. Smoke from burning tires curled into the night. Written in white letters on the barrels was: "Attention, martyrs are advancing." By morning, two more young men were dead in Baghdad. In Basra, tents were burned at a sit-in camp, and protesters in Karbala prepared for another day of clashes. Amid the chaos that night, a single tweet tipped the scale. The once defiantly strong anti-government movement in Iraq weakened considerably. Prominent cleric Muqtada al-Sadr effectively withdrew his support for the demonstrations, and those of his followers attending packed up their tents and left the camps. Without Sadr's support, protesters said, some of Iraq's many militias and divisions of security forces will try to end the almost four-month-long sit-ins and rallies in Iraq that have threatened the status quo. Baghdad protesters soon lost control of surrounding neighborhoods and retreated to Tahir Square, the epicenter of their demonstration. On Saturday, they were joined by other protesters, rallying again inside the square. It is estimated at least 600 people have been killed and 20,000 people have been wounded in the protests across Iraq since October. Demonstrators in Karbala continued to occupy the city's main square on Saturday, but security forces are growing increasingly bold, they said, and clashes wounded several people on both Friday and Saturday. "This was a betrayal to the people who are simply asking for their rights," said Ali Mikdam, who has been camping in Tahrir Square since October. "But we won't stop protesting. "If we have to, we will fight." In a protest tent in Karbala on Saturday, a young man played a video of a teenage boy on his phone, saying it was taken last week and the boy was 14 years old. In the video, a hand gently slaps the boy's face and his eyes flutter. His face droops and we hear a moan in the background. The boy is dead. "We couldn't get to a hospital," said another man as the tent grew crowded. The young men were quick to share tales of recent clashes. A few blocks away, gunfire could be heard from a roadblock put up by protesters earlier in the day. Security forces were shooting, said Ali Hassan, 27, and they would soon move in with tear gas to clear the roadblock. Hassan tried to run a clothing store before the demonstrations began but ended up so poor he didn't even have shoes and was run out of business. Now protesters are running out of money for food and the demonstrations are becoming more dangerous. "Tensions are rising between the government and the people," Hassan said. "If we have to, we will fight." From the beginning, protesters have called for new leadership, jobs, health care, security, and an end to widespread corruption and extreme poverty. Now they also want their dead to be recognized as martyrs, meaning patriots and heroes of Iraq. And while all the young men in the tent say they are prepared to stay and fight if need be, many add that even if they wanted to go, they don't think they could do it safely. Ali Khafagi, 30, was a barber before he quit to work as a medic in the Karbala protest. Thousands of people have been arrested in connection with protests, and many are still in jail, said Khafagi. "Inside the demonstrations we are safe because it makes the government look bad if they arrest us here," he explained. "But if I leave, they may follow me home and take me." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Published on 2020/01/26 | Source /Newsis Hyundai's annual revenues have surpassed W100 trillion for the first time ever, powered by strong sales of SUVs like the small Tucson and large Pallisade (US$1=W1,165). Advertisement Hyundai said Wednesday that its sales rose 9.3 percent on-year to W105.8 trillion last year while operating profit surged 52 percent to W3.7 trillion, the first rise since 2012. The operating profit margin therefore rose from 2.5 percent in 2018 to 3.5 percent. A Hyundai staffer said, "Sales of high-margin Pallisade SUVs rose, while earnings also got a boost from the weak won". Hyundai makes money overseas in U.S. dollars, which are then converted back into won, so a strong greenback made results look better on paper to the tune of around W1 trillion. SUVs accounted for 40.5 percent of total sales, up from 35.8 percent in 2018. However, sales volume actually declined 3.6 percent to 4.43 million cars. Domestic sales rose 2.9 percent to some 742,000 cars, but overseas sales fell 4.8 percent to 3.68 million, particularly in China (down 17.7 percent) and India (down 7.2 percent). Affiliate Kia's revenues totaled W58.15 trillion and operating profit W2.01 trillion last year, up 7.3 percent and a whopping 73.6 percent. But sales volume also fell 1.4 percent to 2.77 million cars. Sales of the large Telluride SUV, which totaled almost 60,000 units, contributed heavily to strengthened profitability. Now Canada and America Have a Neil Young, Sort Of Former Canadian Neil Young, 74, has announced on his website that he's now a U.S. citizen and will be proudly voting Democrat. He also posted a video on his Instagram where he's singing "I'm proud to be a Camerican" (a mix of American and Canadian) and waving one of those little paper flags you find on cakes. One side has the American flag; the other the Canadian. Reporting For Civic Duty It seems clear that Young's not planning to vote Republican in the 2020 U.S. election. Along with a picture of Young saluting in front of a table for people to register to vote Democrat, he wrote, Im happy to report Im in!! Vote your conscience. "Vote your conscience" was eloquently spoken by Michael J. Fox during The American President. That movie still rings true today. Young is ever the free spirit, and will most likely always be an enemy of President Trump, especially after Trump used Young's song "Rockin' In the Free World," during his 2016 presidential campaign. Trump's campaign did say they paid for permission to use the song. "Through a licensing agreement with ASCAP, Mr. Trumps campaign paid for and obtained the legal right to use Neil Youngs recording of Rockin' In The Free World,' " said Trump's campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski. While Young acknowledged Trump could legally use the song, he was clear that he wasn't happy about the whole thing. In 2018, Young said, DT does not have my permission to use the song Rockin In The Free World at his appearances/. Legally, he has the right to, however it goes against my wishes. Lewandowski continued: "Nevertheless, there are plenty of other songs to choose from. Despite Neils differing political views, Mr. Trump likes him very much." 'Dangerous, Vilifying and Hateful Rhetoric' Young also said in 2018, as Trump continued to use his song: Story continues I asked him then, in a widely shared, public letter to cease and desist. However, he chose not to listen to my request, just as he chooses not to listen to the many American voices who ask him to stop his constant lies, to stop his petty, nasty name calling and bullying, to stop pushing his dangerous, vilifying and hateful rhetoric. Other artists at the time also spoke up against Trump after he tried to use their songs, like Axl Rose, Rihanna and Pharrell. Rose spoke up a few years ago, complaining that Trump's campaign is being super-sneaky about using others' music without proper permission. Unfortunately the Trump campaign is using loopholes in the various venues blanket performance licenses which were not intended for such craven political purposes, without the songwriters consent. toi Faizabads Shareef Chacha has spent more than 25 years of his life performing last rites of unclaimed bodies, a work most would refuse to do. In this span of time, 82-year-old Mohammed Sharif has performed the last rites of more than 25,000 unclaimed bodies. He has now been conferred with the fourth highest civilian honour, the Padma Shri. Read more Heres more top news of the day: From Jamia & Shaheen Bagh To Kolkata, Anti-CAA Protesters Across India Unite To Celebrate Republic Day Pic: ANI On the occasion of 71st Republic Day, the Indian National Flag was unfurled by the protesters at Shaheen Bagh in the national capital. In the wee hours of Sunday, the protesters demonstrating against the amended citizenship law sung the national anthem and read the preamble of the Constitution as the women-led agitation entered runs in its second month. Read more In Another Setback, European Parliament Drafts Anti-CAA Motion Fearing Largest Stateless Crisis In The World reuters In what could possibly damage Indias secular image internationally, the European Parliament is scheduled to consider a motion next week that terms CAA as a law that may lead to the "largest statelessness crisis in the world and cause widespread human suffering. Read more Meet 85-Year-Old 'Langar Baba', Who Serves Free Food To Poor Patients Despite Battling Cancer twitter Jagdish Lal Ahuja, fondly known as Langar Baba has been serving free food to hundreds of patients and attendants right outside PGIMER in Chandigarh. It has been more than two decades, that the 85-year-old Langar Baba makes a daily trip to the hospital to feed those in need. Read more 'Encyclopedia Of Forest' Tulasi Gowda, Has Planted Over 40,000 Trees So That Nature Lives twitter Among the other "unsung heroes" who will be awarded the Padma Shri is Tulasi Gowda, also known as the 'Encyclopedia of Forest' due to her vast knowledge of diverse species of plants and herbs -- despite not having any formal education. Read more Meet Uncle Moosa Who Quit His Government Job To Provide Affordable Education To Children In Arunachal Pradesh In 1979, Kerala-born Uncle Moosa quit his secure government job in the income tax department in Mumbai to foray into a life thats not just about money. He was keen to build up reading habits among children. He would carry books in trunks using tattered state transport buses to reach the remote areas where tribal families live. Read more N ot long ago PC meant politically correct and right-wing pundits raved about the PC brigade and how everything was political correctness gone mad. Now, in these post-Brexit, post-Trump days, PC means populist correct. Whats that, you might ask? Well, anything that sounds like its elitist or could be labelled undemocratic or unpatriotic. Do your opinions clash with the Brexit reality? Express them and youll be labelled a remoaner or worse, a snowflake. Its such a brilliant piece of dissent-stifling sophistry that even the metropolitan elite can start to buy into it. Take the quiz to find out how populist correct you are... 1. The High Court, Supreme Court and the House of Lords are: A: A vital buttress against the abuse of power by the government of the day. B: Undoubtedly elite, out-of-touch and faintly absurd in their fancy dress, but they get things right as often as they get things wrong. C: Quite literally wiping their bottoms on the democratic will of the masses. 2. Immigration is: A: Vital to a multicultural city like London. Whats going to happen to my Spanish reflexologist and Portuguese cleaner, for goodness sake? B: A benefit to the economy, but also a legitimate concern of the native population in areas left behind. C: Closed now. Isnt that what we voted for? 3. Paul Nuttall is: A: The Fisher Price Oswald Mosley. B: Better looking than Nigel Farage, at least. C: The victim of a co-ordinated, cruel and almost evil smear campaign as all the lying mainstream media, er, reported him as saying. 4. What is most likely to upset your delicate mental state? A: The prospect of endless passport queues eating into a weekend jaunt to Naples. B: The issue of whether it infringes on a gay couples rights if a Christian baker refuses to bake them a wedding cake, or whether it infringes on a Christian bakers rights if he is forced to. C: The whole transgender thing, especially the bathroom issue. Or a straight banana, one or the other. 5. That whole Well give 350m to the NHS written-on-the-side-of-a-bus thing was: A: A scandal. B: A long time ago. C: A legitimate tactic in a bitter political fight in the post-fact era. 6. Climate change is: A: Affecting the ski slopes in Europe now! B: A matter of debate. C: LA LA LA LA LA CANT HEAR YOU! 7. When workers at Iceland were told not to share images of robbing toerags because it infringed on their privacy under the data protection act, your reaction was: A: Whats a toerag? B: Why does British law affect what happens in Iceland? C: Ill tell you what it is, its political correctness gone mad! 8. In discussion, you are most likely to compare Donald Trump to: A: Hitler, or if Im feeling particularly clever, Louis XIV the Sun King. B: Henry VIII, but Im waiting for him to marry three more wives, or for a meme of him gnawing a chicken leg to appear. C: Ronald Reagan. He, too, was wilfully misunderstood by the elite but not by the American people (*salutes imaginary flag*). 9. When in a mixed social gathering of people you dont know well, the book, film and musician you will admit to liking are: A: Yuval Noah Hararis Homo Deus, Moonlight and Stormzy. B: Joanna Trollopes City of Friends, The Lego Batman Movie and Adele. C: The New John Grisham whatever its called Fifty Shades Darker and Little Mix. 10. Lactose and/or gluten intolerance is: A: A very real thing that can seriously impair ones enjoyment of life, actually. B: A classic example of #middleclassproblems and a sign that relative wealth and the endurance of the post-war liberal consensus have made us morally flabby and moribund; perhaps we really NEEDED a shake-up. C: Oh just shut up and have a bloody bacon sandwich and a frothy coffee, why dont you?! HOW DID YOU SCORE? Mostly A You are a metropolitan elitist and you might like to consider investing in a bunker. Mostly B You are a bit confused, and trying to have your Hardihood raw cheesecake but also eat your Mr Kipling fondant fancy, as it were. Mostly C The railings on the bridge across the Chilaw lagoon have rusted and are on the verge of collapsing, posing a serious danger to pedestrians. Area residents are appealing to authorities to repair the railings before an accident occurs. Pic by Augustine Fernando Coimbatore: Fans of superstar Rajnikanth on Saturday petitioned the police commissioner of Chennai to take action against two Dravidian groups for allegedly issuing death threats to the actor for his recent remarks on rationalist leader E V Ramaswamy Periyar. The Rajinikanth Makkal Mandram (Rajinikanth Fans Association) alleged that Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam and Dravida Kahagam supporters had issued threats while demanding that the actor apologise for his remarks. The activists allegedly threatened to not allow Rajanikanth to shoot for his films anywhere in Tamil Nadu, the association said. The controversy broke out when, while addressing the 50th anniversary event of the Tamil magazine Thuglak in Chennai on January 14, Rajinikanth told the audience about a rally led by Periyar in Salem in 1971 during which nude idols of Hindu gods Ram and Sita were allegedly paraded wearing a garland of sandals. Several Dravidian parties protested against Rajinikanth's statement. The DVK demanded an unconditional apology and filed a police complaint against the actor on January 17. On the other side of the Periyar divide, CPI supporters staged a protest in Chennai Saturday demanding the arrest of those who vandalised the statue of rationalist leader E V Ramasamy Periyar on Friday. Around 100 party workers held aloft banners with pictures of Periyar and raised slogans demanding the arrest of the culprits. The Periyar statue located at Salavakkam in Kancheepuram district was found vandalised on Friday morning. Various political leaders have condemned the vandalism. DMK chief M K Stalin and PMK founder S Ramadoss demanded strict action against those involved in damaging the statue of the rationalist leader. By Raphael Satter (Reuters) - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said on Friday he will move to compel America's intelligence chief to release information about the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi if the administration does not produce a report on the killing before the end of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. Wyden was invoking the Senate's power to unilaterally declassify intelligence material to push the Trump administration to release a report into the October 2018 killing of Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Such a report was due by law to have been released earlier this month, a deadline the Democratic senator said the administration had flouted. The goal, Wyden told reporters, was "naming names with respect to who ordered it, who was complicit, and what might have been done to prevent it." Wyden is unlikely to get his way - at least not directly. Even though the Senate has the power under a 1970s-era authority to unilaterally declassify information, no such move has ever made it out of the Intelligence Committee on which the Oregon Democrat serves as a member. Steven Aftergood, with the Federation of American Scientists' Project on Government Secrecy, said threatening to use the authority might push the administration to find "an acceptable middle ground - an unclassified version of the assessment, a classified briefing, or something else." Wyden said an unclassified assessment was what he was after, predicting that the push would draw support from at least some Republicans on the committee. "I don't think there's a lot of Republican support for carrying water for nondisclosure here," he said. The CIA believes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the killing of Khashoggi, sources told Reuters weeks after his death. Even an unclassified version of that assessment could be explosive, given close ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia and between the Trump administration and bin Salman in particular. Story continues A spokesman for the Senate Intelligence Committee declined comment. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence said in an email that its response to Congress was "in process." The Saudi Embassy in Washington, which rejects allegations bin Salman was involved in Khashoggi's killing, did not immediately return messages seeking comment. (Reporting by Raphael Satter; Editing by Tom Brown) We lost a legend this week. With the untimely passing of Anthony J. May, our commonwealth is without one of its icons. Tony was a man of great intellect and talent, and much greater heart and soul. Folks throughout the region know that Tony and I battled several times each week on CBS-21 and again on the weekend on the pages of The Patriot and PennLive. Through 16 years and more than 2,000 broadcasts and several hundred columns opposite each other, Tony and I rarely agreed. All you had to do was mention Obamacare or Donald J. Trump and you could sit back and watch the sparks fly. We couldnt even agree on how many years wed been on the air. He said it was 15. I insisted 16 was the right number. Tony simply smiled and said that I was prone to exaggeration. Through all of those years and all of those words, Tony never had anything bad to say once the On air light went off. On the contrary Tony was always gracious and funny, quick with a story or a piece of advice. I first met Tony in 1975 ( he says 76) when I was a young intern. Tony was, as always, welcoming, kind and helpful (despite the fact that I was a Republican). He offered his hand and his heart, helping me learn the ropes. When I returned to Harrisburg in the late 80s, the first meeting I had was with Tony May. Its indelibly recorded in the calendar. Through all the years Tony showed me and so many others what it was to be the consummate professional. He was a veritable treasure trove of information, political history and institutional knowledge. He was a highly skilled wordsmith and prolific writer. He was a gifted strategist, trusted advisor and valued confidante. Most of all, Tony May was a good man. There are folks scattered throughout the state and nation who have been recipients of his wisdom and professional prowess. He was a good teacher. He cared deeply about those with whom he served and was always willing to help improve their lives and careers. Tonys commitment to organized labor came honestly. Hed been a working guy and cared deeply about working people. Tonys commitment to his Democratic Party was unwavering and steadfast. He believed in its principles and worked tirelessly to implement them into public policy. His commitment to others was his trademark. When Tony learned that I was planning to have Thanksgiving dinner by myself one year, he simply said, Come to our house. I did. It was one of the nicest Thanksgiving Days I ever spent. For the record, in addition to his many talents, Tony was one hell of a cook and made the best ricotta pie on the planet. Thanksgiving dinner at Tony and Betsys became a tradition. As I sat with my son at his table this past Thanksgiving, I watched him sitting at the head of the table basking in the warmth of the affection of his family and friends. Its an enduring memory of a man that earned the love of so many. To my kids he was always Uncle Tony. They saw the twinkle in those Italian eyes and knew it reflected a sweet soul. They always enjoyed visits with him and especially trips to his summer cottage on an island in the Susquehanna near Selinsgrove. They recall with great glee the time I fell in the river. I needed a dry shirt. Tony kindly offered me oneconveniently emblazoned with the logo of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. To make matters worse a photograph memorializing the incident mysteriously made its way into social media. They still guffaw over that. Harrisburg will not be the same without him. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will mourn his loss. The world is made a little less rich. Tony May was the best on-air partner and off-air friend I could ever hoped to have had. He was friend, mentor, leader, and partner to all. If each of us could emulate just a little of what Tony May was, the world would be the better place he worked so hard to help make. May he Rest In Peace and may perpetual light shine on him. Charlie Gerow is the CEO of Quantum Communications, His column appears each week alongside Democrat Mark Singel. Charlie and Mark can be seen each Sunday morning at 8:30 on CBS-21s Face the State. Health and housing may be playing a prominent role in the election debates, but the issue of pensions has emerged as a surprise area of controversy. With the 'grey vote' most likely to turn up to the polls, it is an area that every party is clearly keen to strike an appealing position on. Throughout all of the debates, it is worth remembering that short-term political gain and managing the long-term sustainability of the pensions system are not always mutually consistent goals. We now live on average 10 years longer than our parents' generation, and nearly two decades longer than our grandparents'. In fact, a majority of children born today are now expected to live until they are 100. This trend reflects progress and innovations in such things as health and technology, while also posing a pressing challenge when it comes to the growing cost of providing financial support for an ageing population. Many countries are taking steps to increase the state pension age and Ireland is no exception, with the age currently expected to increase again to 67 in 2021, and to 68 by 2028, to help offset some of the costs. The dilemma is clear: the sustainability of the pensions system needs to be protected for the longer-term good of the population - but what about the potential hardships imposed on prospective pensioners? For years, most private sector employers have operated a long-standing conventional retirement age of 65, logically aligned with the original state pension age. When Ireland first increased the state pension age to 66 back in 2014, people retiring at 65 could supplement their private pension by claiming Jobseeker's Allowance. The forthcoming increases to the state pension age will widen this private pensions gap. Those retiring before they can claim the state pension may now need to rely not just on other social welfare benefits (if eligible), but also on larger private pension drawdown in the early years, longer working, or a combination of all three, to help bridge this gap. None of these are likely to be attractive to many, and therein lies the issue that has become part of the election debate. Voters will have to form their own view on how to support pensioners in bridging the gaps caused by longer living, while remaining conscious that there is a ticking financial time bomb that our children, and our children's children, will undoubtedly inherit. With CSO statistics showing that more than 40pc of workers aged 20 to 69 have no form of pension, the need to stimulate more private saving is arguably the area that should get greater focus in the election's pensions debate. Affordability is still a real concern. Some 33pc of all workers say they simply cannot afford a private pension. Of those who don't have any pension savings at all, a sizeable majority are expecting to rely solely on the state pension. For women, the problem is more acute. A study by the Economic and Social Research Institute showed that only 28pc of women had pension savings in addition to the state pension, compared with 55pc of men. The proposed new automatic enrolment system for pensions should, in theory, help improve the situation and address some of the issues identified by the CSO statistics. The system would see individuals automatically make pension savings, with contributions from employers, while maintaining the ability to opt out. This approach has been adopted in a number of countries and is proving to be successful; for example, in the UK, there are an additional 10 million workplace pension savers since their system was introduced in 2012. Pensions remain the most tax-efficient method of accumulating a retirement fund, and more could still be done to educate the population regarding the realities of a longer post-employment phase - and how to plan and save accordingly. Looking to the future, continuing to work for a longer period seems inevitable for many and, with contractual retirement ages becoming more difficult for employers to enforce, this could present individuals with additional options and help bridge the pensions gap, until they qualify for state pension benefits. Research recently undertaken by Mercer revealed that nearly 90pc of companies interviewed had received requests from employees to work beyond their contractual retirement age, but less than half had any kind of longer or flexible working policy in place. This is an area that will come under greater scrutiny over the months and years ahead. As a result, employers will need to understand how they are going to accommodate older workers and optimise an ageing workforce. Mercer research shows the benefits of developing a more experienced workforce, which can be a source of talent and competitive advantage for companies, with fewer people changing jobs and greater knowledge-sharing leading to increased productivity. Employers should look to embrace the opportunities that an older and more experienced workforce might bring. Decisions that are made as part of both adapting our pensions system and also building a suitable employment environment will prove highly significant in how successful Ireland will be in meeting the demographic challenges of the future. Let's hope the political system is capable of addressing this long-term challenge in a way that is both fair and reflective of the changes and challenges we are facing. Caitriona MacGuinness leads DC pensions consulting at Mercer Ireland Everyone should experience Venice, the romantic City of Water, at least once during their lifetime, and on this exclusive new cruise youll get to see it with TV cookery star Prue Leith. Youll have plenty of time to discover the Unesco World Heritage site where gondolas replace cars and the canals are lined by elegant Renaissance palaces on included excursions, and also visit the beautiful surrounding islands of Burano, Mazzorbo and Torcello. Youll go to the Rialto food market with Prue and enjoy a cooking demonstration, exclusive talk and gala dinner with her aboard this seven-night luxury Uniworld cruise. City of romance: Youll have plenty of time to discover the Unesco World Heritage site. Pictured is The Grand Canal SPECIAL GUEST You will be joined by Prue Leith Over an extraordinarily varied and successful 50-year career, Prue Leith, right, has worked as a Michelin-starred restaurateur, businesswoman, caterer, broadcaster, journalist, cookery writer and novelist. Having been a judge on the BBCs The Great British Menu, Prue now brings her culinary experience to bear as a judge on The Great British Bake Off. Advertisement Gourmet meals and unlimited drinks are included, as is a private after-hours visit to St Marks Basilica. You can also visit the food capital of Bologna to learn how to make pasta or see the beautifully preserved city of Ferrara. As Prue says: Italy is one of the top foodie destinations in the world, and where better to experience its flavours than Venice. I cant wait to explore this beguiling region with you. REASONS TO BOOK Meet Prue Leith Prue is one of the most fascinating personalities of the culinary world and she will join you for three days on board. You will meet her during a private talk and Q&A, join her for a special gala dinner, and get her culinary tips during an onboard cooking demonstration. Visit Venice Built on tiny islands in a lagoon on the Adriatic Sea, this incredible city is truly breathtaking. Join a tour of secret spots that are usually reserved for locals, visit the Doges Palace and experience St Marks Basilica in private after the crowds have left. You will also visit the beautiful surrounding islands of Burano (pictured), Mazzorbo and Torcello YOUR ITINERARY DAY 1: Arrive in Venice and board SS La Venezia DAY 2: Explore Venice, including an after-hours tour of St Marks Basilica DAY 3: Chioggia DAY 4: Excursions to Bologna or Ferrara DAY 5: Porto Viro, Chioggia, Burano DAY 6: Venice islands and Prue Leith talk and Q&A DAY 7: Rialto food market with Prue and farewell gala dinner DAY 8: Return to UK Advertisement Foodie tours Youll enjoy a tour of the busy Rialto food market with Prue Leith, with the opportunity to make pasta and have lunch in Bologna, culinary capital of northern Italy, on an excursion and visit lively local markets in Chioggia or Padua. Sail in style Uniworlds European fleet includes luxury ships with an average capacity of just 130 guests and the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the industry. Youll have a Riverview Stateroom on SS La Venezia, which is new for 2020. Inspired by Venetian culture, the ship will feature three dining venues, including an Italian kitchen on the upper deck. Explore the Veneto Youll also see the waterfront shops, colourful facades and peaceful canals unique to Burano, Mazzorbo and Torcello, other islands in the lagoon. Youll also stop at Chioggia, a charming southern port that is sometimes called Little Venice. Badminton Champion P.V. Sindhu reflects on her Padma Bhushan award, which was conferred on her on Saturday. It was a typical Saturday evening for the World Badminton Champion P.V. Sindhu as she wrapped up a team meeting with Hyderabad Hunters, her team for the ongoing Premier Badminton League happening in Lucknow. As she returned to her room, Ramana, her father, whod until then been watching the news, shared the news with her that she had won the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award by the Government of India. I was overwhelmed with joy on hearing the news, describes Sindhu. And on learning the news, my team, immediately got a cake to celebrate the moment. Describing it as one of the special moments in her life, Sindhu states that the award is the result of hard work and constant practice. This award couldnt have come a better time for me as the 2020 Olympics is around the corner; nothing boosts morale than such a prestigious award coming your way, says the Rio Olympics silver-medallist ecstatically Padma Bhushan is such a great motivation and it has made me more responsible and fosters in me further determination to thrive on excellence. The grateful prodigy Even through her excitement, Sindhu pauses to thank the people she claims are behind her success coaches, support staff, fans and all her well-wishers. Also, I want to expresses my profound gratitude to the Sports Ministry, Badminton Association of India (BAI) and the Chief Ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for their support, she adds. Even as a jubilant Sindhu celebrates, her father, Ramana, expressed his joy at her winning the award. Its not easy task winning the Padma Bhushan. Several others have worked at least as hard as she has to win such honours. So also, knowing that Sindhu won this prestigious award when shes just 24 years old adds to all our pride, Ramana says, even as he expressed his gratitude for all the love and accolades pouring in from all corners of the world. Protesters and security forces clashed in Beirut on January 25 as hundreds of people hit the streets marking 100 days of anti-government demonstrations in Lebanon. The protesters, who have been demanding a government formed of technocrats to help bring important economic reforms, accused the new cabinet of being chosen on sectarian lines. People gathered at Riad al-Solh Square in central Beirut and chanted "Revolution, Revolution" as security forces maintained a watch over the march. They reportedly tore down metal fences and barbed wire placed in the high-security area, the residence of newly-appointed Prime Minister Hassan Diab. Read: Lebanon Unveils New Govt Headed By Hassan Diab Amid Mass Protests Tear gas and water cannon Security forces fired tear gas and launched water cannon on protestors as they threw rocks and firecrackers towards anti-riot police. According to media reports, around 20 people, including security personnel, got injured in the clash. Justice Minister Marie-Claude Najm condemned the violence and "destruction" caused by the protesters. Lebanon is currently going through a severe economic crisis which catapulted the country into a political crisis following nationwide protests triggered by new proposed taxes. The countrys gross debt, at 85.4 billion dollars, had increased by 0.7 per cent from last year, one of the biggest public debt ratios in the world. The banks have announced a weekly cap of USD 1,000 on cash withdrawals and restricted transfers abroad. Read: Over 200 Injured As Protesters And Riot Police Clash In Lebanon Saad Hariri had resigned on October 29 as Lebanons Prime Minister, on of the key demands of protesters, after anti-government demonstrations accused the government of corruption and mismanagement. Hassan Diab, who does not hail from traditional political circles, was appointed as countrys Prime Minister on December 19, followed by a brand new cabinet. Lebanon Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri had called the country a sinking ship and will go under unless appropriate action is taken. A Lebanese daily quoted Nabih Berri saying the efforts to form a new government were completely frozen which aggravated the ongoing economic and political crisis. Read: Lebanon To Release Protesters Detained After Night Of Riots Read: Israel Building Underground Defense System On Lebanon Border (With inputs from agencies) MALAGA, Spain (Reuters) - Pedro Almodovar's Oscar-nominated "Pain and Glory" was the big winner at the 34th Goya Awards, Spain's top film honors, held in Malaga on Saturday night, going home with seven awards including best actor for Antonio Banderas, best director for Almodovar and best film. Banderas, who first collaborated with Almodovar in 1982's "Labyrinth of Passion", thanked the director for their nearly 40 years of collaboration. "I have learnt so much from you, not only about art but about life...I've done my best work with you," Banderas said while collecting the award, adding he hoped the pair would continue to work together in the future. The win puts "Pain and Glory", about an aging film director, as a strong favorite for the best international feature film Oscar, while Banderas will go up against actors including Joaquin Phoenix and Leonardo DiCaprio in the best actor category at the ceremony held in Los Angeles on February 9. Penelope Cruz, who also stars in Almodovar's film, lost out in the race for best actress, which went to Belen Cuesta for "The Endless Trench". "Pain and Glory's" other wins included best supporting actress for Julieta Serrano and best original screenplay for Almodovar. Alejandro Amenabar's Spanish Civil War drama "While at War" won five awards including best supporting actor for Eduard Fernandez. The ceremony was attended by Spanish political as well as acting royalty - Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was in the audience and was singled out several times by presenters and winners - including Almodovar - who urged him to do more to protect culture and cinema in Spain. The award for best European film went to France's "Les Miserables", while Argentina's "Heroic Losers" won best Latin American Film. One of the surprises of the night was the award for best new actress, which went to 84-year-old Benedicta Sanchez for her first ever role in Oliver Laxe's Galician-language "Fire Will Come". Sanchez thanked her daughter for taking her to the audition. (Reporting by Mariano Valladolid, Writing by Jessica Jones; editing by Diane Craft) A Birmingham police officer working security at Church of the Highlands in Woodlawn was shot Sunday morning when he confronted two robbery suspects. A 16-year-old is the accused shooter. The officer - identified as narcotics Det. John Finke - was hit twice in the abdomen. What was initially believed to be a third wound was a ricochet. He was rushed to UAB Hospitals Trauma Center by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service via police escort. Birmingham Police Chief Patrick Smith said the officer as of 1:15 p.m. was out of his first surgery and in ICU. Finke, who was in uniform but not wearing a protective vest, is listed in critical condition. Finke has been with the department since 2005. He is a husband and father. His college-aged daughter is en route to Birmingham as are his parents, Smith said. Two suspects were taken into custody in Ensley. The two suspects in custody are ages 16 and 25. The 16-year-old is the accused shooter. Each and everyday we deal with circumstances and its very disappointing someone this age would go to such great lengths, Smith said at an afternoon press conference. Its one of those difficult things to take in. Smith said the suspects in custody match the description given by the officer and the robbery victims. The robbery victims have positively identified them. Also, the chief said, a recovered handgun matches the caliber of shell casings recovered at the shooting scene. Efforts to reach officials at Church of the Highlands were unsuccessful. Pastor Chris Hodges released this statement on social media: Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer John Finke who has served our church for 8 years at our Woodlawn campus. He was critically injured today after responding to an incident in the Woodlawn community and is currently hospitalized in stable condition. Please join us in praying for Officer Finkes full recovery and for peace and comfort for his family. U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama Jay Town also released a statement: This tragedy is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers all law enforcement face. While they keep us safe. While they do the job. Our thoughts and prayers are with Detective Finke, his family, and all of Birmingham PD. We should never forget that the line of duty is endowed by sacrifice, selflessness, and courage. "Tonight we wrap our arms around officer John Finke, his family and the entire Birmingham Police Department,'' Mayor Randall Woodfin said in a statement released on social media. Our officers risk their lives each and every time they step out of their doors for the betterment of our communities. We thank them for their commitment. Birmingham stands with you Officer Finke as we pray for a full recovery. The ordeal began at 9:22 a.m. when a report of robbery of two people was dispatched over the radio. Our officers heard the call as it came out, Smith said. The officer confronted the suspects and we had an officer-involved shooting. Police officers from across the citys four precincts as well as Jefferson County sheriffs deputies descended on the scene in the 5400 block of Georgia Road. The U.S. Marshals and ATF also responded to the scene, as did SBI. We have a very active crime scene, the chief said, adding that he believes the suspects are hemmed up within the large police perimeter that has been established in Woodlawn. Tracking dogs and SWAT offices also are on the scene. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys State Bureau of Investigation will be investigating the shooting. A Birmingham police officer was shot in Woodlawn Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. The officer was working at Church of the Highlands when he responded to a robbery nearby. Smith said that two people were robbed by the two suspects. Finke was working security for Church of the Highlands Woodlawn campus responded to the call and thats when the shooting happened. It appeared he was alone when he initially confronted the suspects. "He was able to give a description of the suspect, clothing description and things of that nature,'' the chief said of the wounded officer. Smith said it appears from radio transmissions that Finke may have observed the robbery in progress and summoned officers for backup. A 1033- officer needs all possible assistance was issued. With the victims help, they tracked stolen cell phones taken in the robbery to the parking lot of the Winn Dixie on Bessemer Road in Ensley where the departments Crime Reduction Team took two people were taken into custody. The victims cell phones were recovered, as well as at least one handgun. "We dont know if the handgun from this suspect is the gun that shot our officer however we will be doing further testing to determine if this is the suspect involved,'' the chief said. We have a lot of work to do at the scene, a lot canvassing to do to make sure we have all of the information that we possible can and that weve obtained video from the surrounding area. We believe we have the right suspects in custody based upon the series of events, the description the officer gave before he went into surgery, the description the victims gave of the suspects involved and the fact they were found in the vehicle described by the officer as well as victims Smith said. The victims, he said, were possibly walking to church when they were robbed. They are currently being interviewed by SBI agents. Meanwhile the two possible suspects captured by the departments Crime Reduction Team - are at police headquarters downtown. As for Finke, Smith said, They do have some concerns because he did lose a lot of blood and has been given a lot of blood. Were praying very hard for him. Its like pins and needles trying to wait to get accurate information. From what weve been able to tell, we believe he was able to return fire, the chief said. We dont know if the suspect or suspects were hit. "Were still getting a lot of information in right now. Were searching for video in the area so we can put that information out. Smith said at an early Sunday afternoon press conference that they were holding the blocks-wide perimeter in place. They have recovered several shell casings from the scene of the shooting. Police also are canvassing each home within the perimeter to ensure they obtain a description of what residents saw or heard in the area. Alabama officers shot in the line of duty in 2019 A Birmingham police officer was shot in Woodlawn Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. The officer was working at Church of the Highlands when he responded to a robbery nearby. Smith said that Birmingham police in 2018 and 2019 took 4,000 handguns of the streets of Birmingham. In most of those instances we did so very safely. But theres always that one time that one moment where things like this happen, he said. We just have to do more to be prepared, do more as far as our training, and do more to make sure that our officers are completely alert, completely aware of what is happening. Its a very scary thing. Weve endured a lot over the past year and a half with Officer (Cullen) Stafford, Officer (Lucas) Allums, Sgt. (Wytasha) Carter, Smith said. So were doing everything we can to address crime here in Birmingham, address the shootings that occur and confront these armed suspects. Its a very dangerous job. My heart goes out and I care for every single officer on this department. I want to see them work safely, be supported and make sure that they go home safely each day, the chief said. We do everything that we can to make sure they are completely trained and prepared for the job that they are sworn to do. Birmingham City Council members responded to the shooting. The Birmingham City Council stands with the law-abiding citizens, family, and the entire Birmingham Police Department, and will work cooperatively to combat this senseless violence, said President William Parker. "We are praying for Detective Finkes full recovery. I am lifting the officer in prayer for comfort and strength, said Council President Pro Tem Wardine Alexander. I am also supporting the Mayor and Police Chief in their efforts to rid our streets of illegal weapons and find sustainable solutions to minimize the violence in our City. Our thoughts and prayers are with the officers family during this trying time, as well as all of the men and women of the Birmingham Police Department who get up everyday and put their lives on the line to make the City a safer place, said Public Safety Chair Hunter Williams. By Express News Service SANGAREDDY: The elections to Sangareddy and Sadashivpet municipalities has seen TRS Minister Harish Rao and Sangareddy Congress MLA T Jayaprakash Reddy fighting a proxy battle with each other. Both of them campaigned extensively for their respective candidates while trading charges against each other. Prior to polls, Harish Rao told former Sangareddy MLA Chinta Prabhakar and other leaders that he would not step in Sangareddy if the party does not win in the civic polls. He called upon the party leaders and cadres to leave no scope for complacency though surveys had predicted victory for TRS. Guiding the cadre on campaign strategy, he asked them to have a plan in place to meet each and every voter in each ward. He asked them to prepare ward-wise plan to reach out to voters. The Finance Minister was totally involved right from selection of candidates to campaigning in these two municipalities. In all the towns of erstwhile Medak district, MLAs of almost all the constituencies have selected the candidates and Harish Rao specifically selected the winning horses in Sangareddy and Sadashivpet municipalities. He has conducted surveys and took opinion of local leaders before finalising candidates. He asked the cadre to remain calm and not respond to the abusive remarks made against him by Jagga but give a befitting reply by winning the polls. Finally, the strategy adopted by Harish proved successful. On the other hand, Congress leaders in the district were irked with the fact that Jagga Reddy had announced the name of his wife for chairperson post but had done nothing for the win of TRS candidates. TRS wins 18 wards TRS has won 18 wards of the total 38 wards in Sangareddy municipality in the results announced on Saturday (January 25) CEB engineers divided over Lakvijaya extension tender By Namini Wijedasa View(s): View(s): Senior Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) engineers are divided on whether or not a tender should be called for the proposed extension of the Lakvijaya coal power plant in Norochcholai. Meanwhile, a Cabinet approval granted this week to a Power and Energy Ministry memorandum has unexpectedly raised the number of additional coal power units proposed for Norochcholai from one to two. In November, the CEB issued a letter of intent (LoI) to China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) to carry out a detailed feasibility study for a fourth unit at the 900mw plant in Norochcholai using the existing infrastructure and the same or advanced systems and facilities. But Cabinet this week said it had approved twonot oneadditional units of 300Mw each as an extension to the coal power plant at Norochcholai. Outgoing CEB General Manager S.D.W. Gunawardana said he did not know who suggested a second unit at Norochcholai and that it was not in line with the utilitys own proposal. The CEB had presented a draft Cabinet memo to the Ministry which, he said, had undergone changes by the time it reached the Cabinet. Meanwhile, the thinking among some senior CEB engineers is that the contract to build the fourth unit must also be given to CMEC without calling for international bids. They say it is not technically feasible to alter common systems or infrastructure for a third party and that it also depends on the terms of the soft finance that could be granted by the Chinese Government for the project. However, other engineerslike Additional General Manager Susantha Pererapoint out that the LoI was issued only for the purpose of a feasibility study with no further strings attached. While CMEC has shown an interest in doing the project, the thinking of the new administration, particularly the Ministry, is to go for competitive bidding for this and any other future power projects. The regulator Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka will also turn down any initiative that does not follow a competitive bidding procedure, he warned. The Cabinet decision this week also envisages the establishment of a 300Mw liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant at Kerawalapitiya as a joint venture between the CEB and India/Japan. However, the CEBs original Cabinet paper proposed that the utility will call open international tenders for a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) which is an import station for LNGwithout which the plants cannot operate. There were some Government-to-Government stories in the Cabinet paper, Mr Gunawardana said. What the CEB proposed was with regardsto an FSRU for which we categorically said there must be a tender. We have designed our own tender document with Asian Development Bank assistance. It is an IPP model tender document. He also said that, if the LNG power plants were to be built, it was important to fast-track the LNG fuel procurement processes. Meanwhile, power sector analysts pointed out that, while President Gotabaya Rajapaksas English language manifesto said he wanted 80 percent of electricity to be from renewable energy sources by 2030, the current trend will miss that target by a wide margin. Fossil fuels are receiving prominence on the ground, they said, with renewable energy being delegated to paper. Apparently what happens in Vegas no longer stays there. According to the New York Post, Sin City is reportedly updating its famous motto, seventeen years after the city first launched the iconic What happens in Vegas tourism campaign. The new slogan has yet to be announced, but is expected to be revealed during the Grammy Awards Sunday as part of the Vegas Chambers Preview Las Vegas event, per a tweet from Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority president and CEO Steve Hill. .@LVCVA CEO @ShillforVegas announced at #PreviewLV that Vegas will be getting a new marketing slogan. It will be unveiled during the @GRAMMY Awards on January 26. Read more from @rickvelotta @reviewjournal https://t.co/MKpRvoXYGO Vegas Chamber (@lvchamber) January 17, 2020 Fueled in part by Aerosmiths Steven Tyler, who told concert-goers at a Vegas show in November to reply only happens here after calling out what happens here, the new slogan is rumored to be What happens here, only happens here. According to ABC News, however, the team behind the new branding said they would not be confirming nor denying the new slogan until after the ad runs. Its personal to me and the 75 other people at R&R Partners who work on the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority account to get it right, Billy Vassiliadis, CEO R&R Partners said in a statement. Everything we do is driven by listening to our customers and what they want and need. We are confident this new campaign delivers that, and is the perfect evolution of What Happens Here, Stays Here, Vassiliadis explained. The award-winning campaign first debuted in the early aughts, and even inspired the name of the 2008 Ashton Kutcher comedy, What Happens in Vegas. We may have been promised that what happens in Vegas would stay in Vegas, but they never specified for how long. Subscribe here for our free daily newsletter. The post Las Vegas to Drop What Happens In Vegas Slogan appeared first on InsideHook. A woman has died while swimming at a NSW South Coast beach on Australia Day. Emergency workers were called to Short Point Beach at Merimbula about 4pm on Sunday after reports a woman had been pulled unconscious from the water. Police said lifeguards and paramedics were unable to revive the 54-year-old French national, who died at the scene. AAP MI5 chiefs abandoned society osteopath Stephen Ward and let him take the blame for the Profumo affair, a friend of the well-connected doctor has claimed. Dr Ward was at the centre of the scandal involving teenage model Christine Keeler and John Profumo, the war minister in Harold Macmillan's government between 1960 and 1963. The London osteopath introduced Profumo to 19-year-old Keeler at Clivedon House in 1961. After their relationship ended, Profumo resigned from government and parliament after admitting his impropriety, which tarnished the reputation of the Conservative Party. Tom Mangold next to a sketch of Christine Keeler at Clivedon House. Keeler, Profumo, Ward and Me, will air on BBC Two at 10pm tonight, after the final episode of The Trial of Christine Keeler drama A documentary, Keeler, Profumo, Ward and Me, will air on BBC Two at 10pm tonight, after the final episode of The Trial of Christine Keeler drama. The programme is presented by journalist Tom Mangold who saw Ward on the night he took his fatal overdose during the osteopath's trial for living off immoral earnings. It examines claims that parts of an official inquiry into the affair were kept secret and highlights evidence that the establishment fitted him up over fears he would expose Profumo as a liar. Society osteopath Dr Stephen Ward leaving a hearing at Marylebone Magistrates Court in London, The documentary looks at how Ernest Marples, Macmillan's postmaster general and minister of transport, regularly had sex with prostitutes. However Macmillan left this information out of official papers because the prime minister 'couldn't have withstood another cabinet minister going down the drain', according to human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson QC speaking to The Observer. It raises questions that the British state prevented the truth of what happened surfacing. The screening also looks at how MI5 failed to disclose it had been working with Dr Ward and many believe the trial was to silence him. Robertson, who was the author of Stephen Ward was Innocent, OK, described this failure as 'unconscionable'. In March 1963 Profumo declared in the House of Commons that there was 'no impropriety whatsoever in my acquaintanceship with Miss Keeler.' Mandy Rice-Davies (left) who rose to fame for her part in the 'Profumo Affair' sits in a car with Christine Keeler (right) after the hearing at the Old Bailey in 1963 However the documentary suggests that MI5 knew this would be a lie and Ward's handler, who went by the name of Woods, knew from day one about Clivedon, according to Mangold. Mangold revealed how Ward agreed to cooperate with the security service to 'honey trap' Russia naval attache and spy Yevgeny Ivanov. Ivanov slept with Keeler and Ward had a genuine friendship with the Russian spy with the two men attempting to organise a summit between Nikita Khrushchev and John F Kennedy. Yet the government viewed Ward as a threat and feared he would expose Profumo. The documentary reveals a secret meeting on March 27 1963 between the home secretary, Henry Brooke, Met chief constable, Sir Joseph Simpson, and security service head, Roger Hollis. Despite minutes from the meeting disappearing, Mangold believes the home secretary, Henry Brooke, used it to highlight how the Met needed to 'get' Ward. This led to the police tapping Ward's phone and having officers stationed outside of his practice. In May, Ward rang Macmillan's office to demand a meeting, prompting the prime minister's private secretary to brief the PM. Robertson crucially believes the time of the memo is crucial because it fits between Profumo's lie in March and his confession in June. 'A period in which they knew that Ward was the smoking gun and they wanted to silence him,' Robertson said. He added how Ward deserves a royal pardon after the memo confirmed political involvement. The judge at the Old Bailey asked Ward where his friends were, after none had come to support him, which Mangold and Robertson believe that this infers an intervention from MI5. Secrecy laws have prevented official papers about the affair from being made public until 2046 which include parts of the Denning report into cabinet morals. The historic Bull Mansion in downtown Worcester was sold to a Rhode Island-based company for $1,160,000, according to Worcester Registry of Deeds records. Arkland LLC is listed as the buyer, the records show. As part of the transaction, the company appears to have paid $76,000 owed in back taxes. The 14,600-square-foot building at 55 Pearl St. has a long history, stretching back before the Civil War. Daniel Wesson, of the firearms manufacturing company Smith & Wesson, had the mansion built as a wedding gift for his daughter. She married an optometrist named George Bull, leading to it being named the Bull Mansion. Worcester records show the property is accessed at $699,900. Bull Mansion said in a Jan. 3 Facebook post that it was reopening next month. Wonderful news! Bull Mansion will be reopening the first week of February! More details to be provided shortly, the post read. From Apache attack helicopters, Chinook heavy-lift choppers and T-90 main battle tanks to the anti-satellite missile, Sukhoi-30 fighter jets and K-9 Vajra-T self-propelled howitzers, India on Sunday showcased its growing military might at the 71st Republic Day parade on New Delhis Rajpath. Before the parade began, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to the countrys martyrs by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial at the India Gate for the first time instead of the Amar Jawan Jyoti the traditional wreath-laying venue. The PM inaugurated the memorial last February. Brazils president Jair Messias Bolsonaro was the chief guest at the parade attended by almost 150,000 people, with millions watching the ceremonial event on televisions at home. President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, defence minister Rajnath Singh, national security adviser Ajit Doval, the chief of defence staff and three service chiefs were among those who attended the parade. An artillery battery presented a 21-gun salute before the parade began. Lieutenant General Asit Mistry, General Officer Commanding, HQs Delhi Area, was the parade commander. The Indian Air Forces US-made AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and CH-47F (I) Chinook heavy-lift helicopters appeared in the Republic Day fly-past for the first time and were a hit among spectators, who began queuing up outside different enclosures as early as 5am on a foggy Sunday morning. Five Apaches and three Chinooks the IAFs latest acquisitions took part in the fly-past consisting of 45 aircraft, including 16 fighter jets. Thrilling the crowds, the fly-past featured five Jaguar deep strike penetration aircraft in an arrowhead formation, flying at a height of 300 metres at 780 kmph. The Jaguars were followed by five upgraded MiG-29 air superiority fighters, also in an arrowhead formation and three Sukhoi-30 MKI jets in the Trishul manoeuvre (making a trident in the skies). One of the highlights of the fly-past was a high speed manoeuvre by solitary Su-30 fighter flying at 900 kmph. Other planes that took part in the display included C-17 Globemaster III heavy lifters, C-130J Super Hercules special operations aircraft, Rudra advanced light helicopter (ALH) Mk IV WSI, and the armys Dhruv ALH. If the fly-past left the spectators spellbound, the parade on the ground was just as spectacular, featuring the anti-satellite missile, T-90 tanks, infantry combat vehicles, the Dhanush artillery gun, Akash air defence system, smartly turned out marching contingents and bands from the armed forces and the para military. A horse-mounted column of the armys 61 Cavalry (the only active horse cavalry regiment in the world) and the Border Security Forces bright and colorful camel contingent were a big draw among the spectators. More than 75 dressing items are required to ceremonially dress the camels and their riders. The marching contingent of the elite Parachute Regiment also left the crowds impressed. Captain Tania Sher Gill, a fourth-generation army officer, led an all-male marching contingent of the Corps of Signals at the parade. She was the parade adjutant at the Army Day parade on January 15. The tableaux featured in the parade included one by military veterans a recognition of their selfless service to the country. It showcased the theme Force behind the Force. The naval tableau displayed its firepower in all three dimensions surface, sub-surface and air. It had mock-ups of a Kolkata-class stealth destroyer armed with BrahMos missiles, the Kalvari submarine with its Exocet missiles and the P-8I submarine hunter aircraft with its Harpoons. The IAF tableau featured mock-ups of Rafale, Tejas light combat aircraft, Akash missile system and Astra beyond visual range air-to-air missile. Jammu and Kashmir, which participated in the parade for the first time as a Union Territory, had the Back to Village programme as the theme for its tableau. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON (Reuters) - The United States is arranging a charter flight on Sunday to bring its citizens and diplomats back from the Chinese city of Wuhan, epicenter of the outbreak of a new coronavirus, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday. The plane, with around 230 people, will carry diplomats from the U.S. consulate as well as U.S. citizens and their families, the Journal reported, citing a person familiar with the operation. Washington was given approval for the operation from China's Foreign Ministry and other government agencies following negotiations in recent days, the newspaper said. A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Beijing said that on Thursday, the State Department had ordered the departure of family members and all U.S. government employees at its Wuhan consulate, but declined to comment on the report that other U.S. citizens would be evacuated from the city. The decision to move U.S. consulate staff and families was due to the outbreak of the coronavirus "and logistical disruptions stemming from restricted transportation and overwhelmed hospitals in the city of Wuhan," the spokesperson said in a statement emailed to Reuters. (Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Bengaluru and Tony Munroe in Beijing; Editing by Frances Kerry) But along with general silence, there was confusion. The announcements about which vehicles were allowed on the roads were murky, leaving even police officers befuddled. First, the Wuhan authorities said that most cars should stay off the roads and that a fleet of 6,000 taxis would be on call to transport people in need and deliver food and medicine. Then, the authorities said drivers would be notified by text message if they had to stay off the roads. Nobody seemed to receive text messages on Sunday. My understanding, a police officer said, is that you can drive in your district if you dont get a text message telling you that you cant. But you should check that with the transport authorities. In the end, most drivers stayed off the streets. But as the day went on, more ventured out, and the police did not seem to do much about it. For some residents, it was another exasperating fumble by Wuhan officials who many believe have mishandled the epidemic. But most seemed to accept the restrictions with the same stoicism that many have shown since the city imposed bans on leaving for all but a select few. On Sunday morning, many groceries in Wuhan were crowded with residents stocking up, especially on fresh vegetables, fruit and meat, in case even tighter rules might be announced that impeded food supplies or that deterred them from leaving home. Because its the New Year, a lot of stores close anyway, and now we have the disease and now this, said Ai Wenjun, who had lined up to pay for a basket of turnips, cabbage and beans. Each extra thing makes me worry more. Tehran, Jan 26, 2020 (AFP) - Iran's top diplomat Mohammad Javad Zarif hosted his Omani counterpart Yusuf bin Alawi on Sunday for the second time within a week for talks on security in the sensitive Gulf. Alawi was making the visit to Tehran on the tail end of his trip to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, which Zarif skipped after scheduling changes to the annual event. Zarif and Alawi discussed "bilateral cooperation regarding the Strait of Hormuz and emphasized their governments' will... to guarantee maritime and energy security for all," Iran's foreign ministry said in a statement. It was their second meeting in the Iranian capital since Tuesday and at least their fourth encounter since late July. Zarif's withdrawal from Davos was due to "unilateral changes in mutually agreed arrangements on part of WEF", Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said in a tweet. The spokesman lamented that it was a "missed opportunity for dialogue". Tensions have soared in the region and especially between Tehran and Washington since a US drone strike killed Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad on January 3. Iran retaliated five days later by launching a wave of missiles at US troops stationed in Iraq. Tehran had been on high alert hours later when its air defenses mistakenly shot down a Ukraine International Airlines passenger jet, killing all 176 people on board. Oman has often acted as a mediator between Iran and its regional foes and also played a key role in facilitating talks involving the United States that lead to the 2016 nuclear deal. US President Donald Trump's administration withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and began reimposing sanctions on the Islamic republic, which retaliated by scaling back some of its nuclear commitments. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday sought the urgent intervention of the External Affairs Ministry for "suitable monetary compensation" from the Nepal government to relatives of eight tourists from Kerala who died at a resort in that country. In a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, he said their untimely deaths has been a "severe blow to their families." "Prima facie, it is clear that there has been negligence on the part of the service providers and there appears to be failure of regulatory mechanisms which ought to have been in place," Vijayan said in the letter. He said the Indian government should request the Nepal government to conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter. "Meanwhile, the Government of Nepal should be persuaded to give a suitable monetary compensation to the families of the victims," Vijayan said. The state government had on January 24 sought a detailed probe into the deaths of eight Malayalee tourists, including four children. The eight Keralites, hailing from Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode, had died on January 21 following possible asphyxiation in their room at a mountainous resort in Nepal. Praveen Nair, an IT professional from Dubai, his wife and three children and Ranjit, also a software engineer, his wife and a son had died in the resort. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A mother in B.C. is pleading with the Canadian government to evacuate her daughter from the locked-down city of Wuhan, China, saying the situation is "life-threatening." Lily Lu's 30-year-old daughter, Fiona Dong, travelled to Wuhan from Taiwan, where she is pursuing a PhD, on January 10 to visit relatives. Dong, a Canadian citizen, was scheduled to fly back to Taiwan on January 27, but is now hunkered down at her relatives' home as the virus spreads. "I'm worried so much, I can't sleep every day. Every day if she can't get out, she's [in] danger. She's my only daughter so I'm so concerned about that," Lu said. Forty-two people have died from the coronavirus, which now infects 1,400 people and has been detected in Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Nepal, and the United States. Canada announced its first "presumptive" case of the coronavirus on Saturday. Wuhan, a city with a population of about 11 million, has been put on lockdown to prevent the virus from spreading, a public health measure the World Health Organization called "unprecedented." Public transit in the city has been shuttered, and as of Saturday, officials had banned most vehicles, including private cars, from the downtown area. Speaking from her cellphone, Dong said she hasn't gone outside since the lockdown began, but from her windows she sees few people in the streets, all of them donning medical masks. "I have no idea when I will be able to leave here," she said. "I'm in a dangerous situation." Submitted by Lily Lu Dong says she now spends her days holed up inside, monitoring the news and WeChat, and checking in with her mother in Vancouver. Her family has begun stockpiling food. She's hoping Canada will move to evacuate its citizens from the region. "I want to know what the government is going to do for Canadians in Wuhan. So far they haven't taken any action," she said. Story continues "We can't just stay at home and hope that the officials help us." The United States is arranging a charter flight on Sunday to bring its citizens and diplomats back from Wuhan. France has also announced plans to evacuate citizens. In a statement, Global Affairs Canada said it is "closely monitoring the situation. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously." GAC is recommending that Canadians avoid non-essential travel to the province of Hubei, including the cities of Wuhan, Huanggang and Ezhou. There are currently 67 Canadians in Hubei who have registered with the Registration of Canadians Abroad Service. Registration with the service is voluntary and doesn't accurately reflect the number of Canadians in the region. Lu is now contacting American embassies, hoping her daughter can secure a seat on the American plane set to leave on Sunday, calling her plight "urgent." "That's the only hope for her to get out. There's no time, the Chinese government didn't say when they will open the city, so the longer she stays there the more danger she's [in]." Photograph: Alfredo Estrella/AFP via Getty Images When a group of Central American families forded the Suchiate River into Mexico last week, they were greeted by a wall of national guardsmen who locked riot shields and fired teargas into the crowd. Questioned about the incident, Mexicos president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, dismissed it as an isolated case and said such scenes were not the style of this government. The very next day, the national guard once again teargassed migrants near the border with Guatemala. News footage showed women and children howling in distress as guardsmen rounded them up and loaded them on to buses. Asi fueron los primeros momentos del operativo de la Guardia Nacional contra la #CaravanaMigrante pic.twitter.com/IH1hpPsemV Alberto Pradilla (@albertopradilla) January 24, 2020 The president, generally referred to as Amlo, once railed against the abuse visited on migrants. In opposition, he pleaded for Mexico to provide safe passage to people heading for the US border. But 13 months into his presidency and under the looming threat of US tariffs Amlo has assumed a new role: immigration enforcer. Related: Central American migrants rounded up by armed guardsmen at Mexico border The president has struggled to reconcile his past rhetoric with current actions, claiming good intentions at every turn, invoking human rights and even citing scripture to call for the proper treatment of migrants. But Amlo has staunchly defended the national guard, a militarised police force he created last year ostensibly to fight organized crime. Its first deployment was against migrants, even as violence continues to wrack the country. The national guard resisted a lot because there was aggression, on the part of the migrants, he told reporters. They didnt fall in the trap of responding with violence, which is possibly what the leaders of these caravans and our political adversaries were looking for. Story continues Cabinet ministers parroted the same line: In no way was there an act of repression, said the interior minister, Olga Sanchez Cordero. A tragedy was avoided, said the foreign minister, Marcelo Ebrard. The National Immigration Institute, meanwhile, said that it had rescued 800 migrants using the word as a euphemism for arrested. As he swept to power in 2018, Amlo promised to end a bitter history of government repression: under successive administrations, soldiers and police have often been deployed to disperse and disappear protesters and opposition activists. Mexico has a long history of its government acting out against its citizens, said Esteban Illades, editor of the magazine Nexos. But the arrival of migrant caravans from Central America has exposed the extreme ideological promiscuity of Mexican politics. Like his ministers, members of Amlos coalition have followed the presidents lead and turned against the caravans. Migrants charge at members of the Mexican national guard at the border crossing between Guatemala and Mexico, near Ciudad Hidalgo. Photograph: Marco Ugarte/AP Those who have criticized heavy-handed responses, meanwhile, include politicians from past administrations, whose immigration policies failed to protect migrants against predatory gangs who target them for kidnapping and extorting them. They are weaponising the suffering of the people coming here, Rodolfo Soriano-Nunez, a sociologist in Mexico City, said of the response from many of Amlos opponents. The debate has played out in the shadow of Donald Trumps punitive migration policies, and his threats to inflict economic pain on countries that fail to stop the mass movement of people towards the US. The Mexican government still has to save face, or at least pretend they can, despite the fact that Trump is dictating Mexican migration policy that Mexico has agreed to become Trumps wall, said Carlos Bravo Regidor, a political pundit in Mexico City. Like his predecessors, Amlo has found that Mexican presidents struggle to forge a migration policy of their own. Related: Fleeing a hell the US helped create: why Central Americans journey north His administration initially promised humanitarian visas to migrants, which would allow them to work or study in Mexico for a year. But the initiative was disbanded after migrants simply used to the visas to transit the country. Polls show public opinion has soured on migrants, giving Amlo a free hand to launch a crackdown. As authorities rounded up migrants last week, human rights workers confirmed several cases in which Mexican officials separated children from their parents for up to two days. Were facing an unmanageable scenario, Carlos Heredia, a professor at the CIDE university, told the newspaper El Financiero. We sold our soul and weve become the wall. New Delhi, Jan 26 : In a couple of weeks, filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopras "Shikara" will bring to the big screen the story of exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley. This aspect of Kashmirs history has never normally received Bollywoods attention, which has so far explored Kashmir only as a gorgeous backdrop for filming songs or, since around early nineties, as script material to make films about Islamic terror and cross-border violence. While beauteous locations and terrorism as a plot continue to inspire Bollywood, a few filmmakers are now casting an unflinching gaze at the subject of the Kashmiri Hindu identity and the community's plight. In all these years, there was just one film that squarely touched upon the subject -- Ashoke Pandit's 2004 release "Sheen". Apart from Chopra's film, Vivek Agnihotri will take forward the narrative with his next "The Kashmir Files", based on the genocide of Kashmiri Hindus. The film is scheduled to hit screens on August 15, 2020. The newfound interest in the Kashmiri Hindu also saw Madhu Mantena announcing a film on Kota Rani, the last Hindu queen of Kashmir who ruled until 1339. "Kashmir has always been used to showcase its beauty. It has always been used as an integral part of the narrative of Indian cinema. The beauty and landscape have been used to enhance beautification of the Valley," trade expert Girish Johar told IANS, adding that "now filmmakers are looking for relevant stories, which are unheard and share it with the audience". Chopra's "Shikara: The Untold Story Of Kashmiri Pandits" is being touted as a "story of resilience in the face of insurmountable odds", and is being described as the story of a love that remains "unextinguished through 30 years of exile. A timeless love story in the worst of times". "Shikara" addresses the issue of ethnic cleansing and riots that took place in 1989 and 1990 in Kashmir, which had a direct and lasting impact on the lives of Kashmiri Pandits. The film chronicles the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from Kashmir on the night of January 19, 1990, through the story of Shiv Kumar Dhar (essayed by Aadil Khan) and Shanti Dhar (essayed by Sadia). It also shows the layers of blooming romance in the conflict-ridden state of Kashmir. "It has been 30 years and nothing has been done yet. Koi shor nahi macha (There was no clamour about this)," Chopra said recently at an event, adding: "My hope is that ab toh shor macha do." "I want people to go online and just write 'Sorry to all the Kashmiri Pandits' as we didn't do anything. Sorry to all of you who continue to live in refugee camps even after 30 years of the exodus. This is my only hope. We are still waiting to hear 'we are sorry, Kashmiri Pandits'. The only thing to hate is hate. I hope this message goes out all around the country," added Vidhu, who worked on the film for 11 years. Rahul Pandita, author of the book, "Our Moon Has Blood Clots: The Exodus Of Kashmiri Pandits", has turned Bollywood screenwriter for the film. At an event, Pandita said: "Justice ki toh baat jaane dijiye (forget justice), at the very least we need an acknowledgement". The love affair between Bollywood and Kashmir is long-standing -- from being a mirror to the winter wonderland with snow-swept peaks and slopes to showing a glimpse of the land with fantastical touch with sparkling waterfalls, green meadows and landscape full of flowers. No one can forget Shammi Kapoor and Sharmila Tagore's "Kashmir Ki Kali" or Saira Banu's song "Kashmir ki kali hoon main". In fact, late Shammi Kapoor had such an admiration for the Valley that it is believed that going to Kashmir to capture the beauty of the state in at least one song became an important deal-breaker for producers of his films. The love faded with stories getting consumed by the tension in the Valley. The second phase of Bollywood interest in Kashmir was all about chaos, clashes and conflicts -- these themes were woven together to narrate tales from Kashmir in Bollywood. It started with border conflict appearing in films of the early nineties like Mani Ratnam's "Roja" and Raj Kapoor's "Henna". Then there was Vidhu Vinod Chopra's war drama "Mission Kashmir" and Shoojit Sircar's simple "Yahaan" reflecting the cracks of the state. The socio-political complexity also formed the crux of Vishal Bhardwaj's "Haider" and Sajid Ali's "Laila Majnu". There were heart-warming tales, sinister stories, and love notes from troubled times. During this phase, filmmakers used the border conflict and increased presence of the Army to narrate out and out commercial stories high on emotions of patriotism, nationalism and brotherhood. Salman Khan's "Bajrangi Bhaijaan", Shah Rukh Khan's "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" and Vicky Kaushal's "Uri: The Surgical Strike" have been shining examples lately. There's also been arthouse and crossover interest in these if Islamic terror over the years. Ashvin Kumar's "No Fathers in Kashmir" tells the story of a British-Kashmiri teenager in search of her father. LA-based Kashmiri filmmaker Danish Renzu's "Half Widow" revolves around a woman from Srinagar in Kashmir, who tries to find her husband who has allegedly been abducted by Indian armed forces. Aijaz Khan's "Hamid", set against the backdrop of terror in Kashmir, explores an unlikely bond between an eight-year-old Kashmiri Muslim boy and a hardliner Hindu CRPF trooper from the heartland who is posted in the Valley. Trade expert Rajesh Thadani feels the end of Article 370 has marked new beginnings for stories coming out of Kashmir. "After Article 370, people will shoot there more often and show these films. It has become easier to shoot at new locales of Kashmir instead of going to foreign locales," Thadani said. However, "Hamid" director Aijaz feels it's not that easy. "I haven't been able to go to Kashmir since the scrapping of Article 370. But my friends tell me that things are not normal in the Valley. Not many people get to know the truth, but things are still bad. I hope it becomes better," Aijaz said, adding: "There are many stories waiting to be told from Kashmir." Bollywood's affair with Kashmir has a new screenplay. Will it work to highlight the Kashmiri Hindu, whose plight has been forgotten by history of his own motherland? (Sugandha Rawal can be contacted at sugandha.r@ians.in) Libyas oil production has plunged by approximately three-quarters since forces loyal to renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar launched a blockade a week ago, the National Oil Corporation (NOC) has said. The fall, from 1.2 million barrels per day to just over 320,000, has caused estimated losses of $256m since the closure of major oil fields and ports in the east and south of the country, the NOC said in a statement on Saturday. Haftar, who controls the east and large swaths of the south, began an offensive in April last year to seize the capital, Tripoli, from the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA). Pro-Haftar forces blockaded the main oil terminals in eastern Libya the day before an international summit in Berlin on January 19 that called for the end of foreign interference in the conflict and a resumption of the peace process. The move to cripple the countrys main income source was a protest against Turkeys decision to send military advisers and trainers to support the GNA. Haftar has had support from Russia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt. Exports were suspended at the ports of Brega, Ras Lanouf, Al-Sidra, Al-Hariga and Zweitina in the countrys oil crescent, the conduit for the majority of Libyas crude exports. The NOC also denounced the closure of valves at a pumping station in the southwest, which shut down production at the major fields of Al-Sharara and Al-Fil. The corporation made assurances that fuel is still available in most regions of Libya, but called for an end to the blockades to ensure continuing supply of fuel products to all regions and to restore vital revenues to the Libyan economy. The oil-rich North African state has been in turmoil since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising that overthrew and killed longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi. The country currently has two rival administrations the GNA in Tripoli and another allied with Haftar in the east while its oil sector has frequently been the target of attacks. The embassies of the United States and the United Kingdom as well as the European Union delegation in Libya called this week for the immediate resumption of NOC operations, warning of the risks of exacerbating the humanitarian situation in the country. Oil production had already plummeted to less than 500,000 barrels per day between 2014 and 2016 due to fighting and attempts by rival factions to control the countrys key resource. Truce violated Meanwhile, the United Nations mission to Libya (UNSMIL) said in a statement on Saturday that several countries backing Libyas warring factions had violated an arms embargo which they agreed to uphold a week ago at the summit in Berlin. The Berlin summit was attended by high-level delegations from Russia, Turkey, France, Italy, UK, US, the UAE and others. Participants agreed at the summit hosted by Germany and the UN to push the warring sides to a lasting ceasefire and respect an existing UN arms embargo. 200125164718802 UNSMIL said the truce which went into effect January 12 at the initiative of Turkey and Russia initially led to a remarked reduction of hostilities in Tripoli [and] provided a much-needed respite for civilians in the capital. But over the last ten days, numerous cargo and other flights have been observed landing at Libyan airports in the western and eastern parts of the country providing the parties with advanced weapons, armoured vehicles, advisers and fighters, it added. The mission condemns these ongoing violations, which risk plunging the country into a renewed and intensified round of fighting. The UN mission blamed several countries which were present at the Berlin conference, without naming them. Meanwhile, Al Jazeeras Mahmoud Abdelwahed, reporting from Tripoli, said a Moroccan man was killed and three other civilians wounded in rocket attacks on the capital. The Tripoli-based government has accused Haftars forces of committing war crimes by targeting residential areas, Abdelwahed said. It also says that these are violations of the truce agreed by Turkey and Russia and that they are derailing the peace talks that are due to be held in February in Geneva. More than 3,000 people have been killed and 200,000 others displaced since Haftars forces launched the offensive to seize Tripoli. Wearing a tall, white hat and coat, 5-year-old Chef Jensen George of The Woodlands area distributed menus and waited patiently for his guests order. What would you like? he said, before asking his mother what the requested California Roll is with a puzzled expression. Shortly after, the young chef walked around the countertop and seating to begin chopping and slicing up the popular sushi dish next to painted scenes of European streets and the Mediterranean Sea at The Woodlands Childrens Museums brand-new Play Cafe. The cafe opened on Saturday to provide a permanent space for children, including Jensen, to explore various cuisines and cultures while also growing parent-child interaction. Located in the museums market exhibit, he and others may now get a taste of a rotation of international foods and recipes throughout the year, starting with Asian cuisine due to the Lunar Year, along with a food display case, food prep station, serving dishes, utensils and more. Different art projects corresponding to the different cuisine will also be featured in The Muse. The Woodlands Childrens Museums Executive Director Angela Colton said its mission to teach culture through art while exposing the children subliminally to different cultures. While the chocolate milk and chopstick-friendly meals Jensen chose to serve may only be for pretend for now, the hope is that he and other children will gain real knowledge while engaging through imaginative play. Through imaginative play they can be taken to a different culture and think about or imagine how certain foods might taste or look, Colton said. This particular cafe really initiates a lot of interaction between adult and child, and we have been seeing that so much, and we are so excited about that. We really thought it would be the children sitting at the counter, but its the children cooking and the moms and dads and grandmas who are at the counter, and we love that, she exclaimed. The vision is shared by the museum and a collaborative effort that made it possible to launch the cafe through sponsors and grants from Nordstrom Charitable Giving and Junior League of The Woodlands, as well as gifts from The Martineau Family and The Rieser Family Foundation. Community Vice President Cathie Fuller with the Junior League of The Woodlands felt like the Play Cafe was a perfect match for its own mission and its national Kids in the Kitchen program that exists to help promote healthy appetites in young people, such as to help combat diabetes and obesity. The ongoing partnership, which will continue to provide volunteers, was able to provide a grant over $4,000 to fund the project, including for healthy food demonstrations. I think for us it was a no brainer, Fuller said noting a focus on volunteerism and the needs of women and children in North Harris and South Montgomery counties. We just want to work with the Childrens Museum. They not only serve our children, and not only our children, but through their outreach as well. On Saturday, Colton shared Montgomery County Community Foundations Executive Director Julie Martineau had approached the museum after visiting with her grandchildren with an interest in creating a space in the museum to honor her late husband, Russ Martineau. I personally think the Childrens Museum is just a jewel, and it is such a great place for children to play and experience other worlds, other cultures, Martineau said. Imagination and play is so important to the emotional development of a child and then to be able to learn about other cultures here is also important because it is a safe place to do that. Before his battle with cancer, Russ Martineau served as a Sergeant with the Pacific Air Forces during the Vietnam War. He would later earn his social work degree, which Colton said he put to work in the community by helping aging veterans at the VA medical center in Houston. Russs focus on community and family, coupled with the interest in food and travel were the perfect match for the cafe concept, Colton said. You might have noticed the sign above the cafe, Russs place. We are so excited to honor Russ and the Martineau family through the Martineau exhibit. Julie Martineau described the exhibit as a dream come true and her mother, Jane Peperone, of The Woodlands joined her in commending the museum. I can see the love that is around here and how happy the kids are, Peperone said. They need to put it out more because I just feel it is the perfect place for this age. While a couple of other Play Cafes are in Houston and in College Station, Sponsorship Coordinator Jennifer Kraus, who was also involved in the vision after being inspired by parent interaction at another activity at The Woodlands Childrens Museum, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, said this is the sole location in Montgomery County. Back at the market exhibit in The Woodlands, Noemi Jimenez watched her 1-year-old daughter, Pia Magadi, push a buggy containing several oranges and an ear of corn from the farm fresh stand displayed next to the cafe where Jensen packed a to-go box. I think it is great, Jimenez said. She loves pushing her own cart and picking her own fruits and veggies. Shes actually vegetarian, so its nice that they have a big wide array of all the fruits and veggies she loves. She picked all of her favorites, she added with a laugh. She loves corns and carrots, and I think she thinks these are peaches. Up next, the museum hopes to improve its toddler gallery with new components. More fundraiser opportunities are expected. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and located at The Panther Creek Village Center, 4775 W Panther Creek Dr #280 in The Woodlands. It is closed on Mondays during the school year, except for booked field trips for preschools, daycares and schools. It is open on Sundays from 12-5 p.m. For more information, call or visit the museums website. mellsworth@hcnonline.com China virus toll rises, spurring several countries into action Iran Press TV Sunday, 26 January 2020 6:28 AM China is struggling to tackle the outbreak of a mysterious viral disease, which has infected nearly 2,000 people and claimed the lives of at least 56 others nationwide, spurring a number of countries at risk into taking precautionary measures. President Xi Jinping has admitted that his country is facing a "grave situation." "It is our responsibility to prevent and control [the epidemic]," President Xi said at a meeting he chaired to discuss the coronovirus crisis on Saturday. He ordered all levels of government to "put people's life and health as top priority" and ordered groups to be sent to Hubei Province, the epicenter of the outbreak, to work directly on the ground. The never-before-seen virus began to infect people in a seafood and poultry market in the central city of Wuhan, with a population of 11 million people, late last year. As of Saturday morning, authorities confirmed that the death toll had risen to 56, while 1,975 cases of infection had been listed across the country. Chinese authorities have banned trade in wildlife in markets and restaurants across the nation. The embargo also includes e-commerce. According to the China National Radio, schools and universities will for now remain closed. Officials have so far placed several cities, including Wuhan, under a lockdown in an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus. It has been transmitting nevertheless. Urban transport and outgoing flights have been suspended. suspended. On Sunday, the government announced a partial lockdown on the southern city of Shantou, where two cases have been detected. Health authorities in the capital, Beijing, sent a text message to citizens calling on them to avoid shaking hands and advising them to use a traditional gesture instead. Global spread The virus, which is similar to the fatal severe respiratory syndrome (SARS), has crossed China's borders and infected several people around the world. Nearly 40 people have tested positive across the globe, including four cases in Australia, four in Japan, three in France, and two in the US. Several people have also been diagnosed with the disease in the Chinese territories of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao. The South Asian countries of South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand have also detected cases of infection. The global scare has driven several countries to adopt measures that would limit the risk of the infection spreading to more people. In Hong Kong, a state of emergency is in place. Schools will remain closed until February 17. All Lunar New Year celebrations have been called off and Disneyland and Ocean Park amusement centers were shut as of Sunday. The Chinese community in the French cities of Paris and Bordeaux have canceled the Lunar New Year parades as precautionary measures to keep the disease in check. Several countries have announced plans to evacuate their citizens from Wuhan. Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe talked Sunday of a decision "to send back all (Japanese citizens in Wuhan) to Japan if they wish so, by every means including a chartered flight." The United States said on Sunday that it would relocate its diplomats at its Wuhan consulate in China. The State Department will also offer a limited number of seats to private US citizens on a flight from China to San Francisco on Tuesday. Canada on Sunday declared the first "presumptive" case of the virus in a resident who had returned from Wuhan. The patient, a male in his 50s, had arrived in Toronto on Wednesday and was hospitalized the next day after developing symptoms of the disease, officials said. Many airports around the world are screening all passengers on incoming flights from China to counter the threat. Meanwhile, a study conducted at Imperial College London has suggested that the number of cases may be many times higher than what has been reported. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Invoking Sikhism founder Guru Nanak's Dev message of "na koi Hindu, na koi Musalman", Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh here on Sunday vowed to protect the country's secular fabric. Addressing a function to mark the 71st Republic Day, the chief minister also vowed to protect one and all, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. The CM in a press statement said he would "not allow the country's secular fabric to be destroyed at any cost". "Secularism was the message of our guru, whose philosophy of 'na koi Hindu, na koi Musalman, sab rab ke bande' is imbued in our consciousness," said Singh. "The foundation of our Constitution was based on secular and socialistic democracy," added Singh, stressing that this secular and socialistic structure strengthened the nation. "There are some voices being raised in the country. Our Punjab Vidhan Sabha, a few days back, adopted a resolution which is now before the entire nation," he said without mentioning the Citizenship Amendment Act. On January 17, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha had adopted by voice vote a resolution seeking the immediate repeal of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act, the second state in the country to do so after Kerala. Greeting people, Singh unfurled the Tricolour and also took a salute during a parade followed by a cultural extravaganza by schoolchildren. The Republic Day celebrations in the state witnessed an inspiring display of skill by the Special Operations Group, constituted by the CM as an elite, specially trained force to combat terrorism, infiltration, hijacking and other sensitive threat situations. During his address, Singh said Punjab was blessed by the historic opening of Kartarpur Corridor. The state was also honoured to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary year of Guru Nanak Dev; the 399th birth anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur; the 100th birth anniversary of Acharya Shri Mahapragya -- the 10th head of Svetambar Terapanth order of Jainism-- the 750th birth anniversary of Bhagat Namdev and the 350th birth anniversary of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, he said. At the same time, he said his government would continue to work for the progress of Punjab, which had attracted investment to the tune of Rs 57,735 crore in the past over two years. He said the efforts to bring in industry would continue in order to tackle unemployment, which he termed the biggest challenge faced by the state. Under the "Ghar-Ghar Rozgar te Karobaar Scheme", 11 lakh jobs had been given to unemployed youth in the state by the state government, he claimed. Singh announced that new medical colleges will be set up in Mohali, Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur. The CM also underscored the importance given by his government to affordable health care through the Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana, covering 48 lakh families. Over 1 lakh people have already availed free cashless treatment under the scheme, he added. Terming the drug menace as an issue of grave concern, Singh said his government remained committed to the total elimination of the problem. The special task force set up to tackle the menace had shown excellent results with as many as 34,373 cases registered so far under the NDPS Act, he said, adding that 42,571 people had been arrested with the recovery of 974 of kg heroin. Over one lakh addicts are being treated at the 193 out patient opioid assisted treatment centres established by the government, the CM said. The Punjab CM also stressed the need for conserving the depleting water table. He hoped that the Punjab Water Resources (Management and Regulation) Act will help address the problem in a big way. Amarinder Singh also announced a series of welfare and development initiatives for Mohali district, including an integrated waste management system for the disposal of waste, a new sewage treatment Plant and an industrial training institute at Kharar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A senior Cabinet minister today said he believes HS2 will be given the go ahead by the government despite rising concerns about the cost of the project and the prospect of a Tory civil war. The government is expected to make a final decision in the coming weeks on whether to allow the proposed high speed railway network to proceed. But Boris Johnson is under mounting pressure to scrap the initiative after an official government review suggested costs could spiral to as much as 106 billion. A large number of Conservative MPs are vehemently against the planned railway line which is designed to better connect London and a number of cities in the north of England. But Stephen Barclay, the Brexit Secretary, said this morning it was his gut feeling that it will be given the green light. He said the Tories had made a 'clear commitment to level up all parts of the United Kingdom' and that HS2 was a 'key part' in delivering on that. Stephen Barclay, pictured arriving at the BBC in London this morning, said his gut feeling is that HS2 will be given the green light by the government An official government review suggested HS2 could end up costing 106 billion having been costed at 56 billion in 2015 Mr Barclay is viewed in Westminster as a loyal supporter of Mr Johnson and his comments are therefore likely to be taken as a strong hint that the Prime Minister is leaning towards allowing the project to proceed. His intervention came after it was claimed that even if HS2 is imminently scrapped it would still cost taxpayers 12 billion because of compensation payments and work already done. Mr Barclay told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: 'We have got a clear commitment to level up all parts of the United Kingdom. 'That was a big part of our commitment at the general election and High Speed Two plays an important part in that. 'But it is important we also get value for money. That is why the National Audit Office has been looking at this, it is also why we commissioned the additional review to look at the concerns in terms of the costs. 'But above all we have got a very clear commitment to level up all parts of the UK.' Told that costs for HS2 were spiralling out of control, Mr Barclay replied: 'That is why we have commissioned the additional review to look at those costs. It is why the Transport Secretary has committed to being very transparent in terms of those costs and setting those out. 'But above all we have a strong commitment to levelling up all parts of the United Kingdom. 'High Speed Two is a key part of that, not just from speed but more from a capacity point of view in the line and that is a very clear commitment we have given the north.' Asked if his gut feeling on the project going ahead was yes or no, he said: 'Yes.' The HS2 route would initially link London and Birmingham with the second phase of the project then heading north to Manchester and Leeds HS2 would allow trains to travel at speeds of up to 250mph. That would mean much faster journeys between key UK cities. The graphic shows times for HS2 passengers (in red) verses the current times (in blue) Mr Johnson will face a Tory rebellion if he scraps the project or if he agrees to proceed with it. Some Tory MPs believe the project is crucial to boosting economic prosperity in the north of England while others are adamant it is a waste of money. A group of anti-HS2 Conservative backbenchers published a video last week in which they called for it to be shelved and for the money to be spent on smaller infrastructure projects instead. The National Audit Office said last week that the risks associated with HS2 had been under-estimated and it is impossible to 'estimate with certainty what the final cost could be'. A government-commissioned review led by former HS2 Ltd chairman Doug Oakervee leaked earlier this week stated that the project's bill could reach 106billion, having been costed at 56billion in 2015. The entire first day of Federal Parliament will be dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives in fires and to honour the volunteers and emergency workers who have served the community over the devastating summer. Parliament meets for the first time this year on Tuesday, February 4, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison will move a motion of condolence. United States Ambassador Arthur B. Culvahouse and Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the National Flag Raising and Citizenship Ceremony in Canberra on Sunday. Credit:Mick Tsikas The motion of condolence will be the only formal business for the day and all MPs will be given an opportunity to speak. Mr Morrison said he had agreed on the arrangements with Labor leader Anthony Albanese as a mark of respect to show "the deep gratitude felt by all Australians". Nearly 20 years ago, when Harrisburg University President Eric Darr worked with former Harrisburg Mayor Stephen R. Reed, he said he saw the citys leader as "bigger than life. "From my perspective, its already hard to try new things and to try to change the world, Darr said in a phone interview with PennLive on Saturday. Steve wasnt afraid to try to change the world. Reed died Saturday at the age of 70. He had been battling cancer. While the former mayors legacy has its share of controversy, one of his glowing successes was his idea to open Harrisburg University. When he was in full Steve Reed mode, he worked to get things done, Darr continued. "Of course, creating the university was near and dear to my heart, Darr said of Reeds vision. "The city of Harrisburg wouldnt be what it is without him. For all of us who call Harrisburg home, we should be grateful for what he did for the city. Darr said he was one of six consultants hired in 2002 to work on turning Reeds idea of launching a downtown university into a reality. Two years ago, he and others at HU saw a brief return of Reeds strong leadership style, which had faded over time as he fought cancer, Darr said. "Many of us who were there when we had the dedication, and he came and spoke, we commented that it was the Steve Reed that we remembered from 15 years ago, Darr said. "It was almost like cancer and age had not ravaged him. When he spoke at the dedication, it was the power and energy and will from years ago. Harrisburg University honored Reed in July 2018 for his contributions to the schools founding with an interactive display in the schools Market Street entryway. Now the school is trying once again to figure out how to recognize his impact on the university. Were still deciding what to do, Darr said. "A couple of years ago, on one of his down days, he told me he found energy in the students in the university. He meant it both literally and figuratively. At HUs groundbreaking ceremony last summer for its new 17-story Health and Science Center, Harrisburg leaders, officials, students, and supporters repeatedly hit on one theme: The city took a gamble creating the school but it seems to have paid off. 23 Harrisburg University groundbreaking for new 17-story building After years of Harrisburg University being cash-strapped, the universitys 2020 outlook is miles away from where it began. The newest 265-foot-tall high-rise, which will be the fourth-tallest building in Harrisburg, is expected to open in the fall of 2021. The building will be embedded in a city block surrounded by restaurants, retail shops, and apartment complexes. Its only a few blocks from the state Capitol Complex. The university opened its doors to students almost 14 years ago. Going from a shoestring budget to now, the thriving institution boasts an enrollment of 6,000 graduate students and about 1,500 full-time and part-time undergraduate students. "Growing up in Harrisburg in the 1980s, one would hear Mayor Steve Reed spoken of with reverence, a visionary, developer Ralph Vartan, who sits on a city committee working toward improving the citys finances, said Saturday. "I remember a readers poll of some sort that ranked my late father as the second most admired public figure in Harrisburg and Mayor Reed as the most admired. As a young man who idolized his father, I thought this Reed fellow must be pretty impressive. He continued: And he was. He had the power to inspire in others a love of community. May he always be remembered for his greatness of spirit, and may his soul rest in peace. I offer my condolences to his family. Darr said when Reed was mayor, he couldnt figure out if people were in "awe of him or if they were "afraid of him because of his strong personality. "The city of Harrisburg would not be what it is today without Steve Reed, Darr said. Without him, all of the things that will follow for many of the projects that Steve was champion of, they will continue to benefit the city and its residents decades and decades into the future. What more could a person want than to leave this world a better place than you found it, and Steve certainly did that. Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. -- The following have been published today on PennLive: Former Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed dies at 70 Once dubbed Harrisburgs mayor for life, Stephen Reed leaves complicated legacy We have Stephen Reed to thank for City Island, Harrisburg U, Restaurant Row and more | Nancy Eshelman Stephen Reed wasnt a crook but a visionary: Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse orders flags lowered to half-staff for Stephen Reed Longtime Harrisburg Mayor Stephen R. Reed through the years: photo gallery Stephen Reeds dying thoughts on Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse, as revealed by Fred Clark Stephen Reed loved Harrisburg Senators baseball so much, he bought the team Politicians had to lie to discredit him: Ex-superintendent Gerald Kohn on Stephen Reed Critics, rivals remember Reed for his warmth, charm: People still knew that he loved this city Whitaker Center thanks Stephen Reed for his help in establishing it as Harrisburgs 'Crown Jewel The gas leak was called the cause of the tragedy was January 25, as a result of an explosion in one of the motels in Donghe, in the east of South Korea, four people were killed, five more were injured. Voice of America reports. It is reported that the explosion occurred on the second floor of the building at a time when guests at the motel were preparing dinner using a gas stove. According to firefighters, at the time of the incident, seven people were in the room: four of them died, another three were seriously injured. Two more people, who were in neighboring rooms, were also wounded. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the country noted that the cause of the explosion could be a gas leak. As we reported before, December 21, at about 1 p.m., an explosion occurred on the 12th floor of an apartment building in Lviv. Local Department of Civil Protection reports that the gas-air mixture exploded. At the moment, the victim was hospitalized. In the apartment where the explosion occurred, 3 windows, entrance doors, and its external cladding are damaged. TUBA CITY, Ariz. - Margaret Bitsues days are filled with prayer: that her son has a clear mind and that he remembers home, a traditional Navajo hogan at the end of a dirt road where a faded yellow ribbon hanging from the cedar trees points to her agony. Bitsue hasnt seen or heard from Brandon Lee Sandoval, the youngest of her four children, in more than two years. Wearing blue jeans, a black shirt and work boots, he left the home in northeastern Arizona before sunrise Sept. 3, 2017, saying he was going to see friends in Phoenix and would be back. I spend most of my days looking down the road expecting him to come up, Bitsue says. The womans words are soft but capture a room at a government centre on the Navajo Nation where people are gathered to talk not about women and girls who have gone missing or been killed, but men and boys. Its part of a growing effort to expand a movement focused on Native American women, who face some of the nations highest rates of homicide, sexual violence and domestic abuse. In Billings, Montana, last year, Reno Charette asked people to wear red and line the rim of sandstone rocks overlooking the city. They brought posters of men, women and children who are missing, and broadened the name of the local movement to Missing and Murdered Indigenous People. All of us, our general community members, were learning more and more about it, so I appreciate the evolution, said Charette, a member of the Crow Tribe. Late last year, the Trump administration announced it would dedicate more resources to all missing and slain Native Americans and Alaska Natives. A presidential task force that will look at ways to solve new and cold cases is scheduled to meet for the first time Wednesday in Washington. We did not want to leave any victim group out, said Trent Shores, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma, who is Choctaw and on the task force. Shores said the Justice Department looked at two databases, both of which had more Native American and Alaska Native males listed as missing than females. No one knows exactly how many Native Americans are missing because some cases go unreported, others arent documented, and there isnt a specific government database tracking the cases, an Associated Press investigation in 2018 found. The Justice Department also looked at a 2016 study funded by the National Institute of Justice that shows Native men are 1.3 times more likely to experience violence than non-Hispanic, white men. It doesnt specifically address deaths and disappearances, but federal officials say it points to underlying causes such as stalking, and physical and sexual violence, and a lack of shelters and treatment centres on tribal land. Shores said an upcoming Justice Department analysis of federal databases and its own data collection process will help officials get a better sense of the problems scope so they can tailor response plans to tribes. What we want to do is go back to Indian Country, tribal leaders and members of law enforcement and say, This is what we found, and heres where we think we need to go. Well need your help, Shores said. Pete Sands, a Navajo musician and filmmaker, welcomed the initiatives but would rather see them solidified through legislation pending in Congress. At the Navajo Nation forum, he posed the question: Are missing and murdered indigenous men being ignored? Men, too, suffer from addiction, sexual and cultural abuse, and absent parents, he told the audience. But they often hide their feelings. When men disappear, people think they can take care of themselves, Sands said. Thats not always the case. Bitsue didnt report her son missing until two months after he left because she figured hed be back. He always came back or called to let her know he was OK. This time, it was different. He was different. Sandoval had been getting high on methamphetamine and had started dealing the drug, she said. He was paranoid. He talked about objects flying in the familys yard and drug cartels chasing him but didnt explain why, she said. Family members have posted fliers around the region and called Sandovals friends for information but still know nothing about what happened to him. They routinely check detention centres and hospitals. Bitsue mostly prefers staying at home in rural Coppermine, where she lives without running water or electricity and where her husband tends to livestock. Otherwise, she said she would be scanning crowds looking for anyone who fit her sons description: 5-foot-11 (180 centimetres) and 195 pounds (88 kilograms), with short brown hair and brown eyes, a moustache, and tattoos on his neck and arms. The anxiety would set in, sending her heart racing. Sandovals name is among the roughly 160 that community leaders and volunteers have on a list of Navajos who are missing going back decades, both on and off the reservation that stretches into Utah, New Mexico and Arizona. Between 60% and 70% of the names are males, said Jolene Holgate, who helped organize the forum that drew health care providers, police officers, educators and local residents. The list isnt exhaustive. I cant tell you how many people are missing from Navajo, said Navajo Nation lawmaker Amber Kanazbah Crotty. To me, thats an injustice. The initiative is called the Missing and Murdered Dine Relatives Data Institute. Besides tracking cases, the group is developing guidelines for community involvement in an area with too few police to adequately cover 27,000 square miles (69,930 square kilometres) the countrys largest reservation. Although the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women movements efforts are expanding, theres not a strong push nationally to change the acronym #MMIW, said Sarah Deer, a University of Kansas professor who has studied violence against Native women. She believes women should stay at the forefront in leading the movement. Women suffer a unique intersection that, typically, men dont, said Deer, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma, and that is that sexism is used as a weapon. Trumps task force is expected to provide an update on its work in a year and produce a report in two years. Its members largely are government officials, including Jeannie Hovland, a member of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota who heads a U.S. Health and Human Services Department agency that provides grants, training and technical assistance to tribes and tribal entities. Tribal members called on her at the Navajo Nation forum to ensure their voices are heard. I want to spend my time making a positive difference, not a checklist, Hovland said. We want to see our missing relatives come home, safe and alive. And if not, we want justice. Kanazbah Crotty, who wore a scarf with yellow flowers in honour of a young Navajo girl who was sexually assaulted and killed on the reservation, vowed to help Bitsue spread the word about her son and provide financial resources to help find him. Sandoval turned 34 in September. When he was younger, he helped take care of livestock, did handyman work and was just a wonderful kid, Bitsue said. He has three sons of his own. Its so hard to wake up and face another day, Bitsue said, her words muffled by sobs. I have accepted the fact he might be gone, but I still have that little hope. ___ Felicia Fonseca is a member of The Associated Press race and ethnicity team. Follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/FonsecaAP President Muhammadu Buhari has said the opinion of Theophilus Danjuma, a retired general, is not more important than that of millions of Nigerians who voted for his reelection last year. Mr Buhari made this comment in an exclusive interview with The Interview by email released in Abuja on Saturday. Asked if he was concerned about the vote of low confidence expressed by Mr Danjuma during a recent book launch in Ibadan, Mr Buhari said, And what is the vote of confidence of Nigerians in me, as expressed in the polls last year? That is what matters more, not the opinion of one man. Mr Danjuma had said if he says what he knows about the goings on in the government, Nigerians would lose sleep. The comment has been viewed in some quarters as an expression of lack of confidence in Buharis government, and a blow from a man who is widely believed to have been one of Mr Buharis major financial pillars. The president, however, said his re-election was a vindication of his voters confidence and support for him and his governments policies. On his relationship with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Mr Buhari said things were perfect, between them. He was asked to rate his relationship with his deputy on a scale of one to ten. But the president replied, Perfect. Or has he complained to you? In a press release on Sunday, the MD/Editor-In-Chief of The Interview, Mr. Azu Ishiekwene, said, This interview, published on our website: www.theinterview.ng is a window on what the President is thinking about some of the most important issues of his second term so far, from the Economic Advisory Council to the rule of law; and from his relationship with his deputy and 2023 to the countrys debt profile. He also commented on the insinuation that a cabal runs his government; his promise to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty; and criticisms that his claim that he is now a reformed democrat, is fake. Source: Azu Ishiekwene The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras on Saturday congratulated its professors and an alumnus who have been conferred with Padma awards. In a statement, IIT-Madras Director Baskar Ramamurthy said, The institute congratulates all three awardees for the well deserved honour in recognition of their work and contributions. Noted industrialist and TVS Motor Company Chairman, Venu Srinivasan who is an honorary professor at the premier institute was conferred with the Padma Bhushan -- the third-highest civilian award in the country. While Pradeep Thalappil, a professor in the chemistry department of the institute and Prem Watsa, Founder-Chairman of Fairfax Financial Holdings and IIT-Madras alumnus (1971 batch) were awarded the Padma Shri-- the fourth highest civilian honour of the country. Our enemies are far away and the an invasion of our shores is highly unlikely. But, make no mistake, we are on the front line of a new type of conflict: cyber warfare. This is not measured in the might of armies. Instead, our data can be stolen or corrupted from anywhere in the world, with potentially deadly consequences. Cyber warfare: Russia has trialled ways of shutting down the grid so Ukrainian hospitals are cut off and fears have been raised over Chinese firm Huawei That is why the debate over Huawei and our 5G network is so important. In cyberspace, a 'dirty bomb' doesn't have to physically destroy in order to kill it just has to deny access and close options. At a time when we know, for example, that Russia has trialled ways of shutting down the grid so Ukrainian hospitals are cut off, it is crucial that systems in the UK's hospitals, our power lines and our military sites are protected. This isn't just about today. Estonia has grasped the nature of this threat and has the world's most complete electronic national database, housed in multiple servers overseas to exist even after invasion. Risky: Tom Tugendhat, Conservative MP, has warned against depending on firms such as Huwaei A nation isn't only about land. At a time when Britain is about to roll out 5G, we'd do well to heed these lessons for our choice of provider should not be about economics, but about sovereignty. The truth is that only nations able to protect their data will be sovereign. Huawei's 5G sets us on a path that undermines our autonomy and the repercussions could be grave. Prepared for the threat: Estonia has a comprehensive plan in place as it has the world's most complete electronic national database, housed in multiple servers overseas to keep going even after invasion In just over 30 years, Huawei has gone from nothing to a global leader in telecoms dominant in parts of Africa and across Asia, as well as in China itself. Many tech companies aim to have a monopoly. But our interests are different. Competition reduces price and the risk of a single point of failure, so multiple operators are essential. That's one argument the Government makes for doing a 5G deal with Huawei. It would see Nokia, Ericsson and Huawei providing the connections we all rely on. And if we were only to work with two firms, it would leave us vulnerable if one failed. Rightly, we shouldn't rely on essential services that have only one reserve parachute. Huawei, however, is not like the others. It's incompatible with rivals, meaning that once the hardware is in, you're stuck with it. Such a dependency, combined with allegations about state subsidies, lead many to believe that Huawei's bid isn't a sales pitch but tech dumping selling its products cheaply to achieve a dominant position. In 4G, there's a distinction between core and non-core equipment, dividing the heart of the system from the antennas, but that difference is less clear in a 5G network that handles more data at higher speeds. Keeping us safe: But Mr Tugendhat said he believed GCHQ was home to top tech engineers to ward the UK against outside threats Of course, we can defend ourselves GCHQ has the best tech engineers keeping us safe and they say they can cope with the threats. But that's today. The big challenge is the next five to ten years. Each upgrade would require thousands, even millions, of lines of code to be analysed to ensure none has a filter sending data to Beijing, as is alleged in Uganda and Tanzania. Allowing Huawei here a decade ago to work on our 4G network was a reasonable bet. It hasn't paid off. The choice now is to double down or cut our losses. Stating that Muslims were never subjected to discrimination in India, RSS general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi on Sunday alleged that misinformation was being spread in the country over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). He was talking to reporters after hoisting the national flag at the Sangh headquarters here on the occasion of the 71st Republic Day. "Till date, the followers of Islam have never been subjected to any kind of discrimination in thiscountry. If any citizen from there, be it a Muslim, come to India, then they can also get citizenship as per the law which is already in place. What is the problem in that?" Joshi said in response to a question on the CAA. "Without giving it a serious thought, misinformation is being spread on it. If the feeling behind the CAA is understood properly, then it won't face any opposition," he added. "The government has repeatedly clarified on this issue, but different groups are still creating an atmosphere against it. The Act has been passed by the Parliament and everyone should accept it," Joshi said. All kinds of government had made amendments to the Citizenship Act in the past, he said, adding, "I don't know why this time atmosphere is being vitiated." Joshi appealed to the people to stay away from misinformation. "It is imperative for the country that no foreign national stays here. This Act allows not only Hindus, but Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists and Christians from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan (to become a citizen). Hence, stoking unrest on this is not good," Joshi added. Replying to a query why people from Sri Lanka have not been included in the list, he said that they were allowed earlier, but there is no religious persecution in that country now. Joshi also said that it was a matter of pride for India that has its own Constitution and runs according to it. "We feel that our Constitution was created taking into consideration the requirements of the country. I appeal to all the citizens to resolve that pride and prestige of the Constitution are maintained," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) RTA (ready-to-assemble) furniture is shipped unassembled to end-users, who assemble it at their end. The RTA product range covers a whole host of residential and office furniture. They come flat-packed and are typically packaged as a kit comprising furniture parts and hardware needed to assemble it. Research PR-Inside.com: 2020-01-25 23:21:30 Press Information Research Trades Office No.10, Wing C, Rajhans, Baner, Pune-45, India Nitin Business Development +1 6269994607 (US) +91 7507349866 (IND) email https://www.researchtrades.com/checkout/1822786 # 756 Words Office No.10, Wing C, Rajhans, Baner, Pune-45, IndiaBusiness Development+1 6269994607 (US) +91 7507349866 (IND) RTA (Ready-To-Assemble) Furniture Market studies record 2019 gives certain records of primary players like producers, suppliers, vendors, traders, clients, traders and and so on. RTA (Ready-To-Assemble) Furniture market report offers a professional and deep evaluation on the prevailing country of RTA (Ready-To-Assemble) Furniture Market that consists of major types, major packages, information kind consist of ability, manufacturing, market share, price, revenue, cost, gross, gross margin, boom rate, intake, import, export and etc. Enterprise chain, manufacturing procedure, price shape, advertising channel are also analyzed in this report.The boom trajectory of the worldwide RTA (Ready-To-Assemble) Furniture Market over the assessment period is shaped by way of several common and emerging regional and international developments, a granular assessment of which is offered in the research report. The study on reading the global RTA (Ready-To-Assemble) Furniture market dynamics takes a critical examine the business regulatory framework, technological advances in related industries, and the strategic avenues.Scope of the Report:Overall, the Residential Furniture products performance is positive with the global economic recovery.In United States RTA Furniture market is donimated by few manufatuers like Sauder Woodworking, Dorel Industries, Bush Industries, Whalen Furniture, IKEA and Homestar North America. These manufactuers have manufacturing bases in Unite States.In terms of product type, the Residential RTA Furniture is donimating the market, with a market share of 73.5% in 2016, and the rest is Office RTA Furniture, which occupied for 26.5%. In future, the Residential RTA Furniture will remain the leading role.In terms of sales chanels, the online developed rapidly in the past few years, due to more and more consumers choose to purchase RTA furniture through smartphone, tablets and PC. In fugure, the online will gradually more important to RTA Furniture manufactuers.The worldwide market for RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture is expected to grow at a CAGR of roughly xx% over the next five years, will reach xx million US$ in 2024, from xx million US$ in 2019, according to a new GIR (Global Info Research) study.This report focuses on the RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture in global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers : Sauder WoodworkingDorel Industries,Bush Industries,Whalen Furniture,Homestar North America,IKEAFlexsteel (Home Styles),Simplicity Sofas,Prepac,South ShoreMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers : North America (United States, Canada and Mexico),Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia),South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia etc.),Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, covers: Office RTA Furniture,Residential RTA FurnitureMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into : Independent Specialist, Retailers,Independent Furniture Chains,Convenient Stores,Others (Online)The content of the study subjects, includes a total of 15 chapters:Chapter 1, to describe RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market driving force and market risks.Chapter 2, to profile the top manufacturers of RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture, with price, sales, revenue and global market share of RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture in 2017 and 2018.Chapter 3, the RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture competitive situation, sales, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast.Chapter 4, the RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales, revenue and growth by regions, from 2014 to 2019.Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to break the sales data at the country level, with sales, revenue and market share for key countries in the world, from 2014 to 2019.Chapter 10 and 11, to segment the sales by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2014 to 2019.Chapter 12, RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2019 to 2024.Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe RTA (Ready-to-assemble) Furniture sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion, appendix and data source.Answers that the research report acknowledges:- Market length and growth rate throughout the forecast period.- The important thing factors of the market of RTA (Ready-To-Assemble) Furniture .- Key market trends have dampened the growth of the RTA (Ready-To-Assemble) Furniture market.- Challenges for market boom.- The main vendors of the market of the RTA (Ready-To-Assemble) Furniture .- Targeted SWOTanalysis.- Possibilities and threats going through current vendors in the worldwide RTA (Ready-To-Assemble) Furniture market.- Trend elements influencing the marketplace in geographic regions.- Strategic tasks focused on key suppliers.Contact Us:Email: sales@ researchtrades.com Call us: +1 6269994607 (USA), +91 7507349866 (IND)Web: www.researchtrades.com Skype ID: researchtradescon The 71st Republic Day was celebrated in Tripura with Governor Ramesh Bais unfurling the national flag at the Assam Rifles ground here on Sunday. In his speech, the governor said bilateral relation with neighbouring Bangladesh is cordial and governments endeavour is to develop connectivity through the neighbouring country which would help the state as well as the entire north east to prosper in the long run. Bais said many projects of connectivity through Bangladesh such as the 15-km long AgartalaAkhaura rail line and a new waterway through the river Gomati in Sipahijala district would boost connectivity and trade between the two countries. Access to Chittagong port would open a new vista of connectivity between Indias North-East and Bangladesh, he said. The Chittagong port is just 57-km from Tripuras southern-most border town of Sabroom. The governor said Tripura was following the HIRA (highways, internet, roadways and airways) for development and added the state has achieved success considerably in organic farming. He said 9,000 farmers were given government assistance to encourage organic farming. The recently signed agreement between Tripura, Mizoram, Central government and the representatives of Bru community sheltered in six rehabilitation camps in the state is an important step toward solving the ethnic problem, Bais said. Colourful parade by the police along with decorated tableaux portraying the state's culture and heritage were highlights of the official Republic Day programme, which was attended by Chief Minister Biplab Deb and other senior officials. Various developmental programmes of the government were also showcased in the parade. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-27 05:12:52|Editor: zh Video Player Close AMMAN, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Jordan's Prime Minister Omar Razzaz on Sunday reaffirmed the country's rejection of any unilateral measures aimed at changing the status quo in the occupied Palestinian territories. Reiterating Jordan's constant position towards the Palestinian cause, he highlighted the importance of strengthening Jordan's political, economic and social stature, the state-run Petra news agency reported. Also on Sunday, the parliament speaker Atef Tarawneh warned against infringements of Palestinians' legitimate rights, adding the region will not witness peace as long as there is hatred and occupation. Referring to the so-called "Deal of the Century," which U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to announce in the next few days, Tarawneh reiterated support for King Abdullah II's position on the issue. Jordan, he said, adheres to the two-state solution, which aims at regional stability through implementing international legitimacy resolutions. Becamex Hotel New City has become a focal point amid the rise of new tourism development in Binh Duong Thanks to its Strategy on Binh Duongs tourism development until 2020, vision to 2030, the province hosted successfully a wide range of all-year-round activities to introduce visitors to its distinct cuisines, cultures, and people, such as Spring in Binh Duong, Binh Duongs Street Food 2019, and more. At the same time, Binh Duong profited from its many infrastructure projects that were developed. In particular, many large hotels have been built to meet the demand of the growing numbers of travellers. Highlighted among those hotels is the enthusiastic green project of Becamex Hotel New City. Becamex Hospitality has been a pioneer in applying green solutions. As such, the hotel uses solar energy for its entire daytime hot water system, as well as to supply electricity to the apartment areas, the health club, and the restaurant. More green solutions are applied effectively at the hotels every single activity. The company has joined hands with Binh Duong to protect the environment, replaced plastic bags with environmentally friendly non-woven bags, which are fully biodegradable in just 90 days, switched to biodegradable laundry chemicals, and equipped the hotel facilities with LED lights. Apart from its environmental efforts, in 2018, Becamex Hotel New City was honoured for providing future-oriented accommodation and gastronomy by receiving the Most Unique Architectural Design and The Most Conferences Hosted awards from the Vietnam Tourism Association. Although Becamex Hospitality is a relatively new brand in the tourism industry, it has made significant contributions to the development of Binh Duongs tourism sector in recent years. Currently, Becamex Hospitality has two hotels, Becamex Hotel Thu Dau Mot and the mentioned Becamex Hotel New City, both of which have different advantages. The former is located in the most central position of Thu Dau Mot town while the latter is located in Binh Duong New City, next to the administrative centre of the province. Both hotels feature large conference rooms and innovative restaurants. Chosen by businessmen as the ideal destination for accommodation and relaxation, Becamex Hospitality provides comfortable accommodation and exclusive food and beverage services for many international events such as the World Technopolis Association 2018 Summit, welcoming 800 local and international participants to Binh Duong. In addition, Becamex Hospitality welcomed more than 1,000 high-ranking guests from economic groups of more than 60 countries around the world, as well as leaders from the government and ministries to the Horasis Asia Meeting 2019 in last November. In the future, Becamex Hospitality Group will focus on upgrading its services and facilities while promoting and repositioning its brand through many activities and further expanding its locations to promptly respond to the increasing demand of investors and entrepreneurs. The group also connects with local authorities, domestic and foreign business partners, as well as tourism associations to further contribute to Binh Duongs socio-economic development and the whole country in the Industry 4.0 era. YEREVAN, JANUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. The State Service for Food Safety of Armenia has banned imports of all animal products/raw materials from China. The ban is also imposed on imports of animal products from other countries produced from Chinese raw materials. The State Service for Food Safety said on January 26 the ban is effectively immediately. The basis for the ban is the information published on the official websites of the World Organization for Animal Health and the World Health Organization regarding the coronavirus, the agency said. On 31 December 2019, human cases of pneumonia of unknown etiology were reported in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. A CoV, named 2019novel-CoV, was identified as the causative virus by Chinese authorities on 7 January 2020. Since then, human cases with travel history to Wuhan have been reported by several provinces in China and by a number of countries outside China. There is suspicion that the 2019-novelCoV may have had an animal source, but further investigations are required to confirm this. Although there is suspicion that the initial introduction of 2019novelCoV to humans may have come from an animal source, the predominant route of subsequent transmission appears to be from human to human, the World Organization for Animal Health had said in a statement. At least 56 people have been killed by the coronavirus in China, nearly 2,000 confirmed cases have been reported as the nation struggles to contain the outbreak. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan Thousands of Indians across the world enthusiastically celebrated the 71st Republic Day on Sunday and participated in various cultural events with unfurling of the tricolour and singing of the national anthem. Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Taranjit Singh Sandhu led the Indian community during the celebrations at the India House on Sunday. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, along with his wife Shiranthi Rajapaksa, joined the Indian diaspora to celebrate the day organised by the Indian High Commission at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo on Saturday. "I would like to wish the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and people of India a very Happy 71st Republic Day," Rajapaksa tweeted. The High Commission of India in Canberra, Australia, organised the event at the India House. Celebrations to mark the day were also organised by the Consulate Generals of India in Sydney and Melbourne. "Consulate General of India Melbourne wishes you all a very #HappyRepublicDay2020. Big 'Thank You' to everyone for celebrating this day with us," it tweeted. The Indian High Commission in Pakistan celebrated the day with Charge d'affaires Gaurav Ahluwalia hoisting the tricolour and reading out President Ram Nath Kovind's address. "High Commission of India in Pakistan celebrated the 71st Republic Day with great enthusiasm and joy," the Indian High Commission in Pakistan tweeted. "A cultural program presented by members of the High Commission of India in Pakistan enthralled the audience. The performances brought out the beauty, diversity and the idea of India contained in the Constitution," it said. In Bangladesh, Indian High Commissioner Riva Ganguly Das unfurled the national flag and read out President Kovind's address. "Young Children from the Indian Community presented a cultural program. Members of the Indian Community participated in large numbers," the Indian High Commission in Dhaka tweeted. The Mahar regimental band of the Indian Army, which was specially flown in for the occasion, played the national anthem, a press release issued by the mission said. In Nepal, members of the Indian community, friends of India and officials participated in the Republic Day celebrations at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu. Indian Ambassador to Israel Sanjeev Singla hoisted the national flag and read out the President's message as he joined the Indian community during the Republic Day celebrations at the Embassy in Tel Aviv. "71st #RepublicDayIndia brings sunny weather to #TelAviv," the Indian Embassy tweeted. "Amb Sanjeev Singla unfurled the tricolour, read the message of the President of India & spoke about growing #IndiaIsrael partnership in areas of #innovation #startups #agriculture #I4f #culture #tourism," it tweeted. Members of the Indian community in New Zealand took part in the Republic Day celebrations organised by the Indian High Commission in Wellington. Hundreds of Indian expatriates took part in cultural events organised by the Indian missions in the UAE. Indian Ambassador to the UAE Pavan Kapoor hoisted the national flag at the embassy premises in Abu Dhabi. Consul General of India in Dubai Vipul hoisted the flag at the Indian Consulate. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in China on Friday cancelled the Republic Day ceremony in view of the coronavirus outbreak. Israeli leader Benny Gantz has accepted US President Donald Trumps invitation to discuss a peace plan for the Middle East amid continued confrontation with Palestine. Trump had invited Gantz and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the peace plan ahead of another election in Israel. The peace plan devised by President Trump will go down in history as a meaningful landmark mapping the way for the different players in the Middle East to finally move forward towards a historical and regional agreement, said Gantz in televised remarks. Gantz attendance in Washington was doubtful as a peace plan before the election could boost the chances of incumbent Prime Minister Netanyahu to remain in power. Netanyahu, in a statement, called the invitation a once in history opportunity that cannot be missed. Likud Party leader added that he has been speaking to Trump and his staff about the most vital national and security needs for three years. I have found an attentive ear in the White House to these needs. Therefore, I am full of hope that we are on the verge of a historic moment in the annals of our state. PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 25, 2020 I am leaving for Washington with a sense of great mission, of great responsibility and of great opportunity, which will not recur, to ensure the future of Israel. PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 25, 2020 Read: Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu Calls PM Modi To Convey Wishes On India's 71st Republic Day Trump's policy on Palestine Trump administration has been aggressive about his foreign policy towards Israel by taking decisions against Palestinian interests. Recently, the US announced a reversal of its decades-long policy on Israeli settlements in the West Bank, calling the occupation not necessarily a violation of international law. Read: Netanyahu Condemns 'tyrants Of Tehran' At World Holocaust Forum, 'salutes' Trump, Pence It was the second jolt to Palestinian quest for statehood after the Trump administration had decided to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital and move its embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo informed that the US no longer agrees with the 1978 State Department legal opinion that held the occupied territories inconsistent with international law. Read: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Previews World Leaders' Holocaust Forum Read: Trump Should Be Congratulated: Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu Amid US-Iran Escalation KENOSHA The Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating a Kenosha-based doctors prescribing practices after his name came up during a human trafficking investigation, an investigator said in court Thursday. Dr. Nedal Mejalli, 57, of Sturtevant and formerly a family practice doctor and hospitalist with Froedtert South, is charged with 61 felony counts for delivery of drugs, accused of improperly writing prescriptions for drugs like oxycodone, Adderall, Xanax and weight loss medications. Oxycodone, an opioid painkiller; Adderall, a prescription stimulant typically prescribed for people with attention deficit disorder; and Xanax, a sedative typically used to treat anxiety or panic disorder; are all potentially addictive and are among the most commonly abused prescription drugs. At a preliminary hearing Thursday, Mejallis defense attorney Corey Chirafisi argued that several of the people cited in the criminal complaint worked with Mejalli, and that while there may not be office visits for those people in medical records, there is no evidence that he did not have legitimate reasons to prescribe the pills to them. I dont think being sloppy and not putting things in a medical chart is a crime, he said. DEA investigation Lisa Kaplan, an investigator with the DEA, testified at the hearing that she began investigating Mejalli based on a tip from the Wisconsin Department of Justice Office of Criminal Investigation. They were conducting a case on human trafficking, and Dr. Mejallis name came up, Kaplan said. During that investigation, she said, a woman who worked as an exotic dancer at the On The Border strip club in Franklin told investigators she had received prescription drugs (from Mejalli) in exchange for sex and cash. That woman told Kaplan that after meeting Mejalli at On The Border, she moved into his home for two months. She told me she was a heroin addict, an active heroin addict, during the entirety of their relationship, Kaplan testified. She testified that Mejalli twice wrote prescriptions for an opioid painkiller for the woman, including one for 120 pills. Kaplan testified she contacted the pharmacist who originally received the prescription, saying the pharmacist remembered the incident. At the time, she was very shocked, she said, saying the pharmacist said there was no record that the woman had been prescribed the drug before and that the number of pills was unusual. She questioned the legitimacy of the prescription and called Mejalli. She stated, in her words, that he became very flustered and said, Just fill it for 30. The agent testified that she saw an image of the original prescription, and it showed the 120 amount crossed off with a handwritten notation from the pharmacist. Kaplan said in addition to the dancer, she interviewed women who worked with Mejalli about prescription drugs they received from him. The investigator was able to trace the prescriptions using the states prescription monitoring system including being able to see images of the prescriptions themselves and check them against the medical records of those who received the pills. No office visits Of the people who received prescriptions from Mejalli who were included in the criminal complaint, Kaplan testified that none had conditions diagnosed by the doctor that would have called for the medications to be prescribed, according to their medical records, and none had office visits associated with their prescriptions. In one case, Kaplan said, a woman who worked at Froedtert South who was also a college student said Mejalli approached her with an offer for a prescription for Adderall. He offered her Adderall to help her stay awake and help her study, she testified. In another case, a woman who worked with Mejalli said he prescribed her Adderall for years, along with prescriptions for other drugs over shorter periods, saying she was never diagnosed with attention deficit disorder but had taken online quizzes about ADD and believed she had the disorder, and that Mejalli agreed. Chirafisi questioned Kaplan, asking whether she had any evidence that the women Mejalli worked with who received medication had no legitimate medical reason to be prescribed the drugs. Thats on him to show its a legitimate medical purpose, she said. Bound over for trial Court Commissioner Larry Keating found there was probable cause to bind Mejalli over on the felony charges. I think some of the arguments are very good for trial and should be preserved for that, he told Chirafisi. In addition to the drug charges, Mejalli is also charged with stalking a former Froedtert South employee with whom he had short-lived romantic relationship. In that case, filed in March 2019, he is alleged to have stalked and threatened the 22-year-old woman after their relationship ended. Mejalli worked for Froedtert South from August 2010 through March 2019, leaving his medical practice after the stalking charge was filed. He is next expected to appear in court on the drug charges in April. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 4 Angry 0 Like many Indigenous people, singer-songwriter Dan Sultan finds Australia Day "painful" and believes a national day would be more inclusive if held on a different date. Sultan, who moved to Sydney with his partner and now eight-month-old daughter a year ago, is playing at two of the city's Indigenous-focused Australia Day events. Musician Dan Sultan is playing at The Vigil and the Yabun Festival for Australia Day. "I think it's a really good statement to work on that day - it means I'm not recognising a day off personally though I'm not telling everyone else they have to work," Sultan said. "When everyone takes a public holiday to have a party on a day that represents so much pain for me personally and my family and to a greater extent my people it's intense." ROHNERT PARK (BCN) Police in Rohnert Park are searching for the suspect in a Saturday afternoon armed robbery of a check cashing business on Commerce Boulevard. Police were called about 1:27 p.m. Sunday about an armed robbery at the Check and Go store. A man came in, showed a handgun and demanded money. The suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of cash, police said. No one was injured. The police investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this robbery is asked to call the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Investigations Unit at (707) 584-2630, or leave an anonymous tip at (707) 584-COPS or crimetips@rpcity.org. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. ROSEBURG, Ore. --- Two burglars are behind bars this weekend after deputies linked them to a residential burglary from Jan. 21 and served a search warrant at their home. On Tuesday, deputies responded to a report of a residential burglary in the 1800 block of Linnell Avenue. Deputies located evidence which assisted in the investigation. As the investigation progressed, information was developed which led deputies to apply for a search warrant for a home in the 2100 block of La Canada Drive in Roseburg. On Friday, deputies were granted the warrant and multiple individuals were contacted at the residence during the warrant execution at 7:15 p.m. Deputies located a large quantity of stolen property which included electronics, tools, antiques and a stolen firearm. Evidence of mail theft from approximately a dozen residents in the area was also recovered. 31 year-old Cirith Bronwen Ellenwood and 27 year-old Robert Thomas Arwood, both of Roseburg, were arrested for First Degree Burglary, Theft in the First Degree and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree. Ellenwood was also taken into custody on multiple outstanding arrest warrants. Both Ellenwood and Arwood were lodged at the Douglas County Jail. Libyan state oil firm says output down 75% due to blockade imposed by Haftar's militia Iran Press TV Saturday, 25 January 2020 5:07 PM Libya's National Oil Company (NOC) says its oil production has plunged by 75 percent since forces loyal to the country's military strongman Khalifa Haftar laid siege to oil fields a week ago. The NOC announced the news in a statement on Saturday, adding that the fall from 1.2 million barrels a day to just over 320,000 has caused estimated losses of $256 million since major oil fields and ports in the eastern and southern parts of oil-rich Libya were shut down. Since 2014, two rival seats of power have emerged in Libya: the internationally-recognized government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, known as the GNA, and another group based in the eastern city of Tobruk, supported militarily by Haftar's militia, who are collectively known as the so-called Libyan National Army (LNA). The rebels launched an offensive to capture the capital, Tripoli, in April last year, interrupting peace negotiations underway at the time. Despite intense fighting, Haftar has so far failed to achieve his objective and his offensive has stalled outside the capital. On January 19, the NOC announced that the major southwestern fields of Al-Sharara and Al-Feel were closing after Haftar's militia shut a pipeline, adding that the shutdown would cut oil production by 800,000 barrels a day. The LNA also blocked oil exports Libya's main ports a day earlier. The move to cripple the country's main source of income came after Turkey's decision to send troops to shore up Sarraj against Haftar's persisting offensive. Experts say any lasting closure could hit Tripoli hard since the government relies on oil revenues to fund its budget. According to NOC, exports have already been suspended at the ports of Brega, Ras Lanouf, Al-Sidra, Al-Hariga and Zweitina in the country's "oil crescent." Libya's state oil firm also condemned the closure of valves at a pumping station in the southwest, which shut down production the major fields of Al-Sharara and Al-Feel. Additionally on January 19, leaders from Turkey, Russia, Egypt, France, Italy, Britain, and the United States, as well as Sarraj and Haftar, attended a United Nations (UN)-backed summit in Berlin to help establish a "permanent" ceasefire between the warring sides. The final communique of the day-long summit, the first such event since 2018, called on all the parties concerned in the conflict "to redouble their efforts for a sustained suspension of hostilities, de-escalation and a permanent ceasefire." Participants also pledged not to interfere in Libya's internal affairs and its conflict. They also agreed to "fully respect" the arms embargo imposed on the North African country by the UN in 2011. However, Haftar refused to sign the joint communique produced in Berlin. Turkey was determined to send troops to Libya following a military agreement reached between Ankara and Tripoli. However, a day after the Berlin summit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Ankara had not yet sent troops to war-torn Libya, stressing that his country had so far only deployed military advisers and trainers there. The apparent retreat was due to the general agreement in Berlin to refrain from interfering in Libyan affairs. Libya plunged into chaos in 2011, when a popular uprising and a NATO intervention led to the ouster of long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi and his execution by unruly fighters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 01:52:36|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- With more than 240 public meetings and a wider range of civil society briefers, the UN Security Council continued its push toward more transparency in 2019, a year marked by "widespread popular uprisings and the erosion of hard-won international treaties," UN News said Saturday. In 2019, the world's top peace and security body held 243 public meetings, an average of 21 per month, UN News said on its website. Last year, 52 resolutions were adopted, two new field missions - support for the ceasefire in Yemen and an integrated UN Office in Haiti - were established. One new agenda item - the situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela - was added last year. "On three occasions last year, sharply divided delegations presented competing draft resolutions, which resulted in the rejection of six proposed texts. China, France, Russia, Britain and the United States - the Council's five veto-wielding permanent members - found themselves particularly at odds over questions of state sovereignty, trading sporadic accusations of interference in domestic affairs," UN News noted. "This is just a snapshot of the Council's work in 2019 pulled from the annual round-up prepared by our hard-working colleagues in the Meetings Coverage section of the Department of Global Communications," it said. The UK government on Sunday unveiled a new 50-pence commemorative Brexit coin ahead of the UK's exit from the European Union (EU) next Friday. UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid, who is also the UK's Master of the Mint, said the new coin marks a new chapter in the country's history as he was handed the first batch of the Brexit coins. He will present one of them to Prime Minister Boris Johnson next week. Leaving the European Union is a turning point in our history and this coin marks the beginning of this new chapter, said Javid. The 50p coin bears the inscription "Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations" and the date the UK leaves the EU January 31, 2020. Around 3 million of the coins will enter banks, post offices and shops across the UK from Friday, January 31, with a further 7 million entering circulation later this year. More than 13,000 people have already registered their interest in a commemorative version of the coin, which is available to buy from the UK's Royal Mint. As part of the launch, the Royal Mint said it will open its South Wales headquarters for 24 hours to let people strike their own commemorative coins next Friday. Javid had first ordered the production of the coins ahead of the UK's previous departure date of October 31, 2019. But parliamentary deadlock meant the government missed that deadline and about a million of those coins had to be melted down for these new set. Earlier this week, Johnson had formally signed the EU Withdrawal Agreement at Downing Street after European Council President Charles Michel and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen had sent back a signed copy. It is now back with Brussels for the European Parliament to vote it through next Wednesday, a move seen as a formality. Once the legal processes have been completed, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will sign the UK's instrument of ratification, which will then be deposited in Brussels ahead of exit day. In Brussels, the EU will do the same in order for the UK to formally leave at 2300 GMT next Friday. From February 1, the UK enters into an agreed 11-month transition period in which it will continue to follow EU rules but without representation at any of the economic bloc's institutions. This arrangement will come to an end on January 1, 2021, by which time the two sides hope to have completed negotiations on their future economic and security partnership as part of a new agreement. The UK had voted to leave the 28-member economic bloc in a referendum in June 2016, a vote which comes into effect this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) WASHINGTON - President Trump's defense lawyers said their opening foray this weekend in the impeachment trial was only a "trailer" and "sneak preview" of "coming attractions" - making it clear that Monday is the main event. A partial roster of Trump's legal team addressed senators for just two hours on Saturday, arguing that the president "did nothing wrong" when he pushed Ukraine to open investigations into his political opponents as he withheld a White House meeting and millions in military aid. Trump's team has reserved its more incendiary attacks for Monday, when they plan to try to shift scrutiny onto former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter - effectively giving Trump the public inquest against his potential rival in the 2020 presidential election that he sought from Ukraine. Kenneth W. Starr, the prosecutor whose investigation led to President Clinton's impeachment, and Alan Dershowitz, the veteran defense attorney, have yet to appear in the Senate chamber as part of Trump's defense team. But they are expected to take the lead for the bulk of the counteroffensive this week, which could last just one day. Last week, seven House managers argued that Trump abused the power of the presidency and then obstructed Congress to cover it up, filling the 24 hours allowed by Senate rules with three days' worth of PowerPoint presentations, video clips, detailed timelines and impassioned speeches. ADVERTISEMENT Dershowitz said the Democrats were overcompensating for a dearth of evidence with political persuasion. "Much of what was presented by the Democrats were not impeachable offenses," Dershowitz said Sunday on Fox News. "They were campaign ads." Trump's counsel made clear they won't use their full 24-hours to make the case that Trump should be acquitted, an almost certain outcome in the Republican-controlled Senate. Trump, the most important audience for the Republican Party, as well as his lawyers, trumpeted his approval on Sunday for the abrupt, aggressive defense strategy. "The Impeachment Hoax is a massive election interference the likes of which has never been seen before," Trump said in one of a number of tweets Sunday morning about the trial. "In just two hours the Radical Left, Do Nothing Democrats have seen their phony case absolutely shredded." As the chances of Republican support for witnesses dim, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is strongly considering moving quickly to an acquittal vote, potentially as soon as this Friday. Per the trial's rules, if efforts to subpoena additional witnesses or evidence fail this week, Republicans could effectively shut down debate and quickly call for the up-or-down vote to determine whether Trump will remain in office. With Trump complaining that the Saturday session was "Death Valley in T.V.," Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) predicted his team would go big on Monday. "They might have some sense that they need a little prime time themselves," Blunt said. Trump continued his lawyers' line of argument on Sunday that the impeachment is merely a political vendetta, singling out Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), the lead House manager and Intelligence Committee chairman, in a thinly veiled threat. ADVERTISEMENT "He has not paid the price, yet, for what he has done to our Country!" Trump tweeted. Schiff not only spoke far more than the other managers over their three days of trial arguments on the floor last week - he spoke more than three-quarters of senators did in all of 2019, according to data from C-Span, underscoring how little debate there was in the Senate at all. The California congressman pointed to the president's remarks on Sunday as further evidence of the difficulty for Republican senators of standing up to the president. "This is a wrathful and vindictive president; I don't think there's any doubt about it," Schiff said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "If we can't even get the senators to agree to call witnesses in a trial, it shows you just how difficult that moral courage is." Trump's defense counsel and some Republican allies in the Senate have spent days priming the president and the public for the trial to enter a more provocative stage, seeking to keep the Bidens front and center. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., repeatedly claimed that "no one" had looked into the Bidens' activities in Ukraine. But he also said he'd vote against witnesses, even the Bidens. "If we begin to open this up, the court of impeachment, to the Hunter Biden, Joe Biden thing, where does that take us?" Graham said. "How long does that take? What acrimony does that create for the country?" Hunter Biden joined the board of Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company, in April 2014. At that time, Ukraine and its fight against corruption was in his father's vice presidential portfolio. ADVERTISEMENT In the nearly six years since - roughly half of which Republicans controlled both chambers of Congress - no evidence of criminal wrongdoing by the Bidens has emerged. Jay Sekulow, Trump's private counsel, said Saturday in the Senate that Trump was right not to "blindly" follow the U.S. intelligence community's assessments that it was Russia, not Ukraine, that meddled in 2016 on his behalf. "They kept telling you it was Russia alone that interfered in the 2016 election," Sekulow said, "but there is evidence that Ukraine also interfered." In November, U.S. intelligence officials told senators and their aides that this debunked theory had been pushed by Russia for years as part of a long-running effort to frame Ukraine for its own interference. The officials warned that Moscow was intensifying its misinformation campaign as the 2020 election approaches. Schiff argued Sunday that the attempt by Trump's counsel's to justify his distrust of the U.S. intelligence community only underscores the continued danger if he remains in office. "He continues to believe Russian propaganda over his own intelligence agencies, over his own FBI director," Schiff said on "Meet the Press." "And that makes him dangerous to our country." The Bidens, Schiff said, are being used as a political bogeyman to distract from the facts of the case against the president. "Hunter Biden," he said, "can't tell us anything." But Schiff has invited his own distractions. As he closed the prosecutors' case for Trump's impeachment last Friday, he cited a news story with an anonymous quote that the president had threatened Republican senators who might defy him, prompting outcry in the chamber, including from several who'd expressed support for calling witnesses. Sen. Jim Lankford (R-Okla.) dismissed the president's attacks on Schiff on Sunday. "I just don't think it's a death threat," Lankford said of Trump's tweet on CNN's "State of the Union." "It's political." Even if Trump is acquitted, Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) expressed hope that he'll learn from his impeachment. "He was taken to the carpet," Braun said on "Meet the Press." "Hopefully, it'll be instructive." Schiff argued that the damage will be far more lasting. "If they're successful in depriving the country of a fair trial," Schiff said. "There is no exoneration." Jennifer Haberkorn contributed to this article. --- (c)2020 Los Angeles Times Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. - Roy Hernandez stood inside what was left of his home shattered glass, roof insulation dropping from the ceiling, doors blasted off their hinges and worried about what hed wear to work Monday. All my uniforms are up there, underneath all this rubble, he said in the middle of what used to be the living room. Outside his broken window sit the remains of the Friday morning explosion at the Watson Grinding Manufacturing. The blast killed at least two workers, sent nearly 20 others to the hospital and damaged more than 200 homes in its vicinity, leaving a few dozen of them uninhabitable including Hernandezs. Investigations are ongoing into what caused the fiery explosion at the plant, where authorities said propylene a chemical used, among other things, to produce films, fibers and plastic packaging - was leaking. Residents in some of the most damaged homes returned Saturday to try to salvage as much of their belongings as they could and to board windows and place tarps on top of roofs. Everyone was working against the clock. The forecast called for a chance of rain by evening. For Hernandez, the stillness on Saturday morning was eerie compared to the chaos on Friday. It feels weird, said the 36-year-old, it feels like the day after New Years Eve. The streets were mostly empty, except for piles of rubble and black trash cans filled with broken glass and pieces of dry wall lining the sidewalks. As the day unfolded, those who had spent the night at a hotel or with relatives, slowly started trickling in. Soon, the quiet was replaced by the commotion of contractors driving around, fire trucks trying to make their way through the narrow residential streets, and volunteers fanning out with gloves and tools in hand. More than 100 volunteers showed up to help cut plywood to cover windows and repair damaged roofs. Many are part of Restoration Team, a network of more than a dozen churches formed after Hurricane Harvey. We are making sure our neighbors know they are not alone in their recovery nor in their journey, said Josef Klam, executive pastor at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, as the groups went door to door. Mayor Sylvester Turner also stopped by once again to check in with neighbors. We are going to stay with you, he tells residents as he shakes their hands. He wants them to know the city will be there all to help them get back on their feet. And he wanted to let people know that whether they are documented or not, they could reach out for help. There are some communities that dont have their papers, Turner told reporters as he toured one of the streets closest to the plant. I dont want them to be fearful of reaching out for help. In Westbranch, with the help of relatives, Roy and his mother, Marycruz Hernandez, begin the painstakingly slow task of sorting through their belongings. We are just trying to see what kind of damage we have, what else we can find underneath the rubble, he said, as he looked around and sighed. Its just crazy, cant believe it, he said, holding a framed photo of his son in hand. One of the few that had escaped intact. Many years of hard work reduced to rubble, Marycruz added. The material stuff is replaceable, but the memories, how do you replace all the memories made in this house? Marycruz bought her house about 15 years ago after having to relocate due to multiple floods. Finally, the government told me I had to move and that I couldnt move to another flood zone, she said. Since her two children were already grown up and had moved away, she decided to look for something smaller and immediately fell in love with this home on a quiet street where neighbors from different backgrounds, including Vietnam, Korea and Mexico, mingle with each other. Now, Marycruz wonders if shell be able to start all over again. Will she be a homeowner again? At the same time, shes grateful, she said. We are lucky, baby, she told Roy as she held onto his arm. We are lucky, she repeated, staring up into the exposed ceiling, with pink insulation material sticking out and a dangling ceiling fan. That was the feeling of many of those impacted by the explosion. Even if they had lost the house they called home for 15 or 20 years, and likely, most things inside it. They were alive and that was all that mattered. It hadnt been an earthquake or a plane crashing into their house nor the beginning of World War III as they thought. They were OK, barring a minor scratch here and there. It had been winter and were all covered by thick blankets, something many credited to the fact not more people had been injured or worse, killed. Despite her losses, Marycruz said she must stay strong because she has her son, daughter, grandchildren and parents who still need her. Her phone is constantly ringing with friends and relatives asking how her house is, hows shes doing. Even her doctor called and offered them a place to stay. Do you need anything? They all ask. A million dollars, she answers every time with a smirk. Despite the long road ahead, Marycruz always has a smile on her face and is quick to strike a conversation or tell a joke. Shes always been that way, her daughter Erika Jaimes said. Oh my God, Marycruz gasped as they clean the living room. Shes discovered a broken angel. Hes not going to be able to fly anymore, she said, I guess hell stay here to take care of me forever. Gabriel Garcia, a family friend, pulled another one from the rubble. Is it dead or alive? she asked. This one is missing his hands, Garcia replied. Marycruz covered her face with her hands in anguish, before finally giving the OK to dump the angel in the trash. Her entire house was covered in angels. They bring her peace, she explained. I feel they take care of me. At the top of her knick-knack shelf sat one that survived the blast without a scratch. Its the dormilon, the sleepy one, she said, and one that her cousin Cindi Garza had wanted for over a decade but Marycruz had resisted. Now it was hers, take it, she tells Garza and makes Roy grab a ladder. As he stumbled to reach for the angel, Garza suggested that maybe they could do it some other day. But Marycruz responded with a decisive no. We have to do it now. At this point she said, you dont know whats going to happen. perla.trevizo@chron.com Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal hoisted the tricolour in Bhubaneswar on the occasion of Republic Day. Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Naveen Patnaik hoisted the tricolour at the party headquarters in Bhubaneswar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid homage to the fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the newly-built War Memorial (NWM) at India Gate here ahead of the 71st Republic Day celebrations. The Prime Minister was received at the war memorial by the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the first-ever Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Army Chief Gen Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh, Air Force Chief Air Marshal RKS Bhaduria. The NWM, which was inaugurated in February last year by PM Modi, has been built in memory of the soldiers who laid down their lives for the country post-independence. After the Prime Minister laid the wreath, the Guard Commander gave Salami Shastra. Modi also wrote his message in the visitor's book at the War Memorial. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Ram Nath Kovind, here on Saturday, invoked Mahatma Gandhi's message of truth and non-violence and urged the people, especially the youth, to follow non-violence while expressing concern over a cause and stick to constitutional methods of achieving social and economic objectives. "It should be part of our daily routine to introspect on Gandhiji's message of truth and non-violence, which has become all the more necessary in our times," said the President in a televised address to the nation on the eve of 71st Republic Day. His message gains significance in the backdrop of protests, some of them violent, across the country against the new citizenship law. However, he didn't make a direct reference to protests. "When fighting for a cause, people, particularly the youth, should not forget the gift of ahimsa (non-violence) Gandhiji gave to humanity. Gandhiji's talisman for deciding whether an act is right or wrong also applies to the functioning of our democracy," the President said. The government and the opposition both had important roles to play, and while giving expression to their political ideas both must move forward in tandem to ensure the country's development, he said. Modern India, he said, had three organs -- legislature, executive and judiciary -- which were necessarily interlinked and interdependent. "Yet, on ground, the people comprise the State. We the People' are the prime movers of the Republic. With us, the people of India, rests the real power to decide our collective future," he said. The President said the third decade of the 21st century would be "the decade of the rise of New India and a new generation of Indians." He said the next generation remained committed to the core values of our nation. "For our youth, the nation always comes first. With them, we are witnessing the emergence of a New India," he said. Rcalling the importance of January 26, he said even before Independence -- from 1930 to 1947 this day was celebrated as "Purna Swaraj Day". "It becomes easier for us to follow these constitutional ideals, if we keep in mind the life and values of the Father of Nation. By doing so, we will be adding a meaningful dimension to celebrations of the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhi," Kovind said and added, as we all march forward, "we remain committed to engaging the global community to build a secure and prosperous future for ourselves and for the humanity." Mentioning the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) achievement, he said it was making progress towards the Mission Gaganyaan. On the welfare schemes, he said the Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan' had achieved huge success. He praised the success of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and expressed the hope that schemes, like Jal Jeevan Mission aimed at water conservation, would soon become popular movements. Stating that internal security is essential for the development of the country, the President said, "I have nothing but unreserved praise for our armed forces, paramilitary and internal security forces. Their sacrifices to preserve the integrity and unity of the country present a saga of unparalleled courage and discipline." Concluding his speech, the President quoted Babasaheb Ambedkar: "If we wish to maintain democracy not merely in form, but also in fact, what must we do? The first thing in my judgment we must do is to hold to constitutional methods of achieving our social and economic objectives". These words had always lighted our path and they would continue to show us the way ahead to new glories, the President said. It seems owners of the Xiaomi Redmi 8A budget-friendly smartphone could soon be enjoying all the features that Android 10 has to offer. A recent Geekbench database entry for a Xiaomi Redmi 8A has Android 10 mentioned as its operating system. The cheap handset with a large battery currently operates on Android 9 Pie. Working For Notebookcheck Are you a techie who knows how to write? Then join our Team! English native speakers welcome! News Writer (AUS/NZL based) - Details here A Geekbench record for a Xiaomi Redmi 8A has been spotted that states the device in question was operating with Android 10. At the moment, the budget smartphone operates on an Android 9 Pie-based version of Xiaomis MIUI 11. The entry on Geekbench was only uploaded on January 24, which could be seen as a sign that the Chinese manufacturer is preparing to release Android 10 for the Xiaomi Redmi 8A sooner rather than later. It has been previously reported that the smartphone, which features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 combined with a Qualcomm Adreno 505, would possibly get Android 10 in the second or third quarter of 2020, even as late as November. It will be a welcome upgrade for those who enjoy the many features of the Xiaomi Redmi 8A, which offers a 5,000 mAh battery, a 6.22-inch display, and an up-to-date aesthetic all for a reasonable price. Xiaomi has been criticized for its handling of the roll-out of Android 10 to its devices, with many users presuming MIUI 11 was only based on the most recent Android mobile OS. The Queen offered Prince Harry and Meghan Markle the freedom to live without titles ahead of their wedding, but the Suits star was 'happy' to stop acting and become a working royal, a source has claimed. A source told The Sun that before the royal wedding in May 2018, the Queen, 93, 'made the offer' to Meghan, 38, which would 'give her freedom to continue her acting career'. The Queen reportedly hoped it would help give the actress a 'smooth transition' into royal life - but the Suits star was said to have turned down the offer because she 'wanted to become a working member of the royal family.' Last week, Buckingham Palace announced that from the spring Harry and Meghan will stop using their HRH titles and withdraw from royal duties, including official military appointments. The Queen offered Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan Markle, 38, the freedom to live without titles before the royal wedding to give the then-actress 'a smooth transition' into the family The source revealed that from the early days, the Queen worked to ensure a 'smooth transition' for Meghan. As part of the transition into The Firm, the Monarch reportedly offered Meghan and Prince Harry, 35, the freedom to live without Duke and Duchess titles. But Meghan - who worked and lived in Toronto filming hit legal drama Suits for six years - was 'happy' to stop her career to become a royal. The source revealed: 'The offer would have allowed her to carry on her career, but she was happy to stop acting to become a working member of the royal family.' The source claims the offer would have allowed Meghan to 'carry on her career', but said the royal was 'happy to stop acting to become a working member' of The Firm (pictured, starring in Suits) They went on to say that officials had become frustrated that the couple now feel they were pressured into quitting royal life. Prince Harry was given the highest rank in the British peerage and Meghan became the first Duchess of Sussex when they married in May 2018. All royal titles are given by the Queen and it was up to the monarch to choose which one to bestow on her grandson and his wife in May 2018. On Saturday Buckingham Palace announced that from the spring Harry and Meghan will stop using their HRH titles and withdraw from royal duties, including official military appointments. However the couple will be allowed to maintain their private patronages and associations. They are currently staying in a Vancouver Island bolthole with their one-year-old son Archie as they continue to pursue their charity projects. AlDraeib Maslahat Man? Qirah fi aliqtissad alsayyasi lldaraeib bimisr (Who is really benefiting from taxes? A read in the political economy of taxes in Egypt) El-Maraya, Cairo, 2019 A book on taxes is rarely an immediate draw for the average reader. Many share an aversion to economy titles, even if a book with a grey cover that has cuttings from leading Cairo dailies from the past half-century is somewhat eye-catching. However, what proves very interesting is a book on why an acute deficit of democracy makes it hard for the state to win the confidence of the people and make it possible to promptly collect taxes adequate to the equitable promotion of social justice. This is essentially the story of a book that El-Maraya one of the very few publishers with an interest in political economy titles issued as 2019 was coming to an end, and in anticipation of the 2020 Cairo International Book Fair. AlDraeib Maslahat Man? Qirah fi aliqtissad alsayyasi lldaraeib bimisr (Who is really benefiting from taxes? A read in the political economy of taxes in Egypt) is a series of seven articles by seven economy researchers. In 200 pages, which are not short on graphs or newspaper clippings, the authors offer a concise history of wealth and income taxes in Egypt, and how taxes have been used at times manipulated to promote the political choices of a regime. Wealth tax, the authors argue, was often used to win the support of either the poor or the rich since the introduction of the system in the 19th century. And the same "political manipulation" continued with the introduction of income tax in the late 1930s, the authors add. As the book compares official political discourse on taxes with the text of relevant laws, the authors amplify an often fascinating contrast. Talk about making socialism real through the tax system, which reigned high in the 1960s, the book argues, was not really applied on the ground because the state failed to enforce an efficient tax system that would bring adequate inputs from the rich to be used to serve the wider interest and needs of society. This said, the regime that had already stripped people of political liberties had to compensate by providing subsidised social services. And when an efficient tax system failed to materialise, there was the obvious alternative of nationalisation. The 1970s and 1980s, the book notes, offered a similar formula: limited democratic advances and a largely crippled tax system. In the 1990s, the book recalls, under the wing of the International Monetary Fund, the commitment to introduce an efficient tax system remained unfulfilled as the regime worried that its ability to combine both a reduction in subsidies with higher income tax would unsettle the poor who had already put up with IMF-required austerity measures, despite a political discourse that suggested otherwise. At that time, the regime was not even contemplating the idea of challenging the rich, whose support it needed on the political front to compensate for the democracy deficit. Not much has changed since then, the book argues. Still, the book reminds that it is not just the poor whose discontent the state has to worry about when making tax decisions, and it is also not just the rich that present a possible political impact. It is also, the book argues, foreign investors whose wish for very limited taxes has to be accommodated under the banner of "being an investment friendly market." The story of oil companies working in Egypt falls eloquently under this rubric. The book makes a point of looking into the human" aspect of the taxes story. It looks at the role of tax collectors; often enough overworked and underpaid civil servants. The need to create an efficient tax system that would help secure adequate input to state coffers, the authors suggest, has to start by securing the confidence of taxpayers that the money they pay is used to fund public services, create more job opportunities, and encourage economic growth, while taking into account the working conditions involved. Search Keywords: Short link: Authorities in northeast China's Jilin Province are promoting conservational tillage to protect black soil, one of the most suitable soils for growing crops. Jinlin governor Jing Junhai has proposed in this year's government work report to increase the total area of conservational tillage to more than 1.2 million hectares from the current level of 667,000 hectares. Straw mulching is a major method developed by Chinese agriculturalists to promote conservational tillage. It can effectively increase the fertility of black soil while reducing air pollution caused by straw burning. China's black soil, spanning Heilongjiang, Liaoning and Jilin provinces and part of Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, is one of the three largest black soil areas in the world. According to a national land survey, Jilin has 7 million hectares of black soil, accounting for 23.3 percent of the total black soil area in China. It is also a major grain producer, ranking the fifth among provincial-level regions in the country. With a high density of organic matter, black soil is very suitable for growing crops. However, long-term cultivation and overuse of fertilizers have caused degeneration of the soil, threatening the local environment and grain production. The thickness of the soil dropped from 60 to 70 centimeters in the 1950s to 20 to 30 cm at present, said Liang Aizhen, a researcher on agriculture with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, adding that "it takes 200 to 400 years to form a 1-cm-thick humus layer in black soil." In recent years, China has stepped up efforts in black soil conservation. In 2018, the country's first local regulation on black land conservation took effect in Jilin. The regulation specifies how to control soil loss, increase the density of organic matter, and preserve the moisture and fertility of the soil. Also read: Now Do Easy Shopping from Search Results on Google Recently, Google introduced a new display format for its desktop search result listings, but the critics are not happy about it. The aim behind the update was to bring the desktop search in line with the mobile layout, but it somehow backfired. Google started to add favicons, URLs and everything with the search result, but in reality, the update blurs the line between an ad and an organic search result.The new update is making people click more on the ads rather than on the hard-earned search results, and it is only benefiting Google Ads. Digiday reported that a lot of advertising agencies have noticed a surge in the click-through rate with an increase up to 10 percent. It shows that only Google Ad business is profiting from the new desktop search format. Google might be benefiting from the update right now, but it can lead to severe consequences in the future with trust issues with Google to be on top.However, the search giant has laid their eyes on the criticism and has tweeted that they are likely to bring the new updated format into consideration.Although Google tweeted rather conflicting statements with one showing that they will consider changing it and the other showing that the update received positive feedback in the beginning.We cant really say right now if Google will actually roll back the new feature, but Googles intentions are clear that they want to benefit from the update. Confusing users can also lead Google to face charges of ambiguous results, but thats in the future.If you check Googles search engine results updates since the beginning, as highlighted by Searchengineland , you will see a significant change over time; however, this time the change is quite confusing. We can say that if Google decides to stick with the new format, then they might face trust issues from their users, which is not good for any tech company.Read next: Google to Start Compiling Search History into Collections Thousands of people chanted I am the pro-life generation and marched through downtown San Francisco on Saturday to protest abortion as part of the 16th annual Walk for Life West Coast. Before the march down Market Street to Embarcadero Plaza, the crowd gathered for a rally at Civic Center Plaza, days after the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Courts Jan. 22, 1973, Roe vs. Wade decision, which made abortion legal nationwide. The demonstrators squeezed onto the plaza, bowing their heads and closing their eyes during a prayer at the start of the rally. They grasped homemade signs declaring, Abortion is murder, and Defund Planned Parenthood. One woman placed her sign, declaring that All People Are Equal. All Choices Are Not, onto the ground so she could scribble notes in while the Rev. Frank Pavone, a Catholic priest, urged the crowd to vote against abortion in the November election. We could have in a very short time a Supreme Court with a 7-2 pro-life majority, he said to cheers. But this is possible only with a successful 2020 election. Pro-life progress in the law happens when we have a pro-life president, a pro-life House, and 60 pro-life votes in the Senate. Its as simple as that. We started the job in 2016. Lets finish in 2020. On Friday, President Trump became the first president to speak at the March for Life in Washington. Trump told the crowd of thousands that far-left political leaders are working to erase our God-given rights and silence those who oppose abortion. They are coming after me because I am fighting for you, and we are fighting for those who have no voice, Trump said to the roaring crowd. And we will win, because we know how to win. On Saturday, marchers praised the Trump administrations Friday announcement that it will withhold federal funding for California if the state refuses to end a state requirement that private health insurers provide coverage for abortions. Tracy Hernandez, 56, raised a picket sign with the image of a woman laughing and the tongue-in-cheek phrase, My husband is going to force me to vote for Trump again in 2020. The Oakland resident said she participated in the Walk for Life because she wants to atone for having had abortions. She called Trump the only presidential candidate who is capable of turning the United States into a pro-family and pro-life nation. We need to defend life, and if we cant defend innocent human life, if we allow people to bully the most vulnerable, tiniest among us, then there is no other right for human beings, Hernandez said. Maria Urbik, 18, sat on a bus with dozens of people on a nearly 14-hour drive from St. Timothy Catholic Church in Mesa, Ariz. Urbik, who calls herself a pro-life feminist, said that as a first-time voter, she feels a strong sense of responsibility and excitement ahead of the November election. She held a sign saying, Pro-women, Pro-life, decorated with the Venus symbol, which represents women. Urbik said abortion is the most important issue to her as a voter, and she is still deciding whom to vote for in the election. None of the candidates are really like sticking out to me, personally, but obviously I have to vote for who I think is best for this country and who I think is best for this movement, Urbik said. I totally think that women deserve the same rights as everyone else, the same rights as men, but I also think that supporting life in the womb is also supporting women. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. On the trek from City Hall to Embarcadero Plaza, marchers took turns chanting, We are the pro-life generation, and singing When the Saints Go Marching in, and Amazing Grace while the blocks-long crowd stretched down Market Street. Passing pedestrians and bicyclists stopped along Market to shoot video of the crowd, many of whom live-streamed the march on Instagram. While the antiabortion group gathered at Civic Center, Trump protesters rallied at Powell and Market streets. They said Trumps orders to send a U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and subsequent sanctions on Iran could lead to another, drawn-out war. The antiabortion marchers almost ran into the more than 1,000 antiwar demonstrators. But after about an hour, those protesters headed up Powell Street to Union Square in an attempt to avoid bumping into the other, much larger, crowd. Walk for Life organizers said the crowd surpassed that at last years rally. Cindy Northon, one of the march representatives, said that in past years, organizers had estimated 50,000 participants, so this year, they estimated tens of thousands of marchers. Lauren Hernandez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LaurenPorFavor Photo credit: US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sean Carnes From Popular Mechanics Senator Chuck Grassley has asked the Department of Defense to look into claims Lockheed Martin instructed employees to work under chemically toxic conditions. The senator claims employees were told to improperly apply chemicals, leading to health issues. Whistleblowers allege the company ignored health and safety laws. A U.S. senator has called for an investigation into defense contractor Lockheed Martin after whistleblowers alleged employees were suffering health problems. The problems stem from the alleged misuse of an adhesion promoter used on the fuel tanks of C-130J Hercules transport planes. Lockheed Martin has declined to comment on the allegations at this time. Related: Closer Look At The C-130 Plane That Crashed Near Savannah According to Defense News, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley asked the Department of Defenses inspector general to investigate claims that Lockheed Martin ordered employees to improperly apply an adhesion promoter, PR-148, to the gas tanks of the C-130J Super Hercules. The C-130J is the latest in the long line of C-130 series transports operated by the U.S. Military, and is built in Marietta, Georgia. Numerous whistleblowers have alleged that Lockheed Martin instructed employees to apply PR-148 in an aerosol form. The manufacturer of the PR-148, PPG Aerospace, states on its website that the chemical should be applied to a surface by brush or dry gauze pad. Witnesses contend that spraying the chemical in aerosol form formed a large blue cloud the equivalent of industrial strength airplane glue. On its website, the manufacturer warns that inhalation of PR-148 can lead to adverse symptoms that may include nausea or vomiting, headache, drowsiness/fatigue, dizziness/vertigo, and unconsciousness. Potential acute health effects include, central nervous system (CNS) depression. Grassley claims that safety and health concerns were brought to the attention of Lockheed Martin but were reportedly ignored. The senator claims the government representative on site had become too friendly with Lockheed officials, and that the company had ultimately ignored labor and safety laws. The Iowa Senator has asked the Department of Defense inspector general to investigate the matter and make a report. Story continues Source: Defense News You Might Also Like London, Jan 26 : Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, has been handed a new role by the Queen as his younger brother Harry prepares to step back from the royal family, a media report said. Prince William has been made the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, The Telegraph reported. This makes the Duke of Cambridge to become the sovereign's personal representative to the annual General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. The Lord High Commissioner's role was established in the 1707 Act of Union between England and Scotland, and the Queen pledged to continue it during the first Privy Council meeting of her reign in 1952. Prince William will make the opening and closing addresses to the Assembly, as well as carrying out official visits across Scotland. The Church of Scotland is a Presbyterian church and recognises only Jesus Christ as "King and Head of the Church", so the Queen will attend services as an ordinary member. The Queen appoints a figure to the role every year, and previous royal family members who have taken it on include the Princess Royal, the Duke of Rothesay, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex. The General Assembly, which comprises 850 commissioners, meets each May, generally in Edinburgh. During the period it convenes, the Lord High Commissioner is given permission to stay at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. He or she traditionally receives a Guard of Honour, a 21-gun salute and the keys to the City of Edinburgh. B oris Johnson has unveiled plans to celebrating the fruition of his "get Brexit done" pledge as Britain departs the EU on January 31. The prime minister has spoke of his desire to "look ahead with confidence" next Friday, when Britain formally departs the bloc. To mark the date, Mr Johnson will deliver a special address to the nation and Downing Street will be illuminated with a light display. This is said to be designed to symbolise the strength and unity of the UK's four nations. Boris Johnson signs Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Union flags will line Parliament Square and the Mall while Government buildings on Whitehall will be lit up in red, white and blue throughout the evening. A countdown clock will be projected onto Number 10's black bricks from 10pm on January 31. Big Ben, however, is not set to ring, as many Brexiteers had desired. Mr Johnson said: "Next Friday marks an important moment in the history of our United Kingdom. "No matter how you voted in 2016, it is the time to look ahead with confidence to the global, trail-blazing country we will become over the next decade and heal past divisions. "That is what I will be doing on January 31 and I urge everyone across the UK to do the same." Britain will formally depart the EU on January 31 / AFP via Getty Images However, despite his message to all sides of the debate, his plans have not been met with enthusiasm by those who did not back Brexit. Former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine told the Observer: "Brexit is the most divisive issue of modern times. Those of us who fought to remain did so sincerely in the interests of our country and subsequent generations who we believe should be influential at the heart of Europe. "I think it is unwise of the Government to rub our noses in it by celebrating our defeat at this hour, whilst talking about unifying the country." Acting Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey joined the criticism. He said Mr Johnson should be using public money to unite the nation, "not gloat with an expensive party". When Carol Taylor ended her life with medical assistance last week, the Kelowna woman spent her last moments surrounded by her dearest friends. But closest to her, holding her hand until she passed, was a young man from Syria she lovingly called her grandson, Anas Qartoumeh. Theirs was an unlikely friendship, and one that will endure in Qartoumeh's heart for a long time. "She was my all in Canada, and I lost her," he said, his voice breaking. The 80-year-old, whose two-year battle with cancer had taken a turn for the worse, chose death in the way she had lived her life with courage and conviction. "I've had a most wonderful life. It's time to move on, and I'm on my way happily," she told CBC a few days before she died. Taylor, who hailed from a family of "lefties" from the San Francisco area, initially came to Canada to protest the Vietnam War, and activism remained the crux of her life. She protested against nuclear proliferation in the 1980s, against homophobia in the 1990s, and in her later years, co-founded the Dying with Dignity chapter in Kelowna. Submitted by Anas Qartoumeh One fuzzy photo of Taylor shows her at one of the first pride marches in Kelowna in the late '90s, surrounded by her friends from the Kelowna Women's Book Club. "We were on the front lines 20 years ago [and] the mayor refused to sign the proclamation [in support of the LGBTQ community]," she said. "We were vilified ... they were saying terrible things to us." In 2015, Taylor, whose common-law husband had died a few years earlier, was looking for a way to help the influx of Syrian refugees arriving in Canada. Living alone, she figured she could host a family in the extra rooms in her house. "And Anas came into my life ... with a 22 kilogram suitcase." Qartoumeh, now 36, came to Canada as a refugee to escape the Syrian civil war and a conservative culture that forced him to keep his homosexuality a secret. Story continues When he arrived in Kelowna, he found in Taylor not just a roommate, but a kindred spirit, mentor, and someone he could confide in. "She was there to support me since the day I arrived," he said. "She stood up for me when I was vulnerable." Taylor introduced Qartoumeh to her wide circle of friends, and she watched closely as he blossomed in his adopted home. "He was invited to his first gay New Year's party and I drove him to it," she recalled. "Up in Glenmore, somewhere snowing." The following morning, Taylor said she listened carefully as Qartoumeh recounted every detail of the party, especially because, she joked, she hadn't been invited. "Anas said, 'Carol! I have had my first gay kiss!' And he told me about what it was like and [how] this man kissed him." With Taylor's encouragement, Qartoumeh got a job, moved out, and took on a prominent, vocal role in Kelowna's LGBTQ community. Qartoumeh was named the Grand Marshal of the 2018 Kelowna Pride March. "I knew he could speak well. He looks good, and he's proud and out as a gay man," she said, beaming. "He's the poster man for inclusion in Canada." Submitted by Anas Qartoumeh But to Taylor, who has no children of her own, he was more. "He's the grandson I would have wished for." When Taylor decided to have a medically assisted death, she told Qartoumeh. He immediately moved in to the house to be with her in the weeks leading up to the day she had chosen to die. The night before her death, Taylor held a living wake for her close friends. She insisted on happy music and no tears. Qartoumeh said the event, complete with a riotous appearance from Kelowna drag queen Freida Whales, was joyful. But he admitted to escaping to his own room to cry. "I do not want to disappoint her I've never disappointed her and show her my sadness, but when I am in my room and on my own, I just do it," he said. When he insisted on being there for her final moments, Taylor hesitated. She said it would be too emotional. "Then she changed her mind and she said, 'Yeah I'd like you to stay with me,'" he said. "I held her hand to the very end." As Qartoumeh moves on in his own life, Taylor will always remain close to him like an old fuzzy photograph of a determined woman, marching with a hand-written sign at one of Kelowna's first pride parades, that sits framed in his home. When Taylor was shown the photograph before her death, she laughed. "I had said, 'Anas, take anything you want because I'm getting rid of stuff here.' And he took it. I kind of forgot he took it," she said. "I was so honoured that he would do that." Listen to an audio version of this story, including conversations with Carol Taylor and Anas Qartoumeh, by clicking on the play button below or in the CBC Listen app. Advertisement A second person in Canada has tested positive for the deadly coronavirus, the Ontario government revealed on Monday - just one day after a fifth case of the deadly infection was confirmed in the US. The new patient is a Toronto woman, whose husband already tested positive for the virus on Saturday following a trip to China. Officials said she has remained in self-isolation since arriving in Canada Toronto, and noted that the risk to the public was considered low. In the US, the fifth case was confirmed in Maricopa County, Arizona but no information was available regarding that patient. Previously, cases had been confirmed in Orange County and Los Angeles County, California; Chicago, Illinois; and Snohomish County, Washington. A sixth, unconfirmed case is suspected in a Chinese exchange student at William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of Monday, there are 2,877 cases of coronavirus confirmed in 12 countries and 81 people - all of them in China - have died. China's health minister Ma Xiaowei made a shocking statement on Sunday about the people possibly spreading the virus before they observe any symptoms. As of Monday morning, there are seven confirmed cases and 64 suspected cases of coronavirus in the US and Canada A second Canadian case of the deadly coronavirus has been confirmed in a woman of a 50-something-year-old man who had already tested positive for the virus, Ontario government revealed on Monday. Pictured: Travelers are seen wearing face masks at Toronto Pearson Airport on Sunday Almost 2,900 people have been infected globally with the virus traced to a seafood market in the central city of Wuhan that was illegally selling wildlife Experts say the difficulty of containing the coronavirus is that so many patients have mild, cold-like symptoms and don't realise they have the infection The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said that the infected person in that jurisdiction presented themselves for testing after feeling unwell, and are 'currently receiving medical treatment'. 'There is no immediate threat to the general public, no special precautions are required,' the department said in a statement. 'LA County is well prepared to manage cases and suspected cases of novel coronavirus.' Dr Barbara Ferrer, director of public health, said doctors and scientists were still learning about the killer virus. 'Because novel coronavirus is new, we are learning more each day about transmission patterns and incubation periods. We will keep everyone informed as more information becomes available. The risk of transmission of coronavirus in LA County remains low,' she said. Orange County Health Care Agency said their patient had travelled from Wuhan and reached out to the health care agency prior to being diagnosed. They were given guidance to avoiding exposing the public to the virus while waiting for test results. 'The individual has now been transported to a local hospital and is in isolation in good condition,' added the agency who did not identify the patient. 'In consultation with the CDC and the California Department of Public Health, the HCA is following up directly with all individuals who have had close contact with the case and are at risk of infection.' The CDC advises that casual contact, such as being in the same grocery store as an infected person is unlikely to spread the virus, and that 'the current risk of local transmission remains low.' News of the increased number of North American cases came as the United States government warned it won't have enough seats on a rescue plane to evacuate all US citizens from Wuhan - and the jet won't even arrive for two days. The US consulate is reaching out to all Americans registered as living in Wuhan to offer them a seat on a charter flight scheduled for Tuesday. A source familiar with the chartered evacuation flight told CNN that roughly 1,000 Americans live in the city, and those who choose to leave will be forced to pay for their spot on the Boeing 767 jet, which carries around 230 people. The State Department released a statement late on Saturday which read: 'The Department of State is making arrangements to relocate its personnel stationed at the US Consulate General in Wuhan to the United States. 'We anticipate that there will be limited capacity to transport private US citizens on a reimbursable basis on a single flight leaving Wuhan Tianhe International Airport on January 28, 2020 and proceeding directly to San Francisco.' Since space is limited, the government says that 'priority will be given to individuals at greater risk from coronavirus'. The US government is planning to evacuate 1,000 American citizens from the coronavirus-stricken Chinese city of Wuhan. Photos from inside the intensive care unit at Zhongnan Hospital in Wuhan show medical workers caring for critically-ill patients this week (above) The State Department announced (pictured) that it is evacuating US citizens from Wuhan on Tuesday People waiting for passengers wear masks at Pearson airport arrivals, shortly after Toronto Public Health received notification of Canada's first presumptive confirmed case of coronavirus, in Toronto The US evacuation was first reported by the The Wall Street Journal, citing an official source. However, another source who spoke to CNN disputed the Journal's claim that any available seats may be offered to non-US citizens and diplomats from other countries, saying that non-US citizens would only be allowed onboard if they are related or married to Americans. It is understood medical personnel will be on the flight to care for anyone who may have been infected by the virus and prevent it from spreading. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said it is involved in the efforts to help Americans leave Wuhan. 'Department of State has the lead for the safe and expedient ordered departure of all US citizens from Wuhan, China,' CDC spokeswoman Kristen Nordlund told CNN. 'CDC is aware and coordinating in the planning.' Horrifying videos posted to social media show chaos at hospitals and doctors collapsing on the floor in Wuhan as Chinese authorities struggle to gain control of the epidemic. Washington was given approval for the operation from China's Foreign Ministry and other government agencies following negotiations in recent days. The US also plans to temporarily shut its Wuhan consulate, it said. Meanwhile, closer to home, a Canadian hospital has confirmed the country's first case of the deadly Chinese coronavirus, as officials in the United States said they had identified two confirmed cases and are monitoring dozens of other potential diagnoses. Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto said it is 'caring for a patient who has a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China.' Officials said the man is his 50s and recently flew from Wuhan, China to Guangzhou, China and then on to Toronto on January 23. 'He really wasn't in Toronto very long. He wasn't feeling well. I think he was at home and the people that live with him are in self isolation,' said Dr Barbara Yaffe, Ontario's Associated Chief Medical Officer. Meanwhile, a suburban Chicago hospital is currently treating a 60-year-old woman who is a confirmed carrier of the virus after she returned from Wuhan. The unidentified patient is currently in isolation at St Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. It came days after America's first confirmed case - a Washington man in his 30s who lives in Snohomish County, who has been quarantined at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, outside of Seattle. People wear masks at the arrival hall at the international terminal of Toronto Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Saturday Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto (above) said on Saturday that it is 'caring for a patient who has a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China.' The man is now in stable condition in isolation. He was admitted to hospital a day after his flight to Toronto Cities across America are on high alert amid the escalating coronavirus crisis as 63 people in 22 states are suspected to have contracted the deadly strain. The outbreak of the new virus originated in China, where it has infected more than 1,975 people and killed 56, and has spread worldwide. Australia and Malaysia reported their first cases on Saturday - four each - and Japan, its third. France confirmed three cases on Friday, the first in Europe. In Canada, while the case has been confirmed by a test in Toronto, officials said it has yet to complete separate testing by the federal government's National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases in Winnipeg. The illness will officially be fully confirmed once it completes that testing. Dr David Williams, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health, said they are 95% sure it is the virus. 'This is the first presumptive confirmed case,' said Williams. 'While we are convinced our tests do demonstrate positivity there is confirmation at the national medical laboratory in Winnipeg and once that is done is is a fully confirmed case.' The man is now in stable condition in isolation. He was admitted to hospital a day after his flight to Toronto. Mayor John Tory said health officials say the risk to the public is low. Officials expect the number of cases in the US to grow as dozens more people are being tested for the virus that's afflicted more than 1,975 and killed 56 in at least 12 countries. Surges in medical mask sales have been seen in areas where possible cases have been reported as people do what they can to avoid contracting the disease, which experts say may be spread as easily as the common cold. Extra precautions are being taken at airports nationwide as all passengers inbound from Wuhan, the Chinese city where the outbreak originated in late December, are being funneled to five major hubs for screening. The city, which has a population of around 11 million, has been under quarantine since Thursday as officials try to slow the spread of the virus traced back to a seafood market where wildlife was allegedly sold illegally. Tensions have been high at US airports as travelers worry about exposure to the virus in such a high-traffic, confined environment. Staff at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago are seen wearing face masks on Friday Extra precautions are being taken at airports nationwide as all passengers inbound from Wuhan are being funneled to five major hubs - including Los Angeles International Airport (pictured Friday) for public health entry screenings More passengers are seen wearing masks after arriving at Los Angeles International Airport from Asian, China, on Friday It appears that all of the patients currently awaiting test results after showing symptoms consistent with the virus - such as fever, cough and runny nose - had either visited Wuhan recently or were in contact with someone who visited the city. Those patients are believed to have all been isolated either in hospitals or in their homes to reduce the risk of exposing others. US health officials warned on Friday that the flu or other respiratory illnesses could complicate efforts to identify additional cases. 'We're really working to understand the full spectrum of the illness with this coronavirus,' Dr Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Messonnier, said at a briefing. CONFIRMED US CORONAVIRUS CASES 1. Man in Washington state The first US coronavirus case was confirmed on Tuesday, January 21. The patient - a Washington man in his 30s who lives in Snohomish County - has been quarantined at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, outside of Seattle. The man had traveled by himself from Wuhan but did not visit any of the markets at the epicenter of the outbreak. He reportedly had no symptoms upon arrival in the US on January 15, but after reading about the outbreak online and developing symptoms, he contacted his doctor. The patient allegedly sought treatment on January 16 and was tested the following day. He is said to be in stable condition. He is being treated in a bio-containment room by a few staff members and a robot to limit the spread of the virus. The robot has a stethoscope attached to take the man's vitals and a large screen so doctors can communicate with him, Dr George Diaz, chief of the infectious disease division at the Providence Regional Medical Center, told CNN. 'The nursing staff in the room move the robot around so we can see the patient in the screen, talk to him,' Dr Diaz told the network. Officials have also been monitoring more than a dozen people the man reportedly came into contact with in the five days between when he arrived back in the US and when he was diagnosed. 2. Woman in Chicago The CDC confirmed the second US case on Friday - a 60-year-old woman in Chicago, Illinois, who had traveled to Wuhan in late December. The woman, who has not been named, arrived at O'Hare International Airport on January 13 but did not begin experiencing symptoms until several days later. Health officials say the woman appears to be 'well' and in stable condition. The unidentified patient is currently in isolation at St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. 3. Patient in California Orange County Health Care Agency announced that a patient in California had tested positive for novel coronavirus. The agency said the patient had traveled from Wuhan and reached out to the health care agency prior to being diagnosed. They were given guidance to avoiding exposing the public to the virus while waiting for test results. 'The individual has now been transported to a local hospital and is in isolation in good condition,' added the agency who did not identify the patient. 'In consultation with the CDC and the California Department of Public Health, the HCA is following up directly with all individuals who have had close contact with the case and are at risk of infection.' 4. Los Angeles County Case Health officials say that the Los Angeles County patient, had recently returned from the epicentre of the outbreak in Wuhan, China. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said that the infected person presented themselves for testing after feeling unwell, and are 'currently receiving medical treatment'. 5. Arizona Case Officials confirmed a fifth case in Maricopa County, Arizona. No other information was immediately reported about the patient. Advertisement 'The problem with this time of year is it's cold and flu season and there are lots of cold and respiratory infections circulating.' The CDC has recommended that anyone with symptoms contact a health-care provider before seeking treatment so the appropriate precautionary measures can be put in place. The agency is trying to expedite screenings by providing up tests to state health officials. It currently takes the CDC about four to six hours to make a diagnosis once a sample arrives at its lab. Two people from Minnesota and three people from Michigan are currently being tested. The patients from Michigan have reportedly agreed to remain in isolation until their tests results return, the Detroit Free Press reported. Also being monitored are two college students, one from Texas A&M University and another from Tennessee Tech University. The Tennessee Department of Health said it decided to test the TTU student because he or she had 'very mild symptoms' and had a recent concerning travel history that met the criteria for testing. No results have been confirmed and the student is being kept in isolation. For the Texas student, Brazos County Health District officials said the male had 'mild' symptoms that resembled the coronavirus and had traveled to Wuhan recently. Results of tests will be announced to the public if the patient tests positive for coronavirus. Officials said the patient is currently being kept isolated at home and that it is safe for student to attend classes. 'This patient did travel to the area of concern in China within the last 14 days and thankfully had mild upper respiratory symptoms, and he was improving,' said Dr Eric Wilke with the Brazos County Health Department. 'I believe the time the patient presented at the emergency department, it was more out of concern,' said Dr Eric Wilke with the Brazos County Health Department. Medical supply stores around the Brazos Valley, where Texas A&M is located, are reportedly experiencing a medical mask shortage after the possible case was reported. Genese Smith, who works at MediCare Equipment in Bryan, just a few miles off campus, told KBTX that an influx of customers came to the store looking for masks on Thursday. 'Within about 30 minutes of word getting out, we started getting phone calls asking if we have the masks, what kind of masks did we have, and how many we had available,' Smith said. 'Quite a few people started coming in, asking, and purchasing.' Smith said the store typically stocks about 50 masks but has already ordered more. Other stores in the area, including Texas A&M's Health Services Department, are also awaiting new shipments of masks after their current stocks ran out, per KBTX. In California, Los Angeles International Airport has been on high alert after a passenger who arrived on Wednesday was sent to hospital after he or she appeared to be ill. The unnamed passenger arrived on an American Airlines flight from Mexico City around 7pm, CBS Los Angeles reported. However, it remains unclear if the passenger is from Mexico City, or if they originated from another city. Several people in the state, particularly in Alameda County and the Bay Area, are also being examined to see if they have the virus that resembles SARS. On Friday, North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services also reported that it is investigating a case. The suspected patient arrived at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on January 23 after having traveled to Wuhan but not to the seafood market to which many early cases have been linked, according to a news release. Four other potential cases are also under investigation in New York state. In Colorado, a patient with respiratory symptoms was placed in isolation at Lakewood's Centura - St Anthony Hospital after they were found to have recently traveled to Wuhan. The hospital said it could be several days for coronavirus test results to come back from the CDC, but public health risk is considered low at this time. In Washington state, where the first US case was confirmed, the Northwest Chinese school in Bellevue called off weekend classes for preschoolers through adults amid concerns about the virus. 'We take the health of our students and families very seriously and think that this is the best course of action,' officials wrote in an email announcing the cancelled classes. On the University of Washington's Seattle campus, a Chinese student association has been distributing face masks and asking students to contribute to efforts to send supplies such as face masks and protective suits to China. Last week, US officials began funneling all passengers arriving in the US from Wuhan on direct or connecting flights through five major airports - including O'Hare (pictured) to ensure that they are screened Passengers are seen arriving at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago on Friday Screenings are also in place at Los Angeles International Airport. A staff member is seen wearing a face mask at LAX on Friday Tensions have been high at US airports as travellers worry about exposure to the virus in such a high-traffic, confined environment. Last week, US officials began funnelling all passengers arriving in the US from Wuhan on direct or connecting flights through five major airports to ensure that they are screened. Public health entry screenings are currently taking place at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, John F Kennedy International Airport in New York and San Francisco International Airport. The screening begins with a survey to determine whether a traveler shows possible coronavirus symptoms and whether they visited the meat or seafood markets in Wuhan that have been tied to the outbreak. President Trump thanked President Xi Jinping and China for its 'transparency' in fighting coronavirus on Twitter Friday If they appear to have any symptoms associated with coronavirus, travellers are taken to on-site triage for further examination and a temperature check. The State Department issued its highest travel warning for Wuhan on Thursday, advising Americans to not travel to the region. The level 4 warning puts the city on par with countries such as Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, North Korea, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen. In a tweet on Friday, President Donald Trump thanked President Xi Jinping and China for its 'transparency' in fighting coronavirus. 'China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus. The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi!' Trump wrote. Officials are planning to temporarily shutter the US Consulate General in Wuhan (pictured) News of the evacuation came as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide jumped to 1,396 on Saturday morning, including 42 fatalities. Patients are seen undergoing treatment at Wuhan Central Hospital Coronavirus: What we know so far What is this virus? The virus has been identified as a new type of coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a large family of pathogens, most of which cause mild respiratory infections such as the common cold. But coronaviruses can also be deadly. SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, is caused by a coronavirus and killed hundreds of people in China and Hong Kong in the early 2000s. Can it kill? Yes. Seventeen people have so far died after testing positive for the virus. What are the symptoms? Its symptoms are typically a fever, cough and trouble breathing, but some patients have developed pneumonia, a potentially life-threatening infection that causes inflammation of the small air sacs in the lungs. People carrying the novel coronavirus may only have mild symptoms, such as a sore throat. They may assume they have a common cold and not seek medical attention, experts fear. How is it detected? The virus's genetic sequencing was released by scientists in China to the rest of the world to enable other countries to quickly diagnose potential new cases. This helps other countries respond quickly to disease outbreaks. To contain the virus, airports are detecting infected people with temperature checks. But as with every virus, it has an incubation period, meaning detection is not always possible because symptoms have not appeared yet. How did it start and spread? The first cases identified were among people connected to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan. Cases have since been identified elsewhere which could have been spread through human-to-human transmission. What are countries doing to prevent the spread? Countries in Asia have stepped up airport surveillance. They include Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines. Australia and the US are also screening patients for a high temperature, and the UK announced it will screen passengers returning from Wuhan. Is it similar to anything we've ever seen before? Experts have compared it to the 2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The epidemic started in southern China and killed more than 700 people in mainland China, Hong Kong and elsewhere Advertisement Some 57 million people across 15 Chinese cities are now on lockdown as officials work to slow the virus' rapid spread. The coronavirus strain, known as 2019-nCov, is believed to have emerged from illegally-traded wildlife at a seafood market in Wuhan, a city 700 miles south of the capital of Beijing. While preliminary research suggests the virus was passed to humans from snakes, Chinese health officials reported this week that some cases have been caused by human-to-human transmission increasing the risk of it spreading. As of Saturday, nearly 2,000 cases have been reported in China and another 28 have been reported across 12 other countries: Thailand (4), Taiwan (3), Singapore (3), France (3), Malaysia (3), Japan (3), South Korea (2), Vietnam (2), Nepal (1), Australia (4), Canada (1) and the US (5). International concern has grown with the revelation that the virus spreads not just from animals to people, but between people, likely in a similar way to how colds spread. Experts don't yet know how quickly the disease can spread from person-to-person, but a World Health Organisation (WHO) official has said it is transmitted faster than previously thought. 'We are now seeing second and third generation spread,' Dr David Heymann, the chairperson of a WHO committee gathering data on the virus, said Thursday. Third generation means that someone who became infected after handling animals at the market in Wuhan, China, could transmit the virus to someone else, who then passes it to a third person. Heymann said the virus initially appeared to spread only by very close contact that would typically occur within a family, such as hugging, kissing or sharing eating utensils. He said new evidence suggests more distant contact could spread the virus, such as if an infected person were to sneeze or cough near someone else's face. Heymann noted that there is no evidence indicated that the virus is airborne and could spread across a room. On Thursday, the WHO declined to formally designate the new virus as a global health emergency after two days of deliberations. Committee chairman Dr Didier Houssin said 'now is not the time' to declare an emergency based on the limited global spread of the virus and the isolation of deaths to China. The WHO defines an emergency as an 'extraordinary event' that constitutes a risk to other countries and requires a coordinated international response. Houssin added that the information they had received from Chinese authorities was too limited and imprecise for the committee to make a recommendation that day. He said the committee remained divided roughly 50/50 over the course of the two-day meeting. If WHO members had decided the other way, it would have been just the sixth time in history that it has happened. The only other outbreaks to have been granted such a status include the 2009 Swine flu epidemic, the resurgence of Polio in 2014, the worldwide spread of Zika in 2016 and the two most recent Ebola outbreaks in 2014 and last year. The WHO has advised governments to be prepared for the disease and ready to test anyone with symptoms who has travelled to affected regions. Preliminary research suggests the virus was passed to humans from snakes or bats. But, this week, Chinese health officials reported that some cases have been caused by human-to-human transmission. Pictured: The coronavirus strain Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday warned that the country is facing a 'grave situation' as the coronavirus is 'accelerating'. 'Faced with the grave situation of an accelerating spread of the new coronavirus [...] it is necessary to strengthen the centralised and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee,' Xi said following an emergency government meeting, according to official news agency Xinhua. Some 56 million people are now subject to restrictions on their movement as authorities expand travel bans in central Hubei province, now affecting 18 cities. Authorities scrambled to shut tourist attractions and public transport systems in 14 other cities on Friday as the country entered its busiest travel period due to the Lunar New Year, which sees many people venturing back to their home town or village. Residents of Wuhan have expressed fear they are 'trapped' and will all be infected because of the government lockdown which has stopped anyone from leaving. Other shocking developments in the outbreak today include: China announced further travel curbs on Saturday. Ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing said it was halting inter-city services to and from Beijing from Sunday, while the capital will also stop running inter-province shuttle buses. The previously unknown strain is believed to have emerged late last year from illegally traded wildlife at an animal market in Wuhan. Thailand has reported five cases; Australia has reported four; Singapore, France, Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia three; Vietnam, South Korea and the United States two apiece; and Nepal one. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said that while the outbreak was an emergency for China, it was not yet a global health emergency. Symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. China says the virus is mutating and can be transmitted through human contact. Those most affected are older people and those with underlying health conditions. Three research teams have begun work on developing potential vaccines, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations said. Scientists hope to be testing the first possible vaccines in three months' time. Wuhan, a city of 11 million, is under severe travel restrictions, with urban transport shut and outgoing flights suspended. China has advised people to avoid crowds and more than 10 cities in the central province of Hubei, where Wuhan is located, have suspended some transport. Beijing closed tourist access to the Forbidden City and cancelled large gatherings, including two Lunar New Year temple fairs, and closed part of the Great Wall. Starbucks has closed all shops and suspended delivery services in China's Hubei province for the week-long Lunar New Year holiday, following a similar move by McDonald's in five Hubei cities. Walt Disney Co's Shanghai Disney Resort will be closed from Saturday. Hong Kong has declared an emergency and will extend school holiday closures until February 17. The city also cancelled all official Lunar New Year celebrations and official visits to mainland China. China's Haikou city, capital of the southern island province of Hainan, started a 14-day centralised medical observation for tourists from Hubei. Sanya city in the province, a popular vacation destination, has shut all tourist sites. Airports around the world have stepped up screening. Shares and crude prices fell sharply on Friday as investors moved into safe-haven assets amid concerns that the virus could curb travel and hurt economic demand. Some experts believe the virus is not as dangerous as the 2002-03 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) that killed nearly 800 people, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which has killed more than 700 people since 2012. Each person infected is passing the disease on to between two and three other people on average at current transmission rates, according to two separate scientific analyses. Dramatic video showed people collapsing on sidewalks in Wuhan, the Chinese city where the outbreak originated Medical staff members wearing protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus which began in the city, walk at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital in China The new virus comes from a large family of what are known as coronaviruses, some causing nothing worse than a cold. It causes cold- and flu-like symptoms, including cough and fever and, in more severe case, shortness of breath. It can worsen to pneumonia, which can be fatal. Most of China's provinces and cities activated a Level 1 public health alert, the highest in a four-tier system, the state-owned China Daily newspaper reported Saturday (pictured, medics at Wuhan Red Cross Hospital) A bomb disposal squad member prepares to blow up the IED Aditya Rao claimed to have kept in his laptop bag, which he planted at a ticket counter of the Mangaluru International Airport on January 20. (PTI Photo) MANGALURU: Police have retrieved a box containing a powdery substance from a Karnataka Bank locker rented by the man who claimed to have planted a bomb at the international airport here last week, police said Sunday. Aditya Rao told the police the powder was cyanide. The probe team, led by assistant commissioner of police K U Belliappa, sent the box for tests to the Forensic Science Laboratory, police said. The man, a native of Manipal, had rented the locker at the Kunjibettu branch of Karnataka Bank in Udupi. A family member reportedly mentioned to the police that the 36-year old Aditya Rao had in the past expressed an intention to commit suicide by consuming poison. Aditya Rao was also taken to Malpe near Udupi from where he allegedly made a hoax call to the airport manager that a bomb had been placed in the IndiGo flight to Bengaluru on the same day that he placed a bomb near a ticket counter in the airport. He confessed to making the bomb threat call, police said. After the call, he threw away the SIM card and left for Bengaluru where he surrendered on January 22. Police, however, could not retrieve the SIM card. Aditya Rao, now in police custody, will be taken later to Karkala where he used to work in a restaurant, police said. A 'live' explosive device was found in an unattended bag near a ticket counter at the departure gate of the Mangaluru International Airport on January 20, triggering a scare before it was defused at a nearby open ground. Police released a picture of a man captured by CCTV cameras as the suspect who placed the bomb. Later Rao surrendered to the police in Bengaluru. Earlier on Saturday, Aditya Rao was taken to a hair-cutting salon at Kenjar here, where he left one of his bags before going to the airport with the bag containing the bomb. The barber identified Rao and said the man had wanted to keep the bag inside his salon, but he asked him to keep it outside. He collected the bag on his return from the airport. Rao told the police that he had only his clothes inside the bag. Aditya Rao will also be taken to Chennai as he revealed during questioning that he collected materials for the improvised explosive device (IED) from there, police said. Furious motorists have slammed the ridiculous road rule that could see you lose your licence at a fast food drive-thru. Driving laws across Australia mean motorists can be fined up to $484 and lose as many as five demerit points if they pay at a drive-thru using their phone. The law was highlighted by a Victoria Police poll last week, with drivers voicing their anger at the rule. 'Does that mean I can pull on the hand brake, turn off the car at traffic lights and use my phone? I am hoping this is a joke,' one user wrote. 'You can't seriously argue that using a mobile phone to pay for the food is too dangerous, but leaning out of the car window (often with both hands) to collect your food, drinks, whatever is fine,' another replied. Victoria Police police launched a poll on Facebook which asked motorists whether or not they can use their phone to pay in a drive thru 'If you intend to use your mobile phone to pay at the drive-thru window, apply the hand brake, switch the engine off and then access your mobile phone,' Victoria Police wrote (stock) Poll Should drivers be allowed to use their phones to pay for their food while in drive thru? Yes No Unsure Should drivers be allowed to use their phones to pay for their food while in drive thru? Yes 3040 votes No 285 votes Unsure 67 votes Now share your opinion Victoria Police police launched a poll on Facebook on Friday which asked motorists whether or not they can use their phone to pay while picking up their order. More than 53,000 people voted on the poll, which saw well over half of voters get the answer wrong. 'If you intend to use your mobile phone to pay at the drive-thru window, apply the hand brake, switch the engine off and then access your mobile phone,' Victoria Police wrote. 'In doing so, you are not considered driving.' Drivers in Victoria could be fined $484 and will lose four demerit points if they are caught paying for food using their phones. The law also applies across the rest of Australia, with fines and points for anyone caught paying with their phones. The poll, which attracted more than 2,600 comments, saw many outraged users who slammed the rule as 'bloody ridiculous' and the 'biggest joke ever'. Drivers in the state will be slapped with $484 and will lose four demerit points if they are caught breaking the law (stock) South Australian traffic law specialist Karen Stanley said road rules have struggled to keep up with technology (stock) South Australian traffic law specialist Karen Stanley said road rules have struggled to keep up with technology. 'The road rules define a road as a public area where people drive motor vehicles,' she said on ABC Radio Adelaide's Mornings. 'So even though it [a drive-through] is privately owned, it's still considered a public area because part of the business of the takeaway drive-through is that public cars come in and drive through and buy food.' Ms Stanley said that wording of the law is also important with many because it can lead to misunderstandings. Drivers in New South Wales who pay with their phone at a drive-thru will incur a $337 fine and will lose five demerit points. Those caught breaking the rule in Queensland will be fined $391 and lose three demerit points. Motorists in Western Australia will also lose three demerit points but will be fined $400. Drivers in the Australian Capital Territory will cop a $447 and lose four demerit points. Those in the Northern Territory, Tasmania and South Australia will all lose three demerit points and will be fined $250, $300 and $308 respectively. PENALTIES FOR USING MOBILE PAYMENTS AT A DRIVE-THRU New South Wales: $337 fine/ five demerit points Victoria: $484 fine/ four demerit points Queensland: $391 fine/ three demerit points Western Australia: $400 fine/ three demerit points Australian Capital Territory: $447 fine/ four demerit points Northern Territory: $250 fine/ three demerit points Tasmania: $300 fine/ three demerit points South Australia: $308 fine/ three demerit points Advertisement Advertisement Thousands of Sydneysiders flocked to the beach to celebrate Australia Day by soaking up the sun and enjoying a balmy 31C day. Men and women on Bondi Beach stripped down to bikinis and board shorts and jumped into the cooling waves or lazed about on the sun from the early morning. Friends playfully pushed each other into the water while others stood on the rocks surveying the scene, or played with their children on the sand. Friend playfully push each other into the water as the man appears to have not yet taken a dip as his shorts are dry Thousands of Sydneysiders flocked to the beach to celebrate Australia Day by soaking up the sun and enjoying a balmy 31C day A woman wades into the water off Bondi Beach, holding on to a railing to steady herself on the rocks One couple even cuddled up on beach towels on the sand and locked lips while the celebrations carried on around them A dog relaxes near its owner after taking a dip in the ocean on Australia Day Four girls show off their Aussie tattoos before making a splash into the rock pools A woman relaxes on a giant inflatable flamingo as she floats in the water Some women put on quite an impressive performance for beachgoers by practicing their pole dancing at the beach That's one way to celebrate: Beachgoers look on as three women practice their poledancing on Bondi Beach A bikini-clad woman contorts her body as she dances One couple even cuddled up on beach towels on the sand and locked lips while the celebrations carried on around them. So many parents brought their children that there was a long line of prams near the car park. Just off the beach, a shirtless group of friends wearing Australian flags as capes and green and gold hats picked up a few cartons of beer from a bottle shop, and posed with the trolley. The Bondi beachgoers were heeding the rallying call Scott Morrison made earlier in the morning when he urged all sectors of the community to unite for Australia Day. The Prime Minister released a four-minute video message on Sunday acknowledging the challenges, but championing the benefits, of living Down Under. 'Whether our families came here tens of thousands of years ago, generations ago as mine did on the First Fleet, or those who are taking citizenship for the first time today, we're all together as one and we can all together be proud,' he said. A woman flaunts her Australia Day swimming costume on the beach (left) while two friends go for a swim (right) A woman catches some sun rays while lying on the rocks at Bondi Beach This couple brought their dog to the beach to celebrate Australia Day together - but one is holding his phone perilously close to the water Men and women on Bondi Beach stripped down to bikinis and board shorts and jumped into the cooling waves An excited young woman poses with Australian flag- themed glasses and two flags sticking out of her hair, while another woman strikes a pose on the sand Some beachgoers swam through the surf while others surveyed the scene from the rocks next to the water A dad poses with his young daughter as they relax on the rocks next to the water with Bondi Beach in the background So many parents brought their children that there was a long line of prams near the car park He said Australians had a tough start to 2020, battling bushfires, drought and flood, but in the face of adversity, they adapt and thrive. 'We are a free, diverse and accepting people. Our way is to see the humanity of others regardless of their ethnicity or disability or age, religion, gender, all these things. We accept and embrace people for who they are. 'We are a people, as Australians, who prevail not through luck or chance or good fortune but by the efforts and intellect and willingness and determination to stand one with each other.' Mr Morrison said Australians should use January 26 to 'rededicate' themselves to 'this great land'. 'That's what we celebrate this Australia Day: families, friends, communities ancient and modern who stand by each other and have so selflessly served each other particularly during these recent times of great crisis.' Mr Morrison wasn't the only leader praising the spirit of Australians on its national day as the British royal family also sent their regards. The Queen and Prince William made separate statements through their social media accounts early on Sunday, Australian time. Two of the men high-fived as they were happy to have got what they wanted from the shop for their party They then walked off towards their celebration, pushing the trolley as their Australian flag capes fluttered in the breeze Both referenced the country's bushfire crisis and praised Australians for how they were handling it. 'Wishing you all a happy Australia Day! This Australia Day, we commend the incredible resilience and strength of the Australian people,' The Queen's read. Her statement included a collage of four photos from her royal visits to Australia over the years. Kensington Palace, which provides statements from Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, was along the same lines. 'This year we pay tribute to the incredible strength and resilience of all the Australian people and communities who have been impacted by the devastating bushfires,' it read. A father swings his child around in a pool beside the beach, as one of many families who headed to Bondi Another dad hoists is daughter up as he paddles in the water alongside hundreds of others on Australia Day Clutching a ball in his hand, this father wades through the rock pool next to Bondi Beach with his son on his shoulders A mother helps her son, complete with adorable goggles, walk along the edge of the rock pool by Bondi Beach Father and daughter overlook Bondi Beach where hundreds turned up to celebrate Australia Day on Sunday Numerous Australians were honoured to coincide with the national day, and thousands of immigrants were given Australian citizenship in ceremonies around the country. Dr James Muecke was crowned the 2020 Australian of the Year for his work with preventing blindness and its links with type two diabetes. There was controversy over one of the award winners, as former Australian of the Year Rosie Batty spoke out over the decision to appoint Bettina Arndt as a Member of the Order of Australia. Ms Arndt was given the award for her services to 'gender equity' - but her critics have slammed her for a 'sympathetic' interview she conducted with convicted paedophile Nicolaas Bester. She has also attracted criticism for her views on domestic violence. Ms Batty said the decision made her question the whole honours system in Australia. Thousands have begun gathering for protests demanding the date of Australia Day be changed, while the rest of the country celebrates A protester was arrested in Brisbane after he rushed the stage at the Queens Gardens rally shouting 'who do you think you are' Protesters in Sydney gathered in Hyde Park and called for an end to Aboriginal deaths in custody, referencing the abuse of inmates at Don Dale juvenile detention facility Protesters rally in Melbourne outside the Victorian Parliament listening to speeches before they begin a march through the CBD 'My immediate response is one of utter incredulity. I feel sickened... how the hell did it get to this place? I am appalled at the process,' she told news.com.au. 'More than one woman a week dies in this country. There are women who are disadvantaged, voiceless, and women for whom it is not safe to speak out.' However, not everyone was celebrating as thousands of other Australians turned up to protests in major cities instead. Australia Day marks the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet of British ships into Port Jackson on January 26, 1788, which some Aboriginal people say marked the start of an invasion. Many protesters at rallies and marches across Australia wore clothing bearing the Aboriginal flag, and carrier signs or banners with anti-Australia Day slogans. A protester was arrested in Brisbane after he rushed the stage at the Queens Gardens rally shouting 'who do you think you are'. He was pushed off the stage in the chaos that followed and led away by police outside the treasury buildings. A young woman grips the railing in one hand and her clothes in the other as she gazes out over the ocean The waves splash against the rocks and railings as they come in over the many swimmers who headed to the beach A man holds his dog as they walk across the rock pools after taking a dip on Bondi Beach for Australia Day Tony Rice of North Bondi showers off at Bondi Beach after an Australia Day swim as hundreds of others celebrate in the background Police, Sunday, booked at least five men for allegedly breaking into the office of a private metal plating company and assaulting a security guard during a robbery bid in Sector 37. The security guard, Sanjay, sustained minor injuries on his head, but is stable, police said. According to police, the incident took place Sunday around 3.30am. The suspects gained entry to the premises by jumping the office boundary wall. In the police complaint filed by the manager of the company, it was alleged that the accused were carrying rods and sticks. When they saw the victim, they began assaulting him. He screamed for help and two workers who were present in the company but were asleep, heard his cries and rushed to help him. The suspects allegedly fled the spot when they saw the others, the complainant told the police. Investigative officer Dharmendra of the Sector 10 police station said, The men entered the premises with an intention to steal goods. However, they could not take anything because of the security guard and other workers who were there. The security guard sustained minor injuries and his condition is reported to be stable. The accused men are yet to be identified and arrested. We are checking the CCTV for footage. The matter is being investigated. A case was registered under IPC sections 458 (house-trespass), 380 (theft), 511 (attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt). BOSTON, Jan. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of students will perform in a student showcase celebrating K-12 education on Monday, Jan. 27 at The Capitol. This 2nd annual student showcase celebration is one of Massachusetts' largest National School Choice Week events and will feature musical and artistic performances from talented students at this fun, energetic celebration. WHAT: - Student showcase of a variety of educational options - Celebration of National School Choice Week WHO: - Hundreds of students from a variety of different schools WHEN: - 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27 WHERE: - Great Hall, Massachusetts State House | 24 Beacon St. As a nonpartisan, nonpolitical public awareness effort, National School Choice Week shines a positive spotlight on effective education options for students, families, and communities around the country. From January 26 through February 1, 2020, more than 50,000 independently-planned events will be held in celebration of the Week. For more information, visit www.schoolchoiceweek.com. SOURCE National School Choice Week Related Links www.schoolchoiceweek.com In a letter submitted to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice, four Romanian professional association of magistrates have urged them to reconsider the position of the European Commission submitted to The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJUE) due to the fact that it is based on serious fundamental errors and justified on pseudo arguments that were part of a fakenews and disinformation campaign regarding the creation of the Section for the Investigating Crimes within Judiciary (SIIJ) in Romania. The four associations of magistrates Romanian Association of Magistrates (AMR), Association of Judges for the Defense of Human Rights (AJADO), National Union of Romanian Judges (UNJR) and Romanian Association of Public Prosecutors (APR) have detailed in their letter the errors contained in the document submitted by the European Commission to The Court of Justice of the European Union, which ranged from factual errors to statements that are baseless. Thus, the position of the European Commission, for example, refers to a state of fact that does not correspond to reality, is disregarding the provisions of the Constitution and the decisions of the Romanian Constitutional Court that restored the separation of powers in states, condemned the violation of the independence of justice and defended the fundamental rights and freedoms and wrongly invokes laws from the Romanian legislation, the letter showed. Also, the Commissions position uses as arguments statements that have proven to be fakenews and part of a disinformation campaign regarding in particular the SIIJ, the letter also stated. The Section for the Investigating Crimes within Judiciary (SIIJ) is an investigative prosecutorial unit established as part of the General Prosecutors Office adjacent to the Romanian High Court of Cassation and Justice to investigate only magistrates. This unit was created in 2018 in order to safeguard the independence of the judges, especially after it was revealed that the anticorruption prosecutors, who worked secretly with Romanian Intelligence Services (SRI) officers, were opening criminal files against judges on large scale and conducting abusive investigations against them. Since its creation this unit was heavily criticized with false arguments by some magistrates, politicians and media outlets who, for many years, have endorsed the abuses and severe violations of human rights done under the pretext of fighting corruption, or who endorsed and justified the illegal and undercover involvement of SRI in penal investigations and court trials. The illegal and covert involvement of SRI in penal investigations was based on a secret protocol signed in 2009 between Laura Codruta Kovesi, as General Prosecutor of Romania at that time, and George Maior, as Director of the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI), that was revealed in 2018. In 2019 the Romanian Constitutional Court ruled that the protocol was unconstitutional and generated a constitutional conflict between the authorities of the state. This illegal involvement of SRI in the judicial processes, similar to the system in place under communism, was justified by some magistrates, politicians, journalists to help effectively fighting corruption. In fact, though, this system ended up undermining the independence of the judiciary and the professionalism of penal investigations, as well as generated severe abuses and human rights violations. The false arguments about SIIJ were elevated all the way up to the European Commission, which embraced them and mentioned them even in the 2019 Cooperation and Verification Mechanism Report on Romania. One such false argument is that it is abnormal to have a prosecutorial unit to investigate only magistrates, or that this unit is a threat to the independence of the judges because it is under political influence. All these arguments embraced by the European Commission are completely false. As far as the first false argument, not only that the Romanian Constitution and laws allow prosecutorial units by person, but the Consultative Council of the European Judges (CCEJ), in Opinion n 21 (2018) on preventing corruption among judges, stated that it is perfectly in accordance with the European principles to have in certain cases specialized structures to investigate judges and prosecutors. 50. [] Depending on a given countrys history, traditions and administrative structure, as well as the actual extent of corruption inside the system, it might be necessary to establish specialised investigative bodies and specialised prosecutors to fight corruption among judges, the CCEJ stated. As far the political influence over SIIJ, different than any other prosecutorial units, this is the only unit where no politician is involved in the appointment of the chief and active prosecutors. The SIIJ prosecutors are appointed only by the Superior Council of Magistracy, without the involvement of any politician. Also, compared to other prosecutorial units, the prosecutors who can activate in SIIJ need to have minimum 18 years of experience, at least the rank of court of appeal, to not have any disciplinary sanctions, and to pass an exam. Compared to all the other prosecutorial units, SIIJ is by far the one with the highest standards of professionalism and independence, the four associations stated. The position of the European Commission submitted to CJUE also ignored the severe abuses and violations of due process and human rights by the National Anticorruption Directorate in cases involving magistrates, with direct effect in pressuring them. In October 2019 the Plenum of the Superior Council of Magistracy validated a report of the Judicial Inspection after it conducted a verification at DNA, which explained how DNA used criminal cases to pressure magistrates. For example, the report states that between 2014-2018, DNA opened almost 3.000 cases against the magistrates. Out of these, 276 cases were opened ex officio, which means that, during these 4 years, every month there were opened almost 6 cases with magistrates. In some cases the DNA prosecutors opened ex officio investigation against the judges that, at the same time, were judging DNA cases, the associations stated in their letter. The practices of DNA prosecutors who have investigated cases with judges in the ways mentioned [in the Judicial Inspections report] have represented forms of pressure on them, with direct consequences in the way the justice act was executed, the Plenum of the Superior Council of Magistracy concluded. Another aspect ignored by the European Commission is that SRIs intelligence officers were illegally and secretly involved in criminal investigation against magistrates. This is not only violating the Romanian Constitution and laws, but also the position of the Consultative Council of the European Judges which, in Opinion n 21 (2018) on preventing corruption among judges, stated that: 27. [] In no circumstances should the fight against corruption of judges lead to the interference by secret services in the administration of justice. Despite these clear facts, the European Commission ostensibly ignores the serious pressures put on judges by the way in which the cases with magistrates had been previously investigated by DNA, including the investigations that looked exclusively at the judgments given by the judges, the four associations stated. In conclusion, the opinion expressed by the Commission in the sense that the national provisions in question contravene the requirements of the law of the Union regarding the principle of effective judicial protection is clearly based on unacceptable gross errors, which is why we request for them to be revisited by the Commission and to carry out a new analysis based on the facts and real data, not disinformation, fakenews and subjective appreciations, the four associations concluded. The complete letter to the European Commission can be found at the following address: http://www.unjr.ro/2020/01/20/letter-to-ursula-von-der-leyen-to-revise-the-position-of-the-european-commission-submitted-to-ecj-on-multiple-cases-related-to-romania/ https://asociatia-magistratilor.ro/scrisoare-deschisa-catre-presedintele-comisiei-europene-privind-pozitia-trimisa-la-cjue-vizand-sectia-pentru-investigarea-infractiunilor-din-justitie/ ___ The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has directed the Commissioner of Police in Oyo state, Shina Olukolu, to take actions to implement the legal opinion of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) on the sacked local government chairpersons in the state. The IG, in a letter addressed to the chairman of the dissolved Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Ayodeji Abass-Aleshiloye, urged the sacked ALGON chairman to liaise with the police commissioner to facilitate a smooth takeover of the local government areas in the state. The letter, which was obtained by PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday, was signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the Inspector General of Police, Idowu Owohunwa. It was in response to an earlier letter written by Mr Abass-Aleshiloye. Titled Re: Federal Government Order to Governor Seyi Makinde to Reverse Sack of Local Government/ Local Council Development Areas Chairmen in Oyo State- Result for Police Protection, the letter was dated January 23 and reads: Your letter dated 21st, January, 2020 on the above underlined subject, refers, I am to inform you that the Inspector-General of Police has directed the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State to initiate appropriate actions in line with the legal opinion of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice on the matter. You may accordingly, liaise with him to facilitate. Accept the assurances of the esteemed regards of the Inspector General of Police, please. READ ALSO: PREMIUM TIMES recalls that the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, had last week advised the Oyo State Government to reinstate the democratically elected council chairmen who were sacked last year by the state governor, Seyi Makinde. But, the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party replied the AGF, saying he has no business in the state. The party urged the caretaker chairmen, who were appointed by Mr Makinde, to ignore the AGFs directive. The Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, Olugbenga Fadeyi, when contacted, said he could not speak on the letter. Mr Fadeyi, in a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES, added that he awaits further directive from the Commissioner of Police. He said, I cant speak about the letter now until the commissioner says something about it. I cant speak now. So, I await further directive. Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Sunday said that divisive elements will not succeed in their agenda of breaking up the country. "Everyone has the opportunity to speak in a democracy, but all matters can be dealt with through discussion. Some people are shouting divisive slogans like 'Jinnah waali Azadi' or 'Cutting off Assam' when the whole country is celebrating Republic day. I do not think they will ever succeed in their intentions," Javadekar told reporters here. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged for a new India which is free from caste, religion, corruption and filth and moves forward with new energy. Be it Mangalyaan or lunar craft program, India is making new leaps through successive programs. The country's pride has increased in the world," he added. India is celebrating its 71st Republic Day today, honouring the historic date when the country completed its transition towards becoming an independent republic after its constitution came into effect. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NORTH SYRACUSE, N.Y. North Syracuse police are seeking the publics help finding a man who allegedly stole a credit card from Planet Fitness and has since been spotted using the card around Onondaga County. Police are asking anyone with information about the man to call the department at (315)458-5670 or send an email to Tips@NorthSyracuseNY.org. West Bengals Christian community leaders have got involved in protesting the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), with three events, including protest marches and ceremonies at Churches held over the past month, and a series of programmes planned in different districts over the coming days, to uphold the spirit of the Indian Constitution and foil attempts to divide the society. As the nation celebrated Republic Day on Sunday, the Preamble to the Constitution was read out after the service at 65 Roman Catholic churches in Kolkata and its adjoining districts of Hooghly, Howrah, North and South 24-Parganas. This is the first time that the Preamble was read out in churches. Political analysts said the states Christian community rarely get involved with political issues since Independence. The Preamble was read out at all 65 parishes under the jurisdiction of our diocese. This is to thank God for the beautiful Constitution that he gave India. We are living through difficult times. The fundamental principles of justice, liberty and equality must be protected, said Thomas DSouza, archbishop of Kolkata. In the state capital, several hundred Christians, including priests and nuns, joined an all-faith human chain, responding to the call of the archbishop. The human chain, from Golpark in south Kolkata to Shyambazar in north Kolkata an 11-km stretch was organised by United Interfaith Foundation. Also, Bangiya Christiya Pariseba, an influential organisation of Christians belonging to all its denominations, has planned a series of citizens gatherings across the districts of Bengal over the coming months. Well take the movements and discussions to villages. CAA divides people on the basis of religion. Today, one community is being targeted. Tomorrow, it would be the turn of another. We cannot forget that divisive forces had earlier targeted Christians too, in Odisha, Bengal and many other states. All Indians must uphold the spirit of the Constitution and stand united, said Herod Mullick, general secretary of Bangiya Christiya Pariseba. Apart from DSouza, two other prominent Christian religious figures in the state Bishop of Kolkata Paritosh Canning and Darjeelings Bishop Stephen Lepcha have expressed their opposition to CAA, saying the law is discriminatory against Muslims. Canning and DSouza had earlier led marches in Kolkata, while Lepcha joined the anti-CAA march led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Darjeeling on January 22. Earlier this month, the students council and alumni association of St. Xaviers College led a march, expressing solidarity with the ongoing students movement against CAA and National Register of Citizens (NRC). College principal, Father Dominic Savio, took part in it. Though Christians comprise less than 1% of the states population, they are considered to have a significant cultural influence on the society because of the hundreds of missionary-run schools that are among the preferred institutions. The involvement of Christian community leaders is a very significant development because they never associated themselves with any political movement. Their opposition to CAA in support of Muslims, despite Christians facing no discrimination due to the law can have a far-reaching impact on the Bengali society, said Amal Mukhopadhyay, former principal of Presidency College. According to Udayan Bandyopadhyay, a professor of political science at Bangabasi College in Kolkata, the presence of the heads of various missionary-run schools in such protest rallies could influence students and their families. Bengal never saw Christians as a community joining a socio-political movement. At present, a student movement is already dominating the streets. The presence of teachers and heads of prominent missionary institutions in rallies, their messages on communal harmony and opposition to CAA can add fuel to the ongoing student movement, Bandyopadhyay said. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) strongly criticised the role of the Christian community in protests. Christian missionaries have long tried to disrupt communal harmony by carrying out religious conversion. Now, they have joined the tukde-tukde gang, said West Bengal BJP general secretary Sayantan Basu. Christians have no reason to oppose CAA and yet they have joined the opposition because they principally want to oppose Hindutva. Several Christian missionary-run educational institutions influenced students and teachers to hit the streets. They are also running a whisper campaign in villages. They are opposing CAA because we are protesting their conversion drive, said VHPs all-India assistant secretary Sachindra Nath Singha. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A chorus of senior Iranian officials from the director of civil aviation to the chief government spokesman issued statement after statement rejecting the allegations, their claims amplified on state media. The suggestion that Iran would shoot down a passenger plane was a Western plot, they said, psychological warfare aimed at weakening Iran just as it had exercised its military muscle against the United States. But in private, government officials were alarmed and questioning whether there was any truth to the Western claims. Mr. Rouhani, a seasoned military strategist himself, and his foreign minister, Javad Zarif, deflected phone calls from world leaders and foreign ministers seeking answers. Ignorant of what their own military had done, they had none to give. Domestically, public pressure was building for the government to address the allegations. Among the planes passengers were some of Irans best and brightest. They included prominent scientists and physicians, dozens of Irans top young scholars and graduates of elite universities, and six gold and silver medal winners of international physics and math Olympiads. There were two newlywed couples who had traveled from Canada to Tehran for their weddings just days earlier. There were families and young children. Their relatives demanded answers. Iranian social media began to explode with emotional commentary, some accusing Iran of murdering its own citizens and others calling such allegations treason. Persian-language satellite channels operating from abroad, the main source of news for most Iranians, broadcast blanket coverage of the crash, including reports from Western governments that Iran had shot down the plane. Populist Iraqi cleric Moqtaqa al-Sadr on Sunday called off demonstrations against the U.S. embassy "to avoid internal strife", his office said. Sadr had earlier called for the demonstrations to take place in Baghdad and other cities. Search Keywords: Short link: Chinese health authorities announced on Sunday that 1,975 confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), including 324 in critical conditions, had been reported in the country by the end of Saturday. During the past 24 hours, 688 new confirmed cases, 1,309 new suspected cases and 15 deaths from the disease (13 in Hubei, one in Shanghai and one in Henan) were reported, the National Health Commission was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency. By Saturday, the pneumonia situation had resulted in a total of 56 deaths, while 49 people had recovered and 2,684 remained as suspected patients. A total of 23,431 close contacts have been traced, the commission said, adding that among them, 21,556 were under medical observation while 325 others were discharged on Saturday. In addition, 7confirmed cases had been reported in Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions. Overseas, confirmed cases were reported in Thailand (4 including 2 cured), Taiwan (3), Japan (2 including 1 cured), South Korea (2), the United States (2), Vietnam (2), Singapore (3), Malaysia (3), Nepal (1), France (3) and Australia (1). Of these, at least 21 had travel history to Wuhan City, China; one case in Australia had direct contact with a confirmed case from Wuhan while in China. The World Health Organisation's (WHO) assessment of the risk has not changed since the last update: very high in China, high at the regional level and moderate at the global level, the organisation said. WHO said it does not recommend any specific health measures for travellers. In case of symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness either during or after travel, the travelers are encouraged to seek medical attention and share their travel history with their health care provider. WHO is working with its networks of researchers and other experts to coordinate global work on surveillance, epidemiology, modelling, diagnostics, clinical care and treatment, and other ways to identify, manage the disease and limit onward transmission. WHO has issued interim guidance for countries, updated to take into account the current situation. The strategic objectives of the response are to interrupt the transmission of the virus from one person to another in China, to prevent exportation of cases from China to other countries and territories, and to prevent further transmission from exported case if they were to happen. This can be achieved through a combination of public health measures, such as rapid identification, diagnosis and management of the cases, identification and follow up of the contacts, infection prevention and control in healthcare settings, implementation of health measures for travellers, awareness raising in the population, risk communication. During previous outbreaks due to other coronavirus (Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)), human to human transmission occurred through droplets, contact and fomites, suggesting that the transmission mode of the 2019-nCoV can be similar. The basic principles to reduce the general risk of transmission of acute respiratory infections: Avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections. Frequent hand-washing, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment. Avoiding unprotected contact with farm or wild animals. People with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, and wash hands). Within healthcare facilities, enhance standard infection prevention and control practices in hospitals, especially in emergency departments. - TradeArabia News Service New Delhi, Jan 26 : The BJP, which has been riding high on last year's Lok Sabha election victory, may have something to worry about in the states. According to the IANS-CVoter's 'State of the Nation' Republic Day survey, four of the five most under-performing state governments are ruled by the BJP and its allies. The Goa government, led by the BJP, has been the worst-performing among all. As many as 62.8 per cent respondents from the state said that they were not at all satisfied with the performance of their government and only four per cent thought the government performance was "very much satisfactory". Following in terms of under-performing were states of the northeast where none of the respondents were fully satisfied with their respective governments' work and only 41.2 per cent of respondents claimed the government work was "satisfactory to some extent". As many as 58.8 per cent of respondents said they were not satisfied at all with the government's work. Among other most under-performing states, Haryana and Tamil Nadu, led by BJP and ally AIADMK, respectively, ranked below Punjab which is ruled by Congress. While 17.1 per cent respondents were not satisfied with the Punjab government's work, 9.1 percent in Haryana and 1 percent of respondents in Tamil Nadu thought their state government was not good at all. On the contrary, respondents from states like Odisha, Himachal Pradesh and Jharkhand appreciated the performance of their state governments. Odisha, which is led by Naveen Patnaik of the Biju Janata Dal, topped the list of most well-performing states as 80 per cent of the respondents felt their government was working well. Himachal Pradesh, which is ruled by BJP, followed the list with 77.1 per cent respondents appreciating their government's performance. Jharkhand, which recently chose the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-Congress-Rashtriya Janata Dal to lead the state, also found its government's work appreciable as 69.2 per cent respondents said they were very much satisfied by the Hemant Soren government's work. The IANS-CVoter Republic Day survey findings were collated on the basis of data compiled over the previous 12 weeks running up to January 25. The sample size comprises of 30,240 people spread across 543 Lok Sabha seats. The margin of error is +/- 3 percent at the macro level and +/- 5 percent at the micro level. As only the third impeachment trial unfolds in Senate, White House lawyers opened their defence of United States President Donald Trump on January 25 and said that President "did absolutely nothing wrong" in the dealings with his Ukrainian counterpart. The defence team, led by counsel Pat Cipollone further accused the Democrats of seeking to overturn the results of the 2016 election. Cipollone took the floor to open the arguments at a reportedly rare weekend session of the 100-member Senate which has to decide whether the 45th US President should be removed from the office. He also said that the Democratic prosecutors from House of Representatives, which impeached Trump on December 18, had not made their case that Trump was guilty of the charges; 'abuse of power', and 'obstruction to Congress'. Pat Cipollone: We don't believe that the House Managers have come anywhere close to meeting their burden for what they're asking you to do. In fact, we believe that when you hear the facts you will find that the President did absolutely nothing wrong. pic.twitter.com/8QEY3VSTj0 Senate Republicans (@SenateGOP) January 25, 2020 Read - Trump Lawyer Says Dems Want To 'overturn' Last Election House prosecutors had spent nearly three days in the chamber trying to lay out a detailed case that US President had withheld military assistance for Ukraine to pressure Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky to open an investigation into political rival Joe Biden's son, Hunter. However, Cipollone said on Saturday that Democrats were asking the Senate to overturn the results of the last election and remove the US President from the ballot in the upcoming elections in November. The White House counsel also said that the prosecutors are asking the Senate something that no Senate has ever done. Cipollone also added, They're asking you to tear up all of the ballots across this country. Take that decision away from the American people. They are here to perpetuate the most massive interference in an election in American history and we can't allow that to happen." Read - 'I'd Love To Go': Donald Trump On Attending His Impeachment Trial Trump would 'love' to attend trial When Senate adjourned the first day of the impeachment trial against Donald Trump in US, he said in Davos that he would 'love' to attend the proceedings but his lawyers 'might have a problem' with it on January 22. The US President has not only used his keynote speech at 50th World Economic Forum meeting to praise America's economy but also repeated his cry foul regarding impeachment and called it a 'hoax'. Trump said, "I'd love to go, wouldn't that be great? Wouldn't that be beautiful? I'd love to sit right in the front row and stare in their corrupt faces. I'd love to do it." Read - White House Say Voters Should Decide If Trump Remains In Office Read - Trump Lawyer Says Dems Want To 'overturn' Last Election SIOUX CITY Over the last year, Treyla Lee has observed eight Democratic presidential candidates at local campaign events, while Julie Hoss has seen 11. Nonetheless, Lee and Hoss, who both live in Sioux City, are having a hard time deciding which candidate they most prefer to face President Donald Trump in the November election. They take seriously the task of deciding which Democrat to support in eight days, when the Iowa caucuses play out as the first step in the nominee selection system. I think I will decide Feb. 3, Lee said, citing caucus night, when the eyes of the nation will be upon the Hawkeye State. Several Northwest Iowa Democrats who plan to participate in the caucuses said they have issues of importance that govern their decision making, that they add and dismiss some candidates based on age and experiences, and that theyve noted the dwindling field as some candidates called it quits. But in addition to all those factors, those interviewed Friday said the ability to defeat Trump weighs heavily in their ultimate caucus choice. The whole goal is, how do we get Trump out of office? Hoss said, adding she is stressed out on this. Riley Simpson, of Lawton, talked out some of his key issues only briefly before saying, It all spells Trump. I think he is on the wrong side on nine of 10 of (issues). Twenty-two presidential candidates have moved through Siouxland in dozens and dozens of events, but many Siouxland Democrats are undecided and still looking for the right one to back in the caucuses. The number of Democratic candidates now stands at 12, although only eight are actively competing in Iowa. There have been so many candidates that it is really hard to crystallize it down to one person, Simpson said. Most recent Iowa polls have shown a top tier of Pete Buttigieg, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, with Amy Klobuchar and others vying to move up in the pack. The outcome of the Iowa caucuses will be highly anticipated, since they will propel a few candidates onto other states with momentum, while others will be politically wounded. John Meister, of Hinton, Iowa, said Iowans have a great opportunity to meet so many Democratic candidates first hand, with the town hall format in vogue, where people can get off from six to a dozen questions. The candidates I usually go see are the ones I think are the strongest. I like to meet them and shake their handsI would never want to lose this (access), Meister said. Simpson first caucused in Cedar Rapids in a very notable year for the caucuses. That was when he convinced a group of people to caucus for Jimmy Carter, the little known Georgia governor, who went on to win the Democratic nomination and then presidency in 1976, which cemented the value of the caucuses in the modern political era. The oldest piece of clothing I still own is an Iowans for Carter shirtIm kind of a political junkie, Simpson said. Simpson has his choices down to Biden, Klobuchar and Buttigieg, who held a rally in Storm Lake on Saturday. Hes wavering on Biden: The only thing Ive got against Biden and Bernie and Warren theyre my age or older. I think it is time to pass the baton. Simpson added, Im leaning toward Buttigieg, and I really cant vocalize why. Linda Drey, of Sioux City, is deciding between Warren and Buttigieg. Drey said the field took a long time to drop from the herd of 20, and now Iowans can more readily focus over the final days in the onslaught of campaign ads and rallies. I have a little bit of reviewing to do over the weekend, Drey said. She said health care and education are key issues. Drey likes Buttigieg for his mayoral experience in South Bend, Indiana. I like the fact that he is young," she said. Four years ago, Hoss went into caucus night planning to support Sanders, then veered to Hillary Clinton, who ultimately lost to Trump after winning the popular vote but trailing in the Electoral College. This year Hoss is leaning towards Klobuchar, but also likes Buttigieg, in part, because she said it would be notable to follow up the 2008 and 2012 victories for Barack Obama as the first black president with the first openly gay chief executive. She added, I think, It is not what you want, Julie, it is about how we can change the direction of the country. Hoss said Warren is the third candidate in her mix. This weekend, I just really need to sit down and think and see their policies, Hoss said. Meister eliminated Buttigieg because he thinks the former mayor isnt strongly versed in foreign affairs, and is considering between Biden, Klobuchar and Warren. The ability to beat Trump is high on my list. I feel they will give him a run for his money, Meister said. He was the sole person to mention former Maryland congressman John Delaney, who was the first announced candidate and who worked Iowa beginning in 2017. But Im afraid hes not viable, Meister said. Meister could end up with Klobuchar, saying he likes that the U.S. senator is from neighboring Minnesota, so she understands farm economics. It is about time for a woman president. Thats why I supported Hillary Clinton last time, he said. Lee ticked off the list of the eight candidates she saw, naming Buttigieg, Biden, Warren, Sanders, Delaney, Yang, Cory Booker and Kamala Harris, with the latter two being U.S. senators who have dropped out since Thanksgiving. I need someone who can go in there and clean upchanging the tone that has been set (by Trump) in our country. There has been so much divisiveness and we are distracted from the issues, Lee said. Lee is pondering between Klobuchar, Buttigieg and Biden, the former vice president. She has concerns if Klobuchar has the stamina to occupy the office and get it done, and keeps going back towards Biden as a favorite. While Lee wonders how well Biden can motivate millennial generation voters, she likes his breadth of experience. Siouxlanders still have many chances to see candidates in person in the last week prior to the Feb. 3 caucuses. Sanders is speaking at the Sioux City Convention Center on Sunday evening, while bringing along progressive icons in U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, filmmaker Michael Moore and even Portugal. The Man, a popular music artist. Additionally, Yang will be in Storm Lake on Sunday and Orange City, Le Mars and Sioux City on Monday, while Warren will speak in Sioux City on Friday. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 M ore than 50 people have now been tested for coronavirus in the UK amid fears of the fatal infection spreading. Despite the number of tests rising, there are still no confirmed cases as all examinations were confirmed as negative, according to the Department of Health. As on Sunday afternoon, 52 people across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland had been tested for the deadly flu-like virus. Coronavirus is spreading faster than officials can handle it, China has admitted as it emerged the NHS is giving staff advice on how to disinfect dead bodies. Coronavirus - In pictures 1 /106 Coronavirus - In pictures A sign advertising a book titled "How Will We Survive On Earth?" is seen on an underground station platform Getty Images Customers wearing face masks shop at the pork counter of a supermarket following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, Hubei province Reuters Westminster Bridge is deserted in London the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the UK in lockdown PA Canadian passengers Chris & Anna Joiner ask for help onboard the MS Zaandam, Holland America Line cruise ship, during the coronavirus outbreak, off the shores of Panama City via Reuters A man crosses a nearly empty 5th Avenue in midtown Manhattan during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York City Reuters The London Eye is pictured lit blue in support of the NHS, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Boris Johnson addresses the nation on the Coronavirus lockdown Andrew Parsons Commuters cope with Coronavirus Jeremy Selwyn Milan's Piazza del Duomo empty AFP via Getty Images People in protective clothing walk past rows of beds at a temporary 2,000-bed hospital for COVID-19 coronavirus patients set up by the Iranian army at the international exhibition center in northern Tehran, Iran AP Martina Papponetti, 25, an ICU nurse at the Humanitas Gavazzeni Hospital in Bergamo, Italy poses for a portrait at the end of her shift AP Pope Francis celebrating a daily mass alone in the Santa Marta chapel at the Vatican, as part of precautionary measures against the spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Imag Vysheyshaya Liga - FC Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino v FC Belshina Bobruisk - Torpedo Stadium, Zhodino, Belarus, March 27, 2020 Players in action during the match despite most sport being cancelled around the world as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Hanks and Wilson both have coronavirus Tom Hanks General view of an emergency makeshift field hospital as it is set up at Pacaembu Stadium for coronavirus (COVID-19) patients with a capacity of 200 beds in Sao Paulo, Brazil Getty Images People on a busy tube train in London at rush hour despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling on people to stay away from pubs, clubs and theatres, work from home if possible and avoid all non-essential contacts and travel in order to reduce the impact of the coronavirus pandemic PA Naomi Campbell catches a flight in a hazmat suit with goggles, a surgical mask and rubber gloves @naomi Sophie and Emily Ward pose for a photograph with their hand-drawn picture of rainbows and a message on their window in St Helens, as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Mia, aged 8, and Jack, aged 5, take part in "PE with Joe" a daily live workout with Joe Wicks on Youtube to help kids stay fit who have to stay indoors due to the Corona virus outbreak. PA Shoppers queue outside a branch of Costco, in Croydon, south London, on the weekend after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered pubs and restaurants across the country to close PA Charing Cross Tube Bakerloo Line very quiet at 8.15am Jeremy Selwyn A woman with a plastic box over her head on the London Underground. PA A Racegoer attend Cheltenham Festival on Ladies Day wearing a fashionable face mask SplashNews.com Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits a laboratory at the Public Health England National Infection Service in Colindale PA A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask today in Victoria Jeremy Selwyn A couple kiss in Milano Centrale railway station in Milan on March 8, 2020 AFP via Getty Images A combination picture shows visitors wearing protective face masks following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) looking at blooming cherry blossom nd a pigeon walking at an closed cherry blossom viewing spot during the first weekend after Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike (not pictured) urged Tokyo residents to stay indoors, in a bid to keep the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from spreading Reuters This combination photo created on March 5, 2020 shows tourists visiting Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province on March 16, 2019 (top) and on March 5, 2020 AFP via Getty Images Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump looks at the $2.2 trillion coronavirus aid package bill as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Vice President Mike Pence stand by during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House Reuters A satellite image shows an empty South Beach during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Miami, via Reuters General view inside the empty stadium as the two teams line up prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes UEFA via Getty Images A Sainsbury's supermarket in Cambridge is among those to sell out of antibacterial hand sanitizer PA Tents and ambulances are set up next to the Princess Cruises Grand Princess cruise as it sits docked in the Port of Oakland on March 09, 2020 in Oakland, California. The Princess Cruises Grand Princess has been held from docking until today as at least 21 people on board have tested positive for COVID-19 also known as the Coronavirus Getty Images Medical staff produce traditional Chinese medicine to treat patients infected by the COVID-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images Army soldiers wearing protective suits spray disinfectant as a precaution against the new coronavirus at a shopping street in Seoul, South Korea AP Russian President Vladimir Putin wearing protective gear walks at a hospital for patients infected with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the outskirts of Moscow via Reuters A woman who has recovered from the COVID-19 is disinfected by volunteers as she arrives at a hotel for a 14-day quarantine AFP via Getty Images Passengers on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship are seen as the ship arrives at Daikoku Pier where it is being resupplied and newly diagnosed coronavirus cases taken for treatment as it remains in quarantine after a number of the 3,700 people on board were diagnosed with coronavirus Getty Images Dave Abel pictured in hospital in Japan Manchester United fans in the stands during the Premier League match at Old Trafford PA Police officers wearing masks stand in front of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in La Caleta, in the Canary Island of Tenerife AP Carnival revellers wear protective face masks at Venice Carnival Reuters A general view is pictured of Burbage Primary School in Buxton, Derbyshire after the closure of the school as a pupil's parent has tested positive for the novel coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Images People wearing face masks walk past the Olympic rings in front of the new National Stadium, the main stadium for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Game Getty Images People leave Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre in Milton Keynes where Coronavirus evacuees are due to be released from quarantine today and allowed to go home PA Matt Raw, a British national who returned from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, leaves quaratine at Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside PA A woman wears a mask while crossing London Bridg Getty Images A general view of Worthing Hospital in West Sussex PA Passengers relax on board the Holland America-operated Westerdam cruise ship, which has been denied permission to dock in Thailand over coronavirus fears via Reuters A child waves as she sits in a vehicle carrying residents evacuated from a public housing building, following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, outside Hong Mei House, at Cheung Hong Estate in Hong Kong Reuters A woman wearing a Minnie Mouse face mask looks at her mobile phone in Beijing on February 11, 2020 AFP via Getty Images The Costa Smeralda cruise ship of Costa Crociere, carrying around 6,000 passengers, is docked at the Italian port of Civitavecchia after a health alert due to a Chinese couple and a possible link to coronavirus on board, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters A patient covered with a bed sheet at an exhibition centre converted into a hospital as it starts to accept patients displaying mild symptoms of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images A medical official takes the body temperature of a man at the departure hall of the airport in Changsha, Hunan Province, as the country is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus, China Reuters The view of the Wuhan International Conference and Exhibition Center Getty Images A plane carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, arrives at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire A police vehicle enters the gates of the Royal Air Force station RAF Brize Norton in Carterton AFP via Getty Images Passengers wear face masks as the push their luggage after arriving from a flight at Terminal 5 of London Heathrow Airport AFP via Getty Images French citizens arrive and settle aboard of an evacuation plane with destination southeastern France, before departure from Wuhan Airport (WUH), China AFP via Getty Images Police stand at a checkpoint at the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge that crosses from Hubei province in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, China Reuters A member of staff at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside prepares for a bus carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China PA Doctor Paul McKay, who is working on an vaccine for the 2019-nCoV strain of the novel coronavirus, poses for a photograph with bacteria containing fragments of coronavirus DNA, at Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM) in Londo AFP via Getty Images Workers produce masks at the Thai Hospital Product Company Ltd. factory in Bangkok AFP via Getty Images Passengers wearing face masks are seen on a bus after disembarking from the Costa Smeralda cruise ship, after tests on a woman from Macau with suspected coronavirus came back negative, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters People hoard bottles of alcohol after the Philippine government confirmed the first case of the new coronavirus in the country, in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Reuters Taking precautions: with fears growing that the coronavirus will spread from China, a health official checks a womans temperature on the underground in Beijing Getty Images An empty road is seen in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 27, 2020, amid a deadly virus outbreak which began in the city AFP via Getty Images Students wearing masks meditate prior to a lesson at a high school in Phnom Penh, Cambodia AP Medical staff at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital wear protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus AFP via Getty Images Staff move bio-waste containers past the entrance of the Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, where some infected with a new virus are being treated, in Wuhan, China AP Workers driving excavators at the construction site of a field hospital In Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The builders will complete the 1,000-bed hospital by February 3 to cope with the surge of 2019-nCoV patients in the city Getty Images Buddhist monks wear masks as they walk near Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodi AP A woman and a child wearing protective masks walk toward check-in counters at Daxing international airport in Beijing AFP via Getty Images An employee sprays disinfectant on a train as a precaution against a new coronavirus at Suseo Station in Seoul, South Korea AP A policeman wearing a mask walks past a quarantine notice about the outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan, China at an arrival hall of Haneda airport in Tokyo, Japan Reuters Paramilitary police wear face masks as they stand guard at Tiananmen Gate adjacent to Tiananmen Square in Beijing AP The resident wear masks to buy vegetables in the market in Wuhan Getty Images Staff sell masks at a Yifeng Pharmacy in Wuhan AP Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV AP It comes after Ma Xiaowei, China's National Health Commission Minister, said the transmission ability of the deadly illness is strengthening but that authorities still know little about how to defeat it. More than 2,000 people worldwide have been infected and the death tally has hit 56, with cases now recorded in Malaysia, Australia, Japan and France since the outbreak began in Wuhan, a city in Hubei province with 11 million people. Mr Ma said the infectious incubation period for new strand of the virus can range from one to 14 days. Public Health England has reportedly issued guidance to NHS hospitals warning that victims may be a minor risk even after they die as moving bodies on trollies may expel small amounts of air from the lungs. Passengers wear protective face masks at the departure hall of the high speed train station in Hong Kong. / AP An 11-page document, reported by the Sunday Times, orders staff to avoid examining suspected victims and confine them in closed rooms. A body bag should be used for transferring the body and those handling the body at this point should use full PPE [personal protective equipment], it adds. More than 50 million people have been placed in lockdown in China, with multiple Lunar New Year celebrations cancelled. Priti Patel Says The Government Have Put Measures In Place To Deal With Coronavirus Outbreak Home Secretary Priti Patel said the government was looking at all options to help Britons leave the infected city following reports that officials have been asked to examine the logistics for an airlift from the city. Number 10 has set up a health hub in Heathrow to help stop the outbreak landing on British shores, with three flights a week arriving from Wuhan. The Foreign Office updated its guidance to advise against all travel to Hubei province, as England's chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty admitted there was a "fair chance" cases would emerge in Britain. Meanwhile, health officials are continuing to track down around 2,000 people who have recently flown into the UK from Wuhan. The Department of Health confirmed it is trying to find "as many passengers as we can" who arrived from the region in the past two weeks to check on their wellbeing. It is understood Border Force officers have been recruited to help speed up the search for passengers as testing for the virus continues in the UK. One British man, who had travelled to Wuhan to visit his girlfriend, is stuck in the city after his return flight on February 3 was cancelled. He described trying to get out of the area as "impossible". The 29-year-old, who did not want to be named, told the PA news agency: "There have been sporadic warnings from local government in Chinese to tell us that there will be road closures. "There is no news on when the airport will reopen therefore the airline (China Southern) have just cancelled the flight. BOISE Lawmakers unveiled the first major proposals intended to reduce property and sales taxes with several bills this week. House Speaker Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, introduced a bill that would increase the tax credit for groceries by using money the state receives through internet sales tax. The first $187.50 spent on groceries a month by each Idahoan would be eligible for a tax rebate under the proposal. Lawmakers also introduced two bills related to curbing property taxes. One would cap property taxes at 3% and the other would put a statewide freeze on property tax growth. The House Education Committee wrapped up its Common Core hearings with a debate over the states science standards. Idaho Education News reported a clear majority of state educators supported keeping the standards as they are. The outlet also reported Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra presented a $2 billion K-12 education budget to a key budgeting committee. It includes $100 million in new spending, with $40 million going to raise veteran teacher salaries. Gov. Brad Little signed an executive order to offer eight weeks of paid parental leave for all state employees that fall under the executive branch. The Senate Environment and Resources Committee introduced a pair of bills related to hunting. One would create wolf-free zones and allow year-round hunts south of the Snake River. The other would create a swan hunting season. Lawmakers will consider legislation to legalize hemp. The bill would remove hemp from the Schedule I substances list and align the state with federal law, effectively making it legal to produce, transport and use in the state. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Albuquerque-based MMA fighters went 1-for-2 Saturday on the sports big stage 2-for-3, if one includes former Albuquerque-based fighters. Jordan Espinosa, a product of the storied West Mesa wrestling program who trains at Luttrell-Yee, fell victim to an Alex Perez triangle choke in losing by first-round technical submission so labeled because Espinosa lost consciousness and did not actually tap out on a UFC card in Raleigh, North Carolina. Espinosa is now 14-7, and has lost two in a row. Perez is 23-5. I now know what its like to go unconscious during a fight, Espinosa posted on Facebook. These last two fights have been rough, but Ill be back. Theres a lot worse things on this earth than losing a fight. In Inglewood, California, featherweight Aaron Pico (5-3) snapped a two-fight losing streak with a second-round knockout of Daniel Carey (7-4). Pico, a California native, trains in Albuquerque at Jackson-Wink. The decisive blow was a left hook more a forearm than a fist or elbow that flattened Carey. Pico added some blows on the ground, unnecessary as they were. On the UFC card in Raleigh, middleweight Bevon Lewis (7-2) defeated Dequan Townsend (21-10) by unanimous decision. Lewis, a former Jackson-Wink fighter, informed UFC commentators that he has left the famed Albuquerque gym and now trains in Georgia. In the main event of the UFC card, heavyweight Curtis Blaydes (13-2) defeated former UFC champion Junior dos Santos (21-7) by second-round TKO. In the main event of the Bellator card, featherweight Cristiane Cyborg Justino (22-2) won a title in a fourth promotion Strikeforce, Invicta FC, UFC and now Bellator with a victory by fourth-round TKO over Julia Budd (13-3). A Chinese woman has bragged about beating airport scanners for deadly coronavirus by using a medication to mask the deadly illness. The woman, who hasnt been named, left Wuhan in China, where authorities are trying to contain the deadly virus, last year for France, BBC reports. She posted photos on social media site Weibo of her dining in a Michelin-starred restaurant in Lyon. "Finally I can have a good meal, I feel like I've been starving for two days. When you are in a gourmet city of course you have to eat Michelin [food]," she wrote. "Just before I left, I had a low fever and cough. I was scared to death and rushed to eat [fever-reducing] medicine. I kept on checking my temperature. Luckily I managed to get it down and my exit was smooth." The Chinese embassy in France has since found the woman and shes undergone a medical assessment. People wear protective masks in Beijing as they prepare to board a train. Source: Getty Images Shes said to be OK and wont require further examinations. On Sunday, NSW Health said its investigating a fourth possible case of coronavirus with confirmation expected on Monday. Of the five cases that were under investigation today, four have now been cleared of the infection, NSW Health said. We will update the public immediately should this case be confirmed. 90,000 people infected The latest figures reported Sunday morning cover the previous 24 hours and mark an increase of 15 deaths and 688 cases for a total of 1,975 infections. So far, 56 people have died. The government also reported five cases in Hong Kong, two in Macao and three in Taiwan. Small numbers of cases have been found in Thailand, Japan, South Korea, the U.S., Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, France and Australia. However, a Chinese nurse claims in a video 90,000 people have been diagnosed with the virus. Construction begins on a new hospital in Wuhan in one of many measures to fight the virus. Source: Getty Images Speaking in Chinese, with subtitles, she calls for help. We dont care what the government says, she says. I will tell you through social media. Everyone, please donate masks, glasses and clothes to Wuhan. Please help us. Please donate disposable goggles, disposable masks and disposable clothing. Currently our resources are not enough. Story continues Chinese President Xi Jinping called the outbreak a grave situation, and the government stepped up efforts to restrict travel and public gatherings while rushing medical staff and supplies to Wuhan, which remains on lockdown. Anyone traveling from Wuhan is now required to register with community health stations and quarantine themselves at home for 14 days, according to an order from the National Health Commission. Disturbing map shows virus spread Experts have released a disturbing map of new outbreaks of the virus. Johns Hopkins University in the US city of Baltimore developed the map to show coronaviruss spread in real time. A red dot can be seen on Australia and dozens are seen across China. Singapore reported its fourth case on Sunday. The Health Ministry said the 36-year-old man from Wuhan did not exhibit any symptoms on his flight. He developed a cough the next day, sought treatment on January 24 and was immediately isolated. South Korea confirmed its third case, according to Yonhap news agency. This map shows the spread of the virus. Source: John Hopkins University In the heart of the outbreak, where 11 million residents are already on lockdown, Wuhan banned most vehicle use, including private cars, in downtown areas starting Sunday. The city will assign 6,000 taxis to neighbourhoods to help people get around if they need to. Wuhan plans to build a second makeshift hospital with about 1,000 beds to handle the growing number of patients. The city has said another hospital was expected to be completed February 3. Medical workers in Wuhan have been among those infected and local media reported a doctor died on Saturday morning. The 62-year-old physician worked at the ear, nose and throat department at Hubei Xinhua Hospital. He was hospitalised on January 18 and died a week later. Xinhua also said medical supplies are being rushed to the city, including 14,000 protective suits, 110,000 pairs of gloves and masks and goggles. Medics arrive at Wuhan Red Cross Hospital with a patient on Saturday. Source: Getty Images The National Health Commission said it is bringing in medical teams to help handle the outbreak, a day after videos circulating online showed throngs of frantic people in masks lined up for examinations and complaints that family members had been turned away at hospitals that were at capacity. The Chinese military dispatched 450 medical staff, some with experience in past outbreaks, including SARS and Ebola, who arrived in Wuhan late Friday to help treat many patients hospitalised with viral pneumonia, Xinhua reported. The new virus comes from a large family of what are known as coronaviruses, some causing nothing worse than a cold. It causes cold and flu-like symptoms, including cough and fever, and in more severe cases, shortness of breath. It can worsen to pneumonia, which can be fatal. China cut off trains, planes and other links to Wuhan on Wednesday, as well as public transportation within the city, and has steadily expanded a lockdown to 16 surrounding cities with a combined population of more than 50 million greater than that of New York, London, Paris and Moscow combined. Police block roads to keep people from leaving Wuhan. Source: Getty Images A growing number of cities and provinces were enacting their own travel restrictions to contain the virus. The city of Shantou, almost 1,000 kilometres southeast of Wuhan, was banning bus, taxi, ferry and car-hailing services from Monday. Only those authorised would be allowed to enter the city to maintain supplies or provide services. Shantou has reported two cases, with another 96 in the surrounding province of Guangdong. Elsewhere, long-distance, inter-provincial bus services had been suspended, including those to and from Beijing. The rapid increase in reported deaths and illnesses does not necessarily mean the crisis is getting worse but could reflect better monitoring and reporting of the virus. Those killed by the virus have mostly been middle-aged or elderly people, sometimes suffering from other conditions that weaken their ability to fight back. It is not clear how lethal the new coronavirus is or even whether it is as dangerous as the ordinary flu, which kills tens of thousands of people every year in the US alone. With The Associated Press Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play. Banjul, Gambia (PANA) Scores of Gambians under the banner of a self-styled protest group Three Years Jotna, a local phrase meaning the three years is up, on Sunday resumed their demonstrations in Banjul pressing for President Adama Barrow to resign An hour-and-a-half long recording of President Trump chatting at a donor dinner with indicted businessmen Igor Fruman and Lev Parnas, who are entangled in the Ukraine impeachment scandal, became public on Saturday. In a particularly revealing portion of the recording, the two men bring up Marie Yovanovitch, the U.S.s ambassador to Ukraine at the time. After Parnas disparages Yovanovitch as an intractable Clinton administration holdover, Trump can be heard saying, Get her out tomorrow. I dont care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. OK? Do it. (Yovanovitch actually joined the State Department in the Reagan administration.) Advertisement Fruman used his phone to take a video of the dinner, which took place in April 2018 in a private suite at Trumps hotel in Washington. ABC News first reported on its existence on Friday. Parnass lawyer, Joseph A. Bondy, then released the recording in full to media organizations a day later and also said that hed shared it with the House Intelligence Committee. Given its importance to our national interest, we provided the entire 4/30/18 recording of the .@realDonaldTrump and Lev Parnas dinner to the media, for universal access and downloading, Bondy tweeted. Stay tuned. Call the witnesses. Hear the evidence. Bondy claims that his client has additional recordings of the president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here is a highlight reel of the recording that Bondy also posted on Twitter, which he set to Rick Astleys Never Gonna Give You Up: Advertisement Advertisement Heres a mix of .@realDonaldTrump and Lev Parnas, discussing Ukraine over dinner, and Rick Astley, #NeverGonnaGiveYouUp. Calling on @senatemajldr @LindseyGrahamSC @GOP to vote with integrity and conscience. Call the witnesses. Hear the evidence. Have a fair trial. #LevRemembers pic.twitter.com/EmArvoujgB Joseph A. Bondy (@josephabondy) January 25, 2020 Parnas and Fruman have come under intense scrutiny in recent months for their work with Rudy Giuliani, the Presidents personal lawyer, to get Yovanovitch dismissed from her position and pressure the Ukrainian government to announce an investigation into Joe Biden. Trump eventually removed Yovanovitch in May 2019. Federal agents arrested the two businessmen in October for allegedly violating campaign finance laws. Advertisement Over the course of the impeachment inquiry, Trump has repeatedly claimed that he does not know either of the two men. Parnas, however, sat for an interview on the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC in mid-January and alleged, President Trump knew exactly what was going on. He was aware of all my movements. I wouldnt do anything without the consent of Rudy Giuliani or the president. He also said during the interview that he had raised concerns about Yovanovitch at a dinner with Trump and that the president had ordered an aide to fire her, a claim which this new recording seems to confirm. White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham told CNN on Friday, Every President in our history has had the right to place people who support his agenda and his policies within his Administration. In the recording, Trump can also be heard discussing a number of other topics besides Ukraine with the donors, such as natural gas and his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. At one point, Parnas tries to convince the President to create a bipartisan commission to study cannabis banking, though Trump can be heard expressing skepticism about marijuana legalization. Hooliganism in universities View(s): The phone rang. I had just woken up on a glorious morning with the rays of the sun making their way through the curtained window. Sipping my cup of tea, I watched the trio in conversation under the margosa tree. On the phone was Pedris Appo, short for Appuhamy who is a retired agriculture expert now engaged in farming. Hello friend, long time no see, he said. Hi, hi nice to hear your voice after a long time. Whats up? I said, in a welcoming tone. Well, I have been a bit concerned about the state of universities particularly over ragging. There was this one video last week showing a group of seniors viciously attacked a young undergraduate because he had objected to them breaking the queue at a cafeteria, he said. Yes I too saw that. It was a vicious attack indeed, I replied. Ragging is getting out of hand and the university authorities seem to have no control over this sadistic kind of behaviour, he said, in a tone of concern, adding: My son faced the same trauma in a university and had to quit the hostel to save himself from getting assaulted. Why dont you write about this crisis in universities, he suggested. While on the phone, I could also hear snatches of the conversation among Kussi Amma Sera, Serapina and Mabel Rasthiyadu. They appeared to be discussing the same issue hooliganism in universities. By the way, there have been two videos that went viral over the past 10 days; one was the brutal attack on the student at the Colombo University and the other, a similar attack, on a student at a university outside Colombo. Looking at it, parents of first year students who are subject to ragging would shudder, thinking of the pain newcomers to these institutions have to undergo. Instead of looking forward to a university career, newly-enrolled students enter these once-hallowed portals of learning with fear and trepidation as they embark on a future to serve the country and society at large, in their chosen profession. Under the margosa tree, Kussi Amma Sera reading from a local newspaper, said: Me navaka vadaya hari barapathalai. Aei me wage hasirima navathvanna beri. (These ragging incidents are very serious. Why cant they stop this behaviour)? Eka karanna hari amarui. Aluth lamai avasanavanthai (It is very difficult to do this. Very unfortunate for the new students), commented Serapina. Mage game lamayek navaka vadaya nisa vishva vidyalayen ayin wuna (I know of a student in my village who stopped going to university because of ragging), added Mabel Rasthiyadu. As I reflected on their views, I ended the conversation with Pedris Appo after discussing a range of topics which included the juicy phone recordings of parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake which have exploded into the public domain. Will ragging ever be stopped? Over the past several years, official data show that at least 2,000 students have ended their university career to escape from ragging, while 16 deaths, essentially suicides, have been reported owing to ragging, over the years. For the record in 2018, 267,111 candidates sat the GCE Advanced Level the entry examination to universities. Of them, 141,172 qualified to enter the university. However, only 23,000 were admitted due to a shortage of places. All universities in Sri Lanka can accommodate only 20,000 + students every year with the balance who are eligible compelled to do a foreign university course locally or overseas at enormous cost or opt to do a job without a university qualification. Thus the select few who enter universities should be doing so with a lot of pleasant expectations, which is not the case. They enter with fear wondering what is in store for them because they know that they have to undergo the ordeal of inhuman ragging. Dinesha Samararatne, Lecturer in Law, University of Colombo, in a May 2013 article in a newspaper referred to the Anti-Ragging Act of 1999 (The Prohibition of Ragging and Other Forms of Violence in Educational Institutions Act) which was introduced in Sri Lanka to penalise ragging as a specific form of criminal activity as a response to this grave issue. This law was welcomed as a progressive response to ragging but since its enactment, at least one student has died to violence related to ragging and the practice of ragging continues unabated among many university students, she wrote. Ragging as per the law includes unlawful confinement, damage to property, hostage-taking and wrongful restraint, she said, adding that, ragging is defined in the law as any act which causes or is likely to cause physical or psychological injury or mental pain or fear to a student or a member of the staff of an educational institution. Regrettably, ragging presents a classic example of a law which has failed in its enforcement and as an example of a law which is observed in the breach. Within the specific context of the Sri Lankan university system, it might be worthwhile to consider (or reconsider) why such an unacceptable state of affairs has been accepted by many, she said. Last week, the government announced that it was appointing a committee to examine this issue and recommend measures to prevent its occurrence. Appointing committees is fine as long as their recommendations are taken seriously and acted upon forthwith. This, however, is not the case in Sri Lanka and if ragging is banned by law, its blatant continuation and the inability of the university authorities to stop it needs to be addressed. The new committee needs to examine why the anti-ragging law is not enforced. Severe punishment should be meted out to wrongdoers including expulsion from the university. These hallowed seats of learning which have now turned into torture chambers of fear for incoming students need to be salvaged and restored to their former glory. Hoping to learn more about ragging, I called up a friend, a veteran university teacher for more clues into this inhumane behaviour which seems to be deeply entrenched in our university culture now. Ragging? Unfortunately even if the university authorities want to stop it, it would be impossible, he said. Why do you say that, I asked. Well, because often these culprits are rescued by influential people including politicians, he said, adding that his son too was forced to leave the university hostel owing to excessive ragging. With these thoughts on my mind, I sat at my computer to write this piece. At the same time, Kussi Amma Sera walked into the room, this time, with a cup of coffee, saying: Navaka vadaya hari kurirui (Ragging is very brutal). I nodded my head, while reflecting on the challenge of transforming university students into good, educated citizens who contribute to the economy of the country and the wellbeing of society. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have gone to war over the cost of the next public sector pay deal. With two weeks to go until election day, the two main parties launched attacks on each other's approach to the forthcoming talks with public sector unions. At a campaign event yesterday morning, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said Fianna Fail could "not be trusted" because it had budgeted at most 1.2bn for a new pay agreement. Mr Donohoe said the figure meant public sector workers would receive only a 1.2pc pay increase over the next five years if Fianna Fail is in power. "It shows that Fianna Fail, even in their manifesto, cannot be trusted with the choices that are crucial to looking after our economy and looking after our society for the next five years," he said. The minister said Fine Gael had budgeted 2bn for public sector pay over the next five years, which would result in 2.5pc pay increases. Fianna Fail's finance spokesperson, Michael McGrath, hit back at his counterpart, saying Fine Gael is "getting increasingly desperate as the days go on". Mr McGrath also raised serious concerns about Mr Donohoe opening negotiations with public sector unions at 2bn before anyone had gone near a negotiating table. "Paschal Donohoe and the Government have shown over the last number of years they are not very good at negotiating and now they're telling the heads of the public sector unions that Fine Gael's opening offer is 2bn in terms of the next public sector pay bill," he said. "We have a buffer in our plans of 1.2bn and the negotiations will take place later this year on a new public sector pay deal and any public sector deal will involve increased efficiencies and savings in public expenditure in certain areas." At a press conference, Mr Donohoe said his figures for public sector pay were an "assumption" of the cost associated with a new deal and he insisted he was not opening negotiations with unions. Fianna Fail has committed to upholding the current public sector pay deal and said it would negotiate a new agreement if elected to government. The party also said it would include retired public servants in the next round of pay talks which will commence later this year. The current public sector pay deal cost 877m and saw workers receive pay increases ranging from 6.2 to 7.4pc over three years. Mr McGrath accused Fine Gael of "plucking figures out of the air" for its election manifesto costings. He also said the "elephant in the room was Fine Gael's "total and utter neglect" of new measures on affordable housing. "We are seeing nothing whatsoever in relation to affordable housing by way of a financial commitment," Mr McGrath said. "So their message to people who are looking to buy their first home in the coming years is that it is not happening under Fine Gael." His comments came after Fine Gael published a mock-up of Fianna Fail's election manifesto including the slogan 'no costs, no credibility'. The document criticised Fianna Fail's plan for an SSIA- style savings scheme for first- time buyers which would see the State offer mortgage savers 1 for every 3 they save. Fine Gael said the plan would stall the supply of housing. Meanwhile, the Labour Party launched its economic policies yesterday. The party's finance spokesperson, Joan Burton, said that in Government it would not cut taxes for ordinary workers. However, she said Labour would raise 400m in tax revenue by doubling the bank levy, increasing carbon taxes and hiking stamp duty on commercial property. The party would also increase all social welfare payments by 5 per week every year while in office. Ms Burton said Labour would also provide 2bn for capital expenditure projects. SUDHIR SURYAWANSHI By MUMBAI: A day after the Centre transferred the politically sensitive Bhima Koregaon case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said on Saturday that the Union governments decision smacks of conspiracy to cover up the role of the previous government in the state led by the BJP in misusing the police machinery to frame social activists. Pawar, whose party is a coalition partner in the Shiv Sena - led government in Maharashtra, said the state will not remain a mute spectator and will do its own probe so that the truth comes out. The Maharashtra government will initiate a probe to check if the police fraudulently made up cases against social activists and writers, he said, adding that the Centres handing over the case to NIA in a hurry shows there is substance in the allegations that some police officials misused powers to arrest innocent people. Pawar said the government doesnt share the previous dispensations view on social activists. Speaking on social injustice does not make one as anti-national or Maoist, he said. The police had used the term Urban Naxals while probing the activists role in the Bhima Koregaon riots. Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh said the State government would seek legal opinion on the Centres decision. Extending support to Pawar, Congress Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP government at the Centre. He said anyone who opposed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shahs agenda of hate were branded urban Naxals. Bhima-Koregaon is a symbol of resistance that the governments NIA stooges can never erase, Gandhi said in his tweet. Kolkata, Jan 26 : Throwing a challenge to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to stop the new citizenship law's (CAA) implementation, state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh said, here on Sunday, his party would visit every house and make arrangements online to ensure that Bangladeshi refugees filled the forms to get citizenship under the Act. Accusing the Trinamool Congress of going "against the interests" of Bengal and India, Ghosh said he and his party would like to see to what extent the TMC could go in "turning against the nation and Bengalis". Ghosh said if the TMC tried to resist the BJP, the state would turn against it. "We will see to what extent the TMC can turn anti-national and anti-Bengali," he said. The central government and the BJP "will definitely give citizenship to every refugee", he added. "Mamata and his brothers are threatening us that they won't allow implementation of the CAA. They can't do anything. They don't have the calibre. We will go from house to house to ensure that people filled up forms. We will also ensure that forms are filled up online," he said. The CAA, passed in Parliament last month, seeks to provide Indian nationality to Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Jains and Buddhists fleeing persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh before December 31, 2014. As per the Act, they will not be treated as illegal immigrants and be given citizenship. The legislation, which came into force on January 10, has led to countrywide protests, with students coming out on the streets in thousands in almost all the states. Civil society members, anti-BJP political parties and commoners have also joined the protests. In Bengal, Banerjee-led TMC has been at the forefront of the protests. In this second and last part of our two-part series focusing on Ugandas Health sector, PML Dailys Javira Ssebwami looks at how massive investments in the infrastructure has boosted the sectors confidence to deliver effective services. ======================================= KAMPALA The Health Sector Development Plan II (HSDPII) provided the health sector commitments and priorities for the last 5 years and it is being fully integrated into the overall NDPIII. HSDPII fulfills the countrys aspirations expressed in the vision 2040 and that of the Health Sector Policy 2015. The strategies in adhering to the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) principles towards the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other global and regional health commitments. Health infrastructure; Over the years, the government has increased the number of health facilities, as well as addressed their state, and their accessibility. There is currently a total of 6,937 health facilities in the country, of which 3,133 are public health facilities (45%), 2,976 are Private for-Profit (PFP) (40%) and 1,000 of them are Private Not-for-Profit(PNFP) (15%) health facilities. Public and PNFP facilities comprise the majority of higher-level facilities, while private facilities consist of primarily lower-level facilities (HC II and clinics). The government provides a primary health care grant to both public facilities and Private Not-for-Profit facilities. The funding that goes to Private Not-for-Profit facilities are meant to subsidize their overhead costs, so that services are given to the population as cheaply as possible. To date, the NRM government boasts of five super specialised institutes including, Mulago specialised hospital which will be commissioned in March 2020, the Mulago specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital and the Regional Paediatrics Surgical Hospital which will be commissioned in April 2020. There are also two specialised institutes; the Uganda Heart Institute and the Uganda Cancer Institute. There are also five National Referral Hospitals including Mulago, Kawempe, Kirudu, Nagulu and Butabika national referral hospitals. Kawempe, Kirudu, and Nagulu were constructed to decongest Mulago hospital and allow it to handle only super specialised cases, and that is what they are doing, and enhancing their capacity to do. There are 14 regional referral hospitals across the country and 169 general hospitals, 194 HC1Vs, and the rest are HCIIIs and HCIIs. Progress Photos Regional Hospital for Paediatric Surgery, Entebbe Site aerial view Sub ICU finishing Fan coils and painting Corridor finishing ICU medical equipment installation External works grass and trees plantation Central court The policy of the NRM government is to have an HC3 in every sub-county. HCIIs were just out-posts, and thus following the HSDP that states that these should be consolidated to reach more people, they are as a result of being upgraded to HCIIIs, and the ministry is in the process of building HCIIIs in sub-counties where they do not exist and there is none to upgrade. Also, in sub-counties that are big, two facilities will be built. The target is to have every population within a 4km reach of the health facility by 2022. There has also been rehabilitation and equipping of a number of hospitals that have been in a dilapidated state. Nine general hospitals have so far been rehabilitated and equipped; including Mityana, Nakaseke, Kiryandongo, Entebbe Grade B, Nebbi, Anaka, Iganga, Moyo and Moroto Regional Referral Hospital. 10 Theatres and 16 Maternity Wards were also constructed and ensured that they and other 27 HCIV that were renovated and equipped have enough water supply by installing 40,000 liter-reservoirs. These include Aboke, Aduku, Atiak, Budaka, Budondo, Bugono, Buvuma, Buyinja, Bwijanga, Kabuyanda, Kasanda, Kibuku, Kiganda, Kikamulo, Kitwe, Kiyunga, Kyantungo, Mwera, Mwizi, Nankoma, Ngoma, Ntenjeru-Kojja, Obongi, Padibe, Pakwach & Rubare HCIVs. Progress Photos: upgrades of HC IIs TO HC IIIs Maternity Block at Ajikoro HC II Maracha District Maternity Block at Nawangisa HC II Bugweri District (PHOTO/File) Maternity Block at Matanda HC II Kanungu District Maternity Block at Kimaka HC II Jinja Municipal Council (PHOTO/File) Maternity Block at Zindiro HC II Kisoro District Maternity Block at Butaaka HC II Butambala District Maternity Block at Koch Lii HC II Nwoya District Maternity Block at Olok HC II Pallisa District Kayunga hospital has also been rehabilitated, and according to sources will soon be upgraded to a regional referral hospital to reduce the burden that Jinja referral has been carrying. The facility has been serving over 14 districts instead of 8 districts recommended by the health sector policy. Kawolo hospital was also rehabilitated and equipped, as well as Yumbe hospital which will be completed soon. Busolwe Hospital will be embarked on soon too. The ministry planned to upgrade 320 HCIIs to HCIIIs, and so far, 120 have been completed, 60 are in the process and 75 will be handled in the next financial year and will be completed before the next elections. In this upgrade, 20 Bed Maternity Block, Staff Houses, Refurbishment and expansion of existing OPDs, Placenta Pit, Medical Waste Pit, VIP Latrines and Land Scaping of the Compound are done. In response to the increasing population, some HCIVs were upgraded to hospitals. These are Kaberamaido, Rukunyu, and Amuria HC IVs. Kasana Luwero HC IV, Mukono HC IV, and Koboko HC IV are also being upgraded to hospitals in a phased manner, and are to become operational by June 2020. In a bid to address challenges in regional referral hospitals, Arua, Gulu and Lira regional referral hospitals are also being upgraded especially the outpatient and maternity section. However, cognisant to the need for accommodation for health workers, this has been a priority for the NRM government and currently, all regional referral hospitals are constructing accommodation. For Northern Uganda, funding was provided under NUSAF, and the districts handled the construction and they all have completed. Progress Photos for Karamoja Staff House Block at Kalapata HC III Kaabong District with progress at 85% Karamoja region was treated special and had the grant to build health workers accommodation. Construction of 34 blocks of 2 bedroomed semi-detached Staff Houses for 68 Staff at selected Public and Private Not For Profit Health Centre IIIs in the 07 Districts of Kaabong (3), Kotido (8), Abim (5), Moroto (3), Napak (7), Amudat (4) and Nakapiripirit (4). The progress of works in phase I districts of Abim, Kotido, and Kaabong is 85%, and in the phase II districts of Napak and Moroto, progress is at 36%, while in Amudat, Nakapiripirit and Nabilatuk, progress is at 15% to completion. Other regions are supported through the institutional support grant to ensure that health workers have accommodation. The Government approved the construction of the International Specialised Hospital of Uganda (ISHU) in Lubowa pursuant to a Project Works Investment Agreement (PWIA) signed in October 2015. Subsequently, GOU contracted Finasi/Roko SPV Ltd to execute this project. ISHU will be specialized referral, tertiary treatment, research, and teaching hospital, which is intended to treat patients travelling out of the country to seek specialized medical care. In 2017, it was estimated that Ugandan patients spent an estimated US$186 million on medical treatment abroad. Although there were delays in the commencement of construction, the project has kicked off, and so far, excavation has been completed and materials are being organised. Construction will commence by February 2020. Service provision Key to health sector service provision is health worker availability. While there still gaps, the level of availability of health workers stands at 75%. Nurses cadre and the Allied Health Professionals make up the majority of 75%. Health Ministry says the critical deficit is for specialists and anesthesiologists. To address this issue, over 300 anaesthesiologists were recently trained and the ministry is working with the Ministry of Public Service to ensure that they are recruited into service by provision of a wage bill so that the HC IVs and other hospitals are functionalized. Specialists availability Regarding the specialists, the government has been deliberately enhancing salaries. Currently, specialists are being paid UGX.7 million, President Yoweri Museveni gave a directive that their salaries be enhanced to between UGX 12 to 15 Million. Mr. Museveni thinks that this will probably attract specialists and address the gaps in human resources. Medicine availability Availably of medicines go hand-in-hand availability of health workers in health service delivery. The government of Uganda has been increasing funding for medicines, and to date, it has increased to nearly UGX 300 Billion for essential medicines and health supplies. It will still not be enough because the population is high and the disease burden due to communicable diseases is also still high. But the government is committed to ensuring that medicines are available to all who need it. The Ministry of Health is, however, emphasizing disease prevention rather than treatment, because treating diseases like malaria, diarrhoea, and pneumonia is a bottomless pit, and thus emphasis is on prevention than treatment. Status of HIV/AIDS in Uganda Regarding HIV/AIDS, the country has made very good progress. To date, Uganda has over 1,150, 000 people on ARVs. That leaves about 200 people not yet on drugs, but within the next financial year, the ministry says it is optimistic that they will all be on treatment, as when the viral load is suppressed, the possibility of transmission is limited. In this respect, the government has been increasing funding for ARVs. Currently, government investment alone is at USD 32 million per year for medicines. PEPFAR supplements gaps by USD 18 million, and the rest of their funding goes to support the Private not-for-profit. PPEPFAR funding majorly goes to education, support to the vulnerable and the special groups. Global Fund FOR AIDS, TB, and Malaria supports the government. The cycle ending this year (2020), Global Fund gave up to USD 389 million, out of which, over USD 170 million was for ARVs over a three-year period. Moving forward, the Global fund contribution to Uganda has enormously increased, putting Uganda at a 5th position with the largest portfolio of USD 579 Million, the largest portfolio being Nigeria. Because of that, HIV has a funding of about USD 289 Million. This will ensure that everybody who tests HIV positive starts the treatment, and there is hope to reach epidemic control by 2021 meaning that 95% of the population tests for HIV, 95% of those tested HIV positive are started on treatment, and 95% of those on treatment have viral load suppression. Cognizant that the partners will not stay forever, the parliament of Uganda came up with the HIV Trust Fund. Its regulations were approved by Parliament, and the Ministry of Finance is working out modalities of ensuring that the trust fund is implemented. However, this requires an amendment to some of the existing laws like the Public Finance and Management Act and the Treasury Bill which requires that all funds first go to the treasury; because the HIV law was very clear that the Trust Fund should not go back to the treasury. There is hope that by June 2020, the Trust fund will come into force. Status Photos Kawolo hospital Completed Casualty Completed New OPD Completed Female Ward Completed Staff House Tuberculosis is also another disease that the government of Uganda has been fighting since 1986. Success has been registered with an increased Case Detection Rate of 56% (52,458 cases) in 2017/18 from 50% in 2016/17, and Treatment Success Rate at 70%. This has been possible with the provision of 225 GeneXpert machines that were procured and distributed to all hospitals and 117 HC IVs to strengthen the diagnosis and treatment of TB. Also, 17 Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) TB treatment sites have been established at Mulago National Referral Hospital, all the 13 Regional Referral Hospitals of Kitgum, Iganga and St. Kizito Matany General Hospitals. Malaria prevalence Malaria prevalence has significantly dropped from 19% to the current 9.1%. The NRM Govt has distributed free mosquito nets across the country to all individuals. This year, the Government of Uganda is distributing 28 Million free mosquito nets countrywide. Related Pedestrians are seen wearing surgical masks in London's Chinatown on Jan. 25, 2020. (Niklas Halle'n/AFP via Getty Images) 4th and 5th Cases of Chinese Coronavirus Confirmed in US, Officials Say Five U.S. cases of Wuhan coronavirus were announced Sundaywith a one being confirmed by health officials in Los Angeles County and the latest case being confirmed by Maricopa County, Arizona, officials. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said Sunday that the sickened person presented themselves for care once they noticed that they were not feeling well, adding that the person had recently traveled to the United States from Wuhan, China, where hundreds of people have been infected by the contagious virus. A statement released on Sunday by the Arizona Department of Health Services said the fifth U.S. patient as a member of the Arizona State University community who does not live in university housing. Three other U.S. coronavirus cases have been confirmedin Washington state, Illinois, and Orange County, California. The Orange County patientconfirmed by health officials on Jan. 25is in good condition and in isolation at the hospital. That person had also traveled recently to Wuhan and tested positive. There is no immediate threat to the general public, no special precautions are required, and people should not be excluded from activities based on their race, country of origin, or recent travel if they do not have symptoms of respiratory illness, L.A. County Public Health stated. The agency said its now working to identify anyone who might have come into close contact with the infected person and is monitoring for possible coronavirus symptoms. Health is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal, state and local agencies to monitor this novel coronavirus that has emerged from Wuhan, China, over the past few weeks. This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available, the department stated. The new strain of coronavirus, known officially as 2019-nCoV, can cause pneumonia and respiratory illnesses. Officials originally suspected it had been spreading from animals to people in a market in Wuhan, but there have been indications that its spreading from person to person. In the Washington state and Illinois cases, both patients had recently traveled to China. They were identified in previous reports as a man in his 30s and a woman in her 60s. The CDC expects more U.S. cases of coronavirus to emerge in the coming days. Its assessment was based on prior outbreaks of infectious viruses such as SARS and MERS. Its likely that person-to-person spread will continue to occur, the health agency said on its website last week. The Chinese health emergency has prompted the U.S. Department of State to issue an alert to its American staff and private citizens in Wuhan. A man is dead after a horrific scissor-lift accident on a Melbourne job site. The victim suffered fatal injuries at about 2pm on Australia Day in Brunswick, just north of the city's CBD. Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia the tragedy was being investigated. A tradie has tragically died after being sustaining fatal injuries in a work place accident involving a scissor lift on Australia Day (stock image) Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious. Worksafe is investigating. A worker dispenses hand sanitizer to shoppers at the entrance of a supermarket in Wuhan (Chinatopix via AP) The Chinese president has described the accelerating spread of coronavirus as a grave situation, as cities from the outbreaks epicentre in central China to Hong Kong scramble to contain an illness that has infected more than 1,200 people and killed 41. Xi Jinpings remarks came at a meeting of Communist Party leaders convened on Lunar New Year the countrys biggest holiday which has seen celebrations muted to underline the governments urgent and expanding efforts to control the outbreak. Millions of people travelling during the holiday have fuelled the spread of the outbreak nationwide and overseas after it began in the city of Wuhan. The vast majority of the infections and all the deaths have been in mainland China, but fresh cases are popping up. Australia and Malaysia reported their first cases on Saturday, and Japan confirmed its third. France confirmed three cases on Friday, the first in Europe, and the US identified its second. Expand Close A shopper wearing goggles, a face mask and gloves uses a self-checkout machine at a supermarket in Wuhan (Chinatopix via AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A shopper wearing goggles, a face mask and gloves uses a self-checkout machine at a supermarket in Wuhan (Chinatopix via AP) In Wuhan, its 11 million residents are already in lock-down and a ban on most vehicle use, including private cars, in central areas will begin on Sunday. Only authorised vehicles carrying supplies and for other needs will be permitted to travel. It is understood the city will assign 6,000 taxis to different neighbourhoods, under the management of resident committees, to help people get around if they need to. In Hong Kong, leader Carrie Lam said her government will raise its response level to emergency, the highest one, and close primary and secondary schools for two more weeks on top of next weeks Lunar New Year holiday. They will now reopen on February 17. In a sign of the growing strain on Wuhans health system, the official Xinhua news agency reported the city plans to build a second makeshift hospital with about 1,000 beds. Expand Close Security guards wearing face masks walk past decorations for a cancelled Lunar New Year celebration in Beijing (Mark Schiefelbein/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Security guards wearing face masks walk past decorations for a cancelled Lunar New Year celebration in Beijing (Mark Schiefelbein/AP) The city previously announced construction of a hospital of the same size that is expected to be completed by February 3. The new virus comes from a large family of what are known as coronaviruses, some causing nothing worse than a cold. It causes cold and flu-like symptoms, including cough and fever, and in more severe cases, shortness of breath. It can worsen to pneumonia, which can be fatal. China cut off trains, planes and other links to Wuhan on Wednesday, as well as public transport within the city, and has steadily expanded a lock-down to 16 surrounding cities with a combined population of more than 50 million. The Lunar New Year holiday began on Saturday in the shadow of virus precautions. Authorities cancelled a host of planned festivities and closed major tourist destinations. Expand Close A worker wearing a hazardous materials suit uses a digital thermometer to check a passenger at a subway station in Beijing (Mark Schiefelbein/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A worker wearing a hazardous materials suit uses a digital thermometer to check a passenger at a subway station in Beijing (Mark Schiefelbein/AP) Temples locked their doors, Beijings Forbidden City and Shanghai Disneyland closed, and people cancelled restaurant bookings ahead of the holiday which is normally a time of family reunions, sightseeing trips and other festivities. People throughout China are regularly wearing masks to restaurants and food shops, where workers dispense hand sanitiser to customers. Some parts of the country have brought in check-points for temperature readings and made masks mandatory. Of the 41 deaths, 39 have been in Hubei province, where Wuhan is the capital city, and one each in Hebei and Heilongjiang provinces. Most of the deaths have been older patients, though a 36-year-old man in Hubei died this week. Television 2020 Grammy Awards: Alicia Keys hosts the live broadcast of the music industrys big night, whose nominees this year include Lizzo, Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X. (5 p.m. PT Sunday, CBS; streams via CBS All Access) Related: 2020 Grammy Awards red carpet: How to watch the coverage online without cable The Biggest Loser: The weight loss show returns, this time on the USA network. Bob Harper hosts this updated version. (9 p.m., Tuesday, USA) Miracle Workers: Dark Ages: The original series continues, only now its an anthology. Daniel Radcliffe and Steve Buscemi return, this time for a comic tale set in medieval times. (10:30 p.m. Tuesday, TBS) Streaming Justin Bieber: Seasons: A new docuseries follows the pop star as he makes his first new album in more than four years. (Streaming beginning Monday, YouTube) Next in Fashion: Alexa Chung and Tan France host a new clothing design competition series. (Streaming beginning Wednesday, Netflix) The Stranger: A series from Britain, based on mystery thriller writer Harlan Cobens novel about a stranger, a secret and the unexpected fallout of its revelation. The cast includes Richard Armitage and Siobhan Finneran. (Streaming beginning Thursday, Netflix) -- Kristi Turnquist kturnquist@oregonian.com 503-221-8227 @Kristiturnquist Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. 125 YEARS AGO 1895: The highest temperatures in January was 44 degrees, reached on the 4th, 13th, 15th and 24th. The lowest days were -1 on the 6th and 7th, and then 0 on the 21st, 4 on the 22nd, -13 on the 26th followed by -6, -3, -8 and -5 to the end of the month. The county hospital is not a very pretentious affair, but it sometimes serves as a welcome haven for the unfortunate who may be suddenly stricken with some ailment and there is no contagion to be feared from the patient. The charitably disposed might spend a profitable half hour with those who are helpless through illness. At present, there are two patients. One is Jerimiah Yaeger, a prominent sheepman whose health in the autumn of life has been broken through exposure and hard work. He speaks hopefully of spring, when he expects to once more walk out in the glorious sunshine and greet his many acquaintances and friends. Flagstaff is threatened with a heavy suit for damages and all because of the nocturnal meanderings of a strayed cow. Several nights ago, a prominent official heard a rumpus in his backyard. Burglars nervously whispered his wife. Yes, and theyll be dead ones too declared the official. Lighting a candle, he went forth in search of them, attired in a night shirt, a 41-gun and a pair of socks. A search of the house failed to reveal anybody carrying a weapon. The citizen was about turn in again when he heard another noise. It was snowing and he was minus his shoes, but he didnt mind that. Ill get those villains he declared as he capered around stamping his toes on the Malpai rock. He heard steps in the snow, but it was too dark to see anything. He followed the sound until he came up against a living object. Shove off he shouted. Mooooo was the reply. A cow! He thought about kicking it out, but remembered his bare feet and refrained. The next morning he was still angry and now feels that way every time he sees a cow at large. He declares that bovines have no right to be on the streets without a chaperone, even in the daytime and the city is liable for damages for not impounding them. 100 YEARS AGO 1920: Swanner and Earl Wright are more than ever enthusiastic over their proposed permanent Wild West Show for Flagstaff, because they have found that our citizens are all with them to help make the show the biggest thing of its kind ever pulled off in the state. There is no doubt that a show such as these two horse and rope experts are well qualified to handle will be a tremendous advertisement for Flagstaff. There are a multitude of details that must be attended to right now to be ready for the 4th of July. The grounds must be prepared, fenced and the grandstand enlarged as well as other endless details. Our jail is empty. Under Sheriff Hicklin, Deputy Sheriff OBrian and Deputy City Marshall Harry E. Wiltse left on Wednesday with three prisoners murderer Simplico Torres, burglars Pelar and Gomez, bound for the state penitentiary at Florence, and Hiram Cape, gone crazy over Bolshevism, on his way to the state insane asylum. Z.A. Bissonnette has leased the Northern Arizona Motor Co. building just south of the Santa Fe from J. W. Francis for five years. He has also bought all of Mr. Francis equipment and stock at the same time of taking over from him the agency for the Studebaker automobiles and the John Deere farming equipment. He will personally take charge of his new garage this week. He is already ordering a lot of additional machinery and will have a first-class machine shop capable of turning our any kind of work. He expects to more than double the production of Reliable Springs on which his sales are rapidly increasing. His new quarters are modern and steam-heated, and also has ample storage room and its machine shop is pretty completely equipped except for a few new items he has already ordered. His present store and blacksmith shop, both of which are located on East Aspen Avenue will be continued, the former under the management of W.E. Draine and the latter in charge of a couple of his competent mechanics. The barking Korean brought to jail here last week from Williams started talking the first of the week. As he came from California and had a ticket to Los Angeles in his pocket, County Attorney Gold and Sheriff Harrington decided that California was where he belonged and put him on the train Monday. But the cuss had a fit at Kingman and was put off. Sheriff Mahoney of Mohave County and the Santa Fe officials, and our own penal and legal officers are now engaged in the deliberated pastime of passing the buck and telegrams to and from, also hither and yon. In checking his suitcase, it was found that he is a physical culture faddist. Chief of Police Neill says if he comes back here, hell put him in the dog pound. 50 YEARS AGO 1970: The hottest item on the City Councils agenda is a request by Fire Chief Don Vorhies that the ambulance service be removed from the Fire Department. Also on the agenda is the Fire Department's request to sell a 1948 model GMC 1,000-gallon pump truck that has seen continuous duty since it was first purchased by the city almost 22 years ago. The venerable engine will be sold to replace the citys first Hook and Ladder truck, which is due to arrive on the scene sometime around the first of March. In cooperation with the Arizona State Department of Education, the Flagstaff schools will be offering an adult vocational course in secretarial-clerical training in operating business machines to prepare adults for employment in office occupation or to upgrade skills of employed office workers. The classes will be held at Flagstaff High School on Tuesdays and Thursdays in room 210 at 7 p.m. beginning on Feb. 10. There will be a $15 fee to defray cost of materials. 25 YEARS AGO 1995: Flagstaffs restaurants are hashing it out over competitive breakfast specials, but its the folks around the table who are coming out sunny-side up. Dennys started a pricing war nationally with its $1.99 Grand Slam Breakfast. Our smaller, independently-owned restaurants are feeling the most heat. Over the holidays, out-of-town skiers took up some of the slack. The holidays are now over. The Forest Service has rejected Canyoneers Inc., a tourist business, bid for permission to fly cross-country skiers to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon by helicopter on the grounds of protecting the winter quiet and solitude of hikers and skiers by preventing unnecessary intrusion in one of the most isolated places in Arizona. Joy Staveley, Canyoneers president, said her firm will continue to use snow vans to carry skiers between Jacob Lake and the North Rim. The decision appears to be a part of the continuing concern on the part of the National Park Service, the Federal Aviation and environmentalists about frequency and extent of scenic flights over the canyon. The County Board of Supervisors voted Monday night to eventually move the existing four judges and there courts out of the old sandstone courthouse and into a new facility somewhere downtown. Every county department is busting at the seams, the board needs to find or make more space, said County Manager James Keene. The board earmarked up to $22 million for county space expansion. That figure would include funding for renovations, building and furnishings, but not parking. They are still vague on exactly what they want in the new court facilities. The 18-day romp in the Arizona snow begins indoors on Feb. 3 with jazz at 8 a.m. on the NAU campus. Then the parade of snowy events begins. Last year, the event drew about 19,000 visitors. Flagstaffs new voices in Congress are continuing their predecessors work to protect prehistoric Sinagua Indian settlements in Walnut Canyon. The Walnut Canyon National Monument Boundaries Modification Act of 1995 was introduced on Wednesday in both the House and the Senate. The act moves 1,279 Walnut Canyon area acreage from the care of the U.S. Forest Service to the supervision of the National Park Service. All events were taken from issues of the Arizona Daily Sun and its predecessors, the Coconino Weekly Sun and the Coconino Sun. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 MUSIC Ludovico Einaudi: Seven Years Walking Myer Music Bowl, January 25 Italian composer and pianist Ludovico Einaudi performs on a floating platform in the Arctic Ocean Credit:Pedro Armestre According to some music streaming services Italian composer and performer Ludovico Einaudi is currently the most popular "classical" composer in the world. His premiere status has only strengthened since the staggered release, beginning in March 2019, of Seven Days Walking, a series of compositions inspired by expeditions Einaudi made to the Swiss Alps the previous year. While Einaudi might have studied with some of the leading composers of 20th century classical music, such as Karlheinz Stockhausen and Luciano Berio, he has not, however, sought the mantle of classical composer for himself. Classical music critics, in their turn, have also struggled to accommodate him. A journey with no surprises and A Long Road to Nowhere are typical of the kinds of invective Seven Days Walking has provoked from them elsewhere. In response, one might imagine Einaudi to quote Liberace (another classical musician-turned-popular-icon) "crying all the way to the bank". But to suggest this would do him, and his audience, an injustice there is no reason to question the sincerity behind his music or the sincerity with which it is received. The death toll in the deadly new coronavirus in China rose to 56 on Sunday with confirmed cases of viral affliction reaching 1,975 and 324 of them being critical, Chinese health authorities said. IMAGE: A Chinese woman takes a photo of the Forbidden City, which was ordered closed by authorities, as she visits a park to celebrate the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival in Beijing, China. The number of cases of a deadly new coronavirus has risen to nearly 2,000. In an unprecedented move, Chinese authorities put travel restrictions on the city of Wuhan and neighbouring cities affecting a population of over 35 million. Photograph: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images The new type of pneumonia, officially being described as 2019-nCoV, has resulted in 56 deaths, the National Health Commission said. A total of 2,684 suspected cases have also been reported so far, it said. While Wuhan and 17 others cities in Hubei province remained the epicentre of the viral disease outbreak with most of the deaths having taken place there, the cases have started rising steadily in most of the Chinese provinces and cities, including Beijing. Hubei province added 323 new confirmed cases of infection on Jan 25. It also reported 13 new deaths. A total of 1,052 cases of coronavirus were reported till Jan 25 in the province, with 129 being critical, besides 52 deaths, state run Global Times reported. Ten new coronavirus afflictions were reported till Saturday in Beijing, taking the number of cases to 51 in the city, the report said. Shanghai, China's biggest city has reported 40 cases so far, it added. Amid the situation becoming grim, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday said China is facing a "grave situation" but he exuded confidence that the country would "win the battle" against the coronavirus epidemic. Stepping up all-round efforts to contain the fast spreading SARS-like virus, China on Saturday announced it would build another 1,300-bed makeshift hospital in Wuhan in the next 15 days in addition to another 1,000-bed hospital being built presently in the city and expected to be completed in 10 days, to treat more cases of the deadly virus. The feverish pace at which the hospitals are being built indicates China is preparing to treat far more patients, considering the speed at which the virus is spreading. The virus has spread to Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Nepal, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and the US as of Thursday. Japan on Friday had reported a second confirmed case. The confirmed cases in China crossed the 1,000-mark for the first time on Friday, rising sharply to 1,287 with 237 people reported critical, the Commission had said on Saturday. China's Communist Party has set up a leading group to manage the coronavirus epidemic, state media reported on Saturday. The decision was made at a meeting of the Politburo Standing Committee -- the party's top leadership tier -- chaired by Chinese President Xi. In the meeting, Xi said people from different ethnic groups and sectors should work together to support efforts to contain the spread of the deadly virus. The country is facing a grave situation, he was quoted as saying by the South China Morning Post. As long as the nation has strong confidence and makes joint efforts with scientific and targeted measures, the battle of the prevention and control of the contagion will be won," Xi said, chairing meeting on the day of the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year. Xi also called for all-out efforts to prevent and control the coronavirus-related pneumonia and extended his heartfelt gratitude to the frontline medical staff, struggling to control the outbreak. He also called for strengthening the protection of medical staff, ensuring the steady supply of requisite materials and intensifying disclosure of related information to guide the public opinion and mobilise social forces to uphold the overall stability of society. The CPC meeting urged concrete efforts to ensure access to adequate supplies of materials to Wuhan. The participants of the meeting also urged to ensure all-out efforts to treat patients, and disclose disease-related information in an accurate, open and transparent manner to address concerns from both at home and abroad, it said. Sir Chris Hohn has donated 200,000 to Extinction Rebellion The billionaire helping to bankroll Extinction Rebellion became the world's top hedge fund manager last year thanks to major investments in firms hit by environmental scandals. Sir Chris Hohn, who has donated 200,000 to the controversial climate change pressure group and is feared in City boardrooms for putting pressure on companies, saw his investment firm join the ranks of the world's largest hedge funds last year after a stunning performance. TCI Fund Management, which is owned and run by Hohn, added $8.4billion (6.4billion) in value last year more than any other major hedge fund according to LCH Investments taking its assets under management up 39 per cent to $30billion. But The Mail on Sunday can reveal that the winning streak involved huge bets on companies that have been embroiled in environmental scandals. They include Canada's two biggest rail firms which have been fined in recent years for their failings. Meanwhile, a US rail company backed by TCI is under investigation over whether it broke environmental laws after cancers in the Houston area were feared to be linked to contamination from the company's rail yard. The case has attracted support from activist Erin Brockovich, who was played by Julia Roberts in the eponymous Hollywood movie about her fight for groundwater contamination victims. Hohn, who had to hand over 337million in Britain's costliest divorce in 2014, last month warned he would vote to eject directors who fail to disclose carbon emissions. He has pocketed more than 800million in dividends from TCI over the past four years. Climate change protests: Extinction Rebellion organised mass protests in London last year Hohn is the biggest individual donor personally and through his charity to Extinction Rebellion, which organised mass protests in London last year, and he has argued there is an 'urgent need' to address climate change. Business leaders from around the world are calling for companies to do more to tackle the climate crisis and the topic became a major focus at last week's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Some ethical investors such as the Church of England refuse to invest in companies with poor environmental records. TCI's disclosures reveal just 15 major holdings. Sources said the fund likes to remain an investor in firms where it believes it can influence bosses to improve their environmental credentials. TCI did not respond to requests for comment on whether it had put pressure on the firms in question. One of Hohn's major holdings is Canadian National Railway Company, a 52billion giant where TCI has stake of around 1.4billion. The firm was fined $Can 2.5million in 2017 by the Canadian government after pleading guilty to environmental offences relating to massive spills of diesel into a river. Prosecutors accused it of being 'grossly negligent'. In 2005, one of its trains derailed and 10,000 gallons of caustic soda spilled into a river killing at least half a million fish. Shares in the company rose nearly 20 per cent last year. TCI is the largest single investor in Canadian Pacific Railway with an 8 per cent stake worth about 2.2billion. Shares in the company were up nearly 40 per cent in 2019. Canadian Pacific was fined $Can 31,500 last year for failures related to waste management. The case has attracted support from activist Erin Brockovich (pictured) Last month, one of the company's trains derailed spilling more than 300,000 gallons of crude oil. Shares in the company were up nearly 40 per cent in 2019. Union Pacific, a US rail company in which TCI has a stake worth more than 500million, has also been hit by an environmental furore. Last month, it emerged that officials in the Houston area are investigating whether Union Pacific broke laws after many cancers were reported near a rail yard where creosote a possible carcinogen had been used to treat railway sleepers. Union Pacific revealed last year that groundwater beneath homes was contaminated with creosote. The company did not acquire the site until after the creosote operations had ceased. However, local residents last week urged Union Pacific to provide more comprehensive clean-up efforts and compensation for those affected, with Erin Brockovich calling for more 'affirmative answers'. Shares in Union Pacific rose by nearly a third last year. Others TCI investments include Raytheon, a 50billion American missiles maker which agreed to pay thousands of dollars to Florida residents over groundwater contamination, and chemicals company Univar Solutions. Washington, Jan 26 (AFP) White House lawyers began their defense of Donald Trump at his historic Senate impeachment trial on Saturday, saying the president did nothig wrong in his dealings with Ukraine and American voters -- not Congress -- should decide his fate. White House counsel Pat Cipollone said it would be a "completely irresponsible abuse of power" if the Senate follows the lead of the House of Representatives and votes to remove the 45th US president from office. "They're asking you to do something that no Senate has ever done," Cipollone told the 100 senators gathered on a rainy Saturday morning for a rare weekend session at just the third impeachment trial in US history. Democratic prosecutors from the House, which impeached Trump last month for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, had not convincingly made their case that he had committed "high crimes and misdemeanors," as demanded by the Constitution, Cipollone said. "We don't believe that they have come anywhere close to meeting their burden for what they're asking you to do," he told a hushed Senate chamber. "We believe when you hear the facts... you will find that the president did absolutely nothing wrong." House prosecutors spent the previous three days laying out a detailed case that Trump withheld military aid to Ukraine and a White House meeting to pressure his Ukrainian counterpart to open an investigation into political rival Joe Biden and the former vice president's son Hunter, who served on the board of a Ukrainian gas company. Adam Schiff, the chief House prosecutor, said the real estate tycoon turned politician poses an "imminent threat" to American democracy and his guiding principle is "Trump first, not America first." Cipollone argued that Democrats were asking the Senate to "tear up all of the ballots" from the 2016 presidential election and attempting to prevent Trump from running for re-election in November. "They are here to perpetrate the most massive interference in an election in American history and we can't allow that to happen," the White House counsel said. "Let the people decide for themselves." The Democratic-controlled House impeached Trump on December 18 in a party line vote, setting up a trial in the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53 to 47 seat edge and the president enjoys the support of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. A two-thirds majority, or 67 senators, is required to remove a president from office and Democrats do not appear to have made any significant inroads so far in Trump's wall of Republican support. Senator Mitt Romney, a Republican from Utah and occasional Trump critic, said he was "likely" to support a Democratic demand for further witnesses during the trial but other Republicans indicated that their minds were all but made up. "Today we heard a case that was strong, that was clear and that completely undermined the case of the Democrats," Senator John Barrasso, a Republican from Wyoming, said of the White House defense. Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican from Iowa, said that in just two hours, "the White House counsel and their team entirely shredded the case that has been presented by the House." Shortly before his lawyers took the floor, Trump fired off a tweet with insulting nicknames for leading Democrats and told his supporters to tune in to the live television broadcast. The White House lawyers kept their opening arguments short -- just under two hours -- in part, perhaps, because Trump, a former reality television star, had complained that Saturday is the "Death Valley" of TV viewership. Following the defense presentation, Trump claimed it had demonstrated how "unfairly" he has been treated and showed he was the victim of a "partisan Impeachment Hoax." Trump's lawyers will resume his defense on Monday. They will have 24 hours spread over three days for their arguments but have said they are unlikely to use all the time allotted. Saturday's brief session was a relief to the four senators battling for the Democratic presidential nomination, allowing them to return to the campaign trail. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and Colorado Senator Michael Bennet have been forced to remain in Washington while Biden and other candidates campaign in Iowa, which kicks off the nominating process on February 3. Senators will have 16 hours next week to direct questions to both sides and consider whether they should subpoena witnesses, something Democrats have sought but Republicans have opposed. The questions from senators will be submitted in writing to US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who is presiding over the trial and will read them out loud. Americans appear about evenly split on whether Trump should be removed, though several polls show a healthy majority want the Senate to subpoena witnesses for Trump's trial. AFP RAX RAX A piqued Pawar accused the BJP of harbouring "an acute fear" of being disrobed in the Koregaon-Bhima-Elgar Parishad case and chose to post-haste hand it over to the NIA. Crying foul, the NCP-Congress attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government "for exceeding its brief for sheer political reasons" over the issue. He reiterated his demand for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct an in-depth independent investigation to "unravel the truth" over the Pune Police's probe into the case. "Prima facie, it seems they (Pune Police) misused their power. The NIA may have taken over the probe, but it is necessary for the state government to investigate lapses by Pune Police or whether they misused powers to frame the activists," Pawar said. Locking horns with the Centre, he said the fresh probe was necessary as the move to hand over the case to NIA has "aroused suspicions", and it may have apprehended that the re-investigation could expose the former BJP state government and its hand-picked officials in the matter. "In no way can it be said that all those who take up cudgels against injustice and atrocities by the government are naxalites, as in this case," Pawar pointed out. Interestingly, the Centre's abrupt move came a day after Pawar wrote to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and hours after Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Friday held a meeting to review the case status and charge-sheets filed by Pune Police. State Home Minister (NCP) Anil Deshmukh slammed the Centre saying they were scared of a fresh probe contemplated by the MVA government as it could nail the previous BJP-led regime for messing up the original investigations. "We shall seek legal opinion in the matter before launching a fresh investigation," said Deshmukh. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the move saying it was part of "MOSH (Modi-Shah) agenda of hate". "Anyone who opposed the MOSH agenda of hate is an 'Urban Naxal'. Koregaon-Bhima is a symbol of resistance that the government's NIA stooges can never erase," Gandhi said in a sharp tweet. Pawar had questioned the manner in which Pune Police probed it and claimed that the previous BJP-regime had "vengefully" implicated several Dalit and rights activists in the Elgar Parishad-Koregaon-Bhima cases, based on "trumped up" charges. After the MVA government of Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress took office on Nov. 28, there was a change in perception of the cases lodged during the previous government. Nevertheless, caught unawares by the Centre's move, shortly before midnight on Friday, Deshmukh condemned the decision "to transfer the probe to NIA without any consent of the Maharashtra government." The NCP-Congress appear firm on setting up an SIT to re-look at the high-profile and sensitive case which could bring out skeletons of the former BJP-regime and its investigators, prompting the Centre to hastily shift it to NIA. Pawar contended that many prominent personalities and legal luminaries such as former Supreme Court Judge P.B. Sawant, former Bombay High Court Judge B.G. Kolse-Patil and others have raised objections to the manner in which the case was probed by Pune Police in which activists were arrested from different parts of India and branded 'urban Naxals'. The NCP chief pointed out that the then CM Fadnavis had not described those arrested activists as 'urban Naxals' and emphasised that the cases registered against them are not based on facts. On Dec. 31, 2017, a large Elgar Parishad was organised in Pune's Shaniwar Wada which was addressed by top leaders of Lefits, social and Dalit intellectual, the Kabir Kala Manch, the banned CPI (Maoist), its frontal organisations and others which allegedly triggered the violence the next day in Koregaon-Bhima. On Jan. 1, 2018, caste riots erupted when over 100,000 Dalits converged to celebrate the historic Jan. 1, 1818 victory of a small 800-strong force of the Mahar caste of the Bombay Native Infantry of the British East India Company over a battalion of the huge 28,000-strong army of the Peshwa Bajirao II in Koregaon-Bhima after a 12-hour battle. The two incidents proved to be a watershed in the state's recent political history and a chasm developed as the then BJP-led government went hammer-and-tongs after the Leftist groups and their leaders. Later during June and August 2018, many prominent Dalit and Leftist activists and intellectuals were arrested in a nationwide swoop by Pune Police. They included: Sudhir Dhawale, Rona Wilson, Surendra Gadling, Shoma Sen and Mahesh Raut -- all nabbed in June 2018 -- and charged with links to Maoist groups. Subsequently in August 2018, Pune Police arrested P. Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj, Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira and Gautam Navlakha on similar charges, besides naming others such as Milind Teltumbde, Rituparn Goswami, Prashanto Bose, as "underground, absconded and wanted accused" in the case. It was the Pune Police's contention that these persons/groups supported, funded and organized the Elgar Parishad as part of a larger conspiracy to create social and political unrest in the country, assassinate Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wage a war against the country and overthrow the democratically-elected government. (Quaid Najmi can be contacted at q.najmi@ians.in) Israel said on Sunday it will allow its citizens to travel to Saudi Arabia for Islamic pilgrimages or business purposes. There was no immediate reaction from Saudi Arabia to Interior Minister Aryeh Deri's decree, and Israeli visitors would still have to arrange for entry into the kingdom. Under Israel's Prevention of Infiltration Law, Israelis have been prohibited from visiting the kingdom. The announcement comes ahead of meetings in Washington between the U.S. administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu surrounding the roll-out of President Donald Trump's Mideast peace plan. Saudi officials attended a conference last year on the economic portion of the plan, and the kingdom's support for the American proposal would be a key boost. "It wouldn't actually be published today unless there is a kind of American eye on that, and a Saudi-Israeli understanding," said Uzi Rabi, director of the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African studies at Tel Aviv University. Palestinian leaders have spurned talks with the Trump administration, citing what they have called a series of moves showing favor toward Israel. Those include moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights and proclaiming that Israeli settlements in the West Bank aren't necessarily illegal. Netanyahu has bragged about forging closer ties with the Arab world, in particular the Gulf countries, as they find common cause against Iran. Israelis have also quietly ratcheted up their business ties with the Gulf in recent years. It will still be difficult for Israelis to travel there since no airlines fly directly between the countries and the two sides don't have official ties. Israeli Muslims in the past traveled to Mecca for the annual hajj pilgrimage on temporary Jordanian passports, but a 2018 report in Haaretz said Saudis would no longer allow pilgrims to travel via that loophole. The 2020 Volvo V60 CC Mack Hogan | CNBC Volvo's always been known in the U.S. for its safe, boxy wagons. Even though SUVs have long accounted for most of the brand's sales, the Volvo wagon is iconic. For good reason, too. If you want a comfortable, luxury wagon for the whole family, Volvo's the best game in town. And after spending a week in the company's lifted, all-wheel-drive V60 Cross Country, it's easy to recommend the Swedish wagon as a slick and stylish crossover alternative. The good The most important thing to know is that this gorgeous and impeccably appointed wagon, tested with just about every option, stickers for $56,990. A fair bit of cash, but thousands cheaper than the latest Mercedes C-Class or BMW 330i we tested. This despite offering similar equipment, similar power, wagon practicality, and a truly beautiful interior. Compared to similarly equipped and appointed SUVs, like a well-optioned Mercedes GLC or Audi Q5, the Volvo fares even better. The 2020 Volvo V60 CC Mack Hogan | CNBC And it doesn't feel anything like the budget pick. The exterior design which mostly matches every other Volvo still looks refined and modern. The supple cream leather, linear lime matte wood inlays, diamond-cut controls and premium aluminum accents work together perfectly. It's not a new look for Volvo, but the interior still feels more cohesive and impressive than just about any other competitor's. Plus, you get the superb Bowers & Wilkins stereo system and Volvo's Pilot Assist semi-autonomous system. Volvo continues to knock it out of the park with comfort, too, delivering some of the most consistently comfortable seats for long journeys. Supple suspension and a relaxed driving demeanor help, too. The 2020 Volvo V60 CC Mack Hogan | CNBC There's also plenty of power, even if the upgraded T6 and T8 powertrains from other Volvos aren't available on the V60 Cross Country. You're still getting 250 horsepower out of the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which is more than enough for highway merges and passing maneuvers. And while we've often noted that T8 Volvos feel over complicated, with turbocharging, supercharging, and hybrid assist, the T5-only V60 Cross Country feels smooth and effortless, even though there is occasional turbo lag. The bad While we were impressed with Volvo's Sensus infotainment system when it first debuted in 2015, it hasn't improved as quickly as rival automakers' solutions. It's quicker than when it launched, but we still encountered long startup times that made it hard to get in, set a navigation destination, and go. And even after spending a lot of time in Volvos over the years, it can still be hard to remember where settings and toggles are buried. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's got a learning curve and can still occasionally frustrate even when used correctly. The 2020 Volvo V60 CC Mack Hogan | CNBC And while Volvo bests the Germans in terms of style, interior design, and value, the overall driving experience isn't quite as well-rounded. The Volvo is comfortable and composed, but it also lets in a decent amount of engine noise under acceleration and some noticeable road noise while cruising. It's still decent for the class, but it's not the all-around luxury king. Driving excitement also wasn't a priority, as the V60 is noticeably less engaging than other compact luxury offerings from Geneis, BMW, Alfa Romeo and others. Even in dynamic mode, it feels like the big, heavy wagon that it is. Volvo never promised anything different, but it's something we should mention. The 2020 Volvo V60 CC Mack Hogan | CNBC How we'd option it All V60 Cross Countries come with the T5 engine and all-wheel drive. You pretty much can't avoid paying $645 for a paint color, unless you want a basic white wagon. If you're okay with the looks of the 18-inch wheels, we'd recommend them over the 19-inch ones to save $800 and improve the ride of the V60. Most buyers should get the $2,500 Advanced Package, which brings a 360-degree camera, Pilot Assist, full-LED active bending lights and a head-up display. For $2,200, we'd also add the Luxury Package to get upgraded, cooled leather seats with a massage function. And while we love the $4,000 Bowers & Wilkins stereo, that's a huge price to pay when you can get a Harman Kardon audio system for just $800. We'd do that, bringing our total price to $52,540. The 2020 Volvo V60 CC Mack Hogan | CNBC Final thoughts The V60 Cross Country hasn't received a ton of fanfare, in part because it's merely a continuation of what Volvo has already done many times. The company consistently offers stunning exterior designs, gorgeous interiors, and serious technology at significantly lower prices than more mainstream luxury brands,. It's not a perfect car by any means, but people considering compact luxury crossovers would be silly to overlook the V60. It offers pretty much everything you need for a discount, yet it never feels cheap or half-baked. It's got the space, technology, and comfort to satisfy almost anyone. Driving enthusiasts or hardcore off-roaders may not be impressed, but for everyone else the V60 is an incredible value. The 2020 Volvo V60 CC Mack Hogan | CNBC Exterior: 4.5 Interior: 4.5 Driving Experience: 3.5 Value: 5 Overall: 4.4 Price as tested: $56,990. *Ratings out of 5. Passengers from China arrive at the Ninoy Aquno Iternational Airport in Manila, Philippines, on Jan. 23, 2020. (Jes Aznar/Getty Images) 156 Chinese Tourists Flown Back To Wuhan From Philippines Nearly 200 Chinese tourists were flown back to Wuhan from Kalibo in the Philippines on Jan. 25 amid the threat of the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), ABS-CBN reports. A total of 156 tourists returned to the Chinese city at around 10 p.m local time, while a further 150 others are set to fly back on the evening of Jan.27, according to the outlet. The move comes after the Philippines Civil Aeronautics Board announced it would be suspending all direct flights from Wuhan to any destination in the country as a precautionary measure against the spread of the virus. However, the suspension exempted Royal Air Charter Services flights on Jan. 24 and 27, and Pan Pacific Air flights on Jan. 23 and 25, which it said would instead ferry passengers back to Wuhan. Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade said on Jan. 23 that everything must be done so as not to compromise public safety. When it come to public safety, it is always better to be overly protective than to fall short on measures and eventually regret it. We have to address it quickly and we have to do it right, he said in a statement. The Chinese tourists that were flown back to Wuhan had arrived from the city before the announcement was made. So far, there have been no confirmed cases of the Novel Coronavirus in the Philippines, however, the Department of Health (DOH) said it is actively monitoring a 36-year-old man from Tacloban. In a press conference last week, DOH Undersecretary Eric Domingo said the unnamed man showed symptoms of respiratory infection and had been in Wuhan city before arriving back to the Philippines on Jan. 17. A five-year-old Chinese boy with a history of travel to Wuhan was also suspected to be carrying the disease but later tested negative for the virus, officials said. This is indeed very welcome news to ease the Filipinos growing concern. I assure everyone that your Department of Health will not stop here and is on top of this emerging health event. We will continue to monitor the developing situation and ensure mechanisms to contain the threat of the 2019-nCoV, assured Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III. The outbreak in China has reached nearly every province and region. In recent weeks it has also spread to France, Australia, the United States, and Canada. The city of Wuhan, which has a population of 11 million, has been placed on virtual lockdown following the outbreak of the virus which emerged there at the end of last year. All public transport services, including airplanes and trains, have been suspended in the city as authorities attempt to contain the virus. Several other countries have also implemented health screening of travelers arriving from Wuhan. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has recommended against nonessential travel to Wuhan and suggested that anyone who has traveled to China in the last 14 days and feels sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing should urgently seek medical care. Health experts have been comparing the Wuhan virus with SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome), all belonging to a family of viruses known as coronaviruses which are believed to have originated from animals before spreading to humans. Health experts do not yet know which animal may have caused the current outbreak in Wuhan however, the first people infected by the virus had visited or worked at the Wuhan South China Seafood City, also known as the South China Seafood Wholesale Market and the Hua Nan Seafood Market. As of yet, it is still unclear how dangerous it is and how easily it spreads between people. Symptoms of the virus include sickness, runny nose, cough, sore throat, and sometimes a headache which may last for a few days. It is usually accompanied by an upper respiratory tract illness and can be more severe in older people. By Express News Service BHOPAL: More than a month after curfew was imposed following large-scale violence by anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protesters in Jabalpur town of Madhya Pradesh, fresh violence of stone pelting was reported from the same communally sensitive town on Sunday. The incident happened when pro-CAA right-wing Hindu outfits were taking out a 'Tiranga Yatra' with the permission of local administration to mark the 71st Republic Day. When the Tiranga Yatra reached Anand Nagar area under Adhartal and Gohalpur police station, the cops stopped them from going further as they had been granted permission only till a particular spot. ALSO READ: Hyderabad police detain Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad on his way to CAA protest 'Those taking out the Tiranga Yatra were allowed to go till where they were permitted, but they started insisting to go ahead through the area where the other group has gathered since last few days. The Tiranga Yatra people wanted to go through the barricaded area insisting that those gathered in that area, including women, were hindering road traffic,' said Jabalpur district collector Bharat Yadav. While the district administration and police were talking to the group who organised the Tiranga Yatra, the anti-CAA/NRC protestors in Gazi Bagh (Anand Nagar) area started raising slogans leading to a tense situation. ALSO READ: Rampur ulemas' give 72-hour ultimatum for release of anti-CAA protesters 'We told the Tiranga Yatra group that the other group which has been protesting in the area since last few days was given permission for their demonstrations till Saturday only and will not be allowed to gather there anymore, after which the Tiranga Yatra group accepted to return. But suddenly stone pelting started in the area,' the district collector added. According to informed sources, the police used force and tear gas shells to disperse those indulging in large scale stone-pelting. ALSO READ: Women begin anti-CAA protest in UP's Sambhal, police detain activists at Lucknow 'Weve decided that as continuous protests are causing inconvenience to commoners, including school students, senior citizens and patients, hence no fresh permission will be given to any group for any gathering. Well only allow three-four persons to submit memorandums and nothing else, keeping n mind that the ongoing gathering in the area is hindering normal public life,' Jabalpur collector said. Inspired by Delhis Shaheen Bagh, the anti-CAA and NRC protestors have been holding protests in Gazi Bagh (Anand Nagar) area of Jabalpur town since almost a week causing inconvenience to road traffic and daily life. Earlier, widespread violence by anti-CAA-NRC protesters was reported in the same areas of Jabalpur on December 20, 2019, which resulted in injuries to over 10 cops. Owing to the violence by the anti-CAA-NRC protesters, the local administration had imposed curfew in four police station areas Adhartal, Hanumantal, Gohalpur and Kotwali police station areas on December 20. The area in which stone pelting was reported on Sunday was among those areas where widespread violence took place on December 20 2019, after Friday prayers. A former Australian Army translator who allegedly strangled his wife for "up to five minutes" until she went limp, then posted on Facebook that he had killed her, believes the Koran is his AVO, a court has been told. The man allegedly attacked his wife inside their western Sydney home in June last year, leaving red marks and bruises on her arms and neck, the Supreme Court heard in a failed bail application on Thursday. After being released on bail for strangling his wife, the man allegedly strangled her again the next day. Credit:Edwina Pickles "The incident as described indicates it was an extremely violent incident," Justice Robert Hulme said. The couple went for a walk afterwards, the court heard, and close to a train station, the wife saw police officers and told them about the alleged assault. Ranchi, Jan 26 : The Pathalgadi movement was started to save the land and forest areas in Jharkhand, but now the movement is also marked by a series of violence. The purpose of the Pathalgadi movement was to make the Gram Sabhas omnipotent in tribal areas to reclaim their rights to 'jal, jangal and zameen'. The people wanted the Gram Sabhas to grant permission for mining and development work in their tribal areas and not by the elected government. After the killing of seven people for opposing the movement in West Singhbhum recently, there are fears of violence in other areas too. When the Hemant Soren government came to power, it announced the withdrawal of the old sedition cases against Pathalgadi activists. This, however, caused much resentment in the tribal community. Pathalgadi hit the headlines when seven Pathalgadi opponents were killed in Burugulikela village in West Singhbhum district on January 19. Activists working in the tribal areas say even now there is confusion on whether the killings took place because of the Pathalgadi movement. The police are still investigating the killing of seven villagers in Burugulikela village, about 80 km from the district headquarters, but they have so far investigated it from the angle of personal enmity. Sources however said that the Pathalgadi movement may be the main reason behind the killings. The clash took place between the supporters and the opponents of the movement over the development works to be carried out without any interference from the tribal community. Police sources said that a section of villagers, reposing complete faith in the Gram Sabha, may be behind the killings. Jarom Gerald Kujur, Secretary of the Central Jana Sangh Samiti, an NGO working for the tribals, said that the incident is under investigation, hence it cannot be linked to the Pathalgadi movement yet. He said, "Pathalgadi is a very old tradition. The Birsa Munda Samaj mentions its rule by placing large stones outside the village, which is called Pathalgadi, while the Oraon Samaj collects a heap of stones, known as keystones." He said that these stones indicate the boundary of the villages. Kujur said that the history of the tribals shows that the Munda tribals in Singhbhum and Khunti areas had been trying to establish a self-governing system since the time of the British, and the Pathalgadi movement is a product of that struggle. The movement which started from the Khunti region of Jharkhand, spread to other areas - Gumla, Shimdega, West Singhbhum in the course of time. People say that the government must understand the sensitivity and take appropriate steps, otherwise this age-old custom may deviate to a turbulent and violent path. "The government neither understood the sensibility of it nor is it understanding it now," said James Herange, a Jharkhand social activist and convener of the Jharkhand NREGA Watch. "This peaceful majority tribal area is once again becoming turbulent. The government needs to convince all, including the opposition," he said. He said that Pathalgadi is not a new practice. It is actually said to be the monuments of those stones, which have a very ancient history. Even today it is practiced in tribal societies across many states. Herange said: "There was fear and anger in the tribal society against the government when it introduced amendments to the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (CNT) 1908 and the Santhal Pargana Tenancy (SPT) Act 1949. The tribal community feared that the government was going to hand over the rights of forest and land to the capitalists in the name of mining and industrialisation." Panic gripped the Bundu and Tamar communities and the possibility of bloody conflict increased in these areas after the government's move. District Collector of West Singhbhum, Arwa Rajkamal, said that investigation is still on in the Burugulikela incident which makes it clear that the clash happened in the garb of Pathalgadi movement when two tribal groups came face to face over the development works in the area. The Pathalgadi movement was revived to protest tribal land rights in 2017-18, when huge engraved stones were erected outside the villages following the amendments in tribal laws. The tribals wrote on the stones the rights enshrined under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution which ensured self-governance through Gram Sabhas to safeguard and preserve traditions and customs of the tribal people and their cultural identity. The movement turned violent and a fierce struggle took place between the police and the tribals after the government's move to amend the tribal laws. The movement may have calmed down for now, but the villagers never forgot the police brutality that they suffered. The Khunti police registered a total of 19 cases related to the Pathalgadi movement, in which 172 people were booked. Now after the Soren government withdrew all the cases, many believe it was done in a hurry. (Manoj Pathak can be reached at manoj.p@ians.in) Prime Minister on Sunday thanked the president of Maldives and the prime minister of Sri Lanka for their greetings, saying New Delhi cherished the deep-rooted friendship with the two countries. "Thank you the greetings on India's #RepublicDay, President @ibusolih. It is a matter of immense delight that friendship between India and Maldives is getting even stronger, benefitting the people of our nations," Modi wrote on Twitter. He was responding to the greetings extended by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. He also thanked Sri Lankan prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa for the wishes. "India cherishes the deep rooted friendship with Sri Lanka," he wrote. Rajapaksa said he and his wife Shiranthi Rajapaksa participated at the cultural event organised by the Indian High Commission in Colombo on Saturday. A shamed multi-millionaire property developer who wrote his Ferrari off when he crashed it while twice the legal limit is trying to appeal his conviction three years after the case ended. South Belfast businessman Christopher Walsh famously hid in a hedge after smashing into two cars in Holywood, Co Down - and when cops asked if he had the keys to the crashed sportscar, he produced the keys for a Ferrari and a Porsche. Normally a defendant has 28 days to lodge an appeal against their conviction and sentence - a time span which has expired many times over for Walsh, who got a five-year driving ban. At the end of his day-long trial in February 2017, Walsh, from Mount Pleasant in Stranmillis, was convicted of driving with excess alcohol, careless driving, failing to stop and failing to remain after an accident. At Downpatrick County Appeal Court last week, defence QC Greg Berry told Judge Philip Gilpin both the defence and prosecution had filed skeleton arguments on his "preliminary application to extend time" based on new evidence coming to light after Walsh's conviction. But a prosecuting counsel said "time limits are there for a reason and while there needs to be a balancing act ... there is also a need for finality". Adjourning the case to Tuesday, Judge Gilpin said he would consider both skeleton arguments before giving his preliminary view and depending on that he would hear oral submissions as to the way forward. It was a sunny day on September 26, 2015 when Walsh trashed his brand-new 150,000 Ferrari California T, losing control on a slight bend and incline, ploughing into two parked cars on the Belfast Road in Holywood. After crashing into the Nissan Almera and Vauxhall Agila, Walsh left the scene of the accident but within 20 minutes he was arrested by an off-duty cop, hiding in bushes in the grounds of the HQ of the Catholic Maintained Schools offices just up the road. Giving evidence to the court three years ago, Constable McMahon said that when he helped Walsh to stand up, "he was fairly unsteady on his feet" and his breath had a "strong smell of intoxicating liquor". "I asked him if was he driving but he didn't answer me," said the officer, adding that when he asked Walsh if he had the keys to the Ferrari, "he took two keys out; one was a Porsche key and the other was the Ferrari key". Arrested for driving while unfit and taken to Bangor station, the court heard Walsh initially refused to give an evidential sample until he spoke to a solicitor but that when he eventually did, he was found to be more than twice the legal limit. Walsh ran a so-called 'hip flask defence', claiming he had consumed the alcohol AFTER the accident, but when giving evidence on his own behalf, the multi-millionaire property developer essentially claimed he had no memory of the incident. District Judge Peter King told Walsh he had "failed spectacularly" in his defence. Two months later, in April 2017, Judge King banned Walsh from driving for five years after hearing that he had a previous conviction for drink driving in the late 1990s. Walsh was also ordered to complete 75 hours of community service and handed a 250 fine. By Express News Service TPURAM/NEW DELHI: Health authorities in Kerala on Saturday isolated seven people who returned from China with symptoms of coronavirus infection. They are being housed at special wards set up in various health facilities across the state. Another 172, who arrived in the state recently, are under surveillance though they have not displayed symptoms of exposure to the Wuhan virus. Seven people who displayed symptoms like fever, severe cough, difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath were admitted in isolation wards, said Dr Amar Fettle, state nodal officer for Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Of the seven, three are from Ernakulam district while the rest are from Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta and Malappuram. Their blood samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for examination. Meanwhile, a multidisciplinary team from the Centre is expected to visit Kerala and other affected states on Sunday to review preparedness. The Union Health Ministry has informed us that a multidisciplinary team comprising of a public health expert, a clinician and a microbiologist will arrive at the state on Sunday, a state health department official said. The Centre has set up a 24x7 helpline (011-23978046) to attend to public queries. No confirmed cases in India Eleven people seven in Kerala, two in Mumbai and one each in Hyderabad and Bengaluru who returned from China are Under Observation When Brexiteers buy a drink to toast Britains belated departure from the European Union later this week, they will be able to pay for it using a special celebratory coin minted for the occasion. More than three million new 50p coins will enter circulation on Friday morning, bearing the inscription Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations. And Prime Minister Boris Johnson will hold a special meeting of the Cabinet in the North of England as part of the January 31 commemorations before launching a Ready to Trade campaign on Saturday in 17 cities across 13 non-EU nations in a post-Brexit trade blitz. B-Day: Westminster will be at the heart of Brexit celebrations on Friday, which will also see a new 50p enter circulation in the morning as part of the January 31 commemorations The new 50p coins will bear the inscription Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations. Boris Johnson will also hold a special meeting of the Cabinet in the North of England Announcing the plans, Mr Johnson struck a unifying tone by saying: No matter how you voted in 2016, it is the time to look ahead with confidence to the global, trail-blazing country we will become over the next decade and heal past divisions. That is what I will be doing on January 31 and I urge everyone across the UK to do the same. The delay to Brexit, which was originally set for March 2019, meant that a million of the original commemorative coins had to be melted down last year. Chancellor Sajid Javid, who is also Master of the Mint, will present one of the new coins to Mr Johnson this week. A further seven million will be released into circulation later this year when the Royal Mint will open its doors for 24 hours to let people strike their own commemorative Brexit coins. With the Government insisting it wants a subdued, non-triumphalist approach to Brexit Day, Mr Johnson will host a Peoples PMQs [Prime Ministers Questions] on Wednesday and children will be invited to Downing Street on Thursday, so they can ask Mr Johnson questions about the future he intends to build for the next generation. He will address the nation on Friday at 10pm, as a clock projected on to No 10 Downing Street counts down to the moment of Brexit itself at 11pm midnight in Brussels amid a commemorative light display symbolising the strength and unity of our four nations. Union Jacks will also line Parliament Square in London, while government buildings in Whitehall will be lit up red, white and blue throughout the evening. Parliament Square will also be the scene of a celebration organised by Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage, with God Save The Queen performed by a band at 11pm. Mr Farage said last night: It will be celebratory. There will be music and singing. It will be a good-natured, upbeat, optimistic genuine celebration with no direct political edge whatsoever. Ardent Brexiteer Tory MP Mark Francois, who will also be attending, said: Im not going to bed. Im going to stay and watch the sun rise on a free country. Chancellor Sajid Javid (pictured above), who is also Master of the Mint, will present one of the new coins to Mr Johnson this week Other events are planned in Warrington, Doncaster and Surrey Heath, while Kettering MP Philip Hollobone says he will join a good old knees-up at his local pub. For those looking for a more up-market celebration, The Bow Group think tank is selling 90 tickets for a three-course dinner with the original Maastricht rebels from John Majors 1990-97 Government. Former Cabinet minister Sir John Redwood has been booked as the guest of honour. In addition, the pub chain Wetherspoon is cutting the price of a number of European drinks to mark Britains withdrawal from the EU, following 47 years as a member. Its Lets stay friends promotion offers customers around 60p off ten drinks that originate from Europe and the UK, including Spanish Estrella Galicia, German Becks, Italian Peroni, Polish Tyskie and Jameson Irish whiskey. Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin said: Many of our customers are keen to celebrate Brexit. At the same time, we want to remain friends with our European neighbours and offer a range of drinks at an excellent price. Higher up the drinks market, the French company Gold Emotion is selling Brexit Day sparkling rose for 148. Its bottle of Pinot Noir is engraved with a golden Union Jack and the words Brexit. We made history. With Brexiteers across the UK expected to hold their own parties, the activist group Conservative Progress is selling 22.15 party packs that include bunting, flags and posters. Pro-EU groups are making their own plans, including a candlelit vigil in Oxford. The Oxford European Association will hand out croissants and the EU flag will be flown from the Town Hall. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, will open City Hall on Friday for European Londoners and their families, with officials offering advice on the EU settlement scheme. There will also be emotional support services available. More than 14,000 people are said to have expressed interest in pro-EU counter-demonstrations in Westminster. But Jacob Rees-Mogg tells Mail on Sunday readers today, right, that last months General Election saw the country vote for a reviving wave of blue MPs who have taken the brakes off Brexit, setting the scene for the biggest restoration of vitality to our land in generations, sparking a decade of renewal. The Governments Ready to Trade campaign involves digital outdoor advertising in countries ranging from Australia to China, and India to America. Officials say it emphasises the Great in Great Britain and they claim that those who have seen it are now twice as keen to trade with the UK. Medical workers transfer a patient out of the intensive care unit at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University in Wuhan in central China's Hubei Province. on Jan. 24, 2020. (Zong Qi/Xinhua via AP) Hong Kong Bans Hubei Travelers, Declares State of Emergency Over Coronavirus Hong Kong will ban entry all residents from Hubei Province and anyone who had visited there in the past 14 days amid the outbreak of the mysterious new virus that has sickened thousands and left dozens deadin a move to contain the spread of the coronavirus that was first detected in the provincial capital of Wuhan. In a statement Sunday, the government said it will implement the ban starting from midnight on Sunday, Hong Kong will ban any person who has been to Hubei in the past two weeks until further notice. Hidden patients have greatly increased the difficulty of preventing and controlling the epidemic, the statement continued. Hong Kong authorities also announced Sunday there were eight total cases in the city, reported the South China Morning Post. On Saturday, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam held a meeting with health officials before declaring a state of emergency and shuttered all schools in the city. All primary and secondary schools will be shuttered for two weeks. I hereby urge all citizens stay united to fight against the epidemic to protect all Hong Kong peoples health and safety, she said in a Saturday press conference. Chinas National Health Commission Minister Ma Xiaowei, meanwhile, told reporters that the virus may be strengthening. According to recent clinical information, the virus ability to spread seems to be getting somewhat stronger, Ma said. Officials in Orange County, California, confirmed the third infected person in the United States over the weekend. That person was discovered in the city of Santa Ana, located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, after having come from Wuhan. The two previous U.S. cases were confirmed in Chicago and Seattle last week. The Chinese regime has implemented a massive travel ban in hard-hit areas, including Wuhan and other cities in Hubei. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department on Saturday announced it would evacuate American citizens and personnel one a one-time flight from Wuhan to San Francisco. The Department of State is making arrangements to relocate its personnel stationed at the U.S. Consulate General in Wuhan to the United States, the agencys statement said. We anticipate that there will be limited capacity to transport private U.S. citizens on a reimbursable basis on a single flight leaving Wuhan Tianhe International Airport on January 28, 2020 and proceeding directly to San Francisco. (Newser) A group of psychics met at the Kentucky home of a missing 17-year-old on Thursday night as part of the investigation into her disappearance. The Franklin County sheriff says he was skeptical, but "did not want to leave any stone unturned" in the search for Haylee Marie Martin, the State Journal reports. "It's hard to believe," Chris Quire says, "but most agreed that we would find Haylee in a neighboring county by morning." They did. A call reporting a possible burglary brought police to a home in nearby Scott County, where they found the teenager. She was with a 21-year-old woman, trying to get inside the home of the woman's boyfriend. story continues below Haylee had disappeared around Jan. 12, and the efforts to find her included a search by air, per WDKY. No arrests have been made, but Quire said adults who helped hide her could face charges. Haylee is in foster care now. "We are just glad she was found and is safe," the sheriff said. (Read more missing person stories.) Google's recently announced new redesign of desktop search results would have made ads pretty much look exactly like search results. Google is now backtracking, listening to the criticism, and trying a different visual approach. Our experimenting will begin today. Over the coming weeks, while we test, some might not see favicons while some might see them in different placements as we look to bring a modern look to desktop. Google SearchLiaison (@searchliaison) January 24, 2020 "Last week we updated the look of Search on desktop to mirror what's been on mobile for months. We've heard your feedback about the update. We always want to make Search better, so we're going to experiment with new placements for favicons," wrote Danny Sullivan, Google's search liaison, in a statement posted to Twitter. "Our experimenting will begin today. Over the coming weeks, while we test, some might not see favicons while some might see them in different placements as we look to bring a modern look to desktop." Writes Nick Statt at The Verge: Google made one of the biggest changes to how it displays search results in the company's history earlier this month, with the changes taking effect over the course of the last week. It involved a visual overhaul that makes it more difficult to differentiate between advertising and organic search results with the removal of color overlays and the introduction of small branded iconography, known on the web as favicons, next to non-ad results. The company's stated intention was to align desktop search results with the way they're presented on mobile, but it became clear this also had the effect of making it harder to distinguish between paid results and non-paid ones. The only difference between an ad and an organic result in the new design is the small lettering or icon next to a link, meaning ads and organic results now look more similar than ever before. And critics have been noticing. Now, Google says it's going to experiment with both the existence of favicons next to search results and their placement on the web version of its search engine. The experiments will take place "over the coming weeks." And, The Verge updates us: As of shortly after 2PM ET on Friday, Google has already started experimenting with favicon removal. On Friday, Google also released a more formal statement about why the earlier design change was proposed in the first place, and committed to "iterate on the design over time": From the Google statement: We're dedicated to improving the desktop experience for Search, and as part of our efforts around this we rolled out a new design last week, mirroring the design that we've had for many months on mobile. The design has been well received by users on mobile screens, as it helps people more quickly see where information is coming from and they can see a prominent bolded ad label at the top. Web publishers have also told us they like having their brand iconography on the search results page. While early tests for desktop were positive, we are always incorporating feedback from our users. We are experimenting with a change to the current desktop favicons, and will continue to iterate on the design over time. Read more: Google is backtracking on its controversial desktop search results redesign [via techmeme.com] What has happened to @Google? This was not the Google I knew. This is preposterous from a customer/user perspective. Imagine my grandma searching on Google she will never know what that "Ad" moniker stands for. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! https://t.co/uMvgj1Ampk Raj Sarkar (@rajsarkar) January 23, 2020 Has anyone else found Google search less and less useful for quick research? I end up scrolling past the top "results" automatically now because they're all ads. Filtering ads from actual results is becoming a ridiculous chore.https://t.co/huokxrrFRE Gerry Conway (@gerryconway) January 23, 2020 a single image that explains why I think this change would be good pic.twitter.com/zmTUeDEHMx Sean Hollister (@StarFire2258) January 24, 2020 Here's our full statement on why we're going to experiment further. Our early tests of the design for desktop were positive. But we appreciate the feedback, the trust people place in Google, and we're dedicating to improving the experience. pic.twitter.com/gy9PwcLqHj Google SearchLiaison (@searchliaison) January 24, 2020 Does anyone have any good reasons to use favicons? The world was meant to be using "voice search" this year but yet we've gone back to using 8-bit pixelated images ? https://t.co/4F90d0X6cJ Carl Hendy (@carlhendy) January 24, 2020 Why is it still ok to do it on mobile? Because mobile is where the majority of the ad dollars are? https://t.co/ATJTrfKvJH modest proposal (@modestproposal1) January 24, 2020 NEW: Google tells us it's rolling back its new search redesign. Legislators and users alike are already scrutinizing the company's redesign for blurring the lines between paid and organic content that shows up in search results. https://t.co/NOF5rTsieq Jennifer Elias (@jenn_elias) January 24, 2020 Good. Google needs to abide by the standards it sets for its third party adsense partners, this confusion of ads and content was not true to that. I spent a LOT of time having this conversation with them some year back as a top tier adsense partner! https://t.co/mkAxbFDI8e Paul O'Brien (@PaulOBrien) January 24, 2020 Before the featured snippet change, and before the core update we had changes with favicons now displaying in desktop search. And now Google is making further changes to favicons. It's unclear what though. Confused yet? https://t.co/BR9pcOfim1 Marie Haynes (@Marie_Haynes) January 24, 2020 Syrian Government Troops Advance In Last Rebel Stronghold January 26, 2020 Syrian government forces have captured several rural settlements in the northwestern province of Idlib, as they continue an offensive into the country's last rebel stronghold, state media and a war monitor said on January 26. At least six villages in the Idlib countryside have fallen to government forces over the past two days, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Backed by Russian air strikes, government troops on January 26 reached the outskirts of Maaret al-Numan, 33 kilometers south of the city of Idlib, on an important highway that connects Damascus to Aleppo. Syrian state TV said government forces had captured the village of Ghadqa near Maaret al-Numan earlier in the day. Opposition activists said government troops are now less than a kilometer away from Maaret al-Numan. According to the activists and paramedics, Maaret al-Numan is now almost empty as many residents have fled amid intense bombardments in recent weeks. Idlib Province is home to some 3 million civilians and the United Nations has warned of the growing risk of a humanitarian catastrophe there. Turkey said on January 24 that around 400,000 people from Idlib Province were moving toward the Turkish border as a result of the surge in violence. Based on reporting by Reuters and AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/syrian- government-troops-advance-in-last-rebel -stronghold/30397782.html Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The average cost of a house in Luxembourg is just under 750,000 - we had a look at what that can get you here, and elsewhere.. Towards the end of last year, Statec announced that the average price of a house in Luxembourg was 742,335. We've rounded that up to 750,000, and taken a look at what that can get you in Luxembourg.. and further afield. In this first comparison article, we've taken a look at what you can get for that price here in Luxembourg, and in Malmo, Sweden. 750,000 in Luxembourg To get a clear an idea as possible for Luxembourg, we gathered a bit of data from every listing on Athome.lu priced at 750,000 (houses only; no flats), and had a look at what this would get you. We have not made a distinction here in terms of geography - this is an average for the country as a whole. These narrow criteria resulted in a list of 17 properties, and on average you get Bedrooms: 3.8 Parking spaces: 2.2 Bathrooms: 2.3 Square metres: 175.5 The below gallery provides an example of two 'average' properties, with about as many bedrooms and bathrooms as you would expect for 750,000 according to the above. House comparison 2020 - article on RTL Today House in Lintgen. 3 bedrooms, 3 parking spaces,1 bathroom, 150M2 / Immo Wolz House in Lintgen. 3 bedrooms, 3 parking spaces,1 bathroom, 150M2 / Immo Wolz House in Lintgen. 3 bedrooms, 3 parking spaces,1 bathroom, 150M2 / Immo Wolz House in Lintgen. 3 bedrooms, 3 parking spaces,1 bathroom, 150M2 / Immo Wolz House in Lintgen. 3 bedrooms, 3 parking spaces,1 bathroom, 150M2 / Immo Wolz House in Lintgen. 3 bedrooms, 3 parking spaces,1 bathroom, 150M2 / Immo Wolz House in Lintgen. 3 bedrooms, 3 parking spaces,1 bathroom, 150M2 / Immo Wolz House in Lintgen. 3 bedrooms, 3 parking spaces,1 bathroom, 150M2 / Immo Wolz House in Lintgen. 3 bedrooms, 3 parking spaces,1 bathroom, 150M2 / Immo Wolz House in Lintgen. 3 bedrooms, 3 parking spaces,1 bathroom, 150M2 / Immo Wolz House in Oberkorn. 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 4 parking spaces, 178m2. / Herby Immo House in Oberkorn. 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 4 parking spaces, 178m2. / Herby Immo House in Oberkorn. 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 4 parking spaces, 178m2. / Herby Immo House in Oberkorn. 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 4 parking spaces, 178m2. / Herby Immo House in Oberkorn. 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 4 parking spaces, 178m2. / Herby Immo House in Oberkorn. 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 4 parking spaces, 178m2. / Herby Immo House in Oberkorn. 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 4 parking spaces, 178m2. / Herby Immo House in Oberkorn. 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 4 parking spaces, 178m2. / Herby Immo House in Oberkorn. 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 4 parking spaces, 178m2. / Herby Immo House in Oberkorn. 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 4 parking spaces, 178m2. / Herby Immo Immo Wolz, Herby Immo The photos published on this site are subject to copyright and may not be copied, modified, or sold without the prior permission of the owner of the site in question. 750,000 in Malmo We decided to start with Malmo partly because this editor is Swedish, and partly because it is in some ways a comparable region. It's right across the bridge from Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, and both cities are strong regional economic hubs. Both Sweden and Denmark also have labour costs in the same region - according to 2018 Eurostat data, the estimated hourly labour cost in Denmark is 43.5, Luxembourg 40.6, and Sweden 36.6 (most, second-most, and fourth-most in the EU, respectively). House listings in Sweden contain slightly different details, so the averages here were (5 properties): Rooms (excluding kitchen): 7 Bathrooms: 3.4 Square metres: 249 Garden: 1096M2 The gallery below contains images from two properties. One features 9 rooms, 285m2, 3 bathrooms and a 1463m2 garden. The other 6 rooms, 3 bathrooms, 295m2, and a 1022m2 garden. Sharing her passion for fashion was only meant to be a hobby for Sinead Carroll, founder of the Irish Blogger Agency, not to sow the seeds for a range of businesses. In June 2013, Carroll launched Yummy Mummy Fashion and Lifestyle, a blog where the then banker offered her own style tips to followers, taking her love for the latest trends and sharing it online with the public. It started to pick up, getting noticed by the public and brands alike. Sensing that more people were sharing their interests online, and gaining a following from brands and consumers, she began looking for other bloggers on the west coast of Ireland, setting up the Into The West Blogger Network. "It was only blogging in 2013; I think SoSueMe [a blog set up by influencer and businesswoman Suzanne Jackson] had kicked off. It was a new concept, and I just started blogging about fashion and lifestyle. It really started to grow from there. Expand Close Irish Blogger Agency founder Sinead Carroll / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Irish Blogger Agency founder Sinead Carroll "I was made redundant [in 2015], and influencer marketing was only beginning to take off. I had a network of other bloggers and influencers at this stage and was getting emails all the time from brands asking me if I could connect them with the right people. The interest from companies wasn't going away." After watching the network grow steadily, Carroll sensed there was a business opportunity emerging. In late 2015, she took a leap of faith and set up her own business, Mini Media, a digital marketing company. Nine months later, she created the Irish Blogger Agency, a dedicated agency for digital influencer marketing, with clear synergies to her marketing business. Carroll hasn't looked back since. Her agency formed a partnership with Swedish company Mikz Alliance in early 2018 to help develop a new online platform for the business, which made it easier to connect the right influencers with interested brands. She has 692 influencers on the platform, with a global reach of 7.1 million consumers. The plan for the platform is to go global, helping the right Irish influencers connect with brands across the world. "I'm the only one in Ireland with access to this platform," she said. "I'm so passionate about influencer marketing. It is a lot of hard work to get it to the stage of a fully-fledged business, but we are absolutely getting there now." The rise of influencers, and their burgeoning relationship with businesses and advertising, has led to the industry becoming a hot-topic among marketing academics. Expand Close Happy Pear founders David and Stephen Flynn. Photo: Frank McGrath / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Happy Pear founders David and Stephen Flynn. Photo: Frank McGrath Dr Margaret-Anne Lawlor, a lecturer in marketing and marketing communications at Technological University Dublin, defines influencers as individuals who use social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok or YouTube, to present and share content about an area of interest. Lawlor said these people become an influencer when they attract followers to their content, typically more than 100,000, appealing to consumers if the content is seen as "original, relatable, entertaining and accessible". "What is particularly important is the accessibility, which refers to how relatable they are seen to be. Many consumers will look to an influencer because they feel he or she is just like me." She added that these influencers become commercial influencers once they start receiving approaches by digital marketing agencies on behalf of brands, or from them directly. Influencer marketing is now becoming big business in Ireland. A report by Bord Bia shows that Irish brands are spending more on influencers than ever before, with the potential catalyst being the 2.3 million people here on social media. The report said that Instagram is leading the way in Ireland, while other research from Business Insider suggests TikTok is the challenger. While firm figures for Ireland aren't available yet, research by Business Insider Intelligence estimates that the global influencer marketing industry is on track to be worth up to $15bn (13.6bn) by 2022, up from as much as $8bn last year. According to Lawlor, the global market value was just $500m in 2015. Businesses are prepared to splash out on individual posts from these influencers. Marketing firm Izea found the average price of a sponsored photo on Instagram had soared from $134 in 2014 to $1,642 in 2019. Comparing 2018 to 2019, the average rate on the platform for a sponsored post rose by 44pc. Some top Irish influencers could be making as much as 3,000 for one Instagram post. Despite the influencer marketing industry's meteoric rise, storm clouds are beginning to form on the horizon, which threaten to spoil the picture-perfect posts of Irish influencers. Lawlor notes that one of the big challenges for influencers in the years ahead will be brands setting out to prove return on investment. She also said that scepticism of influencers is becoming more prevalent, with audiences becoming more evaluative of their content. With these challenges looming large, and watchdogs growling over transparency, some are worried about the continued sustainability of the influencer marketing industry. Across the world, transparency in the industry is the crucial issue for brands, consumers and regulators. In July 2019, the World Federation of Advertisers published the results from a survey of 34 companies with combined global marketing spend of $59m, all of whom utilised influencers. The most prevalent concern regarding influencer marketing for 64pc of respondents was 'consumer trust and blurred lines' between editorial and commercial content. With transparency concerns noted by companies, influencer marketing has kept watchdogs busy, including the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland (ASAI). According to Orla Twomey, the head of the ASAI, the watchdog received 60 complaints last year from consumers regarding influencers, up from zero in 2015. She noted, however, that only 16 complaints had gone to adjudication since 2017; two cases resulting in an issued statement with no formal finding and the rest being upheld. Twomey said the ASAI became more aware of influencer marketing in 2016 as it grew in stature across the US, UK and Europe. It took an active interest in the developing industry, issuing Irish guidance around what makes a social media post a marketing communication for influencers. "Our concern is that, when it is advertising, it is declared as such," she said. "We don't have a role in how influencer marketing develops, except in [helping it] be transparent, recognisable and compliant with the codes." The ASAI has had some high-profile incidents concerning influencers. In 2018, fashion blogger Rosie Connolly became the first influencer to receive a warning from the ASAI after publishing a filtered image showcasing Rimmel make-up. Last year, model Rosanna Davison received a slap on the wrist for uploading a post deemed to have contained an affiliate link, which can garner a commission. Twomey feels that work in recent years, flagging what makes an influencer's post an ad, has helped to lower the number of complaints received from consumers, as well as the industry becoming more engaged with companies and professional ad agencies. "We have done so much work about the need to flag when it is an advert that more influencers are now doing that in a sustained way," she said. "A brand that wants to work with an influencer will sit down and set out what the influencer can and can't do. The industry is maturing." The industry is also evolving, with many influencers turning their online personas into businesses. Bord Bia's research notes that many are launching brands, either through new companies or in collaboration with established firms. SoSueMe influencer and businesswoman Jackson, who has recently become a presenter on RTE Television, is a clear example. Accounts filed for SanFran Cosmetics, a cosmetic product company which sells branded palettes and lashes, revealed profits had soared at the firm to more than 900,000 in 2018, up from 750,000 the previous year. According to Anna Nolan, a content specialist at The Story Lab, part of London-headquartered advertising firm Dentsu Aegis Network, more large-scale influencers will transition into forming businesses. She also believes that over the next few years, more business owners will try to become social media influencers. "They are all launching their own products to give themselves some longevity. I don't know how long or how much you would want to consistently cover your life into your 50s or 60s. At some point, they're going to want some privacy." Other Irish influencers who have started their own businesses include Lisa Jordan, known as Just Jordan online, launching a make-up brand called Luna. Influencer Jodie Wood also launched a jewellery range with Irish brand Crystals & Co. From the business owner side, David and Stephen Flynn, who own flourishing food brand and cafe Happy Pear, have also taken to Instagram to promote their company, using similar influencer-style posts. The company recently struck a deal with Musgrave Group to develop and promote its products across Ireland. Tracking return on investment is also becoming more critical for businesses. Nolan, whose company has used influencer marketing in campaigns with Glanbia and Diageo, admits that, in the early days, it was difficult to track the success of campaigns launched by influencers. She said companies were now getting creative with how to capture performance. "We were running campaigns with influencers, and there were no parameters set for measuring the success of using them, so you couldn't really justify using them again," she said. "They've really worked at creating more trackable elements. We see a lot more affiliate links and swipe-ups which measure engagement rather than reach. [Engagement] is what is most important for businesses." TU Dublin academic Lawlor believes that the influencer marketing industry has proven it can offer a return on investment due to the sums of money being spent. Referencing the $600m deal US make-up giant Coty made with Kylie Jenner for a majority stake in her Kylie make-up business, she said the industry had proven its value to big business. "One of the proofs was this investment," she said. "Why is that? It's a strategic partnership, a win-win. Jenner will drive the creative side of the business - with input into communication activities - while Coty brings its manufacturing expertise. "Equally, another benefit for Coty is it accessing Jenner's social media following - currently 159 million - allowing Coty to bring its brands to a younger audience." While this deal is of a size unlikely to be replicated in Ireland, Lawlor believes it shows that the demand for this industry isn't going anywhere - provided influencers respect their increasingly sceptical followers. "The marketing interest is there, the consumer interest continues to prevail. But I think what's interesting is that, as consumers become more aware of influencer marketing, they are equally becoming more evaluative and sceptical toward the concept," she said. "Emerging academic research suggests that, even though younger audiences might be getting more sceptical of the phenomenon of influencer marketing, they may still have positive attitudes to the influencers they follow. "Looking into the future, the successful influencers will be those that continue to respect their audience and their followers. They need to realise that consumers are giving their time to follow these people. If they're transparent, then that will be appreciated by followers." Lawlor, Nolan and Carroll agree that the sector remains sustainable. The trio believe the industry is geared toward influencers who continually adapt, stay transparent and commit to honesty. Nolan also points to a trend toward micro-influencers, who typically have between 10,000 and 100,000 followers on social media, which she believes will become "more important" in Ireland. "We've seen them being included in way more plans," she said. "It's not about scale anymore but the actual engagement rates. Someone with 5,000 followers may be more influential than someone with 200,000 followers - if they are loyal." The micro-influencer trend is something which the Irish Blogger Agency founder has capitalised on with her business. Carroll said her platform had focused on micro-influencers, with positive results so far. During the final quarter of last year, Carroll was able to show that campaigns she had worked on had a return on investment of 50pc. "The growth I've seen on my platform just proves that there is a large market for micro-influencers out there to promote brands," she said. "Everything that has come to our network has been organic, so that is very good." Carroll is confident that influencer marketing is here to stay, and that brands will continue to invest the big bucks to get their message out to consumers in the best way they can. "We have to be part of their marketing strategy, as influencers are in nearly every niche. There is no getting away from it," she adds. "Brands are investing." President Donald Trump's lawyers plunged into his impeachment trial defense Saturday by accusing Democrats of striving to overturn the 2016 election, arguing that investigations of Trump's dealings with Ukraine have not been a fact-finding mission but a politically motivated effort to drive him from the White House. They're here to perpetrate the most massive interference in an election in American history," White House counsel Pat Cipollone told senators. And we can't allow that to happen." The Trump legal team's arguments in the rare Saturday session were aimed at rebutting allegations that the president abused his power when he asked Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden and then obstructed Congress as it tried to investigate. The lawyers are mounting a wide-ranging, aggressive defense asserting an expansive view of presidential powers and portraying Trump as besieged by political opponents determined to ensure he won't be reelected this November. They're asking you to tear up all the ballots across this country on your own initiative, take that decision away from the American people," Cipollone said. Though Trump is the one on trial, the defense team made clear that it intends to paint the impeachment case as a mere continuation of the investigations that have shadowed the president since before he took office - including one into allegations of Russian election interference on his behalf. Trump attorney Jay Sekulow suggested Democrats were investigating the president over Ukraine simply because they couldn't bring him down for Russia. That - for this," said Sekulow, holding up a copy of special counsel Robert Mueller's report, which he accused Democrats of attempting to relitigate." That report detailed ties between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russia but did not allege a criminal conspiracy to tip the election. 'Impeachment Hoax,' says Trump Story continues From the White House, Trump tweeted his response: Any fair minded person watching the Senate trial today would be able to see how unfairly I have been treated and that this is indeed the totally partisan Impeachment Hoax that EVERYBODY, including the Democrats, truly knows it is." His team made only a two-hour presentation, reserving the heart of its case for Monday. Acquittal appears likely, given that Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, and a two-thirds vote would be required for conviction and removal from office. Republican senators already eager to clear Trump said Saturday that the White House presentation had shredded the Democratic case. Several of the senators shook hands with Trump's lawyers after their presentation. The visitors galleries were filled, onlookers watching for the historic proceedings and the rare weekend session of Senate. The Trump attorneys are responding to two articles of impeachment approved last month by the House - one that accuses him of encouraging Ukraine to investigate Biden at the same time the administration withheld military aid from the country, and the other that accuses him of obstructing Congress by directing aides not to testify or produce documents. 'Give America a fair trial,' say Democrats Trump's defense team took center stage following three days of methodical and passionate arguments from Democrats, who wrapped up Friday by warning that Trump will persist in abusing his power and endangering American democracy unless Congress intervenes to remove him before the 2020 election. They also implored Republicans to allow new testimony to be heard before senators render a final verdict. Give America a fair trial, said California Rep. Adam Schiff, the lead Democratic impeachment manager. Shes worth it. In making their case that Trump invited Ukraine to interfere in the 2020 election, the seven Democratic prosecutors peppered their arguments with video clips, email correspondence and lessons in American history. At stake, they said, was the security of U.S. elections, America's place in the world and checks on presidential power On Saturday morning, House managers made the procession across the Capitol at 9:30 to deliver the 28,578-page record of their case to the Senate. Republicans accused Democrats of cherrypicking evidence and omitting information favorable to the president, casting in a nefarious light actions that Trump was legitimately empowered to take. They focused particular scorn on Schiff, trying to undercut his credibility. Schiff later told reporters: When your client is guilty, when your client is dead to rights, you dont want to talk about your client, you want to attack the prosecution. The Trump team had teased the idea that it would draw attention on Biden and his son, Hunter, who served on the board of a Ukraine gas company, Burisma, while his father was vice president. But neither Biden was a focus of Saturday arguments. Instead, Republicans argued that there was no evidence that Trump made the security aid contingent on Ukraine announcing an investigation into the Bidens and that Ukraine didn't even know that the money had been paused until shortly before it was released. Trump had reason to be concerned about corruption in Ukraine and the aid was ultimately released, they said. Most of the Democratic witnesses have never spoken to the president at all, let alone about Ukraine security assistance," said deputy White House Counsel Michael Purpura. Pupura told the senators the July 25 call in which Trump asked Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for the Biden investigation was consistent with the president's concerns about corruption, though Trump never mentioned that word, according to the rough transcript released by the White House. Pupura said everyone knows that when Trump asked Zelenskiy to do us a favor," he meant the U.S., not himself. This entire impeachment process is about the house managers' insistence that they are able to read everybody's thoughts," Sekulow said. They can read everybody's intention. Even when the principal speakers, the witnesses themselves, insist that those interpretations are wrong. Lawyers say Trump a victim of overzealous agents, prosecutors Defense lawyers say Trump was a victim not only of Democratic rage but also of overzealous agents and prosecutors. Sekulow cited mistakes made by the FBI in its surveillance of a former Trump campaign aide in the now-concluded Trump-Russia election investigation, and referred to the multi-million-dollar cost of that probe. You cannot simply decide this case in a vacuum," he said. One of the president's lawyers, Alan Dershowitz, is expected to argue next week that an impeachable offense requires criminal-like conduct, even though many legal scholars say that's not true. Sekulow also said the Bidens would be discussed in the days ahead. The Senate is heading next week toward a pivotal vote on Democratic demands for testimony from top Trump aides, including acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and former national security adviser John Bolton, who refused to appear before the House. It would take four Republican senators to join the Democratic minority to seek witnesses, and so far the numbers appear lacking. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican ally of Trump's, said he thought the legal team had successfully poked holes in the Democrats' case and that the Democrats had told a story probably beyond what the market would bear." He said he had spoken to Trump two days ago, when he was leaving Davos, Switzerland. Asked if Trump had any observations on the trial, Graham replied: Yeah, he hates it. (AP) New Delhi: After the internet went crazy with pictures of Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan and Katrina Kaif at a 'wedding' (no, not a real one), the megastar on Saturday dropped another fabulous photo from the same venue. This time, south stars Manju Warrier, Regina Cassandra, Reba Monica John and Nidhi Agerwal pose with Big B, Jaya and Katrina and the photo definitely calls for a freeze-frame. On Friday we had seen pictures of the couple and Katrina with south legends Nagarjuna, Shivraj Kumar and Prabhu. Actually, a TV commercial brought these stars under one roof and we cannot be more happy. Most of the pictures have been shared by the 77-year-old actor on social media and the recent one was posted with the caption, "and with the ladies today at work .. all of them exceptional celebrity stars in their own right .. in their own environ .. another honourable day .. sad it, the scheduled work, has come to an end .. but then tomorrow is another DAY!" T 3420 - .. and with the ladies today at work .. all of them exceptional celebrity stars in their own right .. in their own environ .. another honourable day .. sad it, the scheduled work, has come to an end .. but then tomorrow is another DAY ! pic.twitter.com/dA8H6lotT0 Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) January 24, 2020 On his official blog, Big B wrote, "Yesterday it was the men and their high celebrity status in the Film firmament .. but the ladies were there too .. all celebrated stars in their own right and their own environs .. a privilege and honour to be in their proximity and their company." ". all celebrated stars in their own languages and regions .. mostly from the Southern parts of the country .. dedicated , efficient , disciplined and gentle in their countenance and demeanour .. a delight to have spent the last three days in their company .. it has come to an end today," he added. Here's the one in with the south legends. "Historic moment," wrote Big B. T 3419 - - Historic moment for Jaya and me .. 3 superstar sons of 3 Iconic Legends of Indian Film Industry , work together with us .. what honour .. Nagarjun - son Akkineni Nageshwara Rao, Telugu Shivraj Kumar - son Dr Raaj Kumar, Kannada Prabhu - son Shivaji Ganesan, Tamil pic.twitter.com/Plvtd372ZH Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) January 24, 2020 Big B, Jaya and Katrina also danced together. And, here Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan accompany Katrina, dressed as a bride, to the mandap. Such lovely photos! An 80-year-old woman who fell in love with an Egyptian toyboy after meeting him on social media says she is determined to marry him - despite their 45-year age gap. Iris Jones, from Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, first struck up a conversation with Mohamed Ahmed Irbriham, 35, last summer on a Facebook group exploring aetheism. Within a fortnight, Mohamed had professed his love and by November, Iris had arranged to fly over to Cairo to meet him in person. Iris Jones, 80 and Mohamed Ahmed Irbriham, 35, first fell in love after meeting on Facebook She was quickly smitten with the 6ft 2in quality inspector - who lost his job in order to take time off and meet Iris - and became intimate just hours after her arrival in the country. Despite only having just met, they decided to get married in Cairo, but the British Embassy told Iris she would need her divorce papers and also a certificate of no impediment proving she was free to wed again. Before returning to England, Iris met Mohamed's mother, 70, who has given the pair her blessing and said they 'got on like a house on fire'. Iris, who divorced her ex-husband more than 40 years ago, is now saving up to return to Egypt and marry Mohamed, who is from Giza. When asked about their first sexual encounter she replied: 'It was incredible. I felt like a virgin again. It wasn't easy but it was very loving and romantic. 'My ex-husband said I was frigid when we divorced 40 years ago but I now know I'm certainly not.' Her sons, Steve, 54 and Darren, 53, have expressed concerns over the relationship, but Iris insists Mohamed is not after her money or a British passport - and their love for one another is real. Iris flew out to Egypt in November to meet Mohamed for the first time - and the pair fell in love Speaking to Sunday People, the former cleaner, who lives off her state pension and disability benefit, said: 'If he's marrying me for my fortune he'll be sadly disappointed, because I live on a pension. 'I've spent years making other people happy, now I just want to marry the man I love before I die.' Mohamed also insists their relationship is genuine and said that 'love has no age'. He said: 'It is not right people look at everything through materialism. If they do, they have no feelings.' Iris has now vowed to return to Mohamed. She added: 'I've met the right person aged 80 and it's true love.' BEIJING - A new viral illness being watched with a wary eye around the globe accelerated its spread in China with 80 deaths so far, while the U.S. Consulate in the city at the epicenter announced it will evacuate its personnel and some other Americans aboard a charter flight. Chinas health minister said the country was entering a crucial stage as it seems like the ability of the virus to spread is getting stronger. Ma Xiaowei declined to estimate how long it would take to bring the situation under control, but said travel restrictions and other strict measures should bring results at the lowest cost and fastest speed. President Xi Jinping has called the outbreak a grave situation and said the government was stepping up efforts to restrict travel and public gatherings while rushing medical staff and supplies to the city at the centre of the crisis, Wuhan, which remains on lockdown with no flights, trains or buses in or out. The epidemic has revived memories of the SARS outbreak that originated in China and killed nearly 800 as it spread around the world in 2002 and 2003. Its spread has come amid Chinas busiest travel period of the year, when millions crisscross the country or head abroad for the Lunar New Year holiday. The government said early Monday the death toll had risen to 80, with 2,744 confirmed cases. The National Health Commission said 769 new cases were confirmed in the 24 hours through midnight Sunday. The government also reported five cases in Hong Kong and two in Macao. Small numbers of cases have been found in Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, the U.S., Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, France and Australia. The U.S. has confirmed cases in Washington state, Chicago, Southern California and Arizona. Canada said it discovered its first case, a man in his 50s who was in Wuhan before flying to Toronto. Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea each reported one new case Sunday, while Thailand reported three new cases. A notice from the U.S. Embassy in Beijing said there would be limited capacity to transport U.S. citizens on a Tuesday flight from Wuhan that will proceed directly to San Francisco. It said that in the event there are not enough seats, priority will be given to to individuals at greater risk from coronavirus. The French Consulate also was considering an evacuation of its nationals from the city. It said its working on arranging a bus service to help French citizens leave Wuhan. French automaker PSA Group said it will evacuate its employees from Wuhan, quarantine them and then bring them to France. Japan was also making preparations to fly its nationals out of Wuhan. Chinese travel agencies have been told to halt all group tours, and concern is growing over the potential impact of millions of people travelling back to the cities after the Lunar New Year holiday ends on Thursday. Chinas National Health Commission said anyone travelling from Wuhan is now required to register with community health stations and quarantine themselves at home for 14 days the virus maximum incubation period. Beijing has decided to delay the start of classes after the Lunar New Year holiday ends, the official Beijing Daily reported on its website. That will extend to all schools in the capital from kindergartens to universities. Hong Kong announced similar measures on Saturday and on Sunday two of that territorys biggest attractions, Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park, announced they were closing for the time being. A proposal to possibly quarantine suspected cases and others at a still-unoccupied public housing complex in the Hong Kong suburb of Fanling sparked a protest by area residents. Though largely peaceful, they were joined by black-clad protesters like those who have clashed with police during months of anti-government protests and those protesters set a fire in the lobby of one of the buildings. The fire was extinguished without appearing to cause major damage. Police later moved in n to disperse the group, using pepper spray on occasion. In the heart of the outbreak where 11 million residents are already on lockdown, Wuhan banned most vehicle use, including private cars, in downtown areas starting Sunday. The city will assign 6,000 taxis to neighbourhoods to help people get around if they need to. China cut off trains, planes and other links to the city Jan. 22, and has steadily expanded the lockdown to 16 surrounding cities with a combined population of more than 50 million greater than that of New York, London, Paris and Moscow combined. Wuhan is building two makeshift hospitals with about 1,000 beds each to handle the growing number of patients. The city has said the first is expected to be completed Feb. 3. Medical workers in Wuhan have been among those infected and local media reported a doctor died on Saturday morning. The 62-year-old physician was hospitalized on Jan. 18 and died a week later. Xinhua also said medical supplies are being rushed to the city, including 14,000 protective suits, 110,000 pairs of gloves and masks and goggles. Videos have circulated online showing throngs of frantic people in masks lined up for examinations and there have been complaints that family members had been turned away at hospitals that were at capacity. The National Health Commission said it is bringing in medical teams to help handle the outbreak and the Chinese military dispatched 450 medical staff, some with experience in past outbreaks, including SARS and Ebola, Xinhua reported. The new virus comes from a large family of what are known as coronaviruses, some causing nothing worse than a cold. It causes cold- and flu-like symptoms, including cough and fever, and in more severe cases, shortness of breath. It can worsen to pneumonia, which can be fatal. First detected last month, the virus is believed to have originated in a type of wild animal sold at a Wuhan market to be consumed as food. Chinese authorities announced a temporary ban on the trade of wild animals Sunday, saying they will severely investigate and punish violators. They also called on the public to refrain from eating wild animal meat. Investigators are closely observing whether the virus was mutating, but thus far found no obvious signs, that it is doing so, head of the Chinese Center for Disease Control, Gao Fu, told reporters. That could make it easier to develop vaccines against the virus, something the centre is already working on. Xinhua quoted centre official Xu Wenbo as saying the they had isolated the virus and were identifying seed strain. The rapid increase in reported deaths and illnesses does not necessarily mean the crisis is getting worse but could reflect better monitoring and reporting of the virus. Those killed by the virus have mostly been middle-aged or elderly people, sometimes suffering from other conditions that weaken their ability to fight back. It is not clear how lethal the new coronavirus is or even whether it is as dangerous as the ordinary flu, which kills tens of thousands of people every year in the U.S. alone. ___ Associated Press writer Rob Gillies in Toronto, researcher Henry Hou and video journalist Dake Kang in Beijing and Elias Meseret in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, contributed to this report. Bengaluru, Jan 26 : Well-known multi-lingual actor and activist Prakash Raj, Communist leader Brinda Karat and former Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy have been threatened with death for opposing communal forces of the 'Sangh Parivar.' The threat was posted in a letter penned in Kannada on Raj's Twitter handle dated yesterday, the actor said in a post on Sunday. It is addressed to Nijagunanada Swamiji, a prominent anti-communal crusader and an outspoken voice against the RSS and its affiliates. The anonymous handwritten letter has warned that all the persons named therein would be "definitely eliminated" starting January 29. The letter warned that the auspicious time (muhurtham) for the elimination (samhara) of all these "traitors" (deshdrohis) has been fixed starting from January 29 onwards. "Be prepared for your last journey. You are not alone. You have to prepare them (the others in the list) also for their last journey. We will definitely eliminate all of you", warned the unidentified person/s. The others on the threat list include former Bajrang Dal leader Mahendra Kumar, Nijagunanada Asuri Swami, Nidumamidi Veerabhadra Chennamalla Swami (Asuri), Prakash Raj (actor), Gyanaprakash Asuri Swami, Chetan Kumar (actor). B.T. Lalita Naik, Prof. Maheshchandra Guru and Prof. Bhagwan (both Mysore), Dinesh Amin Mattu, Chandrashekar Patil, Dundi Ganesh, Rowdi Agni Sridhar, Brinda Karat and H.D. Kumaraswamy (former CM). Barring Prakash Raj, the other personalities named in the hit list have not reacted so far. Two days of heavy rains caused flooding and landslides in southeast Brazil that have killed at least 37 people. Civil Defense officials said 25 people are listed as missing and 2,600 were evacuated from their houses in Minas Gerais state, which has been buffeted by 48 hours of torrential rains. Deaths were reported in the capital of Belo Horizonte and in the state's interior. Two days of heavy rains caused flooding and landslides in southeast Brazil that have killed at least 37 people. Locals work to clean up mud and debris around houses destroyed by a landslide after heavy rains hit Vila Ideal neighborhood in the Minas Gerias state A view of flooded houses caused by heavy rains in Sabara municipality, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, on Saturday On Friday, Belo Horizonte received the greatest quantity of rains ever registered in 24 hours in the city. Belo Horizonte recorded 6.7 inches from Thursday to Friday, the highest rainfall in 110 years. State Gov Romeu Zema will fly over the affected areas on Sunday to evaluate damages. Zema declared a state of emergency in 47 cities, a measure meant to facilitate federal disaster aid. He also decreed three days of official mourning for those killed in the floods and landslides. More rain is expected in Minas Gerais as well as other parts of Brazil, including Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. On Friday, Belo Horizonte (pictured) received the greatest quantity of rains ever registered in 24 hours in the city. Belo Horizonte recorded 6.7 inches from Thursday to Friday, the highest rainfall in 110 years More rain is expected in Minas Gerais as well as other parts of Brazil, including Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. A view of damages after a landslide in Vila Bernadete, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, on Sunday Firefighters search for missing persons after a landslide in Vila Bernadete, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, on Sunday Brazilian miner Vale SA announced Saturday that they have raised the emergency level at the Sul Inferior dam at its Gongo Soco mine in Barao de Cocais, in the southern state of Minas Gerais, after heavy rainfall eroded the structure's reservoir. 'As a result of unusually heavy rain, Vale reinforced the number of field teams on standby for any eventual emergencies,' Vale said in a securities filing late on Saturday, adding that the dam was raised to 'Level 2' watch from 'Level 1'. The dam is safe and secure, Vale said, but had been on Level 1 watch due to its proximity to the Sul Superior dam, which remains at Level 3, the most critical level that indicates a dam burst is 'imminent or underway'. Vale's securities filing came a year since the collapse of a tailings dam at its mine in the town of Brumadinho, also in the state of Minas Gerais, that killed more than 250 people in one of the world's worst mining disasters. Mumbai: Actress Shama Sikander is looking forward to celebrating Republic Day on January 26. She says our biggest strength is our unity in diversity and that has to be preserved at any cost. "I would like to wish the entire nation a Happy Republic Day. This day is extremely important as it stands for unity in India. I would urge everyone to participate in this and be a part of a flag hoisting ceremony. Indian needs to know about their glorious past. We are a very young country and we have to empower the women in India even more," said Shama. "There are further initiatives that have happened and we need to keep encouraging them to become the biggest superpower in the world and it should start right away. I urge my fellow Indians to show some love for the country and not think of Republic Day as just a holiday. It's a day to celebrate our nation and we should do this. On this day, we must remember to stick together as a nation because if we stick together nobody can ever separate us," she added. She also sees it as the time to introspect on how "we can grow as a nation by making ourselves better as a human and be of a better service to our country only then can our nation become better as it's the people who make the country". "It is the accountability of all us to do our best and stay united come what may. Our biggest strength is our unity in diversity and that has to be preserved at any cost," she added. For Donald Trump, it is better to base his comments and foreign policy decisions on facts, not on the headlines of Fox News or his Farsi translators, Zarif wrote.Earlier, it was reported that the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on a number of petrochemical companies that collaborate with the Iranian national oil export company and thus help finance the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. By Stanley White TOKYO, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Japanese shares ended slightly higher on Friday in a see-saw session as worries about the spread of a new virus in China played tug-of-war with bets that the health crisis will boost drug makers' earnings. The Nikkei index ended 0.13% higher at 23,827.18 points, but was down 0.9% for the week. The markets started on a positive note as information technology and industrial equipment stocks rose following better-than-expected sales and profit forecasts from U.S. chipmaker Intel Corp. But investors turned cautious after China said the death count from the coronavirus had risen to 25, with 830 confirmed cases as of Jan. 23. Chinese authorities placed two cities on lockdown to contain the virus. In the afternoon session stocks started rising again due to gains in the healthcare sector. Investors are worried the virus will continue to spread as millions of Chinese travel during the week-long Lunar New Year holiday starting on Friday. Reports of more infections and deaths could dent travel and tourism spending, which could impact earnings of airline and consumer goods companies, while benefiting healthcare goods and drugmakers. "The number of deaths so far are relatively low, but we do not know how this will spread during the Lunar New Year," said Hideyuki Ishiguro, senior strategist at Daiwa Securities in Tokyo. "Having said that, I don't think the downward pressure on Japanese stocks will last long." On the Nikkei index, there were 97 advancers on the Nikkei index against 120 decliners The largest percentage gainers in the index were property developer Mitsubishi Estate Co Ltd up 3.76%, followed by drug maker Daiichi Sankyo Co Ltd gaining 2.61%, and Nissan Chemical Corp up by 2.61%. The largest percentage losses in the index were Isuzu Motors Ltd down 3.68%, followed by non-ferrous metals maker Toho Zinc Co Ltd losing 2.87%, and Suzuki Motor Corp down by 2.57%. The broader Topix index ended trade Friday unchanged at 1,730.44. For the week, the Topix fell 0.29%. The volume of shares traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's main board was 0.97 billion, compared with the average of 1.1 billion in the past 30 days. (Reporting by Stanley White; editing by Uttaresh.V & Kim Coghill) Under the patronage of the President of the Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA), Dr Abdulhussain Ali Mirza, Bahrain will host a conference on artificial intelligence, FinTech and VAT. Themed The Second Digital Transformation, the event will be held at the Gulf Hotel on January 29, in partnership with the UAE-based Smart SMB. Commenting, the conference chairman, Dr Jassim Haji, said that Dr Mirza will be the key speaker during the opening ceremony, adding that the conference will focus on artificial intelligence, future sciences and role of women in the field of artificial intelligence. Dr Haji expressed thanks and appreciation to SEA President for his constant support for all workers in the field of future sciences, especially artificial intelligence. He affirmed keenness to attract international conferences and events related to artificial intelligence to promote the kingdoms status as a regional centre in this field. More than 30 individuals and companies in Bahrain will be honoured for their distinguished achievements in their categories. The conference will attract more than 20 speakers from the Supreme Council for Health, Women in FinTech Bahrain, University of Bahrain, Bahrain Polytechnic, Derasat, GARMCO, the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF), in addition to other experts. The event is held annually in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kenya, and attracts a great number of participants and exhibitors from mega companies. Chris Hemsworth has called for the date of Australia Day to be changed. The 36-year-old actor - who has previously called for the date to be changed out of respect for indigenous Australians - shared a photo of an Aboriginal flag with 'change the date' written in the centre on Instagram. The actor wrote at length in his caption: 'Not sure why we cant celebrate Australia on any of the other 364 days in the year? 'Why celebrate on a day that marks such pain, sorrow and deep loss?' Taking to Instagram, on Sunday, Chris Hemsworth (pictured) called for Australia Day to be moved to a different date 'Why do we have to celebrate on a day that for our First Nations people marks such pain, sorrow and deep loss? 'What if we made this day about reflection and respect for the oldest surviving civilisation, how they may be feeling and come together with solidarity, love and empathy. We should stand together united in our commitment to reconciliation. 'Changing the date is the first step. No one loses anything but a lot of people benefit greatly. Love you all #changethedate,' he concluded. Speaking up: Taking to Instagram on Sunday, the 36-year-old shared a photo of an Aboriginal flag with 'Change the date' written in the centre The actor wrote at length in his caption: 'Not sure why we cant celebrate Australia on any of the other 364 days in the year? Why do we have to celebrate on a day that for our First Nations people marks such pain, sorrow and deep loss? He went on: 'What if we made this day about reflection and respect for the oldest surviving civilisation, how they may be feeling and come together with solidarity, love and empathy' Chris is far from the only person speaking out against the Australia Day celebrations, as a growing 'Change the Date' movement gains more momentum every year. Thousands of people joined 'Invasion Day' protests in cities across Australia on Sunday. Some indigenous Australians find the date of Australia Day to be offensive, as it marks the start of the colonisation of the country. Chris is not alone: Thousands of people joined Invasion Day protests in cities across Australia on Sunday to mark the beginning of British colonisation of the vast continent. Pictured: protesters in Melbourne on Sunday History: The date is a time of mourning for indigenous Australians, who have inhabited the land for 65,000 years and view the arrival of British settlers in 1788 as heralding two centuries of pain and suffering (Newser) A woman can't use her frozen embryos to have a baby over opposition from her ex-husband under terms of the contract they signed with a fertility clinic, the Arizona Supreme Court has ruled. The high court ruling ends a case that drew support from social conservative groups for the woman, Ruby Torres, who had her eggs fertilized prior to treatment for an aggressive cancer in 2014 that rendered her infertile. After the couple divorced in 2017, the AP reports that her ex-husband didn't want to have children together and asked the courts to order the fertilized eggs donated under terms of the contract. A trial court ruled that the contract left it up to the courts to determine the fate of the embryos and then sided with the ex-husband, John Terrell, saying his interest in not having children whom he would be financially responsible for outweighed Torres' right to have a biological child. story continues below The state Court of Appeals overturned that ruling last March, agreeing that the contract allowed courts to decide but saying Torres' rights to have children prevailed over Terrell's right not to become a father. The high court unanimously agreed with Terrell that the phrase in question means that upon divorce or dissolution of the relationship, the parties chose to donate the embryos absent a contemporaneous agreement for use by one of them. They noted the trial court came to the right conclusion, the only one that the contract allowed if both parents could not agree. The embryos will now be donated. Were disappointed of course, but the Supreme Court says what the law is so we have to abide by it, said Torres' lawyer. The Arizona Legislature changed the law in 2018 in response to Torres' case. The law now allows a former spouse to use the embryos against their former partner's wishes, but relieves the ex-spouse of parental responsibilities like child support. The change is not retroactive and therefore does not apply to Torres' case. (Read more embryo stories.) Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister, on Sunday reacted to reports that abducted Dapchi schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu has converted t... Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister, on Sunday reacted to reports that abducted Dapchi schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu has converted to Islam and had given birth for a Boko Haram Commander. Fani-Kayode expressed the belief that Sharibu was been demeaned, adding that the abducted schoolgirl would rather die than be converted. Recall that Boko Haram had abducted Sharibu from the Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Bursari Local Government Area of Yobe state on February 19, 2018. However, reports emerged on Saturday night that Leah was forcefully converted to Islam and married off to a top Boko Haram Commander. She was also reported to have been delivered of the baby a few weeks ago following her forceful marriage. However, Fani-Kayode in a tweet wrote: I do not believe that Leah Sharibu has converted to Islam. They are trying to demean her & remove her status as a hero. That girl would rather die than convert to Islam. She remains a hero of the Christian faith & if she is dead then she is a martyr. Whichever way she wins! Submitted Photo The Lion Dance has been part of the Chinese culture for thousands of years. The Lion is a symbol of power, wisdom and good fortune. This dance is performed during Chinese New Year to chase away evil spirits, and bring happiness, longevity and good luck. The performers are (L to R) Brett Christiansen, Fiona Dennis, Chris Mysholowsky, John Gallagher, Joe Thottathil MANILA Philippine authorities lowered the alert level at Taal Volcano on Sunday, two weeks after it began spewing ash, steam and rocks, a move that will allow many of the more than 376,000 displaced villagers to return home. A popular tourist destination just south of Manila because of its picturesque setting in the middle of a lake, Taal erupted on Jan. 12. It caused no known deaths but created an evacuation crisis for one of the worlds most disaster-prone nations. Taal volcanos condition in the two weeks has generally declined into less frequent volcanic earthquake activity, decelerated ground deformation and weak steam and gas emissions at the main crater, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. The governments agency lowered the alert level from 4 to 3, which means theres a decreased tendency toward a hazardous eruption. The highest level-5 alert indicates a major and much more dangerous eruption. The agency also reduced to half the danger zone where residents have to be evacuated, from the 8.7-mile radius around the volcano. Taal last erupted 43 years ago. We have to be careful of Taal because of the danger it may still bring, so at the lower level, there should be heightened preparedness. People should brace for rapid evacuation, said Renato Solidum, the head of the institute. Mayor Daniel Reyes of Agoncillo, a town along the western shore of Taal Lake overlooking the island where the volcano lies, said he was relieved but remained concerned. Residents of Agoncillo and nearby Laurel could still not return home because of the towns proximity to the volcano. Thousands of villagers who used to reside and work on Volcano Island will not be allowed to return permanently, Batangas Gov. Hermilando Mandanas said. Mandanas warned returning villagers to assess the safety of their villages and houses, many of which remained blanketed by volcanic ash. Jim Gomez is an Associated Press writer. Readers will recall how, some time ago, we wrote about the uncanny medical achievements of the great Doctor Curio, a black gentleman who hailed originally from Nigeria and who claimed to be a graduate of the University of Walla Walla, which remote metropolis cannot be found in even the most comprehensive maps of Dark Continent. Be that as it may, the much-travelled doctor would arrive annually in the town of Listowel for the week of horse races during the halcyon days prior to the mayhem of the second world war. There in the towns ancient market place he would ply his vernerable trade and endeavour to dispose of stocks of his universally famous black bottles of cure-all which could be used internally as well as externally and cost a modest two shillings for the large size one and threepence for the small. In her cups We promised in our early treatise that we would tell about his fall from grace at the hands of the fattest woman in the world, a lady with whom he was more than cordially acquainted. During periods of opulence she was a lady who was known to be somewhat garrulous in her cups but what was Doctor Curio to do when black men were looked upon with great fear and suspicion in the market towns of Ireland. There is an ancient proverb which argues in favour of any old port in a storm. Our black friend, therefore, had no choice if he wished to avail himself of female company. In those days country people placed great reliance in doctors bottles, so much in fact that I remember to have heard it said of certain bottles that they would bring a person from the brink of the grave. There were bottles for every ailment but the great majority belonged to two classes, black and white. White bottles were used almost always for stomach disorders while black bottles were used for the throat, chest and lungs. There were also in-between bottles coloured pink, off-white, dandelion, yellow and vermillion red but little store was set by these in those days, I am happy to say, country people were not so easily taken in or blinded by uncommon colours. They had great reliance on the basics and who knows but that they werent a lot wiser than we are today. Painful death Then there were bottles of lotion and liniment nearly always smelling of turpentine, carbolic or wintergreen. Under no circumstances were these to be taken internally for if consumed in quantity a lingering and painful death was always assured. Many is the time I was dispatched by my maternal grandmother to an ancient chemist for Doctor Jacks bottle which was the name given to a cough bottle invented and dispensed by the chemist in question whose Christian name happened to be Jack. She had no faith whatsoever in any other sort of concoction. In those days too anybody wearing a white coat and working in a chemists shop from the lowliest apprentice to the apothecary himself, was referred to as a doctor. While I was serving my time to the apothecarys trade I would often be unexpectedly addressed as doctor by innocent people who didnt know any better. Doctor, they would say is there any chance youd have something to bring down a swelling caused by tight garters? Or they might say: excuse me doctor but would you know of anything that would bring ease to a burning at the base of the bosom? As I say, they were innocent people who didnt know any better. Miraculous The reason for all the preamble is to show how easy it was for Doctor Curio, in spite of his questionable credentials to dispose of his famous black bottles to otherwise canny country folk. There were some who swore by the bottle and there were several miraculous cures. These were brought about when bottles prescribed by the local doctors and dispensed by local chemists failed to bring about any improvement in the condition of the patient. Then and only then did the victims resort to Doctor Curios bottle. It was the last refuge of the incurably sick and who would deny these unfortunate the right to enlist the aid of every last resort. There was the case of the barren woman who became pregnant after drinking two teaspoonfuls of Doctor Curios mixture. Some said she would have become pregnant anyway and that all credit for her condition should go to the unrelenting and constant efforts of her ever-hopeful husband. There was the mysterious case of the gorsoon, an only child, who wouldnt or couldnt keep down his food and who could only eat commodities like jelly and custard and occasional pieces of apple pie. The black doctor, as was his wont, first cleared everybody out of the house before diagnosing the gorsoons illness. When this was done he ordered the gorsoon to bend over and touch his toes. Doctor Curio then kicked him in the posterior with considerable force and warned him that he would return to haunt him every night of his life unless he consumed his meals regularly. The treatment worked and that boy is now the pastor of one of the more exclusive parishes of Los Angeles. Inexplicable There were other mysterious cures such as the inexplicable disappearance of warts, gumboils, itches, rashes, blackheads, dandruff and malevolent internal disorders far too numerous to mention. There was the case of the man who couldnt smile. Doctor Curio came up with the novel diagnosis that the reason was due to the fact that the skin on his face was too tight. There wasnt even room for a decent wrinkle. Doctor Curio sent the man to a famous Harley Street specialist with a letter of introduction. The letter contained the solution of the mans problem. The solution was that a piece of good quality skin be grafted from his posterior to his face. When this man returned from England, he was never without a smile. When Doctor Curio was at the height of his fame misfortune struck and he was unmasked for the charlatan that he was. He was, alas, a man who was painfully addicted to strong drink and it was an indiscretion during a sustained drinking bout which led to his downfall. After an exceptionally successful day during which he disposed of all his bottles, large and small, he repaired to the nearest public house with the fattest lady in the world who conducted a booth near Doctor Curios stand. They drank until the publican threw them out whereupon the fattest lady challenged the medicine man to produce a bottle of his Cure-All to determine whether or not it would make her thin. Ingredients Never a man to turn down a challenge, Doctor Curio accepted only to discover that he was without a single bottle of his celebrated panacea. There and then he set about making a bucket of same. So absorbed did he become with the mixture that he overlooked the presence of the fattest woman in the world. From his caravan in the marketplace he withdrew a large suitcase. From this he extracted a large bottle of turpentine which he poured into the bucket. He then journeyed to the nearby river where he filled the remainder of the bucket with water. He returned to his caravan unaware of the watchful eyes of the fat woman. Now for the most secret part of the ritual. From his waistcoat pocket he took a small tin of black boot polish and with the aid of a penknife scooped out its contents into the bucket. The formula completed he stirred the mixture with his right hand. Then with the aid of a funnel he filled an eight ounce bottle which was already labelled. Later when he offered the bottle to the fat woman she refused to drink it. Instead she woke up the other inmates of the marketplace and publicly disclosed the ingredients of Doctor Curios Cure-All. Departure As they say in country places, eaten bread is soon forgotten. Word quickly spread that Curio was a chancer. He fled the country lest he be arrested for poisoning. The odd thing was that nobody ever died from poisoning after consumption of Cure-All. Nobody was ever even sick but there were hundreds who swore that Cure-All had brought them ease from a variety of illnesses and there are still old men in out-of-the-way places who lift their hats reverently whenever the name of Doctor Curio is mentioned. CID freezes assets of the Edwards on money laundering charges By Namini Wijedasa View(s): View(s): The assets of Rienzie Mahesh Kumara Edwards and his wife, Punya Priyanji Menike Edwards, two suspects in an international money laundering case, were frozen on Friday by the Financial Crimes Investigation Unit (FCIU) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), police confirmed. The order pertains to bank accounts and properties, Police Spokesman Jaliya Senaratne said. Mr Edwards and his wife are now prevented from withdrawing the monies or making financial gain from their properties, which include a large number of houses and hotels. Their most well-known purchase is the land belonging to Asiri Central Hospital at 37, Horton Place, Colombo 7, which was acquired for Rs 2.7 billion. The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID)the forerunner to the FCIUfirst started a domestic inquiry into Edwardss activities after a complaint was filed regarding this same property. Bank documents related to the purchase were examined to determine how the transaction took place. During this investigation, it was found that the wife of former FCID Director Senior DIG Ravi Waidyalankara had assumed directorship of an entity called Soorya International Corporation (Pvt) Ltd along with Punya Edwards. The company was registered to an apartment at Monarch Residencies in Kollupitiya. It had been bought by Mr Waidyalankaras son, Asela, for Rs 52 million. Fridays freezing orders were issued under Section 7 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. This empowers the police to issue instructions prohibiting any transaction in relation to any account, property or investment which they have reasonable grounds to believe may have been used in connection with the offence of money laundering. The orders are in force for seven days. Within this time, the issuing police officer must make an application in the High Court seeking confirmation of these orders and seeking an extension. Mr. Edwards, a self-styled Sri Lankan investment banker and property owner, was taken to magistrates court by the FCID in 2015 for allegedly smuggling in more than US$ 40 million. In 2017, he was also indicted by the US Attorneys Office along with five others for allegedly defrauding victims of more than US$ 50 million. The indictment alleges that an unspecified percentage of this money was sent to bank accounts in Sri Lanka. Mr Edwards received various sums from abroad amounting to millions of dollars. An examination of accounts (including those belonging to an intermediary) revealed millions of dollars or billions of rupees in inward remittances from names such as Chang Yau Hung Alexander, Golding Associates, Big Shoe World LLC, John De Here, Jerry M Bond, Yingjun Liang, Ng Chi Man, John Dudley Hare, Mong Wing Nin, Decagon Company Ltd, Ho Mei Mehi Trindy, C T Andy, Irani Mozaad and Carbogen Mining. Foreign funds thus received amounted to US$ 55,084,865.50 and GBP 255,101.22. That is more than Rs 7.24 billion. Of this, more than Rs 5.82 billion was used to buy property. Mr and Mrs Edwardsand, at times, Punyas sister Jayakody Arachchilage Deepika Hasanjiwere found to be directors of multiple companies. The majority of them are registered to 57/2B, Railway Avenue, Nugegoda. They include Edwards Plantation Management (Pvt) Ltd (formed in 2007), Greenfield Consultancy Services Pvt Ltd (2012), and the Mansion Kandy (Pvt) Ltd (2012). Purchases were made in Punya Edwardss name of four properties in Colombo 7, one in Kandy, three in Harispattuwa, three in Trincomalee, three in Galle, one in Anuradhapura and three in Nuwara Eliya. Other companies are Asha Mansion (Pvt) Ltd (2016), High Rise Property Management (Pvt) Ltd (2015), Tradition Lanka (Pvt) Ltd (2014), Colombo Property Development (Pvt) Ltd (2015), Bond Street Management Services (Pvt) Ltd (2016), Tramwel Consultancy Services (Pvt) Ltd (2016), Edwards Estates Plantation (Pvt) Ltd (2007), Edwards Investment (Pvt) Ltd (2008). Independent investigations by the Sunday Times show that the trio were also directors of companies registered abroad either singly or doubly. They include AAA Project Finance Solutions Pte Ltd (Singapore); AAA Turnkey Solutions, LLC (USA); Al Jazeera Al Hamra (Singapore); Fashion Platform Ltd (UK); GPH Equity Pte Ltd (Singapore); Green Asia Renewables Ltd (Dubai); Innovative Global Finance (Pvt) Ltd (Hong Kong); PGM Gems and Minerals (Dubai); Saving Traditions, Ltd (UK); Sirius San-Xing Financial Services (China); Steeplechase Middle East Fze (Dubai); and Supreme Global Holdings Ltd (Dubai). It is also known that Edwards used multiple banks in many jurisdictions such as Barbados, the Netherlands, Britain, New York and Dubai. Liev Schreiber spoke of his deep affection for Australia while attending the G'Day USA event in Beverly Hills on Saturday. The 52-year-old actor, who has two children with former partner of 12 years, Aussie actress Naomi Watts, encouraged people to donate to bushfire charities. 'I'm thoroughly committed to Australia. Twelve years and two kids will do that,' he told The Daily Telegraph on Saturday. 'It's one of my favourite places and I love it': Liev Schreiber (pictured) spoke of his affection for Australia as he appeared at G'Day USA event in Beverly Hills on Saturday 'I have two kids who are Australian and care deeply about the wildlife. So donate to wildlife, particularly WIRES,' he said. Liev went on to describe his connection to the country - but says he spends less time there since his split with Naomi in 2016. 'Australia is one of my favourite places and I love it,' the Ray Donovan actor told the paper. Links: The 52-year-old actor, who has two children with former partner of 12 years, Aussie actress Naomi Watts (left) encouraged people to donate to the bushfire charities Family: 'I'm thoroughly committed to Australia. Twelve years and two kids will do that,' he told The Daily Telegraph. Naomi and Liev share two sons, Alexander, 12, and Samuel (Kai), 11 He added: 'I have a deep connection. Since Naomi (Watts) and I split up, I haven't been as much but my kids go all the time'. Since splitting, the New York based former couple have remained committed to co-parenting their sons Alexander, 12, and Samuel (Kai), 11, and are often seen on outings together. Naomi told the Australian Womens Weekly last year that the secret to their families success was routine. Crisis: 'I have two kids who are Australian and care deeply about the wildlife. So donate to wildlife, particularly WIRES,' he said He added: ''Australia is one of my favourite places and I love it. I have a deep connection. Since Naomi (Watts) and I split up, I haven't been as much but my kids go all the time' 'Obviously Liev and I are actors - there is some moving - but we've really tried to keep the boys in the same school. Give them structure, boundaries,' she said. Naomi has since been romantically linked to her Gypsy co-star Billy Crudup while Liev is rumoured to be dating Miss South Dakota, Taylor Niesen, 26. Streaming service Stan is a proud sponsor of G'Day USA. Busy: Liev is currently starring in legal drama Ray Donovan UN slams Libya arms embargo violations despite Berlin pledges Tripoli, Jan 26 (AFP) Jan 26, 2020 The United Nations mission to Libya has slammed ongoing violations of a UN Security Council arms embargo, despite commitments made a week ago at an international summit in Berlin. In a statement published overnight into Sunday, UNSMIL it said it "deeply regrets the continued blatant violations of the arms embargo in Libya". World leaders last weekend committed to ending all foreign meddling in Libya and to upholding the 2011 weapons embargo as part of a broader plan to end the country's conflict. They also agreed to a permanent ceasefire and steps to dismantle numerous militias and armed groups, as well as a political process under the auspices of the UN. UNSMIL said a January 12 truce agreed by the Government of National Accord (GNA) and forces led by eastern commander Khalifa Haftar had provided much-needed respite for civilians in the capital, Tripoli. "However, this fragile truce is now threatened by the ongoing transfer of foreign fighters, weapons, ammunition and advanced systems to the parties by member states, including several who participated in the Berlin Conference," it said. It said numerous flights had landed in Libyan airports over the last 10 days, providing both sides with "advanced weapons, armoured vehicles, advisers and fighters". "The mission condemns these ongoing violations, which risk plunging the country into a renewed and intensified round of fighting," the UN mission said. Military strongman Haftar, who controls Libya's east and large swathes of the south, began an offensive in April last year to seize Tripoli from the UN-recognised GNA. Turkey has backed the Tripoli-based GNA, while Haftar, who backs a rival administration in the country's east, has had support from Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. On Saturday, clashes around Tripoli killed at least one civilian -- a Moroccan national -- and wounded seven, GNA health ministry spokesperson Amin al-Hashemi told AFP Sunday. UN experts in December published a near-400-page report accusing an array of firms and external powers of violating a 2011 embargo by delivering arms or fighters to the North African country. They concluded that "the arms embargo was ineffective, and resulted in regular maritime and air transfers to Libya of military material". Libya has been mired in chaos since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising that killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi. A former SoftBank Corp. employee was arrested Saturday for allegedly passing proprietary information from the major phone carrier to officials at Russiaas trade representative office in Tokyo. The Metropolitan Police Departmentas Public Safety Bureau said it suspects the Russian officials were engaging in espionage. Yutaka Araki, 48, is suspected of illegally accessing a computer server at SoftBank on Feb. 18 last year and obtaining two sets of trade secrets with which he had been involved, the police said. Araki could have provided numerous corporate secrets repeatedly to the Russian officials, according to the police. Araki, a resident of Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, has admitted to stealing the information, according to the police, who quoted him as saying he did it to earn a alittle extra money.a According to investigative sources, Araki received hundreds of thousands of yen for providing the information kept in data storage devices to the Russian side. Through the Foreign Ministry, the police requested that the Russian Embassy present two Russian men a one in his 50s and the other in his 40s a who returned to Russia in 2017, for questioning through organizations including the Foreign Ministry. The police believe a Russian official who used to work in Tokyo first contacted Araki before passing on his connection to the official currently working at the trade mission, who has diplomatic status. Today, we'll introduce the concept of the P/E ratio for those who are learning about investing. We'll show how you can use Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Center and Volga Region, Public Joint Stock Company's (MCX:MRKP) P/E ratio to inform your assessment of the investment opportunity. Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Center and Volga Region has a price to earnings ratio of 3.70, based on the last twelve months. That means that at current prices, buyers pay RUB3.70 for every RUB1 in trailing yearly profits. Check out our latest analysis for Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Center and Volga Region How Do You Calculate Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Center and Volga Region's P/E Ratio? The formula for price to earnings is: Price to Earnings Ratio = Share Price Earnings per Share (EPS) Or for Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Center and Volga Region: P/E of 3.70 = RUB0.23 RUB0.06 (Based on the year to September 2019.) Is A High Price-to-Earnings Ratio Good? A higher P/E ratio means that buyers have to pay a higher price for each RUB1 the company has earned over the last year. That is not a good or a bad thing per se, but a high P/E does imply buyers are optimistic about the future. How Does Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Center and Volga Region's P/E Ratio Compare To Its Peers? We can get an indication of market expectations by looking at the P/E ratio. If you look at the image below, you can see Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Center and Volga Region has a lower P/E than the average (7.5) in the electric utilities industry classification. MISX:MRKP Price Estimation Relative to Market, January 26th 2020 Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Center and Volga Region's P/E tells us that market participants think it will not fare as well as its peers in the same industry. Many investors like to buy stocks when the market is pessimistic about their prospects. It is arguably worth checking if insiders are buying shares, because that might imply they believe the stock is undervalued. Story continues How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios Earnings growth rates have a big influence on P/E ratios. Earnings growth means that in the future the 'E' will be higher. That means unless the share price increases, the P/E will reduce in a few years. So while a stock may look expensive based on past earnings, it could be cheap based on future earnings. Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Center and Volga Region saw earnings per share decrease by 48% last year. But EPS is up 25% over the last 3 years. Remember: P/E Ratios Don't Consider The Balance Sheet One drawback of using a P/E ratio is that it considers market capitalization, but not the balance sheet. So it won't reflect the advantage of cash, or disadvantage of debt. In theory, a company can lower its future P/E ratio by using cash or debt to invest in growth. Spending on growth might be good or bad a few years later, but the point is that the P/E ratio does not account for the option (or lack thereof). So What Does Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Center and Volga Region's Balance Sheet Tell Us? Net debt totals 89% of Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Center and Volga Region's market cap. This is enough debt that you'd have to make some adjustments before using the P/E ratio to compare it to a company with net cash. The Verdict On Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Center and Volga Region's P/E Ratio Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Center and Volga Region trades on a P/E ratio of 3.7, which is below the RU market average of 8.8. Given meaningful debt, and a lack of recent growth, the market looks to be extrapolating this recent performance; reflecting low expectations for the future. Investors should be looking to buy stocks that the market is wrong about. If it is underestimating a company, investors can make money by buying and holding the shares until the market corrects itself. So this free report on the analyst consensus forecasts could help you make a master move on this stock. But note: Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Center and Volga Region may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with strong recent earnings growth (and a P/E ratio below 20). If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. A new product on Woolworths shelves is reducing food wastage and providing much needed funds for Australians struggling to put food on their table. The supermarket giant has begun baking banana bread in store using overripe and excess bananas that would otherwise go into a landfill and donating part of the proceeds to OzHarvest. Two varieties of bread - traditional banana bread and chocolate chip made with Cadbury chocolate - are now available for $4 at all Woolworths locations. Woolworths uses overripe or excess bananas that would normally go to landfill to bake their in-store banana bread. Source: Getty Woolworths Head of Bakery Andy Thomas said reducing food wastage is a top priority for the supermarket chain. We looked at how we could do our part in the bakery department and with the overripe bananas that are unable to be sold, he said. With the launch of this banana bread, were not only diverting bananas from heading to landfill but also supporting Australians in need with 50c from every sale going to our food rescue charity partner, OzHarvest, Mr Thomas said. OzHarvest operates around Australia, collecting roughly 180 tonnes of quality food each week from more than 3,500 food donors, including supermarkets, hotels, wholesalers, farmers, corporate events, catering companies and restaurants. The food is then delivered directly to 1300 charities around the country, helping the more than four million Australians who suffer from food insecurity. OzHarvest said 50 cents will be able to provide one meal to an Australian in need. Its so encouraging to be able to work with Woolworths to create an innovative solution to combat food waste, OzHarvest CEO and Founder, Ronni Kahn AO said. Woolworths Banana Bread sells for $4, with 50 cents from each sale going to OzHarvest. Source: Woolworths A huge volume of food goes to waste unnecessarily every year and finding ways to re-use or redistribute this surplus food underpins everything we do. Its not the first time Woolies has gotten creative in an effort to reduce food waste. Last year, the supermarket launched a limited-edition pale ale beer, Loafer, using surplus bread. The chain is hoping the banana bread will fly off the shelves faster than they can bake it. Story continues We think this launch is the best thing since sliced bread, Mr Thomas said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play. ORANGEBURG, S.C. When Pete Buttigieg holds big rally type events in South Carolina, its mostly white folks showing up, he acknowledged ruefully Thursday night. And his struggle to fix that problem has become an existential threat to his presidential ambitions. Buttigiegs low standing with black voters has been a long-running theme, and as he and his campaign argued that he simply wasnt well-known enough, it is one he has worked to correct. Over the past month and a half, he has invested more money advertising in South Carolina, where a majority of Democrats are African American, than any of the non-billionaire Democrats running for president. But the more than $2 million Buttigieg poured into TV and radio ads, some featuring black supporters touting the former South Bend (Ind.) mayor, hasnt budged his stubbornly low poll numbers in the state 2 percent among African American Democrats in a recent Fox News poll. Even as Buttigieg remains in contention to win the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, his failure to gain traction with Democrats of color looks set to arrest any momentum he hopes to generate when the 2020 race leaves those mostly white states. Questions about his weakness among black voters even trailed Buttigieg through Iowa during five days of town halls there last week. If he does well in Iowa, I dont see [Buttigieg] as dead on arrival here, but hes certainly on life support in South Carolina, said state Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, an influential state lawmaker who has not endorsed in the 2020 primary. Its not for lack of fishing for support, but folks arent biting, said Brady Quirk-Garvan, a former chairman of the Charleston Democrats who endorsed Sen. Cory Booker before Booker dropped out of the presidential race earlier this month. When youve dropped that much money and you arent seeing movement, then that says something about where your base of support is. On Thursday, Buttigieg swung through South Carolina for a last-minute visit, just 10 days before the Iowa caucuses, to reach audiences hes struggled to find: rooms of majority-black voters. His events looked strikingly different than his standing-room-only town halls in Iowa and New Hampshire. Story continues In a pair of events one moderated by activist and CNN commentator Angela Rye before a crowd of students at historically black Claflin University, and another in Moncks Corner led by Charlamagne Tha God, host of the Breakfast Club Buttigieg answered questions from the hosts and audience members on his policy proposals for addressing black economic development, affordable housing and expanding funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. When Buttigieg noted the lack of racial diversity at some of his South Carolina events in conversation with Rye, she jumped in: That scare you? Yes, Buttigieg replied. In order to deserve to win, Ive got to be speaking to everybody. But Buttigiegs campaign also hedges expectations about the state. Will you see the same results as Iowa? You know, probably not, said Rep. Anthony Brown, Buttigiegs national campaign co-chairman, who will continue campaigning for Buttigieg in South Carolina throughout the weekend when the candidate returns to Iowa. Keep in mind that Vice President Biden and Sen. Sanders had the opportunity to run nationally, a number of times, so theyre better known in South Carolina, Brown continued. The more time we spend there, the more people get to know who Pete Buttigieg is, what he stands for, that hell fight for us and for our families, I think well see the numbers move in a good direction. Buttigieg has grown his organizational footprint in South Carolina, adding more than 30 organizers and four field offices throughout the fall. But those staff additions lagged behind other presidential campaigns. Buttigieg also noted that hes competing against rivals, like Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders, who have had years, even decades to demonstrate their support to African American voters. Here I am this new, young, white guy, who comes along saying, look at my great plans, to voters who have been taken for granted or felt taken for granted again and again and again, which means that high bar is high for a very good reason, Buttigieg said in Orangeburg. The best I can do is tell the story of my own community the good, the bad and the indifferent, and never pretending for a minute that I know what its like to be followed around a department store because of my race. Later that night, Charlamagne Tha God put it more bluntly: How do we know you arent just blowing smoke up the black communitys ass in order to get our support? I didnt get into running for office in order to comfort the comfortable, and I walked away from a pretty good paying job in order to make myself useful back home, Buttigieg responded. That means making yourself useful to everybody who has reason to doubt whether government is working for them. Buttigiegs conversations in South Carolina, though largely policy-focused, circled back to his record in South Bend and his unfamiliarity with the black community. Buttigieg answered questions about his failure to award more contracts to minority-owned businesses as mayor, while also acknowledging his controversial relationship with black police officers in South Bend. In lightning round questions with Rye about the last song hed listened to, Buttigieg said Icelands Sigur Ros, an avant-garde rock band. But he did say whats good in all seven languages he speaks, including English. Democratic presidential contender and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg speaks with Charlamagne Tha God during an event on economic struggles in the black community on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, in Moncks Corner, S.C. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard) Buttigiegs struggles here mirror some of the same concerns that have bubbled up even in other early states where he is doing better: his inexperience. For some, its his age, and for others, hes a mayor of a small city and they dont feel like he has the experience, said Tameika Isaac-Devine, a Columbia city councilwoman who has not endorsed in the primary. Some South Carolina Democratic operatives said Buttigiegs best hope lies in a big showing in Iowa. "The only way Buttigieg really gains ground here is if he can prove to voters that hes a viable candidate for nomination, meaning victories in Iowa or New Hampshire, said Tyler Jones, a Democratic consultant based in South Carolina who is unaffiliated in the Democratic primary. But hes got a ceiling in South Carolina because I dont know how he's going to make the case to African Americans in two weeks, after Iowa and before we vote." Others, like Cobb-Hunter, doubted anything could shift the state toward the former mayor at this point. I dont see that his finish [in Iowa] having any appreciable impact on what his numbers in South Carolina will look like, Cobb-Hunter said. State Sen. Marlon Kimpson, who endorsed Biden earlier this month, said South Carolina is dug in for Joe, and its voters have never looked to Iowa or New Hampshire to base our decisions. Thats an ongoing problem for the entire Democratic primary field not named Biden. The former vice president is leading in South Carolina by more than 20 points and receives 43 percent backing from black voters, according to the most recent polling from Fox News. Tom Steyer, whos spent nearly $12 million on TV ads in the state, is putting up the strongest challenge, drawing 15 percent total, including 16 percent of black voters, followed by Sanders with 12 percent. No one else broke double digits. And nationally, the poll numbers among black Democrats are similar, with Buttigieg trailing with 2 percent support in a poll from The Washington Post-Ipsos in January. African Americans can get stuck on what we know, and we know Biden, said Daekwon Randall, a 20-year-old Claflin University student, who met Buttigieg Thursday night. Randall, whos still undecided, said hes considering backing Biden and, now, Buttigieg after actually meeting him and getting to talk to him. Still, Randall said, I need to do my research on him. Following confirmation from Simi Esiri, strange wife of Nigerian musician, Dr Sid that have split officially and heading for a divorce, Nigerians have taken to Twitter to react. Simi had via her Instagram page, confirmed reports of their split but denied allegation that she was an abusive partner who beats up her husband whenever he arrived home late at night. The estranged couple has been married for six years and have two children together. Read Also. Dr Sid Spotted With Wife Amidst Marriage Crisis Rumors What she shared via Insragram The Sydney Morning Heralds Kate McClymont has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her service to print media and investigative journalism. McClymont, who celebrates 30 consecutive years with the masthead this year, is humbled by the honour. She describes the Herald as "one of the greatest joys" of her life. "Its been stressful and theres been difficult times, but its such an amazing thing when you can have a job that can make a difference," she says. In a career spanning three decades, McClymont has exposed corruption in politics, sport and horse racing. She is the author of two novels, a seven-time Walkley Award winner, and former chair of the Walkley Advisory Board. But it hasnt been an easy run for McClymont, with death and legal threats taking an immense personal toll over the years. Q: I have a friend and a family member who have contracted Lyme disease and are suffering chronic effects of this disease. Why dont we have a vaccine for this terrible disease, which can often be as devastating as polio was in its time? I read that there was a vaccine available years ago before the disease became so prominent, but there seemed to be little demand for it, and the drug company chose to stop making it. Is there any hope we might see another vaccine? M.B., Hinckley A: You are correct. A Lyme disease vaccine, LYMErix, developed in the 1990s, was pulled off the market because of low demand, fear of possible side effects and a climate of suspicion regarding vaccines. Two new methods for preventing the illness a vaccine and a pre-exposure shot are being developed, but are years away from being available to consumers. Ways to prevent Lyme disease are needed now more than ever. About 30,000 confirmed cases of Lyme disease are reported annually in the United States, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the number is closer to 300,000 per year. Ohio reported nearly 250 confirmed cases of Lyme in 2018, according to the CDC. The numbers were much higher in Pennsylvania (7,920), New Jersey (2,876), Connecticut (1,268) and Wisconsin (1,121). The illness is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by black-legged or deer ticks. White-tailed deer, which state wildlife officials say is the only type found in Ohio, harbor the ticks associated with Lyme disease. Early symptoms include a rash that looks like a bulls-eye (though some people never develop it), fever, headache, chills and muscle aches. Several weeks after being infected, some people develop irregular heartbeat, liver or eye inflammation and severe fatigue. If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to cognitive problems such as impaired memory, irregular heart rhythm, neurological symptoms such as facial palsy and neuropathy, and chronic joint inflammation. Old vaccine discontinued In the 1990s, two pharmaceutical companies SmithKline Beecham (now GlaxoSmithKline) and Pasteur Merieux Connaught (now Sanofi Pasteur) were working to bring a Lyme disease vaccine to market. SmithKline Beechams vaccine LYMErix was the first to win approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 1998. Sales were strong, but safety concerns cropped up amid reports of side effects. A class-action lawsuit against SmithKline Beecham was settled without compensation to the plaintiffs, according to STAT, a health news website. An FDA panel found no evidence to support the safety concerns, according to published reports. LYMErix also was hurt by a climate of growing skepticism surrounding vaccines. A 1998 report since retracted and considered fraudulent supposedly linked the MMR vaccine and autism. The following year, a new vaccine against rotavirus, which causes diarrhea in babies and young children, was taken off the market after being linked to the risk of potentially deadly intestinal blockages, according to STAT. The company discontinued LYMErix in 2002 because of low demand, according to a GlaxoSmithKline spokesman. Pasteur Merieux Connaught did not pursue a license for its vaccine, according to STAT. LYMErixs protection decreases over time, according to the CDC. Anyone who received LYMErix is probably no longer protected against Lyme disease. Hope for new prevention methods Valneva, a biotech company based in France, and the University of Massachusetts Medical School are tackling the question of how to prevent Lyme disease. Valnevas vaccine, VLA15, encourages the bodys immune system to make antibodies to defend against the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. The FDA gave VLA15 fast-track designation in 2017, and the vaccine is currently in Phase 2 clinical studies. Valneva will report initial Phase 2 data in the middle of this year and based on Phase 3 discussions with the FDA, our Lyme vaccine could achieve a 2024 launch at the earliest, Valneva CEO Thomas Lingelbach said in a statement. Vaccines against Lyme are difficult to make because Borrelia burgdorferi evades detection by the immune system by changing into different forms, said Dr. Sam Shor, a clinical associate professor at George Washington University and a past president of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society. The University of Massachusetts Medical School is taking a different approach to fighting Lyme disease. Boston-based MassBiologics, a nonprofit vaccine manufacturer overseen by the medical school, is developing a Lyme pre-exposure prophylaxis called Lyme PrEP. It delivers anti-Lyme antibodies directly to the patient rather than triggering the patient's own immune system to make the antibodies as vaccines do, a UMass spokeswoman said. Research has proven that in animals, the shot is both safe and effective, and it lasts, Dr. Mark Klempner, MassBiologics executive vice chancellor, said in a UMass Medical School article. MassBiologics plans to hold human clinical trials of Lyme PrEP this year, and the vaccine could become available as early as 2022. Tips to prevent Lyme disease Avoid areas where deer ticks live, especially wooded areas with long grass. Wear shoes, long pants tucked into your socks, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat and gloves when walking in grassy areas. Tick-proof your yard by cleaning up brush and leaves where ticks live, and mowing regularly. Check clothing, children and pets after time spent outdoors. Remove a tick as soon as possible with tweezers. Gently grasp the tick near its head or mouth. SOURCE: Mayo Clinic Additional resources Tick-Borne Disease Working Group: This organization, established by Congress, addresses federal efforts related to all tick-borne diseases, disease prevention, treatment and research. LymeDisease.org: Nonprofit advocacy, education and research group. American Lyme Disease Foundation: Information on how to find a physician, and more. International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society: Professional organization of people interested in Lyme disease. Website offers prevention tips and physician referrals. In her column, patient advocacy writer Julie Washington will answer readers questions about navigating health-care systems. (She will not address individual treatments.) Your comments may be published in a future story or column. Send questions and comments for publication including your name, city and daytime phone number to jwashington@plaind.com. You can also find Julie on Twitter @JulieEWash. More Health Matters columns by Julie Washington: Solon patient doesnt understand $614 nasal spray charge: Health Matters Shingles vaccine and virus: What you need to know: Health Matters Creating healthy habits for 2020: Health Matters Where to get help paying your medical bill Tips for a smooth transition to a skilled nursing facility AJ and Lilia Sanchez attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Dallas Winspear Opera House, on Jan. 25, 2020. (Amy Hu/The Epoch Times) DALLASChinese civilization has 5,000 years of history and for most of that time, it was sustained by a core of ethical and spiritual values. Many of these valuestruth, justice, humility, kindness, and belief in the divineare universal. The mission of New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts is to revive these values, which have nearly disappeared in China under communism. Audience at the matinee show at Dallass Winspear Opera House on Jan. 25, 2020, were impressed with Shen Yuns artistry: the choreography and skill of the dancers, the intricate, colorful costumes, the music, and the humor and poignancy of the narrative dances. AJ Sanchez, a production manager for an industrial company, said the performance was more than what I was expecting and explained that he appreciated the message of hope, the synchronicity of the dancers, and the touches of humor and the history. He particularly liked the story, The Miraculous Flute, where a licentious official learns not to mess with Taoist magic. That was very good because it had some comedy in it, Sanchez said. Jeff Cattorini, a physician who saw the performance with his father, called it fantastic, unforgettable, and spectacular, and said he would tell his friends its a once in a lifetime experience. His particularly like the pieces Lantern Grace, where female dancers dip and twirl with lanterns balanced on their heads, and Water Sleeves, where their very long silky sleeves glide gently, gracefully through the air. They move and you cant even tell that they are movingyou dont hear a sound. I mean [they are] are dancing and touching the floor and its like they are floating on air, Cattorini said. Water Sleeves also impressed Ryan Sorrell, vice president of a department at CHRISTUS Health hospital. Sorrell was seeing his second performance, returning this year with his daughter. I tell people they need to come Its a lot of fun and beautiful, he said He enjoyed the all-new performance this year. I like how they changed it each time, he said. Another father, Dan Powers, a contractor with Lockheed-Martin, also brought his daughter and said he appreciated historical experience for her. This was his first time to see a performance he was impressed. The quality is spectacular. It is ten-by-ten, outstanding, outstanding performance, he said. Very positive. Spiritually uplifting, he said later. This was the third performance for an accountant, Aaron Bohot, but even so, he said he would just tell friends to come instead of trying to describe what was in it. I dont know if any description I would give would do it justice, he said. Having grown up surrounded by music and playing piano, guitar, and harp, Bohot said he appreciated the music, and enjoyed some of Eastern instrumentsthe two-stringed erhu and flute-like pipafeatured in solos and in the orchestra. I thought that was beautiful, he said. Message of Hope I was in awe, Sanchez said of the performance, which he said left him with a feeling of hope. Theres hope in this world and it doesnt matter what religion you are or whatever it just is hope, he said. He said this hope is connected with spiritual values. The biggest takeaway was , I want to say spiritual , again hope for mankind, just being kind to one another and all that stuff, thats what I took away from it. He would like to make it a tradition to see Shen Yun: Well probably make this a tradition, well probably come here and see it every year because it was very enjoyable, he said. Made in America Shen Yun is actually a U.S.-based company. It was founded in New York in 2006 by Chinese artists who were concerned about the subversion of the arts and culture under Chinas communist party. Although the companys seven groups travel globe every year, they have never been to Mainland China. For thousands of years, traditional art forms such as music and dance have been integrated into Chinese life, expressing benevolence, beauty, and many other virtues. But todays arts emerging from China are infused with [Communist] Party Culture, and it is evident both overtly and covertly, the Shen Yun website explains. Shen Yun performances bring back these traditional values that have sustained and created cultural expression for so many generations. The mere representation of this lost heritage and its virtues immediately, by way of contrast, unmasks the Party and its ideology of struggle. This is why the Communist Party fears Shen Yun, and why this kind of performance cannot be seen in China today, the website says. With reporting by Amy Hu and Sophia Zheng. The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the companys inception in 2006. Personal attorney to President Donald Trump, Jay Sekulow, speaks during the impeachment trial against Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 25, 2020. (Senate Television via AP) Trump Attorneys Accuse Democrats of Intentional Omissions in Impeachment Case President Donald Trumps attorneys dedicated the first day of their defense arguments to exposing what they described as omissions in the narrative presented by the Democratic impeachment managers, asking the senators at the trial to consider why crucial evidence had been left out. In arguments that lasted roughly two hours, the attorneys shed light on the context of the facts presented at length by the Democrats over the course of the three prior days. The defense suggested that the omissions are intentional because the relevant facts would be fatal to the impeachment managers case. Over the course of more than 20 hours starting on Jan. 22, the House managers presented arguments and evidence for removing the president. They accused Trump of abusing his power to interfere in an election and of obstructing justice when his alleged plan was discovered. They allege the president withheld aid to Ukraine and the potential of a White House meeting in order to force the Ukrainian president to open investigations into Trumps political rivals, including former Vice President Joe Biden. On Jan. 25, White House counsel Pat Cipollone told the Senate that any one of six pieces of evidence alone could exonerate Trump. First, Cipollone argued, the transcript of the July 25 call between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump showed no link between the hold on security assistance and the opening of any investigation; second, the Ukrainians, including Zelensky, have said there was no pressure from Trump and no suggestion of a quid pro quo; and third, the Ukrainians were unaware of the hold on aid until a month after the TrumpZelensky call. Fourth, Cipollone said that despite a parade of witnesses, not a single person had offered firsthand evidence to suggest that Trump ordered or intended the alleged plan. Fifth, the aid ultimately flowed to Ukraine and Trump went on to meet with Zelensky; and sixth, Trump has been a stronger supporter of Ukraine than the previous administration. Each one of these six facts standing alone is enough to sink the Democrats case. Combined, they establish what weve known since the beginning. The president did absolutely nothing wrong, Cipollone said. Cipollone accused the Democrats of presenting a selective set of facts to make their case. He spotlighted their presentation of evidence from the TrumpZelensky call transcript on the issue of sharing the burden of supporting Ukraine with European allies. The impeachment managers made the case that Trump had no interest in the topic of burden-sharing, while leaving out an entire section of the July 25, 2019, call transcript in which Trump and Zelensky specifically discussed the need for European allies, specifically France and Germany, to do more to help Ukraine. The presentation by Trumps attorneys followed roughly along the outline presented by Cipollone. Throughout the presentation, Trumps attorneys substantiated their themes with testimony from witnesses who appeared during the Democrat-led House impeachment inquiry. Most of the two hours consisted of arguments addressing the first article of impeachment, which alleges that Trump abused his power. A brief segment addressed the second article, which alleges Trump obstructed Congress. In a notable departure from the main points, Trump attorney Jay Sekulow laid out the argument for why the president is reasonably skeptical about the assessments of the U.S. intelligence community. Sekulow referenced two recent orders of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, which found that the FBIs applications to surveil a Trump campaign adviser included significant misstatements and omissions. During the House impeachment inquiry, Democrats used Trumps concern about Ukraines interference in the 2016 election to suggest that the president was claiming that Ukraine, not Russia, interfered. Although Trump made no such claim, Democrats employed the argument to suggest that Trump was doubting the assessment of the intelligence community, which found that Russia had meddled in the 2016 presidential election. Some of the remarks by Trumps attorneys focused on Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), the lead impeachment manager. They pointed to how Schiff manufactured significant portions of the TrumpZelensky call and lied about his committees interactions with the anonymous whistleblower whose complaint triggered the Houses impeachment inquiry. Cipollone mentioned that unlike prior leaders of impeachment inquiries, Schiff didnt appear for cross-examination by the House Judiciary Committee, sending his staff instead. The presentation by Trumps attorneys was frequently punctuated with a plea to the Senate to consider why the impeachment managers omitted some of the evidence from their lengthy arguments. If they dont want to be fair to the president, at least out of respect for all of you, they should be fair to you. They should tell you these things, Cipollone said. Impeachment shouldnt be a shell game. They should give you the facts. Schiff responded to the defenses presentation by accusing the attorneys of distorting the truth. After listening to the Presidents lawyers opening arguments, I have three observations. They dont contest the facts of Trumps scheme. Theyre trying to deflect, distract from, and distort the truth. And they are continuing to cover it up by blocking documents and witnesses, Schiff wrote on Twitter. Trump issued a response of his own, calling the proceedings a partisan impeachment hoax. Any fair minded person watching the Senate trial today would be able to see how unfairly I have been treated and that this is indeed the totally partisan Impeachment Hoax that EVERYBODY, including the Democrats, truly knows it is. This should never be allowed to happen again! the president wrote. Concerning former state Sen. Ray Lesniaks opinion article, New Jerseys economic development system can be fixed, in the Jan. 24 South Jersey Times print edition: Lesniak wrote about why New Jersey needs the state tax incentives administered by the state Economic Development Authority, some of which have expired amid controversy. His article reminds me of the man who wants to be congratulated because he agreed to stop beating his wife. Lesniak agrees taxpayers got a bad deal recently from the EDA commissioners, who certainly werent the sharpest knives in the drawer. According to a task force appointed by Gov. Phil Murphy, they misguidedly handed out hundreds of millions dollars worth of tax incentives or failed to monitor if qualifying conditions were met. Legislation authorizing one of the expired programs, Grow NJ, was crafted in part by attorney Phillip Norcross; championed by U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross, D-1st Dist., when he was a state senator; with extensive credits awarded to projects involving George Norcross III particularly in Camden City. The Norcrosses are brothers. Lesniak proposes reforms to the EDAs approval process, but neglects to mention how all the previous wrongs will be made right. Will companies that are found to have used improper or fraudulent tactics to get their allocations have them revoked? Will their principals face criminal or civil penalties? Without Gov. Murphy, taxpayers would have seen power brokers like George Norcross III get rich off people who work for a living and pay their fair share. Lesniaks suggestions are like putting lipstick on a pig. It's still a pig, Ray. To quote from my favorite Tanya Tucker song: Well, its a little too late to do the right thing now. The article gives no examples of Grow NJ incentives have benefitted Camden, but cites other distressed cities. Is that because Camden will suffer for years from the loss of desperately needed tax revenue? Carol Rhodes, Barnsboro How were Dems harmed by Trumps Ukraine asks? Can anyone please tell me what exactly it was that President Donald Trump has gained politically recently that had the Democrats insisting on his impeachment and now calling for Trumps removal? Can anyone tell me just what it is that these Democrats personally lost or how they were hurt in any form because of the investigations that Trump requested from the president of Ukraine into Hunter Biden, as well as the 2016 Democratic National Committee email hack? It seems to me that Hunter Bidens shenanigans regarding his paid directors seat on a Ukrainian firms board would not have been publicized had it not been for the president. Yes, this indirectly harms Hunters fathers chances of winning the 2020 presidential elections. Tell me again that Democratic presidential candidate and former vice president Joe Biden had no knowledge of his sons activities, or that they did nothing wrong. Yeah, sure. Larry Lueder, Mantua Township Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Hours after President Donald Trump's defense team on Saturday wrapped up its opening statements in the Senate impeachment trial, "Saturday Night Live" zeroed in on Alan Dershowitz, the storied defense attorney who is helping represent the president. The cold opening parodied Dershowitz's history of working for some of the justice system's most radioactive defendants, including Jeffrey Epstein, O.J. Simpson and Claus von Bulow, the Danish-born socialite who was convicted, then acquitted, of trying to murder his wife. The skit opened on the floor of the Senate, where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., played by Beck Bennett, and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, played by Cecily Strong, were discussing the day's proceedings. The mock McConnell mused that Trump would get a "fair trial." "No witnesses, no evidence," he said. "That way we can focus on the real crimes - teenagers on marijuana." Then the pair summoned Dershowitz, played by actor Jon Lovitz, to rehearse his arguments. "It is I, Alan Dershowitz," Lovitz proclaimed, laughing and nearly breaking character for a moment. "It's wonderful to be here because I'm not welcome anywhere else." As he started boasting about some of his most controversial representations - Epstein and Simpson in particular - the senators urged him to pipe down. "Could you not mention your previous clients in connection with the president?" the fake Collins asked. "It's not a great look." The mock Dershowitz continued anyway. But just as he began to argue Trump wasn't guilty, an apparent heart attack struck him dead. That's when things got weird. The character was suddenly transported to hell, where Satan, played by a horned, red-clad Kate McKinnon, enthusiastically received him. "Look at that, frickin' Alan Dershowitz," the devil exclaimed. "I'm gonna send you back upstairs in a minute. Honestly, I just really wanted to meet you. I'm a huge fan." Satan then asked the mock Dershowitz if she could record him for her podcast. "You have a podcast?" Dershowitz asked. "Oh yeah, I invented them," she responded. Her first question went right to the heart of the impeachment trial: "How did you come up with this Trump defense? Because years ago you said you don't need a crime to impeach the president, and now you say you need something crime-like." The issue came up in real life last week. In 1998, during the impeachment controversy surrounding President Bill Clinton, the real Dershowitz said in a television interview that "it certainly doesn't have to be a crime" for a president to be impeached. He contradicted that view in a CNN interview last Sunday, saying "without a crime there can be no impeachment." Lovitz's Dershowitz skirted the question in the "SNL" skit, but answered another question from the devil: "Is there anyone you wouldn't represent?" "Well, as long as a client is famous enough to get me on TV, it's all good," he replied. Then Dershowitz's "friends" dropped in to see him in the inferno. First came Epstein, played by actor Adam Driver. "I love what you've been doing for the president," he told him. "All we get down here is Fox News, and it's been a joy to see you work." From there, they were visited by a cast of widely loathed characters: the author of the children's megahit song "Baby Shark," the Progressive insurance advertising character Flo, and Mr. Peanut, the recently killed-off Planters mascot. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg showed up at the end as well. Soon after, the fake McConnell arrived in a bath towel to collect the president's lawyer. Shankkar Aiyar By No complaint, Adam Smith said, is more common than that of scarcity of money. The observation made over 240 years back acquires profound prescience given the context of slowdown in India. It can be safely said that the lament is common across India from ordinary folks, from businessmen and of course from the government. As India heads for the annual hope parade, the unveiling of the Union Budget, the big question confronting every solution for every problem is, where is the money? The answer, Bob Dylan would have said, is blowing in the wind as a ten-letter word. Intriguingly, like migratory birds, every winter the issue of inequality returns to resonate on reflective minds across the world. Earlier this week at Davos, the jamboree of jetsetters, engaged in perfunctory petting of coiffured consciences, were informed by Oxfam International that the richest 1 per cent in the world have more than double the wealth of 6.9 billion people, suggested taxing an extra 0.5 per cent of the wealth of the richest 1 per cent could create over 117 million jobs and that the wealth of Indias billionaires was more than the 2018 Budget of India. Normally, inequality would have got its annual Warhol moment and receded from headlines. This year, the issue is alive and around, thanks to the elections in the US. Elizabeth Warren, a candidate at the US Presidential Polls is campaigning for a tax of 2 per cent on those with over $ 50 million and 3 per cent on those with over $ 100 million. On Friday, Bill Gates, billionaire philanthropist worth $ 106 billion, which would be roughly Rs 7 lakh crore, while agreeing to pay more, even double what he has paid, worried that it shouldnt go too far. There is no denying that the top tech giants, aka FAANG Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Alphabet, have benefited from government investment in technology. The combined market cap of FAANG is over $4 trillion and the net worth of its promoters is over $360 billion dollars. The Warren way would to enable raising $ 2.7 trillion in ten years. While the math and the methodology mooted by politicians may be up for dispute, the case of obligation is not. In his seminal tome, The Wealth of Nations, Smith postulates, man has almost constant occasion for the help of his brethren, and it is in vain for him to expect it from their benevolence only and states explicitly, The subjects of every state ought to contribute towards the support of the government, as nearly as possible, in proportion to their respective abilities. Murmurs of the thesis have been heard in government for two years now. Indian billionaires too have racked up wealth leveraging the India Story. The floor for the Warren wealth tax in the US is $50 million, roughly around Rs 350 crore. The Forbes billionaires list hosts over 110 Indian dollar billionaires, who are cumulatively worth over $400 billion, that is Rs 28.40 lakh crore, give or take a few millions or crores. A three per cent tax would net around Rs 85,000 crore wealth may not be liquid so shares could be accepted, to be listed as Bharat Billionaires ETF. The kitty could be bigger as Indian billionaires add to their wealth and as more join their ranks. Also, the list is scarcely exhaustive, there are many who do not run listed entities, many are known unknowns. There could be other formulas, other resources to tap into but there is no denying the need to raise resources to level social and economic asymmetries. It is unconscionable that 100 children die an hour, eight of ten persons do not have piped water, the education system is broken down, lakhs die due to pollution and millions await skilling and jobs. Lack of resources is an issue but not the issue. It is not that the government has not spent monies. In the past decade, the expenditure of governments in India centre and stateshas shot up from Rs 18.52 lakh crore, average of Rs 211 crore per hour to Rs 53.61 lakh crore, an average of Rs 612 crore per hour or Rs 10 crore every minute of the day. Gross borrowings of centre and states doubled from Rs 6.23 lakh crore to Rs 12.58 lakh crore and tax incidence has gone up from Rs 8,200 per person for 119 crore persons to over Rs 25,800 per person across a population of 135 crore people. The crux of credibility is located in the legitimacy of the state to tax. It is true that the contours of the state as we know have evolved from Thomas Hobbes to Beatrice Webb and the government obliged to do more. Equally, the Indian state has failed to demonstrate its willingness to reform, to perform and deploy resources efficiently. After all, as Smith said, the contribution should be in proportion to the revenue which they respectively enjoy under the protection of the state and not render them incapable of supporting the state. Governance cannot be just about outlaid but must guarantee outcomes to enable growth. Translated, taxation cannot be justified by electorally profitable helicopter economics. Shankkar.aiyar@gmail.com New Delhi, Jan 26 : In a veiled reference to the new citizenship law (CAA), former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Yashwant Sinha said in Saifai (UP) on Sunday, Mahatma Gandhi, who believed in communal peace, should not be "killed again" by creating divisions on the basis of religion. "We will not allow killing of the 'Father of Nation' again due to the actions of a few selfish politicians at the Centre," said Sinha while addressing a large gathering on the occasion of the 71st Republic Day after the 'Gandhi Shanti Yatra', led by him, reached this Etawah village from Agra. Sinha, once an integral part of the BJP think-tank, said, "We have come out with the message of peace in the form of 'Gandhi Shanti Yatra'." The yatra, launched at the Gateway of India in Mumbai on January 9, is aimed at opposing the CAA that seeks to provide Indian citizenship to minorities coming as refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, but leaves out Muslims. Sinha also took part in the R-Day celebrations. The key highlight of the event was hoisting of the Tricolour on a 155-foot pole. Samajwadi Party president and former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and SP General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav were also present on the occasion. Sinha was presented with a shawl as the welcome gesture. SP National Secretary Rajendra Chaudhary, Dharmendra Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, Dilip Yadav (MLA), Raj Kumar Raju and Anurag were present at the event, SP spokesperson I.P. Singh told IANS over phone. "Mahatma Gandhi came out of Gujarat wearing a dhoti and holding a staff. He showed the world the path of truth and non-violence. It's unfortunate to say today few leaders from the same Gujarat are creating obstacles in the path of truth and non-violence," said Akhilesh Yadav. Stating that farmers are sad, the future of the next generation is in dark, and development is blocked, the former UP Chief Minister said, "Today a battle is being fought to save the Constitution on which rests the edifice of our democratic system." The SP spokesperson said a prayer meeting would be held on Monday at the SP headquarters and after that the next plans for the 'Gandhi Shanti Yatra' would be chalked out. (Sanjeev Kumar Singh Chauhan can be contacted at sanjeev.c@ians.in) China is gripped by a deadly coronavirus and has cancelled all festivities across the country in order to prevent the disease from spreading. Meanwhile, the world is not shying away from celebrating the Lunar New Year as people in France gathered under the Eiffel Tower to kick off the festivities. People came out to witness the dragon dances and drummers that participated in the event. Members of the Chinese community came out and danced with costumes to mark the Chinese New Year at the Eiffel Tower on January 25. France was the first country in Europe where the deadly coronavirus case was reported. Read: China Implements Fresh Restrictions As Cases Of Coronavirus Increase Not just in France but people in Taiwan, North Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Cuba also came out to celebrate the Chinese New Year. In Taiwan, thousands of people wearing face masks came out to pray at the Longshan Temple in the capital city of Taipei. In Hong Kong, people stood in line to plant their incense sticks and say prayers. People also touched the large rat statue as they do every year. However, the fireworks show and a four-day carnival that was set to begin on Sunday was cancelled in wake of coronavirus outbreak. Read: Sri Lankans In China To Be Evacuated Amid Increase In Coronavirus Cases Lunar New Year celebration amid virus outbreak In China, most people stayed at home as major temples and tourist sites remained closed as authorities sought to contain the virus. China cancelled all temple fairs, games for children and booths selling snacks were also shuttered during the Lunar New Year. People in Wuhan city had to remain in the town as the city is under a complete lockdown with all public transport suspended. Read: French Doctor: Virus From China Seems Less Serious Than SARS The death toll in China's Hubei region, the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus, has risen to 56 and the number of people infected by the disease is close to 2,000, authorities confirmed to the international press on Sunday. Out of the 56 people that died, 52 were from Hubei, the province where the outbreak took place, two deaths took place in central Henan province, while one person died in Heilongjiang and Hebei respectively. Read: China: Death Toll Rises To 56 As Coronavirus Continue To Wreak Havoc In 2010, the UN adopted a rule regarding incarcerated pregnant women: "instruments of restraint shall never be used during labour, during birth and immediately after birth." In 2018, the Federal First Step Act banned shackling pregnant women, women giving birth, and women caring for newborns; but the law does not extend to local and state jails, where 85% of the incarcerated women in America are locked up. As a result, the practice of shackling women before, during and after childbirth is rampant across America, and in the majority (61%) of these circumstances, the women are shackled not because of any specific danger, but because the facility has a policy that insists that they be in chains. The US government does not require state or local lockups to maintain statistics on pregnancy among inmates, and a bill to require this data collection has languished in Congress since September 2018. Incarcerated women are disproportionately likely to have experienced violent trauma, especially sexual trauma, and the women who have given birth in restraints describe how the experience triggered their post-traumatic stress from these incidents. Lori Yearwood's Guardian story on the practice is heartbreaking, tracing how the trauma of giving birth in chains can redound for decades after. Harriette Davis, 64, once an inmate at the California Institute for Women in Corona, is now an anti-shackling advocate and remembers well the trauma of being handcuffed to a hospital bed before giving birth to her daughter 36 years ago. The attending doctor told the guard to remove the shackles, Davis says, so that Davis could move freely, helping her baby travel more easily down the birth canal. "She's not going anywhere," Davis says the doctor assured the guard. In the final hour before her daughter was born, the guard finally removed the restraints. Davis bursts into tears as she speaks by telephone from her home in Berkeley, California. "It's inhuman and it's not necessary and it's emotionally and mentally unhealthy," she says. Pregnant and shackled: why inmates are still giving birth cuffed and bound [Lori Teresa Yearwood/The Guardian] (Thanks, Fipi Lele!) (Image: mbreton, CC BY-SA, modified) The shocking moment a topless man left streaks of blood over a supermarket floor before being arrested by police has been caught on video. Stunned shoppers watched on in horror as two police officers struggled to subdue the man at a Countdown store in central Auckland on New Zealand's north island on Saturday evening. Footage taken by a passer-by also showed a woman attempt to intervene in the arrest before physically lashing out at one of the policemen. Police said the man had fled into the Victoria Street West supermarket and fallen over after police had found him allegedly in breach of his conditions about 7.45pm. The bystander who filmed the chaotic scenes inside the CBD grocery store, Azar Mammadov, said police had to chase the man around the store to catch him. 'Two officers tried to contain him on the floor, he was resisting, screaming and then a female came and started attacking the police officers physically. It was a battle,' the witness told the New Zealand Herald. The bystander added though blood seen smeared across the supermarket floor was not a result of police restraining the half-naked man, but from when the man fell over. Mr Mammadov said the man was lucky he had not been in the same situation with police in the US. 'I'm from the United States - for us, that person would have been dead,' he said. Two police officers struggled to subdue and arrest a half-naked man at a Countdown store in New Zealand in shocking footage A witness said blood smeared across the supermarket floor was the result of the man falling over, not from police restraining him 'But the way they treated him and managed the situation was very impressive -whatever training they had.' New Zealand Police said the man had first been found on Victoria Street West, before fleeing to the supermarket. 'It appears they have fallen over and required medical treatment and were taken to hospital,' a spokesperson for NZ Police said. The Countdown store was then closed for about 30 minutes as the blood was cleaned, Stuff reported. 'The person caused a scene in the store and, unfortunately, fell while running erratically around the supermarket,' a Countdown spokesperson said. At the end of the 53rd Week of Prayer for Christian unity, Francis calls on the faithful not to devote ourselves exclusively to our own communities, but to open ourselves to the good of all, to the universal gaze of God who took flesh in order to embrace the whole human race and who died and rose for the salvation of all. Vatican City (AsiaNews) Pope Francis led the Second Vespers for the Solemnity of the Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle, which marked the end of the 53rd Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The pontiff noted that overcoming the legacies of the past to welcome the gifts of each confession will bring full Christian unity closer, which is something that God ardently desires. It will also encourage greater openness between brothers of faith and towards those in need. The welcome offered by the people of Malta to Saint Paul who survived the shipwreck on his journey to Rome is the text prepared by the Christians of Malta and Gozo for the current Week of Prayer for Christian unity and was the starting point taken by Pope Francis for his reflection. Per tradition, the Vespers took place in the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in the presence of top officials of other Christian denominations, including, among others, Metropolitan Gennadios, for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and Ian Ernest, personal representative in Rome of the Archbishop of Canterbury, whom Francis thanked. The account of the shipwreck in Malta from the Acts of the Apostles also speaks to our ecumenical journey towards that unity which God ardently desires. In the first place, it tells us that those who are weak and vulnerable, those who have little to offer materially but find their wealth in God, can present valuable messages for the good of all. Let us think of Christian communities: even the smallest and least significant in the eyes of the world, if they experience the Holy Spirit, if they are animated by love for God and neighbour, have a message to offer to the whole Christian family. Let us think of marginalized and persecuted Christian communities. As in the account of Pauls shipwreck, it is often the weakest who bring the most important message of salvation. This was what pleased God: to save us not with the power of this world, but with the weakness of the cross (cf. 1 Cor 1:20-25). As disciples of Jesus, we must be careful not to be attracted by worldly logic, but rather to listen to the small and the weak, because God loves to send his messages through those who most resemble his Son made man. The account in Acts reminds us of a second aspect: Gods priority is the salvation of all. As the angel said to Paul: God has granted safety to all those who sail with you. Paul insists on this point. We too need to repeat it: it is our duty to put into effect the paramount desire of God who, as Paul himself writes, desires everyone to be saved (1 Tim 2:4). This is an invitation not to devote ourselves exclusively to our own communities, but to open ourselves to the good of all, to the universal gaze of God who took flesh in order to embrace the whole human race and who died and rose for the salvation of all. If we, with his grace, can assimilate his way of seeing things, we can overcome our divisions. The more we look beyond partisan interests and overcome the legacies of the past in the desire to move forward towards a common landing place, the more readily we will recognize, welcome and share these gifts. We thus arrive at a third aspect that was at the centre of this Week of Prayer: hospitality. In the last chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, Saint Luke says, with regard to the inhabitants of Malta, The natives showed us unusual kindness (v. 2). From this Week of Prayer, we want to learn to be more hospitable, in the first place among ourselves as Christians and among our brothers and sisters of different confessions. Hospitality belongs to the tradition of Christian communities and families. Our elders taught us this by their example: there was always something extra on the table of a Christian home for a passing friend or a person in need who knocked on the door. In monasteries a guest is treated with great respect. Let us not lose, indeed let us revive, these customs that have the flavour of the Gospel! 11th District GOP candidates make opening arguments Joey Osborne and Lynda Bennett test a microphone during an 11th Congressional District forum. ASHEVILLE Ten candidates for the Republican nomination for the open 11th Congressional District seat gathered at an AB-Tech auditorium Saturday to introduce themselves, make their opening arguments to Republican voters and pledge their unwavering support of President Trump. Along the way, candidates and the audience heard Madison Cawthorns astonishing personal story he nearly died in a horrific car crash that left him a paraplegic watched as a party executive tried unsuccessfully to expel an Asheville Citizen-Times reporter and editor from the venue and tried their hardest to project to the back row when the sound system failed. Good afternoon, moderator Dale Folwell, the state treasurer, said to open the show. Is this working or not? Not, would be the answer for all but one microphone until that one quit working, too. The candidates on stage Saturday are competing for the Republican nomination for the seat that U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows has held since 2012. A little known sandwich shop owner who became a real estate developer, Meadows won the election to the newly redrawn safe Republican seat and rose to rock-star status among Tea Party members and became one of Trumps staunchest allies in Washington. Although a court-ordered redo made the district slightly more favorable for a Democrat now all of Buncombe is in the 11th instead of just the red-leaning parts most analyses have projected that it will remain in the Republican column. The 10 candidates uttered very little that would separate themselves from one another. (Asheville investment CEO Matthew Burril has dropped out and Wayne King, Meadows top district-based aide, had a previous commitment at a family event.) All who mentioned him professed to support Trump unequivocally, all strongly supported the Second Amendment, opposed abortion and lamented what they agreed was an unacceptable erosion of states rights guaranteed under the 10th Amendment. To a person, they pronounced themselves free traders who had been converted to supporters of tariffs because, they said, Trump had made them work. Here are brief capsules of the candidates and their opening statements: Madison Cawthorn, Hendersonville. An eighth generation native of Western North Carolina, Cawthorn has the most dramatic personal story. Six years ago, after his high school graduation, he had won a nomination to the U.S. Naval Academy. My plans were derailed, though, when I was on a road trip with a good friend of mine, he said. We were driving at 70 mph down in Florida and for whatever reason he fell asleep at the wheel. The car ran headlong into a concrete wall and my life was changed forever. After being burned alive, having every major bone structure in my body broken and coming to within an inch of death, I spent a long time in the hospital. There was months and months in the ICU and in a rehab hospital before I was able to return to my wonderful mountain community. Many of you in this room have prayed for me and those prayers sustained me and they got me through. Back home, Meadows offered him a job as a staff aide. I learned what it is to be a statesman from him, he said. I saw him work up close. When I heard that he was stepping down, I realized that now is the time to act. I realized we have no time to waste. Vance Patterson, Morganton. Seated next to the handsome young Cawthorn and his thousand-watt grin, Patterson quipped, Before my time starts I want to announce that Madison will be doing the smiling for me today. A graduate of Hanover College, Indiana, in 1972, whose graduates include polar opposites Mike Pence and Woody Harrelson, Patterson is a father of four who calls himself a serial entrepreneur who has started 21 companies (my wife calls it Fruit Loops cereal entrepreneurship). My campaign is about supporting Trump in Washington with his agenda, he said. His national issues are health, security, reducing the debt and term limits, drug abuse, security at the border, better paying jobs, education and infrastructure. Steven Fekete Jr., Lenoir. A native of Brooklyn, Fekete, 62, moved to the North Carolina mountains 40 years ago after serving in the Air Force. His family in Hungary was invaded by the Russians after World War II. After the war was over, they didnt want to leave. In 1956, his parents, part of the resistance, came to the U.S. because it was either leave or die, Fekete, a retired UPS automotive technician, said. The ones who remained either submitted to the Russians or were hung from trees or shot or killed by the river until the river was red with their blood. So every day is a crossroad. You follow empty promises or follow the freedom to create your own rights. Your rights are limited to life, liberty and happiness, those given by God. The rest of opportunity is your responsibility. And when Bernie says, Health care is a right. Your right is my responsibility. His right to health care is not my responsibility. Albert Lee Wiley Jr., Atlantic Beach. Although his address is Atlantic Beach, Wiley has deep roots in Western North Carolina. He married a girl from Haywood County whose roots go back generations. His mother grew up in Rutherford County and his father was from Highlands and he has maintained a home in Rutherford County for the past 25 years. A graduate of N.C. State University in nuclear engineering, he later earned a medical degree and became a cancer specialist. He served in the Navy Reserves veteran in the Vietnam era and has worked in clinics from Cherokee to Buncombe counties. Over the past 10 years has deployed with a nuclear response medical team to Iraq, Israel, Russia, Venezuela and elsewhere. He ran for Congress in 1984 in Wisconsin. If I were fortunate to be in (Congress) Id like to focus on medical care, public health, conservation as well as foreign policy issues such as preventing nuclear war, he said. Joseph Joey Osborne, Hickory. A lifelong North Carolinian, Osborne is CEO of Authority Franchise Systems, a mosquito control company that serves 85 client in 35 states, Puerto and Canada. Take back control of government sums up his campaign, he said. Theres a reason that 85 percent of Americans are dissatisfied with Congress. Sixty-five percent think America is on the wrong path and the reason for that is weve had our government stolen from us by politicians. He quotes James Madison, who wrote in 1780 that founders biggest fear is that entrenched and established faction politicians would become so pervasive that our system of checks and balances cease to function. If our checks and balances have not ceased to function, he said. I dont know when they will. Lynda Bennett, Maggie Valley. Bennett moved to Hendersonville in 1983 after graduating from college. She and her husband, Pat, moved to Maggie Valley 26 years ago. A real estate agent for more than 32 years, Bennett claims the only Meadows endorsement among all candidates the congressmans wife, Debbie. Always try to negotiate from a position of strength, Bennet said. And that is why I am going to join the Freedom Caucus on Day 1. The Freedom Caucus is one of the most powerful and important caucuses in Washington, D.C. Theyve actually killed bills and pulled legislation to the right. I am also a pro-life, pro-Trump, pro-Second Amendment. I am a small business owner and I will defend small business owners from burdensome regulation and taxation. Jim Davis, Franklin: An orthodontist, Davis served for 10 years as a Macon County commissioner before winning a state Senate seat. What do you suppose is the question on everybodys mind? Where do I stand for Trump? I will tell you that I support Trump, he said. As a matter of fact I was voting for Trumps policies five years before he was president in the North Carolina Senate. We have transformed the state from heavy debt and overspending to a $900 million surplus and an unemployment rate of 3.7 percent. Voted one of the six most conservative members of the Senate, he boasts the highest rating from NRA and a zero rating from Planned Parenthood. Dillon Gentry, Banner Elk: A six-year Marine Corps infantry squad leader, Gentry is a sales rep who also works as a firearms instructor in a small tactical school that he started with a former platoon commander. Honestly I dont particularly want to be a congressman, he said. I like where I live and I dont want to have to spend a lot of time in D.C. I think were all on the same page as far as small government and reducing the deficit, etc. etc. It goes to what your fundamental view of what the federal government is and if you think that the federal government should be relatively limited in its power then you have to acknowledge the fact that a single congressman is not that powerful, nor should they be. I believe we need to change the way we view our representatives. Stop acting like theyre leaders. Theyre supposed to be representatives of the geographic area they came from. The job is to simply preserve the republic. I dont see putting their name on a bunch of bills necessarily as a mark of success. Im just an average person. I dont have the traditional pedigree of someone that would hold this office and thats precisely why Im running. Dan Patrick Driscoll, Winston-Salem: A graduate of Watauga High School in Boone, Driscoll graduated from UNC in three years and joined the military during the Iraq surge under President George W. Bush. After completing officer candidate school and Ranger school, he deployed in 2009 to Iraq with the 10th Mountain Light Infantry Division, serving as a Calvary Scout platoon leader. Back home, he earned his law degree at Yale on the G.I. bill. He works for a company that helps small businesses in North Carolina. He and his wife, Cassie, have children ages 4 and 2. The reason Im running, I care about my kids, the countrys in a weird state and weve got to step in and fix this, he said. Our debt is not sustainable. As a small business owner, regulation has crushed us in some of the things weve tried to do. We have to rein that back. National security is the No. 1 thing our government can possibly do, to keep us safe, and his background and experience give him credibility on security. Chuck Archerd, Asheville. After working as a managing partner for a CPA firm, he founded a real estate investment company in 2001. He said that in a recent conversation with Rep. Meadows, the congressman had lamented Washington speak. Thats where politicians talk about what theyre going to do and then they talk about what theyre going to do, and then they dont do anything. He said when you get a small business person up there, they go in and they start saying what is our objective, what is our timeline and how are we going to accomplish it. Im 110 percent behind President Trump. What theyre doing right now with that impeachment sham is absolutely ridiculous. I think that we need to work to get him re-elected in a landslide this fall and retake the house and send Nancy Pelosi back to San Francisco to pick up the needles. * * * * * Return to the Hendersonville Lightning and see this weeks print issue for more on the 11th Congressional District Republican forum. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) Officers who had the intersection of Jones and Market streets under surveillance Friday afternoon arrested two men after witnessing a robbery. The robbery was seen about 4:20 p.m. and "Cops swarmed in and took both into custody," the San Francisco police Tenderloin station said via Twitter. Taken into custody were Philip Meredith, 27, of Berkeley and Robert Salvador, 24, of San Francisco. Both had prior arrests, police said. The department's Gang Task Force is investigating the robbery. Salvador had previously been arrested as a suspect in a January 2018 shooting incident at Treat Avenue near Cesar Chavez Street, police said. Meredith had recently been released following a previous robbery arrest, police said. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. The 700-page report, released Thursday, is the first major effort since 1990 by the surgeon general to examine the scientific evidence behind smoking cessation. A lot has happened in those years. All kinds of programs and policies helped people to quit smoking. More and more Americans came to realize that tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in the United States, and to act on that by quitting which can lead to better health, longer life span and money saved. A host of useful, effective tactics have and should continue to help advance this realization, including nicotine replacement therapies and non-nicotine oral medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration. There is also counseling, public education and smoke-free rules and laws. Omani authorities have opened the Sharqiyah Expressway, a 191-km engineering marvel that runs between Bidbid and Al Kamil Wal Wafi areas, for traffic. It is also the first tunnel road project of the sultanate, said a report. The first three months will be trial period with only light vehicles permitted to use the expressway. Heavy vehicles except those loaded with petrochemicals and hazardous materials will be allowed to use it gradually, reported Oman Observer. Each tunnel consists of two separate carriages of three lanes in each direction with a speed limit of 90 km per hour inside the tunnel, it stated. Designed in accordance with the highest international specifications and standards, the road includes two tunnels with a total length of 2.1 km. The first tunnel, around 650-m-long, is located in the village of Nadab in Samayil, while the second tunnel, which runs 1,450 m long, is situated amidst the mountain ranges of Al Aqq, stated the report. Outside the tunnel, the speed limit is up to 120 km per hour, it said. Connecting to the capital, the government plans to build a third and fourth lane of RusaylNizwa dual carriageway project from Muscat Expressway Junction to Bidbid-Sur Junction, it added. The suspects 4 suspects who allegedly kidnapped Soniyi Taiwo, a member of the recently inaugurated Ogun state Local Government Transition Committee have been arrested and paraded by the police. The suspects who were paraded at Ogun State Police headquarters at Eleweran in Abeokuta, were identified as Muhammad Addullah (25), Ibrahim Diko (20), Gambo Abdullah (25) and Mohammed Sulaimon (23). The States Commissioner of Police, Kenneth Ebrimson said; On receiving the information, he directed the DPO of Isara Division to work in conjunction with other tactical teams in the command to ensure the rescue of the victim. In compliance with my directive, the team swung into action and embarked on technical and forensic investigation as a result of which the kidnappers were quickly geo-located. Having realised that the police are closing in on them, the hoodlums released their victim but three members of the gang were subsequently apprehended as a result of intense combing of the bush where they were traced to. Their arrest led to the arrest of the fourth suspect who was tracked to Idi-Ayunre in Ibadan. The suspects accused of abducting the representative of Remo North Local Government along Fidiwo-Ipara road while on his way home from an event, however denied the allegation when questioned by newsmen. It was further gathered that they will be charged to court when investigation has been concluded. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-27 06:02:57|Editor: yan Video Player Close ALGIERS, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Algeria and Turkey on Sunday vowed to upgrade their bilateral cooperation to make it strategical, during a visit paid by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the North African nation. Erdogan arrived earlier on Sunday and was received by his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune. They discussed bilateral cooperation and a couple of regional and international issues, including the Libyan crisis. The two presidents concluded their meeting by signing a declaration on the establishment of a bilateral high-level cooperation council to be tasked with the mission of upgrading bilateral economic ties. In this regard, Tebboune told a joint press conference with Erdogan that the parties agreed to cooperate "in all fields and to move partnership forward," he said, adding that the first meeting of the cooperation council will be held in Turkey sooner. Tebboune pointed out that "Turkey has become one of the strongest economies outside the European Union, and its economy is based on small and medium enterprises which is also our economic orientation." He said that it was agreed between the two countries to raise the volume of bilateral trade exchanges to more than 5 billion U.S. dollars in the short term. For his part, Erdogan said that the political, economic, commercial, cultural and tourism aspects of cooperation were discussed during the talks held with his Algerian counterpart. He said that "as a result of the common will between the two countries, we have decided to transfer our cooperation to the highest levels by forming a high council for cooperation between the two countries." Erdogan pointed out that Algeria is "Turkey's second largest trading partner in Africa, with investments that exceeded 3.5 billion dollars, which reflects our confidence in the Algerian market." He noted the two nations agreed to "remove all obstacles ahead of increasing investments and bilateral partnerships to the highest possible level." The development in war-ridden Libya was also on the agenda of the talks between Erdogan and Tebboune. The two presidents agreed to support the outcome of the Berlin Conference on Libya held in Germany in a bid to reach sustainable cease-fire in this North African nation which has been hit by a civil war since 2011. For his part, the Turkish President said that "Algeria's security and stability is part of Turkey's security and stability," adding that Algeria is "a key nation in the region and key factor of stability and peace in this difficult stage that the region is going through." He stressed that Libya should not be let to turn into "an arena for terrorist organizations and war barons." Erdogan expected that Algeria will have "valuable and constructive contributions to the efforts being done by the international community to stop the bloodshed in Libya." Libya has been hit by civil war since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011. Representative image India on January 26 said it is examining "all options" in consultations with the Chinese government to address the concerns of over 250 stranded Indians, including students, in Wuhan the epicentre of the fast spreading coronavirus. The death toll in the deadly new coronavirus in China rose to 56 on January 26 with confirmed cases of viral affliction reaching 2,008, including 23 from abroad, Chinese health authorities said. India on January 26 opened a third hotline in view of "large number" of phone calls from the Indians who are mostly students, the Indian Embassy in Beijing said. "In view of the large number of calls received in the two hotline numbers set up by @EOIBeijing in connection with the outbreak of coronavirus infection, @EOIBeijing has decided to open a third hotline number +8618610952903," the Embassy said in a tweet. The other two hotline numbers are 8618612083629 +8618612083617, the Embassy said. COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show The Embassy has also said it is examining all options and holding consultations with the Chinese to provide relief to the Indians holed up in Wuhan. "Over the last two days our hotlines have fielded nearly 600 calls to respond to concerns regarding this difficult situation. GoI and @EOIBeijing are also examining all options, including through consultations with the Chinese authorities, to provide relief to our affected citizens, another tweet by the Embassy said. The reference to all options was seen as a pointer to explore the option to evacuate the stranded Indians. The pneumonia outbreak was first reported in Wuhan City, central China's Hubei Province, in December 2019. Experts have attributed the outbreak to a new strain of coronavirus that has since spread across China and abroad. About 700 Indian students are believed to have been enrolled into several universities in the city and surrounding areas. Wuhan along 12 other cities have been completely sealed by the Chinese authorities to stop the virus from spreading. While the majority of the Indian students, mostly medical students reported to have left a few weeks ago to avail the Chinese New Year holidays, over 250 to 300 are still reportedly stayed put in the city causing concerns to them and their parents back home about their safety. A number of Indian PHD students also studied in different universities in Wuhan and the surrounding areas. Some students managed to leave before the city just before it was sealed off on January 23. In a rare move, the Indian Embassy in Beijing on January 26 cancelled the Republic Day ceremony, owing to the rising concern of the virus which has spread to all provinces except Tibet. China reported to have permitted the US to evacuate its diplomats and citizens from Wuhan. US has a consulate in Wuhan. Roughly 1,000 American citizens are thought to be in Wuhan, a report in state-run China Daily said. As the US plans to evacuate its citizens from Wuhan, Chinese Foreign Ministry said: following international customary practices, China makes arrangements that are consistent with our epidemic control measures and provides necessary assistance and convenience. Reports say the US has already shut its consulate in Wuhan and airlift the diplomats and some of the stranded Americans to San Francisco where they would be kept under observation. Global Times reported that France and South Korea plans to airlift their citizens stranded in Wuhan. By PTI LONDON: Thousands of students, activists and representatives from several Indian diaspora and human rights organisations gathered opposite Downing Street in London to protest against India's new Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The rally, organised by student groups and Indian outfits in the UK, marched around a mile down the streets to gather outside the Indian High Commission in London. The protesters carried placards reading "Protect the Constitution", "Stop Dividing India", "United Against Racism in India" and "No Citizenship on the Basis of Religion". The CAA came into force in India last December amid protests in India and around the world. The Indian government has stressed that the new Act does not deny any citizenship rights but has been brought in to protect the oppressed minorities of neighbouring countries and provide them citizenship. The protesters, from around the UK and describing themselves as representative of diverse and multi-faith Indian communities across the UK, demanded that the CAA be repealed because it "undermines India's secular Constitution". They also called for the abolition of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR), which they said "in conjunction with the CAA, open the way for selective mass disenfranchisement of India's Muslim population. UK Opposition Labour Party MP Sam Tarry addressed the demonstrators with the message that human rights in any country is an international issue. "We are not here as any anti-India demonstration, we are here as a pro-India demonstration. It is incredibly important that our voices are heard against laws that are not good for the future of the country," said the east London MP. Messages of support from Labour MPs Stephen Timms, Clive Lewis and newly-elected Indian-origin parliamentarian Nadia Whittome were also read out, calling on the UK government to take up the issue with Indian counterparts. "On the eve of Republic Day, we are reminded of our core values of freedom, equality and diversity. We stand in solidarity with all the people in India and around the world in their fight against injustice and racism," said Harsev Bains, of the Indian Workers Association (GB). "The protest in front of the Brazilian embassy, which preceded the march to the Indian High Commission, seeks to highlight the fact that fascism today is a truly global problem," said a spokesperson for the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) India Society. Some of the other groups backing Saturday's march included CasteWatch UK, Tamil People in the UK, Indian Muslim Federation(UK), Federation of Redbridge Muslim Organisations (FORMO), Kashmir Solidarity Movement, South Asian Students Against Fascism among others. Saturday's demonstration, to mark the eve of India's Republic Day, will be followed by another protest outside India House in London on Sunday, when pro-Pakistani and separatist groups led by Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK plan to observe a so-called "Black Day" against the Indian government. The Indian High Commission in London has raised serious concerns for the safety of the mission and its staff and Indian High Commissioner Ruchi Ghanashyam had even taken up the matter with UK Home Secretary Priti Patel. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has pledged "robust" security to prevent any violence during Sunday's protests, as the Metropolitan Police said that a "proportionate policing plan" would be in place. Germanys foreign minister has called for strengthened efforts against antisemitism to ward off the possibility that many Jews may decide to leave the country. Heiko Maas said in an article for Der Spiegel that German politicians must do more but there is one thing they cant do: replace solidarity in everyday life. Mr Maass comments came a day before the 75th anniversary of the Soviet liberation of the Nazis Auschwitz death camp and at a time of rising concern in Germany and elsewhere in Europe about antisemitism. In October, a man tried to force his way into a synagogue in Halle, northwest of Leipzig, on Judaisms holiest day, later killing two passers-by before being arrested. The suspect posted an anti-Jewish message before the attack. Mr Maas said antisemitism had become part of everyday life now for Jews in Germany and it doesnt surprise me that nearly every second Jew in Germany has thought about leaving the country. Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos Show all 24 1 /24 Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos Police officers secure a synagogue in Halle. At least two people have been killed in the shootings at multiple locations in Germany AP Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos A man shots from a long-barreled gun ATV Studio Halle/Reuters TV Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos A police tank patrols at a crime scene near the Synagogue. The attack came during Yom Kippur, a Jewish religious festival that sees observers fast and pray at synagogues to atone for sins. EPA Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos The shooter walking in Halle ATV Studio Halle/Reuters TV Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos One victim's body was in the street outside the synagogue, while another victim was said to have been shot at a nearby kebab shop dpa via AP Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos Policemen climb over a wall close to the site of a shooting in Halle dpa/AFP/Getty Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos The shooting took place in the eastern German city of Halle, with the incident taking place on Humboldtstrasse, which houses a synagogue and Jewish cemetery Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos Synagogue's in over parts of Germany had a police officer presence, including Dresden AP Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos Local reports said one of the victims was killed outside a kebab shop around 600m away, where witnesses told Focus the assailant was wearing a helmet mounted with a camera, and wearing combat fatigues dpa/AFP/Getty Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos Police officer runs on a road in Halle dpa via AP Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos Police guard a crime scene EPA Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos Bullet casings after the shooting Reuters Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos Police officers block a road AP Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos A spokesperson for the local Jewish community told Der Spiegel that up to 80 worshippers were inside the synagogue at the time, but security measures at the synagogue's entrance "withstood the attack" Reuters Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos Policemen walk through a street close to the site of a shooting dpa/AFP/Getty Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos dpa/AFP/Getty Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos Reuters Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos Police secure the area Reuters Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos A police officer walks onto the street at the scene of a fatal shooting in Halle Nonstopnews/Reuters TV Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos MZTV Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos Police block the area around the site of the shooting dpa/AFP/Getty Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos First responders attend to the scene Nonstopnews/Reuters TV Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos Police gather Reuters Germany synagogue shooting: Halle attack in photos Reuters We must urgently take countermeasures so that such thoughts dont turn into bitter reality and it doesnt come to a massive exodus of Jews from Germany, he wrote. That people of Jewish faith no longer feel at home here is a real nightmare and a disgrace, 75 years after the liberation of Auschwitz. Mr Maas said too few European Union countries have national commissioners against anti-Semitism. He said when Germany holds the EU presidency later this year, it will step up the fight against online hate and disinformation. Recommended Muslim leaders join Holocaust survivors to pray at Auschwitz He said the security of Jewish facilities and communities must be improved throughout Europe. Germany will give the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe 500,000 (420,000) this year to that end. Germanys main Jewish leader told Der Tagesspiegel that he has seen a change in the social climate over the past decade, pointing among other things to the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany party. Asked if Jews in Germany are sitting on packed suitcases, Josef Schuster, who heads the Central Council of Jews, said he would not put it that drastically. The suitcases are unpacked, but people are checking where the empty suitcase is, he said. Mr Schuster added: Is there a European country in which things are better? Jewish facilities have been the target of attacks in the US too. And youre not safe from terrorist attacks, even in Israel. Associated Press TEMPERATURES look set to plummet across Limerick in the coming days as a cold weather front passes over the country. Met Eireann has issued a status yellow snow/ice warning for Connacht and parts of Ulster while a weather advisory for Limerick and the rest of the country takes effect from 6pm this Sunday. According to its latest forecast, it will be cold with sunny spells and showers, mainly in the west and north. A temperature chart posted on social media suggests temperatures in Limerick will drop to zero degrees or slightly below from around 7pm on Monday. Cold this afternoon with sunny spells & showers, mainly in the W & N. Some will be wintry, especially on hills. Highs 3 to 7C with fresh W breezes. This evening, wintry showers will spread eastwards with hail & thunder snow possible, especially in Connacht & Ulster. pic.twitter.com/4aQl5CCzJN Met Eireann (@MetEireann) January 26, 2020 The weather advisory will remain in place until 3pm on Tuesday. Cold and wintry weather will develop from Sunday evening. Showers of hail, sleet and snow will occur in places. Snow showers most frequent in Ulster and Connacht and especially so on high ground, it states. Historian Dan Snow MBE, 41, has a regular slot on The One show and runs an online TV channel, History Hit TV. The son of broadcaster Peter snow, he is married to the philanthropist Lady Edwina Grosvenor and they have three children. I love the maxim that life should be a series of daring adventures launched from a secure base. The 16-year-old me would be very surprised that Im married with quite a traditional life. My wife and I have built a nurturing place for our kids down in the New Forest, overlooking the sea theres a lot of reading and crackling fires but thats also what empowered me to fly out to Timbuktu with the International Committee of the Red Cross. Dan Snow, 41, (pictured) who has a regular slot on The One Show and runs History Hit TV, explains the importance of always failing with enthusiasm I wanted to tell the history of why that area of Mali has been plunged into warfare. Experiencing that contrast is a huge privilege, but also an extraordinary and lucky way to organise life. Not that everything always goes well behind the scenes. Im constantly wobbling 99 per cent of things I do are a failure, but thats OK. Maybe thats what confidence is, thinking: Oh well, I screwed that up, but Ill try the next thing out. Ive released a calendar this year that has sold four copies to date. My new podcast may not go to number one. Youve just got to keep fighting. Theres that great saying: youve got to keep staggering from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm. This year, Ive made a documentary to mark the 75th anniversary of Guernseys liberation from German forces. Military history is all too often painted as men and Spitfires. The fact is its about human beings who were caught up in this unimaginable maelstrom. History is not only about dead kings and queens and parliamentary statutes, its about everything thats ever happened. Its your parents meeting, and why we are who we are. Remember youre totally miraculous. Youre the soldier that didnt get killed in the Civil War. Youre descended from a person who survived the plague! Our history makes us all extraordinary human beings. Dont ever doubt that. Dans new documentary, The Islands Of Guernsey Secrets Of Hitlers Island Fortress, is available to watch at historyhit.com/guernsey Captain Tania Sher Gill, who led an all-men contingent at the Republic Day parade on Sunday, gave many girls goosebumps in the huge crowd at Rajpath. The all-women motorcycle team of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) also won hearts with their daredevilry and many young women felt pumped up and inspired after watching them. Gill and the CRPF team, among others represented the 'Nari Shakti' at the ceremonial event, and the charm literally rubbed off on to many in the crowd. Aarushi Goyal, 16, a class 12 student of the Delhi Public School, Indirapuram, said, she had "found her idol" in Capt Sher Gill, a fourth generation Army officer, who led the marching contingent of the Corps of Signals. Wearing a khaki uniform and holding a ceremonial sword, as the 26-year-old trailblazer officer of the Corps of Signals marched down the Rajpath, she was the cynosure of all eyes. "The sight of her (Gill) leading the men, as she strode confidently, gave me goosebumps. I stood up, closed my eyes and held my breath...It was kind of surreal for me," Goyal said, adding that "from kitchen work to armed forces, women have come a long way". The Hoshiarpur-born officer had recently created history by becoming the first woman Parade Adjutant to lead an all-men contingents during the Army Day function on January 15. A graduate of the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, she added another feather to her cap on Sunday, saying, it was a feeling of "immense honour and great pride, a sense of achievement and worthiness, and absolute blessing". The CRPF team too drew loud applause and stunned looks from the crowd, as its members performed dardevil stunts on Rajpath. Diksha Chaudhary, 19, in the crowd, stood atop her chair, clapped and whistled when the all-women team zipped down the Rajpath in astonishing display of courage. As women personnel formed human pyramid on Royal Enfield motorcycles, Chaudhary, shouted "Jai Hind", saluted the soldiers and murmured to her friend, "Yaar ye karna hai ha ( I wish to do this)." "I am so moved and inspired...I am preparing for exams to join Haryana Police, but this has changed my mind. I will join CRPF now," said Chaudhary, who herself has driven a motorcycle to Delhi. Mahima Chug, 16, captured the moments in her camera as the team displayed its gravity-defying acrobatic skills on Bullet motorcycles towards the end of the ceremonial parade. Chug, a vice-captain in a Noida-based private school, said, "I will paste the photos I have taken today on the walls of my room and draw inspiration from them. There's nothing women cannot do." The team was led by Inspector Seema Nag, who performed the 'VIP Salute' standing atop a moving motorcycle. Other members performed 'Pistol Position on Move', 'Rifle positions', CRPG Flag March', 'All Round Defence', 'Beam Roll', Ladder Climbing' and 'Human Pyramid'. Punjab-born Gill, who holds a B.Tech in electronics and telecommunications from Nagpur University, said her great-grandfather had taken part in World War I. "He (great-grandfather) was part of the Sikh Regiment and had taken part in the Burma theatre. My maternal grandfather also belonged to the same regiment, while my paternal grandfather belonged to the 14th Armoured Regiment (Scinde Horse) and my father served in the artillery regiment. Army life runs in the family," she said. Last year, woman officer Bhavana Kasturi, then a lieutenant, had for the first time led an all-male Army Service Corps (ASC) contingent during the Republic Day parade. Asked what message she had to give to young women who are chasing their dreams, Gill said, "When we don the uniform, we are just 'faujis' (jawans or officers), gender is immaterial, all that matters is merit. Caste, creed, or any other thing also doesn't matter in the Army". "And girls and women chasing their dreams should just believe in themselves. It doesn't matter if some people think they are any less than boys and men. I would tell them just focus on your goals and pursue the goals with passion," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A juvenile was charged after a non-credible bomb threat was made at Belleville Middle School, police said. Belleville police put out a notice on Facebook around 8 a.m. Friday that said it had received the threat. The name of the person who was charged with making this terroristic threat was not released since he or she was a juvenile, police said. The threat had been circulating since Thursday via text message, but no student informed school officials about it, police said. It is important to note that several students were aware of this...text message and did not notify the school or the police of this incident until today, Belleville police said on Friday. The school was checked by a bomb squad and cleared around 9 a.m. of any threats, police said. This morning Belleville Police received a third party notification regarding a bomb threat at the Belleville Middle... Posted by Belleville NJ Police Department on Friday, January 24, 2020 Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @BeccaPanico. The heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, would like to make an official visit to Iran, he said in an interview with the Sunday Times newspaper. Charles however declined to address the tensions relating to the crisis in the British monarchy sparked by his son Prince Harry, who is stepping down from his royal role with his wife Meghan, the paper said. Yes, obviously I would like to [go to Iran], he was quoted as saying. I know that Iran has been such an important part of the world for so many centuries and has contributed so much to human knowledge, culture, poetry, art. I mean, really remarkable people. Asked about any future royal visits, a spokeswoman for Prince Charles said: There are no plans for The Prince of Wales to undertake an official visit to Iran. Prince Charless wish to visit Iran comes at a time of heightened tensions between Tehran and the West. A stand-off between the United States and Iran erupted into tit-for-tat military strikes this month, while Britain has called on Iran to release Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and other dual nationals imprisoned there. Charles told the Sunday Times he tries to be a peacemaker and that he has prayed for peace in the Middle East. I do think the most important thing is a just and lasting peace, he said in the interview, echoing comments he made on Friday during a visit to the Holy Land. Britains royal family steers clear of politics, though Charles, who will become governor of the Church of England when he ascends the throne, has long spoken out on issues such as inter-faith dialogue and the environment. Reuters Ahead of the clash against Lille, Paris Saint Germain (PSG) manager Thomas Tuchel admitted that it is a big challenge for them as their opponents have a lot of quality. "We had a good training session, with quality, intensity, a good attitude. It's good and necessary to be ready for the match on Sunday against the team with the best home record," the club's official website quoted Tuchel as saying. "It'll be a tough game, because Lille have a lot of quality, they have a very strong 4-4-2, compact, with good attacking transitions. We'll need to look out for a lot of things. It's a big challenge for us," he added. Tuchel also hailed Angel Di Maria calling the 31-year-old 'very professional'. "I've liked him for years. When he played at Real Madrid, I was a big fan. He never stops, is reliable, works a lot for the team. He's also a nice person. He's always the first to arrive at the Ooredoo Training Centre, is competitive each day, is very professional," Tuchel said. PSG will take on Lille in Ligue 1 on Monday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Rep. Adam Schiff won a Grahammy as Sen Lindsey Graham joined others in praising his performance as Lead House Manager in the Trump Impeachment trial. President Trump and Rudy Giuliani earned themselves another Grimy trophy with the recording release of Trump bellowing for the ouster of Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch to Giuliani band members Lev and Igor. Graham was caught on camera shaking Schiffs hand outside an elevator, telling him he did a Good Job and was very well spoken" as Lead House Manager. Schiff has been getting wide bipartisan praise for his performance in the trial, especially for his closing summations. They have prompted hashtags #AdamSchiffHasMyRespect and #AdamSchiffRocks to go viral. The Trump trash heap grew with the recording of Trump calling for the ouster of Ukraine Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch in a dinner conversation with Giuliani roadies Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman. Paranas can be heard on the tape telling Trump Yovanovich is basically walking around telling everybody wait, hes gonna get impeached, just wait'. Trump responds, telling an aide Get rid of her. Get her out tomorrow. I dont care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. Ok? Do it. Giuliani has also been on the record as having pushed for Yovanovitchs firing by Trump claiming she would impede their efforts to get Ukraine dirt on Joe and Hunter Biden. Listening to the House Managers make their case, you might have thought it was Giuliani who was being impeached his name was mentioned so often. The Grammy Awards air tonight after a week of having its dirty laundry aired. Former President and CEO of the Recording Academy Deborah Dugan has prompted news stories on accusations of harassment, corruption, conflicts of interest and voting irregularities, including rigging by board members. Sounds like a Trump production or an Awards show he should be hosting. Workers of the All Assam Students Union (AASU) on Sunday showed black flags to the convoy of state cabinet minister Chandra Mohan Patowary in Dibrugarh to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Patowary was in Dibrugarh on Sunday, where he took part in the 71st Republic Day event. The ASSU activists raised slogans against the BJP government and the amended citizenship law. Rupjyoti Borthakur, Secretary, AASU told ANI that the protests were being held against the BJP government "for trampling upon the democracy". "Today on the Republic Day we are protesting against the BJP government that has trampled upon the democracy. We will continue the protests till the CAA is taken back," Borthakur told ANI here. Earlier on January 15, AASU members had also shown black flags to the convoy of Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who was visiting Chauba in Dibrugarh on the occasion of Bihu festival. The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has already withdrawn support from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Assam over the CAA. The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. The Assamese people fear that it is the BJP government's way to give citizenship from the backdoor to lakhs of people who have been excluded from the state NRC. The move, they argue, would nullify the Assam Accord signed between the Government of India and Assam agitators in August 1985 after a long, bloody agitation. Around 19 lakh people, majority of them Hindus, have been excluded from the citizenship register in Assam that had set March 24, 1971 as the cut-off date. In the enumeration that ended on July 31 last year, all those who could not produce documents to show they entered Assam before that date were left out of the NRC. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Controversy and chaos are raging behind the scenes of tonights 62nd Grammy Awards. The annual ceremony, held at the Staples Centre in the heart of Tinseltown, is the undisputed biggest night in music, recognising the achievements of both legends of the industry and the hottest new artists on the block. Established in 1959 and presented by The Recording Academy, the Grammys have featured more than their fair share of eyebrow-raising moments over the course of six decades. Most of these have played out during the televised event, whether it was Kanye West storming the stage during Becks acceptance speech, or the time The Beatles classic Abbey Road lost out on Album of the Year to the self-titled debut of Blood, Sweat & Tears. However, whatever happens on stage tonight will likely simply serve as a diversion from the real controversy which has erupted behind the scenes in recent weeks. The latest news in the saga bubbling beneath the surface of the show is that Taylor Swift reportedly pulled out of an unannounced performance just days before the big night, prompting many to question why. She is in the running for three awards, albeit not the prestigious big two of Album of the Year and Record of the Year. Variety reports that while she was never formally confirmed, it was hoped talks would prove fruitful and one slot for an unnamed artist remained open on the schedule. Swifts alleged exit comes in the wake of allegations - from former Recording Academy president and CEO Deborah Dugan - that the Grammys voting process is corrupt. Behind the scenes, it's all-out war between Dugan and the academy's board of trustees. Video of the Day In the role just five months, she was recently placed on administrative leave by the board amid allegations of misconduct. She then made an explosive formal complaint about, among other things, the voting process for the Grammys. Speaking on ABCs Good Morning America and CBS This Morning this week, she elaborated on those allegations about the process, which she described as tainted. On CBS she spoke about meetings in which not only are there trustees that have conflicts of interest on particular artists that are nominated, but more importantly there are even artists that are nominated that are in the room. So for me thats just such a blatant conflict of interest. Speaking about the Song of the Year category, she said that an artist who had featured toward the bottom of the long list of 20 was moved up to the top five. I dont want to name who that is for the artist integrity, she said when asked about the artist. I think its not about that, its about the system. She said there is a system of taking care of their own and that it is mostly white males making these decisions, which she described as a conflict of interest. Lets say if you represented that artist, you have a financial gain if they of course get nominated for a Grammy, she added. While the allegations about the voting process have been garnering the most attention in the run up to the show itself, there is also a #MeToo element to her complaint. Dugan alleges that she had been sexually harassed and this week she said that there is a culture of sexism and corruption within the Recording Academy. The Recording Academy denies all the allegations. While the drama has escalated in recent weeks, it has not erupted from nowhere. Dugans predecessor as CEO, Neil Portnow, had been head of the Academy for 17 years but he stepped down last year after he infamously said that women in the industry should step up in order to make a bigger impact. That year just one woman was given a solo Grammy. He said that women who have the creativity in their hearts and souls, who want to be musicians, who want to be engineers, producers, and want to be part of the industry on the executive level need to step up. He later said his words were taken out of context, but the backlash was deafening, particularly from top female artists including Katy Perry and Pink, and on social media where it prompted the hashtag #GrammysSoMale. Following his exit, a task force was established to review the academys lack of inclusion and diversity and it released a report citing 18 recommendations to tackle the issue. They found that the board had been predominantly male and Caucasian. Perhaps it is not surprising that female artists and those from the worlds of hip-hop and R&B have traditionally been marignalised. Dugan, who was formerly CEO of Bonos RED organisation, had been expected to instigate change within the Academy in terms of greater representation and diversity. Four women on the executive committee of the Recording Academy released a statement to members last week in light of the allegations. "Along with our male colleagues, we have made great strides in increasing our diversity throughout the organization, both in leadership at the national level, within our twelve chapters around the country, and in the nominations. Diversity has always been a priority although admittedly, not always easy to accomplish," they wrote. They also cited the impact of the task force as having "amplified" efforts for greater inclusion at the Grammy organization and they pledged to "continue those efforts". Whether or not this will be reflected on stage tonight via a more diverse group of winners remains to be seen. Certainly there are lights among the nominees in the major categories in the form of Lil Nas X, Lizzo and Billie Eilish. However, even if there is greater diversity among the recipients of the gilded gramophones, Dugans allegations have cast doubt over the authenticity of the voting process. Irish viewers can watch the Grammys live stream at 1am Monday via CBS All Access (paid service with a free seven day trial), or with a YouTube or Hulu subscription. Medical staff wearing clothing to protect against a previously unknown virus walk outside a hospital in Wuhan on Jan. 26, 2020. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images) State Department to Evacuate Citizens From Coronavirus-Infected Chinese City in One-Time Flight The U.S. Department of State said Saturday it will evacuate some of its diplomats and some private American citizens from Wuhan, Chinathe epicenter of the mysterious new virus that has sickened hundreds and left dozens of people dead. The State Department sent an email to citizens and posted the same notice on its website, saying that it is arranging a one-time-only flight from Wuhan to San Francisco, California, on Tuesday. The Department of State is making arrangements to relocate its personnel stationed at the U.S. Consulate General in Wuhan to the United States, the agencys statement said. We anticipate that there will be limited capacity to transport private U.S. citizens on a reimbursable basis on a single flight leaving Wuhan Tianhe International Airport on January 28, 2020 and proceeding directly to San Francisco. In addition, interested U.S. citizens should contact the State Department immediately as capacity is extremely limited, according to the bulletin. If there is insufficient ability to transport everyone who expresses interest, the alert added, priority will be given to individuals at greater risk from coronavirus. The State Department didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. A travel ban was implemented by the Chinese regime to contain the virus, affecting some 50 million people in Wuhan and nearby cities in Hebei Province. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Sunday that Japan is planning to evacuate any Japanese citizens from Wuhan, using charter flights and other measures to fly them home, reported public broadcaster NHK. Some 700 Japanese nationals are believed to be living around Wuhan. In the United States, meanwhile, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said a third person, who was traveling from Wuhan, tested positive in the U.S. They were located in Santa Ana in Southern California, and its the first known person to test positive for coronavirus in California after one person was found with the virus in Chicago and another was found in Washington state last week. Whats more, Chinas health minister, Ma Xiaowei, made the claim that the virus could be spread without observable symptoms, which is a game-changer, according to an adviser to the CDC. When I heard this, I thought, Oh dear, this is worse than we anticipated, said Dr. William Schaffner, the agencys adviser, in a CNN report on Sunday following Mas announcement. It means the infection is much more contagious than we originally thought. Turner & Townsend has released its Data Centre Cost Index 2019, which shows that South Africas data centre industry is thriving. According to the report, Johannesburg its largest data centre market in Africa twice the size of Cape Town. Johannesburg has up to 52 Internet users per 100 people, and the connectivity ecosystem is made up of 60 colocation data centres, 319 cloud service providers, and six network fabrics, it said. While Johannesburg remains the biggest data centre hub on the African continent, Cape Town has also seen strong growth. The data centre construction market in both Johannesburg and Cape Town are hot with key projects coming to fruition and hyperscale investments increasing, the report said. It added that this growth is partly fuelled by the fact that South Africa is a stepping stone into the rest of Africa. Big data centre projects in South Africa Over the last year South Africa has seen many new data centre projects take shape, which include big names like AWS and Microsoft. Microsoft opened two South African data centres in Cape Town and Johannesburg in 2019. There is more demand from Microsoft with a further two data centres being developed for 2020. AWS has also launched infrastructure points of presence in Cape Town and Johannesburg, bringing Amazon CloudFront, Amazon Route 53, AWS Shield, and AWS WAF services to the continent. Teraco in the lead Teraco Data Environments remains Africas largest data centre operator however, growing competition is evident in the market. Dimension Data is currently developing a large data centre (20MW) for a hyperscale client from Europe, which is due for completion in 2020. Huawei also has a significant footprint in South Africa and the rest of Africa. It is active in the market as an integrator and provides facilities for local telecoms company MTN. While general construction spending continued to suffer in 2019 due to negative investor sentiment and slow economic growth, the data centre market remains strong and is showing continuing improvement. Now read: The future of data centres in Africa By Stanley Widianto JAKARTA (Reuters) - As he does every year, ethnic Chinese Indonesian Purnama celebrated Lunar New Year on Saturday at a dinner with his extended family of more than 50 in Jakarta where they exchanged traditional red envelopes containing money. By Stanley Widianto JAKARTA (Reuters) - As he does every year, ethnic Chinese Indonesian Purnama celebrated Lunar New Year on Saturday at a dinner with his extended family of more than 50 in Jakarta where they exchanged traditional red envelopes containing money. But the 49-year-old Purnama, who uses one name, is unlike most of his ethnic Chinese family: he is a Muslim. At the dinner, he and his immediate family were at a table where all the food was halal, while the rest of the tables featured non-halal dishes for the non-Muslims. But the difference in the food was not a big deal for Purnama. "Lunar New Year just means hanging out with the family. There are no extraordinary traditions for me," he told Reuters. Ethnic Chinese Muslims like Purnama, who converted in 1994, have a peculiar identity in Indonesia: a minority within a minority. Chinese Indonesians make up less than 5% of the 260 million people in the worlds biggest Muslim-majority country. Chinese Muslims number around 131,000 out of 2.8 million ethnic Chinese, according to a 2010 census. Agni Malagina, an expert on the Chinese community in Indonesia, said Chinese Indonesians are usually Christian, Buddhist, or follow Confucianism. "But we've seen cases of assimilation, while the Chinese embrace of Islam has also has a long history," she said. "They're heterogeneous, their motivations vary." She has observed ethnic Chinese Muslims who have identified as such for generations. Chinese Indonesians have been the targets of ethnic violence in the past, and Chinese cultural expressions were heavily restricted during the presidency of the late strongman Suharto, said Malagina. It was not until 2000 after the fall of Suharto that President Abdurrahman Wahid lifted a ban on celebrating the Lunar New Year. Naga Kunadi, 44, also an ethnic Chinese Muslim, said that after converting to Islam in 2002 some of his non-Muslim family made fun of him not eating pork, but he still celebrates the Lunar New Year. "I also still get looks from mosque-goers sometimes, until they see that I pray in the right way," he said. Kunadi is a member of the Haji Karim Oei Foundation, named after a renowned ethnic Chinese Muslim, which is based in the Lautze mosque in Jakarta. Kunadi said it can be easier for Chinese Indonesians to be accepted when they convert to Islam. "But my principle has always been when I converted to Islam, I'm still Chinese," he said. (Reporting by Stanley Widianto; Editing by Ed Davies and Giles Elgood) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By PTI NEW DELHI: The 'Dhanush' gun system, commanded by Capt. Mrigank Bharadwaj was part of the Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath for the first time on Sunday. The 155mm/45 Caliber Dhanush gun system is a towed Howitzer designed indigenously by the Ordnance Factory Board. The gun with a maximum range of 36.5 km has the capability of automatic gun alignment and positioning. The gun, which is equipped with an inertial navigation system and advanced gun sighting system, has been designed to meet futuristic requirements of the Army. All eyes were on the sky as Rudra and Dhruv advanced light helicopters on Sunday performed a fly-past in a Diamond formation. Delhi: 5 Apache helicopters flying in, the formation is led by Group Captain Mannarath Shylu VM, Commanding Officer 125 Helicopter Squadron. #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/HCTW8MboFc ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2020 Earlier, the 1st formation of five Mi-17 V5 choppers flew in an inverted Y formation carrying the national ensign and three service ensigns. They showered flower petals as they approached the dais. Anti-Satellite Weapons (ASAT) from Mission Shakti, the Dhanush artillery, the newly-inducted Chinook heavy lift and Apache attack choppers were also displayed for the first time during the parade at Rajpath. Heavylift helicopter Chinook and attack helicopter Apache were both recently inducted in the Indian Air Force. The Chinooks can airlift diverse loads in remote locations. It is a heavy lift, twin-rotor helicopter which has enhanced IAF's lift capability across a range of military and HADR missions. The Apache, on the other hand, is a versatile helicopter capable of firing air to air and air to ground missiles, rockets and front gun aided through fire control radar which can unleash havoc on the adversary. It has provided the Indian armed forces a significant edge against the enemy on the battlefield. ALSO READ | Republic Day 2020: PM Modi pays tribute to fallen soldiers at National War Memorial Dhanush Gun System and K-9 Vajra-T that is a tracked self-propelled gun and Sarvatra bridge system were also showcased. Apart from the weapons, sixteen marching contingents from the Armed Forces, Para-Military Forces, Delhi Police, National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS) and thirteen Military bands will also be seen marching past soon. The ceremony, which started at 10:00 am with the national salute, will last for around 90 minutes. Akash weapon system, the first indigenously developed air defence system capable of firing short-range surface to air missiles, against enemy platform was showcased here during the 71st Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath on Sunday. Prior to this the Transportable Satellite Terminal (TTS), vehicles of the Signal Corps was also displayed at the parade, which is a showcase of India's military might. The DRDO Anti-Satellite (A-SAT) Weapon System was on display at Rajpath in the Republic Day parade. With space becoming a vital dimension of any country's economic and military superiority, A-SAT (Anti-Satellite) weapons play a critical role in providing the necessary strategic deterrence. In March last year, the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) launched 'Mission Shakti', India's first A-SAT mission and demonstrated its anti-satellite technology. A live orbiting satellite in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) was destroyed in a "Hit to Kill" mode with 10-centimetre accuracy, with the satellite and the missile approaching each other at a high speed of nearly 11 km per second. The covert technology of 'hit to kill', developed for the first time by India for such applications, enables it to destroy an enemy satellite by directly colliding with it with pin-point accuracy. The successful demonstration has placed India at par with the elite club of three nations -- US, Russia and China -- that possess this capability. Delhi: Su-30 MKIs of Indian Air Force execute the 'Trishul' manoeuvre. The formation is being led by Group Captain Nishit Ohri. The captains of the other two aircraft are Wing Commander Nilesh Dixit and Wing Commander Karan Dogra. pic.twitter.com/RMp1VmdHOE ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2020 Among the other weapons displayed on the occasion were K-9 Vajra T that is a self-propelled gun and Sarvatra bridge system. The parade, which began at 10:00 am with a traditional gun salute and included a flypast by MI-17 and RUDRA armed helicopters. In a first, Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier today paid homage to the fallen soldiers at the newly built National War Memorial here before participating in the Republic Day celebrations. The Indian Navy showcased its assets like Boeing P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft and the Kolkata Class Destroyer and the Kalvari Class submarine at the Republic Day Parade on Sunday. ALSO READ | Republic Day 2020 parade: Goa showcases 'save the frog' campaign, J&K comes up with 'back to village' The fore part of the Naval tableau showcased the might and firepower of Navy in all three dimensions viz surface, sub-surface and air portrayed through state-of-the-art assets. The next part of tableau showcased the Navy's commitment to nation-building. The indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant under construction at the Cochin Shipyard Limited. The role of the Navy in terms of safeguarding offshore economic assets as well as rendering Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) was portrayed through murals on the sides depicting flood relief operations undertaken in Maharashtra, escort operations undertaken in the Persian Gulf and the defence of offshore energy assets. Marching contingent of Army Air Defence debuts The marching contingent of the Corps of Army Air Defence on Sunday made its debut on Rajpath during the 71st Republic Day parade. The marching contingent of the Corps of Army Air Defence, was led by Capt Vikas Kumar Sahu of Army Air Defence Centre. The history of the Corps of Army Air Defence dates back to 1940 when the No. 1 Technical Training Battery was raised. By 1943 as many as 33 Anti-Aircraft regiments were raised and seven Anti-Aircraft brigades were deployed in India. Four training establishments were raised in the country to cater to the training needs of anti-aircraft artillery during World War II. Post World War II, Nos. 26 and 27 Anti-Aircrafts Regiments were retained in the country. In the following period, the number of regiments was increased and these were equipped with 3.7 inch and L/60 guns and the term Anti-Aircraft was replaced by Air Defence. The Air Defence Artillery was carved out of the Regiment of Artillery in 1994 and was rapidly modernized. The Corps of Army Air Defence was recently awarded the Colours by the Hon'ble President of India on 28th September 2019 in recognition of the distinguished service rendered to the nation. The Army Air Defence has been awarded four Military Cross, one Medal of the British Empire during the World War II and post-independence two Ashok Chakra, two Kirti Chakra, 20 Veer Chakra, nine Shaura Chakra and many more awards and decorations. The Regimental Motto is 'Akashe Shatrun Jahi' which means Kill the Enemy in the Sky. (With ANI Inputs) London, Jan 26 : The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have hit 11.1 million followers on Instagram with their account 'Sussex Royal', overtaking the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge just a few days after they broke even with the couple at 11 million followers, according to a media report. This is despite the Cambridges' account 'Kensington Royal' being around for much longer, while the Sussexes only started their account last April. Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan Markle, 38, who run Sussex Royal, have seen their following skyrocket since announcing their retreat from public life last week, Mail Online reported. The couple, who will split time between Canada and Windsor Castle after they stepped down as senior royals, have now overtaken Kensington Royal, run by Prince William, 37, and Kate Middleton, 38, for some time. While Kate and William have shared 1,982 posts, Harry and Meghan have only posted 185 times since last April. The Kensington Royal account gets an average of 300,000 likes for their posts, with statement posts, including Kate Middleton's birthday racking up 1.2 million likes. Meanwhile Sussex Royal gets a similar average, but their recent post announcing they would be stepping down garnered almost 2 million likes from supportive fans. While William and Kate's account follows just under 100 people, Harry and Meghan follow new accounts each month to highlight charitable causes. On January 19, the Duke of Sussex said he is "taking a leap of faith" in stepping back from his life as a member of the royal family, but "there really was no other option". Harry gave an emotional speech, where he told the "truth" about leaving royal duties behind in a bid for a "more peaceful life" for his family. Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), speaks during his event at Nashua Community College on December 13, 2019 in Nashua, New Hampshire. Bernie Sanders holds an edge in the 2020 New Hampshire Democratic primary as the key presidential nominating contest nears, according to an NBC News/Marist poll released Sunday. The Vermont senator garners the support of 22% of likely Democratic primary voters in the Granite State, the survey found. Former South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg trails at 17%. Former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., follow at 15%, 13% and 10%, respectively. No either candidate in the dozen-person field polled in double digits. Among likely primary voters, 56% said they strongly support their chosen candidate, while 28% answered that they somewhat support them. Another 15% responded that they could vote differently. The poll shows Sanders leading in New Hampshire a little over a week before primary nominating contests kick off in Iowa. The Feb. 11 primary in the Granite State will follow the Feb. 3 caucuses in Iowa. Neither state boasts a huge delegate haul for Democratic candidates. They both have populations less diverse than key states that will vote after them: Nevada, South Carolina, California and Texas, among others. Still, strong showings in Iowa and New Hampshire can bring a boon in both money and media attention that can vault candidates to later success. Results from the Hawkeye State could still affect the outcome in New Hampshire. After the final rush in Iowa, many White House hopefuls will turn their attention to New Hampshire. The 2020 contenders will get a major platform through the next presidential debate in Manchester, New Hampshire on Feb. 7. Sanders, one of two Democrats who hail from a state that borders New Hampshire, has previously enjoyed success there. In the state's 2016 Democratic presidential primary, he defeated Hillary Clinton by more than 20 percentage points. Asked what is most important when selecting a presidential nominee, 49% of likely 2020 New Hampshire Democratic primary voters said a candidate with the best chance to defeat President Donald Trump, while 42% responded the one who comes closest to their views on issues. Biden has campaigned explicitly on his ability to beat Trump, while others such as Sanders and Warren have run promising massive political and economic overhauls. In New Hampshire at least, all of the leading Democrats appear to have a good shot at beating Trump in November. The president only narrowly lost the state to Hillary Clinton in 2016. Buttigieg leads Trump by 10 percentage points 51% to 41% among registered voters in a hypothetical New Hampshire matchup with Trump. Biden and Sanders both hold 8 percentage point advantages. Warren has a 4 percentage point lead over the president. The margin of error for likely Democratic primary voters in New Hampshire is plus-or-minus 4.5 percentage points. The margin of error for registered voters in New Hampshire is plus-or-minus 2.6 percentage points. Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. The animal-borne SARS virus 17 years ago was supposed to be a wake-up call about consuming wildlife as food, but scientists say China's latest epidemic indicates that the practice remains widespread and a growing risk to human health. Like SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), which was traced to bats and civets, the virus that has killed dozens in China and infected almost 2,000 people is believed to have originated in animals trafficked for food. Final findings are yet to be announced, but Chinese health officials believe it came from wildlife sold illegally at a meat market in the central city of Wuhan that offered everything from rats to wolf puppies and giant salamanders. The so-called "bushmeat" trade, plus broader human encroachment on wild habitats, is bringing us into ever-closer contact with animal viruses that can spread rapidly in our uber-connected world, said Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance, a global NGO focused on infectious disease prevention. The Global Virome Project, a worldwide effort to increase preparedness for pandemics, which Daszak is a part of, estimates there are 1.7 million undiscovered viruses in wildlife, nearly half of which could be harmful to humans. Daszak said the project's research indicates we can expect around five new animal-borne pathogens to infect humanity each year. "The new normal is that pandemics are going to happen more frequently," he said. "We are making contact with animals that carry these viruses more, and more, and more." Viruses are a natural part of the environment, and not all are the stuff of sci-fi horror. But the recent track record of animal-hosted viruses that "jump" to humans is sobering. Like SARS, which killed hundreds in China and Hong Kong in 2002-03, Ebola also was traced to bats, while HIV has roots in African primates. Today, more than 60 percent of new emerging human infectious diseases reach us via animals, scientists say. Even familiar menu items like poultry and cattle -- whose pathogens we have largely adapted to over millennia -- occasionally throw a curveball, like bird flu or mad-cow disease. "For the sake of these wild species' future, and for human health, we need to reduce consumption of these wild animals," said Diana Bell, a wildlife disease and conservation biologist at University of East Anglia who has studied SARS, Ebola and other pathogens. "But, 17 years on (from SARS), apparently that hasn't happened." Wild-meat consumption itself is not necessarily dangerous -- most viruses die once their host is killed. But pathogens can jump to humans during the capture, transportation, or slaughter of animals, especially if sanitation is poor or protective equipment not used. On Thursday, the southern province of Guangdong, a centre of rare-species consumption, said it was immediately halting trade in wild animals. Similar promises were made following SARS, yet conservationists say the trade continues, aided by loophole-riddled Chinese laws regarding many species, and episodic or just plain lax enforcement. Chinese authorities have addressed the problem partly by encouraging a farmed-animal industry. This has included for endangered species like tigers, whose parts are prized in China and other Asian countries as aphrodisiacs or for other uses. But that comes with its own downside, by providing a channel for more sought-after wild-caught beasts to be laundered as "farmed," Bell said. She adds that wildlife traders also have become more savvy, avoiding market scrutiny by selling directly to restaurants. Environmental groups say Chinese demand, fuelled by rising consumer buying power, is the biggest driver of the global bushmeat trade today. Some rare species have been prized in China as delicacies or for unproved health benefits since ancient times. Traditionally, a host gains "face" by serving guests or business partners expensive, hard-to-acquire wild fare. Yang Zhanqiu, a pathogen biologist at Wuhan University, said modern demand also is bolstered by widespread distrust of a Chinese food industry tarnished by years of repeated safety scandals. "People will think: wild is natural, natural is safe," Yang said. "Everyone wants to eat better, so there is a market for wild animals." Daszak said "it's very difficult to stop an activity with 5,000 years of cultural significance." But recent surveys strongly indicate that China's younger generation -- swayed partly by animal-rights campaigns involving popular Chinese celebrities -- are much less inclined to tuck into bat, rat, or salamander, he added. "I think that in 50 years this will be a thing of the past," Daszak said. "The problem is that we live in such an interconnected world today that any pandemic like this can spread globally in three weeks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gangadhar Hugar By Express News Service HAVERI: Having a good work-life balance is essential in this fast-paced world, where one can put aside enough time to do the things that bring joy. This is something the head constable of Haveri District Armed Reserve Force Kariyappa Hanumantappa Hanchinmani has managed to do, by keeping his love for art alive. While the 43-year-olds prime duty is to fight crime, his childhood love for painting has got him national and international recognition, and he has also turned his newly-constructed home into Hanchinmanis Spotlight Art Gallery in North Karnataka. Hanchinmani, who joined the force in 1999, made it his mission to ensure the gallery is established, and his dream came to reality on September 22 last year. Here, artists can display their paintings for free. He constructed the gallery using his own design and his own money, at an estimated cost of Rs 25 lakh, on the first floor of his home, while he stays on the ground floor. The gallery is well-furnished, modern and high-tech. A total of fifty to sixty paintings can be displayed at the gallery. Now, arts lovers from across the district visit the gallery. Earlier, artists from North Karnataka had no option but to go to Bengaluru to showcase their work, but with this new gallery, budding artists have the option to display their work here. Each week, one or two expos are held here. With a collection of over a thousand paintings, Hanchinmani has displayed the works at international exhibitions in New York and London, as well as at several exhibitions in India, since 2010. Hanchinmani says, I was having a tough time displaying my work as there was no art gallery in Haveri. I had to go all the way to Bengaluru for this, so thats when I decided to open my own gallery here. He says that earlier, he would display his paintings at Mylor Mahadev Circle and Mahatma Gandhi Circle, as well as many indoor venues in Haveri. Deputy Commissioner Krishna Bajpai inaugurated the Kinnal Painting Show, displaying artwork of prisoners at Haveri jail on Gandhi Jayanthi day at Hanchinmanis gallery. On Rajyotsava, we organised a painting competition for high school students. Last month, we organised a portrait painting session for 150 school students, says Hanchinmani while talking about the different events organised at his gallery. Hanchinmanis dream is to have foreign artists display their work at his gallery. In the coming days, I am planning to invite famous foreign artists to my gallery to display their best works, he says. Talking about how he makes time to paint given his hectic schedule as a policeman, Hanchinmani says, I devote time for my passion after work. My superiors have cooperated and encouraged me. His wife Rekha and son Mithul are a great support for him. ACCOLADES Hanchinmani won the Karnataka Lalita Kala Academy award in 2013, and in 2016, he won first prize at the national-level Golden Stroke Awards. Among his other accolades are the Haveri District Republic Day Award in 2011, Sri D V Halabhavi Yuva Kuncha Kala Shree National award in 2015, Mysuru Dasara Award in 2009, and others. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will probe the terror module case registered at the Suddaguntepalya police station earlier this month. The case file was handed over to the central agency on Saturday, said a senior officer in the NIA. "We have to go through the details before starting our investigation," the officer added. The case was registered under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act after Karnataka and Tamil Nadu police arrested three individuals in a joint operation for the murder of Hindu leaders in the neighbouring state earlier this month. The Central Crime Branch (CCB) later registered the case at Suddaguntepalya police station on January 10. So far, the CCB has arrested three individuals, including the alleged mastermind, Mehboob Pasha, out of the 17 suspects named in the FIR. The other arrested suspects are Mohammed Mansoor and Salim Khan. According to police, the suspects wanted to form a splinter group of the proscribed al-Badr militant group and are alleged to have contacts with foreign handlers. They have killed Hindu leaders in Chennai, Coimbatore and other places. The police story is that they wanted to foment communal tension. "Many other suspects wanted by Bengaluru police have been arrested by Tamil Nadu and Delhi police. Almost all the suspects in the Suddaguntepalya case are behind bars. Now, the NIA has to find out whether the gang had more associates and arrest them," a senior officer. A senior officer in the CCB confirmed that the NIA would take over the case for further investigation. A t least 46 people have been killed in southeastern Brazil as record rainfall continues to cause floods and trigger mudslides. The death toll rose on Sunday as officials expressed alarm about continuing storms. At least 37 had died in the state of state of Minas Gerais and nine more in neighboring Espirito Santo, according to local disaster officials, who said 28 people remained missing. Some 20,000 people had been evacuated due to the threat of floods and landslides. A flooded street after heavy rainfall in Iconha, Brazil / ESPIRITO SANTO STATE GOVERNMENT/AFP The capital of Minas Gerais state, Belo Horizonte, recorded 171 millimeters (6.7 inches) in one 24-hour period from Thursday to Friday, the highest rainfall in 110 years. State Govenor Gustavo Zema declared a state of emergency in 47 cities, a measure meant to facilitate federal disaster aid. Aerial view showing rescue workers searching for five victims who were buried by a landslide in Belo Horizonte / AFP via Getty Images He also decreed three days of official mourning for those killed in the floods and landslides. Authorities in Espirito Santo said they were on maximum alert" due to the forecast of more rain for Sunday. Locals work to clean up mud and debris around houses destroyed by a landslide after heavy rains in Vila Ideal neighbourhood, Ibirite municipality / AP In the city of Alegre, officials warned that a dam was in danger of breaking and urged people living below to evacuate. Writing in The New York Times, staff critic Parul Sehgal said: There are so many instances and varieties of awkward syntax I developed a taxonomy. There is subtext announced at booming volume. There are the strained similes. ... There are perplexing bird analogies. ... Then there are the real masterpieces, where the writing grows so lumpy and strange it sounds like nonsense poetry. I found myself flinching as I read, not from the perils the characters face, but from the mauling the English language receives. Other reviews about the narrative were glowing including one that also appeared in the Times. In it, Lauren Groff, the author of the best-selling novel Fates and Furies, wrote: I was sure I was the wrong person to review this book. I could never speak to the accuracy of the books representation of Mexican culture or the plights of migrants; I have never been Mexican or a migrant. In contemporary literary circles, there is a serious and legitimate sensitivity to people writing about heritages that are not their own because, at its worst, this practice perpetuates the evils of colonization, stealing the stories of oppressed people for the profit of the dominant. Lukashenka Accuses Moscow Of Pressuring Belarus Into Russian Merger By RFE/RL January 25, 2020 Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has accused Moscow of pressuring his country to merge with Russia and he vowed he would never let it happen. Lukashenka, speaking on January 24 to workers at a paper plant in eastern Belarus, slammed Russia, the country's main provider of cheap oil and natural gas, for exploiting Minsk's reliance on oil deliveries to force it to be "dissolved" into Russia. "We have our own country, we're sovereign and independent. With our brains and hands, we earn what we can, we're building our own country. And we can't be a part of some other country," Lukashenka said. "I can't betray you and dissolve Belarus, even into brotherly Russia." "Even if I agree to that, Belarusians would eat me alive within a year," said Lukashenka, who has been president since the position was created in 1994. "It's honorable to be the first [president of Belarus], but I sure don't want to be the last." Belarus is heavily reliant on Russia for fuel and funding and is a key transit route for Russian energy supplies to Europe. But Lukashenka, who has mocked the West's portrayal of him as "Europe's last dictator" and has not faced democratic elections, has also sought to maintain some distance between Minsk and Moscow. Belarus has been at odds with Russia over oil-transit prices and tariffs for some time against a backdrop of increasing pressure by Moscow on Lukashenka to deepen integration between the two neighbors. The two countries failed to agree on an oil-supply contract for 2020, leading Russia to halt supplies to refineries in Belarus, although they were partially resumed on January 4. A two-month deal on gas prices hours before a December 31 deadline struck helped the sides avoid a gas shutoff to start the year. Moscow and Minsk signed an agreement in 1999 to form a unified state, but little progress has been made in the ensuing two decades. Belarus was a Soviet republic until winning independence in 1991. Meetings between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Lukashenka last year failed to bring the two sides together as the Belarusian president noted he was merely seeking "equal" terms. Belarus was hit by rare public demonstrations in December, with protesters expressing anger over the perceived secrecy of the talks and objecting to closer ties to Russia. The Kremlin, in defending higher energy prices and lower subsidies for Belarus, argues that Minsk should accept greater economic integration if it wants to continue receiving energy resources at Russia's domestic prices. Lukashenka has since vowed to find alternative oil suppliers and said on January 24 that Minsk was negotiating additional supplies with the United States, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates. "Americans, Saudi Arabia, the Emirates...I have a brilliant relationship with them. They say they will supply as much oil as needed," Lukashenka said. Earlier this week, Belarus announced a deal to import of oil from Norway. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is scheduled to visit Minsk on February 1, becoming the highest-level U.S. official to visit Belarus since diplomatic relations with the United States were frayed more than a decade ago. He will meet with Lukashenka and Foreign Minister Uladzimer Makey to "underscore the U.S. commitment to a sovereign, independent, stable, and prosperous Belarus, and affirm our desire to normalize our bilateral relations," a State Department spokeswoman said. With reporting by AP and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/lukashenka-belarus-accuses- russia-pressuring-merger/30396235.html Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address British navy HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier has sailed from her home port of Portsmouth on January 24, 2020, to conduct flight trials with UK F-35B Lightning jets in home waters. HMS Queen Elizabeth is the largest and most powerful vessel ever constructed for the Royal Navy. This awe-inspiring warship is capable of carrying up to 40 aircraft. British navy HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier has sailed from her home port of Portsmouth on January 24, 2020, to conduct flight trials with UK F-35B Lightning jets in home waters. HMS Queen Elizabeth is the largest and most powerful vessel ever constructed for the Royal Navy. This awe-inspiring warship is capable of carrying up to 40 aircraft. British Navy HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier sails for Portsmouth for sea trials in UK waters. (Picture source British Navy) UK Lightning Force jets conducted their first maritime flights during operational tests with the aircraft carrier just a few months ago. The 65,000-tonne warship has previously only carried out trials with the jets while training in the Atlantic during 2018 and 2019. HMS Queen Elizabeths Commanding Officer, Captain Angus Essenhigh, said: It is a real honor for me to be taking HMS Queen Elizabeth to sea for the first time as her new Commanding Officer. "This period at sea will build on the successes of the Westlant 19 deployment, providing a fantastic opportunity for the ship to further its generation towards carrier strike, and will train and qualify UK F-35 pilots in UK waters for the very first time. The joint Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Lightning Force Training squadron, 207 Squadron, will conduct the trials, flying aircraft to and from the decks, day and night from their base at RAF Marham. Six pilots, both navy and air force, will carry out their aircraft carrier qualification at that time. The trials will give the pilots practice in landing on the 4.5-acre deck in a range of conditions, as well as testing the ships crew and systems in operating with the jets that the ship, and her sister, HMS Prince of Wales, were specifically built to fly. Lieutenant Commander Richard Turrell, Flight Deck Officer on HMS Queen Elizabeth, added: This is a fantastic opportunity to further integrate and qualify United Kingdom F-35 pilots, ground crews and aircraft onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth in UK waters. "My team is excited to get to the sea and continue the development of our ship to air wing partnership throughout 2020 and beyond to deploying with full carrier strike capability in 2021. The Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier are is capable of carrying forty aircraft, a maximum of thirty-six F-35Bs and four helicopters. The F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant is the worlds first supersonic STOVL stealth aircraft. It is designed to operate from austere bases and a range of air-capable ships near front-line combat zones. It can also take off and land conventionally from longer runways on major bases. The flight deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth comes in at an enormous four acres and will be used to launch the fearsome new F-35B Joint Strike Fighter fast jet. Four fighter jets can be moved from the hangar to the flight deck in just one minute. Pictures released by the British MoD (Ministry of Defense) show UK F-35 Lightning jets landing, taking off and hovering onboard Britains next-generation aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth for the first time. Mario lives on a small Italian island where little changes and new ideas arrive slowly, if at all. Then the postmaster enlists him to bicycle out to the home of a new arrival. The house belongs to the great Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, who was exiled from his country in 1950 because of political turmoil. The encounter forms the scaffolding of Mexican-American composer Daniel Catans opera Il Postino, opening at the National Hispanic Cultural Center through Opera Southwest on Sunday, Feb. 2. Performances will continue on Friday, Feb. 7, and Sunday, Feb. 9. The opera is in Spanish with English titles. Largely based on the 1994 film and its source novel, Burning Patience by Antonio Skarmeta, the libretto explores the imagined life of Neruda as he provides his lovestruck postman Mario with the words to reveal his heart to Beatrice, the woman he loves. Mario would like to be a poet so he can find a life, stage director Crystal Manich said. He wants to fall in love. Neruda is a quiet man who lives with a woman, perhaps his wife. Mario observes them enough to see they are deeply in love. Slowly, using every conceivable conversational opening, the postman forges a friendship. Mario discovers his own poetic voice through Neruda. Soon Nerudas exile ends and he returns home to Chile. Mario struggles in his absence. Theres a political shadow that hangs over the whole thing, Manich said. Opera Southwest is co-producing the opera with the Virginia Opera and Chicago Opera Theater. To keep the scenes cinematic and flowing, the sets will change atop a turntable. Projections will produce vast oceans and ethereal visions. Il Postino fits with Opera Southwests commitment to its partnership with the NHCC to advance Spanish and Latino culture, executive director Tony Zancanella said. Two years ago, the opera staged Bless Me, Ultima, based on the book by Rudolfo Anaya. In 2019, it produced Maria de Buenos Aires. In February 2021, it will stage an opera based on the life of Frida Kahlo by the Texas composer Robert Rodriguez. Il Postino is a really gorgeous, easy-to-love piece, Zancanella said. The music sounds like something Puccini or Ravel might have written. The role of Neruda was originally written for Placido Domingo. The libretto also reflects Nerudas greatest passions: love poems and left-wing politics, he said. Manich hopes the show lures audience members who dont normally attend opera. I think hearing your own language in operatic form has been a missed opportunity in the Hispanic community, Manich said. The (regular) operagoers will hear melodies; they will attach themselves to these characters. The Metropolitan Opera tenor Raul Melo will sing the role of Neruda. Alex Richardson, who recently made his Metropolitan Opera debut in Wagners Tristan und Isolde, will sing Marios role. Named one of Opera News 25 Rising Stars, soprano Cecilia Violetta Lopez is Beatrice. The Santa Fe Symphonys Guillermo Figueroa will conduct. Im Puerto Rican, and my dream since I started in the business 15 years ago has been to champion Spanish works, Manich said. The opera world is very Italian, German and French-based. There are very few works built around the Spanish language. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 15:33:33|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- At least 16 militants have been confirmed killed as fighting planes struck Taliban hideouts in Balkh district of the northern Balkh province on Saturday, army spokesman in the northern region Mohammad Hanif Rezai said Sunday. The sorties targeted Taliban hideouts in parts of the restive Balkh district on Saturday afternoon, killing 16 armed militants, the official asserted. According to the official, the security forces in cleanup operations backed by fighting planes have also cleared several villages from the militants in Balkh district over the past couple of days. Taliban militants have not commented. Parts of Balkh province with Mazar-i-Sharif as its capital 305 km north of Kabul has been the scene of Taliban-led insurgency over the past few years. The Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra government on Sunday launched its much-awaited 'Shiv Bhojan' scheme, which is aimed at providing a meal to the poor for just Rs 10, on the occasion of the 71st Republic Day. Under the scheme, which was launched on a pilot basis, thalis or lunch plates would be available to people at designated centres/ canteens during a stipulated time in all the districts. Launching of the scheme was one of the poll promises made by the Shiv Sena, which shares power with the NCP and Congress in a coalition government. In Mumbai, district guardian minister Aslam Shaikh inaugurated the "Shiv Bhojan Thali" canteen at the civic-run Nair hospital. A similar centre was unveiled by Tourism Minister and Mumbai suburban district guardian minister Aaditya Thackeray at the collector's office in Bandra. Guardian ministers of Pune and Nashik, Ajit Pawar and Chhagan Bhujbal formally launched the scheme in their respective districts. Under the pilot scheme, at least one 'Shiv Bhojan' canteen has been started at district headquarters. According to officials, guardian ministers and other dignitaries inaugurated the centers in various districts. The 'thali' consists of two chapatis, one vegetable, rice and dal. The thalis would be available for people between 12 noon and 2 pm, officials said, adding that each canteen is going to serve at least 500 thalis (plates) per day. On the inaugural day, scores of people queued up at many such centres at various places. While some people praised the scheme and quality of food, some others demanded that the existing two-hour time be extended. "The goal of the scheme is to provide affordable and quality food to all, irrespective of caste, creed, religion and financial status," tweeted Aaditya Thackeray, after the inauguration of the center. The state government is expected to incur an expenditure of Rs 6.4 crore for the pilot 'Shiv Bhojan' thali project that will run for three months. Even though the customer will have to pay just Rs 10 per thali, the actual cost of the food will be Rs 50 each in urban centres and Rs 35 in rural areas. The balance amount will be given as grant to the district collectorate, according to officials. The decision on extending the scheme to other parts of the state would be dependent upon the response. These canteens will function at places where poor persons work or live like at markets, district hospitals, bus stations, railway stations and government offices. "Initially, 50 'Shiv Bhojan' outlets will be set up for people where full meals will be available at Rs 10. We will expand the number of such outlets phase-wise depending on feedback," Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had told the Legislative Assembly. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Apple has been ordered to pay $85 million in royalties to WiLan for infringing patents related to wireless communications. As ruled by a jury in San Diego, Apple has infringed on two patents from WiLan that includes ways to make phone calls and download data at the same time. Apple argued in court that WiLan did not have enough evidence to convince the jury that it was entitled to any licensing payments. Apple had lost the patent trial in 2018 itself and at that time, a jury had awarded $145 million in damages to WiLan but a retrial was ordered to reconsider the damages. In 2018, Apple had argued that WiLan used an incorrect method to calculate the damages. District Judge Dana Sabraw then gave WiLan the option of either accepting $10 million or go for a new trial to calculate the damages. The Canadian company went for the latter option. Apple and WiLan are indulged in a number of patent battles in court. The latter can be described as a patent troll as the company generates the bulk of its revenues through patent licensing. [Via Bloomberg Veteran Mizoram journalist Lalbiakthanga Pachuau has been awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian honour of the country. Mizoram Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai, in his Republic Day speech on Sunday, said Pachuau was included among 118 Padma Shri awardees announced by the Centre on Saturday. Another Padma Shri recipient from the state was litterateur C Kamlova, he said. The governor congratulated both Pachuau and Kamlova for getting the prestigious award. The 94-year-old Pachuau started his career in journalism with a relatively small paper Zoram Thupuan in 1953. He is the editor of a local daily "Zoram Tlangau" from 1970 till date. Pachuau has been a prominent figure in Mizoram Journalist Association (MJA) and has had held the president post for three terms. Pachuau was declared "oldest working journalist in the country" by Mizoram governments Information and Public Relations department and Mizoram Journalists Association (MJA), an apex body of all journalists in the state, in October 2016. He co-founded the Association for Voluntary Blood Donation (AVBD) in Mizoram as its general secretary and was later elected its president several times from 2001 onwards. In 1945, during the second world war, Pachuau had joined the army and won many military awards. Pachuau was one of the key delegates at the peace talks between the erstwhile underground Mizo National Front (MNF) and the Centre during early 1980s. Pachua was the founder president of Mizoram Social Defence Union during the 1990s and campaigned vigorously against alcohol and drugs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A court has heard how a Longford man charged with a number of road traffic offences was unable to attend last weeks sitting because he was recovering from being stabbed 24 times during a violent incident last year. William McDonnell (46), 34 College Park, Longford, had been due to attend last Tuesdays District Court sitting to answer two motoring related offences dating back to June 10 2019. However, his solicitor Trish Cronin told Judge Seamus Hughes her client was unable to make himself available to the court following an unrelated incident last July. Following that episode, it was alleged Mr McDonnell succumbed to gangrene in his leg. Sgt Paddy McGirl, for the State, appeared to question those claims, saying he had spotted Mr McDonnell at a special court sitting in Longford last December. Also read: Woman who pinned 86-year-old man down and robbed him is found guilty His wife, Patricia McDonnell stepped forward from the public gallery to add further weight to her husbands medical condition. Laying claim to how Mr McDonnell was bed ridden, she said: If you want to bring the guards down and bring him up, you can see for yourself. Mrs McDonnell continued by insisting the root cause of Mr McDonnells health had stemmed from an alleged stabbing on July 11 last year during which he was stabbed 24 times. The doctor has him on very strong painkillers and he is only after coming out of Mullingar (Midland Regional Hospital), she continued. In the circumstances, Judge Hughes said he had little option but to issue a bench warrant for Mr McDonnells arrest. The Gardai can exercise their discretion, he said. I have no other choice. Also read: Longford man fined for 'grabbing' garda in row UAE Etihad Airways newest aircraft, a specially themed 787 Dreamliner, touched down in Abu Dhabi today (January 25) after a delivery flight from Boeings assembly plant in North Charleston, South Carolina. The aircraft, embellished with a striking faceted colour scheme, is the flagship of the Etihad Greenliner Programme. This is a unique collaboration between the UAEs national airline and Boeing, which along with other industry partners, including the engine manufacturer GE Aviation, will use Etihads entire 787 fleet to assess measures that boost aircraft efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Registered A6-BMH, the aircraft is the 38th Dreamliner in Etihads next-generation, fuel-efficient fleet, and will enter commercial service next week. Upon its arrival today, the aircraft was met by Sheikh Theyab Bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Princes Court and Chairman of the Aviation Sector Development Committee in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammad bin Hamad Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports Company, Falah Al Ahbabi, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer, Masdar, Dr Ahmed Al Shoaibi, Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Services, Khalifa University, Ahsen Rajput, Director International Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Ram Mulik, Regional General Manager, Middle East and Africa, GE Aviation. Sheikh Theyab said: "Abu Dhabi is making productive efforts towards consolidating a diversified and sustainable economy by creating effective environmental solutions that enhance the sustainable growth." The aviation sector, he stated, was one of the main sectors supporting the economic diversification policies pursued by the government, as Etihad Airways had become one of the most prominent national companies and is a central link between East and West. He praised the national efforts in leading this vital sector. He later appreciated the continuous efforts made by national institutions in the areas of research and development that contribute to improving the quality of the environment, stressing that Abu Dhabi has become a global hub for innovation and sustainable environmental solutions. According to him, sustainable aviation fuel comprised approximately 30 per cent of the total blend on todays flight, one of the largest volumes used on a Boeing 787 delivery flight. In previous tests this mix, refined from agricultural waste, has emitted approximately 50 per cent less carbon dioxide than standard jet fuel, over its total life cycle. Etihad Aviation Group Chairman Mohamed Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei said: "We have an immense responsibility as a leader in the aviation community, to reducing carbon emissions and creating cleaner and more sustainable transportation for generations to come." "Etihad has been at the forefront of research into sustainable aviation fuels and together with partners such as Boeing, and those closer to home in Abu Dhabi, we continue to work tirelessly to yield tangible and cost-effective results in this field," he noted. "This research will be perfectly showcased by the Etihad Greenliner Programme, symbolising our groups commitment, not only as one of the worlds largest operators of this fuel-efficient aircraft, but to a sustainable future for Abu Dhabi, for our industry, and for our customers," said Al Mazrouei. "The Boeing 787 is the backbone of our airlines fleet, and this programme is a key element of the companys commitment to reduce its carbon footprint in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, and throughout our global network. We have publicly set the target of zero net carbon emissions by 2050, and a halving of our 2019 net emission levels by 2035," he added. Boeing engineers also used todays flight to assess three efficiency initiatives, which could further reduce fuel burn and carbon emissions for the 787 Dreamliner family, which is already 20 to 25 per cent more efficient than similar-size aircraft they replace. The first en-route research initiative, FliteDeck Advisor, is an application developed by Boeing to use data from the aircraft to determine flight efficiency at various stages of the journey. This data provides pilots with real-time information to help reduce fuel consumption and emissions. The second initiative, Nautical Air Mileage Evaluation, assesses fuel mileage and consumption based on the aircrafts performance parameters and fuel flow at any given time. This was the first test of this initiative on a 787 using sustainable aviation fuels. The third assessment on this flight was a continuous descent into Abu Dhabi airport, in which the aircraft followed a consistent curved path rather than a standard multi-step approach. This approach reduces fuel use, aircraft noise and CO2 emissions, and is a measure the airline is keen to introduce regularly when conditions allow. Stanley Deal, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said: "Boeing and Etihad Airways recognise climate change is a fundamental challenge of our time, and were united in doing our part to reduce greenhouse gases in the air and on the ground. "While the aviation industry has made substantial progress, well continue our longstanding efforts to reduce emissions in collaboration with our customers and partners across the industry." Boeing demonstrated their commitment and support of the Etihad Greenliner Programme through a celebratory send-off of the aircraft from its facility in Charleston. Todays delivery flight from Boeings assembly plant in Charleston to Abu Dhabi was operated by Captain Sulaiman Yaqoobi, Vice President Flight Operations, Captain Driss Moussaoui, who piloted the very first Etihad flight when the airline was launched in 2003, along with Captain Abdullah Saleh and First Officer Mohamed Al Hosani, said the statement frrom Etihad. The aircraft delivery team comprised a number of Emirati pilots and engineers who collectively represent the airlines commitment to the development of UAE nationals and the growth of the countrys aviation industry, it added.-TradeArabia News Service Pink papers showered on K.T. Rama Raos car after the victory of TRS at Telangana Bhavan on Saturday. S. SURENDER REDDY Hyderabad: The TRS on Saturday recorded a landslide victory in the municipal elections, bagging 104 municipalities out of 120 in the state till reports last came in. It also won six of the nine municipal corporations for which results were declared on Saturday. Three more were hung Nizamabad, Badangpet and Meerpet but the TRS had bright chances in three of them. Elections to urban local bodies were held on January 22. Results to the Karimnagar Municipal Corporation, where elections were held on January 24, will be announced on Monday. The TRS, Congress and BJP are making efforts to get the support of independents to form the governing bodies. In Nizamabad, the TRS is likely to get the Mayors post with the support of the MIM. The Congress may get the mayoral post in Badangpet with the support of the BJP. In Meerpet, independents hold the key to the fate of the three main parties. The Congress could manage victory in seven municipalities and the BJP three. The MIM won the Bhainsa municipality in Nirmal district and was in a good position to win Jalapally. The Forward Bloc, mainly consisting TRS rebels, is ahead in two municipalities and independents in two. Independents and rebels have an important role in the municipal corporations of Nizamabad and Ramgundam where no party received a clear majority. The three main parties will try to win the support from independents, increasing the chances of horse-trading. The results came as a big shock for the Congress, which was hoping for a revival of its prospects after its decimation in the Assembly elections in December last. Though the BJP has slightly improved its position, the results fell far short of the partys expectations. The TRS was able to establish complete political dominance in all the local bodies in the state, after its previous victories in the zilla parishad and mandal parishad elections Israel on Sunday officially gave its citizens the right to travel to Saudi Arabia for religious and business visits, in the latest sign of warming ties between the two states. The interior ministry's announcement will have limited practical impact, as Israelis had previously been travelling to Saudi Arabia via third countries, especially Jordan. But Israel had never granted official approval for such travel by both Jewish and Muslim Israelis. Interior Minister Aryeh Deri "signed for the first time an order enabling an exit permit for Israelis to Saudi Arabia", his office said. The move, coordinated with the security and diplomatic services, approves travel to the Gulf state "for religious purposes during the hajj and the umra (Muslim pilgrimages)", it said in a statement. It said Israel would also allow its citizens to travel to Saudi Arabia "to participate in business meetings or seek investments" for trips not exceeding 90 days. Business travellers must have "arranged their entry to Saudi Arabia and received an invitation from a governmental source", the interior ministry said. There was no indication of a corresponding policy change from the Saudi side, but there have in recent months been gestures pointing to warming ties between Israel and Gulf states. Earlier Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Mohammed al-Issa, head of the Muslim World League based in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for attending commemorations in Poland this week marking 75 years since the liberation of the Nazi death camp Auschwitz. "This is another sign of change in the attitude of Islamic bodies and, of course, the Arab states toward the Holocaust and the Jewish people," he told reporters. Israel has a peace deal with two Arab countries -- Jordan and Egypt -- but its occupation of Palestinian territory has long served as a major factor preventing similar accords with the rest of the Arab world. Common concerns over Iran, however, are widely seen as having fostered closer ties between Israel and several Arab states, especially in the Gulf. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) ITHACA, N.Y. - When she worked on the trading floor of the Chicago Board Options Exchange, long before cellphone calculators, Susan Saran could perform complex math problems in her head. Years later, as one of its top regulators, she was in charge of investigating insider trading deals. Today, she struggles to remember multiplication tables. Seven years ago, at age 57, Saran was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, a progressive, fatal brain disease. She had started forgetting things, losing focus at the job she'd held for three decades. Then tests revealed the grim diagnosis. "It was absolutely devastating," said Saran, 64. "It changed everything. My job ended. I was put out on disability. I was told to establish myself in a community before I was unable to care for myself." So Saran uprooted herself. She sold her home in 2015 and found what looked like an ideal place: Kendal at Ithaca, a bucolic retirement community in rural New York whose website promised "comprehensive health care for life." ADVERTISEMENT And now, she's fighting with that community over her right to determine how she'll die - even though she has made her wishes known in writing. Such a fight could ensnare millions of Americans with dementia in coming years. In 2018, after two brain hemorrhages, Saran conferred with a lawyer and signed an advance directive for dementia, a controversial new document created by the group End of Life Choices New York that instructs caregivers to withhold hand-feeding and fluids at the end of life to avoid the worst ravages of the disease. "It's not something that I am willing to endure," she said. "I don't want my life prolonged beyond the point where I'm participating in life." But when Saran submitted the document to Kendal at Ithaca, the New York continuing care retirement community where she has spent more than $500,000 to secure her future, officials there said they could not honor her wishes. In a letter, lawyers told Saran that the center is required by state and federal law to offer regular daily meals, with feeding assistance if necessary. There's no provision, the letter said, for "decisions to refuse food and water." It's a cruel quandary for Saran and other Americans who have turned to a crop of dementia directives created in recent years. Even when people document their choices - while they still have the ability to do so - there's no guarantee those instructions will be honored, said Dr. Stanley Terman, a California psychiatrist who advises patients on end-of-life decisions. "It is, in my opinion, a false sense of security," Terman said. ADVERTISEMENT That may be especially true for the 2.2 million people who live in long-term care settings in the United States. People with dementia are most likely to die in nursing facilities, according to new research from Duke University and the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System. "If you've got the resources, where you've got family and paid caregivers at home, you're all set," said Dr. Karl Steinberg, a California geriatrician and hospice physician who has written extensively about dementia directives. If you're living in a facility, he added, "it's not going to happen." One key question is whether patients with dementia - or those who fear the disease - can say in advance that they want oral food and fluids stopped at a certain point, a move that would hasten death through dehydration. It's a controversial form of what's known as VSED - voluntarily stopping eating and drinking - a practice among some terminally ill patients who want to end their lives. In those cases, people who still have mental capacity can refuse food and water, resulting in death within about two weeks. Many states prohibit the withdrawal of assisted feeding, calling it basic "comfort care" that must be offered. Only one state, Nevada, explicitly recognizes an advance directive that calls for stopping eating and drinking. And that's via a little-known law that took effect in October. Critics of such documents, however, say they could lead to forced starvation of incapacitated people. The directives may be biased, reflecting a society prejudiced against age, disability and cognitive change, said Dr. James Wright, medical director of three long-term care facilities in Richmond, Va. He's the lead author of a recent white paper advising facilities not to honor dementia directives. Based on his years of clinical experience, Wright said many people with dementia become content with their situation, even when they never thought they would be. "To enforce an advance directive on someone who may have had a complete turnaround on what they think of a life worth living is unethical and immoral," Wright said. ADVERTISEMENT The dementia directives published in the past few years are aimed at filling what experts say has been a major gap in advance-care planning: the gradual loss of capacity to make decisions about one's care. One version, published in 2018 by Dr. Barak Gaster, a professor of medicine at the University of Washington, has been downloaded 130,000 times after it was mentioned in a New York Times story and continues to be retrieved about 500 times per week. "This is an issue that people have really thought a lot about," Gaster said. "They worry about it a lot. They're so eager and excited to have a structured opportunity to make their wishes known." Traditional advance directives focus on rare conditions, such as a persistent vegetative state or permanent coma, Gaster said. "And yet the No. 1 reason a person would lose ability is dementia," he added. In addition to Gaster's document, directives drafted in New York and Washington state have drawn hundreds of users. The aid-in-dying advocacy group Compassion & Choices released a dementia directive this month. As the U.S. population ages, more people - and their families - are grappling with dementia. By 2050, nearly 14 million Americans aged 65 and older may be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. "We are right now experiencing the very first upswing of the giant wave of dementia that's heading our way," Gaster said. Saran is on the crest of that wave. Divorced, with no close family, she turned to Kendal - with its 236 independent units and 84-bed health center - as her final home. During her four years there, she has noticed some decline in her mental clarity. "Even some of the simplest mathematical problems, like even seven times seven, I can't think of it now," Saran said. Still, she is able to manage her affairs. She cooks her own food and cares for her three cats - Squeaky, Sweetie and Pirate, a one-eyed tabby. A longtime Buddhist, she often drives to a nearby monastery to practice her faith. In late summer, Saran invited visitors to her small cottage at Kendal, where tapestries hang on the walls and bookshelves are filled with tomes on religion, death and dying. Frontotemporal dementia affects about 60,000 people in the U.S., and patients often die within seven to 13 years, but Saran's disease appears to be progressing more slowly than expected. "I think I have great capacity," said Saran, who wears her silver hair long and favors jeans, linen shirts and turquoise jewelry. She chain-smokes, lighting up the Seneca cigarettes she buys for $3 a pack from a nearby Indian reservation. She thought about quitting but decided it wasn't worth the effort and continues to indulge her habit. "If you had my diagnosis, wouldn't you?" she said. When Saran was hospitalized after her strokes, she suddenly understood what losing her abilities might mean. "I realized, oh, my God, I might get stuck in a situation where I can't take any independent action," she recalled. "I better make sure I have all my paperwork in order." She was stunned to learn it might not matter, even after her local lawyer, Chuck Guttman, drafted health care proxy documents and a power of attorney. "I thought this was it," she said. "I thought I'd move here and everything was taken care of, everything was settled. And now it's not." Laurie Mante, Kendal's executive director, declined to comment on Saran's situation, even when Saran authorized her to do so. "We recognize the great complexity in balancing our residents' wishes with what is required of us," Mante wrote in an email. "We have a dedicated team who works to balance those interests, and, when appropriate, work with our residents and their families to seek alternative paths." Saran said no one from Kendal has reached out to discuss an "alternative path." Not all dementia directives include instructions about assisted feeding. Gaster said he and his colleagues had "heated conversations" before deciding to leave that issue off their popular document. Instead, he said, his option helps more people by addressing general goals of care for each stage of the disease. The most important thing, he said, is for people to consider their choices and share their desires with their loved ones. The debate, Gaster said, boils down to whether assisted feeding is "basic support" or "a medical intervention that can be declined in advance." "There's still a very wide perspective of viewpoints on that," he said. Backed by statute and practice, facilities say they are bound to offer food to all residents willing to eat, and to assist with hand-feeding and fluids if a person needs help. The controversy centers on the definition of those terms. Wright says late-stage dementia patients who show any interest in food - a flick of the eyes, grunting or gestures, opening the mouth - should be fed until they refuse it. Steinberg and others contend the default should be "don't feed unless they ask for it." It's always going to be "somewhat of a guess," Wright acknowledged, about whether hand-feeding someone is help - or force. "I've not seen any guidelines that can faithfully give good, unbiased guidance," he said. "I feel that I personally can determine when food means something to my patients and when it doesn't." The new crop of dementia directives was inspired, in part, by high-profile cases of dementia patients who were spoon-fed against their apparent wishes. In Oregon and British Columbia, courts ruled that food and water were basic care that could not be withdrawn. But so far, there's been no court case that says a clear advance directive for VSED "may or must be honored," said Thaddeus Mason Pope, a professor at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law who studies end-of-life decisions. Pope said he has heard of many people who move out - or their families move them out - of long-term care facilities to avoid assisted feeding in the last stages of dementia. Saran has considered that, too. "I should probably just leave," she said, although that would mean losing the nonrefundable investment she's already made. "I think about that every day." But then what? Hospice might be a solution, but only if there's room when she needs it, she said. Saran said her situation should be viewed as a cautionary tale. She wishes she'd asked more questions, insisted on answers about exactly how she would die once her dementia progressed. "I didn't realize I was signing away my right to self-determination," she said. "I am appalled that my future demented self takes precedence over my competent current self." --- (Kaiser Health News (KHN) is a national health policy news service. It is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.) --- (c)2020 Kaiser Health News Visit Kaiser Health News at www.khn.org Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel celebrated the 71st Republic Day at 17,000 feet in Ladakh, trudging though snow. The temperature in Ladakh at present is minus 20 degrees Celsius. Video footage showed 'Himveers' dressed in white uniforms and chanting slogans of - Bharat Mata ki Jai and Vande Mataram as the tricolour flies high. Two of the soldiers were seen holding the tricolour as they marched in the snow. "#Himveers of #ITBP salute the Nation on #RepublicDay2020 #RepublicDayIndia Pictures from Ladakh at 17 K ft," ITBP tweeted. A total of 15 ITBP personnel have been conferred with medals on Republic Day. ITBPF was raised on October 24, 1962. Presently, ITBP is deployed on border guarding duties from Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh covering 3488 km of Indo-China Border and manning Border Outposts on altitudes ranging from 9000' to 18700' in the Western, Middle and Eastern sectors of the Indo-China Border. It is a specialized mountain force and most of the officers and men are professionally trained mountaineers and skiers. Being the first responder for natural disaster, the force has been carrying out numerous rescue and relief operations across the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) No Indian in Wuhan or the Hubei province in China has been found to be infected by the new strain of the deadly SARS-like virus that is spreading fast worldwide, the government said here on Sunday, adding that the Indian Embassy in Beijing is in constantly in touch with the Chinese authorities. The new coronavirus has claimed at least 56 lives so far. "@EOIBeijing is continuing to maintain close contact with our nationals in Wuhan city and elsewhere in Hubei, especially the student community," Ministry of External affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said on Twitter. "We are also closely coordinating with Chinese authorities. As of now, we understand that no Indian citizens have been affected by the outbreak and that food and water supplies are available to them," he added in the Twitter thread. The spokesperson further said that the Embassy in Beijing has opened three hotline numbers, operational 24x7, to respond to concerns of those affected by this situation. The numbers are +8618610952903, +8618612083629 and +8618612083617. Kumar also said that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is also closely monitoring the situation. "Our Embassy in Beijing is constantly checking on the health and well-being of the Indians in China. Please follow @EOIBeijing for more updates on the situation," Jaishankar tweeted earlier in the day. The virus that originated in Wuhan city of China in December last year and has since spread to various cities around the world. More than 50 people have died after developing pneumonia-like symptoms and around 2,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection have been reported in China. As a precautionary measure, China imposed quarantine and travel restrictions, affecting the movement of 56 million people in more than a dozen cities amid fears that the transmission rate will accelerate as hundreds of millions of Chinese travel for the Lunar New Year. Health authorities around the world are taking action to prevent a global pandemic as the virus continues to spread, with cases reported in Australia, France, the United States and seven Asian countries besides China. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has acknowledged that the respiratory illness, which has been traced to the city of Wuhan, is an emergency in China. The Indian embassy also issued an advisory for people travelling from China to India and asked people from Wuhan to monitor their health closely. In a statement, the Indian Embassy listed out health measures while travelling from China, which includes avoiding contact with live animals and consumption of raw undercooked meats and wearing a mask. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Get AfricaFocus Bulletin by e-mail! Format for print or mobile USA/Global: Beyond Eurocentrism and U.S. Exceptionalism AfricaFocus Bulletin January 27, 2020 (2020-01-27) (Reposted from sources cited below) Editors Note Since his election, Trumps erratic policies have aligned the United States with right-wing authoritarians across the globe, fed global currents of xenophobia and racism, and dismayed traditional allies. In 2019, nevertheless, foreign policy was a low priority in the 2020 presidential campaign. In January 2020, the administrations killing of Iranian leader Qassem Soleimani evoked widespread opposition amid fears of a wider war in the Middle East. Even so, evidence of new thinking on the U.S. role in the world, beyond opposition to Trump, remained sparse. Former Vice President Joe Biden called for a return to American leadership as it existed in an era before Trump, and harked back to the liberal U.S.-led global order after World War II, which centered the alliance of Western democracies in the North Atlantic and the Cold War against the Soviet Union. But even Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren only took tentative steps towards laying out an alternative foreign policy vision. This AfricaFocus Bulletin is the first in a series exploring the potential for a paradigm shift from foreign policy to global policy in debate about the United States role in the world. Unlike most AfricaFocus Bulletins, the essays are not reposted material but original reflections in this U.S. presidential election year, co-authored by your editor and by experienced activist and policy analyst Imani Countess. Many AfricaFocus readers will know Imani from her previous work, but others will not, so a brief introduction is in order. Imani Countess is currently an Open Society Fellow working on economic inequality, and particularly the impact of illicit financial flows on Africa and how to mobilize pressure to curb U.S. involvement as a major player in this global unjust system. I first worked closely with Imani in 1991-1997 when she was executive director of the Washington Office on Africa and the Africa Policy Information Center and I was a part-time consultant working on policy analysis, writing, and electronic communication tools for the twin organizations. Since then, we have kept in touch and often collaborated on research and writing projects, as she has played key roles at the African Development Foundation, the American Friends Service Committee, TransAfrica Forum, and the Solidarity Center. She also currently serves as vice chair of the board of directors of ActionAid USA. Our goal in this writing project is not to lay out a comprehensive vision of U.S. foreign policy or of U.S. policy toward Africa. It is rather to suggest that the time is ripe for re-visioning how we think about the U.S. role in the world, and that such rethinking is essential for any fundamental changes in policy towards Africa or towards any of the global issues on which Africa both suffers greatest vulnerability and has significant potential for leading global rethinking about solutions. Special thanks to Catherine Sunshine for her indispensable role in editing these essays. And thanks to the friends and colleagues who have provided helpful feedback as we have tried to put these ideas into words. To date these include Jim Cason, John Cavanagh, Gail Hovey, John Feffer, Zeb Larson, Prexy Nesbitt, Anita Plummer, Elizabeth Schmidt, and Brandon Wu. And thanks to other readers in advance for passing this on to friends and colleagues not likely to be subscribers to AfricaFocus, as well as for your own feedback on how to make such a shift in our collective discussions. The second part of the series, on the climate emergency, is also being published today and is available at http://www.africafocus.org/docs20/clim2001.php. Beyond Eurocentrism and U.S. Exceptionalism: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was created in 1949 by the United States, Canada, and 7 Western European nations to provide collective security against the Soviet Union. Additional members brought the membership up to 27 by 2017. Credit: http://history.com. Starting Points for a Paradigm Shift from Foreign Policy to Global Policy by William Minter and Imani Countess* * William Minter is the editor of AfricaFocus Bulletin. Imani Countess is an Open Society Fellow focusing on economic inequality. This essay is the first in a multipart series beginning in January 2020. Thanks to Catherine Sunshine for her editing of the essays in this series. Since his election, Trumps erratic policies have aligned the United States with right-wing authoritarians across the globe, fed global currents of xenophobia and racism, and dismayed traditional allies. In 2019, nevertheless, foreign policy was a low priority in the 2020 presidential campaign. In January 2020, the administrations killing of Iranian leader Qassem Soleimani evoked widespread opposition amid fears of a wider war in the Middle East. Even so, evidence of new thinking on the U.S. role in the world, beyond opposition to Trump, remained sparse. Former Vice President Joe Biden called for a return to American leadership as it existed in an era before Trump, and harked back to the liberal U.S.-led global order after World War II, which centered the alliance of Western democracies in the North Atlantic and the Cold War against the Soviet Union. But even Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren only took tentative steps towards laying out an alternative foreign policy vision.1 Yet rising attention to the climate crisis, immigration, and economic inequality, while not categorized under foreign policy, hints at a broader scope more attuned to a global vision. History, too, offers other options. Instead of only the North Atlantic, one can highlight the worldwide anti-fascist coalition in World War II, the United Nations, international declarations on human rights, and the history of anti-colonial and anti-racist struggles around the world. In the era of African and Asian freedom struggles, Black American activists, but also many others, made connections between civil rights movements at home and their counterparts on other continents. This reached a height during the international anti-apartheid movement in particular. Activists today are beginning to make similar connections through their engagement in common struggles. Nelson Mandela, Deputy President of the African National Congress of South Africa, addresses the Special Committee Against Apartheid in the General Assembly Hall. 22/Jun/1990. UN Photo/P Sudhakaran. In exploring the options for new perspectives on national issues, activists and many other Americans are increasingly turning to a more critical examination of our history. Understanding the persistent legacy of slavery and colonial conquest is central to thinking about how to address contemporary domestic issues, including but not limited to racial justice issues.2 A similar expansion of our time horizon, looking at how the past influences the present, is necessary for examining the causes of and solutions for todays global issues. This extends to the climate crisis, which is the result of more than two centuries of fossil-fuel-powered industrialization. It also applies to migration and economic inequality, which have been shaped by more than five centuries of conquest and colonialism by Europe and European settlers on other continents. The two driving forces that shape U.S. foreign policy, eurocentrism and U.S. exceptionalism, are deeply rooted in U.S. history. The country began as a white settler state whose identity was formed by conquest of a continent and whose economy was built on slavery and appropriated land. Elite assumptions about a unique American destiny of unrivaled global leadership were solidified with the postWorld War II global order. In recent years, many have criticized the current conventional wisdom, particularly its bias toward militarism, and offered new options for foreign policy.3 But shifting the dominant framework is likely to require more than debate focused on foreign policy alone. Interactive Time-Lapse Map Shows How the U.S. Took More Than 1.5 Billion Acres From Native Americans since 1776. Image shows map for 1809. For interactive map go to Slate. In 2020 and beyond, growing domestic social justice movements could provide a different starting point for shaping U.S. relations with the rest of the world. The global issues that are simultaneously domestic issues, we contend, must provide the overarching context for foreign policy toward specific regions and countries. In conventional wisdom, foreign policy focuses on geopolitics, economic competition, and military might, with a nod to diplomacy as well. All other issues, from climate change to human rights, migration, development, and economic inequality, are viewed as optional add-ons. A progressive alternative would give the highest long-term priority to these global issues, without ignoring the need to resolve immediate conflicts and manage state-to-state relationships with other countries. A whole-of-government approach, which has been most often applied to the national security sector, must put domestic and foreign policy within the same broader framework, one that prioritizes human security and human development at both national and global levels. Within such a perspective, foreign policy is not so much its own domain with separate rules, but rather a different arena in which the same issues must be addressed. If one assumes a strict dichotomy of domestic policy versus foreign policy, it is natural that domestic policy will take priority in the eyes of most voters and politicians. Increasingly, however, almost all critical issues have domestic and international components and consequences that are closely intertwined. Climate change, to take just one example, is driven by emissions in the United States and multiple countries that rely on fossil fuels. It spawns lethal hurricanes in Texas and Florida and cyclones in Mozambique, wildfires in Australia and California. Nature does not respect national boundaries, and solutions must be implemented at all levels, from local to national and global. By taking our shared dilemmas into account, the United States can be better prepared to enter more productively into a truly reciprocal debate with other nations. Port Arthur, Texas underwater. Hurricane Harvey, 2017. Credit: SC National Guard / Flickr. Cyclone damage in Buzi, Mozambique. Cyclone Idai, 2019. Credit: Mozambique National Institute for Disaster Management. While the climate crisis is perhaps the clearest example, other issues are also closely linked across borders, blurring the distinction between domestic and foreign. Migration, a hot-button issue in many countries, has shared causes, including global inequality, wars and human rights abuses, and climate emergencies. The right-wing drive toward authoritarianism and unfettered corruption relies on divisive racial and ethnic appeals that have taken root in multiple countries. And secret financial flows across borders concentrate wealth in the hands of the super-rich, who use the proceeds to manipulate political systems in all parts of the world. What do Democratic candidates say? All of the leading 2020 Democratic presidential candidates understand that Trumps addictions to authoritarianism, racial and ethnic hatred, and the pursuit of wealth drive both his domestic and foreign policies. In this sense, the candidates do recognize the interconnections between domestic and global concerns. But a review of their foreign policy statements to date also shows significant differences in the ways they think about these issues. Vice President Joe Biden, for example, calls for renewed American leadership and a return to pre-Trump normality, building on conventional foreign policy themes: "Today, Joe Biden laid out his foreign policy vision for America to restore dignified leadership at home and respected leadership on the world stage. Arguing that our policies at home and abroad are deeply connected, Joe Biden announced that, as president, he will advance the security, prosperity, and values of the United States by taking immediate steps to renew our own democracy and alliances, protect our economic future, and once more place America at the head of the table, leading the world to address the most urgent global challenges."4 He then lays out a long list of goals, but provides no vision of a common global effort in which the United States is a participant rather than a leader. There is neither a critique of past policies nor an analysis of how todays challenges differ from those of the past. In the summary on the Biden website, NATO is mentioned twice, and the United Nations or sustainable development not at all. Africa is cited only in the context of integrating our friends in Latin America and Africa into partnerships first defined by the North Atlantic partners. Mayor Pete Buttigieg ambitiously titled his June 2019 foreign policy speech America and the World in 2054: Reimagining National Security for a New Era. And the speech did include climate change and paragraphs on Latin America and Africa. Like Biden, Buttigieg called for American leadership based on American values. In addition, he advanced specific proposals on several topics. But there was no mention of the United Nations or of global action to address poverty and inequality, or of international collaboration other than rejoining the Paris climate accord. As they do on domestic issues, both Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Bernie Sanders offer substantive new ideas on foreign policy, although their foreign policy visions are still incomplete. And the two candidates also contrast in similar ways on foreign as well as domestic policy. Sanders offers a more comprehensive and critical vision but lacks detail on alternatives. Warren has more detailed plans, but she has not yet addressed some of the critiques leveled by Sanders at conventional policy in the period since World War II. Both Warren and Sanders share the critique of Trumps foreign policy advanced by other candidates. But they also give particular attention to the issues of economic inequality at a global level as well as domestically. While neither has advanced a systematic package of measures to address global inequality and sustainable development in order to narrow the wealth and income gaps between countries, Warren has incorporated key components of such a package into her plans under the rubric of economic patriotism. The main pillar of that agenda is to protect and create American jobs. But in a supplementary plan for trade, Warren includes several provisions for using trade pacts to reinforce global standards, such as core labor rights and other internationally recognized human rights. She also proposes measures to address tax evasion and avoidance. In contrast to Bidens perspective, Warrens critique of previous U.S. foreign policy does not begin with Trump. In a speech at American University in November 2018, she described the postwar order as not perfect. But, she added, "[B]eginning in the 1980s, Washingtons focus shifted from policies that benefit everyone to policies that benefit a handful of elites, both here at home and around the world. Mistakes piled on mistakes. Reckless, endless wars in the Middle East. Trade deals rammed through with callous disregard for our working people. Extraordinary expansion of risk in the global financial system." Warren went on, in this speech and in a contemporaneous article in Foreign Affairs, to lay out an agenda for making globalization work and ending endless war. She also called for the United States to work closely with allies to require transparency about the movement of assets across bordersan issue that must be addressed to implement her well-publicized wealth tax of 2% on those with fortunes over $50 million. In December 2019, Warren launched her plan to address money laundering and related international corruption issues. Sanders, for his part, stands out for his strong record on foreign policy since the 2016 election, including leadership in the fight to cut off U.S. support for the Saudi war in Yemen.5 In September 2017 he spelled out his foreign policy vision in a speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, where Winston Churchill gave his famous Iron Curtain speech in 1946. Sanders linked domestic and global threats to democracy, warned about the limits and dangers of the use of military power, and highlighted key global issues, including climate change and economic inequality. And he stressed the importance of the United Nations, recalling Eleanor Roosevelts reference to the organization as our greatest hope for peace. Among the candidates, Sanders has been alone in radically challenging American exceptionalism. In his 2017 speech, he hailed the reconstruction of Western Europe with the Marshall Plan and the fact that there has not been a major European war since World War II. But he also recalled the history of American intervention and the use of American military power ... which has caused incalculable harm. He cited the Vietnam War along with U.S. interventions in Iran, Chile, and Iraq, and he castigated the counterproductive strategies of the global war on terror. He concluded his speech with a call for partnerships not just between governments but between peoples. In the fall of 2018, Sanders further elaborated his vision in a speech in Washington and an article in The Guardian: "On one hand, we see a growing worldwide movement toward authoritarianism, oligarchy, and kleptocracy. On the other side, we see a movement toward strengthening democracy, egalitarianism, and economic, social, racial, and environmental justice." The grand vision is inspiring. But Sanders is still silent on what forces might come together to form what he calls a progressive international. As John Feffer points out in a commentary in Foreign Policy in Focus, Sanders has a Eurocentric bias. Feffer notes that Sanderss speech in Fulton didnt mention Africa and hardly touched on Latin America or Asia. The principal partner in Sanderss progressive alliance is Yanis Varoufakis, the former Greek finance minister, who commented approvingly on Sanderss Guardian article and is engaged in building a progressive coalition in Europe. Whether simply through the rejection of Trump or through the more developed insights offered by Warren and Sanders, all the Democratic candidates point in some way to the interconnection of domestic policy and foreign policy. Given the priorities of a presidential campaign, however, formulating and articulating a full, long-term vision is unlikely to be high on their agendas. Nor is it in any way a simple project to come up with a vision and a set of policies that are both persuasive and attentive to the complex and diverse realities of different policy arenas. The Road Ahead Its worth beginning to explore how a change in priorities on global issues might have implications for the conventional foreign policy framework based on geopolitics. This is relevant not only for the 2020 campaign, but for the development of social movements that can foster a richer conversation going beyond the conventional wisdom that currently prevails in political debate and among the foreign policy elite. The following essays in this series focus first on the climate crisis and then on global economic inequalities, universal political and economic rights, migration, violence and security, and gender inequalities. A final section considers how national history and national identity shape and define the United States global role. We do not attempt the impossible task of providing a comprehensive analysis, but simply highlight some starting points for consideration within each issue cluster. Our approach does not center the big-power politics; instead we give more attention to the roles of multinational institutions, global civil society, and international social movements. We particularly highlight the centrality of the African continent to many of these debates. Not only is that our own background, but the position of Africa in the global debate, diminished by bias and marginalization, closely parallels the treatment of African American experiences in U.S. policy more generallyanother pivotal domestic-foreign link. In each case, we begin with recent shifts in the debate on national issues, shifts that have been fueled by progressive activist movements and have made their way into the Democratic primary debates. We lay out possible implications for foreign policy if similar changes were to be explored at the global level. And we contend that finding a new collaborative role for the United States on the world stage will require thinking that challenges conventional wisdom about our nations history and national identity. We begin, in the next essay in this series, with the climate crisis, where there has already been significant recognition of the intrinsic global connection. Notes AfricaFocus Bulletin is an independent electronic publication providing reposted commentary and analysis on African issues, with a particular focus on U.S. and international policies. AfricaFocus Bulletin is edited by William Minter. AfricaFocus Bulletin can be reached at africafocus@igc.org. Please write to this address to suggest material for inclusion. For more information about reposted material, please contact directly the original source mentioned. For a full archive and other resources, see http://www.africafocus.org Officials Remove Sick Passenger from Southwest Airlines Flight Over Coronavirus Concerns A passenger who recently traveled to China and was exhibiting flu-like symptoms was escorted off a Southwest Airlines plane heading from the Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshal Airport amid the coronavirus scare that has left thousands sickened and dozens dead in China. Medical officers removed the passenger off a Southwest flight from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Maryland out of an abundance of caution, the Maryland Department of Health said, according to NBC4. Video footage posted by the news outlet showed passengers on the plane wearing masks over their mouths as a health official told them: Because of this heightened time, we are just using an abundance of caution. The sick passenger was referred to a medical facility for evaluation to determine whether additional follow-up is necessary, the agency said, adding that the person was released after a medical evaluation. The person did not meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for 2019 novel coronavirus testingPer guidance from the CDC, no special action was indicated for this person or for any other passengers or crew on the flight, the Maryland Health Department said in a statement obtained by the Baltimore Sun. A spokesperson for Southwest Airlines confirmed the incident to Fox News: Local medical personnel met Flight 2889 once it arrived at the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport from Las Vegas on Saturday due to reports of an ill customer. It added that out of an abundance of caution, and in light of the recent concerns of the coronavirus, our crew followed recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control for responding to concerns to ensure the customer, and those traveling with them, receive the assistance or support they may need. A medical staff member wearing protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus which began in the city is seen on an ambulance at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital in Wuhan on Jan. 25, 2020. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images) The Health Department said the sick passenger, who had been to Beijing, had also previously traveled to Mexico and Las Vegas. They were previously screened and cleared in those two North American locations, according to NBC4. In an attempt to prevent its spread, the Chinese regime has announced lockdowns and quarantines in Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus outbreak, as well as other cities. In the United States, there have been three confirmed cases in Southern California, Illinois, and Washington state. Zhou Xianwang, the mayor of Wuhan, meanwhile, warned on Sunday that he expects 1,000 new cases of coronavirus in his city, reported Reuters. The city will construct more specialized hospitals to deal with coronavirus patients, he said. The dire warnings prompted the U.S. Department of State to announce it will evacuate its personnel and some private citizens aboard a one-time-only charter flight. The Department of State is making arrangements to relocate its personnel stationed at the U.S. Consulate General in Wuhan to the United States, the agencys statement said. We anticipate that there will be limited capacity to transport private U.S. citizens on a reimbursable basis on a single flight leaving Wuhan Tianhe International Airport on January 28, 2020, and proceeding directly to San Francisco. Anxious foreigners in the locked-down city that spawned China's deadly viral epidemic say they are stranded at home, running out of food and desperate to leave, as governments scrambled to draw up evacuation plans. Authorities have barred travel to and from Hubei province and its capital Wuhan, where the coronavirus was first detected before it spread across China and to a dozen other countries -- including the United States, France and Australia. Several other large cities in China have introduced their own travel restrictions in a bid to contain the disease, which has killed 56 people and infected nearly 2,000 others. "In the past week we've not been able to go out and buy anything to eat," said Mashal Jamalzai, a political science student from Afghanistan at Central China Normal University. He told AFP that he and his classmates had been living on biscuits, and his embassy had not responded to requests for help. "We want to be evacuated as soon as possible, because either the virus, the hunger or the fear will kill us," Jamalzai said. Thousands of foreign students and other international residents live in Wuhan, a normally bustling transport hub in central China home to a huge steel and auto industry. But with schools, hospitals and public offices shut and no transport to and from the city, Hubei University student Siti Mawaddah says the city now "looks like a ghost town". "The situation in Wuhan right now is very intense and worrying," the 25-year-old Indonesian told AFP, adding that the situation had taken a psychological toll on her and her classmates. "If we stay in Wuhan, it's as if we're just waiting for our turn to get infected," she said. Mawaddah said she had heard the United States plans to evacuate consular staff and some American citizens living in the city, and hoped her own government could do the same. - Evacuation plans - The US State Department is sending a flight to collect its consular staff and carry them to San Francisco, but warned that there would only be limited space for the estimated 1,000 Americans living in Wuhan. "If there is insufficient ability to transport everyone who expresses interest, priority will be given to individuals at greater risk from coronavirus," the department said. Diana Adama, an American teacher living in Wuhan, told CNN that she was upset at the lack of information about the virus. But she said she didn't want to leave on the chartered flight if it meant carrying the virus back home. "I'm not going to endanger anybody else. And that's just erring on the side of caution," she told the broadcaster. France is also planning to evacuate its citizens stuck in Hubei province by bus, and French carmaker PSA -- which has a sizable presence in Wuhan -- said was formulating plans to evacuate staff and relatives for quarantine in a neighbouring province. South Korea's consulate general in Wuhan conducted a poll on Sunday to determine the demand for a chartered plane for its citizens who want to return home, while Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said his country would fly out any nationals who wanted to leave. Singapore has already repatriated 20 airline staff and passengers who were quarantined in the eastern city of Hangzhou for more than a day after fears one person on the flight was carrying the disease, according to the Straits Times newspaper. And Sri Lanka said Sunday it would fly back 150 students from China in the next two days. With China ramping up travel restrictions in cities across the country -- including Beijing and Shanghai -- foreign countries have told their citizens to avoid Wuhan. Russia has yet to report its first case of the virus but has gone a step further, with tourism officials on Friday asking operators to stop selling tour packages to China and inform customers about the dangers of the outbreak. Tourism company Rus-Tour announced Sunday it was transporting 1,100 of its customers home from Hainan, a resort island popular with Russian travellers around 1,600 kilometres (1,000 miles) south of Wuhan. The firm was also halting sales of tours to China "until the epidemiological situation in the country is back to normal", it said in a statement. burs-gle/rox/fox Ericsson Middle East and Africa announced seven commercial 5G agreements with operators in different countries during 2019: Etisalat UAE, Ooredoo Qatar, STC Saudi Arabia, Zain Bahrain, Batelco Bahrain, MTN South Africa and Mobily. On a global level, to date, Ericsson signed 78 commercial 5G agreements or contracts with unique operators, of which 24 are live networks with Middle East and Africa region contributing to around 29%. In the MEA region, Ericsson has already cemented its 5G leadership position during 2019 by implementing the 5G networks and by improving our customers network capabilities in both 4G and 5G. With the advent of high speed and low latency dependent applications like Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality as well as industrial automation; Ericsson is among first to market with solutions to enable today's networks to evolve smoothly to support them via next generation 5G networks. The benefits of 5Gs high speeds, low latency, and superior reliability will make a real difference. Preparing for these 5G opportunities is a must for service providers. In fact, service providers in the Mena region can target a potential revenue opportunity from $15.18 billion to $45.91 billion by 2030 provided they adapt their business model to become service enablers and creators. With consumer and personal communication-centric commercial 5G networks already live, the next wave of 5G expansion will allow businesses to digitalize with more mobility, flexibility, reliability, and security taking IoT and industrial applications to never-before-seen levels. Industry digitalization opens new opportunities for service providers to build and extend their businesses beyond connectivity. The 5G-IoT landscape offers enormous potential but is complex to navigate and demands a comprehensive understanding of the different driving forces and barriers for different industries in focus. The probability to be successful in capturing parts of this potential is higher in the next 5-7 years when roles and market shares are established rather than later. First movers advantage is clear. Addressing these opportunities could enable service providers to unlock additional revenue streams of up to 35 percent, on top of the current scope of business by 2030. Ericssons standalone 5G solutions ensure super-fast response times as well as the future-readiness of the network architecture, opening up new service-creation opportunities. The new solutions extend network capacity and capability, enabling smooth network evolution, and facilitating new consumer and industry use cases. In addition, existing Ericsson Radio System portfolio is ready to enable 5G New Radio capability through remote software installation. This applies to more than 150 different radio variants in more than 190 networks around the world. Ericsson is also evolving its cloud solution with an offering optimized for edge computing to meet user demand. This will enable service providers to offer new consumer and enterprise 5G services such as augmented reality and content distribution at low cost, low latency, and high accuracy. TradeArabia News Service With the scare of the deadly novel coronavirus (nCoV) reaching Nepal in the last few days, the West Bengal government has decided to deploy health teams in all the three major entry points along the Indo-Nepal border in Darjeeling district from Sunday to screen people entering India. Medical teams in all the three entry points along the Indo-Nepal border in West Bengal would start working from Sunday, said Dr Pralay Acharya, chief medical officer of health in Darjeeling district. Thousands of people, including traders, tourists and patients coming for treatment to Siliguri in Darjeeling district, enter India from Nepal almost every day. Some of the major entry points include Pashupati fatak, Panitanki and Galgalia through which people from Nepal can enter West Bengal. Among these Panktanki is the busiest. It would be hard to screen everyone entering India. The teams would display banners to make people aware. People coming from Nepal would be asked to report to the medical teams if they are suffering from fever and other ailments. If we detect any suspicious symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath among others they would be referred to the nearest block hospital, said a senior health official of Darjeeling district. Health officials also said that an isolation ward has been set up at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital for patients coming with symptoms of the virus. The virus has already killed 54 people in China and infected almost 2000 people. At least 28 cases have been reported from outside of mainland China including one from Nepal. Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has written to the Chief Ministers of states requesting their personal intervention to review the preparedness for control and management of nCoV, said health ministry in a statement on Saturday. Seven central teams will visit seven states where thermal screening is being done at the seven designated airports including Kolkatas Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International airport. The team comprising a public health expert, a clinician and a microbiologist will visit Kolkata on Sunday. They will review the end-to-end preparedness for management and control of nCoV in the state including reviewing that the infection control, surveillance and other guidelines are being followed properly or not. The teams will also visit the tertiary hospitals attached to the airports for reviewing the isolation wards and availability of personal protective equipment and masks etc. An isolation ward has also been set up at the Infectious Diseases (ID) Hospital in Kolkata, the referral hospital in the city for such cases. Heavylift helicopter Chinook and attack helicopter Apache, both recently inducted in the Indian Air Force, took part in the Republic Day flypast for the first time on Sunday. The Chinooks can airlift diverse loads in remote locations. It is a heavy lift, twin rotor helicopter which has enhanced IAF's lift capability across a range of military and HADR missions. The Apache, on the other hand, is a versatile helicopter capable of firing air to air and air to ground missiles, rockets and front gun aided through fire control radar which can unleash havoc on the adversary. It has provided the Indian armed forces a significant edge against the enemy on the battlefield. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Georgia jewelry store owner fought off a pack of brazen thieves by hitting them with a bag full of pickle jars. On Saturday afternoon four robbers broke into the local business in Sandy Springs while the owner, who did want to share his name or the name of his store, was out getting lunch. As he walked back to the store, located on the corner of Abernathy and Roswell roads, he was shocked to find four people raiding his shop. The quick-thinking owner then swung the only thing he had in his hand at the robbers - a plastic bag filled with pickle jars, among other things. Video from the robbery shows the robbers entering the store and smashing glass cases of jewelry and running off with the goods. The robbers held frightened customers and employees up at gun point during the raid. 'They had hammers and were breaking everything and grabbed Rolexes,' one witness said to WSBTV. As the robbers bolted outside the owner was returning to his store and flung his bag at the robbers, hitting one in the head and face. 'He hit them with three bottles of pickles and I pretty much grabbed him and subdued him until the cops came,' one witness said on intervening and helping overtake the robbers. A Georgia jewelry store owner fought off a pack of thieves raiding his shop by hitting them with a bag full of pickle jars on Saturday in Sandy Springs The owner was seen pinning one of the robbers on the ground until police arrived while the other three thieves sped away from the scene. Those robbers ended up crashing on Glenridge Road and were arrested. Cops said all four suspects were in custody as of Saturday night. Three of those thieves were identified as Antonio Collier, 40, of Atlanta; Antwan Dekarlos Robinson, 17, from Atlanta; and a 16-year-old juvenile from East Point. They were are all charged with armed robbery, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, felony criminal damage to property, possession of tools for the commission of a crime, obstruction and two counts of battery. The store owner says he's planning a big clean up of the store and will re-open next week. If you have any information on the case, please call the Sandy Springs Police Department at 770-551-6900 Environmentalist Sundaram Verma from Rajasthan has been conferred with Padma Shri award for successfully growing 50,000 trees with a technique that requires only one-litre water per tree. The 68-year-old farmer Verma has grown 50,000 trees with a water-saving technique "dryland agroforestry" that requires only one litre of water per tree in the arid Shekawati region of Rajasthan. "I am delighted with this award, it will help in furthering this work, which is the need of the hour," said Verma. His technique involves levelling the land to prevent rainwater from draining away, ploughing the fields multiple times to remove the weeds and capillaries, planting the saplings in deeper and wider pits, pouring one litre of water in it and allowing the plant to grow. The Padma Shri awardees were announced on the eve of the Republic Day by the Ministry of Home Affairs. As many as 118 unsung heroes have been selected for Padma Shri awards this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As the nation celebrates its 71st Republic Day, Bangladeshi President and Prime Minister have extended their greetings. In their message, both the leaders said that they hope that the partnership between New Delhi and Dhaka would ensure greater prosperity for both the nations. Recalled historic relationship On Saturday, the Bangladesh High Commission said that both President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minster Sheikh Hasina have sent individual messages of felicitation to PM Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind. The High Commission in a statement said that President Hamid recalled Bangladesh's historical relationship with India since our glorious Liberation War in 1971' and hoped that the 'partnership would ensure greater prosperity for our peoples and the partnership would be strengthened in days to come'. Read: PM Modi's Republic Day 'Mann Ki Baat' Hails Small Initiatives Launched On The Platform Read: Republic Day: Here Is How Young Anju Verma Brought A Social Revolution In Haryana The statement added that Prime Minister Hasina in her message for PM Modi said that the common historical, cultural and civilizational roots have resulted in deepening engagements between the two countries. I am of the view that together we will be able to take this bond of friendship to a greater height," she added. Read: Bangladesh To Host Zimbabwe For Multi-format Series In February-March Read: Republic Day: BSF Exchange Sweets With Border Guards Of Bangladesh At Fulbari Crossing Meanwhile, as the nation is celebrating its 71st Republic Day today, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel exchanged sweets with their Bangladeshi counterparts at Fulbari crossing, Indo-Bangladesh border. Deputy Commandant of Border Security Force, North Bengal Frontier, BL Meena told local media that the BSF personnel presented sweets to Border Guards of Bangladesh and they follow the tradition every year on January 26 and it is a way to maintain good relations with the neighbouring country. India celebrated its 71st Republic Day with the annual parade that takes place near India Gate every year. Jair Bolsonaro, President of Brazil was present at the ceremony as the chief guest for the event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen wearing his occasional turban during the event held at Rajpath. Narendra Modi also paid homage to the martyred soldiers at the newly-built National War Memorial near India Gate. Later in the day, the Indian Armed Forces displayed their might by parading an array of weapons. (With inputs from ANI) Hydro Building Systems Middle East recently hosted a conference in the Saudi capital Riyadh to discuss building solutions in compliance with Saudi Building Code that will help position the kingdom as a leader in green buildings. A provider of Technal systems, Hydro Building Systems said the event held recently saw industry leaders from the building and construction sector highlight the need to lower the carbon footprint in line with Saudi Vision 2030. Speakers from Zaha Hadid Architects, Kuraray Europe, Hydro Building Systems Asia, KEO International, Priedemann Facade Experts, AGC Obeikan Glass and Jotun Powder Coatings discussed the key issues such as energy efficiency and conservation which is essential for economic growth. They also discussed on how sustainable building designs and construction materials will boost the kingdoms Vision 2030, which aims to generate 30 per cent of the total energy required through renewable resources. The conference addressed the transition of cities into sustainable cities of tomorrow. Sam Robinson, managing director, Middle East and India, Hydro Building Systems Middle East, said: With the mega trillion-dollar construction activities expected in the region in the coming years, sustainable construction practices and materials will be the driver for a safe carbon free future. Our goal is to construct sustainable building envelopes, in compressed urban spaces, where more people will live per square km. One of the highlights of the conference was the launch of Hydro Circal, a revolutionary aluminium alloy with more than 75 per cent end of life recycled aluminium. Using Hydro Circal aluminium alloy for building facades helps to reduce carbon footprint by 50% and this supports sustainability demands of Saudi Vision 2030. Dr Werner Jager, the director of marketing and technology, Hydro Building Systems, said: "Use of recycled aluminium for the windows, doors and curtain walls will reduce the carbon footprint of buildings. Today, the building skin just reduces the impact of the exterior climate on the interior climate conditions, by acting mainly as a separation layer." "In the future, the building skin can, also, minimise the environmental impacts of the urban ambient areas, by active and passive design measures and products. Today's building envelopes should also be designed to face threats such as fire, blast and ballistic attacks. Security for end users is of prime importance in today's buildings. The building envelope of tomorrow will become a connecting layer providing a connection to the interior with exterior whenever possible and truly enriching the user living experience in buildings," he added. Fabian Hecker, the senior associate at ZHA, talked about the importance of sustainability in architecture. Sandro Casaccio, Kuraray Europe, opened a discussion about climate change, harsh weather and improving safety. While AGC Obeikan Glasss managing director, talked about immediate challenges facing the industry. KEO Internationals senior sustainability manager, Francis Porter highlighted latest technology developments in facades; while Micha Pawelka, managing director, Priedemann Facade Experts, spoke about the challenges of implementing sustainable facade solutions. Nikolay Kolomiychenko, managing director, AGC Obeikan Glass highlighted the importance of ensuring energy efficiency; and Essam Aridi, country sales manager, Jotun Powder Coatings spoke about latest powder coating technology.-TradeArabia News Service Ex-nurse helping revive struggling fishing business in Hokkaido, Japan by Su Xincheng January 26,2020 | Source: KYODO NEWS Shiho Tateoka, who lives in a small fishing village in Hokkaido, Japan, rises almost every day at 6 a.m. and sends her three children off to school before starting her day of handling fish sales to various customers. Then she's back on social media searching for more clients. Years ago, Tateoka, 43, was a single mom in Tokyo, who was busy working both as a nurse and saleswoman for a home medical care service. Fish, you might say, was the furthest thing from her mind. But life changed when her cousin, a fisherman based at Otoshibe port in the town of Yakumo on Japan's northernmost island, visited her home six years ago. Yuki, 37, who later became her husband, described his worries to her as a fisherman on a sinking ship. "When I listened to his story, I thought there may still be room for the fishing industry to grow," Shiho explained in a recent interview. "I thought I may be able to commit to a new sales job and dedicate myself to a new life." Yuki had been concerned whether he could continue his career as the fishing industry faced various challenges, such as a depleted fish population due to rising ocean temperatures linked to climate change and years of overfishing. But when Shiho took him to a Tokyo department store, he was surprised to see the high prices the fish sold for. He said he had been unaware of how his hauls were treated after they were handed over to a local fishery cooperative, which was in charge of sales. Yuki was hoping to increase the value of his catches and cultivate a customer base to boost earnings but was clueless until Shiho decided to move to Yakumo, a struggling seaside town, and work together with him, drawing on her sales experience. In April 2014, Shiho helped Yuki launch Funkawan Sengyo Oroshi Ryujinmaru, a company delivering fresh seafood such as flounder, shrimps and crabs caught in nearby waters directly to wholesalers, restaurants and consumers nationwide, and became its sales manager. The company now has about 30 clients per month and earns 5 million yen (around $45,400) annually. Since then, Shiho's life has become very busy, soliciting restaurants and fish markets nationwide by social media, phone and direct visits to buyers. She also advised Yuki to process fish damaged by fishing nets, which was previously disposed of. She now uses social media, including Facebook, to promote the processed products such as salted dried fish and flathead flounder pickled with cherry leaves. Other posts describe the couple's daily fishing activities, fish freshness and cooking methods, and prices. When a potential customer shows interest in a particular post, Shiho will contact the person directly to offer a trial purchase. Thanks to her efforts, Ryujinmaru's fish are widely used at "izakaya" Japanese-style pubs and French restaurants across the country. Processed items are also available via mail order catalogs and as gift sets at department stores in Hakodate on the southern tip of Hokkaido. Kazuto Konishi, a middleman running his own fish shop in Hakodate, said, "Thanks to the Tateokas, I can buy fresher fish of higher quality." This contrasts with market auctions where most of the fish lack the same freshness as a technique used to preserve their taste is more challenging to implement, Konishi said. Takuya Shimotori, a chef at an izakaya with 75 seats in Tokyo operated by Fun Function Corp., said he receives the Tateokas' fish three times a week -- some of which are a rarity in the capital. "They are gaining popularity from customers," he said. However, the business did not initially enjoy smooth sailing as the male-dominated fishing industry resisted Shiho's newfangled practices. Backlash mainly came from local fishery cooperatives, to which fishermen deliver their catches for sale. "At first, I was asked 'why does a woman, a fisherman's wife, do such things?'," Shiho said. Traditionally, the role of a fisherman's wife was to support her husband on the fishing boat or wait for him at home while preparing dishes, she said. Shiho, however, thought women could stand out and draw attention precisely because they are rare in the fishing industry, have a knack for sales and networking and have a keen eye for seeing angles normally overlooked in the business by fishermen, she said. "I feel women's viewpoints and ideas are really great," said Yuki. "I previously just grilled or simmered fish and never thought about making dishes that are easy for children to eat or those that could help shorten cooking times." The couple believes more women should work in the fishing industry. Shiho became a member of a government initiative set up in November 2018 to help open the industry to women. As of last December, 51 women had joined the project. Although it took time, the old-guard local fishery cooperative has embraced Shiho's new business and her efforts to change the industry after seeing many fishermen boost their earnings with her help. Kyodo News Theme(s): Others. America Ferrera has won over audiences with roles in Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants, Ugly Betty and Superstore. But the actress is flexing her producer muscle with her upcoming Netflix series Gentefied, which premieres February 21. She bundled up her baby bump in a chic look Saturday as she promoted the show at Sundance Film Festival. Winter chic: America Ferrera bundled up her baby bump in a chic look Saturday as she promoted her upcoming Netflix show Gentefied at Sundance Film Festival The 35-year-old sported a brown turtleneck sweater dress, which hung down to her ankles. She paired the dress with some cream leather boots, featuring white laces and black lining around the soles. The ensemble was finished with a pair of silver square hoop earrings, under her shiny, straight brown hair. Ferrera participated in a chat with Orange Is The New Black star Diane Guerrero for a panel at the Latinx House. Sweater weather: The 35-year-old sported a brown turtleneck sweater dress, which hung down to her ankles Cute boots: She paired the dress with some cream leather boots, featuring white laces and black lining around the soles Silver stunner: The ensemble was finished with a pair of silver square hoop earrings, under her shiny brown hair In conversation: Ferrera participated in a chat with Orange is the New Black star Diane Guerrero for a panel at the Latinx House Squad goals: She later met up with fellow executive producers Linda Yvette Chavez and Marvin Lemus, who created the show, at the Deadline Sundance Studio Stunning portraits: The Ugly Betty star showed off her baby bump as she posed for some stunning portraits in her chic winter look at the Music Lodge. Out and about: She also stopped by the Vulture Spot and the IndieWire Sundance Studio at the star-studded gathering in Park City, Utah Lady in red: Ferrera kept warm in a fuzzy red double-breasted topcoat as she made her way from one event to the next She later met up with fellow executive producers Linda Yvette Chavez and Marvin Lemus, who created the show, at the Deadline Sundance Studio. The Ugly Betty star posed for some stunning portraits in her chic winter look at the Music Lodge. She also stopped by the Vulture Spot and the IndieWire Sundance Studio at the star-studded gathering in Park City, Utah. Ferrera kept warm in a fuzzy red double-breasted topcoat as she made her way from one event to the next. Her Netflix series is based on the 2017 web series of the same name, in which she produced and appeared. An international student has fractured her spine after a freak skydiving accident. University of San Diego student Beatriz Martinez-Martin broke her L3 vertebrae after falling 4,000 metres from a skydive in Auckland, New Zealand. The 19-year-old was on a tandem jump with an instructor when a freak gust of wind caught their parachute as they were coming in to land, throwing the duo into the ground. 'My tandem was screaming. I could tell she was in a lot of pain,' Ms Martinez-Martin told Stuff. 'I saw people running towards us and I was just like: ''Help me, help me''.' Ms Martinez-Martin had surgery on Thursday where a cage-like device with cadaver bone and screws was put on her spine, leaving her able to stand up for the first time since the accident on Friday Ms Martinez-Martin was rushed to hospital, where doctors examined her injuries and were shocked that she wasn't paralysed. 'I had burst my L3. They said it touched my spinal cord so that's why they were all really surprised I wasn't paralysed,' she said. Ms Martinez-Martin had surgery on Thursday where a cage-like device with cadaver bone and screws was put on her spine. Since her surgery she has rarely been in pain, and stood up for the first time after the incident on Friday. A GoFundMe page was set up for Ms Martinez-Martin, requesting $15,000 to help pay for her medical expenses and flights back home to the United States. The page has raised more than $7,000 for her recovery fund. Ms Martinez-Martin's instructor was also hospitalised in the fall, but was discharged with minor injuries. After her accident, Ms Martinez-Martin will have to stay in New Zealand for a few more weeks until she is able to fly home, and that's fine by her. 'This is so great. I want to move here. Everyone's been really nice,' she said. News Jackson, Mississippi - Two Long Beach, Mississippi men were sentenced Wednesday for their roles in a long-running odometer tampering scheme, the Department of Justice announced. U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola Jr. sentenced Oscar M. Baine, 42, to 36 months incarceration and ordered him to pay $619,200 in restitution. Jeffrey Lyn Savarese II, 36, was sentenced to 15 months incarceration and ordered to pay $320,000 in restitution. Both men pleaded guilty in July to conspiracy to alter odometers. Baine also pleaded guilty to odometer tampering. As part of his guilty plea, Baine admitted that he purchased high-mileage vehicles from wholesale automobile auctions, dealerships, and individuals, and arranged to alter the vehicles odometers to reflect false, lower-mileage readings. Baine admitted that he paid Savarese and others to change or alter odometers at his used car lot in Gulfport. Baine then sold the rolled-back vehicles to unsuspecting consumers for inflated prices. He also admitted that he and a co-conspirator caused at least 387 vehicles to be rolled back between 2011 and 2014, which resulted in consumer losses of more than $600,000. Savarese admitted that he began altering odometers for Mississippi and Louisiana used-car dealers in 2011 and reset the odometers on at least 200 used vehicles for Baine. "The Department of Justice has long been committed to prosecuting automobile dealers, wholesalers, and mechanics who defraud consumers by selling vehicles with unlawfully altered odometers," said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justices Civil Division. "Vehicle mileage is critical to consumers who rely on that information to evaluate the value and safety of a used vehicle." "These criminals not only defrauded hundreds of people but they directly put families and the general public at risk," said U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst of the Southern District of Mississippi. "We will continue to do all that we can to protect our citizens from fraudsters who endanger others just to make a quick buck." Senior Litigation Counsel Linda I. Marks of the Civil Divisions Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones of the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Mississippi prosecuted the case. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation (NHTSA), assisted by the State of Mississippi Office of the Attorney General, investigated the case. NHTSA estimates that odometer fraud in the United States results in consumer losses of more than $1 billion annually. Local people work to clean up mud and debris around houses destroyed by a landslide after heavy rains in Vila Ideal area of Ibirite municipality, Minas Gerias state (AP) At least 30 people have died after two days of heavy rains caused flooding and landslides in south-east Brazil. Civil defence officials said 17 people are listed as missing and 2,600 were evacuated from their houses in Minas Gerais state, which has been buffeted by 48 hours of torrential rains. The death toll had stood at 11 earlier Saturday. Expand Close Houses hit by flooding in Minas Gerais state (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Houses hit by flooding in Minas Gerais state (AP) Deaths were reported in the state capital of Belo Horizonte and in the states interior. On Friday, Belo Horizonte received the greatest quantity of rains ever recorded in 24 hours in the city. State governor Romeu Zema will fly over the affected areas on Sunday to evaluate the damage. More rain is expected in Minas Gerais as well as other parts of Brazil, including Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. 1 / 11 Central American migrants walk before sunrise toward the Suchiate River as they leave Tecun Uman, Guatemala, and will cross the river into Mexico. Migrants hoping to reach the U.S. marooned in Guatemala waded en masse across the river leading to Mexico in an attempt to convince authorities there to allow them passage through the country. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) 2 / 11 Police detain a protester in Bogota, Colombia. Student and labour groups called for new protests as they hope to reignite demonstrations against President Ivan Duque that brought thousands to the streets late last year with a wide range of grievances with his conservative government. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia) 3 / 11 Asian elephant Mara dusts herself inside the former city zoo now known as Ecopark in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Mara will leave her enclosure and be moved to a special sanctuary in Brazil, but before her trip to the neighbouring country expected to take place in March, the 55-year-old is undergoing a training process to prepare her for confinement during the 2,500 kilometres road trip, that will last two or three days. (AP Photo/Daniel Jayo) 4 / 11 A young woman covers her face while protesting outside the La Fortaleza executive mansion in Old San Juan, demanding the resignation of Governor Wanda Vazquez after the discovery of an old warehouse filled with unused emergency supplies in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Anger erupted on Saturday after an online blogger posted a live video of the warehouse in the southern coastal city of Ponce filled with water bottles, cots, baby food and other basic supplies that had apparently been sitting there since Hurricane Maria battered the US territory in September 2017. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti) 5 / 11 An anti-government demonstrator shouts slogans against Chile's President Sebastian Pinera from atop a destroyed bus station in Santiago, Chile. Chile has been roiled by continuing street protests since Oct. 18, when a student protest over a modest increase in subway fares turned into a much larger and broader movement with a long list of demands that largely focus on inequality. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) 6 / 11 Honduran migrant girls play near Mexican National Guards where Central American migrants camp out on the Mexican shore of the Suchiate River on the border with Guatemala, near Ciudad Hidalgo, Mexico. Hundreds of Central American migrants are stranded in a sort of no man's land on the river border between Guatemala and Mexico after running up against lines of Mexican National Guard troops deployed to keep them from moving en masse on Monday into the country and on north toward the U.S. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte) 7 / 11 This photo published this week but taken on January 13, 2020, shows the destroyed bust of Bolivia's former President Evo Morales on the ground after it was knocked down on the orders of Bolivia's sports minister, outside a sports centre in Cochabamba, Bolivia. The sports centre used to be named after the former president but the new government changed its name to Quillacollo, after its location. (Daniel James/Los Tiempos via AP) 8 / 11 A police officer helps transport the body of one of at least five people killed during a skirmish between illegal armed groups in Jamundi in southwest Colombia. Authorities say rebels with the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia operate in the area and may have been involved. (AP Photo/Christian EscobarMora) 9 / 11 Members of the Ngabe Bugle indigenous group sit at their home in the jungle community of El Terron, Panama. A pregnant woman, five of her children and a neighbour were round up by about 10 lay preachers at the hamlet on Monday and tortured, beaten, burned and hacked with machetes to make them "repent their sins", authorities said. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco) 10 / 11 Brazil's Robson Bambu, centre front, battles for the ball with Uruguay's Federico Vinas, second right, during a South America Olympic qualifying U23 soccer match at the Hernan Ramirez Villegas Stadium in Pereira, Colombia. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) When Keanu Reeves walked into a Los Angeles gala holding hands with artist Alexandra Grant, fans applauded the 55-year-old actor for choosing an "age appropriate" romantic partner. Most striking about Grant, 46, was her steel-gray hair. Why wasn't she coloring it? In an Instagram post, she explained: In her 20s, she began graying, and she covered it with various shades of dye until she could no longer tolerate the chemicals. Grant is among a growing throng of women who are naturally fading to gray. More than 350,000 women have posted Instagram photos using the #grannyhair hashtag. Between 2017 and 2018, Pinterest saw a significant jump in the search term "going gray." "With influential people like Billie Eilish dyeing their hair gray, people of all ages are incorporating the look, and many who are naturally gray are no longer trying to cover it up," Swasti Sarna, Pinterest's insights manager, told The Washington Post. Gray's the new blonde, or black, style writers began declaring five years ago. Last year, L'Oreal Paris and Vogue crowned silver the hair color of the year. In addition to teenage musician Eilish, celebrities from Lady Gaga to Jennifer Lawrence have walked the red carpet in silver dos. Ironically, while young women spend as much as $1,000 to bleach and color their hair titanium, blue steel, smoky gray and gunmetal, older women continue to feel compelled to cover up their silvers. At the same time, longtime slaves to hair color are ditching the dye. In Facebook groups called Gray and Proud, Going Gorgeously Gray and Silver Revolution, tens of thousands of women share photos and tips on how to quit color and avoid looking like a raccoon. They ask if revealing their true color would mean losing their sex appeal, their credibility at work, their clients, their jobs? New research adds another question. Is there a risk of harm from the chemicals? A study published last month in the International Journal of Cancer reported that African American women who colored their hair with permanent dye every five to eight weeks were 60 percent more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than women who didn't color. No cause and effect was established, and all of the women in the study had a family history of breast cancer. For white women, the numbers were less striking but still elevated. Those who dyed their hair every five to eight weeks were 8 percent more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, researchers found. Researchers and breast cancer specialists were circumspect about the findings. "I have to say I'm not overwhelmingly convinced. This isn't a slam dunk by any means," said Laura Esserman, a breast surgeon who directs the Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center at the University of California at San Francisco. She was not involved with the study. "It's worth looking into. But this is a very small effect." Researchers followed 46,709 women between the ages of 35 and 74 over an average of eight years. All participants had at least one sister who had been diagnosed with breast cancer but none had been diagnosed themselves when they enrolled in the study. The majority, 55 percent, reported using permanent hair dye. During the course of the study, 2,794 African American and white women were diagnosed with breast cancer. Black women who colored their hair with permanent dye at any point in the year before joining the study were 45 percent more likely to be diagnosed, while white women were 7 percent more likely. To put the numbers in context, study co-author Alexandra White estimated the heightened risk as five additional cases of breast cancer for every 100 black women and one additional case of breast cancer for every 100 white women. Breast cancer rates generally are similar for black and white women. But black women tend to be diagnosed with more aggressive forms of the disease, and it is more likely to kill them. White, an epidemiologist who heads the National Institutes of Environmental Health and Cancer Epidemiology Group, described the new findings as "concerning" but far from definitive. "We wouldn't make any recommendations off these findings," she said. "We need more evidence." "It's not as clear as smoking and lung cancer," said Doris Browne, a medical oncologist and a former president of the National Medical Association. Two of her six sisters had breast cancer, and she participated as a subject in the study. She sees the results as a warning. "But I can't say if you dye your hair and are African American, you are going to get breast cancer. It heightens our awareness, but we still need more data before we can say to women that it may increase breast cancer risk," she said. "Hair dye is just all chemicals," said Stephanie Bernik, chief of breast surgery at Mount Sinai West in New York. "You've got to think something's not good for you. We know some of these chemicals are carcinogenic." Yet Bernik, who was not involved with the study, and Esserman both said the findings had not persuaded them to counsel their patients on hair-dye use unless they asked. Other recent studies also have reported increased risk for breast cancer, as well as bladder cancer, in women who dyed their hair. Although the American Cancer Society says the research is not definitive, it also points out that the U.S. National Toxicology Program has classified some chemicals used in hair dye as "reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens." Some doctors advise women not to color their hair while pregnant, or at least not during the critical first trimester, according to the American Cancer Society. White and her team found little to no increase in breast cancer risk in women who colored their hair with anything except permanent dye. But women who reported applying semi-permanent color to their friends' or relatives' hair at home experienced an elevated risk of breast cancer. Permanent dye causes lasting changes to the hair shaft and stays in the hair until it grows out. Temporary dye washes out after a shampoo or two, while semi-permanent tends to hold for up to 10 shampoos. Researchers did not ask women whether they had their hair dyed in a salon or at home. They only asked if participants dyed other people's hair nonprofessionally. So the question remains whether black women could be more vulnerable because they are more likely than white women to color their hair at home. Bernik suggested that women concerned about hair dye and breast cancer risk have a professional stylist color their hair with semi-permanent dye. "If it's done at home, you're wearing gloves that are probably not necessarily the greatest," she said. "The person who's doing it nonprofessionally is getting it all over. It's all about exposure and absorption." Even professionals struggle to follow manufacturer guidelines while handling dye, said Whitney Murphy, a hairstylist who advises other stylists about chemical safety and owns the Parlor Seattle. "No one's really taking the chemical safety part seriously," Murphy said. She blames the chemicals in hair products for her own breathing problems, migraines and rashes and believes stylists need higher quality protective gear than what they use. "Beauty professionals are overexposed and underprotected from harsh chemicals," said Janette Robinson Flint, executive director of Black Women for Wellness, a Los Angeles nonprofit group. Congress has charged the Food and Drug Administration with regulating the safety of cosmetics, including hair dye. But the FDA does not approve every ingredient and generally leaves the responsibility for product safety to manufacturers. Companies are allowed to omit chemicals from product labels if they are fragrances and if they consider them a secret ingredient in the product formula. "Just because something is on the shelf does not make it safe," warned Tamarra James-Todd, an epidemiologist and professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston. "Chemicals are not like people, but that's the way they're treated," said Jayne Matthews, co-owner of Edo Salon in Oakland, California. "They're innocent until proven guilty." James-Todd, who was not involved in the study, researches the effect of hair products on black women's health. She says that research should be done into products African American women may use daily, such as shampoos, conditioners, oils and styling products. "We have to think about the full pattern of exposure people have," she said. The lack of clarity leaves some women in a quandary. Ingrid DeMoss, an African American relocation director for a luxury real estate company outside of Dallas, covers her grays with dye every six weeks. "That is a must," said DeMoss, who declined to state her age. "I work with relocating people in a high-end luxury brand. I have to have a corporate or professional look." Her mother, who is 72 and plans to go to her grave with her gray covered, has been treated for breast cancer. Consequently, DeMoss said the new study cranked up her own anxiety. "I definitely have been thinking about it because I would rather be healthy and live than look great and die," she said. On the other hand, she can't imagine walking into her office with gray hair, even though she knows attitudes are changing. Her older sister, Traci DeMoss Byerly, has scored modeling gigs with her mostly salt with a little pepper Afro and wrote a book titled "Unapologetically Gray." Her hair started turning when she was 18, said Byerly, who is 52 and lives in Fort Worth. "People said, 'You really should dye your hair; you're too young for that.' Guys would say, 'You're so beautiful, but you should do something about your hair.' " Then one day she looked in the mirror and said to herself: "This is me. If a man cannot appreciate me in my natural state now, he never will." "I began to picture my gray hair as my tiara," she said. Regina Berenato Tell, 52, found her first gray hair at 19 and zealously covered it from 25 through 50. Then, rather than break a date with her hairdresser, she missed her best friend's birthday party. That is when she realized she could no longer stand the thought of being stuck in a salon chair every three weeks. Tell, who works as a stenographer on Capitol Hill, said letting the dye grow out hasn't led to the ageism some professional middle-aged women fear. "As a matter of fact," she said, "I think people take me more seriously now." Once the Senate concludes its trial of President Donald Trump, it should go into recess. Until next January. The House, too. Lawmakers shouldnt pass legislation, consider nominations or make any important decisions whatsoever: This is an election year, and the voters will soon weigh in on the direction of America. The nations business should await that judgment, lest members of Congress contradict it. A ludicrous proposal? Indeed. But its in line with and extrapolation of a favorite argument against Trumps conviction and removal from office. His Republican supporters say that lawmakers shouldnt speak for voters on such a crucial issue. To preempt the verdict at the ballot box, they say, is to subvert the peoples will. Nice try. Lawmakers are elected specifically to speak for voters on crucial issues. Thats the system. Thats their job. American government doesnt operate by daily, hourly or issue-by-issue polls (at least not overtly). Congress doesnt have exponentially more power one week after Election Day than it does one year later (though it may indeed have more political currency). And lawmakers shouldnt defer to their constituents at every turn. Those constituents expect them, over the course of their legislative terms, to use their judgment as better-informed proxies for the people they represent. So does the Constitution, which created America as a representative democracy, not a direct one. Our lawmakers are supposed to lead as well as follow, to be responsive to public sentiment but not mesmerized or paralyzed by it. Thats even truer when the stakes are huge than when theyre small. Republicans have decided to sing a different tune. If it sounds familiar, thats because they turned to the same music when Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died, President Barack Obama nominated Merrick Garland to replace him and the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, declared that a presidential election about eight months in the offing prevented the Senate from taking any action. It was a song not of principle but of political convenience. The same holds true now. Give the people back their power, the House minority leader, Kevin McCarthy, implored a few months ago, arguing against impeachment itself. Referring to the presidents transgression and the November 2020 election, McConnell said, The American people, if they think this is a very significant episode, can take it into account. Sen. Lindsey Graham chimed in: I really do believe that the best person group of people to pick a president are the voters, not a bunch of partisan politicians. Pat Cipollone, one of the presidents lawyers, added: No one ever thought that it would be a good idea for our country for our children, for our grandchildren to try to remove a president from a ballot, to deny the American people the right to vote. No one? Really? How about the framers of the Constitution, who established the impeachment process to do essentially that and declined to add any asterisks about the next elections imminence? If the framers thought impeachment in an election year was a bad idea, they could have set things up differently, noted Jill Lepore, a Harvard history professor and the author of the 2018 book These Truths: A History of the United States. They could have instituted a mechanism for an interim election, for instance, Lepore told me. They did not. They could have said, Except not in an election year. They did not. You want there to be no impeachments allowed in an election year, ever? You have to get a constitutional amendment ratified. And that would never happen, because it would be license for a president to do anything he or she wanted, fearlessly, if it synced with the calendar just so. The framers, in fact, wanted a government that wasnt too sensitive to voters that mediated voters whims and prejudices through representatives presumably taking a longer, cooler view. Senators six-year terms reflect that. As Alison LaCroix, a University of Chicago professor who teaches constitutional law and American history, told me, The Senate is supposed to have a little more deliberative power and maybe be a little less beholden to the people. When senators say they should kick an issue back to the people, theyre arguably violating the spirit of the chamber. LaCroix made another excellent point: Whats happening to Trump isnt muscling voters out of the process but, rather, taking into account what voters recently did. You only get an impeachment vote when people have changed their minds, she said, referring to their opinions about a sitting president. The votes comes from the House, and we know, from things like the midterm elections, that some amount of people have changed their minds. Another party has gained control of the House. That has to be telling us something. Granted, that switch in the House majority wasnt a referendum on Trumps interactions with Ukraine, which were the grounds for his impeachment and hadnt yet come to light. But they were absolutely a referendum, in part, on his behavior and character. Lawmakers who are now assessing and acting on the worst of that behavior and character are hardly turning a deaf ear to voters. If Republican leaders were really so invested in a government that didnt diverge from voters desires, more of them would be questioning the Electoral College. Because of it, the country has a president, Trump, who received about 3 million fewer votes than his opponent. Because of it, George W. Bush won the 2000 presidential election despite being the choice of fewer Americans than Al Gore. But both Trump and Bush are Republicans. So its fine if the system and voter sentiment arent perfectly aligned. Similarly, Republicans Democrats, too are fond of tarring opponents by saying that theyre too beholden to polls. The implication is that elected officials should have the courage of their own convictions and not outsource their judgment to constituents. Saying that only voters should decide Trumps fate is precisely such outsourcing. And Election Day is essentially the biggest poll of all. Theres an additional, profoundly important wrinkle in the case of Trumps impeachment and trial. They stem specifically from actions he took to corrupt the next presidential election by getting a foreign government to smear a potential rival. To give those actions a pass is to green-light more of the same or worse, meaning that voters verdict on Trumps behavior might be fatally tainted: not a clean expression of popular will but a product of, well, cheating. The election cant be the remedy when the election is whats at issue. But McCarthy, McConnell and other Republicans are determined to spare their party the humiliation of Trumps removal and to protect themselves from his wrath (and his bases fury) if he isnt saved. So they reach for whatever arguments they can. Some are more plausible than others. The assertion that an election next November forbids honor this January is a joke, and the framers would have laughed at it. Frank Bruni c.2020 New York Times News Service A champion of tradition in a time of immense change In the 1890s, Japanese artist Taki Katei (18301901) was at the height of his career, honored with professional accolades and inundated with commissions. In 1893, he was honored as Imperial Household Artist, an accolade awarded for his work for Japans imperial court. Despite Takis fame, youve probably never heard of him. The reason Taki is not famous now, even in Japan, is because in the early 20th century, Takis style of painting was seen as out-of-date, wrote curator Rosina Buckland in an email. Buckland, who authored Painting Nature for the Nation: Taki Katei and the Challenges to Sinophile Culture in Meiji Japan in 2012, said that artists associated with the government-sponsored Tokyo School of Fine Arts were regarded as innovative and more worthy of attention. Buckland also acted as a guest curator, alongside curator Alex Blakeborough, for the exhibition Drawing on Nature: Taki Kateis Japan at the World Museum in Liverpool, England. Blakeborough is the World Museums assistant curator of ethnology. Rabbit by Taki Katei or Ishibashi Kazunori. Paper and ink; 16 5/8 inches by 21 inches. (Keith Sweeney/ National Museums Liverpool) A total of 82 drawings, consisting of preparatory works for commissions, studies of paintings, and teaching aids for Takis students, are on show from the collection of the National Museums Liverpool, a group of museums and galleries that includes the World Museum. The exhibits include works by Taki and his student Ishibashi Kazunori. The works are in the museums permanent collection due to one of Takis students, Ishibashi (18761928), who studied at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Autumn Scene by Ishibashi Kazunori. Paper, pigment, and ink; 43 5/8 inches by 75 7/8 inches. (Keith Sweeney/National Museums Liverpool) Rather surprisingly, its the first time Takis work has been shown outside of Japan. Taki Katei Championed Tradition Born in 1830, Taki grew up in a time when Japans art was rich with traditions. Artists borrowed particularly from the traditions of classical Chinese painting, but also followed the tradition of studying from life (people and animals) and botany. Artists started teaching Taki these traditions when he was just 6 years old. At 20 years old, he traveled to Nagasaki to be closer to Chinese culture. At that time, Nagasaki was the only port open in Japan and trade was restricted to the Netherlands, Korea, and China. Here, Taki could mix with Chinese artists and literati who taught him about their culture firsthand. Jurojin, God of Longevity by Taki Katei. Paper, pigment, and ink; 37 3/8 inches by 15 1/2 inches. (Keith Sweeney/National Museums Liverpool) Over the next 15 or 16 years, Taki traveled around Japan, learning from teachers and by imitating great works; he worked on commissions as he went. In this way, he built up his reputation as well as an archive of works. These enabled him to open an art school in his home when he returned to Tokyo in 1866, Blakeborough said in a phone interview. By 1868 Japan was in turmoil. The Tokugawa shogun great general of the Edo period (16031867) was overthrown, ending Japans feudal system. Japans emperor replaced the shogun, becoming Japans supreme ruler, and reigned as the Meiji emperor of enlightened rule. Thus began a time of immense transition for Japan, when tradition largely came second to Westernization. Japan welcomed steam locomotives and Western styles of architecture and dress, for example. The government formed an art school and museum and ran regular public exhibitions. Artists were encouraged to integrate Western styles into their art and adapt works for exhibition halls, glazing and framing paintings rather than creating the traditional silk hanging scrolls. Receiving Heaven and One Hundred Rewards by Taki Katei. Paper, pigment, and ink; 62 7/8 inches by 24 inches. (Keith Sweeney/National Museums Liverpool) Taki did not integrate any stylistic elements from Western painting into his work, Buckland said. He belonged to the Japan Art Association, a group of artists who sought to re-energize the established form of Japanese painting, she said. The association promoted Japanese traditional art overseas and submitted art at international expositions in Chicago in 1893, and Paris in 1900. They held two annual exhibitions in Tokyo and submitted work to government-sponsored exhibitions. The group exhibited art that specifically showcased powerful and eye-catching motifs or themes that represented Japanese culture, Buckland explained. A finished work: Prosperity and Fragrance by Taki Katei. Paper, pigment, and ink; 15 1/2 inches by 44 1/4 inches. (Keith Sweeney/National Museu m) Drawing on Nature: Taki Kateis Japan Takis drawings in the exhibition show just how artists studying with Taki wouldve been taught these traditional art practices. The drawings could be for folding screens, sliding doors, fans, albums, handscrolls, and of course, hanging scrolls, according to the exhibition audio guide. They were functional pieces used in teaching his students how to paint certain motifs, instructing them in the subject matter of traditional East Asian painting (most of this derived from China) and the whole language of set themes for paintings, some dating back almost a thousand years in China, Buckland said. These painting themes were detailed in an 1886 book for apprentice artists that Taki contributed to. In the exhibition, the drawings are pinned rather than hung in the gallery, allowing visitors a glimpse into how Takis students learned from him. His works would have been pinned around his studio for his students to copy, so thats really what [were] doing; were continuing his tradition of teaching, Blakeborough explained. The amount of detail in many of the drawings is incredible. I can still remember the first time that I saw these works and being astounded that they were not actually finished pieces, Blakeborough said. Most of the work consists of preparatory drawings. For Taki, to be able to repeat that detail and skill [for the final piece] is astonishing in itself, Blakeborough said. Bush Peonies by Taki Katei. Paper, pigment, and ink; 56 7/8 inches by 23 1/4 inches. (Keith Sweeney/National Museums Liverpool) Taki had to render the drawings to such an extent if the painting was done on silk, because the tiniest errors are impossible to erase. To perfect silk painting takes incredible patience, skill, and endless practice. Those principles come through Takis drawings in the exhibition. Gridlines appear on some drawings so that the picture could be enlarged when copied. Some of the drawings are annotated with corrections, as in a delightful drawing of a pair of cranes by Ishibashi Kazunori. The birds heads have been gently adjusted in red ink by either Taki or Ishibashi. Cranes by Ishibashi Kazunori. Paper, pigment, and ink; 14 5/8 inches by 11 1/4 inches. (Keith Sweeney/National Museums Liverpool) Detail of Bush Peonies by Taki Katei. (Keith-Sweeney/National Museums Liverpool) In Bush Peonies, Takis delicate pink peony petals hint at a velvet texture and perhaps even a whiff of fine fragrance. And in another, simply called Deer, the animals fur is so finely rendered that you can sense its soft to the touch. Deer by Taki Katei. Paper, pigment, and ink; 65 9/16 inches by 21 7/8 inches. (Keith Sweeney/National Museums Liverpool) These subjects were not just flights of fancy that Taki wanted to paint. Japanese paintings, just as in Chinese classical art, used nature to portray meaning. The peony brimming with its multiple layers of dense petals represents wealth and prosperity, and a deer represents longevity. Taki and his students wouldve had to learn this language of East Asian arta language conveyed not by the written or spoken word, but by the language of symbolism. Waves of the First Rank by Taki Katei. Paper, pigment, and ink; 76 1/2 inches by 44 3/8 inches. (Keith Sweeney/National Museums Liverpool) Many of these drawings and hanging scrolls are full of meaning. Often, households have 1,000 years worth of tradition stored away in their hanging scrolls only to be unrolled on certain occasions. The peony, if in bloom, would be stored until summertime and then hung. A painting such as Waves of the First Rank, featuring majestic cranes in undulating waves, could be hung to herald the New Year. The red-crested crane was a symbol of longevity and purity. To have Takis works hung in one exhibition at the same time is fortuitous indeedfor Japanese traditional culture and for art itself. May this be the first of many Taki Katei exhibitions outside of Japan. To find out more about Drawing on Nature: Taki Kateis Japan, which runs until April 13, visit LiverpoolMuseums.org.uk Please note: Taki Katei and Ishibashi Kazunori are written as per Japanese tradition: the family name is first and the given name is second. New Delhi [India], Jan 26 (ANI): Lieutenant General Asit Mistry on Sunday led the parade on the occasion of 71st Republic Day as Parade Commander. Major General Alok Kacker, Chief of Staff Delhi Area, is the second-in-command for the parade. General Officer Commanding Delhi area, Lt Gen Asit Mistry, had also led the Republic day parade last year. Earlier, a 21-cannon salute -- a customary gun salute performed by the firing of cannons or artillery as a military honour -- were fired at an interval of 2.25 seconds to cover entire National Anthem of 52 seconds in 3 successive rounds of 7 cannons each. The parade, which started at 10:00 am with the national salute, will last for around 90 minutes and will include a flypast by MI-17 and Rudra armed helicopters, display of latest weapons and equipments and sixteen marching contingents from the Armed Forces, Para-Military Forces, Delhi Police, National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS) and thirteen Military bands. Indian Army Captain Tanya Shergill, who became the first woman officer as Parade Adjutant on Army Day Parade earlier this year, will lead an Army Signal Corps contingent. As many as 22 tableaus of various states, union territories and government departments will also move past India Gate, which will be followed by cultural items by school children and motorcycle display by an all-women team of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to the fallen soldiers at the newly built National War Memorial here. (ANI) Killing the world with their song View(s): While fires in Australia continued to destroy thousands of hectares of forest and kill millions of animals trapped inside and out, in snow- covered Davos Donald Trump and his naysayers sang the same old song. To them climate change and the impending dangers to the planet from man-made activities were hyperbolic nonsense propagated by sections of the scientific community and their panic-driven supporters. Trump dismissed all the scientific reports and the writings of knowledgeable persons calling them the perennial prophets of doom. It does not matter to him whether there is climate change or not as long as he can rake in the shekels and sooner the better. As has been firmly established even before Trump entered the Oval office he is driven by two priorities, both of personal interest. He loves POWER and MONEY. All else such as making America Great Again is only a slogan to mislead Americas poorer and less educated classes who want make America White Again. That is a historical untruth for America was not white ever. These are slogans that Trump will constantly use if they help him achieve the first two objectives. There he was in Davos at the World Economic Forum beating his chest and telling the participants what a great man he is, for he has put America back on its feet. Yes he has put America back on its feet so that one day it can turn round and kick him in the posterior. Not because he has lied as he does often enough. It is because he has defied all the evidence that climate change is happening and it is happening faster than it was earlier predicted. It is because of the actions of major countries such as the US, China, India, Australia and some others that it is occurring faster and more precipitously, endangering the lives of millions of people across the planet. Are they to be the victims of avaricious leaders like Donald Trump and their corporate friends who could not care a toss about global warming and climate change as long as they are in the counting house counting all their money? Oh they will join in some efforts at mitigation like planting trees at one end while sawing the timber at the other or in another country. This might look to those who are planting trees to control carbon emissions a virtuous contribution to save the planet from destruction. But they do not see that elsewhere the same old tree planters are destroying forests in some other place. Those in Sri Lanka have for years been exhorting the people and various organisations to plant trees and resurrect the denuded hectares. While such efforts are laudable and give politicians a chance of being seen on television trying to save a world or at least their constituency where the votes are, but how successful have they been. This is not to belittle efforts by organisations and private groups genuinely concerned about the need for urgent action to revive the ecosystems and clean up the environment. But they are handicapped by the lack of sufficient resources to keep going because sustainability is a key to success. So if politicians step into the breach, let it be for genuine reasons and not for the television cameras. Let them continue to participate when the cameras are gone. Sri Lankas forests are disappearing, its trees are being felled and its waterways are blocked by destructive rubbish like plastic bags and poisoned by industrial waste. Its river and sea sand and soil are dug and transported elsewhere for the mudalalis to make their millions often with the help of politicians and officials. This is not all that is happening to destroy what little we have left. Our wildlife is disappearing too. It is reported that last year 361 elephants were killed by man or man-made machines. Our elephants are an endangered species. They are majestic beasts. But does that concern poachers? Of course not! If they were, they would not be shooting, poisoning or killing them by other means. But it is not only the elephants in the wild which are being ill-treated by man. Recent video clips that show the treatment meted out to domesticated elephant has aroused much concern and even anger among the public. Just the other day I received a clip of an elephant at the Bellanwila Temple lying in what was said to be a murky pool, with its rear legs chained to a tree. It was said that one of its carers was beating the animal with sticks. But a spokesman for the temple denied these assertions. He was quoted as saying to the Daily Mirror that anyone was welcome to come and see the elephant. We would like to call upon any doctor to examine and see whether there are any injuries on the jumbo. That, of course, was a generous enough gesture and meant to convince the concerned that the elephant was not harmed. But at the end was a comment I am still trying to unravel. It is still a 13-year old elephant. Even children are punished when they do notorious activities. If my understanding of that remark is correct, the elephant was being punished for some notorious activity. Pray what was this notorious act that brought on this punishment? So if it was being punished, then the observation of those who circulated this video that the animal was being beaten with sticks appears to be correct. It might be recalled that a 70-year old elephant named Tikiri was pulled out of participation in a perahera after pictures of this emaciated animal widely circulated caused outrage among people. The animals skeletal bones were so visible that it evoked shock by those who saw the pictures. A couple of weeks back there were pictures of a leopard which had been killed and its fore legs severed. Our leaders and some who like to be leaders never tire of referring to Sri Lanka as a Buddhist country. Calling it Buddhist is a far cry from practicing the Buddhas teachings. Calling oneself a Buddhist does not necessarily make one a Buddhist. . That applies to some of those who have undertaken the holy task of teaching the Buddhas words and practicing them. Yet the way we treat animals, whether domesticated or from the wild, is a sign of how compassionate and civilised we are. After all, animals cannot convey their needs, their pain. They have emotions too and they suffer as do humans except animals have nobody to appeal to. Our politicians and do-gooders proudly recall our 2,500 year old history and civilisation. What on earth is all self-glorification for if we cannot treat animals with the kindness and understanding they deserve. It is for the government to help by tightening the laws relating to animal welfare and well being and deal with offenders in an appropriate manner. If we cannot treat animals with the compassion that they deserve how will they treat their own kind. The ruling Nepal Communist Party's lawmaker Agni Prasad Sapkota has been elected the Speaker of House of Representatives unopposed as no other lawmaker contested against his candidacy, the state media said. Mahantha Thakur, who was chairing the House meeting today as the senior-most member, announced his election to the post on Sunday afternoon. Earlier during the meeting, the NCP's Subas Chandra Nembang had proposed his name for the position, arguing he was an appropriate candidate to lead the House. He said that Sapkota's qualification was clear as the opposition parties also did not field any candidate against him. As Sapkota was the only candidate for the House speaker he was certain to be declared as an unopposed winner to the post. Sapkota faces a murder charge in Kavrepalanchowk district. He has been accused of involvement in abducting and killing Arjun Lama in August 2005, during the decade long conflict era. Lama was abducted in April 2005 from a parents-teacher meeting held at Shree Krishna Secondary School at Dapche in Kavrepalanchowk district. Activists and civil society members have decried the decision to nominate Sapkota as an attack against the parliamentary system and against the spirit of democracy, according to The Himalayan Times. Senior advocate Dinesh Tripathi has also filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court urging the apex court to stay the speaker's election process and prevent Sapkota from becoming the speaker. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Specifically, Gilyan was working as a consultant for the auditor when he discovered homeowners using "dummy mortgages" to falsely claim a deduction. Gilyan said he found homeowners were falsely claiming they bought their homes with money borrowed from family members. A mortgage reduces property taxes. The auditor, who oversees property tax deductions, and commissioners, who do all consultant hiring, brought in Gilyan about seven years ago to help them enforce a state-mandated program to weed out bogus deductions on ineligible rental properties or second homes. Gilyan sued in 2017, saying Petalas breached their contract by disallowing them to pursue tax deduction fraud. He claimed Petalas refused to assist Gilyan's investigation and eventually convinced the county to cancel Gilyan's contract. Petalas has long denied the allegations. Summary judgment Clymer issued a summary judgment in the county's favor on Jan. 17, dismissing the case on the grounds the court "lacks subject matter jurisdiction" over the claims. Five people in the United States who recently travelled to China have been diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus. Officials from the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) said two new cases were reported on Sunday one in Los Angeles County, California, and the other in Maricopa County, Arizona. The latter case was someone with ties to Arizona State University who did not live in school housing, state health officials said. The three previously reported cases were a patient in Orange County, California; a man in his 30s in Washington; and a woman in her 60s from Chicago. It is understood all five patients recently travelled to the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the disease is believed to have originated. Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Show all 154 1 /154 Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Paramedics wearing personal protective equipment carry patient on a stretcher on to an ambulance in North Point district in Hong Kong, China Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker wearing protective gear takes a rest as he waits for ambulances carrying patients infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus at an entrance of a hospital in Daegu, South Korea YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker sprays disinfectant on an ambulance after carrying a patient infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Daegu YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People wearing protective face masks shop at a supermarket in Casalpusterlengo, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown due to the new coronavirus outbreak EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A trolley bus is disinfected amid fears over the spread of the novel coronavirus in Pyongyang, North Korea REUTERS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers wearing protective gear spray disinfectant as a precaution against the COVID-19 coronavirus in a local market in Daegu, South Korea AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a protective facemask walks outside a nearly empty shopping mall at lunch time in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing protective facemask and gloves puts a drawing made by a girl living in the area asking residents to wear protective gear, next to a quarantine notice for people who have travelled and a notice asking people to register outside a residential compound in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman 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hospital in Chuncheon, South Korea AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Soldiers in hazmat suits sanitize cargo from a China Airlines plane at the Taoyuan International Airport in Taoyuan City, Taiwan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Barricades are seen to block the entrance a the gate of a local mall in a nearly empty area in Beijing, China Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A vendor wearing a protective facemask waits for customers at a shop in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The body temperature of an Iraqi child returning from Iran is measured upon her arrival at the Najaf International Airport AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Volunteers hand out free facemasks at a shopping district in Quezon city, Metro Manila, Philippines Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers wearing 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attend to a patient inside an isolated ward of Wuhan Red Cross Hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A drone operated by the Suwon municipal government flies around Changyong Middle School spraying disinfectant, in Suwon, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers transfer medical waste at Leishenshan Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a protective mask rides a bicycle with his children in Guangzhou, China EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Volunteers in protective suits disinfect a railway station as the country is hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus, in Changsha, Hunan province, China cnsphoto via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman repatriated from Wuhan carries a child as she walks upon her arrival at the Van Don airport in Vietnam's Quang Ninh province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff checking the body temperature of a patient who has displayed mild symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus, at an exhibition centre converted into a hospital in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker in protective suit transports oxygen tanks at Wuhan Red Cross Hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Boys wearing protection masks, gloves and modified water bottles sit on a cart at the airport arrival terminal in Guangzhou EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Employees work on a production line manufacturing protective suits at a clothing factory in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province cnsphoto via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers in protective suits move a patient at an isolated ward of a hospital in Caidian district following an outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan China Daily via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A worker in protective clothing, including face mask and gloves, carries a bucket as he works inside of The County Oak Medical Centre in Brighton, southern England, after it closed for "urgent operational health and safety reasons", following reports a member of staff was infected with the strain of the novel coronavirus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers of the ecology and environment bureau collect samples from the sewage system of a hospital in Xinle, Hebei province China Daily via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man in protective clothing cleaning the County Oak Medical Centre GP practice The British government warned the outbreak of novel coronavirus was a "serious and imminent threat" and reported four new cases that brought the total recorded in the country to eight. Two hospitals The Royal Free and Guys and St Thomas', have both been designated as "isolation" facilities, with both currently housing Britons who have returned from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak PA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to the newly completed Huoshenshan temporary field Hospital in Wuhan. The global coronavirus death toll rose again with Hong Kong announcing its first death from the outbreak on 4 February EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of staff wait as coaches carrying Coronavirus evacuees arrive at Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre, in Milton Keynes, after being repatriated to the UK from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan PA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A crew member of the cruise ship Diamond Princess talks to a worker wearing protective gear standing near the vessel, where dozens of passengers were tested positive for coronavirus, at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Doctors scan a patient's lungs at Huoshenshan temporary hospital built for patients diagnosed with coronavirus in Wuhan Xinhua News Agency/AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People wearing protective suits walk from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, with around 3,600 people quarantined onboard due to fears of the new coronavirus, at the Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Indonesians who arrived from Wuhan are sprayed with antiseptic at Hang Nadim Airport in Batam. People evacuated from the Chinese city at the centre of a deadly virus outbreak, were transported to a quarantine zone on a remote island at the edge of the South China Sea, shortly after landing Indonesian Foreign Ministry via AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman wears a protective mask as she shops in a market in Beijing Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members hugging each other in an isolation ward at a hospital in Zouping in China's easter Shandong province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A portrait of Dr Li Wenliang is left at Li's hospital in Wuhan. He is regarded a whistleblower on the outbreak and died of the coronavirus which triggered wide-spread mourning on Chinese media Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Officers in protective gear enter the cruise ship Diamond Princess, where people tested positive for coronavirus, after the ship arrived at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, south of Tokyo Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Firefighters and personnel from the health ministry participate in a drill to prepare for the potential arrival of passengers infected with the coronavirus at the Viru Viru International Airport, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Scientists are at work in the VirPath university laboratory as they try to find an effective treatment against the new Sars-like coronavirus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers in protective suits attend to patients at the Wuhan International Conference and Exhibition Center, which has been converted into a makeshift hospital to receive patients with mild symptoms caused by the virus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A girl wears a mask as a preventive measure against the coronavirus outbreak, in Bangkok, Thailand Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man is transferred from the World Dream cruise ship to an ambulance at the Kai Tak cruise terminal in Hong Kong as health officials conduct inspections AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers from a disinfection service company enter Lotte Department Store in central Seoul, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man who arrived from Hubei province talks with police at a checkpoint at the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor holds a handheld digital thermometer near health officials preparing a health check for arriving passengers from China at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A resident walks across an empty track in Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A scientific staff member works in a secure laboratory, researching the coronavirus, at the Pasteur Institute in Dakar AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members preparing equipment to meet passengers of a military plane, which evacuated citizens of Russia and ex-Soviet countries from China's Wuhan province Vsluh.ru via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff wearing protective suits as they prepare to disinfect a Vietnam Airlines plane at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi Vietnam Airlines/AFP/Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A South Korean person, who was evacuated from Wuhan, arrives at the National Medical Center after showing suspected symptoms of novel coronavirus, in Seoul EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Officers in protective gear escort a person (under the blue sheet) who was on board cruise ship Diamond Princess and was tested positive for coronavirus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor being disinfected by his colleague at a quarantine zone in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Buses carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan, arrive at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Indonesian health officials conduct an exercise drill in transporting a patient requiring isolation at the Belawan port in Medan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The Pasteur Institute in Dakar, designated by the African Union as one of the two reference centres in Africa for the detection of the new coronavirus that appeared in China, is hosting experts from 15 countries on the continent this weekend to prepare them to deal with the disease AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A government worker disinfects a co-worker after visiting a quarantined woman's home in Qingdao EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An aerial view of the deserted roads and bridges in Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers hold a strike outside the Hospital Authority as they demand for Hong Kong to close its border with China to reduce the coronavirus spreading Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A person has their tempriture checked in Qingdao, China EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. Note the spikes that adorn the outer surface of the virus, which impart the look of a corona surrounding the virion, when viewed electron microscopically Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Malaysian nationals being directed from a bus by health officials in protective suits as they arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, after being evacuated from Wuhan Malaysia's Ministry of Health/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People hoping to buy face masks crowd outside a medical supply shop that was raided by police for allegedly hoarding and overpricing the masks, as public fear over China's Wuhan Coronavirus grow in Manila, Philippines. The Philippine government has been heavily criticized after failing to immediately implement travel restrictions from China, the source of a deadly coronavirus that has now killed hundreds and infected thousands more Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Residents wearing masks and raincoats volunteer to take temperature of passengers following the outbreak of a new coronavirus at a bus stop at Tin Shui Wai, a border town in Hong Kong Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Italian citizens repatriated from Wuhan going though a health control zone after landing at the Mario De Bernardi military airport in Pratica di Mare, south of Rome, prior to be placed in quarantine Italian Defence Ministry/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers arrange beds in a 2,000-bed mobile hospital, set up in an exhibition center, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor checks conditions of occupants in a hotel accommodating isolated people in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members wearing protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus which began in the city of Wuhan, arrive with a patient at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital. The Chinese army deployed medical specialists to the epicentre of the spiralling viral outbreak that has killed and spread around the world AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A baby wearing a protective face mask is pushed by a woman as they arrive from Shenzhen to Hong Kong at Lo Wu MTR station AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A health worker checks the temperature of a woman entering a subway station in Beijing Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A young child wears a protective mask and is covered in plastic while waiting to check in to a flight at Beijing Capital Airport The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday declared the coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ambulance crews arrive at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, as it prepares for a return flight from Wuhan, China. Eighty-three Britons and 27 foreign nationals who were trapped in Wuhan are being flown back to the UK Tom Maddick / SWNS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman carries a baby wearing a protective mask as they exit the arrival hall at Hong Kong High Speed Rail Station Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Camp beds at a Medical Assessment Center set up at the airport in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on the eve of the arrival of German citizens evacuated from Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Funeral parlour staff members in protective suits help a colleague with disinfection after they transferred a body at a hospital in Wuhan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Muslims wearing masks pray for the victims of coronavirus at a mosque in Ahmedabad, India Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical officials waiting for people who wants to check the novel coronavirus at Myeongdong shopping district Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Children wear plastic bottles as makeshift homemade protection and protective masks while waiting to check in to a flight at Beijing Capital Airport Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A patient assisted by medical staff gets off an ambulance in Wuhan AFP/Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People line up to buy face masks from a medical supply company in Nanning, southern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Countries began evacuating their citizens from the Chinese city hardest-hit by a new virus that has now infected more people in China than were sickened in the country by SARS Chinatopix via AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Millions spent their normally festive Lunar New Year holiday under lockdown Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Children with face masks wash their hands before prayer at Erawan shrine in Bangkok. Thailand has detected eight Coronavirus cases so far AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An Indonesian health officer points at the screen of a thermal scanner for passengers China confirmed that the deadly Wuhan coronavirus virus can be transmitted between humans AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Hospital workers wearing protective eyewear and masks examine an Indonesian student who returned from China in quarantine at a hospital in Banda Aceh AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ambulance staff dispose of an outfit at the hospital in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A person checks the temperature of a passenger to help stop the spread of a deadly virus as he arrives at the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International airport in Palembang AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Nepali students, wearing face masks, attend a class at Matribhumi School in Bhaktapur, on the outskirts of Kathmandu AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Two Buddhist monks wear face masks while walking along a street in Yangon AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff disinfecting a residential area in Ruichang, part of Jiujiang in China's central Jiangxi province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers are seen at the construction site of a new hospital being built to treat patients from a deadly virus outbreak in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 27, 2020. - China is rushing to build a new hospital in a staggering 10 days to treat patients at the epicentre of a deadly virus outbreak that has stricken thousands of people, state media reported on January 24. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images) HECTOR RETAMAL AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Vapor blurs the goggles of an ambulance driver while they work, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers producing facemasks at a factory in Yangzhou AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff getting on an ambulance in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A vendor of traditional masks wears a facial mask at his shop in Thamel EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An airport official checks the temperature of a passenger upon his arrival at the Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members arrive with a patient at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An ambulance driver talking with medical staff in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Wuhan Hygiene Emergency Response Team leave the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market The new coronavirus appears to have its origins in a seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, a popular transport hub AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers produce protective suits at a factory in Nantong AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers scanned by thermal imaging for body temperature as they go through health measures and procedures after they landed at Rome's Fiumicino airport on a southern airlines flight from Wuhan Aeroporto Di Roma/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A Thai royal guard wears a mask while on duty at the Grand Palace in Bangkok EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a face mask rides a nearly empty subway train in Beijing AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A shopper wearing goggles with a face mask and gloves uses a self checkout machine at a supermarket in Wuhan AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jinyintan hospital EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of the Italian Red Cross putting on protective gear, getting ready to give health checks to passengers that landed at Rome's Fiumicino airport on a southern airlines flight from Wuhan Aeroporto Di Roma/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A member of the Hong Kong government's Civil Aid Service gestures at the entrance to the Lady MacLehose Holiday Village which is being used as one of two quarantine centres for people who have been in close proximity with suspected cases of a SARS-type virus. Hong Kong will turn two holiday camps, including a former military barracks, into quarantine zones for people who may have come into contact with carriers of the Wuhan virus, officials announced AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff wearing protective suits at the Zhongnan hospital in Wuhan STR/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A Malaysia Health official checks passengers going through a thermal scanner upon their arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff disinfecting Yingtan North Railway Station, China China banned trains and planes from leaving the major city at the centre of a virus outbreak on January 23, seeking to seal off its 11 million people to contain the contagious disease that has claimed lives and spread to other countries AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A passenger walks past a quarantine control station at Narita airport, Japan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Patients queue up to seek treatment in Wuhan Tongji Hospital Fever Clinic, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Quarantine workers spray disinfectant at Incheon International Airport, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A member of staff checks the temperature of a guest entering the casino of the New Orient Landmark hotel in Macau, after it reported its first case of the new SARS-like virus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jin Yintan hospital Little is known about the new disease which, if confirmed, would be only the seventh coronavirus known to science that can infect humans Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of the Three Gorges Medical Laboratory offering free masks to the public in Yichang, China AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Gabriel Leung, right, chair professor of public health medicine at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong, speaks about the extent of the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak in China AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of staff of the Wuhan Hygiene Emergency Response Team conducting searches on the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A quarantine officer at Incheon International Airport, South Korea, uses an electronic thermometer to check the temperature of passengers arriving by plane from Wuhan The virus causes symptoms of viral pneumonia, and has already led to several deaths EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A screen shows cancelled flights at Tianhe airport in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jinyintan hospital EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Health officials hand out information about the current coronavirus at Kuala Lumpur International Airport AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A store owner argues with security guards as he attempts to enter the closed Huanan wholesale seafood market AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers producing facemasks at a factory in Handan, China's northern Hebei province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff and security personnel stop patients' family members from being too close to the Jinyintan hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus maya-goodfellowAn airport staff member uses a temperature gun to check people leaving Wuhan Tianhe International Airport AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A rescue worker walks past a notice about new coronavirus that has broken out in China Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Health officials wear face masks at an inspection site at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members carry a patient into the Jinyintan hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A staff member checks body temperature of a child after a train from Wuhan arrived at Hangzhou Railway Station in Hangzhou AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A quarantine station measures passenger body temperatures at Narita Airport JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers walk past a notice displayed near a quarantine control station at Narita airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers walk past a poster alerting on coronavirus screening ahead upon their arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An employee sprays disinfectant on a train, as a precaution against coronavirus, at Suseo Station in Seoul EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Kazakh sanitary-epidemiological service worker uses a thermal scanner to detect travellers from China who may have symptoms possibly connected with the previously unknown coronavirus, at Almaty International Airport, Kazakhstan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Pharmacist Liu Zhuzhen stands near a sign reading "face masks are sold out" at her pharmacy in Shanghai AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A worker in a protective suit at the closed seafood market in Wuhan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers wear protective face masks at the departure hall of a high speed train station in Hong Kong AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A notice for passengers from Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wears a mask while riding on mobike past the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market Getty The US patients have generally been reported to be in good condition and were hospitalised in isolation for monitoring. The confirmation of the five cases came as Canada declared its first presumptive confirmed case of the disease over the weekend, and as officials in Beijing warned the disease is likely to spread further. Ma Xiaowei, Chinas national health commission minister, told a news conference that the incubation period for the coronavirus the period between exposure to the virus and the appearance of first symptoms could range from one to 14 days. He said the disease was infectious during that period, something not the case with the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) that claimed nearly 800 lives during the 2002-2003 epidemic that also originated in China. At present, the rate of development of the epidemic is accelerating, Mr Ma said. I am afraid that it will continue for some time, and the number of cases may increase. UK confirms 31 tested for coronavirus - all negative Also on Sunday, the World Health Organisations director-general said he was on his way to China to confer with officials and health experts about the outbreak. In a tweet, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he wanted to strengthen our partnership with China in providing further protection against the outbreak. Chinese authorities say it has infected over 2,000 people and killed 56. The US is among those countries scrambling to withdrew personnel from the city of Wuhan. The state department said on Sunday it would be evacuating staff from the city on Tuesday in a direct flight to San Francisco. It said it would also book a limited number of US citizens on the flight if there were requests. It said if demand was high priority would be given to Americans at higher risk. Additional reporting by agencies Kandys new terminus sends people buzzing from stand to stand By L.B. Senaratne View(s): View(s): After a bus terminus with the capacity to accomadate 26 buses at a time and cost millions of rupees, was opened at Bogambara in Kandy, it was believed the chaotic traffic situation in Kandy would end. But now it is worse than ever. The Bogambara bus terminus has only one exit, which creates a traffic block from Kandy town onwards. This in turn creates another block from D.S. Senanayake Street to the Goodshed bus stand and the Railway station junction. The cost of the project was Rs 16.9 million. This bus stand had only created more chaos, because about six or seven bus stands that cater to buses that travel from Kandy to distant places including Matara and Jaffna were already operating. When the old Goodshed bus stand operated people knew where the buses were. There was also an office, which regulated the various routes, and complaints could be made there. But, now the commuters have to buss around from stand to stand to find the relevant buses. The Traffic Law provided requires people to be notified of any changes in the traffic procedure in the Sinhala, Tamil and English media. But this was not done. Commuters had to run from one place to another in search of buses. For example, the buses in most demand, the Digana-Kandy buses had been shifted to the Dangolla, Heerasagala and Bowalawatte bus stand. These destinations had come under the Clock Tower bus stand. People had to wait for hours for their buses, because they were waiting in the wrong place. When the new Central Province Road Authority Chairman visited the Malwatta Mahanayake, the Prelate said people were stranded in the night without buses and the Chairman should have attended to this issue. After 7 pm it had been difficult to find a bus to even travel from Kandy to Peradeniya, a distance of five km, because the bus service was such a mess. This situation should be corrected as soon as possible because school children, public and private sector employees find it difficult to travel to their destination. Commuters ask whether there is a hidden hand between the bus crews and the three wheelers? When the Sunday Times contacted the Kandy Police Traffic Division, the Officer in Charge said he remembered around three thousand handbills being distributed and several posters put up about the change in bus stands. Perhaps this was not enough, as people coming into Kandy from the outskirts might not know, the OIC said. He said he would discuss with the Central Province Road Authority on how best they could implement an awareness campaign. Consider the following paragraph about the recent Test series against New Zealand: Some critics might say that Williamson is a deflector of the ball. This might be right, although the same could be said about Smith. But his wagon wheel suggests opposition captains need to do more with their analytics. Bowl wider outside off-stump and maybe with wider mid-offs. Now, not everyone in the world is familiar with cricket. They may have no idea what an off-stump is, and might be wondering how wagons and theirs wheels fit in. For them, the paragraph may as well be written in another language. Being able to read doesn't mean we understand everything we read. Technical writing on cricket is a case in point. Credit:AP So being able to read while crucial is not enough to be able to participate effectively in a community. We also need background knowledge of the facts and ideas associated with the relevant field of interest. Without that, it is difficult to think either creatively or critically. This means knowledge and skills go together. I cant actually demonstrate intercultural understanding without learning something about other cultures. Virtuoso musicians learn the notes that comprise the different keys before they can creatively play. While the controversy over its implementation still lingers, the majority of Nigerians who participated in a PREMIUM TIMES poll believe that South-west governors should go ahead with the implementation of Operation Amotekun. Amotekun, a security formation launched by governors of the South-west states, is aimed at enhancing security in the region. Since its announcement, the initiative has triggered controversy across the country. While many say it is a good initiative, many others have kicked against it. Results from the poll A total of 2,087 participants took part in the online poll which lasted for about seven days. The participants were asked a single question: Should South West governors back down on Amotekun as directed by AGF Malami? with options of yes, no and I dont care. While 13.5 per cent of the respondents (282) said the governors should back down, 79.5 per cent (1,660 respondents), said they should not. Meanwhile, 6.9 per cent of the participants (145 votes) said they do not care whether or the governors listen to the Attorney General, Abubakar Malami. Reasons For Formation South-west states (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti) on January 9, launched Operation Amotekun in Ibadan. One of the reasons for the creation of the security outfit is to complement the efforts of the police force in combating kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent crimes. While this is a step in the fulfillment of the primary purpose of government, it is also in response to the growing rate of insecurity in the South-west region and the country in general. The South-west states like many other states in Nigeria, have suffered security challenges ranging from armed robbery, kidnappings, clashes between farmers and herders, and ritual killings. A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Olu Falae, was in 2015 kidnapped in Akure. Although the kidnappers were later arrested, a ransom of N5 million was paid for his release. In June 2019, the daughter of the leader of the Youruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Reuben Fasoranti, was killed by suspected herdsmen along Ore road. Olufunke Olakurin was shot while on her way to Lagos by masked hoodlums after a visit to her father in Akure. Only recently, a popular herbal manufacturer, Fatai Yusuff, popularly called Oko Oloyun was shot dead in Oyo State. Mr Yusuff was shot on his way to Iseyin in Oyo State from Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital around 4.30 p.m. Many residents including top politicians and community leaders have fallen victims of this menace and many who are kidnapped are most times not lucky enough to be released. Many others have been killed on roads, farms and even in their houses. Over the years, there have been reports of kidnapping and wanton killings along the AkureIbadan expressway, the Ore-Benin expressway and the Owo-Akoko axis. Ekiti State has also witnessed gruesome incidences of kidnapping, armed robberies and ritual murders. Controversies over legality Many who have kicked against the security formation have either argued that it is a threat to national security or that it is illegal. On the other hand, those who support Amotekun have likened the security outfit to to the already existing Hisbah and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) security outfits operating in some parts of Northern Nigeria. Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (Photo Credit: DailyPost) The Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, had declared the operation illegal. He said setting up of the organisation runs contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian law. TH3 Federal Republic of Nigeria is a sovereign entity and is governed by laws meant to sustain its corporate existence as a constitutional democracy. No other authority at the state level, whether the executive or legislature has the legal authority over defence, he said. Advertisements Mr Malami who cited the provisions of the Second Schedule to the Constitution insisted that security is a matter that is within the exclusive operational competence of the Federal of Government of Nigeria. A senior lawyer, Femi Falana, however, argued that by the virtue of section 318 of the Constitution, the word government is said to include the government of the federation, or any state, or of a local government council or any person who exercises power or authority on its behalf. READ ALSO: Thus, through the Inspector-General of Police (who endorsed the initiative) the federal government has ratified the establishment of Amotekun, he said. Many legal experts and top politicians have also argued about the legality of the security formation. PREMIUM TIMES has reported the constitutional implication of the initiative. The federal government and the governors of the South-west states have now agreed to have a legal framework to back Operation Amotekun. The planned recruitment of personnel and further implementation of Amotekun has been put on hold until the legal framework is in place. Already, a three-member committee has been constituted to provide a legal working document for the states. Why Nigerians support Amotekun Arguments among Nigerians especially on social media is that residents of the South-west stand to gain a lot from Amotekun. Although the constitution does not have any provision for the establishment of security outfits like Amotekun, it has, however, mandated both federal and state governments to ensure the protection of lives and properties of citizens. By interpretation, the government is to take every possible measure to ensure that citizens are protected. This could be the justification for the creation of Amotekun, many believe. Many Nigerians also welcome any initiative that will help reduce insecurity. This is a win for both residents and the government. Akinloye Oyeniyi, the National Director of Voter Education, Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC), responded in the affirmative when asked if South-west governors should go ahead with Amotekun despite Mr Malamis disapproval. The governors should go ahead with their constitutional duty of protecting lives and properties and maintaining law and order in their domains either individually or jointly, he said. For him, the AGFs comments on Amotekun is in his own personal opinion and does not have any legal bearing on the action of the governors as regards establishing the security outfit to complement community policing in their domains. He also said the South-west and the whole of Nigeria will gain from Amotekun. The first obligation of both the federal and state governments is the security of lives and properties and maintenance of laws and order. So, it is a win-win initiative for both governments as it will enhance the primary functions of both, he said. Mr Oyeniyi explained that it is constitutional that every governor be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They also must strive to preserve the Fundamental Objectives (which are the ultimate objectives of the nation) and Directive Principles of State Policy which are the paths which lead to those fundamental objectives as contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which are to create social and economic conditions and protection of peace and security under which the citizens can lead a good life. With above constitutional provisions, it is glaring it is not out of place for the South-west governors to have come together to form Amotekun which also is their constitutional duty of standing against anything that will endanger the continuance of Federal Government in Nigeria. And devoting themselves to the service and well-being of the people of Nigeria is also a constitutional duty all governors must do as sworn to in their oath of office enshrined in the Constitution, he said. Debt moratorium for SMEs unlikely to support SLs economic recovery :Moodys View(s): The Governments debt moratorium is credit negative for Sri Lankan banks and the sovereign (status) because it risks increasing SMEs risk appetite and relaxing their attitude toward debt repayments, rating agency Moodys said this week. This in turn will undermine banks asset quality and constrain the sovereigns credit profile, it said in a statement, referring to the January 13 announcement by the Central Bank in issuing guidelines on the debt moratorium for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The scope of this debt moratorium is much wider than last years moratorium for the tourism sector given that SME loans constitute a significant part of the banking systems gross loans, it said. Among the banks we rate, we expect the moratorium will most affect Hatton National Bank Ltd and Sampath Bank PLC given that SME banking is one of their core businesses. Meanwhile, Bank of Ceylon will be least affected because its loan book is largely exposed to state-owned entities and large domestic corporates, the statement said. The asset quality of Sri Lankan banks has deteriorated in recent years, a result of a weak domestic economy and excessive loan growth prior to 2017. The debt moratorium will help slow the banks non-performing loan formation this year, but Moodys anticipate an increase in bad debts when the grace period ends, especially if the domestic economic conditions remain weak. These latest SME relief measures are the second major set of economic stimulus measures announced by the current administration since it took office at the end of last year. However, similar to our expectation on any macroeconomic benefits from the tax cuts announced for businesses and households, they are similarly unlikely to lead to significant and sustained acceleration in economic activity, despite SME activity across various sectors comprising around half of Sri Lankas gross domestic product and employment. Any short-term boost to economic activity will depend jointly on SMEs uptake for working capital support and banks additional lending because of the aggregate measures. We expect a strengthening tourism sector to drive continuing and gradual economic recovery in 2020, with real GDP growth picking up to 3.4 per cent from the 2.6 per cent we expect for 2019. We do not expect the SME debt relief package or the broad-based tax cuts to significantly boost demand. According to the Central Banks guidance, the moratorium will not apply to import credit facilities, with the exception of those for machinery and equipment. As such, Moodys do not expect that the most export-oriented SMEs will receive a significant benefit from this relief package because of the weak external environment. The SME debt relief package will also include a joint credit guarantee scheme formed by the government and the Central Bank, which will provide guarantees up to 75 per cent of the gross loan amount for those SMEs with nonperforming loans. Because banks will be charged a 1 per cent per annum guarantee fee, we do not expect this guarantee programme to result in any fiscal cost for the government, Moodys said. Everyone is affected by homelessness in some way, city officials and advocates say. Perhaps theres a homeless encampment in your neighborhood, or you know someone who is homeless. Maybe youre having to live with friends or family members because you were evicted. Or perhaps its simply that you pay taxes, and tax money is spent on addressing the homeless issue. Whatever the connection, city leaders want to hear from the public on the issue. A California company that the City Council hired to create a Homeless Strategic Plan is hosting four public forums on homelessness next week and is asking residents for their input, including suggestions on ways to address homelessness in San Antonio. On ExpressNews.com: Volunteers spend the night counting homeless in streets, under bridges, in shelters In October, the council approved a $128,898 contract with HomeBase, a San Francisco company, to develop a strategy to tackle homelessness, including encampments. That strategic plan is expected to be presented in March. The city has seen a growing need to reformat its outdated homelessness plan, which was created in 2005. Public forums on homeless Monday 6-7:30 p.m. Frank Garrett Multi-Service Center 1226 N.W. 18th St. Tuesday 6-7:30 p.m. Northeast Service Center (Tool Yard) 10303 Tool Yard Wednesday 6-7:30 p.m. Great Northwest Library 9050 Wellwood Thursday 6-7:30 p.m. Claude Black Community Center 2805 E. Commerce St. See More Collapse The Point-in-Time Count, conducted on a single night every January by the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless, revealed that in 2019 the homeless population had declined by 6 percent, from 3,066 people to 2,872. But there are some who are concerned that this might not have reflected that populations true numbers. The 2019 count showed the number of homeless families increased 18 percent. The number of complaints about homeless encampments also has increased. Since 2017, nearly 500 encampments have been cleared by the city at a cost of more than $1.7 million. HomeBase is expected to address these issues by conducting fieldwork, identifying gaps in the system, gathering feedback from stakeholders and developing a comprehensive strategy. Then it will be up to the city to implement the plan. The upcoming forums will not be HomeBases first time in San Antonio. On ExpressNews.com: California firm working on San Antonio homelessness plan impressed with what they see Company staffers have been visiting the city since November, meeting with city and Bexar County officials and numerous nonprofits. HomeBase staff also have attended a City Council Public Safety Committee meeting, participated in outreach and a ride-along, and met with historians to learn the background of the city's homelessness issue. They have met with numerous county criminal justice officials and staff members to begin discussions on how the city and county criminal justice system helps or hinders the problem and what they might need to better address the situations they face when they handle homeless defendants. They have also met with organizations such as Haven for Hope and SAMMinistries to review their programs and services for the communitys homeless. What's the one thing you haven't crossed off from your bucket list? Okay, not just one thing, I am pretty sure there are more but I am also sure travelling is one of them and you're trying to cross off the travel bug every now and then! Well, we have with us a man who's been bitten by the travel bug 52 times to be precise and now, he lives to tell the tale. Sebastian Modak, a New Yorker actually lived his bucket list and we're so immensely jealous of him! In January 2019, The New York Times released its annual list of must-see travel destinations of the year, called '52 places to go in 2019'. The same month last year, NYT announced that it would be sending a journalist, Sebastian Modak to cover all 52 destinations on the list. And he did it well. Although he was getting paid to travel, it was also quite a task for him to accomplish! Insider So, 52 countries, 88 flights, 45 train trips and 48 boat rides later, the lad only managed to miss one plane and lose only his sunglasses for the entire duration, which is impressive AF! We're definitely banking on him to give us a headway into best travel practises, especially if you're travelling solo. While we want the same job as him, most of us also travel for pleasure. While Modak was working and having the time of his life simultaneously, we believe he can help us put together a list of how to travel solo. So, here it is: (1) Soak In Every Inch Of Your Itinerary While he was on a clock budget, Modak had to make the most of the places in a short duration. 52 countries really isn't a joke, is it? So, he did what he did best. He made the best of his travels but didn't miss out on anything at all and if you're on a packed itinerary, you should make the most of it. What's the point of spending so much money and then being lax when you're travelling and missing out on most of the good things? I didnt have a day off for a full year. No weekends, no day off. There was always something to do every day, It was like the ultimate FOMO, he said. Its not just that you fear youre going to miss out on having an experience that you can have as a traveller, in a vacation area, I also wanted to get up early and hit the road because I had to, because I needed to take more photos and find a story, interview more people. So I had that pressure throughout the whole year. -Modak told Insider in an interview. Insider He also mentioned that travelling on the clock made for more rewarding experiences than travelling for pleasure might have. So, if you're also travelling on work and have a packed schedule maybe wander off and do some sight-seeing yourself. You'll soak in a lot more than you can when you're leisurely travelling! (2) Build Experiences What Modak did was go into villages, meet and talk to people, hear their stories to build an experience. It's easier to do if you're travelling alone. You need to make experiences happen or else travel can be a bit dull. I was going into each place looking for a story, wanting to meet people, that led to so many experiences that I would never have if I was just on vacation. he added. But even if you're on vacation it's always best to travel like you're a local, like you belong there so you can have maximum interactions and learn about people and their culture as well. (3) Don't Plan Too Much According to Modak, planning extensively can kill the enthusiasm you need to have to build experiences out of your travels. While you need to plan your tickets and your stay, ideally, according to him, you should just take each day as it comes. He would just head out and be down for anything and according to him, the least planned parts were the best ones! You cant be a planner. I usually didnt know anything beyond where I was staying when I got on a plane to the next place. Sometimes I didnt necessarily even know that. I think having that openness really led to some of my best experiences because I just kind of went in, down for anything, flying by the seat of my pants, For the most part, it really worked out. I think if I had planned everything down to the minute, I would have had a very, very different experience and not nearly as rewarding, he said. Insider (4) Travel With A Lot Of Curiosity Travel with the curiosity of a journalist, Modak says. It definitely does open up a brand new world for someone. Basically, get curious about anything and everything you don't know or don't understand. Talk to people, find out things and explore every nook and cranny because you're a curious cat at the end of it all. That's the only way you'll remember the place, its people and its history, the best! Ive just kind of put myself into the hands of total strangers, and its basically always paid off, Modak said. (5) Find Bliss in Solitude While travelling solo can be lonely, one should also take the opportunity to get to know themselves. It's the best time to in any case, right? Instead of lamenting over the fact that you'd have to eat your lunches and dinners alone, think about the bliss this alone time will bring you, away from the usual rush and crowd of your home city. Insider I think I learned a lot about myself I spent a lot of time with my own thoughts. Since Ive been back up Ive found myself craving alone time, which wasnt a thing that I really craved before. Im definitely more of an extroverted person. I think it taught me to be comfortable with being alone, and even enjoy it. Apart from these pointers Modak also said that travelling alone helped him be more organised in life and also helped him realise how little he really needs in life! He actually went back home to New York and donated most of his clothes he didn't need because minimalistic living is what you learn when you're a solo traveller. Apart from that, it made him very organised since he was planning everything, since day one! Travelling like this made me realise how little I actually need, I came back to New York and the second day here I took a trip to Goodwill and donated three-quarters of my clothes because I was like: I clearly dont need this stuff. I lived off these 10 shirts for a whole year.' Insider The 31-year-old's favourite destination was Siberia as it surprised him the most, but he loved all other places too and said they all have the potential to be incredible. We're in awe of this man, who managed to plan a trip to 52 countries, while we can't even plan our next day! So, if you're looking to travel solo, maybe do what Modak did and take a good look at the pointers listed above. With Inputs from Insider. Her gag order has finally been lifted, and Julie Roginsky has a dark story to tell about Gov. Phil Murphy and the boys on his political team. Lets start with a question thats been hanging for two years: Why did she abruptly leave her post as senior advisor to the Murphy campaign in July of 2017, just as it approached the home stretch? What was the spark? It came on June 23, she says, during a shouting match with Brendan Gill, the campaign manager. Gill used explicit, misogynistic language to refer to me that would have automatically gotten him fired from any other organization, she says. What misogynistic language? It was the C-word. She told Murphy about it, she says. And he did nothing. Gill denies it, with vehemence. I absolutely never said that word to Ms. Roginsky, he says, calling it a malicious, politically motivated lie. So does the governors team. They both describe a close friendship between Gill and Roginsky that soured to the point where Murphy had to pick one or the other, and he chose Gill. In their telling, Roginsky is lashing out and making false statements because she lost a power struggle with Gill. More on that below. To me, the bigger story is that Roginsky has compelling evidence that our governor has been misleading the public for months, on two big issues. Murphy has said, over and over, that women who worked on his campaign are free to talk about workplace issues and sexual harassment. But Roginsky revealed an e-mail showing that is simply not true. It was sent to her on May 24, 2019, and it was from Paul Josephson, the governors campaign attorney. It warned her that the gag order she signed prohibits her from discussing any knowledge or information of any type whatsoever gained during her work on the campaign. I cant see any wiggle room there. And when I asked the governors team to find some, they couldnt either. Murphy also claims that he was unaware of any complaints of toxic behavior during his campaign. But the governor is copied on an email Roginsky wrote that complains of rank misogyny in the campaign and says several young women had confided in her about mistreatment by men. I am happy to provide names, the e-mail says. Roginsky says the governor never asked for those names. An attorney for the campaign said they did ask, and she didnt respond. There is no written record to solve that one. But the governor said he never heard complaints, and again, I cant see any wiggle room. Heres the question that Matt Arco and Brent Johnson of NJ Advance Media asked the governor recently: Were you aware of any incidents of sexual harassment or complaints of a toxic work environment during your campaign? And heres Murphys answer: Not that I know of. No. This is damaging stuff. Was the governor lying? In theory, he could say he never read the email, but even his people didnt make that claim during several interviews. And keep in mind, this came a few days before Roginsky was forced out of the campaign, when her battle with Gill was reaching its peak. He had ample and urgent reason to read it. Roginsky basically forced Murphy to yield gag order last week by describing his campaign as the most toxic work environment I have ever seen in 25 years of working on political campaigns. As it happens, she just formed a national organization to fight against gag orders like this, teaming with Gretchen Carlson, an old friend from Fox News, where Roginsky appeared for years as a lonely liberal voice. (Both women signed gag orders as settlements of sexual harassment suits against the network and Roger Ailes.) How bad was the Murphy campaign? No doubt, many people were expecting Roginsky to reveal horror stories of sexual assaults, or unwanted advances, especially after the 2018 legislative hearings on Katie Brennan, a Murphy campaign volunteer who claimed she was raped by a senior campaign employee. But Roginsky reports none of that. Nor does she accuse Murphy personally of inappropriate behavior towards women. This is about men on his staff shouting, throwing chairs, cutting women out of meetings, and retaliating against those who object. Roginsky is describing behavior thats bad, even a bit sickening, but this is not a Harvey Weinstein scandal. Still, add Roginsky to the list of women who claim they were mistreated by men during this campaign, the transition, and the early days of the administration. Julia Fahl, now the mayor of Lambertville, complained of toxic behavior by Joe Kelley, a senior campaign aide and now a deputy chief of staff, who lost his temper and threw a chair against a wall in her presence. Allison Kopicki criticized Kelley in the press, and later quit her state job after claiming she faced discrimination and hostility from Murphys team. Brennan was wildly mistreated after reporting her alleged rape, forced to watch as Murphys crew broke a promise to fire the man she accused, and instead promoted him and gave him a fat raise. Roginsky says at least three other women told her of mistreatment by men during the campaign, but fear retaliation if they step forward, with or without a gag order. They came to her after she filed her harassment suit against Fox, and Murphy stepped up to support her, calling her smart, hard-working and fiercely loyal. His public support and my public lawsuit opened a floodgate from younger women on the campaign who tentatively approached me about their own concerns, Roginsky says. The message from them was clear: Brendan Gill was running a misogynistic, toxic campaign and many of them felt verbally abused by him and the men in his inner circle whom he empowered. Gill denies all that and is particularly concerned about the charge that he used the C-word. Ive spent hours on this, and it boils down to a he-said, she-said, with no way to know for sure who is telling the truth. I include it because its central to Roginskys story. The governors team points to the official report conducted by the campaign after Roginsky complained about Gills outburst. It concluded that Gill used variants of the F-word. He was asked to apologize to Roginsky, and did so in writing, referring repeatedly to the bad language he used. They note that the C-word is not in the official record, and that Roginsky didnt object when the report on Gills tantrum concluded that he used variants of the F-word. They note that days before she left the campaign, she wrote an e-mail to Murphy suggesting that she try to mend fences with Gill for the sake of the campaign. Gill calls all this overwhelming evidence that proves Roginsky was lying. On the other hand, are we supposed to believe all this fuss concerned the use of the F-word on a political campaign in New Jersey? Please. Every campaign Ive reported on is drenched with that word. Roginsky also says that she told several people at the time that Gill used the C-word, and thats true. One of them was me, and two others confirmed she spoke with them as well. The woman was furious. There are more layers to this, which no doubt will be combed over in the weeks ahead. Roginsky claims that four lobbyists complained to her during the campaign that Gill and a man he hired on the campaign staff, Adam Alonso, were using their proximity to Murphy to press the lobbyists for private business, a claim the governors campaign says it investigated. Shes not accusing them of corruption, but said she forwarded the complaints to campaign attorneys, and that helps explain Gills animosity towards her. Gill denies any wrongdoing, and Alonso didnt respond to questions sent by e-mail. The governors people say Roginsky leaked damaging information to the press, but they have presented no evidence for that. They claim that her side work for the Middlesex County Democratic Organization presented a conflict of interest but cant describe it precisely or offer evidence to support the claim. Roginsky notes that she worked for Middlesex before Murphy hired her and disclosed that to him, which the governors people concede. She says the two jobs were not in conflict, and that she recused herself from any discussions on issues that might affect Murphy, like the effort to promote Assemblyman Craig Coughlin as a candidate for Speaker of the Assembly. I asked the governor to discuss all this, and he refused, keeping his streak alive. But this time, I get it. What can he say? During the Katie Brennan hearings, Murphy claimed that he never heard about her rape complaint until the Wall Street Journal prepared to publish a story about it, even though his staff knew for several months. That was hard to believe at the time, and its much harder to believe now. Its a pity. Murphy had a problem on his campaign that was manageable. And now hes turned it into a wound to his credibility that may never quite heal. More: Tom Moran columns Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com or call (973) 836-4909. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Andhra Pradesh is poised to march ahead on the path of inclusive growth and integrated development through decentralisation of administration, Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan said on Sunday as he led the state in celebrating the Addressing the gathering after unfurling the Flag on the occasion at the IGMC Stadium in Vijayawada, the Governor said the state government took a historic decision to decentralise and distribute capital functions for equitable distribution of resources and caring for balanced development of all regions. Decentralisation of administration brings people closer to government and arrests fissiparous and divisive tendencies that arise out of frustration caused due to unequal opportunities and concentration of wealth. The ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity spelt out in the Preamble (of the Constitution) mean that the fruits of socio-economic development reach each and every section of the people and the government does not work in favour of a few sections or regions, Harichandan observed. He said centralisation and concentration of resources at a particular place or region was against the very ethos of democracy. His remarks come in the backdrop of the YSR Congress government's move to have executive capital in Visakhapatnam, judicial in Kurnool and legislative capital in Amaravati. The government, the Governor said, recognised the importance of maintaining high economic growth as an imperative for sustained development. Besides continuing the focus on agriculture, industries and services sectors, the government was committed to giving special thrust to all key sub-sectors to push growth. The government has decided to go all out with Navaratnalu, an integrated scheme with themes covering agriculture, health, education, housing and welfare, as it was committed to uplift the downtrodden and the deprived, with corruption-free and inclusive governance. The Governor reviewed the Parade after he was presented a guard of honour. Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, Chief Secretary Nilam Sawhney, Director General of Police Gautam Sawang, Principal Secretary (Political) Praveen Prakash and other top officials attended. Tableaux of various departments highlighting the welfare schemes of the government formed part of the event. UN heath agency: Time is now to 'act as one' in fighting infectious coronavirus 25 January 2020 - Following confirmed cases of the Novel coronavirus in Europe, the United Nations health agency released a statement on the need for the international community to work together as one to combat the infectious disease. The evolving outbreak that began in China is "a sign that every country needs to be ready to timely detect and manage outbreaks of any type", the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday. Virus infections have now been reported on four continents, including in Australia, France and the United States, among recent travelers to China. Several other countries in Asia have reported cases as well. On Friday, France officially notified the WHO Regional Office for Europe of three confirmed cases two in Paris and one in Bordeaux. All of them had travelled from Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus, and are now hospitalized in France. "Timely action is fundamental for early containment", underscored WHO, commending France for quickly notifying WHO and rapidly issuing a public communication, saying that it not only exemplified the proper steps forward, but also illustrated "an example of global collaboration and solidarity". WHO maintained that the first confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Europe were not unexpected. "They remind us that the global nature of travels exempts no country from infectious disease spread", WHO stated. "This also means that no country can afford postponing the establishment of all necessary measures to protect their people". More than 1,300 cases have been confirmed worldwide, and 41 people have died, including a 62-year-old doctor at a Wuhan hospital who contracted the virus from a patient, according to State media. At a time of uncertainty about how the virus originated and behaves, WHO spells out that "it is even more critical that countries, organizations and the international community act as one". "We need to move as one region, as one world in scaling up our ability to prepare and respond together", said the statement. "The time is now to make ourselves ready", said WHO, adding that, together with Chinese authorities, it is doing everything it can to investigate the outbreak. Although the virus' behavior remains unpredictable, the UN health agency upheld that "today we are offered a window of opportunity; today we must grab it to make the region and the world safer". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Canada has reported its first case of deadly coronavirus that has been detected in a man who returned to Toronto from the central city of China, Wuhan, according to the health officials on January 25. Eileen de Villa, head of the city's public health agency, Toronto confirmed at a press conference that they have the first presumptive case of the novel coronavirus. The patient, a man who is in his 50s, has reportedly been admitted to the hospital in Toronto, according to Barbara Yaffe, deputy chief medical officer for the province of Ontario. READ: French Doctor: Virus From China Seems Less Serious Than SARS China ordered nationwide measures The man has been reportedly kept under observation and a laboratory in Winnipeg will test samples to determine if he is actually infected with the coronavirus. In a bid to try and stop the spread of a new strain of Coronavirus, China has recently ordered nationwide measures that are aimed at identifying and isolating anyone suspected of having the deadly virus. As the death toll and the number of those infected skyrocketed, these measures will target passengers travelling on trains, aeroplanes and buses. China's capital, Beijing has announced that it will suspend buses that enter and exit the city to prevent further spread of the deadly virus, Coronavirus according to the state media reports on January 25. READ: China Says Virus Situation 'grave' As Lunar New Year Curtailed Measures taken to contain virus The authorities have taken this decision in a bid to contain the new SARS-like virus that has killed dozens in the country. According to reports, "all passenger transport by road" that moves in and out of Beijing will be suspended from Sunday. The deadly virus has claimed 56 lives and affected more than 2000 people. The outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (nCOV) has caused widespread alarm and panic across the world. With its epicentre in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the virus has slowly spread across the globe with cases being reported in the US, Europe (in France), Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. Thirteen cities, in an effort to contain the virus, have issued a travel ban and now officials have reported that Wuhan, which is widely considered as the epicentre of the virus, will be restricting car traffic from Sunday. READ: Nationwide Measures Ordered In China In A Bid To Contain New Coronavirus READ: China Expands Travel Ban Amid Coronavirus Outbreak, 56 Million People Affected Energy minister announces reduction in natural gas prices 20:45, 26.01.20 11113 Details will be made public on Monday, January 27. DES MOINES, Iowa The urgent fight for the Democratic presidential nomination raged across Iowa on Sunday as the partys leading candidates scrambled to deliver closing arguments centered on the defining question of the 2020 primary: Who can beat President Donald Trump? Former Vice President Joe Biden demonstrated the breadth of his appeal by appearing at separate events with Catholics, union members and African Americans. He told black voters with a smile that Ive gone to more black churches than you have, probably, because Im older. At the same time, the fight for the heart of the progressive movement pitted Elizabeth Warren against Bernie Sanders with dueling rallies hundreds of miles apart as they raced to reach voters before being forced back to Washington when Trumps impeachment trial resumed Monday. With Iowas first-in-the-nation caucuses just eight days away, it was unclear when the senators would be able to return to the state. We gotta win, Warren told several hundred people in Davenport, on the eastern edge of the state. And also, can we just address it right here? Women win. The world changed when Donald Trump got elected. At a subsequent rally in Cedar Rapids, a voter asked why people should caucus for Warren instead of Sanders. She replied: I know how to fight and I know how to win. Sanders made an equally aggressive case almost 300 miles to the west in Sioux City, having spent much of the weekend highlighting his ability to energize what he has often called a multi-generational, multi-racial, working-class coalition. When I look at the size of this crowd I am absolutely convinced that, a week from Monday, we make history. We win the Iowa caucus, Sanders declared in what was his fifth campaign appearance of the day. The candidates were running out of time to change the direction of the high-stakes nomination fight ahead of Iowas Feb. 3 caucuses, the first of four primary contests in February in which momentum is critical. Establishment-minded Democrats were increasingly concerned about Sanders strength, fearing that the 78-year-old self-described democratic socialist might be too radical to beat Trump this fall should he win the nomination. Stoking those fears, Trumps campaign teased a general election attack against Sanders. The Vermont senator had spent much of the day before campaigning alongside New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and the presidents team sent out an email with the title Socialist invasion. Why is radical socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez spending so much time campaigning for Bernie? Because hes the godfather of her extreme agenda and socialist vision for America, the email said. Seizing on concerns about Sanders, Democratic rival Sen. Amy Klobuchar told reporters after a campaign appearance in Ames that she was more electable and would be a better candidate at the top of the ticket than the Vermont senator. My argument is that I will make our tent bigger, our coalition wider, and my coattails (are) longer, Klobuchar said. I actually have the receipts. I do not come from a state thats as blue as Vermont. The youngest candidate in the race, 38-year-old Pete Buttigieg, also played up warnings about Sanders at least in his fundraising emails. For a second consecutive day, Buttigiegs campaign sent a message to supporters warning that the Vermont senator might become the nominee. Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, insisted that it is time for something new as he courted more than 1,000 people at an elementary school in West Des Moines. We cannot run the risk of trying to defeat this president with the same Washington political warfare mentality that brought us to this point, he said, declining to single out any of his rivals. It is time for something different. It is time to turn the page. As a deep sense of uncertainty loomed over the Iowa contest, Trumps impeachment trial remained a major complication. Four candidates will be compelled by the Constitution to sit as jurors in Trumps Senate impeachment trial. The proceedings make it virtually impossible for the senators Sanders, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Michael Bennet of Colorado to appear in Iowa during the week, although there is some sense that the trial could be over by weeks end. As Iowa drew the most focus, billionaire candidate Tom Steyer reminded union workers in Nevada, which hosts the third contest on the primary calendar, that he hasnt forgotten about them. Im know that Im the only person who showed up here, Steyer told reporters at a union conference in Las Vegas. I try to show up and show that I care. Back in Iowa, Warren tried to maintain some momentum after picking up a coveted endorsement from The Des Moines Register. The newspaper called her the best leader for these times and said she is not the radical some perceive her to be even if some of her ideas for big, structural change go too far. Warren leaned into her gender as she courted several hundred voters at an elementary school gymnasium in Davenport. We took back the House and we took back statehouses around the nation because of women candidates and the women who get out there and do the hard work, she said. Biden scored the endorsement of the Sioux City Journal, which called him the candidate best positioned to give Americans a competitive head-to-head matchup with President Trump and said he would be best at attracting support from independents and disgruntled Republicans. The former vice presidents itinerary reflected his ability to assemble just that kind of coalition. A devout Catholic, Biden attended Mass in Des Moines in the morning, spoke at a union hall and then faced a gathering of the NAACP and other minority advocacy groups. I was raised in the black church politically. Not a joke, Biden told a man who asked about his engagement with the faith-based minority community. Thats where my political identity comes from, he said of the black community. ___ Associated Press writers Thomas Beaumont and Bill Barrow in Des Moines, Iowa, Sara Burnett in Davenport, Iowa, Will Weissert in Perry, Iowa and Michelle Price in Las Vegas contributed to this report. New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended his greeting to Indians on the occasion of Indias 71st Republic Day. PM Modi took to the microblogging site to convey his greetings. Wishing everyone a Happy Republic Day. Greetings to all Indians on this occasion. Jai Hind! he tweeted. The prime minister was joined by Union ministers in wishing people on the micro-blogging site. Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, "Greetings to all Indians on 71st Republic Day". HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' said, "On the occasion of Republic Day, I congratulate students, parents and all related to the education sector." "Wishing everyone a happy #RepublicDay," Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar tweeted. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweeted, "Greetings and good wishes on the occasion of 71st Republic Day. #RepublicDay #Indian". Earlier on Saturday, President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu greeted the nation. In his address, the President said that justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity were the central tenets of the Constitution of India. He urged people to follow these tenets by keeping in mind the values of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi. Meanwhile, Naidu asserted, "Let us pledge to faithfully discharge our constitutionally mandated Fundamental Duties and be responsible citizens who will be proactive partners in the nation's development." For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Newsfrom Japan Tokyo, Jan. 26 (Jiji Press)--Officials of Japanese opposition parties on Sunday urged the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to disclose information related to a state-funded cherry blossom-viewing party at the center of cronyism allegations involving the administration. "Prime Minister Abe and the ruling bloc are totally to blame for preventing policy discussions," Tetsuro Fukuyama, secretary-general of the biggest opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, said in a television program. "Disclosing information is a starting point for discussions," he added. Fukuyama said the government should disclose records of a computer at the time of the erasure of electronic data on the list of guests invited to the prime minister-hosted cherry party and a receipt for a dinner held at a Tokyo hotel on the eve of the party. Hirofumi Hirano, secretary-general of the Democratic Party for the People, criticized the government for "covering up or tampering with public records" related to the cherry blossom party. Tomomi Inada, executive acting secretary-general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, refrained from mentioning whether to accept the opposition requests for information disclosure, saying only, "It is necessary to review the way of managing public records." [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Police said that the Imam, a resident of Bihar and a former Jawaharlal Nehru University student, delivered a very inflammatory speech in his opposition to CAA and NRC. NEW DELHI: After Uttar Pradesh and Assam police, the Delhi Police Crime Branch has booked Sharjeel Imam. The cleric came into limelight during the ongoing protest at Shaheen Bagh, for allegedly delivering inflammatory speeches against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the planned National Register of Citizens (NRC). Police said that the Imam, a resident of Bihar and a former Jawaharlal Nehru University student, delivered a very inflammatory speech in his opposition to CAA and NRC. He had earlier delivered one such speech in Jamia Millia Islamia on December 13 last year and another inflammatory against the government later which is being widely circulated on social media, police said. These speeches have the potential to harm the religious harmony and the unity and integrity of India, for which the case was registered against him, police said. The Imam was heard saying in an audio clip that Assam should be cut off from the rest of India and taught a lesson, as Bengalis both Hindus and Muslims are being killed or put into detention centres. He reportedly said that if he could organise five lakh people, it would become possible to permanently cut off Assam with rest of India.... A case against Imam under IPC sections 124 A (Using words, either spoken or written causing disaffection against government established by law), 153 A (promoting enmity between different religious groups) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) have been registered. The crash left behind a grisly accident scene that included bloody evidence of the collision with Townsley and the second collision that left one of the other motorists trapped until emergency crews cut the driver free, Fisher said. One or more of the witnesses at the scene saw Collins inside her vehicle with the music blaring and her face covered in blood, he added. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 07:47:22|Editor: ZD Video Player Close A Tibetan womam dance in Doilungdeqen District of Lhasa, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Jan. 25, 2020. On the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, Tibetan people gathered to celebrate the festival. (Xinhua/Chogo) Andy Cohen is in the mix of drama from fans of The Real Housewives of Orange County. After Vicki Gunvalson and Tamra Judge were confirmed to not be returning to the franchise, viewers from the show have not been kind to the Bravo producer. Many feel that it was his decision that ultimately ousted the RHOC veterans and many find his messages to the reality stars hypocritical. Vicki Gunvalson, Andy Cohen, and Tamra Judge | Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images The Watch What Happens Live host posted a message retweeting Judges announcement she was exiting RHOC after 12 years. An unprecedented run from a woman who was always entertaining, surprising and dramatic and never ever aged. And now shes the queen of CBD, Cohen tweeted. An unprecedented run from a woman who was always entertaining, surprising and dramatic and never ever aged. And now shes the queen of CBD! https://t.co/VbFFOUFTwc Andy Cohen (@Andy) January 25, 2020 Youre literally firing these chicks left and right and then posting love notes to them, its so frikken weird, a fan wrote. RHOC will not be the same without Vicki and then you turn around and re-sign unbearable Braunwyn. Shame, bad decision, a viewer tweeted. Wow no Vicki Gunvalson or Tamra Judge? What kind of RHOC is that going to be? Boring AF. Seriously, after all these years weve become invested in these women. If its their decision, fine, but if Bravo did this bad move, a Twitter user commented. Whatever Andy, another fan added. You keep throwing these Housewives franchises down the drain. Hey Andy, you fire them and then send them a love note. How sweet of you. Can you do me a huge favor and fire Kelly Dodd so I can start watching them again? another viewer suggested. Vicki Gunvalson announces her exit Gunvalson broke the news on Instagram of her departure from RHOC ahead of season 15. I will always be the OG of the OC, but its time to say goodbye to The Real Housewives of Orange County, Gunvalson wrote on Instagram. Its been an incredible ride for 14 years and I want [to] thank all of you for your support, for your love and for whooping it up with me along the way. As the longest-serving housewife, Gunvalson assured her fans she was not leaving the limelight completely. Ive been working on new projects that will be exciting, empowering and inspirational, she continued. My podcast with Westwood One will be launching soon and I will have much more to say about this on Whoop it up with Vicki. I hope you will join me on my new journey, so please stay tuned. I love all my fans, and I want to thank Bravo and Evolution for this incredible experience which my family and I have will never forget. Tamra Judge quits RHOC A day after Gunvalson announced she was leaving RHOC, Judge also confirmed the news on Instagram. Its been a wild 12 years but its time for me to move on, Judge wrote on Instagram. Im sad to go but Im very excited about my future. Love you guys. In a statement to People, Judge said she was looking forward to living life without cameras. Its been a wild ride, and after all these years, Im looking forward to life away from the cameras, Judge told People in an interview. I was offered a chance to come back to the show in a limited role, but would prefer to walk away on my own terms. Season 15 of RHOC is expected to start production soon and will begin airing later this year on Bravo. The ability of the coronavirus to spread is getting stronger and infections could continue to rise, China's National Health Commission said on Sunday, with more than 2,000 people globally infected and 56 in China killed by the disease. National Health Commission Minister Ma Xiaowei, speaking at a press briefing, said knowledge of the virus was limited. Ma said the incubation period for the coronavirus can range from one to 14 days, and that the virus is infectious during incubation, which was not the case with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), a coronavirus that originated in China and killed nearly 800 people globally in 2002 and 2003. Containment efforts, which have thus far included transportation and travel curbs and the cancellation of big events, will be intensified, Ma told a crowded news briefing on the second day of the Lunar New Year holiday. The virus, believed to have originated late last year in a seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan that was illegally selling wildlife, has spread to Chinese cities including Beijing and Shanghai, as well as the United States, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Australia, France and Canada. COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show President Xi Jinping said during a politburo meeting on Saturday that China was facing a "grave situation", as health authorities around the world scrambled to prevent a pandemic. On Sunday, China announced a nationwide ban on the sale of wildlife in markets, restaurants, and e-commerce platforms. Wild and often poached animals packed together in Chinese markets are blamed as incubators for viruses to evolve and jump the species barrier to humans. Snakes, peacocks, crocodiles and other species can also be found for sale via Taobao, an e-commerce website run by Alibaba. The U.S. State Department said it will relocate personnel at its Wuhan consulate to the United States and will offer a limited number of seats to private U.S. citizens on a Jan. 28 flight to San Francisco. The World Health Organisation this week stopped short of calling the outbreak a global health emergency, but some health experts question whether China can continue to contain the epidemic. On Sunday, China confirmed 1,975 cases of patients infected with the new coronavirus as of Jan. 25, while the death toll from the virus has risen to 56, state broadcaster CCTV reported. The outbreak has prompted widening curbs on movements within China, with Wuhan, a city of 11 million, on virtual lockdown, with transports links all-but severed except for emergency vehicles. Health authorities in Beijing urged people not to shake hands but instead salute using a traditional cupped-hand gesture. The advice was sent in a text message that went out to mobile phone users in the city on Sunday morning. CANCELLATIONS AND MISTRUST China has called for transparency in managing the crisis, after a cover-up of the spread of the deadly SARS virus eroded public trust, but officials in Wuhan have been criticised for their handling of the current outbreak. "People in my hometown all suspect the real infected patients number given by authorities," said Violet Li, who lives in the Wuhan district where the seafood market is located. "I go out with a mask twice a day to walk the dog - that's the only outdoor activity," she told Reuters by text message. The outbreak has overshadowed the start of the Lunar New Year, when hundreds of millions of Chinese travel at home and abroad to be with families, with public events cancelled and many tourist sites shut. Many cinemas across China are also closed with major film premieres postponed, slashing revenues. Theatres in the country took in just 1.81 million yuan ($262,167) from tickets on Saturday, a tiny fraction of the 1.46 billion yuan on the Lunar New Year Day in 2019, according to data from movie-ticketing company Maoyan. Cruise operators including Royal Caribbean Cruises, Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises and Astro Ocean Cruises said that they cancelled a combined 12 cruises that had been scheduled to embark from Chinese ports before February 2. The newly identified coronavirus has created alarm because there are still many unknowns surrounding it, such as how dangerous it is and how easily it spreads between people. It can cause pneumonia, which has been deadly in some cases. VIRUS SPREADING OUTSIDE CHINA On Saturday, Hong Kong declared a virus emergency, scrapped celebrations and restricted links to mainland China. Hong Kong Disneyland and the city's Ocean Park theme park were closed on Sunday. Shanghai Disneyland, which expected 100,000 visitors daily through the Lunar New Year holidays, has already closed. In Hong Kong, with five confirmed cases, the city's leader Carrie Lam said on Saturday that flights and high speed rail trips between the city and Wuhan will be halted. Schools in Hong Kong that are currently on Lunar New Year holidays will remain closed until Feb. 17. On Saturday, Canada declared the first "presumptive" confirmed case of the virus in a resident who had returned from Wuhan. Australia confirmed its first four cases on Saturday, Malaysia confirmed four and France reported Europe's first cases on Friday. Airports around the world have stepped up screening of passengers from China, although some health officials and experts have questioned the effectiveness of such screenings. In an illustration of how such efforts could miss cases, doctors at a Paris hospital said two of the three Chinese nationals in France who have been diagnosed with the virus had arrived in the country without showing any symptoms. A report by infectious disease specialists at Imperial College, London on Saturday said the epidemic "represents a clear and ongoing global health threat," adding: "It is uncertain at the current time whether it is possible to contain the continuing epidemic within China." The mounted unit of Mumbai Police will soon patrol the streets of Maharashtras capital after it took part in the Republic Day parade on Sunday. The riders of the Mumbai Polices mounted unit will wear a blue sherwani with silver trimming, white breeches and a turban designed by Manish Malhotra. Regal in stature, Formidable in form, the Mounted Police Unit returns to Mumbai Police. Thank you @ManishMalhotra for designing such an elegant uniform for our Riders. Our Mounted Unit is sure to make a strong impact during law and order situations, the force had tweeted along with a video of a rider earlier this week. Regal in stature, Formidable in form, the "Mounted Police Unit" returns to Mumbai Police. Thank you @ManishMalhotra for designing such an elegant uniform for our Riders. Our Mounted Unit is sure to make a strong impact during law and order situations. pic.twitter.com/S0T6bcvdR9 Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) January 19, 2020 The states environment, tourism and protocol minister Aaditya Thackeray tweeted a photograph of the unit during the Republic Day parade at Shivaji Park in the city. This, our @MumbaiPolice Horse Mounted unit! I was extremely happy to hear that this was in the making, when I asked about its creation a few months ago, Aaditya Thackeray, the Shiv Sena scion, tweeted. The state minister also thanked designer Manish Malhotra. Thank you @ManishMalhotra ji for the clothes! You add splendour to their grace! he posted. The horse-riding police personnel will take up traffic and crowd control duty more than eight decades after being disbanded in 1932 due to the growing vehicular traffic in the metropolis. Mumbai Police had put in the proposal for a mounted unit in 2018. Mumbai Police has modern jeeps and motorcycles. However, it was felt a mounted unit would be useful for patrolling in crowded areas. For the first time since Independence, Mumbai will have a mounted police unit, the states home minister Anil Deshmukh had said earlier this week. Deshmukh had said the horses in the unit can be used for crowd control during festivals and marches, at beaches and the rider can keep watch from a good height. He had claimed that a policeman on the horseback was equal to 30 personnel on the ground. He said the unit could be replicated in cities like Pune and Nagpur, among others, as well. At present, 13 horses have been purchased and the rest will be bought in the next six months. A stable will be built on a 2.5-acre plot at Marol (in suburban Andheri), he had said. The unit will comprise 30 horses apart from a sub-inspector, one assistant PSI, four havaldars and 32 constables in the next six months. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal also have mounted police units. Nathaniel Adusei 26.01.2020 LISTEN Dear aunty Jean Mensah, I'm sure you sometimes feel ashamed to be a Ghanaian due to her tortoise pace of development. A Ghana 60years and over of independent, did I say independent? Are we independent at all with this puppet style of leadership who always dances to the tune of their paymasters? I'm afraid we are not. Ghana naturally endowed with rich resources but very poor due to bad governance and management. A Ghana in which the government of the day takes delight in using the scarce state's money to collapse indigenous banks and firms for it selfish and personal gains thereby making unemployment always on the volume up. A Ghana in which government reckless borrowing is appreciated and applauded without any iota of shame. A Ghana in which if you don't bear a certain surname, you won't get some juicy entitlements. A Ghana in which ministers embezzling state funds and come and shed tears of the ugly reptiles in the Paga crocodile pond. A Ghana where gory road accidents are rampant owing to bad roads here and everywhere. A Ghana where the government of the day buys ambulances to decorate state house instead of the emergency services it was meant to serve. A Ghana in which the only language which seems appealing to the government is demonstration, thereby creating unhealthy tensions and fear in the innocent citizenry. Ghana which is now a safe haven for criminals and armed robbers due to it porous security. Hi aunty Jean Mensah, I'm sure you don't want me to continue, so please don't try to be an addition to our problems if you can't be part of the solution. A new costly voters register is needless to suffering Ghana at the moment. Suffering Ghana needs long-lasting solutions to her problems, not escape plans. Aunty Jean, I know you will give me a listening ear, but if you try bulldozing your way through, we will respond accordingly. Much thanks. ~Adusei Nathaniel, a citizen, not a spectator. The writer of this piece is a columnist of blatant truth and a Parliamentary aspirant of ALL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS for the good people of Ahanta West constituency. (Natural News) Theres still no formidable wall protecting Americas southern border from continued invasion, which means that migrants and refugees lets call these people what they really are: illegals continue to flood into our country like a broken fire hydrant. And some of them, disturbing new reports indicate, are bringing with them deadly Ebola infections that could create a national health nightmare. A case-in-point was a 41-year-old woman from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) who died recently after entering the country via Texas. Border Patrol reportedly took the woman into custody after it was revealed that she had a pre-existing medical condition, after which she vomited before dying from acute kidney failure. Upon analysis, it was determined that the woman was infected with Ebola, a deadly illness that has the potential to snowball into a national or even global pandemic if it isnt quickly identified and quarantined. In this case, initial screening determined that this woman was sick, but for some reason she was cleared by on-site contracted medical personnel, and transferred to the Lincoln Juarez Bridge for additional immigration processing and overnight holding. The very next day, which just so happened to be Christmas morning, the woman began to suffer abdominal pain that eventually caused her to throw-up. Border Patrol immediately contacted emergency medical services (EMS), which came and transported the woman to the Laredo Medical Center for a medical evaluation, where she quickly died. The subjects health declined rapidly and she passed away at the hospital, according to reports, though the Webb County Medical Examiners Office (WCMEO) ruled the death as not suspicious since she had a pre-existing medical condition. But what this office and others involved failed to reveal was that this pre-existing medical condition was deadly Ebola, possibly out of fear that it might create mass panic. The Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a serious illness characterized by fever, severe vomiting and diarrhea, and, in severe cases, multi-organ failure requiring mechanical ventilation and renal replacement therapy, warns the National Center for Biotechnology Information on its website. People who survive Ebola virus infection face a dramatically higher risk of dying probably from severe kidney damage within a year of leaving hospital, Reuters has also reported. It almost seems like the authorities WANT to trigger an Ebola pandemic Ebola is a pretty serious health condition, in other words, and one thats far riskier than, say, measles, which our government is constantly fear-mongering about in order to scare the American public into getting vaccinated or, in the case of California, using as an excuse to force people to get vaccinated. But somehow when it comes to illegal invaders, all bets are off as anyone is welcome by these same leftists into our country, regardless of their pre-existing medical conditions. Furthermore, nobody on the vaccine-loving left is calling for refugees and migrants to be forcibly vaccinated in the same way as California children are by vaccine liars like Richard Pan, who single-handedly led the crusade to eliminate the Golden States religious and philosophical vaccine exemption provisions. Meanwhile, Ebola is spilling over in the United States and youd be hard-pressed to even learn about it from the mainstream media, let alone be informed about how to try to protect yourself from its deadly scourge. Somehow, its no big deal for illegals to bring deadly diseases into America, but if youre an American citizen who objects to mandatory vaccination, then the left wants to throw you in prison. CDC holds a patent on Ebola and new vaccine is big money maker, notes one Infowars commenter about the sinister nature of these latest developments. Let in a few infected people to scare everyone. Maybe they can legally force it on everyone if enough cases emerge. Cant trust them. For more related news, be sure to check out Deception.news. Sources for this article include: Infowars.com NaturalNews.com The police in Lagos State have arrested 86 cult suspects at Adamo Community, Imota Local Council Development Area, Ikorodu. Police spokesperson in the state, Bala Elkana, made this known in a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday. Mr Elkana said that 65 cultists were earlier arrested at Ijede and an additional 21 on Saturday at Imota. He said that the arrests were carried out in a joint operation with operatives from Imota Police Station, Rapid Response Squad, Special Anti-Robbery Squad and Area N Command. The suspects belong to two rival cult groups, Aiye and Eiye Confraternity and mobilised from Emure and Adamo communities to unleash terror on residents of Adamo community and its environs. Eleven assorted pistols of different calibre with large quantity of ammunition were recovered from the suspects. The suspects confessed to be responsible for series of violent attacks, murder and armed robbery incidents recorded in Ikorodu area of Lagos State. The suspects will be charged to court, he said. Mr Elkana said the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, who established Special Strike Force on Social Miscreants, was committed to addressing the menace of cultism and youth gangsterism in the state. The police spokesperson added that police operatives deployed to Ipaja area on Anti-Traffic Robbery Patrol (motorcycle patrol) arrested three male traffic robbery suspects. Mr Elkana said that the suspects specialised in snatching handbags, phones and money from unsuspecting members of the public. They mostly operate between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Items recovered from them include phones and bags snatched from three different victims. The suspects have been charged to court, he said. Mr Elkana added that operatives from Ipaja Division arrested two notorious suspects who specialised in car snatching and stealing vehicles from parking spaces; mostly in worship centres. On January 1, 2020, the suspects stole a Toyota Corolla saloon car at a church in Shagari Estate Ipaja and moved the vehicle to Ijagba village in Sango Ota, Ogun State. Detectives from Ipaja Police Station recovered the vehicle at about 4:00 p.m. of the same date from the suspects. The suspects have also been charged to court, Mr Elkana said. (NAN) The virus thought to have originated in a Wuhan food market continues to spread as China steps up containment efforts. China is ramping up containment measures as the spread of a new coronavirus that has killed 56 people and infected at least 1,975 more in the country accelerates. A nationwide ban on wildlife trade is in place and more than 56 million people in almost 20 cities are affected by travel restrictions, which have been introduced amid fears the transmission rate will balloon as hundreds of millions of Chinese travel for the Lunar New Year celebrations. Health authorities around the world are taking action to prevent a pandemic as more countries report cases. Confirmed cases have so far been announced in Europe, North America and several Asiancountries. The World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged the respiratory illness, which has been traced to the city of Wuhan, is an emergency in China but the organisation said on Thursday it was too early to declare it a public health emergency of international concern. This blog is now closed. Read all the latest updates here. Sunday, January 26 China orders public holiday extended to curb epidemic Chinese authorities have ordered the extension of a public holiday in an effort to contain the coronavirus epidemic. A working group chaired by Premier Li Keqiang to tackle the outbreak decided to reduce population flows by extending the Spring Festival holiday which had been scheduled to end on January 30, state news agency Xinhua said. It was not immediately clear how long the extension is. The meeting stressed that the country is at a crucial time in the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak, urging Party committees and governments at all levels to take more decisive, powerful and orderly, scientific and well-planned measures to effective curb the spread, Xinhua reported. Fourth case in the US confirmed Health officials in Los Angeles County have confirmed a fourth United States case of the coronavirus. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said Sunday the infected person presented themselves for care once they noticed they were not feeling well and is currently receiving medical attention. The person is a returning traveller from Wuhan City, China. Media Advisory and Press Release- Today at 11am -Public Health Confirms First Case of 2019 Novel #Coronavirus in Los Angeles County Viewhttps://t.co/18xRRdi9KL for more pic.twitter.com/mGjPqjqdLO LA Public Health (@lapublichealth) January 26, 2020 US consulate to evacuate staff from epidemic-stricken Wuhan The US Consulate in the epidemic-stricken Chinese city of Wuhan will evacuate its personnel and some private citizens aboard a charter flight Tuesday. The embassy in Beijing said there would be limited capacity to transport US citizens on the flight which will travel to San Francisco. It said that in the event there are not enough seats, priority will be given to to individuals at greater risk from coronavirus. #Coronavirus All you need to know https://t.co/t8soQX3uB2 Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) January 26, 2020 Alibabas Taobao takes down overpriced face masks Alibabas Taobao marketplace has removed sales of face masks from shops that show unstable prices or false advertising as prices for the products surged as Chinese consumers race to protect themselves from the coronavirus outbreak. The newly identified coronavirus has created alarm because much about it is still unknown, such as how dangerous it is and how easily it spreads between people. Mortality rates Flu (influenza) 0.14% Coronavirus 4% SARS 11% Ebola 40-70% Contagiousness Flu (influenza) 1-3 Coronavirus 1.4-2.5 SARS 2-4 Ebola 1.5-2.5 (Contagiousness = R0 = average number of people who will catch a disease from one contagious person. Sources: CDC, WHO) pic.twitter.com/DhIme5eR3f Alex Kruger (@krugermacro) January 26, 2020 France to repatriate citizens from Wuhan as virus spreads Frances government announced it will repatriate hundreds of French citizens from the Chinese city of Wuhan. Those French citizens who want to leave Wuhan will be taken on a direct flight to France in the middle of the week, and then held in quarantine for 14 days, the French health minister announced, after a special government meeting to discuss the spreading virus. France is joining other countries planning evacuations from Wuhan, which is under lockdown by the Chinese government. Taiwan offers help to China to help fight coronavirus Taiwans vice president-elect on Sunday offered help to rival China to fight the new coronavirus outbreak, as authorities in the island further tightened restrictions on visitors from China to prevent its spread. It is incumbent upon Taiwan to take part, and help China to solve this serious epidemic, so as not to allow it to continue to spread, and that the sick can get appropriate treatment to return to help, he said. Taiwan has close economic and cultural links with China and has so far reported four cases of the virus. Taiwan confirms fourth case Taiwanese officials on Sunday announced a fourth case of the new coronavirus. Taiwans Centre for Disease Control (CDC) Deputy Director-General Chuang Jen-hsiang confirmed that a woman in her 50s had been infected with the new coronavirus. He said the woman had travelled to Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, and afterwards to Europe. Tsou Tsung-pei, a physician for the CDC, said the womans vital signs were stable and she is currently quarantined at a hospital for further tests. Canadian patient with China virus showed symptoms on plane Canadian officials said they are tracking down airline passengers and others who were in close contact with the first person in the country detected with an emerging virus that originated in China. Theresa Tam, Canadas chief public health officer, said the man, who is in his 50s, had mild symptoms when he flew from Wuhan to Guangzhou, China, and then on to Toronto. Tam said officials are locating passengers who were within a 2-meter radius of the mans seat or anyone who may have served or helped him. Hong Kong to ban entry of people from Hubei Hong Kongs government will ban residents of the Hubei province, where the new coronavirus outbreak was first reported, or those who have visited the province in the past 14 days from entering the city starting Monday. The rule does not apply to Hong Kong residents, it added in a statement, without providing an end date to the ban. A child wears mask as she tries a themed ears at a souvenir shop in Disneyland hotel after Hong Kong Disneyland that has been closed, following the coronavirus outbreak in Hong Kong [Tyrone Siu/Reuters] China scrambles to contain strengthening virus The ability of the new coronavirus to spread is strengthening and infections could continue to rise. Chinas National Health Commission Minister Ma Xiaowei said the incubation period for the virus can range from one to 14 days, during which infection can occur, which was not the case with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). SARS was a coronavirus that originated in China and killed nearly 800 people globally in 2002 and 2003. According to recent clinical information, the virus ability to spread seems to be getting somewhat stronger, Ma told reporters. The Lunar New Year holiday, traditionally celebrated by hundreds of millions of Chinese travelling around the country and abroad to see family, began on Friday but has been severely disrupted by the outbreak. Ma said China would intensify its containment efforts, which have so far included transportation and travel curbs and the cancellation of big events. Mayor of Chinas Wuhan expects another 1,000 cases in the city The mayor of Chinas Wuhan, epicentre of the outbreak, said he expects another 1,000 new patients in the city, highlighting the immense pressure on its infrastructure. Wuhans city government will step up construction of specialised hospitals to deal with infected patients, Mayor Zhou Xianwang told reporters. The pressure on supplies of medical goods such as protective suits, masks and glasses had largely eased, he said, thanks in part to increased private donations. Wuhan, a city of about 11 million and capital of Hubei province, has been under virtual lockdown amid intensifying efforts to contain the outbreak. Hubei Province Governor Wang Xiaodong also told reporters during the briefing he feels agonised and responsible for the outbreak. 500 Pakistani students in Wuhan: Pakistan More than 500 Pakistani students and other community members are living in Wuhan, the Pakistani foreign office said in a press release. So far, no Pakistani living in China has been reported infected by the coronavirus, the statement said. The community has been reassured of full support and requested to follow health protocols issued by the Chinese authorities and stay indoors, read the press release. Hong Kong protesters torch planned quarantine building A group of protesters has set alight the lobby of a newly built residential building in Hong Kong that authorities plan to use as a quarantine facility. A witness told Reuters news agency that they saw a group of masked protesters, clad in black, rush into the public housing block in Hong Kongs Fanling district near the border with China and set alight a Molotov cocktail before running out. Black smoke could be seen pouring from the building to the sound of fire alarms. Windows were smashed. Sydney to replace Nanjing as host for Womens Olympic Qualifiers The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has informed the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) that it is withdrawing as host of the Womens Olympic Football Tournament Tokyo 2020 Asian Qualifiers Final Round Group B in Nanjing. The AFC has nominated Sydney, Australia as the replacement host for the group, which involves Australia, China, Taipei and Thailand, an AFC press release said. The AFC had previously agreed to switch the venue from Wuhan to Nanjing amid concerns over the outbreak. Thailand holds emergency meeting as 8th case confirmed Thailands health minister called an emergency meeting with the transport and tourism ministries amid rising public discontent over the governments handling of the outbreak. We can control the situation and are confident in our ability to handle the crisis, Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters. Eight cases have been reported in Thailand. Anutin added that three of the people infected were being treated and five had recovered and gone home. A new strain of coronavirus is spreading around the world. Here are the countries that have confirmed so far cases of the new coronavirus https://t.co/zBFNOhObft pic.twitter.com/4k7u0L0aKr Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) January 26, 2020 Pope Francis praises Chinas containment efforts Pope Francis has praised Chinas efforts to contain the outbreak and said he was praying for the dead, the sick and the families of victims. I would like also to be close and to pray for the people who are sick because of the virus that has spread through China, Francis told the tens of thousands of people gathered in St Peters Square for his weekly message and blessing. May the Lord welcome the dead into his peace, comfort families and sustain the great commitment by the Chinese community that has already been put in place to combat the epidemic, he said. Either the virus, the hunger or the fear will kill us: Wuhan resident Thousands of foreign students and other international residents live in Wuhan, which has been on lockdown for several days. In the past week, weve not been able to go out and buy anything to eat, Mashal Jamalzai, a political science student from Afghanistan told AFP news agency. 200126034425456 He said he and his classmates have been living on biscuits and that his embassy had not responded to requests for help. We want to be evacuated as soon as possible, because either the virus, the hunger or the fear will kill us, Jamalzai said. China: Two provinces, three cities order residents to wear masks Two Chinese provinces and three cities have ordered citizens to wear face masks in public to help control the spread of the virus. The measure is required in the provinces of Guangdong in the south and Jiangxi in the centre, plus the eastern city of Nanjing, Maanshan city in Anhui province and Xinyang city in Henan, according to local authorities. China is building a hospital in Wuhan, the epicentre of the #CoronavirusOutbreak and hopes to have it done in 6 days. pic.twitter.com/M6u62H8zFu Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) January 26, 2020 Japan confirms fourth case Japan has confirmed a fourth case of infection by the new coronavirus, public broadcaster NHK said, citing the health ministry. The case was confirmed in a resident of Wuhan in his 40s who arrived in Japan for a holiday on January 22. The man was hospitalised in Aichi prefecture, central Japan, and tested positive for the virus, NHK said. What has China learned from the SARS epidemic? An outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) killed nearly 800 people worldwide between 2002 and 2003. China, where the disease originated, was widely criticised for a lack of transparency, which experts say allowed transmission to accelerate. Al Jazeeras Adrian Brown, reporting from Hong Kong, examines how the lessons of SARS are shaping Chinas response to the new coronavirus outbreak. Hubei cities fearful as medical supplies run low Doctors working in the centre of the new coronavirus outbreak tell Al Jazeera they have resorted to using raincoats and plastic bags as protective suits amid dwindling supplies. Read the full story here. Macau confirms three new cases Macau, a Chinese gambling hub hugely popular with mainland tourists, has confirmed three new cases of the new coronavirus. Macaus Health Bureau (SSM) said the three new cases were detected in women who were residents of Wuhan. Eleven others are under observation in hospital, the SSM said. Hong Kong confirms sixth case Officials from Hong Kongs health authority and hospital department have confirmed the sixth case of the coronavirus in the semi-autonomous territory. Al Jazeeras Adrian Brown, reporting from Hong Kong, said the officials also told reporters that the number of suspected cases has now gone up by 77, taking it to more than 380. Brown added that officials announced that a former holiday camp would be converted into a quarantine centre. Paris cancels Lunar New Year parade Paris-based Chinese associations have cancelled a Lunar New Year parade, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo said. I have met with the Chinese community in Paris. They are very emotional and concerned and they have decided to cancel the parade that was scheduled for this afternoon at Place de la Republique, Hidalgo told Europe 1 radio. Smaller celebrations went ahead in the French capital on Sunday [Michel Euler/AP Photo] They are really not in a mood to party now, she added. France has three confirmed cases of the new coronavirus. Hebei province to suspend inter-province, inter-city buses Chinas northern Hebei province will suspend all inter-province and inter-city buses in order to curb the coronavirus outbreak, state media CCTV reported. The report, which cites a decision by the Hebei Provincial Transportation Commission, did not say when bus services would resume. One person has died from the new virus in Hebei, according to Chinas official figures. South Korea confirms third case South Korea has confirmed its third case of the new coronavirus, Yonhap News Agency reported. According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), a 54-year-old South Korean resident of Wuhan who arrived home on Monday tested positive for the virus. He was placed in isolation on Saturday for tests and treatment, the KCDC said, adding that all efforts were being made to trace his whereabouts and people he met after arriving in the country. Japan to evacuate citizens from Wuhan: PM Shinzo Abe Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said his country was working with Chinese authorities to arrange a charter flight for any Japanese nationals who wished to return from Wuhan. Japans national broadcaster NHK reported earlier on Sunday that about 700 Japanese were believed to be in Wuhan, which has been on lockdown for several days. Beijing to postpone reopening of kindergartens, schools and universities The Chinese capital will delay reopening the citys kindergartens, schools and universities, state-owned China National Radio (CNR) said on its official Weibo page. The measures are aimed at preventing the spread of the new coronavirus, according to CNR. Schools are currently closed for the Lunar New Year holiday. CNR reported separately that the Beijing government said it would not lock down the city. China postpones National Winter Games China has indefinitely postponed its 2020 National Winter Games, state media said. The games were due to be held in Chinas Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in February and were described as an important step in preparing for the 2022 Winter Olympics. They were expected to include skiing, snowboarding and skating competitions along with other winter sports. Shanghai halts long-distance bus services Shanghais government said it was suspending all long-distance bus services in or out of the city in an attempt to block the spread of the new coronavirus. The measure announced by the financial hubs transportation commission goes into effect immediately. Taiwan tightens restrictions on China visitors Taiwan has further tightened restrictions on visitors from China to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, suspending entry for many apart from business travellers and a few other exceptions, including people married to Taiwanese. Taiwan has already stopped Chinese tour groups from visiting and has now banned all people from Hubei from coming to the island. Most Chinese citizens will not be allowed in for the time being, aside from people involved in fighting the virus or on humanitarian grounds, the islands newly established Central Epidemic Command Centre said in a statement. Chinas health commission to hold daily briefings Chinas National Health Commission will hold daily morning briefings on the new coronavirus outbreak starting on Monday January 27, a spokeswoman from Chinas State Council said. Timeline: How the new coronavirus spread The new coronavirus from China is now making headlines around the world but the first hint of the outbreak came on December 31. Read our timeline to find out how the virus spread. Virus getting stronger: Chinese health official Chinas National Health Commission Minister Ma Xiaowei said the transmission ability of the new coronavirus is getting stronger and that the number of infections could continue to rise. 200126034425456 Ma, speaking at a press briefing, also said authorities knowledge of the new virus is limited and that they are unclear on the risks posed by mutations of the virus. Third case confirmed in the United States A third case of the new coronavirus has been confirmed in the United States. It is the first case in Orange County, California, health authorities said in a press release, adding that the patient was a traveller from Wuhan and is now in a good condition in isolation at a local hospital. The US has reported two other confirmed cases, one in a man living near Seattle and another in a woman in Chicago. Read more about which countries have confirmed cases here. China bans wild animal trade until viral outbreak eases China has ordered a temporary ban on the trade of wildlife in markets, supermarkets, restaurants and e-commerce platforms as the country struggles to contain the new coronavirus, which is believed to have been spawned in a marked that sold wild animals as food. The new coronavirus is believed to have originated at a seafood market where wild animals were also sold [File: Stringer via Reuters] Raising, transporting or selling all wild animal species is forbidden from the date of the announcement until the national epidemic situation is over, a joint directive from three agencies including the Ministry of Agriculture said. Al Jazeeras Scott Heidler, reporting from Beijing, said establishments that previously conducted trade in wildlife would be isolated and disinfected. Shantou city reverses plan for partial lockdown Chinas coastal city of Shantou in Guangdong province will not ban cars, ships and people from entering the city but will strengthen disease controls such as disinfection efforts, local state media STRTV reported, reversing an earlier government statement. Chinese Supercup match postponed A Chinese Supercup clash between Guangzhou Evergrande and Shanghai Shenhua scheduled to be played on February 5 will be postponed, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) said. In conformity with the requirements to prevent and contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, and to avoid crowds gathering, the Chinese Football Association has decided to postpone the 2020 CFA Supercup after cautious analysis and assessment, the CFA said in a statement. More cities in China impose travel restrictions The city of Shantou in southern China said non-emergency vehicles would not be allowed into the city and all passengers arriving at train stations would be screened and urged to return, in an attempt at preventing and controlling the spread of the virus, city officials said. 200125070959786 Buses, ferries, public transport and taxis will also be suspended, Shantou authorities said on their official social media account. The north-central city of Xian, meanwhile, said it would suspend all long-distance and intercity bus services, as well as taxis and ride-hailing operations from 6pm (10:00 GMT) on Sunday. US to start Wuhan evacuation on Tuesday The US State Department said it would move staff at its Wuhan consulate to the United States and offer a limited number of seats to other US citizens on a flight out of the city scheduled for Tuesday. The flight is scheduled to leave Wuhan on January 28, bound for San Francisco on the west coast of the US. Private individuals at greater risk from the coronavirus will be given priority, the statement said Hong Kong theme parks to close Hong Kongs popular theme parks Disneyland and Ocean Park have been closed to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, state media CCTV reported. However the hotels inside Hong Kong Disneyland were operating as normal, CCTV reported. Hong Kong has joined Shanghai in closing its Disneyland resort amid the outbreak [James Pomfret/Reuters] Tianjin to suspend long-distance bus services The northeastern city of Tianjin will halt long-distance bus services from Monday, authorities said. Officials from the city of about 15 million people announced the move on their official Weibo account, a day after Beijing announced a similar measure. Death toll rises to 56; Shanghai reports first death Shanghai a city of 24.24 million people reported its first death from the new coronavirus as state media reported the death toll rose to 56 on Saturday. The number of people infected was 1,975, state media said. Some 24.24 million people live in Shanghai [Aly Song/Reuters] Canada identifies first presumptive case of coronavirus Canada announced its first presumptive confirmed case of the coronavirus in a resident who returned last week from Wuhan. Dr David Williams, Ontarios Chief Medical Officer of Health said they are 95 percent certain the patient has the new coronavirus, but that more tests were required. 200126025109758 Ontario health officials told a news conference the patient is a man in his 50s, who arrived in Toronto on January 22 and was hospitalised the next day after developing symptoms of respiratory illness. Barbara Yaffe, Ontarios associate chief medical officer of health, told reporters that the man is being treated in a public hospital and is in a stable condition. Read more about which countries have confirmed cases here. Death toll rises to 54 The number of deaths from the viral outbreak has risen to 54, with authorities in hard-hit Hubei province reporting 13 new fatalities and 323 new confirmed cases. The latest numbers from Hubei, the epicentre of the contagion, would put the nationwide total of confirmed infections at 1,610, based on figures previously released by the central government. Read updates from Saturday, January 25 here. By Express News Service GUWAHATI: Suspected militants triggered four blasts in Assam on Sunday morning. However, there was no casualty. The low-intensity blasts were reported from Sonari in Charaideo district and Duliajan and Dibrugarh in Dibrugarh district of Upper Assam. In one incident, the assailants had reportedly come in a two-wheeler. They lobbed a bomb before leaving the spot, the locals said. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal described it as a cowardly act and said the perpetrators of the crime would be brought to justice. Several militant groups of Northeast, including United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), had called for a boycott of the Republic Day celebration. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Mon, January 27 2020 Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto might not want to appear alarmist amid fears of the global spread of the new coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China, but by visiting the BRI building in Jakarta on Thursday without wearing a face mask after a Chinese employee was reported to have had a fever a common symptom of the virus he sent the wrong message about the health risk emergency. The World Health Organization has yet to declare the coronavirus a global emergency, but the number of confirmed cases and deaths continues to rise in China and other countries. As of Sunday, at least 56 deaths had been reported, all in China, and almost 2,000 confirmed cases have been recorded worldwide, including in neighboring Singapore and Malaysia. And while the Chinese government has imposed lockdowns on at least 15 cities to contain the spread of the virus, little is known about the virus, let alone the cure. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login The United Nations said several countries have continued providing advanced weapons and armoured vehicles violating the arms embargo agreed during an international conference in Berlin. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), in a statement, expressed regret for the continued blatant violations of the arms embargo committed during the conference on January 19. Over the last ten days, numerous cargo and other flights have been observed landing at Libyan airports in the western and eastern parts of the country providing the parties with advanced weapons, armoured vehicles, advisers and fighters, said UNSMIL. Libya has been facing a political and humanitarian crisis after the self-styled Libyan National Army, headed by Khalifa Haftar, launched a battle against the Tripolis U.N.-recognised government. Thousands of Tripoli residents have been displaced due to the shelling that started earlier this year targeting the outskirts of the Libyan capital. But both parties came to a truce agreement on January 12 which marked the reduction of hostilities in Tripoli, providing a much-needed respite to civilians. This fragile truce is now threatened by the ongoing transfer of foreign fighters, weapons, ammunition and advanced systems to the parties by member states, including several who participated in the Berlin Conference, said the UN Support Mission. Read: Libya Says Oil Shutdown Has Caused Over $255 Million Losses Efforts to disrupt oil production On January 18, UNSMIL expressed deep concern over the efforts to disrupt or impair oil production in Libya and said it would have devastating consequences for the Libyan people and country's already deteriorated economic and financial situation. It urged all Libyans to exercise maximum restraint and reiterated the importance of preserving the integrity and neutrality of the National Oil Corporation. Read: UN Welcomes Commitments Toward Libya Peace, Urges Cease-fire In November, Ghassan Salame, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UNSMIL told the Security Council that arms embargo is being breached by vested interests to support different groups in the country and are shipping war materials continuously. He informed that drone technologies have been used in support of the Libyan National Army which led to more than 800 strikes. Read: EU Will Discuss Ways To Uphold Formal Ceasefire In Libya: Josep Borrell Read: Berlin Summit: Participants Calls For Demobilisation Of Armed Groups In Libya Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 16:09:37|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SHIJIAZHUANG, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The HBIS Group, one of the world's largest steelmakers based in northern China's Hebei Province, has imported iron ore from the Brazilian mining giant Vale in use of RMB clearing. The HBIS Group, or Hebei Iron and Steel, paid about 200 million yuan (29 million U.S. dollars) to Vale, the largest producer and exporter of iron in the world, earlier this week. It was the first time for the group to settle in RMB with iron ore imports, and it was also the first time that Vale adopted the iron ore futures prices released by the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) as pricing references, according to the HBIS Group. As the world's largest importer of iron ore, China opened the DCE iron ore futures to international investors in May 2018. Soon after Joaquin Phoenix starrer Joker had released, there was a spike in search for Joker porn, Pornhub had revealed. While people feared that the movie might trigger violence, it was actually making people super horny. That's quite a lot of clowning around, right? But seemingly, that wasn't enough. After months of this movie winning accolades for Phoenix's impeccable performance, someone has recreated Joker into a Japanese porn version, and it's got to be kind of gross. So, while all of us are in awe of Phoenix's unique take on the Clown Prince of Crime, there are several others who are experimenting with the X-rated version of the DC comic supervillain. Japanese AV idol Yui Hatano stars in the video reportedly. The pictures have made their way to social media and people are just going nuts over it. "I used to think my life was a tragedy, but now I realize its a pornography," wrote one person. In one of the stills, Hatano, 31, can be seen dancing down the stairs just like the iconic scene from Joker. Hatano, who has featured in more than 2,000 adult films and counting, can be seen sharing intimate moments with an unnamed character that is seen wearing black leather gloves and a cape. Is that a Batman? Ummm... maybe? A group of anti-war demonstrators took to the streets of Edmonton on Saturday calling on the Canadian government to withdraw troops from Iraq and re-establish diplomatic relations with Iran. The "No War on Iran" rally was one of hundreds of similar demonstrations taking place worldwide this weekend, organized in the wake of recent military hostilities between the United States and Iran. About 100 people gathered at the End of Steel Park as organizers denounced what they called U.S. aggression in the Middle East. "The issue for us is to put an end to foreign meddling, aggression, occupation and war, and the destruction that it's bringing," said Peggy Morton, an organizer with Edmonton Coalition Against War and Racism (ECAWAR). The global day of action comes after an American drone strike killed Iran's top military general Qassem Soleimani in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad earlier this month, sparking fears of war. Iran then retaliated with a missile strike against two bases in Iraq housing American troops. The conflict has reignited frustration over the U.S. presence in Iraq, with hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets of Baghdad on Friday to demand the withdrawal of foreign troops. The Iraqi parliament has also called on the government to expel troops. "The Iraqi people have made it very clear that they want the Americans to leave, they want the foreign troops to leave. And we respect their sovereignty, their right to decide," Morton said. Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan has said the government would withdraw roughly 500 Canadian troops if the Iraqi government presented a formal request. Counter-protestors accuse rally of pro-Iranian message A group of counter-demonstrators from the Edmonton-Iranian community also attended Saturday's event to voice concerns that the rally was too sympathetic to the Iranian government. An online petition raising similar issues gathered nearly 200 signatures in the lead up to the rally. Story continues Scott Neufeld/CBC In particular, some counter-demonstrators criticized an ECAWAR Facebook post that called Gen. Soleimani an anti-terrorist hero, in reference to his part in battling ISIS forces in the region. "It's important to recognize that he was the leader of a recognized terrorist entity by the Canadian government," said Payman Parseyan, a member of the Edmonton-Iranian community. "We as the Iranian-Canadian citizens here and community members are here to raise the voices of those who are voiceless in Iran, to make sure that these atrocities are held to account, that there's justice for the people that are voiceless and helpless in that region of the world," Parseyan said, citing numerous human rights violations perpetrated by the Iranian government. The conversations between demonstrators and counter-demonstrators were mostly civil, but briefly escalated into a shouting match during the rally. Some counter-demonstrators tried to drown out a speaker with chants of "down with the Islamic Republic of Iran", but the crowd responded by chanting "no war on Iran." Morton said the rally had nothing to do with the Iranian government and accused the counter-demonstrators of mischaracterizing their message. "We stand against regime change. We're not an organization that interferes in the rights of people in any country to decide their own affairs. Our purpose here is to say what we think Canada should do and oppose U.S. aggression," Morton said. Organizers also called on Canada to withdraw from NATO because of what they call the risk of being dragged into war with the U.S. The military coalition is based on the guarantee of mutual defence, meaning an armed attack against one of the 29 member countries is considered an attack against them all. Morton says reopening diplomatic relations with Iran, which have been frozen since 2012, could help Canada move toward peaceful resolution and away from escalating conflict. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 20:48:06|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close TROMSO, Norway, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- China is an important contributor to the knowledge base of the Arctic research, Nalan Koc, research director of the Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI), has said in the northern Norwegian city of Tromso. All countries, which are interested and have contributed to the Arctic research, are collaborating with each other, because questions which need to be answered are quite complicated, Koc told Chinese journalists in a joint interview. "Therefore, you need to do a lot of multidisciplinary research, as we put different knowledge from different disciplines in order to solve complicated problems," she noted. In that case, everyone who has the capacity and knowledge is welcome, Koc said, adding that "I know China has increased its Arctic capacity for Polar research and I know (China's polar icebreaker) Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2." Koc believed that it is not enough to "look only outside the own doorsteps". Due to the complexity and large scale of the questions, everyone is trying to put together those efforts to have a wholesome understanding and a big picture in a big scale. Koc made her statements ahead of the coming annual conference Arctic Frontiers from Jan. 26 to 30 in Tromso. The 14th conference, with the theme "Power of knowledge" this year, provides a forum for dialogue and communication between science, government and industry in the Arctic. Imperial Valley News Center Department of Justice Joins Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers for Human Trafficking Roundtable Washington, DC - The Department of Justice Wednesday joined the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) and federal and local law enforcement officials at a roundtable to discuss the challenges posed by human traffickers. The meeting was held following the launch of FLETCs Human Trafficking Awareness Training last week. Bill Woolf, Senior Advisor for Human Trafficking in the Department of Justices Office of Justice Programs (OJP), participated in the event along with Tania Groover, Assistant U.S. Attorney and Human Trafficking Coordinator for the Southern District of Georgia, and Kai Munshi, FLETCs Chief of Security and Professional Responsibility. Human trafficking is a sophisticated and obscenely profitable global enterprise, and combating it demands the full coordination of law enforcement agencies at all levels, said OJPs Woolf. The Department of Justice is very pleased and proud to lend its support to the brave men and women here in southeastern Georgia and throughout the country who pursue trafficking perpetrators and bring aid to trafficking victims. The roundtable convened law enforcement leaders from Glynn County and the City of Brunswick, as well as officials from the enforcement units of the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. They and their counterparts from across the nation are among the first to take part in FLETCs human trafficking training program. The training was piloted in May and is now part of the permanent training catalog. Human trafficking is modern-day slavery, subjecting individuals to involuntary servitude for the profit of others, said U.S. Attorney Bobby L. Christine of the Southern District of Georgia. Building awareness of these fast-growing criminal enterprises will help in the fight to eradicate human trafficking, and our office will vigorously prosecute those who would illegally exploit victims of this despicable trade. Educating our first responders about human trafficking is a shared responsibility, and FLETC is committed to doing its part, said FLETC Director Thomas J. Walters. Woolf and Munshi also took part in an event organized by the Georgia Human Trafficking Initiative titled Prisoners of Darkness. The program brought together about 400 advocates and concerned citizens from the Golden Isles region to raise awareness of human trafficking. Prosecutions led by the Southern District of Georgias Human Trafficking Task Force, spearheaded by the U.S. Attorneys Office, have freed at least 39 human trafficking victims. In November 2019, Department of Justice officials, including Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Claire Murray and OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, joined Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp in announcing $4.3 million in grants to help officials in Georgia investigate and prosecute human traffickers and serve trafficking survivors. The Department of Justice, through OJP, awarded more than $100 million in fiscal year 2019 grants to agencies and organizations across the United States to combat human trafficking and provide vital services to victims. More funding is available this year, including up to $13.5 million to provide housing for human trafficking survivors. About the Office of Justice Programs: The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nations capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov. About the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers: FLETC trains the majority of federal law enforcement officers and agents in the United States. In addition to providing training for over 90 federal partner organizations, FLETC provides training to state, local, tribal and international police in advanced programs. FLETC graduates approximately 70,000 students annually and is the largest law enforcement training organization in the country. To learn more about FLETC, visit www.fletc.gov. POINTE BLANCHE:--- The cruise industry is closely monitoring an outbreak in China of a new Coronavirus. A novel coronavirus is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Port St. Maarten is working closely with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and its cruise partners with respect to protocols being put in place with respect to the safety of cruise passengers and crew. Sint Maartens constant proactivity and communication with FCCA and our Member Lines have again assured that the destination is well-prepared to handle a potential outbreak, as unlikely as it may be with the cruise industry actively monitoring the situation through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) and having both pre-boarding measures and onboard protocols for handling infectious disease, many of which go above and beyond those required by CDC and WHO, President of the FCCA Michele Paige said on Sunday. The cruise industry through the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) regulatory arm, are in continuous discussions with the CDC and the WHO with respect to what recommendations and advise the aforementioned would give to the global travel industry. The WHO has already indicated based on current information about the virus, that there are no global travel restrictions on travel and trade. Destination St. Maarten is a very important cruise destination having welcomed over 1.6 million cruise passengers (1,631,537) and 565 cruise ship calls in 2019. The safety of the local population, cruise passengers and crew are of paramount importance, and therefore the port will continue to work with the FCCA and all cruise partners to ensure that various protocols as recommended by the cruise industry are implemented, as well as with Emergency Support Function (ESF-10), the St. Maarten Shipping & Maritime Inspectorate, and Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labour (Ministry VSA) where an existing working relationship for health pre-clearance protocols is already in place for visiting cruise ships, Port St. Maarten Management said on Sunday. Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). The FCCA is a not-for-profit trade organization composed of 19 Member Lines operating over 100 vessels in Floridian, the Caribbean and Latin American waters. Created in 1972, the FCCA provides a forum for discussion on tourism development, ports, safety, security, and other cruise industry issue and builds bilateral relationships with destinations' private and public sectors. By fostering an understanding of the cruise industry and its operating practices, the FCCA works with governments, ports and private sector representatives to maximize cruise passenger, crew and cruise line spending, as well as enhance the destination experience and increase the amount of cruise passengers returning as stay-over visitors. (Editors Note: Dr. Wayne Shearer, 95, is a retired optometrist and retired colonel from the U.S. Air Force Reserve now living in Hixson. In his early 90s, he decided to sit down and write from memory and a few records he still possesses his recollections of going through Army Air Corps pilot training at several bases in the United States during World War II. A lifelong writer, he wanted to pen them as he remembered them happening at the time. He also recreates now-lost letters as best as he recalls writing them and references newspaper articles he collected at the time and still possesses. This is the 32nd in a series of regular excerpts from his as yet unpublished book, Under This Arch.) * * * * * Setting: Eagle Pass, Texas, Army Air Field June 17, 1944: Today (Saturday) Lloyd and I practiced a 3 plane V formation on each side of our instructors wing. He likes for us to pull in close (snuggle close) to his wings. We did one take-off in formation. We can expect more practice in formation flying, but only with our instructor. Further, he quoted a paragraph from our Student Flying Regulations as saying, Students will not fly within 500 feet of other aircraft at any time unless on duly authorized formation missions. This regulation sounds like a possibility leading to an E ride for those of us that like to play chase! Be careful! One of the instructors was doing a test flight yesterday after an engine overhaul and during the test pulled up lower than intended, giving a buzz job to some cacti and a scrawny mesquite tree, saying it sounded like a lumberyard sawmill cutting a plank. The leading edge of the wing was green from one tip to the other. At this low-level of bravado flying, all the mesquite trees in that field must have clapped their hands. When he got back to Eagle Pass Army Air Field, ground crewmen came running from all over to see this sight. We cadets kept a respectful distance when we found out it was an instructor. After pulling a double handful of mesquite twigs from the air scoop, he went to the ready room to await the call from the air operations officer. He first said, Are you the character that brought back all the shrubbery? The young instructor answered, Yes Sir! Well, its a wonder you didnt bring back a fence and fence posts. Again he answered, Yes Sir! The air op officer than said, Get the hell out of here! Again the last answer was Yes sir. June 20, 1944: Its a hot Tuesday on the ground, but cooler when flying in formation with my instructor. Later I practiced various acrobatics. Ground school seems to be loading us down with more material, especially in maps and navigation. We work on flight planning. Were practicing more instrument flying daily. Today we worked on flying the radio range, in which we listen for a Morse code A or N in the headset that determines which quadrant were flying in. All of these radio navigation aids are used with the radio compass. They all are helpful in establishing a proper heading of 059 degrees, or 260 degrees, etc. Even though we dont become upperclassmen until the first week of July, were already discussing how is it determined who becomes a 2nd lieutenant and who becomes a flight officer when we graduate in August. We understand that more and more cadets in each class become blue bar flight officers rather than gold bar 2nd lieutenants. The conversation is that if youre still a teenager, when you graduate, you probably would become a F.O. Thats latrine rumors anyways. The Eagle Pass News Guide in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Thursday, June 22, 1944, stated: U.S. TROOPS OCCUPY BIAK. Other headlines from that days paper: VERY HEAVY BOMBING ON BERLIN. AUSCHWITZ: NAZI BEGIN MASS EXTERMINATIONS OF JEWS. PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT SIGNS G.I. BILL OF RIGHTS. June 23, 1944: Most of us have shot a rifle growing up, so the skeet shooting today gave us a nice break from the usual routine. During evening meal, I found out that one of the fellows in my flight got too close to a plane that one instructor was flying in the front cockpit observing if a solo cadet violated any Student Flying Regulations such as flying within 500 feet of another airplane without authorization. Poor Stan, thinking it was another cadet, closed in on the other airplane for a dogfight chase. Upon returning to the field, he was called into the flight directors office and quoted the regulation. They had his planes tail number, so he pleaded guilty. Since he had been in similar trouble before, he was eliminated quickly. I cant help but think of the many times most of us in horsing around have violated regulations and not been caught. Our president signed into law a bill that will pay the way for us servicemen to attend college after the war. That was good news in todays paper. The Mobile Press Register, in Mobile, Alabama, on Sunday, June 25, 1944, announced: GERMAN ESCAPE EFFORT SMASHED. An Allied communique said British Naval guns destroy evacuation craft as Yanks close in on Cherbourg. Other headlines from that days paper: CARRIER BOMBERS SINK 5 JAP SHIPS IN PACIFIC FIGHT. Adm. C.W. Nimitz said in the Marianas Islands that we sank five Japanese ships, downed 72 enemy planes and only lost 5 American planes. GOP STALWARTS STORM CHICAGO FOR CONVENTION. June 26, 1944: Back in basic flying school, we just flew in rectangles above the runway getting oriented to the black night sky. We fly short solo night navigation flights here. Tonight, I did the usual walkaround of the AT-6 with the added checking out of important night navigation lights of a white taillight, of a red light on the left wingtip, and of a green light on the right wingtip. Inside the cockpit, the instruments have radium dials that glow from the small fluorescent lights. Theyre controlled by rheostats. Its a different feeling flying at night, as I flew over some sleepy Texas towns with scattered lights clustered around the towns. I flew the usual rectangle flight from Eagle Pass to San Antonio (an explosion of lights) to Del Rio (a much smaller number of lights) and home to Eagle Pass (with our flying field boldly lit up). Another requirement is completed toward that graduation day 5 or 6 weeks away. Shortly, our longer daytime navigation flights will be flown. The Eagle Pass News Guide on Tuesday, June 27, 1944, said: TWO NAZI LEADERS CAPTURED; CHERBOURG IS TAKEN. Supreme Headquarters declares the fall of Cherbourg ends the second phase in the campaign of liberation. American soldiers captured. Lt. Gen. Carl Von Schlieben and Admiral Hennecke. Another headline from that days paper: REDS RACE FOR NAZI BASTIONS. The New Orleans Item, on Friday, June 30, 1944, announced: U.S. FINN BREAK. A release of a note from Secretary of State Hull to the charge daffairs Alexander Theslett of the Finnish legislation in Washington breaking relations with Finland because of the new close alliance between the government of that nation and Nazi Germany. Other headlines from that days paper: BIGGEST BOND SELLING CAMPAIGN WEEK ENDS NEAR TOP. WAR-TAILORED CAMPAIGN SHAPES UP FOR DEWEY. July 1, 1944: Today is Saturday, and the Saturday inspection will never end until we graduate, even though they seemed to have eased up on us some. Were all counting the days until we graduate in the first week of August. We got measured for our uniforms using the $250 allowance Uncle Sam gave us. Ive ordered a mixture of pinks and greens uniforms with poplin shirts, dress hat and overseas flight cap. Most of us, remembering we dont need pilots anymore, are fearful of becoming too confident of graduating. We wont know who will be commissioned a 2nd lieutenant or a flight officer until much closer to graduation. More recent classes we hear are close to 50 percent of each. The blue bar F/O is between the old flying sergeant non-commissioned rank and the lowest level commissioned rank of 2nd lieutenant, being likewise non-commissioned. Weve heard stories that we teenagers become F/Os and the cadets in their early 20s become 2nd lieutenants. My friend, Lloyd, is still sharing his newspapers with me. The war results get more favorable each day. The Mobile Register on Monday, July 3, 1944, announced: REDS BOTTLE UP 200,000 GERMANS. The 200,000 German defenders of Minsk were being clamped in a steel vice Sunday as lightning columns of the Red Army snapped the two main escape railways leading to Poland, Moscow disclosed. Other headlines from that days paper: 6,015 JAPANESE SLAIN BY YANKS IN SAIPAN FRAY. Admiral Chester W. Nimitz announced Sunday that in the first 16 days of the Saipan invasion, Americans killed and buried 6,015 Japanese soldiers and took 200 prisoners. ENEMY USING 11 DIVISIONS IN STUBBORN DEFENSE OF CAEN FORTRESS. The San Antonio Evening News in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, July 4, 1944, said: MACARTHUR UNITS ATTACK; NEW BATTLE RAGING. American troops scourging the Pacific from the Dutch East Indies to the Kuriles in support of the Noemfoor and Saipan invasions struck a new and heavy blow today at the Bonin Islands 600 miles from Japan, Radio Tokyo announced. Other headlines from that days paper: YANKS SMASH AHEAD IN NORMANDY DRIVE. Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force announced that the Normandy beachhead roared into action at both ends at dawn on this American Independence Day with Canadian troops capturing Carpiquet, 3 miles west of Caen, matching the U.S. offensive down the Cherbourg peninsula. 250 FORTS LEAD SUPPORT ATTACK. Letter home: July 5, 1944 Dear Mother and Dad, Everything is humming along. New officers clothes have been ordered, so I better not mess up now with those Silver Wings closer every day. Graduation date has been listed as August 4th. Its been a lot of training involved for those of us who are going to make it. Many good men have been lost along the way for no other real reason than a personality conflict. Our troops in Europe are continuing to be on offensive movements. Weve got a great nation full of patriotic citizens risking their lives for victory. Yesterday on the 4th of July, training continued as on any other days. Hope you folks enjoyed the holiday at your Lions Club barbecue youd mentioned in the last letter. Give my wonderful baby sister a hug. Your loving son, Wayne The Eagle Pass News Guide on Friday, July 7, 1944, mentioned: 124 DIE AS FIRE DESTROYS CIRCUS. At least 124 persons, mostly children were burned or trampled to death Thursday in a shocking American tragedy when a tiny lick of flame turned the mammoth 550-foot big top of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus into a vast fiery pyre at Hartford, Conn. Other headlines from that days paper: ROBOT BOMBS KILL 2,752 AND INJURE 8,000 IN ENGLAND. Prime Minister Winston Churchill gives a brutally frank statement on damage in London caused by the German flying bombs. VICE PRESIDENCY TO BE BIG ISSUE AMONG DEMOCRATS. Southern delegations seek replacement for Vice President Henry A. Wallace from this years ticket. * * * * * To see the previous entry in this series, read here. Naushad Bijapur By Express News Service BELGAUM: The 39th Congress Plenary chaired by Mahatma Gandhi in Belagavi in 1924 is considered one of the historic events in the pre-independence times as it gave a new fillip to the freedom struggle. As the year marks the 96th anniversary of the plenary, a tableau featuring the event is set to be the cynosure of all eyes at the mega Republic Day ceremony in New Delhi today. Belagavi played an instrumental role in uniting the people in the southern part of the country for the freedom movement. What added significance to the historic session in the city was the presence of stalwarts like Sarojini Naidu, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Motilal Nehru, Saifuddin Kichulu, Anne Besant and Shaukat Ali. Many of the greatest freedom fighters from across the country figured in the only session of the Congress chaired by Gandhiji in Indias pre-independence history. Businessman and journalist Subhash Kulkarni recalls his freedom fighter father R H Kulkarnis words about the session and the massive preparations made for it. A large number of freedom fighters from Dharwad, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Ankola, Bengaluru and Mysuru wanted the Congress to hold the plenary session in their respective areas, but Gangadhar Rao Deshpande, a noted freedom fighter, convinced Gandhiji about the significance of having it in Belagavi, says Kulkarni. Deshpande proposed Belagavi for the 39th Congress Plenary at the previous session of the organisation held at Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh merely a year earlier and got the green signal for it. When the preparations for Belagavi session began, Deshpande raised Rs 30,000, a huge sum then, from the Marwari community which ran garment business in Shahpur locality of the city. The local freedom fighters rallied behind Deshpande to ensure that the session was held in a grand way. A team of freedom fighters from Belagavi had a serious task in hand to ensure the supply of drinking water to a mammoth gathering of 70,000 people at a time when the region was reeling under a water crisis. They decided to dig a huge well exclusively to provide water to the delegates. When the well was ready ahead of the session, it was named as Pampasarovara, which came to be known decades later as the Congress Well. When all preparations were made for the session, the local freedom fighters decided to name the venue as Vijayanagara in memory of the great empire. As soon as Gandhiji arrived at the railway station for the session, he was accorded a grand welcome and a procession was taken out from there to the venue located 1 km away. A hut was constructed for Gandhijis stay during the session at a cost of Rs 300. When Gandhiji learnt about it, he objected to the money spent on it. Later, the organisers auctioned the hut for Rs 200 and deposited the amount in the Congress account. Incidentally, when the session was being held, the Hindalga Central Prison was jam-packed with freedom fighters. Some of locals who attended the event included Annu Guruji, Srirang Kamat, Charmu Chikkannavar, Pundlik G Katgade, Gangadharao Deshpande, Appanagouda Patil, Ananthrao, Appasaheb Patwardhan, Arvind Yalgi, Mohan Joshi, Venkareddy Hooli and Raghavendra Mandagi.To keep the memories of historic event alive, the district administration constructed a fabulous monument, called Veerasoudha, at the venue a decade ago. Several photos of the plenary are on display inside the structure. The plan is to raise awareness of this situation and what the district has been able to do programmatically despite the financial troubles through the three firms, so that the board can make its final call about whether to ask voters in November for permission to collect more in property taxes, Ahlgrim said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 05:58:52|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Hours after two statements were released by the Syrian government about the military operation in Idlib and Aleppo, the Syrian army started heavy shelling on rebel positions in the countryside of Aleppo, state news agency SANA reported. The rebels in the western countryside of Aleppo are suffering a collapse in their ranks as a result of the shelling, said SANA. Also, SANA said the army captured the village of Mar Shamsheh in the southern countryside of Idlib following intense battles against the rebels. Earlier, the Syrian Army and the Syrian Foreign Ministry released statements, confirming that the army will go on with a crushing offensive against the rebels of the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front in western Aleppo and the southern countryside of Idlib. The Syrian army has been prioritizing capturing areas in Aleppo and Idlib as part of the effort to secure the entire road connecting the capital Damascus in the south with Aleppo in the north. Idlib is the last major rebel stronghold in the country and President Bashar al-Assad recently said that the government's priority is to counter terrorist groups in Idlib. Boris Johnson has yet to commission a study examining the viability of a bridge to Northern Ireland (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Boris Johnson has yet to commission a study examining the viability of a bridge between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Transport minister George Freeman confirmed no work on the Boris bridge idea was under way, noting the Government regularly commissions work to assess the feasibility of potential projects. He added the position is subject to regular review. Mr Johnson told MPs to watch this space when questioned about his support for the bridge idea just days after last months general election. Government regularly commissions work to examine the feasibility of potential projects, so that position is subject to regular review DUP MP Paul Girvan (South Antrim) asked Transport Secretary Grant Shapps whether he plans to conduct a feasibility study on a (a) bridge or (b) tunnel connecting the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. Mr Freeman, in reply to the written parliamentary question, said: A feasibility study has not currently been commissioned. However, as you would expect, Government regularly commissions work to examine the feasibility of potential projects, so that position is subject to regular review. Prime Minister Mr Johnson has previously raised the idea of a bridge across the Irish Sea, and last month told DUP MP Ian Paisley the project has not fallen on deaf ears when it was raised in the Commons. Mr Paisley had urged Mr Johnson to make good on his commitment for a golden age of all of the United Kingdom by honouring infrastructure pledges, noting this should include building the Boris bridge. DUP MP Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) also told the same Commons session: He said watch this space well be watching this space. We expect the space between Scotland and Northern Ireland to be filled at some stage in the future with a physical link. The fact is authorities are unable to resolve any problem in this status quo, which resulted in raising and emerging catastrophic conditions. In other words, rulers mismanagement and irresponsible policies led the country to a deeper rift between the people and the mullahs. After downing the Ukrainian passenger airliner by the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) anti-aircraft system, officials vehemently rejected any skepticism about the IRGCs involvement. However, three days later, the same officials initially competed to evade consequences of the drama when the commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force Amir Ali Hajizadeh admitted the truth. The history of lying and concealing is as old as the regimes lifetime but Hajizadehs admission concluded to more rift between the governing system and those who are governed. Even though, today the regimes advocates warn each other about the bipolarization of the country in many sectors, including political, social, economic, and cultural. In this respect, the mullahs relentlessly try to mobilize their forces loyal to the regime to disguise this truth. However, they frankly announce that their goal from holding several governmental ceremonies such as Qassem Soleimanis funeral, Friday prayer ceremony, and parliamentary elections is to drag the people in front of cameras and boast about popular support for the regime. What Are the Attributes of Bipolarization in Iran? Bipolarization is a normal phenomenon in democratic states. As we witness, the competition among different nominees is escalating while the United States approaches to the presidential elections. However, when we look at the Iranian regime, its officials are wholeheartedly concerned about the bipolarization of society. They are genuinely terrified of the consequences of the explosion of their mismanagement, plunder, corruption, and more importantly their crimes against innocent people like what they have committed last November against barehanded protesters. On the other hand, bipolarization in Iran deepens the distance between society and the ruling system. Moving forward, the regime has different choices, but all of them have a common ending. On the one hand, they can resort to foreign powers to maintain their rule, which translates to contributing the national wealth to the benefit of foreigners. On the other, they can resort to aggression and warmongering in the region and export terrorism to European soil and even the U.S., which will further lead to their isolation. In such circumstances, reformist politicians are making effort to incite the ordinary people, who recently lost 1,500 of their youths and teenagers, to come to the ballot boxes in upcoming parliamentary elections. Abbas Abdi, well-known ally of regime president Hassan Rouhani, raises the alarm about the acceleration of deepening rift between the people and the regime. He describes this state as a great challenge toward the government and immediately tries to downplay its political importance by portraying this challenge as psychological tension. Tolerating of this scale of psychological tension is not only too hard for ordinary people but is also unimaginable for political activists. This is a warning The people will confront these issues on various fronts, they will look at the future with despair, Abdi wrote in Shahrvand newspaper on January 21. Significantly, these days, every development is driving the regimes supporters away from the mullahs, which deeply frightens the regimes authorities. Another problem is the extreme bipolarization of society; in the short distance from the November events to the assassination of Commander Soleimani and his funeral, then the events of Kerman, the attack on the US base, then the plane crash and subsequent protests, and now escalating tensions in foreign relations. There is a dangerous bipartization in the heart of society. Some peoples speeches on air invite others to leave the country. Additionally, artists protests and boycotting the official programs and some responses indicate that the society is going to be more bipolarized. A bipolarized society has no place for ordinary citizens. Therefore, it leads the ordinary people toward a specific pole and confronts the opposite pole, the same newspaper published. Economic and Political Issues Fuel Bipolarization The consequences of the regimes failure in deterring the society from bipolarization are reflecting in citizens livelihoods, which worsens daily. Dissidents describe the mullahs mismanagement as an economic crime along with a political one. These conditions pave the way for the creation of numerous crises in different areas of social life. However, the mullahs are lying about the reasons for these crises as they have lied over other issues over the past 40 years. Now, foreign powers, as well as the Iranian people well, grasp that adventurism of the supreme leader Ali Khamenei is the root of Irans problems, in particular, economic ones. For four decades, the mullahs regime squandered the Iranian peoples properties to establish a Shiite Crescent. These days, the people are challenging this costly policy and reject it in their protests across the country. Both in November and January, youths chanted the slogans, Leave Syria and think about us, Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, my life is only for Iran, and Death to Khamenei. The fact is Khameneis adventurism, as his predecessor Ruhollah Khomeini, boosted extremist proxies in the Middle East at the expense of Iranians who struggle hard to make ends meet. In this context, Iranian officials are concerns about societys more reactions and blame each other about the revelation of the scope of corruption and plunder under the pretext of export the revolution. Which Pole Is Stronger? During recent weeks, the regimes propaganda apparatus recklessly attempted to publicize that the mullahs enjoy dramatical support among Iranians and even regional people. It made many films in this regard and tried to portray Soleimanis funeral as a unique occasion. Also, different officials honestly say their goal of elections is the same goal of Khamenei, which is dragging poor people on the ballot boxes. However, these efforts unveil that in these circumstances the pole that tries to remove the mullahs from power is more popular, stronger. Otherwise, why is the regimes propaganda trying to show the regime has a strong backing? Meanwhile, this regimes apparatus endeavors to persuade Iranian viewers and affect Irans society not foreign or international policies. Particularly, whereas the peoples struggle being more radical and brave youths daily target the regimes icons in different cities. Notably, the majority of the mullahs misinformation campaign targets the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)and the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) inside Iran and abroad. In July, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the NCRI, mentioned the Iranian regimes real concern is about the Iranian people and their organized resistance. And we say and reiterate that if the regimes claims are true, why it does not allow us to hold peaceful gatherings and demonstrations across Iran for one single day and only one day? Mrs. Rajavi said in her speech at a conference held in Albania on July 13. Two Stafford teenagers have been charged in connection with an incident early Thursday in which two townhouses in Spotsylvania County were shot into, police said. The boys, ages 14 and 15, are each charged with two counts of shooting into an occupied dwelling and one count of conspiracy to commit a felony, Spotsylvania Sheriffs Capt. Liz Scott said. They were arrested early Saturday. The shooting took place about 2:15 a.m. Thursday in the area of 5500 Brentwood Drive in Spotsylvania. Two townhouses were shot into and the suspects had left the area by the time deputies arrived; no one was injured. Scott said it does not appear the two homes hit were targeted. She said the shooting apparently stemmed from something that was going on in the parking lot. Scott said she does not know how the boys got to Spotsylvania that morning. Neither is old enough to legally drive. Spotsylvania detectives received information from their counterparts in Stafford leading to the arrests of the boys and the recovery of the handgun in Stafford. Detectives from both localities are working together in investigating other incidents possibly involving the same boys, police said. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 20:34:03|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian government forces have advanced toward the city of Maarat al-Numan in Idlib province in northwestern Syria on Sunday amid intense battles and shelling, activists and local media reported. The Syrian forces advanced east of Maarat al-Numan in the southern countryside of Idlib following battles with the rebels, including those involved with the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, said state news agency SANA. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported the progress made by the Syrian forces east of Maarat al-Numan and said the rebels tried to make up for their collapse east of the city by waging attacks on government positions elsewhere in southern Idlib. For its side, the pro-government Al-Mayadeen TV said the Syrian Army is only one kilometer from Maarat al-Numan, a strategic city that overlooks the road connecting Hama province with Aleppo in the north through Idlib. In Aleppo city, the rebels in the western countryside fired on a residential area in the city, causing a building to partially collapse, according to SANA. A day earlier, the Syrian Army and the Syrian Foreign Ministry said in separate statements that the Syrian Army will continue to eradicate terrorism from Idlib and Aleppo, both contain the last major rebel strongholds in the country. On Jan. 15, the pro-government al-Watan newspaper said that the Syrian army is bracing to launch an assault to retake the road connecting Hama province with Aleppo, which passes through Idlib. It said that the imminent military operation aims to secure the Hama-Aleppo road as part of an agreement reached in Russia's Sochi in 2018 that aims to secure the official road to Aleppo, which extends all the way south to the capital Damascus. Since the Hama-Aleppo road is under rebel control, people have traveled to Aleppo through another extension of the road. The army is now prioritizing the recapture of the entire road between Hama and Aleppo, which will enable the travel movement to return to its pre-war time from Damascus in the south to Aleppo in the north without rerouting to other roads. Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools will receive a $300,000 grant for school safety equipment from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Plans are to use some of the money to replace and update AiPhone Intercom and entry systems at all elementary schools after the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education accepts the funds. The updated systems include additional security cameras that can be integrated into the existing camera software. The district will also use the money to add additional electrified latching systems to exterior service doors at all 70 kitchens across the district. These entry devices will also include cameras. Remaining funds will be used to update and integrate the cameras on existing intercom and entry devices at middle schools and other administrative sites. Darrell Walker, WS/FCS Assistant Superintendent for Operations, said, This really allows us to have a standard, secure entry platform across the district. This will incredibly enhance our ability to monitor all campuses from one central location. We will also be able to visually monitor service entrances and other doors that we could not before. The district hopes to have the new equipment in place by mid-June. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Arab Health Exhibition & Conferences, the largest gathering of healthcare companies in the Mena region, is set to welcome healthcare and trade professionals from more than 159 countries when it opens in Dubai on January 27. Following the success of the 2019 edition, where business generated by exhibitors during the show increased by 5.9% year-on-year from $778 million in 2018 to $824 in 2019, more than 55,000 healthcare and trade professionals and 4,250 exhibiting companies from over 64 countries are expected at the Dubai World Trade Centre and Conrad Dubai Hotel from January 27 30. Ross Williams, exhibition director, Arab Health, said: Now in its 45th year, Arab Health continues to be the leading platform for the MENA healthcare industry to build relationships with international stakeholders and to showcase the latest innovation and technology in the healthcare sector. We have a very specific mandate to facilitate business opportunities within the region while also advancing industry knowledge, something we have facilitated successfully for over four decades. Innovation Hub returns with a dedicated area at Arab Health. Located in the Plaza Hall, the Start up zone will feature start-ups, SMEs and innovators providing the opportunity to showcase and demonstrate their new products and innovation shaping the future of healthcare. This year will also see the return of the Innov8 Talks segment, where eight SMEs and entrepreneurs for each day of the show will have eight minutes to present their latest groundbreaking healthcare ideas. The final day of the exhibition will see winners from each day pitch off to judges. Arab Health will offer a range of free workshops, hands-on training sessions and social events by leaders in the healthcare industry focused on advanced techniques using the latest state-of-the-art equipment. Additionally, this year the immersive zone by VRAR Association, located at the Plaza Hall, will bring futuristic healthcare experiences in training, diagnostic, therapeutic and wellness programs. Arab Healths year-on-year growth is directly aligned with the growth witnessed in healthcare technology, thus providing the perfect platform for exhibitors to showcase their latest innovations and technology to support and benefit the industry, added Williams. In another first for Arab Health, Anatomaze will be introduced to the show this year and will offer visitors an unforgettable journey into the human body, with realistic views of arteries, the shoulder joint, and the brain. Organised by Leader Healthcare, the showcase will take place in Sheikh Maktoum Hall. Two new forums will be introduced to the 2020 edition, with the focus on healthcare investment and infrastructure. The Healthcare Investment Forum will address investment in health tech, real estate, the current landscape and future opportunities. Meanwhile, the free to attend Healthcare Infrastructure Forum will span the lifecycle of a healthcare facility; from vision through to the design, build, management and operation. In addition to the exhibition, a number of business, leadership and Continuing Medical Education (CME) conferences will provide the very latest updates and insights into cutting edge medical procedures, techniques and skills. As one of the largest CME accredited multi-track medical conferences in the world, a total of 14 conferences will take place across the four days of Arab Health Congress, taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre and the Conrad Dubai Hotel. More than 5,200 delegates are expected to attend popular returning tracks. The Arab Health Congress brings together influencers from all major medical disciplines to facilitate the continuous advancement of healthcare in the region as well as providing the opportunity for growth in multiple fields and disciplines, concluded Williams. TradeArabia News Service Steam billows from a building in a quiet side street in Dublin's Liberties and Micheal Martin stands in the midst of the fog, like a vampire bat who has assumed human form. "Was that Leo?" he quips, dispersing the fumes with his hand. "I thought we brought in a smoking ban." It's a quick reminder of one of Micheal's biggest career achievements, one that pleases him. And it warms him up nicely for his favourite part of the campaign: an afternoon canvassing. Dublin South Central was for decades a Fianna Fail stronghold but they haven't had a TD elected here since 2007, when the late Sean Ardagh topped the poll. His daughter Catherine, an outgoing senator, is running this time around and she took her two newborn sons, whom she dutifully hands to Martin for photos. It takes a real baby's face to realise that at 59, the FF leader has finally lost his. While Fine Gael hammers home sporting metaphors and carps on about the depth of their "team", FF's campaign is all about Micheal. He seems like the embodiment of a collective amnesia. When the 2008 economic crash came, he was safely tucked away in the political safe house of Foreign Affairs and, so, unlike so many of his party brethren, the disgrace of the IMF coming to town did not end his career. In the meantime, from the ashes of the recession, he has led a modest recovery of his party. But his longevity and tenacity in opposition are a double-edged sword. They now make him look like a brand name with a yellow-pack cabinet. People can imagine Micheal as Taoiseach but they have a harder time visualising Fianna Fail back in power. On the campaign trail the local candidates seem like an afterthought. There is not a trace of Leo's Thunderbird-like awkwardness as Micheal raps on unsuspecting doors; he is never lost for words and he knows how to make the right noises as people enumerate their health woes and trolley dramas at tedious length. He is excruciating in a different way to Leo, however. On the doorsteps, Micheal is jolly, but never witty. He laughs at the wrong things and recoils from actual jokes. He calls at a house in The Liberties and a woman beckons him inside. "I'm in here with some of the refugees you let in," she laughs, as he and a group of journalists shuffle up her hall. "And look what we're in the middle of filling out," she says, holding up a social welfare form and relishing the silliness of the situation. "Will you sign it for me?" Micheal, though generally impervious to canvassing-related embarrassment, demurs and beats a hasty retreat. His FF minions hurry ahead of him like colourful Jehovah's Witnesses, startling people in pyjamas and finding new victims for doorstep chats. They have to work fast because Micheal is power- walking his way to power. He stops outside another house and asks the owner what he wants from a new Government. "To be let die in comfort," the man replies and Micheal lets out a practised chuckle. Pensioners say the darnedest things. Several people congratulate him on his debate performance and he beams with pride, even if at times, during it he came across as petty and truculent. He refuses to add anything to Leo's answer on drugs to the journalists, who trail after him, but he seems to take some issue with the way the debate was moderated by Pat Kenny. "It was hard to tell if it was a debate, or an interview," he comments as he moves between the houses, although he seemed happy to turn it into an inquisition when Leo froze. In the endless silence as we waited for clarification on his past drug use, and Micheal carped off camera, various images of Leo floated to the surface. He is either "the reincarnation of Margaret Thatcher" - as a young man in Mallow accused him of being last week - or he's some sort of party animal, but surely we can't have it both ways. Or maybe we can - when the Taoiseach told Ivan Yates that he would not be in favour of decriminalising drugs, despite having taken them himself, it came across as hypocritical. He should understand that a young fogey can never compete with an old fogey. Perhaps the media uproar about Leo's debate moment shows that we would prefer a Taoiseach who spends the small hours tucked up in bed, worrying about the economy. In which case Micheal would probably be what we deserve. He has the aura of a man who has kept to his confirmation pledge. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-27 00:53:34|Editor: yan Video Player Close THE HAGUE, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- In a speech at the National Holocaust Remembrance in Amsterdam on Sunday, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte offered his apologies on behalf of the Dutch government for doing too little in protecting Dutch Jews during World War II. "I apologize for the government's actions back then, now that the last survivors are still among us," Rutte said. "The Dutch government failed as a guardian of justice and security in the war." It was the first time a Dutch prime minister apologized for the actions of the Dutch government during World War II, when the Netherlands was occupied by Nazi Germany from 1940 until 1945. Rutte's speech came on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp on Jan. 27, 1945. The Germans established the Auschwitz camp in Poland in 1940, initially for the imprisonment of Poles. Auschwitz II-Birkenau was established two years later. At least 1.1 million people were killed at Auschwitz, including Jews, Poles, Romanians, Soviet captives and others. Of the 140,000 Dutch Jews during World War II, 102,000 did not survive the war, according to local media reports. "It was too little. Too little protection, too little help, too little recognition," Rutte said. School children from different parts of the country performed various traditional Indian dance forms at the 71st Republic Day parade here on Sunday. Kids from the state of Gujarat, Rajasthan and West Bengal were seen performing amid roaring reception from the enthusiastic crowds at the event. At the parade, India's military might, cultural diversity, social and economic progress was displayed during the celebrations. Prime Minister Narendra Narendra Modi, who hails from Gujarat, looked particularly amused as 150 girls from different schools of Gujarat performed Garba, the state's popular folk dance. Earlier, President Ram Nath Kovind unfurled the Flag and received the customary 21-gun salute ahead of the parade. Celebrations for the 71st Republic Day began with Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro in attendance as the chief guest. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jaipur Police detained a group of five activists for raising slogans against the Citizenship Amendment Act during a session at the Jaipur Literature Festival on Sunday. They were, however, released post warning not to repeat such an act. They were shouting slogans against the CAA, PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Speaking about the Holocaust, the pontiff said that In the face of such an enormous tragedy, indifference is not admissible and we must remember. "Never Again" should be everyones prayer tomorrow. Francis also urged a prayer for the people who have become ill because of the virus that has spread in China. May the Lord welcome the dead in his peace, comfort the families and support the great work already put in place by the Chinese community to fight the outbreak. Vatican City (AsiaNews) Pope Francis spoke after the Angelus about the Holocaust (Shoah), urging everyone to include Never Again in their prayer on the day of the tragedys remembrance. Tomorrow, said the pontiff, marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp, symbol of the Holocaust. In the face of such an enormous tragedy, indifference is not admissible and we must remember. Tomorrow we are all invited to pray and meditate, saying in our own heart: Never Again! In his address, Francis also prayed "for the people who have become ill because of the virus that has spread in China. May the Lord welcome the dead in his peace, comfort the families and support the great work already put in place by the Chinese community to fight the outbreak. Before the Marian prayer, Francis spoke to some 20,000 people in St Peter's Square about the start of Jesus' preaching and call to conversion for the kingdom of heaven is nigh. This announcement is like a powerful beam of light across the darkness that cuts through the fog. "The appeal to conversion, which Jesus addresses to all people of good will, is fully understood precisely in the light of the event of the manifestation of the Son of God. "Many times it is impossible to change ones life, abandon the path of selfishness, evil and sin, because the commitment to conversion focuses only on oneself and ones own strength, not on Christ and his Spirit. But our joining the Lord cannot be reduced to a personal effort. This would be a sin of pride. Instead, it must be expressed in a confident opening of the heart and mind to welcome the Good News of Jesus. The Gospel changes the world and hearts! We are therefore called to trust the word of Christ, open ourselves to the Father's mercy and allow ourselves to be transformed by the grace of the Holy Spirit. This is where the real path of conversion begins. Following the Angelus, Francis noted that today is First Day of the Word of God as well as World Leprosy Day. Let us be close, he said, to all people affected by Hansen's disease and those who, by various means, take care of them. UPDATE: The Waco-McLennan County public health district is investigating the state's second suspected case of the the mystery pneumonia-like virus that has claimed 26 lives in China and has been confirmed in two people in the U.S. The new suspected case involves a Baylor University student who traveled to China this year. The student is doing well with mild symptoms, public health officials said, much like the Texas A&M student who went to a hospital ER Wednesday because he'd been to China and had recently developed a cough and respiratory congestion. The Baylor student has been moved to an isolated room on campus as a precaution, Baylor University said in a news release. The student had lived in a residence hall, which has been "thoroughly sanitized," the statement said. The Waco-McLennan County health district is waiting on test results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The initial suspected case involved a Texas A&M University student who recently traveled from Wuhan, China, the district where the so-called 2019 novel coronavirus originated. The student went to an area hospital emergency department with mild symptoms Wednesday evening, according to the Brazos County health district. "He presented at the ER out of concern because he'd been in Wuhan, not because of the severity of his symptoms," Dr. Eric Wilke, health authority for the Brazos County health district, said at a news conference broadcast on Facebook Thursday. "He's doing well." The student, described as between 20 and 30, is currently in isolation in home, not hospitalized. The case would be the first in the state of Texas. Roughly 90 miles outside of Houston, Brazos County is home to the cities of Bryan and College Station, where Texas A&M is located. Wilkes said the viral samples taken from the student were sent to the Atlanta-based Center for Disease Control and Prevention, which should have results within 24 hours of receiving them. He said the CDC should receive the samples no later than Friday. Wilke also said Brazos County officials are working on the assumption the student had been in classes and have begun taking steps to identify potential contacts, though they are waiting on the CDC results to see if they need to step up the effort. He said the risk to the campus community was low because the student did not have symptoms until Wednesday evening. Wilkes praised health-care providers, noting they were very aware of public health guidance about the virus and quick to recognize the patient met the criteria for testing. "They did everything right," said Wilkes, including notifying the health division. MORE ON CORONAVIRUS: Snakes could be the original source of the new outbreak in China The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which this week confirmed cases in Chicago and the state of Washington, is currently screening travelers from China at airports in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York as part of early efforts to prevent the virus spread in the United States. Houstons George Bush Intercontinental Airport tweeted earlier this week that federal agencies so far have seen no need for passengers at Houston airports to be screened for signs of the virus and an airport spokesman said nothing has changed since then, likely because the case in Brazos County is only suspected at this point, not confirmed. It is unclear what airport the Texas A&M student traveled through. Wilkes said the health division doesn't have that information yet and the Bush airport spokesman said there is no indication the student traveled through Houston. Bush Airport has some direct flights to and from China but none to and from Wuhan. One Houston expert said hed think any international airport taking passengers from China would want to screen for the virus. Because people got out of Wuhan before the quarantine, there have been cases in other parts of China, said Peter Hotez, director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Childrens Hospital. There have been cases in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing, for example, and the chances are good theyll be seeing cases in other Chinese cities too. On Thursday, the Bush airport tweeted that the Transportation Security Administration has determined that health alert flyers will be posted at all their airport checkpoints. The flyers advise travelers from Wuhan to call a doctor and tell them they were in the district if they become sick within two weeks of leaving. NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here. Hong Kong police condemned violent acts of rioters who blocked roads and assaulted police officers in Mong Kok on Saturday, the first day of the Lunar New Year. As rioters threatened public security, the police had no choice but adopted the minimum force necessary to stop them, the police said in a statement in the small hours on Sunday. Masked rioters gathered in Mong Kok and built up blockages with debris in areas surrounding Portland Street and the intersection of Nathan Road and Shantung Street on Saturday night, disrupting traffic. Some even attacked a police vehicle when officers were about to leave after law enforcement, said the statement. The police always respect the right and freedom of residents to express opinions in a peaceful manner, the statement said, stressing that the police have to step in when illegal and violent incidents occur. 1. Yes. The downtown area needs a good draw. Some quality taverns would be a plus. 2. Yes. Too many storefronts are vacant. Bars could help to bring in needed revenue. 3. No. Putting a number of bars downtown is just asking for trouble. Dont change things. 4.No. Several churches have located downtown. Putting bars close by would be a bad fit. 5. Unsure. It would depend on how the law is written and what standards are enacted. Vote View Results In his forthcoming book, Five Days: The Fiery Reckoning of an American City, bestselling, critically acclaimed author Wes Moore explores the aftermath of Freddy Grays death in 2015, following his arrest in West Baltimore. And in a stirring keynote to open the 2020 American Library Association Midwinter Meeting, Moore told librarians that it wasnt so much Grays death he found so tragic, but his life. The truth is, we were all talking about the death of Freddy Gray, and its heartbreaking, Moore said. But do you know what was even more heartbreaking? His life. The life that he was forced to live because of a dire and entrenched poverty. The most heartbreaking thing about Freddie Gray was that the week that he was sitting in a coma was probably his most peaceful week on this planet. Moore read a short passage from the book outlining the life of Gray, who suffered a traumatic neck injury and went into a coma shortly after being arrested in April of 2015, and whose death a week later sparked days of unrest in the city of Baltimore. Gray was born prematurely in 1989 to a young mother who had never gone to high school, could not read or write, and was struggling with heroin, Moore explained. Gray and his twin sister spent their first months in the hospital, before going home to a West Baltimore housing project. Months later, they moved to a home that would eventually, in 2008, become part of a class action suit for endemic levels of lead. Gray lived in that home until he was six years old, and the elevated levels of lead in his blood caused massive brain injuries. In school, he was placed in special education because of the poisoning, and was effectively driven out of the classroom. He then migrated to the corners, getting into the drug trade. Gray's last day of attendance in school was marked in 2008he was 18, and in 10th grade. In 2009, Gray went to prison for a drug offense. In 2011, he was paroled, and was back on the corners. In 2013, Gray's half brother was gunned down. And, in April of 2015, Gray suffered a fatal injury while in police custody. And while the media followed the story of Gray's death in police custody, and the uprising that followed in Baltimore, Americans have largely overlooked the real story, Moore stressed. This young man never had a chance, Moore told librarians. This story is not about Baltimore. This story is not about policing. This story is about poverty. This story is about a deep and entrenched poverty. This story is about the fact that we long ago made a deal, a devils deal, about how much poverty we will tolerate in our society. About how much pain we will allow others to endure. About how much trauma we will allow our neighbors to feel. About who gets a shot, and who doesnt How much pain are we willing to tolerate when we know we dont have to? When we know were better than that? This is not Moores first book exploring social and economic justicein fact, he noted in his talk, it was five years to the day after his acclaimed 2010 book, The Other Wes Moore: One Name and Two FatesA Story of Tragedy and Hope was published, Moore found himself sitting in a pew at Freddy Grays funeral. In the Other Wes Moore, Moore explored how heraised by a single mother and with his own disciplinary challenges as a kidwound up in a newspaper article celebrating his Rhodes scholarship at the same time another young Wes Moore in Baltimore was in the news for his role in a botched robbery that led to the murder of security guard, and a prison sentence. Your job and responsibility is to make sure that information and knowledge is open access, that information and knowledge is not miserly and randomly distributed. We now find ourselves having conversations about the future of our nation, what kind of things we should be caring about, what kind of things we should be voting on, what are our issues, he said. And I cannot think of an issue that has a greater level of permanence, and frankly a greater level of dysfunction, than the way we think about economic inequality and poverty in our society. Whether it is urban poverty, or rural poverty, or suburban poverty, poverty and the pain and trauma that is attached to it is real and we see its causes and its consequences every single day. Moore told librarians why he was happy to speak about his new book for the first time to librarians. "Theres no one who understands better than you about where people are, about what people need, and about how exactly we address the fact that theres so many people out there screaming and yet still feel unheard," Moore said. "Thats you. Thats your power. Your job, your responsibility is to speak for those who often need and deserve a champion. Your job and responsibility is to make sure that information and knowledge is open access, that information and knowledge is not miserly and randomly distributed... You are the community organizers. You are the community uplifters. You are the one to understand what can bring a child from one place to another. Take a family from them from one place to another." Moore mused on how his life easily could have turned out very differently. And he thanked librarians for being among those who helped him "understand that the world was bigger than what was directly in front of me" and for providing him "a pathway" to a better life. "You provide places of freedom," Moore said. "When people ask what you do, the answer is you provide freedom. You provide a space, mental and otherwise, for people to be free. And you do it in a way that our society needs right now." Five Days: The Fiery Reckoning of an American City is due out in April from Penguin Random House. The ALA Midwinter Meeting runs through Tuesday, January 28. Thinking of celebrating Chinese New Year and bringing luck and prosperity to your family and loved ones for the Year of the Rat? Well, that leaves the question of what wine to drink with your Chinese feast. While the rule of thumb is generally to stick to the more aromatic varieties like Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Blanc, from Germany and Alsace, it is a bit more complicated than that. All you have to do is take one look at the size of China, and you start to realise that the food across this massive country varies hugely. Added to this, in China, meals are served banquet style, so there are many different dishes on the table at the one time, ranging hugely in flavour and texture. And until recently, you would be more likely to have had a warm rather than a cold drink with your meal. If you're planning on eating the traditional steamed dumplings - as the more you eat the wealthier you will be for the year ahead - wine-pairing expert Fiona Beckett suggests accompanying them with a good sparkling wine, preferably a blanc de blanc Champagne. Or you could pair them with a crisp Chablis, or Albarino, like the one in today's line-up. These wines will also work beautifully with Chinese steamed fish. Just be sure to serve the fish whole, with the head and tail attached, as it symbolises a good beginning and end to the year ahead. If you want to stick with crisp white wines, another traditional dish for Chinese New Year is a whole chicken that has been cooked in a broth. But once you move to something with a bit more sweetness, like the steamed and stir fried Cantonese dishes from Guangdong province, off dry, aromatic wines work best, so will pair nicely with old favourites like sweet and sour pork and lemon chicken. And if you're having crispy duck with pancakes, try a fruity Pinot Noir from New Zealand. Off dry, aromatic wines can also work well with Sichuan cuisine, and sit alongside the spicy, full-flavoured dishes which can be mouth-numbingly hot from the use of Sichuan pepper. Or for something with a bit more weight, try an off dry, deep-coloured rose, not a delicate Provence rose which will be overwhelmed by the spice. And of course, there's always beer, which works particularly well with hot dishes. For hearty dishes, like the spicy grilled meats from the Yunnan province, go for fleshier, fruity wines, like a Spanish Grenache, a Chilean Merlot, an Australian Shiraz, or, for something really unusual, a Chinese red wine. Because yes, they are making wine in China and we can expect to see more of it. For more celebrations, you could head to the Chinnery Gin Chinese New Year cocktail event with The Little Pig on February 8 led by mixologist Pat Thomas. Tickets include two Chinnery Gin cocktails, tasters from The Little Pig's Chinese New Year cocktail menu and a Chinnery Gin tasting session. Tickets 40, Eventbrite.com Grapevine Say goodbye to Dry January and head to The Corkscrew Annual Wine Fair on February 2 at The Westbury Hotel in Dublin, where over 100 wines will be available for tasting. Winemakers attending include Christoph Thorle from their new German house, Anthony Aubert from Aubert & Mathieu, Guillaume Vavasseur from Burgundy producer Vincent Girardin, and new prosecco house, Bepindeeto. Profits go to Pieta House. 25, thecorkscrew.ie Laurent Miquel Albarino 2018 10, 13pc, from Dunnes Expand Close Albarino / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Albarino Crisp and citrusy nose, this fresh Albarino with its mix of stone fruit underpinned by zingy grapefruit, lemon, and lime, is a great match for dim sum, steamed fish, shellfish and light noodle dishes. Exquisite Collection Alsace Pinot Gris 2018 9.99, 12.5pc, from Aldi Expand Close Pinot Gris / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Pinot Gris This is the same grape as Pinot Grigio but is made in a very different style and here you get a rich, off dry wine with notes of pear, pineapple and mango, which works perfectly with Cantonese food. Pretty Pony 2013 52.99, 14pc, from Mitchell's, The Corkscrew, Redmond's, Clontarf Wines, Terroirs, all Dublin; The Wine House, Trim, and wineonline.ie Expand Close Pretty Pony / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Pretty Pony From vineyards in Ningxia, China, this blend of 90pc Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10pc Merlot, has bright flavours of blackberry, blackcurrant, plum and a touch of spice. A brave teenager who received 'flirty' messages from the 'strictest head teacher' in the UK has revealed how his inappropriate Instagram conversations 'ruined her life' and left her with nightmares. Cat Hughes reported receiving dozens of messages from 35,000-a-year Ruthin School Principal Toby Belfield. Married north Wales teacher Mr Belfield struck up a conversation with Cat in 2018 and inundated her with messages for nine months. He would send the 16-year-old messages in the early hours of the morning, telling her she was 'cute' and how 'flirting is fine' before he complimented her on how she looked in her blazer. Married north Wales teacher Toby Belfield (pictured above) struck up a conversation with Cat in 2018 and inundated her with messages for nine months Messages Mr Belfield sent are pictured above where he claims he prefers petite women Speaking to North Wales Live Cat said her teacher would also talk about breasts, virginity and sexuality, telling her he liked women 'small and petite'. 'A lot of it was about me being pretty in my blazer. Two days after my 16th birthday, the messages started getting more flirty. 'He started conversations about relationships and boyfriends saying things like 'should I be jealous' and how I would 'make a terrible girlfriend'.' Cat's plight led to safeguarding investigations at the school. Cat revealed that Mr Belfield (pictured) had even told her that 99 per cent of schools would sack a Principal for messaging students on chat apps Toby Belfield is pictured on the left. There is no suggestion that the student pictured alongside him was the recipient of any messages Her revelation comes after another pupil shared messaged which stated Mr Belfield had told her she was 'naughty and that she looked 'stunning in a dress'. North Wales News originally broke the story after an investigation was launched into the teacher. But no recommendations were made and neither was a criminal investigation. Regulators then carried out unannounced investigations at the school, which revealed major safeguarding issues at the institution. It revealed that the school had an 'autocratic and controlling management system in place'. Cat revealed that Mr Belfield had even told her that 99 per cent of schools would sack a Principal for messaging students on chat apps. Belfield complimented a student's red dress, said he would visit pupils at University, and asked about their sex lives Head teacher texts, the messages above are examples of what he had sent to other pupils She said the messages from him became so frequent that it had a serious impact on her mental health. Cat moved to the school in Year 8 when she was awarded a bursary. She said she hated it there at first but would spend more and more time there due to family issues. It was when she reached year 10 that Mr Belfield started to message her. She had heard how he would message other girls and thought that he was taking an interest in her, he would ask about holidays and her plans for the future. But when Cat started struggling with personal problems he continued to message her, which she said made her feel 'valued' and that she 'did matter'. As the messages went on Cat said she knew there were some topics that he shouldn't have addressed, but she said she just gave him the benefit of the doubt. The messages carried on and Cat felt as though she had to reply in order for her to keep her place at the school. In 2018 Mr Belfield awarded Cat with weekly boarding at the school, but she was admitted to hospital shortly afterwards. The messages from the professor continued, becoming more personal, with one stating that Mr Belfield would have been 'heartbroken' if anything had happened to Cat. 'At the time I just thought maybe he is a bit more invested in me than other students, which was a bit weird but at the same time, I didn't have that from anyone else. 'When I went home during the holidays, I was getting more messages at 3am, 5am and because I needed my place, I felt like I had to reply'. He also told her how he would message other girls. When Mr Belfield was traveling she noticed that the messages would slow, but she says it was always him who instigated the conversation. She said she felt more relaxed at school when he was away and as her mental health deteriorated she felt his attitude changed towards her. Cat made the decision to deactivate her Instagram account to put a stop to the messages. But he then went on to ask for her number in case he needed to contact her. She didn't want him to have it so she reactivated the account. She added: 'The messages kept coming. A lot of it was about me being pretty in my blazer. Two days after my 16th birthday, the messages started getting more flirty. 'He also asked me if I had an eating disorder because I was skinny and I looked good. I did show the messages to people in school but I felt like people were too scared to do anything about it.' Cat said she had a break down when the disciplinary hearing happened. She felt Mr Belfield had control over her. The experience has made her want to become a mental health worker and she now says her energy is going into helping others and making sure something is done. 'I've had nightmares about Mr Belfield. This whole thing has ruined my life.' A rising star With an internationally acclaimed film already under her belt and other exciting silver screen ventures lined up, Dinara Punchihewa talks to Purnima Pilapitiya View(s): View(s): On a rainy day in 2017, Dinara Punchihewa was working on the production team of ITVs hit medical drama The Good Karma Hospital holding an umbrella for the actors on set. Last year, audiences at home and abroad watched her embrace her first lead role in visionary filmmaker PrasannaVithanages much anticipated film Gaadi (Children of the Sun). Gaadi debuted at Asias renowned Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) in South Korea last October. The cinematically masterful, intricately produced period drama is already buzzing with critics praise around the globe and was chosen as one of 100 not to be missed films from Asia in 2019 by the Asian Film Festival (AFF). Its a midweek holiday when we meet, but off-days dont stop the vivacious young artist who despite a cough and a busy schedule still greets us with a winning smile. The last year has been a whirlwind for the 25-year-old, with two lead film roles on the local and Indian screen, Sinhala and English theatre credits, a critically acclaimed short film and a nonprofit performing arts platform for underprivileged children under her belt. A product of Ladies College Colombo, Dinaras dream of pursuing a career in acting was cemented watching Rani Mukerji and Shah Rukh Khan sing to each other in a field in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Like many parents of the young and beguiled, hers too hoped that she would invariably grow out of her childhood ambition but Dinara only continued to thrive as a young performer. Its funny because nobody else in my family is into film or theatre, she says, letting us in on the ongoing family joke about where she gets her talent from. Nevertheless, her parents supported and nurtured her passion. I was doing theatre while sitting for my O/Ls bagging several awards for her acting. It was around this time that her parents convinced of her ambition supported her pursuit of the arts as she followed her dreams to London to read for a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Theatre and Drama at Queen Mary University. Here Dinara was exposed to different and extreme types of theatre; a vast contrast to the conventional stage productions she was used to. The then 18-year- old recalls the first four days of university life. I wanted to quit and come back. Being one of two South Asian faces in her class in new and unchartered theatrical territory wasnt without its share of hiccups; but it left her liberated. Following her graduation in 2016, the eager young thespian came back home. But finding a space to experiment with vast and unfamiliar aspects of theatre and acting didnt come easily as it did in England. I didnt have the confidence to do much about it once I came back. My life has been like a chain, she says of her acting opportunities, the result of a series of fortunate events which the enthusiastic Dinara took the chance to learn from. In 2012 it was on the set of Anurag Kashyaps gangster drama Bombay Velvet. Through word of mouth, Dinara joined the local production team for Sri Lanka, casting foreign extras for the period drama. Being on the other side of the audition room gave her valuable insights she still carries with her when she faces any audition. The first seven seconds she reveals, is all the time a casting director needs to gauge an actor, beginning with their first good morning. Its these little tidbits she divulges to us that have had a huge impact on her journey so far. Her next stint on a set was once again not in an acting capacity. On the set of The Good Karma Hospital, Dinaras days were spent holding an umbrella for the actors. At times Id wonder what I was doing with my life, after studying so hard. Self-doubt and raised eyebrows at her life choices were often frustrating even for the upbeat Dinara to reconcile with at times. But its the little things that make the difference, she says, switching back to her gregarious self, her experience in the different areas of production work shaping her into the 360 artist that she set out to be. The experience has also grounded her and prodded her enough to explore different avenues from commercial acting and modelling to news reading and voice acting. In 2018, she experimented with a story she had written about Sri Lankan domestic workers, based on her own life experience. Having never thought that she would use whatever she picked up from script writing classes at university, she found herself behind the directors seat for the very first time with a crew of 12 shooting her directorial and acting debut Maala over the course of three days. When she screened it for her parents they couldnt understand why this 15 minute short film took three days to film she laughs. But they remained enthusiastic and supportive. A few months later the film was selected as a semi-finalist at the Los Angeles CineFest, Bengals International Short Film Festival, screened at the Lobo International Film Festival in Brazil and the Rome Independent Prisma Film Awards. Maala was also the first time director PrasannaVithanage got a glimpse of Dinaras work. On a friends suggestion, she went for the open audition for Vithanages newest film. Limited experience and her audition number356; the final number did little to deter her energy. I just wanted a part, and by pure luck managed to get pushed forward at the audition when another hopeful didnt turn up. The scene inside was relaxed as she answered a few questions. When she got a call back she found herself seated in the editing room with the visionary filmmaker who already felt like a friend. After being given the script to read, Dinara was left alone with the text and her nerves for an hour. Why am I reading this? Why am I here? I just thought I had got a small role she mused and was overwhelmed when he asked her for her thoughts on the screenplay and whether she would like to play the titular role of Tikiri. Almost 25 years in the making, Gaadi (Children of the Sun) is a period drama that dives into 18th century Sri Lanka beyond textbook history. Against the background of 1814 Kandy, the film revolves around the rebellion of the Sinhalese nobility against their South Indian ruler, the advent of British rule and the parallel journey of Tikiri; a young noblewoman, now an outcast and her own struggle for identity. Vithanage is no stranger to commercially artistic films with contemporary masterpieces such as Machan (2008) and Akasa Kusum (2008) among others under his belt. It took eight months of workshops, reading and studying the material Vithanage shared with her to get into the skin of Tikiri. Vithanages own easygoing and friendly demeanour eased the challenges of a three month jungle shoot, with natural light in addition to having to learn the Sabaragamuwa dance style; all alien territory for the new actress. Seeing the film for the first time with her family was emotional at the least. My mother was lost for words she says she had to pester her parents for feedback. But a similar reaction to Gaadi resounded worldwide since its international premiere at the Busan International Film Festival last year. Most recently it was screened at film festivals in Dhaka winning the Special Jury Mention, Mumbai, Pune and soon the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR). Recognition has followed too. On the streets of Kerala she was stopped by a gentleman who had seen Gaadi the night before. To say that Gaadi changed her life is an understatement. Dinara wraps up her first Hindi film opposite Indian actorAnkit Vyas with cinematography by Anirban Chatterjee, the result of Director Shubhaleka seeing Gaadi. Working with directors such as Prasanna Vithanage has also instilled in her a desire for authentic storytelling. Her privileged journey to the silver screen has been a series of Gods plan, the kindness and help of those around her and a very thick skin. We only see the glamorous side of filmmaking. But the anticipated phone calls are most often misdialled numbers, the breaks between work long enough for self-doubt and the outsider judgment to creep in and countless emails are sent out with crossed fingers. Nobody sees the other side of it and Dinara is unashamedly that person who follows up with the doggedness that only an artist would understand. This is why she is also dedicated to repaying the kindness that brought her to where she is today. When shes not working, shes teaching and conducting performing arts workshops for young, underprivileged children through a nonprofit Punchi Actors together with a few likeminded volunteers. Everyone deserves to have their dreams come true but her version of the fairytale is only possible with a little help from anyone who cares enough. In KMC's Republic Day message that contained a picture of Mayor Firhad Hakim and was posted on Facebook, the two regions were found to be missing, leading to a furore. Kolkata, Jan 26 (IANS) The Kolkata Municipal Corporation on Sunday landed in a controversy by posting a distorted map of India on social media that did not show Chinese-occupied Aksai Chin and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as part of the country. The state BJP's twitter handle attacked Hakim and wanted to know whether Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee was endorsing Pakistan's stand. "Why is @FirhadHakim, the Mayor of Kolkata, promoting an Indian map that doesn't have POJK & aAksai Chin' on the official KMC portal? Is @mamataofficial endorsing Pakistan's stand? Our Home Minister @AmitShah ji has proclaimed in Parliament, 'Jaan de denge hum Kashmir ke liye'," the BJP said on twitter. A large number of Twitter users also expressed their disgust over the distorted map, following which the Kolkata Municipal Corporation deleted the map. Hakim, who ordered an inquiry, alleged that it was a conspiracy to malign him and the KMC. "I have heard about it. I have asked the Municipal Commissioner to condUct a probe. A proper FIR will be filed. Somebody has hatched a conspiracy to give a bad name to KMC and me. I have ordered that action be taken as per law," he said. However, BJP General secretary Sayantan Basu demanded Hakim's resignation and a probe by a neutral agency. "The West Bengal government always endorses the stand of the Pakistan Prime Minister and not that of his Indian counterpart. Their viewpoint is reflected in various documents. This is the latest example. "We demand resignation of the KMC Mayor and a probe by an impartial agency. The Chief Minister should also come out with a statement on the issue," said Basu. ssp/vd The achievements and successes of the Artsakh Republic Defense Army in 2019 can be assessed satisfactory, but we have a lot of work in all directions. Defense Army Commander Karen Abrahamyan said this, summing up the Army year. According to him, the important achievement of 2019 is the effective protection of the state border of Artsakh. Abrahamyan noted that a great deal of work has been done in combat duty. "During the year, living conditions have improved in a number of military units," he said, in particular. In addition, according to the commander of the Defense Army, a number of shelters and bunkers were built during the year. "In the communications system we have achieved the indicators that ensure that our command is fully capable of commanding combat duty," he added. The strength of the army has increased to a few degrees; it has developed in all types of military (). The air defense system has had a qualitative development over the year." He stated that the moral and psychological state of all the army personnel was stable, and they were ready to carry out their combat task. As for the ceasefire, the Artsakh Defense Army commander said: In 2019, we have a significant decrease in the number of ceasefire regime violations, which is also due to the political factor. In this context, I will outline our work in the field of cooperation with the [OSCE] Minsk Group Co-Chairs. In this respect, the meetings and the conduct of the Minsk Group monitoring were unprecedented in 2019. I would like to mention those agreements reached at the meetings of the leadership of Armenia and Azerbaijan." Thousands of people joined Invasion Day protests in cities across Australia Sunday to mark the beginning of British colonisation of the vast continent. January 26 is officially recognised as Australia Day, a public holiday to celebrate the origins of the modern nation and is commemorated with fireworks, concerts and citizenship ceremonies. However, the date is a time of mourning for indigenous Australians, who have inhabited the land for 65,000 years and view the arrival of British settlers in 1788 as heralding two centuries years of pain and suffering. Annual rallies have steadily grown in size as protesters bring attention to injustices faced by indigenous people and call on the government to change the date of Australia Day. It was only formally established as a nation-wide celebration in 1994. This year, non-indigenous Australians were asked to give reparations in the form of a donation to the #PayTheRent campaign. Melbourne rally organiser Lidia Thorpe, a former Victoria state government politician, drew attention to the plight of Aboriginal families who had to pay for the funerals of relatives who died in custody. "It's 2020 and we're still trying to raise money to bury our people. So we're asking people to pay the rent, you're on stolen land," she said. "It's time to reparate for the mass injustice that we've had as first people of this country." Chants of "Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land" rang out as large crowds marched through the city. Some waved the Aboriginal flag while others held aloft signs with slogans such as "No Pride in Genocide" and "Sovereignty Was Never Ceded". One protester, who gave her name only as Sophie, said she believed Australia Day should be abolished entirely rather than simply moved to another date. "I think any day that has these barbeques and celebrating Aussie pride, I think that's absolutely inappropriate," she told AFP. "I don't think there's any day that you can celebrate Australia Day without also celebrating a genocide. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 storage MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images Southwest Airlines' president said the airline isn't considering discounting any flights involving the Boeing 737 Max when the jet returns to service because the public trust the plane. Tom Nealon said most people don't pay as much attention to the plane as the industry does, and that the "vast majority" of flyers won't change how they fly. Nealon also said some people will trust the Max more than other plane models when it returns: "The thought being, it's actually going to be the safest plane out there with all the scrutiny." The plane has been grounded since last March after two crashes killed 346 people. It has been under scrutiny from aviation regulators since. Airlines, including Southwest, have been debating how much to alert flyers who have booked flights on the plane when it returns. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Southwest Airlines is so confident that flyers will trust the Boeing 737 Max when it returns to service that it's not considering any discounts on flights using the plane. Southwest President Tom Nealon told reporters on Thursday that "at this point, there's no notion of discounting Max flights," according to USA Today. He said that the "vast majority" of flyers don't plan to change how they fly, and that some travelers said they will actually fly on that plane more frequently than on other models. "The thought being, it's actually going to be the safest plane out there with all the scrutiny,'' he said. The plane has been grounded around the world and has been undergoing scrutiny from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other global regulators since March 2019, after it was involved in two deadly crashes. Boeing has maintained it will be one of the safest-ever planes when it returns. Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET302 Xinhua/ via Getty Images The two crashes by a Lion Air plane in Indonesia in October 2018, and an Ethiopian Airlines plane in Ethiopia in March 2019 killed a total of 346 people. Story continues The plane will not be able to fly again until it is re-certified by regulators, and Boeing has made an update to the plane's software system that investigators said malfunctioned in both deadly crashes. But a host of other issues have since been uncovered by the FAA, and the regulator is moving slowly through the process of letting it return to the skies as it faces public and political pressure over the way it let Boeing help with the certification of the 737 Max in the first place. Nealon said Thursday, however, the general public is "nowhere near as zeroed in on this topic'' as people in the airline industry and the media. "I think we're going to see the customers come back pretty nicely,'' he said. "Some may take a little longer than others, maybe a month or two months, but they're going to come back.'' Southwest said in May 2019 that it would let passengers who don't want to fly on the Boeing 737 Max switch flights free of charge. Airlines have options as the public suggests it doesn't fully trust the plane Some polls have suggested that, contrary to Nealon's comments, members of the public are reluctant to fly on the plane. According to a June 2019 poll by UBS, 41% of Americans said they wouldn't consider flying on a Max plane until it had been back in service for six months. Southwest Boeing 737 Max REUTERS/Mike Blake Helio Fred Garcia, president of the crisis-management firm Logos Consulting, previously told Business Insider that many passengers don't check what type of plane they are on or realize the significance of any model numbers but there could be chaos if people realize its significance and panic after booking. A Southwest representative separately told Business Insider in October that the airline would specifically tell passengers on its app and website whether they are flying on a 737 Max, in order to give passengers "additional awareness." Other airlines are also scrambling to figure out how they should treat nervous passengers and many airlines previously told Business Insider that they won't come up with a strategy until just before the plane returns. It's still not clear when the jet will return. Airlines will have to balance the idea that some people are afraid of the plane without addressing it so much that it makes other people afraid. They are trying to figure out how and when to tell passengers what type of plane they are on, and some say they will let concerned passengers rebook to other planes which could cause chaos in itself. Lion Air Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images Passengers' potential fears about the plane is only one part of the woes that airlines are facing over the Max, with many airlines having lost millions of dollars and, in some cases, canceled flights. Many are seeking compensation from Boeing, who is also facing government investigations and lawsuits, and is losing millions of dollars a month. The plane maker is currently looking for a $10 billion loan to bolster its finances. Southwest reported its quarterly earnings on Thursday, and noted a profit tumble largely attributable to the 737 Max. Southwest had more Max planes in its fleet than any other airline in the world before the planes were grounded. Read the original article on Business Insider President Moon Jae-in / Yonhap President Moon Jae-in issued a special public message Sunday, pledging every effort to curb the spread of a new type of virus from China. He stressed the government is on high alert during the ongoing Lunar New Year holiday season and that a "24-hour response system" is in operation. He cited a host of Chinese tourists here and South Koreans retuning from visits to the neighboring country as risk factors in the spread of the disease. "Now that the government is making every necessary effort along with local authorities, I ask the people to have trust in the government and not to be excessively anxious in connection with measures needed," he said in the message. The statement came shortly after South Korea reported its third confirmed patient to have the coronavirus. The virus originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan and has been spreading across China, killing dozens of Chinese people so far and infecting more than 1,000 others, according to official data. An international outbreak of respiratory illness sparked by a novel coronavirus has spread from its origins in central China to at least 11 countries, with more than 1,200 confirmed cases including a presumed case in Canada and over 40 deaths. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/1/2020 (716 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2020, file photo an employee works to prevent a new coronavirus at Suseo Station in Seoul, South Korea. On Friday, Jan. 24, 2020, The Associated Press reported on the false claim that the coronavirus outbreak spreading from China is nothing new and that patents were created around it years ago. The patents being shared online are not related to the new respiratory virus that has sickened hundreds of people in China and caused concern around the world. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File) An international outbreak of respiratory illness sparked by a novel coronavirus has spread from its origins in central China to at least 11 countries, with more than 1,200 confirmed cases including a presumed case in Canada and over 40 deaths. Like previous outbreaks, including the SARS virus 17 years ago, the flu-like disease poses a risk to economies around the world as fear and confusion lead to abrupt changes in behaviour, decreased economic activity and a ripple effect across sectors that threatens everything from productivity to consumer prices. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome pandemic of 2003 cost the Chinese economy up to US$20 billion, according to the Asian Development Bank, as travel warnings and transit shutdowns discouraged consumption, foreign tourists stayed away and local residents stopped going out. The travel and tourism sectors were most obviously hit, although that ripples through the entire economy, said Richard Smith, a professor of health economics at the University of Exeter Medical School. But many effects are short-lived during an outbreak as once the panic is over people go back to business as usual. Chinese authorities clamped down on mass transit during the SARS outbreak, hampering commutes, shopping runs and social outings. The national securities regulatory commission closed stock and futures markets in Shanghai and Shenzhen for two weeks to prevent viral transmission. And Beijing ordered movie theatres, internet cafes and other venues to shut down temporarily while hotels, conference centres, restaurants and galleries saw visitors almost disappear completely. Chinas response to the current crisis appears to be swifter, and the disease less virulent, but the country now boasts a far more extensive high-speed rail network than it did in 2003, and its economy is six times larger, upping the risk of transmission and the repercussions of an epidemic. China is the engine of the global economy, churning out goods, said German health economist Fred Roeder. Its critical role in international shipping may be thrown into disarray as authorities begin to hold back some ships from entering the port at Wuhan, a key hub on the Yangtze River. If they cannot leave it creates huge delays in the supply chain and value chain of businesses all across the world, Roeder said. It could actually hit the latest generation of smartphone if ports are shutting down. Manufacturing could also feel the crunch as supply chains stall, he said. Roeder has felt firsthand the disruptive power of a pandemic. In the summer of 2003 the teenage Berliner was eagerly gearing up for a United Nations youth conference that would take him to Taipei, but the event was cancelled a few days beforehand due to SARS. The epidemic also sparked layoffs and time away from work. At one point Singapore Airlines asked its 6,600 cabin crew to take unpaid leave. Children stayed home from school, prompting more parents to shirk their job duties and further reducing productivity, said AltaCorp Capital analyst Chris Murray. I was losing guys left, right and centre as people were quarantined, recalled Murray, based in Toronto the epicentre of the SARS pandemic outside of Asia. The disease infected 438 Canadians in total and caused 44 deaths in the Toronto area. The economic damage culminated with World Health Organizations one-week travel advisory for the city in April 2003, costing the Canadian economy an estimated $5.25 billion that year. The outbreak of H1N1, or swine flu, in 2009 also sparked work dislocations, Murray said. It went from, Maybe itll be okay, to sheer panic. Freelancers and gig economy workers such as musicians or ride-hail drivers may feel the pinch more acutely, since they can't rely on a steady wage when demand shrinks. "It's something that unfortunately has happened before in a similar way and it tends to affect areas like retail," said Carolyn Wilkins, senior deputy governor of the Bank of Canada, said this week. Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "People dont go out, they dont fly in planes, they dont do as much tourism to the affected areas," she said. The fallout makes workers ranging from servers to wholesale bakers to non-unionized hotel staff more vulnerable. Meanwhile spending or investment plans by larger companies may have to be delayed, said Roeder. It is not clear how lethal the new coronavirus is or even whether it is as dangerous as the ordinary flu, which kills about 3,500 people every year in Canada alone. Still, we should be extremely worried about the economic effects of this, Roeder said, calling on Chinese authorities to work transparently with Western governments and disease control experts to mitigate the crisis. At the end of the day, it hits the entire economy. No one benefits from this. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 25, 2020. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-25 06:15:02|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close Bolivian Minister of the Presidency Yerko Nunez (C) attends a press conference in La Paz, Bolivia, Jan. 24, 2020. The interim government of Bolivia has suspended diplomatic relations with Cuba due to alleged interference in the country by the Cuban government, the Bolivian Minister of the Presidency, Yerko Nunez, announced on Friday. (Agencia Boliviana de Informacion/Handout via Xinhua) LA PAZ, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The interim government of Bolivia has suspended diplomatic relations with Cuba due to alleged interference in the country by the Cuban government, the Bolivian Minister of the Presidency, Yerko Nunez, announced on Friday. "We have made the decision to suspend diplomatic relations with the Republic of Cuba. This decision is due to recent impermissible declarations by the (Cuban) foreign minister, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla," Nunez stated at a press conference in La Paz. According to Nunez, the Cuban government has disrupted bilateral relations long based on mutual respect and non-interference. The Bolivian deputy foreign minister, Carlos Zannier, said that this decision will suspend agreements and negotiations with Cuba and will also reduce diplomatic staff in the two countries. "The government of Cuba has ceased understanding our reality ... and for this reason, we have decided on this action against the Cuban government," Zannier said. India on Sunday celebrated its 71st Republic Day with a grand display of military prowess, vibrant cultural diversity and socio-economic progress on the majestic Rajpath where thousands of people, besides the country's top political and military leadership and foreign dignitaries witnessed the annual parade. Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro, who was the chief guest for this year's ceremony, watched the dazzling parade at the historic avenue in the national capital as President Ram Nath Kovind took the salute, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and a host of other leaders in attendance. There were several firsts in the celebrations this year, including the prime minister paying homage at the National War Memorial and the tri-service formation. Anti-satellite weapon system developed under Mission Shakti, newly-inducted stealth attack helicopter Apache and transport chopper Chinook, and artillery gun system 'Dhanush' were among the key military assets exhibited for the first time. The 90-minute extravaganza, symbolic of national pride, left the spectators transfixed as soldiers from the three services, paramilitary and others marched down the central boulevard on a sunny winter morning. The military band played the national anthem with a 21-gun salute in the background as President Kovind unfurled the tricolour at the Rajpath before the start of parade, which also included mechanised columns, gravity-defying formations by CRPF's all-women motorcycle team, multi-hued floats, cultural performances by school students and a flypast in which around 40 aircraft took part. From depicting Goa's 'Save the frog' campaign and 'Back to village' programme of Jammu and Kashmir, which participated in the parade for the first time as a Union Territory, to Kullu Dusshera festival in Himachal Pradesh, Rath Yatra in Odisha and Iyyanar deity statue in Tamil Nadu, 22 tableaux with varied themes rolled down the Rajpath in coruscating colours. Forty-nine children -- 18 girls and 31 boys -- honoured with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puruskar for their exceptional achievement were greeted with applause as they were driven in decorated jeeps. Students from different schools presented performances that showed the positive effects of Yoga, the different influences that have shaped Garba, the most popular folk dance of Gujarat, the culture of "Bauls", a group of mystic minstrels from Bengal comprising of both Vaishnava-Hindu and Sufi Muslims, and Rajasthan folk dance. Another attraction was the bedecked camel contingent of the Border Security Force. Along with it was the camel-mounted band, one of its kind in the world. Women power too was on full display during the celebrations. Captain Tania Sher Gill, a fourth generation Army officer, led an all-men marching contingent of the Corps of Signals. Women personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) performed jaw-dropping stunts as their motorbikes raced down the Rajpath. "I am so moved, inspired.... I am preparing for exams to join Haryana Police, but this has changed my mind. I will join CRPF now," said Diksha Chaudhary, 19, as she stood atop her chair, clapped and saluted the soldiers. Several Union ministers, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, senior BJP leader L K Advani, BJP president J P Nadda, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Chief Justice of India S A Bobde and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were among those present. The grand finale of the parade was a spectacular flypast which commenced with the 'Trishul' formation, comprising three ALH helicopters in 'Vic' formation. This is for the first time that a "tri-service formation" took part in the Republic Day. The next formation comprising three Chinook helicopter flew in 'Vic' formation at a speed of 180 kilometres per hour and a height of 100 metres, followed by five Apache attack helicopters. Besides this, three Dornier aircraft, C-130J Super Hercules, three C-17 Globemaster 'Netra' and the "Eye in the Sky", airborne early warning and control systems on Brazil-built Embraer, were part of the flypast. Fighter jets Jaguars and Sukhois were also part of the flypast. In the mechanized colums, three indigenously-developed battle tank T-90 Bhishma, three Ballaway Machine Pikate, three K-9 Vajra gun system, two transportable satellite terminal (TST) and two Akash surface-to-air-missiles, were also showcased. The Indian Air Force tableau showcased scaled down models of Tejas aircraft, the Light Combat Helicopter, Akash Missiles System, and Astra missiles. The Navy's tableau displayed models of Kolkata-class stealth destroyer, a Kalvari-class submarine and the country's first indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant with MiG-29K aircraft. Several ministers were on their feet cheering for their respective states and departments as the tableaux came up. The Ministry of Jal Shakti showcased on its float the government's new initiative "Jal Jeevan Mission" aimed at providing functional tap connection to every rural household by 2024. The National Disaster Response Force tableau featured cutting-edge technology and instruments used by the NDRF during rescue operations in flood-hit areas and Delhi's Anaj Mandi inferno last year. Jammu and Kashmir had the "Back to Village'' programme as its theme. The programme launched last year is a first-of-its-kind initiative to reach out to the people at the grassroots level. The tableau of Punjab depicted the 550th anniversary of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak. Modi was seen explaining the tableau to the Brazilian president when it rolled down in front of the saluting dias. Another tableau was based on the undaunting spirit and desire of military veterans to contribute to the nation. Several gallantry award winners, including Param Vir Charka recipients Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Bana Singh (retired), Subedar Yogendra Singh Yadav and Subedar Sanjay Kumar, were part of the parade Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi took to Twitter to extend his greetings. "Wishing everyone a happy #RepublicDay. Jai Hind," he tweeted. Continuing his tradition of donning colourful turbans on Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations, the prime minister sported a saffron 'bandhej' headgear this year. Modi paid tributes to martyrs by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the three service chiefs and the first Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat. In the past, the ceremony was held at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate. After the Republic Day parade, Modi waved at the cheering crowd while walking down the Rajpath, even as his carcade followed him slowly. The entire national capital had been put under a multi-layered, ground-to-air security cover with thousands of armed personnel keeping a tight vigil, aided by drones, CCTV cameras and facial recognition devices. Anti-aircraft guns had been deployed on the ground. Brazilian President Bolsonaro was the third leader from the country to attend the parade as the chief guest. The last time a Brazilian President was the chief guest was in 2004 when Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was invited. Last year, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, while in 2018, leaders of all 10 ASEAN countries attended the Republic Day celebrations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) by Leonard Grandio | Nets Correspondent | Sat, Jan 25th 4:20pm EST The Brooklyn Nets on Twitter have listed Nicolas Claxton as available for tonights contest with the Detroit Pistons. ( Brooklyn Nets on Twitter) Fantasy Impact: With Nicolas Claxton back from his shoulder contusion look for him to build on the last couple of games he played. He set career high in points in back-to-back games. DeAndre has been ruled out for tonights game, so Claxton will be the first big man to come off the bench for the Nets. Pick him up if you need a streaming option for tonight. OTTAWA - The regional Metis presidents of Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan are calling for reform of the Metis National Council, raising serious concerns about "dysfunction" and about a lack of transparency on the national body's finances and administration. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/1/2020 (717 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The regional Metis presidents of Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan are calling for reform of the Metis National Council, raising serious concerns about "dysfunction" and about a lack of transparency involving financial and administrative matters within the national body. David Chartrand, president of the Manitoba Metis Federation, middle, carries the Metis flag as he and fellow Metis Federation leaders and delagates march to the Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa, Thursday, April 14, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA - The regional Metis presidents of Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan are calling for reform of the Metis National Council, raising serious concerns about "dysfunction" and about a lack of transparency on the national body's finances and administration. Metis National Council vice-president David Chartrand rejects the allegations, saying the "real issue" involves concerns about the way the Ontario Metis government defines people as Metis, and the national body has told the Ontario body its membership in the governance institutions of the Metis Nation is suspended. "This is about the very essence of protecting our nation," Chartrand said. Last week, the presidents of the Metis Nation of Ontario, the Metis Nation-Saskatchewan and the Metis Nation of Alberta three of the national body's five components, along with a similar group in British Columbia and one Manitoba, which Chartrand leads met for two days to discuss ways to co-operate and to negotiate more directly with the federal government, circumventing the national council. Last June, these same three regions each signed self-governing agreements with Ottawa. That's the first time the federal government has signed such arrangements with Metis groups following recent Supreme Court of Canada decisions formally recognizing Metis rights and that they're part of federal financial responsibilities. The Metis Nation of Ontario's president Margaret Froh said the meeting was positive, aimed at building on those agreements by working together and sharing ideas to help their communities. "There was incredible goodwill, it was a respectful environment. We had an opportunity to talk about things like our registries, to talk about all the work that's gone into our history, our governance, how it is that we manage our registry, the programs and services that we're offering," Froh said. But the three leaders also discussed concerns they share about governance at the Metis National Council (MNC). They issued a declaration that the MNC "has become increasingly dysfunctional and unaccountable to its governing members and the Metis citizens." David Chartrand, president of the Manitoba Metis Federation. The Canadian Press files They point to the fact the national council has not held a board of governors meeting in over 14 months, despite repeated requests for one. Despite this, MNC president Clement Chartier sent a letter to Froh earlier this week advising her the Metis Nation of Ontario is suspended and no longer eligible to participate in the governance of the national council. Alberta president Audrey Poitras said the MNC doesn't have the authority to do this. A suspension can only be imposed by members at a general assembly meeting, she said, and she "absolutely" doesn't accept that Ontario has been suspended. The concerns about Ontario involve its citizenship registry. In August 2017, the provincial government and the Metis Nation of Ontario held a joint announcement outlining work by historians that had identified six new Metis communities in the province. This sparked concerns in the national leadership that Ontario is allowing people who may not be Metis into its registry, and in doing so, is violating an agreement struck in 2002 among all the regional governments on an official citizenship definition. The question of Metis identity is delicate, and fundamental. The Metis are descended from European fur traders and First Nations people, who intermingled beginning in the 18th century. But it's only in the 1980s that the Canadian government recognized the Metis as an Indigenous People with rights under Canadian law. And only in 2003 did the Supreme Court of Canada rule that the Metis are a nation distinct from other Indigenous people with rights protected by the Constitution. Chartrand does not believe the new communities are legitimate. "They are not part of us, never were. There is no connection historically in any way or fashion that they can use as even an argument to say that they are part of our nation," Chartrand said. He believes allowing these new communities to become part of the Metis Nation could undermine its integrity by flooding the Metis nations with "hundreds of thousands, potentially millions, of people into our nation that aren't us," Chartrand said. "It's something we must clearly be fearful of as a people, because we cannot allow anybody to try to water down and create a special interest group of a nation, instead of a citizen of a nation." In November 2018 Chartrand brought these concerns to a general assembly and a resolution was passed that placed Ontario on probation. It called for an external committee to review Ontario's membership registry. But Ontario has refused to allow it. Froh said the registry belongs to her government and contains a large amount of sensitive, personal information. The Ontario nation hired a historical expert to conduct its own review of the files, which Froh believes should help satisfy the concerns raised by Chartrand and others. She also called Chartrand's concerns about thousands or millions of new citizens being added by Ontario "absurd," noting her province's registry has only about 20,000 members. "What we have said is, we have and will complete this independent review ... and we'll be in a position to be able to talk about it, but we're not prepared to simply open up our registry and all of that personal information to outsiders," she said. Poitras, the Albera leader, said she doesn't have a problem with Ontario's registry and doesn't understand Chartrand's concerns. She continues to call for a board meeting to discuss them. "What we want is transparency and accountability, and if somebody is doing something wrong, let's talk about what that wrong is and let's fix it." The "tri-council" also raised questions about the finances and governance of the MNC in its resolution last week, including calls for more transparency about financial audits, and limits on amounts spent on consultants. The three leaders called for a working group to discuss reforming the MNC "or the creation of a new national structure to better represent the interests of Metis governments." Their resolution also says they will continue to work through the MNC on funding negotiations until after the 2020 federal budget is released, as those talks are already underway. But they're asking to negotiate directly with Ottawa in the future on program and service funding and to ensure money goes to Metis citizens and governments "without allocations to the MNC." Chartrand brushed aside the tri-council's concerns, calling them "smoke and mirrors" designed to distract from a "backroom deal" brokered among the leaders. Froh said she hopes the politics involved in these issues doesn't overshadow the progress that has been achieved when it comes to Metis governments finally getting recognition by the federal government. "I don't want people to lose track of the amazing thing that happened last week in that we, as Metis governments, came together, recognizing each other. That is what being self-determining is about, that's what leadership is about: coming together to work together to move the yardstick forward to advance true reconciliation." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 26, 2020. BEIJING - The Chinese government struggled Sunday to cope with a worsening coronavirus epidemic as its official number of infections soared and the death toll rose to 80, while additional cases appeared in the United States. The government in Beijing broadened an extraordinary quarantine to more than 50 million people - roughly equal to the population of Spain - enforcing a travel ban on 16 cities in central Hubei province, where the lethal virus first appeared. In the United States, health officials confirmed three new cases - one in Arizona and two in California - bringing the total to five. The patients - in Southern California, Chicago, Arizona and Washington state - had traveled from Wuhan, officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. All are hospitalized. As of midafternoon Sunday, the CDC has been investigating 100 people in 26 states, including the five who were confirmed infected. Of those, 25 people have been tested and are not infected with the virus. Health officials expect more American cases, Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told reporters. But the virus is not believed to be spreading from person to person in the United States, she said. "For this reason, we continue to believe that the immediate health risks from the 2019 coronavirus to the general American public is low at this time," Messonnier said. "But the threat is serious, and our public health response is aggressive, with the aim of helping protect Americans." Chinese officials, however, say the worst is yet to come. Health Minister Ma Xiaowei said Sunday that the virus is developing the ability to spread more easily, while the vice minister of industry, Wang Jiangping, said demand for medical supplies is overwhelming China's ability to produce them. The mayor of Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, said he expects at least 1,000 more infections to surface. Workers are racing to build at least three pop-up 1,000-bed hospitals in the city to cope with the anticipated surge. China's national health commission reported that 2,744 people across 30 provinces had been infected as of Sunday. Eighty deaths have been reported, including in major metropolitan areas such as Shanghai. Several doctors in Beijing, the capital, also reported being infected. Patients also have been confirmed in France, South Korea, Japan, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan and Australia. After a slow start, Chinese authorities have moved aggressively to combat the novel ailment. Officials indefinitely extended the annual Lunar New Year holiday beyond its scheduled Jan. 30 end and deployed more than 1,000 doctors and military personnel to Wuhan. The State Department, meanwhile, plans to evacuate diplomats posted at the U.S. Consulate in Wuhan on a charter flight on Tuesday, according to a statement posted on the website of the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. The consulate is about two miles from the Huanan Seafood Market, where the virus is believed to have first jumped from animals to humans. A "limited" number of seats on the aircraft will be available for other Americans seeking to flee the city, with priority being given to those most at risk of succumbing to the fatal illness, the statement said. Chinese authorities have banned the sale of wild animals for the duration of the crisis. The economic fallout from the epidemic also is likely to be significant. Even before the outbreak, China's economy was slowing, hampered by the trade war with the United States and government efforts to slow widespread borrowing. The galloping virus, which has crimped travel, shuttered movie theaters and idled factories, will further depress growth. That will put pressure on Chinese officials to pause their debt-reduction campaign and goose the economy with more spending. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell may address the implications for the global economy at Wednesday's scheduled meeting of the central bank's rate-setting committee, said Diane Swonk, chief economist for Grant Thornton in Chicago. The virus will also imperil China's ability to meet the targets for additional purchases of U.S. goods contained in the trade deal President Donald Trump signed this month. That "phase one" accord calls for China over the next two years to buy $200 billion worth of American goods and services beyond previous levels, a goal many analysts regarded as ambitious even before the outbreak of disease. "All of a sudden phase one looks pretty hard to reach," said Swonk. Ma, the health minister, told reporters Sunday that the virus is infectious during its incubation period, meaning that a person could spread it to others before experiencing symptoms. That's a significant difference from the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) coronavirus, which began in China in 2002 and spread globally, killing 774 people. The Chinese announcement about the new coronavirus's transmissibility could explain the soaring rate of infection in China, which registered a 50% jump in cases on Sunday. Local authorities expect a similar leap on Monday. But the CDC does not have "any clear evidence of patients being infectious before symptom onset," Messonnier said during the Sunday news conference, adding that health officials are "actively investigating" that possibility. Scientists say the virus is adapting to humans much faster than SARS. It took the SARS virus three months to mutate into a form that spread easily among humans, but the related Wuhan coronavirus took one month, George Fu, a top Chinese epidemiologist, told reporters. "Why is it transmitting so fast?" he said. "The two species are like the cartoon Tom and Jerry: Viruses are continually adapting to humans, but human also adapt, and the virus's ability to make people ill also goes down." The director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO) said he was en route to Beijing for meetings with Chinese government officials. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, named to the post in 2017, said on Twitter that the agency was "working 24/7 to support" Chinese efforts to battle the disease. The Wuhan coronavirus has caused mild to severe respiratory illness, fever, coughing and shortness of breath. The CDC believes symptoms can manifest two to 14 days after exposure. No drugs or vaccines have been recommended specifically to treat the virus. At the heart of the outbreak, in central China's Hubei province, a travel ban extended to a total of 16 cities and covered about 51 million people. Video distributed by state media showed local officials in adjacent regions taking extreme measures, including using excavators to destroy and block roads, to discourage residents from traveling to infected areas of Hubei to visit stranded relatives inside the quarantine zone. China's Center for Disease Control on Sunday found large amounts of the coronavirus from samples taken from Wuhan's South China seafood market, where wild animals, including deer and bats, were being sold. "It is highly suspected that the epidemic is related to wildlife trade," state broadcaster CCTV reported. Researchers say the related SARS coronavirus in 2002 probably originated in bats and spread to humans through civet cat, which was sold in wildlife markets and eaten as a delicacy in southern China. The spread of the virus - and travel bans extending to several major hubs in China - threatened to paralyze the country for an indefinite period. Officials in Beijing said Sunday that they "have not and will not close the city because of the epidemic" in response to online rumors suggesting an imminent lockdown of the capital, which has a population of 22 million, with a significant fraction traveling this week to visit family. Two teams of British epidemiologists released studies over the weekend estimating that each infected person was spreading the disease to two or three people. A team from Lancaster University projected that infections in Wuhan could explode to 190,000 cases by as early as next week. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The Chinese central government said it is mustering manufacturers to send 100,000 hazardous-materials suits and millions of face masks to Wuhan, where hospitals reported overfilled beds and doctors collapsing from exhaustion. Videos on social media from Wuhan hospitals showed patient queues stretching around the block and nurses worrying the true number of cases - based on what they were witnessing - far exceeded what was being officially reported. Wang, the vice minister of industry, said Sunday that the country was facing a significant shortage of medical supplies, including protective suits for medical workers. Hubei province alone required 100,000 suits a day, he said, but Chinese manufacturers could only produce 30,000 a day. Michael Einhorn, president of Dealmed, an independent medical supply distributor in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, said prices of masks jumped as soon as news of the virus spread, while sales volumes tripled through retailers such as Amazon. Dealmed typically carries at least 90 days' supply but currently has only about two weeks' worth left. If demand continues, the availability of masks will be "very limited" within 10 days, Einhorn said in a statement, and if the virus continues to spread, there will be "extreme shortages" in as early as three weeks' time. Meanwhile, Chinese citizens stranded inside the vast quarantine zone, locked down by paramilitary police checkpoints for the fourth day, took to social media to describe a sense of surreal desperation during a week when families should be celebrating the new year with dumplings, fireworks and presents. One Wuhan resident described sharing the dwindling groceries she had purchased to last for three days with an elderly couple whose food supplies were exhausted. "I don't know how to solve this food problem," wrote the user, Guapidawushi. "Right now I really, really don't know what to do. I'm completely helpless." Some users shared videos of once-buzzing streets in Wuhan's historic, European-style riverside district lying empty. Others posted more lighthearted pictures of women playing Mah-jongg with masks and transparent grocery bags over their heads. The situation appeared to be more dire in the vast Hubei countryside. The Chinese magazine Caijing reported that some smaller village clinics were rationed six masks, and large hospitals were within one or two days of running out of supplies. In Jingzhou city, a short distance up the Yangtze River from Wuhan, doctors told reporters that they were wearing rain ponchos because they lacked protective suits. In Hong Kong, where a sixth case of the virus was confirmed Sunday, pressure is mounting on the government to tighten border controls with China. One hospital workers' union threatened a five-day strike if more measures weren't taken. Protesters in the evening attacked a building that has been set aside for quarantine and set its lobby alight with molotov cocktails, police reported. "We are all nervous here and everyone has begun curtailing their social lives," said Andrew Collier, managing director at Orient Capital Research. "I was planning a trip to China but will delay that until there is more information." - - - Denyer reported from Tokyo. Lynch and Shammas reported from Washington. Min Joo Kim in Seoul, Shibani Mahtani in Hong Kong, Lyric Li in Beijing, Paul Schemm in Dubai contributed to this report. As the nation celebrates its 71st Republic Day on Sunday, big-starry names of Bollywood got high in the spirit of patriotism and extended their warm filled wishes to the citizens. To begin with, the legendary actor of Bollywood, Amitabh Bachchan, took to Twitter handle and extended the Republic Day wishes to everyone. The Dada Saheb Phalke Award recipient posted a collage picture of him giving a salute. Gantantra diwas ki Shubhkamnaye (Republic Day Greetings | Jai Hind), the tweet read. Bollywood actor Anupam Kher, who never took a step back expressing his love for the country, shared a detailed video of his wishing the countrymen a very happy Republic Day. Alongside a powerful video of him extending the Republic day wishes, the actor tweeted: "My dear people of Bharat. We all wish us all the warmest wishes and felicitations of the Republic Day. Crores of Indians have built this great country together. We will not allow it to be scattered. Bharat Mata Jai. Jai Hind." Clocking in at two-minutes and one-second, the video has the 64-year-old actor, giving a brief talk on how India fought with the colonizers and the victories struggle that leads us to the place we are now. "Despite different background and sharing different religion, Indian citizens gave their best to unite the country ..it is important to keep the country together, that showcases our power," he added. The actor turned politician, Hema Malini, as she celebrates the 'wonderful nation' today, shared a Republic day poster on Twitter. "Happy Republic Day! We celebrate today the unity & integrity of our wonderful nation & pray for peace and patriotism to prevail over everything else JAI HIND," the tweet read. The evergreen actor Raveena Tandon, hopped on to Instagram, in the early hours of Sunday, to share a patriotism filled wishes on Republic day. She shared a picture of her Wagah trip where she is seen standing amid many army personnel on her either side. Remembering all the great sacrifiers of our country, the actor wrote: "Happy Republic Day to all of you. May the spirit of India keeps shining in your soul always.. Jai Hind. Ever grateful to those who sacrifice all and swear to protect. Our trip to Wagah. #2020." The new star of B-Town, Taapsee Pannu, took to her Twitter handle to extend her Republic day wishes to the countrymen. The day will be marked with celebrations all across the country.On 26 January 1950, India declared itself a Sovereign, Democratic and Republic state with the adoption of the Constitution. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Government has provided a $200 million facility in the 2020 National Budget towards the provision of free sanitarywear for primary and secondary schoolgirls from less privileged backgrounds. Sunday Mail Gender and Community Editor, Fatima Bulla (FB), interviewed chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education, Ms Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga (PM), who has been lobbying for girls and women health rights. F.B: For years, you have been advocating for a National Budget to cater for girls and women rights. In presenting the national revenue and expenditure document for 2020, Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube provided $200 million towards that cause. Do you feel your advocacy bid has finally yielded results? P.M: Yes, it has been years of struggle around sanitarywear. I came into Parliament in 2000, so it is almost two decades of a conversation around issues of sanitarywear. I had hoped that, this time around, we would have removed duty, get some subsidy of some sort, but I was pleasantly surprised that we actually had a budgetary allocation for sanitary wear for primary and secondary schools learners. It was a good surprise. I think in the SADC region, we are probably the first country to do that at a national level. In Africa, the one other country that has gone to the level of setting aside resources for sanitarywear at national level, is Kenya. F.B: Are you satisfied with the processes of rolling out the sanitarywear project? P.M: I am upset. The first problem is that the disbursement of the $200 million has not been done, which is a disappointment. Secondly, when the money came in, one of the things I said was that this (sanitarywear) is not perishable. Sanitarywear is not like tomatoes or vegetables which, if not consumed, will go bad. I had hoped that we get the $200 million and immediately get sanitarywear. There was a lot of conversation about how this project would create employment, but my main concern was to immediately get the wear to the intended beneficiaries. I would have expected the ministry to release, say, $100 million and task suppliers to find the most sustainable and reusable sanitarywear. One of the revolutionary products that we now have is a sanitary panty. It is both a panty and a sanitary product. We should have started distributing the funds this month. We are going to hold a strategic meeting in the first week of February with officials from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. I am hoping that is where I am going to get answers. But, generally, I am quite disappointed because the minister and the Secretary for Finance and Economic Development have gone way beyond our expectations and the funds remain unused. I understand they cannot disburse the money where there is no plan. F.B: What sustainable mechanism do you think can be used to solve the challenge of sanitarywear? P.M: If one gets a sanitary panty, we know it goes for two to three years. There are panties and what they call butterfly cups, some of them can last up to 10 years. I understand that for the younger girls, the butterfly cups may not be the best because people have issues with insertion and things like that. F.B: Do you think there is national appreciation on the need to provide sanitarywear as a basic for girls and women? P.M: I do not think so. It is not just at Government level, but at all levels of the society. One thing that I found fascinating when I asked Finance and Economic Development permanent secretary (George) Guvamatanga how we moved from where Government was not taking us seriously to where Government set aside money, he said: You were pushing and also my daughter was pushing. I thought that was really fascinating because he said: My daughter kept asking why we were not supporting issues of sanitarywear. Sometimes I follow social media debates where people tell each other off. If somebody says: Our MP (Member of Parliament) pushed for sanitarywear. Someone will reply saying: Seriously, sanitarywear in all these economic problems we have? What is sanitarywear? So there is no appreciation of just how big the issue of sanitarywear is. Our girls and even adults are using newspapers and cowdung during their cycles. It is sad to think that as a nation with a 54 percent female population we are failing to prioritise provision of affordable sanitarywear. F.B: You once brought to the National Assembly, some sanitarywear, underwear and an infant in a bid to express the importance of women issues, has your push produced the intended results? P.M: At some level yes. I was not in the House when the Budget Statement was presented. I actually cried because this is an issue that I have been pushing for many years. Literally, when I came into the House as a young person in 2000 that has always been my fight. So learning that Government had actually acknowledged that this sanitary wear issue is important and setting aside resources raised my emotions. Yes, it has been long, but we have got to a point where it has happened. Sideways, the issue of the infant has seen the creation of space in the new Parliament Building where nursing mothers will use. Even in the current building, the Speaker set asise a room for nursing mothers to take their children. I can walk away and gladly say I did my part. I can look at the Education Amendment Bill which will offer free education. We are waiting for it to be signed. If you go back to The Hansard, you can see the proposals that I made. Of course, they were on behalf of my committee, but also because of the passion that I have in ensuring girls go to school. It will be free education for everybody, but I know that the majority of the beneficiaries will be girls. I think I have done what I can. There have been positive responses, but the question is implementation. Sometimes I sit back and say to myself: You know what Priscilla, perhaps the good thing is you have pushed this to a certain level some people should now take it and push for its implementation. F.B: Do you feel your fellow female legislators have lobbied enough for women issues? PM: I have a different view. When you say there are people in a place who are supposed to push for things, I think the question should be for both. If we are going to evaluate what good women have done, surely lets evaluate what good men have done. It should be a general question about whether the legislative arm has done what is required of it or not? Has the executive done what is required of it? From there we can then evaluate. Butm unfortunately, people always find it easier to ask that question in relation to women. My second answer is that, over time, I think we are unfairly judging women and the media is to blame for that. In Parliament, we all debate issues, but coverage is given to males ahead of females. It is not as if women dont speak. They just dont make news as far as the media is concerned. I have survived the media bias, maybe because I am just radical and do things that draw media attention. But there are women who have stood up and made a point without necessarily being radical. I have been in that Parliament and listened to women speak about women issues, maternal issues, school fees, uniforms, water, economy and hunger, but they are not newsmakers. FB: Its now almost 20 years for you in Parliament, what are your milestones? PM: I think one of it is just general. Outside Margaret Dongo, the system had made it difficult for females in Parliament to stand up and be known. If there is anything, it is to debunk the myth that women cant survive in Parliament or in a political system. I walk in the streets, I get into places and if I introduce myself, people give recognition and acknowledge my presence. It may not be because they love me, but it is an acknowledgement to say; we know you have been in this place. I dont think anybody can sit back and say Priscilla came into a political field and went quietly. Just like no one can say Margaret Dongo came into a political field and went quietly. There was a time issues of Matabeleland were not debated or discussed in Parliament. Even just the word Gukurahundi, there was a time one could not speak about it, it was scary. Now Gukurahundi is a general conversation, people can talk about it, people can say how they feel. The issue may not have been resolved, I may not see it in my lifetime being resolved, but I can sit back and say we went over that metal block where there were no conversations about it. Then of course women issues; sanitary wear and issues around free education, which I have added a voice to. There are, however, areas that I feel bad I have not done much. Conditions of service for teachers will always remain something that I feel I did not deliver on, but bringing those issues to the fore has been one of the things that I would say is a milestone. All put together, I think as a feminist, I have done well. This will show the world that I am a good woman and leader. If I were to walk out of Parliament today, and I am seriously thinking about it, it would be because of circumstances that have pushed me. A Scottsbluff woman has been hospitalized after she had been shot Friday in Torrington. Goshen County Sheriff Kory Fleenor released that Deedra Strauch, of Scottsbluff, had been transported to Regional West Medical Center, suffering a gunshot wound to the head. Fleenor said deputies responded at about 1:08 p.m. to a report of an accidental shooting. Torrington Emergency Medical Services also responded. Deputies arrived at the scene and found Strauch. She was transported to Community Hospital where she was evaluated and then transferred to Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff. Fleenor identified Terry D. Anderson of Torrington as the suspect in the shooting. He was apprehended in Henry by Nebraska law enforcement. Specifics regarding any charges against Anderson were not yet available. An investigation is ongoing, Fleenor said. Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form American actor Seth MacFarlane is the latest celebrity to show his support for Australia's bushfire recovery donating $1million to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors, founded by Steve and Terri Irwin in 2002, said the donation will 'help with the influx of patients affected by drought and bushfire'. The zoo will name a new Koala Intensive Care Ward 'in recognition of Seths generosity'. 'Plans for the Perry MacFarlane Intensive Care Ward are well underway and well soon begin construction on this crucial expansion to the hospital, the zoo wrote on Twitter. 'Thank you for being a Wildlife Warrior, Seth!' Terri Irwin issued a message of thanks to MacFarlane for his incredible donation. 'This donation will enable us to not only treat more koalas, but to also more effectively treat koalas with burns and severe injuries. 'Seths generosity gives me hope for the future of koalas.' On January 27, 1945, the Red Army took control of Auschwitz away from the Nazis, where more than one million Jewish victims were liquidated that comprised roughly 1/6 of all the murders committed during the Holocaust. Unlike the Operation Reinhard death camps of Treblinka, Sobibor, Belzec, Majdankek, and Chelmo, which saw almost two million murders combined, Auschwitz functioned as both a concentration and a death camp. After the Operation Reinhard death camps had largely exterminated Polish Jewry by 1943, and since they had started to become a liability with the war effort swinging in favor of the Red Army, Auschwitz, located farther to the west, began killing more and more Jews as the war came to its final climax. Auschwitz entrance Photo credit: xiquinhosilva Less well known, most of the remaining prisoners at Auschwitz, together with many other concentration camp prisoners located throughout German occupied territories, were removed before the Soviets took control of the area. They were then forced to go on a brutal, winter death march to any number of other concentration camps located within Germany proper. The madness of this final march certainly contributed to the appalling conditions of the Nazi concentration camps witnessed by the Allies when they finally liberated them from German control in the early spring of 1945. Such unbridled Nazi fervor to mete out destruction to the Jews even in the face of utter defeat at the end of the war perhaps may help resolve a long-standing dispute between historians of various persuasions who debate over how intentional the Holocaust was. While this may surprise many, there is actually an old dispute between historians over the intentionality of the Holocaust. In academic circles, it is called the Intentionalism vs. Functionalism debate. Intentionalists simply argue the Nazis intended to annihilate the Jews all along consistent with their oft-repeated statements, and finally took seriously their plans to do so from 1938 onwards. Functionalists, on the other hand, strongly argue that in spite of the earlier violent shrills of Nazis rhetoric against the Jews, the Holocaust itself occurred in a rather ad hoc manner based largely on differing and evolving circumstances that became increasingly radicalized into a gigantic snowball of sorts that could not be stopped once it started rolling down the mountainside, creating wider and wider swaths of destruction the farther it went downslope. For example, the historical records show that in the early years of the war, the Nazis simply wanted to expel the Jews. Later, as the war effort took center stage, the Nazis gradually became more bent on annihilation, but even then, only on a situational basis beset by competing concerns in the midst of a wartime atmosphere. Furthermore, no order from the Fuhrer has ever been found to demonstrate when the Nazi leadership intentionally decided to destroy European Jewry. While there are, of course, plenty of murderous statements made by any number of leading Nazis against the Jews before and during the war, their destruction was not accomplished in a simple straight line from political vitriol to the Holocaust itself but was carried out in fits and starts, if not even haphazardly which finally precipitated what is otherwise known today as The Final Solution. In particular, in the early years of the war, ghettoization, which hastened one million Jewish deaths alone, proved to be an economic, logistical, and medical nightmare for all involved. The shooting sprees of the Einsatzgruppen behind the Russian Front in the Baltics, Belarus, and Ukraine after Operation Barbarossa was unleashed claimed almost two million Jewish lives. However, it was an incredibly messy operation that required massive amounts of ammunition, not to mention manpower that could have been much better used on the front together with an untold number of deep grave pits that were dug out and then filled to the brim with dead bodies stacked like German cord wood. Even throughout the rest of the war, the Holocaust was unevenly carried out in spite of the infamous Wannsee Conference held in 1942 that administratively formalized and prioritized the planned destruction of European Jewry, which seemed to have authorized cleaner, more humane methods of liquidation using carbon monoxide and poisonous gas. Yet, even as early as the summer of 1941, SS Nazi leader Heinrich Himmler informed camp commandant Rudolf Hoess that Auschwitz needed to start making plans to handle the imminent destruction of the Jews. Himmler strongly told Hoess, Every Jew that we can lay our hands on is to be destroyed now during the war, without exception. If we cannot now obliterate the biological basis of Jewry, the Jews will one day destroy the German people. In November 1941, Himmler was also in Mogilev, Byelorussia making very similar plans before the Battle of Moscow turned the tide in the East so that such plans had to be abandoned, which invariably meant Auschwitz would become more strategic as the war continued. While the gassing methods became more widespread, its concentrated industrialization created a gigantic problem with corpses something which Hoess even anticipated early on, As a camp commandant I saw all my plans for making Auschwitz a clean and healthy place begin to dwindle. There are also records that show the SS was very concerned about how all of the dead bodies in various graves in the Auschwitz environs were poisoning local rivers and waterways. After they started to set fire to all the bodies in order to burn up the evidence of their great crimes, letters were written to air pollution administrators in Prussia asking how to handle smoke related to what they deemed to be the construction of heating plants. In other words, in spite of all of the functional barriers, chaotic wartime exigencies, economic difficulties, massive population transfer and containment obstacles, devastating defeats on the great battlefields of World War II, among many other incredible snags and complications including environmental pollution, the Nazis still managed to murder six million Jews. All of this clearly demonstrates that the Nazi intention to kill the Jews was deep-seated and serious in spite of all of the unfavorable circumstances that stood in their way to implement the Final Solution. While some scholars combine the Intentionalist and Functionalist theories of the Holocaust, Ockhams razor teaches the simplest answers are usually the best answers. The more complicated the supposition, the less likely the theory is true. The simplest answer is that the Nazi leadership desired to eliminate the Jews all along, and did their best to accomplish that goal in spite of the gargantuan task that such an endeavor would turn out to be, all the while trying to fight the biggest war ever seen in the history of the world. Worse, the great problem with the Functionalist theory of the Holocaust is that we are left with an enormous murder case without a strong motive. Yet, this is precisely what is desired as very few have been or are even now interested in plumbing the ideological depths of National Socialism which was deeply rooted in the German Academy of the 19th and early 20th centuries - the lions share of which is still very popular and dominating many western educational institutions today. Mark Musser is a part-time missionary, author, and a farmer, depending on what time of day and year it is. His home is in Olympia, Washington, but he spends most of his time on the mission field in the former Soviet Union. He is currently a doctoral candidate at Corban University in Salem, Oregon, and is a contributing Writer for the Cornwall Alliance. His book Nazi Ecology provides a sobering history lesson on the philosophical foundations of the early German green movement, which was absorbed by National Socialism in the 1930s and proved to be a powerful undercurrent during the Holocaust. Click here to read the full article. The 29th annual Directors Guild Symposium, held Saturday morning before the DGA Awards that night, hosted two first-time Feature Film nominees Korean Bong Joon Ho, nominated for his seventh film, family comedy Parasite, and New Zealander Taika Waititi, recognized for his fifth, Nazi satire Jojo Rabbit both of whom are contending for the big prize against veterans Sam Mendes (World War I actioner 1917), who won the award 20 years ago for his film debut American Beauty, Quentin Tarantino with his ninth film, showbiz bromance Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and The Irishman director Martin Scorsese, who participated via live-video feed from New York. Per usual, moderator Jeremy Kagan quizzed the filmmakers on their process. The directors turned out to have much in common, from directing children, recreating the past, and dealing with violence, to drawing storyboards and relying on VFX. More from IndieWire Here are the most compelling things I learned from this two-hour and 43-minute interview. 1. The video monitor can be friend or foe. Waititi and Tarantino stay as close to their actors as possible, often acting out scenes for them. I hate playback, said Tarantino. I know which one is the one; I feel it. On Jojo Rabbit, Waititi felt self-conscious about barking orders dressed like Adolf Hitler. I suddenly became a lot nicer to the crew, he said, to much laughter. Thats not an order, its a suggestion.' Both Mendes and Scorsese had to pay more attention to video playback than normal because of the unusual technical requirements of their respective shoots. Mendes was tethered to a big-scale monitor, mounted on a horse box a video village on wheels, he said which rolled from place to place out of camera range, as he and his script supervisor tracked the long-take, 360-degree action that was sometimes so far away that young actors George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman couldnt hear him say cut. Story continues Mendes had to make editing decisions while they were shooting, and each eight-to-10 minute scene required full engagement from the entire crew, as he and editor Lee Smith had to decide immediately which take to use before lining up the next shot. When he had executed 28 takes, the last thing Mendes wanted to hear was that the best one was No. 9. Scorsese had a similar experience watching at some distance from a crowded office scene as Al Pacino as Jimmy Hoffa kept on going, unable to hear the director through the din. Scorsese had to commandeer, with DP Rodrigo Prieto, two to three cameras equipped with three lenses each as many as nine lenses total to capture the actors expressions for de-aging VFX. While for big action scenes I tend to pull away, Scorsese said, [the video monitor] is a great tool, a help, and a temptation. For meaty dialogue scenes like Joe Pesci as Russell Bufalino telling Robert De Niros hitman it is what it is, Scorsese said, I was right at their feet. Read More: Scorsese is the Modern Maestro of CinemaHeres How He Does ItVideo In Korea, productions are accustomed to having the editor on set constantly editing as they shoot, with people watching the screen. Sometimes I want to crush the laptop with Final Cut Pro, said Bong, who starts from square one again in the editing room. 2. Storyboards can keep you focused. In order to execute 1917, which Mendes considers a movie with no cuts, rather than a one-shot movie, he said, we storyboarded over and over. The actors, cameras, and landscape, all three move at the same time. But on certain days he had to bring each new senior officer from Andrew Scott and Colin Firth to Benedict Cumberbatch and John Madden, who showed up to do their short bits and root them in the reality of the fog of war [] when they would never know what was happening around the corner. For The Irishman, Scorsese holed up in a hotel for eight or nine days, listening to music, mapping in advance his editing patterns and camera movements within the frame. I lay it all out, he said. Completely. Its going to change. But this picture was different. There had to be anonymity to the look of the picture but within the frame it had to have emotional and psychological power. When to do the last brushstroke of the shot? With all the CGI issues, it was about eliminating extra shots. I knew what my foundation was, it was to simplify it. Tarantino sees his long screenplay as a novel to be honed down during production as the film takes shape in his mind. Besides trusting his hand-drawn storyboards to show him the way, Bong also digitally stitches the best performances from his ensemble of actors from wildly different takes into a single frame. Theres a lot of that in the movie, said Bong. Its impossible to tell. 3. Stay open to new things. Mendes felt vulnerable directing a movie that he had written for the first time. If a line is not working, he said, you cant blame the writer. Its your fault. On the day if something is not working, you have to rewrite it. But this new way of shooting a movie also taught him that there is no end to the language of the camera, he said. There are endless, limitless ways to shoot a scene, the camera has its own language. If you push yourself it forces you to find new ways to express things with the camera. Waititi embraces danger. With every film Ive done, if it feels dangerous, he said, its probably worth doing it. He quoted David Bowies image of creativity: of walking out into the ocean until you start losing your footing, just touching the bottom. When I feel like that creatively, I know I am doing good work. If it feels like it came too easy, Im going to need to try to make it a bit more chaotic and sort of shake it up, and find ways to make it more interesting. Tarantino learned on the set of The Hateful Eight, he said, when it was all about shooting parts of scenes over many weeks when they had to capture the Colorado weather, to abandon his quest for the theatrical integrity of a dramatic scene, he said. Its a movie. For his part, Bong was accustomed to scoping out and mastering practical locations and knowing where he could move his camera in advance. In this case, his interiors were 90 percent filmed on two sets, the rich house and the poor house. And the space didnt come together until right before the shoot. So he had his VFX team put together a virtual model of the set designs that he could roam through in order to choose lenses and camera angles. The reason he had to figure this out: The first half of the movie may seem like its introducing the characters and the house infiltration, he said, but it is also subconsciously educating the audience on the full geography of the rich house, for the second half of the film to tell the narrative and the events that explode later on. 4. Anxiety can drive you to excellence. When it came to shooting the finale of 1917, after a sleepless night Mendes called his editor Lee Smith and asked if he knew what was wrong with what they had shot that day. It felt detached, he said. Mendes instantly recognized that he had pulled away from the horror. Can the audience take any more? he asked himself. He went to the set early on his own, walked through and marked out new camera positions, drew a diagram, and told his A.D. and co-writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns he was re-staging the field hospital scene with 20 doctors, nurses, and wounded patients who needed bits of business, and went over the scene with DP Roger Deakins, changing the way the camera would float over a mound of dead bodies. It was way better, Mendes said. I had to do it. Similarly, Tarantino changed up his climactic set piece on Cielo Drive on the day, informing his cast and crew that he was throwing out much of the choreographed action that Austin Tyler and Brad Pitt had prepared. I dont need any of that, he said. Were doing it this way. Tarantino hopped around grabbing all the little snippets of action that he would assemble for the sequence. There was an exciting energy. Tarantino gets nervous about his big action scenes because I want it to be fucking great, he said. I want it to be in the annals of the great action scenes of all time and for all time. Its OK if its not one of the best ever. This is where I discover the limits of my talent, what Im finally able to do. My talent has a ceiling, Im trying to find where it is. This calliope of cinema, it all has to work together. Im not doing second unit. Im not going back. [] Starting that climb up the Himalayas is tough. For the improvisational sequence with Leonardo DiCaprio in his trailer, Tarantino insisted on no pre-written dialogue, knowing hed edit the best bits together. He told DiCaprio, Go into the trailer and have a freakout. Ill come up with subjects for you to work with. No matching, well shoot until the mag runs out. Ill do jump cuts. Let it rip. For the last scenes of The Irishman, Scorsese and his editor Thelma Schoonmaker struggled to figure out the emotional beats without falling into sentimentality or cliche for Frank Sheeran in the nursing home, which had to tie into the opening framing device, accompanied by The Five Satins In the Still of the Night, which helped to set the pace of the film, its rhythm, Scorsese said. Hes waiting for some kind of salvation, or forgiveness, for somebody or something to see his soul. He leaves the door open. Death is coming like a thief at night when you least expect it. Scorsese clearly saw The Irishman as possibly marking his last chance to pour it all in, he said, everything goes on the table on a movie that clocks three-and-a-half hours. What if it plays as it plays? Bong was most anxious about the ambitious final flood sequence, which required building his lower depths neighborhood inside a water tank so that he could spend a long time in water. His coping mechanism, said Bong: I eat sugar. Chocolate and candy is around the monitor at all times. Waititi, for his part, copes with stress by curling up in a ball in the corner and going to sleep. This film in particular was a big career-ender, he said. Im in it, the idiot in the film. His worst day was shooting a river scene with Scarlett Johansson and Roman Griffin Davis having a heart to heart as the radios werent working. I was dressed as Hitler screaming across the river at the crew, he said. Im not proud of it. Ive done a good job hiding my inner Hitler all these years, said Mendes. Best of IndieWire Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Iraq protesters wounded in second day of clashes with security forces Baghdad, Jan 26 (AFP) Jan 26, 2020 Security forces shot live rounds to clear protest hotspots in Baghdad and southern Iraq for a second day Sunday, sparking skirmishes with demonstrators determined to keep up their movement. The anti-government protesters had feared their campaign would be squashed when riot police Saturday moved in on their tent camps in the capital, the southern port city of Basra, the holy city of Najaf and other cities. But the demonstrators returned in large numbers in the evening and on Sunday morning, with security forces trying to clear them out again. In the capital, they used live rounds in an attempt to disperse small anti-government rallies in Khallani and Wathba squares, near the main protest camp of Tahrir Square, according to a police source. At least 17 protesters were wounded, including six with bullet wounds, the source said. The young demonstrators have mostly thrown rocks at riot police but some have tossed Molotov cocktails. In Nasiriyah to the south, security forces also fired live rounds but there was no immediate word on casualties. Protesters had gathered there in large numbers after police reopened main thoroughfares in Nasiriyah leading to the central protest camp in Habbubi Square. The youth-dominated protests erupted in Baghdad and the Shiite-majority south on October 1 in outrage over lack of jobs, poor services and rampant corruption. Met with violence, they quickly spiralled into calls for a total government overhaul. Rallies are now specifically demanding snap elections, the appointment of an independent premier and the prosecution of anyone implicated in corruption or the recent bloodshed. But activists worry they could face a wider crackdown after firebrand cleric Moqtada Sadr dropped his support for the movement on Friday. The notoriously fickle militia leader-turned-politician backed the protests when they first started and even called on the government to resign. His supporters had widely been recognised as the most organised and well-stocked protesters in Tahrir. But after holding an anti-US rally in Baghdad that was attended by thousands, Sadr said he no longer wanted to be involved in the regime change movement. Within hours, his supporters were dismantling their tents in protest camps across the country and riot police began moving in on demonstrations. But activists issued an urgent call for help, and young demonstrators flooded Tahrir and other areas. Russian sources said that Assistant to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his team also almost did not participate in processes of exchange of held persons Assistant to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Vladislav Surkov, almost stopped his work in the Ukrainian direction after the Zelenskys victory in the presidential election in Ukraine, Meduza News Agency reported, citing its sources. One of the interlocutors of the agency said that work has not been carried out since 2018, but that "after Zelenskys victory, everything stopped." He noted that Surkov and his team stopped working with public opinion leaders in Ukraine to formulate an agenda on the need for federalization and protection of the rights of Russian speakers. The interlocutor also pointed out that Surkov and his team also almost did not participate in the processes of exchange of held persons. According to the sources of the publication, Surkov "reacted negatively to Zelensky." He had the opportunity of direct contact with the President of Ukraine and businessman Ihor Kolomoisky, but Surkov neglected it. One of the interlocutors says that Vladimir Putin is badly treated by Kolomoisky, while Zelensky himself has not perceived Surkov as a reliable negotiator. Sources also said that Surkov never had a decisive vote on the issues of occupied Donbas, he "could not call the security forces and say: here the operation is canceled, but here, on the contrary, we are activating." One and interlocutors said that Surkov carried out "general coordination" and political support, but the Russian security forces did not focus on the opinion of the presidential aide. As we reported, there are no decrees on the resignation of Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin Vladislav Surkov. The speaker of the president of Russia Dmitry Peskov said this. He added that he did not have information on this issue. Gurbir Singh By Express News Service Davos, Switzerland is the media networkers delight. This alpine town, among the snow-capped mountains, is where scores of private jets have been descending the past week carrying the worlds whos who.The conclave, hosted by the World Economic Forum, is a private annual event now into its 50th year; but over time it has become the ideological voice of inclusive capitalism, and hence a missionary journey for everyone who matters. This year the agenda was climate change and reducing poverty and increasing inclusiveness in that order. Donald Trump and Greta Thunberg were the most mentioned people in social media; but they were daggers drawn. Tuesday, the first full day of the conclave, was dominated by Trump versus Teenager. The US president said too much was being made of the catastrophic wildfires, and the overheating of the globe. Criticizing Thunberg and her ilk, Trump called them prophets of doom who had missed the impact of his policies that had ushered in an era of prosperity for US citizens. They are the heirs of yesterdays foolish fortune tellers, the president said. They predicted an overpopulation crisis in the 1960s, a mass starvation in the 70s, and an end of oil in the 1990s. Thunberg, who had listened to him among the audience, came out an hour later all guns blazing, backed by her army of 2 million Twitter followers. Rebuking Trump and other world leaders, Thunberg said they had ignored pleas for the world to act on climate change. You say children shouldnt worry, Thunberg scoffed. You say, Just leave this to us. We will fix this. We promise we wont let you down. Clearly there was no consensus. While Germanys Angela Merkel supported Thunberg calling for a common platform to fight global warming and to give serious weightage to young peoples concerns, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, mocked the teenage activist. Are you qualified to talk about economic issues linked to climate change. Go and study the subject in college, he advised the 17-year-old activist. Thunberg got back at Mnuchin, calling for a climate strike on Friday morning near the Davos conclave site. UNPAID LABOUR Davos also debates and digests the annual story on the growing wealth gap. It is a report put out by the not-for-profit Oxfam, whose colourful comparisons are designed to make the well-heeled go away with some guilt in their chests. This year too the report had all the startling data: The worlds 2,153 billionaires have accumulated more wealth between them than the rest of the worlds 4.6 billion people. However, the focus was on gender inequality and how economies are designed to function on the strength of unpaid work contributed by women. Theres something deeply sick about the economy, says Gawain Kripke, policy director at Oxfam America. The fact that women around the world are doing so much work that is uncompensated, unrecognised and unsupported is part of the problem. In India, women spend almost six hours on unpaid labour while men spend less than an hour. Even in Norway, a country often hailed as an example of gender equality, women spend about an hour more on unpaid work than men. INDIA ON LOW KEY India at Davos was a damp squib this year. The peals of praise for Indias growth story was missing. Instead there was tongue lashing from several quarters for the governments shift away from secularism. George Soros, the international investor and philanthropist, caught the eye for his $1 billion donation he promised to fund universities to promote liberal values and his vision of an open society. He renewed his attack on Donald Trump too, calling the US president the ultimate narcissist. Soros also attacked nationalism as a danger to a unified global economy, and cited India as his example. The most frightening setback, he said came in India where a democratically elected Narendra Modi is creating a Hindu nationalist state, imposing punitive measures on Kashmir, a semi-autonomous Muslim region, and threatening to deprive millions of Muslims of their citizenship. Another vocal think-tank, Ian Bremmer, political scientist and founder of Eurasia Group, told BloombergQuint in Davos: In his (Prime Minister Modi) first term, the priorities were very clearly about economic reform ... And also bringing up the poor people at the low level. Now we see that they arent as high priority as Hindu nationalism thats really helping drive the country driving Modis base, but also driving India farther apart, creating polarisation. In their annual report of top risks for 2020, the Eurasia Group had listed Prime Minister Narendra Modis policies as the fifth biggest risk to the global economy. In January 2015, with electoral victory in hand and with the euphoria of Indias fastest-developing-economy tag, then finance minister Arun Jaitley at Davos was pursued by investors and politicians who wanted a connect with India. It was not quite the same this year. Over the course of one night in the summer of 2018, Diana Speeds family of six became one of seven. It started with the phone ringing at 1am. Diana, 46 , who lives in East Sussex with husband John, 47, has four children, aged 11 to 21. At that time her older daughter was at university, and the younger one was on a gap year on the other side of the world. I was sure it was one of them, she says. In fact, it was social services. Her one-year-old nephew, Tom, had been found in a park in the early hours of that morning. His mother, Joanna Dianas half-sister was passed out drunk nearby. His buggy had tipped up and he was found inside, says Diana. He could have died. It was like a nightmare. Diana knew Joannas life was chaotic. Her mothers daughter from her second marriage, she had some horrible things happen to her when she was a child. Stories have emerged of abuse outside the family, and also of domestic abuse within the home. She chose to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol, says Diana. Lucy Peake who is the chief executive of the charity Grandparents Plus, argues kinship carers are left to struggle alone. Jenny Bentley, 63, and her husband Phil, 66, took in their grandson Tyler, 14, when he was a toddler When Joanna got pregnant at 30, Diana hoped she would change. Joanna never revealed who the father was, and it was Diana who supported her through the pregnancy. She saw her regularly after Tom was born. We thought she was doing really well, says Diana. Sadly, the truth was that her life was spiralling out of control. Tom was delivered to us by two policemen at about 3am. He came to us in a hospital gown and a nappy and that was it. John and I lay awake for the rest of the night looking at him in the middle of us, says Diana. She thought her days of having a small child were behind her. We were just getting a bit of time back, she says. She worked four days a week as a classroom assistant; her husband worked long hours as a GP. They didnt have a spare room, or anything for a baby to sleep in. John had to go to Tesco and get nappies and wipes, pyjamas, clothes, a cot, she adds. But when confronted with tiny Tom, and the social workers question Can you have him?, Diana didnt hesitate. From the minute he came into our lives, I knew there was no way I could let him go again, she says. There was no way he was going into any system, or up for adoption. He was with me and that was it. The number of kinship carers those who step in to look after the children of relatives, to prevent them being taken into care has risen dramatically over the past decade, says Lucy Peake, chief executive of the charity Grandparents Plus. She estimates there are around 200,000 children in kinship care in the UK. The rise is partly down to court guidance issued in 2013, when kinship care was promoted as a way of addressing the rising numbers of children in the system. Sir James Munby, then president of the family division of the High Court, said social workers must show that all alternatives had been considered before putting a child up for adoption. Lucy said many kinship carers struggle financially, practically, emotionally, and are concerned if they'll be able to continue due to the impact on their health (file image) Research shows that young people tend to do much better if they have grown up with family, rather than in local authority care, says Lucy. They are with people they know and trust, which is important when you consider what they have experienced neglect or abuse by parents who are often mentally ill or dependent on drugs or alcohol, as well as the trauma of being removed from home. Kinship care is wonderful, says Lucy, but she notes the financial, professional and emotional support available to carers is seriously inadequate and in stark contrast to support available to foster carers and adoptive parents. There are loopholes and its not a clear system. Caught up in that are families who are stepping in at moments of crisis, trying to do the right thing. This takes its toll on carers, many of whom are grandparents with ill-equipped homes and diminishing energy and funds. We have a lot of kinship carers struggling financially, practically, emotionally, says Lucy. A recent survey by Grandparents Plus found that a third of kinship carers were so concerned about the impact on their health that they were not sure they could continue. That makes me really angry, because if we dont support the carers to support these children, thats a lot of children who are at risk of going into the care system, says Lucy. Sarah* from the North of England, has been looking after her niece, now five, since receiving a call from children's services in 2016 (file image) Sarah*, who is in her 30s, lives with her husband in the North of England. They have four children, aged eight to 13. Her niece, now five, first came to stay for the weekend when she was five months old. I was in Marks & Spencer and the police called, and said, You do realise she is on an at-risk register? I had no idea. All I could think was, I dont want to be arrested in Marks & Spencer. I need to get out! [Any adult looking after a child on an at-risk register must be CRB-checked and have a social workers permission.] I knew the mum had been involved with social services, but didnt realise they were still involved. I thought my brother had been a good influence. I didnt know there were problems, says Sarah. In November 2016, childrens services called to say we needed to go and pick up my niece. The children Sarahs niece has three half-siblings were being removed from their mother. Sarahs brother was off the scene; the couple had been advised to separate by social workers. Sarah had already agreed that if anything happened, she would step in. I felt thats what we needed to do. She is my blood niece. Social workers told Sarah that her niece isn't allowed to get into bed with her and asked if she knew how to check the temperature of a bath (file image) But my husband was in shock. He said, My God, this is for ever, and well open a can of worms. I just said, Ill do it with or without you, its your choice. We had a bit of a barney about it and then he said, OK. My niece was with her mum at her mums house. We drove there and everyone was distraught. The other children were being put into cars and driven off to foster carers, whereas for us, the social workers took my niece off her family and handed her to us in the street. They said, You need you leave. Now. Her niece was 21 months old. I cried a lot. You see it from a mums point of view, regardless of anything thats happened, she says. She still wrestles with this unresolvable conundrum, balancing her desire to keep her niece safe with the pain the mum must feel. She says she tells her niece, who is very close to her youngest daughter, You were in mummys tummy first, and then we got you as a special present just before Christmas. She adds that her husband is devoted to her niece and, if anything, she is more protective of her than her own children. Shes already had things happen in her life that will have done some sort of damage, and I dont want anything else to come into that, Sarah says. But she feels shes battling the system. First, she and her husband were assessed. Its very intrusive, she says. They speak to ex-partners, your school, employers. You open up your life to them. Sarah and her husband were granted a special guardianship order, nine months after her niece was put into their care (file image) Social workers also asked me if I knew how to check the temperature of a bath. I have four children! she says. We were also told my niece wasnt allowed to get into bed with us. So when your own children jump into your bed for a cuddle on a Saturday morning, she wasnt allowed to she was excluded. Sarah feels such scrutiny is not appropriate when the child is family and you have a relationship. Its like the system continually tells you she is not your child and she will always be different. Why put these children with family members if you then dont want them to be part of a family? After nine months, they were granted a special guardianship order, which gives them parental rights and responsibility but, unlike an adoption order, does not end the legal relationship between the child and their birth parents. Sarahs niece would see her birth mum every six weeks, in accordance with a court agreement. At this point, Sarahs brother wasnt granted any contact. This arrangement involved a two-hour round trip, which Sarah was happy to do, adding: It fitted into our lives without disturbing our children too much. Social services told us that this contact arrangement would stand until my niece was 18. However, within a year we were taken back to court by the parents. My brother wanted contact. My niece now sees her mum one week, and three weeks later her dad, and three weeks later her mum again, and so on. Sarah continues: Now theyre pushing for more contact this time unsupervised and if we dont agree we could be taken back to court. They keep moving the goalposts, and its really distressing because its so disruptive to our family life. Diana Speed, 46, admits she questions if it would've been better to put her nephew up for adoption (file image) My nieces behaviour at school has got worse since the increased contact, she says. To expose her to more is unthinkable. However, we live under the constant threat that if we dont agree, well be taken back to court. If youre a foster parent and you dont agree with something, you just say no. As a family member you cant say no, because you dont want to risk losing the child. She feels nobody is on her side. You would think that with the millions of pounds kinship carers are saving the system, they could at least spend 50 a week on giving you some support. I have at times thought to myself, Would Tom have been better off going up for adoption? admits Diana Speed, who was granted a special guardianship order last March and now has intense sessions with her half-sister when she takes Tom for contact visits once a month. He would have had a young mum and dad, younger brothers and sisters. Have I made things worse for him? she says. All these questions go around in your head. But then you think, in terms of your own identity, surely its better to know where you came from, and that there were people in your family who loved you so desperately that they were not going to let you fall. We had one visit from social workers after the case. then nothing Jenny Bentley, 63, a retired staff nurse, lives in Leeds with her grandson Tyler, 14, and husband Phil, 66, who has two grown-up sons from his first marriage. ' I married late, says Jenny she was 43 and the couple had planned a relaxing retirement, but life changed when their grandson arrived to live with them nearly ten years ago. Phils son, Jamie, 39, separated from Tylers mum when Tyler was 18 months old. Jenny says Tylers mum found it hard to cope and, in April 2011, social services rang and said he had to be picked up from school. They didnt feel he should go back home. He was happy to come with us, says Jenny. He already had his own bedroom, as he would often stay with them at weekends. A year later, Jenny and Phil were granted a joint residence order with Jamie, which lets Tyler switch between their house and his fathers. Tyler sees his father once a month for a weekend. Jamie didnt want to lose his parental responsibility, says Jenny. We asked a social worker to come and explain the situation to Tyler, which she did. Then there was no further input. No financial help, other than child benefit. Tyler had meltdowns that could last for two or three hours. Jenny says a local authority therapeutic parenting group could have been a godsend. But Tyler was shut out as he hadnt been in the care of the local authority even 24 hours with an emergency foster carer would have been enough for him to qualify. Tyler also wasnt eligible for Pupil Premium Plus a 2,300-a-year payment for headteachers to use on a childs needs. I told them we needed help Jenny explains. They said: If hes not looked after, you cant have it from us. After pushing, she eventually got advice from a family support worker, and the help of a school play leader. Tyler is now more in control of his emotions and Jenny can finally hug him. For a long while, you couldnt put your arms around him as hed squirm. She says the change in her grandson is reward enough. But money has been tight. It wasnt part of our plan. I dont get my pension for another three years and we are eating into our savings. We have to say: Sorry, we cant afford 120 trainers. In contrast, foster carers are paid on average 450 a week per child, and assigned a social worker. Advertisement *Name has been changed to protect identities. Xavier College is grappling with the challenge of marking the death of a former principal who died suddenly in December after being named in relation to child sex abuse allegations on a controversial website run by old boys. The prestigious Catholic boys school in Kew, which counts former Labor leader Bill Shorten and former archbishop of Melbourne Denis Hart among its alumni, is understood to be preparing an obituary for the former principal Philip Wallbridge, which will be circulated in the first newsletter of the year. Mr Wallbridge, who resigned as principal in 1993 and went on to run the AFLs SportsReady program for more than a decade, died by suicide in the days before Christmas, at least 18 months after his name was published on a website of alleged sex offenders at Xavier run by former students. The school operates under the Society of Jesus in Australia, which is better known as the Australian Jesuits, and has referred all questions on the allegations and the website to Australian Jesuits. Australian Jesuits confirmed it had co-operated with a police investigation into Mr Wallbridge last year. The organisation handed information and documents regarding the former priest and principal to police investigators. Gourmet Chinese New Year treat at Shangri-La Colombo By Tera Jayewardene View(s): View(s): The Chinese New Year dawned on January 25, ushering in the Year of the Rat, seen by many to be a lucky year. Each year represents a particular animal according to Chinese astrology. A symbol of diligence, kindness, and generosity, the rat has also been celebrated in 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008. With beautiful red decorations all over the Shang Palace at Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, the Chinese new year celebrations kicked off on January 20. Continuing until February 8, the gourmet set menus for lunch and dinner are priced from LKR 7,488 ++ per person, with the Yu Sheng, prosperity toss at LKR 1,888 ++ for two persons. The event kicked off with the Yu Sheng or prosperity toss, a time honoured Chinese New Year tradition. Served on a large platter with a variety of ingredients including raw fish, shredded raddish and carrots, pickled ginger and more, the ceremony begins with lemon juice being poured atop the salmon, which is then mixed in with the other ingredients. The Angpao, which consist of five spices and white pepper is added to the top. Guests and invitees stood around the table and mixed the dish with their chopsticks. Master Chef Bun Boon handpicked the dishes on the menu with a wide variety of different Chinese food, suitable for both meat eaters and vegetarians. One of the most interesting dishes that was presented was the Squid ink truffle prawn dumpling, light black in colour. The Wok fried baby lobster with red bell pepper and chili, Kung pao chicken with cashew nuts and Sweet corn soup with fish and bean curd were also some of the crowd-pleasers. For reservations or more information please contact +94 117888288 or email restaurants.slcb@shangri-la.com. Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar greeted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after the Republic Day celebrations here on Sunday. The Governor also invited her for a tea party to be held at the Raj Bhavan later today. Earlier in the day, Dhankhar hoisted the flag on the occasion of Republic Day. Banerjee was also present at the event. In a tweet today, Mamata has said, "On Republic Day, let us pledge to protect our Constitution and uphold the principles of sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic, justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, as enshrined in the Preamble". India is celebrating its 71st Republic Day today, honouring the historic date when the country completed its transition towards becoming an independent Republic after its Constitution came into effect. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Haiti - FLASH : The DDE of Artibonite accused of embezzlement Didier Pierre, President of the Platform of Artibonite Teachers' Unions (PSEA) denounced this week at a press conference situations of "malfeasance", "corruption" and "embezzlement" at the Departmental Directorate of Artibonite Education (DDEA) which have lasted for several years. He explained that the embezzled money comes from source tax deductions from the payroll tax of the staff of the old nationalized community schools in 2004, which are paid after deductions by the DDEA unlike other staff who are paid by direct transfer from the State after deduction of withholding tax. In fact, according to Didier Pierre, the DDEA has never returned the tax deductions to the DGI, which would represent an annual diversion of more than 7 million gourdes per year, affirms the President of the PSEA. He indicated that to renew their contract, the professors asked for their final tax declaration and had the unpleasant surprise of having to pay all of their tax arrears when the deductions had already been made and that they thought in order with the tax adminsitration... Faced with this situation, the PSEA intends to request an investigation from the Superior Court of Accounts and Administrative Litigation (CSC/CA) and the Unit for Combating Corruption (ULCC), indicating that if the responsible authorities do not resolve this situation by March 1, disruptions and work stoppages are to be expected in Artibonite schools... PI/ HaitiLibre Flash Bulgaria's expulsion of a diplomat from the Russian Embassy and an employee from Russia's Trade Mission is an "openly unfriendly and provocative" step, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Saturday. "On Jan. 24, the Bulgarian authorities decided to expel a diplomat from the Russian Embassy in Bulgaria and an employee from Russia's Trade Mission in that country without presenting any reasonable evidence to justify their decision," the Russian ministry said in a statement. The ministry said Bulgaria's move was "openly unfriendly and provocative, and also at odds with constructive relations between Russia and Bulgaria and the traditional mutually respectful bilateral ties." "We reserve the right to take retaliatory steps," the ministry added. On Friday, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said that it would expel two Russian diplomats on suspicion of spying. Banned militant outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) (ULFA-I) on Sunday (January 26) took the responsibility of the five low-intensity blasts that shook Assam on the eve on Republic Day. Earlier on Sunday, DGP Assam had also said that prima facie it seemed that the blasts were the handiwork of ULFA (I). No one got injured in the blasts. Out of five explosions, three took place in Dibrugarh district and one each in Tinsukia and Charaideo. The first blast took place at a shop in Graham Bazaar located near the National Highway NH 37. The second blast took place near a Gurudwara on AT Road in Dibrugarh while another blast took place near Duliajan police station in Dibrugarh. Two explosions took place in Doom Dooma town of Tinsukia district and Teok Ghat under Sonari town of Charaideo district. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condemned the incidents, saying it was a 'cowardly attempt to create terror on a sacred day'. "Strongly condemn the bomb blasts in a few places of Assam. This cowardly attempt to create terror on a sacred day only exhibits the frustration of the terror groups after their total rejection by the people. Our Govt will take the sternest action to bring the culprits to book," he tweeted. It is to be noted that ULFA-I had called for a 'general strike' on Sunday, asking citizens to boycott the Republic Day celebrations. Open source In 2019, Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) neutralized more than 480 cyberattacks against government agencies and critical infrastructure. The press service of the department stated this. "In 2019, SBU information security specialists neutralized more than 480 cyber incidents and cyber attacks against government bodies and critical infrastructure," - the statement said. According to the body, during this period, more than 1,000 web resources that were used for criminal purposes were also discontinued. In total, last year, 339 criminal proceedings were instituted in the direction of counterintelligence protection of state interests in the field of information security. As we reported, the military counterintelligence of the SBU prevented the employment of Crimean citizen with Russian citizenship and ties with the special services of the country-aggressor at the responsible position at the Defense Ministry According to the special service, during a few years of the temporary annexation of the Crimean peninsula, Ukrainian lived abroad. Right after the events of 2014, a woman returned to Crimea and got the Russian passport supposedly for registration of real estate. MILAN (Reuters) - Italian oil group ENI's Chief Executive Claudio Descalzi could step down if he is found guilty by an Italian court of corruption in Nigeria, he told the Wall Street Journal. Descalzi is one of the defendants in a case over the alleged payment of bribes to facilitate a $1.3 billion oil deal for Nigeria's OPL 245 offshore oilfield in 2011. In a long interview published on the Wall Street Journal website on Saturday, Descalzi denied taking part in any illegal activity and said his work at ENI, where he rose through the ranks over the course of 39 years, was not done. However, Descalzi told the WSJ that he would likely step down if found guilty in the Nigeria case rather than wait for the outcome of lengthy appeals. Representatives at ENI confirmed the details of the interview. A verdict in the case is expected later this year, and in the Italian legal system the ruling could be appealed twice. Controlled by the Italian state, Eni has one of the best exploration track records in the industry. Descalzi's mandate comes up for renewal in the spring. (Reporting by Stephen Jewkes, writing by Valentina Za; Editing by Hugh Lawson) Welcome Guest! You Are Here: GROUND ZERO: Medical staff are seen at a hotel lobby where tourists from Hubei province, the center of the coronavirus outbreak, will have 14-day centralized medical observation, in Haikou, Hainan province, China, Jan. 25, 2020. CNSphoto via Reuters France has agreed to back down from its so-called digital tax, in which it would apply a three percent tax on revenue earned by large (mostly American) companies in the country from digital services. In return for President Trump putting aside threatened retaliatory tariffs, France suspended this new levy at least through the end of this year. Thats a positive development, but states that had been following Frances lead in proposing their own digital taxes should again follow in French footsteps and set their digital taxes aside. Though Frances digital tax proposal has been the most high-profile version, digital tax proposals have been popping up all over the developed world recently. The United Kingdom and Canada are considering their own versions, as are several other European countries. This trend of poor policymaking has now migrated to a few U.S. states, including Maryland and Nebraska, which have proposed similar tax hikes. There are clear legal issues with these schemes. The Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act (PITFA), which President Obama signed into law in 2016, prohibits states from levying discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce. As most states do not tax traditional advertising, taxes on digital advertising would likely qualify as a violation of PITFA. These proposals manage to run afoul of the Constitution, as well. Both states taxes, but especially Marylands (which includes a gross revenue threshold which would be hard for Maryland-only businesses to reach), would primarily raise revenue from larger, multi-state businesses not based in the taxing jurisdiction. This could potentially be seen by courts as an undue burden on interstate commerce, a violation of the U.S. Constitutions Commerce Clause. Not even the First Amendment is safe from digital advertising taxes. The Supreme Court has historically frowned upon taxes that single out mediums relied upon by news agencies, and news sites often rely heavily, if not exclusively, upon digital advertising. The Court may well view digital advertising taxes as an unconstitutional restriction upon the freedom of speech. But even if they were constitutional, targeted taxes on tech companies represent bad policy that should never have migrated across the pond. European Union digital taxes were justified as ensuring tax fairness, but in reality they accomplish anything but. Claims that EU digital companies are exploiting tax loopholes to avoid taxes are unfounded the average effective tax rate of digital businesses is only 0.3 percent off of the effective tax rate of traditional businesses. Rather, they represent an attempt to squeeze a growing industry for extra tax revenue. In following the EUs lead, states would create a bias against digital firms in their tax codes. As a matter of policy, taxes should not discriminate against certain industries or types of transactions. Creating a new type of tax targeted only at one type of business and not at others in similar situations violates every principle of simple, fair taxation in existence. But more specifically, digital taxes threaten the advertising-based model of the internet that has created so many new services for consumers. Many of the most widely-used websites on the internet are funded through advertisements, including news sites and social media. These websites are available for free consumption because the taxman is not engaging in gimmicks such as trying to tax the value added by consumers posting and engaging on social media sites. States followed Frances lead in proposing digital taxes. They should now follow France again in backing down from them, lest they hurt their own residents and consumers. A 25-year-old man has been arrested by Jogeshwari police in the metropolis for allegedly orchestrating the gang-rape of his wife through two of his Facebook friends, an official said on Sunday. The main accused is an autorickshaw driver hailing from neighbouring Palghar district while his two accomplices are employees of a pharma company here, he said. "The man brought his 23-year-old wife to Jogeshwari on the pretext of showing her a movie. He then took her to a shanty in Jogeshwari where his friends Abhishek and Mangesh Yadav were already present. The two are known to the main accused through Facebook," the official said. "He asked the duo to rape his wife and he too sexually assaulted her. After the ordeal, the woman approached Palghar police station which transferred the case to Jogeshwari police," he informed. While the incident happened in November last year, the woman filed an application with Palghar police in January, police said. All three were arrested on Saturday under section 376D (gang-rape) of the Indian Penal Code and have been remanded in police custody, Zone X Deputy Commissioner of Police Ankit Goyal told PTI. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Muhammadu Buhari has reassured the entire northeast of his administrations commitment to protect lives and property of citizens. This was made through a Presidential delegation sent to Yola to condole with the Christian Association of Nigeria over the recent killing of two clergymen. Secretary to the Government of Federation who led president Buharis delegation to the state on a condolence visit to Christian communities reassured Nigerians that all form of insecurity across the country will soon be over. He urged Christians in the state not to see killings of the two clergymen as a threat to their faith. He also wants Nigerians not to yield to the antics of purveyors of violence who want to polarize the country along religious lines. The SGF also appealed for collaborative efforts in tackling the security challenges threatening the country. Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Adamawa State chapter appreciated president Buhari for identifying with Christians in these trying times. He assured that the Christian community is ready to team up with their Muslim counterpart to flush out those causing bad blood between them. Expectations are high in the northeast to see the end of the Boko Haram insurgency that have caused the death of hundreds of innocent people. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates This is the Impeachment Briefing, The Timess newsletter about the impeachment investigation. Sign up here to get it in your inbox every weeknight. What happened today The impeachment trial of President Trump held its first Saturday session, which lasted just two hours. The presidents legal team teased its opening arguments, saying they would come in fuller form on Monday afternoon, when the trial resumes. Saturdays session was a landmark for Mr. Trumps legal team: It was the first time it had formally made a case for him in a congressional proceeding since the House opened its impeachment inquiry in September. The lawyers had little to say about Mr. Trumps actions, focusing on the way the impeachment inquiry was opened, conducted and presented. Yet they maintained that Mr. Trump had every right to set foreign policy as he wanted, that he had legitimate concerns about Ukrainian corruption when he suspended military aid to the country, and that he was protecting presidential prerogatives when he blocked witnesses and documents. Read our full story on the day. Here are some highlights from the session. And heres video from Saturday. What the White House legal team argued The White House lawyers laid out different elements of a broader legal strategy they said will come in more detailed form next week. Heres a sample of what they talked about. Pat Cipollone, the White House counsel, said that Democrats were attempting to nullify the 2016 election and pre-empt 2020. Theyve basically said, Lets cancel an election over a meeting with the Ukraine. He also argued that the Trump administrations hold on military assistance to Ukraine was driven by the presidents belief that other nations were not doing their share in supporting the country. Jay Sekulow, Mr. Trumps personal lawyer, said impeachment was just another example of Democrats looking to take the president down. He cited the F.B.I.s Russia investigation, flawed wiretap applications into a former Trump campaign adviser, and the Mueller report, which he brandished in the Senate chamber. He accused the House Democratic managers of having tried once again to re-litigate the Mueller case. OAKLAND (BCN) A 53-year-old San Francisco man was arrested Saturday evening at the MacArthur BART station on charges that include battery, making criminal threats and violating a prohibition order, BART police said. Eugene Stevens was taken into custody about 8:20 p.m. and booked into Santa Rita jail. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. By Rasana Gasimova Production at Azerbaijans largest Shah Deniz gas field will be increased by 11.3 percent year-on-year in 2020 to reach 18.7 billion cubic meters, the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) has reported. The increase in gas production from the Shah Deniz field in 2020 is associated with the commissioning of new production wells, SORAZ said. Earlier, the State Statistical Committee noted that the country exported 10 billion 417.8 million cubic meters of gas from the Shah Deniz field in 2019. This figure is 24.2 percent higher than that of 2018. The share of gas exports from the Shah Deniz field accounted for 37.9 percent of all gas transported through gas pipelines in 2019. The pipelines transported 27 billion 512.7 million cubic meters of gas in 2019, which indicates a 17.1 percent increase compared to 2018. Presently, the capacity of the existing production system at the Shah Deniz field is about 20 billion cubic meters of gas per year or 56 million cubic meters of gas per day. The Shah Deniz field is operated by BP which has a share of 28.8 percent. Other partners include TPAO - 19 percent, SOCAR - 16.7 percent, Petronas - 15.5 percent, Lukoil - 10 percent and NIOC - 10 percent. Currently, gas production from the Shah Deniz field is carried out from the Alfa platform as part of Stage 1 and from the Bravo platform as part of Stage 2. Shah Deniz Stage 2 is a giant project that will add a further 16 billion cubic meters of gas per year to the approximately 10 billion cubic meters per year produced by Shah Deniz Stage 1. The discovery of the giant Shah Deniz field and the successful implementation of the project made Azerbaijan a country that can export a large amount of natural gas to the world. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Jayla Armani Swann, a senior at Owings Mills High School, MD pitches her product "The Luxe Brush Co." to the judges at the Norm Brodsky Business Concept Competition at Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ, January 25, 2020. She won a full four-year tuition scholarship to Rider. Read more Jayla Armani Swann knows how tough it can be to organize makeup, especially with all those brushes. So she came up with an idea to make it easier: one device, several brushes that pop up one at a time as needed. The Luxe Brush Co. is the innovation that the makeup market needs, the high school senior from Baltimore told a panel of judges Saturday at Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J. At stake was a full, four-year tuition scholarship to Rider, worth about $176,000. Its the third year that Rider has offered the lucrative scholarship prize at its High School Business Concept Competition, courtesy of entrepreneur and alumnus Norm Brodsky, who in October gave Rider $10 million, the largest gift in its history, and had the business school named after him. Swann, 17, had competition. Other finalists proposed a vibrating device to advance doughnuts in a display rack as customers buy them (she works at Dunkin Donuts); a computerized insurance card that tells a doctor everything covered under a patients plan; and a fashionable headband with an ice pack for migraine sufferers, dubbed the migraine magician. But in the end, Swann beat them all. Judge Jeanne Gray, founder of American Entrepreneurship Today, said Swanns poise, passion, and a very real-world-based model put her over the top. We really felt she could make this a business, Gray said. Swann wept as her name was announced. Until then, she said, she hadnt planned on going to college because she didnt think she could afford it. College is very expensive and I didnt want to give all of that debt to my parents, she said. Now, shes got her heart set on going to Rider. READ MORE: Rider University receives largest gift in its history Several other local colleges contacted said they also host competitions for high school students. Whartons Baker Retailing Center this weekend held a Shark Tank-type competition where teams of students worked 24 hours straight on business challenges for cash and technology prizes. But the others, including Drexel and Temple, dont offer a full tuition scholarship as a prize. Rider, a private college that accepts about 71% of applicants and has an undergraduate student body of 3,763, started the contest in 2015, but with much smaller prizes. Then Brodsky heard about it and asked university officials what they were trying to accomplish. They told him they hoped to attract more applicants to the university and lure the winner to enroll. But none of the prior winners had come. I have an idea," Brodsky told them, where we can enhance this contest, get more people to apply. How about a full scholarship? Brooklyn-born and Long Island-raised, Brodsky, 77, was never much of a student himself, as he tells it. But he got his accounting degree at Rider and went on to become a successful entrepreneur, having founded more than half a dozen businesses. He has a restaurant chain and several hotels and a company that helps develop entrepreneurs. Hes been on the cover of Inc., a business magazine, several times and has written for the publication. Hes known failure, too, having had a ground delivery business he founded go bankrupt. He passes on lessons to students at Rider, where he co-teaches a class. READ MORE: Ursinus College receives largest gift, for student scholarships I tell them that everybody fails at something in life, and not to let that put you in a place where you cant recover, Brodsky said. If you dont learn what you did, youre destined to repeat the same kind of mistake. What I learned is that I pledged the assets of one really great company to buy another company, and that company was the one that dragged me down. So the lesson is any time I want to start something new, it has to be with outside money, so I dont jeopardize what I have. Last summer, Brodsky spearheaded a trip to Oxford University for 25 Rider students and a group of entrepreneurs who covered the tab for the group. His idea of offering a full scholarship for the high school competition worked. More students have submitted entries this year, there were 300, up from 85 when it started and last years winner, Eric Voros, 18, of Medford, was the first to enroll at Rider. His winning idea? A traditional-looking belt that doubles as a tourniquet. The idea was people could carry it or wear it wherever they go, said Voros, a global supply chain management major who was motivated by his brothers, both Marines. Saturdays competition brought back memories for his parents, who, along with their son, attended the event. It was mind-blowing, Steve Voros, an anesthesiologist, said of his sons win last year. It was an incredible opportunity and an incredible day for all of us. Each year, judges whittle applicants to about a handful of finalists who compete in the live finale. (Theres a separate division for sophomores and juniors, which yields about the same number of finalists and offers smaller prizes.) All senior finalists must have applied to Rider and been accepted by the time of the live competition. Most of them are kind of making improvements on existing products, said Lisa Teach, director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at Rider, which is great. Businesses are built on that every day. On Saturday, the four senior finalists, all female, got four minutes each to present their concept, then faced questions from judges, including two business owners and a nonprofit director. Finalists were judged on worth of concept, market identification, method of delivery, the potential return, creativity, innovation, and passion. Swann had an answer for every question the judges posed, and she left no doubt about how serious she was. When Teach asked her what her plans were for the summer, she said: Start this business. I spent months on this, she said. Theres no way Im just going to throw it away. Shillong, Jan 26 : Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Sunday that his government's "Vision 2030" is designed to transform the state into a high-income Indian state and improve the well-being of every single individual in. After unfurling the tricolour at the 71st Republic Day celebrations at the Polo Ground in the state capital, the Chief Minister told the gathering that "Vision 2030" has six core pillars - human development, primary sector rejuvenation, infrastructure expansion, entrepreneurship promotion, environmental protection and governance reform. "A lot of work has been done on each of these pillars in the last two years," Sangma said. Sagma unfurled the national flag here as Nagaland Governor Ravindra Narayana Ravi, who has additional charge of Meghalaya, was busy in Kohima in connection with the Republic Day celebrations in Nagaland. Ravi, has assumed office as the Meghalaya Governor on December 17, after Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy had gone on leave in the third week of December last year following his controversial tweet asking those protesting in the state against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) that those who do not want "divisive democracy should go to North Korea". Sangma, in his address, said that the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government has a clear roadmap for the state to move forward in the next three years by building on its own strengths. The Chief Minister also said that a skill development plan has been executed for the youth though various programs, including the Asian Development Bank funded scheme -- Supporting Human Resources in MeghalayaS Speaking on the recently launched unique soft skills development program called "Aspire Meghalaya", wherein around 5,000 youth from Meghalaya are being trained, he said that these soft skills improve confidence levels and the communication abilities of the youth and the programme would cover more young people this year. "With the launching of PRIME (Promotion and Incubation of Market-Driven Enterprises) scheme, the government is keen to reach out to and support all the enterprising youths of the state," he said. Under the PRIME programme, all three categories of entrepreneurs -- Startup, Nano and Livelihood -- are being incubated in a systematic way. "PRIME hubs would be set up in all district and block headquarters and these hubs would be managed professionally and would be vibrant spaces for innovation and knowledge sharing," he said. The Chief Minister said that the state government is designing a funding program to support entrepreneurs, while a fund of Rs 10 crore has been created for this purpose. "Entrepreneurship would be the key driver of growth and employment in the coming years in Meghalaya," he added. The Chief Minister also said that the state government is working to achieve excellence in governance, quality education, economic and social upliftment and other infrastructural areas. A colourful display of tableaus by different government departments, cultural dances and songs marked the Republic Day celebrations here. The Chief Minister also distributed the Meghalaya Day awards to the winners. Republic Day celebrations were also held in different district headquarters. Sangma on Saturday flagged off the "Cultural Carnival" from Fire Brigade Field here. The carnival was held as a part of the week-long Meghalaya Day celebrations that culminated with the Republic Day event. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Days after a recording emerged of the president telling his associates to take her out, referring to the forced removal of former Ukraine ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, Trump isnt doing himself any favors in downplaying his administrations reputation as the first mob-boss presidency. On Sunday, the president went after House Intelligence Chairman and impeachment manager Adam Schiff, the most prominent Democrat pushing for Trumps removal from the Oval Office. Shifty Adam Schiff is a corrupt politician, and probably a very sick man, Trump tweeted on Sunday morning. He has not paid the price, yet, for what he has done to our Country! Schiff responded on Meet the Press, telling host Chuck Todd that the Sunday morning tweet was just more evidence of a wrathful and vindictive president. It wasnt the first time Trump had apparently threatened a political opponent online during the impeachment process: In November, the president was accused of real-time witness intimidation for tweeting about Marie Yovanovitch during her testimony before the House impeachment inquiry. When Schiff was asked Sunday if he considered the presidents Sunday message to be a threat, he said: I think its intended to be. WATCH: @RepAdamSchiff: "Look at the president's tweets about me today saying I should pay a price.."@chucktodd: "Do you take that as a threat?"@RepAdamSchiff: "I think it is intended to be." pic.twitter.com/8uWXRSJKj0 Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) January 26, 2020 Though the president and other Republican leaders have criticized or threatened Schiff for his role as impeachment manager, other GOP lawmakers have commended the California representative for his energetic performance and deft strategy displayed on the Senate floor. On Wednesday, Lindsey Graham gave Schiff a post-trial attaboy, telling him he did a good job and that he was very well spoken. Sign Up for the Intelligencer Newsletter Daily news about the politics, business, and technology shaping our world. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Terms & Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. Syrian government forces have captured several rural settlements in the northwestern province of Idlib, as they continue an offensive into the countrys last rebel stronghold, state media and a war monitor said on January 26. At least six villages in the Idlib countryside have fallen to government forces over the past two days, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Backed by Russian air strikes, government troops on January 26 reached the outskirts of Maaret al-Numan, 33 kilometers south of the city of Idlib, on an important highway that connects Damascus to Aleppo. Syrian state TV said government forces had captured the village of Ghadqa near Maaret al-Numan earlier in the day. Opposition activists said government troops are now less than a kilometer away from Maaret al-Numan. According to the activists and paramedics, Maaret al-Numan is now almost empty as many residents have fled amid intense bombardments in recent weeks. Idlib Province is home to some 3 million civilians and the United Nations has warned of the growing risk of a humanitarian catastrophe there. Turkey said on January 24 that around 400,000 people from Idlib Province were moving toward the Turkish border as a result of the surge in violence. Based on reporting by Reuters and AP Sams house stands next to the old port of Marseille City, where the ship L'Amiral Latouche-Treville docked on July 6, 1911, transporting young Vietnamese patriot Nguyen Tat Thanh (later Ho Chi Minh). Thanh boarded the ship as a kitchen boy under the name Van Ba, making his way to Europe to seek methods for national salvation and to save his fellow countrymen from colonial slavery. Sam recalled June 1946 when her late husband, Nguyen Van Tien, was chosen to come to the Biarritz coastal town to welcome President Ho Chi Minh and a delegation from the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on their official visit to France at the invitation of the French Government, due to Tiens active participation and contributions to the Overseas Vietnamese community in Marseille. Tien, who was late General Secretary of the Businessmen Association under the Association of Vietnamese People in France, was honoured to meet and take a photo with President Ho. During his meeting with the Overseas Vietnamese community in Marseille, Uncle Ho called on them to promote solidarity and support for the fatherland and the Vietnamese Government while maintaining friendship with the French people. This was an unforgettable memory for Tien and he recalled it to his descendants and Vietnamese people in Marseille with a lot of pride. In 2008, Sam presented a photo of President Ho Chi Minh and a Vietnamese delegation during their visit to Biarritz on June 17, 1945, and a bronze plate portraying President Ho, which had been preserved by her late husband for more than six decades, to the Presidential Palace in Hanoi. Sam said that shortly after she arrived in France in 1958, she participated in patriotic movements launched by Vietnamese people in Marseille to call on expats to give support to the fatherland. When the US started its bombing campaign against Vietnams northern region, she actively joined other members of the Association of Vietnamese People in Frances branch in Marseille to call on expats, the French people, and the French Womens Association to raise their voice against the US and demonstrate their support for Vietnam. In 1963, Sam and her husband opened the Hanoi restaurant near the port, which then became a meeting venue and a host place of many Vietnamese delegations to Marseille. A small corner was set up at Sams house to pay tribute to President Ho, with a mother-of-pearl portrait of the national great leader hung on the wall. Sam said that in 1973 when she returned to Vietnam, she had sought to find a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh. She found an old man with a very beautiful mother-of-pearl portrait of Uncle Ho when she came across a house near Hoan Kiem lake in Hanoi. She asked to purchase the portrait, but the old man said it was not for sale. After much entreating, she showed her genuine admiration to President Ho Chi Minh and the old man decided to gift her the portrait for free. Sam was overwhelmed with happiness and appreciation and the portrait has been preserved by Sam with her whole heart since then. With her enthusiastic contributions to the community and the country, Sam and her husband were presented the Resistance Order, first class, and the Labour Order, first class. Despite her old age, she still maintains her active role in charity activities launched by the Overseas Vietnamese community in France. In 2019, Overseas Vietnamese in France celebrated the 100th anniversary of their patriotic movement. On June 18, 1919, on behalf of the Group of Annamite Patriots, young patriot Nguyen Ai Quoc sent a document with eight requests to the Versailles Conference. This event marked the start of the OVs movement in France which later resulted in the formation of patriotic organisations of Vietnamese in France, including the Association of Vietnamese People in France. Overseas Vietnamese in France have gathered together to build an active and creative community where Vietnamese cultural identity has been preserved and promoted. Everyone in the community always turn their hearts to the motherland and have made positive contributions to the national construction and defence. A British senior citizen who is head over heels in love is planning to wed her 35-year-old Egyptian boyfriend despite the decades of age difference between them. 80-year-old Iris Jones who met Mohamed Ahmed Irbriham on Facebook fell for the jobless man the first time she saw him when she flew to Egypt last November. After four days together, the pair even tried getting married in Cairo but they couldnt as she didnt have the right paperwork. Now, Iris, who has since returned back to the UK, is now saving up to travel back to Egypt to wed her toyboy despite opposition from her family. According to her, Mohamed isnt after her money nor is he seeking a passport to Britain. She says: If hes marrying me for my fortune hell be sadly disappointed because I live on a pension. I dont suffer fools gladly. Im honest and Im truthful and I told him straight away he couldnt be a freeloader. In Egypt we were quite frivolous, going out to the best restaurants all the time and we split everything 50/50. Hes even said hell sign a pre-nup because its me he wants not my house. Ive spent years making other people happy, now I just want to marry the man I love before I die. Ive always been a bit of a rebel and hes just perfect for me. On the day they first met at the Cairo airport, Iris said: I was shocked by how tall he is, she says.Hes 6ft 2in and Im a foot smaller but he just gave me a huge hug. In the bedroom She said a few hours later they made love and that moment made her felt like a virgin again. It was incredible. I felt like a virgin again. It wasnt easy but it was very loving and romantic. My ex-husband said I was frigid when we divorced 40 years ago but I now know Im certainly not. Iris lives on 200-a-week pension and disability benefit. She also has a 220,000 bungalow. Iris defends Mohamed, saying: We are absolutely equal in every way. Hes not using me. If anything Im using him because my love for him is selfish Im not going to let him go. Share this: Japan's effort to nudge its more than 100 struggling regional lenders into the digital age is floundering. More than a year after rules to spur open banking were issued, small lenders are stuck in a back-and-forth with startups over fees for access to client account data, according to a Financial Services Agency official. Fintechs that must reach agreements with individual banks before a May deadline say they don't have the resources to pay hefty charges or crisscross the country convincing hold-outs. Japanese banks have been slow to move into the digital age. Credit:Bloomberg The impasse risks embarrassing policymakers keen to lift Japan off the bottom of a ranking on fintech adoption. A successful move into open banking would put the Asian nation in the company of the UK and Australia, which are freeing up data access to spur competition and create innovative financial solutions. Japan is hoping for voluntary partnerships where startups help overhaul a stodgy industry hammered by years of negative interest rates, deflation and, for rural banks, depopulation. Mired in shrinking profits as the hinterland ages and empties of its young, some lenders are reluctant to ink deals that promise vague future returns but demand immediate investments. Photo: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images Leonardo DiCaprio has a sweet little nickname for his BFF, Brad Pitt. Would you like to guess what it is? No, its not Bud (how unimaginative). Nope, not Button, either! Although that would be one compelling interpretation of Pitts latest biceps tattoo and also very cute. It is neither Cliff nor Booth, which would serve as a callback to Pitts character in the film that brought them together, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and (therefore) always remind them of how they bonded. Its something you absolutely would not expect, something most commonly associated with Taylor Swifts music, something seemingly engineered in a lab to generate publicity and also, potentially, full-body wincing. Its Lover. Leonardo DiCaprio calls Brad Pitt Lover. Thats according to Pitt himself, who told PeopleTV on the SAG Awards red carpet that he finds the choice a bit confusing, but nonetheless roll[s] with it. Pitt recently effused in his Golden Globes acceptance speech that he wouldve shared the raft with DiCaprio, something his Titanic lover, Kate Winslet, patently refused to do, so its safe to say things are getting pretty serious. And, Pitt is according to many upsettingly charming. Lover is less confusing than objectively embarrassing, as a noun, because the word carries with it the extremely potent energy of a quirky art teacher habitually oversharing her sexual history with her students. Considering their shared passion for pottery, perhaps this makes a certain sort of sense. BERKELEY (BCN) Berkeley police have identified a suspect in the Monday killing of a woman on a local sidewalk as that suspect was fleeing police officers, and on Saturday are still searching for him, police said. Alexander McGee, 29, is sought for allegedly killing a 58-year-old transient woman on a sidewalk near University Avenue and Sixth Street as he fled from police. A short time earlier, police said, a UC Berkeley police officer had seen a woman inside that car - a gray four-door Nissan sedan -- parked along Sixth Street screaming for help. As the UCPD officer approached the Nissan, the car fled, and a few seconds later struck the woman on the sidewalk, Berkeley police Officer Byron White said Saturday. The Nissan was last seen getting onto Interstate Highway 80. On Friday, Berkeley police searched two North Oakland locations for McGee, who eluded officers. In addition to two pre-existing warrants for his arrest from Contra Costa County, McGee is wanted in Monday's incident for vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run causing death, felony domestic violence and a probation violation. McGee is considered armed and dangerous and has been known to flee or fight police. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Imperial Valley News Center President Donald J. Trump Is Taking Action to End Birth Tourism, Protect National Security, and Curb the Abuse of Public Resources Washington, DC - "Together, we will create an immigration system to make America safer, and stronger, and greater than ever before." ~ President Donald J. Trump COMBATTING BIRTH TOURISM: President Donald J. Trump is taking action to combat birth tourism. The Administration is taking action to end birth tourism a practice in which aliens travel to the United States with the purpose of giving birth to gain citizenship for their children. Organizations bring in large numbers of aliens to systematically exploit this loophole and unfairly provide citizenship for their children. Most birth tourism groups charge tens of thousands of dollars, which often doesnt include coverage for medical care. Groups are flown to the United States and often brought to motels, whose owners are also often complicit in the scheme. The State Department will stop issuing temporary visitor visas to applicants who are traveling to the United States to engage in birth tourism. The Administrations new rule makes clear that attempting to improperly provide citizenship for ones child through birth tourism is not a legitimate grounds for obtaining a visitor visa. Visas will still be issued to aliens whose purpose of travel is consistent with permissible business and pleasure activities. Citizenship is the crown jewel of the American immigration system and must be vigorously protected from exploitation. PROTECTING NATIONAL SECURITY: The Administrations action addresses the national security and law enforcement risks associated with birth tourism. Birth tourism could allow foreign governments to exploit birth tourism in manners that threaten the security of the United States. Foreign governments could exploit this vulnerability to recruit individuals who were born as the result of birth tourism and raised overseas, without attachment to the United States. Through birth tourism, foreign nationals are able to have their children avoid the scrutiny and procedures they would normally undergo if they became citizens through naturalization. Organized criminal networks have taken advantage of the birth tourism loophole at the expense of American citizens. Businesses in the birth tourism industry have engaged in widespread immigration fraud and money laundering. PRESERVING OUR PUBLIC RESOURCES: Addressing birth tourism continues President Trumps efforts to safeguard our Nations public benefits from abuse. India is all set to showcase its military might, cultural diversity, social and economic progress on display at the majestic Rajpath here on Sunday in the presence of Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro in town who is the chief guest for the 71st Republic Day Parade. The four-day visit of Bolsonaro is based on a common global vision, shared democratic values and a commitment to foster inclusive economic growth for the welfare of the people of both India and Brazil. The 90-minutes parade will commence with President Ram Nath Kovind taking the 21-gun salute. The march will begin at 1000 hours from Vijay Chowk to the Red Fort, via the traditional route of Rajpath. Prior to the commencement of the parade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the nation in paying homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the War Memorial at India Gate. The Indian Army will be represented by a mounted column of 61 CAVALRY, eight mechanised columns, six marching contingents and a flypast by Rudra and Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters of Army Aviation. Three Param Vir Chakra and four Ashok Chakra awardees will also participate in the Parade this year. Anti-satellite weapon - Mission Shakthi developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Army's battle tank Bhishma, infantry combat vehicles, Air Forces' newly inducted Chinook and Apache helicopters, in addition to tableaux depicting Akash and Astra missiles and Navy's prowess will be showcased during the parade. The other marching contingents of the Army will include the Parachute Regiment, the Grenadiers Regiment, the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment, the Kumaon Regiment and the Corps of Signals. The Combined Band of the Armoured Corps Centre and School, Madras Engineers Group and Centre and Artillery Regimental Centre, the Combined Band of 11 Gorkha Rifles Regimental Centre, 39 Gorkha Training Centre, Kumaon Regimental Centre and Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre will also march past the saluting dais. Marching for the first time on Republic Day will be the contingent of the Corps of Army Air Defence. It will be followed by The Combined Band of Bengal Engineers Group and Centre, Brigade OF Guards Training Centre, three Electronics and Mechanical Engineers Centre and Madras Regimental Centre. Twenty tableaux, including 16 from States and Union Territories and other six from various Ministries/Departments depicting the nation's rich cultural heritage and economic progress will further roll down the Rajpath. School children will convey the age-old message of yoga and spiritual values through dance and music and Indian Air Force aircraft will thunder in the sky projecting the airpower. As per tradition, the flag will be unfurled followed by the anthem with a booming 21-gun salute. The parade will be commanded by Parade Commander, Lieutenant General Asit Mistry, General Officer Commanding, Headquarters Delhi Area. Major General Alok Kacker, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area will be the Parade Second-in-Command. The grand finale and the most keenly awaited segment of the parade, the FlyPast will comprise of the 'Trishul' formation by three ALH helicopters. It is for the first time that a "Tri-service Formation" is taking part in the Republic Day Parade followed by the 'Vic' formation of Chinook helicopters, used for airlifting diverse loads to remote locations. Five Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft and five MiG-29 Upgrade Air Superiority Fighters in 'Arrowhead' formation will enthral the audience before the exhilarating Trishul manoeuvre by Su-30 MKIs. The parade will conclude with a Su-30 MKI splitting the sky with a breathtaking 'Vertical Charlie' aerobatic manoeuvre. The ceremony will culminate with the national anthem and the release of balloons. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jaipur, Jan 26 : Nobel Prize winning economist Abhijit Banerjee feels that for effective governance, it is important to have a solid opposition that can keep up the delivery pressure. "When the opposition is scattered and weak, it can lead to a situation where the government can think it can do anything. A democracy requires a solid opposition," he said. Talking about the stress points in the Indian economy, Banerjee emphasised that the condition of the financial sector was worrisome. "We know the condition the banks are in and the fact that the government doesn't have money. There is a great demand deficit and this emerges from the fact that people are not confident enough and therefore not spending." Refusing to take any questions on the contemporary political scenario in the country, Banerjee, who was at the Jaipur Literature Festival said the slowdown in the urban sector was bound to have negative ramifications on the whole economy. "Let us not forget that the rural economy is depended on the urban one as the latter provides jobs to those residing in the countryside. So, as soon as the urban sector goes down, it affects the rural one." In a time when almost all political parties promise high subsidies especially before elections, Banerjee states that they were important for the poor and should not be done away with. However, he adds, "When these subsidies are also provided to those who may not need them, then things become very confusing." An expert in poverty alleviation, the economist said that India had made a substantial improvement when it came to reducing poverty. "Look at the figures, in the last 70 years, since independence, poverty has come down from 40 per cent in 1990 to 20 per cent." He added that right now was the time when taking even short-term steps to kickstart the economy made sense. "The United States government kept pumping in money during 2008, 2009 and 2010 and printing more currency. In times of crisis, it is important to jump-start rather than think about how we will scale down later." On the effect of demonitisation, Banerjee feels that the move was extremely harsh on informal sector, which for long did not have enough cash. "Due to extremely low cash, shopkeepers couldn't even keep enough stock. It's difficult to say if the effect is still there." Putting to rest all speculation, the Nobel Prize winner made it clear that he was not going to quit his job in the US and come here. "Of course, I am always available whenever someone wants to talk to me. Also, we work with a lot of state governments in India across the political spectrum." Banerjee also feels that the GST's structure needs to be simplified as having four slabs is against the very spirit of GST. "It may have a maximum of two." He, however, didn't elaborate on the positive indicators in the economy in the last two months. "Yes, there are some, but the data is very new." When asked about the situation when the data collected by the government is not trusted, Banerjee stressed that the lack of it (trust) can make foreign investors nervous. "Therefore, when you want more global participation, it is important that the data is very reliable." Life has changed in different ways for him after the Nobel win. "Well, too many people want selfies now." China is step by step, shutting down and closing for business 70,000 movie theaters, McDonalds, shops, markets, stores, and businesses. People are collapsing in the streets, a new hospital is opening in the city of Wuhan with 1,000 beds for people suffering from the virus. Are Chinese officials lying about the number of cases of infection and death? Rush to Build a Hospital in Wuhan Suspicion is growing among Chinas citizens that their government is lying about the number of people dying and coming down with the Wuhan coronavirus. Current government estimates claim there are 900 cases in the country and 25 people have died. Rumors that the infection rate may be approaching 10,000 and deaths are quickly soaring into the hundreds. Chinas government has taken unprecedented steps to slow the outbreak, restricting travel for 40 million people on the eve of Lunar New Year, shutting down travel in 32 cities and 34 provinces. The countrys travel agencies have been ordered to suspend sales of domestic and international package tours after imposing transport curbs on cities near the center of the outbreak. The suspicion that the Chinese government is suppressing the actual count of people exposed to the virus and the number of people who have died may be delaying the world outside China from taking steps to deal with what could be a global pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) has yet to declare a global health emergency even though cases are popping up in virtually every continent except Antarctica. The fear and suspicion are not only growing within Chinas citizenry but around the world as the virus stymies efforts to identify infected patients. It is becoming clear that an undetermined number of infected patients arent showing symptoms like a fever, a symptom government screeners use to isolate those with other pathogens. While global experts have mostly praised efforts to contain the virus, the fact remains that such praise may be a response to a massive and desperate Chinese government cover-up that this virus may be much worse than the SARS virus 17 years ago that claimed almost 800 lives. While quarantining 40 million, the restricted area, at the epicenter of the outbreak, major shutdowns are being ordered and announced across the country as the danger grows. Even Shanghai Disneyland announced that it was closed indefinitely, and all of the country's cinema chains have been shuttered. The shutting down of business, travel and even day to day activities in China during what is usually a peak time of year for consumer spending is putting Chinas economic stabilization at tremendous risk. The Chinese and yes, the entire world has reason to believe This is unprecedented in China, and maybe even in the history of modern health, according to Yanzhong Huang, director of the Center for Global Health Studies at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, pointed out Its a tremendous legal, institutional, not to mention logistical challenge. Chinas President Xi Jinping pledged an all-out effort to contain the outbreak this past week vowing to punish any Chinese officials who delay virus information, with the State Council setting up an online platform to allow the public to report officials known to be failing to make the proper disclosures. The ruling Communist Party is anxious to avoid a repeat of the 2017 SARS outbreak, during which it was criticized for initially covering up the scale of the problem. Back then, China fired more than 100 officials, including the health minister and the mayor of Beijing, amid allegations that local governments suppressed information about the disease. Chinas central government appears willing to let local officials once again take the blame and brunt of public anger. Chinas powerful internet censors are allowing criticism and rage to fall heaviest on lower-level officials, such as Wuhan Mayor Zhou Xianwang, who has faced demands from the pubic to step down after he acknowledged on Tuesday that the city didnt have sufficient warnings about the risk. Chinas state-controlled media is pushing commentaries posted by the Communist Partys Peoples Daily newspaper, making the case that Wuhans statements had caused a panic while its affiliated Global Times tabloid said the city failed to contain the virus early on. Germanys health minister Jens Spahn believing that the statistics and numbers being reported by the Chinese government are true said China is doing a better job and the world community is more prepared than during SARS. Spahn was quoted by Bloomberg TV on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos Theres a big difference to SARS. We have a much more transparent China The action of China is much more effective in the first days already. Meanwhile, questions are proliferating to Chinas ability to effectively screen for the disease. Reports are in that several people who have died from the Coronavirus showed no signs of fever. Imagine a killer virus spreading geometrically and having no way to check infected travelers and for that matter 1.3 billion people. Ramanan Laxminarayan, director of the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy in Washington, D.C., was quoted this morning as saying The whole airport screening exercise is to simply give people comfort that there is some government action to protect the public It has no real public health utility in the case of Coronaviruses. What really matters is surveillance, infection control and isolation. Chinese health officials insist while the virus is moving from human to human, it appears to be spreading as the result of close exposure to those infected. Most cases have been tied to close espouse from patients to their close family members or to health-care workers caring for those infected. Health officials are also claiming most of the fatalities have had other health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease and other long term health conditions who have had weakened immune systems. The World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement yesterday amplification -- presumably a super spreader event in which an infected person passes on the disease to many others -- occurred at one health facility and that a single patient on average can ignite as many as 2.5 additional infections. However, the WHO has reported that detected transmission from patient to patient has taken place across a chain of as many as four people. Such a pattern explains the case of a 56-year-old in Tianjin, who was confirmed to have the Coronavirus despite having no work history in Wuhan. The British Newspaper, the Daily Mail, is reporting that scientists it has spoken to are telling them that the Coronavirus will infect 350,000 people in Wuhan. Multiplying this kind of outbreak in China by this many cases means the Coronavirus is only at the beginning stages. It is not only an enormous health crisis in China but potentially a global health emergency. If the Chinese government is lying already about the current severity of this outbreak in a city the size of London, it could quickly turn into tens of millions of people being infected throughout China and the world. So far, the financial markets around the world have been little affected. Oil is down sharply, but stock indexes globally are little affected. That could change quickly if the Coronavirus starts to affect tens of thousands. If it does quickly become a health crisis that threatens hundreds of thousands, we could see this become a Black Swan event that sends stock markets globally into a panic. Although 9 in 10 Democrats who named a candidate when asked whom they are supporting say they are enthusiastic about their choice, 53 percent overall say they still would consider another candidate. That is a reflection of the fluidity that has marked the Democratic campaign for most of the past year, as voters have tried to assess a record-large field and weigh who might be best against President Trump. WASHINGTON The truth is there, Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., said at the opening of the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump, a statement repeated and paraphrased countless times by the seven House impeachment managers, who have treated the case against Trump as self-evidently true based on the facts they have gathered. Now they just have to convince Republicans. That will be difficult to do because, from the president himself to the most junior members of the House, Republicans have resisted acknowledging the uncontested facts of Trumps months-long campaign to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to announce politically motivated investigations into the 2016 election and the business dealings of Hunter Biden, the former vice presidents son. Trump and his allies seem to be operating on a principle best expressed in 2018 by Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor who is now the presidents personal attorney: Truth isnt truth. That leaves a confounding question at the heart of the impeachment inquiry: If one side believes in fixed truth, and the other treats truth as a fluid concept, how can the two parties even begin to seriously debate the articles of impeachment? The trial has put in sharp focus what Julian Sanchez of the Cato Institute described as epistemic closure in the conservative movement: a refusal to even consider ideologically inconvenient facts, no matter how obvious. The phenomenon infects right-wing media, including some of the presidents favorite anchors on Fox News, his supporters in Congress and the White House itself, where Trump is comfortable saying whatever seems to serve his purposes best at any moment for example, denying he knows Giulianis erstwhile associate Lev Parnas, despite the existence of numerous photographs of them together. Lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff acknowledged this precise point as he concluded the Democrats opening arguments late on Thursday night. Story continues Right matters, Schiff told the members of the Senate who are acting as Trumps jury, repeating himself for emphasis. And the truth matters. Otherwise we are lost. #TruthMatters and #RightMatters quickly became trending hashtags on Twitter. Rep. Adam Schiff speaking on Thursday during President Trump's impeachment trial. (Screengrab: Senate TV via Yahoo News) Supporters of the president insist that what Schiff calls truth is little more than an anti-Trump version of events. They, too, used the #TruthMatters and #RightMatters hashtags only they did so to impugn Democrats and their allies. People have their own truths, explains Richard Stengel, a former State Department official and Time magazine editor who recently authored Information Wars, a book on disinformation campaigns around the world. Stengel has compared Fox News to RT, the intensely pro-Kremlin propaganda outfit masquerading as a journalistic enterprise. At the same time, he says that human psychology, much more than a television network, accounts for Republican fealty to Trump, even in the face of seemingly damning evidence against him. Tribalism isnt about logic, Stengel says, but emotion and cognitive biases. He adds that one persons truth is another persons lie, and that trying to convince them that those truths are, in fact, not truths at all could fall victim to the backfire effect, in which errant conceptions only harden in the face of contradictory evidence. (A classic example of the backfire effect is the inability of public health officials to convince anti-vaccine activists that vaccines are, as the evidence uniformly shows, completely safe.) And so Democrats are at least partly resigned to the fact that Republicans in the Senate will stick with Trump, which means he will not be convicted on the two articles of impeachment endorsed by the House last month. No Republican member of the House voted in favor of those articles. None voted even to open the formal impeachment inquiry on Oct. 31. Watching Schiff lay out the prosecutions case did not hearten Paul Rosenzweig, who worked with Ken Starr on the impeachment of President Bill Clinton. Today a scholar at the nonpartisan R Street Institute, he is no supporter of Trump. Yet he believes the Democrats efforts will have only limited efficacy. Do you think he changed any votes in the Senate? Rosenzweig wondered. I doubt it. I do hope he changed minds in the general public, but we wont know that until November. (Republicans have charged that Democrats are trying to hurt Trumps reelection prospects with their impeachment inquiry.) At the same time, Democrats appear to be encouraged by a Pew poll released earlier this week that shows, for the first time, a majority of Americans want Trump removed from office. More than two-thirds believe that the impeachment trial should have been the more open proceeding demanded by Democrats, as opposed to the speedy, narrow process now being run by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell speaking on Thursday during the impeachment trial. (Screengrab: Senate TV via Yahoo News) Thats unheard of in modern history except for Nixon the week before he resigned, a House aide working on the impeachment trial told Yahoo News in reference to the Pew poll, and the rising number of Americans who want Trump convicted by the Senate in particular. Only 31 percent believe the charges should be dismissed. Seventy percent of the American people believe there should be witnesses and documents in the trial, and growing. The House has already proven its case to the American people, and were not done yet. Georgetown Law scholar Joshua Geltzer, who was an Obama administration National Security Council official and is involved in House Democrats lawsuits against the Trump administration, also pointed to the Pew poll as a sign that Democratic punches seem to be landing. He says Democrats have to continue directly challenging Republican articles of faith: that Trump did nothing wrong, that the aid to Ukraine was withheld for legitimate reasons, that a president has the untrammeled power to ask an ally to investigate corruption. You make uncomfortable that which seems immovable in your audiences mind, Geltzer says, so that even the Republicans bedrock assumptions about Trump suddenly become impossible to maintain. Those assumptions, Geltzer appears to be suggesting, may not be quite as deeply held as cable news sound bites may lead some to believe. There have been a few signs that the case is breaking through. Late on Wednesday evening, for example, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina confronted Schiff in the Capitol to tell him that hed argued an impressive case. Hes well spoken, did a good job of creating a tapestry, taking bits and pieces of evidence and emails and giving a rhetorical flourish, making the email come alive sometimes effectively, sometimes a little over the top, Graham later said of his conversation with Schiff. For this to come from one of the presidents closest supporters one whose furious defense of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh became a symbol of Republican loyalty to Trump was a significant development that made national news. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on Thursday. (Photo: Jose Luis Magana/AP) That same day, another reliable Trump ally, Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana, also seemed to admit that Republicans were more receptive to Democrats case than some might believe. Ive learned a lot, Kennedy told a reporter about the case House Democrats have been making all week. Everybody has. Senators didnt know the case. They really didnt. That doesnt mean, of course, that Kennedy or Graham is going to vote to convict Trump almost certainly not. But their statements seem to signal that, however slowly, the facts being presented by the Democrats have started to break through the Republican ramparts. For the most part, however, Senate Republicans remain in thrall of alternative facts, such as those featured prominently on Fox News and even more prominently on the presidents Twitter account. For example, Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas went on Fox News to characterize Democrats case as based on hearsay, though that case has included hours of testimony from people directly involved in Ukraine policy. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, meanwhile, has insisted that Trump was seriously intent on an investigation of corruption in Ukraine, despite clear evidence that he merely wanted the announcement of an investigation to hurt presidential campaign rival Joe Biden over his son Hunters business dealings. Despite there being no evidence of Hunter Bidens involvement in any wrongdoing, Cruz has repeatedly tried to turn the impeachment inquiry into an investigation of the Ukrainian company Burisma, on whose board the younger Biden served. On Twitter, Cruz has shared a timeline of what he purports to be evidence of Biden-related malfeasance having to do with Burisma. Republicans have also fed the conspiracy theory that it was Ukraine, not Russia, that interfered in the 2016 presidential election, and that the intended beneficiary was Hillary Clinton, not Trump. U.S. intelligence agencies unanimously disagree. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, on Thursday. (Photo: Jose Luis Magana/AP) Senate Republicans must know this. After all, it was a committee chaired by Senate Republicans that only months ago concluded that Ukraine did not interfere in the 2016 election to Clintons benefit. And yet the politically expedient fiction has been revived for the purposes of defending Trump in the impeachment trial. The calculus of power enters into this, I think, in a very serious way, says one congressional staffer who has worked on the impeachment effort and continues to follow it closely. Senators who buck a tempestuous president demanding unflagging loyalty know they might pay with a one-way ticket back home come their next election. If the Republican senators are truly paying attention, the aide adds, then they have seen that the evidence against the president is overwhelming. If they choose to put party before country at this point, itll be obvious. And he is unapologetic about the Democrats pursuit of Trump, describing the impeachment trial as an overwhelming case of simple right and wrong that ideology shouldnt enter into. Inevitably, ideology does. In their defense which begins Saturday Trumps lawyers will challenge Democrats facts as part of a politically motivated campaign to remove him from office. They will have on their side the fact that some House members sought to impeach Trump even before the Ukraine matter came to light. They will likely challenge core Democratic assertions, like the one made by impeachment manager Sylvia Garcia when she said that Hunter Biden did nothing wrong. The younger Biden has admitted using poor judgment in taking the post at Burisma, although he has denied doing anything wrong or illegal. The Democrats case closes on Friday evening, but it was Schiff on Thursday night who provided what has thus far been the most rousing summation of the Democrats case, with his appeal to the kinds of fundamental values taught in grade school. Whether his words, and those of his fellow impeachment managers, have any effect on Republicans is an open question, though also not a question many Democrats believe has an auspicious answer. Even so, they believe their efforts are not in vain. Much of our presentation has been a direct appeal to Senators on these grounds exactly, a Democratic aide said of needing to highlight the importance of truth, as opposed to any number of more sophisticated arguments to which Democrats have recourse. And its why, after a long day laying out the core case on abuse of power, Schiff closed with an appeal to truth and right. Now comes the Republicans turn. Cover thumbnail photo: Julio Cortez/AP _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das Just as the government prepares to announce the Union Budget 2020-21, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor has called for more structural, fiscal measures to boost demand and economic growth in the country, citing limitation in the monetary policy to do so on its own. He added that steps like prioritising food processing industries, tourism, e-commerce, startups and efforts to become a part of the global value chain could give significant push to growth. This week a number of private lenders like ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Axis Bank announced their third quarter results. While their profits showed improvement, slippages still continue to remain elevated. Need structural, fiscal measures to boost demand and growth: RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das said that there is need for structural and fiscal measures along with monetary policy to augment demand and growth in the economy. "Monetary policy, however, has its own limits. Structural reforms and fiscal measures may have to be continued and further activated to provide a durable push to demand and boost growth," Das said on January 24. ICICI Bank classifies Karvy as NPA, slippages rise ICICI Bank ,that posted 158.4 percent growth in net profit for October-December, mostly on account of recoveries from Essar Steel, saw two other big slippages in the third quarter, including its exposure to Karvy Stock Broking. Budget 2020: Things to watch out for the banking sector Apart from bank recapitalisation that the government has already prioritised for the merging lenders, there may not be much in store that could directly impact the sector in Budget 2020. However, due to the banking sectors linkages to all other sectors in the economy, they may be affected by the Centres decision on sectors where they have a reasonable exposure. And there could be more downside risks than benefits due to these measures. Axis Bank says stressed asset pool back to 'normal' levels Axis Bank on January 22 reported lower-than-expected net profit for the October-December quarter on the back of higher provisioning. The private lender said that it may continue to set aside more against bad loans going ahead, as slippages remain high. Kotak Mahindra Bank goes slow on loan growth as slippages remain highKotak Mahindra Bank that posted a lackluster credit growth of 10 percent in the third quarter, expects the pace to remain tepid going ahead, as it plans to stay cautious amid steady additions to bad loans. Coronavirus: China to build another 1,300 bed makeshift hospital as death toll rises to 41 International oi-Madhuri Adnal Beijing, Jan 26: China on Saturday announced plans to build a second hospital within half a month to treat more cases of the deadly coronavirus as the fast spreading virus continues to wreak havoc in the country and abroad with 41 people dead and more than 1,300 infected, dampening the Chinese New Year celebrations. The confirmed cases for the first time crossed the 1,000 mark and rose sharply to 1,287 as of Friday with 237 people in critical condition battling for their lives in China, the National Health Commission said on Saturday. Almost all provinces, including Beijing, are reporting steady rise in the number of cases mostly of people who travelled from Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak. Coronavirus outbreak: India 'requests' China to permit students stuck in Wuhan to return The pneumonia situation had resulted in 41 deaths, including 39 in central China's Hubei province and one in north-eastern province Heilongjiang, the health commission said on Saturday. Additionally, a total of 1,965 suspected cases have also been reported, it said. China on Saturday said it will build another 1,300 bed makeshift hospital in Wuhan in the next 15 days in addition to the 1,000 bed hospital being built in the city in 10 days, state-run People's Daily reported. The feverish pace at which the hospitals are being built indicate that China apparently is preparing to treat far more patients considering the speed at which the virus is spreading. 71st Republic Day: PM Modi continues with 'Safa' tradition, Chinook & Apache make debut The virus has spread to Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Nepal, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and the United States as of Thursday. Japan on Friday reported a second confirmed case. A chinese doctor reportedly died of the novel coronavirus on Saturday morning, the first fatality among health workers since the pneumonia-like illness first surfaced in late December, state-run China Daily quoted online news website Paper.cn as saying. Liang Wudong, a 62-year-old doctor with the otolaryngology department who treats conditions in the ear, nose and throat at Hubei Xinhua Hospital, was suspected of contracting the new virus on January 16. The hospital that he works is in Wuhan. On January 18, he was transferred to Hubei Jinyintan Hospital, which has received the majority of infected patients, and died at about 7 am on Saturday, the report said. Previously, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said on Tuesday that 15 medical workers were confirmed as contracting the virus, with one suspected case. One of them is critically ill, the China Daily report said. Wuhan, the city of 11 million people, is where the virus is believed to have first emerged. The victims' average age is 73, with 89 being the oldest and 48 youngest. Also China's National Health Commission has dispatched 1,230 medical staff to Wuhan to combat the novel coronavirus outbreak in the region. Local media earlier reported that 450 military medical personnel have also landed in the city to offer support. Also, the local government in Wuhan on Saturday has banned all vehicles, including private vehicles in downtown Wuhan to curb virus, a report by the Daily said. The city along with 12 cities in Hubei province have already banned all public transport to prevent the virus from spreading. At present, there is no cure for the virus which has pneumonia-like symptoms and is contagious among humans. The virus has triggered a cause of concern for India too as many of the 700 odd Indian students studying in universities of Wuhan and Hubei provinces are still stuck up there. The Indian Embassy has established hotlines to keep close contact with them. The fast spreading virus dampened the celebrations of China's Lunar New Year which began on Saturday. On Friday Chinese bid goodbye to "the year of the pig" to welcome "the year of rat". In Chinese lunar calendar, years are grouped into a 12-year cycles, with each year assigned an animal symbol: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. In view of the virus scare, several cities, including Beijing, have cancelled special events. The festival is also known as the Spring Festival. Large cultural activities during the spring festival in Beijing such as temple fairs were cancelled to prevent the spread of the virus. China's biggest city Shanghai raised the emergency response to public health safety to level 1, the highest, following Beijing, and Hubei, Hunan, Zhejiang, Anhui and Guangdong provinces as more cases were reported. Beijing so far has reported 34 confirmed cases of the coronavirus infection, official media reported. Amid the unknown virus wreaking havoc, Chinese and American researchers are working together to develop a vaccine against the deadly new strain of the coronavirus. The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday stopped short of declaring the virus a global public health emergency, despite China's climbing death toll. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, January 26, 2020, 13:48 [IST] Fake news, the chief executive of Lufthansa has called it. But his counterpart at Air France calls it the airline industrys biggest challenge. So does the president of Emirates: Its got to be dealt with. ') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write(' ') } // --> ') } else if (width >= 425) { console.log ('largescreen'); document.write('') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write('') } // --> What theyre talking about is flight shame the guilt caused by the environmental impacts of air travel. Specifically, the carbon emissions. Its the reason teen climate-change activist Greta Thunberg refused to fly to New York to address the United Nations Climate Action Summit in September, taking a 14-day sea voyage instead. EPA) In Thunbergs native Sweden, flight shame (flygskam) has really taken off, motivating people to not take off. Last year 23% of Swedes reduced their air travel to shrink their carbon footprint, according to a WWF survey. Swedish airport operator Swedavia reported passenger numbers at its ten airports in October were down 5% on the previous year. The potency of this guilt is what put Lufthansas head, Carsten Spohr, on the defensive at an aviation industry conference in Berlin in November. Airlines should not have to be seen as a symbol of climate change. Thats just fake news, he declared. Our industry contributes 2.8% of global CO emissions. As Ive asked before, how about the other 97.2%? Are they contributing to global society with as much good as we do? Are they reducing emissions as much as we do? Does he have a point? Lets consider the evidence. How bad are aviation CO emissions? The International Council on Clean Transportation (the same organisation that exposed Volkwagens diesel emissions fraud), estimates commercial aviation accounted for 2.4% of all carbon emissions from fossil-fuel use in 2018. So its true many other sectors contribute more. It is also true airlines are making efforts to reduce the amount of carbon they emit per passenger per kilometre. Australias aviation industry, for example, has reduced its emissions intensity by 1.4% a year since 2013. However, the ICCT estimates growth in passenger numbers, and therefore total flights, means total carbon emissions from commercial aviation have ballooned by 32% in five years, way faster than UN predictions. On that trajectory, the sectors total emissions could triple by 2050. Alternatives to fossil fuels A revolution in aircraft design could mitigate that trajectory. The International Air Transport Association suggests the advent of hybrid electric aircraft propulsion (similar to how a hybrid car works, taking off and landing using electric power) by about 2030-35 could reduce fossil fuel consumption by up to 40%. Fully electric propulsion after that could eliminate fossil fuels completely. Even with the advent of electric airliners by mid-century, the huge cost and long lifespan of commercial jets means it could still take decades to wean fleets off fossil fuels. A shorter-term solution might be replacing fossil fuels with sustainable aviation fuels such as biofuels made from plant matter. But in 2018 just 15 million litres of aviation biofuel were produced less than 0.1% of total aviation fuel consumption. The problem is it costs significantly more than standard kerosene-based aviation fuel. Greater use depends on the price coming down, or the price of fossil fuels going up. www.shutterstock.com) Pricing carbon This brings us to the role of economics in decarbonising aviation. An economist will tell you, for most goods the simplest way to reduce its consumption is to increase its price, or reduce the price of alternatives. This is the basis of all market-based solutions to reduce carbon emissions. One way is to impose a tax on carbon, the same way taxes are levied on alcohol and tobacco, to deter consumption as well as to raise revenue to pay the costs use imposes on society. The key problem with this approach is a government must guess at the price needed to achieve the desired reduction in demand. How the tax revenue is spent is also crucial to public acceptance. In France, opposition to higher fuel taxes led the government to instead announce an eco-tax on flights. This proposed tax will range from 1.50 (about A$2.40) for economy flights within the European Union to 18 (about A$29.30) for business-class flights out of the EU. Among those who think this price signal is too low to make any real difference is Sam Fankhauser, director of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment in London. Trading and offsets Greater outcome certainty is the reason many economists champion an emissions trading scheme (also known as cap and trade). Whereas a tax seeks to reduce carbon emissions by raising the price of emission, a trading scheme sets a limit on emissions and leaves it to the market to work out the price that achieves it. One advantage economists see in emissions trading is that it creates both disincentive and incentives. Emitters dont pay a penalty to the government. They effectively pay other companies to achieve reductions on their behalf through the trade of carbon credits. The European Union already has an emissions trading scheme that covers flights within the European Economic Area, but it has been criticised for limiting incentives for companies to reduce emissions because they can cheaply buy credits, such as from overseas projects such as tree-planting schemes. www.shutterstock.com) This led to the paradox of scheme delivering a reported 100 million tonnes of reductions/offsets from Europes aviation sector between 2012 and 2018 even while the sectors emissions increased. A better solution might come from a well-designed international trading scheme. The basis for this may be the global agreement known as the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation. Already 81 countries, representing three-quarters of international aviation activity, have agreed to participate. What seems clear is that guilt and voluntary action to reduce carbon emissions has its limits. This is suggested by the data from Sweden, the heartland of flight shame. Behind the 5% reduction in passenger numbers reported by Swedavia is a major difference between domestic passengers (down 10%) and international passengers (down just 2%). That might have something to do with the limited travel alternatives when crossing an ocean. For most of us to consider emulating Greta Thunberg by taking a sailboat instead, the price of a flight would have to be very high indeed. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Prime Minister Ludovic Orban pays an official visit to Poland on Monday, to participate in the commemorative ceremonies devoted to the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi concentration and extermination camp, the Government's Press Office informs. Thus, the Prime Minister will participate in the official ceremony, which will take place in front of the former concentration camp Auschwitz II - the Gate of Death. Polish President Andrzej Duda, "The Pillars of Remembrance" representative Ronald S. Lauder and Director of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum Piotr Mateusz Andrzej Cywinski will deliver speeches and then there will take place the ecumenical prayer ceremony.Subsequently, Ludovic Orban will participate in the commemorative march, candle lighting and the tribute paid to the victims of Fascism at the International Monument of Birkenau. A farewell ceremony for Japanese doctor Tetsu Nakamura, who was killed in Afghanistan in December, was held Saturday attended by about 5,000 people paying respect for his longtime contribution to development of the central Asian country. "Our family wishes green to spread throughout Afghanistan, as my father hoped," Ken Nakamura, his 36-year-old son, said at the ceremony at Seinan Gakuin University's chapel in Fukuoka. The 73-year-old doctor, head of the Afghan unit of the Peshawar-kai aid group based in the southwestern Japan city, and five Afghans were killed as armed men attacked their vehicle in Jalalabad in the eastern province of Nangarhar on Dec 4. Nakamura had been providing medical assistance near the Afghan border with Pakistan for years. He was also involved in tree-planting activities and a project to improve the water supply in poverty-stricken areas after a drought hit Afghanistan in 2000. TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2020 /CNW/ - Toronto Public Health (TPH) has received notification of Toronto's first presumptive confirmed case of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in a resident who recently returned from Wuhan/China. The individual is stable and is hospitalized. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause respiratory illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Some coronaviruses transmit between animals, some between animals and people, and others from human to human. Human coronaviruses are common and range from causing mild illnesses such as the common cold, to severe illnesses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS CoV) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS CoV). A cluster of undiagnosed viral pneumonia cases were first reported in Wuhan, China on December 31, 2019, and has now been confirmed as the result of a new coronavirus that has not previously been identified in humans. TPH is closely working with the local healthcare team and the resident to follow up with all their known contacts who may have potentially been exposed to this virus and to assess if there is a potential health risk. TPH has also activated its local preparedness and response plan which includes: Providing regular updates on screening and infection control measures to health care providers. Continuing to actively monitor the situation with provincial and national health agencies, and stakeholders including local hospitals, airports and community agencies. While the risk of getting infected in Toronto remains low, novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has been identified at the same time as local circulation of influenza, also known as the flu, is common in Toronto. Toronto Public Health advises residents to take the usual measures to reduce the risk of the transmission of the flu and respiratory illness: Get a yearly influenza vaccination, available from clinics and pharmacies. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. If you don't have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm. Stay at home if you are sick. Flu and respiratory illness symptoms include sudden onset of a high fever, chills, sore throat, cough, muscle aches and difficult breathing. As a reminder, the flu can spread to others before symptoms even appear. Older individuals or individuals with pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma or heart disease are at higher risk of severe illness. If you or a family member have concerns about any symptoms, contact your health care provider. Residents who have return from recent international travel and become ill with respiratory signs and symptoms such as a cough and fever are reminded to report their travel history to any health professional, or any emergency room, when they visit. More information about coronavirus is available at: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/diseases-medications-vaccines/coronavirus/ Quotes: "It is understandable that people may be concerned with today's news of our first case and that people may worry, but I assure you that based on the lessons we learned from SARS now 17 years ago, and given our experiences during the flu pandemic of 2009 and more recently, with Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome, we have learned, shared knowledge and built a stronger public health system that is ready to respond, as needed. One of our main roles in public health is to manage the spread of infectious diseases like this one and keep our residents safe and healthy. We will continue to actively monitor this situation with our provincial and national health colleagues and update the public, as needed." - Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto's Medical Officer of Health Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada's leading economic engine and one of the world's most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit toronto.ca or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CityofToronto, on Instagram at instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at facebook.com/cityofto. SOURCE City of Toronto For further information: Media contact: Lenore Bromley, Toronto Public Health, 416-338-7974, [email protected] Related Links http://www.city.toronto.on.ca Massive protests have been raging in Iraq against the ruling elite and U.S. military intervention over the last three days, leaving at least 12 people dead and 230 others injured. Hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated in Baghdad on Friday in a Million Man March at the behest of the populist Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. Cities in the southern region of the country, including Nassiriya and Basra, also saw tumultuous protests. Iraqi security forces in several cities cracked down on the marchers on Saturday and attempted to end the sit-ins that have attracted thousands of students. Though al-Sadr has now disavowed the marches in an attempt to avoid internal strife, hundreds of people nevertheless turned out again on Sunday, which also resulted in clashes with security forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protests have been engulfing Iraq since October, resulting in at least 600 deaths and the resignation of Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi in November. The protests had largely subsided over the last few weeks but came roaring back this weekend. While they were originally motivated by government corruption and a lack of public services and job opportunities, demonstrators widened their focus to include the U.S. military presence in Iraq after an American drone strike killed Iranian general Qassem Soleimani near Baghdad in January. Al-Sadr, whose political bloc won the most seats in the countrys 2018 parliamentary elections, argued that the strike was a violation of Iraqs sovereignty and called for a million-strong, peaceful, unified demonstration to condemn the American presence and its violations. The Iraqi parliament voted to expel the approximately 5,000 U.S. troops stationed in the country days after Soleimanis death, but the Trump administration has declined to comply with the directive. Advertisement Advertisement According to reports on the ground, protestors have been chanting No, no America, waving Iraqi flags, and brandishing signs with slogans like, Death to America. Death to Israel. Security forces have been using teargas and live bullets in an attempt to squash the movement, while citizens have been responding with stones and petrol bombs. Protestors in Nassiriya managed to take control of the citys main bridges and set fire to security vehicles. Medical workers have been trying to assist the injured, though ambulances have been unable to reach protest sites. Adding to the chaos of the protests, five katyusha rockets landed on a river bank near the U.S. Embassy in Baghdads fortified Green Zone on Sunday, according to the U.S. Joint Operations Command. It was not immediately clear who shot the rockets, though two similar attacks have already occurred this month. The billionaire owners of The Ritz, Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay, have injected 8million into its loss-making casino as they seek a buyer for one of the world's most famous hotels. The Barclay twins are reportedly assessing offers from a number of Middle Eastern investors who could pay up to 800million 6.1million per bedroom for the five-star hotel in London's West End. Last week, company documents revealed that the 84-year-old brothers ploughed 8million into the Ritz Club, the gambling salon based in the hotel's former ballroom, after firing the starting gun on the sale process. For sale? The Barclay twins are reportedly assessing offers from a number of Middle Eastern investors The casino has not made a profit since 2016 due in part to increased regulation and a drop in the number of wealthy gamblers from the Far East. The investment was made to cover trading losses after the Ritz Club posted an 8.9million pre-tax loss for the year to December 31, 2018. The previous year, when the casino lost 11.3million, the Barclays invested 10million. The Barclays, who are worth a combined 8billion, also own the Telegraph newspapers. They bought The Ritz for 75million in 1995. It is understood that they have not yet determined whether the casino will be included in the deal. Possible buyers for the Ritz are said to include Saudi-backed investment group Sidra Capital and the Qatar Investment Authority. The Barclays declined to comment. If you were leaving the country where you were born, hoping to start a new life somewhere else, what would you put in your suitcase? That's the question that Iranian-Canadian visual artist Anahita Norouzi is asking as part of a new photo project. She's inviting immigrants and refugees in Montreal to share their stories of migration with her, and highlight the objects they brought to Canada that remind them of home. "Storytelling, for me, is a way to nurture a sense of home for a displaced person," she told CBC Montreal's All in a Weekend. After putting out a call for participants, Norouzi received responses from people who came from Algeria, Jordan, Syria and Afghanistan, among others. One woman from Tunisia brought a large wooden key 50 centimetres long. "That belongs to her grandfather's home, which doesn't exist anymore," Norouzi said. Another man from Algeria told Norouzi that he brought a suitcase with him two years ago, and has never opened it. She said the two plan to open it together at his home and record his reaction. "There is definitely a very personal dimension to these objects," she said. Along with photos and letters, many people brought spices and other ingredients for recipes passed down through generations. "It's incredible," she said. "What you bring from home it tastes differently. I think it's more psychological than real." In her project, Norouzi hopes to weave together audio recordings and photographs documenting her subjects' attachment to the objects they've carried to their new homes. "It's a way of gathering their voices and making them heard," she said. Norouzi came to Montreal to study fine arts at Concordia University, and has remained on and off for the last 10 years. With her time split between Tehran and Montreal, she brings an old Russian lamp back and forth with her. "That's where the idea came from," she said. "I guess what that lamp incarnated for me was the idea of home." Norouzi is planning to exhibit her project in 2021. Anyone interested in participating can contact her through her website. Chennai: Anti-Citizenship Act protesters were detained by the police in the city's Valluvar Kottam area on Sunday. Earlier on Friday too, a protest was held against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the National Population Register (NPR) here. People were seen demonstrating while the DMK and its allies met and discussed the next course of protests against NPR, NRC and CAA. The CAA grants Indian citizenship to Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsi refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. He welcomed his third daughter last year with wife, Blake Lively. And while Blake held down the fort at home with their middle daughter, Inez, three, and unnamed newborn, Ryan Reynolds spent some one-and-one time with eldest daughter, James, five. The 43-year-old proved he was a doting dad as he walked around Manhattan with James on his shoulders following their daddy-daughter lunch date. Doting dad: Ryan Reynolds proved he was a doting dad on Sunday when he enjoyed a sweet daddy-daughter date with his eldest, James, five, in New York City Ryan opted for a insulated navy colored jacket and a pair of grey trousers. He teamed the look with a matching cap and a crisp white Converse sneakers. The actor completed his look with thick black framed glasses. Casual: Ryan opted for a insulated navy colored jacket and a pair of grey trousers Sweet day out: Ryan was spotted walking with little James on his shoulders Ryan was spotted walking with little James on his shoulders. The eldest Reynolds daughter was dressed in a similar colored jacket, green rain boots and a cute beanie. Not seen with the Deadpool star was his wife Blake and two youngest daughters. Blake and Ryan have kept their newborn out of the public eye since she gave birth late last summer. Adorable: The eldest Reynolds daughter was dressed in a similar colored jacket, green rain boots and a cute beanie She broke her pregnancy news back in May as she showed off her baby bump at the Detective Pikachu premiere in Hollywood after also keeping it a secret. 'Ive always wanted a big family. Oh, Id love 30 [children] if I could,' she told Allure in 2012 - the same year she married her man. And in 2017, she spoke to PEOPLE about her parenting style, saying: 'I think its hard to slap labels on any parents because its just so tricky. 'Its like every moment youre figuring out what the heck youre doing. You think, "Ooh, should I be more strict, or should I be more I dont know, emotional?" Or whatever it is. In earlier times, different flags represented the reign and territories of the ruler. The Britishers displayed their Union Jack, Mughals had their own flag and so did the hundreds of rulers before them. Each of these flags represented the ruler, not the people. It will be necessary for us Indians Muslims, Christians Jews, Parsis and all others to whom India is their home to recognise a common flag to live and to die for: Mahatma Gandhi Every nation in this world has its own flag. The flag symbolises that the nation is free and not under a 'foreign rule'. When India was ruled by the Britishers, the establishments flag was the Union Jack. We gained Independence thanks to the sacrifices of millions of patriots who laid down their lives, gave up their families and their own future for our beloved nation. Our National Flag, the Tiranga, is a product of this valiant freedom struggle. While reminding us of the sacrifice of our founding fathers and mothers, it keeps us conscious of our duties towards the nation. It also reminds us that freedom has not been easy, it is invaluable. It is this flag that binds us in one spirit despite our vast diversities as an amalgamation of diverse linguistic backgrounds, hundreds of cultural groups, professing all major religions of the world. In earlier times, different flags represented the reign and territories of the ruler. The Britishers displayed their Union Jack, Mughals had their own flag and so did the hundreds of rulers before them. Each of these flags represented the ruler, not the people. During the freedom struggle, the flag designed by Shri Pingali Venkayya came closest to representing the people of India across its multiple diversities. This was our flag. However post-Independence, when the Constituent Assembly adopted the Tricolour in its present form, it was kept away from the very same people it was meant to represent: We the people of India. Common citizens were not allowed to display the National Flag except on select occasions like Republic Day and Independence Day. The Tiranga saw its transition from a peoples flag born of mass movement to a sarkari flag. It took a decade-long legal struggle to win the right to display the Tiranga. On 23 January, 2004, a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice VN Khare, Justice Brijesh Kumar and Justice SB Sinha, declared that the right to display the National Flag freely with respect and dignity is a fundamental right of an Indian citizen within the meaning of Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution of India. It defined the expression and manifestation of a citizens allegiance to-and sentiment of pride for-the nation. Hearing a writ petition in the Delhi High Court, Justice DP Wadhwa and Justice M.K. Sharma stated that the citizens of the country cannot be prohibited from displaying the national flag in a respectful manner. Once we won the right to display the National Flag, subsequent changes were made to the Flag Code of India after amending the relevant act unanimously in the Parliament in 2005 to allow Indians to wear the Tiranga, as lapel pins, wrist bands, on the t-shirts etc. Since we did not have the right to display or wear the Flag, we did not have the concept of Flag Day like most nations. We do have an Armed Forces Flag Day, but we do not have a National Flag day. Most countries in the World have a National Flag Day for their citizens to introspect and express their relationship with the Flag. Its time we had a day in honour of our National flag. 23 January is an apt day for this. Nations like the United States observe a National Flag Week during which the flag is displayed on all government buildings, parades and several other programs are held across the country. I believe we should have the period of January 23 to January 26 as National Flag Week in India, (from the day we Indians got the right to display it with pride every day to the Republic Day). After all, its our National flag that binds us in the spirit of our Republic. The author, a former MP, is President of Flag Foundation of India Advertisement China today ratcheted up efforts to squash the spread of the coronavirus infection which has killed 56. Freezing long-distance bus routes, shutting schools, bulk-buying hazmat suits and banning wild animal sales are wrapped into an overarching government blueprint to chart a way through the health crisis. The state is even filtering motivational messages through loudspeakers in the city at the epicentre of the outbreak. In Wuhan, where the virus spawned from a seafood market, a female voice rang out: 'Do not believe in rumours. Do not spread rumours. 'If you feel unwell, go to the hospital in time. Wuhan is a city that dares to face difficulties and keeps overcoming them.' Travel bans Four cities - including Beijing, Shanghai, and the eastern province of Shandong - announced bans on long-distance buses from entering or leaving their borders, a move that will affect millions of people travelling over the Lunar New Year holiday. China's most important celebration has been all but cancelled for at least 56million people as authorities expanded travel bans across central Hubei province to try and contain the spread of the virus. Buses remain parked in Wuhan after most inter-city travel was scrapped to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Four cities - including Beijing, Shanghai, and the eastern province of Shandong - have now announced bans on long-distance buses Medical staff members in Wuhan wearing protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus which began in the city This map shows all the areas where coronavirus has been identified so far, including Canada School closures Beijing's education authority said the start of the spring semester had been postponed until further notice for all education levels, from kindergartens to universities. Shanghai announced that middle and elementary schools and kindergartens would remain closed until February 17. More medics and supplies In Wuhan, 450 military medics were deployed to help treat patients in Hubei's capital city, where a seafood and live animal market has been identified as the centre of the outbreak. Wuhan authorities are racing to build the second makeshift hospital within a fortnight to add 1,300 new beds. The city also plans to transform 24 general hospitals for temporary use to cope with the increasing number of patients. At a press conference this morning, officials also said they were importing protective suits from other countries. Banning wild animal sales China today announced a temporary nationwide ban on the sale of wildlife in markets, restaurants, and e-commerce platforms. Wild and often poached animals packed together in Chinese markets are blamed as incubators for viruses to evolve and jump the species barrier to humans. China today announced a temporary nationwide ban on the sale of wildlife in markets, restaurants, and e-commerce platforms (file photo) Members of the media have their temperature checked before attending a news conference by the State Council Information Office about the outbreak of the new coronavirus in Beijing Local authorities will 'strengthen inspections and severely investigate and punish those who are found in violation of the provisions of this announcement,' read the the ban issued by three government agencies. No wildlife can be transported or sold in any markets or online, according to text of the announcement in state media. Suspected violators will be sent to security services, and their will be properties closed and sealed. Legal breeding centers will be quarantined. The ban will continue until 'the epidemic situation is lifted nationwide' in order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus and block potential sources of infection and transmission. The three agencies also opened a hotline where people can report violations, and called on the public to refrain from eating wild animal meat. The agencies are the State Administration of Market Regulation, Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. At a press conference today, Beijing's health minister assured face-masked reporters that authorities have cranked up efforts to stop the spread of disease after conceding their knowledge of how it mutates is limited. A woman wearing a protective facemask returns from a market in Wuhan which is on lock-down following the spread of cornnavirus Director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Gao Fu speaks during a State Council Information Office press conference Ma Xiaowei said 'it seems like the ability of the virus to spread is getting stronger' and added that the administration will continue to curb transport links and scrap planned public gatherings. More than 2,000 people have now been infected worldwide and 56 have been killed in China, sparking President Xi Jinping to yesterday issue an unprecedented warning of a 'grave situation'. Yet top health official Gao Fu said the coronavirus was 'not as powerful' as the SARS outbreak which rocked China in 2003, although it is becoming more contagious. While SARS-infected people were only contagious when their symptoms were showing, coronavirus victims can infect others during their incubation period which can be up to 14 days. Casting a large shadow over this morning's press conference was a video of nurse battling the outbreak who claimed the government is playing down the volume of the infections and said the true figure is 90,000. But regime authorities batted back accusations of a cover-up and insisted it had 'followed the principles of openness and transparency' since the coronavirus broke out in Wuhan, Hubei province, last week. And in a move to further project transparency, they announced daily press briefings on the threat posed by the virus starting tomorrow. Ma said he has 'maintained close communication with the World Health Organisation' and invited inspectors to examine the country's response. He also revealed Beijing is sharing information with other nations after the United States, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Australia, France and Canada all confirmed cases. HARTSVILLE, S.C. - Two people were killed and multiple people were injured early Sunday in a shooting at a bar in South Carolina, officials said. The shooting took place at Macs Lounge in Hartsville, Darlington County Coroner Todd Hardee told news outlets. The two victims were identified as Dicaprio Collins, 21, and Bryan Robinson, 29, according to the coroners office. There was not any immediate information about what led to the shooting. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the U.S. Marshals Service were assisting Hartsville police with the investigation. According to its Facebook page, Macs Lounge also serves as a music venue. Hartsville is about 25 miles (40 kilometres) northwest of Florence, South Carolina, and about 40 miles (64 kilometres) south of the North Carolina state line. A witness, interviewed by WMBF, described a chaotic scene as bar patrons ran for their lives. Samuel Dupree told the station he was dancing when he heard something that at first sounded like a firecracker, but he turned and saw the gunfire. He said people in the bar were rushing toward the exit. People were trying to get through that tiny door and they couldnt, he said. I helped someone up off the ground I saw get trampled. Im not going to let this person just died from getting run over. A cleaner has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for stealing dozens of luxury watches belonging to Moroccos King Mohammed VI. A court in Rabat, the Moroccan capital, sentenced prison term to the 46-year-old woman who was accused of stealing 36 luxury watches. The convict initially sold the watched after melting it down but later started selling it as intact timepieces. Another 14 people involved in the crime, as intermediaries or as traders, were sentenced to at least four years in prison. Theft of Picassos artwork In another high profile theft case, legendary Spanish painter Pablo Picassos electrician was recently guilty for the third time as Frances top appeals court upheld the earlier jail sentence. Pierre Le Guennec and his wife Danielle had hoarded 271 artworks of the great painter in their garage for 40 years. Read: Chinese Man Steals Speakers, Gets Arrested To Escape Wedding The artworks were seized from Le Guennec when he tried to get it authenticated from Picassos son and manager of the Picasso administration, Claude Picasso. In the decade-long legal battle over the paintings of Picasso, Le Guennec had earlier claimed the paintings were gifted to him by the artist as a gesture of thanks for his loyal service. Later, he changed the story saying Picassos widow Jacqueline had entrusted him with a larger collection of paintings and had asked him to hide it after painters death. Read: Uttar Pradesh: Policeman Caught Stealing Packets Of Milk In Noida The convict, who was hired by Picasso for running errands and performing odd-jobs, further elaborated that he had kept the paintings in 12 garbage bags as per the directives of Jacqueline. According to Le Guennac, Jacqueline took the collection with her at some point in time but left behind one bag saying, Keep this, its for you. In 2015, the couple was handed over two-year suspended terms after getting convicted in the theft case. A higher court upheld the verdict in 2016 but the Cour de Cassation ordered a retrial quashing the decision. The latest decision of two years suspended jail sentence can no longer be appealed in any court even though the couple has maintained that they are innocent and denied stealing. Read: Thieves Steal 185 Mobile Phones From Storeroom In Kolhapur Police Station Read: Carlos Beltran Parts Ways With Mets Amidst Astros Sign-stealing Scandal Allegations (With inputs from agencies) One day in 2017, Peter pulled up to an injection well in Cambridge, Ohio. A worker walked around his truck with a hand-held radiation detector, he says, and told him he was carrying one of the hottest loads hed ever seen. It was the first time Peter had heard any mention of the brine being radioactive. ... The Earths crust is in fact peppered with radioactive elements that concentrate deep underground in oil-and-gas-bearing layers. This radioactivity is often pulled to the surface when oil and gas is extracted carried largely in the brine. In the popular imagination, radioactivity conjures images of nuclear meltdowns, but radiation is emitted from many common natural substances, usually presenting a fairly minor risk. Many industry representatives like to say the radioactivity in brine is so insignificant as to be on par with what would be found in a banana or a granite countertop, so when Peter demanded his supervisor tell him what he was being exposed to, his concerns were brushed off; the liquid in his truck was no more radioactive than any room of your home, he was told. But Peter wasnt so sure. ... So Peter started quietly taking samples of the brine he hauled, filling up old antifreeze containers or soda bottles. Eventually, he packed a shed in his backyard with more than 40 samples. He worried about further contamination but says, for him, the damage is already done. He wanted answers. I cover my ass, he says. Ten or 15 years down the road, if I get sick, I want to be able to prove this. Through a grassroots network of Ohio activists, Peter was able to transfer 11 samples of brine to the Center for Environmental Research and Education at Duquesne University, which had them tested in a lab at the University of Pittsburgh. The results were striking. Radium, typically the most abundant radionuclide in brine, is often measured in picocuries per liter of substance and is so dangerous its subject to tight restrictions even at hazardous-waste sites. The most common isotopes are radium-226 and radium-228, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission requires industrial discharges to remain below 60 for each. Four of Peters samples registered combined radium levels above 3,500, and one was more than 8,500. Pyongyang, Jan 26 : Kim Kyong-hui, a once-powerful aunt of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has made her first public appearance in more than six years, Pyongyang's state media said on Sunday. In a report, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said that Kim Jong-un attended a concert celebrating Lunar New Year's Day on Saturday at the Samjiyon Theatre in Pyongyang with his wife, Ri Sol-ju, reports Yonhap News Agency. The KCNA added that Kim Kyong-hui, widow of Kim Jong-un's late uncle Jang Song-thaek, joined the couple in the audience. Jang, once considered the 'No. 2' man in Pyongyang, was executed in December 2013 for treason. Kim Kyong-hui hadn't been seen in public since, leading to speculation that she, too, had been purged. The National Intelligence Service in Seoul told the National Assembly in August 2017 that she was staying near Pyongyang and was getting medical treatment for diabetes. Kim Kyong-hui is a daughter of North Korean founder Kim Il-sung and sister of late leader and Kim Jong-un's father, Kim Jong-il, She was stripped of major government posts following her husband's unexpected execution. LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Greater Lafayette self-defense trainers are looking at national active shooter attacks as a reason to teach people to protect themselves. On Saturday, the Krav Maga gym in West Lafayette held an active shooter training. More than 20 people attended, which is a fairly large group according to West Lafayette gym Krav Maga owner Rob Mendenhall. We're doing an active attacker workshop, said Mendenhall. Kind of putting a lot of emphasis on church teams, school safety teams because this is a prevalent threat that keeps popping up. Many people in attendance came representing a church congregation in Greater Lafayette. Mendenhall said this workshop is in response to a deadly shooting at the West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, Texas on Dec. 29. Two people were killed before a volunteer security guard stepped in and fatally shot the attacker. After the incident in Texas people had started talking, you know, hey are we that prepared how will we handle it, said Mendenhall. Mendenhall said this training is all about being proactive instead of reactive. A lot of stopping the gunman before the gunman can do anything reading body language, understanding how to stop somebody, preventing an attack from even starting, said Mendenhall. I'm new to carrying and I've always been told that you can't effectively carry if you don't actually know how to create the distance, said workshop attendee, Catharine Voorees. Like Voorees, others who carry their own weapons are leaving the workshop with lessons beyond how to handle their gun. Just a heightened sense of awareness of where I am in public and what a threat looks like, said Jason Pletcher, workshop attendee. And those who don't carry say theyre also soaking in some necessary skills. They're really encouraging us to go full strength with everything and so it's really making it seem realistic and really helping out a lot just with the practical application, said Kyle Bordner, workshop attendee. Krav Maga is an Israel-based military self-defense and fighting system. Outside of active shooter training the West Lafayette gym hosts classes for women and children. You can sign up for the next class here. The highest rainfall total in 110 years poured down over Belo Horizonte, a state capital in Brazil, which forced thousands to flee from their homes. Record-breaking flooding rain and landslides have killed at least 53 people in this area. Civil Defense officials told the Associated Press that 2,600 people were evacuated from their houses, 19 people are listed as missing following a landslide on Saturday in the state of Minas Gerais, where they experienced 48 hours of torrential rains. Locals work to clean up mud and debris around houses destroyed by a landslide after heavy rains in Vila Ideal neighborhood, Ibirite municipality, Minas Gerias state, Brazil, Saturday, Jan.25, 2020. (AP Photo/Alexandre Mota-Futura Press) For federal disaster aid, State Gov. Gustavo Zema declared a state of emergency in 47 cities. "A cold front swept across eastern South America through the end of last week, spreading periods of rain and thunderstorms from northern Argentina into eastern Brazil," AccuWeather Meteorologist Maura Kelly said. Ahead of this front, northerly winds helped to draw in tropical moisture from near the equator, which Kelly said fueled flooding downpours across eastern Brazil, particularly in the state of Minas Gerais. Firefighters search for victims near houses destroyed by a landslide after heavy rains in Barreiro, Minas Gerias state, Brazil, Saturday, Jan.25, 2020. (Flavio Tavares/Futura Press via AP) "As the front moved into Minas Gerais on Thursday and Friday, daily rainfall totals climbed over 100 mm (4 inches) each day. On Thursday, Florestal received 174mm (6.85 inches) of rain," Kelly said. CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP "Farther north in Diamantina, 128 mm (5.04 inches) of rain fell on Friday with total rainfall of 350 mm (13.78 inches) from Monday to Friday. To the southeast, Caratinga reported 121mm (4.76 inches) on Saturday with 312 mm (12.28 inches) of rain throughout the week," Kelly said. Story continues "The capital city of Belo Horizonte reported 154 mm (6.06 inches) from Thursday into Friday with 193 mm (7.60 inches) from Monday to Friday. Normal rainfall for the month of January in this region is around 150-175 mm (6-7 inches)," Kelly said. According to Kelly, the front that bought the flooding rainfall to part of Brazil is expected to linger over the region into at least the middle of the week and will continue to produce periods of rain and thunderstorms across Minas Gerais as rescue and recovery efforts continue. Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios. Visaya Hoffie remains in intensive care after she was run over by a New York City subway train earlier this month when she tripped and fell onto the tracks An Australian woman who lost both her legs in a horrific subway accident in New York has spoken her first words since being taken off life support. Visaya Hoffie, 23, remains in intensive care after she was run over by a New York City subway train earlier this month when she tripped and fell onto the tracks. The Brisbane artist suffered multiple head wounds, fractures to her back and vertebral artery, cuts and has had both of her lower legs amputated. Miss Hoffie has since been taken off breathing support and has said her first words since undergoing multiple surgeries, her mother has revealed. Pat Hoffie, an art professor, updated friends and family saying her daughter was in good spirits and has begun eating again. 'Visaya is now off breathing support, and has started to eat. She is sedated but is optimistic and has already muttered, "I'm going to have to deal with this", Mrs Hoffie said. Visaya's mum Pat Hoffie updated friends and family saying her daughter was in good spirits and has begun eating again 'The process of recovery will be very slow and we will probably be here a long time. 'Thank you to those of you who are already sustaining her by your prayers and good wishes.' Miss Hoffie was due for another surgery earlier this week for 'corrective amputation' on her left leg and has suffered a pseudoaneurysm, also known as a 'false aneurysm' to her femoral artery, which occurs when the vessel is penetrated and begins to bleed. The injury is being monitored by a neck brace, which Miss Hoffie will have to wear for 'many months to come', her mum said. The young woman has also received a row of staples to her skull. Mrs Hoffie remains alongside her daughter with her brother and the young artist's friend Wayan, who had shared photos on social media of the two in New York City days earlier. The mum also issued a heartfelt post thanking friends and family for the support. Visaya's work was showcased at the Queensland College of Fine Art's graduates collection in 2016, under the name Visaya Bose. Her mother Pat and late father Santiage Bose were both well-known in Brisbane's art scene Mrs Hoffie remains alongside her daughter with her brother and Visaya's friend Wayan (right) who had shared photos on social media of the two in New York City days earlier 'From the depths of our hearts, thank you for your online support. One of the nurses in ICU said to me, "A lone wolf dies in the winter. In times like this, keep with your pack". 'And it's been true the support and love from each of you surrounds Visaya (and myself) with increased strength deep gratitude to each one who has written expressing support and love.' Miss Hoffie, who was reportedly visiting a friend from Brisbane, was struck by seven carriages on January 11 and left unconscious on the tracks for about 20 minutes. She avoided being hit again by a second oncoming train when the driver caught sight of her bright pink top and slammed on the brakes. 'It's difficult at the moment,' Mrs Hoffie told The Courier Mail earlier this week from a New York City hospital. 'But we are in the best possible medical home but we just have to put our heads together and work through it. 'We're in the middle of a very trying time.' Mrs Hoffie shared a photo of her daughter taken just moments before the horrific incident wearing the pink top that essentially saved her life. 'This image of her [Visaya] was taken hours before the accident,' she wrote. On Wednesday, Visaya underwent further 'corrective amputation' on her left leg and is taking aspirin to avoid the risk of blood clotting 'The bright pink colour of her top is what alerted the engine driver of the second train to the fact that someone was lying across the track. 'When the first train had rolled across her unconscious body twenty minutes earlier, her black puffy jacket and black jeans had made her invisible to the driver. 'In the words of the investigating police, 'it's a miracle she survived.' Please pray that she continues to survive and to heal and to come home.' Miss Hoffie's work was showcased at the Queensland College of Fine Art's graduates collection in 2016, under the name Visaya Bose. Her mother and late father Santiage Bose are both well-known in Brisbane's art scene. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed in a statement they were providing consular assistance to an Australian woman in the United States. 'Owing to our privacy obligations we will not provide further comment,' the statement said. Editors Note: Forty years after inmates seized control of the New Mexico State Penitentiary, the Journal revisits that deadly takeover and examines the chances of a repeat. Today is the first of a three-part series. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal In the early morning hours of Feb. 2, 1980, the most dangerous section of the state prison south of Santa Fe, known as The Main, was Dormitory E-2. The lighting inside was poor, and it was filled with double bunks, making it difficult for corrections officers to see each other in the dark while they made sure the 60 inmates were counted. But the most dangerous working conditions in E-2 were the inmates. Most were considered dangerous enough high security risks, violent, escape-prone or troublesome to be assigned to maximum security Cellblock 5. But Cellblock 5 was undergoing renovations, forcing prison officials to move those inmates from individual cells there to the open dormitory. Rather than dispersing the problem inmates throughout medium security dormitories, most were clustered in E-2. On the Friday night before the uprising, several of the inmates in E-2 were drunk on prison hooch a home-brewed liquor made from raisins and yeast stolen from the prison kitchen and fermented in plastic garbage bags. During the drinking binge, the inmates came up with a plan that had no specific goals or leaders. They simply planned to take over the place, relying on the failure of corrections officers to follow basic security protocols. It was a simple plan. Inmates had noticed that when the officers came in for the shift count after midnight, the officer assigned to the main door of the dormitory seldom locked it in violation of prison procedures. In fact, officers kept the door a few inches ajar while they tried to keep their fellow officers in sight once they entered the dormitory. Shortly after 1:30 a.m., the shift captain, a lieutenant and an officer entered the dormitory after giving their keys to an 18-year-old officer with four months on the job who would man the dormitory door. After the officers entered and began checking on the inmates, two inmates occupying the bunks nearest the door five feet away rushed the door and overpowered the rookie guard. Other inmates jumped the three officers inside the dormitory. The officers were stripped, bound and blindfolded. The inmate takeover had begun. Warning signs It wasnt that state and prison officials had no warning the prison could explode. In fact, it had been in the headlines and evening newscasts for months. Built in the 1950s, the prison was designed to hold 900 inmates. On the night the riot began, it held 1,157 inmates. One maximum security cellblock had been shut down for an overhaul, and those inmates were housed elsewhere. The prison was short of corrections officers and still is and many had received only on-the-job training. On the night of the riot, 25 corrections employees were on duty, about half of whom were outside the prison buildings in guard towers and in vehicle perimeter patrols. In the years prior to the riot, periodic inmate demonstrations food and work strikes had taken place. Turnover among corrections officers ranged from 60% to 70% a year. In 1976, then-Attorney General Toney Anaya signed a state court agreement and court order with attorneys representing the inmates to improve living conditions and prison disciplinary practices an agreement largely ignored by prison officials. Thirteen grand jury reports in the years before the riot were critical of inmate living conditions and the prisons disciplinary system. Inmates were held in basement strip cells, based on snitch information or because they were mentally ill. In these cells, prisoners were stripped naked. They might or might not be fed. The toilet was a hole in the floor. Inmates were showered in their cells by guards with a hose. Inmates complained they were beaten by corrections officers. Some claimed they were forced to run naked through a gantlet of officers wielding ax and pick handles. Attorney Peter Cubra interviewed more than 200 inmates and prison employees after the riot for the prison defense project. The cultural norm at the prison demonstrated by the staff was brutality and abuse, Cubra said. The brutality exhibited by inmates during the riot was a learned behavior. They learned it from the guards. Crowded conditions Overcrowding had been a problem off and on for years. To cut down on having sometimes two or three inmates in a cell, double bunks had been added to the dormitories in the prisons south wing. But that created other problems. In dormitories, vulnerable new inmates with low security classifications were mixed with veteran inmates who were considered sexual predators. Attorneys for inmates argued that, by 1980, the prison design was obsolete, the dormitories too big to be properly supervised and the cellblock design prevented corrections officers from seeing inside unless they stood outside an individual cell. There was also a pattern of corrections officers ignoring protocols on locking doors and hallway gates. On Dec. 10, 1979 just weeks before the riot 11 inmates serving time for murder and other violent crimes escaped on a Sunday night by cutting through two prison fences within sight of one of the guard towers. Later in the evening, an elderly Santa Fe man was stabbed when some of the escapees stole firearms and a pickup truck from his home. For days, Santa Fe residents lived with low-flying helicopters searching for the escapees, most of whom were arrested within days. One eluded capture for years. Prison officials blamed construction renovations, lack of corrections officers and prison overcrowding for the escapes. Santa Fe attorney Mark Donatelli, who represented inmates for decades, said, After the December escape, it became apparent, and people were saying it aloud, that if something wasnt done soon there will be hell to pay. While law enforcement hunted for the escapees, prisoners were locked down (confined to their cells and dormitories). Legislators who visited the prison in the weeks before the riot warned that the prison was a pressure cooker and could explode any moment. In the days before the riot, inmates were seeking transfers out of Dormitory E-2 because it was getting hot. Other inmates warned civilian staff there could be a riot. A senior officer described the mood of the inmates as quite ugly. In the hours before the riot began, prison officials were trying to track down the latest rumor of a threat to take a hostage. Prison officials had a plan for responding to a riot, but only two staff members had read it in the week prior to the riot. Hostage taking Within minutes of gaining control of Dormitory E-2, inmates ran downstairs through an unlocked gate and an unused riot control grille. They attacked the four officers getting ready to check on inmates in Dormitory F-2. They took three of the officers hostage, stabbing and beating one of them, while the fourth officer ran into the day room of Dormitory F-2, where he was protected by sympathetic inmates. With keys obtained from the officers, inmates opened the rest of the dormitories, except for Dormitory E-1, a protective custody unit where inmates barricaded themselves in by pushing bunks against the entry door. Now more than 500 inmates were free to roam the south end of the prison. One inmate was on a prison two-way radio demanding to talk to Gov. Bruce King and Deputy Corrections Secretary Felix Rodriguez, a former warden. Officers in portions of the prison not controlled by inmates began calling prison officials at their homes to tell them of the uprising. The inmates headed for the Control Center, where they demanded that officers manning the center open the grilles to the administrative area of the prison. The officers refused. The inmates began pounding on the centers newly installed security glass, throwing a fire extinguisher at the glass three times before it began to crack. Officers in the Control Center fled, leaving the keys to the prison behind, reaching Tower One and safety next to the front entrance of the prison shortly after 2 a.m. State Police and Santa Fe City police began arriving about 2:15 a.m., about the same time inmates started fires in the administrative area of the prison. The inmates now controlled the south portion of the prison, the administrative area including the wardens office, the kitchen, the prison pharmacy, gymnasium and the Control Center. It was 2:15 a.m. and the chaos had just started. Killing spree The inmates who had taken control proceeded to free prisoners held in the cellblocks on the north side of the prison with the exception of protective custody Cellblock 4 because they couldnt find the keys. Between the time Gov. King and National Guard Gen. Franklin Miles were notified and the first fire engines arrived at the prison at 2:45 a.m., the cells in maximum security Cellblock 3 were opened, releasing the most dangerous inmates in the system into the riot. More fires were set. Inmates ripped out plumbing fixtures, flooding parts of the prison. Other inmates got into the infirmary and began taking drugs. At some point in the morning, electricity flickered off in some parts of the prison and was later shut down because of the fires and flooding. Inmates began hunting their enemies. And often found them. The first inmate killed was in Cellblock 3. Two more inmates from that cellblock died during the riot. More corrections officers were taken hostage. Two officers managed to hide in the basement of the empty Cellblock 5 near the gas chamber. Prison officials and police were made aware that at least two officers were in hiding and not hostages. But authorities were not sure where in the prison complex the hostages were being held or even if they were held in one place. Before dawn, one inmate with serious injuries was brought to the gate after being hit in the head with a meat cleaver. Two corrections officers were released. One dressed as an inmate was escorted out of the prison by inmates. Later, another officer, who had been badly beaten, was taken to the front gate. More than 80 inmates from the protective custody Dormitory E-1 escaped one at a time by crawling through a window and finding refuge near the prison fence where National Guard troops and local police were getting organized. Inmates from E-1 had managed to fight off attempts of other inmates to gain entry into the dormitory and avoided what inmate attorneys called a potential massacre. Throughout Saturday and into Sunday morning, inmates continued to escape from the prison seeking the protection of troops and police in the prison yard. Initially thwarted by not having keys, rioting inmates were now breaking into Cellblock 4, the primary protective custody unit, using acetylene torches left by workers who had been renovating Cellblock 5. By 9:30 a.m., 12 inmates in Cellblock 4 had been brutally murdered by rioting prisoners who believed they were snitches. One was hanged from the upper tier of the cellblock, another decapitated. Another inmates face was burned off. A metal bar was shoved through the head of another inmate from ear to ear. Another was hanged and his body mutilated. Cellblock 4 inmates who managed to escape ran through a gantlet of inmates wielding pipes. The attorney generals report on the riot took prison officials to task for putting Cellblock 4 inmates in danger through the use of a snitch system that failed to protect inmates who gave genuine information and placed a snitch jacket on inmates who simply failed to cooperate by giving information. The murders of the snitches captured news media and public attention and accounted for 12 of the 33 inmate deaths. Receiving less attention were the estimated 200 inmate rapes that occurred during the riot. Other murders occurred throughout the prison. Some killings were motivated by old grudges that extended outside the prison. Inmates from Las Vegas, N.M., for example, had ongoing problems with inmates from Carlsbad. Four inmates died as a result of the running battle between those two groups. Radio chatter Deputy Warden Robert Montoya began talking with inmates over two-way radios before sunrise on Saturday, asking inmates to release the hostages. Different inmates in different parts of the prison were on two-way radios making different demands. At various times they demanded a doctor, meetings with members of the news media, a firehose and meetings with Gov. King and Warden Jerry Griffin. Some demanded Montoya resign, and others offered to exchange hostages for him and former warden Felix Rodriguez, who was then Corrections Department deputy secretary. Others wanted amnesty. Some wanted transfers to out-of-state prisons. Inmates wanted to talk with members of the news media, and that was allowed to happen several times. There were threats to kill the hostages if an attempt was made to forcibly storm and retake the prison. Plans were drawn up anyway to storm the prison at 4 a.m. Sunday, but those plans were canceled. According to some state officials and the 1980 attorney generals report on the riot, a consensus was reached by early Saturday morning that negotiations would continue and the safety of the hostages was paramount. Authorities would not try to retake the prison by force, something Gov. King made clear to the media and inmate families at a press conference outside the prisons entry gate. Storming the prison complex would have been difficult in any case. Law enforcement SWAT teams from State Police and local agencies were unfamiliar with the layout of the prison; fires were burning inside the complex; the key collection to prison cellblocks and dormitories kept at Tower One was not complete; and officials didnt know the exact locations of all the officer hostages. Throughout the day on Saturday, inmates threatened to kill the hostage officers. Late in the day inmates started bringing dead prisoners out of the main entrance. By 5 p.m. Saturday more than 200 inmates had surrendered and more were coming out in small groups. Twenty-five inmates had been hospitalized. Nightmare ends By sunrise Sunday, more than 800 inmates were outside the prison under guard and more than 60 had been taken to St. Vincent Hospital. So many surrendering inmates were suffering from injuries and overdoses that the area around the front of the prison looked like a disaster zone as National Guard helicopters and ambulances picked up inmates and hostage officers and took them to the hospital. Three inmates from Dormitory E-2 Lonnie Duran, Vincent Candelaria and Kedrick Duran met with a television crew and deputy secretary Rodriguez. Four reporters, Bill Feather of the Associated Press, Bruce Campbell of the Albuquerque Journal, John Gillis of United Press International and John Robertson of the Santa Fe New Mexican and later of the Journal were summoned from the front entrance near the highway to take part in the session in the gatehouse at the prisons interior gate. The inmates expressed concerns about retaliation after the riot, and about where inmates would be kept after officials took back the prison, indicating the rebellion was ending. The press conference moved outside into the prison yard where Candelaria and the Durans were joined by inmates Rudy Aldaz, Michael Colby and William Jack Stephens. Stephens and Colby repeated the concerns about retribution by officials after the riot and complained of harassment by officers assigned to Cellblock 3. Rodriguez assured Colby, the Durans, Candelaria and Stephens, on camera, that they would be transferred out of state once the inmates released the last of the hostages. The news conference ended at a little after 10:30 a.m. At about 12:30 p.m. Sunday, the beheaded body of inmate Paulina Paul was brought out on a stretcher by inmates. His head rested on his thighs, a sight many officials and members of the news media recalled for years as a testament to the brutality of the riot. At 1:26 p.m. the last two hostages were released. Approximately 100 inmates were still inside the prison. When SWAT teams from State Police and local police agencies entered the prison, they didnt retake the prison from rioting inmates so much as they occupied the charred shell after the riot had burned itself out. The 1980 prison riot carnage The following is a list of inmates who died during the riot, and the crimes for which they were incarcerated, according to the attorney generals report on the uprising. Michael Briones, 22, Albuquerque, was serving 10 to 50 years for criminal sexual penetration. He was found in the basement of Cellblock 4 with a piece of metal through his head. Lawrence C. Cardon, 24, Las Cruces, was serving one to five years for auto theft and one to five years for failure to appear. He was found in Cellblock 3 with multiple stab wounds. Nick Coca, 30, Taos, was serving a life term for kidnapping, 10 to 50 years for criminal sexual penetration and other crimes. He was found in the officers mess hall dead from carbon monoxide poisoning. Richard J. Fierro, 26, Carlsbad, was serving one- to five-year sentences each for forgery, escape and sale of narcotics. Inmates carried him to Tower 1 suffering from stab wounds. James C. Foley, 19, Albuquerque, was serving a life sentence for murder and other crimes. Inmates carried him to Tower 1 suffering from head injuries. Donald J. Gossens, 23, Farmington, was serving a two- to 10-year sentence for drug sales. He was found in Cellblock 4 with head injuries. Phillip C. Hernandez, 30, Clovis, was serving one to five years for breaking and entering. He was found in the basement of Cellblock 4 with head trauma and stab wounds. Valentino E. Jaramillo, 35, Albuquerque, was serving one to five years and two to 10 years for multiple drug convictions. He was found hanged in Cellblock 4. Kelly E. Johnson, 26, Albuquerque, was serving two to 10 years for forgery. He was found burned in the prison gymnasium. Steven Lucero, 25, Farmington, was serving a five-year sentence for aggravated battery. He was found in the school corridor with head trauma and stab wounds. Joe A. Madrid, 38, Albuquerque, was serving a one- to five-year sentence for drug convictions. He was found near the control center with head trauma and his neck cut. Ramon Madrid, 40, Las Cruces, was serving three one- to five-year sentences for drug and burglary convictions. He was found burned in Cellblock 4. Archie M. Martinez, 25, Chimayo, was serving 10 to 50 years and two to 10 years for separate escape convictions. He was carried to Tower 1 with head trauma. Joseph A. Mirabal, 24, Alamogordo, was serving two one- to five-year sentences for receiving stolen property and assaulting a police officer. He was found in the basement of Cellblock 4 with head trauma. Ben G. Moreno, 20, Carlsbad, was serving a life sentence for murder. He was carried to Tower 1 with blunt trauma to the head. Gilbert O. Moreno, 25, Carlsbad, was serving a 50- to 150-year sentence for armed robbery and additional sentences for other crimes. He was found near the control center with stab wounds and head trauma. Thomas OMeara, 25, Albuquerque, was serving 10 to 50 years for armed robbery and lesser sentences for other crimes. He was found burned in the prison gymnasium. Filiberto M. Ortega, 25, Las Vegas, New Mexico, was serving two to 10 years for burglary. He was found burned in the prison gymnasium. Frank J. Ortega, 20, Las Vegas, New Mexico, was serving 10 to 50 years for second-degree murder. Inmates carried him to Tower 1 with head and neck injuries. Paulina Paul, 36, Alamogordo, was serving 10 to 50 years for aggravated battery and two to 10 for armed robbery. Inmates brought his decapitated body to the front gate. He also had multiple stab wounds. James Perrin, 34, Chaparral, was serving a life sentence for murder. He was found in the basement of Cellblock 4 stabbed and burned. Robert F. Quintela, 29, Carlsbad, was serving two two- to 10-year sentences for burglary and escape. He was found near the control center with stab wounds and blunt trauma to the head. Robert L. Rivera, 28, Albuquerque, was serving multiple sentences of one to five years and two to 10 years for escape, burglary and theft. He was found in the corridor near Dormitory F stabbed in the heart. Vincent E. Romero, 34, Albuquerque, was serving a 10- to 50-year sentence for armed robbery. He was found in the basement of Cellblock 4 with head injuries and wounds to the neck. Herman D. Russell, 26, Waterflow, was serving a 10- to 50-year sentence for rape. He was found in Dormitory A-1. He was burned and had carbon monoxide poisoning. Juan M. Sanchez, 22, Brownsville, Texas, was serving a two- to 10-year sentence for aggravated battery. He was found in Cellblock 3 shot in the head with a tear gas gun. Frankie J. Sedillo, 31, Santa Fe, was serving a one- to five-year sentence for burglary. Inmates carried him to Tower 1 suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. Larry W. Smith, 31, Kirtland, was serving a life sentence for armed robbery. He was found in Cellblock 4 with head injuries. Leo J. Tenorio, 25, Albuquerque, was serving two one- to five-year sentences for escape and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was found in Cellblock 4 with a stab wound to the heart. Thomas C. Tenorio, 28, Albuquerque, was serving a two- to 10-year sentence for robbery. He was found in Cellblock 4 with stab wounds. Mario Urioste, 28, Albuquerque, was serving a one- to five-year sentence for receiving stolen property and two years for shoplifting. He was found in Cellblock 4 with head trauma and a rope around his neck. Danny D. Waller, 26, Lubbock, Texas, was serving one to five years for credit card fraud. Inmates carried him to Tower 1 with multiple stab wounds and head trauma. Russell M. Werner, 22, Albuquerque, was serving 15 to 55 years for armed robbery. He was found in the Catholic chapel, burned with head trauma and carbon monoxide poisoning. SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) -- Health officials in Southern California have confirmed another U.S. case of the new pneumonia-like virus from China. The Orange County Health Care Agency said Saturday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a traveler from the epicenter of the outbreak in China tested positive for the virus. The case comes on the heels of confirmed cases in Chicago and Washington state. The patient is in isolation at a hospital and in good condition. The local health agency is monitoring people who have had close contact with the patient. This is a developing story. MONTREAL - Far-right group La Meute was once seen as a growing threat in Quebec, with members marching by the hundreds through city streets against what they claimed was the creeping "Islamization" of society. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/1/2020 (717 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Blogger Xavier Camus poses in Montreal, Thursday, January 16, 2020. Far-right group La Meute was once seen as a growing threat in Quebec, with members marching by the hundreds through city streets against what they claimed was the creeping "Islamization" of society. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes MONTREAL - Far-right group La Meute was once seen as a growing threat in Quebec, with members marching by the hundreds through city streets against what they claimed was the creeping "Islamization" of society. But La Meute or The Pack began to implode just a few years after it was created in 2015. By 2019, its signature wolf-paw symbol had practically disappeared from view as infighting reportedly tore the group apart. The demise of La Meute wasn't by chance, says Xavier Camus, who calls himself a "progressive" blogger with ties to the province's anti-fascist movement. He claims he and a loose network of "moles" infiltrated the group and brought it down by stirring up internal dissent. "We destroyed La Meute. We generated an internal collapse," Camus said one recent afternoon in a downtown vegetarian cafe. The far-right group's leader, he said, has been left "a king without a kingdom." Camus is attracting increasing attention in Quebec as he uses his blog and Facebook page to expose people he believes espouse hate speech, with striking results. On Jan. 7, a 38-year-old man appeared in court in Granby, Que., on charges of inciting hatred and advocating genocide after Camus exposed homophobic and racist online posts he allegedly wrote. An October 2018 article on Camus' blog drew attention to comments advocating the murder of Jews beneath a story on the Journal de Montreal website, and shortly afterwards police arrested and charged a 55-year-old man. Camus has sunk the political ambitions of provincial political candidates by publishing their online Islamophobic comments. And the blogger got a Montreal city councillor kicked out of her caucus in March 2019 after he exposed her Facebook posts, in which she raged about the "Islamization of our country" after she was treated by an ophthalmologist who wore a hijab. If the 42-year-old father and junior college philosophy professor stopped at posting about clear cases of racism and neo-Nazism, then he would probably receive less heat. But his critics accuse him and his ilk of starting more fires than they put out. Francois Charbonneau, a political science professor at University of Ottawa, says Camus' approach fails to distinguish between reprehensible online chatter and mainstream conservative political opinion. "He hurts the possibility of dialogue between the left and the right," Charbonneau said in a recent interview. For Camus and the wider anti-fascist movement, he said, there are no grey zones: "There is one side of 'racists,' without nuance, and then there is the big camp of 'virtuous anti-fascists,' also without nuance." Camus doesn't come from the hardcore punk subculture that has helpedfuel the North American anti-fascist movement. Instead, his political awakening occurred during the Quebec student strikes of 2005 and 2012. Rather than street fighting with the far right, Camus wages his battle with his computer, research skills and writing talent. But there is a difference between exposing an alleged neo-Nazi and targeting citizens who makes stupid comments online about women in hijabs, says Charbonneau. The former action is laudable, while the latter might push someone into actually becoming a fascist, he said. "We aren't gods," Charbonneau said. "We are all fallible. In your life, you can say something racist ... but what should our reaction be?" Camus' blog and Facebook page also single out mainstream news columnists in Quebec who express nationalist, conservative opinions on such issues as immigration, secularism and Quebecois identity. His other targets include people who make off-colour and racist statements on social media or in the comment sections of news articles whether or not they have clear links to far-right groups. Camus dismisses the claim that his Facebook or blog equates conservative columnists in Quebec with neo-Nazis and fascists. "There are many degrees of hate," Camus said. "For example, neo-Nazism is an extreme ideology, and then there is ordinary Islamophobia, which is shared by a large number of people." It's hard to prove Camus' contention that there is a prominent anti-Islam strain in Quebec society. But it's easy to find anecdotal examples of Quebecers' discomfort with Muslim immigrants. Last October, for example, the bishop of the diocese of Trois-Rivieres located between Montreal and Quebec City stopped the sale of an underused church to a Muslim group that wanted to transform it into a mosque. Local opposition to the sale was so strong the bishop nixed the deal out of fear for the safety of city's Muslims. Certain conservative columnists, Camus says, espouse nationalist rhetoric that helps to popularize a type of soft xenophobia, which becomes increasingly acceptable to the wider public. Far-right groups feed on that and take it a step further. "More and more, in the collective memory, we have this common enemy the Muslim," he said. "And this figure of the common enemy was constructed. My bet is that it can also be deconstructed." It's unclear whether Camus and a collection of anti-fascist moles actually "destroyed" La Meute. The group's website and Facebook page are still active, and La Meute's spokesman, Sylvain Brouillette, said Camus had as much influence on his group as have "pigeon droppings." Brouillette said in an interview through Facebook that La Meute continues to organize events at the "regional clan" level. The only reason his group hasn't held any recent demonstrations, he said, is because its members have been satisfied with the current Quebec government of Premier Francois Legault. Charbonneau questions whether far-right sentiment is truly increasing in the province and whether anti-hate vigilantism does anything to reduce intolerance in society. But Camus says he is convinced that he and allies in the anti-fascist movement are doing the work that police, politicians, and journalists are failing to do to make the far-right as distasteful as possible to the wider public. "The role of my blog will always be a sort of safeguard, to make different kinds of intolerance retreat," he said. "My role is to show people: 'Look, this is not normal what they are saying.' These organizations are not normal." This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Jan. 26, 2020. President assures support for tourism By Sunimalee Dias View(s): View(s): Sri Lankas tourism industry would receive full support to increase revenue, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said on Friday. In this respect, he had detailed certain plans like streamlining the four boards of the tourism sector. State institutions of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) and the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism Hotel Management (SLITHM) will be streamlined into one. The President, during a meeting with state officials, had pointed out that the governments intention was to ensure that the industry achieves the targeted earnings of US$10 billion within four years. He had further explained that in a bid to ensure the industry was assisted they would bring back some of the routes that are source markets for the tourism industry via SriLankan Airlines. In this respect, the national carrier would be aligned with Sri Lankas tourism industry without focusing on simply making profits for the airline alone. Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera had also made a presentation on the policy and plans of the government and likened the industrys potential to that of the apparel industry indicating that there is potential to bring in higher revenues. Meanwhile, it is learnt that staff is to be outsourced to SLTPB to perform duties in rolling out the 5-year plan and the global promotion campaign. Staff at the state-run tourism promotion body has been an issue as more are required to efficiently carry out some of the work in line with todays needs. Since authorities are unable to directly recruit people to the staff of the bureau they would be seeking workers from outside and work through a new organisation identified as a campaign management unit with skilled workers outsourced from private sector companies. In addition staff would be sought to establish a company in a bid to carry out the work of a research agency required to understand the markets. Currently the proposed global communication campaign is still in line with previous plans where they would also be looking at appointing a creative agency, a social media company and destination representative companies (DRCs) in eight major markets including Russia, West Asian region and Australia. Authorities are hoping to commence the campaign around June, prior to which they would need to appoint the DRCs that would include markets like Switzerland and Austria where German is spoken and French-speaking Benelux countries. Class is in session, teenage activist Greta Thunberg warned U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Thursday. The Swedish climate change activist fired back at Mnuchin for mockingly questioning her educational qualifications to talk about the global economy earlier this week. My gap year ends in August, but it doesnt take a college degree in economics to realize that our remaining 1,5 carbon budget and ongoing fossil fuel subsidies and investments dont add up, Thunberg, 17, tweeted. So either you tell us how to achieve this mitigation, she continued, or explain to future generations and those already affected by the climate emergency why we should abandon our climate commitments. Mnuchin had waved off Thunbergs speech at this weeks World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where the she called on global leaders to take more steps to better combat global warming. Lets be clear: We dont need a low-carbon economy, we dont need to lower emissions, Thunberg said Tuesday. Our emissions have to stop. Her speech received praise and even President Donald Trumps daughter Ivanka Trump, a senior White House aide who joined him at the forum this week, reportedly said Thunberg has an elevated awareness and thats a positive thing. While President Trump, like Mnuchin, has taken shots at Thunberg, Ivanka abstained. Im not going to criticize anyone whos bringing their energy and voice. Thats not my style. I think shes elevated awareness, and thats a positive thing, she told The New York Times. Mnuchin, 57, took exception to Thunbergs recommendations on economic policy and openly challenged her while speaking with reporters on Thursday, according to the Associated Press. Is she the chief economist? Who is she? Im confused, Mnuchin said. He followed up after a brief pause, saying, It was a joke. After she goes and studies economics in college, she can come back and explain that to us, Mnuchin then said. Story continues RELATED: Trump Official Takes a Swipe at Teen Climate Activist Greta Thunberg Over Her Comments on Economy So either you tell us how to achieve this mitigation or explain to future generations and those already affected by the climate emergency why we should abandon our climate commitments. 2/3 Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) January 23, 2020 Greta Thunberg (center) at a climate change rally in New York City in September. | Drew Angerer/Getty President Trump, 73, himself criticized Thunberg after TIME chose her as the Person of the Year in December. So ridiculous, he wrote on Twitter. Greta must work on her Anger Management problem, then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend! Chill Greta, Chill! Thunberg responded with a subtle clap-back, changing her Twitter bio to read: A teenager working on her anger management problem. Currently chilling and watching a good old fashioned movie with a friend. She responded similarly last September when the president tweeted that she seems like a very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future. RELATED: Trump Criticizes Teen Activist Greta Thunberg in All but Name with Her in the Audience: Reports From left: President Donald Trump and Greta Thunberg | Markus Schreiber/AP/Shutterstock; GIAN EHRENZELLER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock On Tuesday, Trump also seemed to be referencing Thunberg when he rallied against alarmists [who] always demand the same thing absolute power to dominate, transform and control every aspect of our lives and called climate activists heirs of yesterdays foolish fortune tellers. But Thunberg, who was reportedly in attendance during Trumps speech, maintained Tuesday that she has no interest in political tiffs. This is not about right or left, she said at the World Economic Forum. We couldnt care less about your party politics. From a sustainability perspective, the right, the left as well as the center have all failed. No political ideology or economic structure has been able to tackle the climate and environmental emergency. What a difference four years makes. Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall ran unopposed for re-election in 2014. But this year he has a challenger, first-term Councilwoman Cori Schumacher, and the two have starkly contrasting views on a number of subjects. Schumacher, 41, is a former professional surfer and the founder of a nonprofit, The Inspire Initiative, that works to empower women through surfing. She rode a wave of resident unrest to office in 2016, after she and other residents fought the City Councils approval in 2015 of a luxury shopping mall to be built on the shore of a Carlsbad lagoon. The opponents collected enough signatures to place a referendum on a special election ballot that defeated the project. Advertisement Carlsbad Councilwoman Cori Schumacher (Union-Tribune photo) Now Schumacher has her eyes on the citys top spot, and her campaign is a bit like the one that worked for her two years ago. The single biggest issue facing Carlsbad is a lack of public trust in our local government leaders and the need for transparency, she said in response to questions submitted to both candidates last week. We need new leadership committed to transparency and centering our residents first in every decision. Hall, 70, got to be mayor the old-fashioned way. Now retired, he ran a towing company and auto salvage yard in the city for years and was appointed to the Planning Commission in the early 1990s. He was first elected to the City Council in 1994, then his first term as mayor in 2010. Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall (Union-Tribune photo) Like many Southern California cities, Carlsbad is nearing built out. Construction is underway in what probably will be the citys last large residential communities at Robertson Ranch along El Camino Real and Quarry Creek just south of state Route 78. Our biggest challenge is transitioning Carlsbad from a growth-mode to a sustainability-mode, Hall said in his written response, which includes protecting our quality of life against potential state mandates regarding housing and land use, preserving the unique character of our older neighborhoods, and protecting our open spaces. Hall is only Carlsbads second mayor in 30 years, following in the footsteps of former Carlsbad High School teacher Bud Lewis, who served 40 years on the City Council, including 24 as mayor, before retiring in 2010. He died in 2014 at age 83. Like Lewis, Hall strives to keep City Council meetings business-like, to move things along, keep discussions civil, and give everyone a chance to speak. Its service above self, Hall said at a recent candidates forum hosted by the League of Women Voters. I cant tell you how much I enjoy this city and love what Im doing. Schumacher has differed with Hall and most of the other council members on a number of recent issues. When the council decided to take a stance on Californias position as a sanctuary state for immigrants, Schumacher cast the only vote against backing the federal government. The weighing in on this is purely political, and its divisive, Schumacher said at the time. Hall saw it another way. Our laws are becoming more difficult to enforce, Hall said, backing efforts to have local law enforcement officers work more closely with state and federal agents. It takes many agencies working together to keep us safe. When the Carlsbad Police Department asked to install license plate readers at key intersections in 2017, and then to add more of the cameras this year, Schmacher cast the only nay vote both times, saying they are an invasion of privacy. I will not play a part in chipping away at our residents Constitutionally protected rights, she said in response to the newspapers questions. Hall said the cameras would help keep residents safe, and that the data collected would be carefully protected. Used with appropriate restrictions they are not an invasion of privacy, he said. There is no evidence this data has been used for anything other than apprehending criminals. Schumacher said at the candidates forum that the city needs more staff employees and police officers. Hall responded that the city is well managed, with fewer employees and higher ratings than it had 10 years ago, and that he doesnt see the need for more employees. We are one of the financially strongest cities in the state, Hall said at the forum. Both candidates have talked about the need to pursue sources of renewable energy for Carlsbad, provide more affordable housing for residents, and find more resources to help the homeless. Hall emphasized the work Carlsbad has done already to build more affordable housing. With the exception of the city of San Diego, Carlsbad has built more affordable housing than any other municipality in the county, he said, and it will continue to make 15 percent of all new housing affordable. Schumacher said Carlsbad should go further, suggesting it stop allowing developers to pay an in-lieu fee to the city instead of building affordable homes within their project, and it should re-examine the incentives for developers to build affordable housing. Schumacher has two years remaining on the four-year term she won in 2016, so if Hall wins on Nov. 6 she will continue to serve as an at-large council member until 2020. However, because she lives in council District 1 and that district is up for election this year, she would be unable to run for re-election in 2020 unless she moves to one of the two districts open that year. Should she win the mayors seat in November, that would create a new opening on the council. Then the council could appoint someone to fill the remainder of the at-large term, or, if the four members are unable to reach a consensus within 60 days of the vacancy, there could be a special election. Carlsbads mayor receives a base salary of $25,826 a year, a car allowance of $5,400 a year, and other benefits. philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @phildiehl Women in Pinggu District in Beijing attend a training program to improve their sales through a short-video streaming platform. [bjnews.com.cn] A group of more than 60 female peach growers in Pinggu District in Beijing at an end-of-year party showed how they have benefited from training programs organized by the Women's Federation of Pinggu District. These female growers, who are e-commerce lecturers as well, staged various performances, demonstrating their progress in learning and teaching over the past year. The district's women's federation has organized more than 100 online and offline training courses on e-commerce and new media, benefiting over 4,000 women in the district. More than 760 of the trainees have opened online stores or started live streaming to promote their businesses, according to an official of the federation. Wang Dan, head of the lecturers' team, said the party is not a simple convivial gathering but a charity course to boost the sales of local agricultural products through good short videos in the slack winter season. The gathering was broadcast live by participants on a short-video streaming platform. Among the participants, Fan Ruiping, a villager who demonstrated how to make local snacks, such as steamed stuffed buns, pastries, steamed buns stuffed with sweetened bean paste and sugar-coated haws, on the live-streaming platform, attracted more than 2,000 viewers, the highest among all the live-streaming anchors at the party. The one-year short-video live-streaming training course has enabled villagers who were born between the 1950s and 1970s to use their mobile phones to promote their sales. In addition to increasing their income, the course also changed their mindset and helped them gain confidence. Wang Shuhua, 64, did not know how to use the Internet to sell her peaches until last April, when she began to learn how to promote online sales through Moments, WeChat's social function. She sold more than 100 boxes of peaches last summer. Thanks to marketing on the live-streaming platform, more than 600 boxes have been sold this year. Wang Jing, one of the lecturers, taught the trainees marketing skills and how to use gadgets such as "selfie sticks" after the party. Yiyunji, an online sales platform for selling local specialities was launched in October 2019 by the female lecturers of the training program. The lecturers dedicated themselves to sharing the quality agricultural products in Pinggu with more people and promote the products to the dining tables nationwide. (Source: China Women's News/Translated and edited by Women of China) The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2018 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement Surrendered militants from eight banned insurgent outfits, including those from Bodo militant groups, photographed when they laid down their arms at a ceremony in Guwahati on January 23, 2020. A total of 644 militants from insurgent groups ULFA (I), NDFB, RNLF, KLO, CPI (Maoist), NSLA, ADF and NLFB surrendered in presence of Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal. (PTI Photo) GUWAHATI: In what may be a major breakthrough on the insurgency front in the Northeast, the Ministry of Home Affairs is going to sign a peace accord with all factions of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and the powerful All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) on Monday in New Delhi. Informing that the accord would be signed in the presence of Union home minister Amit Shah, Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Bodoland Territorial Council chief Hagrama Mohiliary told Deccan Chronicle that the new accord will provide for some political rights to Bodo tribals living in Assam and an economic package for the community. Stating that the Home Ministry has rejected the demand of a separate state or union territory for the Bodos, security sources said the leaderships of four different factions of NDFB would be signatories to the accord. Admitting that they have given up their demand for a separate state, ABSU president Pramod Boro, who is in New Delhi, told Deccan Chronicle, We have given up our demands in the larger interest of society. We took the lead to end the conflict that has been causing a huge loss to society. Addressing the accusations leveled at the Bodo leaders for giving up the demand for a separate state, Pramod Boro said, We have lost many precious lives in the decades-old armed conflict in the Bodoland Territorial Council areas. Just to bring an end to bloodshed, we have chosen to give up many of our demands. We are getting nothing in this accord but peace and tranquillity in the Bodo areas. The NDFB chief Ranjan Daimary, who is serving a life term for involvement in the Guwahati serial bomb blasts case, was granted bail recently by a bench of the Gauhati High Court to facilitate his presence at the signing of the accord. NDFB (S) leaders including its chairman B. Saoraigwra, general secretary B.R. Ferenga and senior members B. Batha and G Bidai are in Delhi to give final touches to the peace accord before the signing on Monday. Officials made it clear that the territorial integrity of Assam would be maintained and the key demand of the NDFB, either a separate state or a union territory, was not going to be entertained. The four factions of the NDFB which will sign the accord are led by Ranjan Daimari, Govinda Basumatary, Dhiren Boro and B. Saoraigra. Some NDFB militants were among the 644 militants who surrendered in Guwahati on Thursday before Assam chief minister Sonowal. Security sources said the status of the existing Bodoland Territorial Council would remain the same but the community would be given more political rights and representation in the proposed upper house of the state. This will be the third Bodo accord to be signed in 27 years during which the violent movement claimed hundreds of lives, and destroyed public and private properties. The demand for a separate state for the Bodos has been there in Assam for about five decades. Thousands took to the streets of Melbourne, Victoria, to protest Invasion Day, also known as Australia Day, on January 26. Protesters called for Australia Day, which marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the first fleet of British ships at Port Jackson, New South Wales, to be abolished. We will stand together and march together this January 26 to protest the ongoing colonial violence on our people, an event page for the rally said. The protest was one of many held in major cities across the country. Credit: Mohana Baptista via Storyful Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says an NPR host lied in setting up an interview with him on Friday, but email records support the journalist's account of how the contentious exchange came to be. The emails, obtained by The Washington Post, indicate that Pompeo's staff was aware that NPR's Mary Louise Kelly would ask Pompeo about several topics in the interview and raised no objections, contrary to Pompeo's characterization. In an extraordinary statement issued on State Department letterhead on Saturday, Pompeo criticized Kelly for repeatedly asking him why he refused to express support for former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch. Kelly said afterward that Pompeo berated her, using profanity and challenging her to locate Ukraine on an unmarked map, which Kelly said she did. "NPR reporter Mary Louise Kelly lied to me, twice," Pompeo said in his statement. "First, last month, in setting up our interview and, then again yesterday, in agreeing to have our post-interview conversation off the record. It is shameful that this reporter chose to violate the basic rules of journalism and decency." Pompeo's statement implied that Kelly had agreed before the interview to confine her questions to developments in Iran and that he would not be asked about other subjects. He made the same claim during the interview, but Kelly pushed back, telling him she'd worked out a different arrangement with his staff. But emails between Kelly and Pompeo's press aide, Katie Martin, a day before the interview show that there was no such agreement and that Kelly made clear her intention to question Pompeo about other topics. "Just wanted to touch base that we still intend to keep the interview to Iran tomorrow," Martin wrote. "Know you just got back from Tehran so we would like to stick to Iran as the topic as opposed to jumping around. Is that something we can agree to?" Kelly responded, "I am indeed just back from Tehran and plan to start there. Also Ukraine. And who knows what the news gods will serve up overnight. I never agree to take anything off the table." ALSO Pompeo keeps NPR reporter feud going with pointed Bible quote Martin replied, "Totally understand you want to ask other topics but just hoping . . . we can stick to that topic for a healthy portion of the interview . . . Wouldn't want to spend the interview on questions he's answered many times for the last several months." Kelly: "My plan is to start with Iran and, yes, to spend a healthy portion of the interview there. Iran has been my focus of late as well. And yes - I also would not want to waste time on questions he's answered many times in recent months." Martin, whose official State Department title is deputy assistant secretary for the Bureau of Global Public Affairs, did not respond to a Post request for comment. Kelly declined to comment. Kelly, a veteran journalist who is a co-host of NPR's signature news program, "All Things Considered," said on the program Friday that neither Pompeo nor his aides made any request that his post-interview comments be kept off the record. She said she would not have agreed to such terms if they had. President Donald Trump weighed in on the controversy Sunday, replying: "A very good question!" to a tweet by conservative radio and Fox News host Mark Levin in which Levin asked, "Why does NPR still exist? We have thousands of radio stations in the U.S. Plus Satellite radio. Podcasts. Why are we paying for this big-government, Democrat Party propaganda operation." Conservatives have tried to cut federal support of NPR and public broadcasting in general for decades but have never succeeded in eliminating funding. The Trump administration proposed doing so in 2018, but it was turned back by Congress. Washington-based NPR receives less than 1% of its annual budget directly from the federal government; it relies on annual dues from hundreds of member stations around the country. These stations receive an average of about 15% of their budgets from the federally chartered Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Five Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee rebuked Pompeo for his response to Kelly in a letter to him on Saturday. "At a time when journalists around the world are being jailed for their reporting - and as in the case of Jamal Khashoggi, killed - your insulting and contemptuous comments are beneath the office of the Secretary of State," read the letter from Sens. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Edward Markey of Massachusetts, Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Tim Kaine of Virginia. NPR has stood by Kelly since the dispute with Pompeo arose. "Mary Louise Kelly has always conducted herself with the utmost integrity, and we stand behind this report," said Nancy Barnes, NPR's senior vice president of news, in a statement Saturday. Pompeo has occasionally bristled when reporters have asked questions he doesn't like. In October, he told a reporter for a Nashville TV station, Nancy Amons, that it "sounds like you're working, at least in part, for the Democratic National Committee" after she asked him about the circumstances surrounding Trump's withholding of military aide to Ukraine. He made a similar comment to PBS NewsHour anchor Judy Woodruff when she broached the same topic a few days earlier. China Reports 15 More Deaths From Coronavirus, Bringing Toll to 41 By VOA News January 25, 2020 China is reporting another 15 deaths from the coronavirus, bringing the toll from the disease to 41, and an additional 180 people sickened in central Hubei province. The new figures, announced by officials in Hubei province, brought the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus to more than 1,000. The development came as France announced three cases of the virus, marking the first confirmed diagnoses in Europe. French health officials said Friday that two of the cases involved patients who had recently traveled from China, while the third person was a relative of one of the initial patients. Canada reported its first confirmed case on Saturday, according to Reuters. Second US case Also Friday, U.S. health officials reported a second patient infected with the virus, a woman from Chicago, Illinois, who returned January 13 from Wuhan, where the epidemic is believed to have started. The woman, who is in her 60s, reportedly is doing well but is hospitalized "primarily for infection control," said Dr. Allison Arwady, Chicago's public health commissioner. People who had close contact with the woman were being monitored. The U.S. announced its first case Tuesday in the northwestern state of Washington. Health officials there said a man who returned to Seattle from Wuhan last week was hospitalized in good condition, but had pneumonia. Medical authorities say it's likely additional cases will be identified in the near term because the virus apparently has a two-week incubation period. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said more than 2,000 travelers returning to U.S. soil had been screened at U.S. airports, and 63 patients in 22 states were being tested. Of those being tested, 11 thus far have been found to be free of the virus. The Pentagon said Friday that it had no indication "of outbreaks that would affect our personnel." However, Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said U.S. base commanders were monitoring the situation "particularly in the Indo-Pacific region" and "have the authority to take additional action if they need to." Cities locked down, Disney closes The Chinese government isolated more cities Friday, an unprecedented move to contain the coronavirus, which has spread to other countries. At least 10 cities, and a total of at least 33 million people, have been put on lockdown Wuhan, Huanggang, Ezhou, Chibi, Qianjiang, Zhijiang, Jingmen, Xiantao, Xiaogan and Huangshi, all in Hubei province on the eve of the Lunar New Year, when millions of Chinese traditionally travel. Shanghai Disney Resort announced on its website that it is temporarily closing Shanghai Disneyland, a major tourist attraction during Lunar New Year, "in response to the prevention and control of the disease outbreak and in order to ensure the health and safety" of guests and cast. The municipal authorities of Wuhan said Friday that the city was building a new 1,000-bed hospital, expected to be completed by February 3. On Thursday, authorities banned planes and trains from leaving Wuhan. Toll roads were closed, and ferry, subway and bus services were also suspended. Wuhan authorities have demanded that all residents wear masks in public and urged government and private sector employees to wear them in the workplace, according to the Xinhua news agency, which cited a government official. Similar measures were taken hours later in the nearby cities of Huanggang and Ezhou. The government also canceled holiday events in Beijing that usually attract large crowds. Fifteen medical workers are among those who have been infected by the virus, which has spread from Wuhan to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong province. Most of the cases have been in China, but cases have also been reported in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, Nepal, France and the United States. US working on vaccine Scientists at the U.S. Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, are working on developing a vaccine for the coronavirus. "It will take at least three months to complete the first phase of development," said Dr. Lily Dai, a researcher at the institute. She spoke with VOA's Mandarin service as an individual scientist, not as an NIH representative. Dai said that after the first phase of development, researchers will test the vaccine on people for another three months to determine if it is safe. Forest Cong of VOA's Mandarin service contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Aphria workers process cannabis. (YouTube) Canadian cannabis producer Aphria (APHA.TO)(APHA) announced a $100 million investment from an unnamed institutional investor shortly before the start of trading on Friday. Toronto-listed shares dropped 5.01 per cent to $7.20 at 9:54 a.m. ET. In New York, the stock fell 3.82 per cent to $5.54. Aphria said the investor has agreed to purchase 14 million units of the company priced at $7.12. Each unit includes one common share and half of one common share warrant, entitling the holder to purchase a share at $9.26 for 24 months after the closing date. Given the strength of our leadership team, the continued execution of our strategic plan and the robust opportunities we have for growth in the global cannabis industry, we were able to secure this additional capital from a single investor, a significant endorsement of Aphria in these market conditions, Aphria chief financial officer Carl Merton said in the statement. We expect this strategic investment to strengthen our balance sheet and propel Aphria forward as we continue to differentiate ourselves in the industry. Aphria said it intends to use the funds to finance expansion, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes. The company said the investment strengthens its cash position to nearly $600 million. The offering is expected to close on or about Jan. 31, and is subject to regulatory approval. If approved, the institution behind the investment would become the companys biggest institutional shareholder. The cash injection comes as cannabis companies face a capital drought brought on by a protracted string of weaker-than-expected financial results and a broad-based selloff of cannabis shares. In the midst of a liquidity crisis and with peers scrambling for cash, this strength really sets them apart from the pack, especially as, unlike other peers on a large cash balance, Aphria is also EBITDA positive. Jefferies analyst Owen Bennett wrote in note to clients on Friday. This means they are in a very strong position to continue to invest behind current Canadian momentum, invest in international expansion (Colombia opportunity and Aphria One just received GMP certification this week to service Europe), while also pursuing value-accretive opportunities as they come along. Aphria is Jefferies top pick among Canadian cannabis companies. Bennett maintains a buy rating on the stock and a $7.58 price target on Toronto-listed shares. He told Canadian Pacific Railway that its method of disclosing emissions got a C grade by the nonprofit Carbon Disclosure Project, and that its plan to boost that to a B would still be "unsatisfactory." TCI, the railroad's No. 1 stockholder, with an 8 per cent stake, said it requires the company to have a "credible, publicly-disclosed plan" to reduce emissions that meets seven objectives, including offsetting emissions from corporate travel and making facilities more energy efficient. Canadian Pacific says it engages in dialogue with stockholders on topics including sustainability, and that it has long reported its emissions to improve its practices. Hohn declined to be interviewed for this story. Hohn launched TCI and an affiliated charity, the Children's Investment Fund Foundation, in 2004 after earning a reputation as a gifted stockpicker in the London office of Perry Capital, a New York-based hedge fund. His wife, Jamie Cooper, whom Hohn met at Harvard in the early '90s, ran the foundation, and they became a London power couple as TCI pumped money into the charity. Hohn has shown you can make a big impact on companies with a lot of arm-twisting. Jeremy Grantham, co-founder of money manager GMO Thanks to Hohn, the foundation has $US5.1 billion that it uses to fund programs such as strengthening nutrition for youngsters in deprived communities, protecting adolescents from slavery and human trafficking, and expanding paediatric HIV treatment in Africa. Hohn and Cooper regularly traded notes with Bill and Melinda Gates, and in 2012, David Cameron, then Britain's prime minister, invited Hohn to speak at a summit on malnutrition at No. 10 Downing Street. At TCI, the vibe was decidedly more mercenary. Hohn developed an investment strategy predicated on his own "personal, intellectual, and emotional makeup," as he put it to Justice Jennifer Roberts, who presided over his 2014 divorce, which resulted in a 337 million-pound settlement for Cooper. Hohn's approach meant conducting meticulous analysis and searching for weak management teams that other investors avoid. "Think of it like the damaged goods department of a department store where you can get 80 to 90 per cent off because most people won't buy," Hohn said in a video interview with Institutional Investor magazine in 2013. When he settles on a target, Hohn takes highly concentrated stakes; a single stock can account for more than 15 per cent of his portfolio. Then he goes to work agitating for changes in the company's strategy. In 2005, he took a sizable stake in Deutsche Boerse in Frankfurt to stop what he called a "value-destructive acquisition" of the London Stock Exchange. Rebuffed, he called on shareholders to remove CEO Werner Seifert and kill the deal. The board acquiesced, and after Seifert left the company, he characterized Hohn and other shareholder activists as locusts. Hohn was the catalyst for one of the most disastrous banking deals in memory. In 2007, TCI bought 1 per cent of ABN Amro and started calling for a sale of the Dutch lender. After stockholders supported TCI, ABN Amro was sold to a consortium led by Royal Bank of Scotland Group in the biggest European banking merger ever. TCI pocketed $US1 billion, but the global financial crash of 2008 poleaxed the newly combined institution and led to its nationalization by the British government. TCI has also exploited scandals such as the 2011 crisis at Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. The company's U.K. newspapers had hacked mobile telephones and voice mail accounts of celebrities, royals, and a murdered 13-year-old girl. As the media giant's stock plunged, Hohn purchased almost $US1 billion in shares. After News Corp. settled lawsuits in the affair, Murdoch bought back shares and broke up the company. The stock rallied over the next two years, earning a 57 per cent return for TCI-and, for Hohn, reinforcing his reputation as a gifted money manager. Yet he has suffered defeats that show the limitations of his activism. In 2012, TCI sought to force Coal India, a state-controlled producer, to boost dividends and stop selling super-cheap coal to nearby power plants. But the government had little interest in seeing energy prices rise; in 2014, TCI gave up and bailed out of the stock, which had fallen 19 per cent during the campaign. Four years later, the London Stock Exchange Group Plc spurned Hohn's demands to oust its chairman and renew the CEO's contract. After that effort was rebuffed, TCI sold most of its 5 per cent stake in the company, only to see its shares almost double the following year. Hohn is rolling out his green efforts as the asset management industry struggles to find a way to address climate change while delivering the kind of returns investors demand. Index fund giants have long used an investing style dubbed ESG-based on environmental, social, and governance criteria-but they maintain that investment stewardship is ultimately about maximizing value, not imposing social "values" on companies. But amid mounting anxiety about record-breaking global temperatures, Larry Fink, chief executive officer of BlackRock acknowledged on January 14 that climate change has become a "defining factor" in the long-term prospects of companies worldwide. BlackRock, the world's biggest investment firm, with $US7.4 trillion in assets, will start cashing out of firms with "high sustainability-related risk" and plans to make emissions a fundamental consideration in investments. Tackling global warming will test Hohn's approach as never before. First, he's betting that companies will heed his demands, and then that he won't dampen returns by destabilising companies that reject them. In tying TCI's fortunes to a climate change agenda, Hohn is wagering that the economic risks from the mounting crisis are so great that it would be foolish not to spur companies to get real on emissions. "Green investing and hedge funds are not terms many investors would put in the same sentence," says Marc de Kloe, a partner at Theta Capital Management in Amsterdam and an investor in TCI's fund. "However, we have been proponents of the idea that hedge funds are in some way best suited to implement strong green policies, given their unconstrained nature and ability to deploy activist tactics." Climate change activists say it's about time, given the confusion around ESG, which has become a megatrend in the investing world. More than $US30 trillion was held in assets classified as sustainable or green in 2018, up more than a third from 2016, according to the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance, a group that tracks money flows. Ukraine's Health Ministry earlier reported that there had been no confirmed coronavirus cases in the country. Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) on January 20 set up an ad hoc group to monitor and analyze the situation regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-n-CoV), the NSDC's press service said. NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov says the situation with the spread of the coronavirus in Ukraine is under constant control, and the NSDC is fully provided with all the necessary information on this issue. Read alsoReuters: U.S. registers third coronavirus case According to him, the spread of the new coronavirus is being monitored in the countries of Asia (primarily China), Europe, the United States and the CIS member states with which Ukraine shares the border. "The measures being taken by foreign jurisdictions to prevent the further spread of the virus and the statistics of cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus are being analyzed and examined around the clock," the report said. The National Security and Defense Council reported that the procedure of body temperature screening was introduced at Boryspil Airport on January 26 for passengers arriving by direct flights from China. What is more, animals brought into Ukraine shall undergo the special inspection by veterinary services. "In general, as of January 26, there were no problem situations related to the spread of the coronavirus in Ukraine. The situation is fully controlled, national specialized medical institutions are ready to provide appropriate assistance to citizens," it said. Ukraine's Health Ministry earlier reported that there had been no confirmed coronavirus cases in the country. All suspected cases were the conventional circulating flu viruses. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 00:18:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Workers make masks at a mask producing factory in Zhangpu County, southeast China's Fujian Province. On the first day of Chinese Lunar New Year, many people chose to fulfill their duty on their posts. (Photo by Lin Duhong/Xinhua) The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has transferred 14,000 protective suits and 110,000 pairs of gloves from the central medical reserves to Wuhan. BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China has been strengthening the provision of medical supplies to combat the viral pneumonia outbreak. Shortage of medical supplies including goggles and masks was reported in Wuhan, the hardest-hit city of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak in central China. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has transferred 14,000 protective suits and 110,000 pairs of gloves from the central medical reserves to Wuhan. It also coordinated emergency supplies of 3 million masks, 100,000 protective suits and 2,180 pairs of goggles. The production of masks has exceeded 8 million per day, said Miao Wei, minister of industry and information technology, adding that the ministry has coordinated medical supply manufacturers to increase market supply. The Ministry of Transport has announced measures to prioritize transportation of emergency supplies and medical staff to aid control of the outbreak in Wuhan. The Red Cross Society of China's Wuhan branch opened 24-hour hotlines to receive donated emergency stocks. Personal protective equipment manufacturers are going full steam ahead in production. Xinxiang Huaxi Sanitary Materials Co., Ltd. in central China's Henan Province is producing 100,000 masks and 1,200 to 1,500 protective suits per day, according to the company's general manager Cui Wenbo. The products will be delivered to Wuhan and other cities. National Health Commission announced Saturday that 1,287 confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus, including 237 in critical conditions, had been reported in the country by the end of Friday. Pneumonia caused by the virus has resulted in 41 deaths. The race for the Karnataka Congress presidents post has virtually turned into a fierce battle between Lingayats and Vokkaligas, the states two influential communities. While the partys central leadership is keen on handing over the reins in Karnataka to former minister and key troubleshooter DK Shivakumar, former chief minister Siddaramaiah favours Lingayat leader MB Patil for the post, a Congress leader familiar with the developments said. Current state unit chief Dinesh Gundu Rao had submitted his resignation to the party high command, taking responsibility for the partys poor performance in the recent by-elections. Siddaramaiah also stepped down as the Congress Legislature Party leader. In the December 5 bypolls held in 15 assembly constituencies, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 12, the Congress two and an independent one. It was widely believed that the intense infighting in the Congress cost it dear in the by-elections as Siddaramaiah had emerged as the partys lead campaigner. Shivakumar, 57, a Vokkaliga from south Karnataka and a seven-time legislator, had been in prominence since he played a key role to shelter the partys Gujarat lawmakers ahead of a crucial Rajya Sabha election in 2017, sequestering them at his resort. Income tax authorities recently raided properties linked to Shivakumar. In these raids, the income tax department officials said they seized unaccounted cash of ~8.82 crore from his Delhi house. Shivakumar was arrested by the ED on September 3 last year in a money laundering case based on a complaint by the tax department alleging tax evasion. Congress president Sonia Gandhi had visited him in Tihar jail and it was seen as a message that the party stood behind him. Former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, also a Vokkaliga leader, too had visited Shivakumar in jail. The Congress had alleged both Shivakumar and former finance minister P Chidambaram were targeted by central agencies because of political vendetta. Shivakumar was released on October 23 after bail in the case. Patil, 55, a former state home minister and a Lingayat leader, has the support of Siddaramaiah. The two upper castes Lingayats and Vokkaligas have dominated the state politics for decades. While Lingayats constitute 17% of the states 65 million population, Vokkaligas account for 15%. Lingayats had moved away from the Congress in 1990 when Rajiv Gandhi removed Veerendra Patil as the chief minister. On the other hand, a large chunk of Vokkaligas had for years rallied behind HD Deve Gowdas Janata Dal (Secular). A Narayana of the Bengaluru-based Azim Premji University said the delay is because of the long standing tussle between the original Congressmen and migrants from other parties. He said Siddaramaiah is opposing Shivakumar and prefers Patil but the original Congressmen seem to fear if Patil becomes the state unit president, Siddaramaiah, a migrant, will have an upper hand. There is also some discontent about Siddaramaiahs style of functioning. Although he is aggressive, he is not strategising enough to take on the mighty BJP. So, old timers feel that with Siddaramaiah or his henchmen at the helm of affairs will not help the party much. The party is also unsure as to which of the two dominant castes is easier to win over. So the question is should it choose Patil to get the Lingayat support or bet on the Vokkaligas by anointing Shivakumar, Narayana added. Another Congress leader said Siddaramaiah, who was widely believed for the collapse of the JD(S)-led coalition government in the state, also wants to retain the CLP post despite his resignation as it would enable him to become the leader of the opposition. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Arunachal Pradesh Governor Brig (Retd) Dr B D Mishra on Sunday called upon the people of the state to join hands with the state government to fight the hydra-headed monster 'corruption' for the sake of development. Unfurling the Tricolour at Indira Gandhi Park here on the occasion of Republic Day function, Mishra in his address said that in order to bring transparency and curb corruption, the government had developed Arunachal satellite-based monitoring and geo tagging tool which is compulsory for all government departments to geo tag all projects. "My government is seeking team spirit and working hard to achieve excellence in governance, quality education, better health services, progressive changes in agriculture and horticulture sectors, blue economy, employment generation and drinking water to all households by 2024 besides maintaining law and order through modernization of police forces, he said. Mishra said the government is adopting a comprehensive approach with better and new technologies for roadways, railways, airways, waterways and internet in the state. "We have developed a comprehensive plan to upgrade all roads in the district headquarters over a period of next four years under the Chief Minister Comprehensive State Road Plan 2019-24, to bring improvement in 150 km roads in the state capital, upgrade important inter-state and inter-district roads to the specification of state highway," he said. Mishra informed that the government was trying to get sanction from the Centre this year for two important road projects Frontier Highway and East-West Corridor. While the Frontier Highway will provide seamless connectivity across the entire border state, the East-West Corridor will act as an economic corridor and usher in industrial development, he said. "I appeal to all the people, especially the landowners to cooperate and offer the requisite land generously whenever required in public interest," Mishra said. The governor said the greenfield airport at Hollongi, near here and its auxiliary support infrastructure is now on the work chart of the government and it would be completed in the next three years time. He said that as per reports of the Union Finance Ministry, the GST collection of Arunachal Pradesh till December last year has recorded 124 per cent jump, greatest in the country. Mishra said, the hydropower potential would take the state from an economic resource constraint state to an economic affluent one in the country and the Dibang Multipurpose project (2880 mega watt) with an approved expenditure of Rs 28,080 crore is a major step in the direction, which would be completed in next nine years. "The government has approved the state industrial policy to make the state investment-friendly by promoting ease of doing business. We will have a single-window system to create a conducive business environment and will provide attractive incentives and subsidies for setting up industries in the state, he said in his address. The governor said, in view of large number of users of opium, cannabis, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in the state, the government had constituted 'Control, Awareness, Monitoring and Enforcement' (CAME) teams to combat drug menace and destroy illicit opium and cannabis cultivation in the districts. In the health sector, he said, the state government has launched the ambitious Chief Ministers Arogya Arunachal Yojana (CMAAY) which would provide health insurance cover to a family up to five lakh per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization which are not covered under Ayushman Bharat scheme of the Centre. To promote tourism in the state the government will bring out a comprehensive tourism development policy to harness the tourism potential. Various contingents of state police and para-military forces including school children participated in the march past, while display of tribal dances were highlights of the Republic Day function. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) When early drafts of the fundamental right to freedom of speech were put before the Constituent Assembly, members protested that the right was riddled with so many exceptions that the exceptions have eaten up the right altogether. The framers of the Constitution drew from the example of the Irish Constitution by providing specific subjects on which the state could make law to restrict the freedom of speech. This was markedly different from the US Constitution, under which the freedom of speech was not mottled with exceptions, and was absolute, at least on the face of it. There was a lively debate before the Constituent Assembly on what the permissible exceptions should be. Eventually, when the Constitution came into force on January 26 ,1950, the only grounds on which the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression could be restricted were libel, slander, defamation, contempt of court or any other matter which offends against decency or morality or undermines the security of or tends to overthrow the state. Notable exceptions which found themselves in earlier drafts but got dropped in the end, were sedition, public order, class hatred and blasphemy. Only a few months into the republic, the newly minted fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) was put to test. The restrictions under Article 19(2) were invoked by three state governments to clamp down on select publications. In Bihar, the government cracked down on a provocative political pamphlet. The high court rejected the states contention and that view was upheld by the Supreme Court in State of Bihar v Shailabala Devi. In Madras, the state banned Crossroads, a communist weekly published by Romesh Thapar who was famously critical of many of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehrus policies. The Supreme Court struck down the ban and the law under which it was issued, holding that nothing short of a threat to overthrow the state could justify a restriction on the freedom of speech under Article 19(1) (a). A breach of order of a purely local significance could not meet the test. This was followed in Brij Bhushans case, where the court struck down a pre-censorship order on the Organiser, a weekly run by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Upset by the rulings, Nehru wrote to the then law minister BR Ambedkar, expressing a need to amend the Constitution to contain subversive activities. But on the floor of Parliament, Nehru justified the need for an amendment, not on a political ground but a moral one. This was curious given that the occasion for the amendment was the three unfavourable rulings. Taking the moral high ground he said, It has become a matter of the deepest distress to me to see from day to day some of these news sheets which are full of vulgarity and indecency and falsehood day after day not injuring me or this House much , but poisoning the mind of the younger generation, degrading their mental integrity and moral standards. In a speech which acquires special relevance in times of rampant and reckless fake news about seven decades later, he complained that from the way untruth is bandied about and falsehood thrown about it has become quite impossible to distinguish what is true and what is false. The first amendment to the Constitution in 1951 expanded the exceptions to the freedom of speech to eight from what were originally four. Public order, security of the state, incitement to an offence and friendly relations with foreign states were the new insertions. One redeeming feature was that the subjects of restriction were prefixed with the word reasonable. In 1963, a new ground was added: in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India. But despite the increased subjects of curtailment, seven decades of working the Constitution tell us that the enumeration of specific subjects in Article 19(2) on which the freedom of speech could be restricted, actually kept a check on excessive inroads into the freedom of speech. The addition of the word, reasonable helped to reign in the restrictions, even on the eight permissible grounds. Each restriction was required to meet the test of proportionality. The enumeration of restrictions, once condemned as eating up the right altogether, have emerged, somewhat paradoxically, as its protector. In the landmark judgment Shreya Singhal v Union of India, comparing Article 19(1)(a) with its American counterpart, Justice Rohinton F Nariman held that while under the Indian Constitution, the right could be curtailed only on the eight grounds specified under Article 19(2), the American Constitution was not constrained by such limitations and the restrictions could travel beyond, so long as there was a clear and present danger to a competing right. The belief that the freedom of speech under the American Constitution was absolute was therefore, a misnomer. Article 19(2) is organic enough to take care of challenges that might not have been envisaged so many years ago. At the forefront of civil liberties in recent times, is the right to privacy. Now recognised as a fundamental right, privacy concerns need to be balanced with the freedom of speech. Article 19(2) does not specifically mention privacy. But it does mention decency and morality as exceptions to free speech, and these exceptions are not limited to affording protection only against obscenity they are broad enough to make space for privacy, an important moral value in any decent civilised society. In Kaushal Kishor v Union of India, the Supreme Court, usually a staunch and steadfast guardian of the freedom of speech from the early days of the republic, decided to refer to a bench of five judges the question of whether the freedom of speech could be curtailed on grounds beyond those specified in Article 19(2), and whether Article 21, which has been stretched to include everything from the right to sleep to the right to a toilet can be invoked to introduce further curbs on the freedom of speech. While the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 in its many resplendent avatars, is vital, so is the freedom of speech and expression. We, in India chose to adopt the Irish template and consciously departed from the American one. The framers of our Constitution were careful to minimise the restrictions in Article 19(2), while seeking to ensure that all the social values which need to be protected from reckless speech found place in Article 19(2). Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(2) strike a good balance between protecting both free speech and other competing rights. There are grave dangers in opening a back door for inroads into Article 19(1)(a), particularly through a right as elastic as Article 21. Article 19(2) draws a Laxman Rekha and it is important, in the interests of free speech to stay well within that threshold. ( Madhavi Goradia Divan is Additional Solicitor General of India) The Muslim American Society-Islamic Circle of North America (MAS-ICNA) 2019 convention held in Chicago last month reveals the Illinois Islamists ties with the autocratic Turkish regime of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and how Erdogan uses U.S. Islamists organizations as an arm of his foreign policy. One of the main convention sponsors was the Zakat Foundation (ZF), a nonprofit organization, that was founded by the Turkish-American Halil Demir in 1981, in Bridgeview, Illinois, near Chicago. Demir previously worked as the public relations offices for the Benevolence International Foundation (BIF), an organization which would be designated for supporting terrorism for allegedly funding Al Qaeda. According to its mission statement, the Zakat foundation is a trusted zakat (alms-giving) and donations resource center for Muslim donors. Zakat is the third pillar of Islam. In his report Erdogans Long Arm in the US: Turkish Influence Operations Among American Muslims Ahmet S. Yayla identifies the Zakat Foundation as the main sponsor of the 13th MAS-ICNA conference in December 2014. In addition, ZF participated at the 2015 MAS-ICNA conference with a large booth, raising funds for its programs. Also, the Zakat Foundation was the platinum sponsor for the 2014 and 2015 American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), a group closely linked to the Hamas support network which held its annual convention in Chicago in November. Turkish officials have been directly involved at the MAS-ICNA convention in Chicago for years. In 2016, Sumeyye Erdogan Bayraktar, daughter of President Erdogan and vice-chairperson of the Istanbul-based Women and Democracy Association (KADEM), spoke at the MAS-ICNA convention and stated that Turkey serves as an inspiration for other Muslim nations. In 2017, Turkey was represented at MAS-ICNA convention by Mehdi Eker, the deputy chair of AKP. Another speaker at the recent MAS-ICNA convention associated with Erdogan is the Chicago-based Oussama Jammal, who is MASs director of Public Affairs and Civic Engagement as well as president of the Mosque Foundation (MF) board of directors, and secretary general of the U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO). The Mosque Foundation and several of its leaders have a long history of ties to and support for Islamist organizations known to fund terror groups. In particular, Jammal had raised money for terror financer Sami al-Arian and has close ties to Erdogan. Jammal founded the USCMO in 2014 with a mission to open effective communication and coordination spectrums between all American Muslim organizations help solidify mutually crucial relationships create and sustain an urgent, collective sense of direction. Since its inception, USCMO has acted as an umbrella group for Islamist organizations such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Muslim-American Society (MAS), American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), and the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), all groups with identifiable ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. Indeed, Jammal and his ilk have issued press releases, organized demonstrations, mobilized and indoctrinated Muslims in Illinois and other states, and appeared on the scene whenever Erdogan needed support. In April, 2015, USCMO released a statement to support Turkey regarding the 1915 Turkish-Armenian Events, a Turkish euphemism for the Armenian genocide. In July, 2016, Jammal, with a group of Turkish and American Muslims, including Zakat Foundations Demir, protested the coup attempt in Turkey in front of Turkeys Chicago Consulate General building. Jammal is a major figure in Erdogans domestic political meddling, and USCMO acts as a support and lobbying group for Erdogans anti-American policies among U.S. Muslims. Turkish operations in Illinois are just a small part of Turkeys bid to create a global network of Islamists culminating in a virtual Ottoman Empire that answers to Istanbul. In 2015 former AKP prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey will re-found the Ottoman state. This effort to place Turkey at the head of an Islamist coalition explains Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP) providing various forms of support to the international Muslim Brotherhood, as well as U.S. Islamist organizations that support Hamas. By meddling in U.S. politics, Turkish and Islamist nonprofit organizations have violated their mission statements as nonprofit entities, and in addition raise serious questions about their status as possibly unregistered foreign agents, particularly if the Turkish government has funded their efforts and rewarded them for their support. American Muslims need to stand up and make clear that groups like MAS-ICNA and the USCMO do not speak for them Hesham Shehab is the Chicago Associate for the Counter Islamist Grid (CIG). London: The UK government on Sunday unveiled a new 50-pence commemorative Brexit coin ahead of the UK's exit from the European Union (EU) next Friday. UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid, who is also the UK's Master of the Mint, said the new coin marks a new chapter in the country's history as he was handed the first batch of the Brexit coins. He will present one of them to Prime Minister Boris Johnson next week. Leaving the European Union is a turning point in our history and this coin marks the beginning of this new chapter, said Javid. The 50p coin bears the inscription "Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations" and the date the UK leaves the EU January 31, 2020. Around 3 million of the coins will enter banks, post offices and shops across the UK from Friday, January 31, with a further 7 million entering circulation later this year. More than 13,000 people have already registered their interest in a commemorative version of the coin, which is available to buy from the UK's Royal Mint. As part of the launch, the Royal Mint said it will open its South Wales headquarters for 24 hours to let people strike their own commemorative coins next Friday. Javid had first ordered the production of the coins ahead of the UK's previous departure date of October 31, 2019. But parliamentary deadlock meant the government missed that deadline and about a million of those coins had to be melted down for these new set. Earlier this week, Johnson had formally signed the EU Withdrawal Agreement at Downing Street after European Council President Charles Michel and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen had sent back a signed copy. It is now back with Brussels for the European Parliament to vote it through next Wednesday, a move seen as a formality. Once the legal processes have been completed, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will sign the UK's instrument of ratification, which will then be deposited in Brussels ahead of exit day. In Brussels, the EU will do the same in order for the UK to formally leave at 2300 GMT next Friday. From February 1, the UK enters into an agreed 11-month transition period in which it will continue to follow EU rules but without representation at any of the economic bloc's institutions. This arrangement will come to an end on January 1, 2021, by which time the two sides hope to have completed negotiations on their future economic and security partnership as part of a new agreement. The UK had voted to leave the 28-member economic bloc in a referendum in June 2016, a vote which comes into effect this year. ALBANY The state inspector general's investigation into allegations that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo was briefed on the details of a closed-door vote by the state Joint Commission on Public Ethics last year failed to include interviews with key individuals in the matter, including top state Assembly counsel Howard Vargas, whose contact with a former ethics commissioner sparked the probe. The leak was revealed in January 2019, when Cuomo allegedly confronted Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie at the Capitol about the speaker's appointees to JCOPE voting against the interests of the governor earlier that day on an ethics complaint involving Joseph Percoco, a former top aide to the governor. The Times Union first reported on the inspector general's investigation in November, noting then that it also did not include interviewing either Cuomo or Heastie. The Times Union subsequently reported that Vargas was the person who had contacted then-JCOPE Commissioner Julie Garcia and allegedly told her that the governor was aware of how she and other commissioners had voted that day. Heastie subsequently announced that his office would "review" Vargas' actions. But it's also unclear what the Assembly review entailed. Garcia abruptly resigned from JCOPE on Oct. 10, days after the inspector general's office issued a letter stating it was unable to substantiate the leak. She sent a text message to Vargas that morning, stating: "Resigning from JCOPE today. Where should I send the letter?" Vargas, who has known Garcia since they attended Albany Law School together, texted her Heastie's mailing address and fax number, as well as his own email address. But Vargas did not ask her why she was resigning or express any other interest in learning what had prompted her decision, according to a copy of the text messages. In an interview last week, Garcia confirmed that no one from the Assembly had contacted her regarding their recent review of Vargas. Heastie's office previously said that Vargas had called Garcia last year "without the speaker's knowledge. We don't know what motivated him to make the call." Kerri Biche, a spokeswoman for Heastie, issued a brief statement this week in response to questions about the review of Vargas, but declined to say whether any disciplinary action had been taken. The review was done by the majority counsel's office, where Vargas holds a high-ranking position. "Based on recommendations from majority counsel, we have reviewed with senior staff appropriate interaction with other agencies, particularly those with investigatory powers," Biche said. "As for Mr. Vargas, we have done a review and taken action to deal with it internally. We do not disclose personnel matters." In fact, Vargas got a substantial pay bump in the midst of the inspector general's investigation: Last August, about seven months after placing the phone call to Garcia, Vargas' annual pay rate grew from about $158,700 a year to $169,300, according to payroll records provided by the state comptroller's office. Vargas did not respond to a request for comment. He is a former executive director of the Bronx Democratic Committee and was appointed by Heastie as his executive counsel in November 2015. In that role, Vargas oversees many of the speaker's appointments, including to commissions such as JCOPE. Vargas isn't the only top state official who reached out to a JCOPE commissioner on the day the panel deliberated on the Percoco matter. On Dec. 4, the Times Union reported that Heastie had called JCOPE Commissioner James Yates the same day that Vargas had called Garcia. Yates has declined to comment and Heastie, in response to questions last month about his conversation with Yates, would not say what they discussed or what prompted him to call the commissioner that afternoon. "Jim Yates is somebody that I speak to quite frequently," Heastie said. "He is my former counsel, he is someone I consider a friend and a mentor whose judgment I trust immensely. I have never spoken to Jim Yates or any other appointee about any matter or matters before JCOPE. Jim and I talk all the time." Questions about the integrity of the investigations by the Assembly and the inspector general's office are continuing to swirl as the inspector general is delaying its response to requests from the Times Union for records of the probe. The office on Friday confirmed that Inspector General Letizia Tagliafierro had dinner with JCOPE Commissioner Colleen C. DiPirro the night before the commission's Jan. 29, 2019, meeting, when the Percoco matter was voted on behind closed doors. Tagliafierro had formerly served as JCOPE's executive director an appointment made by Cuomo and the Times Union first asked her office about her dinner outing with DiPirro on Dec. 19. "They have known each other for 10 years," Lee Park, a spokesman for the inspector general, said Friday. "They did not discuss this or any other sensitive matter. As we have said, by law, the inspector general's office is tasked with investigating potential JCOPE leaks, and given her past employment at the agency, she recused herself." DiPirro on Friday confirmed that she had dinner with Tagliafierro that evening but said they only discussed personal matters and are longtime friends. Three weeks prior to the dinner meeting, Cuomo had named Tagliafierro the new state inspector general. She previously held a position as a high-level adviser to Cuomo in the Executive Chamber. The inspector general's office also had no record of interviewing DiPirro in the course of its leak investigation. Nor did the office have any record of having interviewed Michael Rozen, the chairman of JCOPE. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. The Jan. 29 vote appears to have been related to a potential investigation of Percoco's alleged use of the governor's office to illegally conduct campaign business during 2014. There is no indication such a probe was launched by JCOPE as a result of the commission's vote last year. The ethics complaint, filed by state Republican leaders, centered on revelations from Percoco's federal corruption trial that, after he resigned in 2014 as Cuomo's executive deputy secretary to serve as the governor's campaign manager, he used his desk in Cuomo's Manhattan office to conduct campaign business. Percoco is serving six years in federal prison for taking $320,000 in bribes and exploiting his power as Cuomo's top aide. The closed-door deliberations and voting results of the ethics commission are not public, and any disclosure of that information may violate state law. The inspector general launched its nine-month investigation which was never made public after Garcia, a former Essex County district attorney who had been appointed to JCOPE by Heastie in August 2018, notified former JCOPE Executive Director Seth Agata that someone from Heastie's office had contacted her and claimed that Cuomo told Heastie that afternoon that the speaker's appointees to JCOPE had voted against the governor on a matter. "I was alarmed when I was contacted so quickly after that (January) meeting," Garcia said in an interview two months ago. "I was being told the governor knew how I voted in executive session, even though I was unable to confirm whether or not the information was accurate." The leak investigation has stirred unrest among JCOPE's ranks, where officials have complained privately that leaks of the panel's confidential dealings through the years have not been unusual. Many commissioners have also publicly questioned why their work needs to be conducted almost entirely in secret. Agata, JCOPE's most recent executive director, resigned in June. The panel, which is slated to hold its next regular meeting Tuesday, has not yet named a successor. In December, at the commission's second meeting after the inspector general's leak investigation had been made public, the commission voted 7-4 against conducting a "self-assessment" to examine their internal operations as well as those of the inspector general's office. The vote followed a rare public deliberation on a controversial matter, and the "no" votes were all cast by appointees of either Cuomo or Heastie, the two Democrats at the center of the leak allegation. The proposal for a self-assessment was put forward by Commissioner Gary Lavine, who called the inspector general's report "not credible." Lavine is an appointee of Republican Senate Minority Leader John J. Flanagan, and had previously served on the commission as a Cuomo appointee. JCOPE has 14 commissioners, three appointed by the temporary president of the Senate, three by the Assembly speaker, one each by the Senate and Assembly minority leaders, and six by the governor. Cuomo and Heastie have both acknowledged that they discussed a JCOPE matter following the January 2019 meeting, but have declined to provide any specifics on what they talked about. The governor has said their conversations were not "inappropriate." In a statement in November, Heastie's spokesman told the Times Union the speaker "does not recall having a conversation with the governor regarding the specifics of any JCOPE investigation." In a glass-walled room at Prager Brothers Artisan Bread in Carlsbad, customers lining up for loaves of sourdough and sunflower rye can see the bakerys newest technology at work an old-fashioned stone mill that grinds flour in prehistoric fashion. The slow-moving mill, which crushes grains of whole wheat between two 250-pound granite discs, is just the latest way the bakerys co-founders Carlsbad-raised brothers Louie and Clinton Prager are taking the art of bread-baking back in time. Seven days a week, the siblings and their baking crew turn out hundreds of loaves of hand-formed, naturally leavened, organic whole-grain bread. Their Old World breads are made without yeast, sugar or commercial mixing machines. It takes about 36 hours to produce a loaf of Prager sourdough bread, compared with four hours at a commercial bakery. 1 / 10 Prager Brothers Artisan Breads co-owner Clinton Prager lines up loaves of bread. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 10 Prager Brothers Artisan Breads co-owner Clinton Prager uses a razor blade to cut the tops of the bread. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune) 3 / 10 Prager Brothers Artisan Breads co-owner Clinton Prager cleans the oven. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune) 4 / 10 Prager Brothers Artisan Breads co-owner Clinton Prager lines up proofed breads for baking. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune) 5 / 10 Prager Brothers Artisan Breads. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune) 6 / 10 Prager Brothers Artisan Breads workers prepare scones for baking. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune) 7 / 10 Prager Brothers Artisan Breads. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune) 8 / 10 Prager Brothers Artisan Breads co-owner Clinton Prager (right) and baker Cervando Tapia (left) prepare pretzels. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune) 9 / 10 Prager Brothers Artisan Breads co-owner Clinton Prager uses a razor blade to cut pretzels. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune) 10 / 10 Prager Brothers Artisan Breads co-owner Clinton Prager (left) ad baker Cervando Tapia (right) load pretzels into an oven. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune) Advertisement Louie, who holds a degree in plant biology, said the companys goal isnt just to make good bread. Its goal is to educate the public on the history and traditions of growing, milling, fermenting and baking breads with traditional techniques. Our mission is to restore the craft of artisan breads, he said. We want people to appreciate the time, care and work that goes into this. Since opening their first industrial bakery in 2013, the Prager brothers have been buying flour from organic mills, like Camas Country Mill in Oregon. That limited the varieties of grain they could buy, since most mills are large commercial operations that cant afford to slow down their production cycle to grind small-batch heirloom organic mixes for little independent bakeries like Prager Brothers. So, six months ago, the brothers ordered their own 26-inch electric-powered mill from North American Stone Mills in North Carolina. Only about a dozen independent bakeries in the U.S. have their own in-house mills. The $12,000 mill was custom-built and delivered three months ago, and ever since its been churning out all sorts of organic flours, including California-grown Yecora Rojo red wheat, Tibetan purple barley and organic cornmeal. Louie delights in showing customers how the grains are fed into a hole between the rotating stones, pressed out the sides and swept down a steel chute. It takes about an hour to grind 50 pounds of whole grain into a light flour thats then hand-sifted to separate out the bitter bran (outer shell) of the crushed wheat kernels. The machine, which runs all morning and most afternoons, isnt producing enough yet to supply all of the bakerys needs. But Louie said its been invaluable in helping him and his brother explore a variety of new red, white and half-size wheat grains. Its also helped them customize some flour blends and experiment with the size of the flour granules. Using a different type of flour, more water, hand-folded dough and a slow fermentation process results in a better flavor, a more open crumb (bigger air holes inside), a chewier, more multicolored crust and a longer shelf life. The brothers sell their breads, pastries and sandwiches from a retail shop that fronts the 3,300-square-foot bakery, which is visible through a wall-sized glass window. At any hour of the day, customers can watch the Pragers and their dozen-plus kitchen staff milling grain, kneading dough, hand-shaping pretzels, cookies and croissants, and moving trays of fresh-baked loaves into cooling racks. Though baking is now their shared lifes work, the brothers came to it from different directions and at different times. Louie, 30, studied birds in the Peruvian rain forest before pursuing his bread-baking passion in 2011. Clinton, 29, is a classically trained guitarist who set aside his music career four years ago to help his brother as the business began to take off. Louie started out making pizzas in the first of several homemade wood-fired ovens in their family backyard when he was in high school. While studying biology at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, he trained in artisan breadmaking at 3rd Corner Bakery in Los Angeles. Then, when he couldnt find work as a biologist after college, he decided to become a full-time baker. At first he sold loaves baked in a borrowed restaurant oven to friends and family. Then in 2012, he opened a booth at the Encinitas Farmers Market, and sales exploded. By that time, Clinton had earned a music degree from UC Santa Cruz and was working as a musician and teacher. But when Louie asked him to come into the business as a partner in 2013, he learned the craft by his brothers side. They arrive at their bakery every morning at 3 a.m. to get all their supermarket deliveries out before dawn. They rarely head home Louie lives in Carlsbad, Clinton in Oceanside before 9 p.m. Over the past two years, the business has more than doubled in size. Besides the onsite shop, their breads are now sold at six farmers markets from Escondido to Little Italy; natural foods markets including Cardiffs Seaside Market, Jimbos and O.B. Peoples Market; and organic cafes like Baker & Olive. The Pragers make a dozen types of bread, including nine varieties of sourdough. The top-seller is the miche country loaf, a whole wheat sourdough, as well as a walnut whole-grain, olive rosemary, rye sunflower, sesame semolina, raisin walnut and whole-grain sprouted spelt. There are also yeast-risen baguettes, flatbreads and pretzels, and a variety of European-style pastries and cookies. In December 2015, the Pragers moved into a larger space in the Carlsbad Gateway Center, a 16-acre light industrial park on Palmer Way. Since 2013, the park has established a niche as a makers space for several food businesses that make and sell their products onsite. Besides Prager Brothers, theres Happy Pantry, a live-culture kitchen making fermented vegetables; Leap Coffee, an artisan coffee roaster and cafe; and Oh! Juice, which makes and sells cold-pressed organic juices. All four businesses have education programs where the public can watch the products being made, and most do private tastings. Prager Brothers will soon open another small space a few doors down where Louie said he hopes to develop the companys community outreach program. He hopes to offer demonstrations and classes on baking, milling, sourdough fermentation, sustainable farming, crop rotation and more. Toni Adamopoulos, property manager for the Carlsbad Gateway Center, said these and other onsite-maker businesses are building a growing buzz among customers who like a one-on-one, interactive experience with the food products they buy. The Prager brothers, in particular, have benefited significantly from this sort of open-doors concept. Theyre very passionate about their work and they want people to know about how their bread is made, not just eat it, Adamopoulos said. Theres a really supportive network between these businesses, and theyre creating something really unique here. Prager Brothers Artisan Bread Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays. Where: Carlsbad Gateway Center, 5611 Palmer Way, Suite C, Carlsbad Phone: (760) 703-1904 Online: pragerbrothers.com pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com Row: Tight dresses are part of the clothing range Department store chain House of Fraser owned by billionaire Mike Ashley the self-proclaimed saviour of the high street has come under fire for selling clothing bearing a logo displaying the wording `The Presidents Club MMXVIII'. The garments include short, tight-fitting black dresses and items emblazoned with the words `The Presidents Club'. The menswear brand was launched after the demise of the sleazy Dorchester Hotel annual dinner event. Allegations of improper behaviour by guests at the fundraising function for The Presidents Club dubbed 'the slimeball gala' were reported two years ago. Women working at the dinner, attended by 300 businessmen, were made to wear revealing black dresses and had to sign non-disclosure contracts. The public outcry forced The Presidents Club charity to close down. The clothing brand was registered a month after the scandal broke by Manchester-based fashion supplier Martyn Warden. He denies being inspired by the scandal or that there is a connection between the Presidents Club Charitable Trust and his clothing brand. He says that it is purely coincidental that the clothing brand bears a similar name to the now defunct charity. Mr Warden denies trying to trade off the controversy. None of the trustees were sanctioned despite the closure of the charity. UN Agency Scales Up Food Delivery to Syria's War-Torn Idlib By Lisa Schlein January 26, 2020 The World Food Program reports it is scaling up its operation to provide emergency food to tens of thousands of homeless, hungry people in Syria's war-torn province of Idlib. Humanitarian officials say conditions for some three million civilians in Idlib have become intolerable since Syria and its Russian allies launched a major offensive in mid-December to seize this last rebel stronghold. Since then, the United Nations reports more than 300,000 people, 80 percent of them women and children, have fled their homes in a desperate bid to protect themselves from heavy bombing and shelling. Last year, the World Food Program nearly doubled its food assistance from 550,000 beneficiaries to one million in northwest Syria. Given the increasing conflict and displacement, WFP spokeswoman Elizabeth Byrs says her agency is scaling up its operation to provide emergency food aid to more than 126,000 displaced. "WFP and its partners are now pre-positioning life-saving food for more than one million people in northwest Syria for six weeks. It is I can just say it is vital we continue to be able to reach these desperately vulnerable people whose lives are being torn apart by fighting." Idlib is under siege, so WFP only can bring food into the territory from Turkey. Byrs says this cross-border operation from Turkey has made it possible for WFP to feed hundreds of thousands of destitute people in Idlib last year and will continue to do so this year. The United Nations reports more than eight years of brutal civil conflict has pushed millions of Syrians into hunger and poverty. It reports the war has displaced more than six million people within the country and created a food crisis for more than seven million who suffer from chronic food shortages. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Predestined relationship with Vietnam Before beginning his life in Vietnam, Michael (Mike) Stephenstravelled around the S-shaped country in 2017. Impressed by the development of the capital city Hanoi, with its hustle and bustle lifestyle and the friendliness and kindness from the natives. Mike decided to return to the city in January 2018 for a 12-month volunteer project implemented by the Vietnam Representative Office of ChildFund an Australia-based independent and secular international development organisation that works to reduce and hopefully eliminate poverty for children in the developing world. The Fund has been in operation in Vietnam since the turn of the millennium in 1999. He shared: It was lucky for me. The nice things in the lands that I have travelled made me always think of this country. In addition to initial impressions like Mike, Rebekah (Bek) Thielemans, who is the media advisor of GreenHub (the Centre for Supporting Green Development that has operated in Vietnam since 2016), loves Vietnam more because he realised good qualities and sincere affection of Vietnamese people when he worked here. Bek has had many deep memories with his colleagues although he has lived in the country for just seven months. That was the first time I took part in a volunteer programabroad, but I will never forget the days I started working here. Vietnam has helped me promote my knowledge and skills that I have accumulated over the years. When I first came here, my colleagues asked me about my strengths to put me in a positionwhere I could put to use my advantages. Vietnam has brought me many good relationships. The relations between my colleagues and I were not related to our work. They were willing to share many things and difficulties in their life with me. Vietnamese partners are my great friends, Bek said. Contributions to second homeland With their sympathy and compassion for the "S-shaped country", Australian volunteers decided to contribute to the nation which they considered to be their second homeland. Since his volunteer campaign began in May 2019, Bek has helped GreenHub bring about positive changes for the green development in Vietnam, focusing on four key areas: waste management, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture and natural conservation. Bek said thatenvironmental protection is a hot issue around the world. However, the issue is more urgent in Vietnam as its most famous wonder, Ha Long Bay, is filled with rubbish while the Mekong River Delta is serious seawater levels rising. Bek and his colleagues have implemented many practical projects, especially the communications of reducing plastic wastes. Under this project, they have developed an educational model to help students understand more about the current situation of plastic waste in Vietnam, which are causing serious consequences on the environment. Accordingly, Bek has proposed practical solutions to solve this problem. Bek shared: I, along with young Vietnamese people, travelled to the seas in the northern and central region around the country to see beautiful natural sceneries that were being devastated by plastic waste. Being aware of the seriousness of this vital issue, the students began taking simple actions, such as collecting plastic waste from the seas, and then formed habits to minimisetheir use of plastic products. The rapid and direct changes thanks to the projects in Vietnam made me feel the real value of my work and I am excited for more upcoming projects. He is conducting surveys in 12 coastal provinces and cities in Vietnam to collect data for the development of an undersea ecosystem to protect it from environmental impacts. Meanwhile, as a supporter for clean water and environmental sanitation of ChildFund Vietnam, Mike has worked with private businesses to improve water resources and the living environment for ethnic minority groups who live in remote areas. His main task was to contribute new ideas and to ensure that his initiatives could be implemented according to the criteria set out in the project. In the past year, Mike and his colleagues have framed a project titled WASH for ALL that is expected to be implemented in early 2020. The project will support around 4,000 people in Hoa Binh, Cao Bang and Bac Kan provinces to gain access to clean water and sanitation facilities as well as promote hygienic practices. Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Robyn Mudie, hailed thegreat spirit given by Australian volunteers, noting that they have contributed to the mutual understanding and relationship between Vietnam and Australia while helping the Australian Government achieve its development goals in Vietnam. While addressing his first monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' of the year, PM Modi said, "Two weeks ago, a very important agreement was signed in New Delhi which ended the chapter of the painful, almost 25-year-old, Bru-Reang refugee crisis." Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the solution of the Bru-Reang refugee crisis was a historic decision, which ended the more than two-decade-old problems of the community. "This problem dates back to the 1990s. In 1997, Bru-Reang tribals had to leave Mizoram and take refuge in Tripura due to ethnic tension. The refugees were kept in temporary camps in Kanchanpur in North Tripura," he said. PM Modi said that members of the tribal community had to spend a large part of their lives in refugee camps, which meant them being deprived of the basic facilities. "It is very painful that people of Bru-Reang spent a sizeable portion of their life in these camps as refugees. For them, living in camps meant deprivation from the basic amenities of life. For 23 years, there were no homes, no land, neither were there any medical facilities for the families nor education for their children," Modi said. "They spent every moment of their lives in uncertainty. Governments came and went but none could solve their problems. But despite all odds, their belief in the Constitution and culture remained intact and this very belief has brought a new dawn in their lives," said PM. He commended the signing of the agreement and said, "The pact has opened the path of a dignified life for them. The new decade of 2020 has brought a new ray of hope in their lives. Around 34 thousand Bru-Reang refugees will be settled in Tripura, Centre will assist in rehabilitations and their overall development by giving a package of around Rs 600 crore." "Every displaced family will get a plot, assistance for homes and rations will be given to them. They will also be able to take the benefits of Centre and State's public welfare schemes," he said, enlisting the benefits of the pact. The Prime Minister thanked the people of both the states and the respective Chief Ministers of Mizoram and Tripura for ending the crisis. "This is a unique agreement for a number of reasons, it depicts the essence of co-operative federalism. For this agreement, the Chief Ministers of both Mizoram and Tripura were present and it was signed with the agreement and wishes of the two states. I thank the CMs and people of both the states," Modi said. "I once again extend my wishes to the people of both the states and the Bru-Reang community," he added. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on January 16 had presided over the signing of an agreement between the central government and the Chief Ministers of Tripura and Mizoram Biplab Kumar Deb and Zoramthanga and Bru refugee representatives under which around 34,000 internally displaced people will be settled in Tripura. Zeb Kazi had one key thing in mind when launching Halal Meats Online in 2012 saving time. "It was, 'can someone else go and get meat for me so that I can carry on with my other activities?'" he says. Zeb Kazi, founder of Halal Meats Online. Credit:Paul Jeffers Back in 2012, the answer to that question was mostly 'no': there were limited butcher delivery companies outside of the major supermarkets and there were even fewer options for halal meats, with Melbournians often having to drive some distance to pick up produce. Kazi started doing Google searches, mapping out feasibility and forming partnerships with suppliers to develop a delivery box service where customers could order meat exactly to their requirements to be delivered in a two day window. New Delhi, Jan 26 : Alleging that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government was backing rioters and those indulging in violence, Home Minister Amit Shah, here on Sunday, urged people not to re-elect a government that could disturb the city's peace. Addressing an election rally in Rohtas Nagar, Shah said, "To develop Delhi, vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). If this happens, Shaheen Bagh will be clearly affected". The BJP leader has consistently made Shaheen Bagh, the much talked-about anti-CAA protest site in Delhi, a key election issue. He also accused the Congress and the AAP of inciting riots, spreading violence and provoking people. "The Narendra Modi-led central government is doing all the work that languished for the last 70 years. By removing Article 370, Kashmir has been made an integral part of India. Today, on the Republic Day, the national flag was hoisted with full pride in the entire nation as well as in J&K," the Home Minister said. He said the Kejriwal government topped all the surveys for lying. "The Kejriwal government has only made big promises in the past five years, did nothing. He had promised not to take government bungalows, use government vehicles, build 1,000 new schools, install 1.5 million CCTV cameras, provide free Wi-Fi facilities, regulate temporary employees, provide clean drinking water and air. But he didn't fulfil any of these promises," the BJP leader said. As soon as the BJP government was formed in Delhi, houses would be built in the slum areas, he said and reminded people that 1,731 unauthorised colonies had been legalised by the Modi government. "The Kejriwal government's work was done by the Modi government," he said. Raising non-implementation of the Ayushman scheme in Delhi, Shah said around 1 crore poor people across the country hab been benefitted by it. "Kejriwal didn't allow implementation of the scheme in Delhi due to vote bank politics," the former BJP chief said. New Delhi: Panga actress Kangana Rannaut has been honoured with the Padma Shri for excellence in the field of performing arts. The actress film Panga just opened at theaters on Friday and has been receiving positive reviews from critics.While it is a moment of pride for Kangana, the Queen actress has expressed her gratitude towards the Indian Government and her fans for bestowing her with the honour. In a video, Kangana thanked her fans for their support throughout her journey and giving her the recognition. She had also dedicated the award to the women of the country who dare to dream big. I am humbled and I am honoured. I thank my country for this recognition and I dedicate this to every woman who dares to dream. To every daughter to every mother and to the dreams of women who will shape the future of our country, she was quoted saying. To note, Kangana has already received the National Award thrice for the movies Fashion, Queen and Tanu Weds Manu Returns. After being conferred with Padma Shri, #KanganaRanaut conveys her heartfelt gratitude to the honorable govt of India and her well wishers.#PadmaShriKanganaRanaut pic.twitter.com/TuSD6QPuS3 Team Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) January 25, 2020 The actress has also called her fellow recipient of the award, Karan Johar, well deserved. The kind of films he has given like Kesari, Good Newwz, as producer is praise-worthy. Although with help from his father initially but the way he got himself to this place is commendable. I look up to him as a producer and someday I would like to be as successful as him' she said in an interview with India Today. She credited her film Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi that completed a year of its release yesterday for her win. My friends #KanganaRanaut & #KaranJohar won Padma awards today. Despite the negativity surrounding them, here's Kangana on Padma Shri @karanjohar 'I look up to him as a producer and someday I would like to be as successful as him' aAAAAAiAAAAA aAAAAAiAAAAA only positive vibes in 2020 please! YAAAAA pic.twitter.com/raM5VYZuSw Sushant Mehta (@Sushant_IToday) January 25, 2020 Kangana, who made her debut in movies in 2006 with Gangster, is regarded as one of the most successful female artistes of this generation. After a series of films with Mahesh Bhatt's banner, Ranaut found success with Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion, for which she won her first National Film Award in 2009. She went on to win two back-to-back National Film Awards for her performances in Queen (2014) and Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015). Kangana recently started her production venture; Manikarnika Films. She will be soon helming a film on Ayodhya. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. The man who supplied heroin to an 18-year-old New Mexico high school student who died from an overdose in 2011 has been sentenced to life in prison. A federal judge Thursday sentenced 36-year-old Raymond Moya for distributing heroin to Cameron Weiss on Aug. 12, 2011. Hours later, Weiss was found dead in his home. "I don't know if it's closure. It is a sense of relief, because it has been a long eight years," said Jennifer Weiss-Burke, Cameron's mom. "Now that this is past us, there's a little bit of closure. We don't have to constantly relive the last week of Cameron's life." Weiss started using heroin after he became addicted to opioid painkillers he was prescribed after a sports-related injury. Weiss-Burke said it does feel like justice has been served. "It's not going to bring Cameron back and there are so many other people out there struggling every day with their addiction," she said. "This isn't going to solve that problem, but it sends a message." For Weiss-Burke, it's a message of hope for the families of victims, but also a message to drug traffickers. "If you're going to deal drugs, and you're going to drug traffic and traffic massive quantities of drugs, we're not going to put up with it anymore," she said. While it's rare to get a conviction in a case like this, Weiss-Burke said it took a lot of people and voices to get not just a guilty conviction but a life sentence for the man who aided in the death of her son. "There are people out there. There's law enforcement. There are attorneys. There's people out there fighting for justice for their loved ones," Weiss-Burke said. Since her son's death, Weiss-Burke has done a lot to keep his memory alive, such as creating Serenity Mesa, a rehab center for youth struggling with drug addiction. Watch the video above to learn more about this story. The Prince of Wales said he would like to visit Iran (Chris Jackson/PA Wire) The Prince of Wales has said he would like to visit Iran, as he spoke of his desire to be a peacemaker. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Charles said he obviously would like to go to Iran, a country which he described as an important part of the world and home to remarkable people. Tensions in the region were heightened in early January, provoked by the US killing of Irans top general Qassem Soleimani. Expand Close The Prince of Wales during a visit to the Church of Mary Magdalene in East Jerusalem (Neil Hall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Prince of Wales during a visit to the Church of Mary Magdalene in East Jerusalem (Neil Hall/PA) Charles travelled to Iran in 2004, when he became the first member of the royal family to visit the country for over 40 years. When asked about a return visit, the prince told the newspaper: Yes, obviously I would like to. I know that Iran has been such an important part of the world for so many centuries and has contributed so much to human knowledge, culture, poetry, art. I mean, really remarkable people. He also told the newspaper he had spent much of his life trying to bring people together, adding: Id rather be a peacemaker. Expand Close The Prince of Wales met Greta Thunberg at Davos (World Economic Forum/PA Wire) PA Media / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Prince of Wales met Greta Thunberg at Davos (World Economic Forum/PA Wire) Charles, who has long been known for his environmental campaigning, spoke of the climate crisis in the interview. He met with Greta Thunberg at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, describing the teenager as remarkable. He used a passionate address at the forum to tell world leaders we simply cannot waste any more time in the battle to save the planet. In a similar message, he told the newspaper we cant just sit there and say, it should be business as usual'. Following the short visit to Davos, the heir to the throne made his first official tour of Israel and the Palestinian Occupied Territories for a two-day trip, becoming the most senior royal to visit. The child was discovered on Saturday morning. (Google) A newborn baby has been found dead on the street in Portsmouth, sparking a police appeal for help in finding the mother. The child was discovered close to the junction of Victoria Street and Old Commercial Road in the Buckland area of the city at 6.18am on Saturday. Hampshire Police said on Sunday they are extremely concerned for the mother and are making house-to-house inquiries in the neighbourhood. DCI Simon Baker said: I want to reiterate that our priority right now remains ensuring the welfare of the mother. This must be an extremely distressing time for her, and it is vitally important that she seeks medical assistance. We grow increasingly concerned for the welfare of the mother of a baby sadly found dead in #Portsmouth yesterday morning. Anyone with information can call us on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting Operation Cravat. Full appeal: https://t.co/76LMzDNvdF pic.twitter.com/RF4EWAa0UX Hampshire Police (@HantsPolice) January 26, 2020 I want to urge her to make contact with a medical professional as soon as possible. Whether that be a GP, by attending a hospital or walk-in centre, or speaking to any other healthcare workers. We have been carrying out house-to-house enquiries since yesterday morning and have a number of lines of enquiry. From CCTV footage in the area, we have identified five people who walked through Old Commercial Road from 5am onwards yesterday morning to the time we were called. I am now making a direct appeal to them. Please contact us. DCI Baker said that officers had been making reviewing any footage available and seeking out any vehicles with dash-cams fitted. Whether you saw anything or not, it helps us to build our picture of what has happened, he said. Story continues If you did see something, it is not important why you did not stop but we want to hear from you. I also want to reiterate, if you have concerns for someone you know or suspect has been recently heavily pregnant or given birth, or are worried for the whereabouts of a recently born child, please contact us. However insignificant you believe a piece of information may be, it could be vitally important to our investigation. Anyone with information should call 101, quoting Operation Cravat, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. ---Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK--- New Delhi, Jan 26 : As the government is set to invite preliminary bids from potential investors for selling 100 per cent stake in Air India on Monday, all eyes are on the portion of airline debt to be taken off its books and qualification for suitors. Prospective buyers would have to respond to the Expression of Interest (EoI) by March 17, 2020. Industry sources said that some of the potential bidders could be Tata Group, Hindujas, IndiGo, SpiceJet and a few private equity firms. Some of the foreign airlines could tie up with local players to place their joint bids. While overall economic environment remains subdued, industry analysts said that there would be significant investor interest for Air India given its wide domestic and international network, traffic rights, slots at key foreign airports such as London and Dubai, technical manpower and large fleet. "Besides, the government is ready to go the extra mile to sell off the airline. The government has hinted that it will agree to the demands of potential buyers as it is determined to completely exit the airline business," said Rajan Mehra, CEO of Club One Air and former India head of Qatar Airways. Air India is currently bleeding heavily with average daily loss pegged at Rs 20-25 crore. The Modi government is not keen to give any further financial support to the airline and has announced to shut it down if the second disinvestment bid fails. As per official data, Air India had an operating revenue of Rs 25,509 crore in FY19. As its operating expense during the fiscal was Rs 30,194 crore, the airline had an operating loss of Rs 4,685 crore. On a net basis, its loss was a record high at Rs 8,556 crore (provisional) in the previous financial year. Air India has a fleet of 125 aircraft and its domestic market share is 11.9 per cent as on December, 2019. The Modi government had invited the EoI in 2018 to sell 76 per cent stake in the airline but it ended up being a no-show with not a single private firm expressing interest. Learning from its previous experience, the government has decided to sell its entire 100 per cent stake in the airline. It is also learnt to have sweetened the deal by removing a large part of its Rs 60,000 crore debt and clearing other liabilities. "We expect significant interest as the Government of India (GoI) has structured a very attractive offer," said Kapil Kaul, CEO (South Asia) of Sydney-based Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA). While many industry veterans are bullish on investor interest for Air India, some of the sector experts said that it may not be easy given the current business environment globally. "The global growth forecast has been downgraded. India has seen its GDP growing at slowest pace in the last over six years. The fuel and foreign exchange situations are not great either," said an expert wishing not to be named. He, however, added that it is a do-or-die situation for the government as it can no longer infuse money into an airline which is losing Rs 25 crore a day. An industry insider said that IndiGo is one of the strong contenders for Air India but given the fighting between its co-founders it will be difficult to get shareholders' approval for placing the bid. "Initial bids can be placed but before signing binding agreement shareholders' approval would be required," said the insider. (Nirbhay Kumar can be contacted at nirbhay.k@ians.in) MBABANE Massive loss! Due to the reported ban on Chinas exports to Eswatini, one local companys E70 million worth of containers are stuck in that country as manufacturers there are reluctant to release them to him. Investigations by this newspaper revealed that the government of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) might have influenced Chinese businesses to stop trade with emaSwati or companies from Eswatini until further notice. In fact, the Times SUNDAY has seen the notice issued by Beijing on visa applications by emaSwati. It is titled notice of new visa application procedure of Swaziland (Eswatini) citizen to Mainland China. It reads: According to the latest notification of the Chinese government, starting from January 10, 2020, visa applications of Swaziland citizens to Mainland China will be processed by the Chinese Embassy in South Africa. At the same time, the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre and other Chinese Diplomatic Missions will not accept the applications anymore. Approval It could not be ascertained if another notice was issued to Chinese businesses to stop trading with emaSwati. Sources said it was possible that China told its businesses to seek approval to trade with emaSwati. Some orders placed with Chinese businesses after January 10, 2020 were either rejected or accepted with strings attached, with delivery of the containers being blocked at Chinas ports. In 2018, the Wall Street Journal and other publications reported that Ford cars and California fruits were among goods piling up at Chinese ports, the result of increased inspections that business groups felt was Chinas way of reminding the US of how important its market was to American exporters. Navel oranges, lemons and cherries from California in USA, along with American apples, have been sitting at Chinese wharves for longer than normal as Chinese inspectors spent more time inspecting the fruits for pests and decays, U.S. trade groups said at that time. frustrated Back to the frustrated local businessman, he was almost in tears yesterday afternoon when he was called by this newspaper to shed some light on the matter. He vehemently declined to do so on the grounds that he wanted to recover well enough to talk to the media. Can I be given a week to recover from what has befallen me, he pleaded. He asked that his name and that of his company be not mentioned as he was trying to negotiate for the release of his goods. His company supplies pharmaceuticals to government. As the year begins, the company had hoped to keep adequate medicinal drugs so that they were not out of stock. The Times SUNDAY can mention that there were concerted political efforts outside government to ask the government of the Peoples Republic of China in Beijing to treat his case as an isolated one in a bid to release the containers to Eswatini. confirm Dr. Vusi Magagula, the Director of Medical Services in the Ministry of Health, could only confirm that some of their suppliers bought the drugs from the Peoples Republic of China. He said their suppliers did not, however, buy ARVs from that country. He added that they also bought bandages from Mainland China. Due to the sensitivity of the matter, Dr. Magagula did not give details on the nature of their suppliers trade relations with that countrys manufacturers and wholesalers. Lucky Ngubane, who was given a one-year VISA for entry into China, was in a dilemma when he was telephoned on Friday. Ngubane said he had sleepless nights when he heard of the ban. The businessman pointed out that some of his colleagues told him that the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China in Pretoria did not help them when they went there to apply for the VISAs. expires I dont know what to do now, I can go there because the VISA expires in October 2020 but what if I go there and they turn me away? I am just confused, he said. A third businessman who was expected to leave for China on February 3, 2020 said he lost about E7 000 through an order that he made online. He said he bought a few goods online. He disclosed that his supplier in Mainland China was refusing to release the goods to him. I can say Im fortunate because I lost E7 000 and I can buy the material in South Africa. My friends, one of them could lose E70 million of stock and we have to pray for him as he is confused, he doesnt know what to do, said the businessman who said his clients put it in a policy that he should not speak to the media on any matter without their approval. urgently Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo urged government to attend to this matter urgently. He said Mainland China was the second largest trade partner after South Africa, and Eswatini needed that country most. He urged the office of the prime minister to issue statements on this matter from an informed position. Khumalo explained that emaSwati were not being elevated to get visa services from the Pretoria Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China to South Africa. He said it meant there was a problem at hand that should be attended to as a matter of urgency. The veteran MP mentioned that the notice on the changes on the visa applications was not issued by the embassy but Beijing. He said it was a pity certain people rubbished the proposed trade relations between Eswatini and China, and were quiet and not offering a solution now. Its not necessary to say we told you so. However, we have a problem at hand that is beyond governments control. Our economy is at stake, said MP Khumalo. trade We wouldnt be where we are if we did establish the trade relations with Mainland China. MP Sibusiso Scorpion Nxumalo pointed to the fact that Eswatini trade with China was massive. He opined that it was prudent for the country to engage China on the issue of the trade relations. Nxumalo mentioned that the bilateral relations between Eswatini and Taiwan did not stop trade between local businessmen and Mainland China from taking place. The uproar signals the amount of trade between Mainland China and our local businesses, he said. Senator Prince Magudvulela advised that it was good to be proactive and preventive as a country. He further advised against being always reactive. The senator urged the kingdom to ensure its intervention was therapeutic. In this context, being therapeutic means restorative. Prince Magudvulela said the motion moved at the House of Assembly calling for the establishment of the trade relations with China should be allowed to be debated in the spirit of democracy. He said there was a need for the opening of a Trade Mission for Beijing in the country because many of the countrys people and businesses traded with that country. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini on Friday said there was no cause for alarm and there was irrefutable information that only applications for a visa to China had been altered for emaSwati. indicated As a result, the only Visa Centre where emaSwati should apply was indicated to be the Chinese embassy in Pretoria and not Sandton or elsewhere, the prime minister said. The premier discouraged speculative positions that had been adopted and flaunted as the reasons for the cause of the changes in visa application procedures. He said each sovereign nation reserved the right to execute its public mandate the way it deemed fit without fear or favour. The government remains committed to serve the citizens of Eswatini and maintains an active interest in the matter, he said. When one of the businesspeople who were turned away at the Chinese Embassy was told of what the prime minister said about the issue, he was so angry that he used strong language against government. Im from Limerick originally, I come from a family of two girls and we are all musical my Dad is a musician too, so its in the family. I was sent to a primary school that was a country school in our neighbouring village. My parents wanted me to go there because they were known for an interest in music and drama and that sort of thing. Every child in my primary school played the tin whistle and it was amazing. It was called Caherline and it was a very special place to attend. The headmaster was really into making sure that all the kids came away with some music and songs. For me, who had been playing since I was very small, it was a wonderful experience. Being musical did not make me stand out in any way at Caherline, simply because everyone else played. I think that schools that devote this kind of time and energy to nurturing children in interests like music go above and beyond. Its very telling about the teachers and the staff in the school, for them to take on this big responsibility outside of all the other things they have to teach the children is a huge thing. For secondary school I went to Doon until third year. I was reasonably good academically, but I wasnt massively smart. My sister is really, really smart and I was always coming up behind her! She still is, shes one of these really clever people. I was always in the middle of the class, and I think that suited me. I would always do just enough, but never really killed myself to get top marks. I would say that I kind of floated along in secondary school. I dont think I gave much thought to my career path while I was in school. I never thought that I could really do music as a career I know that sounds weird, especially because my Dad is a musician, but when it came to college, I ended up studying music, because I knew it was something I would be able to do. I knew I loved it, but my brain never really went there, in terms of thinking about music as my job. I loved English, of all the subjects, it captured my heart. I had really great English teachers, and we used to do really cool things like act out Macbeth in the classroom. I think if it wasnt music, I would have ended up doing something to do with English. English has stood to me, funnily enough, in my career. When it comes to filling out grant forms and all of the paraphenalia that comes with it, it gives you that sense of expression and not to be afraid of language. There is a huge link between poetry and song, of course, so it is one subject that has stood to me outside the classroom. For Leaving Certificate, my sister moved into the city and I followed her, attending Crescent College Comprehensive. I absolutely adored it there, because there were boys! It was very exciting! Music has given me huge freedom in the way I communicate with people. Even from the very beginning, I realised that playing music is a different language; its a different way of communicating with each other. At gigs and festivals you are meeting people for the first time and you are sharing music and instantly, you have to find a way to click. School, for me, was a grand experience. I think I always saw it as a means to an end. It was something that you had to do. I was lucky because I was able to get on without working too hard. The music industry is hard work, and so to any kids who are in school and want to pursue a career in music, I would tell them to work as hard as they can. Do all of your school work, and then play as hard and as much as you can. You have to put in the hours, and I know that as a teenager thats not always easy, when the choice is either stay in and play or go out with everyone else and enjoy yourself. The other thing I would say to all children today is be kind. Be kind to each other and supportive and helpful to your peers. This is especially for those who want to pursue a path in the music industry, and even more for women. Kindness will stand to you. You never know who you will see on the way up and who you will see on the way down. As you get older, you realise that there is room and space for us all to raise each other up, and I think that is a sentiment that applies to all people in all situations. The more you raise other people up, youll find yourself being raised up as well. The 2020 Gradam Ceoil TG4 music awards are coming to Belfast on 23rd February. Trad group Beoga, who collaborated with Ed Sheeran for his 2017 chart topping hit Galway Girl will take to the stag at the internationally acclaimed event, for what is set to be the biggest Gradam Ceoil to date. Tickets for the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Awards 2020 are available now from www.waterfront.co.uk/what-s-on/ gradam-ceoil-tg4-2020 The European Parliament is expected to take up six resolutions on Indias Citizenship (Amendment) Act this week, with the two largest groups of its members strongly criticising the law for its negative consequences for internal stability and potential for creating a statelessness crisis. The draft resolutions were all tabled on January 22 as part of the procedures to wind up the debate on the European Commissions vice presidents statement on CAA and are expected to be taken up for debate during a plenary session on January 29. There will also be a vote on the issue on January 30, according to the European Parliament. Five of the resolutions are critical of CAA and the Indian governments handling of protests against the law, with only one resolution by the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group, a centre-right political group, showing some support for the governments actions. The development comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis expected visit to Brussels in March for the India-EU Summit. The visit had figured in the meeting between Modi and EU high representative for foreign policy Josep Borrell in New Delhi on January 17. The CAA fast-tracks the process for granting citizenship to members of non-Muslim persecuted minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The necessity of the law was recently questioned by Bangladeshi premier Sheikh Hasina. The European Peoples Party (EPP) Group, a centre-right group that is the largest with 182 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), said the CAA is selective and excludes Muslims from provisions provided to other religious groups and expressed concern about the wide range of negative consequences that it might have for Indias international image and internal stability. Reacting to the development, an Indian official said on condition of anonymity: We hope the sponsors and supporters of the draft will engage with us to get a full and accurate assessment of the facts before they proceed further. As fellow democracies, the EU Parliament should not take actions that call into question the rights and authority of democratically elected legislatures in other regions of the world. The CAA is a matter that is entirely internal to India. Moreover, this legislation has been adopted by due process and through democratic means after a public debate in both Houses of Parliament, the official added. While respecting the Indian governments attempt to assist persecuted religious minorities from Muslim-dominated neighbours, the EPP Group said creating one set of rules for selected persecuted minorities and another, less favourable set of rules for others will prove counterproductive and may be considered discriminatory. It called on the Indian government to assess the CAA and its consequences in the spirit of equality and non-discrimination, and in the light of its international obligations and also condemned the violence and brutality in different parts of India following the adoption of CAA and noted the special responsibility of law enforcement services to show restraint and allow peaceful protest. The Socialists and Democrats (S&D) Group, the second-largest group with 154 members from 26 EU states in the 751-member parliament, was especially scathing in its resolution, which expressed deep regret over the adoption of the CAA, which is discriminatory, dangerously divisive and may potentially create the largest statelessness crisis in the world. The S&D Group denounced the incorporation of religious criteria into [Indias] naturalisation and refugee policies, and called on the government to ensure that the Foreigners Tribunals function with utmost transparency and operate in line with international fair trial standards. The Renew Europe Group, a liberal group with 108 MEPs from 22 countries that is the third largest group in the European Parliament, said the CAA is explicitly discriminatory in nature as it specifically excludes Muslims from access to the same provisions as other religious groups and condemned its adoption. It said the CCA rules constitute a dangerous shift in the way citizenship is determined in India, and are set to create the largest statelessness crisis in the world. The Verts/ALE Group, which is the fourth largest group with 75 MEPs from 16 countries, said in its proposed resolution that the CAA, combined with the nationwide citizenship verification process, will leave Indias 200 million Muslims with the challenge of proving Indian nationality or becoming stateless and urged Indian authorities to immediately amend the provisions [of the law] in accordance with international human rights standards. The Verts/ALE Groups draft resolution also strongly criticised the private visit of 22 MEPs to Kashmir last year as they failed to publically call for access for UN Special Procedures or to denounce the human rights violations in the area. The group called on the European External Action Service, the European Commission and member states to include human rights as a priority area for action in the EU-India Roadmap 2025, and said it expected the CAA and the situation in Kashmir to be raised during the EU-India Summit in March. The Renew Group and Verts/ALE Group were also critical of the Indian governments handling of the protests against the CAA and the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam. The GUE/NGL Group, which has 41 left-wing MEPs, criticised both the CAA and the security shutdown and detentions in Jammu and Kashmir, and expressed deep concern that India has created the legal grounds to strip millions of Muslims of the fundamental right of equal access to citizenship. The language used in the ECR Groups draft resolution was more conciliatory. It noted the Indian government had explained the rationale behind the amended legislation and said India, as a sovereign state, is free to be the sole determinant of its legislation on who can be granted Indian citizenship. However, it too condemned any excessive use of force by security forces against demonstrators protesting against the CAA. It remains to be seen whether the resolutions will be taken up separately on January 29 as efforts are underway by the six groups to reach a compromise on the text. A representative of the S&D Group said: Other political groups have tabled different resolutions and in this case, you could expect some compromise around a single text in the coming days. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 16:01:36|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close HERAT, Afghanistan, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Unidentified armed men shot dead a religious and Hajj official in Afghanistan's western province of Herat on Sunday, the provincial governor said. The incident happened in Pashtun Zarghun district, where Mawlavi Abdul Rahim Ahmadi, chief of district's Hajj and Islamic Affairs branch, was shot dead on the spot when leaving for his office early Sunday morning, governor Abdul Qayum Rahimi told Xinhua. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the murder, but Afghan officials blame Taliban militants for involvement in targeted attacks. An investigation has been undertaken, Rahimi said. At least five government officials, including a judge, have been gunned down by unknown armed men, most allegedly by the Taliban fighters, following a series of target attacks since early January. The latest incident happened on Jan. 21, when a police officer and two assailants were killed following a gunfire exchange between police and the attackers in the country's southern Kandahar province. Tanya Hope had two movies hitting the silver screen on January 24, Khaki in Kannada and Disco Raja in Telugu. The actress is currently on a promotional spree whilst juggling her time between Bengaluru and Hyderabad. She recently spoke about her new releases to a news daily. Speaking about the release clash, Tanya said, It was the same case when my Kannada debut Yajamana, starring Darshan, and my first Tamil film, Thadam, with Arun Vijay were released on the same day. It is a double whammy, and I am quite liking it. Promotions for both the films are hectic, and the realisation of two films releasing on the same day is yet to hit me. I cant cut myself into two, but I try to be there in both the cities on the release date. She went on to add, Khaki has me paired opposite Chiranjeevi Sarja, and it is all about corruption in the government, how the system fails, and how people have to come together to protect themselves. The Telugu film, Disco Raja, starring Ravi Teja, is based on real-life scientific concepts. On being quizzed about starring in the Tamil remake of Vicky Donor opposite Harish Kalyan, Tanya stated, We are almost through with the shoot, with just one more week of work pending. It is likely to be released in March. The young actress concluded by adding that she is currently going through a lot of scripts and is waiting for something that will help her showcase her talent. ALSO READ: Chiranjeevi Sarja Starrer Khaki Is All Set To Release This Weekend ALSO READ: Disco Raja Day 2 Worldwide Box Office Collection: Ravi Teja's Film Makes Decent Collection A Health article on January 19 said doctors recommend taking a daily 10 milligram Vitamin D supplement in winter. In fact Public Health England suggests an average daily intake of 10 micrograms. All our journalists observe the Editors Code of Practice and the Mail is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). We aim to correct any errors as promptly as possible. To report an inaccuracy, email corrections@mailonsunday.co.uk. To make a formal complaint, go to mailonsunday.co.uk/readerseditor. You can also write to Readers Editor, The Mail on Sunday, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT, or contact IPSO directly at ipso.co.uk. Calcutta Telephones, a part of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), has finalised its plan to monetise the real estate assets of the company in the first phase as part of the revival scheme of the state-run telecom operator, an official said. The subsidiary of BSNL, which provides telecom services in the city and adjoining areas, has decided to lease out a part of its headquarters, 'Telephone Bhawan'. "We have decided to lease out assets in 18 different telephone exchange locations and sell off two land parcels as a part of the plan to monetise assets." Calcutta Telephones CGM Biswajit Paul said. An approval for the first phase of monetising assets has been received, he said. Real estate consulting firm Knight Frank's regional head Swapan Dutta said, "Calcutta Telephones had sent a long list of its premises in various locations for leasing." Besides 'Telephone Bhavan', the company will lease out part of telephone exchanges where it has huge space in locations like Behala, Alipur, Burrabazaar, Jadavpur Ranikuthi and Salt Lake, the company official said. The company will lease out the 45,000 sq ft ground floor of the 'Telephone Bhavan', situated in Dalhousie Square of the eastern metropolis, except a sales counter, he said. The nine-storey building having a total 1.5 lakh sq ft space was built in 1954, he said. About 8,000 sq ft will be let out in the annex- building, he said. Dutta said Calcutta Telephones can expect a lease rent of about Rs 75 per sq ft at Salt Lake area while the same will be lower in other locations. But, CalTel was seeking over Rs 284 per sq feet at Telephone Bhawan, sources said. In October last year, the government had approved a Rs 69,000 crore revival package for BSNL and MTNL that includes merging the two loss-making firms, monetising their assets and giving VRS to employees so that the combined entity turns profitable in two years. BSNL has submitted details of 14 properties worth Rs 20,160 crore to the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) as part of the telecom corporations' ambitious asset monetisation plans. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former MasterChef judge George Calombaris sold his Mornington Peninsula beach house for $1.01million at auction on Saturday. The 41-year-old - whose hospitality empire was forced to pay back $7.8million to underpaid workers - told The Herald Sun that he wishes the new owners 'all the happiness' the home brought his family. The luxury Victorian home, which was reportedly snapped up by the chef for $530,000 in 2013, is just metres away from the incredible views of Safety Beach. Going, going, gone! Former MasterChef judge George Calombaris sold his Mornington Peninsula beach house at auction on Saturday for $1.01million According to The Herald Sun, prospective buyers were required to show identification before they were ushered to an area at the front of the home. The two-level holiday house boasts four bedrooms and two bathrooms, with a spacious en-suite and walk-through dressing room included in the master bedroom. The light and airy lounge includes huge sliding doors which open up to the stunning outdoor area, with enviable views of the picturesque surroundings. The property is decorated in cream and tan tones, and features a vibrant white kitchen complete with a butler's pantry and a huge 900 millimeter oven - which is unsurprising, considering the previous tenant's love for cooking. Moving forward: George (pictured), 41, has faced a difficult period financially after being forced to pay back $7.8million to underpaid workers Dream home: The property is light and airy with a colour palette of warm tones It's was a difficult 2019 for George, after he was fined $200,000 and his hospitality company MAdE Establishment were forced to pay back $7.8million to 500 staff, after underpaying them between 2011 and 2017. Adding salt to the wound, his former MasterChef co-stars Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan were announced to host Seven's Plate of Origin - but George didn't make the line-up amid the scandal. In the last seven months, George has rebranded four of his popular restaurants. In November, he announced the closure of the Brunswick East branch of Melbourne restaurant Hellenic Republic. Beautiful! The property features sliding doors which open up to the outdoor space out back, with a decking area and enviable views Stunning: The property is decorated in cream and tan tones, and features a vibrant white kitchen complete with a butler's pantry and a huge 900 millimeter over - which is unsurprising, considering the previous tenant's love for cooking It leaves him with just three of his Greek restaurants left standing. Despite removing his name from the restaurants, which are led by new star chefs, they are still owned by his multi-million dollar MAdE Establishment empire. George gave a tearful interview with the ABC after the scandal broke, pleading with customers to stand by his businesses. 'I love the people that have worked for me and I don't want them to suffer right now,' he said. 'Great restaurants are voted by bums on seats and obviously... don't punish my people. 'Just know that when you come into one of our restaurants, know when you pay the bill, that those, my people, are getting paid and paid correctly.' A section of Hunt Johnson Farms Inc. in Liberty, Ind. The property accrued more federal farm subsidy dollars than any other for Philadelphians - $368,776.57 since 1995. Read more They dont milk cows or plant corn, but nearly 900 Philadelphians have collected federal farm subsidies totaling $3.2 million in the last 25 years. Residents with addresses ranging from Center City to Chestnut Hill receive annual checks, often based on nothing more than their family connections to farms in states far afield from Pennsylvania, according to an Inquirer analysis of U.S. Department of Agriculture data obtained by two organizations: Environmental Working Group (EWG), a Washington, D.C., nonprofit and advocacy group, and American Transparency, an Illinois public charity. Ever since the 1930s, government subsidies have been paid to growers to offset agricultural cost and risk. But under one arcane aspect of the program, money also is funneled to children, first cousins, nieces, and other relatives living far from the cabbage patch and pig pen. All they have to say is that theyre actively engaged in farming, however remotely, by contributing ideas or planning. Their spouses, not connected to the farms in any way, are eligible for subsidies of their own too. A city resident could claim hes helping to manage a farm run by his brother in Iowa, said Chris Campbell, vice president of information technology at EWG, which advocates for healthier lives through a healthier environment. By calling Iowa and discussing the operation, the Philadelphian may qualify for a subsidy, Campbell said, adding, He never has to put his butt on a tractor. Its not illegal, but is it fair to taxpayers? Theres not a lot of strings attached to getting government farm subsidy money. The Bella Vista/Queen Village zip code (19147) has drawn the most money more then $500,000 since 1995, according to EWG. In that same period, a 74-year-old man in Old City has collected $201,764.19 in subsidies from corn, sorghum, and oat crops grown in Thayer County, Neb., and Republic County, Kan. the most any Philadelphia individual has garnered, the EWG database showed. He hung up on a reporter asking for comment. The property that accrued the most subsidy dollars for Philadelphians $368,776.57 since 1995 was listed as Hunt Johnson Farms Inc., 805 acres in Liberty, Ind., owned by four generations of one family and sold in November for $6.08 million. A Fairmount man is the local connection to the farm. He could not be reached. Family farmers The Government Accounting Office, a nonpartisan agency that works for Congress, has reported that farming operations have no limit on the potential number of family members qualifying for payments. And the USDA considers 98% of all farms to be family farms meaning the majority of the business is owned by the principal operator, whos responsible for day-to-day decisions, and by the operators relatives. Thats how some 20,000 non-farmer residents in the countrys 50 largest cities received subsidies in 2017, the National Taxpayers Union found. Between 2015 and 2017, around $626 million went to city slicker recipients in urban areas with populations exceeding 250,000, according to American Transparency. Those numbers likely have risen in the last two years, as the Trump administration has expanded farm subsidies in the wake of trade wars with other countries. Total payouts of $14 billion in 2018 shot up to $22.5 billion last year, distributed among approximately two million individuals and entities. Subsidies include not only direct payments but also compensation for the cost of crop insurance taken out to cover losses in yields, or declines in revenue. The most subsidized crops are corn, soy, wheat, cotton, and peanuts. Proponents contend that subsidies keep farmers afloat, ensuring Americas food supply and buttressing its agricultural tradition. Critics condemn subsidies as antiquated forms of corporate welfare disbursed to mostly rich farmers and their relatives, whether agriculture is declining or booming. Taxpayers dont pay car insurance for Uber drivers, said Daniel Sumner, a University of California agricultural economist and chief USDA economist under President George H.W. Bush. Why do they do it for corn? All businesses have risks. Officials at the USDA and the American Farm Bureau Federation, a lobbying group and insurance company, did not return calls for comment. Farming is challenging Kirk Smothers, 50, who lives in Mount Airy and is the head of school of Delaware Valley Friends School in Paoli, received $45,568 in farm subsidies between 1998 and 2019, data collected by EWG shows. Smothers, who grew up in Boulder and Littleton, Colo., said that local tenant farmers now work his familys farm in the eastern part of the state. I dont drive a tractor, but I do get subsidies, he said. Without specifying an amount, Smothers said he pays for supplies and other items. He declined to say how much money the wheat and corn farm makes, or how big it is, indicating that the number of acres would sound like a lot to Pennsylvanians, but that the soil cant compare to Mid-Atlantic dirt. The subsidies are intended to make it so family farms can survive, said Smothers, who added that he gives to antihunger charities in Philadelphia. Farming is challenging. William Leonard, 82, a retired attorney who lives on Rittenhouse Square, received $158,310 in subsidies between 1995 and 2018 for not growing wheat on 155 acres of farmland he owns in his native western Oklahoma. As part of a conservation program, I allow grass to grow on the land to keep it from blowing away, Leonard said. Though the grass has to be cut, the cost is negligible, he added, because cattle owners who use the land for grazing maintain it. I understand criticism of subsidies, but conserving land is important, Leonard said. Receiving checks is justifiable in the same way getting Social Security is: government providing programs for people. Another Philadelphian, who did not want to be identified, said he also gets paid to not grow crops on 43 of his 90 acres in northeast Pennsylvania. The man, who received nearly $60,000 in subsidies between 2005 and 2018, said, I dont see a problem with that. But, he stressed, theres a difference between his receiving stipends and low-income Americans getting food stamps, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. I do see a problem with anybody who doesnt work getting money," he said. Farm subsidies are authorized by the Farm Bill, the same legislation that enables SNAP distribution. Both programs are administered by the USDA. Funded at $68 billion a year, SNAP goes to 39 million people, who receive an average of $127 per person, per month. Most are disabled, children, or elderly; among the rest, around 75% have worked within a year, said Kathy Fisher, policy director of the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger. Of all SNAP recipients, 67% get food stamps for less than two years, Fisher said, citing a study. Poverty or farming? While growing the farm subsidies, the Trump administration is planning to remove 700,000 low-income people from SNAP rolls nationwide by April, including 38,000 in Philadelphia. That riles some critics. Will we spend public dollars for poverty, or some really large farm? asked Joe Glauber, senior research fellow at the Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute. He was chief economist for the USDA under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. "Im surprised this isnt getting more attention. Subsidy payments are based on acreage: the more acres, the more money a farm gets, said Sumner, the agricultural economist. Because richer people own the bigger farms, he continued, almost all subsidies go to relatively wealthy, white people. According to the conservative Heritage Foundation, which denigrates subsidies as the "antithesis of conservative principles, 10% of farmers get 70% of farm subsidies. And theyre the wealthy ones, a 2018 foundation report reads. SNAP dollars are tightly held compared with farm subsidies. While a married Philadelphia couple will lose SNAP benefits if their annual income exceeds about $26,000, a husband and wife who own a farm can receive as much as $125,000 each in subsidies, as long as their yearly combined income doesnt surpass $1.8 million, according to federal rules. SNAP carries a stigma, and Americans perceive a cultural difference between farmers getting subsidies vs. people getting 'welfare, a tainted word," said sociologist Judith Levine, director of the Temple University Public Policy Lab. Deborah Weinstein, executive director of the Coalition on Human Needs in Washington, said its a gruesome inequity that [USDA Secretary] Sonny Perdue warns low-income Americans not to perpetuate SNAP as a way of life while these farm subsidies go to people for 30 years who have distant connections to a farm. Of course, not every farmer is well-off: Farm bankruptcies increased from 500 in 2018 to 625 last year, said Montana State University agricultural economist Vincent Smith. But thats a tiny fraction out of two million farms, he said. The presumption that all farmers are poor is horse----." The median household income of farmers is significantly higher than that of Americans overall roughly $76,000 vs. $63,000 Smith said: "Just 2% of farm households fall below the poverty line. Compare that to 25% poverty in Philadelphia. Subsidies to the dead Ultimately, critics say, the subsidy program may need to be reined in. As an example, one expert pointed to the efforts of Sen. Charles Grassley (R., Iowa), whos working to change a USDA guideline that considers a farmers estate to be actively engaged in farming for up to two years after the farmer has died. Its important to remember that not all farmers want subsidies, and that many receive SNAP benefits themselves, said Wisconsin-based Jim Goodman, board president of the National Family Farm Coalition. The idea that subsidies go to the bigger farms and to people in Philadelphia who are not farmers is distressing, Goodman said. "They all make money off these programs. Staff writer Dylan Purcell contributed to this article. On the 71st Republic Day, Indian and Chinese Army held a ceremonial Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) on Sunday in Eastern Ladakh. The Indian delegation was led by Brigadier HS Gill and Colonel Manoj Kumar and the Chinese delegation by Senior Colonel Yin Hong Chen and Lieutenant Colonel Lee Ming Ju respectively. "Both the delegations interacted in a free, congenial and cordial environment. The meeting reflected the mutual desire to maintain and improve relations at the functional level in the border areas," read the press release. It added that a cultural programme showcasing Indian culture and traditions were also organised by the Indian side. "The delegations parted amidst a feeling of friendship and commitment towards enhancing the existing cordial relations and trust along the borders," read the release. India is celebrating its 71st Republic Day on Sunday, honouring the historic date when the country adopted its constitution. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In theory, Im a professional writer. In reality, Im a published author of three non-fiction books and several novels (only one is currently for sale) that have received some decent reviews and even won a few awards, but my writing currently doesnt generate enough income to even feed my dogs. Fortunately, Im very stubborn and have quite a few more stories to tell, so I dont let the current absence of book sales discourage me. The problem is that my goal is writing detective novels that produce income, yet I seem to spend much of my time writing nonfiction essays about religion, existential science, or politics. My writing career sort of began by accident as my first book, Divine Evolution, later explained. When an (allegedly) brilliant academic explained on television that a computer was the product of an intelligent design but the human body was not, as a software developer with twenty years of experience producing applications that provided any sort of intelligence that an otherwise stupid, inanimate box contained, I instinctively knew his academic argument was utterly foolish. At the time I didnt understand the foundation for his secular argument that every living organism on Earth is literally related by descent with modification, so I ended up spending months in the public library and producing over four hundred pages of detailed notes that ultimately evolved into my first (NOT self-) published book. Once I realized I had become a professional writer, I decided that my dream of creating a stream of residual income that would make retirement more comfortable would be through writing detective novels, not nonfiction books with titles like Divine Evolution or Counterargument for God. And once I started having my work published, family and friends began to encourage me to keep my fiction and nonfiction work separate, and to hide my true identity as a conservative Christian to reduce the risk of alienating liberals or atheists who might otherwise purchase one of my novels or books. The message was: Be timid. Be quiet. Dont be yourself. Fear the liberal backlash. I must admit, thus far to some degree I believe my loved ones have a point. I encourage readers to peruse what is by far the most scathing review my work has received to date, written by a college professor to whom Ive given a free copy for discussion purposes. After reading that brutal review, now please understand that in subsequent conversations and exchanges on social media, this professor revealed that he hadnt actually read my book. When the good professor asked me to explain a term that Id devoted the first paragraph of the book to define, I must confess I lost my temper because I realized what hed done. Hed cherrypicked what he could claim were stupid mistakes and amateurish errors about biology in a book that made references to scientific evidence in order to defend belief in a supernatural God. Naturally, every atheist who despises me for being a rather outspoken Christian on social media found the review helpful, making it the first review a potential buyer would see, and Amazon deleted all the other five star reviews that were generated by free copies given away during a promotion. This is what were up againstInternet assassins and Amazon. At times, it can get discouraging. Since I dont even write books about politics, Ive been concerned about drawing even more criticism to my professional work by expressing political opinions that might outrage liberals, especially since I seem to be doing enough damage to my career by pissing off the atheists. Recently on Facebook I posted a link to a satirical article by the Babylon Bee titled, 'We'll Take Good Care Of These,' Says Mitch McConnell While Placing Impeachment Articles In Special Rectangular Filing Bin mostly because I thought it was funny. It probably should have occurred to me that anything resembling a joke about impeachment would trigger my (humor-impaired) liberal friends on social media, and sure enough, it drew this reaction: John, you're a good person. Do you honestly think Trump is a decent and ethical man? Are you willing to sacrifice your integrity to get some partisan traction? The democratic candidates are not great. But I believe we could get a good republican president if the party realized it's errors and decided to not support the incumbent. To which I replied: You've never met me. How can you possibly say I'm a good person? What you're doing is actually patronizing me in the attempt to manipulate my thinking, as the Christianity Today and Christian Post editors seem to be doing. And you're assuming that I'm a gullible fool while trying to pretend you see me as an intellectual equal, or something. Are you willing to sacrifice the illusion of your intellectual (and presumably moral) superiority to fully engage in this conversation? That's what it will take, before I'm done. I'll let you consider whether you want to proceed, after I give unusually terse (for me) answers to your specific questions. Do you honestly think Trump is a decent and ethical man? You don't know me, and I don't know Donald Trump. But I do know that morality was never the issue when the candidate was Bill Clinton, and if Donald Trump had lost the last election, who would be in the WH today? Bill and Hillary Clinton. Was DT the lesser of two evils? Is that even a serious question? If Trump is immoral, Bill Clinton was the epitome of immorality. BC was a friend of Jeffrey Epstein, and DT was not. So, attacking Trump on moral grounds is a non-starter, in my opinion. I voted for every "more ethical" Republican in the primaries last time around, and nobody else is winning. Not to mention, how I vote is really none of your business. Are you willing to sacrifice your integrity to get some partisan traction? Hmmm. Do I support the candidate of a political party that currently supports not only abortion but pushes to legalize infanticide, and the party who literally voted to have any mention of "God" removed from them, or Donald Trump, who is by every media account, a moral reprobate. Frankly (no pun intended) I'm mildly surprised that anyone would try to use the issue of personal integrity to decide how we vote. No, I'm not voting for Persia or the followers of Moloch. Naturally, that wasnt the end of the issue for the Trump haters. Inspired to more actively defend President Trump against his critics on my social media page, I posted a link to a more serious article from American Thinker written by J.B. Shurk titled, What do Democrats fear in Donald Trump? Greatness and made sure to highlight one especially powerful paragraph: The world has noticed. It is Donald Trump to whom Nigerian Christians turn for survival from Islamic terror. It is Donald Trump who has strengthened Israel by keeping promises his predecessors lacked the fortitude to see through. It is Donald Trump whose name is often whispered by freedom-fighters in Venezuela, whose American flag is respected by regime protesters in Iran, and whose image is waved by thousands demanding freedom in Hong Kong. Nobody clamoring for freedom is waving pictures of Angela Merkel in the air, but in Hong Kong and Taiwan, a photoshopped image of Donald Trump as Rocky Balboa is easy to find. At a time when the German chancellor argues for limiting free expression, those people most desperate to escape China's yoke see the American president as the only fighter who might help set them free. He is our American president, but he belongs to the world now, too. That triggered a second liberal friend who described President Trump as a gutless turd and an epic snowflake as well as a weak man child with a fragile ego, all on my Facebook page. My response to that disgusting diatribe was more pointed: I'm sure I said Bill Clinton was an adulterer and disgrace to the office of President, but I wouldn't have called him a gutless turd. Nor Obama, even if I thought it. We've been friends on social media for quite a while. It would be a real shame for it to end because of Trump, but there's only so much disrespect I'm willing to tolerate being shown to OUR President on my Facebook wall. Fragile ego? Are you serious? You're a very talented artist, but not so clever when it comes to politics, I'm afraid. When Obama didn't like one reporter, he had the FBI spy on the guy and get his phone records (James Rosen). Sheryl Attkisson had her computer hacked by the Obama DOJ. He wouldn't have lasted a week against the same effort he helped orchestrate against Trump. Enough is enough. President Trump deserves a lot of credit for his efforts and my unwavering support despite any risk that might be posed to my professional career. If Robert DeNiro can viciously attack our president every time he steps in front of a microphone, I can certainly defend him to the best of my ability, as long as there is breath in my body. Quite frankly, Id rather be flipping burgers or cooking fries in a world run by Donald Trump than Id like to be a bestselling author in a (divided) U.S. run by Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren. From this point forward, I shall not go gentle into that good nightI shall now rage and rage against the dying of the light. So help me God. John Leonard writes novels, books, and occasional articles or blogs for American Thinker. You may follow him on Facebook or his website (and blog, which includes the AT rejected pieces) at southernprose.com. China has curbed travel and stepped up screening to try and curb the spread of the virus which emerged in December. China on Sunday expanded drastic travel restrictions to contain the spread of a new coronavirus that President Xi Jinping said posed a grave threat, as the death toll reached 56 and Shanghai reported its first fatality. China confirmed 1,975 cases of patients infected with the new coronavirus as of January 25, state broadcaster CCTV reported. More than 2,000 people across the world have now been infected. The virus, believed to have originated late last year in a seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan that was illegally selling wildlife, has spread to Chinese cities including Beijing and Shanghai, and to other countries including Singapore, Thailand, Japan, France, the United States and Canada. In a worrying sign for containment efforts, Shanghai on Sunday reported its first death from the virus an 88-year-old man with pre-existing health problems. China has sealed off Wuhan and other cities in hard-hit Hubei province affecting tens of millions of people and is now expanding restrictions to other parts of the country. It also scaled back traditional celebrations for the Lunar New Year, closing major tourist attractions. The World Health Organization this week stopped short of calling the outbreak a global health emergency but some health experts question whether China can continue to contain the epidemic. Transport restrictions The outbreak has prompted widening curbs on movement within China, at a time that is usually Chinas peak travel season. Health authorities in Beijing urged people not to shake hands in greeting but use a traditional cupped-hand gesture instead. The advice was sent in a text message that went out to mobile phone users in the city on Sunday morning. On Saturday, Canada declared the first presumptive confirmed case of the virus in a resident who had returned from Wuhan. The patient, a male in his 50s, arrived in Toronto on January 22 and was hospitalised the next day after developing symptoms of respiratory illness, officials said. The outbreak has overshadowed the start of the Lunar New Year, typically a festive time of year, with public events cancelled and many tourist sites shut. Many people on social media have been calling for the week-long holiday to be extended to help prevent further spread of the virus. Curbs on movement were stepped up with the northern city of Tianjin announcing plans to suspend all inter-province shuttle buses from January 27, the official Peoples Daily reported on Sunday. It will also halt all group tours, at home and abroad, from Monday. The Lunar New Year is Chinas biggest holiday but events have been called off in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus [Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo] On Saturday, Hong Kong declared a virus emergency, scrapped celebrations and restricted links to mainland China, while Australia confirmed its first four cases, Malaysia confirmed four and France reported Europes first cases on Friday. The US was arranging a charter flight on Sunday to bring its citizens and diplomats back from Wuhan, the central Chinese city at the epicentre of the outbreak, the Wall Street Journal reported. School closures In Hong Kong, which has five confirmed cases, the citys leader Carrie Lam said flights and high-speed rail trips between the city and Wuhan would be halted. Schools in Hong Kong that are currently on Lunar New Year holidays will remain closed until February 17. Chinese media reported on Sunday that Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park will be closed from January 26. Shanghai Disneyland, which expected 100,000 visitors daily through the Lunar New Year holidays, has already closed. The newly identified coronavirus has created alarm because so little is known about it. It can cause pneumonia, which has been deadly in some cases. There are fears transmission could accelerate as hundreds of millions of Chinese travel during the holiday, although many have cancelled their plans and airlines and railways in China are providing full refunds for tickets. Airports around the world have stepped up screening of passengers from China, although some health officials and experts have questioned the effectiveness of such screenings. In an illustration of how such efforts could miss cases, doctors at a Paris hospital said two of the three Chinese nationals in France who have been diagnosed with the virus had arrived in the country without showing any symptoms. A report by infectious disease specialists at Imperial College, London on Saturday said the epidemic represents a clear and ongoing global health threat, adding: It is uncertain at the current time whether it is possible to contain the continuing epidemic within China. 'Central Vista stretch required for Republic Day parade will be ready in time, some facilities later' Explained: How the chief guest for Republic Day parade is picked? India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Jan 26: India celebrated the 71st Republic Day on Sunday with a grand military parade and exhibition of its history, cultural diversity and strategic weaponry at the Rajpath. This year, Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, was India's chief guest on Republic Day. But, have you ever wondered how India chooses its the chief guest for Republic Day? In Pics: Grand 71st Republic Day 2020 parade celebrations at Rajpath The visit of the chief guest is actually similar to a State visit, in that, it is the highest honour that can be bestowed on our guest in terms of protocol. He/ she is given the ceremonial guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan, attends the evening reception hosted by the President of India and lays a wreath at Rajghat, Mahatma Gandhi's memorial. 71st Republic Day: PM Modi continues with 'Safa' tradition, Chinook & Apache make debut The process of selecting Republic Day chief guest begins six months ahead of the Republic Day celebration where in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) carefully scrutinizes India's relations with the concerned country, and then sends an invite to their Head of State. The MEA considers, political and economic relations, commercial relations, and military cooperation, and the strong emotional attachment with the Non Aligned Movement (NAM). NAM was a movement joined by most newly liberated countries to collectively fight colonialism and apartheid. After considering all this, the MEA seeks the Prime Minister's approval, followed by the Rashtrapati Bhavan's clearance. Republic Day 2020 parade: DRDO displays A-SAT from Mission Shakti, ADTCR weapon system After the potential chief guest is shortlisted, India's ambassadors in the concerned countries then try to ascertain the chief guest's appointments and availability for the Republic Day. The Indian Chief of Protocol (CoP) and his counterpart in the concerned country work out a detailed plan chalking out the logistics, security, and medical requirements of the programmes as the ministry works towards agreements between the two nations. It is also learnt that the chief guest is also decided on the basis of the other country's interest and availability of the dignitary. Republic day 2020: List of all Chief Guests from the year 2010-2020 2010: President Lee Myung Bak from Republic of Korea 2011: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono from Indonesia 2012: Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from Thailand 2013: King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck from Bhutan 2014: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe from Japan 2015: President Barack Obama from United States 2016: President Francois Hollande from France 2017: Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed from United Arab Emirates 2018: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah from Brunei Joko Widodo from Indonesia Thongloun Sisoulith from Laos Prime Minister Hun Sen from Cambodia Najib Razak from Malaysia President Htin Kyaw from Myanmar Rodrigo Roa Duterte from Philippines Halimah Yacob from Singapore Prayuth Chan-ocha from Thailand Nguyen Xuan Phuc from Vietnam President Cyril Ramaphosa from South Africa Other world leaders who have attended the celebrations include Nepal's King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev in 1999, Iranian President Mohammed Khatami in 2003, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2011 and President of Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in 1991. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, January 26, 2020, 15:38 [IST] SALISBURY, N.C. - Six people were treated for gunshot wounds after a shooting inside a restaurant in North Carolina, police said Sunday. The Salisbury Police Department said via social media that one person among the six was seriously hurt but is hospitalized in stable condition. Three people who were not shot still received medical treatment for other reasons. The shooting happened shortly after midnight following a party at Thelmas Down Home Cooking restaurant in Salisbury. The state Bureau of Investigation is helping with the investigation. No arrests were announced. The Salisbury Police Department said on its Facebook page that it is seeking cellphone video footage or photos from people who were present when the shooting occurred. AFP via Getty Mexican National Guard troops this week blocked a caravan of migrants seeking to breach the countrys border with Guatemala - firing tear gas while dressed in full riot gear. Now critics say the governments actions have created virtual border wall on the countrys southern border with Guatemala. Hundreds of those detained were put on planes and buses back to Honduras, where the majority began their journey. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador had campaigned on a pledge to welcome migrants, but his governments actions have shifted over the past year. But some critics say the hostile reaction seen this week was triggered by the Trump administrations threats of tariffs on goods imported from Mexico, which has created a de facto well on Mexicos southern boundary. Critics have lined up in opposition to the move, with congressman Porfirio Munoz Ledo, an ally of the president, wrote on Twitter: The National Guard today reignited the aggression against Central Americans. It appears to be a systematic attitude or a state policy against the most elemental human rights. Whoever ordered it should respond to the Congress. Enrique Acevedo, a columnist with Mexicos Milenio newspaper, said the administration is a government of the left that acts in complicity with Donald Trump in doing its dirty work. The US has praised Mexicos stance, with Chad F Wolf, acting secretary of homeland security, saying: The efforts by the Mexican National Guard and other officials have thus far been effective at maintaining the integrity of their border, despite outbreaks of violence and lawlessness by people who are attempting to illegally enter Mexico on their way to the United States. Last year, the Mexican government replaced its immigration boss - a man widely seen as a defender of migrants - with Francisco Garduno Yanez who promise a more hard-line approach. A Benton County road worker who died on the job last summer was operating a poorly maintained piece of leased logging equipment that was owned by his supervisors son, according to findings from two investigations. Pete Neuman, 59, was using a John Deere skidder to move logs at the site of a road-building project in the Hells Canyon area of south Benton County shortly after noon on Aug. 9 when the vehicle rolled down a steep hillside for about 300 yards and overturned. Neuman, a 21-year veteran of the county road maintenance division, was partially ejected from the 10-ton machine and died from massive head trauma when it landed on top of him. An internal review by the county and an investigation by the Benton County Sheriffs Office found that there were numerous safety issues with the skidder, including frequent stalling, brake failures, bald rear tires and a jury-rigged seat belt. Investigators also determined that Jim Stouder, the longtime head of the county road department, had approved a rental agreement for the skidder that paid his son, Charlie Stouder, more than $7,000. Benton County officials issued a three-paragraph statement expressing regret for Neumans death and professing a commitment to employee safety (see below for full text). However, citing a pending insurance claim, they declined to respond to a list of detailed questions sent by the newspaper or make key managers available for interviews. County road crew members who worked with Neuman at the job site declined to speak on the record, citing fear of reprisal at work, despite the fact that they have union representation. Jim Stouder, who is no longer employed by Benton County, did not return several phone calls requesting an interview. But documents released by the county in response to a public records request paint a detailed picture of the events surrounding Neumans death and raise serious questions about training requirements, safety measures and equipment contracting. What follows is based primarily on the findings of two investigations, one performed by Benton County Natural Areas & Parks Director Laurie Starha and the other conducted by Benton County Sheriffs Office personnel, as well as other documents released by the county. The job At the time of the fatal accident, Neuman was working on a road construction project in the Coast Range foothills west of the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, about 12 miles south of Corvallis. The purpose of the $400,000 project was to connect two dead-end gravel roads, Starr Creek and Hells Canyon, by building a 1-mile stretch of new road. This would provide an escape route for residents of 53 homes in the remote rural neighborhood in the event of a wildfire or other emergency. Work began on the job in the summer of 2018, but the project was a long way from finished when winter rains put a stop to the construction season. When the second phase got underway in the summer of 2019, the first thing that had to be done was to cut down mature trees and brush along the proposed route. That work was done by a contract crew, but the loggers left the downed timber where it lay. It was up to county road crew employees to delimb and buck the logs, then stack them in decks at a landing where they could be loaded onto trucks and hauled to a sawmill. To move the logs, the road crew needed a skidder but the county didnt have one. While the Benton County Public Works Department maintains a fleet of dump trucks, bulldozers and other road-building machinery, it does not own a skidder, a specialized piece of heavy equipment used in logging operations. The county had rented one for the first part of the job in 2018, but that machine wasnt available in 2019. Road crew supervisor Jim Stouder, however, knew where he could get one. The supervisor Jim Stouder was hired as manager of the Benton County Public Works Departments road maintenance division in 2000. He retired at the end of June but came back to work supervising the road crew in July under a contract with a temp agency that paid him $75 an hour. Prior to his retirement, he was earning a salary of $98,000 a year, according to records provided by the county. Members of the road crew told investigators that it was Stouder who planned the Starr Creek-Hells Canyon road extension project and supervised the work at the job site. They also said it was Stouder who arranged to rent the skidder, and that it was common knowledge the machine was owned by a member of Stouder's family. Its not unusual for Benton County to rent heavy equipment for certain jobs. On the Starr Creek-Hells Canyon project, for example, road crew employees were using two excavators and a bulldozer obtained from United Rental and Wilson Equipment Rentals & Sales, along with several county-owned vehicles. The skidder was obtained through Jackson Luck Enterprises, a Corvallis excavation company that has a yearly materials and services contract with the county. But Jackson Luck didnt own the skidder. Charlie Stouder did. In his own interviews with investigators, records show, Jim Stouder explained that skidders can be hard to find and arent readily available to rent. When it came time to line up equipment for the Starr Creek-Hells Canyon job, he set up a three-way deal involving the county, Jackson Luck and his son. (Jim) Stouder said he knew Charlie Stouder had a skidder, a sheriffs deputy wrote in his report, so he got Charlie Stouder and Jackson Luck in contact with each other. The equipment Charlie Stouder works for a Corvallis construction company, but according to his father he was looking to go into business for himself when he bought a used grapple skidder early last year from a Veneta logging outfit, an investigators report states. The skidder is a John Deere model 540B a four-wheeled tractor with big rubber tires and a partially enclosed cab, articulated in the middle, with a small bulldozer blade on one end and a grapple for grabbing and lifting logs on the other. The reports dont record how much Charlie Stouder paid for the machine or how old it was. An equipment rental agreement between Charlie Stouder and Jackson Luck, provided by the county in response to a records request from the newspaper, values the skidder at $32,000 and promises to pay Stouder $3,000 a month for the three-month length of the contract. Julie Jackson of Jackson Luck told a sheriffs investigator that the company kept $500 of the monthly fee for acting as a rental agent, with the remaining $2,500 going to Charlie Stouder. The sheriffs report adds that, unlike other pieces of heavy equipment rented by the Public Works Department, the county never had a specific rental contract for the skidder. When the investigator pressed Jim Stouder on that point, he said he "thought it was all covered under the materials and services contract between the county and Jackson Luck. In addition, the sheriffs report indicates that the county was never provided with maintenance records for the skidder. Jackson told the investigator that no one from her company ever inspected the skidder to ensure it was mechanically sound before agreeing to supply it to the Benton County Public Works Department, according to the report. Instead, she said, the firm accepted the Stouders assurances that the machine was in good working order. That opinion apparently was not shared by some of the county employees assigned to operate the machine. Lonnie Wheeler, one of the men who worked with Neuman at the job site, was asked by a sheriffs investigator for his initial reaction when he got his first look at the skidder. Its an old piece of junk, the report quotes him as saying. Asked what he thought after operating the machine, Wheeler replied: Its a double piece of junk. In response to written questions from the Sheriffs Office, Benton County Public Works Director Gary Stockhoff stated that the county was not responsible for maintaining the rented skidder. Stockhoff went on to state he didnt know when the machine was last serviced or by whom, he didnt know how often it was inspected for faults, and he didnt know when the tires were purchased, according to the report. The accident Phase 1 of the road extension project had focused on the north side of the site, starting from the end of Starr Creek Road and working toward the middle. In the summer of 2019, the focus shifted south, to the Hells Canyon Road side. The contract logging crew wrapped up its work at the job site in late July, leaving an estimated 14 to 16 loads of logs on the ground. On Monday, Aug. 5, members of the county road crew began the task of delimbing the downed trees, cutting them to length and hauling the logs to the landing for transport to the mill. Other work that week included clearing brush, hauling rock and beginning to cut in the new section of road. According to the investigators reports, five different men worked at the Hells Canyon site that week. On Friday, Aug. 9, the crew was made up of Pete Neuman, Troy Parmalee, Erik Remington and Gary Calvery. Lonnie Wheeler had the day off. Neuman started the day running an excavator, but after lunch he switched to the skidder to start pulling logs while Parmalee took over on the excavator. Remington was running a small bulldozer, and Calverys job that day was hauling brush. Nobody saw the accident happen. A little after noon, Remington told investigators, he realized he couldnt see the skidder on the job site. Then he spotted tire tracks going off the side of the road and down the steep hillside. He told Parmalee to call 911 while he followed the tire tracks through a mix of young trees and heavy brush. About 300 yards downslope, Remington found the skidder lying almost upside down, with all four wheels in the air. Neuman was lying underneath the big machine, lifeless. Safety issues All of the men assigned to the Hells Canyon-Starr Creek project were experienced heavy equipment operators, but its not clear how much training any of them had on operating skidders in general or the John Deere 540B in particular. The countys investigation found that several road crew members received some training from Jim Stouder on the skidder used in 2018, but there was no additional training on the new skidder prior to the 2019 work. The 2018 training was not documented, and no one could remember for certain whether Pete Neuman took part in those sessions. One employee recalled that workers got five to 10 minutes of hands-on training apiece in the county maintenance yard. In their statements to investigators, county employees said they experienced a number of serious mechanical problems with the skidder from Jackson Luck. It could be difficult to put the machine in gear, and sometimes the brakes would stick. The engine died frequently, often while the operator was trying to turn the skidder around, and when that happened the footbrake would stop working. If the machine was on a slope when the engine died, it would roll downhill and the operator would have to shift into neutral and restart the engine to get power back into the brakes. Some employees developed a strategy of making sure they were uphill of brush piles or log decks before attempting to turn the skidder around, so there would be something to stop them if the engine died and the machine went into free roll. In some cases, they would try dropping the blade or the grapple to get the skidder to stop. There were other problems, as well. The fuel gauge didnt work. There was a hydraulic leak. While the front tires had plenty of tread, the rear set was bald and there were no tire chains with the vehicle. In addition, the skidder had an aftermarket seat that was bolted to a block of wood and couldnt be adjusted. The seat belt, which was knotted onto the mounting bracket, may have been too short to fit Neuman. Remington said the seat belt barely went around him, so he knew Neuman wasnt wearing it, one investigator wrote. Wheeler, who was running the skidder at the beginning of the week, told investigators that the engine died on him roughly 40 times on Monday. He was also having problems with sluggish shifting and sticky brakes. Monday night or Tuesday morning, Wheeler reported the problems to Stouder, who came to the job site first thing Tuesday to examine the skidder. Wheeler said Stouder showed him how to get the brakes to release by putting the transmission in gear and pumping the brake pedal. Wheeler ran the skidder again on Tuesday, but by the end of the day he couldnt get it into gear at all. He checked the transmission fluid and found it was low. When he got back to the county maintenance yard, he told Stouder about the transmission problems. Although Wheeler wasnt at the job site the rest of that week, other employees said Stouder came back out on Wednesday and ran the skidder for a while to check its performance, then purchased a new transmission filter for the machine, which was installed by Parmalee. Hydraulic fluid also was added. Stouder ran the skidder for about half an hour after the transmission filter was replaced and pronounced it good to go, according to Remington, who operated the machine later in the day. He told investigators the transmission was shifting properly, but he still had problems with the engine dying and the brakes going out. On Thursday, the hydraulic system was leaking again, according to Parmalee. Another county employee, B.J. Haley, recalled having a conversation on Friday morning with three of the men assigned to the Hells Canyon-Starr Creek project: Remington, Parmalee and Calvery. I asked how it was going, he told the countys investigator. Erik (Remington) said it would be good if they could get the skidder to stop. A few hours later, Pete Neuman climbed aboard the skidder and motored off to pull some logs. The next time anyone saw him, he was dead. Unanswered questions Neither of the investigative reports reviewed by the newspaper spell out exactly what sent the skidder on its runaway course down the hillside that day in August. The reports dont rule out the possibility that Neuman suffered some sort of medical problem that caused him to lose control of the skidder. Its possible that the medical examiners report might shed light on that issue, but the Oregon State Police Medical Examiner Division rejected a public records request for a copy of the report, saying it did not rise to the level of public interest that would require disclosure. Nor is it completely clear just how much detail about the skidders mechanical problems the county equipment operators passed on to Stouder. For instance, theres no indication in the investigators reports that anyone told him about the engine dying or the brakes failing on Friday morning, after the conversation the operators had with Haley. In his own statements to investigators, Stouder stated that the complaints he got from the crew focused on the difficulty in shifting gears and that there was no mention of braking issues. He also said the engine didnt die when he was operating the skidder. Sheriffs investigators attempted to interview Stouder in more detail, arranging an Aug. 28 meeting with Stouder and his attorney at the Law Enforcement Center in downtown Corvallis. After reading Stouder his Miranda rights, the investigators started by asking some general questions about his job duties with the county. When they asked how he found the skidder to rent for the work at Hells Canyon Road, the report states, Stouder started to answer but his attorney, Eli Brown, cut him off and took him out in the hallway for a private conference. When the two men walked back into the interview room, Brown announced that they would not be answering any more questions. No charges have been filed in connection with Neumans death or Stouders actions in steering a government contract to his son while working on the countys behalf. In response to a query from the newspaper, Benton County District Attorney John Haroldson said that his office did not have sufficient evidence to prove a criminal case beyond a reasonable doubt. Based on our review of (the sheriffs) investigation of Pete Neumans death and the applicable law, we concluded that the evidence before us does not support a criminal prosecution, he wrote in an email to the newspaper. For this reason, criminal charges have not been filed in this case. The decision not to file criminal charges would not prevent Neumans family from seeking damages in civil court, but no lawsuit has been filed against the county to date. Anticipating possible litigation, Benton County hired an outside investigator to review the accident, but County Counsel Vance Croney declined to release the results of that inquiry, citing attorney-client privilege. Among the questions submitted by the newspaper that county officials refused to answer were these: Who or what is to blame for Pete Neumans death? What could have been done to prevent it? Why did the county agree to rent a piece of equipment owned by the road crew supervisors son? What is the county's policy on ensuring rental equipment is safe? Did Jim Stouder do enough to ensure that the skidder was safe? Did road crew workers on the job do enough to report safety/maintenance issues with the skidder? What disciplinary actions has the county taken in connection with this incident? What policy changes has the county made in the wake of this incident? The aftermath The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the union representing the Benton County road crew workers, contends that the county failed in its duty to ensure the safety of equipment used on the job. It is our belief that Pete's death was preventable and that no one on the Benton County road crew or any crew should have been required to operate that malfunctioning skidder, especially in terrain like Hells Canyon, Oregon AFSCME Executive Director Stacy Chamberlain said in an email to the newspaper. Everyone on Pete's crew did everything they could to safely complete that project. They reported the skidder's braking problems to their longtime manager Jim Stouder, they set up safety barriers, they did their best to stay in constant communication and they made sure that only the most skilled and cautious operators used that skidder. In this case, Pete was the most skilled, and taking that responsibility cost him his life. Since then, however, Chamberlain said the county has been responsive to AFSCMEs concerns, adopting most of the safety improvements demanded by the union and working to implement others. AFSCME is bringing in a national safety specialist at the end of this month to provide training to county workers and managers. One more investigation remains to be completed. Oregon OSHA, the states occupational safety and health watchdog agency, is still looking into the incident. Croney told the newspaper that the results of that investigation are expected in the next few weeks. According to the Benton County Public Works Department, construction on the Starr Creek-Hells Canyon road extension project is scheduled to resume this summer. Reporter Bennett Hall can be contacted at bennett.hall@lee.net or 541-812-6111. Follow him on Twitter at @bennetthallgt. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 6 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. C ommuters will wake up to frost on Monday morning as temperatures plummet across the country. The Met Office has issued four snow and ice warnings as a cold snap hits the UK at the start of the week. Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern England will all face slippery road conditions with likely transport disruptions during Monday's rush hour while snow is set to sweep Scotland. But by Wednesday, milder temperatures will return with a mixture of sunny spells and showers for the rest of the week. Snow and ice warnings are in place for the north / PA Met Office spokeswoman Helen Roberts said: "It is going to be a colder night on Sunday than we have had of late with cool air filtering in from the west. "So we will see a return of frost on Monday, which we haven't had in a while." Commuters are facing cold weather early next week / Jeremy Selwyn "With showers blowing through overnight, we have ice risks in most northern areas," she added. Ms Roberts said the main risk will be on untreated surfaces, so pavements and roads which have not been gritted. She said people should leave extra time for their journeys, take extra caution on roads and keep an eye on the latest Met Office updates. "It is going to be slippery surfaces with the potential for transport disruptions, mainly on trains and roads," she added. The combined ice and snow warning for northwest Scotland will be in place for the whole day until midnight on Tuesday. Deer in Richmond Park, south west London, as the cold weather continues / PA "We have showers spreading in from the sea and they will be wintry above 100m," she said. "We will continue to see these showers throughout the day, so there could be an accumulation of snow across the highlands." Monday and Tuesday will see temperatures reaching highs of around 5-6C in the north and 8-9C in the south. Tuesday could see temperatures fall to -2-3C in Scotland, according to the Met Office. It is likely there will be further warnings issued for Monday night into Tuesday as Brits face a second bracingly cold night with temperatures dropping below freezing, Ms Roberts said. But Wednesday will bring milder temperatures as the mercury rises back up towards 11C in the south and 9C in the north. During the revolution I promised that the budget of the Republic of Armenia could increase by 30-35% in one or two years. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan wrote this on Facebook. "Fact number 1: During two years, in 2018 and 2019, the Government succeeded in increasing the tax revenues of the state budget by an exclusive number of 505.4 billion drams, part of which was directed towards the payment of debts to taxpayers, while the other part increased the state budget revenues." he added. As of January 1, 2018, the government owed businessmen 275.7 billion drams in tax overpayments. As of January 1, 2020, such debt amounts to 76.6 billion drams, including current VAT debts and debits. That is, the government has returned to the business a debt of about 200 billion drams over a year and a half. The remaining 305.4 billion drams of the abovementioned 505.4 billion drams have supplemented the tax revenues of the state budget. The process of returning expired VAT debits continues. Thus, according to the results of 2018, 2019, as a percentage, the growth of state revenues was 43.6% compared to 2017." The United States will not lift sanctions on Iran in order to negotiate, US President Donald Trump tweeted late on Saturday, seemingly in response to a Der Spiegel interview with Irans foreign minister. Iranian Foreign Minister says Iran wants to negotiate with The United States, but wants sanctions removed. @FoxNews @OANN No Thanks! Trump tweeted in English on Saturday and later in Farsi. Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded on Sunday by tweeting an excerpt from the interview with Der Spiegel published on Friday, where he said Iran is still open to negotiations with America if sanctions are lifted. @realdonaldtrump is better advised to base his foreign policy comments & decisions on facts, rather than @FoxNews headlines or his Farsi translators, Zarif said in the tweet with the interview excerpt. Tensions between Iran and the United States have reached the highest levels in decades after the US killed top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad on January 3, prompting Iran to fire missiles days later at bases in Iraq where US troops are stationed. Tensions between the two have been increasing steadily since Trump pulled the United States out of Irans nuclear pact with world powers in 2018 and reimposed sanctions that have driven down Irans oil exports and hammered its economy. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- With Groundhog Day quickly approaching, we took a look back at the history of everyones favorite weather-predicting rodent, Staten Island Chuck, who makes is prediction every year at the Staten Island Zoo, West Brighton. Last year, Chuck hit the nail on the head when he predicted an early spring. Weather-checking students from the YMCA Early Childhood Program in West Brighton reported he was right: 28 days were greater than 40 degrees, and 18 were below 40 degrees. Chuck has been predicting the future since 1981, with his accuracy being tracked by local youth, dubbed junior weather predictors, in recent years. The children track how many days over the six weeks following Chucks prediction are warmer -- or atypical -- for winter weather, defined as days when the temperature rises above 40 degrees. At the end of the six-week period, if there were more atypical weather days than typical weather days, it means we had an early spring. If there were more typical weather days than atypical weather days, we had six more weeks of winter. It remains to be seen if Chuck (real name Charles G. Hogg) will see his shadow on Sunday, Feb. 2, at the Zoo, signaling six more weeks of winter. But what we do know, is that he is among the worlds most accurate weather-predicting animals, with a 79% accuracy rate throughout the years. Chuck has proved a particularly prolific prognosticator in recent years, having made an incorrect prediction only once since 2010. This years free Groundhog Day event at the Zoo takes place on Sunday, Feb. 2. The ceremony begins at 7 a.m., with Chucks prediction set for 7:30 a.m. Childrens activities will take place throughout the day. In the past, Chucks prediction has attracted as many at 700 visitors. Heres a look back at some of Chucks recent performances: 2019: For the fifth straight year, Chuck failed to find his shadow when exiting his burrow, calling for an early spring. While Mayor Bill De Blasio was not in attendance at the Zoos event, he didnt escape a dig from Rep. Max Rose (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn), who opened his speech with [Deputy Borough President Ed Burke] drops jokes and animal facts like the mayor drops groundhogs. 2018: Chuck searched in vain for his shadow, then predicted an early spring when he popped up from below in his plastic enclosure. Well done, Chuck. PS 45 students supported his prediction, since warmer days prevailed. Deputy Borough President Ed Burke acted as emcee during the annual celebration, while Public Advocate Letitia Lames and NYC Comptroller Scott Springer announced the prediction. 2017: Despite the cold morning, Chuck predicted an early spring. Unfortunately, after six weeks of tracking the temperature, third-graders at PS 45 in West Brighton declared his prediction wrong. For the first time since 2009, Chuck made an inaccurate prediction. 2016: A small crowd gathered at the Staten Island Zoo in hopes of an early spring. Fortunately, Chuck delivered. The little guy searched and searched for his shadow, but couldnt find it, signaling the start of an early spring. This was Chucks second year in his new clear plastic enclosure. 2015: On a cold, wet February day, Chuck called for another early spring, as he failed to find his shadow in his newly minted clear plastic case. De Blasio stood a safe distance from the groundhog, reading the prediction from a scroll, after the previous year's fiasco. 2014: It was a Groundhog Day full of drama when the mayor said: Chuck and my predecessor didnt always get along, but Im hoping we can start a new day, and then proceeded to drop the poor animal. However, it turns out that the groundhog he dropped was Charlotte, Chucks mate, who had been swapped out before the ceremony. Unfortunately, Charlotte died seven days later, of what the Staten Island Zoo referred to as unknown natural causes. At least Charlotte died a martyr, making another accurate prediction, this time for six more weeks of winter. 2013: Staten Island Chuck doesnt agree with his rival -- Punxsutawny Phil -- very often, but he did that year. Then-City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said that the prediction was because Chuck was having a good day this morning, adding that she had a conference with him about what was going to happen. Her pep talk must have worked, because he predicted an early spring and he was right. 2012: A couple days before the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl for a second time, Chuck gave New Yorkers something else to cheer about. He predicted an early spring, and much to the delight of Emma Boyd, an 11-year-old student at Blessed Sacrament School, West Brighton, he was right. Boyd said, "I'm tired of winter now." 2011: If ever there was a need for an early spring, 2011 would have been it. The weather was icy, slushy and cold while Chuck munched on corn and sweet potatoes and the audience enjoyed a Groundhog Day-themed cake made by Cake Boss Buddy Valastro. Chuck scurried out of his new log cabin home -- with solar panels on the roof -- but couldnt find his shadow, signaling the start of an early spring that everyone so desperately desired. 2010: Chuck reminded us that sometimes you just need to press the snooze button even if you have work in the morning. Chuck overslept and had to be woken by chants of "We want Chuck" from the audience. Even though he was still drowsy, Chuck accurately predicted an early spring and began a streak of correct predictions. 2009: Groundhog Day 2009 is the day that will live on in New York City history as the day Staten Island Chuck bit then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The mayor held out an ear of corn in an attempt to lure Chuck. However, Chuck didnt appear very grateful. He ran over and bit the mayors hand before running off with the corn. To top it off, Chucks prediction was inaccurate. Palestinian officials threatened Sunday to withdraw from key provisions of the Oslo Accords, which define relations with Israel, if US President Donald Trump announces his Middle East peace plan next week. Chief Palestinian negotiation Saeb Erekat told AFP that the Palestinian Liberation Organisation reserved the right "to withdraw from the interim agreement", the concrete part of the Oslo deal, if Trump unveils his plan. The Trump initiative will turn Israel's "temporary occupation (of Palestinian territory) into a permanent occupation", Erekat said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/26/2020 ADVERTISEMENT [ Spoilers Warning: This article contains spoilers revealing if couple Michael and Juliana are still together.] ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT So are Michael and Juliana still together? What's the couple's status now? ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. couple Michael Jessen and Juliana Custodio de Sousa have been shown about to marry on the show's most recent Season 7 episode -- so did they actually go through with their wedding? And if so, is the couple still together?Michael, a 41-year-old independent and self-employed wine entrepreneur from Greenwich, CT, and Juliana, a 23-year-old from Goiania, Brazil, are one of the couples starring on Season 7 of , which premiered in early November on TLC.Michael imports and distributes wine and works at wine auctions. He's apparently a wealthy man who's part of a jet-setting social group that parties all over the world.During a big yacht party in Croatia, Michael met Juliana, an international model, and there was an instant attraction."I remember when I first saw her," Michael told the camera during the debut episode of 's seventh season. "She's beautiful, amazing body -- I don't necessarily believe in love at first sight, but it's like we were kindred spirits."Once Michael and Juliana got to know each other, Michael said he realized she was funny, thoughtful and smart. He was amazed she was only 20 years old."There are certainly a lot of people that may pass judgment [and] may think I'm just an old sleazy, rich guy going after a young hot woman," Michael said. "It doesn't bother me at all. I don't really care."Juliana, a former seamstress who grew up very poor, was discovered by a modeling agency, and Michael pledged to support her financially in any way that he can.Michael therefore gave Juliana access to his credit cards. Michael admitted he had spent no small amount of money on her, but he simply wanted to give Juliana the world. (When a producer later asked if the amount was around $150,000, Michael refused to comment. Juliana even purchased a car on Michael's credit card.)Michael was hoping Juliana could visit him in the United States shortly after they met, but that plan apparently fell through because her intentions were questioned and they were both denied Tourist Visas.Michael realized obtaining a K-1 visa would be the only way she could come to America -- so he proposed marriage and planned to marry her within 90 days of her visit.As a result, Michael and Juliana had to wait for the K-1 visa to be approved, and both individuals almost lost hope a couple times due to the amount of time it was taking. Juliana, for instance, bought a car in Brazil although she was supposed to be moving to America soon.The only option for the couple, however, was the United States because Michael was not about to leave his two children, Max and Cece, behind. He shares the two kids with his ex-wife Sarah Jessen, with whom he still has a great friendship.The premiere of 's seventh season showed that Michael bought a house for his fiancee, which was close to Sarah.Sarah was concerned Juliana was with Michael for his money, but Sarah told the cameras she'd have to trust Michael's decisions, as long as he'd keep their children as his top priority.Juliana then had her interview in Rio de Janeiro for the K-1 visa, and both Michael and Juliana were nervous because Juliana was apparently in a "high-risk" category considering she's young and from a poor part of Brazil.Juliana also had a lot of stamps in her passport, and so there would be concern her desire to come to America would be so she can be involved in "illicit activities."Cameras were not permitted inside the consulate, but after the interview, Juliana said it was "bad" and they had insulted her."They just asked stupid questions. They asked me if I had been working as a prostitute the last 10 years," Juliana revealed in a confessional.Michael didn't think it was right for Juliana to be asked that question, and he confirmed, "No, she's not a prostitute!" Michael said it's normal for young models to travel the world and party with wealthy people."I'm a model and I'm professional, so of course I've been to many countries," Juliana told the cameras.Michael called it "ridiculous" and planned to consult with his lawyer over that "upsetting" interview."What does that make me? A pimp?... I don't need to [pay for sex]," Michael vented to Juliana, before she called the process "a nightmare."But after providing a police-clearance document to show Juliana had no criminal history, Juliana's K-1 visa was approved.Michael wanted Juliana's arrival in the United States to be as special as possible, so he bought a bouquet of flowers, champagne, and a $4,000 necklace, and headed to the airport in a big white Hummer limousine.Juliana cried tears of joy when she saw Michael at the airport in America, and she said their wildest dreams had come true and she felt like the luckiest girl in the world.Juliana was later introduced to Michael's children, and the meeting went well. The kids thought Juliana was really pretty and their father was a "really lucky guy."The kids had made Juliana a "welcome home" cake with gummy bears on it as well as breakfast. Juliana said Max seemed smart and Cece appeared to love her immediately, so all was good in the world!Michael was so glad Juliana and his children had "bonded immediately" upon her arrival into the United States. Juliana said the experience of having two kids around her all the time wasn't new because she had been very close with her niece and nephew in Brazil.Juliana later met Sarah, whom Max called "assertive" and outspoken.Sarah said while most women would probably be intimidated by such a tall, sexy, gorgeous, exotic, smart and well-traveled girl, she wasn't -- because she didn't have the need, energy or time to be jealous.Juliana thought it was very unusual Michael and Sarah were still close because when people divorce in Brazil, they stop communicating. However, she was very sweet to Sarah, and Sarah, in turn, was kind and gracious.But Sarah asked Juliana to "not parent at all." Sarah wanted Juliana to embrace her new role in the family as just a stepmom and become her friend, but Juliana didn't feel like she was part of the family yet.Sarah later clarified on social media she just didn't want to overload Juliana with too much responsibility given she was still adjusting to a new life in a new country with a new soon-to-be husband.Michael and Sarah were then shown going furniture shopping and moving into their new house, which Juliana found wonderful and overwhelming.Michael and Juliana then found a wedding planner on short notice so they could get the ball rolling on their nuptials. At this point, Juliana had been living in the United States for about two months.Michael told the wedding planner they'd like good food, good wine, some dancing and about a 40-person guest count. Michael and Juliana had to tell the wedding planner they had both been married once before.Juliana apparently felt pressured to have an arranged marriage at age 19 that only lasted for one year. Juliana didn't want to marry the man but felt obligated to do so in order to satisfy her religious family.Juliana said her first marriage was "really bad." She and her ex-husband apparently signed papers to wed and then went to lunch, during which the man allegedly complained about how expensive the lunch happened to be.Michael was then quoted $50,000-$100,000 for a wedding at their new home by the wedding planner. Juliana couldn't believe how expensive the wedding was going to be.Juliana expected only three people would be coming to their wedding from her side, but she was still happy. Juliana apparently didn't want her parents to see how wealthy she had become in America because they would expect a lot of financial help from Michael.Juliana didn't want to feel guilty for having a fancy, opulent wedding when her parents might look at the flowers and think, "Those would be our groceries for a week." The couple struggled with how to enjoy their new life together when Juliana's family was so poor back home.Later on, Sarah stopped by and told the couple she'd be willing to become ordained and officiate their wedding.But things between family members grew tense when Sarah asked Michael if he and Juliana had a prenuptial agreement in place to ensure their children would be well taken care of financially in case something were to go wrong in their marriage.Sarah said she didn't mean to stir the pot, but Juliana was left feeling very confused.Juliana later asked Michael to explain a prenuptial agreement to her, and he said it's an agreement made in case of divorce to ensure his children, Max and Cece, are protected, but she still didn't understand what it meant.The conversation upset Juliana because she never wanted to get a divorce and said she'd do anything to make the marriage work, but Michael insisted the prenup would protect her interests as well. Michael pointed out prenups tend to protect the women in marriage "heavily."Juliana was upset she had to hear about the prenup from Sarah and not Michael, and Michael agreed it was "uncouth" of Sarah and out of character for her to bring that up.Juliana agreed to go forward with a prenup, but she appeared frustrated because she had to give up her jobs, her little dogs and her family in Brazil to come to the United States. She said it was therefore very uncomfortable to talk about divorce before they even married.Michael and Juliana were then shown meeting with a mediator a few weeks before their wedding. Michael revealed he has two children and "business interests" and so he wanted to be "prepared for worst-case scenario."The mediator, Carolyn Swiggart, said a prenup balances out power in a relationship and decision-making. Michael said assets would remain in his name and they'd have separate property.Juliana had stopped working a few months prior, so she didn't have much money to bring into the marriage. Juliana said if Michael didn't want to share his income and assets then neither did she if she ended up making it big as a model.Carolyn told Michael to make sure Juliana would be well taken care of in the case of divorce, and Juliana felt the mediator was on her side, which Michael probably didn't expect.Juliana told Michael that if he left her once, he'd probably be willing to do it again -- referring to a breakup they previously had in their relationship after a big fight.Juliana and Michael apparently broke up for three months last year, when Michael allegedly called her and said he didn't want to date her anymore.Juliana said Michael had suddenly disappeared and she couldn't afford to pay her rent. Juliana never wanted to be in that situation again, and she was angry at herself for depending on Michael so much in the United States.Juliana said she felt like a "loser" and figured Michael would have all the money and power in their relationship."I'm thinking it's time for me to be independent," Juliana told Michael. "If you were in my shoes, you [would be] thinking the same thing. So don't judge."Michael said he never would have brought Juliana to the meeting had he known it was going to be so upsetting for her.After the mediator caused some tension between Michael and Juliana, Michael explained in a confessional Juliana was having a hard time realizing she had lost a lot of her independence and would be vulnerable in the United States."I think he always had control over everything and he wants control over me, but that's not going to happen because men [don't] control me," Juliana told the cameras.Since Juliana was so upset over the prenup, Michael decided against signing one."We're not doing it. No prenup. It doesn't make sense. It's stupid. No matter what happens, you're going to be okay and the kids are going to be fine. That's not why we're getting married -- to have a business transaction," Michael finally shared with his fiancee.Michael hoped for the best and was confident his future marriage would work out.Juliana gave Michael a few kisses and appeared both happy and relieved at Michael's decision. Juliana, however, still didn't trust Michael, telling the cameras, "I don't trust anyone."Juliana at least found a little independence when Michael bought her a bicycle for her birthday so she could get around on her own.Juliana had to wait three or four months to work and model again.She then opened up to Sarah about how she had joined a church after her modeling career failed when she was a young teen."I think the church was a cult... and for any reason, you could go to hell," Juliana said.The church's pastor apparently introduced Juliana, who was 17 years old at the time, to a 34-year-old man whom she later married. Juliana said they married after dating for only four months, and in the same day they wed, "he changed."Juliana's ex-husband demanded Juliana that she stay home, not work and clean their house -- and she said the pastor did not believe her when she complained about his behavior."[We] didn't sign divorce or anything. [I] left," Juliana shared.After Juliana escaped the bad relationship, she moved to Sao Paulo to start modeling again as a stronger and more confident woman. Juliana wasn't going to let anyone bully her again, and then after four months, she filed for divorce and forced her ex to sign the papers.Sarah applauded Juliana on having overcome so much in her life and she cried after listening to her story. Sarah realized there was "indescribable" depth to Juliana.Sarah was beginning to regret asking Juliana not to parent her two kids, Max and Cece, since she has great values. Sarah complimented Juliana on being an intelligent hard worker, who values family.Sarah said she and Juliana "filled in the gaps" together in terms of what would make an excellent mother, and she told Juliana that she was glad she chose Michael as a partner."When I first met Sarah, maybe she was thinking that I was taking advantage of Michael and [had] all the reasons to think that I'm bad," Juliana told the cameras."Opening up to her about my life was very important to me, because now I feel like she knows me and understands... I think Sarah likes me -- I hope."Later on, Sarah brought Juliana to a store where Juliana could try on her wedding dress after alterations, and Juliana hoped to become best friends with Sarah because she thought she was really nice.Sarah just advised Juliana to keep ahold of her own money and not become a house servant, cooking and cleaning everything for Michael.Juliana cried in her dress because she couldn't wait to marry her love. But a part of Juliana feared she'd get hurt again."Don't be nervous. You're part of a big family now," Sarah assured the future bride.The latest episode of featured the start of Juliana and Michael's wedding day, with Juliana getting her hair and makeup done and then putting her beautiful ballgown wedding dress on.But Juliana only had two guests at the wedding and they were just friends, so that felt a little lonely for her.Juliana wished her mother could be there to see her in a wedding dress, and she wished she had their support. Juliana never even received a text message from her family members."Not hearing from my family, I can't explain the feeling," Juliana said in tears. "I'm supposed to be walking down the aisle, but I can't stop crying. I don't know if I can do this right now."So did Juliana go through with the wedding, or did she decide it was all too much for her?According to two photos Sarah had posted on her Instagram account late last year -- but since deleted -- Michael and Juliana did in fact get married!Sarah shared two families photos from Michael and Juliana's wedding, but they can no longer be found on her account.One photo featured Michael, Juliana, Sarah, Max, Cece and Sarah's now-husband Sean Naso In the other photo, the bride and groom posed with Sarah and Sean only.Everyone was all smiles, and in another picture Sarah subsequently posted, Michael was kissing Cece on the cheek at what appeared to be the wedding reception."Best daughter, best daddy, best day," Sarah wrote alongside the sweet image.A pal of Michael's high-school friend leaked the same photos from Michael and Juliana's wedding around the same time last year."Mike and his now wife Juliana, 20 year age difference, are on ... Clay will be on some episodes including the wedding which they also filmed," the person wrote of Clay, who's apparently Michael's high-school friend, on social media."Mike told Clay they originally tried to make him a villain and he said no then I'm not doing the show so they didn't do that to him. Clay said it's pretty staged... Clay is going to Mike's house Sunday for a viewing party."According to this person, Mike's ex-wife Sarah actually officiated the marriage ceremony for Michael and Juliana.In addition, it is evident, based on this family's social media accounts, that Michael and Juliana are still a couple and remain happily married.In mid-January 2020, Michael posted several photos of Juliana in a bathing suit hugging and kissing her little black dog in their house."This is love," Michael captioned the image."EDIT: FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT FOR SOME REASON HAVE HAD A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING AND/OR QUESTION WHY JULIANA IS WEARING A BATHING SUIT SHE WAS GIVING @howardthedog87 A HAIRCUT AND A BATH. @julianacustodiooo @howardthedog87 #love #puppies #puppiesofinstagram #puppy #puppylove #heartmelting #90dayfiance #2020 #michaelandjuliana #love."And Juliana confirmed around the same time she's currently living in Connecticut, which means she definitely went through with the wedding and is still with Michael."First winter of me in Connecticut and hard get use to the cold," Juliana captioned a photo of herself in a bikini. "Thinking of summer being here. #summer #bikinilife #babyitscoldoutside #90dayfiance #michaelandjuliana #tlc."Juliana has also remained very close with Sarah, and it appears she gets along beautifully with Max and Cece.Juliana revealed she was hanging out with Sarah in her Instagram Stories on January 14, and she captioned one photo of them both growling, "Men don't control us."On January 13, it appears Juliana did a "closet challenge" with Sarah's new husband Sean Naso and Michael's daughter Cece in which Sean had to pick out feminine clothes blindfolded from a closet and then try them on.Michael also posted photos of Juliana meeting a guitar craftsman he finds remarkable on January 9, and four days earlier, he shared a photo of his love and gushed about her on Instagram."I think this is now my all-time favorite photo of my wonderful and beautiful {word redacted}, @julianacustodiooo.... and she took it herself," Michael captioned the image of Juliana looking naturally beautiful and posed."#lovehersomuch #nofilter #mensdoesntcontrolher #90dayfiance #2020 #homestudio #selfportrait #michaelandjuliana #beautiful #thankful #grateful."On January 4, Juliana and Michael both shared photos from when they celebrated a friend's 50th birthday at what appeared to be a fancy black-tie affair.Michael also took to Instagram on December 25, 2019 with photos of Juliana, his children and their dog."Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones from the Jessen/Naso family @maxwell.jessen @julianacustodiooo @keathley76 @the_real_naso @howardthedog87 @dogpercythe #gusgusthedog," Michael captioned the slideshow."We wish you a wonderful and safe holiday season and hope that you enjoy much love, happiness, and health in 2020."After the episode aired earlier this season in which Michael and Juliana met with a mediator to discuss a prenuptial agreement, Michael slammed TLC and the show's production company on Instagram for alleged "bullsh-t" editing that painted himself in a bad light."It's something where I feel like I need to call a little bit of bullsh-t because it's not really who we are. It's not really reflective of our reality," Michael said in a series of videos posted to his Instagram Stories in mid-December, according to In Touch Weekly."I think we're all a little upset that it's kind of cut out the kindness that we truly share together and it was something that was a part of the narrative of our experience that was departing from who we really are... We're all upset about the harshness for which we were portrayed. It hurts our feelings... We're not paid actors. This is still our real lives."Michael also shot down criticism he's selfish in his relationship with Juliana.In the process of defending himself in the video clips, Michael revealed he and Juliana had decided to adopt her niece and nephew from Brazil and bring them over to the United States!"Juliana and I, today, just initiated the process of adopting her niece and nephew from Brazil," Michael reportedly shared on December 15."They're 8 and 6 years old. And they're in [a] dire situation. The only way to give them a chance at a good life is to bring them to America. We've reached out to my lawyer, we're bringing them over here."For Juliana's part, she posted a video on Instagram Stories of herself walking around New York City with Michael at the time. The couple was shown hugging and then the video ended with the pair lying in bed together with Michael shirtless.Juliana also gushed about Michael and defended him following the episode of their prenup dispute."I love this guy. I just wants to share how much I love this man, and so many sacrifices he made just to be with me, isn't fair he being attacked just for what people seem on tv, the fact that I haven't been smart with my own stuff have nothing to do with him," Juliana wrote on Instagram."He doesn't deserve all this hate, he is a prince, I'm so happy that on the real life he is the most amazing human being I have ever met and has a beautiful soul, love you @michael_jessen_77 #90dayfiance."Michael later re-posted the video and wrote, "Here's the real love that isn't being shown on TV."Juliana also posted a series of funny photos of Michael, Sarah, Max and Cece on her Instagram Stories around the same time, showing she's still living in America and has a relationship with all of them.As for Sarah, she re-married and tied the knot with Sean in early December, and based on a photo Max posted on Instagram, Michael and Juliana attended the small and intimate wedding reception at a waterfront restaurant in Greenwich, CT, together.And when Sarah posted an Instagram photo of Sean, Max, Cece and herself on her wedding day, she tagged Michael and Juliana in her post.On November 27, Juliana confirmed she considers the United States her home now. She shared a slideshow of family photos as well as one picture of her standing next to an American flag and wrote alongside the slideshow, "At home in the USA."More pictures of Juliana, Michael and their blended family date back to November, and at one point, Max called Juliana his "stepmom."Want spoilers? Click here to visit our Spoilers webpage! Four explosions rock Assam, no casualty reported; Ulfa hand suspected India oi-Madhuri Adnal Guwahati, Jan 26: Four grenade explosions in Upper Assam districts of Dibrugarh and Charaideo took place on Sunday. All four blasts occured in a span of 10 minutes - between 8.15 and 8.25 am, a police officer said. The first blast was reported outside a shop at Teokghat in Sonari police station area of Charaideo district. Three explosions followed soon after in Dibrugarh district - two at Graham Bazar and AT Road, beside a gurudwara, and another at the oil town of Duliajan Tiniali, just 100 metres from the local police station, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Padmanabh Barua told PTI. Under barrel grenade launcher, huge cache of arms recovered near Myanmar border Assam DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahant told ANI, "We have received the information about the explosion in Dibrugarh. An investigation has begun, it is being probed that who is involved in this." 71st Republic Day: PM Modi continues with 'Safa' tradition, Chinook & Apache make debut The incident comes at a time when the country is celebrating its 71st Republic Day. CCTV footages available at Duliajan Tiniali showed two motorcycle-borne youths lobbed a grenade and sped away, the ASP explained. The blasts at Graham Bazar and AT Road were carried out with time-induced Improvised Explosive Devices, he stated. According to sources, the explosions were suspected to be the handiwork of the ULFA(Independent), but nothing has been established as yet. The ULFA(I), along with several other proscribed outfits in the Northeast, had called for a boycott of the Republic Day celebrations. Taking to Twitter, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condemned the blasts and vowed to take strong action against the culprits. "Strongly condemn the bomb blasts in a few places of Assam. This cowardly attempt to create terror on a sacred day only exhibits the frustration of the terror groups after their total rejection by the people. Our Govt will take the sternest action to bring the culprits to book," he tweeted. A source in the chief minister's office said Sonowal has asked Assam Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta to deal with the situation and nab the culprits involved in the explosions at the earliest. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 04:56:48|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close PARIS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- French judges placed seven men under formal investigation on suspicion of planning assaults in the western city of Brest, where France's second main military port is located, local radio reported on Saturday. The men, aged 16 to 38, are suspected of plotting attacks against several targets, the report said, citing a source close to the investigation. The suspects were put under formal investigation over charges "of belonging to a criminal association in relation to a terrorist undertaking." They would stay in custody pending trial, it reported. The men were arrested early this week in a counter-terrorism raid. Many of them are on the police watchlist for radicalization. The report added no weapons and explosives were found during the search. But police found downloaded leaflets detailing how to make home-made explosives or poison, documents of Islamist propaganda and allegiances to the new head of the Islamic State group (IS). France has become a major target of terrorist attacks following its military operations in Iraq, Syria and the Sahel region in Africa. It has seen several attacks on home soil claimed by IS, with the deadliest one occurring in Paris in November 2015, killing 130 people and injuring more than 400. China on Sunday ordered a temporary ban on the trade in wild animals as the country struggles to contain a deadly virus believed to have been spawned in a market that sold wild animals as food. Raising, transporting or selling all wild animal species is forbidden "from the date of the announcement until the national epidemic situation is over", said a government directive. The ban was issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. The lethal virus, which has caused 56 confirmed deaths and nearly 2,000 total infections in China, and spread to about a dozen countries, is believed to have originated in a market in the central city of Wuhan, where a range of wildlife was reportedly sold. Conservationists have long accused China of tolerating a shadowy trade in exotic animals for food or as ingredients in traditional medicines, including highly endangered species such as the pangolin or tiger. Health experts say the trade poses a significant and growing public health risk as potentially dangerous animal-borne pathogens that people would normally not be exposed to make the jump to humans. The SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) virus that killed hundreds of people in China and Hong Kong in 2002-03 also has been traced to wild animals, with scientists saying it likely originated in bats, later reaching humans via civets. Civets, a cat-like creature, were among dozens of species listed on an exhaustive price list for one of the animal-trading businesses at the Wuhan market that emerged online last week. Other items included various rats, snakes, giant salamanders and even live wolf pups. Sunday's announcement said all businesses, markets, food and beverage outlets and e-commerce platforms are "strictly prohibited from trading in wild animals in any form". It added that "consumers must fully understand the health risks of eating wild animals, avoid wild game, and eat healthy". The so-called bushmeat trade, along with broader human encroachment on wild habitats, is bringing humans into ever-closer contact with animal viruses that can spread rapidly in today's connected world, scientists say. A study by the Global Virome Project, a worldwide effort to increase preparedness for pandemics, estimated that there are nearly 1.7 million undiscovered viruses in the animal kingdom, nearly half of which could be harmful to humans. Peter Daszak, a virology expert with the project, told AFP its research also indicated that we can expect around five new animal-borne pathogens to infect humanity each year. China has launched previous crackdowns on the wildlife trade, including after SARS, but conservationists say the trade typically resumes over time. Rights groups called for the ban to be made permanent. "The banning of such sales will help end the possibility of future outbreaks of zoonotic diseases, such as the Wuhan coronavirus," said Christian Walzer, chief global veterinarian at for the Wildlife Conservation Society. Kate Nustedt of World Animal Protection, said the move would "put a stop to the horrific conditions that serve as such a lethal hotbed of disease". Redwood City police are asking for the public's help in locating a missing young girl last seen on Saturday evening. Mai Nguyen, 12, was spotted near the intersection of Stambaugh and Spruce streets at about 6:17 p.m., police said. Nguyen is 5 feet tall, weighing around 90 pounds with black hair. According to police, she was last seen wearing a black shirt and blue jeans. Anyone with information on her location or who thinks they may have seen her is asked to call 911 or Redwood City police at (650) 780-7100. Tributes came in starting late Friday and continuing Saturday to former U.S. Rep. Fortney "Pete" Stark, who died Friday at his home in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. "Congressman Stark dedicated his life to defending every American's right to quality, affordable health care," said U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, in a statement Friday. "Personally and professionally, I was proud to work with Pete to pass the Affordable Care Act, which stands as a pillar of health and economic security in America today." Stark, 88, was a Congressman from 1973 until January 2013, and represented Alameda, Union City, Hayward, Newark, San Leandro, San Lorenzo and Fremont, plus parts of Oakland and Pleasanton at the time he was succeeded by Eric Swalwell. Swalwell weighed in Friday night on Stark's death. "Pete Stark gave the East Bay decades of public service as a voice in Congress for working people," Swalwell said on Twitter. "His knowledge of policy, particularly health care, and his opposition to unnecessary wars demonstrated his deep care and spirit. Our community mourns his loss." A former president also praised Stark. "Pete believed in the power of government to make a real difference in people's lives. And he proved it for 40 years," former President Bill Clinton said in a statement Saturday. A 38-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder Saturday had called police seeking a welfare check on the victim, San Jose police said Saturday night. Peter Rodriguez was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail in connection with the death of a woman in San Jose's third homicide of the year. Police said Rodriguez called police at 5:24 a.m. Saturday, asking officers to come to a residence in the 2000 block of Mondigo Avenue in East San Jose. The caller said he had not spoken to the woman "for several hours," police said. Officers arrived at the Mondigo address to find a woman dead from multiple stab wounds, police said. Police did not release the woman's identity Saturday. Homicide detectives later identified Rodriguez as the suspect, and he was taken into custody in San Jose, police said. The motive and circumstances behind the killing, and the relationship between Rodriguez and the victim, were still being investigated Saturday night. Berkeley police have identified a suspect in the Monday killing of a woman on a local sidewalk as that suspect was fleeing police officers, and on Saturday were still searching for him, police said. Alexander McGee, 29, is sought for allegedly killing a 58-year-old transient on a sidewalk near University Avenue and Sixth Street as he fled from police. A short time earlier, police said, a UC Berkeley police officer had seen a woman inside that car - a gray four-door Nissan sedan -- parked along Sixth Street screaming for help. As the UC officer approached the Nissan, the car fled, and a few seconds later struck the woman on the sidewalk, Berkeley police Officer Byron White said Saturday. The Nissan was last seen getting onto Interstate Highway 80. On Friday, Berkeley police searched two North Oakland locations for McGee, who eluded officers. In addition to two pre-existing warrants for his arrest from Contra Costa County, McGee is wanted in Monday's incident for vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run causing death, felony domestic violence and a probation violation. McGee is considered armed and dangerous and has been known to flee or fight police. Thousands of opponents of legal abortion marched in San Francisco Saturday during the 16th annual Walk for Life West Coast rally. The event began with a rally at the San Francisco Civic Center Plaza, and the march took place on Market Street from the Civic Center to the Embarcadero Plaza. The event, police said, remained peaceful. "You are the generation that is going to do it," said the Rev. Clenard Childress Jr., the New Jersey-based founder of BlackGenocide.org, who had spoken at the first San Francisco Walk for Life event in 2005. "Abortion and Roe v. Wade's days are numbered." The January timing of the annual Walk For Life is a nod to the anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision that, in 1973, legalized abortion. Among the other speakers Saturday afternoon was Father Frank Pavone, director of the anti-abortion Priests for Life, and Portland Archbishop Alexander Sample, who gave the invocation at the start of the rally. "We pray the day would come soon that we would not have to gather together like this," he said. A motorcyclist died Saturday afternoon after he lost control of his motorcycle, fell off and was struck by another motorcyclist in his group near Portola Valley in San Mateo County, The California Highway Patrol said. CHP Officer Art Montiel said three motorcyclists were headed east on state Highway 84 (La Honda Road), just west of Skyline Boulevard when the cyclist in front lost control on a right curve, possibly because of wet pavement. That rider hit the pavement; the bike itself went into the opposite land, striking struck a westbound white van, Montiel said. The downed motorcyclist, Montiel said, was then hit by one of the other two motorcyclists. The victim, a Santa Clara man, was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. His name was not released as of Saturday night. Montiel said the accident remains under investigation. Police in Rohnert Park are searching for the suspect in a Saturday afternoon armed robbery of a check cashing business on Commerce Boulevard. Police were called about 1:27 p.m. Sunday about an armed robbery at the Check and Go store. A man came in, showed a handgun and demanded money. The suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of cash, police said. No one was injured. The police investigation is ongoing. Sunday will be mostly cloudy with a chance of rain in the morning, then becoming partly cloudy. Highs will be in the upper 50s. West winds will be 10 to 20 mph. Sunday night will be mostly clear. Lows will be in the mid 40s to lower 50s. Northwest winds will be 10 to 20 mph. Monday will be partly cloudy. Highs will be in the upper 50s. North winds will be around 5 mph, increasing to west winds at 10 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. The 71st Republic Day was celebrated with pomp and pageantry across the eastern region on Sunday, even as four serial explosions rocked Assam early in the day, and sparse protests over the new citizenship law were reported from parts of the state and neighbouring West Bengal. Barring Meghalaya, where Tathagata Roy is on leave since December, governors in their respective states, unfurled the Tricolour and presided over the ceremonial parade, amid heightened security. In Assam, four power explosions - three in Dibrugarh and one in Charaideo districts - shook Upper Assam, with police sources suspecting it to be a handiwork of ULFA (Independent) militants, who had called for a boycott of Republic Day celebrations. All four blasts occurred in a span of 10 minutes - between 8.15 and 8.25 am, a police officer said, adding no casualty had been reported, as Republic Day being a holiday, people were mostly indoors. Later in the day, Governor Jagdish Mukhi said the Assam government was committed to protect the political, cultural and linguistic rights of indigenous people and a committee, headed by retired Gauhati High Court judge Biplab Sharma, would soon submit a report in this regard. Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and BJP MLA Angoorlata Deka were shown black flags by anti-CAA protesters at separate locations in the state, when they were on their way to attend functions. In West Bengal, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar led the celebrations, as he hoisted the national flag and inspected the parade by armed forces and police personnel. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who attended the programme along with cabinet colleagues, greeted the governor at the conclusion of the programme. Members of an interfaith group came out on the streets in state capital Kolkata and formed human chains in various parts of the city, as a mark of protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. In Jharkhand, Governor Droupadi Murmu insisted that unemployment was a burning issue and the government would take initiative to fill vacancies at panchayat offices and state departments. At a separate function, Chief Minister Hemant Soren called upon people to work for the welfare of the state, rising above their cultural and religious identities. Expressing concern over climate change, Bihar Governor Fagu Chauhan stressed on the importance of environment conservation on the occasion and lauded the Nitish Kumar government for its efforts to generate awareness on the issue. He also spoke about the steps being taken by the government to ensure welfare of the weaker sections of the society, including Dalits and minorities. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who was the guest of honour at the state capital's Republic Day programme, led by Governor Ganeshi Lal, exhorted people to work selflessly for the benefit of the state. Cultural diversity was on display at Republic Day celebrations in Nagaland, where Governor and Centre's interlocutor for Naga peace talks, R N Ravi, on Saturday asserted that "differences should be resolved through peaceful dialogue, and not under the shadow of guns". State Justice and Law Minister C M Chang, speaking at an event in Dimapur, said, "The Centre's negotiations with all Naga political groups have concluded successfully and we are now hopeful for an early solution." In a departure from tradition, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma unfurled the Tricolour in Shillong and shared with people his government vision for the state's development in the next 10 years. Contending that the state's core strength lay in the fact that 75 per cent of its three-million population were aged below 34 years, Sangma said his government was taking all measures to "impart quality education and skill-based training" to the youth. In Arunachal Pradesh, Governor B D Mishra said satellite-based monitoring and geo-tagging technology would be employed to keep a tab on all development projects in the state. He urged people to fight against corruption. In Mizoram, too, Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai appealed to people to strive for excellence and make concerted efforts to usher in integrated development. Enlisting the achievements of the Tripura government, Governor Ramesh Bais said efforts were being made to boost trade connectivity with Bangladesh, which, in the long run, would benefit the entire region. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) [January 26, 2020] Godrej Group Released an Intriguing Digital Film 'The Little Things We Do' to Commemorate India's 71st Republic Day MUMBAI, Jan. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The 122-year young Godrej Group has released an intriguing digital film titled #thelittlethingswedo, to commemorate India's 71st Republic Day. When Godrej Group looks back at its journey, it is immensely grateful for the opportunities that have come its way for being able to play its part in 'Making India'. Godrej wanted to share this story through the eyes of children as certain qualities like purity of intent and a sense of unbridled imagination and enthusiasm in everything Godrej does, are things that it hopes to capture through #Thelittlethingswedo film. Commenting on the film, Tanya Dubash, Executive Director and Chief Brand Officer, Godrej Group said, "We are humbled and honoured to be playing a critical part in our nation's 'Making India' story. The film, #thelittlethingswedo, crafted through the eyes of little kids is our tribute to India's seven glorious decades of being a republic and Godrej's partnership in the growth journey. The film not only showcases our innovations over the years but also highlights our contribution to building the nation." Anu Joseph, Chief Creative Officer, Creativeland Asia (the creative agency for the Godrej Group), said, "It's amazing the width and depth o things that Godrej does and makes, and the role they have played in nation building over the last 122 years. The film endeavours to capture all of that in a tone and manner we've all come to expect from Godrej - with utter humility and childlike enthusiasm." About Godrej Group: Established in 1897, the Godrej Group has its roots in India's Independence and Swadeshi movement. Our founder, Ardeshir Godrej, lawyer-turned-serial entrepreneur failed with a few ventures, before he struck gold with a locks business. Today, we enjoy the patronage of 1.1 billion consumers globally across consumer goods, real estate, appliances, agriculture and many other businesses. In fact, our geographical footprint extends beyond Earth, with our engines now powering many of India's space missions. With revenue of over USD 4.1 billion we are growing fast, and have exciting, ambitious aspirations. Our Vision for 2020 is to be 10 times the size we were in 2010. But for us, it is most important that besides our strong financial performance and innovative, much-loved products, we remain a good company. Approximately 23 per cent of the promoter holding in the Godrej Group is held in trusts that invest in the environment, health and education. We are also bringing together our passion and purpose to make a difference through our Good & Green strategy of 'shared value' to create a more inclusive and greener India. At the heart of all of this, are our people. We take much pride in fostering an inspiring workplace, with an agile and high performance culture. We are also deeply committed to recognising and valuing diversity across our teams. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1081653/Godrej_Group_Digital_Film.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/900814/Godrej_Group_Logo.jpg Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74d9pybUGVA [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Ten years of trying A classmate of Albracht's from Alleman High School, Joe Murphy, was the first to try to petition the government for the military's highest honor, the Medal of Honor. Murphy encountered so many roadblocks, though, he felt defeated. Years later, he met another Vietnam Veteran, Ken Moffett, who at the time was working for then-Rep. Bobby Schilling, R-Ill., Moffett mustered into the fight for Albracht as a bulldog, and the Medal of Honor was his bone. He found about a dozen other vets who had been on the ground at Kate or who were commanding officers who knew what happened there. Then, he dug some more. After all, it wasn't just Albracht's conduct at Kate that had earned him so much admiration. He engaged in combat after Fire Base Kate and was awarded three Purple Hearts, five Bronze Stars (three for valor), two Air Medals (one for valor) and an Army Commendation Medal for valor. After the war, Albracht served for more than two decades with the U.S. Secret Service, leading security for five American presidents. But Moffett's focus was on the events that occurred over a relatively short, harrowing period in the jungle in 1969. In 2010, he put together a presentation and sent it to the Department of Army, Department of Defense and others. A mistake followed about two years later: Albracht received his Silver Star for Kate in the mail. That's not how it's supposed to happen, but the Army scrambled and an official medal ceremony at the Arsenal followed in December of 2012. Though Albracht said he was satisfied with the third Silver Star he received for his service in Vietnam, Moffett regarded the medal itself another mistake. Trying again In the summer of 2013, frustrated but not foiled by the Medal of Honor rejection, Moffett tried again. He sent a package of materials to the Medal of Honor Review Board, seeking an upgrade from the Silver Star to the Medal of Honor. When the book, "Abandoned in Hell: The Fight for Vietnam's Fire Base Kate" was released in 2015, Moffett heard from even more men who were there. With the release of the TV documentary titled, "Escape from Fire Base Kate," yet more witness testimony became available. "I'd never been able to get concrete direction from anybody (regarding an appeal) until I found a lieutenant colonel who knew the process," Moffett said. "In March of 2017, I sent the DVD and the additional witness statements I'd collected. "You're allowed to draw comparisons with other cases in which the Medal of Honor was awarded, so we did that. I take away no valor from those who received the Medal, but there was no comparison." This time, it worked. The following fall, November of 2017, news came from the Army Review Boards Agency, announcing: "The Board unanimously agreed that the Silver Star does not adequately recognize the applicant's service during the period in question." The Agency recommended Albracht's Army records be "corrected" and recommended the Senior Army Decorations Board award him the Medal of Honor. The long wait For two years, Moffett waited for the phone call from Albracht, telling him the White House called to schedule the ceremony in which the president himself would present him with the Medal of Honor. The call didn't come. Instead, in December of 2019, a letter arrived from the Army's Awards and Decorations Branch. "... the Secretary of the Army disapproved the upgrade to the Medal of Honor and affirmed the Silver Star as appropriate recognition of your actions," the letter stated. "While this letter was not favorable for you, we are grateful for your faithful and dedicated service to our Nation." Moffett's disappointment cannot be overstated. "I said, 'That can't be,'" he recalled. "I was absolutely stunned and in disbelief. I literally didn't know what to say." The Army didn't have much to say, either. When contacted by the Times for an accounting of the Medal of Honor decision, an Army spokesman emailed this response: "To protect the integrity of the valor award process, we do not comment on individual cases." Not over yet Flash Botswana has expressed fear that there will be no rhinos in the southern African country in a year or two if poaching continues unabated, a wildlife official cautioned on Friday. Mmadi Rueben, a rhino coordinator at the department of wildlife and national parks in the ministry of environment, natural resources conversation and tourism, raised the caution on the sidelines of an anti-poaching awareness seminar in Francistown, Botswana's second largest city. According to Reuben, Botswana has been losing about a rhino a month to poaching in a development that has got the potential of seriously hurting Botswana's tourism sector boosted by its magnificent flora and fauna. "If the poaching continues at this (alarming) rate, there will be no rhinos in Botswana in a year or two, especially the black rhino," said Rueben in an interview with Xinhua. At least two rhinos were poached within five days in the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage listed as one of the seven natural wonders of Africa, situated in the northwestern parts of the diamond rich nation of Botswana. While southern white rhinos have been rescued from extinction, Rueben said black rhinos are still considered critically endangered with only around 4, 200 living in the world. Less than 20 are found in Botswana, which is also home to the African continent's largest elephant population, he said. Meanwhile, Rueben said the anti-poaching forces have now placed the protection of rhinos and location of these poaching syndicates as their priority. As the sun dawned on the on Sunday, the Uttar Pradesh police bid adieu to legendry British-era .303 rifles after over 75 years of service. The decommissioning of the weapon marks the end of an era. The .303 Rifle, often carried by policemen, was a magazine-fed bolt action repetitive rifle that served as the main firearm used by the military forces of the erstwhile British Empire. It could fire one shot at a time after which the barrel needs to be reloaded by pulling the bolt for the next shot. Former director general of police (DGP) Brij Lal said, "The .303 rifles were the workhorse of UP police, always giving the desired result, ever since they were introduced in UP Police in 1945. If there was an award for guns on the basis of their performance, the .303s or bolt action rifles would have certainly bagged one." Brij Lal said, while he was in service, he had led several operations and had neutralized dreaded dacoits and gangsters. "The main reason behind success of this weapon could be its ability to sustain UP's rough terrain and work well even in mud, water and other extreme conditions we often face," he recalled. Talking about one such incident, he said, "During my posting in Pilibhit district (1986-88) as superintendent of police (SP), we learnt that some militants associated with Harjinder Singh Jinda's group dropped their bank robbery plan when they learnt that our constables were equipped with .303 rifles." Several other retired cops said that though the .303 rifle weighed about five kgs, the weight became a part of every constable's life. Ram Kumar Upadhyaya, a constable, said that the weapon, even after 20 rounds of back-to-back firing, would remain smooth as butter. "This is, perhaps, what we often miss in the modern day weapons," he said. The accuracy and sturdiness made the .303 a favourite among constables. The .303 rifles would bow out from service after its display in the R-Day parade. The Uttar Pradesh Police will replace the age-old .303 Rifles with automatic INSAS and Self Loading Rifles (SLR). INSAS is an automatic assault rifle manufactured by Indian Ordnance Factory and is used by Army and Paramilitary forces. "Keeping in view the law and order situation, the police personnel would be equipped with 63,000 INSAS Rifles and 23,000 SLRs," said Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Awanish Kumar. He also said the decision to get automatic rifles was part of an effort to keep control over crime and for public security at large. He added that the INSAS and SLR rifles have already been provided to the police personnel. Eight thousand INSAS Rifles have been kept in 'reserve' keeping in view the upcoming recruitment to Uttar Pradesh constabulary. The President believes that the Cabinet head could leave his post early - he needs little time to show result President Volodymyr Zelensky predicted that Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Honcharuk will be dismissed when he gets tired of his duties or fails to fulfill his tasks. This became known from an interview with Zelensky Israeli "Channel 9". "When he grows tired, he will go away. If he cannot manage - he will vacate this chair. This is fair. But he still needs a little time to show the result," Zelensky said. He recalled that Honcharuk was appointed Prime Minister when a new power team was formed and the old one was cleared - four months have passed since then, and the fifth is already underway. Zelensky believes its too early for Honcharuk to leave his post - he still has a fuse. Recall that on January 15, an audio recording appeared in the network from a private meeting of Oleksiy Goncharuk with Finance Minister Oksana Markarova, NBU head Yakiv Smoly, his deputy Kateryna Rozhkova and deputy chairman of the Office of President of Ukraine Julia Kovaliv. Soon, the second and third parts of the scandalous negotiations were published on YouTube. As we reported before, President Volodymyr Zelensky, in his explanation of the refusal to dismiss Oleksiy Honcharuk from the post of prime minister, conducted an allegory with the good car. Utica, N.Y. - It's been a whirlwind 8 months in the city of Utica when it comes to applying for, and receiving, New York State DRI funding to help revitalize its downtown area. Residents gave their input for the application process last May. Governor Cuomo came to town in November to make the announcement that Utica had been selected to receive $10 million in Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding. Since the announcement in November, the city has held a number of open houses to get residents' input, as well as take in proposals for projects via the internet and mail which had to be submitted by January 13th, but now where do things stand? City of Utica Community Development Specialist Derek Crossman gave the League of Women Voters an update this weekend. Crossman says the DRI process is moving along, "We're working with a consultant team that the state hired for us in this DRI process and they're from Saratoga. Were also working with the New York Department of State, New York State Empire Development, and New York Homes and Community Renewal, so theyre all part of this team, this core backbone to this process. And on top of that, we have a Local Planning Committee which is made up of local individuals, business owners, non profit executive directors, community residents and theyre all part of this local planning committee thats really making the decisions throughout this process." Crossman says the planning committee is continuing to go through all of the project proposals that have been submitted to determine which ones make the most sense. Crossman says the next step is another DRI Open House will be held on February 6th, and he says he hopes a lot of residents attend it, "We just closed the open call for projects on January 13th, so the LPC, the local planning committee, is going to be working through all that information and I think there will be a lot of new stuff that the public will be able to learn about and get involved in, especially involving feedback with those projects and the way in which the DRI is going to that point." One Utica woman who attended the informational meeting hosted by the League of Women Voters this weekend is Natalie Williams, a downtown Utica property owner. Williams says she submitted a number of project proposals and hopes one of those projects is chosen, "I did apply for 5 of those DRI grants which were open for three weeks and then another week and I question whether theyre going to be fairly evaluated because I think the city already has their plan of what they want to do with the money, and who they want to get this DRI money." Crossman says that's definitely not the case. He says the Local Planning Committee will evaluate all proposals using criteria the state has provided to select projects and then come up with its Strategic Investment Plan, which will include a total of $15 million worth of projects, and submit that plan to the state in April. Crossman says the state will then choose $10 million worth projects from the $15 million that were submitted to get to that $10 million figure that was granted to the city. The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) on Saturday swept the municipal elections in the state, winning 107 out of 120 municipalities and seven out of nine municipal corporations, polling for which was held on January 22. The Congress stood second by winning only four municipalities followed by the BJP and Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen winning two municipalities each. In two other municipalities falling under erstwhile combined Mahabubnagar district, TRS rebels, who contested under the banner of All India Forward Block, registered victory but former minister Jupalli Krishna Rao, who fielded these rebels, announced that they still belonged to the TRS. It is an unprecedented mandate in the history of the country. I had seen massive waves in the elections in the past like that of Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and N T Rama Rao. But this kind of wave has never been witnessed, chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said. BJP state president K Laxman said, The ruling party spent huge money to lure voters and won the elections. Telangana PCC working president A Revanth Reddy said: The Congress will not get disheartened by the defeat. It will bounce back in the next elections. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Leah Sharibu, the Dapchi schoolgirl abducted by Boko Haram insurgents, has reportedly given birth to a baby boy early Saturday. Leah was abducted on February 19, 2018 at 5:30 pm, alongside 110 schoolgirls aged 1119 years old from the Government Girls Science and Technical College (GGSTC). The Federal government in March 2028 had announced that Boko Haram terrorists had voluntarily returned 106 of the kidnapped children. Read Also: Give Us Leah Sharibu As Christmas Gift: Northern Christians Beg Buhari However, Leah, who was aged fourteen at the time of her capture, was held back for refusing to denounce her Christian faith. A source revealed that the Christian girl was married off to a top Boko Haram commander who lives outside Nigeria, adding that Leah was delivered of the baby early Saturday in Niger Republic. The source added that the insurgents had wanted to release her few months ago but couldnt because she was pregnant. Advertisement A third US case of coronavirus has been confirmed in California, after diagnoses in Chicago and Washington - while Canada confirmed it's first case Saturday. More than 2,000 cases of the virus have been confirmed by several governments worldwide as at least 56 people - most of them in China - have died. Orange County Health Care Agency announced that a patient in California had tested positive for novel coronavirus. The agency said the patient had traveled from Wuhan and reached out to the health care agency prior to being diagnosed. They were given guidance to avoiding exposing the public to the virus while waiting for test results. 'The individual has now been transported to a local hospital and is in isolation in good condition,' added the agency who did not identify the patient. 'In consultation with the CDC and the California Department of Public Health, the HCA is following up directly with all individuals who have had close contact with the case and are at risk of infection.' The CDC advises that casual contact, such as being in the same grocery store as an infected person is unlikely to spread the virus, and that 'the current risk of local transmission remains low.' Canada confirmed its first case Saturday, as a man in his 50s was quarantined in Toronto, while two cases other cases were previously confirmed in the United States - one in Chicago and another in Snohomish County, Washington. News of the virus spreading into North America comes as the United States government warns it won't have enough seats on a rescue plane to evacuate all US citizens from the Chinese city of Wuhan amid a deadly outbreak of coronavirus - and the jet won't even arrive for two days. The US consulate is reaching out to all Americans registered as living in Wuhan - considered to be the epicenter of the deadly outbreak - to offer them a seat on a charter flight scheduled for Tuesday. A source familiar with the chartered evacuation flight told CNN that roughly 1,000 Americans live in Wuhan, and those who choose to leave will be forced to pay for their spot on the Boeing 767 jet, which carries around 230 people. The State Department released a statement late on Saturday which read: 'The Department of State is making arrangements to relocate its personnel stationed at the US Consulate General in Wuhan to the United States. 'We anticipate that there will be limited capacity to transport private US citizens on a reimbursable basis on a single flight leaving Wuhan Tianhe International Airport on January 28, 2020 and proceeding directly to San Francisco.' Since space is limited, the government says that 'priority will be given to individuals at greater risk from coronavirus.' The State Department announced that it is evacuating US citizens from Wuhan on Tuesday As of Saturday evening, there are three confirmed cases and 64 suspected cases of coronavirus in the United States and Canada People waiting for passengers wear masks at Pearson airport arrivals, shortly after Toronto Public Health received notification of Canada's first presumptive confirmed case of coronavirus, in Toronto The US evacuation was first reported by the The Wall Street Journal, citing an official source. However, another source who spoke to CNN disputed the Journal's claim that any available seats may be offered to non-US citizens and diplomats from other countries, saying that non-US citizens would only be allowed onboard if they are related or married to Americans. It is understood medical personnel will be on the flight to care for anyone who may have been infected by the virus and prevent it from spreading. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said it is involved in the efforts to help Americans leave Wuhan. 'Department of State has the lead for the safe and expedient ordered departure of all US citizens from Wuhan, China,' CDC spokeswoman Kristen Nordlund told CNN. 'CDC is aware and coordinating in the planning.' Horrifying videos posted to social media show chaos at hospitals and doctors collapsing on the floor in Wuhan as Chinese authorities struggle to gain control of the epidemic. Washington was given approval for the operation from China's Foreign Ministry and other government agencies following negotiations in recent days. The US also plans to temporarily shut its Wuhan consulate, it said. Meanwhile, closer to home, a Canadian hospital has confirmed the country's first case of the deadly Chinese coronavirus, as officials in the United States said they had identified two confirmed cases and are monitoring dozens of other potential diagnoses. Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto said it is 'caring for a patient who has a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China.' Officials said the man is his 50s and recently flew from Wuhan, China to Guangzhou, China and then on to Toronto on January 23. 'He really wasn't in Toronto very long. He wasn't feeling well. I think he was at home and the people that live with him are in self isolation,' said Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Ontario's Associated Chief Medical Officer. Meanwhile, a suburban Chicago hospital is currently treating a 60-year-old woman who is a confirmed carrier of the virus after she returned from Wuhan. The unidentified patient is currently in isolation at St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. It came days after America's first confirmed case - a Washington man in his 30s who lives in Snohomish County, who has been quarantined at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, outside of Seattle. More than 1,300 people have been infected globally with the virus traced to a seafood market in the central city of Wuhan that was illegally selling wildlife People wear masks at the arrival hall at the international terminal of Toronto Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Saturday Cities across America are on high alert amid the escalating coronavirus crisis as 63 people in 22 states are suspected to have contracted the deadly strain. The outbreak of the new virus originated in China, where it has infected more than 1,975 people and killed 56, and has spread worldwide. Australia and Malaysia reported their first cases Saturday - four each - and Japan, its third. France confirmed three cases Friday, the first in Europe. In Canada, while the case has been confirmed by a test in Toronto, officials said it has yet to complete separate testing by the federal government's National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases in Winnipeg. The illness will officially be fully confirmed once it completes that testing. Dr. David Williams, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health, said they are 95% sure it is the virus. 'This is the first presumptive confirmed case,' said Williams. 'While we are convinced our tests do demonstrate positivity there is confirmation at the national medical laboratory in Winnipeg and once that is done is is a fully confirmed case.' The US government is planning to evacuate 1,000 American citizens from the coronavirus-stricken Chinese city of Wuhan. Photos from inside the intensive care unit at Zhongnan Hospital in Wuhan show medical workers caring for critically-ill patients this week (above) Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto (above) said on Saturday that it is 'caring for a patient who has a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China.' The man is now in stable condition in isolation. He was admitted to hospital a day after his flight to Toronto The man is now in stable condition in isolation. He was admitted to hospital a day after his flight to Toronto. Mayor John Tory said health officials say the risk to the public is low. Three cases have been confirmed in the US but officials have said they expect that number to grow as dozens more people are being tested for the virus that's sickened more than 1,975 and killed 56 in at least 12 countries. Surges in medical mask sales have been seen in areas where possible cases have been reported as people do what they can to avoid contracting the disease, which experts say may be spread as easily as the common cold. Extra precautions are being taken at airports nationwide as all passengers inbound from Wuhan, the Chinese city where the outbreak originated in late December, are being funneled to five major hubs for screening. The US government has also ordered evacuations for some 1,000 citizens and diplomats in Wuhan. The city, which has a population of around 11 million, has been under quarantine since Thursday as officials try to slow the spread of the virus traced back to a seafood market where wildlife was allegedly sold illegally. Tensions have been high at US airports as travelers worry about exposure to the virus in such a high-traffic, confined environment. Staff at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago are seen wearing face masks on Friday Extra precautions are being taken at airports nationwide as all passengers inbound from Wuhan are being funneled to five major hubs - including Los Angeles International Airport (pictured Friday) for public health entry screenings More passengers are seen wearing masks after arriving at Los Angeles International Airport from Asian, China, on Friday It appears that all of the patients currently awaiting test results after showing symptoms consistent with the virus - such as fever, cough and runny nose - had either visited Wuhan recently or were in contact with someone who visited the city. Those patients are believed to have all been isolated either in hospitals or in their homes to reduce the risk of exposing others. CONFIRMED US CORONAVIRUS CASES 1. Man in Washington state The first US coronavirus case was confirmed on Tuesday, January 21. The patient - a Washington man in his 30s who lives in Snohomish County - has been quarantined at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, outside of Seattle. The man had traveled by himself from Wuhan but did not visit any of the markets at the epicenter of the outbreak. He reportedly had no symptoms upon arrival in the US on January 15, but after reading about the outbreak online and developing symptoms, he contacted his doctor. The patient allegedly sought treatment on January 16 and was tested the following day. He is said to be in stable condition. He is being treated in a bio-containment room by a few staff members and a robot to limit the spread of the virus. The robot has a stethoscope attached to take the man's vitals and a large screen so doctors can communicate with him, Dr George Diaz, chief of the infectious disease division at the Providence Regional Medical Center, told CNN. 'The nursing staff in the room move the robot around so we can see the patient in the screen, talk to him,' Dr Diaz told the network. Officials have also been monitoring more than a dozen people the man reportedly came into contact with in the five days between when he arrived back in the US and when he was diagnosed. 2. Woman in Chicago The CDC confirmed the second US case on Friday - a 60-year-old woman in Chicago, Illinois, who had traveled to Wuhan in late December. The woman, who has not been named, arrived at O'Hare International Airport on January 13 but did not begin experiencing symptoms until several days later. Health officials say the woman appears to be 'well' and in stable condition. The unidentified patient is currently in isolation at St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. 3. Patient in California Orange County Health Care Agency announced that a patient in California had tested positive for novel coronavirus. The agency said the patient had traveled from Wuhan and reached out to the health care agency prior to being diagnosed. They were given guidance to avoiding exposing the public to the virus while waiting for test results. 'The individual has now been transported to a local hospital and is in isolation in good condition,' added the agency who did not identify the patient. 'In consultation with the CDC and the California Department of Public Health, the HCA is following up directly with all individuals who have had close contact with the case and are at risk of infection.' Advertisement US health officials warned on Friday that the flu or other respiratory illnesses could complicate efforts to identify additional cases. 'We're really working to understand the full spectrum of the illness with this coronavirus,' Dr Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Messonnier, said at a briefing. 'The problem with this time of year is it's cold and flu season and there are lots of cold and respiratory infections circulating.' The CDC has recommended that anyone with symptoms contact a health-care provider before seeking treatment so the appropriate precautionary measures can be put in place. The agency is trying to expedite screenings by providing up tests to state health officials. It currently takes the CDC about four to six hours to make a diagnosis once a sample arrives at its lab. Two people from Minnesota and three people from Michigan are currently being tested. The patients from Michigan have reportedly agreed to remain in isolation until their tests results return, the Detroit Free Press reported. Also being monitored are two college students, one from Texas A&M University and another from Tennessee Tech University. The Tennessee Department of Health said it decided to test the TTU student because he or she had 'very mild symptoms' and had a recent concerning travel history that met the criteria for testing. No results have been confirmed and the student is being kept in isolation. For the Texas student, Brazos County Health District officials said the male had 'mild' symptoms that resembled the coronavirus and had traveled to Wuhan recently. Results of tests will be announced to the public if the patient tests positive for coronavirus. Officials said the patient is currently being kept isolated at home and that it is safe for student to attend classes. 'This patient did travel to the area of concern in China within the last 14 days and thankfully had mild upper respiratory symptoms, and he was improving,' said Dr Eric Wilke with the Brazos County Health Department. 'I believe the time the patient presented at the emergency department, it was more out of concern,' said Dr Eric Wilke with the Brazos County Health Department. Medical supply stores around the Brazos Valley, where Texas A&M is located, are reportedly experiencing a medical mask shortage after the possible case was reported. Genese Smith, who works at MediCare Equipment in Bryan, just a few miles off campus, told KBTX that an influx of customers came to the store looking for masks on Thursday. 'Within about 30 minutes of word getting out, we started getting phone calls asking if we have the masks, what kind of masks did we have, and how many we had available,' Smith said. 'Quite a few people started coming in, asking, and purchasing.' Smith said the store typically stocks about 50 masks but has already ordered more. Other stores in the area, including Texas A&M's Health Services Department, are also awaiting new shipments of masks after their current stocks ran out, per KBTX. In California, Los Angeles International Airport has been on high alert after a passenger who arrived on Wednesday was sent to hospital after he or she appeared to be ill. The unnamed passenger arrived on an American Airlines flight from Mexico City around 7pm, CBS Los Angeles reported. However, it remains unclear if the passenger is from Mexico City, or if they originated from another city. Several people in the state, particularly in Alameda County and the Bay Area, are also being examined to see if they have the virus that resembles SARS. On Friday, North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services also reported that it is investigating a case. The suspected patient arrived at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on January 23 after having traveled to Wuhan but not to the seafood market to which many early cases have been linked, according to a news release. Four other potential cases are also under investigation in New York state. In Colorado, a patient with respiratory symptoms was placed in isolation at Lakewood's Centura - St. Anthony Hospital after they were found to have recently traveled to Wuhan. The hospital said it could be several days for coronavirus test results to come back from the CDC, but public health risk is considered low at this time. In Washington state, where the first US case was confirmed, the Northwest Chinese school in Bellevue called off weekend classes for preschoolers through adults amid concerns about the virus. 'We take the health of our students and families very seriously and think that this is the best course of action,' officials wrote in an email announcing the cancelled classes. On the University of Washington's Seattle campus, a Chinese student association has been distributing face masks and asking students to contribute to efforts to send supplies such as face masks and protective suits to China. Last week, US officials began funneling all passengers arriving in the US from Wuhan on direct or connecting flights through five major airports - including O'Hare (pictured) to ensure that they are screened Passengers are seen arriving at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago on Friday Screenings are also in place at Los Angeles International Airport. A staff member is seen wearing a face mask at LAX on Friday Tensions have been high at US airports as travelers worry about exposure to the virus in such a high-traffic, confined environment. Last week, US officials began funneling all passengers arriving in the US from Wuhan on direct or connecting flights through five major airports to ensure that they are screened. Public health entry screenings are currently taking place Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, John F Kennedy International Airport in New York and San Francisco International Airport. The screening begins with a survey to determine whether a traveler shows possible coronavirus symptoms and whether they visited the meat or seafood markets in Wuhan that have been tied to the outbreak. President Trump thanked President Xi Jinping and China for its 'transparency' in fighting coronavirus on Twitter Friday If they appear to have any symptoms associated with coronavirus, travelers are taken to on-site triage for further examination and a temperature check. The State Department issued its highest travel warning for Wuhan on Thursday, advising Americans to not travel to the region. The level 4 warning puts the city on par with countries such as Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, North Korea, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen. In a tweet on Friday, President Donald Trump thanked President Xi Jinping and China for its 'transparency' in fighting coronavirus. 'China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus. The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi!' Trump wrote. Officials are planning to temporarily shutter the US Consulate General in Wuhan (pictured) News of the evacuation came as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide jumped to 1,396 on Saturday morning, including 42 fatalities. Patients are seen undergoing treatment at Wuhan Central Hospital Coronavirus: What we know so far What is this virus? The virus has been identified as a new type of coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a large family of pathogens, most of which cause mild respiratory infections such as the common cold. But coronaviruses can also be deadly. SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, is caused by a coronavirus and killed hundreds of people in China and Hong Kong in the early 2000s. Can it kill? Yes. Seventeen people have so far died after testing positive for the virus. What are the symptoms? Its symptoms are typically a fever, cough and trouble breathing, but some patients have developed pneumonia, a potentially life-threatening infection that causes inflammation of the small air sacs in the lungs. People carrying the novel coronavirus may only have mild symptoms, such as a sore throat. They may assume they have a common cold and not seek medical attention, experts fear. How is it detected? The virus's genetic sequencing was released by scientists in China to the rest of the world to enable other countries to quickly diagnose potential new cases. This helps other countries respond quickly to disease outbreaks. To contain the virus, airports are detecting infected people with temperature checks. But as with every virus, it has an incubation period, meaning detection is not always possible because symptoms have not appeared yet. How did it start and spread? The first cases identified were among people connected to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan. Cases have since been identified elsewhere which could have been spread through human-to-human transmission. What are countries doing to prevent the spread? Countries in Asia have stepped up airport surveillance. They include Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines. Australia and the US are also screening patients for a high temperature, and the UK announced it will screen passengers returning from Wuhan. Is it similar to anything we've ever seen before? Experts have compared it to the 2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The epidemic started in southern China and killed more than 700 people in mainland China, Hong Kong and elsewhere Advertisement Some 57 million people across 15 Chinese cities are now on lockdown as officials work to slow the virus' rapid spread. The coronavirus strain, known as 2019-nCov, is believed to have emerged from illegally-traded wildlife at a seafood market in Wuhan, a city 700 miles south of the capital of Beijing. While preliminary research suggests the virus was passed to humans from snakes, Chinese health officials reported this week that some cases have been caused by human-to-human transmission increasing the risk of it spreading. As of Saturday, nearly 2,000 cases have been reported in China and another 28 have been reported across 12 other countries: Thailand (4), Taiwan (3), Singapore (3), France (3), Malaysia (3), Japan (3), South Korea (2), Vietnam (2), Nepal (1), Australia (4), Canada (1) and the US (2). International concern has grown with the revelation that the virus spreads not just from animals to people, but between people, likely in a similar way to how colds spread. Experts don't yet know how quickly the disease can spread from person-to-person, but a World Health Organisation (WHO) official has said it is transmitted faster than previously thought. 'We are now seeing second and third generation spread,' Dr David Heymann, the chairperson of a WHO committee gathering data on the virus, said Thursday. Third generation means that someone who became infected after handling animals at the market in Wuhan, China, could transmit the virus to someone else, who then passes it to a third person. Heymann said the virus initially appeared to spread only by very close contact that would typically occur within a family, such as hugging, kissing or sharing eating utensils. He said new evidence suggests more distant contact could spread the virus, such as if an infected person were to sneeze or cough near someone else's face. Heymann noted that there is no evidence indicated that the virus is airborne and could spread across a room. On Thursday, the WHO declined to formally designate the new virus as a global health emergency after two days of deliberations. Committee chairman Dr Didier Houssin said 'now is not the time' to declare an emergency based on the limited global spread of the virus and the isolation of deaths to China. The WHO defines an emergency as an 'extraordinary event' that constitutes a risk to other countries and requires a coordinated international response. Houssin added that the information they had received from Chinese authorities was too limited and imprecise for the committee to make a recommendation that day. He said the committee remained divided roughly 50/50 over the course of the two-day meeting. If WHO members had decided the other way, it would have been just the sixth time in history that it has happened. The only other outbreaks to have been granted such a status include the 2009 Swine flu epidemic, the resurgence of Polio in 2014, the worldwide spread of Zika in 2016 and the two most recent Ebola outbreaks in 2014 and last year. The WHO has advised governments to be prepared for the disease and ready to test anyone with symptoms who has traveled to affected regions. Preliminary research suggests the virus was passed to humans from snakes or bats. But, this week, Chinese health officials reported that some cases have been caused by human-to-human transmission. Pictured: The coronavirus strain Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday warned that the country is facing a 'grave situation' as the coronavirus is 'accelerating'. 'Faced with the grave situation of an accelerating spread of the new coronavirus [...] it is necessary to strengthen the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee,' Xi said following an emergency government meeting, according to official news agency Xinhua. Some 56 million people are now subject to restrictions on their movement as authorities expand travel bans in central Hubei province, now affecting 18 cities. Authorities scrambled to shut tourist attractions and public transport systems in 14 other cities on Friday as the country entered its busiest travel period due to the Lunar New Year, which sees many people venturing back to their home town or village. Residents of Wuhan have expressed fear they are 'trapped' and will all be infected because of the government lockdown which has stopped anyone from leaving. Other shocking developments in the outbreak today include: China announced further travel curbs on Saturday. Ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing said it was halting inter-city services to and from Beijing from Sunday, while the capital will also stop running inter-province shuttle buses. The previously unknown strain is believed to have emerged late last year from illegally traded wildlife at an animal market in Wuhan. Thailand has reported five cases; Australia has reported four; Singapore, France, Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia three; Vietnam, South Korea and the United States two apiece; and Nepal one. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said that while the outbreak was an emergency for China, it was not yet a global health emergency. Symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. China says the virus is mutating and can be transmitted through human contact. Those most affected are older people and those with underlying health conditions. Three research teams have begun work on developing potential vaccines, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations said. Scientists hope to be testing the first possible vaccines in three months' time. Wuhan, a city of 11 million, is under severe travel restrictions, with urban transport shut and outgoing flights suspended. China has advised people to avoid crowds and more than 10 cities in the central province of Hubei, where Wuhan is located, have suspended some transport. Beijing closed tourist access to the Forbidden City and cancelled large gatherings, including two Lunar New Year temple fairs, and closed part of the Great Wall. Starbucks has closed all shops and suspended delivery services in China's Hubei province for the week-long Lunar New Year holiday, following a similar move by McDonald's in five Hubei cities. Walt Disney Co's Shanghai Disney Resort will be closed from Saturday. Hong Kong has declared an emergency and will extend school holiday closures until February 17. The city also cancelled all official Lunar New Year celebrations and official visits to mainland China. China's Haikou city, capital of the southern island province of Hainan, started a 14-day centralised medical observation for tourists from Hubei. Sanya city in the province, a popular vacation destination, has shut all tourist sites. Airports around the world have stepped up screening. Shares and crude prices fell sharply on Friday as investors moved into safe-haven assets amid concerns that the virus could curb travel and hurt economic demand. Some experts believe the virus is not as dangerous as the 2002-03 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) that killed nearly 800 people, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which has killed more than 700 people since 2012. Each person infected is passing the disease on to between two and three other people on average at current transmission rates, according to two separate scientific analyses. Dramatic video showed people collapsing on sidewalks in Wuhan, the Chinese city where the outbreak originated Medical staff members wearing protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus which began in the city, walk at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital in China The new virus comes from a large family of what are known as coronaviruses, some causing nothing worse than a cold. It causes cold- and flu-like symptoms, including cough and fever and, in more severe case, shortness of breath. It can worsen to pneumonia, which can be fatal. Most of China's provinces and cities activated a Level 1 public health alert, the highest in a four-tier system, the state-owned China Daily newspaper reported Saturday (pictured, medics at Wuhan Red Cross Hospital) By Trend Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops 23 times, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on Jan. 26, Trend reports. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding regions. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding regions. Japanese police have arrested a former SoftBank employee for allegedly stealing proprietary information from the telecom giant and giving it to Russian officials, police and media reports said Sunday. Yutaka Araki, 48, is suspected of obtaining "trade secrets from a computer server at a telecommunication-related company on February 18 last year, in violation of Japan's unfair competition prevention law," Tokyo police said in a statement. Authorities did not identify the firm, but local media said it was major mobile carrier SoftBank Corp, a unit of the SoftBank Group. Police suspect Russian trade officials at Moscow's mission in Tokyo were involved in espionage, Jiji Press and other local media reported. The reports added that the police have asked the Russian embassy to present two officials to the authorities. In a statement on its verified Facebook page, the Russian embassy described the media reports as "regrettable" and "cheap spy allegations". SoftBank said in a statement that it is cooperating with the investigation and that "no information that is highly confidential -- such as customers' personal information or anything that violates secrecy of communication" was compromised. Araki told police that he had received money in return for providing the information kept in data storage devices to the Russian officials, the Yomiuri Shimbun daily said, citing unnamed police sources. (Natural News) A study published in the journal Science Advances believes that subterranean oceans lurking underneath the surface of Jupiters moon Europa may have a similar salt composition to oceans on Earth after the Hubble Space Telescope spotted sodium chloride, or salt, on the surface of the icy moon. Scientists now believe that other similarities may be discovered between the oceans of the two worlds. Four different observations of Europa were made between May to August 2017 with the Hubble as well as ground-based infrared light scans. These scans led scientists to detect sodium chloride on the moons surface, however they did not indicate whether the surface salt came from Europas underground oceans. These scans found out that the sodium chloride is coming from Europas chaos regions, or areas on its surface that are geologically young. Scientists believe that the material in these chaos regions may be welling up from Europas subterranean oceans. NASA, however, is optimistic. In a statement, they said that since the region is geologically young and features abundant evidence of past geologic activity, they suspect that the salt on the surface may come from the ocean below it. Prior to this study, the scientific consensus was that magnesium sulfate, or Epsom salt, was the main compound in Europas subterranean oceans. This discovery is making scientists reconsider their position, with many on the research team now confident that Europas oceans have sodium chloride. However, lead author of the study Samantha Trumbo of the California Institute of Technology states that the team is unsure of whether sodium chloride dominates or if other salts such as sulfate salts are also present in large quantities. If sodium chloride doesnt make up the majority composition of Europas oceans, there is still time for regular old table salt to prevail if certain geological processes work in its favor. Seafloor hydrothermal systems, like the ones that are widespread throughout the Earths oceans, could change the chemical makeup of the icy planets subterranean oceans. These hydrothermal vents play a crucial role in putting sodium chloride into the water. We do need to revisit our understanding of Europas surface composition, as well as its internal geochemistry, said Trumbo. If this sodium chloride is really reflective of the internal composition, then [Europas ocean] might be more Earth-like than we used to think. More to be discovered about Europa Whether or not Europas ocean is dominated by sodium chloride or magnesium sulfate, the researchers are still proud of their findings. They believe their study is an important step in uncovering more information about one of Jupiters largest moons, and one of humanitys most viable candidates for hosting life outside of Earth. Furthermore, the question about the chemical composition of Europas oceans is an important one that needs to be answered quickly, as it may give the world an insight into whether or not Europa can be a host to extraterrestrial microorganisms. (Related: Towering blades of ice in Europa could get in the way of our search for alien life, scientists warn.) A study published in the journal Nature already believes that it wont be difficult to find signs of extraterrestrial life on the icy moon. Luckily, NASAs Europa Clipper, which is expected to launch in 2025, will be studying Europa through a series of flybys while it orbits Jupiter. Its study will focus on confirming the existence of the subterranean ocean, study the chemical composition of its waters and give NASA enough evidence to weigh in on whether or not the Jovian moon can harbor life. With luck, the Europa Clipper can also find out if there are any extraterrestrial microorganisms swimming within Europas oceans. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk Advances.ScienceMag.org Space.com Nature.com [PDF] Planetary.org It took a phone call to Camp Lejeune from Houstons police chief to get a Marine back to Houston to grieve with his family after Fridays deadly explosion at Watson Grinding and Manufacturing. Gerardo Castorena Jr.s father was one of two men killed by the early morning blast at the Spring Branch-area plant, which damaged more than 200 nearby homes, knocked dozens off their foundations, and rattled windows across the city. But his superiors at the North Carolina base did not immediately authorize him to return home because his fathers identity had not yet been officially confirmed, Police Chief Art Acevedo said. It made it a priority for us to get the young Marine home, said Acevedo, noting the Marine was expected home Saturday night. The 4:30 a.m. explosion obliterated much of the Gessner Road plant, killing Gerardo Castorena Sr., 45, and coworker Frank Flores, 44, both of whom had showed up early to work out in the on-site gym. Investigators spent Saturday combing the wreckage, but ended the day without releasing new details. Authorities have identified the chemical involved as propylene, which is used for the production of films, fibers and plastic packaging, but Acevedo said determining the cause of the blast will take days. After taking his second tour of the site, Mayor Sylvester Turner said more must be done to protect Houstonians from dangerous chemicals and called on state and federal lawmakers to give the city more regulatory leeway. Dozens of volunteers fanned out to help those with damaged homes prepare for incoming rain by boarding up blown-out windows and putting tarps on damaged roofs. Scores of homeowners gathered at a nearby Mexican restaurant to hear from a gaggle of plaintiffs attorneys. Some homeowners were working on little sleep, their hands shaking and their bodies splotched with bruises from the debris the blast tore from their walls and ceilings. The bulk of the trauma Saturday, however, rested with the Castorena and Flores families. Its with a heavy heart that we had to say goodbye to a loving father, son, brother, and friend yesterday morning, the Castorena family said in a statement Saturday evening. We do ask for privacy as we grieve during this time. Thank you all to those for your kind words and support as we get through this difficult time. In addition to his son in the Marines, Castorena Sr. also was a father to three girls, said his former wife of 15 years, Frances Carraquillo. Carraquillo joined relatives and friends in paying tribute to Castorena in a Facebook post asking for help in paying for his funeral and for her sons travel expenses from Camp Lejeune. This Friday my father was taken from me in the accident at Watson, the Marine wrote. This is by far the hardest thing Ive ever had to go through. Flores wife, Margarita, said when reached by phone Saturday that she was surrounded by loved ones but was not ready to talk. A longtime Watson Grinding and Manufacturing employee who asked to not be identified said he worked closely with Flores and Castorena Sr. and said both were well-liked, but could not comment further because he was not authorized to speak with media. Mourned as Frankie in social media posts, Flores was a longtime employee of the Watson plant, Acevedo said after speaking with the family. He was a leader of that family, the chief said. He was completely loved by that family and all about hard work. On HoustonChronicle.com: Massive west Houston explosion claims two lives, devastates Gessner-area neighborhoods Very dangerous place The explosion didnt shock Thomas Gonzales, who worked at Watson Grinding and Manufacturing for a year and filed a formal safety complaint against the company with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in 2006. That place is very dangerous, Gonzales said. In the complaint, Gonzales described equipment not securely fastened to the floor and employees working with grinders and tungsten carbide spray without dust masks or gloves. Tungsten carbide can cause a skin allergy, lung allergy or lung scarring, according to the New Jersey Department of Health. OSHA responded to Gonzales by recommending citations for several of his complaints, according to a letter from the agency included in a worker compensation suit he filed in 2007. In the suit, he alleged he had injured his back tripping over extension cords left on the floor. A judge dismissed the case. Over the years, OSHA has also cited the family-owned machining company which makes and services parts for everything from the oil and gas to aerospace industries for safety violations and workplace injuries. In 2013, OSHA issued a fine initially assessed at $13,400 for failing to protect workers from machines. Two years later, a worker lost an index finger to a lathe at the facility. Last year, an employee was crushed when an 831-pound metal shaft tipped over. The firm was founded by James Watson and is now owned and headed by his son, John M. Watson, who could not be reached for comment. A statement released by the company late Friday expressed condolences to the families and a willingness to cooperate with investigators. The company started small in 1960 and has grown over the years to more than 100 employees. Public records suggest the business grew to be a financial success. Watsons former house has been listed at $4.1 million, and he took out a $2 million loan for a 6,400-square-foot modernist home west of River Oaks. Texas Parks and Wildlife lists him as the owner of a 56-foot yacht. Here for a while On HoustonChronicle.com: What we know about Watson Grinding and Manufacturing A little more than a mile down Gessner from the plant, at Chavez Mexican Cafe, about 100 homeowners gathered to hear lawyer Robert S. Kwoks pitch, as he pledged to represent them in lawsuits against whoever is deemed responsible for the disaster and seek relief for damages to their property, mental and physical injuries and lost wages. Many families from the working-class area said they hadnt had time to see a doctor yet and were rattled and disoriented from the ordeal. About half of the dozens of families at the lunch said by a show of hands that they did not have homeowners insurance. Wendy Bostick Honda and her family are staying in the first story of their home because the upstairs is too damaged. Ive been having a headache ever since, Bostick Honda said. And were all still hear noises and feeling vibrations. Last night, I kept having nightmares. I keep thinking, Are we going to have another explosion? The womans usually healthy 2-year-old dog wont eat or even come out of her bedroom. The event was plagued by an evident language barrier that prevented many from clearly following the discussion. Still, a long line formed at the end of the meeting to provide their information to Kwoks team. Back at the blast site, Turner vowed that the citys response to the explosion would continue far past when the dust and debris settle. We werent just here yesterday and now we are gone. We are going to be here for a while, Turner said. If your home was impacted, if you are needing help if you dont have insurance, for example I want people to reach out and let us know so we can assist them. The mayor also said the federal government handicaps what information cities and the general public can retrieve from companies, though he didnt cite specific pre-emptions. He called on the Legislature and Congress to do everything in their power to at least allow us to have the information. It is important to identify the cause or causes of this explosion in order to mitigate the risk of something like this happening again, Turner said. But I want to emphasize its important for the city to know what chemicals are being housed, stored in these facilities, and right now we are pre-empted from knowing. A 2016 analysis by the Houston Chronicle found that the city had a role as well. That analysis found that Houston firefighters often dont know where hazardous chemicals are because of poor city inspection processes. The Watson Grinding blast was the citys first fatal explosion of 2020, but such incidents are a common occurrence in the region. The Houston area experienced five major chemical incidents last year. Jordan Blum and Perla Trevizo contributed to this report. Brisbane woman Visaya Hoffie lost both her legs in a horrific accident in New York's subway. A young Brisbane artist has lost both her legs in a horrific freak accident on the New York subway, with her bright pink top contributing to her survival. Artist Visaya Hoffie is in intensive care with her mother, Professor Pat Hoffie, by her side after tripping onto subway tracks earlier this month and being run over by the train's seven carriages. Ms Hoffie suffered head injuries, fractured vertebrae, and a "sheared" vertebral artery. Both her lower legs were amputated. Her mother posted an update to social media on January 17 saying Ms Hoffie had undergone multiple operations but no longer required breathing support and was eating and talking. GESS Dubai, q leading global education show, will host about 600 exhibitors featuring some of the worlds leading education-focused brands and showcasing the latest innovations in education technologies. The 13th edition of the event will take place on February 25 to 27 at the Sheikh Saeed Halls of the Dubai World Trade Centre. Technology advances have been at the forefront of revolutionising education all over the world. By highlighting these developments, we hope to empower schools and professionals teachers in the Middle East with the tools that will help make teaching and learning in classrooms in the region on par with the rest of the world, said Matt Thompson, project director, Tarsus, organisers of GESS which, in addition to Dubai, has editions in Indonesia, Turkey, Mexico as well as Africa. GESS Dubai has also confirmed the attendance of renowned experts who will share best practice in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) and other advances in the field of education. Technology has greatly expanded access to education and gave enormous opportunities for teenagers starting their own start-ups before even they turn 18, said Dr Julius Otundo, senior lecturer, Riara University, who will lead a session on The Future of Learning and Technological Advancement. Just by knowing how to code, they can program their website and start doing their business. The future of technology in education is helping teachers to expand beyond linear, text-based learning and to engage students who learn best in other ways. Advances in STEM will also be a key spotlight at GESS Dubai, where Gunther Hayn, head of MENA, Festo Didactic will lead a discussion on the subject at the Innovation Stage. Todays world is undergoing many changes in technology, economy, and environment. To succeed in this new information-based and highly technological society, students need to develop their capabilities in STEM. The goal is to encourage the current generation, as well as future generations of students, to understand and embrace the benefits of technology that affects them every day of their lives and encourage them for a technical and engineering career, he said. On the exhibition floor, GESS Dubai visitors will have plenty of options trying a wide range of edtech tools and applications. Among the highly anticipated exhibits include the LEGO Education SPIKE Prime, which features 11 Brand New LEGO Elements designed to ignite STEAM learning for all learners. Lego Educations solutions for teaching and hands-on learning inspire interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM), targeted at preschool, elementary and middle school. These are based on the LEGO system for playful learning combined with curriculum-relevant material and digital resources. Home-grown global edtech brand Alef Education, launched in Abu Dhabi five years ago, has been at the forefront of digital education transformation, with over 50,000 students in 137 public schools and 14 private schools in the Emirates as well as three schools in the USA benefiting from the Alef platform. Dobot will be showcasing the Magician Lite, a multi-functional lightweight intelligent robotic arm that will help students learn how artificial intelligence and mechanics work through building and playing. Other companies that will be showcasing advanced edtech tools include Seppo, Almoe, Promethean, Epson, Classera and Specktron. The event is free-to-attend for education professionals, providing them access to over 300 CPD-certified workshops and sessions on offer during the three-day conference. TradeArabia News Service PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig, who has been conferred with Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honour, on Sunday said that the award is not for him but for all the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "This award is not for me but it is for the people of Jammu and Kashmir," Baig told ANI. Baig, a former deputy chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, also said that there can never be any referendum in Jammu and Kashmir. He hoped that the status of a full-fledged state would be conferred upon the state again. "There can never be any referendum in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan PM Imran Khan and US President Donald Trump are asking for autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. It means they have accepted that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. Our only demand that Jammu and Kashmir should be given what the Constitution gives us," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) KYODO NEWS - Jan 25, 2020 - 01:52 | All, World, Coronavirus U.S. health authorities said Friday they have confirmed the country's second infection with a newly identified coronavirus that has been spreading rapidly from the central Chinese city of Wuhan. An infected individual in Illinois returned from Wuhan on Jan. 13 and consulted a health care provider after experiencing symptoms a few days later. The patient remains hospitalized in stable condition and has been placed in isolation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The CDC said Tuesday that a man residing near Seattle had been diagnosed with a new coronavirus after traveling to Wuhan, becoming the first confirmed case in the United States. "It is likely there will be more cases reported in the U.S. in the coming days and weeks," the CDC said in a statement, while stressing that the immediate risk of the new coronavirus to the American public "is believed to be low at this time." The new coronavirus spreading rapidly in China has infected around 900 people and killed 26 in the country, while many other countries in Asia have also reported cases of the virus. A protester at the venue conceded that they had hoped to attract ten lakh people for the event but could not. New Delhi, Jan 26 (IANS) Efforts to convert Republic Day into a show of strength for the Shaheen Bagh anti-CAA protesters ended on a relatively placid note - with crowd turnout on Sunday remained below five thousand as against the expected ten lakh people claimed. The national flag was hoisted at the protest venue by the mother of Rohith Vemula, deceased student of University of Hyderabad. Vemula's pictures have recently surfaced as a face of anti-CAA protest in an indication of attempts to forge Muslim-Dalit unity on the issue. Rohith's mother was accompanied by the famous "dadis" of Shaheen bagh and former JNU student Umar Khalid. The protesters, numbering a few thousand, recited the national anthem in unison as they observed India's 71st Republic Day. The preparations for the celebrations had begun at least two days earlier, with volunteers sharing messages inviting people to reach the protest site and aim for a headcount of at least ten lakh people, and in the process to create a sort of world record. However, the number of attendees at the Shaheen Bagh protest, on Sunday, did not cross the 5000 mark, according to observers. The national anthem recital was followed by sloganeering of "Bharat Mata ki jai", "inquilab zindabad" and "NRC-CAA murdabad". Shaheen Bagh has been the site of a protest where a large number of anti-CAA protesters, primarily women and children, have been camping since December 15. rag/pvn/skp/ A young student who helped his doting parents recreate the same picture they captured 28 years ago has melted hearts around the world. Raymon 'Ray' Michael Puzon, 21, shared two photographs on Twitter, which were taken nearly three decades apart of his parents standing at a memorial at Lingayen Beach in the Philippines. The old picture, taken in 1992, shows his mother wearing a red shirt with white pants, while his father opted for a brown top with a white neckline and beige trousers. The other snap, taken on January 11, 2020 shows the married couple reenacting their old pose by standing in the same spot wearing nearly identical clothes. 'So my parents asked me to take their picture so that they could recreate their picture in the same spot from the year 1992,' Ray said in his tweet, which has since been 'liked' more than 100,000 times. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the family shared their heartwarming story behind their pictures - and it all started after his parents met at college in 1992. Ramon Puzon and his wife Nela (pictured left both aged 20 in 1992 and right aged 49 in 2020) have recreated the same picture they captured 28 years ago Raymon 'Ray' Michael Puzon, 21, shared two photographs on Twitter taken nearly three decades apart of his parents standing at a memorial at Lingayen Beach in the Philippines. His post quickly went viral, with more than 100,000 people 'liking' his tweet Ramon Puzon met his then-girlfriend Nela, both aged 20 at the time, when they were studying computer engineering in college nearly three decades ago. 'We became close and inseparable ever since and officially became college sweethearts,' Mr Puzon, now aged 49, told Daily Mail Australia. During their break in December 1991, Nela returned home to Lingayen, Pangasinan, about 200km north of Manila, to spend time with her family over Christmas. But she never returned to college to start her semester in early January 1992. 'She didn't show up during enrollment day. Then I found out from her cousin that she got very sick and needed to stop for a semester to get better,' Mr Puzon said. 'I didn't know what to do back then. They had no phone (landline) in their house in Lingayen and I needed to know what was happening to her or how sick she was.' Concerned about her condition, Mr Puzon said he decided to travel to her hometown to check whether she was okay. 'My dad accompanied me to the bus station and gave me instructions. It was a five-hour bus ride,' he said. 'I was on my own going somewhere I've never been to before and determined to find Nela's house using the address that I got from her cousin. 'Eventually, I found her house and had an idea of her health status. She just needed to rest and be on medication for at least three months. So taking a break from college was mandatory. That visit gave me the peace of mind that I needed.' Happy family! Mr Puzon with his loving wife Nela and their 21-year-old son Ray, who set the internet alight after sharing side-by-side pictures of his parents recreating their memories The couple were 'college sweethearts' who were both aged 20 and studying computer engineering (pictured in Nela's hometown Lingayen on Valentine's Day in 1992) The couple got married in June 1995 During his visit, the couple decided to go for a stroll along Lingayen Beach that afternoon. 'It was the first time I saw Lingayen Beach and it was beautiful. The sand and ocean facing the South China Sea was so serene and majestic,' he recalled. The next morning, Mr Puzon travelled back to Manila where he started to 'imagine how lonely college life would be without her'. 'I thought "I'm going to miss her so much". So I wrote her a letter every day and sent them to her,' he said. Just weeks later on Valentine's Day, he returned to Lingayen with a camera. 'I made sure I had a camera with me so I could take pictures of her and us. It was my way of having something to keep when I was not with her,' he said. 'During that visit, I asked her to go on a stroll with me again at Lingayen Beach. We were with her younger sister Belle who took the pictures. Those set of photos were our very first picture together.' After their city was hit by a powerful typhoon in 2009, most of their films were destroyed The pair both graduated from college in 1993 before they got married in June, 1995. 'Fast forward to 2009, our city was hit very badly by typhoon "Ondoy" which destroyed 99 per cent of all our developed photographs and photo albums,' he said. The couple lost most of their memorable photographs, including their wedding and honeymoon albums - except the very first pictures they took together in 1992. 'Every year, we try to visit Lingayen as often as we can. We've witnessed the developmental progress of the buildings and Lingayen Beach as years passed by,' he said. 'All the landmarks where we took our photos back in 1992 were all gone after the typhoon except for the Lingayen Beach Memorial.' And so Mr Puzon decided to surprise his wife by organising another picture to be taken at the same spot without her knowledge. Mr Puzon said he found the 'dried up' films after the typhoon, and he managed to save some of the pictures from 1992, including this one He went to extreme lengths to track down the same clothes they wore 28 years earlier so he could pack for their trip to Lingayen. 'My plan was to wear the same shade of clothes from the old picture,' he said. 'My wife already owns a similar red t-shirt so that helped. My first challenge was to look for my wife's white pants. I texted her saying that my mum wanted to borrow her white pants so I asked her where it was - problem solved. 'The second challenge was finding the same colour shirt that I was wearing. I went to a department store but I couldn't find the same brown top with a white neckline. 'So I just bought a brown coloured shirt and then I just wore a white t-shirt inside it. My last challenge was to look for a plastic Betty Boop fan but I didn't find any, so Snow White will have to do. 'I packed all the clothes, pants and shoes myself so she had no clue about my plans.' The family visit Lingayen Beach regularly every year (pictured together in 2004) When the family visited the area on January 11 this year, Mr Puzon said he reminded his wife about the first picture they ever took together. 'And then I gave her the clothes to wear so we could recreate the picture,' he said. 'She was giggling in laughter as she was looking at them. She was amazed that I really prepared for that photoshoot. We wore those clothes and I got our son to take the picture.' Mr Puzon, a senior telecom engineer, and his wife Nela, a payroll manager for a bank, have been married for more than 24 years. But what's the secret to their long-lasting love? 'There's really no secret for us,' Mr Puzon told Daily Mail Australia. 'It just came naturally. It will be our Silver Anniversary [25 years] this year. I guess the two contributing factors for me are - one, my wife who I love very much is my also my best friend and two, we are a strong tight-knit family.' New Delhi: At least five powerful grenade explosions blasts rocked Assam on Sunday morning as the country was celebrating its 71st Republic Day. There was no injuries reported in the incidents. Out of five explosions, three took place in Dibrugarh district and one each in Tinsukia and Charaideo. The first blast took place at a shop in Graham Bazaar located near the National Highway NH 37. The second blast took place near a Gurudwara on AT Road in Dibrugarh while another blast took place near Duliajan police station in Dibrugarh. Live TV Other two explosions took place in Doom Dooma town of Tinsukia district and Teok Ghat under Sonari town of Charaideo district. Three of the explosions took place in Dibrugarh district and one in Charaideo. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal described the incident as a 'cowardly attempt to create terror on a sacred day'. "Strongly condemn the bomb blasts in a few places of Assam. This cowardly attempt to create terror on a sacred day only exhibits the frustration of the terror groups after their total rejection by the people. Our Govt will take the sternest action to bring the culprits to book," he tweeted. Strongly condemn the bomb blasts in a few places of Assam. This cowardly attempt to create terror on a sacred day only exhibits the frustration of the terror groups after their total rejection by the people. Our Govt will take the sternest action to bring the culprits to book. Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) January 26, 2020 The banned insurgent outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) (ULFA-I) had called for a 'general strike' on Sunday, asking citizens not to participate in the Republic Day celebrations. Meanwhile, senior officials and bomb disposal squad were at the spot at the time of the last filing of the report. Emily Atack attends the National Television Awards held at the O2 Arena on January 22, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) Actor and presenter Emily Atack doesn't think being single should be seen as a negative thing. She's told her Twitter followers that she isn't a fan of people asking her why she's not in a relationship, even if they have good intentions. The Inbetweeners star wrote on her social media account: "People constantly say to me 'how are you still single!?' - I think they mean well & thats cool. But being single shouldnt be seen as negative! I became single by choice. Read more: Emily Atack opens up about pest who exposed himself and pressured her for sex "Lets stop making women feel like theyre failing if they arent in a relationship!" People constantly say to me how are you still single!? - I think they mean well & thats cool. But being single shouldnt be seen as negative! I became single by choice. Lets stop making women feel like theyre failing if they arent in a relationship! Emily Atack (@EmAtack) January 25, 2020 The 30-year-old dated producer Rob Jowers for six months last year before the pair split in September. Before they parted ways, Atack revealed the two had met in a bar one night and that she was "very proud" they had met in an "organic" scenario as opposed to social media. The I'm A Celebrity runner-up said back in October that it had been a "very tough time" after the break up, but went on to tell OK! Magazine that she was still hoping for a "happy ending". Emily Atack and Rob Jowers attending the Virgin Media BAFTA TV awards, held at the Royal Festival Hall in London. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images) Atack is well known for speaking candidly about her life, including the torment she faced in her youth at the hands of bullies. Back in October, the star appeared on This Morning where she told of how a group had put up a poster of her face around the local villages and encouraged others to prank call her. "I think people think that's funny. I've never had that in me," she said. "I can't understand how anyone would want someone to feel that way. The Royal family in Jolly Ol' England ain't necessarily having a jolly good time over there these days. Their dirty laundry has been tabloid fodder pretty much since the days of Princess Diana, and the drama has only extended over the last few decades as her sons Prince Harry and Prince William continue with their feud. Now, the entire family has been ripped apart so much that Harry and his bride, biracial American beauty Meghan Markle, have left the United Kingdom. Related: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Leaving is a Sigh of Relief for Royal Family No Ellen Interview For Meghan Markle After All Canadian Petitioners Think Harry And Meghan Should Pay For Security Themselves Meghan Markle Will Appear on 'Ellen' For First Post-Megxit Interview Meghan Markle's First Big Interview Will Be With Ellen, Not Oprah To understand where the tension came from look no further than a chat the two brothers had in the winter of 2018, where Harry confronted his older brother about his behavior towards Meghan. From Cosmo; Harry felt William wasnt rolling out the red carpet for Meghan and told him so. They had a bit of a fall-out, which was only resolved when Charles stepped in and asked William to make an effort. Thats when the Cambridges invited the Sussexes to spend Christmas with them. Apparently what ensued over the next few months was bickering between the two brothers with William thinking things were moving too fast between Harry and Meghan, with Harry blaming William for trying to mess up what he has with Meghan. Things went on the decline after that, even with Harry and William not speaking to each other at an Easter service last year. Harry was seen talking to [his cousin] Zara and exchanging pleasantries with Kate but did not say anything to his elder brother. Yup, theres a video: Eventually, all of the drama, trials and tribulations of the past year lead to Meghan and Harry packing their bags and leaving their senior royal duties behind for a life out of the spotlight. The gag is, unfortunately, they'll never be out of the spotlight. And someone will always have something to say about their personal business. Like Meghan's brother Thomas Markle Jr. Showbiz Cheatsheet reports; Story continues Markle Jr. weighed in on Megxit during the Jan. 20 episode of the Australian morning show Sunrise, sharing that he may not necessarily support Meghans move, but believes their decision was about two people in love wanting to live their life the way they want to live it.He explained during the interview: I think thats [royal title] probably one of the biggest achievements you can ever get in life and to be on that pedestal and that position is a major honor for anybody in the entire world. He continued; It can be one thing, it could be Meghan wanting her way and not wanting to live under anybodys control, and then it could be her and Harry want to go off and be private and not be bothered by any responsibilities except for their own. But he also admitted that he felt a bit betrayed by his sister. She is my sister and Ive always loved her. We had a great upbringing, we had a really good childhood. Its like my father said, I dont recognize this person in my daughter anymore and neither do I and the rest of the family.I have to support her one way and I have to be on the fence about a lot of different subjects. Obviously, I wish her well and the best in life, but on the other hand, I dont believe in some of her actions as far as disowning her family and saying that we dont exist when weve given her a great childhood and upbringing. But like I said, I do love her, she is my sister. Check out Thomas Markle Jr.'s entire interview with Sunrise below. Representational picture A CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) womens contingent led by Inspector Seema Nag made its debut in showcasing daredevil stunts during the Republic Day Parade at Rajpath in New Delhi. The 65-member team displayed spectacular acrobatic skills on 350cc Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycles towards the end of the 90-minute-long parade. CRPF spokesperson Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Moses Dhinakaran told PTI, "It will be the first time that our women bikers are going to be a part of the Republic Day parade. This squad was raised in 2014 as part of our commitment to involving women in all spheres of duties rendered by us," he added. They make it look so easy: The #CRPF women Bravehearts inspire awe with their jaw-dropping stunts performed impeccably on motorcycles in the #RepublicDay2020 parade. pic.twitter.com/NIhdMyunRZ CRPF (@crpfindia) January 26, 2020 The contingent was commanded by Inspector Seema Nag, who is posted with the Rapid Action Force (RAF), which is the special anti-riots combat unit of the CRPF. The CRPF is known to be the world's oldest and largest paramilitary force with about 3.25 lakh personnel in its ranks. The all-woman bikers team had first performed at the birth anniversary celebrations of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Indias first Home Minister, on October 31, at Kevadia in Gujarat. That event was also attended by PM Modi. At the Republic Day 2020 parade, the CRPF womens contingent showed at least nine daring stunts on bikes, and concluded by forming a human pyramid. At the 2018 parade, BSFs all-woman bikers team had made a similar debut. In 2015, women marching contingents of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force had debuted in the national parade. According to tradition, the BSF and the Army's bike-borne daredevils end the Republic Day parade every alternate year riding their roaring bikes. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form At 9:15 am Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Amar Jawan Jyoti. He will lay a floral wreath at the National War Memorial. New Delhi: As the nation is all set to witness the 71st Republic Day, the celebrations in Delhi are set to begin at 9 am with the Presidential flag hosting. But the focus of the day -- the Republic Day Parade -- begins at around 9:30 am and is likely to continue till 11:30 am. The Presidential unfurling of tricolour is accompanied with National Anthem being played with a 21-gun salute. Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro is the chief guest this year who along with the Prime Minister will watch a stunning display of India's rich diversity. Twenty-two tableaux will roll down the Rajpath. While 16 of them are from States and Union Territories, remaining six are from various ministries. A day earlier, President Ram Nath Kovind, on Saturday, invoked Mahatma Gandhi's message of truth and non-violence and urged the people, especially the youth, to follow non-violence while expressing concern over a cause and stick to constitutional methods of achieving social and economic objectives. "It should be part of our daily routine to introspect on Gandhiji's message of truth and non-violence, which has become all the more necessary in our times," said the President in a televised address to the nation on the eve of 71st Republic Day. Women participating in the nationwide anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests rightly took offence when Kanhaiya Kumar took recourse to a familiar Hindi metaphor involving bangles during a recent debate. However, their rush to reclaim the ornament as a symbol of female power rather than compromise was facetious and, at best, an argument for vulnerability. A certain kind of butch aesthetic is also erased when we make bangles a symbol of our resistance. But how much make up is too much make up and what indeed is too little? Young women in the corporate space have consistently faced elitist bias for not dressing the part, which also includes adopting the femme aesthetic of wearing ornaments. When they dont, they are suspected of being social climbers, misjudged for having ostensibly been unable to absorb the manners of the class to which they purportedly aspire to belong. It is the same judgement faced by women who do not necessarily assert but simply decline to lose their cultural identity in the public space, a realisation brought to fore with the La illaha illallaha debate sparked off by a tweet from none other than the redoubtable Shashi Tharoor. While his tweet might well have been a warning against fundamentalism, Mr Tharoor has nevertheless opened up a Pandoras box of questions. At the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival, bilingual writer, Anukriti Upadhyay, said, Due to our colonial past, there is a perception of class associated with the use of English which often leads one to abandon ones native language. Forrest Gander, American geologist-poet and 2019 Pulitzer awardee attending the fest, who is one of the pioneers of international regionalism, has described in his works how geography shapes the sensibility and personality of a race, and with its ecological and linguistic multiplicity, India is a country where religion is hardly the only marker of identity. Identity is real and, at the bottom of it, a cultural question. At the festival on Friday, Mr Tharoor felt it important for his audience to know how the sense of history of the present government differs from the southern Indians sense of history. Contrary to its perception, for instance, Islam came peacefully in our state in the lifetime of the Prophet through the hands of traders who had been operating for thousands of years, he said. The same dissonance is at play when it comes to mythology. Mr Tharoor went on to regale his listeners with the legend of Onam a battle of wits between Vamana and the egalitarian king, Mahabali, which the latter lost, honourably and then cited the home ministers infamous tweet on the eve of Onam Happy Vamana Jayanti. But the cultural is also political, and more so in the present times. This came through when Mr Tharoor, who is against the governments directive to the finance commission to move away from the 1971 Census to the 2011 Census, said: And soon, we will have the 2021 Census in which some southern states will actually lose population. The result is that about 40 Lok Sabha seats from the south will disappear and be reborn in the north, and you can imagine what political consequence thats going to have. There is the real danger of your voice not being heard in the government because now there are too few of you to be heard. JLF this year has also been witness to the rise of the new bilingual Indian writer in the persons of Upadhyay, Kunal Basu and Aaruni Kashyap. Asked how he decides what language to write a story in, Kashyap said, It is the story that actually chooses the language. Does he see himself as an Indo-Anglian, an Assamese or an Indian? I see myself as an Assamese just the way a Bengali and a Tamilian sees themselves as a Bengali and a Tamilian. I see the world primarily through an Assamese lens. That said, we are not one thing, right? We are so much richer than any one identity. Kashyap agrees that if one is a sub-national in the best sense, one is automatically an Indian. Yet it is this subnational identity that has so far been suppressed in favour of promoting an artificially syncretic Indian identity. It is artificial because it is actually realised in its absence in the missing of its critical components. Perhaps, this is why despite having 22 official languages, India, which should offer unique language learning opportunities, has surprisingly few options available to its residents its Central Institute of Indian Languages is located in Mysuru, not Delhi, and has only a few branches, each of which teaches a select few languages. Still, it is the multiplicity of languages available to us that is one of the gifts of being Indian, Kunal Basu says. He avers that English is as much an Indian language as any other tongue. Basu traces his intellectual roots to the 19th century Young Bengal movement which eschewed any form of bigotry, communal hubris or provincial exceptionalism. Dont be too hard on the Indian experiment, Basu tells this writer. While it has failed in many respects, it has also worked in so many others, sometimes defying expectation. What I am worried about these days is that what is still holding us together will now be dismantled and this is finally going to fall apart. Still, the questions remain. Are various regional, bilingual writers coming to the fore today not only because of their undeniable talent but also as a form of response to the increased visibility of a new and confident, if imperfect, Hindi-Hindu identity? And will the evolution of a robust paradigm for defining Indianness and greater federalism be ultimately the unwitting gifts of this government? Just how bad was it in swampville when President Trump was beginning to take off in the polls ahead of the 2016 election? Well, here's a pretty credible conversation recorded for a documentary intended to tell the election story for the benefit of Hillary Clinton's fans: Barack Obama called Donald Trump a "fascist" in a phone conversation with Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia during the 2016 presidential election, Kaine says in a video clip featured in an upcoming documentary about Hillary Clinton. Kaine, Clinton's running mate on the Democratic ticket, recounts the call during an exchange with Clinton that was caught on camera in 2016. Kaine's wife, Anne Holton, was also present. "President Obama called me last night and said: 'Tim, remember, this is no time to be a purist. You've got to keep a fascist out of the White House,'" Kaine says before adding with a laugh that Obama "knows me and he knows that I could tend to err." Clinton replies, nodding, "I echo that sentiment." She then puts her hands to her chest and says, "But that's really the weight of our responsibility is so huge." Weight of responsibility? Almost like Nancy Pelosi with her impeachment gravitas, wearing black, declaring "prayerful" drivel, telling her giggling leftists to stifle it and pretend to be serious while the cameras were on. Except it's quite possible wretched Hillary and malevolent Obama really did believe it. Three things stand out about this telling little conversation: One, Obama is an ideologue. Claiming that Trump is a fascist has zero, repeat zero, basis in reality. Fascists don't cut taxes and regulations, for one, fascists are all in for state takeovers of industry to start, quite similar to what was attempted in the Obama administration, actually. To call Trump a "fascist" is the statement of a far-left fanatic. "Fascist" is an old-time Communist Party U.S.A. epithet hurled by that crowd since the 1941 Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union, derived from the USSR's party line after Hitler's betrayal of Stalin's Molotov-Ribbentrop pact of 1939. Up until that date, Communists and fascists (read: National Socialists) were pretty comfortable with one another. "Fascist" became an epithet hurled by communists all down the Comintern clientele abroad despite both sides being socialist in character. The term was then carried forward by the red diaper babies who first led the "filthy speech" movement of the early 1960s and then the "New Left" of the late 1960s, particularly in its truly crazed fringes such as the Weather Underground movement. Surprise, surprise, that was led by Obama's mentor, Bill Ayers. Fanatic is right. So despite that "Mr. Cool" exterior, Obama was a fanatic all along. Two, hurling the term "fascist" at Trump wasn't just a sign of the detritus from the '60s in the Obama persona, it was also the talk at the time of Antifa and other crazies, plotting at the time to disrupt any Trump presidency. It suggests Obama was in tune with these Occupy Wall Street derivatives, the craziest of the crazy on the far left as it was. Someone on the Obama side was in touch with those people, either echoing how they felt, or quite possibly, directing the maniacs. That bears further watching. He was talking then like they talk now, and that kind of talk wasn't common before Trump. Three, a mask has slipped. Obama maintained that "no drama Obama" persona for the cameras, first staying aloof from the election as it moved through, and later smiling and treating president-elect Trump all nice in public to suggest he was doing a gracious transition. He also portrayed himself repeatedly as a reasonable "moderate." Now it's obvious that all along, he was a far leftist and a churning storm of discontent, desperate to win at any cost. He was speaking like an Antifa-style leftist to Kaine and Hillary Clinton, a desperate man desperate to ensure that Hillary won the election. It also circumstantially supports that Obama was desperately plotting to shut down Trump behind the scenes all along. His minions were doing unmaskings of innocent Americans caught up in intelligence dragnets, for one, quite illegally. Team Obama was beginning to manufacturie the lie that Trump colluded with the Russians to steal the election from Hillary Clinton that would reappear in force after Trump unexpectedly won the election. They were paying big dollars for the phony Steele dossier, which even Trump critic Fiona Hill identified as a suspect Russian desinformatsiya magnet. They were paddling as fast as they could under the water surface while presenting a calm, detached persona to the public - and fully disposed to commit mischief because in the world of the far-left, the end justifies the means. Well, the Kaine call told us a lot about the Obama disposition shortly before Hillary Clinton lost the election to Trump, leaving a fanatic with his hands on a lot of figurative nuclear buttons that he dispatched to stop Trump. A mask indeed is off, revealing a fanatic. Image credit: Washington Post shareable YouTube screen shot New Delhi [India], Jan 26 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to hold a roadshow and two public meetings in the national capital on the occasion of the 71st Republic Day to campaign for the upcoming Delhi assembly polls. Assembly elections in Delhi are scheduled to take place on February 8 while votes will be counted on February 11. Addressing 'Jeet ki Goonj' programme at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Saturday, Shah had said that the BJP wants to create a Delhi "where Shaheen Bagh never happens". Targeting those opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Shah said, "These people (opposition) started instigating riots after we implemented the CAA. They have no shame in standing with rioters. Manish Sisodia has pledged his support to people in Shaheen Bagh...Only Prime Minister Modi can control anti-national forces." In 2015, Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) got a landslide victory by winning 67 of the 70 Assembly seats in the national capital. (ANI) Photos: Teresa Hammerl/Hoodline Hoodline tipster Paul T. alerted us that Ambassador Toys (186 West Portal Ave.), known for its selection of toys, art supplies, and educational products, is shuttering after 23 years. When a Hoodline reporter visited the West Portal store, its owner declined to comment on the closure, or when the store's last day will be. However, a sign in the window says "retiring," indicating that the closure may be for personal, not financial, reasons. Ambassador Toys is also set to close its location at Two Embarcadero Center, according to an employee we spoke with. That location's last day will be January 31. The toy store has a third location in Palo Alto. An employee there declined to comment on whether it will close. At the West Portal store, the entire stock is being offered at a discount, with signs noting that all sales are final. The West Portal space has also been listed for lease on Loopnet; the price is advertised as negotiable. The national decline in brick-and-mortar retail has taken its toll on toy stores, most notably national chain Toys "R" Us, which was driven into bankruptcy by a private equity firm in 2018. Down in San Mateo, the famed Talbot's Toyland is closing this month after 66 years in business, with its owner citing the "retail apocalypse" of high rents, online competition and rising minimum wages. Closer to home, Jeffrey's Toys was forced out of its 45-year Financial District location by a massive 2015 rent hike. However, it was able to find a new location a block away, and returned to the city in 2017. Thanks to tipster Paul T.! See something interesting while youre out and about? Text Hoodline and well try to find out what's going on: (415) 200-3233. On January 26, 1950, the Constitution of India came into force and we celebrate this day as Republic Day. Our democracy, pluralism, respect for diversity, protection of fundamental rights, judicial independence, press freedom, right to dissent, minority rights, communal harmony and social upliftment, are all rooted in this Constitution. It is an occasion for us to showcase our democracy based on unity in diversity to our own people and the world as well. Old allies We may be unique in having started the practice of inviting a foreign dignitary to be the chief guest at our national day celebrations. Some others have begun to emulate us now. It is a way of making a special gesture of friendship to countries that we consider close to us or those with whom we would want to forge deeper ties in mutual interest. In a sense, this also reflects the openness with which we conduct our foreign policy. This tradition can also be diplomatically exacting. Every year, an exercise has to be done as to which leader could be most appropriately invited, and what external messaging would be the most pertinent in the light of our interests. The choice we make can be determined by the closeness of existing ties with the country in question, or it can be the potential of ties that we see in the future. Covering leaders from different continents is also a consideration. This year, the President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, is the chief guest. As it happens, five Latin American leaders have been invited to the R-Day celebrations in the past one each from Argentina, Peru and Mexico, and two from Brazil, namely, President Fernando Henrique Cardoso in 1996 and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in 2004. President Bolsonaro is the third Brazilian President to be invited, which shows that Brazil has been given privileged attention by us all these years as Latin Americas biggest (and the worlds fifth largest) and most populous country. Brazil is multi-cultural and ethnically diverse, with a unique environmental heritage, great agricultural riches, natural resources and considerable industrial strength. Bolsonaro may have seemed an unlikely choice as chief guest for R-Day 2020 given his reputation of being an advocate of far-Right policies, of having contempt for multilateralism and being an open admirer of US President Donald Trump. (Photo: Reuters) Bolsonaros visit marks both a re-affirmation and a consolidation of India-Brazil ties after the high point reached in the relationship under President Lula and the slowdown in momentum under his successor Dilma Roussef. Under Lula, Brazil expanded the scope of its foreign policy by paying much more attention to the developing world in Asia and Africa, and generally raising its diplomatic profile on the international stage. Focus on BRICS A commitment to South-South cooperation was reflected in the launch of the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) forum that had the aim of developing deeper political, economic and defence ties between the three countries, and building direct connectivity between them to facilitate this. IBSA, however, did not deliver on its promise. As it transpired, IBSA was eclipsed by the Brazil-Russia-India-China (BRIC) forum and, subsequently, by Brazil-Russia- India-China-South Africa (BRICS). At the Russian initiative, the BRIC forum emerged as a dialogue platform for non-Western countries to express their views on global governance, respect for sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of countries, eschewing double standards on human rights issues and terrorism, reform of international political and financial institutions such as the UN and IMF to give more representation to developing countries, multi-polarity, and so on. With the inclusion of South Africa, the geographic scope of BRICS widened to include virtually all the continents. India and Brazil have had the additional shared agenda of seeking permanent membership of the UN Security Council. Since 2006, India and Brazil are strategic partners. Advantage Bolsonaro Bolsonaro may have seemed an unlikely choice as chief guest for R-Day 2020 given his reputation of being an advocate of far-Right policies, of being homophobic and misogynistic, an opponent of environmental regulations, affirmative action and secularism, of having contempt for multilateralism and being an open admirer of US President Donald Trump. During his election campaign, he accused China of buying Brazil. His ascendancy to power raised the question of his commitment to BRICS. Yet, in November 2019, he hosted a successful BRICS summit. Pressed by Brazils mining, beef and agricultural lobbies he has sought to mend fences with China. He agreed with PM Narendra Modi during their meeting to comprehensively boost the strategic partnership between the two countries, with a focus on trade (currently at $8 billion), investment from Brazil in India in the areas of agricultural equipment, animal husbandry, post-harvest technologies and biofuels in the context of climate change, as well as space and defence sectors. It is during the BRICS Summit that Modi invited Bolsonaro to the 2020 Republic Day. Bolsonaros visit, apart from pragmatically seeking to move the relationship forward, also signifies a decision to give more attention to our relations with Latin America as a whole, a region with much untapped potential for two-way trade and investment. (Courtesy of Mail Today) Also read: Brazil's own Donald Trump? This Brazil election, right-wing populism seems set for a win Just because a business does not make any money, does not mean that the stock will go down. For example, biotech and mining exploration companies often lose money for years before finding success with a new treatment or mineral discovery. But the harsh reality is that very many loss making companies burn through all their cash and go bankrupt. So should AusCann Group Holdings (ASX:AC8) shareholders be worried about its cash burn? For the purposes of this article, cash burn is the annual rate at which an unprofitable company spends cash to fund its growth; its negative free cash flow. We'll start by comparing its cash burn with its cash reserves in order to calculate its cash runway. See our latest analysis for AusCann Group Holdings When Might AusCann Group Holdings Run Out Of Money? A company's cash runway is calculated by dividing its cash hoard by its cash burn. In June 2019, AusCann Group Holdings had AU$35m in cash, and was debt-free. Looking at the last year, the company burnt through AU$6.6m. That means it had a cash runway of about 5.4 years as of June 2019. While this is only one measure of its cash burn situation, it certainly gives us the impression that holders have nothing to worry about. The image below shows how its cash balance has been changing over the last few years. ASX:AC8 Historical Debt, January 26th 2020 How Is AusCann Group Holdings's Cash Burn Changing Over Time? While AusCann Group Holdings did record statutory revenue of AU$671k over the last year, it didn't have any revenue from operations. That means we consider it a pre-revenue business, and we will focus our growth analysis on cash burn, for now. With the cash burn rate up 33% in the last year, it seems that the company is ratcheting up investment in the business over time. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but investors should be mindful of the fact that will shorten the cash runway. Admittedly, we're a bit cautious of AusCann Group Holdings due to its lack of significant operating revenues. We prefer most of the stocks on this list of stocks that analysts expect to grow. Story continues How Hard Would It Be For AusCann Group Holdings To Raise More Cash For Growth? Given its cash burn trajectory, AusCann Group Holdings shareholders may wish to consider how easily it could raise more cash, despite its solid cash runway. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. One of the main advantages held by publicly listed companies is that they can sell shares to investors to raise cash to fund growth. By looking at a company's cash burn relative to its market capitalisation, we gain insight on how much shareholders would be diluted if the company needed to raise enough cash to cover another year's cash burn. AusCann Group Holdings has a market capitalisation of AU$95m and burnt through AU$6.6m last year, which is 6.9% of the company's market value. That's a low proportion, so we figure the company would be able to raise more cash to fund growth, with a little dilution, or even to simply borrow some money. Is AusCann Group Holdings's Cash Burn A Worry? It may already be apparent to you that we're relatively comfortable with the way AusCann Group Holdings is burning through its cash. For example, we think its cash runway suggests that the company is on a good path. While its increasing cash burn wasn't great, the other factors mentioned in this article more than make up for weakness on that measure. After taking into account the various metrics mentioned in this report, we're pretty comfortable with how the company is spending its cash, as it seems on track to meet its needs over the medium term. When you don't have traditional metrics like earnings per share and free cash flow to value a company, many are extra motivated to consider qualitative factors such as whether insiders are buying or selling shares. Please Note: AusCann Group Holdings insiders have been trading shares, according to our data. Click here to check whether insiders have been buying or selling. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies, and this list of stocks growth stocks (according to analyst forecasts) If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. About the show A weekly programme that examines and dissects the worlds media, how they operate and the stories they cover. Watch The Listening Post every Saturday at 0830GMT Tokyo and Washington are making plans to evacuate Japanese and American citizens from Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak that has claimed more than 50 lives, while Honda Motor said Sunday it was evacuating about 30 employees and family members out of the area back to Japan. Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Sunday that after his government finishes talks with Chinese authorities, it will bring back "all [Japanese citizens] that wish to return, and is looking at all possible means, such as chartered flights." Abe said that the government has been asking Japanese residents in Wuhan if they want to leave the city. Some 430 Japanese nationals had been confirmed to reside in or near Wuhan, according to Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. Honda said that it will have roughly 30 personnel, including Japanese expatriates and their families, fly from Wuhan to Japan on a charter flight arranged by the government. A few employees are expected to stay in Wuhan, where the automaker has three factories. Motegi spoke with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi over the phone on Sunday evening to ask for China's cooperation in bringing Japanese citizens back home. Wang expressed understanding of Japan's position. Motegi also promised Japan's full support to prevent the infection from spreading. Wang said that China will work to provide information to the international community. The government is also considering evacuation by road from Hubei Province, and have Japanese nationals take flights home from other places, according to sources. Japanese Prime Minister said Sunday that his government was considering using charter flights to evacuate Japanese citizens from the Chinese city of Wuhan. The Chinese government said on Sunday the death toll in the country from the coronavirus rose to 56 from 41 a day earlier, with 1,975 cases confirmed. Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, the U.S., France, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, Nepal and Malaysia have all reported cases. Nigerias two largest parties showed their dominance again on Saturday as they won legislative seats in rerun elections held in various parts of the country. Nuhu Goro of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the winner of the rerun election for Sanga Constituency seat in the Kaduna State House of Assembly. INEC Returning Officer, Haruna Aminu of the Ahmadu Bello University, announced the results in Kagarko on Sunday. Mr Aminu said that the former Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly polled 24, 658 votes to beat Morondia Tanko of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 20,206 votes. INEC also announced Comfort Amwe of the PDP as the winner of the rerun election for Sanga constituency seat in the Kaduna State House of Assembly. The Returning Officer, Salihu Kargi of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, who announced the results in Gwantu on Sunday, said Mrs Amwe polled 19,815 votes to defeat Haliru Gambo-Dangana of the APC who scored 19,688 votes. The rerun election was conducted in 14 polling units in the local government. ( APC wins reps seat in Ogun INEC declared Kolapo Osunsanya, of the APCwinner of the election for Ijebu-Ode/Odogbolu/Ijebu North-East Federal Constituency in Ogun. INEC Returning Officer, Charles Onwuka, of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), announced the results on Saturday at Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode, collation centre of the constituency. Mr Onwuka said that the APC candidate polled a total vote of 25,959 to defeat his closest rival, Taiwo Shote, of the PDP, who scored 21911 votes. Bauchi: PDP clinches Gamawa Federal Constituency Madaki Gololo of the PDP has emerged winner of Saturdays rerun elections for Gamawa Federal Constituency in Bauchi State. Announcing the result in Gamawa town on Sunday, the Returning Officer, Abubakar Mayin of Federal University, Dutse, said Mr Gololo polled 21,223 votes to defeat his rival, Isa Wabu of the New Nigeria Peoples Party who secured 15,004 votes. Other candidates that contested are Dahiru Alhaji of ACP, Mustapha Ahmed of GPN, Ibrahim Aliyu of Merger Party and Bashir Dogowa of ADC who scored 102 votes, 248 votes, 78 votes and 152 votes respectively. Others are Waziri Isa of PRP who scored 47 votes, Umar Husseini of DPC with 53 votes, Alhaji Umar of APP with 20 votes. APC wins Reps seat in Cross River The INEC declared Alex Egbonna of APC winner of the House of Representatives election for Yakurr/Abi Federal Constituency in Cross River. Alalibo Johnson, State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), announced the result on Sunday at the collation center in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area. Mr Alalibo said the APC candidate got 29,716 votes to defeat his closest opponent, John Lebo of the PDP, who secured 26,039 votes. The commission also declared Davies Etta of the PDP as the winner of Abi constituency seat in the State House of Assembly. The PDP candidate garnered 13,349 votes to defeat his closest rival, Eyeng Iwqara of the APC who had 8, 792 votes. The REC, however, said that, INEC cancelled election in Afafanyi/Igonigoni Ward, consisting of eight polling units with combined total of 5,616 registered voters, due to violence. Advertisements PREMIUM TIMES reported the violence in Afafanyi/Igonigoni including the kidnap of a senior INEC official. The official was later released. However, election materials carted away were not recovered. The rerun elections were held based on different court rulings. A missing 17-year-old from Kentucky was found safe hours after a group of psychics consulted with police and predicted where she was. Haylee Martin was reported missing from Frankfort on January 13 after she disappeared the day before. When she still hadn't been found a week later, Franklin County Sheriff Chris Quire contacted local mediums and asked them to meet on Thursday at the home where she was last seen. Quire told the Frankfort State-Journal he was skeptical at first but 'did not want to leave any stone unturned'. 'It's hard to believe, but most [of the psychics] agreed that we would find Haylee in a neighboring county by morning - and we did,' the sheriff said. Haylee Martin, 17, was reported missing from her home in Frankfort, Kentucky on January 13. She was found safe a week later on Friday, hours after a group of psychics met with police and accurately predicted where she would be Haylee was located on Friday morning in neighboring Scott County when police responding to a burglary call found her and a 21-year-old friend trying to break into the friend's boyfriend's home. Franklin County Sheriff Chris Quire (pictured) met with local mediums on Thursday at the home where Haylee was last seen Authorities said Haylee had run away after breaking up with her boyfriend, and that three adults helped her hide for a week. Two of those adults, who have not been publicly identified, may face charges for interfering with the missing persons investigation, Quire said. After deputies figured out who she was, Haylee was taken to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. Social Services then placed her in foster care. Quire said she was not sent back to her home because she told investigators she 'would just run away again'. Authorities said Haylee had run away after breaking up with her boyfriend, and that three adults helped her hide for a week. Two of those adults, who have not been publicly identified, are expected to face charges for interfering with the missing persons investigation Haylee had been reported missing by her father just before 5.30am on January 13. He told investigators that the Western Hills High School student - who left behind her cellphone - had never run away before. Quire said no charges will be filed against Haylee's father, adding: 'We are just glad she was found and is safe.' When UNs cash crisis undermines Human Rights, are the Worlds Torturers the Key Beneficiaries? By Thalif Deen View(s): View(s): The UNs ongoing cash crisis, which has virtually destabilised the Organisations day-to-day operations, has also undermined the human rights mandate of the Geneva-based Human Rights Council (HRC). The HRCs programme of work has been hindered by dwindling resources resulting in shorter working hours, cancellation of meetings, reduction in staff and leaving some of the UN Special Envoys investigating human rights violations worldwide grounded. The new austerity measures, prompted by a shortfall in assessed contributions from member states, came into force last October. But so far there are no signs of any significant improvement. Kyle Ward, Director, a.i., Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), told IPS that the human rights treaty bodies, established under the international human rights conventions, have been struggling with reductions in their overall regular budget resources, including a 25% reduction in travel resources for members (applied by the General Assembly in the last biennium), as well as reduced staffing, which has had already a serious impact on their ability to meet. Last year, with the financial crisis, it appeared that they would not be able to complete all of their sessions, until the UN Controller intervened and agreed to ensure we would have access to sufficient funds to enable them to meet. It was a bit touch-and-go, said Ward, but for the most part we managed. But some of the work of the treaty bodies, he pointed out, was nevertheless blocked because of the shortfall in resources. The situation has unfortunately not improved this year, as the main budgetary constraints remain while the potential impact of a continuing liquidity crisis for the Organisation also remains a serious concern, he warned. Dr. Simon Adams, Executive Director of the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, told IPS the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms and the Geneva treaty bodies form an essential early warning system with regard to potential atrocity crimes. Starving the system of funds, and undermining its effectiveness, will only benefit those who prefer silence and inaction when it comes to human rights abuses and violations in the world today, he added. Moreover, he pointed out, weakening the Human Rights Council only benefits torturers, atrocity perpetrators and those who consider universal human rights to be an affront to the unrestrained exercise of state power. Meanwhile, the Human Rights Council has been looking at efficiency measures for some time and had some success there, rearranging its schedule to be able to reduce the number of its annual meetings. But this is now being threatened by the Department of General Assembly and Conference Management (DGACM) due to the special measures arising from the cash flow crisis, with the refusal to provide interpretation for any lunchtime meetings (which are essential even in the reduced format to enable the Council to cover its agenda in its ten allotted weeks per year). The President of the Council, Ambassador Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger of Austria, has written to the Secretary-General to request that this be allowed notwithstanding still waiting for an outcome, with the main annual session just a few weeks away. Similarly, the restrictions have also led DGACM to restrict the interpretation services to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) meetings beyond the two standard three-hour meetings per day, in order to save money. The UPR has since the beginning allocated 3.5 hours to each State under review . . . so this will shave at minimum 15 minutes from each (given a 15-minute courtesy extension by the interpreters). As this comes in the midst of the UPR Third cycle, there is some concern about equity in treatment to all States . . . but in reality, the statistics show that only 20% of the total have actually gone over 3h15 for their reviews, so the impact is not *that* extreme. As it stands, in an effort to better manage cash flow, the Controller has decided (presumably in consultation with the SG) to allocate resources only on a quarterly basis (rather than the usual full allotment at the beginning of the year). Although fully understandable, says one staffer, it also difficult to manage as the work is not simply linear . . . so for a number of important mandates we cannot manage on just 25% right now. The Commission of Inquiry on Syria is a case in point, as the current mandate is only through March so they need 100% of their considerable 2020 resource requirements now. Once again, the OHCHR will have to juggle resources and move allocations around in order to make this work as best it can, which is extremely inefficient and time-consuming. A more tailored approach to the situation would be unwieldy for the colleagues at UNHQ to manage across the entire Organisation, but it certainly feels like those of us at the operational end are being made to bear the brunt of all the various emergency measures, making everything we are trying to accomplish even more difficult, said another staffer. In her letter to Guterres last month, Ambassador Tichy-Fisslberger said the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) has informed me that due to the special emergency measures you instituted last October to address the United Nations liquidity crisis, the meetings of intergovernmental bodies cannot be serviced outside of normal official hours It is furthermore of great concern that according to UNOG, they will be unable to service meetings of the upcoming 35th session of the Universal Periodic Review in accordance with Human Rights Council Decision 17/119 of 19 July 2011. When it established the Human Rights Council through resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006, the General Assembly decided that the Human Rights Council should schedule no fewer than three sessions per year, for a total duration of no less than ten weeks, the letter said. As its programme of work has grown over the past 13 years, the Human Rights Council has often been obliged to schedule more than two meetings per working day in order to complete its programme of work. Consequently, a considerable number of lunchtime meetings have been required in recent years in order to deal with numerous thematic and country human rights crises. In 2016, the Director-General of UNOG and the Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management drew the attention of my predecessor to the growing dichotomy between the workload entailed in servicing the Council and the resources allocated to UNOG, the letter adds. In her letter, Ambassador Tichy-Fisslberger also said: In your address to the Human Rights Council on 25 February 2019, you emphasised that the Human Rights Council is the epicentre for international dialogue and cooperation on the protection of all human rights. In order for the Council to fulfil its responsibilities vis-avis the international community and carry out all of its mandated activities, some lunchtime meetings are necessary. Should the Human Rights Council not be afforded the opportunity to meet, as is required by its programme of work, it would be prevented from fulfilling its responsibilities under General Assembly Resolution 60/251, and the work of the United Nations in the area of human rights, and the human rights cause as a whole, would suffer as a result. The writer can be contacted at thalifdeen@ips.org P iers Morgan has branded Hugh Grant disgusting after he said "the country is finished. The Notting Hill actor issued the verdict when asked in an interview earlier this week about the Conservative Partys recent landslide election majority. Referring to Mr Grants canvassing for the Liberal Democrats Luciana Berger and Labour during the December campaign, the interviewer asked him: Im just wondering, how are you feeling now everythings kind of settled? No, its a catastrophe, Mr Grant said. The reporter asked: So no bright light on the horizon? Hugh Grant campaigned for Labour and the Lib Dems during the election / Getty Images No, no, the countrys finished, Mr Grant said, sat alongside his The Gentleman co-star Charlie Hunnam. It prompted his Mr Morgan to lash out on Sunday morning, reigniting a bitter feud between the pair. Hugh Grant is so disgusting. How dare he say Britain is finished?, the GMB host tweeted. The only thing thats finished is this stuck-up arrogant twerps credibility as any kind of political expert. The tweet, liked more than 11,000 times, saw a flood of comments railing against the actor, but others mocked Mr Morgan for having another outburst. Piers Morgan lashed out at the Notting Hill star for declaring the UK 'finished' ( Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) / Frazer Harrison/Getty Images The pair clashed last December over Boris Johnsons victory, with the breakfast presenter telling Mr Grant to stick to acting instead of wading into politics. Hugh campaigned for four different Labour and Lib Dem candidates and all four lost, he said, branding him a fool saint. So well done Hugh, really magical performance. Maybe next time just stick to the acting, stick to the Love Actually reruns. They air this time of year. We can all watch it quite like you. Just dont talk about something you know nothing about." Bernard Looney, who is set to become the new boss of BP next month, sold 7.85m (9.3m) of the oil giant's shares last year, SEC filings seen by the Sunday Independent show. On April 20 last year, the 49-year-old Kerryman sold 347,630 shares worth 1.945m, while prior to that, on February 2, he netted 5.905m after selling 1,092,208. His remaining shareholding will not be declared until he takes up his new post, but he can expect to start on a salary of 1.3m. Annual and long-term bonuses, plus a pension allowance, would take the maximum pay package he could expect to 10.9m. The UCD graduate - who was tipped for the top job at BP by this newspaper in 2018 - said in that interview: "This is a company that has given me everything I have in my life... it's a company I love. It's given me experiences and a life and career that I would not have otherwise had." His new role will see him take on a formidable challenge, attempting to manage what may often be conflicting expectations of shareholders and wider society, while meeting climate agreement goals. Earlier this week, sources told Reuters that Looney planned to expand the oil and gas giant's climate targets, and possibly overhaul the structure of a huge company that employs more than 70,000 people around the world. More stringent climate targets could lead to London-based BP selling its most carbon-intensive businesses, such as oil and gas fields in Angola and Canada, the report said. There will also be pressure to invest more of its money in greener energy technologies, which only make up a fraction of current investments. With that, more than 300 prominent personalities including people like Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Jaaved Jaaferi, Mira Nair and Nandita Das among others wrote an open letter expressing solidarity with the protests by students against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). We never spoke about being Hindu-Muslim. My wife is Hindu, I am Muslim, my children are Hindustan, he said. 3. Vidhu Vinod Chopra Feels There Needs To Be Shaheen Bagh-Like Protests For Kashmiri Pandits upodcasting.com Recently, at the Jaipur Literature Festival, when Vidhu Vinod Chopra was talking about his film that is all set to release on Feb 7, said that the Kashmiri Pandits deserve something similar to what is happening at Shaheen Bagh. Japanese AV idol Yui Hatano stars in the video reportedly. The pictures have made their way to social media and people are just going nuts over it. "I used to think my life was a tragedy, but now I realize its a pornography," wrote one person. 5. Adnan Sami's Padma Shri Win Causes Uproar, Raj Thackeray's MNS Wants Decision To Be Withdrawn In a tweet late Saturday evening, Ameya Khopkar, president of the MNS's cinema wing, said, "Sami is not an original Indian citizen. MNS is of the view that he should not be given any award. We condemn the decision to honour him with padmashri and demand the the decision be withdrawn." Iran's Fars News Agency has published a sound recording of General Qassem Soleimani's brother saying his family will forgive the young man who was arrested for tearing a banner with Soleimani's picture just a few days after mass funeral processions were held to honor the general killed by an American drone strike on January 3. In a press conference earlier on Wednesday the Police Chief of Tehran Brigadier General Hossein Rahimi had said that the person who had "disrespected General Soleimani's image" had been identified and arrested by the police. Protesters in Tehran and other cities pulled down and tore posters and banners with Soleimani's pictures in many places. Videos of these incidents went viral on social media and even Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in his latest public speech on January 17 referred to "the few hundred who insulted the image of General Soleimani" and compared their number to "the million-strong crowd in the streets" during his funeral. The Tehran police chief also said the person detained for tearing the banner was a minor and had "confessed that he committed the crime because he had been persuaded by social media propaganda". He was freed on bail after preliminary investigations, the Police Chief said. In the sound recording published by Revolutionary Guard-affiliated Fars News Agency, Soleimani's brother Sohrab said his brother never meant anyone to be hurt on his account. He called on the Police and the Judiciary not to pursue the matter further. "As his family, we will forego our legal rights, although this is people's right too," Sohrab Soleimani said and added that he was meeting the young man the next day and wanted to tell him that his brother loved young people. "He is very young, didn't mean anything and did that under emotional circumstances so he can definitely be forgiven". The protests days after Soleimani's burial took away the opportunity from the Islamic Republic to leverage what it saw as public support during the funeral. On January 11 and 12 thousands marched in Tehran and other cities chanting harsh slogans against Khamenei. 'Give me blood and I will give you freedom' - these words of India's freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose inspired Rama Mehta (Rama Khandwala) to join Netaji's all-woman Rani Jhansi Regiment of the Azad Hind Fauj (INA) in 1942 to aide in Indian fight against British colonisation. Recalling her inspiration to join INA, the 93-year old who served as 2nd Lieutenant in the INA at Myanmar's Rangoon said, " The war (World War 2) was over and I had heard about Netaji's speeches. My mother had become the recruiting officer to collect funds for the INA," in conversation with Republic Media Network Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami on Sunday as India celebrates its 71st Republic Day. The plane doesn't know if you're a woman or man: First woman Navy pilot Sub Lt Shivangi Lt. Rama Khandwala's journey in INA's all-women regiment Talking about her patriotic family and her INA initiation, she said, "Me and my sister were both put in the Rani Jhansi regiment by my mother - the recruiting officer for training and to fight for India's independence. All soldiers recruited from Malaysia, Bangkok assembled in Rangoon for the 'Chalo Dilli' movement." Words of Netaji which instilled the idea of 'One India', she recalled 'You are not Gujarati or Bengali. You are an Indian.' Belonging to an affluent family, she recalled her tremendous training which was equally grueling as the sepoys in INA. She said, "Every day we had to hoist the flag, parade, have moist channa for breakfast and then train for defence, attack, rifle shooting, bayonet fighting, stun gun, machine gun, and others. We were trained exactly like the sepoys of the INA and Netaji treated us like his own daughters - very proud of Rani Jhansi regiment." The 93-year-old INA veteran, clad in a simple red salwar-kameez, walks proud, skilled with a razor-sharp memory, shares one advice from her life of strife and attacks, 'Don't lose your temper'. 'Army awaits orders!', writes Maj Gen Bakshi to PMO as Republic Day excludes INA veterans About Lt. Rama Khandwala Retiring from a fiery career as part of the INA's Rani Jhansi regiment, Lt. Khandwala has since then become India's oldest travel guide. Being awarded at the National Tourism Awards as the Best Special Tourist Guide, Lt. Rama Khandwala, also known as 'Rama Ben' believes in spreading joy in her customers' lives. Skilled with extensive knowledge of tourist attractions, history and culture she recalls how she had instructed one of her staff to give one of 'the best rooms' to a couple saying, "They look like honeymooners", which reportedly broke the ice. "One must always remember to laugh," she adds. On Netaji Bose's jayanti, PM Modi unearths historic treasure - an 1897 note on his birth Lt. Asha Sahai's fight - To meet Netaji and then beyond Inspired by Netaji's Tokyo conference speech, a 16-year-old Asha Sahai wished too the join the INA immediately, only to be refused by Netaji who said 'Come a year later'. Speaking about her incredible journey to meet Netaji, she said that she travelled with her father on a bomber as no airplanes were available to reach Tokyo. The 17-year-old Asha Sahai marched to Netaji and said, "'I have come' to which he asked, 'Will you fight?". She was then admitted in the Rani Jhansi regiment and then rose to the rank of lieutenant. "He called us Ranis because he wanted us to be as brave as Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi", she recalls while in conversation with Republic Media Network Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami on Sunday. Talking about her training with the INA as a fighter, she said,""I was given emergency training for 6 months as an officer. We were trained from riding a cycle to handling anti-aircraft guns, pistols, rifles to driving jeep. There were two squads in the Rani Jhansi regiment - fighting and nursing squad. When asked what fuelled her training, she revealed that INA soldiers had a particular target suring bayonet training. "We used Churchill and Roosevelt effigies to aim and fire shouting 'Jai Hind'," she said. Mamata Banerjee pays homage to Netaji on his 123rd birth anniversary Her journey was no short of attacks. Talking about several survival attempts during the World war 2, she said,"During jungle training, my friend - Lt. Anjali Bhowmick was hit and we had to hide as enemy sir strike was ongoing. After the enemy left, we took her to the base and during role call she said 'Jai Hind' and collapsed and died. We did not mourn because she lost her life for the country's independence." She also recalled how she was fired upon by an enemy aircraft while aboard a ship that submerged before crashing onto an island. The 90-year old Asha Sahay clad in Netaji-style moss-green coloured cap advises, "Netaji always said 'That is that', never gave up. Not even when the atom bomb was dropped." Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: Here is all you should know about the freedom fighter About Lt. Asha Sahai Lt. Asha Sahai who fought in the INA's Rani Jhansi regiment has since then decided to fight against Bihar's illiteracy. She currently teaches mentors school kids in rural Bihar - Bhagalpur. With plans of women empowerment and improving girl education, Lt. Sahai who currently lives in Delhi with her son - Sandeep, who is the General Secretary of the INA trust travels back and forth between Delhi and Bihar, still fighting for Indians. Acclaimed director Jim Sheridan is scouting for an actor to play murder victim Sophie Toscan du Plantier, as he prepares to wrap his 1.5m documentary about the brutal West Cork killing ahead of a rival production from Netflix. After five years and 400 hours of footage, the Oscar-nominated director plans to finish the project by the summer. He will shortly open casting calls for the role of Sophie, to reconstruct the French film producer's final days in Schull. The murder remains one of Ireland's most notorious unsolved crimes. Ms du Plantier was beaten to death outside her holiday home on December 23, 1996 during a short pre-Christmas trip to West Cork. International interest in the story has soared following the success of West Cork, the hit podcast about the crime. The producers of a rival documentary are expected to start filming in Schull from Monday. Netflix has been courting Ian Bailey to take part in its rival project, a planned three-part documentary made by British producer Simon Chinn. Bailey, a journalist who covered the murder, became a suspect in the crime but he has always insisted that he was wrongly accused. Although never charged in Ireland, Bailey was tried and convicted of murder in absentia in a Paris court last year and is fighting his extradition to France. He told the Sunday Independent this weekend that he had turned down the offer to take part in favour of Jim Sheridan. Bailey has allowed Sheridan's crew full access to the home in Schull for the documentary. He said he is not being paid but he will be reimbursed for any legitimate expenses incurred during filming. "I have been cooperating for nearly five years with Jim Sheridan and Donal MacIntyre with a view to their making a documentary," he said. Video of the Day "More recently I was approached by a director called Simon Chinn, on behalf of Netflix, who expressed an interest in making a documentary for Netflix. I informed him I was cooperating with Jim Sheridan and was precluded from making a documentary with Netflix." Attempts to contact Netflix, Simon Chinn and the makers of the West Cork podcast were unsuccessful. Bailey said he also gave the makers of the podcast "limited access" to film him last year but has not signed release forms. Sheridan said he was "just trying to get at the truth. "I have been talking to the French family and I went to the trial in France, and I have been trying to ask hard questions and find out if he could have done it, and I have more than kept my distance - I have been interrogating him." After five years of filming, he remained surprised by Bailey's openness and the strength of Jules Thomas. "I have been amazed by how little barriers Ian Bailey has - for a person who is accused of murder he doesn't exactly keep his guard up," he said. ELDERLY people put on trollies in University Hospital Limerick are abuses of human rights claims Limerick City Aontu candidate Michael Ryan. It should be referred to the courts, including the European Courts of Justice, in order to force the politicians to solve the issue before next winter. We need short term and immediate action to take the elderly out of A&E. The main parties can talk all they like about Slaintecare solving the problems in a few years but a short term emergency solution is required so that elderly people, in particular, do not spend another minute on trollies, said Mr Ryan. All citizens deserve to receive full healthcare in a dignified and respectful fashion. Elderly patients, in particular, should not be made to wait on A&E trollies. Read also: Limerick councillors call for RIC event to be cancelled It's time to reopen St John's, Ennis and Nenagh A&Es with geriatric care doctors and nurses until such time as long term plans kick in properly. Alternatively, we could put a temporary A&E into prefabs with beds for the elderly in the grounds of the hospital to allow them to be assessed in relative comfort. Action must be taken immediately - our elderly suffer while politicians promote themselves, said Mr Ryan. He said the proposal that Primary Care Centres would look after huge numbers hasn't happened because they haven't built enough of them, and, of those they have built, many do not have a full range of services at all. This is a great pity and is no doubt leading to some of the added pressure on University Hospital Limerick. If Governments over the years had got those structures in place properly, and those extra services were in place before they took the services out of hospitals such as Ennis and Nenagh, then it might have worked but none of the TDs made this case adequately. They have accepted all these cuts over the years," said Mr Ryan, who is a native of Pallasgreen. Scrapping the HS2 would cost 12billion as the Government-owned firm behind the rail project is accused of trying to 'con' Boris Johnson into giving it the green light. Ministers have warned that abandoning the high-speed rail proposals would cost billions in compensations as well as leaving some of the UK's major construction companies on the brink of financial uncertainty. And now allegations made by former staff members at the HS2 firm, which is owned by the Department for Transport, claim that additional costs are being covered up. Scrapping the HS2 would cost 12billion as the Government-owned firm behind the rail project is accused of trying to 'con' Boris Johnson into giving it the green light. Pictured: Artist's impression of an HS2 train on the Birmingham and Fazeley viaduct An estimated 9billion has already been spent on the scheme and sources close to the project have said that 3billion in extra costs would be incurred even if it was scrapped immediately, according to the Observer. HS2 Ltd has been accused of revising agreements with its main contractors to ensure that future increases in cost will be handed directly to the firm. This would mean that they would be funded by taxpayers rather than private companies, according to The Sunday Telegraph. Colin Morris, HS2's former director of strategy, said that the company appeared to be 'artificially' lowering the costs of the scheme. The witness statements of the former senior members of staff were recently handed to the Prime Minister's advisers. Former Cabinet Minister Dame Cheryl Gillan said in response: 'We need to make sure the Government is not being conned once again by people with vested interests.' It is thought that Boris Johnson's decision on whether to scrap the project is imminent as the issue of spiralling costs continues to cause tensions inside the Conservative party. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said the decision would be made in 'weeks rather than months'. It is thought that Boris Johnson's decision on whether to scrap the project is imminent as the issue of spiralling costs continues to cause tensions inside the Conservative party. PICTURED: UK Prime Minister outside Downing Street for Chinese New Year celebrations A Whitehall spending watchdog said that HS2 is over budget and behind schedule because its complexity and risks were under-estimated. The National Audit Office (NAO) warned that it is impossible to 'estimate with certainty what the final cost could be'. It published a report urging the Government and HS2 Ltd to be 'transparent and provide realistic assessments' in relation to the high-speed railway. A Government-commissioned review led by former HS2 Ltd chairman Doug Oakervee leaked earlier this week stated that the project's bill could reach 106billion. But HS2 was only allocated 56billion in 2015. Phase One between London and Birmingham was due to open in 2026 but full services are now forecast to start between 2031 and 2036. The NAO noted that the Department for Transport set the available funding for the first phase in 2013 when there was only a 'basic' design for the project. It also found that HS2 Ltd failed to add enough contingency to its cost estimates after using a calculation method that was inappropriate for the early stage of the programme. The amount of contingency was not enough to cover 'significant increases in cost' which emerged as the design became more detailed and issues such as poor ground conditions came to light, the report stated. A Government-commissioned review led by former HS2 Ltd chairman Doug Oakervee leaked earlier this week stated that the project's bill could reach 106billion Head of the NAO Gareth Davies said: 'There are important lessons to be learned from HS2, not only for the Department for Transport and HS2 Ltd, but for other major infrastructure programmes. 'To ensure public trust, the Department and HS2 Ltd must be transparent and provide realistic assessments of costs and completion dates as the programme develops, recognising the many risks to the successful delivery of the railway that remain.' A spokeswoman for the Department for Transport said it 'supported this review and is already acting on many of its recommendations'. She added: 'To ensure transparency around the project, we have worked closely with the NAO to provide information on the latest cost and schedule estimates for HS2. 'We recognise that there have been significant underestimations of both the cost and schedule of HS2 in the past which is why we commissioned the Oakervee review to provide advice on whether and how to proceed with HS2.' An spokesman for HS2 Ltd said: 'After being appointed HS2 Ltd CEO in 2017, Mark Thurston identified the serious challenges of complexity and risk in the project, and he made several significant changes and improvements to the organisation, its governance and processes. 'As the NAO recognises, this work - along with a greater understanding of the ground conditions and build requirements - means ministers have robust cost estimates for Phase One of the HS2 project.' He added that HS2 has a 'highly-skilled team in place ready to build Britain's new state-of-the-art, low-carbon railway'. Political leaders in northern England and business groups claim HS2 is vital to boosting transport links across the region and providing increased capacity on the overcrowded rail network. Construction firms warn that scrapping it would cause major damage to the industry. But opponents claim HS2 is too expensive and the money would be better spent elsewhere, while several environmental groups say it would cause huge damage to natural habitats and ancient woodland. DES MOINES, Iowa Democratic presidential candidates have roared back into Iowa touting fresh endorsements, critiquing their rivals and predicting victories in the caucuses that will soon launch the process of deciding who will challenge President Donald Trump. Sen. Elizabeth Warren said Saturday she was delighted" to pick up a coveted endorsement from The Des Moines Register. The state's largest newspaper called the Massachusetts Democrat the best leader for these times" and said she is not the radical some perceive her to be." But Warren's progressive rival, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, predicted victory in Iowa and campaigned alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., one of the most prominent leaders on the left. Joe Biden, meanwhile, appeared for the first time alongside Rep. Cindy Axne, D-Iowa, who is the latest in a growing list of local politicians backing the former vice president's candidacy. And Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, sought to position himself a Washington outsider above the partisan fray. But as the candidates set out to make their best case to voters, the volatility of the race was evident. Several candidates began their day in Washington, sitting as jurors in Trump's impeachment trial. They will have to return to Capitol Hill early next week as the trial continues, sidelining them from campaigning during a critical period. More fundamentally, there's no clear front-runner despite the fact that many candidates have now spent more than a year courting Iowans. A New York Times/Siena College poll released Saturday showed Sanders with a slight but not commanding edge in Iowa. But several polls show Biden, Buttigieg and Warren remain among the front-runners. Theres still plenty of time for movement, said Kurt Meyer, chairman of the Tri-County Democrats in northern Iowa. Every part of the ground game counts. Still, Sanders returned to Iowa exuding a sense of confidence. Hundreds of supporters filled the municipal auditorium in Ames and additional voters crowded an overflow room. Earlier in the night, he told voters in Marshalltown that he had an excellent chance to win here in Iowa" and argued that his is the only campaign that can weave broad support from voters. I believe that our campaign, our energy, our grassroots movement, our agenda is the approach that will speak to working people who, in many cases, have given up on politics, he said. "I think we will resonate with them. I think we have in the past, I think we will in the future. Polls suggest Biden also has a substantial appeal among Democratic voters, especially African Americans. While he has been critical of Sanders in the past, he kept his focus instead on the threat of four more years of Trump in the White House. I don't believe we are the dark, angry nation that Donald Trump tweets about at night," he told a large crowd in Ankeny. We are so much better than Donald Trump. Biden scored the endorsement of the Sioux City Journal, which called him the candidate best positioned to give Americans a competitive head-to-head matchup with President Trump and said he would be best at attracting support from independents and disgruntled Republicans. Compared to Biden, Buttigieg was more dire in his reaction to the prospect of Sanders gaining strength in the Democratic contest. Hours after The New York Times/Siena College poll was released, his campaign sent an email to supporters with the subject line: Bernie Sanders could be the nominee." We need a nominee who can galvanize our country," the email said. The Trump presidency will end one way or another, and when it does we need a president who can rally this country around a vision for the next generation. We know that candidate is Pete."" Speaking to reporters later in the day, Buttigieg stopped short of directly hitting Sanders, but noted that we are getting into the heart of the competition." I believe that we should be very mindful that the very worst risk we can take at a time like this is to recycle the same Washington-style of political warfare that that brought us to this point, he said. If we believe its important to win, and I sure do, then the best thing we could do is put forward a candidate who offers something new." Associated Press writers Hannah Fingerhut in Washington, Thomas Beaumont in Storm Lake, Iowa, Sara Burnett in Muscatine, Iowa, and Will Weissert in Marshalltown, Iowa contributed to this report But the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned that the lowering of the alert level from four to three does not mean that the threat of a hazardous eruption has disappeared, reports Xinhua news agency. Manila, Jan 26 (IANS) Philippine authorities on Sunday downgraded the alert level for Taal Volcano fromin response to reduced activity 15 days after it erupted. Taal Volcano erupted on January 12, prompting the institute to raise the alert level to four on a scale of five. Level four indicates the eruption could occur within days, and level five means a hazardous eruption is in progress. Renato Solidum, the head of the volcanic institute, announced that the alert level for the island volcano, about 66 km south of Manila, was lowered due to "decreased tendency towards hazardous eruption". The institute said Taal's condition in the two weeks following the phreatomagmatic eruption "has generally declined into less frequent volcanic earthquake activity, decelerated ground deformation of the Taal Caldera and Taal Volcano Island (TVI) edifices and weak steam/gas emissions at the main crater". "Alert level three means that there is a decreased tendency towards hazardous explosive eruption but should not be interpreted that unrest has ceased or that the threat of a hazardous eruption has disappeared," it added. Should an uptrend or pronounced change in monitored parameters forewarn a potential hazardous explosive eruption, the institute said alert level may be raised back to four. The institute warned that "sudden steam-driven and even weak phreatomagmatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall and lethal volcanic gas expulsions can occur and threaten areas within the volcano and nearby lakeshores." It also advised pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and wind-remobilized ash may pose hazards to aircraft. More than 300,000 residents have been evacuated to safer grounds. ksk/ Some 15,550 Afghans returned from Iran in total, including 6,489 who returned spontaneously and 9,061 who were deported, said IOM in a statement. Afghan refugees have reportedly been facing difficulties in finding jobs in Iran for a long time. Meanwhile, 443 Afghans have come back home from Pakistan during this period. "A total of 443 Afghans returned from Pakistan, 388 returned spontaneously while 55 were deported," the statement said. In addition, 1,629 Afghans have been returned from Turkey without the support of IOM and received post-arrival assistance from IOM, the statement noted. Fifty-nine Afghans have returned from other countries, excluding Iran, Pakistan and Turkey. Twelve returned voluntarily with the support of IOM and 47 were returned without the support of IOM and received post-arrival assistance from IOM, the statement added. Editors Note: Forty years after inmates seized control of the New Mexico State Penitentiary, the Journal revisits that deadly takeover and examines the chances of a repeat. Today is the first of a three-part series. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. On Feb. 2, 1980, New Mexicans and people across the country woke that Saturday morning to the news that inmates had seized the state penitentiary south of Santa Fe and were holding 12 corrections officers hostage. As shocking as the news was, it didnt really give a hint about the chaos, brutality, bloodshed and violence that would take place over the next 36 hours a story so dark that it captivated the nation. The uprising had started at about 1:40 a.m., when inmates overpowered corrections officers in Dormitory E-2, taking four officers hostage and seizing their keys. Within minutes, the prisoners began opening other dormitories, taking four more corrections officers hostage. A little after 2 a.m., inmates smashed their way into the prison control center, gaining access to the entire prison and taking more officers hostage as they got control of the cellblocks. Corrections officers outside the compound sounded the alarm, notifying law enforcement and state officials. State Police, sheriffs deputies and National Guard troops arrived, taking up positions at the perimeter fence surrounding the prison. Then, the horror story began to unfold. By the time most New Mexicans were grabbing their first cup of coffee around 7 a.m., prisoners in Cell Block 4 where protective custody inmates were housed were being slaughtered. Details seeped out slowly over the next hours, days and even weeks. When it was all said and done, 33 inmates were dead. Corrections officers were brutally tortured, but none was killed. More than a hundred inmates were hospitalized with injuries and drug overdoses. Portions of the facility were destroyed. The gymnasium was burned. Repairs cost more than $10 million. Amid the violence and chaos, there were acts of heroism some inmates helping correction officers escape, others providing first aid to wounded inmates and officers. But those acts were overshadowed by the sheer brutality of the inmate-on-inmate murders. One man was beheaded; anothers face burned off with an acetylene torch. Others were beaten to death with pipes or killed with a tear gas gun. A piece of rebar was driven through one inmates head ear to ear. Many inmates didnt participate in the killings and sought any escape route they could out of the cellblocks and dormitories to the prison yard, where they found safety under the guns of National Guardsmen and law enforcement. Outside the prison, families of inmates gathered along with the news media in the freezing cold, waiting for any information. The families outnumbered the growing number of news reporters from local television, radio, newspapers and wire services. They were joined later by reporters from national news outlets, flying in from New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. But facts that Saturday were scarce, with most of the information coming from the two-way radio transmissions between inmates and Deputy Warden Robert Montoya that the news media overheard on police scanners. Officials promised regular news briefings, but they occurred infrequently. Local officials gave reporters bits and pieces as they came and went from the prison. Rumors floated through the crowd all day Saturday and into Sunday morning that National Guardsmen were shooting inmates, that hundreds of inmates were dead. Not true. Throughout Saturday, mid-level state officials negotiated with an ever changing group of inmates to get the hostage officers released. During that time, prisoners managed to escape the cellblocks and dormitories at first a few, then in a flood. Officers held hostage were turned over by inmates to state law enforcement and evacuated by National Guard helicopters to St. Vincent Hospital. And, then, suddenly, on Sunday, as New Mexicans came home from church or prepared Sunday dinner, it was over. It just ended. State Police SWAT teams entered the prison, and the recovery of the dead and the finger-pointing began. This feature is coordinated by The Post-Standard/Syracuse.com and InterFaith Works of CNY. Follow this theme and author posted Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Tonight, we gather in Syracuse at the Carrier Dome as a Beloved Community to commemorate the living legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. The Rev. Raphael Warnock from Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Americas Freedom Church," will challenge us to continue to accomplish Dr. Kings dream by living out our claim that all are created equal; that we will all be judged by the content of our character; and that children of all races, backgrounds and skin color can join hands as sisters and brothers. We will remember how Dr. Kings life was tragically ended by an assassins bullet in 1968, an entire year filled with profound sadness, which also saw the assassination of Bobby Kennedy, chaos and bloodshed in Chicago at the Democratic National Convention, the My Lai massacre in Vietnam and horrific famine in Biafra. But 1968 was also filled with tremendous hope the first successful heart transplant by Dr. Christian Barnard, the Poor Peoples March in Washington D.C. and the signing of the Civil Rights Act. Then there was Earthrise, the iconic photo of our tiny blue planet suspended in space) described by its photographer, astronaut Bill Anders, as small and delicate, a magnificent spot of color in the vast blackness of space. Where once-distant places appeared inseparably close, borders that once rendered division vanished, (and) all of humanity appeared joined together on this glorious-but-fragile sphere, he continued. Distance, borders and division are merely a matter of perspective. We are all linked in a joined human enterprise, bound to a planet we all must share. We are all, together, stewards of this fragile treasure. We are being challenged to be better stewards of this fragile treasure through climate activists, such as Bill McKibben and Greta Thunberg, whose passionate voices beg us to take care of this planet we call home and to celebrate our joined human enterprise. Will we? The Rev. Suzi Harriff, an American Baptist pastor and music minister, serves churches in Syracuse and Otter Lake. Rev. Harriff also teaches at Northeastern Seminary in Rochester and Bethel Bible Institute in Syracuse. New Delhi: Visiting Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a warm, cordial and friendly atmosphere on Saturday following which both the countries unveiled an ambitious action plan to strengthen strategic ties in six thematic areas - political and strategic coordination; trade, commerce and investment; science, technology and innovation; defence and security systems; culture and education; and finally, consular issues, social security and legal cooperation. In a reference to cross-border terrorism which is being seen as a veiled reference to Pakistan without naming it, India and Brazil in a joint statement also reaffirmed that international terrorism constitutes one of the most serious threats to peace and security and emphasised the need for... eradicating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross border terrorism. Both the countries also inked 15 pacts including in the fields of bioenergy, oil and natural gas, cyber-security, investment, health, traditional medicine, mineral resources, and animal husbandry and dairy production. Sources told this newspaper that during the talks, when PM Modi raised the issue of Brazil approaching the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against the support (subsidies) given by the Indian government to its sugarcane farmers, both sides agreed to address the issue through bilateral consultations. The two sides also agreed to set a target of $15 billion in bilateral trade by 2022, given the complementarities between the two economies. PM Modi and President Bolsonaro agreed that the two countries could collaborate in the field of ethanol production. Given that Brazil is a leader in this field, it will share state of the art technology with India in this sector. The two leaders recognised agriculture to be a key focus area for bilateral cooperation, important part of both economies. President Bolsonaro and Prime Minister Modi held restricted and delegation-level talks in a warm, cordial and friendly atmosphere and exchanged views on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest, the joint statement said. Welcoming Brazilian President Bolsonaro - who will also be the chief guest at India's Republic Day parade on Sunday - PM Modi said ties between both countries were based on common values such as democracy, adding that both countries were "together" as part of various plurilateral fora like Brics and IBSA. Guwahati, Jan 26 : Constitutional safeguards would be accorded to the indigenous people of Assam and their political, cultural and linguistic rights would be protected forever, as the state government is fully committed in that regard, Governor Jagdish Mukhi said here on the occasion of the nation's 71st Republic Day on Sunday. Unfurling the Tricolour during the main function at Veterinary college ground here in Khanapara, Mukhi said the state government was working with dedication to uphold the dignity of the Assamese people living in the Barak and Brahmaputra valleys , besides the hills and plains of the state. The state government has already formulated a land policy which will secure the land rights of the indigenous people of Assam, said Mukhi. It has also requested the Centre to declare Assamese as the permanent state language. "The state government is fully committed to the rights of the indigenous people of Assam," he said, referring to the stress laid on comprehensive implementation of the 1985 Assam Accord's Clause 6. "The emphasis given on total implementation of Assam Accord's Clause 6 proves its aim and policy," the Governor said. Clause six of Assam Accord pledges to provide constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people. The Union Home Ministry has formed a high-level committee led by retired judge of Gauhati High Court Biplab Sharma to examine the effectiveness of actions taken since 1985 to implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, and suggest measures towards that regard. "Assam will benefit from their (panel) knowledge and experience. This committee will submit its report to the government very soon. After that, Assamese people will get constitutional safeguard and their political, cultural and linguistic rights will be protected forever," he said. The state government was in the process of giving land deeds to the landless people, and one lakh such people will benefit from the scheme soon. The Governor also referred to the surrender of large number of ultras on Thursday. "On January 23, at least 644 members of eight organisations, including ULFA and NDFB, surrendered. We appeal to all organisations to adopt the path of peace. It is essential to have permanent peace," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 06:44:56|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close CHICAGO, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) agricultural futures settled mixed for the trading week ending Jan. 24, with soybean futures dropping nearly three percent as trades were awaiting fresh Chinese purchases. The most active soybean contract for March delivery lost 27.75 cents, or 2.98 percent week on week, to close at 9.02 U.S. dollars per bushel. March corn decreased 2 cents, or 0.05 percent, to settle at 3.8725 dollars per bushel. March wheat rose 3 cents, or 0.53 percent, to end at 5.735 dollars per bushel. China and the United States signed their phase-one economic and trade agreement last week. Market participants hope the deal will increase U.S. crop sales to China. Brazilian soybean production will be higher than the previous year, according to consultancy Agroconsult. This news also weighed on soybean prices. Farmers in the South American country are now expected to harvest 124.3 million metric tons of soybeans, up from 119 million metric tons last year, analysts from the firm said. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Friday reported export sales of U.S. soybeans in the week ending Jan. 16 at 790,000 metric tons for the 2019/2020 marketing year, up 23 percent from the previous week and 59 percent from the prior four-week average. Export sales of U.S. corn were 1,006,900 metric tons for 2019/2020, up 28 percent from the previous week and 92 percent from the prior four-week average, the USDA said. The USDA reported export sales of U.S. wheat at 696,000 metric tons for 2019/2020, up 7 percent from the previous week and 58 percent from the prior four-week average. Brisk global demand continued to underpin CBOT wheat futures, analysts said. Traders also worried that transport disruptions in France, a drought-hit harvest in Australia and proposals to cap grain exports from Russia will tighten global supplies. U.S. corn futures ended lower on the week from the spillover effect of soybeans. U.S. corn is one of the world's cheapest feed grain following an unexpected surge in Argentine exporting price. The USDA said in its latest crop inspection report that weekly U.S. soybean export inspections were 1.2 million metric tons, at the top end of insiders' expectations for 600,000 to 1.2 million metric tons. Weekly U.S. export inspections were 435,129 metric tons for wheat and 345,859 metric tons for corn. Insiders had expected 400,000 to 600,000 metric tons for wheat, and 450,000 to 800,000 metric tons for corn. United Liberation Front of Assam-Independent (ULFA-I) on Sunday claimed the responsibility of serial blasts in Assam. At least four explosions took place in Dibrugarh and Charaideo districts on Sunday morning as the country celebrated Republic Day. The first blast took place at a shop in Graham Bazaar located near the Highway NH 37. The second blast took place near a Gurudwara in Dibrugarh while another blast took place near the Duliajan police station in Dibrugarh. The other explosion took place in the Sonari town of Charaideo district. Assam Chief Minister Sarabananda Sonowal condemned the bomb blasts and added that he has directed police to take stern action against those involved in the blasts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) According to the police, Imam, a resident of Bihar and former Jawaharlal Nehru University student, delivered 'very inflammatory and instigatory speeches in his opposition to CAA and NRC'. New Delhi: The Delhi Police booked Sharjeel Imam, an activist who came in limelight during the ongoing protest in Shaheen Bagh, on Sunday for allegedly delivering inflammatory speeches against the amended Citizenship Act and the planned National Register of Citizens, officials said. According to the police, Imam, a resident of Bihar and former Jawaharlal Nehru University student, delivered "very inflammatory and instigatory speeches in his opposition to CAA and NRC". "He had previously delivered one such speech in Jamia Millia Islamia on 13 December last year and thereafter one even more inflammatory against the government which is being widely circulated on social media," they said. These speeches have the "potential to harm the religious harmony" and the unity and integrity of India, for which the case was registered against him, police said. Imam was heard saying in an audio clip that Assam should be cut off from the rest of India and taught a lesson, as Bengalis - both Hindus and Muslims - are being killed or put into detention centres. He reportedly said that if he can organise five lakh people, it would become possible to "permanently cut off Assam with rest of India...if not permanently, then at least for a few months". A case against Imam under IPC sections 124 A (an offence by words, either spoken or written causes disaffection against Government established by law), 153 A (promoting enmity between different religious groups with an intent to create disharmony) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) has been registered, the Delhi police said. A case of sedition was lodged against Imam on Saturday for a speech he delivered on the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) campus on 16 January. The Assam police has also filed an FIR under the anti-terror law UAPA against Imam for his speech. Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund, which recently marked down its investment in the securities issued by Vodafone Idea to zero, has said its board has approved the creation of segregated portfolios (or side pockets) to hold these securities in six of its schemes. The move will help prevent the distressed assets from damaging the returns generated from more liquid and better-performing assets. The board of trustees of Franklin Templeton MF has approved the creation of segregated portfolios in six schemes -- Franklin India Low Duration Fund, Franklin India Dynamic Accrual Fund, Franklin India Credit Risk Fund, Franklin India Short Term Income Plan, Franklin India Ultra Short Bond Fund and Franklin India Income Opportunities Fund. "With effect from January 24, various securities issued by Vodafone Idea in the schemes will be segregated from the total portfolio," the fund house said in a statement. The decision has been taken in order to protect the value for existing unitholders in these schemes, it added. Earlier, rating agencies had downgraded the non-convertible debentures (NCDs) of Vodafone Idea to below investment grade. On January 16, Franklin Templeton, which had an exposure of over Rs 2,000 crore to Vodafone Idea in six of its schemes, had marked down its investment in the securities issued by the telecom player to zero. "We would like to reiterate that this fair valuation only reflects the realisable price of the relevant securities on the date of valuation and does not indicate any reduction or write-off of the amount repayable by Vodafone Idea. We continue to engage with the company in the best interest of our investors," the fund house had said. The fund house had markdown the schemes on the same day when the Supreme Court rejected the telecom player's review plea related to over Rs 40,000 crore in AGR related dues to the government. This markdown led to a drop of 4 to 7 per cent in the schemes' net asset values (NAVs) that were exposed to the debt instruments of Vodafone Idea. Overall, the mutual fund industry had an exposure of more than Rs 3,300 crore to Vodafone Idea. In December 2018, regulator Sebi had permitted mutual funds to create segregated portfolios or side pocketing with respect to debt and money market instruments. In case of a credit event that is a credit downgrade, like below investment grade and similar, segregated portfolio may be created. Creation of segregated portfolios is a mechanism to separate distressed, illiquid and hard-to-value assets from other more liquid assets in a portfolio. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hopes faded Sunday of finding more survivors from a powerful earthquake in eastern Turkey as more bodies were pulled from the rubble and the death toll climbed to 35. Nearly 4,000 rescue workers combed through debris in freezing temperatures, helped by mechanical diggers, in vain hopes of finding anyone alive in the city of Elazig. Three bodies were found in the city centre, 38 hours after the 6.8-magnitude quake struck Friday evening, bringing the death toll to 35 in Elazig province and nearby Malatya, Vice President Fuat Oktay said. Rescuers carefully cleared the remains of the collapsed four-storey building where the bodies were found, using buckets to remove broken material as a sniffer dog was brought to the scene. Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu told reporters that workers were searching for six people still under the rubble of the building. Residents nervously waited to find out what happened to their relatives. A group of women burst into tears when they learnt that the body of a relative was found, while one woman fainted, an AFP photographer said. Nearby a Red Crescent official tried to calm down another woman whose cousin was missing, urging her to be patient. "We are doing everything we can." So far, the authorities say 45 people have been rescued alive but it is believed 14 people are still under the rubble in the region, according to NTV broadcaster. The government's disaster and emergency management agency (AFAD) said 1,607 were injured including 104 still in hospital, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said. There was growing concern for residents amid the bitter cold, said Hasan Duran, a 58-year-old shopkeeper, who lives in Sursuru. "If it was summer, people could maybe resist a little longer. But with this cold, it's hard to imagine. Even we are freezing at home. May God give them strength". President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sunday "every effort was made to ensure citizens whose homes have collapsed or been damaged will not suffer in this winter period." He added every type of assistance was "swiftly" provided to the affected region from rescue workers to vehicles. - Mother, toddler found alive - The epicentre of the quake was in the small lakeside town of Sivrice in Elazig province, and also affected neighbouring cities and countries. With a population of around 4,000, Sivrice is located south of Elazig city on the shores of Hazar lake -- one of the most popular tourist spots in the region. The US Geological Survey said the magnitude was 6.7, slightly lower than AFAD, adding that it struck near the East Anatolian Fault in an area that has suffered no documented large ruptures since an earthquake in 1875. There had been elation on Saturday when Ayse Yildiz and her two-year-old daughter were found alive by rescuers after 28 and 24 hours respectively. Nearly 80 buildings collapsed while 645 were heavily damaged in Elazig and Malatya provinces, AFAD said in a statement. Erdogan had promised Saturday during a visit to Elazig that Turkey's housing agency TOKI would "do whatever is necessary and make sure no one is left without a home". Residents avoided returning to their homes because of aftershock fears. They included Mustafa Top who said he would "wait a week while the aftershocks continue and then we'll check (our apartment)." Since Friday's quake, there have been 714 aftershocks with 20 above four in magnitude. Nearly 4,000 rescue workers combed through debris in freezing temperatures, helped by mechanical diggers, in vain hopes of finding anyone alive Residents nervously waited to find out what happened to their relatives Map locating the earthquake that hit eastern Turkey Authorities say 45 people have been rescued alive but it is believed 14 are still under the rubble Some residents have avoided returning to their homes because of aftershock fears Authorities are putting the finishing touches to the Cyber Security Policy, 2020, which will have a provision for a centralised repository for detecting, reporting and analysing malware in India, and for devising countermeasures, according to officials aware of the matter. The policy seeks to create safe, secure, trusted, resilient and vibrant cyberspace for Indias economic progress, one of the officials cited above said on condition of anonymity. Reliance on the internet has increased and [also] threats have emerged, the official said. The official added that the new policy will focus on issues such as mandatory courses in schools and colleges on cyber hygiene, which relate to online security, and indigenization, especially of anti-virus programmes. Anti-virus programmes pick up data from systems, which are subsequently deposited in servers abroad, said a second official on condition of anonymity. Malware, or malicious software, can be used for stealing, encrypting or deleting sensitive data as well as for hijacking computing functions. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd, which runs nuclear reactors across the country, in October said it had identified malware in one of its computers in September but its systems were unaffected. Facebook-owned messaging platform WhatsApp in October sued Israeli surveillance firm NSO Group, accusing it of helping clients break into the phones of roughly 1,400 users including in India through a malware. The targets of the hacking included dissidents and journalists. The officials cited above said the new policy will be circulated among ministries before it is placed before the Union cabinet for its clearance. The new policy is likely to come up before the Cabinet in a couple of weeks. A cyber security policy adopted earlier in 2013 was aimed at creating safe and secure cyberspace. The officials said the new policy will concentrate on interagency and interministerial coordination to improve the cybersecurity infrastructure. The Union home ministry will be the nodal agency in dealing with cybercrime and issues such as cyber forensics, innovation, and research. The electronics and information technology ministry will continue to be responsible for the responses to threats and mitigation. Unlike the previous policy, the new one will lay special stress on cybersecurity awareness among young adults, the officials said. The Union human resources development ministry will be roped in to design and run mandatory courses in schools and colleges on cyber hygiene. Cyber hygiene is critical in an increasingly connected world and [good cyber] habits will have to be developed from a very young age. Cyber education will have to be built into curriculums of schools and high schools, the second official said on condition of anonymity. The external affairs ministry will be in charge of cyber diplomacy, which involves evolving a rule-based system and governance of the worldwide web among other issues. The new policy is likely to be similar to the ones in Singapore, the UK, and Australia, and will make the Prime Minister of India the final authority on all issues concerning the cyber world. The National Security Advisor (NSA) would assist the Prime Minister, the officials cited above said. Indias Cyber Security Coordinator reports to the NSA. The coordinator will be empowered further and will be responsible for coordinating with different agencies like those engaged in detecting and eliminating threats, those involved in cyber governance etc, and prioritising issues. It is a good idea to have an indigenous malware analysis system and threat repository in India. This will reduce the dependency on free sites mostly run by foreign entities for intelligence collection. An Indian malware vault would give a first hand and timely intelligence and warnings to the Indian stakeholders, said Jiten Jain of the Voyager Infosec System. A high-school student from China who was participating in the Yale Model United Nations conference on campus has been placed in isolation pending diagnosis of whether the youth has coronavirus, according to a statement by the director of Yale Health. Dr. Paul Genecin said in the statement the student tested positive for influenza and that the test result suggests the student has influenza rather than 2019-nCoV, or coronavirus infection. However, out of an abundance of caution, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has asked that the student be tested for 2019-nCoV. We expect results in the middle of the week, Genecin said in the statement. The conference taking place from Thursday-Sunday at Yale, was canceled for Sunday. The student exhibited cough and fever and was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital, and does not exhibit severe symptoms, so has been released from the hospital, but has been isolated pending the CDCs diagnosis, Genecin said in the statement The student is in good condition and we will continue to monitor their progress, the statement said. Av Harris, a spokesman for the state state Department of Health, said the agency is aware of the high school student being tested for the virus, and confirmed no results have been received. He said the agency is monitoring the case. Genecin said in his statement that Dean of Yale College Marvin Chun, in consultation with health experts, requested that YMUN cancel all activities that had been scheduled for Sunday. YMUN organizers have reached out to advisors as well as those at Yale who had a part in the conference, to inform them of the cancellation, the statement said. This was to be the events closing day, and while Yale regrets that the participating MUN students will not be able to complete their conferences program, we feel it to be in the best interest of those students and of the Yale community to take this precaution. Meanwhile, the state Department of Health and Wesleyan University reiterated Sunday that the state has no confirmed cases of novel coronavirus, after a student who recently traveled to Asia began showing symptoms of the disease. We have no confirmed cases of this particular viral strain in Connecticut, said Harris. We are keeping a close eye on the situation with the Wesleyan student but cannot comment on an individual case, he said. Wesleyan University is waiting on test results from the center for disease control after the student began exhibiting symptoms associated with the virus, said Lauren Rubenstein, a spokeswoman for the school. On Sunday, officials in Orange County, Calif., confirmed a third case of the virus in the U.S., in a patient who traveled from Wuhan, China, the city where the outbreak started. Two other cases, involving a woman from Chicago and a man in Washington state, have also been confirmed. Rubenstein said Saturday the student exhibiting symptoms was isolated, and the university has reached out to people who were in contact with the student, but none of those students have exhibited symptoms, she said. Patients infected with the virus typically suffer pneumonia-like symptoms including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms show up between two to 14 days after exposure to the virus, according to the CDC. People who may have had contact with a person confirmed suspected of having the disease should closely monitor their health for 14 days, the agency said. Besides fever and respiratory issues, other early symptoms to watch for are chills, body aches, sore throat, headache, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, and runny nose, the CDC said. Patients should inform the hospital they may have been exposed before they go in for treatment, the agency said. Yale established a dedicated Yale Health hotline at 203-432-6604 or 866-924-YALE (866-924-9253) for concerned members of the Yale community and YMUN participants. SAN JOSE (BCN) A 38-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder Saturday had called police seeking a welfare check on the victim, San Jose police said Saturday night. Peter Rodriguez was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail in connection with the death of a woman in San Jose's third homicide of the year. Police said Rodriguez called police at 5:24 a.m. Saturday, asking officers to come to a residence in the 2000 block of Mondigo Avenue in East San Jose. The caller said he had not spoken to the woman "for several hours," police said. Officers arrived at the Mondigo address to find a woman dead from multiple stab wounds, police said. Police did not release the woman's identity Saturday. SJPD homicide detectives later identified Rodriguez as the suspect, and he was taken into custody in San Jose, police said. The motive and circumstances behind the killing, and the relationship between Rodriguez and the victim, were still being investigated Saturday night. Anyone with information connected with this incident is asked to contact SJPD Detective Sgt. Isidro Bagon or Detective Ramon Sanchez at (408) 277-5283. Those wishing to remain anonymous may call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (408) 947-STOP (7867); anyone providing information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect may be eligible for a cash reward from the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ardila Syakriah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, January 26, 2020 07:43 717 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2061004d5 1 National China,Wuhan-coronavirus,Indonesians-in-Wuhan,Wuhan-lockdown,outbreak Free Indonesian nationals trapped in the locked-down city of Wuhan, China, where the deadly coronavirus first emerged, have expressed hope that they will be allowed to leave the country amid the outbreak. Fitriani, a 25-year-old master's student at the China University of Geosciences in Wuhan, said she hoped she could be evacuated to a safer region or return to Indonesia before the outbreak worsens. "I didn't plan on returning to Indonesia during this winter break. However, I started to think of going home when the virus reportedly infected 198 people by Jan. 21, but the city has been locked down since Jan. 23," Fitriani told The Jakarta Post via text message on Saturday. Fitriani is among the 93 Indonesian citizens, a majority of them students, trapped in Wuhan since the Chinese government shut down travel out of the epicenter of the viral outbreak on Thursday, according to the chairman of the Wuhan branch of the Indonesian Student Association in China (PPIT Wuhan), Nur Musyafak. The Chinese government has halted all travel from and toward Wuhan, shut down its public transportation and told residents to stay home, AFP reported, adding that 17 other smaller cities in Hubei province prepared various measures ranging from closing public venues and restricting large gatherings to halting public transportation and asking citizens not to leave their cities. There were around 200 Indonesian nationals in Wuhan, Nur of PPIT Wuhan said, adding that many of them had returned to Indonesia for the Lunar New Year holiday, which usually lasted until mid-February. Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi offered a different number, however, citing embassy records that say there were 428 Indonesian students in Wuhan, 1,280 in Beijing and 849 in Shanghai, while adding that, as of December, 90 percent of the Indonesian students in Wuhan and its surroundings had returned to Indonesia for Chinese New Year. Fitriani, who lives at her university's dormitory with five other Indonesian students, said she would not leave her dorm unless necessary. Her dorm set up thermal scanners to monitor students' body temperatures on Jan. 22, she added. The last time she went out was to buy groceries at a nearby traditional market that was now temporarily closed as some sellers feared the coronavirus. She said she had stocked up on food for the next week, as suggested by Chinese authorities. "The prices of vegetables and fruits have gone up, from 5 Chinese renminbi per 500 grams to 30 renminbi per 500 grams. I had no other choice but to buy them as I need them," Fitriani said. Fitriani, who has been in Wuhan since September, talked about how unusually quiet the streets had been as she only spotted a few private vehicles and people wearing facial masks. Another China University of Geosciences student in Wuhan, Rio Alfi, 35, said he initially had plans to return home to Pekanbaru, Riau, along with his wife and son before the lockdown was announced. He said that although he had stored groceries for the coming week, he could not help but worry as prices of commodities had gone up while food stocks being sold had declined, leading people to scramble to get the commodities at a supermarket he had gone to. "We're waiting for what's next because it's been three days since the lockdown. Psychologically speaking, it's pretty tough for us here in Wuhan. The student association and the Indonesian Embassy have coordinated and are monitoring the situation. However, there's been no decision yet as to whether we'll be evacuated out of Wuhan or receive assistance over supplies," he told the Post via text message on Saturday. Rio, who has been studying in Wuhan since 2016, said that this year's Lunar New Year was different as fewer people were praying for their ancestors at cemeteries. AFP reported that the Chinese army had deployed medical specialists to Wuhan on Saturday as hospitals bustled with patients, adding that authorities began building a new field hospital in Wuhan to deal with the outbreak. The coronavirus, which bears similarities to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), killed 54 people as of Sunday morning in China and spread around the world, including Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, as confirmed infections surged to 1,652 people, Channel News Asia reported. The Indonesian Foreign Ministry's director for citizen protection told the Post on Friday that as Wuhan was under quarantine, the ministry through the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing was coordinating with local authorities to provide assistance needed by Indonesian nationals in the city. Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun said the embassy was in close contact with Indonesian citizens through Chinese messaging app WeChat. "We're constantly in contact with them. There is a coordinator appointed in each campus' dormitory. So far, from the information that we've received, their food stock still suffices," he told the Post on Saturday. He said the embassy had bought plane tickets for Indonesian students in Wuhan who had been traveling outside of the city prior to the lockdown so that they could return to Indonesia. Following the lockdown, Indonesia announced a temporary suspension of all flights operated by Indonesian airlines to and from Wuhan. Authorities had activated thermal scanners at entrance points in Indonesia to detect any symptoms of the virus, such as fever. Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., reacts to the final statement of House Democratic impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., as he speaks to the media at the end of a day of an impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Republican Sen. James Lankford said Sunday that the House did not do their homework in calling witnesses before sending the articles of impeachment, expecting the Senate to do more than its constitutional duty. Lankford joined several other Republicans in asking why House Democrats didnt enforce their subpoenas in court. He said the Senate shouldnt be the chamber introducing new witnesses, like acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and former national security adviser John Bolton. It looks like theyre asking the Senate to go be special counsel, go search, go seek out. Thats not really the task of the Senate. The task of the Senate is to hear the trial, Lankford said on ABCs This Week. Lankford argued that the biggest difference between this trial and the impeachment of President Bill Clinton wasnt the White House stonewalling the investigation. It was the amount of information the House sent over 18 boxes in the Clinton trial the Senate had to act on. It is a very different process because the House did not do their homework this time and didnt seem interested in it, he said of the current case. All they wanted to do was get it done by Christmas and then sent into the Senate. House Democrats have said they wanted to avoid a long tangle with the courts, blaming President Donald Trump instead for blocking key witnesses from testifying or responding to subpoenas. If you argue that, well, the House needed to go through endless months or even years of litigation before bringing about an impeachment, you effectively nullify the impeachment clause, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said earlier this month. You allow the president of the United States by delay, by playing rope-a-dope in the courts to defeat the power of the impeachment clause. Lankford countered: They want to slow down the trial as much as possible in the Senate. Its just a very odd political strategy for them, more than a fact-finding strategy. Story continues The senator also defended Trumps request of Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden, which kick-started the impeachment proceedings. Lankford said the president would have wanted any individual to be looked into for corruption, and he said the Justice Department is collaborating with foreign nations on other work. Though the rules of the trial leave open a possibility for Trumps defense team to move for a motion to dismiss, Lankford said he doesnt believe that will happen. Well end up with 16 hours of questions and then well have a motion of whether we need to have additional witnesses and additional evidence, and then come to a verdict. The United States Supreme Court just heard a case that began in Montana, but could have widespread implications nationwide. At stake is whether Montana's state Constitution, along with 36 others, has the right to ban support of religious schools with state aid, meaning taxpayer dollars. First and foremost, the issue is complex. It's not just about turning over cash from the state coffers and giving it to religious schools or organizations. Secondly, like all things political today, our current screaming-heads environment and political polarization isn't necessarily helpful to this debate. Many have conflated the state's unwillingness to fund parochial or religious programming as evidence of bias against religion. But that's not right. What secular advocates, including The Billings Gazette, argue is that state tax money shouldn't support any religious organization, regardless of denomination, belief, or even those organization's ability to do good work. In other words, we believe that so many religious-based institutions do a great job in our community. Many of us at The Billings Gazette are members of churches or religious organizations. We believe and often highlight the stories of students from parochial schools, like Billings Catholics Schools and Billings Central High. However, we continue to believe it's not appropriate to give state funding to support those private, religious organizations. That's not just a matter of opinion, though. That's a matter of law. The authors of our state constitution, and even the federal constitution, recognized the dividing line that must be drawn between government and god. A dividing line in policy does not mean an either-or choice for citizens, though. What this means is that taxpayer money shouldn't be diverted to any religious organization for fear of mixing church and state. Moreover, we believe that church support and support for faith-based organizations should be a decision left solely to the individual and not the government. In no way do we want to leave it to the government to decide what religion or denominations to endorse. Again, though, the issue is not as simple as simply transferring funds from the taxpayer to the churches. The question gets more nuanced in Montana when it comes to nominal tax credits. At the heart of this issue is whether tax credits for a religious education are the same as receiving state aid. While that is ultimately the nuanced decision the high court will be called upon to make, we agree with our state Supreme Court that indeed those credits violate the state's Constitution. In other words, those credits rob the state of money it needs to fund its chronically underfunded programs like education, roads and public safety. We also believe that as long as Montana continues to underfund and shortchange its schools, that it can ill afford to give money to other schools that compete against the public system. The public school system is one of the great strengths of the state, and only through a strong system will the next generation of Montana students be able to compete on a global market. Moreover, not every community in Montana has the option of private or public. Our public school systems are a well established, great system that desperately needs better funding. Anything that would take resources away from it must be looked at critically. It's a shame that those in the state who support state aid to private schools would like to paint this in terms of religious bigotry. They fail to recognize the history of our state constitution, and that one of the people who voted on it was a Catholic priest. Public schools must be just that publicly supported by taxpayers. Private schools, using that same logic, must be that supported privately. It seems unfair for private organizations to want the funding, but not abide by the same rules. And, it seems suspect any time government wants to get involved with supporting religion. The Billings Gazette Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 The daughter of detained former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday criticised the Centre from her mothers Twitter account for what she said was its double standard over Indias Constitution. Iltija Mufti also pointed out the snapped mobile phone services hours after they were restored in the region. Authorities said mobile phone and internet services were suspended as a precautionary measure for ensuring the smooth passage of Republic Day celebrations in the Valley. Mobile internet services were suspended hours after their restoration on Saturday and mobile phone connectivity was stopped early on Sunday, they said. The hypocrisy of Republic Day celebrations by BJP led government thats wilfully desecrated & violated Indian Constitution isnt lost on anyone. Meanwhile Kashmir witnesses another shutdown & suspension of cellular services. Splendid integration indeed, Iltija Mufti tweeted. Suspension of mobile phone and internet services on Republic Day and Independence Day has been part of the security drill in the Valley since 2005 when militants used a mobile phone to trigger an improvised explosive device (IED) blast near the venue of celebrations on August 15. Peoples Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti and two other former chief ministers, Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, have been under detention along with hundreds of others since August last year, when the Centre decided to downgrade the state to a Union territory. Iltija Mufti had recently alleged that the former CMs were kept in solitary confinement as the government wants to break their resolve. An information blackout and a security lockdown were also put in place in the region to prevent protests against the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Most of those restrictions have since been eased but top politicians, including the three former chief ministers, remain under detention. Mufti, who was lodged at Hari Niwas, was later shifted to a rest house at Chesma Shahi on the foothills of Zabarwan mountains. She was shifted to an official house at Maulana Azad Road close to MLA hostel in December last year. File image Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked the president of Maldives and the prime minister of Sri Lanka for their Republic Day greetings, saying New Delhi cherished the deep-rooted friendship with the two countries. "Thank you the greetings on India's #RepublicDay, President @ibusolih. It is a matter of immense delight that friendship between India and Maldives is getting even stronger, benefitting the people of our nations," Modi wrote on Twitter. He was responding to the greetings extended by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. He also thanked Sri Lankan prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa for the Republic Day wishes. "India cherishes the deep rooted friendship with Sri Lanka," he wrote. Rajapaksa said he and his wife Shiranthi Rajapaksa participated at the cultural event organised by the Indian High Commission in Colombo on Saturday. Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex have embarked on a brand new peaceful life in Canada. After struggling in the limelight as senior members of the British royal family, the Sussexes have decided to resign their positions, and become financially independent of the British crown. From what we understand, the duo plan to split their time between the U.K. and Canada where they just spent a six-week-long hiatus on picturesque Vancouver Island. Shortly after announcing their break with the royal family, the duchess returned to Vancouver Island to be with her infant son, Archie Harrison. Prince Harry has just arrived in Canada after finalizing things with the royals. Though the Sussexes are seeking a life with more privacy, the paparazzi have already descended upon Vancouver Island. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are thrilled with their new life in Canada The Sussexes did not step away from their life as members of the royal family on a whim. It was a strategic decision after months of hardship. The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back is not one I made lightly, Prince Harry said in a candid speech.It was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges. And I know I havent always got it right, but as far as this goes, there really was no other option. An insider to US Weekly, that the duchess is so happy with her new life. She doesnt come from millions, a second source explained. Shes worked hard to get to where she is today. Meghan loves the idea of being the breadwinner. She has no plans to do another show like Suits, but Harrys been encouraging her to do more voice-over work, writing, producing and directing in her free time. As for the prince, Hes really excited about the next chapter in their lives. Were going to see a lot more candid photos of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle On Jan. 21, the paparazzi snapped a photo of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walking her dogs. She had Baby Archie strapped to her chest in a baby carrier as her security trailed behind her. Though she seemed happy, obviously she wasnt expecting to be photographed. A day later, the paparazzi snapped photos of Prince Harry arriving in Canada eager to be reunited with his family. However, the Sussexes arent exactly pleased with these snaps. According to SkyNews, lawyers for the couples have issues warnings to the paparazzi. The Sussexes claimed the pictures were taken without [Markles] consent and that the photographer was hiding in the bushes and spying on her, SkyNews reported. They also claimed there were previous attempts to photograph the couple inside their home using long-range lenses and that paparazzi were permanently camped outside their home. Canadas privacy laws are not as strong as those in the U.K. The Sussexes are used to being photographed. However, these candid photos are a new phenomenon for them. Now weve not only seen Meghan walking the dogs, but Harry arriving at the airport, (and) Meghan taking off from the airport to one of her events last week, so things may have already changed, NBC News London correspondent Kelly Cobiella told Today. The privacy rules are really, really strong here [in Britain] in part because of Harry and William, and the days when they were growing up, those privacy rules were put in place to protect them for the large part. Now theyre moving to a place where those rules dont apply. However, a source told TMZ, They think if the British public arent contributing financially then they dont have the same right to comment on their private life. Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad says his convoy shot at in UP Will gherao PM Modi's residence if Lakhimpur Kheri culprits not arrested in 7 days: Chandrashekhar Azad Hyderabad Police detains Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar Azad India oi-Deepika S Hyderabad, Jan 26: Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad was detained in Hyderabad ahead of his participation in a protest against CAA and NRC. On the occasion of Republic Day, the Bhim Army chief was in Hyderabad to address a gathering on Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR). It is said that Prior Police permission was not taken by organisers for the meeting. Azad's detention comes days after he was released from Tihar prison in Delhi following his arrest for allegedly inciting people during an anti-CAA protest. Azad was released on 16 January after spending a month in jail over his protest against the citizenship law at Delhi's Jama Masjid. The Bhim Army had organised a march from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar against the CAA on 20 December following which he was sent to judicial custody on 21 December. Uzbekistan is participating in several interregional and regional projects of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the representative of IAEA said, Trend reports. "These are new projects which have been approved by the IAEA Board of Governors for the period of 2020 to 2021," the representative stated. The official noted that one project will support the National University of Uzbekistan and the Samarkand State University in nuclear science and technology. Nuclear science, technology and research represent the underlying foundation of all nuclear applications which contribute in many ways to health, development and security worldwide. They are used in a broad range of areas, from power production to medicine, agriculture, food safety, environment, forensics, industry, and the analysis of artifacts. Another project with focus on science and technology is dedicated to enhance nuclear safety, operational performance and effective utilization of the Research Reactor at the Institute of Nuclear Physics. "Moreover, another new IAEA technical cooperation project will help Uzbekistan to increase human resources capacity and develop a national nuclear infrastructure for its first nuclear power plant. Nuclear power offers a steady, reliable supply of electricity. It can provide continuous, low-carbon power," the representative noted. In addition, the official added that another project is dedicated to improve the quality of radiotherapy in Uzbekistan. Radiotherapy is one of the main types of cancer treatment. It uses ionizing radiation to destroy cancer cells and limit cell growth. "An IAEAs Integrated Regulatory Review Service mission to Uzbekistan is planned for July 2020. An Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review 2 Mission is planned for the third quarter of 2020. Both missions are not yet confirmed," the representative noted. The 71st Republic Day was celebrated with pomp and pageantry across the eastern region on Sunday, even as four serial explosions rocked Assam early in the day, and sparse protests over the new citizenship law were reported from parts of the state and neighbouring West Bengal. Barring Meghalaya, where Tathagata Roy is on leave since December, governors in their respective states, unfurled the Tricolour and presided over the ceremonial parade, amid heightened security. In Assam, four power explosions -- three in Dibrugarh and one in Charaideo districts -- shook Upper Assam, with ULFA (Independent) claiming responsibility for them. All four blasts occurred in a span of 10 minutes -- between 8.15 and 8.25 am, a police officer said, adding no casualty had been reported, as Republic Day being a holiday, people were mostly indoors. Later in the day, Governor Jagdish Mukhi said the Assam government was committed to protect the political, cultural and linguistic rights of indigenous people and a committee, headed by retired Gauhati High Court judge Biplab Sharma, would soon submit a report in this regard. Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and BJP MLA Angoorlata Deka were shown black flags by anti-CAA protesters at separate locations in the state, when they were on their way to attend functions. In West Bengal, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar led the celebrations, as he hoisted the national flag and inspected the parade by armed forces and police personnel. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who attended the programme along with cabinet colleagues, greeted the governor at the conclusion of the programme. Later in the evening, she attended a reception hosted by Dhankhar at the Raj Bhavan. Members of an interfaith group came out on the streets in state capital Kolkata and formed human chains in various parts of the city, as a mark of protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. In Jharkhand, Governor Droupadi Murmu insisted that unemployment was a burning issue and the government would take initiative to fill vacancies at panchayat offices and state departments. At a separate function, Chief Minister Hemant Soren called upon people to work for the welfare of the state, rising above their cultural and religious identities. Expressing concern over climate change, Bihar Governor Fagu Chauhan stressed on the importance of environment conservation on the occasion and lauded the Nitish Kumar government for its efforts to generate awareness on the issue. He also spoke about the steps being taken by the government to ensure welfare of the weaker sections of the society, including Dalits and minorities. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who was the guest of honour at the state capital's Republic Day programme, led by Governor Ganeshi Lal, exhorted people to work selflessly for the benefit of the state. Cultural diversity was on display at Republic Day celebrations in Nagaland, where Governor and Centre's interlocutor for Naga peace talks, R N Ravi, on Saturday asserted that "differences should be resolved through peaceful dialogue, and not under the shadow of guns". State Justice and Law Minister C M Chang, speaking at an event in Dimapur, said, "The Centre's negotiations with all Naga political groups have concluded successfully and we are now hopeful for an early solution." In a departure from tradition, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma unfurled the Tricolour in Shillong and shared with people his government vision for the state's development in the next 10 years. Contending that the state's core strength lay in the fact that 75 per cent of its three-million population were aged below 34 years, Sangma said his government was taking all measures to "impart quality education and skill-based training" to the youth. In Arunachal Pradesh, Governor B D Mishra said satellite-based monitoring and geo-tagging technology would be employed to keep a tab on all development projects in the state. He urged people to fight against corruption. In Mizoram, too, Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai appealed to people to strive for excellence and make concerted efforts to usher in integrated development. Enlisting the achievements of the Tripura government, Governor Ramesh Bais said efforts were being made to boost trade connectivity with Bangladesh, which, in the long run, would benefit the entire region. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Before the term "thought leader" got applied to anyone with a book contract and a TEDx talk, Clayton Christensen was the real deal. Christensen, who died Thursday at age 67 after a long battle with cancer, fundamentally changed assumptions about the advantages to companies of incumbency and inspired corporate employees to indulge their entrepreneurial impulses outside the mother ship. He reframed our understanding of innovation toward making things more accessible--and in the process made innovation itself more accessible to a generation of founders. Are you building a disruptive business? Christensen's ideas are embedded in its foundation. In many ways, Christensen's seminal book, The Innovator's Dilemma (Harvard Business School Publishing, 1997), is about big-company defense. In it, he explained how corporations become vulnerable not because they can't identify and develop new ideas but because those ideas offer meager ROI from their existing customers, who want better versions of whatever the businesses offer now. For entrepreneurs, of course, that's an opportunity to play offense. With little to lose, they charge into these seemingly unappealing markets and make some change--typically the application of technology--that renders products and services cheaper, simpler, or more affordable. Christensen published Innovator's Dilemma in 1997, the year Amazon--the triumphant embodiment of his ideas--went public. Years later, Jeff Bezos, who was now at the helm of a massive incumbent, applied lessons from Dilemma and the follow-up Innovator's Solution (Harvard Business School Publishing, 2003), co-authored with Michael E. Raynor, to disrupt himself: introducing the Kindle as a cheaper, more convenient alternative to the sale of physical books. Steve Jobs, Reed Hastings, and Andy Grove are among the many founders who incorporated Christensen's insights as they stormed or guarded the ramparts. Among Christensen's influential recent ideas is the "Jobs to Be Done" framework for understanding consumer behavior. In that model, people don't just buy things but rather bring products into their lives to make progress on something. When you hear a CEO ask her team "What is the job a customer is hiring this product to do?" you are hearing the influence of Christensen. In later years, Christensen's work increasingly sought to improve lives, both individually and globally. His most recent book, The Prosperity Paradox: How Innovation Can Lift Nations Out of Poverty (Harper Business, 2019), co-authored by Efosa Ojomo and Karen Dillon, urged entrepreneurs to focus less on eliminating poverty in developing nations than on producing market-creating innovations that spawn jobs, profits (which can be reinvested in infrastructure and public services), and cultural change. Christensen's 2012 book, How Will You Measure Your Life? (Harper Business, 2012), co-authored by Dillon and James Allworth, is perhaps his most personal. Christensen--a soft-spoken but charismatic and commanding presence at 6'8"--was as gifted a teacher as he was a thinker. On the last day of his classes at Harvard Business School, he would ask his students to seek answers to three questions: How can I be sure I'll be happy in my career? How can I be sure my relationships with my spouse and other family members are an enduring source of happiness? And how can I be sure I'll stay out of jail? He wasn't kidding about that last one. Several accomplished people Christensen met during his career would go on to do time, including Enron's Jeffrey Skilling, who was an HBS classmate. In How Will You Measure Your Life? Christensen argues that in life, as in business, how things turn out depends on where you allocate your resources: your time, your energy, and your passion. The father of five, grandfather of eight, and a deeply committed member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Christensen knew his core competency was more than writing business books. "If the decisions about where you invest your blood, sweat, and tears are not consistent with the person you aspire to be," wrote Christensen, "you'll never become that person." New Delhi: On the occasion of 71st Republic Day of India, National Flag was unfurled at the embassy of India situated at Tokyo, Japan. Ambassador Sanjay Kumar Verma hoisted the National Flag in the morning of January 26. A huge mass of about 700 people participated in the Republic Day event in Japan. The flag hoisting ceremony was followed by the singing of the National Anthem and the customary reading out by the Ambassador of the Presidents Address to the Nation on the eve of Republic Day. The India-Japan embassy shared the moments of Republic day celebration in its Twitter handle writing, ''71st Republic Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm @IndianEmbTokyo Ambassador HE Mr Sanjay Kumar Verma hoisted the National Flag and read out the address of Hon'ble President of India @rashtrapatibhvn to the Nation.'' #71stRepublicDay was celebrated with great enthusiasm @IndianEmbTokyo. Ambassador HE Mr Sanjay Kumar Verma hoisted the #NationalFlag and read out the address of Hon'ble President of India @rashtrapatibhvn to the Nation. 1/3 #IndiaInJapan #NewIndia pic.twitter.com/Gl6G5zaWWC India in Japan(@IndianEmbTokyo) January 26, 2020 Students of India International School in Japan (IISJ), Tokyo and Global Indian International School (GIIS), Tokyo and a group of ladies from Embassy sang patriotic songs. Live TV Two of Japan's leading national newspapers, 'Japan News' and 'Japan Times, released a special supplement on Indias 70th Republic Day. They carried the Ambassador of Indias Message as well as congratulatory messages by Japanese dignitaries as well as various players in India-Japan Trade and Commerce Sphere. The Republic day celebration in India was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovonid along with Brazilian President who was the Chief Guest of the event at Rajpath. The ceremonial Republic day parade observed marchpast of the army troops and tableaux of several states portrayed the cultural and traditional richness of India during the event. And although the Democratic primary for mayor is more than a year away, Mr. Diaz seemed to be ceding ground to his rivals. Since July, he has raised about $94,000, and has spent $102,000. Mr. Stringer, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Adams have each raised at least three times that amount, and have spent tens of thousands of dollars less. Mr. Diaz does have about $900,000 in his campaign war chest, but Mr. Adams and Mr. Stringer each have more than $2 million; Mr. Johnson has nearly $700,000. Mr. Diaz said that he has eased off on fund-raising efforts as he wrestled with whether to proceed with a campaign. I cannot continue to pretend to folks, ask them for money, ask them to support me when after, really thinking about this and feeling it and doing soul-searching and speaking with my family, I know Im not giving it 100 percent, he said. Mr. Diaz said he will return all donations that he has raised for this race, and hopes his supporters will rally around another candidate. Im doing it now so my supporters have ample time to recalibrate on whatever they want to do in terms of other candidates, Mr. Diaz said. Im at peace with it. Carl Heastie, the New York State Assembly speaker and a close friend of Mr. Diazs, said he was disappointed not to see the Bronx borough president become the next mayor. But, Mr. Heastie said, I wasnt surprised. Advertisement Felicity Huffman and her oldest daughter were spotted arriving at New York City's John F. Kennedy Airport in medical face masks amid the coronavirus crisis. The Desperate Housewives actress, 56, - who was released from a short 11 day prison sentence on October 25 - was seen pulling her suitcase along with 19-year-old Sophia who became embroiled her mother's college admissions legal drama last year. The pair were bundled up for the winter weather, and donned matching blue face masks to try and prevent themselves catching the deadly coronavirus as the US confirms its first three cases. The virus has already spread to at least 12 countries and killed 56 since it was discovered in Wuhan, China. Scroll down for video Felicity Huffman (right), 56, and her oldest daughter Sophia Macy (left), 19, were seen arriving at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, New York, wearing blue face masks as fears of the coronavirus spread Sophia Macy (left) became collateral damage in Huffman's (right) federal legal drama after the actress paid a proctor $15,000 to boost the teenager's SAT scores Huffman was slapped with a two week prison stay after previously paying a test proctor $15,000 to boost her daughters' SAT scores. Sophia was reportedly intent on attending The Julliard School and was flew out two days after her mother's arrest for a final audition. According to Huffman's husband and Sophia's father, William H. Macy, the top tier performing arts schools uninvited her from the process. 'She flew to the school two days after her mom's arrest for the final selections. When she landed, the school emailed her withdrawing their invitation to audition,' Macy wrote in a letter to a federal judge in a plea for leniency in Huffman's case. After pleading guilty, Huffman (pictured) served 11 days of a two week prison sentence in California and was ordered to pay a $30,000 fine, as well as complete 250 hours of community service Since the Varsity Blues scandal, the family has been working on rebuilding their once strong bond and going to therapy together to sort out their issues Sophia Macy has begun to move on from the drama, having recently booked a gig acting on season two of Jordan Peele's Twilight Zone on CBS. It's unclear what role she'll play or how many episodes she'll be featured in. '[Sophia] called us from the airport in hysterics, begging us to "do something, please, please do something",' he added. Macy stood by Huffman throughout the ordeal, noting that his wife's relationship with her two daughters 'exploded' after the college admissions scandal went public. Since the scandal, the family has been working on rebuilding their once strong bond and going to therapy together to sort out their issues. Sophia appears to have made strides past the initial drama and following her parent's footsteps into acting. It was revealed in January that Sophia has landed a gig on season two of Jordan Peele's Twilight Zone on CBS. It's unclear what role she will play and how many episodes she will be featured in. Macy continues to act as Frank Gallagher in the critically acclaimed show Shameless, and the couple's youngest daughter, Georgia, is set to attend Vassar University in in 2020. Husband, William H. Macy (right), revealed that Huffman's (left) relationship with her two daughters has 'exploded' since the college admissions scandal and the family is working to rebuild their bond Huffman has begun to move on as well by completing a mandated 250-hours of community service work, and a $30,000 fine, as a part of her punishment. Since November, she has been putting in time at The Teen Project, a center in Los Angeles which serves at risk homeless and sex trafficked women. Huffman will spend a year completing the community service work as court proceedings continue to work through the 53 people charged, like actress Lori Loughlin, in the explosive case. While Huffman has pleaded guilty to the allegations, Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli maintain their innocence as they face three charges and potentially 45 years in jail. Loughlin may be resigning to stint in jail as reports say she hired a prison expert to help her learn the ropes in case she's convicted. News of the evacuation came as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide jumped to 1,396 on Saturday morning, including 42 fatalities. Patients are seen undergoing treatment at Wuhan Central Hospital The new virus comes from a large family of what are known as coronaviruses, some causing nothing worse than a cold. It causes cold- and flu-like symptoms, including cough and fever and, in more severe case, shortness of breath. It can worsen to pneumonia, which can be fatal. Most of China's provinces and cities activated a Level 1 public health alert, the highest in a four-tier system, the state-owned China Daily newspaper reported Saturday (pictured, medics at Wuhan Red Cross Hospital) Meanwhile, health officials and several countries are rushing to get handle on the coronavirus as it continues to spread across the globe. CONFIRMED US CORONAVIRUS CASES 1. Man in Washington state The first US coronavirus case was confirmed on Tuesday, January 21. The patient - a Washington man in his 30s who lives in Snohomish County - has been quarantined at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, outside of Seattle. The man had traveled by himself from Wuhan but did not visit any of the markets at the epicenter of the outbreak. He reportedly had no symptoms upon arrival in the US on January 15, but after reading about the outbreak online and developing symptoms, he contacted his doctor. The patient allegedly sought treatment on January 16 and was tested the following day. He is said to be in stable condition. He is being treated in a bio-containment room by a few staff members and a robot to limit the spread of the virus. The robot has a stethoscope attached to take the man's vitals and a large screen so doctors can communicate with him, Dr George Diaz, chief of the infectious disease division at the Providence Regional Medical Center, told CNN. 'The nursing staff in the room move the robot around so we can see the patient in the screen, talk to him,' Dr Diaz told the network. Officials have also been monitoring more than a dozen people the man reportedly came into contact with in the five days between when he arrived back in the US and when he was diagnosed. 2. Woman in Chicago The CDC confirmed the second US case on Friday - a 60-year-old woman in Chicago, Illinois, who had traveled to Wuhan in late December. The woman, who has not been named, arrived at O'Hare International Airport on January 13 but did not begin experiencing symptoms until several days later. Health officials say the woman appears to be 'well' and in stable condition. The unidentified patient is currently in isolation at St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. 3. Patient in California Orange County Health Care Agency announced that a patient in California had tested positive for novel coronavirus. The agency said the patient had traveled from Wuhan and reached out to the health care agency prior to being diagnosed. They were given guidance to avoiding exposing the public to the virus while waiting for test results. 'The individual has now been transported to a local hospital and is in isolation in good condition,' added the agency who did not identify the patient. 'In consultation with the CDC and the California Department of Public Health, the HCA is following up directly with all individuals who have had close contact with the case and are at risk of infection.' Advertisement In North America, there are four confirmed cases: California, Washington, Chicago and Canada. More than 2,000 cases of the virus have been confirmed by several governments worldwide as at least 56 people - most of them in China - have died. Orange County Health Care Agency announced that a patient in California had tested positive for novel coronavirus. The agency said the patient had traveled from Wuhan and reached out to the health care agency prior to being diagnosed. They were given guidance to avoiding exposing the public to the virus while waiting for test results. 'The individual has now been transported to a local hospital and is in isolation in good condition,' added the agency who did not identify the patient. Canada confirmed its first case Saturday, as a man in his 50s was quarantined in Toronto, while two cases have been confirmed in the United States - one in Chicago and another in Snohomish County, Washington. News of the virus spreading into North America comes as the United States government warns it won't have enough seats on a rescue plane to evacuate all US citizens from the Chinese city of Wuhan amid a deadly outbreak of coronavirus - and the jet won't even arrive for two days. The US consulate is reaching out to all Americans registered as living in Wuhan - considered to be the epicenter of the deadly outbreak - to offer them a seat on a charter flight scheduled for Tuesday. A source familiar with the chartered evacuation flight told CNN that roughly 1,000 Americans live in Wuhan, and those who choose to leave will be forced to pay for their spot on the Boeing 767 jet, which carries around 230 people. The State Department released a statement late on Saturday which read: 'The Department of State is making arrangements to relocate its personnel stationed at the US Consulate General in Wuhan to the United States. 'We anticipate that there will be limited capacity to transport private US citizens on a reimbursable basis on a single flight leaving Wuhan Tianhe International Airport on January 28, 2020 and proceeding directly to San Francisco.' Since space is limited, the government says that 'priority will be given to individuals at greater risk from coronavirus.' The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said it is involved in the efforts to help Americans leave Wuhan. 'Department of State has the lead for the safe and expedient ordered departure of all US citizens from Wuhan, China,' CDC spokeswoman Kristen Nordlund told CNN. 'CDC is aware and coordinating in the planning.' Horrifying videos posted to social media show chaos at hospitals and doctors collapsing on the floor in Wuhan as Chinese authorities struggle to gain control of the epidemic. Washington was given approval for the operation from China's Foreign Ministry and other government agencies following negotiations in recent days. The US also plans to temporarily shut its Wuhan consulate, it said. Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Canada, said it is 'caring for a patient who has a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China.' Officials said the man is his 50s and recently flew from Wuhan, China to Guangzhou, China and then on to Toronto on January 23. 'He really wasn't in Toronto very long. He wasn't feeling well. I think he was at home and the people that live with him are in self isolation,' said Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Ontario's Associated Chief Medical Officer. Meanwhile, a suburban Chicago hospital is currently treating a 60-year-old woman who is a confirmed carrier of the virus after she returned from Wuhan. The unidentified patient is currently in isolation at St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. It came days after America's first confirmed case - a Washington man in his 30s who lives in Snohomish County, who has been quarantined at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, outside of Seattle. Cities across America are on high alert amid the escalating coronavirus crisis as 63 people in 22 states are suspected to have contracted the deadly strain. The outbreak of the new virus originated in China, where it has infected more than 1,975 people and killed 56, and has spread worldwide. Australia and Malaysia reported their first cases Saturday - four each - and Japan, its third. France confirmed three cases Friday, the first in Europe. In Canada, while the case has been confirmed by a test in Toronto, officials said it has yet to complete separate testing by the federal government's National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases in Winnipeg. The illness will officially be fully confirmed once it completes that testing. Dr. David Williams, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health, said they are 95% sure it is the virus. 'This is the first presumptive confirmed case,' said Williams. 'While we are convinced our tests do demonstrate positivity there is confirmation at the national medical laboratory in Winnipeg and once that is done is is a fully confirmed case.' The man is now in stable condition in isolation. He was admitted to hospital a day after his flight to Toronto. As of Saturday evening, there are three confirmed cases and 64 suspected cases of coronavirus in the United States and Canada More than 1,300 people have been infected globally with the virus traced to a seafood market in the central city of Wuhan that was illegally selling wildlife Coronavirus: What we know so far What is this virus? The virus has been identified as a new type of coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a large family of pathogens, most of which cause mild respiratory infections such as the common cold. But coronaviruses can also be deadly. SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, is caused by a coronavirus and killed hundreds of people in China and Hong Kong in the early 2000s. Can it kill? Yes. Seventeen people have so far died after testing positive for the virus. What are the symptoms? Its symptoms are typically a fever, cough and trouble breathing, but some patients have developed pneumonia, a potentially life-threatening infection that causes inflammation of the small air sacs in the lungs. People carrying the novel coronavirus may only have mild symptoms, such as a sore throat. They may assume they have a common cold and not seek medical attention, experts fear. How is it detected? The virus's genetic sequencing was released by scientists in China to the rest of the world to enable other countries to quickly diagnose potential new cases. This helps other countries respond quickly to disease outbreaks. To contain the virus, airports are detecting infected people with temperature checks. But as with every virus, it has an incubation period, meaning detection is not always possible because symptoms have not appeared yet. How did it start and spread? The first cases identified were among people connected to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan. Cases have since been identified elsewhere which could have been spread through human-to-human transmission. What are countries doing to prevent the spread? Countries in Asia have stepped up airport surveillance. They include Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines. Australia and the US are also screening patients for a high temperature, and the UK announced it will screen passengers returning from Wuhan. Is it similar to anything we've ever seen before? Experts have compared it to the 2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The epidemic started in southern China and killed more than 700 people in mainland China, Hong Kong and elsewhere Advertisement It appears that all of the patients currently awaiting test results after showing symptoms consistent with the virus - such as fever, cough and runny nose - had either visited Wuhan recently or were in contact with someone who visited the city. Those patients are believed to have all been isolated either in hospitals or in their homes to reduce the risk of exposing others. US health officials warned on Friday that the flu or other respiratory illnesses could complicate efforts to identify additional cases. 'We're really working to understand the full spectrum of the illness with this coronavirus,' Dr Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Messonnier, said at a briefing. 'The problem with this time of year is it's cold and flu season and there are lots of cold and respiratory infections circulating.' The CDC has recommended that anyone with symptoms contact a health-care provider before seeking treatment so the appropriate precautionary measures can be put in place. The agency is trying to expedite screenings by providing up tests to state health officials. It currently takes the CDC about four to six hours to make a diagnosis once a sample arrives at its lab. Two people from Minnesota and three people from Michigan are currently being tested. Also being monitored are two college students, one from Texas A&M University and another from Tennessee Tech University. The US government is planning to evacuate 1,000 American citizens from the coronavirus-stricken Chinese city of Wuhan. Photos from inside the intensive care unit at Zhongnan Hospital in Wuhan show medical workers caring for critically-ill patients this week (above) Medical staff members wearing protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus which began in the city, walk at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital in China Public health entry screenings are currently taking place Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, John F Kennedy International Airport in New York and San Francisco International Airport. The screening begins with a survey to determine whether a traveler shows possible coronavirus symptoms and whether they visited the meat or seafood markets in Wuhan that have been tied to the outbreak. If they appear to have any symptoms associated with coronavirus, travelers are taken to on-site triage for further examination and a temperature check. The State Department issued its highest travel warning for Wuhan on Thursday, advising Americans to not travel to the region. The level 4 warning puts the city on par with countries such as Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, North Korea, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen. Some 57 million people across 15 Chinese cities are now on lockdown as officials work to slow the virus' rapid spread. The coronavirus strain, known as 2019-nCov, is believed to have emerged from illegally-traded wildlife at a seafood market in Wuhan, a city 700 miles south of the capital of Beijing. Dramatic video showed people collapsing on sidewalks in Wuhan, the Chinese city where the outbreak originated While preliminary research suggests the virus was passed to humans from snakes, Chinese health officials reported this week that some cases have been caused by human-to-human transmission increasing the risk of it spreading. Experts don't yet know how quickly the disease can spread from person-to-person, but a World Health Organisation (WHO) official has said it is transmitted faster than previously thought. 'We are now seeing second and third generation spread,' Dr David Heymann, the chairperson of a WHO committee gathering data on the virus, said Thursday. Third generation means that someone who became infected after handling animals at the market in Wuhan, China, could transmit the virus to someone else, who then passes it to a third person. Heymann said the virus initially appeared to spread only by very close contact that would typically occur within a family, such as hugging, kissing or sharing eating utensils. He said new evidence suggests more distant contact could spread the virus, such as if an infected person were to sneeze or cough near someone else's face. Heymann noted that there is no evidence indicated that the virus is airborne and could spread across a room. Last week, US officials began funneling all passengers arriving in the US from Wuhan on direct or connecting flights through five major airports - including O'Hare (pictured) to ensure that they are screened Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves next to Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro and India's President Ram Nath Kovind as they arrive to attend India's Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India. (Image: Reuters) EDMONTON - Cassidy Armstrong says she washes her hands, cleans her vegetables and doesn't own any pets. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/1/2020 (716 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Cassidy Armstrong poses for a portrait in Edmonton, Alta., Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. Armstrong had surgery in November for what she thought was a rare, terminal cancer. She found out a day or two later that the grapefruit-sized lump doctors had removed from her liver during a four-hour operation was a rare parasite. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson EDMONTON - Cassidy Armstrong says she washes her hands, cleans her vegetables and doesn't own any pets. "How did I get it? I don't know," says the 36-year-old from Edmonton. Armstrong had surgery in November for what she thought was a rare, terminal cancer. She found out a day or two later that the grapefruit-sized lump doctors had removed from her liver during a four-hour operation was a cyst created by a rare parasite. "It felt like a movie," she recalled in an interview. "There was a big group of people. They were disease doctors. "They said, 'We have good news for you. What you have is not cancer ... What we think you have is this very rare parasite called Echinococcus multilocularis.'" The tiny tapeworm found in foxes, coyotes and domestic dogs can be passed on to people. Dr. Stan Houston, an infectious disease expert at the University of Alberta, said there were only two cases in all of North America prior to an outbreak in Alberta that, including Armstrong, has infected 15 people since 2013. He said there has also been at least one case in each of Saskatchewan, Quebec and Ontario. "It is absolutely new," he said. "It's a serious disease for the individuals who get it and we are probably going to be seeing more cases. "Nonetheless it remains a rare disease." Veterinarians first identified the parasite in the wild and, since then, have determined that the tapeworm has become common in Alberta wildlife, particularly coyotes. "It's actually tiny," said Dr. Claudia Klein, associate professor in the faculty of veterinary medicine at the University of Calgary. "You can see the adult tapeworm, barely, with your bare eyes." Recent studies have found a high incidence of infected coyotes, foxes and rodents across Alberta, including at off-leash dog parks in Calgary. The tapeworm is spread through the feces of coyotes and foxes that have eaten infected rodents. Dogs can get it through contact with the feces or by eating infected rodents. The worm can be passed on to people on fruits or vegetables, by handling contaminated soil or through an infected pet's fur. "Up until a few years ago, that tapeworm was very rare in Canada and we hadn't heard of a case in humans," said Klein. She noted it is common in China and Europe. Patients can carry the tapeworm for many years. In Armstrong's case, doctors believe she may have had it for a decade. Armstrong's symptoms started a few years ago with a dull ache in her ribs and some tiredness. The signs would come and go. An X-ray and blood tests couldn't determine what was wrong. "In the last six months, it was just constantly there," she said. Armstrong finally asked for an ultrasound, which found the lump on her liver. It was diagnosed as fibrolamellar carcinoma. Surgery was scheduled for a week later. "They removed 65 per cent of my liver, my gall bladder, a couple of nodules from my lungs, scraped my diaphragm," she said. "It was a very, very big surgery." When the doctors told her what they'd discovered, she was confused. "I was kind of doped up so I was like, 'Well, is that a good thing?'" she said. "They said, 'Yes, it's a better thing' than what they thought I had." She is on medication, probably for the rest of her life, in case any of the parasite remains in her body. Houston said 13 of the 15 patients in Alberta have been dog owners. People can prevent the spread by washing their hands thoroughly and cleaning any vegetables that have been grown outside. "Everybody pets a dog and most people eat produce," he said. "People can't give it to other people, but theoretically your dog could give it to other people." Armstrong, who hasn't had a dog since she was a little girl, said she worked as a mechanic and had contact with farm equipment, but she has no idea where she picked up the tapeworm. "You can get it from eating the wrong carrot," she said. "I wash my hands and I clean my stuff. I'll probably never know." This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Jan. 26, 2020. Quebec provincial police say a body has been found inside a home that caught fire overnight in Crabtree, Que., in the Lanaudiere region. Firefighters were called to the home around 2:30 a.m. Sunday. When they arrived, the house was engulfed in flames. The investigation was transferred to the Surete du Quebec, and officers found a body in the ruins. The person has not been identified. A car is parked in the home's driveway, and a neighbour told Radio-Canada a man lived alone in the home. Crabtree is about 70 kilometres north of downtown Montreal. Victoria Beckham has been slammed by animal rights groups for using a crocodile skin handbag after previously declaring her beauty empire to be 'cruelty free'. The fashion and beauty mogul, 45, was seen carrying the 16,000 Hermes Birkin bag while she was attending Paris Fashion Week with her husband David, 44. The former Spice Girl sported the designer bag despite having previously been sent a 'Virkin' bag, made from Vegan leather. Hitting out: Victoria Beckham, 45, has been slammed by animal rights groups for using a crocodile skin handbag after previously declaring her beauty empire to be 'cruelty free' Victoria previously declared that her cosmetics range, Victoria Beckham Beauty, is a 'cruelty-free makeup brand'. In February of last year, it was announced the mother-of-four's clothing line would no longer use exotic animal skins in its collection, while it had previously been fur-free. In a statement to MailOnline, PETA director Elisa Allen said: 'Victoria has taken a vital first step by ridding her brand of exotic skins, and we bet this decision will soon be reflected in her personal wardrobe choices, too, as fake snake and mock croc beat the corpse couture of yesteryear, vintage or not. 'So many designers, including fellow British style icons Stella McCartney and Vivienne Westwood, create killer clothes that no one has to die for, and Victoria is heading in that direction.' Designer: The fashion and beauty mogul was seen carrying the 16,000 Hermes Birkin bag while she was attending Paris Fashion Week with her husband David, 44 MailOnline has contacted a representative for Victoria for comment. After announcing Victoria's brand would ditch animal skins last year, a spokesperson said: 'Victoria Beckham will cease the use of exotic skins in all collections as of AW19. 'The Victoria Beckham brand has never used fur in its clothing or accessories collections and confirmed last year that the brand will remain fur free.' Birkin bags are handmade in leather and first emerged in the 1980s, quickly becoming a status symbol for their high cost and long waiting lists. Once seen as the rarest handbag in the world, a Birkin sold for an eye-watering 290,000 at an auction in Hong Kong in 2017. Business: Victoria previously declared that her cosmetics range, Victoria Beckham Beauty, is a 'cruelty-free makeup brand' During her trip to Paris, Victoria and David enjoyed a romantic date night at Chez l'Ami Louis where they indulged in buttery escargot, 2k red wine and chips. Victoria also enjoyed a night in with her eldest son Brooklyn, 20, who treated his mum by cooking dinner for the pair of them. The style maven joked that the duo had 'broken into' David's wine cellar and proceeded to tuck into a bottle of 200 Sassicaia 2013. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- Police are asking the publics assistance in locating an unidentified man sought for questioning in connection with a bank robbery Saturday in Grasmere. Police responded just after 1:30 p.m. to Santander Bank at 1320 Hylan Blvd where a white male had reportedly approached a teller and passed a note demanding cash, according to a written statement from the office of Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. The suspect -- described to be in his 40s or 50s, wearing a camouflage jacket with a black hooded sweatshirt underneath -- fled with $600. Courtesy of NYPD On Tuesday, an unidentified individual drove to the drive-up teller window of the Santander bank in Castleton Corners and passed two notes demanding money through the chute, according to a statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. Police responded to that incident at about 1:30 p.m. As of Sunday, police had not linked the two incidents as a robbery pattern. Anyone with information in regard to the incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public also can submit their tips on the Crime Stoppers website, or on Twitter @NYPDTips. Two people who crawled from under barbed wire at Armenias border checkpoint Armavir Province have been detained. Yesterday, at about 5:30pm, police received a call from the Russian border guard military unit that they had found two persons without documents at the Yervandashat-Bagaran precinct, who reported that they were locals, shamshyan.com reported. Armavir Province residents Igor B., 25, Mkhitar P., 27, were taken to a police station from the area monitored by the border guards in the Yervandashat administrative district. Igor B. had a machine gun, and Mkhitar P. had a gun with several bullets. It turned out that the same day at about 4:30pm they entered a protected area of the restricted border zone by crawling from under the barbed wire running across Yervandashat to hunt. They were detected at the exact spot, and with their weapons. Police are preparing a report on the case. A number of forensic examinations have been appointed. Igor B. and Mkhitar P. are detained. Lyle and Marie McCann were taking a road trip. It was the summer of 2010 and the two seniors, just a few weeks shy of their 58th wedding anniversary, had set out in their motorhome from their home in St. Albert, Alta., to visit Chilliwack, B.C. But Lyle, a long-haul trucker who loved to tell stories, and Marie, who was renowned among her friends for her homemade pies, never arrived. The McCanns burned-out motorhome was discovered at an Alberta campground, and the vehicle they were towing turned up about 30 kilometres away. Their bodies were never found. Travis Vader, 38 years old in July 2010, was described in court as a desperate drug addict who had killed the couple during a robbery. In September 2016, Vader was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder. In October 2016, the judge changed the conviction to two counts of manslaughter after it was revealed that hed relied on a section of the Criminal Code that had been ruled unconstitutional. In January 2017, Vader was sentenced to one term of life in prison, with parole eligibility in seven years. However, as a result of time served before his conviction, Vader will be eligible for parole this March a fact that haunts Bret McCann, one of the McCanns three children. The one individual who knows where my parents are has said nothing for this whole time, McCann told a sentencing hearing in December 2016. Travis Vader, where are the bodies of my parents? Vader, who maintained his innocence throughout the trial and several appeals, has refused to say. Murder and manslaughter convictions without a body are rare. The McCann case is one of just a handful like it in Canada, reminiscent of the 2017 convictions of Dellen Millard and Mark Smich. The two were sentenced to life in prison for the death of Toronto woman Laura Babcock. Like the McCanns, her body was never found. Now an Alberta MP wants to make it harder for people like Vader, Millard and Smich to obtain parole. In September 2017, just months after Vader received his life sentence, Dane Lloyd was vying for the Alberta riding of Sturgeon RiverParkland in a byelection. Lloyd was familiar with the McCann case. He had been working on updating the criminal codes various zombie clauses outdated sections like the one the judge in the McCann case used. Just a month earlier, Australias Queensland state had passed a no body, no parole law, inspired by multiple cases, including the murder of an 81-year-old grandmother by a man who had hours earlier been released on parole. It was the second Australian state to pass such a law after South Australia. Inspired, Lloyd reached out to Bret McCann to ask if he would support such a law. McCann, who now coincidentally lives in Australia, said yes. Lloyd won the byelection, promising to fight for a Canadian no body, no parole law, and introduced Bill C-437, or McCanns Law, in March 2019. The process was interrupted by the federal election, but Lloyd, newly re-elected, hopes to reintroduce the bill during the new session of Parliament. The number of cases affected by McCanns law would be few, but for the families of those victims, the law could make a huge difference, Lloyd said. One case he looked at while writing McCanns Law was that of Cody Legebokoff of northern British Columbia, considered one of Canadas youngest serial killers. Legebokoff was convicted in 2014 of four first-degree murders, three women and a teenage girl, all of whom died between 2009 and 2010. To this day, Legebokoff has not revealed the location of the body of Natasha Montgomery, one of his victims. He was sentenced to life in prison with no parole for 25 years, meaning he will be eligible for parole in 2035. In Eastern Canada, a GoFundMe page active since June 2017 tells the story of Taylor Samson, a Dalhousie University student who went missing in 2015. Though Samsons body was never found, fellow student William Sandeson was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, with parole eligibility after 25 years. The fundraiser, set up by a family friend, asks the public to help Samsons mother, Linda Boutilier, continue the search for her sons body. As Sandeson was escorted from the courtroom following his sentencing, The Canadian Press reported that Boutilier shouted after him: Wheres Taylor, Will? McCanns Law would put more tools in the tool box for judges sentencing these kinds of cases, said Lloyd. However, he stressed that the law would not be as absolute as it sounds. Were not saying that if theres never a body, theres never a parole, he said, adding that the law is often misunderstood. Some critics have said it could be too absolute, or could result in longer sentences for wrongfully convicted people. Lloyd said all of this has been taken into consideration. The no body, no parole thing really sticks in peoples minds, he said. Its easy to explain, and its easy to attack. However, the law that Im putting forward is much more nuanced. According to Queens University assistant law professor Lisa Kerr, for those convicted of first-degree murder, a life sentence with no parole for 25 years is automatic, with the potential for consecutive periods of parole ineligibility in cases with more than one victim. In second-degree murder cases, the sentence is still life, but with more flexibility in terms of parole ineligibility. Its only in manslaughter cases that the judge can actually decide the length of the sentence, Kerr said. In sentencing, Bill C-437 would give the judge a discretionary clause with which to extend the period of parole ineligibility, explained Lloyd. Right now, people convicted of manslaughter or second-degree murder are usually eligible for parole once one third of their sentence has been served. Those who are sentenced to life imprisonment for manslaughter would normally be eligible for parole after seven years, as Vader is. With McCanns law, Lloyd wants judges to be able to extend a convicted parole ineligibility to one half of their sentence or 10 years, whichever is less, said Lloyd. The law, which would also apply to people convicted of aiding in murder or manslaughter, could also be used by parole boards to justify denying someone parole, Lloyd said. The key word here is discretion, he said, adding that the law is intended more as an incentive or deterrent than as an additional punishment. I want to have something thats novel, and something that I think will create the leverage in the judicial system to have closure for families, he said. Its not about punishing the criminals. Its about giving them an incentive to co-operate. However, Kerr said that functionally, Bill C-437 wouldnt change much. In second-degree and manslaughter cases, the judge already has discretion when it comes to the period of parole ineligibility, she said in manslaughter cases, a court can order a ten-year period instead of seven, taking a number of factors into consideration including concerns of rehabilitation and deterrence. The Criminal Code already has given judges the power to delay parole in exactly that way, she said, adding that the court may consider a number of factors in that decision. Bill C-437 would, in effect, simply add the failure to divulge information leading to discovery of remains as a specific factor in this kind of decision. Its drawing the judges attention to one factor over others, Kerr said. And when it comes to the parole board, she said failure to disclose the location of remains is already likely an important factor in their decision, so Bill C-437 would merely direct the parole board to consider it. The parole board already has a very broad mandate to assess risk when theyre making release decisions, and I can tell you that an offender who refuses to take responsibility, who hasnt disclosed the details of their offence ... that person is not going to do well in front of the parole board, she said. Bills like C-437 often come about because of particularly distressing cases such as the McCanns, Kerr noted. She agreed that the bill could, in some cases, provide an incentive for defendants to divulge information in exchange for a lighter sentence. Travis Vader has already been sentenced, but Lloyd said if McCanns Law is passed in time, it could affect Vaders chances of being approved for parole. Though he is eligible for parole in just over two months, McCann said he hasnt heard of Vader applying just yet. But its not just about Vader anymore, he said. It gives some homage to my parents, and some point to the tragedy that befell them, McCann said. If there can be some positive thing that comes out of it, then that would be really nice. Lloyd agreed, adding that he has faith in the legal system to use McCanns Law as needed. I believe ... the vast majority of judges and parole board members do not want to see families live with the trauma of not knowing what happened to the remains of their loved ones, he said. I believe that, given these extra tools, that they will use their best judgment to do the right thing. Canadian cases with convictions of murder or manslaughter without a body are rare. Here are six that captured the publics attention: 1. Toronto-area woman Laura Babcock disappeared in July 2012. Though her body was never found, Dellen Millard and Mark Smich were convicted of first-degree murder in Dec. 2017. The pair were also convicted of killing Tim Bosma, a Hamilton man who went missing in 2013. Millard was also convicted of first-degree murder in the death of his father. 2. Natasha Lynn Montgomery is one of four victims killed by Cody Legebokoff of northern B.C., considered one of Canadas youngest serial killers. He was convicted in 2014 of four first-degree murders, three women and a teenage girl, all of whom died between 2009 and 2010. To this day, Legebokoff has not given up the location of Montgomerys remains. 3. Taylor Samson, a Dalhousie University student, went missing in 2015. Though Samsons body was never found, fellow student William Sandeson was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, with parole eligibility after 25 years. 4. The story of Scarboroughs Robert Baltovich is perhaps one of Canadas most well-known cases of wrongful conviction. Baltovich was convicted in 1992 for the murder of his girlfriend Elizabeth Bain, whose body was never found, and spent almost a decade in prison before he appealed and was granted a retrial that found him not guilty. 5. Doug Snider, a doctor in the small town of Fairview, Alta., went missing in May of 1999. Fellow doctor Abraham Cooper was convicted of manslaughter in 2000, despite Sniders remains never being found. Cooper was released in 2008. 6. Antiques collector Hugh Sinclair of Toronto disappeared in July of 1999. Timothy Culham was convicted in 2001, before Sinclairs remains were found in 2002. With files from The Canadian Press and Claire Theobald Read more about: At Maine South, plans calls for construction of a new hallway at the rear of the building, connecting the center of the school with the A-Wing building, and enclosing an existing, open-air courtyard that students frequently use throughout the year to access A-Wing classrooms. Changes to the front entrance of the school have also been proposed. Haiti - News : Zapping... Chancellor Edmond thanks Pompeo "I thank Secretary Pompeo for his clear support for democracy in Haiti. The Jovenel Moise administration is leading the call to hold elections in Haiti & reform the constitution through a large consensus to prevent ongoing political deadlock & long-term economic instability for Haiti," Bocchit Edmond. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-29859-haiti-news-zapping.html Education : statement by Jovenel Moise "International Education Day is celebrated to highlight the role of education in the development and establishment of peace. I join this celebration by reaffirming my commitment to improving learning conditions in Haiti," President Jovenel Moise See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-29865-haiti-education-international-day-of-education-speech-by-minister-cadet.html Words of sympathy from UNESCO Unesco Haiti joins its partners in expressing its deepest sympathies to the parents and relatives of the students victims of the recent incidents respectively in Delmas 105 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-29837-haiti-flash-a-truck-strucks-a-school-at-least-5-student-victims.html and at the Croix-des-Bouquets https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-29850-haiti-news-zapping.html National Carnival 2020 Sunday, January 26, the parade order of the musical floats of this 2nd Sunday of pre-carnival festivities in Port-au-Prince will be : Tonymix, Tapaje, Fanfan, CashCash, Chawolen and Valmix. Research Unit in Geosciences of the UEH The creation of the Geosciences Research Unit (URGeo) at the Faculty of Sciences is one of the most important contributions of the State University of Haiti (UEH) in terms of post-seismic structural responses in the country, can one read in the editorial of the Research Bulletin. Haitian Women's Economic Forum Monday January 27, 2020, the 3rd edition of the Haitian Women's Economic Forum (FEFHA) will be held at the El Rancho hotel at 9:00 a.m. in the Epicure room. A hundred women will participate during the day in the various workshops which will be led by Haitian women from Haiti and the Diaspora. HL/ HaitiLibre New Delhi: India marked its 71st Republic Day with a grand military parade and exhibition of its history, cultural diversity and strategic weaponry at the Rajpath on Sunday. This year's Republic Day was unique for India in many ways. There were several firsts in the celebration this year, including the prime minister paying homage at the National War Memorial, display of Chinook and Apache helicopters in the fly past and showcasing of the A-SAT weapons system. Twenty-two tableaux were on display during the parade, of which 16 were of various states and UTs and six were of ministries, departments and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The band played the national anthem with a 21-gun salute in the background when the tricolour was unfurled by President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rajpath before the start of parade. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute at the National War Memorial along with the service chiefs for all the three armed forces i.e. Army, Navy and Air Force. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Shripad Yesso Naik and Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar were also present on the occasion. Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro was the chief guest for this year's ceremony. This was the third time that a Brazilian president was the chief guest at the Republic Day. Republic Day 2020 Parade: Highlights Captain Tanya Shergil, a fourth generation Army Officer led an all-male marching contingent of the Indian Army Corps of Signals. The motto of the Corps is "Teevra Chaukas"AA. Republic Day parade witnessed an all-woman biker contingent of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Dhanush artillery gun was included for the first time. Dhanush is indigenous long-range artillery developed in-house by Ordnance Factory Board under the flagship project of Make in India. The 'Dhanush' gun system, commanded by Captain Mrigank Bharadwaj, was part of the celebrations for the first time on Sunday. The gun with a maximum range of 36.5 km has the capability of automatic gun alignment and positioning.. Indian Air Force (IAF) also participated in the Republic Day Parade with its tableau showcasing scaled system of the five-fighter system. The models on display during Parade included Rafale Fighter Jet and Tejas Aircraft. The fly-past saw the participation of the newly inducted Apache and Chinook heavy lift helicopters for the first time. The fly-past consisted a total of 41 aircrafts of the IAF including 16 fighter jets, 10 transport aircrafts and 4 Helicopters of the Army Aviation Wing. Anti-Satellite (ASAT) weapon system was also showcased in the parade. Themes for 71st Republic Day tableaux Out of the total 22 tableaux, 16 were of various states and UTs and six of ministries, departments and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The tableaux were presented as part of India's strength in its "Unity in Diversity". Jammu and Kashmir, which participated in the parade for the first time as a Union Territory, had the "Back to Village'' programme as the theme for its tableau. While Goa's tableau highlighted its biodiversity and 'save the frog', its anti-frog poaching campaign, Indian Air Force's tableau was a scaled down model of Rafale aircraft, Tejas aircraft, Light Combat Helicopters, Akash Missiles System, and Astra Missiles against a sky blue background. The tableau of the Ministry of Jal Shakti showcased government's new initiative "Jal Jeevan Mission" which aims to provide a functional tap connection to every rural household by 2024. The National Disaster Response Force's tableau showcased the cutting-edge technology used by the agency during rescue operations in flood-hit areas and Delhi's Anaj Mandi inferno last year. Gujarat - Rani ki Vav - Jal Mandir Meghalaya- Living Root Bridge Punjab- 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Rajasthan - Jaali Jharokha Jammu & Kashmir - Back to Village NDRF - Disaster Relief Technology Ministry of Finance - Financial Inclusion Ministry of Commerce - Startup India Also Read:A Republic Day | India Displays Military Might At Rajpath, Celebrations Across Country Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were among those who attended the celebrations. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Congress leader Devendra Singh Yadav on Sunday lodged an FIR against his party colleague Chandu Kunjir, accusing Kunjir of abusing and slapping him. Two state Congress leaders entered into a brawl ahead of the flag hoisting ceremony at the party headquarters in Indore on Sunday. Devendra Singh Yadav and Chandu Kunjir, were standing in the midst of a group at the party headquarters when the fight broke out between the duo. They were later separated and calmed down with the help of police intervention. However, the matter once again sprung up when Devendra Singh Yadav filed a police complaint against his party colleague for the brawl. In the FIR, Yadav accused Kunjir of abusing and slapping him. "I, along with other workers, was taking care of the arrangements at the party headquarters before the arrival of Chief Minister for the flag hoisting. Only a few leaders were allowed to be near the spot where the CM was supposed to do the flag-hoisting. Kunjir, however, along with a few other anti-social elements tried to enter the area and upon being stopped abused and physically assaulted me," Yadav told reporters here. "I have registered a case regarding the same with the police and will also write to the party leadership demanding strict action against him," he added. Further details are awaited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) McConville hosts marketing class INDEPENDENCE -- Buchanan County Economic Development will host a class on business marketing and branding at 2 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Independence Public Library large meeting room, 805 First St. E. The workshop will be presented by Lori McConville of McConville Consulting. McConville brings more than 40 years of strategic sales, marketing and business development experience to McConville Consulting in her role as CEO and chief strategist. The cost is $10 per attendee but is free to BCEDC Investors. Space is limited to two attendees per business. To register call George Lake at 334-7497 or email director@growbuchanan.com with the companys name and the names of those attending the workshop. Farm rental discussion set TOLEDO -- Tama County Women, Land & Legacy and Iowa Learning Farms will host ConservationSpeak: How to Talk With Your Landowner or Tenant on Thursday at the State Bank of Toledo Community Room, 103 S. Broadway. Dessert and registration will begin at 6:30 p.m., with the event at 7 p.m. Two conservation-minded Tama County producers will share their experiences with ConservationSpeak, and Liz Juchems Ripley of ILF will present Iowa State University research on conservation and introduce ILFs two publication series on ConservationSpeak, Talking With Your Landlord and Talking With Your Tenant. An RSVP is preferred by Wednesday by phoning Mel at (641) 484-2702, ext. 305 or by emailing her at melody.bro@ia.nacdnet.net. This event is free and open to the general public, both women and men. Waterloo firm wins awards WATERLOO -- Cedar Valley Corp. received the 2019 Bravo Award and 2019 ROSE Award at the annual Associated General Contractors of Iowa convention in Des Moines. The company also received the third-place ROSE Award in the Portland Cement Paving Division for contractors in the 100,000300,000 work hours category. Radio station to receive award CEDAR FALLS -- The National Association of Broadcasters will honor Coloff Medias KCVM-FM in Cedar Falls with the NAB Crystal Heritage Award during the We Are Broadcasters Celebration in April in Las Vegas. The Heritage Award recognizes radio stations that have won a total of five Crystal Radio Awards for exceptional year-round community service efforts. Career center addition named WATERLOO This week a signing ceremony officially added Child Care Resource and Referral of Northeast Iowa as a Waterloo Career Center sponsor. The agency serves 19 counties in Northeast Iowa with a regional office in Waterloo. Child Care Resource and Referral will partner with the early childhood education pathway at the WCC. Allen College opens program WATERLOO Allen College is accepting admission applications for its first class into the doctor of physical therapy program. The four-year program will hold 24 students. Admission requirements, application materials and other details about the program are available at allencollege.edu/doctor-of-physical-therapy. Prospective students may participate in an informational webinar from 7 to 8 p.m. Feb. 4 at allencollege.edu. DNR seeking grant applicants DES MOINES -- The DNRs Watershed Improvement Section is accepting applications for a grant to help develop a Statewide Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program. Applications for the grant must be received by Feb. 10. The grant will provide up to $100,000 to a partner that will help carry out two objectives of the Iowa Nonpoint Source Management Plan: Develop and implement a statewide campaign to inform people about water quality issues, motivate involvement, and change behavior. Encourage greater public participation in the monitoring and evaluation of water quality best management practices. More requirements of the proposals sought can be found in the applications, available at www.iowadnr.gov/watershed. Questions on the grant opportunity can be directed to Steve Konrady at Steven.Konrady@dnr.iowa.gov or (515) 725-8388. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 EAT YOUR VEGGIES KC!!! Food Critics: The Best Vegetarian Food In Kansas City In 2020 Kansas City can sometimes be a city of extremes. It has more than 100 barbecue restaurants and counting, yet it's also seen an explosion of more plant-based and vegetarian cuisine, including restaurants that are completely free of meat. Cowtown Tech Success Two KC edtech startups just won $50K each, tickets to OHUB's demo day at SXSW Opportunity Hub pulled out the big checks Friday, awarding two Kansas City edtech startups with $50,000 each as the accelerator nears its culmination at SXSW in March. Three winners from outside KC are expected to establish a presence in the metro as part of their awards. JoCo Burns Man injured in Overland Park house fire caused by improperly discarded cigarette One person was injured early Saturday morning in a house fire at 95th and Catalina streets in Overland Park, according to fire officials. Overland Park and Leawood fire crews were called to the house just after 3:30 a.m. Saturday, according to a news release from the Overland Park Fire Department. Kansas City Talk Today State Rep holds town hall in Northeast. State Representative Barbara Washington hosted a Town Hall meeting Saturday at the Northeast Chamber of Commerce offices on Independence Avenue. Washington represents the Missouri's 23rd District that runs essentially from 9th street south to 35th, Prospect to I-435. Kansas City Pride Royals Fan Fest continues at the Convention Center KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Today is the last day for Fan Fest at the Kansas City Convention Center. Fan Fest is all about the Royals. Players are at various locations throughout the day. Among the many activities, you can throw a pitch like you are on the mound and facing home plate. Panty Parent Company Enjoys EPIC Bounce Back 2020 L Brands Stock Jumps After Yet Another Upgrade. Why Some Analysts Say 'There Is Change Afoot.' For the second time this week, L Brands stock is rising thanks to an analyst upgrade. Barclays ' Adrienne Yih raised her rating on the struggling retailer's stock two notches straight to Overweight from Underweight in a note to clients Thursday. L Brands stock (ticker: LB) rose 3.7% in Thursday trading in response. Macabre Fast Lane Man takes fake-skeleton passenger to skip traffic A driver in the US has been caught trying to disguise a fake skeleton as a passenger so he could use a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane. The Arizona Department of Public Safety said the 62-year-old was pulled over when an official noticed the skeleton, which was wearing a hat and tied to the passenger seat with yellow rope. SENATOR WARREN STAYS WINNING ON PAPER!!! Warren wins prized Des Moines Register endorsement The endorsement comes nine days before the Feb. 3 caucuses, providing enough time for TK to highlight it in ads. In another highly anticipated marker next Saturday, the Register's final poll which be published online and revealed live on CNN. The Register is the most important media endorsement in the state. Kansas Fake Meat Shout Out Kansas lawmakers discuss labeling for meat alternatives TOPEKA, KS (AP) - Kansas lawmakers are considering a bill that would prohibit producers of meat alternatives from using certain meat-related terms, such as jerky or burger, in their marketing. The bill contains 22 terms that producers of plant-based or other meat alternative foods could not use, unless they label the product as "imitation" or include disclaimers that the products contains no meat, The Kansas City Star reported. Show-Me Gamesmanship Momentum building for Missouri to join ranks of states legalizing sports betting KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- For many longtime Kansas City Chiefs fans, the stakes couldn't be higher for Super Bowl LIV. And for gamblers, the Super Bowl is the granddaddy of them all, hundreds of millions of dollars will change hands, much of it illegal betting. KC Ballers Remember If you have a story from Super Bowl IV, the Jackson County Historical Society wants it KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Throw a stone in Kansas City, and someone has a story about the last time the chiefs went to the Super Bowl. That includes Charles Wheeler, the oldest living Kansas City mayor. "Ninety-three," said Wheeler, when asked his age on Friday afternoon. "I was born on August 10. Building KC Creatively FIRST LEGO League holds regional championship KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Building robots and creating real world change. That's the focus for hundreds of students in Kansas City, Missouri, today. FIRST LEGO League held its regional championship today at the Hy-Vee Arena. The event is a way for students to put their robotics skills to the test. For our Saturday night news readers we share a quick peek at pop culture hotness, community news and a few more interesting items from across the metro and the nation.And this is thefor right now . . . The death toll in Chinas rapidly spreading novel coronavirus has climbed to 56 , with authorities in the hard-hit central Chinese Hubei province on Sunday reporting 13 new fatalities and 323 new confirmed cases, pushing the countrywide total to 1985 . The updated toll also marked a steady rise in the cases reported from Beijing and Shanghai, which stood at 51 and 40 respectively. The national health commission (NHC) said it has a record of 1757 confirmed cases of the virus reported from across 30 Chinese provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. At least 324 severe cases were reported until Saturday midnight; in all, there were 2684 suspected cases. India on Saturday issued a new travel advisory asking citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to China. The surge in number of coronavirus cases comes in the backdrop of US, France and Russia on Saturday moving to evacuate their citizens, while India is believed to have reached out to Beijing to do the same and help those stranded in Wuhan to leave the central Chinese city, which is the epicentre of the novel coronavirus (nCoV) outbreak. The evacuation plans come as Chinese President Xi Jinping warned on Saturday that the situation had become grave given the accelerating spread of the virus across the country, which has now put as many as 18 cities under an unprecedented lockdown including Wuhan where policemen were seen turning cars back from city borders. Tens of millions of people in Hubei province are under lockdown as the government races to contain the disease more cities and millions more are likely to come under civil and passenger movement-related restrictions. The President on Saturday chaired a meeting of the Communist Party of Chinas (CPC) politburo standing committee comprising the top seven leaders in the country on the prevention and control of the pneumonia outbreak. The panel decided to set up a CPC Central Committee leading group to oversee the work.The meeting made further study of new arrangements to facilitate treatment of patients. Groups will be sent to Hubei province to direct work on the ground, according to the meeting, official news agency, Xinhua reported. Life is of paramount importance. When an epidemic breaks out, a command is issued. It is our responsibility to prevent and control it, Xi said, ordering CPC committees and governments at all levels to take novel coronavirus outbreak prevention and control as their top priority. Officials announced Saturday that a second Sars treatment-model makeshift hospital will be built half a months time. The hospital, named Leishenshan Hospital, is expected to add around 1,000 beds for the patients, according to the Wuhan headquarters for the control and treatment of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus. Earlier on Friday, the city announced it would follow Beijings SARS treatment model to build and put into use a 25,000 square-meter special hospital with 1,000 beds for admitting patients infected in the outbreak of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus by February 3. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Several new cases of the deadly coronavirus have been confirmed in the U.S., bringing the total infections to five as the situation in China, where the bug originated, grows increasingly dire. Health officials revealed Sunday morning that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that a person in Orange, County California, who had traveled from Wuhan, China, has the virus. They are listed in good condition. Within hours, authorities revealed two more cases: a student at Arizona State University who is not severely ill and a patient who reported he was not feeling well when he got off a plane at Los Angeles International Airport. Everything worked as it should, Dr. Sharon Balter of the L.A. County Department of Public Health. The patient presented for care, the patient was immediately transported to a hospital, the patient has remained in the hospital. Grim Scenes at Chinese Hospitals as Doctors Rush to Treat Deadly Coronavirus Two previous U.S.-based casesa woman in her 60s from Chicago and a man in his 30s from Washington statehave also been confirmed, but the CDC says the risk to Americans is low. There is no evidence that person-to-person transmission has occurred in Orange County, the CDC said in a statement Sunday. The current risk of local transmission remains low. All of the U.S. patients had traveled from Wuhan, the epicenter of the health crisis. Thats important to note because it means there have been no confirmed person-to-person transmissions inside the U.S. In each case, health officials will now need to trace the patients steps and identify anyone who had close contact with them so they can be monitoredand then isolated, as well, if they develop symptoms. The new viruswhich originated in a market that traded live wild animals and likely passed in snake-to-human contacthas infected more than 2,000 people globally, according to Reuters. Health officials in Canada were tracking down passengers who flew with a man from Wuhan to Toronto via Guangzhou on a China Southern Airlines flight last Thursday after confirming his diagnosisthe first in Canada. Story continues China is struggling to contain its outbreak and warned Sunday that doctors there have determined the virus can be passed before the carrier shows symptoms. Ma Ziaowei, head of Chinas National Health Commission, announced Sunday that the new virus incubation period is 10 to 14 days, and it is contagious during that time. That finding has not been publicly confirmed by U.S. or global health officials. If true, it would present a major complication for containment. For instance, in the U.S., those who had close contact with confirmed patients are not quarantined unless they have symptoms, under the belief that they are not contagious until then. Chinas Coronavirus Keeps Spreading but the WHO Still Wont Declare a Global Emergency Chinese authorities have locked down Wuhan and several other cities to stop the virus from galloping across the country, but the U.S. and other countries been given special dispensation to evacuate their citizens. A charter flight from Wuhan to San Francisco with diplomats and private citizens is scheduled for Tuesday, according to CNN. France and Russia have also made similar arrangements. Two new hospitals being built near Wuhan specifically to house those infected with the virus are expected to be completed in the coming week. The Chinese government has also dispatched hundreds of medical officials and military troops to help manage the crisis in the hardest hit areas of the country. As The Daily Beast reported, doctors and nurses are so overwhelmed by the explosion of patients, they are wearing diapers so they dont have to take bathroom breaks. With supplies running low, they are fashioning anti-infection goggles out of spare materials. In a sign of the virus strength, the the death toll in China has climbed from 41 to 56 in just 24 hours. But no deaths have been yet reported in any of the 40 other countries where the virus has been confirmed. Still, Chinese communities across the world have taken precautions ahead of the Lunar New Year celebrations this weekend, including the cancellation of the annual parade in Paris on Sunday. Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo said Sunday that she had no choice but to cancel the celebrations. I have met with the Chinese community in Paris. They are very emotional and concerned, and they have decided to cancel the parade that was scheduled for this afternoon at Place de la Republique, Hidalgo said Sunday. They are really not in a mood to party now. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Sunday, January 26th, 2020 (9:33 am) - Score 44,759 Network provider Openreach (BT) has announced that 227 new UK locations 250,000 premises are being added to the roll-out phase of their 1Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband ISP technology, which this time appears to focus on some of the harder to reach villages, market towns and rural areas. At present the operators Fibre First project has already helped cover over 2 million premises and theyre building FTTP at a rate of c.26,000 premises per week (up from 13,000 a year ago), which is forecast to reach 30,000 per week when they exit the 2019/20 period. All of this forms part of their target to cover 4 million UK homes and businesses by March 2021, followed by an ambition for 15 million by around 2025 and then beyond. By our estimate reaching 15 million premises could cost Openreach c.5.25bn. Most of this full fibre build is still being delivered at the lower end of their 300 400 per premises passed cost range and going forward they expect to pass around 50% of UK premises within this range of costs. But deployment costs rise disproportionately the further you go outside of lucrative urban areas, which at an extreme could reach up to c.4,000 per premises (here) and that is a big roadblock for commercial build. The above has a lot of relevance since many of the new locations set to be announced are also some of the hardest and most expensive to reach (albeit perhaps not to the dizzy heights of 4k). Openreach has recently been conducting a pilot scheme in 13 rural villages and towns (here), which covered 50,000 premises and aimed to reduce the cost of such work. The operator is now putting some of that effort to good use. NOTE: The pilot tested remote FTTP nodes (Mini OLT) in street cabinets, ditch witch, micro ducting, ground penetrating radar, diamond cutters (trench digging), mobile planning (Orion) and GeoRipper (used for digging trenches across soft ground at pace). Clive Selley, Openreach CEO, said: Our full fibre build programme is going great guns having passed over 2 million premises already on the way to our 4m target by March 2021. Were now building at around 26,000 premises a week in over 100 locations reaching a new home or business every 23 seconds Thats up from 13,000 premises a week this time last year. Openreach has always been committed to doing our bit in rural Britain delivering network upgrades in communities that are harder to reach and less densely populated. We intend to build a significant portion of our full-fibre network in these harder to reach areas of the UK and are announcing 227 locations today. Our ambition is to reach 15 million premises by mid-2020s if right investment conditions are in place. Currently, the biggest missing piece of this puzzle is getting an exemption from business rates on building fibre cables which is critical for any fibre builders long-term investment case. Some of the 227 locations covering 250,000 premises in total expected to benefit from this announcement include Aberdare and Camarthen (South Wales), Beaminster (Dorset), Buckfastleigh and Budleigh Salterton (Devon), Clitheroe (Lancashire), Ely (Cambridgeshire), East Grinstead (Surrey), Liskeard (Cornwall) and Shaftesbury (Dorset). Not places wed usually expect to see being connected to Openreachs FTTP at this early stage. The build for these areas is apparently due to begin before March 2021, which means theyll contribute toward Openreachs existing 4 million premises target. Whats less clear is how much of each area will actually be covered by their FTTP, since its not uncommon for operators to only cover part of the locations they announce rather than 100% (this doesnt prevent a later return for more infill build). Ofcoms recent proposal to relax some of their regulation will no doubt help to support all of this (here) but some obstacles, like the Fibre Tax, remain and most operators would like to see the Government tackle that one. At present theres a 5 year holiday on business rates for new fibre but operators need to plan build and payback for 15-20 years ahead. NOTE: Scotland has introduced a 10 year holiday on business rates for new fibre ( Scotland has introduced a 10 year holiday on business rates for new fibre ( here ). We should remind readers that this predominantly reflects Openreachs purely commercial investment, which for the time being remains largely focused upon the most lucrative areas (cities, big towns and large villages). Separately theyre also still rolling out some FTTP into remote rural areas via the Building Digital UK (BDUK) linked state aid schemes. All of this will no doubt help the Government to achieve their ambition of deploying gigabit-capable broadband networks to cover the whole of the United Kingdom by around 2025 (here), which we should say will also involve input from many alternative network ISPs. Nevertheless todays news could be seen as Openreach making a clear case for some of that 5bn being offered by the Government. At present the top fastest consumer (residential) focused FTTP tier on Openreachs network is 330Mbps (50Mbps upload), although the more affordable 550Mbps and 1000Mbps tiers (currently these are only options for business users) are set to be introduced for homes from 23rd March 2020 (here). Sadly we dont yet know which ISPs will offer these but check out our Summary of Openreach FTTP ISP choices for ideas. Openreach are expected to issue a press release and list of all the locations tomorrow morning. However it looks like the Telegraph got an exclusive, thus were summarising the locations from their article above. We will naturally update this article to include the full list tomorrow. UPDATE 27th Jan 6:41am Weve added the locations below and some extra details above from the official press release. Openreach also announced that more than 120,000 homes and businesses across the UK have also signed up to their Community Fibre Partnership (CFP) scheme (co-funded deployments of FTTP with communities). Openreachs 227 Rural / Semi-Rural FTTP Locations "Mizoram has been witnessing remarkable economic growth in recent years. Last year the state's economic growth rate was 14.82 per cent which is one of the best among the states in the country and it is likely to be similar this year as well," the Governor said after unfurling the national flag on Republic Day at the Assam Rifles ground in Aizawl. Aizawl, Jan 26 (IANS) Mizoram Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai on Sunday said that the state's economic growth rate of 14.82 per cent last year was one of the best among states in the country and it is likely to be similar this year as well. He said during the period of 2012-18, Mizoram had highest average growth rate of 12.75 per cent in the country and never witnessed such consistent high growth rates in the past. "If this momentum of growth rate is maintained for the next 10 years, then it would be possible to eradicate poverty, ensure all round development, be self-sufficient and bring equity in all aspects of societal life. This growth rate was achieved due to the state government's flagship programme -- Socio-Economic Development Policy (SEDP)." SEDP aims at accelerating progress in these key sectors and transforming Mizoram into a welfare state. He said that the Mizoram government in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has implemented a project called 'Capacity Enhancement for Sustainable Agriculture and Irrigation Development in Mizoram'. "It was a matter of happiness that the four-partite agreement was recently signed between the Centre, state governments of Mizoram and Tripura, and the tribal representatives to peacefully end the 22-year-long Reang tribals' ethnic imbroglio," the Governor said. Pillai said that Aizawl city was selected as one of the 'Smart Cities' under the nationwide Smart Cities Mission. The Smart City Project is being implemented by following the area-based strategy (retrofitting) and pan-city strategy. He said that the Mizoram government has successfully conducted the first phase of the National Initiative for School Heads and Teachers Holistic Advancement (NISTHA) to improve learning outcomes at the elementary level in schools by building competencies among all the teachers and school principals at elementary stage. He said that HIV/AIDS has become a major problem in Mizoram and its need to tackle this problem on a war-footing. "We need to create mass awareness and movement to ensure that this dreaded disease is rapidly checked and its growth arrested. I appreciate the efforts of the church, NGOs and voluntary organisations in tackling this menace, and I believe, if we join hands we can win this battle." Highlighting the development of tourism in Mizoram, the Governor said that tourism is a promising area for enhancement of the service industry and for employment generation. "In 2019, 1,42,353 tourists had visited Mizoram and that was 63 per cent higher than the previous year. Mizoram has huge potential for development of tourism industry, especially eco-tourism and rural tourism," Pillai said. sc/kr This is exaggerated. Mr. Biden is correct that in most polls, he leads Democratic candidates among black voters overall, but he is wrong to deny Senator Bernie Sanders edge with younger African Americans. A January poll conducted by The Washington Post and Ipsos, a nonpartisan research firm, found that Mr. Biden held a wide lead among black Democrats with 48 percent support, but Mr. Sanders led with those between age 18 and 34 at 42 percent while Mr. Biden placed second at 30 percent. An Ipsos survey conducted with Vice this month asked black Americans who they would consider voting for and found that 56 percent would consider voting for Mr. Sanders and 54 percent for Mr. Biden, a statistical tie. Among those between ages 18 and 34, Mr. Sanders support increased to 81 percent compared with 65 percent for Mr. Biden, according to a breakdown provided by Chris Jackson, the vice president of Ipsos Public Affairs. In a poll by the political action committee BlackPac and released in December, Mr. Biden led all black voters with 38 percent, but trailed Mr. Sanders in support among black voters between ages 18 and 24 at 14 percent compared to 30 percent for Mr. Sanders. Support for the two candidates was nearly identical among black voters between the ages of 25 and 39, with 24 percent supporting Mr. Biden and 25 percent supporting Mr. Sanders. The Sanders campaign also pointed to an array of surveys demonstrating the same generational gap: a fall poll from Harvard Kennedy Schools Institute of Politics where Mr. Sanders was the first choice of black voters between ages 18 and 29, a January poll from the Chegg/College Pulse Student Election Tracker where Mr. Sanders led with black college students with 43 percent and a September survey from Essence Magazine where Mr. Sanders had the most support of black women between ages 18 and 34 with 19 percent. What Was Said I was involved in the civil rights movement. at the Brown & Black forum This is exaggerated. Over his long political career, Mr. Biden has occasionally suggested he played a greater role in the civil rights movement of the 1960s than he actually did. While there are accounts of Mr. Biden participating in a few desegregation events, he has also said he would not consider himself an activist in the movement. Mr. Biden has said that he protested a segregated movie theater in demonstrations in Wilmington, Del. at the Rialto Theater in the early 1960s. His account is backed by a former president of the state chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and a former president of the Delaware A.F.L.-C.I.O. By Bahk Eun-ji Eight out of 10 men in their 40s or older have never had a prostate cancer check-up, according to a recent survey. A man listens as a doctor explains prostate cancer. /Korea Times file An Iranian plane travelling to Istanbul from Tehran had to make an emergency landing on Saturday, Iran's local media reported. According to reports, the plane took off from Tehran's Imam Khomeini airport and was going to Istanbul when it had to return due to some technical problems. The plane landed safely at Mehrabad airport and no injuries to the passengers or damage to the plane were reported. Read: Ukraine To Demand Black Boxes For Downed Plane During Meeting With Iranian Delegation According to the international press, additional details about the technical problem is not yet known, however, it is being reported that the plane belonged to the Iran Airtour Company. Media reports suggested that the plane left Imam Khomeini airport late Saturday night and the emergency landing came minutes after the take-off. A picture of the plane uploaded on social media did not show any damages, however, Republic does not verify the authenticity of the image. Read: Russia: Unverified Info Of Six F-35 Jets On Iran's Borders At Time Of Plane Crash Ukrainian passenger plane crash Iranian military recently shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane which killed all 176 people on board, many of whom were dual citizens. Iran faced a lot of backlash after it first denied any involvement of its military with the dowing of the jetliner but it had to later admit that the aircraft was actually hit by a missile. The unfortunate incident took place on January 8, at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States were at its peak. Iran fired dozens of missiles on US bases in Iraq before its military shot down the Ukrainian plane. Read: Canadian PM: Plane Crash Victims Could Be Saved Had US-Iran Tensions Not Escalated The missile attack by Tehran was a retaliatory action after Washington killed Iranian military general Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike near Baghdad airport on January 3. Soleimani was a top commander in Iran's Quds Force and played an important role in the region as his influence in neighbouring countries grew rapidly. Soleimani played a major role in defeating ISIS in Iraq and Syria fighting alongside Iraqi forces. Read: Trump Calls Soleimani 'no. 1 Terrorist' As Iran Continues Protest On Plane Shoot-down The moment of national renewal has come. While spring is yet to sweep the chill from the air, fresh shoots of rejuvenation and regeneration are piercing through the cold earth. The electorate, the British people, the most patient and forbearing in the world, will finally have their decisiveness rewarded and, thanks to the General Election result, we will have got Brexit done. By unleashing a reviving wave of blue MPs to rehydrate the parched soil, the British people have set the scene for the biggest restoration of vitality and viridity* to our land in generations. Fresh-faced MPs line the green benches, determined that the new Parliament will be a better Parliament a peoples Parliament focused on delivering on their priorities (file photo) In Parliament, the thunderstorm has been blown away, calm has been restored and the serious job of legislating has recommenced. In both houses, scrutiny and debate have returned to the fore. In the Commons, fresh-faced MPs line the green benches, determined that the new Parliament will be a better Parliament a peoples Parliament focused on delivering on their priorities. This comprehensive Conservative majority has allowed the Prime Ministers deal with the European Union finally to pass all stages in Parliament and become law, getting Brexit done and shining through a bright sunbeam of certainty to end the long night of doubt. With the deal done and the agreement in place, we will leave the EU in five days time. Independence restored, the Government will focus on unleashing the potential of this country. It will be a Government acutely attuned to the will of the people. For that is the sine qua non* of our departure: Members of Parliament chosen by the people will decide the laws of the land. Those directly accountable representatives will have taken back control. We will be free to chart our own course and we are reclaiming mastery of our policy decisions, from agriculture to trade, foreign policy to fisheries, employment law to immigration. Under our Prime Minister, our police force is gaining an extra 20,000 recruits and powers to stop and search more effectively so we can begin to clamp down on the scourge of knife crime In the Boris Johnson era, we are embarking on the biggest rail modernisation since Victorian times with 48 billion dedicated to delivering rail projects (file photo - artist's HS2 impression) We can embark on this new age with confidence and excitement. Over two millenniums since mighty Augustus quelled the unrest and strife in ancient Rome and brought in a new golden age, our auriferous* Prime Minister is bringing in a new era of revitalisation to our nation. These two great leaders sought unity where there had been division; they saw the importance of a public-supported police force and they recognised the power of infrastructure to bring great economic and social returns. Under our Prime Minister, our police force is gaining an extra 20,000 recruits and powers to stop and search more effectively so we can begin to clamp down on the scourge of knife crime. In the Boris Johnson era, we are embarking on the biggest rail modernisation since Victorian times. With 48 billion dedicated to delivering rail projects such as the new high-speed line between Manchester and Leeds and electrifying hundreds of miles of track, people across the country will be closer to each other than ever before. We are investing in the future of talented workers with our ambitious plans for a dynamic, outward-looking economy. Outside the EU, our trade policies will be forged with the best interests of UK businesses in mind. Glossary of Moggisms *Virdity - Naive innocence *Sine qua non - essential condition (from the Latin 'without which not') *Auriferous - containing gold *Fulgurate - flash (like lightning) Advertisement At the forefront of our thoughts will be the tech sector. Britain has an illustrious history of technological development from penicillin to the lawn mower, the World Wide Web to the light bulb, the steam train to the toothbrush. In the years ahead, we will deepen and broaden that remarkable record. The trail we have blazed in the past will continue to fulgurate* into the future. National confidence in the years ahead can be drawn from the distinction of this islands story and from the recognition of the strength of the new position. The UK has one of the most flexible, agile and entrepreneurial workforces in the world. The capital city raises trillions of pounds of capital in every currency invented. English is the global language, the lingua franca of this age, that flows through boardrooms around the world. By raising GDP still higher, taxpayers can support those public services on which people rely. The Conservatives are delivering the biggest cash boost in history to the NHS, with an additional 33.9 billion in frontline services every year by 2024, the largest and longest funding settlement in the history of the health service. It will provide 40 new hospitals, 6,000 extra doctors and 50,000 more nurses. Tomorrow, we will vote to enshrine this commitment to the NHS in law, safeguarding it for future generations. It is a new chapter in Parliament and a new chapter for the country. In July, the Prime Minister memorably encapsulated his pitch with the late 19th Century Americanism dude. He promised to Deliver Brexit, Unite our nation, Defeat Jeremy Corbyn and Energise the country. Corbyn is defeated. Brexit is on the cusp of being delivered. The stage is set for the nation to come back together. Energy exudes from every pore of this Government. It will not just be a year, but a decade of renewal. Look for videos to be posted all day and evening at Brighteon.com . The simple truth is that its the gun owners who are the lawful, civil American citizens. Its the anti-gun lunatics who are engaged in actual fascism, censorship, lies, false flags and other nefarious acts that the Left routinely blames on their political opponents. The censorship of pro-America voices goes hand in hand with the CIA-run left-wing media running a psyop narrative today that claims militia leaders might cause violence at the event. Every media outlet from NBC News to CNN is calling all the peaceful demonstrators fascists and white nationalists. In truth, there are now tens of thousands of gun owners on the scene carrying guns right now without a single incident of violence. Its the most peaceful, heavily armed pro-Second Amendment rally that we can remember. At the same time, the telecommunications giants were shutting down live streaming of nearly everyone at the event , making sure that virtually no one could live broadcast streams without repeated interruptions. The live stream was taken down as Santilli was live streaming Alex Jones thanking American patriots for being peaceful but courageous as tens of thousands gathered in Richmond to call for Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam to resign. ( Natural News ) YouTube is now blocking pro-America live streams from the pro-2A rally in Richmond, Virginia. Pete Santillis live stream was just taken down moments ago, replaced with a warning message from YouTube that says, This video has been removed for violating YouTubes Community Guidelines. About the author: Mike Adams (aka the Health Ranger) is a best selling author (#1 best selling science book on Amazon.com called Food Forensics), an environmental scientist, a patent holder for a cesium radioactive isotope elimination invention, a multiple award winner for outstanding journalism, a science news publisher and influential commentator on topics ranging from science and medicine to culture and politics. Follow his videos, podcasts, websites and science projects at the links below. Mike Adams serves as the founding editor of NaturalNews.com and the lab science director of an internationally accredited (ISO 17025) analytical laboratory known as CWC Labs. There, he was awarded a Certificate of Excellence for achieving extremely high accuracy in the analysis of toxic elements in unknown water samples using ICP-MS instrumentation. Adams is also highly proficient in running liquid chromatography, ion chromatography and mass spectrometry time-of-flight analytical instrumentation. He has also achieved numerous laboratory breakthroughs in the programming of automated liquid handling robots for sample preparation and external standards prep. The U.S. patent office has awarded Mike Adams patent NO. US 9526751 B2 for the invention of Cesium Eliminator, a lifesaving invention that removes up to 95% of radioactive cesium from the human digestive tract. Adams has pledged to donate full patent licensing rights to any state or national government that needs to manufacture the product to save human lives in the aftermath of a nuclear accident, disaster, act of war or act of terrorism. He has also stockpiled 10,000 kg of raw material to manufacture Cesium Eliminator in a Texas warehouse, and plans to donate the finished product to help save lives in Texas when the next nuclear event occurs. No independent scientist in the world has done more research on the removal of radioactive elements from the human digestive tract. Adams is a person of color whose ancestors include Africans and American Indians. He is of Native American heritage, which he credits as inspiring his Health Ranger passion for protecting life and nature against the destruction caused by chemicals, heavy metals and other forms of pollution. Adams is the author of the worlds first book that published ICP-MS heavy metals analysis results for foods, dietary supplements, pet food, spices and fast food. The book is entitled Food Forensics and is published by BenBella Books. In his laboratory research, Adams has made numerous food safety breakthroughs such as revealing rice protein products imported from Asia to be contaminated with toxic heavy metals like lead, cadmium and tungsten. Adams was the first food science researcher to document high levels of tungsten in superfoods. He also discovered over 11 ppm lead in imported mangosteen powder, and led an industry-wide voluntary agreement to limit heavy metals in rice protein products. In addition to his lab work, Adams is also the (non-paid) executive director of the non-profit Consumer Wellness Center (CWC), an organization that redirects 100% of its donations receipts to grant programs that teach children and women how to grow their own food or vastly improve their nutrition. Through the non-profit CWC, Adams also launched Nutrition Rescue, a program that donates essential vitamins to people in need. Click here to see some of the CWC success stories. With a background in science and software technology, Adams is the original founder of the email newsletter technology company known as Arial Software. Using his technical experience combined with his love for natural health, Adams developed and deployed the content management system currently driving NaturalNews.com. He also engineered the high-level statistical algorithms that power SCIENCE.naturalnews.com, a massive research resource featuring over 10 million scientific studies. Adams is well known for his incredibly popular consumer activism video blowing the lid on fake blueberries used throughout the food supply. He has also exposed strange fibers found in Chicken McNuggets, fake academic credentials of so-called health gurus, dangerous detox products imported as battery acid and sold for oral consumption, fake acai berry scams, the California raw milk raids, the vaccine research fraud revealed by industry whistleblowers and many other topics. Adams has also helped defend the rights of home gardeners and protect the medical freedom rights of parents. Adams is widely recognized to have made a remarkable global impact on issues like GMOs, vaccines, nutrition therapies, human consciousness. In addition to his activism, Adams is an accomplished musician who has released over fifteen popular songs covering a variety of activism topics. Click here to read a more detailed bio on Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, at HealthRanger.com. Find more science, news, commentary and inventions from the Health Ranger at: Brighteon.com: Brighteon.com/channel/hrreport Diaspora: (uncensored social network) Share.NaturalNews.com GAB: GAB.com/healthranger Podcasts: HealthRangerReport.com Online store: HealthRangerStore.com #1 Bestselling Science Book Food Forensics: FoodForensics.com iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-health-ranger-report/id1063165791 SoundCloud: Soundcloud.com/healthranger Health Rangers science lab CWClabs.com Health Ranger bio HealthRanger.com TruthWiki.org Search engine: Webseed.com Google on Sunday marked Indias 71st Republic Day by dedicating a doodle illustrating the countrys rich cultural heritage that permeates and unites the diverse nation. From its world-famous landmarks like the Taj Mahal and India Gate, to the wide array of fauna such as its national bird (the Indian peafowl), to classical arts, textiles, and dances, the doodle, designed by Singapore-based artist Meroo Seth, brings together the rich cultural heritage of the country. Republic Day marks the completion of Indias transition towards becoming an independent republic after its constitution came into effect. The governing document had taken nearly three years of careful deliberation to finalise, and its eventual enactment was joyfully celebrated across the country. While the Constitution was adopted by the Indian Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949, it came into effect on January 26 a day when Declaration of Indian Independence (Purna Swaraj) was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress back in 1929, as opposed to the Dominion status offered by the British Regime. Festivities embody the essence of diversity found in one of the worlds most populous nations, celebrated over a three-day period with cultural events displaying national pride. Last years doodle on Republic Day, designed by artist Reshidev RK, had featured Rashtrapati Bhavan in the background along with a display of the countrys iconic monuments and heritage. Healthy fast-food chain Leon will open at least four new units in Dublin this year, with locations in Millennium Walk, Castle Market and Dundrum Town Centre confirmed. Leon Ireland, which is headed by Stuart Fitzgerald, has raised 3.6m and is seeking money for a final investment round. Investors include Michael McElligott of Tetrarch, Fitzgerald and around a dozen other shareholders. Leon Ireland plans to open 20 outlets in total. The first one opened in May 2019 and is located in Temple Bar behind the former Central Bank, which is currently being developed. Fitzgerald told the Sunday Independent that vegetarian and meat alternatives sold at the Temple Bar location were performing strongly, with sales equally divided between meat dishes and meat-alternative/plant-based food. The chain's vegan burger, known as the Love Burger, is the best-selling burger "by a distance", he added. The second outlet will open in Millennium Walk in Dublin 1 next month, while a third will open at the former Jo'Burger unit on Castle Market. The Dundrum unit will be in a newly developed food district at Dundrum Town Centre, where Press Up Group is developing a bowling alley and US-Asian food brand PF Chang's will also be located. Fitzgerald said the business was hoping to open in more locations this year and was working on two other potential units. However, he said that it was difficult to secure units. "It's a very competitive property market," he told the Sunday Independent. "There is a lot of interest among people we compete with in the market. And given the nature of the Georgian architecture in Dublin, there are not a lot of purpose-built units. It is one of the big limiting factors." He said that another limiting factor was the availability of staff. Accommodation in Dublin is also having an impact, as some employees have decided to move out of the city due to the rental crisis, Fitzgerald added. The business has entered into agreements with Deliveroo and Uber Eats for home and office delivery. Fitzgerald said that delivery was a material part of the company's business. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- You can call Mike Bloomfield a geek. The truth is; hell love it if you do. Bloomfield, a sci-fi, comic book and superhero aficionado, has always been passionate about technology and computers. While Bloomfield breezed through Staten Island Technical High School, he found going to work was a better fit for him than continuing in college. Bloomfield worked full time as the general manager and head mechanic at his fathers bowling center in Roselle, N.J., to help pay for tuition at the New Jersey Institute of Technology to major in computer engineering. After three years, he transferred to the College of Staten Island (CSI) to major in electrical engineering. While I was at CSI, I was offered a job in the field working for a company that makes red light cameras, said the Eltingville resident. I was with them for six years, so I never actually graduated college. I felt the life experiences that I learned were worth a lot more than what college could offer me, he said. With his expertise, Bloomfield quickly ascended through the ranks. He was promoted, moved to Arizona, and was named manager of project engineering, placing him in charge of a team that designed red light cameras, speed cameras, and conducted HOV enforcement research and development. A few months after getting engaged to his wife Nicole, he moved back to New York and found a job as the director of research and development and director of IT for one of the biggest photo booth manufacturers in the United States. But I always had the desire to do my own thing, work for myself, and make my own rules, he said. That entrepreneurial spirit started in the seventh grade at Totten Intermediate School (I.S. 34), when Bloomfields father said he should get a job to pay for things that he wanted to buy. I started a business in Tottenville, where I would walk around and clean the streets for established businesses, recalled Bloomfield. I went to their business, I estimated the job, and I made a contract with them. I would clean their sidewalks four to five times per week." My dad reconfigured a garbage pail by adding wheels and areas to put a broom, shovel and garbage bags. I would head there before school, sweep the streets, and keep the whole neighborhood clean, he added. He ingrained in me to work hard, and I always wanted to work for myself. Bloomfield finally took that chance on New Years Day 2013, when he told his wife that he wanted to start his own IT support business. Tekie Geek was born. I had about two clients to start with, because I was already doing work with them on the side. Thats when I thought, Im already doing this work. Why not legitimize this? he recalled. Bloomfield knew exactly how to start spreading the word about his new venture. I knew in order to grow a business, you have to network. I started my business in January, and I joined the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce in that first quarter. I started going to networking events, and I started talking to people. I realized that if you get one client, and you do the right thing by people, then others will find out, he said. In Staten Island, its all word of mouth. You can advertise until youre blue in the face, but ultimately, its all about referrals and who you know. When you do the right thing, theyll tell their friends." We just continued to do the right thing, and we grew from there, he added. In just seven years, Tekie Geek has broken into a business IT division, providing managed IT services, business continuity solutions, network security, data security, IT infrastructure, and consulting, to small- and medium-sized businesses. Bloomfield said he works hard to eliminate IT issues for his customers, because he understands downtime can be costly. Tekie Geek also has a home services division that handles home theater design, smart home solutions, security cameras, and whole house audio solutions, all with the goal to make a home safe and fun. Tekie Geek has received the Cyber Security Award at the MSP Innovation Awards by Channel Partner Insight, and has also earned a spot on Channel Futures MSP 501 annual list. This past fall, Tekie Geek held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Great Kills headquarters. The departure from a home office was necessitated by the burgeoning business, which now boasts nine employees with room for future growth. For his accomplishments, Bloomfield is being honored with a Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Award, which he will receive in the Established Businessperson category. The awards -- which are presented by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and the Staten Island Advance -- honor the memory of Louis R. Miller, a businessman and West Brighton resident who was also a community leader. Bloomfield acknowledged that another advantage of ownership is the ability to help others. He serves on the board of directors for Meals on Wheels of Staten Island, the Staten Island Business Outreach Center, the Executive Club of Staten Island, and the South Shore Business Improvement District. Its another way to give back to the community, and youre also building relationships. The person who youre helping may eventually need you, said Bloomfield. As a member of several committees at national IT associations, Bloomfield mentors others and shares his knowledge by writing articles and blogs for magazines and websites. He also travels around the country to speak about cybersecurity. I truly love my business. I have a passion for it, said Bloomfield. I truly love waking up and coming to work. It really is a dream. And part of that dream is creating bright futures for others. Maybe, in the beginning, I thought I was just creating a job for myself. Then, I realized I wanted more than that, and I wanted to create careers for other individuals, said Bloomfield. Plus, I have two daughters, and now I have to plan that they may want this business. Now, at some point, this could be a family business that you pass on from generation to generation. ******************** Recipients of the Louis R. Miller Awards are recognized as effective business leaders, and for their outstanding contributions to the local community. Awards are given out in four categories: Emerging, Established, Master, and Not-For-Profit. The honorees will be recognized during the annual Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Awards Breakfast on Thursday, Feb. 13 at LiGrecis Staaten. For tickets, visit www.sichamber.com or call the Chamber at 718-727-1900. ******************** Below, Bloomfield shares more about his goals, job, and life: Current occupation and title: President geek of Tekie Geek, which is an award-winning Staten Island based Managed Service Provider, with a focus on business IT security and data protection. Hometown: Eltingville Past occupations and titles: Former director of research and development/IT for Apple Industries Inc.; former manager of product engineering for American Traffic Solutions. Community involvement: Member of Verrazano Kiwanis Club, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, Staten Island Economic Development Corporation. Also sits on the board of directors for Meals on Wheels of Staten Island, Staten Island Business Outreach Center, Executive Club of Staten Island, and the South Shore BID. Some of my life goals include: To raise my daughters in a way that they understand that they can be anything that they set their mind to. It would be amazing to watch one or both of them take over my business one day because they want to and, who knows, maybe Ill get to witness them receiving a Lou Miller Award in a few decades. The best part of my job: I have three favorite things about my job: On the Business IT side, its being able to tell a client that we have saved the day and their data is protected when they believed that disaster struck. On the Home Theater Design side, its watching the face of our clients when we demo their finished room. It never fails that they are always smiling from ear to ear! On my professional side, its watching my employees continue to grow and learn, as I really appreciate making my staff better each and every day -- not only for my business, but also for themselves. The most difficult part of my job: Being called into a prospective client after it is too late, because disaster struck, and he or she didnt make the move quick enough. I hate the feeling of being the one to tell him or her that because he or she didnt implement our proposed solution, he or she fell victim to such a disaster of ransomware. And that there is nothing to do at this time to get the data back. My life philosophy: Treat everyone with respect and remember, the ones you see on the way up are the ones that you will see on the way down. I am most proud of: My beautiful family; I have an amazing wife, two beautiful daughters, and an amazing Cavalier, King Charles. Something that no one knows about me: This is probably the hardest of the questions, as to a fault, I am an open book. The quality I like best about myself: I would have to say that I love the fact that I always see the positive in any situation and my ability to make others laugh out loud. Personal interests and hobbies: I love watching movies and collecting collectibles to decorate our offices. I am a huge Star Wars and Marvel fan, so you can usually find me on opening night at the movies cheering at the screen. I laugh at: I love to laugh at stupid comedies, such as American Pie, Road Trip, Euro Trip, Superbad, and Jay and Silent Bob. What can I say? Im a teenager at heart! I am really good at: Im very good at keeping up with technology, including the latest trends and threats. This is what makes Tekie Geek very different from our competitors. We are always on the forefront of technology and find ourselves to be leaders in our industry with others following suit. I admire: After being home for a few weeks helping after the birth of my second daughter, Id absolutely have to say my wife and all the mothers out there. It is amazing how mothers just know what to do and the instinct they have for raising their children. It is exhausting, but she never shows it. Id like to think that I have it tougher when I go to work -- but that would be a lie. Some important things I would like you to know about me: I love to talk (isnt that obvious after reading my answers to these simple questions?). In all seriousness, I love my family, and without them, I wouldnt be here today. If it wasnt for my parents teaching me at an early age to not only be a hard worker but to help others while doing it, who knows where I would be today? My wife and children for understanding that I have to work long hours, and being supportive every step of the way of the business that we are growing together. Thank you to everyone who supports me and has helped me earn this amazing award. Thank you to other business owners in the community who have taken me under their wing, especially Jeff Henick of Stop & Stor, who is always willing to listen and give great advice when needed. I am honored and humbled! The national carrier Air India celebrated the 71st Republic Day by distributing 30,000 Indian flags made of eco-friendly seed paper among its passengers at airports in metro cities and Srinagar on Sunday. The airlines also put up a big hoarding at the historic Lal Chowk in the heart of Srinagar to congratulate the people on Republic Day. It was the first Republic Day celebration in Srinagar after the abrogation of Article 370 provisions that gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. The handmade flags prepared by Sahariya tribals of Madhya Pradesh were distributed at the airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Srinagar, said Air India spokesperson Dhananjay Kumar. "We distributed more than 800 flags at Srinagar airport to the passengers, specially those of Air India to share our national pride on the occasion. In another initiative, we also congratulated valley people on Republic Day by putting up a big hoarding at Lal Chowk," Kumar said. More than 30,000 flags made of special seed paper were distributed at different airports, he said. The flags contain seeds of marigold and fenugreek which would germinate and develop into saplings after soaking in water and planted in soil. Srinagar-resident Mohammad Yusuf Gojri accompanied by other passengers accepted the tricolour. A young tourist from Haryana, Lakshya Dangi said he was in the valley for the past few days and was impressed by hospitality and warmth of the people. "Although tourist turnout is low due to cold and unavailability of Internet, people here are very warm and welcoming," he said when asked about his experience. Air India connects the valley to the rest of India and Republic Day is the occasion to congratulate people and strengthen their ties with the airline, said Nazneen Ahmad Chisti, Srinagar-based senior manager (commercial) of Air India. A tricolour was unfurled at the Srinagar airport in a programme organised by the Airports Authority of India. Senior police and paramilitary officers and personnel attended the function. The police, paramilitary, and airport authority personnel were given certificates at the function for commendable service. greta thunberg Ron Adar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Louise Linton, a Scottish-born actress and wife to US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, briefly posted then deleted a message of support for Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg on her Instagram page. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Mnuchin dismissed Thunberg, who was named Time's 2019 person of the year, as not knowledgeable enough to weigh in on climate issues. "Is she the chief economist or who is she? I'm confused," Mnuchin said of Thunberg. "After she goes and studies economics in college, she can come back and explain that to us." "I stand with Greta on this issue. (I don't have a degree in economics either) We have to drastically reduce our use of fossil fuels. Keep up the fight @gretathunberg," Linton posted to her more than 17,000 Instagram followers on Saturday. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Louise Linton, a Scottish-born actress and wife to US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, briefly posted then deleted a message of support for Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg on her Instagram page. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Mnuchin dismissed Thunberg, who was named Time's 2019 person of the year, as not knowledgeable to weigh in on climate issues. "Is she the chief economist or who is she? I'm confused," Mnuchin said in response to a question about whether the US would follow Thunberg's calls to transition away from fossil fuels. "After she goes and studies economics in college, she can come back and explain that to us." Shortly after, the 17-year-old Thunberg who is known for her Internet clapbacks replied, "It doesn't take a college degree in economics to realise that our remaining 1.5 carbon budget and ongoing fossil fuel subsidies and investments don't add up." She added, "So either you tell us how to achieve this mitigation or explain to future generations and those already affected by the climate emergency why we should abandon our climate commitments." Story continues And just two days later, Mnuchin's own wife appeared to take Thunberg's side. "I stand with Greta on this issue. (I don't have a degree in economics either) We have to drastically reduce our use of fossil fuels. Keep up the fight @gretathunberg," Linton posted to her over 17,000 Instagram followers on Saturday. Linton's post, which tagged both Mnuchin and Thunberg's Instagram handles, featured a photo of them both side-by-side, in addition to a number of other photos showing fires, floods, and endangered species meant to illustrate the real-world effects of climate change. And in case the message to her husband wasn't clear enough, Linton tagged Mnuchin's Instagram handle in the first photo of the post. This wasn't the first time Linton had taken to Instagram to publicly disagree with members of the Trump administration. Linton, a vocal animal rights advocate and, also used the platform to directly criticize the Trump administration relaxing restrictions on the ability of Americans to import hunting wild game, including that of endangered species like elephants, into the United States. In a 2019 interview with Los Angeles Magazine, Linton made clear that despite being married to a Trump cabinet official, she won't hesitate from holding and expressing her own views, even those that come into conflict with her husband's job. She told the publication: "I very much respect my husband and the president of the United States, but I am an individual with my own beliefs and views. You should measure me by my actions, the friends I keep and the charities I support, not by the politics of my husband." Read more: Greta Thunberg fires back after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says she isn't qualified to lecture the US on climate change 'Haters gonna hate & deniers will deny': Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defends Greta Thunberg after Steven Mnuchin dissed the activist Everything you need to know about Davos, the invitation-only conference that brings billionaires together with business and political leaders at a Swiss resort Read the original article on Business Insider - Nadine Lustre once said that James Reid was "everything" and that she can not imagine life without him - This was during her past interview with Boy Abunda while promoting her movie 'Ulan', last year - The video of the said interview has been circulating across social media after they revealed that they have ended their relationship - It can be recalled that Boy Abunda also announced the former couple's break-up recently on 'Tonight with Boy Abunda' PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Nadine Lustre once said that James Reid was "everything" and that she can not imagine life without him. She said this during an interview with Boy Abunda while she was promoting her movie Ulan, last year. The video of her emotional interview has been recirculating on social media after the couple disclosed that they have broken up. It can be recalled that Boy Abunda recently released the joint statement of James and Nadine, confirming their breakup on Tonight with Boy Abunda. The Asia's Multimedia Queen also admitted on the same interview last year that she can not imagine life without James. Boy also asked her as to why there was such a statement like 'even without James', and she said that she will be always thankful that James came into her life and that he is the biggest reason for her healing, discovering, and finding herself. "Parang no, iiyak ako. Kasi iba talaga Tito Boy, like I'm really really thankful that he came into my life. It was so different before," she said. "He was the biggest instrument for my healing and for discovering and finding myself," she added. "I usually ask this in my interviews," Boy Abunda said. "James is," he asked. Nadine answered, "James is everything." The aforementioned interview has once again made rounds online after the controversial breakup of JaDine, it also gained various comments and speculations from netizens. "she can't imagine her life now without James" "James is Everything" Ate nadine be strong dito lang kaming mga fans mo.-im here after they breakup broke up." "And now Jadine has gone, Nadine proves that she is a strong woman. I'm not a Jadine fan but seeing Nadine like this makes me sad. STAY STRONG GIRL. YOUR GORGEOUS ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT" "Now imagine how she manages to fight, live and wake up every day" "Stay strong ate Nadine even without James we're here for you" Watch the interview here: PAY ATTENTION: Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! In a previous report by KAMI, Nadine Lustre emotionally opened up on what she feels about love. James Reid and Nadine Lustres love team is one of the most beloved today in the Philippines. Their love team became popular after they starred in the movie Diary ng Panget. Please like and share our Facebook posts to support KAMI team! Dont hesitate to comment and share your opinion about our stories either. We love reading about your thoughts! Source: KAMI.com.gh I do not trust emotional reactions to events. In my experience, visceral reactions are a poor guide to action, and when I recognize that Im responding emotionally to events, I step back and consider what facts are better brought to bear on the issue than are my immediate feelings. In fact, Im not alone in thinking emotional reasoning is a kind of cognitive disorder. Watching the impeachment theater (or rather reading about it to save time and avoid being influenced by the hypnotic effect of television) Ive concluded that the congressional Democrats and their base live in a postfactual inner child world of fact-free enthusiasms and conniption fits. In their world, a Republican president they cannot manipulate to their will must be impeached and removed from office. That a Republican president must be stripped of his clear constitutional right to shape foreign policy instead of Democratic plants in the Civil Service. That words are not entitled to their clear and normal meanings but can be restated fraudulently to fit the removal goal. That Congress, not the President, can determine what constitutes executive privilege. That witnesses with no direct knowledge can impute whatever meaning they choose into the events and such hearsay and mind readings must be credited. That the House that decides whether to institute impeachment proceedings can, claiming urgency, speed through them in secret, deny the president the right to a defense and can keep hidden from him and his defenders evidence which totally exculpates him. That having expedited a star chamber proceeding, the Democratic House can then demand the right to drag out the process in the Senate under rules they, not the Senate, set. In sum, that none of the long-established guides to evidence and fairness and constitutional protections should be followed when Democrats have a multiyear temper tantrum because they lost status and power. My friend Jeffrey S. Malashock quotes John Innes Clark Hale, paraphrasing Alexis de Tocqueville: "A decline of public morals in the United States would probably be marked by the abuse of the power of impeachment as a means of crushing political adversaries or ejecting them from office. What House Democrats are doing is not only unfair to Mr. Trump and a threat to all his successors. It is an attempt to overrule the constitutional process for selecting the president and thus subvert American democracy itself. For the sake of the Constitution, it must be decisively rejected. If Mr. Trumps policies are unpopular or offensive, the remedy is up to the people, not Congress. Scott Johnson at Powerline Blog calls this a postmodern impeachment The House impeachment managers have wound up their case for the removal of President Trump from office. With lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff, Dems got the man they deserved. For those of us who followed the rise and fall of the Trump-Russia collusion hoax, Schiff must be the most notorious liar of the United States. He is certainly the most notorious liar to be celebrated by the mainstream media. We dont need no stinkin fact-checkers to understand that Schiff will say and do anything -- has said and done anything -- to promote the destruction of Trump. The mainstream media now celebrate the Schiff variation of the Epimenides paradox in his closing remarks Thursday evening (video below): If right doesnt matter -- if right doesnt matter, it doesnt matter how good the Constitution is. It doesnt matter how brilliant the Framers were, he proclaimed. Doesnt matter how good or bad our advocacy in this trial is. Doesnt matter how well written the oath of impartiality is. If right doesnt matter, were lost. If the truth doesnt matter, were lost. Adam Schiff, youre lost. How to wrap your thinking brain around such nonsense as the claim that the President abused his authority when he briefly delayed aid to Ukraine to encourage them to reinstitute corruption investigations Joe Biden had blackmailed them into abandoning? How to register the dissonance in the claim that Trump is Putins tool when he provided to Ukraine lethal aid that Obama refused to provide for fear of upsetting Putin? How is it an abuse of power for Trump to investigate Joe Biden and the overwhelming evidence of his corruption because Biden is running for election but not an abuse of power for House Democrats to investigate and impeach him while hes running for reelection? Even more crazy is how is this is an abuse of power when the entire Obama and Hillary Clinton teams illegally spied on Trumps campaign and filed false reports with the FISC (Foreign Surveillance Intelligence Court) to obtain warrants for this purpose and generously paid people like Stefan Halper out of the Treasury to spy on Trumps team and leak anti-Trump stories to the Washington Post. In any event, the Democrat show in the Senate was a total flop. Law professor Jonathan Turley predicts, as I have, this may go down as one of the great historic blunders. Not only was instituting this a blunder, but the presentation itself probably cost them any chance of wooing on-the-fence Senate Republicans to their cause. Nadlers insulting charge that Republican Senators engaged in a treasonous vote when, in following the precedent of the Clinton trial, they decided to wait to decide whether witnesses will be called, seems to have riled Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, two senators he needed to vote for compelling testimony from administration officials. Pelosi wants to remain speaker of the House. She knows that a failure to impeach President Trump would invite a challenge from the left. Especially if Trump wins a second term. Jerry Nadler and fellow impeachment manager Hakeem Jeffries are both from New York, where the Democratic establishment lives in fear of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her woke brigades. Impeachment is a base play, a way to protect your flank from accusations of anti-Resistance activity. It has also boosted the reputation of Adam Schiff in Democratic circles. He seems right at home in the Senate. A Republican senator told me before the trial began that the conduct of the House managers would play a major role in forming senators' judgments. Nadler's eruption proved the point. The contemptuous attitude of Democrats toward Republicans, and the pass-the-buck mentality that drove the House to impeach Trump before the evidence was in and inter-branch disputes settled by the courts, give GOP senators every reason to vote on the charges sooner rather than later. No one doubts that it's a vote Trump will win. In the meantime, Virginias blackface Governor Ralph Northam awakened a sleeping giant by his gun-grabbing attempts and thousands of peace-loving gun owners of all races and genders peacefully demonstrated in Virginia, putting paid to the medias distorted view of Second Amendment supporters as redneck men who hate minorities. Similarly, the false feminist claim that all women are for abortions even at the point of birth got pushback as thousands of marchers for life converged on D.C. and the President --- a first time for any president -- appeared at the march and applauded their efforts. As the impeachment farce plays out, the final touches are being made on Brexit, which will take place on January 31, and other countries are signaling they plan to follow on. At the end of the day Germany and France may stand alone as their clever plan to share domination of Europe through a phalanx of unelected, unaccountable, overly compensated bureaucrats crumbles. Wuhan The impeachment charade winds to a conclusion, and the media laser pointer seems to be moving toward China where a rapidly spreading, often fatal virus seems to be striking many. Chinese hospitals are overwhelmed and efforts to contain the epidemic by quarantining do not seem to be working. Chinese state media indicates that all but two of the countrys 31 provinces and municipalities had reported cases of the virus by Friday. Michael Yon, the independent journalist whos been reporting from Hong Kong on Facebook, thinks it will continue to spread because of unsanitary habits of the Chinese. There always are cultural aspects, too, such as the habit of mainlander Chinese sneezing everywhere with no attempt cover their faces. They will sneeze in elevators -- yes, they do -- restaurants, airplanes, more. They aint Japanese who will self-quarantine. To be clear, I am not talking about Chinese (difficult to define), but some cultures in Mainland China. Many in Taiwan or Hong Kong and other places are super-civilized, but many of the mainlanders are like something from another time and planet. The Thai and China governments jointly published a book years ago showing traveling mainlanders how to behave civilized, such as not spitting on restaurant floors, or defecating in department store changing rooms. This drives Thais crazy. Not to mention everyone else. This is the sort of barbarian invaders that Hong Kongers, Taiwanese, and the rest of us who see, are very concerned about. They will not hesitate even as known-virus carriers to sneeze on airplanes without covering their faces. Why would they cover their face and soil their hand or whatever when they can just let it fly? They do this constantly. The virus is doing what viruses do. It bought tickets and flew to Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, USA, more. Wait till it hits the great incubators of India and Africa. Hopefully it is not that serious but hope is not a plan, or a vaccine. No one knows for certain how the virus passed into humans. Many target an open market in Wuhan which sold and slaughtered a variety of animals including snakes and bats known to carry the virus (the latter cooked up in a grossly unappetizing bat soup in which the bats are fried and served with their entrails in broth). Others note that Wuhan is the site of two laboratories, part of a covert biological weapons program, suggesting the lethal virus might have escaped from there. China is already suffering food shortages and the effect of U.S. tariffs, so its hard to imagine the impact of this on the governing rulers. How will people get food, fuel, and money? How successful will the containment policies be? Videos of overwhelmed medical personnel and facilities are not encouraging. Dead people lie in the streets and hospital corridors and sickened people sit and lie outside long lines at hospitals. Maybe instead of building islands in the ocean to extend its reach in Asia and sending in troops to harass freedom-loving Hong Kongers, China should pay more attention to basic sanitation issues. Maybe the World Health Organization can spotlight how disgustingly backward China is on this important point. Year after year Chinese agricultural and food handling malpractice spreads disease throughout the world. At the moment WHO has not declared the corona virus a world health emergency. The corona virus appears terrifying and hard to contain, but to keep some perspective, 6600 people in the U.S. have died of influenza in the U.S. this year. Influenza is a greater threat to you than the corona virus. But the corona virus may prove a bigger threat to Chinas leaders, just as the Democrats impeachment folly is less of a threat to the President than it is to their own credibility and power. LONDON, U.K.A unique classical Chinese dance company attracted Londons artists who called its colors mind-blowing and the performance incredibly profound. Shen Yun Performing Arts presents the revival of 5,000 years of Chinese civilization on stage. One of its seven worldwide touring groups is playing sold-out performances at the Eventim Apollo during January 2020. Today, on Chinese New Year, three different artists who were in attendance gave glowing reviews about their experience. Master of Artistic Realism Blown Away by Shen Yuns Colors Colin Bradley has been encouraging peoples love of fine art and teaching them the skills to accomplish it for almost 40 years in England and around the world. His medium is pastel pencils and his specialty is creating pastoral landscapes and portraits of animals in stunning realism. The amazing colors in Shen Yun caught his eye. Thats what attracted me of course, the color is spectacular. Its mind-blowing, Bradley said. Im just amazed, Bradley said. The performance was more than what he thought it would be, from seeing advertisements on the television. The dancers movements left a deep impression on Bradley who said he was stunned by them. They really flow serene kind of movements. He added that the choreography was calming and mesmerizing. Shen Yun seeks to revive traditional Chinese culture and share it with the world through art. I think that would be wonderful, to be honest. I would be a wholehearted supporter of that, Bradley said. Bradley was sorry to hear Shen Yun cannot perform in China due to persecution inflicted by the communist regime against Chinas authentic, deeply spiritual culture. You do feel very sorry and saddened by that situation, Bradley said. Lets hope maybe things will change. Id like to think it. Tremendous Energy Bryan Edwards, a professional clarinet player, offered his response after watching Shen Yun closely and taking in the music of the live orchestra. I play the clarinet so Ive been listening very carefully to the young man playing the clarinet in the orchestra: very, very good. Very good. Lovely tone, said Edwards, who also teaches at Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts. Im enjoying the live orchestra very much as well. I do like the mixture of the Western and the Eastern, he said. Shen Yuns orchestra is unique for combining Western orchestration with Chinese instruments and melodies in a way that no other orchestra has done before. According to Shen Yuns website, Traditional Chinese music emphasizes the expression of inner feelingsthe ancients always used musical instruments to relate their states of mind. Western music, meanwhile, focuses on the overall effect of the musical ensembleand to achieve that, arrangement and harmony are of utmost importance. Shen Yuns music combines these approaches to capture the essence of both East and West. Edwards said that he felt tremendous energy coming from the stage. To all the performers on the stage actually and the people behind the stage as well, Edwards wished a very Happy Chinese New Year to everyone! Moved to Tears While Describing Shen Yun While a painter produces images and a musician resonates with his instrument, an actress medium is her very own heart and mind. Perhaps thats why Dannielle Gostling, a TV and theater actress, poured her heart out and found herself moved to tears while describing her experience watching Shen Yun. It was one of the most beautiful, spectacular things Ive ever seen in my whole life. It was incredible, she said. I thought it was incredibly profound and incredibly important and the bravery that it takes for people to use their skill and their craft and their artistry to tell a message thats so important. When the narrator explained that this cant be performed in China and the whole thing of being arrested and the meditation and then It was so deeply moving because to hear that, this isnt, were not talking about the past, this is things that are happening today, Gostling said. As she went on, she tried to fight back tears but ended up in an emotional catharsis over the plight of Falun Gong practitioners in China today. Thats what makes me a bit emotional because my husband and I meditate and to think that these people cant do that in China and theyre persecuted for it, that was one of the main reasons that I booked because I read that online. And I thought Oh my gosh! This is something that is to make people spiritual and to be the best possible version of themselves and live in this enlightened way and youre persecuted for that! And that was one of the things that really hit me from the performance of how essential and how pure and beautiful it is and how it should not be persecuted. Gostling recalled the pieces in Shen Yun that depict the Creator who, according to ancient Chinese legends, will one day return to earth for all mankind. Whether you believe in Buddha or Rama and Sita, or God and Jesus, whoever you believe in, I think that we have to know that there is a Divine being that is greater than us and stronger than us and above our comprehension, she said. Ive never seen anything as incredible. Every single dancer, every movement, I mean the choreography and the music and the composition, the whole thing was just magnificent. Dannielle Gostling Id like to say to the performers: You were just Look at you! Ive never seen anything as incredible. Every single dancer, every movement, I mean the choreography and the music and the composition, the whole thing was just magnificent. But it was an energy, it was something that was felt in, kind of, my heart and my nervous system thank you, Im eternally grateful, Gostling said. With reporting by NTD Television, Mary Mann, and Brett Featherstone. The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the companys inception in 2006. Jammu and Kashmir participated in the Republic Day 2020 parade for the first time as a Union Territory on Sunday. The tableau on the theme 'Back to Village', showcased the rich cultural life and heritage of the region. While an artisan weaving a Kashmiri shawl was depicted in the front, the middle part showcased an artisan working on the traditional pottery. The rear part showed an artist making a painting in the traditional Basholi style. While artists performed folk music and dance, others were seen going about their routine business amidst a lush green landscape. A typical Kashmiri wooden house and a wooden bridge over a gushing rivulet were also showcased in the tableau. 'Back to Village' is a programme which was started last year by the Jammu and Kashmir administration which has been garnering a massive response, especially from the people in the militancy infested areas. The aim of the programme is to bridge the gap between the achievable and achieved goals in development, take governance to doorsteps of the rural and inaccessible areas and generate credible and empirical feedback. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Supporters of Gov. Phil Murphy are aggressively pushing back against a former top aide who accuses the governors campaign of being a toxic workplace, claiming she actually left the campaign for irreconcilable political and professional differences and is attempting to rewrite history. Former Murphy campaign officials late last week provided 56 pages of emails to NJ Advance Media they contend show a contentious power struggle between the adviser, Julie Roginsky, and campaign manager Brendan Gill, about a month before Roginsky left the campaign in July 2017. The Murphy camps response comes after Roginsky told Star-Ledger columnist Tom Moran in a story published last Sunday that Murphys gubernatorial race was the most toxic workplace environment (she had) ... ever seen in 25 years of working on political campaigns" and that she wanted to reveal more but was prevented from speaking publicly because of a gag order. A Murphy attorney on Tuesday said Roginsky was free to talk, and in a new interview with Moran, she said she copied Murphy on an e-mail she wrote that talks of rank misogyny in the campaign but never got a reply from him. Gill strongly denied Roginskys charges, and the two traded tough words in statements to NJ Advance Media. It is sad that Ms. Roginsky is in denial of her harmful behavior during the campaign, Gill said. In response, Roginsky said Gill and his frat house buddies ... are desperately attempting to deflect attention from the fact that Gill ran a misogynistic campaign." The emails provided by former Murphy campaign officials suggest leaders of the campaign thought Roginskys outside political work with other Democrats posed a potential conflict of interest with the campaign and that she appeared to make a last-ditch effort to stay on the campaign in the days before she separated. In all, the selected emails shared with NJ Advance Media in the month before Roginskys separation from the campaign, some of which were heavily redacted, claim to show top Murphy campaign officials distrusted Roginsky, a long-time political operative and TV political pundit who was one of Murphys first supporters. Roginsky acknowledges she wanted to continue to work to get Murphy elected, but wanted assurances that she would be on equal footing with Gill. She wrote in a July 2017 email to a campaign attorney that there were people on staff who have been discouraged from cooperating" with her and were forced to choose allegiances between her and Gill. The governor has said he was never personally aware of any incident of sexual harassment or complaints of a toxic work environment during the campaign. Not that I know of. No," Murphy told NJ Advance Media in an interview last month. Murphy declined comment about Roginskys claim last Sunday of a toxic work environment at a public event Thursday. But documents Roginsky provided to The Star-Ledgers Moran for the latest interview claim to show Murphy is copied on an email she wrote that complains of rank misogyny in the campaign and says several young women had confided in her about mistreatment by men. I am happy to provide names, the e-mail says. Murphy never asked for the names, she said. Murphy was copied but not the main recipient of the email, and there is no evidence that he read it. In one email exchange provided by the campaign, a Murphy campaign staffer whos now a senior official in the administration, Dan Bryan, told the campaign attorney he was alarmed because he thought Roginsky had fed information to a New Jersey reporter that could have potentially been damaging to Gill and another staffer because of alleged outside business ties. I strongly believe that Julies actions today put the campaign, and Phil, in an extremely bad position, Bryan wrote. It felt to me like Julie was actively working against the campaign, and working to harm individuals within the campaign, to fulfill a personal agenda. No story on the subject was published. And other emails Roginsky shared last week with NJ Advance Media show she was working behind the scenes to minimize the impact of the potential story and that she gave senior officials constant updates. In another instance, Bryan said in an email to Gill that Roginsky suggested Murphys team be softer in attacking then-Gov. Chris Christie for a state government shutdown that was occurring at the time. Just got off of a call with Julie, Bryan wrote to Gill in July 2017. She disagreed strongly with our statement from this morning. In her words, we shouldnt be blaming Gov. Christie for this shutdown because its not totally his fault. Roginsky provided emails to NJ Advance Media that claimed to show she had concerns about messaging regarding the shutdown not that she didnt think the campaign should pull punches at Christie. Instead, she offered a line that would have taken a swipe at the former governors administration and Murphys then-rival, former Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno. Bryan and Gill were both on those emails. Regardless, Gill, in an email to the campaign attorney, cited what Bryan characterized as odd advice on Christie as among the reasons he lost confidence with Roginsky and planned to ice her out. (I) will not at this point in time share any of our political strategy directly with her," Gill wrote, adding other top officials agreed with him. Roginsky told NJ Advance Media she never gave that advice about Christie. Near the end of the exchanges over the one-month period in June and July 2017 was an email Roginsky wrote to Murphy under the subject line Hail Mary Pass" sent after a conversation the two had earlier. In it, Roginsky suggests shes willing to bury the hatchet with Gill, writing I have known Gill for two decades and we have been very close friends for all but three weeks of that time. She also acknowledged in the email that Murphy had questions about her other ties to legislative leadership and Middlesex County politics at a time when then-state Assemblyman Craig Coughlin was jockeying to become the states next speaker of the Assembly, which he ultimately accomplished. The larger issue is the concern that you expressed about my alleged involvement with leadership and Middlesex, Roginsky wrote. I have, as I told you, gone out of my way to avoid even a hint of a conflict by never discussing leadership issues with anyone there. She added: "Having said that, if my being affiliated with Middlesex freeholder and legislative campaigns has caused problems of perception for you, I am willing to resign from the campaign to make your life easier. Campaign officials say Roginsky separated from them shortly thereafter. Roginsky says she was fired. "As Ms. Roginsky knows, she was separated from the campaign due to irreconcilable political and professional differences with the campaign, and not for any other reason, Caitlin Mota, a Murphy spokeswoman, said in a statement. Ms. Roginsky is attempting to rewrite history," Mota added. By conflating the circumstances of her departure from the campaign with the legitimate and very serious concerns that women across the country are finally feeling empowered enough to discuss, we believe she may be misusing this movement for her own political gain. Not so, Roginsky told NJ Advance Media. I am not surprised that Brendan Gill and his frat house buddies are releasing selective and much-redacted emails. They are desperately attempting to deflect attention from the fact that Gill ran a misogynistic campaign, Roginsky said in a statement. This laughable attempt to gaslight the public is exactly why women in politics are afraid to report incidents of misogyny, harassment and even assault or corruption. It is a prime example of why my termination had such a chilling effect on others who wanted or still want to come forward, she added. Within the emails provided to NJ Advance Media from Murphys campaign were claims of what Roginsky told The Star-Ledger about other women having similar complaints. Referring to me the way you have in this email smacks of rank misogyny, if nothing else exactly the same kind of misogyny you exhibited towards me on the phone. I know, from other women on the campaign, that I am not alone in having you speak to me inappropriately, Roginsky wrote, adding she hoped the campaign attorney would speak to those women. I am happy to provide names, if they are not too cowed after learning of your retaliation towards me to speak honestly with them," she wrote, referring to how Gill described her as a vendor to the campaign. The campaign told The Star Ledgers Moran that it asked Roginsky for names but she did not provide them. Gill claims Roginsky is trying to mislead people on the reason for her departure. It is sad that Ms. Roginsky is in denial of her harmful behavior during the campaign, he said in a statement to NJ Advance Media. Ms. Roginsky and I worked together on multiple campaigns over two decades and was responsible for my employment on the Murphy campaign, Gill added. At some point she lost her way and now is resorting to name calling, finger pointing and attempting to mislead the public and doing the bidding of her other clients. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Ukraine flight 752, Ukrainian flight shot down in Iran, Jan. 2020 AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi On January 8, a passenger plane carrying 176 people crashed outside of Tehran, in Iran. Everyone on board was killed in the crash. The plane was shot down by two antiaircraft missiles fired, by mistake, by Iran's Revolutionary Guards. Iran's military was on high alert in early January after the United States ordered a drone strike in Iraq that killed Iranian military commander general Qassem Soleimani. According to a new report in the New York Times, Iran knew that it had accidentally fired on the aircraft immediately but the country's Revolutionary Guards hid the truth for days, even from Iran's president Hassan Rouhani. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, carrying 176 people, crashed in Iran on January 8. Everyone on board was killed in the crash. The cause of the crash, Iran's government initially reported, was unknown. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps a military division that answers directly to the country's supreme leader suggested a potential mechanical failure on the Boeing 737 plane involved. But days later, following claims from multiple foreign governments suggesting the plane was shot down, Iran admitted its mistake: A Revolutionary Guards soldier, on high alert in the wake of the US-ordered drone strike on Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani, accidentally fired two antiaircraft missiles at the passenger flight. That's according to a new piece in the New York Times on Sunday, which reports that Iran's Revolutionary Guards knew it had made the mistake immediately after the missiles were fired. Ukraine flight 752 crashed outside of Tehran, Iran in January 2020. Associated Press Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, leader of the Revolutionary Guards aerospace division, was told of the news soon after. "I called the officials and told them this has happened and it's highly possible we hit our own plane," he said in a televised statement. Story continues What followed, according to the NYT report, was an attempt by Iran's Revolutionary Guards to keep the news hidden even from Iranian president Hassan Rouhani. Rather than reporting to President Rouhani, Iran's Revolutionary Guards report directly to Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. As such, General Hajizadeh and other Revolutionary Guards generals reportedly didn't tell the Iranian president or military what they knew to be the likely truth: That Iran had accidentally fired two antiaircraft missiles at a passenger jet, and that jet had crashed due to those missiles. As Iran publicly denied involvement in shooting down the plane, a committee was reportedly put together to investigate. Participants "were sequestered and ordered not to speak to anyone," according to the NYT report. Iran Ukraine plane crash candlelit vigil Tehran AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi By the evening of January 8, the same day the crash occurred, that committee was reportedly ready to declare that Iran had fired two rockets at the plane by mistake but Iran's Revolutionary Guards apparently weren't ready to tell Iran's president or other branches of government just yet. According to the generals involved, Iran initially denied involvement in the crash due to national security concerns. If they admitted fault immediately, it could've introduced doubt into Iran's air defense operators, they argue. "If we had said this, our air defense system would have become crippled and our guys would have had doubted everything," Gen. Hajizadeh said. Following days of outright denials by Iranian public officials, Iran's president Hassan Rouhani reportedly found out the truth on Friday, January 10. He reportedly pushed for a swift announcement of the news, which was said to be met with pushback from military leaders. It reportedly took Rouhani threatening resignation for the issue to be resolved. On Saturday, January 11 three days after the plane crashed Iran officially acknowledged its mistake. "Armed Forces' internal investigation has concluded that regrettably missiles fired due to human error caused the horrific crash of the Ukrainian plane and death of 176 innocent people," President Rouhani tweeted. "Investigations continue to identify and prosecute this great tragedy and unforgivable mistake." Read the full report from The New York Times right here. Read the original article on Business Insider Dileep V Kumar By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the state heightens its vigil against the novel Coronavirus (nCoV) outbreak, the Health Department is in a dilemma over a scheduled visit of 29 international tourists from China on Sunday to the state. With the hotel industry wary of how to deal with the situation, the department has convened a meeting on Monday with Tourism department authorities and representatives from the industry. A batch of 29 tourists from China is scheduled to visit the state on Sunday. They are expected to stay at a resort in Poovar in Thiruvananthapuram. But in the wake of the nCoV outbreak, the hotel industry is a worried lot, said an officer of the health department. What makes the situation grimmer is nCoV is spreading to other parts of the world including Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, Nepal, France, Australia, and the United States. As the tourism season is in progress, a high degree of vigil is needed, added the officer. The concern is over the mode of transmission of the virus. While the World Health Organisation is yet to categorically state how it is transmitted, the available evidence points at human-to-human transmission through the respiratory route. Meanwhile, sources said that considering the seriousness of the situation, the Health Department is planning to provide a travel advisory to international tourists visiting the state. It is learnt that to provide advisories to hotel and tourism industries and to hotel managers along with the tourists, a suggestion has been submitted to health principal secretary Rajan Khobragade for his approval. ALSO READ | Coronavirus outbreak: India 'requests' China to permit students stuck in Wuhan to return The state cant restrict foreigners from visiting. But the situation is alarming as nCoV is spreading to other parts of the world from China. As a multi-disciplinary team from the Centre is visiting the state on Sunday, this matter will be brought to their attention and necessary actions will be initiated, said an officer of the Public Health wing. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses known to cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). As per the Health Ministry, a total of 1,287 cases and 41 deaths were reported in 29 provinces of China. In addition, 28 cases have been confirmed outside the Chinese mainland. Malayali students in China safe Norka-Roots CEO Harikrishnan Namboothiri K said in a statement on Saturday that Malayali students in China were safe and that they were constantly in touch with the Indian Embassy there. Though a lockdown is in place, supermarkets and food distribution networks are still in operation, he said. Disha will handle your doubts The health helpline Disha (1156/0471-2552056), which was opened to handle queries related to the nCoV, have been receiving calls from students, resort owners and some worried neighbours. The helpline has attended 50 calls since its launch on January 22. According to staff, the calls were mainly coming from MBBS students who had returned from China. They reroute the calls to the respective district surveillance officer or district medical officer of the nearest PHC for further action. The calls were mainly from students who returned before the screening process was introduced at airports. They were concerned because they had either returned from Wuhan or from cities near it. They want to know what sort of precautions they should take to avoid nCoV, said Akhila, floor manager, Disha. According to her, some resort owners too sought their advice as they had customers from China and other affected countries. There were also calls from some worried neighbours about people who are yet to report to concerned authorities regarding their travel history, she added. Hailing the setting up of a coordination panel by the Congress in Rajasthan as a "good move", Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot on Sunday said people who struggled for ensuring victory in polls must be made to feel a valuable part of the ruling dispensation as sometimes one tends to take the party organisation for granted after governments are formed. Pilot also asserted that the seven crore people of Rajasthan had reposed their faith in and voted for the Congress party, and it was only after that the party decided who will be chief minister, deputy CM and ministers. His remarks come following criticism of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's handling of the Kota infant deaths issue and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi forming coordination and manifesto implementation committees in Rajasthan and other Congress-ruled states to ensure smooth working of the party and government in tandem. In an interview to PTI, Pilot, who last week completed six years as president of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee and is the longest serving chief of the state unit, said that as part of the government and the RPCC head, it is his responsibility to ensure that the hard labour of party workers is recognised and they are rewarded for their efforts in bringing the party back to power. "My years of struggle in opposition as party president helped form a special bond with people across the state -- it's my life's biggest asset," he said. The Deputy Chief Minister, who has consistently emphasised that the government must reach out to people, also asserted that accountability needs to be fixed and corrective measures taken in the cases such as the one in which more than 100 infants died in a government hospital at Kota, so that such tragic incidents are not repeated. "We should not politicise these issues. Good governance comes from ensuring responsibility and fixing accountability, doing that will at least ensure that there is no repetition of such tragedies and corrective measures are taken immediately," Pilot said. Such issues must be dealt with a lot of compassion and empathy and people must feel confident that there are measures in place that such tragedies don't happen again, he said. Pilot had earlier said the government could have shown more compassion in the matter and he also met parents of some of the deceased children in Kota. Asked about the setting up of the coordination and manifesto implementation committees, Pilot said, "I think it is a good move. The Congress workers, the party cadre, the people who have really struggled and won the elections, their stakeholdership, their contribution (must be acknowledged), and they must feel that they are a valuable part of the government." The move will certainly give a lot of confidence to grassroots workers, the 42-year-old leader said. On whether it will enhance the voice of the organisation in the government, he said, "When you are in opposition, the party is of paramount importance. When you are part of the government, sometimes we tend to take the party for granted which shouldn't be the case." All those who worked to put the party in power need appreciation and respect, said Pilot, who is widely credited for the turnaround of the party and its return to power after having been reduced to just 21 seats in the previous assembly following five years of the previous Gehlot government. "I think the objective (of the committees) is to have a more smoothened process so that people discuss things thoroughly and the government also works in line with what the party wants and what the manifesto states. So there are two committees. I think both will have positive results in delivering governance on the ground," he said. Avinash Pandey, party in-charge for Rajasthan Congress, will head the coordination committee which has Chief Minister Gehlot, Pilot, ministers Master Bhanwar Lal Meghwal, Harish Chaudhary, former speaker Deepender Singh Shekhawat, along with former ministers Hema Ram Chaudhary and Mahendrajit Malviya. Chhattisgarh minister Tamradhwaj Sahu has been made the chairman of the manifesto implementation panel for Rajasthan. Asked whether he was ready for another term as the state party chief, Pilot said he is always ready for any responsibility given to him and to discharge it with utmost sincerity and honesty. On maintaining a balance between his role in the government and as RPCC chief, he said, "Once I set a goal for myself, I go all out to achieve it. I am looking after rural development, panchayati raj and they mostly impact rural population and agrarian communities and so we've ensured that budgets are enhanced, schemes reach the remotest parts and strict oversight is maintained." He also highlighted that the party recently won three-fourths of the posts in local body polls with people rewarding hard work. Talking about the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests and the Rajasthan Assembly passing a resolution against the law, Pilot said it is everyone's right to uphold whatever they feel is wrong. "Parliament has passed a law because the government of India has a majority in Parliament, but that does not mean that it will necessarily meet legal sanction from the Supreme Court," Pilot said. Ultimate decision stands with the Supreme Court on the legality of the Act but every individual has the right to oppose and the government can alter, withdraw or change the law as it deems fit, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The authorities reportedly lowered the alert level and partially lifted mass evacuation as the deadly explosion from Taal Volcano, Philippines appears algid. The volcano Taal, located south of Manila, erupted on January 12 spewing lava, ash, and rocks displacing 376,000 locals and the tourists, as per the reports. The alert level has been reportedly lowered to 3 from 4 which implies that the volcano has a reduced propensity to cause further eruptions, while 5 denotes major threat of imminent explosive eruption. The volcano eruption caused the total evacuation According to the reports, the volcano had spewed lava up to nine miles (14 kilometers) causing the total evacuation of nearly a million people. The government agency has now reduced the danger zone by half and has urged the residents to return home. Read Thousands-strong Hong Kong Protest Cut Short By Clashes Read Planned Parenthood Endorses Challenger To Sen. Susan Collins Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology told the media that the Taal volcanos condition has generally declined into less frequent volcanic earthquake activity, decelerated ground deformation and weak steam and gas emissions at the main crater are detected within two weeks. Eruptions have had no casualties or deaths The Taal volcano eruptions have had no casualties or deaths despite the highest alert level 5 and people residing in the immediate vicinity of dangerous streams of explosive lava gushing out of the volcanic vent in the past, as per reports. Erik Klemetti, a volcanologist at Denison University told the media that the Taal volcano is considered as the worlds most dangerous as 459,000 people reside within the danger zone, according to the UN reports. Although the volcanic activity of Taal volcano has subsided and the authorities have reportedly been monitoring the event, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), a government agency in Quezon City, north of Manila has told the media that the stalling of the volcanic eruptions has not eliminated the threat. PHIVOLCS predicted that there could be 450 volcanic earthquakes, as well as the emergence of fissures, and receding of the surrounding lake, as per the reports. Read World Leaders Arrive At Jerusalem To Commemorate The Holocaust Read Malala Yousafzai Biopic 'Gul Makai' Gets U/A Certificate \President Donald Trump's impeachment trial enters a pivotal week as his defense team resumes its case and senators face a critical vote on whether to hear witnesses or proceed directly to a vote that is widely expected to end in his acquittal. The articles of impeachment charge Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The Capitol Hill maneuvering will be complemented by high-stakes efforts on both sides of the aisle to claim political advantage from the proceedings as the presidential nominating season kicks off in Iowa on February 3. What to watch as the Senate impeachment trial resumes Monday at 1 p.m. EST: After a two-hour opening argument Saturday, Trump's defense team will lay out its case in depth beginning Monday. White House counsel Pat Cipollone said Trump's lawyers don't expect to take the full 24 hours allotted to them, but there will be arguments from some familiar faces. Harvard law professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz, former independent counsel Ken Starr and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi will speak on specific topics. Dershowitz said Sunday he would argue that the charges against Trump are too minor to warrant the president's removal from office under the Constitution. Even if true, they did not allege impeachable offenses," Dershowitz told "Fox Sunday." QUESTION TIME Once Trump's team concludes, senators will have 16 hours to ask questions of both the House impeachment prosecutors and the president's legal team. Their questions must be in writing. Chief Justice John Roberts will read the questions aloud. He is expected to alternate between both sides of the aisle. Many senators have been talking copious notes throughout the trial in preparation for the question-and-answer time. Sen John Barrasso, R-Wyo., told reporters Saturday that Republicans expected to get together on Monday to start formulating a list of questions. We will meet as a conference and decide what questions we want to pose, what the order may be of those of those questions, he said. WILL THEY OR WON'T THEY Under the Senate rules passed last week, senators will vote whether to consider new witnesses and evidence after the Q&A time is elapsed. Four Republicans would have to break ranks to join Democrats in the GOP-controlled Senate to extend the trial for an undetermined amount of time. If that happens, expect a bitter fight over which witnesses might be called and which documents might be subpoenaed. Democrats have called for testimony from Trump's former national security adviser, John Bolton, and his acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney. An attempt to call either probably would lead to a showdown with the White House, which claims both men have absolute immunity" from being called to testify before the Senate, even in an impeachment trial. Still, Bolton has said he would appear if issued a subpoena by the Senate. While Republicans have hoped for a speedy trial, Trump has called for the testimony of former Vice President Joe Biden, his son Hunter and the intelligence community whistleblower whose summer complaint about Trump's July telephone call with Ukraine's leader instigated the impeachment inquiry. Hunter Biden served on the board of a Ukraine gas company while his father was vice president. But some Republicans, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., have expressed resistance to calling those witnesses. If the vote fails, the Senate could move swiftly to its vote on whether to remove or acquit Trump, giving the president the result he's been looking for as soon as the end of the week. THE The trial is resuming with one week to go until the Iowa caucuses, and is again keeping four Democratic contenders Sens. Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Michael Bennet and Amy Klobuchar in Washington instead of campaigning at a critical point in the race. While they are trapped in Washington, Trump will venture outside the capital as he seeks both to exert political retribution on Democrats who impeached him and reward a party-switching lawmaker who backed him in the House. Trump will hold a rally Tuesday in New Jersey to repay the favor to Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who became a Republican last month after voting against the articles of impeachment as a Democrat. And Trump is set to appear in Iowa on Thursday, days before the caucuses. Meanwhile, Trump is already looking ahead to his likely acquittal, whenever it may come, promising that Democrats will face consequences for trying to remove him from office. Shifty Adam Schiff is a CORRUPT POLITICIAN, and probably a very sick man, Trump tweeted Sunday. He has not paid the price, yet, for what he has done to our Country! Schiff, D-Calif., is chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and the lead impeachment manager. Asked on NBC's ''Meet the Press'' whether he viewed the tweet as a threat, Schiff replied, "I think it's intended to be. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (CNN) In 2003, panic was setting in. The fatal severe respiratory syndrome (SARS) which first appeared in southern China had spread across borders, prompting schools to close in Singapore and hundreds to be quarantined in Hong Kong. In the Chinese city of Wuhan, some 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from the origin of the outbreak, Li -- then a 15-year-old high school student -- was cramming for exams. Classes were running, but students were told they couldn't go home between their afternoon and evening classes, so parents clustered outside the school gate to pass boxes of food to their children. Li, not his real name, said his school smelled of vinegar, due to a belief that vinegar fumes would help prevent the spread of disease. CNN agreed to Li's request not to publish his name -- he's now an academic and fears any perceived criticism of the government could damage his career. For Li, SARS didn't feel like something he was going to catch himself. Back then, there were no high-speed trains linking Wuhan with other cities, and the southern province of Guangdong, where the outbreak started, felt very far away. Some people wore masks, others didn't. Almost two decades later, Asia is on the brink of another pandemic, say experts. For many, it feels eerily similar to the SARS outbreak that infected over 8,000 people and killed 774 around the world between November 2002 and July 2003. SARS is also a type of coronavirus, which causes flu-like symptoms, and can mutate as it spreads from person to person. In the past month, at least 41 people have died and more than a thousand people have been diagnosed as infected by the Wuhan coronavirus, a cousin of SARS. Cases have been reported in a number of countries, including the United States, France, and Singapore. Transport is on lockdown in Wuhan -- a city of 11 million and the epicenter of the virus -- and in 10 nearby cities. This is all happening at the worst possible time of year: Lunar New Year, the most significant holiday in the Chinese calendar, when three billion trips were expected to be made. Even before Wuhan closed train stations and airports, Li -- who is now 31 and working in Macao -- decided, for the first time in his adult life, not to go home for Lunar New Year, which is also known in the mainland as Spring Festival. He worries for his family's health, but says there's little he personally can do. "I would hope the government learned a lesson from what happened 17 years ago," said Li. "It seems like they are taking the issue seriously, but I am not sure if it is a little bit too late." Six weeks into the outbreak, there are signs that China is handling this outbreak differently. But there's still concern over China's response -- and just how transparent Beijing is being. What went wrong during SARS In the first few months of the 2003 SARS outbreak, China kept the disease under wraps. SARS was first publicly reported in February 2003, but by that time the country was already months into an outbreak. Five people had died and another 300 had fallen ill from the disease in Guangdong province. In April 2003, a prominent doctor in Beijing went on the record to accuse the government of a cover-up. Later that month, China sacked its health minister and the mayor of Beijing over their mishandling of the outbreak. And it wasn't until April -- around five months after the outbreak started -- that American and Canadian scientists announced they had sequenced the genome thought to be the cause of the SARS virus. The lack of transparency from China, combined with a lack of knowledge about what the virus was and a lack of preparedness among countries in the region in dealing with pandemics, all contributed to SARS's deadly impact. In semi-autonomous Hong Kong, over 280 people died from SARS -- the highest proportion of death per capita of any territory in the world. "The outbreak was very, very difficult to control. At that time, we had no idea what caused the pandemic," said Ivan Hung, a specialist in infectious disease at Hong Kong University. "We were not able to get on top of things and able to make early diagnosis and isolation as a result. There was a lot of cross infection that happened in the hospital." SARS also exposed how ill-prepared China and other territories were at responding to pandemics. In a paper published soon after the epidemic was contained, Hong Kong's former Director of Health Lee Shiu-hung pointed to a number of issues facing the city, including a lack of protective clothing for medical staff, ill-prepared hospital authorities, and basic failings in the healthcare system, like overcrowded wards and poor ventilation. As Hung puts it, last time around, public health authorities were "playing catch up." Grace -- a 37-year-old Hong Konger -- was interning at a hotel at the time, and remembers the fear. At her hotel, everyone wore a mask, and people cleaned their hands and phones before starting work. "Everyone was worried because nobody knew how serious it was. Everybody had to wear masks wherever they go. Business was not good as well," said Grace, who asked CNN not to use her last name out of concern for the impact of her current job. "People preferred to stay at home if they didn't have to go to work or school." A different China In the six weeks since the first case of Wuhan coronavirus was detected, it's already clear that today's China isn't the same as the China of 2003. China informed the World Health Organization about the new virus on December 31, 2019, less than three weeks after the first case was detected on December 12. The virus behind the outbreak was identified on January 7 -- as swift as any other developed country would have been able to identify it, said Ian Lipkin, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University who worked to contain SARS back in 2003. The prompt identification of the new strain allowed other countries to develop tests for the virus early on that should help contain the outbreak, said Peter Daszak, the president of non-profit EcoHealth Alliance, which researches emerging infectious diseases. Experts have also praised China for being transparent about the outbreak -- something the country was criticized for last time. Many are also impressed with China's unprecedented decision this week to stop transport to and from Wuhan during the country's biggest holiday. "SARS was a huge embarrassment to China, and that's been driving a lot of the openness and transparency around this outbreak," Daszak said. There are other things, too, that should make this outbreak easier to contain than SARS 17 years ago. China and other Asian countries have stepped up their ability to respond to pandemics. Chinese residents are also more aware of how to protect themselves from the spread of disease, Lipkin said. Face masks are now mandatory in Wuhan, but before that, online sales surged, China Daily reported. That's also true in Hong Kong. For almost eight months, face masks have been closely associated with the ongoing pro-democracy protest movement. But over the past few weeks, more and more people have been wearing surgical masks in public -- for health reasons. For many, SARS taught them how to respond to the risk of disease. Surgical masks are now ubiquitous on the subway, and Hong Kong is facing a serious shortage of face masks, according to Horace Lau, the vice president of Hong Kong's General Chamber of Pharmacy. Grace said she started wearing a mask weeks ago. "Since SARS took place in 2003, people in Hong Kong are more conscious about health and how to protect themselves," she said. What hasn't changed But while China has undoubtedly been more communicative about the Wuhan coronavirus, there's still lingering distrust. In 2003, then 15-year-old Li didn't think to question the authorities. Now, as an academic living outside mainland China's censorship, Li believes the Chinese government doesn't trust its people to handle the full truth. "(It's this) sort of idea of 'we have to control the scale of the panic instead of the scale of disease," he said. "I can only hope that ... they can act better and they can respond quickly instead of keeping people in the dark." On Wednesday, a senior US State Department official said the US was concerned about the Chinese government's transparency. "I do believe that the concern you see both inside China and internationally is a reflection of what we've seen in the past," the official said. "That reluctance to respond in a rapid manner doesn't give the global community a secure feeling for this being managed inside China." However, on Friday President Donald Trump said on Twitter that China "had been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus" and thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping. "The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi!" Trump tweeted. Last weekend, Imperial College London found that an estimated 1,723 people were likely to have been infected by the virus by January 12, significantly more than the 45 confirmed cases around the time the study was released. On Monday, Chinese authorities reported that the number of cases had tripled over the weekend to 218. Those figures worried some people, but Daszak points out that there are always going to be more people infected than we know about -- not everyone's symptoms are serious enough for them to seek medical attention. Lipkin agrees, saying that authorities are likely being cautious about reporting numbers as it is winter -- a season when people often get flu and pneumonia anyway. Online, numerous people claim to have been turned away from Wuhan's hospitals. Although CNN has not been able to verify individual claims, Wuhan's health authority acknowledged in a statement that local hospitals were overwhelmed. Officials said the situation would improve as more medical facilities were set aside for the detection and treatment of the virus. According to state media reports, Wuhan plans to build a new hospital in six days. There's also more to be done to address a major issue: live animal markets. The coronavirus that caused SARS was traced to the civet cat, a wild animal considered a delicacy in parts of south China. After the outbreak in 2003, China banned the slaughter and consumption of civet cats. This time around, it's believed the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak started in the now-shuttered Wuhan Huanan Wholesale Seafood Market, where a number of wild animals were for sale, including raccoon dogs and snakes. Experts believe that the coronavirus was carried by animals -- possibly snakes -- and then spread to humans. Although China bans the trafficking of some wild animals, it is still widely seen as the world's largest market for illicit wildlife products. Experts say markets that sell wild animals need to be banned. "It places the whole world at risk. And I don't think we can allow these to continue. The risk is just too great," Lipkin said. Daszak added that countries need to take more preventative measures to stop pandemics. "We should treat pandemics a bit like smoking or heart disease," he said. "We spend billions of dollars once they emerge to control an outbreak, but we should also start spending money before they emerge to stop them spilling over to people." Is this SARS all over again? There's reason to think that the current coronavirus outbreak won't have the same impact as SARS did in 2003. For now, the virus doesn't seem as deadly. As of Thursday, Daszak estimated that it had a 3.5% mortality rate -- the WHO estimates that SARS had a fatality ratio of 14% to 15%. This time around, we know what the disease is, and there are potential vaccines that can be trialed, Daszak said. Health authorities are also better prepared, says Hung, who doesn't think that this outbreak will be as bad as SARS. But authorities also face new difficulties. This outbreak coincides with the Lunar New Year, and in the past 17 years, China has seen a dramatic increase in international and domestic travel. China's expansive trade network means the virus could spread to places like Africa, where testing might not be so intensive, Daszak said. Even in more developed countries, identifying people who were potentially infected still largely depends on them self-reporting their symptoms -- something some people just won't do. At the moment, the disease hasn't become a super-spreader like SARS. If a disease is a super-spreader, it means that one person infects many people. There has been one report of a single patient infecting 14 health care workers, but no other similar cases have been reported. But if the virus evolves to become a super-spreader, Daszak said that would "basically be a repeat of SARS." "It's beginning to look more and more like SARS every day," Daszak said, adding that the decision to shut down Wuhan suggested the authorities know something about the way the disease spreads that isn't good news. Whether this epidemic turns into SARS or not depends on how the disease evolves -- and how well public health authorities manage to contain it, he said. "Right now, we are on the cusp of what could be a repeat of the SARS pandemic." This story was first published on CNN.com. "A lot has changed since China's SARS outbreak 17 years ago. But some things haven't." The Seoul city government has issued a guidebook containing safety tips for international tourists visiting the capital. The booklet, "Guide for Safe Travel in Seoul," is available in Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese. It is distributed free at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, and at major tourist information centers. The guidebook provides useful information on safety in various places such as shopping centers, mountain trails, bicycle lanes and the Han River. The booklet offers tips on coping with extreme weather in all four seasons, as well as dealing with things like fine dust and disaster drills. Illustrations help foreigners understand the content, while QR codes allow users to search for more information on their mobile phones. (Yonhap) As the nation celebrates the 71st Republic Day at Raj Ghat on January 26, the Embassy of Israel in India has extended greetings on the illustrious day. Taking to Twitter, the Israel Ambassador Ron Malka greeted Namaste and concluded his wishes on the occasion with the salutation of 'Jai Hind'. READ | From Frogs In Goa To Meghalaya's Root Bridge: Every State's Republic Day 2020 Tableau On the occasion of the Republic Day, the Israel Embassy also announced that Air India will operate six flights a week from April 2020 onwards on the New Delhi - Tel Aviv route calling it another reason to travel to 'Incredible India'. On 71st #RepublicDayIndia, we are happy to announce that #AirIndia @airindiain will now operate 6 flights a week from April 2020 on #NewDelhi #TelAviv sector. Tickets for the additional flight on Wednesday are on sale. One more reason to travel to #IncredibleIndia pic.twitter.com/a1fH5WZOfE India in Israel (@indemtel) January 26, 2020 READ | 'Jai Hind!': Sachin Tendulkar Wishes Indians Republic Day In Both Hindi And English 71st Republic Day celebrations As India celebrates its 71st Republic Day on Sunday, the majestically grand celebrations at Rajpath witnesses India's strong military might, a bright display of cultural richness & diversity, social, and economic progress on display for the world to see. In this year's Republic Day parade, President Ram Nath Kovind is hosting Chief Guest President of the Federal Republic of Brazil, Jair Messias Bolsonaro. READ | Why The Indian Air Force's 5-component 'Cutting Edge' Republic Day Float Is A Gamechanger Unlike other Republic Day parades, this year's parade ceremony marks the first time when the Prime Minister visited the newly built National War Memorial near India Gate instead of Amar Jawan Jyoti. PM Modi on behalf of the entire nation paid tributes to the martyrs of all the armed forces by laying a wreath. The parade commenced with President Ram Nath Kovind taking the salute. This year's parade is commanded by Parade Commander, Lieutenant General Asit Mistry, General Officer Commanding, Headquarters Delhi Area. Major General Alok Kacker, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area will be the parade's Second-in-Command. READ | Nitin Gadkari Wishes Nation On Republic Day, Unfurls Tricolour At His Residence A British mother has been arrested over the murder of her two-year-old son who was found dead in her flat in Finland four days ago. Ayesha Ali is alleged to have killed her son Adam after she told family and friends she was going to kill herself. The Cambridge graduate had been living in Espoo, which is around 13 miles away from capital Helsinki and on the night of the tragedy, neighbours said shouting had been audible from the apartment block. The 35-year-old's son was found in the apartment and had stopped breathing, this while Ms Ali had an injury to her neck. Ayesha Ali (pictured above) is alleged to have killed her son Adam after she told family and friends she was going to kill herself Ms Ali and her son are pictured above. She had fought in a custody battle to see him The Sunday Mirror revealed that as she was led away from the property, she was heard to have shouted 'I've killed my son'. A neighbour told the paper that she had been alerted to the drama and that there had been a friend of Ms Ali's outside, shouting up and telling her that they had been there to help her. Ms Ali , who was reportedly working in Finland as a freelance teacher, is alleged to have been shouting back, claiming that she wanted to die. The woman outside was then let into the building and had stated that she had called police who were on their way. Witnesses said that when police arrived they went straight up to the flat where they tried to resuscitate the youngster. Neighbours of Ms Ali's said their had been a commotion outside the property in Finland. Ms Ali is pictured above with her son 'His mum had been saying, 'He turned blue and is very cold'.'Another neighbour added: 'Police broke the lock to get into the apartment. She had only moved in at the start of December. I thought it was an unusual time to move in. 'There was her and the baby here but no father. I never saw her with a man. He was a lovely little boy very cute. I would see her taking him out to the park in a stroller. It's a sad case.' Ms Ali had grown up in Staffordshire and had moved to Finland with Adam's father Adnane Osmane, in January last year. Mr Osmane had got a job at the Aalto University as an assistant professor. The couple's marriage had collapsed after they filed for divorce in May and they had spent many months embroiled in a custody bid for little Adam. The Sunday Mirror obtained court documents which showed Ms Ali had moved into a homeless shelter following a court battle. On her website Ms Ali had previously stated: 'Some recent personal experiences have piqued my interest in family law and the experiences of immigrant women and children in Finland.' And on June 22, she posted a picture to Facebook of her and Adam with stated she had been visiting him. The couple, who had also lived in the UK, Canada and China, agreed on joint custody of Adam and Ms Ali was allowed to have Adam stay with her Sunday to Tuesday. Ayesha's father Imtiaz, 73, said the were unable to speak about the case but commented that his daughter had not admitted to murder and that it was an 'accidental death'. 'She hasn't admitted to any charges. She has been admitted to a hospital in Helsinki. She is an intelligent woman and highly educated. She has one masters degree, one Cambridge degree and one PGCE. It is such a very difficult time for us. That's all I can say at the moment.' The Foreign Office said they were currently in contact with Finish authorities. Tennessee governor signs a bill to allow religious-based adoption agencies to deny services to LGBTQ families originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The governor of Tennessee is catching heat for signing a bill that allows religious-based adoption agencies the right to deny services to anyone, including LGBTQ families. The measure, which Gov. Bill Lee signed into law on Friday, also protects those agencies from getting sued or retaliated against for rejecting an applicant for "foster care or adoption if it violates their written religious or moral convictions or policies," according to House Bill 836. The bill passed by the Tennessee state Senate on Jan. 14 with a 20 to 6 vote. Five members were present but abstained from voting. After the Senate passed the bill, Lee promised to sign the bill once it hit his desk. MORE: Woman meets her birth mother for the 1st time 30 years after adoption "The governor believes that protection of rights is important, especially religious liberty," said Gillum Ferguson, a spokesman for Lee. "This bill is centered around protecting the religious liberty of Tennesseans and thats why he signed it." PHOTO: File photo of Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, April 17, 2019, in Nashville. (Mark Humphrey/AP) An online petition titled "This Anti LGBTQ+ anti adoption law needs to be repealed. All kids deserve a loving family," launched Jan. 15. "With the restrictions on abortion in this state, foster care and adoption centers will soon be full of children and babies just needing a loving home," wrote Joshua Lindsey, who started the campaign. "The amount of citizens adopting is already scarce enough, this law will only add to the problem." MORE: Adopted man reunites with his birth parents 37 years later after connecting through DNA test kit The petition, which has more than 5,000 of the requested 7,500 signatures as of Saturday afternoon, is calling for the bill to get repealed. This law doesnt change the reality that faith-based adoption agencies are already allowed not to violate their beliefs, a source familiar with the law told ABC News. This law gives them legal protection should they be sued for exercising those beliefs, the source said. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Health Organization's director general, is traveling to Beijing, China, to meet with government and health officials on the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak. The WHO has so far declined to declare the dangerous respiratory disease a global health emergency, despite the spread of the infection from China to at least 10 other countries and the increasing death toll. The virus has infected 2,116 people and killed 56. Cases have been identified in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Nepal, France, Australia, the U.S. and Canada. "I am on my way to Beijing, [China] to meet with the Government & health experts supporting the [coronavirus] response. My [WHO] colleagues & I would like to understand the latest developments & strengthen our partnership with [China] in providing further protection against the outbreak," Ghebreyesus wrote in a Twitter post Sunday. "We are working 24/7 to support [China] & its people during this difficult time & remain in close contact with affected countries, with our regional & country offices deeply involved. [WHO] is updating all countries on the situation & providing specific guidance on what to do to respond," he wrote. The mayor of Wuhan said on Sunday that there could be about 1,000 more confirmed cases of the virus in the city. About 5 million people left Wuhan before travel was restricted, and nine million people are currently living there. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who occupies a position at the heart of American politics, blithely retweeted an unsourced, unproven, and untrue claim that Jews living in Beit Hanina kidnapped and executed a seven-year-old boy. This is a modern version of the medieval blood libel against the Jews. The anti-Semitic blood libel has a long history, going back to at least the 1st century A.D., when the Jewish historian Josephus rebutted a claim that Antiochus Epiphanes found a Greek man in the temple in Jerusalem being fattened for sacrifice. A thousand years later, a Byzantine document again accused Jews of kidnapping a stranger every seven years to serve as a human sacrifice in the Temple at Jerusalem. By the 12th century, the blood libel had firmly taken in England hold after Jews were accused of ritually sacrificing William of Norwich, a young boy found stabbed in the woods. After that, until the Jews were expelled from England in 1290, Jews were routinely accused of executing children and using their blood in rituals, especially when making matzo for Passover. The Jews were then slaughtered in pogroms. The libel migrated to Europe with the same deadly consequences for Jews. The great irony of the blood libel, of course, is that one of the central stories in the Hebrew Bible is the Binding of Isaac, in which God ends human sacrifice. The Ten Commandments, the foundation of Western morality, forbid murder. The Jewish laws governing kosher cooking even forbid using blood when cooking. Leviticus twice forbids consuming blood: It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood. (Leviticus 3:17.) Moreover ye shall eat no manner of blood, whether it be of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings. (Leviticus 7:26.) While criminally-inclined individual Jews might commit murder, Jews were the first culture to take a moral stand against murder (as opposed to pagan cultures, which took a monetary or blood vengeance stand against it). With this as a background, lets go back to Rep. Rashida Tlaib. There is a genuine tragedy at the heart of the story: [7-year-old] Qais Abu Ramilas body was discovered in a reservoir of rainwater Saturday after long hours of search efforts after he was last seen at 4 p.m. Friday heading to a local market to buy pita. The boy apparently slipped into and drowned in the pool, full from the heavy rains last week, according to police. Based upon a rumor (later proven false) that a video showed the boy entering a car, Palestinians promptly tried to attack their Jewish neighbors. Hanan Ashrawi, who was Yassir Arafats spokeswoman, retweeted a tweet accusing Israeli settlers of kidnapping and then executing the child. Thats when Rashida got into the act: US Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib then re-tweeted Ashrawi and included all the allegations. Ashrawi later apologized for her tweet. My apologizes for re-tweeting something thats not fully verified. It seems that the news of his being kidnapped is not certain. Tlaib, the Democratic representative from Michigan, also retweeted and the tweet was thereafter deleted but she did not apologize for spreading the false information. From the moment Tlaib appeared on the political scene, it was clear that (a) in her own mind she represents, not the American people, but those Arabs identifying as Palestinians and (b) that shes an anti-Semite. To put her retweet and her refusal to apologize, here are just a few highlights of Tlaibs moments in the sun: When Tlaib won her seat in Congress, she wrapped herself in a Palestinian, not an American, flag to celebrate. Her office had a map that had a sticky note identifying Israel as Palestine. Tlaib said thinking about the Holocaust gave her a calming feeling, a surprising phrase she explained by saying that this was because it was her Palestinian ancestors who lost their land and some lost their lives, their livelihood, their human dignity, their existence in many ways, have been wiped out, and some people's passports, just so the Jews could have a safe haven. Aside from the bizarre phrasing, the rewrite of history raised eyebrows. Tlaib despises the power of prayer and those who pray, indicating that her allegiance to Islam is political, not religious. Tlaib supports Hamas, a recognized terrorist organization dedicated to exterminating Jews around the world. Tlaib regurgitates anti-Semitic slurs, with her recent blood libel being only the latest of many. Looking at Tlaibs record, its really not newsworthy that she retweeted a blood libel. Instead, its just Tlaib being Tlaib. Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy and his ministers left an 'at home' reception hosted by Lt Governor Kiran Bedi here on Sunday, in a huff allegedly unhappy over not being informed in advance about a programme to honour Padma award winners. Bedi held the 'at home' reception on the lawns of Raj Nivas here on the occasion of the 71st Republic Day, which was attended by Narayanasamy, Welfare Minister M Kandasamy, Speaker V P Sivakolundhuand others. While Kandasamy first left the venue within 10 minutes of commencement of the reception, the Chief Minister and others followed him raising eyebrows among the audience. Sources told PTI that the Chief Minister was 'irked' by taking him and his colleagues by surprise by having a programme to honour the Padma award winners without prior information and hence left the venue after attending the reception for a few minutes. He was also seen airing his anger to an official of Raj Nivas before leaving the venue. Earlier, cultural teams from Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh presented dance programmes. The Lt Governor felicitated Manoj Das from Puducherry who won the Padma Bhushan award for literature and Education. Chief Secretary Ashwani Kumar, Secretaries, French Consul General Catherine Suard, Vice Chancellor of Pondicherry University Gurmeet Singh and legislators of the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) were among those who attended the reception. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After a prolonged run of bad luck, finally, there is some hope for former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan. Known to be superstitious, politicians are currently worried when told that the planetary changes which took place last week bear a remarkable similarity to those witnessed 30 years ago. This has become a source of considerable concern for the ruling BJP as the country was in the throes of an economic crisis three decades ago. At the same time, students had hit streets to protest against the implementation of the Mandal Commission report while senior BJP leader L.K. Advani embarked on a rath yatra to revive the Ram temple issue. This led to political instability with the country seeing a change of several Prime Ministers. This may well be mumbo-jumbo and the ruling partys fears are possibly exaggerated but it has not stopped its members from consulting their astrologers and keeping a sharp eye on planetary configurations. Congress president Sonia Gandhi sent a special condolence message on the recent death of Ashwini Kumar Chopra Minna, senior journalist and former BJP MP from Karnal. While she spoke about Minnas distinguished innings as an editor and social worker, Ms Gandhi also mentioned that his friendship cut across political boundaries. The Congress chief had a reason for referring to his friendly ties with political leaders of all hues. It has been known for some years now that as neighbours in Lodhi Estate, Minna and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had developed a warm friendship. Minna constantly mentioned this fact in the course of a conversation, making it a point to underline that this friendship had remained intact even after he joined the BJP. In fact, Ms Vadra is said to have put in a word with the Manmohan Singh government when Minnas security cover was to be scaled down. The move was promptly vetoed on the ground that there was a threat to Minnas life as his father and well-known Punjab editor Lala Jagat Narian was gunned down by militants. After a prolonged run of bad luck, finally, there is some hope for former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan. Congress president Sonia Gandhi recently named him chairman of a committee to oversee the implementation of the party election manifesto in Madhya Pradesh. To outsiders, this may not appear to be a significant development but for those familiar with the Congress ecosystem, this appointment signals Mr Chavans rehabilitation. When Arun Jaitley vacated the sprawling ministerial bungalow on Krishna Menon Marg last June and shifted to his own place in Kailash Colony, he was told he would be allocated a new bungalow in his capacity as a Rajya Sabha member and a former minister. The urban development ministry zeroed in on 22, Akbar Road, a bungalow which is on every ministers wish list because of its extensive lawns. Former steel minister, Birender Singh, who was occupying the bungalow, moved out when told that the place had been earmarked for Arun Jaitley, who wanted an official residence primarily because he wished to use it for his son Rohans wedding. Jaitley passed away last August but his sons wedding reception will be held at the Akbar Road bungalow on February 15 as decided earlier. There appears to be no end to the ongoing battle between the BJP and its alliance partner, the Shiromani Akali Dal. Already miffed with the BJP at being ignored, the Akalis are upset that the BJP wanted their candidates to contest next months Delhi Assembly election on the BJPs lotus symbol on the plea that this would give them a better chance in the field. This suggestion was not liked by the Akalis, who felt it was an insult to their partys identity. As a result, they have decided not to participate in the Delhi election. An Akali leader admitted that their party had given in to a similar proposal from the BJP in the last Delhi election but they were persuaded to do so by the amiable Arun Jaitley, who, he said, had a way of handling tricky situations. On the other hand, the current BJP dispensation only believes in pushing its allies to accept its decisions, he maintained. Its a proverbial case of my way or the highway. By Express News Service BELGAUM: As ministerial aspirants continue to exert pressure, CM BS Yediyurappa, during a press conference on Saturday, refused to take any questions related to ministry expansion. The meet was called for the CM to speak about his recent visit to Davos. Do not ask any questions related to it (cabinet expansion), I am here to give information on Davos visit, the CM told mediapersons. In fact, he refused to even respond or react to many questions related to the ministry expansion. Sources said the CM is unlikely to visit Delhi to meet the party central leaders in the next two or three days. Sources from his office said Yediyurappa is scheduled to visit Mysuru, Madikeri and Hassan, starting Sunday. The tour may take four days. This also means he is unlikely to visit Delhi during these days. It has been close to two months since the new BJP MLAs were elected. It has been delayed for various reasons, including the CMs visit to Davos to attend World Economic Forum meetings. A senior minister said they were told the cabinet expansion would happen by this month-end. We are hoping it will be after Monday, he added. On Saturday morning, BJP General Secretary BL Santosh met Yediyurappa at his residence. Karthik KK By If there is one voice that is highly recognised among the visually-impaired in Karnataka, it is of KM Nithyananda. The 82-year-old Bengaluru resident has, for the last two decades, been on a mission to provide knowledge to the blind through his audiobooks. Nithyananda has until now dedicated nearly 30,000 hours to record over 1,000 audiobooks, covering over 1.5 lakh pages. Among the treasure trove are novels and short stories, books on spirituality and personality development, and guides and reference books on competitive exams, besides, of course, textbooks, from Class V to the postgraduation level. Audiobook plays a vital role in addressing the issue of dearth of books for visually-impaired students. Im doing a small service to give something back to the society, which has given me so much, says Nithyananda. The students see me, and connect to me, through my voice. This is the most valuable job in my life, he adds. Nithyananda first records the content of the books, and then hands over the audio files to Mitra Jyothi, a Bengaluru-based non-profit that works for people with disabilities. It was founded by Madhu Singhal, visually-impaired herself, to help people like her lead an independent life. Nithyanandas recordings are distributed by the NGO. I was inspired by the work of Mitra Jyothi, which prompted me to volunteer for them. Since I had good oratory skills and voice modulation, I began recording the books. Thats how my journey began, recalls Nithyananda, who began his professional life as a businessman dealing in coffee. A few years later, he took up a job in the pharmacy sector, and gained experience in healthcare. Along with his doctor wife, HS Sheela, he was a part of several medical camps conducted across the state. Nithyanandas initiative, which began in the form of audio cassettes, has come a long way. The books are now available as audio CDs, and Mitra Jyothi has a full-fledged audiobook library. Nithyananda now spends about three hours every day to record a book at his house, after which he sends it for further editing and compilation. Many visually-impaired students even request him for special recordings. While some like Latha, who studies MA at the University of Mysore, swear by the academic works of Nithyananda, others such as Suresh CN, a PhD student, have read 20-30 novels recorded by him. It is challenging for blind students to take competitive exams or pursue higher studies due to lack of such books in Braille. However, Nithyananda sir is making things easier for us, says Latha, who wants to become a lecturer. According to her, Nithyanandas recordings also make the topic easier for students to comprehend. Even post-graduate Kannada students find Bharathiya Kavya Meemase difficult to understand, but Nithyananda sirs recording has made it interesting, explains Latha, talking about the book on Indian poetry written by Kannada writer TN Shrikantaiah. Nithyananda, who also brought out audio magazine Sanchaya for 13 years, now helps train other volunteers in the vocation. He provides guidance for publication and recording of Spardha Shrunkala, a monthly audio magazine in Kannada that aims to prepare candidates for various competitive examinations. Nithyananda sir needs no introduction among the visually-impaired community here, says BR Diwakar, the treasurer of Karnataka Visually Challenged Students Conscious Forum. I have known him for 10 years, and thousands of students have benefited from his service, including many visually-impaired students who have cracked central and state civil services exams, he adds, pointing out that novels such as Huli Hegge and Bullet Savari recorded by Nithyananda have had a great impact on him. Latha echoes the thought; she has even written a poem titled Dhwani Mahatmaru (meaning Voice Mahatma) on Nithyananda. Its affection like this which makes Nithyananda go on, even though he realises that technology is making things easier for the disabled now. Nithyananda has until now dedicated nearly 30,000 hours to record over 1,000 audio books, covering over 1.5 lakh pages Islamabad, Jan 26 : Alice Wells, the top American diplomat dealing with South Asia, has acknowledged Pakistan's efforts for fulfilling the obligations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), saying Washington stands ready to assist Islamabad in implementing them. "We've been pleased to see progress by Pakistan towards fulfilling FATF obligations," The Express Tribune quoted Wells as saying on Saturday in Washington where she briefed the media about her recent trip to Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka. Asked about Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi's request for US help to remove Pakistan from the global financial watchdog's grey list, Wells noted that FATF was a technical process and an action plan had been presented to Islamabad. "It's a question of fulfilling the requirements that have been spelled out and that are asked of all countries in the international system. So it's not a political process, but we certainly support and stand ready to assist Pakistan as it implements these obligations," she added. Pakistan hopes to acquire US cooperation in next month's FATF plenary to get off the grey list after a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Joint Group in Beijing this week was informed that Islamabad had addressed 22 points of its action plan. In February 2018, the FATF had found serious deficiencies in Pakistan's anti-money laundering and combating financing of terrorism regimes and gave Islamabad a 27-point action plan to exit the grey list. Last October, it gave another warning to Islamabad to show full compliance by February 2020. Now, the FATF plenary will take place in Paris next month and take a decision about Pakistan's status on the grey list. Cori Chapman had to pull money out of her retirement savings so that her family could be represented by a lawyer at the coroners inquest into the death of her son, Brad. If not for that, they would have been left to fend for themselves during the complex and heart-wrenching proceeding. Its quite formidable and intimidating to be in a courtroom of any sort, and particularly an inquest into the death of my son, Chapman told the Star in a recent interview. We would have had to do all that on our own. I cant imagine it. But when she turned to the provincial government for help to cover her $38,000 legal bill, she was denied. Her case highlights the fact there is no recourse for legal funding for many families involved in coroners inquests, which probe the circumstances of a persons death and produce recommendations so that similar deaths do not happen again. This despite the fact that many other parties at inquests in the Chapman case, this included the provincial government, the city and the police are represented by publicly-funded lawyers. Its not that Im rolling in money at all, but I think of other people: What do they do? What does somebody who cant afford that do? Chapman said, adding she would have preferred to give the money to her grandchildren. And a few years back when I was raising my kids I could not have afforded to do that. I was living paycheque to paycheque, so there we would have been without (legal) representation, or I would have incurred a huge debt that would have been unpayable. Chapmans 43-year-old son, Brad, died of an opioid overdose in 2015. Among the jurys 55 recommendations from the inquest, which spanned nearly a month at the end of 2018, was a call for the province to declare the opioid overdose epidemic a public health emergency and provide more funding and resources to harm-reduction agencies. Brad was first discovered by a security guard slumped over in an alcove near Yonge and Gerrard streets Two police officers who arrived on scene before paramedics did not move Chapman into what is known as the recovery position to improve his airway, according to a summary of the evidence heard at the inquest that was written by the presiding coroner, Dr. David Eden. Multiple witnesses, including a doctor with extensive experience with first aid, testified that if Mr. Chapman had been turned onto his side and his neck straightened (the recovery position), his airway would have been better protected and his death might have been prevented, Eden wrote. Police testified they had been trained to be cautious of moving someone who may have a neck or spinal injury. But according to Eden, the doctor testified that in any event, airway and breathing must be higher priorities than neck protection. A living person with a spinal injury is a preferable outcome to a dead person with a protected neck. Front-line officers were also not required at the time to carry naloxone, which can temporarily counteract the effect of an overdose until the person is transported to hospital. A Toronto police spokesperson said that front-line officers in the four divisions covering downtown Toronto are now required to carry naloxone, and police first aid training now includes how to use naloxone and recognize the signs of an overdose. Chapman said it was crucial to have her lawyer, Suzan Fraser, at the inquest to help focus the issues, cross-examine witnesses and propose important recommendations for public safety that the jury later adopted. She said Fraser offered her a considerably discounted rate in the face of the governments refusal to help. Chapman said shes so far paid back about $26,000. She emphasized that shes grateful for Frasers work, and that its important that she be paid for that work. For one thing, the other lawyers there were paid, and no doubt some of them were probably paid at a much higher rate than what Suzan charged us, she said. This was good public work, and we dont expect anybody else to not get paid. I dont believe she should have done it for nothing. In fact, I think she should be paid fairly. Fraser outlined the inquest evidence in a letter last year to Mario Di Tommaso, deputy solicitor general for community safety, saying the family should be granted legal funding under a government program that provides up to $40,000 for inquest lawyers to families if the deceased was involved in a police-related incident that caused, or contributed to, their death. (The ministry also has a program to reimburse families at inquests where the person died as a result of a crime. Some families have also been successful in getting funding from Legal Aid.) Fraser argues that the decisions made by police contributed to Brad Chapmans death, and therefore his family should be eligible to recoup their legal costs. The program was created by the previous Liberal government in direct response to the Michael MacIsaac inquest, a man who had been shot and killed by police and whose family was trying to get funding for a lawyer. Di Tommaso told Fraser in an October letter that the request for funding was denied as the ministry concluded Brads death was not a police-related incident. Fraser subsequently wrote to Premier Doug Ford, asking him to intervene, and two months later received a brief reply from Ford expressing his sympathies to the family and referring them back to the Ministry of the Solicitor General. Ministry spokesman Brent Ross told the Star that a committee makes recommendations based on established program criteria regarding the eligibility for inquest funding. He referred the Star to the ministrys website for the criteria, which simply indicates that the family member must be granted standing at the inquest and the deceased was involved in a police-related incident that resulted in, or contributed to their death. He said the deputy solicitor general is not a member of the committee, but is responsible for giving final approval of the decision to reimburse. In her letter to the premier, Fraser said that even if the family doesnt meet the criteria for this particular program, the province should still reimburse them for contributing to public safety in Ontario through their participation at the inquest. She said this issue is bigger than the Chapmans, highlighting that fairness at coroners inquests requires funding so that families can be represented by lawyers. We have to recognize these are important processes, and the families should have a right to participate, and they do in most cases, Fraser told the Star. But it should be meaningful in that we help them so that they dont have to pay out of pocket when its going to be a process that benefits the public as a whole. New Delhi [India], Jan 26 (ANI): Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid on Sunday greeted people of India on the occasion of the country's 71st Republic Day and hoped that New Delhi and Dhaka's partnership would "ensure greater prosperity" for people of both nations. In a statement, Bangladesh High Commission here said that President Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sent separate messages of felicitations to Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Republic Day. According to the high commission, Prime Minister Hasina, in her message, said India and Bangladesh relations have "become a model" for many countries across the world. "President Hamid recalled that Bangladesh's historical relationship with India since 'our glorious Liberation War in 1971' and hoped that the 'partnership would ensure greater prosperity for our peoples and the partnership would be strengthened in days to come'," said the high commission in a statement. "Prime Minister Hasina, in her message to Modi, said 'Our bilateral relations have become a model for many countries across the world. Common historic, cultural and civilizational roots have resulted in deepening engagements between our two countries and I am of the view that together we will be able to take this bond of friendship to a greater height'," the statement added. On this day, 70-year back, India officially adopted its Constitution. The day is being celebrated around the country with great fervour and enthusiasm. Earlier in the day, Border Security Forces exchanged sweets with Border Guards Bangladesh at Fulbari Indo-Bangladesh border. (ANI) She landed the job of her dreams with a starring role in Coronation Street. But just weeks after having viewers hooked in her final scenes as woman scorned Vicky Jefferies, Kerri Quinn has opened up about the tougher side of acting - and says industry bosses should do more to help. From not knowing where their next pay cheque is coming from to dealing with rejection and even getting no response on jobs at all, the talented Belfast woman says actors have it harder than people think. "When you're on a roll this industry is amazing," says Kerri. "Your spirits are high and it's the best feeling ever. But on the flip side when things aren't going so well, it can be a very, very lonely business. "The acting community has taken some real knocks. We've lost people around the industry and I know there are actors struggling to cope. It's not an easy world to be part of, and some of the stuff that goes on can really hurt your mental health." One of the toughest parts of the job, says the actress, is getting no feedback on auditions. "When you're looking at a part, you really invest a lot of energy in it and you put a lot in emotionally," says Kerri. "But it happens regularly, this real lack of communication. People don't even get a message or an email to say they haven't been successful. "You don't get anything to say, 'Thanks for the days and days of effort you put in preparing for this, thanks for making your tape and sending it to us, thanks for convincing your friend to give up their time to make your tape with you. We appreciate what you did, we loved your take on it, but it didn't work out'. "There isn't even the effort of a 30-second email to say thanks for taking the time to audition. Often people will literally find out they didn't get a part when it's announced on social media that someone else did. That isn't great. It's not a good way to treat people, and this job is hard enough without that. "People are left in limbo land for days and weeks, and it breeds insecurity in an already insecure industry. You're already very vulnerable before you go in for an audition so this really doesn't help. Expand Close Kerri with Tristan Gemmill in Coronation Street / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kerri with Tristan Gemmill in Coronation Street "I think it happens pretty much everywhere and it makes people worried and stressed. I think now we're all talking about mental health a bit more, it's time for people doing these jobs to realise that if they just gave a little bit of clarification, just a quick thanks but no, it would make a positive impact. "We know we're not always going to get a yes. That's what we signed up for, but we didn't sign up to be left in limbo land." Backing the industry campaign #YesOrNo which launched in 2018 calling for actors to get a definite answer after auditions, Kerri says its message has started to filter through, but the job is far from done. "A lot of casting directors and companies are getting better at it here in Northern Ireland and across the water, but we're not there yet," she says. "It's not just actors going on about it, it's an industry-wide campaign to get some acknowledgement for what we do and how much work is involved. "It's just about respect and treating people properly because leaving people hanging doesn't help an actor's headspace." Kerri, mum to eight-year-old Libby, played vengeful Vicky Jefferies in Coronation Street for more than a year and filmed her final scenes back in the autumn. Expand Close Kerri with John Shayegh, Doireann McKenna and Cat Barter in Tinderboxs Huzzies / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kerri with John Shayegh, Doireann McKenna and Cat Barter in Tinderboxs Huzzies While there have been conversations of a possible way back to the cobbles for Vicky, a return is far from set in stone and since November Kerri has been looking for work. "When you're on a soap like Corrie the support's fantastic," she says. "Honestly right through it, they were so accommodating and helped me out a lot, especially with the filming schedule and making sure I was able to get home to Belfast as much as I could. "But when your storyline ends and you're out there looking for work, it's hard. I've been up for a couple of things recently and nothing has worked out so far. Expand Close Kerri with Tristan Gemmill in Coronation Street / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kerri with Tristan Gemmill in Coronation Street "There was one big job in particular I didn't get, which was a bit of a sore one. People think, 'Well you've just walked off the biggest soap on TV, you've got it sorted', but it's not like that at all. I'm the same as everyone else in this business and you just have to keep going until something works out." Kerri's final storyline saw Vicky team up with Kym Marsh's character Michelle Connor in a vengeful plot to frame cheating Robert Preston for her murder. In the end, Robert himself was shot dead by a crazed gunman. "There was no big goodbye for Vicky," says Kerri. "Her last scene was in the Bistro with Michelle, Carla, Rita, Jenny and Johnny and the baby. I think there was a bit of redemption for her and an acceptance of the baby. "I did suggest maybe Vicky and Michelle could get together as the Street's newest gay couple to bring baby Sonny up together, but they didn't go for it," jokes Kerri. "The fact they didn't give Vicky a big official exit means it could be easier to bring her back though, which would be great. I've chatted with producers since I've left and I guess it's a case of watch this space." And if she did wind up back in Weatherfield, would a longer stint and a move to Manchester be on the cards? Expand Close Kerri with Christopher Eccleston in Come Home / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kerri with Christopher Eccleston in Come Home "It definitely would not," says Kerri. "I loved Manchester, but the commute was actually fine and the contracts on a show like Coronation Street are never long enough to justify uprooting my daughter and taking her out of school. "I wasn't coming the furthest distance by any stretch. David Neilson, who plays Roy, comes from Barcelona and there are people coming up from London for filming. It was fine." In the meantime, as she waits for a breakthrough on her next acting job, Kerri is fully occupied with daughter Libby, an aspiring actress herself. "I'm lucky because I've got Libby who keeps me busy, and I have two nieces who I mind for my sister, so I have no problem filling my days," says Kerri. "Libby has done her first bit of work in a film with James Norton and she's auditioning for other things, too. She's busier than me at the minute. I know it's a tough world for her to go into, but I think she's a natural and she's got me behind her." And with that in mind, Kerri says with her long commute to Manchester for Corrie filming days over for the moment, she's fully based in Belfast and wants to reach out to other actors locally. "It can be really tough," says Kerri. "So I think we could all be a bit more supportive of each other. I don't know if that's with a wee gathering, a cup of coffee every couple of weeks to talk through what we're up to, but I think it's helpful as you get older to ditch the negative people, and hang out more with positive people. "It's always good to hear what other people are going through and to know you're not on your own. Just for stuff like, I haven't worked in six months, I'm a bit rusty or stressed. "We're a unique wee community, actors, so sometimes that bit of a laugh and a confidence boost from each other would really help. I'm going to try to make it work." Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has issued Notice No.121/CD-TTg on intensifying prevention measures against the acute respiratory illness caused by a new strain of corona virus. At Tan Son Nhat airport The virus is spreading human to human in China while nomedicine or vaccine is available. It has infected nearly 2,000 people in China,and killed at least 56 as of late January 25. Many countrieshave also recorded infection cases, including Thailand, Malaysia, the Republicof Korea, Japan, Australia, France and the US. The PM required the Health Ministry to closely check passengerscoming in at border gates on roads, waterway and airway. Those who aresuspected of being infected must be isolated immediately. The ministries of information and communications; culture,sports and tourism; labour, invalids and social affairs; and foreign affairsmust work closely with the Health Ministry to popularize information and warningsto Vietnamese citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to affected areas. Chairs of peoples committees of all centrally-run municipaland provincial were order to take drastic actions in disease control inaccordance with directions of the Health Ministry; ensure the supply ofmedicines, medical equipment and funding for disease prevention and controlactivities. Two Chinese citizens, a father and his son, have been quarantinedat Ho Chi Minh City-based Cho Ray Hospital after they tested positive tothe virus. These are the first cases of individuals infected with thevirus ever Vietnam has confirmed since the disease spread from Chinas Wuhancity last December./.VNA T he US has confirmed five cases of coronavirus as France announced plans to evacuate its citizens from Wuhan, following the outbreak which has killed at least 56 people. It comes as China's National Health Commision said the virus' transmission ability is getting stronger and infections could continue to rise. French health minister Agnes Buzyn said on Sunday that citizens in the Chinese city will be evacuated back to France by aeroplane. The country has so far confirmed three cases of the deadly virus - the first in Europe. A family travels back home for the Lunar New Year holidays / AFP via Getty Images Meanwhile the latest US cases were confirmed in Pheonix and Los Angeles, following three cases in Seattle, Chicago and Orange County. Another 25 people have tested negative for the illness, but at least 100 more possible cases are being investigated, Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said in a conference call with reporters. She said to expect more cases to be reported in the United States in coming days. The individual in Los Angeles was returning from Wuhan, China and is currently receiving medical treatment, the health agency said. The Centers for Disease Control confirmed the Orange County case - also a traveller from Wuhan. / Getty Images The case came on the heels of confirmed cases in Orange County, California, Washington state and Chicago. The Centers for Disease Control confirmed the Orange County case - also a traveller from Wuhan. The patient tested positive for the virus, the Orange County Health Care Agency announced late Saturday and is in isolation at a hospital. The first two patients - in Seattle, a man in his 30s, and in Chicago, a woman in her 60s - had also travelled to China. Meanwhile Canada's chief medical officer said on Sunday that an individual who was declared the country's first "presumptive" confirmed case of the novel coronavirus had developed symptoms on the plane while travelling from Wuhan to Toronto. People wearing masks walk through the Ginza shopping district / Getty Images The province of Ontario health officials on Saturday said a man in his 50s developed a respiratory illness after arriving in Toronto on January 22 from Wuhan and was being treated in a public hospital and in isolation. Theresa Tam, Canada's chief health officer, told reporters in Ottawa that the patient had mild symptoms while on the flight, though he did not report his condition after landing at the Toronto airport. The individual arrived via China Southern Airlines flight CZ311 from Guangzhou to Toronto. Ms Tam said health officials are in the early process of contacting other travellers on that flight. But Ms Tam said other people on the flight or airport that were not close to the patient should not be overly concerned. Canada's Health Minister Patty Hajdu announced that the National Microbiology Laboratory will take up to 24 hours to confirm the findings on the local laboratory. Once once NML tests are confirmed positive, then Canada will announce its first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus. Canada is on high alert to prevent the spread of coronavirus and avoid the repeat of SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, that killed 44 people in Canada, the only country outside Asia to report deaths from that virus in 2002-2003. Government health officials say Canada is better prepared this time. A 36-year-old pregnant Christian woman was shot at by two unidentified assailants outside a school here in Pakistan, a media report said. Kiran, who is seven months pregnant, had gone to Karachi Public School in Korangi area with her husband Amjad for their son's admission, Dawn reported. The bike-borne assailants struck when she was inside her car waiting for her husband and son to return from the school. They opened fire at her and fled. The woman was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors said that she has sustained a wound in the chest from a bullet which went through her arm, according to the report. The condition of the woman, who belongs to the Christian community, is improving, it said. A police officer has ruled out any robbery attempt, saying her valuables were not taken away. The family also told the police that they have no enmity with anyone. A case has been registered against two unknown suspects on the complaint of the husband, with the motive listed as unknown, the report said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 26 Trend: By Manish Chand Purposeful, Pragmatic, and Proactive. Shaper, not an abstainer; stabiliser, rather than a disruptor; a net security provider and a dispenser of global good. Indias foreign policy has found a new vocabulary and framework, as articulated with masterly precision by the countrys External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at the 5th edition of the Raisina Dialogue held in New Delhi recently. In foreign policy words matter, and hence this new lexicon of a rising India fittingly encapsulates the current form and trajectory of the countrys foreign policy in a world undergoing unprecedented transformation. Purposeful pursuit of national interests, pragmatic issue-based alignments with countries, big and small, and proactive diplomatic outreach have come to characterise and configure Indias foreign policy and diplomacy in the 21st century. Powering diverse strands of Indias foreign policy is the overarching goal of transforming lives of over 1.3 billon people living in the country and spurring the countrys rise as a leading power in an increasingly multipolar world. Shaper & Stabiliser A new India is emerging in the second decade of the 21st century, which is proactively shaping the international agenda on a wide array of cross-cutting issues, including climate change, sustainable development, counter-terrorism, maritime security and the reconfiguration of global governance architecture. This new India, with its around $3 trillion economy and surging aspirations of over 1.3 billion people, is poised to reclaim its place under the global sun. In a wide-ranging conversation on The India Way at the Raisina Dialogue, Dr Jaishankar illuminated key features of a new foreign policy for a new India. The India way would be to be more of a decider or a shaper rather than an abstainer, he said while stressing that India has made a difference in the last few years on issues like climate change or connectivity. Most important, he fleshed out the kind of power India will be in the next few years. It is not the India way to be a disruptions power internationally, we should be a stabilizing power. Its also not the India way to be self-centred and to be mercantilist. The India way would be a country which brings its capacities to bear on the international system for global good, he said. Driven by the ethos of mutual empowerment, India has shared funds, technology and expertise with countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. This development cooperation, channelized through Lines of Credit and grants, includes assistance in capacity building, training and enhanced cooperation in education and health. In the spirit of South-South solidarity, India has committed around $29 billion in Line of Credit for a host of development projects in 160 countries. Diplomatic Outreach As Indias global stature rises, the Indian government has also embarked on an unprecedented diplomatic outreach to mobilise global support for national resurgence. Cutting across hemispheres, the last few years have seen a record number of high-level incoming and outgoing visits at the level of President, Prime Minister, Vice-President, External Affairs Minister and ministers. PM Modi alone has travelled to over 70 countries in the last five and a half years. In an evolving multipolar world, India has chosen the path of multi-alignment which entails forging issues-based alignments with like-minded countries and major power centres, without getting into us versus them zero sum games. Diplomacy for a New India What animates this multifarious diplomatic outreach is the mantra of diplomacy for development which seeks to promote national resurgence. With the Indian government setting an ambitious target of creating a $5 trillion economy the foreign policy is being directed to harness the network of partnerships with all friendly countries to create a New India by 2022, the 75th anniversary of Indias independence, as promised by PM Modi. Developmentfocused diplomacy is seen in the interweaving of flagship schemes of national renewal like Make in IndiaSmart Cities, Skill India and Stand-up India with Indias diplomatic outreach. Forging robust and sustainable partnerships in technology, innovation and start-ups will be crucial to creating a New India, and making India count on the global stage. Doubling GDP to $5 trillion economy is not possible without a conducive international environment and supportive external partnerships. Shaping Global Agenda Looking ahead, with its growing global stature and rising expectations the world has of a resurgent India, PM Modi has advocated reformed multilateralism to create a new world order that reflects the on-going shift of power and realities of the 21st century. India has also taken the lead in combating climate change by fulfilling its commitments under the Paris accord and taking a series of initiatives for promoting a low-carbon economy. In a recognition of New Delhis leadership role in this area, more countries are joining the International Solar Alliance that seeks to usher in a white revolution for a clean and green world.India has launched a new international initiative called the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, which is finding greater global support. Brand India In mapping the way ahead, cultural diplomacy and civilizational values will acquire a greater salience in Indias foreign policy. Home to all major religions and diverse cultures, the idea of India as a vibrant pluralistic society has struck a chord making the world more amenable to Indias aspirations. This cultural connect is reflected in myriad ways, ranging from the worldwide celebrations of the International Day of Yoga and the designation of Kumbh Mela as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. In building a New India, the 25-million strong Indian diaspora, spread across different countries and continents, will play an important role. As Dr Jaishankar puts it: The India way would be really Brand India. Brand India in terms of what is unique to us as a power, he said while alluding to the extraordinary Indian diaspora and Indian culture and heritage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has encapsulated the essence of Brand India. All our endeavours are centred on 1.3 billion Indians. But the dreams that these efforts are trying to fulfil, are the same dreams that the entire world has, that every country has, and that every society has. The efforts are ours, but their fruits are for all, for the entire world, said PM Modi said in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York this year. Going forward, as it scripts its global ascent on its own terms, India will have to relentlessly assert its strategic autonomy as it navigates geopolitical rivalries to make independent decisions that benefit people of the country. This will entail dovetailing diplomacy with development and interweaving foreign policy with an unclouded vision of India as a leading power with a unique voice and narrative in a rapidly transforming world order. (Manish Chand is Editor-in-Chief of India and the World magazine and India Writes Network, a portal focused on global affairs). January 28, Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Honcharuk will chair the Sixth meeting of the Council of the EU-Ukraine Association Council in Brussels. The first meeting of the updated composition of the Ukrainian government and the European Commission would be dedicated to the security policy of the situation in Donbas and Crimea's issues. The press service of the Cabinet of Ministers reports. The parties plan to analyze the progress in implementing the Association Agreement, as well as discuss the state of bilateral trade and ways to deepen economic and industry cooperation, cooperation in the field of justice, freedom, and security. Honcharuk will hold bilateral meetings in the capital of Belgium with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council Charles Michel, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, as well as Executive Vice President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis. In addition, the leader of the Ukrainian government should meet with representatives of the Belgian business. The delegation of the European Union is EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell. The Ukrainian delegation will be led by Honcharuk. As we reported, President Volodymyr Zelensky predicted that Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Honcharuk would be dismissed when he gets tired of his duties or fails to fulfill his tasks. Fire broke out Saturday evening at a Southside Bethlehem home, but there were no reports of anyone hurt. A fire official Sunday said it began at 7:13 a.m. in the 600 block of Sioux Street west of Route 378. WFMZ-69 News reported flames and heavy smoke could be seen pouring from the upstairs of the home as the blaze went to a second alarm. There were no reported injuries, the fire official said. Its unclear what started the fire or where it began; Bethlehem Fire Chief Warren Achey did not immediately return a voicemail Sunday morning seeking more information. The Morning Call newspaper is reporting the fire started in a second-floor bedroom after a father just changed a lightbulb in his adult sons closet. The family of four is displaced after the blaze, according to the report. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. President says US will not lift sanctions to negotiate with Iran after Zarif reiterates such demand before any talks. President Donald Trump has said the United States will not lift sanctions on Iran in order to enter negotiations with it, in a response to the Iranian foreign minister who suggested Tehran was still willing to talk on the condition Washington correct[ed] its past and removed a series of tough economic measures. There has been growing friction between the two longtime foes since 2018 when Trump pulled his country out of a landmark nuclear deal signed between Iran and world powers. The US has since reimposed crippling sanctions on Irans economy while calling for negotiations on a new accord that also addressed Tehrans ballistic missiles programme and its support for regional armed groups. The tensions reached the highest levels in decades earlier this month after the US assassinated top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad. Iran responded by firing missiles at US targets in Iraq on January 8, but the retaliatory strikes did not cause any fatalities and Trump signalled the US would not respond militarily and instead move ahead with more punishing economic sanctions. On Friday, Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told Germanys Der Spiegel magazine that he would never rule out the possibility that people will change their approach and recognise the realities when asked about possible negotiations with the US following Soleimanis killing. For us, it doesnt matter who is sitting in the White House, what matters is how they behave, he said in the interview published on Saturday, reiterating his countrys demand that the US would have to first lift the sanctions before any new negotiations begin. The Trump administration can correct its past, lift the sanctions and come back to the negotiating table. Were still at the negotiating table. Theyre the ones who left, Zarif continued, before adding that the day will come when the US will have to compensate for inflicting great harm on Iranians. We have a lot of patience, he said. In Washington, Trump said in a Twitter post late on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister says Iran wants to negotiate with The United States, but wants sanctions removed, and added: No Thanks!. Zarif hit back on Sunday by tweeting an excerpt from the interview with Der Spiegel. @realdonaldtrump is better advised to base his foreign policy comments & decisions on facts, rather than @FoxNews headlines or his Farsi translators, Zarif said in the tweet with the interview excerpt. .@realdonaldtrump is better advised to base his foreign policy comments & decisions on facts, rather than @FoxNews headlines or his Farsi translators To be better informed, he can read my entire interview (in English) https://t.co/eZR8NzuWXV Too many words? Then just read this: pic.twitter.com/URkbUll49P Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 26, 2020 Meanwhile, on Saturday, Ali Asghar Zarean, an aide to Irans nuclear chief, said the countrys enriched uranium stockpile has exceeded 1,200 kilogrammes (2,646 pounds), which is far beyond the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers allowed. Iran is increasing its stockpile of the enriched uranium with full speed, he said. The claim has not been verified by the United Nationss nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Under the 2015 agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran agreed to limit its enrichment of uranium under the watch of UN inspectors in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. In reaction to Washingtons unilateral withdrawal from the deal and its reimposition of sanctions, Iran has gradually rolled back its commitments. On January 5, days after the US drone strike that killed Soleimani, Tehran announced it would no longer abide by any of the JCPOAs limitations to its enrichment activities. In November, the IAEA said Irans stockpile of low-enriched uranium had grown to 372.3kgs (821 pounds) as of November 3. The nuclear deal limited the stockpile to 202.8kgs (447 pounds). Iran has routinely promised to begin enriching its stockpile of uranium to higher levels closer to weapons-grade if world powers fail to negotiate new terms for the nuclear accord following Washingtons moves. The other signatories to the JCPOA Germany, France, the United Kingdom, China and Russia have been struggling to keep it alive. By Express News Service KOCHI: A day after a 30-year-old businessman and an art student were admitted to hospitals in the district over suspected infection of novel Coronavirus (nCoV), one more person was taken to the isolation ward on Saturday. This has taken the total number of people under observation in the district to three. While two persons have been admitted at the Kalamassery Medical College Hospital (MCH), the third is at a private hospital. The Health department officials have clarified that the situation in the city was under control. The condition of patients under observation is normal now. Their body temperatures are under the safe level, said Ernakulam District Medical Officer (DMO) N K Kuttappan. While the businessman was admitted at the Kalamassery MCH, the second person was taken to a private hospital in city on Friday night. The 21-year-old, hailing from Changanassery, is an art student at Taipei. The third person, who was admitted to the MCH on Saturday morning, is a 30-year old Kochi native. She is pursuing medical studies in Wuhan, China. However, it is learnt that it will take 24 hours for the test results to arrive from the National Institute Of Virology, Pune. We have sent three samples for advanced tests so far, the DMO said. Blood serum, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs of those under observation have been sent for the test.Apart from admitted patients, as many as 33 people are being kept under observation at their houses. Six persons who had visited Wuhan in the past 28 days are already under home quarantine. None of these patients have showed any symptom yet. Public should obey the precautionary steps and suggestions for their safety, he added. Former army contractor whose videos sparked anti-govt rallies last year says bid for January 25 protests failed. A former Egyptian army contractor whose online videos last year inspired rare street protests against President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has said he will step back from politics after his calls for mass anti-government rallies on the ninth anniversary of Egypts 25th January 2011 uprising failed. Mohamed Ali, who has accused the president and the military of corruption, said in a video statement on Saturday that he will also close his Facebook page as there will no longer be use for it. Today was a turning point for me. I showed you [Egyptians] the type of corruption and arrest campaigns that have been taking place, Ali, who lives in self-imposed exile in Spain, said in the video. Talking about this any longer is unnecessary. Biggest crackdown Ali said the lack of response to his latest call pointed either to the Egyptian peoples satisfaction with the current government or high levels of fear over possible repercussions. In a rare show of dissent, thousands of people rallied in cities across Egypt in September last year, demanding the resignation of el-Sisi following a call for protests by Ali, an actor and businessman who says his company used to carry out projects for the Egyptian military. In response, authorities launched the biggest crackdown under el-Sisis rule, according to Amnesty International, rounding up more than 2,300 people. Arabic media on Saturday reported that security forces were deployed across the capital, Cairo, and several other major cities in anticipation of possible protests. Egypt outlawed all unauthorised demonstrations in 2013 after el-Sisi, as defence minister, led the militarys overthrow of democratically-elected President Mohamed Morsi following mass demonstrations. Since then, Egyptian authorities have imprisoned and prosecuted thousands of people, according to human rights groups, with a nationwide crackdown intensifying after el-Sisi was first elected in 2014 with 97 percent of the vote. Some Egyptian activists have warned of the danger protesting poses to the lives of demonstrators, given what they called a tight grip on security by authorities. On January 25, 2011, the Egyptian people began their revolution that toppled longtime President Hosni Mubarak. Police are investigating after a 28-year-old man was shot in the chest and killed Saturday night, and two others were injured. Toronto police were called to the area of Markham and Kingston roads shortly after 9 p.m. for reports of a shooting. They found three victims. One man was shot in the chest and was pronounced dead at the scene. He has been identified as 28-year-old Stephon Kelly. Another man in his 50s was shot in the head and was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries. And a woman in her 40s was injured in the hand and was treated at the scene. Police say they are looking for at least two suspects that may have left the scene in a silver vehicle. Kelly is Torontos sixth homicide victim of 2020, and the fourth to die in a shooting. Including him, four men and two women have been killed in Toronto so far this year. They are: Ahmed Yakot, 21, was shot near River and Oak streets in Regent Park at 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 1. He died the next day in hospital. Paul Anthony DeSouza, 25, was shot in a residence at 367 Military Trail in Scarborough around 2 a.m. on Jan. 11 and was pronounced dead at hospital. Maryna Kudzianiuk, 49, was found seriously injured in an apartment building at 25 Bay Mills Boulevard, near Sheppard Avenue East and Warden Avenue, after a fire at 3 a.m. on Jan. 13. She was pronounced dead at hospital. Safiullah Khosrawi, a 15-year-old Woburn C.I. student, was shot at Markham and Ellesmere Roads on Jan. 20. He died in hospital. Police said he was completely innocent. Another 15-year-old Woburn student has been charged with second-degree murder. Giulia Matthews, 54, was found dead inside a home in Yorks Oakwood-Vaughan neighbourhood in the St. Clair Avenue West and Atlas Avenue area on Jan. 20. Police found Matthews after they were called to conduct a wellness check. A boy has been arrested and charged with second degree murder, his identity cannot be released under the Youth and Criminal Justice Act. *** Stephon Kelly, 28, was shot in the area of Markham Road and Kingston Road at around 9 p.m. on Jan. 25. He was pronounced dead at the scene. India celebrates its 71st Republic Day today- the day we got our constitution. Every year Republic Day parade takes place at Rajpath where among other things, contingents of Indian Army and Police forces showcase their strength and prowess. However, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) registered their presence at the parade by having one of their own celebration at 17000 feet in snow today. ANI A video showing the ITBP marching in many inches on snow and chanting Bharat Mata ki Jai is going viral. The video was tweeted by the agency ANI with the caption, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel with the national flag celebrating Republic Day at 17000 feet in snow today. The temperature in Ladakh at present is minus 20 degrees Celsius. 'Himveers' chanting 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram'. #WATCH Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel with the national flag celebrating Republic Day at 17000 feet in snow today. The temperature in Ladakh at present is minus 20 degrees Celsius. 'Himveers' chanting 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram'. pic.twitter.com/ANCe8txnFI ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2020 Personnels marching in sub zero temperatures in knee deep snow is indeed an example of their respect for the national flag and dedication towards their duty. In the video the personnels can be seen marching a considerable distance, even uphill. Many people left comments like You make us proud, and thank you behind. ANI We salute the resilience of the ITBP and respect their love for the nation, the national flag and the Republic Day. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 18:15:48|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Screening measures have been stepped up at international airports in many countries to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which has already claimed 56 lives and infected at least 1,975 people in the Chinese mainland as of Saturday. The new virus causes cold- and flu-like symptoms, including cough and fever, and can worsen to fatal pneumonia. In France, with three confirmed cases, the country will open a medical center at Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport on Sunday to carry out checks on travelers from China, state-run radio broadcaster France Info reported. In Lebanon, Health Minister Hamad Hassan said Saturday that a medical team has been set up at the capital Beirut's international airport, with thermal scanners being used to screen travelers upon arrival. Airport officials have said a quarantine area has been set up, while all passengers arriving from China and Thailand have been asked to complete a medical questionaire before landing. Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation said the country has also put in place preventative measures targeting travelers from countries and regions affected by 2019-nCoV. In Sudan, "the health authorities will monitor all arriving passengers to the country," said Babiker Al-Magboul, director of the General Department of Emergency and Epidemic Control at the Health Ministry, adding that "a treatment center will be established at the airport on Sunday." The World Health Organization (WHO) said Thursday that it was "too early" to declare the novel coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, but has warned that the number of cases may rise as much about the virus remains unknown. German Health Minister Jens Spahn said during a television interview on Thursday that "We take this very seriously. We are vigilant, but have a cool head at the same time." Health authorities in the United States and Britain have said the immediate health risk from the 2019-nCoV to their respective populations is considered "low." On Saturday, Sri Lanka reported two suspected cases, while Canada confirmed its first case of the virus. Thailand has taken health quarantine measures and said it is ready to follow WHO advice. Mongolia decided to close all schools and kindergartens until March 2 to prevent the spread of the virus. New Zealand's Health Minister David Clark said although there have been no reported cases of 2019-nCoV in New Zealand, the government has decided to take precautionary measures after Australia confirmed one case. The virus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan, already on lockdown, has now banned most private vehicles from downtown areas. Thirty provincial-level regions in China have activated a first-level emergency response, the highest in a four-tier system, to contain the spread of the viral pneumonia. Chinese health authorities announced Sunday that 1,975 confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus, including 324 in critical condition, had been reported in the country by the end of Saturday. In addition, 10 confirmed cases had been reported in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and Taiwan, with five in Hong Kong, two in Macao and three in Taiwan. Overseas, confirmed cases have been reported in Thailand (4, including 2 cured), Japan (2, including 1 cured), South Korea (2), the United States (2), Vietnam (2), Singapore (3), Malaysia (3), Nepal (1), France (3) and Australia (1). WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has thanked the Chinese government for its cooperation and transparency, saying it has been successful in isolating and sequencing the virus quickly, and that it has shared the virus's genetic sequence with the WHO and the international community. On Wednesday, in separate phone conversations with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China is willing to work with the international community to effectively tackle the spread of the disease and maintain global health security. If Gov. Ned Lamont and other leaders are serious about trying to alleviate Connecticuts overwhelming residential discrimination, as they have indicated in recent interviews around the state, it could mark the start of a change for the better in terms equity and justice for thousands of state residents. But any plan would face significant obstacles, and it will be up to usually reluctant forces in the General Assembly to move a meaningful plan forward. Lamonts comments came on a podcast last week where he said he would push to have state spending on transportation upgrades in well-off towns tied to local approval of affordable housing. This is a reversal from previous comments from the governor, where he has acknowledged a lack of affordable housing in the suburbs is a problem, but insisted it was up to local communities to solve it. Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney, D-New Haven, sounded a similar note, saying widening the availability of affordable housing would be a priority in the coming legislative session. The moves follow a series of stories in the Connecticut Mirror that have documented both how wealthier towns keep affordable housing out and how cities are left as the only options for people in need of subsidized accommodations. The stories brought to life a truth that is plain to see in Connecticut for all our liberal tendencies, this is a deeply segregated state, and most suburban governments are more than content to keep it that way. So Lamonts apparent change of heart is welcome, as is Looneys support. But Looney represents New Haven, which has long served as one of the cities where affordable housing is concentrated, and Lamont, from Greenwich, cannot on his own move the Legislature to act. It will take suburban lawmakers to make a change away from exclusionary zoning, which has benefited their localities by putting up a wall around the borders. And Lamonts move is, despite his rhetoric, not all that radical. Many suburbs have no transit stops, meaning his push to bring affordable housing around transportation hubs would have no impact. And some experts argue that Connecticut and other states too often rely on incentives rather than penalties to force change, again leaving it up to local municipalities to make the choice. Some towns could decide theyre just fine without a new train station if it means they dont need to do anything about affordable housing. Still, the change in tone from the governor is welcome. Nothing can change if state leaders decide to sit on the sidelines. The state had a preview last year of what a fight over affordable housing in the suburbs might look like. When Lamont proposed that city and suburban school districts combine back-office functions, the outcry was fierce and loud, even as the governor insisted classrooms would not be affected. He eventually withdrew what was at best an incremental step toward desegregation. Expect a similar backlash if Lamont moves forward on a residential integration plan. Nothing would be easy about a meaningful push to bring affordable housing to the suburbs. But its a fight Connecticut leaders need to wage. Forty-eight frantic hours in the Rodrigo deal Barcelona Barcelona pressing to sign the forward Valencia may well have handed Barcelona a painful 2-0 defeat on Saturday afternoon, however the two clubs are set to meet again very soon, only this time at the negotiating table as we head into 48 frantic hours in the Rodrigo Moreno deal. Barcelona know they need to sign a replacement for Luis Suarez with the Uruguayan set to miss most, if not all, of the rest of the 2019/20 season, yet they've been stuck on just how to proceed with this. A debate came over whether a short-term loan deal should be pursued, or whether or not it was time to pull the trigger on purchasing the player who will be the long-term successor to Suarez. In Rodrigo they've conjured up a solution that is somewhere in-between the two aforementioned solutions, especially as Lautaro Martinez's name keeps being mentioned with regards to a summer deal. Los Che value Rodrigo at around 60 million euros, whilst the Blaugrana have no intention of paying such a fee. In order for a transfer to happen there will need to be a lot of compromises from both sides, and that is what is going to be discussed over the course of the next 48 hours. Ideally, Los Cules would like a loan with a purchase option for June 30, because they can't make a high cost purchase for the remainder of this FFP period. Though, there is the option of adding players to the deal to bring the overall price down, and one name which has been mentioned is Monchu. A Barcelona B player who has been having an exceptional season, his name has been mentioned in preliminary negotiations, whilst there is also the possibility Moussa Wague and Carles Perez could be included, despite the fact Italian reports suggest Roma are in pole position to sign the latter. Another key factor is how Rodrigo will be replaced by Valencia, with the club wanting to secure the signing of a forward before they allow him to depart. Paco Alcacer is their first choice, and the former fan-favourite would be happy to return to Mestalla, with preliminary negotiations between Valencia and Borussia Dortmund already underway. New Delhi, Jan 26 : The Crime Branch of the Delhi Police, which registered a case against Sharjeel Imam, the self-proclaimed Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leader, for the Saturday's provocative video, on Sunday conducted searches at various places to nab him. While the Delhi Police conducted raids in the national capital and nearby areas, the UP Police and the Assam Police have been searching for him for some time in connection with the provocative statement at Shaheen Bagh on January 13, which went viral on Saturday. However, no one is willing to speak much about the case registered against Sharjeel. On Sunday, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, who is attached with the Delhi Police SIT, said on the condition of anonymity, "The video of the suspect's inflammatory speech has been found. He has been heard. On examination the video was found correct." Talking on the searches by the Aligarh Police, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Akash Kulhari said, "Our teams are also in touch with the Bihar Police to locate the accused." Several sections of the IPC have been slapped on him after the video was found to be correct. In the video, he is seen talking about splitting the northeast from India to block the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC). "We know how Muslims are being treated in Assam. We have to save people from the NRC. The only way to do this is by cutting off northeast from India," Sharjeel is seen saying. (Sanjeev Kumar Singh Chauhan can be contacted at sanjeev.c@ians.in) Three people died Sunday as hundreds of people took to the streets demanding the resignation of Gambian President Adama Barrow who wants to extend his term. They were the first deaths since protests erupted months ago against Barrow, who pledged in late 2016 to step down after three years in office. Police fired tear gas to disperse protesters who responded by throwing stones and setting tyres on fire, an AFP correspondent at the scene saw. "I can confirm that there have been three dead," said Kebba Manneh, director of the Serrekunda hospital where victims were taken. He told reporters that people had been treated for gas inhalation, and said some were still under observation. Tension has been building in The Gambia, a tiny West African country surrounded by Senegal, over Barrow's decision to stay in office for five years after initially pledging to step down after three. "No one can force me to leave the presidency before 2021," he said recently. Red Cross sources said 28 people were taken Sunday to Serrekunda hospital, close to where protesters had gathered in the districts of Old Jeshwang and Stink Corner on the outskirts of Banjul. Clashes broke out after demonstrators tried to change their itinerary to get closer to the city centre. "Let's go and burn everything that belongs to Adama Barrow and his family," one protestor called out to those alongside him, the AFP reporter heard. "We will protest until Barrow resigns," said another who identified himself as Amadou Sanyang. "He is a traitor who betrayed the population's trust, we are going to teach him a lesson." Opposition activists said police had arrested scores of people, including Abdou Njie, leader of the Three Years Jotna (is up) Movement. Among those arrested were the director of local radio King FM and a radio presenter who had been charged with inciting violence, a station employee told AFP. The head of another radio station, Digital fm, was also arrested and it was not known where he was being held, Saikou Jammeh, secretary general of Gambia Press Union, told AFP. Justice for rights abuses On Saturday, hundreds of Gambians had marched on the outskirts of Banjul, responding to the call of victims associations demanding justice for sweeping rights abuses and murder suffered under former dictator Yahya Jammeh's 22-year rule. Jammeh ruled Gambia with an iron fist but fled in January 2017 after losing a presidential election to Barrow, who was little known at the time. Since January 2019, around 190 witnesses have appeared before a Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) set up to investigate abuses under Jammeh's rule. Last week, thousands marched to demand he be allowed to return from exile in Equatorial Guinea. They argued he has a right to do so under a joint statement from the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations, published at the time of his exile. But Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou warned that Jammeh would "face immediate arrest and charges of the most serious kind" if he returned, including "crimes against humanity." South Orkney Islands DXpedition VP8PJ Permits - Landing and camping at South Orkney requires permission from several government agencies. This multi step process takes months to complete. We recently received our final approval, the "Antarctic Conservation Act Permit" from the National Science Foundation. Other agencies in the process were: the US Department of State and the Environmental Protection Agency. We appreciate the cooperation and assistance we received from these agencies to complete and submit the detailed applications and other required documentation. New Corporate Sponsor -- Joining the list of corporate sponsors is The DX Store, a supplier of quality products for the amateur radio market. Equipment Status -- After 8 weeks our sea container arrived in Punta Arenas, Chile on January 13, 2020. Operating Schedule -- The team will follow a rotating 4 hours on and 8 hours off schedule. In their off-time they?ll catch up on sleep, perform equipment/campsite maintenance, operate from positions available for roving operators, or (weather permitting) go back to Braveheart for a shower and hot meal. Island Assignments -- Each team member is assigned tasks while on the island. Major activities are prioritized and staffed accordingly. The Braveheart crew will help with the heavy lifting and other setup activities. After landing, designated teams will first erect the WeatherPort shelters, install the power grid, and furnish the sleeping and operating shelters. Meanwhile the antenna teams will install the HF antennas, followed by the low band antennas. Weather permitting, setup is expected to take approximately two days. Fundraising -- We appreciate the support from the worldwide DX and amateur radio community. With the addition of Japan?s Nara DX Association, The Spokane DX Association and W4DXCC By SEDCO Convention, we currently have fifty-two clubs/foundations signed on, over 500 individuals and 60 Premier Sponsors who each donated $200(USD), or more. We continue to make progress towards our goal of the radio team paying 50% of the project cost with sponsorships paying the remainder. Is your DX club listed on our website? Thanks for your continued interest and support of our project, we'll publish one more press release before leaving home in early February. Good luck in the pileups. 73, Team VP8PJ Website: https://sorkney.com/ Please direct your questions to: info@sorkney.com Sandy and Danny forever! Last month, Grease stars John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John reunited and dressed up as the iconic lovebirds Danny and Sandy during the Meet n Grease sing-along event at the Coral Sky Amphitheater in West Palm Beach, Florida. And on Saturday, the stars reunited again at GDay USA in Beverly Hills, California where money was raised for the wildfire relief in Australia and spoke to reporters about their sweet Grease reunion. Olivia and I just had this glorious experience in Florida where we sold out 20,000 people to see us dress up like Sandy and Danny, Travolta, 65, said. Do a little singing and do an interview. It was one of the highlights of our lives to see the joy of people unrequited love happening from 40 years of people waiting to be with us. It was my idea, the key was we got to look like Sandy and Danny, the actor added. Were not coming here looking like were dressed tonight. Were coming there as Sandy and Danny and then people will get a real kick out of it. Were asking people to dress up. We had everyone dress up so why wouldnt we? Olivia Newton John/Instagram RELATED: John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John Dress Up as Danny and Sandy for First Time Since Grease Travolta told PEOPLE that it felt awesome when he put on Dannys iconic leather jacket for the first time since Greases release 40 years ago. For whatever reason, like the bald head suits me, so does that 50s get-up better than any other hairdo so either Im gonna go bald or wear a Danny 50s hairdo, he shared. It suits my appearance or whatever. Newton-John, 71, also shared how special it was for her to reunite with Travolta and get back into action as Sandy Olsson. That movie is still loved and people, just did another, Grease, I think he told you. The excitement from the people, it was amazing, I couldnt believe it, people they still love it! Hes a great guy! she said. AM/SplashNews.com The actress noted that while she didnt wear Sandys exact dress for the reunion, she said they had a lot of fun revisiting their iconic characters. I couldnt stop laughing, it was just great! she recalled. We gave them these bags and when Beauty School Drop Out started they all blew bubbles and the whole auditorium it was great! Story continues The mom of one shared a backstage photo during the Florida reunion last month, in which she could be seen wearing a yellow cardigan and matching skirt similar to the outfit her character wore in the 1978 film. Travolta, meanwhile, rocked an all-black ensemble complete with a leather jacket. First time in costume since we made the movie, Newton-John captioned the candid snapshot. So excited!! RELATED VIDEO: John Travolta Says Hes Very Proud of Grease Costar Olivia Newton-John as She Faces Cancer Their costumed reunion came after a month after Newton-John auctioned off the famous leather jacket she wore during the Grease finale. Though it was purchased for a whopping $243,000 to raise funds for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Center, the movie memorabilia was recently returned to the star to put on permanent display at the Melbourne, Australia-based research institute. Newton-John founded the ONJ Cancer Centre during her first battle in 1992. She overcame cancer again in 2013, but in May 2017, she was told cancer had metastasized and spread to her bones. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK Lifestyle Ahead of the examination season, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the youth of the country are ready to face any challenge. All students must be busy in final preparations for their exams. After interacting with crores of students during Pariksha Pe Charcha, I can say the youth of the country is confident and ready to face any challenge, Modi said in his monthly radio programme, Mann Ki Baat. The third edition of the Prime Ministers interaction with school students, Pariksha Pe Charcha 2020, was held at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi on January 20. Indian space mission Gaganyaan also found a mention in Modis address. He said that the Gaganyaan mission will be a historic achievement in the field of science and technology for India in the 21st century and a milestone for New India. On the solemn occasion of Republic Day, it gives me great joy to tell you about Gaganyaan. The country has taken another step towards this goal. In 2022, we will be celebrating 75 years of Independence. And on that occasion, we have to fulfil the pledge to take an Indian into space through the Gaganyaan mission, Modi said. The prime minister congratulated the four Indian Air Force pilots shortlisted for the mission. These four pilots symbolise Indias skill, talent and aspirations, he said and expressed confidence in their abilities. The pilots will soon leave for Russia to train for the mission. I am confident this will be another golden chapter of friendship and cooperation between India and Russia. They will be trained for over a year... On the auspicious occasion of Republic Day, I congratulate these four youngsters..., he said. The Narendra Modi government has sanctioned 10,000 crores for the Gaganyaan project. The launch will coincide with the 75th year of Indias independence in 2022. Speaking about the Padma awards and congratulating the Padma awardees of this year, Modi said an increased trust and respect for the national civilian awards is evident among the citizens and pointed out at the overwhelmingly large number of entries for the honours. Like every year, Padma Awards were announced last evening. I request you to read about all these people [awardees]... Over 46,000 nominations had been received for 2020 Padma Awards. This number is 20 times more than what it was in 2014, Modi said. These numbers show peoples trust that Padma Awards have now become peoples awards. Today, the entire process of Padma Awards is online. Earlier, these decisions were taken by a select few, now they are totally people-driven. In a way, there is a new trust and respect for Padma Awards in the country, he added. (With inputs from agencies) The boiling cloud from the volcano spewed fire that looked like lightning, and the sea was sucked from the coast, leaving fish stranded on dry land. A tide of debris rolled across the ground, spreading over the earth like a flood, and the cries of those trying to flee were awful to hear. Many besought the aid of the gods. Still more imagined there were no gods left, and ... the universe was plunged into eternal darkness for evermore. The cataclysmic eruption of Italys Mount Vesuvius in the year 79, as described by the Roman official Pliny the Younger, killed thousands in towns along the Gulf of Naples, including in the prosperous community of Herculaneum, where hundreds of skeletons would be discovered centuries later buried in ash. Now, new research has shed more light on the gruesome way they died. Their flesh may not have been vaporized and turned to ash by the superheated flow of hot gas and volcanic matter roaring down the mountain, as previously thought. Rather, they more likely were baked and suffocated by toxic fumes, according to a team of British and Italian scholars. Those findings appear in the latest issue of the archeological journal Antiquity. The eruption of Vesuvius is one of the worlds most famous volcanic catastrophes. Herculaneum, Pompeii, Oplontis and Stabiae were destroyed by what is still an active and dangerous stratovolcano known for explosive eruptions. (New Zealands White Island volcano, which killed 20 people when it suddenly erupted in December, is also a stratovolcano. So is Washington states Mount St. Helens, which exploded in 1980, killing 57 people.) Herculaneum was at the foot of Vesuvius, between the mountain and the Gulf of Naples. During the eruption, residents fled to the beach and took refuge in twelve vaulted stone structures referred to as boat houses. There, in the 1980s and 90s and early 2000s, the skeletal remains of 340 individuals were discovered. In desperation, they had packed into the boat houses hoping for safety. Most were related women, children and babies, along with their dogs and sheep. When found, many were piled on top of each other. Most of those who perished on the beach itself were adult and young men, the authors report. Pliny the Younger, then an aristocratic teenager living about 15 miles away across the gulf at Misenum, recalled the panic-stricken mob fleeing his neighbourhood. You could hear the shrieks of women, the wailing of infants, and the shouting of men, he wrote years later to the Roman historian Tacitus. Some were calling their parents, others their children or their wives, trying to recognize them by their voices. Across the gulf, at Stabiae, about five miles south of the volcano, the air reeked of sulphur, and people tied pillows to their heads to protect against falling debris. Plinys uncle, the distinguished Roman author, naturalist and naval commander known as Pliny the Elder, had sailed there from Misenum to rescue people. But he collapsed on the shore and died, apparently from the fumes, his nephew wrote. The scene was worse at Herculaneum, which was about three miles west of the mountain. And there the scientists wanted to see whether they could get a better idea of how the volcanos victims died. They turned to their bones. Earlier theories suggested that the enormous temperature of the superheated debris rushing down the mountain vaporized the victims flesh and turned it to ash, the authors wrote. But research into the effect of volcanic eruptions on the human body is scarce, they wrote, and they decided to take a closer look. They took samples of ribs from 152 of those in the boat houses, studied them, and found that the internal bone structure did not indicate exposure to extreme heat that would kill instantly. We could see ... that the victims had not been burned at high temperatures, co-author Tim Thompson, of Britains Teesside University, told Antiquity. Protected within the stone vaults of the boat houses, they may have suffered a more lingering death by suffocation from fumes. The walls ... as well as their own body mass dispersed the heat in the boathouses which more closely relates to baking, Thompson said. Its an equally grim but more nuanced understanding of what happened in the town, of how people reacted and what happened, he said in an email. As Vesuvius buried Herculaneum and Pompeii and Stabiae, across the Gulf of Naples, Pliny the Younger remembered the spreading volcanic darkness. Not the dark of a moonless or cloudy night, but as if a lamp had been put out in a closed room, he wrote. Volcanic ash fell like rain. We rose from time to time and shook them off, otherwise we should have been buried and crushed beneath their weight, he recalled. At last the darkness thinned and dispersed into smoke or cloud, he told Tacitus. Then there was genuine daylight, and the sun actually shone out, but yellowish as it is during an eclipse. We were terrified to see everything changed, buried deep in ashes like snowdrifts. We returned to Misenum where we attended to our physical needs ... and then spent an anxious night alternating between hope and fear, he wrote. Medical cannabis in Europe has slowly been gaining traction, but there are still a number of hurdles around regulation that has a lot of catching up to do. Speaking at the Cannabis Conclave event in Davos, Switzerland last week, Stephen Murphy of Prohibition Partners discussed medical cannabis policy and the importance of knowledge sharing across the continent. Murphy said big brands have yet to enter the cannabis market, so less competition exists compared to other industries. The market correction offers a window of opportunity for new brands, businesses and ideas to be generated. He stressed cannabis covers numerous industries such as beverages, food, healthcare, beauty, wellness, construction, textiles, engineering, technology, pet care, biofuel and bedding. When we first started monitoring and identifying whats happening in the cannabis space, there were five to six legal markets over the three years we have seen that grow, said Murphy, who noted the CDB market in particular is really taking off. There are hundreds of thousands of people using medical cannabis across the world and we have significant evidence already in place that it justifies the implementation of legislation," he said. "I think we can put phases in place in terms of access levels to cannabis. The implication of medical cannabis availability in Israel and Canada when there are patients in the UK desperately trying to get access and cannot because there is not enough data is very skewed thinking." Murphy said we have started to see a lot of pressure on regulatory bodies all of which have bills, policies and motions around cannabis. There are also major opportunities in R&D and there is a huge knowledge gap that needs to be filled. Benzinga's Cannabis Capital Conference returns to Miami Feb. 24-25 with North America's largest B2B cannabis gathering, bringing together capital, cannabis executives, thought leaders and more! 0 See more from Benzinga 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. YEREVAN. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian and Mrs. Nouneh Sarkissian visited the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, the office of the President informed. The President and his wife were met there by Archbishop Sevan Gharibian, the Grand Sacristan of the Armenian Apostolic Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and other representatives of the Armenian clergy. At his talk with Armenian clergy, President Sarkissian said that the Armenian people have tremendous cultural, spiritual values in this land, and there is a need to show it much better to both Jerusalem visitors and the world at large. According to the President, this holy land and place can become a bridge for people who visit here to get to know Armenia, the great Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage and values, also through Jerusalem. A second teachers' union is to ballot members about taking strike action over pay. The ASTI will ballot more than 17,000 secondary school teachers over two-tiered pay affecting people who have entered the profession since 2010. Planned strike action by another teachers' union next month is already set to force hundreds of schools to shut days before the General Election. Members of the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) will hold a one-day strike on the same issue on February 4. Details of the ASTI ballot will be confirmed at a later date. The union's central executive council confirmed the decision to ballot members after a meeting in Dublin yesterday. The body approved a motion to ballot ASTI members on industrial action "to be taken in conjunction with one or both of the other teacher unions". After announcing the decision, ASTI president Deirdre MacDonald said: "It is unthinkable that in 2020 some teachers have inferior pay arrangements even though they are doing the same work as their colleagues in the next classroom." COLUMBIA On Feb. 29, Lisa Grant will be voting in a South Carolina Democratic presidential primary for the first time. It's not because she just became old enough to vote or because she hasn't voted in Democratic primaries before. Rather, it's because Grant moved to South Carolina from Massachusetts in August 2017. "It's the first time I've lived in an early-voting state, so it's exciting," said Grant, who plans to cast her ballot for former Vice President Joe Biden. Grant's situation is far from unique. The art director and mother of three is one of thousands of South Carolina residents who moved to the state in the past few years. Indeed, Grant's own next-door neighbors in Chapin are from Ohio and Pennsylvania, and others nearby hail from Michigan and Pennsylvania. "I've got a University of Michigan sweatshirt, and every time I wear it to the gas station I get all kinds of comments from all the Ohio people," Grant said. The massive influx of new residents could inject an additional element of unpredictability to the crucial "First in the South" primary. They bring with them unknown political ideologies and are often harder for campaigns to reach because of how little voting data is available about them. In 2017 and 2018 alone, South Carolina added more than 100,000 residents from other states, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. That trend may well have continued through 2019, though data is not yet available for that year. Thanks to all those new residents, South Carolina was the ninth-fastest-growing state in the country in 2018. In the longer term, the state's population has approximately doubled since 1970 to a little bit more than 5 million. The growth has been particularly prominent in the state's coastal and urban areas. Myrtle Beach in the northeast corner of the state and Hilton Head Island and Bluffton in the southeast have drawn many retirees, while Charleston and Greenville have also seen new residents moving for jobs or college. The newcomers may have already left an imprint on South Carolina politics, potentially contributing to U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham's upset victory in the 2018 midterms, which made him the first Democrat to represent the Charleston area in four decades. Even though she's voted in prior Democratic primaries, Grant said she has not been contacted by phone-bankers or canvassers from any of the campaigns seeking to win her over a sign that some of those many newcomers may be slipping through the cracks as campaign organizers work to gin up support for their candidates. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! Making it even more difficult for the campaigns, South Carolina has open primaries, and voters are not required to register with a specific party, so it may not even be clear with which party the new residents usually identify. Clay Middleton, who was a senior political adviser on U.S. Sen. Cory Booker's campaign before he dropped out, said campaigns have some tools to seek out potential voters. If they voted in the 2018 midterms but not the 2016 election, for example, they may be susceptible to persuasion. The Booker campaign would also seek out S.C. newcomers who had moved from New Jersey, who may have more knowledge about the senator from their former home state. But pursuing new residents without even that limited type of information could be tricky. "You can get a list of new people that have registered to vote in South Carolina, but if you don't have any history of them, do you have the resources to put in another $200,000 trying to reach people who you can only hope are Democrats?" Middleton said. The minimal information about these new voters could benefit campaigns with more money, said South Carolina Democratic strategist Tyler Jones. They are more likely to be able to afford to contact them with the risk in mind that it may turn out to be a waste of time if they have no interest in voting in the primary, he said. "Because we don't register by party in South Carolina, it's extremely difficult to target those voters, especially in a presidential primary when the only thing you have to go off is previous primary voting history," Jones said. "That's why I think TV is still so effective in general because that's reaching the masses." Other South Carolina politicians have taken note of the shifting electorates in their own districts and say it could lead to some surprises on primary day. State Rep. JA Moore, D-Goose Creek, said a flood of new residents moved into his district in recent years, which he has tried to keep track of as he gears up to run for reelection. Berkeley County has seen some of the fastest growth in the state. "I think we have to be very conscious of the fact that the electorate in 2018 was different than the electorate in 2016, which is completely different from the electorate in 2020," said Moore, who remains undecided after endorsing U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris of California before she dropped out of the race. Another rapidly growing area of the state is up north in York County, where the expansion of Charlotte's suburbs has spilled over into the Rock Hill area represented by state Rep. John King, who supported Booker before he dropped out. "It will play a big part because you have people who are new to the community who may not know their local officials yet, but they're watching the national stage," King said. "And seeing as Democrats have the only primary, I think you'll find people are going to vote that day even though they may not typically be Democrats." A Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) trooper checks travellers coming from Nepal to India at a coronavirus screening camp at an India-Nepal border crossing, some 32 km from Siliguri on January 26, 2020. Health authorities in Nepal have confirmed that a student who returned from Wuhan, China tested positive for the new coronavirus, becoming the first South Asian country to report the deadly disease. (AFP) BEIJING: India on Sunday said it has set up a third hotline at the Indian embassy in Beijing to field calls about the welfare of Indian stranded in Wuhan, China, the epicentre of the global coronavirus scare. India said it is examining "all options" in consultation with the Chinese government to address the plight of over 250 Indians, including students, stranded there. "In view of the large number of calls received on the two hotline numbers set up by @EOIBeijing in connection with the outbreak, @EOIBeijing has decided to open a third hotline number +8618610952903," the embassy said in a tweet. The other two hotline numbers are 8618612083629 and +8618612083617, it said. The toll in the deadly viral outbreak in China rose to 56 Sunday with the number of confirmed cases of viral affliction reaching 2,008 , including 23 from aborad, Chinese health authorities said. India on Sunday opened a third hotline in view of the large number of phone calls from Indian students, the Indian Embassy in Beijing said. The embassy has also said it is "examining all options" and holding consultations with the Chinese to provide relief to Indians up in Wuhan. "Over the last two days our hotlines have fielded nearly 600 calls to respond to concerns regarding this difficult situation. GoI and @EOIBeijing are also examining all options, including through consultations with the Chinese authorities, to provide relief to our affected citizens," another tweet by the embassy said. The reference to "all options" was seen as a pointer to explore the option to evacuate the stranded Indians. The pneumonia outbreak was first reported in Wuhan in central China's Hubei Province in December 2019. Experts have attributed the outbreak to a new strain of coronavirus that has since spread across China and abroad. About 700 Indian students are believed to have been enrolled in several universities in the city and surrounding areas. Wuhan along 12 other cities have been completely sealed by the Chinese authorities to stop the virus from spreading. While the majority of the Indian students, mostly medical students reported to have left a few weeks ago for the Chinese New Year holidays, 250-300 are still reportedly in the city, causing concerns to their parents back home. A number of Indian PHD students also study in different universities in Wuhan and surrounding areas. Some students managed to leave before the city just before it was sealed off on January 23. In a rare move, the Indian embassy on Sunday cancelled the Republic Day ceremony, owing to the concern over the virus which has spread to all provinces except Tibet. China is reported to have permitted the US to evacuate its diplomats and citizens from Wuhan. US has a consulate in Wuhan. Roughly 1,000 American citizens are thought to be in Wuhan, a report in the state-run China Daily said. As the US plans to evacuate its citizens from Wuhan, Chinese Foreign Ministry said: "Following international customary practices, China makes arrangements that are consistent with our epidemic control measures and provides necessary assistance and convenience". Reports say the US has already shut its consulate in Wuhan and prepared to airlift the diplomats and some of the stranded Americans to San Francisco where they would be kept under observation. Global Times reported that France and South Korea plan to airlift their citizens stranded in Wuhan. New Mexico anti-abortion advocate and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Elisa Martinez shared the same stage with President Donald Trump at the national March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Friday. Martinez delivered a two-minute address at the march, which is held at the nations capital every year on the anniversary week of the 1973 Supreme Court Roe vs. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. This is the first year a sitting president has attended the event. For the pro-life movement, this is a historic occasion, she said in a phone interview with the Journal on the way to the march. The president, just by his record, is the most pro-life president weve ever had. Its fitting to have him attend the march and give some remarks. This isnt the first March for Life Martinez has attended, but it was the first time she had been asked to give an address. Martinez said she was asked to speak at the event in part for leading the effort last year in New Mexico to defeat House Bill 51 in the Legislature as the leader of New Mexico Alliance for Life. The Legislature voted against the measure that would have repealed the states 1969 anti-abortion law, which makes it a crime to end a womans pregnancy, except in certain circumstances, such as rape. UDALL CRITICIZES CHANGES IN WATER RULES: U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., is critical of a decision by the Trump administration last week that narrows the types of waterways that qualify for federal protection under the half-century-old Clean Water Act. Simply put, the Trump administration is endangering the future of clean water in New Mexico, the Southwest and across the country, the senator said. The proposed changes would strip Clean Water Act protections from the vast majority of New Mexicos surface waters, putting drinking and irrigation supplies at further risk. This means more hazardous pollution into open waterways and then into our groundwater, more damaging floods following rains, and more destruction of habitat for fish, birds, and other wildlife we treasure. The changes to the clean water rule have long been sought by builders, oil and gas developers, farmers and others. But environmental groups and public-health advocates say the rollback will allow businesses to dump pollutants into newly federally unprotected waterways and fill in some wetlands, threatening public water supplies downstream and harming wildlife and habitat. Every one of us depends on clean water to survive, and this short-sighted, special-interest driven policy is a direct threat to both public health and wildlife at the same time that this administration is ignoring climate change and rampant habitat destruction, Udall said. HAALAND OBSERVES DAY OF SERVICE: U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland spent the holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. last Monday by observing a day of service in partnership with local nonprofit ABQ Involved. She and her team worked on a renovation project at SAFE House Shelter and Family Empowerment, a shelter for women and families escaping domestic violence. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believed in the power of community to overcome our toughest challenges, the Democratic representative said. This holiday is meant to be a day on not a day off. SAFE House provides a critical service to women and families escaping the cycle of violence in the spirit of Dr. King we came together to help them renovate their space. The service project came after Haaland attended the New Mexico Black History Month Organizing Committees Commemorative Breakfast, where they honored King with scholarship presentations to New Mexico students and uplifted the community through gospel music. Scott Turner: sturner@abqjournal.com BP Georgia and USAID/Zrda Activity to Support Communities Across Georgia By The Messenger Staff On January 22, 2020, USAID/Georgia Mission Director Peter Wiebler and BP Head of Country Ann Davies joined Shida Kartli Governor Giorgi Khojevanishvili to visit jointly-supported project sites and familiarize with the opportunities of economic and social growth in Nigoza village of the Kaspi Municipality.In 2018 USAID/Zrda in partnership with BP Georgia launched joint program in 41 villages where BP and Zrda activities overlap, including village Nigoza.Within the joint program, USAID/Zrda and BP will support sustainable, social and economic development projects that respond to the needs of the local population and have the potential to positively impact the target communities including by creating jobs and income-generation opportunities, stated USAID/Zrda Activity in Georgia, Chief of Party, Brian King to The Messenger.Joint project is implemented as part of the wider Community Development Initiative program, initiated and funded by BP and its oil and gas partners. Focus areas of the partnership include agriculture, business and community development.The most important thing today is the USAID and BP partnership in these communities to create jobs and economic opportunities here in the villages around the Administrative Boundary Line. By partnering with BP, we are trying to improve the living standards and economic prospects for Georgians all around. These types of partnerships will create a better future for the country and also strengthen relationships between the United States and Georgia, USAID/Georgia Mission Director Peter Wiebler told the paperThe program covers 41 target villages with more than 14,000 local residents, with activities carried out by two implementing partners. As such, Biological Farming Association Elkana is implementing small business development projects in 22 villages located in the Kaspi, Gori, Kareli and Khashuri municipalities of Shida Kartli region. The target area is located along the Western Route Export Pipeline, also known as the Baku-Supsa pipeline. Another implementing partner, the Regional Development Association, is implementing community development initiatives in the remaining 19 villages located in the Akhaltsikhe, Adigeni and Tsalka municipalities of Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli regions along the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and South Caucasus Pipelines.On behalf of BP I am very pleased to have a strong partner in face of USAID/Zrda. Our mutual efforts and experience have helped increase benefits of the community development initiative. This partnership with local government, donors, business and implementing partners enables us continue supporting sustainable development programs in Georgia for local communities and wider society, added BP Head of Country Ann Davies.USAID Zrda co-finances joint projects in these 41 villages through technical assistance, training and small grants activities, contributing up to USD 300,000 to the joint program. BP, on behalf of its oil and gas partners, is investing USD 2 million in the broader Community Development program, the current phase of which is being implemented during 2018-2021 in 218 communities, including in 41 villages under the joint program with USAID/Zrda. JERUSALEM Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu headed to Washington on Sunday vowing to make history as he prepared to meet President Trump for the unveiling of the U.S. administrations much-anticipated plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But the high-profile meeting in Washington looks set to serve mostly as a sideshow to the two allied leaders serious legal problems. The Palestinians have not been consulted on the much-trumpeted deal and have preemptively rejected the U.S. proposal. The Trump-Netanyahu meeting on Tuesday comes as Trumps impeachment trial continues in the U.S. Senate and the Israeli Parliament holds a hearing to discuss Netanyahus request for immunity from criminal corruption charges. For both men, their White House summit will be a welcome diversion. Vice President Mike Pence announced the surprise invitation for Netanyahu and his top challenger, Israeli politician Benny Gantz, on Thursday in Jerusalem. Netanyahu said he suggested inviting Gantz in a show of unity ahead of a momentous occasion. But late Saturday, Gantz, fearing Netanyahu would use the meeting as an electoral ploy to upstage him, said he would travel to Washington on his own and meet Trump separately. Gantz, a former commander of the Israeli military, will then rush back to Israel for the immunity proceedings in Parliament. Before taking off Sunday, Netanyahu made no mention of his legal woes. Instead, he said the friendly Trump administration was providing Israel a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that must be seized. We are in the midst of very dramatic political events, but the peak is still ahead, he said. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The plan is expected to be very favorable to Israel, and appears to have little chance of success. Aron Heller is an Associated Press writer. On the occasion of the 71st Republic Day, the Congress on Sunday sent a copy of the Constitution to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and took a dig at him saying, "when you get time off from dividing the country, please do read it". The opposition party posted several tweets on its official Twitter handle, alleging that the government was subverting the Constitution. The Congress also tweeted the videos of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, former party chief Rahul Gandhi and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reading the Preamble from a protest assembly at Rajghat recently. "Dear PM, The Constitution is reaching you soon. When you get time off from dividing the country, please do read it. Regards, Congress," the party tweeted along with the snapshot of an amazon receipt which stated that the copy of the Constitution was being dispatched to the Central Secretariat. In another tweet, the Congress said a lesson the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has failed to understand is that all persons no matter creed, caste or gender are guaranteed equality before the law under Article 14 of the Constitution. "It is this article that is completely violated by the government's Citizenship Amendment Act," the party said. "It is important to remember that it is enshrined in our Constitution that all persons are protected from discrimination of any form. Therefore, any attempt to draft laws based on discrimination are unconstitutional," it said. Both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi extended their greetings to the people on the occasion of the Republic Day. In a message on the eve of the Republic Day, Sonia Gandhi urged people on Saturday to rise above personal prejudices and stand united to protect the Constitution and its values, claiming that they are being attacked through a "deep-rooted" conspiracy. "A deep-rooted conspiracy has been hatched to set a discourse to divide countrymen based on religion, regionalism and language as also to subvert and undermine the Constitution. An unprecedented atmosphere of disturbance, fear and insecurity has been foisted upon the country. "The common citizen is convinced that the constitutional values are no longer safe in the hands of the present dispensation," she had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) #fyiSI -- You asked, so were answering! For this week's #fyiSI question-and-answer article I'm tackling a handful of questions that don't require an in-depth investigation. Whatever the question is -- whether it requires a quick or an in-depth answer -- I'm here to answer it for you -- see, that's me in the picture with my #fyiSI sign. Scroll through the slideshow for some questions and answers, and keep an eye out for more #fyiSI articles. Goldens Deli was open for 30 years in New Springville and closed in 2008. Can we get another Jewish deli -- like Goldens? Liz asked: Id like to know when we can get another great deli like we had Goldens Deli? Me and many of my friends really miss that deli! Youre not alone! There seems to be a real demand for a great Jewish deli/restaurant on Staten Island. On the Staten Island Advances foodie Facebook page, Where Staten Island Eats and Drinks, the question is asked at least once a month, which then leads to foodies reminiscing about the delicious food they used to get at Goldens. Goldens Deli was open for 30 years in New Springville and closed in 2008. They travel to Harolds in N.J. Bennett Cohen, a New Springville resident, even wrote a letter to the editor last year asking about it. When will somebody open a Jewish-style deli on Staten Island, so residents dont have to travel to New Jersey to visit Harolds? Cohen said in the letter. Golden's was a popular restaurant for decades. If you know someone This does not fall within my #fyiSI expertise, but if any Staten Island restaurateurs or business owners were thinking of what to do next, the people have spoken Staten Island wants a new Jewish restaurant! (Staten Island Advance/Kristin F. Dalton) The center median is a mess! Ann asked: Hart Blvd. above Forest Ave. up to Revere St. on Staten Island has a center median that is maintained by the Parks Department. There are several areas of the median that are in great disrepair and damage. Although there are No Parking signs set on the median placed at intervals, many people/workers/delivery trucks have parked on the median, causing great damage. Aside from the lack of enough dirt and fill in several areas, he masonry borders if the median are broken and destroyed. Why cant more signs be placed so no vehicles can fit on the median and why cant the Parks Department landscape the torn up areas, put down fill and plant higher shrubs along the edges? It is ridiculous to hire a crew of workers to pick up little debris and leave the median so unsafe and very unsightly! I have been told no money so why spend money in budget on maintenance leaving it unsightly? Spend the money on a few truckloads of gravel and dirt!!! We have a beautiful street but the median, in several areas, has created a terrible eyesore. Are you able to help with this much needed project to create a Greenstreet environment on the entire median? (Staten Island Advance/Kristin F. Dalton) Parks Department said they maintain the area Parks regularly prunes and maintains the Hart Boulevard Greenstreet. Our mobile crew performs routine trash pick-up and forestry maintenance at this site, said a Parks Department spokeswoman. (Staten Island Advance)TNS Why does the NYPD no longer respond to accidents? Mannion asked: Why does the NYPD no longer respond to car accidents? (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk) NYPD looking to improve response times As part of a pilot program that was rolled out in March 2019, the NYPD will no longer respond to motor vehicle accidents that only involve property damage. This pilot has the potential to improve response time for busy New Yorkers, said the NYPD. Divers are still responsible for exchanging insurance information and filing a report with the state Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days. Motorists still need to call 911 immediately if the following occurs: A person or domestic animal is injured, needs medical assistance or is killed; A vehicle involved in the crash is inoperable; The owner cannot immediately be located when a parked vehicle or other property is damaged. (Staten Island Advance) #fyiSI -- heres the point When #fyiSI launched in October, the Advance received dozens of questions from readers about all things Staten Island. Now, were ready to start providing answers and are asking you again to ask us anything, Staten Island -- and we mean anything. Through #fyiSI, Im going to answer all of your burning questions with the occasional help of my coworkers about the borough with 479,458 residents that we all call home. Some of the questions weve received so far include: How can we ask for a stop sign to be added? What happened to my favorite restaurant? Is that a mobile speed camera? Why is the Department of Transportation doing construction on my block? Now, Im ready to tackle them all, and Im looking for more questions. Whatever it is, Ill answer it. You might be wondering how #fyiSI differs from the average story you already read in the Staten Island Advance or on SILive.com. Were not stepping away from the traditional news article, but instead adding social media elements like Facebook live, Instagram stories, Twitter polls, and other multimedia to help us reach you. Well also do a lot of reporting on site. Questions should include your name, neighborhood of residence and contact information, and can be emailed to fyi@siadvance.com or kdalton@siadvance.com. #fyiSI questions weve answered so far Osamu Yano, a former gang boss on death row over the killing of four persons nearly two decades ago, has died in prison in an apparent suicide, the Ministry of Justice said, reports TBS News (Jan. 26). At around 7:47 a.m. on Sunday, a staff member at the Tokyo Detention House found Yano lying atop a futon in his cell with blood coming from his neck. He was confirmed dead about 20 minutes later. Staff members checked on Yano once every 20 minutes. However, nothing out of the ordinary had been observed previously, the ministry said. Though the circumstances behind Yanos death are under investigation, he is believed to have used an unspecified means to take his life. Maebashi snack killings Yano was the former head of the Yano Mutsumi-kai, a one-time affiliate gang of the Sumiyoshi-kai. While the boss of the gang, he ordered two members of his gang to carry out a shooting that left four people dead at a asnacka hostess club in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture on January 25, 2003. Four years later, the Tokyo District Court handed Yano the death sentence for being the ringleader in the hit. The ruling was upheld in an appeal at the Tokyo High Court in 2014. Two other killings While on death row, Yano confessed to two other killings. In April, 2016, Yano told investigators that he participated in the killing of 60-year-old real estate executive Shizuo Tsugawa. Yano said the murder was over a dispute the gang had with him over a redevelopment project near Isehara Station in Isehara City, Kanagawa Prefecture in 1996. Police using information provided by Yano later found the body of Tsugawa in a mountainous area of Isehara. In November, 2016, he also told investigators that the body of Mamoru Saito, 49, also a real estate executive, had been dumped in Saitama Prefecture. A search crew later found human bones in a mountainous area of the town of Tokigawa that were later confirmed to belong to Saito. Saito went missing after a meeting in the Ikebukuro area of Tokyoas Toshima Ward on April 5, 1998. According to information released in a court-related report in September of 2014, Yano said Saito was abducted and strangled to death over money problems that included a loan of 86 million yen. In 2018, the Tokyo District Court found Yano innocent in the killings of Tsugawa and Saito. aThe purpose of the confessions was to delay the execution,a presiding judge Hideo Nirei said in handing down the ruling. Prosecutors did not appeal the ruling. State police have stripped a trooper of his badge and gun and internal affairs is investigating after he was arrested by Hamden police for disorderly conduct. Dimitrie Bogiatzopoulos, who has served in the state police since 2007, had his police powers suspended, and an internal affairs investigation is underway state police said Sunday morning. His supervisor also seized his department firearms, badge, identification, and police cruiser, police said. Disorderly conduct is a class c misdemeanor in the state of Connecticut that includes wide array of criminal activity. That includes engaging in fighting or in violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior, annoying or interfering with another person, according to state statute. It also includes making unreasonable noise, disturbing a lawful assembly or meeting, obstructing traffic, failure to disperse when told to do so, or committing simple trespass. Bogiatzopoulos is the second state trooper to be arrested in just the last few days. On Friday, Sgt. Gregory Smith was placed on leave after he was arrested by Southington police the second time the state police officer was charged in just over six months. The charges in that case were not immediately available. Smith was initially charged back in July with assault, threatening and reckless endangerment, according to the states judicial website. His wife told police his temper became increasingly volatile towards her, including one incident in which he allegedly put her in a headlock and covered her mouth while she screamed for help, before pointing a gun at her. Bogiatzopoulos and Smith both follow the Nov. 20 arrest of Sgt. John McDonald, a Western District Major Crimes Unit state police officer who officials said ran a stop sign and struck a family car in his state vehicle, injuring a woman and her daughter. According to McDonalds arrest warrant for driving under the influence and assault, among other charges, the sergeant had as many as eight beers during a retirement party at a nearby brewery shortly before the accident. McDonald remains suspended from duty, and is due to appear in Middletown Judicial District court on Monday to face the criminal charges against him. TWO Limerick men are due to appear before a special court sitting this Sunday evening after they were charged in connection with a burglary in a Limerick village. The two suspects, who are aged in their late teens, were arrested a short time after a house in the Drombanna area was broken into. At approximately 2.45pm on Saturday, detectives from Roxboro Road garda station responded to a report of a burglary that had just occurred in Drombanna. Gardai carried out a patrol of the area and were able to ascertain details of a car that was suspected to have been involved, said a garda spokesperson. Details of the vehicle were circulated to all units in the Limerick division and a car was stopped by gardai on Ballysimon Road in Limerick city. The car was searched and items that were believed to have been stolen during the burglary were seized. The two occupants of the car were arrested and brought to Roxboro Road garda station where detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. Both men, who are from the southside of Limerick city, have since been charged and are due to appear before a special sitting of Nenagh District Court this Sunday evening. China on Sunday said the transmission ability of the novel Coronavirus is getting stronger and the number of new cases will continue to grow as Beijing scrambles to contain the outbreak which has claimed 56 lives and infected more than 2000 globally. The spreading ability of the virus is getting stronger, national health commission (NHC) minister, Ma Xiaowei said Sunday, adding that the quickness with which the contagious infection is multiplying has put extra pressure on the ongoing efforts to contain it. The warning came as the number of cases continued to surge and Shanghai, a megacity of more than 24 million people reported its first death from the virus. In Wuhan, at the epicentre of the outbreak severe shortages of resources including protective suits were reported with government officials in Beijing saying factories are being asked to increase their production capacities. Ma added that the risks associated with the mutation of this previously unknown virus from the same family as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or Sars were not clear and because it is a new virus, there could be changes. Ma added that in the coming days, the number of infections might continue to grow. He said that containment measures across China will be stepped up in the coming days. For one, on Sunday China announced a ban on wildlife trade during the outbreak, prompted by the suspicion that the disease comes from a seafood and fish market in Wuhan which also sold wild animals. Addressing a packed press conference in Beijing on Sunday, Ma said the incubation period for the Coronavirus can range from one to 14 days, and that the virus is infectious during the period incubation defined as the time between infection and the onset of symptoms. This particular characteristic makes it different from the Sars, another coronavirus that originated in China and killed nearly 800 people globally between 2002 and 2003. Speaking at the same press conference, the director of the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Gao Fu, the virus had shown little change since its discovery, adding that scientists will need more time to detect minute alterations if they occur. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday warned that the spread of a deadly new virus is accelerating. During a special government meeting on the Lunar New Year public holiday he told officials China is facing a grave situation. Ma added that China is at a crucial time to prevent and control the novel coronavirus outbreak as the ongoing one-week LNY holiday is the best time to allow massive isolation and disinfection to take effect. The raging outbreak has prompted widening curbs on movements within China, with Wuhan, a city of 11 million, on virtual lockdown, with transports links to city all but severed except for emergency vehicles. Transport restrictions have been put in place in several other cities in the province of Hubei and upwards of 35 million are said to be affected by them. Several Chinese universities across the country have postponed their entrance exams or spring terms amid the spread of novel coronavirus. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Under a golden sunlight, in the high-security enclosure at Rajpath were also present Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chief guest Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh besides the cabinet minister and embassy dignitories. New Delhi, Jan 26 (IANS) President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday received the national salute at Rajpath on the occasion of 71st Republic Day. Lieutenant General Asit Mistry, the General Officer Commanding, Headquarters Delhi Area lead this year's R-Day parade. Thousands stood up as the National Anthem was played and the Tricolour was unfurled. Earlier both Kovind and Modi paid rich tributes to the martyred soldiers, by laying wreathes at the National War Memorial in New DElhi, on the occasion of Republic Day. He was accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat along with the three chief of staffs -- Army Chief Gen Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and Air Force Chief Air Marshal RKS Bhaduria. Wearing a saffron turban and a sombre look, the Prime Minister offered his salute, in remembrance of the fallen soldiers and their unprecedented contribution in guarding the integrity of India. The Presidential unfurling of the tricolour was accompanied with the National Anthem and a 21-gun salute. Bolsonaro the chief guest this year sat alongside the Prime Minister and watching the stunning display of India's rich diversity. Twenty-two tableaux started rolling down the Rajpath. While 16 of them are from States and Union Territories, remaining six are from various ministries. abn/in Parnas's attorney, Joseph Bondy, said in a tweet Saturday that he released the audio "given its importance to our national interest." He said Friday that he had shared it with the House Intelligence Committee. Bondy is scheduled to appear on CNN's "AC360" Saturday night. The recording was made by another Giuliani associate, Igor Fruman, and shared with Parnas shortly after the dinner, according to Bondy. Fruman's attorney declined to comment. Only the first three minutes of the tape include visuals, and Trump can be seen briefly when he approaches the rectangular dining table set with red bouquets of flowers. The remaining portion of the recording is only audio. The conversation involving Ukraine begins about 40 minutes into the 1-hour-and-24-minute recording. During that discussion, Trump asks a person who appears to be Parnas how long Ukraine would "last in fight against Russia." Parnas says "without us, not very long," and another person chimes in, "about 30 minutes." Months later, Trump would try to cut off military aid to Ukraine. Life really can change in a heartbeat. It was a sunny day last July and Id had a wonderful weekend in London staying with my best friend Jane. On the Monday, I headed off for a meeting with my publisher. I walked to the Tube station with a spring in my step and a smile on my face. The past few years had been tough. Five years earlier, at 54, Id separated from my husband, Adrian, after 23 years of marriage. It was my decision to end it: thered been no dramatic wrong turn, wed just drifted apart, to the point where we were like flatmates rather than a married couple. Breaking up had still been painful, and learning to live on my own no bed of roses either. Yet, finally, it seemed as if everything was working out. I was happy, independent and the future seemed bright. Then, suddenly, on that sunny Monday morning, I wasnt walking any more; I was pitching forwards and there was nothing I could do to save myself as my face and hands smashed into the kerb. My first thought was terribly British How embarrassing! What will people think? as I lay spreadeagled on the pavement. Jane Alexander, 59, who broke both of her arms after falling in London, told how her ex-husband Adrian (pictured together) stepped in to help her My next thought was just how ludicrous it was. Ive paraglided off mountains, kayaked rapids, climbed volcanoes, yet I had never so much as sprained an ankle. I thought tripping over and injuring yourself was something that happened to people much older than their 50s. I heard a woman ask if I was OK, then a man chipped in to check I could sit up. I couldnt. Blood was pouring from my nose and my right wrist was puffing up like a balloon. Someone gently lifted me to sitting; someone called an ambulance; someone else found my phone and texted to say I wouldnt make my meeting. Strangers can be incredibly kind. After that, my friend Jane dropped everything to come with me to A&E. I knew Id probably fractured my wrist and cracked my nose, but I wasnt prepared to hear that Id broken both arms. In fact, Id fractured my left elbow and smashed up my right wrist pretty spectacularly. A simple trip, a freak accident, and here I was, effectively disabled. I burst into tears as reality hit home. I lived on my own; how on earth was I going to manage? As a journalist and an author, my hands are my livelihood; how would I earn a living? My right wrist was put in plaster but my left elbow would apparently heal without immobilisation. Afterwards, discharged with two slings round my neck, Steri-Strips over my nose and eyebrow, and still high as a kite on gas and air, I asked Jane to drop me at Paddington Station. Convinced Id be fine, I remember saying all she needed to do was to put my rucksack on my back and my ticket in my teeth. She decided I was either still in shock or totally insane and phoned Adrian, my ex. Jane (pictured shaken after her fall) fractured her left elbow and smashed her right wrist, when she fell last July As I listened to my best friend and him discuss which service station on the M4 would be best for a handover, I felt like a parcel. But I also felt intensely grateful that I was being so looked after. I started crying all over again. My separation from Adrian had initially been difficult, but wed worked hard to keep our relationship from becoming toxic. Friends joked that we were doing a Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin as we kept everything amicable (both for our own sanity and for the sake of our son James, who is now 21). Adrian lives around the corner from me in Exeter and we share our dog, Dante. By the time of my accident, even when James wasnt around, we frequently saw each other for coffee, supper or the occasional film. Neither of us had a new partner and, living separately, got on just fine. But its one thing to support each other when youre independent adults: its something quite different when one of you is helpless. As Adrian drove me back to Exeter, I told him I didnt know exactly how I would cope. He said hed known something was horribly wrong the moment he heard my friends voice on the phone. He hadnt thought twice about jumping into the car and heading out to meet us. He reassured me that everything would be fine. Our son James, away on holiday, would be home in a week and he, too, would be on hand. It was hugely humbling. I had instigated our separation, and yet here he was, ready to drive for several hours to rescue me. Jane (pictured) settled into a routine with Adrian caring for her, she said his help with making meals and cleaning was invaluable Still, as soon as we got back to my house, the difficulties began to present themselves. I somehow managed to ease my way out of my blood-stained outfit, while Adrian hovered around, trying to help while tactfully averting his eyes. Then, I inched my way into bed and he arranged pillows to support my arms. We figured out that I could reach water on the bedside table and sip it through a straw. I had so many painkillers sloshing around my system that I wasnt too uncomfortable, but that night Adrian slept in our sons room, in case I needed anything. His kindness hit me again and back came the tears quiet little gulps so I wouldnt wake him. The next morning it dawned on me just how helpless I was. My injuries werent huge, relatively, yet you dont realise what youve got until its gone. Although Adrians work as a journalist can be flexible, he couldnt abandon it to look after me. So once I was settled, he left. When I heard him lock the front door, I felt uneasy. I was home alone with two broken arms. But he came back later that day and we soon settled into a routine. Hed pop over every morning for coffee to make sure I was all right, sorting out my breakfast, making sure I had something I could eat during the day, making my bed and loading the dishwasher. Hed then check in later to do similar checks and tasks. His help was invaluable. With one arm in plaster and the other painful if I moved it, for the first week or so I couldnt even open my front door. I couldnt cook; I could only eat if things were cut up for me; I wasnt safe with a kettle. Jane (pictured) revealed her injuries caused her to struggle physically and emotionally, while she also lived frugally of her savings I could barely wash my face and brush my teeth. I could stand in the shower with plastic bags over my plaster cast and air-dry myself afterwards, yet I didnt feel clean. Still, asking Adrian to help was a step too far. Similarly, it was one thing asking him to cut up food, but doing up my bra felt too intimate. In the end, though, the need for comfort won out. Adrian endeavored to make it feel as normal as possible, telling me we had been married for decades of course he wasnt scared of doing up my bra. And so he stepped carefully and graciously into the role of a carer. It felt extremely strange to me and I kept thanking him, like a stuck record. However, he took it entirely in his stride, insisting it was fine and that he wasnt remotely fazed. As for money, by living frugally, I could make my savings last for the three months it would take me to be able to type again. However, as well as struggling physically, I was also struggling mentally. Id worked so hard for my independence. It had taken every ounce of emotional strength to forge a new life for myself. Now I watched my progress unravel. A complicated operation on my right wrist put my recovery back even further, and my confidence vanished. I felt frightened of everything. Petrified Id fall down the stairs. Worried Id become addicted to painkillers. Walking down the street was terrifying. I kept reliving the moment I fell and was morbidly convinced it was going to happen again. I picked my way along the street, feeling very vulnerable. Jane admits she thought about getting back into a relationship with Adrian (pictured together), as the injuries made her consider how she would cope in old age Friends, meanwhile, began to wonder about my relationship with Adrian, asking if I was tempted to get back together. And I admit I thought about it. This out-of-the-blue frailty felt like a horrible foreshadowing of life in ten or 20 years time. If not a fall, then how would I cope with an illness or incapacity in old age. This, I reflected, was perhaps one reason so many people stay together, even if their relationships dont make them happy. The idea of growing old on your own is daunting; scary even. But should I get back together with Adrian just because I was scared? That seemed not only cowardly on my part, but hugely disrespectful to him. Eventually, I pulled myself together. Id decided to end the marriage and this was my first major test. As my Aunty Dot would have said: Youve made your bed, so lie in it, my girl. So I booked a session of EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing a form of hypnotherapy that can help your mind heal from trauma) and started working extra hard on my physiotherapy homework. I ditched the boxset binges and, once my plaster cast was removed, re-joined the gym. A personal trainer kindly offered me a free session to devise a programme I could do without straining my arms. Gradually, I coaxed myself back into an independent life with Adrian still there to help when needed, and to cheer me on. Jane (pictured) revealed six months on, Adrian is still helping her as she only has partial use of her right hand For five months, I had had to stick to showers as I didnt have the strength to get in and out of the bath. But one day, yearning for a good soak, I asked Adrian to stand by as I did a literal dry run, fully clothed. Getting in was fine, but then I got stuck. He hauled me out, with much huffing and puffing, both of us laughing like drains. It struck me, not for the first time, how incredibly lucky I was to have met him, nearly 30 years ago now, and to have spent so much of my life with someone as kind, clever and funny as him. I thought of all those people who are entirely on their own, and I felt intensely grateful. Six months on, I still have only partial use of my right hand and my wonderful ex is still helping me. He drives me to my occupational therapy appointment each week and checks if I need help with heavy shopping. If theres one positive thing thats come out of the accident, its that our relationship today is easier, more relaxed. We dont tread on eggshells around each other any more. Hes seen me at my most vulnerable, and Ive seen him at his most kind. As for the big question? I asked Adrian, the other day, whether he could ever see us sharing a house again. He smiled and shook his head. I think we get on much better like this, dont you? I couldnt have agreed more. Kaitlyn Alyssa Stuck and Jacob David Gordon were married Jan. 25 at the Liberty Warehouse, an events space in Brooklyn. Cantor Shira Ginsburg officiated. The couple, both 26, met in Worcester, Mass., at Clark University, from which each graduated, he magna cum laude. Ms. Stuck teaches algebra and calculus at the Young Womens Leadership School, an all-girls Grades 6-12 public school in Manhattan. She received a masters degree in education from St. Johns. She is a daughter of Karin M. Stuck and Matthew B. Stuck of Bourne, Mass. The brides father retired as a captain in the Coast Guard in Boston. He currently manages United States Coast Guard Aids to Navigation and Lighthouses at the Northeast district headquarters in Boston. Her mother is the federal housing administrator for the team providing housing support for older adults and disabled people at the Bourne Housing Authority. T housands of revellers, including many from China, celebrated Chinese New Year in central London despite worries about coronavirus spreading to the UK. Many people welcoming the Year of the Rat in the biggest celebration for the lunar festival outside China were wearing filter masks to protect themselves against the respiratory virus. But coronavirus worries did not dampen festivities, as a 50-foot golden dragon and a bagpipe procession travelled from Charing Cross to Chinatown where hundreds of red lanterns lined the streets. Outside restaurants and cafes in Chinatown, people were queuing down the street, and many gathered to watch firecrackers heralding the start of the celebrations in Trafalgar Square. London Chinese New Year celebrations 2020 - In pictures 1 /40 London Chinese New Year celebrations 2020 - In pictures Pedestrians are seen wearing a surgical masks as they pose for a photograph in London's China Town AFP via Getty Images A performer takes a photograph as she takes part in celebrations for the Chinese Lunar New Year AFP via Getty Images A dragon is paraded though the streets by performers AFP via Getty Images A performer wears a protective mask as she prepares to take part in the parade AP Performers participate in the Chinese Lunar New Year Getty Images People watch the lion dance REUTERS Performers taking part in a parade involving costumes, lion dances and floats PA Police Officers on horseback patrol Chinatown Getty Images British Prime Minister Boris Johnson dots the eyes with paint of lion costumes worn by performers as he welcomes members of the British Chinese community for Chinese New Year celebrations outside 10 Downing Street AP AP PA A child wearing a face mask watches Getty Images AP Performers prepare to parade through the streets AFP via Getty Images A performer prepares to take part in the parade AP People shop at a stall selling Chinese items Getty Images People browse a store in Chinatown Getty Images Spectators watch the parade during Chinese New Year celebrations PA Performers taking part in a parade involving costumes, lion dances and floats PA Chinese Ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming PA Performers taking part in a lion dance in Trafalgar Square PA Performers taking part in a lion dance in Trafalgar Square Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images Chinese Ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming PA AP AFP via Getty Images REUTERS Getty Images REUTERS Meanwhile, the Foreign Office has urged Britons trapped in the Hubei province of China, which has been on lockdown for several days following the coronavirus outbreak, to leave the area if they are able to. Chinese student Siyan Li, from Shandong, was wearing a face mask as she celebrated in Chinatown because she was "afraid" of the virus. The 22-year-old Nottingham University student said: "China has advised everyone to stay at home and not come out. I'm afraid. Performers take part in the Chinese Lunar New Year parade through central London / REUTERS "I don't know if there are many people with this kind of fear, but I think this (the mask) is a good way to protect myself." Conan Zhao, 35, and his wife Daisy Huang, 27, were holidaying in London for Chinese new year and were also wearing masks as "a precaution". Mr Zhao, from Shenzhen in China, said: "The most important thing is self-protection - you need to protect yourself, but there is no need to worry." He added: "We came here for Chinese new year, and it's our first time in London. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson points at performers dressed as lions as he welcomes members of the British Chinese community for Chinese New Year / AP "Chinese people have come to London for a very long time and we wanted to see how people celebrate Chinese new year here." Lily Ferreira and Katerina Jelinkova, two volunteers helping to manage the festivities for the London Chinatown Chinese Association (LCCA), said they were worried about the effect of the virus on their performers from China. Miss Ferreira, a 25-year-old music and business student from Portugal who was wearing a mask, said: "Some of our performers came from China, so we were worried about getting them here, but it hasn't been a problem." People wear masks as they pose for a picture during Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations / REUTERS Miss Jelinkova, 22, from Czech Republic, said she would wear a mask in central London anyway because of air pollution. Phillip Rowell, a British scriptwriter who lived in Hong Kong and Singapore during the Sars virus outbreak in 2003, said he was not worried about another respiratory virus from the region. Mr Rowell, 49, who was celebrating with his wife and son, said: "We lived through a few of those things in Asia, we had Sars when we were there and I always think it looks worse on the news. "I'm sure it's serious, but the numbers (of those infected) are actually quite low at the moment, so I wasn't really worried about being around Chinese people or anything like that. "We had breakfast in a Chinese dim sum place this morning, it was packed, people were waiting for tables, there was no sense of people staying away." Performers taking part in a parade involving costumes, lion dances and floats, during Chinese New Year / PA He added he has "faith in the Chinese government" because they "learned their lesson" after Sars, which killed 774 people in 17 countries. Elaine Lui, a Newcastle University media student from south-east China, also said she was confident precautions in China would help to tackle the virus. She said: "I have a friend in Wuhan but I'm not worried. The Chinese people, we will protect ourselves and also protect everyone else." Suzanne Corbin, 64, from Whitstable, Kent, said she "definitely" thought about coronavirus before coming to the festival, but "decided the risk was really low". She said: "I come every year because I love the tradition of the Chinese new year. Senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig, who was conferred with the prestigious Padma Bhushan awards on Saturday, said on Sunday (January 26) that the award was actually conferred on the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This award has not been conferred upon me but it is for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Baig was quoted as saying by ANI. Baig asserted that there can never be any referendum in Jammu and Kashmir. He noted that both Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and US President Donald Trump are asking for autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir, which sends a clear message that these leaders have accepted that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. The PDP leader also said that Jammu and Kashmir should be given what the Constitution gives us. "There can never be any referendum in J&K. Pakistan PM Imran Khan & the US president are asking for autonomy to J&K. It means they've accepted that J&K is an integral part of India...We demand that J&K should be given what the Constitution gives us," said Baig, who is one of the co-founders of PDP. Live TV Baig has been awarded the Padma Bhushan, the countrys third-highest civilian award, for his contribution to public affairs. He is among 16 individuals whose names have been announced for the honour. It is to be noted that Baig was among a handful of politicians in Kashmir Valley who were not taken into detention by the Centre after the abrogation of Article 370 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government on August 5. Three former Chief Ministers, including Baigs PDP colleague Mehbooba Mufti and the father-son duo of Farooq and Omar Abdullah, have been under preventive custody since then. Policies such as the one recently adopted by North East Independent School District trustees to stop calculating class rank for students below the top 10 percent could shortchange some students on scholarship money. Many Texas colleges and universities, both public and private, grant merit scholarships based on SAT and ACT scores and/or class rank. Some universities, such as Texas Tech, provide thousands of dollars in scholarship money on a sliding scale for students ranked in the top 50 percent of their classes. The new policy at NEISD goes into effect next year, starting with students entering the eighth grade. Current high school students and those who will be entering high school will continue to be ranked. NEISD, the second-largest school district in Bexar County with more than 64,000 students, is the first district in the county to join a growing a number of school districts across the country that have opted out of ranking their students academically. Southwest ISD is considering taking similar action. The move away from class rankings reflects an effort to reduce student stress. Administrators are hopeful by doing away with class rankings, students will choose to explore areas of special interest instead of stacking their schedules with Advanced Placement classes to boost their GPAs. The NEISD board vote was taken on a recommendation from administration following an almost two-year review by a committee of community members, educators and administrators. Unfortunately, the impact of the ranking policy on eligibility for scholarships was not part of the discussion. Longtime board member Sandy Hughey became deeply concerned about the unintended consequences of the policy when the Editorial Board brought it to her attention. Our questions prompted her to take up the issue with administration. On Friday she said she has received assurances from the superintendent that students who need their class rank for scholarship purposes would be able to request that information. That needs to be part of the written policy and formally discussed, for the record, at a board meeting. NEISD students and families need to know that class rank information remains available upon request for graduates of the Class of 2024 and those that follow. That was not presented as an option when the school board vote was taken. High school students today are under a lot of stress, and we understand the school board would want to alleviate duress. College admissions have become a high-stakes affair for many families. We saw that play out on a grand scale last year when federal charges were brought against 52 people, including several celebrity parents. They were charged with conspiring to influence college admission decisions by paying more than a total of $25 million to bribe college officials. In Texas, much of the pressure on students derives from their efforts to get ranked in the top 10 percent of their graduating classes. Those who make the cut receive automatic admission to most public universities. The exception is the University of Texas, where automatic admission is limited to the top 6 percent. Although fewer and fewer colleges and universities across the country are using class rank as a factor in admissions, it still matters on some Texas campuses. The University of Texas at San Antonio, for example, still offers automatic admission to students who place within the top 25 percent of their graduating class. An online search of Texas college and university websites indicates class rank matters when it comes to eligibility for scholarships. At a time when the high cost of tuition is pricing some families out of higher education, it is important to keep merit-based scholarship options for students. We urge careful consideration of the impact these types of policy changes will have on students scholarship opportunities. Creating a learning atmosphere where students can thrive academically without the added pressure that academic competition brings is a commendable goal. But until all school districts apply the same rules, and colleges and universities establish different criteria to award merit scholarships, some students may miss out on opportunity with this policy change. Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 18:17:48|Editor: Wang Yamei Video Player Close LAGOS, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- It was celebration galore on Saturday at the Tafawa Balewa Square when the Chinese community in Lagos, Nigeria's economic hub, welcomed the 2020 Chinese Lunar New Year. The festivities feature dances, miming, karaoke, speeches, exhibition, wining and dining, and fireworks, as people wish each other the best of lucks and fortunes. Chinese diplomats, business people, students, teachers, and their friends gathered at 14.5-hectare square to enjoy performances organized by overseas Chinese, Chinese-funded enterprises and the Confucius Institute in Lagos, with support from the Consulate General in Lagos. Revelers were treated to demonstration of participants' knowledge of Chinese language and culture as they sampled Chinese foods and beverages, and performances of martial arts, and a fashion show that featured Nigerian and Chinese couture. Welcoming guests, who comprised Chinese nationals, Nigerians and people from other countries, Eric Ni Meng Xiao, chairman of the Chinese Community in Lagos, thanked Nigerians for supporting the Chinese community. Chu Maoming, the Chinese Consul General in Lagos, said coming together calls for a deeper celebration. This Year of the Rat marks a fresh start for China and China-African relations, he said. China-Nigeria relations will be more beneficial through cooperation in all areas, including culture, Chu said. Lagos governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said Lagos would continue to promote Nigeria-China friendship. One highlight at the event was fund-raising by the Chinese Women Association in Nigeria, which has been supporting orphanages and vulnerable persons in different communities in Lagos. In 2018, the association donated equipment, including a generating set, musical instruments, freezers, stoves, bedsheet and recording pens, worth over 33,000 U.S. dollars to the Bethesda Home for the Blind. Almost one in every four people in Canada are caregiving for a family member or friend, and the stress of looking after someone can become overwhelming. But researchers at the University of Saskatchewan are working on a project to alleviate the pressures of what can sometimes be a 24-hour job, especially for caregivers of people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. They've developed the Caregiver Self-Compassion and Support App, a mobile app for caregivers that's now in the testing phase. The app features a series of podcasts that provide support and resources for caregivers, project lead Donna Goodridge told The Morning Edition on Friday. Submitted photo/University of Saskatchewan "I think that we've begun to show that it is really helpful for people that are dealing with the day-to-day challenges of being a caregiver," said Goodridge. Podcasts aimed at putting caregivers at ease The app is based on the idea of mindful self-compassion. Nathan Reis, a PhD student in kinesiology and researcher on the project, said this idea is a "kind, understanding way of treating yourself." The podcasts, said Reis, use this idea to walk listeners through steps to achieve self-compassion. "It can be ... a coping strategy or even a self-attitude," he said. Goodridge's participation in the project comes from personal experience. She cared for her mother, who had dementia, for almost 10 years. "We never know when ... we might need a break from caregiving," she said. "I was not prepared at all ... for the overwhelming emotions [and] all of the challenges I faced on a day-to-day basis." Candidates needed for app testing Reis said ideal candidates would be primary caregivers of people with dementia. Participants would test out the app and provide feedback afterward. While technology can be daunting for some, Reis said the group has attempted to make the app as user-friendly as possible. There's also support available to users from Reis and other students if needed. Goodridge said she hopes the app will be of use to people who can't get immediate access to in-person resources, as it's available around the clock. She added that it's been developed with Saskatchewan in mind, as all of the resources available on it are Saskatchewan-based. Anyone interested in participating in the group's research can email Reis at nathan.reis@usask.ca. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sunday that work was underway to construct homes inside Syria for people fleeing the war-torn country's last rebel-held stronghold. "In an area 30-40 kilometres deep in Syria close to our border, we have planned to build, not a tent city, but homes, and the construction has begun," Erdogan said. "We want our Idlib brothers and sisters to take shelter in winter here," he told reporters during a press conference in Istanbul. Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar on January 15 mentioned talks with Russia about a proposed "safe zone" but there has been little detail offered by officials or media. But Turkish NGO the Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) said Thursday that work had started in a bid to build 10,000 homes for displaced residents in a village in the Idlib region five kilometres (three miles) from the Turkish border. IHH said 450,000 people had fled toward the border in the past five months. Erdogan said he was frequently talking to Russian President Vladimir Putin about "ensuring the safety of civilians" in Idlib. He warned Europe last month that Turkey could not handle a new wave of refugees alone since the country already hosts over 3.6 million Syrian refugees. Syrian regime attacks on southern Idlib have increased since December, leaving more than 358,000 people displaced, according to United Nations figures. Russian air strikes in the region killed eight civilians Thursday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. This was despite a ceasefire sponsored by Damascus ally Russia and rebel supporter Turkey earlier this month intended to halt the violence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Matter entirely internal, says India on move by EU Parliament. New Delhi: With reports that the European Parliament is set to debate and vote on a resolution tabled by some of its Left-wing members against Indias Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which it says marks a dangerous shift in the countrys citizenship regime and has created the legal grounds to strip millions of Muslims of the fundamental right of equal access to citizenship, Indian government sources late on Sunday evening said that the EU Parliament should not take actions that call into question the rights and authority of democratically elected legislatures in other regions of the world. Alarm bells have begun ringing in New Delhi over the proposed discussion on CAA in the EU Parliament. Hoping that sponsors and supporters of the draft will engage with us to get a full and accurate assessment of the facts before they proceed further, Indian government sources added that every society that fashions a pathway to naturalisation, contemplates both a context and criteria (and that) this is not discrimination, adding that European societies have followed the same approach. Government sources said that the CAA is a matter that is entirely internal to India and that this legislation has been adopted by due process and through democratic means after a public debate in both Houses of Parliament. According to news agency reports from London, the resolution tabled by the European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) Group in the Parliament earlier this week which falls under the category of Resolutions on topical subjects, is set to be debated next Wednesday and voted on the day after. The resolution also alleges that the CAA could be used, along with the National Register of Citizens, to render many Muslim citizens stateless. The draft resolution reportedly states, The CAA marks a dangerous shift in the way citizenship will be determined in India and is set to create the largest statelessness crisis in the world and cause immense human suffering. Instead of addressing the concerns, offering corrective action, calling for security forces to act with restraint and ensuring accountability, many government leaders have been engaging in efforts to discredit, rebuke and threaten the protesters, it notes. Orleans Parish jurors continued their fickle ways in the second half of 2011. Conviction rates in jury trials remained level, and relatively low compared with other jurisdictions, over the year as District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro continued to press a campaign to prosecute the vast majority of criminal suspects arrested by police. A review of the 237 cases where juries reached a verdict showed that 59 percent resulted in convictions on at least one criminal charge. Those numbers do not include 33 deadlocked juries -- one in seven cases -- plus three mistrials and eight defendants who pleaded guilty after jurors heard at least some evidence. If those numbers are included, the DA's office won convictions in a little more than half of the cases that went on trial, the review showed. The DA's office counts trials differently, including dozens of cases in which a judge seated a jury, but the defendant pleaded guilty or prosecutors dropped the charges before the trial got rolling. Adding those, Cannizzaro puts his conviction rate at 66 percent. No matter which numbers are used, the DA's conviction rates are similar to those seen at Tulane and Broad for years, observers said, though Cannizzaro has significantly boosted the number of cases that go to trial. More important, Cannizzaro said, his numbers show the rate going up modestly year over year. "There's a little bit of an improvement with the years as far as the raw number of guilty verdicts and trials going up," Cannizzaro said. "Certainly we want to win every time we go to trial. There is certainly room for improvement." According to The Times-Picayune's review, jurors returned verdicts in 49 murder or attempted-murder trials in 2011, winning convictions for murder, attempted murder or manslaughter in 34 of them, or 69 percent -- the highest rate in any category. Thirteen others ended with acquittals, and two brought convictions on lesser charges. Juries deadlocked in eight murder trials, one ended in a mistrial and four defendants pleaded guilty during trial. Illegal-firearms cases, in which prosecutors often rely solely or mostly on the testimony of cops, saw the lowest conviction rate. In 32 firearms cases that reached trial, juries acquitted suspects or deadlocked in all but 10 cases. The conviction rates changed little from the first half of 2011 to the last. That's an achievement in itself, said Janet Ahern, executive director of Court Watch, which monitors the courthouse at Tulane and Broad. Ahern noted that 2011 saw the New Orleans Police Department slog through a sea of scandal and civil-rights convictions against cops, along with the specter of violence against witnesses that the Telly Hankton murder case helped to spotlight. Ahern said her data, which is incomplete, show a slight increase in convictions for violent crimes in the second half of the year. "We're seeing a positive move forward, but it's not dramatically increasing," said Ahern, a former prosecutor. "I don't know that you would expect a dramatic increase, considering everything going on with all of the negative publicity with the police department and weathering those trials in federal court." Prospective jurors at Tulane and Broad regularly voice mistrust of police testimony when questioned by prosecutors. The suspicion stems not just from the Danziger Bridge case and other police shootings, but from more mundane scandals, such as the falsified report signed by an officer who was sitting in a dentist's chair when he claimed to be arresting an Algiers man for a drug deal. It reared its head again Thursday, when a jury acquitted 18-year-old Terrance Augustine in a 2009 armed robbery, after the victim said a police detective ran his finger around Augustine's mug while showing him several photo lineups. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Detective Aaron Cronk testified that the victim readily pointed out Augustine with no prodding, but the jury didn't buy it. "The DA's office should have never, ever brought that case to trial," said Augustine's attorney, Michelle Charles, saying Augustine sat in jail for two years before the trial. "I think they really knew they were going to lose this case, because the plea (offers) kept getting better and better all night." Cannizzaro stood by his decision to pursue the case, noting that police found Augustine's fingerprint at the scene. But the DA acknowledged that the conflict between Cronk and the victim "obviously was an issue. "That's one of those cases where we're going to just move on," he said. Cannizzaro accepts charges against the vast majority of suspects that police arrest. By his own count, the DA's office accepted 11,365 charges against defendants last year, about 85 percent of what police brought it. That's far above his predecessors, and his critics say it leads to weak cases, such as the Augustine case, reaching trial. Meanwhile, the DA's public pressure on criminal court judges to move more cases to trial appeared to pay modest dividends last year. A year ago, Cannizzaro called on the 12 judges at Tulane and Broad to reach 600 jury trials for the year -- a challenge that angered judges and left critics grumbling over the point. The actual total fell well short at 329, according to court figures, but that was an 18 percent increase from 210. "There's nothing inherently good about trial," said Chief Public Defender Derwyn Bunton, a critic of Cannizzaro's public pressuring of the judges. "You go to trial when you can't resolve it otherwise, or when you refuse to resolve it otherwise. We still have a high trial rate. We still have a high acceptance rate, and neither of those are really evidence-based outcomes that are making us safer." Cannizzaro argued that pressing trials serves a broader purpose: As leverage for plea deals, which make up the bulk of convictions. "Our objective is to convict those people when we file a charge against them," he said. "Our ability to be effective with regard to negotiations is going to be directly related to our ability to be effective when we advocate (at trial)." But the office continues to face stiff headwinds. Nationally, Ahern said, trial conviction rates stand around 85 percent. In Orleans Parish, the conviction rate for years has perennially hovered around 55 percent to 60 percent, said Rafael Goyeneche, president of the Metropolitan Crime Commission and a former prosecutor. Cannizzaro's office touts that it has maintained that level even with far more cases running through the criminal courthouse, meaning more suspects going to jail. To move higher, Goyeneche said, jurors will need more to boost their confidence in the system. The DNA match of skin flakes that led police to the suspect in the French Quarter slaying of Slidell optometrist Brent Hachfeld in October was remarkable mostly for how rare it is in the city. "If a juror is dubious about a police officer's testimony, one of the ways you overcome that is through technology," Goyeneche said. "Really, science and technology are the cards that need to be developed more. In many respects, New Orleans is over a decade behind the rest of the country." John Simerman can be reached at jsimerman@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3330. Home minister Amit Shah launched a blistering attack on Arvind Kejriwal led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government on the Republic Day in the run-up to Delhi Assembly Elections scheduled for February 8, and said the Kejriwal government had only managed to top the chart of liars, while others topped it for services such as providing pure water and electrification. Shah also attacked the Congress party apart from AAP during his public meeting at New Delhis Babarpur for their stand on violence seen in the city during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests. Rahul Baba and Kejriwal and co. are opposing CAA brought by Modi ji. They have incited riots in Delhi, provoked and incited people, misled them into burning buses, peoples vehicles. Delhi will not be safe if these people are elected again, the home minister said. ALSO WATCH | EC orders 48-hour campaign ban on BJPs Kapil Mishra for India vs Pak remark Shahs speech is aimed to give a fillip to BJPs campaign to dethrone Kejriwal government in the polls. Shah had earlier promised a hefty package to upgrade Delhi into a world-class city if the BJP is elected to power. Shahs comments also follow a bitter debate over the quality of drinking water in Delhi. BJP claims the water supplied in the national capital is amongst the worst in the country, while AAP claims BJP influenced central agencies have fudged data to malign the AAP governments successful scheme to provide potable water to homes. Various surveys are conducted across the country. A govt tops in pure water, another ranks number one in road construction and some other in electrification. Kejriwal govt stands nowhere other than topping the chart of liars, Shah said. Shah also referred to the continuing anti-CAA sit-in protests at Delhis Shaheen Bagh area and said a BJP government would prevent incidents like Shaheen Bagh. Your vote to BJP on February 8 will not only result in victory for the BJP candidate, but it will also secure the country and the capital, and prevent incidents like Shaheen Bagh, said Shah. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ruling LDF in Kerala organised a 620-km long human chain from Kasaragod in north Kerala to Kaliyikkavila in the southernmost part of the state against the Citizenship Amendment Act on Republic Day. The human chain had the participation of an estimated 60 to 70 lakh people across the state. ALSO READ | CAA: Kerala Opposition mulls resolution against Governor in Assembly, Khan says 'most welcome' A host of socio-cultural leaders took part in the human chain, one of the biggest such gatherings the state has ever witnessed. The human chain started from Kasaragod, passed through the right side of the National Highway till Ramanattukara in Kozhikode. From there it passed through Malappuram, Perithalmanna to Thrissur and again to the National Highway till Kaliyikkavila. At rehearsal was held prior to the formation of the human chain at around 4 pm. Senior leader and CPM Polit Buro member S Ramachandran Pillai was the first link at Kasaragod while another Politburo member from the state MA Baby was the final link at Kaliyikkavila. ALSO READ: India celebrates 71st Republic Day in presence of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran joined the human chain at the state capital. CPM veteran VS Achuthanandan, who has not been keeping well for some time was not part of the human chain this time. A host of senior left leaders and ministers were part of the chain at different district centres. A 'Constitution protection oath was taken soon after the formation of the human chain. Later, public meetings were held at different points. The heavy response from various corners during the family meets ahead of the human chain, had given an added confidence to the LDF. Around 35,000 family meets were organised ahead of the human chain. A Department of Public Safety trooper opened fire on a suspected burglar after seeing him cruise by the site of the Watson Grinding police barricade with a trailer packed with stolen property, authorities said. Two people flagged down the trooper around 8:30 a.m. and said they believed the driver burgled a business on Tanner Road, near the barricade on Gessner Street. The trooper left his post and gave chase. DPS spokesman Sgt. Richard Standifer said the driver behind the wheel of a vehicle reported stolen in 2018 briefly stopped but then waited for the trooper to get close before ramming his vehicle. The driver then took off for the area of Hardway Street and Antoine Drive, where he rammed the law enforcement vehicle again. Police said the trooper then opened fire on the suspect, missing him. The driver continued the chase and hit an innocent bystanders vehicle before losing control of the vehicle in the 7800 block of Kempwood, where the trailer fishtailed, police said. While the suspect and a passenger bolted on foot, they were soon apprehended. No one was injured. The type of stolen goods in the trailer were not specified. Police officials do not believe it is looting despite its proximity to the deadly blast site. The burgled business is on Tanner Road, about a half mile from the decimated plant, according to authorities. On HoustonChronicle.com: 'Hard work reduced to rubble': Homeowners pick up pieces of lives after the explosion Photo of the suspect Men of the Abuja police command have reportedly arrested Chukwukelu Adumah, pictured above, for allegedly defiling two of his children, a four month old and his one year old son. Activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, who shared the story online, said Chukwukelu is currently being detained at the Nyanya Divisional police station. Read his post below PAEDOPHILE FATHER ARRESTED FOR DEFILING HIS TWO UNDERAGE CHILDREN IN ABUJA. Mr. Chukwukelu Adumah from Obichukwu kindred in Aja Ani Ichida in Aniocha LGA of Anambra state who live in Gwagwalape Phase1 Abuja is currently detained in Nyanya Divisional Police station for sexually abusing his 4-month old child and engaging in Anal sex with his 1-yr 10-month old son. In 2018, Lagos Nigeria, Chukwukelu Adumah was arrested and released by the police for raping 13-year old neighbours daughter. After the incident, he relocated to Abuja. The victim sustained serious injury and currently receiving medical treatment. If you reside in Abuja, we need to lend your voice on this current case. You cant keep silent in such cases as Paedophiles are nearby. Dont be the next victim. Join us #FightAgainstPaedophile. Efficient Grace Ume is following up and we want you to join her as we are currently receiving threat to withdraw from seeking justice. Gwamnishu Emefiena Harrison DG, Behind Bars Palestinian leaders threatened Sunday to withdraw from key provisions of the Oslo Accords, which define arrangements with Israel, if US President Donald Trump announces his Middle East peace plan next week. Trump was scheduled to unveil the plan ahead of his meeting in Washington this week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu, who has called Trump "the greatest friend that Israel has ever had", said he hoped to "make history" in Washington this week. But the Palestinian leadership was not invited to the talks and has rejected Trump's initiative amid tensions with the US president over his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's undivided capital. World powers have long agreed that Jerusalem's fate should be settled through negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told AFP that the Palestine Liberation Organisation reserved the right "to withdraw from the interim agreement" of the Oslo pact if Trump unveils his plan. The Trump initiative will turn Israel's "temporary occupation (of Palestinian territory) into a permanent occupation", Erekat said. The Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement, signed in Washington in 1995, sought to put into practice the first Oslo peace deal agreed two years earlier. Sometimes called Oslo II, the interim agreement set out the scope of Palestinian autonomy in the West Bank and Gaza. The interim pact was only supposed to last five years while a permanent agreement was finalised but it has tacitly been rolled over for more than two decades. - 'Bound to fail' Hamas leader Ismail Haniya warned Sunday Trump's plan "will not pass" and could lead to renewed Palestinian resistance. This "new plot aimed against Palestine is bound to fail" and could lead the Palestinians to a "new phase in their struggle" against Israel, the leader of the Gaza Strip's Islamist movement said in a statement. Haniya also called for talks in Cairo with other Palestinian factions, including Fatah -- led by Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas -- in order to form a common response to Trump's plan. Shortly after the release of Haniya's statement, a rocket was fired from the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip towards Israel, the Israeli army said. Israel has occupied east Jerusalem and the West Bank since the 1967 Six-Day War. More than 600,000 Israelis now live there in settlements considered illegal under international law. The Trump administration last year announced that it no longer considered Israel's settlement of civilians in the West Bank as "inconsistent with international law", further outraging the Palestinians. Trump's peace initiative has been in the works since 2017, and its economic component was unveiled in June, calling for $50 billion in international investment in the Palestinian territories and neighbouring Arab countries over 10 years. Despite this apparent economic incentive, Palestinian leaders have made clear that they no longer recognise Washington's historic role as mediator in the conflict, given Trump's repeated backing of Israeli demands. "The US administration will not find a single Palestinian who supports this project," the Palestinian foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday. "Trump's plan is the plot of the century to liquidate the Palestinian cause." - 'Bibi-Trump plot' - Netanyahu's political rival Benny Gantz has also received an invitation to attend the White House talks. Gantz also showered Trump with praise during a news conference. "I wish to thank President Trump for his dedication and determination in defending the security interests that both Israel and the US share," Gantz said. Trump's planned separate meetings with Netanyahu and Gantz come a little more than a month before new Israeli elections, with polls showing Netanyahu's right-wing Likud and Gantz's centrist Blue and White party running neck-and-neck. Israeli media speculated that Trump had chosen to unveil his plan in support of Netanyahu's election bid -- the third in a year, but the first since Netanyahu was charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate corruption cases. Netanyahu is seeking immunity from Israeli lawmakers through hearings due to start this week. "Immediately after news of the [peace] plan was reported, it became plainly evident based on the reactions that this wasn't a Trump plan, but a Bibi-Trump plot," analyst Ben-Dror Yemini wrote in Sunday's Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper. "Yet another election ploy that was designed to extricate Netanyahu from the clutches of his immunity hearings." Trump has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House as he plans to unveil his peace plan for the Middle East Netanyahu's political rival Benny Gantz has also been invited to Washington The Jharkhand Health Department has issued an advisory to all districts and health institutions in the state to stay alert and report any suspected case of Coronavirus. The department has sent 'reporting formats' issued by the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) to all the districts and health institutions to report any suspected case of Coronavirus, an official release said. The advisory also asked them to continuously monitor any suspected case of Coronavirus for 28 days, said an official release quoting Principal Secretary (Health) Nitin Madan Kulkarni. Kulkarni said that officials of all the districts and health institutions have been told about the advisory, standard operating procedures and updates issued by the Union Health and Family Welfare department. Media reports on the disease are being monitored, he said on Saturday after a review meeting with health officials. The death toll in the deadly new coronavirus in China rose to 56 on Sunday with confirmed cases of viral affliction reaching 1,975 and 324 of them being critical. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) White House deputy counsel Patrick Philbin speaks during the impeachment trial against Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 25, 2020. (Senate Television via AP) Sen. Ernst Says Trumps Lawyers Shredded Impeachment Case as Democrats Double Down on Call for Witnesses Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) said President Donald Trumps defense team shredded House impeachment managers case against Trump in their opening arguments on Saturday. However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and other Democrats said that the defenses arguments underscored the need for witnesses. I thought today was an incredible two hours, and within two hours, I thought that the White House counsel and their team entirely shredded the case that has been presented by the House managers, Ernst said. What we heard today was very concise; it was full of truths and facts, as presented from the House managers own witnesses. .@SenJoniErnst: Within two hours I thought that the White House Counsel and their team entirely shredded the case that has been presented by the house managers. pic.twitter.com/RVvUq1U7Jp CSPAN (@cspan) January 25, 2020 Over the course of more than twenty hours starting on Jan. 22, the House managers presented arguments and evidence for removing the president. They accused Trump of abusing his power to interfere in an election and of obstructing justice when his alleged scheme was discovered. They allege the president withheld aid to Ukraine and the potential of a White House meeting in order to force the Ukrainian president to open investigations into Trumps political rivals, including former Vice President Joe Biden. In arguments which lasted roughly two hours, Trumps lawyers used footage, documents, and testimony from the Democrat-led House impeachment inquiry to say that the Democrats failed to make a case for removing the president from office. The defense team stated that, according to evidence presented by the House impeachment mangers, the Ukrainians were unaware of the hold on aid until a month after the July 25 Trump-Zelensky call, the aid ultimately flowed to Ukraine and Trump went on to meet with Zelensky, and the Ukrainians, including Zelensky, have said there was no pressure from Trump and no suggestion of a quid pro quo. Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) said that its the first day that the facts have actually been allowed to be cross-examined and criticized House impeachment managers for providing statements without context and using parts of sentences to make their case. White House counsel Pat Cipollone said a scheduled meeting between Trump and Zelensky in Warsaw proved that there was no condition placed on Zelenksy for a meeting with Trump. Trump and Zelensky were scheduled to meet in Warsaw, Poland, on Sept. 1, 2019, Cipollone said. But Trump cancelled the trip because of Hurricane Dorian and sent Vice President Mike Pence instead. The meeting and its cancellation was reported on by various media. Cipollone said House Democrats did not include the scheduled meeting in their case, suggesting that the omissions are intentional because the relevant facts would be fatal to the impeachment managers case. White House counsel Pat Cipollone speaks during the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 25, 2020. (Senate Television via AP) Democrats Double Down on Call for Witnesses During the arguments, Mike Purpura, the deputy counsel to the president, said that the U.S. ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland used words like assume, presume, guess, speculate, and believe over 30 times during his public hearing before the House Intelligence Committee. Purpura then played a clip showing Sondland repeatedly saying that its his presumption that the aid was tied to an announcement by Ukraine into an investigation against the former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. The presentation by the defense team seems to have convinced some senators that the case against Trump was built on a thin foundation, but added fuel to the call for witnesses from the Democratic side at the same time. One thing that stuck in my mind is they said there isnt a witness they have had so far that had direct contact with the president, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who said Friday he was undecided on whether to convict Trump, told reporters after the defense arguments. Manchin said he would like to hear from acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and former national security adviser John Bolton. Schumer and other Senate Democrats also said that Trumps defense team underscored the need for more documents and witnesses. The presidents counsel did something they did not intend, they made a really compelling case for why the Senate should call witnesses and documents. They kept saying there are no eyewitness accounts. There are people who have eyewitness account, Schumer said. Why shouldnt we have witnesses and documents here? On the Republican side, some senators were also calling for more witnesses, including testimony from Hunter Biden. But Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said that he doesnt want to turn the trial into a circus. Im more intent on ending this thing now with my vote. I know a lot of people on our side want to hear Hunter Biden. I understand whylitigate that whole issue. I just think its best for this country to vote on the records established because if you go down the witness road, you run into the executive privilege and waiting, he said. Ivan Pentchoukov contributed to this report. A third major city in China will ban long-distance buses, authorities said Sunday, as they scramble to contain a deadly new virus that has spread across the country. From 6 pm (1000 GMT) Sunday, Xi'an will suspend long-distance buses and tourist chartered buses entering the city of 10 million people, local officials said on the Twitter-like Weibo platform, following the announcement of similar measures in Tianjin and Beijing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) MEDINA, Ohio -- For more than 25 years, Angie Braidich has worked with nonprofit organizations in Cuyahoga and Lake counties. About five years ago, she moved to Medina and took the long trek northeast for work every morning and every evening. Among her workplaces were the Lake County YMCA and Make a Wish. I started looking for a mission I could relate to that was closer to home when I heard Project:LEARN of Medina County was looking for an executive director, she explained. I didnt know much about them, but when I did some research, I loved what I found, so I applied. On Jan. 6, Braidich became the new executive director of Let Every Adult Read Now -- or LEARN, as it is popularly known -- and now travels to her Medina office about five minutes from home instead of 50 miles one way. I was really impressed by the diversity of the people the organization serves, she said. There are so many adults that are silent about their inability to read, and there are many others of all ethnicities who want to learn English. The Medina County group was founded in 1983 by Ellen Daiber, who saw the need to provide literacy assistance to individuals in the community. It was started in the basement of the United Church of Christ Congregational in Medina, and now Project: LEARN has four locations in Medina County that provide tutoring to adults in reading, math and English as a Second Language. As Ive been getting to know whats happening, Ive found people with so many wonderful stories. Im particularly astounded by how close the tutors and the learners become, she said. I talked with a family from Japan whose tutor actually went to Japan with them because they have become such good friends. Everyone Ive met has such a good attitude about this. One thing that really intrigued her was that the organization has the best business model ever," she said. About 65 percent of the money needed to run Project:LEARN Medina County comes from its three used bookstores, stocked with hundreds of donated books for all ages at very low prices. The BookShelf branches are located in Brunswick, Medina and Wadsworth. The other sources of funding are grants, civic organizations, fundraising events such as Match WITS -- an annual trivia contest, with the 2020 edition coming in April -- and of course, local businesses and individuals. Its amazing, she said, and Im blessed to be here in a community that understands what it means to help other people. Braidich is a graduate of Villa Angela High School and Lakeland Community College. After her children graduated from high school, she earned her bachelors degree from the University of Akron. She is the mother of three adult children, two of whom live in the area and one in Colorado. And I have four awesome grandchildren, she added. At Project:LEARN, more than 150 volunteer tutors are provided with free training and ongoing guidance. Volunteers are always needed, she said, emphasizing again that the connections they make with students often continue. Braidich said she hopes to get area residents more familiar with the BookShelf stores, with some special events like Buy-One-Get-One-Free Romance Novel in February. The Brunswick BookShelf is located at 831 Pearl Road, Medinas store is at 105 W. Liberty St. and Wadsworths is at 130 Main St. If you are interested in volunteering or know someone who is 18 or older in need of reading or math tutoring or help preparing for the GED, Braidich urges you to contact them at 330-723-1314 or email projectlearn.medina@gmail.com. You can also visit the website projectlearnmedina.org/ to learn more. Read more from the Medina Sun. Effective campaign needed to promote herbal treatment to tourists View(s): To popularise native herbal treatment in Sri Lanka an effective campaign has to be launched to promote health tourism in the country by using modern technology available to gain quick results, said the State Minister of Tourism Arundika Fernando at a media briefing held at the Galle Face Hotel on Tuesday. The briefing was in view of French and Belgium media representatives visiting the country on a familiarisation tour. The state minister was replying to a query raised by the media on the subject of promoting health tourism in the country. The State Minister said that they were having discussions with the airline industry to resume direct flights from France and Germany to Sri Lanka to bring more tourists in to the country. He said it was important to increase the number of French tourists visiting Sri Lanka. According to Sri Lankas Presidential manifesto the aim of the government is to bring five million tourists to the country in the near future, he added. President of the Hotels Association of Sri Lanka Sanath Ukwatte said the French tourist market was important to Sri Lanka and it was also important to show that Sri Lanka was a safe destination. What happened on Easter Sunday last year was an isolated incident and steps have been taken by the government to prevent such incidents in future. Chairman of Salaun Holidays in France Michelle Salaun said that his company will make a consorted effort to bring more French tourists to Sri Lanka. Chairman of Connaissance de Ceylan Chandra Wikramasinghe was also present. (JJ) Ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections on February 8, the ruling AAP got a major boost as four-time BJP legislator and former minister Harsharan Singh Balli on Saturday joined the Arvind Kejriwal-led party. Balli has been an MLA from the Hari Nagar assembly constituency, and a minister in the previous Madan Lal Khurana-led Delhi cabinet. He joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. "Kejriwal is serving Delhi as a mother. I have joined the AAP as I am influenced by the way he has brought revolution in the field of education, health, etc. in Delhi. The AAP has the vision for the development of Delhi," Balli told IANS after joining the AAP. Despite being a strong contender from the Hari Nagar seat, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) replaced Balli with Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga -- a move that is believed to have upset the former BJP minister. In 2013, Balli contested the election on a Congress ticket after the BJP gave the ticket for the Hari Nagar seat -- that he represented from 1993 to 2013 -- to an Akali Dal candidate. However, he rejoined the BJP in 2014 after losing the election on the Congress ticket. Now, once again, ahead of the election, he has left the BJP and joined the AAP. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has suggested a Fine Gael member who was expelled for promoting his fathers election campaign could re-join the party after the general election. Jude Perry, who is a founding member of Fine Gaels first Northern Ireland branch, was expelled from the party after it was discovered he paid for Facebook ads to promote his father, former Fine Gael minister John Perry, in his Dail bid. Mr Perry is running as an Independent candidate. Mr Donohoe said the party rules stipulate that anyone who supports or canvasses with a candidate who is not in Fine Gael automatically forfeits their membership. The minister said he knew Mr Perry and recognised the work he has done for the party in his own constituency of Sligo-Leitrim and in Northern Ireland where he helped set up a Fine Gael branch. I would hope in the aftermath of this campaign that somebody like Jude would continue to have a role in our party, he added. Meanwhile, John Perry hit out at the Fine Gael suggesting it had lost its moral compass and accused he party of targeting his son. Come after me all you want, but please dont come after my family, he added. Mr Perry, who set up a branch of Young Fine Gael in Queen's University Belfast, was informed this week that his membership had been cancelled and he was being removed from the Fine Gael officer board in Sligo-Leitrim. Mr Perry paid less than 100 to promote seven Facebook posts about his father John Perry's general election campaign in Sligo-Leitrim. John Perry is a former Fine Gael junior minister who is running for the Dail as an Independent after failing to get on the Fine Gael ticket. Jude Perry was informed of the party's action via a text from its regional organiser on Wednesday evening which said he was in breach of Fine Gael rules and the party had decided to "cease" his membership. Jude Perry said he received no formal communication from the party. "As an active member of Fine Gael, and the person who started the first branch of the party in Northern Ireland, I was shocked to receive a text to say I am no longer a member of the party," he said. "It shows a clear lack of a fair hearing. I was astonished at the lack of due process from a party that is trying to encourage young people into politics. "The party took issue when Fianna Fail condemned Frances Fitzgerald without a hearing in 2017, and yet it is OK with doing it in this circumstance. I have been targeted and condemned without a hearing." A Fine Gael spokesman said: "It is incompatible with membership of Fine Gael to be actively engaged in a campaign for another political party or Independent." By Express News Service CHENNAI: In a shocking case, a 50-year-old man murdered his sister under the influence of alcohol. R Tharageshwari, a Sri Lankan native, was staying at a rented house in Valasarvakkam with her mother and son. She worked at a photo studio. Her brother Guha Dasan, who lives in Sri Lanka, had come to Chennai a few days ago. He was in India to undertake a pilgrimage to Sabarimalai. On Friday, he returned from the temple and consumed alcohol. She hid the alcohol bottle as he started picking up a fight with her. Then, in a fit of rage, he attacked his sister with a knife, the police said. In the melee, Guha is said to have pushed his octogenarian mother, fracturing her hip. He has been arrested and remanded in judicial custody. Click here to read the full article. GOTEBORG, Sweden Laughs were aplenty at the Stora Theatern, where Goteborg Film Festival artistic director Jonas Holmberg welcomed the recipient of the Nordic Honorary Dragon Award, fresh off his Golden Globe win for HBOs Chernobyl. It wasnt planned. I thought that will be my only award this year, thats why I said yes! joked Skarsgard, before jumping right into discussing his impressive career. Starting with 1960s series Bombi Bitt och jag, a still from which was met with delighted giggles. This little boy? He didnt want to be an actor, he wanted to be a diplomat he explained. Dag Hammarskjold was the hero of my childhood and my idea of a diplomat was someone who travels the world to bring peace. I still havent decided what I want to do when I grow up. More from Variety As hard as it is to believe, it wasnt an easy start for the acclaimed actor. My first feature was called Raid in the Summer and it was the kind of film where you cant shoot anymore because there is no stock to shoot on. It was supposed to be a summer comedy, all about running hand in hand into the water, and I was running hand in hand into the water in October. Theatre roles and, as he put it, semi-light porn films by Torgny Wickman were to follow. Until 1982s The Simple-Minded Murderer, shown just before the masterclass, gave him a long-awaited break. I developed camera-fright. I was afraid of it because I made so many bad movies. I remember [director] Hans Alfredson was watching me when I was reading the script. He wanted to see my reaction. This man was fantastic to work with because there was never any pressure. Thats how it all started. Story continues Although the author behind his thriller Code Name Coq Rouge complained Skarsgard was too thin (He said I looked like an asparagus!), huge international success was just around the corner. Courtesy of Lars von Triers Breaking the Waves, which started a years-long collaboration rivaled only by that with Hans Petter Molland. I went: Yes! Finally a love story I can relate to! he said about a film that saw a religious woman having sex with other men to please her paralyzed husband. When you work with Lars, you do what you want. His scripts are extremely structured, like Raiders of the Last Ark, but the way he shoots makes them so alive. A director needs to have something to say and it has to be personal, but you also want someone who is interested in what is happening between the lines. In Chernobyl, the relationship between Jared Harris character and mine wasnt even on the page. Already a staple in European cinema, over the years Skarsgard also managed to enter the dark world of Hollywood blockbusters. Quite literally. When they finished the film, they realized nobody understood what was going on he said about Thor: The Dark World and its infamous chalkboard scene. They needed a scene where at least some of it was explained, so they flew me in to do it! I was reluctant to do the first Thor, but I had great respect for Kenneth Branagh and compared to these other films it was a slow-burner. During our first read-through, and Kevin Feige was there as well, I asked: This comic-book stuff, is there really any money in that? The whole table just froze. I was stuck with Marvel for a while but I enjoyed it, even though when you read the script there is a good scene and then four pages of people throwing each other at the wall. I dont understand everything about it, but I had fun doing it. Encouraged by Holmberg, the actor found time to address Martin Scorseses Marvel controversy as well. In his article for The New York Times he wrote that its not Marvels fault, because its not. Its not Netflixs fault either that the streaming services are taking over. For decades, we have believed that the market should rule everything. Thats the root of it all he pointed out. Its monopoly everywhere and all the midrange movies dont exist anymore. One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest played in Stockholm for 20 years! That wont happen again. All these brilliant writers and directors went to television, but the same mechanisms will kill it too. They make more series than we need, Netflix is buying out every talent and the diversity in terms of voices will eventually end. Its not Marvels fault its this idea of how economic systems of the world should work. As the evening progressed, things got personal. I dont want to do moral films. I have done semi-moral films, and by that I dont mean the sex films, but I dont think everything in art needs to be immediately useful. You give the audience a new pair of eyes to look at the world he said, swiftly moving onto his ever-growing acting clan. Hiring a Skarsgard is like hiring a BMW you know what you get! he joked. I have no influence over my children, they hit puberty and never respected me after that. If you interfere and they are successful, they think its thanks to you. If they fail, you get shit for it. Still, he will soon join son Gustaf in a project written by his wife Megan Everett. Its a Swedish story, so of course it will have a Chinese director. Cultural appropriation can be good look at what Ang Lee did with Brokeback Mountain or Wim Wenders with Paris, Texas. Its good to have an outside eye looking at your society sometimes. And yet, while already in his late 60s, things arent necessarily looking up for Skarsgard. For several years, the only offers I got from Sweden were to play some serial killer in Wallander 43. If I play a one-dimensional baddie, it better be in an American movie where I get good damage for it he observed dryly. This summer I did Dune and I had so much fat on that just moving around was horrible. Physically, that was the hardest job I have ever done he told a curious member of the audience. For thousands of years, actors have learnt by acting and by stealing from more talented actors. Just steal from several of them so they cant trace it. And as to his future legacy? I dont care. I am not saving all the scripts, like Bergman did, to have my own museum later on. I have eight kids. What kind of legacy is that? The Goteborg Film Festival takes place from Jan. 24 Feb. 3. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. New Delhi, Jan 26 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Republic Day 'Mann ki Baat' hailed the Bru-Reang refugee agreement as the best example of cooperative federalism. The agreement paved the way for resettlement of the Bru Reang tribe, displaced from Mizoram due to caste violence in 1997. "Eith this agreement the community will be able to lead a respectful and dignified life," the Prime Minister said. As per the agreement, signed on January 17, 2020, the 34,000-strong community that fled Mizoram and was living in camps in Tripura will be rehabilitated in Tripura. While the Tripura government will provide 1,200 sq ft plots free and ration for two years, the Centre has extended Rs 600 crore assistance for the refugees. They will also receive Rs 5,000 pension and Rs 1.5 lakh as an aid to build homes. The Chief Ministers of Tripura and Mizoram were present during the agreement signing. The death toll from a powerful gas tanker explosion that ripped through a district of Lima rose to eight on Friday, after four more victims succumbed to severe burn injuries overnight, Peru's health ministry said. Dozens were wounded, some severely, when the truck tanker carrying 10,000 liters of liquefied gas exploded and ignited a major fire on Thursday that destroyed several houses and vehicles in the capital's Villa El Salvador district. "It is very unfortunate because of the magnitude and consequences. A tragedy," said President Martin Vizcarra, who called for an urgent investigation into the cause. "According to the latest report we have eight people dead," a health ministry spokesman told AFP. Health Minister Maria Elizabeth Hinostrozo said several survivors among the 48 being treated in hospital are in a "very serious" condition. "They are being given full support, but the first week is critical," Hinostrozo told reporters. Health authorities have appealed for blood donations. Among those who died of their injuries overnight were a 17-year-old youth and a 38-year-old man who had burns to 100 percent of his body, the ministry said. A police officer stands by the wreckage of a gas tanker that exploded in Lima, killing at least eight people and leaving dozens injured / AFP "Andres Asto arrived yesterday badly burned. Unfortunately, he died at 0340 local time," said Rosario Kiyohara, head of Lima's Dos de Mayo hospital. Two people died shortly after the accident, which happened early Thursday morning as the tanker truck approached an intersection in the capital's Villa El Salvador district. - Severe burns - One man died at the scene and shortly afterwards, a nine-year-old girl died of cardiac arrest in hospital after suffering severe burns, health officials said. Forensic police inspect the wreckage of a gas tanker that exploded in Lima / AFP Investigators believe the explosion was caused when a fuel hose became detached as the truck tanker passed over a speed bump as it approached an intersection. The 72-year-old driver, Luis Guzman, originally reported to have died in the fire, told reporters from his hospital bed that the bottom of the tanker was torn open as it went over the bump. "All the gas began to flow out," he said. Guzman said he managed to jump out of the cab before the gas ignited, but suffered injuries to his lungs. The resulting blaze engulfed 14 nearby homes in the densely populated district, which firefighters fought for three hours to bring under control, fire department chief Alfonso Panizo told state television. Dozens of vehicles were also destroyed. The company operating the tanker, Transgas, was shut down by local authorities after the accident for not having an operating license as well as a valid security certification. Peru's energy and mining supervisory agency opened an investigation, and locals criticized the local authorities for the poor state of the street. - Dodging a fireball - A firefighter sifts through the wreckage of a house destroyed in the blast and subsequent fire / AFP One survivor, Javier Garcia, said that when he saw a fireball moving towards him down the street he ran in the opposite direction. "I heard the gas coming out of the truck and told myself that it would explode at any moment. I just ran and then felt my arm burn," Garcia told El Comercio newspaper. "Happily, the neighbors helped me. I was lucky because there are others who suffered burns to their whole bodies," said Garcia, who also suffered facial burns. The intersection is situated just a few blocks from the athletes village that housed thousands of athletes from across the continent when Lima hosted the 2019 Pan American games. "I saw a huge wave of orange fire that reached many people as they were running," said Alejandro Meza, who escaped unharmed. South Carolina bar shooting leaves at least 2 dead, 5 injured originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A shooting at a bar in South Carolina has left at least two people dead and five more injured. The incident occurred at Macs Lounge, a live music venue in Hartsville, South Carolina, early just before 2 a.m. Sunday, according to a press release from the Hartsville Police Department. PHOTO: Police on the scene of a fatal shooting at Mac's Lounge in Hartsville, S.C., Jan. 26, 2020. (WPDE) The motive behind the shooting is currently unknown but authorities said they would be releasing more information to the public on Sunday, ABC News Florence, South Carolina affiliate WPDE reported. The injured victims are being treated at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, South Carolina, and Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center in Hartsville, Darlington County Coroner Coroner Todd Hardee confirmed to ABC News on Sunday. (MORE: 2 dead, including gunman, 15 injured in Kansas City shooting) The identities and conditions of those injured also remain unknown but Hardee said that the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) would help process the crime scene. PHOTO: Police on the scene of a fatal shooting at Mac's Lounge in Hartsville, S.C., Jan. 26, 2020. (WPDE) Macs Lounge is located about 25 miles northwest of Florence, South Carolina, and 40 miles south of the North Carolina state line. ABC News' Julia Jacobo and Ben Stein contributed to this report. Duke University researchers and the Army are working on a way to protect the military's artificial intelligence systems from cyberattacks, according to a recent Army news release. The Army Research Office is investing in more security as the Army increasingly uses AI systems to identify threats. So one of the goals of the NYU-sponsored CSAW HackML competition in 2019 was to develop a software that would prevent cyberattackers from hacking into the facial and object recognition software the military uses to train its AI. "Object recognition is a key component of future intelligent systems, and the Army must safeguard these systems from cyberattacks," MaryAnne Fields, program manager for the ARO's intelligent systems, said in a statement. "This work will lay the foundations for recognizing and mitigating backdoor attacks in which the data used to train the object recognition system is subtly altered to give incorrect answers." Related: Army Looking at AI-Controlled Weapons to Counter Enemy Fire She added that creating this safeguard would let future soldiers have confidence their AI systems are properly identifying a person of interest or a dangerous object. The hackers could create a trigger, like a hat or flower, to corrupt images being used to train the AI system, the news release said. The system would then learn incorrect labels and create models that make the wrong predictions of what an image contains. So Duke University researchers Yukun Yang and Ximing Qiao, both of whom won first prize in the HackML competition, created a program that can flag and find potential triggers. "To identify a backdoor trigger, you must essentially find out three unknown variables: which class the trigger was injected into, where the attacker placed the trigger and what the trigger looks like," Qiao said in a news release. This image demonstrates how an object, like the hat in this series of photos, can be a used by a hacker to corrupt data training an AI system in facial and object recognition. (Photo Credit: Shutterstock) The software's development was funded by a Short-Term Innovative Research grant that awards researchers up to $60,000 for their nine months of work. Now the Army will need a program that can neutralize the trigger, but Qiao said it should be "simple:" they'll just have to retrain the AI model to ignore it. -- Dorothy Mills-Gregg can be reached at dorothy.mills-gregg@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @DMillsGregg. Read More: Its Official: Space Force Has a New Logo For years, many Americans have thought of owning their own home as part of the American dream. But the idea of whether that includes dividing a single family home into two will soon be tested in some communities. Also up for debate are other housing ideas in dense areas usually cities and the suburban neighborhoods around them. The state of Virginia may help to reduce housing costs by changing zoning rules. These are the rules that govern what kind of housing can be built and where. Virginia may approve changes to permit denser housing, and possibly less costly homes, in areas now zoned for single-family homes. Ibraheem Samirah is a Virginia state lawmaker. He represents an area just outside Washington, DC. He proposed a bill to let homeowners divide a single family house into two homes. After the local approval process is completed, then they can create their two families owned property as they see fit, Samirah said. His proposal would not ban single family homes. But it would let owners set up two homes, like townhouses and cottages, on land now zoned for a single family home. This is similar to what is happening on the West Coast of the United States. Oregon was the first state in the country to ban restrictive single-family zoning last July. Planning experts and local officials say there are costs to developing land outside cites. These include harmful effects on the environment, increased demand for public services, isolating people, and keeping poor people and racial minorities from some communities. A 2019 Harvard University housing report found a relative lack of smaller, more affordable new homes. The same report showed that about half of all renter households nationwide spend almost one-third of the money they earn on housing. Moving away from single-family zoning will not be easy. At some level, that development pattern is really uniquely American, says Robert Parker. He is executive director of the Institute for Policy Research and Engagement at the University of Oregon. People who have lived, and grew up, in low-density suburban developments have a strong preference for that, he adds. The average size of American houses is getting much bigger. Sizes have more than doubled since the 1950s. The National Association of Homebuilders says that in 2019, the average size of a new single family home was 240 square meters. Americans clearly like their space. That could be changing with millennials people born from the early 1980s through the middle of the 1990s. They have their own ideas about what the ideal, or best, home looks like, Parker says. He points to a Portland, Oregon study. He says 80 percent of those questioned said they desire to live in a separate single-family home. So, it really becomes a matter of size and what amenities it has, he adds. A lot of those younger households are looking for smaller homes in walkable neighborhoods, he says. And, increasingly, the development community is beginning to recognize that and thinking about ways they can build those environments. Ibraheem Samirah, the Virginia state lawmaker, expects some people will worry their neighborhoods could become less desirable. But he says changing the rules will give people a chance to make money from renting out parts of their home. And for older Americans on a fixed income, bringing in more money may help them stay in place. Samirah adds that the suburban way of life is going to be there for generations. Im Anne Ball. Dora Mekouar wrote this story for VOA. Anne Ball adapted the story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. __________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story fit adj. suitable for a specific purpose cottage n. a small house isolate v. to be away or separate from others renter n. someone who pays money to live in a home owned by someone else uniquely adv. very special or unusual amenities n. plural. Something that makes life easier or more pleasant income n . money that is earned from work, investments or business, or given by someone The 12th edition of the India Art Fair (IAF), which begins on January 30 in New Delhi, will bring together over 75 galleries from across South Asia and the world to showcase, and sell, contemporary and modern art to Indian collectors. Here is a selection of programmes and artists to watch out for at the four-day affair. Queering Culture: As part of the IAFs vast parallel programming, Godrej Culture Lab will screen two films and hold a panel discussion on January 28. Parmesh Shahani, who heads the Mumbai-based Lab and is the author of Gay Bombay: Globalization, Love and (Be)Longing in Contemporary India (2008), will moderate a conversation with screenwriter Ghazal Dhaliwal, activist Dhiren Borisa and Rainbow Literature Festival director Sharif Rangnekar, among others, to examine how the city has multiple sites of queer resistance, beyond nightclubs and bars. a film about a transman in Delhi, will be screened as part of the fair. The two films being screened are Daaravtha by Nishant Roy Bombarde, a 2015 Marathi film about a young boy discovering his gender identity and sexuality; and Please Mind the Gap by Mitali Trivedi and Gagandeep Singh, a 2018 PSBT offering about a young transman navigating the city of Delhi, through its ubiquitous and gendered spaces including the Metro. When: January 28, 5 pm onwards. Where: The Manor, 77, Mathura Road, Friends Colony Artist in Residence Programme: For the first time, the IAF brings together four artists and an art collective, who will, apart from displaying works, also conduct workshops with viewers. New York-based Ghiora Aharoni will guide participants on how to make a series of collages that will bear an imprint of everyones input, inspired by the Surrealist art practise of cadavre exquis, or collaborative art making. Manisha Parekh, who presses her own paper, will conduct an hour-long workshop on using old paper like giftwrapping and newspaper sheets, to create art or personalised gifts. Gagan Singh, a Delhi-based visual artist, will get participants to use the Fair as a live study, to observe and sketch from. When: January 31 to February 2. To book a slot, email devika@indiaartfair.in Outdoor installations: While the Fair will house 75 galleries and a gamut of renowned and early-career artists, the grounds outside the main tent will also turn into an exhibition space. Among the installations to catch will be Anita Dubes reformulated 1994 metal sculpture inspired by the French poet Baudelaires Les Fleurs du Mal. Dubes piece stands revived and extended, as it takes the shape of a cyborg with skeletal flowers and angry tongues. Anita Dubes sculpture inspired by Baudelaires (MASH Sculptural Space) Be sure to also catch internationally acclaimed Magnum photographer Martin Parrs exhibit, which will feature photographs taken on the site at the Fair. When: January 30 to February 2. Where: NSIC grounds Young Collectors Programme: Keen to buy art, but dont know where to begin? The previous iteration of the Fair conducted a Young Collectors Programme, with talks and site visits, but it was for a closed group. This time around, the programme will be open to all, even those who may not have begun to collect. The programme will include visits to artists Anoli Perera and Ayesha Singhs studios, personalised tours of art shows, a VIP preview of the Fair a day before it opens, a private walkthrough with Shaleen Wadhwana, as well as talks on the dos and donts of being a collector, and one by Siddharth Mehta on the legal aspects. Signing up will also mean access to exclusive lunches and dinner parties: all in all, everything that a collector would be required to do. Finally, the art itself: With 75 galleries from 20 cities exhibiting at the Fair, its not easy to curate a list of must-visit booths. However, an artist were excited to see again is the Scandinavian artist Olafur Eliasson, who returns with another massive installation that uses light, reflection and scale, in a playful yet profound way. Hes known for installations that use natural, physical phenomena (one of his recent pieces used chunks of a melting glacier from Greenland, transported to the banks of the Thames, to quite literally bring home the fact of climate change). Sameer Kulavoor, known for his quirky graphic art, returns with This is Not Still Life, a piece that upturns expectations of the popular idiom of art-making that is a staple of art school curricula. Artist Sameer Kulavoor will display his quirky graphic art at the fair. New galleries at the Fair include Berlins cutting-edge contemporary PSM and New Yorks Marc Straus. The India Art Fair is being held on January 31 (2 pm to 7 pm), and February 1 and 2 (10 am to 6 pm) in New Delhi. Passes are available online. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Reinforcements sent to virus-hit city on holiday eve PLA Daily Source: China Daily Editor: Chen Zhuo 2020-01-25 10:08:43 On Friday night, the eve of the traditional Chinese Lunar New Year that features family reunions, medical staff from three military medical universities and their affiliated hospitals of the People's Liberation Army were headed to Wuhan to fight the pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus there. Of them, 135 came from the Army Medical University based in Chongqing, who have divided themselves into two groups specifically for critical conditions and normal conditions. Another 150 came from the Second Military Medical University in Shanghai. A short video clip online shows how they rushed to the flight amid heavy rainfall at the airport, one after one, carrying luggage on their backs. According to local media in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, where the Air Force Medical University is located, a total of 95 doctors and nurses were on their way. A photo widely spread online shows them sworn in by a flag with the words "critical condition treatment team". Before them, echoing the call of the Central Military Commission, the PLA already had mobilized 40 doctors and nurses from their hospitals in Wuhan to help in the joint fight against the outbreak. On Thursday night, 24 medical staff members from Southern Medical University had already arrived in Wuhan to help. The university was previously the First Military Medical University and became a civil one in 2004. In 2003, it played a major role in the fight against SARS. "As an experienced team that had won the battle against SARS, we are responsible for helping our people amid the new pneumonia", said the 24 in a joint application letter, which was posted online. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In 2020 America, members of the two political tribes can largely go their own ways without having to pay attention to the other side. Except for last week: The Republican controlled Senate had to sit silently and listen to the Democrats as they methodically made their case that President Donald Trump should be removed from office. Fidget spinners spun. Milk was served. A crossword puzzles and doodle were spotted. But for the most part, senators followed the rules. One tough one: no phones or other digital devices. It was a "digital detox," Peggy Drexler observed, something "most of us could use." The most surprising moment came when President Trump's staunch defender Sen. Lindsey Graham paused at the elevator to congratulate Rep. Adam Schiff, who led the House impeachment managers presenting the case against Trump. The South Carolina senator told reporters Schiff was "well spoken" and "did a good job." But that doesn't mean Schiff won over Graham or anyone else on the GOP side. On Saturday, the tables were turned as Democrats had to listen to the President's lawyers begin their defense. Their arguments, Elie Honig wrote, ran "the gamut from marginally convincing (at best) to transparently flimsy, outright misleading and disingenuous." Where's the trial heading? "It is crucial for the Democrats' case for Trump's removal to establish the danger of inviting foreign interference in American elections," wrote Errol Louis. "But partisan politics stands in the way. Republican senators appear to have decided to protect Trump at all costs." Graham was far from the only one praising Schiff's presentation. Raul Reyes called it "masterful: it was eloquent, thoughtful and -- most importantly -- restrained. While he invoked everyone from Alexander Hamilton to John F. Kennedy, he never slipped into histrionics or hyperbole, which any trial lawyer knows can backfire. Instead, he methodically went through a timeline of the President's alleged improper conduct." At the same time, Republican commentators like Scott Jennings didn't buy the Democrats' argument: "Schiff's reckless statements in the runup to the Mueller report and now this week's impeachment arguments were a continuation of the Democratic emotion to never concede the 2016 election -- and to never acknowledge the legitimacy of a man they detest," Jennings wrote. "Schiff is, in effect, arguing that America's political institutions have already failed and will fail again unless a singular individual is no longer allowed to exist in the system." Jennings argued that Schiff was playing into the hands of Russia's President Vladimir Putin in destabilizing American democracy, while Louis and others made the case that it was Trump's conduct in the Ukraine affair that helped accomplish Putin's goals. New evidence emerged last week in documents released by the Office of Management and Budget suggesting that the administration was already preparing to withhold aid from Ukraine before Trump's fateful July 25 call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky. They show, Anne Milgram wrote, "that the President's effort to bully Zelensky to 'do us a favor' was premeditated, planned and timed to give the President a hammer to compel a foreign leader to do Trump's personal bidding for his personal gain." Even so, "Senate Republicans continue to maintain a united front against impeachment and removal from office," wrote Alice Stewart. "Unless there is a new blanket of information, the Senate scales of justice will side on acquittal." 'No magic wand' against deadly virus In 2003, journalist Laurie Garrett covered the spread of the SARS virus as it reached "37 countries, sickening 8,098 people and killing 774 of them." The news of this year's Wuhan coronavirus outbreak gave her "a chilling sense of deja vu." In the wake of the new virus' outbreak, China is restricting travel, closing off Beijing's Forbidden City and parts of the Great Wall and shutting movie theaters. And other nations, including the US, are seeing the first cases of the virus. "While 17 years has brought significant improvements in virology, diagnostics development, international health regulations and the WHO, and we know more today about the nCoV2019 virus (as the Wuhan coronavirus is awkwardly dubbed) than we did one month into the SARS epidemic, there is no magic wand that can wave this highly dispersed, airborne-spread, human-to-human transmitting microbe away," Garrett wrote. "Beijing is now executing the playbook that ultimately stopped SARS. The city of Wuhan is now on lockdown and fever checkpoints are operating in most major transit hubs across the country while Lunar New Year celebrations have been canceled. Instant contagious quarantine, 1,000-bed facilities are under construction, with one due to open next week outside Wuhan." 'Nobody likes him' In a new documentary, Hillary Clinton blasted her former primary opponent Sen. Bernie Sanders: "Nobody likes him, nobody wants to work with him, he got nothing done. He was a career politician," Clinton said. "It's all just baloney and I feel so bad that people got sucked into it." In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Clinton wouldn't even promise to back Sanders if he wins the Democratic nomination this year, although she later said she would back whoever wins the primary. Sanders noted "on a good day, my wife likes me, so let's clear the air on that one." (It's not hard to imagine Larry David saying that on one of his SNL impersonations of Sanders.) Jill Filipovic took Clinton's part, mostly: "Clinton is finally being her authentic self," she wrote "and it turns out that she's a human being with normal human emotions. She is angry at someone she perhaps rightly sees as contributing to her stunning loss in 2016, and the ushering-in of one of the most dangerous presidents in American history. We say we want female politicians, and prominent women generally, to be authentic and honest." Filipovic said that at a time when Donald Trump is president, waffling on supporting Sanders if he wins the primary is "wildly reckless," but Clinton is not wrong "about the online culture that has coalesced around Sanders it indeed can be toxic, and often misogynist, and just plain uglier, more aggressive, and more venomous than anything else you see on the left side of the political aisle." The founders, the framers -- and Trump Joseph Ellis has devoted his career as a historian to studying the USA's founding generation. He won the Pulitzer Prize for his book on the founders and the National Book Award for his biography of Thomas Jefferson. This week he brought it all to the question of impeachment. When the framers of the Constitution met in Philadelphia in 1787, Ellis wrote, they were "haunted by conversations that had occurred in that very same room 11 years earlier, in July 1776" when representatives of the American colonies gathered to declare their independence from the tyranny they argued resulted from British rule. "The ghost at the banquet was George III." "Trump's chief offense is his own defense," wrote Ellis. "Namely, that as president he cannot be indicted, convicted or investigated, and has no legal obligation to provide documents or witnesses when requested by the House or Senate. That means President Trump is claiming he is an elected monarch who is above the law." Nullifying the checks and balances spelled out in the Constitution and failing to grant that Congress is a coequal branch of government would be fatal to American democracy, Ellis observed. "For in doing so we are siding with George III rather than Thomas Jefferson. We are saying that the American Revolution was a mistake. We are announcing that we are no longer a republic. And that, so it seems to me, is self-evidently a price not worth paying." Other takes on impeachment: William Cohen: Rule of law must be more than a mantra we repeat Shan Wu: Trump's flawed 'Jekyll and Hyde' impeachment defense Julian Zelizer: What's behind Dershowitz's brazen claims Dean Obeidallah: Trump knows his presidency is forever tainted even if the Senate doesn't convict Mystery of the jet fuel dump Retired pilot Les Abend noted that there are still questions about the January 14 dumping of "thousands of pounds of jet fuel at a too-low altitude over a populated area that included six Los Angeles schools at recess, dousing children and others." Teachers at one of the schools sued Delta and the FAA is investigating. "Aviation officials were surprised at the pilots' decisionparticularly because in their transmission to air traffic control when they requested return, the pilots asserted that they would not need to dump fuel." Abend said we should wait for the results of the investigation to know for certain. But one of his remarks stands out: "Assuming that an immediate return wasn't necessary, if the pilots had told controllers that dumping was required, the flight likely would have been vectored out over the ocean to an area where the fuel particles would, for example, not land on people." Don't miss: Mark Hertling: A 'headache' could mean brain trauma, President Trump Navaz Ebrahim: My sister died in the Iran plane shootdown Abigail Pesta: What Nassar judge did isn't bias. It's empowerment Rafia Zakaria: 'American Dirt' has an American problem Tom Udall and John Sarbanes: The US cannot afford another 10 years of Citizens United Samantha Vinograd: Intelligence agencies pull punches for fear of upsetting Trump Andrew Cohen: What Harry and Meghan could teach Canada AND... Dollars for doughnuts Buying several boxes of gourmet donuts and then tweeting a picture of himself carrying them out was by no means Justin Trudeau's biggest recent stumble. But it sure annoyed some of his fellow Canadians who, when it comes to donuts, worship at the shrine of Tim Hortons. Michael Bociurkiw noted that the donuts at the Winnipeg store "Oh Doughnuts" cost as much as $4.25 Canadian each (for the "gluten friendly" kind). "It didn't help that he committed this sin at a Liberal cabinet retreat in Winnipeg, a predominantly working-class, central Canadian prairie city," wrote Bociurkiw, a Canadian who worked there as a reporter for a year. "Winnipeggers pride themselves on being thrifty and resilient -- especially during long, bone-chilling cold winters. And it also didn't help that his NATO 'hot mic' scandal (in which Trudeau appeared to mock US President Donald Trump at a Buckingham Palace reception) -- was still ringing in the ears of Canadians as they watched him carting out his fancy doughnuts with his fancy new beard." Drew Angerer/Getty Images The White Houses team of lawyers opened their case to acquit President Trump by relying on one phrase: Adam Schiff didnt tell you that. Though Trumps defense team only spoke for about two hours on Saturday morning, they invoked that phrase over and over again. The Democrats lead impeachment prosecutor, they argued, took 24 hours to make his sides case but failed to mention that in Trumps July 25 call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, the president simply reminded his counterpart that the U.S. was unfairly doing more than Europeans for Ukraines security. We do a lot for Ukraine, said Trump, We spend a lot of effort and a lot of time. GOP Rolls Out Every Last Excuse to Keep Witnesses Out King Trump Wants Heads on Pikes. The GOP Cant Wait to Oblige. Schiff didnt disclose, they said, that a key witnessU.S. ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondlandpresumed there was a quid-pro-quo between U.S. security aid and a Ukrainian investigation to dig up dirt on Trumps rivals, based on everything he knew. But, they said, Sondland was never informed directly of any quid-pro-quo. And Schiff definitely didnt disclose, said presidential counsel Jay Sekulow, that Trump has also withheld aid to other countries, nor did the Democrat mention that Trump had good reason to be suspicious of official Washington after being subjected to investigation by Robert Mueller. Leading up to Saturdays arguments, there had been some anxiety among Democrats for the moment that Trumps defense team would step on the Senate floor and make their case in earnest. Signs had indicated theyd pursue a caustic, scorched-earth approachthe kind preferred by their client. The four attorneys who took the stand for Trumpwho used the rare weekend session to offer a brief preview of their arguments to come during a longer Monday presentationdidnt look or feel much like a Fox News panel, to the relief of some Democratic lawmakers. But in their choice of rhetoric and topics, it was clear Trumps lawyers sought to change the channel from the impeachment show that Schiff and his fellow managers had run for the last three days. The goal was to plant the notion that there is another side to the impeachment storynot one that renders Trumps conduct questionable yet unimpeachable, as some Republicans have ventured, but one that completely exonerates him. Story continues Whats more, the White House team employed a favorite argument of their clients: that the Democrats who would impeach him are the ones doing the real election interference, not him. Democrats, said White House counsel Pat Cipollone, are determined to perpetrate the most massive interference in an election in American history. We cant allow that to happen, Cipollone told the 100 senators listening. It would violate our Constitution. It would violate our history. It would violate our obligations to the future. Most importantly, it would violate the sacred trust the American people have placed in you. To Democrats, it was clear who that messageand the other ones touching on other Trump favorites, like the surveillance of his 2016 campaignwas meant for. I think they're doing that to make the president happy, said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA). I think they want to make the president smile, or laugh, or tweet, or something. Senate Republicans, however, were clearly pleased that the time had come for the White House to present its case. The past three straight days of Democratic arguments appeared to alternately frustrate and bore them. As the four Trump attorneys sketched out their case, Republicans were visibly engaged and ready for their turn at righteous indignation. When Trump attorney Michael Purpura played a clip showing Sondlands remarks that he presumed there was a quid-pro-quo, GOP senators chuckled in disbelief and shook their heads. Several nodded along as the presentations were made. It was refreshing, said Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN). And Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) said the White House lawyers were talking directly to senators, instead of Democrats, whom he said seemed to arrange their case so it could be picked up by cable news viewers. That was a real effort, I think, to connect with the seriousness of this with us, and to fill in gaps. The presentation, which was hailed as solid not only by Republicans but Democrats like Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), gave Republicans hoping for a speedy trial and acquittal of Trump more cover to push for a rejection of additional witnesses and documents. Four Republicans are needed to join with all Democrats in order to issue a subpoena any new material. Im more intent on ending this thing now with my vote, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told reporters after the Saturday session wrapped. Its best for our country to vote on the record established. Though Graham was hardly ever on the fence on witnesses, other Republicans whose votes were considered in play sounded closer than ever to shutting the door on a longer trial with new evidence. GOP Sen. Joni Ernst, who is up for reelection in Iowa this November, said leaving the trial that she was leaning toward voting no on new evidence. In justifying it, Ernst turned to a now-familiar argument: if Democrats case was so good, they shouldnt need any more evidence. Its a point Trumps defense team reinforced in their remarksemphasizing repeatedly that the Democrats case was flimsy because House investigators didnt hear from more people with direct contact with Trump. Theyre asking you to do something no Senate has ever done, Cipollone said of Democrats. And they're asking you to do it with no evidence. The White House, of course, has fought Democrats subpoenas and requests for evidenceincluding testimony from officials who spoke directly with Trumptooth-and-nail in order to shield it. The defense team, said Kaine, had inadvertently made the most powerful case that can be made for the necessity of witnesses and documents. And Manchin, who said he found Saturdays arguments compelling, nevertheless told CNN one thing that stuck in my mind is they said there isnt a witness they have had so far that had direct contact with the president. Id love to hear from Mulvaney and Bolton. Senators will vote on whether or not to call new witnesses after the presidents team finishes its case and they pose questions to both sides. Many of them say they are reserving judgment or public comment until Team Trump wraps up its case on Monday or Tuesday. But for the president, two hours on Saturday had already made it a done deal. Any fair minded person watching the Senate trial today would be able to see how unfairly I have been treated, Trump tweeted. This should never be allowed to happen again! Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Its no secret that Prince Andrew has been having a rough year. In 2019, he started getting scrutinized in the press for his relationship with the controversial Jeffrey Epstein. This scandal eventually led Prince Andrew to take a step back from the royal family. While he no longer will be working as a royal, Prince Andrew is still very much a part of the royal family. As such, he actually has a surprising role when it comes to the recent Megxit drama. Read on below to find out what Prince Andrew has been doing this past month. How Prince Harry and Meghan Markle caused the Megxit mess Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Andrew Milligan WPA Pool/Getty Images On January 8, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex shocked the world when they announced that they will be stepping down as senior members of the royal family. After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution, the couple said in a statement that was posted on social media. We intend to step back as senior members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. Prince Harry and Meghan also revealed that they have plans to split their time between the United Kingdom and North America. They said: This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity. Reports said that other royals did not see this announcement coming After Prince Harry and Meghan shared their big news, it was suddenly reported that other royals were just as stunned about the announcement as everyone else. William was blindsided by Harry and Meghans decision and statement, a source told Us Weekly. Its sad because when they were younger, William would be the first person Harry would go to with big news like this. William is incredibly hurt, but at the same time he has his own family to focus on and is trying to move forward with his life. It was said that Queen Elizabeth did not know about Prince Harry and Meghans announcement either. However, royal expert Katie Nicholl clarified that Prince Harry did discuss this issue with the royal family. It was just that they were still very much involved in early-stage discussions and no one expected him to completely jumped the gun like that. What Prince Andrew has been doing during this scandal The Megxit drama has taken the spotlight off of Prince Andrews own scandal for a while, though he is still hanging around the royal family. An insider recently shared with The Sun that Prince Andrew has actually been comforting Queen Elizabeth through all of this. The insider revealed: Andrew has been talking to her constantly on the phone and has now gone up to stay with her for a few days He sees a lot of the Queen at Windsor, probably more than any other royal, and he is her rock at the moment. The source also added that Prince Andrew sees it as his duty to support the Queen and Prince Philip and get them through this ordeal since he knows that his scandal did a great deal of damage to the monarchy. It has been said that Prince Andrew was often Queen Elizabeths favorite son growing up, which explains why she has not distanced herself from him despite his now-soiled reputation. In fact, she was seen going horseback riding with him a few months ago. Ultimately, its clear that many members of the royal family have gone through a lot this past year, and they are leaning on each other for support whenever they can. B oris Johnson is yet to commission a study examining the viability of a bridge between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, a transport minister has confirmed. George Freeman said no work on the idea was under way, noting the Government regularly commissions work to assess the feasibility of potential projects. He added the position is subject to "regular review". Mr Johnson told MPs to "watch this space" when questioned about his support for the bridge idea just days after last month's general election. Transport minister George Freeman / PA Images DUP MP Paul Girvan (South Antrim) asked Transport Secretary Grant Shapps whether he "plans to conduct a feasibility study on a (a) bridge or (b) tunnel connecting the islands of Ireland and Great Britain". Mr Freeman, in reply to the written parliamentary question, said: "A feasibility study has not currently been commissioned. "However, as you would expect, Government regularly commissions work to examine the feasibility of potential projects, so that position is subject to regular review." Prime Minister Mr Johnson has previously raised the idea of a bridge across the Irish Sea, and last month told DUP MP Ian Paisley the project "has not fallen on deaf ears" when it was raised in the Commons. Mr Paisley had urged Mr Johnson to "make good on his commitment for a golden age of all of the United Kingdom" by honouring infrastructure pledges, noting this should include building the "Boris bridge". DUP MP Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) also told the same Commons session: "He said watch this space - we'll be watching this space. With a naughty glint in her eye, Mandy Rice-Davies turned to me on the doorstep of my home in London and declared: 'My life has been a slow descent into respectability.' What a parting shot! But then, witty Mandy was far cleverer than most people guessed. The girl from Solihull who came to the capital in 1960 in search of fun and glamour had got in touch one day in 2012. The Trial of Christine Keeler with Ellie Bamber as Mandy Rice-Davies (left), James Norton as Stephen Ward (centre) and Sophie Cookson as Christine Keeler (right) She'd heard me let slip on Radio 4's arts programme Front Row that I was toying with the notion of writing a musical about her late friend Stephen Ward, the society osteopath and amateur portrait artist. That is the same Stephen Ward who introduced Mandy's friend Christine Keeler to War Minister John Profumo, a move that set in motion a chain of events which culminated in the Profumo Affair. That scandal's power to resonate with a contemporary audience has been proved by the success of the six-part BBC One drama series The Trial Of Christine Keeler, which concluded last night after holding millions of viewers gripped. As we talked over tea, Mandy wanted to know my take on Ward. Did I realise that he was a scapegoat and his trial on charges of living off immoral earnings had been a sham? She had seen the Establishment and its dirty tricks department up close decades earlier, after it was alleged that Keeler had been sleeping with a naval attache at the Soviet Embassy at the same time as she was having an affair with Profumo. Mandy knew what the great and good were capable of. Mandy Rice-Davies (left) and Christine Keeler (right) pictured in the back of a car as they left court following the trial of Stephen Ward at the Old Bailey, London, in 1963 Society osteopath Stephen Ward (pictured in 1947) who committed suicide on the last day of his trial for living off the profits of prostitution in a case brought about by his involvement in the Profumo scandal And, like me, she had one burning question: what secrets are hidden among the interview transcripts, telephone intercepts and photographs accumulated during the 1963 official investigation of the scandal by Lord Denning, then Master of the Rolls, that are so toxic the full report cannot be published until 2063 100 years after the events took place? Indeed, some believe its contents are so incendiary that it will not be made public even then. Personally, I think Denning uncovered something that could have had grave implications for UK security. But the published findings of his judicial inquiry the Denning Report could not have been more anodyne. Lord Denning concluded that there had been no threat to national security and cleared the security services of any involvement in manipulating the outcome of Ward's trial. Ward himself was in a coma when the jury returned its guilty verdict. He had taken an overdose of sleeping pills the night before, after hearing the judge's brutal summing-up from the dock in the Old Bailey. He died three days later and a potentially damning testimony about the conduct of leading politicians died with him. At the time, many regarded Denning's published report it became a bestseller as a whitewash. This position gained renewed credibility in 1993, when it was revealed that then Prime Minister John Major had ruled that the materials and documents gathered in the course of preparing the report could not be made public under the usual '30-year rule'. A poster for Stephen Ward: The Musical (pictured) which was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber Instead, the full dossier was to remain under wraps for a further 70 years. It was rumoured that Major was so intrigued, he had asked to see extracts from the full report before agreeing to lock it away. What he read evidently convinced him. Some gossips have drawn scurrilous inferences from the fact that a sketch by Ward of Prince Philip, whom he had treated for a back problem, had made its way to Lord Astor's country home, Cliveden where John Profumo first spied Christine swimming naked in the pool. But the impression I get from my own enquiries is that the secrets hidden in Denning's full report are far more serious than any alleged indiscretions by a member of the Royal Family. After all, the Netflix drama The Crown alluded heavily to Philip's occasional visits to Cliveden, and the Official Secrets Act was not invoked. When I raised the issue in the House of Lords I was made a Conservative peer in 1997 my question was batted away. Afterwards, one or two knowledgeable souls hinted to me that the papers might no longer exist in the National Archives at Kew. They said the report might have been quietly 'lost', just as the transcript of Ward's trial had been lost. The only possible explanation for such an undemocratic action would be that Denning uncovered something of the utmost gravity. What that could be, we can only speculate but remember that 1963 was also the year MI6 mole Kim Philby fled to Russia after years of spying for Moscow. Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, 71, (pictured) continues to ask why the real story of the Profumo affair is still locked in a vault During our conversation, Mandy Rice-Davies simmered with anger at the injustice she felt had been done to Stephen Ward. 'He was not a pimp,' she said. 'He just loved people.' Her loyalty was fascinating. She could easily have resented Ward for dragging her into a life of vice. When she met him, she was just 16, a policeman's daughter who had worked as a glamour model and a dancer in Soho. Ward introduced her to a thuggish landlord named Peter Rachman, who was notorious for renting out his slum tenements to immigrants at extortionate rents. For Mandy's 17th birthday, Rachman bought her a Jaguar even though she hadn't yet passed her driving test. This was a world of sleaze which, as a 13-year-old pupil at Westminster School when the Profumo Affair broke, I could not begin to comprehend. But what I, and everyone else in the country, found unbelievable was that girls like Mandy and Christine had been welcomed at Cliveden and some of the grandest homes in England. The man who made that possible was Mandy's friend and corrupter, Stephen Ward. Over the decades, I often contemplated writing a musical around the Profumo Affair, and every time I came back to the central figure of Ward. He was undeniably charismatic, counting Royals, film stars, peers and spies among his chums. Few who knew him spoke ill of him. Instead, they remarked on how elegantly dressed, how generous, how sweet-natured, how oddly innocent he was. No man in England, it has been said, could wear sunglasses with such raffish charm as Stephen Ward. So I was intrigued when, at a friend's birthday party, I was introduced to the veteran journalist Tom Mangold with the words: 'This is Tom. He was the last man to see Stephen Ward alive.' Tom, a reporter at the Daily Express in 1963, had befriended Ward during his trial. On the evening after the judge's closing remarks, Tom went to Ward's flat in Chelsea and found him despondent. If he had stayed over, Ward would probably not have taken the lethal overdose of drugs but Mangold had to get home that night for family reasons. Mangold's interest in the story has not abated, incidentally: in a BBC2 documentary broadcast last night, he argued that the full Denning Report remains secret because its author had uncovered details of a long-running and depraved affair between another Cabinet minister not Profumo and a prostitute that posed a far greater security risk. But if I was intrigued by meeting Tom, meeting Mandy left me hooked. With the playwright Christopher Hampton and lyricist Don Black, I embarked on turning Ward's story into a stage spectacular. Some context: I was not a well man at the time, suffering from serious complications after treatment for back pain by (oh, the irony) a highly recommended osteopath. I was spaced out on super-strength painkillers. Looking back, I realise morphine and musicals don't mix. Large parts of the writing of Stephen Ward: The Musical are a blank to me. I don't recall how I got to the show's first night in 2014, for instance. I am proud of many of the songs and truly believe that, although it was deeply flawed, it had the bones of a terrific musical. But it closed after three months, causing me to recall the words of U.S. theatre impresario Jimmy Nederlander Sr, who once told me: 'There is no limit to the number of people who won't buy tickets to a show they don't want to see.' Perhaps if I'd called it Mandy And Christine: The Musical, it would still be playing to packed houses. Who knows? Mandy Rice-Davies loved the show. Sadly, she died in 2014 from cancer. If Christine Keeler ever came to see the production, she kept it quiet. Stephen Ward desperately wanted to be a fully paid-up member of the Establishment. Yet it was the Establishment that eventually destroyed him, possibly to protect its own. Ward had pleaded with MI5 to let him be an agent, gathering intelligence on his high-society friends. Perhaps, unwittingly, he was on the fringes of a conspiracy that even now could shake this country to its core. I wonder if we will ever know. New Delhi, Jan 26 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa for their greetings on the occasion of 71st Republic Day. 'Thank you the greetings on India's Republic Day, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. It is a matter of immense delight that friendship between India and Maldives is getting even stronger, benefitting the people of our nations,' Mr Modi posted on micro-blogging site Twitter. Mr Solih, in his tweet, said 'Warm greetings and felicitations to President Kovind, PM Narendra Modi and the friendly people of India on India's 71st Republic Day. 'Thank you PM Mahinda Rajapaksa for the Republic Day wishes. India cherishes the deep-rooted friendship with Sri Lanka,' Mr Modi said in his reply to Mr Rajapaksa's greetings. 'Mrs Shiranthi Rajapaksa and I participated at the cultural event organized by the Indian High Commission in Colombo, celebrating the 71st Indian Republic Day, at the BMICH last evening. I would like to wish the Prime Minister and people of India a very Happy 71st Republic Day,' Mr Rajapaksa tweeted. Showcasing it's military might and rich diverse culture, India -- the world's largest democracy -- celebrated the day with patriotic ardour. President Ram Nath Kovind hosted this year's chief guest and President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Jair Messias Bolsonaro. UNI RSA RJ 1551 I wanted to get opinions from people in the business world. I am a physician looking to do an MBA to gain some experience with healthcare management and venture capital. There are several healthcare focused weekend and executive MBAs. I am limited geographically because of my work so I cant go to all of them, and the most convenient ones (I live in Chicago) dont have a healthcare focused track, but I wanted opinions from people on whether non-healthcare focused weekend MBA or executive MBA would be useful for the same purpose. Id also like to know if thered be a big difference in the networks you can make from some of these places. My options are: Kellogg or Booth evening and weekend MBAs - difficult because I often cant do evening classes and they dont offer everything on the weekends Kellogg or Booth executive MBA - no healthcare focus but most convenient since theyre only weekend Kelley physician specific MBA - close enough to do, but dont know much about it Cornell executive MBA - healthcare focused, but would require travel so I need to know if its worth the healthcare focus to fly there so often - if the basic knowledge is the same and the network is better or equal in Chicago that would be better Thanks for the input! Any thoughts or information would be helpful, Im very new to the MBA world Posted from my mobile device Cold conditions continued unabated in Himachal Pradesh on Sunday with the meteorological department issuing a yellow warning for heavy rain and snowfall in the state for Tuesday. The office issues colour-coded warnings to alert people ahead of severe or hazardous that has the potential to cause "damage, widespread disruption or danger to life". Yellow, the least dangerous of all the weather warnings, indicates possibility of a severe weather. Tribal district Lahaul-Spiti's administrative centre Keylong recorded the lowest temperature in the state at minus 9.3 degrees Celsius, Shimla MeT centre Director Manmohan Singh said. Kinnaur's Kalpa recorded a low of minus 5.6 degree Celsius and the minimum temperature in both Manali and Kufri was minus 0.8 degrees Celsius, he said, adding the minimum temperatures in Dalhousie and Shimla was 1.5 degrees Celsius and 3.8 degrees Celsius respectively. Una recorded the highest maximum temperature in the state at 23 degrees Celsius, Singh said. The weatherman has forecast rain and snowfall in middle and high hills of the state from January 27 to 29 and on January 31. It issued the yellow warning of heavy rain, snowfall for January 28 only. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Photo: The Canadian Press Quebec provincial police vehicles are seen in St-Henri-de-Taillon, Que. on Wednesday, January 22, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Le Quotidien, Rocket Lavoie *MANDATORY CREDIT* Divers with Quebec's provincial police say they have located the seventh and final submerged snowmobile involved in a tragic accident last Tuesday in the province's Lac-Saint-Jean region. The search for four missing tourists from eastern France resumed this morning, five days after a group and their guide disappeared into the icy waters while snowmobiling off-trail. While five men were orginally reported missing, divers found the body of 58-year-old Gilles Claude on Friday, about two kilometres from where the first snowmobiles were located. The guide, Benoit L'Esperance of Montreal, was pulled from the water by rescuers on Tuesday night and died in hospital early Wednesday. A total of eight tourists and their guide were travelling near Lac-Saint-Jean on Tuesday evening when the ice gave way somewhere between St-Henri-de-Taillon and Alma. Two of the travelling party managed to save a third tourist who'd fallen into the water and they made it to shore and alerted authorities. While concerns continue to mount that the deadly coronavirus has spread to Connecticut, a spokesman for the state department of health said there are no confirmed cases here. We have been monitoring a situation at Wesleyan University but as of today we have no confirmed cases in Connecticut, said Av Harris, director of communication for the state Department of Public Health. Lauren Rubenstein, the director of media and public relations at Wesleyan, said Saturday the student who recently traveled in Asia and is suffering from a fever and a cough is in isolation. We are providing health care and other services, Rubenstein said Saturday. No diagnosis (of coronavirus) has been made. Out of an abundance of caution, we are working with the state Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control to determine if the student ... has contracted the coronavirus or not. Meanwhile the university has reached out to others who may have come into close contact with the student on campus, Rubenstein said. To date, none of these individuals have exhibited symptoms of concern, she said. Harris said his office, working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will conduct surveillance and facilitate testing for individuals who may be at risk of infection. Up-to-date information can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html The virus has been responsible for at least 41 deaths in China. There have been two confirmed cases in the U.S. involving a woman in Chicago and a man in Washington state. Both involved individuals who recently returned from Wuhan, China. Other infections have been confirmed in Australia, France, South Korea, Japan, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and Taiwan. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals, including camels, cats and bats. It spreads among humans through coughing and sneezing. Laboratory tests are needed to confirm diagnosis. Symptoms can occur as quickly as two days to two weeks. Harris said symptoms are similar to those ranging from the common cold to the flu. They include headache, coughs, runny nose, sore throat, fever and a general feeling of malaise. There is no vaccine and no approved drugs to fight the disease. Doctors recommend drinking plenty of fluids and resting. In extreme cases a ventilator may be used to push oxygen into the lungs. diagnosis involves laboratory tests. Chronic alcohol abuse and hepatitis can injure the liver, often leading to a buildup of collagen and scar tissue. Understanding this process, known as liver fibrosis, could help researchers develop new ways to prevent or treat conditions such as alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and nonalcoholic flatty liver disease (NAFLD). In a study published January 23, 2020 by Gastroenterology, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine demonstrated for the first time that liver fibrosis progression could potentially be addressed by manipulating a special population of liver cells called hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In the liver, HSCs are found in three forms: naive in healthy people, activated in people with liver disease and inactivated in people who have recovered from liver fibrosis. In both mouse and human liver tissue, the researchers discovered they can control this cellular switch by activating or inhibiting specific transcription factors, molecules that turn genes "on" or "off." "We are excited to discover that HSCs have this flexibility, and that we can change their type by manipulating the molecules involved," said Tatiana Kisseleva, MD, PhD, associate professor of surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine. "These insights may allow us to develop new ways to stop the progression of liver fibrosis." Kisseleva led the study with first author Xiao Liu, a researcher in her lab. In healthy people, naive HSCs store vitamin A and support normal liver function -- filtering blood, metabolizing drugs and producing bile acids to aid digestion. But in alcoholic liver disease or hepatitis, HSCs become activated and start producing collagen, a hallmark of fibrosis. The goals of the study, Kisseleva said, were to 1) understand the mechanism that switches HSCs from their naive to their active state and 2) find ways to stop the process and inactivate collagen-producing HSCs. Kisseleva and her team identified several transcription factors that distinguish active HSCs from naive HSCs, and studied them in human liver samples and mouse models. Some of the transcription factors they found prevent activation of HSCs or inactivate them. When the levels of each of these naive-associated transcription factors were reduced in mouse HSCs, the cells became activated, increased their collagen production and promoted fibrosis. Liver fibrosis was more severe in mice lacking these transcription factors. The researchers also took the opposite approach, stimulating one of these transcription factors, PPAR, with a chemical called rosiglitazone. In mice treated with rosiglitazone, the researchers observed liver fibrosis regression and faster resolution of fibrous scars than in untreated mice. "We essentially found that we can help PPAR put a stop to collagen production by activated HSCs," Kisseleva said. New therapeutic targets are urgently needed for liver fibrosis, she said. According to the US National Institutes of Health, weight loss is the only known method for reducing liver fibrosis associated with NAFLD and NASH. Therapeutic drugs to slow the progression of disease are only available in advanced stages, where NASH has led to liver cirrhosis. Alcoholic liver disease is most commonly treated with corticosteroids, but they are not highly effective. Early liver transplantation is the only proven cure, but is offered only at select medical centers to a limited number of patients. To further their efforts, Kisseleva and team are now exploring the role of other transcription factors involved in maintaining HSC naivete, and searching for activators and inhibitors. They also plan to take a closer look at the genes these transcription factors are regulating, and determine if they can be directly targeted to inactivate HSCs. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said the Indian Embassy in Beijing is constantly checking on the health and well-being of Indians in China in the wake of spread of the deadly coronavirus. The Indian Embassy in China has also operationalised two helplines which are open to respond to any concerns of Indians in that country. The death toll due to the virus in China has risen to 56 with confirmed cases of viral affliction reaching 1,975. "Our embassy in Beijing is constantly checking on the health and well-being of the Indians in China. Please follow @EOIBeijing for more updates on the situation," Jaishankar tweeted. He also retweeted the posts of the Indian Embassy in Beijing. "Embassy of India Beijing is in constant contact with Indian citizens in Hubei province, including Wuhan city, especially the student community, to check on their health and well-being," the Indian mission tweeted. "We are also in close touch with Chinese authorities on procedures and further steps that can be taken in order to assure their safety. Our two hotlines (+8618612083629 and +8618612083617) are operational and are open to respond to any concerns of Indians in China," the mission said in another tweet. Separately, some reports Saturday said that India has requested China to permit over 250 Indian students stuck in Wuhan, the epicentre of the new SARS-like virus. About 700 Indian students, mostly medical students, are believed to be studying in different universities in Wuhan and its surrounding areas. Authorities have prevented anyone from leaving Wuhan, the city of 11 million people at the heart of the viral outbreak which has so far infected nearly 1,300 people and killed 41 others. While majority of the Indian students left for home on Chinese New Year holidays, over 250 to 300 students are said to be still in the city and its surrounding areas. Besides the students, the fast spreading virus has become a major worry for their parents back home. Also read: Coronavirus outbreak: More than 2000 people infected globally, 56 dead in China Also read: Coronavirus: Govt issues advisory, screens flyers from Wuhan to prevent China virus A 45-year-old PhD student of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) was found dead under mysterious circumstances, police said on Sunday. Anil Samania, Circle Officer (CO) Civil Lines in Aligarh, said, "The deceased has been identified as AA Hamid. He was a PhD student in the Geography department of the AMU." "He was an Iraqi whose body was found in his rented apartment in Civil Lines area on Sunday," the CO said. Hamid was unwell, the CO added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) He's a talented actor who has wowed audiences in films ranging from The Mask Of Zorro to Shrek. And Antonio Banderas showed off his dance moves as he performed a spectacular routine at the 34th Goya Awards in Malaga, Spain, on Saturday. The star, 59, who took home a gong for Best Actor in movie Pain And Glory, looked fantastic as he took to the stage in a gold top hat and shimmering suit. All round performer! Antonio Banderas, 59, showed off his dance moves as he performed a spectacular routine at the 34th Goya Awards in Malaga, Spain, on Saturday Antonio's performance outfit boasted lines of sequins and a sparkly waistcoat which he wore over a yellow shirt and pale pink bow tie. He exuded confidence as he joined the row of dancers and took part in synchronized moves involving their top hats and made a can can line. Away from the stage, Antonio put on a more suave display in a black suit and made sure to pose up a storm on the red carpet. Winner: During the night the Mask Of Zorro star was presented with a gong for Best Actor after his stellar performance in film Pain And Glorry The actor completed his dapper ensemble with a black bow tie and a pair of shining black shoes. He was joined by girlfriend Nicole Kimpel, 38, who wowed in an emerald green ball-gown which came in slightly at the waist before floating into a full skirt. She donned a sensational diamond necklace and wore her caramel tresses perfectly straight and down for the awards night. Shake it! Antonio exuded confidence as he shook his stuff and took part in some synchronized moves with the other dancers Work it: He looked sensational in a gold top hat and shiny suit which was adorned with sequins Antonio's co-star Penelope Cruz was also at the Goya Awards and exuded elegance in a purple gown adorned with delicate flowers. It was a successful evening for Antonio's most recent project, Pain And Glory, with the film collecting seven gongs. These included Best Supporting Actress for Julieta Serrano, Best Director for Pedro Almodovar and wins in the Best Original Screenplay, Score and Film categories. Ta da! Antonio also donned a fancy waistcoat which he wore over a yellow shirt and with a pink bow tie Leading the pack: The actor was placed at the front of the dance troupe and appeared to be having a great time as he performed the routine Showing off his skills: The dancers and Antonio used their hats as props during the routine However Penelope lost out to Belen Cuestafor in the Best Actress category, with Belen taking home a gong for her role in The Endless Trench. Film Pain And Glory has already seen success at award shows, with it winning big at the Feroz Awards. The film is about a director who reflects on choices he's made as past and present come crashing down around him. Penelope plays a character called Jacinta while Antonio is character Salvador Mallo. Happy: Antonio could not stop smiling as he accepted his award on Saturday night All dressed up: Antonio was joined at the event by his glamorous girlfriend Nicole Kimpel, 38, looked fantastic as they cosied up on the red carpet together It won Best Drama Film, Best Director, Best Male Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Score and Best Screenplay in Spain's equivalent to the Golden Globes. Antonio is also celebrating his first Oscar nomination for his role in the film - and is waiting to find out if he has won on February 10. He tweeted: 'Very happy for the nominations. This is very important to me, for Spanish cinema and for all Spanish language cinema.' Great night: It was a successful evening for Antonio's Pain And Glory with the film collecting seven gongs including Antonio's Best Actor win Role: Pain And Glory is about a director who reflects on choices he's made as past and present come crashing down around him (pictured is Antonio celebrating his win at the Goya Awards) Sensational: Antonio put on a dapper display in his black suit and crisp white shirt Antonio has not previously been honoured with an Oscar nod, despite a stellar career including Evita, Philadelphia, The Mask of Zorro and The Skin I Live In. Spanish drama Pain and Glory, originally titled Dolor y gloria, also received a nomination in the Best International Feature category. First to congratulate him on the honour was ex-wife Melanie Griffith who shared a photo of the pair on Instagram, as she gushed 'so happy for you and so proud of you!!' Co-stars: Penelope and Antonio (pictured together) were both nominated at the Goya awards for their roles in Pain And Glory, but Penelope missed out on a win Melanie shared an adorable throwback shot of the couple and captioned it: 'CONGRATULATIONS ANTONIO!!! Academy Award Nomination for Best Actor!! I am so happy for you and so proud of you!! Bravo Guapo!!!' The couple were married for 18 years before splitting in 2015. However the friendly ex's remain close friend with Antonio often referring to the star as his 'family'. Patna: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, at a press conference in Patna on Friday, continued to rail against his own party leader and national vice president Pavan Varma who earlier spoke against him on the issue of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Registration of Citizens (NRC) that has ruffled the feathers of the Chief Minister and other Janata Dal-U leaders. When asked about if he was planning to reprimand Varma for his contradicting tone on the issue of CAA and NRC, instead of answering the question, Kumar slammed his national vice president saying it was improper for him to fire a letter to him and then go straight to the media to criticize him. "What is he trying to accomplish by sending a letter to me or making a post on Twitter and then running to the media? Is this any way to express one's disagreement? These letters and twitters don't mean a thing and I don't pay any attention to them," the Chief Minister said at the sideline of an event organized to mark the birth anniversary of former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur. Chastising both Varma and his what appears to be soon-to-be former political advisor Prashant Kishor, Kumar said that he remained steadfast on his support of CAA and NRC and those who were unhappy with his decision were free to leave the JD-U and join some other party of their choice. Oman's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah will meet Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in Tehran on Sunday to discuss maritime security in the Hormuz strait, Oman's foreign ministry tweeted. Oman maintains friendly ties with both the United States and Iran and has previously been a go-between for the two countries, which severed diplomatic ties after the 1979 Iranian revolution. Search Keywords: Short link: Staff members monitor thermal scanners that detect temperatures of passengers who have just landed, at the arrival terminal in Beijing Capital International Airport By Yilei Sun and David Stanway SHANGHAI (Reuters) - The ability of the coronavirus to spread is getting stronger and infections could continue to rise, China's National Health Commission said on Sunday, with more than 2,000 people globally infected and 56 in China killed by the disease. National Health Commission Minister Ma Xiaowei, speaking at a press briefing, said knowledge of the virus was limited. Ma said the incubation period for the coronavirus can range from one to 14 days, and that the virus is infectious during incubation, which was not the case with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), a coronavirus that originated in China and killed nearly 800 people globally in 2002 and 2003. Containment efforts, which have thus far included transportation and travel curbs and the cancellation of big events, will be intensified, Ma told a crowded news briefing on the second day of the Lunar New Year holiday. The virus, believed to have originated late last year in a seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan that was illegally selling wildlife, has spread to Chinese cities including Beijing and Shanghai, as well as the United States, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Australia, France and Canada. President Xi Jinping said during a politburo meeting on Saturday that China was facing a "grave situation", as health authorities around the world scrambled to prevent a pandemic. On Sunday, China announced a nationwide ban on the sale of wildlife in markets, restaurants, and e-commerce platforms. Wild and often poached animals packed together in Chinese markets are blamed as incubators for viruses to evolve and jump the species barrier to humans. Snakes, peacocks, crocodiles and other species can also be found for sale via Taobao, an e-commerce website run by Alibaba. The U.S. State Department said it will relocate personnel at its Wuhan consulate to the United States and will offer a limited number of seats to private U.S. citizens on a Jan. 28 flight to San Francisco. Story continues The World Health Organisation this week stopped short of calling the outbreak a global health emergency, but some health experts question whether China can continue to contain the epidemic. On Sunday, China confirmed 1,975 cases of patients infected with the new coronavirus as of Jan. 25, while the death toll from the virus has risen to 56, state broadcaster CCTV reported. The outbreak has prompted widening curbs on movements within China, with Wuhan, a city of 11 million, on virtual lockdown, with transports links all-but severed except for emergency vehicles. Health authorities in Beijing urged people not to shake hands but instead salute using a traditional cupped-hand gesture. The advice was sent in a text message that went out to mobile phone users in the city on Sunday morning. CANCELLATIONS AND MISTRUST China has called for transparency in managing the crisis, after a cover-up of the spread of the deadly SARS virus eroded public trust, but officials in Wuhan have been criticised for their handling of the current outbreak. "People in my hometown all suspect the real infected patients number given by authorities," said Violet Li, who lives in the Wuhan district where the seafood market is located. "I go out with a mask twice a day to walk the dog - that's the only outdoor activity," she told Reuters by text message. The outbreak has overshadowed the start of the Lunar New Year, when hundreds of millions of Chinese travel at home and abroad to be with families, with public events cancelled and many tourist sites shut. Many cinemas across China are also closed with major film premieres postponed, slashing revenues. Theatres in the country took in just 1.81 million yuan ($262,167) from tickets on Saturday, a tiny fraction of the 1.46 billion yuan on the Lunar New Year Day in 2019, according to data from movie-ticketing company Maoyan. Cruise operators including Royal Caribbean Cruises, Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises and Astro Ocean Cruises said that they cancelled a combined 12 cruises that had been scheduled to embark from Chinese ports before February 2. The newly identified coronavirus has created alarm because there are still many unknowns surrounding it, such as how dangerous it is and how easily it spreads between people. It can cause pneumonia, which has been deadly in some cases. VIRUS SPREADING OUTSIDE CHINA On Saturday, Hong Kong declared a virus emergency, scrapped celebrations and restricted links to mainland China. Hong Kong Disneyland and the city's Ocean Park theme park were closed on Sunday. Shanghai Disneyland, which expected 100,000 visitors daily through the Lunar New Year holidays, has already closed. In Hong Kong, with five confirmed cases, the city's leader Carrie Lam said on Saturday that flights and high speed rail trips between the city and Wuhan will be halted. Schools in Hong Kong that are currently on Lunar New Year holidays will remain closed until Feb. 17. On Saturday, Canada declared the first "presumptive" confirmed case of the virus in a resident who had returned from Wuhan. Australia confirmed its first four cases on Saturday, Malaysia confirmed four and France reported Europe's first cases on Friday. Airports around the world have stepped up screening of passengers from China, although some health officials and experts have questioned the effectiveness of such screenings. In an illustration of how such efforts could miss cases, doctors at a Paris hospital said two of the three Chinese nationals in France who have been diagnosed with the virus had arrived in the country without showing any symptoms. A report by infectious disease specialists at Imperial College, London on Saturday said the epidemic "represents a clear and ongoing global health threat," adding: "It is uncertain at the current time whether it is possible to contain the continuing epidemic within China." ($1 = 6.9040 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Yilei Sun, Samuel Shen, Huizhong Wu, Se Young Lee, Shivani Singh, Cheng Leng and Martin Pollard; Writing by Tony Munroe; Editing by Michael Perry) An Israeli-US woman sentenced by a Russian court to seven-and-a-half years in jail for drug trafficking has asked President Vladimir Putin for a pardon, her lawyers were quoted as saying Sunday. Naama Issachar "decided to ask the Russian president for a pardon and a written request has been filed," the lawyers said in a statement quoted by Russian press agencies. Issachar, 26, was arrested at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport in April as she travelled from India to Israel. Russian authorities said they found nine grammes (three ounces) of cannabis in her checked luggage. The announcement of her request for a pardon was made two days after Issachar's mother Yaffa met Putin when he was on an official visit to Israel. Following the meeting, the mother told media that Putin had "promised" he would send her daughter back home. Putin said he had sought to reassure the mother: "I told her, and I shall say it again: everything will be fine." On Saturday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said Issachar could not be pardoned unless she asked to be. "How can you issue a pardon if the young woman does ask for one?" Peskov was quoted by agencies as saying. "You must at least respect a few formalities to get the process started," he added. A discussion with her lawyers after those remarks led to Issachar deciding to make a formal request in writing, the lawyers were quoted as saying. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yaffa Issachar had already asked Putin several times to free the young woman. In December, Issachar lost an appeal against the seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence, which Netanyahu has described as disproportionate. The Israeli foreign ministry had called the verdict "harsh and disproportionate" and President Reuven Rivlin had appealed to Putin's "mercy and compassion" when asking him to intervene in the case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) Nigerian teenager, Leah Sharibu, who was abducted from her boarding school in the northeast by Boko Haram terrorists, gave birth to a baby boy early on Saturday Our Lady of Lavang Lion Dance Team performs during the 2020 Lunar New Year Festival in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 25, 2020. (Anntaninna Biondo | MLive.com) GRAND RAPIDS, MI Hundreds huddled in a heated tent to kick off the Lunar New Year Saturday, Jan. 25, in downtown Grand Rapids. People celebrated with food and dancing from Asian cultures and a special lion dance performed by the Our Lady of Lavang Lion Dance Team. Notably, 2020 marks the Year of the Rat and the start of another 12-year cycle of the Chinese lunar calendar. Don't Edit Don't Edit The Lunar New Year Festival is one of many events in the World of Winter Festival in Grand Rapids, running now until Feb. 16. If you would like to purchase any of the photos below, please click this link. Don't Edit Event coordinator Kathy Bui, 23, sets up a table during the 2020 Lunar New Year Festival in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 25, 2020. (Anntaninna Biondo | MLive.com) Don't Edit Performers set up during the 2020 Lunar New Year Festival in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 25, 2020. (Anntaninna Biondo | MLive.com) Don't Edit Don't Edit Our Lady of Lavang Lion Dance Team performs during the 2020 Lunar New Year Festival in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 25, 2020. (Anntaninna Biondo | MLive.com) Don't Edit Allina Thepvong, 11, watches her dance during the 2020 Lunar New Year Festival in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 25, 2020. (Anntaninna Biondo | MLive.com) Don't Edit Dana Moeller puts paint on her son Michael, 10, during the 2020 Lunar New Year Festival in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 25, 2020. (Anntaninna Biondo | MLive.com) Don't Edit People carry in a dragon during the 2020 Lunar New Year Festival in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 25, 2020. (Anntaninna Biondo | MLive.com) Don't Edit Performers set up during the 2020 Lunar New Year Festival in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 25, 2020. (Anntaninna Biondo | MLive.com) Don't Edit Don't Edit Our Lady of Lavang Lion Dance Team performs during the 2020 Lunar New Year Festival in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 25, 2020. (Anntaninna Biondo | MLive.com) Don't Edit Our Lady of Lavang Lion Dance Team puts on their costume during the 2020 Lunar New Year Festival in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 25, 2020. (Anntaninna Biondo | MLive.com) Don't Edit Part of the lion dance costume during the 2020 Lunar New Year Festival in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 25, 2020. (Anntaninna Biondo | MLive.com) Don't Edit Our Lady of Lavang Lion Dance Team performs during the 2020 Lunar New Year Festival in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 25, 2020. (Anntaninna Biondo | MLive.com) Don't Edit People carry in a dragon during the 2020 Lunar New Year Festival in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 25, 2020. (Anntaninna Biondo | MLive.com) Don't Edit Don't Edit Traditional Chinese decorations hang during the 2020 Lunar New Year Festival in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 25, 2020. (Anntaninna Biondo | MLive.com) Don't Edit From left, Leo Gallagher, Isaac DuBois and Caleb Lawson practice outside before their performance of "Paper Lanterns" by the Wu-Force during the 2020 Lunar New Year Festival in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 25, 2020. (Anntaninna Biondo | MLive.com) Don't Edit Our Lady of Lavang Lion Dance Team performs during the 2020 Lunar New Year Festival in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 25, 2020. (Anntaninna Biondo | MLive.com) Don't Edit Performers set up during the 2020 Lunar New Year Festival in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 25, 2020. (Anntaninna Biondo | MLive.com) Don't Edit Our Lady of Lavang Lion Dance Team performs during the 2020 Lunar New Year Festival in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 25, 2020. (Anntaninna Biondo | MLive.com) Don't Edit Don't Edit A child reacts to the lion dance during the 2020 Lunar New Year Festival in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 25, 2020. (Anntaninna Biondo | MLive.com) Don't Edit A performer warms up during the 2020 Lunar New Year Festival in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 25, 2020. (Anntaninna Biondo | MLive.com) "No thanks!" was Donald Trump's response on Twitter, while underscoring that the US will not withdraw sanctions on Iran in order to enter a negotiation with the country. Donald Trump's response came after after Iranian Foreign Minister suggested that Tehran was willing to negotiation, on the condition that the US lifts crippling sanctions against the country. Further, nudging that it is the US that is averting negotiation. "Iranian Foreign Minister says 'Iran wants to negotiate with The United States, but wants sanctions removed.' No Thanks!" Trump tweeted in English on Saturday and then in Farsi. In response, Zarif tweeted an excerpt from the interview and said, "Donald Trump is better advised to base its foreign policy comments and decisions on facts, rather than Fox New headlines or his Farso translators." READ| US-Iran tensions: Israel, China, Russia pick sides; here's how rest of the world reacted "The Trump administration can correct its past, lift the sanctions, and come back to the negotiation table. We're still at the negotiation table," Javad Zarif, the foreign minister of Iran had said previously. "They're the ones who left," he added, extending their hand for negotiation to douse the tensions. Iran-US tensions Last month, tensions between Iran and the US peaked after Donald Trump directed to assassinate IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani, who was considered as the second most important important person in the country after the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In retaliation, Iran first, in unison, passed a Bill to designate the US military as "terrorists", then fired missiles days at Iraq bases where US troops are stationed. Iranian state media claimed that '80 American terrorists' were killed in the missiles fired to Iraq. Further adding that US military equipment was "severely damaged." READ| Iran strikes US base in Iraq: World divided, oil prices surge; everything you need to know Three more FIRs were filed against JNU student Sharjeel Imam for the 'seditious' speech he made while addressing anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protest at Aligarh Muslim University on January 16. It is to be noted that two sedition cases have already been filed by Assam and Uttar Pradesh against Imam. The video of Imam's speech was released by BJP on Saturday (January 25) and in the video, he can be heard telling a small crowd that Muslims must get united and cut Assam from rest of India. If we have five lakh people with us, we can cut off the Northeast from India. If not permanently, for one or two months. Put rubble on tracks and roads. Assam aur India katke alag ho jaaye, tabhi ye humari baat sunenge (Once Assam is cut off, then only they will listen to us) We can do that because the Chickens Neck corridor (connecting Northeast to rest of India) is dominated by Muslims, Imam had said. On Sunday (January 26), Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said that a sedition case was registered by Itanagar Crime Branch against Imam in connection with his speech at AMU. This kind of provocation inciting secession of Assam & other NEstates from rest of India, creating communal disharmony, hampering severeignty & territorial Integrity of India will not be tolerated. Crime branch Itanagar have registered Case no.2/2020 U/S124(A)/153(A)153(B) IPC, Khandu tweeted. The Manipur government has also filed an FIR in connection with this case. Taking cognisance of the objectionable video of Mr Sharjeel Imam, in which he threatened to sever Northeast from the rest of country, the Manipur Police has filed an FIR (No. 16(1)2020 IPS) under sections 121/121-A/124-A/ 120-B /153 IPC, tweeted Rajat Sethi, an advisor to Manipur CM. Live TV Delhi Police Crime Branch also registered a case under Section 153 of the IPC (Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) against Imam. Imam was once an active volunteer at the Shaheen Bagh protest site but he ended his association with Shaheen Bagh protest on January 2 after the protesters refused to accept his call to end the ongoing anti-CAA protest. Death toll hits 56 as Xi declares virus a grave threat WORLD: China today (Jan 26) expanded drastic travel restrictions to contain a viral contagion that President Xi Jinping said posed a grave threat, as the death toll reached 56 and Shanghai reported its first fatality. healthChinesedeathCoronavirusCOVID-19 By AFP Sunday 26 January 2020, 11:50AM The virus has continued to spread across China despite the drastic travel restrictions and people wearing face masks. Photo: AFP The Chinese military has deployed hundreds of medics to Wuhan, the epicentre of the viral outbreak. Photo: AFP China has locked down the worst-hit province of Hubei in the countrys centre in a massive quarantine affecting tens of millions of people to slow the spread of a respiratory illness that has killed 56 people and infected almost 2,000. The virus has also spread around the world, with cases confirmed in around a dozen other countries as distant as France, Australia and the United States, the latter reporting its second case yesterday (Jan 25); Canada reported its first confirmed case yesterday. Five cases have been confirmed in Hong Kong where Chief Executive Carrie Lam declared the outbreak an emergency and stated that all primary and secondary schools would be closed for an additional two weeks after the new year holiday. 29 cities and provinces in China have been affected. In the epicentre city of Wuhan, Hubeis capital, new restrictions went into effect today banning most cars from the streets of the metropolis of 11 million. The normally bustling streets of Wuhan were deserted this morning, with staff at a hotel telling AFP they had to walk to work. Authorities have also started to curtail travel in other parts of the country. Long-distance bus services entering and leaving Beijing, the capital of 20 million, were suspended on Sunday. The neighbouring northern city of Tianjin, with a population 15 million, announced it would follow suit on Monday. Overseas Chinese tour groups will be suspended from tomorrow (Jan 27) while domestic trips have already been halted since Friday (Jan 24). The nationwide death toll rose to 56 after 15 new deaths, most in Hubei. In a worrying sign for containment efforts, the countrys financial hub Shanghai this morning reported its first death from the virus - an 88-year-old man with pre-existing health problems. The death was the first reported in a major city outside of Hubeis capital of Wuhan, where the outbreak is believed to have originated in a seafood and live animal market. The government has said most of the fatalities involved people already weakened by pre-existing health conditions. Fearing a repeat of the deadly SARS epidemic of 2002-03, China has dramatically scaled back celebrations and travel associated with the week-long Lunar New Year holiday, which began on Friday, to prevent large gatherings of people. Xi said at a Communist Party leadership meeting on the situation that China was faced with the grave situation of an accelerating spread of the virus. Pop-up hospitals Chinas military has dispatched 450 medics, many with experience combating infectious diseases, to help treat patients in Wuhan, where hospitals are overwhelmed and medical supplies like goggles and masks running low. Yesterday, when they should have been celebrating Lunar New Years Day, people waiting at one Wuhan hospital complained bitterly. It takes at least five hours to see a doctor, one woman, who didnt want to be named, told AFP. One man in his 30s said some people had to queue for two days. Many people brought their own chairs. Wuhan is racing to build two makeshift field hospitals within a fortnight to add hundreds of beds. Work on the first facility began Friday and could be ready in just over a week, according to state media. Yesterday, police manning a roadblock on the citys outskirts turned away a handful of vehicles trying to exit Wuhan. Nobody can leave, an officer told AFP. But some foreigners may soon be on the way out, with Frances government and the French carmaker PSA - which has a sizable presence in Wuhan - formulating plans to evacuate staff and relatives. Those people are expected to face a quarantine period in another Chinese city. Chinas National Health Commission has ordered nationwide measures to detect and isolate people carrying the virus on planes, trains and buses across the country. The crisis has seen public attractions such as Beijings Forbidden City, Shanghai Disneyland and a section of the Great Wall closed as a precaution. She recently made a big move from London to Los Angeles. And Lottie Moss is clearly enjoying the sunnier climes across the pond as she soaked up the sun during a trip to nearby Cabo San Lucas, Mexico on Saturday. The 22-year-old model looked incredible as she showed off her figure in a cow print bikini while froclicking on the beach with her pal Edward Page near the Nobu hotel. Life's a beach: Lottie Moss is clearly enjoying the sunnier climes across the pond as she soaked up the sun during a trip to nearby Cabo San Lucas, Mexico on Saturday The star appeared in good spirits as she laughed and joked while sporting the skimpy two-piece which barely contained her assets. Lottie showcased her birds tattoo on her rib cage as she rocked the string bikini top paired with high-waisted thong bottoms. The younger sister of super model Kate Moss had initially donned a white wrap top, before peeling it off to display her slender physique beneath. The catwalk star showcased her natural beauty by going make-up free for the beach outing while her blonde tresses were swept up into a messy bun. Bikini babe: The 22-year-old model looked incredible as she showed off her figure in a cow print bikini while froclicking on the beach with her pal Edward Page near the Nobu hotel Sizzling: The star appeared in good spirits as she laughed and joked while sporting the skimpy two-piece which barely contained her assets Lottie was seen laughing away as she sauntered along the shore, shielding her eyes with a chunky pair of sunglasses. She and her pal Edward were clearly having a great time as they chatted and larked about on the sand. Lottie's big move to LA earlier this month was marred by her birthday drinks with pals, just hours before she jetted off. The newly-sober blonde was left upset after her bash was 'ruined' by her drunk pals who were thrown out of her 2K a night suite. Tatts nice: Lottie showcased her birds tattoo on her rib cage as she rocked the string bikini top paired with high-waisted thong bottoms Feeling hot? The younger sister of super model Kate Moss had initially donned a white wrap top, before peeling it off to display her slender physique beneath Antics: Lottie and Edward were having a great time as they ran along the beach A source told MailOnline that she was left feeling 'lonely and sad' after many of her close friends failed to turn up to the celebration and those who did attend ruined the night after being thrown out of Brown's hotel in London where she was staying. The source said that Lottie's night started off well as she headed to her suite st Brown's hotel in London after leaving Chelsea's Bluebird restaurant with her pals. They said: 'She was celebrating her 22nd birthday before she goes to LA tomorrow to live for two years. It's the last time she will see them in a while.' 'But as 16 of her friends headed back to her 2k suite at top hotel Brown's, things got a bit out of control and they were thrown out at 4am by furious staff.' Friendly outing: Lottie skips along the beach alongside pal Edward, who was sporting clashing prints with a zebra print shirt and blue spotted shorts Shore thing: Lottie was seen laughing away as she sauntered along the shore, shielding her eyes with a chunky pair of sunglasses Lovely: The catwalk star showcased her natural beauty by going make-up free for the beach outing while her blonde tresses were swept up into a messy bun Lottie was accompanied by a host of friends on the night, including Made In Chelsea's Emily Blackwell and Olivia Bentley, although there is nothing to suggest they were the cause of the trouble. The source continued: 'There were a lot of cling-ons, but she was upset because a lot of the Made In Chelsea cast she invited didnt show up.' However, Lottie didn't appear to show any signs of her birthday woes as she enjoyed her time in Mexico. Fun times: She and her pal Edward were clearly having a great time as they chatted and larked about on the sand Happy days: Lottie was clearly loving her time in Cabo as she hit the beach on Saturday You've got a friend in me: Lottie lay down in the sand while Edward leaned over her Mumbai, Jan 26 : The upcoming six-day trading week will keep investors on their toes due to the mega event of presentation of the Union Budget on Saturday. Much of the trading will also depend on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, which has killed 56 people in China and dimmed the mood of investors globally. Investors will take their cues most from the fiscal deficit target that the government sets for the next financial year. Amid tax collections falling below target, analysts say that the markets have already priced in the fiscal deficit to breach the target for the current year set at 3.3 per cent of the GDP. Anindya Banerjee of Kotak Securities said: "Fear of fiscal slippage in the Union Budget has caused an outflow nearly 1.6 billion from the debt market over the past 3 weeks." At the same time, relentless intervention from the central bank has not allowed the rupee to appreciate as much as its peers in Asia. These are the major reasons why the rupee has become one of the weakest currencies in Asia, Banerjee added. While the Economic survey report on Friday will provide further evidence on the extent of economic slowdown in India, expected measures to kickstart the economy in the Union Budget will provide direction to the equity markets, experts say. Besides, investors will keep an eye during the upcoming week on the quarterly numbers of heavyweights like HDFC, Maruti Suzuki, the Bajaj twins, Bharti Airtel, SBI, ITC, Power Grid, HUL and Tech Mahindra. Vinod Niar of Geojit Financial Service said that the market direction will depend on the actual budget announcements and the third quarters results, and that the broad market is still very solid in expectation of re-rating of valuations. "The Q3 result had solid expectations but actual results are marginally below expectation for sectors like IT and banks, leading to cautiousness in the market. We feel that this cautious trend will be maintained in the near-term," Nair said. The Indian stock markets will be open for normal trading on February 1, which is a Saturday, when the Union Budget is presented to the Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. (Ravi Dutta Mishra can be contacted at ravidutta.m@ians.in) - During an interview, DP Ruto alleged some powerful people were already looking for new witnesses in order to revive his ICC case - He said the move was a plot by the cartels to block his 2022 presidential bid - The ICC, however, denied Ruto's claims and moreover, information on the court's website also indicates the case was closed - Reports also recently emerged that DCI had reopened Ruto's old land fraud case which had been dismissed nine years ago over lack of evidence - Economist David Ndii opined that the reopening of the case was a plot by the State to finish the second in command The International Court of Justice (ICC) has denied claims that it is reopening Deputy President William Ruto's case three years after it was dismissed. Sources in the court said the Kenyan case was not revived a day after Ruto alleged his crimes against humanity case was being pursued. READ ALSO: Moses Kuria says he was red carded at BBI event for not standing when Raila entered venue DP Ruto in the ICC years ago. ICC said it was not reopening his case. Photo: BBC. Source: UGC READ ALSO: 74-year-old Busia man digs holy cave after instructions from God According to the Nation, the Hague based court said it is not after the second in command and information on the ICC's website also indicate both Ruto's and President Uhuru Kenyatta's case were closed. During an interview with NTV, the man from Sugoi claimed plans to revisit his case, which he was charged after the 2007-2008 post-election violence, were underway and was aimed at blocking his presidential bid. "There are characters who have already sent people to Kenya to resuscitate the ICC case against me," the DP said. READ ALSO: Mabawabu 6 wakamatwa kwa kuiba chakula cha wanafunzi na KSh 75K Ruto in a past event. He said cartels were out to revive his old cases. Photo: William Samoei Ruto. Source: Facebook He said cartels were revisiting his past cases in a plot to send him to imprison him in an attempt to frustrate his political ambitions. "They have already arrived at the ICC case and are now looking for new witnesses so that they can the case did not end well," Ruto said. This comes three days after it emerged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had reopened DP's old land fraud case nine years after it was dismissed. DCI headquarters in Nairobi. The DCI recently opened Ruto's land fraud case. Photo: DCI. Source: Twitter The man from Sugoi was acquitted in the land case in which he had been accused of defrauding Kenya Pipeline Corporation (KPC) KSh 276 million alongside two others. The court, however, dismissed the case citing lack of evidence. DCI grilled several people linked to the case and the DP saying they are tracing the money trail to find who received the hefty cash. Economist David Ndii opined that the resuscitation of the case was the State's plan to finish him and also sanitize Uhuru, his boss. Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly. Kenyan woman forces traffic police officer out of her car | Tuko TV. Source: TUKO.co.ke Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday appealed those involved in "seeking solutions to problems through violence" to return to the mainstream and asserted that dialogue is the only way to resolve any dispute. He said that the countrymen will be thrilled to know that insurgency in the North-East has considerably reduced. "Assam, which hosted the grand Khelo India Games successfully, was a witness to another great achievement. 644 militants from eight groups surrendered with their weapons," said Prime Minister Modi in the 61st edition of his monthly radio programme -- 'Mann Ki Baat'. "The countrymen will be thrilled to know that insurgency in the North-East has considerably reduced. And the biggest reason for that is that every issue of this region is being honestly and peacefully solved through dialogue," he said. "On the occasion of Republic Day, I would appeal to anyone who is still seeking solutions to problems through violence and weapons, to return to the mainstream. They should have faith in their own capabilities and that of the country to resolve issues peacefully," Modi said. The Prime Minister said that over 80 people shunned violence and returned to the mainstream in Tripura last year. "Last year in Tripura too, over 80 people shunned violence and returned to the mainstream. People picked up arms thinking that violence can resolve their problems. Now, they believe that peace and unity is the only way to resolve disputes," he said. "Those who had strayed towards the path of violence, have expressed their faith in peace and decided to become a partner in the country's progress and return to the mainstream," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 16:16:37|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close GUANGZHOU, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) - The import and export value of cross-border e-commerce in south China's Guangdong Province grew to 110.8 billion yuan (about 16.05 billion U.S. dollars) in 2019, up 45.8 percent from 2018, according to the provincial customs authorities. Customs authorities of Guangdong said the province's cross-border e-commerce import and export value last year accounted for about 60 percent of the country's total cross-border e-commerce value. The import value of Guangdong's cross-border e-commerce reached 36.62 billion yuan and the exports totaled 74.16 billion yuan, up 21.3 percent and 62 percent, respectively. Foreign trade in Guangdong continued to top the country at 7.14 trillion yuan in 2019, 0.2 percent lower than the previous year, according to the provincial customs. We wont know for many days whether those individuals were inadvertently transmitting the coronavirus to fellow travelers. In a worst case scenario, we may already have infected coronavirus carriers in every major city across the world, silently multiplying during the incubation phase. As weve previously reported, some carriers of coronavirus show no symptoms of fever or respiratory distress , making it nearly impossible for health authorities to identify them among other travelers. This means its almost certain that large numbers of coronavirus-infected residents of Wuhan were able to escape the quarantine there. Given the roughly 10-day incubation period of the virus, many of those people have already traveled to a long list of cities around the world, typically visiting family members as part of the Chinese New Year celebrations which are going on now. As the local government started announcing its intentions to lock down rail and air travel, citizens quickly took to the roadways to exit the city, traveling to other nearby cities where they were able to catch flights out of China. Some of those citizens flew to Taiwan, where family ties between China and Taiwan go back for several generations. ( Natural News ) From sources on the ground in Taiwan, speaking to mainland Chinese who fled Wuhan as the pandemic exploded there, we now know that at least 300,000 citizens of Wuhan fled the city by road as the quarantine was being hastily put in place for rail travel and airports. About the author: Mike Adams (aka the Health Ranger) is a best selling author (#1 best selling science book on Amazon.com called Food Forensics), an environmental scientist, a patent holder for a cesium radioactive isotope elimination invention, a multiple award winner for outstanding journalism, a science news publisher and influential commentator on topics ranging from science and medicine to culture and politics. Follow his videos, podcasts, websites and science projects at the links below. Mike Adams serves as the founding editor of NaturalNews.com and the lab science director of an internationally accredited (ISO 17025) analytical laboratory known as CWC Labs. There, he was awarded a Certificate of Excellence for achieving extremely high accuracy in the analysis of toxic elements in unknown water samples using ICP-MS instrumentation. Adams is also highly proficient in running liquid chromatography, ion chromatography and mass spectrometry time-of-flight analytical instrumentation. He has also achieved numerous laboratory breakthroughs in the programming of automated liquid handling robots for sample preparation and external standards prep. The U.S. patent office has awarded Mike Adams patent NO. US 9526751 B2 for the invention of Cesium Eliminator, a lifesaving invention that removes up to 95% of radioactive cesium from the human digestive tract. Adams has pledged to donate full patent licensing rights to any state or national government that needs to manufacture the product to save human lives in the aftermath of a nuclear accident, disaster, act of war or act of terrorism. He has also stockpiled 10,000 kg of raw material to manufacture Cesium Eliminator in a Texas warehouse, and plans to donate the finished product to help save lives in Texas when the next nuclear event occurs. No independent scientist in the world has done more research on the removal of radioactive elements from the human digestive tract. Adams is a person of color whose ancestors include Africans and American Indians. He is of Native American heritage, which he credits as inspiring his Health Ranger passion for protecting life and nature against the destruction caused by chemicals, heavy metals and other forms of pollution. Adams is the author of the worlds first book that published ICP-MS heavy metals analysis results for foods, dietary supplements, pet food, spices and fast food. The book is entitled Food Forensics and is published by BenBella Books. In his laboratory research, Adams has made numerous food safety breakthroughs such as revealing rice protein products imported from Asia to be contaminated with toxic heavy metals like lead, cadmium and tungsten. Adams was the first food science researcher to document high levels of tungsten in superfoods. He also discovered over 11 ppm lead in imported mangosteen powder, and led an industry-wide voluntary agreement to limit heavy metals in rice protein products. In addition to his lab work, Adams is also the (non-paid) executive director of the non-profit Consumer Wellness Center (CWC), an organization that redirects 100% of its donations receipts to grant programs that teach children and women how to grow their own food or vastly improve their nutrition. Through the non-profit CWC, Adams also launched Nutrition Rescue, a program that donates essential vitamins to people in need. Click here to see some of the CWC success stories. With a background in science and software technology, Adams is the original founder of the email newsletter technology company known as Arial Software. Using his technical experience combined with his love for natural health, Adams developed and deployed the content management system currently driving NaturalNews.com. He also engineered the high-level statistical algorithms that power SCIENCE.naturalnews.com, a massive research resource featuring over 10 million scientific studies. Adams is well known for his incredibly popular consumer activism video blowing the lid on fake blueberries used throughout the food supply. He has also exposed strange fibers found in Chicken McNuggets, fake academic credentials of so-called health gurus, dangerous detox products imported as battery acid and sold for oral consumption, fake acai berry scams, the California raw milk raids, the vaccine research fraud revealed by industry whistleblowers and many other topics. Adams has also helped defend the rights of home gardeners and protect the medical freedom rights of parents. Adams is widely recognized to have made a remarkable global impact on issues like GMOs, vaccines, nutrition therapies, human consciousness. In addition to his activism, Adams is an accomplished musician who has released over fifteen popular songs covering a variety of activism topics. Click here to read a more detailed bio on Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, at HealthRanger.com. Find more science, news, commentary and inventions from the Health Ranger at: Brighteon.com: Brighteon.com/channel/hrreport Diaspora: (uncensored social network) Share.NaturalNews.com GAB: GAB.com/healthranger Podcasts: HealthRangerReport.com Online store: HealthRangerStore.com #1 Bestselling Science Book Food Forensics: FoodForensics.com iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-health-ranger-report/id1063165791 SoundCloud: Soundcloud.com/healthranger Health Rangers science lab CWClabs.com Health Ranger bio HealthRanger.com TruthWiki.org Search engine: Webseed.com The Veterans of Foreign Wars, the nation's largest veterans group, is asking President Trump to apologize for minimizing the injuries of troops sustained in an attack from Iran on a U.S. base in Iraq. Context: Iran attacked a U.S. base in Iraq after an American drone killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani. Trump had originally said U.S. soldiers didn't suffer any injuries, but the Pentagon confirmed on Friday that 34 soldiers suffered from traumatic brain injuries. Trump said at a news conference earlier this week that he did not consider the injuries very serious. "I heard that they had headaches, and a couple of other things. No, I dont consider them very serious injuries relative to other injuries that Ive seen, the Wall Street Journal quotes the president as saying. Ive seen people with no legs and no arms. What they're saying: "In light of today's announcement from the Defense Department that 34 U.S. service members suffered traumatic brain injuries [TBI] as a result of Iran's retaliatory strike and President Trump's remarks which minimized these troops injuries, the Veterans of Foreign Wars cannot stand idle on this matter." "TBI is a serious injury and one that cannot be taken lightly. TBI is known to cause depression, memory loss, severe headaches, dizziness and fatigue all injuries that come with both short- and long-term effects." "The VFW expects an apology from the president to our service men and women for his misguided remarks. And, we ask that he and the White House join with us in our efforts to educate Americans of the dangers TBI has on these heroes as they protect our great nation in these trying times. Our warriors require our full support more than ever in this challenging environment." William Doc Schmitz, VFW National Commander The White House declined to comment. Go deeper: Report: China's Xi Holds Politburo Meeting to Address 'Grave Situation' With Coronavirus By VOA News January 25, 2020 Chinese President Xi Jinping called a politburo meeting Saturday to discuss ways to contain the deadly coronavirus, declaring the country is facing a "grave situation," state television reported. The meeting took place as the new virus stopped all Lunar New Year celebrations for tens of millions of Chinese. According to the report, Xi told politburo members the coronavirus is "accelerating its spread" and that experts and other resources would be concentrated at specific hospitals to treat severe cases of the illness. This comes as the U.S. government is planning to evacuate American diplomats, their families, and other U.S. citizens from Wuhan on Sunday, The Wall Street Journal is reporting Saturday. The report, which cites a person familiar with the plans, said the U.S. consulate there is contacting the estimated 1,000 Americans it is aware of in the city of 11 million people. Americans who are evacuated will be responsible for the cost of the evacuation via a plane that seats about 230 people, the person said. Chinese state TV also says the government will treat all cases expeditiously, regardless of cost, and will guarantee that supplies are shipped to the Hubei province and its capital of Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak. Meanwhile, Russia is talking with the China about the possibility of evacuating Russian citizens from the Chinese city Wuhan and also Hubei province, according to the RIA news agency, which cited the Russian embassy. RIA is quoting the Russian embassy's press person in China saying there are no Russians inffected with the coronavirus. China's National Health Commission says the death toll from the new virus has jumped to 41, with more than 1,200 infections in 29 provinces across the country. Fifteen medical workers are among those who have been infected. One doctor has died. Hundreds of medical personnel have been deployed to Wuhan, where the virus emerged late last year. Wuhan, like 16 other Chinese cities, has been shuttered, in an effort to contain the coronavirus. The local government of the virus-hit city said Saturday, "Motor vehicles shall be prohibited from driving in the central urban areas." Beijing's Forbidden City and Shanghai Disneyland have been closed indefinitely. Popular tourist destination Sanya city in Hainan province has closed all tourist sites to prevent the spread of the virus. Hong Kong, which has confirmed five cases of the virus in the territory, has declared a state of emergency, canceling the official Lunar New Year celebration and closing schools. The virus is making is slowly making its way around the world. Five cases have been reported in Thailand. Australia has reported four cases. France, Japan, Malaysia and Taiwan have each reported three cases. Both the United States and Vietnam have confirmed two cases. Nepal and Canada have reported one case each. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address An operative of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on Sunday shot the 2019 senatorial candidate of the Action Alliance in Imo North Senatorial District, Ndubuisi Emenike. The police spokesperson in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, confirmed that the incident had been reported to the police. The incident took place around 5 pm during a victory party for the All Progressives Congress candidate, Miriam Onuoha. The APC candidate had been declared by Independent National Electoral Commission as the winner of the rerun election in Okigwe North Federal Constituency held on Saturday. However, the victory party hosted at the APCs candidate house at Umunachi in the Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of the state was aborted after the NSCDC officer attached to the AA senator mistakenly shot his boss. It was gathered that he was shooting consistently into the air and mistakenly shot Ndubuisi Emenike. The victim fell and lost consciousness and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, St Josephs Hospital, Umunachi, before he was later rushed to the Federal Medical Center, Owerri, in an ambulance. One of the sources said, Ndubuisi Emenike has been shot by one of his security aides. He was shot during APC victory party at Isiala Mbano LGA. He was shot at his lower abdomen by his aide, an NSCDC officer. This is very tragic and very unbelievable. We pray he makes it. The incident has shattered our victory party. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates BT Poll: Mixed reviews on Govt. performance View(s): Most respondents to a Business Times (BT) poll this week, assessing the new governments performance so far, gave a mixed response while on the topic of the cost of living the majority view was that the administration had failed to bring down prices. The survey which posed four questions and requested a Yes (Y), No (N) or Unsure (U) answer, sought responses on the performance, economic policies, appointments to high posts and the cost of living. It was clear, according to many respondents, that the decision-making of the government was aimed at securing a 2/3rds majority at the forthcoming parliamentary election. On the question of the new government faring well so far, 44.28 per cent of the respondents said Yes, 30 per cent were Unsure while 25.7 per cent said No. On the new governments economic policies being sound, 47 per cent replied with U, 34.3 per cent said N while the balance 18.5 per cent said Y. On whether suitable people including technocrats have been appointed as heads of state agencies and to boards of directors, 35.7 per cent said N, 34.3 per cent said U while 30 per cent said Y. On the final question on the cost of living, 60 per cent said N it hasnt reduced, 22.8 per cent were U and 17 per cent said Y it has reduced. Respondents said despite the promise of not appointing friends and relatives and appointing a high level committee to make recommendations to high posts, family bandyism has crept into these appointments. In fact nepotism seems to be the rule, said one respondent. Another respondent said it was crystal clear that the main thrust of the new government is to secure a 2/3rd majority at the next election. Among other comments were: The Government has performed as well as could be expected. But the steep cut in VAT and the potential shock to state finances is bad. So is the hiring spree of badly educated and unemployable graduates. All SMEs which were promptly paid during the last regime are in serious trouble as state agencies are defaulting on payments saying the allocation has not been received for the next four months as yet. Down the line everybody is getting affected. This may be due to loss of revenue due to reducing taxes to unrealistic levels. None of the rational pre-election pledges has been fulfilled. The economy is heading for disaster, as they liberally hand out extravagant goodies with a view to obtaining a 2/3rds majority at the general election and obtain loans they can ill-afford to settle. Californian, non-national buddies and family members have been appointed to highly technical positions while the cost of living is soaring. A new broom sweeps clean, but an old brush knows the corners. And a general election is round the corner! So, this new broom appears to be knowing the corners well enough. n Too early to comment on the performance. This is the age old game between the capitalist type of governance of UNP versus so-called people friendly approach of socialist SLFP/SLPP. Only time will tell, whether these people-friendly methods will fill Government coffers and lead Sri Lanka to sustainable prosperity. Let us see whether the tax concessions and other economic goodies that have been unleashed will kick start economic prosperity for all. Unlikely that this will happen particularly in helping Sri Lanka meet debt re-payment obligations. In fact, I am almost sure we are poised to get into more debt than ever. Yes, appointments are a good start to get fresh thinking in. But there are technocrats and technocratsand no area of expertise is without its sycophants and scoundrels. What will matter however is how well these paragons of virtue acquire or harness the knowledge and expertise necessary to run their particular establishments to the highest professional standards sans corruption. The President ordered that the wage for plantation workers be increased to Rs. 1000. On the face of it, this is excellent. In fact I do think they deserve even more than Rs.1000 if you consider what we pay semi-skilled labour at our homes. However, a blanket pronouncement such as this, without consulting stakeholders in the industry just reinforces my belief that this is purely a vote catching exercise. TORONTO - A man in his 50s who travelled to Toronto from China earlier this week has become the first Canadian case of the new coronavirus, health officials said Saturday as they urged calm in the face of an international outbreak. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/1/2020 (718 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Dr. David Williams, centre, Chief Medical Officer of Health, is joined by Andy Smith, President and CEO of Sunnybrook Health Sciences, left to right, Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health for the City of Toronto, Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health, Christine Elliott, Minister of Health, and Dr. Peter Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Public Health Ontario, as they attend a news conference in Toronto on Saturday, January 25, 2020, as officials announce that Canada's first presumptive positive case of the Coronavirus is being treated at Toronto's Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, after arriving on a flight from China. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young TORONTO - A man in his 50s who travelled to Toronto from China earlier this week has become the first Canadian case of the new coronavirus, health officials said Saturday as they urged calm in the face of an international outbreak. Dr. David Williams, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, said the case was considered "presumptive positive" until the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg finds the same positive results as the tests conducted in Toronto. Still, officials said they were taking all precautions to keep people safe, interviewing all those who were in contact with the man between Wednesday, when he landed in Toronto, and Thursday, when he went to hospital. "The risk to Ontarians is still low and things are managed and well-controlled," Williams said. "As I hoped, the system is operating as it should." Williams said provincial authorities are also working with their federal counterparts to contact people who sat within a few rows of the man on the plane he took to Toronto, but he noted that even those people shouldn't worry too much. "You have to be more than just casually walking by someone," he said. He added that the widely available information about the illness appears to have contributed to the early detection of this case. "The individual, knowing his responsibility, when feeling unwell, even without having really severe symptoms, was concerned enough and informed prompt enough," Williams said. "That just tells you that people have knowledge of it, they want to take proper precautions to protect their health and protect their family members and others." His deputy, Dr. Barbara Yaffe, said the positive test result came in on Saturday afternoon, two days after the patient called 911 to report feeling ill. As of Saturday evening, he was in stable condition in a negative pressure room, which is used in hospitals to contain airborne contaminants. "The emergency service was aware of his travel history and used full precautions," she said, noting he had spent time in Wuhan, the virus's epicentre. The news of Canada's first coronavirus patient comes as authorities around the world grapple with the new type of virus, which originated in China but has since spread to Europe and North America. There are more than 1,975 cases so far, including three in France and two in the United States. While 56 people have died of the virus in China most of the deaths have been older patients the World Health Organization has not declared the outbreak an international public health emergency. Toronto Mayor John Tory stressed in a statement following news of the city's first coronavirus case that health officials have made it clear the risk continues to remain low. He also praised the city's public health officials for their quick response. "Our front-line health-care workers are the best in the world and have procedures in place to keep people safe," Tory said. Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu echoed the sentiment in a written statement, saying officials are taking all necessary precautions. "The Government of Canada has been working closely with provincial and territorial counterparts, and international partners, since China first reported 2019-nCoV cases to ensure that our country is prepared to limit the spread of 2019-nCoV in Canada," she said. The new virus comes from a large family of coronaviruses, some causing nothing worse than a common cold. But in late 2002, a coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome erupted in southern China, causing a severe pneumonia that rapidly spread to other countries. SARS infected more than 8,000 people and killed nearly 800, including 44 Canadians. Toronto was hard hit in that outbreak. In 2012, another coronavirus dubbed Middle East respiratory syndrome began sickening people in Saudi Arabia. MERS is still prevalent, causing small numbers of infections each year. The World Health Organization has counted nearly 2,500 cases in the Middle East and beyond, and more than 850 deaths. SARS and MERS came from animals, and this newest virus almost certainly did, too. The first people infected visited or worked at a seafood market in the Chinese city of Wuhan, which has been placed under quarantine since the outbreak. Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Bustling streets, malls and other public spaces have turned eerily quiet, masks are mandatory in public, and some hospitals have run low on medical supplies. Transportation has also been shut down in roughly a dozen Chinese cities, home to roughly 36 million people. Canadian officials have said such mass quarantines won't happen here, even if there is an outbreak. It is not clear how lethal the new coronavirus is or even whether it is as dangerous as the ordinary flu, which results in 12,200 hospitalizations and about 3,500 deaths in Canada yearly. The federal government has beefed up measures at major airports in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, asking travellers whether they had been to Wuhan in the past 14 days, with a positive response triggering further investigation. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 25, 2020. with files from Rob Drinkwater in Edmonton. Iranian media have characterized the anti-U.S. demonstrations in Baghdad on Friday January 24 as a "million-strong show of opposition to Washington and an affirmation of Irans policies. Some Iranian agencies even went out of their way posting pictures of an earlier demonstration in Karbala to prove the point. Thousands of Iraqis took part in the demonstrations, demanding an end to U.S. military presence in Iraq. The demonstrations were called by Muqtada al-Sadr, a cleric close to Iran, whose loyalty to the Iranian leadership has had fluctuations over time while he has been manoeuvring to garner support from the Iraqi public during the past years. According to Fararu news website on January 22, Iran has also showed a renewed interest in Sadr. "The rise in Iran's interest in Al-Sadr was evident in his recent meeting with the leaders of Iraq's armed groups in Qom in Iran. On January 13, Muqtada al-Sadr held a meeting with some of the leaders of the Iraqi Hashd al-Sha'bi militia in Qom with the objective of putting an end to military presence in Iraq," the website said. Fararu wrote that while in Qom, "Sadr announced the establishment of a group named International Resistance and, called for a million-strong march in Iraq to demand the expulsion of U.S. forces." This is apparently the demonstration that took place on January 24. However, as observed by the IRGC-linked website Javan Online, Muqtada al-Sadr re-aligned his political positions with the Islamic Republic particularly after a December 7 drone attack on his office in An Najaf. The attack on Sadr's office, took place shortly after the last of a series of attacks on Iranian diplomatic missions in Iraq. The Iranian Diplomacy, a website close to Iran's Foreign Ministry wrote in early December, " Iraqi protesters have attacked and set fire to the Iranian Consulate in An Najaf for the third time in the evening of 3 December. The first attack on the Iranian Consulate in An Najaf by Iraqi protesters took place on 27 November when they torched the Consulate. They attacked and set fire to the Consulate on 1 December for a second time." "Meanwhile on 4 November the Iranian Consulate in Karbala was attacked and on 7 September a similar attack was launched on the Iranian Consulate in Basra," the website wrote. Whatever the link between those attacks and strike on Al-Sadr's office, the result seems to have brought Sadr closer to the Islamic Republic. In one of the latest developments in Ira's relations with Muqtada al-Sadr, "Following the assassination of General Qasem Soleimani and Hashd al-Sha'bi deputy head Abu-Mahdi al-Muhandis in early January, Iran is following a new plan to strengthen its influence in Iraq in collaboration with Lebanon's Hezbollah," Fararu wrote, adding that Sadr will be one of the pillars of this new arrangement. The report says, "The reason for the change in Iran's policy about its relations with some Iraqi groups were the developments in Iraq during the past months, particularly the events that took place following the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani. During this period, some political figures who were close to Iran or were Iran's allies, including Nuri al-Maliki, Hadi Ameri and Massoud Barzani were not able to play an effective role in guiding or controlling developments in Iraq." They were also not able to play an effective part in the crisis about electing a new Prime Minister after Abd- al-Mahdi's resignation. "Not only these figures and some other groups were not able to shape the developments, but they also were another factor leading to the continuation of the protests," the report said. An Iraqi source quoted by Fararu, Al-Alam al-Jadid newspaper, says Iran has formed a think tank consisting of officials linked to the IRGC, the Foreign Ministry, The Ministry of Intelligence and the Lebanese Hezbollah to design a new policy in Iraq. The newspaper wrote that "The reason for setting aside traditional allies such as Nuri al-Maliki, Hadi Ameri and Massoud Barzani and extending more support for Muqtada al-Sadr was those their inability to neutralize anti-government and anti-Iran protests, which began in early October. Irans allies were also unable to ratify a law to end the monopoly of U.S. [military] flights in Iraqi skies, and their failure to get an authorization for the flight of Iranian aircraft in Iraq." It appears that Iran has turned to Muqtada al-Sadr in its new approach in Iraq, because it thinks he is the only one who can do what others failed to do, i.e., weakening the United States' influence. The Iraqi newspaper added that Sadr enjoys more popularity in comparison with other Iraqi politicians and is able to control armed groups in Iraq. Meanwhile, Sadr has been playing a delicate and seemingly intelligent act of walking a tightrope in the political sphere. According to Fararu, despite a strong presence by his party in the Iraqi Parliament and leverage in forming governments, he does not accept any official position in the political system, although, no government can be ever formed without his input. However, in any alliance with Sadr, Iran cannot ignore his zigzag manoeuvres. He played an influential part in forming the Abd al-Mahdi administration and had a major part in his government. But as soon the anti-government protests started, he called for the downfall of the government even louder than the protesters in the streets. Then-President Barack Obama said that Donald Trump is 'a fascist' during the 2016 election, according to Senator Tim Kaine. Kaine, then the Democratic vice presidential candidate, was caught on camera telling his running mate Hillary Clinton of the remark, in footage included in the new Hulu documentary about her. 'President Obama called me last night and said: 'Tim, remember, this is no time to be a purist. You've got to keep a fascist out of the White House,'' Kaine tells Clinton in a clip from the documentary Hillary, which NBC News was able to preview. Kaine then laughed and added that Obama 'knows me and he knows that I could tend to err.' Clinton replies, nodding, 'I echo that sentiment.' Then-President Barack Obama said that Donald Trump is 'a fascist' during the 2016 election, according to Senator Tim Kaine Kaine, then the Democratic vice presidential candidate, was caught on camera telling his running mate Hillary Clinton of the remark She then puts her hands to her chest and says, 'But that's really the weight of our responsibility is so huge.' Clinton appeared at the premiere of Hillary the Sundance Film Festival on Saturday. But she was spotted leaving out of the back of the Ray Theater in Park City, Utah, before the screening of the film began, in exclusive pictures for the DailyMail.com. The four-part documentary series that will be available on Hulu on March 6. The documentary has already made headlines, after the Hollywood Reporter revealed that in one clip from it, Clinton trash talks Senator Bernie Sanders, her foe in 2016 and a front-runner for the nomination in 2020. Hillary Clinton attends the premier of the Hulu documentary Hillary at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival on Saturday in Park City, Utah Clinton was spotted leaving out of the back of the Ray Theater in Park City, Utah, before the screening of the film began Clinton posed for photos outside of the theater as she left before the screening started 'He was in Congress for years. He had one senator support him,' Clinton says in the documentary. 'Nobody likes him, nobody wants to work with him, he got nothing done. He was a career politician. 'It's all just baloney and I feel so bad that people got sucked into it,' she adds. Sanders, 78, pushed Clinton to the wire four years ago in an acrimonious, months-long battle for the party's nomination. Clinton won that race but lost to Trump. In an abrupt about-face, Hillary Clinton said Tuesday night that she would endorse her 2016 rival Bernie Sanders if he wins the Democratic nomination to face President Donald Trump in November. The former secretary of state had earlier refused to say whether she would endorse Sanders in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter published Tuesday, instead telling the outlet: 'I'm not going to go there yet.' She had also offered a broad condemnation of the progressive candidate's style of politics. 'I thought everyone wanted my authentic, unvarnished views!' Clinton tweeted Tuesday night. 'But, to be serious, the number one priority for our country and world is retiring Trump, and, as I always have, I will do whatever I can to support our nominee.' FILE PHOTO: The logo of SoftBank Group Corp is displayed at the SoftBank World 2017 conference in Tokyo By Sam Nussey TOKYO (Reuters) - A former employee of SoftBank Group Corp's wireless business has been arrested on suspicion of leaking company information, the telecommunications firm said on Saturday. SoftBank Corp said it had dismissed the former manager after it became aware of the alleged theft, adding that none of the stolen information was highly confidential. The former employee is suspected of passing information to Russia's trade mission in Japan in exchange for money, the Nikkei newspaper reported, citing the police. A Tokyo police spokesman declined to confirm those exact details but said a 48-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of illicitly accessing company servers and stealing trade secrets. The Nikkei reported that the police also want to speak to trade mission staff it believes are involved in the incident and is requesting the return to Japan of staff no longer in the country via the foreign ministry. "We regret the Japanese side has joined anti-Russian speculation that is trendy in the West on the threadbare theme of spy hysteria," the Russian Embassy in Japan said in a post on Twitter. "This contradicts the line agreed by Moscow and Tokyo towards establishment of a positive atmosphere for improving bilateral cooperation and resolving uneasy issues on the joint agenda," the post continued. SoftBank said the former manager had been in charge of improving construction-related efficiencies at its telecoms facilities. (Reporting by Sam Nussey in Tokyo; Additional reporting by Maria Kiselyova; Editing by Hugh Lawson) Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-26 20:34:04|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Medical workers cheer for each other in Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Jan. 24, 2020. (Xinhua/Xiong Qi) Expert said the public does not need to panic, as a large number of those infected will recover with the help of their immune system. BEIJING, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Momentum of the epidemic outbreak may decline in 20 days based on the current prevention and control measures of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), a leading virologist said Sunday. The increase of confirmed cases recently resulted from people infected with the virus about 20 days ago, said Wen Yumei, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, adding that the current measures are expected to prevent future infection. The human body will gradually become immune to the microorganism, which may drive an end to the epidemic, said Wen, also a professor at a key lab on medical molecular virology in Shanghai. Noting most patients that are in critical condition have other existing diseases with immune system disorders, Wen said the public does not need to panic, as a large number of those infected will recover with the help of their immune system. However, effective self-protection measures like wearing masks are needed, as the epidemic is infectious without typical symptoms during the incubation period, said Cao Wei, deputy director with the infection department at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital. A new study shows how a common stomach bacterium is able to keep its corkscrew-like shape as it grows. Disrupting the shape could point the way for future, more-specialized antibiotics that prevent the bacterium from being harmful. The study, published in eLife earlier this month by scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, revealed that Helicobacter pylori maintains its helical shape by targeting cell-wall synthesis on opposite sides of the curvy-shaped bacterium. The team identified two proteins, MreB and CcmA, that balance cell-wall production in the right areas. "In the case of H. pylori, its shape is key to its success as a pathogen," said Dr. Nina Salama, a bacteriologist at Fred Hutch who led the study. "In our latest study we show for the first time how two proteins are responsible for giving the bacterium its twisty form, and without those proteins H. pylori cannot work." Salama is a member of the Human Biology and the Public Health Sciences Divisions at Fred Hutch. Her team was the first to demonstrate how important H. pylori's corkscrew shape is for its ability to infect its host. The distinctive shape helps it swim through stomach mucus, allowing it to cause an infection that can trigger ulcers and stomach cancer. "Our latest findings take an important step toward understanding how H. pylori maintain their shape and how to design more specific antibiotics to target the infections they cause," Salama said. H. pylori infects about half of the world's population. The bacterium burrows into mucus lining of the stomach and sets up long-term inflammation that can trigger ulcers and stomach cancer. Stomach cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, particularly in Asian countries. advertisement The bacterium's shape is dictated by the shape of its cell wall, a strong, flexible meshwork that contains its cellular contents. But how does H. pylori make itself helical? That's a fundamental question that Jennifer Taylor, first author of the eLife paper and a graduate student in Salama's lab, explored. "Bacteria put a lot of effort into maintaining their shapes," she said. "A deeper understanding of how the bacterium creates and maintains its shape even as it grows and divides could spur the development of more cell-wall attacking antibiotics." Taylor examined a variety of cell-wall building mechanism in H. pylori to figure out what strategy it was using to build its shape. It turns out that two proteins coordinated the growth: MreB: a rod-shaped protein that bacteria use to direct wall-building and is known to help straighten out divots in the cell wall in other bacterial species. MreB helps maintain the side of H. pylori that the researchers called the "negative" curve, or the side that is shorter between the two ends. CcmA: balances out MreB's wall-building activities, by directing cell-wall construction on the opposite side of the cell -- the "positive" curve that is the longer side. The researchers also saw that H. pylori cells with defective CcmA achieve only a gentle curve, suggesting that disrupting the CcmA protein could help weaken the harm from the bacterium. Though a tiny organism, H. pylori is still very large with respect to the molecules that set its shape pattern. Its shape doesn't just help scientists spot H. pylori under the microscope; the bug's corkscrew form is critical to its ability to escape stomach acid and anchor in for the long haul by swimming through the stomach's mucus lining. Antibiotics are already used to help prevent stomach cancer and ulcers by wiping out H. pylori -- but they have downsides. "Some of these antibiotics that target the cell wall wipe out lots of different bugs," Salama said. "One of the goals of our research is to discover a more specific approach for a bug like Helicobacter. We could target its special shape to create a less-broad, more-specific antibiotic." They're now looking beyond how the cell wall is created to how it is structured and changed over time and how the cell shape contributes to H. pylori's ability to colonize and survive in the stomach. The National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation and Department of Defense funded the research. The northeastern province of Quang Ninh welcomed its first tourist arrivals of the lunar new year through Tuan Chau International Passenger Port and Van Don International Airport. Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Nguyen Xuan Ky presented flowers and lucky gifts to the first guests to arrive and wished them good health, happiness and success. On the first day of the Year of the Rat, four groups of nearly 60 holidaymakers from France, Japan and Taiwan (China) touched down on Tuan Chau international port. A tourist from Taiwan said she was delighted to be warmly welcomed in Ha Long, adding that she wants her family to have enjoyable experience at the natural world heritage site. Close to 10,000 visitors, mostly from Taiwan, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Canada and France, are expected to visit Ha Long on January 25, the first day of the Lunar New Year. On the same morning, Vice Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Cao Tuong Huy welcomed the first overseas visitors at Van Don international airport. A leader from Quang Ninh (L) welcomes and give li xi (lucky money) to the first tourists to touch down on Van Don International Airport on the first day of the Lunar New Year 2020 on January 25, 2020. (Photo: NDO/Quang Tho) All of the 120 passengers on the flight of the low-cost budget carrier Vietjet Air departing from Tan Son Nhat international airport (Ho Chi Minh City) to Van Don (Quang Ninh) received free tickets to visit Yen Tu relic site and Ha Long Bay. * Also on Saturday, Lao Cai International Border Gate in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai performed a national flag salute ceremony at the beginning of the lunar new year while welcoming the first foreign guest. Officials at the Lao Cai International Border Gate (L) welcome the first guest to enter Vietnam through the gate on the first day of the Lunar New Year 2020 on January 25, 2020. (Photo: NDO/Quoc Hong) Under the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, from 7 am on January 25, the gage carried out medical declarations and checks for all passengers entering Vietnam from China. * The central city of Da Nang welcomed the first 120 visitors of Lunar New Year on Vietnam Airlines flight from Ho Chi Minh City on the same morning. Representatives of the national flag carrier and the city's Tourism Department gave lucky gifts to all of their passengers. Da Nang City welcomes the first 120 visitors of the Lunar New Year 2020 on Vietnam Airlines flight from Ho Chi Minh City on January 25 morning. (Photo: NDO/Trang Ly) According to the department, Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar Pacific operated 20 direct air routes with 250 flights per week connecting Da Nang and other destinations including 11 international sites. In 2019, Vietnam Airlines operated 26,500 safe flights carrying more than four million passengers through Da Nang International Airport. When Barack Obama left the White House in 2016, I wondered on what future issues he would direct his leadership. The Obama Foundation mandate appeared to focus on developing young civic leaders internationally, and hes continued to actively speak on climate action initiatives. The Economic Club of Canada (ECC) and the Global Institute for Conscious Economics held an event on Thursday, at which Obama brought his voice to another significant challenge of our time: preparing Canadians for the future of work. The six women leadership team that powers the ECC did an exemplary job of ensuring there was a diverse set of change-makers present for the dialogue, including 6000 business leaders, policy-makers, educators, entrepreneurs, and students across generations. It was refreshing to enter a forum on economic inclusion that was reflective of the diversity of Canada. In her opening remarks, Kiana Rookz Eastmond, founder and director of Sandbox Studios, encouraged those present to take responsibility individually for the success of the diverse range of leaders in the room, Dont leave here without opening a door for someone else. A 2018 World Economic Forum report on the future work, surveying companies representing 15 million workers spanning 12 industries, expected a shift from an average of 71 per cent of total task hours performed by humans in 2018 compared to 29 per cent by machines, to 58 per cent of task hours performed by humans and expected a whopping 42 per cent by machines by 2022. Automation impacts all work, from repetitive tasks in assembly lines to office environments and working from home. Obama spoke of the unique skills humans bring to the knowledge economy: imagination, empathy, creativity, analytical thinking, meaningful connection, and the ability to build a team. The former presidents talk not only touched on who was creating opportunities for workers to up their skills, but also on furthering the need to look after the physical and mental well being of the labour force as we collectively face economic vulnerability and social isolation. He shared his personal process for effective problem solving, and underscored the need to ensure there is a diversity of viewpoints at the table to make data-informed decisions with feedback systems in place to course correct as needed. Obama emphasized the importance of being ambitious in leadership and not spending all of your time avoiding mistakes. He spoke directly to the need to rethink our education systems that were designed primarily for the agricultural and industrial ages. According to a 2019 report by the World Bank: The days of staying in one job, or with one company, for decades, are waning. In the gig economy, workers will likely have many gigs over the course of their careers, which means they will have to be lifelong learners. Whether its an autoworker attempting a new career path, with great courage, later in life, a young entrepreneur forced into a precarious work situation and trying to adapt, or a mother looking to re-enter the workforce while growing her family our education systems should be accessible and adaptable to equip Canadians of all ages for success. It can be overwhelming for individuals looking to re-enter our education systems and understand the resources that are available, especially those who are diligently climbing out of existing student debt. People require a level of predictability for funding and support when weighing the opportunity cost of continuing ones education. Obama further brought a global context to this Canadian dialogue, sharing how our efforts to innovate and collaborate toward an inclusive economy at home should be balanced with international aid education efforts as well. The government of Canada has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in examining the trends impacting workers with the aim of identifying emerging skills and developing and testing fresh approaches. I hope the relevant stakeholders in business, education and labour can come together and put aside ulterior motives to continue addressing these mutual challenges. President Obamas presence was a reminder that rather than fearing the future, we must seize this moment to take it in our hands and collectively shape it. Tiffany Gooch is a Toronto-based Liberal strategist and a freelance contributing columnist for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: is a Toronto-based Liberal strategist and a freelance contributing columnist for the Star. 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